On the tenth episode of the “What is a Good Life?” podcast, I am joined by Baiba Rubesa.
Baiba is a business executive across several industries, from natural resources, banking, automotive, telecoms, and most recently transport / railways – in which she served as the Chairperson & CEO at RB Rail.
In this episode, Baiba takes us through her fascinating journey from her youth in Canada and Germany, born to Latvian parents with a dream of supporting her homeland, to ultimately being part of a shaping a post revolutionary society in Latvia later in life. From being the only woman on many boards to focussing on women’s economic empowerment (currently Co-founder at Novatore), while sharing her thoughts on the Golden Rule, seizing the day, intuition, pivoting, and focussing on one’s strengths.
I wanted to interview Baiba as I believe she lives a truly unique life, and one I learned a lot from listening to her reflect on – as I am sure you will too.
Running Order:
02:46 A call to supporting Latvia
05:16 Life being shaped by personality, enjoyment, values
07:36 Hold your plans lightly
10:31 Intuition in decision making
11:59 Supporting women in business
17:16 Being the only woman in the boardroom
23:36 The importance of listening, understanding, and communicating
29:56 Facing an early midlife crisis
31:46 The importance of pivoting
35:46 Learning to go with the flow / Intuition
45:21 “I was part of a revolution”
48:46 Focussing on my strengths
53:16 Knowing who you are
57:46 What is a good life for Baiba?
For further content and information check out the following:
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
- My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
- Novatore's Website: https://www.novatore.eu/
- Baiba's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baibarubesa/
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What is What is a Good Life??
This isn’t a podcast about fixing you. It’s about living life more fully.
What Is a Good Life? is a long-form conversation project exploring how people actually live, feel, and make meaning of their lives.
Over the past four years, I’ve sat with more than 300 people — artists, parents, executives, wanderers, therapists, and strangers — and invited them into a simple but profound inquiry: What is a good life for you?
These conversations aren’t about advice, formulas, or self-improvement. They explore presence, paradox, uncertainty, and the moments that quietly shape a life — love and loss, trust and fear, clarity and not knowing.
This podcast isn’t here to give you answers.
It’s here to slow you down, to listen deeply, and to invite you into conversation with your own life.
New episodes weekly.