Voices in our heads

This time, Vera, Lou and Paul dive into the world of AI – where the promises are big, the frustrations are real, and nothing works quite like it does with actual people. Vera shares some unexpected moments from her digitalization journey – the good and the confusing. Tune in for honest thoughts on smart tools and even smarter human reactions. Feel free to contact us: [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/ Recording date: friday, 25th april 2025

This time, the whole crew is back together - Markus, Paul, Lou and Vera! They are talking about mental load, spring fatigue, and why everything feels just a little heavier this time of year. Markus also shares a bit about his PhD topic - and explains why, when he’s travelling to new places, he sometimes just wants to stand still for five minutes and do absolutely nothing. Tune in for tired brains, blooming trees, and the joy of shared exhaustion. Feel free to contact us: [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/ Recording date: friday, 11th april 2025

This time it's just Paul, Lou and Markus (Vera is out sick - how fitting for today's topic!) talking about health and prioritization. Why do we drag ourselves to work even when we’re clearly unwell? What does "taking care of yourself" really mean when the to-do list won’t wait? Tune in for a conversation about boundaries, recovery, and why rest isn’t a reward - it’s a necessity. Feel free to contact us: [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/ Recording date: tuesday, 25th march 2025

This time Paul, Vera and Lou (unfortunately without Markus) talk about their voices on different types of communities. The conclusion of today's episode: There is no community without cake! Strangely enough, it will all make sense when you listen to the episode. Feel free to contact us: [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/ Recording date: tuesday, 4th march 2025

In today's episode, the whole team is finally back together. We talk about our voices on abundance and gratitude through life's ups and downs, especially in uncertain times like these. Feel free to contact us: [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/ Markus https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-markus-fath-80394b46/ Recording date: tuesday, 25th february 2025

Welcome back to our usual digital setting and the first recording of the year! Unfortunately without Paul this time. In today's episode we talk about amazing stories, fascinating books, series, movies and even an opera by Mozart. Feel free to contact us: [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Markus https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-markus-fath-80394b46/ Recording date: friday, 14th february 2025

Welcome to the fifth and last episode of our mini-series ‘Podcasting in a pub’. Vera, Markus and Katharina visit Paul and Lou in England and discuss the voices in their heads. For the first time, however, live together in a beautiful pub (with apologies for the slightly louder background noise). Feel free to contact us: [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/ Markus https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-markus-fath-80394b46/ Recording date: friday, 13th december 2024

Welcome to the fourth episode of our mini-series ‘Podcasting in a pub’. Vera, Markus and Katharina visit Paul and Lou in England and discuss the voices in their heads. For the first time, however, live together in a beautiful pub (with apologies for the slightly louder background noise). Link to Markus' article (unfortunately only for our German audience) Feel free to contact us: [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/ Markus https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-markus-fath-80394b46/ Recording date: friday, 13th december 2024

Welcome to the third episode of our mini-series ‘Podcasting in a pub’. Vera, Markus and Katharina visit Paul and Lou in England and discuss the voices in their heads. For the first time, however, live together in a beautiful pub (with apologies for the slightly louder background noise). Feel free to contact us: [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/ Markus https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-markus-fath-80394b46/ Recording date: friday, 13th december 2024

Welcome to the second episode of our mini-series ‘Podcasting in a pub’. Vera, Markus and Katharina visit Paul and Lou in England and discuss the voices in their heads. For the first time, however, live together in a beautiful pub (with apologies for the slightly louder background noise). Feel free to contact us: [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/ Markus https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-markus-fath-80394b46/ Recording date: friday, 13th december 2024

Welcome to the first episode of our mini-series ‘Podcasting in a pub’. Vera, Markus and Katharina visit Paul and Lou in England and discuss the voices in their heads. For the first time, however, live together in a beautiful pub (with apologies for the slightly louder background noise). Feel free to contact us: [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/ Markus https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-markus-fath-80394b46/ Recording date: friday, 13th december 2024

(00:00) Our voices on mental tiredness (05:00) Being tired and relaxing (06:30) Morning routines and exercise (07:30) Routines for „filling your cup“ (09:30) Combining meetings with a walk outside (10:00) Making music is recharging (11:00) Voices on procrastination (14:00) Selfcare is also caring about those who love us (14:30) Mindful relaxation (16:30) Bullet journaling & habit tracking (18:30) Selfcare & toxic productivity (22:00) Accept your mental state (22:30) Doing nothing & meditating (25:00) Being kind to yourself (26:30) Holding things with an open hand Feel free to get in contact with us - we’d love to hear from you! [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/ Markus https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-markus-fath-80394b46/ Recording date: friday, 21th november 2024

(00:00) Our voices on readiness (04:00) Are you ready? No! (04:30) Being ready and being prepared (06:00) Too much of anything is too much (06:30) Beast mode is unsustainable (07:30) What is „feeling prepared“? (08:30) When do I feel ready enough? (09:00) High self-expectations (11:45) Being nervous means being ready (12:45) Reframing words (16:00) Setting us up for success (19:45) An inside-out job & a choice (20:50) State of readiness without preparations (24:00) Feeling uncertain as an opportunity to feel confident (26:00) The Imposter-syndrome (27:30) The opposite of being ready is being patient Feel free to get in contact with us - we’d love to hear from you! [email protected] or via LinkedIn: Lou https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-perkins-5a508a4/ Vera https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vera-baum-1165b8159/ (currently in hibernation - listen to episode #10 to find out why) Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/ Markus https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-markus-fath-80394b46/ Recording date: friday, 8th november 2024

(00:00) Our voices on blocking yourself (04:00) Blocking & procrastination (06:00) Overcoming procrastination (08:00) The process of overthinking (11:00) Keeping yourself safe (11:30) Useful & harmful blocking (13:15) Self-sabotage (17:00) Limiting beliefs (18:30) Origin of blockings (23:00) Are blockings always based on fear? (24:00) Tuning in to the inner voices (27:00) Blocking & feeling comfortable (28:00) Babysteps

#10 Our voices on LinkedIn (00:00) Our voices on LinkedIn (01:30) Ramaging and clicking in the backround (03:00) Love and hate relationship with LinkedIn (04:40) „I do really appreciate the randomness!“ (05:30) From casual observer to creating content (06:30) Impressions, reactions and comments (09:00) Lou’s Selfcoach-Friday (10:30) Tool for self-reflection (12:00) Unwanted advertising (13:40) Curated noise (16:15) „I’m not good at social networks“ (19:30) Responses and the algorithm (22:00) Our desire for connection (25:00) Moments of lightness and levity (25:30) Boundaries and time (28:00) Manipulation of your algorithm (29:00) The importance of different voices

#9 Our voices on goals (00:00) Our voices on goals (01:40) My voices are chatting away (02:40) Goals, outcomes and manifests (05:00) Preshaming your own goals (07:10) Having the goal of having no goals (08:20) What if I don’t reach my goals? (09:50) Overcoming the first steps (10:30) How big should goals be in order to be successful? (11:30) Goals, visions and BHAGs (13:30) Peeling the layers of meaning (14:50) Rechecking the why (18:30) The journey of growth (20:10) Neuro-linguistic programming (23:10) Goals tell us something about our priorities (25:30) SMART goals vs. loose goals

(00:00) Our voices on comfort zones (01:00) Our recording process (03:00) Magical topic inspiration (05:20) So, what’s the topic Markus? (06.30) A nice comfy armchair (07:45) Stepping out of a comfort zone (09:30) Different comfort zones for different people (11:20) Willing to be uncertain (13:20) The uncomfortable becomes comfortable (15:00) There might be monsters in the lake (15:30) Stepbacks and babysteps (17:30) Difference between „out of your comfortzone“ and fear (18:00) Comfort zones change all the time (20:00) Bouncebacks and situationale comfort zones (23:30) Refraiming certain feelings (26:00) It could end good! (27:00) Feeling comfortable in an uncomfortable moment (29:15) What could go wrong? (30:00) Bravery is not the absence of fear but trying to to the right things in the presence of fear

(00:00) Our voices on conflict (02:00) Conflicted voices on conflict (02:40) The opposite of peace and harmony (03:20) Inner conflict between snoozing and sleeping (06:30) Conflicts at work and fulfilling tasks (09:20) Conflict is a „bad“ word (10:05) Compromise is not always a good thing (13:10) Conflicts and culture (13:50) Normalising different opinions in your head (15:00) Conflicts and personal safety (17:00) Normalising conflicts (18:00) Hidden and underlying conflicts (20:40) Growing distance and reaching out (21:50) Differentiation between the person and the opinion (22:50) Bed rock, trust and openness (24:00) If the word is a barrier, take the word away (25:00) Working with friends and family

(00:00) Our voices on prioritisation (01:10) A lot of crazy voices (02:30) Conflict between priorities (04:45) How do we decide between priorities? (05:00) The purpose of prioritisation (05:10) If everything is important, then nothing is (07:00) Active and passive prioritisation (08:40) Prioritise people (11:45) Regret as reevaluation on prioritisation (12:30) Time spend worrying (13:55) A problem for my future self (14:50) Worrying does not solve anything (15:50) The „right“ choice between priorities (17:20) The search for certitude (20:30) Talking about priorities (21:20) Cross-domain priorities (23:20) Someone loses and it should not always be yourself (24:30) Prioritising yourself (29:15) There are more voices than the ones in our head

(00:00) Our voices on self-doubt (01:00) Little white-lies (01:40) The unspoken social contract (03:00) Multiple voices, one head (05:20) Am I good enough for this? (07:20) I can’t claim that I am an expert (12:10) The difference between advising others and self-coaching (12:35) Who decides what is good enough? (12:45) It is a matter of perspective (12:50) Objectivity is an illusion (14:15) Do I see value in the things I do? (16:00) Do I really have to give my best? Again? (16.25) Do we have to be perfect? (19:00) We hold ourselves to very high personal standards (22:30) Different expectations in different situations (24:15) Markus, it’s time for the summary of this conversation! (26:25) Pressure makes diamonds but never allows butterfly wings to unfold (28:35) A good author writes what the universe tells him

(00:00) Our voices on gratitude (01:00) What are you grateful for? (08:20) Chances to grow (09:30) Growing but not being grateful (12:00) Toxic positivity (14:50) Shift response and support response (17:00) Showing anger - not accepted? (19:00) Keep your emotions within the fringes (20:00) Emotions can be infectuated (20:30) People want to be seen and heard (22:50) Big shared experiences (27:15) We are grateful for growing but not grateful for being forced to

(00:00) Our voices on „Am I good enough?“ (02:35) Perfectly imperfect (03:25) Like an annoying stone in your shoe (06:40) Who made that guy an expert? (08:15) It’s always easier to coach somebody else (09:30) What does this part of me need? (11:55) Taking your own advice (13:10) Where is this voice coming from? (15:35) Theory of „Becoming perfect“ (16:30) How can I make use of this voice? (17:10) Non-dualistic thinking (19:30) Fundamental fear of rejection (21:25) In-Groups and Out-Groups (23:30) The generational aspect (24:30) The healed human femur theory

(00:00) Our voices on feedback (00:45) Where is Markus? (01:30) Feedback is such a tricky thing. (02:15) Vera, how are you getting on with your digital notes journey? (05:05) Two sides of the same coin. (06:30) What about judgmental feedback? (06:45) „You did this and it made me feel like that.“ (07:35) „Every time I’m giving feedback it tells so much more about myself.“ (09:20) „What is the narrative in my head when I’m giving feedback?“ (09:55) The famous „constructive“ feedback (13:05) Sharing perspectives (13:25) „There is no right or wrong.“ (14:20) „But what if something bad happens?“ (16:40) „There is a difference between feedback and boundaries.“ (21:20) Listening partnerships (22:24) „Would you mind giving me feedback on something ?“ (23:55) „We diminish things that are good and really hold on to things that are not so good.“ (26:00) Seven to one ratio (27:55) „Giving positive feedback is so much more fun.“ (29:35) Limiting believes (31:15) Attribution theory

(00:00) Our voices on change (01:35) Why Vera doesn’t like digital handwritten notes and still prefers pens and papers (05:50) Taking notes can be a distraction (06:40) “A picture tells a thosand words or whatever the expressions is…” (07:35) “I'm so sorry, this is going to be awful!” (10:20) First steps are never easy (11:50) “I am a person of habits.” (12:20) The voices from my past (14:30) Do we have to loose something in order to progress? (17:45) “Wouldn’t it just be easier to do it the way you know?” (18:50) Imposter syndrome (21:05) “Lets try it anyway because it could be fun?” (21:45) “Are you sure enough to be unsure?” (23:25) “Take all the critical voices and mute them.” (24:45) “What’s the best thing and what’s the worst thing that could happen?” (27:30) “We are not mental, or are we?”