Change Happens

For many leaders today, the future feels louder, faster and less predictable than ever. In this episode, global foresight strategist Joanna Lepore unpacks what strategic foresight actually is and why it matters now. Jo works with organisations around the world to build adaptability into strategy, helping leaders expand their time horizons, challenge assumptions and prepare for multiple possible fu...

Today, we’re unpacking why leadership feels so much harder right now, and what it takes to navigate a world defined by constant change. Futurist Dominic Price explores the pressures facing modern leaders, the shift from efficiency to effectiveness, and why upgrading our human operating systems matters more than adopting the latest tools. Dom breaks down the rising disconnect between leaders and te...

Today, we’re diving into what the next generation of talent actually wants from work - and what employers can do about it. Adam Jacobs, Co-founder and CEO of Hatch, returns to Change Happens to unpack fresh insights from Hatch’s latest Hotlist research: why ’security‘ is the headline for 2025, how Gen Z views AI as an accelerant (not a threat), and the practical shifts organisations can make to at...

Generative AI has sparked excitement, fear, and a whole lot of uncertainty.  Are we on the cusp of a new industrial revolution - or stuck in a national holding pattern? In this episode of Change Happens , Jenelle sits down with two of Microsoft Australia’s top AI leaders: Sarah Carney, National Chief Technology Officer, and Tim Allen, National Skills Director. Together, they explore the reality be...

Today, we’re stepping into one of the most urgent conversations in tech right now: bias in artificial intelligence. Tracey Spicer AM is a Walkley Award-winning journalist, author, and longtime activist for gender equity. In this episode, she unpacks the unseen biases coded into the technologies we use every day—and what happens when we leave them unchecked. Drawing on years of research for her lat...

If you haven't already, be sure to go back and listen to Part 1 of this episode with renowned social demographer Bernard Salt, where he lays the groundwork for understanding the dynamics at play in our society.  From the housing market to the care economy and labour force participation, Bernard explores the challenges and opportunities ahead, advocating for the smart integration of technology and...

Welcome to Season Six of Change Happens.  This season, we're going to explore the forces shaping the future of work. From emerging trends to technological developments, we'll uncover what's changing and how we're adapting.  Bernard Salt AM is a leading demographer and futurist who has spent decades analysing the forces shaping society. In this episode, he unpacks the profound demographic and socie...

A quarter of the way into this century, it’s the perfect time to step back, reflect, and consider what has changed—and what’s about to—across workplaces, industries, and our lives.   This season, Jenelle McMaster—Deputy CEO and People & Culture Leader at EY—explores the forces shaping the future of work. From emerging trends to technological advancements, we’ll uncover what’s changing, how we’re a...

"The moment of discovery, that sense of awe and wonderment, is something I wish every scientist could experience." In this captivating episode, Professor Andrew Wilks takes us on a journey from the council estates of Liverpool to the forefront of molecular cancer biology. A scientist-turned-entrepreneur, Andrew’s career spans the discovery of JAK proteins, founding 12 biotech companies, and achiev...

"Light gives safety, light gives hope, and I can see why children see the magic in it." Alice Min Soo Chun is a humanitarian entrepreneur whose journey began with a simple yet profound idea: light can change lives. From creating origami-inspired solar lights to distributing them in disaster-stricken areas and war zones, Alice’s work has impacted vulnerable communities worldwide. Her innovations we...

"The music industry was the canary in the coal mine for digital disruption. What happened to us is now happening to every other industry." Dan Rosen’s career has been a balancing act between law, music, and leadership. He started out living a "double life" as a lawyer by day and a musician by night. This unique combination of skills eventually led him to the top of the music industry, first as CEO...

“We’ve all got a role to play, it's incrementally happening every single day, it’s being normalised. We have to draw the line and say, enough.” Sometimes, professional experience in one field leads to using those skills to make a difference. This has been the case for Robert Pradolin, who has taken his more than 40 years of experience in the property industry and is using it to galvanise corporate...

“You think ‘Oh, I worked so hard for something I thought was going to change everything and it didn’t” Even Olympic gold loses its shine. What happens when everything you set out to achieve ends up feeling like a fleeting moment? Leisel Jones is an Australian icon and regarded as one of the world's greatest ever female swimmers. Now a published author, media personality, and celebrated radio host,...

On today’s episode we explore what happens when change doesn’t happen. Professor Dr Megan Davis is a professor of constitutional law known for her work in creating the Uluru Statement from the Heart and advocating for the 2023 Voice referendum.  As an international human rights lawyer, Scientia Professor, and academic, Megan discusses the lessons she learned about engaging with the heart, and not...

“It was the most horrendous thing that's ever happened, it was really challenging, and unfortunately made me distrustful of people, which is just not my normal stance” Not many people can say they have built something out of nothing and have stayed true to their vision and purpose.  Simon Crowe, the Founder and Managing Director of Grill’d, is on a mission to liberate burgers from badness and pion...

"What's the legacy we want to leave our kids? I don't want my kids to grow up in a world where women are abused and racism is just part of the DNA, absolutely not required, shouldn't be here, so how do we change it?" When it comes to the achievement of gender equality and the fight for human rights, the path to success requires big changes to happen. With International Women’s Day this month, CEO...

“I have no idea why I was the person that chose to fix the problem of surplus food. But I was. And that is the blessing that I have received, and the gift that I have received.” Ronni Kahn AO, is a vibrant force of energy, exuding a warm honesty accompanied by her infectious and unavoidable smile. In this episode, Ronni shares with Jenelle McMaster her unique and captivating story about making cha...

"24 hours of madness ensued, and at the end of that I found myself standing in the premier’s office and saying “my goodness, how did this happen” Mike Baird AO, former Premier of NSW and now CEO of HammondCare and Chair of Cricket Australia, shares insights into his personal journey and key moments of change with host Jenelle McMaster. This is an open, honest account of life as the Premier of NSW...

Despite many obstacles in his path, Craig Tiley , CEO of Tennis Australia, successfully lead his team to run two Australian Opens during the pandemic. In this episode of Change Happens with host Jenelle McMaster, Craig explains how it was an “opportunity to show people what is possible". Host: Jenelle McMaster Deputy CEO Oceania and Markets Leader at EY. Guest: Craig Tiley , CEO of Tennis Australi...

Dr Jemma Green has helped create one of the biggest innovation transformations to the energy market in years... “And lots of people would say, well, you can't do the Uberfication of electricity because it's different. And for me, it was like, well, it's not like you can't, but it takes something more. And maybe we're really naive in anticipating actually what it would take, but it actually can hap...

“I think I, as a leader, learned a lot about diversity and inclusion. And it's not enough as leaders to just say, I want diversity and hope it's going to follow unwittingly. And I think it's just, again, because of who I am, it was incredibly inclusive, so I had no barriers to entry. I celebrated every single woman equally. And as a result, that visible difference meant that more and more women sa...

“Can I do it? There was a massive amount of self-doubt when I took the job about a month later. The coach, Rafa Benitez, left … and took 18 staff with him. The whole department was gutted. There was me and an assistant coach to take the superstars through a training session … I was pitch side for Australia versus Serbia on Wednesday, arrived on Friday and started interviewing people on Saturday an...

POWERFUL LESSONS IN CHANGE – BITE-SIZED.  “…somewhere along the way people said don't take your real self to work..... The future for leadership is actually being way more authentic and bringing your real self to work.” In this Power Bite mini-episode of the Change Happens Podcast, host Jenelle McMaster and JK delve into a combined conversation that will have you hooked at the first question as th...

POWERFUL LESSONS IN CHANGE – BITE-SIZED.   “My 5ft tall grandmother Dorothy had inserted herself between Goliath and this poor girl on the checkout and said how dare you talk to that young woman like that, you apologise....... I said grandma that was so brave, and she said honey if you walk past it you tell the world it's OK." Holly Ransom is a globally renowned content curator, powerful speaker a...

POWERFUL LESSONS IN CHANGE – BITE-SIZED.  "I’m feeling pressure that I have to be okay ’cause I’m the “resilience guy” so if I’m not okay does that mean, you know, that I’m just a fraud?" In this Power Bite mini episode of the Change Happens podcast, host Jenelle McMaster is joined by Founding Director and Facilitator of the Resilience Project, Hugh van Cuylenburg , who shares his insights on bein...