Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes

📚 Thanks for coming back for part three of my book prescription series!Over the last couple of episodes, I’ve been sharing the books I recommend constantly—not just because they’re great reads, but because they solve specific problems my clients, friends, and colleagues bring to me.In today’s episode, I cover books that will help you if you:Are doing great work, but feel like no one noticesHate selling, but need to build business and relationshipsWant inspiration without the eye-rolls of cheesy self-helpAre trying to turn an audience into a genuine communityFeel like you’re drifting through life without a planStruggle with comparison, expectations, or caring too much what others thinkHere are the books I recommend in this episode:✨ Impact Players by Liz Wiseman ✨ Give to Grow by Mo Bunnell ✨ Before & Laughter by Jimmy Carr ✨ XOXO, Cody by Cody Rigsby ✨ Superfans by Pat Flynn ✨ Hero on a Mission by Donald Miller ✨ The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro KishimiIf one of those challenges feels like it’s tapping you on the shoulder right now, grab the matching book—it could be just the prescription you need.I’d love to hear from you: What book do you recommend over and over again? Hit reply, leave me a comment, or DM me.Thanks so much for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode!Sign up for free for my best articles every week: 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.

Last week I shared my first seven Book Prescriptions—titles I recommend constantly because they solve very specific problems.Today I’m back with the next seven. These are the books I turn to (and re-read) whenever someone asks me things like:“How do I come up with a catchy name for my idea or business?”“I want to become a paid speaker—where do I even start?”“Why do I keep making expensive mistakes?”“How do I stop procrastinating and actually create?”“How can I host a gathering where people actually connect?”“I want to write a book, but I don’t know where to begin.”“Why do I (and other people) make the decisions we do?”In this episode, I break down exactly which book I recommend for each of these problems—and why.These aren’t just “good reads.” They’re practical guides that give you frameworks, templates, and tools you can use immediately to save yourself time, money, and energy (and avoid those “stupid taxes” Keith Cunningham talks about).📚 Mentioned in this episode:Pop by Sam HornBook More Business by Lois CreamerThe Road Less Stupid by Keith J. CunninghamThe War of Art by Steven PressfieldThe 2-Hour Cocktail Party by Nick GrayWrite Useful Books by Rob FitzpatrickThinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanIf one of these challenges is on your plate right now, pick up the book I suggest—you’ll thank yourself later.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: 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.

As facilitators, our clients don’t pay for the 50% version of us—they pay for the fully-charged, present, 100% edition. In this chat with Brisbane-based facilitator, trainer, and speaker Nicholas King, we talk about how to show up at our best, design “winning” workshop moments, and make deliberate choices about what we feed our minds so we can serve the room.Why listen: You’ll steal practical facilitation moves (hello, post-lunch energy!), pick up a few killer equipment hacks, and hear the one sentence that flipped Nick’s life—and career—on its head: “Your mind doesn’t know what to think; it believes whatever you tell it.”In this episode, we cover:The “100% battery” standard: how I frame energy and presence for client workNick’s pivot from sales to professional facilitation—and the psychologist’s line that changed everythingDesigning transformation vs. chasing “ta-da!” moments (awareness counts!)A delightfully unorthodox post-lunch energiser: getting a room of sales pros to sing “Take My Breath Away” (yes, really)Using movement, music, and micro-risks to anchor learning and create shared memoriesTravel/workshop kit must-haves: the wheely backpack, spare cables (HDMI/VGA), portable battery, a pointer that spotlights content (not just a laser), and a tripod to film yourselfWhy I (begrudgingly) watch my own workshop videos—and what to look for (questions that land, habits/tics to drop, moments to iterate)Health as a facilitation strategy: sleep, water, boundaries when traveling, and being unapologetically “boring” the night before day oneThoughtful LinkedIn use (no hacks): personalised connection notes, meaningful comments, and responding to open questions in groupsIcebreakers that aren’t lame: the soft-throw ball intro game to get movement + choice into the roomPlaying with humour safely: letting a spontaneous line out (and when to hold it)Nick’s standout quotes:“Your mind doesn’t know what to think; it believes whatever you tell it.”“I want people to walk out better than when they walked in.”Try this in your next workshop:After lunch, play a 60–90 second track and get the room singing or moving. Set the tone with playfulness and clear guardrails (“We’re lobbing, not pitching fastballs!”).Film 10–15 minutes of your delivery. Rewatch to:identify one question to improve,spot a physical tic to drop,capture a moment that worked—then bake it into your notes.Gear Nick & I mention:Wheely backpackSpare HDMI/VGA + adaptersHigh-capacity phone batteryPresenter remote with screen highlight/blackoutPhone tripod for filmingThe Top Gun Challenge (I’m serious): Run “Take My Breath Away” as a 2-minute energy reset, film the chorus, and tag me + Nick on LinkedIn. Bonus points for full-body commitment.Connect with Nicholas King:LinkedIn: search “Nicholas King” (he has the clean URL)Website: Thinking Mechanics (Nick’s “slice of the internet” on mindset & choices)Shout-outs:Carl Barron (Aussie comedian) – perfect 5-minute reset clip pre-restartMichael McIntyre – clean laughs that won’t get you in trouble with HRMy takeaways:Awareness precedes change—on stage and off.Anchor memories with movement + music.Consistency beats intensity: track one improvement per session.If you enjoyed this: Share the episode with a facilitator friend who’s due for a battery recharge, and drop a quick review—it helps this show reach more brilliant humans.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: 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 convo is an extract from Virtually Possible 2.0 with the brilliant Marissa Agrasut (Singapore) and Joeri Schilders. Marissa walks us through an online spin on the classic Fishbowl format to sharpen listening, observation, and the craft of facilitation—then we demo it live.What’s insideWhy I left the livestream mostly unedited (and why you might, too)Fishbowl, but online: how we split “speakers” and “observers”The note-taking sheet that forces real listening (points + evidence)Five chewy facilitation questions we explored (value, ethics, labels)Subtle signals: metaphors, hand movement, eye line, nodding—what they revealDesign tweaks that instantly improve the exercise (camera off for observers, brief breathing reset, energizers)When to swap roles vs. when to share insights mid-wayThe “destabilising” question trap (looking at you, “What’s your Why?”) and why ethics matter in facilitationQuick takeaways you can stealMake it binary. Half the group speaks, half just listens and writes evidence for each point they heard. Then swap.Observers off-cam, mics muted. It heightens contrast and reduces performative nodding/facial feedback.Prime attention. Start with 30 seconds of quiet breathing. You’ll feel the room settle—even online.Give a success example early. After Round 1, ask observers for 1–2 insightful reflections so Round 2 knows the bar.Track evidence, not vibes. “What I heard + what made me think that” = better post-discussion synthesis.Mind your prompts. Big existential questions (e.g., “What’s your purpose?”) can be destabilising for cold groups. Use with care.Ethics belong in our kit. We influence rooms. Having a simple “do no harm / informed consent / psychological safety” lens matters.Run-of-show (how to try this in your next virtual session)Frame (1 min): Explain Fishbowl + “why listening, why now.”Prime (30 sec): Cameras on, eyes closed, 3 deep breaths.Split (30 sec): Speakers vs. Observers (use a playful rule: shortest hair speaks first, etc.).Round 1 (6–8 min): Speakers discuss Q1–Q2. Observers capture Points + Evidence.Micro-debrief (3 min): 1–2 observers share insights (not opinions). Facilitator models depth.Round 2 (6–8 min): Swap roles with Q3–Q4.Synthesis (5 min): Group themes, tensions, decisions.Close (2 min): “What changes in how you’ll listen next week?”Great question prompts (steal these)How do you currently describe what you do—and when does that change?What value do you actually bring (in client words, not yours)?Is facilitation a specialist skill—or a shared capability?Should facilitators follow a simple ethical code? What’s in it?What one shift would improve our professional practice this quarter?Energizer ideas to tune attentionSound slate: Play 8–12 short audio clips (tools, nature, speeches). Ask listeners to recall as many as possible—no notes.Quote ID: Ten legendary lines (MLK, movie monologues, famous talks). “Who said this?”—pure listening, zero slides.Try it + tell meIf you experiment with this online Fishbowl, I’d love to hear what you changed and what surprised you. DM me your run-sheet or a photo of your “Points + Evidence” page.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: 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 week, someone asks me: “Leanne, what book should I read next?”And my response is always: “Well…what problem are you trying to solve?”Because you don’t need another list of “top 10 business books” that just recycle the same titles. You need the right book, at the right time, for the right problem.Jenny Blake calls this a Book RX — a book prescription. Like a doctor scribbling on their pad, except instead of antibiotics, I hand out stories, strategies, and mindset shifts.So today, I’m sharing some of the books I prescribe most often — the ones I recommend over and over again. These are my go-tos when someone comes to me stuck, overwhelmed, or wondering what’s next.Here are the first seven “book prescriptions” — we’ll cover more in future instalments.Problem #1: “I hate my job, but I don’t know what I want to do instead.”RX: Pivot by Jenny Blake This book literally changed my life. Jenny gives you a four-part method — Plant, Scan, Pilot, Launch — to figure out your next move without blowing up your entire career overnight. It’s practical, compassionate, and action-oriented.Problem #2: “Everyone says I should freelance, but I’m terrified I’ll starve.”RX: Getting Started in Consulting by Alan Weiss Forget trading hours for dollars. Alan shows you how to position yourself on value, not time, and how to talk to the right buyers. It’s Consulting 101 without the fluff — the book I wish I had when I started.Problem #3: “I know I need to tell more stories, but I don’t know how.”RX: Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks Matthew doesn’t teach you to wait for once-in-a-lifetime stories. Instead, he helps you spot everyday “five-second moments” where something inside you shifts. His structure makes storytelling doable, not daunting.Problem #4: “I’ve got to run a workshop, but I’m not a facilitator.”RX: The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint by… me, Leanne Hughes I wrote this book for experts who need to turn what’s in their head into a session that actually works. It’s simple, flexible, and gets you off PowerPoint autopilot.Problem #5: “I have a brilliant idea…but what if nobody wants it?”RX: Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan Instead of hiding behind logos and websites, Noah gives you scripts to validate an idea in 48 hours. You’ll learn how to test, pre-sell, and find out if your idea has legs before you waste months (and money).Problem #6: “People keep coming to me for advice, but it never seems to land.”RX: The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier We all have an “advice monster.” This book teaches you to tame it by asking better questions and staying curious. A must-read for leaders (and me, because I default to advice way too quickly).Problem #7: “I’m exhausted. Work feels relentless and broken.”RX: It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson The antidote to hustle culture. This book is about calm productivity, protecting your time, and building sustainable companies without burning out your people (or yourself).That’s round one of my “book prescriptions.” I’ve got more coming next week.💊 Your turn: What’s the book you find yourself recommending again and again?Sign up for free for my best articles every week: 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.

If you’ve ever thought, “This meeting could have been an email”… today’s episode is for you.I’m sharing why agendas aren’t just nice-to-haves, they’re the thing that keeps meetings short, sharp, and actually useful. I’ll take you behind the scenes of some 25-minute listening tour calls I’ve been running, and how a 10-minute pre-email with sample questions changed the whole dynamic.We’ll also talk about David Grady’s hilarious TED Talk on Meeting Acceptance Syndrome (yes, it’s a real thing) and why clicking Tentative instead of Accept might be the simplest culture shift you can make.Key takeaways from this episode:Why most meetings go overtime (hint: zero direction)The magic of sending a short pre-agenda emailHow to influence meeting culture from wherever you sit in the hierarchyMy two-stage approach to stakeholder meetings that actually saves time🔗 I’ll pop the TED Talk link in the notes: How to Save the World (or at Least Yourself) from Bad Meetings by David Grady.Thanks for tuning in — and remember, great meetings don’t happen by accident.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: 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.

I’m back with a short and sweet episode today—and it’s all about a new Apple feature I’ve fallen in love with. If you’ve ever been mid-flow and suddenly interrupted by a random call from a solar panel company (even though you already have solar 🙄), then you’ll get why this is such a game-changer.With iOS 26, you can now:Turn on Call Identification so your iPhone checks Apple Business Connect, carriers, and call ID apps to figure out who’s ringing you.Screen or silence unknown numbers—your iPhone answers on your behalf, asks who’s calling and why, then tells you so you can decide if it’s worth picking up.Send unknown calls straight to voicemail or filter out spam entirely.Basically, it’s like having your own executive assistant for phone calls. Of course, this also changes the dynamic when you’re calling someone—suddenly you’ve got to justify yourself just to get through!In this episode I share:Why I think this feature is genius (and overdue).How to switch it on in your iPhone settings.The funny social dynamics this might create.Why I’ll still probably choose voice notes and Zoom over phone calls most days.🎧 Tune in, and if you’ve tried it—let me know. Have you screened anyone yet? Or been screened yourself?Sign up for free for my best articles every week: 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 handing the mic back to Jason Knight. You might remember him from last month’s episode where we jammed on branding and how to think of your positioning like a newspaper headline.This time, Jason’s diving into one of my absolute favourite topics: frameworks. Whether it’s a Venn diagram, a 2x2, or a hand-drawn sketch, frameworks have this magical way of taking complex ideas and making them unforgettable.In this conversation, Jason shares his Pain-to-Results model—a signature system he uses to codify IP, guide attention, and make ideas “dangerously distinctive.” He also talks about why hand-drawn, messy visuals often outperform polished graphics when it comes to creating sticky learning and buy-in.If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your thinking into something visual, simple, and powerful enough to sell your ideas for you—this episode is for you.✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:Why visual frameworks cut through more noise than polished marketing.The Pain-to-Results model and how it helps you guide prospects from problem to solution.How to codify your expertise into a repeatable, signature system.Why drawing your ideas live creates more buy-in than a slick slide deck.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: 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 taking you behind the mic into what’s actually on my mind right now: the AFL Grand Final. My Brisbane Lions are chasing back-to-back wins, Snoop Dogg is headlining the pre-game entertainment, and I’m scheming about whether I can somehow score a last-minute ticket.This episode is less “self-development” and more about the fun of throwing out a wild idea and seeing what’s possible. From reminiscing about Meatloaf’s infamous performance to predicting Snoop’s opener (I’m calling What’s My Name?), it’s a reminder to leave the door cracked open for serendipity and play with possibility.Even if I don’t make it down to Melbourne, just dreaming about it has been energising. I’d love to know: what song do you reckon Snoop will kick off with?Sign up for free for my best articles every week: 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.

This weekend rewind is with my friend Sally Porteous.Sally is the Managing Director of Red Lanyard, an event production company where she produces festivals, conferences and meetings. She also runs the Event Planners Workshop and the Event Managers Network, bridging the gap between theory and the real world.In this conversation, you’ll hear parallels between workshops and events—how both are about creating environments that feel safe, memorable and impactful. Sally shares practical strategies you can steal, from shopping centre observations that inform event design, to the closing questions that make embedding learning easier for everyone.It’s packed with stories, mindset shifts and useful tips.About today’s guestSally Porteous is Managing Director of event production company Red Lanyard, where she produces festivals, conferences, events and meetings. She is the creator of the Event Planners Workshop, a series of training, coaching and mentoring products to bridge the gap between accredited education and learn-by-doing. She also coordinates and facilitates The Event Managers Network, a membership that connects, supports and networks suppliers and event managers.Links and Resources:Connect with Sally Porteous on LinkedInCredit to Michael Doneman, Founding Director of Edgeware Creative EntrepreneurshipLink to Sally’s simple Pre-Event Checklist Sign up for free for my best articles every week: 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.