People Soup

By Ross McIntoshBusiness Science Social Sciences Health & Fitness Mental Health Management

People Soup episodes

May 03Quick Spoon: We don't choose who we become
Why do some people push our buttons so easily?
And what if compassion wasn’t about excusing behaviour… but understanding how people are shaped?
In this Quick Spoon from my conversation with Dr Eric Goodman, we explore a powerful idea:
None of us chose our genetics.
None of us chose our upbringing.
None of us chose the experiences that shaped us.
But…
We do have some say in who we become next.
A thought-provoking reflection on compassion, responsibility, and how we respond to difficult people—at work and beyond.
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.
Eric's Website

Here's the People Soup Website.
And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.
Visit Ross' Website.
Connect with Ross on LinkedIn
People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
2 min
May 01Quick Spoon: The power of the pause, creating space to choose
When life and work feel busy, speed can become the default.
We move quickly from one conversation to the next, reacting, deciding, replying, and solving without much space in between.
In this final Quick Spoon from Ross’ conversation with Jessica Lee, we explore the value of something simple:
The pause.
A pause can create enough distance to notice what matters, respond with more intention, and choose how we want to show up.
It doesn’t need to be dramatic.
Sometimes it’s one breath.
Sometimes it’s one question.
Sometimes it’s a few seconds before replying.
Small pauses can create meaningful change.
What This Episode Explores
Why constant speed can reduce clarity
How pauses create better choices
The link between awareness and behaviour
A practical tool for leaders and teams
How small moments can change outcomes

Key Idea
The pause creates space — and space creates choice.
Reflection
Where could you create a small pause today?
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.
You’re not “just” anything: rethinking leadership, identity and assumptions at work with Jess Lee

Here's the People Soup Website.
And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.
Visit Ross' Website.
Connect with Ross on LinkedIn
People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
2 min
April 29How to Stay at Your Best When Life Is at Its Worst with Dr Eric Goodman
Dr. Eric Goodman joins Ross McIntosh for a practical and powerful conversation about how we respond when life feels overwhelming.
Why do smart, capable people sometimes say things they regret, shut down under pressure, or react in ways that don’t reflect who they want to be?
Eric explains how our threat system can take over, why that’s completely human, and what we can do to regain choice in difficult moments.
Together, Ross and Eric explore:
Why we all go on autopilot sometimes
How the threat system can “drive the bus”
Why painful emotions are part of being human
A simple sequence for getting grounded under pressure
How self-compassion can reduce suffering without removing difficulty
One question that can guide wiser action:

“If I was at my absolute best, what would I want to do now?”
How to deal with difficult people at work
Eric’s memorable acronym: AFGO – Another F*ing Growth Opportunity**

This episode is full of practical ideas for work, leadership and everyday life.
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.
Guided meditations from Eric
Eric's Website

Here's the People Soup Website.
And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.
Visit Ross' Website.
Connect with Ross on LinkedIn
People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
25 min
April 27Quick Spoon: Why leadership feels so hard
Leadership roles often come with more pressure than preparation.
In this Quick Spoon, Ross reflects on why leadership can feel so difficult — especially when people step into bigger roles and suddenly face new expectations.
They may still be doing their day job. Still managing people.
But now they’re also expected to think strategically, communicate differently, make bigger decisions, and carry wider responsibility.
All at once.
For many people, the challenge is not capability.
It’s the gap between what the role demands and the support available.
If leadership feels hard at times, it may not be a personal failing. It may be a sign that the expectations need to be re-examined.
What This Episode Explores
Why leadership roles can feel overwhelming
The shift from manager to broader leadership responsibilities
The gap between expectations and support
Why difficulty doesn’t equal failure
A practical reflection for regaining clarity

Key Idea
👉 Leadership often feels hard when expectations rise faster than support.
Reflection
What actually matters right now?
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.
You’re not “just” anything: rethinking leadership, identity and assumptions at work with Jess Lee

Here's the People Soup Website.
And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.
Visit Ross' Website.
Connect with Ross on LinkedIn
People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
2 min
April 25Quick Spoon: Leadership isn't a title: what are you modelling?
“I’m just a manager.”
“They’re a leader.”
These phrases reveal a common assumption at work: that leadership belongs to people with titles.
In this Quick Spoon, Ross explores a different perspective.
Leadership often starts long before someone joins a senior team or receives a promotion. It shows up in behaviour, communication, consistency, and how people respond under pressure.
People notice more than we think.
They notice how we treat colleagues, how we make decisions, what we reward, and what we tolerate.
Which means leadership may already be happening — whether we realise it or not.
What This Episode Explores
Why leadership is often confused with hierarchy
The difference between title and influence
How behaviour shapes culture
Why people are always watching leaders (formal or informal)
A simple reflection on personal impact at work

Key Idea
Leadership doesn’t start with a title. It starts with behaviour.
Reflection
What are you modelling — whether you realise it or not?
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.
Here's the People Soup Website.
And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.
Visit Ross' Website.
Connect with Ross on LinkedIn
People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
2 min
April 23Quick Spoon: Same words, different meaning
A single word can mean different things to different people.
In this Quick Spoon, Ross shares a simple example from a conversation with Jess — where saying “sorry” meant something very different depending on the cultural context.
What felt normal in one place was interpreted completely differently in another.
And this kind of misunderstanding happens more often than we realise.
At work, we tend to assume that our way of communicating is the standard — when in reality, it’s just what we’re used to.
When something feels off — too direct, too soft, or slightly uncomfortable — it’s easy to label it as wrong.
But often, it’s simply different.
What This Episode Explores
How the same words can carry different meanings
The role of cultural and contextual differences in communication
Why we assume our communication style is “normal”
How misinterpretation can happen at work
A simple shift in perspective

Key Idea
What feels “normal” to us is often just familiar.
Reflection
What might be different — rather than wrong?
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.
Here's the People Soup Website.
And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.
Visit Ross' Website.
Connect with Ross on LinkedIn
People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
2 min
April 21Quick Spoon: “I’m just…”: the language that shrinks how we show up
“I’m just…”
It’s a phrase that shows up in many workplaces — often without much thought.
But this seemingly small piece of language can have a significant impact.
In this Quick Spoon, Ross explores how the word “just” can subtly shape behaviour, influencing how people contribute, communicate, and see their own value at work.
When people describe themselves as “just” something, they can unintentionally minimise their role — speaking up less, holding back ideas, and second guessing their contribution.
Over time, these small patterns can reinforce limiting beliefs about what someone is capable of.
But the reality is:
Everyone is already influencing something.
Everyone is already shaping the culture around them.
What This Episode Explores
The hidden impact of the phrase “I’m just…”
How language shapes behaviour at work
Why people may undervalue their contribution
The link between identity and action
A simple reflection to build awareness

Key Idea
The language we use about ourselves can shape how we show up — often without us realising.
Reflection
Where are you saying “I’m just…”?
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.
Here's the People Soup Website.
And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.
Visit Ross' Website.
Connect with Ross on LinkedIn
People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
2 min
April 19Quick Spoon: You’re Not “a Creative” (And Other Labels That Stick)
“You’re not a creative.”
It’s a simple phrase — but one that can have a lasting impact.
In this Quick Spoon, inspired by a conversation with Jess Lee, Ross explores how quickly we label people at work, and how those labels can shape behaviour in subtle but powerful ways.
From “creative” to “not creative”, “strategic” to “not strategic”, these categories can influence who speaks up, who contributes, and who holds back.
But creativity — like many capabilities — isn’t a fixed identity or a job title.
It shows up in how we solve problems, connect ideas, and approach challenges.
And the real risk?
We don’t just apply labels to others — we start to believe them about ourselves.
What This Episode Explores
How labels form quickly in workplace settings
Why labels can limit contribution
The difference between identity and capability
How internalised labels shape behaviour
A simple reflection to increase awareness

Key Idea
The labels we carry can shape how we show up — often without us realising.
Reflection
What label might be shaping how you show up?
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.
Connect with Jess on LinkedIn
Jess' Website

Here's the People Soup Website.
And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.
Visit Ross' Website.
Connect with Ross on LinkedIn
People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
2 min
April 17 Quick Spoon: When grief stops you
Grief can stop us in our tracks — but it can also shape what we do next.
In this Quick Spoon, Jill Stoddard shares a deeply human moment about loss, connection, and continuing forward.
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.
Here's the People Soup Website.
And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.
Visit Ross' Website.
Connect with Ross on LinkedIn
People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
Dr Jill Stoddard
Jill's Website.
Jill's Books.
Jill's TEDx Talk - How to Succeed in Every Moment Even When You're Failing
Connect with Jill on LinkedIn.
3 min
April 15 Quick Spoon: Get comfortable being uncomfortable
If you could learn one skill to change your life — this might be it.
In this Quick Spoon, Jill Stoddard explains why willingness — not confidence — is the real key to growth.
A simple practice you can try immediately.
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.
Here's the People Soup Website.
And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.
Visit Ross' Website.
Connect with Ross on LinkedIn
People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.
Dr Jill Stoddard
Jill's Website.
Jill's Books.
Jill's TEDx Talk - How to Succeed in Every Moment Even When You're Failing
Connect with Jill on LinkedIn.
3 min