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Episode 35

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Published on:

13th Nov 2025

I love you Dad

Hi there and a very warm welcome to Season 6 Episode 35 of People Soup, it's Ross McIntosh here.

P-Soupers – It’s another cup a soup this week – one where I share some sad news, reflections and a poem that carries personal meaning for me.

This episode is personal – and I’m reflecting on themes of death and grieving – topics that, in my experience, we’re not always the best at talking about, particularly in the workplace – and if now is not the right time for you to be listening – please do consider skipping this episode. Also I wanted to highlight the brilliant ACT based resource at www.mygriefmyway.co.uk. I am actively dipping into the website several times a week at the moment. I was fortunate enough to interview the two researchers, Ann Finucane and David Gillanders who led the development of this resource recently and you’ll find a link to those episodes in the show notes. Please pause and consider, is there anyone you know who might find mygriefmyway.co.uk useful.

I have terribly Sad news P Soupers – my dear Dad, known to many of you as Big G – died on Wednesday 22 October. He was peaceful at the end and I’m grateful that I got to spend the previous week with him in Northumberland. In that week, alongside the pain of impending grief, there were some beautiful moments.

For those of you who are new to People Soup - welcome - it's great to have you here - I aim to provide you with ingredients for a better work life from behavioural science and beyond. For those of you who are regular P Soupers - thanks for tuning in - we love it that you're part of our community.

There is a transcript for each episode. There is a caveat - this transcript is largely generated by Artificial Intelligence, I have corrected many errors but I won't have captured them all! You can also find the shownotes by clicking on notes then keep scrolling for all the useful links.

Here's the People Soup Website.

Visit Ross' Website.

Connect with Ross on LinkedIn

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

He's now also on Bluesky

Transcript
-:

[00:00:00]

Ross: Hi there, and a very warm welcome to Season six, episode 35 of People Soup. It's Ross Macintosh here, pea Soupers. It's another cup of soup this week, one where I share some sad news reflections and a poem that carries personal meaning for me.

This episode is personal, and I'm reflecting on themes of death and grieving topics that in my experience, were not always the best at talking about, particularly in the workplace. And if now is not the right time for you to be listening, please do consider skipping the episode.

show notes. Please pause and [:

People Super is a podcast that mixes stories, science and a sprinkle of daftness to explore what helps people thrive at work and beyond. Our mission is to give you the listener, the ingredients for a better work life through insights and stories grounded in behavioral science, especially acceptance and commitment therapy, and other evidence-based approaches.

spend the previous week with [:

There were some beautiful moments we laughed about some of the hairstyles I'd had as a child. Talked about my work plans, including this podcast and my ongoing adventures in Spain. In one of those conversations, we talked about a live upcoming q and a session. Where I'd be talking to Joe Oliver, the founder of Contextual Consulting about act in the workplace.

g into my work every day. He [:

I did manage to gently dedicate the session to him at the end. So in these early stages of grief, I wanted to share a poem that is meaning for both me and dad. It is one he learned at school and remembered throughout his whole life. He used extracts from the poem frequently to pepper conversations, whether he was going up to bed, heading out to work in the garden, or leaving the Prudhoe Riverside Cafe after a slap up launch.

biscuits as a gift from dad.[:

So the poem is called The Lake Isle of Innisfree by William Butler, Yates.

I will arise and go now and go to in free and a small cabin build there of clay and wattles made nine bean rows will I have there and a hive for the honeybee and live alone in the bee loud glade. And I shall have some peace there. The peace comes dropping slow. Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the crickets sing, there's midnight's, all a glimmer and noon, a purple glow and evening full of the linnet's wings.

lake water lapping with low [:

So folks, that poem really touches me. And now I'm going to do a traditional people soup thing and I'm gonna scoot over to the news desk, but this time the reviews are different. A few days after dad's death, I shared the news on social media. And I was overwhelmed with the response from friends, colleagues, family, and I just thought it might be nice to share the words of some others.

them all, But I will read a [:

Shane McLaughlin said so sorry to hear about your dad's passing. I never met him, but I always found it heartwarming how proudly you shared pictures and stories of him. The love and admiration you showed, spoke volumes. It reminds me how important it is to celebrate those we love so openly. Thinking of you and your family during this time.

Michelle Watkins said, dear Ross, I was sorry to read this. Your dad will be missed by many. He had a big kind heart and made the world a better place. My thoughts and prayers are with you all with love. Michelle.

nk you for that. I will hold [:

Joe Oliver said You delivered an amazing session yesterday. You truly embodied the head, hands, and heart of the act model. I can't imagine your dad being more proud. Lots of love.

Richard Coates, said Ross, very sorry to hear about your dad and what a wonderful human being he was. I still have the people soup bookmarks. He spent such care sending out and loved hearing about his latest walking fundraising, A beautiful human being who has passed on wonderful values to you.

t as proud of you. Go gently [:

I replied to all these posters best I could and said I am truly overwhelmed and deeply moved by all your reflections, memories and love. Thank you. Your words have been a great source of comfort to us all. Dad would be utterly flabbergasted by the ripples of his impact and by the warmth reaching us from as far afield as Australia and Peru.

I'm going to print out all your messages, both public and private, and place them in dad's coffin. It might sound a bit daft and it also feels exactly right, a fitting tribute to the kindness and connection. He inspired with heartfelt gratitude and much love. Ross.

et from the song Only You by [:

I love you, dad, and I'll miss you so much.

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About the Podcast

People Soup
Real conversations about work, leadership and being human.
Grounded in behavioural science, each episode is packed with practical ideas you can put into practice straight away.

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. Creativity isn't confined to art. It shows up in how we live, work, lead and relate to one another.

Work can sometimes feel 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 we've been given.

Behavioural science doesn't remove the complexity, but it gives us practical ways to navigate it. It offers ideas, skills and evidence-based tools 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.

Through conversations, solo episodes and practical tools, People Soup explores how behavioural science—and particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—can help us lead, work and live with greater purpose, psychological flexibility and practical wisdom.

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.