The You Project

Craig talks about the importance and consequences of asking high-value questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Craig discusses the propensity we have keep doing what doesn't work, despite the warning signs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Craig talks about understanding how and when your mind, emotions and body work optimally. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stumbling towards the annual finish line and this episode is my reflections and insights from 2023 (personal and professional) along with my thoughts, intentions and hopes for 2024. Happy Christmas Team.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this verbal fruit salad of an episode, Tiff and I discuss the propensity we humans have to live in echo chambers, to be critical of those who disagree with us, our need to be 'right', our aversion and resistance to admit when we're wrong and our curious habit of hanging out with people who think like us, live like us, behave like us and talk like us. We also talk about the myriad of responses, reactions, emotions and experiences that Christmas seems to have on us mere mortals. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of TYP, our favourite Nutritionist and I go deep talking about some of the psychological, emotional, behavioural, cultural and social variables which influence how we treat our body, what we put in it (and why), the choices we make and the outcomes we produce. Enjoy. mattylansdown.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2021, a group of researchers set out to determine whether parenting style had any effect on the personalities of their children. They wanted to know whether it mattered if you show physical affection, whether you are consistent, whether you are predictable, whether you are encouraging and attentive or whether you are more likely to be scolding and controlling. The study used data from almost 4,000 students in 99 German schools who first undertook personality testing in year 5 and were then followed up for the next three years. This chat with David was (as usual) fascinating, and it's fair to say, a few feathers may be ruffled. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You lose the weight, then what? Get the dream job, then what? Hit 10,000 followers, then what? Buy that thing, then what? Beat your best time. Get a new nose. Win the argument. Get fifty compliments. Impress someone. Succeed. Then what, then what, then what? It seems that no matter what's going on in our lives (situation, circumstances, events' outcomes) we're rarely satisfied. Or content. Not for long, anyway. Maybe we're looking for answers in the wrong place? Maybe we need to turn our attention inwards? Maybe success is about what people can't see? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Francis Leach is one of Australia's most experienced and respected journalists, broadcasters, and presenters, having worked in television, radio and print for more than three decades. He is also one of my mates, my favourite polymath (someone who knows a lot about a lot of subjects) and also, a ripping bloke who, for this episode, made my job (as host) super easy. This was fun. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does a healthy Christmas look like? Does it need to equate to deprivation, carrot sticks, zero booze and cold showers? Nah. Thankfully. TYP favourite Matty Lansdown is back and this time we discuss the mental, emotional, social and physical challenges of navigating the Christmas-New-Year period in a healthy manner. mattylansdown.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What needs to happen for someone to really change? As in thinking, choices, habits, behaviours and outcomes? Their operational default setting? Forever? As someone who has spent decades helping people change their lives, this question is something l've been contemplating for a very long time. And while there's no single answer (of course), it's my belief that, without some kind of significant internal revolution, the majority of people will continue to spend their lives getting on and off the change merry-go-round. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick's back and this time we talk about brain implants designed to improve our cognitive performance, downloading our consciousness, memories and knowledge into a computer, A.l. being able to read human brain waves with a high level of accuracy, why peripheral relationships (like the one with your gardener or barista) can be good for good for your mental health, how ChatGPT is leading people on medical goose chases and lots more. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s chat is a re-boot of something I shared two years ago, which ended up being one of our most popular episodes ever. It’s still relevant and for some of you, it might help sharpen your focus for another chapter in the book of you (the 2024 chapter). Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know sugar is bad for us (isn’t it?) but how many of us know its origin story as a jar of white stuff sitting on our table? Did you know that for most of our existence as a species, we didn’t have anything resembling today’s version of sugar? And how does sugar, which contains no fat, contribute so much to obesity? What’s the mechanism? And are all sugars equal? Lactose? Fructose? Glucose? Maltose? And what about artificial sweeteners? Do they produce a similar reaction in the body to sugar? Well, in this fascinating TYP chat, David Gillespie (the bloke who really got the sugar conversation started in a big way with his 2008 book ‘Sweat Poison’) and I unpack a few sugar myths and a few truths. Enjoy. davidgillespie.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone wants to be successful but what does that actually mean? Success is a slippery construct. Is it the same from everyone? Is it different for the same person over time? Is it a number? An experience? An outcome? An emotional state? A spiritual state? Is it qualitative, quantitative or both? Or neither? Is it about what's happening in our external world or our internal world? Does a ‘successful life' (you know.. money, house, car, brand, career, etc.) necessarily equal an experience of success? Is it possible to tick the 'success boxes' and in the middle of all of those ticks be anxious, unhappy, depressed and incapable of sleeping well? Yeppity yep. Sure is. This episode is a chat about all that. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode might be somewhat confronting for some but like it or not, death is an inevitability (obviously) and Nikki Morrison and I do our best to be sensitive and compassionate as we navigate this fascinating insight into her incredible work as a Pastoral Carer and End of Life Doula. Nikki is also an Exercise Scientist, Registered Nurse, Oncology Specialist and Earth Angel. It's not often I interview someone who genuinely lives their life in the service of others, but she is that person.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This was a fun chat with one of my 'old athletes". I had the pleasure of working with Nathan Burke when I was at St. Kilda Football Club for a few years. And of his 3 Best & Fairest Awards, 4 x All-Australian Teams, St. Kilda Team of the Century, 323 games and Australian Hall of Fame induction, I contributed exactly zero to his success but nonetheless, it was an absolute pleasure working with him. This is a casual chat with Burkey about life in and outside of sport. Enjoy. *TYP Triva: Nathan was our first ever guest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Daniel Ellenberg is back at TYP and it's been too long. Nonetheless, we had a fun catch-up (which we've broken into two parts because we're both chatty AF) and we spoke about the science and psychology of being a bloke. Bloke-ology. Apparently, we don't all have our sh*t together. Who knew?Shocker. Anyway, the good Doc and talk about our evolutionary need to be part of a tribe, the health benefits of care and connection, the risks of isolation and social exclusion, self-doubt vs. self-loathing, recognising our own programming and conditioning, being able to challenge our existing beliefs, the importance and value of understanding people who aren't like us and Daniel opens the vulnerability door and talks about his own issues with anxiety and depression. Enjoy. strengthwithheart.comrelationshipsthatwork.comrewireleadership.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Daniel Ellenberg is back at TYP and it's been too long. Nonetheless, we had a fun catch-up (which we've broken into two parts because we're both chatty AF) and we spoke about the science and psychology of being a bloke. Bloke-ology. Apparently, we don't all have our sh*t together. Who knew?Shocker. Anyway, the good Doc and talk about our evolutionary need to be part of a tribe, the health benefits of care and connection, the risks of isolation and social exclusion, self-doubt vs. self-loathing, recognising our own programming and conditioning, being able to challenge our existing beliefs, the importance and value of understanding people who aren't like us and Daniel opens the vulnerability door and talks about his own issues with anxiety and depression. Enjoy. strengthwithheart.comrelationshipsthatwork.comrewireleadership.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exercise Physiologist, Women's Health Specialist and University Lecturer Unna Goldsworthy is back and this time we discuss the challenge of giving and receiving feedback in a constructive, productive and empowering way (easier said than done), tailoring communication to suit the individual, how our thinking and perspectives change over time, the power of instinct and intuition when dealing with others, giving without expecting anything in return, helping others see (and tap into) their potential and lots more. [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marita Cheng AM was inducted as the youngest Member of the Order of Australia in 2019, named by Forbes as one of the World's Top 50 Women In Tech 2018, Forbes 30 Under 30 2016, and awarded the 2012 Young Australian of the Year. Marita is a technology entrepreneur and women in technology advocate, who is the founder and CEO of Aubot which makes a telepresence robot (Teleport) for kids with cancer in hospital to attend school, people with a disability to attend work and to monitor and socialize with elderly people. Teleports have been sold to offices, museums, coworking spaces, for kids with cancer in hospitals and for security. As well as telepresence robots, aubot does research and development in robotic arms, virtual reality and autonomous mapping and navigation. This was a fun chat with a brilliant woman who is using her creative and engineering genius to make the world a better place. Her new book is called ‘Smart Girl Books’. maritacheng.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nikki Morrison is an Exercise Scientist, Registered Nurse, Oncology Specialist, End of Life Doula, Pastoral Carer and Earth Angel. In this chat, we discuss our individual challenges (hers and mine) with eating issues, body image issues, body dysmorphia and obsessive food, lifestyle and exercise habits, which derailed big slabs of our (respective) lives. We also explore some of the underlying emotional, social and psychological drivers of our seemingly-crazy behaviours.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bobby is back and this time we explore the how, why and what of 'purpose'. We also talk about the idea of having a version of a mission statement for our lives. We discuss living a values-driven existence in a money-driven world. We also explore the concepts of 'anti-selling' altruism and integrity (actual, not manufactured) in the context of businesses driven by profit and shareholder happiness. All that and lots more. Enjoy. theselfhelpantidote.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exercise Physiologist, Women's Health Specialist and University Lecturer Unna Goldsworthy is back and together, we explore the power of exercise for treating stress, anxiety and depression, breathwork as a self-regulation tool, the variability of responses to the same stimuli, the pointlessness of quick-fixes, the influence of hormonal changes on mental health and lots more. [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Team Geek is back talking all-things tech, life and human optimisation. Along the way we discuss adaptive eye glasses which have adjustable lenses, meaning the magnification can be changed instantly. We also talk about how Tiff and Patrick wasted money on a high-performance toothbrush that turned out to be low-performance junk. Grounding mats, Patrick's addiction to Op Shops, Zoom fatigue, the world's (new) fastest passenger jet, recycled leather, humans settling on other planets, the way some primary-aged kids are having their brain activity tracked during classes and lots more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My weird-but-loveable ‘brother from another mother’ is back after a break, and this time we talk about surviving the mess and mayhem, dealing with results we don't want, learning and growing though pain, letting go of the need to 'be right', becoming aware of our lack of awareness, the relationship between our expectations and our disappointment and plenty more. Enjoy. theselfhelpantidote.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exercise Physiologist Russ Jarrett is back at TYP and this time we talk about the do’s and don’ts of strength training for absolute beginners. I apologise about the audio quality from my mic, we didn’t realise it wasn’t working properly until post recording. russelljarrett.com.auatpilates.studioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jody Avirgan is a podcast host, producer and editor. His production company is Roulette Productions, he is the host of the Radiotopia show "This Day in Esoteric Political History," and "Good Sport" from the TED Audio Collective, and serves as story editor and executive producer for a number of projects. Oh, and for a long time, he was a professional Ultimate Frisbee athlete and yes, it's a real sport with real athletes. Among other things, we chat about how training for, and competing in sport, can translate into real-world benefits and skills outside of the sporting arena. Enjoy. jodyavirgan.com@jodyavirganSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People think I'm confident, and with some things, I am. With others, l'm not. Like many of you, self-doubt, crappy self-esteem and a lack of confidence have been reoccurring themes on Planet Craig. In some environments and with some tasks, l'm calm, confident and capable. But change the situation and I can easily be the over-thinking, self-doubting, self-sabotaging ex-fat kid from Latrobe Valley. In this solo episode, I talk about the challenge of building confidence and some of the tools and strategies that have proven to be effective for me. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this freestyle and rambling chat, Tiff and I talk about how we might optimise (or potentially, waste) our time, energy, genetics and resources, when it comes to the ever-present challenge of exercising effectively, efficiently and safely. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We like to think we're open-minded and objective because it makes us feel good about ourselves and of course, nobody wants to be seen as closed-minded, biased or unteachable. But in a world where we all have pre-existing beliefs, ideas, values, likes, dislikes, biases (yes, even you), preferences, programming, standards, perspectives and opinions, is it possible to be truly open-minded, even if we want to be?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Team. Over the last two weeks, lots of people have spoken to me about Johhny and more than a few have asked about re-sharing his TYP episode as a kind-of tribute. To be honest, I wasn't really sold on the idea because I didn't want to seem disrespectful or inappropriate in any way. So as always, I did some self-examination and considered my intention. And that was to once again share with you a beautiful, funny, courageous and brilliant young man who made ten lifetimes of impact, in his one brief stint here on Planet Earth. So enjoy our all-time most cheeky guest. Love and hugs to you all. Craig. xxSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turns out Tom Noske is kind-of a big deal. Well, he's definitely on the way. Let's go with, big-ish. He's a content creator, commercial filmmaker, endurance athlete, storyteller, entrepreneur, and inspiration for over half a million online followers. He's also a good bloke and I loved meeting him. Among other things, we spoke about problem-solving (one of life's most important skills), creating a brand and online presence, understand the mind and needs of a customer, the psychology of spending and perceived value, navigating life with dyslexia, how he earned over $250,000(AU) last month, training for an Ironman, being hyper-focused, being authentic in a sea of fakes and pretenders, building confidence and competence, and much more. Enjoy. You'll love him. tomnoske.store See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turns out Tom Noske is kind-of a big deal. Well, he's definitely on the way. Let's go with, big-ish. He's a content creator, commercial filmmaker, endurance athlete, storyteller, entrepreneur, and inspiration for over half a million online followers. He's also a good bloke and I loved meeting him. Among other things, we spoke about problem-solving (one of life's most important skills), creating a brand and online presence, understand the mind and needs of a customer, the psychology of spending and perceived value, navigating life with dyslexia, how he earned over $250,000(AU) last month, training for an Ironman, being hyper-focused, being authentic in a sea of fakes and pretenders, building confidence and competence, and much more. Enjoy. You'll love him. tomnoske.storeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rita Crundwell is the former Comptroller (accounting officer) and Treasurer of Dixon, Illinois (population 15,000), who from 1983 to 2012 committed, what is believed to be the largest municipal fraud in U.S. history, embezzling nearly $90 million (AUS). On this episode of TYP David and I (okay, mainly him) unpack this fascinating story about the poster-girl for Psychopathy. Did I mention $90 f***ing million, while working for the local council!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's your life telling you? What are your results saying? What's working and what's not? Are you a conscious driver (of your life) or are you an unconscious passenger? For most of my adult years, my life has been an ongoing experiment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sure, it sounds like a cheesey, bullsh*tty title but it's an accurate representation. This dude is a modern-day warrior, with a mindset that can only be developed in the middle of extreme adversity, discomfort and pressure. Nick Lavery is an active-duty member of The United States Army Special Forces. Commonly known as Green Berets, the Special Forces perform critical missions including direct action, counterinsurgency, foreign internal defence, special reconnaissance, and unconventional warfare. Although Nick sustained life-threatening injuries in combat, resulting in an above-the-knee amputation of his leg, he not only remained in the Army, he returned to his Special Forces Detachment and continues conducting combat operations to this day. I genuinely loved chatting with Nick and hope you enjoy the conversation too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes I'm like a podcasting version of a Labrador puppy. All over the place. Trying to explore everything all at once. So many things to do (and chew on), so little time. My intention going into this totally unscripted and mostly unplanned solo episode, was to talk about the futility and potential harm of arguing. Not the healthy intellectual, respectful kind of debate but rather, the unhealthy, emotional screaming at each other (type of) exchange. Well, I did that, but I also went off on seventeen different tangents and got quite deep and philosophical towards the end. Somebody asked me yesterday if I'm scared of running out of things to talk about on the show. I told them, I'm scared of not having enough time to scratch the surface. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick is back talking all things tech, human optimisation, virtual reality, the Beatles 'new' Al assisted song, why we should start recharging batteries used in the home, how China is stopping its drivers from falling asleep at the wheel (it's weird), how 'Caspering' is replacing ghosting (don't ask) and lots more. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trav Bell and I have shared similar journeys, beginning in the fitness world and ending up in the professional speaking space. Sure, he’s younger, better looking, more charismatic and more successful than me but other than that, peas in a fucking pod. This was fun. thebucketlistguy.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trying to manage my mind is often like trying to herd cognitive cats. Painful. Pointless. Hilarious. You? If you're like me, your mind can be a source of pain and pleasure, chaos and calm, fascination and boredom, focus and distraction, and that's all before breakfast. Your mind is 'You HQ’.. your operational headquarters. It is the platform from where you view, process, interpret and understand the world around you. In this freestyle solo episode, I discuss the ever-present challenge of trying to understand, manage and optimise the human mind. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tara Jarrett and I have been friends for thirty-something years. I emceed her wedding to Russ (a TYP regular), I’m Godfather to her son Mitch, I spoke at her gorgeous dad’s funeral, we owned a gym together and over the years, we have been through a lot. Which is why I’m super proud of her capacity to repeatedly dream a dream and then turn that theoretical ‘something’ into a real-world commercial success story, while simultaneously being a great mum, wife and daughter. Her latest business venture has caught fire and it looks like, by the end of 2025, there’ll be more than fifty of her unique centres, Australia wide. To find out what it is, you’ll have to tune in. Enjoy. atpilates.studioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode will probably ruffle a few feathers, challenge a few beliefs, inspire a few people, confuse a few people, give hope to some, and maybe arouse some curiosity. For those of us with pre-existing thoughts, beliefs and ideas (you and me), it can be difficult to consider information, concepts and stories which don't fit in to our model of the world and how we think things work. Nonetheless, I did my best to open my mind, overcome my programming and conditioned thinking, be fully present and to respectfully and curiously consider what Dr. Eben Alexander had to share. He definitely challenged some of my thinking but to be honest, much of what he had to share resonated strongly with me. I enjoyed this chat and it left me with much to ponder. *Bio: Academic neurosurgeon Dr. Eben Alexander III, whose career includes decades as a physician and associate professor at Harvard Medical School and revered teaching hospitals, was once staunchly committed to the materialist world view - the belief that the physical world is all that exists. His scientific belief system was altered by his 2008 transcendental near-death experience (NDE), an odyssey into another realm during a week-long coma. Despite a bleak medical prognosis, Dr. Alexander awoke to make an inexplicable return to full health. His medical case and recovery were validated in the peer-reviewed 'Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease'. Since his NDE, Dr. Alexander has been reconciling his rich spiritual experience with quantum physics, cosmology and the philosophy of mind. Dr. Alexander speaks around the world to educate about the role that consciousness plays in wellness, healing and recovery. ebenalexander.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Effective communication and connection is dependent on getting several things right. There are numerous crucial ingredients in the 'connection and communication recipe’ and in this episode, I explore - what I believe to be - the most important component; understanding others. Not necessarily agreeing, aligning or condoning... just understanding how they think, feel and behave (and why). Understanding people who don't think (behave, live, communicate) like you, is an interpersonal superpower. l’ve never seen a relationship with poor communication and/or connection (any kind of relationship) that's healthy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julie Mathers is funny, super smart, down to earth, purpose-driven and although it sounds totally cliche, inspirational. It's rare that I chat with someone l've never met and instantly, it feels like we've been friends for years. Julie has that skill, that personality, that emotional intelligence and that genuine drive to connect with others. Apart from the fact that she is a highly successful and award-winning entrepreneur (she owns Flora and Fauna, Snuggle Hunny and Nourish Life), she's also a mum (of two), a wife (of one) and the lowest maintenance podcast guest of all time. Enjoy. juliemathers.com@juliemathersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Scott Lyons believes I have what it takes to make it in Drag. As in, Drag Queen. I suspect there'll be some trimming, manicuring, waxing and tucking (don't picture that) before my debut but with his coaching and support, I believe I can pull it off. So to speak. Before Scott was a Psychologist, Author, Researcher and Doctor of Osteopathy (quite the combo), he performed professionally as a Drag Queen to pay his way through University (College). I love that story. This conversation went far and wide (clearly), but we did manage to have a serious and fascinating chat about the what, why, how and healing of trauma. I love my job and I love that I get the opportunity to listen, learn and laugh with brilliant, generous people like Scott. drscottlyons.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trying to get David Gillespie's approval (one of my many pointless pursuits), is exhausting. Just when I think I'll get the Gillespie tick, he pulls the rug out from under my optimistic feet. And while I naively thought my new choice of mayo would impress him, it didn't. Sigh.Fortunately for you, he does give us a list of healthier options. We also chat about the ten things he might actually buy from a supermarket, how the layout of supermarkets is an exercise in manipulation, the low-down on soy products, deceptive and misleading food packaging, the genesis story around RDI's (recommended daily intakes), the ever-growing list of 'milks' on the shelf and lots more. Enjoy. davidgillespie.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like the myriad of philosophers, psychologists, stoics, gurus, researchers and deep thinkers who have preceded him, Derek Sivers has been observing, analysing and explaining human thinking, human doing and human being, for years. He is an out-of-the-box thinker, and I loved our conversation. Derek is (and has been) a successful musician, entrepreneur, creative, author, speaker and philanthropist. Interestingly, these days Derek gives away pretty much everything he earns. Enjoy. *His best-selling book is called ‘How to Live: 27 conflicting answers and one weird conclusion.’ sive.rsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trouble with trying to understanding consciousness (and more broadly, the mind), is that we can't see it, touch it, measure it, or quantify it. And in a field which is largely quantitatively driven (science), the science of the consciousness, is a source of great debate, disagreement, divergence and let's be honest, confusion. How can we observe, analyse and measure a non-physical thing? I loved this chat with Professor Philip Goff, who is a world-renowned philosopher, author and consciousness researcher at Durham University, UK (England's 3rd oldest university), who spends most of his time trying to work out the ultimate nature of reality and other fascinating shit (that last bit is not in his bio). Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Hannah is back wrapping up our ten-part series on the brain. This time we talk about trying make sense of our busy brain and the ever-present challenge of trying to find some calm, clarity and focus in the middle of our overthinking mind. Enjoy. @nobullpsychSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.