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Schools have been up against it as they manage COVID. Over the past year staff, parents and pupils have been experiencing a bumpy, ever-changing year of disruption. Deputy Head, Russell Pearson knows that wellbeing is right at the heart of his school moving forward. He sees that the Inside-Out understanding will help create a foundation of authentic wellbeing in the school. He sees that connection and compassion have been some of the positive impacts of COVID in his school community. Stuart Newberry from Inner Compass Guide talks to Russell Pearson in this interview. Don't forget to check out our free introduction webinars if you'd like to learn more about becoming a wellbeing listener for your friends, family, clients or colleagues. The information is here You can find out more about Russell and Dynamic Deputies on Facebook Follow Russell on Twitter @enrichlearning

Dr Bryan MceElroy is worth listening to - he's a GP with a different view on mental health and mental illness. HIs curiosity and studies have given him insight into various states of distress such as depression, anxiety and paranoia and how people can find some peace of mind. He isn't wedded to the 'medical model'. Instead he explores a wider range of interventions and is inspired by the results. Wellbeing is something that Bryan is passionate abut. Here's how he describes it: "Wellbeing is your experience living day to day with a sense of presence and light-heartedness and not getting too caught up in negative thoughts/feelings". He regularly sees patients who are struggling with anxiety and worry and rather than immediately prescribe medication he wants patients to explore something deeper and more intuitive. "If you're feeling well in yourself with a spiritual connection with something 'greater' to yourself you'll start looking after yourself." In this conversation we explore:: What is Wellbeing? The Inside Out understanding and how it can support patients The challenges for GPs and the health service Listening as an important missing piece to mentally well society. Find out more about Dr Bryan McElroy and his work by going to his website.  If you're interested in our Wellbeing Listening work - check out our online training and courses here.

What is left without our thinking? What happens when we see beyond the labels and identities we have created through our life? Natasha Swerdloff, works as a consultant in businesses, she is also a writer, speaker and trainer. This is the question she explores with her clients. Rather than looking at what's wrong or broken, she looks to the essence within. It is from this space of connection that healing occurs. As she says: "When I speak to people from this space I see into their soul." I first met Natasha 5 years ago. We were at the London 3P conference and we both ended up with a group of people eating out at a restaurant. We sat next to each other and fell into an easy conversation. At the time Natasha was transitioning away from working as a traditional coach and consultant, she had come across the Three Principles and was starting to engage in a whole new way of working. Catching up with her after all these years was a real pleasure and as we connected on Zoom I fell into, what I can only describe as a 'love bubble'. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Natasha has written a book with Dicken Bettinger "Coming Home" Visit her website here:  Her YouTube channel is here

Sam Jarman and Liz continue their conversation around the three questions: Who am I? What is this reality? What is the purpose of life? It's a good idea to check out the first part of our conversation before listening to this one.  

It seems to me that many people feel lost, insecure and adrift in the world. It seems that many are trying to chase happiness and find fulfilment in the world. It is exhausting. Rather than turning our attention outwards, what if we looked within and what if we explored some of the most profound questions of the ages? My guest is someone who regularly reflects on this question with his clients. Sam Jarman is a golf professional, author and writer. Sam asks three questions when with his clients. The questions are 1. Who am I 2. What is this? 3. What is the purpose of life? Our conversation was so rich and deep I've split this podcast into two parts. We start by exploring the question 'Who am I'? and then in part 2 of the podcast we continue the conversation. If you'd like to learn more about Sam and his work: Twitter @samjarmangolf samjarmangolf.com -  sportsprinciples.com -  Sam mentioned Rupert Spira and Francis Lucille - here are links to their sites. Rupert Spira  Francis Lucille   

What is it like to live without fear? Imagine that. Imagine walking through the world without listening to and answering the whispering fears, shoulds and shouldn't that populate your head. What freedom! Recently Sarah Tyers experienced several months of living without fear and she discovered that life was a playground. For someone with cancer and who at one point feared she might just 12 months to live - living fearlessly seems a contradiction. How can you face death and yet not be scared? Yet Sarah attributes her incredible psychological freedom to her journey with cancer. When she saw through and beyond the stories she was telling herself about the disease she saw something that struck her keenly: "It was pivotal seeing the love in myself and realising I was already a radiant human being." Sarah and I discuss the power of listening for wellbeing. We can listen for wellbeing even if the person in front of us is seriously ill. When we listen out for the resilience in the other person - we are seeing who they truly are. You can find out more about Sarah and her work at Proudstore.co.uk 

How well do you know your friends? When I spoke with my dear friend Ivana Culham I was shocked that I hadn't known about her struggles as a mum. Ivana is always so friendly, kind and supportive. I had no idea that she had a near-break-down and burned out as a mum. Her ideals of a happy family hit rock bottom when she found herself struggling and feeling disconnected with her young daughter. Then when she realised she was about to have twin boys she found she couldn't cope. In this interview we explore how Ivana started to heal when a friend said to her 'Ivana, there is nothing wrong with you' she became curious to learn more... it led her to the Inside-out understanding. Now her whole family has adopted a way of talking about the Inside Out understanding and Ivana sees her family as her Wellbeing Listener project. Want to be a Wellbeing Listener? You can join our free introductions or find out about our other programmes here 

I've just been on a lovely walk that links dementia-awareness, the outdoors, wellbeing and the city of my birth. Today's podcast is a celebration of this. My dad has dementia and over the years he has gradually deteriorated. He no longer remembers who I am and he often gets confused finding his way around his own home. When I take my dad out, he loves to say hello to people, but often gets confused if they strike up a conversation. I'm so grateful to those strangers who realise dad has dementia and continue chatting with him, even if they don't understand what he says. The kindness of strangers is very powerful indeed. When two dear friends of mine in Exeter (both of whom are passionate about raising awareness around dementia) teamed up to create a walking route around the outskirts of Exeter that adds up to the length of a marathon (26.2 miles) I asked if I could meet them. The route is split into shorter sections ranging from 3-7 miles each and each section explores footpaths, lanes and villages that circle the heart of the city. I joined them on a 3 mile route linking Clyst St Mary and Clyst St George. We took our dogs and had a leisurely stroll on a sunny late September day. Here at the Inner Compass Guide we shine a light on wellbeing and Jo Earlam (who's husband has dementia) and Gina Awad (founder of the Exeter Dementia Alliance) both ooze wellbeing - I'm inspired by what they're up to. Exeter Dementia Action Alliance:  Cosy Route (Circle of Somewhere Yours): 

What if you were to see physical discomfort and unwanted symptoms as your friend rather than your enemy? What if these symptoms were actually trying to communicate important information? Physical symptoms can often be wearing and draining. Many of us quickly resort to medication or seeking experts in a bid to rid ourselves of the discomfort. In this conversation with Rachel Singleton, we explore a beautiful, balancing way of 'listening' to your body and learning its language to help return to wellbeing. Rachel Singleton is now a holistic practitioner and mentor, but for years she experienced chronic pain and debilitating fatigue. It took some time before she realised her body was trying to communicate what it needed; it was showing through the medium of symptoms when she was in imbalance and disharmony. In this conversation we explore the importance of listening to your body. rachelsingleton.com

When Sandy Krot suggested that listening might solve the world's problems I sat up and took notice. Really? Solve the world's problems? Sandy is no pushover. She works with high-flying businesses, supported companies in overcoming intractable problems and has co-authored a best-selling book (Invisible Power). When Sandy suggested that something as simple as listening might solve the world's problems, I felt goose-bumps. I've thought this myself, but then tell myself off for being so naive.Surely it'd take more than listening to make a difference on a big scale? But what if she's right? What if listening holds the power to move beyond conflict and differing opinions and what if listening is what is needed to access fresh, new and creative thinking? In this podcast interview we explore how: - The single most important area for leaders to improve is listening - Most people are only listening to the voice in their head and not the other person - We all have the capacity to listen for others. - Listening might solve the problems in the world You can find out more about Sandy and her work here https://insightprinciples.com Want to become a Wellbeing Listener - Discover more with Inner Compass Guide CIC

Dicken Bettinger is a rare person. Whenever I hear him speak I experience a wonderful sense of ease and inner stillness. I often joke that Dicken could read the phone directory and people would listen to him and get something from just being in his presence. So when I got to speak to him on the podcast about the power of listening I jumped at the chance. He was as every bit as gracious, gentle and humble as I had imagined. I could have talked to him all day. Like me, he is passionate about listening and the power of listening as a catalyst to touch the deeper intelligence both within ourselves as the listener but also by enabling the other person to experience innate wisdom. Listening is such a beautiful thing. On the face of it listening appears to be something we need to 'do'. However, when you start to realise that listening is actually our natural state - then it takes the exploration around listening to a different level. In this podcast we explore how: -Listening is not about 'doing' - listening is a state of being -Dropping out of our head and into our heart is a beautiful gateway to connection -Wisdom is waiting to break through the noise of thinking You can find out more about Dickens's work on Youtube.

How do you listen beyond the chatter in your head? Do you need to learn a load of tools and techniques to become a better listener? According to best-selling author Jamie Smart, we don't need to learn something new, instead we need to remember our innate ability to listen and to connect. When you realise that listening is a natural state then listening becomes a catalyst for connection. As Jamie says: "Listening is one of the simplest ways for anyone to find their way into a deeper connection with another human or themselves' Rather than change or fix the story - we can listen and help the other person experience connection. In that space of connection insights naturally arise. Connection is a portal for people to have insights. The route to connection is to listen. Jamie is the author of Clarity and Results Jamiesmart.com

How do you bring Wellbeing to a community? What does it take to create a foundation of people who are able to listen deeply to friends, colleagues and family? Ivybridge in Devon is part of an experiment that's being run by Liz and Stu from the Inner Compass Guide CIC. They are shining a light on the existing wellbeing and then building up the capacity of listening within the town and surrounding parishes. Otto Collins in the guest presenter on the podcast and he's interviewing Liz about her project. In this interview they explore: What happens when you share the message that wellbeing is constant? How do you spread the message of wellbeing in a community? What happens when you allow a project to unfold, rather than adhere to a strict business plan? Thanks to Otto - for this great guest interview. You can find out more about his relationship work at: https://susieandotto.com

Many of us feel the need to fix people who come to us with a problem or issue. It comes from a good place, but people don't need fixing and it's the wrong way to approach things. This week Liz is with Gillian Christison a coach who has a background as a nurse and healthworker.  In recent years she's shifted from trying to fix to supporting others through listening.  Gillian Christison Facebook    

What is the key to listening? It's much simpler than you think. It's got nothing to do with eye contact, or reflecting back what you've heard. Listening has got nothing to do with mirroring someone's actions or nodding in the right place. The true power of listening is in being present. Elizabeth Lovius joins me on this week's podcast as we explore listening. When you realise how simple it really is I guarantee you'll listen to everyone differently.

What the world needs right now is a good listening to. This podcast is one part of a short series that looks specifically at listening. Today I'm speaking former surgeon Dr Giles Croft. We explore how our capacity to listen greatly increases when we understand 'separate realities'. In other words we begin to see how we are all creating our individual interpretation and perception of the world. In this rich conversation we explore: That our experience is dependent on our mood or state of mind at any one time. The best way to listen is to hear someone beyond the weather of their moods It's about being present with nothing on your mind and just listen You can find out more about Giles at his website gilespcroft.com  

Nature is a restorative and healing space of exploration and discovery. Witnessing the cycles of nature as they daily unfold, is one of my deepest joys. That is something that is mirrored by Ian Watson. Ian is a 3P facilitator and homeopath. He believes we all have a yearning to have nature present in our lives: " It's is a requirement for us to participate in the natural world and to not be cut off from it." In this podcast we explore the wisdom and deeper intelligence that is present in the natural world and we explore how this provides a wonderful gateway into exploring our true nature. Ian Watson - theinsightspace.com

Clare Dimond has spent a restless life seek, searching and trying hard to improve herself. She says she never felt quite right and didn't feel that she fitted in. In recent years she came across something that saw an end to this hunt for self-improvement. All the trying has fallen away and she has uncovered something that is universal to human-kind. Clare realises that all of us are actually peaceful, free, alive and fundamentally secure. If this is the case, then why do so many people feel so bad all the time? In this insightful interview Clare shares a clear message of hope.   Clare is the author of several books: 'Free' - 'Sane' - 'Ease' - 'Game' https://claredimond.com

Caroline Brewer has a background in HR and at one time used to be a serial planner and organiser.  She would learn tools, techniques and models to pass on to clients. Now she's happy to turn up and allow conversations to flow without a specific structure in mind. So what happened? In this interview Caroline shares what happened. "Before this understanding (the Inside Out understanding) my ego and self-preservation was top of the agenda" Nowadays... "I love to see peoples minds settle and they are in a different space... (to see) their innate resilience and resourcefulness" Caroline runs retreats and conducts 'conscious conversations' with teachers - she's providing a space for a very different kind of interaction. Designed2Thrive.co.uk

Andrew Bridgewater knows all about depression. He suffered a severe bout of depression and burn out when he was in his mid forties. It left him in a psychiatric hospital for 5 weeks. At the time of his depression he was a qualified psychologist which baffled him. How could someone who had studied the mind and who knew so much about mental illness end up with depression? He’s now fully recovered and supporting others as an author, speaker and stress relief coach. You can find out more about Andrew at his website www.andrewbridgewater.com