How to Thrive

Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon
  • 5.0 (9)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES

We're on a mission to help professionals thrive, not just survive. In each episode of How to Thrive, hosts Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, ask a guest to share the skills they deploy in order to thrive in the high-pressure world in which we live. By sharing their lessons and experience, and through the application of the scientific discipline of Human Factors, we hope that you will feel empowered with new, practical ways in which to maximise your performance and your well-being. Your hosts: Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    The Sleep Geek, James Wilson

    "Take the stress out of sleep, and you start to sleep better." This week on the How to Thrive podcast, Claire and Helen are joined by James Wilson, better known as The Sleep Geek, for a myth-busting, no-nonsense conversation about one of the most fundamental pillars of performance and wellbeing: sleep. James is a sleep expert, keynote speaker and founder of Sleep Unity, whose clients range from Premier League football clubs, to the NHS, the Department of Transport and household names like Mr Kipling and Red Bull. He's also a self-confessed poor sleeper! At a time when sleep has become yet another thing to optimise, obsess over and feel guilty about, James is on a mission to take the pressure off. He talks about the difference between sleep strugglers and sleep optimisers, why trying harder is often the worst thing you can do, and why the explosion of wearable trackers and sleep influencers may actually be making us sleep worse. Find out more about James on his website: thesleepgeek.co.uk With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: JHB & Partners: https://jhbandpartners.com/ Many of the in-house lawyers who listen will recognise Josh Blake as an expert in legal resourcing. Last year he established JHB & Partners and continues to support in-house legal teams to build, scale and optimise their legal functions. With their extensive experience in resourcing and strategic insight, Josh and his team at JHB & Partners provide a real sense of calm and reassurance, which is exactly what you need whether you're hiring or looking for a role. You can find out lots more about Josh and his team at www.jhbandpartners.com. Get in touch and don't forget to mention the podcast when you do. Summize: https://www.summize.com/ Summize is an AI-powered contract lifecycle management platform, designed to break the cycle of forgotten obligations, scattered intake, and contract chaos. Meeting teams where they already work, embedding seamlessly into tools like Outlook, Teams, Slack, Salesforce, and HubSpot, Summize makes adoption simple. With self-serve contracting to reduce workload, seamless integrations to create structure, and powerful AI that supports and enhances legal expertise, Summize helps legal teams operate with confidence and clarity, freeing up that all-important capacity so that we humans can focus on the areas where we add unique value.  Get in touch with them at www.summize.com - and mention the How to Thrive podcast. How to Thrive events: Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives. Your How to Thrive hosts: Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of . Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  2. 26 FEB

    'We're not running a race against tech' - Alexander Bell

    We are absolutely delighted to welcome Alexander Bell to the How to Thrive podcast this week (no, not Alexander Graham Bell). Alexander is a keynote speaker whose expertise sit at the intersection of technology and productivity - specifically, how our relationship with technology impacts our performance, our wellbeing, and the people we care about most. Having built and sold a Google spin-out agency, he reached a turning point when his then-seven-year-old son Dexter asked for an iPhone for Christmas and turned the tables on him with a question he couldn't answer: "If they're really that bad, why are you and mummy on yours all the time?" That moment set Alexander on a mission to help professionals and parents build a healthier, more intentional relationship with the technology that dominates their lives. We cover peak performance, AI note-takers, and Alexander shares his three top tips for thriving. With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Springbird IP: https://www.springbirdip.com/ Springbird is a modern intellectual property firm supporting ambitious, fast growing businesses with trademark and design protection that's transparent, commercially focused and free from unnecessary complexity.  Working on a fixed fee and subscription basis, they ensure clients always know where they stand, no clock watching and no hidden surprises. They act as an extension of your team, giving businesses the confidence and clarity to focus on creativity and innovation, giving them more time to work on the areas where they can add the greatest value.  You can find out more about their work at www.springbirdip.com How to Thrive events: Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives. Your How to Thrive hosts: Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of . Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min

  3. 12 FEB

    How to be brilliant - Dr Andy Cope

    Our guest this week is wellbeing expert, bestselling author, keynote speaker and “doctor in happiness” - Andy Cope. Andy really does have a PhD in happiness and after spending just an hour with him, our days already felt brighter. That ripple effect is a big part of what Andy talks about, how just a few people with positive energy, giving just a few minutes of their time, can make a huge difference at work and at home. We also discuss mindfulness, the Japanese phrase "ichi-go ichi-e" (for this time only), and noticing the positives. It was also Andy who introduced us to the concept of the seven-second hug. If you’ve listened to the podcast before, you’ll almost certainly have heard us mention it! More about Andy: The Art of Brilliance https://www.artofbrilliance.co.uk/ The Art of Being Brilliant https://www.artofbrilliance.co.uk/product/the-art-of-being-brilliant-book-new-edition/ Spy Dog (children’s book) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spy-Dog-Andrew-Cope/dp/0141318848  With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: JHB & Partners: https://jhbandpartners.com/ Many of the in-house lawyers who listen will recognise Josh Blake as an expert in legal resourcing. Last year he established JHB & Partners and continues to support in-house legal teams to build, scale and optimise their legal functions. With their extensive experience in resourcing and strategic insight, Josh and his team at JHB & Partners provide a real sense of calm and reassurance, which is exactly what you need whether you're hiring or looking for a role. You can find out lots more about Josh and his team at www.jhbandpartners.com. Get in touch and don't forget to mention the podcast when you do. Summize: https://www.summize.com/ Summize is an AI-powered contract lifecycle management platform, designed to break the cycle of forgotten obligations, scattered intake, and contract chaos. Meeting teams where they already work, embedding seamlessly into tools like Outlook, Teams, Slack, Salesforce, and HubSpot, Summize makes adoption simple. With self-serve contracting to reduce workload, seamless integrations to create structure, and powerful AI that supports and enhances legal expertise, Summize helps legal teams operate with confidence and clarity, freeing up that all-important capacity so that we humans can focus on the areas where we add unique value.  Get in touch with them at www.summize.com - and mention the How to Thrive podcast. How to Thrive events: Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives. Your How to Thrive hosts: Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of . Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  4. 29 JAN

    More freaky goats, fewer excellent sheep - Kay Scorah

    "I hear what you say" - it's the biggest lie in the organisational world, according to this week's guest Kay Scorah, who prefers to be introduced as either "a ranty old witch" or "an inappropriate elder." Kay is a communications expert, coach, and consultant who has had what she describes as "a very eventful 70 years" - from growing up with a suffragette grandmother, to finding herself in a kayak next to a Nobel Prize-winning scientist in Maine. She joins Claire and Helen to share some truly fascinating concepts, including "excellent sheep” versus "freaky goats" (it’s all about how our experiences shape the way we think), and her work on learning from disease - where she asks organisations to consider what they can learn from how viruses adapt and survive. Kay also talks about the importance of reverse mentoring, her "Turning the Tables" conference, and the power of listening and noticing. Find out more about Kay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayscorah/ With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Springbird IP: https://www.springbirdip.com/ Springbird is a modern intellectual property firm supporting ambitious, fast growing businesses with trademark and design protection that's transparent, commercially focused and free from unnecessary complexity.  Working on a fixed fee and subscription basis, they ensure clients always know where they stand, no clock watching and no hidden surprises. They act as an extension of your team, giving businesses the confidence and clarity to focus on creativity and innovation, giving them more time to work on the areas where they can add the greatest value.  You can find out more about their work at www.springbirdip.com How to Thrive events: Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives. Your How to Thrive hosts: Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of . Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min

  5. 15 JAN

    We’re back! How to Thrive Season 3

    Welcome to season three of the How to Thrive podcast! After a break, we’re back - and we’re not wasting any time tackling the question that's probably on everyone's mind in January: how are you really feeling about the new year? We discuss the pressure we put on ourselves in January, why nature's new year doesn't really start until spring, and how we’re reframing this month as a "warm-up phase" rather than an all-guns-blazing fresh start. In this episode, we discuss human factors, why wellbeing is a wonderful ‘side-effect’ of having systems that work for people, and why reflection time should be mandatory across all professions. It’s great to be back! With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: JHB & Partners: https://jhbandpartners.com/ Many of the in-house lawyers who listen will recognise Josh Blake as an expert in legal resourcing. Last year he established JHB & Partners and continues to support in-house legal teams to build, scale and optimise their legal functions. With their extensive experience in resourcing and strategic insight, Josh and his team at JHB & Partners provide a real sense of calm and reassurance, which is exactly what you need whether you're hiring or looking for a role. You can find out lots more about Josh and his team at www.jhbandpartners.com. Get in touch and don't forget to mention the podcast when you do. Summize: https://www.summize.com/ Summize is an AI-powered contract lifecycle management platform, designed to break the cycle of forgotten obligations, scattered intake, and contract chaos. Meeting teams where they already work, embedding seamlessly into tools like Outlook, Teams, Slack, Salesforce, and HubSpot, Summize makes adoption simple. With self-serve contracting to reduce workload, seamless integrations to create structure, and powerful AI that supports and enhances legal expertise, Summize helps legal teams operate with confidence and clarity, freeing up that all-important capacity so that we humans can focus on the areas where we add unique value.  Get in touch with them at www.summize.com - and mention the How to Thrive podcast. How to Thrive events: Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives. Your How to Thrive hosts: Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of . Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min

  6. 30/07/2025

    Season Finale - our review of season two

    Season two of the How to Thrive podcast is drawing to a close, so what better time to look back at some of the most memorable and impactful guests we've had on the podcast. In this episode, Claire and Helen reflect on some of the interviews they've done since September 2024 - pulling out the key learnings. Claire also reveals that she has made big progress on something she first mentioned she intended to do a few months back. The How to Thrive podcast is taking a short break for the summer but will be back with more amazing guests and conversations in September. With thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready.  If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai. If you get in touch with them, please do mention How to Thrive, so that they know that it came from one of our wonderful listeners. How to Thrive events: Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives. ​Visit our website to find out more. Your How to Thrive hosts: Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min

  7. 16/07/2025

    What does your body know that your brain doesn’t?

    In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, Claire and Helen are joined by somatic and leadership performance coach (and trainee body psychotherapist) Shaun Brooking to explore the deep connection between our bodies, our emotions and our ability to lead well - in life and at work. Shaun shares his own experience of burnout, how growing up in a “harder, faster, stronger” culture shaped his body’s response to stress, and what it means to build real resilience by creating safety and resource within ourselves. He talks about how trauma lives in the body, why rest isn't always restful, and how to retrain our nervous systems for strength, connection and capacity - not just performance. Shaun also explains how simulation and "somatic reps" can help leaders prepare for challenging moments, why slowing down doesn't mean stepping back, and why thriving starts with listening to what your body is really trying to say. More about Shaun: Shaun Brooking Coaching Be Fully Human With thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready.  If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai. If you get in touch with them, please do mention How to Thrive, so that they know that it came from one of our wonderful listeners. How to Thrive events: Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives. ​Visit our website to find out more. Your How to Thrive hosts: Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 15m

  8. 26/06/2025

    Civility saves lives - Chris Turner

    Civility saves lives - you've heard it on the podcast before but in this episode, we meet the man behind the phrase. Chris Turner is an Emergency Medicine Consultant with the NHS and the Co-Founder of Civility Saves Live, a group of healthcare workers who share the evidence base behind why the best teams respect and value each other, and why this leads to the best outcomes for both staff and patients. He speaks to Claire and Helen about the monumental events in his life and career that led to him thinking deeply about incivility, and the impact it can have on people's performance. Chris also talks about why we need to invite people from diverse backgrounds to fill our pool of wisdom, and why saying sorry is a super power. More about Chris: Civility Saves Lives TED Talk - When rudeness in teams turns deadly Further reading: Chrstine Porath With thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready.  If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai. If you get in touch with them, please do mention How to Thrive, so that they know that it came from one of our wonderful listeners. How to Thrive events: Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives. ​Visit our website to find out more. Your How to Thrive hosts: Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 4m
See All (40)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

We're on a mission to help professionals thrive, not just survive. In each episode of How to Thrive, hosts Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, ask a guest to share the skills they deploy in order to thrive in the high-pressure world in which we live. By sharing their lessons and experience, and through the application of the scientific discipline of Human Factors, we hope that you will feel empowered with new, practical ways in which to maximise your performance and your well-being. Your hosts: Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon
  • Show Website
    How to Thrive

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