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
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.
66 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.
6 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.
102 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.
Nov 19, 2025 • 9min
(BONUS) Exploding Kittens CEO’s “walking with AI” ritual to unlock ideas.
Elan Lee, the creative genius behind Exploding Kittens and Throw Throw Burrito, redefines how we think about AI in game design. He shares his unique approach of using AI as a quiet sparring partner, where it helps refine ideas and solve design challenges without overwhelming him with answers. Discover how he utilizes AI to improve playtest instructions, balance in-game economies, and guide his insightful morning walks. Elan emphasizes the importance of letting AI ask questions that spark innovation rather than merely spitting out ideas.
8 snips
Nov 16, 2025 • 6min
Quick Win: The dangerous AI shortcut that quietly erodes your judgment
Scott Anthony, a business professor and author of Epic Disruptions, dives into the intersection of AI and critical thinking. He shares how he uses tools like ChatGPT and Claude as brainstorming partners while emphasizing the need to maintain ownership of one’s thought processes. Scott warns against AI replacing the struggle that sparks original ideas and offers strategies for setting up effective prompts. He also details acceptable uses for AI, advocating for its role in enhancing creativity rather than eroding our thinking skills.
25 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 36min
Ambitious CEO and present parent? Dr Catriona Wallace on refusing to choose.
Dr. Catriona Wallace, founder of Flamingo AI and a trailblazer in ethical artificial intelligence, discusses the challenges of being both a CEO and a mother. She boldly recounts rejecting an investor who insisted she choose between her roles. Catriona shares her journey to authenticity, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself. The conversation dives into her innovative use of AI for productivity and self-reflection, alongside fundamental principles for ethical AI development, showing how ambition and parenting can coexist harmoniously.
12 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 21min
(BONUS) How plant medicine transformed Catriona Wallace’s leadership
Dr. Catriona Wallace, a pioneering entrepreneur and behavioral scientist, opens up about her transformative journey with plant medicine. She reveals how her first ayahuasca experience led to confronting her ego and identity, reshaping her leadership style. Catriona highlights the importance of truth-telling as a foundation for authentic leadership. She emphasizes a powerful reframe in her purpose from 'What’s my purpose?' to 'What is needed of me?' Her insights on surrender and service redefine success and inspire a new approach to leadership.
