After a welcome break over Easter (sorry we forgot to mention it!), KG and Paul get back to the podcave for an amazing conversation with Dr. Rachael Jacobs - artist, academic, activist.

You may have heard the oft repeated phrase, "Bring your whole self to work." What does that even mean? Rachael chats to our hosts about her own deep cultural reconnection through the discovery of dance, as well as how her many paths in life provide a clue to what that looks like for her.

As an artist, Rachael seeks to make spaces for the marginalised and more vulnerable. Unsurprisingly that deep set of values drive her academic practice as well as her engagement with public life through politics. And while these might seem to be incompatible practices, she is constantly striving to show up as an integrated individual, drawing from all quarters of her life to engage in the world around her.

There are clear parallels here with how we might want to embody our own leadership practices, but we'll leave it to you to pull on those threads!

This engaging and compelling conversation was well accompanied by a lip-smacking red wine from Western Australia. On this occasion, our generous friends at Annadale Cellars provided a 2022 singlefile Great Southern Cabernet Merlot blend. It is a deep, fruit driven wine with plenty under the hood. With pronounced, yet soft tannins, it has delicious dark berry flavours and a silky mouthfeel.

Sláinte friends!

Some resource from this episode:

1. Sydney Bollywood

We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!

When many of us consider leadership and leadership practice, we may assume specific contexts (corporate, politics, the public domain), and specific ways to 'do' leadership. In fact, from accepted governance processes to the way organisations are structured and even how they might report their outcomes, effective leadership is assumed to include a set of agreed 'rules' - ways of doing this thing that we've come to expect of those in leadership positions.

But what if that doesn't work for you? What if these unquestioned norms are simply 'bollocks'?

KG and Paul explore that very possibility with Nick Finlayson, an innovative and successful business founder who has built and run a number of professional service firms in the technology sector (and a former colleague of both hosts). Throughout his career Nick has managed to straddle the divide between corporate expectation and a glaring individuality. But it's the corporate leadership stuff that slows him down. For him, it really is all bollocks.

The fact is, Nick's brain is wired a little differently, and he has learned to understand what works for him and how to adapt to and navigate corporate corridors. However, he has also been able to forge his own path and work to the rhythms of his own, very unique drum.

This is an insightful and honest conversation, shared by three longstanding colleagues over a glass of 2024 Gullyview Estate 'The Fruitful' Grenache. This wine's a bright, red berry explosion in your mouth. A lighter style grenache than Australia's warm climate might otherwise produce. Don't wait, go get yourself some from our generous friends at Annadale Cellars!!

Sláinte friends!

We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!

According to DDI's Global Leadership Forecast 2025 Report, the state of global organisational leadership is nothing short of dire. But how bad is it?

Paul & KG kick around a some of the stats, and reflect on a few infographics to try and get a handle on what might be going on. But more importantly, they ask some uncomfortable questions. If current organisational Leadership across the globe is as bad as the report suggests, then what on Earth is going on with all those corporate wellbeing programs? Have we simply been dazed into a false sense of wellbeing by a slew of 'wellness-washing'?

We'd love to hear what you thought of this conversation.

Please feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time.

Sláinte friends!

Some useful resources from this episode:

1. DDI's Global Leadership Forecast 2025 Report

2. Australian Leadership Index

Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

[Episode contains explicit language - but not too much!]

In this episode, KG and Paul kick off the year with an inspiring conversation featuring Dr. Jason Graham-Nye, an entrepreneur tackling global environmental challenges through the circular economy. Jason shares how his team is addressing the massive problem of disposable nappy waste in the South Pacific, where nappies make up 30% of household waste and where both, eco-systems and economies are fragile and at risk of collapse.

Their model eliminates plastic waste, creates compost to regenerate soil, and provides jobs for local women. With projects in Samoa, Tuvalu, and soon Belize, Jason’s work empowers communities while addressing marine pollution and soil degradation.

The discussion dives into systemic barriers like greenwashing, the need for consistent policy support, and the challenges of collaboration in a competitive world. Jason reflects on his own leadership approach, emphasising the importance of empowering communities and building sustainable systems.

As usual, we share a most delicious wine. On this occasion we are loving the 2023 Sigurd White Blend. A tasty, summery wine that is beautifully balanced with bright and soft, apple-like acidity. It has a long and fresh finish. Don't wait, go get yourself some!!

We hope you will be inspired by Jason’s story, his innovative approach to solving wicked problems, and his insights on leadership and sustainability.

Sláinte friends!

Some useful resources from this episode:

1. The Greater Good Diaper Project

2. Realize Impact (Donate to support the gDiapers project)

3. Boomerang Labs

We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!

We're back for Season 5! How amazing is that??!!

We kick things off with Paul & KG catching up, chatting about the year ahead and then quickly digress into a conversation on endurance. This Cheeky Half episode is definitely 'on brand', as it introduces a half-baked idea, and leaves it hanging. Maybe you can help them finish it?

Have a listen (it's very brief). We'd love to hear what you thought of this conversation.

Thanks for coming back for another season. We love that you do, and are grateful for your support.

Please feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time.

Sláinte friends!

Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

This is it folks! Well, for this year, anyway.

Paul & KG look forward to what may be in store for 2025, and throw around some ambitious ideas in the process.

Have a listen (it's very brief), and let us know what you think! We'd love to hear what you thought of this conversation.

See you in Season 5, kicking off in February 2025. But please, feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions between now and then.

Sláinte friends!

Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

In our final main episode for this season, Paul & KG reminisce over a cracker of a wine! As they sip on a 2022 Toolangi Chardonnay they highlight moments in Leadership Decanted's many conversations over this last year that resonated with them most.

For those of you who might be catching up, or wondering where you might dip your toe next, this episode is a great primer!

We are very much looking forward to spending some time with you in 2025.

Sláinte friends!

Some useful resources from this episode:

1. Annandale Cellars
2. A National Human Rights Act for Australia
3. Culture Capital Group
4. Thirriwirri
5. Mapping Social Cohesion 2024

We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!

KG has referred to this conversation topic as a little 'spicy'. Though we suspect many of our listeners will feel the heat in different ways, if at all.

Before you listen, be aware this conversation is politics 'adjacent'. However, we do not delve into any political detail, and it is not really a response to an election result. It is, though, a response to the many responses an election result has triggered.

We aren't sure how spicy you'll find it, but strap yourself in and have a glass of milk handy (or your preferred non-dairy alternative)!

Let us know what you think!

We'd love to hear what you thought of this conversation.

Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

Some useful resources from this episode:

1. The Resilience Myth: New Thinking on Grit, Strength, and Growth After Trauma (Soraya Chemaly, 2024)