Nir Bashan is a creativity expert, author, and speaker who teaches that creativity isn’t a rare gift but a skill anyone can master. As the founder of The Creator Mindset®, he’s helped global brands like Microsoft and Porsche use creative thinking to drive innovation and real-world results.
https://www.nirbashan.com/
Julian Baggini (b. 1968) is a British philosopher, author, and journalist who co-founded The Philosophers’ Magazine and is known for making complex ideas accessible through over 20 books on identity, ethics, secularism, and culture. His most recent book, How the World Eats: A Global Food Philosophy (2025), uses a philosopher’s lens to explore how food intersects with identity, power, justice, and sustainability, arguing that eating is never a neutral act.
Geelong Comedy Festival:
Tickets
Paul Roos carved out a remarkable career in the AFL — first as a standout player and captain at Fitzroy, then as the coach who led the Sydney Swans to their famous 2005 Premiership. Widely admired for his calm presence and culture-first approach, Roos reshaped how teams think about leadership, accountability, and success. Today, he continues to share those lessons through his work in media and leadership consulting, inspiring both athletes and business leaders alike.
Website: https://performancebydesign.co/
John H. Walton is an Old Testament scholar and professor at Wheaton College, known for showing how the Bible fits within its ancient Near Eastern context. His books, like The Lost World of Genesis One, argue that Genesis is about God ordering creation as His dwelling, not a modern science manual. Walton helps readers see how the Old Testament’s original audience would have understood it, offering fresh insight into Scripture today.
Massimo Pigliucci is one of today’s leading interpreters of Stoicism, showing how ancient wisdom can be applied as a practical toolkit for resilience, clarity, and virtue in modern life.
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Skepticism and Its Importance
04:03 Navigating Expert Opinions and Trust
11:27 The Role of Journalism in Public Discourse
15:09 Stoicism: A Philosophy for Modern Life
19:40 Practicing Stoicism: Structure and Discipline
27:47 Foundational Skills of Stoicism
31:57 Understanding Control: What’s Up to You?
39:31 Memento Mori: Embracing Mortality
46:24 Finding Meaning Over Productivity
Alex Hutchinson, a New York Times bestselling author, is renowned for his book "Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance."
EPISODE OUTLINE:
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:48 Misconceptions about Endurance
04:06 Endurance as a Spiritual Component
06:13 Different Perspectives on Endurance
08:43 The Role of the Mind in Endurance
09:55 Understanding the Complexity of Endurance
13:19 Defining Endurance as the Struggle to Continue
14:13 Factors to Consider for Improving Endurance
20:12 Examples of Mental Strategies in Endurance
23:21 The Role of Deception in Endurance
26:45 Practicing Psychology in Running and Life
28:04 Implementing Sports Psychology Techniques
31:05 The Importance of Relaxation in Endurance
32:04 Cultural Perspectives on Endurance
32:34 The Psychology of Kenyan Runners
36:24 Mindset and Performance
38:26 The Ability to Bounce Back
41:29 Self-Confidence and Performance
44:54 The Importance of Mindset in Performance
47:51 The Role of Sports Psychology in Performance
50:11 The Balance Between Data and Performance
55:25 Alex Hutchinson's New Book
TAKEAWAYS
Nick Gibb – Former UK Schools Minister and leading voice in educational reform. Gibb has been at the forefront of shaping policy around curriculum design, literacy (especially phonics), mathematics education, and evidence-based teaching. He brings deep insights into the challenges of cultural diversity, the importance of memory and knowledge retention, and lessons learned from successful school reforms in England.
Chapters
Pete Evans is an Australian celebrity chef, author, and former TV presenter best known for co-hosting My Kitchen Rules.
Osher Günsberg joins the podcast to talk mental health, navigating public life, and a whole lot more!
His new book: So What? Now What?
https://www.penguin.com.au/books/so-what-now-what-9781761352300
Dr. Peter Brukner is a highly respected Australian sports doctor who has become a passionate advocate for nutrition-based health reform. With a background treating elite athletes — including stints with the Australian cricket team, the Socceroos, and Liverpool FC — he co-authored the influential Clinical Sports Medicine textbook. In recent years, he’s turned his focus to public health, championing low-carb eating through his Defeat Diabetes program and bestselling book A Fat Lot of Good. He’s committed to raising awareness about how food choices can prevent and even reverse chronic illness.
SHOW NOTES
00:00 Introduction to Health Misconceptions
02:43 Personal Health Journey and Dietary Changes
05:33 Understanding Carbohydrates and Their Impact
08:01 The Carnivore Diet and Its Benefits
10:58 The Role of Food in Chronic Diseases
13:49 The Importance of Real Food
16:23 Childhood Nutrition and Societal Changes
19:24 The Influence of the Food Industry
21:50 Navigating Dietary Choices and Peer Pressure
24:44 The Challenges of Hospital Nutrition
27:32 Skepticism in Nutrition Science
29:06 From Sports Medicine to Nutrition Advocate
31:19 The Journey of Defeat Diabetes
35:39 The Impact of Diet on Health
39:48 The Pharmaceutical Industry and Health
45:06 Establishing Sports Medicine as a Specialty
52:14 Balancing Sports Medicine and Diabetes Advocacy
Donald Robertson is a psychotherapist and writer who focuses on the practical use of Stoicism in everyday life. His works, such as "How to Think Like a Roman Emperor" and "Verissimus," delve into the philosophy of Marcus Aurelius and Stoicism, making these ideas easy to understand. Robertson also explores the connection between Stoicism and modern cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), while emphasizing the profound impact of Socrates on Stoic ethics and critical thinking. His approach blends ancient philosophy with contemporary psychology, providing insights for building resilience and fostering personal development.
EPISODE CHAPTERS:
00:00 Podcasting Mishaps and Lessons Learned
02:04 The Resurgence of Stoicism
10:02 Cultural Shifts and Stoicism's Appeal
19:12 Rhetoric, Politics, and Modern Manipulation
30:11 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Stoicism
36:31 The Challenge of Communicating Psychology
39:07 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Stoicism
44:54 The Evolution of Psychotherapy
48:17 The Stoic Perspective on Emotions
57:43 Identifying Triggers and Emotions
01:05:41 The Role of Anger in Emotional Responses
TRANSCRIPT:
https://share.transistor.fm/s/c8f3dc1f/transcript.txt
PODCAST INFO:
YouTube: / @tysonpopplestone9467
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2gWvUUY...
RSS: https://feeds.transistor.fm/popculture
SOCIALS:
- Instagram: / tysonpopplestone
- YouTube: / @tysonpopplestone9467
Dan Flores is an American historian and bestselling author known for his work on the environmental and cultural history of the American West. His books include Coyote America and American Serengeti, both acclaimed for their rich storytelling and scientific insight. A former professor at the University of Montana, he now lives in New Mexico and has appeared in documentaries and on shows like The Joe Rogan Experience and Ken Burns’ The American Buffalo.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Navigating Technical Challenges
04:04 Art and Nature: A Personal Connection
06:58 Exploring Human History and Imagination
11:56 The Creative Process: Balancing Structure and Imagination
24:02 Understanding Our Relationship with Animals
34:48 Environmental Awareness and Indigenous Wisdom
53:57 Cultural Reflections and Political Statements
Dave "Hughesy" Hughes is one of Australia’s most recognisable comedians, known for his dry delivery, self-deprecating humour, and no-nonsense charm. He broke through in stand-up before becoming a familiar face on shows like The Project, The Glass House, and Hughesy, We Have a Problem. On radio, he's co-hosted hit programs like Hughesy & Kate.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Podcast Studio Setup and Its Challenges
03:00 The Art of Interviewing and Connecting with People
05:51 Health, Fitness, and Lifestyle Changes
09:05 Nutrition and Whole Foods
11:56 Running, Training, and Personal Stories
17:55 Comedy, Work Ethic, and Creative Process
22:01 Politics, Comedy, and Social Commentary
29:57 Government Spending and Public Services
32:46 COVID-19 Policies and Public Perception
36:00 Political Commentary and Media Representation
40:22 The Comedy Scene and Political Satire
43:50 Personal Growth and Ego in Comedy
47:48 Life Lessons and the Nature of Success
54:46 Sports, Community, and Shared Experiences
Marc D. Hauser is a cognitive neuroscientist and evolutionary biologist whose work focuses on how childhood experiences shape brain development, behavior, and resilience. He’s spent years studying everything from primates to school children, combining insights from biology and psychology to understand how we adapt, recover, and grow—especially in the face of early adversity. Today, he applies that research globally through education and humanitarian work, helping children thrive in challenging environments. His latest book, Vulnerable Minds, explores the impact of trauma and the power of resilience.
Vince Beiser is an award-winning journalist and author known for investigating the hidden forces that shape our world. His work focuses on the raw materials behind modern life—from sand to the critical "power metals" driving the clean energy transition. With a sharp eye for global systems and their human impact, Vince reveals the environmental, political, and ethical costs of progress. His reporting has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, The Atlantic, and more.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Conversation and Personal Interests
03:00 The Hidden Costs of Technology Production
06:03 The Paradox of Renewable Energy
09:14 Mining Practices and Global Implications
11:53 The Role of Indigenous Rights in Mining
15:00 The Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles
18:05 Individual Responsibility vs. Systemic Change
20:58 Class Disparities in Environmental Responsibility
25:15 Urban Mobility and Sustainable Transportation
30:31 Politics of Transportation and Climate Change
35:27 The Complexities of Recycling
42:40 Optimism vs. Pessimism in Environmental Progress
Barbara Oakley, a professor of engineering at Oakland University, is a leading expert in learning science known for making complex learning accessible to all. She co-created the massively popular online course Learning How to Learn, which has reached millions worldwide, and delivered a widely viewed TEDx talk of the same name that offers practical, brain-based strategies for improving how we learn. Her books, including A Mind for Numbers and Learning How to Learn (co-authored with Terrence Sejnowski), provide science-backed tools to help students and professionals alike master difficult subjects, especially in areas like math and science.
EPISODE OUTLINE:
00:00 Exploring Learning and Misconceptions
03:03 The Impact of Age on Learning
06:03 Video Games and Cognitive Flexibility
09:02 The Controversy of Alzheimer's Research
12:07 The Importance of Free Speech
14:58 Navigating Expert Opinions and Trust
18:01 The Evolution of University Discourse
34:42 Navigating Trust in Experts
35:55 The Complexity of Altruism
39:10 Shifting Worldviews Through Experience
41:36 Holding Opinions Loosely
46:54 Maintaining Positivity in Conversations
49:15 Learning at Any Age
55:13 Leveraging AI for Learning
01:01:01 The Future of Learning with AI
David Christian is a historian best known for founding the field of Big History, which connects insights from science and the humanities to tell the story of the universe from the Big Bang to today. He co-created the Big History Project to bring this interdisciplinary approach to schools worldwide. In his popular TED Talk, The History of Our World in 18 Minutes, he outlines humanity’s place in a vast, interconnected cosmos through key moments of increasing complexity.
Joel Salatin is a prominent American farmer, author, and advocate for sustainable agriculture, often described as an influential voice in the alternative farming movement. He runs Polyface Farm in Virginia, where he practices and promotes regenerative farming techniques that prioritize animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and local food systems. Salatin is known for his outspoken criticism of industrial agriculture and has written several books encouraging a return to more traditional and ethical farming practices. His work emphasizes the importance of connecting consumers with their food sources and advocating for a decentralized, community-based food economy.
EPISODE OUTLINE:
00:00 Introduction and Inspiration for Sustainable Farming
01:21 Sustainable Farming on Small Farms and in Urban Areas
03:14 Embracing a Mindset of What Can I Do with What I Have
04:39 The Self-Indulgence and Status of Growing Food
05:30 The Disconnect from Nature and the Importance of Nature Connection
08:22 The Wonder and Awe of Nature
13:01 The Loss of Wonder in a Techno-Sophisticated Culture
17:19 The Potential of Seeds and the Need for Proper Land Management
21:42 Navigating Frustration and Opposition in the Industry
25:02 Starting Conversations with Good Intent and Finding Common Ground
35:47 The Disconnect between Industrial Agriculture and Natural Cycles
41:33 The Rise in Allergies and Decline in Biodiversity
51:12 The Impact of Convenience on Food Quality
59:38 Challenges Faced by Alternative Farming Practices
TRANSCRIPT:
https://share.transistor.fm/s/65fed18b/transcript.txt
EPISODE LINKS:
Joel's Website: https://www.thelunaticfarmer.com/
PODCAST INFO:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdpxjDVYNfJuth9Oo4z2iGQ
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/pop-culture/id1584438354
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2gWvUUYFwFvzHUnMdlmTaI
RSS: https://feeds.transistor.fm/popculture
SOCIALS:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tysonpopplestone/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tysonpopplestone9467
