An Evolving Man Podcast

In this powerful episode of The Evolving Man Podcast, I speak with Professor Dr. Paul Miller — consultant psychiatrist, EMDR trainer, and pioneer in the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy for trauma. We explore Dr. Miller's remarkable journey through psychiatry, from the early days of surgical training to becoming a leading voice in trauma-informed care. He shares eye-opening insights into h...

A few weeks ago I was talking to a friend about his CEO.  He mentioned that the CEO tried to micromanage everything.  And that he couldn't stop. And that he was reaching burnout.  He mentioned that he was South African.  So I asked, "Did he go to boarding school?"  He replied, "Yes, I am pretty sure he did."  So I mentioned boarding school syndrome and that micromanaging e...

Last week I took a holiday and had time off work.  I recorded this reflection about how stress is not usually the problem and is often a good thing.  That is as long as we rest.  When we rest daily.  We stop.  We turn off our phones and push notifications.  We grow.  Some reflections today about the equation Stress + Rest = Growth.  Take care, Piers  #stressmanagement #rest #growth #burnout #leade...

Roy Biancalana is a nationally recognized relationship coach, bestselling author, and host of The Attracting Lasting Love Podcast. With over 15 years of experience, Roy helps singles identify and overcome the internal barriers that keep them from finding fulfilling, lasting relationships. His journey into coaching began from personal hardship – navigating heartbreak, divorce, and unsuccessful rebo...

Some reflections on my 50th birthday. Feeling some sadness and grief. And appreciation for all the support I have had over the years. Thank you, Piers x --- 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-boarders, retreats and a podcast...

Chris Braitch is a father of 3 first and foremost. He is also a 1-2-1 and organisational coach, speaker, and founding director of the not for profit Seen & Heard. Seen & Heard supports the emotional well being of ex-pupils of boarding and independent day schools, and their families.  Chris has found his calling supporting others on their journey to healing and joy, utilising his diverse li...

True Leadership Is About Empowerment, Not Control  In the kind of leadership I believe in—and teach—power isn’t something to hold onto.  It’s something to share.  The most emotionally intelligent leaders I know aren’t focused on creating followers.  They’re committed to growing more leaders.  As John C Maxwell writes in The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership he personally learned to change his lead...

Sifu Boggie (a.k.a Paul Brighton) is a Daoist guide, mentor, and self-healing practitioner with over 40 years of experience in Daoism and Qigong. Trained by renowned Daoist masters, he specializes in Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Shun Dao philosophy, and other healing modalities. He is also a Barefoot Doctor, Daoist Shaman, and teacher of Eastern Reiki, Chinese Reiki, Reflexology, TuiNa, Tit-Tar (back correct...

The new 3 part documentary "Coming Home" will be available to stream on https://www.boardingoninsanity.com/ from Saturday 5th July.  Today I talk about what is in the film and why listening to other people's stories is so important for our journey of healing.  I also talk about Seen and Heard's new fundraiser, The Long Journey Home. To support or to become a participant you can...

Mpumelelo Mpofu is a pioneering thinker, practitioner, and systems architect whose groundbreaking work spans personal transformation, family dynamics, organisational wellbeing, and societal change. With over two decades of direct experience working with children, families, and trauma recovery, his revolutionary concept of Compassion Economics reframes compassion as a finite, measurable, and renewa...

 I watched The Imitation Game last night with Benedict Cumberpatch.  There were several references to his boarding school, Sherbourne in it.  Today I offer some thoughts.  Did Alan Turing have boarding school syndrome and what were his boarding school experiences like?  Take care, Piers  #enigma #alanturing #theimitationgame #benedictcumberbatch #boardingschool  --- Piers is an author and a men&ap...

 4 Months After The Death of My Wife... | Piers Cross  Today I share some reflections four months after the death of my wife.  What has it been like?  What have I learned?  For the video: 9 Ways I Dealt With Grief: https://youtu.be/tKgGG9i1FbI  For the original video where I share the news about my wife: https://youtu.be/fYSs8JOeYgg  To buy tickets for the Boarding on Insanity screening in West Yo...

A few days ago, a colleague recommended I connect with Chris Barez-Brown. I listened to one of his talks on resilience — and a lightbulb went on. For the past 10 years, I’ve worked closely with leaders — many of whom attended boarding school. Over time, I’ve noticed a consistent pattern: Dissociation. Rather than feeling what’s happening in the body, many retreat into their heads. Emotions are shu...

I spent this morning in conversation with Dr Suzanne Zeedyk of Connected Baby and producer, Simon Hinkly.  We were talking about the new screenings of #boardingoninsanity.  On 27th June in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire from 6pm the film will be shown along with a Q&A with director Ben Cole and producer, Piers Cross.  And then on 28th June in Edinburgh at the Cameo Picture House at 2.30pm - 4....

Marc Azoulay is the founder of Men’s Therapy Online, a community and healing hub for men who want to get back on their feet or take their lives to the next level. With the help of his team of licensed clinicians he provides ongoing men’s groups, individual counselling, and powerful wilderness retreats to his members. He has a background in psychoanalysis, neuroscience, and Buddhism. Key topics Mar...

 This Friday I am going back to my old boarding school for a day to remember the survivors of child sexual abuse at the school.  Today I wanted to share some thoughts. What am I feeling? What will be happening? Last Friday I went to Joy Schaverien's funeral in London. I share some of my experiences.  And finally we have two screenings and Q&A's for the documentary, Boarding On Insani...

 PLEASE NOTE: We talk about sexual abuse in this episode which some viewers may find triggering.  Mark Staufer is an experienced ghostwriter and copywriter with a passion for helping clients tell their stories authentically and powerfully. He specializes in preserving personal legacies, organizing complex life stories and crafting engaging narratives. He is also the writer of The Lost Boys of Dilw...

 #eq #emotionalintelligence #leadershipskills #leadershipdevelopment #vision  Today I talk about 5 reasons why emotional intelligence is important in leadership.  I talk about how you need to have emotional information in order to make good decsions.  That in order to connect to your vision and that of the company then you have to be connected to your emotions.  And that according to leadership ex...

Is the experience of being in a hospital like boarding school? Retired medical doctor, Dr Robin Youngson , talks about the similarities between hospitals and boarding school. These include: ➡️ Bullying ➡️ Stripped of your clothes and identity and given a uniform ➡️ Given dreadful food at fixed times ➡️ Arbitary rules and regulations ➡️ Loss of all privacy ➡️ Sleep in shared dormitories ➡️ Shared t...

 Some sad news... one of the leading voices in the Boarding School Syndrome world, Prof Joy Schaverien, died last week.  She was such a caring, compassionate and wise woman.  I found her to be so supportive of the work I and many others did including the documentary, Boarding On Insanity, my book and podcast.  Today I talk about some of her teachings, and some of our meetings and interviews.  Than...

 Last week in the local UK elections the Conservatives did really poorly losing hundreds of seats.  In the words of former Tory minister, Rory Stewart, is the Tory party collapsing?  Today I wanted to discuss this and see what links we could draw to boarding school.  With such high numbers of the Tory party being educated in Public Schools could their education be impacting their leadership?  Take...

David Farrell was born in Africa. His writing reflects his life experiences on three continents in his favourite genres of literary fiction, coming of age sagas, and non-fiction. Having led for over half a century, he now possesses a deep fascination for human behaviours. He lives in New Zealand, with his lifelong partner where he is writing his third and fourth novels. I would love to hear some o...

I was listening to Daniel Goleman, the author of #emotionalintelligence yesterday.  In the video: https://youtu.be/-qmLoJ7-A80?si=YuawRPJC0iqlnwli he shares that IQ/ cognitive abilities might well be replaced by AI.  But EQ or emotional intelligence is a human skill and cannot be replaced.  Emotional intelligence will be the skill of the future.  But as boarding schools only seem to teach IQ and h...

#tck #thirdculturekids #girlsboardingschool #boardingschoolsyndrome What is a third culture kid (TCK) I would love for you to share what drew you both to create this book about women's experiences boarding school and being Third Culture Kids? Could you please speak to how many of the women missed their adopted homelands and how much this negatively impacted their impressions of the UK? Could...

Today I draw upon the works of James O'Brien and David Cameron to explore how when David set out on his political journey he wanted to support families.  Why then did he do the opposite and make huge welfare cuts and bring in the austerity measures.  I look at the psychology of why this might be and draw upon Dr Gabor Mate and Nick Duffell to explore this.  For the documentary Boarding on Ins...