How To Be...Books Podcast

Discovering what makes us human, exploring important life hacks, and "how to be", whilst highlighting the most important intersectional nonfiction books our there. The How To Be...Books Podcast looks at improving mental health and wellbeing, as well as creating social change through reading and interviewing mind-blowing authors.

Have you ever thought why is it that my friends, colleagues, and acquaintances can do so much more than me? Well if you have, you're not alone. From confidence, persistence, motivation, to resilience - these life skills can help us go a long way in believing in ourselves. Not to mention, we live in a polarised world where conversations have broken down, so we've opened a space for those difficult chats.

We will try examine the tips and guides out there to see if it can help. Whilst I am no expert by any means, I have lived experience of feeling different and misunderstood, so hopefully we can take this path of enhancement together. PS. I do not receive commission for the books and guides reviewed.

Hit subscribe if you like it!

Last refreshed: June 30th, 2025 at 2:11 PM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Episode 13: Adaptable – How Do We Adapt to Change?

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. The pandemic has all forced us to learn to adapt to change, but how do we actually do it? Looking into what the 'experts' say about how to be adaptable and whether it is truly helpful? And also hearing from others who have gained some mastery over themselves. Please hit subscribe to hear the whole series on life skills! It should be short and sweet. I look forward to journeying with you through t...

Feb 21, 2021•15 min

Episode 12: Kind - Is There Enough Kindness Out There? With Gill Hasson

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. February 17 is Random Acts of Kindness day. It celebrates kindness and the whole pay it forward mentality. But are we doing enough of it right now? Looking into what the 'experts' say about how to be kind and whether it is truly helpful? And also hearing from others who have gained some mastery over themselves. Please hit subscribe to hear the whole series on life skills! It should be short and s...

Feb 14, 2021•21 min

Episode 11: Ally – Is it Better to be an Ally or an Advocate?

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. It's LGBTQIA UK History Month and Black History Month in the US, so learning to be a good ally is crucial. But do we need to be more than just an ally? Or is it enough? Looking into what the 'experts' say about how to be a supporter and whether it is truly helpful? And also hearing from others who have gained some mastery over themselves. Please hit subscribe to hear the whole series on life skil...

Feb 07, 2021•18 min

Episode Ten: Connected - Taking the 'Time To Talk'

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. It’s Time to Talk Day on February 4. A small conversation about mental health has the power to make a big difference. But how do we stay connected at a time of disconnection? Looking into what the 'experts' say about how to stay connected and whether it is truly helpful? And also hearing from others who have gained some mastery over themselves. Please hit subscribe to hear the whole series on lif...

Jan 31, 2021•21 min

Episode Nine: Respect – Would You Rather Be Liked Or Respected? With Cate Sevilla

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. We've been remote working what feels like forever now, especially for some of us. And while I can't complain given the situation, it's easy to fall into the trap of working all hours of the day. So how do we ensure we get the respect deserved to lead a balanced life? Looking into what the 'experts' say about how to command respect and whether it is truly helpful? And also hearing from others who ...

Jan 24, 2021•17 min

Episode Eight: Happiness - How To Find Joy On 'Blue Monday'

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. It’s ‘Blue Monday’ tomorrow, supposedly the most depressing day of the year. Usually, the financial pressure of Christmas, the gloomy weather, and all those extra roast potatoes adds up on the scales, hence the day is considered the worst day in the UK. So how do we stay happy during turbulent times? Looking into what the 'experts' say about happiness and joy and whether it is truly helpful? And ...

Jan 17, 2021•22 min

Episode Seven: Creative - Where Do Good Ideas Come From? With Mark Earls

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. Have you ever thought that being creative and innovative are only for those artistic types? Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. So, it seems like it can be used in all spheres. Looking into what the 'experts' say about how to be creative and innovative and whether it is truly helpful? And also hearing from others who have gained some mastery over themselves. P...

Jan 10, 2021•22 min

Episode Six: Organised - Can You Stick To New Year's Resolutions?

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. It's 2021 (finally), and hopefully the beginning of the end of a tumultuous period. And with new year's come the dreaded resolutions, which 43 per cent of British nationals would have given up on in one month (ComRes, 2015). So how do we stay organised and on top of things in order to be productive enough to carry out our goals? Looking into what the 'experts' say about organisation and productiv...

Jan 03, 2021•18 min

Episode Five: Self-Compassion - Are You Lonely This Christmas?

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. Christmas can be a tough time for some, and a pandemic Christmas can be even worse. Feeling isolated and disconnected can lead some to ruminate and become self-critical. So how can we be self-compassionate during this time? Self-compassion is extending compassion to one's self in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering. So it's important to remember to reach out if you ar...

Dec 24, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Episode Four: Resilience - How Do You Survive A COVID Christmas?

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. It's a tough time for most at the moment, dealing with a pandemic, whilst possibly being isolated or even the opposite, not having enough you time. So how do you survive a Covid-19 Christmas? Resilience is the ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events. Right now, that seems more challenging than ever. Looking into what the 'experts' say about resilience and whether...

Dec 20, 2020•15 min

Episode Three: Perseverance - Do You Have True Grit?

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. Do you know how we stick to tasks even when they are super challenging? Perseverance refers to our ability to pursue a goal or passion over time, and stick with it if we encounter obstacles or setbacks. But is it natural talent or hard work that helps us achieve our long-term goals? I can stick to things for decades, but struggle in the short-term. Looking into what the 'experts' say about persev...

Dec 13, 2020•13 min

Episode Two: Assertiveness - Can You Say No?

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. Have you every been told to do something you really didn't want to do, but you just couldn't say no? Being assertive is a skill that encompasses a whole range of other important abilities such as being able to create boundaries and ensuring self-care - something that has been my own Everest. Looking into what the 'experts' say about how to be assertive and whether it is truly helpful? And also he...

Dec 06, 2020•14 min

Introduction: Are You Confident?

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. Looking into what the 'experts' say about how to be confident and whether it is truly helpful? And also hearing from others who have gained some mastery over themselves. Please hit subscribe to hear the whole series on life skills! It should be short and sweet. I look forward to journeying with you through this maze of hacks. (PS. I do not receive commission for speaking about these books or guid...

Nov 29, 2020•10 min

← Prev

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android