Same words, different meaning

Same words, different meaning

Author: People Soup April 23, 2026 Duration: 1:23

A single word can mean different things to different people.

In this Quick Spoon, Ross shares a simple example from a conversation with Jess — where saying “sorry” meant something very different depending on the cultural context.

What felt normal in one place was interpreted completely differently in another.

And this kind of misunderstanding happens more often than we realise.

At work, we tend to assume that our way of communicating is the standard — when in reality, it’s just what we’re used to.

When something feels off — too direct, too soft, or slightly uncomfortable — it’s easy to label it as wrong.

But often, it’s simply different.

What This Episode Explores

  • How the same words can carry different meanings
  • The role of cultural and contextual differences in communication
  • Why we assume our communication style is “normal”
  • How misinterpretation can happen at work
  • A simple shift in perspective

Key Idea

What feels “normal” to us is often just familiar.

Reflection

What might be different — rather than wrong?

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.

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
Podcast Episodes
Holding the Heavy Stuff with Dr Ben Sedley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
Navigating Mental Health with Dr Ben Sedley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:52
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 40 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.In this episode you'll meet Dr. Ben Sedley, a clinical psychologist, author, and speaker, and he shares insights from his ex…
Let it go - with Dr Ben Askew [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:59
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 39 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.It's the second part of our festive special (better late than never!) with Dr Ben Askew we continue our exploration of behav…
Lessons in Change from Frozen - with Dr Ben Askew [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:41
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 38 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.In this episode we welcome the return of Dr Ben Askew to People Soup and this is our two part festive special where we delve…
Navigating Christmas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:48
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 37 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. In this episode I dive into the complexities of navigating Christmas using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Recogni…
Design Masterclass - Impactful Bite-Sized ACT for Well-Being [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:42
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 36 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. Today it's something a bit different. I'm sharing a behind the scenes masterclass on how I designed and delivered the large…
I love you Dad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:35
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 35 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.P-Soupers – It’s another cup a soup this week – one where I share some sad news, reflections and a poem that carries persona…
How we used to work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:13
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 34 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - today it's another cuppa soup - a short episode where I continue to reflect on change. Last week I talked about…
The Challenge of Change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:11
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 33 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - We're back - our Summer break kind of ran away with itself. I've been over to the UK a fair bit over the last f…
Compassionate Leadership with Dr Ryan Kemp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:53
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 32 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - In this episode I continue my chat with Dr Ryan Kemp who is a clinical psychologist, Director of Therapies at a…