This week, we are unveiling two blokes demonstrating that age counts for very little when it comes to commitment to fitness, and sporting competition. Jeff Wall and Ross Taylor have been surf lifeguards and masters of the paddleboard for many years now. Jeff even worked as a lifeguard back when the original rescue buoys were in use, so both gentlemen have thoroughly witnessed and participated within the transformation and adaption of surf lifesaving transform, including incorporation of new rescue devices, such as the modern rescue paddleboard. Now the paddleboard (not to be confused with a standup paddleboard) has evolved into a sport of its own. Jeff and Ross, well into their seventies, are still competing in, and dominating, the Australian and international masters’ circuit. I’ve witnessed their prowess on the paddleboard firsthand, and believe me that their knowledge, nous and skills in the surf are immensely impressive.

During the podcast, we talk about their competitive and surf lifesaving history, including their approaches to fitness and leisure at age. We discuss their vast knowledge of the surf and the history of surf lifesaving, and then address the topic of safety in the surf, particularly coming into another Australian summer which, if trends persist, may record another increase in coastal drownings. When its comes to successful training and competition in the surf, we discuss fitness versus technique and experience (and why buff, gym-going gentlemen tend to struggle their first time on a paddleboard). Finally, we wrap up with naming Ross’s lookalike.

Fittingly, as we recorded this episode from Thirroul Surf Club, our background noise is the sound of some calming waves. Enjoy everyone!

Today we are unveiling the super cool duo, Taylor and Ben, who’ve founded Clean Up Wollongong, and we’re releasing the episode on a tight turnaround for a seriously awesome reason! Tomorrow, 9am on the 28th of November, Clean Up Wollongong will be meeting at North Wollongong Beach for their final cleanup effort of the year.

During a classic romantic walk on one of Wollongong’s many beautiful beaches, Ben and Taylor saw a green plastic bag and, in place of what others may have done, they decided to pick it up and take it with them. However, when they saw another piece of rubbish, and another, they knew a larger problem existed. But they weren’t disheartened; instead, they founded a community movement, @cleanupwollongong , and began pacing the local coastline with the intent of returning it to its usual pristine self.

During the podcast, we delved into their background stories, including Taylor’s perspective as a proud Indigenous Australian. We addressed the issue of the growing litter problem, and discussed some practical tactics for reducing household waste. We also talked about how people can be contribute to their cause (come to the cleanup tomorrow!) and the importance of community involvement in their program.

Enjoy!

Today, we are unveiling a compassionate team focussed on a vital issue. Ishith, Gabriella and Michael are founding members of the Baby Heart Foundation, a charity with the mission of raising awareness and funds for treatment of congenital heart disease (CHD); specifically, CHD in infants. CHD is a condition that develops before birth and affects approximately one percent of the population. Its cause is largely unknown and treatment, in the form of open heart surgery, often needs to begin just moments after birth.

The team at @babyheartfoundation are doing their absolute best to not only make us aware of the disease, but also inform those suffering of the supportive community that exists for them.

We spoke about Ishith’s personal journey with CHD, and how it inspired the inception of Baby Heart Foundation. We addressed the specifics of CHD, including its prevalence and severity, and what it takes to not only treat the disease, but also live with it into adulthood. We discussed the mission and fundraising goals of Baby Heart Foundation, and how you can support them. Finally, the team shared some stories of their proud CHD warriors; the indomitable souls who are living through their condition and hardships, but showing that they refuse to let it get the best of them.

Our chat was sobering, but enlightening and inspiring. It always makes me feel better knowing that there are people out there, like Ishith, Gabriella and Michael, who are going above and beyond for such a noble cause. 

This week, we are unveiling the founder of Blue Cradle NZ, James Nikitine.

James is an oceanic conservationist, communicator and policy advisor who is seeking to bring the reality of marine welfare to the forefront of our collective minds. During the COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand, James brought Blue Cradle to life; a solutions focussed organisation which aims to enable a regenerative, sustainable blue economy through collaborative research, education and communication.

We spoke about a great deal of topics, and we could have spoken about so many more! There might be a podcast part 2 in the future…

We clarified what the term ‘ocean literacy’ means and how it is a fundamental value that underpins Blue Cradle’s operations.

We addressed Indigenous connection the ocean and what colonised countries can learn from this. 

From an operational perspective, we spoke about Blue Cradle’s pilot program (working with penguins!), the work behind finding and equipping a research vessel, and other steps in getting an organisation such as this off the ground.

We also play with some fun ideas, and outline why they may not be as outlandish as you would think; living under the ocean Atlantis style, and renaming our planet from ‘Earth’ to ‘Ocean’, for example.

Enjoy!

This week, we are unveiling Fi and Dylan from the urban farming organisation, Cultivate Christchurch.
Cultivate has three farms located around the Christchurch metropolitan area, one of which is smack bang in the middle of the city. Cultivate also has a keen focus on supporting youth employment, development and empowerment. Fi, with a background in youth development, has formulated an internship program and tailors it to the needs of local young workers. During their time at cultivate, the interns not only learn handy technical skills, but are also provided with employment coaching and career counselling. The goal is to equip them with the confidence and competence to pursue a chosen career or further vocational training with independence, but not necessarily in isolation. During this episode, we discuss the advantages to farming in urban spaces and why such an operation is healthy for community knowledge and wellbeing. We then discuss Cultivate's focus on youth employment, and interlace the discussion with some practical tips for accommodating and nurturing some more veggies in your diet and household.
Enjoy!

This week, we're (re)unveiling the adventurous, ambitious and down to earth Blue Rower, Isaac Giesen.
On the podcast, recorded in the back of Eddie the cranky old van, we discussed Isaac's incredible rowing feats, and the purpose behind them. Isaac is the first Kiwi to have rowed the Atlantic Ocean solo, and the first person in the Southern Hemisphere to have rowed an ocean twice in a calendar year. He completed these feats in order to raise awareness, and funds, for positive mental health causes; i.e., the 'Blue' Rower.
Isaac is now touring the region, delivering presentations to community groups and schools on his approach to positive mental wellbeing. Having lost relatives and friends to suicide, and suffering from PTSD and depression himself, Isaac acutely understands the need of psychological support, and the particulars of developing a healthy routine. In line with this, Isaac has formulated his own eight step process, and we discuss this on the podcast. We also discuss the realities of his journeys, and the ambitious adventures he has planned for the future. 

This week, we are unveiling the wonderful partnership behind Unchatter Global, Natasha and Hassan. Unchatter is an organisation with one important and overarching purpose: helping people connect, hopefully on a deep and meaningful level. During this episode, we speak about the fraying of connections in society and why that may be occurring. We speak about the structure of Unchatter events and the types of activities used to promote connection with total strangers. We also address the gendered nature of relationship building and how we can be more present in the lives of those whom are truly important to us. Natasha even closes us out with a beautiful poem by John O'Donohue.
Enjoy!

This week, we are unveiling judokan couple and Commonwealth Games medalists Moira de Villiers and Jason Kosta. Moira and Jason joined us on the podcast to discuss what life as Olympic level athletes/competitors looks like; what it demands of your body, spirit and mind, and how it can take its toll.
We also spoke about the intricacies and practicality of judo as a martial art, and the positive impact of becoming parents during their competitive journeys. Finally, we spoke about how their reliance on each other as partner-coaches has added an intriguing, yet rewarding element to their relationship.
Ambitious by nature, Moira and Jason provided some wonderful insight into harnessing that drive for success to ensure it leads you towards your goals, whilst doing your best to avoid burnout and disappointment.
It was a pleasure speaking to them!

Unveiling adventure athlete, artist and children' book author, Emma Timmis.
Emma is this week's guest on the How Good Are Humans podcast. Emma has an awesome story, made up of many unexpected twists and turns. As an adventure athlete, Emma has completed a number of journeys that not only vary by location and discipline, but also by their levels of quirkiness. Included among them are two cross-continent runs in Africa, a roller skating journey in the Netherlands, and an ElliptiGo adventure across Australia. Her journeys typically go for months at a time, and she completes them not only for personal achievement, but also to raise awareness for charities and social causes along the way. After suffering an injurious setback, Emma has had to leverage different skills in order to exercise and satiate her ambitious psyche. As a talented artist, she has taken up the challenge of illustrating, authoring and starring in her own book for children; her goal is to inspire them to fulfil their potential and believe that they can chase after their dreams.
Among these topics, we talk about the practical and logistical nature to her adventures, and she shares some funny anecdotes as we go. We also speak about how her injury has not only impeded her physically, but also impinged upon her mental wellbeing also.
Emma is funny, energetic and thoughtful, and was a lot of fun to speak with. We hope you enjoy this episode!

There are so many exciting things about this week's episode of How Good Are Humans!
Firstly, we unveil and speak to the wise and enchanting, Christchurch based musician/sound-weaver, Jake Kīanō Skinner. We chatted about his journey from thrash-metal guitarist to multi-instrumentalist and sound looper, as his creative passion is producing melodic, nature-inspired sound environments to help people connect with their contemplative selves. Being a new father, we also discuss how he is creatively inspired by his little girl, and how our imagination should be a reflection of our childlike selves. He also plays a couple of tunes for us on a few of his own idiosyncratic instruments.
Also, this week I am adeptly assisted by my new podcasting intro partner, the vivacious and ever so excitable Rachel from the UK! Rach is going to join me each week to discuss the podcast guests.
Lastly, we finally have a musical intro/outro, wonderfully provided by Jake Skinner himself. 'Around the Fire', part of his Autumn Journeys EP, was created during New Zealand's COVID-19 lockdown. Find this tune, and others by Jake, on Spotify (Jake Kiano Skinner).