My Signature Blend: The Art of Relatable Learning

I’ve always said, “If you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re missing the punchline.” As a tenured full professor and clinical psychologist, I’ve had my share of serious moments. But here’s the truth: I learned early on that my “armchair scholar” days weren’t going to change the world.

 

After climbing the academic ladder, I finally got that shiny title and the “master teacher award.” But let’s be honest, my family wasn’t interested in my research on “cognitive dissonance” unless it came with a relatable story. They wanted to understand, not feel like they were lost in a maze of jargon.

 

That’s when I flipped the script. I decided to ditch the fancy lingo I used in my textbook writings. I wouldn’t explain concepts like everyone was my graduate student. I wanted to connect with real people.

 

So nowadays, my short, easy-to-read books may not easily make it to the NY Times bestseller list, but I believe I’ve hit the jackpot that they are on the shelves of people across many industries worldwide. And that’s what matters. I learned that teaching is about sharing, not showing off. It’s about making complex ideas simple and relatable. Imagine explaining psychology or educational pedagogy over coffee, not from a lectern.

 

Sure, I might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But that’s okay! I’ve realized it’s a good thing I’m not a huge fan of tea. I want to be the warm slice of pie that everyone wants to share.

 

I'm grateful to my publicist for creating my tagline over two decades ago to represent what it is that I get to do:  "Dr. Adolph "Doc" Brown, III is most known for having the unique ability to blend humor and insights to transform how we learn and lead.™"  

 

So here I am, striving to teach with humor and grace. Because when we laugh together, we learn together. And that’s the real goal, isn’t it? To make knowledge accessible and enjoyable for everyone!