Big Brain Channel

In this episode, I am discussing kinesiophobia in the context of tendon rehab and how rehab can be conceptualised as graded exposure for some people.  References 1) Physiotherapy management of Achilles tendinopathy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I talk about load test pain assessment and how this can also be used to assess kinesiophobia and movement apprehension.  References 1) Physiotherapy management of Achilles tendinopathy:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36274038/ 2) Kinesiophobia Severity Categories and Clinically Meaningful Symptom Change in Persons With Achilles Tendinopathy in a Cross-Sectional Study: Implicatio...

Rutger Bregman says you are a decent kind human being. We agree. Humankind deserves more credit, and in this episode Luke helps us reflect on the many reasons why and what that looks like in practice. If you want to harness more positivity and more connection to others, things that are essential to flourishing, we have some insight into starting. While individuals and organisations are paralysed b...

In this episode of Strategikon, John speaks with intelligence analyst and former British Royal Navy Officer CDRE Patrick J. Tyrrell OBE RN (RET’D) , about the recent political and monarchical changes occurring within the UK. Patrick discusses how King Charles III has been settling in and whether the monarch should have skipped a generation, as well as the functional role which the Royal Family pla...

While individuals and organisations are paralysed by the fear of things going wrong, what can be done to reduce collateral when problems inevitably arise? As Tim and David recommend books from time to time, when a new Stan McChrystal book comes out, we have to review it, and returning guest Luke brings lived experience to the discussion. If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best...

Following a deeply chaotic and introspective year, Tim comes to David with some revelations about his direction in life. David provides insights from his own metamorphosis and explains why we get hung up on incompatible representations of self. This concludes a mini-series on finding your way which included insights into the serendipity of unwelcome life changes, and a discussion about quarter-lif...

John is joined by the editor of Australian Foreign Affairs Magazine , Jonathan Pearlman, for a discussion about how Australia’s new Albanese government will approach foreign policy. They discuss the current status of The Quad, with a focus on India’s curious position within the group. How does the rising South Asian power’s tradition of non-alignment affect The Quad’s progress and furthermore, cou...

Following a frank conversation about quarter-life crises, Tim draws inspiration from the serendipity of unwelcome life changes. David gives insightful anecdotes to assist Tim in coming to terms with his new career trajectory, noting that there are actionable reflections to change perspectives and that this new chapter is not only defined by loss. This is a dialogue that explores the process of fin...

If you're a keen follower of the podcast, you may have read David's blogs available on his website; https://davidolney.com.au/ . David is an excellent writer, and you even be left wanting more of his writing than is currently available. Well, David has good news for you in this announcement, and it is your job to keep him accountable! If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best man...

When you think of shortcuts, what comes to mind? Cheating? Or the premise of working smarter, not harder? Tim and David stumbled on a fascinating book by Oxford Professor of Mathematics Marcus du Sautoy called "Thinking Better: The Art of the Shortcut" which provides insight into the practice of using and finding shortcuts. In this episode David and Tim reminisce with Marcus about how Mathematics...

We have some fantastic fans who email us or on this special occasion, send us a gift! Scott Murphy who reached out to us via email and then spoke to us on this podcast later sent us a rather unique and special present that has earned its rightful place in the studio! If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to how to best manifest destiny and contribute to your community, contact us and send u...

In this episode of Strategikon, John and David break down a recent book from geopolitical analyst Peter Zeihan, called The End of the World is Just the Beginning: Mapping the end of globalization. Zeihan predicts the unraveling of globalization as we currently know it, to a world where states / regions will have to secure their own access to food, energy and security whilst simultaneously managing...

In a frank conversation between Tim and David, Tim explains his struggles in 2022, while David offers firm advice and explanations that broadly apply to all people experiencing the diminishing returns of hard work in the 21st century. The decline of what Australians call "the fair go" is a conversation that few are willing to have, because it is confronting to reflect on the world around you getti...

When veterans return to civilian life, the adjustment is immense, and the journey that people take from a life in the military to forging their own path in the civilian world is fascinating. Jon Duncan is a fantastic example of someone who has chosen positive growth, as well as being a wonderful guest on the show, and as such we will be dedicating a small series to his life and work, so stay tuned...

This is an interesting study from the Delaware tendinopathy group among others investigating a host of structural, tissue property, functional and pain factors that may persist among people with Achilles tendinopathy making a return to running. Provides guidance to clinicians about potential impairments to consider assessing.  Here's the link to the study: Corrigan, P., Hornsby, S., Pohlig, R.T.,...

To celebrate the release of their newest album, Tim and David speak to the frontman of Adelaide based, The Violets, to uncover what it is like to come back to a passion project after years of hibernation. Matt discusses the changes in the music industry today, the story of how the band reformed and uncovers some truths about how musicians tick. This episode features the first and final songs from...

In this episode I talk about three qualitative studies that aim to understand the patient perspective and patient motivations in Achilles tendinopathy. I find this work really helps clinicians to understand what patients are gong through so we are able to be empathic and help them. Hope you enjoy! Here's a link to courses in the UK: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/mastering-lower-limb-tendinopathy-u...

We're back listeners, and with a small insight into our absence we bring you a meditation on being tired, or in Tim's case, stressed. David offers sound methods and micro-actions to assist in the battles against overwhelm. Rather ironically, Tim hasn't adhered to this advice and thus there's been a dearth of episodes of late, but we are back with a vengeance! If you have any thoughts, questions, o...

This paper is more than 30 years old but it is a beauty. Farley et al talk about human preferred hopping frequency and how it relates to metabolic cost and how fast muscles are contracting, and also how our instructions can influence how well people hop (and the mechanisms that drive this). Important to consider hopping instruction when assessing submaximal hopping in the clinic.  Here's a link to...

There is so much debate about the use of steroids for tendinopathy. Opinions vary between 'you should never use steroid as will lead to recurrence, worse pain or rupture' to 'it's fine, do as much steroid as you like'. Opinions dominate as we have limited data. Until now. This is the first trial looking at 2 year outcome for exercise +/- steroid for Achilles tendinopathy. Interesting findings! Her...

*This podcast was recorded prior to Ukraine vacating from Luhansk* John and David are joined once again by friend of the podcast Rhoderick Miller, who offers an update on the Russia/Ukraine war through the lens of his contrarian, hyper-realist perspective. They discuss why the Western European allies seem to have pulled back their supply of weapons to Ukraine, as well as how the military equipment...

This is a new and lovely to read randomised trial comparing pain science education (including lots of good biopsychosocial info) versus placebo education for Achilles tendinopathy. Some interesting findings and potential avenues for further study. Definitely worth a listen and read.  Here is a link to the actual paper:  https://journals.lww.com/pain/Abstract/9900/The_effects_of_pain_science_educat...

This is a new study from my PhD student, Igor Sancho. He looks at strength, psychological and other factors that may be different between health runners and runners with Achilles tendinopathy. Seated calf raise 6RM seems to be the strongest predictor of having Achilles tendinopathy. Some interesting other findings and clinical implications.  Here is a link to this paper, and Igor's other PhD...

In light of the recent meeting of 'The Quad' nations India, Japan, US and Australia, we are joined by Emeritus Professor Purnendra Jain, from the Department of Asian Studies at the University of Adelaide, who offers a timely analysis regarding India's delicate tightrope walk in keeping ongoing Russia and US relations from cancelling eachother out. Professor Jain delves into the nature of Indian fo...

On this episode I focus on a new study from my PhD student Eman Merza. It is a cross-over randomised trial testing the effect of high and low contraction time and high and low intensity isometric contractions on acute changes to tendon volume and stiffness. Some very interesting potential insights for tendon adaptation. Good work, Eman! Hope you enjoy.  Peter Here is a link to the study (open...