The Balanced Leader Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast , I sit down with Chelsea Pottenger, an internationally recognised speaker and expert on resilience, mindfulness, and mental fitness. Chelsea shares her powerful personal journey and the lessons she’s learned from helping leaders and organisations build a culture of wellbeing without compromising on results. We explore how leaders can...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast , I share a simple but powerful phrase that came home with my son one afternoon: “If you’re sinking, change your thinking.” At first, I thought it was just a helpful tool for him — but it quickly became something my wife and son were reminding me of when I slipped into negative thinking. And honestly, they were right. This saying migh...

Send us Fan Mail What if I told you that 97.5% of what drives your stress, overwhelm, and leadership challenges is completely unconscious? In this eye-opening conversation with Andrew Rooke, we explore how the most successful leaders aren't just managing stress—they're eliminating it at the source by mastering their inner world. Andrew's journey from burnt-out executive to transform...

Send us Fan Mail Do you find yourself trapped in analysis paralysis, spending hours or even days on decisions that should take minutes? In this episode, I share my personal struggle with being a "maximizer"—someone who needs to make the perfect decision every time. Using psychologist Barry Schwartz's research, I break down the difference between maximizers (who exhaust themselves se...

Send us Fan Mail What if I told you that the changes you're experiencing as a leader in your 40s and 50s aren't signs of decline, but the emergence of extraordinary leadership superpowers? In this eye-opening conversation with executive coach Aneace Haddad, I explore the fascinating science behind midlife leadership transformation. Aneace, who exclusively coaches leaders over 40, reveals...

Send us Fan Mail Every day feels like another AI breakthrough announcement, and as leaders, we're caught between excitement and terror about what this means for our work. I've been experimenting with AI tools for years, and I'm convinced that leaders who don't start dabbling now risk getting left behind. But here's the thing: AI isn't about replacing your leadership,...

Send us Fan Mail In this thought-provoking episode, I explore one of life's most powerful metaphors: what happens when we realise the ladder we've been climbing is leaning against the wrong wall? Many of us work tirelessly toward goals we set years ago, only to discover that our values and desires have shifted along the way. Drawing from Stephen Covey's wisdom, I dig into why achiev...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode, I sit down with Alfred Chidembo to explore the transformative power of Ubuntu—an ancient African philosophy that emphasizes our interconnectedness and collective humanity. Alfred shares his extraordinary journey from a small Zimbabwean village to becoming a thought leader on compassionate leadership in Australia. His powerful insights on leading with empath...

Send us Fan Mail Employee engagement is declining—and in this solo episode, I’m sharing why a regular, human check-in could be the most underrated leadership tool you’re not using. I’ll walk you through how a 30-minute chat over coffee can make all the difference, how I track my team’s wellbeing with a simple 1 to 10 scale, and why noticing the trend is more important than any one-off answer. If y...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jodie Lowinger, a clinical psychologist and anxiety mindset expert who shows us how anxiety can actually be our superpower. Dr. Jodie shares her four-step Mind Strength Method to help leaders curb anxiety, conquer worry, and build resilience. We explore what anxiety really is, how it impacts leadership, and practi...

Send us Fan Mail Every interaction you have as a leader creates waves that extend far beyond what you can see. In this episode, I explore the science behind emotional contagion and mirror neurons, revealing how your mood as a leader directly impacts team performance and wellbeing. Discover why checking your emotional state before entering the workplace is a non-negotiable leadership skill. Through...

Send us Fan Mail In a world where busyness is worn like a badge of honour, leadership expert Brendon Le Lievre is challenging the status quo. As an executive coach and advocate for unbusy leadership, Brendon shares powerful insights on how leaders can move beyond the frantic, always-on culture and instead focus on impact, effectiveness, and wellbeing. In this conversation, we explore why so many l...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I explore the power of letting go and shifting focus from controlling others to managing our own responses. We introduce the Let Them Theory, popularised by Mel Robins, which helps leaders reduce stress, navigate challenges, and create more balance in their lives. By embracing this approach, leaders can build resilience, improve rela...

Send us Fan Mail In this final episode of 2024, I explore why taking proper holidays isn't just a luxury—it's a biological necessity. Drawing from leading research, including the Framingham Heart Study and findings from Ernst & Young, I reveal how extended breaks significantly impact our health, wellbeing and professional performance, with evidence showing that even small increases i...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, we dive deep into the journey from burnout to brilliance with leadership expert Trudy MacDonald. Trudy shares fascinating insights about why 38% of Australian workers are experiencing burnout. Drawing from her own experience of burnout as a CEO, and her extensive work with organisations, Trudy reveals practical strategies for...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore how setting clear intentions can transform your leadership journey and daily life. Building on insights from Dr Adam Fraser about The Third Space, we examine how different segments of your day require unique energy and presence. You'll discover how this practice can help you transition more effectively between your various roles - whether as a lead...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, we're diving into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of wellbeing - our financial health. I'm joined by financial coach Sloan Wilkins, who shares powerful insights into how financial stress impacts both our personal lives and workplace performance.  We explore why nearly 3 million Australian employees are experiencing financial stress, and how...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, we explore the transformative power of awe and its profound impact on leadership and personal wellbeing. Awe, that feeling of wonder and reverence experienced when encountering something vast or beyond our understanding, isn't limited to grand natural spectacles or cosmic revelations. We discuss how awe can be found...

Send us Fan Mail In this weeks episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast I sat down with Dr Adam Fraser. Adam is a peak performance researcher, author and keynote speaker. We talked about his research and why he takes on the projects he does, we talked about his book The Third Space and strategies for increasing wellbeing, and he gave some amazing practical advice on how you can shut down your inner...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I explore the pervasive challenge of uncertainty and its impact on our lives and leadership. I share my personal experiences with anxiety stemming from uncertainty and discuss an intriguing study that reveals how uncertainty can be more stressful than a guaranteed negative outcome. To help listeners understand their own coping mechan...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of The Balanced Leader podcast, I sat down with Lachlan Rowston, co-owner of the Lockeroom Gym, a podcast host and a personal trainer. This episode is all about how leaders can integrate regular exercise and healthy habits into their busy lifestyle. We covered a lot of ground including the benefits of fitness for leaders in high-pressure roles, strategies for ma...

Send us Fan Mail Are you stuck in a job that feels like a daily grind? You're not alone. In this weeks episode of The Balanced Leader Podcast, I dive into the fascinating Japanese concept of Ikigai - your reason for being. I'll show you how this powerful idea can revolutionise your approach to work and life, potentially transforming your career from a source of stress to a path of genuin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Balanced Leader podcast, I got the chance to interview my colleague Dr. Tom Hammond, a clinical and sports psychologist with extensive experience in organisational wellbeing. Tom shares insights from his journey, which began with working with Olympic athletes and transitioned into consulting for organisations on performance and wellbeing strategies. Througho...

Send us Fan Mail In part two of this two-part special episode of the Balanced Leader podcast, I introduce the Gibbs Cycle as a formal tool which can help listeners go deeper in their reflective practice. I explain how the model can enhance reflective practice by offering a structured approach to analysing experiences. Through six detailed stages—Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclus...

Send us Fan Mail In this first part in a two part series of The Balance Leader Podcast, I introduce you to reflective practice, a powerful tool I've used for years in leadership development and in my personal life. I explain how reflective practice involves looking back on experiences to learn and improve. I discuss the many benefits of this approach, including better decision-making, enhance...