Humaning with Rick Watson

Rick Watson
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Welcome to Humaning - a collection of conversations about the imperfect art of being human. Each episode is a real conversation about the human stuff we don’t always talk about... sneaky shame, stuckness, repeating patterns and the lessons we learn along the way. Hosted by Rick Watson, a holistic coach and Gestalt therapist-in-training, Humaning invites open, agenda-free conversations — shaped by presence, curiosity and whatever’s alive beneath the surface. Thanks for coming along for the ride and we hope you get to see some of your story in the story of others.

  1. #43: Escaping the "not enough" trap with Jack Chivers

    2D AGO

    #43: Escaping the "not enough" trap with Jack Chivers

    Most of us don’t realise how much of our life is built around one quiet belief: “I’m not enough.” In this conversation with Jack Chivers, we unpack the performer pattern - the part of us that learned to earn love, approval and belonging through being impressive, capable or strong. For a while, that strategy works. It builds careers, it builds reputations and it even builds identity. But over time it can also lead to burnout, resentment and relationships built on unsustainable foundations. We explore: Why performing can feel safer than being How burnout can be a signal not a weakness The link between anger in the body and unspoken pressure The core belief sitting underneath many of our patterns And what changes when we replace self-attack with “that makes sense” This isn’t about becoming a better version of yourself. It’s about noticing the ways you learned to survive… and gently stepping out of the trap of proving your worth. If you’ve ever felt like your value depends on how well you perform, this one’s for you. Jack's website and instagram Rick website and instagram

    1h 12m
  2. #42: Humans need humans, not optimisation with Katia Erokhina

    FEB 2

    #42: Humans need humans, not optimisation with Katia Erokhina

    What if being human isn’t something to fix, refine or optimise? In this conversation, Rick sits down with Gestalt psychotherapist Katia Erokhina for a real-time, unscripted exploration of what actually helps us change and what quietly gets in the way. Together, they talk about withdrawal and conflict, shame and self-criticism, the stories we tell ourselves and how often those stories pull us away from what’s actually alive in the moment. They explore why insight alone doesn’t always create change and why corrective experiences almost always involve another human. This episode isn’t about tools or hacks. It’s about contact, tenderness and learning to stay with ourselves (and each other) when things get messy. In this episode, we explore: Why optimisation culture misses something essential about being human The difference between story and lived experience Withdrawal, conflict and the protection underneath our patterns Shame, comparison and “shaming the shame” Why awareness doesn’t always lead to change on its own The role of relationship and support in real transformation Letting go of being “better” and staying with what’s tender If you’re tired of turning your inner world into a self-improvement project, this conversation is an invitation to slow down and remember: humans need humans. Find Katia:Website: https://relationalhome.com Instagram: @relational_home Find Rick:Website: https://www.rickwatson.com.au⁠ Instagram: @rickwatson_

    1h 3m
  3. #41: Are you willing to be uncertain in 2026?

    JAN 27

    #41: Are you willing to be uncertain in 2026?

    In this solo episode of Humaning, Rick kicks off 2026 with an honest check-in after a technology-free camping break. He reflects on the tension between control and uncertainty, why our repeating patterns make so much sense and how real change often begins with acceptance rather than self-rejection. Drawing on personal experience, client work and men’s circle reflections, Rick explores what happens when we loosen the grip on certainty and take small, imperfect steps in a new direction. This episode is an invitation to experiment, gather data and be a little more willing to be uncertain this year— just to see what unfolds. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickwatson_/ Website: https://www.rickwatson.com.au/

    42 min
  4. #40: A look back at the hard, the human and the unexpected of 2025 with Jo Dobson and Rick Watson

    12/10/2025

    #40: A look back at the hard, the human and the unexpected of 2025 with Jo Dobson and Rick Watson

    This episode is a little different. Jo and I sat down on the couch at the end of a massive year - no script, no structure, just two humans reflecting on what 2025 actually felt like. What unfolded was honest, imperfect and surprisingly satisfying. Together we explore: The truth of hitting an end-of-year energy wall Why we skipped recording earlier this week and chose connection over content The “real” version of burnout- the kind that comes from misalignment, not overwork What our podcasts, groups and therapy training taught us about storytelling and connection The quiet gifts this year gave us: imperfection, belonging and resonance The moments, people and conversations that touched us in unexpected ways What we’re dreaming into for next year and what we’re learning to let be If you’re craving a slower, more spacious take on end-of-year reflection, one that isn’t all highlight reels and forced positivity, this might be the episode you listen to on a walk or with a cup of tea. It’s a conversation about being human… thanks for coming along for the ride.

    55 min
  5. #39: Finding what matters most: a plot-twist story of family, identity and resilience with Bec Cortering

    11/19/2025

    #39: Finding what matters most: a plot-twist story of family, identity and resilience with Bec Cortering

    In this episode of Humaning, I sit down with Bec Corterling - a business owner, mum and long-time friend of Jo’s - for a conversation that goes far deeper than clothes, content or running a boutique. We talk about the quiet exhaustion that builds from showing up every day for 12 years, the pressure of being “the strong one” and the loneliness that can sit underneath a life that looks full on the outside. Bec shares the childhood roots of her work ethic, how she’s learning to slow down and what contentment honestly looks like for her now. And then… her story takes a turn. Bec opens up about a recent discovery that completely reshaped her sense of identity and family. It’s vulnerable, courageous and beautifully human. This is a conversation about resilience, belonging and finding what matters most... especially in the middle chapters of life. Connect with Bec on Instagram Connect with Rick on InstagramIf you enjoyed this conversation and would like explore different ways to continue this work - check out Rick's website

    1h 13m
  6. #38: Coming out, speaking up and rocking uncertainty with Bronte Walker

    11/03/2025

    #38: Coming out, speaking up and rocking uncertainty with Bronte Walker

    What happens when you stop rehearsing who you think you should be and start showing up as who you are? In this episode, I sit down with Bronte Walker, a fellow Gestalt therapy student, musician, facilitator and all-round legend to explore what it really takes to find your voice and speak up for who you are - even when it feels risky. Bronte shares his story of coming out, transitioning and learning to trust himself while navigating work, identity and belonging in both New York and Australia. This is a conversation for anyone who’s: tired of overthinking and craving self-trust learning to speak up without burning bridges caught between striving and contentment seeking real connection instead of surface-level talk Themes: uncertainty, identity, courage, Gestalt therapy, self-acceptance, men’s work, presence, self-expression If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming - this one’s for you. Connect with Rick: https://www.rickwatson.com.au/ Rick's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/rickwatson_/

    1h 4m
  7. #37: The tug-of-war between contentment and drive with Rick Watson

    10/20/2025

    #37: The tug-of-war between contentment and drive with Rick Watson

    In this solo episode, Rick introduces a new format — a space to be curious about a single theme and reflect on how it shows up in your own life. This week, he explores the tension between being content with what is and still wanting to grow. How do we stay grounded in enoughness while staying open to possibility? And what role does this play is keeping burnout at bay? Drawing from his work in men’s circles, personal experience and Gestalt study, Rick unpacks the dance between contentment and drive — where one offers stillness and the other fuels movement. It’s an honest, grounded reflection on learning to hold both, and on creating a life you don’t need to escape from. Heres' a list of the reflection questions from the episode: Contentment Where in your life do you feel internally content — calm, grounded, enough?Where in your life do you feel externally content — grateful for what’s already here?How often do you notice one being present without the other? Drive Where in your life are you feeling pulled to grow right now?If you were to take a guess, what’s underneath that pull — excitement, fear, scarcity, or something else?Is your drive coming from meaning and curiosity, or from fear and survival?The Tension Between Can I be deeply grateful for where I am and still curious about what’s next?Can I rest in “enough” while still reaching for more — from a place of wholeness, not lack?What happens for me when I lean too far toward drive?What happens for me when I lean too far toward contentment?What would it look like to let both things be true? Have fun playing with those questions and leave a comment and let me know how you found this new episode format... Work with Rick: https://www.rickwatson.copm.au/coaching TAKE THE REPAETING PATTERN QUIZ: https://www.rickwatson.con.au/quiz

    34 min
  8. #36: When life throws a curveball: reporting from the messy middle with John Williams

    10/06/2025

    #36: When life throws a curveball: reporting from the messy middle with John Williams

    When life throws a curveball, it’s easy to talk about it after the fact — once the dust settles and the lessons land. But this conversation happens right in the middle of it. My mate John Williams is in week five of cancer treatment and he sat down with me to share what it’s really like to live through something hard. We talk about control, surrender, the gap between expectation and reality and how he is finding his way through such a massive experience that was not on his bingo card for this year. It’s not a story about cancer— it’s a story about being human in the middle of life's challenges. Connect with Rick: https://www.rickwatson.com.au TAKE THE REPEATING PATTERN QUIZ: https://www.rickwatson.com.au/quiz

    1h 8m
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About

Welcome to Humaning - a collection of conversations about the imperfect art of being human. Each episode is a real conversation about the human stuff we don’t always talk about... sneaky shame, stuckness, repeating patterns and the lessons we learn along the way. Hosted by Rick Watson, a holistic coach and Gestalt therapist-in-training, Humaning invites open, agenda-free conversations — shaped by presence, curiosity and whatever’s alive beneath the surface. Thanks for coming along for the ride and we hope you get to see some of your story in the story of others.

Information

  • Creator
    Rick Watson
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Rick Watson
  • Show Website
    Humaning with Rick Watson