Have you ever felt like who you are was "too complex" for the field you work in? Brooke Blurton is best known for being the first Black and bisexual woman on The Bachelorette. She’s also a youth worker, an author, a podcaster and a mental health advocate. In this episode, she joins Helen McCabe to reflect on how she's had a career dismissed by some as "too complex". Liked this episode? Follow Too Much to hear more Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional developm...
Jan 27, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 56
Over the summer, we’re revisiting some of our favourite FW Leadership Series. Award-winning journalist and former Executive Producer of ABC's Four Corners Sally Neighbour has pushed past doubts and fears to shed light on important stories. In this interview, host Helen McCabe and Sally Neighbour unpack whether fearlessness is something you can learn, or if it's innate in your character, as well as the importance of trusting your team as a leader. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast...
Jan 22, 2025•30 min•Season 4Ep. 55
Chanel Contos was just 21 years old when she launched an online petition that sparked a movement and propelled her into the global spotlight. Teach Us Consent triggered a national conversation and led to mandatory consent education in all Australian schools. In this episode, Contos joins Helen McCabe to reflect on the personal price of radical change, and the power that can come with being “too disruptive”. Liked this episode? Follow Too Much to hear more Become an FW member to join the movement...
Jan 19, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 54
When are you at your most productive? Managing Director for Google Australia & New Zealand Melanie Silva doesn’t just fill her days up with meetings, she instead makes space in her schedule for ‘big thinking days’ and time to find her ‘flow’. In this interview, host Helen McCabe and Melanie Silva unpack how being productive and being busy are not the same thing, as well as share tips on how to create space for productivity in your schedule. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-t...
Jan 15, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 52
Does cockiness make you better at your job? That's what former Matildas star Lydia Williams was told when she rose to the sport's top flight. In this episode of Too Much, Williams joins Helen McCabe to reflect on her journey as a Matilda and how she pushed past being labelled “too humble” at key points in her career. Liked this episode? Follow Too Much to hear more Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram , Face...
Jan 12, 2025•21 min•Season 4Ep. 52
Where does confidence come from? Author, activist, and Future Women's Deputy Managing Director Jamila Rizvi brings both her experiences, and the research behind confidence to discuss how to best build it in your life. Helen McCabe and Jamila share the most common struggles they hear women have with maintaining confidence, as well as practical tips you can implement into your communication and career to dissuade self-doubt. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/l...
Dec 18, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 51
What does your wardrobe reveal about you? Libby Allaway is an executive stylist, who's passion is empowering women through the transformative power of fashion. In this episode, Libby unpacks the psychology behind what we wear, reveals the secret to a well-curated wardrobe, and explains how to unlock the power of using clothing as a tool for confidence. The FW Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
Dec 11, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 50
How present do leaders need to be? Rear Admiral Lee Goddard CSC served over 34 years in the Navy, commanding warships and joint taskforces at every senior rank, and continues to serve as a member of the active reserve. He's also the inaugural CEO and Executive Director of the Australian Missile Corporation, a Non-Executive Director of AUSTAL and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, an Advisor to the Minderoo Foundation, and Chairman of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. In this episode, Le...
Dec 04, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 49
Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness CSC is Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator. She came to this role with over 30 years of experience in the Australian Defence Force. Today, she plays a pivotal role in driving Australia’s cyber security and coordinates the Government’s response to major cyber security incidents. In this episode, uncover what threats to cyber security can teach us about leadership. The FW Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe. See omnystudio.com/listener for...
Nov 27, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 48
Jo McConnell recently started an exciting new role as Chief People Officer at Herbert Smith Freehills. Prior to this, she was CEO of Transformation at Accenture, and Vice President of Human Resources at BHP Billiton. In this discussion, Jo shares her advice on building trust and navigating office politics when taking on a new leadership role, managing with radical candor, and the role of men in promoting gender inclusion. The FW Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe. See omnystudio.com/lis...
Nov 20, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 47
Anna Bligh AC was the first woman to become the Queensland Premier and the first woman to lead the Labor party. Anna shares with host Helen McCabe the importance finding your own identity and purpose as a leader, what it was like to hold her own in the houses of parliament (with the weight of an entire gender on her back) and why she has learned to relish difficult problems and roles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 13, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 46
Starting a new leadership position? Liz Cosson AM spent over 3 decades in the Australian Army, before moving into the highest ranks of the Public Service. In this episode, Liz reveals the essential steps for new leaders in the first 100 days - including how to curb gossip, foster genuine transparency, and drive meaningful cultural change. The FW Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 06, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 45
Kyah Bell is a Wulugurukaba, Juru, and Bindal woman, co-founder of the Black Excellence Fund, and Director at First Australians Capital. In this episode, Kyah reveals why she's committed to "doing what’s hard," how she navigates the demands of work-life balance, and how she learned to lean into empathy without compromising her high standards. The FW Leadership Series is hosted by FW Founder and Managing Director, Helen McCabe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.c...
Oct 30, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 44
What role does kindness play in new-age leadership? In this conversation with Helen McCabe, Anna Jepson, CFO of Institutional Banking & Markets at Commonwealth Bank, reveals why kindness is more than just a virtue in successful leadership. Anna also shares the power of understanding your personal brand and how she reclaimed her career after facing redundancy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 23, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 43
Juliette Wright OAM is the founder and CEO of GIVIT, an online platform connecting those who have, with those who need. Juliette has received numerous awards for her charity initiatives and disaster recovery innovation and was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2019 and Australia’s Local Hero in 2015 by the National Australia Day Council. In this chat with Helen McCabe, Juliette discusses aligning action with personal values, avoiding burnout, and getting comfortable with being wrong. ...
Oct 16, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 42
What's the point of corporate wellbeing initiatives? Companies are throwing record investment into wellbeing programs, employee assistance programs, and team-building exercises. But according to Dr Tiffany De Sousa Machado, they're mostly not working. In this episode, guest host Jamila Rizvi and Tiff go below the box-ticking surface-level initiatives and get serious about mental health and wellbeing at work. The FW Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...
Oct 09, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 41
Cherie Clonan is a proud Autistic woman and the Founding Director and CEO of The Digital Picnic. In this episode, Cherie discusses receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult, building a neurodivergent inclusive workplace, masking, and burnout. This episode is hosted by Jamila Rizvi. The FW Leadership Series is hosted by Helen McCabe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 02, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 40
What happens when leaders lack accountability? In this episode, FW Managing Director Helen McCabe sits down with Katrina King—General Manager of Client Solutions Capital at Queensland Investment Corporation, Co-chair of UQ’s Business, Economics and Law Alumni Committee, and Minerva Network mentor. Together, they explore why accountability is crucial to strong leadership, how to build unshakeable resilience, and strategies to navigate and succeed in male-dominated workplaces. See omnystudio.com/l...
Sep 26, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 39
Jackie Hallan is the Director of Service for Youth Involvement program, ReachOut PeerChat. In this episode, Helen McCabe and Jackie discuss why leaders today need to be more aware of mental health issues, what it means to be trauma-informed, and what you can do to be better at all of these things. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 18, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 38
Katherine Bennell-Pegg is the first person to train as an astronaut under the Australian flag and Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space Agency. In this discussion with Helen McCabe, Katherine discusses dealing with imposter syndrome, active followership and why grit is more important than talent. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 11, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 37
How do you remain calm in a crisis? Fiona Webster is Chief Security Officer in the Diplomatic Security Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT). In this episode with Helen McCabe, Fiona discusses the importance of staying calm in the face of chaos, the pushback against gender equality in the international arena, and mastering communication within large, complex teams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 04, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 36
What does it take to turn self-doubt into self-belief? Mel Thomas is founder and CEO of KYUP!, Australian of the Year nominee, martial arts champion, and domestic violence survivor. In this episode with Helen McCabe, Mel shares her insights on the transformative power of self-defense, the importance of strong role models, and how building self-worth can change lives. This episode references domestic violence, sexual assault, and self-harm. If you or someone you know needs support: Lifeline (Cris...
Aug 28, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 35
Is there ever a good way to deliver redundancy news? Edweena Stratton has broad experience as a people and culture leader, including leadership roles at Salesforce, Oracle, Krispy Kreme and Starbucks. In this episode with Helen McCabe, Edweena discusses both giving and receiving redundancy news, succession planning and how to handle a corporate restructuring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 21, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 34
What impact will your leadership have? Sonja Stewart has been involved in government, academia, and not-for-profits for over 20 years. Sonja was deputy secretary within the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet and recently CEO of the NSW Law Society. She was appointed Chair of the GO Foundation in 2020 and Chair of the South Western Sydney District Health Board this year. In this episode, host Helen McCabe asks Sonja how to have a career that leaves a legacy, what a good probation process looks...
Aug 14, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 33
How do you know when you've become the boss? Kate Watson is the Commercial Director of The Squiz, co-creator of the Squiz Today and Squiz Shortcuts podcasts, and current co-host of Weekly Wrap and News Club. In this episode with Helen McCabe, Kate discusses the juggle for the mid-career professional woman, her own work ethic versus her expectations of others, and when she first realised she was the boss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
Aug 07, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 32
Workplaces look very different from what they did twenty, ten or even five years ago. Think about: the shift to hybrid environments, agile but unclear teams, training for trainings sake, systemic understaffing, operational bottlenecks and a lack of meaningful diversity and inclusion. In this episode recorded live at the FW Leadership Summit, hear how leaders can foster positive, productive working environments in uncertain times. With Rana Hussain, Wesley Rogers, Rearn Norman, Cliff Bingham and ...
Jul 31, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 31
Is managing Gen Z really that different? Jennifer Goggin is one of Australia's leading digital audio executives. Until recently, she was head of Factual and Drama at LiSTNR Original Podcasts, where she gained unique insights into Gen Z from both a consumer and managerial perspective. In this episode, host Helen McCabe and Jen unpack the promising and sometimes frustrating behaviour of Gen Z, interview processes that attract the best talent, and aligning company values with employee goals. You ca...
Jul 24, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 30
Is 'authenticity' just a buzzword? Bringing your whole self to work can be easier said than done, especially when you don’t feel entirely welcome or included. In this episode recorded live at the FW Leadership Summit, hear about the real-world advantages of being a genuine leader and allowing your teams to become the same, and how to get comfortable doing it. With Ruveni Kelleher, Dr Lisa Pryor, Kim Lehmann and Winnie Dunn. Moderated by Helen McCabe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...
Jul 17, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 29
Is there a right time to disclose personal information at work? Astrid Edwards is an educator and researcher dedicated to social and climate justice. She's also a bibliophile, literary critic, and Chair of the Stella Prize. In this episode with Helen McCabe, hear how Astrid navigated her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, how leaders can support team members with chronic illnesses, and ways to find deeper purpose in your work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/li...
Jul 10, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 28
Do leaders always need to have the answer? Laura Henshaw is the CEO and co-founder of health and fitness app, Kic. In this episode, hear about why the timing of giving feedback is crucial, mastering the art of prioritization, leading through change, and hiring well. This episode references disordered eating. For further information and support, please call the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673 or visit butterfly.org.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/l...
Jul 03, 2024•47 min•Season 4Ep. 27
