The Being Human Podcast with Richard Atherton

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   What really happens when we die?    In this week’s episode, I speak with Dr. Raymond Moody, pioneering psychiatrist and author of the classic Life After Life. The man who coined the term Near Death Experience or NDE..   Across every culture and background, people who were pronounced dead and revived describe the same extraordinary scenes: a radiant light, a feeling of profound peace, reunions with loved ones, and a sense that death is not an ending but a beautiful transition.   Dr. Moody reflects on five decades of research that have transformed his understanding of consciousness. Once a skeptic, he now believes that something continues beyond the body and that these experiences hold vital lessons for how we live, love, and face our own mortality.   He’s also a very funny guy!   We explore: His first examination of an NDE Why we must now accept that consciousness is not simply biochemical Connection to his own grandma beyond the grave Appreciating nonsense The coming consciousness revolution Links: Dr.Moody’s Website

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   What if telepathy isn’t a rare gift, but a skill anyone can learn?   In this episode of Being Human, I sit down with Ditte Young - family therapist, author, and internationally renowned animal communicator. Ditte shares her extraordinary journey from working in Danish television to becoming a trusted voice for both humans and animals. She explains how she teaches telepathy, why 100% of her students succeed, and what animals reveal about love, presence, and our polluted world.   If you’re already sold on people having these abilities, you’ll love Ditte’s story. If you’re sceptical about this stuff and think it’s all woo-woo nonsense, this episode might just give you pause to think again.   We explore: - Teaching telepathy - How animals mirror their owners’ emotions and health issues - Battling scepticism, direct evidence, and practice - Enhancing leadership through trusting intuition and self-belief - How her life as the mother of Philip, her neurodivergent son, shaped her healing path   Links: Ditte’s Website

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   What if your brain isn’t creating consciousness but filtering it?   Could the scientific study of so-called ‘psi’ abilities break the assumptions of materialist science?   In this episode of Being Human, I speak with Jeff Tarrant — psychologist, neuroscientist, and author of Becoming Psychic.    Jeff shares his research on psychics, mediums, and channelers, revealing surprising EEG findings that suggest our minds may tap into a broader field of information.    We explore: - Why the brain blocks 99% of reality - The American mum who suddenly started chanting indigenous hymns - How meditation and psychedelics can loosen our filter - What happens when intuition takes the lead - The mysteries of human potential   Links: Jeff’s Website

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   What if the greatest treasure isn’t buried in the earth but hidden in your own mind? In this episode, I speak with Eileen Hall — artist and activist — about her extraordinary life at the crossroads of adventure, grief, and consciousness.   Raised in Ecuador amid volcanoes, jungles, and legendary treasure hunts, Eileen turned inward after the sudden death of her father, famed explorer Stan Hall. Her search led her into jungles, caves, and the world of psychedelics, where she discovered that the most valuable journeys are the ones we take inside ourselves. We explore: - Growing up around treasure hunters and explorers - Lessons from silence and solitude in the jungle - Grief, healing, and psychedelic therapy - Consciousness as the ultimate frontier Links: Eileen’s Website

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   Back pain is the silent epidemic affecting millions — and it doesn’t have to be. In this week’s episode, osteopath and yoga practitioner Anji Gopal reveals why most of what we believe about back pain is wrong, and how simple changes can transform your spinal health.   From banker to healer, Anji’s path into healthcare was unconventional. After more than a decade in corporate finance, she chose to retrain in yoga and osteopathy, eventually joining the NHS. There, she helped design innovative approaches to treating chronic pain that combined medical science with holistic practices.   Our conversation ranges from personal health to systemic change, challenging old assumptions and offering practical, hopeful guidance for anyone living with pain or leading others.   We talk: The unspoken back epidemic The three myths of back pain What you can do for your spine regardless of limitations Spinal health in the workplace Links: BackCare Foundation

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   In this fascinating conversation, I sit down with Daniel Hulme, an AI expert, innovator, and thought leader. Daniel has an extensive track record, from founding the AI optimization startup Satalia (acquired by the advertising giant WPP) to exploring groundbreaking ideas in AI consciousness, neuromorphic computing (building computers that work more like human brains), and agent verification (checking that an AI is really who it claims to be). Together, we discuss the intersection of humanity and technology, diving into the limitations of artificial intelligence, the significance of empathy, and how creativity remains our most vital skill in the age of automation. Daniel offers thought-provoking perspectives on education reform, critical thinking, and project-based learning as the future of personal and professional growth. We talk: - Apple’s doubts about AI reasoning ability - The rise of the AI scientist - Use of AI in business - where to invest - Can an AI be conscious? - What to advise your kids Links: Consicum Moral.me If you’re curious about how humans can thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world, this episode provides valuable insights into fostering innovation, adapting to change, and embracing what makes us human.

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   In this challenging episode (challenging in a good way), I sit down with Steven Young, author of ‘A Fool’s Wisdom’. Steven’s path is remarkable. From a PhD in nuclear physics, to having all his assumptions about reality turned upside, it’s been emotional. Atomic theory, accepted cosmology, and the theory of gravity - he now questions it all.  Steven takes his place amongst a growing cadre of intellectuals rejecting Modernity’s scientific orthodoxies. But this isn’t just about poking a stick at accepted dogmas. Steven is now embracing a notion of science that integrates a broader understanding of consciousness. A return to the powerful, intuitive alchemical principles on which early science was founded. One that can inspire and empower creatives and leaders alike. We discuss: How a nuclear physicist starts questioning the globe theory Letting go of the atomic theory Finding alchemy An alchemical approach to product development Towards an artistic and societal renaissance Links: Steven’s Substack Steven’s Website   Don’t miss this fascinating conversation—it might change how you view creativity forever.

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   My guest in this episode, Piers Fallowfield-Cooper, was an unlikely city slicker. With keen interest in literature and a qualification in hotel management and hospitality, he got into commodities trading by chance. Once there, he found that he had a considerable knack for it. From trading, he pivoted to a distinguished career in business leadership.  We talk: Foundations of high performance Nearly dying as a child Authentic leadership: skirmishes vs battles Why not to set goals Adaptability and adoptability Links: Piers’ Website Whether you’re a leader in your field or someone seeking profound insights into personal and professional growth, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humor, and practical takeaways.  

In this lively discussion, Joel Zuckerman, author of 'Gratitude Tiger' and ex-golf writer, passionately champions the benefits of gratitude. He shares his journey from sports writing to advocating for appreciation, having penned over 280 gratitude letters. Joel introduces his TIGER philosophy, highlighting how simple, heartfelt notes can transform personal and professional connections. Discover actionable tips for expressing gratitude and learn why handwritten letters remain powerful tools for enhancing relationships and emotional health.

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/   This week’s episode is perhaps one of the most uncomfortable I’ve yet recorded. A conversation with Jeffrey Pfeffer, the renowned author of "Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don't" and “Leadership BS: Fixing Workplaces and Careers One Truth at a Time”,  and professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, we dive deep into the principles of power, influence, and career acceleration.  Jeffrey offers his view on the raw truth about what it takes to stand out, thrive, and succeed in a world shaped by competition and perception. From strategies to gain influence to the controversial role of self-promotion, this conversation is packed with insights that challenge conventional wisdom about leadership and integrity. Learn why keeping your head down might be holding you back, how deliberate practice can transform your career, and why following Jeffrey’s proven methods have made many of his students wildly successful.  As Jeffrey takes a torch to leadership development orthodoxy, we cover: How many leadership authors espoused values don’t match the reality of their behaviour To change the world, we must first have power Leadership training fails—because it ignores power and influence dynamics. Authenticity at work? Not so much if you want to be a leader, says Pfeffer. Pfeffer’s 7 rules of power—practical, provocative, uncomfortably effective. Links: Jeffrey’s Website Jeffrey’s Books   Whether you're a budding leader or seasoned professional, this episode will inspire and empower you to take charge of your path. Don't miss out on this transformative discussion—subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations about what it means to be human.