Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes

What was meant to be a cruisy, reflective post-Sunshine Coast weekend took a hard left turn—via a foot injury and a trip to an Urgent Care clinic.But, true to form, this episode isn't really about my foot.In this off-the-cuff episode, I talk about:How one tiny splinter (literally and metaphorically) can throw everything off.The incredible career switch that challenged how I think about “too late.”Why the next 5 years will pass regardless—so where do you want to be then?🎧 Whether you're nursing a real injury or a dream you've been sitting on for too long, this one’s for you.Some reflections for you:What’s the splinter in your life right now—small, but slowly wrecking everything else?If you keep waiting… where will you actually end up in 5 years?What’s the “one day” thing you keep postponing—and what’s one small move you could make on it 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.

We have an absolute world-leader in the field of nonverbal communication joining us on the Weekend Rewind, Michael Grinder.Michael has over 40 years of experience training thousands of groups. Known as the pioneer of nonverbal communication, Michael helps executives and educators assess people more accurately, connect with others more deeply, and build their charisma.We explore how to use his famous model, the House of Communication in our workshops.During this conversation, I picked up so many incredibly nuanced things you can do to boost the clarity of my communication in both virtual and face-to-face workshop environments.The beauty of this conversation is how Michael talks about the large and the small, the micro and the macro, the philosophy around what you do, and then the micro: what type of chair you need, in order to do that.We also delve into using space, and how to segment space within our environments.There are so many incredible techniques shared in this one, that you can implement straight away. I’d love to thank my co-hosts: Maree Burgess, Leanne Elliot and Martin Haworth for joining in and asking questions, contributing, keeping the conversation flowing beautifully.About today’s guest: Michael GrinderMichael Grinder has over 40 years of experience training thousands of groups. Known as the pioneer of nonverbal communication, Michael helps executives and educators assess people more accurately, connect with others more deeply, and build their charisma.Two well-known experts personally trained Michael in the field of communication: Carl Rogers, the father of humanistic psychology, and Michael’s brother, Dr. John Grinder, co-founder of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Over his career, Michael has written 14 books, which have been translated into seven languages. He’s a sought-after speaker for national and international events and has presented on seven continents. Some of Michael’s additional achievements include:National Director of NLP for EducationTeacher of the year at three different schools in California, Washington, and Oregon.Recipient of the 2019 DACH “Mediator of the Year.”Today, Michael continues to train individuals and companies, and volunteers with community organizations. He lives in Washington State with Gail, the love of his life.In this episode you will learn:Importance of non-verbal elements in virtual workshopTips to better utilise our voice in a workshopHow you can “block/anchor” elements of the room during face-to-face and virtual workshopsHow to be confident during in-person and online workshops How to use your hands effectively, anytime you communicateThe difference between Intellectual safety vs. Emotional safety ABC's of conveying a message for in-person or virtual facilitationHere are some questions I asked Michael during the interview:What led you into the path of exploring and diving deep into the world of communication?How do you find the virtual world of communicating as opposed to the joy we have with being in person?How can we bring the elements of non-verbal into the virtual world?How can we get better at utilizing our voice?What are things that we can do about things that are going off-track?How can we block elements in a virtual workshop?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 tuning into this Weekend Rewind — a chance to revisit favourite conversations.This one’s with Zaretta Hammond, author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, and a woman I now call a friend. In fact, we caught up for breakfast in New York after this episode aired — I was flying out that afternoon, she was in town, and it was one of those serendipitous moments that made me love podcasting even more.Zaretta is brilliant. She’s a master of metaphor, a facilitator with 25+ years under her belt, and someone who brings both rigour and heart to everything she teaches. In this episode, we cover:Why facilitation is both a technical and creative practiceHow to navigate the line between helpful discomfort and just… discomfortHer favourite metaphor: the first pancake (you’ll never forget it)How she structures large-scale learning experiencesTips for managing your own energy before, during, and after big workshopsWhy metaphors matter — and how to find your own flavour as a facilitatorThere’s so much goodness in here, whether you’re a teacher, speaker, or someone leading any kind of human-to-human experience.Zaretta Hammond is an educational consultant and author who focuses on culturally responsive teaching and learning. She has been a teacher, coach, and school leader, and her work centers around empowering educators to meet the needs of students from diverse backgrounds.Zaretta is the author of the critically acclaimed book "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students." She is also a sought-after speaker and facilitator, sharing her expertise in workshops and conferences worldwide.Find out more about Zaretta's work at: https://crtandthebrain.com/🎧 Enjoy this one. It’s full of gems — and if you’ve ever doubted your own facilitation skills, this conversation will leave you fired up to get back out there.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 episode is a bit of a behind-the-scenes unpacking of a business move I’ve been toying with for literally years… and finally pulled the trigger on last weekend.Here’s the gist: I’ve started a new digital home on Substack, and I’m calling it Work Fame (at least for now — more on that inside the episode).In this quick solo chat, I share:Why I made the leap from ConvertKit to Substack after sitting on the fence for far too longWhat Work Fame means to me (spoiler: it’s not about internet fame or going viral — it’s about being known for the work you do in the rooms that matter)How this move brings more life, play, and connection to my content creation gameWhat kind of content you’ll find behind the scenes in the All Access tier, and why I’m experimenting with paid membershipsWhat I’m most excited about when it comes to this new platform — community, discovery, and dialogueIf you’re on Substack, come find me: workfa.me (yes, that cheeky little domain name is real — and yes, I kind of love it).Also — got Substack tips? Favourite creators? Drop me a DM or comment — I’m diving in and learning as I go.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.

Who needs positive self talk when you can create this... (what I'm about to play on the show today)This episode is a combo of:An experiment with Manus AI + DescriptA hilarious/awesome/fake locker-room pep talk it created for meMy real-time, gogglebox-style commentary on how it wentI prompted AI to pretend it was giving me a “get hyped” speech in a basketball locker room, just before I walk into a big workshop or keynote. I didn’t feed it much info about me — just told it to look me up and go for it.What I got back?A speech that name-drops the SPARK frameworkThe phrase “thought breeder” (still laughing)A reminder I actually needed: “Trust your preparation. Trust your framework. Trust yourself.”You'll also hear how I stitched two tools together — Manus AI to write the script (it failed on audio), and Descript to bring it to life with synthetic voiceover.This episode is playful, slightly ridiculous, and genuinely useful if you’re:Feeling nerves before a big momentCurious how AI could create personal hype contentThinking about how to build rituals or mindset shifts into your work prepAnd hey — if you like the idea of a private podcast pep talk, this might just be your sign to make one too.👀 I’ll be uploading this to my own private podcast so I can hit play any time I need a boost.📮 P.S. Want more ideas like this? Join the Work Fame community — tools, frameworks, and other things that work: https://www.workfa.meSign 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.

Quick one: You're invited to join my free community, Work Fame.Today’s episode is basically what happens when you mix cinnamon rolls, idea overload, and a Brisbane brunch catch-up with my brilliant friend, Jade Miller.(Fun fact, Jade illustrated my book cover, and also the drawings in The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint!)We sat down for a coffee and ended up doing what we always do — bouncing ideas, talking about what’s next, and figuring out what to do with all the good stuff swirling in our heads.Here’s what we covered:How to validate your idea (without building a thing first)Why simple always lands — shoutout to Mel Robbins and her “Let Them” magicThe difference between an idea that excites you vs one that solves a real problemThe hard truth about events: If it doesn’t solve a problem, people won’t comeA reminder that people are busy, and cutting through isn’t about shouting louder — it’s about hitting the right nerveWe also riffed on:Jenny Blake’s “book prescription” conceptNoah Kagan’s Million Dollar Weekend and his gold-standard for idea validation: “Will someone pay for it?”This one’s for the creators, the consultants, the thinkers, and anyone swimming in a sea of ideas. If you’ve ever asked, “Is this idea actually worth pursuing?” — this chat will land.Thanks again, Jade, for a delightful convo. And to you listening — let me know what idea you’re playing with right now!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.

Look, I wasn’t meant to touch my computer on Sunday. But then I got access to Manus AI—a hands-free AI tool that genuinely does the work for you. Like, no more prompting, copy-pasting, or jumping between tools. This thing opens its own browser and just goes to work.In today’s episode, I share:Why I dropped everything (nearly even my football team, Brisbane Roar FC) to play with thisHow Manus built a DocuSign-style product... during a podcast interviewMy completely ridiculous but totally fun use case: personalised number plates for our 1979 Trans AmThe actually useful stuff—like building a travel itinerary, finding market trends, and creating a companion workbook for The 2-Hour Workshop BlueprintWhy this changes the game for solopreneurs, workshop designers, and anyone who wants traction without burnoutI’ve only scratched the surface of this thing, but I’m already thinking: What tools will Manus replace? What else can I hand off? Where does this take us in 6 months?Also, if you're curious—I show a behind-the-scenes 13-minute video inside my new community, including how I uploaded my book and created a full-on workbook in minutes.Questions for you:What boring task would you love to outsource to a tool like this?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.

We’re talking anti-BATCHERS — yep, I made that up at a long lunch in Brisbane and couldn’t stop thinking about it. If you’ve ever felt allergic to rigid routines and pre-scheduled creativity, you’re in good company.In this episode, I share why I don’t batch my daily podcast episodes (and don’t recommend my approach either 😅), the accidental rituals that do help me show up daily, and why creating in the moment brings me the most joy.What you'll hear:Why batching content feels like sandpaper on my soulHow I sneak in podcast recordings after livestreams, bushwalks, or lunch chatsThe invisible rituals that keep a daily creative habit aliveWhen not recording content is actually the right moveWhat “anti-batching” could look like as a creative philosophy or communityThings to think about:Is your best work planned… or sparked in the moment?What environments or activities help your ideas surface?Could you find rhythm in a more free-form creative flow?🎧 Listen now if:You’ve tried batching and felt like a robotYou’re curious how to stay consistent without strict structureYou want behind-the-scenes insight into how I really get stuff done (or don’t)👋 Let’s chat:Are you a pro-batcher or free-flow creator? What’s your creative rhythm like? DM me or tag me — I’d genuinely love to hear.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.

Leanne Hughes and Alan Weiss unpack exactly how to score international gigs—without needing to be “famous,” have a publisher, or move countries. From leaving your book at the front desk of a Thai hotel, to speaking at global conferences (even for free), this conversation covers everything you actually need to build a global practice.Whether you’re a consultant, coach, speaker or someone who just wants more stamps in their passport and paid work, this episode gives you the playbook.What we cover:Our first international gigs and how they really happenedWhy “opportunism” beats long-term planningHow to use conferences, hotels, and consulates to your advantageWhy being Australian (or “foreign”) can work in your favourThe myth of needing to be famous before going global20+ ways to score international gigs that actually workVisa tips, platform options (like Upwork & Toptal), and being boldWhy being there still beats virtual—even in a Zoom-first worldQuotes worth stealing:“If anybody anywhere is doing it, then you can do it.” – Alan “Your accent is a differentiator. Use it.” – Leanne “You don’t need to be famous. You just need to be valuable.”Loved this episode? 🎯 Share it with someone who’s dreaming of doing international work. 🌏 Let us know where you’d love to work next in the comments or tag us on LinkedIn. 📩 Subscribe for future episodes where we talk real talk about life, consulting, and growth on your terms.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 throwback is an absolute gem with Juraj Holub who was employee number eight at Slido. When I interviewed him, he was still on the exec team there—now he’s running his own business, Remote People, helping others become speaking heroes.Juraj's not just a meeting nerd (his title was Chief Meeting Designer after all—how good is that?!), he’s also an MC, facilitator, and marketing brain .In this episode, we chat about:How to get people contributing—whether you’re running a small team huddle or a 10,000-person town hallCreative ways leaders can use tech (like Slido) to make meetings fun, not a choreWhat it means to design a meeting, not just run itAnd some wild audience engagement stories—including a moment when one person’s name (shoutout Bob) dominated a word cloud and had the whole company in stitchesJuraj shares:His first facilitation gig (in Vietnam, no less!)How feedback culture works at a high-performing remote teamWhy leadership is about extracting ideas, not delivering a monologueIcebreaker questions that work🎧 Enjoy the chat and I’ll catch you again 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.