Send us a text In this episode of Beyond the Claptrap, I sit down with author, creativity researcher and Gen AI educator Dave Birss to talk about what AI is really doing to our brains, our schools and our workplaces. We cover everything from AI psychosis and emotional support chatbots, to kids using GPT to cheat while teachers use AI to mark their work, to how you can become meaningfully more creative in ninety days. Support the show

Send us a text What if psychedelics do not make you hallucinate, but remove a filter so you can see more of reality itself? In this deep conversation with Michael Tiero, we explore expanded states of consciousness, psilocybin vs SSRIs, ego death, and why contentment threatens a growth-hungry consumer culture. We also unpack idealism, the default mode network, and integrating after a life-changing psychedelic experience. I can't believe we made it to episode 40! A massive THANK YOU to anyone...

Send us a text What if healing isn’t about becoming someone new, but remembering who you were before the world told you who to be? In this episode, psychologist Martina reveals the deep truth behind inner child work; why it matters, how it affects your relationships, and what happens when you finally face the emotions your adult self learned to ignore. We explore why therapy sometimes hurts before it heals, how the body stores emotional memory, and the practical ways to reconnect with the pa...

Send us a text Quiet quitting, burnout, AI, disconnection, and the loss of meaning have reshaped what “work” even means. In this episode of Beyond the Claptrap, we explore why employees no longer feel proud of where they work, why belonging has vanished, and what true leadership looks like in this new era. We talk about how to rebuild trust, reintroduce purpose, and create environments where people want to care again, not because they have to, but because they believe in something bigger tha...

Send us a text What happens when you finally face your own mortality? In this episode, Michael Drake, author of (The Paradox of a Mortal Mind), reveals why facing your mortality is the key to living fully. We talk about ego, legacy, regrets of the dying, and how to be intentional with the time you have left.

Send us a text He beat cancer twice and came back to triathlons. Dr Jeffrey Reynolds shares how Ironman training, mental resilience, and community helped him face stage 3 colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. We cover early screening, clinical trials, powerful chemo, the difference between fitness and health, and what changes after a diagnosis. Practical takeaways for mindset, recovery, and men’s health.

Send us a text Is toxic masculinity a myth? In this episode, we break down masculine and feminine balance, why men feel demonised, the steps young men can take to find their path in life, and why success or six packs do not fix men’s mental health.

Send us a text Struggling with emotional binge eating? In this episode, Amber Abila breaks down why diets fail, how habit loops drive binge eating, and the simple psychology that helps you rewire urges without relying on willpower. Learn practical tools like visualization, smarter self talk, and reframing “treats” so you can enjoy food without overeating, reduce processed food triggers, and build a healthier relationship with your body.

Send us a text The masculinity crisis is leaving many men suffering in silence, cut off from purpose, belonging, and healthy models of manhood. In this conversation, we explore why isolation, cultural pressure, and tech-driven disconnection are hitting men so hard, and how taking responsibility for pain, building emotional literacy, and joining men’s groups can transform lives. We also unpack the three failing imprints of masculinity, the failures of online dating, and what women actually wan...

Send us a text Pat Flynn's new book, "Lean Learning", will teach you how to achieve more by doing less! Not by consuming endless information, but by taking action with the right knowledge at the right time. In this episode, we explore how outdated school systems, information overload, fear of failure, and “just in case” learning hold us back in our self-improvement journeys.

Send us a text We think forgiveness is about letting others off the hook, but in reality, it’s about freeing ourselves from resentment, regret, and the weight of the past. In this episode, Barbara J Hunt joins me to explore what forgiveness really means, why it’s so difficult, how it can transform our relationships, and why forgiving ourselves might be the hardest and most important step of all.

Send us a text Dr Rod Berger is an expert in the art of storytelling, an interviewer, and the author of the upcoming book The Narrative Edge. In this conversation, we explore why vulnerability is the key to powerful storytelling, how stories shape our identity, and why facts alone rarely move people. From ancient myths to modern brands, Dr Berger reveals how stories connect us, build trust, and influence the way we see ourselves and the world.

Send us a text Felicity Ashley, with The Mothership crew, rowed across the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, making her one of the 250 women to have rowed the Atlantic. Not long after her extraordinary feat, she faced an even greater battle, being diagnosed with bowel cancer, which she has now defeated triumphantly.

Send us a text At 19, Evan Carmichael turned down a 6-figure investment banking job to join a biotech startup. Three years later, he sold it and became a millionaire. Today, with over 6M followers across platforms and multiple bestselling books, he’s on a mission to help 1 billion people believe in themselves. Support the show

Send us a text Terrence The Teacher is a celebrity mental health coach who specialises in mindfulness meditation and organises exclusive mindfulness retreats. Join the conversation on meditation, the subconscious mind, and Terrence's own near-death experience.

Send us a text Sometimes, change requires us to let go of our comfort zone and face our fears. Adele Tevlin dives into the power of reprogramming your brain for success. Explore the importance of affirmations and visualisation in personal growth and stepping outside what's familiar to change your life by confronting what holds you back and embracing the unknown.

Send us a text Are you tired of feeling like you can't be your true self online? Do you have thoughts and feelings that you're too afraid to admit on social media? The app "Air Out" is changing the game by providing a safe space for self-expression and vulnerability. Join us as we explore this revolutionary platform that's encouraging users to be more authentic online. Imagine being able to share your true thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or negative comments.

Send us a text Laurens Tijssen is a digital entrepreneur who helps brands win trust before the first impression. In this episode, we dive into the growing importance of personal branding and why those who fail to build trust online risk being left behind in the modern marketplace.

Send us a text Michele Paradise is a Trauma Therapist & Narcissistic Abuse Survivor. Join the conversation on being love-bombed, narcissistic abuse in relationships, and recognising the types of narcissists in your life.

Send us a text My favourite guest is back for Part 2 of Everything Self-Improvement, and this one goes even deeper. We dive into the truth about happiness, why self-worth isn’t tied to success, the trap of social media comparisons, and life mantras.