Join Captain Michelle Huntington and Guy 'The Clown' Newman as they dive into the mind-blowing world of gut health and mental wellbeing.

After discovering "The Psychobiotic Revolution" by Scott Anderson with Dr John Cryan and Dr Ted Dinan, Guy can't contain his excitement about the fascinating connections between what we eat and how we feel.

Through hilarious personal stories about dairy disasters, gluten mishaps, and ice cream adventures, our hosts make the cutting-edge science of the gut-brain connection both entertaining and accessible. They explore how our trillions of gut bacteria influence everything from our moods to our memory, and why comfort eating might actually be our microbiota calling the shots.

Whether you're curious about the science behind your food cravings or wondering why chocolate makes you feel better, this episode of Captain and the Clown serves up serious science with a side of laughter.

The duo shares their own experiences with fasting, food intolerances, and the quest for mental clarity, while unpacking how this revolutionary research could change our approach to mental health.

Enjoy!

Guy and Michelle explore the concept of "soft leadership" - not about being soft, but about being more considerate and collaborative. They discuss how this approach, while sometimes seen as less efficient, often yields better results and stronger relationships.

Key Discussion Points:

- Indra Nooyi's (former PepsiCo CEO) journey from a blunt leadership style to a more collaborative approach

- The difference between leadership in structured environments (like aviation) vs everyday situations

- Why collaboration beats dictatorial management in modern leadership

- The power of self-assessment over traditional feedback

Notable Example:

Indra Nooyi's experience at PepsiCo, where she was advised to "be careful about throwing hand grenades" and instead adopt a more collaborative questioning approach.

Practical Leadership Techniques:

1. Building Trust Over Time

- Start collaborative to build trust

- Direct commands become more effective once trust is established

- Relationship building enables occasional directness when needed

2. Coaching vs Mentoring Approach:

- Coaching: Asking questions to help people find their own answers

- Mentoring: Sharing knowledge only after identifying knowledge gaps

- Using "Would it be worth considering..." instead of giving direct orders

3. Self-Assessment Model:

Key questions to ask:

- "How are you going with this?"

- "What's working well?"

- "Would you change anything?"

Real-World Applications:

- Parenting example: Breaking down overwhelming tasks (like cleaning a room) into manageable steps

- Workplace scenario: Building long-term trust enables occasional direct instructions

- Training context: Helping people develop self-awareness and assessment skills

Key Quote:

"Soft leadership isn't soft - it's collaborative and gives people agency."

Takeaway Message:

The episode emphasises that effective leadership isn't about being "soft" - it's about creating psychological safety, building trust, and empowering others to think for themselves. This approach might take more time initially but leads to better outcomes and stronger relationships.

In this episode, Guy and Michelle explore discipline from a fresh perspective - not through the lens of military-style discipline advocated by ex-Navy SEALs, but as an act of self-love and care for your future self.

Key Discussion Points:

- How early experiences in sports and performing arts (Guy in the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Michelle in the Marching Koalas) helped build discipline through commitment to others

- Why discipline equals freedom and how it helps avoid the "slavery" of negative consequences

- The power of creating rules instead of setting goals

- How discipline is ultimately an act of love for your future self

Practical Examples of How Discipline Creates Freedom:

- Completing tasks early prevents the stress of the "urgency trap"

- Healthy eating habits free you from health issues and yo-yo dieting

- Regular exercise builds strength and long-term vitality

- Consistent quality time with loved ones prevents relationship breakdown

- Maintaining friendships prevents future loneliness

Key Concept - Rules vs Goals:

Instead of setting distant goals, create immediate rules:

- "I have a cold shower every morning"

- "I eat things that grow and live"

- "I exercise first thing"

- "I have one glass of wine"

Memorable Quote:

"Discipline is like getting in a time machine, going forward 10, 20, 30, 40 years, and giving that future version of yourself a hug saying, 'Hey, I've got you, mate.'"

Practical Takeaway:

Visualise your future self and consider how today's disciplined actions will benefit them. Rather than viewing discipline as restriction, see it as a gift to your future self - whether that's better health, stronger relationships, or greater freedom from stress.

Building discipline isn't about perfection or military-style rigour, but about consistently making choices that benefit your future self while creating rules that serve you in the present.