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
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
In Episode 77, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Dr Marco Motta, who specialises in data analysis and visualisation, with a strong track record transforming the performance reporting culture of large organisations.
He marries this with a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Queensland and uses his background in critical thinking to help organisations and clients identify, define, break down and solve complex business challenges.
More importantly, he used to have a funk-rock band together with his brother in their teenage years, and they recently decided to record a cover of the Eurythmics classic, "Sweet Dreams," - we heartily recommend this…YouTube link below!
This is a great conversation with a guest who puts the Aristotle in Analytics!
In this episode, they explore, and scuttle down some real rabbit holes, on some mind-bending topics:
- How morality and ethics are culture dependent [12:00]
- What’s a slash chord?! (Listen to the first piano accompaniment on this podcast!) [17:50]
- What is truth? How do we know we exist? Should we put Descartes before the horse? [25:05]
- Is Gravity an absolute fact? Is it just a dip in Space-Time? Might John float out of his chair? [28:50]
- Is Schroedinger’s cat alive or dead? The answer was finally revealed! [35:39]
- How Philosophy usefully informs data analytics and visualisation [37:55]
- Why organisations that can manage uncertainty are better equipped to navigate the future [41:25]
- What are ‘weak truths’ and how do help us? [43:01]
- How does creativity and painting play into data visualisation? [48:01]
- Will our robot overlords vaporise us? [54:00]
- What advice does Marco have for teams and organisations? [1:05:17]
- When is the ‘Occupational Philosophers After Dark’ podcast launching?
And as always, they expand Marco’s thinking with their very own ‘Thought Experiments’; this episode they have:
- Busting Urban Myths
Learn more about Marco
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mottamarco01/
https://www.mottaconsulting.com.au
References
https://theamazingthundercat.com/
What if Red Hot Chilli Peppers played Sweet Dreams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id9PvdbYUGA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianni_Vattimo
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 Oct 11, 2023
Ep.76 - Inbetweeners - How the light gets in
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers discuss what John discovered when he attended the recent ‘How the Light Gets In’ festival in London; a curly mash up of philosophy, music and comedy:
- What were the big themes being explored this year? [02:30]
- What is the golden rule to live by? [04:10}
- What 3 things did John learn from sitting with fellow chin-stroking, bat milk latte drinking, roll-neck sweater wearing explorers? [05:40]
- What are takeaways for us as individuals, teams and leaders of organisations? [09:20]
- How does the light get 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
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
In episode 75, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Design Guru, Chi Ryan.
Chi is a designer, writer, researcher, learner, educator and all-round creative polymath. She is obsessed with design that puts experience first
She helped everyone from hungry startups to global giants transform through design and has led, taught and been part of teams designing digital and physical products, services, brands, events, physical spaces, processes, values, systems, learning experiences, rituals, models, methods and almost everything in between.
She has led cross-functional research, design and innovation practices (Fjord/Accenture Song, Idean/Frog/Capgemini Alumni) around the world (from London to Milan and Hong Kong to New York.
Chi is currently a higher-degree by research candidate at Torrens University where my practice-based research focuses on exploring the nexus of design, post-humanism, economics, ethics and philosophy through the lens of radical design theory. She is also Adjunct Faculty at RMIT University in Melbourne
In this episode, they explore:
- What is design and why does great design matter?
- What’s behind the groundbreaking talk of “Dude, where’s my creativity?”
- What is post-design? (Get ready for the best answer ever)
- Why you will never look at an LA bus stop in the same way
- Why absurdity, provocativity, spectacle, nostalgia and mythology need to be in the conversation of great design
- Why Derida was a polarising philosopher
- Why all leaders should smile a little more
As always, there are some great thought experiments. This time they explore the minds of French Philosophers through the thought experiment of Blankety Blanc…
There is so much insane depth and insight and Chi is a very funny guest so The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show as much as they enjoyed making it.
More about Chi
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Ep.74 - Inbetweeners - Sweet dreams are made of this
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
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
Ep.72 - Is it just Dumb Luck? (or how to cultivate moments of Serendipity)
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
Ep 70. Inbetweeners - It’s time to end shit PowerPoint Presentations! Please!!
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