
People Soup
More than ever the world of work is a heady mix of people, behaviour, events and challenges. When the blend is right it can be first-rate. Behavioural science & psychology has a lot to offer in terms of recipes, ingredients, seasoning, spices & utensils - welcome to People Soup.
Latest episodes

Sep 29, 2019 • 10min
The Lighthouse
Season 3 Episode 9
This week – it’s a cuppa soup. A short episode – the lighthouse – it combines a poem I learned at school with a reflection on how we can keep sight of the things that give us meaning in our working lives. We call these qualities that give us meaning, our personal values. It can be difficult, scary and revealing to consider what gives us purpose in our work. To use these qualities as a guide for our behaviour & decisions can be challenging too. I consider my lighthouse – to be beaming out my personal values – when the sea is calm I can see the lamplight but in turbulent times they can disappear.
Links and shownotes at www.peoplesoup.co

Sep 15, 2019 • 8min
Legally Blonde
Season 3 Episode 8
A short episode where I draw upon one of my favourite films to illustrate how I can get tangled up in the drama of the courtroom in my mind - I'm captivated by the cut and thrust of the arguments for the prosecution and defence. turns out I'm so captivated by their arguments that I'm not noticing the real world and how I'm showing up.
Hear a question that can help get us untangled.
Show notes & links at www.peoplesoup.co

Sep 1, 2019 • 11min
LEMONGATE
Season 3 Episode 7
Well P-Soupers - the weeks are fair flying by. This week - using lemons - I try and show how we can develop stories that may impact in unhelpful ways on how we show up in life. This episode also introduces a little bit of Relational Frame Theory (RFT) which underpins Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) but don't be alarmed by the acronyms as it's really all about lemons.
Show notes at www.peoplesoup.co

Aug 26, 2019 • 11min
The Pen
Season 3 Episode 6
This episode could also be called, our inner and outer world. It presents a short exercise intended to illustrate the difference between the physical world, the world we experience with our five senses and our inner world.
If you'd like to have a go - make sure you have a pen and paper handy.
Show notes at www.peoplesoup.co

Aug 18, 2019 • 29min
Exploring ACT training with Leo Hepler, Jaimie Persson & Paul Flaxman - Part 2
Season 3 Episode 5
The conversation continues with a focus on how to introduce the concept of skilfully relating to the content that our minds can produce, which is also known as cognitive defusion. We also how Jaimie uses her experience of the context of the ballet world in a way that is both curious and cautious - she's keen not to make assumptions based upon her own experience. Paul reflects on the embodied nature of the new protocol, many people we train report feeling quite disconnected with sensations in their body. He also reveals how the Flaxman Manoeuvre was born. Leo, continues to reflect on the impact of the training on his life in his characteristic thoughtful and insightful way.
Show notes at www.peoplesoup.co
Photo by Amber Hunt for www.photographybyash.co.uk

Aug 11, 2019 • 52min
Exploring ACT training with Leo Hepler, Jaimie Persson & Paul Flaxman - Part 1
Season 3 Episode 4
That's quite a title and this is quite a two parter. I was lucky enough to have the chance to discuss ACT in the workplace with Dr Paul Flaxman, Jaimie Persson and Leo Hepler.
We explore the delivery of training based upon Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the workplace from three different perspectives. We have Paul Flaxman – together we redesigned an ACT in the workplace training protocol, which was then adapted by our colleague and pal – Jaimie Persson – to deliver to the students at Canada’s National Ballet School. One of the students was dancer – Leo Hepler – our star guest – who came on the show to reflect upon his experiences of receiving ACT training.
In part 1 we talk about the ballet school and ballet company environment and hear how Jaimie (as a former student of the school) presented a compelling case to the Director – Mavis Staines – known for her progressive approach to education – to introduce the students to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. We also hear what Leo took away from the training.
Show notes and links at www.peoplesoup.co
Photo @photography_byash (insta)

Aug 5, 2019 • 53min
Imposter Syndrome with Maddy Scott
Season 3 Episode 3
What fun we had recording this episode! There are two firsts, our first live recording with an audience and our first mash-up with Maddy Scott - one of the co-hosts of the Freaking the F Out Podcast!
After sharing our freaks of the week we go on to share the first mention of Imposter Syndrome that we found in the literature in 1978. We give some example from our lives and them move on the consider what we can do about it. There are some tips from behavioural science as well as a sense of collective compassion - most of us are in the same boat with this experience of feeling like a phoney.
Show notes at www.peoplesoup.co

Jul 28, 2019 • 34min
Dr Guy Meadows : The Sleep School - Part 2
Season 3 Episode 2
I was so pleased to have Guy as a guest - he's such an inspiration. This episode is packed with goodies. We discuss The Sleep School's approach to working with organisations, tracking devices and Guy generously offers a bumper selection of takeaways. I also get some personal advice on my coffee consumption which might be useful to more of the P-Soupers.
Other links and show notes at www.peoplesoup.co

Jul 21, 2019 • 36min
Dr Guy Meadows : The Sleep School - Part 1
Welcome to Season 3 Episode 1. It's the first part of my conversation with Dr Guy Meadows - co-founder and clinical director of The Sleep School.
We hear about Guy's background in sleep research and insomnia and what led to the formation of The Sleep School. It's fascinating to hear the series of events that began in the sleep laboratories of Imperial College. There's a glimpse into some of their research and an insight into the behavioural science behind The Sleep School.
Guy noticed that "the more people struggle to get to sleep the more awake they became". Once he discovered Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), everything began to slot together.

Jul 14, 2019 • 6min
Bonus Episode - Season 3 Preview
Bonus Episode!
Consider this a bridge to Season 3 of People Soup. As there's been a natural break I've decided it's the ideal time to launch a new season. I talk about the death of my beloved Mum and preview some of the guests I've got lined up for Season 3.
The first one will drop next week - an interview with Dr Guy Meadows - co-founder and clinical director of The Sleep School.