The Curiosity Dividend Podcast

Kent Bray is a counsellor and mentor who draws on a 35 year career in elite rugby, the intense world of City of London trading, and recovery from a serious cocaine addiction, to support others in need. He works with individuals, teams and corporations, particularly men struggling with a loss of identity, structure or confidence after life in professional sport.This conversation was such a blessing. Thank you Kent for being so open and honest. We cover a wide expanse of ground - elite performance, manhood, addiction, death, vulnerability, surrender. Kent played rugby for Australia U21, Queensland, New South Wales, Oxford University and Harlequins, and after retiring at 30 became a Director of Citibank. Kent explains how his descent into cocaine addiction that led to deep soul-searching, eventually awakened him to new clarity and a life of compassion and vital purpose after rehabilitation.Kent would like anyone struggling with the issues we discuss in this conversation, to contact him confidentially for help or further guidance. He can be reached at:kent@kentbraycounselling.co.ukwww.kentbraycounselling.co.ukKent Bray - Linkedin This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

Here’s my conversation with Jane Davidson, the former Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, and Assembly Member for Pontypridd in the Welsh Assembly, known as the Welsh Assembly/Senedd Cymru. Jane’s stated mission is to mainstream sustainability and she lives this with conviction on her smallholding in West Wales. We get behind her stellar list of achievements as a politician, to understand the woman, her convictions, her drive to improve well-being for all, and where her deep-rooted passion for the natural world began.Jane’s career demonstrated that conviction politicians can change things fundamentally, and for the good of everyone. She was Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning between 2000 and 2007), during which time she introduced transformative educational reforms including the Foundation Phase for 3-7 year-olds, the Welsh Baccalaureate, and integrated Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship into the Welsh curriculum.As Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing between 2007 and 2011 Jane was the architect of groundbreaking legislation to make sustainable development the central organising principle of Welsh government, legislation which ultimately became the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. This legislation has proved to be internationally significant well beyond the UK - a benchmark for the world. Jane’s more publically known environmental initiatives included introducing the world’s first plastic bag charge, implementing recycling regulations that elevated Wales to second best in the world for municipal recycling, creating the Climate Change Commission for Wales, and establishing the Wales Coast Path.https://janedavidson.wales/Linkedin This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

This conversation about childhood and play was deeply personal and an absolute joy. Jesse Coffino is the CEO of Anji Education, Inc. He has spent the last decade developing the theory and practice of Anji Play on the world stage. Anji Play is a beautiful philosophy for childhood flourishing founded by Ms Cheng Xuequin in Anji County, China. A fluent Mandarin speaker and interpreter, Jesse has taught thousands of educators in every continent and is a sought after speaker at universities and organisations around the world. He is also a father, theorist, strategist, and complex problem solver.Jesse would be happy to hear from anyone wanting to further explore the issues discussed during this conversation:https://linktr.ee/coffinohttps://www.anjiplay.co/Linkedin This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

Henry Oliver is a writer, thinker and critic. He writes the popular literary Substack The Common Reader and his excellent 2024 book Second Act is a study of late-blooming talent. We discuss why the humanities matter, stoicism, separating great writing from the writer, routes to truth, and reading literature as a great way of thinking. Henry reads some poetry beautifully and I mangle some Chaucer. Henry OliverThe Common Reader This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

Todd Kashdan is insatiably curious. He is also a fabulous conversationalist with a mischievous, maverick streak.Todd is a Professor of Psychology, and the founder and director of the Wellbeing Lab at George Mason University in Virginia, USA. Todd is the most highly cited psychologist working in the field of curiosity research in history, with over 56,000 citations. He is in the top 1% of global scholars. His lab has produced over 250 peer-reviewed journal articles on well-being and resilience, psychological flexibility, meaning and purpose in life, curiosity, and managing social anxiety. Todd’s work has shown that being curious opens the door to more than just happiness - it is a powerful trait that is too often overlooked on the road to finding purpose and meaning in life. He says it leads to critical thinkers armed with courage, resilience, and a love of learning and discovery. Todd is the author of a number books including Curious, The Art of Insubordination and The Upside of Your Dark Side: Why Being Your Whole Self Not Just Your “Good” Self--Drives Success and Fulfillment.He also writes prodigiously at his Substack newsletter Provoked.https://toddkashdan.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

Josh Connolly is a coach who uses embodiment practices, breath-work, and his own deeply personal experiences, to help build resilience in others. Josh is a passionate supporter of those affected by parental alcohol issues, an advocate for tapping into, and connecting profoundly with, our emotions and intuition as a way to heal trauma, and he’s a wonderful conversationalist.We connected over a shared frustration with aspects of the widely publicised debate between Gary Stevenson and Daniel Priestley about the economy. Our conversation became much richer – we talk about being a man, role models, vulnerability, stoicism, community, unfashionable opinions, doubt and bad therapy.https://www.joshconnolly.co.uk/about-joshJosh’s book - It’s Them Not You: How to Break Free from Toxic Parents and Reclaim Your StoryJosh’s Do Lectures talkBooks etc. referenced in our discussionDiary of a CEO: Gary Stevenson and Daniel Priestley debateBad Therapy: Why The Kids Aren’t Growing Up - Abigail ShrierFuture Tense: Why Anxiety is Good For You (Even Though It Feels Bad) – Tracy Dennis-TiwaryI May Be Wrong - Björn Natthiko Lindeblad This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

My conversation with John Pardey, an architect of unparalleled skill in the field of housing design.A serial winner of the UK’s most respected architecture awards, John has been a Chair and member of the RIBA Awards Group and CABE's National Design Review Panel, and has held lecturing posts at the London South Bank, Westminster, Canterbury and Portsmouth Schools of Architecture and is an external examiner at both Cardiff and Oxford Brookes.An unashamed fan of Jørn Utzon, the master architect of the Sydney Opera House, John has been inspired by the man to such an extent that he paid homage with a pilgrimage to Majorca to visit him and his wife. John has also written and lectured widely about Utzon and his genius.Open-minded about the drivers for good architecture, John is driven by genius loci - the spirit of place - and is an inveterate traveller, regularly visiting significant works of architecture around the world. Humble and ever ready to change, John’s work is driven not by style, but by how his clients want to live.John has also written what for me and for many, is the definitive book on the greatest houses of the 20th Century. https://www.johnpardeyarchitects.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

Marc A. Ross is a geopolitical strategist and communications expert. He’s the founder of Caracal Global and Brigadoon, and a passionate advocate for his home City of Detroit, its sports teams, its music scene, its architecture and its urban renaissance.A current resident of Washington DC, Marc is at the sharp end of the political shenanigans of US politics and advises companies around the world on geopolitical intelligence and corporate diplomacy. Who better to speak to about the shattering of the old world order in these chaotic times?He’s also an inveterate traveller and a negroni afficionado.Marc writes daily with sharp insight and international perspective on Linkedin, and has one of the very best visual feeds you’ll ever find over on Instagram. For corporate communications enquiries he can be contacted at Caracal, and his salon for thought leadership at Brigadoon. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

My second conversation with the lovely Anna Koska. This one is all about space, creativity, the natural world and where we draw inspiration from.Anna is an artist specialising in fruit, vegetables and the natural world, and alongside her book illustration work, Anna is regularly commissioned by chefs and restauranteurs for food and botanical art.Working in egg tempera, watercolour, pen & ink and oils, Anna’s deeply intuitive sensibility as a natural historian shines through in all her creative outputs which more recently include writing. Her books From Field and Forest and From Coast and Cove, which both document an artist’s year in paint and pen, and are published by Pavilion.For more than 20 years Anna was based in rural Sussex, with her family. There she grew a bounteous quantity of fruit and vegetables and cared for three bee hives and a happy handful of chickens. I caught up with her just after she and her family uprooted and moved to a sheltered combe just inland from the tree-lined coast of South Devon, in search of new adventures.http://www.annakoskaillustration.com/https://www.instagram.com/gremkoska/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

Ben Derbyshire is a Past President of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He is the Chair of the acclaimed architecture practice HTA Design LLP and a Commissioner of Historic England.A wonderfully erudite, engaging and deeply thoughtful man, Ben shares his principles for good architecture and place-making and a wide array of valuable insights, relevant not just to those active in the formation of the built environment, but to anyone with an interest in vibrant, inclusive community. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

James Malone is a filmmaker, photographer and former Royal Marines Commando. His production company, Palpa Films, specialises in crafting compelling, extraordinary documentary work. His elite military background has provided a robust foundation for meticulous planning, seamless adaptation, and the creation of powerful stories in the most demanding environments. This is a deeply personal conversation. Certainly the most important conversation I have ever had as a podcaster. James tells his story - a searingly honest story of operating under the highest imaginable stress. Humble, courageous, compelling. Please help spread the word about what James is doing with his veterans documentary Once We Were Warriors, by sharing this podcast to your networks. In addition liking and commenting on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Substack will help bend the algorithm our way and promote the story. Thank youJames Malone: LinkedinPalpa FilmsPalpa Films Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

Episode 15: Elaine Carnegie This was a special conversation with the wonderful Elaine Carnegie originally recorded during lockdown in February 2021. Elaine is a workplace health, mental health and wellbeing consultant, and the founder and Managing Director of beingworks. A former Senior NHS Physiotherapist and Fortune 500 executive, Elaine talks to me about her journey to doing critically important work with her team to support employee wellbeing. Poor mental health has a staggeringly negative impact on employees and cost UK business £51 billion in 2024 according to Deloitte research. Elaine is an absolute delight to spend time with, and listen to, and she shares important wisdom and expertise that is applicable to all of us.Elaine on Linkedinwww.beingworks.co.uk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

Murray Kerr is an architect and founder of the design practice Denizen Works. Winners of the Stephen Lawrence Prize, The Grand Designs Home of the Year, and Building Design Architect of the Year, Denizen Works projects are characterised by an articulate approach which taps into local history, landscape, microclimate and community. We start our discussion with the golden question “what is architecture?” Murray is an inspiring, considered thinker, and this conversation was a real adventure in space, constraints, bumps in the building process, humility in design and the need to keep pushing forward, always.Denizen WorksMurray Kerr Linkedin This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

Hugh MacLeod is a pioneer. He was one of the first two bloggers that I followed on the internet, back in about 2001, the other being Seth Godin. His blog gapingvoid.com, featuring his doodles on the back of business cards and creative advice for young entrepreneurs, was a huge inspiration to me as I started out on the lonely journey of starting my first company.A cartoonist, linguist and marketer, he has been championing the belief that art has the power to transform business, for over 30 years. His ebook “How to be Creative” on Change This was my first ever pdf download and contained pithy and sage observations and advice for entrepreneurs. It has been downloaded more than 4.5 million times, and was subsequently published by Penguin as the hardback “Ignore Everybody.” It is truly great.It was a pleasure to finally meet the man whose art adorns my office wall, and enjoy his razor sharp social observations and stories from the road, back during the lockdown years.Notes: 1.There’s a grown-up language warning on this one folks.2. Hugh references our mutual friend David - that’s David Hieatt - see episode 7.https://www.gapingvoid.com/team-members/hugh-macleod/https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughmacleod/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

Rob Poynton is a deep and creative thinker and author, whose life and work straddle eclectic fields. He teaches strategic leadership at the University of Oxford, and acts as a facilitator, consultant and coach to a host of companies and clients. His work is at the intersection of leadership, creativity, innovation and branding. He draws on multiple influences including improvisational theatre, play and the science of complexity. He lives between a remote off-grid home he built himself in the mountains of central Spain, and Oxford, England. I love this conversation. Rob is so understated and yet so interesting and smart across multiple domains, he has a unique way of making us really think deeply about what we believe. https://robertpoynton.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

Sadie Morgan is the co-founding director of multi award-winning international architecture and design practice dRMM. She was appointed OBE in the Queen’s 2020 New Year’s Honours List and is a Professor at the University of Westminster. She is the youngest ever President of the Architectural Association, the Design chair for HS2 and is a Commissioner for the UK Government’s National Infrastructure Commission. She is the founder of the Quality of Life Foundation which aims to put well-being at the heart of all new place-making and at the forefront of the housebuilding agenda. We discuss her wide-ranging work, her open-mindedness borne of an upbringing in a commune environment, and her tireless support for the recognition of women in all aspects of society. We also discuss her decision to hitch-hike back from Spain in 2010 when Eyjafjallajökull erupted in Iceland, and why she gave the dRMM Stirling Prize winning acceptance speech in 2017, from Hastings, in fangs.https://drmmstudio.com/person/sadie-morgan/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

I manage to coax Clare Hieatt, co-founder of Howies, The Do Lectures and Hiut Denim*, out of the shadows during the build up to the 2019 Do Lectures event on her farm in Wales. Clare shares personal insights into her professional life and business partnership with her husband David, writing her book Do Curious, and creating the unique, transformative space which facilitates the magic of the Do Lectures every year.www.thedolectures.comwww.hiutdenim.co.uk* Full disclosure - I have a minority financial interest in Hiut DenimThanks for reading The Curiosity Dividend! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

I meet Michael Owen, the founder of Always Wear Red, an uncompromising menswear brand utilising only the very best materials and makers around the UK. Amongst other things we riff on growing up, turning 50 - an occasion that led Michael to start a blog which has grown into a searingly honest, witty and wise look at life through Michael's glasses - and the creative process. We end with a very personal exploration of the indelible impression that the film Kes has left on both of us.Michael has subsequently pivoted and now runs two businesses as well as his 50odd blog:https://www.mychael.co.uk/https://oldpostoffice.co.uk/https://www.50odd.co.uk/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

On the eve of the 10th Do Lectures, I discuss the genesis of the event with co-founder David Hieatt. David shares the ideas and inspiration behind the Do, why and how it came into being, and what he hopes to achieve with it. He also shares rare insights of his life with his wife Clare, and their process in building their much admired first brand Howies, and their second - Hiut - a specialist hand-crafted maker of jeans in Cardigan, West Wales.*https://thedolectures.com/https://hiutdenim.co.uk/*Full disclosure - I have a minority financial interest in Hiut This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com

I meet the talented and multi-faceted artist Anna Koska in her rural studio after a joyous walk in the woods. In our first conversation* we talk about painting, writing, bee-keeping, rearing pigs, charcuterie, feeding a family on home grown vegetables, and cooking. Anna is deeply curious about the world, adventurous, unafraid to fail, and her beautiful little studio, sitting as it does on the edge of woodland, with just birdsong and Billie the lurcher for company, was the perfect space to talk.https://www.instagram.com/gremkoska/* second episode coming soon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuriositydividend.substack.com