🌍 The Odyssey Foundation

Empowering Young Minds to Think Critically & Decide Confidently

Inspired by the vision of Dr. Eli Goldratt,
the creator of Theory of Constraints

🌍 The Odyssey Foundation

Empowering Young Minds to Think Critically & Decide Confidently

Inspired by the vision of Dr. Eli Goldratt, the creator of Theory of Constraints

Teaching critical thinking and decision-making skills to young people and underserved communities worldwide.

Why We Exist

At the Odyssey Foundation, we believe that one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation is the ability to think critically and make wise decisions. In a world full of complexity, uncertainty, and rapid change, these skills are no longer optional—they’re essential.

We exist to empower young people and underserved communities with tools that help them transform uncertainty into clarity, and possibility into purposeful action.

Teaching critical thinking and decision-making skills to young people and underserved communities worldwide.

Why We Exist

At the Odyssey Foundation, we believe that one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation is the ability to think critically and make wise decisions. In a world full of complexity, uncertainty, and rapid change, these skills are no longer optional—they’re essential.

We exist to empower young people and underserved communities with tools that help them transform uncertainty into clarity, and possibility into purposeful action.

A Foundation Born from a Bold Idea

The Odyssey Foundation was co-founded in 2005 by Dr. Eli Goldratt, creator of the Theory of Constraints, and Dr. Alan Barnard, CEO of Goldratt Research Labs. Together, they envisioned a world where individuals aren’t taught what to think, but HOW to think.

"Not every change in our life is an improvement, but certainly every improvement is a change.”
— Dr. Eli Goldratt

Since its founding, the Odyssey Foundation has delivered over 100 Odyssey Programs across six continents, impacting lives in India, Brazil, Israel, Japan, South Africa, the USA, and beyond.

A Foundation Born from a Bold Idea

The Odyssey Foundation was co-founded in 2005 by Dr. Eli Goldratt, creator of the Theory of Constraints, and Dr. Alan Barnard, CEO of Goldratt Research Labs. Together, they envisioned a world where individuals aren’t taught what to think, but HOW to think.

"Not every change in our life is an improvement, but certainly every improvement is a change.”
— Dr. Eli Goldratt

Since its founding, the Odyssey Foundation has delivered over 100 Odyssey Programs across six continents, impacting lives in India, Brazil, Israel, Japan, South Africa, the USA, and beyond.

Explore the Impact of Odyssey
Around the World

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The Odyssey Program

Elevate Your Decision-Making. Unlock Breakthrough Solutions.

The Odyssey Program is a transformative masterclass designed for individuals and teams who want to strengthen their creative problem-solving and decision-making skills—personally and professionally.

Program Formats:

Photos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshops

🎓 Youth Odyssey Program

Empowering young minds and those that are young at mind with the critical thinking and decision making skills - teaching them, not WHAT to think, but HOW to think.

Photos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshops

👩‍💼 Adult Odyssey Program

Tailored for professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and leaders who want to improve decision-making and accelerate growth in both work and life.

Photos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshops

🏢 Corporate Odyssey Program

Custom in-house programs for organizations aiming to enhance team thinking, collaboration, and strategic execution by improving problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, and innovation in a collaborative environment.

Delivery Options

Delivery Options

  • In-Person
  • Online

Whether you're a student navigating key life decisions, a leader driving innovation, or a team striving for alignment, The Odyssey Program provides the tools and insights to make better choices—faster and with greater confidence.

🎉 Upcoming Odyssey Program – July 2025

Experience the breakthrough that’s changed lives across six continents.

Join us in Las Vegas on July 26–27, 2025 for a powerful, in-person Odyssey experience with Dr. Alan Barnard.

Whether you’re stepping into the Odyssey room for the first time—or returning with new questions—you’ll walk away with clarity, momentum, and a life-long decision-making toolkit.

This year, we’re running two parallel programs:

🧠 Youth Odyssey Program

For ages 14–20s — empowering young people to navigate life’s big decisions with confidence.

👩‍💼 Adult Odyssey Program

For professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers ready to level up their thinking and purpose.

✨ BONUS: Alumni Day (Optional)

​Reconnect and reflect during a special Alumni Day on July 28, guided by Dr. Alan Barnard. Open to past participants only.

Program Details:

📍 Location:​ Las Vegas, Nevada
🗓️ Dates: July 26–27, 2025
🎓 Optional Alumni Day: July 28

Spots are limited — applications now open!

👉 How You Can Join the Journey

Attend Again

Each life chapter brings new challenges. Many past attendees return when they’re facing fresh decisions.

Volunteer With Us

Support others on their journey—while getting trained in the Odyssey coaching process.

Refer a Friend or Family Member

Help someone you care about gain the same clarity you did.

Sponsor a Young Participant

Give the gift of life-changing tools to someone who might not otherwise afford it.

Odyssey Program

Attendee Testimonials

Odyssey Program Testimonials

“I have made both a personal and professional breakthrough while attending the Odyssey Program and learned a step-by-step process I can use for the rest of my life when facing difficult decisions.”

- Ana Maria Conde
Columbia

Odyssey Program Testimonials

“The Odyssey program represented a business and career changing inflection point for me. I am significantly more confident in my decision making and more focused on my business and life goals than ever before. Totally AWESOME.”

- Matthew C Eby
Evanston, Illinois, USA

Odyssey Program Testimonials

“One of the best time investments I have made in my life… I’m still using the tools successfully to resolve conflicts and overcome obstacles to achieving my goals.”

- Doron Goshen
Israel

🎓 Youth Odyssey Program – Testimonials

“The Odyssey program taught me how to think for myself, not just follow what others say. I used to feel overwhelmed with decisions about school and friends — now I have a tool I can use for life.”

- Maya R., Age 17

“At first I thought it would be just another leadership camp, but it was completely different. I learned how to solve conflicts without fighting or avoiding people. I even taught my younger brother what I learned!”

- Ethan T., Age 17

“I never thought thinking differently could feel this exciting. Odyssey gave me confidence, clarity, and the courage to choose what I want in life. This should be part of every school curriculum.”

- Isabella C., Age 19

🧠 Adult Odyssey Program – Testimonials

“This experience felt like a personal reboot. I came in with career doubts and left with a decision map for my next five years. I now use the ProConCloud process with my students too.”

- Liam J., Educator

“I walked away not just with insights, but with a practical process I use in real life. I’ve made better decisions in the past 3 months than I did in the last 3 years.”

- Fatima A., Entrepreneur

“Odyssey unlocked something I didn’t know I needed: a system for thinking under pressure. I recommend it to any adult facing change, uncertainty, or complex choices.”

- Jonathan M., Life Coach

🏢 Corporate Odyssey Program – Testimonials

“The Odyssey approach helped our executive team break through a long-standing strategy conflict. Within a week, we had alignment and a clear plan. This is more than a workshop — it’s a game-changer.”

- Marianne D., COO

“Our team was stuck in a loop of indecision. The Odyssey program not only resolved a major internal conflict but also improved our collaboration. We saw a 25% increase in decision cycle speed.”

- Carlos V., HR Director

“We’ve tried many corporate training programs, but nothing stuck — until Odyssey. It’s rare to find something that boosts individual growth and strategic thinking as a team.”

- Elena R., Innovation Lead

Daniella Princi

Psychologist

Lenka Keehnen

Personal and Business Coach

Sayumi Ishibashi

CEO of Uniflow

Jack Round

CFO, AKSARBEN Foundation

Ana Maria Conde

Teacher

Amir Roggel

Manager From Intel Corporation

Dr. Barry Morgenstern

Behavior Analyst

Rocco Surace

CPA, The Bonadio Group

Odyssey Program

Attendee Testimonials

“I have made both a personal and professional breakthrough while attending the Odyssey Program and learned a step-by-step process I can use for the rest of my life when facing difficult decisions”

- Ana Maria Conde
Columbia

“The Odyssey program represented a business and career changing inflection point for me. I am significantly more confident in my decision making and more focused on my business and life goals than ever before. Totally AWESOME.”

- Matthew C Eby
Evanston, Illinois, USA

“One of the best time investments I have made in my life… I’m still using the tools successfully to resolve conflicts and overcome obstacles to achieving my goals.”

- Doron Goshen
Israel

🎓 Youth Odyssey Program – Testimonials

“The Odyssey program taught me how to think for myself, not just follow what others say. I used to feel overwhelmed with decisions about school and friends — now I have a tool I can use for life.”

- Maya R., Age 17

“At first I thought it would be just another leadership camp, but it was completely different. I learned how to solve conflicts without fighting or avoiding people. I even taught my younger brother what I learned!”

- Ethan T., Age 17

“I never thought thinking differently could feel this exciting. Odyssey gave me confidence, clarity, and the courage to choose what I want in life. This should be part of every school curriculum.”

- Isabella C., Age 19

🧠 Adult Odyssey Program – Testimonials

“This experience felt like a personal reboot. I came in with career doubts and left with a decision map for my next five years. I now use the ProConCloud process with my students too.”

- Liam J., Educator

“I walked away not just with insights, but with a practical process I use in real life. I’ve made better decisions in the past 3 months than I did in the last 3 years.”

- Fatima A., Entrepreneur

“Odyssey unlocked something I didn’t know I needed: a system for thinking under pressure. I recommend it to any adult facing change, uncertainty, or complex choices.”

- Jonathan M., Life Coach

🏢 Corporate Odyssey Program – Testimonials

“The Odyssey approach helped our executive team break through a long-standing strategy conflict. Within a week, we had alignment and a clear plan. This is more than a workshop — it’s a game-changer.”

- Marianne D., COO

“Our team was stuck in a loop of indecision. The Odyssey program not only resolved a major internal conflict but also improved our collaboration. We saw a 25% increase in decision cycle speed.”

- Carlos V., HR Director

“We’ve tried many corporate training programs, but nothing stuck — until Odyssey. It’s rare to find something that boosts individual growth and strategic thinking as a team.”

- Elena R., Innovation Lead

Daniella Princi

Psychologist

Lenka Keehnen

Personal and Business Coach

Sayumi Ishibashi

CEO of Uniflow

Jack Round

CFO, AKSARBEN Foundation

Ana Maria Conde

Teacher

Amir Roggel

Manager From Intel Corporation

Dr. Barry Morgenstern

Behavior Analyst

Rocco Surace

CPA, The Bonadio Group

Message from the creator of the Odyssey Decision Maker Program

Message from the creator of the Odyssey Decision Maker Program

Why Critical Thinking Matters

In an AI-driven world, critical thinking isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Young people today face unprecedented complexity in deciding what to do with their lives. At The Odyssey Foundation, we provide the thinking tools they need to turn uncertainty into clarity and possibility into action.

To scale our impact in 2025, we need your support.​

Why Critical Thinking Matters

In an AI-driven world, critical thinking isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Young people today face unprecedented complexity in deciding what to do with their lives. At The Odyssey Foundation, we provide the thinking tools they need to turn uncertainty into clarity and possibility into action.

To scale our impact in 2025, we need your support.​

How You Can Support
The Odyssey Foundation

Your support helps us bring critical thinking and decision-making skills to the next generation of changemakers—especially those in underserved communities. Whether you're an individual, educator, or organization, here are meaningful ways you can get involved:

Host an Odyssey Program in Your Community

Partner with us to bring the life-changing Odyssey experience to schools, nonprofits, or youth groups in your area. We provide the training, materials, and support—you bring the local reach and heart.

Photos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshops

Attend Our Next Odyssey Experience

Whether online or in-person, our programs are open to individuals who want to explore powerful tools for making better decisions. Register your interest and be the first to know about upcoming dates.

Photos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshops

Win:Win Options To Support The Work Of The Odyssey Foundation

Download My Impossible Decision by Dr. Alan Barnard

This inspiring story explores the life-changing principles behind the Odyssey Program. Every download helps spread awareness and supports our mission.

My Impossible Decision by Dr. Alan Barnard

Get World-Class Coaching at a Discounted Rate

Dr. Alan Barnard is offering his coaching services at a deeply discounted rate, with proceeds helping fund scholarships and expand Odyssey's reach. A powerful way to grow yourself—and give others the same chance.

Dr. Alan Barnard Coaching

The Odyssey Program Helps You Understand

WHY

Why we all sometimes resist changes that we probably know will be good for us/our organizations AND/OR sometimes over-react and make changes that end up being bad for us/our organization

HOW

Introduce you to the fast and robust 5-step ProConCloud process specifically designed to capitalize on the latest research insights from the Decision Sciences to help us prevent the 5 most common decision mistakes we make that can waste our limited attention and/or result in decision mistakes or delays

The Odyssey Program Helps You Understand

WHY

Why we all sometimes resist changes that we probably know will be good for us/our organizations AND/OR sometimes over-react and make changes that end up being bad for us/our organization

HOW

Introduce you to the fast and robust 5-step ProConCloud process specifically designed to capitalize on the latest research insights from the Decision Sciences to help us prevent the 5 most common decision mistakes we make that can waste our limited attention and/or result in decision mistakes or delays

On what journey will the Odyssey program take you? Put yourself in Jason's shoes.

The evolution of the ProConCloud process

In this video, the Professor shares with Jason the process he can use to help him make the decision on what to do about the disharmony he has at work with his co-workers as a result of their resistance to changes he is proposing to make things better, faster and easier for everyone.

Using the ProConCloud to prevent 5 common decision mistake

In this second video, the Professor introduces Jason to the ProConCloud process – a problem solving and decision-making process which is an evolution of Benjamin Franklin’s Pro/Con List and Dr. Eli Goldratt’s Change Matrix and Evaporating Cloud methods that maintain their benefits while addressing their limitations. The ProConCloud process consists of 5 steps, each designed to overcome one of the 5 most common decision mistakes we make which wastes our scarcest resource – our limited attention.

How can I tell my story with the ProConCloud?

Paul's Spending Conflict

Learn how to use the first two steps of the new ProConCloud process to tell your story about an important problem or challenge you are facing and the associated conflicts you experience in dealing with it and also the one you blame (yourself or someone else).

​Click the link below to register and complete the first two steps on our award-winning software Harmony.

Keaton's Conflict with being bullied

In this video, Keaton completes his ProConCloud on (Step 1), the problem he faced at school (being bullied), the conflict he faced (Step 2a) after being bullied repeatedly by Jake at school and he also completed the conflict that Jake, the bully, will face (Step 2a) in whether to stop bullying Keaton or not.

Snaps From The Past Odyssey Programs

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Photos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshopsPhotos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshopsPhotos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshopsPhotos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshopsPhotos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshopsPhotos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshopsPhotos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshopsPhotos of students and professionals participating in global Odyssey workshops

Dr. Alan Barnard in Conversation with Renowned Personalities

Dr Alan Barnard Interviews Sir Richard Branson

Dr Alan Barnard Interviews Steve Wozniak

Testimonial from Vanilla Ice for the Odyssey Program

Dr. Alan Barnard in Conversation with Renowned Personalities

Dr Alan Barnard Interviews Sir Richard Branson

Dr Alan Barnard Interviews Steve Wozniak

Testimonial from Vanilla Ice for the Odyssey Program

Since 2005, we have offered over 100 In-Person and Online Odyssey Programs around the world, in formats ranging from 1/2 day to 5 days.

Let us know if you want an Odyssey Program in your country or company.

Since 2005, we have offered over 100 In-Person and Online Odyssey Programs around the world, in formats ranging from 1/2 day to 5 days.

Let us know if you want an Odyssey Program in your country or company.

Mastering Decisions With The

Harmony Decision Maker App

An App to help young people make better faster decisions with confidence ... when it really matters

Trailer - How an App can help you make better decisions ...for young people

Mastering Decisions With The

Harmony Decision Maker App

An App to help young people make better faster decisions with confidence ... when it really matters

Trailer - How an App can help you make better decisions ...for young people

DOWNLOAD NOW:

Introducing The New Harmony Decision Maker Mobile App

Make Better Faster Decisions Together… when it really matters.

​Our 3 Harmony apps help you make all 3 these decisions with confidence.

Important Links

Odyssey Program

Goldratt Research Labs

The Odyssey Program was co-created by Dr. Eli Goldratt and Dr. Alan Barnard, CEO of Goldratt Research Labs.

The Goldratt Research Labs is a research organization that is a spearhead for new Theory of Constraints based research and development to help accelerate and test the ever growing TOC body of knowledge.

​www.goldrattresearchlabs.com

© Copyright 2023 - All rights reserved - Goldratt Research Labs

Important Links

Odyssey Program

Goldratt Research Labs

The Odyssey Program was co-created by Dr. Eli Goldratt and Dr. Alan Barnard, CEO of Goldratt Research Labs.

The Goldratt Research Labs is a research organization that is a spearhead for new Theory of Constraints based research and development to help accelerate and test the ever growing TOC body of knowledge.

​www.goldrattresearchlabs.com

© Copyright 2023 - All rights reserved - Goldratt Research Labs