Thriving Leaders Podcast

The pace of change isn't slowing down. AI continues to evolve, climate challenges are becoming more visible, organisations are under pressure to adapt, and many leaders are wondering how to make sense of it all. The question isn't whether things will change. It's whether we're willing to change with them. In this episode, I'm joined by Caroline Stokes, global leadership strategist, executive coach...

What if the answers to some of your biggest leadership challenges are already sitting inside your team, but nobody is saying them out loud? In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Wetzler, founder of Ask Approach, co-founder of Transcend, former Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America, and author of Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs in Leadership a...

The way we think becomes the way we lead. Our habits, emotions, assumptions, and internal stories shape how we show up every day, often without us even realising it. In this episode, Sue Langley explores the science behind human flourishing and why understanding ourselves may be one of the most important leadership capabilities of all. I’m joined by Sue Langley, one of Australia’s leading experts...

If you've been feeling stretched, reactive, or like you're constantly doing more without actually moving the needle, this episode is for you. I'm joined by Jennifer Garvey Berger, CEO and co-founder of Cultivating Leadership, Harvard-educated developmental psychologist, and one of the world's leading thinkers on adult development, complexity, and leadership. Jennifer is the author of four widely a...

Most of us know the feeling. There's someone at the table we don't agree with, don't particularly like, or don't quite trust, and the situation isn't going away. Whether it's a difficult peer, a misaligned executive, a stakeholder relationship that's gone a bit stale, or a cross-functional partnership that feels like it's going nowhere, the instinct is often the same: work around it, avoid it, or...

What if your team is using the same words, but imagining completely different futures? This conversation is a powerful reminder that alignment is not about sameness, it is about helping people see clearly, think together, and move forward with intention. In this episode, I’m joined by Rebecca Sutherns, trusted advisor, bestselling author, master facilitator, certified coach, and someone I deeply a...

So many leaders are not short of ideas. What they are short of is space, confidence, and permission to bring those ideas to life. In fast-moving workplaces, creativity can feel like something we will get to later, but as Paul Fairweather reminds us in this conversation, later rarely comes. In this episode, I’m joined by Paul Fairweather, creative leadership speaker, workplace culture facilitator,...

Many leaders know collaboration matters, but far fewer have figured out how to make it work across silos, competing priorities, and complex stakeholder relationships. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Heidi Gardner, Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School, former Harvard Business School professor, Thinkers50 ranked thought leader, and co-author of Smart Collaboration and Smarter Collaboration....

Many leaders are working hard to build cultures of trust, connection, and performance, yet people still leave work feeling unseen, overlooked, or undervalued. In this conversation, I sat down with Zach Mercurio, researcher, speaker, leadership development facilitator, and author of  The Power of Mattering  and  The Invisible Leader , to explore why the need to matter is so fundamental to how we ex...

There is a lot of noise right now about artificial intelligence. Excitement. Fear. Big predictions about job losses. Quiet uncertainty in leadership teams.  If you’re wondering what AI actually means for your team, your culture, and your role as a leader, this episode is essential listening.  I’m joined by Dawid Naude, Founder and CEO of Pathfinder, Australia’s leading AI accelerator and an offici...

In a world where remote work and high-performance teams are no longer optional, how do leaders build trust, accountability and culture without control? I’m joined by Ryan Griffin, Managing Director of Chunky Duck (remote‑first digital agency), where empowerment, transparency and asynchronous communication aren’t just buzzwords, they are the backbone of a thriving team built for growth and adaptabi...

What if your leadership message could be clear, memorable, and deeply human—all in under 60 seconds?  In this episode, we’re joined by Erin O’Dwyer, award-winning journalist, narrative strategist, and founder of Good Prose Studio. With a career spanning major mastheads like The Guardian, Vogue, and Australian Geographic, Erin now works with leaders, founders and authors to shape stories that influ...

Ever feel like the pace of leadership is pulling you in a hundred directions, leaving no space to reflect or recharge? You're not alone. In this episode, I explore what it truly means to lead with presence, impact, and a sustainable rhythm that fuels both your purpose and your wellbeing—with the thoughtful and wise Digby Scott. Digby is a leadership coach, speaker, author, and host of the Dig...

Some people walk into a room and instantly connect. Others? They lose the room without even realising it. What makes the difference isn’t just charisma—it’s storytelling. In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Gabrielle Dolan, a global authority on strategic storytelling who’s helped leaders at Amazon, Salesforce, and the Obama Foundation communicate with impact. Gabrielle’s work centers...

What happens when you combine clinical depth, corporate wisdom, and a passion for thriving teams?  In this powerful conversation, we explore the idea of relational intelligence and why it’s emerging as the next evolution beyond emotional intelligence. From psychological safety and the hidden signs of burnout to the real human impact of AI on our teams, Mark shares a refreshing take on what leaders...

In this episode, we unpack how to make numbers meaningful, how to avoid the common traps and biases leaders fall into, and why shifting from data-driven to data-informed leadership changes everything.  Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or someone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by dashboards and KPIs, this conversation will help you see data through a whole new lens.  In this episode, we cover: ...

I first met Megumi Miki back in 2009, and even then, I could feel the quiet power she carried into every room. Megumi is a Japanese-Australian speaker, author, and leadership consultant whose work has deeply influenced how I think about leadership. She’s the author of the award-winning book Quietly Powerful: How Your Quiet Nature Is Your Hidden Leadership Strength , and she’s on a mission to chall...

Michelle McQuaid is one of the most trusted voices in workplace wellbeing today. An award-winning researcher, LinkedIn Top Voice for Mental Health, and honorary fellow at Melbourne University’s Centre for Wellbeing Science, Michelle has authored nine bestselling books and hosted over 250 podcast interviews. In this episode, Michelle brings her signature blend of science, zest, and practicality to...

This conversation was a powerful reminder of how leadership grounded in service can transform teams, uplift culture, and create safer, more human workplaces. Mon generously shared not only practical tools and strategies—but also personal stories of grief, resilience, and what it means to keep showing up when life gets hard. Whether you lead a frontline or an executive team, there’s something in th...

What happens when a team is deeply engaged—but underperforming?  In this episode, I sit down with Greg Pickering, Senior Manager at the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), to explore what it really takes to lead complex, emotionally demanding teams toward high performance—without losing sight of trust, fairness, or being human.  Greg brings a rich blend of leadership experience, pers...

What does it take to build a law firm that challenges the traditional model—and thrives?  In this episode, I sit down with the leaders from Hive Legal, a values-led firm that has reimagined what it means to work in legal services. From purpose-driven strategy to radical flexibility, this conversation explores how a commitment to trust, innovation, and team alignment has shaped their success.  We d...

In this episode, I speak with Justin Williams, a leader with deep expertise in AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), digital transformation, and the human impact of innovation. Justin approaches the AI conversation not from a place of hype, but from one of grounded insight, clear values, and a commitment to learning.  Together, we explore how AI is reshaping leadership, team dynamics, and the very...

What does it take to lead an Olympic-level team? Not on the field—but behind the scenes? In this episode, I’m joined by Matt Carroll AM, one of Australia’s most accomplished sports administrators. As the former CEO of the Australian Olympic Committee from 2017 to 2025, Matt led teams through some of the most complex Olympic cycles in history—including the Tokyo Games during the pandemic, the Paris...

Jeremy Summers is the CEO of Insync, a consultancy known for its data-driven approach to culture, engagement, and leadership. With a rich background in financial services and operational excellence, Jeremy brings both strategic acumen and grounded leadership to the table.   In this conversation, Jeremy and I explore how they have built a people-first, high performing organisation. We discuss what...

Grant Gemmell is the Managing Director at Facet5 Global, and someone I’ve had the privilege of working alongside for over 15 years. His deep expertise in personality science—and his commitment to unlocking human potential—has shaped how I think about team dynamics, psychological safety, and the value of quality conversations at work.  In this conversation, we go deep into what it takes to build tr...