BrAInwave: a day exploring what makes our brain irreplaceable

Hundreds of CEOs, HR professionals and leaders gathered at the Photo Museum in Antwerp and the Anatomy Building in Utrecht for BrAInwave. A masterclass by Verhaal met Impact and Better Minds centred around one question: what can AI never replace? The answer was the same throughout the day. The brains of your people.

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The Mental Revolution

Elke Geraerts opened and closed the day. After the industrial and digital revolutions, the next revolution is about us. About reflection, creativity, moral courage and genuine connection. The second part of her keynote took a personal turn, with an honest look at our own patterns and opportunities for growth.

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“Soft skills aren’t soft at all. They’re your greatest asset in a world full of AI.”

- Elke Geraerts

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Emotional Intelligence

Aisha Cortoos showed how your brain sends you signals throughout the day, especially when you’re stressed or navigating difficult conversations. Emotions are a source of valuable information. Small habits can help you build calm, resilience and emotional intelligence.

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“Learning to listen to your emotions helps you make better decisions.”

- Aisha Cortoos

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A healthy break

Over a healthy lunch, participants recharged for the afternoon. A chance to catch up and make new connections with peers from other organisations.

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Staying flexible in your thinking

Philosopher Lammert Kamphuis challenged the audience to keep thinking for themselves. AI provides answers faster than ever. That makes it all the more important to look beyond the answer that confirms what you already believe.

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“AI will always come up with an answer. And exactly that is what drives us to be more critical”

- Lammert Kamphuis

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Body and brain under pressure

In Antwerp, sports physician Gianni Faelens translated recovery principles from elite sport into everyday working life. His practical tips on breaks, movement and nutrition help maintain energy and focus throughout the day.

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“Investing in your body might feel like a waste of time, but in reality it’s the only thing that keeps your body and your brain healthy.”

- Gianni Faelens

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In Utrecht, neurobiologist Brankele Frank shared a candid account of burnout. Combining humour and science, she explained why we often ignore signs of stress and what helps us recover.

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“After a busy day at work, we often flop down on the sofa. That helps you relax physically, but not mentally. Yet it’s your mind that’s tired, not your body.”

- Brankele Frank

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What participants took away

The feedback after the event was enthusiastic. Participants went home with practical tools for leadership, mental wellbeing and resilience, both for themselves and for their organisations. Thanks to everybody for having been there!

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Bring BrAInwave to your organisation

Would you like to share these insights with your people? Better Minds tailors the programme to your team. Get in touch to explore the possibilities.

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