
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

Oct 12, 2023 • 36min
Overthinking with Andrew Sewell
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 5 Episode 28 of People Soup – it’s Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - This week's treat for your ears is my chat with Andrew Sewell - he's a coach, an author and a fellow northerner. In this episode you'll hear how Andrew became fascinated by psychology and personal development - and how his career path included teaching English as a foreign language, script writing in Hollywood and stand up comedy, as well as honing a career in copywriting. He's talks about leaving his career and how he worked with me as his coach at that pivotal time. He's since retrained as a coach, written a book and set up his company called - Overthinkers Anonymous.People Soup is an award winning podcast where we share evidence based behavioural science, in a way that’s practical, accessible and fun. We're all about sharing the ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond.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.Connect with Andrew on LinkedInSign Up for Andrew's weekly email, Think Less Thursday, on his websiteRead 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

Sep 28, 2023 • 46min
Dr Richard MacKinnon - Loneliness at Work
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 5 Episode 27 of People Soup – it’s Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - it's another special one this week - over the Summer, me and producer Emma experimented with a couple of live recordings, and our second courageous participant was Dr Richard MacKinnon - Founder and Managing Director of Work Life Psych. and in this episode we were particularly interested in finding out more about his research into loneliness at work and the steps we can take as individuals and organisations to connect and thrive in the workplace.People Soup is an award winning podcast where we share evidence based behavioural science, in a way that’s practical, accessible and fun. We're all about sharing the ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond.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.Connect with Richard on LinkedInThe Connect and Thrive Resources - WorkLifePsychMy Pocket Psych - the WorkLifePsych podcastWorkLifePsych - TVHome - WorkLifePsychTake part in Producer Emma's research - exploring the link between interesting work and well-beingRead 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

Sep 14, 2023 • 42min
Dr Sarah Swan - Coping with Breast Cancer
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 5 Episode 26 of People Soup – it’s Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - it's a special one this week - over the Summer, me and producer Emma experimented with a couple of live recordings, and our first courageous participant was Dr Sarah Swan - a verified rock chick who has written an extraordinary book called, "Coping with Breast Cancer, how to navigate the emotional impact throughout your journey". It's based upon Sarah's lived experience and her expertise as a clinical psychologist, particularly in the application of ACT.So in this episode you'll hear how Sarah first got into psychology, the trials of getting onto the clinical training to the point when she was about to give up, how she discovered ACT and then the life-changing, devastating experience, when Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer. You'll hear my review of the book, Sarah talking about the writing process and how she kept going when she could barely see the screen through the tears. This truly is an extraordinary conversation, you'll also hear Sarah read an extract from the book and we finish off with her takeaways for those in workplace settings - as well as her song choice.People Soup is an award winning podcast where we share evidence based behavioural science, in a way that’s practical, accessible and fun. We're all about sharing the ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond.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.Read more about the book and buy directly from the publisher - Sequoia BooksConnect with Sarah on LinkedInRead 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

Jul 27, 2023 • 30min
Tired of Anxiety - A Kid's Guide with Dr Sarah Cassidy
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 5 Episode 25 of People Soup – it’s Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - this is it - the last part of my chat with Dr Sarah Cassidy - educational, child and adolescent psychologist. And now that we've set the scene - we dive into her book, co-written with Dr Lisa Coyne - called - Tired of Anxiety - A kids guide to befriending difficult thoughts and feelings and living your life anyway.So in this episode you'll hear about how the book came about, the collaboration with Dr Lisa Coyne, the other books in the series and how Sarah helps kids to reflect on their choices, notice the difficult stuff and move forward - building skills for their whole lives. You'll also hear about the art for the book, my review and how toxic positivity can occur in organisations and family units. We finish with a highly useful takeaway from Sarah too.People Soup is an award winning podcast where we share evidence based behavioural science, in a way that’s practical, accessible and fun. We're all about sharing the ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond.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.Take part in Producer Emma's research - exploring the link between interesting work and well-beingTired of Anxiety - Outside the Box Learning ResourcesThe Book - Tired of Anxiety - on the publisher's website - PavilionConnect with Sarah on LinkedInSarah on InstagramSarah on FacebookDr Sarah Cassidy on TwitterBrain training, brain fitness, memory games with RaiseYourIQNew England Centre for OCD and Anxiety - Irish Midlands | Smithsfield ClinicHome | Smithsfield ClinicRead 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

Jul 20, 2023 • 24min
The Roots of the Book with Sarah Cassidy
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 5 Episode 24 of People Soup – it’s Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers, we're continuing our chat with Dr Sarah Cassidy who is an educational, child and adolescent psychologist. She's also the co-author of an extraordinary book, Tired of Anxiety, A Kid's Guide to Befriending Difficult Thoughts and Feelings and Living Your Life Anyway.In this episode we learn about the behavioural roots of the book - you'll hear how Sarah discovered relational frame theory (RFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - and how she's using ACT to support her staff, using a training protocol developed by me and my mate, Paul Flaxman #flaxybabes #flaxintosh. We also hear Sarah's views on labels and her song choice.People Soup is an award winning podcast where we share evidence based behavioural science, in a way that’s practical, accessible and fun. We're all about sharing the ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond.Over the Summer we're running a series of LIVE Virtual Podcast Recordings. Tickets are free and we'd love to see you there.Friday 28 July - 10:00 to 11:00 GMT+1Come and meet Dr Richard MacKinnon, who's going to chat about his research into loneliness at work. Join us to learn how we can all connect and thrive. Get your free ticket here!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.Tired of Anxiety - Outside the Box Learning ResourcesThe Book - Tired of Anxiety - on the publisher's website - PavilionConnect with Sarah on LinkedInSarah on InstagramSarah on FacebookDr Sarah Cassidy on TwitterBrain training, brain fitness, memory games with RaiseYourIQNew England Centre for OCD and Anxiety - Irish Midlands | Smithsfield ClinicHome | Smithsfield ClinicRead 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

Jul 13, 2023 • 34min
Meet Dr Sarah Cassidy
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 5 Episode 23 of People Soup – it’s Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - it's my honour to introduce you to Dr Sarah Cassidy. What an absolute joy to speak to this pioneering, exceptional human. I was so captured by this conversation that I've decided to break it down into three parts. Sarah Cassidy, Ph.D., has been working as an educational, child and adolescent psychologist in private practice in Ireland for the last 20 years. In part one - we get to know Sarah - her geographical history, her extraordinary parents, a bit about her career path and including what it was like to co-own a bar in Chicago. We also start to explore her approach to the psychological well-being of children.People Soup is an award winning podcast where we share evidence based behavioural science, in a way that’s practical, accessible and fun. We're all about sharing the ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond.Over the Summer we're running a series of LIVE Virtual Podcast Recordings. Tickets are free and we'd love to see you there.Friday 28 July - 10:00 to 11:00 GMT+1Come and meet Dr Richard MacKinnon, who's going to chat about his research into loneliness at work. Join us to learn how we can all connect and thrive. Get your free ticket here!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.Tired of Anxiety - Outside the Box Learning ResourcesThe Book - Tired of Anxiety - on the publisher's website - PavilionConnect with Sarah on LinkedInSarah on InstagramSarah on FacebookDr Sarah Cassidy on TwitterBrain training, brain fitness, memory games with RaiseYourIQNew England Centre for OCD and Anxiety - Irish Midlands | Smithsfield ClinicHome | Smithsfield ClinicRead 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

Jun 29, 2023 • 35min
Bite Sized Habits with Dr Heather McKee
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 5 Episode 22 of People Soup – it’s Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - in our previous episode I introduced you toDr Heather McKee. Heather is a health behaviour change specialist. She helps companies create evidence-based health and wellness programmes that bring about long term change for their customers or employees. She also helps individuals to create health habits that last through her Bite-Sized Habits course.In this episode, we hear all about Heather's work on creating the permission for carers to extend compassion towards themselves, creating lifelong habits, how you can learn to nourish yourself, looking after ourselves at work and unravelling our unhealthy habits. It's packed with takeaways and Heather also reveals the secret sauce we can all use to support ourselves. People Soup is an award winning podcast where we share evidence based behavioural science, in a way that’s practical, accessible and fun. We're all about sharing the ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond.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.Connect with Heather on LinkedInDr. Heather McKee - Behaviour Change SpecialistRead 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

Jun 22, 2023 • 41min
Meet Dr Heather McKee
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 5 Episode 21 of People Soup – it’s Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - it's my honour to introduce you to Dr Heather McKee. Heather is a health behaviour change specialist. She helps companies create evidence-based health and wellness programmes that bring about long term change for their customers or employees. She also helps individuals to create health habits that last through her Bite-Sized Habits course.In this episode, we hear all about Heather's squiggly career path, the barriers to living a healthy life, the different types of motivation and much more. Heather is such an engaging speaker, it was a true joy to chat and I think you're going to love it.People Soup is an award winning podcast where we share evidence based behavioural science, in a way that’s practical, accessible and fun. We're all about sharing the ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond.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.Connect with Heather on LinkedInDr. Heather McKee - Behaviour Change SpecialistRead 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

Jun 15, 2023 • 27min
The Flexible Mind with Professor Ross White
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 5 Episode 20 of People Soup – it’s Ross McIntosh here. Listen on as I continue my chat with Professor Ross White. He's the Research Director of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Queen's University Belfast and an expert in Global Mental Health. He was also lead author on a book called Acceptance and Commitment Approaches for Athletes' Wellbeing and Performance, The Flexible Mind.In this episode we dive into the book, starting with my review and then continuing with an exploration of the collaborative development of the key messages in the book, his hopes for the book and what else he's got in the pipeline. We finish with Ross' takeaways which are beautifully expressed and very useful.People Soup is an award winning podcast where we share evidence based behavioural science, in a way that’s practical, accessible and fun. We're all about sharing the ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond.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.The Flexible Mind - FREE Session Guides.pdf - Google DriveThe Flexible Mind website to accompany the book!Strive 2 Thrive Consultancy - led by Ross WhiteStrive 2 Thrive on FacebookJune Issue of the '5 to Thrive' NewsletterRoss at Queen's University BelfastCommit and ACT - Sierra LeoneConnect with Ross on InstagramFollow Ross on twitterRead 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

Jun 8, 2023 • 54min
Meet Professor Ross White
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 5 Episode 19 of People Soup – it’s Ross McIntosh here. What a privilege it was to speak to Professor Ross White. Ross is the Research Director of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme at Queen's University Belfast. He's an expert on Global Mental Health and as active research collaborations with the World Health Organisation and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He's also an author, and his books include, Acceptance and Commitment Approaches for Athletes' Wellbeing and Performance - The Flexible Mind. His consultancy is called - Strive 2 Thrive - which has a specialist interest in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of adults working in high-performance environments including elite level athletes. And incidentally - I'd highly recommend that you sign up for Ross' monthly newsletter - 5 to Thrive - you'll find the link in the shownotes.In this episode - you'll get to know Ross - and a bit about his career history -including how he came across ACT, insights into his research in different contexts, psychological factors in sport and the fine line between dedication and obsession. You'll also hear his song choice which relates to his passion for supporting adults to be the best version of themselves - and how he once rescued the BBC Radio Two DJ - Sara Cox from a firework hazard.People Soup is an award winning podcast where we share evidence based behavioural science, in a way that’s practical, accessible and fun. We're all about sharing the ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond.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.The Flexible Mind - FREE Session Guides.pdf - Google DriveThe Flexible Mind website to accompany the book!Strive 2 Thrive Consultancy - led by Ross WhiteStrive 2 Thrive on FacebookJune Issue of the '5 to Thrive' NewsletterRoss at Queen's University BelfastCommit and ACT - Sierra LeoneConnect with Ross on InstagramFollow Ross on twitterRead 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