“Why not be intentional about what we want to be doing and thinking this summer, so we return from it feeling inspired?”
For this special summer episode of Leadership Story Talks, Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan step away from interviewing guests and instead reflect on the season itself.
While many of us reserve reflection for the end or beginning of the year, Jerome and Julienne make the case that summer offers its own unique opportunity to pause, recharge, and be intentional about how we spend our time. Through personal stories, favorite books, and reflections on travel, family, and belonging, they explore how the experiences we choose—and the stories we revisit—can shape the person we become when summer comes to an end.
From childhood memories of summers in France and New York to an unforgettable Fourth of July celebration in Denmark, this conversation reminds us that meaningful moments are often found in the simplest experiences. It also offers a curated list of books that have influenced their thinking about leadership, listening, communication, and personal growth.
Whether you’re heading off on vacation, catching up on reading, or simply looking for a different way to approach the season, this episode is an invitation to make your summer more intentional.
You’ll Hear
- Why summer can be one of the best times of the year for reflection and renewal.
- How taking time off intentionally can leave you feeling inspired instead of dreading the return to work.
- Jerome’s memories of family summers in France and why shared experiences matter more than busy schedules.
- Julienne’s powerful Fourth of July story—and how an unexpected act of hospitality transformed an early childhood memory.
- Why the stories everyone has lived become meaningful when we tell them through our own unique experience.
- Book recommendations that explore listening, cross-cultural communication, habits, storytelling, and human connection.
- Why reading can become one of our greatest lifelong allies for personal and professional growth.
Books Mentioned
- Connecting Through Circles by Cecilia Loving and Gina Leow
- Quest by John Graham
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Business Beyond Borders by Dean Foster
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