Off The Lead

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I love the idea of people who have listened to my conversations {or that have just heard that I'm doing podcasts} and then deciding to reach out to me asking to come on. However, this practically never happens, ever.So bareing this in mind I was bowled over when Aidan text me explaining that he had a stammer and thought that it would be a great challenge for him to come on. What a legend!We all suffer some form of anxiety around speaking publicly and can only imagine that this is masssively ramped up when you have any kind of speech impediment. Aidan on the other hand had the balls to bite the bullet and I'm delighted he did.We talk about how and when his stammer is triggered, cover some of the tricks he developed along the way to deal with it and have a genuine conversation about how he has sought help and how he has to a large degree overcome it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Endurance athlete Graham Macken joins me again to walk us through his most recent epic challange, a 5,000km coast to coast 'Race Across America' or Raam for short, otherwise known as the toughest race in the world.We talk death, psychedelics, near death experiences, depression, mortality, Rhabdomyolosis, sleeping in dodgey motels and a whole lot more.We also cover his hallucinations during the race and what they might mean and also delve into the realitites of cycling non stop from coast to coast, from how he was burning 22,000 calories a day {not a misprint} to forgetting who and where he was and what he was doing.In short, Graham is a bonifide mad bastard. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Instead of doing a 'season in review' episode I decided to have a think about what's next and do what I can to exorcise some ideas that have been rattling around the auld head.I'm also completely starved of conversation around the types of topics that I tend to talk about on the solos so if this is something you might be interested in (for publication or otherwise) let me know on imoffthelead@gmail.com It's been emotional! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The thumbnail that accompanies this episode (@offtheleadofficial on Instagram) is a graph depicting someone's weight loss. I use this graph as an analogy for visualisations generally.I also speak of the importance of volume when it comes to creative output. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I finally added a girl to my list of boyfriends!'Human centric' viewpoints, the autistic spectrum, real world applications, jiu jitsu, taeqwondo, sharks, bears and antidepressants, just your usual 15 or so minutes of madness. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I begin by explaining how a sneeze just happens and 'you' are just along for the ride as it takes place. Which reminds me of when I left a puddle of tears on the floor of Drogheda A&E. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today's episode is essentially an attempt to organise what's bubbling around the old noggin.I cover the physiological, psychological, behavioural, turmeric, placebo, attention, multitasking, consciousness, Pat Macnamara, Terence Mckenna, cultural, natural, spiritual, cortisol, hemispheric specialisation and William Shakespear. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Don't underestimate the extent to which we create our own realities, outside of objective facts. The stories we tell ourselves (and others) are of the utmost importance, how we frame our experiences is of the utmost importance, the 'labels' and language we use are of the utmost importance.I get into my social media use and reframe the trinity of 'Body, Mind and Soul' from the perspective of 'nourishment'. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

By viewing my current conundrum from a few different perspectives I feel like I've inched closer to knowing what my next steps are in relation to the whole Off The Lead 'thing' and by proximity if nothing else, my own next steps personally. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I open this episode with a quote from one of my boyfriends, a guy that's been hugely influential on my life, Jordan Peterson. The episode is essentially about defining your terms for success and managing your motivation to achieve said goals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I start off by talking about visualisations and end up with somewhat of a dilemma. In some sense it's as though I'm tirelessly striving to become something but I haven't yet identified exactly what that 'something' is.Food for thought! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I give myself a bit of a pat on the head in this episode (something I'm not exactly prone to do) and appreciate the feeling of (to some small degree at least) that I might be on to something. I also flesh out a little more of Ian Mcgilchrists viewpoint that we have become 'left brain dominant' in our modern world. Or to use my own terminology, "soulless". See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This is an episode whereby I try and outline the difficulty I have in determining which words to use in relation to 'the soul' and 'the mind'.I mention a landmark case that blew open our understanding of how the brain functions and how we can literally have 2 separate and independent consciousnessess. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode should probably come with the trigger warning of, "if you're black, autistic or German then brace yourself".Having endlessly used the words soul, ego, mind, spirit etc, what has come out of the wash of this episode is the idea that I should probably work towards concretising them and picking words that best describe what I'm talking about once and for all. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Much is made of the idea that we are products of our enviornment. This episode is an exploration of the idea that not only can you change your enviornment, but you can also create it.And in keeping with the idea of creating an enviornment, would anybody have any interest in a live version of an Off The Lead solo podcast? A live version of an Off The Lead conversation? Or perhaps just a meet and greet of people who are into this sort of thing? If so, do let me know by reaching out to me on Facebook, Instagram or via email mckeown.francis@gmail.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a previous episode I feel as though I may have demoted the body to a container and this episode is an effort to clarify my thoughts on the roles of all 3 compoment parts of us, namely Mind Body and Soul. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Having spoken about how fame has been corrupted I now make the analogy that our politics have suffered the same fate. The principle has remained the same, those in power are serving those who put them there, but increasingly it's corporate interests that have put the politicians in place and therefore it's corporate interests that our politicians now serve. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I MISPOKE IN THIS EPISODE; I said that the way music effects us on an emotional level is a perversion of 'real' soulful experiences. I meant 'manufactured music'. The kind of music that is created by industry experts, unlike music that is created by genuine artists, which absolutely 'is' soulful and not in any way a perversion of anything.This episode is essentially about how 'industry heads' have hijacked our 'psychological machinery'.They've figured out what induces soulful experiences in us and have tailor made products to exploit our souls for profit, and at the expense of everyone and everything. Whilst doing it with the clearest of conscience because they themselves have been tarnished by their own actions. Tarnished to the point of being entirely self serving. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I've spoken a lot before about the distinction between our ego and our soul and today I explore the idea that there is a container that encapsulates both, our body, our 'meat vehicle'.'Mind, body and soul', a trinity if you will. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I often if not mostly talk about what makes us different and today I explore the fact that we are more more alike than different. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today's episode is an effort to further quantify my idea of setting a new standard. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I've doubled up on a few of the episodes so that's why it 'appears' that I've 'jumped' to 24, I haven't, count'em!It's the 25th of March so our new years resolutions are well fucked. But, perhaps (in Irealand at least) January 1st is possibly one of the worst times to try and initiate some change. This episode explores the idea that all may not be lost and that in fact (with mearly a change in perspective) NOW is the best time to get our shit together. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I've doubled up on a few of the episodes so that's why it 'appears' that I've 'jumped' to 24, I haven't, count'em!It's the 25th of March so our new years resolutions are well fucked. But, perhaps (in Irealand at least) January 1st is possibly one of the worst times to try and initiate some change. This episode explores the idea that all may not be lost and that in fact (with mearly a change in perspective) NOW is the best time to get our shit together. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This is a topic I'd like to revisit as there's a lot left unsaid. I essentially compare how the legal profession has been decimated by the advent of the internet in a way that the medical profession hasn't, but should. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hedges, lawns and growrooms. 3 things in my life that are a proxy for my psychological wellbeing. This episode trys to underpin some of the ways that we can ensure we don't drown when the inevitable flood comes. It also trys to explain how we have an unconscious 'counter' of sorts that is keeping track of all the things we do right, but also and equally as importantly, do wrong. The episode ends with the exploration of the idea that purely soulful experiences (out of ego experiences) is on a spectrum with the best and worst moments of our lives on either end. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What do pilots, martial artists, stand up comedians and podcasters have in common? Time spent perfecting their craft.This episode is an exploration into the idea that just because you've been 'doing something 10 years' doesn't necessarily mean that you've been doing it for 10 years. It delves into self reports about our accomplishments and our ability to both overplay and downplay our expertise and/Or experience in a specific domain. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For the most part we find it easy to know how well we're doing financially. But when it comes to our 'emotional bank ballance' we don't have anything like the black and white figure at the end of our statement.This episode is an exploration of the idea that how well you're doing/feeling emotionally or psychologically will go a long ways to predict how well you're doing/feeling in future. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For the record, I don't suffer from anxiety per se. At least no more than most of us. However, I also don't suffer from brittle bones but that hasn't stopped me breaking a few over the years.In this episode I explain how I've recently had an anxiety attack, thankfully the first one I've had in years and years. I did what I could to explain what it was like at the time and and how I dealt with it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark my words the day will come that I'll do a deep dive episode on Christopher Hitchens, Tom Mac Donald, Airsoft and Mixed Martial Arts, but untill then this 'blend' will have to suffice.In hindsight this episode is about the idea that you should never think you know anything, let alone everything! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We all know that there are 1, 2, maybe 20 things we'd like to change about ourselves. But we often fail to formally identify them. Because of this we are doomed to never formally even start rectifying any of them. Which leaves us destined (to some degree at least) to keep making the same mistakes over and over and be miserable. Don't be miserable. Identity what you would like to change and make a pivot however small in a better direction. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Haven't done a 'getting out of my own way' episode in ages.Inspired by Blindboy Boatclubs advise of taking the fear of failure out of any creative endeavour, I said fuck it, I'll just do it for the sake of doing it and not bother about making it 'good'. This is essentially getting rid of the fear of failure and is the key component in any creative endeavour as far as I'm concerned. If I had any advice for any 'wannabe creative' it would be to do it. Whatever it is that you've in your head - do it. Fuck the ney sayers and the begrudgers that are both in and out of your own head, get out of your own way and do it. Or face nothing but increased regret as you get older.And a final point, anyone that makes little of your efforts to follow your dreams, ask yourself, what have these people done? Because in practically all cases the answer is, fuck all. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For the most part we've all ended up in jobs that we hated. Jobs that we just couldn't make work. Jobs that just 'weren't for me'. And hidden amongst all the stress related to this phenomenon is your personality. We are largely the same but are differences matter, enormously. This episode essentially makes the point that we could avoid years of stress by simply understanding what makes us, us. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I'm both claiming to have coined the phrase 'Out Of Ego Experience' and claiming that I'm most likely not the first to do so.This episode essentially turned out to be my attempt to define 'soulful experiences' and to highlight some of the differences between creative and non creative people. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We generally don't care if our running times aren't at a high level but when it comes to creativity we seem to have been convinced that if it's not very good them you shouldn't bother.You could probably imagine someone wondering why you bother painting/singing/writing/podcasting etc if they're not that good at it, but you wouldn't think that about someone out running. When we see 'bad runners' out on the road we generally say, "fair play" and not, "what are they at?".We have an appreciation that someone who isn't any good at running but still goes running is trying to improve. But when it comes to creativity we often have a 'why bother' attitude. Fuck all that. Do what you would like to do and see what happens. #FuckTheBegrudgers See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Creative people like creative things and non creative people don't like creative things (BSGA).My guess is that my audience is disproportionately creative, as this whole Off The Lead 'thing' is nothing if it's not creative. No pre or post production, just raw unfiltered content. Not for everyone but that's kind of the point.The obvious downside of being outside of cultural norms is that it can be isolating, however (and increasingly these days) there are ways for isolated people to find comfort/community online. This is often found by following independent artists. By finding/making a community when the 'mainstream' is too jarring for you to be a part of. But, as outlined in this episode it's worth keeping at least a toe or 2 in the mainstream as you don't want to be completely isolated from the herd. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In continuation from yesterday's episode I expand on what we are to do in order to ween ourselves off being fed a narrative. The fist step being to notice that we are.I touch on education, fake news, narrative, echo chambers, "parroting", the staus quo and the elites. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ho boy. I went from talking about 'flow states' to the difference between an internal and external loci of evaluation to how pervasive immorality has become and is increasingly becoming. And then topped it all off by comparing war profiteers with child molesters and rapists.What came out of the wash here was essentially the idea that evil will continue to thrive as long as we allow it to. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Back onto the whole personality/identity 'thing'. I also end up talking about where I get my news from, internal and external loci of evaluations, Blindboy Boatclub, being an asshole, pidgeon holes, mainstream media aka 'corporate press' and much much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today I try to remind myself that to a large degree we are who we say we are. And who we say we are over time, can often determine who and what we are or are at least becoming.This is summed up in the quote, "whether or not you think you can or can't do something, you're right". We create our own reality.In hindsight, this episode is essentially an introduction to the idea of epigenetics. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Impromptu roadside recording which had me talking about Jimmy Carr, wishing wells, prayer, envy Vs jealousy, being a jack of all trades and rebaptising the worst of us as the best of us. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What do you want to be when you grow up?........ Well?........Did anything come to mind? Were you surprised that it did, or didn't? It's a sad state of affairs that this is typically only ever asked of children. As if everyone over the age of 18 has it already figured out.I touch on flow states and practice, being in the moment and the benefits of not knowing exactly what you are doing but being happy with just getting on with it. Essentially because you have faith that if you keep practicing something you will inevitably get better at it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I'm rough as a badgers arse today folks so apologies if I meandered even more than usual on this one. I started out talking about 'Warrior Training' and ended up with the realisation that what I've essentially been teaching kids every Monday evening for the past 6 months is competency. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's because he looks like John Barnes. Ps.Today I compare myself and PGAFOTS Dave Webster along 2 dimensions of personality, namely introversion and extraversion and end up saying what is the defining point of the episode, that your personality shouldn't be at odds with your life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Papers cuts, patience, compassion and Einstein oh my!A classic solo with me trying to get my head 'round my personality from the perspective of relativity.As a wise Greek once said, "Know thy self bitches". See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I don't always do what I say I'm going to do but I'm happy to report that after years of talking about it, I finally have chickens and it's high time I spoke about their shits and their photo periods. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

"The General Malaise" by 'A Few Shapes', check it out on Spotify. EDIT; I mentioned how PGAFOTS Peadar Reilly recently ran his 300th 10km run, apologies, it was only 200. Lazy fuck.Today being the first day of lent I said I'd pull my big fat finger out of my big fat hole and start shouting into the abyss again. This episode is the first of 42 to be uploaded over the next 42 days so buckle up bitches! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's over and out for me for a while folks. For how long remains to be seen but I'll most definitely be back, bigger and better than ever before! Stay off the lead, and on that note, I'll chat to you soon.

Neurology is fucking amazeballs! Today I briefly discuss "motor neurons" and "mirror neurons" and the phenomenon of "phantom limbs". If you want to know more about this check out anything by V.S. Ramachandran on youtube, the mans a genius! Second last episode of the season folks and I'll be taking a well earned break from Podcastland.

They're are far too many words to mention, but that doesn't mean we don't need any new ones! A new word can be incredibly helpful and 'midwit'(for me at least) is a great word to know because it perfectly encapsulates a particular type of person. And once you've pidgeon holed something it aids in further organising your mind. Now all that's left to do is start filling up my midwit box with people's names. 292 solos down, 2 to go!

This has been the first time I've been fit enough(mentally) to record anything for a while and is essentially just an expose of why. Shout out to Christine Fitzpatrick of 'Combined Muscle Therapies' for the help!