In this refreshing and grounded conversation, I speak with Sarah Stewart, time and project management expert, about how purpose-driven people, especially those leading or building something, can shift from firefighting to an intentional more holistic relationship with time.

Sarah supports founders, leaders and teams who are feeling stretched, overwhelmed or just plain tired of the relentless to-do list. She helps people move from "I’m too busy to think" into a space of clarity and calm.

In this episode, we explore:

• How personal stories, pace, and pressure shape how we work

• The myths of productivity and why doing more isn’t the goal

• How to shift from reactive work to intentional planning

• What gets in the way of sustainable time practices

• How systems can help us develop a better relationship with time

Sarah’s approach is both practical and compassionate. Whether you’re leading a team, running a business or simply trying to carve out space to breathe, this episode will meet you where you are.

More about Sarah’s work: www.sarahstewart.co.uk

Connect with Sarah on Instagram

In this beautifully grounding episode, I speak with Fiona Doubleday - artist, educator, Substack writer and advocate for intentional living. Fiona shares her journey from a university lecturer to life as an exhibiting and teaching artist on the Isle of Arran.

We talk about:

• Her pivotal moment at the kettle that changed everything.
• Living seasonally and creating a personal relationship with time.
• The power of noticing and how it transforms creativity.
• Creative flow, nature tables and the myth of "I’m not creative”
• Rest, renewal and what it really means to step off the hamster wheel
  

Fiona’s gentle wisdom is a balm for our fast-paced world. Be ready to fall back in love with your own patch of earth.

Connect with Fiona on Substack - https://fionadartisan.substack.com/

In this episode writer and coach Claire Fitzsimmons shares the joy and intention behind “explorer days” - short, local adventures designed to help us see the familiar with fresh eyes. Rooted in her childhood experiences of spontaneous weekend outings, Claire’s practice has evolved into a way of nurturing curiosity, supporting independent businesses, and connecting with the people and stories that make up a place.

In our conversation, Claire shares how explorer days began and why they still hold such meaning for her, weaving in the role of curiosity as a personal wellbeing barometer. We explore the importance of supporting local communities and seeking out independent spaces, as well as the value of micro-adventures and making them your own. 

Claire reflects on how the seasons shape these experiences, from sun-filled summer outings to the cosy allure of winter explorations.  Along the way, she recalls memorable places, from the Poetry Pharmacy to the longest street of independents in the UK, offering inspiration for finding small moments of novelty, presence and connection, wherever you are.

I’m off to plan my own micro-adventures now! 

Subscribe to Claire’s Substack More Good Days

Connect with Claire on Instagram

In this episode of The Human Behind the Work, I’m joined by Santiago Rincón-Gallardo, educator, systems thinker and author of Liberating Learning. His work centres on a simple yet radical belief: learning is a practice of freedom.

We talk about:

• How succeeding in school can still wound our capacity to learn

• The moment Santiago reawakened his own power to learn and why that changed everything

• The role of mentorship, community and collective practice in shaping his thinking

• What it means to lead cultural change in education

• His new framework for leadership that integrates the heart, head, and hands

At the heart of this conversation is a powerful invitation - become the leader you’ve been waiting for. Stop waiting for permission. Start from where you are, with what you have.

This conversation was originally recorded as part of the World Education Summit. You can now access four years of Summit content for free at www.weslegacy.com.

In this episode, I’m joined by Guy Claxton, renowned cognitive scientist, author of over 30 books and a lifelong student of thinking, learning, and creativity.

We explore:

We finish with a beautiful reflection on the value of thinking well and the humility in knowing we might be wrong.

Connect with Guy Claxton:

You can learn more about Guy’s work via his website, his published books and academic writing, including Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind and The Learning Power Approach.

In this episode of The Human Behind the Work, I’m joined by Professor Jo Boaler, a pioneering voice in mathematics education, equity and mindset.

We explore:

• The deep inequities in how maths is taught and how that shapes young people’s identities

• Jo’s creative process for translating research into accessible resources

• Her new idea of “Math-ish” and why asking for ish answers can unlock maths for more learners

• How she handles criticism and pushback 

• What keeps her going when the work gets hard

At the heart of it all is Jo’s belief that all students can learn to high levels and that mathematics can be an open, creative and empowering experience.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Math-ish the book and website

• YouCubed (Jo’s platform and teaching resources)

This conversation was originally recorded as part of the World Education Summit. You can now access four years of Summit content free at www.weslegacy.com.

In this first episode of The Human Behind the Work mini-series, I’m joined by someone whose books have sat on my shelves and in my hands, many times over: Michael Bungay Stanier. You may know him as the author of The Coaching Habit, The Advice Trap and How to Work with (Almost) Anyone. This conversation is about more than his books.

We explore:

• The dance between complexity and simplicity

• Why he writes short books—and how he hopes people read them

• His evolving “worthy goals” (including selling 10 million books!)

• How feedback and editing shape his process

• And the one question he asks himself every day: What do I want?

This is a thoughtful, generous and quietly powerful conversation about doing the work that matters and being human in process.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Coaching Habit

• The Advice Trap

• How to Work with (Almost) Anyone

• Do Something That Matters Journal 

• Two Pages with MBS podcast - episode with Austin Kleon

This conversation was originally recorded as part of the World Education Summit 2024.  You can now access 4 years of Summit content free at www.weslegacy.com 

This week, I’m sharing a conversation from the archives of the Changing Conversations podcast. Simon Breakspear was always a popular guest, and his episodes consistently topped our most-listened-to list. In this conversation Simon introduces the Pruning Principle, a powerful leadership approach that tackles the chronic issues of overwork and inefficiency.

While Simon’s work is rooted in the context of schools and learning, his insights go beyond education. The Pruning Principle offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to streamline their efforts, whether in life, business or leadership. It’s about thoughtfully cutting back to create space for deeper impact and sustainable growth.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by competing initiatives or endless to-do lists, this episode is for you. Join me as we explore how to clear the clutter and focus on what truly matters.

💡 Resources & Links:

• Order Simon’s book The Pruning Principle 

• Connect with Simon via his website

Burnout is more than just exhaustion - it’s a deep depletion that can leave us feeling disconnected from our work, our purpose, and even ourselves. In this episode, I’m joined by Hazel Anderson-Turner, coach and author of Coaching Through Burnout. 

Hazel brings both personal experience and professional insight to this conversation, considering how psychological flexibility, rather than just ‘pushing through’, can help us recover and prevent burnout in the first place. We also talk about the realities of working in high-pressure environments, the impact of values and self-criticism, and the small, practical steps that can make a real difference.

💡 Resources & Links:

• Find Hazel’s book Coaching Through Burnout 

• Connect with Hazel via her website, Instagram or LinkedIn

  
  

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review!

In this episode, I sit down with Kiki, the founder of the Heiter community and magazine. Heiter might be a new word to some, but Kiki explains its meaning and why it resonates so deeply. More than just a translation, heiter embodies a way of living—styling our lives in a way that feels good, light, and joyful.

Kiki shares the story of how Heiter came to life, the risks she’s taken, and the challenges and rewards of building both a community and a print magazine that uplifts and inspires. Our conversation has a gentle sense of nostalgia as we explore the essence of Heiter, the far-reaching connections it has fostered, and the beauty of a thoughtfully curated publication.

Producing a print magazine is no easy task, and we discuss how to stay motivated through the harder parts of the process. Kiki’s honest reflections offer both inspiration and reassurance—reminding us that sometimes, taking just one small step forward is the bravest thing we can do.

Now based in Edinburgh, Heiter has found a new home in a city that has already welcomed it with open arms. And as Kiki’s dreams for the future continue to grow, so too does the spirit of Heiter.

I hope this conversation inspires you and brings a little heiterkeit to your day.

Connect with Heiter on instragram for some daily heiter and behind the scenes insights. 

Find out more about the Heiter Community, workshops or treat yourself to a copy of edition 2, Homecoming.