The Spacemakers
by 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.
Episodes
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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’…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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Act Your Way To New Thinking With Tiny Habits (Season 3 Eps 7 - Getting Unstuck)
Action unlocks change. When we choose to act, we build momentum, gain confidence, and receive invaluable real-world feedback. But what happens when you feel overwhelmed, defeated, or uncertain about your next steps? Can action lead to new forms of thinking and help you get unstuck? In this…
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There’s Not Just One Way: Find Hope Using Pathways Thinking (Season 3 Eps 6 - Getting Unstuck)
We all know the saying, 'Where there's a will, there's a way.' But is that always true? While grit and determination are important, willpower alone isn't sufficient to achieve your goals and get unstuck. Enter Snyder's Hope Theory and his concept of Pathways Thinking, or Way Power. This…
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Find Your Fun Lane: The Unconventional Practice of Seeking What’s Right (Season 3 Eps 5 - Getting Unstuck)
Did you know that people who focus on their strengths tend to be happier, feel more alive, and achieve greater success? Many of us obsess over fixing our blind spots and overcoming weaknesses. But what if the key to overcoming adversity is, counterintuitively, focusing on what is right about...
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Harness Your Strengths: Focus On What's Right, Not What's Wrong (Season 3 Eps 4 - Getting Unstuck)
Bad is stronger than good. Research shows that bad parents, bad feedback, and bad events impact us more than good ones. We're often driven to avoid pain and fix our weaknesses—rather than harness our strengths. Yet, dwelling on problems can worsen them, while celebrating our strengths can lead to…
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The Science of Subtraction: How To Bundle And Trade Time To Make Space (Season 3 Eps 3 - Getting Unstuck)
As humans, we often try to solve our problems by adding rather than subtracting. This unconscious bias leads us to pile on excessive projects, clutter our homes, and push our limits—consistently adding more instead of opting for less. We need a different way of thinking to make space and get...
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Life Is A Series of Trade-Offs: How To Choose Wisely (Season 3 Eps 2 - Getting Unstuck)
Life is a trade-off. You cannot be highly successful in one area of life without negatively impacting others. Similarly, feeling stuck in one domain often affects the rest because life is holistic and interconnected. By accepting the reality—that we cannot have it all—we can make creative shifts…
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Beginning. Middle. Beginning: How To Get Unstuck In Midlife (Season 3 Eps 1 - Getting Unstuck)
We all get stuck at some point in life—whether it's a broken relationship, money issues, ill health, a stale career, or a lack of purpose. Getting stuck isn't fun, but it’s often the catalyst we need to find a new direction. In fact, when we feel like we're losing, we might actually be just where...
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GETTING UNSTUCK - Season 3 Trailer
We all get stuck at some point in life—whether it's a broken relationship, money issues, ill health, a stale career, or a lack of purpose. Getting stuck isn't fun, but it’s often the catalyst we need to find a new direction. In fact, when we feel like we're losing, we might actually be just where...
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Growing Through Grief: Finding Purpose in Life’s Struggles - Bonus Interview with Dr Julia Verdouw
Almost everyone, at some point, will encounter suffering—be it through a relational breakdown, illness, an unexpected event, or other hardships. But how do we make space to grow through grief and find purpose in our suffering? In this insightful interview, Dr. Julia Verdouw shares her personal...
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More Than Hot Flushes: Perimenopause and the Midlife Reset - Bonus Interview with Dr. Amy Edler
Almost every woman will face the experience of menopause and the impacts of declining oestrogen levels in midlife. This 'reset' brings profound biological consequences affecting muscle strength, brain function, mental health, sleep, sex drive, heart health, body composition, and more. In this...
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Beyond Distraction: Bonus Interview with Nir Eyal, International Bestselling Author and Tech Habits Exper
It's easy to blame technology for our distractions, but the story is more nuanced. Join us for a special interview with Nir Eyal, best-selling author and tech-habits expert, as we delve into the psychology of habit-forming technologies. Discover insights from his best-selling books, Hooked and...
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Evolving The Inner Life (Season 2 Eps 10)
In this final episode of Season 2, we explore the role of spirituality in the mid-life squeeze. While the first half of life often focuses on the outward journey, the second turns inward, shifting from certainty to a more generous unknowing. Join us as we delve into the three stages of faith and...
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The Mid-Life Money Reset (Season 2 Eps 9)
Money shapes more than just our finances—it impacts our decisions in each stage of life. In this episode of The Spacemakers, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain explore the “mid-life money reset,” inspired by The Ant and the Grasshopper.” When is delayed gratification wise, and when does it hold us back?…
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How To Reset Your Career | Part 2 (Season 2 Eps 8)
One common piece of career advice is to “follow your heart”—that is, pursue what you love and chase your passions. While this may be great advice at 40, it can be downright misleading at 20, as what works in one season of life may not apply in the next. In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain...
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How To Reset Your Career | Part 1 (Season 2 Eps 7)
You are never too old to change your career. The average Australian changes jobs 13 times in their lifetime, with many taking up study or starting businesses in their 40s. While career resets are challenging at any age, they are particularly so in mid-life. In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt…
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Smarter, Not Harder: Rethinking Health in Mid-Life (Season 2 Eps 6)
Our culture is obsessed with staying young and living for as long as possible, doing everything we can to slow down ageing and cheat death. Yet, despite our best efforts, we all face physical decline with age. So, what does it mean to let go of old health and fitness habits and establish new,...
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Breaking The Friendship Recession (Season 2 Eps 5)
If you could make one life-changing choice to lead a better life, what would it be? The answer doesn't lie in personal achievements or material success, but in the quality of our relationships—including our friendships. Research shows that our health, happiness, and longevity are profoundly...
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The Productivity of Unlearning (Season 2 Eps 4)
What does it truly mean to be productive and accomplish the right things? The answer evolves with age. In our 20s, embracing new experiences and saying "yes" often helps build skills and confidence. However, by our 40s, the focus shifts towards saying "no" more frequently, prioritising our…
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Navigating the Happiness Curve (Season 2 Eps 3)
Research clearly demonstrates that age plays a significant role in determining our happiness. Generally, we start and end our lives feeling happier, with a noticeable dip during our mid-40s and 50s. It's common in mid-life to feel dissatisfied and to grapple with regret, questioning if there's…
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The Science of the Stages of Life (Season 2 Eps 2)
There are well-documented stages in a well-lived human life. While everyone's journey is unique, the ups and downs experienced at different ages are common to many. In this episode, Matt and Daniel delve into the science behind life's stages. We'll help you identify the key landmarks associated...
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Zoom In and Zoom Out (Season 2 Eps 1)
We all know the adage, 'Live every day as if it’s your last.' But is this truly wise advice? If we live for today, what happens tomorrow? Conversely, if we delay gratification for the future, might we overlook the joys of the present? This episode delves into compelling research that reveals how...
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The Spacemakers - Season 2 Trailer
Thank you for joining us for the second season of The Spacemakers – “How to Make Space for Life's Inevitable Resets.” Hosts Daniel Sih and Matt Bain will explore a simple yet profound idea: the habits and practices that fuel success in our 20s and 30s can become barriers to maturity in our 40s…
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It Takes A Village To Reclaim Our Focus Together (Season 1 Eps 10)
While we value our individuality, our habits often mirror our surroundings. Echoing Dan and Chip Heath's insight that "behaviour is contagious", this episode explores the power of shared space-making. We'll explore environments that enhance focus and consider strategies to influence the attention...
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Doing The Reps: How To Broaden Focus Muscles With Deliberate Practice (Season 1 Eps 9)
Like a muscle, focus is strengthened with routine practice - it's all about Doing The Reps. In this episode, Daniel Sih and Matt Bain delve into the power of habits to boost focus and attention; looking at How To Broaden Focus Muscles With Deliberate Practice. Our Spacemakers have a chat with…
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Digital Declutter: How To Dumb Down Your Smartphone (Season 1 Eps8)
Our Spacemakers, Daniel and Matt look at the topic of Digital Declutter, and how to dumb down your smartphone. Willpower alone isn’t enough to overcome the distractions vying for our attention. This episode of The Spacemakers is about reclaiming mental space by tackling digital environments...
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Is Everything Awesome When You're Part of An MS Team? (Season 1 Eps 7)
Staying focused at work can be tough. Microsoft's 2023 data reveals that workers spend so much time chatting on tools like MS Teams and Slack that they're struggling to find time to actually 'do' their work. In this episode of The Spacemakers, Daniel Sih is joined by Tim Hynes to share…
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Making Space For Quiet In A Loud World (Season 1 Eps 6)
In this episode of The Spacemakers, hosts Daniel Sih and Matt Bain look at the topic of Making Space For Quiet In A Loud World. Blaise Pascal once wrote: “All human evil comes from man's inability to sit still in a room”. While perhaps an overstatement, it speaks to the importance of silence…
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Bottom Up and Top Down: The Science of Attention (Season 1 Eps 5)
Our attention is as rare as it is precious, and curating it carefully is key. In this episode of The Spacemakers, we explore the difference between bottom-up and top-down attention, and the impact of our environment on self-regulation. Our practical challenge is about making space to reflect on...
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What You Give Attention To Grows, What You Ignore Dies Away (Season 1 Eps 4)
As we make our way through this 10-part series, The Spacemakers Daniel Sih and Matt Bain continue to help us reclaim our fractured attention. In this episode, they talk with Dr. Julia Verdouw about her experience with Tinnitus and what it can teach us about maintaining focus. In an attention...
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Gameday Focus: Productivity Insights From An Elite Athlete (Season 1 Eps 3)
In this episode of The Spacemakers, host Daniel Sih talks with Aussie Rules Footballer Jack Riewoldt, about Gameday Focus, and what Productivity looks like from an elite athlete’s point of view. Former Richmond Tiger player, Jack Riewoldt, is a three-time premiership Vice Captain, Coleman…
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About this show
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.
Hosted by
SPACEMAKERS - Daniel Sih + Matt Bain
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