"Putting down roots doesn't mean giving up wings."

Welcome to Season Two of Oblivious Witness

How’s 2025 been for you so far, folks? What a wild ride we’re all on… I hope you’re all OK and managing to white-knuckle your way through the turmoil.

Would you agree that the world is feeling more dangerously divided than ever? I’ve never felt more strongly that we need to hear people’s individual stories to remind us that when it boils down to it, we’re all striving towards the same goals - fulfilment, happiness, and a world that’s safe for ourselves and for future generations.

For that reason, I’m getting out on the road to talk with amazing people for this season of Oblivious Witness. I’m bringing you stories from change-makers, from thinkers, from writers and artists and musicians and travellers of all kinds, from people who move through the world with intention and kindness and inclusivity at their core. I’m so excited about the incredible lives and perspectives I’ll be sharing with you over the coming months.

Please meet the amazing Frankie Sutton

For this conversation, my incredible guest and I were hosted by the beautiful Bumi Kinar Resort in Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali. Frankie Sutton arrived on the back of a Gojek bike. She took off her helmet and shook out her beautiful waist-length silver hair (which she’s grown out as a quiet protest against ageism!), and we spent the day by the pool and amidst the palm trees, talking about the many changes that Frankie has seen in the world over five decades of hitch-hiking, backpacking and migration.

Frankie travels the world with kindness and connection, and brought up her children to be true citizens of the world, open to the opinions and perspectives of others, and at home wherever in the world they find themselves.Find out more about Frankie’s life and adventures on her Instagram and BlueskyI hope you’ll benefit from Frankie’s wisdom, optimism and enthusiasm as much as I have.

And I’d love to hear from you too!

If anything in this episode inspires you to see the world a little differently or to expand your own horizons in any way, I’d love to hear from you. Please drop a note in the comments or send me a message about a story you’d like to share.

Let’s all tell each other the stories of the things we’ve witnessed, so that we can learn from one another and see that, despite the differences in the details of our lives, we’re all global citizens of one beautiful and intricately interconnected world.

With love

Michelle x

MUSIC: Defining Life, by Bill Conn

PHOTOGRAPHY: Michelle Neeling

Written and produced by Michelle Neeling

I want to hear about the things you’ve witnessed too! Please subscribe to Oblivious Witness and become part of the conversation.

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