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Episode 63

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Published on:

25th Sep 2026

Quick Spoon: The pull of the immediate

How often do we get pulled towards what's going to give us relief or reward right now?

In this Quick Spoon, Dr Ryan Kemp describes how addiction can change someone's experience of time, so that the immediate becomes much more important than what might happen in the future.

I'm not suggesting that ordinary human behaviour is the same as addiction. But Ryan's insight got me thinking about something we can all recognise: the difficult conversation we put off, the easier option we choose, or the short-term reward that gets in the way of something that matters more in the longer term.

So here's the Quick Spoon:

The next time you find yourself choosing the easiest or most rewarding option, pause and ask:

What might matter here if I widened the time horizon a little?

This Quick Spoon comes from my conversation with Dr Ryan Kemp about addiction.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation: When the future gets smaller: Dr Ryan Kemp on addiction

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

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

Transcript

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[00:00:43] Hi there, and welcome to People Soup Quick Spoon, real conversations about work, leadership, and being [00:00:50] human.

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[00:00:53] In this clip, Dr. Ryan Kemp describes something I found really fascinating about addiction

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[00:01:04] The cigarette they want now. The drink they want now. The relief they want now

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[00:01:13] Because we can all get pulled towards the immediate

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[00:01:18] The thing we do because it's [00:01:20] easier than doing the thing that really matters

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[00:01:27] But Ryan's insight got me thinking about the difference [00:01:30] between what gives us relief right now

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[00:01:36] The next time you find yourself choosing the easiest or most [00:01:40] rewarding option

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[00:01:43] What might matter here if I widened the time horizon a little? That's your quick spoon. Until [00:01:50] 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

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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.