Real Clear Values

We’re living through an honesty crisis. Advances in technology have made dishonesty more appealing than ever before – and less likely for the dishonest to get caught. This crisis has far-reaching implications for individuals, institutions, and society as a whole.

In this episode, I discuss the true meaning of honesty and its central role in a well functioning society with Christian Miller, author of the newly published book, The Honesty Crisis: Preserving Our Most Treasured Virtue in an Increasingly Dishonest World.

After years of research, Mark Friedman concluded that much of what he thought he knew about “authentic” Judaism was incorrect.

He argues that Judaism is far closer to classical liberalism than many might assume — and that the idea that traditional Jewish values are inherently at odds with liberal values is fundamentally flawed.

In this episode, we explore the Torah’s liberal values, the role of scripture as an anchor and guide in modern life, and much more.

For more on Mark’s work, see his new book, Come Now Let Us Reason Together: Uncovering the Torah’s Liberal Values.

Jim Ferrell had already introduced the work of Martin Buber to millions of people through his books and keynote talks before realising he had been missing something fundamental about Buber’s insight.

That realisation took Jim deeper into the world of relation – our fundamental connectedness – and ultimately led to a new leadership paradigm that’s presented in his recently published book, You and We: A Relational Rethinking of Work, Life, and Leadership.

In this empowering conversation, we explore what it means to grow relationally and why meaningful change happens as we change the space between us.

What if many of the emotions we regularly feel are actually counterfeits?In this episode, I’m joined by Curtis Morley to explore the concept of counterfeit emotions – and why authenticity is essential for meaningful personal growth.We discuss the difference between being nice and being kind, why peace may be the only emotion that cannot be counterfeited, and how it’s possible to experience both joy and pain at the same time. Drawing on Viktor Frankl’s insight that our final freedom is the ability to choose our attitude, we explore why choosing growth over misery matters – especially when life hurts.We also examine the distinction between sobriety and recovery, why emotional intelligence is the single strongest predictor of success in life and business, and why learning to love yourself is not a selfish indulgence, but a necessity for service.A powerful conversation on emotional intelligence, authenticity, and personal growth.

Workplace stress and uncertainty don’t just affect performance — they reshape how the brain functions. In this conversation, Dr Lynda Shaw explores neuroscience in the workplace, clarifying common myths, the difference between neuroscience and psychology, and what leaders can do to help people thrive under pressure.

From running a marathon at 14 to winning awards in bodybuilding and powerlifting as an adult, Nathaniel Hancock has dedicated his life to continuous improvement. Now in middle-age, he identifies as someone who rages against the dying of the light.

In this episode, we discuss Nathaniel's journey so far – his role models, his setbacks, and how he overcomes the victim mentality.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 is often seen as the spark that ignited World War I – and it was pivotal in transforming the way that states use and protect against assassination. In his recently published book, Death to Order: A Modern History of Assassination, Simon Ball, Professor of International History and Politics at the University of Leeds, tells that story. In this episode, we discuss Simon’s work on assassination, as well as the implications for liberal democracy as state security expands to protect an ever-growing circle of elites.

General Electric was once America’s most admired company. Today, it stands as a cautionary tale. In this episode, I’m joined by William Cohan, bestselling author of Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of General Electric, which was praised as “monumental” by The Economist and “a tour de force” by the Financial Times. We explore GE’s dominance in its heyday, Jack Welch’s rise and legacy, the company’s decline under Jeff Immelt, and enduring lessons for today’s leaders.

Who was Plato?

Why are we still talking about him over two-thousand years after his death?

What warnings did he give us about the vulnerabilities of democracy?

What impact do individuals' values have on a democracy?

And, in short, why does Plato matter now?

In this episode, Angie Hobbs, Professor emerita of the Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield and author of the new book Why Plato Matters Now, answers these questions and more.

Nietzsche's declaration that "God is dead" in The Gay Science was more tragic than triumphal. The philosopher was acutely aware of the existential vacuum that would be created by the decline of religion in the west and sought to find a solution. His solution came in the form of what he called the superman (übermensch) who would create new values to replace the old law tables of Judeo-Christian religion.

In this episode, Dr Martin Ruehl of Cambridge University returns to discuss the meaning of Nietzsche's superman in both theory and practice, looking at Nietzsche's work through the prism of history, ideology, and religion.

*Correction & Clarification: At the end of the episode, I referred to Nietzsche’s “ultimate man” when I meant “monumental man,” as discussed in Untimely Meditations. It is my view that Christ fits Nietzsche’s criteria for the monumental man, though Nietzsche himself never explicitly made this connection.

In this episode, psycho-linguistic expert and UK Managing Director of Inspirational Group, Felicity Wingrove, talks through some of the fundamentals of how to be understood how you intend to be understood for better personal and business outcomes.

Do you want to improve your communication skills to be better understood?

If so, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Erica Benner, author of Be Like the Fox: Machiavelli’s Lifelong Quest for Freedom, discusses the ways in which Niccolò Machiavelli's magnum opus, The Prince, has been misunderstood and misrepresented in popular culture, as well as Machiavelli's real thoughts on power.

What is the Bible?

Who decided which books would be included within it?

How can we make sense of it and its various paradoxes?

How is the Bible seen, and applied, in different parts of the world?

How did the Bible gain its cultural significance while being such a difficult book?

What have we lost in the west from the Bible’s loss of cultural prominence?

Which version of the Bible should you read?

How is the Bible adapting in the digital age?

In this episode, Professor Bruce Gordon of Yale's Divinity School addresses these questions and more.

(Episode recorded on 6th November 2024.)

Donald Trump’s election victory in 2024 raised significant questions about America’s role in the world, not least concerning the defence of Ukraine against belligerent Russia. Traditional European allies are alarmed at the prospect of America turning its back on them, while traditional enemies celebrate the end of globalism through Trump 2.0. Could the idea of a multipolar world appeal to both MAGA America and the enemies of the west? How might key players in and around the Trump administration influence America’s role in the world going forward? To discuss these questions and more, Dr Benjamin R. Teitelbaum returns to the Real Clear Values podcast to share his insights.

(Episode recorded: 12th March 2025.)

In Danny Mitchell's second appearance on the Real Clear Values podcast, we focus on role models in both fighting and family. And we get into all sorts besides that, including Michael Bisping's aristocratic family history, PED using MMA fighters, and cleaning gravestones in Doncaster.(Episode recorded: 4th November 2024.)

Simon Fagg, Founder of With Leadership, brings deep expertise in purposeful leadership and organisational values. In this episode, we dive into the core values of With Leadership, their real-world impact, and how to drive meaningful, lasting organisational change.

Professor Malcolm Gaskill’s book, The Ruin of all Witches: Life and Death in the New World, has received high praise from many quarters.

It is a tragic tale of the struggles of life in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1651, speaking to neighbourhood rivalries, social and political power structures, early modern gender roles, and what it meant to be accused of witchcraft in the New World.

In this episode we discuss all of these themes and more, exploring how Malcolm adeptly explains the past without explaining it away and finding a simple but powerful moral to the story that can be applied in any era.

(Episode originally released on 2nd February 2023.)

Peter Williamson's biography of Benito Mussolini is a valuable and insightful contribution to scholarship on the Italian dictator.

In this episode, I talk to Peter about the development of Mussolini's philosophy and political ideology, his approach to governance and leadership, and the factors that led to his undoing.

This episode is an excellent complement to previous episodes on Mussolini featuring Professors Richard Bosworth and John Foot respectively. And it holds powerful lessons for those in positions of leadership, as well as those in pursuit of power.

Peter's biography of Mussolini is called Duce: The Contradictions of Power and was published by Hurst Publishers in April 2023.

Have you ever felt like you're an imposter? Like you're not good enough to do what you're doing and you're a whisker away from being found out? If so, this episode is for you, as Gary Frey discusses his book Silence the Imposter: 7 Weapons to Silence Imposter Syndrome. We dig into why Gary wrote the book, his personal journey in silencing the imposter, and some valuable principles and practices that anyone can use to silence the bully that is imposter syndrome.

The fascist's rise to power in Italy was brutally violent, but it was also organised and strategic. In this episode, Professor John Foot of University of Bristol, and author of Blood and Power, tells the story of how the Italian fascists, with Mussolini at the helm, were able to seize power through organised political violence. And he also tells the story of Mussolini's ignominious demise.

Having fought in the UFC and Bellator, Danny Mitchell is a highly experienced fighter, MMA coach and gym owner. He's also a man of faith. In this episode, we discuss Danny's fighting and faith journeys, the parallels between the two, and some key principles to live by to avoid a fall.

Everyone's heard of Sigmund Freud, but how many are familiar with the origins of Freud's work in psychoanalysis? Professor Seamus O'Mahony explores this in his book, The Guru, the Bagman & the Sceptic: A Story of Science, Sex & Psychoanalysis. In this episode, we dig into the origins of Freud's thinking, the acolytes who promoted his work and a key sceptic, Wilfred Trotter, who had a notably contrasting approach to caring for his patients.

What role does education play in teaching young people values? Which values can benefit the individual and the whole? And how are those values be put into practice? Simon Day returns to the Real Clear Values podcast to discuss these questions and more.

Sobiya Jawaid is the first hijab-wearing, female British Muslim Kickboxer to have represented England at European level, where she won silver medal.  She's also a Leadership Coach, Diversity and Belonging Consultant, Coach and Speaker. In this episode we discuss values in relation to identity and connecting with others, as well as the value of good coaches and mentors, the case for diversity and the true meaning of belonging, and how to make the most out of your uniqueness in serving others.

(Episode recorded on 21st February 2023.)

What does abundance mean to you? Is it found without or within? What do you really want?

Sometimes we’re presented with opportunities that look good in the moment. But when we look at them closer, we see that they will prevent us from getting what we really want in the long-term.

Creating a life you’re happy to call your own requires owning your values.

In this episode, Abundance Coach Claudia Noriega-Bernstein visits the Real Clear Values podcast to discuss the above and more.

(Episode recorded on 16th January 2023.)

The role of Aleksandr Dugin as an advisor to Vladimir Putin and influencer in Russian society has long been shrouded in mystery. Over time, this has earned him the moniker of “Putin’s Rasputin”. But despite Dugin’s widely acknowledged influence relating to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, his role and identity remain stubbornly difficult to pin down. Who is this agent of chaos, pulling at the fringes of western society? What does he want? And should the west be worried about its philosophical enemies like Aleksandr Dugin? Benjamin Teitelbaum visits the Real Clear Values podcast for the third time to discuss these questions and more.

Repentance isn't about external control; it's about internal change.

I was asked to give a talk at church on the topic, "Repentance is a mighty change of heart and mind", which I gave on Sunday 29th January 2023.

It isn't usual to record a talk that you give in a church meeting, but I felt prompted to do so beforehand. From the feedback I received from members of the congregation afterwards, I felt to share the recording on this podcast for others to listen to.

Repentance is something that I think about a lot, particularly as a means of personal transformation in so many different contexts, spiritual and secular. Yet, unfortunately, the word repentance has a branding problem, conjuring up all manner of images of social control and externally induced guilt and shame. (Shame can be a valuable internal stimulus for change, however, as I discuss in the talk.)

Repentance is driven by three fundamentals:

1. Identity – who you are and who you want to become;

2. Vision – where you want to go and what you want to obtain;

3. Love – there is nothing more transformational than the power of love.

For many listening who come from a non-religious background some of the terminology and concepts in the talk may seem strange, but the principle that underpins repentance is universal and isn't limited to a single denomination or belief-system. As a principle of transformation, repentance is like a key that will never rust.

I hope you gain something from listening to the talk.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments: tom@3stewardships.com.

Professor Malcolm Gaskill’s recently published book, The Ruin of all Witches: Life and Death in the New World, has received high praise from many quarters. It is a tragic tale of the struggles of life in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1651, speaking to neighbourhood rivalries, social and political power structures, early modern gender roles, and what it meant to be accused of witchcraft in the New World.

In this episode we discuss all of these themes and more, exploring how Malcolm adeptly explains the past without explaining it away and finding a simple but powerful moral to the story that can be applied in any era.

(Episode recorded on 16th November 2022.)

If you’re a CEO and you’re hoarding power then chances are that you’re limiting your organisation’s performance.

But don’t just take my word for it; take it from someone who’s done it both ways…

In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Kevin Hancock, CEO of Hancock Lumber Company, to talk about sustainable success.

Hancock Lumber was founded in 1848, so they know a thing or two about sustainability!

The foundation of their business’s sustainability doesn’t only depend on the sustainability of their supplies (i.e. trees), though that is critical, it also rests on people-oriented sustainability.

And this is where Kevin thrives in his stewardship as CEO of the company.

✅ Creating meaningful work for staff

✅ Creating a working environment in which staff are engaged and happy in their work, making it safe for them to speak up about necessary changes and improvements

✅ Empowering staff throughout the company to make their very best contributions through the dispersal of power

But before you start thinking that this is some sort of fluffy, emotional idealism, you need to pay attention to the cold, hard numbers that Hancock Lumber’s put up since Kevin started to disperse power throughout the organisation.

There’s a very stark before and after here – it’s staggering!

Why the change in approach?

In 2010, Kevin lost his voice and was forced to change his approach; which is when the magic started to happen.

Tune in to learn more about Kevin’s story, his approach and his enviable results.

Why did America, whose riches and military might dwarfed those of North Vietnam, fail to win the Vietnam War with its allies in the south?

In this episode, Dr. Tom Tunstall Allcock from University of Manchester gives some answers to that question, as well as exploring the war more broadly from an American perspective.

We discuss the pitfalls of the failure of American leadership to properly understand the values of its enemy in the war, its lack of clear purpose and goals through military intervention, its loss of moral authority through backfiring military operations, and unprecedented press coverage of the war which illustrated the horrors of war like never before.

The Vietnam War had a seismic impact on America, undermining trust in American leadership at home and abroad, bringing about unprecedented social unrest, contributing to the demise of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s power and presidency, and costing the lives of tens of thousands of American soldiers.

Whilst it was a staggeringly expensive tragedy, the Vietnam War offers a wealth of learning opportunities for leaders in almost any context.

(Episode recorded on 7th June 2022.)

Think you know all about the Vietnam War?

This interview with Dr. Sean Fear from the University of Leeds may make you think again.

Sean has researched Vietnamese-language archival materials, memoirs, and print media extensively, enabling him to present valuable perspectives that are often absent in western documentaries and movies about the war.

In this episode, we start by discussing the beginning of the Vietnam War (from the Vietnamese perspective) before getting into the South Vietnamese state's failure to win legitimacy in the eyes of its constituents, and the role that that played in the denouement of the war.

This episode is longer than usual to ensure that the nuances and complexities discussed can be properly represented.

Sean’s voice is authentic and insightful on this topic, challenging (western) conventional wisdom about the war, highlighting its intractable complexities, and giving valuable insight to western audiences.

(Episode recorded on 1st June 2022.)

“That’s just rhetoric” is a common phrase used to dismiss the seriousness of what someone (usually an untrusted leader) has said.

But rhetoric is much more than “just rhetoric”.

As David Erland Isaksen, Associate Professor of Communication at USN School of Business, talks about in this episode of the Real Clear Values podcast, the art of rhetoric played an integral role in the foundations of democracy.

Suffice it to say that its reputation has fallen a long way since it was known as the Queen of the Humanities.

Far from serving the purposes of manipulation and demagoguery, however, Isaksen illustrates how a sound understanding of rhetoric, and strong rhetorical skills, can help individuals to guard against the deceitful manipulations of demagogues.

What’s more is that strong rhetorical skills are essential in communicating our values clearly and persuasively to others.

Tune in to learn more about why the art of rhetoric is so relevant to what’s happening in the world today (think: Zelensky versus Putin's Russia) and how you can develop your own rhetorical skills.

(Episode recorded on 22nd March 2022.)

“If you are tired of being a doormat, get off the floor.”

Ore Ogungbayi is one of the best trainers I’ve ever learned from.

She also has one of the most extraordinary and empowering stories I’ve ever heard.

Being kidnapped as a child could have crushed Ore, made her resentful and suffocated her aspirations.

Instead, through her shift in mindset and application of timeless principles, she used her trials and challenges as fuel to learn, grow and contribute for the benefit of others.

I loved this conversation with Ore – what she has overcome and *how* she’s overcome is so relevant to the challenges that many of us face in our lives today.

My favourite piece of wisdom from the episode: "People need love more than culture."

Tune in, take note, and enjoy!

What Ore has to share is gold.

(Episode recorded on 16th February 2022.)

According to the CDC, a record 100,000 people in the US died from overdoses in 12 months of the pandemic. Opioids played a big part in those deaths, as did despair.

These deaths have lowered American life expectancy and are indicative of serious social issues in the country.

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Mark Gold, a world renowned expert on drugs of abuse, about the changing trends in drug abuse and drug-related deaths over time.

We also get into what’s driving increases in drug addiction and deaths of despair, how to avoid falling into addiction’s enslavement and how to help loved ones who have.

If you have any interest in the opioid crisis and the epidemic of deaths of despair then this episode is a must.

(Episode recorded on 15th November 2021.)

Addictive behaviours have increased across the board since the beginning of the pandemic.

The unintended consequences of lockdowns have had a significantly negative impact on those already struggling with addictions, and many more have fallen into addiction’s clutches.

In this episode, Dr Nicole Avena, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, talks to me about addiction in the context of covid-19.

We cover everything from defining addiction (in a practical way), the factors that lead people into addictive behaviours, how to overcome addiction, how to guard against it in the first place, and how to support loved ones who are struggling within its grasp.

(Episode recorded on 27th September 2021.)

What's the problem with pursuing pleasure as an end in itself?

That's the question that I set about answering in my TEDx Talk, Escaping the Hedonism Trap, at TEDxMCPHS in 2020.

The story of how I sleepwalked my way into the hedonism trap, and escaped, has resonated with many who have heard it.

The world is simply too full of distractions, temptations and challenges, and our brains too malleable, to leave the governance of our lives to chance.

If what you hear in the talk resonates with you and you'd like more information on how to escape the ennui, or even misery, of the slavish pursuit of pleasure then drop me a line: tom@3stewardships.com.

Here's to creating a life of purpose, meaning and fulfilment in pursuing your unique version of sustainable success.

(This is a wee bonus episode between seasons 2 & 3...)

As a photojournalist, Massoud Hossaini became the first Afghan to win the Pulitzer Prize for a photo he took in the immediate aftermath of a brutal terrorist attack in Kabul in 2011.

The story behind the photo and the sense of responsibility Massoud felt in telling Afghanistan’s story from an Afghan perspective is both heartrending and inspiring.

In this episode, Massoud talks about the perils of photojournalism in Afghanistan, why Afghanistan’s sudden fall into the hands of the Taliban was both preventable and unsurprising, and what the future might look like for him and the country he loves.

This is an insider’s take on both the fall and future of Afghanistan.

(Episode recorded on 30/10/21.)

What’s the value of faith and religion in relation to the workplace and wider society?

That question was at the heart of my conversation with Brian Grim, President of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation (RFBF).

RFBF is dedicated to educating the global business community, policymakers, non-government organisations and consumers about the positive power that faith — and religious freedom for all (including those with no religious faith) — has on business and the economy.

In this episode, Brian and I discussed the importance of people bringing their whole souls to work, the value of religion, the role of religion in shaping society's values, the rise of religious nationalism and much more.If you're interested in the intersection of religion and society then this episode is for you.

(Episode recorded on 25th October 2021.)

Joe Kwon is an expert in connecting with other people.

He’s the author of Unlock Your Executive Presence, host of the Executive Presence Morsels podcast and a privacy attorney.

Suffice it to say that he has many strings to his bow.

In this episode we talk about how to connect with your purpose, how to connect with others on your path, connection with place and connection in the context of leadership.

If you’d like to learn how to make better connections then this episode is must.

(Recorded on 27th August 2021.)

It’s fair to say that Monika Stezewska-Kruk knows a thing or two about power.

As a Power Coach on Stanford’s LEAD program, she’s been taught and mentored by renowned Stanford academic Jeffrey Pfeffer.

In this episode, we discuss the taboos of power, the virtues of pursuing it, and how to effectively obtain and retain it.

As Monika explains, power is necessary in order to get things done, but it doesn’t have to be a dirty word.

(Episode record on 5th August 2021.)