Ep 07: “My heart felt broken.” A professor turned acclaimed children's author talks loss, love and making changes with Professor Anthony Kessel

The Resilience Files: Human Stories of Struggle and Triumph

It’s my absolute pleasure to introduce our guest today, Professor Anthony Kessel. Anthony is a longtime friend, colleague and trustee of iheart, the Chairty I founded. During this episode we cover a range of subjects relevant to almost all human beings: how to deal with change; loving what we do; confronting our ego; our need for validation; the pain and learning in going through a relationship breakdown; and dealing with the darkest moments in our lives.

It was no easy task whittling down what has to be one of the most impressive biographies I have ever come across. But what's even more impressive - as you will no doubt hear in this conversation - is what a humble, down to earth, curious, openhearted, honest and genuine person Anthony is.

Professor Anthony Kessel is a public health physician, GP and academic. He is currently working part time as Clinical Director at NHS England. Prior to this, Anthony worked for a decade as Director of Global Public Health at Public Health England and National Director of Public Health Strategy. He is also currently Senior Public Health Advisor to the Football Association (FA), and advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) on public health.

Anthony has over 100 publications in areas of public health, environmental health and the medical humanities. He has trained as an executive coach and writes a personal column exploring his leadership work.

And then came a major transition: Anthony is now the author of the 4-book adventure series for children- ‘DON’T DOUBT THE RAINBOW’. Threaded throughout the series is a unique and profound approach to support the mental health and resilience of children and young people. The first book, The Five Clues, has been short-listed for several national and international awards. The second book, Outside Chance, was published in July 2022.

0:00 - Introduction
4:00 - Becoming an author and loving what we do
16:08 - Overcoming fear to change
25:46 - Innate qualities of wellbeing
29:28 - Learning through loss
39:02 - Separation: Discovering that my heart can’t be broken
49:27 - Universality of resilience in personal suffering
55:39 - Societal mental health and wellbeing
1:15:27 - Creativity in mental health education
1:20:24 - Living in the present

You can find links to Anthony’s work and books in the notes below.
Buy The Five Clues - Don't Doubt the Rainbow
Buy Outside Chance - Don't Doubt the Rainbow 2