Happiness & Its Causes 2020 VIRTUAL | Day One - Plenary Session #1

09:00 HUMAN FLOURISHING IN CHALLENGING TIMES
Professor Richard J Davidson, world leading neuroscientist and psychologist, renowned for
ground-breaking work studying emotion and the brain, USA
09:20 CULTIVATING COURAGE AND COMPASSION: HARDWIRED INTO OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM
Dr Rick Hanson, world expert in positive neuroplasticity; psychologist, best-selling author of
Hardwiring Happiness, USA
09:40 PARADOXES OF HOPE: HOW THE WORST MOMENTS CREATE THE POSSIBILITY FOR THE BEST
Dr Maria Sirois, inspirational psychologist and consultant who teaches internationally at the
intersection of resilience and flourishing; author of Happiness After Loss, USA
10:00 THE IMPACT OF SELF-CHALLENGE – SAYING YES WHEN IT IS EASIER TO SAY NO
Anthony Bennett, ‘miracle man’ who survived a near-death experience and then raised millions
of dollars for a children’s hospital, UK
10:15 THE POWER OF ACCEPTANCE FOR PEACE OF MIND
Shamash Alidina, one of the UK’s most popular mindfulness teachers and author of bestselling
Mindfulness for Dummies, London, UK
NOTE: Date and times are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time
10:30 FIRESIDE CHAT: LOOKING ON THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE
• Shamash Alidina, one of the UK’s most popular mindfulness teachers and author of bestselling
Mindfulness for Dummies, London, UK
• Anthony Bennett, ‘miracle man’ who survived a near-death experience and then raised millions
of dollars for a children’s hospital, UK
• Toni Powell, storyteller, workplace culture wonderworker and author of What A Feeling! - Finding
love, freedom & the good life through creating great relationships
10:45 THE ROLE OF TENDER AND FIERCE SELF-COMPASSION IN WELLBEING
Associate Professor Kristin Neff, psychologist and pioneering researcher into self-compassion,
USA
11:05 TWO MINUTE MOVES
Lizzy Williamson, personal trainer and fitness guru, author of Two Minute Moves