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We explore the courage to confront tyranny and the roots of empathy through personal legacy and historical insight. Zoë shares reflections on billionaire-owned media and the future of truth-seeking in journalism, and updates us on her Australian Alpine Walking Track adventure and upcoming Kickstarter for Power Games.
Then, we welcome Dr. Robert Wolf, author of Not a Real Enemy, a gripping biography of his father’s extraordinary journey through Nazi and Communist Hungary.
Rob shares the harrowing yet hopeful story of his father’s four-time escape from tyranny, how he rebuilt his life as a doctor in America, and why this story of resilience, compassion, and miracles needs to be told now more than ever.
Together, we explore the enduring impact of antisemitism, the challenge of confronting hate in all its forms, and the role of storytelling in forging empathy and leadership.
Planet Human
Billionaire-owned media reshapes truth, trust, and narratives.
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Summary
Zoë shares personal updates:
Reflections from the trail: nearing the end of her Australian Alpine Walking Track adventure and what it reveals about endurance and perspective.
Exciting milestones for Power Games, including the upcoming Kickstarter launch and exclusive early-access offers.
Reflections on billionaire-owned media and the fragmentation of truth, inspired by the evolving landscape at The Washington Post.
Thought-Provoking Questions for Leaders, focusing on:
What does it mean to lead with moral courage in times of division and fear?
How can storytelling help us build empathy and collective understanding across polarised communities?
In the face of rising antisemitism and racism, what responsibility do leaders have to speak out?
How can we create environments where shared humanity is the foundation for collaboration?
What legacies are we leaving—and how do our daily decisions shape them?
Dr. Robert Wolf reflects on:
The Power of Personal Legacy: Rob shares his father's extraordinary story of surviving forced labour, escaping tyranny four times, and rebuilding life as a doctor—underscoring the impact of perseverance, community, and human dignity.
Resilience in the Face of Hate: He discusses the rise of antisemitism, the dangers of silence, and why education is key to breaking cycles of prejudice.
Leadership Through Ethical Memory: Rob highlights how remembering history is not about the past, but a commitment to the future—and how leaders can use personal stories to awaken moral clarity.
The Role of Empathy in Leadership: Through his journey of publishing Not a Real Enemy, Rob demonstrates the transformative potential of empathy when paired with truth, courage, and action.
Key Quotes
"Leadership will require us to ask: how do we craft a shared reality in a polarised world?" – Zoë Routh
"Leadership is from within. Lead by example... trust is a part of it. Integrity is a part of it." – Dr. Robert Wolf
"When people say, 'nobody cares about antisemitism', I say: then we must be the ones who do." – Dr. Robert Wolf
Questions Explored
What compelled you to bring your father’s story into the world through this book?
How did your father’s story shift your own understanding of leadership, resilience, and legacy?
What does standing up to tyranny look like today?
How can we foster real change in how we teach empathy and history in classrooms and beyond?
Take Action
Educate yourself on the history of antisemitism and its modern forms.
Seek stories that challenge your assumptions—especially those you might prefer to ignore.
Share stories of courage from your own heritage or community, and listen deeply to others.
Introduce discussion groups or reading circles around books like Not a Real Enemy to build cultural understanding and empathy in your workplace or community.
Tip of the Week
Reflect on the narratives that shaped your worldview. Whose voices were missing—and what can you do this week to listen for them?
Key Moments
00:00 Introduction and Weekly Theme
00:32 Tesla Resistance and Marketing Missteps
00:00 Introduction and Weekly Theme
00:26 Billionaire-Owned Media and Truth
01:47 The Future of Independent Journalism
03:27 The Fragmentation of Shared Narratives
04:42 Personal Updates and Upcoming Adventures
05:14 Kickstarter Preview and Exclusive Offers
06:02 Addressing Antisemitism and Racism
08:01 Interview with Dr. Robert Wolf
10:11 Dr. Wolf's Father's Story of Survival
26:27 The Real Enemy: A Personal Reflection
27:07 Impact of the Book on Readers
27:36 Global Antisemitism and Islamophobia
28:26 The Role of Education in Combating Hate
34:07 Promoting the Book and Its Message
37:39 Fast Three: Quickfire Questions
42:45 Final Thoughts and Reflections
About Dr. Robert Wolf
Dr Robert Wolf is the author of a biography about his father's amazing story of living as a Jewish man in Hungary when the Nazis, and later the communists, seized power. Growing up in affluence, young Ervin Wolf was forced into a labor camp, unaware that his parents were deported to Auschwitz.
In Not a Real Enemy: The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man's Fight for Freedom, Ervin relies on his wits and good fortune to escape the Nazis not once, but twice.
Once freed, however, he finds life under communism so unbearable he must make the most daring of all escapes in the dead of a winter's night.
Not a Real Enemy is the true story of one of the most unknown chapters in the Holocaust, following the transformation of a young man as he confronts antisemitism, cruelty, kindness, despair, and hope in his journey toward freedom.
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172 The importance of empathy in leadership with Sharon Tuffin
223 Author and entrepreneur Paul Hargreaves’ leadership principles for purpose before profit
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About Zoë Routh
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the The Future of Leadership Podcast dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.