The Occupational Philosophers - A not-so-serious business podcast to spark Creativity, Imagination and Curiosity

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers discuss “What is Philosophy”, after a teenager asked Simon that very question and he struggled a little to answer! He set off to explore and their conversation together highlights just what he uncovered: How ChatGPT can help Philosophy sound cool to a 14-year old teenager Some definitions that help get to the essence of what Philosophy is all about Just how little John and Simon know….rock on Socrates…! The 7 main branches of Philosophy How Philosophy helps challenge beliefs, assumptions and ‘sacred cows’  Philosophy promotes critical thinking and new lenses to view problems and opportunities How organisations can adopt philosophical thinking to improve creativity, collaboration and innovation The fact that Simon and John cannot pronounce ‘Epistemology’... FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.   References: https://www.philosophy-foundation.org/ https://1000wordphilosophy.com/2020/10/10/philosophy/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Warburton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilles_Deleuze   Say Hello: www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs: JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this short, sharp inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers introduce their latest experiment, a new Radio play, The Parkers! Listen as Simon tries to convince John this is a good idea, before they lead you into the world of The Parkers with the first (and possibly last) episode. Parkers is a family run, pet care business, based in Peterborough, UK - meet Beryl, a (previously) high flying marketing executive, and Craig, the gruff IT manager from Cornwall (or at least we think he's from Cornwall...it's difficult to tell by the actors performance), and hear them wrestle with work, life and gerbils...   Hope you enjoy the show!   FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au

In this short-ish, sharp-ish inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers explore a test for curiosity called The need for cognition (NFC) What is the NFC?  It's a personality variable reflecting the extent to which individuals are inclined towards effortful cognitive activities (thanks Wikipedia)  Whilst it has originally come in a longer format, the one that The Occupational Philosophers explore has 18 questions/statements. (Cacioppo & Petty, 1984) Some of these include:  Thinking is not my idea of fun  I only think as hard as I have to The idea of relying on thought to make my way to the top appeals to me.. They also explore:  Some classic lines from Oscar Wilde's last gig at the Brixton Academy  Empathic Curiosity - the desire to know others  Simon also felt happy he had discovered a big phrase -'Epistemic Curiosity'.  The Occupational Philosophers need to do some more exploration to provide a worthwhile link to this test. That will also be followed by links to Simon and John's scores.  Hope you enjoy the show!  FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Reading  Read the 18 NFC Questions here https://centerofinquiry.org/uncategorized/need-for-cognition-scale-wabash-national-study/ High NFC = lower ADI  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8759714/  Other articles  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7545655/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326410291_The_Very_Efficient_Assessment_of_Need_for_Cognition_Developing_a_Six-Item_Version https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8759714/  Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com   Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg      

In Episode 77, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Dr Marco Motta, who specialises in data analysis and visualisation, with a strong track record transforming the performance reporting culture of large organisations. He marries this with a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Queensland and uses his background in critical thinking to help organisations and clients identify, define, break down and solve complex business challenges. More importantly, he used to have a funk-rock band together with his brother in their teenage years, and they recently decided to record a cover of the Eurythmics classic, "Sweet Dreams," - we heartily recommend this…YouTube link below! This is a great conversation with a guest who puts the Aristotle in Analytics!   In this episode, they explore, and scuttle down some real rabbit holes, on some mind-bending topics: How morality and ethics are culture dependent [12:00] What’s a slash chord?! (Listen to the first piano accompaniment on this podcast!) [17:50] What is truth? How do we know we exist? Should we put Descartes before the horse? [25:05] Is Gravity an absolute fact? Is it just a dip in Space-Time? Might John float out of his chair? [28:50] Is Schroedinger’s cat alive or dead? The answer was finally revealed! [35:39] How Philosophy usefully informs data analytics and visualisation [37:55] Why organisations that can manage uncertainty are better equipped to navigate the future [41:25] What are ‘weak truths’ and how do help us? [43:01] How does creativity and painting play into data visualisation? [48:01] Will our robot overlords vaporise us? [54:00] What advice does Marco have for teams and organisations? [1:05:17] When is the ‘Occupational Philosophers After Dark’ podcast launching? And as always, they expand Marco’s thinking with their very own ‘Thought Experiments’; this episode they have: Busting Urban Myths  Learn more about Marco https://www.linkedin.com/in/mottamarco01/   https://www.mottaconsulting.com.au   References https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jul/06/leading-actors-and-artists-back-labours-push-for-more-creativity-in-schools   https://theamazingthundercat.com/   What if Red Hot Chilli Peppers played Sweet Dreams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id9PvdbYUGA   https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/06/23/the-ethics-of-ai-navigating-bias-manipulation-and-beyond/   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianni_Vattimo   Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/  SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg  

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers discuss what John discovered when he attended the recent ‘How the Light Gets In’ festival in London; a curly mash up of philosophy, music and comedy: What were the big themes being explored this year? [02:30] What is the golden rule to live by? [04:10} What 3 things did John learn from sitting with fellow chin-stroking, bat milk latte drinking, roll-neck sweater wearing explorers? [05:40] What are takeaways for us as individuals, teams and leaders of organisations? [09:20] How does the light get in? FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au

In episode 75, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Design Guru, Chi Ryan.   Chi is a designer, writer, researcher, learner, educator and all-round creative polymath. She is obsessed with design that puts experience first She helped everyone from hungry startups to global giants transform through design and has led, taught and been part of teams designing digital and physical products, services, brands, events, physical spaces, processes, values, systems, learning experiences, rituals, models, methods and almost everything in between. She has led cross-functional research, design and innovation practices (Fjord/Accenture Song, Idean/Frog/Capgemini Alumni) around the world (from London to Milan and Hong Kong to New York.  Chi is currently a higher-degree by research candidate at Torrens University where my practice-based research focuses on exploring the nexus of design, post-humanism, economics, ethics and philosophy through the lens of radical design theory. She is also Adjunct Faculty at RMIT University in Melbourne In this episode, they explore:  What is design and why does great design matter?  What’s behind the groundbreaking talk of “Dude, where’s my creativity?”  What is post-design? (Get ready for the best answer ever)  Why you will never look at an LA bus stop in the same way Why absurdity, provocativity, spectacle, nostalgia and mythology need to be in the conversation of great design Why Derida was a polarising philosopher  Why all leaders should smile a little more  As always, there are some great thought experiments. This time they explore the minds of French Philosophers through the thought experiment of Blankety Blanc… There is so much insane depth and insight and Chi is a very funny guest so The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show as much as they enjoyed making it.  More about Chi linkedin.com/in/chiryan http://www.chiryan.design/makeshop https://chiryan.com/

In this short, sharp inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers explore dreams and how they reveal the wild jungle of our mind! We have all had those bizarre dreams which connect random and seemingly disparate ideas; the koala surfing on a water buffalo, or a man made of cheese trying to sell you a time share apartment in Benidorm….or is that just us? Listen as we discuss: What can various research studies tell us about dreams and their link to creativity? What is happening when we sink into REM state…the peak dream state? How even the most bizarre dreams seem to follow a story What did artists do to help them harness the power of their dreams? How can we as individuals and teams use these insights to improve the level of creative thought in our organisations? Just what do John and Simon dream about? FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.   Show Notes https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/creativity-you/201704/can-paying-attention-dreams-increase-creativity https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/questions/why-are-we-so-creative-our-dreams https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/heres-how-to-use-dreams-for-creative-inspiration   Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com   Their day jobs: JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 73, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Professor Sophie Scott, who is the Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London and a Fellow of the British Academy.    Sophie is an expert in cognitive neuroscience studying human vocal communication, from speech and sound to social interactions and nonverbal emotional expressions, and has become very well known for her work on laughter. As a pioneering researcher in the science of laughter, she’s made some unexpected discoveries -- including my favourite, that rats are ticklish, and that the one tactic that’s almost guaranteed to get someone to laugh is to show them someone else laughing. She has appeared on UK TV many times, including The One Show (BBC1), Sunday Brunch (C4), Horizon (BBC2) - AND has presented the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. She also represented the Polytechnic of Central London in University Challenge (BBC2).  In podcasting she co-hosts The Neuromantics (Great pun!), and is a series regular on the wonderful Infinite Monkey Cage. She is an accomplished public speaker, her TED talks have amassed millions of views online, and she has presented at the World Economic Forum, The Royal Institute, and the Wired UK conference. She has performed science-based stand-up comedy and has appeared at the Hammersmith Apollo, the Bloomsbury Theatre and the Latitude Festival. And to top it off, also an author or many books!  In this episode, they explore: How laughter is contagious and social What words are genuinely funny…’Flank’ is one…! Why brains are so fascinating these days How laughter is the ‘gateway drug’ to play What happens in the brain when we are creative Why organisations need to build social spaces where laughter can live Who is Brian Helverston? And in this episode, they are lucky enough to have their listener’s questions to share with Sophie.    Learn more about Sophie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_Scott https://www.ted.com/talks/sophie_scott_why_we_laugh https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brain-Things-You-Should-Know-ebook/dp/B09RF221H8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= References https://inews.co.uk/opinion/susie-dent-slips-tongue-english-language-2431363 https://hbr.org/2014/12/innovation-leadership-lessons-from-the-marshmallow-challenge

In this short-ish Inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers dive into and muse on the idea of Serendipity. Between them they explore:  Actually, what is Serendipity? (you will have to listen)  Why dumb luck isn't a thing - despite that person always getting a job they don't deserve or are qualified for  The danger of trying to manifest middle-class moments Why it's essential to be open to the world around us - as chance encounters are everywhere  How our biases rationalise chance encounters to pretend they didn't happen  Why curiosity is at the heart of moments of serendipity  How being a super explorer can create moments of serendipity  How the discovery of Penicillin is considered a triumph of serendipity  The power of a watermelon, an earbud and a jelly bean in the right hands And finally, how the unlucky butcher can be a metaphor for us all  The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show!  Links: The Serendipity Mindset: The art and science of good luck    FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.   Take the Innovation Scorecard!    https://empoweringinnovation.scoreapp.com/  Take the creativity & innovation to the next level Answer 25 questions and we’ll send you a personalised report to benchmark the  level of creativity and innovation in your organisation It just takes a few minutes takes just a few minutes It’s completely free Receive customised results instantly It takes just few minutes to complete Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com   Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg  

In this guest episode, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Dr Louise Mahler.  Dr Louise is the polymath's polymath and is recognised as a Top 30 Global Guru in both Body Language and Communication. She was an Opera singer for 10 years with the Vienna State Opera.  Louise’s qualifications include B.Econ; B. Mus; Post Grad Dip Music; L.Mus.A; Master of Applied Science in Organisational Change and a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming.  She has completed an award-winning PhD around the unsung wisdom of the mind-body-voice connection she named Vocal Intelligence. She is a sought-after commentator discussing leadership, body language and effective presentation on television, radio and in the media. Her recent interviews with Channel 7 where she analyses the body language of Harry and Meghan Sussex have over 2 million views. Louise's clients include Fortune 500 clients around the globe.  Louise was voted Keynotes Speaker of the Year in 2021 by the Professional Speakers Association and is the author of "Resonate: for people who need to be heard"  She is the virtuoso of the voice, the high priestess of hot air and the femme fatale of unfailing attraction.  In this episode we explore:  The importance of breathing out (not just in)  Why we all need to channel ancient Rome and have way more Grrrrrrrravitas  Why communication should not just be a linear give and receive  Why we need to stop making excuses for communication (including being left-handed)  How we need to embrace Move, Move, Move  How wit and levity are wingmen for all types of communication  Why it's important to be an active listener, not just a passive listener The importance of saying ‘yes, please!’ more often More about Louise https://louisemahler.com.au/   Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg   Take the Innovation Scorecard! https://empoweringinnovation.scoreapp.com/   Take creativity & innovation to the next level Answer 25 questions and we’ll send you a personalised report to benchmark the  level of creativity and innovation in your organisation It just takes a few minutes takes just a few minutes It’s completely free Receive customised results instantly    

In this inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers explore the seven deadly sins of power point presentations - we’ve all been there…you face an avalanche of slides, information overload, the back of someone’s head as they read the slides out loud….it’s time to discover a different way as we explore: How to ensure people do not suffer ‘Death by Powerpoint’ or any other attempt on their life What we can learn from cats being scared of cucumbers and other viral memes How great keynote speakers capture their audience’s attention Why data proves, but stories move What sucks the energy out of the room and how to stop it Why is Simon so vexed?   The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show.  FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.   Take the Innovation Scorecard!  https://empoweringinnovation.scoreapp.com/  Take creativity & innovation to the next level Answer 25 questions and we’ll send you a personalised report to benchmark the  level of creativity and innovation in your organisation It’ just takes a few minutes takes just a few minutes It’s completely free Receive customised results instantly   Say Hello   www.occupationalphilosophers.comIt takes just few minutes to complete Their day jobs   JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/   SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au   SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers dive into the world of job advertisements - the good, the not so good and the inbetween (ers). Mmmm, did you see what they did there…? When you are being asked for flexibility, do you turn up in a Yoga outfit?  Does a workplace rockstar need to throw computers out the window and have half a shaved head?  Would a ninja need to have a set of throwing stars?  If you hit the ground running, what type of shoes would you need to wear?  And finally, whilst it’s important, to be honest in recruitment ads, how honest can you be?  The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.   Take the Innovation Scorecard! https://empoweringinnovation.scoreapp.com/     Take creativity & innovation to the next level Answer 25 questions and we’ll send you a personalised report to benchmark the  level of creativity and innovation in your organisation It just takes a few minutes takes just a few minutes It’s completely free Receive customised results instantly Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com   Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg Innovation Scorecard https://empoweringinnovation.scoreapp.com/

In Episode 68, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Chris Barez Brown, author, keynote speaker, and founder of 'Upping Your Elvis', which looks to embed a human, energetic and creative working culture in corporations across the globe, making work easier, more fun, and more extraordinary in the process Chris has a deep passion to help people work out who they are, what they stand for and how they can use their unique talents to bring energy to everything they do as individuals, as members of  teams, or as leaders. He spent ten years at ?What If!, the world’s largest innovation consultancy, and is a published author of many books, including: ‘How to Have Kick Ass Ideas’  ‘Shine. How to survive and thrive at work’. ‘Free. Love your work, love your life’. Wake Up! Escaping a life on autopilot  Upping Your Elvis His latest venture, Talk it Out, is a social enterprise determined to make a positive impact on people’s mental wellbeing around the world. In this episode, they explore: Why slowing down to connect with people reveals how everyone has a gift How movement leads to improvement; try stuff out, experiment, don't stop Why experimentation is at the heart of any successful organisation How we are hooked on being busy How we can make work fit us, rather then make us fit us What 'talking it out' can do for our mental wellbeing And whether Chris truly is the love child of Richard Branson and a wizard... As ever they throw in a few ‘Thought Experiments’, this time they have: Knowing Your Elvis   Learn more about Chris   https://www.uppingyourelvis.com/ https://www.barez-brown.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-bar%C3%A9z-brown-0695531/ https://www.talkitout.app/   References https://www.munchmuseet.no/en/ https://theamazingthundercat.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/3vWKFSpMV1vc1cRTjY1cl3?si=IYig3dfkSWe030pHvbtRCw https://www.waterstones.com/book/lost-connections/johann-hari/9781408878729    

In episode 67, The Occupational Philosophers dive into the world of personal biases, filters and perceptions or the way we take in information.  And what did they discover? We ALL take in information differently - whether we believe it or not.  In this episode, they explore:  Confirmation bias  Perception bias and how two people can see the same situation differently Frequency bias. Why am I now seeing red cars everywhere?  How a muffin can appear 50% bigger if you are hungry (even though its not!)  Change blindness (say what?)  How we don't see change in real-time - even though we think we do  Why Heraclitus has some good advice for modern-day change  If you have read this far, well done and you have made it past some of your biases and filters. Turn up your curiosity bias and tune in!  FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.   Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this short, sharp inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers do a little bit of time travel and in the process explore:  What an abstract artwork can teach us about how we react to something out of our comfort zone  Why at times it's all too easy to jump to outrage  Why a creative shock can create long-lasting change  What the hell is Blue Poles?  Why a good philosopher will always ask questions first  The importance of always, always being open to the new Why it's important to keep an eye out for Blue Poles in your organisation... They Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show!    FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.   Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 65, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Dr Jason Fox a wizard-philosopher masquerading as a leadership advisor. His clients include the senior leadership teams of Fortune 500 companies around the world including Microsoft, Toyota, Honda, Sony, Salesforce,  KPMG,  The International Institute of Research (not to mention: financial institutions, universities, telcos, government agencies, insurers, software developers, associations, intergovernmental forums, and so on). He has lectured at three universities (systems and behaviour), and is the bestselling author of ‘The Game Changer’ and ‘How to Lead a Quest’ and his Museletter is read by more than 11,000 folk around the world. In addition to serving as a leadership adviser, Dr Fox is also a globally in-demand keynote speaker who works particularly well with sceptical audiences who have ‘seen it all before’, and in 2016 he was awarded Keynote Speaker of the Year. He lives with an illustrator-veterinarian and a cat called ‘π’ in an old chocolate factory in Melbourne, Australia. When not liberating the world from the delusion of progress, He enjoys partaking in extreme sports such as reading, sun avoidance and coffee snobbery. In this episode, they explore: How teams and organisations can make meaningful progress and not suffer under the ‘delusion of progress'  What is ‘anti-fragile brooding’ and how doubt is key to progress When is a good time to give audiences a good ‘intellectual spanking’? What does curiosity look like? The value of just being together as a team and allowing the ‘fireside chats’ to emerge at the end of the day Why finding your own ‘Suicide Squad’ is the key to fellowship and creativity As ever they throw in a few ‘Thought Experiments’, this time they have: Philosophy or Foolosophy? Listeners questions  Learn more about Jason  https://www.foxwizard.com/   References https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/play-your-way-sane/202303/7-research-backed-benefits-of-improv-comedy?utm_source=pocket_saves https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/may/03/italian-historian-claims-to-have-identified-bridge-in-mona-lisa-backdrop https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finite-Infinite-Games-James-Carse/dp/1476731713

In this short sharp in-betweener episode, the Occupational Philosophers explore the habits of creative door kickers and kick-arse inventors and ponder, "What can we learn from these curious cats?" As it happens, we can learn a hell of a lot such as:  How to find your flow and what works for you Why it's worth packing a pair of swimming trunks if you want a great idea  How Churchill won the war despite not getting out of bed until 11 am  Why having a micro creative habit in your office may be the best productivity hack since micro dosing....(not that we have tried that, just sayin...) They hope you enjoy the show!    FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.   Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

Jemma Enright is a strategic and creative innovator who has an entrepreneurial spirit bigger than Mt Everest.  She takes opportunities from little beans to full Jack and the Beanstalk scenario but with a much friendlier ending with no real Giants dying in the process. She is strongly connected to the startup and innovation community, as well as the media and advertising community. She plays an active role in mentoring startups and future innovators as well as being a strong advocate for women and diversity in innovation. She has been an angel investor and has been both an intrapreneur, driving change in large companies, and an entrepreneur, taking an exciting new startup in the personal finance space, MoneyBrilliant, from idea to an exit in the role of CEO and Cofounder.  She is a real-world, kick-ass, start-up Mega star and one awesome person to boot!  In this episode, the Occupational Philosophers explore:  What surprised her most about launching and selling a business?  The make-up of a perfect team to launch, scale and then sell a business The how/when/where of looking for funding for your idea  The one key thing to nail on your start-up journey What is customer centricity and importantly, how do we become more customer-centric? What do potential entrepreneurs need to consider before doing the work of launching a startup?  Why you need to be careful with the term entrepreneur porn  As always, there are some great thought experiments including “start up or wind up?”  The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show as much as they enjoyed making it! Learn more about Jemma  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemmaenright/   Say hello to the Occupational Philosophers  www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg  

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers explore ‘Generic Parts Technique’ or GPT. (Not to be confused with chat GPT)  It’s quite hard to explain in words so we think it’s best to just listen really….   FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.   Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com   Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers, inspired by the banning of hip-hop at Sydney’s Royal Easter Show, turn their attention to wicked problems. In this episode, they explore:  How do you solve a challenge with multiple truths?  What’s the secret sauce when every problem is different?  How can you flourish in a FUCA world....(not VUCA...!)? The importance of reframing challenges  Why curiosity, empathy and Hip Hop belong together  Why saying "It's banned" may not be the best approach.... We hope you enjoy the show AND as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life... FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.   Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 60, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Julian Baggini, a philosopher, journalist and the author of over 20 books about philosophy. He is a co-founder of The Philosophers' Magazine and has written for numerous international newspapers and magazines. In addition to writing on the subject of philosophy, he has also written books on atheism, secularism and the nature of national identity. In 2012 he was commissioned by the National Trust to be the philosopher-in-residence for the White Cliffs of Dover where he was required to reflect on the chalk cliffs and their significance to the national identity. His books include  How The World Thinks: A Global History Of Philosophy Freedom Regained: The Possibility of Free Will  Should You Judge This Book by Its Cover?  The Duck That Won the Lottery: And 99 Other Bad Arguments  The Pig that Wants to be Eaten and 99 other thought experiments  What’s It All about? Philosophy and the Meaning of life  And his most recently published book - ‘How to think like a philosopher’ In this episode, they explore: The 12 practices, habits and attitudes to help us think like a philosopher Why paying attention is the key to sound thinking Why ‘faffing’ isn’t a waste of time How to put some ‘speed bumps’ in your organisation so you arrive at better solutions Whether curiosity killed the cat? Well, yes, and no… Is creativity an attempt to become immortal?  How listening to David Gilmour of Pink Floyd might explain the meaning of life Why Croissants and Coffee are the secrets to a happy life And if an eyebrow is transplanted to above the top lip, is it still an eyebrow? Learn more about Julian https://www.julianbaggini.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbaggini/ References https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Think-Like-Philosopher-Principles/dp/1783788518

What would you do if every time you sent an email, a bag of coal would turn up next to your desk? Would it change how you think about emails?  Would you send a few fewer emails to play your role in not crapping on the planet?  Would an ever-expanding collection of coal in your office make you think about how much energy you use? Is it time to do a personal energy audit over where and how you spend your energy - emotional/mental/physical?  Is it time to do an energy audit with your team?  Where are we most wasting our energy?  Where do we need more energy?  What outdated practices consume too much energy - literally and physically?  Join the Occupational Philosophers to discuss how we may reimagine how our behaviours and actions can both consume and create energy. It's maybe not the usual discussion but a fantastic topic to get curious about... FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg  

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers, turn their attention to meditations, or well-known philosophical quotations which may offer some insights into how we work, play and collaborate together. In this episode,  they explore: The quotation attributed to Confucius, “If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room’ How ensuring you have diversity of thought in your ‘room’ is key to problem-solving and creative thinking Why changing the word ‘room’ to ‘meeting’ may offer a very practical way to challenge yourself before any group discussion And why ‘smart’ doesn’t just mean IQ FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.   Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this episode, the Occupational Philosophers (having looked down at their calendar and realised that it's the end of February) thought it may be a good time to revisit what everyone was talking about 8 weeks ago - New Year's Resolutions.  As absolute non-experts in achieving goals and being productive, they thought it may be worthwhile to throw the idea of New Year's Resolutions up in the air and look at it from all angles (not just the sciency type stuff)   We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In Episode 56, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Dr Samuel West, a licensed psychologist with a PhD in Organisational Psychology. He has explored the psychology of happiness, in particular happiness related to work. He has taught courses on positive psychology, creativity, and organizational science, and in his PhD, in organizational psychology, he focused on how workplace playfulness boosts innovation.  More recently, he is the founder and creator of the Museum of Failure, which is a collection of failed products and services from around the world, with every item providing a unique insight into the risky business of innovation. He has become the leading expert in helping teams and organizations understand the role of failure in innovation and progress, improve the acceptance of failure, and appreciate the benefits of psychological safety. He is a global keynote speaker and seeks to educate and inspire with the fascinating stories of the artefacts at the Museum of Failure. In this episode, they explore: Why leaders need to listen more to those around them How organisations can flip their view on failure and embrace it What we can do as individuals to be more creative in our own work The critical importance of having psychological safety in your team and how to create it How fostering a playful environment can kick start innovation What’s the best way to rebrand the side effect of Diarrhea on your product? As always, there are some original thought experiments with this episode featuring: Hit or Miss? Learn more about Samuel https://samuelwest.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelwest/ https://museumoffailure.com/ References https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2023/01/is-toadzilla-a-sign-of-enormous-cane-toads-to-come/ https://petkeen.com/do-goldfish-grow-to-the-size-of-their-tank/ https://www.greenmatters.com/news/japan-birth-rate-decline https://www.liveabout.com/what-is-oud-oudh-346101   About the show The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show (they really enjoyed making this episode of their not-so-serious business podcast.) And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, and date life. Say Hello to the OP's www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg  

In Episode 55, The Occupational Philosophers again chat with another ‘delight’ of guests, Kathy Taberner and Kirsten Siggins  Mmmm, sounds interesting. Tell me more…. Kathy and Kirsten are the Mother/Daughter Founders of the  Institute Of Curiosity and with a name like that, we just had to have them on the show!!  And a little more information about them both: Kathy Taberner: Coach, Author, Speaker, MA, CEC, PCC. Kathy enjoys hiking, skiing, kayaking, and sharing delicious food and wine with family and friends. Kirsten Siggins: Coach, Author, TEDx Speaker, BA, CEC. Kirsten is a curiosity nerd, wannabe chef, and adventurer who loves a full table and all things design. Both are the co-authors of “The Power of Curiosity” - How To Have Real Conversations That Create Collaboration, Innovation and Understanding' (Yes, they are as nice as they sound!)  In this episode, they explore:  Why curiosity should be at the heart of all conversations  When a professional’s back is up against the wall, they hear their parent’s voice come out of their mouth.  Why we need to get curious and not furious  Three essential curiosity skills to use in conversations Why Gremlins can be our biggest obstacle to becoming more curious How setting the intention to be curious can change everything  Why we need to be more curious and less furious  Why checking bathing costume fabric is so important  As always, there are some great thought experiments including Mother and Daughter Bingo with “Who said that?”  Links https://www.instituteofcuriosity.com/ https://www.instituteofcuriosity.com/about-kathy-taberner-kirsten-siggins/  https://www.facebook.com/instituteofcuriosity/  The Occupational Philosophers hope you enjoy the show (they really enjoyed making this episode of their not-so-serious business podcast.) And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, and date life. Say Hello to the OP's www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg          

Is this even an episode? In this 5-minute conversation, (with Simon recording from a cupboard in deep, dark Suffolk - so please excuse the audio), John and Simon talk about what can happen to best-laid plans.....when designing the twelve days of Xmas.  In the spirit of experimenting quickly, they then move on and go straight to what's exciting about 2023 - which is LOADS.  We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life.    Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com   John and Simon's day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg      

In this short, sharp festive Inbetweener episode, John and Simon offer their first tasty morsel from the ‘12 Days of Christmas’, a reflection on some of the highlights from 2022, and something to savour in between Mince Pies, Sherry, and Karaoke with Uncle Kevin…. On this first day of Christmas, they explore: The wisdom of Neil Mullarkey and insights from the world of improv How ‘Yes, and’ enables you to build on the unexpected and make the best of what is given Top tip for surviving the family Xmas using improv We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, date life, and laugh uncontrollably at this year’s Xmas cracker jokes….. FYI: The episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process.   Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com   Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg  

In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, John and Simon explore the rise in interest of companies wishing to employ Chief Philosophy Officers (CPOs) within their organisations, signalling the beginning of a true movement in keeping with the aims of The Occupational Philosophers! Amongst other things, they explore: What is the role of a Chief Philosophy Officer? Why organisations are becoming more interested in hiring CPOs How asking ‘curly’ questions is an activity anyone can undertake How CPOs can make sure people wear the right clothes and eat socially acceptable lunches…. We hope you enjoy the show AND we hope you join us for another year of a not-so-serious business podcast. And as The Occupational Philosophers always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg

In this Inbetweeners episode, the Occupational Philosophers explore the true meaning, origin story and get really curious about some of those hackneyed, over-used corporate sayings that really need to pass away and live in the after life.  Really, what does 'circle around' mean?  What is the origin and true meaning of low-hanging fruit? How low is low fruit before it's on the ground? Who is measuring the right angle to pivot?  Can we really give 110% if the scale ends at 100%? Is there a level of maths we don't know about?  Were cavemen and cave women encouraged to think outside the cave?  Do we need to wear lead pants to protect our 100%?  When you say deep dive, do you mean with air or free diving?  Whilst this episode is a little loose, The Occupational Philosophers (as always) ask those really deep and meaningful questions that we should all ponder - in the corporate world and beyond.  They hope you enjoy the show...   The Occupational Philosophers promise you won't be overly disappointed - maybe a little but not too much....And as they always say: stay curious, make stuff, play more, have fun, and date life. FYI: The Inbetweeners episodes are just that - smaller episodes 'in between' the longer format episodes designed to give a little kickstart to enable you to be the most curious, creative, and imaginative cat you can be - and have some fun in the process. Say Hello to the OP's www.occupationalphilosophers.com   Their day jobs JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: (please watch, he needs some hits on Youtube)  https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg