Julia Moulden: Radical Woman, Radical Thinker

Toronto author offers sense of hope, and shift in thinking about yourself and the world

“I like to think that I am helping some people to have a real sense of hope, and to shift their thinking about themselves and about the world.”

Lofty goals perhaps, but for sure Julia Moulden has global influence and is motivating legions of over 50s to rejig their lives and extend their reach. She’s a breath of fresh air: warm and welcoming with a captivating smile, but more importantly this internationally published author is helping seasoned individuals and organizations around the globe to find new – radical – ways to do good. McGraw-Hill, New York, published her most recent book boldly entitled We Are The New Radicals: A Manifesto for Reinventing Yourself and Saving the World. Her best-selling first book Green is Gold (published by Harper Business) was the first environmental guide for businesses, published in six countries.

“A New Radical is someone who takes skills acquired in their career and puts them to work on the world’s greatest challenges”, Julia told us. Asked about her own life after 50, Julia’s eyes shine.” When I turned 52 I realized I was really just getting started on this great adventure. I figured I have more than 30 productive years left in me, so combining my expertise with my dream of making a difference allowed me to create this new business – the New Radicals movement.”

“I wear many hats. My philosophy is that life is a long adventure, and I don’t want to do just one thing. I like to follow whatever appears before me each day.  I’m a writer for hire, I’ve been a speechwriter for 25 years, I consult with companies who want to foster more creative thinking, I’m on the speaker circuit, and I write a regular Huffington Post column about the New Radicals movement, and later I’ll be interviewing Jane Goodall. I also coach people who are stuck; this morning I was coaching someone in Nairobi, for example.”

The fastest growing sector of Julia’s business is working with corporations to introduce programs and initiatives that will add value to the company, increase profits, and contribute to the betterment of the world. As if this isn’t enough Julia was recently a sought-after expert to write a section of Barbara Grufferman’s book, The Best of Everything After 50. She also shared with us that she is currently pitching a reality-based TV series based on the New Radicals to a major network.

Of the woman herself, this busy yet surprisingly outdoorsy woman loves hiking and kayaking. Having raised three stepsons, she now relishes the time she spends with her ten-year old niece doing ‘girly’ things. Julia survived a messy divorce and paused, thinking her life was over (it wasn’t), before establishing her new business and setting out on her new adventure.

“I am just beginning, now, to tap into who I am and what I have to offer; what my capabilities are and where my interests may lead me. I had no idea back then that there was this whole field of work available to me, and that what you do can have such an impact on the world.”

If you are looking to make a change in your own life and want to help to change the world, then you are a New Radical. There are three categories. Activists seek out work which will let them serve others, or promote a cause. Entrepreneurs (that’s Julia) start new enterprises to address a problem, want to use their expertise to make the world a better place, and are also interested in making a profit. Innovators initiate change and innovation from within an organization – such as searching for environmentally sustainable ways of doing business.

Next for Julia? “In my next phase I hope to be painting and writing plays. Creative people need growth, and I consider speech writing  great preparation for writing a play,” she said. Watch this space.

Watch the short video, read the book … Julia will inspire you to continue to do something with your life, and help change the world. Tempo Toronto has autographed copies of “The New Radicals” to be won by two Members. See our contests page, in the Member Centre.

First time grandmother

Waiting to become a grandmother – worse than being pregnant?

I now totally understand how an expectant father feels waiting for his child to be born…..totally helpless. I actually feel really sorry for the guys. I was surprised at how stressed I felt the day my daughter, was induced. The baby was a week late, meaning we have all suffered for the last 41 weeks, through Becky’s long pregnancy.

When the day finally arrived, I was a total wreck. I paced the floor, drank endless cups of tea, finally switched to wine, and got really bitchy with my husband. It wasn’t his daughter going through this, it was mine. I ached for her.

After 26 hours of grueling labour under the helpful care at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, Becky delivered – via C-section – an adorable hefty (nearly 9lb) baby.

Allowed to go home after just two days (ridiculous) I rushed over, not so much to coo over my new grandson, but to hold my daughter, tell her how much I loved her and how proud I was of her. The overwhelming love I felt for her, actually surprised me, I was more concerned at that moment about her rather than Jack. I watch her each day, growing in confidence as a new mother, and my heart fills with so much love for her. She is a very special woman, and I feel closer to her now than I think I have ever felt.

I am a besotted grandmother, my grandson is of course the most gorgeous baby, perfect in every way, I know I know, I’m biased!

I remember all over again how wonderful new babies smell as I nuzzle his little neck, I don’t care when I get milk in my hair or get pee’d on. How things have changed, I am amazed at disposable diapers, babies now sleeping on their backs and electric breast pumps… These amazing contraptions actually sound like milking machines for cows, they are very efficient, look painful, and I almost expect Becky to start mooing.

What hasn’t changed is the absolute miracle of a new life, the wonder of those little fingers and toes, and the emotions stirred at watching a baby sleeping. I am so blessed to have a wonderful relationship with my daughter and her lovely husband, who, by the way is going to be a great father. This is a new chapter in their lives together, and consequently is a new and wonderful chapter in mine.

Sob! (happily)