Show Notes
What does it take to lead with authenticity, overcome fear, and discover true purpose in life?In this episode, Steven Moe shares his inspiring journey of leadership, resilience, and finding meaning through change. From childhood lessons and career transitions to embracing mindset shifts, Steven reveals how courage and values can transform both life and leadership.About Steven MoeSteven Moe is a Partner at Parry Field Lawyers in Christchurch, with 20+ years of international legal experience in London, Tokyo, Sydney, and New Zealand. He is the founder of the Seeds Podcast (400+ episodes), Chair of Community Finance, and a recognized changemaker lawyer named among New Zealand’s most influential in 2024. Steven is passionate about governance, purpose-driven business, and helping leaders align values with impact.In this episode, discover how to:• Overcome the fear of the unknown with courage• Embrace mindset shifts to unlock growth and success• Build resilience while navigating challenges and change• Find purpose-driven direction in your career and personal life• Align values, community, and even faith with authentic leadershipThis conversation is perfect for anyone seeking personal growth, career inspiration, or guidance on leading with purpose.Timestamps:(0:00) Would your 95-year-old self regret this choice?(0:27) Meet Steven Moe: Lawyer turned purpose-driven leader(1:27) Family chaos, laughter & a love of books(3:36) Childhood across countries → building resilience(7:32) The leap to Japan at 21 that changed everything(10:20) Why “work–life balance” is a myth(12:07) The bell test: How to find your true purpose(15:32) Faith, values & the spiritual side of leadership(21:18) 3 daily habits for focus & lasting energy(25:17) Family first: urgent work won’t matter in 10 years(31:57) The #1 thing founders must do to succeed(37:12) Everyone is a leader – starting with yourselfLearn more about Steven and his work:- Steven Moe (LinkedIn): www.linkedin.com/in/steven-moe-0b3b008a- Parry Field Lawyers: https://www.parryfield.com/- Seeds podcast: https://theseeds.nz/Books discussed in Podcast:- Apple Tree by Steven Moe: https://theseeds.nz/books/the-apple-tree/- The Circle: Careers with Impact by Steven Moe: https://theseeds.nz/articles/the-circle-careers-with-impact/Steven’s book recommendation: - Pilgrim at Tinker Creek: https://bookhero.co.nz/products/pilgrim-at-tinker-creek?srsltid=AfmBOorLgh092CS49CsrtMglfkQhffqrAv_pgSBSYRohLZhAjb8yc-BKLearn more about Azoora and her work:- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/azooraali- Website: https://www.accountingandtax.co.nz/If Steven’s journey inspired you, follow, share this with a friend, and join us for more stories on purpose, leadership, and impact.
More from Care Beyond Profits
Lani Evans, founder of Fundsorter and former CEO of Thank You Payroll, shares how AI is transforming grant writing and charity funding for New Zealand's not-for-profits, plus the story of a social enterprise she helped gift to a charity.
Diana arrived with years of leadership behind her. Her first job in New Zealand was vacuuming a casino floor.
Mike Casey, cherry orchardist and CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, shares how electrification, solar and climate action turned his New Zealand business profitable.
"My daughter was young when I had one of my cancer diagnoses… her little life literally fell apart."
Paul Button, CEO of Rotorua Canopy Tours, shares conservation tourism, regenerative business, and purpose-driven leadership in this Care Beyond Profits podcast on sustainability and ecotourism."Humans...All we crave for is just connection."From a whitewater kayaker chasing rivers across North Canterbury, Canada and Central America, to running one of New Zealand's most awarded ecotourism businesses, Paul Button's story is one of adventure, environmental conviction, and people-first leadership.As CEO of the Rotorua Canopy Tours Group, Paul leads a zipline and treetop experience set inside an 11,000-year-old native forest, alongside the Canopy Conservation Trust that funds its restoration work.In this conversation, Paul shares how a tourism business became a conservation engine: 12 years of native forest restoration, 700 self-resetting predator traps, a B Corp certification (the first in Rotorua), and a soil-carbon breakthrough that suggests a predator-free New Zealand could one day be carbon neutral. Throughout the episode, Paul returns to a simple idea, that the staff are the stars of the show, and that connection, not infrastructure, is what people truly remember.About Paul ButtonPaul Button is the Chief Executive Officer of Rotorua Canopy Tours Group, leading Rotorua Canopy Tours, widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s premier nature-based tourism experiences.His career began as a young kayaker on wild rivers, sparking a lifelong connection to adventure and the natural world. From guiding on the Kaituna River to leading teams internationally, Paul has built his career around creating meaningful, high-quality experiences that connect people to place.Since returning to Aotearoa in 2017, Paul has focused on innovation and regenerative tourism, restoring native forests, inspiring visitors, and demonstrating that business can be a force for good. He also oversees supporting businesses in Queenstown, including Million Dollar Cruise and Canyon Explorers.Outside of work, Paul is a hands-on dad who stays active through CrossFit, mountain biking, and endurance runningIn This Episode / Chapters00:00 New Zealand's carbon-neutral hypothesis00:07 Introducing Paul Button & Canopy Tours01:07 The importance of consistency in leadership13:29 Why people are the real product in tourism17:59 Partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC)20:20 The Canopy Conservation Trust funding model24:22 Why conservation budgets should never be cut25:18 B Corp certification and holistic business32:38 Setting ethical boundaries with clients40:13 The 40% carbon ground composition discovery41:16 Predator-free forests as a carbon solution41:53 International research partnership & future scalingLearn more about Paul and Rotorua Canopy Tours Rotorua Canopy Tours: https://www.canopytours.co.nz/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-button-93241b187/