13 Comments
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Nick Bryant's avatar

Great to have you on the programme Zara. And thanks for calling me a serious journalist rather than a veteran journalist.

Zara Wong's avatar

I was going to call you a ‘Very Serious Foreign Correspondent™’.

Zara Wong's avatar

Also I just had lunch with Peri Wilson who raved about you.

Anna's avatar

That would’ve been a fascinating dinner. I recently listened to Esther Perels fashion neurosis episode which was a totally different aspect to hear her talk about. I struggle with wanting to be a work centric person but also wanting to be a family centric person. I love working yet feel like work can let you down sometimes (redundant) and to be truely exceptional in my industry you need to sacrifice family time

Zara Wong's avatar

I still need to listen to her Fashion Neurosis episode -- there are too many good podcasts out there!

I thought this Emma Grede episode with Sahil Bloom was a really good way to look being work-centric whilst also wanting to prioritise other things in your life (which is normal!!). https://open.spotify.com/episode/09CK2jyfI1q8Nojiq7pXQF?si=55401873651d4d9a

He points out that 'work/life balance' puts things at odds with each other, but it's more about figuring out to find out how they can co-exist together. You've probably heard of the 4 burners theory which always sounds a bit dire, but he (I think it's this podcast, tbh I've listen to a few lately) talks more about light dimmers -- sometimes you're just momentarily dimming the light while brightening up the other one.

Work can definitely let you down. I've had two redundancies! But I think it's finding the core value of the work rather than the actual position itself which has helped, if that makes sense.

Kelly Williams's avatar

Wow!! A dinner with Esther would be such an incredible night. Her discussion sounds fascinating especially in the midst of the workplace change we’ve experienced post pandemic.

Zara Wong's avatar

I will be referencing this dinner for years to come. Absolutely incredible, and she manages to be so succinct yet so on-point.

Talisa Sutton's avatar

Esther and Leigh! What a room to be in. Loved this insight too - my Dad worked for the same place for 22 years… It’s such a different time now.

Zara Wong's avatar

That is truly amazing - 22 years! That is something.

Diana McKinlay's avatar

This is so timely. After getting made redundant from the job I changed careers to do during a time when AI is changing the landscape I have ended up a very exciting role that I likely would never have thought to look for but actually aligns really well with both my past work experience and where I want to end up. Certainly leaves you with some whiplash

Zara Wong's avatar

So thrilled for you that you have merged your past experiences to where you wanted to end up - probably not the path you wanted to take, but it’s the roundabout journey that makes stories all the more interesting to tell. Thank you for sharing Diana.

Kelly Klein's avatar

Going to need to borrow your moms tang jacket

Zara Wong's avatar

And can you believe it she also has it in red!!!