Decisions That Count

Is empathy disappearing in today’s high-pressure workplaces — or are our brains simply overloaded? In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien sit down with Mimi Nicklin, global thought leader on organisational empathy and founder of Empathy Everywhere, to explore a powerful question:👉 Is cognitive overload quietly eroding our ability...

Are we expecting children to make decisions their brains aren’t ready for? In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle O’Brien sit down with Dr. Emma Waddington, Clinical Psychologist and founder based in Singapore, to explore how children actually learn to make decisions—and why many parenting strategies unintentionally create decision fatigue, an...

In this episode, Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist + entrepreneur) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, mum, marathon runner) sit down with Leah Stockley — organisational psychologist, speaker, writer, and co-founder of Let’s Flow — to explore why so many leaders feel stuck, exhausted, and overwhelmed… and why it’s not a personal failing. Core truth: Leaders aren’t failing because they lack capabilit...

In this episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, mum, marathon runner) sit down with Vera Siertsema - senior AI and digital transformation leader at Microsoft ASEAN and host of the State of Mind podcast — to unpack a question every leader, parent, and high-performer is facing right now:AI is accelerating decision-making… but are we desig...

In this episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, mum, marathon runner) go inside the world of HYROX Pro Doubles with Máire Mc Ginley and Rachel O’Connor—two elite athletes proving that performance isn’t just about fitness… it’s about decision-making under fatigue. If you’ve ever felt your brain go foggy mid-pressure (in sport, business,...

🧠🌍 The Decision to Build Smarter: How AI Can Reduce Chaos, Carbon & Cognitive LoadWhat if the hardest decision of your life became the catalyst for improving millions of others? In this episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle O’Brien sit down with Richard Savoie, third-time founder and CEO of Adiona, to explore how decision fatigue, cognitive overload, and emotional st...

The Chinese Bamboo Tree: How Patience and Execution Drive Human-Centric AI with Siddharth Astir (EVP Brand, Gary Vaynerchuk | Babson MBA) In a world obsessed with instant results, what if the real advantage is patience, self-belief, and execution? In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien sit down with Siddharth Astir, Executive Vice...

The Invisible Decisions Behind Addiction: How Trauma, Genetics & Environment Shape Our Choices. What if addiction isn’t about “bad choices” - but about constrained decision-making capacity? In this powerful episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and Biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien sit down with entrepreneur and digital health leader James J. Piacentino, Co-Founder &...

How Your Brain Really Decides (and Why That’s Good News) | Dr. Paul Glimcher on Neuroeconomics + Decision FatigueWelcome back to Decisions That Count - where Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, mum, marathon runner) unpack the science + soul of decision-making, so you can reduce cognitive overload, protect your mental clarity, and make choices you’re proud of. In t...

From Loneliness to a Global Running Movement | Decision Fatigue, Consistency & Connection (ft. Tyler Swartz, Endorphins Running) What happens when you align your energy with your heart—and make one clear decision? In this episode of Decisions That Count, we sit down in New York with Tyler Swartz, Founder of Endorphins Running, to unpack the moment a simple post (“Hey, does anyone want to run w...

Food, Freedom & the Fatigue of Choice (with Jon Engelson) How do you make better food decisions when you’re already mentally exhausted? In this episode, Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, mum, marathon runner) sit down with Jon Engelson—veteran entrepreneur, business consultant, holistic health coach, and Chief Strategic Officer of Joburg Meats—to unpack the h...

Tennis might look like a physical game — but what if the real battle is in your brain? 🎾🧠 In this episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist & decision fatigue expert) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, mum & marathon runner) sit down with Josh Hublitz — former Division I tennis captain, ex–investment banker, and now full-time digital creator — to unpack what reall...

In this episode of Decisions That Count, we go behind the camera with multi-award-winning producer Jim Czarnecki – the producer behind Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 and some of the most culture-shaping documentaries of the 21st century. Together with Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist, decision fatigue expert) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, mum, marathon runner), Jim unpacks the invisib...

Would you trust a digital version of yourself to make decisions on your behalf? In this episode of Decisions That Count, we sit down with elite human performance expert Dr. Andy Walshe to explore the future of decision-making at the edge of neuroscience, AI, and human potential. From cognitive twins and biomechanical twins to brain implants and AI agents making decisions for us, this conversation...

From Virality to Clarity: how do you make smart choices in a world where TikTok, algorithms and AI are constantly nudging what you watch, think, buy and believe? In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and marketer/mum/marathon runner Michelle O’Brien sit down with Ted Sacripanti — digital media entrepreneur, TikTok insider and Co-Founder of Nvertical — to unpack t...

In this episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle O’Brien sit down with Steven Puri – former Hollywood executive, tech founder, and daily yogi; to unpack the decisions that truly change everything. From selling his first company at 28 and working with studios like Fox, DreamWorks and Sony, to facing a cancer diagnosis and impending fatherhood, Steven shares how life’s biggest...

The Unseen Conflict: Why Great Leaders Must Let Go (with Mark Stringer) Decision fatigue isn’t just about too many choices—it’s the identity drag that leaders carry as they evolve. In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and Biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien sit down with Mark Stringer—Chair of award-winning creative agency PrettyGreen and Co-Founder/CMO of climate platform Skoot—to unpack how...

The Unchecked Leader: Why High-Quality Decisions Require Checks, Balances, and Empathy (w/ Steven “Steve” Okun) When stakes are high, one brain isn’t enough. In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and Biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien sit down with Steven “Steve” Okun—ranked #2 on LinkedIn for Geopolitics & International Relations in Singapore (Favikon, July 2025)—...

The Race Brain: How Life-or-Death Decisions Rewired Her for Success (with Claire Jedrek) Ever wondered how elite drivers make split-second choices at 300 km/h—and how those same skills can help you lead teams, parent with calm, and avoid decision fatigue? In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien sit down with Claire Jedrek—Singapore’...

Decision fatigue is real—and fixable. In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and Biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien sit down with Dr. Miina Öhman (MD, PhD, DipIBLM) to unpack the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine—nutrition, physical activity, sleep, social connection, stress management, and avoiding risky substances—and show how daily, conscious choices across these pillars reduce cognitive ov...

The Gen Z Compass: How to Beat Decision Fatigue & Choose with Purpose (ft. Holly Smith) Gen Z is growing up in a world of hyper-choice —and it’s exhausting. In this episode of Decisions That Count , neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and Biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien sit down with Holly Smith (impact investing + financial activism) to unpack why modern life overloads the brain—and how to reclaim c...

Rewiring Your Inner Compass: Bhavna Toor on Conscious Choice, Mindful Leadership & Decision Fatigue. Feeling stretched thin by constant decisions? In this episode of Decisions That Count , neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle O’Brien sit down with mindful leadership coach and author Bhavna Toor (Founder & CEO, Shenomics ) to unpack conscious choice , values-driven decision-making ,...

What if the fastest way to overcome decision fatigue isn’t more willpower—but more community ? In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and biotech CMO/marathon mum Michelle O’Brien sit down with Dr. Rebekah Jade —medical doctor, yoga teacher, Nike trainer, and founder of Pana , a wellness community elevating the health and happiness of the Black community and its allies. We explore how sh...

The Unforeseen Cost of Connection: Digital Ethics, Algorithms & Decision Fatigue Is social media quietly taxing your brain’s ability to choose well? In this episode of Decisions That Count , neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and marketer–marathoner Michelle O’Brien sit down with cultural critic and brand strategist James Kirkham to explore the ethical, biological, and human consequences of const...

Do your words create clarity—or more noise? In this episode of Decisions That Count , neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and biotech CMO/ marathoner Michelle O’Brien sit down with Charles Byrne , Director General of the English-Speaking Union, to unpack oracy —the science and soul of speaking and listening well—and how it reduces decision fatigue , sharpens cognitive clarity , and elevates real-world...