In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Haesun Moon— a coach, communication scientist, and author of the bestselling book: Coaching A to Z.

A pioneer in the field of solution-focused dialogue, Dr. Moon is widely known for her accessible coaching tools, especially the Dialogical Orientation Quadrant (DOQ). In 2023, she was shortlisted as one of the top 8 coaches in the world by Thinkers 50.

In this conversation, we explore:

— Why not all narratives are curative

— How Haesun’s Dialogical Orientation Quadrant can transform your coaching practice and any conversation

— Why asking “How can I help you?” may be the worst way to start a session

— The power of scaling questions—and how to use them well

— Why it’s vital to preserve the client’s language—and how empathy is often lost through interpretation.

And more.

You can explore Haesun’s work and training programs at https://instituteofcoaching.org

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Haesun Moon, Ph.D., based in Toronto, is a Communication Scientist, Adult Educator, and Executive Director at the Canadian Centre for Brief Coaching. She developed the Dialogic Orientation Quadrant (DOQ) and teaches at the University of Toronto and Harvard-affiliated Institute of Coaching and is an acclaimed author and international speaker.

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Interview Link:

— Dr. Moon’s website - https://instituteofcoaching.org

Dr. Robert Kegan and Dr. Lisa Lahey are pioneering developmental psychologists, Harvard faculty members, and co-creators of the Immunity to Change approach. Their groundbreaking work bridges adult development theory with practical methods for sustainable behavioral change in individuals, teams, and organizations.

In this conversation, we explore:

— How the Immunity to Change approach differs from conventional change methods by addressing the hidden mindsets that prevent lasting transformation

— Why our resistance to change is actually an intelligent immune system protecting us from perceived dangers

— The four-column process that reveals the hidden commitments and assumptions keeping us stuck

— How this approach can be applied beyond individual coaching to transform teams and organizations.

And more.

You can learn more about their work, books, and coach certification programs at https://mindsatwork.com.

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Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey are Harvard-based psychologists and co-founders of Minds at Work, best known for their Immunity to Change framework. Their research and writing, including An Everyone Culture and How the Way We Talk Can Change the Way We Work, help people and organizations uncover hidden commitments that block growth.

You can learn more about their work at https://mindsatwork.com.

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Interview Links:

— Dr. Kegan and Dr. Lahey’s website: https://mindsatwork.com

— Dr. Kegan and Dr. Lahey’s book: https://amzn.to/44wteNV

Professor Jeremy Holmes — a clinician, author, leading Attachment expert and four time speaker at The Weekend University.

In this interview, we discuss the fascinating science of attachment theory, and how it can be applied to enhance therapeutic practice, including:

— The “dodo bird” verdict in psychotherapy

— The concept of the secure base and the extent to which it remains flexible throughout the lifespan

— How the relationship between caregivers and infants in early life influences attachment styles in later years.

And more.

You can learn more about Professor Holmes’ work and books by going to: bit.ly/jh-books

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Professor Jeremy Holmes is a clinician, author, leading Attachment expert, and three-time speaker at The Weekend University.

For 35 years, he was Consultant Psychiatrist/Medical Psychotherapist at University College London (UCL) and then in North Devon, UK, and Chair of the Psychotherapy Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists 1998-2002.

He is visiting Professor at the University of Exeter, and lectures nationally and internationally. In addition to 200+ peer-reviewed papers and chapters in the field of psychoanalysis and attachment theory, his books include John Bowlby and Attachment Theory, Exploring In Security, Attachment in Therapeutic Practice, and most recently: “The Brain has a Mind of Its Own”.

He was the recipient of the Bowlby-Ainsworth Founders Award 2009.

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3 Books Professor Jeremy Holmes Recommends Every Therapist Should Read:

— Attachment in Adults - Mario Mikulincer and Phillip Shaver - https://amzn.to/3VwsZ1G

— The Role of Mentalizing and Epistemic Trust in the Therapeutic Relationship - Peter Fonagy and Elizabeth Allison - https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2014-14624-001

— Attachment in Therapeutic Practice - Prof. Jeremy Holmes and Arietta Slade - https://amzn.to/3IT0zYw

Dr. Gay Hendricks is a psychologist, relationship expert, and the best selling author of several books, including the "The Big Leap." With decades of experience helping people transform their lives, Dr. Hendricks has pioneered concepts like the "Zone of Genius" and the "Upper Limit Problem" that have revolutionized how we think about personal growth and fulfillment.

In this conversation, we explore:

— How setting "deathbed goals" at age 34 transformed Dr. Hendricks’ life and set him on a path of purpose

— Why the "Zone of Genius" is essential for living a fulfilled life and practical ways to expand time spent there

— The power of "wondering" as a creative practice that invites solutions and insights

— How to overcome the fear of standing out and shining in your unique gifts

— The importance of commitment in creating lasting transformation in relationships and work

And more.

You can learn more about Dr. Hendricks’ work, books, and coaching programs at https://hendricks.com.

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Gay Hendricks is a psychologist, teacher, and writer known for his work in personal growth, relationships, and body-mind integration. After earning his PhD in psychology from Stanford University, he taught for over two decades at the University of Colorado, founded The Hendricks Institute with his wife Kathlyn, and has authored over 30 books including The Big Leap, Conscious Loving, and Five Wishes. His work emphasizes conscious breathing, emotional awareness, and transforming relationships. You can learn more about his work at https://hendricks.com.

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Interview Links:

— Dr. Hendricks' website: https://hendricks.com/

— Dr. Hendricks' book: https://amzn.to/4iwhP6A

Sign up for a Positive Acorn course today and join their upcoming live courses in September 2026 — https://positiveacorn.com/courses

Robert Biswas-Diener is a coach, author, and researcher known for his original thinking and willingness to challenge conventional wisdom in the coaching field. His books include "Positive Provocation" and "The Upside of Your Dark Side," both of which explore nuanced perspectives on coaching and human psychology.

In this conversation, we explore:

— Why coaching is "easy to learn but hard to master" and the patience required to develop true expertise

— How observing other coaches (especially those with different approaches) accelerated Robert's growth as a coach

— The value of short coaching sessions for developing efficiency and precision

— Why Robert believes we should question coaching "fortune cookie wisdom" and think more deeply about our practice

— The nuanced approach to giving advice and challenging clients in coaching relationships

And more.

You can learn more about Robert's work and training programs at https://positiveacorn.com.

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Robert Biswas-Diener is a psychologist, author, and “Positive Provocation” thought-leader who asks provocative questions that challenge conventional wisdom in coaching. Co-author of Radical Listening and author of Positive Provocation: 25 Questions to Elevate Your Coaching Practice, his work helps coaches deepen their practice through curiosity, experimentation, and reflection. You can check more about his work at https://robertdiener.com/.

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Interview Links:

— Dr. Biswas-Diener’s website - https://positiveacorn.com

— Dr. Biswas-Diener’s book - https://amzn.to/3KmcVN0

— Positive Acorn's courses - https://positiveacorn.com/courses/

Michael Bungay Stanier is one of the world’s most respected voices in coaching. He’s the author of multiple bestselling books—including The Coaching Habit and How to Begin—and a master of distilling big ideas into simple, practical tools that help people do work that matters. In 2019, he was named the world’s #1 thought leader in coaching.

In this conversation, we explore:

— Why “we unlock our greatness by working on the hard things”

— How Michael “zigs” when everyone else is zagging

— His unique approach for finding the goals that truly light you up

— The importance of finding simplicity on the other side of complexity.

And more.

You can learn more about Michael’s work and books at https://www.mbs.works.

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“My name is Michael. I can hop. Do you want to see me hop?” That’s how I introduced myself to bemused strangers at the supermarket when I was three. Honestly, not much has changed. Here’s the formal bio, with the best bits at the end.

Michael Bungay Stanier is at the forefront of shaping how organizations around the world make being coach-like an essential leadership competency. His book The Coaching Habit “unweirds coaching”. It is the best-selling coaching book of this century, with over a million copies sold and more than ten thousand five-star reviews on Amazon. In 2019, he was named the #1 thought leader in coaching. Michael was the first Canadian Coach of the Year, has been named a Global Coaching Guru since 2014, and was a Rhodes Scholar. His most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, shows how to build the Best Possible Relationship with the key people at work.

Michael founded Box of Crayons, a learning and development company that had helped hundreds of organizations transform from advice-driven to curiosity-led. (Learn more at BoxOfCrayons.com.)

Michael is a compelling speaker and facilitator, combining practicality, humour, and an unprecedented degree of engagement with the audience. He’s spoken on stages and screens around the world in front of crowds ranging from ten to ten thousand. His TEDx talk has been watched by a million and a half people. (Learn more at MBS.works.)

En route to today—and these are essential parts of his origin story—Michael knocked himself unconscious as a labourer by hitting himself in the head with a shovel, mastered stagecraft at law school by appearing in a skit called Synchronized Nude Male Modelling, and his first paid piece of writing was a Harlequin Romance-esque story involving a misdelivered letter ... and called The Male Delivery.

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Interview Links:

— Michael Bungay Stanier’s website - https://www.mbs.works

— Michael’s book - https://amzn.to/4c0Fjij

In this episode, Niall speaks with Dr. Marjorie Woollacott, Professor Emerita of Neuroscience at the University of Oregon and former President of the Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences.

After more than 30 years of NIH-funded research on motor control, balance, and rehabilitation, a profound meditation experience led her to question her understanding of consciousness and reality.

In this conversation, they explore:

— Why Dr. Woollacott's research with nonverbal autistic children is raising questions about telepathic abilities

— How the brain may act as a filter that limits our perception of a much larger reality

— The scientific evidence for reincarnation from researchers including Ian Stevenson and Jim Tucker

— What synchronicities may reveal about the interconnected nature of consciousness

— Why pursuing a parallel line of research allowed Dr. Woollacott to study consciousness while building her academic career

You can learn more about Dr. Woollacott's work at https://marjoriewoollacott.com.

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Marjorie Woollacott, Ph.D., is an Emeritus Professor of Human Physiology at the University of Oregon and a renowned neuroscientist specializing in human movement, attention, meditation, and consciousness. She has received more than $7.2 million in research funding and has conducted research in child development, aging, rehabilitation, meditation, tai chi, balance, and attentional abilities. Woollacott has published over 200 scientific articles and authored or co-edited eight books, including the widely used textbook Motor Control: Translating Research into Clinical Practice. She is Research Director of the International Association of Near-Death Studies and President of the Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences. Her book Infinite Awareness explores the relationship between neuroscience, consciousness, and spiritual experiences, reflecting her work at the intersection of scientific research and questions about the nature of the mind.

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Interview Links:

— Dr. Woollacott's website: marjoriewoollacott.com

— Dr. Woollacott's books: https://marjoriewoollacott.com/books/

— Dr. Woollacott's events: https://marjoriewoollacott.com/events/

In this episode, Niall speaks with Liam McClintock, a Yale graduate, former Buddhist monk, and founder of FitMind, a meditation training platform that helps people move beyond stress reduction into deeper states of awareness and well-being.

After leaving a career in finance, Liam spent three years training in monasteries across Asia, studying under Bhante Vimalaramsi and learning advanced meditation practices, including jhana states and forgiveness meditation. He recently published his first book, “FitMind”, which brings together neuroscience and contemplative practice in practical tools for everyday life.

In this conversation, they explore:

— Why happiness supports meditation, not the other way around

— How predictive processing theory helps explain why meditation reduces suffering

— The neuroscience of jhana states and their role in reshaping the mind

— A forgiveness practice for letting go of emotional baggage

— The four-step framework for training attention: recognize, release, relish, and remain

You can learn more about Liam's work at fitmind.org.

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Liam is the founder of FitMind, a mental fitness training platform that provides evidence-based programmes for individuals and organisations, including Uber. After studying history at Yale University and briefly working in finance, he left his career in 2018 to become a certified yoga and meditation teacher in Bali. His interest in the mind grew from a childhood diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), leading him to explore psychology, lucid dreaming, and a wide range of contemplative traditions. His training has included Theravada Buddhism in India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia; Indigenous shamanism in Peru and Mexico; Boabom, an ancient Tibetan martial art, in Chile; Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga in Indonesia and Nepal; Tibetan Buddhist practices in Bhutan; and Dzogchen, Mahamudra, Qi Gong, and other contemplative disciplines in the United States. Liam later completed a Master of Science in Applied Neuroscience at King's College London, where his dissertation examined the neural correlates of advanced nondual meditation.

Liam has since become a Buddhist monk to deepen his meditation practice and has participated in consciousness research at Harvard University. He has also advised on advanced meditation training for Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. Drawing on both scientific research and first-hand contemplative experience, Liam's work bridges neuroscience and ancient wisdom traditions to help people cultivate greater mental fitness, resilience, and wellbeing. He believes that making mental fitness an accessible and enjoyable part of everyday life has the potential to improve both individual lives and society as a whole.

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Interview Links:

— Liam’s website: https://fitmind.org

— Liam’s book: https://amzn.to/3RJGOum

— Fitmind Courses: https://fitmind.org/module

— Fitmind Podcast: https://fitmind.org/learn

Jennifer Garvey Berger is a leadership coach, developmental psychologist, and the author of several books, including: Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps, Changing on the Job, and Unleash Your Complexity Genius.

In 2023, she was shortlisted as one of the top 8 coaches in the world by Thinkers 50.

In this conversation, we explore:

— Daniel Gilbert’s idea that human beings are works in progress that mistakenly think they’re finished - and the implications this has for growth and development

— The 4 minds: self sovereign, socialized, self authoring, and self transforming - and how to know which stage you are at

— What it means to become a ‘complexity genius’

— The importance of continuously upgrading our mental models all throughout life - and how best to do this.

And more.

You can explore Jennifer’s work and books at https://www.cultivatingleadership.com.

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Jennifer Garvey Berger believes that leadership is one of the most vital renewable resources in the world. At a time when organisations are often forging the path rather than following the path of others, leadership is about creating the conditions for people to be their most creative, connected, intelligent selves. She is a founding partner and CEO of Cultivating Leadership, a consultancy that serves executives and executive teams in the private, non-profit, and government sectors around the world. Her clients include Google, Microsoft, Novartis, Wikipedia, and Oxfam International. Jennifer designs and teaches leadership programs, coaches senior teams, and supports new ways of thinking about strategy and people with clients facing these dramatic shifts in complexity, volatility, and change in their workplaces and markets. She blends deep theoretical knowledge with a driving quest for practical ways to make leaders’ lives better.

Jennifer also supports leaders one-on-one as a leadership coach. She supports clients to find their current growing edge and then make choices about how they want to grow, and she teaches coaches around the world transformational and developmental coaching approaches in her Growth Edge Coaching certification series. Jennifer speaks at leadership and coaching conferences, and she offers occasional courses for coaches at universities all over the world like Harvard University, the University of Sydney, and Oxford Brookes University.

Jennifer holds a doctorate in adult development from Harvard University, where she studied under and worked with acclaimed developmental psychologist Robert Kegan. She was an Associate Professor at George Mason University before she left the academy on a mission to connect powerful research and the people doing real work in the world. Jennifer is an American by birth, a Kiwi by choice, and finds herself living now in London, far from her beach house on the Tasman Sea. Wherever she might call home, she loves laughing with her two nearly-grown children, rolling on the floor with her dog, and writing about leading, coaching, and living.

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Interview Link:

— Jennifer’s website - https://www.cultivatingleadership.com

This episode features a conversation between Dr. Mark Vernon and Professor Peter Hawkins. This discussion is part of a series that Peter will be doing with some of the major thinkers and writers of our time, focusing on the necessary evolution of human consciousness, for humans to be future-fit to live on this planet in a way that makes a net-positive contribution to the wider ecology. The series is being done jointly with: The Weekend University and the Renewal Foundation.

Dr. Vernon is a writer and psychotherapist whose work explores figures including William Blake, Dante, and Owen Barfield, making their insights accessible to contemporary readers seeking deeper understanding of consciousness and meaning. His recent book “Awake” examines how poetic imagination can reconnect us with dimensions of reality that modern culture has obscured.

Peter is Emeritus Professor of Leadership at Henley Business School, founder of the Academy of Executive Coaching, and a leading authority on systemic leadership, coaching, and organizational transformation. His work integrates insights from psychology, systems thinking, ecology, and philosophy to help leaders navigate an increasingly complex world. His most recent book was: Beauty in Leadership and Coaching, which was published by Routeledge in 2025.

In this conversation, they explore:

— Why imagination is not just private fantasy, but a way of engaging with a deeper reality

— How Owen Barfield's study of language reveals the evolution of human awareness across centuries

— The distinction between original participation, separation, and final participation in the development of consciousness

— Why addiction can be understood as a spiritual crisis rooted in misunderstanding what truly satisfies

— How transforming human desire may help address the ecological and social challenges of our time

— The difference between becoming "someone" and becoming "no one" in the spiritual journey

And more.

You can learn more about Mark's work and writings at markvernon.com and Peter's work at renewalassociates.co.uk.

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Interview links:

— Prof. Hawkins’ website - https://renewalassociates.co.uk

— Dr Vernon’s website: https://www.markvernon.com/

— Dr Vernon’s book: https://amzn.to/4vD4Mp3