Women Emerging Podcast

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...

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 ped...

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 land...

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 physic...

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 po...

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...

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 lik...

In the very first episode of the How to Lead - 2025 Edition series, Julia explores the concept of followership with Ruth Sims, who brings a research-informed perspective to a topic often overlooked in conversations about leading. 

Ruth reframes followership as an active choice, not a passive role. You’ll hear why deciding to follow comes before any leader’s bid for attention, how those roles shift constantly in modern organisations, and which leadership missteps like micromanagement, poor communication or lack of direction cause followers to disengage. 

Ruth introduces two key dimensions of followership: 

Deferra...

In this episode, Julia speaks with Sasha Vaswani and Kamden Maas, two participants of the Women Emerging Renewable Energy Expedition, about the unexpected leadership insights they took away. 

Women Emerging runs group expeditions for up to 24 women who want to find their own approach to leading. They run over 7 months—explorers commit to 5 hours of exploring each month. Each group is formed around a community, geographical or sectoral. Most expeditions are online, though some groups meet at different points.     

They talk about the pressure to fit in and how the expedition gave them the confidence to bring...

In this final episode of the Leadership Insights I Wish I Had Known at the Start series, Julia speaks with Saki Chen who is a lawyer, pilot, and the first woman from China to fly around the world in a small single-engine plane. 

Saki reflects on what she learned about leading while navigating a complex and high-risk expedition with a small, intimate crew, many of whom were older and more experienced than her. She speaks about the importance of being bold enough to dream big, even when the odds (and the funding) aren’t in your favor and...

In this episode of the Leadership Insights I Wish I Had Known at the Start series, Julia speaks with Falak Madhani, a health systems leader working in Pakistan, where she leads research and programmes focused on primary care, mental health, and suicide prevention in low-resource settings. 

Falak shares two hard-earned insights she wishes she’d known earlier. The first: stepping back as a leader too soon, even with the best intentions, can leave your team without the support and skill set only you can offer. 

Her second insight explores the complexity of leading with a deep...

In this episode of the Leadership Insights I Wish I Had Known at the Start series, Julia is joined by Alison Coburn, environment leader at Common Purpose leader with over 30 years of experience guiding teams through complex change, often in some of the world’s most challenging settings.

Alison shares nine fundamentals she wishes she’d known before she started leading. Starting with this vital truth: don’t do it alone, build a support network. From building your own “survival kit” of support and stability, to learning the art of delegation, Alison’s insights are thoughtful, honest, and deeply g...

In this episode of the series - Leadership Insights I Wish I Had Known at the Start, Julia speaks with Amy Brand, a long-time leader in the world of academic publishing. 

Amy dismantles the illusion that leadership is about charisma or glamour. For her, it’s always been about getting the basics right: clear structures, strong boundaries, showing up fully, and being open to constant learning. From navigating emotional labour during a crisis to wrestling with self-doubt in high-stakes roles, Amy’s account is raw, reflective, and refreshingly real. 

If you’ve ever questioned whether you have...

In the first episode of the Leadership Insights I Wish I Had Known at the Start series, Julia speaks with Aramide Kayode, a 24-year-old educator and founder of a free school in Nigeria. 

Aramide shares the eight lessons she’s learned about leading, starting with the power of believing in people before they believe in themselves. From listening fiercely and celebrating growth, to standing by your mission and helping others find themselves in their work, her insights are grounded, simple, and deeply human. 

She also speaks about leading in resource-limited settings, where love, safety, and dign...

In this final episode of the Bridging the Age Gap Series, Julia invited Funmi Adeyemi and Folawe Omikunle, two women are deeply committed to transforming education and equity in Nigeria and they bring distinct generational experiences to this conversation, but with a shared conviction. 

They speak openly about the quiet tensions that can exist between senior and younger leaders: the hesitation to give feedback, the fear that sets in when one drops the ball, and the 'who's first to shake hands'. But what surfaces just as strongly is mutual trust, and a shared belief that leading can e...

In the second episode of the Bridging the Age Gap series, Julia is joined by Jackie and Emma, two Indigenous women who share the same heritage but stand in different life stages, weaving together ancestral wisdom and contemporary voice.

What unfolds is a deeply grounded conversation on reclaiming identity, resisting colonial definitions of mentorship and leadership, and learning to lead in a way that honours both elders and future generations. Jackie shares what it means to carry her Indigenous identity and ancestral knowledge into powerful political and institutional spaces; she calls this a journey “from the outhouse to...

This is the very first episode of the Series – Bridging the Age Gap – where we explore how women from different generations come together to reframe what it means to lead. In this episode, Julia is joined by Mieke Verloo and Mariel Mia Haug, a professor and her former student who connected at a conference on democracy and gender equality in Europe. What began as a formal introduction quickly evolved into a collaborative dynamic grounded in shared roots, values, and feminist ideals.  

Mia reflects on how she had to shed learned notions of deference and excessive politeness to form...

In this episode, Julia speaks with Dr. Gina Della Togna from Panama and Laurie Cummins from Florida, both explorers from the Women Leading in Nature expedition by Women Emerging in partnership with Re:Wild. They reflect on their journey and share how they instantly connected over trauma as part of their Essence, exploring how it shapes the way we lead. 

Women Emerging runs group expeditions for up to 24 women who want to find their own approach to leading. They run over 7 months—explorers commit to 5 hours of exploring each month. Each group is formed around a community, geo...

In this episode, Julia wraps up the Cultural Intelligence series with a powerful conversation with Ukonwa Ojo, founder and CEO of Zaia Ventures.  

What starts as a meeting of two very different "cores" becomes a deep exploration of how we lead, how we listen, and what it takes to connect across differences. 

Ukonwa speaks candidly about the concept of Core and Flex, and how finally having language for this idea helped her understand and explain how she moves through the world. She shares that while her core is firmly rooted in her Christian faith, her cap...

In this episode of the Cultural Intelligence series, Julia speaks with Francesca Cavallo, an author and co-creator of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls to explore what it truly means to lead in a world where boys and girls are raised on radically different emotional blueprints. 

From childhood the stories we’re told, girls are invited to understand emotions, their own and others’. Boys, on the other hand, are often cast in roles of action and control, with little space given to their emotional lives. This absence, Francesca felt in her own personal sphere and further states that...

In this fifth episode of the Cultural Intelligence series, Julia Middleton pauses to answer the questions you’ve been sending in. After four episodes unpacking the Core and Flex model and exploring what happens when cultures collide, both between people and within individuals, this episode dives into real-world dilemmas, confusions, and curiosities. 

“Almost everybody you meet will have a different culture from you,” says Julia. “CQ is about interfacing with cultures that aren’t your own. Way beyond just race.” 

Julia responds to questions such as: 

• Does your Core ever change? 

• Can organisations ha...

In the fourth episode of the Cultural Intelligence series, Julia Middleton explores what happens when two people meet, and both are in their Core. Through metaphors and real stories, Julia dives into how seemingly aligned values can still lead to tension, and how clashing cores if not carefully navigated can result in misunderstandings, resistance, or even breakdowns in communication. 

"The stronger your core, the more you need to think carefully before dismissing someone else’s," says Julia. 

She offers practical guidance on how to avoid misreading moments of cultural collision, and how to recognise the diff...

In the third episode of the Cultural Intelligence series, Julia explores what happens when different cultures come together. She dives into the tensions, misunderstandings, and moments of growth that emerge when people with different cultures interact and how that shapes their leading.  

"Sometimes, when cultures collide, we feel it as a clash, but what if we saw it as an opportunity instead?" says Julia. 

Through real-life stories and thought-provoking insights, she unpacks why these clashes occur, how to navigate them with curiosity rather than frustration, and what leaders can do to turn cultural differences into st...

In this second episode of the Cultural Intelligence series, Julia Middleton, Mother of Practical CQ, founder of Women Emerging and the podcast host dives into the Core and Flex: a simple yet powerful way to understand how Cultural Intelligence works in practice. She explains why women with high Cultural Intelligence to have clarity on what is non-negotiable in their identity (Core) and where they can adapt and evolve (Flex) when crossing cultural boundaries. 

"The stronger your core, the more people will trust you. And the more flexible your flex, the more people will trust you," said Julia. 

In this first episode of the Cultural Intelligence series, Julia Middleton, Mother of Practical CQ, founder of Women Emerging and the podcast host, explains what Cultural Intelligence (CQ) means, why it is essential for leading today, and the foundational mindsets needed to develop it. CQ is often assumed to be just about geography, but as Julia explains, it goes far beyond that, spanning generations, sectors, beliefs, specialisms, backgrounds, and aspirations. 

"The really big, complex problems that we dream of solving have no respect for boundaries. If we insist on staying within them, we have no hope of a...

In the second part of the two-part episode on resilience, Julia and Liz Bloomfield move beyond defining resilience to explore practical, everyday strategies for building and sustaining it. Liz highlights how resilience is about preparation, intentional habits, and the power of community in overcoming challenges. 

"Resilience really lies within teams and communities. The danger is that when we feel under pressure, our instinct is to withdraw. But the more we isolate ourselves, the harder it becomes to sustain resilience in the long run," said Liz. 

Liz and Julia discuss the two key pillars of resilience: st...

In this first part of the two-part episode on resilience, Julia speaks with Liz Bloomfield, a mission-driven leader and former British Army officer, about what resilience means. Liz challenges the idea that resilience is simply about enduring hardship and instead explores how self-awareness, recovery, and adaptability shape a more sustainable approach to resilience. 

"Resilience isn’t about being unbreakable. It’s about learning how to pause, process, and move forward with greater clarity," said Liz. 

Liz and Julia discuss the importance of mental fitness, understanding personal triggers, and reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth. Liz also s...

In this episode, Julia speaks with Shurti Singh from India and Myriem Benkirane from Morocco, explorers from the first Women Emerging expedition for students in higher education, as they reflect on their expedition, an experience that reshaped their understanding of leading, identity, and personal growth. 

Women Emerging runs group expeditions for women who want to find their own approach to leading. Over seven months, explorers commit five hours per month to immersing themselves in the experience; listening to audios, speaking with guides, engaging in deep self-reflection, and coming together for monthly calls to test, challenge, and grow alo...

In this episode, Julia speaks with Dr. Mounia Amrani, a senior medical practitioner, about navigating extreme hostility in war zones and humanitarian crises. Mounia shares her journey of working in isolated conflict areas where violence, suffering, and loss are constant companions, and reflects on the emotional toll of operating in these high-pressure environments. 

"In hostile environments, the rulebook helps you survive, but humanity is what helps you lead," said Mounia, highlighting the importance of balancing structure with empathy in crisis situations. 

Mounia recounts the lessons she’s learned, from the early days of rigidly following prot...

In this episode, Julia speaks with Nora Madjar, a researcher and professor specialising in creativity, negotiation, and team dynamics, about the impact of hostile environments on women's leadership styles. Nora explores how environments of resistance and criticism can destabilise women leaders, often leading them to stray from their natural strengths of collaboration, creativity, and empathy. 

"When women step back, observe, and use their innate skills of collaboration and perspective-taking, they create win-win outcomes that redefine success in even the most challenging environments," said Nora. 

Nora delves into the unique skills women bring to negotiation, emphasising th...

In this episode, Julia speaks with Susana Lopez, a seasoned leader in private equity, about navigating one of the most high-pressure and competitive industries. Susana shares her cautionary tales from years in the field, offering insights on the challenges of trust, authenticity, losing sight of the big picture and overcoming fear in hostile environments. 

"Fear is our worst enemy, but it’s also unavoidable. The key is to act despite it, step by step, without letting it paralyse you," said Susana. 

Susana reflects on the importance of staying true to yourself, avoiding the trap of blen...

In this episode, Julia is joined by Katrien Van den Broeck, author of Confronting the 10 Traps of Power (2024), to discuss the unique challenges women face while leading in politics which is no doubt a highly demanding and hostile environment. Katrien highlights the traps of isolation, perfectionism, and managing team dynamics, offering strategies for women to navigate these pressures effectively. 

"Isolation is one of the biggest traps of power: it’s physical, emotional, and logistical. Leaders must make conscious efforts to stay connected to the real world, or risk losing perspective," Katrien explained. 

Drawing from her expe...

In the fourth episode of Navigating Hostile Environments, Julia speaks with Jamie Mittelman, founder of Flame Bearers, a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of women athletes from around the world. Jamie shares her experiences navigating the challenges of leading in a field that has historically underserved women, she highlights the importance of flipping hostility by leading with positivity and empathy. 

"In a hostile environment, don’t mirror the hostility—flip it on its head. Be the opposite, and you’ll draw people to you," said Jamie.  

Jamie recounts inspiring stories from her work with over 250...

In the third episode, Julia is joined by Jill Heinerth, a cave diver, underwater explorer, and filmmaker. Jill dives into her unique experiences navigating literal and metaphorical hostile environments beneath the Earth's surface. She shares how she confronts fear, the strategies she uses to remain calm under pressure, and the critical role of teamwork in life-threatening situations. 

"Fear is not the enemy; it’s my friend. It sharpens my focus and reminds me of the respect I must have for the risks I take," said Jill. 

Jill emphasises the importance of empowering team members by crea...

In the second episode of the series Navigating Hostile Environments, Julia is joined by Autumn Phillips, a veteran journalist and newspaper editor with over 20 years of experience. Autumn reflects on the challenges of leading in the high-pressure, male-dominated world of newsrooms. She shares how her leadership journey was shaped by the need to prove herself to skeptical teams while navigating the "glass cliff" phenomenon—an environment where women are often given opportunities only in undesirable or failing roles. 

"By definition, being the editor of a newspaper means you're in a toxic environment whenever you walk into a new...

In the first episode of the series Navigating Hostile Environments, Julia is joined by Aaminah Qadir, a human rights lawyer based in Pakistan. Aaminah shares her experiences of working in a male-dominated profession and the systemic resistance faced by women litigators.  

“They often refer to me as 'baby' in court, not as a romantic gesture, but to belittle me, as if I’m a child who doesn’t belong there. It makes me angry, but I’ve learned to respond firmly and claim my space,” said Aaminah.  

She recounts her strategies for maintaining resilience, from humour and del...

In this Christmas Special, which Julia refers to her ‘Christmas Gift’ she talks to Prue Leith, celebrated restaurateur, author, and television personality. Prue offers a candid and deeply reflective look into her leadership journey, shaped by honesty, optimism, and persistence. From transforming toxic kitchen cultures to championing better school food systems, she shares the lessons learned from a career defined by creativity and determination.  

Prue also explores the balance of being both flexible and dogged in leadership, highlighting her relentless five-year campaign to bring sculptures to Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth. On her approach to leading, she reflects...

In this episode, Julia is joined by Anna & Ayesha to bring closure to the Women Leading Together series. Across the series, certain sub-themes had surfaced, and Julia sought to explore these with Anna and Ayesha, who have co-chaired the Committee on Global Mental Health and International Relations for nearly a decade. Together, they reflected on the foundations of their collaboration, the role of generational differences in leadership, and how they overcame challenges, including "bumpy times," to cultivate a resilient and inspiring partnership. 

“What came out of the bumpy times, probably because of the bumps, is a much str...

In this episode of the Podcast, Julia is joined by Sophie Kwasny and Francine Hetherington Raveney, who reflect on their experiences working together in leadership roles at the Council of Europe. Their collaboration demonstrates how shared values, trust, and adaptability can redefine traditional leadership models. In theory Sophie heads the team and that makes her Francine’s boss, but the duo explains how their complementary approaches to decision-making and their ability to navigate hierarchical systems has redefined leading for them. 

"It’s not just about hierarchy; it’s about our collective input and how we achieve things togethe...

In the third episode of Women Leading Together, Julia speaks with Rema Subramanian and Ritu Verma, whose 14-year bond has transformed their India based investment fund into a globally recognised powerhouse, raising over $200 Mn while building a resilient team and brand. 

Rema and Ritu share their secret of working together as women leaders: fostering trust, aligning upon core values, and embracing differences to complement each other’s strengths. Their collaboration thrives on open communication and a shared focus on organisational goals rather than personal agendas. 

"You always need pace setters who keep the race moving forw...