Doing The Stuff

This week Mark and Andy head into metaphor-land to answer the question: What’s stopping you from growing? It seems that worn out tires, herniated discs and life fatigue could have one really important thing in common...

It's sometimes a woolly topic, but personal growth is a thing. So how do you do it?How do you measure it? Why is it important? Emotionally, spiritually, physically, education...ally? We're all going to have different ways we grow best, but becoming more and more into the person God has made us is part of what we're called to. Mark and Andy talk about the different types of growth, why failure can lead to growth, listening to 800 audiobooks, and of course growing around the middle.

If there's any lesson to be learned from Star Wars (and believe us, there's many) it's that there's something special about the 'high ground'. Higher ground has an advantage and gives perspective. We've heard of course of someone having a moral high ground. But sometimes it feels as though the world has the high ground over us.... We can feel defeated, overcome, and vulnerable, without any way forward. Should we jump? Can we? I can't leave my current job because I don't have the skills for the one I want. I'd like to do this, but what's the point if there's someone better than me? Mark and Andy talk high and low ground, where to sit at a feast in a yurt and lessons to be learnt from Jesus, crucified on a hill.

Most people would say they'd rather do anything else than public speaking, but sometimes we're up on stages that may not always look like one. Let's face it, we're not all Bono. Maybe it's in a family or work setting. A platform on the internet, an expression of creativity or position of authority. Where is your voice and influence heard? And what should you do with that? Perhaps it's because Mark has been crutch-ridden with a busted ankle, he's been thinking back on his trip to America which culminated in a U2 concert. Andy's been talking to his kids about being famous... How do we use the stage, that is our life? Do we hold back, afraid it might not work out, not one hundred percent confident of the foundation which we are on? Andy and Mark talk about how to steward the stage well, setting out to do what we've been called for - taking example from the King who took the cross, rather than crown.

Mark and Andy are out this week, so let's take a look in the pool room, for an episode from last year... We’re back in the studio for round two and this time Andy’s wearing headphones. On the table is a biggie: what really bugs us about getting older? Many of us have life goals, to-do lists, and milestones we’ve missed. It might be that you didn’t join a rock-band, haven’t travelled or haven’t met that special someone. They’re overt, and sometimes subconscious, expectations we have when reviewing life’s journey. So what’s our response. Shame, or guilt? Can we escape feelings of comparison and regret? And what do Kazak dentists and desert stranded sea-lions have in common? We’ve got a few suggestions: focus on grieving well, and not doing this life thing on your own.

There is stuff driving us like a golf club. A lot of it we actually don't have much visibility over - it's underground. Our motives, our fears… Buried under busyness and perhaps our aspirations… Mark and Andy are talking that stuff: the subterranean agenda we all carry. It can be lethally hidden but what if it's uncovered? How does that happen and how will you look it in the eye?

The American road-trip of Doing the Stuff continues. A conversation in a park in San Francisco sparks a chat about fear and what to do about it. Confidence may well be fear’s opposite. But confidence in what?

Mark’s in America. Andy’s in Australia. A new report on belief in Australia suggests that for more than 1.5 million people a Christian is as far from relationship with them as America is from Australia. 45% of adults don’t talk about religion, yet the main prompt for people to think about religion is through conversation. How did we get here? How do we change?

Hurling opinions at each other can become more than a pastime in this day of trolls and angry middle-aged men. Yet that impulse to speak up is good. Mark and Andy put on their paracletes and talk advocacy. It’s that noble calling that brings out the best and brightest bits of our humanity. But how do you do it right? We reckon there are some particular people in this world waiting for your answer.

You know the feeling. Life gets tough and you want a priest. After all, don’t they have a hotline to Heaven? We love talking to “spiritual” people about our life’s direction or big questions because it’s easy, they’re usually good at listening, and we can avoid the biggie - talking with God Himself. Mark and Andy revisit one of the Bible’s iconic moments when Jerusalem’s temple curtain was torn in two. God busted out of the Holy of Holies, giving us access to Jesus without needing a priest in the middle. The trouble is, we can be tempted to stitch up the curtain again. So, what’s the conversation you’re not having?

Mark and Andy are out this week, so let's take a look in the pool room, for an episode from last year... This one’s for the cynics: Cynicism is easy. Changing culture is far harder. So how is it done? Even from over here in the studio - hey, over here! - Mark and Andrew reckon they can see beyond a culture that disappoints and into something better. More importantly, they can see something lying deeper in you. What’s that you say? Cue that Lion King soundtrack, and let’s get started. We bump into things in our culture that we just don’t like. The way things are done around here is just too ingrained to fix, right? No amount of opinion articles, loud rants or inaudible grumbles work. Cynicism feels superior but we know in our bones it’s hollow. Why? Because we were created to create. So how do we truly change culture? Rather than throw rocks back at the rock-throwers or feed the trolls; culture change comes through creating new culture. Listen in for all this and more - for blessed are the cheesemakers.

Am I allowed to say this, well... No offence, but... What's okay to say? It's good to be mindful of others, but sometimes avoiding offending someone can be like tip-toeing through a minefield. Where does forgiveness fit into all this? Are you still holding on to an occasion when you've been offended? Mark and Andy break down 'offence' of all kinds, and chat where to go from here. Also, listen in to hear about Andy's Russian relationship ending misspeaks.

This world’s a noisy place. And as you suspected, as a constant, it’s not doing you many favours. So we’re talking non-noise. You know, silence. According to studies, it’s got some wildly medicinal benefits. In fact, when you think about your mission this is probably critical. But how do you work it into life? Yes, it may well be time to get those noise cancelling headphones but there’s also the inner chatter. How do you quieten that or should we even try? Sounds unrealistic? Hear Mark - Qualified Busy Person - give his take on it. Spoiler: as a minimum you should probably listen to less podcasts and more Simon and Garfunkel.

As our society pushes harder and harder to fine-tune life, loneliness stares down our best efforts. In fact it’s killing us. Mark and Andy take a look under the hood at the problem of loneliness. It’s a problem that’s not going away and seemingly has the simplest of antidotes. So why can’t we crack it? Maybe it has something to do with what we’re putting on our life dashboard, so to speak. Maybe we should all just be playing a little more ping pong. When the fit hits the shan, who are you going to call? (No, the answer is not Ghostbusters)

Buckle in, because the seatbelt sign is on for this week’s episode of Doing the Stuff. Andy shares (for free!) his ultra-secret strategy to beating the drag of jet lag after long plane trips. Apparently it’s got something to do with circadian rhythms. But if that’s not enough of a draw card, Mark and Andy also coin the phrase... ‘life-lag’. Let the dictionary read: life-lag, the feeling of being out of sync with the world around you. How can we feel present wherever we’re at, rather than being overwhelmed and always needing to catch up on something? It’s very easy to get swept along by external forces, how can we be in more control about our approach to a day?

Identity. Turns out how we think about ourselves has a lot to do with the story you tell about yourself. What’s your life story? How do you tell it?  How much do you edit your life story? Is it okay to leave that bit out?  Does your story go from bad to good? Or do you only see things getting worse...? Is it a story of your own making, or of other things just happening to you? If you believe you’re unable to influence your life story, you may not try and turn things around when things aren’t easy breezy. In the end, what do you have that you didn't receive? Mark and Andy talk about story guilt, self-efficacy, and being part of a larger, more profound story. And that one's all about redemption.

Mark and Andy are out this week, so let's take a look in the pool room, for an episode from last year... Ever listened in on yourself praying? MO is modus operandi - a particular way of doing something. Here, it’s the framework you use to think about God. How you address God might be a good way to start thinking about what your MO is. But the problem is, getting stuck with one MO with God - especially if it's not based on who God really is - puts a big limit on your relationship. We’re putting him in a box. We can get stuck feeling we need to please God - forgetting that the call is instead to put our trust in him. God’s not just our ticket to heaven, he’s not just a loving father, and not just our saviour either. Tune in to Mark and Andy’s chat, as they discover just how compelling it is to be ever learning about God’s character.  

Let’s get down to the serious stuff. Contemporary dads are spending more time with their kids than previous generations. Playing with toys, doing craft, reading and time in the park are all worthy activities - but not scary. Mark and Andy tackle the big question for dads in their middle age - just how far will you go for your kids? What if your daughter or son wants you to, say, dance with them in a ballet studio? With a tutu? Where’s your line? Just how far will you go? Embarrassing dads, listen up, and let us know. Are you letting your kids raise you?

It’s a candid look at personal motivation this week, as Mark finds himself wondering why his energy and drive has apparently disappeared so early in the year. Andy in his helpful response takes us back to reflect on mimetic desire, and being aware of what or who we’re following. It’s challenging to look at what really gets you out of bed? What goals are you chasing, or perhaps what’s holding you back from going further? If, like Mark, you find yourself in February and wondering when you’ll finally hit the ground running in 2017 then listen in for a few clues about what to do next. Here’s a none-too-obvious hint to get you going: what would Jesus do?

Doing the Stuff is back for 2017 and it’s been such a long holiday it feels like a sabbatical. Not that Mark and Andy are complaining. In this first episode we look at why as a kid you were only happy with your Lego house until you saw your friend’s truck. And today why you are probably more jealous of your best friend than you like to admit. Rene Girard is our guide. It's a deep dive into mimetic desire, conflict, sacrifice, jealousy and scapegoats. It’s heavy stuff but perfect for reflecting on the big things in life, like the eternal sacrifice of Jesus. And it could even be useful for little things, but we’ll leave that up to you. Dig in!