#127 - The Lads Caught Me Changing My Accent

The lads from school woke me up this morning ripping me for changing my accent, so let's get into it. Why do some of us smooth our accents out when we move through the world, and is it fake?I get into linguistic accommodation, the concept Valerie Fridland taught me when she came on the show, and why softening the edges of my Southern Cumbrian accent is the opposite of inauthentic. I've been on both sides of this: on lads holidays I'd turn the accent up as a weapon, out in Bali I turn it down to connect. Same tool, different job.Also in here: catching myself switching mid-sentence, a Sean Connery impression nobody asked for, football hooligans, why the biggest connections I've made out here would never have happened in my broad accent, and what happened to Chris Williamson's Geordie accent. Accent isn't personality, it's a set of options.If this one lands, let me know. Subscribe and drop a review if you're enjoying the show. Check out my conversation with Professor Valerie Fridland: https://youtu.be/3yOSIGNAhhk?si=UM4oXwHE6dJ-PmsJ🎙️ MY STUFFAwaken Out of Context: https://awakenoutofcontext.comThe Chapter System: https://thechaptersystem.com#howtocommunicate #communication #travel #podcaster

Apologies for the low quality audio today. It does improve as the episode progresses. This one is a raw solo entry, recorded on my phone in a coffee shop in Canggu, no camera setup, no plan.Today felt like a shift. First easy run in over a month after a back injury, food poisoning and a rough few weeks, and the start of moving on from a minor heartbreak. Along the way I get into something I keep noticing: the moment a song or a place stops being part of your present and crosses over into nostalgia, and why that threshold feels so much sharper when you are travelling.In this episode:The nostalgia threshold, when familiar songs start to stingMoving through heartbreak without dressing it upWhy walking into a new coffee shop scared me more than recording in publicBooking HYROX Bangkok with four weeks to trainThe three levels of sharing personal stories, from private journal to public insightIf this format lands for you, let me know. And if you have not already, hit follow so the next one turns up on its own.🎙️ MY STUFFAwaken Out of Context: https://awakenoutofcontext.comThe Chapter System: https://thechaptersystem.com

One minute you feel safe, supported and loved. An hour later the ground has shifted and it's fear, dread and unpredictability. That's emotional whiplash, and if you've ever been on that rollercoaster you know how exhausting it is.In this solo episode I break down exactly what to do in the seconds, minutes and hours after the whiplash hits: the one message that buys you a buffer, grounding yourself in your body instead of numbing out, getting into the other person's shoes, honestly checking your own part in it, and acknowledging their feelings either way. I also take on the question everyone asks, why should I be the one doing all this work? It all leads to the bigger question that decides everything: how many baskets is your safety sitting in?Whether it's a partner, a boss or anyone your sense of safety depends on, this is a practical playbook for the moment it hits.If this one lands, share it with someone on their own rollercoaster and drop a comment to say so.🎙️ MY STUFFAwaken Out of Context: https://awakenoutofcontext.comThe Chapter System: https://thechaptersystem.com

Ten weeks in Bali and I'm fried.I came out here to up my content game, and in some ways I have. But I'm shattered. The agency, the podcast, the YouTube, the vlogs. I hired an editor over a month ago and somehow I'm still spending just as much time on revisions, feedback and SOPs as I was before.So this one is completely off the cuff. No script, no polish, just me in a guest house talking through what's actually going on in my head.I get into the strange day I looked at my Spotify analytics and saw a huge spike, and how the first thing I felt was not excitement but fear. I talk about whether I even want this to take off, the kind of person who tends to get famous being the exact kind of person who probably shouldn't, and the clip that suddenly pulled in a whole new audience while alienating another.There's also the slightly mad realisation that I'm making a clip of myself saying I don't want more people to see my stuff, because I want more people to see it.In this episode:- Why ten weeks of hard content work hasn't given me the payoff I expected- The Spotify spike that made me shake, and why fear showed up before joy- Whether I actually want fame or just a bit of micro niche recognition- The "girls vs women" clip, and getting two opposite signals at once- Laughing at myself on camera, and the shy person underneath all of it- Whether to gate my work, charge for it, or build something I can actually live from- No guest this week. Just me, unedited, real life from a guest house in Bali.🎙️ MY STUFFAwaken Out of Context: https://awakenoutofcontext.comThe Chapter System: https://thechaptersystem.com

I put Dr Joey Weber in the passenger seat, let ChatGPT choose the route, and drove through the Southern Lake District for the first ever guest Roadcast.What started as a rainy drive turned into a conversation about panic attacks, death anxiety, getting older, positive psychology, dopamine loops, burnout, AI, nature, and somehow… fish and chips.This one goes from genuinely deep to completely ridiculous.In this episode:• Why panic attacks can feel like you’re dying• Health anxiety vs death anxiety• Getting older and seeing your parents age• Joey’s new book on equanimity and positive psychology• Trauma, responsibility and not making pain your identity• Dopamine loops, phones, boredom and AI work addiction• Burnout, recovery and getting back to basics• £31 fish and chips in the Lake DistrictComment below: have you ever had a panic attack that felt physical?TIME STAMPS00:00 I thought I was dying00:52 The first guest Roadcast begins01:15 Letting ChatGPT choose the route02:02 Picking up Dr Joey Weber03:44 Having it all but feeling miserable04:13 The panic attack that changed everything06:46 Death anxiety vs health anxiety07:35 Getting older and seeing everyone change10:28 Why this became the 100th episode11:03 Reaching 100 podcast episodes11:56 Joey’s honest first impression of the podcast14:15 Why Joey nearly didn’t want to podcast again15:40 Joey’s book deal16:08 Positive psychology and equanimity17:09 Adlerian psychology and responsibility19:30 Trauma without making it your identity22:07 What’s strong, not what’s wrong24:57 The PERMA model explained27:28 Blaming childhood vs owning the good stuff28:14 Letting be vs letting go29:17 Glimmers and equanimity30:25 Stopping for a wet Lake District walk30:51 Beans on toast, nature and safety31:36 Is filming yourself in nature egotistical?31:55 How Jason relaxes32:35 Do podcasters copy other podcasters?33:01 The Raincast begins33:08 Patience, discomfort and British weather33:40 Dopamine Nation and modern pleasure34:13 Are young people chasing micro-pleasure?36:52 Phones, boredom and losing imagination37:22 AI work addiction and burnout38:45 The work row that exposed burnout39:37 Passion fatigue and rebuilding basics40:42 Mental fitness and recovery speed41:33 The fish and chips detour42:28 Vinegar and blood sugar43:20 Batter, gluten and getting older45:32 Organic apples and energy fields46:42 The £31 fish and chips shock48:58 Fish and chip dates49:16 Energetic fields after fish and chips50:44 Why Joey doesn’t do movie quotes51:46 Meeting Steve Coogan on MDMA52:50 Accidental fish and chip reviewers🎙️ MY STUFFAwaken Out of Context: https://awakenoutofcontext.comThe Chapter System: https://thechaptersystem.comVLOGS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ky3sQEMwUM&list=PLMebuClQRf09N1EW4xaBRDZJQqPlDB_5BJOEY’S STUFF:Joey’s Instagram:https://bit.ly/45oS7MQJoey’s Website:https://bit.ly/437uKmVJoey’s Book:https://bit.ly/45vJgqq

Yogi (my editor) came down with double vision this week so the vlog couldn't ship. Recorded this AMA in a Canggu cafe before heading to the Gili Islands with Tommy and Mika.I went to Instagram and Facebook for questions and got through nine of them. We cover the obviously most important question (ten horse-sized ducks vs a hundred duck-sized horses), why I'm wary of going hard left or right politically, an update on my back (turns out I have an anterior pelvic tilt nobody else spotted), what I love and dislike about Bali life, my current relationship with social media, how I'm using AI as a daily reflection and decision-making tool, the females vs women debate, why most fitness advice doesn't apply to you, and the "you are enough" advice plus the daughter-marry-me test that I think actually matters.Plus an honest answer on dating in Bali at nine weeks in.awakenoutofcontext.comthechaptersystem.com If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy these:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMebuClQRf09DvwNgIXJOsd6ca4azb7nQ🎙️ MY STUFFAwaken Out of Context: https://awakenoutofcontext.comThe Chapter System: https://thechaptersystem.com📍 Canggu, Bali#AwakenOutOfContext #BaliPodcast #AMA #AskMeAnything #YouAreEnough #PerformanceVsAuthenticity

In this special vlog-style episode of the Awaken Out Of Context Podcast, we head to the Blue Lagoon in Bali for more than just snorkeling. What starts as a "Coffee Crawl" turns into a deep dive into the human psyche.We explore the concept of the "Performance Mask"—the characters we create to be loved or noticed—and whether we’re losing our true selves in the process. From tarot readings in a local bar to spiritual moments underwater, we discuss:The psychology of why we perform (and the "McConaughey Effect")Dismantling identity: Who are you when the cameras are off?The "Five Why’s" of finding your core mission.A spontaneous lesson in gratitude and the "Golden Days."🌊 Join the conversation: Do you feel like you're playing a character in your daily life? Let us know in the comments.Timestamps:00:00 - Meeting Tommy & Morning Routine00:45 - The Coffee Crawl Begins01:06 - Meet Arie & The "Magic Wand"02:00 - Inventing the "Coffee Crawl"03:20 - Deep Talk: "Cook Chairs" & Performance05:48 - Men's Talk & Third Nipples?06:54 - Dismantling Feminism? (Jason Disagrees)09:02 - Tarot Readings & Business Advice11:51 - Mika's Goal: Helping People Achieve Potential16:05 - The "Younger Version" & Overcoming Shyness19:02 - The Performance Mask: Why We Perform22:20 - Analyzing the Character vs. The Self25:22 - Matthew McConaughey & The Art of "Cool"26:50 - The Impact of a Performance Society30:02 - Tattoos & Judging a Book by its Cover32:55 - Heath Ledger's Joker: The Extreme of Performance34:25 - Content Creation & "Audience Capture"37:05 - Spiritual Moment while Snorkeling38:43 - Meeting the Captain's Mother41:40 - Lost in Paradise: Looking for Mika & Tommy42:15 - Meeting Dorine & A Special Gift47:30 - Reuniting with Friends49:20 - Jason's Abstract Note for the BookFEATURED IN THIS EPISODEMika: https://www.instagram.com/micaturrinTomi: https://www.instagram.com/nomadtomi📍 LOCATIONBlue Lagoon Beach, Padang Bai, East Bali (about 90 minutes drive from Canggu)https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Blue+Lagoon+Beach+Padang+Bai+Bali📚 REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODEGreenlights by Matthew McConaughey: https://www.amazon.com/Greenlights-Matthew-McConaughey/dp/0593139135The Five Whys method: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_whys🎙️ MY STUFFAwaken Out of Context: https://awakenoutofcontext.comThe Chapter System: https://thechaptersystem.com—If this one lands, let me know. Subscribe and drop a review if you're enjoying the show. Subscribe to my newsletter at awakenoutofcontext.com.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy these:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ky3sQEMwUM&list=PLMebuClQRf09N1EW4xaBRDZJQqPlDB_5B#AwakenOutOfContext #BaliPodcast #BlueLagoon #PadangBai #PerformanceVsAuthenticity #SnorkelingBali

I'd just finished my first CrossFit Murph workout and was buzzing. Late Saturday afternoon, sun heading down, decided last minute to chase the sunset to a random beach on Google Maps. What was meant to be a quick ride turned into the most honest hour I've had on tape in a while.Sat on volcanic rocks watching the sun drop, I got into being almost 40 and what that's supposed to mean. The difference between UK life (happy, sad, happy, sad, on a two-week cycle) and Bali life (happy and content, then less happy and content, but never actually sad). Telling my friends I might not come back, and what they actually said. And the question I keep coming back to: who am I living my life for?Also: the time I forgot where I parked my scooter and nearly reported it stolen, why I reckon CrossFit dissolves international borders, and a mantra I picked up from a fairly unexpected place that's stayed with me ever since.Visual version on YouTube with all the scenic riding and sunset footage. This is the spoken cut.If this one lands, let me know. Subscribe and drop a review if you're enjoying the show. Subscribe to my newsletter, find all my stuff below:awakenoutofcontext.comthechaptersystem.com My scooter is a Honda Vario 125cc from Twin Rental Bike in Bali.WhatsApp: https://wa.me/6287761650943Mention my channel and I’m sure he’ll give you a discount.No affiliation.

Warning! This episode contains adult discussion of porn, masturbation, and related themes (around 20:25 to 24:00).Sometimes the best content comes from not making content. On a morning I was wrestling with what I called an "existential content crisis," my friends Mica, Tommy and Wendy showed up at the door, gave me no chance to say no, and drove me to Ubud for the day. What followed was the kind of unfiltered conversation I've been trying and failing to recreate in front of a camera.We get into the strange territory of making content about yourself, how I use ChatGPT vs Claude for different kinds of work, why I've quit porn, and what I actually mean when I say "showing my underwear to the world." There's a moment three coffees in where the camera stops mattering and the conversation gets real.This is the audio teaser. The full visual story, the destination, the waterfall, lives on YouTube. Search "Awaken Out of Context" or follow the link below:https://youtu.be/8ky3sQEMwUM If this one lands, let me know. Subscribe and drop a review if you're enjoying the show.awakenoutofcontext.comthechaptersystem.com

Random one this week. I'm checking out of my place in Cemagi and I've got half an hour to pack the bag. I'm bad at packing and I'm in my head about recording videos, so I figured I'd combine the two and put the Insta 360 on me in auto-frame mode.What you get is me going through everything I brought and didn't use (most of it), with a few stories along the way. The pillow that nearly convinced me the air con was poisoning me in the middle of the night. The bar in Canggu where someone clocked me for wearing a HYROX vest. The bags I bought nine years ago that are still going. A bit about tipping in Bali. The bubble tea I bought that went warm in the room before I could drink it.That's about it. Bit of a vlog. Hopefully entertaining if you've ever opened a bag at the end of a trip and realised half of what you packed was pointless.awakenoutofcontext.comthechaptersystem.com