Welcome back to The Balanced Mind, the show where we explore the intersection of professional precision and inner well-being. I’m your host, and today I’m joined once again by Richard for a conversation that might seem a little unusual for a room full of accountants and bookkeepers.

We’re moving beyond the spreadsheets and the deadlines to talk about a trait often dismissed in business as a 'soft skill' or even a weakness. We’re talking about Kindness.

In a world that’s becoming increasingly digital, robotic, and automated, we’re arguing that your humanity is actually your greatest superpower. But as many of you know, being 'the nice person' in practice can be a double-edged sword. If you don't have boundaries, your kindness can lead to self-sacrifice and burnout.

Today, Richard and I dive into the fascinating science behind kindness—referencing the work of Dr. David Hamilton and Dr. Bruce Lipton—to show how being kind actually rewires your brain, buffers you against that 'toxic cocktail' of stress hormones, and physically protects your heart.

But this isn't just a feel-good session. We’re getting practical. We’ll discuss how to 'monetize niceness,' why a 'Nice Strategy' is the key to client retention in 2026, and how setting firm boundaries is actually the kindest thing you can do for yourself and your firm.

It’s time to stop seeing kindness as a liability and start seeing it as your most profitable asset. Let’s dive in.

In this episode, Kim Searle and Richard Brewin discuss and reflect on the challenges of the past year (2025) and the increasing pace of change, plus predicting this rapid rate of change will continue into 2026.

How trends of people using AI tools like Copilot as consultants or therapists for life advice, rather than seeking out professionals.

They suggest this shift might be generational and reflects a desire for ease of access to advice, even if AI is limited by its binary nature and inability to understand emotional context.

Learning to cope with the ever challenging environment requires focusing on what one can control, embracing human attributes, and seeking stability in one's personal and professional foundations. You can listen to the full episode on the Balanced Mind podcast.

In this episode of The Balanced Mind Podcast, hosts Kim Searle and Richard Brewin dive into the fascinating link between gut health, emotional intelligence, and professional performance. They explore how what we eat — and when we eat — affects our thinking, focus, and overall wellbeing, especially in high-pressure professions like accounting. From chronic fatigue to workplace energy slumps, Kim and Richard unpack how tuning into the body’s signals can transform not just personal health, but also productivity and mindset.

.In this episode of The Balanced Mind, Richard Brewin and I (Kim Searle) explore the art — and the stress — of planning your time effectively, especially for accountants and bookkeepers tackling October and April deadlines. Hosts discuss why planning isn’t just about schedules or time, but about understanding priorities and adapting to the unexpected. From project management insights to real-world accounting challenges, this conversation unpacks how to balance structure with flexibility, and how a clear plan can turn chaos into control.

In this episode of The Balanced Mind, Kim and Richard explore the complex world of social media, clickbait, and responsibility. They discuss how platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook can be both empowering and damaging—depending on intent, responsibility, and how we consume content.

From the psychology behind clickbait and the impact of algorithms, to the personal and professional consequences of comparison culture, they unpack how social media shapes our mental wellbeing and decision-making. Importantly, they highlight the human solutions—staying mindful, seeking diverse perspectives, and prioritising genuine human connection in a digital-first world.

This conversation is both practical and reflective: how do we stay open, curious, and connected without being dragged down by manipulation, misinformation, and unrealistic portrayals of success?

This episode explores the common experience of waking up in the early hours of the morning with a mind racing with worries, anxieties, and negative thoughts—often referred to as the "3 a.m. conversation."

The hosts discuss how this can be a natural process of the mind trying to deal with unresolved issues or "unfinished business" from the day.

The episode covers:

Understanding the "3 a.m. Conversation": It explains that this phenomenon is the brain's attempt to process and file away memories, thoughts, and emotions. When it encounters something it considers "unfinished" or a potential threat, it can wake you up to deal with it, leading to a loop of negative thinking.

Practical Strategies for Better Sleep: The hosts suggest several methods to regain control over your thoughts and improve sleep hygiene. These include:

Journaling: Writing down your worries to get them out of your head.

Mindfulness Techniques: Such as tapping (a practice involving tapping on specific points of the body) to engage multiple senses and break the thought loop.

Listening to Calming Audio: Using guided meditations or audiobooks with boring content to distract the mind.

Bedtime Routine: Establishing a consistent routine that avoids caffeine and heavy meals late in the day, creating an environment conducive to sleep.

The Power of Positive Affirmations: The podcast highlights the importance of shifting from visualising failure to visualising success. By starting and ending the day with positive affirmations and statements of gratitude, you can train your brain to focus on positive outcomes and feel more in control. The episode emphasises that while the primitive mind is wired for risk analysis and negativity to ensure safety, it can be reprogrammed to look for the positive, ultimately leading to a better night's sleep.

Are you an accountant feeling the pressure of a rapidly changing industry? Is the age-old "trusted advisor" role feeling more like a historical relic than a current reality?

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Richard, creator of the "Accountant on a Mission" newsletter. He argues that in our digital world, the key to rebuilding and reclaiming the trusted advisor role isn't about shying away from technology—it's about embracing it.

This episode delves into the critical intersection of spreadsheets and the human experience. We explore how technology can free up accountants from mundane tasks, giving them the space to become more human, more empathetic, and more valuable to their clients. Discover actionable strategies for moving beyond basic compliance and genuinely connecting with clients on a personal level. Learn how a simple question about holiday plans can transform a client relationship, leading to deeper trust, increased value, and a more fulfilling professional life.

This is a must-listen for any accountant ready to shift their mindset, elevate their client relationships, and thrive in the modern era by focusing on what truly sets them apart: their humanity.

The Balanced Mind: Unconventional Accounting – Being More You

Welcome to "The Balanced Mind," where we bridge the gap between minds and spreadsheets. In this insightful episode, co-hosts Kim Searle and Richard Brewin explore the unconventional path in accounting.

Richard shares his journey from traditional accountancy to building a practice centered on human connection and mutual respect, moving away from billable hours to fixed fees and client relationships. He reveals how prioritising personal happiness, working with aligned clients, and building a supportive team led to unexpected success and the realisation that being authentically different is your greatest differentiator.

We delve into the idea that success isn't about following rigid systems or someone else's blueprint, but about doing more of what you love. Kim highlights how working from a place of values and vision reduces effort and allows things to flow naturally. The conversation addresses the "void" in professional development around the human side of business—client relationships, team management, and personal well-being—which is more crucial than ever in an age of increasing automation and AI.

Richard emphasises that starting with what feels right for you—your personality, values, and vision—is the easiest and most powerful way to build a thriving firm. We discuss the importance of authentic connections, recognising that not every client or opportunity is the right fit, and the power of simply "being yourself on a good day." It's about enjoying your work, having fun, and attracting those who resonate with your genuine approach.

Join us to discover how prioritising your well-being and embracing your unique self can lead to a more fulfilling and successful professional life.