People Soup

Ross McIntosh
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

Grounded in behavioural science, each episode is packed with practical ideas you can put into practice straight away. 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. Creativity isn't confined to art. It shows up in how we live, work, lead and relate to one another. Work can sometimes feel 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 we've been given. Behavioural science doesn't remove the complexity, but it gives us practical ways to navigate it. It offers ideas, skills and evidence-based tools 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. Through conversations, solo episodes and practical tools, People Soup explores how behavioural science—and particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—can help us lead, work and live with greater purpose, psychological flexibility and practical wisdom.

  1. 14h ago

    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

  2. 4d ago

    Quick Spoon: If your holiday had a soundtrack?

    If your holiday had a soundtrack, what would it be? Music has an extraordinary ability to transport us back to particular moments in our lives. In this People Soup Quick Spoon, Ross invites you to use that deliberately: choose one song that represents not simply where you're going, but how you'd like to be while you're there. Curious? Present? Connected? Here's something to try Choose one song and play it each morning during your holiday. Then, months later, when you hear it by chance, pause for a moment. Perhaps it won't just remind you where you were. Perhaps it'll remind you who you were. What song would you choose?

    Quick Spoon: If your holiday had a soundtrack?

  3. Jul 23

    Quick Spoon: The holiday that changed nothing

    Have you ever unpacked your suitcase and, within three days, felt as though you'd never been away? Recovery isn't simply about taking time away from work. What we do with that time matters too. In this People Soup Quick Spoon, Ross invites you to think about what you might bring home from your holiday—other than souvenirs and dirty washing. Perhaps it's reading for ten minutes. Walking after dinner. Leaving your phone in another room. Here's something to try Before your holiday ends, ask yourself: What's one thing I'd like to bring back with me other than souvenirs? Don't just bring home memories. Bring home one new way of living. 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: The holiday that changed nothing

  4. Jul 21

    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?

  5. Jul 19

    Quick Spoon: What will your photographs say about you?

    This holiday, don't just photograph where you went. Photograph what you noticed. In this People Soup Quick Spoon, Ross McIntosh explores how taking one intentional photograph each day can become an exercise in awareness rather than documentation. Instead of collecting pictures of famous landmarks, collect moments of attention—those small details you would probably have walked past if you'd stayed on autopilot. Here's something to try Each day, take one photograph of something you only noticed because you slowed down. When you get home, don't ask: "Where was I?" Instead ask: "What was I paying attention to?" 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: What will your photographs say about you?

  6. Jul 17

    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

  7. Jul 15

    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

  8. Jul 13

    Recover on purpose: the holiday matrix

    What if your next holiday wasn't simply time away from work — but an opportunity to reconnect with what matters? In this solo episode, Ross explores why recovery is much more than rest. Drawing on behavioural science, the Job Demands-Resources Model and research into leisure time recovery, he shares a fresh perspective on why holidays can help us rebuild one of our most important leadership capacities: our psychological flexibility. Ross introduces the holiday matrix—a simple coaching tool to help you recover with intention rather than drift through your break on autopilot. Whether you're travelling abroad, enjoying a staycation or simply taking a few days away from work, this episode offers practical ideas to help you return feeling more present, curious and connected. In this episode, Ross explores: Why leaders can become less psychologically flexible when they're under sustained pressure or exhaustedWhat the Job Demands-Resources Model tells us about recoveryThe four key ingredients of leisure time recovery:Psychological detachmentRelaxationMasteryControlWhy curiosity might be one of the first signs that you're genuinely switching offHow to use the Holiday Matrix to recover on purposeSimple daily practices to help you reconnect with what matters Three invitations for your next holiday ✔ Create a simple ritual that marks the beginning of your break. ✔ Take one photograph each day of something you only noticed because you slowed down. ✔ Choose a song that becomes the soundtrack to your holiday—and let it remind you how you want to show up during this precious time. Reflection question Which side of the Matrix deserves more of your attention and energy on this holiday? Resources mentioned Job Demands-Resources ModelLeisure Time Recovery research (including the work of Sabine Sonnentag and colleagues)Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)The McIntosh ACT Leadership Framework 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. Download 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.

    Recover on purpose: the holiday matrix
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About

Grounded in behavioural science, each episode is packed with practical ideas you can put into practice straight away. 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. Creativity isn't confined to art. It shows up in how we live, work, lead and relate to one another. Work can sometimes feel 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 we've been given. Behavioural science doesn't remove the complexity, but it gives us practical ways to navigate it. It offers ideas, skills and evidence-based tools 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. Through conversations, solo episodes and practical tools, People Soup explores how behavioural science—and particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—can help us lead, work and live with greater purpose, psychological flexibility and practical wisdom.

Information

  • Creator
    Ross McIntosh
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    250
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ross McIntosh. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    People Soup