Talking Cod: a survivor’s guide to middle age

Talking Cod: a survivor’s guide to middle age

By Phil Birchenall, David Eccles, Andy HallSociety & CultureHealth & FitnessMental HealthPersonal Journals
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Talking Cod: a survivor’s guide to middle age episodes

  • Habits, Routines, and Isms: The Autopilots That Keep Us Sane?

    As creatures of habit, our lives are profoundly shaped by the patterns of behaviour we repeat daily, often subconsciously. 


    Left sock before right? Is it a coffee or a run before engaging the brain?


    In the latest episode of Talking Cod, Dave, Phil and Andy talk about the routines that keep us sane. Or just about.


    How do we create habits that propel us forward? What role do our daily routines play in overall success and happiness? And just how flexible are we in the face of established patterns?


    As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].

    53 min
  • Diving into Failure: Stumbling Blocks or Stepping Stones?

    In our latest episode of Talking Cod, we turn the spotlight onto a topic many avoid - failure. Join Phil, Dave, and Andy as they dissect the concept of failure, examining it not as a final destination, but as an essential part of our journey towards success.

    Failure can be a tough pill to swallow, but it's often in our lowest moments that we learn the most valuable lessons. How do we redefine failure? How can we transform our perspective to view setbacks as opportunities for growth? And perhaps most importantly, how do we bounce back after a fall?

    As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].

    1 hr 2 min
  • Beyond the Classroom: Steve Hill MBE's Inspiring - and Bonkers - Adventures

    In the latest episode of Talking Cod, Andy and Phil welcome Steve Hill MBE, an inspiring teacher who embarks on jaw-dropping adventures for charity. From scaling mountain peaks to traversing deserts and jungles, Steve continually pushes his limits. Join us as we dive into his reasons for taking on these challenges, how he inspires his students to get involved, and the source of his unwavering motivation.


    As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].

    For more detail on Steve's insane challenges, head over to his website. Or to buy his book, click here. 


    1 hr 10 min
  • The Big AI Chat: Is AI about to change our lives forever?

    In the latest Talking Cod, Phil, Dave, and Andy talk AI. Phil already seems to have replaced himself with an AI avatar, so we're not entirely sure if he's on this episode or not. But with ChatGPT-4 being so omnipresent at the time of recording, we figured it was time to explore what this means for work, life, and everything else. And as we venture further into this rapidly advancing frontier, the question remains: are we embracing a brighter future or stepping into uncharted territory that we don't fully comprehend? As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].

    59 min
  • Taking Off the Mask: Finding Our Authentic Selves with The Perception Coach

    In our latest episode, Phil, Dave, and Andy are joined by Jon Prince, a former Pro Poker Player turned fully Accredited Mindset Coach and Mentor, also known as The Perception Coach.

    We dive into how the personas we project sometimes don't align with who we truly are inside. Jon shares his mission to help people discover their authentic selves, reach their full potential, and achieve what they genuinely desire. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation, which will leave you contemplating the masks you wear and how to align your inner truth with your outer persona.

    To learn more about Jon's work, visit his website www.theperceptioncoach.com, and follow him on social media @theperceptioncoach.

    As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share, and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].

    Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9050290

    56 min
  • Running up that hill: and down it again. Author Richard Askwith.

    In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Richard Askwith, one of Andy's favourite authors and a renowned fell running expert, about staying active as we age, the benefits and drawbacks of competitiveness, and the joys of running with others. Richard also shares fascinating stories about his experiences as an author, including completing the Bob Graham Round and becoming an international Masters athlete.


    If you're interested in running, becoming an author, middle-aged guys 'Talking Cod,' or want inspiration to stay active and young at heart, this episode is for you. 


    Richard's latest book, "Race Against Time," is a must-read, and you can find it on Amazon and other good book (and running) shops. Alternatively, you can listen to it on Audible.


    As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].

    1 hr 13 min
  • Regrets? No, but we've had a few...

    Regret. 


    Now that’s a big word. 


    We regret split second decisions and laboured choices, sometimes in equal doses. Can you really regret course of action A - however much you hated it at the time - when it ultimately brought you to outcome B? 


    Dave, Phil and Andy explore their own regrets, the things they’d change, and the things they wouldn’t change, even if they wanted to. 


    If you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].

    51 min
  • Touched by the Hand of Cod: Tom Chapman, New Order
    We talk about success a lot on the show, but everyone has a completely different interpretation of what that means.
    So how does it feel when you find yourself stood on a stage in Brazil, about to play bass in front of 30,000 music fans? And what does success look once you’ve hit those heady heights?
    For our latest episode, we speak to Tom Chapman, bassist and songwriter with Manchester music legends and recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees, the mighty New Order. We talk about graft, fame, giving back, and going back Tom’s roots through his other band, Sea Fever.
    An awesome chat.
    If you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].
    51 min
  • Perfect? Or good enough?
    Many of us constantly judge ourselves by our own high standards, but does everything have to be 100% all of the time?
    How do we define 'perfect' in a consumer-driven world where perfection is never really attained? There's always a newer, shinier thing coming down the line...
    And would life have been simpler if Fairground Attraction hadn't thrown down this particular gauntlet in 1988?
    If you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].
    56 min
  • Faith and Hope: how a terrible tragedy transformed a community
    In one of our most profound episodes, we explore faith with Rev Nick Bundock, team rector at St James & Emmanuel in Manchester: a church rocked by tragedy in 2014 following the suicide of a young congregation member, Lizzie Lowe.
    Nick explains why St James & Emmanuel had to change after Lizzie’s death and the work he now does in championing a fully inclusive approach to religion. And we get to discuss our opinions on faith and spirituality and get some powerful insights into grief.
    If you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].
    51 min

About Talking Cod: a survivor’s guide to middle age

From the publisher's feed

Three northern blokes talk about midlife and growing old disgracefully: the kind of things you want to say, but rarely ever do.