

Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes
Leanne Hughes
Leanne on Demand is your unfiltered backstage pass to bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and the messy magic of life beyond the boardroom. Think of it as your daily dose of scrappy creativity, served up while I’m walking, working in public, or just living out loud.Every day, I’ll bring you real-time reflections on business, leadership, and the random sparks of inspiration that pop up along the way. From behind-the-scenes peeks into my work to off-the-cuff chats with brilliant minds (or solo rants while I’m on a run), these bite-sized episodes are all about keeping it raw, relatable, and ridiculously actionable.This isn’t your typical polished business podcast – no overthinking, and no-fluff.Perfect for big thinkers, go-getters, and anyone itching for a fresh perspective on how to show up, take action, and make moves.New episodes drop daily. Grab your headphones and let’s take this outside.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 18, 2025 • 10min
🌴78. The fastest way to build connection? Hit record. feat. Joeri Schilders (Joeri Creates) Part 2/2
Video—you need to start using it now.This is Part 2 of my conversation with Joeri Schilders (a.k.a. The Magic Sauce), and in this episode, we’re talking about how video isn’t about perfect content—it’s about connection.Connect with Joeri on LInkedIn.Joeri helps solopreneurs and self-employed professionals grow their reach using video, and he’s got a rock-solid case for why you should be pressing record.I’ve used video for job interviews (hello, Wicked Campers!), client proposals, and quick check-ins—but after this chat, I’m realising I could be doing a lot more.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🎥 Why video beats text when it comes to building relationships—it’s not about going viral, it’s about connection.📱 You don’t need fancy equipment—if you’ve got a phone, you’ve got everything you need.📩 Why video messages can replace meetings—asynchronous communication = more efficiency.🚀 Forget perfect, embrace the cringe—polished content doesn’t build trust, real moments do.📝 The one challenge for you today—record a short video and send it to just one person.This episode is packed with practical tips and a serious push to just start—so if you end up posting a video, tag us! We’d love to see it.🎧 Hit play and let’s get into it.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.

Mar 17, 2025 • 9min
🌴77. Kill your ideas feat. Joeri Schilders (The Magic Sauce) Part 1/2
I'm pumped to bring you this episode with my good friend, Joeri Schilders—also known as The Magic Sauce.Joeri and I go way back. We first connected virtually in 2020 through my Facebook group, The Flipchart (I still don’t know how he found it!). Over the years, we've built a great friendship through voice notes, videos, and WhatsApp chats, eventually launching Virtually Possible—a program designed to help facilitators and corporate teams create engaging online experiences.Joeri has spent 20 years helping Fortune 500 companies innovate, and in this episode, he’s flipping the script on how we think about innovation. Spoiler: Ideas are NOT the problem—execution is.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Why killing ideas is just as important as generating them – Most businesses aren’t short on ideas; they’re short on follow-through.✅ The 'Check Your Fridge' analogy – Before chasing new ideas, take stock of the untapped ones you already have.✅ Innovation isn’t about brainstorming; it’s about shipping – How to move fast and test ideas now instead of waiting for the ‘perfect plan.’✅ Fast fashion vs. business innovation – The obsession with new often gets in the way of getting things done.✅ The Steve Jobs approach to innovation – Why focus beats chasing every shiny new thing.✅ The 24-hour challenge – Instead of another meeting or slide deck, what’s one real action you can take today?💡 Big takeaway: Ideas don’t change your business—execution does.This is Part 1 of our conversation—tomorrow’s episode will dive into the world of video and how Joeri helps solopreneurs use it to grow their businesses.🎧 Hit play, take notes, and let’s make moves. 🚀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.

Mar 16, 2025 • 7min
🌴76. The 3-second decision that saved Porsche
🚗 The Porsche 911 is my favourite car of all time. It’s an icon. A masterpiece. The perfect blend of engineering and emotion.But here’s the wild part: it almost didn’t exist.In 1980, Porsche was struggling. For the first time in their history, they didn’t turn a profit. Sales were down, the new models weren’t taking off, and the board decided that the 911—yes, the 911—was outdated and needed to go.Then, a man named Peter Schutz walked in, took one look at the plan to kill the 911, grabbed a marker… and changed history.🔥 In this episode, you’ll hear:How Porsche nearly killed its most iconic carThe insane moment when one CEO grabbed a pen and rewrote the futureWhy passion sometimes beats logic in business (and life)The lesson I take from this story—and how you can apply it too🔹 Plus, a challenge for you:Where in your life or business are you being told to “move on,” but you know it’s still worth fighting for?What’s the one decision you’ve been hesitating on that could change everything?Where do you need to grab the metaphorical marker and extend the line?📢 Listen now and let’s talk about why some things aren’t meant to be replaced.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.

Mar 15, 2025 • 48min
🌴75. How to get out of your own head feat. Leanne Hughes on the Flourishing Unfiltered podcast (Weekend Rewind)
In this special Weekend Rewind episode, Leanne Hughes flips the script! Instead of replaying an interview where she's the host, she shares an episode from Flourishing Unfiltered, where Dr. Maike Neuhaus and Kerrin Smith interview her. This conversation dives deep into bold decision-making, overcoming self-doubt, and the power of taking action—fast. Leanne also shares never-before-told stories, including the moment that kick-started her First Time Facilitator podcast and how she reframes setbacks into opportunities.Whether you’re a solopreneur, a corporate leader, or just someone looking for more clarity in your career, this episode will challenge you to stop overthinking and start moving.What You’ll Learn:The surprising moment that led Leanne to launch First Time Facilitator.Why overthinking is the enemy of momentum—and what to do instead.The concept of “constructive delusion” and how it helps in business.Why being a podcast guest can be an easy way to articulate your ideas.How to move past self-doubt and take bold action, even when you don’t feel ready.The power of reframing—turning career lows into your next big opportunity.How Leanne’s philosophy of “Let’s take this outside” applies to both work and life.The role of luck, relationships, and micro-decisions in shaping success.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.

Mar 14, 2025 • 35min
🌴74. Life beyond the default feat. Scott Armstrong (Weekend Rewind)
It was a real treat to chat with today’s guest, Scott Armstrong. Scott is a Canadian who has made some bold career moves. He started out as a corporate banker, frustrated with the routine of pushing paper, before taking on a role at Canada’s largest rehabilitation centre for abandoned exotic animals. Imagine swimming with jaguars, running with wolves, playing in the snow with tigers, and even helping an owl take flight again!For the past 20 years, Scott has been helping over 2000 businesses and individuals create their own adventurous lives. . In our conversation, Scott shares what prompted him to change direction, his fascination with inspiring others to lead lives without limits (his website even features a striking image of someone leaping from an aircraft), and his approach to staying true to one’s focus.If you’re on a journey of self-discovery, feeling stuck in the everyday grind, or simply searching for a bit of inspiration, this interview is sure to strike a chord. Scott also opens up about a time he turned down a tempting job offer to stay aligned with his vision, and he passes on some practical sales tips for those running their own facilitation businesses.In this episode you will learn:How to be brave enough to follow your passion and reach your full potential.The value of staying open to learning and showing vulnerability during a career change.Tips for finding your niche and establishing yourself as an expert.Practical strategies for boosting sales as a facilitator.Resources mentioned:Mind SwitchConnect with Scott on LinkedInSign 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.

Mar 13, 2025 • 5min
🌴73. Actually, it’s all once-in-a-lifetime
In today’s episode, I’m taking you back to 2020—the year I signed up for a running challenge to clock 2020 kilometers. At first, it seemed simple: 5.5 km a day. No big deal. But within days, I realised the real challenge wasn’t the running itself—it was keeping up. If I missed a day, I had to double it the next. And then, of course, 2020 happened…I share how my routine runs turned into a mental grind—same routes, same scenery, same boredom. But then, a simple insight from Andy Puddicombe (founder of Headspace) on the Nike Run app completely reframed everything. He said:👉 This run is a once-in-a-lifetime run.That hit me. Hard. Every run, every meeting, every moment we experience—it’s never going to happen in exactly the same way again. Yet, we go through life on autopilot, waiting for the ‘big’ once-in-a-lifetime events… when in reality, every moment already is one.So, today, as you go about your usual routine—drinking your coffee, sitting in a meeting, going for a walk—I challenge you to notice one thing you’ve never noticed before. Because this moment, right now, will never happen again.Episode Highlights: ✅ The reality check of signing up for a massive running challenge ✅ How COVID forced me to rethink my approach to routine and boredom ✅ The small mindset shift that made every run (and every day) feel different ✅ Why we save ‘once in a lifetime’ for the big things—when it applies to everything ✅ A challenge for you to make today’s routine feel new🎧 Listen now and let’s start noticing.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.

Mar 12, 2025 • 10min
🌴72. Match fitness
Great to have you here!I’ve just come back from the physio, and yep, I’m talking about my Achilles again. It’s one of those injuries that’s frustrating but also teaching me a lot about life, patience, and the balancing act of recovery.My physio gave me some straight talk today. I told him I could run through the pain, but I was worried—if I push too hard, will I tear it? His response? “No, but you’ll keep aggravating it.” So now, I’m navigating this fine line between staying fit, getting stronger, and not making things worse. All while still eyeing the Gold Coast Half Marathon.And funnily enough, I’ve actually had the time to focus on this injury properly because of a curveball—Cyclone Alfred. Our Red Carpet Campout had to be postponed, which completely cleared my calendar this week. Instead of filling it up with random things, I set two clear priorities:Locking in my next book topic—it’s not about waiting for inspiration, it’s about making a decision.Getting my Achilles in shape—strength exercises, physio, dry needling, massage, and structured workouts.What Does It Mean to Be Match Fit?This got me thinking about match fitness—a term from sport that Alan Joyce (ex-Qantas CEO) dragged into pop culture when he blamed airport delays on passengers not being “match fit” for travel. Sure, he got slammed for that, but the concept itself is interesting when applied to work and leadership.Who’s responsible for your match fitness? You.In the workplace, there’s an increasing expectation that organisations will keep people match fit—running resilience training, well-being programs, engagement initiatives. And sure, that’s helpful. But at the end of the day, your match fitness is your responsibility. If you’re leading a team, it’s about setting clear expectations: 👉 What does match fitness mean here? 👉 What’s the standard we expect?In sport, coaches don’t babysit players. They provide the training environment, but it’s up to the individual to show up and be ready to perform. The same applies to work. If you’re running a business, what’s your definition of match fitness? What do you need to be operating at your best?For me, it’s things like: ✅ Getting enough sleep ✅ Creating space in my calendar ✅ Staying physically active ✅ Having time to think and resetBut match fitness isn’t about being at peak performance all the time. It’s about knowing how to push through when you need to and recover when you can.Showtime vs. TrainingThere’s a difference between training fitness and match fitness. You don’t have to be at 100% every single day, but when it’s game time—when you’re on stage, leading a meeting, delivering a workshop—you need to be able to switch on and deliver.I’ve had to run multi-day workshops overseas on zero sleep. Do I recommend it? No. But I know I can do it. I’ve seen people like Alan Weiss do it—operating at a world-class level, even under tough conditions. And that’s the thing—when you’re a pro, you show up and get it done.Your Match Fitness PlanSo, here are two questions for you: 1️⃣ What does match fitness mean for you? What do you need to be at your best? 2️⃣ If you’re not at your best, can you still perform? Can you push through, then recover?Let me know what you think—send me a note on socials! And if this episode resonated with you, share the love. I’ll catch 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.

Mar 11, 2025 • 9min
🌴71. Step aside FOMO…now I have FOBO
In this episode, I dive into a concept that’s been rattling around in my head—FOBO, the Fear of Becoming Obsolete. I was chatting with Ronsley Vars in an earlier episode about how ChatGPT told me my greatest fear was irrelevance. That got me thinking… FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is a thing, but FOBO? That feels even more real.I’ll share why I’m constantly trying to reinvent myself, why I love working in public, and why I believe that speed of execution is the ultimate differentiator in today’s world. Plus, I unpack a recent LinkedIn post that blew up—one that tackles the question: “Aren’t you worried someone will steal your ideas?”The reality? Ideas aren’t the hard part. The hard part is what you do with them. If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting for the perfect moment, this episode is for you.What You'll Learn: 🔹 Why FOBO is real and how to manage it 🔹 The power of working in public and sharing unfinished ideas 🔹 Why people with the weakest brands are often the most protective of their ideas (shoutout to Alan Weiss) 🔹 How to stand out in a world where everyone has access to the same tools 🔹 Three ways to differentiate yourself in 2025Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ See things before others do—keep your head up and use your peripheral vision. 2️⃣ Move before everything feels perfect—action beats hesitation every time. 3️⃣ Contextualise and connect—solutions only matter if they fit the time, client, and industry.Listener Challenge: ➡️ Share one insight today—even if it’s not fully formed. ➡️ Test something in the real world instead of waiting for it to be “ready.” ➡️ Speak up in the next meeting—get your thinking out there before someone else does.Join the Conversation: What’s a simple way you’ve stood out in a sea of sameness? How do you battle FOBO? Tag me in your posts or send me a note—I’d love to hear from you!🎧 Listen now and stop hoarding your ideas!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.

Mar 10, 2025 • 9min
🌴70. Not everything counts… But everything matters
You know those books where every second page has you reaching for a highlighter? That’s exactly how I felt reading Not Everything Counts, But Everything Matters by Ivan Cleary. In today’s episode, I’m sharing some of the biggest takeaways from his book—insights on leadership, high performance, and why the small things truly matter.Ivan Cleary, head coach of the Penrith Panthers, isn’t just talking about footy—his lessons apply to business, life, and leadership. From the importance of connection in teams to how tiny habits create big wins, there’s so much gold in this book. Plus, I’ll share a personal reflection on my own writing process and the power of making every word count.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why some books just hit differently—and how I tried to write The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint with that same punch.How Ivan Cleary’s leadership principles apply beyond sport, especially in high-pressure environments.The surprising opening of his book and what it reveals about the mental toll of coaching.The power of ‘small things’—why picking up a loose ball or keeping strong body language under fatigue can change the game.How the Panthers prioritised connection over technical training, and why it made them unstoppable.My take on performative authenticity—when showing up with energy (even when you don’t feel it) is actually the right move.If you love leadership, team culture, and high-performance insights, this episode is for you. And if you’re a Broncos fan, maybe skip the part where I talk about that grand final comeback…Let me know—what’s a book that had you highlighting every other page? DM me or tag me on social!I’ll catch 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.

Mar 9, 2025 • 7min
🌴69. Get Roasted by Leanne
Get Roasted by Leanne (only available til 12 March)A few months ago, I posted in a private consultant’s forum, looking for small tweaks or ideas to improve something I was working on. It was just an innocent post. I went to bed, woke up feeling great—coffee in hand, post-run high—until I checked my email. My heart sank. The feedback I received overnight? Brutal. Unexpectedly harsh. And, honestly, I took it personally.If you’ve been listening to this podcast, you know I’m a happy-go-lucky person. But this? This sat with me. For hours. Maybe even half the day. I tried to move on, but it gnawed at me. I even sent a screenshot to my friend Steph Clarke (who’s been on the podcast before), and even she was speechless.Then, something clicked. I thought about Nikki Glaser at the Tom Brady roast. Brutal, but hilarious—because there’s truth in the jokes. So I decided to read my feedback as if Nikki was delivering it. Suddenly, it was funny. The pit in my stomach disappeared. And I could actually look at the feedback with fresh eyes.That’s when I realised: There’s value in getting roasted. How often do we actually receive unfiltered, brutally honest feedback? Usually, we get polite tweaks—helpful but safe. But the kind of feedback that shakes you? That can be gold—if you know how to process it.Which brings me to my new experiment: Roasted by Leanne.For five days only, I’m offering a chance to get your work roasted by me—brutally honest, but with love and practical fixes. This could be: 🎤 A speech 📖 A book proposal 🎨 Branding or website 📄 LinkedIn profile 📝 Workshop designRather than just writing notes, I’ll record a video, walking through it all—unedited, maybe a little unhinged, but 100% useful. If this sounds fun (or terrifying in a good way), you’ve got until Wednesday to sign up. Then, you’ll have six months to submit whatever you want roasted.And if you’ve ever received feedback that stung, maybe try reading it in a comedian’s voice. It might just change everything.Thanks for listening—talk 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.