The Power of Listening at Work with Miranda Birch

The Power of Listening at Work with Miranda Birch

Author: People Soup March 11, 2026 Duration: 41:10

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 47 of People Soup.

Listening is one of the most powerful communication skills at work — yet it’s often the one we practice least.

What happens when someone really listens to you at work?

In this episode of People Soup, Ross McIntosh talks with Miranda Birch — former BBC journalist and founder of The Richest Conversations — about the power of listening and why better conversations can transform how we work together.

Drawing on her career in broadcasting and interviewing, Miranda shares what journalism can teach us about communication at work, leadership conversations, and creating the space where people feel heard and understood.

Ross and Miranda explore:

  1. Why deep listening is becoming a rare skill at work
  2. How great interviewers build trust and rapport quickly
  3. What leaders can learn from broadcast journalism techniques
  4. The connection between conversations, confidence, and wellbeing
  5. How simple moments of connection — even saying hello — can have a powerful impact.

You’ll also hear Miranda’s reflections on growing up surrounded by radio, her journey into the BBC, and how curiosity and listening shaped her approach to storytelling.

If you’re interested in better communication at work, leadership skills, coaching conversations, or workplace wellbeing, this episode is packed with insights you can use straight away.

So get a brew on, settle in, and enjoy part one of Ross’s conversation with Miranda Birch.

About People Soup

People Soup is a podcast that mixes stories, science and a sprinkle of daftness to explore what helps people thrive at work and beyond. Drawing on behavioural science — especially Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — Ross shares practical ideas to help you build a better work life.


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
Navigating Legal Ethics and Well-Being with Lucinda Soon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:57
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 21 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - In this episode I continue my chat with Lucinda Soon. Lucinda is a qualified solicitor and expert in profession…
The Road Less Paved with Lucinda Soon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:22
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 20 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. In this episode of People Soup, you'll meet Lucinda Soon. Lucinda is a qualified solicitor and expert in professional ethic…
Rethinking Leadership Development with Jessica Lee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:38
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 19 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - In this episode I continue my chat with Jessica Lee. Jess is a chartered organizational psychologist and accred…
Energy, Passion and Fun with Jessica Lee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:22
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 18 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - In this episode I chat with Jessica Lee. Jess is a chartered organizational psychologist and accredited EMCC co…
Coaching Through Burnout with Hazel Anderson-Turner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:14
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 17 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - In this episode I continue my conversation with Hazel Anderson-Tuner. Hazel is a business psychologist and mind…
Bringing lightness to heavy topics with Hazel Anderson Turner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:00
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 16 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - this week I chat with Hazel Anderson-Turner. Hazel is a business psychologist and mindset coach specialising in…
Navigating Self-Doubt with Sam Hart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:36
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 15 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - In this episode I continue my conversation with Sam Hart. Sam is many things - he's a podcast host, primary sch…
Flexibility, humility & personal growth with Sam Hart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:51
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 14 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. P-Soupers - it's great to be back with a continuation of Season 6 after what turned into an extended festive break - blimey…
Flexible self concept with Dr Richard MacKinnon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 13 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. In this episode I conclude my collaboration with Dr Richard MacKinnon that started in Season 5. We're continuing our explor…
The Mindful Freak-Out with Dr Eric Goodman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:26
Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 12 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here. In this episode I continue my chat with Dr Eric Goodman and we dive into his new book, 'The Mindful Freak-Out - A rescue ma…