Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes

Today’s Weekend Rewind is part practical masterclass, part business therapy—and I absolutely loved it.My guest is Brendon Baker, someone I’ve known for a couple of years through the Alan Weiss community. We’ve collaborated, co-created, voice-noted each other through dilemmas, and today I brought him on the show for a wide-ranging conversation about business growth, facilitation, and how to shift stuck systems without burning people out in the process.We cover so much ground in this one:Brendan’s three big truths about change (spoiler: simplicity > methodology)The perception problem with last-minute prep—and why it might be your secret weaponHis evolving business model and rebrand (you’ll love his honesty around what’s not working anymore)A brilliant reminder that workshops shouldn’t be theory-only—they should do the workWe also talk about the power of peer communities, why failure teaches more than wins, and how to deal with bad Amazon reviews and tough workshop feedback. (Brendan’s reframe of “That sucks… okay, moving on” is gold.)And here’s something I really took away: Brendan’s mindset around focus and progress. He doesn’t waste time decorating the edges—he’s always asking, “What actually needs to shift?” That clarity shines through in the way he teaches, facilitates, writes, and builds his business.Connect with Brendon:Website: Mecro GroupLinkedIn: Brendon BakerPS: This conversation pairs well with coffee, a notebook, and a reminder that it’s okay to change your mind (and your brand). Enjoy!*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

In this episode, I’m sharing the audio version of my latest Substack article: The Case for Being Uncoachable: Why Trusting Yourself Beats Following the Map (Sometimes).Inspired by a real-life moment where I told Google Maps “no thanks” and trusted my own route home, this episode explores:Why trusting your inner GPS is a leadership skill worth cultivatingThe danger of drowning in well-meaning advice (especially when you're training for a trek in Nepal!)A killer reframe from Alan Weiss that turns “Can I?” into “Should I?”Why “being coachable” isn’t always a virtue—and how to filter advice through your own goalsAnd… a bold new idea I’ve been sitting on: Con Con (The Consultant Convention!) 🌴💼Plus, I share a few questions for reflection:What advice have you recently declined?What idea are you ready to finally release into the wild?🔔 Also! You’re invited to the next Talk the Walk livestream with Alan Weiss and me: How to Ignore Feedback 🗓 Friday 15 August (7:00am AEST) | Thursday 14 August (5:00pm ET)*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Every time I tell someone I’m heading to Nepal for a high-altitude trek, I get a flood of advice: what to pack, how to train, gear recommendations, you name it. It's well-intentioned—but also overwhelming.In today’s solo episode, I unpack a voice note conversation I had with Matt Stewart (from Experience Not Felt Possible), who’s running the expedition. We explore the tension between listening to advice and trusting yourself. Matt made a powerful point: there are many ways to get up a mountain—and most of them work. The question is: which one works for you?From ignoring Google Maps to reading Amazon reviews, I dig into how I personally decide what opinions, data, or advice I act on. I also share:Why even hard data is interpreted differentlyThe role of confirmation bias in decision-makingHow to handle the comparison trap (like seeing someone train for 2.5 hours on a StairMaster 😅)Why it's okay to take the long way home—if it feels rightI’d love to hear your thoughts: How do you filter advice? And when do you back yourself over what others say?*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

In today’s episode, I share a powerful acronym that captures the chaotic, unpredictable, and fog-filled world we’re navigating in 2025 and beyond.You’ve probably heard of VUCA — Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous — a term that's been tossed around in leadership circles for decades. But a new framework, BANI, hit my radar recently (thanks, Yoke Van Dam!), and I think it paints a more accurate picture of the world we're actually leading, working, and living in.BANI stands for:Brittle (systems feel fragile and ready to snap)Anxious (decision paralysis, AI disruption, uncertainty)Non-linear (no clear cause-and-effect anymore)Incomprehensible (some things just don’t make sense anymore)In this episode, I unpack what each element means and how it shows up in business, leadership, tech, and life. I also riff on why seeking control isn’t the answer—and what to do instead.And bonus tip: If you need to focus, try the same chill background music I play for my dogs... it works wonders.Would love to know—does BANI resonate with you more than VUCA?*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

While I was spinning on my Peloton (shoutout Cody Rigsby), I listened to a super juicy webinar titled: How to Attract and Land Filthy Rich Clients on Social Media.Now, don’t be turned off by the title—it was actually packed with thought-provoking distinctions between cheap clients vs rich clients (not poor—important difference!). I share some red flags to watch for, why asking “what’s your rate?” is a massive warning sign, and how I've evolved beyond that price-led game. Plus, I reflect on my own journey and moments where I might’ve been the “cheap client” in someone else’s world 👀This episode is about energy, growth, and mindset—how we show up, how we buy, how we sell, and how we signal our value to the world. It’s about upside thinking, brand positioning, and attracting clients who don’t need convincing—they just know you’re the one.If you're in the business of consulting, coaching, or selling your expertise, this one will hit.*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Today’s episode was recorded fresh off a spectacular morning hike with Kirsty Lewis — someone I’ve technically known since 2018 but only met IRL for the first time today!Kirsty runs the School of Facilitation in the UK, and she’s visiting Australia after a facilitation gig in Manila. So we hit the Macchu Picchu trail (not really, but it felt epic), talked facilitation, pricing, and how we both have stacks of unused IP sitting quietly in Google Drive purgatory.Here’s what came up:What it’s like finally meeting someone in-person you’ve worked with for years onlineThe “starving facilitator” mindset — why we often sacrifice ourselves for the groupWhy we hoard great ideas in Google Docs and never do anything with themMy half-baked but exciting experiment connecting ChatGPT to Google Drive and GmailHow AI agents could actually help you unearth patterns, generate IP, or even schedule your next dentist appointment 😳New asset library idea: A searchable, anonymized database of all my past workshop run sheetsWhat happens when you give AI access to your email, calendar, and docs—and what that could mean for your next book or business strategyKirsty and I covered SO much—honestly, I should’ve just hit record on the trail. But hopefully this solo debrief gives you a taste of our convo and sparks your own ideas for leveraging what you’ve already created.If you’ve got Google Docs filled with brilliance, maybe it's time to dust them off… or better yet, let AI do it for you.*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Excited to share this Weekend Rewind with you!I found myself telling so many people (colleagues, friends, fellow workshop nerds) about the insights from this episode. Andrew’s approach to marketing, how he frames strategic advisory, and especially the way he gives us permission to stop over-preparing… it was all incredibly refreshing.If you're someone who designs workshops or feels like you need to be perfectly prepared before facilitating, you'll love Andrew’s perspective on the power of questions and agility. We talk about:The year 7 Queen Victoria presentation that kicked off Andrew’s love of organising informationWhy he sees under-preparing as a strategic strengthHow to build marketing momentum through genuine conversationsWhat really happens in high-stakes rooms when there’s disagreement—and how to handle it with graceA challenge for you: Summarise this convo in 3 sentences on LinkedIn (tag us both!) and win a copy of my bookWe also unpacked how to build match fitness as a facilitator (no gym required), and the mindset shift that helped Andrew fall back in love with his work when things started feeling a little... flat.You can connect with Andrew here:Website: https://www.workwell.com.auNewsletter: The Five-Minute Strategic Mindset (a Friday staple!)Book: From Impossible to PossibleLinkedIn: Andrew HollowThis one is for anyone leading strategy, holding space for complexity, or figuring out how to stay sharp and human in the room. Thanks again, Andrew—loved every minute of this.*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Alan Weiss is back — this time dialing in from Nantucket with a whiskey in hand, while I’m sipping coffee from Brisbane. This episode is less “webinar,” more “walk and swirl the air” style of conversation — a craft chat about the big and little decisions we make every day.We explore:Why most decisions go wrong (hint: it’s not what you think)The 3-part decision-making framework Alan swears by (Objectives, Alternatives, Risks)Why binary decisions are dangerous — and how to reframe your thinkingHow to evaluate risk properly (without becoming a paranoid over-thinker)Why trusting your gut is smart — but it needs supportWhat to do when you know a decision is wrong but go ahead anyway (yep, been there)Alan also drops this wisdom bomb 💣:“You’ve helped improve a situation. Or you’ve learned something. Either way, it was the right decision.”We also riff on:The surprising genius of the KeurigThe Coldplay camera incident and public riskAI, coin flips, and other ways people outsource their decisionsStrategic pausing (aka knowing when not to decide just yet)📍Live from Nantucket and Brisbane, this one’s a swirl of insight, optimism, personal reflection, and a good laugh.If you’ve been stuck on a decision — or stuck beating yourself up about a past one — this is for you.*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

In this episode, I share a triple shot of mindset fuel:☕ The Coffee Identity Crisis It’s 7:24 AM and I’m standing at my usual cafe, battling the social pressure of saying “Long Black” instead of my usual mocha. Why is this so hard? Because even our smallest rituals get reinforced by the people around us. Even our baristas expect us to stay the same.👷‍♀️ The Rate Buster Problem Ever been told to "slow down" because you're making others look bad? I discovered the term rate buster and wow—it explains so much. If you're the kind of person who adopts AI, works faster, shares shortcuts... you might be disrupting more than you think. So, how do you lead without alienating?💸 Return on I This one’s about sales, self-trust, and why people really don’t buy what you’re selling. It’s not about price—it's about whether they believe they can create value from what you offer. This flips everything, right?And I’ve got three reflection questions for you:Who are the people around you expecting you to be?Are you dimming your light to make others comfortable?When you invest in yourself, are you backing yourself to do something with it?*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Today, I’m talking about a phenomenon I see everywhere — in workshops, in virtual calls, in team meetings, and even at home in my kitchen: diffusion of responsibility.Here’s what I cover:Why the more people you have in a room, the less likely it is someone will speak upThe difference between “we should…” and “I will…”How this shows up in virtual breakouts (and what I do to get around it)A classic household example (starring Chris and the eternally soaking frypan)What it means for accountability in organizationsThe mindset shift from bystander to impact playerYou’ll also hear my favourite prompt to cut through ambiguity and indecision: Why not you? Why not now?👀 So next time you notice something slipping through the cracks — in life, at work, or at home — maybe that’s your sign to take the lead.*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.