Ideas and More

Psychedelics are a hot topic today and for good reason. These substances are in many ways, the real gifts of nature, and we would all do well to get to know them a little bit better. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Bianca Sebben, Bianca is a psychologist who is involved with complex trauma and disassociation and supports clients prepare and integrate their experiences with altered states of consciousness including psychedelics, plant medicine, breathwork, and meditation.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What psychedelics are
• Bad trips and harm reduction
• The importance of integration for psychedelic healing and benefit
• And more

Prefer reading? Check out this episode's blog post here.

Ideas & More is a blog and podcast channel that shares ideas, stories and experiences.

No one, not even the universe, can answer an invalid question. Why search ceaselessly when there is nothing to find? Upon introspection, it's easy to notice that the sense of purpose so many of us are in search of, is nothing more than an illusory and idealised sense of a possible future we desire.

Beliefs are arguably the most powerful forces we have in our world. The beliefs we hold, end up affecting our thoughts and actions. No belief is above scrutiny, and we need to be able to have open conversations about the nature of beliefs in order to achieve personal growth and societal progress.

Perfection, like all concepts is one that exists only within the confines of our mind. By letting go of it, we acknowledge what is rather than what can or should be. That we already are perfect, it's just a matter of seeing it. 

Anger is a powerful emotion, and one that can lead to serious consequences if let loose. So why do we get angry? What forces are involved in us getting angry at ourselves, others and the world, and what can we do about it? Find out more in today's episode.

Android and iOS are the two most prominent mobile operating systems in the world today, and in many ways can be considered to be two sides of the same coin. In today's episode, we share our experiences using both operating systems over the past few years. Without picking one over the other, we talk about what it's like using an iPhone and an Android phone, what motivates people to choose one over the other, and what you need to know if you're looking to upgrade your phone. 

Two books that we enjoyed in December of 2022, summarised with our key takeaways. The books are:

1. Stillness Is the Key -  By Ryan Holiday

2. Create Calm - By Kate James

You can find these books on Amazon, Kindle, Audible and maybe even in your local bookstore. 

Alcohol has become such an important part of our society today, that it's difficult to imagine a social setting in the world devoid of some form of alcohol. Why is that? What makes alcohol such a desirable commodity in our lives? Find out more in today's episode.

Ataraxia can be described as a state of absolute calmness, a state of serenity and control over one's responses to events taking place in the world. Moving towards a state such as this can significantly affect the way we respond to the day to day events we're confronted with in life. Find out more in today's episode. 

Magic Mushrooms, also known as Psilocybin are a form of Psychedelic drugs that are found in nature. After 4 years since initially hearing about them, I finally had the opportunity to try them myself under the guidance of a close friend. I'd like to share this experience with you as well. 

Why is important to cultivate skepticism in our day to lives? Why is it worth questioning everything we see, hear, think and believe? This episode aims to answer some of these dilemmas and explain why skepticism can be a useful asset for us to have.

Different people may give you different answers if you were to ask them how they feel about Growing Up. For me, the past 8 years have been quite the journey, growing up through high school and university. To expand on this, I was joined by Amy Dong, a twenty-two year old Fulbright Scholar and author whose writing career took off in 2014 when a personal essay she wrote received national acclaim from The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. After a series of other accolades, she spent time working as a magazine editor, curriculum designer, and freelance writer during her studies at New York University (NYU). Key discussion points:

1. Reflecting on Growing up (6:00): Appreciating every little bit we've been through
   
2. Life's purpose? (20:30): Opening up to new experiences and exploring your purpose
   
3. The Love for Travelling (30:20): The fun, the learning and the humbling
   

Last year, I was introduced to the philosophy of Stoicism, and began adopting it into my daily life. In this episode, I share some of the profound experiences I've had over the past year, and how it's making me a better person.

Check out:

It's 2021 and the fitness industry is undoubtedly booming. Becoming a fitness coach is what many enthusiasts aspire to these days, but what's like being a fitness coach and actually training people? Today, I'm joined by Patrick Lyons, who shares his experience with fitness, as well as starting his own brand 'The Lyon Shred' to train people and help them achieve their goals. Discussion points:

• Finding the balance between fitness, building a brand and social life
• Nutrition and cooking for university students
• Life as a fitness coach/influencer
  

Trends are amazing, they come when we least expect them to, and go before we even realise it. With 2020 wrapped up, there are plenty of trends to look forward to in 2021. My guest today is Aaron Schnoor, a full time student pursuing Business Administration and Economics with a major in Trust and Wealth Management at Campbell University, North Carolina. In this episode, we discuss 3 Business & Technology trends to look out for in 2021:

1. Work from home culture: Why it's here to stay
   
2. Business ecosystems: How companies tie customers in, while also drawing inspiration from competitors
   
3. Companies being more socially responsible: A shift towards data privacy, security and eco-friendly alternatives.
   

2020 is nearly over and what better way to part ways than with an honest and transparent reflection? This year wasn't so bad after all, if seen with a different lens...

Today I'm glad to have chatted with Zack McCarty and Nathan Gupta, founders of My First Finish (M1F). M1F is an online running community designed to help aspiring runners and marathoners share goals and progress. In this episode, we discuss

• The passion for running
• Having a community based system to help with staying motivated
• The balance between accountability and enjoyment
• Everything happens for a reason

Today, I'm joined by a principal of a Venture Capitalist fund: 1517 Fund: Zak Slayback, to talk about today's job market after the effects of Covid-19. With a large number of students graduating this year, and in the first half of next year, the job market can appear to be quite intimidating, given the direction in which our economy is headed. 

However, in this episode, we discuss: 

• What to expect when you enter the job market now What industries/sectors are prime for work 
• How to apply for a job you're not qualified for 
• Learning relevant skills now that you probably won't in university 

Prefer reading? Check out: 

Today, I'm joined by Yannick Bikker, an International Business student at Tilburg University. We highlight one of the most commonly spoken about topic in 2020: Data. With so many technological advancements over the past 20 years, data has become an integral aspect of how we work and interact with one another. In this episode, we cover:

• How companies use data-driven marketing to their advantage
  
• Data privacy and the ethical aspect of it
  
• Data manipulation with Artificial Intelligence (Deep-fake technology)
  
• The future of data
  

Discipline is a principle that most university students are missing these days. In this episode, I lay out 3 types of discipline and how university students can forge it. 

Today, I share 3 of my favourite non-fiction books I recently read that made me feel curious, inquisitive and zealous. These were books that made me think beyond myself and wonder about this life of ours, the society we're shaping ourselves into, and explore the depths of consciousness as far in as the mind allows. 

Mindfulness is often used interchangeably with meditation. Nowadays, we get so fixated with our daily routine and problems that we forget to take time out for ourselves, when in reality our problems seem futile in relation to the universe. With episode 6, we cover:

• Mindfulness and Meditation: when they're different and when they can be combined
  
• The role of introspection and self-awareness
  
• The concept of stagnation in life: why it's detrimental to our overall well-being
  
• The importance of sustainable growth
  

Episode 5 is one dedicated to all the students out there struggling with their study plan or worried about their careers. Many of us get anxious about our study path, career prospects and what the future holds. In this podcast, we cover:

• The societal norm of going to university right after high school
  
• What expectations we have when we decide to go to university
  
• The idea of choosing one subject path for study, and for your career
  
• Anxiety regarding jobs and the future

Sustainability is one of the buzzwords of the 21st century. It is often used in conjunction with environmental phenomenon such as global warming and climate change. With episode 3, we've taken a different approach, one on the individual level. Our approach lies within the idea that sustainability is a choice, not a privilege. We believe that sustainability is interdependent with longevity. 

Points we cover: 

• The Importance of movement in today's lifestyle
• Organic vs. non-organic food consumption 
• A few myths surrounding food groups and saturated fat 
• Fostering inclusivity and a better understanding of food 
• The two driving forces that alter physiological change 

The terms 'being yourself' and 'love yourself' are often used interchangeably these days. Social media has emphasized the fact that each of us deserves to be loved and accepted by society.  I disagree.  

Tune into The Ideas & More podcast and find out why.  

Introduction of the hosts of The Ideas & More Show. Topics covered include the evolution of generations, having gratitude in life, living through the pandemic and sharing some of our own personal stories.