In this powerful episode of Leading Minds Revealed, former UK Member of Parliament Chris Ruane joins host Michael Apollo for a rare and deeply personal conversation on leadership, humility, service, and the lifelong journey of self-transformation. From being labeled a “parliamentary thug” to becoming known as a “mindful fellow,” Chris offers a compelling look at what it means to lead with clarity, compassion, and purpose in an increasingly chaotic world.

🎧 Join us as Chris opens up about his evolution, the role mindfulness played in reshaping his leadership, and the wisdom he gained from decades in public life.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed

00:45 — Introduction to the episode

01:21 — Guest introduction: Chris Ruane

02:21 — Catching up with Chris

03:07 — Defining power and leadership

04:36 — Chris’ upbringing and political foundations

06:26 — Serving with humility

07:14 — Leadership styles in times of crisis

08:41 — Authoritarian vs. democratic leadership

10:13 — Citizens assemblies and democracy

11:11 — Human-focused leadership

13:20 — Ego, intention, and authentic leadership

15:12 — Staying connected to the people

16:47 — From “Parliamentary Thug” to “Mindful Fellow”

20:21 — Mindfulness inside Parliament

23:21 — Retaining your spark while transforming

25:46 — Practical impact of mindfulness for leaders

27:55 — Responding vs. reacting

28:53 — Nourishment vs. depletion

29:41 — Gratitude and inner stability

30:31 — The importance of silence

34:04 — Mindfulness and resilience through loss

36:41 — Working on your parachute

38:19 — Navigating uncertainty and overwhelm

40:59 — Why equanimity is essential for modern leaders

41:33 — Learning from great leaders like Mandela and MLK

43:02 — Finding stillness amid pressure

44:46 — Creating space despite commitments

45:55 — The cost of distraction

48:47 — Breaking free from the societal treadmill

50:12 — Are we “wired” to stay the same?

52:38 — The lifelong journey of self-awareness

53:59 — Mindfulness as a creative act of living

56:26 — Values, upbringing, and modern pressures

58:33 — Why mindfulness must start early

59:59 — Polarization and bridging divides

01:01:27 — Mindfulness inside governments globally

01:02:51 — Vulnerability in leadership

01:05:46 — Seeing humanity in others

01:07:11 — Institutionalizing mindful leadership

01:08:33 — Global best practices

01:10:29 — Mindfulness in Canada

01:11:34 — Additional resources and links

01:12:00 — How to reach Chris Ruane

01:13:21 — Closing reflections

01:14:39 — Final message & episode close

01:15:12 — Outro

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