The Spacemakers

It's easy to blame technology for our distractions, but the story is more nuanced. Join us for a special interview with Nir Eyal, best-selling author and tech-habits expert, as we delve into the psychology of habit-forming technologies. Discover insights from his best-selling books,  Hooked  and  Indistractable , which have sold over 1 million copies worldwide. Nir challenges the id...

In this final episode of Season 2, we explore the role of spirituality in the mid-life squeeze. While the first half of life often focuses on the outward journey, the second turns inward, shifting from certainty to a more generous unknowing. Join us as we delve into the three stages of faith and uncover how questioning our beliefs can pave the way for a richer inner life. Matt Bain and Daniel Sih...

Money shapes more than just our finances—it impacts our decisions in each stage of life. In this episode of  The Spacemakers , Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore the “mid-life money reset,” inspired by  The Ant and the Grasshopper .” When is delayed gratification wise, and when does it hold us back? When should we shift from saving to ‘dissaving’? And how do we balance preparing for tomorr...

One common piece of career advice is to “follow your heart”—that is, pursue what you love and chase your passions. While this may be great advice at 40, it can be downright misleading at 20, as what works in one season of life may not apply in the next. In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain continue their exploration of career resets as the years go by. We’ll discuss the importance of building...

You are never too old to change your career. The average Australian changes jobs 13 times in their lifetime, with many taking up study or starting businesses in their 40s. While career resets are challenging at any age, they are particularly so in mid-life. In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore why we need habits of “set and reset” to navigate a career transition. We also hear from Gus...

Our culture is obsessed with staying young and living for as long as possible, doing everything we can to slow down ageing and cheat death. Yet, despite our best efforts, we all face physical decline with age. So, what does it mean to let go of old health and fitness habits and establish new, age-appropriate ones? How can we exercise smarter, not harder? In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain w...

If you could make one life-changing choice to lead a better life, what would it be? The answer doesn't lie in personal achievements or material success, but in the quality of our relationships—including our friendships. Research shows that our health, happiness, and longevity are profoundly influenced by our connections. However, maintaining and sustaining healthy friendships is often a challenge...

What does it truly mean to be productive and accomplish the right things? The answer evolves with age. In our 20s, embracing new experiences and saying "yes" often helps build skills and confidence. However, by our 40s, the focus shifts towards saying "no" more frequently, prioritising our limited time and energy on what truly matters. In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain dive into the scienc...

Research clearly demonstrates that age plays a significant role in determining our happiness. Generally, we start and end our lives feeling happier, with a noticeable dip during our mid-40s and 50s. It's common in mid-life to feel dissatisfied and to grapple with regret, questioning if there's more to life. In this episode, Daniel and Matt unpack the science of the happiness curve, offering practi...

There are well-documented stages in a well-lived human life. While everyone's journey is unique, the ups and downs experienced at different ages are common to many. In this episode, Matt and Daniel delve into the science behind life's stages. We'll help you identify the key landmarks associated with each stage, highlighting the types of habits to consider both now and into the future. Resources: G...

We all know the adage, 'Live every day as if it’s your last.' But is this truly wise advice? If we live for today, what happens tomorrow? Conversely, if we delay gratification for the future, might we overlook the joys of the present? This episode delves into compelling research that reveals how our life decisions are shaped by our perceptions of time. We'll introduce the overarching theme for thi...

Thank you for joining us for the second season of The Spacemakers – “ How to Make Space for Life's Inevitable Resets .” Hosts Daniel Sih and Matt Bain will explore a simple yet profound idea: the habits and practices that fuel success in our 20s and 30s can become barriers to maturity in our 40s and 50s. To navigate this, we need the humility and wisdom to unlearn old habits and embrace new ones....

While we value our individuality, our habits often mirror our surroundings. Echoing Dan and Chip Heath's insight that "behaviour is contagious", this episode explores the power of shared space-making. We'll explore environments that enhance focus and consider strategies to influence the attention within our families, workplaces, and communities. Our Spacemakers Daniel and Matt take a moment to cha...

Like a muscle, focus is strengthened with routine practice - it's all about Doing The Reps. In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain delve into the power of habits to boost focus and attention; looking at How To Broaden Focus Muscles With Deliberate Practice. Our Spacemakers have a chat with Jess Crowley from Bulk Nutrients about deep work, focus and attention.  They also have more practical...

Our Spacemakers, Daniel and Matt look at the topic of Digital Declutter, and how to dumb down your smartphone. Willpower alone isn’t enough to overcome the distractions vying for our attention. This episode of The Spacemakers is about reclaiming mental space by tackling digital environments head-on. We share practical steps to help you alter your digital environment, dial back notifications, and w...

Staying focused at work can be tough. Microsoft's 2023 data reveals that workers spend so much time chatting on tools like MS Teams and Slack that they're struggling to find time to actually 'do' their work. In this episode of The Spacemakers , Daniel Sih is joined by Tim Hynes to share observations about email and Teams in the workplace. As usual they also offer practical strategies to help you r...

In this episode of The Spacemakers , hosts Daniel Sih and Matt Bain look at the topic of Making Space For Quiet In A Loud World. Blaise Pascal once wrote: “All human evil comes from man's inability to sit still in a room”. While perhaps an overstatement, it speaks to the importance of silence, deep thought, and self-reflection.  Without space, we become frantic, caught up in meaningless busyw...

Our attention is as rare as it is precious, and curating it carefully is key. In this episode of The Spacemakers , we explore the difference between bottom-up and top-down attention, and the impact of our environment on self-regulation. Our practical challenge is about making space to reflect on what's truly important, cutting through the noise, to embrace a greater 'yes!' GET YOUR FREE LIFEPLAN&n...

As we make our way through this 10-part series, The Spacemakers Daniel Sih and Matt Bain continue to help us reclaim our fractured attention. In this episode, they talk with Dr. Julia Verdouw about her experience with Tinnitus and what it can teach us about maintaining focus. In an attention economy, sharpening our focus is key. This episode, we chat with Dr. Julia Verdouw about her journey with t...

In this episode of The Spacemakers , host Daniel Sih talks with Aussie Rules Footballer Jack Riewoldt, about Gameday Focus, and what Productivity looks like from an elite athlete’s point of view. Former Richmond Tiger player, Jack Riewoldt, is a three-time premiership Vice Captain, Coleman Medalist, and All-Australian. In this episode, we hear about Jack's productivity habits on and off the field...

In this second episode of The Spacemakers 10-part series, hosts Daniel Sih and Matt Bain will look at the topic of How The Internet Is Changing Your Brain. The average Australian adult spends 65 hours a week on screens – that’s a lot of ‘internet practice.’ Our habitual engagement with social media and short-form video scrolling, among other attention-sapping practices, is fundamentally rewiring o...

This inaugural season of The Spacemakers , delves into the The Fracturing of Our Attention and How To Reclaim Your Focus. In this first episode of a 10-part series, hosts Daniel Sih and Matt Bain will look at the topic of Why Can't I Focus Like I Used To? Our attention is waning as a society. The more we swipe a screen, the more we struggle to concentrate. In this episode Daniel and Matt delve int...

This inaugural season of The Spacemakers , delves into the “ The Fracturing of Our Attention and How To Reclaim Your Focus" Over a 10-part series, hosts Daniel Sih and Matt Bain will look at topics such as: Why can't we watch a movie without grabbing our phones? What's pushing us toward burnout? What do tinnitus suffers have to teach us about the power of the mind, and how is the internet reshapin...