An Evolving Man Podcast

Myles Katz is a pioneer in the field of legal psychedelics, blending personal experience with professional innovation to advance mental health and personal transformation. As the founder and executive director of Confluence Retreats, he leads immersive, multi-day psilocybin retreats in Oregon’s Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. These retreats offer a legal, structured, and profoundly transformative experience, tailored for individuals seeking personal growth, emotional breakthroughs, and spiritual development in a safe and nurturing environment. 

Questions for Myles:

1. I would love for you to share some of your journey. How did you get into the work you now do?
2. Could you please talk about some of the research from University College London about psilocybin? What did they find out?
3. Many people are curious but hesitant about psychedelics. What would you say to someone who is nervous about taking that first step?
4. You often talk about moving from “functioning to flourishing.” Can you share how psychedelics help individuals make that transition?
5. What role does integration—such as therapy, mindfulness, or community—play in maximizing the benefits of a psychedelic experience?
6. Psychedelics are often associated with mental health treatments. How do you see their role expanding beyond mental health into personal growth and creativity?
7. What common misconceptions about psychedelics would you like to address, especially for people who may still view them through a stigmatized lens?
8. What advice would you give to someone considering a psychedelic retreat for personal or spiritual development, and how can they prepare for the experience?
9. How do you balance honoring indigenous traditions while offering a modern and legal psychedelic experience at your retreats?
10. How do people find out more about your work?

To find out more about Myles' work: https://www.confluenceretreats.org/

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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/ 

 A few reflections about the death of my wife. 

How has the last week been? 

I share some of my grief. 

And I talk about the documentary premiere in 10 days time in London at the Rio in Dalston: https://www.riocinema.org.uk/movie/boarding-on-insanity-qa/ 

We have decided to go ahead with the premiere as my wife was so supportive of the film.

Take care,

Piers

#boardingoninsanity #grief #loss #boardingschoolsyndrome 

https://www.riocinema.org.uk/movie/boarding-on-insanity-qa/ 

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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/ 

What is the importance of emotional intelligence in leaders?

And why do so many leaders feel isolated, lonely and struggling with burn out?

Today, Pete Hunt, founder of Monumental, a network for growth focused leaders talks about his boarding school experiences.

What was the legacy he left boarding school with?

And how did it affect him as a leader?

An authentic and heart-felt conversation.

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Pete Hunt is a leading men's group facilitator, podcast host and meditation teacher. He is also the founder of Monumental, which is a network for growth focused leaders.

Questions for Pete:

1. I would love for you to share some of your journey. How did you get into the work you now do?
2. What were your experiences like at boarding school? How did those experiences impact you as an adult?
3. What do you see and hear in men in who were being educated in Boarding Schools in the 1980’s and 90’s?
4. Could you please speak about the work you do with Monumental? What do you do?
5. What is the key issue with men's mental health at the moment? What can we start to do to change this?
6. Other areas to talk about:
   1. The importance of community and connection
   2. Isolation
   3. Loneliness
   4. Accountability
   5. Emotional intelligence
   6. Bullying
7. How do people find more about your work?

To find out more about Pete's work please visit: https://petehunt.com/ or www.monumental.global

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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/ 

Today I share some really sad news. 

On Sunday 9th February my wife died. 

I have been feeling so sad. 

She was such a wonderful lady. 

So kind, loving and caring. 

Without her the film and my work would not exist. 

Thank you Michelle. Here is the interview I did with her: https://youtu.be/fKs1A_4xw7A 

Blessings, Piers 

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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/ 

Ben Cole is a film director, storyteller, cinematographer and all round filmmaker. His films include 1 Giant Leap with Robbie Williams and Time of The Sixth Sun.

Questions for Ben:

1. I would love for you to share some of your journey. How did you get into the work you now do?
2. What is the film Boarding On Insanity about?
3. What drew you to make it?
4. Please share your journey of making the film. How was it for you?
5. What were some of the highs in making this film?
6. What were some of the lows?
7. Could you please talk about the movement around boarding schools as a whole?
8. What's the vision of the film moving forward?
9. How can people support the release of the film? When is it coming out?
10. What is your call to action?
11. How do people find more about your work?

To find out more about Ben new film please visit: https://boardingoninsanity.com/

And to watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/vLeAj5TiqU4

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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/ 

 London Premiere Boarding On Insanity 1st March 1.30pm | What Is Happening? | Piers Cross 

To buy tickets here: https://www.riocinema.org.uk/movie/boarding-on-insanity-qa/ 

Website will go live on Thursday 06.02.25: http://www.boardingoninsanity.com/ 

To join the launch waiting list: https://www.piers-cross.com/boarding-school-film 

 #boardingoninsanity #boardingschoolsyndrome #boardingschool #premiere 

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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/ 

Did many people feel homesick at boarding school?

Reading the biographies of Bear Grylls, Minnie Driver, Jeremy Paxman, Roald Dahl we can see that they all suffered with homesickness.

Today I also explore the work of Joy Schaverien in Boarding School Syndrome where she says, "Homesickness has been reframed as bereavement."

Are we really bereaved rather than homesick?

Take care,

Piers

#boardingschool #homesickness #bereavement #beargrylls

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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/ 

Drawing on the work of Kouzes and Posner and their excellent book, The Leadership Challenge, what are the 5 principles of a great leader?

I discuss all 5 qualities and traits while linking that in to the UK.

Why is it that we have so few good leaders in the UK?

Over the past few decades there have been consistently poor leaders in charge.

Today I talk about why I feel this is.

I draw upon the work of Oliver Bullough and Butler to The World, and Warren Bennis' On Becoming a Leader.

#leadership #greatleaders #Ukleaders

Take care,

Piers

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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/ 

How can we heal childhood trauma if we have tried many different therapies and nothing has worked? 

Today I am speaking with Siamon Emery, a globally experienced mentor talking about his journey through childhood trauma and recovery. 

Growing up with parents who were addicts meant that he lived through a lot of trauma. 

This impacted him in relationships, at work and mentally. 

Today he shares his fascinating journey of recovery - the practices he uses like yoga, somatic experiencing and how we too can start to regulate our nervous systems. 

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Siamon Emery is a globally experienced mentor specializing in trauma recovery, nervous system regulation, and guiding high-performing entrepreneurs and leaders through personal and professional growth. His approach draws from a unique blend of lived experience, spiritual practice, and scientific study, shaped by years of immersing himself in diverse cultures and healing modalities across Costa Rica, India, and Australia. 

Questions for Siamon:

1. I would love for you to share some of your journey. How did you get into the work you now do?
2. What are some of the most common self-sabotaging patterns you see in high achievers, and why are they so difficult to overcome?
3. How does unresolved trauma manifest in professional settings, and what can leaders do to address these hidden barriers?
4. Can you explain the connection between nervous system regulation and decision-making in high-pressure environments like entrepreneurship or leadership?
5. What role does fear play in keeping people stuck, even when they’re consciously trying to grow or expand their business or personal life?
6. You often mention the importance of rewiring the nervous system—what practical steps can someone take to start this process?
7. How did your personal journey and experiences with trauma shape the way you coach and mentor others today?
8. What advice do you give to entrepreneurs or leaders who feel overwhelmed or paralyzed when making high-stakes decisions?
9. For people who feel like they’ve tried everything—therapy, coaching, spiritual practices—what makes your approach different?
10. How can someone tell if they are operating from a place of fear or if they are genuinely making the right decision to stay within their comfort zone?
11. You work at the intersection of spirituality and science. How do you blend the two in your mentorship and healing practices, and why do you think this balance is so effective?
12. How do people find out more about your work?

For more information please visit: https://siamonemery.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siamon.emery/

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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/ 

The new documentary, Boarding On Insanity featuring many experts including Dr Gabor Mate, Dr Suzanne Zeedyk, Nick Duffell and Prof Joy Schaverien is nearing completion

https://www.piers-cross.com/boarding-school-film

The film explores the question, Are our leaders traumatised?

And the trauma? Boarding school.

Many of the world's leading business and political figures have attended these schools from Mark Zuckerberg to Donald Trump and from Richard Branson to Boris Johnson.

What is the impact of going to these schools?

We explore the stories of those who went to boarding school and ask experts what the impact might be on our leaders.

If you would like to be notified of the film release please do join our email list here: https://www.piers-cross.com/boarding-school-film

Any questions please do comment below.

#boardingschool #boardingoninsanity #gabormate

Take care,

Piers

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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/