Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes

Hey, messaging is so important, and there’s no one who does it better than today’s guest.About Dr. J.J. PetersonDr. J.J. Peterson is the Chief of Teaching and Facilitation at StoryBrand. He’s a storyteller, filmmaker, and expert in marketing and communication. Beyond his professional credentials, he’s lived an incredibly fascinating life—dancing in a Missy Elliot music video, acting on The West Wing, and even being baptized in a cattle trough surrounded by Maasai warriors and their cows.J.J. co-authored Marketing Made Simple with Donald Miller, and together they help companies clarify their messaging using the power of story. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why storytelling is the secret weapon for marketing and facilitation.How J.J.’s unconventional career path—from PR to improv comedy to Hollywood—led him to StoryBrand.The four roles people play in a story (victim, villain, hero, guide) and why you should always aim to be the guide in your messaging.The biggest mistake brands make in their marketing—and how to fix it.How to transition from in-person to virtual workshops and keep your audience engaged.The importance of defining the problem before offering a solution.How to start a presentation in a way that instantly grabs attention (spoiler: never start with your name and credentials!).The difference between branding and marketing—and why most people focus on the wrong one.Standout Quotes:“Heroes redeem pain, villains revenge pain.”“If you play the victim, you’re relying on others to write your story. Good stories aren’t written about victims.”“The world doesn’t need another hero. It needs more guides.”“Never diminish your authority with self-deprecating jokes about your expertise.”“We categorize brands by the problem they solve.”“If you don’t define the problem first, no one will care about your solution.”Resources & Links:StoryBrand Workshops & Resources – storybrand.comBusiness Made Simple University – bmsu.comMarketing Made Simple (Book) – Available on AmazonBuilding a StoryBrand Podcast – Listen HereLoved this episode? Share it with a friend and tag me on social media! I’d love to hear your takeaways.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 rewinding just two days because I recorded this episode earlier this week and absolutely loved it. Honestly, it’s one of my favourite Talk the Walk episodes with Alan Weiss.Alan has being inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame, which is a pretty big deal. He’s a legend in the speaking world, and in this episode, he shares a wealth of wisdom on crafting a killer keynote speech.I deliver keynotes myself, and I walked away with so many insights. If you’re a speaker—aspiring or seasoned—this is a must-listen!What You’ll Learn:✅ The real role of a keynote speaker (and what most people get wrong) ✅ The three types of speakers—buyer, audience, and speaker-centric (which one are you?) ✅ The 60/30/10 keynote formula and why 60% of Alan’s keynotes stay the same ✅ Why slides can kill your keynote (and what to do instead) ✅ The best way to hook your audience in the first 90 seconds ✅ How to structure your talk using point, story, and social proof ✅ What separates a forgettable keynote from a killer one ✅ How to handle tough crowds and keep engagement highJoin the ConversationI’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop me a message on social or share the episode with someone who needs to hear it. If you’re feeling extra generous, leave a quick review—it helps more people find the show.Enjoy the episode, and I’ll chat with 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.

Last weekend was an absolute career highlight – I had the privilege of hosting the Brisbane Roar in Business event at Suncorp Stadium.If you’ve been following along, you’ll know I did an episode on how I was preparing for the panel. Now, it’s time to close the loop and share how it all went down.This wasn’t just another speaking gig. It was personal. I’ve been a Brisbane Roar supporter for 20 years – since their very first game.The Panel Line-UpMatt McKay – The legendary captain of Brisbane Roar’s first championship team.Jade North – The first Indigenous captain of the Socceroos, with over 40 caps for Australia.Alicia Canavis – Former Young Matilda, football commentator, and Qatar World Cup broadcaster.We covered resilience, leadership, and what it takes to make it at the highest level. And of course, I had to throw in a “Would You Rather” football question to keep things fun.The Challenge of Live EventsNothing ever goes 100% to plan, right? We tested both microphones before the event, and one died the moment we kicked off. That meant one mic, three panelists, and some very creative mic passing.A Key Leadership Takeaway from Matt McKayOne of my favourite moments was when Matt shared that boring work wins championships. He talked about how their coach, Ange Postecoglou (now at Tottenham), drilled repetitive plays into the team – to the point where they became second nature. It reminded me of the Michael Jordan mindset – do the extra hours, do the unsexy work, and it pays off.What’s Next?Brisbane Roar has invited me back in late April. More football, more business, more conversations. And you’ll hear all about it right here on the pod.Thanks for listening – 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.

Today, we’re talking about Cyclone Alfred. Not Cyclone Leanne—though that has a nice ring to it—but the system set to hit Southeast Queensland on Friday morning. As I’m out for a walk, I want to share some thoughts on contingency planning, how people are responding, and what’s going on here as the winds start picking up.What’s Covered in Today’s Episode:The Warnings and Initial Reactions: The government’s been flagging this for a while, and I’ll admit, at first, I was a bit complacent. Living in the Kimberley, I’ve seen my share of cyclones that didn’t turn out to be that bad—but this one feels different.The Power of Information (and Misinformation): I’ve been following various weather sources, from official reports to storm-chasing Facebook groups. Some are measured, others are a bit… dramatic. But the real chaos? The comments section. Panic levels seem to spike when you see what people are posting.The Great Queensland Panic Buy: Bottled water vanished days ago. Supermarkets are seeing pre-7 a.m. lines. Even the bakery is getting smashed. It’s giving flashbacks to the COVID-era toilet paper saga. But are we over-preparing or underestimating?What I’m Actually Worried About: It’s not the power going out—I’ve got my battery packs. It’s the mobile towers. No internet means no podcasts, no updates, no way to keep connected. That thought freaked me out a bit.The Unpredictability of Cyclones: I’ve learned that where you are relative to the cyclone’s eye makes all the difference. The south side? That’s where the strongest winds and damage tend to be.Contingency Plans for Red Carpet Campout: I’ve got a call with Steve later today about our event next week. Looking at the maps, my gut says it’s not happening. If the access roads flood, it’s game over.Hearing the Anxiety Firsthand: Listening to people at the sandbag depots has been heartbreaking. Some are trying to protect their homes from what could be devastating flooding. The uncertainty is tough.Memories of Brisbane’s Past Floods: I’ve been here for two major floods, and it’s brutal. Friends lost their homes. Businesses wiped out. That smell of flood damage stays with you forever. My heart is going out to those in low-lying areas right now.The Curse of Knowing Too Much: A guy from North Queensland shared what it’s like to be in the eye of a cyclone—he described it as four hours of hearing a jet engine outside his window. Yikes.Final Thoughts:Best case? The whole thing is a fizzer, we get a bit of rain, and move on. That would be amazing.Worst case? Significant flooding, power outages, and major damage.My plan is to keep this podcast going—assuming the internet holds up. Right now, the weather is eerily calm. It really is the definition of the ‘calm before the storm.Thanks for listening, stay safe, and I’ll catch you tomorrow (hopefully).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 part two of my conversation with Dr. Myriam Hadnes, recorded right on my couch. Yesterday, we dove into the idea of unprofessionalism—why getting rejected for who you actually are is better than being accepted for wearing a mask.Today, we keep that thread going and explore:✅ Why setting boundaries in business is a form of “unprofessionalism” (and why it’s actually freeing)✅ The problem with getting accepted for a version of yourself that isn’t you✅ How corporate life can embrace micro-moments of unprofessionalism without losing credibility✅ Why AI will always be more polished than us—and why that’s exactly why we should be human✅ The power of asking "why not?" to break through hesitation and make bold movesOh, and we also talk about why neither of us actually runs a community—even though, by all logic, we should!Plus, we go deep into the idea that the best opportunities often come from simply trying things out and seeing what happens.This was such a fun chat, and if you’re feeling stuck or hesitant about your next big move, this episode will challenge you to ask: why not?🎧 Enjoy the listen, and I’ll catch you tomorrow!🔗 Links & Resources:Connect with Miriam: Workshops Work PodcastSign 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 so excited to bring you this conversation with Myriam Hadnes, host of the Workshops Work podcast. Between us, we probably run the most popular workshop-related podcasts in the world (which is an easy claim to make… because it's such a niche!).This episode is part one of our chat on the couch at my place, where we reflect on our past 24 hours together. If you’ve ever questioned what it really means to be "professional" – you’re going to love this.Myriam is writing a book called Unprofessionalism (yes, it’s as bold as it sounds), and in this conversation, we dig into:✅ Why professionalism might be getting in the way of our humanness✅ The weird things we do when the ‘record’ button gets hit✅ The origins of professionalism (hint: it wasn’t meant for corporate life)✅ How the chase for polish and perfection makes us feel like imposters✅ Why AI will be the most “professional” thing ever—and why that’s terrifyingWe also chat about the irony of losing an entire podcast episode last year due to a very professional recording setup failure (spoiler: this time, we’re just using my iPhone).Tomorrow, part two drops, where we continue unpacking the fine line between professionalism and authenticity—and how to show up as your real self without losing credibility.🎧 Hit play, enjoy, and let me know what resonates with you!🔗 Links & Resources:Connect with Myriam: Workshops Work PodcastSign 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 excited to share my conversation with my legend of a co-facilitator, Sally Prosser. Together, we host a half-day experience called "Get To The Point," and we're about to launch season three on April 1st in Brisbane.In this episode, Sally and I catch up about what we've learned from our first two seasons of hosting this workshop and what makes it so special. We discuss:The contrasting dynamics we've seen in our previous workshops (from extrovert parties to more considered groups)Our favorite techniques we teach, including the SWAY framework, launch questions, and the baton techniqueHow these communication strategies apply to various speaking scenarios - from meetings to panels, content creation to podcast interviewsThe powerful community and connections that form during our workshopsIf you're looking to sharpen your communication, become more persuasive, or simply learn to get to the point more effectively in your speaking, this workshop is for you - whether you're an introvert or extrovert.Early bird tickets are available until March 18th at half the regular price.Want to learn more? Reach out to me or follow Sally on Instagram at @SallyProsserVoice or @ThatVoicePodcast.Remember: Value isn't in volume! Sometimes the most powerful communication comes from saying less, but saying it better.Hope to see you on April 1st (and no, it's not a prank)!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, it’s the Weekend Rewind! And today, I’m bringing you a conversation that takes me back—not to high school days exactly, but to what’s happened since for one of my classmates. And wow, what a story.My guest today is Pita Taufatofua a dual Olympian (yes, dual—both Summer and Winter Olympics!), a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and the founder of Tonga Strong. But you probably remember him best as that flag bearer at the Rio 2016 Olympics—the one who broke Twitter with his entrance.In this replay episode, Pita shares:✅ The behind-the-scenes story of that viral Olympic moment (including how he smuggled his traditional attire past security)✅ His incredible journey from years of failure to finally making it to the Olympics✅ Why he never gave up, even after multiple heartbreaks✅ His philosophy on ‘failing happy’ and what that means for you✅ The power of conviction, consistency, and choosing who you listen toPita's energy, wisdom, and storytelling are next-level. Whether you’re chasing a big dream, navigating setbacks, or just need a dose of motivation, this episode is for you.Enjoy—and I’ll catch you tomorrow!📌 Connect with Peter: Instagram: @pita_tofuaSign 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.

Move over virtual workshops, let’s talk about virtual marathons - more specifically, online events that can span over a couple of days.It’s a different game, with longer interaction, so how do you maintain your energy, and keep your participants wanting more, too?This week’s guest is the perfect person to answer this question because she’s been running online events since 2007! I'm joined by Suzi Dafnis, the CEO of HerBusiness, a collaborative online community of women who are growing and scaling a business.For over 25 years HerBusiness has provided mentoring and training to help women grow a sustainable business.Her big passion is helping women business owners to create the impact, the income and the results that they want through their business and to do what they love, every day.She has grown multiple multimillion-dollar businesses, and that hasn’t been by accident.What struck me from chatting to Suzi is how strategic and intentional she is with all of the things: Having a background in Events, she cleverly uses her workshops to drive incredibly powerful word of mouth marketing opportunities for her business.Facilitators, solopreneurs...okay, ANYONE organising workshops and virtual experiences, you’ll love this one!About today’s guest: Suzi DafnisSuzi Dafnis is the CEO of HerBusiness, a collaborative online community of women who are growing and scaling a business.Her BIG passion is helping women business owners to create the impact, the income and the results that they want through their business and to do what they love, every day.For over 25 years HerBusiness has provided mentoring and training to help women grow a sustainable business.Suzi started her first business in the spare room of her home, in her late 20s, with no savings and no business degree, and built that into an $18million business with 45 staff and offices in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.Her multiple multimillion-dollar businesses include:Online businessesOffline businesses.Product-based businesses.And service businesses.Suzi is passionate about learning and knowledge and loves sourcing the best education, mentors and resources from around the globe, to help her HerBusiness Network members get the information, skills, knowledge and support they need to succeed.An early adopter to social media, Suzi had been podcasting and running webinars since since 2007. Suzi and her team have been recognised through multiple awards including City of Sydney’s best educational business, Best online mentoring program, Best Business Blog, and the Woman of Influence Award.Learn more at HerBusiness.comRequest an invitation to join the HerBusiness Network at herousinessnetwork.comListen to her latest podcast episode: How to Get More Interaction and Energy Happening At Your Next Virtual EventIn this episode, you’ll learn:The difference attention to detail can make when planning a workshopHow to create marketing assets in every conference or workshop you designTechniques to use to make your virtual workshop engagingKnowing who your ideal client is, their pain points and developing a product/service for themStrategies to supercharge your energy, when you need it!Here are some questions Leanne asked Suzi during the interview:How do you create that level of engagement in a virtual conference?Is incorporating word of mouth a key element in the way you built your business? How do you prepare yourself for an online workshop?How do you maintain your energy?What’s the most important thing in building a profile and where do you help your community in building their business?What have you discovered that works that has kept your membership going for years? Do you have any tips for others to be more comfortable in running workshops?Resources: Visit Suzi Dafnis' websiteSuzi’s the host of a variety of podcasts, you can find them all here.Connect with Suzi Dafinis 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.

Today, I'm giving you a behind-the-scenes look at something special I've been working on – the Red Carpet Camp Out retreat that I'm co-hosting with Steve Demedio from Mind Body Travel.Final tent remains. Keen? Send me a note!What is the Red Carpet Camp Out?I'm taking 8 dynamic consultants to a luxury glamping site about 90 minutes west of Brisbane for a completely different networking experience. The best part? We'll be almost entirely off the grid – no phone signal (though our conference tent does have WiFi).Why I created this experienceAfter countless Zoom calls and conventional networking events, I wanted to create something that allows for deeper connections in a refreshing environment. As consultants, we rarely get the chance to disconnect and truly engage with each other without digital distractions.Behind the scenes of the opening ceremonyThis week, we had our first group call to introduce everyone, and I was thrilled by how quickly the conversation flowed. Created an AI-generated video using Sora (through ChatGPT Pro) showing consultants around a campfireEdited it into a movie trailer with everyone's names in the creditsDeveloped a "vibe scale" for the retreat (structured vs. spontaneous, luxury vs. survival, etc.)Had everyone use ChatGPT to predict what I might do at the retreat (" most likely to...")What to expect during our 48 hoursSteve from Mind and Body Travel has organised an incredible itinerary including:Fireside snacks and charcuterie boards each evening at 5PMGourmet dinners followed by marshmallows by the fireA guided nature walk on the propertyTwo 2-hour facilitation sessions led by mePlenty of time for both structured learning and spontaneous conversationsFinal day focused on implementation planningInterested in joining?If you're a founder who'd love to connect with other amazing individuals in this kind of environment, reach out to me at hello@leannehughes.com or through my social channels.Thanks for listening, and I'll chat with 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.