Mark Diamond discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the Australian economy, and Industrial Relations sector more specifically, and where things may go from here.

Mark Diamond interviews David Cilento a high-level manager of over 260 staff in the concrete and quarrying industry. Mark and David discuss how the industry has changed over the last 20 years, particularly the relationship between workers, supervisors, management and unions.

Mark Diamond interviews Peter Leonard, Australia's premier lawyer on data, privacy and all things digital. Peter discusses how data and emerging technology impacts society and the workplace, and what we can expect in the future.

Mark Diamond interviews Paul McAleer, the Secretary of the MUA in Sydney. Paul talks about how life took him to becoming a union official and what concerns him about the future for working Australians.

Mark Diamond presents a short history of industrial relations in Australia with a surprising story about how it all began.

Is self-inquiry enough? Or do we need to produce external, physical artifacts to express and share our talents, creativity and wisdom? In this episode, the finale of Season 3, Paul and Whitney question the value of work and its inner and outer manifestations. iTunes | RSS | Full Transcript Do you like the show? Yeah! Thanks so much. Be sure to rate…

What would happen if we stopped trying to control everything in our lives? What does it mean to put aside outcomes and accomplishments, and just allow things to happen without planning them? In this episode, Whitney and Paul talk about surrendering to the universe and the freedom that can come as a result of letting go. iTunes | RSS | Full Transcri…

When we think about stealing, odds are good we think about stuff – and yes, Whitney and Paul discuss that at length. Beyond that, though, the idea of stealing energy in order to make ourselves feel better is also explored – does it really help us? iTunes | RSS | Full Transcript Do you like the show? Yeah! Thanks so much. Be sure to rate or review o…

This week, Whitney and Paul talk cleanliness. Paul nerds out about keeping things in a certain place and order – and the ramifications of those decisions – while Whitney introduces the idea of being clean on the inside and what that means for her. And yes, we absolutely reference Marie Kondo, too. iTunes | RSS | Full Transcript Do you like the show…

Is self-restraint a valuable trait? In this episode, Whitney & Paul dive in to this topic and find that flexibility and mindfulness drive our own self-restraint. Plus, we examine how our personas and the people around us play a major part of when we exercise that restraint. iTunes | RSS | Full transcript Help us out! Rate or review our show on iTun…

This week, Whitney and Paul explore the concept of contentment. A surprising amount of work goes into it – focusing on the present moment, and what we truly have and need. iTunes | RSS | Full Transcript Help us out! Rate or review our show on iTunes! This helps other people find Designing Yourself, too. Follow us on Twitter: @DesigningYou, @paulmca…

This week we talk about self-discipline. Scheduling, commitments, habits... these all reflect how we stick to things. Or do they? We talk about those calendars, when to deviate from them, and increasing awareness of our automated behaviors. iTunes | RSS | Full Transcript Help us out! Rate or review our show on iTunes! This helps other people find D…

In this episode, we discuss the compassion we have with ourselves and others, particularly in times of turmoil. Do other people affect our moods? How do we approach highly emotional situations while being mindful of our own emotions? iTunes | RSS | Full Transcript Help us out! Rate or review our show on iTunes! This helps other people find Designin…

In our second episode this season, we're talking about striving — becoming attached to the idea of achieving or obtaining something, and then expending all of our energy in order to get it. But does our preoccupation with some future state get in the way of us giving our all in the moment? What if when we finally get what we want, we don't want it …

We're starting off our third season with a discussion about the truth. What do we do to find our own personal truth? What does it feel like to be truthful with ourselves and others? How does our playing a role, or being someone we're not, reflect our truth? iTunes | RSS | Full Transcript Help us out! Rate or review our show on iTunes! This helps ot…

This episode's topic was suggested by the great Lauren Bacon. Thanks, Lauren! On this episode, Whitney and Paul discuss comparisons and, in particular, the stories of ourselves we carry around in our heads. We recognize the idea of having a choice in the matter of that story — we can stop reading the book — but then, where do you go from there? Whe…

On this episode, we delve into the topic of recharging. Sometimes our work and other commitments can deplete our energies - even when they're really positive things. So how do you fill yourself up again, and stay motivated? We explore where this feeling originates, the importance of recharging, being aware of our bodies and how we're feeling, and m…

In this week's episode, we explore stress. What is stress? What causes stress and how can we deal with it? We contemplate whether stress is objectively negative and delve into the view of stress as a motivator and ultimately, positive reaction to happenings around us. MP3 | iTunes | RSS | Full transcript Help us out! Rate or review our show on iTun…

Our topic this week came to us from Morgan Haines at a little creative! This week, Paul and Whitney talk about waiting for permission. When is the right time to ignore what other people are giving you permission to do, and start doing the things you want to do? Do you need to get permission from other people to change yourself? All this and more, o…

Both Paul and Whitney have been working on what it means to be ready for something. In this episode, they get to the heart of readiness and how it relates to the story - or website redesign! - that is our lives. They discuss living with outdated things, and how to know when you're ready to move forward with various aspects of your life. Whitney als…

A conversation before our recording led us to the topic of growth. In this episode, Paul and Whitney dig in to the components of growth, with a focus on both the positive (improving) and negative (pains). We also discuss the role of material things in facilitating growth, signaling success, and what their value is to us now. MP3 | iTunes | RSS Full…

In this episode, Paul and Whitney explore anxiety after Paul realizes that it may not be exactly the same as fear. This can shape how we feel about it and react to it. So what is anxiety? And what can we do to overcome it? Roz Duffy Then, we have the opportunity to chat with Roz Duffy. Roz has been helping create great communities, but recently dec…

In lucky episode 13, Paul and Whitney dig into work and effort. What happens when we get paid for something, versus just "having fun" at it? How do we choose where to put our effort? And why does work have such a negative connotation, anyway? Karen McGrane of Bond Art + Science Then we sit down with the great Karen McGrane. Karen shares how she div…

In this episode, our 12th (and #2 in Season 2!), we talk about energy. What does it mean when we feel high energy or low energy? How do we balance our energy and find grounding? This is the episode where Paul finally talks chakras, and we explain it in a way that hopefully doesn't sound too "whoo-whoo." Dr. Leslie Jensen-Inman of Center Centre Then…

In the first episode of season 2, Paul and Whitney talk about intention. What happens when we focus on something and work to realize it? Why do New Year's resolutions tend to fail? Gina Trapani of ThinkUp, Todo.txt and Lifehacker Plus, our (first ever!) interview with Gina Trapani. You might know Gina from her amazing work at Lifehacker, used Todo.…

Thanks to Ryan MacMichael for this week's topic! Are regrets really all that bad? In this episode Whitney and Paul dive in and get right to it: why we feel regret, how it's triggered, and how to see it as an opportunity. Then we chat about "bucket lists" — often a plan to head off regrets in life — and share our own life plans, encased in amber, fr…

Whitney and Paul talk compassion and wisdom in this episode, as it pertains to others as well as the self. Does the way we see others affect compassion? What's the difference between empathy and compassion? We also talk about cultivating compassion and how it can be a truly empowering quality. MP3 | iTunes | RSS NEW: Full transcript of this episode…

A butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker. I am a [blank]. What do we get out of making ourselves a noun? In this episode, Whitney and Paul try to conquer the complexities of identity – what it means, how it's formed, and how it effects our relationships with others. Do we create our identities or do our identities create us? Can we encapsulate all t…

Nothing in life is permanent and yet, we try to act like it is. In this episode Whitney and Paul dig deep into what constant change looks and feels like - including how it feels to see someone else change long standing beliefs. We also reflect on Groundhog Day, Robert Frost, and Heraclitus. MP3 | iTunes | RSS NEW: Full transcript of this episode Tw…

Is vulnerability necessary for personal growth? In this episode, Whitney and Paul tackle this sensitive topic, revealing their own hurdles with honesty and authenticity. What is the strength in vulnerability? And why is it so hard to let ourselves be seen for who we really are? MP3 | iTunes | RSS NEW: Full transcript of this episode Twitter: @Desig…

Why do we allow distractions to divert our attention and fragment our time, keeping us away from doing what really matters to us? In this episode, Paul and Whitney discuss what it means to concentrate, to pay attention, to focus–which always requires saying no to ourselves and others. When does a desire for productivity begin to diminish the qualit…

In this episode, Whitney and Paul talk about balance. Can one ever achieve balance? Is it something that one can obtain over time? Is it ever permanent? And are Gummy vitamins a form of balance? (Spoiler: they are!) MP3 | iTunes | RSS NEW: Full transcript of this episode Twitter: @DesigningYou (new!) | @whitneyhess | @paulmcaleer Links and Referenc…

Becoming aware of yourself, your body, your surroundings... it's tough stuff. In this episode, Whitney and Paul talk about how they've succeeded and faltered with self-awareness through their lives. Also: empathy for others and for one's self. MP3 | iTunes | RSS NEW: Full transcript of this episode Twitter: @DesigningYou (new!) | @whitneyhess | @pa…

Fear! In this episode Paul and Whitney talk about one of their favorite topics - no, really - fear. What holds you back, and what keeps you up at night? How do you get past a sleepless night? From there, they discuss living in the future - which may be the genesis of our fear. MP3 version NEW: Full transcript of this episode References in this epis…

You've got to start somewhere. In the inaugural episode of Designing Yourself, Whitney & Paul talk about the separation of one's self. We allow parts of ourselves to post things in various mediums, but does that give a picture of who we are, fully? Can it? They also talk about to do lists, starting things, and selflessness versus selfishness. Link …