Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes

I decided to re-release this conversation because earlier this week, I joined Ryan So Fly's YouTube creator community (only $5/month — well worth it), and it reminded me just how brilliant this chat was.Ryan So Fly is one of my favourite travel YouTubers. He’s funny, honest, insightful, and has a killer eye for capturing raw, real travel experiences — from flight reviews to Aussie pub meals in remote towns.In this episode, we cover:✈️ What life was like working 4AM shifts in corporate Singapore 🌏 How Ryan planned a 10-year migration journey to Australia 🛫 Why he believes travel builds empathy (and what real travel looks like) 🚙 That unforgettable trip to Cape York — solo, wet season, and full of heart 🐍 The story of nearly stepping on a snake while filming a GoPro segment 🎥 What it takes to balance content creation with staying present while travelling 🍽️ Why a pub dinner in a small Aussie town is the ultimate connection point 💡 His method for planning epic trips — involving inflight magazines and spontaneity 📺 Behind the scenes of being a YouTube creator: from burnout to raw honesty 🌏 Ryan’s favourite airlines, emotional moments, and why Cape York still gives him goosebumpsYou can follow Ryan and check out his videos hereSign 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 scenes of my Everest Base Camp (and peak!) training journey — the real stuff. Injuries, gadgets, gear, and the surprising power of voice notes.In this episode, I share:Why I enlisted coach Kyle Mooney from Experience Not Felt PossibleHow we’re using the Final Surge app + voice note coaching to build momentumWhat it’s like walking with a weighted vest for the first time (spoiler: weirdly energising!)A surprising mention of weighted vests on Diary of a CEO (thank you Petra Zinc for the heads-up!)My experience using a TENS machine for recovery — and Kyle’s take on whether it actually worksWhy voice note coaching is so underrated (and how I use it in my own offer, Leanne on Demand)If you're prepping for a big goal, curious about behind-the-scenes athlete coaching, or just love a peek into someone else's process, this episode's for you.🎧 Links + MentionsContact Kyle MooneyThanks for tuning in — and wish my Achilles luck!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’ve got a couple of dogs—Quincey and Milo—and while I don’t talk about them enough on the pod, they’re a huge part of my life. Quincey is 14 now, and recently we’ve been getting some tests done because, well… he’s showing signs of ageing.Because when I requested health reports from the vet, I was like… what does any of this even mean?! So I turned to ChatGPT uploaded the documents, and asked it to pretend it was the best vet in the world. The insights it gave back? Gold.I talk about:What Quincey’s test results showed Options for next stepsHow ChatGPT helped clarify the situation and even gave us a monitoring planWhy I might start uploading my own blood test results next time I get them 🤓This episode isn’t medical advice. It is a look at how technology + curiosity can help us make more informed decisions—especially when we feel a bit out of our depth.Big takeaway? When in doubt, get the data, give it context, and ask smart questions.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 episode is inspired by a magical, unexpected post-speech conversation I had with a woman named Susan.Susan is originally from Ghana, and before I even got up to speak at the Mother’s Day event, she walked right up to me and said: "I feel like I need to be here."Then she gave me a message: Allow and accept. Be the water.Now, I’m not always on the woo-woo train—but still....!In today’s episode, I reflect on:The power of allowing things to unfold instead of always pushingThe Ghanaian proverb: “Not every insect is attracted to every plant”—and why this is gold for content creators, speakers, business owners, and basically anyone who puts themselves out thereHow specificity is a filter—and the more you you are, the more your right people will find youThe freedom that comes from realising rejection ≠ failure… sometimes it’s just misalignment💭 I’ll also leave you with a question: Are you still shape-shifting your scent to attract the wrong insects?This one’s a little reflective, a little soulful, and super relevant for anyone trying to do work that matters (without constantly second-guessing yourself).🎧 Listen in—and maybe, let yourself be the water today.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.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the live speech I gave at a high school Mother’s Day event, in front of 300 daughters and mums sipping tea and passing cupcakes.It starts with me at ten years old, ashamed to be picked up in our brown, overheated Holden Camira… until my mum did something that completely changed my view of her — and, honestly, my view of life.You’ll hear about:Why there are thousands of guides on how to parent… but none on how to daughterThe power of showing up scared and doing it anywayMy three “rules” for being a better daughter (inspired by netball)If you’ve ever tried to navigate the weird, wonderful, complex relationship that is being someone’s daughter — or someone’s mum — this one’s for you.Let’s celebrate the little moments that made us.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.

In today’s quick hit, I’m responding to a very interesting question I got from a friend-client on LinkedIn:“If AI can simulate different stakeholder perspectives, do we still need to engage them?”Here’s my take:Yes, use AI for speed, but not as a substitute for relationships.You can ask ChatGPT to pretend it’s your procurement manager and offer advice—but here’s what that misses...AI gives you logic, but influence lives in the grey.Stakeholder engagement isn’t just about getting facts or advice—it’s about pre-selling, building alignment, and navigating the real, messy dynamics of perception, politics, and respect.Bring people on the journey—don’t just show them the destination.A huge part of change leadership is making people feel involved. AI can’t do that. You still need to read the room, have the conversation, pick up on energy shifts and tone.📚 I also touch on the Benjamin Franklin Effect—that people are more likely to support you if you’ve asked them for something first. It’s a bit of psychology magic that AI can’t replicate.🤖 Where AI is useful?→ Roleplaying to surface objections→ Helping you prepare→ Sharpening your proposal→ Making admin easierBut buy-in? That’s still a human-to-human game.Thanks for tuning in today—and if this sparked any thoughts, I’d love to hear them!Chat tomorrow 👋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.

Hey, welcome to the Weekend RewindMy guest is Mike Knapp, and this chat was actually born from an unrecorded conversation we had where I said mid-way, “Wait—why aren’t we capturing this?!”Mike is a strategy advisor, coach, mural template wizard and meditation teacher (yep, all those things). In this episode, he shares how he went from IT specialist to a sought-after facilitator for complex digital transformation projects—and the mindset shift that helped him step into the role of “guide” (not expert).Here’s what we cover:Why contrast is the secret sauce for engaging sessions (and how to create it)How Mike runs 4-hour Zoom sessions that keep people energisedHis Mural template obsession—and how to build one that tells a storyWhy you don’t need more tech hacks—you need human connectionWhat meditation and running have to do with workshop energyThe surprising reframe for nervousness that will change your prep game🎧 Hit play, enjoy the ride—and let us know your biggest takeaway by tagging us on LinkedIn!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 re-sharing my second chat with the world's leading body language expert, Mark Bowden. This was originally recorded during peak Zoom-fatigue era, when facilitators (myself included) were scrambling to figure out how the heck to connect, engage, and energise through a webcam.Why am I bringing this back now? Two reasons:I just quoted this episode in a webinar, and it landed hard.His tips STILL apply—and are more important than ever.Here's what we cover:Why reading the room (especially virtually) is a waste of energyHow to lead behaviour instead of trying to read itWhat Mark does to instantly make virtual sessions more engaging (without expensive tech)Why body language still matters, and how to ramp yours up on screenThe surprising power of asking “What’s been most useful so far?”How to use your background and status intentionally to connectIf you’ve ever felt flat during a virtual session—or wondered how to make your facilitation feel more human—you’ll love this episode.🎧 Enjoy the rewind. And hey, I’ll speak to you tomorrow.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.

Hey, thanks for jumping in today. I’m sharing some reflections from my 9-year wedding anniversary weekend—and how a random cookie run led me into one of Australia’s biggest copyright controversies. What happens when a viral baker is accused of copying recipes from a best-selling cookbook author? And what does this mean for those of us who share ideas for a living?What I cover in this episode:A shoutout to Spicers Balfour Hotel in Brisbane (amazing food, rooftop views, 10/10 vibes)The story behind Brookie’s Bakehouse and her massive TikTok-fuelled successThe plagiarism controversy between Brookie’s cookbook and Nagi from RecipeTin EatsWhat I saw when I visited Brookie’s Bakehouse this weekThe tension between inspiration vs. imitation in creative workHow idea protection gets blurrier in a world of AI and infinite remixingWhy I personally don’t stress too much about people copying my ideas (and what I do instead)A reminder: Trolls on the internet are loud, but community still mattersFinal verdict: The Nutella cookie? Worth it.Resources / mentions:RecipeTin EatsBrookie’s Bakehouse (multiple locations)“Finite and Infinite Games” by James P. Carse“The Infinite Game” by Simon SinekSign 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.

You know that line, “You teach what you most need to learn”? Well, that hit me—hard—during a session I ran last week.This episode is about how I ran a workshop on observation skills… and completely failed to observe the most obvious thing in front of me that very morning. I tell the story of how I showed up early (classic me), spent half an hour meticulously setting up a room—only to realise… it was the wrong room. The right room was already beautifully prepped, with name tags, tea and coffee… and a big old sign. I just didn’t see it.In this one, I talk about:The curse of knowledge (and how it gets in the way of being present)Why assumptions are sneaky little thingsHow I turned a real-time fail into a perfect case study during the sessionThe role of observation in coaching and leadershipHow to get out of your head and into the room (literally and figuratively)Sometimes our best material shows up when we mess up.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.