A few weeks ago I was talking to a friend about his CEO. 

He mentioned that the CEO tried to micromanage everything. 

And that he couldn't stop. And that he was reaching burnout. 

He mentioned that he was South African. 

So I asked, "Did he go to boarding school?" 

He replied, "Yes, I am pretty sure he did." 

So I mentioned boarding school syndrome and that micromanaging everything, trying to control all the details, being hypervigilant, workoholism and consequently burnout were all part of the symptoms. 

And over the years working with public school educated leaders I have seen these traits over and over again. 

So today I delve into why boarding schools create burnout and what we can do to start to rewire our brains. 

Take care, Piers 

#boardingschoolsyndrome #leadershipdevelopment #burnout #meditation

---

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/

Last week I took a holiday and had time off work. 

I recorded this reflection about how stress is not usually the problem and is often a good thing. 

That is as long as we rest. 

When we rest daily. 

We stop. 

We turn off our phones and push notifications. 

We grow. 

Some reflections today about the equation Stress + Rest = Growth. 

Take care, Piers 

#stressmanagement #rest #growth #burnout #leadershipburnout 

---

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/

Roy Biancalana is a nationally recognized relationship coach, bestselling author, and host of The Attracting Lasting Love Podcast. With over 15 years of experience, Roy helps singles identify and overcome the internal barriers that keep them from finding fulfilling, lasting relationships. His journey into coaching began from personal hardship – navigating heartbreak, divorce, and unsuccessful rebounds – ultimately leading him to seek out coaching for himself. This transformative experience ignited his passion to guide others through their own relationship challenges. 

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Title: The “Curiosity Approach” to Finding a Life Partner

1. You have an interesting story as to how you got into relationship coaching. It ties directly into our topic today and I think it’s relevant for our listeners. Can you tell us about that?

2. In your new book, Quantum Questions, you present a new and fresh approach to finding a life partner. It’s what you call, “The Curiosity Approach”. What do you mean by that?

3. Your book talks about asking yourself “7 Radical Questions,” that lead to attracting a healthy, lasting, intimate relationship. Can you talk about a couple of them?

1. You have an free gift to offer our listeners. Can you tell us about it?
2. What does it mean to be in “relationship shape” and why is it essential for attracting love?

• What are the most common self-sabotaging patterns in relationships and how can people break free from them?
• How did your personal experiences with heartbreak shape the way you coach others today?
• What are the biggest internal blocks that prevent people from finding and sustaining healthy relationships?
• How do masculine and feminine energies influence attraction and relationship dynamics?
• What is the first step someone can take to shift their mindset and attract better relationships?
• How can someone heal from heartbreak and rebuild trust after being deeply hurt or betrayed?
• What is the biggest myth about online dating and how can people use it more effectively?
• Why do so many people fear being alone and how can embracing solitude lead to healthier relationships?
• What is one piece of advice you wish everyone knew before entering a relationship?

https://coachingwithroy.com/

For his books: https://amzn.eu/d/gJMhnBj

#relationships #foundationsofrelationship #boardingschoolsyndrome #relationshipproblems #emotionalintelligence

---

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/

Some reflections on my 50th birthday.

Feeling some sadness and grief.

And appreciation for all the support I have had over the years.

Thank you,

Piers x

---

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/

Chris Braitch is a father of 3 first and foremost. He is also a 1-2-1 and organisational coach, speaker, and founding director of the not for profit Seen & Heard. Seen & Heard supports the emotional well being of ex-pupils of boarding and independent day schools, and their families.  Chris has found his calling supporting others on their journey to healing and joy, utilising his diverse life experiences, and professional skills learned over a 20-year career in sales, marketing, and management at some of the world’s largest food companies. 

Questions for Chris:

1. I would love for both of us to share some of our experiences of the corporate world. What were your experiences?
2. What were both of your experiences of leadership in those environments?
3. Could you please talk to the difference between command and control and emotionally intelligent leadership?
4. What is currently happening in leadership at the moment?
5. Could you please link boarding school and leadership? What is the connection between the lack of empathy many political leaders show and their upbringing?
6. Why have you put together this Compassionate Leaders Pathway course?
7. What are the 12 steps of the Compassionate Leader?
8. Why is this course different from any of the thousands of courses available?
9. I have seen that you have launched ‘The Long Journey Home’ campaign this Summer, can you tell me a bit more about this and how people can get involved?
10. You mentioned it has been a slow start to the campaign; can you tell me about the feedback you have been getting from people?
11. You mentioned before the podcast that you have a busy Summer getting ready to launch the Seen & Heard schools website, can you tell me about this part of Seen & Heard, and the challenges you have been facing so far. 
12. I recently contributed to an article you are putting together at S&H called “Is boarding school right for my child”. How is that going?
13. How do people learn more?

https://www.piers-cross.com/the-compassionate-leader

https://seenheard.org.uk/blog/the-long-journey-home-a-national-campaign-to-raise-awareness-funds-and-to-get-active-and-have-fun/

---

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/

True Leadership Is About Empowerment, Not Control 

In the kind of leadership I believe in—and teach—power isn’t something to hold onto. 

It’s something to share. 

The most emotionally intelligent leaders I know aren’t focused on creating followers. 

They’re committed to growing more leaders. 

As John C Maxwell writes in The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership he personally learned to change his leadership focus "from leading followers developing leaders." 

That shift happens when we: 

✅ Create space for others to step into their own authority 

✅ Offer support, not micromanagement 

✅ Encourage autonomy, creativity, and ownership 

✅ Lead from trust, not fear 

And the ripple effect is huge: 

➡️ When people feel seen, empowered, and free to lead from their strengths, teams become more resilient. 

➡️ Cultures become more human. 

➡️ And leadership becomes something that’s shared—not just worn by the person at the top. How are you growing the leaders around you? 

#TheCompassionateLeader #Leadership #Empowerment #EmotionalIntelligence #InnerWork #TraumaInformedLeadership #ConsciousLeadership #HeartCentredBusiness #MenAtWork #LeadershipDevelopment 

---

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/

Sifu Boggie (a.k.a Paul Brighton) is a Daoist guide, mentor, and self-healing practitioner with over 40 years of experience in Daoism and Qigong. Trained by renowned Daoist masters, he specializes in Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Shun Dao philosophy, and other healing modalities. He is also a Barefoot Doctor, Daoist Shaman, and teacher of Eastern Reiki, Chinese Reiki, Reflexology, TuiNa, Tit-Tar (back correction), Acupressure, and ShunDao Massage. Sifu Boggie’s teachings blend Daoist philosophy with practical energy work and bodywork techniques, offering transformative pathways for physical, emotional, and energetic healing. 

Questions for Sifu:

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 how you have adapted ancient wisdom to modern challenges?
3. How do we transform stress into growth?
4. There is a rise in mental health issues globally. What are some of the ancient practices that you use and teach other to help them mentally?
5. In your opinion what is the impact of childhood trauma on the nervous system and our health?
6. What are some of the practices the ancient Chinese used for dealing with trauma?
7. Resilience – what are some of the practices that we can use to develop our resilience?
8. How practices rooted in epigenetics enable people to reprogram their internal narratives, fostering resilience and renewing their sense of control over their health. 
9. Other areas:
   1. Men seeking spirituality
   2. personal growth
   3. modern stress-relief seekers
   4. Eastern philosophy. 
   5. how the way we think, move, and feel can profoundly influence our physical and emotional well-being. 
   6. How to shift out of cycles of pain, fatigue, or emotional stagnation, help people to reclaim vitality and joy. 

#taoism #qigong #childhoodtrauma #epigenetics #trauma #resilience

To find out more about Sifu Boggie's work: https://shundao.uscreen.io/pages/promo

---

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 3 part documentary "Coming Home" will be available to stream on https://www.boardingoninsanity.com/ from Saturday 5th July. 

Today I talk about what is in the film and why listening to other people's stories is so important for our journey of healing. 

I also talk about Seen and Heard's new fundraiser, The Long Journey Home. To support or to become a participant you can do so here: https://www.goodhub.com/go/longjourneyhome 

And for last Friday's podcast talking about African boarding schools: https://youtu.be/iQ7fPjbskvI 

And for this Friday's podcast talking about self-healing with a self-healing master: https://youtu.be/1-eLcVpmLoQ 

Take care, Piers 

#boardingoninsanity #boardingschoolsyndrome #boardingschool #boardingschooltrauma #cominghome 

---

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/

Mpumelelo Mpofu is a pioneering thinker, practitioner, and systems architect

whose groundbreaking work spans personal transformation, family dynamics,

organisational wellbeing, and societal change. With over two decades of direct

experience working with children, families, and trauma recovery, his revolutionary

concept of Compassion Economics reframes compassion as a finite, measurable,

and renewable resource—as critical to manage as time, money, or energy.

Questions for Mpumelelo:

1. How did you get into the work you now do?
2. Could you please talk about your own experiences of boarding school in Southern Rhodesia?
3. Could you please introduce "Compassion Economics"?
4. What is Compassion Leakage
   1. Compassion Poverty
   2. Compassion Bankruptcy
   3. Energy Depletion
5. Boarding School Syndromes & Colonial Legacy – A deeper dive into how apartheid-era Southern Rhodesia institutionalised false Christianity and whiteness, shaping trauma that persists today. This aligns with your work on systemic influences in personal development. 
6. Why parenting Has Nothing To Do With Children.

To learn more about Mpumelelo's work please visit: www.avoidleakage.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/

 I watched The Imitation Game last night with Benedict Cumberpatch. 

There were several references to his boarding school, Sherbourne in it. 

Today I offer some thoughts. 

Did Alan Turing have boarding school syndrome and what were his boarding school experiences like? 

Take care, Piers 

#enigma #alanturing #theimitationgame #benedictcumberbatch #boardingschool 

---

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/