Women Emerging Podcast

In this episode, Julia speaks with Vijaya, a WE Explorer about her powerful reframing of vulnerability from weakness to strength.  She was part of the Women Emerging expedition for women leading in India, in partnership with Buzz Women. Vijaya begins by reflecting on how she grew up believing that showing vulnerability made you unreliable, less capable, and easier to dismiss. As a founder and leader, this belief pushed her into toughness, especially during the crisis year of 2020, when her organisation hit zero revenue and she carried the weight of answers she didn’t have. Through the Expedition’s conversations, she realised that vulnerability is not the opposite of strength it is a form of strength. But it comes with boundaries. Her biggest insight:  vulnerability should build trust, not become confession. She talks about how leaders can reveal enough to be relatable, human, and accessible without destabilising teams or exposing themselves in ways that create long-lasting, unhelpful impressions. She also shares what she’s learned about leading across generations, and how every age group brings its own version of vulnerability to the workplace. This episode is a reminder that leading is not about having all the answers. It’s about creating the space where honest conversations grounded, thoughtful, and human can happen. About the Guest: Vijaya Balaji – CEO and Managing Director, Toolbox India Foundation and Principal Founder at Social Lens Consulting is amongst the pioneers in advising Nonprofit organizations on organization development and strengthening requirements. In her diverse experience working in the Social Impact Sector, Vijaya has worked as an Impact and Capacity building and Organization development practitioner, she has coached organizations over 750 + organizations, designed diagnostic and assessment tools and toolkits, and technology enabled platforms for organizations. Her experience built over the last 14 years includes the conceptualization of the capacity enhancement and organization development at The GROW fund, The Better World Initiative, Parivartan, the Social Impact Optimization Program, Forbes Fellowship and the Value Circle at toolbox INDIA. Vijaya serves on the boards of 2 nonprofit organizations as part of steering them in the fulfillment of their strategic vision and goals. She is an evaluator at the Echoing Green fellowship, a past Advisory member of the India @75 – a CII Initiative and her podcast ‘covering ground ‘spotlights ground realities of social change making organizations. The Founder’s Table hosted by her brings the stories and journeys of founders and their motivations and challenges in navigating driving social impact.

In this episode, Julia speaks with Nayonika Roy, a WE Explorer from the India Group Expedition, about discovering her Essence and how that understanding has influenced the way she leads. Nayonika shares how she initially rejected Motherness. It felt like a stereotype. But through reflection and the Expedition, she realised that Motherness captures what she naturally brings: care, emotional awareness, organisation, and creating spaces where people feel comfortable and seen. She talks about how ancestors not just family but every woman she has learned from influence her leading. She reflects on the role of her education, which gave her the tools to question, to rebel, and to bring lived experience into leadership and team-building. She also speaks about reading the body noticing cues in herself and others and how witnessing trauma in others shaped her commitment to staying in difficult conversations instead of avoiding them.  And she also opens up about what she wants to jettison- letting go of the “good girl” expectation and learning to lead from her own standards, not others’. A thoughtful, grounded conversation about Essence, identity, and the quiet transformations that change the way we lead. About the guest:  Nayonika is a development sector professional, holding an expertise in working towards girl child education, social justice, gender equality and women leadership. Her ardour and rigour towards unveiling the stories of women and girls belonging to the marginalised communities goes beyond any defined ambit. She believes in reaching to the crevices of these communities and creating safe spaces to hear the unheard voices of women and girls through her work. She continuously strives to broaden her horizons and cater to girls and women in various capacities. An alumnus of Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Indian School of Business (ISB), Nayonika has worked with various respectable institutions of the sector, including Ministry of Women and Child Development, Delhi and M.V. Foundation, Hyderabad. She is currently leading the Curriculum and Communications Team and Leadership Programs at VOICE 4 Girls. She is also a part of the founding cohort of Sehyogi Fellowship, having gained a certification to provide psycho-socio support focused on adolescents’ mental health. Over the time, she has excelled in designing programs tailored to meet the needs of adolescents and delivering effective training and mentorship. Moreover, she has a keen appreciation for art, is a professional dancer and an avid reader. 

In this episode, Julia speaks with Isata Kabia, about what it really means to be a trailblazer and why leading doesn’t always have to be loud. Isata shares that being a trailblazer often isn’t a choice. It happens when you step forward out of necessity, conviction, or courage when you realise, as she puts it, “the hero you’ve been waiting for is you.” She talks about her journey of learning to lead as a quiet storm: calm yet powerful, nurturing yet unyielding. The “quiet” stands for listening, reflection, and grace. The “storm” stands for courage, disruption, and truth. Together, they form a style of leading that combines humility and strength. This episode is a reminder that trailblazing doesn’t always look like breaking walls; sometimes it’s about holding doors open quietly, until others can walk through. About the guest:  Isata Kabia is the Founding Director of Voice of Women Africa, an organization focused on empowering women in Sierra Leone. She believes in building a strong community of women who support one another and encourages more women to take part in politics. This, she believes, will lead to better decisions that promote peace, prosperity, and rights for everyone. Isata is also behind AFRiLOSOPHY, a program that started in 2015. It offers training in manufacturing and financial management to help women start and grow their own businesses. She understands that when women are economically strong, they can lead and make a real difference in their communities.   

In this episode, Julia speaks with Ragini Das co-founder of Leap Club, a community of over 25,000 women — about how to combine ego and empathy in leading. Ragini shares why she refuses to see ego as a “dirty word.” For her, ego is self-belief — the conviction that fuels courage, creativity, and resilience. It’s what helps you dream big and keep going when the odds are against you. But she also insists that ego alone isn’t enough. Without empathy, you lose connection, trust, and perspective. The conversation explores how empathy keeps people with you — as team members, collaborators, or community members — by listening, responding, and leading with honesty. Ragini reflects on moments of building and eventually pausing Leap Club, and how trust, transparency, and care shaped every decision along the way. Together, Julia and Ragini unpack what it means to lead online communities, balance ambition with compassion, and make tough calls with integrity. Ragini leaves us with a striking reminder: “Ego pushes you forward. Empathy keeps people with you.”  And perhaps most powerfully — that real leading is about being ambitious not just for yourself, but for others too. About the guest: Ragini Das is the Head of Google for Startups in India and the co-founder of Leap.club, a women-first professional network that grew to over 25,000 members. She previously spent six years at Zomato leading growth and international market launches. Recognised as a LinkedIn Top Voice and Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, Ragini is known for building communities that balance ambition with authenticity and for championing women who do the same. 

In this episode, Julia speaks with Mai Chen, constitutional lawyer, author, and change-maker, about one of the most overlooked challenges of leading finding the energy to keep going when you feel stuck. Mai reflects on what she calls “transcending worlds” - the process of shifting from one phase of life or leadership into another, especially after exhaustion or disappointment. She shares how energy, not time, is the true currency of leading, and how we often drain it trying to meet expectations, fit into old definitions of success, or push through without rest. The conversation explores how to pause without guilt, rebuild momentum after burnout, and reconnect with a sense of purpose that feels alive again. Mai’s reflections remind us that the real work of leading isn’t just about direction, it’s about the Energy that sustains it. Listen to this episode to learn how to regenerate Energy when you’re stuck, and how to transcend the worlds that no longer serve your growth. About the Guest:  Dr Mai Chen (LLB(Hons)(Otago), (LLM(Harvard),HonLLD(Otago), CMInstD), is a top barrister in NZ and President of NZ Asian Lawyers. She was previously Managing Partner, Chen Palmer Public and Employment law Specialists, independent non-executive Director, Bank of New Zealand Board, New Zealand, a member of the New Zealand Securities Commission member, Adjunct Professor at the University of Auckland Business School and School of Government, the Inaugural Chair, NZ Global Women, and a top 10 finalist, 2014 and 2016 New Zealander of the Year  

In this episode, Julia speaks with Unnati and Jenny, two women who joined the Women Emerging expedition on leading with a disability or chronic condition, about what it means to lead when your body demands a different pace, and how that changes everything about how you lead yourself and your team. They start by exploring the pressure to push through pain, mask discomfort, and pretend you’re fine, especially when you’re the one in charge. Both share the emotional cost of ignoring your limits, and what happens when you don’t give your team permission to share their pain and limitations.  From there, the conversation moves into the nuance of vulnerability. What do you share about your condition? When does it build trust and when does it start to center you too much?  Listen to this episode to rethink what strength looks like and to discover how self-awareness, emotional literacy, and forming a relationship with your body might just be the leadership shift we all need. About the Guests:  Unnati Joshi is a development professional with over a decade of experience in community outreach, partnerships, and program management. Currently serving as a Senior Program Officer at Mountaintop International, she holds a degree in Psychology, an MBA in Marketing, and certifications in Counseling Psychology, CBT, and Adolescent Guidance. Committed to education and community development, she collaborates with social leaders and engages youth and women through storytelling circles, fostering spaces for connection and growth. An advocate for mental well-being, Unnati focuses on holistic development and community resilience while pursuing personal and professional growth. Jenny is an advocate for ‘Systematic Inclusion’, bringing to life the criticality of accessibility if we are to become an equitably safe and sustainable world.  Jenny is dyslexic and has ADHD and believes that “the way that my brain is wired differently is an asset”. This led her to leading the Heathrow Inclusive Learners Partnership to ensure equitable pathways for learners to gain experience, internships and work. Jenny advocates that each person should have an equitable seat at the table and creating an environment that is safe for everyone; to challenge and improve the way we interreact and build the world around us. 

In this final episode of the Changemakers series, Julia speaks with Lily and Melati, co-founders and co-leaders of their organisation, about what it really means to lead side by side. The two reflect on the months they’ve just spent on the Women Emerging Expedition, realising again and again how rare and valuable it is to have a partner in leadership when so many peers are walking a lonely road. They talk about the power of being “the same but different” similar enough to share a wavelength, different enough to bring out each other’s strengths. Lily and Melati also explore the challenges of co-leading: how a close friendship can fuel vision, stamina, and creativity, but also complicate leading others, setting boundaries, and making hard calls. They share glimpses of their day-to-day rhythm from long hours in Bali to impromptu walks through new cities and how that rhythm builds a kind of “leadership soulmate” energy that keeps their mission alive. Listen to this episode to hear how friendship can make co-leading extraordinary and what it takes to keep that friendship strong while leading others. About the guests: Melati is a 24-year-old full-time changemaker and movement builder, and the founder of YOUTHTOPIA and Bye Bye Plastic Bags. She founded Bye Bye Plastic Bags at the age of 12, since then, Melati has spoken on world stages such as TED and the UN, she recently co-chaired the World Economic Forum GPAP committee, sat on the inaugural Expert Advisory Panel for the Earthshot Prize, and has had her film, Bigger Than Us, premiere at the 74th Cannes Film Festival 2021. Today, Melati launched her new company, YOUTHTOPIA, focusing on youth empowerment through short, meaningful peer to peer programs and providing them the tools they need to be changemakers. Her vision is to make YOUTHTOPIA the go-to platform for young changemakers.   Lily is a 22-year-old Singaporean-Iranian changemaker and one of the Co-Founders of YOUTHTOPIA. Since its launch in 2020, YOUTHTOPIA has focused on youth empowerment through peer-to-peer programmes, providing students with the tools they need to be changemakers. Currently, Lily is also a senior at Yale-NUS College studying Global Affairs and Environmental Studies. In line with the values of YOUTHTOPIA, Lily is an active changemaker in her community who leads the Moulmein-Cairnhill Mentoring and Tutoring Programme for disadvantaged students in Singapore, and is heavily involved in grassroots voluntary work. Lily is also the youngest ever elected PAP Policy Forum Council member, and is a vocal advocate for youth-centric policies within the government.   

In this episode, Julia speaks with identical twins Maryam and Nivaal, who often lead together as one voice. They share how their approach to leading has evolved sometimes converging, sometimes diverging and how they balance respect for each other’s strengths with the need to make joint decisions. Maryam & Nivaal were part of Women Emerging expedition for Global Changemakers in partnership with YouthtopiaThe conversation explores a central dilemma for leaders: if you never listen, you risk mistakes and isolation; if you listen to everyone, you risk paralysis. Maryam and Neval talk candidly about how they’ve learned to find the balance, from setting boundaries around feedback to recognising when to say no, and creating structures that make input meaningful rather than overwhelming. Listen to this episode to explore how to find your own voice as a leader while still creating space for others and how to balance inclusion with clarity when making tough decisions. About the guest:  Maryam and Nivaal Rehman became activists when they were eight years old, and started inspiring girls in their village in Pakistan to continue their education, when poverty was leading them to quit school and work instead. The now 18-year-old twins have since worked in their local and global community for causes including girls’ education in Pakistan and around the world, climate justice, gender equality and inclusivity. They even have their own non-profit, The World With MNR, that uses advocacy, storytelling and development to take action and inspire others to do the same.They are continuing their activism through volunteering, traveling and sharing their experiences through their social media and their YouTube channel, The World With MNR. They’ve used their platform to cover several events — from the Social Good Summit in New York City, to the Girl Up Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. — and interview global figures, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, and Madame Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank. Their activism has led to recognition in media and several awards, including the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award (now the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers). Most recently, they released their documentary on the status of girls’ education in Pakistan, and held global screenings to spark further conversation and inspire audience members to take action themselves. 

In this episode, Julia speaks with Belai, a young changemaker and artist, about the power of leading without words.   Belai shares how she uses traditional art forms like music, dance, and weaving as leadership tools to connect people, shift energy, and ground communities in shared purpose. From playing the sape (a traditional healing instrument) to leading communal dances and weaving circles, she shows how leadership can transcend language barriers and invite deeper connection. She also speaks candidly about the risks of relying too much on words, the burnout young activists face, and the importance of replenishing energy to sustain change-making over the long run. Listen to discover how leadership can be quiet yet powerful—an invitation, a rhythm, a flow of energy that unites people and sustains movements. About the guest:  Belai is a Health and Human Sciences student and climate activist currently studying in Sheffield, UK. Her passion for both human and environmental health combine in Planetary Health. Descending from the Dayak people of Borneo, she is also involved in supporting the development of local and customary communities in Kalimantan, Indonesia. 

In this episode of the series with explores from Changemakers expedition, Julia speaks with Ghina, a 24-year-old law graduate whose message is simple and urgent: don’t wait to lead. Growing up the youngest of four sisters, Ghina absorbed early lessons that leadership isn’t a title but a mindset, something you practice long before anyone calls you a leader. She reflects on the battles with self-doubt, modesty, and cultural expectations that made her hesitate to step forward, and the turning points when she decided to challenge herself and lead anyway. Ghina speaks about the different ways of leading sometimes from the front, sometimes alongside, sometimes from behind and why knowing yourself is key to choosing which way to step up. She also talks honestly about exhaustion, criticism, and the ever-present voices of insecurity, and how she counters them with one conviction: my dreams are bigger than my doubts. Listen to this episode to explore why starting early matters, how to lead without copying others, and why finding and owning your own voice is the most powerful act of change. About the guest:  As a law graduate, Ghina Rai has been fearlessly advocating women's rights through many channels, including her own social community, InPower Indonesia, which focuses on women's substantive representation in policymaking. Through her unyielding commitment to championing the cause of the marginalized, she imparts hope and inspires change by teaching refugees and living with labour rights movements. She also used her writings online to shed light on inequalities and serve as a call to action. In her leisure time, she practices martial arts, showcasing the unlimited potential of women. 

In this standalone episode, Julia turns to Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, global leader and philanthropist, for wisdom on how to lead with hope in a world that often feels overwhelming. Musimbi reflects on lessons from communities she has worked with around the world, including Indigenous women in Peru who remind us that as long as we are alive, we cannot live without hope. She speaks about hope not as naïve optimism, but as an active choice: showing up each day, making small differences, and course-correcting even when change feels impossibly far away. She also shares how to be authentic while carrying hope for others, the importance of joy and resilience in dark times, and the balance between acknowledging doubt and refusing to be paralysed by it. From drawing on history to noticing the smallest sparks of change, Musimbi shows that hope is both a practice and a responsibility. Listen to this episode to discover how to navigate today’s world with courage, joy, and hope and why leading with hope is not optional, but essential. About the guest-  Musimbi Kanyoro is a globally respected leader in education, philanthropy, and women’s empowerment. She is the Chair of the Board at UWC International, guiding a worldwide education movement for peace and sustainability. Previously, she was President and CEO of Global Fund for Women, where she oversaw over $140 million in grantmaking and elevated the organisation’s global influence. Musimbi has also held senior leadership roles at the Packard Foundation, World YWCA, and Lutheran World Federation. With a PhD in Linguistics and advanced studies in theology, she is recognised internationally as a trailblazer championing women’s leadership, rights, and cross-cultural collaboration. 

In this episode of the How to Lead – 2025 Edition series, Julia Middleton revisits a Women Emerging favourite: Julia Cleverdon’s framework of task, team, and individual. Back by popular demand after her earlier episodes (95 and 96), Julia Cleverdon returns to answer listener questions on how leaders can hold these three circles in balance. She shares insights on building strong teams without letting prima donnas dominate, sustaining energy when cynicism creeps in, and the challenges of leading virtual teams. She also reflects on when it’s right to focus heavily on a task, and when the priority must shift to nurturing individuals or repairing culture. The conversation makes clear that the art of leading isn’t about perfect equilibrium, but about knowing when to lean into one circle more than the others without ever letting any of them drop. Listen to this episode to explore how task, team, and individual interact in real-world leadership and why the most effective leaders never lose sight of all three. About the guest: Dame Julia Cleverdon is Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund. She was previously Chief Executive of Business in the Community from 1991 to 2007 and later Special Adviser to The Prince’s Charities. Julia co-founded Step Up To Serve (#iwill) and is Vice Patron of Teach First, having been its first chair. She served on the Careers and Enterprise Company and Fair Education Alliance boards, and was previously chair of the National Literacy Trust. She is Patron of Right to Succeed and chaired Place Matters and the National Statistician’s Committee on Inclusive Data. 

In this episode of the How to Lead – 2025 Edition series, Julia reconnects with Monica Medina after her earlier episode on performance reviews sparked a flood of listener questions. This time, they take on one of the trickiest parts of leading: how to give feedback. Monica explains why feedback is so hard both for the giver and the receiver and why avoiding it usually makes things worse, not better.  She shares practical tools for leaders who want to give feedback that is fair, constructive, and effective, without damaging trust or relationships. From using phrases like “I’m wondering…” and “Help me understand…” to balancing compliments with areas for growth, Monica offers approaches that keep conversations honest, humane, and actionable. They also explore how to avoid the common traps: waiting too long, overloading with criticism, making it about yourself, or panicking in silence. Instead, Monica lays out how to structure feedback meetings, how often to hold them, and how to give people a genuine voice in the process. Listen to this episode to learn how feedback, done thoughtfully, can build trust, spark growth, and strengthen relationships, and in the process strengthen entire organisations. About the Guest:Dr. Monica Medina is a literacy consultant for International & US Schools alongwith a seasoned educator and leadership expert dedicated to fostering inclusive and effective communication strategies. With a strong background in organizational development and higher education, she has worked extensively to support leaders in navigating complex workplace dynamics.

In this episode of How to Lead – 2025 Edition, Julia is joined by Zainah Anwar, a trailblazing feminist and human rights advocate whose decades of work have helped shift how women’s rights are understood and practised within Islamic legal and cultural frameworks. Best known for founding Sisters in Islam and now leading the global movement Musawah, Zainah speaks with striking honesty about the realities of leadership when your work is seen as both revolutionary and controversial. From pushing for legal reform to confronting deeply patriarchal religious narratives, she reflects on what it means to stay the course when change is slow, resistance is strong, and public silence can sometimes speak louder than protest.  Zainah offers few guiding principles that shape her approach to leadership: Courage: Leadership isn’t the absence of fear. It’s the decision to keep showing up, even when it would be easier not to. Channelled outrage: Righteous anger alone won’t change a system. Progress demands patience, persistence, and the ability to transform frustration into constructive change. Strategic Legacy: Effective leadership means understanding power, timing, and consequence. Your leadership is only as meaningful as the leaders you raise behind you. Listen to this episode if you want to understand what it really takes to lead within, rather than against, complex systems. Zainah doesn’t just model resilience; she redefines what effective, enduring leadership can look like in 2025 and beyond. About the Guest:  Zainah Anwar co-founded two ground-breaking women’s groups that engage with Islam from a rights perspective to promote equality and justice for women living in Muslim contexts. She co-founded Sisters in Islam in Malaysia in 1987 and Musawah, the global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family, which was launched in 2009.  She now chairs its Board. Zainah has worked as a journalist, a researcher, a columnist, and a senior programme officer in the Political Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat. She has written numerous articles and given talks on Islam and women’s rights, political Islam, Malaysian politics and race relations. 

In this episode of the How to Lead – 2025 Edition series which is focused on the practical realities of leading in today's world, Julia speaks with Anita R. Ratnam, performer, choreographer, writer, and cultural commentator, about what it really takes to lead creative teams. Anita explains why leading creative people starts with trust: trust in the team, trust in the process, and trust in yourself. She shares how to create the right kind of invitation by holding space for chaos, she talks about breaking away from the traditional hierarchy between teacher and student where one is on a pedestal and the other on the ground and instead, sitting together in a circle. She also believes in giving people time to settle in before work begins. She also explores the specific challenges of creative leadership: managing vulnerability, navigating unpredictability, and knowing when to step in with structure and when to step back and let the magic happen. Listen to this episode to discover how leading creative teams is less about control and more about creating space, trust, and enabling the conditions where something truly original can take shape. About the Guest:  Dr. Anita Ratnam is a choreographer, performer, producer, speaker, mentor, Artpreneur and the pioneer of Neo Bharatam, a unique new dance style. Anita’s most notable works in her current repertoire are Naachiyaar Next (2019), A Million Sitas (2010), Ma3ka (2009), 7 Graces (2005), Faces (2007), Neelam (2006) and Andal Andal (2011) 

In this episode of the How to Lead – 2025 Edition series, Julia shares the practical steps that can turn a nerve-wracking speaking slot into a powerful moment of connection.She breaks a good speech into two halves: preparation and delivery. From using A5 cue cards and writing your opening and closing lines first, to finding the right pauses, stories, and shifts in volume, Julia’s approach is rooted in years of trial, error, and speaking to audiences around the world.Along the way, she shares tips for calming nerves, holding attention, and making sure your message lands and lasts.Listen to this episode to learn how a well-prepared, well-delivered speech can change the room, the conversation, and maybe even the course of events.About the Speaker:  Julia Middleton is the host of the Women Emerging podcast and a best-selling author of “If that’s leading, I’m in” as well as two previous books: "Leading beyond Authority" and "Cultural Intelligence". She is deeply committed to helping people from all backgrounds to find their own approach to leading. In 2022, Julia led an expedition of 24 women to find 'an approach to leading that resonates with women'. In 2024, she founded Women Emerging. She leads expeditions with women all over the world using the 4Es methodology, discovered on the first expedition. Prior to that, Julia was founder and, for over thirty years, Chief Executive of Common Purpose, which grew to become one of the biggest leadership development organisations in the world. Julia is also an Ambassador for the Aurora Prize based in Armenia, on the boards of Alfanar Venture Philanthropy in the Arab World and Equality Now which operates globally, and on the Advisory Councils of Fundacao Dom Cabral in Brazil and Synapse in Pakistan. Born in London and brought up in New York, Julia was educated at French Lycées and graduated from the London School of Economics. She is married, with five children and lots of grandchildren. 

In this episode of the How to Lead – 2025 Edition series, Julia speaks with Autumn Phillips, a travel writer, adventurer, and change leader, who spent two decades as a newspaper editor leading award-winning newsrooms across the United States. Autumn shares how to run a strategy meeting that doesn’t feel like a slow march through an agenda. Drawing from her experience leading both high-pressure editorial rooms and creative retreats around the world, she explains how to create conditions where people feel safe enough to speak up and bold enough to think differently. From setting the right physical environment to lowering the stakes so risk-taking feels possible, Autumn offers practical steps to help teams listen better, push ideas further, and leave the room with a shared sense of momentum. Listen to this episode to learn how a well-led strategy meeting can do more than setting a plan. It can unlock creativity, trust, and collective energy. About the Guest:  Autumn Phillips is a travel writer, adventurer and change leader.   She retired in 2024 from a 20-year career as a newspaper editor, leading newsrooms across the United States.  Her leadership was recognized with many national awards, including two projects that were Pulitzer Prize finalists.   In 2023, she began taking readers on international trips, teaching them how to write about their journeys as a way to deepen the experience. She is starting the year by leading a women’s creativity retreat in Lamu, Kenya.   She was named NATJA Travel Journalist of the Year for stories on Lebanon, Sudan and Finland.   She writes a weekly newsletter and has published long-form narrative pieces on Kyrgyzstan, Ireland, Finland, Pakistan, Sudan, Zambia, Lebanon, Cuba, Morocco, the Grand Canyon, the World Nomad Games in Kazakhstan, and the Galapagos.   

In this episode of How to Lead: 2025 Edition, Julia is joined by Susan Taylor, a CEO & leadership coach and facilitator whose work invites us to reimagine what real leadership feels like; not just from the outside, but from within.  Susan talks about entering a room grounded, choosing observation over reaction, and how to read the atmosphere of a meeting not just for what’s being said, but what’s being felt. Susan shares practical insights from her work. This isn’t leadership as performance. It’s leadership as presence. And it’s a conversation that gently but powerfully asks: how do you want people to feel after sitting with you? If you’ve ever led a room and walked away unsure why something didn’t land, or if you’re learning to show up without rushing to solve, this episode offers a calm, precise lens on what might be happening beneath the surface. It will teach how to hold the future. Quietly. Intentionally. Together. About the Guest: Susan Taylor is a transformational coach and facilitator with over 30 years of experience helping entrepreneurs and executives unlock their potential through heart-centered and purpose-aligned practices. As CEO and co-founder of Generon International, she draws on her expertise in Bohmian Dialogue to foster clarity, transform relationships, and build cultures of innovation and inclusivity. A former Forbes contributor and founding member of the Conscious Leadership Guild, Susan also serves on the Advisory Committee of the American Leadership Forum. 

In this episode of the How to Lead - 2025 Edition series, Julia speaks with Dr. Fiona Kerr, a neuroscientist, engineer, and systems thinker, about how to lead a strategy day in a way that truly taps into the collective intelligence of the room. Fiona begins with neuroscience: why proximity makes us smarter, how brains sync when people interact face-to-face, and what that means for the quality of thinking in a strategy session. She then explores how to design and steer, not control a conversation. From setting boundaries and naming non-negotiables, to using intuition, spotting weak signals, and asking the right questions, her approach is built around high trust, curiosity, and deep listening. She also unpacks the role of leaders as both participants in the system and observers of it, holding a bifocal view that allows for creativity and rigour at once. Listen to this episode to learn how to lead strategy sessions that go beyond sticky notes and PowerPoints and instead unlock clarity, ownership, and systems-level thinking. About the Guest: Dr Fiona Kerr is a researcher and advisor working at the intersection of human connectivity, technology, and systems thinking. She is the founder of the NeuroTech Institute and FOCUS, and works with public and private sector organisations on building adaptive, human-centred approaches to complex challenges. With a background in neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, and complex systems, Fiona brings over 40 years of industry experience. In 2023, she was named a Fellow of ATSE for her work on human proximity and problem-solving. She currently serves as Director of Applied Integrative Research at MindChamps in Singapore, focusing on how digital tools and human interaction affect learning and cognition across ages.

In this episode of the How to Lead – 2025 Edition series, Julia speaks with Paula Redway, Culture and Community Development Manager at Oxford City Council, who shares practical, creative, and refreshingly honest advice on running a strategy day. Drawing on her background in the arts, Paula offers guidance on everything from how to set the tone and read the room, to how to use physical space, body language, and structure to help people open up and contribute. She discusses what makes people switch off in strategy sessions, how to deal with difficult participants, and how to use tools like parking intense conversations for later, movement, and physical prompts to keep energy and focus alive. She also unpacks how to frame the day with clarity by setting the context, stating the purpose, acknowledging the politics in the room, and always keeping an eye on the outcome. Listen to this episode to discover practical, people-centered strategies that will help you lead better strategy days. About the Guest:  Currently the Business Lead for Culture and Community Development at Oxford City Council, Paula Redway has extensive experience as a CEO of arts centres, theatres and festivals in England and Wales. She is also a member of the executive committee of CLOA (the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association) and a trustee for Farnham Youth Choir and the Magna Carta Trust. Outside of work, Paula loves singing, travelling and exploring the great outdoors with her family.