People Soup

Ross McIntosh

Grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use. The name People Soup comes from a quote by Abraham Maslow: "A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting." I've always loved that idea because creativity isn't confined to art. It shows up in how we live, work, lead and relate to one another. Work often feels like a soup: a rich, sometimes bewildering mix of people, personalities, decisions, pressures, relationships and unexpected challenges. Every day we're trying to make sense of the ingredients in front of us. Behavioural science doesn't make work simple, but it does give us better ways of responding to complexity. It offers practical ideas, evidence-based tools and skills that help us respond more effectively—to ourselves, to other people and to the situations we face. That's what People Soup is all about. Whether it's a conversation with a guest or a short solo episode, People Soup explores how behavioural science—and particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—can help us lead and work with greater intention, developing the psychological flexibility and practical wisdom to navigate whatever life throws our way.

  1. hace 1 d

    Can you be ambitious and self-compassionate? Dr Amanda Super

    What if being kinder to yourself doesn't make you less ambitious — but helps you work, recover and live more sustainably? In this episode of People Soup, I talk to Dr Amanda Super, an occupational and coaching psychologist, author and founder of Creating Compassion. Amanda specialises in self-compassion and compassionate leadership, working with organisations across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Amanda's own journey into this work is fascinating. At 19, she had flunked her A-levels and was struggling with her confidence. Psychological support helped change the trajectory of her life. Years later, when she became seriously unwell and needed major surgery, a nurse pointed out something Amanda hadn't recognised herself: "You're being very hard on yourself." That moment led Amanda to discover self-compassion — and ultimately changed both her personal life and professional direction. In our conversation, we explore: What self-compassion actually means — and what it doesn't meanWhy we're often caught between threat and drive, with too little access to recovery and soothingHow workplace culture can reinforce perfectionism, productivity and the pressure to keep goingThe three elements of self-compassion: mindfulness, common humanity and self-kindnessWhether it's possible to be ambitious and self-compassionate at the same timeHow self-compassion can help us develop healthier boundariesWhat Amanda means by fierce self-compassionThe costs of constantly criticising ourselvesAmanda's practical RAIN exercise for difficult momentsWhy recovery is productiveAnd why self-compassion might simply give us permission to include ourselves as well as everybody else. There's also a lovely conversation about Amanda's choice of walk-on music, Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles — a song that reminds her of her grandmother and represents the movement from darkness towards warmth, hope and light. A practical idea from Amanda When you notice you're having a strong emotional response to something, pause and ask: What do I need right now? Amanda also introduces RAIN: R — Recognise what's happening A — Allow the feeling to be present I — Investigate what's triggered the response N — Natural awareness And then, in Amanda's self-compassionate version: Recognise that anyone would find this difficult, and ask, How can I be kind to myself right now? She also leaves us with a simple reminder, recovery can be productive. People Soup: Real conversations about work, leadership, and being human — grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use. If this episode resonated with you, please consider following People Soup, leaving a rating or review, or sharing it with someone who might find it useful. Every recommendation helps more people discover practical, evidence-based conversations about work, leadership and being human. Connect with Amanda on LinkedInAbout Amanda's book - "A Year of Self-Compassion: Finding Care, Connection and Calm in Our Challenging Times"Amanda's website Here's the People Soup Website. And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here. Visit Ross' Website. Connect with Ross on LinkedIn People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.

    Can you be ambitious and self-compassionate? Dr Amanda Super
  2. 31 jul

    Quick Spoon: Give yourself permission to stop

    I'm taking a short break from People Soup during August. Before I do, I'd like to leave you with one final invitation. Give yourself permission to stop. Not forever. Perhaps for ten minutes. An afternoon. Or even a few weeks. In this final People Soup Quick Spoon before the summer break, Ross McIntosh reflects on what happens when we pause—and what we might notice if we resist the urge to keep going. Here's something to try Give yourself permission to stop something. Then simply notice what shows up. Perhaps it's the urge to stay productive.Perhaps it's the thought: "I should be doing something."Or perhaps you'll notice something you couldn't see because you were too busy carrying on. People Soup will return in September. Thank you for listening, watching, sharing and being part of the conversation. People Soup: Real conversations about work, leadership, and being human — grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use. If this episode resonated with you, please consider following People Soup, leaving a rating or review, or sharing it with someone who might find it useful. Every recommendation helps more people discover practical, evidence-based conversations about work, leadership and being human. Recover on purpose: the holiday matrix - People SoupDownload the holiday matrix here Here's the People Soup Website. And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here. Visit Ross' Website. Connect with Ross on LinkedIn People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.

    Quick Spoon: Give yourself permission to stop
  3. 21 jul

    Quick Spoon: Who do you want people to experience?

    We can spend ages planning a holiday. Where we'll go. What we'll eat. What we'll see. But perhaps there's another question worth asking: Who do I want people to experience on this holiday? In this People Soup Quick Spoon, Ross McIntosh invites you to shift the focus from what you want to do to how you want to show up. Patient? Curious? Playful? Present? Here's something to try Before your next break, choose three words that describe how you'd really like to show up. Then, each evening, simply notice: How did I move towards expressing those qualities in my behaviour today? It's not about getting it right all the time. It's about choosing the direction you want to travel in. People Soup: Real conversations about work, leadership, and being human — grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use. If this episode resonated with you, please consider following People Soup, leaving a rating or review, or sharing it with someone who might find it useful. Every recommendation helps more people discover practical, evidence-based conversations about work, leadership and being human. Recover on purpose: the holiday matrix - People SoupDownload the holiday matrix here Here's the People Soup Website. And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here. Visit Ross' Website. Connect with Ross on LinkedIn People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.

    Quick Spoon: Who do you want people to experience?
  4. 17 jul

    Quick Spoon: Why I love supermarkets on holiday

    One of Ross's favourite places to visit on holiday isn't a famous landmark... It's the local supermarket. Why? Because holidays have a wonderful way of awakening our curiosity. In this Quick Spoon, Ross explores the idea of beginner's mind - approaching ordinary places as if you're seeing them for the very first time—and why curiosity helps us become more present. Here's something to try On your next holiday, visit somewhere completely ordinary—a supermarket, a café or simply a street you've never walked before. Then explore it with extraordinary curiosity. Finally, ask yourself: Where else in my life could I benefit from adopting a beginner's mind? People Soup: Real conversations about work, leadership, and being human — grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use. If this episode resonated with you, please consider following People Soup, leaving a rating or review, or sharing it with someone who might find it useful. Every recommendation helps more people discover practical, evidence-based conversations about work, leadership and being human. Watch this Quick Spoon on YouTubeRecover on purpose: the holiday matrix - People SoupDownload the holiday matrix here Here's the People Soup Website. And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here. Visit Ross' Website. Connect with Ross on LinkedIn People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.

    Quick Spoon: Why I love supermarkets on holiday
  5. 15 jul

    Quick Spoon: My body's on holiday, my mind missed the flight

    Have you ever arrived on holiday, only to find your mind is still back at work? In this Quick Spoon, Ross explores psychological detachment - one of the key ingredients of effective recovery. It's not just about leaving work physically; it's about leaving it mentally too. Ross shares one simple ritual to help you make the transition into your holiday with a little more intention. Here's something to try Before you finish work: Write down what's still outstanding.Leave yourself a note for your first day back.Identify your priorities.Remind yourself why your work matters. Then close the laptop and let your work have somewhere safe to stay while you're away. Question: What helps you switch off from work before a holiday? People Soup: Real conversations about work, leadership, and being human — grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use. If this episode resonated with you, please consider following People Soup, leaving a rating or review, or sharing it with someone who might find it useful. Every recommendation helps more people discover practical, evidence-based conversations about work, leadership and being human. Recover on purpose: the holiday matrix - People SoupWatch the short on YoutubeDownload the holiday matrix here Here's the People Soup Website. And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here. Visit Ross' Website. Connect with Ross on LinkedIn People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.

    Quick Spoon: My body's on holiday, my mind missed the flight

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Grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use. The name People Soup comes from a quote by Abraham Maslow: "A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting." I've always loved that idea because creativity isn't confined to art. It shows up in how we live, work, lead and relate to one another. Work often feels like a soup: a rich, sometimes bewildering mix of people, personalities, decisions, pressures, relationships and unexpected challenges. Every day we're trying to make sense of the ingredients in front of us. Behavioural science doesn't make work simple, but it does give us better ways of responding to complexity. It offers practical ideas, evidence-based tools and skills that help us respond more effectively—to ourselves, to other people and to the situations we face. That's what People Soup is all about. Whether it's a conversation with a guest or a short solo episode, People Soup explores how behavioural science—and particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—can help us lead and work with greater intention, developing the psychological flexibility and practical wisdom to navigate whatever life throws our way.

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