The Future of Learning with Christian Dominique: AI, Neuroscience and the Art of Wellness in Education Artwork

Design Education Talks

After the very first Design Education Forum by the New Art School in 2019, Design Education Talks podcast was created as a dynamic platform for the exchange of insights and ideas within the realm of art and design education. This initiative sprang from a culmination of nearly a decade of extensive research conducted by Lefteris E. Heretakis MA RCA. His rich background in art, design and education, intertwining academia, industry, and student engagement, laid the foundation for a podcast that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of educational discourse.

At its core, Design Education Talks podcast functions as an open forum, fostering discussions that delve into the intricate facets of art and design education, unravelling the layers of creativity, and exploring the depths of design thinking in education.

This podcast stands as a testament to our commitment to addressing the pressing challenges facing contemporary art and design education. Each episode becomes a nexus of exploration, where innovative solutions are sought and shared. The collaborative nature of these discussions reflects a commitment to bridging the gap between theory and practice, academia and industry, and tradition and innovation.

One of the podcast's distinctive features is its role as a valuable resource for skill-building among the new generation of aspiring designers. The episodes serve as an intellectual toolbox, offering practical insights, strategies, and real-world experiences that contribute to the holistic development of creative professionals. Moreover, the podcast serves as a compass, providing clear directions for those interested in reshaping the models for teaching and learning in the dynamic field of design.

As we continue our journey through the Design Education Talks podcast, our aim remains resolute: to inspire, inform, and ignite a transformative dialogue that propels the evolution of art and design education. By fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation, we aspire to contribute to the positive growth and adaptation of educational practices, ensuring that they align seamlessly with the needs and aspirations of the ever-changing creative landscape.

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Design Education Talks

The Future of Learning with Christian Dominique: AI, Neuroscience and the Art of Wellness in Education

February 19, 2026 • Lefteris Heretakis

0:00 | 46:45

Christian Dominique, co-founder of Digital Wellness and trained neuroscientist from McGill University, is on a mission to redesign education systems that have forgotten how to cultivate joy. In this compelling episode of Design Education Talks, Dominique reveals a startling statistic: adults laugh and smile more than ten times less than children, and traces this "domestication" directly to outdated educational models that prioritise compliance over creativity. Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience, practical philosophy, and design thinking, he shares frameworks for building happiness at individual, relational, and communal levels, while offering a candid assessment of where educational innovation is thriving and where it's stagnating. Dominique also previews his pipeline of specialised AI wellness tools, including an education-focused platform launching in summer 2025. Whether you're an educator, designer, administrator, or simply someone who believes schools should inspire anticipation rather than dread, this wide-ranging conversation will challenge your assumptions about what's possible when we design learning environments with human flourishing at the centre. Listen now to discover why play isn't frivolous, why art and design must remain connected, and how removing systemic blockers can help students, and all of us, rediscover the inherent joy of being alive and learning.

Since its inception in 2019, Design Education Talks podcast has served as a dynamic platform for the exchange of insights and ideas within the realm of art and design education. This initiative sprang from a culmination of nearly a decade of extensive research conducted by Lefteris Heretakis. His rich background, intertwining academia, industry, and student engagement, laid the foundation for a podcast that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of educational discourse.

See all of our work on on https://linktr.ee/thenewartschool
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Equipment used to produce the podcast:
Rodcaster pro II
Rode NT1 5th generation
Elgato Low profile Microphone Arm
Monster Prolink Studio Pro microphone cable

The rest of the equipment is here 👉https://kit.co/heretakis/podcasting