Raising Resilient Boys with John Richards

About this episode: Join us for an enlightening episode on Raising Resilient Boys as we meet John Richards—whose 25 years of frontline experience in crisis intervention and youth homelessness have shaped a visionary approach to leadership and personal development. In this conversation, John joins Chris Cooper, a dedicated father to two teenage boys, to explore the challenges and joys of raising resilient young men in today's complex world. John's journey spans from leading awareness and development initiatives with diverse organisations to co-founding The Inspiration Programme, where he now guides transformative retreats in some of the world's most untamed and inspiring landscapes. From the mystic heights of Tibet and the vast expanse of the Sahara to the rugged wilderness of South Africa and the towering peaks of the Himalayas, his work invites us to reconnect with nature, cultivate mindfulness, and build resilient communities.In a groundbreaking collaboration with Tsering Sangpo Sherpa and 7-time Everest summiteer Nima Kancha Sher-pa, John brought to life the first-ever Sherpa-led Leadership retreat in the awe-inspiring setting of Everest. His acclaimed book on Awareness, Change, Relationships, and Fruitfulness, published in 2018, lays the foundation for his philosophy of nurturing growth and meaningful connections. Tune in as John and Chris share their insights on fostering strength, awareness, and emotional intelligence—essential ingredients in raising boys who are not only resilient but also compassionate leaders of tomorrow. Whether you're a parent to boys, an educator, or seeker of transformative ideas, this conversation promises to help us with the challenging and fulfilling journey of parenthood. More about John Richards: John Richards has spent nearly 25 years working frontline in Crisis Intervention and Young People's Homelessness with a wide range of organisations as a Leader specialising in Awareness and Development. More recently, he co-founded The Inspiration Programme and leads retreats in wild places around the world including Tibet, Nepal, The Himalayas, the Sahara, the Mediterranean coast, the Channel Islands, the US and wild South Africa. In December 2019, in partnership with Tsering Sangpo Sherpa and 7-time Everest summiteer Nima Kancha Sherpa, John realised a passionate vision: to bring about the first ever Sherpa-led Leadership retreat in the Himalayas in the towering landscape of Everest.  His first  book on Awareness, Change, Relationships and Fruitfulness, was published by EyeWear in the UK in October 2018. John continues to work with a large group of collaborators in different parts of the world in order to provide opportunity for fellow travellers to journey out into wild places to listen in nature and learn through community.