The Decision-Making Studio Podcast

Our latest episode is about the beauty and value of extremes. Extremes are fascinating. We face uncertainty at extremes, and we learn and discover at extremes. My guest today is all about that. Mark Hannaford is an entrepreneur, adventurer, and a veteran of many expeditions. He is the founder of World Extreme Medicine and Across the Divide. He is also the co-founder of the World Extreme Medicine Conference, taking place in a few weeks in Scotland. Mark has been involved with numerous adventures and expeditions all over the world covering deserts, jungles, mountains and just about any other type of terrain. His company Across the Divide supports expeditions for a variety of organisations including the popular television show Survivor. Along the way, Mark identified an acute need – how to provide medical support in these types of environments so that they can be successful. This led to his founding of World Extreme Medicine and we get into all of that. However, this is a conversation about more than this. It is human nature to explore and learn at the edges of what is possible. Much of Marks’s work has involved bringing together scientists and practitioners to share insights and practices. We get into all of this and more in a conversation that covers: Medical support in extreme environments; Motivations of people who risk their lives to help others in these circumstances; Decision-making and mental strength in extreme conditions; The importance of caring for others; The medical profession; Different types of extreme environments including outer space; Loads more! Show notes: World Extreme Medicine             On Twitter On Facebook   On YouTube The World Extreme Medicine Conference Across the Divide Michael Barratt Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards _____________ Like what you heard? Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on: iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast www.allthingsrisk.co.uk Find the latest episode here!

Sometimes, when I have conversations with people about some of the amazing things my guests have done, I hear a common refrain. In fact, I sometimes think the same things – they are inspiring and instructive stories, but they do things that I cannot quite do because they “don’t have [insert obstacle, constraint, complication]”. One of the things mentioned is a family – or more specifically, the responsibilities and constraints that having a family entails. Meet Caspar Craven. Caspar is an entrepreneur and an adventurer. He challenges conventional thinking. He has run and sold companies, competed in round-the-world yacht races and (here’s the family point), he sailed around the world for two years with his wife and three children – aged 9,7 and 2 at the time. This all started with a realisation that he wasn’t spending enough time with his family as he pursued the demanding career of an investment banker. What started as an idea borne out of a conversation eventually became reality.  Caspar joins me to talk all about it. In this episode, we explore: Caspar’s background; Life at the extremes; Practicalities of sailing around the world: Financial; Family commitments – e.g. his kids’ schooling; Logisitics; The risks associated with this endeavour and how Caspar and his family managed them (e.g. storms, medical emergencies, piracy); Difficult moments / when things go wrong; The importance of values and purpose; Much more! Show notes: Caspar’s website Caspar on:             Facebook             Twitter             Linkedin Pre-order Caspar’s book Where the Magic Happens on Amazon The Science of Luck by Bong Chandra  ____________________ Like what you heard? Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on: iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast www.allthingsrisk.co.uk Find the latest episode here!

Among the things we like to do here, is speak to people who look at phenomena from slightly different lenses. Today, that phenomenon is evolution and my guest is Perry Marshall. Perry is an entrepreneur, an engineer, an expert on online market, and someone who has very thoroughly looked at the science of evolution. He has written a book entitled Evolution 2.0 - Breaking the Deadlock Between Darwin and Design. Evolution 2.0 aims to look at evolution in a way that is different to what advocates of Intelligent Design and Neo-Darwinism believe. Perry's insights are fascinating and thought provoking. Regardless of whether you are and Atheist-Agnostic like me, a hardcore Atheist, religious, or simply spiritual, I think you will find the discussion extremely interesting. Perry and I cover: His background and how he got into studying evolution in the first place (Perry is the son of a pastor and grew up as a devout Christian); How he got himself "unstuck" in his research (and the links between evolution and internet algorithms); Randomness and gene adaptation; Intelligent design versus neo-Darwinism; Symbiotic life; Bacteria; CRISPR and gene editing; Loads more! Show notes: Perry's site Cosmic Fingerprints; Evolution 2.0; www.PerryMarshall.com; The microbiome; Ted Talk - "How Bacteria Talk"; CRISPR; Barbara McClintock's "Jumping Gene"; Radiolab "From Tree to Shining Tree"  _______ Like what you heard? Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on: iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast www.allthingsrisk.co.uk Find the latest episode here!    

This is an episode about play, fear, power, and in fact “super powers”. My guest is Tonya Recla. Tonya is a former US counter-intelligence agent. She and her husband own a company that specialises in online reputation and risk management. She is also the Executive Director of something called “Super Power Experts” which helps people achieve enlightened self-actualisation. This involves helping people develop things that one might as “intuitive abilities.” I have to admit, I have some cognitive dissonance around some of these concepts, as you’ll hear. One the one hand, I strongly believe in being open to possibilities and embracing uncertainty while on the other, being wary of things not backed by science. One thing is clear however, and that is that Tonya has a great way of helping people become more open to possibilities they did not know existed, and making them aware of power they did not know they had. She’s also very engaging and was a pleasure to have her on as a guest of the show. We had a great conversation covering: Tonya’s background and becoming a counter-intelligence agent; The concept of “super powers” and why Tonya believes anyone can develop them; The limitations of a Newtonian world; Managing risk and uncertainty; Power and recovering from sexual assault; Play and possibilities; Loads more! Show notes: Super Power Experts Tonya’s Power Up Podcast Tonya on Twitter The Men Who Stare at Goats __________________ Like what you heard? Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on: iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast www.allthingsrisk.co.uk   

We have had many conversations here about successful risk-taking and effective decision-making. Now imagine having to make tough decisions within split seconds, when not only are the highest stakes possible on the line, but you are affected by the immense G forces that come with flying combat aircraft. What is involved in all that and what lessons can this provide to other areas? Meet Tim Davies, my guest in episode 61. Tim is a fighter pilot, squadron leader for the Royal Air Force (RAF) here in the UK and a flying instructor.  He is also a coach and runs a site called www.fastjetperformance.com. Tim brings a very interesting perspective and this is a conversation about loads more than flying airplanes. It’s actually quite wide-ranging. Nonetheless, Tim’s fascinating perspectives have been moulded in the moments of truth that only preparing for and flying combat aircraft can provide. That he applies these lenses to phenomena outside the cockpit makes him a very engaging guest for the All Things Risk podcast. Tim and I discuss: His background and how he got into flying aircraft; Risk-taking and fighter pilots; A typical day in a fighter pilot’s job; Willpower and associative conditioning; Decision-making, including making snap decisions; Making mistakes, honesty and having an open culture in an organisation; Mental and emotional states when flying aircraft; Resilience; Loads more! Show notes: Tim’s site – www.fastjetperformance.com Tim on Twitter - https://twitter.com/fastjetperform On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fastjetperformance/?ref=bookmarks On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/MaestroDoggman/videos Chris Hadfield Malcolm Gladwell on Cockpit Culture and Safety Solving difficult problems with the “Inversion Technique” Headspace App The All Things Risk Podcast Ep. 53 with Alex Sidorenko Tim Ferriss James Clear Books discussed: The Obstacle is the Way  by Ryan Holiday The Hour Between Dog and Wolf by John Coates Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal __________ Like what you heard? Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on: iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast www.allthingsrisk.co.uk 

Stepping outside one’s comfort zone is a critical element of effective risk-taking. This is true for many pursuits, from physical challenges, career decisions through to personal relationships. It is also a crucial component in negotiation. My guest in this episode is Linda Swindling. Linda is a negotiation expert, speaker, author and self-professed “recovering attorney”. Her latest book is entitled Ask Outrageously – The Secret to Getting What You Really Want.  Among the things we discuss is the importance of making your true interests bold and clear when getting involved with negotiations of all kinds. This is a conversation that is not only engaging but is filled with practical tips and advice. In it, we cover: Linda’s background, which includes some important career advice; Working with so-called “high performers” – CEOs and the like; How to deal with complainers; How to approach difficult conversations; How to approach negotiations; The principles behind “asking outrageously” which includes Linda’s own story involving popular America comedian Jay Leno; Lots more I am sure you will find this extremely useful. Get asking! Show notes: Lindaswindling.com  Linda on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneyOnLindaSwindling Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindaSwindling  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindaswindling/  YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/LindaSwindling  Linda's book Ask Outrageously  http://www.stopcomplainers.com/  _______ Like what you heard? Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on: iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast www.allthingsrisk.co.uk   

This week, we talk mountains. My guest is Cathy O’Dowd. Cathy is an adventurer, speaker and author. She was the first woman to have summited Mount Everest from both the North and South sides. In addition to the Himalayas, Cathy has climbed mountains in Central and Southern Africa, the Alps, and South America. She also completed a dog sled expedition across the Norwegian Arctic. Cathy speaks and consults to businesses and other organisations. As soon as you start to listen to this episode, you will soon find out why. Cathy’s experiences in mountaineering and adventures provide a number of incredible insights applicable to many other aspects of life. As soon as I finished speaking with Cathy a few weeks ago, I could not wait to bring this conversation to you! We get into a variety of things, including:  Cathy’s background growing up in South Africa; Her first expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro; Her first Everest expeditions; Teamwork; Decision-making and risk-taking under conditions of acute ambiguity – and in which getting it wrong can mean paying the ultimate price; Achievement and performance; Failure; Leadership; Tackling the unknown Much more! I loved every minute of this and hope you do as well.  Show notes: Cathy’s website; thebusinessofadventure.com Cathy on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CathyODowd Cathy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathyodowd/ Cathy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathyODowdEverest Cathy’s Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathy_O%27Dowd Reinhold Messner Ramsden and Fowler’s 3rd Piolets d’Or ____ Like what you heard? Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on: iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Check us out wherever great podcasts are found – www.allthingsrisk.co.uk 

Around here, we like to take risk and push ourselves. There is a high (pun intended) chance that you will be listening to this episode while I am cycling through the Alps. I will be taking on an event called the Haute Route. "Haute route" literally means "high road" in French and Haute Route cycling events are at the very top end of amateur cycling "sportives" both in terms of difficulty and professional organisation. The 7-day Alps event takes on the most famous and difficult Alpine climbs like the Alpe d"Huez, the Col d'Izoard, the Col du Glandon, the Col de la Madeleine, and others. It involves cycling 900km and climbing 20,000+ metres. Haute Route also runs other events in the Pyrenees, Dolomites, Rockies as well as a number of smaller events. I am about to find out what it takes to complete one of these things. But, what does it take to organise one and where did the idea first come about? Benjamin Chandelier, Event Director and co-founder of OC Sport (the organisation that owns and runs the Haute Route) joins me in a special edition of the podcast.   We discuss: The origins and vision of the Haute Route; The logistics involved in organising it; The beauty and popularity of cycling; What it takes to complete the Haute Route; Risks associated with organising the event and the steps Benjamin and his team take to manage them; Race strategies for all levels; Much more! Show notes: The Haute Route; Benjamin on Linkedin; Follow me on the Haute Route Alps! (bib number 2159) - https://www.hauteroute.org/live  OC Sport Emma Pooley _____ Like what you heard? Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on: iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Check us out wherever great podcasts are found - www.allthingsrisk.co.uk 

It may sound trite, but when The Economist this week talked about the end of the internal combustion engine this week, and we hear stories about ransomware, the hacking of Game of Thrones, or cyberwarfare, we truly are experiencing the dawn of a new age. That new age is driven by the virtual world and it involves hackers, bots, cyber warriors and cyber terrorists – and it may evolve into something even more dystopian. This is a difficult age to understand and there are few materials around to help us do that. This is where Daniel Wagner’s new book Virtual Terror comes in. It is a comprehensive but digestible volume on cyber warfare in all its forms. Daniel, who joined me for Episodes 10 and 17, comes back on the show to tell us about “virtual terror”. We discuss: Virtual terrorism and how it differs from conventional terrorism; The landscape and players; The internet of things (IoT), smart items and vulnerabilities these can create; The “Dark Web”; The private sector, government and other responses; Social media; Strategies to manage these uncertainties; Artificial Intelligence and the future Much more Show notes: Virtual Terror (USA) Virtual Terror (UK) Daniel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/countryriskmgmt Daniel’s company, Country Risk Solutions: http://countryrisksolutions.com/ http://riskcooperative.com/ “American Peril” – Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on: iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo

Every great conversation, particularly when listening as a podcast episode, is like a work of art. While we are all listening to the same thing, each individual listener will pick up on slightly different things or points. Every great conversation is also an experiment in uncertainty because we don’t know exactly where it will go. Today’s episode is a great conversation. Laura Dal Farra makes her return to the show. Laura was my guest on episode 3. She is a writer, entrepreneur and martial artist. If you haven’t yet done so, you can listen to her journey spending three and a half years learning Muay Thai in Thailand in that episode. This is Round 2 of that discussion and we cover: Culture – we pick up on this theme and discuss re-entry shock and what living in another culture can give you; Martial arts – how to find a martial art that suits you, and what to look out for; Entrepreneurship and marketing in the digital age; Authenticity – this is a theme that runs through this episode as well as my previous conversation with Laura Loads more! Show notes: Episode 3 of the All Things Risk podcast with Laura Check out Laura’s site:  milkblitzstreetbomb.com Check MBSB on Twitter: https://com/MBSBx Laura in the Toronto Star: http://ly/1Swr0o2 Robert Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land  Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on: iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo