As 2025 comes to a close I have been reflecting on my own journey, and those of the people I've been privileged enough to walk alongside.
I have listened to many hours of podcasts and am astounded at how much wisdom is freely on offer if you look for it. So many generous people with a wealth of experience who are inspired to improve the human experience.
Podcasts I’ve loved:
The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
This is the rare podcast where you have a host who fully listens to those he interviews, asks great questions, allows silences, and is vulnerable with sharing his thoughts and experiences. And hardly any adverts.
Here are some of my favourites from him this year:
Interviewee Lisa Feldman Barrett: Her research and wisdom was absolutely on the money. She speaks of the predictive power of our brain – essentially that your brain is a predictive machine and it would prefer to predict and correct later, rather than to have to respond to what is in front of you in real time. Therefore, our lived in-the-moment experience is a combination of what you are feeling right now and your remembered past. This means that your experience, and therefore your thoughts and emotions, aren’t 100% “real” or reliable. Are we responding to imagined realities? Yes, often we are!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2M5pjMu6RI9pcSn1xlrNjA?si=ABqRrtLnSJep2jUWoLeltA
Interviewee: Desmond O'Neill. This podcast, with Steven interviewing a USA Secret Service Agent, had some great tips for difficult conversations and a simple format for planning them (PLAN: Purpose, Listen, Ask, Next Steps). I've tried his strategies in a difficult conversation (not coaching) and was surprised at how well it changed things up for a more meaningful exchange and therefore a better outcome.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/39lAL2xVmAJsgqOjTCmQh8?si=UJGGlT9aTiyuOcrxYYTnow
Interviewee: Dr Jill Bolte Taylor. In my view, the title of this podcast is not particularly reflective of the content and it is a little up and down with its listenability, particularly early on. For me, it was about “Happiness and Contentment – how to consciously have more of it”. The content that related to trauma and conscious use of our left and right brain were the sections that I found very interesting. I listened to this while running down from the top of Mount Maunganui and along the boardwalk on a sunny day, surrounded by other people and with the sea glistening and had an epiphany of what joy and contentment means for me.
Finding Mastery with Dr Michael Gervais
I’ve listened to Dr Michael Gervais for years. He is a psychologist who has assisted some of the most successful sportspeople and teams to be even more successful. He introduced me to the idea of FOPO – Fear of People’s Opinions and I love the wide range of topics and interviewees. He’s all about interviewing people who are top in their field so that we can learn. Disclaimer – lots of adverts sorry.
Interviewee: Vanessa Van Edwards. This one was brilliant. Vanessa describes herself as a recovering awkward person and I loved everything she had to say about introversion and awkwardness (separate topics!). This podcast is great for those of us who consider ourselves introverts or socially awkward, or are parents of children who might identify with these descriptors.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Ek1KbTf6h1yFJZDAvVX56?si=G7zTBHO6QNqOUBQJ5TiBRw
Interviewee: Dr Ramani. The title says it all. Although are they everywhere? I don't think so, but still a good listen.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0GDtHSz192CIVnFb5ooCBl?si=fLSA9fmYQS-EX41l5WMqBw
Spotify tells me that I streamed so many Finding Mastery podcasts that I am a top 4% fan!
There were many other podcasts that I enjoyed, or found inspiring, and I'd love to listen to other people's favourites, so please share your recommendations with me through my Contact section, or on Facebook or via email. Thanks to 2025 and I look forward to all that 2026 brings.
