Paris is a State of Mind. There are cities you visit, and there are cities you live in. And then there is Paris; a place you inhabit with your soul. To walk the cobbled streets of Montmartre or the Left Bank is to wander through time, brushing shoulders with the ghosts of artists and writers who defined entire epochs. One of the most iconic of them all, in my opinion, is Gertrude Stein. She wasn’t just a writer, a collector, or a cultural connector. She was a force.

In an age of fast-paced digital consumption and curated perfection, there are rare artists who touch something deeper. Someone, who remind us of the raw, unfiltered beauty of life itself. Jonna Jinton is one such artist. A Swedish creative powerhouse, she has captured hearts across the globe through an unwavering commitment to authenticity, cultural honesty, and an artistic dance with her heritage that is as real as the northern winds that sweep through her village.

Once upon a time, in a tiny kitchen, in the heart of Paris, a woman named Rachel Khoo, opened a jar of mustard, stirred up a sauce, and with a flick of her red lips and a glint in her eye, inspired a creative revolution. Not just in her viewers’ kitchens, but in their hearts. I was one of them! And I have been a huge fan of Rachel Khoo ever since. So, I bought duck. I zested oranges. I baked cakes with names I couldn’t pronounce. And I cooked for the people I love.

Watching foreign films, TV shows, and reading books from other cultures is a way to train, expand and broaden our cultural intelligence. Some years ago, I found myself reflecting on the transformative power of foreign narratives. Having spent much of my life traveling, living, and studying in diverse countries, I’ve always been drawn to the rich tapestry of human culture. My career, particularly my work with immigrants, refugees, and expats, has deepened this connection.

At its best, communication is not efficiency. It is empathy, creativity, and culture in motion. Culture is a powerful lens through which we view the world. It shapes our language, values, traditions, even how we communicate and understand other people. It’s not just about the food we eat or the festivals we celebrate; it’s the stories we tell, the symbols we recognize, and the ways we express ourselves. But here’s the kicker: most people underestimate how much culture affects

When I speak about culture, I refer to this collective experience that defines, influences, and enriches us all. We are not isolated beings.

The film Julie & Julia, directed by Nora Ephron, is more than a culinary tale. It is a wonderful portrait of creative courage, cultural discovery, and the quiet evolution of inner leadership. It reminds us that creativity isn’t only about what we make, but who we become in the process of making it. Across two timelines, we encounter the real stories of Julie Powell and Julia Child, two women who, in different cultures and eras, found their way to authenticity through curiosit

We’ve been taught to think of culture as something externa; a set of shared behaviors, beliefs, or traditions that belong to a particular group. But culture is so much more than that. It’s not just something we observe or participate in; it’s something we carry deep within us. Culture is the living narrative of human existence itself, and this is what I refer to every time I use this term. Think of all the lives that have come before us. Every generation leaves its mark.

Stories are the threads that weave the fabric of our identities. They shape our understanding of the world, our place within it, and ...

Creativity transcends surface-level understanding and invites us to dive into a deep, personal exploration of who we are, how we relate...

Gertrude Bell’s story goes far beyond exploration. Discover the real diplomat, visionary, and cultural bridge-builder who shaped the modern Middle East. Learn how her creative intelligence and cross-cultural empathy offer timeless lessons for today. Written by artist and storyteller Louise Sommer. Explore creativity, history, and cultural myths at louisesommer.co. #GertrudeBell #CreativeIntelligence

Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764) stands as one of the most overlooked women in French history. Despite her significant influence, she is often remembered only as 'a mistress.' Madame de Pompadour, born Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, rose to power during the reign of King Louis XV. Far from being just a royal consort, she effectively served as the unofficial Prime Minister and unofficial Minister of Foreign Affairs of France. Her political acumen and strategic brilliance were indis