Pods
All the podcasts cobbled together for a Filter Feeding Frenzy...
Trailer
Pod #0 - Two Average Third Culture Kids
Pod #1 - Technology & Wellbeing
Want to find out if tech has impacted your attention span?
Watch the following video to find out:
Test for severity of attention deficit - https://youtu.be/EI-bIfC4rVM?si=rqGJKuV5X6sFALnT
Pod #2 - Art and Society
Pod #3 - Unsustainable Sustainability 🌱
Featuring Special Guest Kylie Beale
We recently welcomed Kylie Beale to our podcast, an environmental researcher and sustainability strategist whose work is helping shape the future of regenerative practices and food systems policy in Australia. With a Master of Environment from the University of Melbourne, Kylie combines academic rigor with practical expertise in developing innovative sustainability solutions and driving systemic change.
Currently conducting research at the University of Melbourne, Kylie also works with Sustain: The Australian Food Network, where she analyzes and influences sustainable food strategies at the local government level. Her valuable work with Carbon8 Fund has been instrumental in advancing regenerative agriculture practices, documenting success stories, and building connections between farmers, experts, and policymakers.
Drawing on her background in documentary filmmaking, Kylie brings a unique talent for translating complex environmental challenges into compelling narratives that inspire action. Her research and advocacy work focus on creating practical pathways toward a more sustainable and regenerative future.
UNFILTERED #1 - Pet-eating and Other Trump Era Survival Tips
Shownotes
Welcome to Filter Feeders - UNFILTERED! 🗳️🧐🎭
In this very first edition of UNFILTERED, Ollie and Vinny throw caution (and filters) to the wind to tackle the chaos surrounding Trump’s re-election. From emotional reactions to global implications, they’re diving deep, ranting responsibly, and asking the big questions:
“Why is everyone so obsessed with America when we live in the internet?” and...
“Is it time to start stocking up on canned goods... or tanning oil?”
Expect candid reflections, some healthy emotional unpacking, and even a bit of self-deprecating humor as they navigate the political circus that is modern democracy. Whether you’re democrat, republican, or don't man, we are here to commiserate, celebrate, or simply make sense of it all.
Episode Highlights
0:00 – Introduction: Welcome to UNFILTERED! Ollie and Vinny set the stage for a no-holds-barred discussion about Trump’s re-election. 🎤
03:08 – Why talk about it?: Ollie dives into why Trump’s presidency matters globally—even to Australians. 🦘
06:45 – Emotional reactions: Ollie shares how he went from denial to acceptance in 20 minutes like breaking up with a toxic ex.
😲😧😰😱😵💫😕☹😓😭😢😤😠🤬😵💫😒😑🤨🧐🤔🙂↕😌😊🙃🙂😌😎
17:47 – Media bias: Are we all just parroting narratives? 🦜
21:30 – Objectivity probably not useful: Ollie refeclts on the sisyphean reality of being objective in todays media soup.🍲
23:50 – Our resident facts guru: Vinny surprises Ollie with the numbers behind the events. What story do they tell? 🙀
44:30 – Looking ahead: Why JD Vance might make you wish for the “good old days” of Trump. 🔮
32:50 – Embracing uncertainty: Why we all need to trust the process, and focus inwards for lifes true purpose, even if we don’t love the results. 🗳
59:10 – Bernie Sanders drops in: He is Bernie Sanders! 👴
Let’s Keep Filtering Together
🧠 Want to dive deeper? Read Ollie's full article "Maybe: A Reflection on Trump's Re-Election" on our site.
📬 Email: Got thoughts? Send them our way at [email protected]
💬 The Filtration Station: Join our Discord community, where debates are as lively as Vinny’s metaphors.
🌟 Rate & Review: If you love what you hear, drop a 5-star rating and a review! Help us climb the charts (and impress our parents). Every star and follow keeps our mics on, our brains ticking, and our dreams afloat 🛟
🙏 Thank you for being part of the Filter Feeders community. Your support means the world to us 🌎
Tune in, chuck the filter out, and give your brain some peace...
Pod 4 - Behind the Buddha's Smile with Delson Armstrong
Shownotes
Welcome to this Captivating Episode of Filter Feeders!
🧘🏻♂️🧘🏿♂️🧘🏼♂️🧘🏾♀️🧘🏻🧘🏻♀️🧘♀️
What’s life really like for monks and in monasteries? Forget the romanticized visions of perfection—this episode invites you behind the serene façades as Ollie and Vinny welcome Delson Armstrong, an accomplished meditation teacher and author whose deep dive into the monastic world offers unparalleled insight. With humour, raw honesty, and Delson’s years of experience navigating both traditional Buddhism and modern spirituality, this conversation uncovers the hidden truths of Buddhist practice. From debunking meditation myths to examining how monasteries adapt (or clash) with the modern world, Delson helps redefine what it means to walk the path to enlightenment.
So settle in—whether you’re a 🧘♂️ mindfulness novice or a seasoned seeker 🕉️, there’s something here for anyone curious 🤔 about the reality behind the Buddha’s iconic smile 😊.
🎧 Episode Highlights:
⏱ [00:01:07] 😲 Breaking Down Enlightenment: Delson busts myths about what it means to spiritually awaken—can you have sex, relationships, and still find your inner Buddha?
⏱ [00:06:40] 🌓 The Shadows We Fear: How repressing life’s challenges under “toxic positivity” often leads to mental burnout and the courage it takes to face our darker selves.
⏱ [00:23:00] 📜 Buddhist Ethics in a Nutshell: Can spirituality adapt to a world of social media and capitalism? Ollie questions, Vinny ponders, Delson enlightens.
⏱ [00:37:50] 📱 Monks in the Digital Era: Delson elaborates on navigating 21st-century pressures—from social media to financial obligations—and whether modern monasticism can survive.
⏱ [00:52:12] 🕒 Too Busy to Be Mindful: How modern schedules clash with traditional practice—and ways to reclaim inner time.
🔗 Delve Deeper
✨ All things Delson Armstrong can be found at his site delsonarmstrong.com.
😱 Kill the Buddha! An exclusive article written by Delson for Filter Feeders Friends.
📝 Catch up with the latest newsletter and be reminded (not spammed) by subscribing to our site filterfeeders.fyi.
💌 Keep Filtering Together!
🗣️ Join the conversation at The Filtration Station, our Discord space for debates, memes, and mindfulness chat.
📨 Got a question or feedback? Write to us at [email protected].
📱 Links to our socials are available on the Filter Feeders site, plus updates and bonus musings.
And don’t forget to leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review—Vinny’s mum awaits your thoughts.
🗝️🥡 Key Takeaway of the Week
Life behind the Buddha’s smile isn’t an Instagram filter—it’s real, complex, and incredibly human. Delson's stories and insights shed light on how modern spirituality can—and must—embrace those imperfections to grow.
So breathe deeply, question deeply, and keep seeking your own middle path.
Stay curious and, just maybe, a little mischievous. 😏
Pod #5 - Commitment Issues: Our Toxic Relationship with Resolutions
Shownotes
🎙️ Welcome to Filter Feeders 2025! 🎉🧠
In this episode, Ollie and Vinny dive deep into the world of New Year's resolutions, exploring the psychology, science, and societal pressures behind this annual tradition. From the biological roots of change resistance to the commercialisation of self-improvement, they leave no stone unturned in their quest to understand why we make (and break) these yearly commitments.
Join them as they discuss practical strategies for setting realistic goals, navigating the minefield of toxic positivity, and harnessing the power of habit formation to create lasting change. With a healthy dose of humor and relatable anecdotes, this conversation will make you rethink your approach to personal growth and embrace the ups and downs of the journey.
🎧 Episode Highlights:
- ⏱️ [00:05:30] 📅 New Year, Same You? Examining the arbitrary nature of New Year's resolutions and the societal pressures that fuel them.
- ⏱️ [00:14:20] 🧠 The Science of Willpower: How our brains resist change and what we can do to overcome it.
- ⏱️ [00:28:45] 😊 The Trap of Toxic Positivity: Why embracing negative emotions is essential for personal growth and mental well-being.
- ⏱️ [00:42:10] 🎯 Micro-Resolutions and Habit Stacking: Practical strategies for setting achievable goals and building lasting habits.
- ⏱️ [00:52:12] 😅 Flops, Failures, and Small Triumphs: Vinny and Ollie (or not) share their own humorous attempts at change and learnings.
🔗 Delve Deeper:
- 🌐Reads, Feeds, and everything you need at filterfeeders.fyi.
- 📚 Atomic Habits by James Clear: A must-read for anyone looking to understand the science of habit formation and create lasting change.
- 🧐 The Filtration Station: Join the conversation on our Discord server and share your own stories, struggles, and successes.
💌 Keep Filtering Together!
- 🗣️ Got a question or topic suggestion? Email us at [email protected] or leave a comment on the reads on filterfeeders.fyi.
- 📱 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for bonus content, behind-the-scenes moments, and updates on upcoming episodes.
✨ If you enjoyed what you heard, please leave us a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟review on your favorite podcast platform—it is literally the lifeline to keep us filtering! ✨
(...we are happy to return the favour, just tell us where!)
🗝️ Key Takeaway
New Year's resolutions are a double-edged sword—they can inspire us to strive for personal growth, but they can also set us up for disappointment and self-judgment. By understanding the science behind change, setting realistic goals, and embracing the journey (flops and all), we can create a more compassionate and sustainable approach to self-improvement.
So, as you embark on your own resolutions this year, remember to be kind to yourself, celebrate the small victories, and keep filtering out the noise to find what truly matters.
Pod #6 - Dovetailing Equity with Enterprise: The Ins & Outs of Charities w/ Kirrily Graham
Shownotes
🎯 Ollie & Vinny team up with Kirrily Graham of Dovetail to uncover the truth about charities and giving 💰🔍
🌐Reads, Feeds, and everything you need at filterfeeders.fyi.
In this episode, Ollie and Vinny sit down with Kirrily Graham—founder of Dovetail Social Enterprises—to unravel the complexities of the charity sector and show how businesses of all sizes can implement authentic social impact. From busting myths about overhead costs to demonstrating why cause alignment matters—and offering best practices for giving effectively—this conversation will reshape the way you approach philanthropy.
🎧 Episode Highlights:
- [3:33–4:03] – 🔧 Accidental Purpose: Kirrily’s leap from power tools to non-profit leadership
- [5:38–6:01] – 🏚 Small Charities Struggle: Thin teams, no marketing, and high donor demands
- [10:35–11:05] – 🤯 Eye-Opening Stats: Why over 60,000 registered charities operate in Australia
- [14:22–15:06] – 💡 Unexpected Charity Wins: Grassroots groups defying tiny budgets
- [15:28–15:55] – 😆 Hilarious Donation Tales: Movember madness and unforgettable fundraisers
- [18:01–18:26] – ❌ Overhead Myth: Why fixating on “admin costs” misses real impact
- [33:54–34:23] – 🌱 Sustainable Giving: How monthly support and hands-on involvement go farther
- [38:49–39:19] – 🏢 CSR for SMEs: Big social impact with smaller budgets—beyond PR
- [52:03–52:50] – 🐨 Koala Costumes & Aussie Giving: Local donation drives and public engagement
- [1:01:50–1:02:55] – 🚀 Parting Wisdom & Wrap-Up: A Confucius quote on “securing the good of others,” final insights, and comedic outtakes
🔗 Delve Deeper:
- Dovetail Social Enterprises – Explore Kirrily’s approach to helping companies link social goals with genuine impact.
- Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) – A hub to research organizational compliance and transparency in Australia.
- Dan Pallotta’s TED Talk – The talk that changed Kirrily’s career.
- "Uncharitable" Documentary – A deep dive into the flaws of nonprofit funding.
🗝 Key Takeaway
- Authentic corporate giving isn’t about dumping a lump sum at year’s end—it’s about aligning your business ethos with causes that matter to your team and customers. Focus on a consistent, collaborative approach that measures tangible results rather than obsessing over “overhead” percentages. By integrating social impact into everyday operations, you’ll build goodwill, empower communities, and prove that doing good is also good business.
💌 Keep Filtering Together!
- 🗣 Got a question or topic suggestion? Email us at [email protected] or join the conversation on our Discord server.
- 📱 Follow us on Instagram for bonus content, behind-the-scenes moments, and updates on upcoming episodes.
Stay generous—and keep filtering out the noise to find what truly matters.
Pod #7 - Beyond the Beat: Music Notes & Anecdotes
Shownotes
🎧 Welcome to the Filter Feeders' House of Music: Where Frequencies Meet Philosophy
🌐 Reads, Feeds, and everything you need at filterfeeders.fyi 🎙 Episode Summary Ah, music. The one thing that unites us all—except when it comes to deciding what to play on a road trip. In this episode of Filter Feeders, Ollie & Vinny take a deep dive into the science, psychology, and downright weirdness of music. Why do certain harmonies hit us like an emotional freight train, while others flop like a wet noodle? Can music be a universal language, or is Vinny still going to pretend he enjoys polka remixes? Why does Barry White make us feel things we shouldn’t discuss in polite company? From the physics of sound waves to why ancient humans started banging on stuff, we’re unpacking why music moves, soothes, and occasionally confuses us.
🎧 Episode Highlights ⏳ [07:16–20:34] 🎼 The Science of Sound – Music is just organised noise? ⏳ [20:31–32:45] 🎤 Cultural Differences in Music – Is there really an appropriate time for accordion polka? ⏳ [32:46–40:15] 🔥 Why Music Gives Us Chills – That moment when a song hits so hard your spine briefly enters another dimension. ⏳ [48:01–53:20] 🎵 Personality & Music Taste – Does liking jazz make you sophisticated, or just someone who claps at the wrong time? ⏳ [53:21–End] 🎙 Don't listen to this bit Spotify & some "Real" Fan Engagement. 🔗 Delve Deeper 🧠 Music Psychology with Dr. Victoria Williamson – Unlock the symphony inside your skull with Dr. Victoria Williamson's Music Psychology blog. 🎶 Harmony Explained - A new scientific look at untangling why music is...well... music. 🗝 Key Takeaway Music isn’t just sound—it’s a current you step into, something that pulls you along whether you want it to or not. It’s the bass rattling through the floorboards, the off-key wail of a karaoke mic at closing time, the lonely whale singing into an ocean that doesn’t understand. It’s wired into everything, stitched through memories, through time, through the spaces between words when words won’t do. A drumbeat, a chord change, the scratch of a worn-out record—it’s all there, humming in the background, waiting for you to notice.🎤✨ 📢 Calls to Action 🔗 Join our Discord: Filter Feeders community debates get heated and nobody agrees on a playlist. 📩 Email us: [email protected] – for sharing thoughts (and playlists). 🌎 Website: https://filterfeeders.fyi/ – it won’t play music, but it might change your life. ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? Rate us 5 stars on your Podcast app... or at least leave a review explaining why polka deserves more love. 🎙⭐