The You Project

We continue our ten-part series exploring the brain with our favourite Neuropsychologist, Dr. Hannah Korrel. In part seven, we talk about IQ (what is it?) and other types of intelligence, the potential dangers of 'rating' people's intelligence, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, strategies for improving cognitive performance (brain function), emotional and social intelligence, my ever-fluctuating IQ and cognitive skills and lots more. Enjoy. @nobullpsychSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our favourite Hybrid (Lawyer, Author, Researcher, Podcast Regular, Shit-Stirrer) is back at TYP and he doesn't disappoint. This time David and I talk about why cancer rates are up by eighty percent in people under 50, the oils we should avoid and those which get David's tick, the dangers of breathing in the smoke (fumes?) produced when cooking with seed oils, why endometriosis numbers are on the rise and what might be behind it, and lots more. Enjoy. https://sweetdavidg.substack.com/p/endometriosis-is-it-being-caused?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=webSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comparing 'hards' (dumb idea), coming out of the closet (not just the gay closet), lessons from failure, growth through pain, building mental and emotional resilience, person versus persona, the trauma of trying to 'fitting in' defining our purpose (and living ours) and authenticity; Ash Beckham and I spoke about all of it, and more. BIO: Ash Beckham is an inclusion activist, inclusive leadership expert, professional trainer, workshop facilitator, motivational speaker, business leader and author of 'Step Up: How to Live with Courage and Become an Everyday Leader'. Known for her unique voice, intrepid, relatable and intrinsically comic style, and powerful guidance, Beckham's TED Talk "Coming Out of Your Closet" became a viral sensation. ashbeckham.comTEDTalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our ten-part series exploring the brain with our favourite Neuropsychologist, Dr. Hannah Korrel. In part Six, we talk about calming the (cognitive and neural) farm, mindfulness, toilet meditations (really), how our fight or flight response works and how we can access our 'rest and restore' (parasympathetic) mode. Enjoy. @nobullpsychSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This was a fun chat with one of our favourites. Matty and I spoke about why we get dumber after we eat (really), why he eats steak for breakfast, why food allergies are on the rise (super interesting), the fascinating relationship between jaw muscles, diet and wrinkles, six meals (per day) versus three, the down side of low-fat eating, why dietary fat (the right kind) is so important for so many things, the psychology and sociology of food, how our ancestors ate and the dangers of raising kids in a germ-free, super-sanitised and clinically-clean environment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On some level we all want to be different, do different and create different. Change is a multi-dimensional process (psychological, emotional, physical, practical) and in this mini workshop I do a deep dive on the very present challenge of creating (and sustaining) positive change in our lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this freestyle chat with Tiff, we talk about the reason behind our goals (the 'why' behind our 'what'), the peaks and troughs of my academic journey, whether it's a good or bad idea to niche in business, destination-disappointment (why we're not always happy or content when we achieve our goals), the challenge of building rapport, changing careers later in life, how our social group shapes our thinking and behaviour and lots more. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've been 'almost’ getting in shape for too long, listen to this.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Joshua Pate is a pain science educator, researcher, author and highly-regarded expert. As a Senior Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and with a PhD from Macquarie University, Josh is dedicated to bringing pain science education to the masses. This was bloody a fascinating chat. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sophie Matterson is an adventurer currently based in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. In 2020 and 2021 Sophie solo-trekked 4,750 kilometres across the width of Australia, from Shark Bay, Western Australia, to Byron Bay, New South Wales, with her five camels, Jude, Delilah, Charlie, Clayton and Mac. This was a fascinating chat full of interesting and surprising stories and insights. Sophie's book 'The Crossing' is now available. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Self-help' has become a mis-used (but widely accepted) term for programs, products; services, workshops, books and even podcasts, selling (literally or metaphorically) ideas, concepts, techniques and tools but the 'actual helping of the self' (maybe we should call it 'self-helping') lives in the application, the action, the work, the effort, the sweat and the courage; the doing not just the knowing. Process not product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can twins (identical, fraternal and virtual) teach us about the roles of genetics, lifestyle, environment and sociology in terms of 'who' (and how) we become? Professor Nancy Segal is an internationally-renowned researcher, academic, author and speaker, who's appeared on Oprah, CBS Sunday Morning, the Martha Stewart Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, Discovery Health and countless other national and international shows. And now, at the pinnacle of her media career, she chats with the sweary Bogan from Bayside Melbourne. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lucas Aoun is a Biohacker. Driven by curiosity and passion and guided by logic, research, data and evidence. All for the purpose of understanding and optimising physical health, day to day function and athletic performance. Lucas and I chat about various supplements, substances, tools and protocols that are currently being used to improve performance, recovery, energy, health, immune function and more. And no, none of this is medical advice or personal recommendation. Enjoy. boostyourbiology.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Patrick and I talk about the great firewall of China (as per the title), analog Tinder, being entrepreneurial in a communist country, Google Maps getting people lost, 3D printed pills, cheeky sat-nav and my aversion to horror films.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sasha DiGiulian is one of the best professional rock climbers on the Planet. She's a world champion, three-time US National Champion, Corporate Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur and to be honest, I found her to be fascinating, inspirational, wildly-courageous and super intelligent. Among other things, we talked about managing fear, pain, uncertainty, risk, vulnerability and potential. Enjoy. YouTube: Sasha DiGiulianSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Sanjay Juneja is a highly-regarded Doctor (Oncologist), Researcher and Science Communicator, who also happens to be funny, fascinating, compassionate, curious and by the end of our chat, a little bit sweary (that's what happens when I open the 'f*ck door'). You might think talking about cancer (we also cover other topics) could be a little depressing but in fact, it was enlightening, entertaining and educational. *BIO: Dr. Sanjay Juneja is a practicing triple board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist known nationally as "TheOncDoc," where he boasts over half a million subscribers across his social media platforms. He is also the host of the innovative "Target: Cancer Podcast," with distinguished guests including experts, bestselling authors, and Pulitzer Prize winners, discussing novel advancements and conceptual challenges of cancer as a whole.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this chat with Curtis Bateman, we talk about the evolution of training, education, professional development and leadership in the work place. So often in the corporate training and development space, there's an overwhelming focus on the welfare of business itself and an underwhelming focus on the welfare of the humans who make the business work. *Curtis Bateman is FranklinCovey's vice president of international direct offices. With over twenty-five years of experience in the training industry, Curtis is an internationally recognized presenter, content developer, change consultant, business leader, and coach. LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This was a fascinating chat with a great bloke, who has spent a significant portion of his career navigating terror, horror, chaos and tragedy, inflicted by both nature, and people. And it's fair to say that Dean Yates didn't escape unscathed. He was the ideal warzone correspondent: courageous, compassionate, dedicated. After years of facing the worst, including the Bali bombings and the Boxing Day tsunami, one final incident undid him. In July 2007, two of his staff members were brutally gunned down by an American helicopter in Iraq. What followed was an unravelling of everything Dean thought he knew of himself. His PTSD was compounded by his moral wound - the devastation of what he thought he knew of the world and his own character and beliefs. After years of treatment, including several stints inside a psychiatric facility, Dean has reshaped his view of the true meaning of life and thankfully, these days his family doesn't need to walk on eggshells. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode with Peter Baines starts out at a lazy conversational pace and builds into a captivating insight into the some of the amazing work that 'Hands Across the Water' (the charity Peter started) is doing with Kids born into extreme adversity and disadvantage. Towards the end, he tells an amazing story that almost brought me to tears. *Peter Baines OAM is a crisis and disaster management expert, philanthropist, and international keynote speaker on the topic of leadership. He has worked globally responding to acts of terrorism and humanitarian disaster zones and offers unique insights from his time leading counterterrorism initiatives. Peter is known internationally for his humanitarian work in the building of Hands Across the Water, a charity committed to enriching the lives of children and communities they support in Thailand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, David and I chat about the line between occasional bouts of anxiety, sadness and depression (normal human stuff) and being diagnosed with clinical depression and/or generalised anxiety disorder. When do 'periodic emotional troughs' become a 'mental illness' that potentially, needs to be medicated? All that, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode is the continuation of our 'getting to know your brain' (type) series with Dr. Hanna Korrel and this time we explore the frontal lobe, also referred to as our adult brain. Super fascinating!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode is the continuation of our 'getting to know your brain' (type) series with Dr. Hanna Korrel and this time we explore the reptilian brain. Dinosaur anyone?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode is the continuation of our 'getting to know your brain' (type) series with Dr. Hanna Korrel. The limbic system is the part of the brain involved in our behavioural and emotional responses. This episode is very relevant for most of us. Also, super interesting! Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lynda Petterwood is one of ten children, who grew up a toxic and unhealthy environment and situation, which she desperately wanted to escape. At the age of sixteen, Lynda left home and simultaneously worked (financing her own existence), put herself through school and found a way to pay rent, feed herself, pay bills and deal with very 'grown-up' responsibilities while still being a teenager. These days, Lynda spends much of her time helping others to navigate their own challenges, explore their potential and build their best lives. Enjoy. Facebook: Lynda Petterwood lyndapetterwood.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We don't typically 'feel courageous', we feel scared and it's only in that fearful state, that we can choose to be courageous. Courage can only operate in the presence of fear. Being scared is normal and unavoidable, but being courageous is optional. Fear is a psychological and emotional response to a certain stimulus (thought, experience, event, outcome) but in the middle of the fear (that we didn't choose), we can choose to be courageous. Not fearless, courageous. By the way, I’ve never been fearless.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Treading water. Spinning our metaphoric wheels. Stuck in a Groundhog Day of mediocrity, dissatisfaction and frustration. Wasted time, talent and energy. Thinking, habits, behaviours, rituals and fears that keep us trapped in a prison of our own making. This episode is a workshop (of sorts) about stepping up, breaking through and getting unstuck. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Treading water. Spinning our metaphoric wheels. Stuck in a Groundhog Day of mediocrity, dissatisfaction and frustration. Wasted time, talent and energy. Thinking, habits, behaviours, rituals and fears that keep us trapped in a prison of our own making. This episode is a workshop (of sorts) about stepping up, breaking through and getting unstuck. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I had this chat with Johnnie Ruffo a while back but it’s still one of my all-time favourite TYP episodes. He is courageous, funny, talented and incredibly inspirational. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick's back and this time we talk about the appeal of a tree-change (moving from the city to the country), why two-story homes are good for your health, a skateboarding Schnauzer, China's plan to cut Internet access to kids, the surprising value of mini-workouts (5-10 minutes), how Al is being used to help quadriplegics regain physical function, the dangers of plastic leaching into your food and drinks (bottles in hot cars, containers in microwaves), AR glasses created for the hearing impaired and the possibility of drivers being charged with 'tired driving'. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before anyone sends me a grumpy email about the title of this episode, it's actually the title of the book written by today's two guests. According to Profs lan and Rachelle, "we've ended up with a healthcare system that's one of the greatest threats to human health". This episode presents some mind-blowing info and stats from two of the most-qualified, well-researched and well-respected people I’ve chatted with on the show. *Professor Rachelle Buchbinder is an Australian NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow. She has been the Director of the Monash Department of Clinical Epidemiology since its inception in 2001 and a Professor in the Monash University Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine since 2007. She is a rheumatologist and clinical epidemiologist. *Professor lan Harris is a clinician and researcher based in Sydney. He is an orthopedic surgeon with a clinical interest in trauma care where his practice is based at Liverpool Hospital in southwest Sydney. He is Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the South Western Sydney Clinical School of UNSW Sydney and Honorary Professor at the School of Public Health, University of Sydney. amazon.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Sohom Das (MBChB, BSc, MSc, MCPsych) is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist who lives and works in London. His work happens at the intersection of criminal offending and severe mental illness. In his role, Sohom assesses and rehabilitates mentally disordered offenders in prisons, courts and in special secure psychiatric units, such as Broadmoor Hospital, that are reserved for the most dangerous and violent mentally ill patients. He is an experienced expert witness, who regularly provides evidence in Criminal Court, including the Old Bailey. As always with Sohom, this chat was a fascinating insight into the capacity humans have for all kinds of behaviour. Enjoy. @APsychForSoreMindsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The podcast is a refresher, of sorts... almost like my dot-point summary of forty years of coaching people to live their best lives, in their best physical, mental and emotional health states. These are ideas, principles and strategies which have worked for me over the years, and I have used all of them at different stages of my journey. If you're keen on optimising your time, energy, creativity, genetics, intellect and overall potential, this is like a super-list for personal optimisation. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The podcast is a refresher, of sorts... almost like my dot-point summary of forty years of coaching people to live their best lives, in their best physical, mental and emotional health states. These are ideas, principles and strategies which have worked for me over the years, and I have used all of them at different stages of my journey. If you're keen on optimising your time, energy, creativity, genetics, intellect and overall potential, this is like a super-list for personal optimisation. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2014, Joel Sardi was a 22-year-old rifleman with the Australian Army and in August of that year, he was back home after an eight-month deployment in Afghanistan. He was catching up with friends when he fell three metres over a railing and broke his neck. It's fair to say that the last nine years have been something of a rollercoaster of peaks and troughs but the bloke I spoke with in this episode, reminded me that there is 'the objective reality' (in Joel's case, quadriplegia) and then there's 'our subjective reality; the way we think, respond, create, choose, interact, communicate, plan, work, live and love. Joel was brutally honest, raw, real and funny in this chat and I loved it. @joelsardi joelsardi.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Damien Rider, carried the burden of his childhood memories, plagued by daily torment that persisted even into his adult years. These painful recollections triggered debilitating flashbacks, fueling self-destructive patterns. Frustrated by unsuccessful attempts with various psychologists, Damien made a life-altering decision to embark on a personal journey of healing, confronting his inner demons head-on and seeking the answers he desperately needed. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a remarkable chapter in Damien's life. He embarked on an extraordinary solo and unassisted 800km paddleboard adventure, spanning from Gold Coast to Bondi. This transformative experience fueled his passion to support others who have endured trauma, abuse, or faced daily challenges. By subjecting himself to extreme endurance events, he deliberately embraced physical and mental pain, aiming to comprehend its depths and forge a path to overcome it. Through these ventures, Damien found a powerful platform to spread his message to the world, becoming a beacon of inspiration with his exceptional achievements. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gillespo is back in, what can only be described a totally freestyle chat about fascinating things, and it never ceases to amaze me how much (seemingly) random sh*t he knows about so many things, including Prairie Voles (a kind of rodent), which according to him, are possibly the only animal in world capable of actual love (don't get mad at me, he said it - lol). Oh, we also chat about other equally random and fascinating stuff (religion, mirror neurons, trust, bullying, oxytocin and intuition). Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I never thought I'd be in the middle of an in-depth conversation with a dude about surrogacy but today was that day, and I loved it. Super interesting and so many considerations, challenges and variables that I had never really thought about. Apart from being the first single bloke (at the time) approved to have a child through surrogacy in Victoria, Shaun Resnik is also a Naturopath, Mindset Coach, LP Practitioner and Hypnotherapist, who's been helping people achieve optimal health (physical, mental and emotional) for over twenty years. I enjoyed this chat a lot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.. is how Tommy remembers which way to turn his screwdriver (or spanner) for tightening and loosening purposes. You're welcome. Apart from that fascinating tip, we also chatted about where to check our emotional baggage at the airport (it made sense at the time), people sleepwalking through life, being the conscious driver rather than the unconscious passenger (on Planet Us), finding gratitude and perspective as a result of a painful experience and the common practice of trying to resolve 'internal issues' (mental, emotional, spiritual) with external solutions (stuff). vidpod.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do so many people who lose weight regain it? This was me for a long time. What are the psychological, emotional, sociological, physiological and behavioral variables that impact our ability to lose weight and fat and keep it off? In this episode, Dietician Kate Save (from 'Be Fit Food') and I do a deep dive on this question (and others). Enjoy. befitfood.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who and how would you be if you grew up in a different environment, with different people, upbringing, programming, schooling, influences and experiences? Same you genetically but completely different social, cultural, academic, religious, psychological and behavioural conditioning? This brief episode is a me thinking out loud about something I’ve pondered since I was a kid. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’m of the belief that most people don’t understand or exploit the power of effective, courageous decision making. I also believe that most people don’t consider the underlying thinking which leads to, what can be, toxic and destructive choices and outcomes. If you’re a fan of my er… ‘more direct’ messages, you’ll probably like this.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of TYP, Tiff and I talk about vulnerability, trust, courage, connection and all of those tricky psychological, sociological and emotional things that come into play when we truly open the door to someone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American psychologist Jonathan Shedler, PhD is known internationally as an author, consultant, and clinical educator. Can we truly know ourselves? Can others truly know us? This was an eye-opening, mind-expanding and fascinating conversation with one of the most thoughtful, practical and solution-focused Psychologists I've ever chatted with (and I've interviewed plenty!). Enjoy.psych-scan.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this (very) freestyle conversation with our resident Nerd, we chat about the potential reality of a cashless and cardless society; one where body parts are scanned in order to pay for goods and services. We also discuss companies which film us while we shop, why volunteering into our 'senior' years is life-extending and good for our overall health, Elon Musk's re-naming of Twitter (to 'X'), while Bunnings employs a disproportionate number of older workers, how Al might help us lose weight and Patrick bangs on about drones for way longer than necessary (lol). Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julia Linn had childhood diabetes which caused kidney failure, heart disease, retinopathy (diabetic blindness) and nerve damage. At 34, a double organ transplant (pancreas and kidney) cured the diabetes and gave her a working kidney. At 48, Julia required a triple cardiac bypass as the heart disease progressed, plus her thyroid was removed. Four years ago (at 62), unfit and out of shape, Julia decided to join a gym. Two years later, she was competing on stage in two NPC Bikini Masters Body Building Competitions, placing first and third. This chat is less about anti-aging and health (although we cover that) and more about what's possible when we optimise our time, energy, potential and resources (at any age). @dolphinineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think most humans have a void. An internal void. This is me thinking out loud, about that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of our brain series, Dr. Hannah and I talk about the 'Dinosaur that Hijacks your Brain'. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't get mad at me for the title; you can credit (or discredit) one D. Gillespie for those words (lol). Oh, this was a fun episode of feather-ruffling. Among many amusing and controversial ideas, we spoke about why psychopaths (the human kind) can be 'managed' (not exactly the right word) more effectively with a reward than a punishment, why it doesn't pay to outshine your boss, why koalas sleep for 20 hours a day (random, I know), how and why some psychopaths can over-ride their lack of empathy to be a 'pro-social psychopath, a type of dementia which (essentially) destroys people's capacity to feel empathy, why psychopaths are not wanted in the military (despite what some people might think) and how we can anthropomorphize animals to our own detriment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tiff and I got together and unpacked the idea of objective and subjective 'truth'. It's true that talking to a large audience is comfortable for me, and it's also true that for many people, it's terrifying. Two 'opposing truths'; both correct. We also spoke about what we think we know (beliefs) vs. unequivocal facts, the fallibility of science and the propensity we have, to take our gifts for granted.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fergus Watts is the Reach Foundation CEO, Founder and Chairman of Bastion Brands, former AFL Player, deep thinker, great communicator, and all-round ripping human, who's brilliant to have a yarn with. This time our conversation went far and wide, but the core of our chat revolved around the ideas of (1) finding 'the right model’ in leadership, medicine, education, business, mental health, marketing, communication, meeting the needs of other, high-performance, and (2) the idea that different people often need a very different approach, strategy and/or protocol to achieve a similar positive outcome.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.