Uncomfortable Growth® UNCUT

In this episode, Rowena interviews Chris Whitnall (Head of Marketing, ANZ), on his Uncomfortable Growth story. Chris shares several pivotal moments in his life that exemplify this concept. For instance, he moved to the UK with little experience and a dodgy visa, driven by a desire to explore new opportunities. Despite the initial hardships, this move ultimately shaped his career in profound ways....

In this episode, Rowena interviews Melissa Hopkins (Director, Golden Eagle Advisory), on her Uncomfortable Growth story. Mel opens up about her challenges with mental health, including a significant episode that led her to seek psychiatric care. Her honesty about the struggles she faced and the stigma surrounding mental illness is both refreshing and necessary. She emphasises that uncomfortable gr...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Pejman (PJ) Milani (Founder, Milani Creative), on his Uncomfortable Growth story. PJ’s story begins with a feeling of stagnation; despite his dedication to teaching and helping his students, he found himself grappling with self-doubt and a lack of creative output. It wasn't until he turned 41 that he realised he needed to take action. He began journaling and...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Leisa Bacon (Non Executive Board Member, AANA and Legs On The Wall), on her Uncomfortable Growth story. Leisa shares a story she’ll never forget—one that starts in the heart of Fish River Canyon in Africa, long before GPS or Google Maps. Imagine a group of friends, armed with nothing but dog-eared guidebooks, hiking through one of the most unforgiving landscapes...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Clive Burcham (Founder of Compadres), on his Uncomfortable Growth story. Clive's journey is a testament to the power of discomfort and the importance of balancing business success with personal well-being. His story begins with his impressive achievements in the business world. He has started and sold agency businesses to holding companies and played a pivota...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Jo Gaines, Head of APAC, ASANA, on her Uncomfortable Growth story. Jo's story begins with her professional challenges, including facing redundancy while working at a publisher. At the time, she was a single parent with a four-year-old and a newborn baby, trying to juggle the demands of her general manager role. The redundancy news came as a devastating blow, maki...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Dan Gregory (Author, Host and Social Commentor), on his Uncomfortable Growth story. Dan shares his life-changing journey of overcoming a severe health crisis that almost cost him his life, redefining his identity, and emerging 65kg lighter. His story isn't just about shedding physical weight; it's about the weight of identity, habits, and deeply ingrained beliefs...

In the latest episode of Uncomfortable Growth Uncut, we have the privilege of hearing from Sherilyn Shackell, the Founder of The Marketing Academy. Sherilyn’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and self-discovery, showcasing how a life-altering event can lead to profound change. Sherilyn’s story begins with a serious illness that struck when she was in her early 40s. As a successful...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Christie Meischke (Director of Talent Experience at Omnicom Media Group), on her Uncomfortable Growth story. Christie shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey of raising her son Will, who was born with dwarfism. From the initial shock and uncertainty to becoming a passionate advocate and educator, Christie’s story is one of resilience, strength, and growt...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Lisa Walker (co-founder of Eir Women), on her Uncomfortable Growth story. Lisa opens up about the impact of her husband's alcoholism, his death, and the challenges of raising her 2 sons alone. While Lisa talks openly about addiction and grief, she also shares how committing to a “year of yes" helped her rediscover her purpose and optimism. Listen now and...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Pia Coyle (Managing Director, PHD Sydney) on her Uncomfortable Growth story. Pia takes us through her uncomfortable growth journey of divorce, self-discovery, and the lessons learned along the way. From redefining her identity to embracing vulnerability in leadership, her experiences are a powerful reminder of the strength within us all, and our ability to reinve...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Tracy Hall (Keynote Speaker | Author 'The Last Victim') on her Uncomfortable Growth story. Tracy shares her harrowing and inspiring journey, detailing her experience of being deceived by one of Australia's most notorious conmen, who defrauded her of her life savings. Tune in to hear Tracy's story, a testament to her resilience, self-compassion and...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Philippa Moig (Google Media Lead for Australia and NZ), on her Uncomfortable Growth® story. Philippa opens up about the reality of uncomfortable growth—how it challenges us, reshapes us, and forces us to redefine success on our own terms. For years, Philippa thrived in a role she loved. But over time, that spark faded. She craved something new, something bigger....

In this episode, Rowena interviews Emma Jensen, VP of Small Business at Optus, on her Uncomfortable Growth story. Emma’s story begins with a pivotal moment—a separation from her husband that left her feeling like she had failed for the first time in her life. As a natural problem solver, Emma was used to finding solutions and controlling outcomes. However, this event was different; it was beyond h...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Joanne Painter (Group Managing Director and Co-Founder of Icon Agency), on her Uncomfortable Growth story. Joanne shares her experiences with impostor syndrome, the importance of mentorship, and the evolving landscape of female leadership. Tune in to hear her insights on balancing work and life, embracing emotional intelligence, and navigating the challenges of d...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Jess White (CEO, Kinesso, Mediabrands), on her Uncomfortable Growth story. Jess’s story is as heart wrenching as it is inspiring. She opens up about her childhood, marked by the responsibility of caring for a disabled sister and the loss of another. These early experiences instilled in her a fierce independence that was, in reality, a façade for crippling insecur...

In this episode, Rowena interviews Nat Harvey (CEO, Mamamia), on her Uncomfortable Growth story. Nat shares her journey of uncomfortable growth, from her time at Seven West Media to her recent leap into a Chief Revenue Officer role in early 2024, and then 4 months later into her first CEO role. Tune in to hear how Nat overcame imposter syndrome, embraced the power of purpose, and navigated the cha...

In this episode Rowena interviews Daniel Willis (CEO of Claxon and Founder of One03 ), on his Uncomfortable Growth story. Daniel’s uncomfortable growth story spans from a promising soccer career cut short by injury to building and losing a global clothing brand, and finally, to founding the successful agency Claxon, which then is mismanaged to almost going under. Discover how Daniel navigated extr...

In this episode, we peel back the layers to reveal 'The Person Behind the Profile' with Rose Herceg - President of WPP, Australia and NZ Rose challenges the status quo with her small business sensibilities and commitment to transparency, kindness, and servant leadership. Tune in to learn how Rose is navigating the corporate giants with an entrepreneurial style, and why telling the uncomfortable tr...

In this episode, we peel back the layers to reveal 'The Person Behind the Profile' with Kurt Burnette – ex-Chief Revenue Officer of Seven West Media. Kurt – a natural introvert, first embraced his lifelong theme of being “comfortable with uncomfortable” when he started a job cold calling strangers and getting constantly rejected. His move to the UK to play rugby, and then back to Brisbane and even...

Rowena interviews Peter Horgan - CEO of Omnicom Media Group. With “Horgs” just announcing he will be leaving OMG in 2025 after 21 years, you will not want to miss this candid interview about his personal Uncomfortable Growth story. Horgs delves into moments of crisis, where the stakes were high and the future uncertain. He recounts how he and his team faced the reality of a competitive market that...

Rowena Millward interviews Imogen Hewitt (Chief Media Officer of Publicis Groupe ANZ), on her Uncomfortable Growth story. From the daunting decision to move her family to Singapore to start a new agency with no clients or staff, to the realization that growth and comfort cannot coexist, Imogen’s insights are a beacon for anyone standing at the crossroads of opportunity.

Leadership isn't just about guiding a team; it's about facing storms head-on, navigating the unknown, and sometimes, it's about finding the courage to rebuild when everything feels ike it's falling apart. In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Mark Coad, the CEO of IPG Mediabrands Australia and New Zealand, as he shares his raw unfiltered journey through the ups and downs of leadership.

In this first episode, we sit down with Aimee Buchanan, CEO of Group M Australia and New Zealand, for an intimate conversation about the personal trials and triumphs that have shaped her into the leader she is today. Aimee shares her deeply personal uncomfortable growth stories, from the loss of her mother as a child to her rise through the ranks of the media industry. This episode is a powerful r...