Two ex-special operations guys armed with MBAs seek out people leading lives less ordinary, in order to find out how they fill their ‘unforgiving minutes’, and what helps them go, always, a little further. Like intellectual bowerbirds, we collect shiny little objects of knowledge that will help build better humans. Co-hosted by Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis.
Episodes
Wednesday Jun 05, 2019
Wednesday Jun 05, 2019
Welcome to the RV!
In this RV we reflect on the episode with Matt Hall, Ex RAAF F18 Fighter Pilot and now Red Bull Air Race Pilot.
We discuss feedback we have received about the episode on 'the 2nd Battlefield' (of Business!) And the application of the Principles of War on the battlefields of business.
Then, some more information on Richard Thaler and Supposedly Irrelevant Factors (SIFs).....eg: Why we continue to eat dessert when we are not hungry!? ..... And why we travel to buy running shoes but not a car!?
Why we should avoiding simplification and also be comfortable with being imprecise.
Lastly, we talk recent travel to Washington DC (Ben) and Ho Chi Minh City (Tim). What's going on in those places.
AND, music from the Externals to finish.
Don't forget to fill you unforgiving minute today!
Thanks for listening!
Thursday May 30, 2019
Thursday May 30, 2019
Matt Hall has been described as the ‘best pilot on the planet’. Could you make precision decisions while travelling at 450 km/h and pulling 12G. Matt does .... routinely.
Matt is an ex Air Force F-18 Hornet Pilot and Fighter Combat Instructor and is now a Red Bull Air Racer. He is an elite athlete, business owner and father.
In this episode, Ben and Tim discuss Matt’s flying history, including in the F-18 Hornet and also with the US Air Force on combat operations in an F-15 Eagle. We discuss why Matt left behind his Air Force Fighter Combat Instructor career and how & why he got into being a Red Bull Air Race pilot.
The Red Bull Air Race is the Formula 1 of flying. It features the world’s best pilots in the world's fastest motorsport competition that combines speed, precision and skill. Using the fastest, most agile, lightweight race planes, the pilots hit speeds of over 400km/h while enduring forces of up to 12G as they navigate a low level slalom track marked by 25-metre-high, air-filled pylons.
And what about teamwork in the individual sport of Red Bull air racing? Matt discusses that too.
Hang on to your seats…. This episode will take you over the edge of what is known about human performance.
Amazing!
Intelligence Summary (INTSUM)
- 2:20- Ben’s Audio Association Game for Matt
- 4:20- Matt’s early flying days
- 6:10- Matt’s total hours…. And why that doesn’t matter! (take note: Malcolm Gladwell)
- 9:20- Into Air Force…. Habit Patterns and Flying Training
- 10:55- Matt’s Air Force Resume….. Is he just a natural?
- 12:20- About the Air Force’s Fighter Course
- 15:00- Matt on thinking faster than the jet is moving
- 17:10- Matt on transitioning out of being an Air Force Fighter Pilot
- 19:20- What is Red Bull Air Racing?
- 20:20- About the Red Bull Aircraft
- 22:10- Comparing Formula 1 Cars, F18 Hornets and Red Bull Aircraft
- 22:51- How important is teamwork?
- 25:00- Flying, risk and danger
- 26:40- Matt on having a wing strike during a race. And here’s the footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkwKqD9ylLo
- 28:30- Matt’s parachuting career
- 29:20- How Matt deals with failure
- 33:00- On routine.
- 37:40- The toll on the body as an elite pilot (athlete)
- 39:10- What’s needed to get to the top of the Red Bull Air race podium
- 40:15- Matt on ‘Luck’
- 41:20- What keeps Matt grounded?
- 43:00- What makes Matt go always a little further?
Sunday May 26, 2019
Sunday May 26, 2019
Business is a brutal battlefield.
For Ben and Tim it’s their second battlefield.
In an episode requested by listeners, Ben and Tim reach deep into their camouflaged knowledge banks all the way back to their time at the ‘College of Knowledge’ (The Royal Military College (RMC)) – as they take a look at the applicability of the Principles of War to the corporate environment.
As is mandatory for all lessons at RMC, they outline some Carl von Clausewitz theories before examining each of the ten Principles of War and how they can assist the campaigns we now mount on the ‘second battlefield’ – the cutthroat and unforgiving world of business.
As a special bonus, we even throw in an eleventh, unsanctioned (but, we think, very relevant) Principle of War.
And along the way, we suffer through Ben misquoting numerous dead generals and failing miserably in his attempt to recite the Role of the Infantry.
Enjoy!
Intelligence Summary (INTSUM)
1:28 – Some fun facts on Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831) can be found here: https://www.clausewitz.com/mobile/faqs.htm
6:42 – Ben unsuccessfully tries to demonstrate knowledge. The correct reference was Horst Ritter and Melvin Webber coined the phrase ‘wicked problems’ in 1973, in their seminal work Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning. Sounds dry, but it’s actually a great read: http://www.sympoetic.net/Managing_Complexity/complexity_files/1973%20Rittel%20and%20Webber%20Wicked%20Problems.pdf
9:00 – Richard Thaler was the 2017 recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Science for his research into behavioural economics: https://www.chicagobooth.edu/faculty/directory/t/richard-h-thaler
20:41 – Ben is pretty much wrong again. Von Moltke was a student of Clausewitz rather than a peer….
27:39 – William H. McRaven, Spec Ops: Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare: Theory and Practice. A precis of the key concepts McRaven proposes in this book is contained here: https://www.amazon.com/Spec-Ops-Studies-Operations-Practice/dp/0891416005
28:13 – The Australian 2ndCommando Regiment’s motto is ‘Foras Admonitio’, Latin for ‘Without Warning’: https://www.army.gov.au/our-people/units/special-operations-command/2nd-commando-regiment
31:36 – More information on Robert Heinleincan be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_A._Heinlein
32:49 – Again, Ben throws out another half-cocked, only semi-correct reference – it was actually General Omar Bradley who said ‘Amateurs talk tactics. Professionals talk logistics’
Thursday May 16, 2019
Thursday May 16, 2019
Welcome to RV6!
In this RV we reflect on the Tale of Two Andrews.... our interview with two federal politicians but NOT talking politics.
Then, we discuss the hidden aspects of the interview with original SAS band, The Externals. It is clearly more than beer and hard rock. What did they do when faced with a horrendous review from a music critic? How important were they to the SAS culture?
Then a listener's analogy of learning to drive v learning to lead. Do you like it? Do you agree?
How about a question on grand strategy?..... Do we/ would we ever question the government's decision to deploy the SAS. Are they always right?
Why doesn't the business world use the word 'honour'?
And lastly, that the SAS motto 'Who Dares Wins' seems reckless!
Bookmarks
00:43- Reflections on The Tale of Two Andrews... two politicians, no politics
04:14- Reflections on The Externals.... Who Sings Wins.
09:10- Influence of The Externals music on Ben and Tim.
11:30- Leadership is like driving (an analogy)
14:25- What is the leadership simulator ?
16:09- On 360 degrees of leadership learning
18:16- A question on grand strategy ... do we/ should we question government decisions?
20:30- The Charge of the Light Brigade: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45319/the-charge-of-the-light-brigade
20:50- Dark Victory, Wilkinson and Marr: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/academic-professional/politics-government/Dark-Victory-David-Marr-and-Marian-Wilkinson-9781741144475
22:05- Honour and Mottos .... Honour v Integrity.... why doesn't the business world use the word 'honour'.
25:55- The SAS motto 'Who Dares Wins' seems reckless.
32:00 - Our short story about The Externals song, 'I Don't Believe It'
From 33:34- Song... 'I Don't Believe It' by The Externals
Tuesday May 14, 2019
Tuesday May 14, 2019
This is the unique story and music of the original Special Air Service (SAS) rock band, ‘The Externals’.
MUSIC REVIEW
“Do not ever, ever, ever go see this band unless your IQ is lower than the entrance price’- David Coggin's music review on The Externals
DISCLAIMER
We recommend disengagement of brain prior to listening. Just sit back and enjoy the ripping yarn and great music of The Externals.
CAUTION
Numerous references to beer and rock and roll.
WARNING
May insult those who like to wear cardigans and/ or listen to pop music.
The Story (So Far)…….. Formed in 1991, The Externals were full time SAS soldiers who used the band as an outlet from their high pressure work in the SAS. The idea for the band was born during a SAS interrogation course and the band grew to playing most major Australian festivals, opening to iconic Australian bands and also being profiled on Triple J Unearthed.
Over time they realised, that The Externals were more than that- they became part of the rich tapestry of the SAS. Assisting during times of tragedy, including the mass fatality event of the Blackhawk disaster in 1996. They have inspired SAS operators preparing for dangerous tasks and missions.
The band played regularly at the Hotel with many sold out performances to manic crowds of beer and sweat drenched surfers and soldiers in search of the 'four on the floor' style guitar charged rock music the band passionately played. The Externals still hold the record attendance numbers for a local Perth Band’s record release to this date.
Show Notes
-1:20 : Inspired by their SAS interrogation course – How to start a rock band!
- 06:00: Shaky starts
- 07:40 : Ben’s story about ‘I Don’t Believe It’…. The SAS theme song that inspired us to do SAS Selection Course!
- 12:10: If the Swanbourne Hotel could tell a story!?
- 20:38: The story of ‘Dick Dale’… who was caught stealing beer from The Externals esky!
- 24:39: Moff’s story of ‘The Edge of the World’… and why it’s special to him
- 28:03: Talking about the mortal (fictitious) enemy of The Externals- The Cardigans!
- 34:35: Opening to Powderfinger…. How to shock a crowd!
- 40:00: Who The Externals would invite to their dinner party- living or dead
- 43:10: Favourite Externals tracks
- 46:55: The latest album ‘Bushranger Rock’- breaking paradigms
- 50:55: What inspired ‘US Radio’ … and other aligned stories
- 54:40: Does Ben have sex appeal and stage presence? But more importantly…. the story of being inspired to do SAS selection by The Externals music on an SAS promotional video!
- From 56:00: The importance of The Externals in getting the Unit through tough times
- 59:20: The Externals music inspiring operators while preparing for missions
- 1:01:15: The future of The Externals….
Albums
- Dog Beach -- 1993 (4 track EP) • Anastasia's Hand -- 1994 (4 track EP) • Toolshed -- 1996 (album produced by The Celibate Rifles' Kent Steedman) • Sale -- 1999 (album) – Bushranger Rock—2018
*The Externals music is available on Spotify
References
-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxY0jxi9l1Zdcob6Wed-qFg
- Odd Screen Printing…. Exclusive purveyor of The Externals merchandise: http://www.oddscreenprinting.com.au
Saturday May 04, 2019
Saturday May 04, 2019
In this split episode, we interview both Andrew Hastie, MP (Liberal) and Andrew Leigh, MP (Labor). We communally discuss everything from Shakespeare, regional security, economics and distance running. But no politics under fear of push-up punishments!
With the Australian Federal Election looming, two of our sitting members were kind enough to take a few minutes off the campaign trail to chat with us in this special double episode.
In Part B. Andrew Leigh is a lawyer, an economist, a published author and a podcast host – his outstanding show, The Good Life: Andrew Leigh in Conversationhas been running for over 85 episodes. He also has a PhD in Public Policy from the Kennedy School at Harvard and is an accomplished distance runner, capable of completing a marathon averaging sub-four-minute kilometres. Andrew has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2010, and is representing the seat of Fenner in the ACT, as part of the Australian Labor Party.
Intelligence Summary (INTSUM)- Part B – Andrew Leigh, MP (Labor)
2:38 – The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG - https://www.michaelkirby.com.au/
4:15 – Richard Thaler, winner of the 2017 Nobel Prize for economics, for his work in behavioural economics - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Thaler
4:39 – Daniel Kahneman, winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize for economics - https://kahneman.socialpsychology.org/
5:55 – Boaty McBoatface was the winner in an online poll to name a new polar research vessel (the vessel was subsequently named the RRS Sir David Attenborough
5:57 – The same thing then happened with an Australian ferry, which was later renamed after children’s author May Gibbs - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-30/ferry-mcferryface-to-be-renamed-to-may-gibbs/9375688
8:25 – Andrew’s book Choosing Openness
11:50 – Harvard Kennedy School - https://www.hks.harvard.edu/
18:38 - Andrew’s book Prince’s New Clothes
21:00 – Thomas Friedman’s book Thank You for Being Late
33:03 – ‘La Volupté’, taken from Jean Bobet’s Tomorrow We Ride
33:40 – Tim Winton’s Shepherd’s Hut
34:22 – Dava Sobel’s Longitude
34:23 – David Hunt’s True Girt
34:44 – Podcasts – Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History, Against the Rules with Michael Lewis, David Madden’sRevolution of Necessity
41:52 - Ronald Heifetz, The Practice of Adaptive Leadership
42:30 – The importance of fostering a ‘safe’ environment and of mentoring
43:50 – Andrew’s definition of happiness
46:35 – Walter Pater - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Pater
49:20 – Martha Nussbaum - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Nussbaum
References
The Good Life: Andrew Leigh in Conversation - https://goodlifepodcast.podbean.com/
About Andrew Leigh
http://www.andrewleigh.com/andrew
Saturday May 04, 2019
Saturday May 04, 2019
In this split episode, we interview both Andrew Hastie, MP (Liberal) and Andrew Leigh, MP (Labor). We communally discuss everything from Shakespeare, regional security, economics and distance running. But no politics under fear of push-up punishments!
With the Australian Federal Election looming, two of our sitting members were kind enough to take a few minutes off the campaign trail to chat with us in this special double episode.
In Part A. Andrew Hastie is the Member for Canning, Western Australia. He grew up in Wangaratta and then Sydney before joining the Army and graduating from the Royal Military College as a Cavalry Officer. Andrew then successfully completed Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment selection and served with the unit for a number of years, including deployments to Papua New Guinea, Jordan and multiple tours of Afghanistan. A member of the Liberal Party, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2015 and has served there ever since.
Intelligence Summary (INTSUM)- Part A – Andrew Hastie, MP (Liberal)
8:10 – Andrew Hastie as ‘Candidate 10’, SBS Documentary- SAS The Search for Warriors
18:15- Andrew on democracy
20:30- Senator Ben Sasse (US) and how to beat confirmation bias
21:30- Which is more brutal- the military battlefield or the political battlefield?
22:15- Hastie cites Hemingway … on defeat
23:35- A day in the life of Andrew Hastie in Canberra
24:31- Reading P.G. Wodehouse. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._G._Wodehouse
26:15- On staying present and focussed and family
27:27- Andrew on combatting the negative image of politicians
31:04- Andrew Roberts, Winston Churchill Biography: https://www.booktopia.com.au/churchill-andrew-roberts/prod9780241205631.html?source=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3LLDvpP_4QIVSSQrCh1wAAvPEAQYASABEgLJgPD_BwE
34:15- India’s demand for clean energy: DFAT Report: https://dfat.gov.au/geo/india/ies/chapter-7.html
37:45- Andrew recommends a piece of literature
38:20- On Prisoners learning Shakespeare: https://theconversation.com/bard-labour-doing-time-with-the-shakespeare-prison-project-26515
39:27- Andrew recites Shakespeare’s MacBeth
40:29- Andrew looks out the window in 50 year’s time… what does he see?
41:35- Andrew’s advice for someone wanting to get into politics.
42:10- Andrew on Rudyard Kipling’s, IF
About Andrew Hastie:
https://www.andrewhastie.com.au
Wednesday May 01, 2019
Wednesday May 01, 2019
A Special Episode with thanks to Life on the Line Podcast ... Ben and Tim were interviewed by Alex Lloyd at LOTL. They discuss SAS leadership, the high profile seizing of the North Korean drug Ship - the MV PONG SU - and leadership in business.
Please check out 'Life on the Line' Podcast .... to hear far more inspirational and interesting guests than our co-hosts!
Monday Apr 29, 2019
Monday Apr 29, 2019
Reflections on the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the SAS Regiment. Reflections on the interview of Ben and Tim on the Life on the Line Podcast. Reflections on the episodes with Sabine Bird, Simon Bailey and Leanne Barron.... and Questions from Listeners.
Chapters
- 1:40. On ANZAC Day at the SAS Dawn Service.
- 09:30. Reflections on Ben and Tim's interview on Life on the Line Podcast
- 13:23. Reflections on Sabine Bird.... world record endurance cyclist.
- 16:28. Reflections on Simon Bailey.... ordering your life.
- 19:15. Reflections on Leanne Barron ... when home is a battlefield. Combatting domestic violence.
- 24:40. Questions from Listeners.
- The place of 'wellbeing' in a mission statement?
- What to do when a resident fitness professional isn't given direction/ guidance inside an organisation?
-34:40. End Music- 'Love Is' by The Externals
Thursday Apr 25, 2019
Thursday Apr 25, 2019
Every two minutes, Australian police respond to a case of domestic violence; a nationwide problem costing the economy an estimated $22bn each year. Many of us would find these figures shocking – partly because domestic violence is a problem that is not often spoken about.
Our guest this week not only knows about the magnitude of this problem but has dedicated her life to doing something about it. Leanne Barron is the CEO of Starick, a charity supporting women and children who are escaping domestic and family violence. Leanne shares her perspectives on the amazing work that her team are doing, the cultural and inter-generational factors within domestic violence, how to care for the carers and the importance of ukulele song-writing as a creative outlet!
Intelligence Summary (INTSUM)
1:45 – Leanne’s background and Starick
7:15 – The history of Henrietta Starick, a midwife and pioneer in domestic violence support in the interwar years
10:35 – A little about the Starick workforce
14:15 – The impact of domestic violence on children
15:22 – The importance of positive male role models, including mentoring programs
17:10 – Who cares for the carers?
23:29 – Reference to 2015 Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, likening domestic violence to terrorism - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-26/family-violence-likened-to-terrorism-by-rosie-batty/6976896
25:00 – On victimhood, survivalism and resilience
26:50 – Financial abuse
27:45 – The importance of mindfulness
30:44 – The role of police
34:00 – Potential early warning signs of domestic violence
35:10 – Success stories from DV survivors
37:45 – Leanne’s definition of 'happiness'
40:30 – The importance of a creative outlet
42:45 – The future for Starick
45:00 – What should you do if you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence? (See useful numbers below)
46:20 – What should you do if you are using domestic violence? (See useful numbers below)
47:00 – How to help Starick
References
Starick - https://www.starick.org.au/
White Ribbon - https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/
Where to get help - https://www.starick.org.au/useful-numbers/