Fresh from delivering his fantastic keynote address at the GACEP Spring Conference in April, Evolutionary Biologist, TV Host, Keynote Speaker, and Bestselling Author, Dan Riskin, Ph.D. shares how principles from evolutionary biology and human behavior can help organizations design more connected, memorable customer engagements. From the role emotion and curiosity play in how people learn and retain information to the impact of active problem-solving and diverse team dynamics, we discussed how brands can create experiences that deepen engagement, strengthen relationships, and influence buying decisions. Known for blending humor with science-backed insights, Dan brings a unique perspective on human behavior, communication, and connection that organizations can apply today

Highlights

Emotion
- Experiences like Adrenaline - stimulates the amygdala
- When emotionally connected, more memorable
- Brain works better when have an emotional connection
- Examples of how we connect when take a journey
  - Sports highlights, comedy, crying at movies
Curiosity
- Don’t just tell your guests the answer
- Engage them and let them figure it out
- Science conservation example
  - Have students or guests get involved, then explain why
Teamwork
- Teams with conflict are better able to find solutions to complex problems
- Embrace diversity and different points of view
- Board games: safe ways to find smart and calm team members
- New paper: people work better together if in sync (i.e. singing)
  - Check out ‘The Bat Signal’ Newsletter

Resources

Dan Riskin’s Webpage
- The Bat Signal - Weekly Newsletter (be sure to subscribe)
- Science TV Shows
- Wildlife Tours

Guest Thought Leader

Dan Riskin, Ph.D., Evolutionary Biologist, TV Host, Keynote Speaker, and Bestselling Author, Noctillo.com

Dan is an evolutionary biologist turned science journalist whose career spans research, media, and public engagement. Dan did his PhD at Cornell, studying how vampire bats move on the ground. Then he worked at Brown University, flying bats in wind tunnels, trying to understand how they fly, maneuver, and land. His research earned international recognition, and Dan took that opportunity to slide into science TV. He has since become a prominent television personality, hosting shows on the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, National Geographic, the Smithsonian Channel, and elsewhere. Beyond television, Dan is a bestselling author and sought-after keynote speaker known for using humor to translate science into insights people can apply to everyday life.