The Voluntary Life

Pete Blacow has taken two career breaks to travel the world. In this episode he shares his experience of long-term travel and taking time out from working. Topics covered include the practical issues of taking a career break, the pros and cons of long-term travel, and Pete's recommendations for anyone interested in travelling the world. Show Notes The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim FerrissListen To Episode 149

This episode is about freeing your mind by decluttering all your mental baggage on a regular basis. Topic covered include:The benefits of going on an information and media dietThe importance of having a trusted system for how to declutter your mind and control the information buildup around you.The role of a weekly clear-out, as part of a weekly review Applying the "inbox-zero" approach beyond email to digital inboxes, physical inboxes, social inboxes, and life in general.Show Notes Getting Things Done by David AllenInbox Zero talk by Merlin Mann Listen to Episode 148

Comedian Rosie Tran (@FunnyRosie) interviews financial freedom advocate, investor, and host of The Voluntary Life Podcast, Jake Desyllas (@thevoluntary). They discuss the various ways to escape the rat race. Jake talks about the different techniques he has discovered, including unjobbing, extreme saving, business ownership, investing, and more. Also, in depth discussion on the importance of personal and self development in the process of financial freedom. Listen to Episode 147

This episode is an interview that I did with Kevin Koskella from Freedom Lovin podcast. Kevin and I talk about expat life in Mexico: the pros, cons and experiences. Listen to Episode 146

Part 2 in a series on win-win negotiation. This episode explains the process of principled negotiation and answers two key questions for any negotiation: What determines your negotiating strength? How do you create value in a negotiation? Show Notes Getting to Yes by Fischer and Ury  Episode 144 Win-Win Negotiation Part 1: CommunicationEpisode on Negotiation from 2012Best Alternative To A Negotiated Agreement Dovetailing in negotiations Listen to Episode 145 

Part 1 of a series on win-win negotiation. This episode covers communication as an integral part of negotiation. Jake highlights some useful techniques from psychology to help you communicate productively in negotiations. Show Notes Getting to Yes by Fischer and Ury Active Listening Games People Play by Eric Berne I-Messages Listen to episode 144

I welcome feedback from anyone who would like to be a beta-reader for my new book "Becoming An Entrepreneur: How To Find Freedom and Fulfilment As A Business Owner". I'll acknowledge you and give you a free copy of the final version too. If you're interested, please fill in this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-5DuZz7oVNjQEU_DYJ62bNLlWui4yrpD19N2ZOc87v4/viewform Listen To the Special Announcement

An interview with Daniel Mackler about his new book Breaking From Your Parents. Daniel talks about why he chose to tackle this taboo subject, based on his own personal experience and that of many others. The interview was recorded in January 2014, and the book has since been released.  Show Notes: Breaking from Your Parents ebook by Daniel Mackler Psychological Freedom: An Interview With Daniel Mackler Daniel's website Wild Truth (http://wildtruth.net) Daniel's videos on confronting your parents Part 1 and part 2  Listen to Episode 143

An interview with Augusto Pinaud about the concept of Extrodinary Time. Augusto is the author of 10 books including 25 Tips for Productivity. In this episode he explains his technique of devoting dedicated time to working on extraordinary challenges. He provides inspiring suggestions for how to push yourself beyond the comfort zone of doing good work and get to truly great work. Show Notes: Augusto Pinaud Website, Twitter @apinaud and email25 Tips for Productivity#iPadOnly. The first real post-PC BookGTD Virtual Study Group PodcastOmnifocusThe Power of Habit by Charles DuhiggDo More Great Work by Michael Bungay Stanier Listen to Episode 142

"Most people think that they need to be tapped on the shoulder by the Epic Fairy if they ever hope to be epic, or if they're ever going to have the audacity to do something truly epic. But it's not true. Want to be epic? Just do epic shit. There's nothing else to it." Johnny Truant An episode about ideas to help you make a habit of doing epic things. Show Notes: The Universe Doesn't Give a Flying Fuck About You by Johnny B. Truant Getting Things Done by David Allen Why Making My Tasks Emotional Increased My Productivity by Robyn Scott Do More Great Work: Stop the Busywork. Start the Work That Matters. by Michael Bungay Stanier Augusto Pinaud GTD Virtual Study Group Podcast Listen to Episode 141

This episode provides some thoughts on common objections to entrepreneurship. Topics covered include: The myth of an entrepreneur "personality type".Entrepreneurship as a personal development programme that can benefit anyoneThe possibility of a world where everyone is an entrepreneurListen to Episode 140

This episode is about how to develop and strengthen your network of business contacts. The ideas discussed are also relevant for friendships. Topic covered include: Following Through on CommitmentsResponding in TimeMaking IntroductionsReferrals and RecommendationsActs of Kindness and HelpfulnessShow Notes Getting Things Done by David AllenInbox Zero talk by Merlin MannHow The World's Top Relationship Builder Makes IntroductionsReferrals50 Ways to Show Gratitude for the People in Your LifeHow (Small) Heroic Acts of Kindness Will Grow Your BusinessPhoto Credit: Paul Watson Listen to Episode 139

Part two of an in-depth discussion about Bitcoin with Stephanie Murphy, co-host of Let's Talk Bitcoin. Topics covered include: The skewed ownership of Bitcoin: is it a problem?Bitcoin and holding assets outside your own countryMore on Bitcoin vs GoldBitcoin price volatility: experiences and techniques for planning around itBitshares and other advanced possibilities with BitcoinShow Notes: Fr33 Aid Charity927 People Own Half Of All BitcoinsResearchers Retract Claim Of Link Between Alleged Silk Road Mastermind And Founder Of BitcoinFBI is global stakeholder in cryptocurrency, currently owns largest bitcoin walletBitshares White PaperThe future of Bitcoin: new applications and rebuilding the banking system (presentation by Mike Hearn)Listen to Episode 138

Episode 137 An interview with Stephanie Murphy looking in-depth at Bitcoin. Stephanie is co-host of the Let's Talk Bitcoin podcast. Topics covered in the interview include: An overview of what has happened to Bitcoin in 2013Bitcoin as open-source moneyDoes it matter that Bitcoin is "not backed by anything"?Deflationary currency: are people "hoarding" bitcoins, or simply "saving" with them?If you would like to donate a bitcoin tip to The Voluntary Life, the address is 1HVwpbwsYsj7Tndsj6NTQ9BYPdEZATAePW The Voluntary Life Bitcoin QR code is: Show Notes: Episode 109: Getting Started With BitcoinLet's Talk Bitcoin podcastPorc Therapy podcastOpen SourceSeizure of Silk Road by FBIThe Streisand EffectTermites eat through $65,000 worth of Chinese woman's savings Video about the Valcambi CombiBar of Gold Listen to Episode 137

This episode is about identifying your purpose in life. Topics covered include: The concept of Horizons of Focus used in David Allen's "Getting Things Done"How to manifest your life's purpose in every action that you do. Identifying and addressing gaps in your integrityIdentifying the level of integrity shown by other people in your life.  Show Notes: Getting Things Done by David AllenEpisode 101: How To Dream Big (about visions and goals)All previous episodes on GTD Listen to episode 136