Uncomfortable Growth® Uncut. Season 3, Episode 7 – Julia Zaetta
“It takes a lifetime to know yourself and you get to learn new things all the time."
In this tender and wide-ranging conversation, Julia Zaetta shares more than just her impressive career—she offers a heartfelt look at the personal journey behind it. As one of the longest-serving publishers in the industry, Julia reflects on what it means to truly love your work, and how that deep passion can sustain you through even the hardest of times.
Julia opens up about the profound loss of her mother and sister within just two years—a period that challenged her identity, financial security, and emotional resilience. She discusses how grief forced her to become almost robotic just to cope, and how she slowly began to rediscover herself through human connection and reflection. A key part of that rediscovery? Knowing what brings her joy.
Julia beautifully describes her connection to a little-known but deeply meaningful song—"Even When You’re Sleeping" by Leonardo’s Bride. Its acoustic simplicity and emotive lyrics mirror her own inner world, and it lives on repeat in her reflective playlists. For her, it’s not just a song—it’s a reminder of love, stillness, and presence.
The conversation dives into what it means to know your “best self,” and how recognizing what brings you joy—whether it’s people, creativity, music, or meaningful work—can pull you out of your “small self” during tough times. Julia’s love for being around people, her creativity in media, and her thoughtful parenting all reflect a life lived with intention and care.
From navigating hybrid work that challenges her extroverted nature, to grappling with the ongoing work of maintaining happiness and balance, Julia shares wisdom that’s as relatable as it is inspiring. Her story is a beautiful reminder that growth is often uncomfortable—but also full of clarity, connection, and quiet strength.
My three favourite quotes from Julia’s story are:
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"If you don't love it, learn to love it. Because you want to have that connection and that energy and that passion and that motivation that comes with loving what you do.”
“It takes a lifetime to know yourself and you get to learn new things all the time."
“You need to make sure that connection with people continues to maintain your well-being.”
Tune in to hear Julia’s incredible journey and discover how you can embrace your own Uncomfortable Growth®:
The world doesn’t need more stories of success; it needs honest conversations about hard challenges, vulnerability, and proof that trials can ultimately become triumphs.
That’s why the Uncomfortable Growth® Uncut podcast was born. It’s a reminder that struggle and success are intrinsically linked, that growth is rarely easy, and that the moments we feel most uncomfortable are where our greatest breakthroughs lie
