Best Charles Spence Podcasts (2025)

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Kevin N. Heller, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Advisor to Funds and VCs, on Culture Shifts, Tough Lessons In Leadership, And The Reality Of Biotech Fundraising 29:36

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6d ago29:36

29:36

In this episode, I talked with Dr. Kevin Heller, former biotech CMO and now advisor to VCs and funds, who’s built his career at the intersection of science, leadership, and investment. Kevin started out as a pediatric hematologist–oncologist before joining BMS, where he worked on one of the first checkpoint inhibitor programs. Since then, he’s held…

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How to Harness Your Senses for Enhanced Wellbeing with Prof. Charles Spence 39:12

19d ago39:12

39:12

In this episode of The Happier Life Project, we dive into the hidden power of our senses with world-renowned experimental psychologist Professor Charles Spence, an expert in multisensory perception and experience design, and founder of Oxford’s Crossmodal Research Laboratory. From working with global brands and celebrity chefs to decoding how we ta…

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How To Talk To Kids About Food with Dr Anna Colton 14:48

1d ago14:48

14:48

In this bonus episode of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby Sanderson welcomes back Dr Anna Colton, a leading clinical psychologist specialising in adolescence and eating disorders, to explore her book How To Talk To Kids About Food. With over 20 years of experience - from Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Tavistock Clinic to her thriving priv…

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Rewriting the Life Scripts That Shape—and Sabotage—You with Dr Anna Colton 31:28

5d ago31:28

31:28

What if the way you see yourself; your worth, your relationships, your fears, even your achievements, was being quietly directed by a story you didn’t even write? Life scripts are unconscious, childhood-rooted narratives that shape how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world. Formed through early interactions with caregivers, these internal “s…

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Bonus: Lessons from a UN Goodwill Ambassador on Peace, Purpose & Personal Resilience with Aliza Ayaz 25:41

9d ago25:41

25:41

October 24th marks United Nations Day; a celebration of global cooperation, peace, and human rights. But beyond politics and policy, what can an international organization built to unite nations teach us about creating peace within ourselves? In this special bonus episode of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby Sanderson welcomes Aliza Ayaz an inte…

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The Psychology of Colour and How to Use It Every Day with Karen Haller 35:44

12d ago35:44

35:44

Ever wondered why you're instantly drawn to some colours and completely turned off by others? Why certain shades can lift your mood, calm your nerves, give you confidence, or even make you feel uneasy? Colour is far more than decoration. It is a powerful and universal language that speaks directly to our emotions, often without us even realising it…

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Bonus: The Truth About Cold Water Immersion, According to Science with Prof. Mike Tipton 26:15

16d ago26:15

26:15

In this episode of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby Sanderson dives into the icy depths of cold water immersion. Is it really as good for our health as it’s made out to be? From ice baths to open-water swims, cold water therapy has become a wellness trend, but what does the science actually say? To find out, Gabby speaks with one of the world’s…

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Carl Deutsch, CSO at NBE Therapeutics in Non-Linear Careers, Age Bias, and Building Great Teams 37:28

19d ago37:28

37:28

In this episode, I talked with Dr. Carl Deutsch, Chief Scientific Officer at NBE Therapeutics, where he shared about his path from chemistry into pharma and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Carl recalls how difficult it was to secure his first role when jobs were scarce, the pressure of multiple interview rounds, and how a non-linear career …

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Bonus: Turning Struggle into Song: Music, Mental Health & Meaning with ADMT 21:21

23d ago21:21

21:21

In this very special bonus episode of The Happier Life Project, airing on World Mental Health Day and marking the podcast’s four-year anniversary, Gabby Sanderson sits down with singer-songwriter Adam Taylor, better known as ADMT, to explore the powerful intersection of music and mental health. ADMT is an artist unafraid to de-stigmatise conversati…

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Escaping the Body Image Trap in the Age of Ozempic with Lucie Vallée 36:41

26d ago36:41

36:41

By My Possible Self

1M ago27:46

27:46

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Bonus: Handling the "Back To" Scaries with Chlo Hodgkinson 20:36

1M ago20:36

20:36

Welcome to the very first bonus episode of The Happier Life Project! From now on, alongside our regular Tuesday deep-dive episodes with expert guests, we’ll be dropping shorter, lighter episodes every Friday. These bonus episodes will explore a wider range of topics, share extra content from the main shows, introduce meditations we’re loving, or ev…

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Befriend All Your Parts & Align Your Mind with Britt Frank 38:34

2M ago38:34

38:34

Welcome to a brand-new season of The Happier Life Project! Gabby Sanderson is back with fresh conversations designed to bring you practical tools, insights, and inspiration for living a happier life. To kick things off, our The Happier Life Project host is joined by friend of the show Britt Frank; author, speaker, and licensed neuropsychotherapist.…

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Building a modern menswear empire with Luca Faloni 2:04:11

2M ago2:04:11

2:04:11

Today you are joining a conversation I had with my dear friend Luca Faloni, Founder of Luca Faloni. As you all know, Luca Faloni has been my personal go to fashion brand for over 3 years, in this episode we went through his founding story, his thoughts on luxury, maximising the retail experience and the reality of being an entrepreneur.…

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Pour Decisions (Replay): Breaking Free from Unhealthy Drinking Patterns with Amanda E. White 38:42

2M ago38:42

38:42

Let’s get curious about our drinking habits! In this episode of The Happier Life Project we are looking at the role alcohol plays in our life; as a comforter, socializing tool, way to relax, blow off steam, or avoid uncomfortable emotions. Guest Amanda E. White is a licensed therapist and the creator of the popular Instagram account @therapyforwome…

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Heal Childhood Wounds (Replay): Breaking Family Patterns to Transform Your Relationships with Vienna Pharaon 1:02:35

3M ago1:02:35

1:02:35

None of us had a perfect childhood; we are all carrying around wounds and behaviours that don’t serve us. But what if we could break free from unhealthy family patterns to liberate the way we live and love? As children we observe and absorb everything around us. And we teach ourselves to behave in a way that helps to make us feel safe. But at what …

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András Strassz, MD, MBA, CMO at Heidelberg Pharma – Career Crossroads, Recruiting, and Culture Fit Over CVs 38:03

3M ago38:03

38:03

In this episode, I talked with Dr. András Strassz, Chief Medical Officer at Heidelberg Pharma, to hear about his two decades of leadership in oncology drug development—and the often-overlooked realities behind building teams, designing clinical trials, and making biotech work. András opens up about key moments in his career, including the personal …

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Emotionally Equipped (Replay): Tools for Managing Strong Feelings with Dr Emma Hepburn 49:56

3M ago49:56

49:56

Emotions play a crucial role in our overall mental health, acting as both messengers and influencers of our psychological well-being. Positive emotions like joy, gratitude, and love can enhance mental resilience, foster strong social connections, and improve our ability to cope with stress. But on the flip side, the more challenging emotions such a…

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Lost & Found (Replay): Reconnecting with Who You Are with Dr. Sara Kuburic 46:55

3M ago46:55

46:55

"What if I die before I have the chance to exist?" An existential crisis, or existential dread, can be described as persistent negative feelings and emotions linked to questioning the value of your life and how you are spending it. An existential crisis may result from intense feelings of despair as you consider questions like, "What is the point?”…

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Steven Katz, MD, CMO and SVP of Translational Science for Shinobi Therapeutics & Professor of Surgery at Brown University - Hiring Without Regret, Team Mismatches, and the Cost of Playing It Safe in Biotech ... 36:03

3M ago36:03

36:03

In this episode, I talked with Dr. Steven Katz, CMO and SVP of Translational Science for Shinobi Therapeutics, a biotech company pioneering off-the-shelf immune-evasive IPSC-derived cell therapies, and Professor of Surgery at Brown University. We get into why technical skills alone won’t cut it—and how the wrong hire, even if they look great on pap…

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The Breakup Episode: Heartache, Grief & Coping with Separation with Adrienne Everheart 58:11

3M ago58:11

58:11

Breakups can shake your world; emotionally, mentally, and even physically. In the final episode of our romantic relationships mini-series, we’re diving into the pain of separation, the grief that follows, and how to take care of your mental health in the aftermath of heartbreak. When it comes to our mental wellbeing, the ending of a relationship or…

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Christian Mueller, CDO at Immutep on Career Crossroads, Culture Missteps, and the Recruitment Disconnect in Biotech 35:38

3M ago35:38

35:38

By Charles Spence

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Sex on the Brain: How Your Sex Life Affects Your Mental Health with Kate Moyle 46:30

3M ago46:30

46:30

When we explore the link between sex and mental health, it becomes clear that many complex factors are at play. A satisfying and healthy sex life can support emotional wellbeing and boost our mental health. But on the flip side, unenjoyable or painful sex can contribute to anxiety, low mood, and emotional distress. Despite how central sex is to man…

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Toxic Relationships, Narcissistic Behaviour & When to Walk Away with Dr. Jamie Zuckerman 47:11

4M ago47:11

47:11

Continuing The Happier Life Project’s ‘relationship month’ series, this week’s episode takes a powerful look at narcissists, narcissistic abuse, and toxic relationships with Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, licensed clinical psychologist, media contributor, and global expert in narcissistic abuse. Dr. Z is a three-time published author and host of the podcast …

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Kirsty Crame-van Nierop, Director of Shiaba Consulting, Specialist on Clinical Drug Development, in Broken Hiring Cycles, IND Wins, and Surviving Biotech Burnout 34:09

4M ago34:09

34:09

By Charles Spence

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Foundations for Love: How to Date Confidently & Communicate Clearly with Hayley Quinn 55:30

4M ago55:30

55:30

Dating and communication, whether with a partner or potential partner, can feel overwhelming and confusing. But with the right tools, it can actually be empowering… and even fun! In this episode of The Happier Life Project, we continue our mini-series on romantic relationships and mental health by focusing on one of the most important skills in lov…

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From Cringe to Connection: Your Guide to Dating Better Online with Therapy Jeff 53:00

4M ago53:00

53:00

While the team at My Possible Self is busy behind the scenes working on a podcast revamp for the new season, we didn’t want to go too quiet on you until September! So The Happier Life Project is bringing you a handpicked selection of standout episodes from our archives, starting with a mini-series all about mental health and romantic relationships.…

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Bernhardt Zeiher, M.D. Member of the board of directors for Entrada Therapeutics, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, and Abeona Therapeutics on Lessons from Leading a Global Development Organization 34:06

4M ago34:06

34:06

By Charles Spence

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Ilya Gipp, CMO at GE Healthcare – Imaging’s Role in Oncology, Hiring Lessons, and How Culture Really Works 38:18

5M ago38:18

38:18

By Charles Spence

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Michael Lahn, CMO at iOnctura – Osimertinib Success, TGF-Beta Lessons, Building Curious Teams, and More 31:33

5M ago31:33

31:33

By Charles Spence

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Day 31: See You Next Season! 1:55

5M ago1:55

1:55

Congratulations on completing the Month of Mindfulness Challenge! 🌿 The Happier Life Project is taking a little break from broadcasting while we prepare for an exciting new season of the podcast; complete with a fresh look and format. Stay tuned for updates on our Instagram page: @mypossibleself Thank you for being part of our community, we can’t w…

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Day 30: The Gift of Generosity 6:18

5M ago6:18

6:18

Generosity is about turning away from self-focused actions and offering our time and attention to the needs of others. It doesn’t have to be monetary or material, generosity can be as simple as giving someone your full, undivided attention in a conversation, offering a smile to a stranger, or helping someone with a task they’re struggling with. Gen…

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Day 29: Cultivating Contentment 10:40

5M ago10:40

10:40

Contentment means feeling at peace with who you are, where you are, and what you have. In a world that constantly throws us curveballs and sends messages suggesting we need more to be happy, it’s easy to lose sight of this. But mindfulness can help us reconnect with a sense of inner well-being and self-satisfaction, without needing validation from …

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Johan Baeck, EVP and CMO at Promontory Therapeutics – Cultural Fit in Hiring, Immunogenic Small Molecules, and Building Resilience in Biotech 32:01

5M ago32:01

32:01

In this episode, I talked with Johan Baeck, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Promontory Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech focused on developing novel small molecule immunogenic anti-cancer therapies. Johan shares insights from a career spanning large pharma (Novartis, Abbott) and biotech startups, with contributions to the…

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Day 28: A Practice for Letting Go 10:13

5M ago10:13

10:13

The practice of mindfulness includes nine key pillars or attitudes, these are: non judging, gratitude, patience, a beginner's mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance, letting go, and generosity. The attitudes support each other and are deeply interconnected. Throughout the month of mindfulness challenge we have been making our way through these pilla…

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Day 27: A Meditation for Focus and Productivity 10:55

5M ago10:55

10:55

This guided meditation is designed to help you find clarity, focus, and a calm sense of control... even on your busiest days. Led by mindfulness practitioner and founder of Mynd, Andrew Swiney, this short session will guide you to quiet mental distractions, reset your energy, and re-centre your attention so you can move through your day with more p…

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Day 26: Mindfulness In Your Morning Routine 7:58

5M ago7:58

7:58

Start your day in the best possible way by adding a little mindfulness to your morning routine. In today’s challenge, host Gabby shares two short and simple mindful exercises to help you begin your day with clarity and calm. If your morning has already passed, no worries, just make a note to try them out tomorrow instead. Join our Month of Mindfuln…

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Day 25: Practicing Acceptance 11:43

5M ago11:43

11:43

Acceptance means noticing your experience and simply acknowledging it, rather than judging it as good or bad. Many of us grow up with the belief that we need to constantly achieve, improve, or become something more. We're taught, often subtly, that we must “make something” of ourselves. These unspoken expectations can lead us into a cycle of strivi…

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Day 24: Progressive Muscle Relaxation 13:27

5M ago13:27

13:27

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a stress-management mindfulness technique. The idea behind PMR is that there is a relationship between a person's mind and body. It works by helping to relieve physical tension, such as tight, aching muscles, through a simple process of tensing and relaxing specific muscle groups. PMR is a two-step practice: f…

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Day 23: Savor the Moment 10:55

5M ago10:55

10:55

Mindful eating is a powerful technique that helps you slow down, increase your awareness of food, and build healthier eating habits, all while strengthening your relationship with what you eat. In the second of two mindful eating sessions in the Month of Mindfulness Challenge, Gabby shares ways to shift from mindless, to mindful eating, followed by…

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Day 22: Mindful Eating 7:06

5M ago7:06

7:06

Mindful eating is about tuning into how you feel while you eat, paying attention to the experience with awareness and intention. Being more mindful with food can support better digestion, help you feel satisfied with less, and lead to healthier, more conscious choices. It can also free you from unhelpful eating habits and patterns. In today’s chall…

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Day 21: Embracing Non-Striving 8:36

6M ago8:36

8:36

Non-striving is one of the core principles of mindfulness. It’s the conscious decision to let things be as they are, without immediately reacting or trying to change them. With the mindfulness attitude of non-striving, there is no goal other than to simply be yourself. It’s about trying less and being more. Today’s challenge is an invitation to do …

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Day 20: Building Self-Esteem with the 5 C’s 11:27

6M ago11:27

11:27

The five C’s of self-esteem are: Competence, Confidence, Character, Connection, and Caring. Day 20 of the Month of Mindfulness Challenge invites you to reflect on each of these key areas, to check in with yourself and assess where you are, and consider what small actions you can take to grow and strengthen your self-esteem. For this challenge, you’…

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Day 19: Practicing Trust 12:52

6M ago12:52

12:52

A fundamental part of learning to meditate is learning to trust yourself; your instincts, your sensations, and your emotions. In mindfulness, we often say the body holds more wisdom than the mind. Practicing the mindful attitude of trust means tuning in and learning to listen to that wisdom. This practice is about taking responsibility for being yo…