S1/E30: #Why We Clash - The Neuroscience Behind Culture, Connection, and Polarization with Mai Nguyen

Show notes

What drives cultural and political polarization—and how can these divides be bridged?

This episode examines the underlying causes of polarization, from identity-based group dynamics to the influence of fear, social media, and echo chambers. It explores how cultural differences shape communication, trust, and conflict—and how these patterns contribute to growing division across societies. Tools such as empathy, neutral language, and cultural awareness offer pathways to more constructive communication across political, cultural, and personal boundaries.

Culture Chat In this episode, Frauke and Marie-Christine welcome Dr. Mai Nguyen, who shares her journey from journalism to academia and her recent transition into consulting—highlighting her passion for the intersection of neuroscience and intercultural communication. As a consultant, Mai specializes in organizational neuroscience, applying insights from brain science to enhance leadership, diversity, change management, bias awareness, mindfulness, and overall well-being in the workplace.

✨ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why debates feel more personal than productive.
• How fear, identity, and social media fuel division—and what neuroscience says we can do about it.
• The power of neutral language, empathy, and storytelling in bridging polarized perspectives.
• Practical tools to reduce bias and create connection—in classrooms, workplaces, and everyday life.
• Mai’s personal method for emotional regulation (OAK: Observation, Analysis, Kindness) and how elephant training inspired her consulting approach.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation to foster understanding across differences.

About Dr. Mai Nguyen: Mai is a renowned expert in the intersection of neuroscience, culture, and leadership. She is a former associated professor at Amsterdam School of International Business, consultant and keynote speaker, known for helping people understand how our brains shape the way we connect - or disconnect - across differences. Following her study at King's College London in a Master program on Applied Neuroscience, in 2020, she published her latest book “Cross-Cultural Management with Insights from Brain Science". Mai also leads CultureMove, a consultancy that applies neuroscience to enhance leadership, diversity, and inclusion practices.

Connect with Mai: www.facebook.com/culturemovehttps:// www.linkedin.com/in/culturemove/ https://twitter.com/CultureMove_Com CultureMove@CultureMove.com

Connect with cultureXchange: Instagram: @culturexchange https://Instagram.com/culturexchange

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/cultureXchange/100086022011425/

Website: https://www.culturexchangepodcast.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@culturexchange.podcast

Email: connectculturexchange@gmail.com

Linkedin: The cultureXchange Podcast https://www.linkedin.com/company/98639813/admin/dashboard/

Connect with Frauke linkedin.com/in/fraukebender

Connect with Marie-Christine linkedin.com/in/marie-christine-dobro-02910b44

The cultureXchange Podcast has been selected as one of the TOP EXPAT PODCASTS 2024 https://podcasts.feedspot.com/expat_podcasts/