Sitting with Masks

Episode 8: Sitting With MindfulnessIn this episode of Sitting With, Alan and Rob sit with mindfulness — exploring what it really means beyond the buzzword. They share their personal experiences of practice, how mindfulness has shaped their lives, and some gentle reflections on presence, awareness, and being with what is. Whether you’re new to mindfulness or deep in your own journey, this conversation invites you to slow down, breathe, and listen with an open heart.

In Episode 7 of Sitting With, we dive into the heart of creativity and flow. Drawing on the work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Steven Kotler, we explore what it really means to be in a state of flow—the conditions that spark it, and how it fuels creative expression. We unpack the 8 flow triggers and reflect on how they show up in daily life, work, and artistic practice.

Episode 6 – What Makes Therapy Good? A Conversation with WillIn this episode of Sitting With, we’re joined by Will, who brings a grounded and heartfelt perspective to the question: What should we look for in good therapy?Will walks us through the therapeutic process, offering deep insights into the core qualities that make therapy truly effective and transformational. From the importance of wisdom and emotional safety, to the subtle power of feeling felt and truly seen, we explore what it feels like when therapy is working—and what to watch for when it’s not.Whether you’re starting therapy, in the middle of your journey, or supporting others on theirs, this episode is packed with thoughtful reflections and practical guidance on finding the right fit and deepening the therapeutic relationship.Tune in for a nourishing conversation on the essence of healing connection

Boundaries – The Space Between UsIn this episode, we explore the vital role boundaries play in our relationships, wellbeing, and personal growth. We reflect on how boundaries are not walls but bridges—ways to honor ourselves while staying connected to others. From the subtle to the explicit, we unpack what it means to say yes, no, and everything in between.

In this episode, we explore the roles we play and the masks we wear—sometimes consciously, often unconsciously. From the protective personas of childhood to the performance masks of adulthood, we ask: when do these masks serve us, and when do they keep us from deeper connection—with others and ourselves? Drawing on Integral Theory, personal reflection, and lived experience, we sit with the complexity of identity, authenticity, and the courage it takes to take the mask off.

Episode 3: Sitting With SadnessSadness is a feeling many of us try to avoid—distracting ourselves, pushing through, or trying to “fix” it. But what happens when we simply sit with it? In this episode, we explore sadness through an Integral lens, looking at how it shows up in our bodies, minds, relationships, and the wider culture.We talk about the wisdom within sadness, the ways we resist it, and how making space for it can bring depth, connection, and even transformation. Toward the end of the episode, we guide you through a short reflective practice to help you meet sadness with openness and curiosity.Join us as we sit with sadness—without rushing to move past it, but simply being with it.

We dive into reaction and sit with it from so may perspectives. We delve into reactivity from the internal world of the individual, to how it impacts the body to how wider systems affect us also. Dive with us to understand that reactivity is part of all of us and by being mindfully aware of it we can then befriend this part in order to live a balance life

In todays episode Alan and Rob sit with the concept of a beginning, whether its a beginning of a podcast, a relationship or situation. We explore what it’s like to begin something new and be with it from all areas of that thing. Sit back, open your mindful ears to the beginning of our podcast journey