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Back To The Present

Latest episodes

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Mar 11, 2025 • 1h 33min

Wired For Emotion & Growth | w/Sue Langley

Why do our brains cling to some emotions more than others? How do our neurons wire together, shaping our habits, choices, and emotional responses? In this episode, we dive into the science of positive and proactive psychology, exploring how our emotions serve as data, why anger arises when we feel blocked, and how stronger emotions enhance memories—for better or worse.We’ll discuss the power of emotional literacy, the impact of physiology on decision-making, and why simple habits like eating, sleeping, and moving are crucial for self-regulation. Plus, we’ll uncover how high performers transform emotions into energy and why shared purpose helps us thrive.Tune in for practical insights on rewiring your brain, protecting your energy, and finding balance in both negative and positive states—because it’s not about avoiding emotions, but learning how to navigate them effectively.Connect with SueInstagram | suelangleyofficialWebsite | www.learnwithsue.com.auConnect with MitchellInstagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠Email | mitchell.bastock@gmail.com
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Jan 6, 2025 • 53min

The Mindful Body | w/Ellen Langer

Welcome to a thought-provoking journey where confidence meets uncertainty. This podcast explores the art of showing up, embracing the moment, and releasing negativity. Through the lens of science and mindfulness, we challenge absolute truths taught by schools and parents, recognising that everything begins with a decision. Dive into the polarity of values, the beauty of imperfection, and the power of owning your experiences. Learn to take your work seriously—without taking yourself too seriously—and discover that outcomes and even emotions are choices. Join us as we embrace the unknown and navigate life, confidently uncertain yet mindfully intentional. Connect with Ellen Instagram | ellenjlanger Website | www.ellenlanger.me Connect with Mitchell Instagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠ Email | mitchell.bastock@gmail.com
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Nov 26, 2024 • 1h 50min

Mastering the Mind: Thoughts, Beliefs & the Power of Observation | w/Derek Sivers

Derek Sivers, a musician and entrepreneur known for founding CD Baby, explores the complexities of the human mind. He discusses how our beliefs shape our emotions and actions, emphasizing the power of observation in personal growth. Sivers shares his journey from music to writing, shedding light on the importance of concise communication. The conversation also delves into decision-making, the impact of empathy in conversations, and the art of commitment to one’s aspirations, encouraging listeners to question their thoughts and embrace a more fulfilling mindset.
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Nov 13, 2024 • 1h 54min

Thrive Beyond: Wholistic Health & Energetic Alignment | w/Allison Pelot

Wholistic Health is an ongoing, ever evolving learning and practice of all things both physically and energetically. It’s about thriving, not just surviving. It requires effort in the form of time & energy, and I believe to truly thrive we must take all aspects of life into consideration. In a time like never before, where there are endless opportunities to live unhealthily, there is also an abundance of good information for people to live optimally. That doesn’t mean we don’t get sick, have pain, entertain negative thoughts or succumb to everyday stresses. What it does offer, is the knowledge to live authentically and consciously participate. Both invaluable assets in this game of life.  When these pieces of the puzzle begin coming together, our souls' desires seem to start sending us messages in the form of subtle energy.  There are always potential distractions too, so we must cultivate stillness within our recipe. Allison’s awareness and experience is extremely valuable when it comes to the connection between our physical and energetic bodies. A great ability to bring it all together in an informative manner and engage the audience. Another fascinating episode where we dive into the importance of the energetic body, navigating the current shift in consciousness, honesty & authenticity in relationships and desires vs wants.  Connect with Allison Instagram | allisonpelot_ Website | www.pureenergypdx.com YouTube | @AllisonPelot Connect with Mitchell Instagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠ Email | mitchell.bastock@gmail.com
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Oct 24, 2024 • 1h 29min

Becoming Who You Are Meant To Be | w/Daniel Brown

Seeds are buried in the dark, then they require water, sunlight and nature to grow into the beautiful being they were meant to be. Sometimes our own human experience follows a similar process. The strong winds, droughts and flooding are all apart of the process, none of which can be anything other than what they are for the growth to naturally happen.  Our lives seem to be naturally effected by what’s going on around us, and that makes us human, though it’s the cells deep down inside us that help shape who we grow into. Daniel Brown (The Mullet Lord) has done his time amid the storms but now he is in full blossom. Other than a killer surfer, businessman, coffee brew master and devoted family man, Daniel is in inspiration for anyone who has forgotten who they were meant to be. One of the best conversations I’ve had the pleasure of conversing in. Thank us later. Much love.  Connect with Daniel Instagram | mullet_lord Business | Lords Coffee 
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Oct 8, 2024 • 1h 34min

From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Navigating Stress, Change, and Growth with Breathwork | w/Chris Rapaport

Sometimes it’s a feather, sometimes it’s a brick and sometimes it’s a truck. Once way or another this analogy plays out in different shapes throughout the years.  A lot of life is about limiting the trucks, dodging the bricks and getting used to the touch of a feature. It’s harder to hear a truck on a busy motorway and it’s not easy dodging a brick if you can’t see it coming, though the gentle touch of a feather is only possible when we’re still enough to feel its soft whisper against the skin.  Chris has felt the array of impacts from all these lessons and his outlook & action toward life is a testament to his courage to make a change for himself, his family and the community. We have a vast and richly layered conversation about all things breath work, our ability to change, being ready to receive, accountability muscles, why it’s so hard to do the simple things, and much more.  Connect with Chris  Instagram | chris_rapaport & everlastingolive Connect with Mitchell Instagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠ Email | mitchell.bastock@gmail.com
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Sep 22, 2024 • 1h 5min

Mindfulness, Attention and Attitude | w/Professor Craig Hassed

Mindfulness. Possibly the most meaningful and perhaps misunderstood word on the market. To me it’s a matter of being aware in each moment of the thing that we’re doing and/or thinking. Not wanting “it” to be any different to what it already is, just allowing it to be. For the longest time I wrongly assumed mindfulness was only available in meditation or alike, and that was cool too, though my life really started to flourish when I realised and began treating mindfulness as a way of being, a constant practice and remembering of the “thing” that was present for me in each moment. Life is so beautiful, we are beyond lucky to have this experience and mindfulness helps not take that for granted. It is a forever-practice, there’s no true destination, but Craig’s mastery makes our conversation so fun and engaging. His medical background and current role as Coordinator of Mindfulness at Monash University set the stage for a truly valuable discussion. Like me, he froths on this stuff and he loves a good metaphor (also like me), so as jam-packed as the episode is with profound knowledge, we also have a sweet time discussing things like his True Happiness course, mindfulness definitions & common misconceptions, mindfulness in action (dealing with anxiety and fear), the mind-body connection and the integration of mindfulness into daily life. Connect with Craig  Monash University | www.monash.edu/consciousness-contemplative-studies Connect with Mitchell Instagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠ Email | mitchell.bastock@gmail.com
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Sep 4, 2024 • 1h 10min

Cognitive Support, Memory & Brain Health | w/Dr Kailas Roberts

What if you could remember everything? Would you really want to? I think there's a reason why we can't (excluding those with photographic memories).  Who’s to argue with the evolution of the human species and pretend they could've done better. Cognitive function is almost something we take for granted. You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.  Our mind is our greatest ally. Speaking for myself, it only becomes a problem when we try to control it and get caught amongst the rampant noise.  For all the trouble we blame on it, life is literally not the same without it. Its function is an integral aspect of life and a building block of Maslow’s hierarchy for good reason.  Dr Kailas Roberts has devoted his life’s work to giving people the tools and hope of a better internal world. His expertise and enthusiasm make for such an informative and exciting conversation. We discussed, his support for cognitive decline, his book on dementia (and the purpose it serves), the complexity of memory & cognition, key lifestyle factors for brain health (and prevention) and much more related to these squishy little brains we ought to be forever grateful for.  Connect with Kailas Website | yourbraininmind Linkedin | Kailas Roberts Connect with Mitchell Instagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠ Email | mitchell.bastock@gmail.com
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Aug 21, 2024 • 1h 7min

Facing Fears, Paranormal Stigma & Energetic Attachments | w/Kaedrich Olsen

Why are humans innately afraid of the unknown? Sure, there’s some biological reasons that kept us alive thousands of years ago, and maybe the same biology just hasn’t caught up with our current environment.  But, what if there was a little more to it than that? What if “the cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek” (Joseph Campbell).  What if our imagination was our only limitation and all possibilities existed? Can sound a little out there or extreme to some, though I personally entertain the idea that everything is possible. Kaedrich’s experience, knowledge and wisdom speaks for itself. His embodiment of all-things-possible is humbling, grounded and sensational. We had a far out conversation about far out topics and I loved every minute of it. Some things on the table included, overcoming social stigma, the subtlety of paranormal experiences, spiritual limitations & expectations, the importance of shadow work, energetic attachments & clearing, and much more. Connect with Kaedrich Instagram | kaedrich_olsen Website | kaedrich.com YouTube | kaedrich Connect with Mitchell Instagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠ Email | mitchell.bastock@gmail.com
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Aug 13, 2024 • 1h 14min

The Shortness of Life & The Importance of Character | w/Brigid Delaney

Life is short. Not many other combinations of words hold as much depth, wisdom and inspiration. We get 1 shot at this opportunity in this body we luckily inhabit. A huge part of that life is about our character and how we treat others. As social beings once closely surrounded by our friends and family in a tribal environment, so much of that commune has been lost and it now takes an active effort to maintain closeness & connection. In a world full of distraction and things out of our control, practices like stoicism have never been so important (except for maybe the era in which the Roman empire ruled). Brigid’s experience as a lawyer and journalist offer a unique training ground for all things stoicism, and so her knowledge and implementation of such practices makes for such an interesting discussion on the shortness of life.  We touched on the core principles of stoicism, Ataraxia (state of calmness), how to apply stoicism in daily life, the timeless wisdom of stoic thinkers and the importance of stoicism in the present day.   Connect with Brigid  X | Brigid Delaney Website | theguardian.com/profile/brigiddelaney Connect with Mitchell Instagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠ Email | mitchell.bastock@gmail.com

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