People Soup

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 42 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.In this episode I welcome back friend of the show - Dr Joe Oliver - and together we discuss how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can help us navigate life transitions. We draw upon our own experiences of moving to a new country to reflect on the processes at play, exploring what helped us, as well as the surprises.For those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.Contextual Consulting - Acceptance & Commitment Therapy SpecialistsBuilding better teams with Ross McIntosh - Contextual ConsultingLeading with purpose with Ross McIntosh - Contextual ConsultingThere is a transcript for each episode. There is a caveat - this transcript is largely generated by Artificial Intelligence, I have corrected many errors but I won't have captured them all! You can also find the shownotes by clicking on notes then keep scrolling for all the useful links.Read about our Chisi Awards from #365daysofcompassion for Best PodcastLeave a review as a WhatsApp voicenote on +0034696636487Ross' new websiteOur Podcast Website on CAPTIVATEPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian lifeAnd you can connect with Ross on LinkedIn He's now also on Bluesky

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 41 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.In this episode I continue my chat with Dr. Ben Sedley, a clinical psychologist, author, and speaker.We delve into his book - 'Holding the Heavy Stuff - Making Space for Critical Thoughts and Painful Emotions.The conversation covers the book's structure, featuring chapters on presence, compassion, curiosity, purpose, and support, and explores how it aims to serve individuals navigating life's pressures in work, relationships, leisure, and health. Ben discusses the motivation behind writing a relatable guide that is accessible to those who may not typically pick up self-help books. I share my review and highlight the value of Ben's empathetic and jargon-free writing style. We also touch upon practical applications of self-compassion in the workplace and personal life, underscoring the importance of being kind to oneself. The episode emphasizes the broader impact of the book, the collaborative efforts involved in its creation, and the journey of publishing and promoting it.For those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.Ben on facebookFollow Ben on InstagamBen Sedley, Clinical Psychologist, Author + SpeakerBuilding better teams with Ross McIntosh - Contextual ConsultingLeading with purpose with Ross McIntosh - Contextual ConsultingThere is a transcript for each episode. There is a caveat - this transcript is largely generated by Artificial Intelligence, I have corrected many errors but I won't have captured them all! You can also find the shownotes by clicking on notes then keep scrolling for all the useful links.Read about our Chisi Awards from #365daysofcompassion for Best PodcastLeave a review as a WhatsApp voicenote on +0034696636487Ross' new websiteOur Podcast Website on CAPTIVATEPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian lifeAnd you can connect with Ross on LinkedIn He's now also on Bluesky

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 40 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.In this episode you'll meet Dr. Ben Sedley, a clinical psychologist, author, and speaker, and he shares insights from his extensive career in mental health. He discusses his journey from studying psychology to helping people of all ages cope with life's challenges through self-compassion and ACT. He talks a bit about his books, including 'Stuff That Sucks' for teenagers, 'Stuff that's Loud (A teen's guide to unspiralling when OCD gets noisy' and 'Holding the Heavy Stuff' for adults, offering practical advice for mental health. Additionally, he recounts his days in a band formed with fellow psychologist and friend of the show, Dr Joe Oliver. The episode also delves into the importance of treating OCD seriously, the power of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and Ben's personal values and experiences.For those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.Ben on facebookFollow Ben on InstagamBen Sedley, Clinical Psychologist, Author + SpeakerBuilding better teams with Ross McIntosh - Contextual ConsultingLeading with purpose with Ross McIntosh - Contextual ConsultingRoss McIntosh - 30 minute multipurpose | TidyCalThere is a transcript for each episode. There is a caveat - this transcript is largely generated by Artificial Intelligence, I have corrected many errors but I won't have captured them all! You can also find the shownotes by clicking on notes then keep scrolling for all the useful links.Read about our Chisi Awards from #365daysofcompassion for Best PodcastLeave a review as a WhatsApp voicenote on +0034696636487Ross' new websiteOur Podcast Website on CAPTIVATEPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian lifeAnd you can connect with Ross on LinkedIn He's now also on Bluesky

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 39 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.It's the second part of our festive special (better late than never!) with Dr Ben Askew we continue our exploration of behaviour change using the film Frozen. In this episode, we focus particularly on the song 'Let It Go.' We discuss Elsa's use of isolation as a maladaptive coping strategy, contrasting it with her eventual journey towards psychological flexibility and authentic self-expression. The conversation also touches on broader themes of love and vulnerability, and how these elements connect to leadership and personal growth. I share a potentially parallel story from his coaching experience, highlighting similar challenges faced by a senior leader in a global organization. The episode underscores the nuances of away moves, the importance of flexibility, and the deep, thoughtful storytelling behind Disney movies.For those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.The ACT for Acting youtube chanelBen on InstagramBen's website - The Working Action GroupBuilding better teams with Ross McIntosh - Contextual ConsultingLeading with purpose with Ross McIntosh - Contextual ConsultingRoss McIntosh - 30 minute multipurpose | TidyCalThere is a transcript for each episode. There is a caveat - this transcript is largely generated by Artificial Intelligence, I have corrected many errors but I won't have captured them all! You can also find the shownotes by clicking on notes then keep scrolling for all the useful links.Read about our Chisi Awards from #365daysofcompassion for Best PodcastLeave a review as a WhatsApp voicenote on +0034696636487Ross' new websiteOur Podcast Website on CAPTIVATEPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian lifeAnd you can connect with Ross on LinkedIn He's now also on Bluesky

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 38 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.In this episode we welcome the return of Dr Ben Askew to People Soup and this is our two part festive special where we delve into the challenges of behaviour change using the film Frozen. We analyse Elsa's fear-driven isolation and Ana's craving for connection, highlighting both rigid and naive approaches to love and relationships. Throughout the conversation, we draw parallels to real-life leadership challenges and the importance of understanding and flexibility. There is some of my singing involved in this episode, which I added in post production. Those who appreciate a fine set of pipes - might want to skip those bits.For those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.The ACT for Acting youtube chanelBen on InstagramBen's website - The Working Action GroupBuilding better teams with Ross McIntosh - Contextual ConsultingLeading with purpose with Ross McIntosh - Contextual ConsultingRoss McIntosh - 30 minute multipurpose | TidyCalUpdated (Nov 2025) ACT in the Workplace Supervision | Ross McIntosh🌍 Impact Partners Wanted | Ross McIntoshRead about our Chisi Awards from #365daysofcompassion for Best PodcastLeave a review as a WhatsApp voicenote on +0034696636487Ross' new websiteOur Podcast Website on CAPTIVATEPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian lifeAnd you can connect with Ross on LinkedIn He's now also on Bluesky

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 37 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.  In this episode I dive into the complexities of navigating Christmas using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Recognizing the mixed emotions that many experience during the holidays, I offer practical strategies grounded in psychological flexibility, compassion, and values-driven action. I cover techniques for managing expectations, staying present, and clarifying holiday values to make the festive season more meaningful and manageable. I also share updates on ACT in the workplace and announces new opportunities for collaboration and learning. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their personal context and employ simple exercises to practice acceptance and mindfulness.For those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.Values Card SortRoss McIntosh - 30 minute multipurpose | TidyCalUpdated (Nov 2025) ACT in the Workplace Supervision | Ross McIntosh🌍 Impact Partners Wanted | Ross McIntoshRead about our Chisi Awards from #365daysofcompassion for Best PodcastLeave a review as a WhatsApp voicenote on +0034696636487Ross' new websiteOur Podcast Website on CAPTIVATEPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian lifeAnd you can connect with Ross on LinkedIn He's now also on Bluesky

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 36 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.  Today it's something a bit different. I'm sharing a behind the scenes masterclass on how I designed and delivered the large scale wellbeing intervention for school staff during the pandemic, I'll be talking about the thinking behind the approach, the key design principles, the tools we used, the impact we saw, and how organizations can adapt this model for their own people. It's work I'm hugely proud of and I'm excited to take you through it.Ross McIntosh - 30 minute multipurpose | TidyCalUpdated (Nov 2025) ACT in the Workplace Supervision | Ross McIntosh🌍 Impact Partners Wanted | Ross McIntoshFor those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.Read about our Chisi Awards from #365daysofcompassion for Best PodcastLeave a review as a WhatsApp voicenote on +0034696636487Ross' new websiteOur Podcast Website on CAPTIVATEPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian lifeAnd you can connect with Ross on LinkedIn He's now also on Bluesky

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 35 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.P-Soupers – It’s another cup a soup this week – one where I share some sad news, reflections and a poem that carries personal meaning for me.This episode is personal – and I’m reflecting on themes of death and grieving – topics that, in my experience, we’re not always the best at talking about, particularly in the workplace – and if now is not the right time for you to be listening – please do consider skipping this episode. Also I wanted to highlight the brilliant ACT based resource at www.mygriefmyway.co.uk. I am actively dipping into the website several times a week at the moment. I was fortunate enough to interview the two researchers, Ann Finucane and David Gillanders who led the development of this resource recently and you’ll find a link to those episodes in the show notes. Please pause and consider, is there anyone you know who might find mygriefmyway.co.uk useful.I have terribly Sad news P Soupers – my dear Dad, known to many of you as Big G – died on Wednesday 22 October. He was peaceful at the end and I’m grateful that I got to spend the previous week with him in Northumberland. In that week, alongside the pain of impending grief, there were some beautiful moments.For those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.There is a transcript for each episode. There is a caveat - this transcript is largely generated by Artificial Intelligence, I have corrected many errors but I won't have captured them all! You can also find the shownotes by clicking on notes then keep scrolling for all the useful links.Dad's Cancer Research UK Donation Page Meet Dr Anne Finucane - Marie Curie Senior Research Fellow - People SoupMeet Dr David Gillanders - The University of Edinburgh - People SoupMy Grief My Way - People SoupHome | My Grief My WayRead about our Chisi Awards from #365daysofcompassion for Best PodcastLeave a review as a WhatsApp voicenote on +0034696636487Ross' new websiteOur Podcast Website on CAPTIVATEPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian lifeAnd you can connect with Ross on LinkedIn He's now also on Bluesky

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 34 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - today it's another cuppa soup - a short episode where I continue to reflect on change. Last week I talked about the challenge of change. This week I'm reflecting on how we used to work. It's possible that the rate of change has accelerated over the last 30 years - and we're increasingly more preoccupied with the impact of Artificial Intelligence. This week, I take a trip back in time to my first job in the UK Civil Service, circa 1991 — where paper files ruled, the typing pool clattered away, and the office bar was just a lift ride away.I explores:What “non-smoking” really meant in the early ’90s 🌀The mysterious world of fitted for promotion annual reportsEarly digital transformation — complete with barcode wands and a legendary “mouse moment”And what all this tells us about change, adaptability, and humour at work💌 Share your story!I'd love to hear your memories of early work life — the quirks, the culture, the things that make you say “good lord, can you believe it used to be like that?”Email peoplesoup.pod@gmail.com or share on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Bluesky.For those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.View the programme and book your tickets for the ACBS UKROI Conference in NovemberInteractive Q&A: ACT in the workplace - Contextual ConsultingRead about our Chisi Awards from #365daysofcompassion for Best PodcastLeave a review as a WhatsApp voicenote on +0034696636487Ross' new websiteOur Podcast Website on CAPTIVATEPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian lifeAnd you can connect with Ross on LinkedIn He's now also on Bluesky

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 33 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - We're back - our Summer break kind of ran away with itself. I've been over to the UK a fair bit over the last few months to spend time with my Dad, known to many listeners as Big G. Sadly Dad has faced a succession of health challenges and he's now navigating his final life transition. It's an emotive, turbulent time, and there has also been time to talk and reflect with tenderness and love. You'll hear some of my thoughts at the beginning of this episode. The main episode is a cup-a-soup - where I reflect on the challenge of change. This episode, of course, draws upon Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and in particular - a brilliant paper called - "Why we are not acting to save ourselves - ACT, Health and Culture" by Ruth Anne Rehfeldt & Ian Tyndall. You'll hear me cover various aspects, from an example of an HR leader responsible for the rollout of our wellbeing programme, how we can look at the workplace as a system of reinforcement (recognizing that behavior doesn't happen in isolation) and I illustrate how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can support behavior change at work. There's also a simple exercise to try which can transform the experience of a meeting. For those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.There is a transcript for each episode. There is a caveat - this transcript is largely generated by Artificial Intelligence, I have corrected many errors but I won't have captured them all! You can also find the shownotes by clicking on notes then keep scrolling for all the useful links.Interactive Q&A: ACT in the workplace - Contextual ConsultingWhy we are not acting to save ourselves - ACT, Health, and CultureRead about our Chisi Awards from #365daysofcompassion for Best PodcastLeave a review as a WhatsApp voicenote on +0034696636487Ross' new websiteOur Podcast Website on CAPTIVATEPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian lifeAnd you can connect with Ross on LinkedIn He's now also on Bluesky