Would you like to unlock the creative, imaginative and innovative potential in your team or organisation…BUT…don’t want to listen to another serious podcast which offers 7 steps, 5 habits, 3 mantras, and a hard sell in a pear tree? Then join ‘The Occupational Philosophers’, a ‘not-so-serious’ podcast with Simon Banks (middle-aged Australian surfer man, artist and published author) and John Rice (middle-aged British man with a love of curiosity and philosophy) as they chat with a ‘clowder’ (great word!) of curious cats from the fields of Comedy, Academia, Philosophy, Neuroscience, Psychology, Design, Marketing, and Business, to explore how you, your team, and your organisation, can develop your curiosity, spark your creativity, and free your imagination, so you can grow your business and your people….sounds great huh?! But don’t just take our word for it, read what our listeners think: “Worth a listen, one of them has a strange Australian accent” “They’re not philosophers, they’re idiots” “If you like business, philosophy, humour, creativity, and imagination, then have a listen - if not, then I would leave well alone” http://www.occupationalphilosophers.com
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September 1, 2026Episode 1211 hr 15 min
Ep 121: How to be a better public speaker with guest, Dr Louise Mahler (From the vault)
How to be a better Public Speaker with Dr Lousie Mahler. (This is a reboot of episode 71, recorded a few years back - and one of our favourites) 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
September 1, 2026Episode 10429 min
Ep 104 Inbetweener - Creative Insights you can plan your life around
SHOW NOTES In this short, sharp Inbetweener episode, The Occupational Philosophers continue to delve back into some highlights from the first 100 episodes and some sage advice from guests who have helped populate the ‘Maniguesto’ tree… Ian Gilbert…Do things no-one else does Mike Parsons …If you want to transform the world, start by transforming yourself Professor David Cropley….Creativity is like spinach! Tiffany Markman….In order to be creative, don’t be an insular arsehole …or asshole…. Dr Barbara Doran ….Draw, use your hands Tim Vaughan-Hughes….Fail again but fail better Jemma Enright….Stay curious 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 fruity burst of energy 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.independentthinking.co.uk/speakers/ian-gilbert/ https://www.moonshots.io/ https://people.unisa.edu.au/David.Cropley https://tiffanymarkman.co.za/ https://www.barbaradoran.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-vaughan-hughes https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemmaenright Say Hello www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs: JOHN: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com/ SIMON: www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL: https://youtu.be/YZQdJI6qGvg
August 26, 2026Episode 12010 min
Ep.120: The fear of being judged Is Killing your Creativity | Nuggets With Dr Peter Lovatt
Why Movement Changes How You Think | Nuggets With Peter Lovatt The Occupational Philosophers | Episode 120 Nuggets With Dr Peter Lovatt — Dance Psychologist and the show's very first-ever guest. John and Simon launch a new segment, likely the poorly named 'Nuggets', by digging back into the archive and pulling out the three ideas (nuggets) from Peter's original episode: what movement does to thinking, why dancing first beats thinking first, and why fear of judgement quietly kills creativity and curiosity. Timestamps 00:00 — Intro to the show and the new Nuggets segment 00:01 — Meet Dr Peter Lovatt, the show's first-ever guest 00:02 — Idea 1: Movement and thinking — structured movement for convergent problems, improvised movement for divergent ones 00:03 — Idea 2: "Dance first, think later" and how movement disrupts default thinking patterns 00:05 — Idea 3: The fear of being judged, and how it shuts down dance, creativity and curiosity alike 00:07 — Thought experiment: encouraging more movement inside your organisation 00:07 — Practical experiment: designing your day for multiple moments of movement 00:08 — Wrap-up with a Nietzsche quote on movement and ideas 00:09 — Subscribe and outro Find out more Peter Lovatt https://peterlovatt.com https://academy.doctordance.com https://peterlovatt.com/the-dance-cure https://x.com/DrPeterLovatt The Occupational Philosophers https://www.occupationalphilosophers.com https://occupationalphilosophers.substack.com https://www.bowlandconsulting.com https://www.simonbanks.com.au Key Ideas Convergent Problems Get Structure, Divergent Problems Get Wiggle — Lovatt's advice for revision was to match the movement to the thinking task: structured movement like running sharpens convergent, single-answer problem solving, while loose, improvised movement (his "bit of a John Travolta") loosens up divergent thinking for open-ended, creative problems. Dance First, Think Later — Lovatt's central claim reverses the usual order of operations. Moving first, before you've worked out what to think, breaks your existing thought patterns and forces the brain into new territory rather than looping the same ideas. Movement Changes Your State Immediately — Beyond the cognitive shift, moving also changes how you feel in the moment, through the endorphins it releases. The state change is instant, whether or not the movement ever tips into actual dancing. The Fear of Being Judged Is the Real Blocker — Dance gets written off early as something only children do, or something you need to be brilliant at to attempt. That same fear of judgement, not a lack of ability, is what stops most adults from dancing, singing, or making anything at all. The Fear Shows Up in the Boardroom Too — The same self-consciousness that stops someone dancing in public is what stops them asking a question in a meeting. Teams that don't challenge assumptions or chase breakthrough moments are often just as afraid of looking silly as a nervous dancer is. Standout Line "Dance first, think later. It's the natural order."
August 17, 2026Episode 1191 hr 21 min
Ep.119 - The Art of asking Great Questions (and how not to lose it) with guest Larry Robertson - Author, Entrepreneur and Scholar
The Art of Asking Great Questions (and how not to lose it) The Occupational Philosophers | Episode 119 - Larry Robertson Larry Robertson is an author, innovation advisor, and Inc. Magazine columnist and founder of Lighthouse Consulting, where he's spent three decades helping organisations successfully manage growth. He's a graduate of Stanford and Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management; he was named a US Fulbright Scholar in 2021, (a rare distinction for someone working outside academia). If that's not enough, he's also an Adjunct Professor! In his work, he's watched the world drift away from real questions and toward statements dressed up as questions, which, unsurprisingly, is the subject of his fourth book, Great Question: The Art of the Ask. This episode dives into what that lack of curiosity can cost us. Importantly, the book explores what we get back when we relearn the practice of noticing, intellectual humility, and the "adjacent possible" as a way of seeing what's one step from where we already are. It also unearths the bigger question of what it means to be human. Larry is possibly the world's nicest man, and Simon and John hope you enjoy listening to the show as much as they did recording it. There are so many gems here. Timestamps 00:00 – What's caught your curious eye and Simon's favourite artwork story 00:08 – Larry's curious eye: yellow finches, and the joy of seeing 00:13 – Dinner party questions: The big question Larry keeps circling back to 00:20 – Larry's Venn diagram, and his to-ask list (with an assist from Mary Oliver) 00:25 – Where the new book started: the pattern across his first three books 00:29 – The 25-year observation: statements replacing real questions 00:32 – Four things a question is: an invitation, a frame, a behaviour, an identity 00:37 – Noticing versus the practiced noticer 00:40 – Stuart Kauffman and the adjacent possible 00:43 – Slow looking, the National Gallery, and Claire Bown's "The Art Engager" 00:47 – Training medical students by having them diagnose art 00:50 – Intellectual humility: the Hero's Journey, three levels, and the mantras for practicing it 00:58 – Warm data versus cold data, and reframing the data-centre problem 01:02 – Why the book matters: mattering, meaning, and being a questioning species 01:07 – Jeopardy! Possibly the world's best ever thought experiment 01:13 – Rapid fire: the manifesto addition, plus book and film recommendations 01:18 – What's next for Larry, and where to find him Live Links Larry Robertson Website: https://lrspeaks.com/ Great Question: The Art of the Ask (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Great-Question-Getting-More-Really/dp/0983757461 Lighthouse Consulting: https://lighthouse-consulting.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryrobertson3rd/ Column — Inc. Magazine: https://www.inc.com/author/larry-robertson People & Work Mentioned World Peace Game Foundation (Robin Klingler): https://worldpeacegame.org/ Stuart Kauffman, theoretical biologist and originator of "the adjacent possible": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Kauffman Claire Brown — The Art Engager / Thinking Museum: https://thinkingmuseum.com/ Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education: https://pz.harvard.edu/ Centre for BrainHealth, UT Dallas (art-based medical student training): https://centerforbrainhealth.org/ Temple Grandin: An Open Door (documentary): https://www.templegrandindocumentary.com/ The Occupational Philosophers Website: https://www.occupationalphilosophers.com Substack: https://occupationalphilosophers.substack.com John — Bowland Consulting: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com Simon — simonbanks.com.au: https://www.simonbanks.com.au Key Ideas The Practiced Noticer — Paying attention isn't passive. Larry draws a line between people who simply notice and "practiced noticers" who've turned observation into a discipline, and it's a skill anyone can build. The Adjacent Possible — Borrowed from theoretical biologist Stuart Kauffman, the idea that breakthrough thinking doesn't arrive fully formed. It shows up in workman's clothes, one small step past what you already know. Intellectual Humility Isn't Humility — It isn't about admitting you were wrong. It's accepting that what you know might be incomplete, and that you might have to change because of what comes back to you. Questions Are a Behaviour, Not Just a Skill — Brains are built to do their best work in uncertainty. The questioning instinct is wired in, long before we have the words to ask anything. The Slow Disappearance of the Real Question — Twenty-five years of observation led Larry to a blunt conclusion: more of what passes for questions now are just statements with a question mark at the end. Mattering Over Meaning — The point isn't landing on one big answer at fifty that carries you to ninety. It's staying in the practice of asking why you matter, again and again. Warm Data Versus Cold Data — The numbers on the spreadsheet only tell part of the story. The atmosphere in the room, the thing you sense rather than measure, is often where the real signal lives. Standout Line "What will you realise soon that you already know?" As always: Stay curious, play more, have fun, make stuff, and as you leave the door, date life as always, stay curious, play more, have fun, make stuff, and as you leave the door, date life.
July 1, 2026Episode 1181 hr 30 min
Ep. 118 - Casa de Cambio x Occupational Philosophers, with guest Natasha Redman
In Episode 118,The Occupational Philosophers dive into a totally different format! Together with Natasha Redman, host of the very popular‘Casa De Cambio’ podcast, they have created their first ‘mash up’ podcast episode which invites them to be both guests and hosts to each other on one show! In this episode they explore a wide range of topics including: What’s the best Quentin Tarantino movie? What was the best career advice you’ve ever received? What have John and Simon learned about curiosity in over 100 episodes? Who are the 4 horsemen of Nirvana? Why saying ‘I don’t know’ is so powerful How to stay curious (even when under pressure) What questions should organisations be wrestling with today? How should any change initiative start? How can you implement changes when ‘all is in flux’? If you change all the planks of the ‘Ship of Theseus’, is it still the ‘Ship of Theseus’? Where do organisations struggle when it comes to change? The danger of ‘Toxic positivity’ and how to counter it Why ‘pet projects’ can derail change programmes What is the secret of the universe….sorry….scrub that, wrong podcast And as ever, enjoy the Thought Experiment …this time it’s: Who’s in the house? About Natasha Redman Natasha Redman is an experienced change practitioner and project professional, with a proven track record in system implementations, organisational change initiatives and large-scale transformations. She has managed change initiatives at Australia’s biggest companies (including ANZ, Telstra, Australia Post, Accenture, NAB, Newcrest), holds multiple certifications and is well versed in both agile and waterfall delivery methods. Natasha’s passion for all things change led to her creating and hosting a successful podcast about change, technology, innovation and leadership. Learn more about Natasha https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasharedman/ https://www.casadecambio.com.au/ References https://www.thethe.com/ https://www.amazon.com/World-Needs-Your-Art-Creativity/dp/1683503732 https://conneradvisory.com/daryl-conner/ Bad Boy Bubby https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106341/ Casa De Cambio - Free webinar 9th July https://www.linkedin.com/posts/changify_agile-changemanagement-erptransformation-activity-7475121753778806785-K9ax?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAABIFFkBQKyN-YVNoL5dWZCukKlPAEKDwCI John and Simon hope you enjoy the show as much as they enjoyed making it. It's the reason they started this show - interesting, cool and creative people who have taken the path less travelled and kicked arse! Say Hello to the OP www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN www.bowlandconsulting.com SIMON www.simonbanks.com.au
June 26, 2026Episode 1171 hr 6 min
Ep. 117 Why your Company Events are killing Culture (and what Burning Man gets right) | With guest, Jasper Vallance
The Occupational Philosophers | Episode 117 | With Jasper Vallance Jasper Vallance is a social entrepreneur who left his corporate life at Google to create a life of meaning driven by his passions. As an event architect, he became the founder of Australia's largest sober dance party. He has taken what he learned at Burning Man to rethink what corporate gatherings could actually do for people. This episode is about why many company events don't work and what intentional gathering looks like when it's done right. In this episode, they cover the collapse of Friday drinks, the WeWork meltdown (yes, that one), and why alcohol has never actually been the social lubricant we think it is. Timestamps 05:00 – Guest intro: Jasper Vallance 07:30 – Burning Seed relaunch — Cosmic Canyon 10:24 – Burning Man 101: it's 10 principles 12:19 – Dinner Party Round begins 12:41 – What's giving you joy? Who inspires you? 16:12 – Big question: can the magic of Burning Man translate to company events? 20:49 – Why Jasper is always in costume and why that matters 21:22 – The secret sauce: costumes do what alcohol does, without the damage 22:20 – Google, 2007, and what the digital age did to human connection 26:01 – How Burning Man changed his life 27:42 – How Xstatic Sunsets was born: the natural high through dance 28:22 – Walking the talk: how do you actually create belonging? 30:15 – The welcome experience: hugs, costumes, facilitators 31:42 – The corporate opportunity: what if the CEO wore a chicken outfit? 33:00 – Storytelling starts before people arrive and the art of building anticipation 35:14 – Thought Experiment: Jasper Vallance, Event Detective 51:44 – Rapid fire: one thing you couldn't live without 53:04 – Dr. Peter Lovatt: dance first, think later 56:19 – What's next: Burning Seed and Immersive8 57:42 – Where to find Jasper online 58:50 – Post-show reflections: John and Simon on the art of gathering Key Ideas Purpose before planning. Most corporate events treat purpose as an afterthought. Jasper argues it should be the first thing locked in — not as a value statement, but as a lived experience the event is designed to create. Participation over presentation. Burning Man works because everyone is in the action. The moment people become spectators, you lose them. Same applies to company offsites. Costumes do what alcohol does, without the damage. They lower inhibitions, break social hierarchies, and give people permission to play. Jasper has proven this at scale. The welcome is everything. The first point of contact sets the entire tone. Not an icebreaker on a slide. An actual human welcome that makes people feel like they belong. Passions connect people across silos. Ask everyone what they love doing outside work. Cyclists ride together. Cooks cook together. Then they come back with something real in common. Post-COVID, Friday drinks aren't coming back. Younger generations want to go home. The social fabric of the office has changed. The answer isn't to recreate the old model — it's to reimagine what connection looks like now. Standout Line "I have guys coming up at the end of the night going, 'I almost had a drink before I came in, but I'm so glad I didn't.' That is the experience I'm trying to deliver." Live Links Jasper Vallance - Personal site: https://www.jaspervallance.com - Immersive8 (corporate events agency): https://immersive8.agency - Xstatic Sunsets (sober dance parties): https://www.xstaticsunsets.com People & Movements Mentioned - Peter Sharp & The Liberators: https://www.theliberators.org - Peter Sharp (personal site): https://www.petersharp.com.au - Dr. Peter Lovatt (dance psychologist, Episode 4/5): https://www.drpeterdance.com Events & Festivals - Burning Man: https://burningman.org - Burning Seed (Australian regional Burning Man event): https://www.burningseed.com - Blazing Swan (WA regional burn): https://blazingswan.com.au - Elsewhere (the successor to Nowhere, Spain's European burn): https://nobodies.team - Bali Spirit Festival: https://www.balispiritfestival.com Events Referenced - Fyre Festival — Netflix documentary: https://www.netflix.com/title/81035279 - WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn — documentary: https://www.hulu.com/movie/wecrashed-the-rise-and-fall-of-wework-documentary - Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage — Netflix documentary: https://www.netflix.com/title/81258733 Get in Touch: The Occupational Philosophers - Website: https://www.occupationalphilosophers.com - Substack: https://occupationalphilosophers.substack.com - John: Bowland Consulting: https://www.bowlandconsulting.com - Simon: https://www.simonbanks.com.au
May 28, 2026Episode 11454 min
Ep. 114 The science behind Arts on Prescription (and why the funding hasn't caught up) with Professor Katherine Boydell
In this episode 114, the Occupational Philosophers chat with the wonderfully curious Professor Katherine Boydell. Katherine is an internationally recognised leader in qualitative inquiry and arts-based knowledge translation in mental health and social care with innovative approaches to create knowledge and translate empirical research using arts-based methods, including art installations. She is the founder and head of the award-winning Arts-based Knowledge Translation Lab at Black Dog Institute and Director, Knowledge Translation, Maridulu Budyari Gumal – Sydney Partnership for Health Education Research and Enterprise. She was appointed as a Fellow of the prestigious Australian Academy of Social Sciences in 2020. She is Vice-President of the Arts & Health Network of NSW/ACT and is Executive Editor of the Arts & Health journal and Associate Editor of Early Intervention in Psychiatry. She has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Wollongong, University of Sydney, Rotterdam Arts & Science Lab, Radboud University, and Singapore Art Museum. She has published over 300 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and books as well as other arts-based outputs such as research-based installations and exhibits and two PhDs. Her recent book, Applying Body Mapping in Research: An Arts-Based Method, brings together years of practice using this powerful participatory technique across health and social care settings around the world. This is some impressive stuff! In this episode, they explore a wide range of topics including: What sparked Katherine's passion for arts-based research The Salon des Refusés: The alternative Archibald Prize exhibition Abstract painting, layering, and what lies underneath Five grandsons and the joy of childlike curiosity What actually counts as evidence in research? How Katherine's lab uses art to create AND share knowledge ReBloom: An interactive digital installation about self-harm, hope and human connection Body mapping: tracing, filling, and telling stories through the body Taking research-based art into shopping centres and office lobbies with Dexus The Think, Feel, Do framework for measuring impact Deep looking and why we need more of it Arts on prescription and the therapeutic consequences of engaging with art Why the funding still hasn't caught up with the evidence Chapters 0:00 Opening quote: Embrace Messiness 0:26 Intro & Guest Introduction 0:44 Introducing Professor Katherine Boydell 3:03 Curious Eye: The Salon des Refusés 5:05 Dinner Party Round 13:15 Arts-Based Research: What Katherine Does 17:37 ReBloom: Arts & Self-Harm Research 29:48 Body Mapping Explained 36:59 Dexus Partnership & Public Installations 43:23 Wrap-Up & Rapid Fire Questions 48:59 Post-Show Reflections John and Simon hope you enjoy the show as much as they enjoyed making it. It's the reason they started this show - interesting, cool and creative people who have taken the path less travelled and kicked arse! Learn more about Catherine Black Dog Institute https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ Arts-Based Knowledge Translation Lab (overview page) https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/research/ Sydney Partnership for Health Education Research and Enterprise (SPHERE) https://www.thesphere.com.au/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-boydell-87b3867/ Arts and Health Journal: https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/rahe20 Rebloom Project https://www.uts.edu.au/news/2025/10/rebloom-how-an-art-installation-is-changing-conversations-about-self-harm Mentions Archibald Prize https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/ Salon des Refusés https://www.salonrefuses.com.au/ Art Gallery of New South Wales https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/ Daisy Fancourt The Art Cure https://www.penguin.com.au/books/art-cure-9781529935547https://www.penguin.co.uk/ World Health Organisation – What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289054553 Arts & Health Journal https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rahe20/current Early Intervention in Psychiatry https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/17517893 Say Hello to the OP www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN Bowland Consulting SIMON www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL
May 18, 2026Episode 1161 hr 20 min
Ep. 116: Why imagination & creativity are essential for problem solving with Creative Director Tim Simpson
In Episode 116,The Occupational Philosophers chat with Tim Simpson, creative director of Plunge Creations, a company probably best known for being the imaginative powerhouse in designing and making the costumes for ‘The Masked Singer UK’. In this episode they explore a wide range of topic including: Why pencil and paper beats working on a laptop How imagination focuses on what’s important to you Where to scribble your most creative ideas…clue, it’s not the front of an envelope Whether a 10m cat is ever a good idea The creative process which brings the magic of Plunge Creations to life How problem solving is a key skill which underpins the creative process How to tap into everyone’s bright ideas Is it ever possible to ‘price in the love’ on a creative project for a client? How might the education system better prioritise creativity? What might teams do to innovate and generate new ideas? Would the London Marathon be improved if everyone were dressed up? And as ever, enjoy the Thought Experiment …this time it’s: Who’s that behind the mask? About Tim Simpson As well as creating bold & crazy designs for the Masked Singer, which is one of the UK's biggest family entertainment shows and a show which has global fame, Tim and his team at Plunge also craft jaw-dropping props for cinema and TV, including for ‘The Traitors’; again another global phenomenon. For the latest Wicked movie, they created a stunning sculpture in St Pancras International station in London, which drew you in to an adventure into the enchanting world of Wicked, bringing the Emerald City to life, with immersive details, and magical surprises - this takes your breath away when you first see it! He is a creative all rounder, equally at home behind the computer, designing and visualising a project, or in the workshop, working alongside the team. He is the Willy Wonka of design, creativity, magic, who lives in a world of pure imagination! Learn more about Tim https://www.plungecreations.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/plunge-productions/posts/?feedView=all References David Bowie - https://lightroom.uk/ Leatherwork - https://www.wolframlohr.com/ Masked Singer UK - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Masked_Singer_(British_TV_series)_series_7 Playtime movie - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062136/ People’s Pyramid - https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/gallery/new-bricks-laid-people-build-32930136.amp John and Simon hope you enjoy the show as much as they enjoyed making it. It's the reason they started this show - interesting, cool and creative people who have taken the path less travelled and kicked arse! Say Hello to the OP www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN www.bowlandconsulting.com SIMON www.simonbanks.com.au
April 17, 2026Episode 1151 hr 4 min
Ep. 115: Photography: the art of seeing and failing your way to creativity, with guest, Kurt Sneddon.
The Occupational Philosophers chat with Kurt Sneddon, photographer, cinematographer, and actor. In this episode, they explore a wide range of topics including: Where AI can enhance the creative process The art of seeing; noticing what others might miss How the ‘buffet of inspiration’ differs between Sydney and NYC How to bring out the natural version of someone What might we do to improve the way we see and take perspectives The delightfully named ‘Humble Togs Club’...for photographers who are not dicks… Creating a safe environment that allows people, curiosity and creativity to flourish Why failure is the thing that supercharges your learning and creative output And as ever, enjoy the Thought Experiment …this time it’s: No Jerks Allowed About Kurt Sneddon... Kurt has built a thriving portrait & wedding studio in Sydney, Australia, before relocating in 2015 to pursue creative opportunities in New York City. He photographs awesome actors, dancers, models and performers in the streets of New York City. He has a studio in East Williamsburg & SoHo in NYC - Kurt’s photography is all about creating authentic, impactful images that help performers stand out—and making sure they enjoy the process, not dread it. He pivoted into cinematography, trained at Maine Media Workshops, joined the Local 600 Camera Union, and worked in the camera crew on TV shows and films throughout NYC and upstate. More recently, he opened up a space for coaching photographers who are tired of toxic spaces and ego-driven attitudes, launching the Humble Togs Club - an online community where photographers can hang out, learn, and support each other in a safe, no-jerk zone - it's also an amazing community that celebrates progress, not perfection. Learn more about Kurt Humble Togs Podcast https: //podcast. humbletogsclub.com/ Website https://www.humbletogsclub.com/intro Socials https://www.linkedin.com/in/bykurtsneddon/ https://bio.site/kurtsneddon https://www.kurtsneddon.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bykurtsneddon/ https://www.facebook.com/kurt.sneddon/ https://www.tiktok.com/@bykurtsneddon References https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoa_of_Attalos https://www.remussanctuary.org/interesting-goat-facts/ https://rayeofficial.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/conversations-about-foster-care/id1506508179 https://davinci.ai/ https://www.nano-banana.ai/ https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-life-in-parts/bryan-cranston/9781409156598 John and Simon hope you enjoy the show as much as they enjoyed making it. Its the reason they started this show - interesting, cool and creative people who have taken the path less travelled and kicked arse! Say Hello to the OP www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN www.bowlandconsulting.com SIMON www.simonbanks.com.au
February 3, 2026Episode 1131 hr 24 min
Ep. 113: Curiosity, empathy, and being open to the world, with guest, David Bramwell, Author of 'The Number 9 Bus to Utopia'.
In this episode 113, the Occupational Philosophers chat with the wonderfully curious David Bramwell - a writer, broadcaster, performer and professional seeker. He’s the author of The Number 9 Bus to Utopia, a philosophical travel memoir, in which he went looking for different and potentially better ways of living. He’s presented many programmes for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4 on subjects ranging from Ivor Cutler, Ken Campbell and time travel, to the art of public speaking. As a podcaster, he produces and presents Adventures in Nutopia and The Ways of Water, and has co-hosted other popular podcasts including, Odditorium, Watling Street with author John Higgs, and Seeker! The Ken Campbell Podcast with Daisy Campbell. In 2020 his book The Cult of Water was published, exploring belief and rituals, and then in 2023 he self-published The Singalong-A-Wicker-Man Scrapbook. Since 2004 he has been hosting Brighton’s Catalyst Club, a monthly salon at which three guest speakers from all walks of life take to the stage to talk about their passions. As a performer, he has toured several solo shows and performed at Soho Theatre, Somerset House, Tate St Ives, TEDx, Idler Academy, MOMA, UK festivals, and the Lowry Theatre. And finally there's Oddfellow's Casino, an eclectic band project that blends spoken word, music and storytelling, and who are approaching their 25th anniversary this year. In this episode they explore a wide range of topic including: How to use Brexit to dodge home DIY and tasks The Singalong-a-Wicker-Man show! Panpsychism and consciousness (Does Broccoli dream of sheep?) How do tomatoes feel about being eaten? Are tomatoes controlling us? What sparked David’s curiosity superpower? What fashion items are best for a philosophical data analyst? What lessons David learned on ‘The Number 9 Bus to Utopia’ How alternative communities show great creativity and imagination What the everyday interests of everyday people can tell us about curiosity and being human How we might engage better with people who have different views to ourselves What is the official name for a ‘Bum Reader’? And as ever, enjoy the Thought Experiment …this time it’s: Where is this bus going? Learn more about David https://www.drbramwell.com/ https://oddfellowscasino.bandcamp.com/ https://catalystclub.co.uk/ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/adventures-in-nutopia/id1649333497 References Trevor Noah https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/nonprofittechies/microsoft-and-trevor-noah-a-partnership-for-asking-questions/4036636 Australian Writers Festival boycott https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm4jkwz2z8 The Wicker Man https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wicker_Man Crows picking up cigarette butts https://stevedalepetworld.com/blog/something-to-crow-about/ Panpsychism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panpsychism Philip Goff https://philipgoffphilosophy.com/ Museum of Curiosity https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00k3wvk Spalding Gray https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spalding_Gray Rudolph Steiner https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Steiner Underground Temple https://thetemples.org/ Shark House https://museumofoxford.org/bill-heine-the-man-behind-the-headington-shark/ Findhorn https://visitfindhorn.uk/ The Min Min Light https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/jun/27/what-are-glowing-orbs-of-light-in-the-sky-world-over The Positive Revolution https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handbook-Positive-Revolution-Edward-Bono/dp/0670830127 La Bete https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14407336/ November https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6164502/ The Web of Meaning https://www.jeremylent.com/the-web-of-meaning.html John and Simon hope you enjoy the show as much as they enjoyed making it. Its the reason they started this show - interesting, cool and creative people who have taken the path less travelled and kicked arse! Say Hello to the OP www.occupationalphilosophers.com Their day jobs JOHN Bowland Consulting SIMON www.simonbanks.com.au SIMON SHOWREEL
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