The Curiosity Project: Recent Episodes
Omar and Umar
The Curiosity Project is a podcast where curiosity DIDN'T kill the cat. Whether you want to listen to a serious discussion on artificial intelligence, sustainability of books, philosophy of movies, the beauty of minimalism or a laid back comedic chat on the British royal family then Omar and Umar have you covered.
Exploration and discovery is at the heart of this podcast so be curious and join us for a chat!
Brew a cup and join Omar and Ricky for a chat! Today you are joining a conversation I had with Ricky Walters, founder of Salon 64. He is an entrepreneur and hairdresser to the celebrities. In This episode we discuss Rickys journey as a young man trying to find his calling and how through persistence and drive has carved a route to him now running a revolutionary hair salon that attracts CEO’s, sports people and actors a like. He touches on the importance of doing what you love, the essential aspects of good work ethic and the magic of sales.
Check out our website here!
Intro track by Michael Watts
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Bryan for a chat! Today you are joining a 2 part conversation I had with Bryan Johnson. He is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist and anti ageing athlete. He is the founder of Braintree venmo, Kernal, OS Fund and Blueprint. In This episode we discuss Bryan's anti ageing journey. He has decided to use his financial means to work with a group of Dr's and scientists to monitor his body and organs to slow down and optimise his ageing, this has lead to the creation of the ultimate anti ageing regime called Blueprint. We discuss why Bryan decided to embark on this journey, how it has affected his life and how data and AI will affect peoples health.
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Salvador for a chat! In today's episode Salvador tackles the big questions as to what cancer is? What makes it so difficult to treat? Why is slowing ageing down so groundbreaking and what does this mean for the future of the human race.
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Charles for a chat! In today's episode Charles talks about why he got in to psychology and in particular what interested him about the effect that certain foods make on humans. We discussed his research in to multi sensory experiences and the fascinating work he has been doing within molecular gastronomy and gastro physics.
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Jonathan for a chat! In today's episode Jonathan talks about his book, Empire Of Depression, what depression is, how it is effecting the world, ways to treat it and how we don't fully understand the true power the human mind.
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Fred for a chat! In today's episode Fred talks about the history of J Cortes, the up and downs of dealing with a family business, the mechanics of running a cigar empire, the importance of family values and the pressure legislators are putting on the premium tobacco world.
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Tom for a chat! In today's episode Tom talks about why he pursued journalism as a career, how he navigated the path of success in that world, the journey he took to find his own style, what The Rake means to the mens fashion industry and the importance of his newest venture, Cigar Keep.
Check out our website here!
Check out The Rake and Cigar Keep here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Jameel for a chat! In today's episode Jameel talks about why he started the company, life as an entrepreneur, his motivations to grow the business and his responsibility to the farmers and growers he deals with.
Check out our website here!
Check out Lalani and Co here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Nathan for a chat! In today's episode Nathan talks about life as a professional journalist and author. We discuss his most recent book, Bridge Builders, and how is an age of polarisation we can start to put our difference aside and start to connect rather than divide.
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Lucia for a chat! In today's episode Lucia talks about her extraordinary background, her childhood growing up in apartheid South Africa, her views on individuality and personal labels, what it was like as a female journalist 40 years ago and how the world has changed since then. This is one you don't want to miss!
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Andreas for a chat! In today's episode Andrea provides us with an insight in to the world of culinary perfection, touching upon his experience at Le Cordon Bleu, the reality of being a line cook, his career as a private chef, and how his love for educating the home cook has influenced his most recent plans to open his own resturant.
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Craig for a chat! In today's episode Craig answers the question, what is Chiropractic, what is a Chiropractor and how can it help your life. As we move towards a more sedentary lifestyle the health of your spine needs to be considered, as an initial skeptic of alternative medicines and therapies I am exploring Chiro!
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Paul for a chat! In today's episode we talk about a hotly debated topic for coffee geeks, how do you prepare the perfect espresso puck? Paul Chan is the head of coffee at Decent Espresso and has offered to provide some science backed advice on what we can do to make sure our coffee extracts perfectly every time.
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
In today's episode of Talking Cars we explore the Ford Mach E, a car that has created some controversy. Indeed, we are here to explore the position of car manufacturers in alternative fuels and electrification, but for the Mach E, Ford have made the interesting decision to call it a Mustang. Along with understanding Ford's direction we are here to tell you if the Mach E deserves to wear the prancing pony badge.
Check out the Ford Mach E!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser AVX MKE2
Interface: Zoom H8
Cases: Peli Products 1510 Protector Case and 1400 Protector Case
Brew a cup and join Omar and Jimmy for a chat! In today's episode Jimmy answers your questions about the world of cigars. From questions about cigar storage to buying cigars as an investment, the man himself provides the answers.
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Justin for a chat! In today's episode we talk about the famous and fabled Kopi Luwak coffee. As of recently Kopi Lusaka has been thrusted back in to the spewer of discussion primarily due to eh video created by James Hoffman. I felt intrigued and endeavoured to find a great representative and a reliable source of information for the Kopi Lusaka market. We discuss what Kopi Luwak is, the processing involved, the controversy that surrounds it in terms of animal cruelty and what farmers are doing to step away from this stigma.
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Professor Daniel Oppenheimer for a chat! In today's episode we talk about the science of memory retention. Professor Daniel Oppenheimer walks us through his studies and research in to how to improve your long term and short term memory and whether or or multi tasking is a good thing.
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar, Bevin and Zach for a chat! In Today's episode we hear from the co-founders of ZMF headphones, we learn about how Bevin supported Zach's ZMF dream, what its like to run a company with your spouse and of course, we learn about the new and highly anticipated Atrium headphone.
Check out our website here!
Check out ZMF Headphones here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
In today's episode of Talking Cars we explore the Toyota Mirai, a vehicle that has truly made me question the direction of alternative fuel technologies and ask the question, is pure electric really the future? Omar breaks down his experience with the Mirai, exactly how a hydrogen fuel cell works and the potential future of seeing hydrogen has a standard energy source.
Check out the Toyota Mirai!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser AVX MKE2
Interface: Zoom H8
Cases: Peli Products 1510 Protector Case and 1400 Protector Case
Brew a cup and join Omar and Kirby for a chat! In today's episode Omar and Kirby light up a cigar, brew come coffee and chat about cigars, mens fashion, the definition of luxury, life before YouTube fame, single batch tea, expensive coffee and much more!
Check out our website here!
Check out Kirby Allison here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar, Sean and Dom for a chat! In today's episode we talk about the future of The Royal Mint with the Creative Director, Dominic Jones and the Chief Growth Officer, Sean Millard. After accepting the assured redundancy of coins in the next 5-10 years The Royal Mint have gone through a massive pivot try redirecting their efforts to sustainably created precious metal jewellery.
Check out our website here!
Check out 886 Royal Mint!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
In today's episode of Talking Cars we explore the Kia e-Niro, although not as requested as the highly anticipated Kia EV 6 (of which there is an episode coming) the e-Niro was of interest to me as a common criticism of electric cars is the cost. Kia are showing the market that you can have a fairly uncompromising vehicle for a very compelling price.
Check out the Kia e-Niro!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser AVX MKE2
Interface: Zoom H8
Cases: Peli Products 1510 Protector Case and 1400 Protector Case
Brew a cup and join Omar and Don for a chat! In today's episode we talk about Dons' book A Death In a Rainforest, a fascinating piece of literature following is multi decade pursuit to living in Papua New Guinea and following what happens to a society when their language and inevitably their way of life fades away.
Check out our website here!
Check out A Death In A Rainforest here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
In today's episode of Talking Cars we explored the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 and perhaps one of the most requested talking cars episodes! As Omar takes the car for a spin we learn about the feature, innovations and quirks of this vehicle to answer the question, is this the ultimate EV?
Check out the Hyundai Ioniq 5 here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser AVX MKE2
Interface: Zoom H8
Cases: Peli Products 1510 Protector Case and 1400 Protector Case
Brew a cup and join Omar, Andrew and Jeff for a chat! In today's episode we talk about the new release from Flair, the Flair 58. Along with understanding my personal experiences with the machine, Andrew provides some context as to why the machine was created and the challenges they faced. We also explore the history of Flair and what the future of Flair holds!
Check out our website here!
Check out Flair Espresso here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar, Nick and Will for a chat! In today's episode we talk about the current environmental position the world finds itself in and what needs to happen to protect the future. Will and Nick walk us through their personal stories that have lead to the brilliant company and brand Ocean Bottle, they tell us about the impact it has had and what their goals are for the future.
Check out our website here!
Check out Ocean Bottle here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
We are a little late for this but as I always like to say, better late then never!
In today's episode we continue from our capsule wardrobe part 1 and provide a breakdown of items we believe you should add to your wardrobe to make it more seasonally relevant!
The brands mentioned in this episode:
- Son of a tailor
- Asket
- Crown Northampton
- Sheep Inc
- Rowing Blazers
- Saphir
- 7L Clothing
- Tangent GC
Brew a cup and join Omar and Mark for a chat! In today's episode Omar and Mark talk about the world of non-alcoholics spirits. Mark breaks down what it's been liking starting and running Lyres, how they make and formulate new alternatives to traditional spirits and the future of the non-alcoholic drinks market.
Check out our website here!
Check out Lyres here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Sebastian for a chat! In today's episode Omar and Sebastian talk about why Sebastian decided to create Myrqvist and how we went about it. We also define what a 'great' dress shoe is and the specific elements you should look out for!
Check out our website here!
Check out Myrqvist here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Robert for a chat! In today's episode Robert talks about his family business, Ettinger London. In particular he walks us through what it takes from choosing the hide/skin, to tanning, to the crafting of a leather good. He also talks about the history of the brand and how they are having to pivot in a new modern era!
Check out our website here!
Check out Ettinger London here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Ricardo for a chat! In today's episode Ricardo provides his top 5 cigars that will provide any beginner with an interesting experience of Nicaraguan cigars. We also talk about the accessories that Ricardo believes are must haves and nice to haves.
Check out our website here!
Cigar Accessories
- Check out Boveda
- Check out Vertigo Lighters
- Check out Les Fines Lames
- Check out Havana Club Collection
- Check out Smoking Moses Cutter
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Sean for a chat! In today's episode Sean Dixson, the co-founder of Richard James Savile Row, talks to us about what it was like starting a tailors on Saville Row, the challenges they had and if they did it today what would they do different. We also discuss the effect the pandemic has had on the formal menswear industry and how RJ have pivoted.
Check out our website here!
Check out Richard James Savile Row here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Ricardo for a chat! In today's episode we continue our cigar education by exploring what countries outside of Cuba have to offer. We talk about Ricardo background growing up in Nicaragua, becoming the deputy ambassador of Nicaragua and now COO of Tor imports. We also explore what a new world cigar is, what makes them different from a cuban, and how they are blended.
Check out our website here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar, Adam and Marek for a chat! In today's episode we discuss the story of one of the most recognisable glasses in the coffee world right now, the journeys of the founders, and the science drive approach to designing glasses that alter the way you taste your coffee.
Check out our website here!
Check Kruve Inc. out here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and John for a chat! In today's episode John talks about his personal background as an audiologist, how Noble Audio was created and how he got the name The Wizard.
Check out our website here!
Check Noble Audio out here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Edward for a chat! In today's episode Omar and Edward talk about the history of Floris, how it was founded and the memories he personally has growing up in and around the fragrance world. Edward also walks us through the formulation process, from ideation to delivery of a fragrance and some of the weird and wonderful ingredients the use to create some of the most iconic and recognisable fragrances we have.
Check out our website here!
Check Floris out here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar, Hannah and Sebastian for a chat! In today's episode Omar, Hannah and Sebastian talk about Not Neutral, the makers of perhaps the most iconic coffee cups in the world. If you have been following our coffee journey you would know that we at The Curiosity Project are huge fans of everything Not Neutral make, their ergonomics, tactility and aesthetics are unmatched. We talk about the journey the designer went to create the Lino and Vero range, the materials they use and projects they are currently working on!
Check out our website here!
Check Not Neutral out here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Henry for a chat! In today's episode Omar and Henry talk about the history of Deakin & Francis, the background of Birmingham as a centre of jewellery making, the journey from B2B to B2C and the techniques and products Deakin & Francis use to make their unique creations.
Check out our website here!
Check Deakin & Francis out here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Mark for a chat! During our minimalism journey we have sought the best brands for particular items and sneakers have been an extremely important component to a capsule wardrobe. We have always taken the view of absolutely nailing the basics that focus on the details. It has been our privilege to come across Crown Northampton where we are confident to say amongst all the sneakers we. have come across they are the best sneakers hands down.
In today's episode Omar and Mark talk about Crown Northampton, who they are, what it takes to make a pair of their sneakers, the focus on material choice and the insane attention to detail on their new Hand Stitch Collection.
Check out our website here!
Check Crown Northampton out here!
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Welcome to a new series for The Curiosity Project!
Join Omar for the "Unplugged" series which involves totally unscripted free flowing conversations with friends of The Curiosity Project. In today's episode Omar sits down for a cigar and a coffee with his friend Tamer. Light up, brew a cup and join us for a chat!
Products in the episode
- Omar's Cigar - Leon Jimenes Prestige Corona Tubed
- Tamer's Cigar - Davidoff Long Panatella
- Cutter - Les Fines Lames Le Petite
- Lighter - Colibri Quasar Astoria Lighter
- Cigar Rest - Les Fines Lames Cigar Stand
Equipment we use:
- Microphones: Sennheiser AVX MKE2
- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Jimmy for a chat! One of the questions we have received is as a beginner or novice what cuban cigars should I consider smoking? Omar and Jimmy have put together a list of recommendations of cigars in different sizes, brands and strengths. We also recommend particular cigar accessories that we have enjoyed using. Jimmy also shares some extraordinary stories of the particular sizes and a short history on some brands! We would love to hear about what you smoke and your cigar journey.
Check out our website here!
Check Hunters and Frankau out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar, Edward and Eddie for a chat! For our holidays episode we decided what better of an episode to publish than one of the great London, St James stories. Our dear friend Eddie joins Omar once again on the podcast but this time with his iconic father, Edward Sahakian. Listen in as Edward talks of his extraordinary family history and his story of how he got in to the cigar world, a story that started around Christmas 41 years ago.
Check Davidoff Of London out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Danilo for a chat! Clements and Church has quickly become one of our favourite menswear brands, known for their attention to detail, modern styling and usage of only the best fabrics in the world. In today's episode we talk to Danilo to learn a little more about Clements and Church, who they are, what makes them unique and to understand what makes certain fabrics extraordinary.
Check our Clements and Church here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Jack for a chat! Rowing Blazers is arguably one of the hottest fashion brands in the world right now, known for their colour, regular new drops and interesting collaborations. Omar and Jack talk about the story of how an Oxford educated archaeologist ends up running a clothing brand worn by some of the biggest stars, why he chooses particular collaborations, unique ad campaigns and many more topics!
Check out Rowing Blazers here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Rachel for a chat! For those who tuned in for the episode with Amir Ghel this is the coffee Omar labeled as the best coffee he has ever tried. In todays episode we talk about the story of Hacienda La Esmeralda, coffee competitions, coffee varietals and what it takes grow an award winning coffee bean.
Check out Hacienda La Esmeralda here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar Dan and Charlie for a chat! In todays episode we talk about the process of mining, smelting and refining gold, in particular a new process called Single Mine Origin which focuses on responsible mining and fully traceable product. We discuss what good practices are in the mining world, what SMO are doing and the potential impact of SMO.
Check out Single Mine Origin here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Gary for a chat! In todays episode we talk about the world of fine jewellery and how The Diamond Store is shaking it up! In particular we talk about the process of purchasing an engagement ring, the information about diamonds you need to know, the situation with Lab Diamonds and how The Diamond Store are able to give you quality and price unrivalled anywhere.
Check out The Diamond Store here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar, Edzard and Michael for a chat! In todays episode we talk about the fashion world and how Sheep Inc are amongst a growing group of companies where sustainability, quality and traceability is paramount. We also learn about their fascinating business structure that involves the adoption of a sheep for every purchase.
Check out Sheep Inc here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Aaron for a chat! In todays episode Omar and Aaron talk about the cigars, fashion and all things fine. Aaron talks about his long and illustrious history as an author and cigar connoisseur. He also provides some interesting information about the history of Cuba, his reservations on the term 'New World Cigars' and many more topics!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Phil for a chat! In todays episode Omar and Phil discuss the story of Audio Concierge and Obravo, his interesting personal journey and the background of Obravo. Omar also get a chance to test the entry level IEM Obravo Cupid and they discuss his experiences and thoughts on them.
Check Audio Concierge and Obravo!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar, Martin and Per for a chat! In todays episode Omar, Martin and Per discuss the story of Transparent Sound, their personal stories of working in behemoths like Nokia and how that inspired them to create a company that was circular. They also break down the idea of planned obsolescence and how companies design their products to fail and how Transparent Sound is challenging the traditional tech model.
Check Transparent Sound out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and John for a chat! For those who are veteran listeners of the show, you will be familiar with JDS Labs, Omar uses their equipment to test almost all headphones and earphones that we talk about but in todays episode John breaks down the history of the company, what they stand for, what a DAC and headphone amp is and the difference across their products.
Check JDS Labs out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Amir for a chat! In today's episode, Omar and Amir talk about an interesting topic, Amir has managed to convert Omar to a believer in capsule coffee. They discuss how capsule coffee works and the approach Amir wanted to take in creating the 'ultimate' coffee capsule.
Check Difference Coffee Co out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup a join Omar and Justin for a chat! In todays episode Omar and Justin will be discussing the sustainability state of the drinks world as of right now and the impact that plastic waste and pollution is causing our planet and in particular our oceans. We also learn from Justin what The Hidden Sea are doing as a wine company to help give back to the environment and be as positive as possible!
Check The Hidden Sea out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Jimmy for a chat! In today's episode Omar and Jimmy will be providing some extremely interesting cigar education. Jimmy Mcghee, head of communications and training at Hunters and Frankau answers questions like what is a cigar? What goes in to making a beautiful cuban cigar? What is the master of Habanos exam? and many many more!
Check Hunters and Frankau out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 and Neumann TLM 103 MT
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Dr Rhona for a chat! In today's episode Omar and Dr Rhona discuss whether or not water flossers - in particular the Waterpik - work. We go through some anecdotal evidence on personal experience but also explore some scientific studies that have compared the Waterpik to traditional flossing and has discerned which is more effective.
Check out Waterpik here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Niall for a chat! In todays episode Omar continues on his eyewear journey, this time talking to Niall O;Sullivan, the founder of Pewpols Eyewear. They talk about the brands history, the world of vintage eyewear collecting, the difference between Japanese and French eyewear and how Niall goes about designing a new frame.
Please be aware that this episode was recorded before the switch to the new recording equipment therefore the audio may have been affected.
Check Pewpols out here!
Brew a cup and join Omar and Zach for a chat! In todays episode Omar talks to Zach Mehrbach, the founder of ZMF Headphones. The guys over at ZMF do things a little different to most people in the industry where they are concentrating just as much on craftsmanship as they are on sonic prowess. We get to know a little more about Zach, his background and passion on audio, the way ZMF make their headphones and in particular we discuss the Verite Closed and Auteur headphones. All of this illustrates why Zach is all in all an awesome guy.
Check ZMF Headphones out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Eddie for a chat! In todays episode we continue from our first discussion. Omar and Eddie are talking about the wonderful world of cigars, how to smoke them, how to store them and what ageing does to the flavour and value.
Check Davidoff Of London out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Our Talking Cars series has been extremely popular and we must apologise for the time it has taken us to upload another episode! In today's episode Omar will be in the Polestar 2, you will receive an audio experience of what its like in one of the most hotly anticipated electric vehicles of 2021. Omar will be providing live feedback of what he thinks of the car while also providing a breakdown of who Polestar are and why electric vehicles are the future.
Check Polestar out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Filipp for a chat! 64 Audio has beena. brand I have had a great deal of admiration of for a while, along with all the IEM gold we talk about we make a tangent on our love for 2 channel HiFi and vinyl! In this episode we also talk about 64 Audio's newest product, the DUO.
Check 64 Audio out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Riccardo for a chat! As the more long term listeners of the podcast will recognise, Riccardo has been a long term collaborator with us and it is my pleasure to bring the story of Riccardo and Artisan Lab to you guys! We also delve in depth in to the craftsmanship and values that Riccardo is not willing to compromise on.
Check Artisan Lab out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Michael for a chat about water! We go in depth in to the history of Michael and the science as to why water has a 'taste'.
Check Aqua Amore out here!
Equipment we use: Microphones: Sennheiser MK4 Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Douglas for a chat about conical burrs vs flat burrs. We will be answering questions like what they are? Which is better? And what purpose do burr coatings have?
Check Weber Workshops out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar, Jacques and Lorenza for a chat. As you guys know I am a huge fan of beautiful eyewear, of course for its aesthetic purposes but also for its function and artisanship too. I can confidently say that JDO is one of my favourite ready to wear brands on the market today, during this episode I hope you too understand why that is the case.
Check out JDO here!
Frames mentioned in the episode:
Mahe
Madere
Pacques
Okushiri
Capraia
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Jermo for a chat about Sennheiser's IE 300 IEM's. There are many challenges when trying to tackle an IEM and of course there is an extraordinary amount of scrutiny involved when you are Sennheiser. These challenges both - from a design and technical stand point - are seldom talked about so it was great to explore those with Jermo and how him and his team decided to do an affordable audiophile IEM.
Check the IE 300 out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Michelle for a chat about the work Orbis have been doing trying to help countries and individuals around the world combat and treat blindness.
Check Orbis out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar, Mike and Jo for a chat around the devastation that is currently happening to our oceans and what the Blue Marine Foundation are doing to help! We also discuss a new project Christopher Ward have been working on. #Tide.
Check out BMF here!
Check out Christopher Ward here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Join Omar and Tyler for a chat about the specifics of high-end eyewear manufacturing techniques, the challenges he faces while making his frames and what the future of eyewear looks like for T.Henri. If you haven't listened to our first episode together please click here.
Check out T.Henri!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
As part of our IEM journey Caleb suggested it was a good idea to have a listen to their highest end products, it didn't take a lot of convincing for me. Brew a cup and join Omar and Caleb for a chat about high-end IEMs, what goes in to making them and what kind of audio experience can you expect for a £1500 IEM.
Campfire Andromeda
Campfire Ara
Campfire Solaris
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar, August and Jakob for a chat about what Asket are doing and have done to help steer the fashion industry in the right direction. As my listeners will know I am a big fan of Asket and have been extremely critical of the polluting and wasteful ways of 'fast fashion' brands. Being able to talk to August and Jakob and understand why and how was extremely interesting. Happy 6th birthday guys and I hope you have many more.
Check Asket out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar, Stephen and David for a chat about CBD. Myself and Umar have discussed CBD in a previous episode and have discussed my initial skepticism and experience with CBD, if you haven't listened to that episode I would highly recommend to check it out. In this episode we lift the veil and explore some of the challenges that a major CBD brand faces in the UK with regards to production and regulation.
Check Canabidol out here!
Check Access CBD out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and John for a chat about espresso machines. We talk about the history of espressos and how the Italian culture has impacted how everyone makes their espresso. We also discuss the good and bad elements of the Italian culture and how decent has tried to create a machine that corrects some of those issues.
Check Decent out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Umar for a chat about the new M.Night Shyamalan movie Old. Both being Shyamalan fans we were extremely excited at the announcement and trailer of Old, but how did the movie fare? Tune in to hear what we think and whether or not we would recommend you guys to watch this.
Check our website out here!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Sankar for a chat about the details of planar magnetic driver manufacturing, the innovations that Audeze have put out in to the market and a new electrostatic headphone called Carbon.
Check Audeze out!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Robert for a chat about the history of Seiko and the core philosophies that have remained integral for both Seiko and Grand Seiko. We also talk about unique and manufacturing techniques that only craftsman at Grand Seiko are trained to apply!
Visit Grand Seiko
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Dominik and Omar for a chat about Blake stitch construction shoes, how hybrid shoes fit in with our new work from home routines and the interesting new projects Goral are working on.
https://www.goral-shoes.co.uk
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Caleb for a chat about in ear monitors (IEMs), how they work and what makes Campfire IEMs special.
Campfire Satsuma
Campfire Honeydew
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Beverley for a chat around what a good nights sleep can do for you and how Homebody's loungewear and pj's.
https://homebody.co.uk
https://www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Jack Gove, Managing Director of Basic Rights for a chat around the mens fashion industry and what Basic Rights are doing to try and play their role in the right direction.
https://www.basicrights.com
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Tom Davies for a chat about bespoke eyewear and how Tom recommends you curate your eyewear wardrobe. Please follow this link so see pictures of the eyewear wardrobe Tom made for me.
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Omar and Douglas Weber for a chat about the importance of being able to cook at home and surrounding yourself with tools that function well. In particular we talk about their new Moulin Salt mill and the quality of current salt and pepper mills on the market.
To support their Moulin Salt mill please visit their Kickstarter though this link!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Brew a cup and join Louis and I for a chat about mens grooming and haircare.
www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Daimon Barber
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Join us while we explore Japanese eyewear manufacturing techniques and viewing eyewear as a collectable commodity!
www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
T.Henri - https://www.thenri.com
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
As a result of our episode on Grand Seiko I have decided to scratch beneath the surface further and try and explain how the Spring Drive movement works. This is a tough concept to explain to a layman but I will be trying my best!
Brew a cup and join us for a chat!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Orbis is an international eye care charity that prevents and treats avoidable blindness and visual impairment on low-to-middle income countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America where visual impairment is four times higher than in high income countries.
Join us as we talk about who Orbis are, what they do and why we support their cause.
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Aside from being flashy and blingy jewellery has a far more interesting meaning to me. It is a way from an individual to express their personality and own something with true value that has the potential of out living you. In this episode we discuss the essential items of jewellery every guys should venture forth to experiment with, we also discuss my favourite mens jewellery brand Stephen Einhorn and how they manufacture their jewellery.
Brew a cup and join us for a chat!
Jewellery Pieces
Signet Ring
Necklace
Bangle
https://www.stepheneinhorn.co.uk
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
We love coffee. Until this point we have only covered filter coffee in detail however we have listened to our audience and have created an episode exploring espresso, in particular a manual espresso machine. What do you need to create great espresso? How can a manual espresso machine help you on your way to enjoying delicious espresso at home? These are questions we will be answering in this episode!
If I didn't mention this in the episode then my recommended recipe for the Rok machine and grinder would be between 12.5g - 14.5g dose at click 5 on the grinder!
Coffee Equipment
Rok Espresso Machine
Rok Grinder GC
Oak Tamper
Naked Portafilter
Ozone Empire Coffee
Water
Lauretana
OR
Spa Reine Water
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Our eyewear content have been really quite successful and we have been requested to explore and understand what blue light filters are and whether or not they actually work!
I would like to thank Eye Opticians for aiding me in my technical research of blue light filters, please do visit their website to find more information on their business.
Glasses I wear: https://www.tdtomdavies.com/luxury
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
A very highly requested episode that after months of preparation has now been released! We explore our own journeys in to minimalism, why a capsule wardrobe is advantageous and according to us what is the perfect beginners capsule wardrobe for men and who make the best of those items.
The Items mentioned in this episode:
T-shirts (Short Sleeve)
T-shirts (Long Sleeve)
Chinos
Smart Shirt
Casual Shirt
Jumper
Smart Jeans
Raw Jeans
Black Jeans
Wool Trousers
Boxers
Socks
Sneakers
Lux Sneakers
Coats
Loungewear
https://www.basicrights.com
https://www.sonofatailor.com
https://www.wear-london.co.uk
https://crownnorthampton.com
https://artisan-lab.com
https://www.asket.com
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Holidays are great, its a chance for us to celebrate and relax. But since many of our holidays are now commercialised we seem to have lost touch with why we actually celebrate that particular holiday. With Mothers Day being around the corner we thought we would explore the history of Mothers Day and also explore a few gifts you could go for!
Roses: https://www.rosesonly.co.uk
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser AVX MKE2
Interface: Zoom H8
Cases: Peli Products 1510 Protector Case and 1400 Protector Case
Volvo has always been a car company of interest with me, primarily due to their understated brand image and reputation for safety first. We wanted to be able to explore the interesting history and pedigree of Volvo by also looking forward to see what is on the horizon for this innovative car manufacturer!
Join us while we have a chat about this in the new Volvo XC40!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser AVX MKE2
Interface: Zoom H8
Cases: Peli Products 1510 Protector Case and 1400 Protector Case
Even though we are huge fans of fashion and style we seem to constantly be fighting this battle between fashion and the environment. As we learnt in our "fashion problem" episode, many clothing companies are destroying the environment in an effort to manufacture cheap disposable clothing. However, we explore how Son Of A Tailor has been using new manufacturing techniques to create a luxury product with very little waste!
https://www.sonofatailor.com
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
As car enthusiasts we found there was a tremendous amount to be curious about with cars therefore we are introducing a new series where the podcast is conducted inside the car! We will be discussing the history of the company, our impression of the vehicle and giving you guys an auditory experience of what it is like to drive and passenger in this car.
We look forward to expanding this series so please brew a cup and join us for a chat!
Website: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser AVX MKE2
Interface: Zoom H8
Cases: Peli Products 1510 Protector Case and 1400 Protector Case
Join us again as we discuss some new headlines from the week that have peaked our attention and curiosity!
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
This is the beginning of a series of episodes all about horology. In this particular episode join us as we talk about the history of Grand Seiko and the multi faceted nature of the Japanese watching making industry!
Grand Seiko: https://www.grand-seiko.com/global-en
Website: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Happy Valentines Day!
As a result of a number of emails coming in from our listeners on what to buy for their significant other we decided to embark on a learning journey about the mascot of valentines day, the rose. We wanted to understand what makes a rose beautiful and who are make the best roses in the world?
Brew a cup and join us for a chat!
Roses: https://www.rosesonly.co.uk
Website: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
We finally have news outside of the pandemic! We have decided to take full advantage of this and discuss our thoughts on some of the top headlines of the last week.
Website: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
Coffee has been a long term obsession for us, we are always looking for ways to create a better cup of coffee, improvements or upgrades! Following our V60 episode a lot of you guys have now caught the coffee bug and are now using a pour over system in your everyday routine.
In this episode we have collaborated with Fellow and Acaia on their Stagg Pour Over kit and the Acaia Pearl S. We brake down exactly how it has benefited our daily routine and whether or not it has enabled us to consistently make a better cup of coffee
Kettle: https://espresso-solutions.co.uk/fellow-stagg-ekg-electric-pouring-kettle-matte-black/
Brewer: https://espresso-solutions.co.uk/fellow-stagg-x-pour-over-set/
Scale: https://espresso-solutions.co.uk/acaia-pearl-model-s-coffee-scale-black/
Coffee: https://ozonecoffee.co.uk/product-category/coffee/
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
The practice of minimalism has been an active pursuit support by both myself and Umar. Minimalism is more then owning less, it is about having less but having the best. Since our last episode on sneakers we received a significant amount of interest on us to explore more minimalist sneakers, this of course lead us to the Northampton kings, Crown Northampton.
In this episode we discuss the manufacturing process, the brains behind the company and the beauty of the final product. Brew a cup and join us for a chat!
Crown Northampton: https://crownnorthampton.com
Equipment we use:
Microphones: Sennheiser MK4
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables: Kenable XLR 4m cables
On our journey of exploring and learning about planar magnetic we have now come across the older brother of the LCD 1 we tested in a previous episode. In this episode we explain what double the price of a pair of LCD 1's gets you and whether or not it is worth the extra money!
Website: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Equipment we use:
Microphones - Sennheiser MK4
Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables - Kenable XLR 4m cables
Audeze LCD-2 Classic headphones: https://www.audeze.com/products/lcd-2-classic
JDS Labs Atom DAC: https://jdslabs.com/product/atom-dac/
JDS Labs Atom Amp: https://jdslabs.com/product/atom-amp/
Kimber interconnect cables: https://www.russandrews.com/cables/
Optimising our workflow has been extraordinarily important to us, being able to complete the tasks at hand with as little headache and fuss is a great skill to possess. In this episode we explore methods we use to optimise our productivity through the equipment we use. I have been a strong believer in using multiple forms of data input to increase your ability to absorb information however this normally means carrying multiple devices. We have been testing the Microsoft Laptop Go and Book 3 and these are our findings!
Laptop Go: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/p/surface-laptop-go/94fc0bdgq7wv?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab
Book 3: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/surface/business/surface-book-3
Website: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Coffee: https://ozonecoffee.co.uk
Equipment we use:
Microphones - Sennheiser MK4
Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
Cables - Kenable XLR 4m cables
Since I wear optical glasses they are have always been terribly important for me, primarily from a functional stand point although I would be remised to say that the aesthetics have also been high up on my priorities. In this episode we discuss the current state of the eyewear industry and the problems with regards to fit! I believe I have found a solution to everyones eyewear problems, a brand called Tom Davies.
Tom Davies: https://www.tdtomdavies.com
Website: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Equipment we use:
- Microphones - Sennheiser MK4
- Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables - Kenable XLR 4m cables
We're back!
After dealing with some technical difficulties on the podcast we finally have our new studio up and running! As I am sure you are all aware we do not have a video counterpart to the podcast, this was an intentional decision as we wanted to focus entirely on the sound quality and provide an experience that was as good as we can get it! However due to equipment limitations we had reached a brick wall. We have no broken through the brick walls and will be discussing the new equipment we have and why.
Website: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Coffee: https://ozonecoffee.co.uk/shop/colombia-el-pital/
Equipment we use:
- Microphones - Sennheiser MK4
- Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 8i6
- Cables - Kenable XLR 4m cables
Its no secret that we are huge health and fitness junkies, however with the shutdown on gyms due to covid we are trying to understand how to stay fit and workout at home. A piece of kit that is commonly overlooked is the weighted vest. In this episode we talk about the Wodsox weighted vest, our impressions of it and how we use it in our workout regime!
Blog: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Weighted vest: https://wodsox.co.uk
Veteran listeners on the podcast all know that both myself and Umar are minimalists and have been for a while. we are also very passionate about working and supporting brands that have some sort of sustainability credentials. We have been lucky enough to be working with Basic Rights and after a conversation with the Managing Director I realised the fashion industry is destroying the environment. So we decided to hunker down and really take a deep dive on exactly the fashion world is doing to the world, what we can do an individuals to help the situation and what companies like Basic Rights are doing to change the game!
If you are interested in more content on this please head over to the blog to read about the carbon problem.
Blog: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Basic Rights: https://www.basicrights.com
We are both avid home cooks and believe that people should be using the best tools in life to elevate their experience. I have always been fascinated with chef knives and that fascination peaked upon getting hold of a Tog knife.
In this episode we go through what makes Japanese knives superior and in particular what goes in to a Tog knife that allows it to out perform others!
Tog Knives: https://togknives.com
Blog: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Freedom of speech has been a resounding topic on the internet for a while now and is something I have always felt very passionate about. In a world that is every changing what is the current condition of freedom of speech and what do we need to do to protect int he fast evolving world of online discourse?
In the episode we discuss our opinions on the current state of freedom of speech, what we believe it means and how the world must evolve to protect this sacrosanct human right!
Blog: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Join us for chat about our past sporting endeavours that may have not turned out the way we expected!
Blog: www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk
Continuing on from the last episode all about dynamic driver headphones we have now made a beginners guide to planar magnetic headphones. We are relatively new to the world of planar magnetic headphones however limited experience and education I have had on them has really been very exciting. Particularly spending time with the beautiful entry level Audeze LCD-1 headphones.
Join us in the episode where we break down what a planar magnetic headphone is and how the Audeze LCD-1 headphones stack up against its dynamic driver cousins!
Audeze LCD-1 headphones: https://www.audeze.com/products/lcd-1
JDS Labs Atom DAC: https://jdslabs.com/product/atom-dac/
JDS Labs Atom Amp: https://jdslabs.com/product/atom-amp/
Kimber interconnect cables: https://www.russandrews.com/cables/
In our HiFi series to date you have heard me speak about speaker cables and my thoughts on them. However, something I had never experimented with previously were power cables. Like many of you I had dismissed them as being an expensive luxury, in spite of this I have been using the Russ Andrews Power Cables and my god have they changed my HiFi game.
Join us as we talk about the intricacies on power cables and whether or not they are worth it.
Check out the blog: https://www.thecuriosityproject.co.uk/
Russ Andrews Power Cable: https://www.russandrews.com/yello-power/
Russ Andrews Power Block: https://www.russandrews.com/russ-andrews-mains-extensions/
I have always been very vocal about my love of headphones and my views of the importance of having a pair of headphones as part of your HiFi system. However, with the paradox of choice that we now have what do we go for? Well, first and foremost we must explore and undergo some education and decide do we want to go with dynamic driver headphones? What are those? and what do I get to power my new HiFi quality headphones?
In this episode we explore what a dynamic driver headphone is, our experiencing testing two of our personal favourites (in different price brackets) and some honest advice on how to power your headphones via an amp and DAC combo.
Sennheiser HD660s: https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/headphones-audiophile-high-end-hd-660-s
Sennheiser HD820: https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/high-end-headphones-audiophiles-hd-820
JDS Labs Atom Amp: https://jdslabs.com/product/atom-amp/
JDS Labs Atom Dac: https://jdslabs.com/product/atom-dac/
Interconnect cables: https://www.russandrews.com/cables/
Django Coffee: https://www.djangocoffeeco.com
As I have mentioned previously, we try and keep the podcast as politically neutral as possible, however when we have things like the first presidential debate, well, we really can't help ourselves.
Join us for a lighthearted, laid back discussion on the current political situation in America.
We all lead stressful and fast paced lives, however the pandemic has provided an extra element of stress in to peoples lives. Whether it be job security, lockdown or loneliness we are all battling with something new. However how do we deal with this and are there any techniques to use to help make this transition to the 'new norm' easier?
We discuss techniques we use to help ourselves wind down and relax from a very stressful stint. ew also review how to indeitify indicators that show you are getting stressed out.
Sustainability has always been at the heart of everything we do. The brands we purchase from, the products we use and the services we enjoy. As the world is becoming more connected, information is becoming more accessible and transparency is demanded from companies we are moving towards a time where companies are now being held accountable to their environmental impact. We discuss why companies must be leading by example and a particular company who has produced a fantastic product that is doing just that!
Water bottle: https://www.itslogicnow.com
As we embark on this productivity series we thought it only made sense to start off with arguably the most important part fo a digital set up and that would be the WIFI. In this POD we discuss that regardless of your equipment if you have poor WIFI the it will significantly hinder your ability to work effectively and maximise your productivity. We explore how you can increase your internet speed and what kind of affect it can make.
Pull a shot and join us for a chat!
Wifi mesh system: https://www.netgear.com/orbi/
We have spoken about the role that social media companies have in shaping children, influencing the interactions the people have with one another and their relationships with products and services. However with the release of The Social Dilemma the attention of data collection and targeted marketing has now been thrusted back in to the limelight.
Join us as we discuss Facebooks ability to self regulate, the role of influencers and the varying degree of monitoring and data collection that is currently being practiced.
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We have always been huge propogators of physical therapy and really making sure that your bones and muscle is positioned in the correct fashion. Without that, unfortunately any training or sports will end up having a negative affect on your long term health. Of course, seeing a professional would be the ideal course of action for physical therapy but now there are numerous ways to treat yourself.
In this episode we discuss the interesting world of percussive therapy, how it has worked with us and what equipment we have been using!
Brew a cup and join us for a chat!
Massage gun: https://pulseroll.com/product/massage-gun
Unfortunately, regardless of the rise in popularity of yoga it seems as though (particularly amongst my fellow men) that yoga is severely misunderstood. Since we are both regular practitioners of yoga we wanted to discuss our experiences, what yoga means to us and what purpose it serves in our lives.
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If you guys are interested in any fitness equipment please go to our friends at Tribe Active: https://www.tribeactiveuk.com
CBD is not something that either of us have ever been exposed to as neither of us have ever been marijuana smokers. However, after a friend of mine exposed me to the wonders that CBD has performed for him I became curious. It was not until Access CBD reached out to us for a collaboration where we decided to take a deep dive in to this industry and what we found was pleasantly surprising.
In this episode we will be discussing some initial research and discoveries we have made on CBD, what it is, why it is used and how it can benefit you. We want you to join us on this journey we take to uncover the intricacies of CBD.
Access CBD: https://accesscbd.uk
Canabidol: https://canabidol.com
CBD Coffee: https://www.my-lifeline.co.uk
We have received many messages asking why we haven't been posting any new episodes, well unfortunately I tested positive for Covid-19 and have been self isolating.
We decided to record this episode where I explain the symptoms and feelings I experienced during this ordeal. We implore you to accept the fact that this is far more then a 'bad flu'. This is a virus that can make you extremely unwell and in some cases lead to death. We must come together to fight this and make sure that we don' subject one another to the pain and discomfort I experienced.
As we have discussed in our previous episodes we are huge believers in unleashing your creativity and always exploring what helps you do that, whether its blogging, building, painting, videography or photography, we encourage you to try it all! However in this episode we talk about a hobby we have been practicing for several years and that is photography.
We talk about the beauty of photography, what we love about it and why it is important to use a dedicated camera as opposed to your phone. Of course there is no doubt you can get great shots with your iPhone, however photography is much much then just getting great shots. This is part one in a series of episodes all about photography, helping people to get in to it or appealing to those of our audience who are more seasoned!
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Cameras we use: https://www.nikon.co.uk/en_GB/products/category_pages/digital_cameras/mirrorless/overview.page
As avid home cooks and self proclaimed foodies we found ourselves discussing the ethics or certain farmed produce and naturally Foie Gras came up! Due to the prohibitive price point of Foie Gras it seems that this mysterious food has managed to travel under many peoples radar, however, it is not so much the food itself that we shall be discussing but the farming techniques. There is great debate on whether or not the farming of Foie Gras is ethical so here is our take on that subject.
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As podcast hosts we value great quality conversation, however, what does great conversation mean? The "what is your favourite" question seems to be a hallmark of conversation and relationship building. In fact I would use the question myself to strike points of interest and further a conversation but why do we use that question so profusely? Is there a secret meaning behind that question? Are we asking it hide our true intentions?
We discuss why this question is used and the numerous settings and situations it is used that subverts our understanding of this innocent question. The key question is is the your favourite question a good thing?
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Ending track: Finding you - Dryhope
On a more serious note, time travel has always been something that fascinates me, in fact, when I was 15 the first speech I made was on stellar mathematics! However today we are playing doctor who, if we had a time machine where would we travel to and why?
We would love to know what you guys would do so feel free to let us know!
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As you are well aware we are both practicing minimalist, we only keep things in our life if they suit a certain criteria and conclusively provide happiness and value to our lives. Of course this applies to everything, however, clothing is easily something many can get carried away with, owning clothes that still have the tags on months later is a common occurrence!
In this episode we discuss what to look for in a pair of trousers/pants and what to avoid. How can you get the greatest bang for buck for style and quality? We use Artisan Lab's fantastic new trousers and a prime example of what brands should be aiming for and what consumers should be aware of.
Artisan Lab Trousers: https://artisan-lab.com/italian-standard-chinos
Attire Care Garment Spray: https://www.attirecare.com/shop/cleaning-solution-apkye
Ending track: Life Inside A Nightmare Rectangle - Dotlights
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Movies have been a big part of our episodes from day 1. Both being movie buffs means that we tend to see many movies together, one in particular seemed to stand out to us and we of course we reserved discussion until we got to the studio!
We discuss the socio-economic ideas that are explored in this movie and tackle the question whether or not the ideas were portrayed effectively and entertainingly.
Constructing a great CV is easier said then done, some spend a lifetime without perfecting the nuances of what makes a CV stand out. As the job environment changes like never before and the arena becomes more competitive there has never been a better time to jazz up your CV. Having been on both sides of creating and reviewing CV's we have decided to create the second part to our 'interview' episode.
We explore what makes a CV unique, what you can do to improve the content, format and layout of your CV and what to avoid.
Ending track: Campfire - No Spirit
Welcome to our new format of episodes! Point of discussion or P.O.D for short, where we discuss interesting topics and matters in around 15 minutes.
Diets have always been a rather divisive topic, are they unhealthy? Should we all eat a 'balanced diet'? Having both been in competitive sports we both believe that diets are completely dependent on your lifestyle. Join us as we discuss what diets we have tried and what our take is on the ever changing platform of fad diets.
Exploration and curiosity go hand in hand. The recent success of the Space X ISS mission has of course triggered new interest, people are no talking once again about what is beyond the stars, whether we can live on mars and if one they 'they' can also visit other planets. However, a continuous stigma that has been attached to space campaigns is "is it worth it?" Why should we continue to fund space exploration when we are problems here on earth.
In this episode we discuss whether the previous question has any credence and why it is important for the furthering of the human species that we continue to support and fund space travel. This particular subject goes beyond space exploration, to be curious is in our DNA, it is part of what makes us ambitious and thoughtful individuals, for future generation we must encourage the growth and expansion of the human existence!
Intro Track: Soul Food - Ruck P
End track: No more fires - Sleepy Fish
I don't believe this episode needs much of a description. With the recent events following George Floyd's murder the world has now started to recognise the overt and covert discrimination of people of colour. This started off in the US but the message has now reverberated across the world causing action and conversations to happen around this subject.
As two people of colour and from 2 different generations we experience racism on a daily basis in the UK. It is now time to have this conversation, to understand what us and many around the world have to deal with, how we deal with it and how it can change.
End track: Far From Home - Toonorth
The heat in the UK seems to have finally gotten us, far too hot and bothered to actually be satirical about something we decided to put each others survival instincts to the test and grill each other on how we would fare in a cast away situation. What would we do? What would our priorities be? Since the entire pretence of this episode was primarily to poke fun at each other we want you to to think what you would do in a similar situation, would you be able to survive? Would you go mad? Or would you thrive?
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From the success of the previous mineral water episode we were requested to explore a particular water we mentioned called Svalbardi, this is a glacial water that retails for £100! In this episode we give our feedback and opinions of that particular water and explore whether or not this luxury water is actually worth it. We also delve in to other luxury waters that go up to £100,000 a bottle, this is absolutely a world seldom talked about seriously but is extraordinarily interesting!
Brew a cup and join us for a chat!
Svalbardi water: https://www.aqua-amore.com/shop/svalbardi-polar-iceberg-water-still-water-glass-bottle-1x750ml-single-bottle/
Music has always been something important for both of us and to have a great HIFI system thoroughly improves the entire experience. But where do you start? The speakers? The amp? The cables? The source? Where on earth do you start? There seems to be lots of opinions on the internet about how to start off building your HIFI but we are going to do our best to simply that process for you! We will be giving you simple advice on how to start off with a great foundation that allows you to appreciate your music with little to no compromises.
For the items below please visit https://www.electricshop.com and enter 'COFFEE10' for 10% off!
Turntable: Denon DP 400
Speakers: Definitive Technology D9
Amplifier: Denon PMA 600NE
Please check out the rest on their respective websites
HiFi Rack: https://quadraspire.co.uk
Cables: https://www.russandrews.com
As hard as we try to avoid political discussion, every now and again there comes an event that is even too juicy for us to resist. The matter of Dominic Cummings is indeed a strange one. The master mind behind Brexit and the conservative election campaign clearly breaking lockdown rules and getting away with it.
Apologies for being late to this one, it was scheduled to be uploaded last Wednesday but BLM took precedent.
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I am sure the Easter eggs we have been dropping now make sense! We are no longer called Coffee and Conversations and have now rebranded as The Curiosity Project. In this episode we will be talking about why we decided to rebrand, how we did it, the people we worked with, our methods of growing the podcast and much more!
What has become evident is being able to work efficiently and effectively in a collaborative way in perhaps one of the most important traits to have in todays work environment. Whether you are planning a barbecue with your family or in your final sprint on a project, or rebranding a podcast, being able to work with a team and balance your strengths and weaknesses is paramount to achieving a great result. We hope you like the new look and enjoy the future content!
Intro track: Pandreez - Takin you for a ride
Graphic Designer: Website: www.hachidori-ltd.com - Instagram: @hachi.ettc
Ending track: No Spirit - Leaves covered by snow
Welcome to The Curiosity Project!
We are both very excited to announce to both our current listeners and future listeners that we are no longer Coffee and Conversations. With our amazing growth - all thanks to you guys - we have now rebranded to The Curiosity Project with we find to be far more befitting and encompassing of our episodes!
Black lives matter, say no to racism.
https://www.naacp.org/campaigns/we-are-done-dying/
The word procrastinator tends to immediately conjure up prejudices of negativity. This is not your fault but yet something that has been ingrained in your brain since childhood. "Focus! concentrate! Stop slacking!" these are common phrases that people who procrastinate would encounter on a daily basis, so of course the entire idea behind procrastination seems like a terrible idea, but is it? We believe that the very definition of procrastination is flawed!
We discuss what procrastination is, why it is perceived as a bad thing, what makes it a good thing and how practicing procrastination can in fact benefit your life. However, it is easy to get carried away with things, it is important - as with anything - that we remain diligent and use procrastination to our benefit.
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As we have seen the government relax the lockdown rules we found it hilarious that they seem to be providing very literally instructions and specificity as to how business and people need to operate their day to day lives. Are we expected to set the guidelines ourselves and play the whole situation by ear? Of course in classic mind espresso fashion we decided the best way to tackle this is to poke fun at it.
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Music and audio has always been a big part of our lives and as self proclaimed 'music first audiophiles' we felt compelled to do a series on HiFi, starting off with why we use vinyl and why it is fantastic.
Vinyl records on the surface seem like too much hassle for what its worth and on paper, that is true. However owning, collecting and listening to a vinyl can't be defined by a list or data, it needs to be experienced to be truly understood. We explore our history with vinyl records and discuss why in an age of streaming, enjoying a beautiful vinyl via a great system should be the preferred way to listen to your music. If you truly love music you want to be involved and feel as close as possible to the artist, this is part of the experience with vinyl.
We have been using the Denon DP 400 turntable recently and as your first step in to vinyl it is absolutely perfect. If you want to purchase the turntable then visit electricshop.com and enter "COFFEE10" for 10% off.
As two individuals who are avid home cooks we have always looks admiringly upon the professional kitchen, trying to emulate their technical skills and precision while cooking. However, one factor that has unfortunately been glamorised through tv shows is the aggressive and demeaning environment of a professional kitchen, particularly at the Michelin level. Upon further research we realised how big the disparity was between female Michelin star chefs and their male counterparts completely over shadowing them.
Having never worked in the restaurant industry provides a disadvantage, however, working in similarly high pressure and stress environments that are currently reforming and changing to help women made us wonder, why can't the restaurant industry implement the same change?
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As coffee enthusiasts I have never been a huge fan of cold brew, from the information available online from influencers, bloggers and YouTubers I have been convinced that cold brew is an inferior product so therefore never really gave it much thought or consideration. Boy was I wrong. Comparing hot brewed coffee to cold brew is the wrong way to go, its a completely different type of drink and should be treated as such.
After drinking numerous sub-par cold brew products I was amazed after drinking Solo Coffee, a cold brew created by experts using beautiful products. We explore how cold brew differs from its coffee counterparts, how it is made and why so many commercial products differ in their consistency and quality. Lets stop arguing what is better and enjoy cold and hot brew, they both have their time and place.
Brew a cup and join us for a chat!
Solo Coffee: https://solocoffee.co.uk
We all have those times where in the moment we wish we wouldn't have to endure it, but once we emerge alive and adrenaline pumped we know we have just acquired a story for life. In todays episode we start to culminate the numerous stories that we feel qualify as terrifying, near death, or just plain risky. Particularly in testing times like these, regardless of your situation you have to be able to laugh and smile. Thank you for joining us while we remember and tell our terrifying experiences.
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Sneakers and craftsmanship? a rather oxymoronic statement, right? Not quite. Being minimalists has opened us up to a world of understanding products before purchasing. This is great on the wallet as it avoids impulse purchases but its also fantastic in understanding the difference between true quality and pseudo-luxury. Are you paying for a brand or a product? We outline specific elements to look out for so to avoid being swept up in glamorous marketing. .
Artisan Lab is the embodiment of taking the traditional Italian method of making beautiful dress shoes and advancing that for the modern world of sneakers and direct to consumer. Providing a superior product for significantly less. We explore what truly makes a pair of sneakers luxury and why a company like Artisan Lab is the future of the shoe industry. There are few products in your daily wardrobe that need to adhere to the perfect blend of comfort, versatility and style, therefore when someone gets it right it must be celebrated!
Artisan Lab: https://artisan-lab.com
Attire Care: https://www.attirecare.com
Although not a huge fan, we both enjoy watching marvel and dc super hero movies. After revisiting the first Ironman movie it made us think, what super powers would we have? We then mutually decided that this was a conversation to have for the podcast!
Editing this episode during lockdown has made me think that I would love to have the power to cure diseases! What super powers would you have? Have a fun and light hearted conversation with your family and friends! Stay safe.
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Some of us are lucky to be working in a job that we love, to have chosen a career that provides the opportunity to spread your wings and fly as close to the sun as you wish. However, todays topic excludes no one, regardless of how content you currently feel in your professional life. We all have hobbies, interests, ideas and creative urges, the side hustle (a phrase we are not the biggest fans of) allows us to explore our interests, develop our skills and in some circumstances provide supplementary income.
Curiosity, learning and development will always be at the heart of this podcast and therefore we are huge proponents of engaging in a side project. We explore the benefits of a side hustle, the mental and emotional upside and the history and data of who is partaking in a side hustle. We also provide some options for people who don't know where to start, giving them a friendly push in to delving in to their interests.
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Great hospitality is something that we expect when going to a restaurant, a retail shop or a hotel however on that rare occasion you find yourself in a situation where the world hospitality doesn't seem to exist. It is these occasions where you find yourself lost for words and left with only a funny story to tell your friends and family. It is these stories that we will be telling today.
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As a practicing minimalist and self professed perfectionist, whatever I own should be providing me with a sense of happiness or be the best in its category. I have been on a journey for at least a couple years in search of the 'perfect' baseball cap. Enter Varsity Headwear. For years Alex and Seb have been concentrating on creating the perfect cap, nothing else.
Their obsession for perfection allowed us to look introspectively at our own lives and how being a perfectionist can both aid your life but also how your own journey for perfect must be identified and managed. We discuss how the term obsession has been stigmatised in society and how and why we must reassess our view on perfection and obsession.
Brew and cup and join us for a chat!
Our partner: https://varsityheadwear.com
We both love cycling, I would go so far as to call us cycling enthusiasts! Amongst the miles we have cycled both recreationally, and competitively, nationally and internationally we have of course encountered some unusual and note worthy experiences. Today we paint ourselves in our failures and find a chance to laugh at each other.
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Welcome to the second episode in our 'coffee series'. It is no secret that we are coffee nerds, whether its beans, brewing, grinding and especially drinking it always seems to get us excited. the Hario V60 is perhaps one of the most widely used pour over methods of brewing and one I have been using for over a year. Within that time period I have been able to conduct many tests and have put together a comprehensive and simple to follow brewing routine to keep your brews easy and consistent.
You will also be hearing from Umar who has recently starting using this method and shares his experiences to date. We are excited to bring you this episode and the many others that will follow around brewing, grinding and water chemistry in this series!
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We all find ourselves in difficult times right now but for god sake buying food that will last 8 months with an expiration date of 3 weeks won't help anyone! Now is the time to help one another, exercise compassion and concern for the vulnerable in society. Lets all pull together and work as a team to control Covid-19.
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If you are not aware, there is quite a significant age difference between myself and Umar, myself being in my mid twenties and Umar in his mid forties, this can potentially be quite surprising but alas, it is true. He has always been rather vocal about parenting techniques and the generational shift of what would be regarded as 'good parenting'.
I ask a series of questions that could help millennials like myself understand the world of parenting and what we can do to prepare and make the most of having children and a family. As we find ourselves in an ever changing society it has never been more important to understand our environment and think about how the next generation want to bring our children up in this new age.
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5 years ago most people on the tube, train or bus would be cradling their cherished kindle, their eyes glued to the e-ink screens, watching the screen flash black and white as the pages are turned. However, now it is far more common to see people endearingly and proudly displaying their beautiful hardback, showcasing to those around them they are appreciate 'real' books. But should we be concentrating on increasing our ebooks usage or go back to the good old paperback?
We have partnered with Marianne and Danielle at The Willoughby Book Club to bring you this episode! Aiming to bridge the convenience aspect discussed in the episode they provide a tailored and bespoke service of which after they understand your taste they will curate a collection of books for you every month and send it to your door. A service that truly makes you feel special and exposes you to books you may not have necessarily picked yourself. Definitely something you can't get from an e-reader.
Brew a cup and join us for a scintillating chat!
To be able to travel is a privilege, having the world at your doorstep and explore other cultures, be exposed to sights you could only imagine and taste food that result in gastronomic experiences are all part of the beauty of traveling.
However, what happens when things don't really go to plan? Both being avid travellers we have had our fair share of travel blunders, although at the time frustrating we can now laugh about them.
Do let us know your own stories! Have you been through anything similar? We want to know!
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Want to talk, but have no one to call? You’re not alone. According to a 2019 survey from The Economistand the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), more than two in ten adults in the United States (22%) and the United Kingdom (23%) say they always or often feel lonely, lack companionship, or feel left out or isolated. Figures like these have been ubiquitous in the press lately, with alarming statistics about loneliness now accompanied by equally alarming warnings that it’s stunting our lives and outright killing us.
We try and answer the ultimate question, why is this happening? What definition of loneliness are we using? Is it a characteristic of your environment or a mental state? We believe once loneliness can be comprehensively defined, issues can then be outlined and categorised and then solutions can be created and implemented. As a society we must understand loneliness is rising and to combat it we mustn't put the cart before the horse.
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Whether we think Trump is great or ridiculous we can all agree and on the fact that he has been divisive and has indeed attracted lots of media attention. But what does a couple of non-political English chaps have to say about this impeachment? What sort of image is America portraying to their neighbours. And what will happen now that Trump survived the impeachment?
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Water. Its pretty simple stuff, we all need it, we are all pretty much made of it, why make a fuss of it? The same way you would demand better of your food we now need to rise together and demand better of our water. Life is about experiences and since we promote Hygge - the danish act of finding value and peace in the smallest of acts - what better then to find an experience in the liquid you drink everyday. Working with Michael, the co-founder of Aqua Amore has helped us to quantify and understand the vast world of mineral water and what WE have been missing out on.
After tasting some waters we provide our opinions on them which leads us down a discuss on TDS (total dissolved solids) which is the total content of minerals in a bottle of water. These minerals make up not only certain health benefits but a sensation on the tongue and in the mouth that can be very discernible with the right metrics. This all leads to our main point of the above characteristics being the "fingerprint" of water. Each water is unique and can offer us a unique experience.
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The title says it all.
Coronavirus seems to be going out of control and we want you guys to remain safe and sanitised. As I am sure you have gathered, our Mind Espresso series makes serious conversations laid back and relaxed. With the current media storm around this pandemic it can be difficult to control your anxiety about it. Sometimes you just need to laugh about serious topics.
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If it hasn't been clear yet, we are lovers, enthusiasts, geeks etc of coffee. Everyone has got a clear journey through out the world of coffee and that world normally starts off at Starbucks for most people. However, the universe of coffee is far more interesting and diverse than a latte or a mocha. we are both excited to share our journey with coffee with you and lead you down a path of exploration, experiences and delicious coffee.
Working with our partner Django Coffee Co, we have been taking a deep dive in to not only our own journeys but many other facets of the coffee roasting process and how higher quality of coffee and amount a better cup and a much better experience. Using someone like Django Coffee really amalgamates a no compromise approach to demanding great coffee and the convenience of having it delivered to your door whenever you need. Its been exciting for and and we are excited to share our journey with you.
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To be labelled as insane is to automatically be marginalised within society, to be packaged in to a corner and left to rot, to have your voice silenced and discredited. Why? To protect society. But the question that no one is asking, why do some people become insane? What does it really mean to be insane? And is it being over diagnosed?
The with release of the new Joker movie starring Joaquin Phoenix we noticed that it shone a light on the fringe characters within society, those struggling to fit in and are soon excommunicated and thus forced to fight back. We see the journey of his character and how he got to become insane. This also reminded us of the similarities of another movie, Falling Down starring Michael Douglas. Both character suffer psychotic breakdowns, but their insanity is expressed is a very understandable and relatable way. So I ask again, what is insanity?
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We both loved drama in school, thoroughly enjoying the artistic process of delving deep within the intricacies on the character. Am I perhaps over exaggerating high school drama class? Sure. Is it making me feel better? Absolutely! Once again going down memory lane we expose our not so accomplished acting failures and find an opportunity to laugh.
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There's nothing wrong with a Chinese take out, but there is something wrong with a take out every day. Now with far more people becoming educated in the benefits of concentrating on not only your caloric intake but also your nutritional intake we have realised that maybe the idea of 'eating good' or 'good food' has become disillusioned and must be simplified. Convenience takes priority over taste, this does not need to be the case.
Good food does not mean expensive food, nor does it mean pretentious. Being able to distinguish that and truly understand what you are putting in your mouth, where it has some from and how that affects its taste. Using humble ingredients to their fullest potential is also extraordinarily important. We talk about our journeys and how eating better and more conscientiously has affected factors ranging from our mental wellbeing, physical health and general demeanour.
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Interviews. Whether you are attending one for a new school, a university or a new job, interviews can be nerve racking regardless of how confident you are, so much relies on you ticking the boxes for the interviewer that you've probably never met. Not to worry, there are some key things you can do to really up your chances, prepare in the correct ways and keep yourself calm and clear minded.
Although it is true interviews are tremendously subjective, they are dependant on many factors, one thing that will remain constant is that every interviewer wants to hear certain content in your answers along with getting to see your personality and character. Having attended and conducted many interviews ourselves we collate our combined experience to simplify this arduous process to give our listeners a leg up.
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Zombie attack? Nuclear war? Pandemic? How will the world end and what will you do? The constant news about the coronavirus has really got us thinking, what is our plan B? If things really do go out of control we need to have a back up plan, a plan that will get us through thick and thin!
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Whether it be watching Ronaldo score the winning penalty shot, Tiger Woods win the masters, or Eliud Kipchoge run a marathon under 2 hours. Whether you are playing your local 5 a side, representing your country in Wimbledon or in the final 100m sprint at the olympics, competitive sports play a big part in most of our lives. How does involving yourself within competitive sports affect your life and In what aspects can it positively affect your mentality?
We have both been competing in competitive sports for a combined total of over 25 years ranging from marathons, iron man challenges, rowing competitions, basketball games and more. There are far more facets to sports then purely physical prowess. Remaining in good physical condition is of course important, however the focus, dedication and commitment are but few of the mental benefits we have received. We also discuss how we train for our respective competitions.
Brew a cup and join us for an exciting and in-depth conversation.
With all the buzz around Harry and Meghan we felt obliged to cover a topic that was royal family themed. Something that we have been discussing this week is does the royal family have a place in the modern day? Or is the monarchy an archaic worn out India that is purely a drain on tax payers money? We may not be royal historians but that will not stop us providing our opinions!
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Exams, exams, exams. We are tested at every stage in our academic careers from the age of 8, but what does that achieve? Is the UK education system catering to allowing students blossom as an individuals or training them to mindlessly memorise and regurgitate information to pass exams?
Growing up in the UK education system from primary school to university has provided us with the first hand experience to judge and discuss the direction of how it is developing and also needs to develop. We outline the key systematic problems inherent with the education system and how we believe it needs to adapt, and adapt quickly. The journey of acquiring knowledge and gaining an education should be one not only that is focused on the syllabus but yet one that also allows students to flourish creatively, encourages innovation and provides the resources and environment to positively aid character development. It's an issue we are both passionate about and needs to be discussed.
Brew a cup and join us for an exciting and in-depth conversation.
Confessions. Every month we will be spilling the beans on events at different times in our lives that no one knows about!
We've all done the odd naughty act as a child, on this episode we will both be letting the cat out the bag and embarrassing one another on our secret shenanigans we did as children.
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Minimalism is absolutely a way of life but what exactly does it mean? What does it entail? What it doesn't necessarily mean is having no furniture, a lack of cutlery and poor hygiene! The beauty of this concept lies in this flexibility, its breadth for personalisation and customisation. You can go as far as you wish or as little, whatever suits your lifestyle.
We have been actively practicing minimalism and have made it part of our daily lives. The impact has been overwhelming positive however we both integrate differently within our lives. The affects on mental health, physical health and financial stability can be extraordinary. How can becoming a minimalist affect your life? How do you become a minimalist? These are key questions that are answered during this conversation.
Brew a cup and join us as we discuss how you can try minimalism!
Commuting can be more of a chore rather then an enjoyment, the part of our day that we could rather do with out. But why do we make this day to day pilgrimage more unbearable for one another?
We ate about our experiences with poor behaviour on public transport and our own antics that add to the problem!
Pull a shot and join us for a chat!
Artificial intelligence seems to be almost a buzz word, it's on every blog, every podcast, every news channel but is it as scary as everyone seems to think? Is AI really a situation where we could be witnessing a terminator type situation? Or is it our saving grace, a technological advancement to catapult us forward to achieve things human can only dream of?
As lovers of technology and innovation in any shape or form our intrigue in AI has been ongoing for several years however now as the possibility grows closer and more realistic of a true AI the possibilities are endless. Nevertheless, we all have some very credible and plausible concerns.
Brew a cup and join us as we delve deep in to the potentials of artificial intelligence.
Welcome to a new sub series of Coffee and Conversations! In between our longer episodes enjoy a small nugget of light hearted conversation conveniently named a Mind Espresso. Short, quick and entertaining,
Consider this a snapshot in to our more laid back discussions on matters that aren't as serious as our full episodes.
We are all spoilt for choice, we have the standard Evian, Volvic, Smart Water but what about premium water? Fiji? Black? Voss? Are they worth the price tag? And do we drink them?
Pull a shot and join us for a chat!
We all like a sleep in, not having to wake up to that drone of the alarm clock, a day where there is nothing to do but to lay in bed and watch Netflix. Regardless of what anyone says, there is nothing wrong with a day like that, however, too many can lead to a disorganised and unruly day/week/life! Hence a fruitful, productive and preparative morning and evening routine is paramount in your daily success.
We both talk about our daily morning and evening routines, how they have evolved as our lives have changed and how they have benefitted us in the long run. We also discuss how implementing a useful morning and evening routine in your life could have immeasurable positives to your life.
Brew a cup and join us as we explore the benefits a great routine can have on your life.
Being a victim of bullying is a life changing experience. However it is one that far too many of us have to deal with, whether during school or as an adult. Yet now with the advancements in technology, in particular social media, not only has it influenced our lives in many positives aspects it has provided a unique platform to the bully to target their victims.
We are discussing the implications and impact this new breed of bully is exacting on our day to day lives. Social media is allowing the cyber bully to infiltrate homes, bedrooms and desk drawers. How can this be managed? How should they be punished? These are important questions that are beings asked but seldom answered.
Brew a cup and join us as we try and untangle the malignant world of cyber bullying.
Mindfulness is what is on everyones mind, and rightfully so. How Well Do You Regulate Your Thoughts? How Well Do You Manage Your Emotions? With the rise in mental illnesses and the so called "loneliness epidemic" (stay tuned for a future podcast on this) we discuss how your environment can shape and affect your natural mental strength.
Why can others withstand - and even thrive - in extraordinary situations while others falter? We assess exceptional people i.e Aron Ralston and what we would do in their unique and strenuous situations to gauge our own levels of mental strength. More importantly we explore what each of us can do in our day to day lives to be more mentally strong and improve our quality of life.
We both believe that the practice of mindfulness starts with having a firm foundation of mental fortitude to build upon.
Brew a cup and join us for another scintillating conversation.
Everyone has encountered that moment of self doubt, that point of which you label yourself not good enough for a particular job, task or project. For our debut episode we will be discussing the idea of invisible shackles and how they can bind us and truly inhibit our life experiences, progression and general transcendence. Why do we limit ourselves? What affect it is having on us individually and as a society? How can we make a positive change and break free from these shackles. Join us for a scintillating debut podcast.