2023 Overview
The brain changes each and every day during our whole lives, based on how we use it. Healthier daily habits can improve the trajectory of our lives.
BrainHealth Week 2023 shared access to simple, science-based tools and strategies that we can incorporate into our daily lives. Each day's theme focused on a different aspect contributing to better brain health.
With many ways to participate in person and virtually, our inaugural BrainHealth Week made it easy for people of any age to begin – or continue – the journey to a healthier brain.
This video shares a vision for a better world through better brain health.
Family Fun Fair at Center for BrainHealth
A FREE, family-friendly day kicked off BrainHealth Week 2023 by offering parents and kids unique opportunities to engage in brain-healthy games and activities, learn insights from BrainHealth experts and meet special guests.
- Learning about how our curious brain loves exploration: Steven Lee from NASA shared lessons in perseverance, curiosity, mindfulness from the Mars mission.
- Enjoying a sound immersion experience: a flautist from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Young Musicians performed for the event.
- Getting a sneak peek of KERA’s new mindfulness podcast: guests from KERA shared a special introduction to the series for children and parents.
Office Hours on Instagram Live
Office Hours features live-streamed talks to highlight neuroscience topics and spark brain-healthy conversations.
On Monday, Steven Lee, deputy project manager from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, joined Dr. Julie Fratantoni for a live conversation about brain health and real-time decision-making, overcoming challenges, participating in a mission with a big vision, and more.
Scroll down to watch another talk with Steven Lee, during our live-streamed event from the Family Fun Fair.
Perseverance, Curiosity and Mindfulness: Lessons from NASA’s Mars Mission
Family Fun Fair attendees met Steven Lee from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab for a discussion focused on curiosity, perseverance and lessons he learned from the Mars mission.
Creating Leaders of Impact: How Brain Health Fits
Virtual attendees tuned in for an invigorating conversation about workplace culture, leadership and how to cultivate belonging – with special guests Dr. Kara Allen, chief impact officer for Spurs Sports & Entertainment; Katie Edwards, chief impact officer of Dallas Mavericks; and Dr. Michael Sorrell, president of Paul Quinn College.
Happy Hour at Center for BrainHealth
Rising leaders from the Dallas area converged on Center for BrainHealth to experience the impact that art and connection (to people and purpose) can have on the brain.
- Special guests Steven and William Ladd – brothers, artists and creators of the national Scrollathon® art initiative – shared stories from their unique, collaborative art-making project.
- Guests enjoyed three fun, brain-healthy exercises, led by Dr. Julie Fratantoni.
- The crowd observed a live painting of participants’ reactions being created in real time by local artist Dr Gorilla (a.k.a. David Rodriguez). Watch a time-lapsed video of the experience
Good Disruption: Harnessing Brain Health for a Change
In a fireside-style chat, Bob Gold, chief clinical behavioral technologist and founder of GoMo Health, shared insights from his 20+ years of experience in the behavioral and cognitive science of human motivation, activation and resilience, delving into topics like incremental vs. disruptive innovation, the role of uncertainty, characteristics of a change agent, and bringing innovation to market.
Talk sponsored by
Healing: Our Path From Mental Illness to Mental Health
Why, with so much progress in neuroscience, behavioral science and technology, are population mental health outcomes so dire? Dr. Tom Insel – neuroscientist, psychiatrist and former director of the National Institute of Mental Health and author – expands the approach to mental health from a narrow medical model to one based upon the three P’s – People, Place and Purpose. Learn insights from his book Healing: Our Path From Mental Illness to Mental Health.
This virtual talk kicked off the 2023 season of our popular speaker series, BrainHealth Presents – register to attend virtually, and you get access to the full season.
Talk sponsored by
Office Hours on Instagram Live
Neuroscientists Dr. Dan Krawczyk and Dr. Julie Fratantoni welcomed a special guest for a real-time wrap up of BrainHealth Week 2023.
Dr. Jud Brewer, director of research and innovation at Brown University's Mindfulness Center, joined Office Hours to help debrief about the week's Daily Text Challenge, including the science behind habit formation, how to deal with unwanted habits, and how kindness and curiosity can encourage positive habits and strengthen brain health.
Boosting Brain Health, the Key to a Flourishing Community
To conclude BrainHealth Week 2023, an array of local leaders and changemakers convened for a groundbreaking panel discussion, celebrating the importance of brain health and sharing ways to amplify community impact.
Local artist Dr Gorilla (a.k.a. David Rodriguez) transcribed the panel discussion in real time. Afterward, panelists and attendees signed the artist's board as a testament of shared values.
- Moderator: Noelle LeVeaux, publisher of D Magazine Partners
- Dr. Jeff Zsohar, medical director, Baylor Community Care Clinics
- Christine Román, co-founder and board chair, Community Does It
- Byron Sanders, president and CEO, Big Thought Institute
- Max Geron, senior director of health and public safety, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
- Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, founder and chief director, Center for BrainHealth