People Are Everything

S03E05 - Dr Eleazar Iwuji
In this deeply human conversation, Dr Eleazar Iwuji—born in rural Nigeria, a teacher-turned-academic, judge of Nigeria’s National Industrial Court, and later a United Nations/ILO official—shares the 5 most influential people in his life and how they forged his character, career, faith and service.
You’ll hear how parental courage, a mentor’s belief, a wife’s wisdom, friends’ extraordinary generosity, and a Mauritanian UN leader’s advocacy propelled a journey from no shoes at 14 to global impact.
Who is Dr Eleazar Iwuji?
Nigerian educator, former Judge, National Industrial Court (Lagos)
Later International Labour Organization (UN) official
Author of Memoir of a Country Boy
Father to accomplished children in medicine, diplomacy, the arts, and academia
The 5 Most Influential People
His Parents (Mother & Father) – Faith, discipline, equality, courage (“How can a tiger have a sheep?”), and a fierce commitment to education.
Alfred (mentor/friend) – Spotted potential, mapped an alternative route via teacher training, and armed him with better materials (e.g., Dudley Stamp’s Geography of the World) to pass key exams.
Dorothy (his late wife) – Intelligent, decisive, faith-filled partner; community-builder and home-science entrepreneur who trained street girls in Addis Ababa; her counsel steadied him after setbacks and clinched the ILO decision.
Emmanuel & Jonathan (college friends) – Lifelong allies who funded £300 of the £450 needed to get him to the UK—sacrificing months of salary and changing his trajectory.
Elimane Kane (Mauritania, ILO) – Senior ILO leader who kept opening doors, commissioning research, and ultimately recruiting him to the UN/ILO.
What you’ll learn
How character + community beat circumstance
Practical models of mentorship, partnership, generosity, and leadership - Why investing in education compounds across generations
The power of faith, humility, service, and respect for every person

S03E04 - Bogumil Baranowski
How does an investor keep money human? In this intimate birthday-day conversation, Bogumil Baranowski (investment advisor, author, pilot) shares the 5 most influential people who shaped his life, philosophy, and approach to long-term, purpose-driven investing. We explore family stories, stewardship across 100-year horizons, the difference between price and value, and why confidence (in cockpits and careers) is everything.
What you’ll learn
Why money is a human experience—not just P&L
The grandmother who taught value over price and built a seniors’ home from scratch
Jay Hughes’ “five capitals” and gifting wealth with warm hands
A flight instructor’s rule: never undermine a pilot’s confidence (and how to ask for help)
Toastmasters craft: structure, delivery, and authenticity on stage
Charlie Munger’s “web of deserved trust” & “planting trees” for future generations
Dakshana Foundation and the compounding impact of small, well-aimed help
People mentioned
His Grandmother (accountant & community builder) • James “Jay” Hughes (family wealth lawyer) • Tom Fisher (flight instructor) • Eric Rock (Toastmasters mentor) • Charlie Munger (with nods to Warren Buffett, Ben Graham, Monsoon Pabrai, Mohnish Pabrai, and the Dakshana Foundation)
Listen for candid stories: Polish hyperinflation, pennies you can’t throw away, ATC angels in your headset, and a 1917 oak tree that still teaches legacy.
If you enjoyed this, hit like/subscribe, share with someone who’s navigating money, legacy, or leadership, and tell us which moment landed most for you.

S03-E03 People Are Everything with Matthew Stafford
Entrepreneur, investor, and Nine Others co-founder Matthew Stafford joins Julia Duthie on People Are Everything to share the 5 most influential people who shaped his life and career.
From Margaret Thatcher’s enterprising Britain, to Richard Branson’s fearless entrepreneurship, a teacher who took a chance, the investor Chris Sacca’s philosophy of being “default helpful”, and value investor Guy Spier’s wisdom on goodwill and handwritten letters — Matthew reflects on the mindsets and people that defined each decade of his journey.
Along the way, he recalls early connections with startups like Citymapper, Uber, and What3Words, why building networks is about generosity, and how life events reshaped his perspective on money, patience, and impact.
Episode Highlights
Margaret Thatcher (1980s) – Inspired Matthew’s early view of enterprise and business, watching his farming family experience the shift from high taxes to entrepreneurial opportunity.
Richard Branson (1990s) – A poster child for risk-taking and adventure; Matthew modelled early hustles (videotaping The Simpsons, selling t-shirts) on Branson’s fearless approach.
Brendan Hodgson (2000s) – Durham University teacher who took a chance on Matthew despite poor A-levels, reigniting his love of maths and teaching him the creativity of problem-solving.
Chris Sacca (2010s) – Investor who inspired Matthew’s “default helpful” philosophy; the idea that generosity and connection build long-term success in startups and investment.
Guy Spier (2020s) – Value investor and author of The Education of a Value Investor, who reinforced Matthew’s practice of handwritten thank-you letters and the idea of goodwill compounding.
Nine Others community – Founded in 2011, small curated dinners where founders share challenges; has grown into a worldwide movement.
Startups connected to Nine Others –
Citymapper: Asmat’s focus on user experience over Google Maps.
Uber: Matthew met early team in London, saw the “magical” product before global domination.
What3Words: Worked with founder Chris Sheldrick in early days, now life-saving tech. – Matthew opens up about his son’s serious illness and how it reshaped his perspective on life, long-term thinking, and the importance of impact.
Both Julia and Matthew bond over the lost art of thank-you notes as a legacy more lasting than digital communication.
👉 Matthew’s book Find Your Nine Others (Amazon) captures stories and lessons from a decade of dinners that helped founders worldwide connect, collaborate, and grow.
Matthew Nine Others - https://9others.com/
Matthew LinedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/staffordvc/
🔔 Subscribe to People Are Everything for more inspiring stories of connection, resilience, and the people who shape our lives.

S03-E02 People Are Everything with Justin Castelli
Financial advisor, creator, and podcast host Justin Castelli joins Julia Duthie to explore the 5 most influential people and forces in his life. From his father’s selfless sacrifices to the support of his wife, the mentorship of Josh Brown, the energy of hip hop, and his own inner self, Justin shares a candid journey of authenticity, creativity, and impact.
In this episode, Justin reveals how he built his business around family, why money is energy and not just numbers, and how following curiosity can unlock your authentic life.
✨ Some of the topics covered:
The influence of family, mentors, and music
Lessons from basketball, business, and entrepreneurship
Finding spirituality in financial advice
Building Pursuit (PRST), a creative collective and family legacy
Why listening to your inner self may be your greatest guide
👉 Discover Justin’s work: https://justincastelli.io
👉 Listen and subscribe to Julia’s People Are Everything podcast for more inspiring stories.
 
#PeopleAreEverything #JustinCastelli #AuthenticLife #5InfluentialPeople #MoneyAndPurpose #FamilyFirst #FinancialWisdom #CreativeEntrepreneurship #HipHopInspiration #livingauthentically

S03-E01 People Are Everything with Nancy Burger
Keynote speaker, coach, and performer Nancy Burger shares the five most influential people who shaped her life and work. From parenting lessons in self-awareness to a teacher who sparked a 35-year writing career, a trusted therapist who championed steady progress, and a larger-than-life uncle who modeled joy — Nancy shows how mindset, curiosity, and creativity can change the way we live and lead. Plus: why starting a music journey at 40 supercharged her presence on stage.
What you’ll learn
Simple reframes to change unhelpful thoughts
How performance skills boost public speaking & leadership
Parenting as a path to noticing and healing patterns - Everyday language shifts that reduce self-made stress
Choosing presence over counting down the future
 
#PeopleAreEverything #NancyBurger #Mindset #Leadership #Coaching #Communication #Parenting #Therapy #MentalHealth #Creativity #Music #PublicSpeaking #SelfAwareness #Inspiration #LifeLessons @peopleareeverything

🎙️ Introduction to Season 3 — Launching 9th September 2025
Season 3 is almost here! In this special preview episode, host Julia Duthie takes you behind the mic to reflect on her podcasting journey so far — from the challenges of starting out with second-hand gear to the joy of discovering a global audience who connect so deeply with stories of influence and human connection.
Julia introduces 10 incredible new guests joining us this season, each sharing the five people who shaped their lives. You’ll get a taste of the inspiring, moving, and surprising conversations ahead — stories of resilience, creativity, leadership, love, and the power of the people who make us who we are.
This is more than a season launch. It’s a celebration of storytelling, gratitude, and the threads of influence that connect us all.
✨ Sit back, get inspired, and enjoy this first look at what’s to come… Season 3 of People Are Everything.
 
👉 Season 3 launches September 9th — subscribe now so you don’t miss it!
#PeopleAreEverything #JuliaDuthie #PodcastSeason3 #InfluentialPeople #LifeStories #HumanConnection #Storytelling #PodcastCommunity #Gratitude #Inspiration

Welcome to People Are Everything, hosted by Julia Duthie 🎙
This special bonus episode takes us back to Season 2, where Julia revisits the first person chosen by five of her guests as the most influential in shaping who they are today.
From family and friends to authors, actors, mentors — and even complete strangers — these stories show how human connection, guidance, and inspiration can change the course of a life.
Julia describes the show as “a bit like Desert Island Discs” — but instead of music, each guest brings the five people who shaped them. In this episode, she reflects between clips, adding her own insights as we revisit these powerful stories.
This is Part 2 of 2, celebrating the people who come first in our guests’ journeys of influence.
If you missed Season 2 the first time around, now’s the perfect moment to catch up. @peopleareeverything Season 2 playlist is here : https://loom.ly/XGH2jt0
All episodes are also available as Podcasts on you favourite platform here: https://linktr.ee/peopleareeverything

Welcome to People Are Everything, hosted by Julia Duthie 🎙
This special bonus episode takes us back to Season 2, where Julia revisits the first person chosen by five of her guests as the most influential in shaping who they are today.
From family and friends to authors, actors, mentors — and even complete strangers — these stories show how human connection, guidance, and inspiration can change the course of a life.
Julia describes the show as “a bit like Desert Island Discs” — but instead of music, each guest brings the five people who shaped them. In this episode, she reflects between clips, adding her own insights as we revisit these powerful stories.
This is Part 1 of 2, celebrating the people who come first in our guests’ journeys of influence.
If you missed Season 2 the first time around, now’s the perfect moment to catch up. @peopleareeverything Season 2 playlist is here : https://loom.ly/XGH2jt0
All episodes are also available as Podcasts on you favourite platform here: https://linktr.ee/peopleareeverything

@peopleareeverything@cultishcreative
What happens when two women who’ve lived, led, and learned through fear, reinvention, and transformation meet for the first time? In this moving episode of Just Press Record, Nancy Burger and Julia Duthie share personal stories about stepping into the spotlight — one at 14, the other at 40 — and unpack what it really means to live authentically. From coming out later in life to healing childhood wounds, this conversation is packed with wisdom, honesty, and humor. Whether you’re navigating career shifts, personal identity, or just trying to figure out how to show up fully, this one’s for you.
Topics Covered:
The role of fear in personal growth and creative expression
Nancy’s story of overcoming stage fright at 40
Julia’s experience coming out at 50 and living authentically
How childhood experiences shape our adult narratives
The link between vulnerability, leadership, and trust
Why being yourself everywhere is a superpower
Helping younger generations build confidence and resilience
The power of storytelling, music, and embracing change
Follow Julia Here .... 🎧 Full Episodes of People Are Everything can be found here on our Youtube Channel @peopleareeverything All episodes are also available as a Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all your favourite podcast hosts. All the links are here: https://linktr.ee/peopleareeverything
Follow Matt here .... Watch every Just Press Record ever here: •  @CultishCreative  Sign up for Matt's mailing list and you can grow your network of ideas and people alongside me: https://cultishcreative.com/ Apple Podcast here; https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-press-record/id1739128471 Check Matt out on twitter here: https://x.com/CultishCreative

S2EP15 Bonus
@peopleareeverything
@whatisagoodlife
This powerful, soul-stirring interview on the What Is a Good Life podcast was Julia's first ever podcast appearance — and it changed everything.
In it, Julia shares her extraordinary journey: from a childhood of neglect and survival to becoming a bestselling author, business leader, and ultimately finding the courage to live as her authentic self.
🎙 It was this very episode that inspired Julia to launch People Are Everything, a podcast built around a unique and moving concept: The 5 most influential people who have shaped your life so far.
Julia's very 1st podcast, as a guest, was the inspiration and with Mark's motivation the start of People are Everything.
In this powerful episode of What Is a Good Life?, host Mark McCartney sits down with Julia Duthie—bestselling author, leadership expert, and former music CEO—for a raw, inspiring conversation about resilience, identity, and self-acceptance.
Julia opens up about a childhood marked by neglect, leaving home at 16, rising to lead major institutions, and only coming out as her true self at 50. She reflects on the transformative impact of therapy, the death of her father, the healing power of creativity, and writing her memoir House on Dog Bone Street.
This intimate conversation explores how we find peace, meaning, and belonging—especially after a lifetime of survival.
✨ Episode Highlights:
Julia reflects on the lifelong question: “Who is the real me?”
Growing up in severe neglect and losing her mother to mental illness.
Leaving home and school at 16 to survive—and thrive.
Building a career from market stalls to IT leadership and music education CEO.
Her father’s hidden sexuality and how it shaped her own identity journey.
Coming out and embracing authenticity in her 50s.
The creative release of writing House on Dog Bone Street.
The impact of therapy in learning to drop the façade and live truthfully.
Her evolving relationship with validation, success, and inner peace.
The desire to find rest, ease, and quiet belonging in the second half of life.