*NEWSLETTER* The Summer Playlist of My Life Right Now
A few months back, I shared the first “Playlist of my life” and I was so moved by how many of you resonated with the idea. So as we move through the second half of the year, it felt fitting to return to it.
Life doesn't always move in albums. Sometimes, it's a playlist. A mix. A shuffle of joy and tenderness, family, music, hard truths, and surprising inspiration.
This month, I wanted to reflect on the sounds, scenes, and stories shaping me right now. From time spent with our grandson to summer reading, mentoring, philanthropy, a few guilty-pleasure TV moments and the occasional nostalgic dance break - here's what's playing in my life's background.
🌿 Summer in the Garden & Greenhouse
I’m spending this summer with our grandchildren in both Norfolk and London. Days are busy, joyful, and full of discovery. What I’m learning from these little people is priceless:
I don’t have to fill all their time — leaving space ignites their own creativity.
Laughter, dancing and showing love to all around you is a powerful force field.
Snacks need balance — not so few that hunger pervades, but not so many that no one has space left for lentils!
One of our best moments was an afternoon spent turning a box of cereal and some loo rolls into a whole “city of worms”. His words. We even had a worm hospital and a mayor, and in fact we now have a real-life worm hotel in the garden that the children adore looking after. There’s something beautiful about that age — the unfiltered belief that anything is possible and everything matters.
I’ve also been spending a great deal of time in the greenhouse. It’s become a sanctuary of sorts. There’s something about tending to the tomatoes and watching the climbing sweet peas that grounds me. I’ll share a few photos soon — it’s never perfect, but it’s deeply joyful.
Watching things grow — literally and metaphorically — is its own kind of leadership training. There’s a rhythm to it that feels restorative and steadying. Just like mentoring, it requires patience, encouragement, and trust that something beautiful will bloom, even if you can’t see it yet.
👣 London Adventures with the Grandchildren
We’ve made some wonderful memories around London this summer:
Twist Museum (Oxford Street) – a curious and creative interactive experience with a midday kids magic show. Link
Prehistoric Planet at Lightroom – a deep dive into dinosaurs. Link
Dream Fairies at Kew Gardens – a delightful outdoor theatre. Link
Kids Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts – budding talent on show. Link
A full Hyde Park day – feeding ducks, exploring and even the Lego Pavilion at Serpentine Gallery. Link
📺 What I've Been Watching
Dept Q - I first discovered this series when working in the Nordics. Based on the books by Jussi Adler-Olsen, I originally had to stop watching the Danish version - it was that frightening. This new version has a darker humour, but it's compelling viewing.
Black Forest Murders - fascinating to see the German approach to solving brutal crimes. Female leadership, cross-border collaboration, and a strong reliance on data really shine.
The Talented Mr Ripley - which do you prefer? The Matt Damon and Jude Law version from 1999, or the recent adaptation with Andrew Scott? I find both captivating in very different ways.
Becoming Led Zeppelin - in our household, this is essential viewing. A musical masterclass.
And of course, a few indulgent re-watches of Call My Agent! never go amiss. The French chaos and glamour feels oddly reassuring.
Television has such an underrated ability to reflect our own lives back to us. These stories - both dramatic and documentary - open doors to other worlds while helping us make sense of our own.
📚 Books I'm Loving
Mr Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo - gorgeously written and refreshingly short episodes make this a joy.
The Names by Florence Knapp - a standout debut gifted by the wonderful Jenny Peters. It's a sliding-doors story told with flair and deep heart.
The Vaster Wilds - set in colonial America, this story of survival has lingered in my mind.
The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada - whimsical, wise, and it made me smile. In another life, it could've been me.
Cher: The Memoir, Part One - from orphanage to superstardom, this is as bold and layered as the woman herself.
And I finally made time to finish On Connection by Kae Tempest - such a raw, honest piece of writing on creativity, vulnerability and the role of art in our lives. Each book reminds me that language is not just communication - it's communion. A bridge. A balm.
🎶 Music That's Moving Me
Dancing is back in full swing — especially with True and Willow in tow. Our current hits:
Diana Ross — Upside Down and I'm Coming Out
Prayer in C — November Kid
Pulp — Disco 2000
Oasis — She’s Electric and Champagne Supernova
Black Sabbath — Paranoid (listened to this a lot just before Ozzy sadly died)
We’ve all been enjoying these again — the classics never go out of style.
And when it’s time to slow down? I’ve been writing, relaxing and bathing to:
Shostakovich, especially Symphony No. 8 and his string quartets.
Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 — I put this on in the garden sometimes. It holds a kind of deep, beautiful stillness.
I also loved discovering the FT Sounds of Summer supplement – a brilliant mix of music to accompany sunny days. I’ve been humming along to Booker T, Blur and Minnie Riperton. I have such respect for the Financial Times: people make decisions and invest based on their rigorous reportage. Read here (FT subscription may be required).
Lionesses and Girl Power
The Lionesses’ emphatic win this summer has been about so much more than football. It has been a cultural moment, a statement of resilience and a beacon for future generations. Watching them triumph has been an emotional lift for women everywhere, and for me personally, a reminder of why visibility and representation matter so deeply.
I loved Lucy Bronze’s words shared on my Instagram stories this week: “It’s a right of passage for all women to make sure that the next generation is in a better place than you.” That is exactly what this victory feels like – a door opened wider.
Top three takeaways from their win:
Teamwork and unity can shift the impossible.
Bold, unapologetic leadership inspires us all.
Every girl watching now knows that she belongs on that pitch too.
🚴 Training for Switzerland
We’re also training hard for our Switzerland cycling trip! At the moment, my routine looks like:
Running, jumping and skipping 8km.
Cycling at least 20 miles a day on a bike or Wattbike.
Our regular yoga and now Pilates with a brilliant local teacher, focusing on the four S’s: Strength, Stamina, Stretch and Stability.
Foodie Playlist – My Top Summer Restaurants
Food has been part of the joy of this summer too. Here are some highlights:
Cookies Crab Shack (Salthouse) – fresh from the sea and totally authentic! Cash only.
AngloThai – recently awarded a Michelin Star. Contemporary Thai meets local British produce. Website
Sculthorpe Mill – excellent food and the warmest welcome for families, dogs and cyclists. Website
SiLVA Restaurant (Mayfair) – a Mediterranean haven with verdant décor. Website
🌏 Purpose-Led Moments
This summer, I’ve continued my commitment to giving back:
Teaching at Biddenham School — a joyful day of coaching and connection.
Supporting Sally’s family — spending time together, sharing stories and treasured memories.
Girls’ Futures — always close to my heart. [See 9 May post]
World Oceans Day — [post and graphics included here]
Trustee role at Dereham Meeting Point — we’re already halfway to our £100K goal. [Update from 3 May here]
Skills Day — building my Academy for Youth with Potential. [Link to post]
It has been an especially busy season for mentoring. These conversations feel more urgent than ever, as layoffs at Microsoft, IBM and beyond cause deep ripples of uncertainty. “Quiet cracking” is real. We’ve been focusing on resilience, future skills, and the importance of creating strong support systems. Microsoft’s recent layoff of 9,000 employees and IBM’s similar cuts, driven largely by shifts linked to AI (read more here), have been a stark reminder of how fragile the workplace can feel. These conversations have been focusing on resilience, future skills, and the importance of creating strong support systems. If you haven’t yet, have a look at my recent reflections in Inspiring Good Leadership in a Macho World..
💬 Ask Harriet & Behind the Green Curtain
Ask Harriet has launched! I'm thrilled by how many of you are already engaging. Thank you for your thoughtful questions and generous curiosity.
So far, we've explored legacy, self-belief, power, and how to navigate bold transitions without losing your sense of self. Keep them coming. I love this exchange - the honesty, the curiosity, the sense of community it's building.
And coming this September: Beyond the Green Curtain - an unscripted insight series on what really shapes leaders today. Who would you like me to interview? Let's ask. Let's listen. Let's learn out loud.
🌞 A Final Reflection
It's been such a hot summer - and it's reminded me of our time in Thailand. The "Land of Smiles."
I've been thinking about how we hold joy alongside grief. Activity alongside stillness. Noise alongside the gentle nudge to rest.
It's in these contradictions that I feel most alive - and most grateful.
So I'll leave you with one of my favourites by Spike Milligan:
Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu...
It's a playful, powerful reminder that joy - like kindness - is contagious. A smile is a tiny revolution. Let's start more of them.
Thank you for walking this far with me - in this letter and in life.
I remain optimistic. And full of verve.
With love, Harriet