Between Views

Zachary Payne: An unexpected mission: Join us for a captivating conversation with Zachary Payne, a professor, poet, and philosopher whose life journey has been a masterclass in embracing the unexpected. From a surprising church mission to Spain that redirected his pre-med career, Zach recounts his immersive experience mastering Spanish in Madrid, falling in love with its unique neighborhoods and culture. He shares how a profound connection to body surfing in Hawaii taught him the powerful "desire little" philosophy, emphasizing the value of time over money.

This episode delves deeper into Zach's unconventional path, including his experiences living as an undocumented resident in Spain and finding his voice through poetry, inspired by a Peruvian poet's challenge to share his art. He discusses his philosophical mentors like Unamuno and Camus, his unique take on anarchism, and the lessons learned from his semi-pro rugby career in Europe. Zach also offers an endearing look into raising his bilingual daughters in Hawaii, blending Spanish, English, and local 'pigeon' into a rich family language. Tune in for an inspiring exploration of authentic living, purposeful creation, and the pursuit of true freedom. Subscribe to Between Views for more extraordinary stories and insights!

Youtube Music Code: 8QGLUDXPTIDK3ZON

Here is a summary of our upcoming episode with Zachary Payne. Listen to the full conversation on Monday.

Part 2: Reflections, Life Lessons, and Entrepreneurship This section begins with the interviewer noting the transition from Zuzana's athletic story to discussions of philosophy and mentorship. Zuzana reflects on her Olympic race in Beijing at 21, where despite a personal best, she felt like a failure due to her coach's negativity and her own high expectations. This contrasts with her European U23 Championships where she won silver and felt genuine pride. She reveals that her motivation often stemmed from proving people wrong, particularly a youth coach who told her she'd never make it to the Olympics.

A pivotal moment for Zuzana was her hitchhiking trip through England and Scotland at 16, which fostered her independence, ignited her desire to learn English, and broadened her worldview beyond her small hometown. She emphasizes the importance of this independence, and how she strives to pass it on to her children, encouraging them to explore and make their own choices.

After retiring from sport at 25, Zuzana found a new challenge in business, opening her first coffee shop in Canberra with her husband, Evan, 11 years ago. Despite being told they were "crazy" and had no experience, their first coffee shop, "Super Fine Coffee," is still successful today. She advises aspiring business owners to thoroughly consider the commitment required, highlighting that it's a 24/7 responsibility, not a 9-to-5 job. What makes it worthwhile for her is the opportunity to connect with people and build community, seeing her coffee shop as a hub for human connection and positive daily impact.

Zuzana's current passion revolves around her family and raising "good humans," a desire that led her and Evan to live in the Czech Republic for four years to be near her supportive family, despite Evan's "hidden agenda" of pursuing bobsledding. She views her family as "the most beautiful in the world," providing unconditional love and support. The interview concludes with a philosophical question about "who you are when no one's watching," which Zuzana answers by expressing her core desire for happiness, positivity, and ensuring the happiness of those around her, valuing connections and simple joys over material possessions.

YouTube Music Codes: TIDDQ9KH5YHSMGSI

Part 1: Early Life, Athletic Journey, and Olympic Pursuit This section covers Zuzana O'Hanlon's upbringing in the Czech Republic, describing her childhood as simple, filled with love and care, despite her parents not coming from money. She grew up in a town of 1,000 people, but was close to larger cities. Her childhood involved a lot of outdoor activity, including hiking up to 30km at seven years old, which contributed to her natural physical ability. Her father, a sporty individual who didn't have the opportunity to pursue his athletic dreams due to military service, pushed his children into sports. Zuzana started athletics at 13, trying various events and excelling as an all-rounder. She eventually became proficient in race walking, a sport she "didn't choose" but that "chose her," partly due to her natural leg shape and flexibility gained from Latina dancing.

Her journey towards professional athletics intensified when she moved to Prague at 18 for university, where she was coached by the national racewalking coach. She pursued a degree in tax and accounting, a decision influenced by her mother and practical for balancing with her training. Despite a rapid ascent, qualifying for the European Champs and almost the World Champs by her first year of university, her coach's intense, demanding, and at times "cruel" communist-bloc mentality pushed her to become a "robot" focused solely on results. This coaching style led to significant mental health challenges for Zuzana and other athletes, with some experiencing eating disorders due to the pressure to win at all costs.

YouTube Music Codes: WUCRQRUKN9JT1HTT

61/62 Evan O’Hanlon:

In this episode of Between Views, host Alec Kosky welcomes Evan O'Hanlon, a former Paralympic sprinter and bobsledder turned accessibility consultant and cafe co-owner. The episode delves into Evan's inspiring journey from being diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child to achieving global success as a Paralympic athlete, winning three gold medals in Beijing and two in London. The conversation explores his transition from athletics to bobsledding, driven by a desire for new challenges, and his current work in accessibility consulting, which combines his lived experience with disability and his landscape architecture expertise. Evan's story is one of resilience, adaptability, and finding purpose through family and meaningful work, offering listeners insights into overcoming limitations and embracing curiosity.

1. On Living with Cerebral Palsy: "I was born with cerebral palsy... If I was to walk down the street, you wouldn't know that I have anything wrong with me... I had probably perfect cerebral palsy in that my damage happened... just early enough that I was able to still have so much plasticity in my brain." This highlights Evan's mild form of cerebral palsy, diagnosed at age two, and how early intervention and brain plasticity allowed him to lead an active life with minimal visible impact.

2. On Becoming a Paralympic Athlete: "I was relatively talented as a primary school kid... A coach at high school recognized that and got me in touch with the right people... I was on a plane to compete overseas 4 or 5 months later." This underscores how a serendipitous connection with a coach led Evan to Paralympic sprinting, competing in the T-38 class and achieving early success on the world stage.

3. On the Adrenaline of Bobsledding: "It's like the adrenaline rush of sprinting times a million... You're standing at the top of the mountain... Everyone has fear in their eyes. If you're not scared, you're doing it wrong." Evan describes the intense thrill and fear of bobsledding, a sport he pursued post-athletics, highlighting the high-stakes nature of piloting a sled down an icy track.

4. On Mentorship and Coaching: "She had a very good big picture plan... If I can look after him and keep him uninjured for the next ten, 15 years, then his peak will be at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games." Evan credits his coach, Irina, for her long-term vision and detailed approach, which shaped his 20-year career and taught him to manage stress through planning.

5. On Life Lessons and Purpose: "Other people don't know what you're capable of... When someone says that you can't do something, that shouldn't be something that stops you from trying because they're generally wrong." Evan shares a core philosophy from his life, emphasizing resilience and the importance of proving doubters wrong through action and curiosity.

YouTube Music Codes:

Part 1:TYEEGDLNDJRM7CHS

Part 2: ZXMGDGXJMJJZKYTU

Between Views Podcast Episode Summary: Evan O'Hanlon Episode Overview

In this episode of Between Views, host Alec Kosky welcomes Evan O'Hanlon, a former Paralympic sprinter and bobsledder turned accessibility consultant and cafe co-owner. The episode delves into Evan's inspiring journey from being diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child to achieving global success as a Paralympic athlete, winning three gold medals in Beijing and two in London. The conversation explores his transition from athletics to bobsledding, driven by a desire for new challenges, and his current work in accessibility consulting, which combines his lived experience with disability and his landscape architecture expertise. Evan's story is one of resilience, adaptability, and finding purpose through family and meaningful work, offering listeners insights into overcoming limitations and embracing curiosity.

1. On Living with Cerebral Palsy: "I was born with cerebral palsy... If I was to walk down the street, you wouldn't know that I have anything wrong with me... I had probably perfect cerebral palsy in that my damage happened... just early enough that I was able to still have so much plasticity in my brain." This highlights Evan's mild form of cerebral palsy, diagnosed at age two, and how early intervention and brain plasticity allowed him to lead an active life with minimal visible impact.

2. On Becoming a Paralympic Athlete: "I was relatively talented as a primary school kid... A coach at high school recognized that and got me in touch with the right people... I was on a plane to compete overseas 4 or 5 months later." This underscores how a serendipitous connection with a coach led Evan to Paralympic sprinting, competing in the T-38 class and achieving early success on the world stage.

3. On the Adrenaline of Bobsledding: "It's like the adrenaline rush of sprinting times a million... You're standing at the top of the mountain... Everyone has fear in their eyes. If you're not scared, you're doing it wrong." Evan describes the intense thrill and fear of bobsledding, a sport he pursued post-athletics, highlighting the high-stakes nature of piloting a sled down an icy track.

4. On Mentorship and Coaching: "She had a very good big picture plan... If I can look after him and keep him uninjured for the next ten, 15 years, then his peak will be at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games." Evan credits his coach, Irina, for her long-term vision and detailed approach, which shaped his 20-year career and taught him to manage stress through planning.

5. On Life Lessons and Purpose: "Other people don't know what you're capable of... When someone says that you can't do something, that shouldn't be something that stops you from trying because they're generally wrong." Evan shares a core philosophy from his life, emphasizing resilience and the importance of proving doubters wrong through action and curiosity.

This episode of Between Views offers a compelling look at Evan O'Hanlon's journey from a child with cerebral palsy to a Paralympic champion and now a dedicated father and accessibility consultant. His story illustrates the power of mentorship, the value of embracing challenges, and the importance of lifelong learning and curiosity. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own potential, seek out mentors, and consider how small moments can pivot life’s direction. Tune in to Between Views for more stories of inspiration and connection!

YouTube Music Codes:

Part 1:TYEEGDLNDJRM7CHS

Part 2: ZXMGDGXJMJJZKYTU

• The first ever game of Aprender De Grandes conversation cards in English.

• What activity makes you lose track of time?

• If you don’t flow with a book it’s ok to just drop it and leave it. You don’t have to finish every book you pick up. It may not be the right time or maybe you’re not the right person.

• Book: The solitude of the prime numbers - Paolo Giordano

• Person to interview on Between Views: Derek Sivers

• Gerry would ask him : If you had to sumarize it in just a few minutes. What would you say it is that you learn doing what you do? 

• Mike Henry's question. 

• Prioritise what’s important for you. Do things that are the best use of your time and then share them. Don’t try to please others. Don’t try to disappoint them. Find something you can do relatively well and then do that and share it.

• Gerry’s question for the next guest: What do you think about while you’re brushing your teeth?

• YouTube Music License codes: 7OOFKGYURDTU7U6N

• Las historias las construimos después de vivir. es una búsqueda de como pasarlo bien. 

• “Me hace brillar la conexión con la gente.”

• Gerry ha creado una manera de hablar intencionalmente con la gente que le gusta de cosas que quiere aprender.

• La idea de corazonadas lentas.

• El rompecabezas de la vida.

• ¿Por qué coleccionar metáforas?

• Las metáforas de la inteligencia artificial.

• Hernán Casciari - La IA como nuevo lapiz.

• Mariano Sigman - La IA como un perro que aprendió a hablar. Ahora puedes hablar con el perro sin saber su idioma.

• La metáfora del IA como medio de transporte entre A y B. Ahora ha llegado el punto C. El punto C está algo más allá de nuestras posibilidades anteriores.

• Utilizando la IA para coleccionar todas las datos del podcast y poder hablar con el Agente LLM de Aprender de grandes.

• Gerry se dio cuenta de que necesitaba de inmediato un poco de ayuda con el podcast.

• Antes de pedir ayuda, tratarlo primero. Te puede ayudar a pedir la ayuda correcta de los profesionales.

• ¨Se buen cliente de la gente que te están ayudando¨

• La idea de dejar el proyecto un poco para permitirle crecer fruta y darte un poco de tiempo para sembrar semillas nuevas. 

• Consejos para los nuevos podcasters

• Haz algo que te dé satisfacción a ti. No tratan de hacer algo para satisfacer una demanda. Si vas a hacer algo porque hay una necesidad de mercado, apenas tengas la primera dificultad, lo vas a dejar.

  • El valor verdadero de la admiración.

  • ¿Vale la pena compartir todos tus aprendizajes antes de morir?

  • Cuando vendes algo es la suma cero. intercambias cosas. Cuando intercambias información o enseñas. Los dos lados lo tiene.

  • Si conseguimos 15 miembros del club Aprender de Grandes en una ciudad en Australia, viene Gerry para una caminata en el club.

  • Los idolos de Gerry:

  • Richard Feynman - Alguien infinitamente curioso.

  • Rutina - Hoy lo pensé por primera vez (Recordando las cosas que le han llegado por primera vez). Parte dos es releer estas ideas y pensamientos viejos.

  • Ser buen coleccionista de ideas.

  • La rutina de escribir un correo semanal le ha dado otro lente de ver el mundo. El lente de ideas. Sigue buscando ideas toda la semana debido a su compromiso.

  • Consejos para toda la humanidad sobre la IA

    YouTube Codes: DS1FEANWTDQP7EDF

BV58: Mike Henry: Plant Medicine, Mick Jagger & The Mike Henry Show.

Mikes Ayahuasca experience

“They say it calls you.”

“I became my 6 year old self.”

“The medicine goes in you and it finds where you’re storing your tension.”

Coming to the end of your ego road.

“When you have trauma you put a shell around yourself and you move forward in life.”

“I Processed it all and it was the first time that I actually loved myself.”

“It was the most utterly authentic experience that I could possibly imagine.”

“It just completely broadened my spectrum. It’s the opposite of watching television.”

“This body is just a series of explosions of chemical reactions and vibrations and matter and energy and it’s going to burn itself out after a while and your spirit’s going to move on..

“It’s not in my head, it’s in my heart, I understand.”

Moving the centre of your life 16 inches down from your head to your heart.

“I realised that I’d been protecting my heart for 50 years.”

When Mike met Mick Jagger.

“I needed to meditate and just breathe and be ready and be open. I just took that moment to be really aware and open and everything went great.”

Jim Carey as a role model for Mike.

Jim’ Carey’s ego Death.

How plant medicine shifted Mike’s need for drugs or alcohol.

“Weed and booze are low vibration, They bring you down.”

Mike’s podcast: The Mike Henry Show.

“I did the project to grease the wheel. I wasn’t sure of my next project. It was kind of a way for me to get my feet on the ground.” What can spark from this?

Naturally taking interest in what people create.

Ikigai.

“I think I realised that I didn’t want to get bogged down in day to day situations.” Mike realised he didn’t care so much about the operations side of podcasting.

“What I asked the medicine for was to release anything that is stopping me from spreading as much love, laughter and encouragement to the world as I possibly can.”

“I want to spread laughter, love and encouragement.” I just want people to feel good, to feel empowered, I want to broaden their spectrum, I want to decrease their blind spots, I want them to improve their own passion and energy for what it is they want to do.”

“I really don’t like what is presented to so many people as normal.”

The concept of decreasing the blind spot. A list of things that make you more aware and able to see more of the world and the truth that exists. 

“I’m just trying to raise this question: Is it really the best use of your life?”

To add more comedy: Bring in more comedians.

Mike’s comedy advice.

Advice for life: Following what you love to do (Passion) but supporting it with how can I make this happen (Logistics)

Do what you ultimately want to do but make it logistically sound.

“Make whatever plan you need to make to do the things that you love, to be free.”

Mike's question: What can you do to further that search that gives you energy and inspiration and how can you make it so that it helps other people.

YouTube License codes: RJKUQBW3HNUD7BA4

BV57: Mike Henry: A funny guy (Original voice of Cleveland Brown)