Decisions That Count

The Anthropologist’s Compass: How Understanding Human Behavior Powers Better Decisions & Social Change What if your most impactful decisions start with seeing people clearly? In this episode of Decisions That Count , Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist & entrepreneur) and Michelle O’Brien (mum, marketer, marathoner) sit down with Dan Walsh , Director of Marketing, Communications & Externa...

The Unseen Layers: How Identity & Purpose Shape Your Decisions. What if the very decisions that define you are shaped by unseen layers of identity, legacy, and purpose? In this episode of Decisions That Count , neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle O’Brien sit down with Natalie Duvall —Culture & Events Marketing Manager at Red Bull UK, co-founder of Dragons’ Den–backed March...

When everything tells you to quit, what makes you keep going? In this powerful episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle O’Brien sit down with Javeno McLean — British fitness coach, online creator, and a global leader in training disabled, sick, and elderly clients. Known for his unstoppable energy and heart-led approach, Javeno shares what true persever...

Can your gut, stress hormones, and menstrual cycle be the real reason you're struggling with brain fog or decision fatigue? In this powerful episode, Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle are joined by functional health expert Jessica O’Dwyer , trusted by high performers at Barclays, UBS, and Morgan Stanley, to uncover the often-overlooked connection between physical health and cognitive clarity . 🔬...

The Intentional Wardrobe: Transform Your Fashion Choices & Beat Decision Fatigue   Ever stare into a closet packed with clothes and still feel like you have nothing to wear? Welcome to the hidden struggle of decision fatigue —the silent drain on your mental clarity and productivity. In this episode of Decisions That Count , neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle are joined by Jul...

How Global Leaders Avoid Burnout | Arun Hozack on Cross-Cultural Decision-Making & Cognitive Resilience What does it take to lead billion-dollar brands across continents without burning out? In this episode of Decisions That Count , Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle O’Brien sit down with Arun Hozack—former President of Red Bull Asia-Pacific and current CEO of SLS Performance—to unpack how intentio...

Is Your Silence Sabotaging Your Success? - Penny Locaso on Fear, Leadership & Decision Fatigue Are you holding back from making a decision that could change everything? In this powerful episode of Decisions That Count , neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle O’Brien sit down with behavioral scientist, leadership coach, and founder of HackingHappy.co, Penny Locaso , to explore the...

When Everyone Else Says No: How Do You Stand Firm on Decisions That Count for a Sustainable Future? What does it take to stand firm on your values when the boardroom says otherwise? In this powerful episode of Decisions That Count , Dr. Darian McBain—UN SDG Pioneer, former Chief Sustainability Officer, and global advisor—joins Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle to unpack the mental resilience, ethical...

Autopilot thinking, decision fatigue, and hidden cognitive biases could be sabotaging your judgment right now. In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle O’Brien sit down with leadership coach, drummer, and author Grant 'Upbeat' Bosnick to reveal science-backed tactics for reclaiming deliberate, high-impact decisions—whether you’re scaling...

In this powerful episode of Decisions That Count , neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien speak with serial entrepreneur Kanika Agarwal, founder of MindPeers. Kanika opens up about building a multimillion-dollar business while battling anxiety, decision fatigue, and the hidden toll of relentless ambition. Together, they explore how cognitive overload affects high performe...

When every decision carries the weight of life and death, how does the human brain cope? In this powerful episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle O’Brien sit down with emergency physician and healthcare innovator Jean-Francois Couture to explore the cognitive, emotional, and psychological toll of decision-making under extreme pressure. Drawing from his years in emergency med...

In this episode of Decisions That Count , we dive deep into the high-pressure world of live news broadcasting with Teymoor Nabili , former anchor for Al Jazeera, CNBC, CNN, and the BBC. With over 25 years of experience reporting on world-shaping events, Teymoor shares what it really takes to stay composed, authentic, and mentally sharp while navigating cognitive overload on the global stage. 🎯 Ke...

Ever wondered how the sheer volume of creative decisions impacts musicians, composers, and educators? In this insightful episode of Decisions That Count, we're joined by renowned composer Xiao'an Li to explore how decision fatigue influences creativity, collaboration, and education in music. From the nuanced choices behind every musical note to managing creative burnout, Xiao'an shares invaluable...

Are you a high achiever wondering if alcohol is quietly holding you back? In this eye-opening episode of Decisions That Count , Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle sit down with James Swanwick—renowned stop drinking expert, author of CLEAR , and creator of the neuroscience-backed Project 90 program. Together, they explore how choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle can be the ultimate strategy for unlocking...

Feeling overwhelmed by too many decisions? You’re not alone—decision fatigue is real, and it's affecting your productivity, relationships, and mental health more than you realize. In this insightful episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle O’Brien unpack the science behind decision fatigue, exploring why your brain struggles under cognitive overload...

What happens when a top doctor walks away from conventional medicine to help people create health instead of just treat sickness? In this powerful episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Cheryl Kam — functional and integrative MD, founder of Clean Supplements, and mum of five — shares the bold decisions that changed her life and the lives of her patients. We explore why so many of us feel chained to...

In this episode of Decisions That Count , we dive into the high-stakes world of global finance with Geoffrey Chen—author of the Fidenza Macro newsletter and director of his family office, Three Quays . With over 20 years of experience in trading across public equities, crypto, and venture capital, Geo opens up about the mental demands of life on the trading floor—and the powerful strategies he’s d...

In this eye-opening episode of Decisions That Count , Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle O’Brien sit down with Luis F. Gonzalez—Chief Data & AI Officer at AboitizPower and a pioneering voice in human-centric AI. With 25+ years of experience leading AI transformation in the power industry, Luis shares powerful insights on how to design AI systems that support rather than replace human thinking. 🎯 K...

In this episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle O'Brien sit down with Joseph Cope, "The Empathy Guy," to unpack the transformative power of empathetic leadership in overcoming decision fatigue and building high-performing teams. Joseph redefines empathy as a critical leadership skill—not just a feeling—that helps create supportive environments where decision-ma...

Are you trapped in the endless scroll? Ever found yourself deep in digital rabbit holes at 2 AM, feeling mentally drained yet unable to stop? You're not alone—this phenomenon, often referred to as "brain rot" or decision fatigue, is rapidly becoming a cognitive crisis. In this compelling episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle Obrien welc...

Decision fatigue doesn’t just show up in boardrooms or esports arenas—it starts in your living room. In this eye-opening episode of Decisions That Count , Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle O’Brien (content leader, mum of two, and alcohol-free creator) unpack the hidden mental load of running a household—and how it disproportionately impacts women and primary caregivers. We explore how the endl...

In this inspiring episode of Decisions That Count, discover how one man's extraordinary endurance challenge became a life-changing journey to cognitive resilience, enhanced decision-making, and purposeful living. Join neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle as they talk with Tom Platts, a corporate and commercial law expert from Stephenson Harwood's Singapore office, about the incredi...

Discover practical strategies for simplifying choices and prioritizing what truly mattersExplore the role of mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional regulation in effective decision-makingGain insights on navigating major life decisions with clarity and confidence using frameworks like the "two-door decision" approach🔑 Top Takeaways:Decision fatigue is a real phenomenon that affects everyone....

Ever feel like your brain's just hit its limit? Dive into the science of decision fatigue with Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle O’Brien on Decisions That Count!  In this episode, we're joined by the incredible Jeremy Au, a force of nature in the tech and startup world. As the COO of Lucence, a cutting-edge biotech AI startup revolutionizing cancer detection, and the host of the top-rated "Brave South...

In this episode of Decisions That Count, we sit down with Scott Clements, a seasoned finance expert and partner at Tribeca Capital, to uncover the secrets of decision-making in a global business world. Scott shares his incredible journey through the world of finance, with stints in Sydney, London, Singapore, and even the Bahamas!  We dive deep into: The impact of cultural nuances on decision-makin...