Dot to Dot Behind the Person
158 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago -Join award-winning author and psychologist Fiona Murden in the Dot to Dot podcast - connecting the dots on what makes you, you.
Listen as we explore self-development through a science-backed approach, hearing from interesting people across all walks of life, 'role models and real models' sharing their lived experience. We talk to leaders - across industries, from all over the world - about behavior and the mind. How can behavioral science impact your personal and professional development?
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Episodes
Why rituals work - with Lou & Fi
September 13, 2021 18:00 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MBWe’re used to the rituals of athletes such as tennis player Nadal, who places his hair behind his ear, pulls his nose and adjusts his shorts while bouncing the ball before every point. People have accused him of using this as a way to break the momentum of his opponents. But Nadal says that these routines are for his psychological benefits. And the research would suggest that this is true, for many of us, not just athletes. Rituals give us a sense of control when we’re facing uncertainty. R...
Adulting - Psychology says you need to achieve these 3 goals to become an adult - with Lou & Fi.
August 17, 2021 13:10 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBAccording to psychologist Dr Jeffrey Arnett (whose work I also refer to in Defining You) these three areas define it: 1. Taking responsibility for yourself which "generally means accepting the consequences of your actions without expecting anyone else...to protect you from those consequences." 2. Making independent decisions - "It's finding out who you are and how you fit into the world, and there is a range of decisions that go into that." 3. Having financial independence There's a ...
Humanity's greatest potential lies in the underrated, undiscovered underdogs of the world - with George Styles
August 06, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBGeorge caught my attention on twitter with his brilliant tweets (see below for his handle). Every day he posts so many questions – all so thought provoking that I often don’t even answer them - I'm just left pondering. George who lives in Philadelphia USA has a brain that won’t stop whirring which is where all of these fabulous, thought provoking posts come from. He explains how he started off just posting a few and began to love the positive and interesting comments and discussion that they...
What a sports psychologists has to say about the Olympics - with Lou & Fi
August 01, 2021 10:00 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBWe discuss the parallels between Olympic preparation and organisational leadership – but how in many ways organisations often know what to do but don’t ‘walk the talk’ in the way the teams who surround athletes do. Lou explains why it’s never a comfortable experience watching an athlete you’ve trained, why athletes have experienced and understood more things about themselves leading up to a Covid Olympics than any other and why we are set to see some incredible performances. Connect wit...
Ex-Olympian explains how embracing vulnerability saved his life - Jack Green with Lou & Fi
July 16, 2021 12:00 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBIn the UK "we look back on the 2012 Olympic Games through gold-tinted glasses, 'Super Saturday' and an inspiring celebration of British athletics uniting the country. For a then 20-year-old Green, the suffocation of 80,000 fans and personal expectations became the starter pistol to understanding and dealing with the mental health struggles he had always known were there.” "If one thing got past my armour, I couldn't manage it because I'd say 'I'm not meant to feel this way because I'm mean...
From humble beginnings to Non Exec Director at Coca Cola - Christine Cross
July 10, 2021 13:41 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBOn this episode among other things we explore the importance mentors and role-models and how one small comment at the right or wrong time can send a young person's life off in a completely different direction. We also discuss Christine's upbringing and how she chose not to go to Oxford or Cambridge despite being destined - not through her upbringing - but her academic capability to go there. She decided it wasn't what she wanted and followed her interests instead of being drawn into the ex...
8 Ancient rules for life we should still follow - with Lou & Fi
July 02, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBWe chat about how it’s interesting that now that we have research around psychological theory - whether it's through neuroscience or more applied research studies - we're seeing that many of these ancient approaches work. But remember that every technique will not work for everybody - so definitely give them a try, practice them with an open mind and see what works for you. There will be something that does but you have to try to be able to know for sure. Here’s a summary of the 8 rules:...
From Nasa to Dolph Lundgren - John Bates talks about helping people to tell their stories with impact
June 25, 2021 12:00 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBFrom Utah to LA, a band member to a Silicon Valley founder, a return to Utah and becoming an extraordinary guide to leaders on public speaking and beyond John has had and continues to have such an interesting journey. This week I make a few bad jokes about my height and being the pinnacle of John's career (if you know me, you also know this is the last thing I'd ever think but it I worry it may get lost in the English sarcasm). Unlike me John tells some genuinely funny stories and even share...
Common characteristics of manipulative people - with Lou & Fi
June 18, 2021 12:00 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MBFor more from us follow these links: My book Defining You - How to Build Your Unique Personal Profile and Unlock Your True Potential can be found at via these links and in all good book stores: https://bit.ly/DefiningYou2ndEd https://amzn.to/2lFMwOr If you are curious about who you are, your brain and the influences in your life then please dip into my more recent book Mirror Thinking – How Role Models Make Us Human available at the links below and in all good book stores. https://bi...
How squiggly has your career path been? - with Sunday Times Bestselling author and CEO of 'Amazing If' Helen Tupper
June 11, 2021 12:00 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBWe talk about Helen's own squiggly career which you can hear more about in her TEDx which she recorded in In January 2021 with Sarah. Both Helen and Sarah are living proof of the title of their talk ‘Why squiggly careers are better for everyone’ and inspiring in their message. Prior to Amazing If she held leadership roles for Microsoft, Virgin and BP and was awarded the FT & 30% Club’s Women in Leadership MBA Scholarship. Before making her way back to university friend Sarah to start up thei...
Finding the psychological help you need - with Lou & Fi
June 04, 2021 12:00 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBLou uses the example of the physical versus the psychological in sport. When an athlete goes to a physiotherapist who doesn’t help them with a physical problem they move on to see another physiotherapist, but when they meet a psychologist that they doesn’t click with they’re likely to give up on psychology. This is common to how we all approach our physical versus our psychological health, struggling to understand how to navigate the complexities of our mind and behaviour. We scratch the sur...
Overloaded - how every aspect of your life is influenced by your brain chemicals with Ginny Smith
May 28, 2021 11:00 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBGinny is a neuroscience expert and science communicator. She read Natural Sciences at Cambridge, but her main passion and expertise is in psychology and neuroscience, so she focuses on helping kids and adults understand our complex minds. Ginny says that “Science is fun and fascinating and ever changing, and I want to help everyone share in the joy of curiosity and exploration.” Some of the things that Ginny said in this week’s chat that stood out for me: “I find it amazing how much we...
The Psychology of a Hug - with Lou & Fi
May 21, 2021 13:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBWe explore the psychological and physiological need for hugs, how hard it has been for many people not being able to hug loved ones during lockdown, the importance of touch from birth to old age and our fundamental need for touch as a means of connection. To pre-order the second edition of my book Defining You (out on 27th May in UK, Sept rest of world) go to: https://bit.ly/DefiningYou2ndEd Follow us/ask us any questions on: www.fionamurden.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/fiona_murd...
The psychology of a hug - with Lou & Fi
May 21, 2021 13:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBWe explore the psychological and physiological need for hugs, how hard it has been for many people not being able to hug loved ones during lockdown, the importance of touch from birth to old age and our fundamental need for touch as a means of connection. To pre-order the second edition of my book Defining You (out on 27th May in UK, Sept rest of world) go to: https://bit.ly/DefiningYou2ndEd Follow us/ask us any questions on: www.fionamurden.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/fiona_murd...
Models of the Mind - speaking to computational neuroscientist Grace Lindsay
May 14, 2021 13:00 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBGrace Lindsay is a computational neuroscientist currently based at University College London. She completed her PhD at the Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience at Columbia University, where her research focused on building mathematical models of how the brain controls its own sensory processing. Before that, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh and received a research fellowship to study at the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience in Frei...
Models of the mind - speaking to computational neuroscientist Grace Lindsay
May 14, 2021 13:00 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBGrace Lindsay is a computational neuroscientist currently based at University College London. She completed her PhD at the Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience at Columbia University, where her research focused on building mathematical models of how the brain controls its own sensory processing. Before that, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh and received a research fellowship to study at the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience in Frei...
'To do lists' why your brain loves ordered tasks - with Lou & Fi
May 07, 2021 13:00 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBAs Lou says "Some might say 'to do lists' was a boring subject but actually the more you delve into it the more interesting and fascinating it gets because they have so many benefits. Which include increased productivity, increased confidence, greater focus, being more effective because you're writing things down and warming up your brain to actually achieve them, motivation.' We discuss the way we use 'to do lists', individual differences, what the research tells us and how to use 'to do...
Using meditation to heal trauma - Vanessa Potter
April 30, 2021 19:22 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MBVanessa went from a high octane career as a TV producer to becoming blind and paralyzed overnight. Her journey back to health resulted in her pulling on mental resources she’d learnt previously such as techniques from hypno-birthing. Demonstrating the power of psychology in action - since then she’s been on a mission to understand more about the impact of meditation on the mind. Vanessa has worked with Cambridge University on ground breaking projects even venturing into the world of psychede...
Want to know how to be happier? Dr. Russ Harris has the answers
April 16, 2021 10:12 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBRuss Harris is a doctor, therapist, father, trainer of health professionals, and author of The Happiness Trap (plus eight other books). He started his career as a doctor back in 1989, and soon discovered that most of his patients were expressing a significant degree of dissatisfaction in life; most of what was wrong was psychologically based. He strongly related to their struggles, because he was experiencing something similar himself. "Despite the fact that I had a successful career with ...
Russ Harris - doctor, therapist & international best-selling author
April 16, 2021 10:12 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBRuss Harris is a doctor, therapist, father, trainer of health professionals, and author of The Happiness Trap (plus eight other books). He started his career as a doctor back in 1989, and soon discovered that most of his patients were expressing a significant degree of dissatisfaction in life; most of what was wrong was psychologically based. He strongly related to their struggles, because he was experiencing something similar myself. Despite the fact that I had a successful career with a ...
How to let go of emotions & experiences with Lou & Fi
March 22, 2021 17:41 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBSports psychologist Lou Jones and I discuss how fighting with emotions just makes them worse. How it doesn't feel natural to just leave things because we're taught to 'fix things' in the outside world all of the time, but it's not the best way to deal with emotions. We will always have emotions, because it's part of being human and that's how we work so it's a life long journey to learn how we can manage those in our world in order to achieve the things we want to. We're not always going to ...
How to Let Go of Emotions & Experiences with Lou & Fi
March 22, 2021 17:41 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBSports psychologist Lou Jones and I discuss how fighting with emotions just makes them worse. How it doesn't feel natural to just leave things because we're taught to 'fix things' in the outside world all of the time, but it's not the best way to deal with emotions. We will always have emotions, because it's part of being human and that's how we work so it's a life long journey to learn how we can manage those in our world in order to achieve the things we want to. We're not always going to ...
Bite sized chat - letting go
March 22, 2021 17:41 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBSports psychologist Lou Jones and I discuss how fighting with emotions just makes them worse. How it doesn't feel natural to just leave things because we're taught to 'fix things' in the outside world all of the time, but it's not the best way to deal with emotions. We will always have emotions, because it's part of being human and that's how we work so it's a life long journey to learn how we can manage those in our world in order to achieve the things we want to. We're not always going to ...
Bite sized chat - visualisation and imagery
January 20, 2021 17:01 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBThis week Lou and I speak about how imagery and visualisation are used in sport and other areas of performance such as leadership in order to work toward success. How it's not just magic but based on science and how you can do it for yourself in your own life
Bite sized chat - visualisation and Imagery
January 20, 2021 17:01 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBThis week Lou and I speak about how imagery and visualisation are used in sport and other areas of performance such as leadership in order to work toward success. How it's not just magic but based on science and how you can do it for yourself in your own life
Bite sized chat - Visualisation and Imagery
January 20, 2021 17:01 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBThis week Lou and I speak about how imagery and visualisation are used in sport and other areas of performance such as leadership in order to work toward success. How it's not just magic but based on science and how you can do it for yourself in your own life
The power of visualisation & imagery with Lou & Fi
January 20, 2021 17:01 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBThis week Lou and I speak about how imagery and visualisation are used in sport and other areas of performance such as leadership in order to work toward success. How it's not just magic but based on science and how you can do it for yourself in your own life
The Power of Visualisation & Imagery with Lou & Fi
January 20, 2021 17:01 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBThis week Lou and I speak about how imagery and visualisation are used in sport and other areas of performance such as leadership in order to work toward success. How it's not just magic but based on science and how you can do it for yourself in your own life
Kathi Sharpe-Ross - podcast host, author and marketing guru
January 13, 2021 14:00 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBWe talk about her life living in L.A., Israel and Australia and her book “Re-Invent Your Life – What Are You Waiting For?” which shares the stories of 30 people facing adversity, challenge and opportunity. Kathi says that when you see other people can do it and can relate to that we know that we can do it too. And of course I’m a strong believer in that myself too. Kathi describes the inspiration to share her perspective about "What's Possible"and "A-ha Moments" as coming “from a life o...
The Power of Mulling Things Over with Lou & Fi
January 06, 2021 14:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBWe discuss how this has applied to my work in profiling and analysing people, helping me to get clearer and more accurate judgements. And how it applies to Lou’s work in sport. Lou explains that although athletes want to do an analysis immediately after an event, leaving it a) prevents the emotional response to their performance detracting from what they may learn and b) gives the brain time to process, understand and explore it. As a result, mulling it over provides the space to provide a f...
Bite sized chat - the power of mulling things over
January 06, 2021 14:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBWe discuss how this has applied to my work in profiling and analysing people, helping me to get clearer and more accurate judgements. And how it applies to Lou’s work in sport. Lou explains that although athletes want to do an analysis immediately after an event, leaving it a) prevents the emotional response to their performance detracting from what they may learn and b) gives the brain time to process, understand and explore it. As a result, mulling it over provides the space to provide a f...
The power of mulling things over with Lou & Fi
January 06, 2021 14:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBWe discuss how this has applied to my work in profiling and analysing people, helping me to get clearer and more accurate judgements. And how it applies to Lou’s work in sport. Lou explains that although athletes want to do an analysis immediately after an event, leaving it a) prevents the emotional response to their performance detracting from what they may learn and b) gives the brain time to process, understand and explore it. As a result, mulling it over provides the space to provide a f...
How to Live a Happy and Fulfilled Life with Dr. Radha Modgil
December 30, 2020 14:37 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MBThis week I talk to Radha about her journey including the importance of family, studying at Cambridge and Imperial, working as a hospital doctor, a GP, teaching medical students AND everything covered below. Radha shares a bit about her own level of self-awareness, learning what she likes and doesn't like and how to continually use that to navigate a healthy and fulfilling life. Radha has appeared as the medical reporter for The Sex Education Show Ch4 and Make My Body Younger BBC Three....
Dr Radha Modgil - doctor, broadcaster & author
December 30, 2020 14:37 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MBThis week I talk to Radha about her journey including the importance of family, studying at Cambridge and Imperial, working as a hospital doctor, a GP, teaching medical students AND everything covered below. Radha shares a bit about her own level of self-awareness, learning what she likes and doesn't like and how to continually use that to navigate a healthy and fulfilling life. Radha has appeared as the medical reporter for The Sex Education Show Ch4 and Make My Body Younger BBC Three....
How to live a happy and fulfilled life with Dr. Radha Modgil
December 30, 2020 14:37 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MBThis week I talk to Radha about her journey including the importance of family, studying at Cambridge and Imperial, working as a hospital doctor, a GP, teaching medical students AND everything covered below. Radha shares a bit about her own level of self-awareness, learning what she likes and doesn't like and how to continually use that to navigate a healthy and fulfilling life. Radha has appeared as the medical reporter for The Sex Education Show Ch4 and Make My Body Younger BBC Three....
What self-awareness means to you with Lou & Fi
December 16, 2020 14:00 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBEven if you think you’re already self-aware it’s still something that need revisiting and refreshing. It’s worth looking at your personal narrative to think through who you are, what your preferences are and what’s happening in your world. This week Lou and I talk about exploring your personal narrative, passions and strengths and making sure that they are part of who you are on a daily basis. We also how talk about how discussing these things out loud makes a world of difference in terms of...
Bite sized chat - self-awareness & you
December 16, 2020 14:00 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBEven if you think you’re already self-aware it’s still something that need revisiting and refreshing. It’s worth looking at your personal narrative to think through who you are, what your preferences are and what’s happening in your world. This week Lou and I talk about exploring your personal narrative, passions and strengths and making sure that they are part of who you are on a daily basis. We also how talk about how discussing these things out loud makes a world of difference in terms of...
What Self-Awareness Means to You with Lou & Fi
December 16, 2020 14:00 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBEven if you think you’re already self-aware it’s still something that need revisiting and refreshing. It’s worth looking at your personal narrative to think through who you are, what your preferences are and what’s happening in your world. This week Lou and I talk about exploring your personal narrative, passions and strengths and making sure that they are part of who you are on a daily basis. We also how talk about how discussing these things out loud makes a world of difference in terms of...
John Colley - Exec Chairman & CEO Majestic Wine
December 09, 2020 14:00 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MBJohn shares his story from working class family in Yorkshire to the role he has today. He explains how his Dad, also his role-model went from ‘putting cables in the road’ to becoming Group CEO of Phones4u through graft and hard work. John explains that it was being deconstructed and reconstructed by a psychologist that taught him so much about his own approach and behaviour. It was then that he read Daniel Goleman’s book on Emotional Intelligence, which he still reflects on today th...
Where do You Fit in Your World?
November 25, 2020 14:00 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBWe talk about asking for feedback and how to do it in a way that is constructive and doesn’t make you or the person you’re asking feel awkward. That celebrating small successes through giving people feedback is really important to let them know how they’re doing and to keep them motivated. We discuss the timing of giving feedback - when should you give it for optimum impact? We also discuss other ways of collecting data about yourself and how you’re doing like video analysis, audio analysi...
Bite sized chat - you and your world
November 25, 2020 14:00 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBWe talk about asking for feedback and how to do it in a way that is constructive and doesn’t make you or the person you’re asking feel awkward. That celebrating small successes through giving people feedback is really important to let them know how they’re doing and to keep them motivated. We discuss the timing of giving feedback - when should you give it for optimum impact? We also discuss other ways of collecting data about yourself and how you’re doing like video analysis, audio analysi...
Where do you fit in your world?
November 25, 2020 14:00 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBWe talk about asking for feedback and how to do it in a way that is constructive and doesn’t make you or the person you’re asking feel awkward. That celebrating small successes through giving people feedback is really important to let them know how they’re doing and to keep them motivated. We discuss the timing of giving feedback - when should you give it for optimum impact? We also discuss other ways of collecting data about yourself and how you’re doing like video analysis, audio analysi...
How to Stress Less Using Neuroscience with Dr. Juna Bobby
November 18, 2020 14:00 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MBSome of the topics we explore this week: How awareness is the basis for everything, followed by attention and motivation. Juna talks about neuroplasticity – that you can change your brain and knowing this immediately brings up your levels of attention of what you can change about yourself. That motivation has a neurochemical component to it which increases your ability to change the neuronal connections in your brain. And that knowing all of this gives people hope Juna says “when you know t...
Dr. Juna Bobby - mind, body medicine
November 18, 2020 14:00 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MBSome of the topics we explore this week: How awareness is the basis for everything, followed by attention and motivation. Juna talks about neuroplasticity – that you can change your brain and knowing this immediately brings up your levels of attention of what you can change about yourself. That motivation has a neurochemical component to it which increases your ability to change the neuronal connections in your brain. And that knowing all of this gives people hope Juna says “when you know t...
How to stress less using neuroscience with Dr. Juna Bobby
November 18, 2020 14:00 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MBSome of the topics we explore this week: How awareness is the basis for everything, followed by attention and motivation. Juna talks about neuroplasticity – that you can change your brain and knowing this immediately brings up your levels of attention of what you can change about yourself. That motivation has a neurochemical component to it which increases your ability to change the neuronal connections in your brain. And that knowing all of this gives people hope Juna says “when you know t...
Bite sized chat - self-awareness & the brain
November 11, 2020 14:00 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MBWe discuss the fact that we are thrown so many words of advice on how to think, feel and approach things but in order to really optimise how they help us we need to understand the ‘why’. Lou says "If you’re doing something for some random reason, even if it’s helped you, you may not ever return to it again. But if you see it within the bigger picture it’s another matter entirely." That you don’t need to be a neuroscientist to understand the basic structure of the brain in a way that’s helpf...
Self-Awareness & the Brain with Lou & Fi
November 11, 2020 14:00 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MBWe discuss the fact that we are thrown so many words of advice on how to think, feel and approach things but in order to really optimise how they help us we need to understand the ‘why’. Lou says "If you’re doing something for some random reason, even if it’s helped you, you may not ever return to it again. But if you see it within the bigger picture it’s another matter entirely." That you don’t need to be a neuroscientist to understand the basic structure of the brain in a way that’s helpf...
Why Self-Awareness is Critical to Success with Dr. Tasha Eurich
November 04, 2020 14:00 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBWe discuss how self-awareness is a business imperative from a financial standpoint. Companies who have a higher number of self-aware people are more financially successful and have better returns. Leaders who are self-aware are more effective and promotable. Leaders who are not self-aware are 600 times more likely to derail. Also how to become more self-aware and the fact that while it does take time getting their doesn’t have to be a painful slog. We also explore how Tasha got to where s...
Dr. Tasha Eurich - New York Times best selling author & psychologist
November 04, 2020 14:00 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBWe discuss how self-awareness is a business imperative from a financial standpoint. Companies who have a higher number of self-aware people are more financially successful and have better returns. Leaders who are self-aware are more effective and promotable. Leaders who are not self-aware are 600 times more likely to derail. Also how to become more self-aware and the fact that while it does take time getting their doesn’t have to be a painful slog. We also explore how Tasha got to where s...
Bite sized chat - self awareness 'knowing you, knowing me'
October 28, 2020 14:00 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBSome of the things we talk about. Why it’s something that most of us think we have (95% of people according to the research by the fabulous Dr. Tasha Eurich who is next week’s guest) but few of us really do (10-15% of people). Why it’s critical to performance and so many other areas of life making you both healthier and more effective. Why it isn’t just something you can put on your to do list and how Covid is getting in the way of the moments we do normally have to reflect. We talk abo...