14.10.2022

“What Happens Next?”

Can We Sharpen Our Focus? | 69

Between social media content, notifications pinging away on our phones, countless streaming options, and even watches with all the bells and whistles of a computer, our attention’s pulled in more directions than ever. Can we regain our focus?

This week, Monash University’s podcast, “What Happens Next?”, concludes its series on focus with conversations with leading experts in neuroscience, psychology and mindfulness.

Host Dr Susan Carland talks to Dr Hannah Kirk about how digital technology can be harnessed to help children build their attention skills.

Professor Mark Bellgrove’s team recently released landmark guidelines for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, establishing the world’s most up-to-date protocols over the past two years. He discusses the individual nature of attention – and what you need to know about yours to hone your focus.

Professor Craig Hassed OAM, co-creator of one of the world’s highest-rated massive open online courses of all time, weighs in on the day-to-day changes we can make to improve our attentiveness.

Finally, bestselling author Timber Hawkeye, writer of “Buddhist Boot Camp”, discusses the mental training that can help us live with intention – whether it’s making a choice on where to focus, what we should eat, or even who we should date.

A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.

Learn more:

• Inclusive education: It’s time to flip the thinking on educating young people with disabilities
• Mind blanking: What happens in our brains when our attention lapses
• Neurodivergence, chronic mental illness, and the race to finishing a PhD
• Professor Craig Hassed’s free online course, Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance

“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with a new topic.

If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe, or rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.