bravo charlie club

A short and sweet one this week — we'll give you a few minutes back. We: •     Welcome Venezuela. •     Explore the power of holding your tongue as you get older — and Ben's Jakarta airport tale of zen restraint that paid off in the most unlikely way. •     Offer a travel tip: count your change (a Bali vendor shortchanged Ben with the biggest smile). •     Read listener JR's note on...

Richard's back after a bout of pneumonia, and we're back to the usual 12.5 minutes. This week we: •     Welcome Kenya (habari!). •     Hear Richard's slow-burning fury at Domino's — a 90-minute pizza, and a 'free' voucher with a $22.90 asterisk. •     Establish that our kids now need Wi-Fi to brush their teeth. •     Share a hard-won travel tip: read the sticker on th...

Back to the usual 12.5 minutes. This week we: •     Welcome Guatemala — and attempt the time-of-day greetings, including the entirely made-up 'buenos nachos'. •     Air a Fully Awake Project grievance: the swim mates who happily use Ben's keep cup but won't use their own — even the ones he gave them. •     Celebrate the small, perfect moment of being waved past a fragrance coun...

This week we're back to the usual 12.5 minutes. We:   Say hola to a new listener country, Ecuador. Ask the Fully Awake Project question — what's the most unusual way you've met someone you're still in touch with? (Ben's 20-year friendship that began with a borrowed book; Richard's that began with 'nope, not telling'.) Field a listener tip to pack spare shoes...

This week we go long: a special-edition deep dive into Japan, with Ben just back and Richard about to go. In ~35 minutes we: •     Set the scene on Ben's 16-day trip — a work convention, a side hop to Seoul, and about eight days of free time. •     Tackle temple (and Japanese garden) overload — and Ben's confession that he only actually made it to one temple. •     Investigate the 7-Elev...

One year of bcc! Can you believe it ?  What exactly is thought leadership? Exit row awesomeness.  2FA does not require roaming! BH wondering what happens to the black dots in hotel rooms? Trouble brewing in Ben's household. Whats the statutory legal expiry date of easter egg ownership?  Send us a text by clicking here Join the WhatsApp inner sanctum for early access to all episodes as they dr...

Volunteering! Is it a dying practice? Listener BH actually sent feedback based on the teaser form Episode 50! He asks does volunteering start with clearing the dishwasher at work and emptying the work bins... surely that's it in its basic format? Ben’s volunteering career reflection. Listener MP asks “Mr Benno, with your Wise card, do you load it up with the local currency or just have AUD an...

The benefit of a bad opinion. Ben's big in Japan Richard thinks his t-shirt is so cool. *cough* Listener JG sends us gifts. Thanks! Listener MG asks what the difference between Ben's Bucket list and someday maybe lists is.  Listener AT clarifies his 4 screen setup.  Do we still need "No Smoking" signs on planes ? Really ? Thats it folks. Thanks for stopping by! Send us a text b...

- Observations on the "screw" jar. - First class - Yes please! - RL writes in : “How is a game between 2 teams anything but 50/50. Stop saying it.” - DR writes in about the AI deep dive episode. He listened to all 90 minutes! He says “Great episode boys. We are moving fast into an exciting future. Embrace, learn and be creative but most importantly don't forget what's important...

- Elusive skills. - Folding fitted sheets - Where is the win?  - Ben v Rich on Tech organisers. - Richard’s golden wing saga; or when NOT to invest in lifetime membership. - Listener MF brings her own conundrum! (unpacked below). Thanks MF! - Hotel liquid soaps, shampoo & conditioner. Acid for your face? or Manna from heaven? - Freedom bird - The plane that took soldiers home. What did they ca...

- On "being a good dad".  - Cash v Card - the eternal debate. Which is better for travel?  - https://www.travelex.com.au/travelex-hub/travel-tips/cash-vs-travel-card-vs-credit-cards?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=au1.2_120061&utm_content=non-tmc - Listener AT is all in on LCD screens, and says LCD screens on vacuum cleaners are a must. - Listener MM write i...

This is not your usual 12.5-minute bcc episode — and that's completely on purpose. Ben and Richard sat down with longtime friend and 30-year marketing and tech veteran Ben Slater for a long-form special edition on AI. No script, no agenda beyond genuine curiosity — just three mates with very different vantage points trying to make sense of the fastest-moving space any of us have seen. They go...

- Ben hears something so crazy he feels compelled to immediately fact check it. - Tanya's hotel booking travel hack. - Listener KH says, “it’s an unusual experience to listen to bcc, because Ben you sound so sensible on the podcast.” 😂 - Richard's punctuation ? Can he explain himself ?  - How far are we away from self driving cars (really) ? Send us a text by clicking here Join the What...

The secret life of checked bags.  We discuss what is really going on after you check your bag in at the airport (and why we still wont do it)   https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/the-secret-life-of-your-checked-baggage-20251128-p5njc7.html Listener EX asks “Do you take your shoes off when you fly long haul? Listener @whalecube writes in on our YouTube channel and says “You Guys are going to...

How awesome are mates? Ben's Amazon belt hanger experience.  Surviving long haul flights Listener TH asks how we came up with the 12 and a half minute listener promise. Voicemail - Yay, nay or maybe ?  Send us a text by clicking here Join the WhatsApp inner sanctum for early access to all episodes as they drop and share feedback straight to us! Only 48million more subscribers to catch Real Ma...

- Vacuum cleaners with LCD screens ... Why? 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️ -  Hotel room alarm clocks get their marching orders. - MM writes in and says “The chat about sports: for me a sport must involve 2 things: an element of competition and some level of exertion...”  - JT says “I completely agree with your response timeframes, Ben! Linked In messages go in the bin. - Killing two birds with one stone! - Your wife...

- What's with Uber's random 'Why not take a ride' messages ?  - Why did Ben switch to the Didi ?  - Richard's totally non travel tip latest youtube binge watch channel.  - Lister's question for listeners : (How meta) .. “Have you ever been out for a meal. And then had to reorder a whole meal at another place, because the meal you received was so bad”.  ⁃ When your loc...

Ben's wife writes in to say he was mistaken 😂🤣 Short haul recliners .. Yay or Nay ? Fly ahead .. Ben gets seat swapped to the far end of the plane. 50% chance of 0mm of rain .. Dear god what does it mean ? 'Feels Like' - is it totally made up ?  Send us a text by clicking here Join the WhatsApp inner sanctum for early access to all episodes as they drop and share feedback straight...

Why do Council's use the smallest font possible on rates and water notices ?  Pacemaker gifting Audible: Perfect for bookworm drivers ?  JA shares tales while E-biking and listening - Thanks JA. GG: On hero's journey - “Tap into failure. We aren’t superhuman.” - Wise words. Google AI summaries : Love em or hate em ? Send us a text by clicking here Join the WhatsApp inner sanctum for earl...

The hero’s journey https://time.com/6304708/heros-journey-psychology/ Planned unplanned trips can be fun https://www.imoova.com Listener AT says “Damn is definitely a swear word, although it's so used in common language now that it may not be perceived as such. It literally means “curse”. How long is “I’ll just be 5”? Send us a text by clicking here Join the WhatsApp inner sanctum for early a...

- Should we take gap years? - What Richard buys only at airports.  - Ben's Kris Flyer lounge fail.  - Is damn a swear word? - Social media ban in Australia apparently not harming our listenership. - “Think nothing of it”. Discuss... Send us a text by clicking here Join the WhatsApp inner sanctum for early access to all episodes as they drop and share feedback straight to us! Only 48million mo...

Ever been added to mailing list that you were like “not sure how that happened, but this is COOL!”. Yeah us either 🤣 Send then spell check or spell check then send? Ben breaks bad. Richard’s head's up for when haggling.  The best thing ever got some feedback - listener CG says its Dogs!  AT shared an article about an e-sport “athlete” getting South Korea’s highest sporting honour.?? https://...

- What would be in your rider if you were in a movie? - Ben walks us through eSims for the win.  - PD tells us “There’s no money in podcasts, get a real job.” - Richard does research on the best thing ever, but a listener gives us the best answer. Send us a text by clicking here Join the WhatsApp inner sanctum for early access to all episodes as they drop and share feedback straight to us! Only 48...

Dopamine hits from awesome recommendations.  Vision boards ? Ben considers changing his name to become the most famous author. Economy longhaul seat suggestion. Our suggestion of www.seatguru.com has shut down however www.seatmaps.com appears a very suitable replacement. Happy travels! Listener writes in on overthinking toast settings. Beach tennis ? Is that really a sport ?  What popular sport ca...

Richard recaps his jury duty stint, bringing justice to Queensland. Practical advice for travelling traffic snarled cities. “Notify anyway” analysis. We share the results! Listener feedback - Thanks Lardy69 ! You're a champ! Nothing would make me happier! (really?) … and thats the pod ! Send us a text by clicking here Join the WhatsApp inner sanctum for early access to all episodes as they dr...