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The Enlightened Overachiever

The Enlightened Overachiever

By: Laurence Shorter
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About this listen

The Enlightened Overachiever is a conversation about creativity and leadership — and how to make good things happen in the world.


I’m Laurence Shorter: author, thinker, and leadership coach. My work is about joining the dots between our inner worlds — the thoughts and feelings we live with every day — and the realities we shape together, at work and beyond.


My guests include entrepreneurs, artists, teachers, and thinkers. Together, we explore what it means to be a person in the world at this moment in history — with a brain, a heart, ideas and ambitions. Where are we going, how will we get there, and what’s being asked of us next?


If you’re engaged in building anything — businesses, lives, cultures — this podcast offers new perspectives on the complex challenges we face as we reimagine the future of work, meaning, and human potential.

© 2026 Laurence Shorter Economics Personal Development Personal Success Philosophy Social Sciences
Episodes
  • On Being Neighbourly and Seeing Reality as It Is — with Robert Rowland Smith

    On Being Neighbourly and Seeing Reality as It Is — with Robert Rowland Smith
    Jan 22 2026

    What does it mean to see the world clearly as it is? Why do simple narratives make it so hard for us to achieve that, and to live well together?

    In this wide-ranging conversation with philosopher, author, and constellator Robert Rowland Smith we explore what it means to face reality without rushing to solutions, explanations or positions. Drawing on a life immersed in academia, business, systemic constellations, poetry, and spiritual traditions, Robert reflects on surrender, ambiguity and the fascinations that join his work together.

    In this episode we talk about the limits of rationalism and science, the illusion of human progress and global productivity culture. Along the way, Robert shares some of his personal inspirations, his vision for “Hotel Philosophy,” and the self-doubt that continues to sit alongside his prolific public creativity.

    Topics include

    • Systemic constellations and surrender vs mastery
    • Why narratives stop us seeing reality clearly
    • Ambiguity as a mark of maturity
    • The divine as immanent and transcendent
    • Productivity culture and the limits of leadership programmes
    • Art, philosophy, business, and following energy
    • Neighbourliness as service without heroics
    • Self-doubt, creativity, and continuing to show up

    Show links

    Robert's homepage - https://www.robertrowlandsmith.com/

    Philosophy Slam - www.philosophyslam.net

    YouTube - robertrowlandsmith
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    1 hr and 2 mins
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