The You Project

Leah Mether is a communication, leadership and soft skills expert, obsessed with making the 'people stuff' in business, leadership and work-life, easier. Like me, Leah works with individuals, organisations and teams across Australia who are striving for success but often struggling with the challenges of self-management and communication, with a large cross-section of people who have different personalities, values, expectations, programming, social behaviours, belief-systems and styles. Also like me, she's a little direct, non-fluffy and passionate. Enjoy!

Lisa Tamati is an Ultra-Distance Running Legend, Podcaster, Author, Biohacker and Inspiring Human and I was recently on her show (Pushing the Limits). Among other things, we spoke about having a 'fun plan', the therapeutic value of laughter and silly-ness, how and why we take ourselves too seriously, living in the moment and the benefits of periodic instalments of inefficiency, laziness, distraction, disruption and zero productivity. We also discussed quality of work versus volume of work, why less is sometimes more, the joy of not 'having a job', challenging the traditional 'work paradigm', the collision of passion, purpose and career, work 'impact' versus work-life balance, metacognition (of course) and plenty more. Enjoy. lisatamati.com

TYP Favourite, Dr. Jodi Richardson is back and this time we talk about coffee, values, our Internal Sat-Nav (it's a thing), different kinds of intelligence, overcoming our programming, getting out of our own way (self-sabotage) and towards the end of our chat, Dr. Jodi shares about her anxiety and hesitation around launching her own podcast. I offered some 'help' but I'm not really sure that I was.. er, helpful. drjodirichardson.com

In this week's co-share with Mark LeBusque from the Simply Practically Human Podcast, we talk about the idea of making life a series of experiments, being okay with 'not knowing' and the unhealthy need some of us have to 'be right' (what a burden that is!). Enjoy. The Simply Practically Human Podcast

David Razowsky is one of the best improv coaches on the planet, has worked with actors all over the world and this conversation was not your typical TYP experience. But I loved it. And him. He's a gifted, creative, funny, fast-talking maniac. If my talking speed is 1.0, Dave's is 1.5. At times, 2.0. His insight into the human condition, his understanding of artistic performance and creativity, and his ability to empower people to 'be someone else' (for a moment), is quite spectacular. He also called me on my self-deprecating 'bullshit' about five times during this chat. I love a good reprimand! Enjoy.

Professor Lisa Feldman Barrett is not your cookie-cutter academic. For starters, she swears. Tick. She a Scientific Pioneer, Researcher, Non-Conformist, Author, highly regarded Academic and world-renowned Researcher, exploring the science of emotion. The good Prof. has been ranked in the top one percent of the most-cited scientists in the world over a ten-year period (a huge deal in Academia) and her work and discoveries have challenged much of the 'old' science. I totally loved our conversation. Enjoy.

No, it's not a metaphor, I'm literally talking about the prospect of living on Mars. Josh Richards is a Physicist, Explosives Engineer, Soldier, Stand-Up Comedian, Cave Diver, Author and an Astronaut Candidate for MARS ONE. Selected from over 200,000 initial applicants, Josh is now one of 100 worldwide astronaut candidates short-listed to leave Earth forever and become the first to colonise Mars in 2031. I felt distinctly boring and lazy after chatting with Josh. Enjoy!

In almost three decades of law enforcement, Ernie Stevens served in various roles throughout his police career, including the DWI task force, Tactical Response Unit (TRU), Street Crimes Assistance Team (SCAT) and Field Training Officer but perhaps his most important role was to develop the San Antonio Police Department Mental Health Unit in 2008; a concept which was so effective and successful that HBO created an Emmy award winning documentary (Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops) about the work he and his partner did. This was an important and inspirational conversation but I will let you know that parts of our chat might be confronting for some.

It seems that Gretchen Rubin and I were somehow separated at birth. This chat revealed that we are pretty much the male and female version of the same person (with her being the successful, popular twin). Gretchen is the author of several uber-successful books, including the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers, The Four Tendencies, Better Than Before, The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. Her books have sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide, in more than thirty languages. She's been named on the list of Most Creative People in Business, been interviewed by Oprah, walked arm in arm with the Dalai Lama, been an answer on the game show 'Jeopardy', been called "the queen of the self-help memoir" by the New York Times and now the pinnacle of her career is clearly... appearing on The You Project. Well, that's my story. Enjoy.

TYP Favourite, Dr. Denise Furness is a geneticist, nutritionist and fitness professional who helps people identify triggers and underlying causes of their health challenges, so they can live a more balanced and fulfilled life. She specialises in nutritional genomics and epigenetics and believes there is no one-size-fits-all formula when it comes to health, diet, lifestyle and physical performance. To say this episode covers a bit of territory is like saying the ocean is a bit big. There is a mix of education, inspiration, science, story-telling and towards the end, complete ridiculousness. Ergo, the title. drdenisefurness.com.au

Mark LeBusque from the Simply Practically Human Podcast has been kind enough to tolerate me on his show for a six-week series which we're recording each Saturday morning at coffee o'clock. Every session is a casual, thoughtful and totally unscripted exploration into the human condition. Enjoy. The Simply Practically Human Podcast

Dr. Lillian Nejad is a Clinical Psychologist, Author, Educator and super interesting podcast guest. Our intended 45-minute chat, turned into an hour and a half double episode. Among other things, we spoke about (1) the positive role of anxiety (it has one) (2) our obsession with comfort (3) the role of motivation (4) what clients and patients want from their health-medical professional (5) why we keep 'moving the goal posts' (6) sociopathic CEO's (7) building rapport (8) why contentment is so elusive (9) why Melissa has avoided social media (for personal use) for a decade and (10) the 'unfairness' of life... and lots more. Enjoy. drlilliannejad.com

Dr. Lillian Nejad is a Clinical Psychologist, Author, Educator and super interesting podcast guest. Our intended 45-minute chat, turned into an hour and a half double episode. Among other things, we spoke about (1) the positive role of anxiety (it has one) (2) our obsession with comfort (3) the role of motivation (4) what clients and patients want from their health-medical professional (5) why we keep 'moving the goal posts' (6) sociopathic CEO's (7) building rapport (8) why contentment is so elusive (9) why Melissa has avoided social media (for personal use) for a decade and (10) the 'unfairness' of life... and lots more. Enjoy. drlilliannejad.com

I get tired just thinking about all the amazing stuff Janine Allis has done and continues to do. She is the founder of Boost Juice and part-owner of Retail Zoo, which is the parent company of Boost Juice, Salsa's Fresh Mex Grill and Cibo Espresso. Janine has one of those minds which is a rare mix of curiosity, creativity, strategy, intellect, problem solving, inspiration and fun. Oh, and she has ridiculous energy, which is how she managed to work on the TV shows 'Shark Tank' and 'The Celebrity Apprentice Australia' and also kick some butt on 'Australian Survivor'. She's written books, won awards, built businesses all over the world, raised kids, married a good bloke and in the middle of it all, is amazingly down to earth. Enjoy.

A few weeks ago, I chatted with Shaun and Gareth from the 'My Home Vitality' Podcast; two curious British lads who are deep thinkers, ask good questions, have great energy and are loads of fun. I enjoyed my time with them and I hope you do too. Enjoy. myhomevitality.com