Biography

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained and published neuroscientist. In 1996 she experienced a severe hemorrhage (AVM) in the left hemisphere of her brain causing her to lose the ability to walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life. Her memoir, My Stroke of Insight, documenting her experience with stroke and eight-year recovery, spent 63 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list and is still routinely the #1 book in the category Stroke in the Amazon marketplace.

Dr. Jill is a dynamic teacher and public speaker who loves educating all age groups, academic levels, as well as corporations and not-for-profit organizations about the beauty of our human brain. She focuses on how we can activate the power of our neuroplasticity to not only recover from neurological trauma, but how we can purposely choose to live a more flexible, resilient, and satisfying life.

In 2008 Dr. Jill gave the first TED talk that ever went viral on the Internet, which now has well over 27.5 million views. Also in 2008, Dr. Jill was chosen as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” and was the premiere guest on Oprah Winfrey’s “Soul Series”webcast. Her new book, Whole Brain Living – the Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life is a #1 release on Amazon in categories ranging from Neuroscience to Nervous System Diseases and Stroke.

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Videos

Jill Bolte Taylor, PhD, What is Whole Brain Living?

Learn The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life

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A Stroke of Insight: How to Get the Brain to Do What You Want

After her stroke Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor made a decision a million times each day to recover. That decision not only led to her eventual recovery, but a remarkable opportunity to share her experiences with audiences. In a presentation that has been called nothing short of mesmerizing Taylor relives her experiences of having a stroke and gives audiences a brief guided tour of the brain. She describes the biological underpinnings of watching half her brain deteriorate and shares valuable insights on:

Why she initially studied the brain, her research and her own brain disorder

How to get the brain to do what you want it to do

How to capitalize on the brain’s two hemispheres

How the choices we make and the thoughts we think directly influence our level of joy

In addition, Dr. Jill is happy to create an original topic in order to cater her presentation to an organization’s specific needs.

Booksby Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

Whole Brain Living

My Stroke of Insight

Blog Posts

Confidence Without Vulnerability Creates Teams That Never Improve

Can ego and vulnerability coexist in teams that actually win? Most leaders think they have to choose. Either you build confident people who believe they're excellent, or you create humble people who accept feedback. Either...

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Financial Planning in 2026 Requires a Clear Strategy

Have you noticed that the internet has never given more financial planning advice than it does right now? That's actually the problem. Your feed has become a 24/7 trading floor of hot takes. "Buy this."...

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Crisis Leadership Lessons from September 11 Reveal Everyday Resilience

What if the most powerful crisis leadership lesson from September 11 isn't about the decisions made in underground bunkers, but about the farmers, truckers, teachers, and everyday workers who make heroic responses possible? After sharing...

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Best Artificial Intelligence Speakers for Cybersecurity Conferences (2026 Guide)

Quick Links Artificial Intelligence Speakers Healthcare Keynote Speakers Top Technology Speakers Innovation Speakers Leadership Speakers Future of Work Speakers Get Proposal (availability & fees) If you’re searching for the Best Artificial Intelligence Speakers for Cybersecurity...

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Communication Strategies from Sarita Maybin that Transform Workplace Conflict Into Collaboration

Why Your Team's Real Problem Isn't Strategy—It's Communication When was the last time a workplace conversation went sideways, not because of what was said, but how it was delivered? Most organizations pour resources into strategic...

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The 2026 Keynote Speaker Lineup That Creates Real Momentum

If you're looking for a sign to power start your 2026, here it is: this is the year you stop negotiating with your potential. January arrives packed with goals, spreadsheets, and ambitious plans. However, goals...

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