The Observing I Podcast

In this episode, I’m doing my damnedest to help you take control over what can be our biggest adversary - our “self”. I'll be exploring the benefits and the challenges we may face, throw a bit of neuroscience in there to make me sound like I know what I’m talking about, and examine various philosophical outlooks on the idea of self control throughout the ages. This is the final episode in our Beyo...

In this episode, we’re getting into the belly of the growth mindset. It’s all about the power of “if I’m consistent and put the effort in, I can do this”, versus the trap of “Nah, I’m good, I don’t like being uncomfortable”. We talk about what a growth mindset is, explore some philosophical ideas that support it (quelle surprise, Stoicism turns up), and look at some strategies for how you can acti...

In this episode, we explore the topic of procrastination, examining its psychological underpinnings and the effects it has on our mental health, personal success, and interpersonal relationships. We look at some strategies you can employ in your own fight against procrastinatory behaviour. And, of course, it wouldn’t be an episode of the Observing I if we didn’t get into some philosophical outlook...

In this episode, we’re diving into the depths of emotional intelligence. We’ll explore what it means, give it some philosophical and cultural context, look at how it can support our personal growth, and offer some practical tips and strategies to help improve your own emotional intelligence. Much love, David Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe

In this episode, we’re going to unravel the fear of failure. We’ll explore its evolutionary and societal roots, its psychological impact, and how it affects our behaviour. We’ll discuss cognitive patterns and social comparison theory that contribute to this fear. And we’ll cover some strategies to overcome it and how we can apply those strategies to our daily lives. All in the theme of this year’s...

In this episode, I’m unpacking the intricacies of habit formation, examining the habit loop's cue-routine-reward structure, and the neuroscience that solidifies our habits. Then, we look at strategies for cultivating positive habits and tools for integrating these practices into everyday life, addressing common obstacles and emphasizing the importance of incremental change and support systems. Muc...

Firstly, it’s episode 50. That feels like a milestone. It also feels like the time since episode one has gone incredibly quickly. I should celebrate, but I’m unsure of what an appropriate celebration should be. Possibly some wine. Getting onto this episode, I delve into the philosophy of happiness, discussing perspectives from Stoicism to Positive Psychology. I look at the challenges of seeking ha...

In this episode, I'm talking all about accountability. I look at both the philosophical and psychological perspectives of what it means to be accountable, dive in to some historical thoughts and ideas around it, and give you some actionable tips on how to make yourself more accountable to yourself, your goals, and your ambitions. Let’s move towards the person that we’ve always aspired to be. Much...

In this episode, we’re continuing with the theme of supporting your resolutions this year. As part of that, I’m delving into the transformative power of having your own personal manifesto. A manifesto is designed to articulate our fundamental values, beliefs, and ambitions. I’ll give you some guidance on how to create one yourself, what you could include in it, and I go through my own manifesto to...

In this episode, I’m exploring the world of critical thinking. What it is, how it enables us to approach a problem or idea pragmatically, and what all of us can do to try and improve our critical thinking skills. Plus, we'll talk about why knowing yourself and really listening to others is key to being a great critical thinker. Enjoy the podcast, and if you have any thoughts or ideas on any of the...

In this episode, I’m talking about how to get out of our comfort zone. It’s a challenging space, pushing ourselves beyond the boundaries of what we’re used to. It can be unsettling, leave us uneasy. But it’s in this space that we truly grow as a person, and in this space that we can really learn about ourselves. Join me this year as I take on the mantra “get comfortable being uncomfortable”, and l...

In this episode, I'm talking with Ralph Sutton. Ralph is a TV and radio veteran, the host of the goodsugar podcast alongside Marcus Antebi (founder of the health and wellness platform "Juice Press"), and the SDR Show. He's also the founder of the Gas Digital Network, and you can find him online at www.iamralphsutton.com and on Instagram at @iamralphsutton. Ralph shares his wellbeing journey with u...

In this episode, we’re getting into the Christmas spirit and exploring the different personality archetypes of Santa Claus. What do the archetypes tell us about ourselves, what are their potential downfalls, and how do they impact the wider cultural unconscious? I want to wish you all a fabulous holiday, and to thank you for all of your support. It’s now been one year of running this podcast and b...

In this episode, I’m diving into the fascinating world of liminal spaces. Existing in the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimension, liminal spaces are these in-between zones that exist in our lives. They're not quite here, not quite there, and in those spaces, neither are we. They can be physical, like that weird hallway between two buildings, or emotional, like the feeling you get when you're...

In this episode, I’m drawing on a lot of philosophies and religions to find what it is that constitutes self-discipline. From Confucius, to the Stoics, to Kant and the Existentialists, what has philosophy got to teach us about the importance of discipline and how to maintain it? Turns out, quite a lot, as you’ll discover. Much love, David Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/sub...

In this episode, I’m talking about personal wellbeing, its commoditization in the wellness industry, and the concept of toxic wellbeing. It's like everyone and their grandma is trying to sell you the secret to eternal happiness. But here's the thing, wellbeing isn't something you can buy off a shelf. It's a journey, a process, and sometimes, a downright rollercoaster ride. Much love, David Thanks...

In this episode, I’m diving into the Greek philosophy of Stoicism and how it can help us to exercise gratitude in our daily lives. There’s talk of the Dichotomy of Control (stop worrying about the external and start focusing on your responses to the external), a dig at “individualism”, and how actively being engaged in the bigger construct than ourselves is good for our perspective. Much love, Dav...

In this episode, I’m talking all about how we can take charge of our own wellbeing. I’ll be covering how self-care isn’t selfish, the importance of boundaries, engaging some self compassion, and how the physical is just as important as the mental when it comes to managing how we’re feeling. Thank you for being a part of this journey. I'm grateful for each and every one of you. Much love, David Get...

In this episode, I'll be sharing my thoughts on the whole meaning vs. revenue dilemma in our work lives. I want to stress that money is important, no doubt. But it shouldn't be the only thing that drives us. We need to find that sense of purpose in our work, something that truly gives us meaning. That's what makes it all worthwhile. I just want say a big thank you to all you awesome listeners out...

In this episode, I discuss the concept of hedonism and its impact on happiness. We explore how consumer culture and capitalism fuel a cycle of desire and dissatisfaction, with the pursuit of material wealth and status often seen as the key to happiness. Practicing gratitude can counteract this, allowing us to appreciate the present and find contentment in simple joys. So step off the hedonic tread...

In this episode, I’m exploring identity. What is it that shapes who we are, and how does that impact our reality? Is it fixed, or does it constantly change? And how much agency do we have to change it? Much love, David Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe

In this episode, we're going to be discussing the art of listening, a very important and very powerful skill that all of us can learn. I'm going to be explaining what makes a good listener, and I'm going to give you some techniques and tools to improve your listening skills. Be that at home, at work, with friends, family, colleagues, whomever, we're going to make you an effective listener. Much lo...

In this episode I’m exploring vulnerability. Why we hide certain facets of ourself, the benefits of accepting our vulnerabilities, and what happens when we expose our vulnerabilities to the world at large. Much love, David Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe

In this episode, I’m talking about free will. The red pill or the blue pill. What are the different takes on whether we have free will or not, what's been done to prove that we both do and don’t have it, and why is it such a challenging thing to discern in the first place. Much love, David Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe

In this episode, I dive into how a sense of belonging is vitally important to our human experience, the different between traditional and modern societies, and what we can consider when it comes to curating our own tribe - the people that we surround ourselves with. Much love, David Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe