In this episode of the Magical Learning Podcast, our Director of Learning and author Danette Fenton-Menzies speaks with Steve Vamos about his career, philosophy, and new book "Through Shifts and Shocks: Lessons from the Front Line of Technology and Change". Steve is the former CEO of Xero, former managing director of Apple and Microsoft in the Australia and New Zealand region, as well as working with other huge companies, and is now a speaker, advisor and author. Danette and Steve discuss the ch...
Dec 02, 2024•31 min
How good are you at dealing with conflict in the workplace? What are some better ways to navigate communication in the office? In today's Author Corner, our resident author and Director of Learning Danette Fenton-Menzies speaks with fellow author Genevieve Hawkins. Genevieve discusses her journey as an author and occupational therapist, focusing on mental health and workplace dynamics. She introduces her new book, 'Shrinking Elephants', which explores the theme of conflict in the workplace and h...
Nov 25, 2024•32 min
In this episode of the Magical Learning Podcast, our Director of Learning and author Danette Fenton-Menzies speaks with author Louise Gilbert about her journey from corporate leadership to writing her book 'Make Work Work for You'. Louise is a change management coach and social wellbeing expert, who also works as a speaker and consultant In this conversation, Danette and Louise discuss the importance of combining growth, performance, and wellbeing in leadership, the challenges of hybrid work, an...
Nov 18, 2024•27 min
What comes to mind when you think of Four Pillars Gin? Maybe it is the fact it has won International Gin Producer of the Year for the past 3 years? Maybe it's the unique branding? Maybe it's that refreshing taste? No matter what it is, if you like a drink, you have undoubtedly heard of Four Pillars Gin, and today we are joined by one of the co-founders; Matt Jones. Matt is a former political speech writer that joined with two mates to make their whole craft about Gin, and so they did just that. ...
Nov 11, 2024•40 min
In today’s awesome Author Corner, our resident author and Director of Learning Danette Fenton-Menzies chats with author, entrepreneur and recruitment expert Richard Triggs. He is on to talk about his new book Winning the War for Talent: How to Attract and Retain Top Performers . In this awesome conversation, Richard Triggs shares his unique journey from aspiring rock star to successful recruitment consultant and author. He discusses the importance of understanding the job market, effective inter...
Nov 04, 2024•58 min
Did you know that 60% of workers are disengaged? What does that mean for companies trying to get the best out of their staff? Well, luckily today we are joined by Ishan Galapathy to break down what that means for leaders every where and how they can fix it. Ishan is a renowned Operational Excellence expert in the food industry. He provides straight talk to leaders in the food sector who are challenged with the task of driving their company’s profitable growth. Ishan has worked with global ‘big b...
Oct 28, 2024•41 min
In this Author Corner, our resident author and Director of Learning chats with fellow author Shivani Gupta about her book Getting Your People to Step Up . Shivani is an award winning entrepreneur, speaker, coach and author and is obsessed with Passion, People and Performance. Danette and Shivani discuss the challenges of managing people, the importance of attracting passionate employees, creating a positive work environment, and the significance of feedback and coaching in leadership. Shivani sh...
Oct 21, 2024•26 min
Welcome to the hilarious new type of episode: the concept sandbox. Here we will be having two simultaneous conversations, and each one will shed unique light on the other. Our two conversations today are How to pick between a leader who is good at task vs a leader who is good at people How art and business overlap. And interestingly, we will be doing it through the lens of Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th Movies. Do you want to see how it all comes together, and how many laughs and insigh...
Oct 14, 2024•39 min
What would you do if you were flying a plane, and all of a sudden the engine caught on fire? Well, that has happened to our amazing Author Corner guest Chris Smith. Chris joins our resident author and Director of Learning Danette to chat about his new book Leadership at 43000 Feet: Real Leaders Don't Need a Title. Chris has worked as pilot and got his accreditation in the counselling space, before combining those things and helping invent roles like pilot wellness manager, and then having them s...
Oct 07, 2024•33 min
Why is it that work and fun sometimes feel like they are mutually exclusive? How do we make them the same thing? In today's chat, the regular team jumps on to chat about their experience of where work meets fun, and what they have seen that makes fun more available in the workplace. They also chat about why adding a ping pong table and bean bags can actually be a negative thing. All Magical Learning podcasts are recorded on the beautiful lands of the Kulin, Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri nations, and w...
Sep 30, 2024•31 min
Today's epic Author Corner is with the amazing Michelle Gibbings. Michelle is an author, keynote speaker, facilitator, mentor and workplace expert who has an amazing instinct for fun and effectiveness. In today's conversation Danette and Michelle break down what Influence is, how to deal with entitled employees, how important emotions are for leaders and to make teamwork more effective. This podcast is a must listen if you want to be an effective leader. To find out more about or get in contact ...
Sep 22, 2024•40 min
We all want our brand to stand out from the crowd. But why is that sometimes too scary for us to do, and what is the cost of not standing out at all? Well today the team was lucky enough to be joined by the awesome strategy coach, keynote speaker and bestselling author David Fish to break it all down. David talks about why Red Bull is so good at its branding (and how it has never had to use the word "energy"), why we have more love in our heart for QANTAS than REX, and what some of our bigger te...
Sep 16, 2024•47 min
In today's Author Corner, our very own Director of Learning and author Danette Fenton-Menzies chats with another author; Bill Withers. Bill started as a computer programmer (software engineer) before he discovered succession thinking by being an SME Owner-Leader from 1987 to 2023. Three different SMEs with different visions and purposes made up this 36 year journey, including most recently Adapt. He has also worked as an owner, director, organisation leader & team leader. And now he is an au...
Sep 09, 2024•46 min
Hey listeners, we are all taking a 2 week break. After putting out over 215 episodes week after week, we have decided to give our team a little chance to rest up and feel good. Feel free to go back through the archives and listen to some classic episode, or go over to the Adapt with Danette FM Podcast and check out Danette's chat with experts. Have a Magical two weeks.
Aug 23, 2024•2 min
How are your purpose, your ability to embrace challenge, and your past trauma all linked? And how can you understand that link to move into a better space? Well, to talk about that and much more, we are joined for another Danette 1-on-1 with Rena Harvey. Rena is a teacher, healer, reiki master practitioner, intuitive psychic, sound therapist, holistic counsellor, meditation master, spiritual mentor, guide and author, empowering individuals to move through their pain and transform it into their p...
Aug 16, 2024•54 min
How can we all collaborate a bit better? Why is it so hard to collaborate in the first place? And when shouldn't we collaborate? Well, luckily we are joined by an expert on collaboration; Ann Braithwaite, to break it all down. Ann is also a speaker and coach, so communicating her message is something she is great at (as you are currently hearing) In this episode, the team and Ann discuss the collaboration effect and the importance of collaboration in solving complex problems. She distinguishes c...
Aug 09, 2024•40 min
In this 1-on-1 episode of the Magical Learning Podcast, Director of Learning at Magical Learning Danette Fenton-Menzies interviews Dr. Filipa Bellette, co-founder of Holistic Health Practice Chris and Filly Functional Medicine, about her book 'Ending Body Burnout'. Filipa shares her personal journey of experiencing burnout and how she found healing through a holistic approach. The conversation covers the three main body systems that are affected by burnout: the neuroendocrine system, the gastroi...
Aug 02, 2024•34 min
Today we are beyond excited to have John Mattone on the podcast. John is not only known for being a bestselling author, the world's top executive coach 5 out of the last 6 years (globalgurus.org), and founder of John Mattone Global (of which Magical Learning is a partner), but also being someone that Steve Jobs has credited as writing a book that influenced him while he was at Apple. In today's amazing conversation, the team chats to John about how to be an intelligent leader. What does that mea...
Jul 26, 2024•50 min
You've heard of a school of fish, but have you ever wanted to go to school to learn about FISH (Fulfilment, Inspiration, Success, and Happiness)? And how can you use those four words to monitor your life? Today, the team is talking on Danette's birthday to Christopher Miller. Christopher is a strengths -based business coach, author and now question card deck maker. He is the author of the amazing book Finding FISH in a Strengths-Based Practice: Fulfilment, Inspiration, Success, and Happiness in ...
Jul 19, 2024•30 min
We all experience setbacks, but how do we bounce back from them? How do you continue in one area of life when another may be lacking? In today's one-on-one Reflections episode between Danette and Jez, we break down those questions and more.They share personal experiences and insights on how to bounce back from challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth. They emphasize the importance of surrendering to the reality of the setback, accepting it, and asking for help. They also highlight ...
Jul 14, 2024•27 min
Today we have a special one-on-one conversation between Danette and Leah Mether talkign about why "soft skills" are actually hard skills to master. Leah is a communication specialist and author, discusses the importance of soft skills in leadership and work life. She provides practical tips on how to disagree with respect without attacking others and emphasizes the need for emotional regulation and curiosity. Leah also highlights the significance of setting clear expectations as a leader and hol...
Jul 05, 2024•37 min
How can people best utilise their enthusiasm to guide their career? In this episode of the Magical Learning Podcast, the team interviews Marcel Kuhn, a Swiss keynote speaker and expert in leading transformation. The conversation revolves around the topics of following intuition and enthusiasm in the workplace. Marcel emphasizes the importance of creating an environment that encourages collaboration, co-creation, and creativity. He suggests that leaders should let go of control and ego, and inste...
Jun 28, 2024•30 min
Are you in a lot of meetings that suck the life out of you? How can you make a meeting something that the team is looking forward to attending? In today’s fun chat, we talk to the awesome Paul McGregor. Paul is a speaker, author and facilitator who loves to start with questions, and use them to find answers. In today’s chat, Paul breaks down his recipes for much better settings, how to make sure everyone in your meeting is feeling heard, and how to make meetings that should be emails… well, emai...
Jun 21, 2024•34 min
Were you looking to become a leader, or was it just kind of something that happened to you? Are you looking to become a great leader? Well, no matter where you are at in your leadership journey, our returning guest and friend of the podcast Rita Cincotta joined us to discuss this idea of deliberate leadership. Rita has just released a new book called "You Are How You Lead" and this is one of the key areas it examines. You can pick up a copy of You Are How You Lead Here: https://ritacincotta.com/...
Jun 14, 2024•42 min
How do you keep your energy levels up? How do you keep yourself from burning out? In today's hilarious podcast, the team discusses their recent activities and experiences, highlighting the importance of managing energy levels. They explore the factors that affect energy, such as sleep, mindset, and life's demands. The conversation delves into tips for better energy management, including focus, environment, and self-awareness. The chat covers various tips and strategies for employees and employer...
Jun 07, 2024•38 min
With the rise of AI and changing work environments, many businesses have to pivot. But what does that look like and how can you do it so that your business grows. Summary In this episode, the team discusses the topic of pivoting in business. They share personal examples of pivots they have made in their careers and discuss the importance of adapting to change. They also mention some examples of businesses that have successfully pivoted. The conversation explores examples of businesses that have ...
May 31, 2024•43 min
We have all had first jobs, and often, they have nothing to do with our future career. However, that doesn't mean they aren't full of amazing lessons we can carry on into our lives. In today's reflections episode, the team laughs and learns about each other's first jobs and what they learnt. From paper rounds and picking garlic to Hog's Breath Cafe and Mexican takeaway, this conversation was a blast from beginning to end. All Magical Learning podcasts are recorded on the beautiful lands of the K...
May 24, 2024•41 min
How do we make our workplaces a great place for women to feel empowered? How can empowering women make everyon feel empowered? On todays amazing episode, we talk to the fabulous Emma McQueen. Emma is an amazing coach with an electric energy that breaks down not only how to create an amazing workplace where everyone feels empowered, but also why she is so passionate about this. Emma also talks about how men can empower their co-workers, friends and partners to support them and make a better world...
May 17, 2024•42 min
Could your sales skills be better? How can you become a sales leader, and what does that really look like? In today's episode, we are joined by returning guest Anna Glynn to talk about her new book STRONG: How the best sales leaders engage, achieve, and thrive . She talks about her journey around sales, how to learn more sales skills if you are a freelancer, and what the influence of positive psychology has on sales. If you want to check out the book, you can get your copy here: https://annaglyn...
May 10, 2024•36 min
It's our big 200th episode today and we couldn't think of a better way to bring it in than a chat on the topic of legacy. How do you create a legacy you can be proud of? What does it mean to leave a legacy that doesn't involve work? Today we are joined by Josh Comrie to discuss this and more. With over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, investor and advisor, Josh has accumulated inside knowledge into what makes a business successful. His core competencies are: wealth creation, strategy, ...
May 03, 2024•47 min
