This is Stuart

Some of us feel everything, others not so much move through life with steadiness and calm. Psychologists call this the difference between high neuroticism and low neuroticism. The strengths and challenges of each emotional style. How worriers and warriors can connect without clashing. Tools to balance warmth and competence in communication. Personal stories of growth, friendship, and letting go of perfection. Practical, science-backed exercises you can start using today.Reference:The Highly Sensitive Person Elaine N. Aron Emotional Agility Susan DavidCues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication Vanessa Van Edwards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today let's explore the Celtic festival of Samhain, the ancient New Year marking the end of summer and the thinning of the veil between worlds. The origins of today’s most beloved Halloween customs—bonfires, costumes, lanterns, divination games—and the communities that kept them alive through centuries of change. Along the way, we’ll see how Irish people have adapted their traditions without losing their essence, holding fast to the values of connection, protection, and shared storytelling.Reference:Samhain: The Roots of Halloween Luke EastwoodArchaeology Ireland Excavations at the Hill of WardThe Ritual Process Victor TurnerHistory.com Halloween Origins & Irish InfluenceDerry Halloween – Festival Programme & History Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spoiler Disclaimer: This episode contains detailed discussion of the plot and characters of Martyr!Our Book of the Month to reflect on is Martyr! by Kaveh Akbara.A story that forces us to confront the weight of attention, grief, and meaning in our own lives with characters that define what matters, how their choices of where to place attention shape the novel’s themes, and what lessons we can draw for wellness, identity, and connection.A very special shoutout goes to @ShawneeAtTheLake for putting this book in my hands. Martyr! landed like an immense slap in the face—demanding not passive reading but active reflection, both literary and personal.Reference:Martyr! Kaveh AkbarMan’s Search for Meaning Viktor E. FranklIn the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Gabor Maté Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the fascinating world of influencer culture and the hidden costs of seeking online validation. Discover the emotional toll of algorithm-driven popularity versus true influence. Learn about the detrimental effects of constant performance and algorithmic fatigue on mental health. Stuart emphasizes the importance of purposeful influence over viral vanity and encourages curating your social media feeds for personal well-being. Reflect on real connection and what it truly means to have a positive impact, beyond just metrics.

Exploration of how stories whether lived, imagined, or inherited can become powerful tools for healing. The ways fiction, memoir, and our own untold narratives help us process grief, reclaim identity, and rediscover connection. Equal parts reflective and practical, this conversation is an intimate reminder that sometimes the most courageous thing we can do… is tell the story we’ve been carrying all along. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lessons from the Living and the Dying. Why “Don’t Wait” may be the most important life advice you’ll ever hear. How mortality can become a mirror for living with purpose. The emotional and scientific cost of distraction. Why slow, intentional mornings can reshape your mind and mood. The healing power of “I’m sorry” in relationships. And the five most common regrets at life’s end and how to avoid them now.What it means to live fully and love deeply without carrying regrets to the end. References:Frank Ostaseski’s The Five Invitations, Bronnie Ware’s The Top Five Regrets of the Dying,Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fantasy, gives us the chance to rehearse being human. We can find mirrors in stories showing the rawness of human struggle. Fantasy , isn’t escape it’s a simulator for life’s hard moments. Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass has great beats and moments of this sense. Through Aelin,Chaol & Dorian we see idenity, recovery and autonomy.What makes these lessons richer is how they echo the insights of thinkers and writers who have charted their own paths through resilience and growth.Reference:Throne of Glass Series Sarah J. MassThe Hero with a Thousand Faces Joseph Campbell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inspired by Johann Hari’s provocative book Lost Connections, this episode explores the real roots of depression — not just as a chemical imbalance, but as a symptom of a society disconnected from meaning, belonging, and community. A fresh understanding of depression, a renewed sense of hope, and small but powerful steps toward emotional healing and true connection.Lost Connections by Johann Harihttp://amazon.com/Lost-Connections-Uncovering-Depression-Solutions/dp/163286830XThe Social Neuroscience of Education by Louis Cozolino https://www.louiscozolino.comThe Good Life by Robert Waldinger & Marc Schulz ▶ https://www.thegoodlifebook.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The connection between physical movement and mental clarity. Blending neuroscience, reflection unpacking how regular movement can reduce stress, improve focus, and reconnect us to ourselves.Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brainby Dr. John J. RateyThe Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Traumaby Dr. Bessel van der Kolk Stillness Is the Keyby Ryan Holiday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 An episode on the long and layered story of Ireland from ancient settlers and mythic cycles to famine, colonization, revolution, and renewal. The pain, poetry, and persistence have shaped the global consciousness and how Ireland has offered the world a profound example of how a people can transform generational trauma into creativity, justice, and emotional intelligence. How a small island shaped the emotional and cultural frameworks we live with today.ReferencesCeltic Consciousness Robert GravesThe Druidry Handbook John Michael Greer Cultural Geographies Journal 2023Modern Ireland: 1600–1972 R.F. FosterThe Spirit Level Richard Wilkinson & Kate Pickett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.