Talking Cod: Recent Episodes
Phil Birchenall, David Eccles, Andy Hall
Three northern blokes talk about middle-life and growing old disgracefully.
Hosts David Eccles, Phil Birchenall and Andy Hall explore how confronting life head-on - with all the crap it throws your way - makes you stronger, old, bolder and, of course, that little bit wiser.
Frank, fearless, funny. Talking Cod.
It's time to get back in the car, set the satnav for Memory Lane [ref: N05 7LGA], and hear some of the 'best bits' from Talking Cod, Season 2.
We discussed thoughts on education with our good pals Dan Fitzpatrick and Ben Whitaker (aka The Edufuturists), keeping our inner chimp in check and imposter syndrome at bay. With Daniel De La Cruz (Dan The Agency Man), we chatted about the lies we construct around our personas, while financial mentor Nick Thompson provided some sage thoughts on the ever-present challenge that is money.
The legend that is Bo Stehmeier joined us once again on the subject of Big Dick (...Energy, dear reader...!), and, in true Cod style, we wrapped up chatting about our favourite grub.
Fearless. Frank. Funny. It's Talking Cod.
As always, if you enjoy the episode, give us a like, share, follow, or leave a comment. If you'd like to contribute or just want to connect, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
Join us on a trip down memory lane as we head back to where it all started, season 1.
We’re so pleased to bring you this compilation, there are so many great conversations here - and some mad ones, but what would you expect?
We talk about getting fit, making time in our lives for ‘random’, music's emotional connection, finding our place in our community and our families (with our first ever guest, the Oscar-winning TV supremo Bo Stehmeier), and the power of friendships. We also find time to discuss our school nicknames, and squeeze in a few impressions.
Fearless. Frank. Funny. It’s Talking Cod.
As always, if you enjoy the episode, give us a like, share, follow, or leave a comment. If you'd like to contribute or just want to connect, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
Two and a half years. That's how long it's been since we hit record on our first episode of Talking Cod.
It’s tempting to wonder: Were we the same people then as we are now?
As we wrap with Season Three, we took time to talk about some of the great guests we’ve had on the show recently. Rev Nick Bundock sharing spiritual wisdom, coach Jindy Mann’s new fatherhood journey, Tom Chapman from New Order talking about his path to rock stardom, and the unstoppable force of nature that is Steve Hill.
While navigating our own, seeing their journeys has helped our personal growth - massively.
But here's the thing – while we take a moment to look back, our eyes are firmly set on the future. Season Four? We've got some plans up our sleeve that we're buzzing to share.
From where we began to where we're headed, this podcast isn't just about talking. It's about evolving, learning, and becoming stronger. And we owe a lot of that to you, our listeners, and the awesome guests who've shared our platform.
As always, if you enjoy the episode, give us a like, share, follow, or leave a comment. If you'd like to contribute or just want to connect, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
In the latest episode of Talking Cod, we delve into a profound and often overlooked principle - the Path of Least Resistance. Life invariably throws a myriad of challenges our way, but do we always need to face them head-on? Sometimes, wisdom lies not in resistance but in acceptance, not in struggling...but in letting go.
As we navigate life, deciding which battles are worth fighting is essential. Phil, Dave, and Andy share their personal experiences, where choosing to do nothing was the most challenging decision they had to make, the trials they faced, the introspection it provoked, and the peace it eventually brought.
Join us as we explore this intriguing concept and its application in our daily lives, as we ask the pivotal question: Is your aim to win every battle, or to ultimately win the war?
As always, if you enjoy the episode, do like, share, follow, or leave a comment. If you'd like to contribute or just want to connect, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
In the latest episode of Talking Cod, we welcome back an esteemed guest and newly minted father, Jindy Mann of Leader Brother Son.
Join us as we delve into the transformative journey of becoming a dad, share our cherished memories, and reflect on fatherhood's invaluable lessons.
Becoming a father is a rite of passage, filled with emotions, unexpected challenges, moments of pure joy, and - occasionally - Beef Hula Hoops...
Phil, Dave, Andy, and Jindy dive deep into this vast ocean of experiences in a heartfelt chat about what it truly means to be a dad. There are tears.
As always, if you enjoy the episode, do like, share, follow, or leave a comment. If you're eager to contribute or simply want to connect, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
Don't miss our tender exploration of fatherhood's trials, tribulations, and triumphs.
In the latest episode of Talking Cod, Phil, Dave, and Andy examine the delicate tapestry of relationships that surround us in middle age.
As we transition through life's milestones, our family, intimate friends, and mentors often become the pillars of our identity.
Through the usually lively chat, some pretty deep anecdotes, and a dash of humour, the trio unpack how our bonds evolve and how, as our social spheres get smaller, the quality and supportiveness of these connections get deeper.
And we look at the comfort we get from knowing we have a backup when the brown stuff hits the fan. Whether it's a pat on the back or a shoulder to lean on, the 'inner circle' becomes our safe haven.
As always, if you like what you hear, don't hesitate to like, share, follow, or drop a comment. For those keen to participate or learn more, reach out to us at hello@talkingcod.com.
As creatures of habit, our lives are profoundly shaped by the patterns of behaviour we repeat daily, often subconsciously.
Left sock before right? Is it a coffee or a run before engaging the brain?
In the latest episode of Talking Cod, Dave, Phil and Andy talk about the routines that keep us sane. Or just about.
How do we create habits that propel us forward? What role do our daily routines play in overall success and happiness? And just how flexible are we in the face of established patterns?
As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
We’re back! After a brief sojourn, Dave, Andy and Phil return with a vengeance for series 3 of Talking Cod: A survivor’s guide to middle age. How do we react to the political turmoil and the global situation we find ourselves in? Do we get sucked into the continuous news cycle of doom and gloom, or find a way to transcend the madness and instead, focus on the issues we can affect? And what does our own lived experience tell us about the moment we’re living through?
If you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
Have you ever stopped to take stock of where you are in life, the person you are, and the person you’re not? We evolve as we ride the highs and lows of life, but do these experiences give us a deeper understanding of who we are at any given moment?
As ever, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
We sometimes chow down on our grub in total autopilot, but how often do we sit back and think about our relationship with glorious food. And just what impact our ‘convenience’ has had on the quality of what we eat, and the ceremony of eating together?
As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
Bo Stehmeier, good friend of the show and co-CEO of Academy-winning production house Off The Fence, is back, and boy, has he brought a mighty subject to talk about. How do we reframe Big Dick Energy? Join us for a chat about swagger, vulnerability and the power of putting your worst foot forward.
As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
Is it the one thing you really can’t live without ?
In this weeks episode we are joined by friend and listener Nick Thompson, a man who knows a thing or two about cash. And ask the question, if money came to tea, what would it look like?
As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, follow, share. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
After an incident with a pizza oven gets the better of the cod-meisters, the chaps have one of their most profound conversations yet: how have our relationships with our parents influenced how we are with our own kids?
As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
We've all thought of giving up from time to time, whether that's on a task, a job, a relationship, or even worse, just plain giving up. But is that even an option, and would it make things any better? How do we find the inner strength to dust ourselves down, and 'just keep doing it?' Do we talk about how we're feeling during these situations or clam up, like our fathers before us?
As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
While we're battling crazy schedules and impossible deadlines, we can soon lose focus on why we're doing what we do. And though we don't do it enough, building in time to reflect and be thankful for what you've got is essential. So when was the last time you sat back and let gratitude guide your thinking?
As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
Do you ever feel like there’s no point in trying something new and just give up?
Andy’s friend, Jason Boyle, joins the conversation in a special episode. Insightful, full of positive energy, Jason is a mentor (like Andy, Dave, and Phil) and shares with us who his first mentor was (a super cool Mancunian), how he recently transformed his life, setting up global communities, how he teaches kids social media, and how he recently found love from a distant land.
Jason is an inspirational fellow (of Architecture and Arts), founder of the GAA with 4k members…and is also of a certain age (old), like us.
As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
Blokes. We're no good with our emotions, are we? From an early age, we're primed to keep stuff in, act strong and conform to type. But inevitably, all those emotions have got to go somewhere, and the more we bottle up, the bigger the explosion on the other side.
This episode goes deep on anger, sadness, and the wheel of emotion's lighter side, too.
As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
Now there's a question. One that we've all asked ourselves many times.
In this week's episode, we discuss the thought process. Do you rely on the mind or go with your heart or your gut? Or do you just summon up some good old-fashioned courage and see what opportunities arise?
As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at hello@talkingcod.com.
If you stopped brushing your teeth but told everyone you'd cleaned them three times a day, would anyone know you'd lied apart from yourself? That's the question our latest guest, Daniel de la Cruz (Founder, Polymensa), posed when we asked him to join us. Thankfully, we were all remote when we recorded this episode, so we couldn’t tell...
Get in touch with your suggestions, kind words and brain thoughts: hello@talkingcod.com And if you like what you hear on Talking Cod, don't forget to give us a like, follow and a share.
Imposter syndrome: it's something most of us feel at least once in a lifetime, but how do we recognise and get over this self-doubting voice in our heads? Dave and Phil explore what it means to them, whilst Andy questions whether it exists...or is, in fact, an imposter...
Get in touch with your suggestions, kind words and brain thoughts: hello@talkingcod.com And if you like what you hear on Talking Cod, don't forget to give us a like, follow and a share.
The Codmasters lay bare their primitive minds in the latest episode. Can we control our inner chimps, as Professor Steve Peters explains in his seminal book The Chimp Paradox, or are we stuck with them?
Get in touch with your suggestions, kind words and brain thoughts: hello@talkingcod.com
And if you like what you hear on Talking Cod, don’t forget to give us a like, follow and a share.
In our latest episode we’re joined by Alex Heywood, director at high-performance training provider 4and20Million, for some awesome insights on how to optimise your time, and your energy, in a world that expects relentless productivity.
For our latest episode we joined with likeminds Dan Fitzpatrick and Ben Whitaker from the Edufuturists podcast, to talk about the future of education, creativity, technology, neurodiversity, mental health, and, of course, a fair amount of cod.
With the end of the year fast approaching, the lads reflect on the highs and lows of 2021 and figure it's time to commit to some New Year's Resolutions. Or is it?
Does time really fly when you’re having fun? And why does a watched pot never boil? The Codmasters delve into the science that differentiates between time and moments. Yup, it’s proper science.
The chaps return for series two of Talking Cod, promising more hard-earned, insightful meditations on dealing with the crap middle age throws at you. But this episode sees them instead fixating on a headless chicken. Go figure.
As we make our way through our lives we pick up habits - good and bad - while looking to improve ourselves so we can be the person we’ve always wanted to be. But what’s the best way to embed new routines, whilst saying goodbye to the destructive behaviours our auto-pilot takes control of?
We often take our friends for granted, yet they become increasingly important in our lives as we grow older. We also tend to have fewer close friends as time goes by, which might be more about biology than the capacity in our diaries. But do we value friendship enough?
There’s not much we can say about this episode, other than if you’re interested in how far you can push your body, look no further than codmaster Andy Hall. After reaching the limits - physically and mentally - during the Iron Man triathlon he talks to Dave and Phil about the extremes of endurance he’s been building up to for a long time.
With Dave peddling his way across Scotland, the Cod party is gate-crashed by esteemed TV global exec and author of Wake Up! Rise and Shine, Bo Stehmeier. Reflecting on Father’s Day, Bo, Phil, and Andy explore what fatherhood means to them and how the function of men in society is evolving.
After Andy smashes the EpicMan triathlon, Dave and Phil sit back in awe pondering cake sales, and the positive effect of connecting with your community.
Phil, Andy and Dave sip on mugwort tea while pondering non-verbal communication, lucid dreaming, astral projections and the perils of capitalism. Now there’s a sentence I never thought I’d write.
After a ‘mixed bag’ Bank Holiday experience, Andy, Dave and Phil go deep on the worst and best ways to cope with the red mist.
Dave, Phil and Andy discuss how the sounds around them have defined essential moments in their lives, whilst conjuring up a new format with an 'interesting' title.
Phil, Andy and Dave 'potter' around, discussing whether the five-day working week is relevant anymore and why it's good to talk, but it's even better to listen.
Dave, Andy and Phil - aka Big Head, Feargal and Birchy-balls - dust off their Tacchini tracksuits to explore why staying healthy is good for the mind, as well as the waistline.
Andy, David and Phil hit the virtual studio again to go deep on why a 'graft at all costs' culture is damaging mental health.
Three northern blokes talk about middle-life and growing old disgracefully.
Hosts David Eccles, Phil Birchenall and Andy Hall explore how confronting life head-on - with all the crap it throws your way - makes you stronger, old, bolder and, of course, that little bit wiser.
Frank, fearless, funny. Talking Cod.