The Being Human Podcast with Richard Atherton
Being Human is for people who want go deep on what it means to be a human making a difference.
We’ll discover how to be better humans at work and in life.
We’ll explore leadership, relationships and how to make changes in ourselves and our environments. Nothing will be off limits.
Welcome.
Episodes

Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
▶️ Join a free leadership masterclass: https://www.firsthuman.com/masterclass/▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
My guest this week is Joel Schafer, a personal empowerment mentor & shamanic dreaming arts teacher.
Joel’s work is rooted in Toltec knowledge - source of renowned book ‘The Four Agreements’.
His approach involves waiting for moments of clarity and receiving visions to guide his actions, rather than traditional planning, focusing on personal growth, stress reduction, and accessing higher states of consciousness through shamanic practices and life experiences.
We discuss:
Guidance over goals
Joining the local shaman at 16
Understanding the meaning of Totality
Just imagination or there really other realms?
Movement and energy awareness
Links:Joel’s Website

Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
▶️ Join a free leadership masterclass: https://www.firsthuman.com/masterclass/▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
Executive coach, ju-jitsu champion, and author Josefine Campbell joins us for a second appearance.
She shares insights from her new book ‘12 Tools for Managing a Selfish Leader’ outlining practical strategies for dealing with leaders who exhibit dark personality traits in the workplace.
We discuss:
The prevalence of sociopathy in organisations
Finding resilience to stand-up to bad bosses
Tools for handling selfish leaders when you're an introvert
Is there a role for sociopaths in organisations?
What hope exists for those with dark traits?
Links:Josefine’s Website

Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
▶️ Join a free leadership masterclass: https://www.firsthuman.com/masterclass/▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/
My guest this week is Lisa Strbac, a person with an incredible life story. Lisa's life took an unexpected turn when conventional medicine failed to help her daughter's autoimmune condition. Skeptical but desperate, she explored homeopathy on a nutritionist's recommendation. The immediate, profound reaction her daughter had to a homeopathic remedy left Lisa astounded. This experience ignited a burning curiosity that led her to abandon her 12-year corporate career as an accountant at Deloitte (where I was also once a consultant).
Embracing a radical life change, Lisa dedicated four years to studying homeopathy. Now a practicing homeopath, she passionately advocates for this alternative healing approach.
Lisa's journey from skeptic to believer fuels her mission to spread awareness about homeopathy's potential, drawing on her unique perspective of having crossed over from the conventional world.
We discuss:
How doctors were all once homeopaths
The principle of like curing like
How it works when ‘there’s nothing there’
The bigger context of a societal shift
Towards a pill-free remedy
Links:Lisa’s WebsiteLisa’s Instagram Page

Friday Jan 03, 2025
Friday Jan 03, 2025
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My guest this week is Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr, Professor of Leadership at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, author of multiple books on leadership and former CEO of Baxter International Inc., a $12 billion global healthcare company.
Harry's professional trajectory was marked by rapid ascension and notable achievements in corporate leadership. Rising to the position of CEO earlier than anticipated, Kraemer distinguished himself through a leadership philosophy centered on influence rather than mere authority. His approach emphasizes self-awareness, genuine humility, and the ability to foster productive relationships across all organisational levels.
His academic curriculum stresses the importance of self-reflection, work-life balance, and authentic leadership. His career exemplifies a blend of corporate acumen and social responsibility, positioning him as a respected figure in both business and academic circles.
Included in the episode:
A most unusual initiation to his future wife’s family
Self-reflection as rocket fuel for professional progression
Befriending everyone you meet
Harry’s daily self-reflection ritual
How to encourage even the most resistant to self reflect
Links:Harry’s BooksOne Acre FundDaily and Annual Self-Reflection Questions

Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
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Once a driven tech entrepreneur, Matt Zemon's life took an unexpected turn after a profound psychedelic experience.
Selling his successful businesses, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery, pursuing advanced studies in psychology and neuroscience. His quest led him around the world, learning from shamans and exploring various psychedelics.
Now, Matt dedicates himself to bridging the gap between science and spirituality in the realm of psychedelic medicine. Through his books and social media presence, he shares his insights, aiming to help others find healing and personal growth. From boardrooms to ayahuasca ceremonies, his transformation embodies the potential for radical change and a deeper understanding of the human experience.
We discuss:
A radical transformation from his first trip
Responsible consumption: source, mindset and setting
Increasing acceptance, study and legality
Why they're still banned in most places
A potential resource for leaders?
Links:Matt’s WebsiteThe Veteran's Guide to Psychedelics: A Preparation and Integration Workbook

Monday Dec 09, 2024
Monday Dec 09, 2024
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My guest this week is Josh Bloomfield, a man whose journey began with an unexpected opportunity to develop grant management software straight out of high school, skipping traditional post-secondary education.
His career evolved through various tech projects, including work with under-resourced entrepreneurs and nonprofits. In 2017, inspired by his wife, he recognized the potential to support an entire underserved market of world-changers tackling global challenges.
This led to the creation of Givecloud, a platform designed to empower nonprofits with technology. Throughout his life, Bloomfield has balanced his tech career with a deep commitment to his faith community.
He's also openly discussed his family's history of addiction, which has shaped his perspective and approach to life and work.
We discuss:
Discovering his Dad's secret addiction
His faith's reaction to him seeking therapy
Recognising everyone is one bad choice away from addiction
The power of talking to yourself
Prayer as a state of being
Links:Givecloud - Josh’s Company

Monday Dec 02, 2024
Monday Dec 02, 2024
> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
My guest this week, Jay Jakub, started his professional journey as a strategist for Mars, Inc., where for 14 years, he navigated the corridors of the global headquarters.
As part of the chief economist's team, he worked with Mars’ internal think tank with a groundbreaking idea: the "Economics of Mutuality."
The idea? That by investing in social, natural and human capital, you can increase your returns on financial capital.
It erases the idea that investments outside the four walls of the business need to be traded off against profit. His work proves that it’s possible to achieve win-win-win-win’s.
We discuss:
The four types of capital
Chewing gum for good
Improving DIY sales by getting homeowners to trust handymen
Measuring Natural Capital
How Stakeholder Capitalism can appeal to the Left and the Right
Links:The Economics Of Mutuality AllianceJay’s LinkedIn ProfileCompleting Capitalism - The Book

Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
My guest this week, Dr. Edith Ubuntu Chan's journey into holistic wellness, is a tapestry of ancient wisdom and modern science. By integrating Chinese medicine, acupuncture, biology, and practices like qigong and Tai Chi, she guides individuals towards heart coherence and alignment with their true selves.
Dr. Edith’s work extends into the realms of education and parenthood, where she champions a revolutionary approach to nurturing young minds. Through her minimalist lifestyle, she discovers profound joy and invaluable lessons from her children. Her teachings inspire a mindful, sustainable path to personal and collective well-being.
We discuss:
The moment that had her quit her tech lifestyle
The instant healing that first opened her eyes to alternative approaches
Why diet nor exercise are the highest priorities for health
The practices more potent than yoga
Maintaining throughout the day without coffee
Links:Dr. Edith’s WebsiteSuperWellness - Dr. Edith’s latest book

Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
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From managing a single furniture store to President at Starbucks.
Meet my guest Howard Behar.
His philosophy is not something you will learn at business school, yet the growth of Starbucks during his tenure speaks for itself.
Howard’s approach is to lead with love.
We discuss:
Knowing who you are
The power of affirmation.
When the list of layoffs gets leaked
Breaking Japan
Compassionate emptiness
Links:Howard’s WebsiteIt’s Not About the Coffee - The Book

Monday Nov 11, 2024
Monday Nov 11, 2024
> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
My guest this week, James Rhee, has had an extraordinary path through life.
With a Harvard Law degree, he chose to become a middle school teacher. From there, James switched careers to join one of Boston's most prestigious private equity firms.
His leadership star rose through his transformative leadership at Ashley Stewart, a company on the brink of collapse. During a solitary six-month struggle, he fought tirelessly to avoid liquidation, eventually dedicating seven years to revitalizing the business.
Through his work, James champions a vision where kindness and compassion are integral to leadership, advocating for a life where work is just one sustainable aspect of overall joy.
We discuss:
The moment he learned the meaning of kindness
The real meaning of assets and liabilities
Small 'p' product vs big 'P' product
Kindness, Goodwill, and Math
Applying counterpoint in business
Links:James’ Websitered helicopter - The Book



