In this episode, Ollie and Vinny dive deep into the world of New Year's resolutions, exploring the psychology, science, and societal pressures behind this annual tradition. From the biological roots of change resistance to the commercialisation of self-improvement, they leave no stone unturned in their quest to understand why we make (and break) these yearly commitments.

Join them as they discuss practical strategies for setting realistic goals, navigating the minefield of toxic positivity, and harnessing the power of habit formation to create lasting change. With a healthy dose of humor and relatable anecdotes, this conversation will make you rethink your approach to personal growth and embrace the ups and downs of the journey.

• ⏱️ [00:05:30] 📅 New Year, Same You? Examining the arbitrary nature of New Year's resolutions and the societal pressures that fuel them.
• ⏱️ [00:14:20] 🧠 The Science of Willpower: How our brains resist change and what we can do to overcome it.
• ⏱️ [00:28:45] 😊 The Trap of Toxic Positivity: Why embracing negative emotions is essential for personal growth and mental well-being.
• ⏱️ [00:42:10] 🎯 Micro-Resolutions and Habit Stacking: Practical strategies for setting achievable goals and building lasting habits.
• ⏱️ [00:52:12] 😅 Flops, Failures, and Small Triumphs: Vinny and Ollie (or not) share their own humorous attempts at change and learnings.

• 🌐Reads, Feeds, and everything you need at filterfeeders.fyi.
• 📚 Atomic Habits by James Clear: A must-read for anyone looking to understand the science of habit formation and create lasting change.
• 🧐 The Filtration Station: Join the conversation on our Discord server and share your own stories, struggles, and successes.

• 🗣️ Got a question or topic suggestion? Email us at pod@filterfeeders.fyi or leave a comment on the reads on filterfeeders.fyi.
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New Year's resolutions are a double-edged sword—they can inspire us to strive for personal growth, but they can also set us up for disappointment and self-judgment. By understanding the science behind change, setting realistic goals, and embracing the journey (flops and all), we can create a more compassionate and sustainable approach to self-improvement. So, as you embark on your own resolutions this year, remember to be kind to yourself, celebrate the small victories, and keep filtering out the noise to find what truly matters.

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What’s life really like for monks and in monasteries? Forget the romanticized visions of perfection—this episode invites you behind the serene façades as Ollie and Vinny welcome Delson Armstrong, an accomplished meditation teacher and author whose deep dive into the monastic world offers unparalleled insight. With humour, raw honesty, and Delson’s years of experience navigating both traditional Buddhism and modern spirituality, this conversation uncovers the hidden truths of Buddhist practice. From debunking meditation myths to examining how monasteries adapt (or clash) with the modern world, Delson helps redefine what it means to walk the path to enlightenment.

So settle in—whether you’re a 🧘‍♂️ mindfulness novice or a seasoned seeker 🕉️, there’s something here for anyone curious 🤔 about the reality behind the Buddha’s iconic smile 😊.

⏱ [00:01:07] 😲 Breaking Down Enlightenment: Delson busts myths about what it means to spiritually awaken—can you have sex, relationships, and still find your inner Buddha?

⏱ [00:06:40] 🌓 The Shadows We Fear: How repressing life’s challenges under “toxic positivity” often leads to mental burnout and the courage it takes to face our darker selves.

⏱ [00:23:00] 📜 Buddhist Ethics in a Nutshell: Can spirituality adapt to a world of social media and capitalism? Ollie questions, Vinny ponders, Delson enlightens.

⏱ [00:37:50] 📱 Monks in the Digital Era: Delson elaborates on navigating 21st-century pressures—from social media to financial obligations—and whether modern monasticism can survive.

⏱ [00:52:12] 🕒 Too Busy to Be Mindful: How modern schedules clash with traditional practice—and ways to reclaim inner time.

• ✨ All things Delson Armstrong can be found at his site delsonarmstrong.com.
• 😱 Kill the Buddha! An exclusive article written by Delson for Filter Feeders Friends.
• 📝 Catch up with the latest newsletter and be reminded (not spammed) by subscribing to our site filterfeeders.fyi.

• 🗣️ Join the conversation at The Filtration Station, our Discord space for debates, memes, and mindfulness chat.
• 📨 Got a question or feedback? Write to us at pod@filterfeeders.fyi.
• 📱 Links to our socials are available on the Filter Feeders site, plus updates and bonus musings.

And don’t forget to leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review—Vinny’s mum awaits your thoughts.

So breathe deeply, question deeply, and keep seeking your own middle path.

Stay curious and, just maybe, a little mischievous. 😏

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In this very first edition of UNFILTERED, Ollie and Vinny throw caution (and filters) to the wind to tackle the chaos surrounding Trump’s re-election. From emotional reactions to global implications, they’re diving deep, ranting responsibly, and asking the big questions:

• “Why is everyone so obsessed with America when we live in the internet?” and...
• “Is it time to start stocking up on canned goods... or tanning oil?”

Expect candid reflections, some healthy emotional unpacking, and even a bit of self-deprecating humor as they navigate the political circus that is modern democracy. Whether you’re democrat, republican, or don't man, we are here to commiserate, celebrate, or simply make sense of it all.

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0:00 – Introduction: Welcome to UNFILTERED! Ollie and Vinny set the stage for a no-holds-barred discussion about Trump’s re-election. 🎤

03:08 – Why talk about it?: Ollie dives into why Trump’s presidency matters globally—even to Australians. 🦘

06:45 – Emotional reactions: Ollie shares how he went from denial to acceptance in 20 minutes like breaking up with a toxic ex.

😲😧😰😱😵‍💫😕☹😓😭😢😤😠🤬😵‍💫😒😑🤨🧐🤔🙂‍↕😌😊🙃🙂😌😎

17:47 – Media bias: Are we all just parroting narratives? 🦜

21:30 – Objectivity probably not useful: Ollie refeclts on the sisyphean reality of being objective in todays media soup.🍲

23:50 – Our resident facts guru: Vinny surprises Ollie with the numbers behind the events. What story do they tell? 🙀

44:30 – Looking ahead: Why JD Vance might make you wish for the “good old days” of Trump. 🔮

32:50 – Embracing uncertainty: Why we all need to trust the process, and focus inwards for lifes true purpose, even if we don’t love the results. 🗳

59:10 – Bernie Sanders drops in: He is Bernie Sanders! 👴

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🧠 Want to dive deeper? Read Ollie's full article "Maybe: A Reflection on Trump's Re-Election" on our site.

📬 Email: Got thoughts? Send them our way at pod@filterfeeders.fyi

💬 The Filtration Station: Join our Discord community, where debates are as lively as Vinny’s metaphors.

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🙏 Thank you for being part of the Filter Feeders community. Your support means the world to us 🌎

Tune in, chuck the filter out, and give your brain some peace...

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