How I Work
Amantha Imber
You know those annoyingly successful people who seem to have it all figured out? Time to steal their playbook. Organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber gets world‑class achievers to spill their secrets - the daily strategies behind their success through to life hacks and productivity hacks they’d rather keep to themselves. We’re talking practical tips for boosting your output (including clever AI tools and shortcuts that’ll make you look like a genius), managing overwhelm without losing your mind, and optimising both work and wellbeing. No motivational fluff. Just battle‑tested tactics from people who’ve cracked the code.
Episodes
Mentioned books
19 snips
Dec 24, 2025 • 33min
BEST OF: Journaling for people who hate journaling: Michael Bungay Stanier's game-changing method
In this engaging conversation, Michael Bungay Stanier, a renowned author and coaching expert, shares his journey from journaling failures to finding a method that actually works. He discusses his innovative journaling technique, which includes three morning questions and a powerful evening prompt to foster gratitude. Michael emphasizes the importance of saying no to protect what matters while offering insights into his decision-making criteria. His approach aims to help even the most reluctant journalers integrate meaningful reflection into their lives.
100 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 60min
25 things 2025 taught us about work, wellbeing, & AI
In this dynamic conversation, Shelley Johnson, co-founder of Boldside and host of the This Is Work podcast, shares her insights on workplace evolution. She emphasizes why energy is the new key performance indicator and how boundaries enhance productivity. The duo explores the role of AI as a colleague, the value of genuine connections over charisma, and the big impact of small changes in workflow. Moreover, they discuss how embarrassment can teach resilience and the importance of embracing discomfort for growth.
10 snips
Dec 14, 2025 • 8min
Quick Win: The quarterly ritual that bonds teams for months
Avani Prabhakar, Chief People Officer at Atlassian, shares insights on building connections in a distributed work environment. She discusses the difference between remote and distributed work, debunking the myth that just being in an office fosters connection. Avani introduces the 'Intentional Togetherness' framework, which involves quarterly gatherings that focus on purposeful collaboration, enhancing team bonds that extend beyond these meetups. Tune in to discover how intentional interactions can redefine team dynamics!
37 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 30min
How to make sense of 2025 and design your best 2026, with Lisa Leong (Part 2)
Lisa Leong, an ABC broadcaster and co-author of This Working Life, shares invaluable insights on crafting a meaningful 2026. She discusses the transformative power of reframing future goals as if they've already happened. They explore the concept of an ‘ideal week’ versus a ‘perfect average day’ to create sustainable routines. Lisa also emphasizes the importance of values in decision-making and shares practical tips like using a flip phone for healthier digital boundaries. Tune in for prompts that uncover your 'secret wish' for the year ahead!
7 snips
Dec 7, 2025 • 10min
Quick Win: What leaders get wrong about saying sorry with Clare Stephens
Clare Stephens, former Editor-in-Chief at Mamamia and a keen observer of online culture, dives into the art of apologies in leadership. She discusses the fear leaders have of saying the wrong thing and how it affects their decision-making. Clare emphasizes that the best apologies are brief and sincere, steering clear of over-explanation. She also explores creating a culture where mistakes are embraced with grace rather than blame, alongside the importance of honest communication and psychological safety in the workplace.
68 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 34min
How to make sense of 2025 and design your best 2026, with Lisa Leong (Part 1)
In this insightful discussion, Lisa Leong, an ABC broadcaster and host of This Working Life, shares her favorite reflection tool, the Agile Retrospective. She and Amantha explore the significance of energy audits, revealing what drains and energizes them. They also delve into using AI to spark creativity and reflect on personal experiences. The duo discusses the Life Flow exercise to uncover patterns from highs and lows throughout the year. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of emotional decluttering and the influence of key people in their lives.
12 snips
Nov 30, 2025 • 7min
Quick Win: The simple question that stops catastrophising and opens real possibility
In this conversation, Lael Stone, an educator and author of 'Own Your Story', discusses the pivotal question that can shift our mindset from fear to possibility. She explains why our brains naturally focus on danger and introduces a transformative reframe: instead of asking 'How bad could it be?', try 'How good could it get?'. Lael also dives into how family narratives influence our definition of success and the guilt that can lead to self-sabotage, providing a practical exercise to help break free from limiting beliefs.
105 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 29min
Ask Me Anything: How I use AI in real life (plus the tech I rely on to work smarter)
Explore the fascinating ways AI integrates into daily work for research, writing, and decision-making. Discover key tools like Consensus.app and Perplexity that streamline tasks and enhance productivity. Amantha reveals her effective rituals, from time-boxing meetings to blocking distractions with apps like Freedom. Learn about building psychological safety within teams and how her upcoming book, The Energy Game, connects to these themes. Get ready for actionable insights on using tech to work smarter!
4 snips
Nov 23, 2025 • 6min
Quick Win: Why your “default behaviour” isn’t actually yours — and how to change it
Lael Stone, an educator and author who explores how childhood experiences shape our beliefs, dives into the concept of 'imprints'—the invisible narratives we inherit from our families. She discusses how these imprints affect our relationships and career choices, often unconsciously guiding our behaviors. Lael highlights the importance of recognizing these inherited stories, explaining that breaking free from them is an act of growth, not disloyalty. She reveals practical insights on how to identify and change unhelpful patterns shaped by our past.
32 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 33min
The counterintuitive brainstorming rule that made Exploding Kittens a global hit.
Elan Lee, co-creator and CEO of Exploding Kittens, delves into the secrets behind his wildly successful game. He reveals how their innovative 'no, kill it' rule fosters creativity by swiftly discarding weak ideas. Elan discusses transforming casual players into superfans, the crucial role of creative constraints over traditional brainstorming, and defining game success with the simple question: 'Do you want to play again?'. With insights on iterative design retreats and marketing strategies, he shares what makes Exploding Kittens a phenomenon.
