CuppaTV

Can organisations increase productivity without sacrificing the wellbeing of their people? As AI rapidly transforms the workplace, leaders are under increasing pressure to deliver more with fewer resources. At the same time, employee engagement remains low, burnout continues to rise, and many organisations are questioning whether traditional approaches to productivity are still fit for purpose. In...

In this thought-provoking episode of Pick My Brain, we sit down with workplace relations expert Kate Russell to explore the reality behind so-called “difficult” people at work and why, more often than not, we’re actually dealing with people in difficulty. Together, we unpack the complex dynamics behind challenging workplace relationships and conversations, moving beyond policies, processes, and qu...

Burnout isn't always about working too hard. Sometimes it's your body telling you that deeper systems have been under pressure for far too long. In this episode of Pick My Brain, Daniel Murray sits down with Chris and Philippa, founders of Chris & Filly Functional Medicine, to explore why so many high performers reach a point where rest no longer restores them. Together they unpack the concept of...

Burnout isn't just about working too hard anymore. In this powerful conversation, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Dr Delia McCabe explains why today's burnout epidemic is far bigger than workplace stress. From information overload and constant connectivity to decision fatigue and loss of meaning, our brains are carrying more than they were ever designed to handle. Drawing on more than 20...

In a world where stress, worry, and burnout are rising, how can we learn to create genuine happiness not just fleeting moments of joy, but a sustainable way of living and working? In this inspiring conversation, Declan Edwards joins Cuppa.tv to explore why happiness is both a science and a skillset, and why it has never been more important for individuals, teams, and communities to actively practi...

What if improving your energy, sleep, focus and long-term health wasn't about working harder, but understanding your body better? In this episode of Pick My Brain, Cookie sits down with nutritionist, wellbeing coach and author of Biohack Me, Camilla Thompson. https://cuppa.pickmybrain.world/profiles/camilla-thompson Drawing on years of experience working with leaders from organisations including C...

How do leading organisations create client experiences that people remember? In this special Lessons from Leaders LIVE in Melbourne, we explore what separates good service from truly exceptional client experiences. In today's competitive landscape, expertise is no longer enough. Clients expect seamless interactions, thoughtful environments, personalised service, and meaningful experiences at every...

What if joy isn’t the reward for great work, but the way great work happens? In this energising episode, we’re joined by Chloe Lim to explore the serious business of joy and why playful excellence may be one of the most underestimated forces in learning, leadership and life. Together, we challenge the long-held belief that play is a distraction, and instead reframe it as a powerful pathway to deep...

What happens when we stop seeing nature as something “out there” — and recognise it as something deeply connected to our everyday lives, health, cities, and future? The Biodiversity Council exists to help Australians better understand and respond to the growing biodiversity crisis. Bringing together some of the country’s leading scientists and experts, the Council translates complex environmental...

In this episode of Cuppa.tv, we sit down with lifelong creative Adam Axford to explore what it truly means to reclaim and sustain creativity in a world that often pulls us away from it. With over 25 years of experience spanning multiple business and creative ventures (including a memorable mobile milkshake business), Adam brings a refreshing, real-world perspective to the challenges of maintaining...

What if we treated menopause not as a taboo topic, but as a vital leadership and workplace wellbeing conversation? Karen Stein (https://cuppa.pickmybrain.world/profiles/karen-stein), brings over 30 years’ experience in professional services – including 24 as a partner at Deloitte – to help us unpack why menopause matters at work. Karen shares her own lived experience of perimenopause while holding...

In this episode of Cuppa, we sit down with Lee Foster to cut through one of the biggest challenges facing leaders today: the noise, hype, and overwhelm surrounding AI. As organisations grapple with the rapid acceleration of AI, many are left stuck in analysis paralysis, unsure where to start or how to translate potential into real impact. Lee brings a refreshing, grounded perspective, blending hig...

The strongest connections usually start with honesty. Hawanatu Bangura shares why opening up about our experiences helps people feel seen, understood and less alone. #Shorts #Storytelling #HumanConnection Your story has value, even the parts you have overlooked You do not need a perfect story to begin sharing Creating safe spaces can unlock powerful, authentic conversations *Follow **Cuppa.tv* (ht...

In this powerful episode of Cuppa.tv, we sit down with Hawanatu Bangura to explore the transformative power of storytelling as a pathway to healing, identity, and human connection. In a world that is more connected than ever, yet often feels deeply isolating, Hawanatu shares why so many people have lost touch with their own voice. Drawing on her unique perspective as a filmmaker and social worker...

Why Climate Action Fails Without Understanding Human Psychology What if the greatest barrier to climate action isn’t technology or policy but the human mind? In this thought-provoking episode of Pick My Brain, we speak with clinical psychologist Emily Toner about the hidden psychological forces shaping our response to the climate crisis. While innovation in renewable energy and policy reform are c...

The world of work is shifting—fast. And Gallup’s latest State of the Global Workplace report reveals a confronting reality: only 1 in 5 employees are engaged at work At the same time, stress is rising, wellbeing is under pressure, and even high-performing regions like Australia and New Zealand are starting to see engagement slip and confidence decline. But within the data lies a powerful opportuni...

In this episode of Pick My Brain, we sit down with Luke Evans to explore what it really takes to build resilient cultures that hold under pressure. Many organisations invest heavily in values, engagement programs, and wellbeing initiatives. Yet when pressure rises, deadlines tighten, or uncertainty hits, behaviours shift and culture can quickly fracture. So why does this happen, and what can leade...

Loneliness Is a Societal Problem — Not a Personal Failure We are more connected than ever, yet more people than ever feel unseen. Loneliness is rising across generations — not because people are failing, but because something in how we live, work and relate has shifted. Too often, loneliness is treated as something personal to fix quietly. At Cuppa, we believe it’s something we face together. This...

In this episode of Pick My Brain, we sit down with Tom Cronin to explore the powerful connection between mental health and peak performance, and why so many capable people are operating under unnecessary stress and unrealised potential. Across workplaces and homes, stress has become normalised. Yet constant pressure, reactive stress responses and mental overload are quietly eroding wellbeing, clar...

What happens after the violence ends? In this raw and powerful episode of Pick My Brain, we sit down with Amanda Thompson (https://cuppa.pickmybrain.world/profiles/amanda-thompson)—financial advisor, author, triathlete, and survivor—as she opens up about the year that changed everything. Amanda shares her story with a level of honesty and strength that will move you. From a life built on resilienc...

How Great Leaders Give Hard Feedback (Without Breaking Trust) Hard feedback doesn’t have to damage trust; in fact, when done well, it can strengthen it. In this episode of Cuppa.tv, we sit down with Daniel Murray to explore the art of Giving Hard Feedback with Empathy. Together, we unpack one of the most common leadership challenges today: avoidant managers who hold back on honest conversations fo...

In this episode of Cuppa.tv, we sit down with Maria Doyle to explore a powerful idea that challenges traditional workplace learning and leadership thinking: Everyone’s a teacher. Whether you are a leader, manager, specialist, mentor, parent, coach, or teammate, if part of your role involves sharing knowledge, this conversation is for you. Together, we unpack why so much learning fails to land, fro...

Stop Staying Small: The Inner Work Behind Bold Leadership In this powerful episode of Cuppa.tv, we sit down with Petra Williams to explore what it really means to be more real with ourselves and with each other, and why honest conversations are often the gateway to a more fulfilling life and leadership journey. So many people stay silent to avoid discomfort, telling themselves they are choosing pe...

What if the answers to our modern mental health crisis have been with us all along? In this episode, wellbeing advocate and founder of Hauora Aotearoa, Jase Te Patu, shares how Indigenous Māori knowledge is transforming the way thousands of young people approach mental health and wellbeing across Aotearoa (New Zealand). Drawing on over 30 years of experience in the wellbeing space, Jase explains w...

Neuroinclusive Leadership: The Competitive Advantage In this powerful Cuppa.tv conversation, we sit down with Aisling Smith to explore what neuroinclusion really looks like when it moves beyond awareness and into action. Together, we unpack how workplaces can unlock neurodivergent brilliance without asking people to mask, overextend, or burn out. Aisling reframes neurodiversity as far more than a...