Ep. 90 Julia Banks on boys' clubs, Trumpist politics and personal power.

Politics is the stuff of Shakespeare.

Acts of revenge, personal sabotage, falls from grace and epic power struggles have always pushed politicians in and out of public favour.

As Australia heads toward a federal election, in our own political landscape we see the high drama of campaign theatre play out against the global backdrop and twisted plot of an increasingly shaky world order. 

Do you still have faith in our democracy and the kind of leadership Australia needs right now?

I recently sat down with Julia Banks - former federal MP, corporate lawyer, leadership consultant and author of Power Play: Breaking Through Bias, Barriers and Boys' Clubs.

Julia’s story is one of grit, resilience and a deep commitment to challenging the structures that hold people back. She made headlines when - after winning the seat of Chisholm in 2016 as the only Liberal to take a seat from the Opposition - she later walked away from the party, calling out Scott Morrison, the toxic culture, gendered power plays and systemic bias she experienced firsthand.

Julia unpacks the realities of Australian politics behind closed doors, and unpacks the tension between ‘positional power’ - the authority that comes with a title - and ‘personal power’ - the strength we each carry within us. 

While Julia’s experiences in Australian politics played out in the full glare of the public eye, her insights extend far beyond the bearpit of Canberra. 

In Australia's boardrooms, workplaces and everyday interactions, she says women in leadership roles are still labeled as "too ambitious," "difficult" or "overemotional" - coded language used to diminish their power. And women are still gravely unrepresented in the political arena.

In this episode of Human Cogs, Julia brings a perspective that is sharp, honest and deeply needed at a time like this, in a world like this. 

Julia reminds us that while the power struggles will perpetuate, we all have a choice in the leaders we elevate, values we uphold and future we collectively shape through our individual actions and democratic participation.

Guest: Julia Banks
Book: Power Play: Breaking Through Bias, Barriers and Boys' Clubs
Twitter / X: @juliahbanks

Host: Mads Grummet
Producer: Audio Superstar Daryl Missen

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