From Worry to Momentum: Reflections on This Week’s Reboot the Future Podcast with John O’Brien

By Sandy Glanfield

Listening to John O’Brien on this week’s Reboot the Future podcast, I was struck by the sheer momentum that can come from being deeply worried about something.

John spoke openly about the period just after COVID, when he felt a growing concern about the future of the UK, about our sense of direction, our cohesion, and our shared purpose. Instead of letting that worry sit heavy, he allowed it to propel him forward. That concern became the spark that inspired him to create Anthropy.

He admitted he had no idea how much work it would take. In fact, he laughed that if he had known, it might have slowed him down. But not knowing became a kind of gift; it freed him to pour in all of his energy, his relationships, his networks, his experience and his imagination. He gathered together people who also cared deeply about the future of Britain and who wanted to shape something better for all of us.

What stayed with me was this:

It didn’t matter that not everyone shared his exact vested interests. What mattered was his unwavering focus on creating something positive from a place of concern.

His worry was not something to suppress or ignore. It was the force that mobilised him, the reason he kept going, and the energy that ultimately created a legacy.

For me, this is where the Golden Rule quietly weaves into his story. The impulse to act because you care about the wellbeing of others, the desire to help build a future you would want to live in and one you would want others to experience too, sits at the heart of treating others as we wish to be treated. John did not only ask, “What is wrong?” He also asked, “What can I do?”

It reminded me of something I often hear when people talk about wanting to volunteer or give their time. They say, “I want to help, but I do not know where to start.” The question that often opens things up is, what breaks your heart? The thing that rattles us or keeps us awake is often the very thing that can inspire us to act.

That was true for John. His worry lit the spark. Four years later, he has built something extraordinary, an ever-growing community of people who are committed to creating a better and more hopeful future for Britain.

His story is a reminder that our concerns are not weaknesses. They are invitations. They show us where we care, where we feel connected, and where we might begin to act in service of ourselves, each other, and generations to come.

You can find out more about Anthropy here. Bursaries for 18-30s are available