Shows
Good Yarns x Shad & Pete Save the WorldBreaking the Dry Spell Kinda with Lorna BremnerThis week's storyteller is the writer, comic and muay thai fighter Lorna Bremner. Lorna shares a very revealing and filthy story of the time she broke her dry spell...kinda. Lorna is also the creator of apps. a web series she is trying to get going with Screen Queensland. Please show your support by checking it out here - https://bit.ly/3bbGJpr Book your tix to my show in BRISBANE www.trybooking.com/BLCNF Follow Lorna Bremner www.instagram.com/lorna_bremner | Follow Good Yarns www.instagram.com/goodyarnspod | Follow Shad Wicka www.instagram...2020-08-3123 min
The Story ChunderChunder Chat with Lorna BremnerGet to know our Chunderers! Who are are storytellers? Where are they from? What made them tell their story? What else are they up to now? A behind the scenes look at some of the people who populate our podcast.EPISODE NOTES: Lorna Bremner, who told her story at The Story Chunder live event at BackDock Arts on 17 February, 2020, but is new to the podcast, tells us a bit about herself, how she ended up in Australia, and what makes a great story, including the good, bad and ugly sides of the truth.The Story...2020-05-2148 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 78 – Existentialism and PandemoniumThis episode is about what the fuck is going on?! The world's a little topsy-turvey at the moment and so I discuss an idea that emerged in Europe out of the uncertainty and confusion of WWII in the 1940's in the hopes it might help us with some perspectives on the confusion of today.Thank you as always for listening!The Authors and Books I mention are:Søren KierkegaardFriedrich NietzscheJean Paul Sartre – Words, Being and NothingnessAlbert Camus – The Plague, The StrangerPlease subscribe to Closure Optional here: itunes, Stitcher, Android, Email, or wherever y...2020-03-2355 min
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional - InsecurityThis episode is about what the fuck is going on?! The world’s a little topsy-turvey at the moment and so I discuss an idea that emerged in… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 78 – Existentialism and Pandemonium"2020-03-2300 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 77 – ConfidenceThis episode is about the good and bad of confidence, how being insecure can lead to over-confidence, and why I'm the best and worst person in the whole world all at once. I talk a lot about how difficult it is learning to do stand-up comedy, some of my worst moments lately and how I'm trying to be less of an idiot.Thank you as always for listening!2020-03-091h 01
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional - InsecurityThis episode is about the good and bad of confidence, how being insecure can lead to over-confidence, and why I’m the best and worst person in the… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 77 – Confidence"2020-03-0900 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 76 – InsecurityIn this episode I get harsh, cry a little, and say fuck a lot. I'm talking about what happens when we hold onto insecurity as a personality trait, through constant negative self-talk and stories, and how that kind of thinking has turned into self-destructive cycles in my own life over the years.At the end it sounds like I'm doing an ad for the Artist's Way, I'm not – no one has paid me to mention it, I just think its a great book Thank you as always for listening!Please subscribe to Closure Opt...2020-02-291h 13Lorna BremnerClosure Optional - InsecurityIn this episode I get harsh, cry a little, and say fuck a lot. I’m talking about what happens when we hold onto insecurity as a personality… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 76 – Insecurity"2020-02-2900 min
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 75 - Danny McStay, Psychologist at Lives Lived WellDanny is the Senior Provisional Psychologist at Mirikai, a live-in Rehab facility on the Gold Coast for people who are struggling with Addiction, or as they say,… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 75 – Danny McStay, Provisional Psychologist at Lives Lived Well"2020-02-1900 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 75 – Danny McStay, Provisional Psychologist at Lives Lived WellDanny is the Senior Provisional Psychologist at Mirikai, a live-in Rehab facility on the Gold Coast for people who are struggling with Addiction, or as they say, ‘Substance Use Disorder'. He provides and coordinates psychotherapy services for clients and residents, and also, casually, flies to Africa to stop illegal poachers from killing wildlife…This is a really cool conversation about the nature of addiction and mental health in general, and he gives a great overview of what services are available, right now, for people who are struggling with substance use, including support for their families.To s...2020-02-191h 48
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 74 – Jenny Hallam, Cannabis ActivistJenny is a Cannabis Activist, and is probably best known for the 3-year court battle she recently faced for supplying free Cannabis Oil to sick people in… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 74 – Jenny Hallam, Cannabis Activist"2020-02-0200 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 74 – Jenny Hallam, Cannabis ActivistJenny is a Cannabis Activist, and is probably best known for the 3-year court battle she recently faced for supplying free Cannabis Oil to sick people in Australia. She learned how to make the oil in order to manage her own chronic pain, and because the benefits were so tangible, she started helping others with a whole variety of other medical issues.Word spread fast and eventually she was overwhelmed with demand from desperate people all over the country looking for help until her home was raided by police in 2017.This is a great conversation...2020-02-021h 23
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 73 – The Four AgreementsIn this episode I’m talking about a neat little set of guidelines called “The Four Agreements” which are supposed to help you ease some of the needless… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 73 – The Four Agreements"2020-01-2600 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 73 – The Four AgreementsIn this episode I'm talking about a neat little set of guidelines called “The Four Agreements” which are supposed to help you ease some of the needless suffering and self-limiting beliefs created inside your head. They come from a book called “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz, who says this wisdom comes from the ancient Toltec people of Mexico – and though it's a bit self-helpy, theres some very good shit at the core of it.I also give a little background on the Toltecs themselves, describe their mental creation story (which one isn't mental?!) and talk a little b...2020-01-261h 11
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 72 – Love and MeaningAh Jesus sorry I've been away for so long! Man it's been a wonderful few weeks, but fuck, it's time to pull my head out of the clouds and get back to this podcast! I've been missing because I've been in love and that has come with a whole incredible pile of interesting nonsense attached to it, which I'm discussing in this week's episode. Today I'm talking about what happens to us when we fall in love, both psychologically and neurologically, and what impact that can have on creating a meaningful life.Please subscribe to Closure Optional h...2019-11-2658 min
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 72 – Love and MeaningAh Jesus sorry I’ve been away for so long! Man it’s been a wonderful few weeks, but fuck, it’s time to pull my head out of the… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 72 – Love and Meaning"2019-11-2600 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 71 – Chaos and Boredom (and Buddhism)Ooooh this episode is all about how I (or, possibly, we) react to change, and how I've managed to get myself out of chaos through chanting nonsense in my bedroom. I ramble about how we mislead ourselves, how strong our minds are, and one way of possibly getting away from the suffering of our minds through a Buddhist idea called the Lotus Sutra. Reference LINKS:The Middle Way https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_WayEight Fold Path https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path Lotus Sutra https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_SutraUpaya – adjusting to the...2019-09-291h 03
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 71 – Chaos and Boredom (and Buddhism)Ooooh this episode is all about how I (or, possibly, we) react to change, and how I’ve managed to get myself out of chaos through chanting nonsense… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 71 – Chaos and Boredom (and Buddhism)"2019-09-2900 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 70 – Dr. Julie KelsoJulie is a Professor at Bond University, where she specialises in philosophy, feminist philosophy, religion and literature. This is a wonderful conversation about the nature of being, from a person who has spent her life so far trying to understand it philosophically. We discuss sexuality, what real feminism looks like, and some of the dangers of falling into ideological traps that deter from the original message. For more information about Julie, you can check out her Bond Research Profile here: https://research.bond.edu.au/en/persons/julie-anne-kelsoPlease subscribe to Closure Optional here: itunes, Stit...2019-09-221h 26
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 70 – Dr. Julie KelsoJulie is a Professor at Bond University, where she specialises in philosophy, feminist philosophy, religion and literature. This is a wonderful conversation about the nature of being,… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 70 – Dr. Julie Kelso"2019-09-2200 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 69 – Lucas Stone 3, MusicianLucas is a Musician, currently the guitarist for a band called Hammers, and since he's back from touring the country in front of thousands of people, it was a perfect time to come discuss what it means to be a person. He's been on the podcast before in Episode 13, and Episode 46, and he's back for the third time with an epic rolling philosophical discussion about the nature of being and not being. Also, if you want to hear Lucas and his mates playing some great music, check out the Hammers EP here. Please subscribe to Cl...2019-09-151h 37
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 69 – Lucas Stone 3, MusicianLucas is a Musician, currently the guitarist for a band called Hammers, and since he’s back from touring the country in front of thousands of people, it… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 69 – Lucas Stone 3, Musician"2019-09-1500 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep 68 – Justin Chatfield 2, Graphic ArtistJustin is a Graphic Artist and a Musician from New Zealand; he played in a punk band called Not OK for 10 years, and when that came to an end, he put himself through school to become a Graphic Designer. He, with the rest of his family, have taken care of me over the last 12 years, basically adopting me into their family, and this is a great conversation between the two of us about what's going on in (my) life at the moment.2019-09-081h 06
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep 68 – Justin Chatfield 2, Graphic ArtistJustin is a Graphic Artist and a Musician from New Zealand; he played in a punk band called Not OK for 10 years, and when that came… Read more "Closure Optional Ep 68 – Justin Chatfield 2, Graphic Artist"2019-09-0800 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 67 – The Fckwit In Our HeadsIn this episode I'm talking about the construction of a Fuckwit inside our heads (I only know for sure about mine, but I've met a few of yours too) through stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, other people, and the world.This is an extension on an idea that I talked briefly about in the Airport Podcast that a few people had asked me to expand upon, so here it is!Show Notes:The books I mention at the start are:Memories, Dreams and Reflections by Carl JungWaking...2019-09-0156 min
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 67 – The Fckwit In Our HeadsIn this episode I’m talking about the construction of a Fuckwit inside our heads (I only know for sure about mine, but I’ve met a few of… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 67 – The Fckwit In Our Heads"2019-09-0100 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 66 – Shannon “Chucka” FriedrichThis is a bloody wonderful and intense conversation about some full-on stuff. We discuss drug addiction and the long dark road back from it, facing Cancer, beating it, and then learning how to re-navigate life after everything you've learned.Though it's intense, we uncover some very beautiful little ideas on how to take better care of ourselves, each other, and how to find understanding and solace in communication.2019-08-251h 25
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 66 – Shannon “Chucka” FriedrichThis is a bloody wonderful and intense conversation about some full-on stuff. We discuss drug addiction and the long dark road back from it, facing Cancer, beating… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 66 – Shannon “Chucka” Friedrich"2019-08-2500 min
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 65 – Oliver Twist, ComedianOliver is a Comedian, currently based in Sydney, but luckily we had a chance to chat while he’s up here to perform his solo show, “Love” for… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 65 – Oliver Twist, Comedian"2019-08-1800 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 65 – Oliver Twist, ComedianOliver is a Comedian, currently based in Sydney, but luckily we had a chance to chat while he's up here to perform his solo show, “Love” for the Bris Funny Fest (Thursday, 21st of August at Heya Bar). This is a great conversation about Oliver's life both in Africa and in Australia, how our decisions impact the world at large, and how selling porn in a refugee camp led him to become a Stand-up Comedian.This podcast is made possible by Burleigh Heads and Broadbe2019-08-181h 18Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 64 – At the AirportIn this episode I answer a bunch of your questions while I’m waiting at the airport to fly back to the US to see my brother get… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 64 – At the Airport"2019-07-2900 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 64 – At the AirportIn this episode I answer a bunch of your questions while I'm waiting at the airport to fly back to the US to see my brother get married. I answer things like what to do when you think someone's boring but has a big dick, what's the hardest part of making a Humanoid robot, and why people are just dicks sometimes.Thank you as always for listening!!!!Family and Grandma2019-07-2956 min
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 63 – Nick Sun 2, Writer, Future Youtuber and PsychonautNick is back to talk some more about Creativity, Philosophy, Psychedelics, and Cumming in people’s faces. This is a very silly conversation about the nature of being… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 63 – Nick Sun 2, Writer, Future Youtuber and Psychonaut"2019-07-2100 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 63 – Nick Sun 2, Writer, Future Youtuber and PsychonautNick is back to talk some more about Creativity, Philosophy, Psychedelics, and Cumming in people's faces. This is a very silly conversation about the nature of being that we recorded while laying the in the grass of a lovely meadow at sundown. Sounds romantic, but Nick forgot his Tazer so nothing kinky happened…To find out more about Nick, please visit his facebook page here, see his standup and other very silly videos on youtube here, and you can read about all his adventures in his blog here: https://medium.com/@nicksunThis podcast is ma...2019-07-2158 min
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 62 – Paul George, Musician – Tijuana CartelAh man what a great conversation! Paul is the singer and guitarist for Tijuana Cartel, a Gold Coast band that he created with Carey O’sullivan. This is… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 62 – Paul George, Musician – Tijuana Cartel"2019-07-1400 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 62 – Paul George, Musician – Tijuana CartelAh man what a great conversation! Paul is the singer and guitarist for Tijuana Cartel, a Gold Coast band that he created with Carey O'sullivan. This is a wonderfully tangential conversation about the nature of music, creativity, and how to create and destroy yourself all at once.If you'd like to check out more of what they've got to offer, please go to their bandcamp here: https://tijuanacartel.bandcamp.com/They also have a website here, facebook here, and Instagram here.Also the video below is one of the singles from their latest...2019-07-141h 05
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 61 – Susan Kennedy, Psychic MediumWell this is different, but certainly not unexpected for the ol' Closure Optional Podcast… Susan is a Psychic Medium who helps people see the best versions of themselves in order to help them get out of their own way, and she also sometimes sees dead people. Who knows what's going on here, but Susan is a lovely, kind, and interesting person and it was really neat to hear her ideas about the nature of the universe we live in.Whether you think this stuff is real or horseshit, it's good to hear it straight from the source an...2019-06-291h 19
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 61 – Susan Kennedy, Psychic MediumWell this is different, but certainly not unexpected for the ol’ Closure Optional Podcast… Susan is a Psychic Medium who helps people see the best versions of… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 61 – Susan Kennedy, Psychic Medium"2019-06-2900 min
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 60 – Truuune, the Authenticity ProblemIn this episode I discuss some of the real life bullshit that gets in the way of “being authentic” whatever that means. I discuss the psychology of… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 60 – Truuune, the Authenticity Problem"2019-06-2300 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 60 – Truuune, the Authenticity ProblemIn this episode I discuss some of the real life bullshit that gets in the way of “being authentic” whatever that means. I discuss the psychology of skirting the truth, and how I came to the realisation that basically everything I've done up to this point is an attempt to fill an insatiable blackhole of existential homesickness in my chest. And, just like an angry zoo ape being oogled by snotty fuckwit teenagers, the more shit I throw at the void the more it laughs in my face.Thank you as always for listening!!!!Family and Gran2019-06-2358 min
Lorna BremnerClosure Optional Ep. 59 – Angel and Basanos, Shibari Rope BondageOooooooh sexy, this week’s episode is all about rope bondage, sex stuff, and polyamory. Angel and Basanos performed a very beautiful rope show when I went to… Read more "Closure Optional Ep. 59 – Angel and Basanos, Shibari Rope Bondage"2019-06-1600 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 59 – Angel and Basanos, Shibari Rope BondageOooooooh sexy, this week's episode is all about rope bondage, sex stuff, and polyamory. Angel and Basanos performed a very beautiful rope show when I went to the BDSM Party a few episodes back, and I was very happy to have them in the studio to talk about all the in's and outs, ups and downs, of Bondage and Sex.The video edit I did of their performance is below, please have a look at it before listening to the episode because it puts things a bit more into context :).If you'd like to see...2019-06-161h 08
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 58 – Prof. Leon Petchkovsky, PsychiatristProfessor Leon Petchkovsky Phd. is a retired Professor of Psychiatry, the Director of the Pinniger Clinic in Robina, and is currently writing a book about Nurturance as it relates to Developmental Neuroscience and Psychology. If that sounds like a lot, it is, he's 76, and very clever.This is a great conversation about what can go right and wrong in the development of a human mind, some ways to fix it, and why proper Nurturance is one of the most crucially important missing elements in our modern society today. Also, he shares some very fun stories about working w...2019-06-091h 02
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 57 – Elliot Compton, Martial ArtistElliot is a pure, professional Martial Artist – inside the gym and out. He is currently signed to One Championship Fight Series, with an impressive 58 professional fights so far in his career. He's a 4 x CMT Champion, got a slew of belts around his waist and has had the honour of fighting (and beating) a world-class Thai fighter at Lumpinee Stadium, the Mecca for our sport.This is a great conversation about cultivating a strong mindset, facing and understanding doubt, hardship and pain, and what it feels like to put someone to sleep with your foot. Despite being on...2019-06-0257 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 56 – Mayventure!In this episode I discuss my mental brain patterns during all the silly adventures we went on over the Mayventure Challenge. I discuss why we fantasise about getting touched by a lady at the grocery store instead of our own partners, how I panicked on a mountain top, and how I invented a stupid fantasy about getting pegged by a cowboy that would have ruined my life, but then still got mad when it didn't come to fruition.Thank you as always for listening!!!!2019-05-2454 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 55 – Phillip J Watt, Sociopolitical ActivistPhillip is a social / political commentator, author, and currently works as a Hypnotherapist in Coffs Harbour. On our Mayventure travels this month, we stopped in to visit him in his office to discuss all things metaphysical, social, and a little bit political, in order to discuss a lot of ideas about better ways of being in the world.If you'd like to see more of what he gets up to, please visit his business website here, his Youtube Channel here, and you can read some of his articles here.Also, quick disclaimer: At the end...2019-05-221h 18
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 54 – Emmy and Marcus, The CutawaysEmmy and Marcus are 2 of the 4 members of the Brisbane Punk Band, The Cutaways. This is a lovely, raw conversation about music, identity, and how those things are so closely intertwined.Emmy discusses her experiences as a trans-woman in the Punk community and the world at large while I get overly emotional about her music, we discuss how music and drugs are a lovely vacation from ourselves, and I enlighten the pair of them to the incredible world of transgender Muaythai.To hear their music and follow what they get up to, their website is...2019-05-111h 08
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 53 – The BDSM PartyI went to a Kink and Fetish party and this is what happened there. This episode includes a few interviews from some of the guests, and a bit of an overview about the whole event. Needless to say, there was so much shit going on it would take me 12 podcasts to really get to the nitty gritty of the whole thing, but this is a good first attempt.Thank you to everyone at Haven 33, who were kind enough to let me film and record at your party. I don't have the footage up yet but will put...2019-04-291h 19
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 52 – Back to the CentreIn this episode I'm talking about how to get yourself untangled from the tentacles of life, good and bad, through examining a phrase one of my trainers taught me in Muaythai. I discuss the ways that we can lose ourselves in Cults and bullshit, how this works in fighting, and how I think it's probably ok that I fell off the sobriety wagon last week in Bali.Reference LINKS:https://www.facebook.com/sylviemuaythai/Dieselnoi vs Sagat (Old school, Muay Khao)Saenchai (Muay Femeu)Albert Tu'ua (This is not the fight I'm talking about, that one...2019-04-211h 05
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 51 – Rohan Thomas, D.I.Wireless FilmsRohan is a Filmmaker, and is the creator of the first (and only) Aussie Punkrock Podcast way back in 2009 but has stopped doing the podcast to now focus on making films. In 2016 he released a full-feature documentary called “The Other Option” about the Punk scene in Southeast Asia, and he's currently working on some boring corporate bullshit to learn the art of Cinema before going back to make another one.This is a great conversation about the nature of doubt and creativity and how closely they are linked, how to be better at what you're trying to do...2019-04-071h 21
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 50 – Priestess Desire, DominatrixHoly shit what a world… this is a wonderful conversation, much more normal than you would imagine actually, between a naive prude and a powerful Mistress. Priestess Desire is a professional Dominatrix and right before we recorded this podcast, she was kind enough to give me a tour of her office. I don't think I've had a podcast yet where I struggled to have something to say – but having an entire alternate dimension opened up before my eyes put me in quite a state…Luckily, Priestess is one of the loveliest people I've ever met, as was everyo...2019-04-021h 31
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 49 – Dusty Rich, ComedianDusty is one of a kind; he grew up in the turmoil of Apartheid South Africa, then escaped to England to do drugs and sell electricity to poor people, then cleaned up his act by becoming the drugs himself and channelled all that chaos and trauma into one of the best live performances you'll ever see. And he's also an incredible artist, because, why not.Dusty recently performed his new show, “The Lying King”, at the Adelaide Comedy Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, and Gold Coast Laughs Festival, which is an eclectic mix of nonsense that he's collected and...2019-03-241h 15
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 48 – Ego States and GamesI'm on my own this week, finishing my ramblings on motivation as viewed through the Psychological Theory, Transactional Analysis. In this episode, I discuss the ways that we build a personality, how we use it to our advantage and disadvantage, and how we do, in fact, constantly play games with each other even if we claim we don't. I discuss the existential purpose of boredom and the reason why you gave Dennis a wristy in the toilets at last years work Christmas party. Reference LINKS:Games People Play, by Dr. Eric Bernehttps://www.slideshare.n...2019-03-1859 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 47 – Ana Almargo, PsychologistAna is a practicing Psychologist who specialises in the mind-body connection, EMDR Therapy and Relationship Counselling. With a Masters degree in Professional Psychology and a background in Neuro-psychology, Ana brings some serious knowledge into the conversation about Motivation, Mental health, and the ways that our brains deal with depression.If you'd like to join us in Meditarch, the app is called Waking Up by Sam Harris.Please subscribe to Closure Optional here: itunes, Stitcher, Android, Email, or wherever you like to hear your podcasts and help this thing grow. If you’re on an Android device...2019-03-101h 22
Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 46 – Lucas Stone, MusicianLucas is a Musician, formerly the frontman for the Aussie Hardcore band, HELM, and currently the guitarist for Hammers. He's been on the podcast before in Episode 13, and he's back now to help us un-fuck the world, our own mental health, and our worries about “success”.Also, if you want to hear Lucas and his mates playing some great music, check out the Hammers EP here. Please subscribe to Closure Optional here: itunes, Stitcher, Android, Email, or wherever you like to hear your podcasts and help this thing grow. If you’re on an Android device, I’ve...2019-03-031h 14Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 45 – Yolanda Schmidt, Muaythai FighterYolanda is one of the world's best fighters, and probably one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. She has had 44 fights so far with only 10 losses, and an impressive list of Titles and awards from the Muaythai community, including a Muaythai Angels World Title in 2017. This is a lovely, though unfortunately too quick, chat about her latest fight, how she deals with nerves, and how abuse and chaos in her childhood fuel her motivation to constantly improve.To find out more about Yolanda, please visit her website here, facebook page here, or her instagram here. She...2019-02-2436 min
Closure OptionalClosure Optional, Ep. 44 – Recognition AddictionIn this episode I continue my discussion of some made up and some actual psychological theories on Human Motivation and this time I'm talking about Recognition – why do we sometimes desperately crave recognition from others, and at other times are purely happy on our own? I discuss why loneliness is actually probably a biological imperative and why we don't necessarily need to be addicted to validation if we can satiate our hunger for recognition in healthier ways.Show Notes:The psychological theory I'm discussing is called Transactional Analysis, or TA.For further reading on TA, Games Pe...2019-02-2053 minClosure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 43 – Ruckus Lucas, Musician and Woke BlokeRuckus is a musician and an unassuming spiritual guru / future cult leader. He currently plays drums in a band called Hammers with our friend Lucas Stone, and he runs an organisation called Woke Blokes that is trying to help men understand themselves better in healthy and constructive ways. He's not really going to start a cult… but with his brain, charisma, and talent, he definitely could. This is a great conversation about relationships, male and female roles inside those relationships, self-reflection and motivation. To find out more about Ruckus, please visit his facebook page here, or...2019-02-101h 17Closure OptionalClosure Optional, Ep. 42 – Human Motivation and and Introduction to T.A.In this episode I discuss some made up and some actual psychological theories on Human Motivation – why, the fuck, do we do what we do? What is this “dream” that the Social Media Influencers want us to pursue? What need is your dream actually fulfilling? And a sneak peak into how your unsuspecting partner is in fact dating both you and your mother simultaneously….Show Notes:The psychological theory I'm discussing is called Transactional Analysis, or TA.The Blindboy Podcast, Episodes on Psychology are “Creaking Ditch Pidgeon” and “An Introduction to Congnitive Psychology”, Parts 1, 2, and 3.For further reading...2019-02-0356 minClosure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 41 – LIVE With Ben Johnston, WBC Muaythai World ChampionThis podcast was recorded in front of a live audience at the Yard Cafe on the Gold Coast, featuring Ben Johnston. Ben has just recently won a WBC World Title in Muaythai, and this is a great conversation about what it takes to become the best in the world at something, how the social media affects our motivation, and how to deal with the mental rollercoaster of being a fighter.You can find ben at The Fight Centre in Brisbane, and on Instagram here, and facebook here.Please subscribe to Closure Optional here: itunes, Stitcher, A...2019-01-261h 12Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 40 – Nick Sun, Comedian and PsychonautNick is an enigma – he walked away from a 13 year career in stand-up comedy to walk the Australian desert and sleep in various forests burning frog secretions into his skin in order to learn how to grow up… this is a great conversation about the power of the mind, how it manipulates us, and some varying tactics to bypass the prison that our intellect can create. We also talk about how to put a flaccid penis into a vagina in the name of true love… so there's also that…To find out more about Nick, please visit his face...2019-01-211h 09Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 39 – Iggy McGowan 2, Muaythai Trainer and Mindset MentorIggy specialises in mind and body transformation through his company Via Bellatoris. I brought Iggy back onto the podcast this week because it's a new year and we're all saying “Oh yeah, this year I'll do it!!!” – and I wanted to give you some tangible, specific advise on how to actually do what you say you're going to do.Iggy is a Muaythai and Boxing fight trainer, personal trainer, massage therapist, mindset mentor, and has been an incredible asset in my corner, and as a friend over the last 3 years.To find out more about Iggy a...2019-01-131h 30Closure OptionalClosure Optional, Ep. 38 – Manuary and the Illusion of SelfIn this episode I discuss my recent experiences as a virgin of online dating in the 21st century, and what it showed me about the nature of being a “self”. How do you sell your “self” to dudes on the internet when no one really knows what a “self” is… I give some valuable tips on making a Tinder profile from my extensive week-long experience, and then self-destruct in a metaphysical quagmire about the illusion of “self”. Show Notes:I discuss a concept called “Ship of Theseus” or the “Theseus Paradox”For interesting reading, Sam Harris' book on “self” – “Waking U...2019-01-0654 minClosure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 37 – Stuart Walter, Hypnotherapy SessionHey it's Christmas time and everyone's insane in attempt to relax over the holiday break, so I thought it would be fun to do some experimental podcasts at the end of the year… Stuart comes to my house and gives me a hypnotherapy session for this one, and you can join in if you want to! If you do, however, want to do the session with us, just make sure you're laying down somewhere and preferably not driving a giant machine.Stuart was on this podcast in Episode 22 if you'd like to hear how he helps people be...2018-12-221h 03Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 36 – Steve McDonald, PRISMSteve is a Australian Military Veteran who cured his debilitating PTSD through the exploration of altered states of consciousness; states induced by martial Arts, meditation, and yes, psychedelic compounds. He is one of the founders of PRISM, a non-profit organisation that works to develop and integrate psychedelic research back into mainstream science and medicine in Australia. Steve is a change consultant and researcher currently specialising in the future of human consciousness, and this is a great conversation about adapting to change, both on a personal level and at a global scale. We discuss climate change, the evolution...2018-12-161h 37Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 35 – Kris Drummond, WriterKris is a writer, photographer, and philosopher, and one of my best friends though we've actually never met each other in real life. I met him in a writers group on Duncan Trussell's podcast forum, and we've spent 5 years talking to each other through the internet…This is a wonderful conversation about how I recently experienced a mental earthquake when I released an offensive podcast and then regretted it completely, and then recognised my shame and admitted it publicly, and all the neurotic bullshit that goes along with that. The podcast we are discussing is the one di...2018-12-081h 33Closure OptionalClosure Optional Episode 34 – Social Masturbator cum Neuroscientist, Me*UPDATED* – Holy shit you guys this was a monster – I was sick of telling the story about the time I masturbated in the woods with a bunch of strangers, but I managed to get it out of me finally in an entertaining and hopefully enriching way for you, and I've added some educational tidbits too because I felt cheap and gross* just talking about sex stuff without also giving you something neat to think about. I discuss the neurochemistry of connection, how our brains develop the ability to manage those chemicals, and how we can actively change the structure of o...2018-12-021h 05Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 33 – Craig, Peter and Daniel from ‘High As Mike’, FilmmakersWe were very lucky to squeeze into the very busy shooting schedule for Craig Wilson, Daniel Raffaele, and Peter Cross as they continue their massive journey across Australia filming a new documentary called ‘High As Mike'. The film follows Mike, a cancer patient with a brain tumour that will eventually leave him blind, as he rides his bicycle around Australia in search of answers about whether or not Medical Cannabis will save his sight. They travel from Tamworth, all the way up to Brisbane and back down again, talking to neuroscientists, Medical Cannabis patients, politicians, lawyers, police and doctors in...2018-11-251h 11Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 32 – Jay Bainbridge and Matt Bartlem, ArroyoJay and Matt are musicians from the band (group?), Arroyo – I don't know the difference between a band and a group, but these guys are fucking rad. This is a great conversation about music, art, the vulnerability of being someone with something to say, how commercialised art can be a disgusting mis-representation of it's original meaning, and how most of the media we're fed is pure bullshit.SHOW NOTES:This is the video I'm talking about at the very start, their first single, “Please Just Let Me Know” This is thei...2018-11-181h 02Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 31 – Jordi Sullivan, The Fight DieticianOooweeee this guy is a fantastic bag of bones, muscles and brains (but mostly brains); Jordi helps elite fighters cut weight for MMA and other combat sports in order to safely and effectively achieve their fight weight, which can be a loss of up to 20% of their total body weight!! This is a great conversation about how he helps the best of the best get their body into supreme condition before a fight; we talk about his recent trip to the US to work with the UFC, and his work with our friend, the new WBC World Champion, Ben...2018-11-111h 29Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 30 – Aidan Killian, ComedianAidan is an Irish Comedian living in Bangkok who used to be an Investment Banker but he quickly realised that God was going to punish him for being evil so he became a comedian and with a short detour into Buddhist Christianity while writing a comedy show about Jesus versus Buddha. This is a great conversation about the nature of existence, how to avoid feeling like a fraud, how to run away from a fight and how Jesus was probably a terrorist.Check out Aidan's website for tour dates, videos, and everything else he does at http://w...2018-11-021h 24Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 29 – Adrian Franklin, The Eros MethodAdrian is a wellness coach who uses somatic and cognitive therapy to help men resolve issues with anxiety, stress, anger and shame. He is also involved with Polyamory, which means his girlfriends have other boyfriends who have other girlfriends (and maybe boyfriends too). During the course of the podcast we discuss how he helps men get back inside their body to resolve their issues, what Shadow Tantra Retreats are all about, and the very real and raw implications of having an “Open Relationship” – it's not all jizz and orgies guys, sometimes, it fucking hurts.To see more of wha...2018-10-211h 18Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 28 – The War on Drugs with Me, the AddictThis episode is just me on my lonesome talking about the origins of the War on Drugs and a little bit o new research into the root causes of addiction. This whole podcast is informed and mostly based on the book, Chasing the Scream, by Johann Hari, who will be a guest on Closure Optional next month to discuss the ideas in this book, and his new book about the causes of Depression and Anxiety, Lost Connections.Here are the links to everything that I reference in the podcast, please do send me any questions, ideas, references...2018-10-1459 minClosure OptionalClosure Optional, Ep. 27 – Abraham Garfield, Sports PsychologistAbraham Garfield is a Sports Psychologist, a Rapper, and a World-Class Ultimate Frisbee Player – he runs Summit Sports Psychology which aims to improve your wellbeing, leadership and performance abilities through holistic Psychology. He also runs the Athlete Recovery Academy which helps athletes get back to their peak mental state after an injury or traumatic event that is impacting their ability to do their best. This is a great conversation about the mind: how to strengthen your resilience to traumatic events, why 10 day Silent Meditation Retreats are like picking a fight with a UFC fighter because you've done a boxfit cla...2018-10-071h 27Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 26 – Kurt Chatfield (V2), MusicianKurt has been a guest before, he's a musician and philosopher, and a very good friend of mine; this is a great conversation about love and relationships, experiencing bullshit artists and trying to be less of an asshole when dealing with them, and even a little exploration of how Crypto Currencies are the new Wild-West. If you want to hear some of Kurt's music, check out his band Not Ok, and also his Soundcloud where he's got some other projects on the go. He also created the theme music for this very podcast Thank you for listening as always!2018-09-301h 21Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 25 – Victoria Smith, Somatic Sex CoachVictoria is a Sexologist, which basically means she specialises in helping people have sex and masturbate better in order to become more connected to their own human potential! If that seems like giant leap then you've never eaten a weed cookie and masturbated in the bath for an hour then written the best chapter of your life in your silly book that you keep saying that you're writing but you haven't looked at for months. This is a brilliant conversation about how to get past your own shame and bullshit and learn to love yourself again. We also delve...2018-09-161h 34Closure OptionalClosure Optional, Ep. 24 – Cameron Reilly, AuthorWhat are you, the thing that's reading this? Are you the thing thinking about what you are, or are you the things that you think you are? Are you your mind, your body, or your memories? What if those things change, are you still you?! If that seems like a mindfuck, it is, but your mind needs lovin too and it's about time you gave it some action.Cameron Reilly is a philosopher and author of the book, The Three Illusions, where he demonstrates the idea that Free Will, your SELF, and Time are all illusions. He...2018-09-091h 16Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 23 – Kaitlin, Fractal ArtistKaitlin makes art out of Math – now wait, I know that seems boring, but when you realise that everything in our known universe can be drilled down into a simple mathematical pattern, you realise that she's actually more like God, creating things out of nothing and that's not boring at all. This is a great conversation about art, about fractals and what they are, and what it's like to be a human being.2018-09-021h 12Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 22 – Stuart Walter, Clinical HypnotherapistIf you are a Martial Artist, or an Artist, or a Creative Person, or in Business, or a Human Being – this conversation is for you. Stuart is a Clinical Hypnotherapist at Elite Minsdet Institute, specialising in Sports and Business Performance and this is a great conversation about how the brain develops mechanisms over time which impede our ability to reach our potential. We discuss the brain, Martial arts and Hypnosis, and Stuart imparts some valuable tips on getting your brain in order, and he even gives me a little therapy.If you want a copy of his bo...2018-08-261h 23Closure OptionalClosure Optional, Ep. 21 – John Wayne Parr, Fighter“John” Wayne Parr is a 10 x World Champion Muay Thai Fighter and, with his wife Angie, the owner of Boonchu Gym on the Gold Coast. There are very few people in the world who have accomplished as much as Wayne has in his sport and yet he is one of the humblest and nicest people I've met. Not only because of his fighting but also because of who he is, John Wayne Parr is considered legendary in Thailand, which is a HUGE accomplishment for anyone, but especially, for a Westerner. He will go down in history as of one of t...2018-08-1957 minClosure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 20 – Kayvan Khalatbari, Denver Mayorial CandidateKayvan is not what you'd expect – as is the case with most good things – he's putting his 13 fun (and thriving) businesses on hold this year to run for Mayor of Denver because he thinks we need to seriously re-think the way we do politics. He owns Sexy Pizza, a well-loved Denver Pizzaria, runs Sexpot Comedy which is a multi-platform media company producing Podcasts, Stand-up Comedy, Videos, and most recently, Super Troopers 2. In addition to all that, he's also got a network of Cannabis Dispensaries and a consulting firm called Denver Relief Consulting. Needless to say, he's an incredibly interesting and...2018-08-121h 23Closure OptionalClosure Optional, Ep. 19 – My Parents! (Artists)Because, why not! My parents are Conceptual Artists, living and working out of Denver, Colorado. They've been in love with each other and making art (and periodically arguing about both of those things) for over 40 years, and this is a great conversation about Art and how to find meaning inside your craft, inside a family, and inside yourself. If you'd like to see what they do, please visit http://steuartbremner.com or http://unsafeart.com/.Also, if you happen to find yourself in any of these cities, go to one of these art galleries and TAKE the boo...2018-08-031h 25Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 18 – Katie O’Neill, Cell BiologistKatie is a Denver-based (via Harvard of all places!) Cell Biologist currently finishing her PhD in Cancer Research. While serving coffees to celebrities in New York as her Degree in Neuroscience collected dust on a shelf, she realised that the only thing that would make her truly happy was to inspect a monstrous disease under a microscope for the rest of her life.This is a great conversation about what she's learned so far, some layman's breakdowns of what cancer is actually doing with our bodies, and some personal ideas about how to get yourself through feeling...2018-07-221h 05Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 17 – Chris Chiari, Drug Reform ActivistChris is a lot of things; hes a filmmaker, political activist, a (failed) political candidate, a Cannabis dispensary owner, and most recently, the owner of the Patterson Inn in Denver, Colorado, which he hopes will become one of the first public places in Denver where you can legally smoke weed. This is a great conversation about the politics of drug reform, the racial implications of our current drug policies, and some ideas about what it takes to enact real social change.At about 50 minutes in he mentions the documentary 13th, which you can find here.C...2018-07-151h 15Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 16 – Lisa, Exotic DancerThis is a fun episode because we're both naked!! We talk about the ins and outs of being a naked person in the world, sexuality, shame, femininity, and contrasting the benefits of masturbating with kids toys or your mom's dildo.Please subscribe to Closure Optional here: itunes, Stitcher, Android, Email, or wherever you like to hear your podcasts and help this thing grow. If you’re on an Android device, I’ve found that Podcast Addict works the best. Thank you for listening, as always.This podcast is made possible by Burleigh Heads and Broadbeach Physiotherap...2018-07-081h 05Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 15 – Ben Johnston, Muay Thai FighterBen is a MuayThai Fighter, currently ranked #1 in the WORLD, in the WBC Light Heavyweight Division. He is also a trainer, and the co-owner of The Fight Centre in Brisbane which boasts a very impressive roster of Queensland fighters. This is a great conversation about how to keep your head on straight while having both major successes and major failures, if you're supposed to “get” art, and why driving an hour to talk to a stranger is only weird if you do it in private.This episode of the podcast was also filmed by Nationally Registered Fighters Aust...2018-07-011h 20Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 14 – Mick and Tash, Smoking MarthaMick and Tash created the band Smoking Martha out of a need to cure a mounting existential crisis trapped inside Tash's throat (and to give some direction and meaning to Mick's determination to only do shit he loves). They collected a couple more talented musicians, Matty on Bass and Jordy on Drums, and the creature was born. They're a hard sound to describe – punk and soul and blues and rock – but the label becomes irrelevant when you hear it; Tash's voice really has to be felt to be believed. This is a great conversation about music and doing what's righ...2018-06-241h 25Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 13 – Lucas Stone, MusicianLucas is a Musician, formerly the frontman for the Aussie Hardcore band, HELM, and currently the guitarist for Hammers. He's been through some crazy shit in his life and we only just scratched the surface in this conversation, but its full of all kinds of ideas about how to stay connected to your purpose and your passions despite the curious desire to shoot liquid Death into your arm to escape your own consciousness.You can find out more about Lucas's solo project here, and check out the new Hammers EP here. They're also touring around the East...2018-06-171h 18Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 12 – Blair Chave, Fight TrainerBlair is the head trainer and manager of Urban Fight Gym on the Gold Coast, and MY trainer! We've been into battle 11 times together, not to mention the ridiculous hours he spends getting me ready for each one, and it was a nice change to sit down and chat without one of us belting the shit out of the other. We talk about what it's like to train fighters, how fear and focus play a critical role in the fight game, and how training monsters has helped Blair get in touch with his feelings… well, almost.2018-06-1055 minClosure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 11 – Josh Armstrong, Based ComedyJosh is the owner of Based Comedy, which is a Gold Coast comedy and entertainment company, bringing some of Australia's (and New Zealand's) best comedy to the Gold Coast for FREE. This is a fun conversation about how being a Dub-step DJ in Canada gets you nothing, but being a Stockboy for the Body Shop will definitely get you laid. Also how happiness is inside your heart, how Acid and Ketamine can lead to a terrifying existential crisis and what Comedians can learn from Meth-heads.2018-06-031h 09Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 10 – Benny Mawson, Freedom Float CentreBenny is the owner of Freedom Float Centre in Burleigh Heads and he's one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I know. We talk about the loneliness and isolation of working offshore, the meaning of human relationships and connectivity, and how wolves will ejaculate on your leg if they think you're a bitch.2018-05-271h 19Closure OptionalClosure Optional, Ep. 9 – Richie Walsh, Fight TrainerRichie is a Fight Trainer and, with his wife Melissa, created Urban Fight Gym on the Gold Coast. He trained Australian fighting magnates John Wayne Parr, Paul Briggs, and Nathan ‘Carnage' Corbett. This is a great conversation filled with insights about life, fighting and family from a living legend. 2018-05-201h 20Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep.8 – Kurt Chatfield, MusicianKurt is a musician, a philosopher and a psychedelic explorer – this conversation is whirlpool of ideas in which we attempt to make sense of the human condition. From Comedy and fighting to DMT and metaphorical yachts, this podcast is a fun glimpse into the insides of our (probably) unhinged brains.2018-05-131h 21Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 7 – Zoe Hargrave, MusicianOh my this is a nice episode – Zoe serenades us with some lovely tunes and we talk about music, creativity in general and fear of failure. Also, religious cults, and that extracting semen out of a cult leader probably isn't the path to God.2018-05-061h 12Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 6 – Tanveer Roowala, CryptoCurrencies and AddictionTanveer is a crypto currencies programmer, an ex-addict, a psychedelic explorer, and a sometimes-stand-up comedian. In this episode we discuss all of those things; we talk about the causes and impacts of both of our previous drug habits, how psychedelics helped us kick them, and how CryptoCurrencies can make you a millionaire if you're paranoid enough to get your retirement funds out of the government's reptilian hands.Show Notes:Click Here to see some of Tanveer's Stand-up in SydneyAt 1:00: Tanveer is talking about:Bitcoin Cash and Monerocoinspot.c...2018-04-291h 20Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 5 – Iggy McGowan, MuayThai Trainer and Mindset MentorIggy specialises in mind and body transformation through his company Via Bellatoris. He is a MuayThai and Boxing fight trainer, personal trainer, massage therapist, mindset mentor, and an incredibly valuable asset to have in my corner.In this episode, we discuss ways to make powerful decisions rather than living as a victim to your own excuses, habits and fears. We discuss why we sabotage our own happiness in relationships and in the pursuit of our goals, why people-pleasing leads to self-loathing and why excuses seem easier than responsibility.To find out more about Iggy and...2018-04-221h 15Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 4 – Melina Yung, Muay Thai FighterMelina is a Muay Thai Fighter and owner of NRF Australia. She retired from fighting last year after 20 fights (and a WMC Queensland State Title), to travel around the country for 6 months in a van (with her cat) in order to develop her business to its full potential. She's a funny, kind, and thoughtful person and this conversation is a very raw and honest look at why we might let our previous life experiences get in the way of our happiness.2018-04-151h 27Closure OptionalClosure Optional Ep. 3 – Shayne Hunter, ComedianThis episode of Closure Optional is about our SELF, how it feels to be a person, and how public speaking turns humans into evolutionary rejects. Shayne is a Stand-up Comedian; he's been doing comedy for about 10 years with a 4 year detour in what he calls the “Cult” of Antifa in Australia. He's since realised that the only way to change the world effectively, is to properly examine your own life and get your shit together.2018-03-2751 minClosure OptionalClosure Optional Ep 2 – Injury Update RambleThis is just a quick little episode with just me on my own; I recently injured myself at training and have been given a mandatory rest from all fighting and training for the next month or so. In this episode I just ramble a little about what it feels like to be relieved of my responsibility to fight and if it's ok to be happy or not.Please subscribe to Closure Optional here: itunes, Stitcher, Android, Email, or wherever you like to hear your podcasts and help this cute little thing grow. Thank you for listening, as a...2018-03-1116 minClosure OptionalClosure Optional Ep1 – Justin Chucklefield, Graphic Artist2018-02-261h 22