Your Brilliant Career

In this episode, Gillian speaks with personal brand stylist Jane Mow about the powerful role clothing plays in professional presence. Jane works with high-profile women—CEOs, founders, and leaders—helping them strategically use their wardrobe to project confidence, authority, and authenticity. Drawing on her experience styling magazine covers and TV talent, Jane now focuses on empowering women to...

In this episode, we sit down with Kath Kennedy, the General Manager of Supply Chain at Beiersdorf — the company behind brands like Nivea and Elastoplast. Right from the outset, Kath shows her leadership style. For her, leadership isn’t about pretending everything’s fine; it's okay to admit when things are tough. It’s more about how you show up and recover when challenges hit. This conversation giv...

Thriving in a fast-paced environment isn’t just about keeping up—it’s about staying ahead. In this episode, senior banking and finance leader, Rita Yeoh, shares her insights on navigating industry shifts, restructures, and high-pressure roles. A past participant of RISE Accelerate, Rita has built a reputation for embracing change with agility and insight. We discuss common mistakes professionals m...

I'm joined by Michelle Redfern, an award-winning leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her new book, The Leadership Compass, is a must-read for ambitious professionals who are serious about their careers. It challenges the traditional advice on career progression, highlighting a critical missing piece that could make all the difference. Michelle has spent years helping women and organisation...

In this episode, I explore how to approach mentorship strategically in 2025, offering five key "needle movers" to help you find an exceptional mentor and maximise the relationship. In my view, mentorship should always be pursued with purpose and thoughtfulness, and be integrated into your broader career strategy. By focusing on the right relationships, mentorship can be a powerful tool for profess...

How often do you show kindness to others but forget to extend it to yourself? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Hayley D Quinn, a compassionate business coach, speaker, and former clinical psychologist, to explore how self-compassion can transform the way we navigate challenges like stress, setbacks, and doubt. Hayley shares practical strategies to help you build resilience, clarity, and balance,...

As the year wraps up, it's time to pause and reflect: What’s the story of your year? Is it a narrative of growth, connection, and small (or big) wins? Or are you caught replaying what didn’t go to plan? In this inspiring episode, Gillian shares how the stories we tell ourselves shape our reality, confidence, and outlook for the future. You’ll discover how to reframe your year, celebrate what truly...

In this episode, we’re joined by Margo Ward, founder of KidsXpress, a non-for-profit organisation transforming children’s lives through expressive therapy. Margo shares her journey of building one of Australia’s most impactful non-profits and the passion that fuels her work every day. We dive into the realities of leading in the non-profit sector, challenge assumptions, and explore the creativity,...

Have you ever felt a rush of nerves before speaking to senior leaders? In this episode, we delve into the art of confident communication in high-stakes settings with Marla Heller, a seasoned Global Client Partner at EY. Marla has built an impressive career and is well-known for her generosity as a mentor and role model, supporting and guiding other women in the industry. With extensive experience...

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr Gina Cleo, a habit change expert and author of The Habit Revolution, back to the podcast. Her groundbreaking research and approachable insights have made her a trusted voice worldwide.  Gina combines evidence-based strategies with real-life applications, which makes her guidance all the more practical and impactful. In this episode, we dive into the types of habits tha...

Performance reviews – love them or hate them – are an inevitable part of most careers. Whether they make you nervous or excited, there’s no denying that these reviews hold immense power in shaping your professional path. In this episode, we dive into how you can make the most of these opportunities, not just to receive feedback, but to strategically position yourself for growth and future success....

In this episode,  Jess Spendlove shares her expert insights into achieving success, and staying successful, while maintaining well-being. Jess has worked with top athletes from the AFL, NRL, and super netball, and now also applies her wealth of experience to corporate leaders and entrepreneurs. Jess's unique approach, driven by personal experience, helps her clients reach their goals without sacri...

In this episode of Your Brilliant Career, Gillian sits down with Beck Wilson, an accomplished board director, former CEO, and a leader with a passion for bringing more women into board roles. Beck’s career spans global leadership positions and, today, she sits on multiple ASX-listed, private, and not-for-profit boards.  In this episode, she doesn’t just share her experiences; Beck also provides pr...

Backing yourself isn’t arrogance—it's clarity about your value. A concept that becomes critical as you advance in your career. Particularly when self-leadership and confidence in your abilities are expected, but you may not have that same level of support you had earlier in your career. In this episode, I'm exploring the powerful idea of backing yourself in your career. Inspired by a quote from Ma...

In this episode, we're diving into a topic that can make many of us feel a bit uneasy: asking for what you’re worth at work. But we're not just covering the usual tips for requesting a raise. Instead, we’re exploring how to truly understand and claim your value in a way that feels empowering, rather than awkward. Whether you're preparing for that big conversation or just want to be ready for when...

If you have an appetite for growth, this episode is a must-listen. Naysla is Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Member Experience at American Express, and her story is a testament to the power of courage, determination, and the importance of making meaningful connections. Whether you’re aiming for a c-suite role or looking to make an impact in your current position, Naysla’s insights will moti...

How to think strategically about a career transition. That's what I want to talk about today. Why? Because career transitions are tough. If you've experienced one, you know how hard it can be to simply reimagine a new role that's dramatically different from the one that you have. My guest today is John Tarnoff, a mid career transition expert. John is the author of a bestselling book, Boomer Reinve...

I'm joined by Jenny Mitchell, a senior coach and author from Canada. Jenny's book, Embracing Ambition , explores women's experiences with ambition through interviews with 12 senior women.  In this episode we discuss Jenny's inspiration behind the book and the somewhat unconventional, but ultimately rewarding, writing process. We discuss the nature and evolution of ambition, noting the often differ...

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Kate Byrne, owner of EVER Change and Communication, a business focused on helping leaders drive and deliver organisational transformation. Kate is also the host of a brilliant podcast, The New Way. In our conversation, we discuss the complexities of organisational change and how to navigate it effectively. The reality is, change is not going away. According to Kat...

I put out the call in a recent newsletter to "Ask me anything!" This episode is all about answering your questions. I've selected five that seemed to be top of mind for many of you. Drumroll please!!! How do I convey what I'm good at at work? How do I deal with feelings of impostor syndrome? Do I stay or do I go? My boss is a nightmare. How do I speak confidently with senior leaders?   You wanted...

Writing a compelling and eloquent CV takes skill. In this episode, I'm joined by Salam Akhnoukh, Australia's first and only nationally certified resume writer, who is incredibly generous with her insights on what it takes to make a great CV.  Whether you opt to invest in a professional resume writer or go down the DIY path, Salam has plenty of advice to offer so your CV stands out from the crowd....

Join me as I bring you Part 2 of my 10 steps to a better career. To recap, in Part 1 we talked about not getting stuck in wanting perfection, limiting yourself to three priorities, focusing on importance not urgency, creating an environment you can thrive in, and finally, not making the assumption that people know what you want. In this episode, I'll be sharing the remaining five steps. If you hav...

I am super excited to bring you part one of a two-part series on the 10 steps to a better career —I think you are you're going to find the tips I share incredibly valuable. And don't worry, they won't be the uninspiring, generic tips you can find online. I'll be drawing on personal experience and my expertise in working with women to craft effective and practical strategies for you to achieve a be...

Many organisations excel at providing generic leadership and management training, yet they often overlook the unwritten rules crucial for a woman's successful navigation through her career. Elements such as business, strategic and financial acumen. These are pivotal and can significantly impact career advancement. In this episode, I am beyond thrilled to introduce you to Susan Colantuono,  someone...

Antonia Bowring is a top executive coach from New York city and author of "Coach Yourself! Increase Awareness, Change Behavior, And Thrive".  In this conversation, Antonia shares some down-to-earth strategies and frameworks for DIY coaching, such as the importance of being clear on your values and using them to steer your long-term goals and everyday decisions. And while not everyone has access to...