Talking Cod: a survivor’s guide to middle age
65 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago -Three northern blokes talk about midlife and growing old disgracefully: the kind of things you want to say, but rarely ever do.
Hosts David Eccles, Phil Birchenall and Andy Hall explore how confronting life head-on - with all the crap it throws your way - makes you stronger, older, bolder and, of course, that little bit wiser.
We’ll share our own experiences and talk to friends about life’s ups and downs, what’s worked, and what definitely didn’t.
Frank, fearless, funny. Talking Cod.
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Episodes
How to be 'Always Free': Financial expert Jason Graystone reframes our money mindset
March 28, 2024 03:00 - 1 hour - 77 MBFor the latest episode of Talking Cod, we're joined by investing guru Jason Graystone to talk about unshackling ourselves from unnecessary worry about our finances. Jason began his career washing cars to earn money when he was 14. He became financially free at 30 and now is a trader and investor, owning a number of successul businesses. We talk about the importance of having a plan, about valuing your time, and how critical it is to instil sound financial thinking into our kids. ...
The Second Half: Luke Staton's Path from Football to Motivation
March 14, 2024 04:00 - 1 hour - 74 MBIn the latest episode of Talking Cod, Dave and Andy sit down with the awe-inspiring Luke Staton, whose journey from aspiring professional footballer to motivational speaker and children's author captures the essence of transformation and resilience. Luke shares the trials and triumphs of his early days in football, the life-altering times when he had to hang up his boots, and the path that led him to inspire others through his motivational workshops and keynotes. Beyond the fiel...
Ripple Effects: How an accident at sea helped diagnose Will Edge's brain tumour
February 29, 2024 03:00 - 1 hour - 93.9 MBThe latest episode of Talking Cod features our good friend Will Edge, a trustee and facilitator at Mentell, a men's mental health charity. We'd originally asked Will to come on to tell us about the charity's work and how he'd first come across the organisation, but then things went strangely quiet. It turns out he'd had a scary accident whilst Wakeboarding in North Wales with his daughter, only to find out after an MRI scan that he'd got a tumour the size of a peach growing on hi...
Mind Over Matter: Bernhard Tewes on the power of hypnotherapy
February 15, 2024 03:00 - 1 hour - 73.9 MBIn the latest episode of Talking Cod, we ask you to 'look into our ears' (not sure if that works, but I'm going to leave it and this note in this final copy, intentionally - Phil) with respected Berlin-based hypnotherapist Bernhard Tewes, whose personal transformation from chain smoker to non-smoker through hypnosis was the catalyst to become a master in the field. Bernhard talks about his journey into hypnotherapy, his practice at Kiez Hypnose, and the creation of HypnoBox, a lea...
Beyond the Pitch: Dean Holden on Football, Loss, and Living in the Spotlight
February 01, 2024 06:49 - 1 hour - 78.9 MBWe're back with another cracking guest on Talking Cod, none other than footy legend Dean Holden. Dean talks about his illustrious career as a player and a manager, most recently of Charlton Athletic, but then opens up with deep authenticity as he talks about the tragic loss of his daughter, Cici. And that triggered something huge in our conversation: as someone in the public eye, how much of your personal life do you have to shield? We weren't expecting someone so prolific to ap...
Breaking Free Of Booze: How Sober Dave Turned His Life Around
January 18, 2024 02:00 - 1 hour - 89.3 MBFor our first guest of 2024, we're thrilled to have David Wilson, aka Sober Dave, share his raw and inspiring journey. For 40 years, Dave was entangled in an ongoing battle with alcohol, a struggle that nearly ruined his life—but a pivotal moment in January 2019 marked the beginning of an extraordinary transformation. Dave opens up about his darkest days – a time when his health deteriorated and alcohol became his master. Following a life-changing text from a friend, his story is a...
Heading into '24 with big plans and crispy confessions
January 11, 2024 02:00 - 27 minutes - 31.8 MBIn this mini-episode of Talking Cod, join Andy, Dave, and Phil as we delve into our exciting plans for 2024. We share a sneak peek into the stellar line-up of guests awaiting us in the upcoming episodes and an update on our next Walking Cod outdoor adventure. Amidst the future gazing, the conversation takes a weird turn - in true Cod fashion - with an unexpected confession about spooning crisps. As ever, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share, and follow, or leave a comme...
From Goals to Growth. With Tales to Inspire's Krish Patel.
November 24, 2023 02:00 - 56 minutes - 64.5 MBIn our latest episode of Talking Cod, we're chuffed to introduce Krish Patel, whose journey is a remarkable blend of ambition, adversity, and awakening. From the streets of Bolton to the professional football fields, Krish's childhood dream of becoming a footballer took him on a bit of a rollercoaster. His career began with promise at Bury, but injuries soon threw a wrench in the works, leading him down a path marked by depression and disillusionment. The lure of a football scholar...
Gone Too Soon: Dealing with the Sudden Loss of Friends
November 09, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBIn our latest episode, we touch on a subject close to the heart – the impact of friends from different chapters of our lives passing away suddenly. Friends are the family we choose, accompanying us through life's journey, but what happens when they leave us without warning? Phil, Dave, and Andy open up about personal experiences, the feelings that follow, and the importance of remembering the good times that friends leave behind. We also delve into how such losses prompt us to refl...
Unstoppable: Steve Hill's Epic 14 Marathon Odyssey
October 27, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 83.2 MBIn this awe-inspiring episode of Talking Cod, we welcome back the incredible Steve Hill, author of "What Next Sir?," fresh from an unimaginable feat of endurance. Brace yourselves for a story that will leave you breathless. Literally. Steve's just completed an astounding 14 marathons in 16 days. He began by running seven marathons along Costa Rica's coast, from the Pacific to the Caribbean. Picture this - eight to nine hours of running every day, in sweltering 30 to 35°C heat, an...
Is Tech Destroying - Or Impoving - Our Mental and Physical Wellbeing? With our guest, ChatGPT...seriously
October 12, 2023 01:00 - 53 minutes - 61.2 MBFor the second episode of Season Four, we're joined by an unexpected yet pretty damn interesting guest - ChatGPT. We tackle the complexities of technology, from the intrusive nature of notifications to the health-monitoring capabilities of our smart devices. We discuss the need for digital detoxes, the irreplaceable element of human authenticity, and how we can better navigate our relationship with tech. And as we offer our take, ChatGPT chimes in using the spooky new Voice Con...
Introducing Walking Cod
October 05, 2023 14:35 - 1 minute - 1.44 MBYup, you read that right. We're going real world. The first ever Walking Cod is coming on Friday 13th October, 2023, and we'd love you to join us. Book your place by heading to https://walkingcod.eventbrite.co.uk now. It's free, and it's better than most things you could be doing in work on a Friday morning. That's a Cod promise. Walking Cod 📅 Date: Friday, October 13, 2023 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM 📍 Location: The Drop Off Cafe, 42 Market St, Edenfield, Bury BL0 0JN Step into the worl...
From Pain to Purpose: A Journey to Recovery, with Ben Elkington
September 28, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 99.2 MBIt's the Season 4 premiere of Talking Cod, and we're back with a fresh brand plus exciting plans for our first live event, "Walking Cod." (Join us!) But the real star of this episode is our incredible guest; 50-year-old sports industry veteran and streetwear dad, Ben Elkington. Join us for one of our most poignant conversations to date as Ben candidly shares his remarkable recovery journey. He bravely discusses his battle with trauma, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder, hi...
Best of, Vol. 3: Blabber Gold
September 08, 2023 12:18 - 1 hour - 75.2 MBAfter 'Hooked on Brainthoughts' and 'Now That's What I Call Cod', it's time for the third and final instalment of our 'Best Of' series, 'Blabber Gold'. And what a cracker it is. We start with the sage-like legend that is Jindy Mann (Leader.Brother.Son.) as we ponder what masculinity means in modern society. With Rev Nick Bundock, we dive deep into religion and the power of community, and then New Order's Tom Chapman joins us to talk about finding fame in mid-life. If that wasn't ...
Best of, Vol. 2: Now That's What I Call Cod
August 31, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 70.6 MBIt's time to get back in the car, set the satnav for Memory Lane [ref: N05 7LGA], and hear some of the 'best bits' from Talking Cod, Season 2. We discussed thoughts on education with our good pals Dan Fitzpatrick and Ben Whitaker (aka The Edufuturists), keeping our inner chimp in check and imposter syndrome at bay. With Daniel De La Cruz (Dan The Agency Man), we chatted about the lies we construct around our personas, while financial mentor Nick Thompson provided some sage thought...
Best of, Vol. 1: Hooked on Brainthoughts
August 24, 2023 03:00 - 54 minutes - 62.1 MBJoin us on a trip down memory lane as we head back to where it all started, season 1. We’re so pleased to bring you this compilation, there are so many great conversations here - and some mad ones, but what would you expect? We talk about getting fit, making time in our lives for ‘random’, music's emotional connection, finding our place in our community and our families (with our first ever guest, the Oscar-winning TV supremo Bo Stehmeier), and the power of friendships. We also f...
Past, Present, Future: Two and a half years Talking Cod
August 17, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 69.1 MBTwo and a half years. That's how long it's been since we hit record on our first episode of Talking Cod. It’s tempting to wonder: Were we the same people then as we are now? As we wrap with Season Three, we took time to talk about some of the great guests we’ve had on the show recently. Rev Nick Bundock sharing spiritual wisdom, coach Jindy Mann’s new fatherhood journey, Tom Chapman from New Order talking about his path to rock stardom, and the unstoppable force of nature that is ...
Choosing Your Battles: The Path of Least Resistance
July 20, 2023 03:00 - 54 minutes - 62.8 MBIn the latest episode of Talking Cod, we delve into a profound and often overlooked principle - the Path of Least Resistance. Life invariably throws a myriad of challenges our way, but do we always need to face them head-on? Sometimes, wisdom lies not in resistance but in acceptance, not in struggling...but in letting go. As we navigate life, deciding which battles are worth fighting is essential. Phil, Dave, and Andy share their personal experiences, where choosing to do nothing w...
Talking Dad: Embracing Fatherhood, with Jindy Mann.
July 06, 2023 01:00 - 45 minutes - 52 MBIn the latest episode of Talking Cod, we welcome back an esteemed guest and newly minted father, Jindy Mann of Leader Brother Son. Join us as we delve into the transformative journey of becoming a dad, share our cherished memories, and reflect on fatherhood's invaluable lessons. Becoming a father is a rite of passage, filled with emotions, unexpected challenges, moments of pure joy, and - occasionally - Beef Hula Hoops... Phil, Dave, Andy, and Jindy dive deep into this vast ocea...
The Inner Circle: How Our Closest Relationships Forge Our Midlife Identity
June 15, 2023 02:00 - 53 minutes - 61.4 MBIn the latest episode of Talking Cod, Phil, Dave, and Andy examine the delicate tapestry of relationships that surround us in middle age. As we transition through life's milestones, our family, intimate friends, and mentors often become the pillars of our identity. Through the usually lively chat, some pretty deep anecdotes, and a dash of humour, the trio unpack how our bonds evolve and how, as our social spheres get smaller, the quality and supportiveness of these connections ge...
Habits, Routines, and Isms: The Autopilots That Keep Us Sane?
June 01, 2023 10:00 - 52 minutes - 60 MBAs creatures of habit, our lives are profoundly shaped by the patterns of behaviour we repeat daily, often subconsciously. Left sock before right? Is it a coffee or a run before engaging the brain? In the latest episode of Talking Cod, Dave, Phil and Andy talk about the routines that keep us sane. Or just about. How do we create habits that propel us forward? What role do our daily routines play in overall success and happiness? And just how flexible are we in the face of establ...
Diving into Failure: Stumbling Blocks or Stepping Stones?
May 18, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 70 MBIn our latest episode of Talking Cod, we turn the spotlight onto a topic many avoid - failure. Join Phil, Dave, and Andy as they dissect the concept of failure, examining it not as a final destination, but as an essential part of our journey towards success. Failure can be a tough pill to swallow, but it's often in our lowest moments that we learn the most valuable lessons. How do we redefine failure? How can we transform our perspective to view setbacks as opportunities for growth...
Beyond the Classroom: Steve Hill MBE's Inspiring - and Bonkers - Adventures
April 20, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 80.1 MBIn the latest episode of Talking Cod, Andy and Phil welcome Steve Hill MBE, an inspiring teacher who embarks on jaw-dropping adventures for charity. From scaling mountain peaks to traversing deserts and jungles, Steve continually pushes his limits. Join us as we dive into his reasons for taking on these challenges, how he inspires his students to get involved, and the source of his unwavering motivation. As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And ...
The Big AI Chat: Is AI about to change our lives forever?
April 06, 2023 02:00 - 58 minutes - 66.7 MBIn the latest Talking Cod, Phil, Dave, and Andy talk AI. Phil already seems to have replaced himself with an AI avatar, so we're not entirely sure if he's on this episode or not. But with ChatGPT-4 being so omnipresent at the time of recording, we figured it was time to explore what this means for work, life, and everything else. And as we venture further into this rapidly advancing frontier, the question remains: are we embracing a brighter future or stepping into uncharted territo...
Taking Off the Mask: Finding Our Authentic Selves with The Perception Coach
March 23, 2023 02:00 - 55 minutes - 64 MBIn our latest episode, Phil, Dave, and Andy are joined by Jon Prince, a former Pro Poker Player turned fully Accredited Mindset Coach and Mentor, also known as The Perception Coach. We dive into how the personas we project sometimes don't align with who we truly are inside. Jon shares his mission to help people discover their authentic selves, reach their full potential, and achieve what they genuinely desire. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation, which will leave you co...
Running up that hill: and down it again. Author Richard Askwith.
March 09, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 99 MBIn this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Richard Askwith, one of Andy's favourite authors and a renowned fell running expert, about staying active as we age, the benefits and drawbacks of competitiveness, and the joys of running with others. Richard also shares fascinating stories about his experiences as an author, including completing the Bob Graham Round and becoming an international Masters athlete. If you're interested in running, becoming an author, middle-aged g...
Regrets? No, but we've had a few...
March 02, 2023 02:00 - 50 minutes - 69.9 MBRegret. Now that’s a big word. We regret split second decisions and laboured choices, sometimes in equal doses. Can you really regret course of action A - however much you hated it at the time - when it ultimately brought you to outcome B? Dave, Phil and Andy explore their own regrets, the things they’d change, and the things they wouldn’t change, even if they wanted to. If you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to ge...
Touched by the Hand of Cod: Tom Chapman, New Order
February 09, 2023 02:00 - 50 minutes - 69.5 MBWe talk about success a lot on the show, but everyone has a completely different interpretation of what that means. So how does it feel when you find yourself stood on a stage in Brazil, about to play bass in front of 30,000 music fans? And what does success look once you’ve hit those heady heights? For our latest episode, we speak to Tom Chapman, bassist and songwriter with Manchester music legends and recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees, the mighty New Order. We talk about...
Perfect? Or good enough?
January 26, 2023 02:00 - 55 minutes - 76.1 MBMany of us constantly judge ourselves by our own high standards, but does everything have to be 100% all of the time? How do we define 'perfect' in a consumer-driven world where perfection is never really attained? There's always a newer, shinier thing coming down the line... And would life have been simpler if Fairground Attraction hadn't thrown down this particular gauntlet in 1988? If you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you wa...
Faith and Hope: how a terrible tragedy transformed a community
January 12, 2023 02:00 - 50 minutes - 70 MBIn one of our most profound episodes, we explore faith with Rev Nick Bundock, team rector at St James & Emmanuel in Manchester: a church rocked by tragedy in 2014 following the suicide of a young congregation member, Lizzie Lowe. Nick explains why St James & Emmanuel had to change after Lizzie’s death and the work he now does in championing a fully inclusive approach to religion. And we get to discuss our opinions on faith and spirituality and get some powerful insights into grief. ...
A Christmas Special: Cod bless us, every one!
December 20, 2022 02:00 - 1 hour - 82.8 MBAndy, Dave and Phil (aka the three not-so-wise men) hang up the festive tinsel and mistletoe whilst pondering the ghosts of Christmas past and present. Have we forgotten what makes the Christmas period special amongst the relentless capitalist-driven cash splurges? If you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].
The Power of Honest Conversations
December 08, 2022 02:00 - 59 minutes - 81.6 MB“How are you?”, “Good thanks, how are you?”, “Can’t complain!” Sounds familiar, right? We spend our lives avoiding opening up to share just exactly how we’re feeling. No-one is an island: we all experience highs and lows, and we need to be more comfortable about talking about ourselves. And so, for this week’s powerful episode, we’re joined by our soul brother Jindy Mann (The Selfish Leader) for an honest conversation about the power of, erm, honest conversations. This is a not-to-...
Doom, Gloom, or Boom?
November 24, 2022 02:00 - 50 minutes - 68.7 MBWe’re back! After a brief sojourn, Dave, Andy and Phil return with a vengeance for series 3 of Talking Cod: A survivor’s guide to middle age. How do we react to the political turmoil and the global situation we find ourselves in? Do we get sucked into the continuous news cycle of doom and gloom, or find a way to transcend the madness and instead, focus on the issues we can affect? And what does our own lived experience tell us about the moment we’re living through? If you like what ...
Who Am I, Right Now?
September 29, 2022 13:00 - 49 minutes - 67.5 MBHave you ever stopped to take stock of where you are in life, the person you are, and the person you’re not? We evolve as we ride the highs and lows of life, but do these experiences give us a deeper understanding of who we are at any given moment? As ever, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].
Food, Glorious Food
September 08, 2022 01:00 - 56 minutes - 77 MBWe sometimes chow down on our grub in total autopilot, but how often do we sit back and think about our relationship with glorious food. And just what impact our ‘convenience’ has had on the quality of what we eat, and the ceremony of eating together? As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].
Big Dick Energy: the good, the bad and the ugly
August 25, 2022 01:00 - 59 minutes - 81.1 MBBo Stehmeier, good friend of the show and CEO of Academy-winning production house Off The Fence, is back, and boy, has he brought a mighty subject to talk about. How do we reframe Big Dick Energy? Join us for a chat about swagger, vulnerability and the power of putting your worst foot forward. As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].
Money, money, money
August 04, 2022 01:00 - 51 minutes - 71.1 MBIs it the one thing you really can’t live without ? In this weeks episode we are joined by friend and listener Nick Thompson, a man who knows a thing or two about cash. And ask the question, if money came to tea, what would it look like? As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, follow, share. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].
Son of my father
July 21, 2022 01:00 - 42 minutes - 58.2 MBAfter an incident with a pizza oven gets the better of the cod-meisters, the chaps have one of their most profound conversations yet: how have our relationships with our parents influenced how we are with our own kids? As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].
Keep on keeping on
June 16, 2022 01:00 - 45 minutes - 62.5 MBWe've all thought of giving up from time to time, whether that's on a task, a job, a relationship, or even worse, just plain giving up. But is that even an option, and would it make things any better? How do we find the inner strength to dust ourselves down, and 'just keep doing it?' Do we talk about how we're feeling during these situations or clam up, like our fathers before us? As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if ...
Taking time for gratitude
May 26, 2022 01:00 - 50 minutes - 69.4 MBWhile we're battling crazy schedules and impossible deadlines, we can soon lose focus on why we're doing what we do. And though we don't do it enough, building in time to reflect and be thankful for what you've got is essential. So when was the last time you sat back and let gratitude guide your thinking? As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or, if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].
Are we too old to change our lives?
May 12, 2022 01:00 - 43 minutes - 59.6 MBDo you ever feel like there’s no point in trying something new and just give up? Andy’s friend, Jason Boyle, joins the conversation in a special episode. Insightful, full of positive energy, Jason is a mentor (like Andy, Dave, and Phil) and shares with us who his first mentor was (a super cool Mancunian), how he recently transformed his life, setting up global communities, how he teaches kids social media, and how he recently found love from a distant land. Jason is an inspirationa...
Men behaving emotionally
April 28, 2022 01:00 - 47 minutes - 65.3 MBBlokes. We're no good with our emotions, are we? From an early age, we're primed to keep stuff in, act strong and conform to type. But inevitably, all those emotions have got to go somewhere, and the more we bottle up, the bigger the explosion on the other side. This episode goes deep on anger, sadness, and the wheel of emotion's lighter side, too. As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email u...
What’s the worst that could happen?
April 07, 2022 01:00 - 45 minutes - 63 MBNow there's a question. One that we've all asked ourselves many times. In this week's episode, we discuss the thought process. Do you rely on the mind or go with your heart or your gut? Or do you just summon up some good old-fashioned courage and see what opportunities arise? As always, if you like what you hear, give us a like, share and a follow. And maybe a comment. Or if you want to get involved, email us at [email protected].
The lies we tell ourselves
March 24, 2022 02:00 - 47 minutes - 35.4 MBIf you stopped brushing your teeth but told everyone you'd cleaned them three times a day, would anyone know you'd lied apart from yourself? That's the question our latest guest, Daniel de la Cruz (Founder, Polymensa), posed when we asked him to join us. Thankfully, we were all remote when we recorded this episode, so we couldn’t tell... Get in touch with your suggestions, kind words and brain thoughts: [email protected] And if you like what you hear on Talking Cod, don't forget ...
Keeping imposter syndrome at bay
March 10, 2022 02:00 - 44 minutes - 33.1 MBImposter syndrome: it's something most of us feel at least once in a lifetime, but how do we recognise and get over this self-doubting voice in our heads? Dave and Phil explore what it means to them, whilst Andy questions whether it exists...or is, in fact, an imposter... Get in touch with your suggestions, kind words and brain thoughts: [email protected] And if you like what you hear on Talking Cod, don't forget to give us a like, follow and a share.
Living with your inner chimp
February 17, 2022 02:00 - 45 minutes - 34.5 MBThe Codmasters lay bare their primitive minds in the latest episode. Can we control our inner chimps, as Professor Steve Peters explains in his seminal book The Chimp Paradox, or are we stuck with them? Get in touch with your suggestions, kind words and brain thoughts: [email protected] And if you like what you hear on Talking Cod, don’t forget to give us a like, follow and a share.
Be busy. Or be present.
February 03, 2022 02:00 - 56 minutes - 45 MBIn our latest episode we’re joined by Alex Heywood, director at high-performance training provider 4and20Million, for some awesome insights on how to optimise your time, and your energy, in a world that expects relentless productivity.
Talking Cod meet the Edufuturists
January 20, 2022 02:00 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBFor our latest episode we joined with likeminds Dan Fitzpatrick and Ben Whitaker from the Edufuturists podcast, to talk about the future of education, creativity, technology, neurodiversity, mental health, and, of course, a fair amount of cod.
You say you want a resolution?
December 23, 2021 02:00 - 55 minutes - 43.1 MBWith the end of the year fast approaching, the lads reflect on the highs and lows of 2021 and figure it's time to commit to some New Year's Resolutions. Or is it?
Living life in the moment
November 25, 2021 02:00 - 46 minutes - 35.7 MBDoes time really fly when you’re having fun? And why does a watched pot never boil? The Codmasters delve into the science that differentiates between time and moments. Yup, it’s proper science.