Better Beings

Nadia Woodhouse is an incredible human. She is leader of EY’s New Economy Unit - which focuses on the long-term, systemic shifts to a new, regenerative economy.In this wonderful conversation we discuss indigenous wisdom, leadership and how a reimagined approach to business and economics can support human and planetary thriving. We also discuss better ways to engage people to move in different directions - experiences not PowerPoint! This is one of our favourite episodes yet and is a fitting way to end season 3. We’ll be back soon ❤️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leadership lessons from sport and business with the legendary Jonathan Brandling-Harris. Former rugby star Jonathan is the founder of one of the world’s only B-Corp certified real estate firms and builds community and humanity into the heart of his business. In this episode we discuss how life lessons have led him to be an authentic leader of his company and community.(Apologies for the slightly sub-standard audio on MJ’s microphone 🎤 in this episode - technical gremlins 👹). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if work worked? Why has workaholism become a badge of honour?Journalist and author Brigid Schulte joins us for an uplifting conversation about our broken system and offers inspiration for a hopeful way forward.https://www.brigidschulte.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ilan Eshkeri is an award winning composer known for his concert music, film scores and artist collaborations - linked by his love of emotional narratives.In this super enjoyable episode we discuss the power of music and storytelling, authenticity and human connection in a world of AI and automation. We also explore the creative process, the power of purpose and the importance of taking care of our home planet 🌍 This episode was recorded live at London’s famous Metropolis Studios - thank you to Glenn Herweijer for having us ❤️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karl Burns is a leadership coach and board advisor who is passionate about inner development, human and planetary flourishing. In this moving and enlightening episode we discuss Karl's journey from a council estate in East London to prestigious institutions such as Oxford University and leading global corporations.  Karl shares how he overcame the profound loss of his family home through the kindness and solidarity of community. We discuss unity and male friendships at a time of division and toxic masculinity and reflect on the good and the bad of life in big business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest on this meaningful episode is Malcolm Stern, psychotherapist, leadership coach and host of the Slay Your Dragons with Compassion podcast. He is also the former director and co-founder of Alternatives – a world renowned platform for leading spiritual teachers and alternative thinking.Malcolm shares his experience of overcoming personal tragedy and adversity.We also get into the evolution of leadership, psychedelics, ceremonies, rituals and ego death 🙌Slay your Dragons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louisa Harris is a force of nature. In this enlightening conversation we explore how wisdom from the natural world provides tools for leadership and change. We discuss community building and the drivers of creativity plus burnout, growth and collapse as well as what “heart centred” leadership actually means in practice. Also listen out for a guest appearance from our producer Elliot Fisher ❤️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do big businesses need to fail and be replaced by better ones? Psychology and management guru Helen Sieroda joins us to discuss the evolution of leadership. In this mind-expanding episode on being we explore empathy, burnout, toxic leadership traits and narcissism.Wild Geese 🪿 by Mary Oliver Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 3 is here! What are the economy and markets really for? Ben Kellard is Director of Business Strategy at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. In this thought-provoking episode we explore how we might create genuine wellbeing for people and the planet. We discuss how the market economy is undermining civilisations and wellbeing - and what a better future might look like.More thoughts from Ben Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode with author and regenerative business guru Stephen Vasconcellos we discuss his new book The Regenerative Enterprise and lots more! Stephen is a deep and thoughtful guy and we cover lots of bases including indigenous wisdom, regenerative vs sustainable business and whether business can survive at its current scale. https://theregenerativeenterprise.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this lovely conversation with the infectiously energetic Lily Higgins we discuss a rapidly changing generational work culture and how to create positive change through a more playful approach to life and work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this football-related episode we talk to the infectiously positive Romaine Foster from the English Football Association about leadership, mental health, masculinity and diversity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this fascinating and mind-expanding episode we're joined by the amazing Patrick Geary to discuss his journey from corporate lawyer to astrologer and energy coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amber Brandner and Brad Harris are the co-founders and principals of A Frame - a venture studio as a force for better businesses. In this episode they discuss their experiences, motivations and the community aspects of building better from the bottom up.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODEWhat are the biggest challenges for mission-driven founders to structure impact at early stages?‘Humanity-centred’ design rather than human-centred design: looking at problems from the root cause with a long-term mindset, being iterative, continual refinement and building with communityThe power of the collective and what is possible when we come together and create from a space that is bigger than ourselves.REFERENCESMirth DrinkPatagonia founder, Yvon ChouinardLet my People go Surfing by Yvon ChouinardPerspectiva PressThe Wisdom of Insecurity, Alan WattsShantaram (audiobook)Armchair Experts (podcast) Syzmon, Blue colored mountain (song)Barca Matchday Playlist CONNECT WITH BRADLEY HARRISLinkedInCONNECT WITH AMBER BRANDNERLinkedInwww.aframeventurestudio.comSUPPORT BETTER BEINGSIf you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques, and resource recommendations [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Better business genius and spiritual leader John Featherby joins us to discuss the limits to materialism, a crisis of meaning and what spirituality means in the modern world.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODEReaching the end of a hyper-rational, high secular materialism age - and looking at what comes next to fill the ‘void’ in realising it doesn't provide real meaning Exploring Spiritual Capital as a “resource of collective memory, benefit, and impact of a culture’s religious, spiritual, philosophy history and heritage” and investing in it through honouring purpose, value, virtue, and meaning in cultures Religion as a way of being. It’s a pattern and we’re all in one. We’re all worshipping somethingCENTRES OF POWER ARE MOVING AWAY FROM THE WEST - neutral secular perspectives that are not neutral. Parts of the world are pushing back.How you develop leaders - mindfulness, breathing, embracing the wilderness The agenda of “purpose” in business spaces & leadership programmes - and how authentic and meaningful this actually is. QUOTES & SNIPPETS“We’re in a meaning crisis. Spiritual Capital doesn’t ‘belong’ to big businesses. You cant import purpose, ritual, philosophical ideas etc”“It’s a pattern and we’re all in one”“Consumerism doesn’t provide the meaning people thought it would so they’ve gone looking for meaning in something else”“All people have now IS their work - home - and hobby. People's lives have gone from many layers to work and home. Back in the day, people belonged to a community organisation, there were layers between the individual and the state that gave them meaning and a sense of grounding but we’ve stripped them out”“Most of the stuff you read in these modern business books about purpose and good culture - they exist in all the great scriptures. We’ve had this stuff forever.”REFERENCESRichard DawkinsGus SpethRobert TombsReligion for Atheists, Alain de BottonCONNECT WITH JOHNSubstackWebsiteLinkedIn SUPPORT BETTER BEINGSIf you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques, and resource recommendations [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The wonderful Dan Haggis - from chart-topping band The Wombats - joins us to discuss creativity and commercialisation in the music business. In this fun and thoughtful episode we also discuss parenthood, wellbeing, mid-life-crises and what makes for a fulfilling and grounded life.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODEThe appreciation & sense of wonder that parenthood brings - for the journey that all humans go throughPrioritising a creative career and navigating the school systemHolding onto the purity of making music vs being ‘successful’ in the industry The mid-life crisis that comes when we turn 30; “slowly untethering from youth, accepting that you’re moving on to a new chapter”, and how yoga helped him through this processQUOTES & SNIPPETS“It’s like I’m seeing the pyramid of Egypt for the first time when I’m watching him (son), that sense of wonder, seeing his little personality grow”“No matter how much work you do on yourself (e.g meditation, Wim Hof ice showers) - you can still fall into bad habits. We are all a work in progress”“Keep the harmony. If you don’t get things ironed out with yourself and your band or business; there’s no longevity”“Yoga was a revolutionary force in my life; the one place, apart from making music, that could go to be in the moment where no other thoughts exist”REFERENCESThe Infinite Monkey Cage, Brian CoxThe Rest is PoliticsCold Reactor, Everything EverythingDoppelganger, Naomi KleinThe Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***, Mark MansonThe Power of Now, Eckhart TolleCONNECT WITH DANInstagram (Dan)Dan’s new albumFOLLOW THE WOMBATSThe WombatsInstagram (The Wombats)SUPPORT BETTER BEINGSIf you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques, and resource recommendations [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Biddulph is the world's top-selling parenting author this century. His books include Raising Boys, Manhood, Raising Girls, and Fully Human, which are in over 6 million homes. Steve campaigns for better treatment of families and children and a more affectionate and connected form of parenting.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODEWhy caring for your people should be the first goal in any human organisation Thriving with autism The mental health and emotional intelligence of the younger generationThe complexities of gender differences in raising boys and girlsGetting in touch with our “Wild Creature Mind”QUOTES & SNIPPETS“If your kid sees you cry sometimes, that’s a gift to them”“Human beings are broken and that’s the beauty of us - it’s what we make of that”“There’s a thousand different ways to be a boy or a man, and there’s a thousand different ways to be a girl or a woman” “Instead of thinking ‘I'm anxious’ - try thinking: ‘there's something in me that’s anxious;’ then everyone can muster that strength to nurture themselves”“There’s a generational uprising. It’s angry and it’s tender at the same time. These kids have got heart and they’ve got backbone. And they know what’s what.”“We are wired to have fatherly, sisterly, and motherly feelings. A human organisation will only really hum when we honour these”“Any organisation that has money as its purpose is automatically doomed to fail, because money is a myth, it’s a fairytale.”REFERENCESFully Human by Steve BiddulphThe Secret of Happy Children by Steve BiddulphMake Friends with Your Wild Creature Mind by Steve Biddulph *coming soon*Ian McGilchrist (neuroscience) CONNECT WITH STEVEhttps://www.stevebiddulph.comSUPPORT BETTER BEINGSIf you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques, and resource recommendations [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorna Davis is passionate about helping leaders to live and lead with love. She has lived and worked in 7 countries on 5 continents, and was previously the leader of multi billion dollar businesses such as Danone, Kraft and Mondelez.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODESocial Impact - where should people act? How do we make a difference when there’s so many things going on in the world, and use our heart to lead us thereThe illusion that business is all to do with the head - but there is a lot more permission around love & connection than we allow ourselves to think How to back up, shift to a more human perspective, and see things differently - gaining perspective & joy from those on the front lineInspiration from working with Indigenous Rights and Environmental JusticeQUOTES & SNIPPETS“Where to act is where your heart breaks”"To be human is a heartbreaking, excruciating experience, and it is an uplifting liberating experience. But holding both of these as true, is key to our liberation and  destiny"“Play, practice, push the edges of your imagined cells, and the worst that can happen is that you have to apologise”“Every time a subject is freaking you out, instead of moving away, get closer to it and see what joy you find… There are always people on the front line doing remarkable things”“In our quiet moments, something powerful is guiding us that isn't our logic”REFERENCESBarbara Sreisand’s AutobiographyThe Culture Map by Erin MeyerThe Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently...and Why by Richard NisbettBeyonce Texas Hold ‘EmWilderness Leadership SchoolFTE’s (Full Time Equivalents)CONNECT WITH LORNALinkedInlornadavis.netTed TalkSUPPORT BETTER BEINGSIf you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques, and resource recommendations [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Hunt, founder of superfoods company Aduna shares the highs and lows in his inspiring entrepreneurial journey.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:How Conscious Wellness is rooted in helping others The interconnectedness of all living things - based on the West African belief of Aduna How Andrew and Aduna grew a leading wellness business supporting local farmers in Ghana Modifying the capitalist structure so that it’s not exploitative, extractive and unhealthyWhere our sense of worth and value comes from as human beingsQUOTES & SNIPPETS:“Doing something on a daily basis that is making a difference to other people is the most important part of wellness”“I am because we are” - the concept of Ubuntu“So many people are living in deficiency of human community in modern life” “If you want to achieve a state of oneness it can’t just be about yourself”“Collective Wellness is true wellness”“Physical and emotional health are two sides of the same coin”REFERENCES:The Baobab TreeMicrobiome‘Ubuntu’ PhilosophyB-CorpFonio seedsHow To Do The Work, by Dr Nicole LePeraCONNECT WITH ANDREW:LinkedInFOLLOW ADUNA:AdunaSUPPORT BETTER BEINGS:If you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT: Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques and resource recommendations [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist, author and political commentator Adam Lowenstein discusses business systems and power dynamics.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:What it means to be in the world of corporate and political ‘power’ How to see the best in people and build bigger, more inclusive movementsHow to live by the practice of ‘memento mori’ Adam's experiences of seeing first-hand how American politics operates behind closed doors The small shifts needed to imagine a new system & step forward with true purposeQUOTES & SNIPPETS:“Corporations are claiming to be the solution to the problems they have created”“It has nothing to do with bad people - it has everything to do with incentives and structures & the way human beings operate”“When do you call someone out and when do you bring them into your movement?”“There’s no secret formula for achieving power”"If we’re going to die at some point, we might as well live”"I’ve seen what's on the other side; and they're just people""At the end of the day, it's not going to be the emails I regret or the work I didn't do - it's going to be the walks in the park i didn't take"REFERENCES:The Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler The Persuaders, Anan GiridharadasThe Long Now FoundationLupe Fiasco ESGReframe the Day, Adam LowensteinMemento moriCONNECT WITH ADAM:LinkedInBlog SUPPORT BETTER BEINGS:If you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT: Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques and resource recommendations [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ayan Said is a truly inspiring force of nature, gender equality expert and founder of the international advocacy firm Voicing Voices. In this fun and enlightening conversation we discuss intersectionality and the leadership values of the future - plus the origin of "stakeholders".HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:Surviving inequalities as an intersectional womanExploring tools for empowerment & sustainable, systemic change“Driving intentional design for the people by the people”Aligning to identity, passion & purpose How to be relentless in humanising our systems Decolonising the tech industryQUOTES & SNIPPETS:“There is beauty in my diversity. I don’t feel like an outsider anymore, because I’ve been in spaces where all of me was accepted.”“Empathy can feel like a curse - you feel too much”“Treat this world as if you’re a traveler - serve, serve, serve, - and impart as much as you can with the time that you have” “Art is a revolution, it's our way of pushing back on the structures”“Leaders of the future pair value with value”“Our systems are driving violence” “Shame prevents action” REFERENCES:Voicing VoicesDuke Corporate EducationESGCambodia Civil War United Nations Youth DeclarationTower Hamlets The Artist’s Way, Julia CameronQatar FoundationSheikha MozaSam Cook (Musician) CONNECT WITH AYAN:LinkedInAyan’s PoetryFOLLOW VOICING VOICES:WebsiteSUPPORT BETTER BEINGS:If you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT: Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques & resource recommendations [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artist and change-agent Robi Walters has found flow from adversity. In this moving and uplifting episode he shares the techniques and ideas that inspire his creative genius.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:How trauma and adversity shaped Robi’s artistic processHow to create an optimum routine, build discipline, and push boundariesHow to live ‘on-purpose’How to reflect your inner world into the outer world and create spaces for healingQUOTES & SNIPPETS:“I tried to find the beauty in the thing that was not loved. I tried to work on myself”“Accumulated small steps create big things” “There is something special inside of every single person on the planet. Are you doing it, or are you resisting it?”“Sometimes all you need to do is hear someone say: I took a risk”“We are in a negative, destructive, sick world. But I don’t buy into it. I’m trying to make it better.”REFERENCES:The Wim Hof MethodMichelle La Grand - La Grand Jazz ft. Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Miles EvansChat GPTCONNECT WITH ROBI:robiwalters.comInstagramSUPPORT BETTER BEINGS:If you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT: Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques and resource recommendations [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leadership guru and resilience expert Aidan Morrison shares unique wisdom for living and leadership success.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:Building resilience and high performance Guardianship, stewardship and fatherhooodLearnings from living in the Amazon Basin with an indigenous TribeRe-establishing our connection with natureQUOTES & SNIPPETS:“The person who has the lowest centre of energy, holds the space”“Gratitude is the best antidote to fear”“What do you actually want and what’s stopping you from getting there?”“How can we emotionally and creatively connect with ourselves to solve problems, and think divergently?”REFERENCES:The Huli PeopleDavid Attenborough, Our PlanetTranscendental MeditationAikidoKat WilliamsThe Four Agreements, Don MiguelThe Relationship HandbookCONNECT WITH AIDAN:LinkedInFOLLOW BLUEPRINT 101:Blueprint180.comSUPPORT BETTER BEINGS:If you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT: Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques and resource recommendations [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victoria Johnson, founder of The Museum of Happiness discusses gratitude, connection and purpose."Hate cannot drive out hate - only love can do that."HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:The habits of happinessHow to cultivate inner peace - and be the change we want to see in the worldInsights into spirituality, mindfulness, meditation & self-compassionThe science and art of authentic sustainable happinessQUOTES & SNIPPETS:“Authentic, sustainable happiness is having a balance of Pleasure, Purpose & Peace”“It takes community to maintain consistency”“The way out is in”REFERENCES:Positive Psychology The Vagina Museum Insight Timer App Dr Kristin Neff, pioneer of self-compassionWomen’s AidVipassana Silent RetreatThe Dalai Lama Zen Master Thích Nhất HạnhInternational Plum Village CommunityFred RogersMartin Luther King Post Traumatic GrowthKintsugiThe Well Bean Co Soil, Soul, SocietyToni JonesCONNECT WITH VICKY:LinkedInFOLLOW THE MUSEUM OF HAPPINESS:www.museumofhappiness.orgInstagramSUPPORT BETTER BEINGS:If you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.