By Peter de Kuster
Introduction: Ambition, Society, and the Power to Write Your Story
The Gilded Age is a lavish period drama set in 1880s New York, a time when fortunes were made and lost, and the rules of society were being rewritten. Created by Julian Fellowes, the series follows Marian Brook as she enters the city’s rigid social scene, caught between the old-money van Rhijn family and the ambitious new-money Russells. While not a Hitchcock thriller, the show’s tension is real: the suspense of reinvention, the risks of defying tradition, and the courage it takes to step into the unknown. As creative leaders, we too must ask: Are we writing our own legend, or letting others define our fate?
Plot Summary: A Battle for Place and Purpose
Orphaned and penniless, Marian Brook moves in with her aunts Agnes and Ada van Rhijn, pillars of old New York society. Across the street, the Russells—railroad tycoon George, his ambitious wife Bertha, and their children Larry and Gladys—struggle to gain acceptance among the city’s elite, who view them as upstarts. Marian is swept into their world, torn between loyalty to her aunts and her own sense of justice and adventure.
Bertha’s relentless campaign to break into society culminates in a dramatic showdown at the Metropolitan Opera House, where she outmaneuvers the old guard and secures her family’s place among the elite1. Marian, meanwhile, faces heartbreak and betrayal in love but emerges with a stronger sense of self. The series is a tapestry of ambition, scandal, and transformation—where every character must choose: adapt or be left behind.
The Hero’s Journey in The Gilded Age
Reflections for Creative Leaders at Every Stage
| Stage | Series Moment | Reflection for Creative Leaders |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ordinary World | Marian’s sheltered life in Pennsylvania; the Russells’ outsider status | Where are you “playing it safe” or feeling like an outsider in your own story? |
| 2. Call to Adventure | Marian moves to New York, enters the world of high society | What new opportunity or challenge is calling you out of your comfort zone? |
| 3. Refusal of the Call | Marian hesitates to defy her aunts; Bertha faces repeated snubs | Where do you hold back out of fear of rejection or failure? |
| 4. Meeting the Mentor | Agnes’s stern guidance; Peggy’s friendship and wisdom | Who offers you guidance—even if it’s uncomfortable or challenging? |
| 5. Crossing the Threshold | Marian befriends the Russells; Bertha hosts her first bold party | When have you taken a leap into the unknown, risking reputation or security? |
| 6. Tests, Allies, Enemies | Society’s rejections, secret romances, business crises | Who supports you—and who stands in your way—as you pursue your goals? |
| 7. Approach to the Inmost Cave | The opera house war, Marian’s engagement and heartbreak | What is your greatest fear or vulnerability as you strive for success? |
| 8. Ordeal | Marian’s broken engagement; Bertha’s near-defeat in society | When have you faced a major setback that threatened your dreams? |
| 9. Reward | Bertha’s triumph at the Met; Marian’s self-respect and new love | What hard-won wisdom or breakthrough have you achieved after adversity? |
| 10. The Road Back | Marian and Larry’s growing connection; Ada’s unexpected inheritance | How do you rebuild and move forward after a turning point? |
| 11. Resurrection | The Russells’ acceptance; Marian’s renewed hope | How have your trials transformed you as a leader and storyteller? |
| 12. Return with the Elixir | Marian and Larry’s romantic spark; Ada and Agnes’ changed relationship | What legacy or lesson do you bring back to your community or team? |
Conclusion: Write Your Own Legend
The Gilded Age is more than a costume drama—it’s a blueprint for transformation. In a world obsessed with status and legacy, Marian and the Russells show us that courage, creativity, and authenticity are the keys to writing your own story. As creative leaders, the choice is yours: adapt, create, and inspire—or let the world decide your fate.
Questions to Take Away After Watching The Gilded Age (and 1923)
- Where in your life are you being called to adventure, but resisting the call?
- Who are your mentors, allies, and adversaries as you pursue your goals?
- What setbacks or rejections have shaped your journey—and what did you learn?
- How do you define your legacy in a world that values tradition and innovation?
- What story do you want to leave behind for those who follow?
Story Coaching Offer: Create Your Hero’s Journey with Peter de Kuster
Are you ready to step into your next chapter, like Marian or Bertha? My story coaching is for:
- Creative professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders seeking clarity, purpose, and authentic impact
- Anyone at a crossroads, ready to turn hardship into growth and meaning
- Individuals inspired by stories and ready to become the author of their own life
Benefits of Story Coaching
- Discover your personal myth and core archetypes
- Reframe limiting beliefs and turn adversity into opportunity
- Gain clarity on your mission, legacy, and next creative chapter
- Develop practical strategies for authentic, impactful leadership
- Strengthen your storytelling skills to inspire and unite your team
Special Price for Readers
- Full Story Coaching Session (2 hours): €195 (excl. VAT)
- Express Session (1 hour): €120 (excl. VAT)
Contact: peter@wearesomeone.nl
You are the hero, the storyteller, and the legend in the making. The next chapter is yours to write.
The Power of Your Story 