It is Discernable®

Today we are going to the gym. My guest Pia Therese is a small business owner in Melbourne, Australia who risked it all and opened a fitness studio called MFW Fitness. Under what is now likely the world's longest and most severe lockdown, small businesses like MFW have been smashed. And this is despite plenty of evidence that small businesses are not only willing but are capable of opening up in a COVID-Safe way.  Take for example gyms, where we are now learning that they were never a source of COVID transmission, and in fact are better equipped than the government to conduct deep contact tracing because of their detailed and close relationship with their members. This is to say nothing of the fact that COVID-19 is a disease of immunity, like all coronaviruses are, and yet we have seen no messaging from authorities on living a healthy life that encourages a robust immune system.  But It's not just our bodies we are told to hide inside from this virus, daily messaging from our Premier downplays the incredible and growing mental health harms that result from lockdown rules that increasingly appear arbitrary and not based in science. I'm hoping this conversation with Pia will give us an insight into what's really happening with small businesses in Melbourne, and open up a broader conversation on what we all struggle with but don't admit to anyone - mental health, social media, and the evolving definition of community. Show Notes: 2:32 Pia loves control 3:41 Pia's fitness journey 6:14 Managing addiction 08:08 Losing weight and exercise is uncomfortable 9:02 Pia's video on mental health 10:50 Why we need to exercise 13:30 Vulnerability and not comparing 15:20 Women's only gyms 16:35 The journey of MFW Fitness 19:05 Starting a business at the beginning of COVID-19. 23:00 Commercial landlords in Melbourne during COVID-19 26:38 Small businesses left behind 27:50 Dividing society into 'essential' and 'non-essential' 31:40 Refusing to give up on her business 34:00 Pia's mental health realisations 38:22 How we can unite the Victorian community 42:30 Protests at the Queen Victoria Markets 45:48 Puppies 48:50 Stop exaggerating fears 52:00 Melbournians love Melbourne 53:50 Being a leader - staying positive 55:40 Pia's voice and managing social media 1:04:50 Pia's message of empathy 1:06:50 Behind the scenes - extra discussion 1:11:15 New TV Show - Pia interviews Matt 1:13:30 Who Pia follows for news updates 1:15:45 Getting Pia's advice on content creation 1:19:30 Pia gets angry about the media covering for the government 1:21:30 Crazy diets - carnivore 1:23:00 Finding what works for your body Follow Pia Therese​ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mfwfitness Need a mask? Support Pia: https://www.instagram.com/melbsfacemasks

Topher Field demands attention. Not for his own popularity - quite the opposite! In fact, he would rather the spotlight pass him by so he can quietly raise his young family in the suburbs of Melbourne. But when the world that you are raising those children into appears darker and more authoritarian than the world we grew up in, silence becomes complicity. For years Topher has warned us that the freedoms we enjoy may have been free to us, but they didn't come cheap. They were in fact purchased, just not by us. The choices we make today decide whether we keep them or dispose of them. And that's why you just can't look away from Topher. The beautiful thing about this man is that when you dig into him, on the inside is not a doomsday message, but a utopian one. Somehow he remains an optimist and prosecutes the case for hope in forums like his new podcast Living Value. It was my honour to interview the man, the myth, the legend - to find some clarity around the strange times we are living in. Show notes: 2:37 Haircuts 3:39 The Little Government That Could 5:52 Why do we support authoritarian governments? 10:10 Failure of parenting and learning to provide 11:22 The Welfare Trap 13:05 The Malthusian Trap 14:50 Innovation pre-dated the industrial revolution 16:00 Capitalism is the default mode of mankind 18:23 The default state of humanity is poverty 21:45 The failure of Venezuela 25:30 Crony capitalism 30:10 Travelling with 680 condoms 35:04 The morality of civil disobedience 37:48 Natural law 38:40 The new religions 42:00 Do pro-lifers really care? 47:50 Jesus the solution to condemnation 50:15 Topher's revelation of fallibility 53:00 Wrong does not equal evil 54:00 Seeing behind the conservative curtain 57:00 Premier Dan Andrews has no empathy 58:50 Victoria Police is completely demoralised 1:01:00 Civil disobedience 1:03:50 Disobeying immoral orders in the military 1:06:00 Military deployed on Australian soil 1:07:40 Militarisation of police 1:08:30 The Dunning Kruger Effect 1:10:10 Victoria Police Reputation 1:12:40 ALP spill in Victoria 1:14:30 Optimism and faith in each other 1:18:00 Making a choice to show empathy

Damien Silm is an apple farmer in regional NSW who stands to inherit a fortune. I'm not referring to assets, to land or even to the legacy of his great-grandfather who planted those apple trees so many decades ago. It is clear to me that Damien, as one of the most empathetic people I know, will inherit the future as our world increasingly values empathy in all spheres of life.  Not only does empathy make you a more agreeable person it means that you are more easily able to understand other people's perspectives. And that can be pressed for a commercial advantage when designing products and services that the market actually wants. It was refreshing to interview Damien for our series on empathy, as he joined me live from the rolling plains of NSW. Show Notes: 02:37 Cedar Creek Orchards 05:20 Farmers show more empathy 06:57 What apple farmers actually do 09:38 The difference between sympathy and empathy 13:09 Empathising with Victoria during lockdown 14:45 The commercial advantage of empathy 17:35 What is 'reconstituted juice'? 19:47 Why you MUST live on tank water! 21:02 Why Damien grows apples instead of being a pilot 24:15 You must enjoy your career 26:15 Did you feel 'trapped' in a generational business? 28:28 Other states don't understand Victoria's mess 29:12 Is Victoria a leper state? 31:03 Melbourne protests - justified? 32:35 Damien displays his empathy 34:00 Defending Dan Andrews 35:04 What would a farmer say to millions of people? http://www.cedarcreekorchards.com.au/ Watch this podcast on Youtube: https://youtu.be/rg6rsMWUBpE

Recessions, depressions and downturns are probably the most fertile ground to plant a new business. This is why, and this is how to get started! It's all based around research by the Harvard Business Review, Joseph Schumpeter, Peter Drucker and Bain&Company. In this podcast we explore:   The demise of Australian companies. Global C-Suite retirements. Employees re-evaluating their careers. Great companies that were born during recessions. The Bain study that proves recessions breed successful companies. How companies outsmarted the GFC. Opportunities come in only 2 ways: Discovery and Creation. Drucker's 7 Sources of Opportunity (Discovery) Schumpeter's Creation of Opportunity The Blue Ocean Strategy Early action, not different action brings profit. The Race Track Analogy for crisis management. The ABC prescription for businesses in crisis. For the CFO: Muscle vs Fat. Talent is cheap right now.

Competent crisis leadership isn't just about taking wise action, it's about persuading people to carry out those actions. The CEO of Toyota used a 3-Step Crisis Model for communicating and it is far more effective than what world leaders are doing right now. Use this to rally your people and get them through a crisis! Download the 3-Step Crisis Model PDF at https://www.discernable.io/post/crisis-model.

Discretionary effort can predict the future when it comes to staff turnover. Use it as a leading indicator! Read about it here: https://www.discernable.io/post/discretionary-effort-can-predict-the-future

Getting people's attention with mere words is our aim in every single email but the more we write, the more we dilute any potential impact. This is a short podcast on why you should cut anything you write in half and a tool that will help you do it.

What is strategy? Does your organisation even have a strategy? These 5 profound questions will identify (or create) a business strategy, and comes thanks to the Harvard Business Review. You can read the original article at https://www.discernable.io/post/strategy5.

Is it really important? Or just URGENT masquerading as 'important'? We conflate them all the time. It's tempting to chase urgency but that's a counterfeit of the significance we truly crave: growth activities that are important but never urgent. Meet the Eisenhower Boxes and the Macro Priority Matrix. They help us to properly prioritise our time and teach us how to: avoid trading boredom for urgency; cut out interruptions through delegation; grow profitable habits by focusing on what is not urgent. Full downloadable (and free) templates, charts and graphs are at https://www.discernable.io/post/prioritymatrix.

Can you control the weather? Cloud seeding (making it rain) has been demonstrated from as early as 1946 and in heavy practice since the 1960s.But what about modifying winds? Temperatures? Clouds? Just how far can we go?David Miles educates us on the novel weather modification service his company, Atmospherica, provides commercially. For a guaranteed, fully refundable price, his company modifies the weather. It may mean bringing a specific amount of rain within a specific time frame, it may mean redirecting major storm systems away from populated areas, or it may mean 'dialing down' a catastrophic bushfire disaster.In this interview, I probed David on how his proprietary technology works, and whether it can be falsified and scientifically proven or not.https://www.atmospherica.orghttps://x.com/MilesResearch

'Cultured Estates' is a new venture to bring a network of regenerative farms to Australia. Founder, Jerome Rault, is on a mission to transform our food supply chain and the lives of some intrepid Australians willing to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.Whether you are a conscious consumer wanting nutrient dense food, or you are a potential new farmer ready to take your place in the new network of farms, this interview is for you!Cultured Estates is a Managed Farm Partnership model. New and Existing Farmers join as Licensed Growers, running their farms day-to-day with prescribed work plans that also leverage new farming technology. Cultured Estates oversees the system - from planning and logistics to market access - ensuring every farm operates within their trusted framework.

What's really beneath the surface of the human psyche? Counsellor and hypnotherapist Liz Farrell joins us to explore the dark night of the soul and why people should embrace the journey rather than avoid it through endless distraction.Liz believes that for those who are willing to face the darkest parts of themselves, transformation is not just possible but worth the pain.www.elizabethfarrell.com.auhttps://www.instagram.com/ev_farrell

What does race mean in Australia, especially in an age of flaring tensions, protests and endless media spin on immigration?Is Australia importing too many people?Founder of Banga Legal, Samir brings his law experience to our discussion on crime, immigration, and politics.Have a listen to delve into all the racial stereotypes as we explore what is real and what is just 'racism'.www.instagram.com/samir.bangawww.bangalegal.com.au

Joined by Geelong local, James Bennett-Hullin who created the JBH Show Podcast, we discussed everything from Australia's rampant immigration, to the best chocolate, to the Victorian Machete Ban, to why podcasting gives you purpose.https://open.spotify.com/show/12Y9XddxvCUXlesVTPpKxmhttps://x.com/jbhshowhttps://www.instagram.com/jbhshowhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbRo22GkbWxJbsLMPOSQ8oQ

Dr Kevin McCairn PhD is a neuroscientist at the Korea Brain Research Institute. In his lab he has been examining the novel 'calamari' clots we're seeing around the world. He makes the argument that we are reaping the results of a deliberate weaponisation of prion-like amyloids in the engineered virus Sars-Cov-2 and their accompanying panacea vaccines.In this conversation he presents his findings, with both a warning and message of hope for the world.

Your government hates you. Provocative, maybe, but according to reformed criminal and now lawyer Jordan Dittloff, there's more truth here than comfort allows. In this fearless conversation, Jordan unpacks how Australia's taxes and regulations aren't just an inconvenience; they're actively fueling organized crime, corruption, and hardship for ordinary Australians.Jordan shares his unique journey from the wrong side of the law to candidacy for political office, giving us an insider's look at the mechanics of government overreach, taxes, and their unintended but destructive consequences.This isn't just criticism — it's a wake-up call. Watch now and decide for yourself: is your government part of the solution, or the problem itself?

For decades, Australia’s outdoor enthusiasts—4WD’ers, campers, and hunters—have shaped and cared for the rugged landscapes they love. But as government policies tighten and access to national parks and state forests is restricted, is the Aussie outdoor lifestyle under threat?In this deep-dive conversation, Simon Christie (4WDTV) shares his firsthand insights from years in the off-road and outdoor industry. We explore: The rise of 4WD culture in Australia and why it’s world-leading. How hunting and conservation intersect, and the growing challenges of managing invasive species like sambar deer. The impact of government policies—from track closures to bushfire mismanagement. Why China’s booming 4WD market could reshape the global off-road industry. The political fight to keep Australia’s wild places open, and why outdoor communities struggle to push back.This isn’t about blind outrage—it’s an honest look at the tension between preservation and access, and what’s at stake for those who live and breathe the outdoors.Listen and decide for yourself: Are we protecting nature, or just locking people out?

Retired detective Joe Noonan sits down for a frank and deeply reflective discussion about his years in Victoria Police, the toll of frontline policing, and how the force has changed over time. With a mix of sharp wit and hard-earned wisdom, he shares stories of crime, corruption, and camaraderie, offering an insider’s perspective on the realities of law enforcement. From high-pressure investigations to the lingering effects of the job, this interview pulls back the curtain on the life of a cop beyond the badge.BREAKING RANKShttps://www.amazon.com.au/Breaking-Ranks-Amazing-True-Story-ebook/dp/B08WWMWN7PDISCERNABLEhttps://linktr.ee/discernableofficial

Australia has 33% of the world's uranium and is responsible for 10% of the current uranium produced worldwide. For a country fixated on 'carbon neutrality', it exports a huge amount of 'de-carbonised energy' in the form of uranium but refuses, and in fact bans, the use of nuclear power. Dr Mark Ho is a nuclear engineer at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Australia's federal nuclear agency. He is also the current president of the Australian Nuclear Association and joined us to explore the potential of nuclear power: how it works, where it's already deployed, and what the risks are. It's a conversational dive into the mechanics of nuclear power, reactor designs, meltdown protections, and the politics of nuclear energy in Australia. https://www.nuclearaustralia.org.au https://x.com/nuclearmh https://discernable.io/australian-nuclear-energy-with-dr-mark-ho/

Rebekah Barnett is a journalist reporting from the dystopia of Western Australia. In this wide ranging discussion we covered: Faith - objective truth or coping mechanism? The hypocrisy of the Right Libs of TikTok succumbs to the Left Mikhala Peterson calls for Censorship Jordan Peterson's 'cognitive leaks' Dave Rubin becomes a caricature Understanding Trump Why gun culture and 2A can't work in Australia The decline of Europe The propagandised Australian Free speech and censorship Eating disorders Depression and Mental Health https://linktr.ee/discernableofficial https://news.rebekahbarnett.com.au