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The Spacemakers

SPACEMAKERS - Daniel Sih + Matt Bain

The Spacemakers is all about making space to slow down, reclaim your time, and focus on what truly matters.
Hosted by award-winning author Daniel Sih, along with fellow productivity expert Matt Bain, this podcast explores practical ways to build habits for an intentional and meaningful life.
More than a podcast, this pod-course invites listeners on a journey to unlock a better life, one season at a time—from retraining our fractured attention to resetting in mid-life, and more.

Find Spacemakers on your favourite podcast app, watch on the Spacemakers YouTube Channel, and join our growing community of Spacemakers—hit subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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20 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 41 min
English

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S5 · E3
November 1 · 27 min
The Paradox of Pace and Space (S5 E3)
Let’s get real. Work-life balance is a myth. What if there’s a different way? A way to be highly productive and deeply human? To unbusy your life by keeping pace and making space? It’s easy to put the important things on hold. When work settles down, then we’ll spend more time with our kids. When the inbox is under control, then we’ll look after ourselves. But there’s always another email, another project, another responsibility. And the life we want to invest in is happening now. In this episode of The Spacemakers, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore the paradox of pace and space: how to work effectively and make room for rest, relationships and reflection in an already overflowing life. Through relatable stories and a simple upside-down curve, they explore why efficiency alone can’t solve busyness — and how keeping pace and making space can strengthen each other. They also consider the limits of trying to do it all. What changes when we stop chasing the best version of everything and start making small, intentional adjustments within the life we actually have? If you’re waiting for a quieter season to invest in what matters, this conversation offers a way to begin today. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors Bulk Nutrients and Productivity Masterclass. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Talon Media. Mentioned in this episode: Bulk Nutrients Thanks to our episode sponsor, BULK NUTRIENTS. New customers get 5% off their first purchase at: https://www.bulknutrients.com.au/spacemakers Bulk Nutrients
S5 · E2
October 18 · 34 min
The Miracle of Both-And Thinking (S5 E2)
Feeling pulled in opposite directions? You might not need to choose a side. Sometimes, our best ideas emerge when we hold two opposing ideas together long enough to discover something new. That’s the miracle of both-and thinking: learning to stay with the tension and see possibilities we might otherwise miss. In this episode of The Spacemakers, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore how to put this way of thinking into practice. Drawing on Roger Martin’s idea of the “opposable mind”, they consider how this way of thinking can help us navigate the complexity of work and life. Career and wellbeing. Planning and spontaneity. Caring for ourselves and caring for others. Through three memorable metaphors — a barbell, a metronome and a tightrope — they explore how to hold these tensions and adjust as life changes. Living well requires movement, attention and a willingness to reconsider our choices. They also unpack three habits that narrow our thinking: settling for an unhelpful compromise, digging into our own position and treating people who disagree with us as the enemy. Your reflection for the fortnight: when tension feels uncomfortable, which habit do you drift towards? And what might become possible if you stayed open to another perspective? Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors Bulk Nutrients and Productivity Masterclass. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Talon Media. Mentioned in this episode: Spacemakers Productivity Masterclass 2027 This episode is brought to you by Productivity Masterclass — a life-changing program to help senior professionals work smarter, get organised, and take their productivity to the next level. Check out our next program at https://spacemakers.au/masterclass. Spacemakers - Productivity Masterclass
S5 · E1
October 4 · 29 min
The Productivity Paradox (S5 E1)
Work or life? Keeping pace or making space? What if choosing one is part of the problem? Modern life feels increasingly complex. We want to build meaningful careers and care for our families. Stay relevant and protect our wellbeing. Plan for the future and respond to what needs us today. These tensions rarely disappear. But learning to hold them differently can open up new possibilities. Welcome to Season 5 of The Spacemakers, a pod-course exploring the power of both-and thinking. In this opening episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain unpack the productivity paradox: how to keep pace with a changing world while making space for a deeply human life. Drawing on Both-And Thinking by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis, they explore why work and life can feel contradictory while also depending on each other. Investing in your life gives you the energy to work well. Working effectively helps create the time and resources to care for what matters. Daniel shares his uncertainty about running a business in an AI world. Matt reflects on the tension between his dislike of routines and his desire to make a meaningful contribution. Together, they consider what becomes possible when we resist the urge to resolve every tension by choosing a side. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors Bulk Nutrients and Productivity Masterclass. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Talon Media. Mentioned in this episode: Spacemakers Productivity Masterclass 2027 This episode is brought to you by Productivity Masterclass — a life-changing program to help senior professionals work smarter, get organised, and take their productivity to the next level. Check out our next program at https://spacemakers.au/masterclass.
September 27 · 1 min
The Spacemakers - Season 5 Trailer
Modern life keeps asking us to choose: work or life, career or wellbeing, keeping pace or making space. But what if the answer isn’t either/or, but both-and? Season 5 of The Spacemakers explores how both-and thinking can help us navigate the tensions of an increasingly complex world. Join Daniel Sih and Matt Bain for this practical and thought-provoking pod-course about being busy and rested, online and offline, planned and spontaneous, and caring for others and ourselves. This short trailer offers a glimpse of what’s ahead. You can also explore previous seasons of The Spacemakers here. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors Bulk Nutrients and Productivity Masterclass. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Talon Media.
September 6 · 53 min
Beyond Belief: Bonus Interview with Nir Eyal
What if the beliefs holding you back aren’t actually true? In this bonus episode of The Spacemakers, Daniel Sih is joined by New York Times bestselling author Nir Eyal to explore ideas from his new book, Beyond Belief. They unpack why knowing what to do isn’t always enough to create change, and why our beliefs may be the missing piece between intention and action. Nir explores how our beliefs shape what we see, feel and do, the difference between limiting and liberating beliefs, and why changing the way we think about ourselves can change the way we behave. He also shares a practical approach for identifying beliefs that may be holding us back and experimenting with new perspectives that increase motivation and reduce suffering. Resources: Beyond Belief Wise AI: Using Powerful Technology in a Deeply Human Way Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: SM DOJO #6_JOIN CONVERSATION Spacemakers - Dojo
S4 · E10
June 21 · 1 hr 4 min
Let Them: From Seeking Approval to Being Enough (S4 E10)
People matter. Our lives are shaped by the relationships around us. But for many of us, the quiet work of seeking approval is also the root of our exhaustion. We tie our worth to what others think, replay conversations, and never quite feel like we’re truly enough. In this Season 4 finale of The Spacemakers, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore how to love people deeply without letting their opinions define us. They discuss and critique Mel Robbins’ Let Them theory, summarise the AWARE framework, and offer a glimpse of what’s coming in Season 5. It’s a rich and fitting conclusion to our deepest season yet — and even if we’ve been talking about ‘enough’, we secretly hope you’ll want a little more. You can also explore previous seasons of The Spacemakers wherever you listen. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: SM_ADVERT FINAL_DOJO 5_BUNNINGS Spacemakers - Dojo
S4 · E9
June 7 · 48 min
How to Change Your Relationship With Money: 7 Simple Practices (S4 E9)
Being rich isn’t the same as being wealthy. One increases your bank balance; the other expands your freedom, joy, and contentment. In this second part of a two-part episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain turn from theory to practice, unpacking seven money-mindset practices — from noticing what’s already in your hands, to beating upgrade-it is. Our real-world practices can help you live well today rather than postponing happiness for a future that never quite arrives. It’s about being able to look in the mirror and honestly say, “I have enough.” You can also explore previous seasons of The Spacemakers wherever you listen. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: BULK NUTRIENTS_ADVERT FINAL_RICE PROTEIN Bulk Nutrients
S4 · E8
May 24 · 47 min
The Money Dilemma: How to Truly Have Enough (S4 E8)
We’re told that a better life is found when we earn “just a bit more.” Yet the dilemma of money is that the more we have, the more we tend to want. When we pin our future happiness on financial independence, we drift into a cycle of dissatisfaction, overwork, and debt — always chasing, never quite arriving. In this episode of The Spacemakers, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore how our money mindsets shape our wellbeing, and why contentment has more to do with desire than income. They share practical ways to constrain our wants, appreciate what we already have, and practise enoughness — helping us experience a life that feels genuinely rich. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. You can also explore previous seasons of The Spacemakers wherever you listen. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: FULLERS_ADVERT FINAL_No1 FULLERS BOOKSHOP
S4 · E7
May 10 · 54 min
Stop Chasing Goals: Growth Happens in the Kairos Moments (S4 E7)
Goals can make us miserable. They promise happiness and fulfillment in the future, yet leave us restless, always chasing what’s next. In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore how to move toward a better future while staying grounded in the present. They unpack the idea of Kairos moments—those meaningful interruptions in time that offer direction and purpose when we pay attention. When we look for Kairos moments, we find a gentler way forward—one where presence matters more than progress, and enough is already here. You can also explore previous seasons of The Spacemakers wherever you listen. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: Bulk Nutrients
April 26 · 40 min
Wise AI (New Book): Bonus Interview with Paul Matthews
AI promises to save us time. So why are we busier than ever? In this bonus episode of The Spacemakers, Daniel Sih and Paul Matthews introduce key concepts from their new book, Wise AI: Using Powerful Technology in a Deeply Human Way. They explore why time-saving technologies don’t always save time, how to guide AI with organic intelligence, and the four rhythms of Wise AI: deep work, deep thought, deep rest, and deep relationships. Plus, an invitation to download a pre-order Wise AI toolkit. Find out more about Daniel and Paul's new book, Wise AI, at wiseai.au Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: SPACEMAKERS PROMO (DOJO 1) Spacemakers - Dojo
S4 · E6
April 12 · 52 min
The Legacy Trap: Why You Don’t Need To Make A Dent In The Universe (S4 E6)
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make an impact — but too often, our desire to leave a legacy can leave us exhausted and dissatisfied, chasing the wrong things, and neglecting those we truly love. In this episode of The Spacemakers, Daniel and Matt explore why we crave significance, how to do big things without tying our self-worth to our legacy, and what it really means to “leave a dent in the universe.” Because maybe our true legacy isn’t what we achieve, but who we become — and the people we love along the way. You can also explore previous seasons of The Spacemakers wherever you listen. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: BULK NUTRIENTS - EARTH 2 Bulk Nutrients
S4 · E5
March 29 · 55 min
The Freedom in Letting Go: A Modern Take on Attachment (S4 E5)
We all cling to something — success, approval, comfort, control. But the more we hold on, the more we suffer. In a world that tells us to want more, how do we loosen our grip and find rest in enough? In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore the concept of attachment — why we chase what we don’t have, how desire fuels discontent, and what it means to release unhealthy wants. Drawing on ancient wisdom and modern psychology, they unpack practical ways to find peace, freedom, and contentment in a culture of constant craving. You can also explore previous seasons of The Spacemakers wherever you listen. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: SM DOJO #4_CHOOSE OWN ADVENTURE Spacemakers - Dojo
S4 · E4
March 15 · 1 hr
Why Trying to Be Better Is Bound To Fail (I Do What I Don't Want To Do) (S4 E4)
How much is enough? And when have I done enough? It’s a question saints and mystics have wrestled with for millennia. As humans, we often set high standards for ourselves and fail to attain and maintain them. Perhaps even more unnervingly, if you haven’t done enough, maybe you aren’t ‘good’ enough. Finding a satisfactory answer to these questions is critical to help us avoid overload, exhaustion, and the endless treadmill of self-help. Today, we dive into deeper questions about where we ﬁnd a self-identity that is uncoupled from what we do where you can honestly and genuinely say “I am enough.” You can also explore previous seasons of The Spacemakers wherever you listen. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: SM DOJO #4_CHOOSE OWN ADVENTURE Spacemakers - Dojo
S4 · E3
March 1 · 49 min
The Vegan CrossFit Paradox: When Health Becomes Unhealthy (S4 E3)
Your health is important. But there’s a dark side to the wellness industry. We're asked to do more, be more, and still never feel like we’re enough. The result? An endless treadmill of self-help and wellbeing that can leave us exhausted and dehumanised, even when our intentions are good. In this episode, Matt Bain and Daniel Sih explore the health paradox: how to invest in your wellbeing without tying your identity to how you look. We’ll unpack the inner stories that shape our health behaviours and share practical tips to help you love the process of staying healthy—not just chase the outcome—so you can invest in a healthy lifestyle in a way that’s healthy for you and others. You can also explore previous seasons of The Spacemakers wherever you listen. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: BULK NUTRIENTS - EARTH Bulk Nutrients
S4 · E2
February 15 · 43 min
Overcoming Time Anxiety (How To Make Peace With Time) (S4 E2)
Our lives are short—really short. And there’s never enough time. That’s the challenge: not enough time, but more choices than we can imagine. No wonder so many of us feel anxious about the years ahead. In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore how we think about time, how we use it, and how to make peace with our limits. They also introduce the AWARE framework to help you make progress without adding more—or battling against the time you have left. You can also explore previous seasons of The Spacemakers wherever you listen. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: BULK NUTRIENTS (WP1) https://www.bulknutrients.com.au/ Bulk Nutrients
S4 · E1
February 1 · 30 min
The Self-Help Trap: How Much Better Is Enough? (S4 E1)
Do you ever feel worn down by the need to be better? We’re told to optimise everything — our health, our relationships, our finances, even our productivity. But beneath the green smoothies and gratitude journals lies the same exhausting pressure: do more, be more… you’re not enough. As one of our clients put it, “All this self-help is killing me.” In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain step off the self-help treadmill and ask: What if you don’t need to improve? What if being content—and being enough—is the most radical thing you can do? Welcome to Season 4 of The Spacemakers—an anti-productivity pod-course to help you unhook from constant striving and rediscover the simple joy of being enough. You can also explore previous seasons of The Spacemakers wherever you listen. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: SPACEMAKERS PROMO (DOJO 1) Spacemakers - Dojo
January 25 · 2 min
The Spacemakers - Season 4 Trailer
How much is enough — and why are we so exhausted by the need to improve ourselves? We’re told to do more, be more, and measure our progress. Over time, that quiet pressure adds up, leaving us worn out rather than fulfilled. Season 4 of The Spacemakers explores a deeper question in our self-help-obsessed culture: What if true happiness isn’t found in more… but enough? Join Daniel Sih and Matt Bain in this reflective pod-course about making space for a life that is truly enough. This short trailer offers a glimpse of what’s ahead. You can also explore previous seasons of The Spacemakers wherever you listen. Discover more: SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE YOUTUBE SEASON 4 GUIDE This season is made possible with support from our sponsors: Bulk Nutrients, Fullers Bookshop, and The Spacemakers Dojo. This podcast is recorded and produced by Wildersound and Production Farm Studios
S3 · E10
Jul 6, 2025 · 46 min
The Goal of the Goal: How Real People Get Unstuck (Season 3 Eps 10 - Getting Unstuck)
Most people don’t actually know what they want. We chase goals—career success, financial security, personal milestones—only to feel underwhelmed once we get there. Why? Because we rarely stop to ask, “What’s the goal of the goal?” In the final episode of Season 3, we unpack this powerful concept (popularised by Dan Heath) and explore how the thing we think we need to get unstuck might not be the thing we truly want. Plus, we’ll give you a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 4. It’s a fitting finale to help you make space for a surprising second act. Discover more: INFO-GRAPHIC DOWNLOAD SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE / Season 3 YOUTUBE RAISING TECH HEALTHY HUMANS This episode is made possible with support from our sponsor: Banjo's Bakery Cafes This podcast is recorded and produced by Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: BANJOS BAKERY PROMO #2 A warm thanks to our sponsor, Banjo’s Bakery Café’s, who are expanding across Australia and looking for new franchisee’s! If you’re hard working and business savvy, visit franchise.banjos.com.au and mention ‘Spacemakers’ to save 10% on franchise fees. Banjo’s Bakery Cafés Franchisees Banjo’s Bakery Café’s - FRANCHISEES 1 A warm thanks to our sponsor, Banjo’s Bakery Café’s, who are expanding across Australia and looking for new franchisee’s! If you’re hard working and business savvy, visit franchise.banjos.com.au and mention ‘Spacemakers’ to save 10% on franchise fees. Banjo’s Bakery Cafés Franchisees
S3 · E9
Jun 29, 2025 · 41 min
From Me To We: Why Change Is Better Together (Season 3 Eps 9 - Getting Unstuck)
Who are you becoming—and who is shaping you along the way? In this episode of The Spacemakers, Matt and Daniel explore why personal change is rarely a solo journey. From habits to health to mindset, we’re deeply shaped by the people we spend time with. Behaviour is contagious—we mimic what we see, not just what we hear. Which means the fastest way to change yourself is to travel alongside others who are heading where you want to go. Whether it’s forming accountable relationships, finding your ‘right tribe,’ or simply being brave enough to go first and inspire change in others, this conversation will reshape how you think about stuckness. You don’t have to do it alone. And maybe you never were meant to.Discover more: INFO-GRAPHIC DOWNLOAD SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE / Season 3 YOUTUBE RAISING TECH HEALTHY HUMANS This episode is made possible with support from our sponsor: Bulk Nutrients This podcast is recorded and produced by Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: BULK NUTRIENTS PROMO #4 https://www.bulknutrients.com.au/ Bulk Nutrients BULK NUTRIENTS (5% discount) A special thank you to our major sponsor, Bulk Nutrients. Enjoy a 5% discount on protein powders and health supplements for orders over $45 at bulknutrients.com.au. Just enter the code ‘spacemakers.’ Bulk Nutrients
S3 · E8
Jun 22, 2025 · 50 min
Break Free From Distractions With Life Time Blocking (Season 3 Eps 8 - Getting Unstuck)
How do you spend your time? Does your calendar reflect the person you aspire to be? Do you design your days around what you truly value? In this episode of The Spacemakers, Matt and Daniel delve into the surprising benefits of time-blocking. This simple yet powerful practice isn’t just about managing your schedule—it's about crafting the life you want. Whether it’s rekindling relationships through regular date nights, setting aside time for financial planning, or ensuring consistent exercise, time blocking proves to be an incredibly versatile skill for anyone wanting to live an intentional life. Don’t just let life happen to you. Design the way you live and work, and stick to your blueprint. Join us as we share practical steps to help you overcome distractions and regain control of your time. Discover more: INFO-GRAPHIC DOWNLOAD SPACEMAKERS WEBSITE / Season 3 YOUTUBE RAISING TECH HEALTHY HUMANS This episode is made possible with support from our sponsor: Banjo's Bakery Cafes This podcast is recorded and produced by Production Farm Studios Mentioned in this episode: BANJOS BAKERY PROMO #3 A warm thanks to our sponsor, Banjo’s Bakery Café’s, who are expanding across Australia and looking for new franchisee’s! If you’re hard working and business savvy, visit franchise.banjos.com.au and mention ‘Spacemakers’ to save 10% on franchise fees. Banjo’s Bakery Cafés Franchisees Banjo’s Bakery Café’s - FRANCHISEES 1 A warm thanks to our sponsor, Banjo’s Bakery Café’s, who are expanding across Australia and looking for new franchisee’s! If you’re hard working and business savvy, visit franchise.banjos.com.au and mention ‘Spacemakers’ to save 10% on franchise fees. Banjo’s Bakery Cafés Franchisees

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