Captain and the Clown - Life, Leadership and Everything else

• Psychobiotics

  Join Captain Michelle Huntington and Guy 'The Clown' Newman as they dive into the mind-blowing world of gut health and mental wellbeing. After discovering "The Psychobiotic Revolution" by Scott Anderson with Dr John Cryan and Dr Ted Dinan, Guy can't contain his excitement about the fascinating connections between what we eat and how we feel. Through hilarious personal stories about dairy disasters, gluten mishaps, and ice cream adventures, our hosts make the cutting-edge science of the gut-brain connection both entertaining and accessible. They explore how our trillions of gut bacteria influence everything from our moods to our memory, and why comfort eating might actually be our microbiota calling the shots. Whether you're curious about the science behind your food cravings or wondering why chocolate makes you feel better, this episode of Captain and the Clown serves up serious science with a side of laughter. The duo shares their own experiences with fasting, food intolerances, and the quest for mental clarity, while unpacking how this revolutionary research could change our approach to mental health.Enjoy!

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• Soft Leadership

  Guy and Michelle explore the concept of "soft leadership" - not about being soft, but about being more considerate and collaborative. They discuss how this approach, while sometimes seen as less efficient, often yields better results and stronger relationships.Key Discussion Points:- Indra Nooyi's (former PepsiCo CEO) journey from a blunt leadership style to a more collaborative approach- The difference between leadership in structured environments (like aviation) vs everyday situations- Why collaboration beats dictatorial management in modern leadership- The power of self-assessment over traditional feedbackNotable Example:Indra Nooyi's experience at PepsiCo, where she was advised to "be careful about throwing hand grenades" and instead adopt a more collaborative questioning approach.Practical Leadership Techniques:1. Building Trust Over Time- Start collaborative to build trust- Direct commands become more effective once trust is established- Relationship building enables occasional directness when needed2. Coaching vs Mentoring Approach:- Coaching: Asking questions to help people find their own answers- Mentoring: Sharing knowledge only after identifying knowledge gaps- Using "Would it be worth considering..." instead of giving direct orders3. Self-Assessment Model:Key questions to ask:- "How are you going with this?"- "What's working well?"- "Would you change anything?"Real-World Applications:- Parenting example: Breaking down overwhelming tasks (like cleaning a room) into manageable steps- Workplace scenario: Building long-term trust enables occasional direct instructions- Training context: Helping people develop self-awareness and assessment skillsKey Quote:"Soft leadership isn't soft - it's collaborative and gives people agency."Takeaway Message:The episode emphasises that effective leadership isn't about being "soft" - it's about creating psychological safety, building trust, and empowering others to think for themselves. This approach might take more time initially but leads to better outcomes and stronger relationships.

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• Discipline

  In this episode, Guy and Michelle explore discipline from a fresh perspective - not through the lens of military-style discipline advocated by ex-Navy SEALs, but as an act of self-love and care for your future self.Key Discussion Points:- How early experiences in sports and performing arts (Guy in the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Michelle in the Marching Koalas) helped build discipline through commitment to others- Why discipline equals freedom and how it helps avoid the "slavery" of negative consequences- The power of creating rules instead of setting goals- How discipline is ultimately an act of love for your future selfPractical Examples of How Discipline Creates Freedom:- Completing tasks early prevents the stress of the "urgency trap"- Healthy eating habits free you from health issues and yo-yo dieting- Regular exercise builds strength and long-term vitality- Consistent quality time with loved ones prevents relationship breakdown- Maintaining friendships prevents future lonelinessKey Concept - Rules vs Goals:Instead of setting distant goals, create immediate rules:- "I have a cold shower every morning"- "I eat things that grow and live"- "I exercise first thing"- "I have one glass of wine"Memorable Quote:"Discipline is like getting in a time machine, going forward 10, 20, 30, 40 years, and giving that future version of yourself a hug saying, 'Hey, I've got you, mate.'"Practical Takeaway:Visualise your future self and consider how today's disciplined actions will benefit them. Rather than viewing discipline as restriction, see it as a gift to your future self - whether that's better health, stronger relationships, or greater freedom from stress.Building discipline isn't about perfection or military-style rigour, but about consistently making choices that benefit your future self while creating rules that serve you in the present.

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  19:45
• Accurate Thinking with a Positive Bent

  Episode Overview:In this episode, Guy and Michelle explore the concept of "accurate thinking with a positive bent" rather than just positive thinking, sparked by insights from Dr. Daniel Amen's interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast.Key Discussion Points:- The evolution of positive thinking from the 70s/80s self-help movement to present day- Scientific evidence of how negative thoughts physically affect brain structure- The connection between negative thinking and athletic performance/coordination- Why traditional positive thinking sometimes faces resistance- The power of accurate thinking with a positive bentNotable Research Discussion:Guy shares fascinating research from Dr. Daniel Amen about brain scans showing physical changes when someone engages in negative self-talk, particularly affecting:- Left temporal lobe- Left frontal lobe- Cerebellum (potentially explaining coordination issues during negative states)Practical Applications:- How to improve memory by changing negative self-talk- The importance of believable, accurate statements rather than unrealistic positive affirmations- Ways to observe and manage thoughts through meditation- The value of surrounding yourself with supportive peopleKey Quote:"It's not positive thinking. It's accurate thinking with a positive bent." - Dr. Daniel AmenExample of Accurate Thinking vs. Positive Thinking:Instead of saying "I'm bad at remembering names" or unrealistically claiming "I'm brilliant at names," try:"I used to struggle with names, but I'm getting better because I'm practicing and using techniques."Mentioned in this Episode:- The Diary of a CEO podcast with Stephen Bartlett- Dr. Daniel Amen's brain research- The Power of Appreciation by Noelle Nelson- Eckhart Tolle's cloud metaphor for thoughtsThe episode emphasises the importance of combining accuracy with optimism when working on self-improvement, rather than relying on unrealistic positive affirmations.

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  17:06
• Small Town Happiness

  Join Guy and Michelle as they reflect on discovering small-town hospitality during their trip to Griffith for Michelle's first TEDx talk on mindset. Michelle shares her pre-release nerves about the upcoming talk, which leads to a heartwarming discussion about their memorable stay at Quest Apartments and the broader lessons about community connection.The Small-Town Experience:Their conversation takes us through their experience at Quest Griffith, where they received what Guy describes as "the best customer service we've ever had at any hotel." From the generous offering of local oranges to the genuine warmth of every staff member - from front desk to cleaning team - the hospitality stood out compared to their experiences at five-star hotels worldwide.Michelle shares her perspective of adapting to small-town life during her university days in Wagga Wagga, where she had to learn to slow down from her Sydney pace. Guy responds with his own story about a delightful pedestrian crossing encounter in Noosa, highlighting how small-town mindsets create space for genuine human connection.Creating Your Own Village:The pair discuss how they've brought small-town vibes to their own neighbourhood in the city. Their morning coffee ritual on their front porch has become a catalyst for community connection. They chat about their neighbours stopping by, international friends (like opera singer Julia) experiencing their "village" atmosphere, and their street's growing tradition of community celebrations for Halloween and Christmas.Guy and Michelle's Tips for Creating Small Town Happiness:- Make time for community rituals, like their morning coffee sessions- Acknowledge and greet your neighbours- Participate in community events- Create opportunities for connection- Slow down and be present in your interactionsThe episode wraps with their shared belief that small-town happiness isn't about location - it's about intentionally cultivating community wherever you are. As Michelle notes about their successful street community: "We create this, we make this happen."Michelle's TEDx Talk can be viewed here - https://youtu.be/2zB_wcF1YMo?si=fkkNZqIRGzHuHpAA

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