Simple Minds Podcast

Have you ever noticed that most of us live in survival mode instead of living in creation mode? Is it possible to overcome the negative consequences of chronic stress? We discuss this in today’s episode!

Why do we get in our own way? Most of us can detect certain major themes or beliefs in our lives that keep resurfacing regularly. And sometimes, these beliefs get in the way of growth and success. They’re a bit like moving sand - the more we struggle with them, the deeper we sink.

For many businesses, the current COVID crisis is just the eye of the storm. There are quite a few obstacles that will stand in the way of recovery as soon as the JobKeeper program ends. In today’s episode, the Simple Minds crew is chatting about these obstacles and how to overcome them!

How often do you REALLY listen to the other person in a conversation? Most of the time, we simply listen while our minds work on the reply! So what really makes a GOOD listener? The SMP lads will be discussing this topic in today’s episode!

In this episode, recorded when we were in full lockdown, we’re chatting on how you can come out of isolation stronger than you were before, with better connections, an awesome business network and upgraded leadership skills!

Today we’re chatting about the lifelong journey of getting to know ourselves, with all its twists and turns. What sparks the desire to get to know oneself? What are the tools that help us on our journey to self-discovery and self-development? The lads share their stories and the lessons they’re learned over the years.

In this episode, which was recorded on Zoom a few weeks back, the SMP lads have an insightful chat with Greg Hire about all things mental health. Can we turn our vulnerability into strength?

In this episode, recorded soon after the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant, we reflect on the lessons we’ve learned from the basketball legend. What was the mindset that helped him climb to the top and how can we apply it in our own lives?

In this iso episode, recorded a few weeks back on Zoom, the lads chat about how important mindset is in challenging times and share their own tips to keep things balanced in these uncertain times.

In this episode, recorded before the COVID-19 restrictions were put in place, the SMP crew has some fun with a short quiz that reveals what kind of entrepreneurs they are. Which also raises the question: what exactly makes a good entrepreneur?

Everyone cracks at some point! What is the difference between pressure and stress and how can we overcome difficult situations in life? In this episode, recorded before the COVID-19 restrictions, Justin and the lads discuss the different methods of reducing stress they’ve tested throughout the years.

Inspired by the words of Sadhguru on the topic of whether people would accept a modern-day Jesus Christ, Conrad asks the guy about the blocks we put in front of ourselves when presented with an opportunity for change. Why do so many people refuse to capitalise on the opportunities in front of them.

Both Travis and Justin have turned thirty in the past week and it’s got Trav thinking. Why do we have milestones and can focusing on these things actually be more detrimental than helpful? The lads have a series of questions on just what the hell Travis is getting at too so this should be interesting.

Justin has been reading a lot lately on the topic of motivation. As a result, he’s also spent a good deal of time ruminating on the concept of motivating himself and the tools we use to make things happen. Sometimes, those things lead down some strange roads, as the lads are about to find out...

Matt recently got a blood pressure test and realised how much stress he was putting himself under to get things done at a certain pace. He couldn’t help but wonder what sort of long term damage this was doing to him and so decided to ask the lads how they work and what can change in our own work habits.

It’s Part 2 of the Simple Minds Live Show! This week, we drop audio of the lads answering questions from the audience at their first-ever Q&A Session. Fitness analogies are abundant and we’re fairly certain Conrad takes things far too literally at one point...

It’s the Simple Minds Podcast live! This time around, the lads record a new episode in front of an audience for the first time while covering a range of topics in the process in a throwback to the older content form adopted when the show first began in 2017!

As it turns out, the guys have been using words as a way to help them with their decision making and goals for every year. They usually keep it to themselves but Travis decided to be a nosey parker and make everyone reveal and reflect on what their word for last year was and what their word for this year will be.

Matt keeps on getting distracted these days, it seems like every day he has a new thing that keeps him busy and away from the creative stuff he’d rather be doing. The rest of the lads (except Conrad of course) feel it too and are keen to have a look into how they can also break the curse of being too damn busy all of the time!

Emotions are funny things, they’re inescapable parts of our lives and influence just about everything we do if we let them. Justin, being Justin, isn’t about to let that happen though and decides to go on a quest to figure out a way he can lock his emotions away so that he can do business better. Nothing bad could happen from this at all, right?

Did you know we have neurons in our stomachs and hearts, not just the brain? Yup. And that’s precisely what Travis hopes to speak about with the guys as he discusses the process of decision making and how our bodies’ own intuition can be a massive aid in that regard. Sometimes there’s simply more to a decision than simply being rational.

Conrad recently read a book that had him thinking extensively on the subject of depression. Particularly in men and the culture of modern stoicism that seemingly keeps men from speaking about the issue. The lads also join in and give accounts of their own experiences and methods for recovery.

Matt felt himself getting pretty judgemental of some other people recently and wanted to reach out to the guys to see if he was being unreasonable. This is especially perplexing considering the lads all went on a trip to tackle their own worldly perceptions.

Tough conversations are sometimes inescapable, but that doesn’t mean they have to be something to dread, especially if you know they’re coming. In this episode, Justin asks the guys about the tough conversations they’ve had to endure and whether they were as scary or difficult and they had anticipated.

How we talk about love is kind of a tricky thing. It requires a bit of vulnerability and honesty that most men aren’t really keen to actually do. Thankfully, Trav has found a source of enlightenment in his approach to love and tries to encourage the rest of the lads, and listeners at home, to learn some lave languages and how to apply that to their lives and relationships.

The lads are on the East Coast and halfway through a special course led by William Whitecloud through his Natural Success Academy and, for the most part, things sound like they’re going pretty well... Naturally, they want to make a podcast about it and pick at Williams brain as much as they can before heading back to sunny ol’ Perth.

Planning for success is usually considered a fairly simple thing to do. We know the usual tenants, stay consistent, keep organised and have a clear goal in mind. But we never really think about the actual “success” side of things. What is success? What defines a successful week? The lads have plenty to discuss... 

Justin keeps telling the guys to stop looking for “the silver bullet” as though we all know what that’s actually supposed to mean. But it's ok, the lads have him figured out and know to not look for excuses no matter how tall and strong and fresh from the fight that solution to their problems might be.

We're always looking for qualities that help us become better at our jobs and careers. Whether that's being more efficient or more consistent in our work. But what our ability to be better people morally? What kind of qualities do we have to develop to make ourselves more rounded people on a personal level? Conrad and the lads are here to find out!

The word “Virile” has been around for thousands of years, in one form or another. Yet, in the last 100 years the term has fallen deeply out of fashion, being considered often to “icky” or sexual to be used with any sort of seriousness. In this episode, Jacob asks the lads to deep dive into the term and discover what this terms means for men's perception of their own masculinity.

The lads knuckle down in this rewind episode to discuss the idea of toxic masculinity and how it impacts men and society. The lads also give their perspective on the famous Gilette ad that aired earlier this year and wonders the wider implications of the expectations men are held under. 

Jacob is feeling warm and fuzzy and tries to express gratitude to the lads for their support during a testing time in his business. Naturally, this raises eyebrows, with the group deciding to deep dive into the psychology of business ownership and the lessons they've learned to make them better entrepreneurs as well as better people. 

Big Trav is at it again and wants to chat to the guys some more on the concept of fatherhood! It's been three months since his son Farley was born and Trav wants to discuss with the lads the lessons he's learned in that time, both in how to be a father and how to be a better husband. The lads also reflect on the times their wives gave birth and the psychology of being there for their partners during an obviously stressful time. 

With Michael having recently left the show, we thought it would be great to do a throwback episode and showcase one of the more iconic topics that Michael brought in for the lads.  Things get trippy as Mike asks the guys to consider whether they're living inside of a simulation and whether artificial intelligence will supersede human brainpower within our generation.  Conrad also chimes in with some talk on eulogies and how to reflect on your own achievements as a motivation tool. It's not as depressing at it sounds. 

It's safe to say that Dads in the media get a bad rap, from Homer Simpson strangling Bart to the man-child that is Phil Dunphy in Modern Family.  The lads dive into these portrayals and discuss whether these have affected their relationships with their kids and how they perceive themselves as Dads. 

The lads are back and ready to launch a very special edition of the Simple Minds Podcast! Conrad wants to get to the bottom of what he thinks is the greatest conspiracy in human history: The Moon Landings. Seems like good timing considering the 50th Anniversary of the event is happening this week as well!

Explosions! Fire! Loud Noises! Matt emerges from the rubble to tell the lads that explosions are the key to business success! The guys are skeptical at first, but let me tell ya, it’s a wild ride when Matt gets started.

Are you looking for a mentor? Do you wish you had a better idea on how to acquire one? Well, Travis is here to give you the lowdown, with the lads, on how to get your grubby hands on someone and use that to better your own career.

Conrad wants the guys to discuss the benefits of practicing mindfulness as opposed to meditation and whether practicing one over the other yields better results. The lads have a good variety of answers and even start trying to figure out a consensus on other topics as a result.

What did you want to be when you grew up? That's the question Jacob is asking the lads as we delve into the weird and wonderful world of “what if?” Jacob also tries to get the guys to write some more strange letters to themselves. The alcohol was really needed for this one...

Michael wants the guys to consider the potential absurdity of existence and whether they think any conclusions could be drawn from this line of thinking. The lads also discuss the validity of studying philosophy as a practice and their personal takes on how they use philosophy. 

What with all of the talk of success and motivation that goes on, Justin wants everyone to get honest with themselves and be more introspective about what they’re doing and where they’re going.

Matt’s too lazy to host the show so he’s brought in a special guest to share the load. Thankfully, Sain is a pretty chatty Kathy and tells the guys all about how he doesn’t believe he has any “haters” at all.

Justin asks the guys whether there are any merits to pursuing “greatness” or if it’s something we’re given. The guys also discuss the validity of “great men” and what it means to be “great”.

Michael is feeling happy at the moment by the sounds of it, and he’s looking to get the guys views on what happiness is and whether happiness even really exists. (We're really all about these light topics on this show.)

Inspired by Kobe Bryant and other athletes from the Players Tribune who have taken part in their "Letter To My Younger Self" project, Conrad gets the guys to consider what they’d tell their younger selves if they had the opportunity and reflect in their journeys, both personally and professionally, up until now. 

Jacob tells the lads he’s not spiritual at all and doesn’t really believe in anything. The guys then discuss their own faiths and beliefs and whether they lean more towards the clerical or philosophical side of the argument. Also American Football gets brought up again, because of course it does.

Are you comparing yourself to others? How are making comparisons affecting emotionally? In this episode, Big Trav wants the guys to stop negatively comparing themselves to others. The guys also try to differentiate between making comparisons and modeling oneself on those you wish to emulate.  

Matt discusses with the lads the subject of millennial entrepreneurs and what the right age is to start a successful business.

Big Trav is going to be a Dad! Naturally, he’s pretty unsure about the whole thing so he asks the guys how they feel about fatherhood and what to anticipate, both good and bad, when having kids.

Jacob put us through our reps and sets this week by asking the guys how important they think being physically tough is, as men, in the relative comfort of today's modern society.