Natural Genius: Deep Conversations. Meaningful Lives.

Natural Genius
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Natural Genius is a podcast of thoughtful conversations with people shaping meaningful lives, useful work and uncommon paths.Hosted by Sam Bell, the show listens for the hidden clever in each guest: the instinct, inner knowing, craft, courage and lived wisdom that shape how they build, lead, create, care and contribute.Guests include founders, operators, makers, artists, elders, wisdom holders and people whose lives carry practical insight.The conversations trace what becomes possible through close listening, trusted instinct, and a life organised around what matters.Listen for the thread. Notice what feels true. Take what’s useful into your own life and work.More at naturalgenius.com.au

  1. #54 - Jake Randall: Poetry, Optimism, and the Most Ambitious Good Life

    6d ago

    #54 - Jake Randall: Poetry, Optimism, and the Most Ambitious Good Life

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Jake Randall about philosophy, poetry, entrepreneurship, investing, community, travel, Network School, AI, and the question that keeps shaping his life: what makes a good life? Jake is a wanderer, entrepreneur, investor, poet, engineer, and incurable optimist. This conversation moves from nomading through Asia and landing in Las Vegas, to writing poetry in the mountains, learning empathy through customer service, building community, practising improv, and staying open in a fast-changing AI world. At the centre is an entrancing question: "What is my most ambitious version of a good life?" Content note: This conversation includes brief reference to psychedelic and plant medicine experience. This episode is for general information only and is not medical, mental health or legal advice, or a recommendation to use any substance or treatment. Please seek qualified professional advice and follow the laws where you live. This episode explores: • what makes a good life, and why that question has stayed with Jake  • philosophy, poetry, trading, investing and self-mastery  • entrepreneurship, integrity and starting again when a plan changes  • learning deep empathy through customer service and real listening  • improv, presence, and the freedom to fail  • Network School and adult, 'summer camp' energy  • third spaces, loneliness, and creating places where people come alone and leave with friends  • AI optimism, human connection, and becoming a constant student Guest-authored bio: Jake is a wanderer, entrepreneur, investor, poet, and incurable optimist (we’re also told he’s single). He’s built companies, traveled extensively, and remains convinced that most of life’s best opportunities begin with curiosity.  He spends his time reading old books, exploring the latest in AI, cooking medium-raw steaks, curating gangsta-rap playlists, and attempting to predict the future. Oh, and if you somehow missed it the first time: Jake is single (his publicist insisted we mention it twice). Be on the lookout for his upcoming book of poetry: Reasons I’m Single, Vol. I* *working title Guest links: • “people are welcome to reach out to me via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesubliminalartist/ or my email: jake@jakerandall.me” Jake • Jake on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-r-randall Conversation mentions: • Network School: https://ns.com/samanthaleebell/invite and the “absence of defensiveness”: https://www.parallelcitizen.xyz/p/ns-2026 • Em Roblin’s Natural Genius: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_83vFbGU2g • Christopher Treble’s Natural Genius: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jSAFj7lwy8 • St. Vincent set: https://youtu.be/BfYJt1O8ZjY?si=htfpmUg9Vlb7iNPk • Hans Rosling’s Factfulness: https://www.gapminder.org/factfulness-book/ • Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged: https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Atlas-Shrugged-Audiobook/B00FG9EVLE Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and introduction to Jake Randall 01:15 Vietnam, Vegas and seeing with new eyes 08:46 Trading, investing and entrepreneurship 11:24 Philosophy, poetry and what makes a good life 18:29 Empathy, listening and customer service as training 31:46 Family, art, memory and profound life experiences 36:38 Improv, presence and the freedom to fail 42:24 Network School, absence of defensiveness and adult summer camp 45:16 Come alone and leave with friends 49:31 AI, optimism and becoming a constant student Explore further: Develop your Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits: Hosted by Samantha Bell in Kiama and Las Vegas, 2 June 2026 Produced at the Kiama office, 2 - 10 June 2026 Natural Genius Podcast: https://naturalgenius.com.au

    1h 2m
  2. #53 - Rodolfo Carone & Francesca Tuzzi: Water, Unity, and the Responsibility to Grow

    Jun 4

    #53 - Rodolfo Carone & Francesca Tuzzi: Water, Unity, and the Responsibility to Grow

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Rodolfo Carone and Francesca Tuzzi about water, unity, Uncle Bob Randall, the Kanyini philosophy, responsibility, poetry, and the small seeds of connection that can help humanity grow. Thank you to Barbara Schacht Randall for introducing us. Rodolfo and Francesca first met Aunty Barb and Uncle Bob Randall through The Circle of Life, the international conference they created in Italy to bring people from many wisdom traditions into shared conversation, ceremony and care. This conversation moves between Italy and Australia, with live translation from Italian, and carries a beautiful thread: when we listen, create and take responsibility together, new connections are made.  This episode explores: • Meeting Uncle Bob and Aunty Barb through The Circle of Life in Italy • How ceremonies and shared experiences can plant seeds for future generations • Water for Unity, Reiki and writing books together • Water, emotion, memory and the sense of oneness • Poetry, art and beauty as ways to create new perception • Kanyini, taking responsibility and humanity maturing into care Guest bio: Rodolfo Carone and Francesca Tuzzi are Italian authors, speakers, teachers and holistic practitioners whose work brings together Reiki, shiatsu, bodywork, energy practices, Hawaiian and Toltec shamanism, Ho’oponopono, poetry and intercultural peace projects. They are creators and organisers of The Circle of Life, Life After Life, Water for Unity, Rainbow Drops of Life, The Day of Alliance for Water and Life and One Day for Life. Guest links: • Rodolfo Carone & Francesca Tuzzi: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100033841883433 • Francesca Tuzzi: https://www.instagram.com/tuzzifrancesca/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-tuzzi-ab55503b9/ • Rodolfo Carone: https://www.instagram.com/caronerodolfo/ Conversation mentions: • Barbara Schacht Randall on Natural Genius: Kanyini, Belonging, and the Wisdom of Uncle Bob Randall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww08BIyQEGg • Uncle Bob Randall and the Kanyini philosophy: https://kanyini.org/ • Water for Unity: https://amrita-edizioni.com/libri/altri-argomenti/scienza/water-for-unity-ebook/ • Emoto Peace Project: https://www.emotopeaceproject.net/ Books mentioned: • Water for Unity: Working with Water Memory to Heal the World Edited by Rodolfo Carone and Francesca Tuzzi https://amrita-edizioni.com/libri/gli-esseri-umani/evoluzione/water-for-unity-agire-sulla-memoria-dellacqua-per-cambiare-il-mondo/ eBook: https://amrita-edizioni.com/libri/altri-argomenti/scienza/water-for-unity-ebook/ • Maui’s Journey: The True Story of Ho’oponopono By Giovanna Garbuio, Rodolfo Carone and Francesca Tuzzi https://www.amazon.com/Mauis-Journey-story-Hooponopono-Italian-ebook/dp/B077Z3JDWP • Il viaggio di Maui: La vera storia dell’Ho’oponopono By Giovanna Garbuio, Rodolfo Carone and Francesca Tuzzi https://www.libraccio.it/libro/9788868203900/giovanna-garbuio-rodolfo-carone-francesca-tuzzi/il-viaggio-di-maui.-la-vera-storia-dell%E2%80%99ho%E2%80%99oponopono.html Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and Aunty Barb’s introduction 01:30 Aunty Barb, Uncle Bob and The Circle of Life 12:05 Bringing people together across traditions 18:22 Connection, ceremony and seeds for future generations 24:24 Water for Unity, Reiki and writing together 32:58 Water, emotion and the sense of oneness 36:42 Partnership, co-creation and finding home in each other 41:32 Poetry, art and seeing from a new angle 52:19 Kanyini, responsibility and humanity growing up 58:53 Personal responsibility and collective change Explore further: Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and Cormons, Italy, 1 June, 2026 Produced at the Kiama office, 1 - 5 June, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au - - - In questo episodio, Sam Bell conversa con Rodolfo Carone e Francesca Tuzzi di acqua, unità, zio Bob Randall, filosofia Kanyini, responsabilità, poesia e dei piccoli semi di connessione che possono aiutare l'umanità a crescere. Ringraziamo Barbara Schacht Randall per averci presentato. Rodolfo e Francesca hanno conosciuto zia Barb e zio Bob Randall tramite "Il Cerchio della Vita", la conferenza internazionale che hanno creato in Italia per riunire persone provenienti da diverse tradizioni di saggezza in un dialogo, una cerimonia e una cura condivisi. Questa conversazione si snoda tra Italia e Australia, con traduzione simultanea dall'italiano, e porta con sé un bellissimo filo conduttore: quando ascoltiamo, creiamo e ci assumiamo la responsabilità insieme, nascono nuove connessioni. Questo episodio esplora: • L'incontro con zio Bob e zia Barb attraverso Il Cerchio della Vita in Italia • Come cerimonie ed esperienze condivise possono seminare per le generazioni future • Acqua per l'Unità, Reiki e la scrittura di libri insieme • Acqua, emozioni, memoria e senso di unità • Poesia, arte e bellezza come strumenti per creare nuove prospettive • Kanyini, l'assunzione di responsabilità e la maturazione dell'umanità nella cura Biografia degli ospiti: Rodolfo Carone e Francesca Tuzzi sono autori, oratori, insegnanti e operatori olistici italiani il cui lavoro unisce Reiki, shiatsu, lavoro sul corpo, pratiche energetiche, sciamanesimo hawaiano e tolteco, Ho'oponopono, poesia e progetti di pace interculturale. Sono i creatori e organizzatori de Il Cerchio della Vita, Vita Dopo la Vita, Acqua per l'Unità, Gocce Arcobaleno di Vita, La Giornata dell'Alleanza per l'Acqua e la Vita e Una Giornata per la Vita. Link degli ospiti: • Rodolfo Carone e Francesca Tuzzi: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100033841883433 • Francesca Tuzzi: https://www.instagram.com/tuzzifrancesca/ e https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-tuzzi-ab55503b9/ • Rodolfo Carone: https://www.instagram.com/caronerodolfo/ Menzioni nella conversazione: • Barbara Schacht Randall su Natural Genius: Kanyini, il senso di appartenenza e la saggezza di zio Bob Randall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww08BIyQEGg • Zio Bob Randall e la filosofia Kanyini: https://kanyini.org/ • Water for Unity: Italiano: https://amrita-edizioni.com/libri/altri-argomenti/scienza/water-for-unity-ebook/ • Emoto Peace Project: https://www.emotopeaceproject.net/ Libri citati: • Acqua per l'Unità: lavorare con la memoria dell'acqua per guarire il mondo A cura di Rodolfo Carone e Francesca Tuzzi https://amrita-edizioni.com/libri/gli-esseri-umani/evoluzione/water-for-unity-agire-sulla-memoria-dellacqua-per-cambiare-il-mondo/ eBook: https://amrita-edizioni.com/libri/altri-argomenti/scienza/water-for-unity-ebook/ • Il viaggio di Maui: la vera storia di Ho'oponopono Di Giovanna Garbuio, Rodolfo Carone e Francesca Tuzzi https://www.amazon.com/Mauis-Journey-story-Hooponopono-Italian-ebook/dp/B077Z3JDWP • Il viaggio di Maui: La vera storia dell'Ho'oponopono Di Giovanna Garbuio, Rodolfo Carone e Francesca Tuzzi https://www.libraccio.it/libro/9788868203900/giovanna-garbuio-rodolfo-carone-francesca-tuzzi/il-viaggio-di-maui.-la-vera-storia-dell%E2%80%99ho%E2%80%99oponopono.html Capitoli: 00:00 Benvenuto e presentazione di zia Barb 01:30 Zia Barb, zio Bob e il Cerchio della Vita 12:05 Unire le persone al di là delle tradizioni 18:22 Connessione, cerimonia e semi per le generazioni future 24:24 Acqua per l'Unità, Reiki e scrittura collaborativa 32:58 Acqua, emozioni e senso di unità 36:42 Partnership, co-creazione e trovare casa l'uno nell'altro 41:32 Poesia, arte e vedere da una nuova prospettiva 52:19 Kanyini, responsabilità e crescita umana 58:53 Responsabilità personale e cambiamento collettivo Scopri di più: Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Scopri di più su Sam: Italiano: https://samanthabell.com.au Iscriviti per ascoltare i prossimi episodi. Crediti: Presentato da Samantha (Sam) Bell a Kiama e Cormons, Italia, 1 giugno 2026 Prodotto presso la sede di Kiama, 1-5 giugno 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    1h 3m
  3. #52 - John Paul Fischbach (EagleHeart): Art, Shamanism and Putting Love Into the World

    Jun 2

    #52 - John Paul Fischbach (EagleHeart): Art, Shamanism and Putting Love Into the World

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with John Paul Fischbach, also known as EagleHeart, about art, shamanism, business, sacred sites, and the practical wisdom that helps people find their way. John Paul is a theatre and film director, author, arts business advisor, CEO and Chief Alchemist of Auspicious Arts Incubator, and a formally trained Native North American / Canadian shaman. In this conversation, he brings those worlds together with humour, clarity and care. They speak about artists as entrepreneurs, building sustainable creative businesses, why art can be a vessel for love, child-led change, site whispering, responsibility, generosity, sacred places, and the value of combining intuition with knowledge, experience and practical action. Guest bio: John Paul Fischbach (EagleHeart) is a Canadian/American film and theatre director, arts business advisor, author and shaman. He is CEO and Chief Alchemist of Auspicious Arts Incubator, author of No More Starving Artists, and creator / presenter of The Shaman and the Stones, a documentary series exploring sacred sites with scientists and wisdom keepers. What you’ll hear: • Art as a way of putting love into the world  • Why artists are entrepreneurs, and why business skills can support creative life  • Mentorship, encouragement and helping someone see the future of their work  • Practical shamanism, responsibility and right relationship  • Site whispering, sacred sites and listening to the wisdom of place  • Saying yes, course-correcting mid-flow, and choosing where attention goes Guest links: • John Paul Fischbach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-paul-fischbach/ • Auspicious Arts Incubator: https://auspiciousartsincubator.org/ • EagleHeart: https://www.eagleheart.com.au/ • EagleHeart YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eagleheartshaman Conversation mentions: • What is a shaman?: https://www.eagleheart.com.au/about • Kevin Kelly’s 1,000 True Fans: https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/ • f**k, YES! by Wing F. Fing: https://www.shepherdbooks.com/ • Kids Thrive: https://www.kidsthrive.org.au/ Chapters: 00:13 Introduction to John Paul Fischbach (EagleHeart) 01:12 Bringing spirit into art and business 05:07 Artists as entrepreneurs and No More Starving Artists 06:51 Child-led change, emotional intelligence and community impact 12:25 Mentorship, encouragement and “you are the prize” 17:49 What a shaman means in these times 21:23 Responsibility, right relationship and seven-generations thinking 36:21 Site whispering, rock carvings and listening across time 48:50 The Shaman and the Stones, sacred sites and ancient wisdom 54:32 Cooking, intuition, knowledge and AI agents Explore further: Discover Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and Collingwood, 21 May, 2026 Produced at the Kiama office, 21 May - 2 June, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    56 min
  4. #51 - Jelena Blajer: The Nervous System of the Family Starts with You

    May 29

    #51 - Jelena Blajer: The Nervous System of the Family Starts with You

    Jelena Blajer has spent 25 years working with bodies (babies, children, pregnant women, whole families) and what she has learned is this: when the parent's nervous system is dysregulated, the child's is too. Presence is not a nice-to-have. It is the medicine. In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Jelena about cranial osteopathy, conscious parenting, the mind-body connection, and what it looks like to take a leap of faith before the net has appeared. Jelena is a cranial osteopath, founder of Happy Hearts, and co-founder and director of Sports and Spinal Group in Melbourne. She works with babies, children, and families, and has spent the last decade deepening her understanding of how emotional patterning, nervous system health, and early childhood experience shape everything that follows. She is now building a platform and app to scale what she has learned beyond the one-on-one room. This conversation is warm, honest, and full of lived wisdom. Jelena speaks about the moment she stopped protecting her heart, the four weeks of creative crack that unlocked a new chapter, and why, for a migrant child who barely spoke English, having a voice and using it has been a lifelong journey. This episode explores: The nervous system of the family and why the parent's regulation shapes the child'sCranial osteopathy, the mind-body connection, and where health actually livesCollaborative health care: working in real time with a dentist and two other osteopathsHappy Hearts and building a platform to help parents connect with children more deeplyBuilding an app as a non-techy person and what AI has made possible in three weeksPeter Crone, deep inner work, and what it means for survival patterns to finally dissolveAn open heart as its own protectionParenting teenagers, a five-year-old force of nature, and the sisterhood that holds it allImportant note: this conversation includes references to energy medicine, quantum health concepts, and emotional healing modalities. It is provided for general informational purposes only and is not medical or psychological advice. Please consult qualified health professionals for any health concerns. Thank you to Adriana Basile for introducing Jelena to Natural Genius. Guest links: Jelena Blajer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jelena-blajer-603402108 and https://www.instagram.com/drjelkidsosteo/Happy Hearts Tribe: https://happyheartstribe.org/Sports and Spinal Group: https://www.sportsandspinalgroup.com.au/practitioners/jelena-parry/Conversation mentions: Adriana Basile's Natural Genius: https://youtu.be/QS7BVBRvMN0Peter Crone, The Mind Architect: https://petercrone.com/Dr Joe Dispenza: https://drjoedispenza.com/Matt Hart's Natural Genius (Humanware): https://youtu.be/WHfUses9lBAHappiness Co: https://happinessco.com.au/Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Jelena Blajer  01:01 A leap of faith before the net appears  02:12 Peter Crone and patterns dissolving  05:01 How osteopathy found Jelena  08:23 The parent is the nervous system of the family  13:04 Collaborative care and the cranio-dental partnership  15:28 Creative crack: the app and what AI has made possible  20:16 How Jelena stays present: morning practice and movement  23:44 An open heart is its own protection  35:16 Family, the beach, and what matters most Explore further:  Discover your Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au  Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits:  Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and Sandringham, 14 May, 2026. Produced at the Kiama office, 14 - 28 May, 2026. Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    46 min
  5. #50 - Matt Hart: Humanware and Becoming Yourself in the Age of AI

    May 25

    #50 - Matt Hart: Humanware and Becoming Yourself in the Age of AI

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Matt Hart about Humanware, creativity, fandom, AI, sleep, belonging and becoming more fully yourself. Matt has spent 25+ years building systems that develop human capability across brand strategy, enterprise culture, education, health technology and venture building. In this conversation, he shares why becoming more fully ourselves matters as AI becomes more integrated into work, creativity and daily life. The conversation moves from surfing and forest work in Aotearoa New Zealand, to 25 years in London, to FandomOS, WSPR Technologies and IndustryApproved. It is about trust, creative capacity, participation and the parts of us that become more valuable as technology gets more capable. Content note: this conversation includes brief references to plant therapies and is not advice. This episode explores: • Humanware sitting at the top of the tech stack • Creativity, story and belonging as pathways into a fuller self • Trusting life’s pull and recognising what has energy • Surfing, land, whakapapa, whenua and returning to Aotearoa - New Zealand • Frequencies, sleep and WSPR’s Positional Intelligence • Fandom, participation and why fans are more than customers • IndustryApproved and creative confidence for Gen Z Guest bio: Matt Hart is a global innovator, strategist and founder working across Humanware, creativity, fandom, education and venture building. Through Better Ideas Faster, FandomOS, WSPR Technologies, Sideways and IndustryApproved, he builds systems that develop human capability across brands, teams, young people and emerging technologies. His work has spanned BBC, Cisco, Spotify, Sony, Warner Music, Unilever and UNICEF. Guest links: • Matt Hart’s services, The Humanware Playbook and free resources: https://matt-hart.com/ • Matt Hart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthart1/ • Free Better Ideas Faster Guide: https://www.betterideasfaster.com/bif-free-ebook • WSPR Technologies, “Positional Intelligence for Better Sleep”: https://www.wspr.co.uk/ • "The A-Z of Fandom" by Matt Hart: https://matt-hart.com/business • IndustryApproved for Gen Z: https://matt-hart.com/industryapproved [Mention Natural Genius or Sam if you want to join Matt’s prototype 12 week crew  for free.] Conversation references: • Fred again: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXF6DMVLIVRr2OQAqyfEGeg • Barbara Marx Hubbard: https://nss.org/national-space-society-governor-barbara-marx-hubbard-biography/ Chapters: 00:00 Becoming yourself in the age of machine intelligence 02:37 AI, Humanware and lived experience 05:34 Five ventures, one underlying idea 08:52 “I don’t choose, I trust” 20:01 Plant therapies, whakapapa, whenua and land connection 30:01 WSPR, sleep and Positional Intelligence 40:23 BBC Radio 1 and Matt’s fandom work 44:47 Fans, true self and belonging in the age of AI 48:05 IndustryApproved and a Natural Genius collaboration Explore further: Develop your Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and Matt Hart in Auckland, 13 May, 2026 Produced at the Kiama office, 13 - 25 May, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    50 min
  6. #49 - Sarah Lewis: Following the Signals in a Creative Life

    May 21

    #49 - Sarah Lewis: Following the Signals in a Creative Life

    Creative ideas can arrive as whispers through life experience. Sarah Lewis is a London-based filmmaker, artist and designer whose work moves across documentary, moving image, installation, craft, handbags, curation, teaching and embodied creative practice. In this Natural Genius conversation, Sarah speaks with Samantha Bell about intuition, place, making with her hands, sexuality, shaving her head, ageing, listening with the body, discernment, her documentary "CUTS / NO IFS OR BUTS" and having a deeply experimental and creative life. They also speak about Bouffant, Sarah's evolving new art project, with an encouraging invitation for women everywhere to submit anonymous bouffant photos as part of a shared, playful and intimate archive at: https://bouffant.me/ This episode explores: • Creative ideas as felt signals and small whispers • What handcraft, filmmaking and design each bring to Sarah's practice • Bouffant, female sexuality and anonymous shared experience • Shaving her head, identity, femininity and being seen differently • Ageing, aliveness, shadow work, discernment and creative freedom • Listening, attunement and discernment in conversation and creative work • CUTS / NO IFS OR BUTS and the cultural life of a long documentary project Guest bio: Sarah Lewis is an international independent filmmaker, artist and designer based in London. Her work spans documentary film, artists' moving image, installation, curation, teaching, community projects and design. She completed an MA in Artists' Film & Moving Image with Distinction at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her feature documentary "CUTS / NO IFS OR BUTS" premiered at BFI London Film Festival and was later selected for Locarno Film Festival Pro's First Look on UK Cinema, where it won the Jannuzzi Smith Award and Le Film Français Award. Her wider practice includes Bouffant, Felt Culture, National Gallery of Victoria artist films, The Staring Girl, Crowded House, The Boy Who Wouldn't Die and collaborative work across Australia and the UK. Guest links: • Sarah Lewis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlewisfilm/ • Sarah Lewis Studio: https://sarahlewis.studio/ and https://www.instagram.com/sarahlewis.studio/ • Sarah's "CUTS / NO IFS OR BUTS" documentary: https://sarahlewis.studio/no-ifs-or-buts-previously-cuts-the-movie/ and https://www.instagram.com/noifsorbuts_movie/ • Bouffant: https://bouffant.me/ Chapters: 01:03 London, place and creative belonging 09:13 Creative whispers, handcraft and life experience 14:57 Bouffant and female sexuality 20:11 Shaving her head and being seen differently 41:25 Shadow work, ageing and aliveness 52:13 Listening, discernment and CUTS / NO IFS OR BUTS Explore further: Women are invited to submit anonymous bouffant photos through Sarah's Bouffant project: https://bouffant.me/ Explore your natural genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. About Natural Genius: Natural Genius is a podcast and listening platform hosted by Samantha Bell. It explores the many ways people find, trust and express their natural genius through work, life, creativity, leadership, relationships and the signals that call them forward. Credits: Hosted by Samantha Bell in Violet Town and London, 27 March 2026. Produced at the Violet Town and Kiama offices, 27 March - 21 May 2026. Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    1h 2m
  7. #48 - Sarah Hayes: Follow the Breath to Steadiness

    May 19

    #48 - Sarah Hayes: Follow the Breath to Steadiness

    Sarah Hayes follows what lights her up. From a childhood on a South Australian farm to animal behaviour research, expedition guiding, yoga, breathwork, freediving and her organisation, "Breathe Her", her path has been shaped by curiosity, place, practice and a strong sense of inner response. In this Natural Genius conversation, Sarah and Sam talk about leadership, Human Design, Generator energy, the Kimberley, breath as a practical pathway back to steadiness, and the small practices that help people feel more calm, clear and grounded in daily life. Sarah’s natural genius is following the nudges, trusting what lights her up, and using breath as a way back to steadiness in life, leadership and the body. Thankyou to Olena Severyn for introducing Sarah to Natural Genius. This episode explores • Ecology, tourism and stewardship • Expedition leadership in the Kimberley region of Australia • Yoga, Pranayama and trauma-informed breathwork • How small breath practices support steadiness • Human Design, Generator energy and following the gut • Freediving, breath, embodiment and community Guest bio: Sarah Hayes is a breathwork coach, yoga teacher, trauma-informed wellness facilitator and educator, expedition naturalist guide and freediver. Through Breathe Her, she helps busy people move from reactive to calm and clear through gentle, practical breathwork practices for everyday life. Sarah brings together ecology, psychology, expedition leadership, yoga and Pranayama to support people to connect with place, body, breath and self. Guest mentions: • Sarah Hayes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahellenhayes/ • Breathe Her: https://www.breatheher.com/nomoretriggers and https://www.instagram.com/breathe_her_ Conversation mentions: • Olena Severyn's Natural Genius: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2SyBOiIdWR4SHARDxyh6mh • Create your Human Design profile: https://www.mybodygraph.com/ • Learn about the Kimberley Region in Australia: https://www.australia.com/en/places/broome-and-surrounds/guide-to-the-kimberley.html Chapters: 00:00 Introducing Sarah Hayes 00:56 Growing up on a South Australian farm 04:27 From animal behaviour to tourism and stewardship 08:36 Expedition leadership and the Kimberley 16:41 Yoga, Pranayama and finding breathwork 24:04 Small practices for full lives 31:13 Trauma-informed practice and self-authority 39:05 Breathe Her, steadiness and following what lights you up 46:43 Freediving, Olena and breath in community Explore further: Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Credits: Hosted by Samantha Bell in Kiama and Amed, Bali, 30 April 2026. Produced at the Kiama office, 30 April - 19 May 2026.

    49 min
  8. #47 - Annie Parker: What Are You Waiting For?

    May 18

    #47 - Annie Parker: What Are You Waiting For?

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Annie Parker about instinct, founders, community and moments when life asks for immediate action. Annie has spent more than 20 years across international startups, technology and consulting, building ecosystems and accelerator programs in London and Sydney, including Wayra, muru-D, Microsoft for Startups and Tech Central. Now semi-retired in Tasmania, she reflects on moving fast when the signal is clear, backing founders with real commitment, and creating the kinds of communities that help people build what matters. This conversation moves from high impact international startup scaling to selling up and moving to a farm within 79 days, to Code Club Australia, Techfugees Australia, HER, creative thinking, trusting great people and learning how to tread more lightly on the land. This episode explores: • Life-changing decisions and the question “what are you waiting for?” • What Annie looks for when backing founders and startup ideas • The tough conversations co-founders need to have early • HER, Wayra and the delight of seeing founders grow beyond expectation • Code Club Australia, Techfugees Australia and enabling people to build skills, confidence and companies • Asking who else wants to help and finding like-minded people • Moving from Sydney startup life to a farm near Penguin, Tasmania • Creativity, trust, teams and the next chapter of land, animals and practical skills Guest links: • Annie Parker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annparker1/ • Code Club Australia: https://www.codeclubau.org/ Conversation references: • HER: https://weareher.com/ • Robyn Exton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynexton/ • Techfugees Australia: https://techfugees.com/ • Pip Marlow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pipmarlow/ • Jackie Coates & the Telstra Foundation: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-coates-3a239529/ • Matt Hart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthart1/ + his Natural Genius episode is coming soon! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Annie Parker 01:35 Moving to Tasmania and choosing a different life 06:20 “What are you waiting for?” 09:16 Trusting instinct and backing big decisions 18:46 Founder fire, tough conversations and startup success 23:30 HER, Wayra and seeing founders grow 27:21 Code Club, Techfugees and enabling communities 31:11 Asking who wants to help and getting things done 38:20 Trusting great people and building teams that shine 43:55 Learning practical skills and tending the land 45:16 Margaret Mead and thoughtful, committed citizens Explore further: Develop your Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and near Penguin, 26 April, 2026 Produced at the Violet Town and Kiama offices, 26 April - 18 May, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

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About

Natural Genius is a podcast of thoughtful conversations with people shaping meaningful lives, useful work and uncommon paths.Hosted by Sam Bell, the show listens for the hidden clever in each guest: the instinct, inner knowing, craft, courage and lived wisdom that shape how they build, lead, create, care and contribute.Guests include founders, operators, makers, artists, elders, wisdom holders and people whose lives carry practical insight.The conversations trace what becomes possible through close listening, trusted instinct, and a life organised around what matters.Listen for the thread. Notice what feels true. Take what’s useful into your own life and work.More at naturalgenius.com.au

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