How can leaders bring the best out of team members? And what should they do when someone isn't pulling their weight? In the second part of a two-episode interview special, former NSW Premier Mike Baird speaks with FW's Helen McCabe about the times when his motivations as a leader have been misunderstood, or deliberately misconstrued. In it, the duo discuss managing underperformers and how to deliver firm feedback with compassion. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Bec...
Jun 25, 2025•25 min•Season 5Ep. 28
At first glance, former NSW Premier Mike Baird’s career could almost seem pre-determined. He followed his father into politics and quickly established himself as a big name in the Liberal Party. After becoming Premier, he went on to a high-powered role in the banking sector. But, since then, Baird has made surprising career calls. Ones that do not line up with the ‘typical’ corporate or political ambition. In this first part of a two-episode interview special, he speaks with FW’s Helen McCabe ab...
Jun 18, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 27
How can we best lead across genders? And how leaders should be thinking about bridging the gender divide? In this panel discussion recorded live at the FW Leadership Summit, join journalist Leila McKinnon as she examines how to lead across genders alongside Wayside Chapel CEO Rev Jon Owen, Workplace Gender Equality Agency CEO Mary Wooldridge and FW’s Head of Policy and Program Impact Ruby Leahy Gatfield. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member t...
Jun 11, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 26
As a young mum, Bernadette Black had one of her most profound leadership realisations. Looking at her newborn son, she realised she would have to "override" fear and seek help. Bernadette's conviction that society could be better for families and young parents spurred her to set up the influential not-for-profit Brave Foundation. Today, she’s started an exciting new venture as the Founder and CEO of Seed Futures. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond...
Jun 04, 2025•28 min•Season 5Ep. 25
Star Matilda's midfielder Katrina Gorry might be one of the most beloved athletes in the country. But for a long time she never saw herself as a leader... Gorry speaks with FW Founder Helen McCabe ahead of the global release of her self-titled memoir. In this interview, she reflects on how difficult periods have shaped her leadership style and reveals the trait that most annoys her. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today . Keep up with @f...
May 28, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 24
Is it possible for you to be entirely unaware of what is holding you back as a leader? Dr Kirstin Ferguson is an internationally-recognised executive coach, author and company director. She appeared on the podcast ahead of the global release of her new book Blindspotting . ‘Blindspotting’ as a leadership technique is all about the importance of leaders recognising where they are not experts and not being afraid to say, “I don’t know … yet”. Join the movement to fast-track your professional devel...
May 21, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Why do different leadership styles go in and out of fashion? And is one version of leadership better than the rest? In this panel discussion recorded live at the FW Leadership Summit, join Helen McCabe as she examines different leadership styles. With Private Healthcare Australia CEO Dr Rachel David, Director of the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation Kathryn McMullan, SG Fleet Chief People & Culture Officer Lindsay Underwood and CEO of Aware Super Deanne Stewart. Join the moveme...
May 14, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 22
Could this be the last generation of CEOs? As the Senior Vice President of Innovation, AI and Customer Advisory ANZ at Salesforce, Rowena Westphalen is on the cutting edge of the AI revolution. In this interview, she talks with FW Founder Helen McCabe about what the future of leadership will look like as we start to manage half-human, half-digital teams. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today . Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram , Fac...
May 07, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 21
How can leaders tap into Gen Z talent? In this intergenerational panel recorded live at the FW Leadership Summit, join Helen McCabe as she questions the best ways to support and learn from a generation that's grown up with the rise of digital technologies. With digital-audio executive Jennifer Goggin, head paralegal Gabi Stricker-Phelps, Adore Beauty chair Marina Go and project engineer Brittney Monk. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member toda...
Apr 30, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 20
What does the widespread backlash to D&I signify? And how should leaders navigate it? Dr Katie Spearritt is a diversity and leadership expert in Australia. She's the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Diversity Partners, a specialist D&I consultancy firm. In this interview, she talks with Helen McCabe about how leaders could be framing D&I initiatives, why the business case is not the best argument and how she uses emotional regulation to manage difficult conversations. Join the ...
Apr 23, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 19
How can leaders best support talent? Deanne Stewart is one of the most in-demand executives in the country. As CEO of AwareSuper, she's in charge of one of Australia's largest superannuation funds. She was also the CEO of MetLife, and has held senior roles at BT, Westpac and McKinsey & Co. In this episode she shares why she does not schedule any meetings before 8:30am, how she became a leader at just 29 and why views the role of CEO as also being a 'Chief Talent Officer'. Join the movement t...
Apr 16, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 18
"On paper things looked great … [but] I was a mess. And after 18 months, I sort of fell apart pretty catastrophically." Georgie Dent is the CEO of The Parenthood, a not-for-profit that advocates to make Australia the best place in the world to raise a child. She's also a writer, journalist and, in her words, "reformed lawyer". Her company recently partnered with FW to produce the podcast series At What Cost , a three-episode deep dive into Australia’s childcare crisis. In this episode, Georgie o...
Apr 09, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Join Georgie Dent in our third and final bonus episode as we unpack the costs of the childcare crisis to gender equality and the economy Plus: experts share five key solutions that could help make childcare truly accessible and affordable for all – which would be transformative for our country, and especially women. Liked this episode? Follow At What Cost Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram , Facebook , Link...
Apr 04, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 16
Peggy O'Neal is best known for being the first woman in AFL history to serve as a club’s President. As President at Richmond, she helped steer the club through a period of outstanding success. But this didn’t come without its share of challenges and it wasn't the only time in her leadership career where she has had to navigate being 'the first'. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today . Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram , Facebook , L...
Apr 02, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 15
When is a choice not a choice? Almost a quarter of Australia’s population is now living in a ‘childcare desert’ - and this scarcity means that many families’ financial and work schedules hinge on being offered a childcare spot in the first place. Liked this episode? Follow At What Cost Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram , Facebook , LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 28, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 14
As a leader, how should you best step away from a role you've loved? Jayne Hrdlicka has had a high-profile and high-powered career as CEO of Virgin Australia. She was also CEO of Jetstar, held senior roles at Qantas and was CEO of The a2 Milk Company. In her first interview since stepping down from Virgin, she opened up about what leadership looks like from the top and what she wishes she knew before she started. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond...
Mar 26, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 13
How did struggling to access affordable childcare become the norm? The sky-high costs directly impact women’s economic security, career progression and happiness – and fuel the gender pay gap and gender super gap, as well as homelessness later in life. Georgie Dent speaks with parents and experts to examine the true cost of childcare in this country … and learns why – when Australia could be world-leading in setting children and families up to thrive – it’s instead lagging behind comparable coun...
Mar 25, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 12
How should leaders be thinking about building brands - now and into the future? Tahnee Sharp's business was born out of frustration, disappointment and anger with the marketing industry. Flash forward and she's now CEO of The Marketing Room, an independent marketing powerhouse that’s expanded across the globe. In this episode, she discusses everything from Roxy Jacenko and Elon Musk, to how she built her global marketing business and why "warts" are needed in personal brands. Join the movement t...
Mar 19, 2025•28 min•Season 5Ep. 11
What role does tenacity play in leadership? Rhian Allen is a wildly successful entrepreneur. She walked away from a high-powered role as a sales director to launch The Healthy Mummy. After a turbulent period saw her need to walk away from the business she loved, Rhian struck once again and is now the CEO and founder of Zing Wellbeing. In this episode, Rhian shares what she has learned about tenacious leadership, how to hire for work ethic and managing high-pressure roles. Join the movement to fa...
Mar 12, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 10
What is the best way for leaders to speak out and take a stand? Tara Rae Moss is - among many things - a best-selling author, documentary host and chronic pain advocate. She's also the host of FW's award-winning podcast series There’s No Place Like Home . If there is one thread that connects Tara Rae's varied career, it's her fearless advocacy for causes she is passionate about. In this episode, she speaks about public advocacy, perfectionism and leading in the public eye. Listen to There's No P...
Mar 05, 2025•28 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Turia Pitt is one of Australia’s most inspirational women. She is a wearer of many hats - an author, speaker, business owner, ambassador. She is also a runner. Running changed her life forever when, while competing in an ultramarathon in remote Western Australia, she was caught in an out of control grassfire and sustained burns to 65 per cent of her body. In this episode, Pitt joins Helen McCabe to reflect on what continues to fuel her and why she might just be “too combative”. Liked this episod...
Mar 02, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Can you project strength as a leader if you feel like a phony or a fraud? The answer — according to global imposter syndrome expert Alison Shamir — is complicated. Alison became obsessed with understanding imposter syndrome after she was overcome with it while at the peak of her high-powered corporate career. In this episode, she unpacks what leaders should do when they're filled with self doubt. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today . K...
Feb 26, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Catherine Livingstone is the Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). She’s also an extraordinarily accomplished businesswoman who has served as the President of the Business Council of Australia, and has served as Chairman of Commonwealth Bank, Telstra and CSIRO. In this episode, Livingstone joins Helen McCabe to reflect on how she pushed past being labelled “too inexperienced” at pivotal moments in her career. Liked this episode? Follow Too Much to hear more Become an FW member...
Feb 23, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Can we view ourselves as products? And what leadership insights might be gained from doing so? Holly Masters is CEO of the McGrath Foundation. She joined the Foundation after a high-powered career in the commercial sector, including a lengthy stint at Estee Lauder. In this episode she shares how she markets her leadership potential and why she learned to view herself as a product of sorts. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today . Keep up ...
Feb 19, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Is caring about too many things a legitimate risk to your professional success? Or does it speak to a drive that will keep you engaged throughout your career? Dr Anne Summers is a celebrated author, journalist and feminist leader. She played a pivotal role in the women’s movement, co-founding Australia’s first women’s refuge, Elsie, in the 1970s. She’s advised two Prime Ministers, and has written nine books to date. Dr Summers joins Helen McCabe to reflect on what continues to fuel her, as a wom...
Feb 16, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 4
What are the unique challenges that come with managing cross-disciplinary teams? As Australia’s Privacy Commissioner, Carly Kind is a leading authority on the intersection of technology and human rights. She was also the director of the Ada Lovelace Institute, an organisation dedicated to ensuring data and AI are employed ethically. In this episode, Kind shares her insights into ''Silicon Valley bros", cross-disciplinary teams and the ethical use of tech. Join the movement to fast-track your pro...
Feb 12, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 3
What do you do when you're told you love your job too much? Professor Georgina Long shot to national attention when she was named Australian of the Year. Her research on melanoma - known as Australia’s national cancer - has saved thousands of lives. In this episode, Professor Long joins Helen McCabe to reflect on the whirlwind that’s followed being named co-Australian of the Year, and she opens up about her life as a scientist who’s been told she’s “too passionate” one too many times. Liked this...
Feb 09, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 2
As a leader, is there a point where you've learned all there is to learn? The answer - according to Susannah George - is no. The award-winning entrepreneur, producer, investor and director, who launched Urban List from her bedroom, shares how she accidentally launched one of Australia’s largest independent media brands, what it means to be a ‘wartime CEO’ and the loneliness that can so often come with leadership. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond...
Feb 05, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Are you the one who always says what everyone was thinking? Moana Kidd never imagined she’d be a Senior Constable with Victoria Police. As a woman of colour who’d been working in the arts, she was used to attending rallies - not patrolling them. But when an unexpected career shift led her to look for new work - she decided to become the change she wanted to see. In this week’s episode of Too Much, the Senior Constable joins Helen McCabe to discuss how she rose through the ranks despite at times ...
Feb 02, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 58
Over the summer, we’re revisiting some of our favourite FW Leadership Series. How can adversity and struggle lead to growth and opportunity? According to Founder of EQ Minds, Chelsea Pottenger, the key to the answer lies in making the most of plan B when plan A gets taken from you. In this interview, host Helen McCabe asks Chelsea about how her mental health struggles led to a career change, what her experience has taught her about the importance of building a mindful but productive schedule and...
Jan 29, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 57
