THIS WEEK: Wonder, Hope and Curiosity

Hi all

Here is your weekly roundup of what I am reading, watching, listening to and pondering on and I hope that some of it inspires you too.

PODCAST

This week's podcast interview is with British inventor Tom Lawton where we discuss his life-long curiosity, how ideas come to him and what it feels like to get your own product out into the world.

We also dig deeper into the fine line that exists in an inventor's mindset between a "breakthrough" and a "breakdown" and what it takes to keep going despite the naysayers. Tom is hugely inspiring and his story is truly compelling. Listen here.

QUOTE

INTERVIEW

If you don't already subscribe to Nobel Prize Conversations which are a series of interviews with Nobel Prize winners, I highly recommend it. In the latest episode, Giorgio Parisi - an Italian theoretical physicist?whose research has focused on quantum field theory, statistical mechanics and complex systems - discusses his childhood from developing his constant curiosity to becoming a voracious reader to how he ultimately decided to dedicate his life to physics. In 2021, he was awarded the Physics Prize "for the discovery of the interplay of disorder and fluctuations in physical systems from atomic to planetary scales." He shared the prize with Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann. Listen here.

BOOK

My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future by Indra Nooyi is a wonderful, inspiring read from an Indian-American business executive, and former Chairwoman and CEO at PepsiCo.

The book takes us through Indra's life journey from her childhood and early education in 1960s India to Yale and her rise as a corporate consultant who then reached the most senior ranks as a business executive. She also lifts the lid on her life at PepsiCo and how she managed to steer the company to great success whilst also nudging it towards a healthier and more environmentally sustainable business, despite much resistance.

Finally, she makes a clear and actionable call for businesses and governments to prioritize childcare, including paid leave and work flexibility, and how improving company and community support for women will unleash an economy’s full potential.

Buy the book here (hardback is currently almost 60% off).

FILM

LION - This incredibly inspiring film is based on the true story of Saroo Brierley, who became separated from his family in rural India when he was just five years-old. Saroo was eventually adopted and raised in Australia but as he got older, and remembered more about his home and birth family, he managed to use Google Earth satellite imagery to locate his birth home, and he made the magical trip back to be reunited with his mother and family. Watch on Netflix here.

Then watch Saroo being interviewed at Google Australia here.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Danielle