The Spacemakers

People matter. Our lives are shaped by the relationships around us. But for many of us, the quiet work of seeking approval is also the root of our exhaustion. We tie our worth to what others think, replay conversations, and never quite feel like we’re truly enough. In this Season 4 finale of The Spacemakers , Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore how to love people deeply without letting their opinions...

Being rich isn’t the same as being wealthy. One increases your bank balance; the other expands your freedom, joy, and contentment. In this second part of a two-part episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain turn from theory to practice, unpacking seven money-mindset practices — from noticing what’s already in your hands, to beating upgrade-it is. Our real-world practices can help you live well today rathe...

We’re told that a better life is found when we earn “just a bit more.” Yet the dilemma of money is that the more we have, the more we tend to want. When we pin our future happiness on financial independence, we drift into a cycle of dissatisfaction, overwork, and debt — always chasing, never quite arriving. In this episode of The Spacemakers , Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore how our money mindset...

Goals can make us miserable. They promise happiness and fulfillment in the future, yet leave us restless, always chasing what’s next. In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore how to move toward a better future while staying grounded in the present. They unpack the idea of Kairos moments—those meaningful interruptions in time that offer direction and purpose when we pay attention. When we...

AI promises to save us time. So why are we busier than ever? In this bonus episode of The Spacemakers , Daniel Sih and Paul Matthews introduce key concepts from their new book, Wise AI: Using Powerful Technology in a Deeply Human Way. They explore why time-saving technologies don’t always save time, how to guide AI with organic intelligence, and the four rhythms of Wise AI: deep work, deep thought...

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make an impact — but too often, our desire to leave a legacy can leave us exhausted and dissatisfied, chasing the wrong things, and neglecting those we truly love. In this episode of The Spacemakers , Daniel and Matt explore why we crave significance, how to do big things without tying our self-worth to our legacy, and what it really means to “leave a dent in...

We all cling to something — success, approval, comfort, control. But the more we hold on, the more we suffer. In a world that tells us to want more, how do we loosen our grip and find rest in enough? In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore the concept of attachment — why we chase what we don’t have, how desire fuels discontent, and what it means to release unhealthy wants. Drawing on anc...

How much is enough? And when have I done enough? It’s a question saints and mystics have wrestled with for millennia. As humans, we often set high standards for ourselves and fail to attain and maintain them. Perhaps even more unnervingly, if you haven’t done enough, maybe you aren’t ‘good’ enough. Finding a satisfactory answer to these questions is critical to help us avoid overload, exhaustion,...

Your health is important. But there’s a dark side to the wellness industry. We're asked to do more, be more, and still never feel like we’re enough. The result? An endless treadmill of self-help and wellbeing that can leave us exhausted and dehumanised, even when our intentions are good. In this episode, Matt Bain and Daniel Sih explore the health paradox: how to invest in your wellbeing without t...

Our lives are short—really short. And there’s never enough time. That’s the challenge: not enough time, but more choices than we can imagine. No wonder so many of us feel anxious about the years ahead. In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore how we think about time, how we use it, and how to make peace with our limits. They also introduce the AWARE framework to help you make progress wit...

Do you ever feel worn down by the need to be better? We’re told to optimise everything — our health, our relationships, our finances, even our productivity. But beneath the green smoothies and gratitude journals lies the same exhausting pressure: do more, be more… you’re not enough. As one of our clients put it, “All this self-help is killing me.” In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain step off...

How much is enough — and why are we so exhausted by the need to improve ourselves? We’re told to do more, be more, and measure our progress. Over time, that quiet pressure adds up, leaving us worn out rather than fulfilled. Season 4 of The Spacemakers explores a deeper question in our self-help-obsessed culture: What if true happiness isn’t found in more… but enough? Join Daniel Sih and Matt Bain...

Most people don’t actually know what they want. We chase goals—career success, financial security, personal milestones—only to feel underwhelmed once we get there. Why? Because we rarely stop to ask, “What’s the goal of the goal?” In the final episode of Season 3, we unpack this powerful concept (popularised by Dan Heath) and explore how the thing we think we need to get unstuck might not be the t...

Who are you becoming—and who is shaping you along the way? In this episode of The Spacemakers , Matt and Daniel explore why personal change is rarely a solo journey. From habits to health to mindset, we’re deeply shaped by the people we spend time with. Behaviour is contagious—we mimic what we see, not just what we hear. Which means the fastest way to change yourself is to travel alongside others...

How do you spend your time? Does your calendar reflect the person you aspire to be? Do you design your days around what you truly value? In this episode of The Spacemakers , Matt and Daniel delve into the surprising benefits of time-blocking. This simple yet powerful practice isn’t just about managing your schedule—it's about crafting the life you want. Whether it’s rekindling relationships throug...

Action unlocks change. When we choose to act, we build momentum, gain confidence, and receive invaluable real-world feedback. But what happens when you feel overwhelmed, defeated, or uncertain about your next steps? Can action lead to new forms of thinking and help you get unstuck? In this episode, Matt and Daniel explore the transformative power of tiny habits and the crucial importance of turnin...

We all know the saying, 'Where there's a will, there's a way.' But is that always true? While grit and determination are important, willpower alone isn't sufficient to achieve your goals and get unstuck. Enter Snyder's Hope Theory and his concept of Pathways Thinking, or Way Power. This innovative approach will help you discover new paths and develop novel solutions to persistent problems. Instead...

Did you know that people who focus on their strengths tend to be happier, feel more alive, and achieve greater success? Many of us obsess over fixing our blind spots and overcoming weaknesses. But what if the key to overcoming adversity is, counterintuitively, focusing on what is right about ourselves and others, rather than what is wrong? In this episode of The Spacemakers , Daniel and Matt conti...

Bad is stronger than good. Research shows that bad parents, bad feedback, and bad events impact us more than good ones. We're often driven to avoid pain and fix our weaknesses—rather than harness our strengths. Yet, dwelling on problems can worsen them, while celebrating our strengths can lead to a breakthrough. In this episode, Daniel and Matt explore the science of strengths and argue for focusi...

As humans, we often try to solve our problems by adding rather than subtracting. This unconscious bias leads us to pile on excessive projects, clutter our homes, and push our limits—consistently adding more instead of opting for less. We need a different way of thinking to make space and get unstuck. In this episode, Matt and Daniel of The Spacemakers delve into the science of subtraction, explain...

Life is a trade-off. You cannot be highly successful in one area of life without negatively impacting others. Similarly, feeling stuck in one domain often affects the rest because life is holistic and interconnected. By accepting the reality—that we cannot have it all—we can make creative shifts in how we use our time and prioritise our responsibilities. Join Matt and Daniel in this episode of Spa...

We all get stuck at some point in life—whether it's a broken relationship, money issues, ill health, a stale career, or a lack of purpose. Getting stuck isn't fun, but it’s often the catalyst we need to find a new direction. In fact, when we feel like we're losing, we might actually be just where we need to be, preparing the way for a better second half. Join Daniel Sih and Matt Bain as they explo...

We all get stuck at some point in life—whether it's a broken relationship, money issues, ill health, a stale career, or a lack of purpose. Getting stuck isn't fun, but it’s often the catalyst we need to find a new direction. In fact, when we feel like we're losing, we might actually be just where we need to be, preparing the way for a better second half. Join Daniel Sih and Matt Bain in the latest...

Almost everyone, at some point, will encounter suffering—be it through a relational breakdown, illness, an unexpected event, or other hardships. But how do we make space to grow through grief and find purpose in our suffering? In this insightful interview, Dr. Julia Verdouw shares her personal journey through profound loss following the sudden death of her husband, which she explores in her new bo...

Almost every woman will face the experience of menopause and the impacts of declining oestrogen levels in midlife. This 'reset' brings profound biological consequences affecting muscle strength, brain function, mental health, sleep, sex drive, heart health, body composition, and more. In this episode with menopause expert Dr. Amy Edler, we delve into the lived experiences of women navigating this...