The Being Human Podcast

Hosted by just add water

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Oct 2026

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About the show

What does it mean to be human in this world we find ourselves living in? Amelia Vegting and Jez Francis explore some experiences common to us all, and how they affect us. With the help of some special guests, they hope to learn a bit more about themselves and each other. We are just add water, a global creative consultancy. We love people, what happens between, and how that impacts individuals’ happiness and productivity, and how organisations perform. Whether we're helping our clients to build brilliant leaders for today and tomorrow, enriching cultures, or connecting and inspiring whole teams, we lean heavily on our background in both business and the creative arts. Email our hosts Amelia Vegting (amelia@sojustaddwater.com) and Jez Francis (jfrancis@sojustaddwater.com) to say hello. They would love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to episodes

39 recent

October 2, 20261 hr 2 min

Experiences: How can we rethink the way we learn?

In this episode, Amelia and Jez are joined by creative facilitators and their friends Simon Arrowsmith and Saul Jaffe to explore what happens when knowledge moves beyond the head and changes what we do. Through stories of academic shortcomings, musical frustrations and improvised performance, they explore how failure, uncertainty and embarrassment can be essential to learning. From the classroom to the workplace, they consider how learning through play and story can build confidence and help people adapt to change. In a world where information is just a click away, Simon and Saul ask how we can stay curious, critical and connected, creating environments where people feel safe to experiment and learn without judgement, while protecting the human skills technology cannot replace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 24, 202653 min

Health: Could community assets be the medicine we're missing?

In this episode of the Being Human Podcast, Amelia and Jez are joined by Professor Helen Chatterjee to explore how museums, culture, creativity, and community-based approaches can transform health and wellbeing – especially for those facing inequalities. Helen shares her experience of taking her roles as a zoologist and museum curator and using them to drive her work as a creative health advocate, highlighting the importance of moving beyond clinical care to address social determinants of health. Through engaging stories and research insights, Helen delves into the value of creative health, social prescribing, and the ways communities can foster connection and resilience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 20, 20261 hr 3 min

Nourishment: What does it mean to truly feed ourselves?

Amelia and Jez are joined by Adam Kingl and Jakub Radzikowski to explore nourishment in its broadest sense. From the science of what we eat to the creativity, care, and connection that shape how we live. Drawing on Adam’s work in leadership, innovation and education, and Jakub’s background as a scientist and chef, they reflect on the role of cooking as an act of mindfulness, the value of preparation and mastery, and the joy of sharing food with others. Together, they consider how the kitchen can become a place of learning, experimentation and belonging, and why nourishment is about far more than nutrition alone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 1, 20261 hr 8 min

Photographs: What does it mean to capture a moment?

Amelia and Jez sit down with renowned photo editor and visual storyteller Kira Pollack to explore how photographs shape what (and who) we see. From her years at TIME Magazine to her role as Creative Director at Vanity Fair, she lifts the lid on the often‑invisible role of the photo editor: commissioning photographers, advocating for their work, and navigating the creative and ethical decisions behind some of the world’s most recognisable and powerful images. Through her fellowship at Harvard, she’s exploring how technology and oral histories might help us preserve visual history while protecting authorship and trust, turning her role of advocating for photographers shot by shot into a longer‑term project to build archives where images are remembered not just as files, but as evidence of what they saw, and the stories, risks, and relationships behind each frame. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 30, 202655 min

Ethics: How can we stay true to our values under pressure?

For the first episode of series four, Amelia and Jez sit down with ethics advisor Ben Wilberforce-Ritchie to explore how ordinary people make ethical choices in a messy, pressurised world. From speed limits and office policies to laws and social norms – exploring that fact that “we can” is not the same as “we should.” Ben shares how his work in high-risk corporate environments has shaped his view that ethics isn’t about being perfect, but about thinking critically, noticing the grey areas, and trying to polish our small corner of the world. Ben gives advice on how we can build better judgment, create cultures where people feel safe to speak up, and make good decisions when it matters most. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December 30, 202553 min

Adventure: How do we lead ourselves and others into the unknown?

In this final episode of series 3 of the Being Human Podcast, hosts Amelia Vegting and Jez Francis are joined by leadership, team culture and resilience expert Mark Denton. Mark shares his remarkable experience leading a diverse, amateur crew in the world’s toughest round-the-world yacht race, highlighting the importance of vulnerability, inclusive leadership, and teamwork under intense pressure. Through candid stories of success, setbacks, and learning from failure, Mark reveals what it takes to build genuine togetherness and high performance - whether at sea or in the workplace! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

November 25, 202548 min

Endurance: What drives us to push our physical and mental limits?

In this episode, Amelia and Jez are joined by endurance athlete and Guinness World Record holder Natalie Dau. Together, they explore what it means to be human by embracing failure, finding growth in discomfort, and noticing joy in everyday moments. Natalie shares her journey of running ultramarathons, including her two epic 1,000 km solo runs across Southeast Asia. She reflects on the importance of support systems and the lasting impact of kindness from strangers during her adventures - reminding us that as long as you’ve tried your best, that is more than enough. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 17, 202554 min

Voice: Why do accents amplify assumptions?

Amelia and Jez explore the human voice. With Heather Hanson, an expert in global communication, they explore the power of voice and accent in shaping identity and status. Heather shines a light on accent bias and how it persists both socially and professionally, and the price we pay as a result. The notion of 'good' and 'bad' English is challenged, and the case for more inclusivity in how we perceive and value different accents is made. The conversation delves into practical strategies for individuals to make their voices heard in the workplace and beyond, and for leaders to create more inclusive communication cultures. Heather's insights reveal how deeply ingrained accent biases are and the importance of self-awareness in overcoming them, ultimately emphasising that being human means communicating and connecting with others, regardless of how we sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 15, 202550 min

Journeys: How can a change of place lead to a change of heart?

Amelia and Jez explore journeys with award-winning writer Oliver Smith. In his book "On This Holy Island," Oli reimagines pilgrimage beyond traditional contexts, by retracing routes across time; from murmurs of ritual journeys in the depths of the Ice Age, to 21st century treks to football stadiums and music festivals. The conversation explores the resurgence of routes like the Camino de Santiago and the personal growth that can come from stepping out of one's comfort zone. Oli’s perspective offers a fresh take on finding meaning and connection with others in an increasingly digital world through intentional travel and embracing new experiences. Amelia shares a story of culinary surprises in Barcelona, and Jez gets distracted by a man changing a billboard poster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 12, 202555 min

Creativity: How can solving problems connect us and make us feel more alive?

Amelia and Jez revisit the topic of creativity with author and speaker, Fredrik Haren. Drawing from his experiences interviewing thousands of people across 75 countries, Fredrik shares insights on the universal nature of creativity and its role in making us human. He discusses the importance of being a "creativator", someone who unlocks creative potential in others, and offers practical advice for nurturing creativity in everyday life. Fredrik's stories about Spanish sculptors, Mongolian nomads, and Afghan painters illustrate the myriad ways creativity manifests across cultures, the balance between confidence and humility in creative pursuits, and the value of learning from diverse perspectives. Fredrik believes everyone’s creativity is different, a shared human trait and yet a uniquely personal experience, which makes Jez feel good about fixing a loo seat, and the “mend thrill” he experienced in doing so. Fredrik Haren shares insights from his upcoming book The World of Creativity, a global exploration of how creativity is expressed and experienced across 37 countries. Drawing from in-depth conversations with creative minds around the world, the book offers a rare perspective on the universal and diverse nature of creativity. The World of Creativity is now available for pre-order on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1907312897 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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