For many people outside the Middle East the Israel Defence Force (IDF) is just the name of Israel’s army, that they hear on the TV News. But the IDF is a very different army to those of other western countries. Whilst other armies have permanent troops, Israel has an army that is staffed by people like Noam Markose. As well as being an officer in the IDF, Noam is also a company director and a father of four.

Most people talk about having a work life balance, but IDF members must balance work and life and military service.

In this episode of the Abeceder work life balance podcast Rest and Recreation Noam explains to host Michael Millward the IDF recruitment process, and what drives most Israelis to actively participate, despite the disruption to, families, careers, and the obvious dangers.

Noam explains what happened after the October 2023 attack on Israel, how hundreds of thousands of reservists were immediately called up; how he managed being in a military environment just a short drive from his family home; the impact on his young family and how he managed returning to civilian work.

The Independent Minds is Made on Zencastr, because creating on Zencastr is so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr use our offer code ABECEDER.

Thank you to the team at Matchmaker.fm for introducing me to Noam. Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

Travel

Noam is based in Jerusalem in Israel. Members of The Ultimate Travel Club travel Israel and everywhere else at trade prices. Use our offer code ABEC79 to receive a discount on club membership.

Visit Abecederfor more information about Michael Millward, and Noam Markose.

Proactive Positive Ageing.

It is always a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, that is why we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test.

York Test provides an Annual Health Test. An experienced phlebotomist will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests covering 39 different health markers are carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory.

A Personal Wellness Hub gives access your easy-to-understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle changes anytime via your secure, personal Wellness Hub account.

Visit York Test and use this discount code ABECEDER2.

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on Rest and Recreation, please contact Abeceder.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

If you have liked this episode of Rest and Recreation, please give it a like and download it. To make sure you do not miss future editions please subscribe.

Remember, the aim of all the podcasts produced by Abeceder is not to tell you what to think, but we do hope to make you think!

Thank you to you for listening.

Everyone has a book in them. For some people it is a novel, but for an increasing number of professionals it is a non-fiction book. It is not just independent professional consultants, increasing numbers of in-house professionals are writing a book.

Whilst the idea may sound very appealing, the reality is far from easy. The list of challenges that must be addressed before the presses start rolling is extensive.

Andrea Glass is a Book Coach who aims to support first time non fiction authors to overcome those challenges.

In this interesting episode of Rest and Recreation Andrea explains to host Michael Millward the processes that have helped her support over 200 first time authors.

Amongst the useful hints and tips Andrea explains her C.O.D.E. model that keeps authors focused.

Rest and Recreation is made on Zencastr. - the all-in-one podcasting platform, on which you can create your podcast in one place and then distribute it to the major platforms. It really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

Gifts From Andrea Glass - If you would like to discuss the book that you have inside you with Andrea, please visit her website to book a free 15 minute conversation.

My Fabulous First Book: A Workbook helps first-time nonfiction authors get prepared to write a fabulous first book. 

Travel - Andrea is based in San Diego. If you would like to visit California  book your travel at The Ultimate Travel Club, It’s where you will get trade prices on flights, hotels, and package holidays.

Use offer code ABEC79 to receive a discount on your membership fee.

You can find out more about both Michael Millward, and Andrea Glass at Abeceder.co.uk .

Being a Guest - be a guest on Rest and Recreation, contact us using the link at Abeceder.co.uk. We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

Proactive Positive Ageing – requires knowing your body, that’s why we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test, which tests for 39 different health markers.

You can access your easy-to-understand results and guidance via your secure, personal Wellness Hub account.

Access York Test https://www.yorktest.com/and use this discount code ABECEDER2.

Matchmaker.fm - Thank you to the team at Matchmaker.fm introducing me to Joanna. Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

Three the network - Three has the UK’s Fastest 5G Network with Unlimited Data, which means less buffering.

Use my referral code WPFNUQHU at Three for information about Three's business and personal telecom solutions.

If you have liked this episode of Rest and Recreation, please give it a like and download it. To make sure you do not miss future editions please subscribe.

Remember, the aim of all the podcasts produced by Abeceder is not to tell you what to think, but we do hope to make you think!

Thank you to you for listening.

Paul Tyer was a hobby modeller who turned a hobby into a living when he founded Peedie Models. He now lives in Orkney.

In this episode of Rest and Recreation Paul explains to Michael Millward the managing director of Abeceder and host of Rest and Recreation how he became a professional modeller.

They discuss how other people can get involved.

For more information about Paul Tyer and Peedie Models please visit his website.

If you would like to podcasting, use Zencastr. Visit their website, and use my offer code RANDR.

If you are interested in visiting the Orkney Islands the best way to arrange your travel is to become a member of The Ultimate Travel Club. Use the offer code ABEC79 for a discount on membership of The Ultimate Travel Club

Proactive Positive Ageing.

It is always a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, that is why we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test.

York Test provides an Annual Health Test. An experienced phlebotomist will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests covering 39 different health markers are carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory.

A Personal Wellness Hub gives access your easy-to-understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle changes anytime via your secure, personal Wellness Hub account.

Visit York Test https://www.yorktest.com/and use this discount code ABECEDER2.

Rest and Recreation is made on Zencastr, because Zencastr is the all-in-one podcasting platform, that really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

One of the growing trends in leisure travel is the increasing interest in slow travel.

In this episode of the Rest and Recreation, the work life balance podcast produced by Abeceder host Michael Millward meets Gemma Perry, the Holiday Fixer.

Gemma explains that the term slow travel can be interpreted in different ways by different parts of the travel industry.

They discuss what has created the interest in slow travel and how that is driving growth in the sector.

Gemma offers advice on how to select the best slow travel options for you, including when families including triple or more generational families want a slow travel experience.

Michael and Gemma also share memories of their own individual experiences of slow travel.

You will leave this podcast understanding inspired to embark on your own slow travel adventure.

Rest and Recreation is Made on Zencastr, because creating on Zencastr is so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr use our offer code ABECEDER.

Visit Abeceder for more information about Michael Millward, and Gemma Perry.

Proactive Positive Ageing.

It is always a good idea to know the risks early, so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, that is why we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test.

York Test provides an Annual Health Test. An experienced phlebotomist will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests covering 39 different health markers are carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory.

A Personal Wellness Hub gives access your easy-to-understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle changes anytime via your secure, personal Wellness Hub account.

Visit York Test and use this discount code ABECEDER2.

Tech Problems?

If you are using your smartphone to listen to The Independent Minds and experienced connection problems, you would probably like to know that Three has the UK’s fastest 5G network with unlimited data, so listening on Three means that you can wave goodbye to buffering.

Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote our referral code WPFNUQHU.

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on Rest and Recreation, please contact Abeceder.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

If you have liked this episode of Rest and Recreation, please give it a like and download it. To make sure you do not miss future editions please subscribe.

Remember, the aim of all the podcasts produced by Abeceder is not to tell you what to think, but we do hope to make you think!

Thank you to you for listening.

For every aspect of the way any and every organisation large or small operates there is a system. A way of doing things properly so that standards can be maintained, objectives achieved, and customers satisfied.

They are the result of lots of big brains and spending big budgets on lots of research and testing.

So, what would happen if you transferred those systems out of the world of work and implemented them in your wider life?

That is what Tricia Duffy, who was a management consultant did. Now Tricia who created the In Ten Years Time Philosophy is widely known as the godmother of creativity.

In this episode of the Abecederwork life balance podcast Rest and Recreation Tricia explains her journey from management consulting to living a creative life, to host Michael Millward.

Tricia explains the ups and downs of the change process, what got left behind and how life has changed for the good.

Tricia also hosts the In Ten Years Time podcast, which is available wherever you pod.

Rest and Recreation is Made on Zencastr, because creating on Zencastr is so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr use our offer code ABECEDER.

Travel

Tricia is based in London. Members of The Ultimate Travel Club travel at trade prices. Use our offer code ABEC79 to receive a discount on club membership.

Visit Abeceder for more information about Michael Millward, and Tricia Duffy.

Proactive Positive Ageing.

It is always a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, that is why we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test.

York Test provides an Annual Health Test. An experienced phlebotomist will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests covering 39 different health markers are carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory.

A Personal Wellness Hub gives access your easy-to-understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle changes anytime via your secure, personal Wellness Hub account.

Visit York Test and use this discount code ABECEDER2.

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on Rest and Recreation, please contact Abeceder.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

If you have liked this episode of Rest and Recreation, please give it a like and download it. To make sure you do not miss future editions please subscribe.

Remember, the aim of all the podcasts produced by Abeceder is not to tell you what to think, but we do hope to make you think!

Thank you to you for listening.

Tech Problems?

If you are using your smartphone to listen to The Independent Minds and experienced connection problems, you would probably like to know that Three has the UK’s fastest 5G network with unlimited data, so listening on Three means that you can wave goodbye to buffering.

Visit Threefor information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote our referral code WPFNUQHU

Milan Schwarzkopf was a hard-working IT project manager who applied his professional skills to planning his retirement. The outcome is his Amazon bestselling book, How to Live Your Best Third Act.

In this episode of the Abeceder work life balance podcast Rest and Recreation Milan Schwarzkopf explains to host Michael Millward the four essential elements of a successful retirement.

During his conversation with Michael, Milan offers listeners his plan for the first six months of retirement.

• Nutrition. Proper diet.
• Sugar – as little as possible.
• Salt - as little as possible.
• Limit or cut alcohol.
• No tobacco or nicotine.
• Exercise. Move your body every day
• Stress – learn how to manage it.
• Sun – get adequate sun exposure.
• Sleep – have enough sleep.
•  Social- build community and friendships
• Stay intellectually engaged: Don't stop learning. Read books.
• Have meaningful conversations.
• Detox Toxins. Stop getting them to your body.
• Compassion including compassion for yourself

Rest and Recreation is Made on Zencastr, because creating on Zencastr is so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr use our offer code ABECEDER.

Thank you to the team at Matchmaker.fm for introducing me to Milan. Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

Travel

Milan is based in Prague. Members of The Ultimate Travel Club travel at trade prices. Use our offer code ABEC79 to receive a discount on club membership.

Visit Abeceder for more information about Michael Millward, and Milan Schwarzkopf.

Proactive Positive Ageing. 

It is always a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, that is why we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test.

York Test provides an Annual Health Test. An experienced phlebotomist will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests covering 39 different health markers are carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory.

A Personal Wellness Hub gives access your easy-to-understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle changes anytime via your secure, personal Wellness Hub account.

Visit York Test and use this discount code ABECEDER2.

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on Rest and Recreation, please contact Abeceder.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

If you have liked this episode of Rest and Recreation, please give it a like and download it. To make sure you do not miss future editions please subscribe.

Remember, the aim of all the podcasts produced by Abeceder is not to tell you what to think, but we do hope to make you think!

Thank you to you for listening.

Carl Klein has the travel bug. Rather than simply collecting destinations Carl is an adventurer who spends time living off the usual tourist routes, immersing himself in local communities and cultures

As those communities developed confidence in him, they started to share their joys and fears with Carl. Carl learnt that one of the fears of local crafts people was that they worried that they would be the last practitioner of their craft.

The problem is that craft-based work is not as interesting to young people as an office job.

Carl decided that with access to a wider market the crafts the commercial viability and profitability of those crafts would increase. Then more young people might be interested in a craft-based career.

Carl decided that he could help by creating documentariesto share his fascination with the crafts. He also added a retail opportunity so that people who shared his enthusiasm could have unique han- crafted products in their home.

is an adventurer. Fibre art is any fine art that uses natural or synthetic fibre, fabric or yarn to create an item that can be displayed, used or worn.

Rest and Recreation is made on Zencastr because it is an all-in-one podcasting platform, that really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

Travel

Each country, region, and culture, has its own crafts. If you want to travel the world exploring craft, the best way to make your travel arrangements is by joining The Ultimate Travel Club, because that is where you will get trade prices on flights, hotels, and package holidays.

Use offer code ABEC79 to receive a discount on your membership fee.

You can find out more about both Michael Millward, and Carl Klein at Abeceder.co.uk .

Proactive Positive Ageing.

Participating in a craft has significant health benefits.

When it comes to health it’s a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, so we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test which covers 39 different health markers.

Access York Test and use this discount code ABECEDER2.

Matchmaker.fm

Thank you to the team at Matchmaker.fm introducing me to Carl. Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on Rest and Recreation, please contact us using the link at Abeceder.co.uk.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

Remember, the aim of all the podcasts produced by Abeceder is not to tell you what to think, but we do hope to make you think!

Thank you to you for listening.

This episode of Rest and Recreation is ideal listening for anyone who is interested in learning how to paint or in learning more about the creative process which guest Anjl Rodee describes as ‘Arting’.

Anjl Rodee is the founder of Brushcapades an online creative studio that hosts virtual art classes.

Anjl tells host Michael Millward that too many people believe that they cannot paint, or draw. Every person who believes this about says Anjl is wrong.

Listening to this episode of Rest and Recreation will give you a wider understanding of what it means to be creative and how to foster your own creativity.

You may create a painting tht you want to hang on the wall!

Using the links in this description may result in a referral payment being made to Abeceder.

Rest and Recreation is made on Zencastr.

Zencastr is the all-in-one podcasting platform, on which you can create your podcast in one place and then distribute it to the major platforms like Spotify, Apple, and Google. It really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER. 

Travel to Wisconsin

Anjl Rodee is based in Wisconsin USA. If you would like to visit Wisconsin, a good place to plan your travel is the Ultimate Travel Club. It is where you will get trade prices on travel including flights, and hotels.

Visit the Ultimate Travel Club and use our offer code to receive a discount on your membership fee. ABEC79

Find out more about both Michael Millward and Anjl Rodee at Abeceder.

Matchmaker.fm

Thank you to the team at Matchmaker.fm the introduction to Anjil.

If you are a podcaster looking for interesting guests or if like Anjil you have something very interesting to say Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code for a discount on membership.  MILW10

Three – the network

If you are listening to The Independent Minds on your smart phone, you may like to know that Three has the UK’s Fastest 5G Network with Unlimited Data, so listening on Three means you can wave goodbye to buffering.

Visit Three for more information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three. And the special offers available when you quote my referral code. WPFNUQHU

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on Rest and Recreation, please contact Abeceder.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

If you have liked this episode of Rest and Recreation, please give it a like and download it so that you can listen any time anywhere. 

To make sure you do not miss future editions please subscribe.

Remember, the aim of all the podcasts produced by Abeceder is not to tell you what to think, but we do hope to make you think!

Thank you for listening.

Joanna Barbollo enjoys wine, not just as an accompaniment to a meal, but exploring wine, learning about the different varieties and production techniques, and sharing what she learns.

As Joanna explains to Michael Millward there is much more to a glass wine than simply a great accompaniment to a meal. Wine has history, character and for Joanna wine can evoke memories and emotions that fuel her imagination.

Divulge D’Vino started as a collection of wine reviews that Joanna wrote for her wine blog that are now collated into a book, illustrated by her vibrant art works.

Not just a book about wine, as Joanna demonstrates by reading the first page of one chapter Divulge D’Vino is a force of creative writing that everyone can enjoy.

In this episode of Rest and Recreation Michael and Joanna discuss how Joanna discovered wine and how wine provided Joanna with an opportunity to explore her creativity and build a new social circle.

Joanna is an advocate for the sensible enjoyment of wine. For more information, please visit Drink Aware.

Rest and Recreation is made on Zencastr.

Zencastr is the all-in-one podcasting platform, on which you can create your podcast in one place and then distribute it to the major platforms. It really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

Travel to Florida

If you would like to visit Florida a good place to plan your travel is The Ultimate Travel Club, It’s where you will get trade prices on flights, hotels, and package holidays.

Use offer code ABEC79 to receive a discount on your membership fee.

As Joanna explained although Florida is now home, New York New York is where Joanna was born and bred. That makes Joanna a native New Yorker

You can find out more about both Michael Millward, and Joanna Barbolla at Abeceder.co.uk .

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on Rest and Recreation, please contact us using the link at Abeceder.co.uk.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

Matchmaker.fm

Thank you to the team at Matchmaker.fm introducing me to Joanna. Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

Three the network

Three has the UK’s Fastest 5G Network with Unlimited Data, so listening on Three means you can wave goodbye to buffering.

Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

If you have liked this episode of The Independent Minds, please give it a like and download it so that you can listen any time anywhere.

To make sure you do not miss future editions please subscribe.

Remember, the aim of all the podcasts produced by Abeceder is not to tell you what to think, but we do hope to make you think!

Thank you to you for listening.

Fibre art is any fine art that uses natural or synthetic fibre, fabric or yarn to create an item that can be displayed, used or worn.

There are says Sarazen Anyin more than fifty different fibre arts from sewing to Nålebinding.

In this episode of podcast Rest and Recreation, Sarazen describes her introduction to fibre arts with embroidery, and how that initial interest became a passion and then a career.

Michael and Sarazen explore the history of fibre arts and the evolution of the technical size of the craft.

Inspired? Sarazen explains the easy way to get started with fibre arts and how to explore the different aspects of fibre arts.

Rest and Recreation is made on Zencastr.

Zencastr is the all-in-one podcasting platform, that really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

Travel

Each country, region, and culture, has its own approach to fabric and clothing. If you wanted to travel the world exploring fabric cultures the best way to make your travel arrangements is by joining The Ultimate Travel Club, because that is where you will get trade prices on flights, hotels, and package holidays.

Use offer code ABEC79 to receive a discount on your membership fee.

You can find out more about both Michael Millward, and Sarazen Anyin at Abeceder.co.uk .

Proactive Positive Ageing.

Sarazen and Michael discuss the health and well-being benefits of fibre arts, how the rhythmic motion of the art form can help with psychological well-being.

When it comes to health it’s a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, so we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test which covers 39 different health markers.

Access York Test and use this discount code ABECEDER2.

Matchmaker.fm

Thank you to the team at Matchmaker.fm introducing me to Sarazen Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

Three the network

Wave goodbye to buffering by listening on the UK’s Fastest 5G Network with Unlimited Data, Three.

Visit Three for information about telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

If you have liked this episode of Rest and Recreation, please give it a like and download it so that you can listen any time anywhere.

To make sure you do not miss future editions please subscribe.

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on Rest and Recreation, please contact us using the link at Abeceder.co.uk.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

Remember, the aim of all the podcasts produced by Abeceder is not to tell you what to think, but we do hope to make you think!

Thank you to you for listening.