#25: You Can Do It with Susan Baragwanath
LifeWise
Meet Susan Baragwanath, a remarkable woman who has spent her life quietly, yet with unshakeable determination, challenging one of society's most dangerous beliefs — the idea that there is "them" and "us": those who deserve a good education and those who do not. At the heart of Susan's work is a profound understanding that human potential is deeply affected by context — by the environment we are born into, the opportunities we are given, and whether someone truly sees us. KEY THEMES Human Rights, No Them and Us, Equal Opportunities, Self-Expression, Ownership and Responsibility,...
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#24: Stack the Deck in Your Favour with Jonathan Cave
LifeWise
Meet Jonathan Cave, a leadership coach who has a natural talent for listening deeply, "joining the dots" to bring clarity to complexity, and helping people move forward with greater self-awareness, sense of purpose and enthusiasm for life. Jonathan has just written his first book, The Tree and the Mountain, which takes us on a journey to discover who we really are. KEY THEMES Values, Talents and Aspirations, The Power of Nine, The Happiness Gap, Being Driven by Fear versus Driven by Potential, Identity, Authenticity and Sensitivity, Breathwork, Your Inner Child, Your Central Alignment Line,...
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#23: Rewrite Your Story with Jonny Hulbert
LifeWise
Meet Jonny Hulbert who, after 27 years working in a global corporate environment, found that his energy tank was running on empty, and what looked like success on the outside felt like a void on the inside. Jonny learnt how to tap into the things that truly nourished him by exploring entirely different ways of living, working, and being. In Jonny's case, it was his relationship with sound and music that opened a doorway into discovering valuable tools and practices that can enable us to let go of severe stress, extreme exhaustion, overwhelm and anxiety; and enjoy deeper sleep, clarity, and a...
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#22: Change Your Mind with Maxime Maanders
LifeWise
Meet Maxime Maanders, a clinical psychologist and plant medicine specialist with a holistic perspective on human healing. His approach brings together ancient wisdom and evidence-based psychology offering an integrative understanding of what it truly takes for us to heal from psychological trauma. KEY THEMES Psychology, Mental Health, Western Science, Ancient Wisdom, Emotions, Plant Medicine, Psychedelics, Human Connection, Our Connection to Nature, Music, Group Therapy, Pain and Suffering. BOOKS A Course in Miracles: Scribe – Helen...
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#21: Feel It to Heal It with Frits Van Den Heuval Van Varik
LifeWise
Meet Frits Van Den Heuval Van Varik, the founder of BaseQamp. Through his work with the Dutch Marine Corps, Amsterdam Police, Amsterdam Fire Department and in youth services, Frits recognised two fundamental human needs: a safe space to develop self-awareness and practical tools for navigating life’s emotional challenges. He invites us to see our ‘emotional backpacks’ filled with joy, struggle, and trauma – not as burdens to carry but as sources of insight and strength. Through BaseQamp, Frits helps people reconnect with their hearts, transform lived experience into...
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#20: Discover Your True Nature with Robbie Fenlon
LifeWise
Meet Robbie Fenlon, a leadership coach and meditation practitioner drawing on more than 30 years of real-world experience from guiding mountaineering expeditions in the Alps and the Himalayas to coaching executives, scientists and athletes. With a deep interest in meditation, neuroscience and human development, Robbie helps people tap into their own intelligence, strength and experience to find practical solutions to their own challenges. KEY THEMES Experiential Learning Spirituality Climbing, Interacting with Nature, Mental Health, Leadership, Coaching, Meditation, Self-Awareness,...
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#19: Yoga Is Mental Health with Dr Anuranjan Bist
LifeWise
Meet DR ANURANJAN BIST, who, in his quest to help people find health and happiness pursued a traditional medical training, moved from India to set up a practice in the US. A surprising turn of events lead him back to the Himalayas where he was born, to discover that ‘we are the medicine’ and ‘yoga is mental health’. KEY THEMES Mental Health Traditional Medicine Psychology Yoga Yoga Guru Lineages Kundalini Yoga Yoga Practices Your True Nature Consciousness The Himalayas, India BOOKS Osho (Rajneesh Chandra Mohjan Jain) taught, without ever writing anything. The books published...
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#18: Find Your Flow with Derek Tate
LifeWise
Meet DEREK TATE, who will reveal the key factors to finding your flow on the ski slopes, at work and in your life. As a trainer of ski instructors and novices alike; Derek is on a mission ‘to help as many people as possible experience the health and wellbeing benefits of sport and mountain life whatever your level of participation and involvement’. KEY THEMES Focus Flow Growth Mindset Personal Growth Dedicated Practice Role Models Optimal Performance Mindfulness Meditation BOOKS The Evolving Self by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Life’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl FILM High...
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#17: Coming Back to Our Senses with Nicole Schwab
LifeWise
Meet NICOLE SCHWAB, who will reveal how our health and the health of our planet are inextricably linked, and what we can do to look after both. The founding director of the forum of young global leaders, Nicole is actively involved in creating a ‘restoration generation’. BONUS Watch a special video version of this episode's message here: KEY THEMES Ecopreneurs Restoration Generation Diversity Durability Adaptability Biodiversity Balance of Nature Health of our Planet Flow BOOKS Poems by the Persian Poet Hafiz FILM The Whale Rider – story by Witi...
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#16: Ten Good Reasons to Go for a Walk with Thierry & Mary Anne Malleret
LifeWise
Meet Thierry & Mary Anne Malleret, who reveal the life-changing benefits of walking in nature. Not only is walking good for our bodies, it stimulates our brains, gives us access to our creative and strategic minds, and helps us to make good decisions. Compelling evidence from leading institutions such as Harvard, Stanford University, and The Wellness Institute support movement as not just being important, but essential for us to be able to enjoy physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
info_outlineMeet Susan Baragwanath, a remarkable woman who has spent her life quietly, yet with unshakeable determination, challenging one of society's most dangerous beliefs — the idea that there is "them" and "us": those who deserve a good education and those who do not. At the heart of Susan's work is a profound understanding that human potential is deeply affected by context — by the environment we are born into, the opportunities we are given, and whether someone truly sees us.
KEY THEMES
Human Rights, No Them and Us, Equal Opportunities, Self-Expression, Ownership and Responsibility, Fundamental Needs, Human Potential, Context is Key, Resilience, Belonging, Women's Leadership.
BOOK
The Red X: The Story of He Huarahi Tamariki ("A Chance for Children"), New Zealand's First School for Teenage Parents by Susan Baragwanath.
QUOTES
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"There's nothing more frightening than ignorance in action." — Goethe
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"I could never have dreamed that the students would end up being the strongest party. I thought it was going to be me. I mean, I can direct traffic, but I think I said on one of the television programmes, I'm just the conductor of the orchestra." — Susan Baragwanath
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Susan has been fortunate to receive the encouragement and support of many remarkable people throughout her life and career. Two deserve special acknowledgement, referred to informally during the conversation rather than by their professional titles:
The Honourable Sir David Baragwanath KNZM KC — Susan's husband, referred to simply as "David" during the podcast — is one of New Zealand's most distinguished jurists. Appointed Queen's Counsel in 1983, he went on to serve as a Judge of both the High Court and Court of Appeal of New Zealand, and has served as President of the United Nations Special Tribunal for Lebanon and as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
The Rt Hon. The Baroness Hooper — referred to simply as "Gloria" during the podcast — is a highly respected British parliamentarian and former UK Government Minister. A Member of the House of Lords for nearly four decades, she has devoted her career to public service, international diplomacy, and strengthening relations across Latin America.
CONNECT WITH SUSAN BARAGWANATH
Through MyPhy Leadership: www.myphy.com
Founders of The Women's Leadership Conference, Geneva, Switzerland