Dr Guy Meadows : The Sleep School - Part 1

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 1. It's the first part of my conversation with Dr Guy Meadows - co-founder and clinical director of The Sleep School.

We hear about Guy's background in sleep research and insomnia and what led to the formation of The Sleep School. It's fascinating to hear the series of events that began in the sleep laboratories of Imperial College. There's a glimpse into some of their research and an insight into the behavioural science behind The Sleep School.

Guy noticed that "the more people struggle to get to sleep the more awake they became".  Once he discovered ACT everything began to slot together. 

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Shownotes

Check out The Sleep School

Survey of 25000 working age adults in UK - 51% didn't know what to do to improve their sleep.
Half of that population were sleeping between 5 and 6 hours.

Bonus Episode - Season 3 Preview

Yes! I've decided, given that there's been a natural break, that it's the ideal moment to launch a new chapter - Season 3 is on its way!

In this Bonus Episode - I reflect briefly on the events of the last few months - primarily the death of my dear Mum. The photo is of some of the flowers from her funeral. I'll talk more about my experience of grief in a future episode. I also provide a glimpse of some of my plans for Season 3. Knowing that my Mum was so proud of my work helps to remind me of what's important.

Next week's Episode (the first of Season 3) is an interview with Dr Guy Meadows - the co-founder and clinical director of The Sleep School.

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Sarah Bonner - Part 2 - Tapping into Black Magic

Season 2 Episode 23

Here's Part 2 of my conversation with psychologist, Sarah Bonner. 

We focus in on Sarah's research into the experience of black women in the creative industries, it's called "Tapping into Black Magic."

Sarah's brings her research to life using words from her research participants. She articulates the issues in a really clear and accessible way and talks about individual differences. The issue for us all is can we recognise what we do when we notice a difference - how does it show up in our behaviour?

Sarah's research revealed two overarching themes - empowerment and disempowerment - you can hear more about the themes in this episode and also see them on the poster below.

Sarah also talks about two exciting findings which are ripe for further research - 'intragender and intra-racial conflict' and 'the confidence curve'.

Can we all recognise that talent and intelligence comes in different packages. Can we all:

• be curious,
• have an open mind,
• and look beyond what we expect to see?

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Shownotes

I mentioned a future guest - Dr Guy Meadows - you can find out more about The Sleep School here.

Sarah Bonner - Part 1 - Phenomenal Woman

Season 2 Episode 22

What a guest I've got for you P-Soupers! Meet Sarah Bonner, organisational psychologist. 

In part 1 - Sarah tells us a bit about her career history, including a major change of direction. She also talks about her current role at Three Minute Mile.  To finish there is a glimpse of Sarah's extraordinary research which explored the experience of black women in the creative industries. You can hear all about the research in the next episode.

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Show notes

Laura Mvula - Phenomenal Woman
https://open.spotify.com/track/5UKaekWw9wkPts9iORegbP

Eye of the Tiger - if you would have immediately thought of Eye of the Tiger - show your support to Sarah by tweeting - "Season 2 Episode 22 #eyeofthetiger" @peoplesouppod

Bros Lyrics - Cat amongst the Pigeons

The next line was exactly as Sarah thought -

"There's a cat among the pigeons,
there's a pain in her chest"

I should have know she would be right - as a dedicated brosette. I always preferred the Bros lyric "I'll watch you crumble like a very old wall."

Three minute mile - http://www.3minutemile.co.uk/index.php

Start Close In

Season 2 Episode 21

It's a short episode this week - just under 4 minutes.

I present a poem that we often finish on in our workplace Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) training. It's one of my favourites called "Start Close In" by David Whyte.

For me, it really speaks to the processes of ACT and my experience of the challenges of taking the first step towards something that matters.

Why not have a listen?





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Show Notes

Here's the poem.

Start Close In by David Whyte

Start close in,
don’t take the second step
or the third,
start with the first
thing
close in,
the step
you don’t want to take.

Start with
the ground
you know,
the pale ground
beneath your feet,
your own
way of starting
the conversation.

Start with your own
question,
give up on other
people’s questions,
don’t let them
smother something
simple.

To find
another’s voice,
follow
your own voice,
wait until
that voice
becomes a
private ear
listening
to another.

Start right now
take a small step
you can call your own
don’t follow
someone else’s
heroics, be humble
and focused,
start close in,
don’t mistake
that other
for your own.

Start close in,
don’t take
the second step
or the third,
start with the first
thing
close in,
the step
you don’t want to take.

What would Greta do?

Season 2 Episode 20

Here I reflect on the Swedish activist, Greta Thunberg. Greta has taken action on an issue that she cares about deeply. I draw upon the work of Steven Covey to consider how we can take action on issues that we're facing at work. There is definitely always one thing that we can control in our circle of influence - that is - how we show up.

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Show Notes

Follow Greta Thunberg on Twitter.

Watch Greta at TEDxStockholm

The episode of the podcast 99% Invisible called A year in the dark.

A visual of the circle of concern and the circle of influence.

Lauren May – the experience of caring for people with dementia

Season 2 Episode 19

This week, I welcomed our first guest of 2019 - a fellow organisational psychologist & talented researcher, Lauren May. Lauren presents her research on the lived experience of people at work who are also caring for loved ones with dementia. It's a great piece of research and a fascinating insight into the issues. The fact that many people who work also have caring responsibilities needs so much more exposure to enable us all to appreciate different situations and develop appropriate responses.

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Show Notes

Dementia Carers Count

Listening back to this episode - I thought it would be useful to share Brene Brown's wonderful talk on the power of vulnerability.