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People Soup: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Ross McIntosh
Grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use. 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 because creativity isn't confined to art. It shows up in how we live, work, lead and relate to one another. Work often feels 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 in front of us. Behavioural science doesn't make work simple, but it does give us better ways of responding to complexity. It offers practical ideas, evidence-based tools and skills 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. Whether it's a conversation with a guest or a short solo episode, People Soup explores how behavioural science—and particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—can help us lead and work with greater intention, developing the psychological flexibility and practical wisdom to navigate whatever life throws our way.
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- 2 days ago6 min
I'm not a robot
On ambition, performance and remembering we're human.At work, we're encouraged to improve performance, achieve more and keep pushing towards our goals. But what happens when the pursuit of performance starts to crowd out the things that make life worthwhile?In this short solo reflection, I draw on recent conversations with Dr Amanda Super, Chris Rodgers-Wilson and Dr Joanne Gray to explore ambition, self-criticism, professional identity and the organisational pressures that can get in the way of doing our best work.The argument isn't that we should lower our ambitions or simply do less. It's that psychological flexibility gives us more freedom to choose how we respond. Sometimes that means persisting; sometimes it means pausing, asking for help or changing our approach.I leave you with three questions to consider:What am I trying to achieve, and why does it matter to me?What is the way I'm pursuing this costing me?Is there a way to pursue what matters without losing sight of the rest of my life?And a final thought: we're often asked to click a box to confirm we're not a robot. How often do we apply that same test to our working lives?We're human beings, not performance machines.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.In collaboration with Contextual Consulting I'm running an ACT in the Workplace: Train the Trainer Programme in February 2027. If you're interested in bringing practical evidence-based behavioral science to organizations, this course will equip you to work with groups, understand the stance of the ACT facilitator, and help make a difference to wellbeing in the workplace - then please check out all the details here. The early bird prices run until 5 November and if you use the code WORK20 - you'll receive an extra 20% discount. Here's the People Soup Website.And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.Visit Ross' Website.Connect with Ross on LinkedInPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
- 4 days ago1 min
Quick Spoon: Whose standards are you trying to meet?
Perfectionism isn't always just about the standards we set ourselves.In this Quick Spoon, Chris Rodgers-Wilson introduces a useful way of understanding perfectionism, drawing on the multidimensional model developed by Hewitt and Flett.He explores three sources of pressure:The standards we set for ourselves.The standards we expect other people to meet.The expectations we feel from the wider culture around us.These pressures can become tangled up, particularly in work where there's no single agreed definition of excellence.So here's a question worth asking when you find yourself trying to get something just right:Whose standards am I trying to meet here?You might still decide to aim high. But understanding what's driving you can make a difference.🎧 From my conversation with Chris Rodgers-Wilson on People Soup.#PeopleSoup #Perfectionism #Leadership #PsychologyAtWork
- 1 weeks ago1 min
Quick Spoon: Moving on doesn't mean something went wrong
When we think about moving on, we often assume something has gone wrong. Perhaps we're unhappy, we've failed, or we've reached the point where we simply can't carry on.But what if it's different?In this Quick Spoon, former professional ballet dancer Chris Rodgers-Wilson reflects on a moment when he realised that performing Romeo might be the peak of what he wanted to achieve in his dancing career. It wasn't a carefully planned decision, it was a quiet moment of recognition: he'd been fortunate, he'd achieved something meaningful, and he felt ready to start thinking about what came next.Chris's story raises an important question for all of us: Can we recognise when a chapter of our working lives has reached its natural conclusion, without feeling that we have to justify leaving it behind?A role, project or commitment can have been valuable, rewarding and important to us—and still be something we're ready to move on from.Something to think aboutIs there a role, project or commitment in your life that has been important to you but feels as though it might be reaching its natural conclusion?You don't have to make a decision today. Just notice what tells you that you might be ready for something different.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.Chris on LinkedinChris on InstagramChris on substackChris' websiteIn collaboration with Contextual Consulting I'm running an ACT in the Workplace: Train the Trainer Programme in February 2027. If you're interested in bringing practical evidence-based behavioral science to organizations, this course will equip you to work with groups, understand the stance of the ACT facilitator, and help make a difference to wellbeing in the workplace - then please check out all the details here. The early bird prices run until 5 November and if you use the code WORK20 - you'll receive an extra 20% discount. Here's the People Soup Website.And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.Visit Ross' Website.Connect with Ross on LinkedInPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
- 1 weeks ago1 min
Quick Spoon: Practice is more than preparation
We tend to focus on the big moment: the presentation, the difficult conversation, the important decision or the final result.But how we show up in those moments is shaped by what we do repeatedly beforehand.In this People Soup Quick Spoon, Chris Rodgers-Wilson offers a thoughtful perspective on the relationship between practice and performance. He suggests that high performance isn't simply about achieving a big result. It's about the daily commitment to practice and taking steps towards the way we want to show up to challenges.I pick up on an important distinction: practice isn't just about repeating the same thing regardless of how we're feeling or what's happening around us. It's also about noticing the conditions we're working with and choosing how to respond.Here's something to try:Pick one situation where you'd like to show up differently.What's one small practice you could build into your day to help you move towards that?And don't worry about getting it perfect. Focus on returning to the practice.That's your Quick Spoon. Until next time, take care.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.In collaboration with Contextual Consulting I'm running an ACT in the Workplace: Train the Trainer Programme in February 2027. If you're interested in bringing practical evidence-based behavioral science to organizations, this course will equip you to work with groups, understand the stance of the ACT facilitator, and help make a difference to wellbeing in the workplace - then please check out all the details here. The early bird prices run until 5 November and if you use the code WORK20 - you'll receive an extra 20% discount. Chris on LinkedinChris on InstagramChris on substackChris' websiteHere's the People Soup Website.And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.Visit Ross' Website.Connect with Ross on LinkedInPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
- 1 weeks ago1 min
Quick Spoon: Don't assume they're fine because they're delivering
What happens when someone is struggling on the inside but still managing to show up and do their job?In this People Soup Quick Spoon, Chris Rodgers-Wilson reflects on a period of profound grief when, despite feeling broken inside, he continued to perform as a professional ballet dancer.What helped him through wasn't simply his own preparation and experience. It was also the trust, connection and shared energy of the people around him.Chris's experience got me thinking about something important in working life. We can assume that if someone is delivering, they're doing fine. We can also feel that when we're struggling ourselves, we need to hide it and keep performing.But being capable doesn't mean being invulnerable.Here's something to try:Think of someone at work who might be having a difficult time. Rather than assuming they're fine because they're still delivering, make a little space to check in.You don't have to fix things. Sometimes being seen, heard and trusted is a good place to start.That's your Quick Spoon. Until next time, take care.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.Chris on LinkedinChris on InstagramChris on substackChris' websiteIn collaboration with Contextual Consulting I'm running an ACT in the Workplace: Train the Trainer Programme in February 2027. If you're interested in bringing practical evidence-based behavioral science to organizations, this course will equip you to work with groups, understand the stance of the ACT facilitator, and help make a difference to wellbeing in the workplace - then please check out all the details here. The early bird prices run until 5 November and if you use the code WORK20 - you'll receive an extra 20% discount. Here's the People Soup Website.And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.Visit Ross' Website.Connect with Ross on LinkedInPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
- 2 weeks ago1 min
Quick Spoon: Don't let every outcome define you
What happens when you work hard towards something and don't get the outcome you hoped for?In this People Soup Quick Spoon, Chris Rodgers-Wilson reflects on the experience of watching others get opportunities you'd have liked yourself. It's something that can happen at any level, and it's easy to start measuring yourself against other people's success.I pick up on an important point from Chris: outcomes depend on lots of factors, and not all of them are within our control. Yet when we don't get the role, promotion or recognition we wanted, it's easy to turn that disappointment into a judgement about ourselves.Here's something to try:Think about a recent disappointment at work.What have you made it mean about yourself? And what else might be true?You can take your work seriously without treating every outcome as a verdict on your worth.Listen to the full episode with Chris - The stories we dance through - wherever you get your podcasts.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.In collaboration with Contextual Consulting I'm running an ACT in the Workplace: Train the Trainer Programme in February 2027. If you're interested in bringing practical evidence-based behavioral science to organizations, this course will equip you to work with groups, understand the stance of the ACT facilitator, and help make a difference to wellbeing in the workplace - then please check out all the details here. The early bird prices run until 5 November and if you use the code WORK20 - you'll receive an extra 20% discount. Chris on LinkedinChris on InstagramChris on substackChris' websiteHere's the People Soup Website.And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.Visit Ross' Website.Connect with Ross on LinkedInPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
- 2 weeks ago35 min
The stories we dance through with Chris Rodgers-Wilson
What happens when the work that has shaped your identity begins to change? How do you keep hold of a sense of self in a world built around performance, comparison and high expectations? And how do we support each other when life brings experiences that are difficult to talk about at work?In this episode of People Soup, I'm joined by Chris Rodgers-Wilson, who spent much of his working life as a professional ballet dancer, performing with Birmingham Royal Ballet and The Australian Ballet. These days, his work brings together psychology, coaching and supporting dancers as they navigate their careers and life beyond the stage.Chris takes us back to the moment a five-year-old boy watched Romeo and Juliet on VHS and was completely transported by the dancing, storytelling and music. That early fascination eventually took him to the Royal Ballet School in London and a career on stage.But this conversation goes well beyond ballet.We explore the pressures of high performance, the challenge of comparing ourselves with others, and the difficulty of holding on to our sense of self when we don't get the opportunities we hoped for. Chris reflects on the sudden loss of his mum, the experience of grieving while continuing to perform, and the extraordinary importance of the people who saw him, trusted him and helped him through.We also talk about perfectionism, knowing when it's time to move on, and how a moment on stage as Romeo helped Chris recognise that he might be ready for a new chapter.And Chris leaves us with a thought-provoking perspective on practice and performance: what if practice isn't simply preparation for the next performance, but a daily process that shapes who we become?In this episode, we explore:Finding your calling — and what happens when you lose touch with it.The pressures of high-performance environments and the trap of comparison.Maintaining a sense of identity when success depends partly on other people's judgements.Grief at work, and why the people around us matter so much.Perfectionism, high standards and the different expectations we place on ourselves and others.Recognising when you've reached a meaningful peak and are ready to move on.Building a new professional identity after a major career transition.Why daily practice can be about much more than preparing to perform.Chris's takeawayHigh performance isn't just about the big moment. It's about the commitment to daily practice, negotiating the challenges we face and taking steps towards how we want to show up.About Chris Rodgers-WilsonChris Rodgers-Wilson is a former professional ballet dancer who performed with Birmingham Royal Ballet and The Australian Ballet. His current work combines psychology, coaching and psychometric work, alongside supporting dancers through Dancers' Career Development as they navigate personal development, education and career transitions.Chris's song choiceAperture by Harry Styles.If this conversation makes you think differently about performance, identity or the people behind the work, please share it with someone who might find it useful.Find People Soup wherever you listen to podcasts.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.In collaboration with Contextual Consulting I'm running an ACT in the Workplace: Train the Trainer Programme in February 2027. If you're interested in bringing practical evidence-based behavioral science to organizations, this course will equip you to work with groups, understand the stance of the ACT facilitator, and help make a difference to wellbeing in the workplace - then please check out all the details here. The early bird prices run until 5 November and if you use the code WORK20 - you'll receive an extra 20% discount. Chris on LinkedinChris on InstagramChris on substackChris' websiteHere's the People Sou
- 3 weeks ago1 min
Quick Spoon: What are your values telling you?
When we're under pressure, it's easy to get pulled towards whatever feels easiest or most attractive right now.Put off the difficult conversation. Take the path of least resistance. Go for the quick win.But what if our values could help us see beyond what's tempting us in the moment?In this Quick Spoon, I share a short exchange with Dr Ryan Kemp about the importance of values — both in addiction recovery and in the workplace.Ryan highlights the role values can play, and I reflect on how they can give us a glimpse of the longer-term picture, rather than simply following the easiest option.Our values can remind us of the kind of person we want to be and what we're trying to move towards.So here's something to try.The next time you notice you're tempted by the short-term option, pause and ask yourself:What matters to me here in the longer term?A short reflection on values, choices and how we want to show up at work.This Quick Spoon comes from my conversation with Dr Ryan Kemp, clinical psychologist, addiction specialist and author of Transcending Addiction.Listen to the full conversation: The culture of now: Ryan Kemp on addiction, work and what we reward.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.Listen to the first part of my conversation with RyanTranscending Addiction by Ryan KempConnect with Ryan on LinkedInHere's the People Soup Website.And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.Visit Ross' Website.Connect with Ross on LinkedInPeople Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
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About People Soup
Grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use. 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 because creativity isn't confined to art. It shows up in how we live, work, lead and relate to one another. Work often feels 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 in front of us. Behavioural science doesn't make work simple, but it does give us better ways of responding to complexity. It offers practical ideas, evidence-based tools and skills 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. Whether it's a conversation with a guest or a short solo episode, People Soup explores how behavioural science—and particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—can help us lead and work with greater intention, developing the psychological flexibility and practical wisdom to navigate whatever life throws our way.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of People Soup as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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