An Evolving Man Podcast

 Over the years I have noticed a common ailment among ex-boarders.  And that is stomach issues.  Why is that?  And what can we do now?  #digestion #trauma #boardingschoolsyndrome  --- Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems.  He also runs online men's groups for ex-board...

Prince Andrew, Epstein, and boarding school trauma — exploring the psychology behind early experiences and adult behaviour. In this episode, I explore the psychological patterns that may sit beneath well-known public narratives. Looking at Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, and Ghislaine Maxwell, I reflect on their early childhood experiences — including boarding school and family dynamics — and how t...

In this episode of An Evolving Man , I speak with Dawn Stallwood — corporate and commercial lawyer turned leadership counsel, chief integrity officer, entrepreneur, and author of Beautiful Leadership . Dawn brings nearly three decades of experience advising boards, founders and senior leaders, and in this conversation we explore what it really means to lead with integrity, empathy, humility and co...

 For the leaders' workshop about dealing with pressure: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leadership-under-pressure-how-you-can-manage-pressure-better-tickets-1982772564114?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl  --- Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works m...

How do leaders behave when pressure rises? In this episode, Piers Cross explores how stress reveals the underlying conditioning that shapes leadership behaviour. Drawing on leadership research and psychology, the conversation looks at how many leaders unconsciously revert to learned survival strategies under pressure — particularly those who grew up in highly structured or emotionally restrictive...

Piers Cross speaks with leadership coach and former professional footballer Matt Young about identity, emotional intelligence, and sustainable performance. After eight years in elite sport, Matt’s career ended abruptly. Without football, he was forced to confront anxiety, self-doubt, and a deeper fear many high achievers recognise — not being good enough beneath the role. That painful period led h...

In this episode, Piers Cross explores the psychological impact of a child’s first night at boarding school and why it often becomes a lifelong emotional imprint. Drawing on accounts from Richard Branson, Sebastian Faulks, and Peter Sykes, we examine what happens when children are separated from their families at a young age. Many remember intense fear, others remember nothing at all — a sign of di...

 In this episode, Piers Cross is joined by Jane Barclay , a humanistic psychology practitioner , UKCP-accredited , and a member of the BACP . Jane shares her journey into counselling and trauma work — beginning with a major life move, a profound sense of disorientation, and what she later recognised as a traumatic reaction to separation. Her story moves into the heart of boarding school experience...

Many leaders and high performers live as if they are unable to stop. In this episode, Piers Cross explores the long-term psychological effects of boarding school timetabling and how it conditions the nervous system to equate busyness with safety. Children raised in highly structured environments learn to stay constantly active. Stillness becomes uncomfortable — even threatening. As adults this oft...

 What does boarding school shame do to a child’s nervous system — especially when it’s wrapped in privilege, silence, and “you should be grateful”?  In this episode of An Evolving Man, I’m joined by Jessica Boston — trauma-informed transformation coach and creator of The Homecoming Method (a somatic approach integrating subconscious reprogramming, nervous-system safety, and reparenting).  Together...

One year on from my wife, Michelle's death. What are some reflections?  What are 3 things that have really helped me? Here is the interview with her: https://youtu.be/fKs1A_4xw7A Take care, Piers --- Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems.  He also runs online men'...

In this episode of An Evolving Man , I’m joined by Dr. Amy Albright , an expert in human potential who bridges neuroscience, health, business strategy, and spirituality with rare depth and academic rigour. We go deep into a theme that affects so many leaders — especially those shaped by early separation, boarding school, adoption, or childhood trauma: safety . Amy explains why safety is not a moti...

What happens to a child’s nervous system when safety is missing — not for a moment, but for years? In this episode, Piers reflects on safety and boarding school , exploring how chronic fear, hypervigilance, and emotional suppression shape the adult nervous system long after school ends. Drawing from lived experience, trauma psychology, and insights from neuroscientist Dr. Amy Albright, this conver...

In this episode of An Evolving Man , I’m joined by Masati , CEO and founder of Exponential Intelligence Science (XI) . After multiple near-death experiences, Masati devoted his life to understanding human potential beyond conventional performance psychology—exploring coherence, consciousness, and what creates real, measurable change. We begin with Masati’s personal story: a life-threatening accide...

Why do so many ex-boarders struggle with decision-making — especially in senior leadership, relationships, and life? In this reflective solo episode, I explore how boarding school conditioning shapes our ability to think independently, trust intuition, and make decisions without fear of rejection or punishment. Drawing on the work of Nick Duffell , I unpack the three core survival patterns often s...

In this powerful episode of An Evolving Man , Piers Cross speaks with Jon Wedger (also widely known as John Wedger ) — former Metropolitan Police detective and leading UK whistleblower on institutional child sexual abuse and safeguarding failures. Jon shares what he witnessed while working in specialist units, including child protection, and why he believes abuse is too often protected by silence,...

In this short reflection recorded outside the House of Commons, Piers Cross shares a deeply personal moment before screening a documentary on institutional harm and child protection. He explores: The fear of speaking up How trauma can wire us to avoid, hide, or run The shift from threat response to challenge response Why embracing discomfort can improve performance, resilience, and even longevity...

In this episode of An Evolving Man , Piers speaks with Kara Blackmore — a trauma-informed coach specialising in the long-term emotional and nervous system impacts of boarding school experiences , especially for women. Kara shares her personal story: choosing boarding school at age 10, the shock of early separation, and the reality of living in an environment with minimal adult supervision , rigid...

In this episode, Piers explores the concept of moral injury and asks whether boarding school environments can create a deep, values-based psychological wound in children. Moral injury occurs when someone is forced to act against, witness, or remain silent in the face of behaviour that violates their inner moral values. Unlike PTSD, which is fear-based, moral injury is rooted in guilt, shame, loss...

Here is the link to reach out to your MP for the screening in the House of Commons: https://seenheard.org.uk/boarding-on-insanity-parliamentary-screening/ In this New Year reflection episode, I share an update on the upcoming House of Commons screening of Boarding on Insanity and explore a powerful insight that emerged for me over Christmas while watching the Ashes series. Why does England’s crick...

This week I rewatched Home Alone — and realised it can be viewed as a surprisingly powerful study of child development, attachment, and the psychology of separation . Kevin is eight years old — an age that matters deeply in the UK context, because it has historically been an age when many children began boarding school. In this short reflection, I explore key moments in the film through a boarding...

In this reflective episode, Piers Cross explores boarding school, the mother wound, and the lasting impact of early separation from parents — particularly as Christmas approaches. Inspired by a powerful public conversation between Amelia White and her mother, Piers reflects on how boarding school disrupts natural attachment, prevents rupture and repair, and often leaves relationships with parents...

 For the article in the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education-and-careers/2025/12/03/working-at-a-boarding-school-is-like-being-in-a-cult/  And for the letter to write to your MP: https://seenheard.org.uk/boarding-on-insanity-parliamentary-screening/  In this short solo episode, I share an update and a heartfelt thank you. On 19th January 2026 , we’ll be hosting a special screening of o...

In this episode of An Evolving Man Podcast (AEM #146), I speak with Ian Keys , an ex-boarder, youth worker and newly qualified counsellor, about what really happens when neurodiverse children move through a schooling system that doesn’t understand them. Ian started boarding school at 11 and left with no qualifications, convinced he was “thick”. Decades later, after working with excluded teenagers,...

Are boarding schools reaching the end of the road? To contact your MP to get them to attend the House of Commons screening please visit here: https://seenheard.org.uk/boarding-on-insanity-parliamentary-screening/  In today’s episode, I reflect on last week’s conference honouring Dr Joy Schaverien and share surprising insights from conversations with people working inside the current boarding schoo...