Why can we build successful careers, achieve the things we're told to pursue and still feel as though something is missing?

In this episode of Wise Words, Chris speaks with Ordinary Revolt about philosophy, mental health, existentialism and the search for meaning in modern life.

After studying philosophy, Ordinary Revolt began working as a counsellor in a psychiatric hospital, where he encounters people experiencing a range of mental health difficulties. Drawing on those experiences, the conversation explores some of the psychological struggles people face and what they might tell us about the way we live today.

They discuss why career success and material achievement don't necessarily create fulfilment, what happens when people struggle to find a sense of purpose, and why so many of us can seemingly have everything we're supposed to want while still feeling empty.

The conversation also turns to existentialism, faith and the possibility that the decline of belief in God or a higher power has changed the way people understand meaning, morality and their place in the world.

Ultimately, it's a conversation about one of the oldest and most difficult questions we can ask:

What actually gives a human life meaning?

🎙️ Wise Words features honest conversations with people from all walks of life, exploring the experiences, challenges and perspectives that shape who we become.

📩 Have a story worth sharing?

If you've overcome adversity, experienced something extraordinary or simply have a unique perspective on life, I'd love to hear from you.

To enquire about appearing on Wise Words:

📧 [email protected]

Every person has a story. Perhaps yours could inspire someone else.

Steven Cooper served in the British military in Afghanistan, where he experienced the realities of conflict and encountered the Taliban firsthand. What he saw during his service would go on to shape not only his understanding of war, but also the way he views society back home in Britain.

In this episode of Wise Words, Steven reflects on his time in Afghanistan, the treatment of ordinary Afghan people under the Taliban, the experiences of British soldiers serving there, and what it was like returning home after military service.

Our conversation then turns to modern Britain. Steven shares his views on immigration, political leadership, the influence of powerful elites and the direction in which he believes British society is heading.

Rather than keeping those opinions online, Steven has also taken political discussion into public spaces, hosting open speaking tables where members of the public are encouraged to stop, challenge his views and engage in conversations about contentious subjects.

We also discuss personal responsibility, physical fitness and preparedness. Drawing partly on his military experience, Steven explains why he believes people should be physically and mentally prepared for difficult circumstances — including the possibility that the security and stability we often take for granted may not always be guaranteed.

It's a wide-ranging conversation about war, the Taliban, military service, politics, immigration, social change, personal responsibility and what it means to be prepared for an uncertain future.

🎙️ Wise Words features honest conversations with people from all walks of life, exploring the experiences, challenges and perspectives that shape who we become.

📩 Have a story worth sharing?

If you've overcome adversity, experienced something extraordinary or simply have a unique perspective on life, I'd love to hear from you.

To enquire about appearing on Wise Words, email:

📧 [email protected]

Every person has a story. Perhaps yours could inspire someone else.

Emma Williams-King has an unusual insight into British policing. As a member of a scrutiny panel, she reviews police bodycam footage from stop and search encounters, examining how officers interact with members of the public and whether the correct procedures have been followed.

In this episode of Wise Words, Emma explains how she became involved in the role and what she has learned from watching real encounters unfold on camera. She discusses examples of both good policing and occasions where she believes officers have fallen short, as well as how the experience has changed some of her own assumptions about the police, the public and wider society.

The conversation also turns to Emma's hometown of Rochdale and the grooming-gang scandal that brought the town national attention for all the wrong reasons. Emma recalls things she witnessed growing up, reflects on what was happening within the community, and shares her frustration with the failures of policing, government and other institutions to adequately protect the public.

It's a conversation about police accountability, stop and search, community trust, Rochdale, institutional failure and what we can learn when we're given the opportunity to see events from a perspective most people never encounter.

🎙️ Wise Words features honest conversations with people from all walks of life, exploring the experiences, challenges and perspectives that shape who we become.

📩 Have a story worth sharing?

If you've overcome adversity, experienced something extraordinary or simply have a unique perspective on life, I'd love to hear from you.

To enquire about appearing on Wise Words:

📧 [email protected]

Every person has a story. Perhaps yours could inspire someone else.

At 17, Allan Michael Clayton was involved in a devastating car accident that left him seriously injured and facing the possibility that he might never walk again.

After a gruelling rehabilitation and further personal tragedy, including the sudden death of his mother in his early twenties, Allan eventually discovered mountain climbing.

Despite living with a disability that affects the use of his body, including his right arm, he went on to climb mountains across the UK with a combined elevation equivalent to Mount Everest.

Today, Allan works as a counsellor, helping others through their own difficulties.

In this episode of Wise Words, Allan talks openly about the accident that changed his life, the reality of rehabilitation, losing his mother, living with disability, discovering the mountains and how everything he's experienced shaped the man he is today.

Every person has a story. This is Allan's.

What happens when a life-changing diagnosis becomes the beginning of a new chapter rather than the end of one?

In this episode of Wise Words, I sit down with Zoe Fraser to hear her remarkable journey from being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to discovering bodybuilding and pushing herself physically despite living with the condition.

Zoe shares the difficult journey that eventually led to her MS diagnosis, including her frustrations with the NHS and the opportunities she believes were missed along the way.

We talk about what it was like receiving a diagnosis that would change her life, learning to live with the uncertainty of MS, and the physical and emotional challenges that came with it.

But Zoe's story didn't stop with her diagnosis.

She went on to discover bodybuilding, finding strength, discipline and purpose through training and proving that living with MS didn't mean giving up on challenging herself.

This is a conversation about health, resilience, bodybuilding, adapting to circumstances you never expected, and refusing to allow a diagnosis to become your entire identity.

🎙️ Wise Words features honest conversations with people from all walks of life, exploring the experiences, challenges and perspectives that shape who we become.

📩 Have a story worth sharing?

If you've overcome adversity, experienced something extraordinary or simply have a unique perspective on life, I'd love to hear from you.

To enquire about appearing on Wise Words, email:

📧 [email protected]

Every person has a story. Perhaps yours could inspire someone else.

What happens when losing contact with your child pushes you to the point where you no longer know how to carry on?

In this episode of Wise Words, Chris sits down with Jonathan Shaw for an honest conversation about fatherhood, relationship breakdown, men's mental health and rebuilding your life when everything seems to be falling apart.

Jonathan shares his experience of a difficult separation and the ongoing pain of being unable to see his child. He speaks openly about the impact this had on his mental health, including periods of severe depression when he questioned whether life was worth living.

Eventually, Jonathan walked through the doors of Andy's Man Club.

What began as seeking somewhere to talk became an important part of his recovery. After finding support among other men experiencing their own struggles, Jonathan has since been selected to run a branch himself — giving him the opportunity to offer others the same support that once helped him.

But his challenges haven't ended there.

Jonathan also discusses building a new life and family with his partner, his ongoing digestive health problems, his frustrations with his experience of the NHS, and the pressure he's faced from his employer while struggling with his health.

This is a conversation about fatherhood, loss, depression, starting again and what can happen when a man finally says, "I'm not okay."

🎙️ Wise Words features honest conversations with people from all walks of life, exploring the experiences, challenges and perspectives that shape who we become.

📩 Have a story worth sharing?

If you've overcome adversity, experienced something extraordinary or simply have a unique perspective on life, I'd love to hear from you.

To enquire about appearing on Wise Words, email:

📧 [email protected]

Every person has a story. Perhaps yours could inspire someone else.

In this powerful episode of Wise Words, I sit down with Kieran Thomas to explore a life shaped by trauma, crime, prison, fatherhood and an ongoing campaign for change.

Kieran shares what it was like growing up in a family where crime was encouraged, the devastating experience of losing his younger brother as a child, and how his own choices eventually led him to prison. Following his release, he became a father, but his journey took another unexpected turn when social services became involved from the moment his child was born.

Kieran discusses his personal experiences with the family court and social services system, explaining why he believes he and his family were treated unfairly. Today, he has dedicated himself to supporting other families and campaigning for what he sees as greater transparency and accountability.

This is an honest conversation about childhood trauma, personal responsibility, rehabilitation, fatherhood and the determination to turn painful experiences into a purpose.

Please note: The views and allegations discussed in this episode are those of Kieran Thomas and are shared from his own experiences and perspective.

Have a story worth sharing?

If you've overcome adversity, experienced something extraordinary, or have a unique perspective on life, I'd love to hear from you.

📧 [email protected]

Every person has a story. Perhaps yours could inspire someone else.

What if changing your mindset could change your entire life?

In this episode of Wise Words, I sit down with Eric Hobaugh, founder of Starting Over at 57, to explore the power of resilience, personal growth and starting again.

After overcoming alcoholism and rebuilding his life from the ground up, Eric now dedicates his time to helping others develop a stronger mindset, improve their health and create a more meaningful future.

Together, we discuss what it really takes to change your thinking, overcome setbacks and take ownership of the life you want to build. Whether you're navigating a difficult period or simply looking for inspiration, Eric's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to make a fresh start.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider following Wise Words on Spotify and sharing it with someone who might benefit from the conversation.

🎙️ New episodes of Wise Words are released every Tuesday, featuring inspiring conversations with guests who share their experiences, insights and life lessons.

Would you like to be a guest on Wise Words? If you have a story, experience or message that could inspire others, I'd love to hear from you.

📧 Email: [email protected]

Connect with Eric Hobaugh

YouTube: @Startingoverat57

TikTok: @starting.over.at.57

Thank you for listening to Wise Words, where every conversation is an opportunity to learn, grow and see the world through a different perspective.

In this episode of Wise Words, I sit down with Wayne Phipps, creator of Over 50 Reset, to discuss his journey from an unfulfilling career to building a life centred around purpose, fulfilment and helping others.

Together, we explore why so many people feel trapped in careers they no longer enjoy, the fears that often prevent people from making a change, and the practical realities of stepping away from the traditional path.

This is an honest conversation about balancing financial responsibilities with the desire to create a more meaningful and rewarding life.

Whether you're considering a career change, looking for greater fulfilment, or simply interested in hearing Wayne's inspiring story, this episode offers thoughtful insights and practical advice for anyone questioning whether there's more to life than the daily grind.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider following Wise Words on Spotify and sharing it with someone who might benefit from the conversation.

New episodes are released every Tuesday, featuring inspiring guests and meaningful discussions designed to inform, challenge and encourage.

Funeral directors are often the people we meet at one of the worst moments of our lives, yet very few of us ever stop to think about what their job is really like.

In this episode of Wise Words, I sit down with Jacob Walsh, a funeral director and owner of his own independent funeral business, to discuss the realities of working with the dead.

Jacob shares how he entered the profession, the emotional challenges that come with caring for families through grief, and the lasting impact of attending the scene where his own best friend had been killed in a road traffic collision.

We also explore how recent high-profile scandals have affected public trust in the funeral industry, and why Jacob believes the rise of so-called "funeral influencers" is damaging the reputation of a profession built on dignity, compassion and respect.

This is an honest conversation about loss, responsibility, grief and the people who quietly support others through the darkest days of their lives.

If you enjoy thoughtful, long-form conversations that explore resilience, adversity and the human experience, be sure to follow Wise Words so you never miss a new episode.

Topics covered: • Becoming a funeral director • Working with death and grief • Supporting bereaved families • Coping with personal loss • Funeral industry scandals • Social media and funeral influencers • Mental resilience • Life lessons from working with the dead