Staying sharp over summer: What leading marketers are doing to reset for 2026

Looking for a bit of inspiration or a fresh perspective as much of the industry prepares for a summer slowdown and braces for a big 2026? Look no further - we asked some leading ADMA community members about the books, podcasts and personal rituals that help them unwind, recharge and stay curious.

Which good reads can you suggest over the festive season?

For many, the summer break is the ideal moment to reach for books that help recalibrate perspective, build better habits or simply open up new ways of thinking.

For Optus’ Emma Jensen, this year’s summer reading list reflects her ongoing focus on self-leadership. She says: “I’ve been re-reading The Mindful High Performer by Chelsea Pottenger and The Way of the Spiritual Entrepreneur by Pauline Nguyen.”

She also points to widely-acclaimed Atomic Habits as one book she returns to time and time again as a reminder of the importance of little changes.

NAB’s Natalie Lockwood also gears her summer reading list towards a personal reset. She is specifically diving into Be Your Own Leadership Coach by Karen Stein this year - but her end-of-year ritual actually starts before she opens a book.

She explains: “The first thing I do either at the end of the year or at the beginning of the summer break is reflect. I ask myself what my biggest win was, what I learned, what I want to stop and start in 2026 and how my energy levels are tracking.

“It’s a good way to reset before absorbing any inspiration from business or self-improvement content.”

For ADMA Advisory Council Chair David Morgan, the summer break is a chance to stretch thinking in new directions. His summer reads include The Expectation Effect by David Robson (which examines how your brain is the key to unlocking a better version of yourself) and Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows (which investigates how systems thinking can be brought out of the realm of computers).

ADMA Advisory Committee member Tom Goodwin is slightly contrarian when it comes to his summer reading list. He explains: “I’m enjoying reading older stuff to see how much the future seems to echo the past.”

Goodwin’s list spans Re-imagine! by Tom Peters, Technical Revolutions and Financial Capital by Carlota Perez, Why We Buy by Paco Underhill and 50 Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy by Tim Harford.

For ADMA Advisory Committee member Sonny Sethi, summer sharpness starts not just with books, but with doing something new that sparks energy and curiosity - including an eight-week surfing program he is tackling for the first time aged 44.

He says: “I thrive on fresh ideas and diverse perspectives. Stepping into a new sport or hobby will force me out of my comfort zone.”

What is your go-to podcast or documentary?

This year’s favourites reflect a blend of business insight, leadership thinking and practical self-development - with a few unexpected detours.

Lockwood’s podcast playlist spans marketing, leadership and mindset. She recommends The WARC Podcast, The Diary of a CEO, The Mindset Mentor and Uncensored CMO - a practical mix she uses to stay across industry thinking while keeping personal development front-and-centre.

Jensen’s podcast recommendation list is similarly eclectic, switching between politics and personal growth.

She says: “When I'm not listening to podcasts on US politics - Pod Save America is a current favourite - there are others I tune into that are more business and leadership focused. There’s The Contrarians and also The Mel Robbins Podcast for general wellbeing, self-leadership and simple, practical tools.”

Jensen and Lockwood also both name The CMO Podcast, which is hosted by the former CMO of Procter & Gamble, Jim Stengel, as a frequent listen.

Morgan’s suggestion stays slightly closer to home, pointing out the Uncomfortable Growth podcast series as a worthwhile listen: “It’s now in its fourth season and spotlights leaders from across the marketing community. It’s hosted by the indomitable Rowena Millward - aka my wife!”

Although Goodwin isn’t a podcast listener, he stays sharp by following thinkers with strong, distinctive perspectives - wherever they appear.

He explains: “Like most people, I like following the work of Rory Sutherland, Benedict Evans and Greg Satell.”

For Sethi, summer is about reclaiming focus through subtraction, not just consumption.

As part of his break, Sethi plans to declutter his digital life, deleting unused apps and social platforms: “This is one way I can get more hours back once work resumes - and keeps me away from unnecessary distractions.”

What are good ways to recharge over the break?

While everyone approaches the holiday season differently, a common thread is taking this time to reset and head into the new year with clarity.

For Sethi, January has become his annual “reset” month: “Apart from doing Dry January, I embrace the reset by decluttering our environment. Last year, we donated dozens of our children’s quality clothes, soft toys, books and games to charities, which I’m planning to repeat.”

Lockwood takes a similarly intentional approach: "Holidays are a time to practice cognitive detox. Empty your mental in-tray and create space to allow your brain to unlock a fresh stream of creativity. Resist the urge to replace work with busy distractions.”

Jensen’s biggest lesson is to not save restoration for December. She explains that solely relying on this end-of-year season to decompress is an unsustainable strategy: “Rest and recharge all year round. Get the rest you need 12 months of the year rather than just at the end of it!”

To do so, she focuses on daily habits, nature and novelty.

Jensen says: “Nothing recharges me more than doing something new and pushing myself out of my comfort zone - a new country, sport, experience - whatever it is, I'm all in.”