Your Time With James Sweetman

Have you ever felt like you’re behind? Behind where you thought you’d be, behind your peers, behind the version of yourself you imagined you would become.

This week, I explore a pressure many of us carry, the pressure to ‘catch up,’ something that sits at the intersection of comparison, expectations and our relationship with time.

I share a simple ritual to help us shift from ‘catch-up’ mode, which is all about correction, to what I call ‘re-entry’ mode, which is about connection - with others, and most importantly, with ourselves.

As ever, this is a thought-provoking episode that invites you to consider your relationship with time, the stories you tell yourself and the freedom that can be found when we realise that we don’t catch up with life, we meet it.

When does self-improvement actually stop improving us? This week, I reflect on the shift that can happen when ‘living our best lives’ begins to feel like an obligation rather than an invitation. I explore how self-improvement begins with the assumption that something needs fixing and contrast it with self-understanding and self-acceptance. 
I also introduce the idea of horizontal and vertical learning and how as we mature, we can learn to reveal the person who has been there all along beneath all our striving.

We live in a world obsessed with discipline, optimisation and productivity. But what's driving our effort? This week, I explore the difference between pushing and being pulled, and why the most sustainable discipline is actually rooted in devotion. I also look at the hidden role of shame and the pressure of all our ‘shoulds.’

If you've ever felt tired of striving, constantly chasing the next goal, or wondering why achievement doesn't always bring fulfilment, this conversation will offer a fresh perspective.

We often use the phrases ‘I feel stuck’ and ‘I feel lost’ interchangeably, but as I explore this week, there are important differences between these two experiences. I look at how labels we place on situations can become identities and how we can intellectualise our emotions rather than feel them. I also share tips for getting ‘unstuck’ and for navigating those times in life when we feel lost. If you've been feeling unmotivated, disconnected, or unsure of your next step, this conversation will help you see your experience in a whole new light.

This week’s episode is for those of us who are natural givers and doers but who can struggle with receiving. I explore why receiving is a skill, how self-worth and control influence our ability to receive, as well as the connection between endless giving and burnout. If you’re someone who brushes aside compliments and feels guilty when resting, you’ll find this week’s episode helpful. 

What are our desires really trying to teach us? In this reflective episode I look at the deeper emotional needs hidden beneath our goals, ambitions and dreams. In other words, why do we want what we want? I share my thoughts about striving and self-worth, and why the life lesson hidden inside your desire may be every bit as valuable as the desire itself.

This week I explore the hidden cost of convenience and how it masks what economists call opportunity cost neglect, the unseen trade-offs when it comes to how we spend our time, energy and attention. From self-service checkouts to AI tools, tasks once outsourced now land in our ‘to do’ lists, stealthily sapping our mental bandwidth. I reflect on why a little inconvenience isn’t always a bad thing and how we equate convenience with freedom, when in reality, it’s awareness that is liberating.

After a break from recording, I’m delighted to return with a simpler and more reflective format of my podcast. In this new episode, I explore the concept of psychological permission, those moments in life when we already know what feels true for us, but struggle to give ourselves permission to act.
At a time when we are bombarded by information, it’s important to recognise that wisdom is not always something we need to acquire externally. It’s something we need to stop talking ourselves out of internally.

In this special episode, I sit down with Frankie Sheahan, co-founder and CEO of Pendulum Summit, for a wide-ranging and refreshingly honest conversation.
As well as chatting about this year’s Pendulum Summit, taking place on Friday 23rd January at the Convention Centre Dublin, Frankie shares insights into the thinking behind the event, the evolution of Pendulum over the years and what makes this year’s gathering particularly special. We touch on the stellar line-up of speakers including Brené Brown, Marc Randolph, Rory Sutherland, and Richard Susskind.
Beyond the event itself, our conversation goes behind the scenes, reflecting on past Pendulum moments, the realities and pressures of running a world-class summit, and Frankie’s personal approach to leadership, work life balance, and staying grounded when the pressure is on. It's a conversation not to be missed.

This week’s episode, the last in the current series, is one of my favourites, my annual book review. I speak about 10 books that have inspired, entertained and stretched me over the past 12 months, five non-fiction books and five novels.
From books about creativity, awareness and purpose, to stories that explore connection, courage, and the human condition each one reminded me why reading is high on my list of passions.
If like me, you’re a book lover, avid reader, on the lookout for a new read, or are curious about the themes and insights that shaped my reading year, then I think you’ll enjoy this episode.