▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/

In this highly energising episode, I sit down with Joel Zuckerman, author of the new book Gratitude Tiger and a passionate advocate for the power of gratitude.

I’ve been a some-time gratitude journaller for a while and I’ve known about the power of gratitude for a long time.

Joel has taken this to another level, having written over 280 gratitude letters in a process that started as a one-off and has become the defining theme of his professional life.

Joel reveals how building a gratitude writing habit doesn’t need you to have great skill, but can be as simple as a few heartfelt sentences. He introduces the philosophy behind his acronym "TIGER" (Tapping Into Gratitude Engenders Rewards) and offers actionable advice for cultivating meaningful connections both personally and professionally.

We talk:

• The transformative power of simple acts of gratitude
• The "Seven paragraphs, seven sentences, seven words" philosophy explained
• Practical tips for expressing gratitude in the workplace
• Joel's journey from golf writing to gratitude advocacy
• The emotional impact of handwritten notes and letters

Links: Joel’s Website

Enjoy!

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/

This week’s episode is perhaps one of the most uncomfortable I’ve yet recorded. A conversation with Jeffrey Pfeffer, the renowned author of "Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don't" and “Leadership BS: Fixing Workplaces and Careers One Truth at a Time”, and professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, we dive deep into the principles of power, influence, and career acceleration.

Jeffrey offers his view on the raw truth about what it takes to stand out, thrive, and succeed in a world shaped by competition and perception. From strategies to gain influence to the controversial role of self-promotion, this conversation is packed with insights that challenge conventional wisdom about leadership and integrity.

Learn why keeping your head down might be holding you back, how deliberate practice can transform your career, and why following Jeffrey’s proven methods have made many of his students wildly successful.

As Jeffrey takes a torch to leadership development orthodoxy, we cover:

• How many leadership authors espoused values don’t match the reality of their behaviour
• To change the world, we must first have power
• Leadership training fails—because it ignores power and influence dynamics.
• Authenticity at work? Not so much if you want to be a leader, says Pfeffer.
• Pfeffer’s 7 rules of power—practical, provocative, uncomfortably effective.

Links:

Jeffrey’s Website Jeffrey’s Books

Whether you're a budding leader or seasoned professional, this episode will inspire and empower you to take charge of your path. Don't miss out on this transformative discussion—subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations about what it means to be human.

▶️ Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardatherton-firsthuman/

This week, I sit down with Douglas Mulhall, author of the bestselling book Discovering the Nature of Longevity: Restoring the Heart and Body by Targeting Hidden Stress. Douglas has spent over 30 years creating products that are not only good for people but also the environment, with significant contributions in collaboration with European governments.

We take a deep look at elastin, a major area of interest for Douglas. It’s a vital protein key to your body’s resilience.

Elastin is in more than 30 organs. It’s in your arteries. It’s essential for everything in your body to expand and contract.

We talk:

• Elastin defined
• The tragedy that spurred his quest
• The story of calcification
• How to reverse the hardening of our bodies
• Hope for a heart disease breakthrough

Links: Discovering the Nature of Longevity - The Book Douglas’ Website

If you’re curious about unlocking your body’s potential, this episode is an absolute must-watch! Don't miss out—subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations about what it means to be human.