This conversation with Bags Simmons (founder of Bare Arms: Military Advisers to TV and Film) covers a range of topics related to filmmaking, including weapons collection, shooting ranges, sniper training, filming experiences, budget allocation, cult films, and inaccurate depictions in films. The discussion highlights the challenges and considerations involved in creating realistic action sequences and the impact of budget on the quality of productions. The conversation also touches on the use of AI and CGI in filmmaking and the potential implications for actors and the industry. In this conversation, Bags and Hugh discuss the impact of AI on filmmaking, particularly in post-production. They also explore the range of actors and the different types of roles they can play. The conversation touches on successful actors with limited range and those with unique mannerisms. Bags and Hugh speculate on the future of film and TV, considering the changing landscape and audience preferences. They also discuss the possibility of doing future film and TV reviews.
This episode was recorded at the Bare Arms HQ!
Takeaways
Filmmaking involves a combination of creativity, technical expertise, and budget allocation.
Accuracy and realism in action sequences are important for creating an immersive experience for the audience.
Budget allocation can vary depending on the production company and the goals of the project.
Cult films often gain popularity due to their unique qualities and audience participation.
The use of AI and CGI in filmmaking has the potential to change the way films are created and may impact the roles of actors. AI is having a significant impact on filmmaking, particularly in post-production.
Actors have different ranges and abilities to portray diverse characters.
The future of film and TV is evolving, with changing audience preferences and the rise of streaming platforms.
Tom Whittle is a former commissioned officer with a diverse background, including law, competitive intelligence, and service in the Parachute Regiment. As the co-founder and delivery lead at Frontierco.org, he spearheads projects by conducting in-depth liaison and analysis to accurately identify the requirements of each organisation seeking assistance. Tom and his team, comprised of ex-UK military veterans, specialise in providing advisory and development services across Sub-Saharan Africa. In this conversation, Tom discusses the importance of challenging perceptions and constantly expanding one’s perspective. He shares his experience transitioning from a military career to working in the conservation industry in Africa. The conversation also touches on the problems with politics and the need for transparency in leadership. Tom emphasizes the difference between influence and manipulation, highlighting the importance of intent and moral boundaries. The power of charisma and authenticity in leadership is explored, along with the challenges of influencing others as an outsider in a different culture. In this conversation, Tom discusses his work in the conservation industry and the challenges faced. He emphasizes the importance of crafting and maintaining working relationships, as well as the need for long-term planning and buy-in from stakeholders. Tom also highlights the value of collaboration with rangers and local communities, as well as the significance of demonstrating impact and gaining trust. He shares his approach of confidently underselling and overdelivering, and how conservation principles can be applied to other industries. Tom provides insights into the reintroduction of rhinos in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and discusses various projects in Zambia. He addresses the challenges in the conservation industry, including short-term metrics and the perception of failure.
00:00 Introduction and Eclectic Guest Mix 03:00 The Importance of Challenging Perceptions 09:14 Changing Opinions and the Value of Knowledge 14:00 Leadership and the Military 19:26 The Problem with Politics and the Need for Transparency 23:55 Transition from Power Edge to Conservation in Africa 32:06 Autonomy and Cultural Change in Conservation Work 38:38 Influence, Manipulation, and Leadership 45:27 The Power of Charisma and Authenticity 49:42 Perception and Influence in an Outsider Role 50:15 Crafting and Maintaining Working Relationships 53:34 Long-Term Planning and Buy-In 55:59 Collaboration with Rangers and Local Communities 56:28 Demonstrating Impact and Gaining Trust 57:54 Confidently Underselling and Overdelivering 59:13 Applying Conservation Principles to Other Industries 01:02:50 Reintroducing Rhino in the DRC 01:09:43 Working on Various Projects in Zambia 01:12:09 Challenges in the Conservation Industry 01:19:12 Perception of Failure in Conservation 01:21:07 Short-Term Metrics and Long-Term Sustainability 01:22:32 The Beauty and Diversity of Sub-Saharan Africa
Dr Simon Ruffell is a Psychiatrist & Senior Research Fellow and co-founder of Onaya Science.
Dr WaiFung Tsang is a Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of Onaya Science.
This conversation explores the research and therapeutic potential of ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew used in indigenous communities in South America. The discussion covers topics such as epigenetic changes, the long-term effects of ayahuasca, the gut-brain connection, and the involvement of indigenous communities in research. The conversation also touches on the challenges of conducting research in a shamanic and ritualistic context and the perception of ayahuasca research in the scientific community. This conversation explores various aspects of ayahuasca and its impact on spiritual practices, the benefits of plant medicine and Chinese medicine, the availability and variations of ayahuasca, research on ayahuasca-like compounds, the selection of the Shipibo community for retreats, the journey of research and learning in ayahuasca, the Amazon as an unknown cradle of civilization, future research and expansion of studies, exploring ayahuasca and traumatic brain injury, the changing perception of psychedelics in society, Onaya’s website and training programs, and funding and support for Onaya’s research.
Takeaways
Ayahuasca shows potential for therapeutic use in treating mental health conditions and trauma.
Epigenetic changes may occur as a result of ayahuasca use, potentially reversing genes associated with trauma.
The gut microbiome may be impacted by ayahuasca, and further research is needed to understand the long-term effects.
Involving indigenous communities in research is crucial for a holistic understanding of ayahuasca’s effects.
Ayahuasca research challenges traditional scientific methods and highlights the importance of the ritualistic and social aspects of the experience. Ayahuasca is being incorporated into various spiritual practices and traditions around the world, including Buddhism and Chinese medicine.
Plant medicine, including ayahuasca, is often focused on prevention rather than cure, and can provide fast-acting benefits compared to traditional Western medicine.
Ayahuasca can be found in various regions, and different variations of the plant can be combined to create similar experiences to traditional ayahuasca.
Research is being conducted on ayahuasca-like compounds, exploring their effects and potential therapeutic benefits.
The Shipibo community was selected for retreats due to their expertise in shamanism and their deep understanding of ayahuasca.
The research journey in ayahuasca is ongoing, with a focus on expanding studies and understanding the potential benefits of the plant.
The Amazon holds a wealth of unknown history and civilizations, with recent discoveries of ancient cities and civilizations.
Future research aims to explore the impact of ayahuasca on traumatic brain injury and expand studies to include different populations, such as elite sports athletes.
The perception of psychedelics is shifting, with increased acceptance and research in the field, leading to the establishment of psychedelic research departments in universities.
Onaya offers training programs and courses for individuals interested in exploring psychedelics, psychology, spirituality, and shamanism.
Onaya relies on donations and funding to support their research and continue their independent work.
Chapters
00:00Introduction and Background
03:02Meeting and Ayahuasca Research
07:10Epigenetic Changes and Childhood Trauma
10:30Long-Term Effects of Ayahuasca
13:57Integration and Environment
17:32Research in Clinical Settings
21:25Quantitative and Qualitative Research
23:41Gut Microbiome and Ayahuasca
25:32The Gut-Brain Connection
28:16Involving Indigenous Communities
29:39Epigenetics and Ancestral Trauma
31:54Genetics and Mental Health
37:28Choosing Genes for Research
41:34Perception of Ayahuasca Research
46:33Different Indigenous Communities and Ayahuasca
49:18Ayahuasca and its Influence on Spiritual Practices
51:05The Benefits of Plant Medicine and Chinese Medicine
52:32Ayahuasca Availability and Variations
53:26Research on Ayahuasca-like Compounds
54:20The Selection of the Shipibo Community for Retreats
55:42The Journey of Research and Learning in Ayahuasca
57:06The Amazon as an Unknown Cradle of Civilization
58:01Future Research and Expansion of Studies
59:16Exploring Ayahuasca and Traumatic Brain Injury
01:00:15The Changing Perception of Psychedelics in Society
01:02:57The Shift in Acceptance and Research on Psychedelics
The conversation covers various topics related to nuclear weapons, including the inspiration for the First Strike series, the seriousness of the nuclear threat, tactical nuclear weapons, the risk of escalation in Ukraine, the need for nuclear arms control, the history of nuclear arms and deterrence, the risk of non-state actors obtaining nuclear weapons, and reducing the risk of nuclear conflict. The conversation also touches on the border control policy of the Biden administration. In this conversation, the topics discussed include open borders and immigration, potential nuclear threats, Taiwan and China, legalization of drugs, issues with drug treatment facilities, and promoting books and website. https://www.thomasjyeggy.com/
Takeaways
The risk of nuclear conflict is a serious concern, and efforts should be made to educate the public about the gravity of setting off nuclear weapons.
Tactical nuclear weapons are smaller in range and yield compared to strategic nuclear weapons, but they still have devastating effects.
The risk of non-state actors obtaining nuclear weapons, such as terrorist organizations, should not be underestimated.
Efforts should be made to reduce the number of nuclear weapons worldwide and improve safeguards to prevent their proliferation.
The border control policy of the Biden administration is a topic of debate and may be driven by political motivations.
Open borders are seen as a strategy to increase the number of immigrants who may identify with the Democratic Party and eventually be legalized.
The possibility of a nuclear attack is discussed, with potential threats from Russia and North Korea.
The situation in Taiwan and the potential response from the United States and NATO is explored.
The judge expresses his support for the legalization of drugs, citing the need for better treatment facilities.
The importance of promoting books and websites to reach a wider audience is emphasized.
The conversation concludes with appreciation for the host’s service and a desire for future discussions.
Chapters
00:00 The Inspiration for the First Strike Series
07:43 The Seriousness of the Nuclear Threat
10:01 Tactical Nuclear Weapons
16:33 The Risk of Escalation in Ukraine
23:45 The Need for Nuclear Arms Control
32:44 The History of Nuclear Arms and Deterrence
44:04 The Risk of Non-State Actors Obtaining Nuclear Weapons
57:05 Reducing the Risk of Nuclear Conflict
01:03:51 The Border Control Policy of the Biden Administration
01:07:08 Open Borders and Immigration 01:08:01 Potential Nuclear Threats
This conversation explores the field of psychopharmacology and the potential of psychedelics in treating mental health disorders. The guest, Jo Neill, a professor of psychopharmacology, discusses the definition and scope of psychopharmacology, the effects of psychedelics on the brain, and the challenges in drug discovery for mental health. The conversation highlights the need for alternative approaches to mental health treatment and the potential of psychedelics to heal individuals. The safety and long-lasting effects of psychedelics are also discussed, along with the concept of microdosing and blinding in clinical trials. Prof. Jo Neill emphasizes the promising substances of psilocybin and DMT in treating mental health conditions. This conversation explores the healing potential of psychedelics for trauma and mental health. The chapters cover topics such as understanding and facing trauma, the healing power of psychedelics, the default mode network and trauma, switching off the default mode network, reconnecting with childhood and healing, personal experiences with psychedelics, the positive impact and perception shift, challenges and legalization, clinical trials and MDMA for PTSD, the need for drug law reform, and how to support psychedelic medicine.
Psychedelics enable individuals to understand and face their trauma, leading to healing and recovery.
The default mode network in the brain plays a role in trauma and mental health disorders, and psychedelics can switch it off, allowing for new connections and healing.
Psychedelics can provide profound and transformative experiences, shifting perceptions and leading to personal growth.
There are challenges in legalizing and researching psychedelics, but the evidence for their therapeutic potential is strong.
Supporting drug law reform and advocating for psychedelic medicine can help make these treatments more accessible and save lives.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background 03:00 Definition and Scope of Psychopharmacology 06:29 Psychedelics and the Brain 10:20 Psychedelics from Plants 17:00 Challenges in Drug Discovery for Mental Health 19:25 Psychedelics as a Solution 32:18 Mental Health Crisis and the Need for Alternatives 43:56 Safety and Long-lasting Effects of Psychedelics 50:20 Microdosing and Blinding in Clinical Trials 55:23 Promising Substances: Psilocybin and DMT 57:21 Understanding and Facing Trauma 01:00:07 The Healing Power of Psychedelics 01:01:05 The Default Mode Network and Trauma 01:02:34 Switching Off the Default Mode Network 01:03:33 Reconnecting with Childhood and Healing 01:04:01 Personal Experiences with Psychedelics 01:06:17 Positive Impact and Perception Shift 01:07:17 Psychedelics and Personal Transformation 01:08:14 Challenges and Legalization 01:09:12 Clinical Trials and MDMA for PTSD 01:11:33 The Need for Drug Law Reform 01:15:33 How to Support Psychedelic Medicine 01:22:22 Drug Science Podcast and Advocacy
Julian “Woody” Woodall is a former Bombardier in the British Army and has recently completed “Escape From Norway 2023” where he retraced the steps of allied troops on Operation Title. Woody is also the owner of Medic Services International – a medical training company operating in the UK and globally.
Steve Tunnicliffe spent his adolescent childhood years in Somalia before it descended into chaos. He encountered traditions, customs, and practices that predate Islam, many of which are likely to have vanished by now. He witnessed the beauty of a country with a deep cultural heritage that stretches far beyond the shores of the Indian Ocean. His book “Somalia: The Land of Camel Milk and Honey” is a collection of reflections and recollections from a time long past but still deeply held dear by many Somalis and visitors to this day.
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Dr Grace Blest-Hopley is a researcher in the neurochemical and neurofunctional underpinnings of cannabis, cannabinoids *(E.g. CBD and THC) and psychedelics. Dr Blest-Hopley is also the Research Director at Heroic Hearts Project, a charity connecting military veterans with mental trauma to psychedelic therapy options: ayahuasca, psilocybin, ketamine. https://www.heroicheartsuk.com/
Takeaways
CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and can modulate various systems in the body, but the quality and potency of CBD products vary.
The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in regulating brain and body functions, and dysregulation can contribute to disease.
Sleep deprivation can lead to hallucinations and has a significant impact on mental and physical health.
Psychedelic medicines, such as MDMA and psilocybin, show promising results in treating mental health disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.
Psychedelic therapy requires a comprehensive approach, including preparation, the psychedelic experience, and integration into daily life. Psychedelic medicines show potential in treating PTSD and mental health disorders in the UK armed forces.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been studied for their therapeutic benefits in a psychotherapy setting. The government’s response to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has been cautious, despite evidence of its effectiveness.
Proper screening and safety precautions are essential in psychedelic therapy to minimize risks and side effects.
The future of psychedelic medicine includes exploring different models of therapy and scalability. Psychedelic therapy has the potential to reconnect individuals with themselves, their communities, and the world around them.
Community support networks are crucial in sustaining the benefits of psychedelic therapy. Indigenous peoples have a long history of using psychedelic medicines and can provide valuable knowledge and wisdom.
Psychedelic therapy has a mystical and magical component that goes beyond traditional psychiatric approaches.
Reducing stigma and engaging the military community are important steps in making psychedelic therapy more accessible. Summary
In this conversation, Hugh Keir and Dr Grace discuss the properties and benefits of CBD, the role of the endocannabinoid system in regulating brain and body functions, and the potential of psychedelics in treating mental health disorders. They also explore the importance of sleep and the impact of sleep deprivation on mental health. Hugh shares insights from his work with veterans and the positive effects of psychedelic medicine in helping them heal and regain emotional connection. The conversation highlights the need for further research and understanding of these alternative treatments. This conversation explores the use of psychedelic medicines in treating PTSD and mental health disorders in the UK armed forces. The discussion covers the potential benefits of psilocybin mushrooms in psychotherapy and the government’s response to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. The risks and side effects of psychedelic medicines are also discussed, along with the importance of proper screening and safety precautions. The conversation delves into the future of psychedelic medicine and different models of therapy, including the use of psychedelics in the Netherlands. The importance of community support networks and the role of psychedelics in reconnecting with oneself and society are highlighted. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the significance of ancestry and cultural practices in psychedelic therapy and the need to reduce stigma and engage the military community in this healing modality.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Catching Up 00:28 CBD and PTSD 01:23 Properties of CBD and THC 02:21 The Endocannabinoid System 03:14 The Importance of the Endocannabinoid System in Psychiatry 04:13 The Discovery of Cannabinoids 05:10 The Link Between Hormones and Brain Function 06:10 The Connection Between Endocrinology and Psychiatry 07:05 The Role of Hormones as Neurosteroids 08:03 CBD’s Anti-Inflammatory Properties 08:53 Cell Line Testing 09:21 CBD’s Modulatory Effect on Systems 10:17 CBD’s Effect on Muscle Recovery 11:12 The Complexity of CBD’s Mechanisms 12:36 The Impact of CBD on Epilepsy 14:33 Licensing Challenges for Cannabis Medicines 16:31 Regulations and Quality Control for CBD Products 18:25 The Home Office’s Regulations on THC in CBD 20:18 The Risk of Testing Positive for THC with CBD Use 21:14 Recommended CBD Retailers 23:13 Psychedelics and the Relationship Between Plants and Humans 24:07 The Progress in Psychedelic Medicine Research 25:01 The Impact of Sleep Deprivation 26:23 Dreaming and Hallucinations 27:37 The Causes of Hallucinations from Sleep Deprivation 28:37 The Importance of Sleep in Mental Health 29:35 The Need for Enforced Rest in the Military 30:02 The Importance of Rest in the Military 31:00 The Importance of Sleep in Society 34:13 The Progress in Psychedelic Medicine Research 36:02 The Impact of MDMA on PTSD 37:27 The Impact of Psilocybin on Major Depressive Disorder 38:14 The Use of Psychedelics in Treating Veterans 39:43 The Profound Effects of Psychedelic Medicine 43:34 The Challenges and Benefits of Psychedelic Therapy 48:23 The Resistance to Psychedelic Medicine in Society 52:32 The Progress in Rescheduling Psychedelic Drugs 53:30 PTSD and Untreated PTSD in UK Armed Forces 54:27 The Use of Psilocybin Mushrooms in Psychotherapy 55:34 Government Response to Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy 56:04 Major Risks and Side Effects of Psychedelic Medicines 57:24 Screening and Safety Precautions for Psychedelic Therapy 59:20 Risks of Cannabis Use and Psychotic Disorders 01:00:36 The Future of Psychedelic Medicine and Scalability 01:01:30 Synthesizing Psychedelic Medicines 01:03:57 Psychedelic Therapy in the Netherlands 01:04:26 Different Models of Psychedelic Therapy 01:06:21 Psychedelics and Reconnecting with Oneself and Society 01:07:49 Psychedelic Therapy and Support Networks 01:09:14 Psychedelic Therapy for Military Families 01:10:44 The Importance of Ancestry and Cultural Practices 01:12:09 Indigenous Peoples and Psychedelic Medicines 01:19:11 The Mystical and Magical Component of Psychedelics 01:25:41 Reducing Stigma and Engaging the Military Community
Tim Owen is one third of 3 Dads Walking. 3 Dad’s Walking in their own words: “Suicide is the biggest killer of those under 35 in the UK. We only learned this terrifying fact because our daughters took their own lives within the last 3 years. By raising awareness, we hope we can help prevent other families from being devastated by suicide.” https://www.3dadswalking.uk/ https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
Jen Price is a former British Army Officer who spent the entirety of 2022 undertaking an extreme set of adventure and endurance challenges on behalf of the Veteran’s Foundation. https://jennevolve.co.uk
Joshua Bethania is a comedian from India who’s been on the comedy scene since 2021. Having lived in London since 2019 his comedy tends to include his observations of life in London as an outsider and what he is doing to become an insider.
Freddie Kemp is the owner of MFS Casting and is a HAC reservist. Follow his work at https://instagram.com/mfs.casting and https://instagram.com/militaryadviserfk
Tara Austin leads hybrid behavioural, brand and data science projects for global and UK clients, focused on consumer and citizen behaviour change. Tara is also Campaign Director for the PAR campaign for Psilocybin Access Rights: a volunteer organisation which is calling on the government to reschedule psilocybin (the psychoactive compound in “magic mushrooms”) to make it accessible for medical research. This could lead to the development of new therapies and would bring hope to the suffering of millions of people in the UK with conditions that currently have limited and inadequate treatment options. For more information on the potential benefits of psilocybin please see par.global
Aron Welsh is a former soldier who, while in an induced coma battling a lethal infection, suffered from an acute onset of intensive care psychosis. He authored a book about his experiences called “Never Really Over”, available at this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Never-Really-Over-Aron-Welsh-ebook/dp/B097Z2SV6D
Stephen Murray is a teacher, the founder of Inspireland and is also an award winning poet – with two published collections of poetry which have received widespread critical acclaim. He is regarded as Ireland’s leading poetry workshop provider for young people and has delivered workshops to over 50,000 young people in Ireland. His work has featured on Nationwide, RTE TwoTube, TV3, Arena, BBC 2, The Irish Times, the Independent and Hot Press.
Bethan Middleton (a.k.a Socially Awkward Sophie) is an artist; founder of Limbitless: a company providing custom artwork on prosthetic limbs; and a veteran of the Royal Navy. https://www.instagram.com/limbitlessuk/
Jess Nesling is a London-based actress and voice artist originally from Swansea, South Wales. Jess has played Queen Elizabeth in Antic Disposition’s critically acclaimed tour of Richard III , Elvira in Blithe Spirit and Hermione in The Winter’s Tale with Changeling Theatre. Jess is currently writing her first full-length play, about the women of Kilmainham Gaol. https://jessnesling.co.uk/
Grant Kilburn is an actor who featured in the film Kajaki (a.k.a. Kilo Two Bravo) but at just 23years old, he suffered a stroke, which resulted in him taking a step away from acting for nearly a decade. He is currently performing in 2:22 A Ghost Story – a thriller play by Danny Robins showing in London’s Apollo Theatre now. www.instagram.com/grantkilburn/https://222aghoststory.com/
