Being Human

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   This week, we are thrilled to feature two remarkable guests: Sensei Zen Takai and Edward Olver. Sensei Zen Takai, is a 16th-generation samurai warrior. After a brief stint as a punk rocker, he chose to return to his roots. With no descendants of his own and to ensure it lives on, he's on a mission to share his family's samurai tradition with the world.  He teaches mastery of the familiar samurai arts with creative expressions like calligraphy, poetry, and dance. Dedicated to self-mastery and spiritual alignment, Sensei encourages others to live harmoniously and connect deeply with their life's purpose. A former military man and banker, Edward Olver experienced a profound awakening after realising that external success—the Hollywood actress girlfriend and the Knightsbridge corner office—did not fulfill him. Through personal upheaval, he rediscovered his dharma and embraced growth aligned with life's natural rhythms. Now based at Broughton Hall - a UK hub for cutting edge research into consciousness - Edward focuses on regenerative practices, living in harmony with nature, and integrating timeless wisdom to foster holistic well-being. Their combined perspectives will offer insight into purposeful living. We talk: Training Samurai as a boy Samurai and the five elements How poetry can make you a better warrior Three-pointed thinking Beyond competition Links: Sensei Zen Takai at Broughton Sanctuary   Subscribe for more transformative conversations! 

In this enlightening discussion, Byron Katie, a renowned author and speaker known for 'The Work', shares her transformative journey from struggle to self-realization. She explains her method of self-inquiry, urging listeners to question their negative thoughts through four powerful questions. Topics include the fallacy of a positive mindset, the illusion of pain as a mental construct, and the importance of self-awareness and kindness in overcoming ego. Katie's insights promote a profound understanding of personal freedom and emotional clarity.

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   This week we see Marcel Schwantes return to the show.  Marcel is an author, leadership coach, and advocate for humane workplace practices. His journey into leadership began during his time working in a toxic hospital environment, where relentless stress landed him in the emergency room—an experience that profoundly shaped his views on leadership and well-being. He now challenges traditional, warlike business narratives, advocating for radical love and humanity in leadership.  His work inspires leaders to foster compassionate, thriving businesses by shifting focus from competition to collaboration and introspection. We talk: Agape love “Eufear”: the good fear Retiring "target customers"‘ Working for love The 5 principles of Love In Action Links: Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss - The Book Marcel’s Website Marcel’s LinkedIn Profile Marcel’s Substack Subscribe for more transformative conversations!

▶️ Join a free leadership masterclass: https://www.firsthuman.com/masterclass/ ▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   My guest this week is Dr.Ibrahim Karim, renowned for pioneering BioGeometry, a science that harmonizes energy in living systems and environments.  Educated as an architect, Dr. Karim initially followed in his father's footsteps. His talents were recognized by the Egyptian government who asked him to manage the plan for the whole Red Sea area and South Sinai, contributing to a huge rise in tourism. Dr. Karim later began to synthesize modern concepts of physics and harmonics with the insights he gained from his interest in ancient Egyptian knowledge, Radiesthesia, and Pythagorean theories. Culminating in his founding of BioGeometry, he started to integrate his knowledge with architectural principles to create designs that enhance the energetic quality of spaces. His work in BioGeometry has profoundly impacted urban planning, environmental design, and holistic health, offering innovative solutions for energy balance and well-being. We talk: The hidden life force driving everything Turning a Tesla into a healing cocoon Using shapes to boost milk production Why reincarnation is a flawed concept Who really built the pyramids Links: Dr. Karim’s Website Books by Dr. Karim The BioGeometry YouTube Channel   Subscribe for more transformative conversations!  

▶️ Join a free leadership masterclass: https://www.firsthuman.com/masterclass/ ▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   My guest this week is Matt Presti, a multidisciplinary artist, philosopher, and filmmaker. He has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting the legacy of Walter Russell, a visionary polymath of the early 20th century. Such was Russell’s genius that Nikola Tesla once told him to lock his cosmology in a sepulcher for a thousand years because mankind was not ready for it. Matt is now bringing Russell’s extraordinary insights on cosmology and the human experience to a modern audience. Through his efforts, Matt seeks to inspire humanity to embrace deeper introspection, creativity, and the transformative potential of a life connected to universal truth. We talk: Russell’s philosophy applied to management at IBM Two-way thinking: inwards and out there Thinking, knowing and action Trauma release and spirituality Owning our own genius Links: Matt’s Website The University of Science and Philosophy -  save 20% off book and booklet purchases using the code MARCH20 Subscribe for more transformative conversations! 

▶️ Join a free leadership masterclass: https://www.firsthuman.com/masterclass/ ▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   My guest this week is Peter Merry, multifaceted thinker and social entrepreneur with a background in languages and theater. Influenced by radical ideas on sanity and society, Peter's journey blends philosophy, social entrepreneurship, and education.  Peter’s extraordinary life path has taken him from avant-garde theatre in Paris, to delivering education in Ghana, to helping an IBM business unit achieve triple-digit business growth. He's now working on cutting-edge technology with the potential to help humankind make its next leap in consciousness. Meet the man on the frontier! We talk: How flatworms don't just grow back their heads The nature of time Working energetically with businesses Can we reintegrate the feminine? The ultimate magic lamp Links: Peter’s Website Subscribe for more transformative conversations! 

▶️ Join a free leadership masterclass: https://www.firsthuman.com/masterclass/ ▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   My guest this week is Kute Blackson, a transformational teacher and author. At 8, he was giving impromptu sermons in his famous father’s megachurch. At 18, he was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps. Instead, he left everything behind in Ghana to pursue his dreams in Los Angeles with just two suitcases and $800. Renouncing an ordained ministry that wasn't his true calling, Kute embraced the realm of personal growth and self-help, studying with mentors like Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra.  Through extensive global travels, he has hosted numerous transformational retreats and seminars. If you’ve ever struggled with letting go, trusting your path, or feeling aligned with your purpose, this conversation is for you. We talk: The true nature of magic and how we unknowingly block it How to reconnect with intuition and hear life’s subtle guidance The balance between surrender and goal-setting Overcoming fear, ego, and conditioning to live authentically Get Kute’s book: The Magic of Surrender Learn more about Kute & his work: KuteBlackson.com Listen to Kute’s podcast: Soul Talk: http://podcast.kuteblackson.com/ Join his free course: 8 Levels of Gratitude: 8LevelsofGratitude.com   Subscribe for more transformative conversations! 🙌

▶️ Join a free leadership masterclass: https://www.firsthuman.com/masterclass/ ▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   My guest this week is Dr. Mauro Zapaterra,  a Harvard-trained MD and PhD, directing Multidisciplinary Catatonic Research at the Innovation Medical Group. An expert in cerebrospinal fluid, his work explores its role in the human system, combining insights from both science and spirituality. Dr. Zapaterra's research highlights the dynamic nature of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), its importance during brain development, and its complex composition. We discuss: The 'aha' moment when Mauro first discovered CSF Virtuous brainwashing DMT, the pineal gland and cerebrospinal fluid Why you should drink more Why heart rate variability is a good thing Links: Dr. Zapaterra’s Website

▶️ Join a free leadership masterclass: https://www.firsthuman.com/masterclass/ ▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/ My guest this week is Joel Schafer, a personal empowerment mentor & shamanic dreaming arts teacher. Joel’s work is rooted in Toltec knowledge - source of renowned book ‘The Four Agreements’.  His approach involves waiting for moments of clarity and receiving visions to guide his actions, rather than traditional planning, focusing on personal growth, stress reduction, and accessing higher states of consciousness through shamanic practices and life experiences. We discuss: Guidance over goals Joining the local shaman at 16 Understanding the meaning of Totality  Just imagination or there really other realms? Movement and energy awareness  Links: Joel’s Website

▶️ Join a free leadership masterclass: https://www.firsthuman.com/masterclass/ ▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/ Executive coach, ju-jitsu champion, and author Josefine Campbell joins us for a second appearance. She shares insights from her new book ‘12 Tools for Managing a Selfish Leader’ outlining practical strategies for dealing with leaders who exhibit dark personality traits in the workplace.  We discuss: The prevalence of sociopathy in organisations Finding resilience to stand-up to bad bosses Tools for handling selfish leaders when you're an introvert Is there a role for sociopaths in organisations? What hope exists for those with dark traits? Links: Josefine’s Website