Let's Talk About EX

In this episode of Let's Talk About EX, Melitta MacDonald, Chief People Officer at Country Chef Bakery Co, shares her journey of transforming the company's culture and drastically reducing employee turnover from 56% to single digits. She discusses the challenges faced during a major merger, the importance of leadership buy-in, and the strategies implemented to create a strong employer bran...

In this episode of Let’s Talk About EX , we sit down with Matt McFarlane—founder of Comp Strategy and brains behind the Startup People Summit—to talk all things compensation. We unpack: Why startups get compensation wrong (and what it costs them) The rise of pay transparency—and how to prepare for it What ‘getting it right’ really means (hint: it’s not just about numbers) Why early-stage people le...

About the episode: Nora Koslowski is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of EVEN, a digital career development platform designed to shift the stats and support more women into leadership. In this episode, she shares the founder story behind EVEN (which started over a cocktail), her firsthand experience of workplace discrimination, and the structural challenges that still hold women back at work. We also div...

On this episode (in recognition of Men’s Health Week) we’re joined by Rae Bonney OAM — mental health specialist, men’s health advocate, counsellor, and all-round force for good. From workplaces to policy tables, Rae’s work challenges how we think about masculinity, mental health, and the stories we tell ourselves about what men “should” be. In this episode: Why “men don’t talk” is a myth The heart...

Show Notes Host: Ryan McGrory Guest: Alexia Elmers, Talent Acquisition Specialist Episode Highlights: EVPs and Employer Branding: Alexia discusses the importance of crafting authentic employer brand narratives that resonate deeply with potential hires. Diversity and Inclusion: Insights on fostering inclusive workplaces that celebrate diversity of thought and contribute to team success. Candidate E...

Episode Title: Elevating Human Experiences at Work Guest: Alana Bennett Founder, Connected Experience Expert in Employee Experience Design and Fractional CPO Services In this Episode: About Alana Bennett: Introduction to Alana's journey from leading employee experience before it became a recognised field, to founding Connected Experience. The Birth of Connected Experience: How the pandemic inf...

Show Notes: Episode Title: Leading with Integrity: Fay Calderone’s Blueprint for a Respectful Workplace Guest: Fay Calderone, Employment Lawyer and Author Overview: In this episode, Ryan McGrory sits down with Fay Calderone to discuss her impactful work in employment law and her recent book, "Broken to Safe." Fay shares her insights on how leaders can create safer, more inclusive workpla...

Introduction to Luke Jamieson: Meet Luke, a self-proclaimed ‘well-behaved larrikin’ and a visionary in employee and customer engagement. The Story Behind the Bio: Luke discusses his humorous yet insightful take on professional bios and how it reflects his approach to work. Unconventional Career Paths: From his beginnings as a pastry chef to becoming a CX and EX leader, Luke shares how diverse expe...

Allan Sparkes on Transforming Adversity into Advocacy Join us in this powerful episode of "Let's Talk About EX," where we sit down with Allan Sparkes, CV, OAM, a name synonymous with bravery and resilience. Allan is not only a celebrated hero but also a staunch advocate for mental health. His life's work, transitioning from a decorated police veteran to a mental health advocate, offers invaluable...

Episode Overview: Join host Ryan McGrory as he explores the fascinating world of neurodiversity in leadership with Mariane Power, a clinical psychologist and executive coach who specializes in neuro-affirming solutions for neurodivergent leaders. Discover the unique challenges and strengths that neurodivergent individuals bring to leadership roles and how inclusive practices can benefit everyone i...

In this episode of "Let's Talk About EX," Ryan McGrory sits down with Dr. Kathryn Page, an acclaimed expert in leadership, workplace wellbeing, and organisational development. Dr. Page delves into the critical intersections of leadership and organisational culture, providing invaluable insights into enhancing employee engagement and resilience. What You'll Learn: How strategic le...

In this episode of Let's Talk About EX , host Ryan McGrory is joined by Jenna Mikus, a strategic advisor who blends wellbeing science with architectural insights to promote environmental health and eudaemonic well-being. Jenna shares her innovative approach to creating spaces that not only meet the functional needs but also enhance the well-being of individuals through her concept of 'Euda...

In this episode of "Let's Talk About EX," join your host Ryan McGrory as he dives into an engaging conversation with Kelly Stone , a celebrated writer, trainer, and coach renowned for her innovative approaches to employer branding. Kelly shares her insights on how businesses can revolutionize their employer brand by empowering their team to be authentic brand ambassadors. From deploy...

What are key issues impacting employee’s wellbeing, and how do we support them?  We tackled this and more in the latest episode of Let’s Talk About EX where we were joined by Dr Natalie Flatt, a psychologist, researcher and business owner with a knack for innovation - especially in the workplace wellbeing and mental health area! We had an awesome conversation as Natalie shared her insights and exp...

If you don’t define your culture, then how can you describe it to others? How do you drive it? How do you grow it? How do you measure it?  We covered this in the latest episode of Let’s Talk About EX where we were joined by Mary Lemonis , the Chief People and Sustainability Officer at REA group .  REA Group are a collection of 16 brands, with 3000 employees operating across three continents. Wheth...

Millions of Australians are working parents. In fact, 67% of families in Australia have two working parents! It’s amazing that with so many people experiencing what it’s like to work as a parent that our workplaces, the employee experience and even society doesn’t really feel like it’s designed for smooth sailing for parents.  On this episode of Let’s Talk About EX, we’re joined by Nadine O’Regan...

In this episode of Let's Talk About EX, we’re joined by  Claudia Barriga-Larriviere - Senior Director, People and Culture at Sendle. She is seasoned professional in culture and strategy in corporate but also with an emphasis in the startup space. In our conversation, Claudia shared her unique insights on the importance of authentic startup cultures and their impact on well-being and success. T...

In this episode of Let's Talk About EX, we’re joined by Jonathan Clark the co-founder of The Eighth Mile Consulting , a company that specializes in helping organizations navigate complex challenges and achieve their goals. With over a decade of experience in the Australian Army, Jonathan brings a unique perspective on leadership and change management. In our conversation, we delve into his ins...

In this episode of "Let's Talk About EX," we sit down with Alisha Murdoch, the Head of People and Culture of Jetts Australia , to discuss what makes the company a great place to work. Jetts Australia is a fitness franchise that operates over 50 gyms throughout the country, and they've built a reputation for valuing their employees and creating a positive work environment. During...

On this episode, I caught up with Kyla Banks , Group Head of Employee Experience and Internal Communications at nib .  Kyla leads an extraordinary EX team and has done some incredible things at nib - supporting some revolutionary people initiatives to support wellbeing, performance and the overall employee experience. She has a background in marketing and PR, so it was good to get the chance...

On this episode, I caught up with Oscar Trimboli - author of how to listen, Deep Listening & Breakthroughs. As well as an author Oscar is also a professional speaker, an apple award winning podcast host and a successful mentor who works with clients to achieve growth within their organisation, for their team and with their leaders. He’s a true expert on the topic of listening - and I could lis...

On this episode, I caught up with Tim Fisher , Head of Academy at Tapi Carpets & Floors in the UK. Tim is one of the most passionate individuals I’ve met - particularly when it comes to Values, Leadership and having fun at work. He is a self-proclaimed 'learning geek' - and I can vouch for that having worked with Tim before. He’s also a leader with a lot of great experience, ideas and perspect...

On this episode, I catch up with Paul Woods , founder of Adopt & Embrace and General Manager at RapidCircle. We had a great chat about the recent history and current challenges that workplaces have around hybrid and remote work strategies. Paul was generous in sharing his experience, tips and thoughts on how to merge your tech and culture approach We also talked about his inspiration, his take...

On this episode I'm joined by Verity Bell, Vibe Manager at the innovative and exciting Dovetail . I’ve known Verity for a few years now - and can say that she is not only a fantastic person but is highly passionate and knowledgable on the topics of Employee Experience, engagement and culture. She’s built wellness programs, led global event strategies and designed excellent experiences in her previ...

I’m joined on this episode by Lucy Harrington founder and lead facilitator of The Wholistic Being, a business that specilaises in providing mental health, suicide prevention and wellbeing training as well as consultation services in this space. Lucy's experience spans over a decade of both personal and professional experience, enabling her to provide high-quality services for organisations big and...