S05 EP07 Laura Garcia In this warm, soulful and beautifully human episode of People Are Everything, host Julia Duthie speaks with Laura Garcia, joining from Bogotá, Colombia, for a conversation rich with culture, family, faith, friendship and leadership. Julia is instantly fascinated by Laura’s Colombian background, joking that Laura will become her “Google” for Colombia, and the episode opens with a joyful exploration of Colombian life — food, music, family gatherings, street parties, coffee, weather, Bad Bunny, and the deep sense of community that Laura says defines her country. At the heart of the interview are the five people and groups who have most shaped Laura’s life: her family, her husband José, her lifelong friends, the people who first introduced her to leadership through Scouts and Jesuit experiences, and the colleagues and communities who helped her “marry” leadership as a life’s work. Julia responds throughout with curiosity, humour and emotional insight, especially as Laura reflects on unconditional love, being truly seen, faith, service, friendship, and the idea that leadership is not just a professional skill, but a way of living more humanely with others. Highlights Laura’s life in Bogotá and what Colombia is really like beyond stereotypes Colombian food, music, coffee, family gatherings and street parties The influence of family and the meaning of unconditional love How Laura’s mother, father and brother shaped her confidence, care and courage Meeting her husband José as a teenager and growing through life together Marriage as a safe place to be “fully Laura” Why friendship is a powerful, chosen relationship Laura’s lifelong friendship with Silvia Scouts, Jesuit workshops and the beginning of Laura’s leadership journey Faith, gratitude, spirituality and noticing the presence of something bigger The idea of “I see you” as a way of recognising another person fully Leadership as service, not status Why sales, coaching and leadership can all be rooted in humanity Stakeholder-centred coaching and asking: “How can I be better for you?” Julia and Laura’s shared belief that people should bring their full humanity into work Laura’s 5 Most Influential People 1. Her Family — mother, father, brother and wider Colombian family Laura describes her family as the source of unconditional love, warmth and belonging. Her mother gave her creativity and momentum, her father gave her devotion and safety, and her brother brings playfulness, challenge and unexpected wisdom. 2. Her Husband, José José has been Laura’s partner since they were teenagers. She describes him as calm, structured, pragmatic and deeply present — her “knight without armour” and the person with whom she has grown through every stage of life. 3. Her Friends, especially Silvia Laura’s friends are her chosen family. Silvia, her best friend since childhood, represents depth, complexity, play and the freedom to explore every part of herself without judgment. 4. The People Who Helped Her Fall in Love with Leadership Through Scouts and Jesuit leadership experiences, Laura discovered ideas that would shape her whole life: leaving the world better, serving others, reflecting deeply, and becoming more in order to serve better. 5. Her Leadership Colleagues and Communities Laura’s final choice is the people she works alongside in leadership, coaching and personal development — including those connected to stakeholder-centred coaching and the “Power Rangers” team mentioned through Brandon. These are the people who helped her turn leadership from an idea into a daily practice of service. Hosted by Julia Duthie. Learn more about your host, get Julia's book here: https://loom.ly/DxZH3GU Full episode available now on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Watch or Listen on your favourite podcast platform: Youtube: https://loom.ly/nb-WD3Q Apple: https://loom.ly/EgwKsWk Spotify: https://loom.ly/GHo0lEo 📲 Follow us on socials: https://loom.ly/gJuJlLQ To find out more or contact Laura use the links below:- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramariagarciagomez/?locale=es https://mgscc.net/ Thank you, People Are Everything :-)