by Zoe Routh
We explore the future and ask what this means for your leadership. We tackle the big issues, ask 'what if' and 'how might we'. We bring observations of trends and events around the world, talk to leading experts in their field about a topic on the future of leadership, give book recommendations, and offer tangible insights you can put into action right away.
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Publishing Since
8/1/2019
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June 15, 2026
<p dir="ltr">In this reflective solo episode, Zoë Routh explores one of the biggest questions leaders and humans face: how should we think about time, and what does it mean for how we live and lead?</p> <p dir="ltr">Drawing from her Chrysalis workshops on late-career transitions, Sarah Wilson's book I Eat the Stars, and her own experiences of writing, rebranding, and reconnecting with readers, Zoë invites us into a wider perspective on life, purpose, and mortality.</p> <p dir="ltr">She shares exciting developments in her author world, including the merging of her fiction and leadership work under a new umbrella called The Long Game, work on second editions of her early books, and progress on her first historical novel, The Pearl and the Dagger.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">At the heart of the episode is a meditation on time. From the lifespan of the Earth and the eventual death of the universe to the accelerating experience of decades as we age, Zoë explores how a long-view perspective can help us loosen our grip on anxiety and return to what matters most right now.</p> <p dir="ltr">She reflects on the seasons of life, from childhood wonder and achievement years to post-achievement transitions and the possibility of cultivation, wisdom, and savoring in later decades. Ultimately, she offers an invitation to live gratefully, love deeply, and make the most of our brief but precious existence.</p> <p dir="ltr">Key Quotes:</p> <p dir="ltr">"Choose to live well and lightly now." - Zoë Routh</p> <p dir="ltr">"If I have five decades ahead of me, or five days, how can I live gratefully and beautifully?" - Zoë Routh</p> <p dir="ltr">"Our time on Earth is finite. What shall I do to make the most of it?" - Zoë Routh</p> <p dir="ltr">"Sometimes we need to zoom out to the scale of the universe to come back to what matters today." - Zoë Routh</p> <p dir="ltr">"This brief whisper of life is precious, fleeting, and aren't we lucky?" - Zoë Routh</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Take Action:</p> <p dir="ltr">• Consider how your relationship with time has changed over the decades.</p> <p dir="ltr">• Ask yourself: If I only had five more decades, what would I cultivate?</p> <p dir="ltr">• Reflect on what matters most to you right now.</p> <p dir="ltr">• Identify which season of life you are currently in: achiever, post-achiever, cultivator, explorer, wisdom keeper, or savorer.</p> <p dir="ltr">• Notice where you may be overcomplicating life and ask: What would help me live more lightly?</p> <p dir="ltr">• Practice gratitude for the ordinary moments and relationships that make life meaningful.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Life Stages Zoë Explores:</p> <p dir="ltr">0–10: Magic</p> <p dir="ltr">Wonder, imagination, discovery, and delight.</p> <p dir="ltr">20s: Learning to Adult</p> <p dir="ltr">Responsibility, relationships, and finding independence.</p> <p dir="ltr">30s: Achiever Mode</p> <p dir="ltr">Making a mark and building a career.</p> <p dir="ltr">40s: Maturing Achiever</p> <p dir="ltr">Greater wisdom, capability, and leadership.</p> <p dir="ltr">50s: Post-Achiever Transition</p> <p dir="ltr">Releasing the need to prove and asking, "What now?"</p> <p dir="ltr">60s: Cultivation and Harvest</p> <p dir="ltr">Planting seeds, tending what matters, and harvesting the fruits of experience.</p> <p dir="ltr">70s: Exploration</p> <p dir="ltr">Continuing to discover the world with curiosity and presence.</p> <p dir="ltr">80s: Wisdom and Ritual</p> <p dir="ltr">Living simply through gratitude, connection, and sacred rhythms.</p> <p dir="ltr">90s: Savoring</p> <p dir="ltr">Appreciating the richness and beauty of life.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Resources Mentioned:</p> <p dir="ltr">• I Eat the Stars: How to Live Fully and Beautifully in a Collapsing World – Sarah Wilson</p> <p dir="ltr">• Claude AI - for strategy, streamlining, and creative thinking</p> <p dir="ltr">• ChatGPT - for exploring scientific perspectives on time and the lifespan of the universe</p> <p dir="ltr">• Zoë's newsletters:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr">Fit for the Future Leadership</li> <li dir="ltr">Bookish</li> <li dir="ltr">Coming soon under the new banner: The Long Game<strong><br /></strong></li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">Key Moments:</p> <p dir="ltr">00:00 Welcome & The Big Question About Time</p> <p dir="ltr">01:00 Personal Updates & Returning from Canberra</p> <p dir="ltr">02:10 Rebranding Under The Long Game</p> <p dir="ltr">03:20 New Editions and Writing Projects</p> <p dir="ltr">04:20 A Reader Finds The Olympus Project</p> <p dir="ltr">06:20 Identity and Purpose Through The Chrysalis Program</p> <p dir="ltr">08:10 Time, Mortality and Making the Most of Life</p> <p dir="ltr">09:00 Sarah Wilson and Collapse Awareness</p> <p dir="ltr">10:30 The Lifespan of Earth and the Universe</p> <p dir="ltr">15:10 Returning to the Present Moment</p> <p dir="ltr">16:40 Why Time Speeds Up as We Age</p> <p dir="ltr">18:30 Seasons of Life and Leadership</p> <p dir="ltr">20:30 Imagining the Decades Ahead</p> <p dir="ltr">22:00 Living Beautifully in a Finite World</p> <p dir="ltr">24:00 Closing Reflections & Winter Break</p> <p dir="ltr">This episode is an invitation to zoom out and take the long view. Through reflections on time, mortality, and the seasons of life, Zoë reminds us that while our days are finite, they are also rich with meaning and possibility. Rather than rushing through life, perhaps the real work is to savour it, to live with grace, lead in service, and love deeply.</p> <p> </p>
May 29, 2026
<p dir="ltr">Sustainable success strategist and communication expert Mel Kettle joins Zoë Routh to explore the opportunities and challenges of an aging workforce, second-act careers, and designing a meaningful later chapter of life and work.</p> <p dir="ltr">Together they discuss why many experienced leaders no longer want traditional retirement, how identity and purpose evolve beyond job titles, and why creating social connection, flexibility, and energy awareness becomes increasingly important with age. The conversation also tackles workplace misconceptions about older employees, menopause and andropause at work, and how organisations can better support people through major life transitions while retaining valuable experience and wisdom.</p> <p dir="ltr">Design your next chapter with clarity, purpose, and intention through Zoë Routh's guided workshop series, The Chrysalis: Late Career by Design. </p> <p dir="ltr">Register Here:<br /> <a href= "https://events.humanitix.com/the-chrysalis-late-career-by-design">https://events.humanitix.com/the-chrysalis-late-career-by-design</a> </p> <h3 dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Key Quotes</span></h3> <p dir="ltr">"The people who don't need to work anymore often still have the most to offer." - Mel Kettle</p> <p dir="ltr">"We are all so much more than what we do for a living." - Mel Kettle</p> <p dir="ltr">"Do more of the things that give you energy and less of the things that drain it." - Mel Kettle</p> <p dir="ltr">"Most people don't want to stop working. They just want a different version of work." - Zoë Routh</p> <h3 dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Questions Asked</span></h3> <p dir="ltr">What challenges does an aging workforce create for employers and employees?</p> <p dir="ltr">Why are so many experienced leaders looking for a "second act" instead of retirement?</p> <p dir="ltr">How can organisations retain knowledge and expertise from older workers?</p> <p dir="ltr">What role does identity play in later-career transitions?</p> <p dir="ltr">How do social connection and purpose impact wellbeing as we age?</p> <p dir="ltr">What gives us energy versus drains us in work and life?</p> <p dir="ltr">How should workplaces approach menopause and andropause conversations?</p> <p dir="ltr">What policies can reduce bias and support employees more fairly?</p> <h3 dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Take Action</span></h3> <p dir="ltr">Redefine Retirement: Consider what your "second act" or "protirement" phase could look like.</p> <p dir="ltr">Build a Portfolio of Purposes: Develop multiple sources of meaning beyond your job title.</p> <p dir="ltr">Protect Your Energy: Identify what energizes and drains you physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially.</p> <p dir="ltr">Strengthen Social Connection: Invest in friendships, communities, and activities outside of work.</p> <p dir="ltr">Create Flexible Work Models: Explore advisory, mentoring, or part-time pathways instead of abrupt retirement.</p> <p dir="ltr">Normalise Life Transitions: Encourage more compassionate and practical workplace conversations around aging and wellbeing.</p> <h3 dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Key Moments</span></h3> <p dir="ltr">00:00 Welcome to the Show<br /> 00:30 Aging Workforce Question<br /> 00:44 Chrysalis Workshop Plug<br /> 01:32 Meet Mel Kettle<br /> 02:40 Second Act Careers<br /> 04:29 Employer Aging Conundrums<br /> 08:24 Flexible Roles and Advisors<br /> 10:38 Energy and Aging<br /> 14:15 Identity Beyond Work<br /> 17:04 Protirement Purpose Portfolio<br /> 19:45 Books and Social Connection<br /> 21:58 Men Building Networks<br /> 23:16 Coffee Invite Milestone<br /> 23:36 Golf Mates Deep Talks<br /> 25:03 Finding Your People<br /> 26:04 Menopause at Work<br /> 28:17 Bias Fears and Biology<br /> 30:00 One Bucket Leave Policy<br /> 32:17 Privacy and Sick Notes<br /> 32:59 Managing Leave Fairly<br /> 35:44 Fast Three Questions<br /> 38:14 Books and Identity<br /> 40:07 Where to Find Mel<br /> 41:10 Wrap Up and Next Steps</p> <p dir="ltr">If you enjoyed this conversation with Mel Kettle, revisit her previous appearance on the podcast: "<a href= "https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-skills-mel-kettle">Leadership Skills with Mel Kettle</a>," where Zoë and Mel explored connected leadership, communication strategies, digital credibility, and building trust through authentic engagement in an increasingly disconnected world.</p> <p> </p>
May 25, 2026
<p dir="ltr">Leadership strategist and behavioral expert Dan Gregory joins Zoë to explore identity, reinvention, and the challenges of creating a meaningful late-career chapter. Drawing on psychology, systems thinking, and personal transformation, Dan explains why deep change must happen at the identity level before behavior and culture can truly shift.</p> <p dir="ltr">Together they unpack midlife transitions, career reinvention, leadership evolution, and why letting go of old definitions of success is essential for growth. The conversation explores set point theory, bridging identity gaps, designing environments that support transformation, and how leaders can move from achievement-driven careers toward more intentional and meaningful futures.</p> <p dir="ltr">Design your next chapter with clarity, purpose, and intention through Zoë Routh's guided workshop series, The Chrysalis: Late Career by Design. Register Here: </p> <p dir="ltr"> https://events.humanitix.com/the-chrysalis-late-career-by-design</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Key Quotes</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">"The purpose only makes sense once you know who you are." - Dan Gregory</p> <p dir="ltr">"Discipline is useful, but design beats discipline." - Dan Gregory</p> <p dir="ltr">"Most people spend their lives aiming for silver instead of going for gold." - Dan Gregory</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's not a crisis, it's a chrysalis." - Zoë Routh</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Questions Asked</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">What happens when our work identity starts to crumble in midlife?</p> <p dir="ltr">Why does transformational change need to happen at the identity level?</p> <p dir="ltr">How do leaders redefine success in later career transitions?</p> <p dir="ltr">Why do people gravitate back toward familiar behaviors even when they are unhealthy?</p> <p dir="ltr">What is the difference between goals and intentions?</p> <p dir="ltr">How can leaders design environments that make positive change self-correcting?</p> <p dir="ltr">What does it mean to create a bridging identity during reinvention?</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Take Action</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Redefine Success: Ask yourself what success means in this next season of life and career.</p> <p dir="ltr">Focus on Identity First: Clarify who you want to become before deciding exactly what you want to do.</p> <p dir="ltr">Design Better Environments: Create systems, habits, and surroundings that reinforce the future version of yourself.</p> <p dir="ltr">Let Go of Consolation Prizes: Stop aiming for "safe" versions of success and pursue what genuinely matters.</p> <p dir="ltr">Create a Perfect Day Vision: Imagine how you want to feel, work, contribute, and live in your next chapter.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Key Moments</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">00:00 Welcome to the Show</p> <p dir="ltr">00:33 Midlife Identity Question</p> <p dir="ltr">00:55 Planet Zoë Updates</p> <p dir="ltr">01:17 Chrysalis Program Invite</p> <p dir="ltr">02:14 Meet Dan Gregory</p> <p dir="ltr">03:22 Setting the Scene</p> <p dir="ltr">04:50 Identity Layers Explained</p> <p dir="ltr">08:13 When Work Identity Crumbles</p> <p dir="ltr">10:24 Seasons and Reinvention</p> <p dir="ltr">12:14 Letting Go to Transform</p> <p dir="ltr">15:21 CEO to Board Shift</p> <p dir="ltr">19:14 Wobbling Plates Midlife</p> <p dir="ltr">22:37 Bridging Identity Gaps</p> <p dir="ltr">28:56 Set Point and Certainty</p> <p dir="ltr">33:38 Who Before Why</p> <p dir="ltr">35:30 Designing a Perfect Day</p> <p dir="ltr">36:01 Goals vs Intentions</p> <p dir="ltr">37:24 Career Twists That Add Up</p> <p dir="ltr">38:33 Stop Aiming for Silver</p> <p dir="ltr">40:21 Midlife Game Change</p> <p dir="ltr">42:09 Who Before Why</p> <p dir="ltr">42:49 When Everything Fell Apart</p> <p dir="ltr">45:15 Weight Loss Identity Shift</p> <p dir="ltr">48:04 Identity Drives Culture</p> <p dir="ltr">52:30 Design Beats Discipline</p> <p dir="ltr">01:03:38 Systems Thinking Provocations</p> <p dir="ltr">01:07:36 Fast Three Questions</p> <p dir="ltr">01:09:18 Books and Dark Psychology</p> <p dir="ltr">01:11:37 Where to Find Dan</p> <p dir="ltr">01:12:24 Podcast Wrap and Next Week</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">If you enjoyed this conversation with Dan Gregory, make sure to revisit his previous appearance on the podcast: <a href= "https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-skills-future-proof-dan-gregory?rq=dan%20gregory"> Episode 123 How to Future Proof Your Leadership Skills with Dan Gregory</a>, where Zoë and Dan explore forever skills, people-smart leadership, values-based decision-making, and how leaders can think more clearly in complex times.</p>
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We explore the future and ask what this means for your leadership. We tackle the big issues, ask 'what if' and 'how might we'.
We bring observations of trends and events around the world, talk to leading experts in their field about a topic on the future of leadership, give book recommendations, and offer tangible insights you can put into action right away.
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