Alfie Brown, a comedian and podcaster, shares his amusing take on the trials of fatherhood and adulting. He reflects on the comedic failures of attempting to entertain kids at birthday parties and the amusing realization that his DIY skills have yet to improve. Alfie humorously explores the challenges of balancing fitness and parenting while sharing anecdotes about Halloween and hobbies like candle-making. He also discusses the impact of parenting on identity and mental health, all wrapped in his signature wit.
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Children's Party Horror
Alfie Brown compared a 7-year-old's Halloween birthday party, finding it more difficult than adult comedy gigs.
Children hit him after he performed silly laughs, adding to the stressful experience.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Werewolf Family
Chris's business partner, Darren, and his family dressed as werewolves for Halloween, including their dogs.
Chris jokes about Darren's working-class background despite giving his kids "fancy" names like Ruben, Cooper, and Zara.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Class Mobility and Comedy
Alfie Brown talks about his friend Vas's class mobility, from Hounslow to enjoying finer things.
He reflects on his own mother's class journey and how his comedy career ironically reversed his upward mobility.
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Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions
Johann Hari
In 'Lost Connections', Johann Hari explores the increasing rates of depression and anxiety in the Western world. Through a 40,000-mile journey interviewing experts and visiting various communities, Hari identifies nine causes of depression and anxiety, all centered around the theme of disconnection. These causes include disconnection from meaningful work, other people, meaningful values, childhood trauma, status and respect, the natural world, and a hopeful or secure future. The book also delves into the role of genes and brain changes. Hari argues that traditional solutions focusing on chemical imbalances are insufficient and proposes alternative solutions based on reconnection, such as social prescribing, community engagement, and addressing societal issues like inequality and lack of social security.
Stolen Focus
Steven C. Lambert
In 'Stolen Focus', Johann Hari delves into the reasons behind the collapse of our ability to pay attention. He discusses various factors contributing to this issue and provides strategies on how to think deeply again and reclaim our focus in a world filled with distractions.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
The God Delusion
Richard Dawkins
In 'The God Delusion', Richard Dawkins argues that the belief in a supernatural creator, God, is almost certainly false and qualifies as a delusion. He examines God in various forms, from the Old Testament to the Celestial Watchmaker, and critiques the major arguments for religion. Dawkins discusses how religion fuels war, fosters bigotry, and abuses children, and he advocates for atheism as a morally and intellectually fulfilling worldview. The book also explores the relationship between religion and morality, suggesting that morality can exist independently of religion, and argues against the teaching of religion in schools as a form of indoctrination[2][3][4].
Alfie Brown is a comedian and a podcaster.
Adulting is hard. I had hoped to discover that Alfie, a dad of 3, would have worked out how to do it properly. But alas, no, it seems we are both condemned to flail around in the liminal purgatory of "just about getting by" for at least another few years.
Expect to learn why being a comedian doesn't mean that you can perform effectively as a compere for a 7 year old's birthday party, what it's like entering the world of fitness at 34, why my obsession with candles was cut short, at what point after becoming a father that your DIY skills improve and much more...
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