Sketchplanations - The Podcast

How easy do you find it to step back momentarily to gather your thoughts when your world continues at 100 mph?So often in our professional and personal lives we're too busy to ever pause, reflect, and recharge before continuing.One of the key mantras from Stephen Covey's book, 7 Habits of Highly Successful People is to stop and sharpen the saw every now and then to gain perspective, refresh thinking and re-prioritise.Jono & Tommy give examples from their lives about how this approach has helped them at work and at home.Rob brings the metaphor into the literal world with stories from his wood workshop.In our discussion, we mention the following items, which you might want to take a closer look at:This song, It Costs That Much did the rounds on social media a while back for frustrated makers and crafters. It made me laugh.We covered the 5 Ways to Wellbeing with wellness expert Nancy Hey in podcast #15 from Series 1.Here's an example of a 5-year journal that Tommy was talking about. (Tommy sent me one of these in the post after we recorded the episode! :-)Jono references Arnold Schwarzenegger's motivational speech. Here's a clipped edit of the 1-hour a day section.Sketchplanations referenced:Jólabókaflóð - Icelandic tradition of giving books at Christmas and staying in to read them.Forest Bathing - to soak in the atmosphere of a forestSolvitur Ambulando - It is solved by walkingFrom the postbag, Jono also references sketches to do with the dining / kitchen table:Kitchen Table Survival SkillsSet your table in time-honoured positionsTell us your stories or experiences with Sharpening The Saw.email: hello@sketchplanations.com or leave us a voice note by clicking the blue microphone button.All Music on this podcast series is provided by Franc Cinelli. Find many more tracks at franccinelli.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether it's a home renovation project, a presentation for work, a piece of writing or an actual race you need to train for, the thought of the finishing line can be the ultimate motivator to get you started.We chat with charming and witty, American author, illustrator, film-maker and ultra-runner Brendan Leonard about how he motivates himself to get going on various projects. Through his stories of physical adventure and creative endeavours we explore the different ways in which a definitive end-point to something (and sometimes a fear of it) can serve as the biggest kick.In this discussion we reference:Brendan's latest book; Ultra SomethingBrendan's book on the journey of creative expression; Make It - 50 Myths and Truths about CreatingBrendan's book on running; I Hate Running and You Can TooBrendan's film (and look out for the bit at the Finish Line that Brendan references in the podcast); How to Run 100 milesJono references his sketch on Forcing FunctionWe'd love to hear your stories of any experience with Finishing Lines. How much of a motivator are they for you? Ping us an email to: hello@sketchplanations.com or leave us a voice note when you click the blue microphone button on the website.All Music on this podcast series is provided by Franc Cinelli. Find many more tracks at franccinelli.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're on our podcast summer holiday, but wanted to check in to let you know that we're still here, that we'll be back with Series 3 on Thursday 22nd August, and that you can vote for us in the British Podcast Awards - Listener's Choice category.As mentioned in the podcast, here's me on my 80s BMX with my 1st place trophy for cycling proficiency.And here's a clip of the awards ceremony Jono referenced with the inimitable Steve Martin.If you'd like to get in touch with us about any of our previous episode topics, your own experiences with the subjects we explore, or just to say hi, you can email us:hello@sketchplanations.comOr you can leave us a note or even a voice note on the podcast website.Oh - and here's Jono's Imposter Syndrome sketch which is the best possible artwork we could chose for this episode - and which I'm sure we'll come back to at some point for a full podcast as it feels like something a lot of people can probably relate to.Have a great summer and we'll see you in August. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week is International Men's Health Week and Sunday is Father's Day, so what better time to team up with life-saving charity Prostate Cancer UK for this episode of the podcast?1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in their lifetime and that number rises to 1 in 4 for black men. Chances of survival increase dramatically with early diagnosis and so the best thing you can do as a man in the next 30 seconds is complete this Online Risk Checker which will guide you through your personal risk and advise on any next steps. There's not a latex glove in sight! And that's exactly the point with the new and improved way for detecting prostate cancer. We speak with Amy Rylance from Prostate Cancer UK to understand the new process for detecting prostate cancer and how it's both safer and more accurate. You can see a bigger version of this week's sketch here. We reference a number of research papers in the episode, which you can find here: The Lancet Commission on Prostate Cancer (gives a global perspective).The BJGP piece on how the evidence has shifted on the value of the digital rectal exam.If you have any thoughts or stories you'd like to share with us please email us: hello@sketchplanations.com Alternatively, leave us a message or even a voice note through the contact form .I'm so grateful for my Dad's early diagnosis and treatment and will be celebrating that this Sunday. And in case anyone's interested, I did phone up my GP after we recorded the podcast and was told my PSA blood results were normal. It feel good to have started the conversation with my doctor though. Find many more sketches at Sketchplanations.comAll Music on this podcast series is provided by Franc Cinelli. Find many more tracks at franccinelli.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clay Shirky, American technology writer, discusses The Shirky Principle, where organizations maintain problems for which they offer solutions. The podcast explores examples in products, suggests ways to avoid the principle, and emphasizes its visibility in others. Topics include cognitive surplus, data vs. information, knowledge vs. wisdom, and challenges in business innovation.

We spoke with mechanical wristwatch designer Gordon Fraser, of Marloe Watch Company, to hear his perspective on the pros and cons of product design when you set out to be different.It's not always a given that your customers want dramatically different and perhaps there are times when you should swim against the current and others when you should let yourself go with the flow.The real skill comes from experience, to know which mode to activate when.Gordon also speaks about the need to be allowed to dream as an antidote to creative blockages.Could this mindset help with any endeavours, be they creative or otherwise, in your world?Additionally, we reference:Jono's Prints & Performances sketch.Approach Buffet from both Sides sketchThe British Museum Clock GalleryPlease consider giving us a review or subscribing to our podcast on your podcast player. It really helps.Please also consider ordering a copy of Jono's Sketchplanations book: Big Ideas, Little Pictures. Out now!We'd love to hear your stories of creative mindsets and how you've overcome any barriers.Ping us an email to: hello@sketchplanations.comAll Music on this podcast series is provided by Franc Cinelli. Find many more tracks at franccinelli.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Music.It can be a very personal thing. It can be most powerful when shared.It's on the radio, in our headphones on the commute, at the gym, on TV ads, in our favourite movies... what would the world be without it?And what would the world be without the people who create it?This episode, we interrogate singer, songwriter, producer, and friend of the show Franc Cinelli to find out how he goes about creating new music.Where does it come from?What are his processes?And how does creating music relate to other areas of creativity in our lives?if you're a regular listener you may or may not be aware that it's Franc's music we use on the podcast.Most notably:Driver - as our intro music.The Impossible Breaks Free - as our transition into the episode's sketch-specific discussionJulius Play His Winning Ace - (my favourite) at the end of the Listener Comments that round off each episode.Find his music here on Apple or SpotifyHere's some good stuff to check out that we reference in the podcast:Short Film: From Somewhere - Franc talks about his music makingAxis of Awesome - songs that use the same 4 chordsSteal Like An Artist - Book by Austin Kleon : 10 things nobody told you about being creativeAnd what would an episode of this podcast be without referring to another of Jono's sketches: 3,500 lifetime readsAs always, we'd love to know your thoughts about our discussion and you can email us here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We think beaches are great!What about you?In this episode:We discuss how beaches are prime spots for enjoyment for all ages and at any time of year.We talk about how they can be places for excitement and adrenaline; places to encourage creativity; places for quiet contemplation; and places that bring perspective to life.Tommy goads Jono into a debate about what's better: Mountains or Beaches.We share our best beach-find storiesand as ever, we bring in a few of Jono's other related sketches:+ Sea Jellies and Sea Stars+ Types of surf breaks (waves)+ The Anatomy of a wave+ The Strand LineAnd here's the photo of "the bomb" found on the beach up near Middlesbrough.We'd love to hear from you about your best finds or your most memorable moments at the beach.Email us: hello@sketchplanations.comAll music on this podcast series provided by the very talented Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we ask ourselves if we've reached our professional peaks and if we now fall foul to the Peter Principle, having tipped into our levels of incompetency.Amongst many other clever things, Jono applies the principle to Football Management.Tommy gives his insight to how relevant it is managing at the very top of a business.And I tell how my capacity to teach stuff is severely limited by exactly the kind of incompetence the Peter Principle is based on.Where do you feel you or maybe more interestingly, where do those around you sit within the Peter Principle?Here are some useful links if you want to find out more about some of the bits we discussed:The Peter Principle was first proposed by Canadian educator, Laurence J. Peter . In one of his books, he also said that "noblest of all dogs is the hot dog; it feeds the hand that bites it."Creator of The Paula Principle is Tom SchullerThe Dilbert PrincipleThe Generalised Peter Principle sketch#1 Rule of Indoor GamesThe BBC Peter Principle sitcom with Jim Broadbent on YouTubePlease consider giving us a review or subscribing to our podcast on your podcast player. It really helps.Please also consider putting in a pre-order for Jono's Sketchplanations book: Big Ideas, Little Pictures. Out very soon.We'd love to hear your stories of any experience with The Peter Principle.Ping us an email to: hello@sketchplanations.comAll Music on this podcast series is provided by Franc Cinelli. Find many more tracks at franccinelli.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So much we didn't know about the wonderful world of plants.In this compilation, double-header episode discussing some of Jono's sketches that cover fascinating elements of botany, we are joined by 2-time gold medal winner at the world famous Chelsea Flower Show, author of 6 best-selling books, and ambassador for Kew Gardens; celebrated botanist, James Wong.Rather than edit out a tonne of insightful, educational discussion points from James, we decided to publish this episode in two parts. This is Part 2.The sketches we discussed are:Heat IslandsThe Browse LineThe Hungry GapPhoenix TreesNurse LogsHow to make your own Fresh AirThis last sketch was based on a TED talk by Kamal Meattle - and it's an interesting listen to hear how James dissects the theory behind it.It was also a delight to discover that all 4 of us attended the University of Bath at the same time.Please consider giving us a review or subscribing to our podcast on your podcast player. It really helps.Please also consider putting in a pre-order for Jono's Sketchplanations book: Big Ideas, Little Pictures. Out very soon now.Have a story or a thought about botany and your experiences with plants?Ping us an email to: hello@sketchplanations.comAll Music on this podcast series is provided by Franc Cinelli. Find many more tracks at franccinelli.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.