Would you like to unlock the creative, imaginative and innovative potential in your team or organisation…BUT…don’t want to listen to another serious podcast which offers 7 steps, 5 habits, 3 mantras, and a hard sell in a pear tree?
Then join ‘The Occupational Philosophers’, a ‘not-so-serious’ podcast with Simon Banks (middle-aged Australian surfer man, artist and published author) and John Rice (middle-aged British man with a love of curiosity and philosophy) as they chat with a ‘clowder’ (great word!) of curious cats from the fields of Comedy, Academia, Philosophy, Neuroscience, Psychology, Design, Marketing, and Business, to explore how you, your team, and your organisation, can develop your curiosity, spark your creativity, and free your imagination, so you can grow your business and your people….sounds great huh?!
But don’t just take our word for it, read what our listeners think:
“Worth a listen, one of them has a strange Australian accent”
“They’re not philosophers, they’re idiots”
“If you like business, philosophy, humour, creativity, and imagination, then have a listen - if not, then I would leave well alone”
http://www.occupationalphilosophers.com
Episodes
Thursday Sep 16, 2021
Thursday Sep 16, 2021
In Episode 9, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Eleanor Tweddle - a podcaster, an entrepreneur, and author, with a best-selling book, Why losing your job could be the best thing that ever happened to you! (and she is also an amazing coach, consultant, and very funny)
After 23 years of corporate life, working for brands such as Costa Coffee, RAC, Virgin Atlantic, and Vodafone, Eleanor found herself redundant and so began a journey of self-discovery - getting really curious and asking herself questions about who she was and how she wanted to be, reimagining a new way of working and living, and connecting with lots of people - and now Eleanor helps other people thrive in the face of redundancy with her own business ‘Another Door’.
Eleanor has been featured in The Guardian, The Financial Times, Glamour, and Grazia.
In this episode, they explore:
- Why staying curious about yourself and what’s possible is key to reimagining your world
- The better question to ask yourself when deciding a way forward
- What individuals, teams, and organisations can learn about providing space for reflection
- Why you should think about what you want to be, rather than what you want to do
They also discover:
- How Lego provides the perfect analogy for life
- Why you should just stop giving a shit
- And why you should never look a penguin in the eye, unless you have a plan
As always, there are some great thought experiments such as:
- Twoddle or Tweddell? Is this saying real or utter hogwash?
- Guess the ‘RE' song and artist
Links
https://www.eleanortweddell.com
https://www.anotherdoor.co.uk/read-the-book
The Wombles https://www.womblesofficial.com/meet-us
Thursday Sep 02, 2021
Thursday Sep 02, 2021
In Episode 8, The Occupational Philosophers dive into the business, life, and leadership lessons we can learn from three very well-known artists.
Starting at the rebirth of humanism, creativity, and curiosity, and a general 'coming out of the dark' (also known as the Renaissance), they take us through the minds of two of the Renaissances shining lights, Michaelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci.
Keeping a very non-linear history line, they then scoot forward 400 years and spend some time getting to know the amazing Frieda Kahlo better
Along the way they explore:
- The importance of embracing your uniqueness and not hiding away what makes you different (as that's where your talents lie)
- Why we should all be lifelong learners and remembering that not everything is taught in school
- How innovation happens when we join the dots and make connections from wildly different things
- Why it's important to record your ideas and putting them into the world and not just let them idly float by
- How curiosity and asking why can change the way you see the world and the life you live
- Why all leaders need to allow the unique Leonardos' in their teams to shine and thrive
As with all episodes, The Occupational Philosophers discuss what Mona Lisa might have been thinking and conduct some great thought experiments. Are you ready for "Art or Shart?"
As always, there are some great lessons and ways to bring more imagination, creativity, and curiosity into your workplace and how to live a most interesting life in the process.
They hope you enjoy the show.
www.occupationalphilosophers.com
Thursday Aug 19, 2021
Thursday Aug 19, 2021
In Episode 7, The Occupational Philosophers chat with global humanitarian, childhood conservationist, lifelong play enthusiast and founder of The Flying Seagull Project, Ash Perrin.
Since 2008, The Flying Seagull Charity Project has brought love, light and laughter to more than 200,000 children in 23 countries across four continents in challenging and desperate situations, including hospitals, orphanages and refugee camps. They use clowning, magic, games and arts workshops to replace fear and uncertainty with positive human connections based on respect, happiness and laughter.
Ash is the author of ‘The Real Play Revolution’, a Ted Speaker and an all-around creative and joyous person.
In this episode, they explore:
- How play is a universal feeling of liberation, creativity and expression and a safety net for learning
- Why the world is just waiting for your amazing ideas
- How to bring 'play' into the workplace that doesn't make you feel like an idiot
- That the best ideas and the most stupid ideas come out of the same well
- If you are below the age of 99, being asked to grow up is an act of violence
They also dive into:
- The emergence of the Monkey Christ
- Why neck ties should be banned unless fluorescent
- The board of brilliance and the bucket of goodbyes
As always, there are some great thought experiments such as:
- If I were Prime Minister.....
- Is this a real job or not? (Surf barista anyone?)
Links
The Flying Seagull Project https://www.theflyingseagullproject.com/
The Real Play Revolution (book) https://www.amazon.com/Real-Play-Revolution-Need-Silly/dp/1786782235
Ash Perrin Ted Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/ash_perrin_the_power_of_play?language=en
Check out the Bus https://www.facebook.com/flyingseagulls/posts/3741712149233070
Thursday Aug 05, 2021
Thursday Aug 05, 2021
In episode 6, The Occupational Philosophers get really curious about questions (and questions are what this show is all about). Questions come in all shapes and sizes and John and Simon have a good look at them all.
Importantly, they explore how great questions can have a positive impact on both the world of work AND living a most inspiring life.
Amongst other things, The Occupational Philosophers leave no stone unturned as they traverse the world of curiosity and questions and discover:
- Curiosity did not kill the cat, it made it super cat (who would have thought?)
- How great questions can do the heavy lifting when solving problems
- Why Albert Einstein may not be the right person in the Presidents crisis room
- The importance of changing the constructions and the scope of your questions
- How big questions can change your life
Along the way, they also conduct some thought experiments including:
- Imagine Aliens arrive and they..........What would you do?
- John dives deep into Simons mind, personality and values as he takes him through a relational psychology experience called "walking in the woods"
As ever, The Occupational Philosophers give you some key tips to fulfill your potential to be the curious, creative, and imaginative star that you are, or would like to be - at work, at home or in the bath.
Links
- Silos art project https://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2021/jul/20/australias-silo-murals-make-a-road-trip-an-art-odyssey-in-pictures
- Jeff Bezos rocket - https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jul/20/jeff-bezos-rocket-design-an-inquiry
- Walking in the woods - https://iheartintelligence.com/
- Herding wild cats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_MaJDK3VNE
Thursday Jul 22, 2021
Thursday Jul 22, 2021
In Episode 5, The Occupational Philosophers chat with glorious, amazingly talented, and hilarious performer Tamara Campbell.
Tamara has literally performed all over the world: 23 countries in 6 different languages for over a million people in her 18-year career. Tamara believes that "laughter should be a force for good. Bringing humans together to share and connect, breaking down the barriers and masks that inhibit our progress as a race. I also believe that it is fundamental that we have a bloody good time together as often as possible."
In this episode we explore:
- What it means to be human
- How vulnerability comes before trust rather than the other way around (leaders, take note!)
- Why it's important to look “something awesome about you” in other people
- The different alter egos we all have and how to ensure the right one turns up
- Where creativity comes from - and it takes a lot of practice
- Breaking out of comfort zones and how to make people feel amazing
- How the human race is evolving to have herd immunity against arseholes
- Lessons learned from performing all over the world and training at the world-renowned Dell'Arte School of Physical Theatre
As with all episodes, we have some great thought experiments as we explore Famous Love Parents and have some great listener questions.
Tamara is an absolute star and there is so much joy and wisdom in this episode. Enjoy!
Links
Laughterhouse Entertainment https://www.laughterhouseentertainment.com/
Brag sheet (places Tamara has performed) https://www.laughterhouseentertainment.com/about/places-performed/
Tamara Campbell https://www.tamaracampbell.com.au/
Kikki Bittovabitsch https://www.facebook.com/KikiBittovabitsch/
Dell'Arte School of Physical Performance https://dellarte.com/
MONA Gallery https://mona.net.au/
Thursday Jul 08, 2021
Thursday Jul 08, 2021
In episode four, The Occupational Philosophers explore a history of chin strokers (AKA Philosophers) throughout time from Socrates through to Voltaire, and even the more modern Seth Godin.
Importantly, as a not-so-serious business podcast, they dive into what we can learn from this ancient and more recent wisdom to enable us to thrive in our more modern times.
The Occupational Philosophers explore:
- The importance of always asking great questions (unless you're a certain philosopher who didn't know when to stop!)
- How positive micro habits can drive big change in our lives
- The rise of the 'miserabilists' (and wasn't that a fun time??)
- Why we should stay curious and be open changing paths as new information comes our way
- The importance of having a go at life and ripping the s#*t out of it
- How leaders can embrace some philosophy to positively change the culture in their organisation
- All the great chin stroker aphorisms and quotes that still hold true today including, "Curiosity is the lust of the mind" (A favourite Occupational Philosophers quote)
As with all episodes, they conduct some thought experiments covering:
- Which philosopher would do you take to Ibiza?
- Do I really have nothing to lose but my socks?
As always, there are some great lessons that you can apply to the world of work and leading a more curious, interesting and creative life.
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
In their first guest episode, The Occupational Philosophers talk with Dr. Peter Lovatt, a Dance Psychologist, multi TED speaker and best selling author, who through his work on the psychology of movement and dance, is more widely known as 'Dr. Dance'!
Listen in as Peter shares:
- 3 top tips for everyday living from his new book 'The Dance Cure'
- How teams and organisations can use movement to fuel innovation & creativity
- How individuals can 'move to improve'!
They also explore:
- Why dance and movement is fundamentally about communication
- What type of movement is best to help your children revise for their exams!
- What stops us dancing (apart from when we're drunk at wedding...)?
- How school shaped Peter's life and success....it's quite a journey
- Whether movement is a "gateway drug" to dancing.......
And as ever, the Occupational Philosophers will also engage in some (not so serious) 'Thought Experiments' which delve into topics such as "Did someone really say that?" and "What dance should I do if I get mugged?".
Finally, as discussed in the show, please check out:
Dr.Peter Lovatt - https://www.peterlovatt.com
TEDx Observer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihCh5wzNjYY
Derek Sivers: Leadership Lessons from the Dancing Guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ
Tame your Ogre Guide - https://www.occupationalphilosophers.com
Friday Jun 04, 2021
Friday Jun 04, 2021
In their inaugural episode, The Occupational Philosophers dive into:
- The no.1 thing that kills your creative potential, whether that's at work, at home, or in the bath
- Some tactics on how to deal with it
- Some key ways to have a little less of this creativity killer at work that doesn't make you look like a free loving, sandal-wearing hipster that says stuff like, "Let's get in the flow brothers and sisters, don't hold back, release your inner animal and lets' freestyle"
They also explore:
- The importance of a philosopher's mindset
- Being OK with dangerous ideas
- Spending time out of our comfort zones and....
- Ping pong balls on crack
- The importance of always asking questions
- Dealing with negative self-talk
- Some simple ways to bring more curiosity and into your workplace (and your life)
They will also introduce you to thought experiments (as done by Philosophers throughout the ages) as they explore 'Would you rather...?' and 'True or not'
Most importantly, there is plenty of inspiration to ensure you become the creative beast you were designed to be.
As discussed in the show, check out Ken Robinson's Ted Talk - Do schools kill creativity?
Tuesday May 11, 2021
Tuesday May 11, 2021
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…