The people-y things

Hey friend,

You're finding me on my sofa, dog horizontal by my right shin, under the covers, typing this newsletter. February has been dreary and I keep breathing deep, intense inhales and long sighs out. This is me trying to energise myself while I contemplate the heavy grey skies outside my window.

Last week's new format was a hit — thank you for the warm responses. I hope you'll enjoy this second curated round-up of what I've found interesting, inspiring and important this week.

An hour ago, I received and read the latest from Sublime founder Sari Azout, and it resonated deeply. You'll find her newsletter in the links below, but I want to share one passage from her latest, "Notes on being a founder," because it captures so perfectly where I'm at today:

"AI has made a lot of parts of building a company easier. It's also made other parts harder. I can upload a CSV and get data in ten minutes that used to require a full-time data analyst. I can ramble into ChatGPT for ten minutes about a feature idea and end up with a coherent PRD in Linear. But these things are easier for everyone else too.

The hard parts are still stubbornly human: deciding what is worth doing, inspiring people to care, the last mile of building high craft products, the slow work of building a community. The people-y things."

Yes. The people-y things are the hardest. And they are also the most rewarding.

Happy Sunday,

Sunday Digest

"I pretended to be somebody I wanted to be and I finally became that person. Or he became me. Or we met at some point."

— Cary Grant

This week's gatherings

Story Alchemy — A weekly practice to meet your story on the page Our weekly writing practice continues. Come as you are, leave with words you didn't know you had. → Join here

Loving Kindness 101 — free course on Insight Timer 967 people have taken this course so far — help me get to 1,000? It's free, it's self-paced, and it has a 4.8 rating. If you've been curious about mettā meditation, this is your invitation. → Start the course

Coming up: a new masterclass

Tuesday, 4 March — Intentional Parenting: from autopilot to conscious choice with Giulia Galli

Giulia is a London-based parental and mental fitness coach, author of When a Parent Is Born, and founder of Reegal. After more than 20 years in international fashion and communications (which is obviously how we met) she now brings that same attention to intention, coherence, and the impact of choices to the way we raise children. Her method is rooted in neuro-linguistic programming and combines intentional questioning, language awareness, and practical tools to help parents slow down, think clearly, and make conscious choices. → Register here

Pause here: a meditation for your week

An introduction to loving kindness — guided practice
In this guided meditation, I lead listeners through a transformative loving kindness (mettā) meditation. A gentle entry point if you're new to the practice, or a welcome return if you're not. → Listen now

Things I'm thinking about

Notes on being a founder — Sari Azout, Sublime — The piece that set the tone for this whole edition. Sari, whose writing has led her to be the founder she is today, shares, candidly as always, current thoughts about the joys and struggles of being a founder. And a human in the age of AI. Spoiler: the human parts remain stubbornly, beautifully hard. FYI her Substack is one of maybe 5 newsletters I always read.
Late stage individualism — Ezra Klein × Priya Parker — This short clip from Instagram is the most interesting thing I've listened to this week. Priya Parker (author of The Art of Gathering) and Ezra Klein explore how we've reached what they call "late stage individualism" — the idea that we've gone so far in celebrating the individual that we've forgotten we need group life. Which is essentially what I preach. Have a listen. The full episode is next up on my list.
Esther Perel on pain, pleasure and risk — Fashion Neurosis podcast — If you attended my Story of You workshop, you've heard me tell the story of how British fashion designer Bella Freud once wrote a column for the UK Sunday Times Style magazine saying she wanted to marry me. Well, that same Bella Freud — great-granddaughter to Sigmund, close friend of my former employer Christian Louboutin — has a very successful podcast. Her latest episode features Esther Perel, whom I also quote in the Story of You workshop. Small world, big conversation.
The Scottish island that bought itself — The Elysian — If you want an inspiring story away from the current harrowing headline news, this one is a balm. A community that decided to take matters into its own hands. Literally.
A mother's apology about love — Paulette Perhach for Newsweek — Le Trente contributor, author and writing coach Paulette Perhach just released her latest article. A beautiful, tender story.
What is neurowellness? — Saskia Wheeler — Upcoming Out of the Clouds guest Saskia Wheeler writes about the new global wellness trend of 2026. Neurowellness signals a shift in wellbeing — from subjective self-report toward measurable physiological insight. The question isn't whether design impacts the nervous system, but whether we're prepared to design in response to it.
EU bans destruction of unsold clothing — On Monday, the EU Commission announced a ban on large companies destroying unsold clothing and footwear. A significant step toward tackling the mounting textile waste crisis — and one close to my heart, given where I come from.

Listen

Coming this week:

The Mettā Interview: Giulia Galli A conversation with the London-based parental and mental fitness coach, author of When a Parent Is Born — ahead of her masterclass on 4 March. → Subscribe here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Out of the Clouds: Caitlin Krause Caitlin Krause is a globally recognised experience designer, author and keynote speaker who bridges timeless wisdom with modern technology. Caitlin has already been a guest on OOTC two years ago, this is my first 'second' interview. Very exciting. → Subscribe so you don't miss it: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

From the archives

Out of the Clouds: Sari Azout — on the art of patience, building a Sublime internet, and the future of creativity Since we opened with Sari's words this week, it felt right to resurface our conversation. If her newsletter resonated, this one will too. I am in awe. → Listen here

The Mettā View: The art of falling and rising On an impressive fall (not the cute kind), a poem by David Whyte, and leaving behind the shoes that brought me to the water's edge. Because sometimes things tumble down around us — and yet we've fallen into place. → Read or listen here

Dear reader, thank you!

I don't take your time or attention for granted and I hope you've found this newsletter and its content intriguing, perhaps exciting or even worth sharing. And if this didn't float your boat, by all means, unsubscribe! Not that you needed my permission but there, you have it.

Discover Le Trente Le Trente is a hybrid social learning studio headquartered in Geneva — a space where open-minded people and purpose-driven brands connect through salons, workshops, masterclasses and mindful gatherings, in person and online. Find out more at LeTrente.com.

Don't miss what's coming Subscribe to our Luma calendar to be the first to know about upcoming events — online and IRL.

Listen in The Mettā Interview is live — generous conversations with brilliant humans, available on all major podcast platforms and on video via Spotify and YouTube. And if you enjoy long-form conversations with great thinkers, entrepreneurs and artists at the crossroads of business and mindfulness, explore Out of the Clouds.

Ready to work together? I offer deep, one-to-one story coaching — a 9–10 month partnership for people ready to rewrite the stories holding them back and step fully into what's next.

For founders and leaders, I also offer strategic consulting — whether you're preparing to launch or reconnecting with the foundations of an established business.

Feel free to drop me a line if you have questions.

Lastly, you may know that I am a huge newsletter, podcast and book lover. You'll find some of my favourites recommended below. Let me know what you think!