Unlocking the Power of the Brain

James Wildman

So, the human brain—what an incredible machine, right? It's often called the most complex structure in the known universe, capable of some truly astounding feats.

Amanda Whitmore

Astounding is putting it lightly. I mean, 100,000 chemical reactions happening every second? That’s like, a nonstop firework display inside our heads.

James Wildman

Exactly. And here’s the fascinating bit—it only weighs about 2% of your total body weight, yet it hogs about 20% of your oxygen intake. Your brain’s metabolic demands are extraordinary.

Amanda Whitmore

And 71% water! No wonder I feel completely foggy after skipping my morning glass of water.

James Wildman

Yes, hydration is key. Even a small level of dehydration can mess with brain functions. But, let’s zoom in on its structure for a moment—this is where the triune brain theory gets really interesting.

Amanda Whitmore

Ah, so the theory about having “three brains,” right? Or at least, parts of a brain that evolved at different times. Can you explain this theory?, James.

James Wildman

Right. The triune brain theory, proposed by Paul MacLean in the 70s, maps the brain’s evolution into three regions. At its core is the reptilian brain, the oldest part. It handles basic survival functions—think breathing, heartbeat, and the fight, flight, or freeze response.

Amanda Whitmore

Fight or flight—you can thank that for your sweaty palms before a big meeting, huh?

James Wildman

Exactly. It's all about survival. Then, building on top of that, we have the mammalian brain, or the limbic system. This part of the brain holds our emotions, our values—basically, what drives us toward or away from things.

Amanda Whitmore

The drama queen of the brain, if you will.

James Wildman

A very apt analogy. And then we reach the neocortex, the newcomer in evolutionary terms. This is the intellectual powerhouse—responsible for language, creativity, and imagination. It’s what sets us apart as humans.

Amanda Whitmore

What a fascinating hierarchy—a sort of backstage crew keeping us alive down in the reptilian brain, and then the front-row star performers in the neocortex. But how much of this structure actually shapes what we do day-to-day?

James Wildman

A great question. Think of it as this beautifully orchestrated interaction across all layers. Each part is constantly communicating, influencing everything from how we react under stress to complex problem-solving. It allows us to adapt, create, and survive all at once.

Amanda Whitmore

It really puts things into perspective. Our brain isn’t just ticking boxes; it’s this living, breathing… symphony.

James Wildman

Indeed. And when we understand how this structure operates, we can start using it more effectively. But it’s not just about structure—it’s what’s happening beneath the surface that’s truly fascinating.

James Wildman

And speaking of using our brains effectively, here’s something that might surprise you—about 95% of the decisions we make daily happen unconsciously. Imagine that. Our brain's hidden processes are steering almost everything we do, beyond what we’re even aware of.

Amanda Whitmore

Ninety-five percent? That’s wild! So basically, I could unknowingly be outsourcing my entire life to my own brain's autopilot. Comforting thought.

James Wildman

Exactly. And it’s not as random as it sounds. The unconscious mind is like this incredibly efficient system. It processes vast amounts of information, taking shortcuts to make decisions quickly—though sometimes, those shortcuts can be based on outdated or unhelpful beliefs.

Amanda Whitmore

Oh, I know exactly what you mean. There was this one time—I was offered this new broadcasting opportunity overseas. On paper, it was perfect. Great career move, incredible location. But for some reason, I instantly said no. Didn’t even hesitate, it was like my brain decided before I had the chance to weigh it out logically.

James Wildman

And later, did you figure out why? What belief or instinct might have been driving that decision?

Amanda Whitmore

Yeah, it hit me a few weeks later. I grew up with this family mantra—‘stick to what you know, where you know.’ It’s always been in the back of my mind, shaping how I approach risk. And even though I wasn’t consciously thinking about it at the time, turns out, it played a huge role in my decision.

James Wildman

That’s a perfect example of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Our beliefs shape not only how we interpret information, but also what outcomes we create. This is where the concept of intention comes into play—it acts like a filter for the unconscious mind.

Amanda Whitmore

Right, so if my intention isn’t clear to begin with, my unconscious mind might just take the, uh, lazy route?

James Wildman

Exactly. The unconscious mind naturally conserves energy. It gravitates toward the familiar, the path of least resistance. That’s why setting your intention clearly at the start is so important—it directs your unconscious mind, guiding it to sift through the noise and focus on the information that aligns with your goals.

Amanda Whitmore

It’s funny—what you’re describing almost feels like giving my brain a compass. If I don’t point it in the right direction, who knows where I’ll end up.

James Wildman

That’s a great way to put it, and think about this—when you embark on a goal with two completely different intentions, you’ll often end up with two entirely different results, even if the actions you take are the same.

Amanda Whitmore

It’s a bit unnerving, isn’t it? Like, the tiniest tweak in your mental programming could change everything. But hey, also empowering if you know how to work it in your favor.

James Wildman

Absolutely. It’s all about becoming more aware of what’s happening beneath the surface—your unconscious mind is this massive powerhouse, but it’s up to you to steer it. The more intentional you are, the more aligned your actions will become.

James Wildman

Building on that, let’s dive into NLP's concept of the 'learning state.' It’s directly tied to how our unconscious mind processes information. This state puts us in peak absorption mode, where we can guide our mind to soak up knowledge and patterns effortlessly—as easily as a sponge absorbs water.

Amanda Whitmore

Effortless learning—you’ve got me intrigued already! But how does this actually work? Are we talking about some kind of mental trick?

James Wildman

Not exactly a trick, more like tapping into how your brain naturally operates. A key part of this involves something called peripheral vision. When you use peripheral vision, you put yourself in this calm, open state, ideal for soaking up details without your conscious mind getting in the way.

Amanda Whitmore

Ah, so it’s about shutting off the mental chatter, right? Letting the subconscious take the reins, in a way.

James Wildman

Spot on. And here's a fun little exercise to try it out. It’s something called the ‘Sausage Test.’ Amanda, humor me for a moment—place your fingers about a foot away from your face, at eye level.

Amanda Whitmore

Alright, fingers in position. This better not make me look completely ridiculous.

James Wildman

Not at all. Now, slowly bring your fingers together toward the center of your vision. As they come closer, do you notice a sort of… floating sausage-like image between your fingers?

Amanda Whitmore

Wait—oh my goodness, there it is! That’s… bizarre. So this is what peripheral vision does?

James Wildman

Exactly. What you’re experiencing is your peripheral vision kicking in. It’s this broader, more relaxed way of seeing the world, and it places you in the learning state. Plus, it’s great for absorbing details and spotting patterns you’d usually miss.

James Wildman

Here's a great activity to help train going into peripheral vision, first Make sure you are comfortable, and wherever you are, just take a moment to find a spot on the wall, Comfortably look at that spot on the wall, put all your attention and focus onto it, Very slowly start to expand your vision or awareness out from that point, You are now becoming aware of what you can see. You are really opening your eyes

Amanda Whitmore

That’s fascinating. So, essentially, we’re not just seeing what’s dead center but becoming aware of all the stuff around it, too. I can see how this would help with, say, taking on new skills or information.

James Wildman

Absolutely. Personally, I’ve found this technique incredibly useful in expanding my effective field of awareness, allowing me to process multiple streams of information simultaneously while maintaining focus on my primary task. This is why tunnel vision - focusing too narrowly - often leads to missed opportunities

Amanda Whitmore

It’s amazing how something so simple can have such a profound effect. I mean, even in everyday life, I can imagine this being super useful. Meetings, presentations… even something as trivial as people-watching at a café.

James Wildman

Completely. And what makes this even more exciting is how it connects to the unconscious mind. By entering this state, your brain bypasses those conscious filters that usually block information. It’s like opening floodgates to all this rich sensory data you wouldn’t pick up otherwise.

Amanda Whitmore

So, if I master this, I’m essentially giving my brain free rein to soak up the world around me. Kind of makes you feel superhuman, doesn’t it?

James Wildman

It does. And the best part about peripheral vision and the learning state is that it’s something you already know how to do instinctively. It’s just about making it intentional, practicing it day-to-day. And honestly? The more you use it, the more natural it becomes.

Amanda Whitmore

Well, consider me a convert. I’m going to be staring at walls and creating floating sausages for the foreseeable future. But on a serious note, what a fantastic tool to have in our arsenal.

James Wildman

It really is. And as we wrap up, here’s the takeaway: our brains are these extraordinary supercomputers that, when used intentionally, can achieve astounding things. Sometimes, the simplest techniques can unlock the greatest potential.

Amanda Whitmore

Couldn’t agree more. Well, on that note, we’ll see you next time. Here’s to staying curious and unlocking more brainpower.