Humaning with Rick Watson

In this episode of Humaning, I sit down with my old friend Paul Holland to talk about what it really means to live an adventurous life — not just the kind with planes and race cars (though he’s got those too), but the inner kind.

The kind where you keep showing up, even when the path isn’t clear.

Paul shares his recent move to a dream home on an acre in Canungra — a big milestone after years of renting and relocating. It’s a grounding chapter in a life that’s seen plenty of change and it sets the tone for a bigger conversation about freedom, identity and following what lights you up.

We dig into the real stuff: navigating professional uncertainty, becoming your own boss after a business split, and finding meaning in work that aligns with your values. Paul opens up about long-distance fatherhood, emotional growth and learning to regulate anger and stress in healthier ways.

Now in his 50s, Paul’s still picking up new passions — from crypto coaching to being in his first band. His story’s a reminder that adventure isn’t about age, it’s about attitude — and that the best chapters often begin when we give ourselves full permission to live.

Connect with Paul: https://www.meetpaul.co

Connect with Rick: https://www.rickwatson.com.au

In this follow-up episode with Katia Erokhina we revisit a conversation that never made it to air (thanks, tech gremlins). Ironically — or maybe perfectly — that first recording was all about imperfection, letting go of control and embracing the messiness of being human. So we leaned into the redo and what emerged was deeper, more spacious and somehow even more alive.

Katia shares her journey from Moscow to gestalt therapist, from existential 14-year-old to someone creating safe, relational spaces for others to meet themselves — as they are. We talk about unearned rest, the pressure to be “better,” the stories that shape our worthiness, and what it really means to give ourselves permission to just be.

There’s plenty in here on the messy art of therapy (on both sides of the room), the gift of long-term support and the radical idea that we don't always need to know — we can let it unfold.

Whether you’re a therapist, a client, or just a human trying to figure it out — this one’s for you.

Connect with Katia: https://www.instagram.com/relational_home/

Explore working with Rick: https://www.rickwatson.com.au/coaching

In this first Tell Me More episode, Rick and Jo dive into the well-intentioned mess of FRACing—that’s Fixing, Rescuing, Advice-giving, and Caretaking.

It’s the stuff we all do when we really care about someone… and yet, it often gets in the way of true connection. We explore the emotional drivers behind each one, share some honest personal examples, and reflect on what it takes to shift from helping to actually being with the people we love.

This one’s honest, a little exposing, and full of those “oh yep, I do that” moments.

Let us know what lands in the comments —and which FRAC pattern shows up most in your life.

Connect with Rick : https://www.rickwatson.com.au

Connect with Jo: https://www.instagram.com/jodobson_workshops/

Chris Slater normally prefers to stay out of the limelight, but behind his private persona is a compelling story .

In this episode, Chris and I talk about the internal chaos that was bubbling away as he tried to build his chiro practise. The combination of control, anger and co-dependency was created some real-life "challenges" and he then realised he was turning to alcohol to numb the knock-on feelings.

But Chris's story is one of serious self-responsibility.

Over the past ten years he has sought the support and guidance of a range of different practitioners, to now have him moving from a place of anger and control to more acceptance and imperfection.

His evolution is well worth the listen.

Leave a comment and share what you got from his story...

Connect with Rick: https://www.rickwatson.com.au

Emily Rockit is one hell of a storyteller.

In this episode, she shares her stories about navigating well-being, grappling with loss and the rollercoaster that is the music industry.

Along the way, we unpack the power of connection, the magic of storytelling and that all-too-familiar wrestling match with imposter syndrome.

Em also opens up about writing a book designed to empower indie artists, sharing hard-earned lessons from her own journey.

If you need some inspiration to follow your creative path, this one is for you...

Emily on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrockit/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyrockitmusic

Connect with Rick: https://www.rickwatson.com.au

TOUCH THE STARS

Lyrics by Emily Rockit

I used to lie in my backyard

And look up at the inky sky

Reached out to touch the stars

And wondered about this life

A thorny maze of chases I cannot describe

Peppered with that sweet oasis

Heaven's endless night

It could have been no other way

I loved those altered states

And from that haze I found my perfect place

A spiral weaving

Journey to the sun

An all-star pantomime of faces

Melting into one

Now when I look back I lick my sticky hands

Cause I packed no regrets Into my travelling bag

Content warning: this episode briefly touches on baby loss. If this topic is sensitive or triggering for you, please take care while listening or skip this episode completely. 

Nicole Dean is one inspiring human. 

As much for her honesty and courage as for her actions and achievements. 

In this conversation, we chat about burnout, identity shifts and what it took to rebuild after hitting rock bottom. We talk about how movement played a huge role in her transformation, the struggle to be kinder to herself and how nature became a big part of her healing.

Nic also opens up about the life-changing grief of losing her unborn baby and what it looked like to rediscover joy again. 

This is a raw, honest convo about growth, resilience and the beauty of getting to know yourself.

Connect with Nicole on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19scvFHRwL/

Connect with Nicole on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onpoint_m_f_n/

Connect with Rick: https://www.rickwatson.com.au

Ricks Insta: https://www.instagram.com/rickwatson_/

In this episode, I sit down (for the second time) with John Williams for a chat that feels less like an interview and more like two humans figuring things out together. We cover everything from therapy and personal growth to how tech is changing the way we connect (for better or worse).

John opens up about the wins he’s celebrating, why joy isn’t just a luxury, and the magic of giving himself permission to just be. We also dive into self-worth, personal space (especially as a parent) and the wild ride of navigating identity beyond just the roles we play.

Grab a coffee and join us for a real, honest, and slightly meandering conversation about what it means to be human.

Connect with Rick: https: //www,rickwatson.com.au

Connect in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickwatson_/

Do you ever feel like you spend more time in your head than in your heart or body? Sophia gets it, it’s been her default way of navigating the world, using intellect and achievement to feel safe and valued.

In this episode, we dive into the deeper layers of this pattern, uncovering how it’s often tied to our sense of self-worth and the subtle ways it can protect us from feeling and facing shame.

Rick and Sophia share candid stories about their journeys to befriend shame, both within themselves and in relationship to others, reflecting on the profound transformations that can unfold when we allow ourselves be seen and held in our raw humanity.

Connect with Rick: https://www.rickwatson.com.au

Connect with Sophia: https://www.instagram.com/nannamoses/

Melanie Briony knows herself really well. She knows she can be a bit of a people pleaser, she can procrastinate and she would prefer to avoid uncomfortable conversations.

But as someone who runs her own business, she also knows these parts of her don't really serve her as a business owner and more importantly as a human.

Listen as Mel talks about the different ways she has accepted her parts and how she has used breathwork and nervous system regulation to really come home to herself.

Connect with Mel: https://www.melaniebriony.com.au

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniebriony/

Connect with Rick: https://www.rickwatson.com.au

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickwatson_/

Thank you for listening and if you enjoyed this conversation, leave a comment and let us know what really spoke to you in this one.

Growing up in New York and now residing in Byron Bay, Greg Goldstein has lived a life full of rich experiences. A traveller in the true sense of the word both geographically and internally, he is a deep well of wisdom.

In this conversation, Greg shares his current reality of being called forward towards parenthood and the role perfectionism plays in holding him back.

We also dance with the challenges of getting lost in story and rumination it leads to a juicy conversation.

If you enjoy this chat, click the follow button, leave a rating or drop a comment. I love hearing your feedback.

Connect with Greg: https://www.instagram.com/_gregory_goldstein/

Connect with Rick: https://rickwatson.com.au

Rick Insta: https://www.instagram.com/rickwatson_/

Rick Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081282588949