The 8 Billion Effect

In this episode, Jackson catches up with Matt to hear what he’s been up to since we recorded 6 months ago. Matt talks about the personal development he’s done personally that is driving Mindfull Aus to the next level, and also gives us insight into an exercise we can all do when we’re feeling like a burden on the world. To reach out to Matt, visit his Facebook page: facebook.com/mindfullaus Reach out to us: connect@the8billioneffect.com // @the_8billioneffect

This is part 3/4 of a 4 part series with the CEO of Mindfull Aus, Matt Runnalls. In this episode, we discuss how to help those who may be struggling with mental health, including exactly what to do if they disclose they are having suicidal thoughts. Matt also tells us what’s on the horizon for Mindfull Aus and talks about some of the mentors that have inspired him. Tune in to Ep #17 for part 4/4 where we catch up with Matt 6 months after this recording. Find Matt here: facebook.com/mindfullaus Reach out to us: connect@the8billioneffect.com // @the_8billioneffect

This is part 2/4 of a 4 part series with the CEO of Mindfull Aus, Matt Runnalls. In this episode, we get a glimpse into how Matt prepares his mental state for the day with his morning routine. His routine includes a ‘brush n prime’ that you will hear about and many other great tricks. Matt also talks about the challenges of being a mental health advocate. We discuss the pressures that come from being "the person" that many people feel comfortable opening up to. Tune in to Ep #16 for part 3/4 next. Find Matt here: facebook.com/mindfullaus Reach out to us: connect@the8billioneffect.com // @the_8billioneffect

This is part 1/4 of a 4 part series with the CEO of Mindfull Aus, Matt Runnalls. We recorded this episode over 6 months ago in Australia, but the topics covered in this episode are probably more relevant today than ever: feeling like an emotional burden, misconceptions around depression and how to spot when others may be needing help. The episode starts with a quick touch base of where Matt is now (May 2020) and then deep dives into his story of how he started his not-for-profit organisation, Mindfull Aus, to help people feeling the way he once did. As a young man, he was having suicidal thoughts and suppressing his feelings and emotions. He thought ‘why am I feeling depressed when I've had a normal upbringing with lots of opportunities and there are so many other people out there who have it worse off than I do’. These exact thoughts were what lead him to suicide attempts before speaking up about needing support. Matt is now a beacon of hope for many individuals and communities. Mindfull Aus is becoming a leading institution in the modern mindfulness space. Tune in to Ep #15 for part 2/4. Find Matt here: facebook.com/mindfullaus Reach out to us: connect@the8billioneffect.com // @the_8billioneffect

In this episode, we discuss the early stages of 1 PIECE Army, Jackson's emerging movement that is having an impact on our social connectedness and planet. 1 PIECE Army is a movement whereby members pick up trash, take a selfie, and upload it to a members-only WhatsApp group. So far 1 PIECE Army is in 12 countries, 6 continents, and at the time of recording, just hit 50,000 pieces of trash collected in less than 12 weeks since it started. Jackson is putting out a call to arms for 1 PIECE Army: he’s looking for a google sheets expert, social media experts, designers, journalists, and any photographers/videographers who wants to help spread the message that 'our environment is in some serious need of some help'. Documenting the impact being made is just as important as picking up the trash. Video mentioned ‘How to Start a Movement’ (the lone nut): 3 min video - https://youtu.be/Qu3xpp5BbHU // To get in touch with us: connect@the8billioneffect.com // Join 1 PIECE Army to find him on Instagram @1PieceArmy and send Jackson a DM

What happened in the 6 months after we quit our jobs and began to live more inline with our values and core purpose? In this episode we deep dive on our adventures, learnings and struggles over: remote work contracts, change of travel plans due to COVID, getting to safe isolation, and our predictions of the pre/post COVID world. Links mentioned: 1. The amazing co-working/co-living space Andra lived in when in San Francisco: https://www.outsite.co/2. Our email: connect@the8billioneffect.com 3.Our instagram: @the_8billion effect

This is part 3/3 of our episode with Eyal Halamish, and the final episode of our 10 part "Should I Quit My Job" series. In the wake of devastation from his business collapsing, Eyal had to wake up and learn to lead with his heart and not his head. He was a 26 year old super kid, CEO, that had potentially grown up too quickly but these trials led him into a great awakening as a leader. A huge key to Eyal’s success moving forward was being vulnerable and asking for help. He says ‘Don’t just ask for advice from mentors. Be vulnerable and actually ASK for help. Admit you have no idea when you don’t, instead of trying to be confident. Vulnerability is such a powerful concept. Let your guard down. Let people in to help you, and focus on achieving together." Listen to the full episode to learn how to write pitches that inspire action not attention, that have peers and investors wanting to help and not just give advice.  Connect with Eyal: eyalhalamish.com

This is part 2 of our 3 part series with Eyal Halamish.The episode jumps right in with Eyal explaining ‘how we fix democracy’ and his theories on policy, government and technology working together to benefit the public and our leaders.He then continues telling the story of his journey as a leader at OurSay, the platform that he built.  He explains their 'quick' wins within their first 6 months of business: features on ABC Q&A, meetings with former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard,  Google and Fairfax Media partnerships, and their website getting over 10 million hits.He was on fire and it was safe to say, Eyal felt on top of the world... until a few missteps sent their strategy into a spin and he nearly lost everything.  Eyal had to reinvent himself. He shares how he ended up running out of capital and needed to let go of his team of 30 people and the journey he took to re-invest himself as a leader. He shares the value of listening to your team and the importance of taking feedback as you go. 

Eyal not only quit his high paying corporate consulting job in the mining and energy industry to create his own brilliant start-up in the political sphere with some friends, but a few years into it, he also quit his own leadership style that was driving the business into the groundIf that's not enough, once he rebuilt his start-up from the ground up to be a success story, he stepped down as CEO to work as an Investment Director of Australia's Victorian Government in New York.He has learnt many things along the way about himself and others, including what makes his and his peer's minds tick, what it means to people when they are fully respected and how we are not always as right as we think we may be.  His learnings and advice are backed heavily by lived experience. A set of major lightning-bolt moments in his life, such as his business nearly going broke, his team walking out on him and his father being in a critical condition have really forced him to be present with himself, his family and his team.These pivotal moments have helped him peel back the onion on what is really important in life and what isn’t.It’s very refreshing to hear a story with such candour, of a guy who nearly lost it all, and how trusting his team helped him not only rebuild the company, but himself along the way.Connect with Eyal: eyalhalamish.com

[WARNING - Apologies for the poor sound quality in the first 15 mins… There are a few episodes where the sound has let us down and we are working to rectify this in future episodes. We appreciate the support as this is amateur recording that we are learning to enhance. But we will not let it get in the way of great conversations we had with our amazing guests!]Doug is a powerhouse guy who has quit many jobs in order to fulfil a promise he made to himself 8 years ago when he was 23. His promise was to try as many jobs and life experiences he can before he turns 30 and if they don’t make him happy or help him live his best life then he would quit and move on to the next one…. These jobs range anywhere from a Real Estate Agent’s Receptionist to working for the UN in Sydney.Doug has now entered his 30s, honoured his promise, started a podcast that inspired this one of ours, quit his most recent job and he is currently traveling Australia for the next 12 months in a van with his wife, Kitty and his Labrador, Lucy, who he both adores. You can follow them on Instagram @kittyanddoug.Doug lives his life by a few core mantras. A few main ones are reflected in his latest project ‘The Quartic Podcast’, which you should definitely check out (it’s amazing). The 4 P’s are the 4 pillars of the podcast and the movement he is creating…. Performance, Purpose, Prosperity and Philosophy. He has many other core values he lives by which you will hear more about in this episode.We cannot speak highly enough of Doug and his advice for others in an unfulfilling job. He has a few disclaimers worth tuning into, one being ‘make sure you have a savings runway and rid yourself of debt first’. It was a pleasure to have Doug and his wealth of knowledge, care, compassion and wisdom on our podcast. He truly embodies all the mantras of The 8 Billion Effect and it all started with getting the most important piece right first…. Himself!!

This is Part 6 of the 10 part series - Should I Quit my Job?:In this episode, we reflected on our journey of what happened since we both quit our jobs in the month of September. We share what’s happening now and where we’re off to next.We both agreed it has been insanely liberating, yet still, we do not endorse people to just ‘go out and quit’ without a solid plan in place if you are not in a stable position to do so. But if your intuition is telling you that there’s something greater that awaits you, then tune in to your desires, work out what it is you really want and get chasing after it! Move mountains to start designing your dream life… What are you passionate about and what do you want the next 4 months to hold for you? Remember, you are the most important piece of The 8 Billion Effect - live your best life, be your authentic self, stay true to your desires, become your passions and embody greatness, happiness, creativity and inspire others with who you are and what you love to do. 

This is Part 5 of the 10 part series - Should I Quit my Job?:If the TIME you have left in the world is the Pepper on the table of life, always there to remind you to spice it up a little and live your life to the fullest…. Then CHOICE is the Salt. The choice is yours always. Like salt compliments every meal, every aspect of your life should be defined by your choices.Giving yourself the ability to choose what YOU want for your life can have many different layers. There is no right or wrong answer and everyone has their own unique style, but the more of ANYTHING you acquire over time the more choices you have.A few key things worth acquiring beyond money are skills, knowledge (relevant to a specific industry or niche, become a specialist, not a generalist), experience, references, acknowledgeable feats or achievements, let’s not forget workplace friends or clients that would sing your name in praise, promotions, mentors, mentees, and the list goes on. All of these things can grant you ‘choice’, not just money.Hope you’re not only hustlin' for the $$$ but hustin' for the choices….. The more you have the more you’re worth… Not just your worth now, it’s all about what potential you can unlock for your future. ‘Think long game, not short game’.

This is Part 4 of the 10 part series - Should I Quit my Job?:Is it possible that a job could make you sick? Absolutely. Both mentally drained and physically unwell. In today’s episode, we deep dive into our personal experience dealing with the results of being physically and mentally drained by a job. We didn’t enjoy it and therefore it was making us sick, short-tempered and even burnt out.It seemed we were spending more money just to earn more money….  A big portion of our wage was being spent on our health just to have enough energy to go and be productive at work. More yoga, more meditation classes, better food to get more energy, doctors, and antibiotics, naturopaths, massages and even road trip weekends or retreats to try chill out. Anything to try and boost the energy for the next day back on the grind. It’s super importing to know where the edge of ‘burn-out’ is and not falling over it, ideally not even getting near the edge, as that’s already too close. We have a responsibility not only to monitor this for ourselves but also the others around us… look around and ask yourself ‘Are you ok?’ ‘Is this making you happy?’ Work should never get to a point of getting sick over, your health is the only thing you really have in life that’s yours to keep or to lose. Look after yourself, take care of others and always seek the best for yourself. There is nothing better than doing something you love, with people you respect and changing the world for the better. Even if you don’t think your job is world-changing, if you’re doing it with a smile, maybe you’re making someone else’s day better…. That’s ‘The 8 Billion Effect’.

This is Part 3 of the 10 part series - Should I Quit my Job?:Self-doubt can be extremely crippling when trying to make the right decisions for your future especially if you’re in a toxic work environment. What makes it even harder sometimes, is that everyone else is doubting you and having their 2 cents worth of input on your life.Allowing other people to guide you too much into the direction that ‘they believe would be best for you’ and not what is ‘actually best for you’ can be really harmful to both of you and your relationship in the future….Generally speaking, these are people that care about you and they are doing the best they can, so take their advice but don’t let them be the captain of your ship.Only you have the true answers to the questions you are asking yourself about your work environment and depending on your answers to these hard questions, your next moves should become glaringly obvious as to what you should do next for your success, for your health, for your future and for all those loved ones who just want the best for you.

This is Part 2 of the 10 part series - Should I Quit my Job?:Being micromanaged can be one of the worst feelings ever in a job. It can make you feel like the walls are caving in and you have nowhere to go.Even worse, it can make you start underperforming, creating the very thing your manager was trying to avoid with micromanaging you in the first place!But when you’re being micromanaged, it’s not always easy to see the forest from the trees. It’s not uncommon to wonder if you, as the employee are being "too difficult" annnnd just being entitled. After all, you don’t want to be that person in the office that expects a pat on the back just for showing up to work on time.In this episode we break down the difference between what being micromanaged vs. being entitled in the work place looks life. If you have asked yourself the hard questions and you're good at your job, you're putting in the effort, you’re being respectful,  but you are still deflated from your managers pressure to be better, do more, do it now, work late at night, work weekends…. then it may be time to have the hard conversation with them. If they do not change their style, it may be time to start job hunting for a company that will respect you, get the best out of you and has a people-first culture that aligns with your values. You deserve it!

This is Part 1 of the 10 part series - Should I Quit my Job?: The famous line you hear in many companies is 'People don't quit their jobs, they quit their bosses'.... What do you believe? Have you quit a job before? Or a boss? Or both even? Listen in as we debunk this one sentence from our own experiences over the next 20 minutes. If you are currently unhappy at work, have a think. Is it your job or your boss you want to leave behind?Imagine the improvements to the economy and the world's happiness levels if companies and managers focused solely on making their staff want to get out of bed and rush to work each morning, from excitement and not fear........ Food for future thought!!!!!

We are two friends who just quit our jobs and decided fulfilment is more important than money in our careers right now and if you are unhappy, overworked, undervalued and stressed out then maybe we have a few similarities.We live in a time where we are always connected to the ever-burning candle of the digital age. Our mission to unplug mentally by connecting digitally and sharing stories of our experiences and why we are now seeking deeper meaning from our next chapters.After this introductory episode, we will be showcasing a 10 part series of all the pros and cons to quitting your job, as well as hearing from a long list of talented, inspiring people as they navigate the next steps of their careers and lives.