Host: Ben Cattaneo.
Podcast: The Decision Making Studio Podcast
Title: Bruna De Palo On How Our Brains Decide.
Date: 9/10/26
Description: In this episode of The Decision-Making Studio, we speak with neuroscience-based executive coach Bruna De Palo, author of The Brain Instruction Manual for Leaders: What nobody told you about working with humans, about how neuroscience and psychology shape our judgement, behaviour and decision-making.
We explore the role of emotion, past experiences, habits and cognitive biases, as well as how uncertainty, stress and psychological safety influence the way we think and act. We also discuss neuroplasticity, learning and our ability to change ingrained patterns of behaviour.
Ultimately, we consider how understanding the human brain can help us make better decisions, navigate change and create environments where people feel safe to contribute, speak up and challenge ideas.
In this episode:
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:03:14) Bruna De Palo, neuroscience and understanding human behaviour
(00:09:26) The predictive brain, energy and the "box"
(00:21:08) Why we can't take emotion out of decision-making
(00:33:26) Psychological safety, conflict and speaking up
(00:46:49) Change, uncertainty, neuroplasticity and changing behaviour
(00:57:45) Diego Maradona, stress and the state of flow
