I GO! Christmas 2025 Special

This week: a volcanic island somewhere in the Atlantic.

This year felt like constant motion. Cities stacked on cities. Airports blurring into each other…My best one, ever, on this planet.

This year I travelled to Abu Dhabi, Barcelona, Venice, Tashkent, Samarkand, Osaka, Astana, Tokyo, Seoul, São Paulo, Sydney, Busan, Melbourne, Davos, Delhi, Versailles, Krakow, New York, Chennai, Kyoto, Bangalore, Lille, Lucknow, Fukuoka, Paris, Brussels, Beppu, Nara, Luxembourg, Washington, Amsterdam, Seville, Warsaw, Almaty, Gliwice, Hiroshima, Geneva, Nice, Den Bosch, Arrecife…and decided to share it with you all.

To hell with resolutions, I’ve missed writing this newsletter deeply! So if you allow me, I’ll return from time to time - sharing serendipities while working on a bigger project you’ll hear about in due course.

2025, you whirlwind!

Many moments from this year will remain imprinted in my memory.

But one stands apart, because it was pure presence. Aliveness. Perfection.

20 June 2025. Osaka.

I woke high above the city in an exquisite suite at the Four Seasons. Pressed a button. The blinds lifted. The skyline revealed itself as warm morning light flooded the room.

The night before, after landing, I’d taken myself on a solo date at the hotel’s Yannick Alléno sushi restaurant - one of the finest culinary experiences of my life. Wine pairings. Laughter. Playful banter with the Japanese chefs and fellow guests.

That morning, I slipped into a plush bathrobe. Connected the Bose speakers. Put Since You Left Me Lonely by Le Flex on loud. Danced across the room while making a smoky black coffee.

I stretched out on the divan overlooking the city’s morning rush below, the sun warming my legs. Opened the small gift waiting for me from Cartier. Took my time. Savoured the moment. Contemplated the journey. My heart full.

The week before, I’d been filming in India - 4 cities in 5 days.

Days earlier, MC-ing the Ocean Coalition Summit in Nice UNOC3.

Before that, moderating a conversation with global leaders and a Nobel Prize winner in Versailles.

The following week: the Amundi World Investment Forum in Paris at the Louvre.

And here I was.

After a soak in my private mini-onsen, I slipped into one of my prettiest dresses, headed down for breakfast, and was briefly joined by the hotel director, Alastair - whom I thanked for what may be the finest hospitality I’ve ever experienced. Every detail delicate. Thoughtful. Exquisite.

Then chauffeured to World Expo. Hair. Make-up. And finally the stage - moderating conversations at the stunning Cartier Pavilion with extraordinary women from around the world, including a discussion on women and space with American astronaut Amanda Nguyen of the Blue Origin flight and the head of UNOOSA, Aarti Holla-Maini - delightful.

In Japan. One of my favourite countries on Earth.

Doing work I love - with passion.

Looked after regally.

Surrounded by inspiring minds.

And in that golden pause, I pictured little Charlotte looking at me - with a knowing smile.

2025, you gave me so much. You also took away. And I am at peace with that.

But then came another gift this year end. Several, in fact.

Unique Xennials

A few years ago, with the support of TelecomTV, I launched Xennials - a podcast exploring my micro-generation: the last analogue one, sandwiched between Gen X and Millennials. Raised in the liberal dream of the 90s’ “The End of History” - the digital utopia of the internet’s early days, all abruptly ending on 9/11.

The podcast didn’t become what I thought it would. I struggled to find the right tone, the right confidence, doing it largely alone editorially. But I always knew the content was original. I just didn’t yet know what it wanted to become.

Then this morning, a message landed in my inbox from a perfect stranger.

“I’ve just finished watching your Xennials podcast on YouTube and wanted to say how fantastic it was — thank you so much for putting it out there. I genuinely felt (for want of a better term) “seen” listening to it.

I was born in 1980 — too young for Gen X, never quite a Millennial. Xennial feels like the missing link.

If it weren’t real, why do so many of us recognise ourselves in it instantly?

You gave words to something I’ve felt for years.”

Roy - wherever you are - you made my Christmas!

Putting yourself out there is an act of faith. Writing, publishing, sharing ideas, baring a little of your soul - it’s hard. And when someone takes the time to respond with generosity, it becomes ... Meaning. Validation. Appreciation.

Growing good people.

As the year draws to a close, I reflect on the most packed, exhilarating year of my life. Six continents. Around thirty countries. The privilege of being an ambassador for France’s oldest company. Interviewing global leaders on some of the world’s most beautiful stages.

And then - coming home to them.

Being a mother to three extraordinarily “normal” children - solid, witty, grounded, empathetic, full of life - is the greatest joy and privilege of my existence.

Them learning to forge their own path. To take responsibility. To navigate defeats with grace. To be fair. Resilient. Loving. Have that courage. To live fully. Passionately.

Their worth not tied to achievements, but to their character.

To kindness. To integrity. To being good, decent people.

This is my greatest achievement. And it would be unfair not to acknowledge the extraordinary presence and care of their father, Dr. E.

I love you to bits, Max, Julian and Josephine.

And a final thought for my father, who passed away this year - and stretched my compassion to its limits, but deserved the grace. Thank you for the greatest gift of all - the gift of life.

Wishing you all a gentle ending to this extraordinary year.

With love, always and absolutely,

Charlotte