BLENDED WISDOM

Musings into the whether the quest for learning is over in the age of Artificial Intelligence.Inspired after a semi-legal encounter where a response came back at the speed of light, which was both unexpected and oddly impressive, but then immediately clouded in doubt, as to whether the person writing to us was legit in his knowledge… and therefore his leverage. Musings into whether or not the only way to spot the real deal in years to come will be in a room - one on one - to know if the person with the knowledge really has it…. Or whether they have plugged in information and got an immediate response, of which they will retain nothing. The idea of how will we know who has gone to the lengths to acquire knowledge and who has never made the endeavour. No doubt, the ones who have to show up live and perform will be the winners. The tradespeople, the carers, the studio artists, the chefs, the musicians on stage, the parents teaching - none of whom can dial it in but must deliver. For better or worse, we have always been able to tell one good tradesperson from another but now the test for many others will have to be the same applied  - can they deliver in person.Without AI, are they able to build an argument or defend their own in person?If everything is energy, will we know who the fraudsters are, who are brave behind a screen with their AI copilot, but have learnt little along the way? The idea that our brains stay young when curious, so the desire to learn, to read, to know is valuable, in and of itself. With practice, over time, that learning becomes knowledge and that knowledge banks up and becomes wisdom… so are we sacrificing wisdom at the altar of speed? And, if so, where is the creativity, the  beauty or the meaning in that?Knowing nothing in person will never be impressive, so the invitation is to learn and stay curious and invested in that which you love… you might find yourself the smartest person in the room, because you did.Stay curious in your own life and the lives of those around you and recognise the potency and intrinsic value of using your curiosity to stay smart, be discerning and keep your brain young all the while. The temptation is huge and for many things ease and speed are welcomed, but there is a risk to be alive to, and that is, that we will be raising young ones not to think, or we will lose track ourselves of knowing ourselves and how we reach our own thought conclusions because we have sidestepped the process of learning altogether… From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison, in this 12 MIN EP, explores the idea that our individual acts of daily and life-long creativity are the real deal in creating legacy and maintaining our humanity in a world seeking to bluff us into trading our talents for competency and radical speed, void of intuition and almost impossible to ignite deep emotion in response to. Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to be kind, follow your hearts direction and accept the calling of your innate gifts. My website:www.jemathison.comSupport the show

Musings into the irony of poetry as everlasting and strong, structural and foundational and democracy as the fragile creature, beholden to the times and the egos of its leaders.Compelled to speak in this 13 min Ep. by the 24/7 nature of news cycles and their impact on our psyche. The impact of cruelty, greed, narcissism and terror witnessed on an increasingly awful scale with no let up, and for most of us, that is as mere witnesses.That the world needs more kindness than ever, more knowledge, culture, and more spine than ever to speak into corrupt regimes and ignorant leaders. That the structures we have always identified as so robust and everlasting have been revealed, in the wrong hands, to be weak and on the verge of collapse, as power grabs power for its own purposes. The fallacy of democracy as a structure we can trust with our lives, as we witness its dissolution in the U.S and the consequent disregard for accountability, for the human toll and the humane rationale it was intended to uphold. The irony of the things people have ease denying or denigrating in troubled times, the arts, poetry, languages, creative endeavours, as having the greatest longevity and highest purpose, the strongest foundation and the greatest capacity to grant us structure, meaning and voice.These times are a potent lesson of history repeating itself and of the value of what man has always sought comfort from and solace in. The irony and tragedy of the same country, Iran, that has arguably gifted the world some of its greatest art, architecture, literature and poetry is fighting an internal regime and an external self-aggrandising dictator proclaiming democracy from lie after lie laced lips…The invitation extended, is to seek out the masters of poetry and literature, whose legacy has withstood time, to use them as the structure needed to realign one’s own sense of harmony, and to educate ourselves so we may discern what is lasting and what can be altered so swiftly by lesser minds and lesser men…From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison, in this 12 MIN EP, explores the idea that our individual acts of daily and life-long creativity are the real deal in creating legacy and maintaining our humanity in a world seeking to bluff us into trading our talents for competency and radical speed, void of intuition and almost impossible to ignite deep emotion in response to. Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to be kind, follow your hearts direction and accept the calling of your innate gifts. NOTES: These are not scripted so I make mistakes. I noticed two in this recording - do be kind…1. Immediateness - I struggled to pronounce and think I meant immediacy2. Anecdote - I intended to say the antidote!  Both 1 and 2 are pretty much in the same sentence.3. Reference to legislation should really be to the Legislative (ie: arm of government). REFERENCES TO PERSIAN POETSRUMI andHAFEZ WEBSITEwww.jemathison.comhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2362765/episodesSupport the show

First Ep of 2026. Musings into the absence of emotion and meaning in the face of AI, as today’s currency of accomplishment.That the graft of any act of intellectualism or creativity is the inherent beauty and meaning of it. How purpose is found in the time spent, the talent required, the skills learnt, the practice persisted with, and not in the absence of all those things.Inspired by a snippet from a podcast , oops, the name of which I did not catch… in which the gentleman made the point, that competence or speed has never engendered inspiration or admiration. Also speaking into the cost of AI on our own ability to cultivate independent thoughts and creative pursuits, which give us a sense of pride, purpose and achievement by virtue of the graft it took to ascertain them. The logistical cost too and the devastating environmental impact of outsourcing all our power, agency and creative autonomy to 24/7 machinery.Recognising the importance of eliciting emotion, awe and wonder from what others have taken time and effort to create and build.  The absence of which, does nothing to elicit such emotion. Appreciate the artistry in your own life and the lives of those around you and recognise the potency and intrinsic value. From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison, in this 12 MIN EP, explores the idea that our individual acts of daily and life-long creativity are the real deal in creating legacy and maintaining our humanity in a world seeking to bluff us into trading our talents for competency and radical speed, void of intuition and almost impossible to ignite deep emotion in response to. Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to be kind, follow your hearts direction and accept the calling of your innate gifts. My website:www.jemathison.comSupport the show

Musings into the tragedy of a gun attack on Sydney’s beloved Bondi Beach and the contrast of devastation and shock against the regularity we have become inoculated against in hearing of such attacks in the U.S.The pride Australians have had for three decades without mass gun violence as a result of Prime Minister, John Howard taking definitive action after the events of what all Australians know as ‘ Port Arthur’.  As against the frequency of such need in the U.S, and especially under the current regime who has just repealed the first major controls put in place in years. Not just pandering to powerful lobbies but having a leader, who uses words and self owned platforms himself to stoke violence, sew seeds of hate and derision and never denounce the type of evil WW|| was predicated on and countries fought to eradicate. From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison, in this 12 MIN EP, explores how devastating it is, that the lessons of world wars have not laid to rest forever, with unanimous consent, that neo Nazi and hate baiting groups should never be tolerated or given airtime. The frustration and sadness when the U.S leader stokes those same flames and refused to denounce them as evil. Contrast with the heros made so - in the moments that define a tragedy, who act in selflessness and true humanity. A reminder there are always forces for good and it is always a good time to check in on each other and do so with kindness and compassion of word and deed. Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to be kind, follow your hearts direction and accept the calling of your innate gifts. My website:www.jemathison.comSupport the show

Musings into the value of one’s efforts against the baubles and budgets of high tech, highly produced podcasts. Inspired by listening to a podcast with all the success and soundbites to attract listeners, a quiet giggle to myself was had thinking of how low tech my own foray into this medium is. This naturally gravitated towards questions of worthiness to even enter the realm and questions of both WHY as much as WHY NOT… The perennial notion faced by creatives of putting work out into an ever crowded landscape and the challenge to stay buoyant each time one faces a blank page, canvas, arena.From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison, in this 10 MIN EP, explores how worthiness is questioned when our voice or message is absent of the trappings of sophisticated production values, well curated ads and CTA’s. Do we still have something worth putting out in the world? The humour and persistence required to stand tall against the irony and quest of it all…Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to be kind, follow your hearts direction and accept the calling of your innate gifts. My website:www.jemathison.comSupport the show

Musings into the double entendre of a quiet kind - the power of both a quiet kind of person, their need to regenerate in stillness, and the acts of quiet kindness or quiet craft - oft hidden but truly potent.Inspired by a story of actress Jessica Chastain being gifted a scholarship from Robin Williams while at The Juilliard School - revealed by her after his death. The lift from anxiety and working every hour that his gift afforded her and yet it was done quietly, without fame or fuss. Similar anecdote about a secret gift made by George Michael after hearing a lady’s plight on UK radio.Also speaking into the type of personality that requires isolation or quiet for basic regeneration or nervous system alignment. That we not diminish those we don’t understand for their propensity to seek quiet in a world where busy is a flex and extroversion a more valued asset than it’s opposite.  Inspiration gleaned from the book, Quiet by Susan Cain and her assertion of the value and need for the Quiet kind as well as the importance of recognising this as a superpower of sorts, worthy of praise in our children and the ones we love. From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison, in this 12 MIN EP, explores how both acts of quiet kindness, as well as those who resonate as a quieter kind, have a value that may seem hidden or given less street cred but can have consequences that radiate profoundly and offerings that stem from a deep well. Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to be kind, follow your hearts direction and accept the calling of your innate gifts. Notes: BOOK - QUIET - SUSAN CAIN RIP to two greats - Robin Williams and Philip Seymour Hoffman, also one time students of The Juilliard School. My website:www.jemathison.comSupport the show

Musings into a particular instance of relationship lost - the disenfranchisement of losing someone whose relationship to you was not visible or known in the circle of grief. A highly personal dive into a type of loss distinguished by the silence in which someone must grieve when the loss is of a particular vein. Stories shared of an unknown lover at a funeral and the daughter left for another family - the disorientation and disconnection this grief yields and the inability to contain it for lack of being able to truly feel heir apparent to it… the shame and confusion this grief can wrangle and the realisation every road in grief is essentially one we walk alone…An extended conversation today with a somewhat abrupt ending and a listening time of almost double the usual - at 20 minutes. From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison, in (normally) 10 MIN EPS shares her thoughts on experiences, philosophies or observations or based or gleaned from literature or poetry. Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to be kind to others - you never know what someone is carrying, to follow your hearts direction and to dare to accept the calling of your innate gifts. Website:www.jemathison.comInstagram @jemathison Support the show

Musings into a particular instance of serendipity - its ability and power to catch us in the moment and gift us a sense of marvel or of being where we are meant to be…A daughter’s quest to buy the books her father had written and the people she meets who have treasured his words. Inspiration taken from an encounter in a bookstore, with the bookstore owner and the potency stories have to tether or confound us, both in fiction and in our own lives, which can often rival for that title. From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison, in 10 MIN EPS shares her thoughts,  be it experience based or gleaned from literature or poetry. Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to be kind, to follow your hearts direction and dare to accept the calling of your innate gifts. Notes: 1. SEAMUS HEANEY - Irish poet and Nobel Prize foe Literature recipient- I corrected myself but was right on the first pronunciation of Heaney, not the correction. 2. EDMUND BLUNDEN (1896 - 1974)  - English poet, author and critic. Professor at Oxford and multiple times nominee for the Nobel Prize for Literature. Website:www.jemathison.comInstagram @jemathisonSupport the show

Musings into the power of evoking cadence and rhythm into our speech and our lives.A small act of autonomy and rebellion is to deliver a message that lands with people because you have been intentional about what you say and how you say it.  Cadence contemplated in our lives gifts a undeniable harmony, as seasons do in nature. Inspiration gleaned, again, from the life of the inimitable Mr. Robert Redford - how his movies, on-screen characters and off-screen interactions left a memorable impression on a younger Ethan Hawke. How world leaders (one in particular) at present lack a cadence or charisma and how the use of base tones and course language leave a powerful void of diplomacy, leadership, compassion and humanity. From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison, in this 10 MIN EP, explores how cadence is key to converting a powerful individual or collective message. A discernment to embrace, as we make our mark in small ways on the world. Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to be kind, follow your hearts direction and accept the calling of your innate gifts. My website:www.jemathison.comSupport the show

Musings into life and legacy, creativity and confusion in a week of both violent and peaceful deaths, in U.S news, and at home. Inspiration gleaned from the life of the inimitable Mr. Robert Redford - how his movies, on-screen characters and off-screen presence, causes and words helped me regain trust and faith in an artistic life. How story-telling was loved and important to him from a young age and why stories matter, why curiosity and support for stories should be encouraged and fostered. Also a poem shared, called LOST by DAVID WHYTE - to console us that even in the darkest forest, the trees are not lost. To counsel us, when lost, to simply stand still… From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison, in this 10 min Ep, explores how our choices, words and roles in life become our legacy. How the choices made in curiosity, success and humility, what we stand and advocate for hold up in death and why our own stories are important… even when we fear they are not.DEDICATED to the memory of two great gentlemen, Mr Robert Redford and Mr Brian Tierney.Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to follow your hearts direction and accept the calling of your innate gifts. Poem referenced: LOST - DAVID WHYTEMy website:www.jemathison.comSupport the show

Raw musings when GRIEF is at the wheel and implodes like a grenade. An unedited 10 minutes into the musings of BLENDED WISDOM. From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison explores a journey unexpected into grief and it’s ability to detonate us emotionally and physically.The internal cost of grief is examined and the way it ricochets through our being,A small offering of hope that the fruit born of grief may be for a purpose and not necessarily our own - that the fruit of the ride, the learning in the lessons yielded by grief are to serve others as well, once we can convert the grief into something aligned with who we become in and from it. As the apple tree weathers storms but is not nourished by her own fruit, so too can we digest this lesson in time and allow it to shape us. The person lost may also be the one for whom we continue to live, create, offer our gifts in the world, in honour of and for them...Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to follow your hearts direction and accept the calling of your innate gifts. Books references made to:The Year of Magical Thinking - Joan DidionBlue Nights - Joan DidionGrief is the Thing with Feathers - Max Porter(Title taken presumably from the Emily Dickinson poem - “Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all...) Support the show

A long break between episode 1 and 2 as LOSS intervened and GRIEF took the wheel. A powerful 10 minutes into the musings of BLENDED WISDOM. From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison speaks into a journey unexpected into grief and it’s ability to strip us of words.The period we look to others for words of wisdom, solace or meaning when our own fall short. A personal perspective on losing a witness to dreams in your life, at any age, and to the realisation that the vision you have for your life may become a way to honour. That a vision that steers your life and is aligned comes at no cost to anyone and in the void, that is GRIEF, may be the rudder that gently guides and blesses every tentative next step. Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, yet with a desired message to follow your hearts direction and accept the calling of your innate gifts. Support the show

A first episode into the musings of BLENDED WISDOM. From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison speaks into a refreshing perspective on faith when your art is yet to flip the prosperity switch.The Rick Pino note of wisdom that inspired a new take on the notion that a creator has been given  the power to create wealth and deservedly so.A personal musing, featuring personal preferences, yet with a message to follow your hearts direction and the calling of your innate gifts. 10 min listen Support the show