Listen Up

Top recommendation of what to listen to — for growth and inspiration in all areas of life. These picks feature insights and self-development advice from experts and hosts that I’ve found impactful and hope you will too.


LU #16 – How to Be Your Most Confident Self

Davina McCall talks to Susie Moore about confidence. Susie Moore made the leap from a corporate job to a confidence coach. She re-frames confidence as a willingness to sit with discomfort, and not something that we set out to achieve. A nice little pep talk if you’re in need of inspiration.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 56 minutes

LU #15 – How to Become More Resilient

Mark Manson and Drew Burney dissect resilience and 5 key mindsets. Understanding what makes up resilience and the stories we tell ourselves, ultimately supports us in the effort to become more resilient through life’s constant challenges.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 208 minutes

LU #14 – How To Introduce Yourself

Rebecca Oakman shares important tips and some valuable direction on how to make an impression with just a few introductory words. Instead of rambling on and losing your audience – leave them asking for more. Very helpful advice for both career and non-career related answers to the question “What do you do?”

Watch or listen to the talk here | 10 minutes


LU #13 – The No. 1 Productivity Expert

David Epstein talks to Steven Bartlett about the 10 000 hours concept of becoming an expert. This wasn’t the biggest take away for me, but rather: –

1. We underestimate how much we will change at every step of life. 2. The average age of the successful tech start-ups is 45 – not 25 as so many people believe and finally 3. We learn who we are in practice, not in theory.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 126 minutes


LU #12 – Go Ahead, Dream About the Future.

Instead of trying to predict the future, Charlie Jane Anders talks about imagining it. As you listen to this short TED Talk and begin to challenge your own stereotypical thinking about the future, it opens a small window into a world of possibility. This is permission to let go of preconceived notions and think differently, curiously and without limitation. A really refreshing 12 minutes.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 12 minutes


LU #11 – Find & Live by Your Values

A long but essential dive into values – what they are, which ones we identify with as individuals and what happens when they change. I listened to this a while ago (it took a few walks and drives to get through), but it’s really stayed with me. It’s helped me recognize the value changes I am transitioning through, and most importantly – that it can be very uncomfortable. A must listen.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 246 minutes


LU #10 – Trust Your Gut. How to Make a Hard Decision

This was a healthy reminder that – firstly – many of us are in the same boat. We’re not alone out there trying to make difficult life decisions, it’s completely normal to feel stuck. Secondly – we already know the answer, it’s just coming to terms with the how and when. I think you will find this episode supportive, no matter the decision you’re facing.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 50 minutes


LU #9 – How To Get Motivated Even When You Don’t Feel Like It

In this discussion, Mel Robbins speaks to Dr K and reframes expectations when it comes to motivation. The premise is that we think about motivation as one thing when it isn’t one thing. The key is to separate motivation. Do the thing whether you feel like it or not. There’s more to it, so listen and learn. For me, I hope the reframe sticks.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 135 minutes


LU #8 – Why You Should Always Look into Someone’s Left Eye

Dr Tara Swart Bieber gives a candid overview of the science and logic behind the importance of what we say to ourselves. A real take away for me, following the research she shared to prove this statement: “We are as old as we think we are”. If you tell yourself, you can’t do something – then there’s a very good chance that you can’t. So, convince yourself that you can.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 240 minutes


LU #7 – The 4 Stages of Life

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Podcast

Mark and Drew discuss Mark’s theory of the 4 stages of life, a simple navigation to understand where you may be at. What resonated with me were the transition periods they discussed, between these four phases. The parts where you face your new identity and how the things that worked for you in one phase, no longer serve you in the next.   

Watch or listen to the talk here | 45 minutes


LU #6 – Understanding Fundamental Differences between Men a Women in Health & Fitness

Dr Stacy Sims talks to Steven Bartlett on Diary of a CEO podcast about some of the differences between exercise and nutrition for women versus men. Turns out, most of the research advice we’ve been following, is for men. This has challenged my way of thinking about health and fitness. Worth a listen.   

Watch or listen to the talk here | 124 minutes


LU #5 – How to Claim Your Leadership Power

Michael Timms | TED

Best-selling author and speaker, Michael Timms who teaches leaders how to inspire and lead great teams. Short and impactful talk reminding us that we are all leaders and should try to live our lives accordingly.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 11.30 minutes


LU #4 – How to Challenge Your Negative Self Talk

Josh Green | Ted x Surrey

Josh Green is an actor, entrepreneur, comedian and avid knowledge sharer. Ever thought “You are not good enough” or “You don’t belong here”? I have. This is a refreshing reminder on how to deal with these thoughts when they pop up.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 12 minutes


LU #3 – What It Really Takes to Accomplish Your Dreams

Mark Manson, an American author and blogger, interviews author Steven Pressfield (Author of The Legend of Bagger Vance). A really practical viewpoint on moving forward with your dreams, despite yourself. A great listen, especially if you’re an aspiring writer.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 60 minutes


LU #2 – The Savings Expert

Steven Bartlett (Diary of a CEO podcast) interviews Jaspreet Singh, an entrepreneur, licensed attorney and financial educator. A wake-up call for me in this podcast was realising that by buying things I don’t necessarily need, I’m choosing to make someone else rich, rather than myself. Think about that.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 268 minutes


LU #1 – Forget the Corporate Ladder, Winners Take Risks

Molly Graham is a company and community builder, having been the COO and head of multiple organisations and start-ups based in San Francisco. A reminder to shake ourselves sometimes, and get uncomfortable.

Watch or listen to the talk here | 9.30 minutes