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Access to Inspiration is an award-winning podcast ranked among the top 10% of podcasts globally, featuring conversations with explorers, entrepreneurs, business leaders and changemakers from around the world. Hosted by...
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Access to Inspiration is an award-winning podcast ranked among the top 10% of podcasts globally, featuring conversations with explorers, entrepreneurs, business leaders and changemakers from around the world.
Hosted by executive coach, author and polar explorer Sue Stockdale, the podcast explores leadership, resilience, personal growth, innovation, exploration and the mindset required to navigate uncertainty.
With guests from more than 30 countries, each episode uncovers the stories behind remarkable achievements, revealing the lessons learned through challenge, adversity and discovery.
Topics span leadership, business, adventure, sustainability, creativity, social impact and human potential.
Listeners gain practical insights, fresh perspectives and actionable ideas to help them build confidence, embrace change and step beyond their comfort zones.
Whether you are a leader, entrepreneur, professional, explorer or lifelong learner, Access to Inspiration offers thought-provoking conversations designed to inspire personal and professional growth.
Learn more at Access to Inspiration
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Hosted by executive coach, author and polar explorer Sue Stockdale, the podcast explores leadership, resilience, personal growth, innovation, exploration and the mindset required to navigate uncertainty.
With guests from more than 30 countries, each episode uncovers the stories behind remarkable achievements, revealing the lessons learned through challenge, adversity and discovery.
Topics span leadership, business, adventure, sustainability, creativity, social impact and human potential.
Listeners gain practical insights, fresh perspectives and actionable ideas to help them build confidence, embrace change and step beyond their comfort zones.
Whether you are a leader, entrepreneur, professional, explorer or lifelong learner, Access to Inspiration offers thought-provoking conversations designed to inspire personal and professional growth.
Learn more at Access to Inspiration
Support the Podcast
Episodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
30 SEP 2026 · What if the very thing most leaders try to avoid, friction, is exactly what organisations need most?
Sue Stockdale talks to entrepreneur, leadership thinker and bestselling author Margaret Heffernan who challenges some of the most common assumptions about leadership, innovation and inspiration. Drawing on decades of experience leading organisations and researching business success and failure, Margaret argues that progress rarely comes from certainty, speed or having all the answers. Instead, she makes the case for doubt, dissent, curiosity and collective intelligence.
Sue and Margaret explore why leaders are often more interested in learning from failure than success, how organisations become trapped by an obsession with efficiency, and why inspiration alone is never enough to create meaningful change.
They discuss the importance of slowing down, asking better questions, listening deeply, and creating environments where people feel safe to challenge ideas. Margaret also shares practical insights from her own creative process, revealing how she develops ideas, writes books, and navigates uncertainty without rushing to easy answers.
You will learn:
- Why mistakes are often a leader's greatest source of learning
- The difference between inspiration and implementation
- How friction, challenge and doubt improve decision-making
- Why leaders should ask better questions instead of providing answers
- The dangers of prioritising efficiency over creativity
- How collective intelligence outperforms individual brilliance
- The importance of embracing uncertainty rather than avoiding it
- Practical ways leaders can build more creative and resilient organisations
Key Quote
"The job of a leader is to create the conditions in which great people can do the best work of their lives."
About Margaret Heffernan
Margaret Heffernan is an entrepreneur, CEO, keynote speaker and bestselling author whose books include Willful Blindness, Uncharted and Embracing Uncertainty. Her work explores leadership, innovation, organisational culture and the challenges of navigating an increasingly complex world.
Connect with Margaret Heffernan via https://www.mheffernan.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-heffernan-ab5205/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Host: Sue Stockdale
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra
22 SEP 2026 · What does it take to perform at your best when the stakes are high, the pressure never stops, and one small mistake can end months or years of preparation?
Sue Stockdale speaks with Le Mans winner David Brabham, whose career spans more than three decades at the highest levels of motorsport, including Formula One, Le Mans, and endurance racing. The youngest son of three-time Formula One World Champion Sir Jack Brabham, David's path into racing was far from inevitable. In fact, he didn't discover the sport until he was 17 years old.
Drawing on his experiences of competing at the sharpest edge of human and machine performance, David shares what racing has taught him about focus, resilience, teamwork, leadership, and making good decisions under pressure. From driving at more than 200 mph through the night at Le Mans to building high-performing teams in business, he reveals the mindset that helped him achieve one of motorsport's greatest prizes.
The conversation explores the importance of preparation, managing energy, creating the right team culture, and understanding that success is rarely about individual talent alone. David also reflects on why winning the Le Mans 24 Hours ultimately taught him that the journey matters far more than the trophy itself.
You will learn:
- What it takes to stay focused during a 24-hour endurance race
- The mental techniques used to maintain concentration under extreme pressure
- Why sleep, fitness, nutrition, and mindset all contribute to peak performance
- How creating the right team environment leads to better decisions and results
- Why mistakes and setbacks often contain the greatest opportunities for growth
Key Quote
"It wasn't about the trophy. It was about the journey. The people you met, the people you worked with, the people who inspired you. That's what made standing on that podium meaningful."
Find out more about David Brabham on his https://www.brabham.co.uk/team or https://www.instagram.com/david_brabham/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Host: Sue Stockdale
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra
AI-generated content
16 SEP 2026 · What if AI could free us from the reactive work that consumes most of our day and create more space for creativity, purpose, and human connection?
Sue Stockdale speaks with entrepreneur and AI innovator Krzysztof Karolczak, who has spent more than two decades building companies. After taking a sabbatical to focus on family, Krzysztof returned to work determined not to fall back into the 80-hour work weeks that had previously defined his entrepreneurial life.Instead, he began experimenting with AI as a "delegation layer", creating systems that handle much of the reactive work that traditionally occupies leaders' time. The result has transformed how he works, allowing him to focus on creativity, strategic thinking, and what he believes are the uniquely human contributions that technology cannot replace.
The conversation explores his vision for the future of work, offering an alternative perspective on how AI might help people become more fully alive rather than simply more efficient.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- Why Krzysztof no longer sees himself as a "builder" but as a "multiplier"
- How AI can act as a delegation layer for repetitive and reactive work
- Why he believes businesses need a purpose beyond profit
- The concept of moving from reactive behaviour to creative action
- How future organisations may resemble living systems rather than traditional hierarchies
- Why curiosity and agency could become the defining skills of the next generation
- The importance of inspiration, trust, and deep conversation in an AI-powered world
- What Krzysztof means by pursuing "aliveness"
- How a singing AI hackathon generated both innovation and human connection
- Why the "architecture of attention" may become a critical leadership challenge
Key Quote
"We are all holders of unique wisdom because each of us has a unique set of experiences and unexpressed ideas. We learn about ourselves through the relationships we have in life."
About Krzysztof Karolczak
Krzysztof Karolczak is an entrepreneur, technologist, and founder who has been building businesses since the age of sixteen. With more than two decades of experience creating and scaling companies, he is now focused on helping founders and organisations harness artificial intelligence to create more human-centred ways of working. Today he works across multiple ventures, exploring how AI can support leaders, unlock human potential, and enable organisations to evolve into more adaptive, purpose-driven systems. His work centres on the future of work, organisational design, agency, creativity, and what he calls the pursuit of "aliveness" in both business and life.
Connect with Krzysztof https://startcreating.ai/ and on https://www.linkedin.com/in/kkarolczak/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Host: Sue Stockdale
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra
This episode includes AI-generated content.
AI-generated content
9 SEP 2026 · What does it take to leave Earth behind and step into space?
Sue Stockdale speaks with former NASA astronaut Mike Foreman, whose remarkable career took him from flying helicopters in the U.S. Navy to completing two Space Shuttle missions and multiple spacewalks aboard the International Space Station.
Mike shares the persistence required to become an astronaut after eight applications to NASA, the realities of astronaut training, and the physical and mental demands of working in space. He reflects on his first spacewalk, the awe-inspiring view of Earth from orbit, and the challenges of returning to gravity after living beyond our planet.
The conversation also explores the future of human space exploration, including the Artemis programme and the possibility of missions to Mars, as well as Mike's thoughts on why exploration continues to matter.
In this episode:
- Mike's journey from Navy pilot to NASA astronaut
- The astronaut selection process and lessons in persistence
- Training for life and work in space
- The experience of conducting spacewalks
- Viewing Earth from orbit
- Life after NASA
- The future of lunar and Mars exploration
Whether you're fascinated by space, leadership, resilience, or human potential, Mike's story offers a compelling insight into what can be achieved through determination, curiosity and a willingness to venture into the unknown.
About Mike Foreman
Mike Foreman is a former NASA astronaut, retired U.S. Navy Captain, and aerospace engineer whose career has taken him from the cockpit of military aircraft and into space. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Naval Postgraduate School, and U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, he accumulated more than 7,500 flight hours across over 50 different aircraft types.
Selected as a NASA astronaut in 1998, Mike spent more than 637 hours in space during two Space Shuttle missions, STS-123 and STS-129. He completed five spacewalks, totalling over 32 hours, helping to construct and maintain the International Space Station.
Today, he shares lessons from his extraordinary experiences as a speaker and serves as the Mayor of Friendswood, Texas. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Host: Sue Stockdale
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra
This episode includes AI-generated content.
11 JUN 2025 · In this special bonus episode, https://accesstoinspiration.org/podcast/91-pierre-heistein-recording-the-story-of-the-atuel-river/ who was guest in episode 91 takes the host's chair alongside co-founders https://accesstoinspiration.org/podcast/71-sue-stockdale-exploring-potential/ and https://accesstoinspiration.org/podcast/clive-steeper-going-fast-in-business-and-motorsport/. They celebrate reaching 150 episodes by reflecting on the conversations with guests, lessons learned, and the common threads that bind these stories together. Pierre delves into the origins of the podcast, what does it mean to be inspirational, and how the show has impacted Sue and Clive and their listeners. Together they discuss how the podcast has influenced their perspectives about life and work, and how they look to the future for taking the next steps of development.
Key Reflections
- "The most inspirational people often have an overriding purpose – something greater than themselves that motivates them to act."
- “Inspiration is about more than success or achievement. It's about attitude – a willingness to explore, to take risks, and to stay curious.”
- “Many of our guests had to embrace uncertainty or ambiguity at some point in their journey."
- “Being an inspiration to others was often something guests had not considered about themselves.”
- “The podcast is designed to challenge assumptions – by hearing from people outside your own world, you begin to understand different ways of thinking.”
- “What guests often valued most about the interview was the opportunity to reflect on their life and what shaped them.”
- “Each episode is a window into someone’s world, and those windows have revealed the many forms that inspiration can take.”
- “These conversations continue to affirm one thing – that every person has a story worth hearing.”
Time Stamps
01:26 Origins of the Podcast
03:41 Defining inspiration
06:06 Personal reflections on inspiration
12:36 The role of curiosity and vulnerability
23:31 Unexpectedly inspiring guests
27:17 The journey of resilience and tenacity
29:45 The power of ordinary acts
32:21 Impactful stories from the podcast
36:17 The Atuel river journey
42:14 Reflections on longevity and success
47:54 The future of the podcast
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Host: Sue Stockdale
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra
28 MAY 2025 · In this landmark 150th episode, Sue Stockdale talks to Kris Tompkins, one of the world's most prolific conservation philanthropists. Kris shares a powerful, personal perspective on what drives her and urges listeners to ditch the myth of individual powerlessness: “The excuse that ‘I’m just one person’ - that’s the weakest, nonsensical excuse there is. One person, it does matter.”
In the conversation, Tompkins reflects on how her business experience helped shape a vision for nature conservation at scale, highlighting themes of risk-taking, leadership, and the power of direct engagement. She reminds us that the gritty, uncomfortable days in nature often leave the strongest impressions: “I like people being miserable in the national parks - those are the days we remember.”
About Kris Tompkins
Kris Tompkins is the president and co-founder of Tompkins Conservation, and former CEO of Patagonia, Inc. For three decades, she has committed to protecting and restoring wild beauty and biodiversity by creating national parks, inspiring activism, and fostering economic vitality as a result of conservation. Kris and her husband, Doug Tompkins have protected over 15 million acres of parklands in Chile and Argentina through Tompkins Conservation and its partners, making them among the most successful national park oriented philanthropists in history.
Kris served as Patron for Protected Areas for the UN Environmental Programme from 2018 to 2022. The recipient of numerous honours, she was the first conservationist to be awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. Her 2020 TED talk "https://www.ted.com/talks/kristine_mcdivitt_tompkins_let_s_make_the_world_wild_again" has over two million views.
Find out more about https://www.instagram.com/kristine_tompkins/?hl=en and the work of https://www.tompkinsconservation.org/ : https://www.rewildingargentina.org/eng/ : https://www.rewildingchile.org/en/ :https://youtu.be/yJL-OAPBDa8?si=BdfSvm1ul16u5axw
Time Stamps
01:57 Developing a passion for nature
04:29 Challenges and Triumphs in Conservation
11:25 Building Teams and Collaborative Efforts
27:34 The Role of Technology in Conservation
31:22 Reflecting on Successes and Lessons Learned
34:24 Inspiration and Call to Action
Key Quotes
- I'm actually inspired and motivated probably more by grief and a kind of yearning, than I am by something that's fabulous and positive.
- You can't fall in love with something you don't know.
- I like people being miserable in the national parks as those are the days we remember- the days you were freezing.
- The excuse that “I’m just one person”. That's the weakest, nonsensical excuse there is. One person, it does matter.
- People have to decide that they want to participate in something more than what they currently have in their daily life. They see what's going on in the outside world and they want to do something. And that's a decision. And that's probably the most difficult step of all.
- There are people working for nature who need what you're good at. It's the wilfulness that people get stuck on.
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Host: Sue Stockdale
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra
14 MAY 2025 · Sue Stockdale talks to Alice Morrison, an adventurer, author, and TV presenter. Alice has journeyed across deserts, trekked through mountains, and immersed herself in diverse cultures from Morocco to Saudi Arabia. Alice shares her experiences of resilience, discovery, and connection, including surviving the Moroccan earthquake, navigating Saudi Arabia on foot, and the joy of storytelling. Alice discusses her passion for adventure, the importance of cultural understanding, and why she believes exploration is about more than just physical endurance.
About Alice Morrison
Alice Morrison is an adventurer, TV presenter, and writer known for her bold expeditions and compelling storytelling. From racing her bike across Africa in the Tour d’Afrique to running the Everest Trail Race and walking thousands of kilometres across Morocco, she has consistently chosen the path less travelled. Her adventures are driven by a desire to understand our rapidly changing world, celebrate shared humanity, and bear witness to environmental and cultural transformation.
Her work is now showcased in documentaries such as From Morocco to Timbuktu, and Arabian Adventures: Secrets of the Nabataeans, alongside her acclaimed books Dodging Elephants, Walking with Nomads, and Adventures in Morocco. Now based in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Alice lives immersed in the landscapes she writes about, walking alongside Amazigh guides and camels, podcasting from remote deserts, and sharing insights through public speaking and media appearances.
Connect with Alice Morrison - https://alicemorrison.co.uk/: https://www.instagram.com/AliceOutThere1 : https://alicemorrison.co.uk/podcast/: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-fpUYADOnde_DSeo0mty-A : https://www.tiktok.com/@aliceoutthere1
Key Quotes
- "Adventure isn’t about searching for yourself; it’s about experiencing as much of the world as possible."
- "I treasure my freedom, and I’m grateful every day that I have the opportunity to explore, to learn, and to share stories with others."
- "The reality of Saudi Arabia was so different from the stereotype—I found warmth, humour, and incredible hospitality at every step."
- "People are fundamentally good everywhere in the world. The more we meet and understand each other, the more barriers we break down."
Time Stamps
01:28 Experiencing Ramadan in Morocco
02:56 Challenges of Adventuring in Saudi Arabia
06:55 Alice's Background and Attraction to the Middle East
09:09 The Importance of Storytelling
10:44 Surviving the Moroccan Earthquake
12:53 Themes of Freedom and Self-Reliance
15:09 Community vs. Individuality
21:06 Packing Tips for Explorers
24:41 Lessons from Nature and Camels
26:08 Future Adventures and Goals
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Host: Sue Stockdale
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra
30 APR 2025 · Sue Stockdale speaks to adventurer, author, and deep thinker Ed Ley-Wilson. Ed shares insights from his life exploring both the outdoors and the mind. From kayaking the rugged west coast of Scotland to reflecting on resilience, solitude, and the power of slowing down, Ed reveals how adventure - whether on land, sea, or within ourselves shapes our engagement with the world.
About Ed Ley-Wilson
Ed has over thirty years of working and engaging with business, community, educational, social and environmental issues throughout the Highlands of Scotland. He has undertaken long self-supported kayaking journeys in Norway and Patagonia and has run 1200 miles of the Great Wall of China (1988) and the 2000 mile length of the Himalayas (1990). Ed is no stranger to hardship and during his 2022 kayaking journey up the west coast of Scotland he faced some of the worst weather in that region for years. He also has two books to his name, ‘https://johnoreillybooks.com/product/the-himalayan-shuffle/’ and ‘https://www.whittlespublishing.com/Kayaking_the_Sea_Roads.
Key Quotes
- "Adventure isn’t just about the physical challenge; it’s about how we engage with the world around us and what we learn from it."
- "Solitude teaches you resilience in a way nothing else can - you have to sit with your thoughts and find your own way through them."
- "Whether on the sea or in life, you can’t always control what happens, but you can control how you respond to it."
- "The lessons I learned from John Ridgway weren’t just about survival; they were about self-reliance, discipline, and understanding your own limits."
- "Slowing down and disconnecting from the noise of the modern world is one of the greatest gifts adventure can offer."
- "It's not a weakness to not know stuff. It's a strength actually".
Chapters
01:57 Early Adventures and Influences
03:33 Lessons from the Wild
04:31 The Philosophy of Adventure
05:42 Kayaking the Sea Roads
10:07 Reflections on Highland Communities
16:27 The Importance of Time and Space
21:30 Embracing Uncertainty and Curiosity
23:06 The Role of Yoga in Kayaking
25:54 The Journey of Self-Discovery
35:39 Balancing Life and Future Plans
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Host: Sue Stockdale
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra
16 APR 2025 · Sue Stockdale welcomes Zara Lachlan, who shares her extraordinary experience of rowing solo across the Atlantic from mainland Europe to South America, covering over 3,500 nautical miles in 97 days. Despite overcoming many challenges as well as mental and physical hurdles during her voyage, Zara highlights the importance of resilience, self-belief, and the power of support from loved ones.
About Zara Lachlan
Zara Lachlan is a 21-year-old physics student at Loughborough University who is joining the army in September 2025 as a technical officer. She has competed internationally in cycling and rowing which she started at 16 at Welbeck, the Army’s 6th Form College. Zara heard about ocean rowing when she was much younger but only decided to take on this challenge last summer, and the first time she ever saw an ocean rowing boat was in August.Two and a half months of intensive training later, she was fully prepared to row across the Atlantic solo.
Zara faced extreme weather leading to a capsize, orcas and sharks, and a near miss with a large ship, yet still describes her expedition as the most enjoyable and rewarding experience she has come across so far. Zara set out to encourage others to find a fun way to keep fit and healthy and gain the confidence needed to try something new. None of her crossing would have been possible without the support she got from the charity Team Forces and all her sponsors.
Connect with Zara Lachlan https://www.instagram.com/Atlantic_solo_zara/
Key Quotes
- "I didn’t have a big reason to row across an ocean, I just thought it would be fun."
- "Some days, I rowed for 21 hours, and it still wasn’t enough. That was a hard lesson in learning to accept what’s out of my control."
- "For almost 60 days, I had no music, no distractions, just the ocean, the wildlife, and my own thoughts."
- "The hardest part wasn’t the physical challenge. It was waking up every day knowing I had 3,000 miles left to go."
- "Nine times out of ten, you’re stronger than you think you are. The only way to find out is to go for it."
Time Stamps
(02:42) The Impulse to Row Across the Atlantic
(04:28) Competitive Spirit and Family Influence
(06:42) Preparing for the Atlantic Row
(09:37) Life on the Ocean
(13:56) Encounters with Marine Life
(19:59) Mental and Physical Resilience
(23:09) Returning to Land and Future Plans
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Host: Sue Stockdale
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra
2 APR 2025 · Sue Stockdale talks to Rosemary Hoskins, a learning and development expert, about navigating uncertainty in careers, personal growth, and leadership. Rosemary shares her journey from graduating during a recession to building a diverse career and offers insights on the importance of critical thinking, adaptability, and peer learning. The conversation emphasizes the value of evaluating risks, asking 'what if' questions, and creating plans to manage the unknown. Rosemary also talks about her unique personal experiences, including bringing a polo pony from Argentina and building her own ecohouse illustrating the power of stepping out of one's comfort zone to explore opportunities.
About Rosemary Hoskins
Rosemary Hoskins has built her career in people development around designing and leading strategic change to enhance organisational capability and to change the way that people work. Most recently serving as Global Capability Lead at AstraZeneca, she has previously worked in learning and development roles at Barclays, Citi, BP, UKTI, and PA Consulting. Her first career was as an independent environmental consultant. She likes to learn things mainly through doing them, supported by sharing ideas with others and just the right amount of relevant content.
Connect with Rosemary Hoskins on https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemaryhoskins1/
Time Stamps
01:57 Rosemary's Early Career Challenges
04:04 Skills for Thriving in Uncertainty
05:34 The Role of AI in Critical Thinking
06:57 Working in the Grey
08:37 Learning and Development Strategies
09:55 Personal Stories and Career Reflections
10:42 The Polo Pony Adventure
17:33 Leadership and Peer Support
20:04 Future Outlook and Final Thoughts
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Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.
Connect with Access to Inspiration: https://www.twitter.com/accessinspirat1 | https://www.facebook.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.instagram.com/accesstoinspiration | https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-to-inspiration/| https://accesstoinspiration.org/impact-report/and if you would like to support us then https://buymeacoffee.com/accesstoinspiration
Host: Sue Stockdale
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra
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Access to Inspiration is an award-winning podcast ranked among the top 10% of podcasts globally, featuring conversations with explorers, entrepreneurs, business leaders and changemakers from around the world. Hosted by...
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Access to Inspiration is an award-winning podcast ranked among the top 10% of podcasts globally, featuring conversations with explorers, entrepreneurs, business leaders and changemakers from around the world.
Hosted by executive coach, author and polar explorer Sue Stockdale, the podcast explores leadership, resilience, personal growth, innovation, exploration and the mindset required to navigate uncertainty.
With guests from more than 30 countries, each episode uncovers the stories behind remarkable achievements, revealing the lessons learned through challenge, adversity and discovery.
Topics span leadership, business, adventure, sustainability, creativity, social impact and human potential.
Listeners gain practical insights, fresh perspectives and actionable ideas to help them build confidence, embrace change and step beyond their comfort zones.
Whether you are a leader, entrepreneur, professional, explorer or lifelong learner, Access to Inspiration offers thought-provoking conversations designed to inspire personal and professional growth.
Learn more at Access to Inspiration
show less
Hosted by executive coach, author and polar explorer Sue Stockdale, the podcast explores leadership, resilience, personal growth, innovation, exploration and the mindset required to navigate uncertainty.
With guests from more than 30 countries, each episode uncovers the stories behind remarkable achievements, revealing the lessons learned through challenge, adversity and discovery.
Topics span leadership, business, adventure, sustainability, creativity, social impact and human potential.
Listeners gain practical insights, fresh perspectives and actionable ideas to help them build confidence, embrace change and step beyond their comfort zones.
Whether you are a leader, entrepreneur, professional, explorer or lifelong learner, Access to Inspiration offers thought-provoking conversations designed to inspire personal and professional growth.
Learn more at Access to Inspiration
Information
| Author | Sue Stockdale |
| Organization | Sue Stockdale |
| Categories | Personal Journals , Places & Travel , Management |
| Website | www.accesstoinspiration.org |
| contactus@accesstoinspiration.org |
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