As learning designers, we’re ultimately in the business of trying to help people build new connections in their brains. To do this effectively, we need to have a fundamental understanding of how the brain works. But how far down the neuroscience rabbit hole do we need to go?   In this week’s episode of The Mind Tools L&D Podcast, Ross Dickie and Ross Garner are joined by Lauren Waldman, learning scientist, consultant, and founder of Learning Pirate. We discuss: ·       Lauren’s journey to deepen her understanding of how the brain works; ·       how much learning designers need to know about neuroscience to be effective in their roles; ·       the cost of L&D’s continual focus on the ‘shiny and the new’. To find out more about Lauren’s work as Learning Pirate, head to: https://www.learningpirate.com/. You can also view a trailer for Lauren’s ‘Joining Forces with Your Brain’ series here. In ‘What I Learned This Week’, Ross Garner mentioned the ‘Battle of the Eclipse’. Ross Dickie recommended the documentary STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces. For more from us, including access to our back catalogue of podcasts, visit mindtools.com. There, you'll also find details of our award-winning performance support toolkit, our off-the-shelf e-learning, and our custom work.   Connect with our speakers    If you'd like to share your thoughts on this episode, connect with our speakers: ·       Ross Dickie ·       Ross Garner ·       Lauren Waldman