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Episode 71

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Published on:

14th Oct 2026

Quick Spoon: What are your values telling you?

When we're under pressure, it's easy to get pulled towards whatever feels easiest or most attractive right now.

Put off the difficult conversation. Take the path of least resistance. Go for the quick win.

But what if our values could help us see beyond what's tempting us in the moment?

In this Quick Spoon, I share a short exchange with Dr Ryan Kemp about the importance of values — both in addiction recovery and in the workplace.

Ryan highlights the role values can play, and I reflect on how they can give us a glimpse of the longer-term picture, rather than simply following the easiest option.

Our values can remind us of the kind of person we want to be and what we're trying to move towards.

So here's something to try.

The next time you notice you're tempted by the short-term option, pause and ask yourself:

What matters to me here in the longer term?

A short reflection on values, choices and how we want to show up at work.

This Quick Spoon comes from my conversation with Dr Ryan Kemp, clinical psychologist, addiction specialist and author of Transcending Addiction.

Listen to the full conversation: The culture of now: Ryan Kemp on addiction, work and what we reward.

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

If this episode resonated with you, please consider following People Soup, leaving a rating or review, or sharing it with someone who might find it useful.

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

Here's the People Soup Website.

And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.

Visit Ross' Website.

Connect with Ross on LinkedIn

People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.

Transcript
Ryan Kemp:

but when you take drugs or drink or you know, get over-involved

Ryan Kemp:

in gambling, et cetera, you start to make that behaviour that substance,

Ryan Kemp:

the value of your life, and acquiring it and reacquiring it surviving

Ryan Kemp:

all the ups and downs of that life.

Ryan Kemp:

So I, I would say, working on values, critical dimension of,

Ryan Kemp:

this, and whether that's in a workplace or in a therapy space,

Ross:

and the values can give someone that glimpse of the longer-term

Ross:

picture rather than that really habitual path of the least resistance,

Ross:

the short-term, attractions.

Ross:

Hi there, and welcome to PeopleSoup Quick Spoon, real conversations about

Ross:

work, leadership, and being human.

Ross:

I'm Ross McIntosh, and here's your Quick Spoon I really like

Ross:

that idea of values giving us a glimpse of the longer-term picture.

Ross:

Because when we're under pressure, it's very easy to get pulled towards whatever

Ross:

feels easiest or most attractive right now

Ross:

Have the difficult conversation later.

Ross:

Take the path of least resistance.

Ross:

Get the quick win.

Ross:

But our values can give us another reference point.

Ross:

They can remind us of the kind of person we want to be and what

Ross:

we're trying to move towards.

Ross:

So here's something to try.

Ross:

The next time you notice that you're tempted by the short-term option,

Ross:

pause and ask yourself, " What matters to me here in the longer

Ross:

term?" That's your quick spoon.

Ross:

Until 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

Profile picture for Ross McIntosh

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.