Captain and the Clown - Life, Leadership and Everything else

We revisit Michelle’s Mirage III flight at seven that kicked off her dream ignition. Those colouring-in prizes turned into flights on Caribou, Chinook and Hercules. Guy explains his late-bloom path to the Olympics and how the right environment changes your pace. We compare goals and routines and why systems keep you happier than future targets. We also break down true confidence versus contextual...

One bite at a time is how you finish the big stuff. We talk easy vs easier, modern stress, and how Michelle actually got Lady MacGyver written without losing the plot. What you’ll hear Why “hard” slows you down. “Easy vs easier” gets you moving. Modern stress vs ancestral stress. Why your brain keeps pinging you at 9 pm. The book process: talk it out, transcribe, tighten, ship. Editing lessons fro...

Ever found yourself stuck chasing perfection and getting nowhere? You're not alone! In this candid and humorous episode, we open up about our own struggles with perfectionism, and how it nearly stopped this episode from happening! We explore: Why perfectionism holds us back and how to spot the signs. Practical tips to break the perfection cycle: embracing 'good enough' and failing forward fast. Re...

Join Captain Michelle Huntington and Guy 'The Clown' Newman as they dive into the mind-blowing world of gut health and mental wellbeing. After discovering "The Psychobiotic Revolution" by Scott Anderson with Dr John Cryan and Dr Ted Dinan, Guy can't contain his excitement about the fascinating connections between what we eat and how we feel. Through hilarious personal stories about dairy disasters...

Guy and Michelle explore the concept of "soft leadership" - not about being soft, but about being more considerate and collaborative. They discuss how this approach, while sometimes seen as less efficient, often yields better results and stronger relationships. Key Discussion Points: - Indra Nooyi's (former PepsiCo CEO) journey from a blunt leadership style to a more collaborative approach - The d...

In this episode, Guy and Michelle explore discipline from a fresh perspective - not through the lens of military-style discipline advocated by ex-Navy SEALs, but as an act of self-love and care for your future self. Key Discussion Points: - How early experiences in sports and performing arts (Guy in the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Michelle in the Marching Koalas) helped build discipline through commi...

Episode Overview: In this episode, Guy and Michelle explore the concept of "accurate thinking with a positive bent" rather than just positive thinking, sparked by insights from Dr. Daniel Amen's interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast. Key Discussion Points: - The evolution of positive thinking from the 70s/80s self-help movement to present day - Scientific evidence of how negative thoughts physic...

Join Guy and Michelle as they reflect on discovering small-town hospitality during their trip to Griffith for Michelle's first TEDx talk on mindset. Michelle shares her pre-release nerves about the upcoming talk, which leads to a heartwarming discussion about their memorable stay at Quest Apartments and the broader lessons about community connection. The Small-Town Experience: Their conversation t...

Ever wondered why traffic gets under your skin, or why that presentation didn't feel quite right even though everyone loved it? This episode of Captain and the Clown dives into the sneaky world of expectations - those silent scripts we write in our heads that end up running the show. Guy and Michelle get real about their own stumbles with expectations, from Michelle's story about a pilot who got s...

In this episode, Guy and Michelle explore why it's crucial to regularly pause and evaluate where you're heading in life. Drawing from their recent travels, they share a telling observation: at an exclusive resort pool, they found themselves surrounded by people staring at their phones, scrolling through social media posts of other people's vacations – missing the actual paradise right in front of...

In this episode, we welcomed John Davison, whose remarkable journey from commercial aviation to pioneering drone technology exemplifies the power of innovative thinking and adaptability. As a former colleague of Michelle, John brought not only his wealth of experience but also his infectious enthusiasm for pushing boundaries. Always willing to pass on key learnings, John told us two riveting tales...

In this episode. we explore the delicate art of managing our most precious resource - our vitality. We explore the moments when inspiration arrives, those valuable bursts of creativity that emerge unexpectedly. While these moments should be embraced fully, we challenged the conventional wisdom that we perform better under pressure. Although deadlines might generate a particular kind of energy, we...

Ever Wonder How Athletes Get 'In The Zone'? You know those moments when everything just clicks? That's what this week's episode is all about. We're diving into something pretty wild - how the voice in your head actually affects your performance. Here's the cool bit: it turns out you can reach that sweet spot of 'flow' when your inner chat matches what you're saying and doing on the outside. It's l...

In our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing Julia Melinek, a multifaceted talent known for her remarkable career in opera and diverse pursuits beyond the stage. Julia's journey began with a natural affinity for singing, leading her to train at a music conservatoire and eventually perform internationally, with a focus on Puccini's works. Our conversation explored the realitie...

In this episode, we explore the often-dreaded world of public speaking. Our discussion covers: Overcoming a fear of public speaking The prevalence of public speaking anxiety, even amongst people who you'd think would take it in their stride Techniques for building energy before taking the stage Effective ways to open a presentation The NITS communication structure Tips for connecting with your aud...

In this episode we explore a powerful mindset that can completely change the way you experience life: Pronoia . What is Pronoia? Pronoia is the belief that the universe is conspiring to shower you with good things. Think of it as the flip side of paranoia! While paranoia makes you look over your shoulder in fear, pronoia has you stepping forward with optimism, believing that the world is working i...

In this episode we discuss 'Learned Helplessness' and why you should never do for someone something they could do for themselves. We discuss the modern parenting dilemma; how micro-managing is based on insecurity and leads to helplessness; why mastery and agency is important for self-esteem and much more. Enjoy

Michelle is preparing for her upcoming TEDx talk. We discuss tips and tricks for speakers including why not to write word for word what you are going to say, how to put the audience in the spotlight, and the beauty of a full stop as a gift for your audience. Enjoy

In this episode of the Captain and the Clown podcast, we delve into the essential strategies for managing negativity and maintaining emotional well-being, especially for empaths. We explore how to handle pessimism and negative energy from others, offering practical tips to deflect insults and determine if criticism is playful banter or harmful bullying. Learn why building an emotional barrier can...

Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the intricate relationship between mindset and reality. Guy and Michelle explore whether luck truly plays a role in our successes and failures, or if there's something deeper at work. Key Discussion Points: 1. Mindset of Lack: - How having a mindset of lack can influence your reality. - The concept of self-fulfilling prophecies: Do...

In this episode, we look into the fascinating world of emotional intelligence, uncovering the powerful distinctions between jealousy and envy and how understanding these emotions can transform your life. Emotional Intelligence Demystified : Discover what emotional intelligence really means and why it's crucial for your personal and professional growth. Jealousy vs. Envy : Learn the critical differ...

In this engaging podcast episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Peter Auhl, a multi-award-winning CIO known for his innovative leadership style. Peter, who won the Australian CIO of the Year award in 2017, has a track record of implementing innovations that have significantly impacted the organisations he has worked with. During our conversation, Peter shared valuable insights into his appr...

In this episode we discuss the themes of Self-perception and Social Judgment Highlights from this episode: Fashion = Confidence : Dive into how our fashion choices are less about the clothes and more about the confidence they imbue us with. Choice and Preference : Why did Frank Green enter the house despite having a plethora of drink bottles? This story underscores our decisions shaped by values,...

Join us on the latest episode of "Captain and the Clown" as we dive into the dynamic world of Family Law with our special guest, Susan Warda! Meet Susan Warda, Partner and team leader of the Sydney Family Law practice at Mills Oakley . Susan's journey into family law began unexpectedly, thrust into the field by two senior lawyers who preferred to steer clear of it. However, Susan embraced the chal...

Join Michelle Huntington, the Captain, and Guy Newman, the Clown, in an insightful episode where they explore the profound concept: "A setback is a setup for a comeback." In this captivating discussion, Michelle and Guy unravel the layers of this empowering mindset. Rather than viewing failure as a dead end, they redefine it as a stepping stone to growth and resilience. Whether it's likened to a t...