Attention. Everyone wants yours. Your phone. Your boss. Your fridge at 11pm.

But what actually is attention? Why is it so slippery? And why do we get distracted by literally anything — except the thing we’re meant to be doing?

In this episode, we dig into the weird science of attention. We explore why your brain is wired to chase personally meaningful information, why multitasking is mostly a lie, and what attention has to do with everything from burnout to bliss.

This episode comes with no flashing lights, no pop-ups, and zero notifications (unless your phone betrays us mid-episode).

Would you rather have an electric shock right now or the chance of having one over the next day? Most people would rather take the punishment right away rather than handle the stress of a possible one.

In short, humans are often find uncertainty and unpredictability anxiety provoking. How does this play out in life and work?

Are you a humble person?

According to our guest, Professor Simon Moss, studies have revealed that humble people tend to be generous people. They offer their time, and may sacrifice their needs, to help or to encourage other individuals. But is this generosity a blessing or a curse?

Simon share with us his perspectives on a new concept 'radical humility', which is a movement to prevent narcissism and promote humility for the good of society.

Do you rage drive? What bugs you most about other drivers?

Today's podcast is about driving and the different road user behaviours that annoy us. We even get into a little bit of the ethics of AI where Nick tricks Cam into admitting he would program the AI vehicle to sacrifice the driver for the greater good. Well, not exactly but that's exactly the sort of discussions that are happening!

This podcast is stressful! 

Life is stressful! Without stress, we wouldn't grow or be challenged. But sometimes we are tipped over the edge and the stress itself becomes the challenge to overcome.

Cam and Nick discuss stress in this first podcast for 2024 including some of their strategies for managing stress.

Is your calendar full of meetings? What's the point of them anyway? Are we wasting too much of our time filling the hours with discussions rather than getting on with work?

This podcast explores what makes an effective meeting and why those irritating meetings that go nowhere are wasted effort and time.

Today we live in an age where we have greater flexibility and connectivity with our home and social lives. But we are also more connected with work with endless emails and messages intruding after hours and on the weekend.

Dr Nicholas Duck and Dr Cameron Hawker explore the toll this is taking on our mental health as well as strategies to avoid burnout and stress.

What do you do to balance your work and life?

Are you tired of feeling like your emotions are running the show? Do you want to learn how to stop crying at every cat video on the internet? Well, you're in luck, because Dr. Nicholas Duck and Dr. Cameron Hawker are here to help you navigate the confusing world of emotions.

This podcast discusses various leaders and whether we think they display emotional intelligence. What do you think about Presidents Obama and Trump? How about Bill Clinton and former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd?

Listen in for Season 4 of It's about nothing!

Cam and Nick discuss the perfect week, in Part 2 of their 'perfect' series.

What makes a good week exactly? Is it when everything goes as planned or does some surprise or issue make the week more interesting and meaningful?

What do you think a good week constitutes?

What constitutes a 'perfect day' for you? Is it one that is productive? Is it a relaxing day? How do you feel when your day doesn't go to plan?

Season 3 of It's about nothing discusses the perfect day in our three part series. Next episode will feature how to have the perfect week, then how to have the perfect year! Perfect!