Better Beings

Former corporate lawyer turned astrologer and energy coach, Patrick Geary, explores his journey to astrology, discussing the intersection of astrology with science and belief systems, authenticity, and personal growth. The conversation emphasizes embracing individuality, connecting with others through astrology, and the spiritual aspects of astrology in today's world.

Amber Brandner and Brad Harris discuss challenges for mission-driven founders, humanity-centered design, and the power of community in building better businesses. They highlight the importance of triple bottom line brands, healthy beverages, and selecting brands that prioritize people, planet, and profit. The duo also shares their podcast and music preferences, reflecting on their unique approach to sustainable business practices.

Better business genius and spiritual leader John Featherby joins us to discuss the limits to materialism, a crisis of meaning and what spirituality means in the modern world.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODEReaching the end of a hyper-rational, high secular materialism age - and looking at what comes next to fill the ‘void’ in realising it doesn't provide real meaning Exploring Spiritual Capital as a “resource of collective memory, benefit, and impact of a culture’s religious, spiritual, philosophy history and heritage” and investing in it through honouring purpose, value, virtue, and meaning in cultures Religion as a way of being. It’s a pattern and we’re all in one. We’re all worshipping somethingCENTRES OF POWER ARE MOVING AWAY FROM THE WEST - neutral secular perspectives that are not neutral. Parts of the world are pushing back.How you develop leaders - mindfulness, breathing, embracing the wilderness The agenda of “purpose” in business spaces & leadership programmes - and how authentic and meaningful this actually is. QUOTES & SNIPPETS“We’re in a meaning crisis. Spiritual Capital doesn’t ‘belong’ to big businesses. You cant import purpose, ritual, philosophical ideas etc”“It’s a pattern and we’re all in one”“Consumerism doesn’t provide the meaning people thought it would so they’ve gone looking for meaning in something else”“All people have now IS their work - home - and hobby. People's lives have gone from many layers to work and home. Back in the day, people belonged to a community organisation, there were layers between the individual and the state that gave them meaning and a sense of grounding but we’ve stripped them out”“Most of the stuff you read in these modern business books about purpose and good culture - they exist in all the great scriptures. We’ve had this stuff forever.”REFERENCESRichard DawkinsGus SpethRobert TombsReligion for Atheists, Alain de BottonCONNECT WITH JOHNSubstackWebsiteLinkedIn SUPPORT BETTER BEINGSIf you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques, and resource recommendations betterbeingspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The wonderful Dan Haggis - from chart-topping band The Wombats - joins us to discuss creativity and commercialisation in the music business. In this fun and thoughtful episode we also discuss parenthood, wellbeing, mid-life-crises and what makes for a fulfilling and grounded life.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODEThe appreciation & sense of wonder that parenthood brings - for the journey that all humans go throughPrioritising a creative career and navigating the school systemHolding onto the purity of making music vs being ‘successful’ in the industry The mid-life crisis that comes when we turn 30; “slowly untethering from youth, accepting that you’re moving on to a new chapter”, and how yoga helped him through this processQUOTES & SNIPPETS“It’s like I’m seeing the pyramid of Egypt for the first time when I’m watching him (son), that sense of wonder, seeing his little personality grow”“No matter how much work you do on yourself (e.g meditation, Wim Hof ice showers) - you can still fall into bad habits. We are all a work in progress”“Keep the harmony. If you don’t get things ironed out with yourself and your band or business; there’s no longevity”“Yoga was a revolutionary force in my life; the one place, apart from making music, that could go to be in the moment where no other thoughts exist”REFERENCESThe Infinite Monkey Cage, Brian CoxThe Rest is PoliticsCold Reactor, Everything EverythingDoppelganger, Naomi KleinThe Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***, Mark MansonThe Power of Now, Eckhart TolleCONNECT WITH DANInstagram (Dan)Dan’s new albumFOLLOW THE WOMBATSThe WombatsInstagram (The Wombats)SUPPORT BETTER BEINGSIf you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques, and resource recommendations betterbeingspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renowned parenting author Steve Biddulph discusses the importance of caring for people in organizations, thriving with autism, gender differences in raising boys and girls, and tapping into our 'Wild Creature Mind'. He advocates for a more affectionate and connected form of parenting, highlighting the emotional intelligence of the younger generation and the generational uprising towards a more heartful society.

Lorna Davis shares insights on leading with love, social impact, and embracing a heart-centered approach in business. She discusses the power of authentic apologies, connections to wildlife conservation, and navigating challenges in Indigenous rights work. The podcast explores the transformation of organizations through heartfelt reflection and following the heart over the mind.

Andrew Hunt, founder of superfoods company Aduna shares the highs and lows in his inspiring entrepreneurial journey.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:How Conscious Wellness is rooted in helping others The interconnectedness of all living things - based on the West African belief of Aduna How Andrew and Aduna grew a leading wellness business supporting local farmers in Ghana Modifying the capitalist structure so that it’s not exploitative, extractive and unhealthyWhere our sense of worth and value comes from as human beingsQUOTES & SNIPPETS:“Doing something on a daily basis that is making a difference to other people is the most important part of wellness”“I am because we are” - the concept of Ubuntu“So many people are living in deficiency of human community in modern life” “If you want to achieve a state of oneness it can’t just be about yourself”“Collective Wellness is true wellness”“Physical and emotional health are two sides of the same coin”REFERENCES:The Baobab TreeMicrobiome‘Ubuntu’ PhilosophyB-CorpFonio seedsHow To Do The Work, by Dr Nicole LePeraCONNECT WITH ANDREW:LinkedInFOLLOW ADUNA:AdunaSUPPORT BETTER BEINGS:If you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT: Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques and resource recommendations betterbeingspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist, author, and political commentator Adam Lowenstein discusses corporate power dynamics, inclusivity movements, and the practice of 'memento mori'. He shares insights on American politics, structural incentives, and the importance of imagining new systems. Adam emphasizes living purposefully, calling out corporations, and making meaningful choices in life.

Gender equality expert Ayan Said discusses surviving inequalities as an intersectional woman, driving intentional design for empowerment, decolonizing the tech industry, and the importance of aligning identity with passion. They touch on empathy, art as a revolution, pairing value with value in leadership, and breaking generational patterns to create a more equitable future.

Artist and change-agent Robi Walters has found flow from adversity. In this moving and uplifting episode he shares the techniques and ideas that inspire his creative genius.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:How trauma and adversity shaped Robi’s artistic processHow to create an optimum routine, build discipline, and push boundariesHow to live ‘on-purpose’How to reflect your inner world into the outer world and create spaces for healingQUOTES & SNIPPETS:“I tried to find the beauty in the thing that was not loved. I tried to work on myself”“Accumulated small steps create big things” “There is something special inside of every single person on the planet. Are you doing it, or are you resisting it?”“Sometimes all you need to do is hear someone say: I took a risk”“We are in a negative, destructive, sick world. But I don’t buy into it. I’m trying to make it better.”REFERENCES:The Wim Hof MethodMichelle La Grand - La Grand Jazz ft. Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Miles EvansChat GPTCONNECT WITH ROBI:robiwalters.comInstagramSUPPORT BETTER BEINGS:If you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT: Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques and resource recommendations betterbeingspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.