Explore every episode of the podcast The Reality Check Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovering Your Calling | Ep 281 | 19 Jul 2026 | 00:25:53 | |
What is your calling? This episode explores what it means to discover your calling and why living in alignment with your deepest values can transform your mental health and sense of purpose. Drawing on my own journey from teaching to psychotherapy, I reflect on trauma, uncertainty, and the search for meaningful work, sharing practical frameworks like Ikigai and my ‘3A process of healing’ Awareness, Acceptance, and Action. We explore the fears and inner blocks that keep us stuck, the courage required to leave the comfortable rut, and how deep introspection can reveal the direction you were always meant to follow. It is imperative that you find your calling, because if you don’t you are withholding your full value from the world. Links Mentioned: Want to work with me? Book a 1:1 Intuitive Guidance session. | |||
| The Importance Of Agency | Ep 280 | 21 Jun 2026 | 00:14:53 | |
Agency is your belief in your ability to influence your life. Effort + Time = Results. I’ve been reflecting on this a lot lately, as I’m in the midst of some major life changes. I recently received my Graduate Diploma of Counselling and I am updating my website, books, and offerings to reflect this next chapter. I’m also continuing to show up each day, facilitating daily guided meditations on Insight Timer and working to expand my reach and impact. On the personal front, I’m training Jiu Jitsu more than ever, confronting the excuses that once held me back from competing, and proving to myself that growth comes from action, not intention. Positive change rarely happens overnight. It takes, consistent actions repeated daily. The key is believing that your actions matter and then acting accordingly. I encourage you to believe in your ability to create positive change in your own life, and then to ACT! In this session, I also introduce 'The Flame & The Void' meditation from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. You can listen to a guided version here, with separate recordings available for both adults and children. Resources Mentioned: Quick Links: | |||
| How Language Is Keeping Us From The Divine | Ep 271 | 18 Nov 2025 | 00:15:45 | |
Language is flawed, and it keeps us from touching the divine. Every time we try to communicate, we start with a felt sense (thoughts, emotions, sensations) and we’re forced to translate that into code. Words. Sounds. Symbols. Then we hope the signal survives the noise. That nothing gets lost through misunderstanding, projection, or the limits of whatever medium we’re using. And on the other side, the listener has to decode it all back into their own thoughts, emotions, and sensations. Which means we never really say exactly what we mean. We only ever say what someone else is able to hear. All knowledge, scientific, religious, spiritual, personal, is filtered through this imperfect system. Our minds shape it, distort it, give it meaning it never had. Even the texts we call sacred are interpreted through an imperfect interpreter. So the only real move is to step back from the words and feel what’s underneath. The raw experience. The connection between things. The truth before we try to pin it down. Every theory is just a model. A map. Never the thing itself. And the human condition is the same across traditions: infinite desire, finite resources, suffering, loss, growth, and everything we do to navigate the in-between. The moment we set a theory in stone, it stops being alive. It becomes dogma. And the second we read it, we filter it through our own biases anyway. Which means the real truth isn’t in the language. Links Mentioned: | |||
| #188 What Happens When A Society Has No Memory? | 31 Oct 2021 | 00:31:51 | |
What happens when a society has no memory? When every issue feels just as important to every other issue? When we are so over saturated with conflict and controversy that we lose the ability to discern real problems from surface level irritations? In this episode of The Reality Check Podcast I break down how technology, the news cycle, and social media is warping the social fabric of our society and creating a never ending roller coaster of conflict - all for profit. Resources mentioned: | |||
| #187 Why You Have A Moral Imperative To Share Your Story | 26 Oct 2021 | 00:20:33 | |
Unless we speak our truth, our narrative will be created for us. People will believe what they see online, pushed by the curators of their individual echo chambers. All for profit. In this episode of The Reality Check Podcast I break down our moral imperative to share our unique stories. The Share Your Story Project: zachary-phillips.com/shareyourstory | |||
| #186 The Impact of Neglect on Every Aspect of my Life | 18 Oct 2021 | 00:23:37 | |
Neglect is the absence of love, support and guidance. It’s impact is multifaceted, spanning every aspect of a sufferers life. I have started blogging on the topic in the hopes to reduce the stigma, explain the impact, and to connect with fellow suffers. Two of my recent posts received a lot of comments and engagement, so I decided to feature and expand upon them here. 1: The Impact of Neglect on Every Aspect of my Life | |||
| #185 I Wrote Some Erotica! - Introducing KINK Volume 1 | 11 Oct 2021 | 00:21:41 | |
I have just released KINK Volume 1. A collection of 33 erotic poems and short stories. The reception has been amazing, with some incredible reviews, responses and readings. In this episode I introduce the book, share some of the feedback, talk about the writing process, and discuss the connection between mental health and sexual expression. This episode is NSFW! Read KINK Volume 1, or grab a copy: zachary-phillips.com/projects/kink | |||
| #184 Explaining Death To My 4 Year Old | 20 Sep 2021 | 00:10:17 | |
When my 4 year old son asked me about death, I decided to be honest with him. In this episode I break down how I responded and why. The reality is that we will all pass. The fact that this all ends gives life meaning. If you are struggling to explain death to your children, or even to yourself, this short talk will help. It isn’t an easy conversation to have, but it is worth having - before someone close passes. That way they will have some conception of their loss, as well as an appreciation for the present moment. | |||
| #183 The 75 HARD Challenge & Introducing KINK, Volume 1 | 09 Sep 2021 | 00:16:55 | |
To combat lockdown fatigue and build mental toughness, I have started the 75HARD challenge. For 75 days I will be: Get ready to be enticed, aroused, and intrigued as you make your way through this collection of short fiction and poetry. KINK is erotica at its finest - an exploration of sexuality, relationships, and desire, blended with sharp social commentary on the nature of romantic connection in the modern world. It will engage all your of senses. You will find yourself both fantasising and contemplating the various kinds of debauchery found within. No matter your KINK, this book has something for you.” | |||
| #182 Breathing During Transitions - 3 Minutes To Release Anxiety & Sleep Better | 01 Sep 2021 | 00:12:31 | |
I have taken to doing 3-minutes of slow calm breathing during transitions as a way to reduce resting anxiety. In This episode I share how this simple intervention has had a profound impact on my mental state as well as my ability to fall asleep at night. Try it, take a just one slow calm breath and see how you feel! I also introduce my kids meditation series 'Silent Superheroes' - a collection of guided meditations available on Insight Timer and on YouTube | |||
| #181 Making Better Choices In Response To Triggers & Trauma - Not Getting Drunk/High This Time | 18 Aug 2021 | 00:07:30 | |
I am not in the best way ATM, but unlike previous times I have felt this way I have made a different choice. Rather than choosing to inebriate myself, I chose not to. I recognised how I would feel during and after the inebriation, and how I have previously felt and made a different choice. So now I have been left to sit with the pain, but also to recognise that my pain won’t last (because it never lasts). I can take good actions: | |||
| #180: Reframing ‘Pain’ To ‘Tension’, What Calm Birth Taught Us About Life | 02 Aug 2021 | 01:02:37 | |
Maria joins me to discuss the concept of reframing our prior conditioning to observe reality as it is, first using our recent birth experience, but then taking that concept into all areas of life. It’s not ‘pain’ it is ‘tension’, this language change has profound impact on the outcome of birth. We also discuss how meditation and breathing help to control the mind Links mentioned: Books: | |||
| #179: Don't Delay Your Happiness | 20 Jun 2021 | 00:14:10 | |
We have a tendency to believe that happiness will come ‘when we make it’ or ‘when we accomplish the goal’. In this way we delay our happiness to some future state. — Mindfulness: A Guide Book to the Present Moment - http://bit.ly/mindfulness-a-guidebook If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| The Art Of Self-Connection | Ep 270 | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:15:45 | |
There’s a barrier between us. A barrier built from platforms and algorithms, each one acting as a simulacrum that promises connection and depth, but really only offers shallow engagement. Even this podcast is limited. And that’s not enough for me anymore. I want to be able to add more value, more often, and do it better. I want to facilitate deeper experiences, and help connect you not just to yourself, but to one another… and to me. That’s why I’ve built The Art of Self-Connection community. Because connection needs presence and that’s exactly what we’re building together. It’s free to join, and you’ll get instant access to courses, discussions, and a growing circle of people doing this work together. See you inside. 🌿 Links Mentioned: | |||
| 178: Change Is The Only Constant | 14 Jun 2021 | 00:14:10 | |
There is nothing in life that doesn’t change. Consider your body, your goals, your life. It is always changing and will always change. In this talk, I break down how mindfulness helps us to accept change and embrace it by living in the moment. By seeing reality as it is, for what it is, we can find peace. If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 177: Positive Habit Acquisition | 09 Jun 2021 | 00:19:25 | |
Positive daily habits are the key to personal development and growth. Start slow and let life open up to accommodate the new habit. One minute a day is infinitely better than none - and the change will not come as a shock. Your mind, body, and life will accommodate to your new habit and it will stick. If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 176: Why You Should Be Meditating Daily | 04 Jun 2021 | 00:14:42 | |
Live morning mindfulness sessions, 6:40am AEST on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zacpphillips/ | |||
| 175: New Baby, New Book, New Webcomic - A Much Needed Update! | 06 May 2021 | 00:06:16 | |
Update and introduction to my new baby, new book and new webcomic! Mindfulness: A Guidebook to the Present Moment - ‘Meditation made easy’ - out now as a paperback, ebook & audio book. www.zachary-phillips.com/books-1/mindfulness-a-guidebook-to-the-present-moment Depresso Espresso - A comic about an introverted coffee cup’s attempt to understand the world. www.depressoespressocomics.com/ | |||
| 174: You Are Not The Exception To The Rule - Managing the Mental Health Expectations of Friends | 17 Mar 2021 | 00:19:56 | |
Everyone assumes they are the exception to the rule; that one person who will never trigger me, and who won’t cause me social anxiety. Who I can feel ‘truly safe’ to be myself around… In this episode I discuss how the symptoms of mental illness is not person dependent; friend, family and strangers alike can and do (by no fault of their own) impact me. I also talk about the importance of breaking the stigma around men’s mental illness, as well as the journey of finding a competent therapist. | |||
| 173: Don't Let People Use You As A Therapist - Dealing With Over Sharers | 01 Mar 2021 | 00:23:36 | |
Ever find yourself stuck in the middle of a conversation that you weren’t prepared for? One that is triggering, intense and wholly inappropriate for the situation? I have. In this episode I discuss how to manage these conversations, in a way that both protects your mental state as well as the relationship. I also introduce ‘Creative Writing For Healing’ - 10 Day Insight Timer Course | |||
| 172: Introducing 'Reflections of the Self; The Poetry Insights and Wisdom of Silence' | 10 Feb 2021 | 00:16:13 | |
Introducing my latest book ‘Reflections of the Self; The Poetry, Insights and Wisdom of Silence’, out now as a paperback, eBook and on audio. This book is one part poetry, one part introspective spiritual discussion. In this episode I share the chapter ‘Finding Peace Through Perspective’, which begins with the poem ‘Two Leaves’. | |||
| 171: Why Effective Communication Is So Hard | 31 Jan 2021 | 00:15:24 | |
Open and honest communication is essential to all relationships, yet the process of expressing ourselves in a way that can actually be understood is far more complex than it appears at first glance. In this episode I muse on all that is necessary for your words to accurately portray the meaning you intend. | |||
| 170: The Abundance Mentality - New Podcast Series & More Plans For 2021! | 11 Jan 2021 | 00:33:26 | |
Introducing the Abundance Mentality Podcast - 20 minute snippets to improve your health, wealth, spirituality, and relationships! Each episode, Maria and I break down the best books out there, and share how we are applying the lessons learnt in our lives. There are five episodes already out, and more to come. Enjoy! Links mentioned: | |||
| 169: 2020 - Lessons Learnt, Accomplishments & Moving Forward | 29 Dec 2020 | 00:31:17 | |
Clearly 2020 was unprecedented - Bushfires, Covid, Trump, BLM etc. But looking back over it, what have we learnt, how have we grown, and where to from here? Links mentioned: | |||
| How To Live In Harmony | Ep 269 | 27 Oct 2025 | 00:07:00 | |
The four principles of how to live in harmony to: move slowly, breathe deeply, and focus broadly, with compassion for all. In this short talk, I introduce these principles as a gentle form of guidance towards inner peace. When combined and embodied we they help us to begin to connect, both to our true self and to the world and all in it. I am using these principles as a kind of internal mantra, something I say to myself on repeat as a way to both pay attention to my present state (In this moment am I moving slowly, breathing deeply, and focusing broadly, with compassion?) In this way I am constantly checking myself and helping learn how to live in harmony. Links Mentioned: | |||
| 168: Social Obligations, Mental Health & Triggering Family Members AKA Merry Christmas! | 16 Dec 2020 | 00:20:53 | |
Christmas can force us to spend time with people we otherwise wouldn’t. This can produce a level of anguish, triggers, and awkwardness; all resulting in a diminished mental state. Fortunately there are ways that you can guard your mental state in order to survive the coming week. I’m Coming For You - Poem If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 167: The Reality Of Living With Mental Illness | 13 Dec 2020 | 00:20:21 | |
Life with mental illness is full of ups and downs. The acceptance of this reality is vital for healing and growth. I am increasingly wary of self-help gurus and life coaches who only project positivity - this is not how reality works. And denying it (or not showing it) can ostracise people into the belief that they are alone in their suffering. This is simply not true. Reflections of the Self: The Poetry, Insights and Wisdom of Silence - Out now If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 166: Your Mindfulness Toolbox For Daily Living | 22 Nov 2020 | 00:19:15 | |
Introducing my 10 meditation course on insight timer ‘Your Mindfulness Toolbox For Daily Living’. In this course you will learn a collection of traditional and novel practices, techniques, concepts and strategies to attain mindfulness, and take the benefits of clarity, calm and control off the meditation mat and into every day life. Daily meditation has helped me to reduce anxiety and depression, improve my focus and functionality, as well as foster deeper and more meaningful relationships. This course will bring these same benefits to you. | |||
| 165: The Questions I Ask Myself To Stay Mentally Healthy | 19 Nov 2020 | 00:18:00 | |
In order to stay functional, I find it necessary to observe the trends. Am I acting, feeling and performing as normal? If not, why not? By monitoring my warning signs, I can best take preventative action to avoid a catastrophic downturn in my mental health. Read ‘Notice Your Warning Signs’ Ch 2:2, of How To Get Your Sh!t Together. If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 164: What Is It Like To Be You? | 09 Nov 2020 | 00:23:45 | |
Is it possible to see the world objectively, to understand events as another does, to truly empathise, and to step outside of ourselves? We are blinded by our bias; our upbringings, religions, parents, education, gender, age and ethnicity. These things will dictate what we believe, and how we interoperate new information, and thus how we perceive and act upon the world. Poem: Other Than Here If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 163: Embracing Darkness To Better See The Light | 24 Oct 2020 | 00:19:25 | |
Everybody’s life has unique challenges, but no matter where we find ourselves, there are still positives to embrace, along with the realisation that it could be worse. In this episode I discuss how contemplating darkness has helped me to better see the light, and how it could help you as well. Read ‘Contemplate Darkness’ Ch 2:1, of How To Get Your Sh!t Together. If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 162: Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is | 11 Oct 2020 | 00:17:59 | |
Today I am going to share the financial side of my online work, breaking down the profit’s made against hours spent working.
I hope to show you the growing success, as well as highlight how all of what I am doing here is clearly a passion project.
My ongoing hope is to create the resources (books, blogs, podcasts, teachings) that I wish had have existed when I needed it most, and to destigmatise mental illness, trauma and the recovery process.
—
Total incoming: $913 p/m
Total outgoings: $51 p/m
Profit: $892 p/m
Total hours worked: 78 p/m
Therefore my current hourly wage = $11.40
Over four years, this drops to around $2 p/h*
*P.S. Yes, it is totally worth it!
If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support.
Click here to find out more about my 1:1 coaching & counselling sessions. | |||
| 161: How Do You Get So Much Stuff Done Every Day? | 04 Oct 2020 | 00:19:00 | |
Optimal performance is found in the balance between action and rest. I have learnt my limits and have come up with an approach that enables me to be hyper-productive, without burn out. In this episode I breakdown my approach. Links Mentioned: If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 160: The Diagnosis Dilemma - Is it BPD, ASD or C-PTSD? | 26 Sep 2020 | 00:26:34 | |
I have long since struggled to find the right diagnosis, as well as with the concept of a diagnosis it self. Not only can a diagnosis be prescriptive and limiting, it can also be given incorrectly. There is a massive crossover between the symptomologies, and some specialists have a tendency to over diagnose to the affirmative of their area. What’s more, the clinical setting is a limited and artificial representation of the patients experience. All this can lead to a confusing, drawn out and exhausting experience for those of us navigating our way through our mental health concerns. Links Mentioned: If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 159: Using Brutal Honesty To Align Your Actions With Your Purpose | 13 Sep 2020 | 00:20:39 | |
Unless you are completely honest with yourself, your actions will be out of line with your true purpose. By ‘true purpose’ I am not referring to anything religious or spiritual. I am referring to what you as an individual, given your unique set of genetics and environmental influences, is best set up to do. In this episode I share ch:5.1 - Live Honestly, from the book How To Get Your Sh!t Together If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| Turning Fight, Flight, Freeze and Fawn into Flow | Ep 268 | 13 Oct 2025 | 00:07:00 | |
When faced with extreme and overwhelming situations we do whatever we can to survive. Typically this involves one of four responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. If this approach to stress works, we survive. Good in the moment, but often that survival comes at a cost. Unless we are able to appropriately process the event, both mentally, spiritually, physically, and socially, we may begin to generalize our fight, flight, freeze, and fawn response into a way to approach all aspects of life. Intuitive Guidance For Deep Healing (46 minute guided meditation) Book a 1:1 Intuitive Guidance session | |||
| 158: When Your Mental Health Takes A Turn For The Worse | 06 Sep 2020 | 00:23:32 | |
Over the last couple of weeks, my mental state has taken a turn for the worse. In this episode I break down what has happened & why, as well as discuss what I am doing to mend. We are in unprecedented times, so it makes sense that you may be also struggling. Feel free to connect with me on social media @zacpphillips If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 157: What Is Mindfulness Meditation - Introduction, FAQ & Beginning Your Practice | 29 Aug 2020 | 00:17:03 | |
Mindfulness Meditation is the act of purposefully paying non-judgmental attention to the present moment. To begin meditation, focus on the sensations of your breath. When you notice that you are distracted, gently return your focus back to the breath. Sounds simple enough, however, the beginning meditator quickly runs up against a plethora of questions, concerns and insights. This talk aims to inform and empower all who wish to start a successful mindful meditation practice. You can listen to more of my guided meditaitons for free on the Insight Timer app here: insig.ht/zacpphillips | |||
| 155: The Self-Care Sunday Challenge | 15 Aug 2020 | 00:22:56 | |
Active self-care is vital to maintain functionality. Last week was a struggle for me, so I decided to take some action. Links Mentioned: | |||
| 154: Your Actions Are A Prayer | 08 Aug 2020 | 00:17:25 | |
Luck comes to those who act. The Gods honour those who act. If we want to see positive improvements in our minds, bodies or spirits, hope isn't enough; we need to act. Good habits, performed daily, lead to improvement. It is time to take the actions necessary to turn you into the person you are meant to be. Links Mentioned: | |||
| 153: Empires Fall By The Blood Of Friends | 01 Aug 2020 | 00:28:38 | |
We are living in tumultuous times. The impacts of Covid aside, we are facing social disruptions and protests. The Black Lives Matters movement, Trump and issues like wealth disparity have resulted in an increasing number of people to call for a revolution; to take action to tear it all down. This is my response to those calls. Links Mentioned: If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 152: The (Un) Happy Family - Breaking The Cycle Of Trauma & Abuse | 25 Jul 2020 | 00:25:48 | |
Trauma, neglect and abuse leave lasting scars upon individuals and families. It is generational - what happens to the child is often repeated when they become the adult. | |||
| 151: Strategic Caffeination, Abstinence & Other Self Improvement Hacks | 18 Jul 2020 | 00:14:31 | |
Coffee is a drug, but unlike prescription medication it’s not given any respect. This despite the fact that we consume it to alter our mental states. Links Mentioned: If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 150: Atelophobia - The Fear Of Imperfection | 11 Jul 2020 | 00:14:01 | |
I need to learn to be okay with failure. To accept my own imperfections and to let things go. | |||
| 149: Writing Therapy - Just Words On A Page, Or Something More? | 04 Jul 2020 | 00:13:36 | |
The page listens. It doesn’t judge. It can be discarded. | |||
| 148: Mood Swings: From Depression To Hyper-Sexuality | 29 Jun 2020 | 00:17:29 | |
Changing medications has highlighted the potential (& extreme) range of my moods. Over the course of a day I went from depressed to hyper-sexual. | |||
| Fear is Temporary, Regret is Forever | Ep 267 | 25 Sep 2025 | 00:08:00 | |
It’s all too easy to let fear stop us from acting when it matters most. Not just in the big, cinematic moments of bravery, but in the small, everyday chances for connection and emotional release. There is a saying that goes, ‘fear is temporary, regret is forever,’ and it rings painfully true. In this short talk, I share four moments from my past that I regret, offered in the hope that they inspire you to take the actions you need, so you don’t carry unnecessary regrets of your own. Links Mentioned: | |||
| 147: Adulting, Would Not Recommend | 24 Jun 2020 | 00:24:35 | |
The life we have now is distinctly different than the one we were promised. Job security and income levels are down the drain, education leaves us crippled by debts, people are rioting and the planet is warming. Our leaders seem incompetent and corrupt. And our lower backs hurt. Links Mentioned: If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support. | |||
| 146: I Over Thought It & Hurt My Own Feelings | 21 Jun 2020 | 00:12:20 | |
Navigating trauma isn’t easy. Not for the person suffering, nor for the people around them. When triggered, I am faced with an overwhelming gush of emotionality. I feel afraid. I feel like I am reliving the past trauma. This can cause me to act in a way that seems selfish - I will lash out, require comfort or alone time. I can seem angry and ungrateful - Despite this, I need the support of those close to me. Open and honest communication is key. In this episode, I read and dissect my poem 'I Over Thought It & Hurt My Own Feelings,’ and discuss how you can help someone who has been triggered. Links Mentioned: | |||
| 145: How Do I Explain This Feeling? | 14 Jun 2020 | 00:13:42 | |
How do I explain this feeling? How do I explain this feeling? How do I explain this feeling? How do I explain this feeling? How do I explain this feeling? How do I explain this feeling? How do I explain this feeling? Unfortunately, this process can run rampant, triggering itself in times of safety and peace, leaving us confused and unable to understand what is happening or explain it to ourselves or others. In this episode I read and dissect my poem ‘How Do I Explain This Feeling’. Links Mentioned: | |||