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Episode 74

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Published on:

26th Oct 2026

Quick Spoon: Don't assume they're fine because they're delivering

What happens when someone is struggling on the inside but still managing to show up and do their job?

In this People Soup Quick Spoon, Chris Rodgers-Wilson reflects on a period of profound grief when, despite feeling broken inside, he continued to perform as a professional ballet dancer.

What helped him through wasn't simply his own preparation and experience. It was also the trust, connection and shared energy of the people around him.

Chris's experience got me thinking about something important in working life. We can assume that if someone is delivering, they're doing fine. We can also feel that when we're struggling ourselves, we need to hide it and keep performing.

But being capable doesn't mean being invulnerable.

Here's something to try:

Think of someone at work who might be having a difficult time. Rather than assuming they're fine because they're still delivering, make a little space to check in.

You don't have to fix things. Sometimes being seen, heard and trusted is a good place to start.

That's your Quick Spoon. Until next time, take care.

People Soup: Real conversations about work, leadership, and being human — grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider following People Soup, leaving a rating or review, or sharing it with someone who might find it useful.

Every recommendation helps more people discover practical, evidence-based conversations about work, leadership and being human.

In collaboration with Contextual Consulting I'm running an ACT in the Workplace: Train the Trainer Programme in February 2027. If you're interested in bringing practical evidence-based behavioral science to organizations, this course will equip you to work with groups, understand the stance of the ACT facilitator, and help make a difference to wellbeing in the workplace - then please check out all the details here. The early bird prices run until 5 November and if you use the code WORK20 - you'll receive an extra 20% discount.

Here's the People Soup Website.

And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.

Visit Ross' Website.

Connect with Ross on LinkedIn

People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.

Transcript
Chris:

there were times when I was at work and I just felt like an absolute shell,

Chris:

and, like, weak and broken and terrible.

Chris:

but they trusted me to do the job, and I'd obviously practiced for a long

Chris:

time, so my body could show up and do it and, um, it was their trust and

Chris:

the connection and that shared energy

Chris:

that really pulled me through that incredibly difficult time.

Ross:

Hi there, and welcome to People Soup Quickspoon, real conversations

Ross:

about work, leadership, and being human.

Ross:

I'm Ross McIntosh, and here's your Quick Spoon.

Ross:

Chris is talking about a period of profound grief and the people

Ross:

who helped him through it.

Ross:

What strikes me is the contrast between how he felt inside and how the people

Ross:

around him continued to trust him.

Ross:

We can sometimes feel that if we're struggling, we need to hide it.

Ross:

We need to keep performing, keep delivering, and make

Ross:

sure nobody sees the cracks.

Ross:

but being capable doesn't mean being invulnerable, and connection

Ross:

with other people can matter enormously when life is difficult.

Ross:

So here's something to try.

Ross:

Think of someone at work who might be having a difficult time.

Ross:

rather than assuming they're fine because they're still delivering,

Ross:

make a little space to check in.

Ross:

You don't have to fix things.

Ross:

Sometimes being seen, heard, and trusted is a good place to start.

Ross:

That's your Quickspoon.

Ross:

Until next time, take care.

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About the Podcast

People Soup
Real conversations about work, leadership and being human.
Grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use.

The name People Soup comes from a quote by Abraham Maslow:

"A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting."

I've always loved that idea because creativity isn't confined to art. It shows up in how we live, work, lead and relate to one another.

Work often feels like a soup: a rich, sometimes bewildering mix of people, personalities, decisions, pressures, relationships and unexpected challenges. Every day we're trying to make sense of the ingredients in front of us.

Behavioural science doesn't make work simple, but it does give us better ways of responding to complexity. It offers practical ideas, evidence-based tools and skills that help us respond more effectively—to ourselves, to other people and to the situations we face.

That's what People Soup is all about.

Whether it's a conversation with a guest or a short solo episode, People Soup explores how behavioural science—and particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—can help us lead and work with greater intention, developing the psychological flexibility and practical wisdom to navigate whatever life throws our way.

About your host

Profile picture for Ross McIntosh

Ross McIntosh

I'm Ross McIntosh, a business psychologist, coach and facilitator, with over 30 years' experience helping people thrive at work.

People Soup grew from a simple belief: work is an important part of life, but it doesn't have to come at the expense of our wellbeing, our relationships or our values.

Each episode explores the realities of work, leadership and being human through the lens of behavioural science. Sometimes that's a conversation with an inspiring guest. Sometimes it's a short "Quick Spoon" offering a practical idea you can put into practice straight away.

My work is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based approach that helps people develop psychological flexibility: the ability to stay purposeful, adaptable and effective, even when life gets messy.

Whether you're leading a team, supporting others, or simply trying to navigate the pressures of modern work, my hope is that People Soup gives you practical tools, fresh perspectives and the confidence to take your next meaningful step.

A few things about me
Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.
Fellow of the Association for Coaching.
Research collaborator with City St George's, University of London.
Speaker, facilitator and leadership development consultant.
Founder and Host of the People Soup podcast.

When I'm not recording the podcast or working with clients, you'll usually find me reading, cycling, improving my Spanish, or enjoying life in southern Spain with my husband.