378 episodes
The Meaningful Life with Andrew G. Marshall The Meaningful Life
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- Education
Hello, I am a marital therapist, communications trainer and author. I have thirty-five years helping couples and individuals make better relationships. I have written twenty-plus self-help books which include the international best-sellers ‘I love you but I’m not in love with you’ and ‘How can I ever trust you again?’ My books have been translated into twenty languages. I trained with RELATE the UK’s largest counselling charity.
Perhaps it has been turning sixty but I have become interested in spiritual as well as psychological questions. Who am I? What are my values – as opposed to my parents, my teachers and the wider society? What makes my life meaningful? What do I believe about life, the universe and everything? Although my clients might come to me because of destructive arguments, falling out of love and infidelity, they are also interested in having more meaningful relationships and a more meaningful life.
So what is the meaningful life? Why do we so easily lose our way and get lost in depression, anxiety, doubt, addictions and obsessions: the swamplands of the soul? One thing I know for sure is that there is not one answer. Each of us has to find out for ourselves what makes our life meaningful. But we can learn from each other, share our experiences of how to navigate the journey, how to endure and learn from the swamp, and finally how to find solid ground.
I have decided to use my original training in radio and journalism to interview witnesses for what makes life meaningful. Each week, I invite someone who is a therapist, academic, self-help coach or who has an enlightening personal story to share their knowledge or experiences. I hope our discussions will help you discover what makes your life meaningful and find more purpose and contentment.
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Four techniques for behaving conveniently in life
What do you know to be true? Deep down? The older I get, the less I feel I know but there are a few things that I know are truly, profoundly true. I think these truths say a lot about us. So for every guest, I ask them to share three things that they know to be true and we discuss them. For most guests, we also discuss what I learned from our interview, and I ask what being a witness on The Meaningful Life has been like for them…
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Philippa Perry: What You Wish your Parents Knew and What Your Children Hope You Learn (Re-issue)
Parents like to feel they are independent individuals making their own decisions, but in reality parenting is hugely influenced by our own experiences of childhood.
In this classic early episode, Andrew and therapist and author Philippa Perry talk about how we are “links in a chain", and why it is important for parents to recognise that and ensure their own links are shaped to the needs of their children.
Philippa Perry is a psychotherapist and author of several books, including The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will be Glad That You Did) and How To Stay Sane. She has also presented a number of documentaries, is Red Magazine’s agony aunt, and writes for numerous British publications. Philippa has also starred alongside her husband Grayson Perry in the recent Channel 4 series, Grayson’s Art Club.
Subscriber Content This Week
If you’re a subscriber to The Meaningful Life (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Patreon), this week you’ll be hearing:
Three things Philippa Perry knows to be true.
AND subscribers also access all of our previous bonus content - a rich trove of insight on love, life and meaning created by Andrew and his interviewees.
Follow Up
Get Andrew’s free guide to difficult conversations with your partner: How to Tell Your Partner Difficult Things https://andrewgmarshall.com/download/
Take a look at Andrew’s new online relationship course: My Best Relationship Tools
Read Philippa Perry’s book The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will be Glad That You Did)
Read Philippa’s advice column in Red Magazine
Follow Philippa on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Read The Orchid and the Dandelion: Why Sensitive Children Face Challenges and How All Can Thrive by W Thomas Boyce MD.
Read Andrew’s book on building a stronger relationship as parents: I Love You But You Always Put Me Last: How to Child-Proof Your Marriage
Read Andrew’s book on making meaningful change in your life Wake Up and Change Your Life: How to Survive a Crisis and be Stronger, Wiser and Happier
Andrew offers regular advice on love, marriage and finding meaning in your life via his social channels. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube @andrewgmarshall and on Substack at The Meaningful Life. -
Ten essential principles to change your life
What do you know to be true? Deep down? The older I get, the less I feel I know but there are a few things that I know are truly, profoundly true. I think these truths say a lot about us. So for every guest, I ask them to share three things that they know to be true and we discuss them. For most guests, we also discuss what I learned from our interview, and I ask what being a witness on The Meaningful Life has been like for them…
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Dr. Pam Spurr: Emotional Eating: How to Break the Habit
Each month, 20% of us embark on a new diet. Sadly, 95% of all diets prove unsuccessful. According to psychologist and author Dr Pam Spurr, emotional eating to soothe difficult feelings is to blame.
This week Andrew and Pam discuss the ways emotional eating is culturally ingrained, other strategies to self-soothe and how you can develop a more holistic approach to your health. Pam also offers some advice to Andrew on his struggles with his doctor’s orders to cut back on crisps and crackers!
Dr Pam Spurr is an academic and a psychologist who works mainly in the media, including as an agony aunt. She also works as a well-being consultant to city corporations where she triages employees for psychological services.
Pam has written 15 self-help books on topics from happiness to dating and The Emotional Eater's Diet. Her first children’s book is Eva the Bear and the Magic Snowflake and has just been published.
Pam has had countless magazine and newspaper columns over the years, including in The Times, the Sun, the Express and in media outlets from Cosmo Bride to MSN and many others. She regularly appears on TV programmes including Sky News, Talk TV, GB News and the BBC. She was a popular contributor on the Big Brother shows for 12 years.
Subscriber Content This Week
If you’re a subscriber to The Meaningful Life (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Patreon), this week you’ll be hearing:
Ten essential principles to change your life
Three things Dr Pam Spurr knows to be true.
AND subscribers also access all of our previous bonus content - a rich trove of insight on love, life and meaning created by Andrew and his interviewees.
Follow Up
Get Andrew’s free guide to difficult conversations with your partner: How to Tell Your Partner Difficult Things
Take a look at Andrew’s new online relationship course: My Best Relationship Tools
Read Dr Pam Spurr’s new book for children Eva the Bear and the Magic Snowflake
Read Dr Pam Spurr’s book The Emotional Eater’s Diet
Read Dr Pam Spurr’s other books about sex and relationships.
Visit Dr Pam Spurr’s website
Follow Dr Pam Spurr on Twitter/X and Instagram @drpamspurr
Andrew offers regular advice on love, marriage and finding meaning in your life via his social channels. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube @andrewgmarshall -
Setting consequences if your parents can't stay within the boundaries
What do you know to be true? Deep down? The older I get, the less I feel I know but there are a few things that I know are truly, profoundly true. I think these truths say a lot about us. So for every guest, I ask them to share three things that they know to be true and we discuss them. For most guests, we also discuss what I learned from our interview, and I ask what being a witness on The Meaningful Life has been like for them…
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Kai Tai Kevin Qiu: Emotionally Immature Parents
As a child, were you made to feel like your feelings didn’t matter, while your parents’ feelings loomed large? Were your boundaries repeatedly crossed? Were you emotionally neglected? If so, you may have been raised by emotionally immature parents.
In this episode Andrew talks to TikTok's popular healing transformation coach Dr. Kai Tai Kevin Qiu, the author of Emotionally Immature Parents: A Recovery Workbook for Adult Children.
Andrew and Kai discuss:
How to know if your parents were emotionally immature.
Creating boundaries in the present day
Processing difficult memories
Developing a non-judgmental approach towards yourself, others and even your parents.
Dr Kai Tai Kevin Qiu is the founder of Boundaries to Freedom, a healing transformation coach, digital nomad, and digital creator. His holistic and practical approach is based on his experience studying medicine, personal development, positive psychology, Buddhism, and spirituality. He is a first generation Chinese-Canadian currently living part-time in Thailand, Canada, and Europe.
Subscriber Content This Week
If you’re a subscriber to The Meaningful Life (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Patreon), this week you’ll be hearing:
Setting consequences if your parents can't stay within the boundaries.
Three things Dr Kai Tai Kevin Qiu knows to be true.
AND subscribers also access all of our previous bonus content - a rich trove of insight on love, life and meaning created by Andrew and his interviewees.
Follow Up
Get Andrew’s free guide to difficult conversations with your partner: How to Tell Your Partner Difficult Things
Take a look at Andrew’s new online relationship course: My Best Relationship Tools
Visit Dr Kai’s website
Get Dr Kai’s book Emotionally Immature Parents: A Recovery Workbook for Adult Children
Take Dr Kai’s Am I Emotionally Immature Quiz
Follow Dr Kai on Instagram and TikTok @hicoachkai
Andrew offers regular advice on love, marriage and finding meaning in your life via his social channels. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube @andrewgmarshall
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