Big Brain Channel

In this episode of Around the School Table, host Steve Davis talks with Paul James, ICT Manager at St Ignatius College in Geelong—a school where technology is no longer confined to the IT office but woven through every aspect of school life. From cybersecurity to AI-driven classroom tools, James is helping reshape how schools operate, protect, and innovate. As the person responsible for all things with an electric current—from audiovisual systems to network security—James explains how artificial intelligence is creating safer, smarter learning environments. Using tools like Darktrace, the school’s network learns to recognise normal behaviour and can detect threats in real time, reducing manual monitoring and freeing up valuable time. But AI isn’t just bolstering security. James and his team are experimenting with AI platforms like Cursor and ChatGPT to solve real operational challenges. From automating learning management tasks to developing user-friendly dashboards that help educators track assessments and reporting, these tools are transforming daily processes—allowing the IT team to focus less on troubleshooting and more on creative problem-solving. The discussion also explores the human side of AI in schools. James reflects on how technology can be made more approachable by giving software personality, and how plain-English interfaces can help teachers and coordinators interact meaningfully with complex systems. The potential for AI to tailor student learning, personalise teacher insights, and even help with sustainability initiatives is also unpacked. Beyond the immediate benefits, James raises thoughtful questions about AI’s role in education equity. While the tools are widely accessible, the impact will depend on school leadership, culture, and community engagement. This conversation is a compelling look at how AI, used thoughtfully, can enhance—not replace—human connection, creativity, and care in our schools. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Around the School Table, host Steve Davis speaks with Anthony Rowe, principal of Huntingdale Primary School in Melbourne — a pioneering bilingual school where students navigate their learning in both English and Japanese from their very first day. With half the curriculum delivered in Japanese, including subjects like mathematics—the school challenges traditional education models and is achieving remarkable academic outcomes. Rowe explains that far from being a barrier, bilingual education enhances student capability, building resilience and cognitive flexibility. Mathematics, often described as a language in itself, proved the ideal entry point for the school’s 50/50 bilingual programme. The results speak for themselves: Huntingdale’s mathematics outcomes significantly outperform similar schools across Victoria, a testament to both pedagogy and perseverance. Beyond the numbers, Huntingdale fosters cultural fluency and global citizenship. With students from over 40 cultural backgrounds, the school community embraces traditions such as the Japanese Undōkai sports day, classroom rituals like bowing, and artistic exploration of Japanese masters like Yayoi Kusama and Hokusai. These daily experiences cultivate curiosity, respect, and connection. The discussion also touches on the challenges of integrating students who join in later years without Japanese language foundations, and how the school’s robust support structures—including tailored learning plans and dedicated language support—help bridge the gap. Rowe reflects on leading a bilingual teaching team, the cultural nuances that shape collaboration, and the importance of aligning language programmes with local community needs and secondary pathways. For Huntingdale graduates, bilingualism isn’t just an academic asset—it’s a springboard to future studies, global careers, and enriched worldviews. This episode is a fascinating exploration of how language, culture, and education can combine to create more than just dual fluency—they can create confident, adaptable learners ready for a complex world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Around the School Table, host Steve Davis talks with Craig Ainsworth from Westport Public School about how a modest chess program in a low socio-economic school achieved elite educational outcomes over 18 years. Far from just a lunchtime club, Craig’s program developed students’ physical control, emotional intelligence, intellectual stamina, and creative thinking—all through the game of chess. Ainsworth shares that success wasn’t about innate giftedness, but about effort and process. Using a structured approach—such as the KM-PPS framework (King safety, Material, Pawn structure, Position, Space)—students learned to handle pressure, make strategic decisions, and apply consistent critical thinking under stress. Chess became more than a game; it was a vehicle for building resilience and a growth mindset. The program had broad academic impacts, boosting students’ performance in both maths and literacy. Notably, it also shattered stereotypes: many of the top players were athletic or quiet students who, through chess, discovered untapped cognitive strengths. Craig emphasises that coaching was not passive—it required active engagement, questioning students about their decisions, and creating an environment where learning was mutual. A key to the program’s longevity was its self-sustaining culture of mentoring. Elite players trained the next cohort, creating a legacy of peer-led excellence. Even though the program paused when Craig left in 2018, its ripple effects are seen in students now pursuing high-level studies and careers. When asked why chess still matters in the age of AI, Craig affirms that machines can analyse but not create. It’s human creativity, developed through tools like chess, that remains irreplaceable. This episode is a testament to how traditional games, paired with intentional teaching, can unlock transformative educational experiences—especially in places where they’re least expected. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Around the School Table, host Steve Davis speaks with Nikki Bonus, founder of Life Skills Group and the digital platform Life Skills Go. The conversation dives deep into the intersection of emotional intelligence, student well-being, and readiness to learn—arguing that emotional regulation is foundational to academic success. Bonus explains how Life Skills Go serves as a “student-facing technology for good” by helping children identify and manage their emotions daily. Drawing on neuroscience and trauma-informed practices, the platform provides real-time data on students’ emotional states, offering teachers actionable insights without disrupting classroom learning. One example: a quick morning check-in reveals if a student is emotionally regulated and ready to learn. If not, teachers are equipped to engage with empathy rather than discipline. Central to the platform’s philosophy is the understanding that emotions aren't good or bad—they’re data. Recognising, normalising, and validating feelings like anger or worry builds self-awareness and trust. As Bonus explains, being seen—truly seen—can make all the difference in a child’s day, improving engagement and creating a sense of belonging. The discussion also touches on National Check-In Week, a post-COVID initiative that revealed how many students mask distress. Bonus argues for cultural change within schools: data on student well-being should be as critical as academic metrics. Real-world examples show how unnoticed emotional patterns can surface through data, leading to early intervention and support. The episode ends with a call to action: rather than waiting for policy shifts, schools should act now using the tools and research available. Bonus’ message is clear—emotional literacy isn’t a luxury; it’s essential for learning, and schools have the power to transform lives by prioritising it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Around the School Table, host Steve Davis visits Leigh Johnson, principal of Harkaway Primary School—a small, 150-year-old school nestled in Victoria’s scenic hills. Despite its modest size and absence from the national spotlight, Harkaway has gained international recognition for its innovative, student-centred approach to education, especially around resilience and disaster preparedness. Johnson describes Harkaway’s unique charm, rooted in deep community ties and aesthetic appeal. Many families bypass other schools to enroll there, drawn by its relational culture and meaningful learning experiences. The school’s educational philosophy is anchored in a "child-centred disaster risk reduction" manifesto developed collaboratively with students and experts. Its four pillars are: involving children in learning about risks, dismantling outdated myths, connecting students with real-world experts, and empowering them to teach peers. The school’s learning environment encourages action-based education. From participating in water quality monitoring with River Detectives to co-designing a climate education game with Indonesian schools, students engage as scientists and global citizens—not just learners. Harkaway also embraces the idea of "failing successfully." Inspired by Finland’s National Day for Failure, the school celebrates mistakes as part of the learning process, helping build student resilience and normalise the iterative nature of discovery. Johnson emphasises the value of understanding individual learners and acting on that knowledge—a principle he believes any school can adopt. The episode is a compelling portrait of how a small, rural school is pioneering meaningful, globally connected education rooted in empathy, inquiry, and agency. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strategikon is back in 2023 and we are kicking off the year with Round 5 of the Hyper Realist Bombs series. Our good friend Rhoderick Miller returns to the podcast to discuss the latest developments from the Russia / Ukraine conflict, from his hyper realist perspective. John, David and Rhoderick discuss the present state of the Russian military, including whether it's military production is struggling to keep up with the demands of the conflict, as well as the current situation in the eastern Ukraine city of Bakhmut and Russia's likely next step. They also analyse the current and future trends of the post - covid global economy, as many countries attempt to fill a manufacturing void left by China. This podcast is produced by Michael Migali for SAGE International Australia.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I talk about a feasibility cohort study which sought to determine whether a larger cohort study addressing this question would be feasible. Listen to hear some interesting preliminary findings.  Merza, E.Y., Pearson, S.J., Mallows, A.J. and Malliaras, P., 2023. The relationship between psychological, cognitive, and contextual factors and rehabilitation outcomes in Achilles tendinopathy: A prospective feasibility cohort study. Physical Therapy in Sport.Mallows, A., Jackson, J., Littlewood, C. and Debenham, J., 2020. The association of working alliance, outcome expectation, adherence and self‐efficacy with clinical outcomes for Achilles tendinopathy: A feasibility cohort study (the MAP study). Musculoskeletal Care, 18(2), pp.169-176.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have known for a while that type of exercise intervention (e.g. intensity, frequency, etc) does not seem to influence self-reported outcomes such as pain. Maybe all the benefits from exercise are explained by non-specific effects, or maybe exercise has benefits that do not depend on the type of exercise. In this episode, I discuss 3 studies that look into (at least partly) other benefits that we may see at the level of the muscle and tendon from higher-load exercise interventions.  References: Radovanović, G., Kunz, J., Bohm, S., Arampatzis, A. and Legerlotz, K., 2021. Reliable and effective novel home-based training set-up for application of an evidence-based high-loading stimulus to improve triceps surae function. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39(24), pp.2786-2795. Radovanović, G., Bohm, S., Peper, K.K., Arampatzis, A. and Legerlotz, K., 2022. Evidence-Based High-Loading Tendon Exercise for 12 Weeks Leads to Increased Tendon Stiffness and Cross-Sectional Area in Achilles Tendinopathy: A Controlled Clinical Trial. Sports Medicine-Open, 8(1), pp.1-19. Radovanović, G., Bohm, S., Arampatzis, A. and Legerlotz, K., 2023. In Achilles Tendinopathy the Symptomatic Tendon Differs from the Asymptomatic Tendon While Exercise Therapy Has Little Effect on Asymmetries—An Ancillary Analysis of Data from a Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(3),See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, I had an engaging conversation with Anthony Nasser, an up-and-coming researcher on tendinopathy who recently completed his PhD on proximal hamstring tendinopathy. Our discussion covered the reasons for the lack of research attention towards this condition, the current state of evidence, and insights from his doctoral studies. You can find the full conversation here.Here are Anthony's related publications: Nasser, A.M., Pizzari, T., Grimaldi, A., Vicenzino, B., Rio, E. and Semciw, A.I., 2021. Proximal hamstring tendinopathy; expert physiotherapists' perspectives on diagnosis, management and prevention. Physical Therapy in Sport, 48, pp.67-75. Nasser, A.M., Vicenzino, B., Grimaldi, A., Anderson, J. and Semciw, A.I., 2021. Proximal hamstring tendinopathy: a systematic review of interventions. International journal of sports physical therapy, 16(2), p.288. Nasser, A., Semciw, A., Grimaldi, A., Rio, E., Pizzari, T. and Vicenzino, B., 2022. Core outcome set development for proximal hamstring tendinopathy (COS-PHT): a study protocol. Physical Therapy Reviews, 27(4), pp.313-319.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Palpation can be useful for the diagnosis and assessment of tendinopathy, but there are limits. This is because non-painful tendons can be tender, and tenderness in painful tendons seems to be very slow to get better.  Link to Evidence for Improvement in Local but not Diffuse Pressure Pain Thresholds Following Physical Therapist Interventions for Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review Link to  Reproducibility and clinical utility of tendon palpation to detect patellar tendinopathy in young basketball playersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interesting perspective paper from Arampatzis et al talking about how we should consider tuning of muscle tendon unit in terms of muscle strength and tendon stiffness when considering training for specific groups. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watching David's career change over the course of this podcast can be a little perplexing. It might seem that a philosophy-trained academic wouldn't be that interested in marketing and communications, but these areas aren't as disjointed as they may seem. Tim and David discuss their love for communicating and how their academic interests have led to their professional pathways. If you have any thoughts or questions on how to flourish and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? get in contact with Solstice Podcasting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This talking tendons episode will discuss a study by Igor Sancho, PhD, assessing Achilles forces during common rehab exercises and habitual activities and how this relates to reported pain among runners. Some interesting implications for practice. Achilles tendon forces and pain during common rehabilitation exercises in male runners with Achilles tendinopathy. A laboratory studySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the end of 2022, David Finished his master's thesis with a High Distinction. David wrote a relatively comprehensive analysis of Inbound Marketing for his Master of Strategic Communications and pitched his writing for a professional audience while still achieving academic success. Tim and David discuss David's findings where he blended academic evidence with the professional application. This is an easy-to-understand but comprehensive introduction to inbound marketing, and David provides a reading list for you to dig deeper into what the future of marketing and sales looks like. If you have any thoughts or questions on how to flourish and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? get in contact with Solstice Podcasting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wonder what makes a mind? Philosophers have asked this question for millennia and don't have much concrete evidence to show for it. Tim asks David for his current thoughts and it turns out we now know a lot more about our brains. David can paint an interesting picture of what our conscious thoughts consist of, and why we have them. If you have any thoughts or questions on how to flourish and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? get in contact with Solstice Podcasting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David has been getting asked a lot about the plans to merge the University of Adelaide with the University of South Australia. This podcast discusses the possible negatives and the likely positives of the merger, giving a perspective the staff and university management will never admit or fail to see. There's a lot to look forward to if this merger succeeds and it's looking more likely than ever before. If you have any thoughts or questions on how to flourish and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? get in contact with Solstice Podcasting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friend of the podcast Rhoderick Miller is back on Strategikon and we find out what Rhoderick's Hyper – Realist perspective has to say about the Russia / Ukraine conflict, 10 months after it began. John and David also offer their predictions on whether Putin or Zelenskyy will come out of the war in a better position, before discussing the chances of Germany being able to right it's economy despite it's energy dependency on Russia. Finally, with 2023 set to be characterized by food and energy insecurities, John, David and Rhoderick discuss how well the European Union and African states will be able to withstand the crises. This podcast is produced by Michael Migali for SAGE International Australia  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I am discussing kinesiophobia in the context of tendon rehab and how rehab can be conceptualised as graded exposure for some people.  References 1) Physiotherapy management of Achilles tendinopathySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I talk about load test pain assessment and how this can also be used to assess kinesiophobia and movement apprehension.  References 1) Physiotherapy management of Achilles tendinopathy: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36274038/ 2) Kinesiophobia Severity Categories and Clinically Meaningful Symptom Change in Persons With Achilles Tendinopathy in a Cross-Sectional Study: Implications for Assessment and Willingness to Exercise: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35295417/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rutger Bregman says you are a decent kind human being. We agree.Humankind deserves more credit, and in this episode Luke helps us reflect on the many reasons why and what that looks like in practice. If you want to harness more positivity and more connection to others, things that are essential to flourishing, we have some insight into starting. While individuals and organisations are paralysed by the fear of things going wrong, what can be done to reduce collateral when problems inevitably arise? As Tim and David recommend books from time to time, when a new Stan McChrystal book comes out, we have to review it, and returning guest Luke brings lived experience to the discussion. If you have any thoughts, or questions, or want to how to best manifest destiny and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? Ask Tim of Whimsy Productions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Strategikon, John speaks with intelligence analyst and former British Royal Navy Officer CDRE Patrick J. Tyrrell OBE RN (RET'D), about the recent political and monarchical changes occurring within the UK. Patrick discusses how King Charles III has been settling in and whether the monarch should have skipped a generation, as well as the functional role which the Royal Family plays within UK and Commonwealth civics.   Lizz Truss has also taken over the conservative party leadership from Boris Johnson and has inherited some major strategic problems, including the war in Ukraine, growing inflation and a coming food crisis. Patrick gives his take on how PM Truss will tackle the problems facing the country, while also taking a broader look at the issues which many liberal democracies are currently having to contend with. This Podcast is Produced by Michael Migali for SAGE International Australia.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While individuals and organisations are paralysed by the fear of things going wrong, what can be done to reduce collateral when problems inevitably arise? As Tim and David recommend books from time to time, when a new Stan McChrystal book comes out, we have to review it, and returning guest Luke brings lived experience to the discussion. If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best manifest destiny and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? Ask Tim of Whimsy Productions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a deeply chaotic and introspective year, Tim comes to David with some revelations about his direction in life. David provides insights from his own metamorphosis and explains why we get hung up on incompatible representations of self. This concludes a mini-series on finding your way which included insights into the serendipity of unwelcome life changes, and a discussion about quarter-life crises.This podcast draws inspiration from David's Blog; Why do Millennials experience quarter-life crises? TELEPHONE COUNSELLING - IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE, CALL: Lifeline on 13 11 14 Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 Headspace on 1800 650 890 QLife on 1800 184 527 If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best manifest destiny and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? Ask Tim of Whimsy Productions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John is joined by the editor of Australian Foreign Affairs Magazine, Jonathan Pearlman, for a discussion about how Australia's new Albanese government will approach foreign policy. They discuss the current status of The Quad, with a focus on India's curious position within the group. How does the rising South Asian power's tradition of non-alignment affect The Quad's progress and furthermore, could India's poor human rights record affect the group's cohesion? Jonathan also explains how Australia's historically rigid approach to foreign policy and diplomacy, must become more adaptable amid the shifting power dynamics within the Asia-Pacific region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a frank conversation about quarter-life crises, Tim draws inspiration from the serendipity of unwelcome life changes. David gives insightful anecdotes to assist Tim in coming to terms with his new career trajectory, noting that there are actionable reflections to change perspectives and that this new chapter is not only defined by loss. This is a dialogue that explores the process of finding a path and making oneself and self-actualising despite the challenges of modern living.This podcast draws inspiration from David's Blog; Why do Millennials experience quarter-life crises? TELEPHONE COUNSELLING - IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE, CALL: Lifeline on 13 11 14 Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 Headspace on 1800 650 890 QLife on 1800 184 527 If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best manifest destiny and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? Ask Tim of Whimsy Productions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're a keen follower of the podcast, you may have read David's blogs available on his website; https://davidolney.com.au/. David is an excellent writer, and you even be left wanting more of his writing than is currently available. Well, David has good news for you in this announcement, and it is your job to keep him accountable! If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best manifest destiny and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? Ask Tim of Whimsy Productions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think of shortcuts, what comes to mind? Cheating? Or the premise of working smarter, not harder? Tim and David stumbled on a fascinating book by Oxford Professor of Mathematics Marcus du Sautoy called "Thinking Better: The Art of the Shortcut" which provides insight into the practice of using and finding shortcuts. In this episode David and Tim reminisce with Marcus about how Mathematics became a daunting subject they disconnected from for various reasons. But Marcus proves that mathematics is a wonderful thinking language and provides the shortcuts to get excited about it. You can find more of Marcus's work in mathematics here, and follow his newest book on bookshelves and Audible. This episode references the AI Agents Podcast featuring Marcus talking about his previous book The Creativity Code. If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best manifest destiny and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? Ask Tim of Whimsy Productions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have some fantastic fans who email us or on this special occasion, send us a gift! Scott Murphy who reached out to us via email and then spoke to us on this podcast later sent us a rather unique and special present that has earned its rightful place in the studio! If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best manifest destiny and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? Ask Tim of Whimsy Productions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Strategikon, John and David break down a recent book from geopolitical analyst Peter Zeihan, called The End of the World is Just the Beginning: Mapping the end of globalization. Zeihan predicts the unraveling of globalization as we currently know it, to a world where states / regions will have to secure their own access to food, energy and security whilst simultaneously managing climate change and aging populations. After analyzing the validity of Zeihan's thesis, John and David map out what this dark reality means for Australia's future and how key regional relationships will play a major role in helping our region evade catastrophe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a frank conversation between Tim and David, Tim explains his struggles in 2022, while David offers firm advice and explanations that broadly apply to all people experiencing the diminishing returns of hard work in the 21st century. The decline of what Australians call "the fair go" is a conversation that few are willing to have, because it is confronting to reflect on the world around you getting worse, and the rising depressions that accompany this trajectory.This podcast draws inspiration from David's Blog; Why do Millennials experience quarter-life crises? Books mentioned in this episode: The Depths, Lost Connections, and The Captive Mind. TELEPHONE COUNSELLING - IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE, CALL: Lifeline on 13 11 14 Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 Headspace on 1800 650 890 QLife on 1800 184 527 If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best manifest destiny and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? Ask Tim of Whimsy Productions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When veterans return to civilian life, the adjustment is immense, and the journey that people take from a life in the military to forging their own path in the civilian world is fascinating.Jon Duncan is a fantastic example of someone who has chosen positive growth, as well as being a wonderful guest on the show, and as such we will be dedicating a small series to his life and work, so stay tuned for future appearances. This is the second part of Jon Duncan's Story, to listen to the other parts of his story, please follow the links below: Listen to Part I. Listen to Part IV. If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best manifest destiny and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? Ask Tim of Whimsy Productions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an interesting study from the Delaware tendinopathy group among others investigating a host of structural, tissue property, functional and pain factors that may persist among people with Achilles tendinopathy making a return to running. Provides guidance to clinicians about potential impairments to consider assessing.  Here's the link to the study: Corrigan, P., Hornsby, S., Pohlig, R.T., Willy, R.W., Cortes, D.H. and Silbernagel, K.G., 2022. Tendon loading in runners with Achilles tendinopathy: Relations to pain, structure, and function during return‐to‐sport. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. Here's the link to my upcoming course series in the UK in Sept: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/mastering-lower-limb-tendinopathy-uk-sept-2022-670009See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To celebrate the release of their newest album, Tim and David speak to the frontman of Adelaide based, The Violets, to uncover what it is like to come back to a passion project after years of hibernation. Matt discusses the changes in the music industry today, the story of how the band reformed and uncovers some truths about how musicians tick. This episode features the first and final songs from The Violet's New Album, including "Sideways" to begin, and "Here I Am" to finish. The new album details can be found below:From the day they first formed in Adelaide, Australia back in 1990, The Violets were an enigma. Created from a fusion of shimmering guitar lines, sonic abstraction and an almost cinematic vision, they smashed together light and dark and made beautiful agony dance cheek-to-cheek with pretty mystery. 2022 sees The Violets continue their idiosyncratic brand of alt-rock adventure, with a new album. Smoke, Mirrors & other half-truths is another mysterious and adventurous chapter. It brings the sound of The Violets into the 21st century.  Facebook: @TheVioletsOFFICIAL Youtube: The Violets AustraliaIG: TheVioletsAustralia If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best manifest destiny and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? Ask Tim of Whimsy Productions. If you have any drink suggestions or have a great idea for a spirited conversation, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode I talk about three qualitative studies that aim to understand the patient perspective and patient motivations in Achilles tendinopathy. I find this work really helps clinicians to understand what patients are gong through so we are able to be empathic and help them. Hope you enjoy! Here's a link to courses in the UK: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/mastering-lower-limb-tendinopathy-uk-sept-2022-670009 Here are the studies: Turner, J., Malliaras, P., Goulis, J. and Mc Auliffe, S., 2020. “It's disappointing and it's pretty frustrating, because it feels like it's something that will never go away.” A qualitative study exploring individuals' beliefs and experiences of Achilles tendinopathy. PloS one, 15(5), p.e0233459. Mc Auliffe, S., Synott, A., Casey, H., Mc Creesh, K., Purtill, H. and O'Sullivan, K., 2017. Beyond the tendon: experiences and perceptions of people with persistent Achilles tendinopathy. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 29, pp.108-114. Mallows, A., Head, J., Goom, T., Malliaras, P., O'Neill, S. and Smith, B., 2021. Patient perspectives on participation in exercise-based rehabilitation for Achilles tendinopathy: A qualitative study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 56, p.102450.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back listeners, and with a small insight into our absence we bring you a meditation on being tired, or in Tim's case, stressed. David offers sound methods and micro-actions to assist in the battles against overwhelm. Rather ironically, Tim hasn't adhered to this advice and thus there's been a dearth of episodes of late, but we are back with a vengeance! If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best manifest destiny and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.com Want to work with David? Get in contact on his website. Need help with your podcast project? Ask Tim of Whimsy Productions.If you have any drink suggestions or have a great idea for a spirited conversation, contact us and send us an audio clip at timwhiffen@auscastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This paper is more than 30 years old but it is a beauty. Farley et al talk about human preferred hopping frequency and how it relates to metabolic cost and how fast muscles are contracting, and also how our instructions can influence how well people hop (and the mechanisms that drive this). Important to consider hopping instruction when assessing submaximal hopping in the clinic.  Here's a link to the paper Farley, C.T., Blickhan, R., Saito, J. and Taylor, C.R., 1991. Hopping frequency in humans: a test of how springs set stride frequency in bouncing gaits. Journal of applied physiology, 71(6), pp.2127-2132.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is so much debate about the use of steroids for tendinopathy. Opinions vary between 'you should never use steroid as will lead to recurrence, worse pain or rupture' to 'it's fine, do as much steroid as you like'. Opinions dominate as we have limited data. Until now. This is the first trial looking at 2 year outcome for exercise +/- steroid for Achilles tendinopathy. Interesting findings! Here's the link to the study: Johannsen, F., Olesen, J.L., Øhlenschläger, T.F., Lundgaard-Nielsen, M., Cullum, C.K., Jakobsen, A.S., Rathleff, M.S., Magnusson, P.S. and Kjær, M., 2022. Effect of Ultrasonography-Guided Corticosteroid Injection vs Placebo Added to Exercise Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open, 5(7), pp.e2219661-e2219661.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*This podcast was recorded prior to Ukraine vacating from Luhansk* John and David are joined once again by friend of the podcast Rhoderick Miller, who offers an update on the Russia/Ukraine war through the lens of his contrarian, hyper-realist perspective. They discuss why the Western European allies seem to have pulled back their supply of weapons to Ukraine, as well as how the military equipment supplied by the United States might match up against Russia's on their home turf. Additionally, how is Russia managing being involved in operations across the globe, including locations as far away as Central and South America, while being involved in a major conflict? Finally, what are the prospects for food and energy shortages returning to normal levels in the near future? This Podcast is Produced by Michael Migali for SAGE International Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a new and lovely to read randomised trial comparing pain science education (including lots of good biopsychosocial info) versus placebo education for Achilles tendinopathy. Some interesting findings and potential avenues for further study. Definitely worth a listen and read.  Here is a link to the actual paper:  https://journals.lww.com/pain/Abstract/9900/The_effects_of_pain_science_education_plus.122.aspxSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a new study from my PhD student, Igor Sancho. He looks at strength, psychological and other factors that may be different between health runners and runners with Achilles tendinopathy. Seated calf raise 6RM seems to be the strongest predictor of having Achilles tendinopathy. Some interesting other findings and clinical implications.  Here is a link to this paper, and Igor's other PhD papers: Sancho, I., Morrissey, D., Willy, R.W., Tayfur, A., Lascurain-Aguirrebeña, I., Barton, C. and Malliaras, P., 2022. Recreational runners with Achilles tendinopathy have clinically detectable impairments: A case-control study. Physical Therapy in Sport, 55, pp.241-247. Sancho, I., Malliaras, P., Barton, C., Willy, R.W. and Morrissey, D., 2019. Biomechanical alterations in individuals with Achilles tendinopathy during running and hopping: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Gait & posture, 73, pp.189-201. Sancho, I., Morrissey, D., Willy, R.W., Barton, C. and Malliaras, P., 2019. Education and exercise supplemented by a pain-guided hopping intervention for male recreational runners with midportion Achilles tendinopathy: a single cohort feasibility study. Physical Therapy in Sport, 40, pp.107-116. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In light of the recent meeting of 'The Quad' nations India, Japan, US and Australia, we are joined by Emeritus Professor Purnendra Jain, from the Department of Asian Studies at the University of Adelaide, who offers a timely analysis regarding India's delicate tightrope walk in keeping ongoing Russia and US relations from cancelling eachother out. Professor Jain delves into the nature of Indian foreign policy and their long standing relationship with Russia, as well as how the relationship adds to the complexity of alliance formation in the Indo - Pacific regarding the Taiwan issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode I focus on a new study from my PhD student Eman Merza. It is a cross-over randomised trial testing the effect of high and low contraction time and high and low intensity isometric contractions on acute changes to tendon volume and stiffness. Some very interesting potential insights for tendon adaptation. Good work, Eman! Hope you enjoy.  Peter Here is a link to the study (open access for a few weeks):  https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/225/10/jeb243741/275395 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.