Sketchplanations - The Podcast

The Virtuous Cycle of Exercise & Sleep

Here on the podcast, we love our exercise and we love our sleep so in this summer break, check-in mini-episode, we discuss the interconnectedness of exercise and sleep, citing Novak Djokovic's book 'Serve to Win' as an influential source. While Tom shares his typical experience of staying active during holidays, Robbie bemoans the challenges of getting good sleep with young children, and Jono explores how his smart watch monitors his sleep and activity levels. In keeping with the holiday theme we also share tips for keeping kids entertained on long road trips.We'll be back with regular episodes in August.Until then, Go well, stay well and vacay well.In this mini-episode, we reference a previous podcast episode:Sharpen The Saw previous podcast episodeEpisode Summary00:00 Introduction and Summer Break Announcement00:35 The Virtuous Cycle of Exercise and Sleep01:39 Personal Experiences with Exercise and Sleep03:53 The Importance of Sleep on general wellbeing09:12 Keeping Kids Entertained on Long Trips11:23 Conclusion and FarewellAll music on the podcast series is provided by the hugely talented Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yes Sayers & No Sayers

This time we explore whether it is better to generally say 'yes' or 'no' in various situations, and how each choice can offer distinct rewards. The conversation is framed by a quote from improvisation expert Keith Johnston, which asserts, 'Yes Sayers are rewarded by adventure and No Sayers are rewarded by safety.' The hosts consider personal anecdotes, the impact of these attitudes on careers, social settings, and mental well-being. They also touch on tools for making these decisions, such as the Eisenhower Matrix and the 'Hell Yes or Hell No' philosophy. The episode emphasizes the value of appreciating one's decisions, whether they lead to adventure or provide comfort and security.Here are links to a bunch of stuff we discuss in case you fancy reading a bit more about them:We reference a number of previous podcast episodes including: The Fun Scale, The Awkwardness Vortex, Finishing Lines, and Microadventures. Jono's sketch "Notice When You're Happy" and on "The Eisenhower Matrix"Improv Wisdom by Patricia Ryan MadsonDanny Wallace's book Yes ManDerek Sivers - The Hell Yes or Hell No philosophy and a video explaining the concept of The First Follower.Episode Summary00:00 Introduction and Hosts00:28 This Week's Sketch: Yes Sayers and No Sayers01:07 Exploring the Sketch03:45 Personal Reflections on Yes and No05:27 Social Dynamics of Yes and No19:44 Career Perspectives on Yes and No23:43 The Power of Saying No in Business25:01 The Benefits of Saying No25:45 The Adventure of Saying Yes26:34 Balancing Yes and No in Life30:17 Regrets of Not Saying Yes31:54 The Yes Man Experiment by Danny Wallace38:19 Deciding When to Say Yes or No41:55 Final Thoughts on Yes and NoAll music on this podcast series is provided by the highly talented Franc Cinelli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Awkwardness Vortex with Melissa Dahl

Have you ever found yourself spiralling uncontrollably downwards in the "awkwardness vortex"? 🤔 Tune in to our latest podcast episode where we chat with celebrated science journalist Melissa Dahl about conquering those cringe-worthy moments and how awkwardness might just be a sign of empathy! This sketch is exclusive to the Sketchplanations Book : Big Ideas, Little Pictures - so check that out if you'd like to see this sketch in full (as well as number of other exclusive sketches). Melissa is a science journalist, specialising in Psychology, Health and Lifestyle, and author of the very well received book Cringeworthy: A Theory of Awkwardness.The conversation delves into retrospectively amusing personal experiences of social awkwardness, the psychological aspects behind it, and offers insights on how to manage and embrace these uncomfortable moments. Key tactics include focusing outside oneself, reappraising anxiety as excitement, and appreciating awkwardness as a sign of empathy. Melissa reflects on how researching awkwardness has changed her perspective, highlighting the growth and connection that can come from embracing this very human emotion. Melissa also shares how awkwardness can have a positive side, signalling empathy and social awareness. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that will have you rethinking your relationship with awkwardness.Here are links to a bunch of stuff we discuss in case you fancy reading a bit more about them:Barry Schwarz - Author of The Paradox of Choice : Why Less is More. Examples of the hugely effective End The Awkward campaign from Scope (a disability equality charity in England and Wales). Don’t Fill The Silence podcast episodeFront Stage / Back Stage podcast episodeEpisode Summary00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:51 Exploring the Awkwardness Vortex02:51 Personal Experiences of Awkwardness05:51 The Science Behind Awkwardness08:49 Practical Tips to Overcome Awkwardness22:23 Awkwardness in Media and Comedy25:06 Exploring Empathy and Awkwardness25:41 The Science Behind Secondhand Embarrassment26:30 Empathy Spectrum and Social Interactions29:25 Awkwardness in Media and Society31:33 Cringe Mountain and Overcoming Embarrassment34:37 The Irreconcilable Gap and Self-Perception36:58 The Power of Awkward Silences39:16 Growth Through Awkwardness43:45 Final Thoughts and Upcoming ProjectsAll music on this podcast series is provided by the highly talented Franc Cinelli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zanclean Megaflood

We discuss the Zanclean Megaflood, a massive flood event that filled the Mediterranean Sea in a remarkably short period. The episode dives into the geological events and evidence leading up to this flood, challenging the earlier gradualist theories and promoting a catastrophic model.We are joined by Mike Sowden, whose engaging Twitter thread about the Zanclean Megaflood reached over 10 million people. Sowden, a travel writer and science communicator, shares insights on his curiosity-driven approach to science writing and storytelling. They explore other massive geological events, the nature of scientific discovery, and the human stories behind scientific advancements.The episode is filled with fascinating facts, storytelling techniques, and a deep appreciation for the wonders of our planet.If you want to find out more about certain topics that come up, you can try these:Julian May Sci-Fi books.Roland Emmerich disaster films.Previous Al Humphreys and Brendan Leonard podcast episodes.Missoula Floods in the USA.Episode Summary00:00 Introduction and Hosts00:45 Introducing the ZanClean Megaflood01:43 Special Guest: Mike Sowden03:01 Mike Sowden's Journey and Writing Style07:29 The ZanClean Megaflood: Geological Background12:55 The Catastrophic Flood Event17:25 Speculations and Analogies22:33 Doggerland and Other Historical Floods23:43 The Storegga Slide and Doggerland Tsunamis24:45 Dating the Storegga Slide25:06 The Zanclean Megaflood27:23 The Role of Storytelling in Science Communication32:23 The Human Element in Engineering34:30 The Fascination with Scientists' Obsessions40:54 Geological Events and Their Impact45:53 The Process of Science Writing50:42 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsAll music on this podcast series is provided by the highly talented Franc Cinelli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Picking A Present

This time, we delve into the complexities of choosing the perfect gift. The discussion is framed around a Venn diagram Sketchplanation that identifies three key factors in gift selection: what the recipient actually likes, what you think they like, and what you think they ought to like. We share personal anecdotes about both successful and less successful gifts we've given and received, emphasising the emotional aspects of gift-giving for both the giver and the recipient. We also touch on practical gift-giving strategies, such as buying from registries, focusing on useful and consumable items, and considering the recipient's values. The episode also addresses the challenges of buying gifts for individuals who have seemingly everything, and the importance of shared experiences in gift giving. And we invite you to share your own gift-giving experiences and tips, aiming to provide food for thought for anyone looking to improve their gift-giving skills.NB. In the podcast we reference how old this sketch is and that it was one of the first Jono did out of a collection that's now nearing 1000. Jono also suggested he might upgrade the sketch, which of course he has which is what you see as the artwork now. He's kept the original however, and you can see it here if you like. 00:00 Introduction to Gift Giving00:52 Welcome to Sketchplanations Podcast02:32 Exploring the Sketch: Picking a Present03:23 The Venn Diagram of Gift Giving06:50 Personal Experiences with Gift Giving16:18 The Art of Giving Useful Gifts20:15 Wedding Registry Dilemmas24:42 The Worst Gifts Ever Given26:15 Go-To Thank You Gifts27:53 The "Olive Oil" Story30:10 The Hunter-Gatherer Instinct in Gift Giving34:18 Challenges of Buying Gifts for Dads38:33 Designing Gifts for Others43:01 The Greatest Gift Ever Given45:10 Reflections on Gift GivingAll music on this podcast series is provided by Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.