People Soup

How often do we limit ourselves with the stories we tell?

“I’m not creative.”

“I’m just HR.”

“I’m not a leader.”

In this episode of People Soup, Ross McIntosh is joined by organisational psychologist Jess Lee to explore how these seemingly small phrases can have a big impact on how we think, behave, and show up at work.

Drawing on Jess’s experience across industries and cultures, they unpack how assumptions — about roles, industries, and even ourselves — can shape behaviour in subtle but powerful ways.

They also explore the reality of leadership today: why expectations can feel overwhelming, why leadership is more complex than we often acknowledge, and why the starting point might not be skills — but self-awareness.

This is a practical and reflective conversation about identity, leadership, and the human side of work.

What You’ll Learn

• Why labels like “I’m not creative” can limit contribution
• How assumptions show up across cultures and workplaces
• The hidden impact of saying “I’m just…”
• Why leadership isn’t about job titles
• Why leadership can feel overwhelming — and what’s missing
• The importance of self-awareness and self-leadership
• How small pauses can create more intentional choices

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.

Ever noticed how your mind talks you out of big opportunities?

In this Quick Spoon, Jill Stoddard shares what happened when a TEDx opportunity triggered a spiral of self-doubt — and what we can learn from it.

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.

When you’re stuck, whose voice would help you move forward?

In this Quick Spoon, Jill Stoddard introduces the “J” exercise — a simple way to act in line with your values.

Who’s your “J”?

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.

You don’t need fear to disappear before you act.

In this Quick Spoon, Jill Stoddard shares what it looks like to take action in the presence of fear — guided by your values.

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.

We often treat our thoughts as facts — but what if they’re just… thoughts?

In this Quick Spoon, Dr. Jill Stoddard explores how creating space from your thinking can change your actions.

Less autopilot. More choice.

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.

What if your inner critic had a name… and you didn’t have to believe it?

In this Quick Spoon, Dr. Jill Stoddard shares a simple but powerful technique for creating distance from self-doubt.

“Not today, Kevin” might be exactly what you need.

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.

“If I have to convince myself I’m extraordinary… it’s never going to happen.”

In this Quick Spoon, Dr. Jill Stoddard shares a powerful truth: confidence isn’t a prerequisite for action.

A short, practical insight into moving forward — even when your mind says you’re not ready.

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.

What if confidence isn’t required before you take action?

In this episode of People Soup, Ross McIntosh sits down with Dr Jill Stoddard — psychologist, author of Impostor No More, and co-host of Psychologists Off the Clock.

Together, they explore the reality of imposter thoughts and why trying to eliminate them often makes things worse.

You’ll hear:

1. Why high achievers still feel like frauds
2. The limits of “positive thinking”
3. How to respond differently to your inner critic
4. Jill’s powerful TEDx story — and what her mind was saying
5. The role of values in taking meaningful action
6. A simple but transformative skill: getting comfortable being uncomfortable

This episode is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), offering practical tools you can apply immediately.

Over the coming days, look out for Quick Spoon episodes — short, practical extracts from this conversation.

This episode was produced and edited from a previous People Soup interview recording with Dr Jill Stoddard.

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.

A short episode from me today — and a gentle update on what’s coming next for People Soup.

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.

After some reflection, I’m making a small shift to how the podcast will work going forward. You can expect:

1. Main episodes every two weeks — deeper, thoughtful conversations
2. New Quick Spoon episodes in between — short, focused ideas and practical tools you can use straight away

The aim is simple: to offer both depth and something more bite-sized when you need it.

Thanks, as always, for listening — I’m really glad you’re here.

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.

Hi there, and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 48 of People Soup. It’s Ross McIntosh here.

Peace Soupers… welcome back to part two of my conversation with Miranda Birch.

In part one, we explored the power of really being heard — the kind of listening that creates space, sparks insight, and builds confidence.

In this episode, we go deeper.

We get into how conversations can unlock clarity — for leaders trying to make sense of their role, their message, and what really matters.

And what really struck me here is how aligned Miranda’s work is with mine.

She helps people find clarity through conversation.

I help leaders build psychological flexibility — moving forward with purpose, even when the mind gets noisy.

And at the heart of both?

Pausing… reflecting… and reconnecting with what matters.

You’ll hear:

1. How leaders can rediscover what drives them
2. Why clarity beats polish in communication

And how real, human conversation cuts through overwhelm.

For those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.

• Connect with Miranda on LinkedIn
• The Richest Conversations – Helping your organisation to make more impact, through the voices of its founders, teams and clients

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.