We Are PoWEr Podcast

Career Lessons from Travelling the World

• powered by Simone Roche MBE and Northern PoWEr Women

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In this episode, we speak with Lauren Rosegreen, Senior Project Manager for Inclusion and Climate Justice at SOS UK and National President at JCI UK, who shows how kindness, courage, and curiosity can shape leadership and personal growth. 

She shares how six months traveling across twelve countries in Central and South America became a masterclass in resilience, perspective, and staying calm under pressure, while also shaping her approach to supporting others.

Lauren discusses how she mentors and empowers young leaders across sectors, why networking needs a rebrand, and how genuine curiosity and human connection create relationships that endure and make a real difference. She also explores how small daily practices, advocacy, and intentional visibility can amplify impact and drive systemic change.

You’ll hear:

➡️ How travel and adventure build perspective, resilience, and leadership
 ➡️ Ways to support young leaders and foster growth across sectors
 ➡️ Why networking works better when curiosity and human connection come first
 ➡️ How small daily actions, visibility, and advocacy create meaningful impact
 ➡️ Lessons in empathy, courage, and leading with kindness in professional life

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

SPEAKER_02:

Hello, hello, and welcome to the We Are Power Podcast. If this is your first time here, the We Are Power Podcast is the podcast for you, your career, and your life. We release an episode every single Monday with listeners in over 60 countries worldwide where you'll hear personal life stories, top-notch industry advice, and key leadership insight from amazing role models. As We Are Power is the umbrella brand to Northern Power Women Awards, which celebrates hundreds of female role models and advocates every year. This is where you can hear stories from all of our awards alumni and stay up to date with everything MPW Awards and We Are Power.

unknown:

Never imitated, never replicated, singularly wonderful. Everybody's wonderful.

SPEAKER_02:

I am delighted to be joined by Adventurer Lauren Rose Green. Because the last time I saw you, you were joined us on a live panel event in Manchester. It had to be about a year and a half ago. And you'd just come back from your travels. Not only that, you were took part in the judging, and you took part from. Were you in? I think I was in Guatemala. Of course you were. Yeah, of course. Most people fitting it in on a train or trying to find a quiet coffee shop, but you did that. Now tell me, what are you up to now? Because you've moved to that there London town, aren't you?

SPEAKER_01:

I have, I have. I've gone to the dark side, I've gone to London. Um so I'm now the senior project manager for inclusion and climate justice at an organisation called Students Organising for Sustainability.

SPEAKER_02:

Amazing. And you're also the president for a national president, shall I say? Of course, OBS for JCI UK. Yeah. How what's your favourite job? Oh gosh. Don't say that because everyone will be listening. No, because they're two big roles, aren't they? That's a side hustle and a half, that one, isn't it?

SPEAKER_01:

Two very big roles, but very different, which is what I like.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. So how give me the headlines of how you would explain your role, each of those two roles.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, so within um Students Organizing Sustainability or SOS UK as we go by. Oh, I like that. Um, so I work on all everything inclusion. So anything inclusion you can think about, that's that's a bit of me. So I work to get more like black and brown people into sustainability and climate roles. So I work with organizations, I work with like vulnerable people, marginalized groups, um, and yeah, and I've got a big team of people who sort of pull that together. So we do events and we do online um online sessions as well, all sorts of things to get that good work being done. Um, and then as president, national president of JCI UK, um, I work with young people to help develop them into becoming leaders. Um, so from a range of different fields, which is what I love about it because my other role is like very climate and um yeah, very climate specific, whereas with JCI, it's everyone. So young people aged 18 to 40, it's a membership organization, um, and basically I support the local chapters to deliver um training, development, and to help their like communities.

SPEAKER_02:

And is that what fills your cup, so to speak? Is that helping?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, I love it. I just love I love seeing people thrive, especially people that don't think they can do anything, and they're like, oh, I don't really know. Like, I've never really grown up from that sort of background. I love like seeing that light bulb moment go off, and then they're like, Do you know what? I can I can do that.

SPEAKER_02:

And you have a mantra, don't you? If you can be anything to be kind. Yes, always. Does that drive you every day?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, I think it does. It comes from my mum and my grandma. Um, and you know, I grew up in a very sort of low-income um area, and what we had was kindness. Like we didn't have a lot. Um, and you know, this isn't a substory, like I had a very loving family, but we didn't have a lot, but we could always be kind. And so I think that for me drives me with everything that I do. Um and when I'm speaking to young people, when I'm speaking within the different roles that I'm in, I'm like, okay, well, how can you do this? How can you like thrive in your area and how can you do it whilst still being kind?

SPEAKER_02:

And and most of what you do, you we talk about that connecting emerging talent youth with opportunities, making them believe they can. Did you believe you could? So you you grew up in a household of kindness, but did you believe that everything was possible?

SPEAKER_01:

Um, to be honest, yes, because my mum, my mum was just like What's your mum's name? Joanne. Oh, and Nana? What's grandma? Uh Janet. Joanne. Joanne and Janet. There we go. Slay, they're great. I'll get them to listen to this, they'll be thrilled. Um, yeah, they my mum was just always like, you can do anything. And I was like, really? She's like, yeah, like literally do anything. And she was like, doesn't matter what you do, I'll be proud of you. So I think having that just allowed me to then explore. And like you said before, I'm like the explorer, the traveller. And I think having that like from the get-go from when I was a kid, I was like, oh, I'll just give it a go. And if I don't like it, that's fine. We'll just try something else. So I'm really lucky. And I think when I think about uh friends from school, they maybe didn't have that like at home. And so I try to be that for other people as well from a really early age.

SPEAKER_02:

And did that, and so you always knew that kind of adventure you were going to go on in your career. Was it did it open up naturally for you? Did you have to hunt for it? Oh gosh, yeah, I was yeah, didn't know what I was doing.

SPEAKER_01:

I still don't really know. I think too many of us know. Um, yeah, I think um one thing just sort of led to another. And I'm the sort of person like I'll just take an opportunity, I'll um seek an opportunity out and just optimise on it wherever I can. Um and I definitely do it through just getting to know people. Like I love a Natter, I love getting to know people. Um, and you'll never you never know like when things are gonna sort of come back round. Um, you know, there's people that I met when I was in first year of uni, and then I've done things with them in the last year because it's just sort of aligned that like our careers have aligned or whatever it might be. Um and going back to that kindness mantra, if you are kind to people and if you're just genuine, then things just sort of happen.

SPEAKER_02:

And and just it's just making me think then about, you know, people you've met along your way, and we'll get onto your travels as well. But we talk about networking, can't we? And it's you know, gone are the days, thank goodness, of throwing out business cards and that. But I wonder, I'm thinking of the the connectivity between networking and kindness because I always think one of the big things about networking is what you can do to stay connected with that person. And and you're just talking about people that you were at uni with in first year, you're now doing things with. It's just staying connected and being curious because you're like a chat. Yeah, exactly, exactly.

SPEAKER_01:

And I think if you people think networking's like a bit of an ick, but I love it because I just find people so interesting. I want to get to know them, not just the job role, not just what we can get out of it. And I think if you reframe the way you see networking, if you just see it as an opportunity to meet new people, maybe find something in common that you've got, and don't go into it thinking, okay, what can I get out of this exchange? I've actually found then that within years later, something might then come out of that exchange. But I think if you go into it genuinely just like wanting to meet someone, wanting to make a connection, then that's when the best relationships happen.

SPEAKER_02:

And did you find that when you were traveling? Talk to us about your travels. Yes, I was going to go for it.

SPEAKER_01:

I thought you were never gonna mention it. Here are my here's my photo collection. Exactly, I know I should have brought it. Um, so I was away for six months, um, and I did 12 countries in six months. Um, yeah, so through Central and South America, and it was just incredible.

SPEAKER_02:

So good. What was your highlights? Because I'm I'm pretty certain you can't pick a favorite because there'll be things for different reasons, right?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, exactly, exactly. I mean, yeah, I think my highlight was probably just the people that you meet, again, very people focused, but the people that you meet, but not just the the fellow backpackers, but the locals. Like there'd be people that we met that I think about. Um, like we met this woman in Mexico, we were trying to catch a bus, had absolutely no idea what we were doing. She spoke no English, we spoke minimal Spanish. And bless her, she just walked out in the middle of the road, put her hand up and just stopped this bus and like got us on this bus. And I just think about that interaction. There were so many small pockets of interaction throughout the whole trip. And I think that's the best thing because they're the things that you can't, you know, go on TikTok for inspiration for. You can't like just look at the photos, it's being there and and meeting those people. And I sometimes think, I wonder what she's up to. I wonder what she's doing right now. So that was the definitely the highlight for me was just seeing different people living different types of lives. And did you go solo? I went with my best friend, yeah, Rachel, who's Gelsa. Um she's up in Liverpool. Um shy then. Yeah. Oh yeah, so shy. Both of us, gosh, yeah. Um, yeah, so we went together and it was really good um traveling, two women traveling, and lots of people were like, How did you feel about the safety of it? But again, I think if you are genuine and if you're kind and if you um rely on sort of the kindness of strangers, that's sort of how we got through. Um and our Spanish definitely improved as we went along.

unknown:

Perfecto.

SPEAKER_01:

Oh, yeah. See, what did you learn most about yourself? I think I learned that I'm very good in high-pressured environments. I'm very good at just sort of going with the flow and making people feel at ease. There were a few times when like things don't go to plan. You know, you get on a bus that's super, super, super packed and you're on it for like 18 hours. Um, and a lot of the people that we traveled with and met along the way would sort of feel overwhelmed or anxious about it. And I was very good at just being like, it's okay, like putting things back into perspective. But we are so privileged to be in the position that we're traveling. Yes, this is not ideal. Yes, we're really sweaty, but you know, at the end of it, we're gonna go, we're gonna check into a hostel, we're gonna, you know, have a margarita or whatever it might be, and it will all be okay. So I think I learned that in those environments, I was the go-to person that could just sort of chill and calm everyone down.

SPEAKER_02:

And taken back, people will be listening or watching, go, God, I wanted to do that, but I can't get around to it. I I want to, I can't make time, I can't afford it. Um, in fact, you were a massive motivation for our wonderful Lydia, uh, one of our We Are Power family who went off traveling last year and she had the adventure of a lifetime, although, but it did freak us out sometimes in the office thinking, oh my goodness, oh my goodness, what is she doing? But what would you say to so you inspired our lid, right? So what would you say to people out there who are listening, watching, thinking, I want to do that, but I'm not brave enough, I don't know where to start. Um, I'm a bit scared, yeah. Um, or I don't have, dare I say, time, the biggest four-letter thing that's against us.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, time, money, yeah, it's it's all a challenge. I would say if you genuinely want to do it, start with a plan. So start writing down all the reasons why you want to go, because that's the thing that gets you excited. That's the thing to look back at. And then I would think about okay, what do I need to do in order to get there? So for me, I saved all my money before I went. Like I made sure I worked in the charity sector, so you know, not typically the best paid sector. Um, but I was like, okay, I know I want X amount, so I can go for this amount of time, and so therefore I need to save this much a month. And it was just as simple as that. Like, I'm not like a mathematician whiz kid, but I just had a very simple spreadsheet and was like, okay, I'm gonna save this much. Um, and then I started putting in like the plans in place, plans into action to make it happen. So I think looking back at that original list of why you want to go, really figure out if you do want to go. Because I think a lot of people are like, oh yeah, that sounds amazing. But actually, when they think about it, maybe it's not right for them. Um for me, going away for six months was like perfect, perfect time. It gave me time to like fully switch off from everything back here. Um, but for other people, it might be a month, it might be three weeks, it might be a short career break of like two months. So figure out what works for you and then just commit to it. It's all about just getting into that routine. And when people say, Oh, do you want to come to like this thing? And you think actually I need to put the money away this month, it's going back to that original list of why you want to do it. Um, and yeah, just go for it. And how did you pick?

SPEAKER_02:

Because, like you say, it's it's a bit you do you, right? Yeah. Don't, you know, sometimes you take some inspiration from other people, but how did you of all the places to go in the big wide world, why did you pick the route that you did?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, I always wanted to speak Spanish. Like I always wanted to learn Spanish. I also, I'm celiac as well, so um, Mexico has really good gluten-free food. So that was up there for me. Um, and so as I started to talk to my friend about it, we were like, Do you know what? Let's give South America a go, Central America. I don't know, we just were sort of drawn to it. Um, you probably know that I did dancing, I'm a dancer. Um dancing and I believe you can still do the splits. Of course. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02:

Well for the podcast, if only there was a bit more room.

SPEAKER_01:

Next time, next time. She said it. Well, yeah, obviously, South America is just so big for dancing. Um, so you've got salsa, you've got um, you know, Argentinian tango, all these different styles. I was just like, I don't know, something was really drawing us to that place.

SPEAKER_02:

And how's that you talk about the dancing? Because you dance since the age of three, right? Yeah. And do you think that's shaped, as well as living in the house of kindness, but has that shaped your sort of self-belief, your uh resilience? Because it doesn't always go perfect, does it?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, no, absolutely not. Um yeah, definitely. I think where I grew up in a place where I was the only person that looked like me. I grew up in a very white area. Um, and dancing was the space where I felt really included. Um, my dance school was just amazing. It was just like a little village dance school. Um, but it really gave me the confidence to sort of just have fun and to like people not to laugh at you just having fun. Um, I love performing, I love being on stage, and I was never gonna be the most technical, but I thought, you know what, I'm gonna be the one that has the most fun. And so people would always say, like, um, when you go on stage, people will be like, oh, give the Lauren Rose green smile. Because I'd always be like, because I just absolutely loved it. So I think I've sort of carried that through into my adult life. I always try and like inject fun into things that I'm doing, because why not? Like, life is just too short.

SPEAKER_02:

How do you deal when it's not fun? Because you are the Lauren Rose green smile, and you've deal you it's very infectious. The enthusiasm that you have and the kindness kind of resonates. But how do you deal when it doesn't go right? I know you said on your travels that you would be the voice of calm and putting things in perspective, but sometimes it's out of control and it's it's unfair.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, absolutely. And it's something that I definitely have struggled with and I'm still on a journey of figuring out. Um, I think for me it's all about perspective. So I try to talk to the people that are closest to me and sort of put everything into perspective. So if it's a situation that's happening right there and then, I'm quite good at sort of like thinking of the bigger picture. But sometimes, you know, I work in I've worked in homelessness, I've worked with very vulnerable people, I've, you know, seen some horrendous things, some really, you know, awful things. And I think it's just connecting with an individual if it's some if it's supporting someone else and not bringing in like toxic positivity. I'm always really keen to sort of, yes, I'm positive and and kind and all of that, but actually what someone might need is just for you to listen. Um, and so when it's someone else, I just try and listen and talk it through and try and get them to the point where they can then move back into that joy, uh, joy era. Um, but when it's me, I definitely use the network that I've got around me, my people, and I just sometimes I just sit in bed and eat food.

SPEAKER_02:

And and you talked about growing up in a, you know, you're very underrepresented in the area that you grow up. Was were there moments within your your your childhood and growing up as a teen where that really sparked this is the area I'm gonna work in because I can see what I can see and I can do something about it.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, definitely. There were there were definitely points in school. I was like relatively popular, like got on with everyone, sort of thing, but there were definitely points. I remember we studied uh the slave trade in in history, and it was just really awkward as like the only non-white person in the room, um, because it's just the way that it was taught was just very much from a white perspective, it was really awkward. And I remember the weeks after that, people would like make jokes when I came into school that I'd like come in off the boat, um, like how's the boat journey this morning? Like was the constant joke. And because I was like friends with people, I sort of laughed it off. Um, and then it was only when my dad was coming to Parents' Evening that um I was like, Oh my gosh, I'm really embarrassed if they say that in front of him, because I knew that there was it wasn't right, but I just kind of pushed it to one side and was again very like smiley and probably upside, it's fine. Um, and so that was the moment for me when I was like, this is not okay. And I spoke to people and they still continue to do it, so I had to then escalate it. And it was the first time I'd really taken conflict on board and and sort of challenged my friends, you know, they were people that I was friends with. Um, and the school took it really seriously, and thank goodness. But I think that for me really sparked a okay, there's lots of people who will be in the same situation as me where they might not have the confidence to go forwards and to advocate. So, how can I bring that into the work that I do to like empower more people to be able to do that?

SPEAKER_02:

And having your voice heard is really important. Do you st you still write your blog? Yes. You're roaring twenties. Tell us about that because that is life as a a mixed-race woman in the twenties.

SPEAKER_01:

Although I am now in my 30s, so I need a new name. Chapter two. Yes, exactly, exactly. 3.0 is what it's called. Um, but yeah, I absolutely love writing. So I think it um is just a different medium for people to be able to relate to. Um, and I write how I speak, is what everyone says. They're like, when I read, I know it's you, it just sounds like your voice. But it is so important to have your own voice. And in the era of, you know, Chat GPT and AI, I just think it's so important for people to be able to express themselves in in different ways and share their points of view.

SPEAKER_02:

And at SOS UK, this is kind of one of the driving pieces, isn't it? Is to make sure that the diverse voices are heard, listened to. I that that must be uh amazing. Because you're giving people a platform and a stage. Yeah. Um, what would be if you had a limited resource, a mega magic wand and you know, an unlimited budget, what would you do with it to make that change to make sure that this is uh is set up for success?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, I think when you're thinking about like long-term success, it all comes down to policy and what's actually being implemented so that then you can shift like you know, structurally, you can shift big big time basically. Um so I think what I would do is get more of those voices into like policy making spaces, so um into you know MP positions, into positions of of power, inverted commas, um, in society, so that then their voices aren't just heard but are actually listened to. Because I think there's a difference.

SPEAKER_02:

Absolutely, there's a difference, and you've been very recognised, multi-award winning, uh, game changer, and obviously that what's that that award ceremony? Northern Power Women Awards? Oh, yeah, um what does that mean to you?

SPEAKER_01:

Do you how does that feel? Yeah, to be honest, I'm always shook. Like I never expect it. Um, because I think because I do what I do because I'm like, oh, I really enjoy this and I'm good at it, and I never really think about like the wider recognition. But obviously it's incredible being like, you know, presented with awards and to be honest, going to the evenings themselves are just incredible because you get to mix with all these other fantastic people within their fields, and again, it goes back to that networking and meeting people and getting to know them. But I think um, yeah, it's always nice to be platformed and to sort of share the work that I'm doing so that then hopefully more people can come through, um, and then I won't continue to be like the first person in the room.

SPEAKER_02:

And you do describe yourself as a busy bee. You've also set up a community book club as well. Yes. What would you say is the book that has inspired or motivated you most?

SPEAKER_01:

That's a great question. Um, I actually think I'm gonna go for fiction, which I think is a bit rogue. Um, but I love The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It's just it's a great book. Um, and I think what I love creativity, so anything that takes me a little bit out of my everyday, that's why I love reading, because I am a busy bee, but um for me it helps to shut my brain off a little bit. Um and what I loved about that book is it's all about sort of the different ways that your life could go based on the different decisions that you make. Um and it really made me think about all those little decisions, even the micro decisions that you make, you know, at a Dr. Pepper this morning instead of having a cup of tea, you know, all those little decisions and how that could lead your life in different ways. And I really do think about it all the time.

SPEAKER_02:

And you say that you think about, or quote, the Grinch. Random, right? Almost every day. What is it about the Grinch that speaks to you, Blara Rose Gold?

SPEAKER_01:

I actually just don't know. I love the Grinch so much, like I just feel like he just is hilarious. Um, it reminds me of childhood and Christmases, and like again, like the family all gathering around, we all love the Grinch. I just feel like he's so misunderstood. Like he's just he's so misunderstood. He's great, he's got a big heart and it grows. And I don't know, I just think his quotes are really, really funny. Um, and yeah, daily I will quote the Grinch. I've actually quoted him already today on the train this morning.

SPEAKER_02:

Brilliant, fantastic. There you go. Well, at least you are consistent. Yeah. And so before we delve into the power jar, which is our jar of foot jar? Jar of poor. No, before we get into the power jar, this is whereby one of our previous guests has popped a question in, uh, unknown as to who is going to be the recipient. So just before I start, how what are you most excited from? Moving from your roaring 20s to your thrilling 30s. What are you excited about to either achieve or become?

SPEAKER_01:

Oh, um, yeah, I'm really excited. I think your 20s are your phase of figuring out who you are. Like, I think now I know who I am and I'm really, really rooted in my values. So I'm excited to just be like living that now. So I loved my 20s for figuring that out, but 30s now it's like, okay, I know who I am. How can I like deep root this in everything that I do? So I'm excited for that. I'm also excited for like all my friends starting to have babies and starting to, you know, I've had so many weddings, but um I think that's- Me personally. Not me personally, I'm not married. But lots of weddings from friends. Um, and I think it's just really exciting to see people like enter motherhood and um have that and balance that with their careers. And I'm just excited to see this like new era for myself and the people that are around me.

SPEAKER_02:

Wider networking with little small things.

unknown:

Yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_01:

And they're cute.

SPEAKER_02:

Lauren, I think it's time into the power jar to see what question is going to become you today. Don't you be sneaking preview in there? I saw you then.

SPEAKER_01:

So I love this. So the question is what's the most ridiculous thing you believed as a kid that you only later realized wasn't true? Gosh, I'm like one thing, I believe everything is equalable.

SPEAKER_00:

Um gosh, I've really got a thing. I believed as a kid that I later realised isn't true.

SPEAKER_01:

I believed oh gosh. I believed that there's so many. I know. I believed that um the characters in Disneyland were real. So, you know, like sorry, sorry. Spoiler alerts. Spoilers for anyone listening. Um, but like genuinely, I know that all kids sort of think that, but like I'm actually embarrassed that I was probably age like 13, 14 by the time I realised. But like when you go to Disneyland, I didn't realise that they were actors. And the only reason I found out is because someone from my dance school went to work for Disneyland and she was like, Yeah, I'm gonna be like a fairy. And I was like, What do you mean? Like you're not a fairy. She was like, No, I'm going as an actor. And I was like, Oh yeah, that thing. And I'm absolutely mortified that I didn't know that my whole life. I don't really understand why, because I went to Disneyland and I saw them and they're in the big furry outfits, but I just believed that it was this magical place that was magic. Dooth fairies still exist? Yeah, absolutely.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, of course. No actors needed. No actors needed. Lauren, it is a joy, it's always a joy to be in your company. You radiate energy and it's the change and the difference that you make in other people's lives. So please keep being especially you and come back and keep telling us about your adventures. Thank you so much for joining us. Of course, thank you so much for having me. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, Amazon Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave us a review or follow us on socials. We are power underscore net on Insta, TikTok, and Twitter. We are power on LinkedIn, Facebook, and we are underscore power on YouTube.

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Simone Roche MBE

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