The You Project

In this episode, I talk about the idea of running an experiment with you (or some component of your life) being the focus of your experiment. Things like lifestyle, food, exercise, sleep, health, habits, rituals, choices and typical behaviours. And not in a weird Frankenstein (type of) way but rather, in a ‘what can I tweak, change and/or adjust to produce better results on Planet Me’ type of way. My first self-designed and executed experiment at fourteen resulted in me losing about thirty kilos in four months by changing two key variables. I had limited knowledge, zero coaching or support and virtually no resources, but it worked because I paid attention to the data (my results) and didn’t stop. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two fitness industry dinosaurs get together to bang on about training, function, physical optimisation, the healing power of fun, joy and laughter, human potential, fitness and food echo chambers, learning and unlearning, creating an integrative approach to health and the importance of play at any age. This episode was essentially a chat between two Mates which happened to be recorded. Enjoy. feelsoma.com/eventsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Going into a conversation with Geoff Jowett is something you don’t want to plan for. There’s no real point. Just strap in, hold on, try to keep up and don’t get in the way. As a host, I endeavour to have a vague idea of topics and ideas that I might explore with a guest but a podcast with Geoff is the conversational equivalent of trying to herd cats. I’m just a passenger on the Geoff bus. A happy passenger. This two-parter covered vast territory as usual and we had fun but I will warn you that the great man gets a little intense, direct and sweary towards the end. Perfect.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Going into a conversation with Geoff Jowett is something you don’t want to plan for. There’s no real point. Just strap in, hold on, try to keep up and don’t get in the way. As a host, I endeavour to have a vague idea of topics and ideas that I might explore with a guest but a podcast with Geoff is the conversational equivalent of trying to herd cats. I’m just a passenger on the Geoff bus. A happy passenger. This two-parter covered vast territory as usual and we had fun but I will warn you that the great man gets a little intense, direct and sweary towards the end. Perfect.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to the science of ‘reading physiology’ (like body language and facial expressions), a scowling face would typically be classified (by an observer or computer program) as representing a person who is either sad, mad, or angry. Well, it might surprise to know that seventy percent of the time, when someone is scowling, they are neither sad, mad, or angry. They could be confused. Or scared. Deep in thought. Focused on a task. In pain. Or something else. Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett is an academic feather-ruffler, and in this chat, she shares with us that, for the most part, none of us can truly predict (with consistency and accuracy) the emotional and/or psychological states of others based on some physical observation we make. We can’t (reliably) read people because the exact same expression can represent a myriad of different internal states for different people across different ages, personality types, groups, cultures, and backgrounds. In this episode, Lisa and I go deep on the brain, emotions, flawed science, cognitive function, and lots more. *Bio: Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, PhD, is among the top 1% of most-cited scientists in the world for her research in psychology and neuroscience. She is a University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University, with appointments at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. She is also Chief Scientific Officer for the Centre for Law, Brain, & Behaviour at Harvard University. lisafeldmanbarrett.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that being attracted to someone’s body odour via smelling a T-shirt they’ve worn for 14 days without showering (from a selection of smelly strangers, by the way) and then producing a child with that someone, could be great for your hypothetical kid’s health, immune system and longevity? And more broadly, great for the proliferation of the species? And yes, that 14-day stench-fest study is actual research. Did you also know that people spend more money shopping when they’ve recently had coffee (and that some companies exploit this)? And that judges are less likely to grant parole when they’re hungry (just before lunch)? Did you know that your taste buds change (often dramatically) over time? Or that 25% of people are genetically wired to hate broccoli? Did you know that our behaviours and environment (and maybe our thoughts) can change the way our genes work (for good or bad)? Fascinating chat. Again. Dr Bill is a Professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana, who specialises in Molecular & Cell Biology but his broad science knowledge is vast and luckily for us, entertaining. Enjoy. authorbillsullivan.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that being attracted to someone’s body odour via smelling a T-shirt they’ve worn for 14 days without showering (from a selection of smelly strangers, by the way) and then producing a child with that someone, could be great for your hypothetical kid’s health, immune system and longevity? And more broadly, great for the proliferation of the species? And yes, that 14-day stench-fest study is actual research. Did you also know that people spend more money shopping when they’ve recently had coffee (and that some companies exploit this)? And that judges are less likely to grant parole when they’re hungry (just before lunch)? Did you know that your taste buds change (often dramatically) over time? Or that 25% of people are genetically wired to hate broccoli? Did you know that our behaviours and environment (and maybe our thoughts) can change the way our genes work (for good or bad)? Fascinating chat. Again. Dr Bill is a Professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana, who specialises in Molecular & Cell Biology but his broad science knowledge is vast and luckily for us, entertaining. Enjoy. authorbillsullivan.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going in to this chat because unlike a lot of people, I knew virtually zero about farmer Dave (my bad) but what ensued, was an hour of captivating conversation with a bloke who’s had (and continues to have) a fascinating life. After years navigating all kinds of darkness and eventually finding his way into the light of happiness, purpose, love and connection, he’s now helping others do the same. A movie could literally be made about Dave’s journey. Here are a few snippets. He was in charge of feeding, cleaning and caring for twenty farm dogs when he was 3. He is the youngest of 11. Was an international model at 19. Grew up on 100,000 acre farm. ‘Came out’ on national television (Big Brother). Has travelled to more than 80 countries. Was crippled with depression and anxiety as a teenager. Is a father of five. Currently lives on his farm in the country with twenty-something dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, dwarf goats, alpacas, ducks, goose and a horse. Created RuffTRACK: a farm-based youth charity that protects kids, keeping them out of prison and up skilling them for a secure future (the story he shares around this is amazing), is an animal behaviourist, TV Presenter, speaker and good bloke doing good things. Enjoy. rufftrack.com@rufftrackSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So much talk about ‘finding our purpose.’ ‘Living with purpose.’ Having a ‘purpose-filled’ existence. So little agreement on what that actually means. Like, do we have one (single) purpose? Or can it be many? Does it change over time? Is it pre-determined or me-determined? Does it choose us or do we choose it? Does it need to be a profound save-the-world (type) thing? Or can it be something simple (but beautiful) like being a kind person? Are there rules? Do we need to meet some moral, ethical or behavioural criteria? And if so, who says? Who are the ‘purpose’ police? Well, like many ideas and concepts in psychology, sociology, theology and philosophy, ‘purpose’ is a concept for which there is very little consensus or consistency between, not only ‘experts’, but also between the different fields of research (see above). And now, reading over what I’ve just written, I wonder why I ever thought it would be a good idea for the ex-bouncer and the nerd to record a podcast about purpose. Oh well, I guess we’re as qualified as anyone. Enjoy. oksmartass.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Emily Balcetis, PhD, is an Associate Professor of psychology at New York University, who dropped by TYP to share some amazing insights, research, ideas and strategies for making our lives better, and ourselves better, in the middle of those lives. Like many great teachers, Emily has a gift for making the potentially-complicated, easy to understand through her use of stories, metaphors and real-life experiences. Enjoy.  @emilybalcetisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.