How to Rise to the Challenge

Jack Boswell explores the Finnish concept of sisu - a profound inner strength that emerges when we face life’s toughest challenges.Joining him is Emilia Elisabet Lahti, a Finnish behavioural scientist, who delves into the origins of sisu, a cornerstone of Finnish culture. She explains how this powerful quality - described as the “life force in times of adversity” - has helped individuals and the nation persevere through extraordinary hardships, including the Winter War. Elisabet shares how her own experiences of overcoming personal trauma inspired her to study sisu and its universal relevance.Jack also meets Mikko Paasi, a Finnish cave diver whose reliance on sisu was tested during the 2018 Tham Luang Cave Rescue in Thailand. Mikko recounts the harrowing operation to save a trapped youth football team, describing how determination, step-by-step focus, and a deep reservoir of mental strength helped him and his team navigate impossible odds. His reflections on resilience and redemption reveal how sisu can guide us not just through crises, but also towards healing from our past.Elisabet offers practical insights into how sisu can be cultivated by anyone, anywhere. Through techniques like breathwork and self-compassion, she highlights how this universal human quality helps us push forward when the going gets tough.This episode is an inspiring exploration of resilience, courage, and the quiet power within all of us to persevere - no matter how steep the climb.Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer and Lizzy AndrewsA Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4