An Evolving Man Podcast
An Evolving Man Podcast looks at leadership, peak performance, psychology, healing trauma, boarding school syndrome, spirituality and complexhealing. Every week there will be an interview or a podcast around topics ranging from self-development, leadership, relationships, spirituality, education, and peak performance featuring authors and leaders in these fields.
Episodes
302 episodes
Why Criticism Feels So Painful for Ex-Boarders
In this episode, I explore why criticism can feel so painful for those of us who went to boarding school.For many ex-boarders, criticism does not simply feel like feedback. It can feel like danger. It can activate old patterns of shame, ...
Music Therapy, Boarding School Trauma & Healing Through Connection | Helen Odell-Miller
In Episode 159 of An Evolving Man Podcast, I’m joined by Professor Helen Odell-Miller OBE, one of the UK’s leading pioneers in music therapy.Helen has spent decades working with trauma, attachment, mental health and emoti...
Does Boarding School Create Resilience… or Dissociation?
Many boarding schools claim they build resilience.But what if what they often create is something else entirely?In this episode, I explore the difference between true resilience and dissociation, and why so many ex-b...
Crowds & Power at Boarding School | Why We Joined In (And How to Forgive Ourselves) | Piers Cross
In this episode, I explore the powerful influence of crowds and group behaviour, particularly within boarding school environments.Why do people join in when someone is being shamed or targeted? Why does it happen so quick...
Third Culture Kid, Boarding School Survivor, Humanitarian | Peter Sykes’ Powerful Story | AEM #158
In Episode 158 of An Evolving Man Podcast, I’m joined by Peter Sykes — humanitarian, strategist, writer and author of Somewhere Never Home.Peter has led major humanitarian responses across the world, but in this convers...
The Loss of Identity at Boarding School | Shame, Conformity & Healing
In this short solo episode, I reflect on one of the deepest impacts of boarding school:The loss of identity.What happens when children learn that their name, hobbies, feelings and individuality are not safe?Drawing o...
UK Child Protection: Grooming | Safeguarding Failures | What Schools Aren’t Telling Parents | AEM #157
In episode 157 of An Evolving Man, I speak with Kimberly Isherwood and Joan Ginsberg from Public Child Protection Wales.Together we explore one of the most urgent and difficult issues in modern society: how we genuinely protect children ...
Boarding on Insanity Screening in Glastonbury (18th April) | Trauma, Leadership & Group Healing
To buy tickets for the Glastonbury screening on 18th April 6.30-9pm or to share it: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/goodwillinactiontopreventsuicidecio/2140155 In this short video, I’m sharing some reflections and inviting...
Childhood Trauma, Identity & Emotional Truth | AEM #156 Christopher J Wesley
In Episode 156 of An Evolving Man, I speak with Christopher J. Wesley — artist, speaker, and emotional leadership thinker — about trauma, identity, and emotional truth in a world shaped by pressure, performance, and algorithms.C...
Boarding School Syndrome & The Outer Critic | Pete Walker's Complex PTSD | Inner | Piers Cross
In this episode of An Evolving Man, I explore the concept of the outer critic — a key pattern in trauma, CPTSD, and boarding school syndrome.Drawing on the work of Pete Walker, we look at how unresolved emotional pain can turn o...
Flow State, Burnout, Purpose and the Future of Leadership | AEM #155 Deri Llewellyn-Davies
In this episode of An Evolving Man, I’m joined by Deri Llewellyn-Davies — boardroom strategist, creator of the Ultra States framework, and someone deeply immersed in the worlds of performance, pressure, recovery, and lea...
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Digestion & Stomach Problems | A Common Symptom of Ex-Boarders | Piers Cross
Over the years I have noticed a common ailment among ex-boarders. And that is stomach issues. Why is that? And what can we do now? #digestion #trauma #boardingschoolsyndrome
Andrew, Fergie, Epstein & Boarding School Trauma: A Psychological Perspective
Prince Andrew, Epstein, and boarding school trauma — exploring the psychology behind early experiences and adult behaviour.In this episode, I explore the psychological patterns that may sit beneath well-known public narratives.Loo...
Beautiful Leadership: Integrity, Empathy, Ethics & Leading Under Pressure | AEM #154 Dawn Stallwood | Piers Cross
In this episode of An Evolving Man, I speak with Dawn Stallwood — corporate and commercial lawyer turned leadership counsel, chief integrity officer, entrepreneur, and author of Beautiful Leadership.Dawn brings nearl...
Boarding School In The Press, Film & Media | Elio | Young Sherlock | Eton | St Chris' | Piers Cross
For the leaders' workshop about dealing with pressure: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leadership-under-pressure-how-you-can-manage-pressure-better-tickets-1982772564114?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=disc...
Pressure Reveals Conditioning: Leadership, Stress and Emotional Intelligence
How do leaders behave when pressure rises?In this episode, Piers Cross explores how stress reveals the underlying conditioning that shapes leadership behaviour.Drawing on leadership research and psychology, the conversation looks ...
Beyond the Shell: Leadership, Anxiety and Emotional Ownership | AEM #153 Matt Young | Piers Cross
Piers Cross speaks with leadership coach and former professional footballer Matt Young about identity, emotional intelligence, and sustainable performance.After eight years in elite sport, Matt’s career ended abruptly. Without foo...
The First Night: Boarding School Separation and the Psychology of Attachment
In this episode, Piers Cross explores the psychological impact of a child’s first night at boarding school and why it often becomes a lifelong emotional imprint.Drawing on accounts from Richard Branson, Sebastian Faulks, and Peter Sykes,...
Jane Barclay: Boarding School, the Body, and the Long Road Back to Love | AEM #152
In this episode, Piers Cross is joined by Jane Barclay, a humanistic psychology practitioner, UKCP-accredited, and a member of the BACP.Jane shares her journey into counselling and trauma work — beginnin...
The Train That Never Stops: Boarding School Conditioning, Overwork and Burnout
Many leaders and high performers live as if they are unable to stop.In this episode, Piers Cross explores the long-term psychological effects of boarding school timetabling and how it conditions the nervous system to equate busyness with...
Boarding School Shame: How It Shapes Identity, Safety, and Self-Trust | AEM #151 Jessica Boston
What does boarding school shame do to a child’s nervous system — especially when it’s wrapped in privilege, silence, and “you should be grateful”? In this episode of An Evolving Man, I’m joined by Jessica Boston — trauma-infor...
One Year on From My Wife's Death - 3 Learnings That Have Helped Me | Piers Cross
One year on from my wife, Michelle's death.What are some reflections? What are 3 things that have really helped me?Here is the interview with her: https://youtu.be/fKs1A_4xw7ATake care,Piers
Dr. Amy Albright — Safety, Trauma, and the Neuroscience of Human Potential | AEM #150
In this episode of An Evolving Man, I’m joined by Dr. Amy Albright, an expert in human potential who bridges neuroscience, health, business strategy, and spirituality with rare depth and academic rigour.We go deep ...
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Safety, Boarding School, and the Nervous System: What the Body Remembers
What happens to a child’s nervous system when safety is missing — not for a moment, but for years?In this episode, Piers reflects on safety and boarding school, exploring how chronic fear, hypervigilance, and emotional suppression...
Masati: Near-Death Experiences, Trauma, Coherence & Exponential Intelligence | AEM #149
In this episode of An Evolving Man, I’m joined by Masati, CEO and founder of Exponential Intelligence Science (XI). After multiple near-death experiences, Masati devoted his life to understanding human potential beyond co...
