The Woz Report | Smart Conversations for Curious Minds
The Woz Report is read across 23 US states and 24 countries.
Read in 24 countries and 17 US states, The Woz Report connects people who crave thoughtful commentary and real stories that go beyond headlines. From New York to Newcastle, Texas to Torquay, this is where curious readers meet bold ideas.
Each week, I explore topics spanning leadership, sustainability, mental health, geopolitics, creativity, and culture, all with one aim, to spark meaningful conversations and inspire new ways of thinking.
I’m John (Woz), a veteran, sustainability professional, writer, and lifelong learner who’s been around the block, from Yorkshire to West Berlin and back.
I write because I love it, and because I believe good writing should challenge assumptions, shine a light on overlooked stories, and occasionally ruffle a few feathers.
The little guy in the photo is Mr Sox, my four-legged companion of many years, who taught me more about patience than most leadership courses ever could.
What Inspires Me
I’m a lifelong sports fan, but these days you’re more likely to find me listening to podcasts, reading nonfiction, or diving into an audiobook about history or espionage.
One of my favourite books is The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre, a gripping account of Oleg Gordievsky, the KGB officer who risked everything to spy for the West, a reminder that courage and conscience often collide.
As someone who once lived in West Berlin, I’ve always been drawn to stories of courage and divided worlds, which is why Oleg Gordievsky’s story hits close to home. He lived with one foot in two realities, a feeling I understand all too well.
Outside of writing, I’m fascinated by aviation and travel, two passions that led me to launch The Boarding Pass, a travel and culture blog that celebrates the joy of exploration and the stories we collect along the way. Whether it’s a sunrise over the Alps or a quiet moment in an airport lounge, travel reminds me that perspective is the best souvenir.
Day to day, I work as a sustainability consultant in the built environment, helping organisations design and deliver spaces that work better for people and the planet. It’s meticulous work, a blend of data, design and doing the right thing, and it constantly reminds me how every choice, from materials to mindset, shapes our shared future.
That same curiosity about how systems connect fuels much of my writing. Through ESG Nerd, I explore the world of sustainability and climate strategy; through The Woz Report, I step back to look at the bigger picture, leadership, culture, and the stories that keep us questioning how we live and work.
A Turning Point
In 2013, a back injury forced me to hang up my running shoes, so I took up road cycling instead. That May, I rode from London to Nice via the Alps, a journey that tested my limits and helped me confront General Anxiety Disorder and moderate-to-severe depression.
Since then, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about being unbreakable, it’s about getting back on the bike.
What You’ll Find Here at the Woz Report
If defence, geopolitics, and foreign policy interest you, head to Zero Alpha, my deep-dive series cutting through the noise to reveal strategic insights and untold stories.
For sustainability insights, personal reflections, and leadership lessons drawn from real life, you’ll find plenty to explore right here at The Woz Report, your weekly read for smart writing and grounded perspectives.
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