The three tenets on which my business is built—distinguishing signal from noise, questioning assumptions, and seeking different perspectives—feel more important than ever. With the noise coming from the US this month, I’ve been reflecting on whether I’m doing a good job of staying focused on the signal.
This note is my attempt to do just that: curating what I’ve heard that I believe truly matters.
Before diving in, a quick personal update. I spent a week in the US (New York, Miami, and DC), and here are some key takeaways from that trip. I also finally pulled together my showreel showcasing my work as a moderator and speaker—it’s 2.5 minutes long, and I hope you enjoy it.
What I’ve Learned About the Context
The conversation is shifting from lifespan to healthspan—a focus not just on living longer but living well. This is shaping medical research, policy, and, personally, my own recalibration after stepping back from running in 2024.
“A radical reordering of trust and credibility in media. It’s like shards of glass from what was once a public, shattered into a million publics, organised by interest group or allegiance.” — Gabriel Kahn, USC (via the Financial Times). Even as nationalism rises, we’re seeing fragmentation into smaller, more tribal identities—whether ideological (e.g., environmentalists) or regional (e.g., Basques).
The US has historically funded about 75% of NATO costs and, under the Biden administration, was responsible for 45% of global humanitarian aid. It’s unsurprising that many Americans are pushing back—regardless of how one views the way it’s being done.
DeepSeek’s AI model reportedly requires less than 10% of the computational power needed for Meta’s Llama model (Nature).
Tariffs, export controls, and industrial policies have tripled in the past five years (Oliver Wyman Forum).
FDI flows to China are now 40% lower than their peak in 2022 (Global Investment Trends Monitor).
Over the past eight years, more than 80% of nations have seen trade rise as a percentage of GDP. The major outlier? The US, where trade’s share has dropped to around 25% of GDP. While the US has been growing faster than most of its peers, it’s not through trade. (FT)
The Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—recently severed their last major energy link to Russia, fully integrating into the EU’s electricity network. A significant milestone, but also another sign of the international system’s fragmentation, bringing greater friction and costs for multinationals.
Generative AI could boost US labour productivity by 15% over the next decade, unlocking around $4.5 trillion in annual GDP (Goldman Sachs).
Between 2021 and 2024, Chinese migrants became the fastest-growing group crossing the US southern border—numbers increased 50-fold in that period (Foreign Affairs).
What I’ve Learned About People
Different perspectives create friction. Amazon’s leadership principle, “Have Backbone, Disagree and Commit,” is difficult to practise—but it’s a big part of why they innovate so effectively.
39% of Brits now have a side hustle, earning an average of £210 per week (£914 per month). Among Gen Z, that number jumps to 61%; for millennials, it’s 55%. In contrast, only 17% of baby boomers have a secondary income stream.
What I’ve Learned About Myself
A last-minute cancellation this month frustrated me. On reflection, I realised it wasn’t just about the meeting—it was the disruption to the structure of my day. I like order. Yet I also aspire to be open to opportunities. The lesson? Learn to be present. Not frustrated by what is, but curious about where a free moment might take me.
I keep needing to relearn that how I show up and who I choose to be affects how I enjoy my life and my work. When I forget, it can become drudgery too quickly.
I would love to hear your reflections—what signals are you focusing on right now?
Best wishes,
Xenia
Comments