The ContraMinds Podcast ContraMinds Labs

Professor David Nutt, a renowned Neuropsychopharmacologist, specializes in researching the effects of drugs on the brain, particularly in relation to conditions like addiction, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. As the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of the non-profit DrugScience and the head of the Center for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, Professor Nutt is a leading advocate for evidence-based drug policies and innovative approaches to mental health treatment.In the episode, Professor Nutt explains his role as a neuropsychopharmacologist, emphasizing the study of how drugs affect brain function and mental health. He shares his extensive experience in prescribing medications and exploring brain mechanisms through pharmacology.

Professor Nutt highlights the importance of neurotransmitters in brain communication and how drugs can mimic or block these chemicals to treat mental illnesses. He reflects on his influential 2010 Lancet paper, which evaluated the harms of various drugs and controversially concluded that alcohol was the most harmful substance overall in the UK. This finding has been replicated in studies across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, reinforcing the need for policies that address both personal and social harms caused by alcohol.The discussion also covers Prof. Nutt’s efforts to develop synthetic alcohol, aiming to provide the relaxing effects of traditional alcohol without the associated health risks and social harms. He emphasizes the potential of these alternatives to reduce alcohol-related deaths and improve public health.



Additionally, Prof. Nutt delves into the use of psychedelics like psilocybin for treating mental health disorders, explaining how these substances can reset brain function and offer long-lasting relief from conditions like depression. He contrasts this with traditional antidepressants, which often need to be taken continuously and can have significant side effects.Professor David Nutt’s work highlights the transformative potential of science and innovation in addressing some of the most pressing issues in mental health and drug policy. By advocating for evidence-based approaches and exploring new treatments like synthetic alcohol and psychedelics, Nutt aims to reduce the societal and personal harms caused by substance abuse and mental illness. His insights underscore the importance of continued research and the adoption of policies that prioritize scientific evidence over political expediency, ultimately fostering a healthier and more informed society.



Watch the video episode on YouTube.



Prof. Nutt on X https://x.com/ProfDavidNutt

Swami on LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/sivaraman-swaminathan-9856501/

For Show Notes, visit https://www.contraminds.com

This episode was made possible by the great folks at Effortless.

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Making Education Engaging: A Journey of Discovery
Brandon Hendrickson credits Kieran Egan as a significant influence on his educational philosophy. Diagnosed with ADHD, Brandon found traditional schooling uninspiring until he encountered Egan’s work, which revolutionized his approach to teaching and learning. Egan’s perspective on education, emphasizing the importance of making learning emotionally engaging and relevant, resonated deeply with Brandon. This new outlook led him to prioritize understanding and curiosity over mere academic performance, fostering a love for learning in both himself and his students.

Watch the video episode on YouTube.

About Brandon
Brandon Hendrickson is the founder of Science is WEIRD (https://www.scienceisweird.com/) — a startup that’s developing a new approach to science education. At Science is Weird, they're building a progression of courses that rockets kids to a full, up-to-date understanding of science — from the subatomic to the intergalactic.
Brandon also writes at The Lost Tools of Learning (https://losttools.substack.com/).

Five key takeaways from this conversation:
1. Importance of Making Learning Matter: The most crucial element in education is making subjects matter to students. When a topic resonates emotionally, students are more likely to engage deeply, remember, and understand it.

2. Integration of Stories and Logic in Education: Egan's educational philosophy emphasizes the integration of stories and logic. While traditional education focuses on logic and facts, Egan believes in using stories to make learning engaging and memorable.

3. Holistic and Interconnected Curriculum: Effective education should present subjects as interconnected. Understanding how disciplines like physics, chemistry, and biology relate to each other helps students see the bigger picture and appreciate the complexity of the world.

4. Role of Teachers, School Founders, and Parents: Each stakeholder has a unique role in making education meaningful. Teachers should focus on making lessons emotionally engaging, school founders should design curricula that integrate Egan's principles, and parents should foster an environment that encourages curiosity and love for learning.

5. Potential of Modern Educational Tools: With advancements in technology, such as LLM AIs and online educational resources, there is now a greater opportunity to create the best educational systems ever. These tools can help tailor education to individual needs and make learning more accessible and engaging.

Brandon on LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-hendrickson-36270b20/

Swami on LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/sivaraman-swaminathan-9856501/

For Show Notes, visit https://www.contraminds.com

This episode was made possible by the great folks at Effortless.

Effortless has been designed to be user-friendly, aiding you in your journey to streamline financial tasks. Experience the convenience of achieving e-Invoicing and E-way Bill Generation in just a couple of clicks, simplifying your business processes.

Visit www.goeffortless.ai to learn more.

Build Mastery Through Deliberate Practice and Varied Experiences

To build true mastery in any skill or profession, it's crucial to engage in deliberate practice focused on continual improvement, not just mindless repetition that leads to automaticity. Expose yourself to varied practice scenarios and different contexts to develop deeper flexibility and understanding. Early in your career, prioritize breadth over narrow specialization by seeking out diverse, challenging experiences across multiple domains. This varied background better equips you to adapt as industries and opportunities evolve over time.



Cultivate a Mastery Mindset with Lifelong Learning

Approaching any endeavor with a "mastery mindset" centered on lifelong learning, not just surface-level performance goals, is key to achieving excellence. Realize that simply accumulating years of experience often plateaus your growth; you must make efforts to deliberately improve through practice, feedback, and learning from others at the cutting edge. Maintain a spirit of curiosity, embrace arduous projects that excite you, and take full ownership over charting your own path to mastery. With sustained dedication, the potential exists for anyone to acquire remarkable skills in their chosen pursuit.



About The Guest

Scott H. Young is an author, programmer, and an entrepreneur. Scott's work has been featured in the New York Times, BBC, TEDx, Pocket, and Business Insider. He is also the author of the Wall Street best -selling book, Ultra Learning. Scott's new book.



Get Better at Anything is out in the stands now. In this new book, Scott explore the science of skill acquisition, illustrating the core principles that can help you get better at the things that matter most to you.



Timestamps

05:04 - 09:12 What got Scott Interested in Mastery

09:13 - 11:38 Mastery vs Excellence

11:38 - 16:17 Mastery Motivations vs Performance Motivations

16:18 - 22:40 How To Build Mastery in Anything That You Do

22:41 - 28:58 The Process of Seeing, Doing and Taking Feedback

28:59 - 32:43 Apprenticeship Helps You Build Mastery

32:44 - 39:09 Defining Your Profession To Define Your Mastery

39:10 - 43:46 Variability Over Repetition

43:47 - 49:17 How Will AI Aid Mastery?

49:18 - 55:46 The Need For Mastery in Craft

55:47 - 56:45 What is Success?

56:46 - 58:42 Advice for an 18-year Old at University

58:43 - 01:00:21 Best Advice Scott Ever Received

01:00:22 - 01:01:54 Scott's Dream Dinner Guests

01:01:55 - 01:02:46 What Scott Believes That Others Don’t



For Selected Links, Show Notes and more insights⁠



This episode was made possible by the great folks at Effortless.Effortless has been designed to be user-friendly, aiding you in your journey to streamline financial tasks.

Experience the convenience of achieving e-Invoicing and E-way Bill Generation in just a couple of clicks, simplifying your business processes. Visit www.goeffortless.ai to learn more.



#Mastery,#LifelongLearning,#SelfImprovement,#ProductivityHacks,#PersonalGrowth,#KnowledgeWork,#LearningScience,#CognitiveScience,#ExpertPerformance,#DeliberatePractice,#MasteryMindset,#CareerSuccess,#SkilledCraft,#LearningStrategies,#GetBetterAtAnything

Ricky Afrianto is a Global Marketing Head/Director - Mayora Group. Previously he was Marketing Director and managed 21 brands across 5 categories: Biscuit, Candy, Wafer, Chocolate & Instant Food. Before joined Mayora, Ricky was Regional Marketing/Category Manager – Adult Category for Asia & Middle East Region of Fonterra Brands Singapore.


For Show Notes, visit https://contraminds.com



Connect with Ricky on LinkedIN



Connect with Swami on LinkedIN



15 key takeaways from this conversation:

1. Mayora is an Indonesian food and beverage company with a wide range of products available in over 100 countries, with almost equal business split between domestic and international markets.

2. Local brands like Mayora can innovate and make decisions faster compared to large multinational companies due to their entrepreneurial mindset and connection with local markets.

3. CPG marketing has transformed significantly in the last decade with the rise of e-commerce, social commerce, and new digital platforms like TikTok.

4. Localization and customization are key advantages for local brands, allowing them to create products and campaigns tailored to specific markets.

5. Intuition backed by solid data is crucial in media buying decisions, especially for categories like CPG where e-commerce may not be as effective.

6. Digital marketing for CPG brands should focus on building brand equity and not just performance marketing.

7. Observing consumers directly is still the best way to gain insights, despite advancements in research technology.

8. Future agencies need to be open to leveraging creativity from clients, influencers, and embrace an ecosystem approach rather than being the sole creative source.

9. Successful CMOs need a balance of creativity, analytical skills, business acumen, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

10. CMOs must understand financial metrics and drive business results, not just focus on marketing outputs.

11. Entrepreneurial skills are essential for CMOs to bring new ideas, optimize processes, and drive business growth.

12. Key success metrics for CMOs include business performance, brand metrics, and creating a strong brand pull where consumers can't explain why they like the product.

13. Admired brands mentioned include Nike, Absolut Vodka, Apple, Coke, and Mayora's own Kopiko brand.

14. Innovative campaigns like Anlene's health movement and revamping the century-old Roma biscuit brand were sources of pride.

15. Advice for marketing students is to learn beyond just marketing - subjects like statistics, behavioral economics, and psychology to better understand consumers.

Holistic Living in this Stressful Modern World

Modern living has wired us to overeat when we’re stressed. Nature on one hand has designed our body to live in scarcity, but on the other hand, we are also wired to be fat. Modern living exposes us to heavy, rich and sugary foods in abundance, so we have to fight that genetic gravity to live healthy. Therefore, a holistic approach to modern living comes with lot of self discipline and that self discipline comes with emotional wellbeing. Ayurveda aids emotional wellbeing.



Balanced Diet, Balanced Life

Success without fulfilment is worse than failure.What are you striving for if you have all the money and success but poor health, what’s the point? You have all the success and money and health but if you don't have good family and friends around you because you are not an easy person to get along with….how do you then build relationships and create memories? A balanced approach to personal and professional life lies in realising just focusing on one aspect in your life is not going to give you happiness and fulfilment. Physical wellbeing must go hand in hand with emotional wellbeing.

About Dr. Vignesh Devraj

Dr. Vignesh Devraj is a fourth generation Ayurvedic healer. He is the founder and chief physician of Sitaram Beach Retreat, Kerala – a space for authentic healing and transformation.

Dr. Vignesh is a committed practitioner and researcher on Panchakarma, an ancient body purification method which activates the body’s innate healing energies, providing the foundation to true health. His expertise lies in explaining ancient healing concepts and making it more accessible to the modern world. He is an avid traveller who studies and explores the lesser known healing methods around the world. He is an international speaker on Natural Healing, Ayurveda, Meditation & Transformation.

Connect with Dr. Devraj

Connect with Swami



For Selected Links, Show Notes and more insights



This episode was made possible by the great folks at Effortless.Effortless has been designed to be user-friendly, aiding you in your journey to streamline financial tasks.

Experience the convenience of achieving e-Invoicing and E-way Bill Generation in just a couple of clicks, simplifying your business processes. Visit www.goeffortless.ai to learn more.

 The AirAsia Media Playbook: Integrating Travel Experiences

About The Guest:

Mahek Shah is the Global Head of Media at Airasia (AirAsia Media & Airasia Ads).

Mahek is an integrated marketing and communications professional with rich digital marketing and product development experience. She started her career in advertising with successful stints at Ogilvy, IPG Mediabrands, Lion & Lion and Wavemaker before AirAsia.



Timestamps:

00:00 - 03:40 Cold Opening, Sponsor Message, Guest Intro

03:41 - 05:51 The Evolution of Marketing: A Marketer's Journey from Traditional to Digital

05.52 - 07:32 Shifting Skills for Modern Marketers: From Fragmented to Integrated Experts

07:33 - 09:52 A Two-Pronged Approach to Strategic Planning and Inventory Monetization

09:53 - 11:20 First-Party Data Monetization: Leveraging Brand Ecosystems for Partnerships

11:21 - 14:25 Redefining the Travel Experience: Building an Immersive End-to-End Ecosystem

14:26 - 18:34 The Insourcing Trend: Why Brands Are Bringing Marketing In-House

18:35 - 25:54 Redefining Agency Value: From Execution to Consultative Problem-Solving

25:55 - 30:47 AirAsia Move: Redefining Travel as a Seamless End-to-End Experience

30:48 - 36:45 Redefining Travel Marketing: Working with Endemic and Non-Endemic Brands

36:46 - 40:30 First-Party Data and Ad Tech: Building Seamless Customer Experiences

40:31 - 41:51 Marketing Campaigns that Inspired Mahek

41:52 - 43:00 Why Mahek Admires Amazon’s Business Model

43:01 - 44.53 Marketers who Inspired Mahek

44.54 - 47:26 Mahek Shah’s Book Recommendations

47:27 - 50:36 Dynamic Digital Out-of-Home: AirAsia's Campaign to sell 7 Million Tickets

50:38 - 53:30 Advice to a Marketing Student at University



Key takeaways from this conversation


Marketing has evolved significantly, shifting from traditional offline methods to a digital landscape that's constantly changing.
Modern marketers need to be multifaceted, integrating data, digital, and technology skills to deliver cohesive customer experiences.
Brands are insourcing marketing tasks like media buying and content creation for faster turnaround times, better brand custodianship, and cost savings.
Agencies must redefine their value proposition, moving from execution to strategic consultative partnerships that solve business problems.
AirAsia's "Super App" vision is to provide a seamless end-to-end travel experience, from booking flights and hotels to local transportation.
The Super App ecosystem allows AirAsia to monetize its assets through retail media and partnerships with endemic (travel-related) and non-endemic brands.
First-party data and ad tech solutions enable AirAsia to target audiences on and off its platforms for better conversions.
Integrating multiple technology platforms is the future of media, enabling seamless customer experiences across channels.
Mahek admires Amazon for its progressive business model and aspires to build a similar media ecosystem.
Philip Kotler's work and cultural literature have influenced Mahek's marketing approach.
A recent 7 million seat sale campaign leveraged programmatic digital out-of-home advertising for dynamic, real-time targeting.
Mahek advises aspiring marketers to understand data, derive actionable insights, and focus on connecting with consumers.
Campaigns like Coca-Cola's "Share a Coke" and Dove's diversity campaign have inspired Mahek.
A professor who taught her the strategic role of media in marketing has been a significant influence.
Addressing business problems, understanding consumer insights, and delivering integrated experiences are key for modern marketers.

Watch the full episode on YouTube

For Show Notes, visit https://contraminds.com

Connect with Mahek:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheks/

Connect with Swami: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sivaraman-swaminathan-9856501/

This episode was made possible by the great folks at MovingWalls.

Moving Walls provides a global Adtech platform bu