Wellbeing Provocateur Podcast

Lately, it feels like the world’s running low on hope ☹️ Between economic uncertainty, environmental anxiety, inequality, polarisation, erosion of trust, disconnection, and daily pressures, many of us have slipped into survival mode. We’re just getting through the week instead of imagining what could be better and reimagining the future we want to live in. I’m so excited to share this conversation...

In this reflective and candid one year check in, Philly sits down with her accountability buddy, leadership coach and podcaster Kerene Strochnetter, to unpack their joint experiment: an entire year of not eating after dinner (NEAD). What began spontaneously at a Paddy Gower event in Wellington turned into a daily check in ritual, deep self inquiry, and a surprisingly emotional journey. Together, t...

Many of us are familiar with self-care and personal wellbeing, but how can we take it a step further to create real impact in the world? On this episode I'm joined by Nicola King - sustainable advocate, systems thinker, and creator of In Good Nic - t o explore the concept of welldoing. Nicola shares her journey from growing up in Wānaka, completing a sustainability in business master’s, creati...

When COVID hit, Joel Bouzaid lost five major contracts in a week. His speaking business — and identity as a provider — disappeared overnight. Out of that crisis, he rebuilt from scratch, moving from “the Joel show” to co-leading a global business that now impacts 150 salon owners worldwide. In this conversation, Joel and Philly dive into what it really takes to rebuild, reinvent, and design a life...

In a time where the pace and complexity of life can feelrelentless, many of us are looking for something deeper – a way to reconnect with ourselves, find peace and hope, and live meaningfully. Perhaps you’ve wondered what if spirituality could help?  What even is it?  And how do you weave spirituality into everyday lifeand work? Join me, Philly Powell , in a grounded and uplifting conversation wit...

In this episode of the Wellbeing Provocateur Podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Anne Rayner – Founder of Productivity Bargain and champion for sustainable work practices. Anne draws on her experience leading businesses across Southeast Asia and working with organisations worldwide to show why shorter working weeks aren’t just good for wellbeing—they’re great for performance. We explored...

In this episode of the Wellbeing Provocateur Series, we're joined by the brilliantly bold Bridget Jelley—Mental Health Specialist and Occupational Psychologist at Rolls Royce UK and Founder of Glia Workplace Psychologists in Aotearoa. Bridget brings two decades of lived and professional experience across multiple countries and cultures, now supporting the psychological wellbeing of 45,000 empl...

What does it really take to lead a fast-growing company — and stay well while doing it?   In this raw and refreshingly honest conversation, Philly sits down with Stanley Henry, CEO of The Attention Seeker, to explore the emotional weight of leadership and how to survive (and thrive) in the spotlight of modern business.   From building a brand to carrying a team of 40+, Stanley opens up about the p...

In this episode I dive into the intersection of AI, wellbeing, and entrepreneurship with special guest Hannah Hardy Jones, co-founder of Contented AI . Hannah made the bold shift from HR to tech, driven by her own mental health journey and a passion for creating solutions that make every conversation count. We explore: 💛 Hannah’s personal wellbeing journey—from HR to AI 💛 How AI can enhance pers...

Join me as I discuss workplace transformation, burnout, and resilience with Katie Desai from Tipping Point Collab. Katie shares her journey from a 16-year corporate career to self-employment, highlighting research on workplace wellbeing and reimagining work systems that help people thrive. 1. Katie’s Career Journey • From corporate strategy roles in the UK & NZ to founding Tipping Point Collab...

In this episode I am joined by my friend, Mindfulness Maverick, Habit Hacker & Addiction Explorer Kerene Strochnetter who is the fearless leader of Mindful at Work. A few months ago, we were having dinner when we both admitted to snacking after dinner. Right then and there, we decided we wanted to stop, and NEAD was born. NEAD stands for not eating after dinner. After giving up alcohol, we tho...

In this episode I have a thought-provoking discussion with Jo McFadden from PEP Worldwide about navigating the modern workplace jungle! With a diverse background, Jo is passionate about working with people to achieve the right outcomes. She is a natural leader and believes leadership is about service. She is obsessed with creating self-leaders for all individuals and believes that great culture co...

This episode I chat to Claire Robbie, a meditation and yoga teacher, sobriety coach and Founder of  The School of Modern Meditation , about how to build a conscious life in this overly distracting world we live in. Claire is always so generous with sharing her personal journey and she does this in a way that allows others to mirror her vulnerability without judgement – so there were more moments o...

Welcome back to another episode of Wellbeing Provocateur Podcast where I chat to Mental Fitness Expert Jimi Hunt  about Community & Connection as part of  Mental Health Awareness Week ! In this special MHAW edition, we chatted about: 🛟 Navigating big life transitions 🚬 Loneliness is the new smoking 👯 Connection - the hidden mental fitness powerhouse 🤳 Digital vs real life connection 🫂 Con...

I recently had the honour to speak at Me. We. Pōneke – an incredibly uplifting event designed to inspire, connect and raise the voices of our wonderful community of Wellington women 💛 I wanted to shared a condensed version of my talk so you also get a feel for the magic that occurred ✨ Top 9 Career Tips 1️⃣ Take your power back 2️⃣ Change is happening for you, not to you 3️⃣ Stick up for yoursel...

This was such an uplifting chat with Kayleigh Doe from She Walks from a webinar in August where we traversed all the benefits of walking in nature. Walking in nature is such a simple thing to do - chuck on your shoes and head into the bush, to the beach or along a river. But as we got talking, Kay’s deep passion and enthusiasm really highlighted just how profound the benefits of walking in nature...

In this episode I interview Sarah Harmer, Workplace Wellbeing Specialist and CEO of The Humanity Project, whose career purpose is to create better wellbeing in the world by creating better places to work. Sarah’s career started in the fitness industry where she went on to become the HR Manager of Les Mills. In 2013 she left her job as an HR Manager of a Law firm to specialise in workplace wellbein...

I really enjoyed this energetic chat with Tracy to hear her personal story that led her to being the passionate menopause expert that she is today 🙌 It's so good that we are finally opening the conversation and reducing the stigma about menstrual cycles and menopause, whether it be in the workplace or with our friends and family. We discussed midlife, sexy ageing and health span and Tracy def...

In this episode I’m chatting to a fellow disruptor of the status quo and true wellbeing provocateur Danni Ermilova Williams.  Danni and I are also fellow HR professionals, retired CrossFitters and recently reconnected as fellow entrepreneurs.  Danni is an Impact Coach and Business Change Consultant and the Director of DEW, Change Coaching and Consultancy.  She empowers individuals, business leader...

Welcome back to a very special episode of the Wellbeing Provocateur Podcast, launching just in time as we round out the last week of Dry July. It’s an interview I did with Claire Robbie, Director of The School of Modern Meditation, back in June 2024. I met Claire on a silent and meditation retreat she hosted in 2020, where I learned to mediate and then a few months later I started working with Cla...

In this episode I chat via a live webinar interview to Dr Louise Cowpertwait – a clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist and Founder and CEO of MindMatters Clinic. Together we have a shared mission of improving the mental health and wellbeing of employees and workplaces. This episode is extremely helpful for those struggling with how to navigate the mental health system in Aotearoa as Louise expl...

In this solo episode I bare all and share my personal story on my journey to sobriety to provide hope and inspiration to those of you struggling with your relationship with booze.  With Dry July coming up soon, perhaps this will be just the encouragement you need to give it a go. Like many kiwis, I started experimenting with alcohol as a teenager, completely unaware that I was creating a habit tha...

In this episode I am joined by Career Space Founder and Coach Holly Rees as part of the Wellbeing Provocateur Webinar Series. Our thought-provoking conversation is guaranteed to get you thinking about how you can design a “sustainable career” as we dive into the art of crafting a career that aligns with one's values, purpose, and overall wellbeing.   Key take outs 🔶 Having a career that feels...

Have you or the people you work with or the people you love experienced or come close to burnout? I believe burnout is totally unacceptable in today’s workplaces. So I’m on a mission to help individuals and organisations practically reduce or ideally eliminate the risk of burnout. And what better person to help us find the answers and inspire us than Suzi McAlpine - the author of the bestselling b...