The H2H Experiment: The Courage to be Human

Eleanor Hartfield

Welcome to the very first episode of . I’m Eleanor—your co-host and curious conversationalist—and today, we’re kicking off this journey by answering one big, beautiful question: what’s this all about?

João Pereira

Hey there, I’m João, and I’ve been waiting to share this moment with you. This podcast isn’t just a new project—it’s a calling. It’s the result of years of reflecting, studying, working with people, feeling deeply, breaking a few things (mostly metaphorical), and rebuilding them with more intention.

Eleanor Hartfield

yep

Eleanor Hartfield

You could say this episode is the ‘origin story’—the spark that lit the flame. We’ll explore the roots of your HX journey, what inspires you, and why this podcast exists at all.

João Pereira

Exactly. So let me rewind a little. I’m someone who’s always been fascinated by people. Not just what they do, but why. I’ve spent years diving into psychology, philosophy, sociology, epigenetics, quantum physics, and behavioral science. I’m obsessively curious, and probably ask more questions than I answer.

Eleanor Hartfield

A seeker, a thinker, and someone who sees the human behind the role. That’s what makes your approach to HX—Human Experience—so unique. It’s not a buzzword to you. It’s the soil where transformation grows.

João Pereira

Yes! And this podcast is my way of sharing that soil, planting seeds, and nurturing new ways of thinking. It’s a space for honest reflection, bold ideas, science-backed insights, and the kind of human conversations that make you pause and go, ‘hmm.’

Eleanor Hartfield

Now, we’ll explore all the layers—leadership, communication, feedback, purpose, emotion, identity. But here’s the secret ingredient: you’re not just listening. You’re part of this experiment. We’re co-creating it with every question, every ‘aha’ moment, every challenge.

João Pereira

So if you’re someone who believes the future of work needs more empathy, more awareness, more courage, then welcome. You belong here.

Eleanor Hartfield

uh-hum

Eleanor Hartfield

And now, to give our first episode a juicy topic to bite into, what do you say we dive into? ?

João Pereira

Perfect. Because nothing about this journey makes sense without that. Let’s explore what it really means to embrace our full humanity—in leadership, in life, and in the little everyday choices that shape who we are.

Eleanor Hartfield

So grab your journal, your coffee, or your curiosity, and let’s get into it. Episode One: .

João Pereira

So, you know, I've always been obsessed with understanding people. I mean, not just what they do, but why they do it. Like, what’s the thread that ties all these human experiences together? And honestly, that obsession—it’s pretty much been my guiding star.

Eleanor Hartfield

uh-hum

Eleanor Hartfield

Now, there’s something so universal about that question, isn’t there? Why are we the way we are? But I imagine your curiosity didn’t just pop out of nowhere. It must have been sparked by something specific, right?

João Pereira

Oh, absolutely. It started with psychology—I mean, first it was just me trying to figure out my own patterns, you know, the stuff that kept tangling me up. But then philosophy... Oh gosh, philosophy totally hooked me. And then came neuroscience, behavioral science, and even quantum physics. It’s like every layer deeper just opened up more questions.

Eleanor Hartfield

I see...

Eleanor Hartfield

It's fascinating how one interest can branch into so many fields. My story’s a little different, though. Growing up in a small town, wandering through vast moors—well, they have this way of teaching you about solitude and perspective. I think that’s where my fascination with connection stems from. I’d stand there, feeling so small yet so... infinite, really.

João Pereira

That sounds—wow, like a living metaphor for everything we’re trying to talk about, doesn’t it? Human connection, that paradox of being both small and boundless at the same time. And for me, it’s those paradoxes that kind of led to this podcast. I mean, exploring the messy, beautiful spaces that connect leadership, vulnerability, and—just being real, you know?

Eleanor Hartfield

Being real. That’s such an understated phrase, but isn’t it the essence of this whole experiment? To create a space where we can openly discuss what it means to truly lead and live authentically, not as polished avatars, but as the wonderfully imperfect humans we are.

João Pereira

Exactly!

João Pereira

And that’s the heartbeat, right? It’s about fostering, like, brave conversations. The ones that get under your skin a bit. Because the future of work it’s not just about systems or KPIs or stuffy frameworks. It’s about emotion, connection—it’s about humans.

Eleanor Hartfield

And let’s be honest, humans are messy. Which is why conversations like these matter so much. They give us, well, permission to embrace that mess, to get curious about it. And to have the courage to be human.

João Pereira

Yeah, exactly. Like, this isn’t just a podcast. It’s—it’s kind of an invitation. To experiment with who we are, right? To challenge what’s normal, to say, maybe we can—

Eleanor Hartfield

Redefine what’s possible.

João Pereira

Yep

João Pereira

You know, as we were saying, redefining what’s possible starts with those brave conversations—and they don’t just happen out there, in the world. They start right here, with ourselves. For me, that journey into authenticity wasn’t some grand epiphany. It was messy. It came down to one of those gut-check moments—stop pretending I was someone else, or keep faking it. And trust me, the fake thing? Totally exhausting.

Eleanor Hartfield

I see, I see.

Eleanor Hartfield

Exhausting and, I imagine, unsustainable. What led you to that moment where you felt you had to decide—authenticity or conformity?

João Pereira

Funny enough, it was something small, like ridiculously small. I was leading this workshop, and someone asked me a question I didn’t know the answer to. And my usual instinct was to, you know, dodge it with some polished-sounding nonsense. But instead, I just said, “I don’t know.” That was it—those three words that felt, I don’t know, heavier than the room itself. But the reaction? Oh man, people leaned in, like they actually, finally trusted me.

Eleanor Hartfield

Oh, wow!

Eleanor Hartfield

Incredible how a moment so seemingly ordinary can hold so much power. Alfred Adler would call that a breakthrough in “community feeling,” wouldn’t he? The courage to say, “I don’t know,” becomes a bridge, not a weakness, but a way of truly connecting with others.

João Pereira

Totally. And Jung—he had this thing about individuation, right? Becoming whole? Like, being authentic isn’t just about showing your best side; it’s about owning all of it. Even the awkward, messy, do n’t-know-what-you’re doing parts.

Eleanor Hartfield

Exactly. Individuation is about integrating the shadow, acknowledging the parts of yourself you’d rather ignore. And I think more and more people are hungry for that kind of freedom—to show up as themselves, without the masks.

João Pereira

uh-hum

João Pereira

That reminds me—we got a story from one listener who, get this, decided to tackle vulnerability by making jokes about their failures in front of their team. Like, they literally said, “Guess what, folks? I botched the budget, but hey, I’ve got a killer plan B!” And apparently, the room just erupted into laughter.

Eleanor Hartfield

Humor is such an underrated form of courage, isn’t it? Brené Brown talks about vulnerability being at the core of courage, and what did your listener do? That was brave. They pivoted fear into connection through humor, and in doing so, they inspired trust in their team.

João Pereira

Right. Vulnerability doesn’t just make you relatable—it makes you real. And being real? That’s where the magic happens, where people actually, I think, start to believe in you.

João Pereira

You know, vulnerability and authenticity really open doors, but here’s the thing—kindness? It’s often misunderstood in the same way. Kindness gets labeled as weakness, like being empathetic somehow takes away from your strength. But honestly, it’s one of the boldest, most authentic moves you can make. Simon Sinek, for instance, emphasizes purpose-driven leadership, and at its core, it’s all about understanding people, leading with empathy, and creating that real connection we’ve been talking about.

Eleanor Hartfield

Absolutely. And when you consider the Stoic perspective—Marcus Aurelius, for instance—he believed in leading with virtue, but he also recognized the importance of resilience and acceptance. There’s a certain quiet strength in choosing kindness, even in the face of chaos or pressure.

João Pereira

Right. Kindness isn’t passive—it’s intentional. It’s looking someone in the eye and saying, “Hey, I see you. You matter.” Even when the world’s yelling at you to move faster, get results, or crush the competition. It’s literally saying, “No thanks. I’m gonna lead differently.”

Eleanor Hartfield

And it’s those small, deliberate moments that stay with people, isn’t it? I remember running late for a meeting once, but I stopped to help someone who had dropped their papers outside the station. It was a rushed moment—hardly anything grand—but months later, I bumped into them again, and they said that gesture had restored their faith in human decency.

João Pereira

Wow. That’s—that’s it, though, right? It’s the ripple effect. I mean, think about the Buddhist idea of compassion—it’s like this muscle we build through daily practice. And over time, those small acts transform not just you, but the people around you.

Eleanor Hartfield

Indeed. When we choose kindness, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable, we’re not just rebelling against the coldness of a productivity-obsessed culture. We’re also creating space for connection, for growth, and, ultimately, for transformation.

João Pereira

And honestly, transformation doesn’t always mean, you know, these huge, groundbreaking events. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying, “Thank you,” or “I’m sorry,” or even just smiling at someone who looks like they’re carrying the weight of the world.

Eleanor Hartfield

It’s the kind of courage Brené Brown speaks so eloquently about—showing up wholeheartedly, undefended. And when you practice that courage daily, it begins to spread, becoming a culture of kindness rather than a singular act.

João Pereira

Exactly. Kindness is rebellion, resilience, revolution—call it what you want. But it’s what’s gonna build the future. Not systems, not machines—humans, remembering how to care. That’s where it starts.

Eleanor Hartfield

So, dear listeners, perhaps the question isn’t just, “What can kindness do for you?” but, “How can you use kindness to change the world around you?” It’s in the small, intentional moments where you’ll find your greatest strength—and theirs.

João Pereira

And that’s a wrap on today’s experiment. Thanks for joining us, for being part of this messy, bold, perfectly human conversation. If you’re walking away with even one seed of an idea, plant it, nurture it—let’s see what grows.

Eleanor Hartfield

Exactly—lead with courage, listen with kindness, and as always, stay curious. We’ll see you next time.