Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes

Last week, I shared that I was heading off to my 25-year high school reunion — so in this episode, I report back on how it went (spoiler: no one really changes!) and share a story that came out of a conversation that night that’s been sitting with me all week.I caught up with my friends Saji and Tim, we were talking about our old classmate, former Brisbane Roar captain Matt McKay, and how — while he might not have been the most naturally gifted player — he became one of the most successful.Why? Because he listened to the coach and did the work.That’s it. No secret formula. No flashy shortcuts. Just following instructions, doing the drills, and showing up consistently.And when I spoke to Matt at a recent event I hosted at Suncorp Stadium, he said the same thing about playing under Ange Postecoglou — that repetition and discipline were everything. They drilled the same plays over and over until it became instinct.It got me thinking about how this applies to our work too. We often glorify talent and inspiration, but the real game-changer is being match fit — committing to the basics, trusting the process, and following the plan long enough for it to pay off.So if you’re in a season where things feel repetitive or boring, maybe that’s exactly where your next level is being built.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 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 sharing a conversation I had on Charles Hsuan's Candid Conversations podcast.We riff on designing rave-worthy workshops, curating content (instead of drowning in it), and how one bold reach-out can completely change your career.You’ll also hear why I plan kids’ birthday parties like an engineer (thanks, Dad), how my PNG family taught me the value of unstructured connection (thanks, Mum), and the three levers that quietly book you five more workshops from every one you deliver.What we coverMy “engineered fun” origin story: mapping party games → mapping workshopsWhy I left corporate (and somehow travel more now)The serendipity stack — the tiny moves that create big luck (Asia tour, Chanel gig)The 3 Cs that book you out: Connections, Content, CraftWhy curators beat encyclopedias: helping clients find the right thing fastWhy most brilliant facilitators are actually introverts (and that’s an advantage)The myth of “work harder” vs. designing for joy, ease, and impactWhat I’d tell 2019 me: stop selling to buyers who don’t control the budgetMy favourite metric: did the conversation flip a switch inside someone?Key takeawaysPlan the experience, not just the agenda. Transitions, energy beats, prizes — they all count.Return on luck is real. Reach out, follow up, be useful — then let compounding do its thing.Show your craft. Host micro-events, share clips, seed contagious moments.Be a curator. In a world of infinite info, clients pay for speed to the right answer.Sell to decision-makers. Lovely people ≠ budget holders.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 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 this episode, Leanne Hughes engages in a captivating conversation with Douglas Ferguson, the founder of Voltage Control facilitation academy.Watch the interview on YouTube.They dive into various topics, including the art of facilitation, the concept of Integrated Autonomy, and the potential impact of AI on the field. Douglas shares insights from his experience in software development, his passion for music, and his deep understanding of facilitation.About our guest: Douglas Ferguson:Douglas Ferguson is the founder of Voltage Control, a facilitation academy that supports facilitators in honing their craft and building their business. With a background in software development and a passion for music, Douglas brings a unique perspective to facilitation. He is known for his expertise in liberating structures and is constantly exploring new ways to elevate the facilitation experience.Episode highlights:Understanding the concept of Integrated Autonomy: Douglas explains how Integrated Autonomy, derived from liberating structures, allows organizations to embrace both integration and autonomy. He highlights the paradoxical nature of this approach and explores how individuals can apply it to navigate challenges effectively.The importance of intentionality in facilitation: Douglas emphasizes the need for facilitators to be mindful of their choices and the impact they have on participants. He shares how he crafts his workshops and sessions based on specific goals and desired outcomes, ensuring that each activity serves a purpose.The future of AI in facilitation: Douglas sheds light on the potential of AI in facilitation, including the synthesis and perception capabilities it can offer. He discusses the emergence of chat UI and the possibility of AI-driven tools enhancing collaboration and connection in workshops and meetings.Quotes:"Integrated Autonomy allows organizations to be both integrated and autonomous by showing up differently at different times and in different ways.""Facilitators are there to guide, to coach, to make things easier, not to do everything themselves. We are the guide on the side, not the sage on the stage.""The more we embrace AI and automation, the more we can focus on what it truly means to be human and lean into the psychology of connection and relating."Links and Resources:Voltage Control: WebsiteFree resources and templates for facilitators: Voltage Control ResourcesDouglas Ferguson on LinkedIn: Profile"Control the Room" Podcast: Listen 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 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.

Yesterday, my best friend — my fearless four-legged buddy, Milo — crossed the Rainbow Bridge.If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know Milo was always by my side: sitting under my desk while I worked, joining me for countless coffee runs, and barking during livestreams just to remind me who was really in charge. He was the calm (and sometimes neurotic!) constant in my every day.In this episode, I read aloud the article I wrote for Work Fame about saying goodbye to him — and I share a few reflections in between.I talk about:The heartbreak and strange reality of making “that” decisionThe signs we noticed, and how quickly things changedFinding peace in knowing we gave him the best life: beach walks, Thermomix meals, love on repeatThe beautiful Robert Dessaix essay “What Is a Dog?” that helped me put words to what dogs really mean to us — that they’re not just pets, or companions, or friends… they’re something beyond definitionI also reflect on how much joy Milo brought to our lives, and how, like the Hilltop Hoods lyric goes:“I applied for a rescue dog, but if I get your dog, you’re rescuing me.”That line sums it up perfectly.❤️ Milo lived a life of daily adventures, warm laps, and endless cuddles. And I find comfort in knowing he got his second run at life — and made ours so much richer.If you’ve ever had to say goodbye to a beloved pet, I hope this episode brings you some comfort too.📰 Mentioned in this episode:What Is a Dog? by Robert Dessaix – The Guardian🎧 Thanks for being here — for the good days, and the not-so-good ones. 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 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 share a gem of a quote that came from Fiona Kruger (thanks Fiona!) — one her manager used to repeat almost daily:“The first draft is the hardest.”Simple, powerful, and so true.I unpack how that idea plays out across everything from corporate projects to book writing — and why accepting that the first draft will always be hard takes the pressure off. It’s not supposed to be perfect. It’s supposed to exist.You’ll hear me riff on:💡 Why getting the first draft out is 90% of the battle🧠 How Fiona’s approach to front-loading her work made collaboration easier✍️ My 52-day sprint to write The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint (and why a tight deadline saved me from overthinking)🎧 The incredible Ira Glass quote about “the gap” between your taste and your skill — and how to close it through volume🔥 Why perfection kills momentum and why iteration builds masteryMy challenge to you this week: Create your next first draft — even if it’s rough. Publish it. Send it. Ship it. Because you can’t edit what doesn’t exist.Mentioned in this episode:Fiona (and her brilliant quote!)The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint by yours trulyIra Glass on closing the creative gap — full transcript hereTakeaway: ➡️ The first draft is the hardest — but it’s also the most important. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll get good.🎧 Thanks for listening — if this resonated, share it with a friend who’s been stuck in “draft limbo.” 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 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 off-the-cuff travel chat, I’m diving into something I’ve been obsessing over lately: carry-on luggage. After my trusty old suitcase zip finally gave up on my flight home from Melbourne, I went down a deep rabbit hole comparing July, Antler, and a surprising dark horse — Kathmandu.I share: ✈️ Why I’m done with hard shell suitcases (and the Mumbai hotel porter who convinced me years ago). 💼 How much suitcase weight really matters when your carry-on limit is only 7–10kg. 🧳 Why I chose the Kathmandu Feather Flight Carry-On — a hybrid wheelie bag that weighs only 1.6kg and fits 40L (that’s half the weight of a July bag!). 💸 What I prioritise now when buying travel gear: function over fashion. 🧠 And a bigger reflection — just because 90% of people are doing something (hello, hard shell suitcases!) doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for you.This episode isn’t just about luggage. It’s a reminder to question the mainstream, do your own research, and buy (or live) according to your own values.I’ll report back on how the Feather Flight performs — especially on the European convertible tour next year, where I need something that can actually fit in the boot.🧠 Question for you: What’s your travel gear of choice? Are you team hard shell, soft shell, or backpack life?Links mentioned: 🧳 Kathmandu Feather Flight Carry-On 🧳 July Carry-On 🧳 Antler LuggageSign 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 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 marks a pretty wild milestone — it’s my 25-year high school reunion. Yep, class of 2000. I can’t quite believe it’s been that long.I talk about what’s different this time around (spoiler: it’s being held at the actual school), what I noticed at our 10-year reunion (how everyone was still so themselves), and why I think personal development is really about unpeeling layers rather than completely transforming who we are.I also explore the social dynamics of reunions: how a simple Facebook thread can transport you right back into the high school hierarchy, and why I’m choosing to approach this one with curiosity, not comparison.Finally, I share a reframe for small talk: Instead of asking, “What do you do now?” — try asking, “What are you excited about?” (Thanks to Vanessa Edwards for that gem!)I’ll report back next week with how it all goes. Until then, think about it:If you walked back into your high school today, what parts of you would still shine through?— Leanne 💙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 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 friends, happy Monday (or Sunday, depending on when you’re tuning in)! I’ve just wrapped up a three-hour hike — the first of three workouts today — part of my prep for Everest Base Camp next month. My performance coach Kyle is ramping things up: morning hike, midday jog, and a weighted vest walk tonight before I settle in for the Broncos’ grand final. It’s all about simulating what it’s like to move, rest, and then get moving again — just like trekking days in Nepal.Over brunch yesterday with my friend Steph Clarke, we got talking about AI (as you do on a Saturday morning!). I’d just tried sending AI “agents” to hunt for the best flights to Europe — we’re planning an incredible convertible road trip with Petra and Don next year — but honestly, it was underwhelming. After an hour of “searching,” AI spat out a bland list of suggestions I could’ve found faster myself.Steph made a great point: the internet was built to block bots, so sending an AI bot to search across it is like trying to swim upstream. It can do some things well, but when you need real integration — logging into accounts, comparing flights, applying points — the human touch still wins.It got me thinking… we’ve been talking about AI’s potential for years now, but maybe it’s still not living up to the hype. The individual tools are brilliant — video creation, automation, slide decks — but they’re still siloed. What’s missing is integration. Right now, we’re still the bridge between tools, which ironically keeps us busy!And while AI’s generating more content than ever, the result feels like… slop. There’s so much noise that the quality of conversation online has dropped. I’ve felt it on LinkedIn too — it used to feel alive and full of ideas, but lately it’s all listicles, templates, and recycled advice. I’m finding more energy in places like this podcast and my Work Fame Substack, where the conversations still feel real.So today’s reflection: yes, AI is impressive, but it still needs us — our brains, our nuance, our curiosity — to make it meaningful.Thanks for walking (and thinking) with me.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 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 week I’m diving into team development and team dynamics with Phil Brown from High 5 Adventure. Remember those high-ropes days where the best part was the debrief? Same. Phil is the guy who designs those experiences—and, more importantly, the reflections that turn “fun” into behaviour change.We jam on what happens after you graduate from being a first-time facilitator: Where’s the career progression? How do we explain “facilitation” to people outside our bubble? And how do we design activities that create real connection (not just a good selfie)?Phil also gives a super useful way to categorise “team stuff”: bonding, building, developing—three different aims, timelines, and outcomes. Loved this distinction.In this episode, we coverBonding vs Building vs Developing: why language matters (and how to choose the right brief)Connection before content: making connection the contentHow to explain facilitation (and why “education” sometimes lands better)The golden opener: Phil’s go-to energiser “Jump In, Jump Out” (and how he tweaks it for distancing)Designing for emotion: facilitating feelings, not just activitiesCareer pathways: staying in the game beyond the campfire yearsPivoting to virtual without losing the adventure ethosHandling facilitation nerves (yes, they still show up—and that’s okay)My favourite momentsPhil’s “Harry Potter” analogy for our field (how to invite the muggles into the magic).Reframing adventure as “something new that nudges you into stretch, not panic.”The honesty around facilitator longevity and building a progression path so great people don’t leave the field.Practical takeaways you can use tomorrowStart with one “golden activity” you can run in your sleep—add a dash of humour to melt the room.Don’t default to name games. Earn the right to intros by energising the group first.Label your offsites correctly: is it bonding (short vibe), building (single-day skills), or developing (multi-touch behaviour shift)?When selling your work, test “education” or “experiential” language if “facilitation” stalls the convo.Timestamps00:00 Welcome + my high-ropes confession03:20 Phil’s start: England → US summer camps → adventure education10:12 Connection before content (and why connection is content)15:05 Team bonding vs building vs developing22:18 Explaining “facilitation” so non-facilitators get it30:44 Virtual pivots that still feel like adventure36:10 The golden activity: “Jump In, Jump Out” (+ safety tweaks)42:18 Nerves, humour, and showing up at 100%48:50 Career progression: what’s next after “first-time”?55:10 Where to find Phil + resourcesResources & linksPhil’s organisation: High 5 Adventure — high5adventure.orgPhil’s podcast: Vertical Playpen (experiential & adventure education deep dives)My free community: The Flipchart (Facebook group for facilitators—questions, icebreakers, tips)Activity mentioned: Jump In, Jump Out (searchable; adapt spacing for safety)About my guestPhil Brown is a Lead Trainer at High 5 Adventure (Vermont, USA). Originally from England, he discovered experiential education at US summer camps and now trains facilitators, educators, and teams across outdoor, school, and camp settings. He hosts the Vertical Playpen podcast.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 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 week on Talk the Walk, Alan and I riff on quitting—firing clients, pausing projects, and stopping things that technically “work” but don’t work for you anymore. We dig into ego, sunk-cost traps, scope creep, and how to communicate a graceful stop without burning bridges. Alan shares a simple pre-flight test to help you avoid quitting later by deciding smarter upfront.In this episodeWhy “don’t be a quitter” is terrible advice for grown-ups with goalsAlan’s 5 When-Not-to-Start filters (my new decision cheat sheet)Preventing scope creep with pragmatic curiosity (ask before you say yes)Temporary quits, partial quits, and getting help to stopFeedback without pity: choosing truth-tellers and being oneSunk costs vs. smart experiments (market first, build later)How to cancel or pause publicly without drama (and keep goodwill)What consultants should quit immediately (hello, time-sink social!)Raising value before raising fees (Peloton did this well)The monkey bars analogy: you can’t reach out unless you let goMy takeawaysAsk a better first question: not “Can I help?” (always yes), but “What’s in it for me—learning, growth, low labor, fair revenue?”Five red flags = don’t start: low interest, little learning, no growth path, poor revenue, excessive labor.Curiosity saves you later: clarify sites, scope, timelines, decision rights before you commit.Quitting can be temporary: pausing ≠ failing. Partial stops count.Truth > cheerleading: select 2–3 people who’ve proven they’ll tell you the truth.Market → then make: sell the outcome, then build the content once you have critical mass.Value drives fees: explain the added value before you adjust price.Favorite moments & quotables“If you never let go, you’ll never reach out.” (Monkey bars!)“It’s better to ask when not to start than wonder when to stop.”“The way to be successful isn’t to raise fees—it’s to raise value.”“Be empathetic with feedback, never pitying.”Tiny scripts you can stealAfter you blurted ‘yes’: “On reflection, I’m not the right person for you. I can suggest the kind of expert who’d be a better fit.”Cancelling with class: “We don’t have critical mass for the learning dynamic. I won’t waste your time—I’ll let you know if we reschedule.”Shout-outs & referencesHugh Jackman (Alan’s NYC weekend plans!)Peloton’s price-rise email framed through added valueSign 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 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.