Holding the Heavy Stuff with Dr Ben Sedley

Holding the Heavy Stuff with Dr Ben Sedley

Author: People Soup January 28, 2026 Duration: 34:08

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 41 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.

In this episode I continue my chat with Dr. Ben Sedley, a clinical psychologist, author, and speaker.

We delve into his book - 'Holding the Heavy Stuff - Making Space for Critical Thoughts and Painful Emotions.

The conversation covers the book's structure, featuring chapters on presence, compassion, curiosity, purpose, and support, and explores how it aims to serve individuals navigating life's pressures in work, relationships, leisure, and health. Ben discusses the motivation behind writing a relatable guide that is accessible to those who may not typically pick up self-help books. I share my review and highlight the value of Ben's empathetic and jargon-free writing style. We also touch upon practical applications of self-compassion in the workplace and personal life, underscoring the importance of being kind to oneself. The episode emphasizes the broader impact of the book, the collaborative efforts involved in its creation, and the journey of publishing and promoting it.

For those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.


There is a transcript for each episode. There is a caveat - this transcript is largely generated by Artificial Intelligence, I have corrected many errors but I won't have captured them all! You can also find the shownotes by clicking on notes then keep scrolling for all the useful links.

Visit Ross' Website.

Connect with Ross on LinkedIn

People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life

He's now also on Bluesky

The People Soup Website on CAPTIVATE


Ever wonder why we do the things we do, especially at work or when trying to lead others? People Soup digs into that question, but it doesn’t stop at theory. Each episode is built on a foundation of behavioural science, which means you’ll get more than just interesting stories-you’ll get a clearer understanding of the human ingredients that make up our daily interactions. The conversations here feel real and unscripted, often touching on the messy, rewarding, and sometimes frustrating experience of simply being human. You’ll find that this podcast operates at the intersection of our professional ambitions and our personal well-being, exploring how they influence each other in ways we might not immediately see. It’s for anyone who has left a meeting baffled by a colleague’s reaction, struggled to motivate a team, or just wanted to navigate their own goals with a bit more clarity and less friction. The ideas discussed are deliberately practical, designed to be used almost immediately, whether you’re looking to improve a process, a relationship, or your own mindset. Tune in for a blend of thoughtful analysis and actionable insight that aims to make the complex recipe of human behaviour a little easier to understand and work with.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

People Soup
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