In this episode Mike and Jen talk about their concerns regarding the prevalence of violence against women.

Working with elite male sport teams and coaches in the NRL, Mike is deeply committed to healthy and respectful work environments. He believes that it is time for all good men to stand together to help every man regain their pride and sense of self.

Jennifer mentions a quote from CEO of the City of Greater Geelong Ali Wastie regarding sexual harassment. Ms Wastie said, "It has been my experience that men who sexually harass women do so to boost their fragile egos and manage their own insecurities."

Mike agrees with this sentiment. He suggests that men need to be responsible for each other through his idea of 'Mate Check, Colleague Check & Stranger Check'.

Ministry of Self is a podcast where strategist Jennifer Cromarty and emotional intelligence practitioner Mike Martin talk about the importance of understanding the self, how others influence who you are and why our emotions drive everything.

"We believe that it is for all of us to think about who we really are or what we can become if we are emotionally strong and fulfilled. The gifts accorded us such as creativity, skills, beliefs, and strength are all much more enhanced when linked to our healthy emotions," Mike & Jen

In this episode Mike and Jen talk about why great ideas lose out to bad ones.

If bad ideas are agreed to, we are all implicit.

Put focus on the outcome and try and break down the idea into components. Be accountable and focus on how your energy can being expended on outcomes. Learn to use language to challenge 'bad' ideas and have courage to act for ourselves.

Jen questions the role of vulnerability with courage to deliver quality outcomes. She suggests that pushing through ideas without thought comes from a position of fear. Mike suggests that vulnerability is extremely important for your mental health and is a place of 'relaxed' thinking.

Jen and Mike also discuss about the need to be 'busy' versus focusing on quality. Think about who makes you busy. What are the external forces that make you feel 'busy'? Being 'busy' takes away energy from being more focused on quality and outcome. It will take energy away from you from day one.

Ministry of Self is a podcast where strategist Jennifer Cromarty and emotional intelligence practitioner Mike Martin talk about the importance of understanding the self, how others influence who you are and why our emotions drive everything.

"We believe that it is for all of us to think about who we really are or what we can become if we are emotionally strong and fulfilled. The gifts accorded us such as creativity, skills, beliefs, and strength are all much more enhanced when linked to our healthy emotions," Mike & Jen

In this episode Jen and Mike do a deep dive into what's happening in the workplace and the impact of leaders. This is the first in a few podcasts focusing on leadership and answer some questions that have been shared with us from our listeners.

The leadership landscape is changing. It's about care, support and guidance to encourage higher quality outcomes. This provides leaders with the opportunity to embrace diversity, inclusivity and equality to ensure that all staff are cared for and supported.

It is an equal learning opportunity for all involved regardless of their position, to work together in a safe space. Allowing leaders and staff to grow naturally in an environment of respect and encouragement will drive success for organisations and the individuals.

Leaders of today do not need to feel totally responsible for the success of their organisation.

There is now the possibility for shared responsibility through the acceptance of the need for diversity and inclusion for all. Perhaps we can now, finally, have an environment where leaders and staff can grow and achieve equally.   

Mike and Jen want to hear from their listeners with any questions they have on this topic of leadership. They will review and address these questions in the future episodes.

Ministry of Self is a podcast where strategist Jennifer Cromarty and emotional intelligence practitioner Mike Martin talk about the importance of understanding the self, how others influence who you are and why our emotions drive everything.

"We believe that it is for all of us to think about who we really are or what we can become if we are emotionally strong and fulfilled. The gifts accorded us such as creativity, skills, beliefs, and strength are all much more enhanced when linked to our healthy emotions," Mike & Jen

In this podcast Mike and Jen talk the emotional reality of sadness.

The holiday season and the new year often brings about deeper reflection and sometimes, sadness.

Mike and Jen talk about embracing sadness as a slow and deep energy. Rather than avoiding sadness, sitting still with your emotions can bring a sense of warm solitude and reflection.

They invite listeners to consider embracing the new year with an enriched view of ourselves and making 'real' resolutions.'

Mike and Jen talk about the concept of developing 'emotional fitness' to have a joyous and quiet 2024.

Ministry of Self is a podcast where strategist Jennifer Cromarty and emotional intelligence practitioner Mike Martin talk about the importance of understanding the self, how others influence who you are and why our emotions drive everything.

"We believe that it is for all of us to think about who we really are or what we can become if we are emotionally strong and fulfilled. The gifts accorded us such as creativity, skills, beliefs, and strength are all much more enhanced when linked to our healthy emotions," Mike & Jen

In this podcast Mike and Jen talk about understanding challenge and pressure and how to not allow the influence of others to dampen your natural strengths and instinct.

Mike and Jen invite you to seek out your natural gifts and bring them to life.

They chat about the impact of nature and its role in causing us to reflect and quieten the mind.

They also delve into a discussion about the role of determinism and how desire and a competitive nature can drive success.

Jennifer shares her thoughts on popstar Robbie Williams' recent documentary which highlights his journey through fame and his struggle with self. Mikes shares his views on the weight of talent and how our life is worth more than our gifts.

Mike says, "Gifts are to be shared, but they don't define you."

Ministry of Self is a podcast where strategist Jennifer Cromarty and emotional intelligence practitioner Mike Martin talk about the importance of understanding the self, how others influence who you are and why our emotions drive everything.

"We believe that it is for all of us to think about who we really are or what we can become if we are emotionally strong and fulfilled. The gifts accorded us such as creativity, skills, beliefs, and strength are all much more enhanced when linked to our healthy emotions," Mike & Jen

In this episode Mike and Jen discuss the impact of toxic behaviours in the workplace and their impact on our emotional self.

What makes a toxic workplace? What is a toxic conversation?

Mike gives some insight into potential ways to approach toxic behaviours at work. If needed, use the opportunity to build your language skills and coach people to help improve the situation. It's everyone's responsibility to dig deep and build a priority for life over work.

As Mike says: "Value yourself at life and let work fit into that."

Ministry of Self is a podcast where strategist Jennifer Cromarty and emotional intelligence practitioner Mike Martin talk about the importance of understanding the self, how others influence who you are and why our emotions drive everything.

"We believe that it is for all of us to think about who we really are or what we can become if we are emotionally strong and fulfilled. The gifts accorded us such as creativity, skills, beliefs, and strength are all much more enhanced when linked to our healthy emotions," Mike & Jen

The Ministry of Self podcast returns for a second series with Mike and Jen tackling issues of relationships in work and life as they deepen their exploration of self-development and emotional intelligence. This second series builds on the key concepts discussed in series one.

In this episode they discuss how to have assertive conversations about important things.

The term 'assertive' often conjures up a perception that a tough conversation is about to happen. This isn't always true. Assertive conversations can be controlled and respectful if we use the right language and approach.

Feeling assertive in a controlled way ensures that we remain focused on the true objective of the conversation. In this way, 'assertive' does not mean argument. Rather, we have professional interactions designed to achieve agreement between the parties involved.

Jen and Mike discuss ways to achieve this without compromising relationships.

Ministry of Self is a podcast where strategist Jennifer Cromarty and emotional intelligence practitioner Mike Martin talk about the importance of understanding the self, how others influence who you are and why our emotions drive everything.

"We believe that it is for all of us to think about who we really are or what we can become if we are emotionally strong and fulfilled. The gifts accorded us such as creativity, skills, beliefs, and strength are all much more enhanced when linked to our healthy emotions," Mike & Jen

The Ministry of Self podcast returns for a second series with Mike and Jen tackling issues of relationships in work and life as they deepen their exploration of self-development and emotional intelligence.

This second series builds on the key concepts discussed in series one.

In this episode they discuss the nature of love and friendship in relationships. What is love? Do we understand the nature of our personal relationships?

"We believe that it is for all of us to think about who we really are or what we can become if we are emotionally strong and fulfilled. The gifts accorded us such as creativity, skills, beliefs, and strength are all much more enhanced when linked to our healthy emotions," Mike & Jen

In this Epilogue to Series 1, Mike and Jen summarise the key learning from the series and interview 19-year-old Anna.

Mike discusses the idea of being mental mechanics of our minds and why it's so important to understand our creative self.

The interview with Anna’s is introduced at 22 minutes 20 seconds into this podcast.

Anna chats with Jen about how young people try and support each other and the impact of technology and social media on their sense of self and wellbeing.

Anna asks how to prepare to have an important conversation.

Mike shares a powerful message with Anna - that every young

Jen and Mike are currently recording Series 2 of Ministry of Self where they will dig deeper into some of the concepts discussed in Series 1.

Do you have a voice? Are people really listening to you?