Saul Eslake: From Shy Adopted Kid in Tasmania to One of Australia's Most Trusted Economic Voices

Connect with Carmen SederinoWebsite: illuminatedstory.com LinkedIn: Carmen Sederino YouTube: Illuminated Story Instagram: @illuminatedstory Free Masterclass: Beyond the Keynote MasterclassConnect with Saul EslakeWebsite: saul-eslake.com LinkedIn: Saul EslakeSaul Eslake: From Shy Adopted Kid in Tasmania to One of Australia's Most Trusted Economic VoicesEpisode DescriptionCarmen Sederino sits down with Saul Eslake, one of Australia's most recognised independent economists, a keynote speaker, consultant, and Vice-Chancellor's Fellow at the University of Tasmania. Saul was born in England, relinquished for adoption, and raised by Australian parents who moved the family to Tasmania when he was eight. He was shy, wore glasses, had a funny name, and was no good at sport at an all-boys school where sport was everything. He stumbled into economics through a process of elimination, landed a cadetship with the Federal Treasury, and spent over 40 years as Chief Economist at some of Australia's most prominent financial institutions including ANZ Bank and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Carmen and Saul talk about how he learned to speak in public through the Young Liberals, why he left the safety of corporate life to protect his credibility, and the business of speaking as an independent consultant in a post-COVID landscape.Key MomentsBeing relinquished for adoption in England and raised by Australian parents who chose TasmaniaFailing his first public speaking attempt at a youth parliament and not getting selectedLearning to speak, debate, and engage with media through the Young Liberals at universityChoosing economics over accounting after finding first-year economic subjects far more interestingLeaving corporate life because employers were trying to control what he could say and writeNavigating the shift to virtual speaking during COVID and pushing back on discounted feesQuotes to Remember"What you know is important, but how you communicate it to your audience is no less important and in many ways more important.""If it's not fun, it almost doesn't matter how much you get paid for doing it. It doesn't feel as good."Saul's JourneyBorn in England, adopted by Australian parents who moved the family to Tasmania. Attended school in Hobart, studied economics at the University of Tasmania, and began his career at the Federal Treasury. Served as Chief Economist at McIntosh Securities, National Mutual Funds Management, ANZ Bank, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Founded Corinna Economic Advisory in 2009 and has been an independent economist based in Hobart since 2015. Holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Tasmania.Advice for SpeakersFind a mentor or coach early. Know your subject deeply, but invest just as much in learning to communicate it to people who are not experts. Don't discount your value for virtual presentations. And always stay true to what you actually think, even when it's uncomfortable, because credibility is the foundation of everything.Free Resource Beyond the Keynote MasterclassAbout the Host Carmen Sederino is the founder of Illuminated Story, transforming high-stakes presentations into unforgettable performances. With a background in theatre and corporate leadership, she helps leaders create impactful, memorable speaking experiences.Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and host, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Illuminated Story.