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Episode Description

In the first episode of our series on how young women deal with being patronised, Julia is joined by Sophie. Sophie talks about her experience of transitioning from a young climate activist to a politician. As Julia put it – Sophie is in the perfect position to be patronised. Having been a part of the largest single day demonstration for climate change in New Zealand, she believed that hard work and a solid campaign strategy would hold her in good stead as she stood for her first election at 18. She reminds us that age and experience are not necessarily a guarantee for good leadership. And while she won in a landslide, it took hard work and persistence. How do you push back when unkind comments are masked in ‘I was only trying to protect you’ – questioning your ability just because of how young you are? Where do you seek mentorship? Who are your allies? Her message is simple, expect it, and be prepared, but do so with the hope that we can work towards a world where being patronised is no longer the norm.

About the Guests

Sophie Handford

Sophie Handford is an Activist and Politician in New Zealand, aspiring to be a good ancestor and create positive change.

About the Host

Julia Middleton

Julia Middleton is the host of the Women Emerging podcast and a best-selling author of “If that’s leading, I’m in” as well as two previous books: “Leading beyond Authority” and “Cultural Intelligence”. She is deeply committed to helping people from all backgrounds to find their own approach to leading.

In 2020, Julia launched Women Emerging and in 2022 she lead an expedition of 24 women to find ‘an approach to leading that resonates with women’. She now leads expeditions with women all over the world based on 4Es methodology, discovered in the first expedition.

Prior to that, Julia was founder and, for over thirty years, Chief Executive of Common Purpose, which grew to become one of the biggest leadership development organisations in the world.
Julia is also an Ambassador for the Aurora Prize based in Armenia, on the boards of Alfanar Venture Philanthropy in the Arab World and Equality Now, which operates globally, and on the Advisory Councils of Fundacao Dom Cabral in Brazil and Synapse in Pakistan.

Born in London and brought up in New York, Julia was educated at French Lycées and graduated from the London School of Economics. She is married, with five children and lots of grandchildren.