The Occupational Philosophers - A not-so-serious business podcast to spark Creativity, Imagination and Curiosity

In this short sharp in-betweener episode, the Occupational Philosophers explore the habits of creative door kickers and kick-arse inventors and ponder, "What can we learn from these curious cats?" As it happens, we can learn a hell of a lot such as: How to find your flow and what works for you Why it's worth packing a pair of swimming trunks if you want a great idea How Churchill won the war despite not getting out of bed until 11 am Why having a micro creative habit in your office may be the best productivity hack since micro dosing....(not that we have tried that, just sayin...) They hope you enjoy the show! FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

Jemma Enright is a strategic and creative innovator who has an entrepreneurial spirit bigger than Mt Everest. She takes opportunities from little beans to full Jack and the Beanstalk scenario but with a much friendlier ending with no real Giants dying in the process. She is strongly connected to the startup and innovation community, as well as the media and advertising community. She plays an active role in mentoring startups and future innovators as well as being a strong advocate for women and diversity in innovation. She has been an angel investor and has been both an intrapreneur, driving change in large companies, and an entrepreneur, taking an exciting new startup in the personal finance space, MoneyBrilliant, from idea to an exit in the role of CEO and Cofounder. She is a real-world, kick-ass, start-up Mega star and one awesome person to boot! In this episode, the Occupational Philosophers explore: What surprised her most about launching and selling a business? The make-up of a perfect team to launch, scale and then sell a business The how/when/where of looking for funding for your idea The one key thing to nail on your start-up journey What is customer centricity and importantly, how do we become more customer-centric? What do potential entrepreneurs need to consider before doing the work of launching a startup? Why you need to be careful with the term entrepreneur porn As always, there are some great thought experiments including “start up or wind up?” The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show as much as they enjoyed making it! Learn more about Jemma https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemmaenright/ Say hello to the Occupational Philosophers www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers explore ‘Generic Parts Technique’ or GPT. (Not to be confused with chat GPT) It’s quite hard to explain in words so we think it’s best to just listen really…. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers, inspired by the banning of hip-hop at Sydney’s Royal Easter Show, turn their attention to wicked problems. In this episode, they explore: How do you solve a challenge with multiple truths? What’s the secret sauce when every problem is different? How can you flourish in a FUCA world....(not VUCA...!)? The importance of reframing challenges Why curiosity, empathy and Hip Hop belong together Why saying "It's banned" may not be the best approach.... We hope you enjoy the show AND as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life... FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 60, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Julian Baggini, a philosopher, journalist and the author of over 20 books about philosophy. He is a co-founder of The Philosophers' Magazine and has written for numerous international newspapers and magazines. In addition to writing on the subject of philosophy, he has also written books on atheism, secularism and the nature of national identity. In 2012 he was commissioned by the National Trust to be the philosopher-in-residence for the White Cliffs of Dover where he was required to reflect on the chalk cliffs and their significance to the national identity. His books include How The World Thinks: A Global History Of Philosophy Freedom Regained: The Possibility of Free Will Should You Judge This Book by Its Cover? The Duck That Won the Lottery: And 99 Other Bad Arguments The Pig that Wants to be Eaten and 99 other thought experiments What’s It All about? Philosophy and the Meaning of life And his most recently published book - ‘How to think like a philosopher’ In this episode, they explore: The 12 practices, habits and attitudes to help us think like a philosopher Why paying attention is the key to sound thinking Why ‘faffing’ isn’t a waste of time How to put some ‘speed bumps’ in your organisation so you arrive at better solutions Whether curiosity killed the cat? Well, yes, and no… Is creativity an attempt to become immortal? How listening to David Gilmour of Pink Floyd might explain the meaning of life Why Croissants and Coffee are the secrets to a happy life And if an eyebrow is transplanted to above the top lip, is it still an eyebrow? Learn more about Julian https://www.julianbaggini.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbaggini/ References https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Think-Like-Philosopher-Principles/dp/1783788518 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babette's_Feast https://www.masoncurrey.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Tea

What would you do if every time you sent an email, a bag of coal would turn up next to your desk? Would it change how you think about emails? Would you send a few fewer emails to play your role in not crapping on the planet? Would an ever-expanding collection of coal in your office make you think about how much energy you use? Is it time to do a personal energy audit over where and how you spend your energy - emotional/mental/physical? Is it time to do an energy audit with your team? Where are we most wasting our energy? Where do we need more energy? What outdated practices consume too much energy - literally and physically? Join the Occupational Philosophers to discuss how we may reimagine how our behaviours and actions can both consume and create energy. It's maybe not the usual discussion but a fantastic topic to get curious about... FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers, turn their attention to meditations, or well-known philosophical quotations which may offer some insights into how we work, play and collaborate together. In this episode, they explore: The quotation attributed to Confucius, “If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room’ How ensuring you have diversity of thought in your ‘room’ is key to problem-solving and creative thinking Why changing the word ‘room’ to ‘meeting’ may offer a very practical way to challenge yourself before any group discussion And why ‘smart’ doesn’t just mean IQ FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this episode, the Occupational Philosophers (having looked down at their calendar and realised that it's the end of February) thought it may be a good time to revisit what everyone was talking about 8 weeks ago - New Year's Resolutions. As absolute non-experts in achieving goals and being productive, they thought it may be worthwhile to throw the idea of New Year's Resolutions up in the air and look at it from all angles (not just the sciency type stuff) We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 56, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Dr Samuel West, a licensed psychologist with a PhD in Organisational Psychology. He has explored the psychology of happiness, in particular happiness related to work. He has taught courses on positive psychology, creativity, and organizational science, and in his PhD, in organizational psychology, he focused on how workplace playfulness boosts innovation. More recently, he is the founder and creator of the Museum of Failure, which is a collection of failed products and services from around the world, with every item providing a unique insight into the risky business of innovation. He has become the leading expert in helping teams and organizations understand the role of failure in innovation and progress, improve the acceptance of failure, and appreciate the benefits of psychological safety. He is a global keynote speaker and seeks to educate and inspire with the fascinating stories of the artefacts at the Museum of Failure. In this episode, they explore: Why leaders need to listen more to those around them How organisations can flip their view on failure and embrace it What we can do as individuals to be more creative in our own work The critical importance of having psychological safety in your team and how to create it How fostering a playful environment can kick start innovation What’s the best way to rebrand the side effect of Diarrhea on your product? As always, there are some original thought experiments with this episode featuring: Hit or Miss? Learn more about Samuel https://samuelwest.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelwest/ https://museumoffailure.com/ References https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2023/01/is-toadzilla-a-sign-of-enormous-cane-toads-to-come/ https://petkeen.com/do-goldfish-grow-to-the-size-of-their-tank/ https://www.greenmatters.com/news/japan-birth-rate-decline https://www.liveabout.com/what-is-oud-oudh-346101 About the show The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show (they really enjoyed making this episode of their not-so-serious business podcast.) And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, and date life. Say Hello to the OP's www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 55, The Occupational Philosophers again chat with another ‘delight’ of guests, Kathy Taberner and Kirsten Siggins Mmmm, sounds interesting. Tell me more…. Kathy and Kirsten are the Mother/Daughter Founders of the Institute Of Curiosity and with a name like that, we just had to have them on the show!! And a little more information about them both: Kathy Taberner: Coach, Author, Speaker, MA, CEC, PCC. Kathy enjoys hiking, skiing, kayaking, and sharing delicious food and wine with family and friends. Kirsten Siggins: Coach, Author, TEDx Speaker, BA, CEC. Kirsten is a curiosity nerd, wannabe chef, and adventurer who loves a full table and all things design. Both are the co-authors of “The Power of Curiosity” - How To Have Real Conversations That Create Collaboration, Innovation and Understanding' (Yes, they are as nice as they sound!) In this episode, they explore: Why curiosity should be at the heart of all conversations When a professional’s back is up against the wall, they hear their parent’s voice come out of their mouth. Why we need to get curious and not furious Three essential curiosity skills to use in conversations Why Gremlins can be our biggest obstacle to becoming more curious How setting the intention to be curious can change everything Why we need to be more curious and less furious Why checking bathing costume fabric is so important As always, there are some great thought experiments including Mother and Daughter Bingo with “Who said that?” Links https://www.instituteofcuriosity.com/ https://www.instituteofcuriosity.com/about-kathy-taberner-kirsten-siggins/ https://www.facebook.com/instituteofcuriosity/ The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show (they really enjoyed making this episode of their not-so-serious business podcast.) And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, and date life. Say Hello to the OP's www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

Is this even an episode? In this 5-minute conversation, (with Simon recording from a cupboard in deep, dark Suffolk - so please excuse the audio), John and Simon talk about what can happen to best-laid plans.....when designing the twelve days of Xmas. In the spirit of experimenting quickly, they then move on and go straight to what's exciting about 2023 - which is LOADS. We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com John and Simon's day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this short, sharp festive Inbetweener episode, John and Simon offer their first tasty morsel from the ‘12 Days of Christmas’, a reflection on some of the highlights from 2022, and something to savour in between Mince Pies, Sherry, and Karaoke with Uncle Kevin…. On this first day of Christmas, they explore: The wisdom of Neil Mullarkey and insights from the world of improv How ‘Yes, and’ enables you to build on the unexpected and make the best of what is given Top tip for surviving the family Xmas using improv We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, date life, and laugh uncontrollably at this year’s Xmas cracker jokes….. FYI: The episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, John and Simon explore the rise in interest of companies wishing to employ Chief Philosophy Officers (CPOs) within their organisations, signalling the beginning of a true movement in keeping with the aims of The Occupational Philosophers! Amongst other things, they explore: What is the role of a Chief Philosophy Officer? Why organisations are becoming more interested in hiring CPOs How asking ‘curly’ questions is an activity anyone can undertake How CPOs can make sure people wear the right clothes and eat socially acceptable lunches…. We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this Inbetweeners episode, the Occupational Philosophers explore the true meaning, origin story and get really curious about some of those hackneyed, over-used corporate sayings that really need to pass away and live in the after life. Really, what does 'circle around' mean? What is the origin and true meaning of low-hanging fruit? How low is low fruit before it's on the ground? Who is measuring the right angle to pivot? Can we really give 110% if the scale ends at 100%? Is there a level of maths we don't know about? Were cavemen and cave women encouraged to think outside the cave? Do we need to wear lead pants to protect our 100%? When you say deep dive, do you mean with air or free diving? Whilst this episode is a little loose, The Occupational Philosophers (as always) ask those really deep and meaningful questions that we should all ponder - in the corporate world and beyond. They hope you enjoy the show... The Occupational Philosophers promise you won't be overly disappointed - maybe a little but not too much....And as they always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative, and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello to the OP's www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: (please watch, he needs some hits on Youtube) https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 50, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Ian Gilbert, the founder of Independent Thinking, a unique and highly influential organisation in education across the UK. Independent Thinking seeks to move beyond teaching and learning, into motivation, creativity and leadership, social justice, neuroscience, inclusion, the environment and well-being. He is a prolific author with many books including the ever-popular Thunks collection, and ‘Why Do I Need a Teacher When I’ve Got Google?’ He is committed to ongoing classroom work with children and young people, delivering keynotes and workshops at conferences around the world, and through his continuous work with teachers and leaders in schools, Ian has shown a whole generation of educators that there is always another way. He sets the bar when it comes to speaking to teachers, children and school leaders about his vision for education and unless someone is complaining their brain hurts, he knows he hasn't got the message across yet. In this episode, Ian and The Occupational Philosophers explore: How we all need to capture those ‘sparks’ of creativity and imagination Why the mainstream education system is fundamentally flawed What education and learning might look like in 2052 The power of ‘Thunks’ and how they can help you think more deeply How to harness the diversity of thought and creativity within your team Why not thinking is the best way to improve your thinking Can you solve a problem through the medium of mime? As always, there are some original thought experiments with this episode featuring: Whose question is it anyway? Thunk Tank Learn more about Ian https://independentthinking.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisiangilbert The Little Book of Thunks https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Book-Thunks-questions-Independent-ebook/dp/B005R25LKK Why do I need a teacher when I have Google? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Need-Teacher-When-Google/dp/0415468337 The Working Class https://www.amazon.co.uk/Working-Class-Poverty-education-alternative/dp/178135278X Toria Bono - Tiny Voices https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiny-Voices-Talk-Engagement-Empowerment/dp/1781354111/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2S8EVO98VNIOD&keywords=tiny+voices&qid=1668164141&s=books&sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C389&sr=1-1 References https://howthelightgetsin.org/festivals/hay https://www.instagram.com/mrdoodle The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show (they really enjoyed making this episode of their not-so-serious business podcast.) And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, and date life. Say Hello to the OP's www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers explore the problem of flying mammals that can exist in organisations, and how they can be one of the biggest innovation killers around (as well as getting stuck in your hair, making a screeching noise and leaving a big mess everywhere) What the hell are they talking about? Well, you will just have to tune in. The Occupational Philosophers promise you won't be overly disappointed - maybe a little but not too much....And as they always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative, and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Links https://gfda.co/ (Good f#*king design advice - we love this site!) Say Hello to the OP's www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: (please watch, he needs some hits on Youtube) https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 48, The Occupational Philosophers chat with a ‘delight’ of guests, Dr Barbara Doran and Rodger Watson. Mmmm, sound interesting. Tell me more…. Barbara Doran (PhD) specialises in identifying creative opportunities that respond to complex challenges and putting them in action. She is an experienced speaker, mentor, educator, project innovator, and artist who directs her energies to building our collective capacities to improve how we live. She has worked with some of Australia’s leading practitioners and award-winning productions, including Jungle Boys, Australia’s largest TV commercials production company; Mythbusters in San Francisco; and alongside key filmmaking professionals whose credits include The Matrix, Moulin Rouge, and Gatsby. Rodger Watson is an innovator for public good and has worked as a public servant, a strategic human-centred design consultant, bartender, pizza deliverer, emu farmhand, and the leader of an academic research centre. He is now Course Director of the Master of Creative Intelligence and Strategic Innovation at the UTS Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation and is about to complete a Doctorate in Transdisciplinary Innovation and Philosophy. In this episode they explore: How we need to get out of analysis paralysis - in life and organisations Why reframing the way we look at things can bring new solutions Why we are all creatively intelligent How innovation needs to start with a playful space and why we need to globally embrace play How the opposite of play is depression Design Abduction - different ways of thinking - put aside the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ Why their new book is just such an amazing read Building on the above, they dive into why we all need to embrace more: Creativity/Play and Flow Probing and Blitzing Visualising Conversations Scaling Stories As always, there are some great thought experiments including: Guess the school report (yes, the name needs some work) Something’s afoot Moriarty! Links: Creative Catalyzer course https://open.uts.edu.au/uts-open/study-area/communication--media/critical--creative-thinking/creative-intelligence-catalyser/ Book - Creative Reboot https://open.uts.edu.au/uts-open/study-area/communication--media/critical--creative-thinking/creative-intelligence-catalyser/ Transdisciplianary course uts.edu.au/about/td-school Rodger's Dads band - The Easybeats https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Easybeats About our guests Rodger Watson https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodger-watson/ https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Rodger.Watson Dr. Barbara Doran https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-barbara-doran-9196a114/ https://www.drbd.com.au/ https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Barbara.Doran-1 The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show (they really enjoyed making this episode of their not-so-serious business podcast.) And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, and date life. Say Hello to the OP's www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

Do you sometimes get out of bed and wonder why you do what you do? Maybe you're wondering about your 'why' or 'purpose'? Are you so passionate about what you do that maybe a simple 'why' statement is just not enough? Well most likely then, it's time to write your Manifesto!! What's a manifesto? According to Wikpedia, a manifesto is "A published declaration of the intentions, motives, or views of the issuer, be it an individual, group.....A manifesto is often political, social or artistic in nature, sometimes revolutionary, but may present an individual's life stance." In this episode, John and Simon read out a manifesto that fluffing fires them up from https://gfda.co/ and they explore why we should all get a little more passionate about what we do, why we do it, and why it matters The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show (they really enjoyed making this episode of their not-so-serious business podcast.) And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative, and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Links https://gfda.co/ (Good f#*king design advice - we love this site!) Say Hello to the OP's www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 41, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Dr Vanessa Marcié, an expert on Humour and Leadership, who is the founder and CEO of Leading With Humour, an innovative consulting firm that helps executives to harness the power of humour in their change management strategies. She is a two times TEDx speaker and guest speaker at several top business schools and universities: Cambridge Judge Business School, HEC Paris, London Business School, Oxford University, and Toulouse Business School Her research work on Humour and Leadership has been published in The Financial Times, The European Business Review, La Tribune and Harvard Business Review France and Elle Magazine. She is also a stand-up comedian who has created two comedy clubs, one in London and one in Cannes, scenes on which she regularly performs. Her main message: If you want to accelerate your business or career success, you need to understand the art and science of humour in leadership. In this episode, they explore: Why humour is a serious business How learning the art of standup can radically improve your ability to present to an audience The link between comedy, curiosity, creativity and imagination Tips for staying creative and curious, whatever your work Why Vanessa’s headstone will need to be 12 feet tall As always, there are some original thought experiments and this time they have: Learn more about Vanessa https://www.linkedin.com/in/vmarcie/ https://leadingwithhumour.com/ References https://fortune.com/2022/09/15/patagonia-ceo-says-founder-views-billionaires-as-policy-failure/

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, John reflects more on his recent trip to the far-flung reaches of the UK, including Shetland and Orkney Islands. Here he discovered evidence of creativity, imagination, and play amongst the well-preserved Neolithic remains of family life some 5,000 years ago. Amongst other things, the Occupational Philosophers explore: What did Neolithic men and women do when they weren’t catching Mammoths? What can Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs tell us about our innate desire to create? How we should still find time to innovate, stay curious and creative despite adverse conditions We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, John reflects more on his recent Edinburgh Fringe Festival experience where he saw many performers showcasing a ‘Work in Progress’... something not quite finished, something which needs feedback, and where the expectation from the audience is different than if they were performing a completed set or show. Amongst other things, they explore: How does a ‘Work in progress’ show differ from a finished show? How might you bring the ‘Work in progress’ idea into your organisation? What are the advantages of a ‘Work in progress’ when it comes to innovation and creative thinking? When will Chris & Rosie Ramsay appear as guests on this podcast? We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In episode 43, The Occupational Philosophers explore the life, times, and creative inspiration one of the most enigmatic, admired, and misunderstood artists of all time (possibly but not backed up with quantitative evidence), Vincent Van Gogh. Mr Van Gogh is maybe the originator of two false myths about art and artists: Artists don't get famous until you die All artists are a bit mad In a repeated theme throughout time (by all early adopters), Vincent was a true disruptor and was so far ahead of his time that his work was derided by almost everyone at the time. His empathetic nature enabled him to see the diversity that existed all around him and he was able to bring that to life in his art. What's not known to most was that it was an entrepreneurial single mother that showed the world what a wonder he was. There are some great insights into what we can learn about change, breaking rules and why if you are in change management, why Vincent Van Gogh should be your poster child. Once and for all, they try to settle how to say his last name! As usual, there are some great thought experiments such as: Can a squirrel truly be happy? Do AI and good manners mix? The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show! (and tell your friends) . . . What's the show about? The Occupational Philosophers is a not-so-serious business podcast to spark creativity, curiosity, and imagination. Every fortnight, John, a mild-mannered, middle-aged British man with a love of curiosity and philosophy, and a slightly louder, middle-aged Australian surfer man, artist, and published author on creativity chat with guests drawn from many walks of life who have woven creativity, curiosity and play into their everyday lives - and thrived personally and professionally in the process. So, if you would like to listen to a “not so serious business podcast” and would like some thoughts, tools, and tips on staying curious, creative, and asking those really great questions (and leading a most interesting life in the process) then this is the podcast you have been waiting for all your life. Well, maybe not all your life, but for a while… You can check it all out at https://www.occupationalphilosophers.com/

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, John reflects more on his recent Wilderness Festival experience as he and Simon ask the question: What can a corporate conference learn from a kick-ass festival experience? (And it's quite a lot as it happens....) Amongst other things, they explore: How to create an environment where it's OK to fail at new things (and it's actively encouraged) Why it's important to create a plethora of stimuli and things to experience Why inspiration is important The joy of random connections and conversations Why disconnection may be the key to human connection The importance of sharing expertise and an open mind How we all need a multi-sensory explosion Why safe places are happy places We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Links: https://www.wildernessfestival.com/ Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 41 The Occupational Philosophers chat with Tiffany Markman, an international speaker, trainer and writer, known for her work on communication, messaging, marketing and more. She’s collaborated with over 450 brands worldwide — both big and small — over the last 17 years, encountering writing that ranges from the sublime to the absurd. She’s also delivered keynote addresses, created masterclasses and presented training in 14 countries. She likes her coffee strong and black, her paragraphing short and tight and her apostrophes in all the right places. She also has insatiable appetite for reading about cults, multi-level marketing schemes and crypto scammers who fake their own deaths! In this episode, they explore: The global study that explores the 4 creative competencies which will help boost your own creative awesomeness Why you need to capture & record your ideas…without judgement! How challenging yourself and stepping outside your comfort zone is essential to creativity & growth Why broadening your skills beyond your current niche will help improve your creative output How to immerse yourself in different environments and seek out new stimuli which will feed into your work The top 3 tips to be a successful freelancer And why you should never, ever, be an insular arsehole! As always, there are some original thought experiments and this time they have: Copyright or Copywrong? Cat or Bat? Learn more about Tiffany Markman https://tiffanymarkman.co.za https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-markman https://www.instagram.com/tiffanymarkman References Portugese Tart https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastel_de_nata Wilderness Festival https://www.wildernessfestival.com The Occupational Philosophers is a not-so-serious business podcast to spark creativity, curiosity, and imagination. Every fortnight, John, a mild-mannered, middle-aged British man with a love of curiosity and philosophy, and a slightly louder, middle-aged Australian surfer man, artist, and published author on creativity chat with guests drawn from many walks of life who have woven creativity, curiosity and play into their everyday lives - and thrived personally and professionally in the process. So, if you would like to listen to a “not so serious business podcast” and would like some thoughts, tools, and tips on staying curious, creative, and asking those really great questions (and leading a most interesting life in the process) then this is the podcast you have been waiting for all your life. Well, maybe not all your life, but for a while… You can check it all out at https://www.occupationalphilosophers.com/

Have you ever been on a curiosity tour? John and Simon jump into some insights around what can happen when you tour all five of your senses and they pull the metaphorical golf balls from Simon's mind after his NYC sojourn. Amongst other things, they explore: What we can learn from public space and how it can influence workplace culture in making everyone feel welcome What happens when we create serendipitous cross overs or people and ideas How life changes when we look at the world in a different angle Does it really feel a little more woo-woo at intersections? (and can you measure it?) We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In episode 39, The Occupational Philosophers honour their Philosopher forefathers and foremothers and unleash their Northern Hemisphere summer solstice Thought Experiment extravaganza! Or in language with more brevity.....revisit some of their favourite thought experiments with their guests over the last year. These include: Famous love parents with Tamara Campbell Is this a real job? with Ash Perrin What's in the box? with Neil Mullarkey Curious garden of delights Jez Rose Tweddle or twaddle? with author Eleanor Tweddle Guess the source of my pain? with Dr Brock Bastian Moonshot or Moonshite? with Mike Parsons These are a lot of fun and I hope you enjoy them as much as we did 'running' the experiments. We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another great year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

As John and Simon traverse the northern hemisphere summer, John takes on a little walk into the world of Purposeful Questions. Questions which: Ask for clarity on their thoughts Ask to challenge proposals Ask to examine ideas Ask to draw out someone's perspective Ask to understand the impact of an idea Ask to find out what are the right questions to ask! Key Things to Remember: Ask with a curious mind and tone Be careful with language ...Asking 'Why' can feel confrontational Use questions to have people 'raise their gaze' or 'delve in deep' Ask yourself 'What's the right question to ask?' Think about the order of your questions If your question draws blank looks, then reframe it Declare the intent of your question 'Hey, I am curious about the impact of this idea? So whilst it's a short episode, there is LOADS of goodness. As a side note, whilst the Occupational Philosophers have been steadily improving as Podcast hosts, today's show makes us realise that they still have a long way to go...... We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another great year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In episode 37, The Occupational Philosophers chat with highly engaging, world class storyteller and very funny Tim Vaughan-Hughes. Tim is one interesting cat! He began his career with the stage management team at Glyndebourne Opera, and trained as an actor at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He has subsequently performed extensively in all media. He joined the Monty Python production team for their feature films Monty Python and The Holy Grail, Monty Python’s Life of Brian, and Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life. He now acts as a mentor and 'enabler' to senior management and executives in the areas of creating impact, change, confidence building, presentation skills and personal development. His clients include Sony, HSBC, PwC, Cisco Systems, BT, Lloyds Bank, DHL and HBOS to name a few. He is also one of the most entertaining keynote speakers and after dinner speakers going around! His training skills and personal development include media coaching, Presentation Polishing and script writing for Business executives. He helps individual clients with finishing touches to their speeches, rehearsing and prepares them for camera or conference appearances. As well as working with business executives privately or in a group, he runs open classes, and regularly presents a popular master-class to help people create impact in both their business and private lives (with the course being delivered across the globe). In this episode, they explore: What we can learn from the principles of stage management How we can find more confidence from finding our inner alter ego Why it’s important to recognise the difference between nerves and fear Why all great performers practice, practice, practice and get loads of help How the right to fail is a god-given right - it should be in your team charter How if you're not nervous you are either drunk or you died yesterday (one of our favourite lines ever) John also struggles to even get out a basic sentence then looks to blame others.... As always, there are some great thought experiments. This time it's "Whose speech is it anyway?" You can connect directly with Tim on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-vaughan-hughes-927930a/ We hope you enjoy the show!

In ep.36, The Occupational Philosophers explore the idea of tensions. Mmmm, what does the mean? Que music...."Tensions here, tensions there, tensions everywhere, yeah, yeah, yeah..." Whilst this lyric may never win a grammy (but lets not put boundaries on what's possible), tensions are everywhere i.e. Working harder to achieve success v.s taking that little bit of extra time off to look after yourself The tension of breathing in v.s breathing out. Both are essential and one is not more important than the other - or are they? The tension of being a man child vs. not doing things that will break your ankle The tension between John and Simon. John thinks Simon is an idiot bogan from Australia and Simon thinks John is and old posh grey head. So, tensions are everywhere and there is a real excitement in managing and navigating this. We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another great year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In their 1st birthday anniversary show spectacular most amazing achievement podcast (yes, they made it to 1 year old - we are surprised as you are), the Occupational Philosophers explore the concept of the half baked idea and most importantly, how we need to create an environment where these 'half-baked ideas' thrive. Half baked ideas and overcoming our addiction to perfection is at the heart of a culture of innovation. You will also why bears can make great electricians (loosely) and John and Simon have a moment of enlightenment when they share two half-baked ideas to form something even better. We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another great year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 34, The Occupational Philosophers explore the topic of play and ponder the crucial question “Why does any game of Monopoly always end in a fist fight? In this episode, they discuss: What happens to our brains when we play? Why unstructured play is key to our development as children (and adults!) How play improves our cognitive skills so we can problem solve, create and learn more effectively Who said ‘play is the highest form of research’? How play enables us to produce our best work in whatever form that takes How there is an actual national institute of play (true fact) Why playing like a cat is at the heart of art and creativity As always, there are original thought experiments and this time they ask: To play or to play? We hope you enjoy the episode as much as The Occupational Philosophers enjoyed making it. You can learn more about the show at www.occupationalphilosophers.com Remember, if you like the show (or found it mildly tolerable) tell your friends and leave a review and rating …we mean a positive review not as a warning to others…. References https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/feb/06/ai-weiwei-i-am-like-a-cat-cats-can-play-for-a-whole-day?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other https://www.nifplay.org https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/17/the-guardian-view-on-lego-for-adults-play-is-a-serious-business

In episode 33, The Occupational Philosophers explore the idea of looking at the world with travellers' eyes. Mmmm, what do you mean by that? Great question! Think back to one of those great trips you have been on.....Just think about how curious you were about everything that you saw around you. It was eyes wide open taking in as much as possible. Imagine.....What would things be like (at work or otherwise) if we spent more time looking at the world with travellers' eyes? Imagine, what would be possible? What would we see? Tune in to go on a great travel adventure and get your eyes wide open. We hope you enjoy the show And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' our longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 32, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Dr Jen Frahm…a tamer of ambiguity, speaker of truths and a solver of problems. She is a global expert in change and organisational transformation. She is the author of two books, with the most recent being “Change.Leader” which offers 33 areas in which leaders can make small but intentional personal changes in the way they lead that will result in being able to navigate disruption better. Jen lectured and developed university-level curriculum for over 8 years and is known for her ability to bust silos, empower big ideas to come to life and is more agile than a leaping gazelle on steroids. In this episode, they explore: How curiosity, creativity and imagination are the fuel for transformative change When the drive for resilience within organisations masks the real problems in the system What the agile mindset and methodology can offer as we navigate change How teams need to stress test their team charter before embarking on a change initiative Why great digital transformation is really about risk How to tell if the lint filter in your washing machine needs changing As always, there are some original thought experiments and this time they have: Wand of Change Listener questions Learn more about Jen https://drjenfrahm.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferfrahm Find Jen on Twitter - @jenfrahm References Wim Hof https://www.wimhofmethod.com/ Change. Leader https://drjenfrahm.com/change-leader/ Agile Manifesto https://agilemanifesto.org/ Agile Change Leadership Institute https://aclinstitute.com/ Kanban Canvas https://canvanizer.com/new/kanban-canvas

In Episode 31, The Occupational Philosophers reconnect with the amazing Jez Rose as they design a garden of creativity, curiosity and imagination. They loved this piece so much that it needed its own episode. With Jez's love of nature, he became a landscape gardener as he designed his own garden of creativity, curiosity and imagination. You will hear about what's needed for: The soil, providing nutrients, foundations and roots Flowers, providing sensory stimuli, sights, sounds, sense and touch Fauna providing...... Jez is a wonderful storyteller and you will not be disappointed as we journey into his imagination. Simon also makes a pledge to bring this garden to life via an artwork as well! (watch this space) We hope you enjoy the show. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes in between our longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

Would you like to have better ideas? Do you sometimes need more inspiration? Would you like an easy way to achieve both of these? If so, read on (and listen to this episode) In episode 30, The Occupational Philosophers explore a really simple technique to create a bunch of new ideas, seek inspiration and have an enjoyable time in the process. Importantly, it's easy, free and anyone can do it. We hope you enjoy the show. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. www.occupationalphilosophers.com JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes in between our longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.

In episode 29, the Occupational Philosophers ask the very important question of "Is technology killing our creativity?" Fulfilling John's high school dreams of a career in law they take a for and against argument and explore both sides of the argument. In this episode, they discuss: The different types of curiosity and how technology drives each of them How technology both fuels and diminishes empathy Why it's important to consider the spaces and places we create for curiosity and creativity How travelling pre-mobile phone may have been a very different experience Why we need to create online and offline spaces for creativity How interrupting your flow can drop your IQ (watch out!) Why our humanness is more important than ever Can robots create art (or is it just craft?) Why data is nothing without..... As always, (and in the tradition of the great philosophers of the past - not the John and Simon count themselves in that space by any means - John is in training, however), there are some great thought experiments. For episode 29, the thought experiment is: App or Crap? We hope you enjoy the episode as much as The Occupational Philosophers enjoyed making it. You can learn more about the show at www.occupationalphilosophers.com Remember, if you like the show (fingers crossed...) tell your friends and leave a review and rating and you will be showered with 10,000,001 blessings. Show Links AI, robots and painting https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/apr/04/mind-blowing-ai-da-becomes-first-robot-to-paint-like-an-artist?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

In this short, sharp episode of starting your week goodness, The Occupational Philosophers explore the idea of priming the pump for creativity and curiosity, and why it's important. Think of it like this..... Imagine if someone at work said, "the whole company is going to run a marathon, it will be great for company morale, raise money and we are going to do it RIGHT NOW! It just wouldn't work. You don't go and run a marathon without doing some warming up, stretching and practice and it's the same for creativity and curiosity. We need to prime the pump. Tune in for seven minutes as The Occupational Philosophers explore a great way to do that with a team and get the curiosity firing. They hope you enjoy the show. Check us out at www.occupationalphilosophers.com If you haven't checked out Simon's showreel, you can do that right here https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg (yes, it's a little plug)

n Episode 27, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Jez Rose, a true example of someone with boundless curiosity and a hunger to keep learning. He has been a presenter on children’s television, hosted his own show for ITV1, been a co-host of Saturday Kitchen (BBC1) and special guest on James Martin’s Saturday Morning. He’s written six books, including ‘Flip the Switch: achieve extraordinary things with simple changes to the way you think’. He’s a podcaster with the Roots, Wings & Other Things podcast AND more recently the human podcast, which over 23 episodes, explores what it really means to be human. Jez is an internationally renowned behaviourist, professional speaker, and the “go-to” guy for memorable presentations on how to change human behaviour. Today, Jez travels extensively, presenting to organizations worldwide and for more than sixteen years has been working with organisations worldwide to help engage, inspire and upskill their teams. Phew....that's a LOT of stuff. In this episode, they explore: What it means to be human Why ‘grow slow’ could be a more useful mantra as everything else speeds up How observing nature and the seasons can teach us valuable lessons about change What can you do with a team to unleash its’ innovation and imagination How leaders need to provide the fuel which sparks the fire of creativity Why John knows more about Jez than his Mum does As always, there are some original thought experiments and this time they have: Listener questions (including the worry of Bladderwort) Learn more about Jez https://www.jezrose.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatjezrose/ Flip the Switch https://www.jezrose.co.uk/shop/books References Dream Coaches https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/nov/22/dream-coach-benedict-cumberbatch-jane-campion-unconscious-on-screen-the-power-of-the-dog The Choice https://www.amazon.co.uk/Choice-Edith-Eger/dp/184604510X Man’s Search for Meaning https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mans-Search-Meaning-classic-Holocaust/dp/1844132390

In Episode 26 - an Inbetweeners episode - The Occupational Philosophers explore Simon's epiphany whilst watching MTV out of the corner of his eye at the gym and ask, "Are we disrupting enough?" What are the areas in our lives - work or otherwise - that absolutely ripe for disruption? Or, in another way; what needs a really good dose of creativity, freshness or some new ideas? Have things been the same for 25 years just because they have always been done that way? Is it time for a little disRupTioN? Inbetweener episodes are short, sharp episodes with just one idea to kick off the week with a little more creativity, curiosity and imagination. As always, if you enjoy the show, tell your besties and leave a 5* rating! www.occupationalphilosophers.com Oh! and check out Simon's new showreel (He needs a few extra Youtube hits) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZQdJI6qGvg&t=1s

In Episode 25, The Occupational Philosophers dive into the world of Philosophy as they learn more about some of their favourite chin strokes and importantly, what we can apply in life and business right now (yes, that's correct - right now!) In this episode, they explore: How asking questions like Socrates can help teams define success Why humility is the essential wingman of curiosity What can Plato’s allegory of the cave tell us about reality Why philosophy begins with wonder How Aristotle can help you build your team’s creative muscle Why running a dating agency for chickens is not a viable business As always, there is an original thought experiment and this time they ask: Would you rather? The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show. Simon's new showreel (MUST SEE VIEWING!!) https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg References www. occupationalphilosophers.com https://www.channel4.com/programmes/lego-masters-australia https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/jeffrey-smart/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates#Trial_of_Socrates https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato#The_Cave https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle#Influence Jeffrey Smart show https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/jeffrey-smart/

In episode 24, The Occupational Philosophers explore the question, "How often do we date life?" Life throws us up many opportunities but how often do we take them, embrace them and date life? Do we date life often enough? Inbetweeners episodes are a short, sharp blast of 10 minutes to kick start your week with a sweet boost of creativity, curiosity and imagination (and some other things thrown in as well) Here's to dating life this week..... www.occupationalphilosophers.com

In Episode 23, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Mike Parsons - This guy is one curious cat. He’s left a footprint across the globe with multiple careers in music, advertising, design, technology and innovation. Since quitting university after seven weeks, Mike has gone on to achieve remarkable feats. He launched Australia's first internet radio station, lived and worked in Europe and USA, claimed a Guinness Book of Record and sold his Silicon Valley Startup. Mike is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Qualitance. Together with over 200 staff, he helps clients build future growth products - from banks in Europe to Ford Motors in Australia and Anastasia Beverly Hills in the USA. During his time in advertising, Mike won many global awards - DA&D Pencils, Cannes Lion's, Effie's – even a TED award. His talks span innovation, marketing and embracing change in the business world. He's passionate about understanding how to unlock the value in Design Thinking, Lean Startup, Rapid Prototyping, and Agile Development in a world defined by technology and data. He's appeared on CNN and the FT. Mike's Moonshots Podcast has over 50,000 monthly listeners (that's a lot of fans) and goes behind the scenes of the world's greatest superstars, thinkers and entrepreneurs to discover the secrets to their success. In this episode, they explore: What 3 things unite some of the most creative, innovative and entrepreneurial minds of our time Why mindset and working ‘on yourself’ is crucial to success in any endeavour How visual storytelling and rapid prototyping helps people get on the same wavelength at speed How to introduce structured learning into your teams and organisation The conditions you need to cultivate creativity and innovation What are the Moonshot questions which create a 10x transformation? As always, there is an original thought experiment and this time they ask Mike: Moonshot or Moonshit? There is so much goodness in this episode and we hope you enjoy the chat with Mike as much as we did. Learn more about Mike https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeparsons/ https://mikeparsons.net/ https://www.moonshots.io/ https://qualitance.com/ References https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ailsa_Craig https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/all-about-the-moon

In this Inbetweeners episode, The Occupational Philosophers build on the idea of a curiosity advent calendar - for teams. Imagine.....every team meeting, reaching into the curiosity box (interesting already isn't it?) and pulling out a short activity to drive creativity, curiosity and imagination in that meeting or in the week ahead? Or in a more businessey way - "driving an innovative force of agile and entrepreneurial dynamism across the different learning modalities and networks of the brain to master workplace performance." Mmmm, that could be interesting....... How about: Inventing a team holiday? Watch a 15 min Ted Talk and share what you liked? Have your own "What's caught your eye?" this week? Share a travel story. What insight from your travel time could be useful at work now? Small, tiny shifts in thinking can bring about BIG changes - and the odd smile as well. Watch this space for when we release the full curiosity advent calendar (for any month of the year) We hope you enjoy the show. www.occupationalphilosophers.com

In Episode 21, The Occupational Philosophers re-dive into the business, life, and leadership lessons we can learn from three very well-known artists - Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, and Picasso. Along the way they explore: How innovation happens when we join the dots and make connections from wildly different things How we need to be open to change and constant reinvention The importance of not overthinking, just get started and the thinking will come Why we need to be open to all types of thinking styles How curiosity and asking why can change the way you see the world and the life you live. If you're curious, we can see unseen opportunities How great things can happen at the intersection of art and science (or any intersection of different fields) Why you should never hide your light under a bucket and also be careful with cutlery experiments in bed How the setting of a joyous intent can set your day up for a little magic As with all episodes, The Occupational Philosophers conduct a thought experiment called "Things artists do" As always, there are some great lessons and ways to bring more imagination, creativity, and curiosity into your workplace and how to live a most interesting life in the process. They hope you enjoy the show. www.occupationalphilosophers.com Links National Gallery of Victoria displays 3D-printed artificial reefs, showcasing fusion of art and science https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-03/artificial-reefs-showcased-national-gallery-of-victoria/100736484

In episode 20, The Occupational Philosophers build on the idea of a curiosity advent calendar - for teams. For all of us, it's easy for things to become a little 'vanilla/boring/same-same. As we know, a great question can do the heavy lifting and can power creativity. Imagine, sitting down each day and asking one of these questions each day? If we hosted a forum on why our products and services suck, what would be the main points? Steve Jobs comes back from the dead - what would you showcase as your greatest innovation? What’s the most outlandish idea that could bring the biggest change to this team? If our team is currently playing a safe game of vanilla lawn bowls, what would a game of no holds barred ice hockey look like - possibly naked? Who moved my cheese? And my crackers? And other condiments? Truthfully, question five had good intentions but there's some debate as to where it ended up. We hope you enjoy the episode, and, as always: Stay curious Make stuff Have fun Play more www.occupationalphilosophers.com

In Episode 19, The Occupational Philosophers chat with the Amazing Entrepreneur Danielle Chiel. Danielle's story is a great yarn (pun intended). Danielle Chiel is an Australian entrepreneur who founded KOCO (Knit One Change One). She has a Ph.D. in Musicology, sits at the intersection of fashion, entrepreneurialism, creativity, and joy, and making a more beautiful, creative, and happy world and real difference in literally thousands of women's lives. Danielle, through KOCO, is seeking to change lives one hand-knitted garment at a time. She currently employs 200 Indian ladies from various villages in India, to hand-knit garments for her; but her dream is to expand the business and employ 10,000 women. KOCO hand-knits garments for global fashion brands – they produce fashions and homewares that customers love, by working with women in the rural villages in the south of Tamil Nadu. At the same time as giving these ladies employment, KOCO provides them with an education and all the training they need, in order to become world-class hand knitters. "What I admire about the art of knitting are the same qualities that I admire in music: endless creative possibilities made possible by skilled and passionate hands and a perfect score, or pattern". Connecting fashion brands, customers, and artisans through the art and science of handknitting, along with being one of the most amazing curious problem solvers we have ever had on the show, this is a chat you won’t want to miss! Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellechiel/ https://koco.global/ https://theartisannation.com/ https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/headline-20160409-go2k7y.html

Despite speaking regularly, The Occupational Philosophers realised that they missed each other greatly in 2021. As such, they have decided to catch up more regularly - which brings us to this episode. Whilst all of the above is true, The Occupational Philosophers have decided they need to drink their own Kool-Aid and explore what's possible with micro experiments, trying new things, understanding how things work and embracing a curious, imaginative and creative mindset each and every day. In this 15-minute inbetweener episode, they explore: The impact of a curious and creative exercise every day Why small steps can help to make a big impact (and most likely essential to achieving big goals) How creating nudges and visual cues can get you closer to being a creative cat Why John's January advent calendar is a very successful experiment Why Simon is no closer to being on a Beer Commercial Watch our for a short, sharp inbetweener episode every second Monday (yes, that's right, that makes The Occupational Philosophers now a weekly show) www.occupationalphilosophers.com

In Episode 16, The Occupational Philosophers chat with the very talented and very funny, Neil Mullarkey. Neil co-founded the world-famous improvisation group The Comedy Store Players in the UK with Mike Myers, later appearing with him in the fabulous Austin Powers movies. He has appeared on TV over many years, including Have I Got News For You, Whose Line Is It Anyway, Saturday Live and QI. He has also won awards for his alter ego - L. Vaughan Spencer, (L-Vo for short), A Life Coach, Self-Help Guru and Gangsta Motivator. Neil has become highly accomplished in the field of management training, running many workshops and hosting conferences for a wealth of private and public organisations where he uses the techniques of theatre improvisation to inspire business people to embrace their creativity and enhance their communication skills. In this episode, they explore: How Improv comedy can teach us how to work more effectively in teams and organisations Why listening is the critical skill we all need to master Why constraints and restrictions can liberate our creativity What leaders need to do to provide the extraordinary leadership required in today’s VUCA world Who in your business needs to take responsibility for ensuring meetings have impact And what to do when faced with an electric drill and a wombat As always, there are some great thought experiments such as: What’s in the box? Listeners Dilemmas Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilmullarkey Learn more about Neil: http://neilmullarkey.com/ http://www.improvyourbiz.com/ http://succeeedy.com/ https://neilmullarkey.com/sevensteps References http://www.provocativetherapy.com/ https://almosthappy.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Rogers https://www.seenandheard.org/ https://gestaltcentre.org.uk/what-is-gestalt/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_Wilhelm_Friedrich_Hegel https://chimpmanagement.com/ https://hbr.org/2015/02/how-to-revive-a-tired-network https://www.leadershipcentre.org.uk/artofchangemaking/theory/complexity/ https://comedystoreplayers.com/

In possibly their loosest episode ever (and the bar is pretty low.....), The Occupational Philosophers met up in the time vortex that is the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve where time stands still and people eat leftovers and drink wine from 9 am and feel no guilt whatsoever. As such, they found themselves wading into unusual territory - setting and achieving new year's goals and some of the common (from experience) pitfalls along the way. In this time vortex, The Occupational Philosophers explore: Why a January advent calendar may be good for your curiosity Why habits, not resolutions will help you achieve your goals How a goal helps you embrace serendipity Why joyous and passionate goals may be the answer to getting your resolutions Why you should never say “Cheshire Cat” too quickly after 2 glasses of sherry with a mince pie in your mouth Why the word "fervently" should be part of your goal making vernacular, especially for Organisations (And slightly more woo-woo than usual)....How the universe will send you good things - if you're not constantly grumpy and in the shits As per usual, there are thought experiments and for this episode, it's "Filthy Habit or Monk's Habit"? If you have gotten this far....we can't wait to bring you some more great shows this year that will help you to be the creative, imaginative, and curious cat you were designed to be in 2022 (and apologies in advance for this episode!) Links Camel Botox https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-09/camel-beauty-pageant-disqualified-over-botox-injections/100685840 Celebrity Apprentice Australia https://9now.nine.com.au/celebrity-apprentice-australia Derek Sivers https://sive.rs/goals

In episode 15, The Occupational Philosophers explore imagination - what it is, why it's so important and why we have oodles of it, ready and waiting for us to use. So what is it? “Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and, therefore, the foundation of all invention and innovation. In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity, it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared.” J.K. Rowling In this episode, they explore: What it is (see above) The different types of imagination (it's everywhere!) Why it is absolutely essential - in life, in teams, for leaders and organisations How to create environments at work that allow people to imagine The importance of synchronous and asynchronous work How innovation = imagination + action Where imagination sits with its best friends of curiosity and creativity How to spark your imagination and become unblocked (mentally) Why imagination is an essential work and life skill And, importantly.....Why an imaginative life is SO MUCH FUN As always there are some great thought experiments including "Imagination Badger" Here's to a world filled with imagination. www.occupationalphilosophers.com