Episode 18

full
Published on:

3rd May 2026

Quick Spoon: We don't choose who we become

Why do some people push our buttons so easily?

And what if compassion wasn’t about excusing behaviour… but understanding how people are shaped?

In this Quick Spoon from my conversation with Dr Eric Goodman, we explore a powerful idea:

None of us chose our genetics.

None of us chose our upbringing.

None of us chose the experiences that shaped us.

But…

We do have some say in who we become next.

A thought-provoking reflection on compassion, responsibility, and how we respond to difficult people—at work and beyond.

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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Visit Ross' Website.

Connect with Ross on LinkedIn

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Transcript

QS1 We Don’t Choose Who We Become

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[00:00:00] you were switched at birth and

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[00:00:06] boss.

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[00:00:10] sitting here talking compassion

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[00:00:12] You would be, uh,

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[00:00:15] this version of you probably wouldn't like very much.

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[00:00:19] don't [00:00:20] choose

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[00:00:21] that we've become. Now we can wake

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[00:00:25] We, we, we

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[00:00:33] Ross: Hi there, and welcome to People Soup Quickspoon. real conversations about work, leadership, and being [00:00:40] human, grounded in behavioral science with practical ideas you can actually use. Ross McIntosh, and here's your quick spoon.

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[00:01:14] That's your quickspoon. 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.