Focusing On Failure Despite Lots Of Success

Focusing On Failure Despite Lots Of Success

My brain tends to dwell on failure and quickly disregard success.

In this episode, I share my recent failure (and some successes) and discuss the reasons why it may be the case that we cannot easily move beyond our failings, despite them being insignificant and probably irrelevant to our current life.

I also read It Is Never The Right Time So Stop Stalling & Do It Now, from How To Get Your Shit Together

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I Can’t Tell If I Am Hungry

I Can’t Tell If I Am Hungry

Am I starving or full? What am I actually craving to eat? When should I stop? And why does it feel like love and food are intertwined?

Recovering from trauma is a long and complex. My current, and longest, battle is around re-establishing the mind-body connection. I want to be know what I am feeling and what those feelings actually mean.

To do this I will be counting-calories. Not to lose weight, but to teach myself what the feelings that arise actually mean - without the added fear, anxiety and ignorance. Please help me to stay on track with this!

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The Problem With Labels - On Gender Identity, Mental Health, & Race

The Problem With Labels - On Gender Identity, Mental Health, & Race

Who and what I am cannot be condensed into a label. What is a diagnosis other than a collection of symptoms?

In this episode I talk about my experiences with mental illness and gender identity, and how the attempt to fit a label can have detrimental consequences…

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Embracing The Irrational Mind

Embracing The Irrational Mind

How much of our decision making process is a function of the unconscious mind? How many of our choices are rationally justified after the fact? Join me for an investigation into the workings of the mind and consider if we are fated to do as we do.

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Do You Love Me, Or Just The Idea Of Me?

Do You Love Me, Or Just The Idea Of Me?

In this episode I discuss the impact of over-analysing emotions of others and how excessively reading into tone/facial expressions/word choice can lead to the exact opposite outcomes from what was intended.

I also discuss my positive experiences with the initial stages of EMDR…

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Stepping Into The Future While Running From The Past

Stepping Into The Future While Running From The Past

Why does growth feel like escaping from quicksand? In this episode I discuss some of the new projects I am working on, and the impact of taking these steps is having on my mental state.

Growth is both my goal and a necessity, but that just adds to the pressure. Thus the risk of failure is increased.

Trigger warning on the introductory poem.

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Finding Peace In The Present Moment - Talk & Guided Meditation

Finding Peace In The Present Moment - Talk & Guided Meditation

Embrace the present moment with this guided mindfulness meditation.

Our goal isn’t to ‘empty our mind’ or ‘attain bliss’. Our goal isn’t to do anything, other than returning our focus back to the breath.

With a focused mind we can then explore the wonder of the universe, both inner and outer.

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A Unique Approach To Coaching & How You Can Hire Me

A Unique Approach To Coaching & How You Can Hire Me

A unique approach to coaching and how you can hire me.

This is just a short message to inform you of the coaching options that I now have available should you want them!

It would be a pay what you can/what you think it’s worth model.

Hit me up on social @zacpphillips or email: zac@zachary-phillips.com for more information and to get started.

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Talking About Suicide Ideation *trigger warning*

Talking About Suicide Ideation *trigger warning*

A follower asked me to share my experiences of suicide ideation. This podcast is my response, hopefully it helps them, and you to heal, grow, recover and connect.

Mental illness is both invisible and insidious. Perhaps the reason we lose so so many to suicide and addiction; those suffering will do anything to end it, other than reach out that is.

So please, check on your friends. Even the strong ones. Especially if you notice a change, and even if you don’t.

Trust your intuition and risk an awkward conversation. Because doing so may avoid having to endure the worst phone call of your life.

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Explaining The Paradox Of Dissociation

Explaining The Paradox Of Dissociation

How can you pin down a feeling of unreality? When even the act of focusing causes you to drift?

In this episode I attempt to explain the reality of dissociation from within the condition. Obviously this is somewhat of a paradox, but through poetry and introspection I hope to explain the state of my mind…

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Fever Dreams & The Problem of Connecting With 'Society'

Fever Dreams & The Problem of Connecting With 'Society'

COVID fever dreams are wild!

In this episode I discuss how stories impact our ability to connect with our lives in a meaningful way, as well as the impact of dissociative identity disorders have on connection to the self and society at large…

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Forced Isolation, Subjective Morality, & Introspecting on Intention

Forced Isolation, Subjective Morality, & Introspecting on Intention

My thoughts as I enter into a seven day forced isolation due to my wife contracting COVID.

I discuss how I plan to maintain sanity, the potential silver linings and what I hope to get done.

I also dive into the concept of morality, subjectivity, human fallibility and the issues around forming opinions.

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The Slap That Stopped The World …

The Slap That Stopped The World …

Yes, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock. Yes, it was shocking. But perhaps there are far more shocking and consequential acts of violence occurring as we speak?

Here is my take on the event, as well as a meta discussion of our collective response to it, and the implications of that response.

As I say in the episode, if I am wrong, please enlighten me!

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Paying My Rent, One Poem At A Time

Paying My Rent, One Poem At A Time

Big news, I’m now earning enough from my online work to pay the rent. That’s right, my poems are paying the bills baby!

Breaking this milestone came as somewhat of a surprise. Given that I have multiple sources of income, it took until tax time for me to do the math, and realise that I had, after five years, in-fact ‘made it’.

True, I’m not living off my work, I’m not uber wealthy or well known, but the fact remains, the rent is paid, and next year is looking even better.

It’s with this in mind that I wanted to give you a rundown of my approach. What follows are the techniques, strategies, and mindsets that I am currently employing…

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Perhaps You Shouldn't Listen To This Episode

Perhaps You Shouldn't Listen To This Episode

One of the benefits of this podcast is that I can talk freely, using this medium as a form of therapy.

If you are interested in listening to me break down my woes and come to some semblance of sanity, perhaps take a listen. But be warned, I am offloading my issues here, not providing solutions.

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Ughhhhh! - Chaos, Confusion, War & Worries

Ughhhhh! - Chaos, Confusion, War & Worries

It feels like the world is in utter chaos right now. War, pandemic, scandals, corruption, and hypocrisy are rampant. We have more information than we need, and little ability to impact anything.

In this episode I discuss my response to recent events, highlighting how I am attempting to stay sane during it all.

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