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Louise Sommer
Exploring Creative Intelligence, Leadership & Learning
Across Cultures
Welcome to my free learning space
Exploring the Art of Learning, Leadership & Culture
This blog explores how art, communication, and creative intelligence shape the way we learn, lead, and understand culture. Blending research with reflection, each post offers a thoughtful pause. A moment to reconnect with meaning, imagination, and the human experience across time and place.
Here, you’ll find reflective essays on learning, leadership, creativity, and cultural storytelling written to inspire deeper thinking and more human-centred ways of teaching, creating, and leading.
May each entry spark insight for your own learning journey.
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How standing in front of a multicultural class shaped my approach to education, empathy, and creative intelligence
I remember the moment clearly. I was standing in front of my very first class in Australia. In front of me sat a group of adults from six different countries and vastly different cultural backgrounds. There were 20-year-old backpackers from France and South America, published authors and artists from all over Australia, emerging entrepreneurs, and even two senior scholars who wanted to learn how to communicate their field to 'outsiders.' No pressure, right?
Louise Sommer
Jun 233 min read
Thought Leadership in the Digital Age of Education
Why Creative Intelligence and Visionary Thinking Matter More Than Ever. In the 21st century, education is no longer defined by the four walls of a classroom, or even by static curricula. It is shaped by visionaries who can navigate complexity, inspire innovation, and re-imagine what learning can be. At the heart of this transformation lies a powerful concept: thought leadership in digital education. Thought leadership is more than expertise. It is the ability to influence, in
Louise Sommer
Jun 93 min read
Gertrude Stein: Lessons from Paris’ Most Fearless Muse & the Golden Age of Creative Living
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.
Louise Sommer
May 54 min read
Jonna Jinton: The Power of Authentic Living and the Creative Dance
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.
Louise Sommer
Apr 244 min read
The Pelican, the Beach, and the Beauty of Everyday Magic
There are certain creatures that seem to carry stories in their feathers. For me, the pelican has always been one of them. Quirky, grand, slightly awkward, and entirely majestic, the pelican never fails to make me smile. There’s something deeply comforting about the way they waddle across jetties, flap those great wings with a kind of ancient elegance, and then, almost like a surprise, they lift off with absolute grace, gliding across the sky as if they were born of clouds.
Louise Sommer
Apr 103 min read
Duck à l'orange & Big Dreams: How Rachel Khoo’s Little Paris Kitchen Changed My Creative Life
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.
Louise Sommer
Mar 273 min read
Beyond Entertainment: How Foreign Films and Stories Train Our Cultural Intelligence
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.
Louise Sommer
Jan 305 min read
How Culture Shapes the Way We Communicate
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
Louise Sommer
Jan 264 min read
Culture, Collective Memory, Epigenetics & Identity
When I speak about culture, I refer to this collective experience that defines, influences, and enriches us all. We are not isolated beings.
Louise Sommer
Jan 206 min read
Exploring the Living Narrative of Human Existence
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.
Louise Sommer
Oct 12, 20243 min read
Creative Storytelling that Weaves the Fabric of Connectivity & Life
Stories are the threads that weave the fabric of our identities. They shape our understanding of the world, our place within it, and ...
Louise Sommer
Sep 13, 20246 min read
From Paris to Tuscany: How Living Fully Fuels Creativity and Authenticity
Life is a journey filled with countless experiences, both joyful and challenging. When we engage deeply with these experiences, embracing them with an open heart and mind, our creativity is not only nurtured but also emancipated. This authentic connection to life allows us to discover our true voices, transforming our existence into a unique adventure far removed from societal norms and expectations. In this blog post, I will explore this fascinating interplay between creativ
Louise Sommer
Aug 8, 20245 min read
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