Episode 24

full
Published on:

15th May 2026

Quick Spoon: Speak to three people

What do you do when anxiety shows up… right when something matters?

A networking event.

A room full of strangers.

A voice in your head saying:

“Your Spanish isn’t good enough.”

In this Quick Spoon, I share a very real moment from a networking event for psychologists in Seville—where social anxiety showed up… and so did the urge to run.

But instead of waiting to feel confident…

I tried something smaller.

Something more workable.

Speak to three people.

That was the goal.

Not confidence.

Not perfection.

Just one small, values-based action.

A practical reflection on anxiety, workable goals, and taking action—even when your mind is telling you otherwise.

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

If you’re enjoying People Soup, hit follow so you don’t miss future episodes.

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

The People Soup Website on CAPTIVATE

Transcript

QS7. Speak to Three People

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[00:00:11] and felt a great

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[00:00:15] But I'd actually used your strategies and decided look, if I [00:00:20] speak to three people, that will be pretty big achievement for me.

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[00:00:27] looking slightly wallflower [00:00:30] like and just staring at their phones.

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[00:00:32] I approached one

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[00:00:34] conversation and,

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[00:00:40] They were very kind and we had a

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[00:00:47] Hi there, and welcome to People Soup Quick [00:00:50] Spoon real conversations about work, leadership, and being human, grounded in behavioral science with practical ideas you can actually use. Ross [00:01:00] McIntosh and here's your quick spoon.

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[00:01:25] That's your QUICK SPOON Until next time, take care.

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About the Podcast

People Soup
Real conversations about work, leadership and being human
A podcast exploring work, leadership, and being human through real conversations — grounded in behavioural science and full of practical ideas you can apply straight away.

About your host

Profile picture for Ross McIntosh

Ross McIntosh

I'm a work psychologist. I want to help you navigate the daily challenges of work by sharing behavioural science in a way that's accessible, useful and fun.
I'm originally from Northumberland in the UK and I now live near Seville in Spain with my husband.