Mao's Last Dancer

How are Professor Howard Gardner, Edward de Bono, Professor Marian Diamond, Harvey Mackay, (some of) the Doobie Brothers, King Constantine II, Ian Lesley, Christine Anu, Dr Stephen Lundin (author of Fish) and author Bryce Courtney all linked? Through the connectivity of Conference Cards. I have had the joy of speaking at Conferences where these good folk have spoken or performed.

Recently I glanced through my old journals and found notes taken at the Schwarzkopf Conference in Borneo 2005. I had the joy of topping and tailing the card with Li Cunxin (Mao's Last Dancer) and Gregory David Roberts (Shantarma) being the wonderful filling. My notes of the start of Li's presentation are pictured.

Music Zen

'Taint what you do it's the way that you do it... that's what gets results'. Written by jazz artists Sy Oliver and Trummy Young, released by Ella Fitzgerald (and others) in 1939 and re-released by Fun Boy Three and Bananarama in 1982 this is the anthem of Music Zen: the rhythm of design and presentation. This workshop looks at the use of song, music, rhythm and melody in designing and delivering workshops, keynotes and conferences. There are layers to be explored including suggestology, music for mood, meaning, evocation and provocation of learning. It will mean more of a thing when it's (your presentations) got the swing.

Slidezen

Good teachers can create environments of learning without Power Point, Keynote, laptops, flip charts or chalk boards but if they are using slides then the slides should add art, science and magic to the learning experience. Slide Zen is a workshop about the philosophy of suggestion and how each slide design (the look, the sound, the feel, the transition) should add layers of learning to each lesson, workshop, conference or keynote speech. This small group workshop will shift (and sift) the way you design and present.

Frozen Shoulder Syndrome - Living in Pain

After many months of intense pain my wife Lindy was told she had Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (FSS). Over the next two years of partial treatments, semi relief at times, one step forward and two steps back at others, we learned more and more about this 'most common unheard of thing'. Listen with empathy to the piece, the Professor talking about Pain Management and living with those living with pain. Listen also to caller Clinton talking of his FSS. If you know of anyone with FSS or living with chronic pain, please have them listen to this piece. It may not provide a full answer but it may provide empathy, partial possibilities and the fact that they are not alone.