Thriving Leaders Podcast

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...

In this episode, I sit down with Leo Bottary—author of Peernovation and founder of Peernovation, LLC—to explore what truly makes teams thrive in today’s complex and collaborative work environments. With a rich background in CEO advisory groups and an unwavering commitment to psychological safety, Leo brings deep insight into the power of peers to transform team dynamics. From the core principles o...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kaye Monk-Morgan—President and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center—to unpack what it really means to lead in today’s civic and organisational environments. Kaye brings three decades of leadership wisdom and a sharp lens on adaptive challenges, systems change, and collective accountability.  From her roots in education to influencing public leadership across Kan...

In this episode, I sit down with Professor David Clutterbuck—pioneer of team coaching, co-founder of the EMCC, and author of over 70 books—to explore what makes teams thrive in today’s complex environments. A deeply insightful conversation that transforms how we think about teams. From the science of team dynamics to building cultures of accountability and coaching, David shares frameworks and sto...

I’m thrilled to share the latest episode of the Thriving Leaders Podcast, featuring an insightful conversation with Claire de Carteret, Managing Director of Gallup APAC. If you’ve ever wondered what truly drives high performance in teams, this episode is a must-listen. Gallup is renowned for its global research on engagement, wellbeing, and leadership. Claire brings the data to life with real-worl...

In this Thriving Leaders Podcast I meet with Dermot Crowley—productivity expert, bestselling author, and founder of Adapt Productivity.  Dermot’s practical and people-focused approach to productivity has reshaped how thousands of professionals manage their time and teams. In this episode, we dive into the critical habits and systems that allow leaders and teams to perform at their best—without bur...

Chatting with Amy Edmondson about what makes a thriving team has been a career highlight!     Season 2 of the Thriving Leaders Podcast is now live!     And we’re kicking it off with the incredible Amy Edmondson—Novartis Harvard Professor, bestselling author,  and the world’s top-ranked management thinker. Her research has been pivotal to my work, and our conversation is full of insights that every...

This is our last episode of Season 1 of the Thriving Leaders podcast. Change is normal, but it can be uncomfortable. We are constantly evolving, improving and adapting the way we do things. Thriving leaders need to lead and communicate change effectively. This creates certainty even when we live in an ambiguous world. To assist you in communicating and leading change, we cover: Understanding chang...

Following on from our previous 2 episodes on Communication (ep. 16 Communication and ep. 17 Communicating with Purpose), we continue the conversation by diving into structuring your communication so its most effectively received.  In this episode, we explore:  Why repetition is so important  Be compelling and engaging; how to maintain their attention  Clearing outlining what you’ll be communicatin...

When we connect people to purpose, we inspire them. Purpose is a key driver of employee engagement.      This isn’t a new topic: humans have been searching for meaning and purpose in their personal lives and their careers for some time—seeing as we spend so much time working.      So, in this episode, we’re diving into:      Starting with Why    The Golden Circle Model    The art of storytelling  ...

Everyone needs to be effective at communication—thriving leaders even more so. It is the most universal skill. Effective communication is how thriving leaders engage and inspire their people to follow them.  In the next 4 episodes, we will be breaking down effective communication.  In this episode, we cover:  What is communication  Identifying the barriers to effective communication  The impact of...