An Evolving Man Podcast

In this episode, I share reflections on the upcoming event The Silent Damage of Boarding School — a special day honouring the life and work of Dr Joy Schaverien , whose research into Boarding School Syndrome has transformed the field of trauma and psychotherapy. I walk through what the event includes, who will be speaking, and why Joy’s contributions continue to be so influential across psychology...

For the link to Nicky Moxey and Dr Linda Devereux's book Worlds Away From Home:  https://amzn.eu/d/9sE6I0j Fear is one of the most overlooked experiences in boarding school life.  In this episode, Piers reflects on his own memories of fear and explores why so many ex-boarders still carry hypervigilance and survival patterns into adulthood.  Drawing on research from Suzanne Zeedyk, Nick Duffel...

In this transformative conversation, Piers Cross speaks with Corey Corpodian — author, orthodontist, and host of the Unleash Success Podcast — about how to master your emotions, build resilience, and lead with authenticity. After achieving every external marker of success, Corey found himself deeply unfulfilled. A life-changing health scare set him on a new path toward emotional fitness — a discip...

What do AI, neuroscience, and boarding schools have in common? In this reflective solo episode, Piers Cross explores how artificial intelligence mirrors the left-brain dominance of elite education — and why the real revolution ahead is emotional, not technological. Drawing on thinkers like Arthur Brooks, Daniel Goleman, and Nick Duffell , Piers unpacks why empathy, adaptability, and emotional inte...

 Some reflections about last Saturday's Boarding School Concern conference. What an amazing, heart-felt day.  I felt very blessed to be there.  A big thank you to all the organisers and volunteers and all the participants for attending.  It was lovely to meet so many of you.  I talk a little about dissociation which is what happened during my talk.  To learn more about the BS Concern's w...

In this episode of An Evolving Man Podcast , I speak with Sarah Jane Perrett , an intuitive happiness coach and energy practitioner who helps people release emotional baggage, reconnect with their intuition, and rediscover joy. Sarah shares her extraordinary journey from post-natal depression and breakdown to a profound spiritual awakening in 2013 — and how this experience led her to the transform...

The Boarding School Survivors Conference 2025 (formerly Boarding School Concern) takes place on 1st November in London (Euston) . I’ll be speaking and showing our documentary Boarding on Insanity with a live Q&A. Speakers include Dr Suzanne Zeedyk , Dr Linda Devereux , Nicky Moxey , and Nick Duffell , among others. It’s an extraordinary event for anyone exploring the long-term impacts of early...

In this episode, I reflect on letter writing at boarding school — and what those censored, monitored, or ignored letters reveal about the emotional isolation many children experienced. Drawing on the writings of Nick Duffell , Jeremy Paxman , and Karen Wilson , as well as my own childhood letters from the 1980s, I explore how boarding schools conditioned children to hide their real feelings . This...

In episode #143 of An Evolving Man , I’m joined by Karen Wilson , author of Atrocious Behavior . Karen was sent to boarding school at just seven years old and expelled by ten. Her memoir captures the harsh reality of punishment, isolation, and shame — and her later discovery of healing through theatre, teaching, and reflection. We explore how trauma lives on in the body, how neglect shapes the ner...

What happens when a generation of children are raised to fear softness, sensitivity, and touch? In this solo reflection, I look at the unspoken culture of homophobia and repression in boarding schools — where words like “you’re gay” became weapons of humiliation. Drawing from Boarding School Syndrome by Joy Schaverien, Trauma, Abandonment & Privilege by Nick Duffell, and reflections from Steph...

What happens when the patterns of boarding school shape the boardroom? In this episode, I speak with Collette Easton — former CEO, executive coach, and author of Manager . Collette shares her journey from boarding school and the RAF, to building digital businesses, and now helping leaders overcome toxic patterns that hold them back. We discuss: The impact of boarding school on leadership styles Wh...

Do boarding schools create fixed mindset thinkers or growth mindset leaders? In this episode, I explore Carol Dweck’s research on Mindset and connect it with my experiences — and those of many clients — who came through the boarding school system. We unpack the core differences between fixed and growth mindsets, look at how school culture fosters one or the other, and explore practical ways to shi...

In episode 141 of An Evolving Man Podcast , I’m joined by Anthony Abbagnano , founder of Alchemy of Breath . Anthony shares his deeply personal story of childhood trauma, boarding school experiences, and how an encounter with breathwork as a child shaped the course of his life. Today, he’s one of the world’s leading voices in conscious breathwork, with facilitators trained in more than 70 countrie...

In this episode of An Evolving Man Podcast , I share reflections on the power of breathwork and how it helps us heal from trauma. Drawing on insights from my recent interview with Anthony Abbagnano (founder of Alchemy of Breath ), as well as the work of Bessel van der Kolk and Emma Seppälä, I explore: Why trauma often causes us to hold or restrict the breath How different breathing patterns affect...

In this episode, I sit down with Kalyani Pardeshi , award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and anti-bullying advocate. Kalyani draws from her own boarding school experiences and her years of work with children, adults, and organisations to explain why traditional anti-bullying strategies often fail — and how the unconscious brain holds the key to real change. We explore the painful reality of bullyin...

 For the interview with Kalyani Pardeshi: https://youtu.be/iBXcs5i4zyg  For the interview with Nicky Moxey and Dr Linda Devereux:  https://youtu.be/oJNHoex41-Q For the interview with Sara Warner and Karen Macmillan: https://youtu.be/VXAHJucCGsY  For the interview with Amelia White:  https://youtu.be/08WbNwen_SA  For the interview with Joanna Brittan: https://youtu.be/MJknonuf4Sw  For Karen Wilson&...

In this episode of An Evolving Man , I speak with Françoise Elvin , counsellor, mentor, facilitator, and author of Uneldered . We discuss: Secure vs insecure attachment — and how it shapes our adult lives Trauma as “undigested experience” and the importance of integration Why elders and initiatory practices are vital for healthy societies The balance of masculine (yang) and feminine (yin) initiati...

In this solo episode, I explore one of the deepest wounds many ex-boarders carry: “I’m not good enough.” We look at: Why this belief develops in boarding school environments The double bind that places blame inward on the child How it manifests later in life as burnout, addiction, or perfectionism The role of attachment in buffering or amplifying trauma Practical ways to reframe self-talk, celebra...

In this episode, I sit down with Paul Sunderland , an internationally respected addiction specialist and trainer. With decades of clinical experience on both sides of the Atlantic, Paul has become a leading voice on the often-hidden connection between complex PTSD, adoption, boarding school trauma, and addiction . We explore: Paul’s personal story of addiction and recovery. Why early separation wo...

I spoke with addiction specialist Paul Sunderland on Monday: https://youtu.be/a7tBz4adgGo  In the conversation he spoke about addictions and why early boarders and adoptees are over represented in addiction treatment and recovery.  He calls these traumas "disguised" in the way that they are seen as lucky.  I also talk about how Paul refers to the equation: Stress - Without Attachment = T...

Should Prince George follow his father to Eton College — or his mother to Marlborough College? Or should he avoid boarding altogether? In this episode, I explore the debate currently surrounding Prince William and Kate Middleton’s choice of school for their son, who has just turned 12. Drawing on stories from both Eton and Marlborough, as well as insights from neuroscience and decades of research...

What role can plant medicines play in deep trauma healing? In this episode of An Evolving Man Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Richard Grossman — acupuncturist, healer, and long-time student of Amazonian plant medicine traditions. We explore his decades of work at the intersection of Eastern medicine, shamanic healing, and trauma recovery. Dr. Grossman shares his experiences studying with indigenous t...

In this episode, I reflect on the changing face of leadership. For generations, leaders operated in a command-and-control style—authoritarian, hierarchical, and often ruthless. But today, we’re seeing a shift toward emotionally and spiritually intelligent leadership, grounded in compassion, care, and trust. I draw on insights from books and leaders including Admiral Mike Manazir, Simon Sinek, Rich...

In this deeply moving and vital episode of The Evolving Man Podcast, I sit down with Neil Harding — survivor, advocate, and whistleblower — to speak honestly and bravely about the widespread child sexual abuse that took place at Dilworth School in New Zealand. Neil was a full-time boarder from the age of 9. For decades, he held onto the trauma he experienced there, until the day came when he could...

What happens when your parents — not you — went to boarding school? How might their experiences shape your childhood, and the adult you become? In this reflective episode, I explore the hidden ways parental boarding school experiences can ripple through generations. Drawing on personal stories, research, and dozens of podcast interviews, I share how traits like emotional distance, overwork, and re...