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
3 days ago
3 days ago
In this short, sharp inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers explore dreams and how they reveal the wild jungle of our mind!
We have all had those bizarre dreams which connect random and seemingly disparate ideas; the koala surfing on a water buffalo, or a man made of cheese trying to sell you a time share apartment in Benidorm….or is that just us?
Listen as we discuss:
- What can various research studies tell us about dreams and their link to creativity?
- What is happening when we sink into REM state…the peak dream state?
- How even the most bizarre dreams seem to follow a story
- What did artists do to help them harness the power of their dreams?
- How can we as individuals and teams use these insights to improve the level of creative thought in our organisations?
- Just what do John and Simon dream 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.
Show Notes
https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/questions/why-are-we-so-creative-our-dreams
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/heres-how-to-use-dreams-for-creative-inspiration
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 Sep 13, 2023
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
In Episode 73, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Professor Sophie Scott, who is the Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London and a Fellow of the British Academy.
Sophie is an expert in cognitive neuroscience studying human vocal communication, from speech and sound to social interactions and nonverbal emotional expressions, and has become very well known for her work on laughter.
As a pioneering researcher in the science of laughter, she’s made some unexpected discoveries -- including my favourite, that rats are ticklish, and that the one tactic that’s almost guaranteed to get someone to laugh is to show them someone else laughing.
She has appeared on UK TV many times, including The One Show (BBC1), Sunday Brunch (C4), Horizon (BBC2) - AND has presented the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. She also represented the Polytechnic of Central London in University Challenge (BBC2).
In podcasting she co-hosts The Neuromantics (Great pun!), and is a series regular on the wonderful Infinite Monkey Cage.
She is an accomplished public speaker, her TED talks have amassed millions of views online, and she has presented at the World Economic Forum, The Royal Institute, and the Wired UK conference. She has performed science-based stand-up comedy and has appeared at the Hammersmith Apollo, the Bloomsbury Theatre and the Latitude Festival.
And to top it off, also an author or many books!
In this episode, they explore:
- How laughter is contagious and social
- What words are genuinely funny…’Flank’ is one…!
- Why brains are so fascinating these days
- How laughter is the ‘gateway drug’ to play
- What happens in the brain when we are creative
- Why organisations need to build social spaces where laughter can live
- Who is Brian Helverston?
And in this episode, they are lucky enough to have their listener’s questions to share with Sophie.
Learn more about Sophie
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_Scott
- https://www.ted.com/talks/sophie_scott_why_we_laugh
- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brain-Things-You-Should-Know-ebook/dp/B09RF221H8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
References
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
In this short-ish Inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers dive into and muse on the idea of Serendipity. Between them they explore:
- Actually, what is Serendipity? (you will have to listen)
- Why dumb luck isn't a thing - despite that person always getting a job they don't deserve or are qualified for
- The danger of trying to manifest middle-class moments
- Why it's essential to be open to the world around us - as chance encounters are everywhere
- How our biases rationalise chance encounters to pretend they didn't happen
- Why curiosity is at the heart of moments of serendipity
- How being a super explorer can create moments of serendipity
- How the discovery of Penicillin is considered a triumph of serendipity
- The power of a watermelon, an earbud and a jelly bean in the right hands
- And finally, how the unlucky butcher can be a metaphor for us all
The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show!
Links:
The Serendipity Mindset: The art and science of good luck
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.
Take the Innovation Scorecard! https://empoweringinnovation.scoreapp.com/
Take the creativity & innovation to the next level
Answer 25 questions and we’ll send you a personalised report to benchmark the level of creativity and innovation in your organisation
- It just takes a few minutes takes just a few minutes
- It’s completely free
- Receive customised results instantly
- It takes just few minutes to complete
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 Aug 02, 2023
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
In this guest episode, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Dr Louise Mahler.
Dr Louise is the polymath's polymath and is recognised as a Top 30 Global Guru in both Body Language and Communication.
She was an Opera singer for 10 years with the Vienna State Opera.
Louise’s qualifications include B.Econ; B. Mus; Post Grad Dip Music; L.Mus.A; Master of Applied Science in Organisational Change and a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
She has completed an award-winning PhD around the unsung wisdom of the mind-body-voice connection she named Vocal Intelligence.
She is a sought-after commentator discussing leadership, body language and effective presentation on television, radio and in the media. Her recent interviews with Channel 7 where she analyses the body language of Harry and Meghan Sussex have over 2 million views.
Louise's clients include Fortune 500 clients around the globe.
Louise was voted Keynotes Speaker of the Year in 2021 by the Professional Speakers Association and is the author of "Resonate: for people who need to be heard"
She is the virtuoso of the voice, the high priestess of hot air and the femme fatale of unfailing attraction.
In this episode we explore:
- The importance of breathing out (not just in)
- Why we all need to channel ancient Rome and have way more Grrrrrrrravitas
- Why communication should not just be a linear give and receive
- Why we need to stop making excuses for communication (including being left-handed)
- How we need to embrace Move, Move, Move
- How wit and levity are wingmen for all types of communication
- Why it's important to be an active listener, not just a passive listener
- The importance of saying ‘yes, please!’ more often
More about Louise
Say Hello
www.occupationalphilosophers.com
Their day jobs
- JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/
- SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au
- SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg
Take the Innovation Scorecard!
https://empoweringinnovation.scoreapp.com/
Take creativity & innovation to the next level
Answer 25 questions and we’ll send you a personalised report to benchmark the level of creativity and innovation in your organisation
- It just takes a few minutes takes just a few minutes
- It’s completely free
- Receive customised results instantly
Thursday Jul 20, 2023
Thursday Jul 20, 2023
In this inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers explore the seven deadly sins of power point presentations - we’ve all been there…you face an avalanche of slides, information overload, the back of someone’s head as they read the slides out loud….it’s time to discover a different way as we explore:
- How to ensure people do not suffer ‘Death by Powerpoint’ or any other attempt on their life
- What we can learn from cats being scared of cucumbers and other viral memes
- How great keynote speakers capture their audience’s attention
- Why data proves, but stories move
- What sucks the energy out of the room and how to stop it
- Why is Simon so vexed?
The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show.
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.
Take the Innovation Scorecard!
https://empoweringinnovation.scoreapp.com/
Take creativity & innovation to the next level
Answer 25 questions and we’ll send you a personalised report to benchmark the level of creativity and innovation in your organisation
- It’ just takes a few minutes takes just a few minutes
- It’s completely free
- Receive customised results instantly
Say Hello
www.occupationalphilosophers.comIt takes just few minutes to complete
Their day jobs
JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/
SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au
SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
In this inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers dive into the world of job advertisements - the good, the not so good and the inbetween (ers).
Mmmm, did you see what they did there…?
- When you are being asked for flexibility, do you turn up in a Yoga outfit?
- Does a workplace rockstar need to throw computers out the window and have half a shaved head?
- Would a ninja need to have a set of throwing stars?
- If you hit the ground running, what type of shoes would you need to wear?
- And finally, whilst it’s important, to be honest in recruitment ads, how honest can you be?
The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show.
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.
Take the Innovation Scorecard!
https://empoweringinnovation.scoreapp.com/
Take creativity & innovation to the next level
Answer 25 questions and we’ll send you a personalised report to benchmark the level of creativity and innovation in your organisation
- It just takes a few minutes takes just a few minutes
- It’s completely free
- Receive customised results instantly
Say Hello
www.occupationalphilosophers.com
Their day jobs
- JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/
- SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au
- SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg
- Innovation Scorecard https://empoweringinnovation.scoreapp.com/
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
In Episode 68, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Chris Barez Brown, author, keynote speaker, and founder of 'Upping Your Elvis', which looks to embed a human, energetic and creative working culture in corporations across the globe, making work easier, more fun, and more extraordinary in the process
Chris has a deep passion to help people work out who they are, what they stand for and how they can use their unique talents to bring energy to everything they do as individuals, as members of teams, or as leaders.
He spent ten years at ?What If!, the world’s largest innovation consultancy, and is a published author of many books, including:
-
- ‘How to Have Kick Ass Ideas’
- ‘Shine. How to survive and thrive at work’.
- ‘Free. Love your work, love your life’.
- Wake Up! Escaping a life on autopilot
- Upping Your Elvis
His latest venture, Talk it Out, is a social enterprise determined to make a positive impact on people’s mental wellbeing around the world.
In this episode, they explore:
- Why slowing down to connect with people reveals how everyone has a gift
- How movement leads to improvement; try stuff out, experiment, don't stop
- Why experimentation is at the heart of any successful organisation
- How we are hooked on being busy
- How we can make work fit us, rather then make us fit us
- What 'talking it out' can do for our mental wellbeing
- And whether Chris truly is the love child of Richard Branson and a wizard...
As ever they throw in a few ‘Thought Experiments’, this time they have:
- Knowing Your Elvis
Learn more about Chris
https://www.uppingyourelvis.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-bar%C3%A9z-brown-0695531/
References
https://www.munchmuseet.no/en/
https://theamazingthundercat.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3vWKFSpMV1vc1cRTjY1cl3?si=IYig3dfkSWe030pHvbtRCw
https://www.waterstones.com/book/lost-connections/johann-hari/9781408878729
Monday Jun 19, 2023
Monday Jun 19, 2023
In episode 67, The Occupational Philosophers dive into the world of personal biases, filters and perceptions or the way we take in information.
And what did they discover? We ALL take in information differently - whether we believe it or not.
In this episode, they explore:
- Confirmation bias
- Perception bias and how two people can see the same situation differently
- Frequency bias. Why am I now seeing red cars everywhere?
- How a muffin can appear 50% bigger if you are hungry (even though its not!)
- Change blindness (say what?)
- How we don't see change in real-time - even though we think we do
- Why Heraclitus has some good advice for modern-day change
If you have read this far, well done and you have made it past some of your biases and filters. Turn up your curiosity bias and tune in!
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 Jun 08, 2023
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
In this short, sharp inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers do a little bit of time travel and in the process explore:
- What an abstract artwork can teach us about how we react to something out of our comfort zone
- Why at times it's all too easy to jump to outrage
- Why a creative shock can create long-lasting change
- What the hell is Blue Poles?
- Why a good philosopher will always ask questions first
- The importance of always, always being open to the new
- Why it's important to keep an eye out for Blue Poles in your organisation...
They Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show!
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 May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
In Episode 65, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Dr Jason Fox a wizard-philosopher masquerading as a leadership advisor. His clients include the senior leadership teams of Fortune 500 companies around the world including Microsoft, Toyota, Honda, Sony, Salesforce, KPMG, The International Institute of Research (not to mention: financial institutions, universities, telcos, government agencies, insurers, software developers, associations, intergovernmental forums, and so on).
He has lectured at three universities (systems and behaviour), and is the bestselling author of ‘The Game Changer’ and ‘How to Lead a Quest’ and his Museletter is read by more than 11,000 folk around the world.
In addition to serving as a leadership adviser, Dr Fox is also a globally in-demand keynote speaker who works particularly well with sceptical audiences who have ‘seen it all before’, and in 2016 he was awarded Keynote Speaker of the Year.
He lives with an illustrator-veterinarian and a cat called ‘π’ in an old chocolate factory in Melbourne, Australia. When not liberating the world from the delusion of progress, He enjoys partaking in extreme sports such as reading, sun avoidance and coffee snobbery.
In this episode, they explore:
- How teams and organisations can make meaningful progress and not suffer under the ‘delusion of progress'
- What is ‘anti-fragile brooding’ and how doubt is key to progress
- When is a good time to give audiences a good ‘intellectual spanking’?
- What does curiosity look like?
- The value of just being together as a team and allowing the ‘fireside chats’ to emerge at the end of the day
- Why finding your own ‘Suicide Squad’ is the key to fellowship and creativity
As ever they throw in a few ‘Thought Experiments’, this time they have:
- Philosophy or Foolosophy?
- Listeners questions
Learn more about Jason
References
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/play-your-way-sane/202303/7-research-backed-benefits-of-improv-comedy?utm_source=pocket_saves
- https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/may/03/italian-historian-claims-to-have-identified-bridge-in-mona-lisa-backdrop
- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finite-Infinite-Games-James-Carse/dp/1476731713