The MindGarden Podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-m-anthony-m-mccrovitz-phd/
Quality of Life Institute: www.qualityoflifeinstitute.org
About Dr. Tony:
Anthony (Tony) M. McCrovitz, Ph.D., LMHC, HSPP, BCPC, IMH-E® (II), DAPA
is a Licensed, Clinical Psychologist and Mental Health Counselor, specializing in child development and holistic, bio-psychosocial approaches. A Gentle Teaching  philosophy and relationship-building framework is central to his work, writing, and research that demonstrates and teaches how to create a Culture of Gentleness environment, by cultivating meaningful connections and integrating quality-of-life values for social-emotional awareness and growth.
A Quality-of-Life Model™ of services and programs are offered to agencies, groups, and other organizations who provide direct services for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. He is a dedicated advocate for the most marginalized community members, focusing on breaking down cultural and community barriers. 
Dr. McCrovitz is executive director of Quality of Life Institute, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to research and the development of therapeutic tools, training materials, and programs that add meaning and value for quality-of-life enrichment. He develops and facilitates services and programs at The Institute, such as Navigating the Heart for crisis intervention, ExerCube for holistic fitness, EEG neurofeedback and red light therapy for improving brain function, and The Clubhouse, an international, peer-focused community for mental health and wellness that offers employment programs, skills development, education, and therapeutic/counseling/mentoring services.
He has held adjunct faculty positions at local colleges and universities, teaching developmental psychology and lifespan coursework to undergraduate and graduate students.
He is committed to the promoting and study of knowledge and the sharing of resource materials with other professionals and international organizations, and participates in speaking presentations, training, research, and collaborative development of quality of life approaches, supports, and sustainable solutions. 
In addition to training and workshops that focus on advancing professional competence and practical applications of a relationship-building framework (Gentle Teaching), he is a licensed facilitator and instructor for therapeutic environments (including multi-sensory, sand tray, and ExerCube). Training topics include connecting neuroscience and sensory integration to facilitate learning and mentoring processes that cultivate sustainable solutions with quality-of-life outcomes.
He has been an active member of the Gentle Teaching International community since 2009, serves as president of the Institute of Multi-Sensory Environments (I-MSE.org), and is a board member of the International Snoezelen-MSE Association (ISNA-MSE.org).
Tony holds a Ph.D. in I/O Psychology from Walden University, a respecialization in Clinical Psychology from Adler Professional School of Psychology, an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a master's degree in pastoral counseling from Loyola University of Chicago. 
Dr. McCrovitz publishes materials on topics related to Gentle Teaching, Quality of Life Model, multi-sensory environments (MSE), and neuro-science as it relates to mental health and well-being, social-emotional learning through a lens of quality-of-life values, and mentoring processes for therapeutic frameworks. MSE 03, Creating Meaningful Moments was published in 2024. Other books he has authored include Anthony's Backpack: A Child's Journey into Gentleness (2010) and Return to Gentleness: Journeying with Gentle Teaching (2021).
 
Key Takeaways
Quality of life is nurtured through genuine human connection and compassion.
Neuroscience tools like EEG neurofeedback can deepen our understanding of behavior and emotion.
A "culture of gentleness" shifts focus from correction to connection.
Early experiences and family values can shape lifelong approaches to healing and growth.
Collaboration and sharing knowledge are essential for evolving mental health care.
Measuring brain activity in real time offers insights into trust, learning, and emotional regulation.
Bridging the gap between behavioral modification and brain science opens new avenues for therapy and education.
Episode Chapters
00:02 – Welcome & Guest Introduction
01:37 – Meet Dr. Tony: Background and Mission
02:14 – The Genesis of Quality of Life and the Culture of Gentleness
04:38 – Childhood Memories and Lessons in Empathy
07:44 – Personal Stories: Teaching, Trust, and the Power of Connection
10:55 – Balancing Curiosity and Innovation in Mental Health
14:02 – Real-Time Brain Mapping: Tools for Understanding Trust
17:25 – The Evolving Role of Neuroscience in Education and Therapy
19:31 – From Behavioral Modification to Brain Science: A New Frontier
22:28 – Simple Strategies for Complex Brain Functions
29:32 – Leveraging EEG Data to Enhance Quality of Life
32:49 – How Simplicity and Innovation Drive Engagement
36:51 – Addressing Challenges in Mental Health and Neurotherapeutics
43:57 – Privacy, Data, and the Ethics of Brain Measurement
47:51 – Unlocking Human Potential: Self-Actualization Through Connection
52:17 – Final Thoughts: Collaboration, Community, and Hope
55:08 – Closing Remarks & How to Connect with Dr. Tony

Visit Mindgarden AI at www.mindgardenai.com

Links & Resources
Join Diego’s Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/dW7hUdtnCU
Watch Diego’s Experiments on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@neurogamedev
Connect with Diego: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desaldivar/ 
Email: [email protected]

Key Takeaways
Neurogames combine gaming with brain-computer interfaces.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation can modify brain activity without surgery.
Current neurogames are mostly therapeutic or experimental.
High hardware costs and user comfort are major barriers to mainstream adoption.
Future neurogames should prioritize fun while incorporating incidental therapeutic benefits.
Ethical, medical, and privacy issues must be addressed early.
Collaboration with established game developers could speed up adoption.
Diego envisions a commercially viable neurogame launching soon using a freemium model.
Mainstream adoption may be just a few years away if innovation accelerates.
Episode Chapters
00:02 – Introduction and Name Pronunciation
00:45 – Meet Diego Saldivar, Neurogame Developer
01:14 – Diego’s Background in Animation & Game Development
02:17 – Explaining Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
03:44 – Therapeutic vs. Experimental Neurogames
07:02 – The Challenge of Creating Accessible Neurogames
08:12 – Current Neurogame Use Cases & Market Limitations
11:25 – Barriers to Entry: Hardware & Cost Issues
12:36 – Democratizing Neurotechnology for the Masses
15:23 – Balancing Fun, Therapy, and Education in Neurogames
17:44 – How Many Developers Are in the Field?
19:12 – Mainstream Potential and Industry Appetite
23:36 – Ethical, Medical, and Privacy Concerns
28:25 – Next Steps: Upcoming Demo and Freemium Model
29:22 – In-App Purchases: Brain vs. Button Controls
31:32 – Timeline for Mainstream Neurogame Adoption
32:10 – Future Surprises: Neuromodulation and Virtual Gaming
34:05 – The Role of AI in Accelerating Brain Science
34:14 – Diego’s Community, Resources, and Final Thoughts
36:15 – Wrap-Up and How to Stay Connected
 

Visit Mindgarden AI at www.mindgardenai.com

About Kim Breiland:
Kim Breiland, A.npn. is a Business and Customer Experience Consultant & Coach, and an Associate Neuroplastician.  She specializes in ethical leadership, customer experience optimization, and business systems development. Kim brings a unique approach to enhancing performance, sales, and customer experience through neuroscience-backed techniques and tools, as well as her B.R.A.I.N.S. Performance System™.  With over 20 years of experience, she guides businesses to adopt innovative mindsets using human-centric frameworks, to improve profits & become iconic in their customers’ minds.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimbreiland/
Website: https://kimbreilandcoaching.com/
 
Key Takeaways
Neuroscience can reshape business practices.
Embracing neuroplasticity is key to adapting in a fast-changing world.
Human-centric leadership improves customer experience and employee engagement.
Effective neuro sales strategies rely on understanding brain science.
AI offers opportunities but also poses challenges for workplace culture.
Measuring ROI in employee wellbeing is complex yet vital.
Mental reset spaces and mindfulness can boost productivity.
Supporting neurodiversity, including dyslexia advocacy, creates a stronger community.
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Neuroplasticity in Business
01:58 – The Journey into Neuro Sales
04:11 – Neuroscience and Business Decisions
07:56 – Scaling Neuroscience in Business
09:51 – The Human-Centric Approach to Business
12:11 – The Impact of AI on Employee Engagement
16:03 – Adapting to Change with Neuroplasticity
20:07 – The Importance of People in Business
22:02 – Bridging the Gap Between Science and Business
27:13 – Measuring ROI in Employee Wellbeing
30:09 – Creating Spaces for Mental Reset
34:46 – The Role of Rest and Mindfulness
36:24 – Navigating Dyslexia and Neurodiversity Advocacy
45:00 – The Future of Brain Science and Technology

Visit Mindgarden AI at www.mindgardenai.com