Future Women Leadership Series

FW
undefined
Nov 12, 2025 • 45min

Back to basics: Wendy McCarthy on the politeness trap

This week, we're revisiting one of our favourite FW Leadership Series episodes.  Do you ever feel shackled by the expectation to be 'polite'? Wendy McCarthy is one of Australia’s leading feminists, businesswomen, activists, and a best-selling author. In this discussion with Helen McCabe, Wendy shares the many lessons she's learned about life, love and leadership. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Nov 5, 2025 • 31min

Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks on how to stop people pleasing

Does there come a point where you stop worrying about being likeable?  Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks is the founder of media start-up Missing Perspectives. She is also the author of a new book called The Right Hand. In it, she speaks to chiefs of staff to some of the world’s most consequential leaders, from Jacinda Ardern to Nelson Mandela.  In this episode, Phoebe shares what she's learned about leadership from these remarkable figures and discusses her own leadership trajectory as an entrepreneur and self-described "reformed people pleaser".  Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Oct 29, 2025 • 28min

Justine Cain on what being widowed at 29 taught her about leadership

Is there a trick to pushing through tough times? Justine Cain is the Group CEO of Diabetes Australia. In this episode, she speaks about resilience and how a great loss shaped her leadership philosophy. She also discusses her day-to-day approach to leading - from one-on-ones to org charts and skip meetings. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
6 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 29min

Van Tang on how to be a hardworking but lazy leader

In this engaging discussion, Van Tang, CEO of GHD for the Asia-Pacific region, reveals her unique approach to leadership, blending hard work with a 'lazy leader' philosophy. She emphasizes the importance of adaptive management and sharing leadership through listening and collaboration. Van shares insights on navigating male-dominated spaces, using humor to assert authority, and the art of delegation. She also addresses the generational impatience of young talent and advocates for broad experiences over title-driven growth, making the case for authenticity in leadership.
undefined
5 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 30min

Mark Rigotti's guide to becoming a board member

What sort of career moves should you be making if you want to join a board?  Mark Rigotti was the Global CEO at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, and today, he is the CEO of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). In this episode, he talks Helen McCabe about complex power dynamics in the workplace and the sort of skills you need to be good at right now to end up on a board. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Oct 8, 2025 • 30min

Erica Nelson's top tips for designing an effective org chart

What should leaders think about when designing org charts? And what are the secrets to creating ones that fuel, rather than hinder, collaboration?  Erica Nelson is the Chief Leadership Development Officer at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation. She’s got a background in psychology and - among many things - works one-on-one with executives to help them sort through leadership pain points. In this episode she talks all things org charts and shares her experience of being made redundant not once - but three times - in her career.  Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Oct 1, 2025 • 32min

Vicki Thomson on how to build compromise

How do we change as leaders over time?  As CEO of the Group of Eight Universities, Vicki Thomson is one of the most important figures in Australia's education sector. In a former life she was also Chief of Staff to ex-South Australian Premier John Olsen. In this episode, she reflects on her leadership evolution from being a tough boss who "didn't suffer fools" to becoming an expert at "herding cats". Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Sep 24, 2025 • 29min

Kellie Hush's guide to career pivots

What is the best way to overcome a public leadership failure? Kellie Hush is one of the most influential players in the Australian fashion landscape. The former Editor-in-Chief of Harper's Bazaar Australia, today she is the Co-Founder of The Volte and CEO of Australian Fashion Week. In this episode, she talks about career pivots and what to do when it all goes terribly wrong... and, yes, she also gives a fashion tip or two.  Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Sep 17, 2025 • 32min

Mark Scott's blueprint for leading as an 'outsider'

How should you approach leadership if you're an outside hire?  Sydney University's Vice Chancellor Mark Scott is one of the country's most accomplished leaders. Throughout his career, Mark has been appointed from the outside of organisations with a mandate to drive large-scale change. In this episode, he shares what he's learned from being the 'outsider' and how he has approached leading much loved - but also much scrutinised - institutions. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
undefined
Sep 10, 2025 • 31min

Dr Kate Mason's guide to communicating with authority

What is the difference between a good and a gifted communicator? Dr Kate Mason is a leading communications expert. Her new book, Powerfully Likeable, is a roadmap for female leaders looking to communicate in a way that's both powerful and likeable.  In this episode, she gives practical, actionable tips for how to avoid the constricting binaries and become a gifted communicator at work.  Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app