S4 E2 SUITCASE EPISODE: Notes from Central Asia and the Gulf: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the UAE

What’s the world look like through a global defence lens today? On this special episode, we team up with the Facing Coming Storms podcast, brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century. Peter Apps, host of Facing Coming Storms, takes the hot seat, quizzed by Anna-Joy on massive global shifts—Washington’s focus on China, Europe’s worry about Russia, and the UK stuck between big dreams and European realities. Recorded just after Trump’s first 100 days, we explore bold US moves in the Middle East, Taiwan’s growing tensions, and how trade wars, tech, and alliances are changing everything.Anna-Joy asks tough questions about NATO’s strength, rising isolationism, and the future of tech in warfare. Can Europe step up as the US looks to Asia? Is Taiwan’s 2027 deadline trouble? What’s J.D. Vance’s role in all this? It’s a clear, honest look at a world in turmoil —great for anyone wanting to understand what’s driving us toward calm or chaos.Key moments1:54 - US Global Threats Perspective14:09 - Shifts in Global Alliances22:35 - Taiwan's Risk Assessment31:33 - Technology's Impact on Warfare40:29 - The Future of NATOTo sign up to the newsletters mentioned in this podcast go to:www.projects21.com for Peter App’s regular Reuters columnand www.worldshapingleadership.com/newsletter for Anna-Joy’s Wonderful World, Wonderful Life newsletter - a well-travelled soulful conversation on world affairs, travel and living intentionally in a changing world.

Day Four training to accompany the free 5-day challenge running from 31st March to 4th April to kickstart our Quarter 2 of 2025. Last chance to sign up at www.worldshapingleadership.com as Day Five's training is exclusively for those signed up to the challenge so won't be here on the podcast.

Day Three training to accompany the free 5-day challenge running from 31st March to 4th April to kickstart our Quarter 2 of 2025. Sign up now (it’s ok if it’s mid-week) to download the strategic weekly planner that the challenge revolves around at www.worldshapingleadership.com

Day One training to accompany the free 5-day challenge running from 31st March to 4th April to kickstart our Quarter 2 of 2025. Sign up now (it’s ok if it’s mid-week) to download the strategic weekly planner that the challenge revolves around at www.worldshapingleadership.comSummary - You being you!Anna-Joy Rickard guides participants through the importance of aligning with one's true self to enhance productivity, happiness, and overall life satisfaction. Through various angles, including personal reflection, understanding one's rhythms, and embracing the messiness of life, listeners are encouraged to reclaim their authentic selves and explore their unique paths. The session concludes with powerful questions aimed at fostering deeper self-awareness and growth.TakeawaysTransforming ordinary weeks into extraordinary results is possible.Aligning with your true self enhances productivity and happiness.Finding your 'one thing' can clarify your next seasonUnderstanding your natural rhythms can improve daily productivity.Playing out the scenarioes of a sabbatical and a rest can inspire us to understand ourselves more deeply Embracing the messiness of life is part of the journey.Perfectionism can hinder personal growth and authenticity.Done is better than perfect; focus on progress, not perfection.Chapters00:00 Welcome to the Challenge01:24 Embracing Your True Self05:09 Exploring Your Unique Path10:53 The Power of Resetting12:18 Finding Your Voice and MessageKeywordspersonal development, self-discovery, coaching, productivity, life goals, mindset, transformation, leadership, authenticity, empowermentsummaryIn this session,

Day One training to accompany the free 5-day challenge running from 31st March to 4th April to kickstart our Quarter 2 of 2025. Sign up now (it’s ok if it’s mid-week) to download the strategic weekly planner that the challenge revolves around at www.worldshapingleadership.comSHOW NOTESIn this session, Anna-Joy Rickard introduces a five-day challenge aimed at transforming ordinary weeks into extraordinary results. She emphasizes the importance of setting intentions, understanding the concept of 'Big Rocks' in life and work, and identifying what no longer serves us. The session encourages listeners to reflect on their priorities and make space for meaningful goals, ultimately leading to personal and professional growth.takeaways:​This week is about transforming ordinary weeks into extraordinary results.​Setting intentions is crucial for the success of this challenge.​There are more opportunities for us than we can imagine.​Identifying 'Big Rocks' helps prioritize what truly matters.​Small tasks can feel good to tick off and distract us from our bigger goals.​Reflecting on what no longer serves us is essential for growth so we can let go and create more space in our weeks​Tuning into our inner wisdom can guide our decisions.​Making time for our big dreams can lead to significant progress - even in 20 minutes a day​Change in our schedules can create space for new opportunities.​This challenge is a journey towards self-discovery and transformation.​Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Week of Possibility02:24Setting Intentions for Transformation04:16 Understanding the Concept of Big Rocks10:10Identifying What No Longer Serves YouKeywordsleadership, personal development, transformation, coaching, big rocks, intention setting, productivity, self-awareness, time management, life goals

Exciting announcement for my regular podcast listeners!Alongside foreign affairs and travel episodes, this podcast is going to start to house World-shaping Leadership episodes and I’ve got something exciting happening next week for you.As many of you know, I coach and run leadership training alongside and within my foreign affairs work, and I want to bring some of that inspiration, those strategies and lifehacks to listeners here. So next week – Monday 31st March to Friday 4thApril I’m going to be running a FREE 5-day challenge to kick-start Quarter 2. It’s called ‘Your Week of Possibility’ and its about reshaping your weeks to get ready for your next move – whether you secretly want a new venture, legacy-defining impact, or a complete lifestyle redesign. It starts with redesigning your weeks so they reflect more of you.Sign-up at www.worldshapingleadership.com to get Your free strategic weekly planner  Daily trainingsEasy actionable exercises with zero overwhelm It’s not about cramming more in – its about being intentional and that’s what we’re going to do together to kick-start Q2. The daily trainings will be here on the podcast each day next week BUT you need to sign up to get the weekly planner which is central to the challenge and trainings. Go to www.worldshapingleadership.com to sign-up easily and quickly and you’re in!If you only want foreign affairs and travel episodes, fear not! - they’ll be another episode in April, but I know lots of my listeners have big dreams they want to make happen. So if that’s you, sign up, and I’ll see you on Monday so we can transform ordinary weeks into extraordinary results!www.worldshapingleadership.com

In this episode I talk to Dr. Guy Kioni, a British-Congolese geostrategic advisor on international diplomacy, critical minerals, and digital transformation. He is the CEO of London-based advisory and management consultancy firm Missang Ltd.

This episode I talk about 2025 with Matt Patterson, political communications specialist and former Secretary General's Spokesperson and Director of Communications for the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Continuing my notes and reflections from my Autumn round-the-world trip with my kids - this time from East Asia covering South Korea, Japan and Taiwan plus a footnote on our time in Sri Lanka

Continuing to share my journey across the world this Autumn with my kids - this time capturing thoughts ad reflections on Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the UAE and Oman