The Old Men And The Seat

Byron and Paul are back after a two-month break, reuniting in their home podcast studio to catch up on Christmas, family, and the things that weigh us down.

The conversation opens with reflections on their Christmas celebrations. Byron shares the joy of spending Christmas morning with Paul and their sons, watching the now-adult boys slip back into childhood as they played Nintendo Wii together for hours. But beyond the warmth, Byron opens up about a significant decision: not inviting his father to Christmas.

This leads to a raw and honest discussion about cutting...

Our second AI-generated song for Episode 37 - Dementia, Stress, and the Cost of Living Crisis

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Our first AI-generated song for Episode 37 - Dementia, Stress, and the Cost of Living Crisis

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In this candid episode, Byron and Paul tackle sobering news: dementia has overtaken heart disease as the leading cause of death for Australians, with 17,500 deaths registered last year. Both hosts share deeply personal experiences, having lost their mothers to the disease.

Drawing from their family histories, they explore the potential link between chronic stress and dementia, examining how their mothers' stressful lives—marked by single parenthood, financial pressure during the late 1980s recession, and caregiving responsibilities—may have contributed to their early decline.

The conversation shifts to an honest examination of their own live...

In this episode, Byron opens up about his evolving understanding of masculinity—from his post-divorce years chasing external markers of success (the Porsche, multiple partners, the best table at restaurants) to his current view that true masculinity means being comfortable with who you are.

Byron reflects on how his definition has shifted from externally focused to internally focused, emphasizing that vulnerability is actually strength. The conversation explores how mental models from our past shape us, the importance of unlearning limiting beliefs, and why life is ultimately a "single player game."

Paul and Byron al...

In this candid conversation, Byron shares a wake-up call from his doctor: his BMI exceeds 30, placing him in the obese category with increased risks for heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. This revelation triggers Byron's first real feeling of being old, despite being stronger now than in his university rugby days. Byron and Paul explore the complicated relationship between body image, weight, and self-perception, discussing how BMI can be misleading for those who weight train. Byron reflects on fluctuating between feeling strong and feeling fat, managing stress through eating, and the challenges of his new role as CEO of a charity...

In episode 34 of The Old Men in the Seat, Byron and Paul dive deep into a profound philosophical question: what does it mean that there's only one you?

Paul introduces the concept that life is fundamentally a "single player game" – no matter how close your relationships, your lived experience is entirely unique and can never be fully shared or understood by another person. Even best friends who share extensively can only understand about 20% of each other's inner world.

Key topics explored:

The uniqueness of lived experience – How every individual's combination of formative experiences, trau...

In this vulnerable and introspective conversation, Byron and Paul explore how love—in all its forms—fundamentally shapes our lives and decisions. They discuss the profound impact of parental love (and its absence), how childhood experiences create patterns that follow us into adulthood, and the evolution of romantic love from seeking completion to finding comfortable companionship. The hosts share personal reflections on fatherhood, examining how love for their children drives them and how the pain of watching children struggle magnifies their own emotions. Byron reveals his journey from adoring to resenting his father, now working toward empathy and acceptance, while Paul...

Our AI-generated song for Episode 32 - Is Capitalism Failing Us? Money, Meaning, and Mortality

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Our AI-generated song for Episode 32 - Is Capitalism Failing Us? Money, Meaning, and Mortality

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In this raw and reflective conversation, Byron and Paul tackle some of life's biggest questions as they navigate their late 50s. Starting with frustrations over World Cup ticket pricing and the inaccessibility of major sporting events, they spiral into deeper territory: Is the capitalist system still working for ordinary people? Should they have prioritized differently when younger?

The discussion moves from Porsches and material aspirations to the harsh realities of financial security, family relationships, and what truly matters. Byron shares poignant reflections on his parents—his mother's quiet dignity versus his father's self-serving legacy. Both hosts op...

Our AI-generated song for Episode 30 - Lucky Breaks: How Random Moments Shape Our Lives

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In this deeply reflective episode, best friends Byron and Paul dive into their evolving relationship with time as they navigate middle age. They explore the shift from merely "getting through" days to genuinely appreciating the present moment, discussing how age has made them acutely aware that time is their most finite resource.

The conversation touches on:

The long awaited and talked about jingle for The Old Men And The Seat

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In this reflective episode, we dive deep into how luck has secretly shaped our lives in ways we're only now beginning to understand. From a Year 12 arrest that led to law school, to a cooking teacher who prevented a career-ending dropout, we explore the pivotal moments where chance encounters and random circumstances changed everything. We discuss why successful people rarely acknowledge luck's role, the pressure of being a provider in modern Australia, and how recognizing our good fortune leads to genuine gratitude. This isn't about fate or self-help - it's an honest conversation between two friends realizing that while we've...

In their episode, Byron and Paul begin by thanking a listener for feedback that helped them resolve a microphone issue, improving their audio quality. The core of this episode builds upon a previous discussion about success, sparked by an article Byron encountered on his news feed. They delve into various criteria for success, emphasizing a departure from traditional, purely financial benchmarks. The initial points cover financial stability, defined as possessing an emergency fund and minimal consumer debt, which Byron now experiences as a chef despite a lower income. Paul then highlights the paramount importance of cultivating at least a...

In this positive episode, Byron and Paul discuss their personal insights into achieving happiness and contentment. They identify strong, healthy relationships as a cornerstone, emphasizing quality time together and the crucial step of removing toxic individuals to minimize stress and negative experiences. A second key lesson is living within one's means, highlighting how financial stress from unnecessary luxury spending significantly impacts well-being, and how simplifying costs can lead to greater happiness.

The hosts further explore the importance of living in the present moment, being grateful, and discerning realistic anxieties from improbable fears to avoid dwelling on...

Welcome to the 27th episode of "The Old Men and the Seat," where hosts Byron and Paul dive deep into the concept of travel and its profound impact on life.

Byron shares his philosophy of using holidays to completely escape his ordinary life, seeking total irresponsibility and an "alternate life" free from the structured existence he experiences in Melbourne. Paul, while also appreciating a change of environment, highlights the joy of sharing travel experiences with loved ones and engaging in simple, meaningful conversations.

The discussion broadens to fundamental questions about identity and societal...

In this 26th episode of The Old Men And The Seat, Byron and Paul tackle the complex concept of the inner critic, prompted by animated shows like K-pop Demon Hunters and Inside Out. They define it as an 'inner hamster' or loud, negative voices that are a part of you but 'not real,' often linked to anxiety and fear of the future. The hosts discuss its role in driving dissatisfaction, insecurity, and constant self-comparison, hindering self-kindness. They reflect on the universal experience of this critical inner dialogue, noting its potential biological function for survival and progression. The episode touches...

Our AI-generated song for Episode 25 - "Pequeños Milagros" (Small Miracles) (SONG in Colombian Spanish)

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In this 25th episode of "The Old Men in the Seat", hosts Byron and Paul delve into the complex concept of hope. Initially seeking positivity, they challenge whether hope is a standalone force or merely wishful thinking without concrete action. They explore the nuanced relationship between dreams, planning, and execution, drawing on personal anecdotes like Byron's journey to becoming a chef and coping with difficult times. This episode prompts listeners to consider the small, compounding steps that transform aspirations into tangible reality, examining the practical side of personal growth.

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Our AI-generated song for Episode 24 - The Shadow of Time: Living in Our Heads. 

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Our AI-generated song for Episode 20 - Peace.

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In this 24th episode of "The Old Men in the Seat," hosts Byron and Paul delve into profound philosophical questions about time, self, and the human experience, while also touching upon their innovative use of AI in podcast production.

The episode opens with a discussion of their new system for creating show notes using AI, which involves generating a transcript from audio and then using a large language model, specifically Google's Notebook LM, to iterate on podcast titles, subtitles, and summaries. They also reveal an unreleased experiment where AI was used to generate two versions of...

In today's episode, Byron and Paul delve into the escalating challenge of maintaining privacy in an increasingly interconnected online world. The discussion kicks off with a detailed examination of the recent viral incident at a Coldplay concert in Boston, where a mature-age couple, later identified as the CEO of Astronomer, Andy Byron, and his Chief Human Talent Officer, were caught on the Jumbotron hugging. Their swift separation on screen, coupled with Chris Martin's quip about an affair or shyness, quickly led to a social media frenzy that exposed their infidelity, causing devastating personal and professional fallout for Byron, including...

We return after a break, reflecting on our 22 episodes and our pride in remaining unsponsored, unlike other podcasters we follow1....

Byron shares insights from his holiday in Spain, noting the intense heat, the practice of siesta, and a distinct cultural rhythm that contrasts with the fast-paced Anglosphere, which he believes prioritizes achievement over relationships.

This leads us to question the general happiness in Australia, where we perceive increasing financial stress and rising costs of living, as evidenced by our recent grocery shopping experiences....

We also compare career opportunities for young people in Spain...

After recording Episode 20 on peace, we felt we had more to discuss.

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On today's episode, we discuss peace in our lives. 

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On today's episode, we discuss how uncertainty impacts our lives. 

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On today's episode, after a challenging week, we waffle on several important aspects of life. 

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On part 2 of today's episode, we continue our discussion on the question of what do you want?

Links:

This is what happens when you finally choose yourself above all else - Carl Jung

https://youtu.be/XmlHUFeiZug?si=LE48kFS9UYWdm-kY

Self Determination Theory - Deci & Ryan

https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022_RyanDeci_SDT_Encyclopedia.pdf

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On part 1 of today's episode, we ponder on the question of what do you want?

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On today's episode, we discuss, or should we say ramble, on meaningful work. 

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On today's episode, we discuss failure as a benchmark for happiness in our lives. 

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On today's episode, we discuss the impact of stress in our lives. 

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On today's episode, we discuss the value of the small things in life. 

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On today's episode, we discuss our initial thoughts and experiences on Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

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On today's episode, we talk about retirement. 

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On today's episode, we talk about our health & fitness, or lack thereof. 

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On today's episode, we talk with @RobboStudios about our memories of Star Wars. 

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After recording Season 1 Episode 6, some clarity was required. Thus, the addendum. 

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On today's podcast, we discuss our thoughts on the New Year and reflections on the past. 

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On today's podcast, we discuss our thoughts on Christmas and how it has changed over time. 

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On today's podcast, we discuss our thoughts around mistakes and how they've impacted our lives. 

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On today's podcast, we discuss regret in our lives.

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