Groundbreaking series of podcasts and thought pieces provoke new exchanges

Pullman Hotels & Resorts, a pioneering hotel brand of Accor, proudly introduces Pullman Drafts and Pullman Voices, two new platforms designed to provoke new exchanges, ignite dialogue, and foster collective progress. These initiatives connect a global network of cultural vanguards - thought-leaders, artists, and visionaries - who are coming together to share perspectives, and co-create the cultural conversations that will shape the future.

For over 160 years, Pullman has embodied a spirit of purposeful evolution. From the visionary legacy of George Pullman, who revolutionised hospitality with his forward-thinking approach to service, design, and travel, to today's dynamic creation of spaces for cultural collision and exchange, Pullman has remained a catalyst for contrast, connection, and cultural exchange. The Pullman Company was once a stage for transformation - using comfort and connectivity to redefine how people moved, worked, and lived. Today, Pullman Hotels & Resorts carries this ethos forward, welcoming those who seek new perspectives. With Pullman Drafts and Pullman Voices, the brand extends this spirit - creating spaces where ideas travel, collide, and evolve.

Pullman Drafts, produced in partnership with the House of Beautiful Business, a global think tank and community dedicated to making business more human, presents a curated collection of thought-provoking narratives designed to spark discovery, challenge perspectives, and invite guests to learn something new. Each piece is a motive for deeper enquiry – that invites readers to rethink assumptions, embrace contradiction, and engage more meaningfully with the world. In parallel, Pullman Voices is a podcast series co-created with Monocle, designed as a forum to change the way we see things and foster creative collision through ideas in a noisy world. The thought-leaders featured in the series are also shaping the future of the Pullman brand – their ideas and concepts will go on to influence the evolution of Pullman's guest experiences and brand ethos.

“The Pullman legacy was built on an innovative spirit that invited people to travel differently, live differently, and think differently. That spirit continues to guide our brand today,” said Benoît Racle, Global President of Premium Brands, Accor. “George Pullman and the Pullman Company transformed travel and society by shaping spaces for unexpected ideas and purposeful progress. Today, we continue to champion visionaries whose ideas do more than inspire – they move culture forward. Pullman Drafts and Pullman Voices are not just initiatives; they're living extensions of who we are and what we stand for.”

Much like a first draft of an evolving story, Pullman Drafts serves as a starting point for new perspectives. From exploring the science of inspiration to redefining identity and productivity, each piece is rooted in Pullman's belief in contrasted perspectives and collective evolution. Contributors to the series include:

• Akbar Hamid – Next-gen entrepreneur who redefines what it means to run a business today
• Taiye Selasi – Writer and photographer who believes in the importance of locality over nationality
• Esther Blanco – Leadership and company culture coach with a focus on human connection
• Sagarika Sundaram – Artist who draws connection between craftsmanship and the human psyche
• Matt Klein – Digital anthropologist who makes sense of cultural change
• Hannah Critchlow – Scientist, writer & broadcaster focused on cellular and molecular neuroscience
• Michael Steiner – Coach who helps us find purpose through change
• Bruno Giussani – Curator who brings the world's most inspiring voices to TED
• Anna Tréa – Multi-instrumentalist whose Bahian DNA is a marvel to behold
• Tim Leberecht – House of Beautiful Business co-founder leading us to a life-centred economy
• João Blümel – Metaverse mentalist who pushes the boundaries of entertainment

The first Pullman Drafts are available now at https://www.pullman-happenings.com/en/magazine.

“Creative collisions are often at the heart of inspiration. When we stop compartmentalising our lives and begin tearing down the conceptual walls between work, leisure, travel, family, community, culture, and more, we open ourselves to new spaces. These spaces make room for different parts of ourselves to come into contact, which can trigger a mysterious alchemy of thoughts, feelings, and ideas. That alchemy fertilises the ground for inspiration.” – Excerpt from the first Pullman Draft with thought-leader Michael Bungay Stanier, written by Tim Leberecht. Full version available now at https://www.pullman-happenings.com/en/drafts/in-search-of-inspiration .

Pullman Voices extends this ethos in audio form - a 12-episode podcast series featuring unexpected conversations with cultural tastemakers and industry leaders from around the world. Listeners are treated to unique perspectives on innovation, business evolution, and societal trends. Contributors to the series include:

• Clémentine Larroumet – architect and co-founder ASL Paris
• Carsten Spohr – CEO, Lufthansa Group
• David Hieatt – founder, Hiut Denim Co and The DO Lectures
• Shalini Bhalla, MD – International Council for the Circular Economy
• Djamila Ribeiro – philosopher and writer
• John Amaechi – psychologist, consultant and former NBA basketball player
• Ugo Gattoni – Parisian artist renowned for surreal, intricate cityscapes and portraits
• Pallavi Dean – founder and creative director, Roar Studio
• Dumi Oburota – owner, Severan
• Daniel Goleman – psychologist and author of Emotional Intelligence
• Piet Oudolf – garden designer and author
• Julia Hobsbawm – writer

By amplifying these influential voices, Pullman continues its mission to expand connections, shape culture, and co-create new possibilities. The first Pullman Voices episode is now available at https://monocle.com/radio/shows/pullman-voices/.

“With Pullman Drafts and Pullman Voices, we are seeking to spur new thinking and progressive action,” said Racle. “Pullman is where minds collide, where contrasts converge, and where new ideas emerge from vibrant exchange. These platforms are just the beginning.”

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