An Evolving Man Podcast

Piers Cross
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

An Evolving Man Podcast looks at leadership, peak performance, psychology, healing trauma, boarding school syndrome, spirituality and complexhealing. Every week there will be an interview or a podcast around topics ranging from self-development, leadership, relationships, spirituality, education, and peak performance featuring authors and leaders in these fields.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Censored Letters: What Boarding School Taught Us About Self-Silencing | Jeremy Paxman | Piers Cross

    In this episode, I reflect on letter writing at boarding school — and what those censored, monitored, or ignored letters reveal about the emotional isolation many children experienced. Drawing on the writings of Nick Duffell, Jeremy Paxman, and Karen Wilson, as well as my own childhood letters from the 1980s, I explore how boarding schools conditioned children to hide their real feelings. This conversation touches on censorship, shame, and the lifelong habit of self-silencing — but also offers hope for healing and reconnection. A heartfelt invitation to reflect on your own story and the power of reclaiming your true voice. --- Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems. He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man. He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1 For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community Many blessings, Piers Cross http://piers-cross.com/

    9 min
  2. Discipline, Punishment & Expulsion At A Girl's Boarding School | Karen Wilson AEM #143 | Piers Cross

    10 OCT

    Discipline, Punishment & Expulsion At A Girl's Boarding School | Karen Wilson AEM #143 | Piers Cross

    In episode #143 of An Evolving Man, I’m joined by Karen Wilson, author of Atrocious Behavior. Karen was sent to boarding school at just seven years old and expelled by ten. Her memoir captures the harsh reality of punishment, isolation, and shame — and her later discovery of healing through theatre, teaching, and reflection. We explore how trauma lives on in the body, how neglect shapes the nervous system, and what it means to reclaim compassion after early betrayal. This is a powerful conversation about survival, courage, and finding meaning beyond suffering.  📘 Karen Wilson’s memoir “Atrocious Behavior” is available now on Amazon. https://amzn.eu/d/fWfpSFa  🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://www.piers-cross.com/an-evolving-man-podcast  --- Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems. He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man. He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1 For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community Many blessings, Piers Cross http://piers-cross.com/

    1h 16m

  3. 8 OCT

    "You're Gay!" Homophobia and Homosexuality in Boarding Schools | Stephen Fry | Piers Cross

    What happens when a generation of children are raised to fear softness, sensitivity, and touch? In this solo reflection, I look at the unspoken culture of homophobia and repression in boarding schools — where words like “you’re gay” became weapons of humiliation. Drawing from Boarding School Syndrome by Joy Schaverien, Trauma, Abandonment & Privilege by Nick Duffell, and reflections from Stephen Fry, I explore how this culture shaped our sense of identity, sexuality, and emotional expression. This conversation isn’t about sexuality alone — it’s about how we learned to disconnect from the lover within and how healing means bringing that energy back to life. --- Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems. He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man. He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1 For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community Many blessings, Piers Cross http://piers-cross.com/

    9 min
  4. The Entitlement Endemic: Boarding School To The Boardroom | AEM #142 Collette Easton | Piers Cross

    3 OCT

    The Entitlement Endemic: Boarding School To The Boardroom | AEM #142 Collette Easton | Piers Cross

    What happens when the patterns of boarding school shape the boardroom? In this episode, I speak with Collette Easton — former CEO, executive coach, and author of Manager. Collette shares her journey from boarding school and the RAF, to building digital businesses, and now helping leaders overcome toxic patterns that hold them back. We discuss: The impact of boarding school on leadership stylesWhy some CEOs unconsciously recreate authoritarian environmentsThe difference between “managing” and leading with compassionHow psychological safety and EQ fuel business growthPractical steps to shift out of stress, defensiveness, and finger-pointingIf you’ve ever wondered why so many leaders struggle with empathy — or how to build healthier organizations — this conversation will give you tools, hope, and fresh perspective. 📘 Download Collette’s book Manager for free: Download Collette’s book Manager here: https://zokri.com/manager  Connect with Collette on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coletteeaston  To buy her new book: https://amzn.eu/d/gPnkmdy --- Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems. He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man. He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1 For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community Many blessings, Piers Cross http://piers-cross.com/

    1h 3m

  5. 1 OCT

    Fixed vs Growth Mindset: What Boarding Schools Really Teach Us

    Do boarding schools create fixed mindset thinkers or growth mindset leaders? In this episode, I explore Carol Dweck’s research on Mindset and connect it with my experiences — and those of many clients — who came through the boarding school system. We unpack the core differences between fixed and growth mindsets, look at how school culture fosters one or the other, and explore practical ways to shift into growth. From Usain Bolt’s relentless training to Angela Merkel’s willingness to admit mistakes, we see that effort and resilience — not innate talent — drive true success. Join me as I share insights, stories, and reflections on how mindset impacts leadership, healing, and the way we live. --- Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems. He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man. He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1 For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community Many blessings, Piers Cross http://piers-cross.com/

    15 min

  6. 26 SEPT

    Anthony Abbagnano: Healing Trauma, Breathwork, and Boarding School | AEM #141 | Piers Cross

    In episode 141 of An Evolving Man Podcast, I’m joined by Anthony Abbagnano, founder of Alchemy of Breath. Anthony shares his deeply personal story of childhood trauma, boarding school experiences, and how an encounter with breathwork as a child shaped the course of his life. Today, he’s one of the world’s leading voices in conscious breathwork, with facilitators trained in more than 70 countries. We dive into: Breath as a tool for healing trauma and reclaiming choiceMasculinity, chaos, and how men can step into authentic leadershipSimple practices like coherence breathing to restore calm and resilienceThe link between breath, spirituality, and transformationWhy acts of kindness and presence can change the worldThis conversation is both moving and practical — a reminder that healing is possible, and the breath is always available to guide us home. 👉 Explore Anthony’s work at https://alchemyofbreath.com --- Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems. He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man. He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1 For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community Many blessings, Piers Cross http://piers-cross.com/

    1h 8m

  7. 24 SEPT

    Breathwork, Trauma & Healing: Reflections on Anthony Abbagnano’s Work

    In this episode of An Evolving Man Podcast, I share reflections on the power of breathwork and how it helps us heal from trauma. Drawing on insights from my recent interview with Anthony Abbagnano (founder of Alchemy of Breath), as well as the work of Bessel van der Kolk and Emma Seppälä, I explore: Why trauma often causes us to hold or restrict the breathHow different breathing patterns affect emotions like calm, stress, or angerThe practice of coherence breathing (5 in, 5 out) for daily regulationPersonal experiences of using breath to move out of fight-or-flight statesWhy nasal breathing is key for nervous system balanceBreath is always available to us. With awareness and practice, it becomes a rapid pathway to restore calm, regulate emotions, and reconnect with ourselves. 👉 Link to my conversation with Anthony Abbagnano (live on Friday - https://youtu.be/nN8FQLPNs-U). --- Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems. He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man. He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1 For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community Many blessings, Piers Cross http://piers-cross.com/

    11 min
  8. Bullying, Burnout & the Inner Critic | Boarding School | AEM #140 Kalyani Pardeshi

    19 SEPT

    Bullying, Burnout & the Inner Critic | Boarding School | AEM #140 Kalyani Pardeshi

    In this episode, I sit down with Kalyani Pardeshi, award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and anti-bullying advocate. Kalyani draws from her own boarding school experiences and her years of work with children, adults, and organisations to explain why traditional anti-bullying strategies often fail — and how the unconscious brain holds the key to real change. We explore the painful reality of bullying, the long-term effects of self-bullying and overachievement, and how these patterns often lead to burnout. Kalyani also shares her framework for identifying intangible drivers — the unique motivators that help us live with greater fulfilment and emotional resilience. This is an episode full of honesty, practical tools, and hope for those looking to break free from old wounds and the inner critic. --- Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems. He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man. He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1 For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community Many blessings, Piers Cross http://piers-cross.com/

    1h 4m
See All (259)

About

An Evolving Man Podcast looks at leadership, peak performance, psychology, healing trauma, boarding school syndrome, spirituality and complexhealing. Every week there will be an interview or a podcast around topics ranging from self-development, leadership, relationships, spirituality, education, and peak performance featuring authors and leaders in these fields.

Information

  • Creator
    Piers Cross
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    259
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 An Evolving Man Podcast
  • Show Website
    An Evolving Man Podcast

You Might Also Like