The Business Of Thinking

Richard Reid
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“The Business of Thinking” is the only podcast that gives ambitious leaders evidence-based psychological strategies for peak performance, decision-making, and resilience. Are you a founder, CEO, or senior executive struggling with decision fatigue, stress, or imposter syndrome? You're not alone. The challenges of modern leadership are primarily psychological. Join Richard Reid, organisational psychologist and leadership coach, as he cuts through the noise to deliver actionable mental models from psychology and behavioural science. In 30-45 minute deep-dives and conversations with global experts, you'll learn how to master the inner game of leadership, build resilient teams, and leverage your mind for competitive advantage. In every episode, you will: Discover the hidden cognitive biases sabotaging your strategic decisions.Learn to build psychological safety in your team for innovation and high trust.Find out the evidence-based secrets to sustained resilience without burnout. Stop managing your business. Start mastering your mind. Want the actionable takeaways and resources mentioned in the episodes? Find more information on www.richard-reid.com.  Subscribe today for your weekly mental upgrade!

  1. 4D AGO

    The Psychology of Medical Trauma and Recovery with Vanessa Abraham

    In this episode of The Business Of Thinking, host Richard Reid is joined by Vanessa Abraham, a dedicated speech-language pathologist whose career and life took a dramatic turn in 2019. Vanessa shares her harrowing journey from being a medical provider to becoming a patient paralyzed by a sudden neurological disorder that left her unable to speak or eat. She provides a raw look into the psychological toll of medical trauma, describing the "profound depression" and "invisible disabilities" that often go unaddressed after a patient leaves the ICU. Vanessa discusses her transformation into a "crazy researcher," diving into neuroplasticity and innovative healing modalities like the Neubie device to reclaim her life. Her story is a powerful testament to the psychology of high performance and the importance of purpose, reminding listeners that "when people have a purpose, they’re willing to withstand pretty much anything". Key Takeaways The episode explores Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS), highlighting the cognitive deficits, anxiety, and PTSD that survivors face long after physical recovery. Vanessa emphasizes the necessity of a trauma-informed approach in healthcare, looking at a patient’s mental state and nervous system functioning as the primary foundation for physical healing. A major theme is the power of intellectual humility, where putting aside pride and asking "dumb questions" becomes the ultimate tool for innovation and recovery. The conversation delves into the shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic drive, explaining how creating a relaxed state allows the body and brain to repair itself. Episode Highlights Vanessa describes the rapid onset of her illness, going from a healthy, active lifestyle to being ventilated in the ICU within 48 hours. She explains the "missing piece" of healthcare: the lack of mental health support once a patient is discharged and the support system of the hospital slips away. The discussion covers Vanessa's book, Speechless, which serves as a guide for clinicians and survivors to understand the human side of medical trauma. Vanessa shares her future mission, including hosting workshops and retreats to educate medical providers on the realities of PICS and medical trauma. Timestamps 00:12 - Introduction to Vanessa Abraham and speech pathology  01:32 - Transition from clinician to paralyzed patient  03:56 - The rapid onset of a life-changing neurological disorder  08:28 - Discussing Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS)  11:37 - Researching neuroplasticity and natural healing modalities  16:44 - The grieving process and losing one's identity  22:59 - How the Neubie device aids in neurological recovery  26:55 - Redefining trauma-informed care in medical practice  31:50 - Upcoming workshops and the Speechless book 🔗 Connect with Vanessa Abraham Website: www.aneuhealing.com Instagram: @speechless_slp To purchase book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/cjvA4ao Facebook: Speechless SLP ⭐️ Connect and Subscribe Thank you for joining us on The Business of Thinking podcast. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and leave a rating! It helps us bring more insightful content on the psychology of high performance. Find more about Richard Reid’s work at www.richard-reid.com. Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

    34 min

  2. JAN 27

    The Psychology of AI: Religion, Hallucinations, and Critical Thinking with Beth Singler

    In this episode of The Business of Thinking, Richard Reid is joined by Beth Singler, anthropologist and leading expert on digital religion and artificial intelligence. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping belief systems, decision-making, and critical thinking — not just in religious contexts, but across business, education, and society at large. From AI being treated as god-like by some users, to the dangers of outsourcing our thinking and blindly trusting machine-generated “truths,” Beth offers a grounded, thoughtful perspective on why healthy scepticism and critical reasoning matter more than ever in an AI-driven world. Key Takeaways AI is not a neutral tool. The language and narratives we use to describe it directly influence how people trust, adopt, and rely on it. Large language models do not reason like humans. They predict probabilities, meaning everything they generate follows the same process — some outputs are correct, others are not. Blind reliance on AI risks eroding critical thinking, particularly in education, leadership, and decision-making environments. Enthusiasm for AI often mirrors religious-style belief systems, especially within corporate culture and technological evangelism. Implementing AI in organisations should be treated as a change management project, not just a technical upgrade. Episode Highlights Beth explains how religious language and symbolism frequently appear in discussions about AI, even in secular corporate settings. The episode explores emerging AI-led spiritual practices and why some people experience large language models as god-like entities. Beth outlines the dangers of misinformation, fake expertise, and AI-generated authority entering education and professional spaces. The conversation highlights the tension between efficiency and truth, and how speed can undermine reflection and judgement. Business leaders are encouraged to learn from religious responses to AI, particularly around authenticity, trust, and ethical boundaries. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to The Business of Thinking 00:37 – What digital religion is and how Beth entered the field 02:56 – AI, spirituality, and god-like perceptions of language models 04:02 – AI evangelism and corporate enthusiasm 05:07 – Hallucinations, critical thinking, and education 07:04 – Why people trust AI answers too quickly 09:25 – Misinformation and the blurring of truth 10:41 – Building guardrails and thinking critically about AI 12:36 – Authenticity, sermons, and AI in religious spaces 14:47 – Utopia vs dystopia: where AI may be heading 17:13 – Beth’s research journey into AI and religion 18:59 – Advice for business leaders implementing AI 20:11 – AI as a change management challenge 21:56 – Final reflections on healthy scepticism 🔗 Connect with Beth Singler Website: https://bvlsingler.com LinkedIn: Beth Singler Instagram: @bethsingler Facebook: Beth Singler YouTube: Beth Singler ⭐️ Connect and Subscribe Thank you for joining us on The Business of Thinking podcast. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and leave a rating! It helps us bring more insightful content on the psychology of high performance. Find more about Richard Reid’s work at www.richard-reid.com. Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

    22 min

  3. JAN 20

    The Psychology of a World Without Work with Calum Chase

    In this thought-provoking episode of The Business of Thinking, Richard Reid is joined by AI expert, author, and futurist Calum Chace for a wide-ranging conversation on artificial intelligence, superintelligence, and what the future may hold for humanity. Calum breaks down where AI is today, where it’s heading next, and why we may be sleepwalking into one of the biggest transitions our species has ever faced. From AI agents and automation to consciousness, work, and the possibility of a post-jobs economy, this episode challenges assumptions and asks uncomfortable but essential questions about power, responsibility, and preparedness. Key Takeaways Artificial intelligence is already transforming how work gets done, but AI agents capable of acting with partial autonomy will dramatically accelerate this change. Superintelligence may arrive far sooner than most people expect, potentially within the lifetime of today’s workforce. Automation could eliminate most human jobs, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of purpose, meaning, or motivation. The biggest risk is not technological failure, but lack of planning, poor governance, and unequal distribution of wealth. Humanity may only get one chance to influence how superintelligence treats us, making decisions about safety and values critically important now. Episode Highlights Calum explains the difference between narrow AI, AGI, and superintelligence, and why the transition could happen incredibly fast. The conversation explores AI agents, verification, and why unsupervised systems raise serious safety concerns. Richard and Calum discuss the economic singularity and what happens when machines can do all paid work. Calum shares an optimistic but realistic view of a future where humans focus on learning, creativity, and connection rather than jobs. The episode ends with a fascinating discussion on AI consciousness and whether making machines conscious could actually make them safer. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to The Business of Thinking 01:05 – Calum’s background and early interest in AI 02:23 – The two big breakthroughs that changed AI 03:20 – Large language models and their limitations 04:34 – AI agents and partial autonomy 06:18 – Verification, supervision, and AI safety 07:43 – AGI, superintelligence, and the 2029 debate 09:53 – Fear, optimism, and extinction risk 11:52 – Automation and the end of human jobs 12:59 – Wealth distribution and global inequality 14:16 – Governments, politics, and lack of preparation 15:59 – Work, identity, and human motivation 18:42 – What businesses should focus on right now 21:52 – Common sense, world models, and timelines 22:49 – Becoming the second smartest species 25:10 – Conscious vs unconscious superintelligence 28:22 – Why we probably won’t stop AI development 30:33 – Current projects and future priorities 32:26 – Where to find Calum’s work 🔗 Connect with Calum Chace Website: https://www.calumchace.com LinkedIn: Calum Chace Instagram: Calum Chace Facebook: Calum Chace YouTube: Calum Chace ⭐️ Connect and Subscribe Thank you for joining us on The Business of Thinking podcast. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and leave a rating! It helps us bring more insightful content on the psychology of high performance. Find more about Richard Reid’s work at www.richard-reid.com. Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

    33 min

  4. JAN 13

    Decision Making and Consequences at 20,000 Feet with Nigel Vardy

    In this powerful episode of The Business of Thinking, Richard Reid is joined by mountaineer, engineer, and keynote speaker Nigel Vardy, often known as Mr Frostbite. Nigel shares the extraordinary story of surviving a near-fatal storm high on Denali in Alaska, an experience that resulted in severe frostbite, multiple amputations, and a complete redefinition of his life. This conversation goes far beyond mountaineering. Nigel explores resilience, decision-making under pressure, personal responsibility, and what it truly means to adapt when control is taken away. Drawing on decades of experience in extreme environments and high-stakes engineering roles, he offers lessons that are deeply relevant to leadership, business, and life. Key Takeaways Calm decision-making under pressure is a learned skill, built through experience, not panic or reaction. Adversity strips away illusion and forces clarity about what truly matters and what is actually possible. Progress is rarely linear. Moving forward often includes setbacks, repetition, and patience. Real adaptability comes from learning how to use your body, mind, and environment differently, rather than waiting for perfect tools or solutions. Long-term success comes from commitment, apprenticeship, and persistence, not quick wins or overnight breakthroughs. Episode Highlights Nigel recounts the Denali storm that nearly killed him and the night spent fighting to survive in extreme conditions. He reflects on losing control in hospital and the psychological challenge of depending entirely on others. The episode explores identity, visible difference, and learning to move forward after life-altering injury. Nigel shares how hands-on problem solving and engineering thinking helped him reclaim independence. He explains why calm leadership, reassessment, and experience matter more than speed or bravado. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to The Business of Thinking 01:07 – Growing up outdoors and early influences 02:23 – Engineering, mountaineering, and decision-making 03:20 – The Denali expedition and sudden crisis 04:34 – Surviving the storm and rescue 06:39 – Losing control and life in hospital 09:28 – The physical and emotional impact of frostbite 11:49 – Recovery, setbacks, and patience 13:33 – The IKEA moment and taking back control 17:35 – Learning to adapt without relying on gadgets 18:57 – Lessons from adversity and leadership under pressure 21:09 – Experience, intuition, and risk awareness 24:04 – Returning to the mountains and redefining success 26:22 – Comfort zones and real learning 28:16 – Apprenticeship, mastery, and long-term growth 30:17 – Decision-making when conditions change 31:10 – Supporting others and sharing knowledge 32:00 – Documentary and where to find Nigel’s work 🔗 Connect with Nigel Vardy Website: www.mrfrostbite.com LinkedIn: Nigel Vardy Instagram: Nigel Vardy Facebook: Nigel Vardy YouTube: Nigel Vardy ⭐️ Connect and Subscribe Thank you for joining us on The Business of Thinking podcast. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and leave a rating! It helps us bring more insightful content on the psychology of high performance. Find more about Richard Reid’s work at www.richard-reid.com. Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

    33 min

  5. JAN 6

    The Psychology of High-Stakes Negotiation with Nigel Taberner

    In this episode of The Business of Thinking, former police hostage negotiator Nigel Taberner joins Richard Reid to reveal how the high-stakes world of crisis negotiation translates into powerful leadership and influence. Taberner shares his journey from a bus-building factory to counter-terrorism and saving over 130 lives, emphasizing that listening is a professional superpower. Discover why "less is more" in any boardroom or domestic dispute and how managing your own ego and emotions is the key to mastering difficult conversations. Key Takeaways The core skill of negotiation is listening to understand and making others feel heard rather than just smooth talking. Restoring rational thought requires balancing the emotional seesaw by addressing feelings before tackling substantive issues. Effective influence is built on authenticity and aligning actions with an individual’s personal values and beliefs. Episode Highlights Nigel discusses his transition from Moss Side's "baptism by fire" to elite counter-terrorism and hostage roles. The importance of "tell me" questions and fillers over direct questioning to keep others talking and sharing information. Practicing the first 60 seconds of any interaction is a game-changer for establishing warmth and competence. Nigel explains how to approach the "elephant in the room" using the phrase "I get the impression that...". Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the psychology of high performance  01:29 From Wigan factory worker to saving 130 lives  08:21 Listening as a negotiator’s secret superpower  11:28 Why most negotiators fail by not being authentic  21:31 Balancing the seesaw between emotion and rational thought  26:23 The power of "tell me" questions in business and life  34:28 Mastering the first 60 seconds of any conversation 🔗 Connect with Nigel Taberner Website: nigeltaberner.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-taberner Showreel: youtube.com/watch?v=X_DpmrizY1s&feature=youtu.be linkedin.com/in/nigel-taberner-b97b0a1a0/ ⭐️ Connect and Subscribe Thank you for joining us on The Business of Thinking podcast. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and leave a rating! It helps us bring more insightful content on the psychology of high performance. Find more about Richard Reid’s work at www.richard-reid.com. Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective

    44 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    The Moral DNA of High-Performance Leadership with Roger Steare

    In this episode of The Business of Thinking, Richard Reid sits down with corporate philosopher Roger Steare to dismantle the traditional corporate mindset. Steare explores why current economic models are "cancerous" and why heavy regulation often increases risk rather than safety. Drawing on his "moral DNA" research of over 170,000 individuals, he introduces a powerful decision-making framework based on love, logic, and law. Key Takeaways The three voices of moral decision-making - Love, Logic, and Law - must be balanced equally to achieve ethical leadership. Standard corporate codes of conduct are often ineffective documents designed for legal defense rather than ethical guidance. True happiness and longevity are derived from warm, genuine relationships rather than the accumulation of material wealth. Episode Highlights Roger shares his "MBA in life" from his time as a social worker, which birthed his philosophy of "tough love". The traffic sign analogy explains how we navigate decisions: the roundabout for logic, the traffic light for law, and the pedestrian crossing for love. A critical look at how the Joint Stock Corporation functions as a plutocracy rather than a democracy. An analysis of the "weapons of mass deception" created by the combination of AI and social media. Timestamps 01:28 How the title of "Corporate Philosopher" originated  08:30 The traffic sign analogy for ethical decision-making  11:07 Why workplace culture often kills compassion  19:37 The feudal origins of the modern corporation  30:57 The dangers and probabilistic nature of Large Language Models  42:31 Practical steps to assess your own Moral DNA 🔗 Connect with Roger Steare rogersteare.com  MoralDNA.org ⭐️ Connect and Subscribe Thank you for joining us on The Business of Thinking podcast. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and leave a rating! It helps us bring more insightful content on the psychology of high performance. Find more about Richard Reid’s work at www.richard-reid.com. Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

    47 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    Unleash Your Self-Worth: Why Energy Is 80% Of Your Business Success with Hina Siddiqui

    In this episode of The Business of Thinking podcast, host Richard Reid speaks with Hina Siddiqui, founder and CEO of Corporate Influence Media. Hina shares her journey from a chaotic childhood in India to becoming a published author and corporate coach, highlighting resilience, self-worth, and her “80% energy, 20% action” philosophy. She discusses leaving a stable corporate career, enduring five years with no income, and turning her “mess into a message.” Hina also explains her “Let’s Make You Famous” strategy, positioning IT CEOs as industry celebrities to boost credibility, confidence, and business growth. Her core belief: treat work like a fun game you’re playing to win. Key Takeaways Resilience builds success: Early hardship taught Hina to take bold risks.Self-worth drives income: Celebrity positioning increases confidence and pricing power.The game mindset: Set an exciting goal and pursue it with fun, not stress.Energy over effort: High-quality energy fuels better results than constant hustle.Episode Highlights Childhood scarcity and its impact on mindsetLeaving corporate life and surviving five years without incomeHiring a coach and breaking the “do it all myself” patternTurning IT leaders into industry celebrities through media and awardsShifting The Corporate Life Podcast toward cinematic life storiesTimestamps 00:00:20 Introduction  00:04:33 Leaving corporate life  00:09:07 Hiring a coach  00:14:11 Making IT CEOs famous  00:18:45 The “game” mindset  00:23:03 80% energy, 20% action  00:30:17 The Corporate Life Podcast 🔗 Connect with Hina Siddiqui Website: TheHinaSiddiqui.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hinasiddiqui/  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/hinawithwings?igsh=MTUya3V1aG1mNGo0dg%3D%3D  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thehinasiddiqui?si=FZx-sc6n-Zigo9Qa ⭐️ Connect and Subscribe Thank you for joining us on The Business of Thinking podcast. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and leave a rating! It helps us bring more insightful content on the psychology of high performance. Find more about Richard Reid’s work at www.richard-reid.com. Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

    33 min

  8. 12/16/2025

    The Hard Yards of High Performance: From Homelessness to Rally Champion with Penny Mallory

    In this episode of The Business of Thinking podcast, host Richard Reid speaks with Penny Mallory, who shares her journey from a challenging childhood and homelessness to becoming a rally driver, boxer, and keynote speaker, highlighting the power of purpose in overcoming adversity and achieving high performance. Penny reflects on how hitting rock bottom became the catalyst for change, leading her to a rally school that “changed the course of my life,” and shares how stubbornness, proving others wrong, and a relentless pursuit of excellence now drive her resilience and her latest challenge—rowing the Atlantic. Key Takeaways Purpose as a driver: A clear mission or purpose changes everything, forming the foundation of mental toughness and something to lean on in difficult times.The foundation of excellence: True elite performance comes from the “drudgery” of repeating mundane tasks until they become natural—the hard yards often overlooked in an age of instant gratification.The Power of Reflection: Taking time to reflect on what truly matters—why you’re here and what you’ll hold onto when things get tough—helps define your purpose, often rooted in family and health.Reframing Failure: Reframe setbacks as opportunities to learn, not failure. Embrace a growth mindset, as Penny believes failure is a concept she’s "never really embraced."Resilience vs. Mental Toughness:  Resilience is bouncing back because you have to, while mental toughness is bouncing back because you want to, viewing challenges as growth opportunities. Episode Highlights Penny's formative years, including her family life with an alcoholic mother, and the impact of those experiences on her character.The surprising, deeply personal purpose that drove her to become a rally champion: the desire to make her father proud.Her terrifying, yet exhilarating, experience boxing and how she manages fear by coaching herself to use nerves for performance.Her current focus on conscious health and active living, including two hours of gym every day, driven by the purpose of seeing her new grandchild grow up.Details on her next huge challenge: training to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean with a team.Timestamps 01:04 - Penny's formative years and challenging childhood.  04:47 - The power of purpose in overcoming adversity.  06:05 - Advice on how to find your own purpose.  08:07 - Life after rallying: boxing, climbing, and the adrenaline chase.  09:38 - Not being afraid to fail and having a growth mindset.  16:14 - The terrifying experience of stepping into the boxing ring.  18:01 - How to manage fear and use nerves for high performance.  21:03 - Defining resilience versus mental toughness.  24:00 - Training to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean at age 60. 🔗 Connect With Penny Mallory LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pennymallory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallory.penny/ Facebook: facebook.com/PennyMalloryTalks  YouTube: youtube.com/@pennymallory ⭐️ Connect And Subscribe Thank you for joining us on The Business of Thinking podcast. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and leave a rating! It helps us bring more insightful content on the psychology of high performance. Find more about Richard Reid’s work at www.richard-reid.com. Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

    30 min
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About

“The Business of Thinking” is the only podcast that gives ambitious leaders evidence-based psychological strategies for peak performance, decision-making, and resilience. Are you a founder, CEO, or senior executive struggling with decision fatigue, stress, or imposter syndrome? You're not alone. The challenges of modern leadership are primarily psychological. Join Richard Reid, organisational psychologist and leadership coach, as he cuts through the noise to deliver actionable mental models from psychology and behavioural science. In 30-45 minute deep-dives and conversations with global experts, you'll learn how to master the inner game of leadership, build resilient teams, and leverage your mind for competitive advantage. In every episode, you will: Discover the hidden cognitive biases sabotaging your strategic decisions.Learn to build psychological safety in your team for innovation and high trust.Find out the evidence-based secrets to sustained resilience without burnout. Stop managing your business. Start mastering your mind. Want the actionable takeaways and resources mentioned in the episodes? Find more information on www.richard-reid.com.  Subscribe today for your weekly mental upgrade!

Information

  • Creator
    Richard Reid
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Business Of Thinking
  • Show Website
    The Business Of Thinking