The Hidden Why Podcast

Clumps of rice grass close to harvest topple after a night of heavy rain. The additional weight of the rain is too much to hold. When they topple, like a domino effect, they push over the rice clump next to it and so on a so forth.

If in life we align ourselves too closely with our neighbour, with our friends, with the status quo, could the weight of one man’s trouble cause a rippling effect to others? That is my thought shared in this episode.

Geoff Colvin is an award-winning thinker, author, broadcaster, and speaker on today's most significant trends in business. As a longtime editor and columnist for FORTUNE, he has become one of America's sharpest and most respected commentators on leadership, globalization, wealth creation, the infotech revolution, and related issues.

In this episode we discuss two of Geoff's popular books including his newest book, Humans Are Underrated: What High Achievers Know That Brilliant Machines Never Will. Amid rising anxiety over the advance of technology and its effects on human workers, we discuss the future of humans and how we can remain valuable.

Our conversation begins with his former bestseller, Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers From Everybody Else, discussing the truths behind peak performance, ironing out the myths of innate talent, and sharing insights in how we can all develop peak performance by understanding the deliberate practice. An amazing interview and well worth a listen.

"I like to challenge myself. I like to learn - so I like to try new things and try to keep growing." David Schwimmer

I recently set myself a swimming challenge. I wanted to see how much I could improve my time to swim a 1500 meter sprint. The goal is to get under the first ever world record set by Henry Taylor back in 1908 of 22:48. The current best time is held by Sun Tang at 14:31 which is absolutely ridiculous.

A few months ago when starting out I managed to do it in 26:30 - I had some work cut out for myself. Within a few months, I managed to do it in 23:30. I still have work to do and it will be a challenge to get it under the 22:48, but I am close.

Anyway, this isn't to gloat but rather to inspire. In this episode, I share my thoughts on why it's good to challenge ourselves in life. It makes us feel good when we challenge ourselves regardless if we don't quite accomplish what we set out to achieve or if we exceed it. It also can help us improve in other areas of our life.

Please have a listen.

In this episode, I chat with Ira Israel, the author of How to Survive Your Childhood Now that You’re an Adult. It's an inspiring and an all-encompassing conversation about how to live a meaningful life. We talk about how in raising consciousness and awareness we can move into a life of authenticity. The key to overcoming anxiety and depression and moving towards a deeper sense of happiness. It really is an exiting discussion that will inspire thought and action.

Ira is a licensed marriage and family therapist and professional clinical counsellor, Ira graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and holds advanced degrees in psychology, philosophy, and religious studies. His DVD series, including A Beginners Guide to Happiness and Mindfulness for Depression, along with his sold-out Esalen workshops, have given him a wide international following. He lives in Santa Monica, California, and you can visit him online at http://www.iraisrael.com.

Doubt: a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.

In this book – Merchants of Doubt, the authors go bravely into territory that many have not dared. They attack vital leaders, scientist and people of influence that have in their time very successfully created doubt among the public. Even in spite of hard scientific evidence and basic common sense. This book places those “Merchants of Doubt” in the spotlight.

Read or listen to my full review here.

"Perspective is the way we see things when we look at them from a certain distance, and it allows us to appreciate their true value." Rafael Pino

When you take a photo, and the image you see is blurry, it is necessary to adjust the focus. It is better to zoom out then to zoom in and once you do the image becomes clear again, and at that time you can begin to zoom back in for closer visuals.

In life, when things are not going as planned, when there is a pain or when the world feels as though it’s against you, crumbling down, we must practice and learn to adjust our perspectives.

When trapped by the walls of the moment that surround us it is difficult to see the bigger picture. It can feel impossible to escape. But we need to remember that nothing remains – this moment too shall pass.

It seems that is the design of the modern world. To keep us insecure. To trap us into conditions that we too often do not enjoy. We have become disconnected from the universe at large, the 'why' of our existence, the spiritual world.

Zoom out. Visualise the bigger picture. Ask yourself – “Why does this matter?” In doing so, we may better understand that what brings us dissatisfaction and unease of the moment are not all that important and maybe not even that real. And then we gain clarity and focus. And then we can see again.

Description:

Peter Shankman is a spectacular example of what happens when you merge the power of pure creativity with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a dose of adventure and make it work to your advantage. An author, entrepreneur and corporate keynote speaker, this “worldwide connector” is recognized worldwide for radically new ways of thinking about customer service, social media, PR, marketing, advertising, and ADHD.

Peter Shankman is a busy guy and he always seems to have more than 24 hours in a day. How does he do it?

Peter attributes his unusually high energy level and extreme productivity to his ADHD. In his new book Faster Than Normal: Turbocharge Your Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain, Shankman shares his hard-won insights and daily hacks for making ADHD a secret weapon for living a full and deeply satisfying life.

"Let death be what takes us, not lack of imagination." BJ Miller.

I listened to this TED talk by BJ Miller a while back and had recently watched it again. It has an essential message about death and the process of dying as it relates to living life more fully.

It’s not a topic we often discuss nor is it a subject that we contemplate regularly. In this interview, BJ said, "We cannot solve for death, yet, but we can design for it."

He goes on to suggest that it is not death that we fear but the suffering or process of dying. The critical component is then not avoidance, because we cannot escape death, but instead lifestyle design.

In this episode, I explore my thoughts on this subject and why I think it’s one we should encourage more thought and conversation.

In this episode, I chat with Natalie Ard - entrepreneur, a small business owner, creator of books and games for children, author and Illustrator, and believer. She’s also a wife and a mother to three! Natalie Ard helps break down the “big subject” of life and faith for kids through fun games, books and toys.

As a driven entrepreneur having built the Star From Afar Kids company, I speak to Natalie about the entrepreneurial lessons she's learnt along the way. Including why following your purpose is beneficial and how to build a business from nothing. We also discuss the importance of and how to inspire children to play with a purpose.

This is an inspiring conversation for mums looking to start their own business but equally valuable for anyone wishing to turn passion and purpose into a dream lifestyle.

Description:“To enjoy life, you don't need fancy nonsense, but you do need to control your time and realize that most things just aren't as serious as you make them out to be.” Timothy Ferriss

My review of the Tim Ferris Show - Podcast review. Best-selling author, angel investor, entrepreneur, experimenter, and lifestyle guy. Can teach us a heck of a lot himself and even more from the vast array of guest interviews and most of all inspires, educates and assists us to become greater learners.

Guests Tim interviews are the best of the best and indeed a mixed bag. From celebrities such as Jamie Fox, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tony Robins, king-pin entrepreneur’s, recently Sir Richard Branson, to grandmaster chess players, poker players, people who specialise in the fields of neuroscience, physical fitness and mindfulness and everything in-between.