Activities and Events
FG EduTalk
FG EduTalk (Education Talk) is a new event series hosted by FG Basel, offering a platform to explore and expand upon current educational challenges and topics. Taking place three times a year, the series focuses on themes such as experiences of foreignness, ADHD and other learning or developmental differences that shape the educational experience.
Featuring speakers of TEDx Talks level quality, EduTalk offers informative and thought-provoking sessions aimed at fostering dialogue, raising awareness, and strengthening the connection between schools, families, and the broader community.
Each event concludes with a relaxed apéro – a chance to continue the conversation, exchange perspectives, and build relationships in an informal setting.
Whether you're a teacher*, parent, student or community member – EduTalk invites you to join the discussion!
*A certificate of participation and professional development will be issued for teachers.
Upcoming FG EduTalk with Terry Small
Date: Thursday, 17th September
Time: 6.30 - 7.30pm + Apéro
Location: FG Basel
Healthy Brain Resilient Mind - 5 Steps to a Calmer, Happier, Sharper You!
We've all felt anxious and stressed at some point in our lives. Especially these days. Brain science underscores how important mindset, resilience, and a healthy life style is in dealing with change and disruption at work, and in life.
This session will give you the tools, and strategies to respond to current life challenges, and prepare for an ever changing future.
Based on the latest cutting-edge neuroscience research, you will learn:
the #1 job of your brain.
how to take optimal care of what's between your ears.
how to eat right to think right, and age better.
the top 7 super-smart foods.
how to prevent brain shrinkage.
2 superstar beverages for your brain.
how to get rid of negative thoughts to experience more joy, energy & resilience.
why mental health matters a lot more than we think.
6 smart facts you must know!
how to make your "brain garden" flourish.
the 5 things every brain must have, and much more!
What makes Terry's sessions different?
They offer science, wisdom, and practical strategies. Things you can use right away! His presentations are humorous, engaging and all based on the latest brain science. They are packed with tips and strategies to improve your greatest asset......your brain!
"Once again you delivered a flawless performance to our team! We had many of our folks approach us afterwards with rave reviews of their experience that morning. We'll look forward to our next meeting." Gregg Hallaway, BC Hydro, Distribution Vegetative Operations Manager
"Terry is just amazing. If you want to understand the multiple aspects of your brain, and how it impacts your life just listen to what he has to share. He has a deep knowledge of brain behaviour and all its implications. Terry, I hope many people can enjoy your lectures!" Dr. Jens Alexander Hartmann, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Gallup Consulting, Berlin, Germany
-
Terry SMALL | "The Brain Guy"
Terry Small, B.Ed., M.A., is a master teacher and Canada's leading learning skills specialist. He is the author of the Brain Bulletin with over 34,000 subscribers worldwide.
Terry has presented on the brain for over 33 years to organizations around the world.. His knowledge, warmth, humour and dynamic presentation style have made him a much sought-after speaker at workshops and conferences. Terry often appears on TV, radio, and in the press. He recently appeared on BCTV, Global, CKNW and Student Success. He has presented his ideas to over 301,000 people in 23 countries on 5 continents.
His clients include IBM, TEDx, Ford, IMD, JTI, UBS, Hitachi, Bayer, Bosch, CRA, RCMP, Telus, and many schools and universities. His presentations are engaging, humorous, practical, and all based on the latest brain science.
Terry believes, "Anyone can learn how to learn easier, better, faster, and that learning to learn is the most important skill a person can acquire."
Terry's wealth of teaching experience and extensive involvement in applied neuroscience make him an outstanding resource of the business and educational communities. He resides in Vancouver, Canada, where he is a frequent lecturer at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia.
Terry Small's Philosophy is simple: "Success is a skill anyone can learn."
"Terry really is a genius. He possesses the remarkable ability to educate, engage and entertain an audience - whether it is a roomful of school kids, or a roomful of senior executives. Leveraging the latest learning from the world of neuroscience, Terry inspires people to make small, actionable, daily changes that lead to healthier and happier lives."
- Susan Goldsworthy, Co-Author of Award Winning Books, Choosing Change & Care to Dare, Geneva
"Thanks for a fantastically successful evening! Last night was one of the best attended events at the school. Obviously, word got around about how great your seminars are. The audience was riveted for a full 2 hours. The basketball team couldn't get enough! My girls got home and immediately wrote on their bathroom mirror, advertising that they were all 3 geniuses! I'm off to buy M & M cards in bulk."
- Karen Kovach, PAC, Winston Churchill Secondary School, Vancouver
"I truly enjoy everything you do and say. So much to learn. Terry, THANK YOU!!! You did a great job for us. Thanks for making the conference better by being part of it. You are such a professional and fun person to work with. Partners in the future again, for sure."
- Cathy Campbell, President Canadian Association of Chemical Distributors, Toronto
"You were terrific! I appreciate the pilgrimage to Aspen/Snowmass. Everyone totally enjoyed and appreciated your presentation. I will definitely suggest you as a speaker at our Chicago conference."
- Andy Torelli, President, E3 Financial, Los Angeles
Edu Talk with Kristen and Nate Pressner
Date: Thursday, January 15
Time: 6.30 - 7.30pm + Apéro
Location: FG Basel Canteen
Neurodiversity and ADHD Awareness and What Most of Us Get Wrong: An Evening with Kristen and Nate Pressner.
What if many of our assumptions about attention, motivation, and learning are fundamentally off-track?
In this session, Kristen Pressner, a Roche HR executive whose recent TEDx talk has sparked wide conversation, shares the shift in understanding that emerged after decades as a global HR executive and as a parent to four children whose potential she couldn’t “unlock” with the usual approaches.
She is joined by her son Nate, who grew up in the Swiss school system and only as an adult discovered why it felt like his potential was supernaturally blocked, and how this new awareness and a shift in approach unlocked confidence, capability, and that potential.
Together, they will explore:
• The common misperceptions about neurodiversity
• Why common “support” strategies can unintentionally backfire
• What it means to be a true “brain friend” — at home, in classrooms, and in community
• How to recognize strengths and potential that are often overlooked
They'll share real lived experience and practical shifts that support a more “brain-friendly” environment where everyone can shine. The evening will be interactive, and we invite you to watch the 14-minute TEDx talk in advance and bring your questions and experiences.
-
Kristen & Nathaniel Pressner
Kristen Pressner is Global Head of People & Culture for a prominent Swiss multinational, her passion for inclusion and unleashing potential has made her a sought-after voice, regularly appearing on international “Top HR Influencer” lists. Originally from the U.S., Kristen relocated to Switzerland with her husband and four children 18 years ago. Her recent TEDx talk on neurodiversity has sparked worldwide conversations, most recently earning her an invitation from the World Economic Forum to contribute to their Brain Economy Initiative.
Her son, Nathaniel Pressner, brings the next-generation perspective. A Sociology and English student at the University of Basel, aspiring HR leader in his own right, and a product of the Swiss school system (International school, local Gymnasium and Swiss University), he has explored how systems shape individual potential. His own TEDx talk on fake news has been highly regarded and reflects his passion for helping people see the unseen forces in their lives.
Together, they connect the dots between research, lived experience, and real-world impact—opening fresh conversations for parents, educators, and young people about neurodiversity and the surprising reason so many “can’t get it together.
Edu Talk with Dr. Christa Uehlinger
Date: Wednesday, 10th September 2025
Time: 6.30 - 7.30pm + Apéro
Location: FG Basel Canteen
More than fondue and chocolate: An insight to Swiss culture and what it takes to feel at home.
Living in a new country is more than just relocating. It means adapting to a new culture while navigating the gap to your own. Let’s be honest: that’s easier said than done.
In this session, we’ll take a closer look at what it takes for families to settle into a new environment. We’ll dive into Swiss culture and unpack why the Swiss tend to behave and communicate like they do.
Understanding this can help you navigate everyday life with more ease and confidence.
Ever wondered why Swiss say thank you a thousand times? Or why you might not get invited over even after months of friendly chats? Or why you shouldn’t take a shower after ten pm? We’ll decode some of these moments and more. 😊
You’ll walk away with insights, practical tips and perhaps a new perspective on Switzerland as home.
We strive for an interactive session and invite you to bring your questions and experiences.
-
Dr. Christa Uehlinger is passionate about helping people leverage cultural differences with openness and curiosity. She is the owner of christa uehlinger linking people.
Her profound interest in people from a young age led her to pursue advanced studies in law, communications, and intercultural competence. She holds a PhD from the University of Zurich; is certified by the Intercultural Communication Institute (ICI) in Portland; is an IDI Qualified Administrator; and trained in Psychosynthesis with Will Parfitt. In 2019, Dr. Uehlinger received the Rooney Scholarship from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh/USA and has guest-lectured in South Korea and throughout Europe.
She has worked at a senior level in training, consultancy, and communications for diverse industries from blue-chip companies like ABB and Novartis, to health care, education, public administration, and protective services.
Always one to ‘walk her talk’, Dr. Uehlinger went as far as testing herself among tribes in Papua, where she was unfamiliar with the language and culture. An explorer at heart, she is on a continuous journey of discovery, encouraging others to approach diversity with openness and curiosity.
Keeping things human in our new landscape of remote working and artificial intelligence, Dr. Uehlinger launched Linking People Practice Circles to support and facilitate individuals from all walks of life to work through cross-cultural challenges together, empowering them to be self-sufficient while creating connections across a range of backgrounds, generations, and sectors.
Today, she also continues to lecture at University of St.Gallen and OST University of Applied Sciences Eastern Switzerland. In 2024, she received the Best Teaching Award.
In 2023, Dr. Uehlinger was invited to be a TEDx Speaker on the topic The Gift of Foreignness.
She is the author of Being Different Together and the game Puzzling Intercultural Stories.