Would you like to fulfill your potential to be the curious, creative, and imaginative star that you are, or would like to be? You already know in your bones that you are a creative beast, but maybe you just don't quite know how to unleash it – perhaps it’s an ignored talent in writing, leading innovation at work or simply underwater basket weaving. 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 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…
Episodes
5 days ago
5 days ago
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- What outdated practices consume too much energy - literally and physically?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
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
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
Monday Mar 06, 2023
Monday Mar 06, 2023
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
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
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
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
Thursday Feb 02, 2023
Thursday Feb 02, 2023
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
Monday Jan 16, 2023
Monday Jan 16, 2023
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
Wednesday Dec 28, 2022
Wednesday Dec 28, 2022
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
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
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
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
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
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
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
References
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