The Paul Taylor Podcast | Expert in Hardiness and Mental Fitness

In this episode of The Paul Taylor Podcast, I sit down with Dr Jenny Brockis, lifestyle medicine physician and author of "The Natural Advantage", to explore how nature could be our most powerful yet underutilised medicine in today's screen-dominated world. Through fascinating research and personal experience, Dr Brockis reveals how our disconnection from nature is contributing to rising rates of anxiety, burnout, and chronic disease—and more importantly, how reconnecting with the natural world can dramatically improve our physical and mental wellbeing. From the surprising science of 'earthing' to practical strategies for both rural and city dwellers, this conversation is packed with evidence-based insights on leveraging nature's healing power. Whether you're battling screen addiction, struggling with anxiety, or simply seeking to optimise your health, this episode offers a compelling roadmap for using nature as your daily medicine. Key Topics: Lifestyle Medicine and Healthcare System Critique: From reactive treatment to preventive lifestyle medicine The Therapeutic Relationship in Healthcare: The vital role of strong patient-doctor relationships in effective healthcare Nature's Impact on Mental Health: Nature’s therapeutic benefits for mental wellbeing Digital Wellness and Screen Addiction: detrimental impact of screen addiction on modern life Urban Planning and Nature Integration: importance of integrating natural spaces in urban environments Physiological Benefits of Nature Exposure: scientifically proven health benefits of connecting with nature Practical Nature Integration Strategies: Techniques for incorporating nature into daily routines Professional Applications and Resources: Development opportunities in nature-based wellness Key Takeaways: Combat screen addiction by implementing regular "nature breaks" throughout your day - step outside for even brief periods to reset your attention and improve cognitive function. Engage all your senses when in nature by consciously noticing sights, sounds, smells, and textures, rather than just passively being present outdoors. Make direct physical contact with natural surfaces (like walking barefoot on grass or sand) for at least 30 minutes daily to benefit from grounding's effects on inflammation and stress reduction. Get adequate sunlight exposure in the morning hours to optimize vitamin D production and regulate your circadian rhythm, while being mindful of safe sun practices. Create dedicated screen-free times and spaces in your daily routine, particularly during nature exposure and social interactions, to enhance mindfulness and human connection. Bring nature indoors through houseplants, natural materials, and nature sounds/views when outdoor access is limited, especially for city dwellers. Start each morning with an intentional nature connection ritual - even if it's just sitting by a window with your morning beverage and observing the natural world for a few minutes. Connect with Dr Jenny Brockis:Learn more about Dr Jenny BrockisDr Jenny Brockis on LinkedInDr Jenny Brockis on InstagramDr Jenny Brockis on FacebookDr Jenny Brockis on PinterestConnect with Paul Taylor:Learn more about Paul TaylorPaul Taylor on LinkedInPaul Taylor on InstagramPaul Taylor on YouTube Support the Podcast:If you found this episode valuable, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more people with important conversations like this one. Share this episode with someone who might benefit from hearing it—emotional eating is more common than we think, and this conversation could make a difference in someone's life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dive into the fascinating world of genomic instability and its connection to aging. Discover how lifestyle changes, especially exercise, can enhance your body’s DNA repair processes. Nutrition, sleep, and holistic health practices all play pivotal roles in safeguarding genomic integrity. Learn practical strategies to improve your cellular health and potentially extend your lifespan!

Dive deep into the struggle with that nagging perfectionistic voice that holds you back. Discover how embracing imperfection can actually boost your progress toward personal goals. Learn the power of adaptability and consistency in a world that often feels chaotic. This engaging conversation sheds light on overcoming unhelpful perfectionism and encourages you to celebrate small victories on your journey.

In this episode of The Paul Taylor Podcast, I sit down with Performance Psychologist, author, facilitator, and coach, Graham Winter. We explore the fascinating intersection of athletic and corporate excellence, uncovering why the principles that drive gold medal performances can transform business leadership—and why some approaches that work in sports could actually derail your corporate team. From managing strong personalities and building unshakeable team cohesion to achieving sustainable peak performance without burnout, this conversation delivers practical insights for anyone leading high-stakes teams. Whether you're a corporate leader looking to enhance team dynamics, an athlete seeking to optimise your mental game, or simply someone interested in the psychology of excellence, you'll discover evidence-based strategies for creating environments where both psychological safety and accountability can flourish. Key Topics: Career Path: Moving between sports and business psychology Sport vs Business: The key differences in coaching athletes versus corporate professionals. Managing Egos: How to work with high-achieving individuals who have strong personalities. Team Unity: What it takes to get different people working together effectively as one team. Human Connection: Why relationships and shared purpose are crucial for team success. Safe Communication: How to create an environment where people feel safe to speak up while maintaining high standards. Sustainable Success: Ways to maintain peak performance without burning out over time. Key Takeaways: Build consistent daily habits rather than chasing quick wins to achieve sustained high performance. Create team alignment by establishing a clear mission statement, defining each person's role, and scheduling regular social connection time. Set boundaries around your perfectionist tendencies by scheduling mandatory recovery periods after intense work phases. Foster psychological safety by explicitly rewarding constructive criticism while still holding people accountable to high standards. Protect your energy by tracking your daily energy levels and scheduling high-stakes work during your peak performance hours. When leading high performers, validate their confidence while gently guiding them to develop self-awareness through regular feedback sessions. Start each project by clearly defining both its purpose and how it will strengthen key relationships in your network. Connect with Graham Winter:Graham Winter on LinkedInLearn more about Graham WinterCheck Graham Winter's BlogConnect with Paul Taylor:Learn more about Paul TaylorPaul Taylor on LinkedInPaul Taylor on InstagramPaul Taylor on YouTube Support the Podcast:If you found this episode valuable, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more people with important conversations like this one. Share this episode with someone who might benefit from hearing it—emotional eating is more common than we think, and this conversation could make a difference in someone's life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Delve into the fascinating hallmarks of aging and uncover the science behind them. Discover how making informed lifestyle changes can potentially slow down the aging process. This engaging discussion sets the stage for a 12-week journey focused on practical strategies and research findings that could transform your approach to getting older.

On this week's Mojo Monday, Carly dives into a powerful skill we can all cultivate to help us persevere when life gets tough and our minds tell us to give up. Discover how to build inner resilience and keep moving forward, no matter the challenges. Carly Taylor is a Mental Fitness Coach and speaker passionate about helping people tame their mind so they can live a rich, meaningful and fulfilled life. She is trained in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Japanese Psychology, is an IIN qualified Health Coach and is currently undergoing a Masters of Counselling. For more information, go to carlytaylorcoaching.com.au or follow her on Instagram: carly_taylor_coaching.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Paul Taylor Podcast, I sit down with Megan Flamer, an entrepreneur and mindfulness, compassion and resilience trainer, for a fascinating exploration of how ancient wisdom meets modern workplace challenges. We delve into why traditional mindfulness approaches sometimes fall short, especially for those who've experienced trauma, and discover how integrating multiple therapeutic modalities—from psychedelic therapy to EMDR—can create more effective healing pathways. Megan shares her unique insights from Silicon Valley and reveals how organisations can move beyond basic mindfulness programming to create lasting cultural change. Whether you're battling workplace burnout, seeking practical tools for self-awareness, or curious about how philosophical traditions like Stoicism can transform modern leadership, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on bringing contemplative practices into the 21st-century workplace. Key Topics: Professional Background and Silicon Valley Experience Limitations of Traditional Mindfulness Approaches Psychedelic Therapy and Mindfulness Integration Innovation and Contemplative Studies in Business Modern Applications of Ancient Wisdom Practical Burnout Prevention and Workplace Wellness Beyond Traditional Mindfulness Programming Organisational Implementation and Resources Key Takeaways: Supplement traditional mindfulness practices with other therapeutic approaches (like EMDR or tapping) to build a more comprehensive personal wellness strategy. Study both ancient wisdom traditions and modern research to create a personalized practice that combines time-tested principles with contemporary scientific insights. Set up regular self-check-ins to catch signs of burnout before they escalate by tracking your energy levels, sleep quality, and emotional state. Transform meditation concepts into concrete daily habits by identifying specific moments in your workday where you can apply mindful practices. Track and measure the business impact of your mindfulness practice by noting improvements in productivity, decision-making, and team relationships. Keep a daily log of your triggers, reactions, and interaction patterns to build greater self-awareness and improve workplace relationships. Help normalize mindfulness in your workplace by sharing specific examples of how contemplative practices have improved your work performance. Read one classic philosophical text (particularly from Stoicism) each quarter and extract practical applications for your current work challenges. Connect with Megan Flamer:Megan Flamer on LinkedInLearn more about Megan Flamer Connect with Paul Taylor:Learn more about Paul TaylorPaul Taylor on LinkedInPaul Taylor on InstagramPaul Taylor on YouTube Support the Podcast:If you found this episode valuable, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more people with important conversations like this one. Share this episode with someone who might benefit from hearing it—emotional eating is more common than we think, and this conversation could make a difference in someone's life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Drawing from the wisdom of Morita Therapy and Dr Brian Ogawa;s book A River to Live by: 12 Principles of Morita Therapy, Carly explores the crucial balance between setting goals and intentions for 2025 and accepting and living fully in each moment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Paul Taylor Podcast, I sit down with Jason Silver, author of "Your Grass is Greener," for a masterclass in building thriving workplaces and meaningful careers. Drawing from his extensive startup experience and behavioural science background, Jason challenges conventional wisdom about leadership, revealing why hiring for character trumps skills and how excessive consensus-seeking can paralyse organisations. We explore fascinating personal experiments in mindfulness and productivity, dissect the subtle ways workplace decisions go wrong, and uncover how giving people true autonomy can transform both results and job satisfaction. Whether you're leading a team, building a company, or seeking more fulfilment in your career, this conversation offers evidence-based insights and practical strategies for creating better outcomes at work and in life. Key Topics: Start-up Wisdom: What works and what doesn't in growing companies Character-Based Leadership: Why values matter more than skills Personal Development Experiments: Learning from personal experiments and failures Mindfulness Practices: Making meditation and journaling work for you Workplace Decision-Making: Moving past endless meetings and consensus Professional Autonomy: Letting people choose how they work best Behavioural Science in the Workplace: How our brain affects workplace choices Key Takeaways: Choose people based on who they are, not just what they can do. Remove those who don't match your values quickly. Don't wait for everyone to agree. Have healthy debates, make clear choices, and move forward. Write down your goals each morning and reflect on your day each evening. Look out for people who say they support decisions but don't follow through with actions. Give your team freedom to choose how they complete tasks, rather than controlling every step. Try to find information that challenges what you think you know, rather than just confirming it. Make people and culture your top priority, not just an afterthought. Connect with Jason Silver:Learn more about Jason SilverJason Silver on LinkedInJason Silver on SubstackJason Silver's BookConnect with Paul Taylor:Learn more about Paul TaylorPaul Taylor on LinkedInPaul Taylor on InstagramPaul Taylor on YouTube Support the Podcast:If you found this episode valuable, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more people with important conversations like this one. Share this episode with someone who might benefit from hearing it—emotional eating is more common than we think, and this conversation could make a difference in someone's life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.