Sitting With

Ben Kirk
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Sitting With is a short weekly reflection on business, fatherhood, health, and life. Nothing polished, no script. Nothing forced. Just thoughts from the week.

Episodes

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    “I Can’t” — The Most Dangerous Phrase Our Kids Learn

    One of the scariest things I’ve realised as a parent is this… Our kids will believe the things they tell themselves — even when those beliefs aren’t their own. In this episode, I reflect on a moment with my daughter that stopped me in my tracks: “I can’t play football… I’m a girl.” From there, this episode explores how beliefs are formed, how they quietly shape behaviour, and why the words we hear — and repeat — matter more than we think. I also share my own experiences with limiting beliefs in business, sport, and life… and how those internal stories can hold us back just as much as they can push us forward. We also touch on: Why children repeat what they hear (and how it becomes their truth)The balance between building confidence and challenging your childThe importance of praising effort over outcomeHow belief and hope can dramatically change performance (including a powerful experiment you won’t forget)Why the language used at home matters more than we realiseIf you’re a parent — or someone trying to push past your own limits — this one will make you think. Because the words we repeat daily… don’t just stay as thoughts. They become reality.

    15 min

  2. 22 MAR

    The Snapchat Battle: When You Have to Say No as a Parent

    This week’s episode is a real one. My 12-year-old wants Snapchat.Her mum has said yes… I’ve said no. So now she has it half the week — and it’s created tension. In this episode, I talk through: why I’ve taken a firm stance on social media at this age what I actually think I’m protecting as a parent the challenge of co-parenting with different boundaries and why saying no is often the harder — but better — choice Having downloaded Snapchat myself this week, it only reinforced my view. This isn’t really about one app.It’s about standards, boundaries, and what we’re teaching our children long term. Easy choices, hard life. Hard choices, easy life. If you’re a parent navigating similar decisions, this might resonate. 🎧 What We Cover in This Episode A real co-parenting situation around social media and Snapchat Why I’ve taken a firm stance on my 12-year-old not having it What I’m actually trying to protect as a parent What I saw after going on Snapchat myself Why “everyone else has it” isn’t a good enough reason The long-term impact of saying yes too early The challenge of saying no (and not being liked for it) Parenting vs being your child’s friend Teaching earning vs expecting at home Navigating different boundaries in co-parenting The standard I’m trying to set for my daughters long term

    11 min

  3. 15 MAR

    Standards: What Great Leaders Demand

    This episode is a reflection on standards and where they come from. After watching a recent series featuring Gordon Ramsay, I found myself thinking about how high-performing leaders set the tone for the teams around them. From restaurant kitchens to schools, sport and business, culture is shaped by the expectations set at the top. I also reflect on leadership in my own businesses, the importance of knowing where you add the most value, and why industries like hospitality can be one of the best training grounds for young people.

    18 min

  4. 8 MAR

    The Emotional Rhythm of Being a Parent

    This week I reflect on the emotional rhythm of parenting — the connection, the separation, and the moments that really matter. From a peaceful weekend with my daughters to the unexpected emotional shift of the Monday school drop-off, and why the small, silly moments are often the ones children remember most.

    13 min

  5. 1 MAR

    Visibility Attracts Friction

    In this episode, I reflect on a moment that happened at a charity event this weekend. Someone made a beeline for me — not to say hello — but to mock me about my social media and post a photo of me and Becky into a WhatsApp group called “Kirk Watch.” It caught me off guard more than I expected. This episode isn’t about drama. It’s about what happens when you put yourself out there. Why does criticism sometimes sting — especially when it comes from people you thought were in your corner?Is adult bullying just insecurity dressed up as humour?And is friction simply part of growth? I talk about visibility, projection, choosing your circle carefully, and why you shouldn’t take criticism from people you’d never go to for advice. If you’re building something, posting online, or stepping into something new — this one’s for you. Still learning. Still building.

    16 min

  6. 1 MAR

    Work Ethic: Taught or Forged?

    This episode was inspired by listening to The Diary of a CEO, where Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, said: “You have to learn how to work hard.” But can work ethic actually be taught? In this episode, I explore what “working hard” really means — from football pitches and school classrooms to business setbacks, losing my best friend, and navigating fatherhood. I reflect on whether resilience is something we can intentionally build in our children, why I’m making my daughter debate social media instead of simply saying no, and the tension between hard work and balance. Can you work hard without sacrificing presence?Are we raising capable children — or comfortable ones?And ultimately, what are we modelling every day? A personal reflection on effort, parenting, resilience, and building a life rich in experiences — not just achievements.

    14 min

  7. 22 FEB

    Resilience Is Useless Without Energy

    Episode Description – Resilience Is Useless Without Energy In this episode, I reflect on resilience — and whether tough moments in life actually rewire us. I talk about the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the part of the brain linked to handling discomfort and pushing through hard things, and how experiences like losing my best friend, going through divorce, and starting new ventures may have strengthened that circuit. But there’s another side to resilience. If we’re building tolerance for stress… why do energy levels still dip? This episode explores hard moments, chasing challenge, systems, sleep, early morning training, and why protecting your energy might matter more than signing up for the next difficult thing. Because maybe resilience is pointless if you don’t have the energy to enjoy what you’re building. Still thinking it through.

    17 min

  8. 15 FEB

    From Self-Doubt to Quiet Leadership

    Leadership doesn’t have to be loud. In this episode, I reflect on the idea of quiet leadership — inspired by a recent conversation between Simon Sinek and Emma Grede — and how real leadership is less about being in charge and more about taking care of the people in your charge. I share my own journey from being a shy, self-doubting child to captaining football teams, leading in education, and now building a business on my own. From imposter syndrome and fear of speaking up, to learning how trust, empathy, and leading by example can bring out the best in others. We explore why: People want to feel seen, trusted, and understood Leadership isn’t about shouting or dominance Quiet leaders often create the strongest cultures Care, consistency, and example matter more than authority I also touch on leadership lessons learned through sport, teaching, and business — and why the leaders who inspire us most don’t always have the loudest voices. A reflective episode for anyone leading a team, a business, a classroom — or simply trying to lead better in everyday life.

    14 min

  9. 8 FEB

    What Do Children Really Want From Us?

    What do children really want from us as parents? In this episode of Sitting With, I reflect on a family skiing trip and the realisation that hit me when I watched the memories back weeks later. It wasn’t the mountains, the destination, or the experience itself that mattered most — it was presence. I talk honestly about parenting, phone use, and why children value feeling seen, heard, and listened to more than toys, treats, or expensive experiences. I also touch on insights often highlighted by the Harvard Study of Adult Development and UNICEF, which consistently point to connection and relationships as the foundation of long-term happiness and wellbeing. A reminder to myself — and maybe to you too — that it’s not the place children remember, it’s how they felt.

    12 min

  10. 1 FEB

    Episode 1 — Reflections from the week

    A few reflections from the week. Spoken in one take, without a script — just things worth sitting with.

    14 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Sitting With is a short weekly reflection on business, fatherhood, health, and life. Nothing polished, no script. Nothing forced. Just thoughts from the week.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Kirk
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ben Kirk
  • Show Website
    Sitting With