Best Liam Armstrong Podcasts (2024)

1
Peter Nardi 54:31

18h ago54:31

54:31

Peter Nardi really shouldn't need an introduction! Founder of Alakazam Magic, creator of countless mentalism effects, producer of some of the biggest tricks in the world and a business innovator, Peter's wealth of knowledge is a deep well to pull from! In Peter's episode, he has a tremendous mix of older and newer effects ranging from specially pro…

1
Dean Leavy 55:08

8d ago55:08

55:08

Dean Leavy is a good friend to the Alakazam Team and we're thrilled that he's letting us whisk him away to his desert island! Dean is a multi award winning, former Young Magician of the Year who performs at weddings, corporate events and other functions for some of the biggest brand's in the world. With guest appearances on Bluepeter, BBC and NBC. …

1
Roman Armstrong 1:12:10

15d ago1:12:10

1:12:10

Roman Armstrong has recently ended his run in Derren Browns West End magic show, ‘Unbelievable!’ He is an award winning magician and comedian who in 2022 took his hit show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to rave reviews! His style of magic is quirky and off beat and he even has magic products released to the community! You’re going to love his tru…

1
Liam Montier 1:03:12

22d ago1:03:12

1:03:12

Liam Montier is a highly respected magic creator with an eye for constructing routines with a multitude of clever methods to get maximum entertainment, for little work. His knowledge of methods and tricks is unfathomable and his Desert Island List will have you reminiscing over some of the effect's you started with early in your career and perhaps …

1
Mark James 1:32:46

29d ago1:32:46

1:32:46

Mark James is a full time working magician and has been for nearly 2 decades! Performing in over 40 countries and even worked as a warm up act on hit TV shows like The Xtra Factor, The Voice, A Question of Sport, Celebrity Tipping Point and lots more! He mixed commercial routines with his own vaudevillian flair to create diverse, unique pieces of m…

1
Paul Martin 59:37

1M ago59:37

59:37

Paul Martin is one of the busiest performers in the UK, working alongside other full time magicians, Paul now teaches the many hours of experience he has accumulated in the industry. Paul's Desert Island list is full of strong, commercial routines which have been carefully considered. He also includes an interesting 'curve ball' item which many wil…

1
Harry Nardi 45:45

1M ago45:45

45:45

Harry Nardi has achieved a huge amount in a small amount of time! Not only is he a vital part of Alakazam but he is a Britain's Got Talent Finalist, perfoms at high end events for some huge companies and his social media posts have amassed ten's of thousands of views. Harry's Desert Island list is a diverse mix of working routines, mentalism, magic…

1
Richard Jones 52:17

2M ago52:17

52:17

Richard Jones will be best known for being the only magician (to date) to have won Britains Got Talent but he has an incredible amount of experience with close up magic, corporate events and touring a theatre show! He has had sold out UK theatre tours, headlined the West End and is one of the most highly viewed entertainers on YouTube globally. As …

1
Andrew Smith 45:54

2M ago45:54

45:54

Andrew Smith isn't just one of the vital cog's that keeps the Alakazam engine's running smoothly but he is also an incredible magician and performer who is well known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of magic. Andy is a huge book reader so it's no surprise that Andy's choices are heavily influenced by the page as opposed to marketed items. So if you…

1
Dave Forrest 1:04:02

2M ago1:04:02

1:04:02

Dave Forrest is a prolific creator and producer of magic! His production company 'Full 52 Productions' has released some incredible magic and help launch the careers of many top creators. Dave has an eye for detail and a mind for deviously clever methods. Dave's Desert Island Tricks list is full of phenomenal magic ranging from classic effects and …

1
Spooky Nyman 1:03:53

2M ago1:03:53

1:03:53

In this weeks Episode, we're joined by Actor, Magician and Director Spooky Nyman! His ultimate 8 are an absolute treasure trove of fantastic effects and what is really lovely about this episode is the sheer enthusiasm he has for one particular creator! Spooky also sets us a challenge which I have no doubt you will all rise to! So pop the tray table…

1
Pre-launch Special 32:00

3M ago32:00

32:00

As we prepare for the launch of Desert Island Tricks, join co-creators Peter Nardi, Harry Nardi and Jamie Daws as they talk you through the concept of DIT as well as tease who some of the guests are and spill the beans on some upcoming projects! DIT will be released once a week on a Friday morning so you can listen to them on your way to work! Find…

1
#93: Neuroplasticity, Meditation & the Predictive Brain - Ruben Laukkonen, PhD 1:31:22

1+ y ago1:31:22

1:31:22

How does the brain work at its deepest levels? And to what extent can we radically upgrade it, creating neuroplastic changes? Ruben Laukkonen, PhD is a cognitive neuroscientist, contemplative, speaker, and poet. His eclectic background includes competing semi-professionally in Muay Thai Kickboxing, founding two businesses (including the first onlin…

1
#92: The Awakened Mind - Delson Armstrong 55:11

1+ y ago55:11

55:11

Delson Armstrong is a meditation teacher and author of A Mind Without Craving. He trained for extended periods in the Himalayas and mastered several systems of yoga, including the ten levels of samadhi (meditative states of absorption). Delson has recently collaborated with leading neuroscience research labs interested in studying his brain. On thi…

1
#91: The Science of Creativity & Imagination - Anna Abraham, PhD 1:02:21

2y ago1:02:21

1:02:21

Dr. Anna Abraham is a psychologist and neuroscientist who investigates creativity and how we can optimize this key trait. She’s also a leading scholar on the study of human imagination. On this episode, we discuss the key ingredients of a creative mind, how to become more creative, and how the brain can tell the difference between real and imaginar…

1
Communication Mixdown beginnings and Ambience of cities-how sound artists are creating peaceful spaces in the urban landscape

2y ago

—

Sonic Gathering Place Melbourne Jail: Creating peaceful spaces in the midst of city chaosOn this Radiothon show we explore the beginnings of the show Communication Mixdown with John Langer, and the ambience of cities with Jordan Lacey. And we encourage listeners to donate to keep community strong and keep 3CR on air for another year. Communication …

1
Murdoch and mushrooms: Newscorp's reporting on climate change and what new research is telling us about fungal communication

2y ago

—

Murdoch and mushroomsThis week Communication Mixdown looks at two very different forms of communication. We begin with Dr Victoria Fielding on the Murdoch media's campaign to support Net Zero emissions by 2050 and to educate the Australian public about climate change. Victoria's anaylsis of Newscorp's coverage of the floods in Queensland in 2022 te…

1
#90: Master of Sleep - Nick Littlehales 50:22

2y ago50:22

50:22

Nick Littlehales has been an elite sport recovery coach for nearly a quarter-century and is the bestselling author of Sleep: The Myth of 8 Hours, the Power of Naps... and the New Plan to Recharge Your Body and Mind. On this episode, we uncover the common myths and misunderstandings about sleep. We also discuss the circadian rhythm, chronotypes, pol…

1
#89: Consciousness, Perception & Reality - Donald Hoffman, PhD 50:56

2y ago50:56

50:56

Donald Hoffman, PhD is a cognitive scientist and author of The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes. He is currently a professor at UC Irvine, where he studies consciousness, visual perception and evolutionary psychology. On this episode, we “take the red pill” and hear Dr. Hoffman’s theory on why reality is not what it s…

1
#88: Profound States of Mind - Andrew Holecek 1:07:45

2y ago1:07:45

1:07:45

Andrew Holecek is an author and meditation teacher with decades of intensive practice experience, including a 3-year silent retreat in the Tibetan tradition. Andrew’s work combines ancient wisdom with modern science. We discuss the insights gained from his lengthy silent retreat, the 2 vectors of enlightenment, how our minds construct our realities…

1
#87: The Future of the Brain - Miguel Nicolelis, MD, PhD 1:03:43

2y ago1:03:43

1:03:43

Miguel Nicolelis, MD, PhD is a Brazilian neuroscientist and physician famous for his pioneering work in the field of brain-machine interface (BMI) technology. Dr. Nicolelis’s extensive research with brain-machine interfaces blurs the lines between real life and science fiction. In the episode, we discuss neuroprosthetics, monkeys controlling robots…

1
#86: The Science of Spontaneity - Edward Slingerland, PhD 45:32

2+ y ago45:32

45:32

Edward Slingerland, PhD, is a Professor of Philosophy and Associate Member in the Asian Studies and Psychology Departments at the University of British Columbia. He's an expert on the cognitive science of ancient philosophies. On this episode, we discuss the science of ancient concepts like Wu Wei (”effortless action”), hot vs cold cognition, ways …

1
#85: Neuromagic & Illusion - Stephen Macknik, PhD & Susana Martinez-Conde, PhD 54:07

2+ y ago54:07

54:07

Dr. Susana Martinez-Conde and Dr. Stephen Macknik are neuroscientists who specialize in the science of magic and illusion. Both are professors of ophthalmology, neurology, and physiology & pharmacology at the Downstate Medical Center. Together they pioneered the study of various aspects of magic such as perception, cognitive illusion, and attention…

1
#84: The Brain of a Mental Olympian - Elena Antonova, PhD 1:06:26

2+ y ago1:06:26

1:06:26

Dr. Elena Antonova is a neuroscientist and senior lecturer in psychology at Brunel University London. Her research focuses on the effects of long-term mindfulness meditation practice in the hope of promoting mental wellbeing in the general population. On this episode, we dive into the different approaches to meditation and the 4 levels of meditatio…

1
What happens to your digital presence after death?

2+ y ago

—

‘Social media is full of dead people. Untold millions of dead users haunt the online world where we increasingly live our lives. What do we do with all these digital souls? Can we simply delete them or do they have the right to persist?’ These questions are posed in the blurb on the back of a new book called Digital Souls: A Philosophy of Online De…

1
6. Sally Van Meter: That Dobro Chick 50:06

2+ y ago50:06

50:06

Wherein Deadhead girl and professional musician (and slide guitarist for our podcast theme music) Sally Van Meter tells the story of playing with Jerry Garcia shortly before he died. Grammy Award-winning slide guitarist Van Meter recorded "Blue Yodel #9 (Standing on the Corner)" with Jerry (in David Grisman's home studio) for the album The Songs of…

1
#83: Origins of the Mind - Antonio Damasio, MD, PhD 48:08

2+ y ago48:08

48:08

Dr. Antonio Damasio is a neurologist, psychologist and best-selling author. He's the Founder & Director of the Brain and Creativity Institute, which researches human emotions, memory, communication, and decision-making, and is regarded as one of the most influential psychologists of the modern era. On this episode, we discuss the evolution of the m…

1
"Hear my voice, in my words" Seeking Asylum: Our Stories

2+ y ago

—

Seeking Asylum: Our StoriesOn November 30th the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre here and Black Inc. Books here launched Seeking Asylum: Our Stories, a book that features the voices of people who have lived the experience of seeking asylum in Australia. Twenty-three people tell us why they had to leave their country of origin, how they came to Austral…

1
#82: Sleep & Dreams - Sidarta Ribeiro, PhD 57:23

2+ y ago57:23

57:23

Dr. Sidarta Ribeiro is an award-winning neuroscientist, author, and Founder of the Brain Institute at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil, where he is also a professor of neuroscience. In this episode, we discuss how dreams have influenced human evolution, the connection between sleep and learning, and how to cultivate a rich drea…

1
The Morrison government's new electric vehicle strategy leaves Australia "idling in the garage"

2+ y ago

—

"This is a major economic risk for us": Jake Whitehead on the inadequacies of the Morrison government's new electric vehicle strategy On November 9th the Morrison government announced it's new electric vehicle strategy here, to coincide wiith the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, but it's not the strategy Australia needs to meet its COP26 emission ta…

1
Women and girls at COP 26; The challenges of making a just transition to a renewable energy future

2+ y ago

—

You look up at the stages and you see very few women: Women and girls at COP 26During the second week of the climate summit COP 26, a day was allocated to gender equality and the empwerment of women and girls in climate policy and action. Betty Barkha, a PhD candidate at Monash University's Centre for Gender, Peace and Security here, and Katrina Le…

1
Kim: Welcome Home 24:27

2+ y ago24:27

24:27

Wherein Deadhead Girl Kim shares that her first Dead show was the first time in her life that she felt beautiful. We laugh about the "pickin' berries dance" and her dogs, Jerry and Althea. We get more serious when talking about the importance of the sober Dead community (Wharf Rats). And we reflect on the improvised life. Credits: Host: Stef Taras …

1
Intro: Where Women Talk About the Grateful Dead in Their Lives 8:28

2+ y ago8:28

8:28

Wherein I tell a magical little story about attending a Dead & Company show by myself, celebrate the concept of Grateful Dead kismet, and explain why I'm doing this podcast and what you can expect to hear. Credits: Host: Stef Taras Audio editor: Liam Kadel Music: "Deep Ellum Blues" performed by K.C. Groves (guitar), Sally Van Meter (lap slide guita…

1
Lisa: The More Deadheads the Better 40:54

2+ y ago40:54

40:54

Wherein Deadhead Girl Lisa explains that the Grateful Dead was a gift to her from the great beyond. She also recounts a 1990s cross-country tour with her new boyfriend (and husband-to-be) and tells an epic story of hanging out with the band after a show. Magic abounds. Credits: Host: Stef Taras Audio editor: Liam Kadel Music: "Deep Ellum Blues" per…

1
Sue: The Best Way to Make Life Good Again 49:01

2+ y ago49:01

49:01

Wherein Deadhead Girl Sue "SunshineSue" Weber talks about 40 years of seeing the Dead and the restorative power of the music when she was working as a nurse. She tells stories of finding her husband at a Dead show, being part of the taper community in the 1980s and 1990s, her first social media experience with the Further Forum, and her current rol…

1
Elizabeth: The Music Becomes Me When I'm Dancing 37:57

2+ y ago37:57

37:57

Wherein Deadhead Girl Elizabeth talks about boarding the mothership in the 1980s, dancing at shows, finding the freedom to express yourself, using dance as exercise, wearing earplugs, raising music-loving kids, dancing with her daughter, and working as the backstage masseuse at Hoxeyville Music Festival. She also talks about creating her self-emplo…

1
Stefanie: Time is Just All At Once 42:47

2+ y ago42:47

42:47

Wherein we reflect on the influence of music when you discover it on your own or with women friends. Deadhead Girl Stefanie talks about living in San Francisco in the 2000s, studying art at Jerry's art school, finding her "chosen sister" in the Dead community, and celebrating ourselves through dance. We talk about the scarier sounds in the music an…

1
#81: Mind Control & Brain-Computer Interfaces - Ramses Alcaide, PhD 46:28

2+ y ago46:28

46:28

Ramses Alcaide, PhD is an electrical engineer, neuroscientist, and CEO of Neurable, an innovative brain-computer interface company. At Neurable, he is the inventor and primary developer of a brain-computer interface technology that is designed to turn human biometrics into actionable insights. On this episode, we discuss his work at Neurable, how t…

1
Do self-help books help?

2+ y ago

—

(Image: Angie/Flickr)Books that offer readers the chance to try to change their lives or selves for the better seem to be proliferating. Given their prevalence, it’s likely you or someone you know has bought or borrowed from a library some kind of self-help book. And maybe it’s even helped solve whatever problem you or they were struggling with. Bu…

1
#80: The Power of Focus - Amishi Jha, PhD 49:59

2+ y ago49:59

49:59

Dr. Amishi Jha is a neuroscientist and professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She's the Director and Co-Founder of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative. Dr. Jha leads research on the neural basis of attention and the effects of mindfulness-based training programs on cognition, emotion, resilie…

1
Peace Building in Africa and Beyond: Creating partnerships in Australia and the Democratic Republic of Congo

2+ y ago

—

Peace Building in Africa and Beyond: Creating partnerships in Australia and the Democratic Republic of CongoThe Raising Peace Festival was held from September 16th to September 26th, 2021. The Festival celebrated International Peace Day, September 21st, and was organised by International Volunteers for Peace (IVP), the Women's International League …

1
#79: Pain & Placebo - Apkar V. Apkarian, PhD 52:54

2+ y ago52:54

52:54

Apkar V. Apkarian, PhD is a professor of physiology, anesthesiology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. He has been studying pain for more than two decades and is a pioneer in the use of fMRI to study the neurochemistry of the brain. Dr. Apkarian's research has increasingly focused on …

1
Urban foraging: Edible plants, caring for the environment and creating community

2+ y ago

—

Urban foraging: Edible plants, caring for the environment and creating community Urban foraging is an idea that has been taken up by many celebrity chefs but for Alexandra Crosby and IIaria Vanni, from the University of Technology Sydney it's much more. Together they've established Mapping Edges, a transdisciplinary research studio that explores th…

1
#78: Neuroscience, Consciousness & Nonduality - James Cooke, PhD 55:51

2+ y ago55:51

55:51

Dr. James Cooke is a neuroscientist, writer and speaker, focused on consciousness, meditation, psychedelic states, and science. He studied Experimental Psychology and completed his PhD in Neuroscience at Oxford University. He holds research positions at University College London and Trinity College Dublin where he investigates how the brain creates…

1
What political philosopher Charles Mills' work means in Australia

2+ y ago

—

Political philosopher Charles Mills died on September 20. Mills was a major figure in philosophy for bringing white supremacy to the fore in his work, changing the way we speak about race. Reema Rattan talks to race scholar Debbie Bargallie, who used Mills' work extensively in her book Unmasking the Racial Contract: Indigenous voices on racism in t…

1
Historian Barbara Minchinton on sex work and sex workers in 19th Century Melbourne

2+ y ago

—

The Women of Little Lon: Sex workers in 19th Century MelbourneBarbara Minchinton's book The Women of Little Lon: Sex workers in 19th Century Melbourne published by Black Inc is a meticulously researched account of sex work and sex workers in Melbourne from the mid to late 1800s. Barbara chats with Judith about urban archaeology, the situation of se…

1
#77: The Science of Compassion - Shauna Shapiro, PhD 41:23

2+ y ago41:23

41:23

Shauna Shapiro, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and an expert in mindfulness and self-compassion. She has spent two decades studying the benefits of mindfulness and compassion. Her TEDx Talk on this topic has been viewed over 2 million times. Dr. Shapiro is a professor of psychology at Santa Clara University. She graduated summ…

1
Politics, flashmobs, Yolngu dancers: the Australian story of Mikis Theodorakis' legendary song Zorba

2+ y ago

—

The Australian story of Mikis Theodorakis' legendary song ZorbaMikis Theodorakis, considered by many of his country people to be the greatest Greek composer in history, died on September 2nd at his home in Athens at the age of 96. As the country mourned his passing he was remembered as a patriot and a person whose music touched generations of peopl…

1
Making films with your smartphone

2+ y ago

—

Technological disruption of all kinds of industries is the norm rather than the exception now and the film industry is no different. As cameras on smartphones improve, more and more people are embracing the tool as an opportunity to tell their stories, and even traditional filmmakers are joining in. Max Schleser, senior lecturer in film and televis…

1
#76: Peak Performance Mindset - Elliot Roe 48:10

2+ y ago48:10

48:10

Elliot Roe is a leading expert in mindset optimization for high performers. In just the last 3 years his poker clients have won over $150,000,000 and nearly every major tournament title, including the World Series of Poker Main Event. His clientele also includes Olympic medalists, UFC Champions, Hollywood actors, business executives, and Wall Stree…

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Liam Armstrong Podcasts

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