The Activity Pod - where we help you get stuff done

In this episode we talk to Jonathan Christian. Jonathan Christian Jonathan Christian is an expert in helping small business owners tell their story and build their brand equity. He is now a recognized training partner with BC Wood and Honeywell. Jonathan publicly teaches monthly through his Social Media Challenge Meetup and is often a guest speaker and panelist. Jonathan ChristianMarried to Debbie with three grown daughters, Jonathan lives and breathes social media due in part to a major car accident in 2008. While recovering from life-altering neck surgery, he made the most of his recovery time learning everything about social networking. Since creating We Make Stuff Happen in 2008, Jonathan and his team have helped local businesses; entrepreneurs and non-profits master the Social space. For the past 5 years Jonathan has personally trained over 500 businesses in the art of social media and content marketing. You can find Jonathan at We Make Stuff Happen. You can connect with Jonathan on twitter, or by his hashtag #makestuffhappen. In this episode we discuss: having "an attitude of gratitude" the impact of having a major car accident on Jonathan's life having a titanium neck having a positive attitude brand equity storytelling in business walking meetings challenges faced by small business think big using post it notes eating the sprouts first how to use snapchat the rise of video for social media earthquake kits Resources discussed in the show: Why I love walking meetings - Mel Kettle VCITA Gary Vaynerchuck Social Media Marketing World Marcus Sheridan Snapchat 72hours.ca

In this episode we talk to business storyteller, Gabrielle Dolan. Gabrielle Dolan Gabrielle Dolan launched her own practice in 2013 after successfully co-founding and then building One Thousand & One into the leading storytelling company in Australia. Over the last decade, she has worked with thousands of leaders around Australia and internationally helping them achieve outstanding business results with storytelling. She is a highly sought after mentor and keynote speaker on storytelling and leadership. Gabrielle Dolan is the co-creator and co-chair of The Leadership Connection. A leadership development program specifically designed for senior women to help them address the unique challenges that women face as they progress to more senior levels of influence. Prior to running her own company, she held various senior leadership roles at the National Australia Bank. She has worked with leaders around Australia and internationally on the subject of storytelling for business communications. Her clients include NAB, Accenture, Australia Post, Ericsson, BUPA, Telstra, ANZ among many other top 100 ASX listed companies. Gabrielle is the co-author of Hooked: How Leaders Connect, Engage and Inspire with Storytelling, published by Wiley in 2013 and the co-author of Eliminate Death by PowerPoint. Her second book titled Ignite: Real Leadership, Real Talk, Real Results was published by Wiley in July 2015. Gabrielle is a Partner at Thought Leaders Global and works with organisations to help them gain the competitive edge with thought leadership. She is a graduate from the Harvard Kennedy School, Executive Education in the Art and Practice of Leadership Development. Her other academic qualifications include a Masters Degree in Management and Leadership from Swinburne University and an Associate Diploma in Education and Training from the University of Melbourne. In 2015 she was nominated for Telstra's Business Women's Awards and when she is not working in her practice, she can be found working in her vegetable garden at her rural holiday property on the Southern New South Wales coast. You can find Gabrielle at www.gabrielledolan.com. You can connect with Gabrielle on twitter and LinkedIn. Gabrielle has recently launched her online business storytelling program. She is very generously offering a 20% discount for listeners of The Activity Pod. To take up the offer, use the coupon code 20%DISCOUNT when you register. This coupon code is valid until 31st July, 2016. In this episode we discuss: how making your bed is a massive waste of time getting up when the alarm goes off and not hitting snooze. Over and over. And over. planning your day around your exercise routine being in a fitbit group and having accountability eliminating death by powerpoint Gabrielle's process to write a book setting projects to get stuff done and then gamify them the importance of storytelling in business finding stories in business using your own photos to evoke memories and create stories using storytelling in job interviews and pitching for interviews using storytelling when pitching for new business - instead of PowerPoint tips for collating stories authentic leadership and showing weakness as well as strength how and why women don't back themselves as much as men having a word of the month, word of the quarter, word of the year Resources discussed in the show Thought Leaders Global Darren Rowse - ProBlogger Anita Heiss - The Activity Pod interview Wendy McCarthy

In this episode we talk to Jonathan Doyle. Jonathan Doyle Jonathan Doyle is an author, global speaker, motivator, life coach and entrepreneur. He is the founder of a successful globally focused media business that delivers weekly content to tens of thousands of people every year in areas such as staff development, personal wellbeing and curriculum for the education sector. More recently his work is focusing upon the core purpose of what he calls Liberating People's Potential. His deep desire is to see people live the life they truly desire by focusing on where their deepest gifts, passions and joys intersect with the real needs of real people. Jonathan is also an obsessive cyclist, golfer and unrepentant coffee addict as well as being the father to three very energetic young children. You can find Jonathan at www.jonathandoyle.co You can connect with Jonathan on Facebook, twitter and Instagram. In this episode we discuss Annette and Jonathan share their living in Bougainville experiences, PNG Mel's experiences using the toilet on a train in Vietnam eating in the USA being a coffee addict - and drinking coffee in the USA living in Canberra public servants fitting in what has to happen circadian rhythms importance of reading having a quote wall getting clear on the life you want to build asking "how can I be useful?" doing what you love seasons of your life advice to get up earlier to get more stuff done the importance of sleep Jonathan's goals Resources discussed in the show Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin Managing Your Emotions by Joyce Meyer Batavia by Peter Fitzsimons Bubblegum Alley, San Louis Obispo Business Addicts podcast - Living a calendar lifestyle Evernote Ontraport Sales Force The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander Don't Die with the Music in You by Wayne Bennett Gary Vaynerchuk Dr Jenny Brockis Tim Ferris podcast interview with Tony Robbins

Our guest today is Dr Jenny Brockis. Dr Jenny Brockis Dr. Jenny Brockis is the Brain Fitness Doctor. She specialises in brain health and the science of high-performance thinking. Passionate about all things "brain" she inspires her audiences by translating neuroscience into simple practical tools that help people work smarter not harder. A medical practitioner, she has a strong background in health and human behaviour. She loves working with people to help them live well, think better and get more out of their lives. She understands that while intentions may be good, changing behaviours and ways of doing is not always easy! Dr Jenny is also an international speaker and author of three books. When not speaking, researching or writing, she loves to spend time with her family, travel the world and continue to challenge her long-standing fear of heights. You can find Jenny at www.drjennybrockis.com and if you buy a copy of her book from her site, she will sign it. You can connect with Jenny on twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.  In this episode we discuss: • changing from being a practising doctor to being a full-time author and speaker • what is success? • morning routines • benefits of meditation • what brain fitness is and why it's important • how to increase our level of brain fitness • challenging your brain and trying new things • the feeling of overwhelm • the benefits of video games for brain fitness • measuring success of brain fitness • what managers can do to improve brain health in the workplace • the impact of presenteeism on the workforce and the global economy • the blurring between work and life • the importance of sleep for brain health and having sleep debt • the benefits of napping • the impact of social media on focusing • tips to stay focused • nomophobia - the fear of being out of mobile phone contact • going on a technology diet - and the medical and productivity benefits • multitasking - it's not possible! Resources discussed in the show: • Luminosity • R U OK Day • Future Brain

Our guest today is Chef Cynthia Louise. Chef Cynthia Louise Chef Cynthia Louise is a qualified whole food chef that is leading the real food revolution. She gained her qualification in a leading health retreat on the Gold Coast Australia and has spent more recent years in Bali refining her art through collaboration with health revolutionist Tyler Tolman. Chef's gift in being able to take traditional favourite foods and transform them into simple healthy dishes full of flavour is nothing short of genius. She created three best selling cookbooks with much loved Dr Libby and has been a saviour to many households across the globe. Cynthia brings so much of her personality into what she does that's no surprise her down to earth nature have made her eBooks and Online Programs a huge success. Her latest project is called Praxis where she and Tyler Tolman offer a five-day intensive program on the beautiful island of Bali in the art of intermittent fasting and the making of mouth-watering healthy food. You can find Chef Cynthia Louise at www.chefcynthialouise.com. You can connect with Chef Cynthia Louise on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and twitter. In this episode we discussed: • moving to Bali • growing up in Papua New Guinea • what a Wholefood Chef is • educating your children about good food • McDonalds (and not in a bad way!) • investing in health • you are what you think • Praxis - Chef Cynthia's latest project • intermittent fasting • breathing diaphragmatically • we are what we think • cooking for yourself vs cooking for someone else Resources discussed in the show: • Dr Libby • Tyler Tolman • Praxis • Tomato sauce recipe

In this episode we talk to Dr Anita Heiss. Dr Anita Heiss Dr Anita Heiss is the author of non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial women's fiction, poetry, social commentary and travel articles. She is a regular guest at writers' festivals and travels internationally performing her work and lecturing on Indigenous literature. She is a Lifetime Ambassador of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central NSW. She is an Adjunct Professor with Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, UTS and currently divides her time between writing, public speaking, MCing, and being a 'creative disruptor'. Anita was a finalist in the 2012 Human Rights Awards and the 2013 Australian of the Year Awards. Her most recent novel is Harry's Secret, and she recently relocated to Brisbane to manage the Epic Good Foundation. You can find Anita at www.anitaheiss.com. You can connect with Anita via her blog, twitter @anitaheiss, Instagram @dranitaheiss or Facebook. You can find out more about Anita's September 2016 workshop in Dublin here. In this episode we discussed: • being an Australian of the Year Finalist • having a very structured approach to the day • having an element of health, fun, work and Anita time every day • the benefits of a life coach • getting started as a writer and releasing her 18th book • studying a PhD • being strategic as a writer and the process Anita uses to write a book • pansters vs plotters • tips for budding writers • being a member of a Writers' Centre • being a "creative disruptor" • writing Tiddas and living in Brisbane (and meeting Mel!) • meeting people via twitter • becoming the manager of the Epic Good Foundation and moving to Brisbane • asking for help • being an advocate for literacy and Indigenous literacy • the importance of knowing how to read • what success looks like to Anita • running meetings - or walking meetings! • changing values as we get older • importance of holidays Resources discussed in the show: • Epic Good Foundation • The Writing Book by Kate Grenville • The Artists Way by Julia Cameron • CBA's Women in Focus • The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer • TED Talk by Amanda Palmer • Indigenous Literacy Foundation

In this episode we interview Fiona Redding. Fiona Redding Fiona Redding is the founder of The Happiness Hunter, life and business strategist, mentor, consultant and speaker. She is also co-host of #BusinessAddicts - the podcast. As an holistic visionary, Fiona's gift is to get to the beating heart of your life purpose and business strategy, to help set your direction and map out the steps you need to take to get you there, whilst empowering you with the strategies, tools and mind-set shifts required to live an abundant, successful and happy life, with passion, joy and meaning.  From the busy corporate world in the UK and Australia, to small and medium business consulting to creating a successful business that is all about social change and has broken all the rules on how businesses should be run. People can see that Fiona is living proof that what she teaches works - that making our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social fitness our number one priority in life creates success, happiness and abundance in all areas of our life!  The focus is on a concept called Life Integration, as opposed to work-life balance. The Happiness Hunter is built on three core pillars of reciprocity, connection and wellbeing. It is about giving us permission to place our happiness, health and well-being at the top of our priorities in life, to support each other, and to collaborate together to inspire and achieve positive change in the world. It provides walks, a membership community for both on-line and face to face connections, a leadership program connecting passionate and aware business leaders and entrepreneurs globally, the You Can Change Your Life Bootcamp, workshops, retreats, strategic business consulting and business and personal mentoring. In this episode we discussed • having a clear direction of how to live your live • making mistakes and owning them • the benefits of meditation • how Annette mediates (and how Mel doesn't and now has homework) • most important aspect of meditating • mobile phones by the bed • deadlines and are they real? • oil pulling • the truth about taking action • the Happiness Hunter, how it started and the amazing community it has created • the employment model • creating an environment that supports our values • life integration • determining happiness Resources discussed in the show • Wayne Dyer • Deepak Chopra • Deepak Chopra free meditation • Google calendar • Mailchimp • Evernote • Eventbrite Neon

In this episode we interview Carly Jacobs. Carly Jacobs Carly is a blogger, writer and presenter. She's the founder of Smaggle.com - a blog that teaches people how to be the star of their of their own lives. She also teaches blogging workshops through her blog school Little Blog Big and she's one half of two podcast duos - Straight and Curly for life improvement junkies and Sweet Teen Club which is mainly about Sweet Valley High book but also general child of the 80s nostalgia culture. In this episode we discussed Flowers in the Attic, Degrassi and other awesome 80s and 90s books and TV shows what Smaggle means being a star of your own life asking for what you want being a teacher doing a 12 month road trip around the USA camping having a business wife benefits of collaborating meeting people over the internet and hoping no one is a serial killer (!) how Carly met her partner (best meeting story EVER!) practical tips on how to get stuff done the benefit of using timers setting incentives to achieve goals Resources discussed in the show #goscreenfree Straight and Curly podcast Sweet Teen Club Blog post - being a star of your own life The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer The Art of the Ask, TEDtalk by Amanda Palmer Sean Wes Podcast Little Blog Big Veggiemana A Life Less Frantic Asana Timepage

In this episode we interview Chef Dominique Rizzo. Dominique Rizzo Dominique Rizzo is one of Queensland's leading female chefs who creates purely delicious, healthy and real food recipes that inspire people to make a change for the better while still loving their food. As a Chef, author and presenter, Dominique's aim is to inspire people to cook with fresh, seasonal and local produce. Through her innovative recipes and a healthy attitude her mission is to improve general wellbeing, build confidence in the kitchen, inspire creative cooking and bring vitality onto peoples plates. Dominique's life and work centres around her philosophy "Through the sharing of food we share life and one is never lonely or hungry." Dominique's passion for all things purely food, coming together, connecting and sharing led her into her new venture Putia: Pure Food Kitchen, School and Pantry which opened in October 2014 on Brisbane's north side. Dominique is also the author of "My Taste of Sicily" which showcases a beautiful collection of delicious family friendly recipes highlighting her passion for fresh healthy cooking and her Sicilian heritage. She also runs a series of "Pure Food, Wine and Cooking Tours", taking small groups of people on an amazing cooking, eating and cultural experience through Southern Italy, Sicily and surrounding Islands. You can find Dominique at Chef Dominique Rizzo, Pure Food and Wine Tours and at Putia Pure Food Kitchen. You can follow Dominique on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can follow Pure Food and Wine Tours on Facebook and Instagram. You can follow Putia Pure Food Kitchen on Facebook and Instagram. In this episode we discussed • Dominique's food tours • aspiring to a morning routine • perks of having your own business • how your have different work priorities when you are single vs as part of a couple (and in love!) • measuring success • being an "overnight success" • becoming a chef • being the first chef on the cover of Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine • being on Ready Steady Cook • the benefit of having an assistant • valuing yourself • getting married (whoo hoo!!)

In this episode we interview Loren Bartley, social media strategist. Loren Bartley Loren is a business addict, a social media strategist, speaker, trainer, podcaster, blogger, early adopter, self-confessed geek, on-and-off again fitness addict and mother of three. She helps empower business owners to use social media in conjunction with lifecycle marketing automation. Loren's products and services include online training programs, presentations, workshops and one-on-one coaching. She is the creator of three online training programs: Social Media Success, Facebook Business Success and Linked Business Success and most recently started a Podcast called Business Addicts with Fiona Redding. You can find Loren at Impactiv8 and at Business Addicts. You can follow Loren on twitter and Facebook. In this episode we discuss: • time saving tips for a sleep in • time wasting habits • our total love of ironing and housework (or, you know, not) • living by the calendar to block time • focusing on, and prioritising, health • automating her business and the tools she uses • using alarms • the importance of moving frequently during the day • getting "unstuck" • transitioning from sports management to social media strategist • what makes a business addict? • setting goals for the year • deadlines - and planning for deadlines • goals for the next 12 months • vision vs goals Resources discussed in the show • Infusionsoft • Xero • Zapier • Appointment Core • Calendly • Asana • The One Thing by Gary Keller