Let's Just Start Podcast with Laura Racky and Christian Cunningham

Marriage is not just about finding the right person.It is also about having the conversations that most couples assume they will 'work out later'.In this episode, we talk through six areas that couples should discuss before marriage, before children, and then revisit as life changes:• Money• Kids and parenting• Day-to-day life• Ambitions and dreams• Values• Extended familyHow much do you want to save?What kind of life are you actually trying to build?Do you want children?What does parenting look like when both people work?Whose career takes priority when opportunities collide?How involved will extended family be?What are the values you simply will not compromise on?The point is not that couples need identical answers.The point is that resentment grows when expectations remain unspoken.We talk about the assumptions people carry into relationships from childhood, traditional roles, money fears, family dynamics and previous experiences, and why some of the most important conversations in a marriage are MISALIGNMENTS in expectations.Because it is much better to have the difficult conversation six years before the problem arrives than six weeks after.In Short:Marriage maxxing.Money, parenting, careers, ambition, lifestyle, values, extended family, resentment, expectations and the conversations that make a relationship stronger before life puts it under pressure.Find us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

Nobody cares about your career as much as you do.That might sound harsh, but it's one of the most empowering lessons you can learn.In this episode we discuss why so many people spend years working hard without ever clearly defining what success in their role actually looks like.If your company hasn't set meaningful KPIs, how do you know whether you're succeeding?How do you demonstrate your value?How do you build a case for a pay rise or promotion?Waiting for someone else to create the framework is often a mistake, and taking ownership of your own performance can completely change the trajectory of your career.We then tackle one of the trickiest workplace situations of all: reporting to a weak leader.Not every poor manager is the same, some are simply inexperienced or overwhelmed. Others are political, self-serving or willing to protect themselves at your expense.Understanding the difference dictates how you will approach. We discuss how to build influence, protect your reputation, navigate organisational politics and make decisions that keep your career moving forward, even when your manager isn't.Career maxxing, building your own KPIs, negotiating promotions, identifying weak leadership and taking responsibility for your own career progression.In short:Career maxxingWhy most companies don't define success wellBuilding your own KPIsCreating meaningful performance measuresDemonstrating your valuePreparing for pay rise conversationsPromotions and career progressionWeak managers versus dangerous managersBuilding influence outside your reporting lineOrganisational politicsProtecting your reputationPaper trails and accountabilityLong-term career strategyFind us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

If someone handed you a blank notebook and asked you the 5 traits you need to be crystal clear about as a successful leader, what would you say? In this episode, Christian opens the "magic book" to share the five leadership principles he believes separate good managers and leaders from the average, and it can change your trajectory. We discuss perception, understanding your vulnerabilities, knowing your values, developing commercial awareness and deliberately building relationships over the course of your career. None of these happen by accident, and all of them are within your control.We then discuss the very tricky world of how we make difficult decisions together, particularly in a marriage. Should you take the promotion?Move cities?Prioritise career progression?Spend more time with your children?How do you weigh money family, ambition, presence, or opportunity?When you know who you are and what matters most to you, what you actually VALUE, many of life's hardest decisions become much clearer.In Short: The five traits of respected leadersWhy perception mattersIdentifying and managing your vulnerabilitiesBuilding values that people can trustCommercial awareness and business thinkingRelationships that shape your careerThe "magic book" frameworkHow to make difficult life decisionsCareer versus familyMoney versus integrityParenting and long-term prioritiesBuilding a decision-making filterWhy values come before choicesFind us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

We start with Anthony Albanese’s comments about Kylie Minogue, his wife, and the Japanese Prime Minister, and why it raises a bigger conversation about judgement, leadership, respect and the way people in positions of influence choose to present themselves.Was it just a joke?Was everyone overreacting?Or do small moments sometimes tell us something bigger?We also get into something almost everyone has experienced: Walking out of an interview and immediately replaying everything you said.Did I answer that correctly?Did they like me?Should I follow up?Why haven’t they called?We talk through what to do after an interview, including reviewing yourself honestly, learning from what you could improve, positivity maxxing the things you did well, and then moving forward instead of sitting around waiting.Fun episode. Find us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

Competing Top 5 Lists (List Maxxing)!! Who wins, Christian or Laura?What happens when reality doesn't match the story we've been telling ourselves?We with a discussion about respect. The signs that someone may not value you as much as you value them, the people who only call when they need something, the colleagues who undermine you in front of others. The friendships that quietly drift out of balance.From there, Laura shares her Top Five Things That Shock You After You Have A Baby (Career Edition).Not the LinkedIn version, the real version.How your priorities can change overnight. Why your tolerance for workplace nonsense suddenly evaporates. Why people view mothers differently, whether they admit it or not.And why the person who returns from maternity leave is often not the same person who left.The conversation then politics, public debate and modern Australia.Why has public discourse become so angry? Why do so many conversations revolve around what should be taken away from somebody else? Why are we so focused on dividing the pie rather than growing it?We cover empathy, accountability, opportunity, growth, national confidence and whether we've forgotten that the people on the other side of these debates are still our neighbours, colleagues and fellow Australians.In short: The subtle signs someone doesn't respect youWorkplace respect and personal relationshipsFive things that shock you after having a babyWhy your tolerance for workplace nonsense collapsesIdentity, confidence and adjustmentPolitical discourse in AustraliaEmpathy, accountability and resentmentGrowth versus divisionNational confidence and leadershipFind us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

How do other people experience you?It's a simple question, but one most of us rarely stop to consider.In this episode we discuss the gap between intention and perception, why people can have a completely different experience of us than the one we think we're creating, and why understanding that difference can change careers, relationships and leadership outcomes.We talk about confidence, reputation, first impressions and the reality that perception often shapes opportunity whether we think it's fair or not. We also explores interviews, workplace dynamics, body language, reception areas, leadership blind spots, social awareness and the importance of understanding how your behaviour lands with other people. We also cover unusual feedback from an aura reader, real-world examples of perception shaping outcomes, and why some people unknowingly make themselves harder to approach than they realise.The episode finishes with a broader discussion about risk, opportunity, backing yourself and a simple idea that sits underneath many of life's biggest decisions:Don't die wondering.In Short: Confidence versus intimidationLeadership blind spotsFirst impressionsInterview preparationReception staff and hidden assessmentsAI taskforces and workplace changeSelf-awareness and social awarenessRisk, opportunity and backing yourselfWhy most people wait too longDon't die wonderingFind us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

What does it actually take to build a successful life?Not just financially or professionally. A genuinely successful life.In this episode we discuss the five foundations that we believe sit underneath long-term success:CommitmentHealthFamilyFaithPurposeThe conversation explores why talent eventually runs out, why commitment matters more than motivation, how health underpins everything else, and why people need a tribe around them if they want to thrive over the long term.We also spend time on one of the more difficult topics, faith. Not necessarily faith in religion, but faith in something. Faith in yourself, your family, your future, your community, or the belief that tomorrow can be better than today.We discuss starting a business, overcoming fear, volunteering, building purpose when you feel lost, a new study into anxiety, Court of Unpopular Opinion, open-plan offices, government spending, boredom, social media and why modern life seems increasingly designed to keep us distracted.We are always surprised how much ground we cover. In Short: Entrepreneurship and riskCommitment and resilienceHealth and performanceFamily and communityFaith and beliefPurpose and meaningVolunteering and contributionAnxiety researchOpen-plan officesEconomic challengesTechnology and attentionModern life and fulfilmentFind us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

We start with Birkenstocks end with leadership, impulsivity, artificial intelligence, Genghis Khan, reputation, career advice and simple rules for avoiding unnecessary problems.We talk about impulsive decisions, why some people repeatedly find themselves dealing with the consequences of avoidable mistakes, and how to deal with it. We cover emotional reactions, delayed decision-making and why a small pause can change the trajectory of a conversation, a relationship or even a career.The conversation then moves into artificial intelligence, the future of work and whether people are focusing on the wrong part of the AI revolution. Technology may continue to accelerate, but human beings still need meaning, purpose and connection.We also discuss leadership, first impressions, starting a new job, building credibility, asking better questions, and the behaviours that damage trust before people even realise they are doing it.Somewhere in the middle we end up talking about Genghis Khan.Pretty standard episode, really.In short:Why impulsivity is rarely the real problemThe gap between reaction and actionThe seven-day email ruleDelayed decisions and better outcomesAI, work and the search for meaningWhy human beings need purposeLeadership mistakes people make earlyFirst impressions in a new roleThe fastest ways to damage credibilityQuestions that build trust across teamsGenghis Khan, Temujin and long-term thinkingBirkenstocks and unnecessary purchasesFind us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

Another Fast Five. Five questions, no preparation, and wherever the conversation goes is where it goes.This episode goes from secret competitiveness and teenage expectations into free will, parenting, ageing, irrational fears, spiders, boxing, skydiving, piano lessons, filing cabinets, and whether “Lawyers Ding Dong” should become a legitimate sporting event.The five questions were:What are you secretly competitive about?What would 16-year-old you think of you now?What’s the best part about getting older?What’s your most irrational fear?What’s one thing you wish you’d done, but probably never will?Along the way we talk about:Secret competitiveness and internal pressureWhat 16-year-old you would think todayThe calmness and self-knowledge that comes with ageFree will, parenting and modern uncertaintyWhy younger generations face more paths but less certaintyIrrational fears and imagined problemsStoicism and managing anxietySpiders, Mike Tyson and fear responsesPiano lessons and unfinished ambitionsProfessional fighting and “Lawyers Ding Dong”Filing cabinets, libraries and workplace nostalgiaA thoughtful episode hidden inside complete nonsense.Find us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

This episode starts with Brian Eno, creativity, obsession, and what it actually takes to produce world-class work over decades.We discuss the trade-offs behind highly successful creative lives, whether elite performers need complete immersion to operate at the highest level, and why many of the world’s best artists, athletes and founders often require someone else managing the practical realities of life around them.From there, the conversation shifts into public speaking: nervousness, preparation, storytelling, confidence, pacing, silence, mistakes, audience psychology and why your personal style matters more than copying somebody else’s.We also discuss:Top public speaking tips!The trade-offs behind ultra-successThe Laffer Curve and Australia’s tobacco excise disasterWhether social media has tipped into a net negativeAnnual performance reviewsLinkedInLeadershipAccountabilityAnd finally… “chip creep.”Somewhere between serious and ridiculous, which is usually where these episodes end up.In Short: Creativity, obsession, public speaking, social media, leadership, Court of Unpopular Opinion, and chip creep.Find us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

Another Fast Five. Five quick questions, no preparation, and wherever the conversation goes is where it goes.This episode moves from memorable meals and funny stories into family, near-death experiences, parenting, ugly dogs, work, relationships, and what it actually means to feel present in your own life.The five questions:What is your most memorable meal?What is the best moment of your life (outside the kids)?What is something you would steal from each other’s wardrobe?What was the last thing that made you properly laugh?If you had to swap jobs, what part of the other person’s work would you enjoy most?In short: The meals and moments we’ll never forgetBecoming a lawyer and making your parents proudPre-GFC corporate chaos and made-up songsNear-death experiences and their effectParenting, memory and self-perceptionWhy ugly dogs are objectively funnyThe difference between freedom and structure at workSwapping careers and hidden workplace envyTruth-telling, leadership and discretionJoy maxing and cry maxingA bit more emotional than we expected. Find us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

We start with the federal budget it leads us to aspiration, ambition, confidence, workplace tactics, Steven Spielberg sneaking onto movie sets, and why Australians need to stop apologising for wanting more out of life.We break down the major themes of the budget, including tax cuts, negative gearing, capital gains tax changes, deficits, infrastructure spending, small business pressure, and the cynical spinning of 'helping' young people, while really pulling up the drawbridge. The conversation looks at whether current policy settings are encouraging growth, risk-taking and business creation, or slowly discouraging people from trying to build anything at all.We also get into practical workplace tactics, how to QUICKLY change the way people perceive you inside an organisation, building authority without formal power, and why timing, initiative and proactive behaviour matter far more than most people realise.Then somehow we end up talking about Steven Spielberg sneaking onto the Universal lot as a teenager, James Cameron going from truck driver to Terminator, fake it till you make it, confidence, leadership, and “love maxxing.”Probably favourite so far. xx In Short: The federal budget and why reactions have become so tribalTax cuts, deficits, negative gearing and CGT changesWhether Australia is discouraging aspiration and risk-takingWhy fanning resentment toward ambition is a mistakeThe psychology of aspiration vs cynicismWhy it’s okay to openly want success againWorkplace tactics that quietly change how people see youBuilding authority without formal powerFake it till you make it… properlySteven Spielberg, James Cameron and acting before you feel ready“Aspiration maxxing” and “love maxxing”Find us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

Five fast questions, no preparation, and whatever answer came out first was the answer.We ended up talking about the small things we genuinely look forward to every day, the books that have stayed with us, what we would eat forever if calories didn’t exist, and the things people misunderstand about us.Then the conversation shifted into relationships, what actually makes them work over time, and why becoming the best version of yourself matters more than trying to get something from another person.Some of it is serious, some of it is ridiculous, and some of it probably says more about us than intended.The Five This Week What is one thing you look forward to every day?What is your favourite book?What would you eat every day if there were no calories or health consequences?What is something about you that would surprise people?What is your best relationship advice in one sentence?Find us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

In this episode, we go everywhere.We start with the looming release of new UFO and UAP files from the United States, why public attitudes toward “conspiracy theories” have changed dramatically over the last 20 years, and whether people would even care if governments confirmed extraordinary truths.From there, we dive deep into the Australian economy: inflation, interest rates, government spending, housing, debt, population growth and why the Reserve Bank may have no choice but to keep tightening. We discuss the mechanics of inflation, the pressure facing households and businesses, and why downturns often create enormous opportunities for serious operators.We also answer a listener question about job interviews, research, and whether you need to genuinely care about the organisation you work for. That gets into a much bigger conversation about pride in work is ultimately be for yourself, not your employer.Finally, we finish with one of our favourite discussions in a long time: confidence. Where does it come from? Can you build it without evidence? Is there a difference between competence-based confidence and the confidence required to jump before you’re ready?This one moves from aliens to economics to philosophy pretty quickly… but somehow it all connects.In short:The psychology of confidenceFake it till you make itWhy pride in your work mattersThe disconnect people feel from modern jobsInflation, debt and the RBAWhy downturns create opportunityThe difference between fear and beliefFind us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

We started with corporate jargon and ended up talking about how people hide from decisions, avoid discomfort, and delay change.We break down (and somehow argue over) what common workplace phrases actually mean, when they’re useful, and when they’re just a way of avoiding decisions.From there, the conversation shifts into why people stay in jobs, relationships, or situations longer than they should. Comfort, fear, uncertainty, and the reality of making a move when you don’t know what’s on the other side.We also get into being wrong. Why people struggle with it, how it shapes behaviour, and how it shows up in parenting and everyday decisions.In short:What corporate jargon actually means in practiceWhen it’s useful vs when it’s just avoidanceWhy people stay in situations longer than they shouldFear of change vs fear of regretThe role of comfort and familiarityWhy rejection and uncertainty stop people movingHow being wrong affects behaviour and decision makingParenting, mistakes, and course correctingWhat people model without realising itThemes include:Avoidance dressed up as processCorporate language, over-explaining, delaying decisions — these are often not neutral tools. They are ways of managing discomfort and risk.Short-term safety vs long-term costWhether it’s staying in a job or avoiding a decision, people prioritise immediate stability over long-term improvement, often without realising the trade-off.Narratives as protectionPeople construct explanations that allow them to stay where they are without feeling like they’re making a poor decision.Ego and identityAdmitting you’re wrong is not just about the situation, it’s about what that says about you. That’s why it’s so difficult.Modelling behaviourEspecially in parenting, but also in leadership, people copy what you do, not what you say. Your behaviour under pressure becomes the lesson.Find us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

We tried something new with this one.Five fast questions, no prep, no structure, just straight answers and seeing where it goes.The Five This Week The decision that almost sent our careers in a completely different directionWhat people get wrong about being a good leaderThe best advice we’ve been given (and whether we followed it)What we’d tell our 25-year-old selves nowA belief we used to hold strongly that we’ve completely changed our minds onDecisions that completely changed direction, advice that stuck (and advice that didn’t), what we'd tell our younger self, and a couple of beliefs we’ve had to completely rethink over time.There’s a mix of serious and not serious at all. We’ll see if this format works. If it does, we’ll do it again.Find us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

Some tricky topics in this episode. The Bias You're Proudest Of Is the One Holding You BackWe all walk around with filters we've built over a lifetime and most of us would fight to keep them. Christian and Laura unpack why the biases that feel like wisdom are often the ones doing the most damage, and how becoming conscious of them (not eliminating them) is what actually changes everything.Why Smart People Can't See Their Own Blind SpotsThe more analytical you are, the better you are at defending your bias, and why the sharpest people in the room are often the most blind.Everything Is Possible (When You Stop Looking Through the Keyhole)If you can only view the world through one small opening, you're missing everything around it. Awareness, not perfection, is the whole game.The Uncomfortable Truth About Micromanagement Nobody Wants to HearNobody wants to be told that the micromanagement they're complaining about might be their fault. But that's exactly what gets said in this episode.You Set the Standard by What You Tolerate — Including in Your Own HeadThe patterns you keep repeating, the judgments you keep making, the conversations you keep having, they're all data. This episode digs into what those patterns are actually telling you, and why the one thing most worth fixing is the thing most people spend a lifetime avoiding.Court of UNPOPULAR Opinion Micromanagement may not be what you think, insecurity is the one thing to fix, and partisan politics is boring. In short: ​Why objectivity is not as common as people think​How bias shapes your decisions​Real examples of blind spots in everyday situations​Why people defend their own thinking​When your patterns start working against you​A different way to approach conversations​Court Of UNPOPULAR OpinionFind us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

This episode looks at real world situations that many people face at the same time, even if they rarely talk about them openly. How do you deal with a boss or company with a bad reputation (while protecting your own)?How do you tackle overwhelm when the to do list gets so big that it crushes you under it? How do we deal with career, parenting, and ageing parents - often all in the same season? Very tricky questions and we dealt with them as honestly as we could. We also launched a new segment, the Court of UNPOPULAR opinion. 1. Spouses should or shouldn't track each other's locations? 2. The workplace is no place for birthday cakes? 3. Holidays are overrated? Stick around for the verdict. In Short:What do you do when the environment around you is not ideal, your workload builds beyond what feels manageable, and life outside of work is demanding more of your time and energy?The conversation focuses on how to think clearly in these moments. From managing your own position in a complex workplace, to regaining control when everything feels urgent, to making deliberate choices when life becomes full, this episode is about responding with intention rather than reacting to pressure.Find us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

This episode moves through the tension many people are feeling right now. Costs are rising, confidence is falling, and the economic environment has shifted. We discuss the end of cheap money and how that has changed behaviour across individuals, businesses, and governments. From there, the conversation turns to why everyday life feels more expensive, and what is actually happening beneath the surface.We then shift to the role of mindset, personal responsibility, and how we can change everything. This is how we acknowledge reality without being defined by it, and finding a way to move with purpose even when conditions are not ideal.We finish with 5 Ways We Accidently Damage Our Reputations, lessons from the great Tom Cruise, and Laura's pettiness. In short: ​What the end of cheap money means for behaviour and decision making​Survey results from NAB and ANZ on consumer sentiment, lowest in history of recording​Why prices feel (and likely are) permanently higher ​How expectations built in the past no longer match current conditions​The role of mindset in changing our entire lives​How Women 'should' respond to being treated badly ​Practical ways to focus on what can still be controlled, with gratitude​5 ways we accidently damage our reputations ​Lessons from Tom Cruise Find us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

Ep 54 - A LOT in here on family, negotiation, deal making, first quarter scorecard, and Christian CORNERED on fatherhood. We start with an honest discussion about fatherhood, what it means, how it changes priorities, and the realities that often go unspoken.We also go deep on Laura working through her negotiation structure and how negotiation actually works in the real world. We are basing this on real-world experience and try to make it as useful as possible. We also lament the choices for many young families in Australia. In short:​How we think about family, time, and priorities more clearly​The difference between responsibility and presence​Why modern life is changing decisions around having children​How to predict where a negotiation will land​Why understanding people matters more than strategy​The importance of mapping stakeholders and incentives​How to expand deals beyond price​Why patience and timing are critical in negotiation​How to navigate ego, pressure, and hidden agendasFind us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

In this episode, we explore the hidden dynamics that shape how people are perceived at work, from confidence and influence to status anxiety, as well as strong and weak leadership.We cover ways to handle difficult colleagues, build trust quickly, and tactically position yourself for success.The conversation also touches on decision making, long-term thinking, and why many people misread what success actually looks like.In short: How to reframe difficult people at workWhy most “confidence” advice is wrongHow to think clearly when others are reacting emotionallyThe real meaning of status anxiety (and how to avoid it)Practical ways to signal authority without saying a wordWhy high performers often clash with weak leadershipTactical ways to navigate that situation without losing momentumHow to separate what you want from what others project onto youFind us here:Digital Resources: Therackycunninghamcollective.comInstagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

What does it actually mean to “be yourself”?In this Weekend Edition, we explore the idea that much of modern life requires us to perform, at work, in relationships, and even with ourselves.From workplace behaviour to parenting to relationships, we explore the tension between authenticity and performance, and whether “being yourself” is actually useful advice at all.This episode examines:​The concept of authenticity and whether it’s achievable​The role of “masks” in professional and personal life​How self-awareness changes the way we show up​Why pretending isn’t always dishonest — and can sometimes be necessaryA deep discussion on identity, behaviour, and the choices we make about how we present ourselves to the world.In Short:​00:00 Weekend Edition — no structure, real conversation​02:30 The problem with “being yourself”​07:10 Why everyone is pretending (all the time)​12:40 The idea of “masks” in work and life​18:20 Knowing yourself vs performing​25:00 Parenting, roles, and authenticity​32:10 Can you be fully authentic anywhere?​38:00 Conscious behaviour vs fake behaviour​45:00 The risk of becoming only a role​50:00 Meaning of life — do you choose it?Find us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

In this episode we discuss Australia’s economic reality, rich country, but in managed decline. Also traditional career advice tells us to work hard, stay loyal, and success will follow, but in today’s environment, that model is increasingly outdated.We discuss what actually drives career progression, from the limits of competence alone to the importance of communication, positioning, and strategic growth.We also examine whether loyalty still holds value in modern work, and how broader economic pressures are shaping the experience of individuals in high income countries like Australia.In Short:​Why being “good at your job” isn’t enough anymore​The real reason promotions go to other people​How to communicate your value (without sounding fake)​Why loyalty in the workplace has fundamentally changed​The hidden risks of staying too long in one company​Australia’s economic reality, rich country, declining feeling​The mindset shift from negativity → controlFind us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

This HEAVY Weekend Edition moves from energy security to tech layoffs to the justice system, and what all three reveal about how modern institutions actually behave.We start with Australia’s fuel situation and the strategic risk of relying on imported fuel while holding limited domestic reserves. Then we look at the growing wave of tech layoffs and ask whether AI is genuinely transforming productivity or simply providing cover for companies to reduce headcount after years of over-hiring.The conversation then turns to a controversial court decision involving a man who secretly photographed women in bathrooms but avoided a conviction. The case sparks a broader discussion about justice, accountability and whether the system is sending the right signals.We finish with a lighter discussion on personal style, confidence, and why some of the most interesting conversations in life begin when you stop asking small talk questions and start asking real ones.In short: Australia’s reliance on imported refined fuel and the risks of limited domestic reservesWhy fuel storage and supply chains matter for national resilienceThe growing wave of tech layoffs across companies like Atlassian, Block, WiseTech and AmazonWhether AI productivity gains are real or simply being used to justify workforce reductionsThe tension between corporate profit obligations and social responsibilityA controversial court decision involving secret photos taken in women’s bathroomsThe broader debate about justice, deterrence, and public confidence in the legal systemWhy people are increasingly frustrated with institutions that appear disconnected from everyday realityPersonal style and the importance of letting go of the fear of looking differentWhy the most interesting conversations start when you move beyond small talkFind us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

In this episode, we break down some of the most dangerous behaviours to spot in the workplace and why they matter more than most people realise. We talk about projection, gaslighting, white-anting, and the subtle ways people shape perception, undermine others, and shift accountability. There is also the bigger point that none of this matters if you are not willing to look hard at your own behaviour first, which leads to self-awareness, reaction patterns, bias, insecurity, and why learning to understand your own thought process may be one of the most valuable skills you can build.In short:How projection shows up in the workplace and what it reveals about insecurityWhy people often attack, criticise, or overcompensate when they feel vulnerableA practical discussion on gaslighting, distorted narratives, and how to protect yourself with factsWhy keeping receipts matters when someone is trying to rewrite events or undermine youWhat white-anting looks like and how subtle reputation attacks happen behind the scenesHow to spot changes in behaviour around you that may signal someone is quietly damaging your credibilityWhy excellent work and strong self-discipline make it harder for these tactics to stickThe danger of blaming everything external without examining your own role firstHow bias, insecurity, and old patterns shape reactions more than most people realiseWhy learning to watch your own thought process can change your work and your lifeFind us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

In this Weekend Edition, we start with the rapidly unfolding situation in Iran and what it could mean for global stability, oil prices, and Australia’s energy security. We talk through the strategic risks, why prolonged conflict would hurt everyone, and why Australia may be far less prepared than people realise.Then we shift gears into a much more positive conversation about leadership. We reflect on the smartest people and the lessons that stayed with us. From relationship-building and strategic patience to detaching ego from business success and never losing your sense of curiosity, this is a practical conversation about what real leadership looks like when you see it up close.In shortWhat’s happening in Iran and why control of the airspace changes the strategic picture quicklyWhy a prolonged conflict could trigger major oil price shocks and global economic consequencesAustralia’s energy security problem and why relying on imported fuel and supply chains creates riskWhy governments often focus on visible political wins rather than difficult long-term infrastructure and security planningLeadership lessons from exceptional operators we’ve worked with across different industriesWhy strong client relationships and genuine personal connection matter just as much as technical skillThe importance of clearly demonstrating value in professional services, especially when billing significant amountsHow the best leaders separate ego from business success and focus on performance rather than personal profileThe power of strategic thinking and why some of the best decisions are made with a 10 or 20 year horizonSmall comments from smart people that can permanently change how you think about work, balance, and prioritiesA final reminder from Morgan Freeman’s advice: stay curious, keep moving, and never “let the old man in”Find us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

Ep 47! This starts with the Kyle and Jackie O media controversy and turns into something much bigger. We tackle the grey zone between bullying and adult behaviour, why identity makes people cling to roles, and why modern culture has become allergic to nuance. Then we get practical on performance reviews, promotion strategy, and how to build leverage long before the meeting starts. We close with a direct look at Australia’s economy and a lost economic decade, extractive behaviour by rent seekers, and increasingly disconnected from real growth.Some tricky stuff. In short:A conversation about Kyle and Jackie O becomes a deeper discussion on bullying, adult responsibility, and public expectationsWe ask whether the same standards should apply to a teenager in a café and a multimillion-dollar media figure at the top of their gameWe work through power dynamics, resilience, misogyny, disappointment, and why these questions are harder than they first appearWe also talk about the loss of nuance in modern discussion and why so many people now treat disagreement as dangerThen we move into performance reviews and explain why high performers need to prepare months in advance, not daysWe break down how to track your value, tie your work to outcomes, define what you want next, and negotiate from evidence instead of emotionWe also cover what good leaders should do differently when managing reviews, expectations, and development pathwaysTo finish, we take on Australia’s economic drift, stagnant productivity, rising cost pressures, and why the country increasingly feels built around rent-seeking instead of energy, growth, and ambitionFind us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

A new format - Let's Just Start Weekend Edition. Shorter episode on the biggest stories and what they mean for real life.In this episode we cover:Iran and analysis on why intervention, strategy, and regime change are never cleanWhat the real drivers might be, beyond the public narrativeBlock cutting 4,000 jobs and why “AI” is a powerful headlineThe reality of visibility at work and the risk of being outside the decision circleBlue Jobs Pink Jobs and the system we use to split household admin fairlyThe mental load, invisible work, and how resentment builds when roles are unclearWhat’s next, performance reviews, pay rises, and setting your team up to winIf you want the Blue Jobs Pink Jobs pamphlet, it’s on the Racky Cunningham Collective website.Find us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

Some challenging stuff in Ep 45. Leaving a job without burning a bridge, one of the most confronting and important skills in professional life. We also talk about mass SaaS layoffs (WiseTech), tariffs, our 3 marriage agreements, guilt, loyalty, reputation, it's all there... In short: ​How to resign and move on without torching relationships.​Laura explains why leaving can feel personal, especially when you feel loyalty to leaders who invested in you, and why employment is still a transaction at the core.​We cover how to protect your reputation, work your notice properly, and leave with goodwill and clean handover notes, even if you are frustrated.​Values, parenting standards, partnership alignment, and conscious trade-offs come before any “should I take the promotion?” moment.​We close with the three agreements that changed our trajectory, truth pact, kids first, and yes to everything always. ​Also included, a short discussion on tariffs and a layoff story being linked to AI.Packed.Find us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

NEW STUDIO! Fun. We jump straight into three big buckets: health, developing people for 'great doers', and the psychological biases that quietly steer decisions at work.In no particular order: ​Fasting explained properly, not as a fad, but as a tool that needs context, timing, and discipline​Autophagy in plain English, why the body starts recycling damaged cells, and why inflammation can drop when you tighten the edges​The performance downside of fasting if you train hard, work hard, and run on empty without planning​Low calorie dieting and online aesthetics, why ultra thin bodies often come with a huge cognitive and lifestyle cost​New leader development, why being a great doer is not the same as being a great manager​A simple training method for small teams, pick three or four themes, do short daily reps, real scenarios​Delegation, training for the work you want to hand over, not just throwing people in• How juniors can learn faster, reduce friction and speed run development​Biases that drive workplaces, highest paid opinion wins, action versus inaction cultures, social proof, sunk cost traps, halo effect ​The ambition and contentment tension, how to enjoy the now while still chasing the next prize without guilt or manipulationFind us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

In the final (probably) of the summer series, this is an excerpt from episode 27 focusing on two serious situations - increasing your authority at work, and dealing with bully bosses in the workplace. The phrases that build (or weaken) authorityConfidence vs arrogance in leadership communicationHandling “what about” people in meetingsCreating ownership instead of issuing commandsProtecting yourself from toxic behaviour at workSetting boundaries without escalating conflictPlanning your exit from unhealthy environmentsThese 5 MAGICAL statements will instantly lift your authority in the room: “Here’s what I recommend.”“I’ll take responsibility for that — leave it with me.”“That’s a fair point — what do you recommend?”“Let’s focus on what we can control.”“Do you believe you can deliver X by Y date?”We then tackle a tougher reality: how to deal with an aggressive or bullying manager when you can’t just walk away. This is a grounded conversation about reality, protecting your confidence, setting boundaries, detaching from toxic behaviour, and building an exit strategy without pretending the situation is simple.If you’ve ever struggled to be heard, felt your authority slipping, or needed practical ways to navigate difficult workplace relationships, this episode gives you tools you can use immediately.Find us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

In this episode, we tackle radical self-accountability, not as self-blame, but as an approach that can totally change your life.Even when something isn’t your fault, your reaction is still your responsibility. And when something is partly your fault (choices, omissions, patterns), refusing to face it stops you from learning the lessons it offers. This is an entirely new way to view the world, and it's not for everyone. The key question when something goes wrong: “What did I contribute… and should I have seen this coming?”Why accountability isn’t self-flagellation (and why “I’m the worst” is just another escape)How “you teach people how to treat you” plays out at work, at home, and in relationshipsWhy victimhood is seductive and how social media can reward grievance until it becomes an identityThe difference between truth and toxic perfectionism: owning reality while keeping compassionWhy the worst lie is the one you tell yourself and how inner/outer “misalignment” fuels anxietyThe “Matrix choice”: short-term comfort vs long-term freedomFind us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

This segment from Ep 17 runs through the 4 Hard Parts Of Senior Leadership No One Tells You About. But we will. There are parts of senior leadership that almost no one prepares you for, especially once real P&L responsibility lands on your desk. In this episode, we break down four hard truths about very senior leadership that most people only learn the painful way.First: you will always regret not acting on poor performance sooner. Leaders don’t fail by being too decisive, they fail by letting underperformance drift, damaging morale and driving away their best people.Second: the higher you go, the worse the information gets. Senior leaders are forced to make consequential decisions with incomplete, imperfect, and often late data. At the top, waiting for certainty is usually more dangerous than making a call.Third: you must model the standards you expect of others. Culture is set by behaviour, not policy. If you tolerate things in yourself that you wouldn’t accept in your team, the organisation will follow your lead, whether you like it or not.Finally: if you want to keep moving up, you must aggressively succession plan. The paradox of senior leadership is that the more replaceable you are, the more valuable you become.This is a grounded, honest conversation about what leadership actually demands when the stakes are real.Find us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

This segment from Ep 19 lays out a 12-step, values-intact roadmap to corporate success, not the Machiavellian version, but the version that actually works long-term.The framework starts with radical humility. Early in your career you know nothing, so your job is to learn, observe, volunteer, and absorb everything. From there, it moves into building relationships, finding mentors and sponsors, and setting crystal clear expectations every time you step into a new role.As your career progresses, the focus shifts to obsession with clients and customers, delegating early, developing your team so you can be replaced, and deliberately taking on hard, unwanted problems, but only with the right mandate and expectations.At senior levels, the game becomes more explicit, advocating for yourself professionally, putting pressure on for advancement, documenting everything, telling the truth, keeping promises, and learning to communicate differently with teams, peers, executives, and clients.The final anchor is values. Once you know what you stand for, you never bend them. If a role or organisation forces you to compromise them, you leave, because the cost of staying is always higher.Follow these 12 steps at any stage of your career and you dramatically increase your odds of corporate success, while also building skills that protect you if you ever choose to leave and build something of your own.The 12 Steps to Climbing the Corporate LadderStart by shutting up and learning how to show up You don’t know anything yet. Work hard, listen, follow people around, ask questions, volunteer, and absorb everything.Do extra. Volunteer. Build relationships. Chase learningDo the jobs no one wants. Ask for help. Learn two or three things from everyone around you.Identify a mentor Learn from someone ahead of you. Earn respect first. Advocacy comes later, quietly and powerfully.When promoted, define what success actually looks likeAsk: “Twelve months from now, what does success look like? ”Get the measures. Get alignment. Don’t meander.Obsess over customers and clientsLearn why they buy, why they leave, what they value, and why competitors win. Become irreplaceable.Delegate early and build people who can replace youTrain your team. Grow their careers. If no one can replace you, you won’t move.Find a problem no one wants to touch — and take it on with a mandateBig, ugly, career-defining problems. Set expectations properly. Fix it or move it forward.Apply professional pressure for advancementDon’t wait to be noticed. Signal your ambition early. Put timelines around progress — calmly and tactically.Document everything — keep the receiptsAgreements, timelines, expectations. The truth in writing protects you from politics.Tell the truth and keep your promisesDon’t overpromise. Be clear about limits. Say what you can and can’t do — and mean it.Learn to communicate properlyUp, down, and sideways, customer, client, all different communication styles. Never bend your valuesOnce you know them, don’t compromise. If the role eats your soul, leave.Find us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co*Success not actually guaranteed

This segment from Ep 18 was very popular. What happens when you set high personal standards in a world that increasingly rewards mediocrity.The discussion moves from “high performers at work” into something deeper. What message do you send yourself when you lower your standards to match those around you, at work, in relationships, or in everyday life?Using real examples, we tackle how constant exposure to low effort, poor incentives, and equal treatment regardless of output can slowly erode character. Not through one big decision, but through quiet, unconscious compromises over time.Also: ​Why high performers often feel punished, ignored, or drained​Why most organisations are not actually designed for elite performers​The danger of letting the bottom 10% dictate culture​How leaders lose their best people by tolerating low standards​The personal cost of “doing less” just to survive an environment​Why values are something you hold for yourself, not impose on othersThe central question is simple but uncomfortable:Would you rather take hits while living in alignment with your values, or lower yourself to avoid friction—and slowly lose respect for who you are?We'll be back in 2026, for now we're releasing the best of. :) Find us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

This segment from episode 10 was a popular one. Laura reviewed the book Nice Girls Don't Get The Corner Office by Dr. Lois Frankel about unconscious mistakes women make that sabotage their careers. The lived experience is that women can have it all, just not at all at once, and Laura reflected in this episode on how her perception of parenting and growing career had been jolted by reality. We'll be back in 2026, for now we're releasing the best of. :) Find us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

In this episode, Christian and Laura deal with one of the most controversial Australian policy debates: the under-16 social media ban. We agree that social platforms can be addictive and damaging for teenagers but argue the proposed ban is a blunt instrument that creates bigger downstream risks: privacy trade-offs, government overreach into parenting decisions, and the predictable “workaround economy” that pushes behaviour underground rather than improving outcomes.We also delve into FOLLOWING YOUR INSTINCTS and not not letting yourself be talked into / out of something because of fear or stress (Including by ourselves).We then lay out 4 THINGS YOU CAN NOT MEASURE in 2026, mindset framework built around non-measurable focus areas: separating busyness from progress, making fewer promises, filtering opinions through evidence and incentives, and a grounded approach to manifesting that’s really about clarity + daily action. We also covered Elvira, privacy, bad policy, incentives, and all the usual fun stuff.Key topics:The harm is real; the policy design is the problem.Blanket bans often shift behaviour underground Privacy costs matter: age verification can create new risks."Ick” feelings should be listened to. Big life choices need time to separate instinct from fear.The busyness cycle is a trap. Touch some grass.Evidence beats vibes, especially when opinions provoke emotion.Manifesting works best as intention + action Find us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

This segment from Episode 5 on Laura Racky's Dopamine Playbook was EXTREMELY popular.Laura took the risk of being very open about her challenges with dopamine, executive dysfunction, and how she has built the structure to mitigate these challenges - albeit it is a battle that is never truly won.Christian and Laura get into this very challenging subject matter, and for many, this could be the magical unlock for 2026 happiness.It's not easy... but it's worth it.Find us here:Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

3 Interview Questions that will change your team or business. The interview process - when you think about it - is a joke. 30 mins to 2 hours to understand someone enough to have them add to your culture? And for them to know enough about you to commit to yours? Here are three interview questions that can take some of the luck out of the process, and really get to the heart of what people are about, and whether you are for each other. Not just to work together, but to THRIVE. This was from episode 7 and generated a lot of buzz. Find us here: Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

4 Signs you should quit your job was a VERY popular segment from Episode 9 where Christian and Laura went through the key signs it's time to leave your job. On Tiktok this clip had a couple of million views, perhaps at the time a lot of people were unhappy in their jobs. :) Less than 8 minutes, if you see these signs, it's time to find somewhere else. Find us here: Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

This episode of Let's Just Start had a tough segment with Laura and Christian delving into reactions after Bondi. This topic is not for everyone, so please act accordingly. Our love to all effected by this horrendous situation. We discussed having pride in Australia again, after letting ourselves be worn down by naysayers. We also covered the jolt this event has caused, where empty rhetoric and pointless bureaucracy in leadership will soon not be tolerated, and action will fill the space. Truth-telling in relationships, when withholding protects you, when it becomes avoidance, and how it can effect intimacy in these spousal and other relationships. We also covered an IN DEPTH segment on the psychology of women's shopping, where Laura *re-educated* Christian in some home truths. Finally, a practical discussion about running a business through the Christmas to January slowdown, recognising seasonal patterns, managing anxiety when things go quiet, and learning when to stop fighting reality.Tricky subject matter, thanks for sticking with us. Find us here: Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

End of year conversations don't have to be boring, and this one CERTAINLY isn't.In this episode of Let’s Just Start, Laura and Christian talk about what matters heading ending 2025, not resolutions, but compound behaviours.We talk negotiation beyond tactics (what to concede, when leverage matters), reading without pressure, and a bit on dopamine, momentum, and motivation.Christian leads a segment on 5 WAYS TO DOMINATE YOUR CAREER OR BUSINESS IN 2026 and we also cover bias to action, telling the truth, the professional avatar we project, and a bunch of other stuff. Packed. Summary: Negotiation doesn't have to be what you think it does.Reading without guilt, performance, or fake intellectualism.Dopamine, anxiety, momentum, and why you need to think about this.Five ways to DOMINATE in 2026.Setting the industry benchmark instead of chasing approval, you don't actually know what's possible.Why telling the hard truth (to yourself first) changes everything.Managing your professional avatar and why perception still matters.And more. :) Thank you for listening and watching, we love you all. Find us here: Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

In this episode of Let’s Just Start, Laura and Christian cover a series of uncomfortable topics most people avoid saying out loud. We explore whether kids are born as they are, or shaped by parenting. How much influence do we really have on our kids?Why everyone is secretly making life up as they go, and knowing this is a kind of freedom. (or at least relief)The confronting idea that people are exactly where they choose to be — even when they hate it. Why the word “should” is one of the most dangerous words in modern thinking. And how motherhood fundamentally reshapes identity, ambition, and priorities. A VERY tricky subject. We finish with a deep philosophical turn into uncertainty, science, truth, and why human beings dramatically overestimate how much they actually know about the world.This is a very honest episode about control, responsibility, identity, and the humility required to live well.Thank you for listening and watching, we love you all. Find us here: Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

Segment from Episode 6: how to negotiate your salary in this LJS Moment That Matters.Getting a really good deal on salary is tricky business, and while some might say 'just leave' to make a big jump, we argue that you can plan ahead at your current employer and make yourself a great deal.Laura and Christian both agree that the negotiation begins WAY before the conversation, and here are some ideas to go about it. Find us here: Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

In today’s episode, we go from bikinis and burnout to organisation, timing, and trust.We break down the “invisible string” that connected our lives for years before we ever met — same streets, same orbits, same people — and some of the freakish signs the Universe sent us that we simply couldn't deny. Laura walks through the exact systems she uses to stay on top of hundreds of inputs a day:• Outlook calendar as the single source of truth• Inbox Zero • Microsoft To Do and her “My Day” list• Rolling WIP tracking• Why every system has a shelf life• How to replace a system when it stops workingChristian breaks down the widening gap between private and public wages in Australia — and why this is a sign of economic strain, not strength.Also how to structure 30 MINUTE MEETINGS PEOPLE WILL RAVE ABOUT and actually want to attend.We also cover• How to prep properly for job interviews in a tighter market• Why charisma isn’t enough (especially for women)This one’s emotional, practical, grounded, and surprisingly romantic.Find us here: Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

In this LJS Moment That Matters, we pull a high-impact conversation from Episode 4: the truth about staff equity. Christian argues for equity as a retention tool and an insurance policy for the founder, Laura breaks down the legal risks, shareholder oppression, and why even tiny shareholders can cause big problems. A sharp, honest look at the decision every growing business eventually faces.Find us here: Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

Episode 27 of Let's Just Start Podcast! This episode is about building POWERFUL AUTHORITY through language choices, setting boundaries, and magical meeting structure. We cover:• 5 phrases that instantly lift your authority • Tactics to survive a bully manager when you can’t just quit• Public speaking without the panic spiral• The 30-minute meeting framework that will have people RAVING about attending• And a quick one on 50-year mortgages and why “easy” solutions are rarely free.Thanks all for listening. If you want to work with us or collab you can contact at: [email protected] us here: Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

In today’s episode, we cover a surprisingly deep mix of leadership, life, and performance themes — starting with Ted Lasso, of all things.We get into:Ted Lasso's infectious positivityHow small moments of kindness and authenticity can shift entire relationshipsThe “top relationships audit”: a brutally honest way to check where your energy is going vs where you want it to goBeing present, not parallel—why many of us live “next to” our most important people instead of with themHow to stop unconsciously burning your time, attention, and emotional bandwidth on the wrong peopleWhat someone constantly complains about really tells you about themReading people through behaviour, not telepathyWhy many ‘confident looking’ people are actually the most insecure in the roomThe 5 micro-habits that will instantly make you more professional than 95% of peopleThe 'Inner Game of Tennis' book — and why your body knows more than your brain when it comes to performanceHow to get into the flow state, stop overthinking, and let your body executeThis one ranges from psychology to relationships, from leadership habits to sport, from projection to presence…and somehow still ends at pickleball.Thanks all for listening. If you want to work with us or collab you can contact at: [email protected] us here: Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

25 Eps! Christian and Laura throw out the schedule (again) and jump into a wide-ranging, candid conversation that moves from ankle injuries and Birkenstocks to deep philosophy, business strategy, health hacks, and the art of difficult conversations.We dive into Ram Dass’s teachings on accepting life’s contradictions, the idea that “that’s the predicament” is a perfectly valid conclusion. We explore how spirituality fits into real life, not just mountain retreats.The conversation shifts to “hoarding contacts”, debating whether keeping networks private is smart protection or small-minded insecurity. Choosing clients reflects on years of trial and error, learning to say no to clients who don’t align. We also cover toxic employers, offering practical advice if you're stuck in a bad environment. Health Corner covers lots — vitamin D, black seed oil, beef liver, kefir, and methylfolate (tied to the MTHFR gene).Christian then gives a shot glass on inflation, explaining rising CPI, energy costs, and the risk of stagflation. Finally, we close with avoiding hard conversations. Christian shares that people over-prepare emotionally but under-prepare structurally, and some ways to improve. Thanks all for listening. If you want to work with us or collab you can contact at: [email protected] us here: Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co

Christian and Laura kick off with fashion (barrel-leg pants, LTK creator life) and the “Back Australia” push vs fast-fashion retailers Temu & Shein. Do they have a point?They dive into how introverts manage big social weeks, rapid ways to cut rising anxiety, the non-sexy basics for starting a business (structure, insurance, shareholder agreements), and how to handle competitive colleagues—without going the dark path.Key topics:Slow fashion > fast dopamine: Buy less, buy better, and why the balance is important.Back Australia watch: Local retailers vs ultra-cheap offshore e-commerce is a major battleground for Australian business and culture. Anxiety playbook (non-medical): What we do when we feel anxiety creeping up, including removing the word “should.”Start-up essentials: Laura's advice on what you need if you're thinking about a new business or side hustle. Spoiler alert: Company structure, Insurance and a Shareholder Agreement top the list. “A shareholder agreement is a prenup for business.”How to handle competing with colleagues: Laura's view on this may surprise you, but Christian's view will DEFINITELY surprise. Thanks all for listening. If you want to work with us or collab you can contact at: [email protected] us here: Instagram: @letsjuststartpodcastTiktok: @letsjuststartpodcastYoutube: @LetsJustStartPodcastLaura Insta: @laura.rackyLaura Tiktok: @laurarackyChristian Insta: @leaderbiltacademyChristian Tiktok: @leaderbiltLeadership training and coaching: Leaderbilt.co