Growing the Good - The Mindful Podcast

A fascinating, if little known, book from the late 1930s that in many ways anticipated Quantum Theory and ideas of a Hologram Universe, time and how we all experience it differently, and with some chillingly prescient observations about the nature of the universe.

Neil and Hayley don camouflage face paint for a deep dive into the Jason Fox best seller, 'Embrace the Chaos'. Mindfulness doesn't get tougher than this!

Do you want to live life to the fullest? Be part of the top 5% of people who feel they have achieved al their goals in work, relationships, wealth and life in general? Well, maybe you should try getting out of bed a bit earlier! Neil and Hayley explore the top tips from Hal Elrod on how to make those first few minutes count each day.

Better known in Wigan as helper of hedgehogs and heritage buff, Lesley Price introduced Neil to the spiritual wisdom and powerful poetic language of Kahlil Gibran and she joins him in this episode to explore the mindful qualities of his great work, The Prophet.

Author, agent and psychologist, Albert Bramante, joins Neil and Hayley to discuss successful strategies for raising self esteem and overcoming fears of both success and failure.

Inspired by Ali Campbell’s NLP Made Easy we explore the methods and techniques that can reprogramme the brain to attain success and happiness.

In this episode, we don our anorak and geek goggles for a deep dive into Wim Wenders' Zen movie, Perfect Days to explore the mindful aspects of cleaning toilets in Tokyo!

Inspired by The Shamanic Journey by Paul Francis, we explore the many interesting parallels between Mindfulness and Shamanism.

In this episode we get to speak with Charlotte McCartney, founder of Wigan based Mindful Events. She speaks honestly about her own sufferings that led her to mindfulness and demonstrates her authentic compassion for what she calls her ‘mindful family’ as she pursues her mission ‘to help people ease their minds and to love themselves more.’

Thrive are a Wigan based CIC supporting adults with additional needs in a variety of ways but in addition to the practical support they also offer a safe space, friendship and compassion to some of the most vulnerable in our community. 

Inspired by the handy, fun and fascinating guide by Garcia and Miralles, Neil and Hayley explore the art of making the most of every moment.

It’s the happiest ever episode of Growing the Good the Mindful Podcast! Let your happiness ooze with this hilarious and inspirational fable!

In this episode we explore the concept of wabi sabi, an emotional state one experiences when one witnesses beauty and the passing of time, the patina of a beautifully aged piece of wood or the moss growing on the walls of an abandoned cottage. We recognise this beauty in nature, but as we grow older, can we be this kind about ourselves as we change, and our flaws become more apparent?

Neil explores this step-by-step guide towards achieving your heart’s desire. Does it work? There’s only one way to find out!

Hayley explores the classic theories of Rhonda Byrne and elicits the thoughts of the Mindful Audience.

Neil and Hayley explore the mindful and prescient work of the Czeck writers and artists Josef and Karel Čapek who gave us the word robot in 1923, were opposed to Communism, and suffered persecution by the Nazis in the late 1930s.

Neil spends an enjoyable and quite moving afternoon with Al Hart and Ian Unsworth of Music in Mind at Wigan’s MIM Dementia Café.

Music in Mind organise a unique accessible music festival for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities that ensures everyone can access the music festival scene, have fun, make new friends and enjoy all the physical and mental health benefits that music can bring.

Espinosa was just 14 when cancer caused him to lose a leg and a lung. After 10 years of treatment, his cancer was cured, but he was left with 24 ‘discoveries’ by which he would lead the rest of his life. We discuss some of those discoveries here and find out what it means to be a ‘Yellow’. 

Neil and Hayley explore a week's worth of relaxation tips and techniques from Pat and Colin Dyke's 90s pocket guide, why don't you try making your own relaxation tape?

Series 4 Episode 8 – The Comedy Stylings of Sigmund Freud. In 1905 Freud published ‘Jokes and their Relation to the Unconscious Mind’. Join Neil and Hayley as they discuss the very serious matter of why we find things funny. Content Warning – Neil does tell jokes in this episode!

For 4 weeks, young players from a local soccer club took part in One Together’s pilot mindfulness programme – Playing Attention. In this episode we listen to coaches, parents and the young players themselves as they talk about the benefits of taking part.

This week we discuss the book, Secrets About Life Every Woman Should Know: Ten principles for spiritual and emotional fulfilment by Barbara De Angelis and consider how its teaching relates to mindful practice.

At times bitter and resentful, at others, filled with hope and joy, but always life affirming. Like in all of us, powerful emotions sweep across the ever-changing emotional landscape of L E Bowman’s heartfelt poetry. Let the power of her work sweep you up and take you on a remarkable journey that may lead to discovering more about your own self and your place in a sometimes hostile, sometimes beau...

A calm sea and a prosperous voyage! The wish springs to the lips when a ship’s company sets sail. But, as Gertrude N M Ramsay explains in her book, The Road Home, published in 1930, life is never plain sailing. Challenges will present themselves in all our lives, how will we meet them? How prepared are we to navigate our own rough seas?