The Mind Mate Podcast

This week's episode is all about my lovely father! He taught me about anxiety, first and foremost, after having gone through it himself at a similar age. David is also an editor, an author having published 'Bid The Past Farewell' as well as having ghost written a major memoir.   We spoke at large about the growth of our relationship, culminating in a genuine friendship to which helps us both independently as well as interpersonally. There aren't too many people out there who can authentically describe their relationship with their parents as that of a 'friendship' but I can and I'm bloody grateful to give this podcast to you!   There are things in life we can only learn from experience—the majority I'd say. David shares his learnings from transcending mental health issues at a young age, and at a time when they were largely overlooked and considered mere "growing pains". He also shares his story about finding meaning in life and becoming a father. Enjoy! 

If you don't take anything else away from this podcast, just take this: The number one thing that has motivated James to continually improve as an individual is his daughter. James inspires me because, despite his relapses, his continuing fight stems from something (someone I should say) which gives him meaning; a reason to be alive and make a difference.   We have had two episodes in a row about addiction and James' message is just as strong as Tom's.  The "difficult truth" behind addiction is that we find peace and solitude in temporary comforts and pleasures because they help us escape the reality of our current situations. From this perspective, ADDICTION IS A SPECTRUM. Anything, be it, hard drugs like heroin down to the daily drink after a day's work can be an escape if we are finding it difficult to sit with our realities. Sometimes it's the thoughts, other times its the environment and people. If it's all three, the addiction can be worse.  Listen to James' story and have a think and see if any of this resonates with you. What do you find yourself doing, saying, behaving like consistently when certain factors are in place within your life. What are you trying to escape from? Can you do something about it?    You can find and subscribe to this podcast and all other Mind Mate podcasts in audio form via audio platforms including iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher etc.  Keep up to date with what's happening in my world through Instagram @tom.ahern or via my Facebook page /tom.ahern.life    Additionally, you can download a copy of my book 'Yes I'm fine, just tired' on kindle, audiobook or purchase a paperback copy through amazon by searching Tom Ahern and / or 'Yes I'm fine, just tired'.

“I started off on two and then, by like two years later I could go through the equivalent of like 80 in a day.” Tom Gill was a high school friend of mine and recently reached out as I have been looking into and attempting to resolve some addictions of my own. He told me that he had his own story and experiences with drug and alcohol addiction so I implored him to join me on the podcast. What followed was an incredibly powerful and, at many points, anxiety stricken show filled with valuable lessons for us all. Addiction is a spectrum and, as Russell Brand says—given the materialistic pursuits of the modern west—we are all somewhere along it. It is our responsibility to look inside ourselves and ask ourselves why we are, for example, watching porn frequently, drinking after work, purchasing a good deal of chocolate, eating to stomach pains and distracting ourselves when THAT thought arises. IF YOU EVER find yourself leaning on external support systems for internalised pain, this podcast may shed some light. When we lose meaning, support, connection and authenticity within our lives, we seek help but without education and self awareness, what we seek support from may hinder us greatly, let alone our development. Please listen to the show with an open mind and if you are currently moving through addiction issues, you are not alone and many organisations such as Beyond Blue truly can provide assistance. Enjoy the show.

The psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson provides us with a really great insight into how the body and mind both deal with trauma and how we can consciously transcend our past experiences and fears by devising plans.

Lachlan Wallace is the founder of Virtus Performamce, a functional training, strength and conditioning gym on the Mornington Peninsula outside Melbourne, Australia. He currently hosts the Virtus Performance podcast, has co-founded a Gin business, is about to launch a mentoring program named 'True North' and has played over 50 games for Collingwood in their VFL team. Above all things, Lachy is an avid student of life. His office depicts that with the countless self-help books, motivational quotes, timetables, calendars, microphones and general positive energy! He is an authentic, inspiring fella and I was privileged to have him on the show this week. 

After an incredible experience, whereby a homeless person asked him "What will your gravestone say?", David Ji found himself amidst an existential crisis. He was living in New York at the time and, one week after the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks (to which he had resigned from his job in the World Trade Centers not long previously), found himself struggling with the bigger picture. "Why are we here?" These experiences led him to travel to India, connect with Deepak Chopra, become a meditation teacher (including, during his practice, meditating in caves for hours on end) and finally, becoming the man he is today. Dave is an incredibly down-to-earth fella, he's got a wicked sense of humour and truly believes in the value of "stillness" and "authenticity". He's got some great content out there including his books, his meditation teachings and his community on social media is hyper engaged an awesome! This is a highly valuable podcast with many takeaways. Enjoy!

Just how powerful are thoughts? Can you actually change your reality—the structure of reality—through thinking and feeling alone? Cynthia Sue Larson is a best-selling author, speaker, researcher and Quantum Physicist and the woman in charge, behind www.http://realityshifters.com/. In our show, she talks about the new-age connections between spirituality (secular and religious) and science. She tells us where and what the quantum world has shown us and practical tools you can use to implement her findings!

Osher Gunserbg is an Australian television and radio hist presenter, having hosted such TV shows as Australian Idol, Bondi Rescue and The Bachelor. His new book "Back After The Break" talks about his life behind the scenes and struggles with social anxiety disorder, OCD, addiction and psychosis. But apart from all that, Osh is a genuine dude. He and I met outside a gym in Bali and jumped on for this podcast where we spoke about all things from the Simpsons and personal responsibility, to hereditary, emotional trauma and the importance of goals. 

Please do me a favour and check out the.holistic.psychologist on instagram. Nicole is a true expert and practices what she preaches as well, which is something that has become—more or less—underrated in this day and age! On the show: The importance of proper nutrition and understand the breathe. We also spoke about the need to reconnect with the Self. This has been absolutely pivotal to my ongoing wellbeing (reconnection) and, if you feel, lost, please listen to the show as we have all the tools within our own tool belt, to do this. However, if you do need some guidance, there are people out there like Nicole who will ONLY point you in the right way. 

This was a boss show! I am pumping out the skype shows gang as they allow me to tap into people's minds all over the world! And they're on YouTube too so don't be afraid to check out the visuals. I feel like what we spoke about today with my man Mr Godsey does not get taught at schools to the extent it should be. Who are you and what do you want out of life? Do not look to life and ask what its point is; ask how you can make a point out of it! Enjoy