Malleable Minds - Byron Drage

Topics discussed:

Reference list: 

In the spirit of hip-hop, I’d like to kick off this podcast with a quick poem, a slick text, a brisk message for the man with a sixth sense for music.

- Trips to Europe through a discographic tour of artists, Amsterdam and farther for scarcer samples to tear apart from producers who might as well wear a marker yelling “Here is not where is awesome”. We’re with, not them.

- Instead, a philosophical lens. There is, Hilltop Hoods, the clearest of em, myriad options mirrored off with serious contests; Jehst, bliss n eso, Kerser, Big-L, Slim, they’ll take the bid like you’re near an auction, and Chillinit not one - not quite.

As if Blackwood has a magic book in the back pocket for hip-hop prospect’s to latch onto and launch off of. Music and art is like a fifth element all relevant tools relished in full effort to get others to scratch being the best off their wish list. Like stellar mental entered the set, henning on decks definitely disciplined and then in respect to innate values, sending a message that you’ll compete with the rest without needing beat on your chest.

A great day for me, a mate with a frame to see the world as a nascent region. I couldn’t agree more.

I'll leave it with this. You won’t make it to the honour role if you’re not on a roll unless you’re Henning and you’ve got a role, working at the bakery.

Enjoy!

A very casual sitting last Saturday with my brother Callum discussing his upcoming first album launch. Callum has always been a loyal creative with a very eccentric view of the world. Through this, I've found exploring his conclusions to different questions fascinating as the methods he uses to reach them may differ from mine, though we unite more often than not.

His new album 'Lonely Heart' features a range of songs and genres that capture his journey over the past 5 years. We talk about how constructing an album is more than a random assortment of songs, but rather an embodied and perhaps self-intuitive narration of an overarching story. Whether this is verbal, melodic or instrumental Callum aims to express his views honestly and with intent, though never to be taken as absolute imperatives for others to blindly accept. He is, as I said, a creative, meaning in terms of psychological personality an individual comparatively high in openness to experience. This translates to all aspects of life, demonstrated by his responses to questions about encountering conflict with others.

With old-soul morals and a new-age enthusiasm, Callum is the one you want in your corner and in this case, in your updated playlist.

Thanks for everything bro!

Topics covered:

- The journey from undergraduate to honours and the pursuit of a PhD

- Questioning the substrate of reality (materialism vs cosmic consciousness in the Aboriginal spiritual tradition)

- Stages of sleep

- The difference between sleep apnea and insomnia

- Brain waves and synchronicities

- The value of not taking yourself too seriously

I have known Josh for over a decade now and though we have never shared the closest of circles, he has always been a person with whom I have felt a great deal of respect. Josh carries with him a curious and compassionate aura that offers others in the conversation a feeling of comfort and a sense of being heard. With a dynamic conversational style, Josh has the ability to listen carefully during sensitive topics while maintaining a strong understanding and ability for contextually appropriate humour. During all our conversations I feel a sense of aspiration towards his capacity for calmness and consideration, while at the same time a sense of encouragement to share my thoughts without fear of judgement. Though only touching the surface of Josh's humble storage of knowledge, I have left the conversation with a sense of playfulness and excitement to continue life's journey of learning. I hope you can share the same enthusiasm as I do to learn more from the future Dr. Fitton in the coming years.

Topics covered:

- Business venture: pH Balance and Wellness

- The areas of physical and mental exercise for wellbeing

- Comparisons of eastern and western traditional medicine

- The mind/body connection

- The similarities and differences between yoga and pilates

- Benefits of visual imagery for memory and cultivation of a stable mind  

- A wholesome practice

- Upcoming events at pH Balance and Wellness

An extremely grateful moment today to share an hour or so talking freely with my mum, Penny. Comparing my current self to that of the person before age 16-17, I must acknowledge the pivotal influence of my learning from mum. In particular, I feel I have journeyed away from a rigidly enclosed mind, strict on the belief that caterpillars are caterpillars, and they can never be butterflies. Mum has taught me the value of patience and the worth of balance in the body and mind. I owe the majority of my child-like curiosity about the workings of the world to the foundations that mum has savoured, and sometimes laboured to offer me. She has shown an insurmountable degree of what I would call faith that has allowed me to be what I am today. All parenting is risky, but to show unrelenting, unconditional love, while dialogically guiding your children through life is a quality of immeasurable extent. 

It brings tears to my eyes to reflect on the mum I have and I hope to share many more moments like this together.

Topics Covered:

- Martial arts

- Entrepreneurship

- Forex trading

- Commodities vs currencies

- Tools of the trade

- Recognising an inner ethic

From the get-go, Tarun brought energy and enthusiasm to the initial meeting and the following conversation. Without knowing what to expect I was blown away by Tarun's ability to articulate language related to trading in an accessible format for a novice such as myself. Underneath Tarun's humility, I sensed a passionate individual inspired to play an active and collaborative role in the world. Very few individuals who invest time and money into trading are able to restrain their ego, adjust their language and remain patient for others to learn. Tarun does not have this problem, his broad smile evoked a radiance in me while listening. I can say I was pleasantly surprised at such a rich conversation in which time flew by. 

Let us know what you think of the episode!

Topics covered:

- The process of becoming a professional fighter

- Mental flexibility and learning

- The distinction between the feeling and thinking modes of being

- Conceptions of the higher or true 'Self'

- Spirituality and the comparison between Buddhism and Christianity (maternal and paternal spirits)

- Free will and loss of agency

- Hypnotherapy and some of its applications

Ben is a professional fighter in Muay Thai and has won national titles despite starting later than many who compete at a professional level. Utilising honesty and compassion, Ben approaches life by balancing the recognition and requirement of self-worth, against the drive to exceed the limits. Many may satisfy one of these two domains to a beneficial degree, however, Ben shows courage, humility as well as a ready sense of humour to navigate the expanse of human experience. 

To say I cherished this conversation is to drastically understate the value I derived. In the one life I am gifted in this body, it is an honour to explore the mind with someone of Ben's calibre. For Ben to have said that he appreciated the conversation also acts to sculpt away exposed rock from my personality that has covered for deep loneliness, something I have encountered across different stages of my life so far. I am reminded of my worth by recognising it in others. I am thankful to Ben in addition for being patient through some technical difficulties. I have done the best I can to minimise their effects on the overall listening experience. 

Until next time!

Topics covered:

- Hacking and the culture of computing

- Consciousness

- ChatGPT

- Software development

- Hardware vs Software

- Artificial intelligence

- Physics and the Big Bang 

- The schooling system

- Self-guided/practical learning vs theoretical study

Tovi is a software developer with a vast stretch of knowledge across the world of computing. With intelligence at hand, Tovi is attentive to the intricacies of philosophical discussion with a curious mind for topics of deepest complexity and contemporary relevance. I cannot express enough my gratitude for the opportunity to share with and learn from someone I consider a true friend. 

I hope you all get something out of this and as always, please follow your curiosities and ask/comment on anything that stands out to you. 

Topics covered:

- Definition and uses of Chat GPT

- Noam Chomsky: The language acquisition device and universal grammar

- Genie Wiley and critical periods of language development

References:

What is Noam Chomsky Psychology?

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/psychologists/what-is-noam-chomsky-psychology/

The Story of Genie Wiley

https://www.verywellmind.com/genie-the-story-of-the-wild-child-2795241

The Guardian Newspaper: Microsoft reportedly to add ChatGPT to Bing search engine

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jan/05/microsoft-chatgpt-bing-search-engine

Education Week: What is ChatGPT and How Is It Used in Education?

https://www.edweek.org/technology/what-is-chatgpt-and-how-is-it-used-in-education/2023/01

John Vervake 'Awakening from the meaning crisis'

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

Questions covered:

- Vaping

- New Years resolution

- Living in the solar system

and many more!