Mind the Gap

In this special bonus edition of Mind the Gap , you’ll hear Michael Comyn in conversation with Gerry Kelly on LMFM’s The Late Lunch . Together, they discuss the book that now accompanies the podcast, how it came to life, and the ideas it explores. The book Mind the Gap gathers many of the themes shared here each week, blending philosophy, emotional intelligence, and personal reflection in a way th...

Why do we ease off the accelerator when we spot a Garda car, but never dream of driving home after a few pints? One is the fear of punishment. The other is a shift in values. That contrast is the difference between power and influence. In this episode of Mind the Gap , Michael Comyn explores why power bends behaviour only in the moment, while influence reshapes belief for the long term. From speed...

Episode Summary: Every workplace has its masks. For some, it’s the “work face” we put on each morning to look confident or composed. For others, it’s much deeper — hiding a class background, a sexual orientation, or a neurodiverse identity to feel safe. In this episode, Michael Comyn explores the hidden cost of wearing masks at work. Drawing on the idea of emotional labour from sociologist Arlie H...

Your emotions are real, but they are not you. In this episode, Michael Comyn explores the difference between what we feel and who we are, and how to notice emotions without letting them take over. Drawing on emotional intelligence, psychology, and coaching insights, Michael reflects on the brain’s tendency to react before we think, and how to step back, see the bigger picture, and remember that mo...

Episode Summary: There’s a certain kind of silence that lives in a classical music studio — not the absence of sound, but the presence of feeling. In this episode, Michael reflects on his years as a classical music presenter and the quiet, emotional truths that lie within music. From the grief and beauty of Barber’s Adagio for Strings to the joy of Mozart’s Horn Concerto , the cosmic uplift of Hol...

In this episode of Mind the Gap , Michael Comyn explores the often misunderstood virtue of kindness, not as a soft option but as a core leadership skill. Drawing on emotional intelligence and real-world leadership experience, Michael challenges the notion that kindness is a sign of weakness. Whether it means offering honest feedback with compassion, setting boundaries without hostility, or treatin...

In this pivotal episode of Mind the Gap , host Michael Comyn marks the beginning of Season Two with a thoughtful shift in focus, from the ancient wisdom of the Stoics to the modern science of Emotional Intelligence. Why pivot now? Because life is constantly changing, so should our perspective. Stoicism offered a powerful foundation, emphasising perception, control, and resilience. Emotional Intell...

Known as the teacher of Epictetus, Musonius Rufus was much more than a footnote in Stoic history. In this bonus Stoic Portrait , we meet a voice of quiet rebellion. Exiled more than once by emperors, Musonius insisted that philosophy must be lived, not just spoken. He taught that self-discipline builds strength, that discomfort trains the soul, and that women deserve an equal education in reason a...

He carried water by night and wisdom by day. In this bonus Stoic Portrait , we meet Cleanthes, the second head of the Stoic school and a man who believed action mattered more than eloquence. A former boxer and labourer, Cleanthes lived the Stoic life long before he taught it. His quiet endurance, devotion to learning, and hymn to the rational order of the universe offer a reminder that Stoicism is...

How do you live wisely in a world that rewards ambition but punishes honesty? In this five-minute reflection, Michael Comyn explores the contradictions and clarity of Seneca, the Roman statesman who advised emperors, amassed wealth, and still warned us not to waste a single moment. Through his letters, Seneca teaches not perfection, but progress. Not isolation, but inward retreat. His message is c...

Is Stoicism just a cold refusal to feel? A productivity trend for tech bros? A philosophy of passive acceptance? In this thoughtful and personal episode of Mind the Gap , Michael Comyn tackles the most common criticisms of Stoicism and shares the story of how he first discovered it while helping people overcome their fear of flying. From the turbulence of anxious minds to the quiet clarity of Epic...

Mind the Gap: Stoic Portraits – Season One What does a Roman emperor write to himself when no one else is meant to read it? In this five-minute episode, Michael Comyn reflects on the inner world of Marcus Aurelius—Stoic philosopher, reluctant ruler, and author of Meditations , a private diary that became a timeless guide to clarity, calm, and self-command. As the world around him unravelled, Marcu...

Mind the Gap: Stoic Portraits – Season One What can a man born into slavery teach us about inner freedom? In this five-minute reflection, Michael Comyn explores the life and legacy of Epictetus—the Stoic philosopher who had no control over his body, his birthplace, or his master… but refused to surrender his mind. From radical acceptance to the discipline of emotional clarity, this episode distils...

We live in a world of constant pings, notifications, and endless scrolls. Yet for many, the phone doesn’t ring, the inbox is quiet, and the silence can feel heavy. In this episode of Mind the Gap , Michael explores the difference between contact and connection, weaving in Stoic philosophy, emotional intelligence, and modern psychology to understand why so many feel lonely even while surrounded by...

In this special bonus episode, we share the debut of Echoes from the Margin here on Mind the Gap . We turn down the noise to tune in more deeply, exploring the quiet strength found in humility, restraint, and presence. Drawing from Stoic thought, Indigenous wisdom, and timeless traditions from East and West, we reflect on what it means to lead, to influence, and to live—not through force, but thro...

Have you ever felt chained to your phone, answering every message, every call, every ping—immediately? Michael shares a personal revelation on how the demand for instant replies has become a modern tyranny, shaping our anxiety, our relationships, and even our sense of self-worth. From missed calls that led to €300 fines to the quiet fear of being unreachable when someone needs us, this episode exp...

In this Mind the Gap bonus episode, we share a reflective conversation from our companion series, Echoes from the Margins . Have you ever drafted a message you never sent, or replayed words you never spoke aloud? This episode, Letters Never Sent , explores the unspoken truths we carry: the letters tucked away, the messages deleted, the conversations rehearsed but left unspoken. Through gentle stor...

In this Mind the Gap bonus episode, we step into the reflective space of our companion series Echoes from the Margins to explore Pride—not just as a parade, but as a quiet, daily act of presence and truth. We look at how Pride is celebrated, resisted, and quietly held across the world, from cities where flags wave freely to places where truth can be dangerous. We also pause to honour older LGBTQ+...

In a world full of stress management workshops and resilience toolkits, are we missing the point of what it truly means to endure? In this episode of Mind the Gap , Michael challenges the quick-fix culture that tells us to seek “work-life balance” as the ultimate goal, and instead invites us to discover a deeper, Stoic approach to living with composure and purpose, even when life doesn’t give us e...

Have you ever worked under a boss who micromanages, takes credit for your work, and treats your talents as threats? In this insightful episode of Mind the Gap , Michael Comyn explores the dynamics behind bosses driven by insecurity, envy, and fear. Drawing on timeless Stoic wisdom, modern psychology, and the latest insights from emotional intelligence experts, this episode offers powerful strategi...

In a culture obsessed with legacy, status, and standing out, what happens when we begin to question whether being seen is the same as being fulfilled? In this episode of Mind the Gap , Michael shares the story of a man who stepped away from a high-powered career expecting freedom, only to find himself face-to-face with a deeper fear: the fear of being ordinary. Through this lens, the episode exami...

What do we learn about ourselves when life brings everything to a stop, not by choice, but by circumstance? In this reflective episode of Mind the Gap , Michael explores a deeply human moment: lying on a hospital trolley, waiting for a bed. He speaks to the universal experience of sudden stillness, the kind that exposes our fears, confronts our control, and asks us to find strength in vulnerabilit...

In Praise of the Slow Song: Finding Meaning in Sadness In this reflective episode of Mind the Gap , Michael Comyn explores the quiet, necessary role of sadness in our lives. While the world urges us toward constant positivity and quick fixes, this episode makes a case for slowing down and listening to what sadness might be trying to say. Drawing on Stoic philosophy, emotional intelligence, and mod...

In this special Best Of edition of Mind the Gap , Michael Comyn reflects on the journey through the first 33 episodes — revisiting the ideas, quotes, and stories that stayed with listeners long after the episodes ended. From Stoic wisdom to emotional intelligence, from regret and recovery to noble goals and impostor feelings, this episode is a chance to pause and gather what has truly mattered. Yo...

Description: Have you ever found yourself solving a crisis you didn’t create? Taking on tasks you never agreed to? You’re not alone. In this episode, Michael explores the subtle but powerful difference between being trusted with a responsibility and being taken advantage of under the guise of delegation. With the help of Stoic philosophy, emotional intelligence, and classic leadership thinking (in...