Spatial Attraction
SPATIAL ATTRACTION is a podcast about the spaces we work in, and the forces that shape how we think, interact, and perform.
Hosted by Kursty Groves (author, speaker, and senior advisor on work, experience and human performance), the show explores why some environments energise people and make good work easier… while others leave us scattered, tense, or stuck. Each episode follows one clear theme - from focus and flow to trust, belonging, creativity, and momentum - and looks at what’s really driving behaviour beneath the surface.
You’ll hear expert interviews, real-world stories, and research-informed insights across five dimensions of space: physical, social, digital, cognitive (headspace), and temporal. Expect practical language, sharp observations, and simple shifts you can make - whether you’re leading a team, shaping experience, or redesigning the conditions for better work.
If you’re joining from The Office Chronicles, welcome - this is the next chapter.
Spatial Attraction
Myths About Resilience and How It Actually Works With Bruce Daisley
Resilience - why doesn’t it work? Most people get resilience wrong.
In this episode, we’ll reframe what resilience really is and how to tap into it for yourself and your organization. Bruce Daisley and Kursty discuss the 3 pillars of resilience that people don’t usually take into account, the connection between childhood trauma and resilience, how your sense of identity can predict your well-being, and why many resilience training programs are ineffective.
Bruce Daisley is the author of Fortitude. He is a writer and podcaster. Previously, he was a VP at Twitter amongst other roles.
“What you find is that the more coherent someone's identity is, the story they tell themselves about themselves, the more able they are to carry themselves in the world.” - Bruce Daisley
Support the show
Timestamps
(00:22) Episode Overview: Who is Bruce Daisley?
(02:49) How to always be writing
(05:07) Why resilience training programs don’t work
(10:06) Do you have to go through great pain to have great success?
(14:48) How bad was your childhood trauma?
(20:56) 3 pillars of resilience and fortitude
(25:25) Building resilient organizations
(30:49) Individual identity vs. collective identity
(38:35) What is Bruce Daisley working on now?
3 Key Takeaways:
- There is a correlation between adverse childhood experiences and super achievement. This doesn’t mean you have to go through great pain to achieve great success. Your experiences don’t necessarily predetermine your life outcomes but some experiences may put you at greater risk of negative outcomes than others.
- Identity is a key pillar of fortitude. The stronger your sense of identity, the more likely you are to have higher well-being. Identity is how other people get access to us, it is how we belong to collective groups. Identity and community are two parts of the same piece.
- There are 3 pillars of fortitude: control, identity, and community
Links
Grab a copy of Fortitude: https://www.findfortitude.net/
Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat Podcast: https://eatsleepworkrepeat.com/
Connect with Bruce Daisley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucedaisley/
Adverse Childhood Experience quiz: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/media-coverage/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean
Connect with Kursty Groves: LinkedIn | Twitter | Ask a question or pitch an idea: kursty@shapeworklife.com
Spatial Attraction is written, produced, and hosted by Kursty Groves.
Original music and sound production by Lee Golledge.
For episodes and updates, visit https://kurstygroves.com/podcast/ - and follow Spatial Attraction on LinkedIn and Instagram.
To suggest a theme or guest, email jen@spatial-attraction-podcast.com.