
Future Women Leadership Series
Leadership takes courage and resilience. Host and founder of Future Women, Helen McCabe shares insights from some of the most influential women on the sometimes complex challenges faced by women on the path to senior leadership. Leadership thought-leaders will inform and at times challenge your thinking on what it means to be leader and advise you on how to build respect and loyalty from your team members. Future Women is a club for women to connect, learn and lead. To find out more go to futurewomen.com
Latest episodes

Mar 26, 2025 • 33min
Jayne Hrdlicka on stepping down as CEO of Virgin Australia
As a leader, how should you best step away from a role you've loved? Jayne Hrdlicka has had a high-profile and high-powered career as CEO of Virgin Australia. She was also CEO of Jetstar, held senior roles at Qantas and was CEO of The a2 Milk Company. In her first interview since stepping down from Virgin, she opened up about what leadership looks like from the top and what she wishes she knew before she started. 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.

Mar 25, 2025 • 24min
Bonus: Georgie Dent on the guilt-filled juggle
How did struggling to access affordable childcare become the norm? The sky-high costs directly impact women’s economic security, career progression and happiness – and fuel the gender pay gap and gender super gap, as well as homelessness later in life. Georgie Dent speaks with parents and experts to examine the true cost of childcare in this country … and learns why – when Australia could be world-leading in setting children and families up to thrive – it’s instead lagging behind comparable countries. Liked this episode? Follow At What Cost Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 19, 2025 • 28min
Tahnee Sharp on the dangers of personal brands
How should leaders be thinking about building brands - now and into the future? Tahnee Sharp's business was born out of frustration, disappointment and anger with the marketing industry. Flash forward and she's now CEO of The Marketing Room, an independent marketing powerhouse that’s expanded across the globe. In this episode, she discusses everything from Roxy Jacenko and Elon Musk, to how she built her global marketing business and why "warts" are needed in personal brands. 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.

Mar 12, 2025 • 29min
Rhian Allen on leading with tenacity
What role does tenacity play in leadership? Rhian Allen is a wildly successful entrepreneur. She walked away from a high-powered role as a sales director to launch The Healthy Mummy. After a turbulent period saw her need to walk away from the business she loved, Rhian struck once again and is now the CEO and founder of Zing Wellbeing. In this episode, Rhian shares what she has learned about tenacious leadership, how to hire for work ethic and managing high-pressure roles. 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.

Mar 5, 2025 • 28min
Tara Rae Moss on the power of public advocacy
What is the best way for leaders to speak out and take a stand? Tara Rae Moss is - among many things - a best-selling author, documentary host and chronic pain advocate. She's also the host of FW's award-winning podcast series There’s No Place Like Home. If there is one thread that connects Tara Rae's varied career, it's her fearless advocacy for causes she is passionate about. In this episode, she speaks about public advocacy, perfectionism and leading in the public eye. Listen to There's No Place Like Home wherever you get your podcasts. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 2, 2025 • 26min
Bonus: Turia Pitt on being "too combative" and owning it
Turia Pitt is one of Australia’s most inspirational women. She is a wearer of many hats - an author, speaker, business owner, ambassador. She is also a runner. Running changed her life forever when, while competing in an ultramarathon in remote Western Australia, she was caught in an out of control grassfire and sustained burns to 65 per cent of her body. In this episode, Pitt joins Helen McCabe to reflect on what continues to fuel her and why she might just be “too combative”. 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, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 26, 2025 • 26min
Alison Shamir on conquering imposter syndrome
Can you project strength as a leader if you feel like a phony or a fraud? The answer — according to global imposter syndrome expert Alison Shamir — is complicated. Alison became obsessed with understanding imposter syndrome after she was overcome with it while at the peak of her high-powered corporate career. In this episode, she unpacks what leaders should do when they're filled with self doubt. 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.

Feb 23, 2025 • 24min
Bonus: Catherine Livingstone on being told she was "too inexperienced"
Catherine Livingstone is the Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). She’s also an extraordinarily accomplished businesswoman who has served as the President of the Business Council of Australia, and has served as Chairman of Commonwealth Bank, Telstra and CSIRO. In this episode, Livingstone joins Helen McCabe to reflect on how she pushed past being labelled “too inexperienced” at pivotal moments 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, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 19, 2025 • 29min
Holly Masters on becoming the product
Can we view ourselves as products? And what leadership insights might be gained from doing so? Holly Masters is CEO of the McGrath Foundation. She joined the Foundation after a high-powered career in the commercial sector, including a lengthy stint at Estee Lauder. In this episode she shares how she markets her leadership potential and why she learned to view herself as a product of sorts. 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.

Feb 16, 2025 • 31min
Bonus: Dr Anne Summers on juggling "too many" professional passions
Is caring about too many things a legitimate risk to your professional success? Or does it speak to a drive that will keep you engaged throughout your career? Dr Anne Summers is a celebrated author, journalist and feminist leader. She played a pivotal role in the women’s movement, co-founding Australia’s first women’s refuge, Elsie, in the 1970s. She’s advised two Prime Ministers, and has written nine books to date. Dr Summers joins Helen McCabe to reflect on what continues to fuel her, as a woman who’s been told she’s “too driven” time and time again. 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, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.