Every now and then, I find myself drifting back to childhood memories. Often this will happen when I have been in a state of stress.
The smell of freshly cut grass, fish and chips, the sound of kids playing on the street, the feeling of safety in the simplicity of a long-forgotten time.
Why do our minds take us back there?
From a neuroscience perspective, this is linked to the brain’s default mode network (DMN), the system active when we’re not focused on the outside world, often during daydreaming or reflection.
The DMN helps us process our identity, emotions, and memories.
When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, the brain instinctively revisits familiar, comforting experiences to restore emotional balance.
Childhood memories are stored in the hippocampus, a region tied to long-term memory and emotional regulation.
These memories often carry strong emotional weight, and revisiting them can activate the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine, which helps us feel safe and soothed.
These moments can help us remember who we were before the world told us who to be.
For me, these memories are grounding. They remind me of the values I grew up with, the resilience I didn’t know I had, and the dreams that still play in the background.
So, if you find yourself thinking about your childhood lately, don’t dismiss it. Lean into it.
There might be something there you need to remember or reclaim.
What’s one childhood memory that still brings you peace?
Let’s talk!
Make People Feel Safe
In our line of work, whether it’s advanced communications, personal safety, or coping skills to get through life’s challenges, psychological safety is a necessity.
Psychological safety means people feel safe to be human - safe to ask questions, share ideas, and admit mistakes. To speak up without fear of ridicule, rejection, or retaliation.
When people don’t feel safe, they shut down, and the brain goes into survival mode. What does this do to an organisation? Creativity wanes, communication breaks down, and trust erodes.
However, when psychological safety is present, people thrive, teams unite, and the brain shifts from protection to connection.
Oxytocin flows and cortisol drops. The prefrontal cortex, the part responsible for decision-making and empathy, comes alive.
So how do we build it?
We listen – not to fix, but to understand.
We lead with vulnerability – because true strength is found in honesty.
We protect and support the quiet voices – because every perspective matters.
We respond with compassion – especially when someone takes the risk to speak up.
At WARN International, we believe that psychological safety is the starting point for every conversation, every workshop, every moment of support.
It’s how we help people feel seen, heard, and truly valued.
When people feel safe, they show up fully.
Let’s talk!
Are You Showing All Your Abilities.
As we baby boomers reach the later stages of our working lives, it can sometimes feel as though the world is against us.
We tell ourselves, “I didn’t get that job because I’m too old, because I’m too experienced, because they fear I’ll take their job, because…” The list goes on.
At some point, we all must accept that we are ageing.
Yet we don’t have to accept that we didn’t get that job because we’re too old, too experienced, or too much of a threat.
Sometimes, it’s simply that the organisation is heading in a new direction, or perhaps looking for a fresh set of eyes.
Maybe, just maybe, they haven’t yet seen the flexibility and adaptability we bring.
So, what can we do to give ourselves every chance of landing that next role?
We can show them the diversity of our skills by sharing stories of how our experience has made us adaptable and resourceful.
We can talk about our ability to work with anyone, in any environment, and demonstrate that we’re open to new ideas and learning.
We can show that we’re not just keeping up with today’s world; we are actively contributing to it.
Our world is progressing faster than anyone ever imagined, and we must show that we are keeping pace with it.
That means highlighting the ways we’ve embraced technology, even if it’s just learning new tools or platforms that are relevant to our field.
It means sharing the courses we’ve taken, the certifications we’ve earned, or the webinars we’ve attended.
When we talk about how we have adapted to change or solved new challenges, we show that our problem-solving skills are as sharp as ever.
Mentoring is another strength we bring; our ability to coach and support others is a huge asset to any team.
And when we share stories of collaborating across generations, across ethnicities, across cultures, we remind employers that we know how to build bridges.
Above all, letting our passion for the role and the industry shine through can be the most compelling evidence of all that we are still very much relevant.
It may not be your age that’s holding you back. Sometimes, it’s simply about how you present your relevance and readiness for today’s challenges.
Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep relevant.
Let’s talk!
Is 'No' a Complete Sentence?
The other day, I overheard someone say, “No is a complete sentence.”
As a communication specialist, I was intrigued...
Our brains are wired for connection and understanding.
When we communicate, we naturally break things into three parts: what we’re saying, why we’re saying it, and what comes next.
This structure helps our brains process information, reduces uncertainty and builds trust.
But here’s something fascinating from neuroscience: the way we say something is five times more important than the words we use.
Our tone, facial expressions, and body language all send powerful signals to the brain, often louder than the words themselves.
A gentle “no” can feel supportive, while a harsh “no” can trigger a stress response.
So, is “no” truly enough?
On the one hand, “no” is clear and concise. It sets a boundary. Neuroscience tells us that clarity reduces anxiety by calming us when things are unambiguous.
Unclear messages cause a heightened state of awareness and can lead to overthinking.
But “no” can also feel abrupt, even harsh. It offers no explanation, no empathy, no path forward.
“No” can trigger discomfort in both the speaker and the listener.
That’s why I prefer to expand “no” into three parts:
State your position - “I’m unable to do that…”
Give a reason - “…because of (reason)…”
Offer an option - “…but what you might want to do is (alternative).”
This approach satisfies the brain’s craving for context and connection. It turns a closed door into an immediate conversation.
But sometimes, “no” really is all that’s needed. It’s a boundary, a full stop, a moment of self-care. And yes, it is a complete sentence, just not always a complete conversation.
It got me thinking: what other single words carry this kind of weight? Here are a few alternatives to “no” that can set boundaries while keeping the conversation open:
“Enough.”
“Pause.”
“Stop.”
“Wait.”
“Sorry.” (when appropriate)
“Help.” (when you need support)
Each of these, delivered with the right tone and intention can be powerful, self-contained messages.
So, is “no” a complete sentence? Absolutely.
But as communicators, and as humans, we can choose when to use it and when to offer a little more.
And remember – how we say something matters even more than what we say.
Let’s talk!
The Long Lonely Walk!
As a crisis negotiator, there’s a moment I’ll never forget: the long, lonely walk towards someone standing on the wrong side of a bridge’s handrail, contemplating whether to jump.
That walk is desperately lonely. Every step is filled with fear; wondering what to say, what if I say the wrong thing, what if it doesn’t go well, what if they jump, will I be blamed?
Add to this the fact that I was living with depression myself, with at least one serious ideation in my past.
The voice in my head would sometimes urge me to “go higher” to ease the pain. It’s a desperate time.
But here’s the thing: many of us have that same long, lonely walk.
It might not have been on a bridge. It could be wanting to tell your partner the relationship is over, waiting for the doctor to give you the diagnosis you’ve feared, or being called to the boss’s office, knowing your job no longer exists.
All of these situations, and so many more, create that same lonely agonising feeling.
It doesn’t have to be a matter of life and death. The long, lonely walk can arrive at any time our brain thinks we need to be on high alert.
The stomach ties itself in knots, so tight that it hurts. The heart pounds so hard it feels like it might break through your chest. Our mouth goes so dry that you fear you won’t be able to speak.
We’ve all had that feeling, the feeling of extreme fear in what is otherwise everyday life.
So, how do we control those unnecessary thoughts?
How do we bring our heart rate down, loosen the knot in our stomach, and steady our voice?
Start by breathing out!
When we’re anxious, we tend to hold our breath or breathe shallowly. This activates our sympathetic nervous system, putting us on high alert.
A long, slow exhale signals to the brain that we’re safe, activating the parasympathetic nervous system, our natural ‘calm down’ switch.
Then, breathe in and out as slowly as possible. Forget counting, your brain will remain active if you count.
The long, lonely walk is part of being human. But you don’t have to walk it alone, and you don’t have to be ruled by fear.
With a few simple tools, you can steady yourself. Ready to receive the news, ready to do the right thing, ready to accept change, and maybe even feel a spark of hope for what comes next.
When in doubt, simply breathe out. Try it right now.
Let’s talk!