The Being Human Podcast with Richard Atherton

#342 The Brain Is a Filter — Not a Generator of Consciousness - with Jeff Tarrant

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
 
What if your brain isn’t creating consciousness but filtering it?
 
Could the scientific study of so-called ‘psi’ abilities break the assumptions of materialist science?
 
In this episode of Being Human, I speak with Jeff Tarrant — psychologist, neuroscientist, and author of Becoming Psychic. 
 
Jeff shares his research on psychics, mediums, and channelers, revealing surprising EEG findings that suggest our minds may tap into a broader field of information. 
 
We explore:- Why the brain blocks 99% of reality- The American mum who suddenly started chanting indigenous hymns- How meditation and psychedelics can loosen our filter- What happens when intuition takes the lead- The mysteries of human potential
 
Links:Jeff’s Website

#341 Nature, Consciousness & Treasure Hunting - with Eileen Hall

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
 
What if the greatest treasure isn’t buried in the earth but hidden in your own mind?
In this episode, I speak with Eileen Hall — artist and activist — about her extraordinary life at the crossroads of adventure, grief, and consciousness.
 
Raised in Ecuador amid volcanoes, jungles, and legendary treasure hunts, Eileen turned inward after the sudden death of her father, famed explorer Stan Hall. Her search led her into jungles, caves, and the world of psychedelics, where she discovered that the most valuable journeys are the ones we take inside ourselves.
We explore:- Growing up around treasure hunters and explorers- Lessons from silence and solitude in the jungle- Grief, healing, and psychedelic therapy- Consciousness as the ultimate frontier
Links:Eileen’s Website

#340 Simple Steps to a Stronger, Pain-Free Back - with Anji Gopal

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
 
Back pain is the silent epidemic affecting millions — and it doesn’t have to be. In this week’s episode, osteopath and yoga practitioner Anji Gopal reveals why most of what we believe about back pain is wrong, and how simple changes can transform your spinal health.
 
From banker to healer, Anji’s path into healthcare was unconventional. After more than a decade in corporate finance, she chose to retrain in yoga and osteopathy, eventually joining the NHS. There, she helped design innovative approaches to treating chronic pain that combined medical science with holistic practices.
 
Our conversation ranges from personal health to systemic change, challenging old assumptions and offering practical, hopeful guidance for anyone living with pain or leading others.
 
We talk:
The unspoken back epidemic
The three myths of back pain
What you can do for your spine regardless of limitations
Spinal health in the workplace
Links:BackCare Foundation

#339 Facing the AI Revolution: Placing the Right Bets for Your Business - with Daniel Hulme

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
 
In this fascinating conversation, I sit down with Daniel Hulme, an AI expert, innovator, and thought leader. Daniel has an extensive track record, from founding the AI optimization startup Satalia (acquired by the advertising giant WPP) to exploring groundbreaking ideas in AI consciousness, neuromorphic computing (building computers that work more like human brains), and agent verification (checking that an AI is really who it claims to be).
Together, we discuss the intersection of humanity and technology, diving into the limitations of artificial intelligence, the significance of empathy, and how creativity remains our most vital skill in the age of automation. Daniel offers thought-provoking perspectives on education reform, critical thinking, and project-based learning as the future of personal and professional growth.
We talk:
- Apple’s doubts about AI reasoning ability- The rise of the AI scientist - Use of AI in business - where to invest- Can an AI be conscious?- What to advise your kids
Links:ConsicumMoral.me
If you’re curious about how humans can thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world, this episode provides valuable insights into fostering innovation, adapting to change, and embracing what makes us human.

#338 The Alchemy of Creation - with Steven Young

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
 
In this challenging episode (challenging in a good way), I sit down with Steven Young, author of ‘A Fool’s Wisdom’.
Steven’s path is remarkable. From a PhD in nuclear physics, to having all his assumptions about reality turned upside, it’s been emotional. Atomic theory, accepted cosmology, and the theory of gravity - he now questions it all. 
Steven takes his place amongst a growing cadre of intellectuals rejecting Modernity’s scientific orthodoxies.
But this isn’t just about poking a stick at accepted dogmas. Steven is now embracing a notion of science that integrates a broader understanding of consciousness. A return to the powerful, intuitive alchemical principles on which early science was founded. One that can inspire and empower creatives and leaders alike.
We discuss:
How a nuclear physicist starts questioning the globe theory
Letting go of the atomic theory
Finding alchemy
An alchemical approach to product development
Towards an artistic and societal renaissance
Links:Steven’s SubstackSteven’s Website
 
Don’t miss this fascinating conversation—it might change how you view creativity forever.

#337 Are You Still The Future? - with Piers Fallowfield-Cooper

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
 
My guest in this episode, Piers Fallowfield-Cooper, was an unlikely city slicker. With keen interest in literature and a qualification in hotel management and hospitality, he got into commodities trading by chance. Once there, he found that he had a considerable knack for it.
From trading, he pivoted to a distinguished career in business leadership. 
We talk:
Foundations of high performance
Nearly dying as a child
Authentic leadership: skirmishes vs battles
Why not to set goals
Adaptability and adoptability
Links:Piers’ Website
Whether you’re a leader in your field or someone seeking profound insights into personal and professional growth, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humor, and practical takeaways.
 

#336 The Gratitude Tiger - with Joel Zuckerman

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
 
In this highly energising episode, I sit down with Joel Zuckerman, author of the new book Gratitude Tiger and a passionate advocate for the power of gratitude.
 
I’ve been a some-time gratitude journaller for a while and I’ve known about the power of gratitude for a long time.
 
Joel has taken this to another level, having written over 280 gratitude letters in a process that started as a one-off and has become the defining theme of his professional life. 
 
Joel reveals how building a gratitude writing habit doesn’t need you to have great skill, but can be as simple as a few heartfelt sentences. He introduces the philosophy behind his acronym "TIGER" (Tapping Into Gratitude Engenders Rewards) and offers actionable advice for cultivating meaningful connections both personally and professionally.
 
We talk:
The transformative power of simple acts of gratitude
The "Seven paragraphs, seven sentences, seven words" philosophy explained
Practical tips for expressing gratitude in the workplace
Joel's journey from golf writing to gratitude advocacy
The emotional impact of handwritten notes and letters
Links:Joel’s Website
 
Enjoy!

#335 Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don't - with Jeffrey Pfeffer

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
 
This week’s episode is perhaps one of the most uncomfortable I’ve yet recorded. A conversation with Jeffrey Pfeffer, the renowned author of "Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don't" and “Leadership BS: Fixing Workplaces and Careers One Truth at a Time”,  and professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, we dive deep into the principles of power, influence, and career acceleration. 
Jeffrey offers his view on the raw truth about what it takes to stand out, thrive, and succeed in a world shaped by competition and perception. From strategies to gain influence to the controversial role of self-promotion, this conversation is packed with insights that challenge conventional wisdom about leadership and integrity.
Learn why keeping your head down might be holding you back, how deliberate practice can transform your career, and why following Jeffrey’s proven methods have made many of his students wildly successful. 
As Jeffrey takes a torch to leadership development orthodoxy, we cover:
How many leadership authors espoused values don’t match the reality of their behaviour
To change the world, we must first have power
Leadership training fails—because it ignores power and influence dynamics.
Authenticity at work? Not so much if you want to be a leader, says Pfeffer.
Pfeffer’s 7 rules of power—practical, provocative, uncomfortably effective.
Links:
Jeffrey’s WebsiteJeffrey’s Books
 
Whether you're a budding leader or seasoned professional, this episode will inspire and empower you to take charge of your path. Don't miss out on this transformative discussion—subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations about what it means to be human.

#334 Discovering the Nature of Longevity - with Douglas Mulhall

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
 
This week, I sit down with Douglas Mulhall, author of the bestselling book Discovering the Nature of Longevity: Restoring the Heart and Body by Targeting Hidden Stress. Douglas has spent over 30 years creating products that are not only good for people but also the environment, with significant contributions in collaboration with European governments.
We take a deep look at elastin, a major area of interest for Douglas. It’s a vital protein key to your body’s resilience.
Elastin is in more than 30 organs. It’s in your arteries. It’s essential for everything in your body to expand and contract. 
We talk:
Elastin defined
The tragedy that spurred his quest
The story of calcification
How to reverse the hardening of our bodies
Hope for a heart disease breakthrough
Links:Discovering the Nature of Longevity - The BookDouglas’ Website
 
If you’re curious about unlocking your body’s potential, this episode is an absolute must-watch! Don't miss out—subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations about what it means to be human.

#333 The Last 8% - with Bill Benjamin

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
 
This week, I sit down with Bill Benjamin, co-owner of The Last 8%, to explore the concept of tackling life’s most challenging moments—the “last 8%.” According to Bill, we excel in 92% of situations, but it’s the difficult, high-stakes moments—when tension, conflict, or pressure arise—that define us.
Bill shares how leaving a successful career in software to pursue his passion for emotional intelligence transformed his life. He dives into practical strategies for managing emotions, navigating tough conversations, and building thriving teams.
Whether you’re seeking personal growth or leading others, this episode offers powerful tools for managing challenges and making an impact.
We talk:
How to prep for difficult conversations
What empathy really means
How to deal with triggers in the moment
Dialling up and dialling down assertion
How to build a care *and* courage culture
Links:The Institute for Health and Human Potential
Subscribe for more transformative conversations!