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Raising Resilient Boys

On the latest episode of The Business Elevation Show we met John Richards—whose 25 years of frontline experience in crisis intervention and youth homelessness has shaped a visionary approach to leadership and personal development.

In this conversation, we explored the challenges and joys of raising resilient young men in today’s complex world.

John’s journey spans from leading awareness and development initiatives with diverse organisations, to co-founding The Inspiration Programme, where he now guides transformative retreats in some of the world’s most untamed and inspiring landscapes.

From the mystic heights of Tibet and the vast expanse of the Sahara, to the rugged wilderness of South Africa and the towering peaks of the Himalayas, John’s work invites us to reconnect with nature, cultivate mindfulness, and build resilient communities.

In a groundbreaking collaboration with Tsering Sangpo Sherpa and 7-time Everest summiteer Nima Kancha Sherpa, John brought to life the first-ever Sherpa-led Leadership retreat in the awe-inspiring setting of Everest.

His acclaimed book on Awareness, Change, Relationships, and Fruitfulness, published in 2018, lays the foundation for his philosophy of nurturing growth and meaningful connections.

Take a listen as we share insights on fostering strength, awareness, and emotional intelligence—essential ingredients in raising boys who are not only resilient but also compassionate leaders of tomorrow.

Here are some insights from the interview you won’t want to miss:

Community and Upbringing: John shared his unique upbringing in a community-oriented environment, which ingrained in him the value of helping others and living a life of inclusion and support.

Parental Humility: John emphasised the importance of parental humility. He suggested that parents who are certain they are doing a perfect job may inadvertently cause harm, while those who show vulnerability and admit imperfection tend to have healthier relationships with their children.

Emotional Awareness: A significant focus was placed on the idea that the depth of a parent’s love is mirrored in the vulnerability they show and the tears they are willing to shed for their children.

The Influence of Nature: John stressed the benefits of immersing children in nature as a means of teaching them life’s valuable lessons and building resilience.

Challenges of Technology: The episode touched upon the pervasive impact of the digital world and social media on children. John explained how algorithms can manipulate emotions, and the need for building strong, nurturing communities as a counterbalance to online influences.

Value of Unsupervised Play: The conversation highlighted the loss of unsupervised play in children’s lives today and its critical role in developing resilience and emotional intelligence.

Building Vibrant Communities: One of the solutions presented for overcoming technological distractions is fostering vibrant and intimate communities in which children can learn and grow.

Parenting is an Inside Job: The discussion reinforced that parenting requires continuous self-work and reflection, emphasising that whatever is inside a parent’s heart will be transferred to their child, consciously or unconsciously.

Passing on Joy and Community: The idea that demonstrating joyful engagement with a community and nature can profoundly influence a child’s upbringing was identified as a key element in raising resilient children.

The quality of your love for your children is measured in the depth of the tears that you’re willing to shed for them
– John Richards

Whether you’re a parent to boys, an educator, or seeker of transformative ideas, this conversation promises help with the challenging and fulfilling journey of parenthood.

You can listen to this Business Elevation Show interview with John Richards & Chris Cooper here. Alternatively on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Tunein, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio (latter US only).

More about John Richards:

John Richards has spent nearly 25 years working frontline in Crisis Intervention and Young People’s Homelessness with a wide range of organisations as a Leader specialising in Awareness and Development.

More recently, he co-founded The Inspiration Programme and leads retreats in wild places around the world including Tibet, Nepal, The Himalayas, the Sahara, the Mediterranean coast, the Channel Islands, the US and wild South Africa.

In December 2019, in partnership with Tsering Sangpo Sherpa and 7-time Everest summiteer Nima Kancha Sherpa, John realised a passionate vision: to bring about the first ever Sherpa-led Leadership retreat in the Himalayas in the towering landscape of Everest.

His first book on Awareness, Change, Relationships and Fruitfulness, was published by EyeWear in the UK in October 2018.

John continues to work with a large group of collaborators in different parts of the world in order to provide opportunity for fellow travellers to journey out into wild places to listen in nature and learn through community