Hi there,
If you are receiving this substack, you are one of 250 people that are doing the same today. Thank you for being here and the above message is especially for you.
I have not yet worked out how to personalise an intro on substack, so my deepest apologies that you are not greeted by name! It is a personal frustration of mine after much research and testing, so if you know how to fix this, I’d gratefully welcome the education.
2025 in review
I am not sure how 2025 has been for you, but I’d be interested to hear. Hit reply and let me know.
For me it has been a mixed bag.
Firstly it has been exciting:
* Luca, grandson number two arrived
* I have been blessed to have another year with my amazing wife Jackie
* The three grown-up kids are all doing well
* I have reinforced some key relationships, developed new ones, and even let go of some
* The new In The Business of Healthy Masculinity podcast/videocast has taken off well with the first 11 conversations modelling exactly what I hoped they would i.e we all have so much more inner power and agency than we realise/remember
* I am grateful to have had nearly 6 years of extra life since having my right testicle removed after testicular cancer surgery in March 2020
* I am also proud of myself how I have cultivated a unique space within a multi-billion turnover company to speak my truth and stand in my own power, even if they do not want to the work that is needed to return them, us, and our communities back to health
However, it has also been challenging:
* I have been silenced by organisations and sector associations within the chemicals industry for trying to even have an open dialogue about representational risk linked to Israeli manufacturers that have direct links to the genocide in Gaza (consider Russian offices got shut down overnight when they invaded Ukraine)
* I have struggled to find hardly anyone from within the industry, in or outside of chemicals, that is willing to have constructive, uncomfortable dialogue .. about anything
* I have witnessed first-hand the sickeningly performative nature of big business and just how disposable human beings are. That includes you and me. One shocking (not-so-shocking) example being Novo Nordisk, the global pharma manufacturer who laid off 10% of their staff to save USD 1.3bn per year, even though they made USD 8.7bn clear profit after research and development and staff costs, in just the first 6 months of 2025
* Globally, and locally, regardless of your political leaning, we cannot ignore that wealth is being rapidly centralised, food bank usage is still running at 3X what is was just a decade ago, and all the whilst more and more billionaires (even trillionaires) are coming into being at the same time that the majority are struggling to even get by
Whilst there is much that is out of our sphere of influence, we are starting to feel the real-world impacts more and more; social media division, political division, racism and authoritarianism on the rise, yet WE, you, me, and us all, have WAY more power than we realise or remember.
2026 and beyond
So what’s in store for 2026, for you, and for me?
I’m intrigued to learn how your 2026 is shaping up.
For me, one thing is for sure. Hosting this substack can feel pretty lonely to be honest, and I am grateful that a number of you are starting to engage bit by bit. Thank you.
I’d like to step that up a level and create a confidential, safe, yet brave space to explore in community starting in Jan 2026.
If you missed episode #3 of ‘In The Business of Healthy Masculinity’, Stephanie Mendez shared the following which I totally relate to:
I want this space for you, and for me.
So on the first Monday of each month, starting Mon 5th Jan 2026, I will be hosting an hours community call via google meet where anyone that follows this substack, or comes from my wider network, can come together to connect, reflect, share perspectives on anything that feels most important to them.
This will take place between 1130am PST / 1430pm ET / 1930 UKpm / 2030 CET and 1230pm PST / 1530pm ET / 2030pm UK / 2130pm CET, and I am open to adding further calls if we as a community deem it valuable enough.
There is no charge for this, this is an invitation to connect meaningfully, to expand our collective horizons, and to activate/remember our agency.
Please email me at garry.turner@radicality.co.uk if this space would be of interest to you.
The call will follow Thinking Environment principles where all present get the chance to speak or pass, to ensure equality of voice and space.
The call topics will be offered by a mix of you and myself, and if this interests you, please do hit reply and let me know.
Beyond community calls, I am talking to one key friend and collaborator around supporting her culture and justice-based business impact through ‘Relational Development,’ and I am also in talks with another, more progressive, chemical company about whether a move could be of mutual benefit, and if indeed it makes sense.
Most importantly, I am looking forward to being in a healthy relationship with Jackie, continuing my own growth/decolonisation journey, and to staying as curious as possible in all areas.
What 2026 will NOT be is a year of silence, wilful blindness, and fear.
That is so this, and past years.
However you celebrate or spend this time of year, I wish you, your loved ones, and your community safety, relaxation, and the charging of your activist batteries.
Let’s connect in 2026 and remember what is at stake within business spaces alone:
With much love and best regards
Garry Turner
+44 7928 979358
