The Floorplan

Podcaster, nutritionist, content maker and actor Lola Berry is back to help us navigate the ever-shifting sands of contemporary life. Lola appeared in an earlier episode of The Floorplan HERE. About Lola BerryLola has been active in the media world in Australia for over a decade; speaking on TV shows such as; Studio 10, The Today Show, Mornings. Plus, she’s a best-selling author and has written 11 health and wellness books. She's also a qualified nutritionist (Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Nutritional Medicine). She’s open, honest, and speaks with no filter about her own life experiences; from her recent IVF journey to her body and mental health issues, all in a bid to help others.You can listen to Lola's 'Fearlessly Failing' podcast HERE.

In this first solo episode addition to The Floorplan lineup, Libby reflects on a trip to New York for an AI in leadership event, shares insights from the field, and explores the spaces she worked from—cafes, hotel lobbies, bookstores—and what the research reveals about why they matter. She also answers listener questions. Libby will be back with a guest interview next week.You can watch this episode on YouTube if you’d like to see the spaces Libby talks about it in this ep. https://youtube.com/@drlibbysander?si=4Ku8KUiSMLP_hc1C

Broadcaster, speaker and popular podcaster Joe Pardavila joins Dr Libby Sander on The Floorplan for an insightful conversation on the power of effective communication, navigating change, culture, and cutting through workplace noise. Drawing on a 24-year radio career and his work with business leaders, Joe explores why storytelling sits at the heart of connection, how pop culture can unlock better leadership, and why “busy” doesn’t mean productive. You can learn more about Joe at his website HERE or listen to his podcast, Good Listen, HERE . The Floorplan is produced by Matt Webber and the Bond University Newsroom.

Excited to bring you a fascinating guest this week. His name is Julian Elchakieh, but if you are one of his 4.94 million subscribers on YouTube, you’ll know him as jmancurly.Some call him the 'VR King'. Most just know him by the look. You can’t miss it. Electric blue curly hair. A strip of yellow tape across the chest. It’s DIY, it’s loud, and it’s become one of the most famous brands on the internet.But jmancurly isn't just a guy in a headset. He’s the leader of the Curly Gang. This isn't just a fanbase. It’s a community of over 8 million followers across social media and half a million people interacting on his Discord chat channel. He treats them like family.He lives by a code he calls the Curly Constitution:* be kind to one another,* teach new players who might need help, and* uplift the community.Most creators might stop at YouTube - jmancurly kept going. He built his own gaming & publishing studio, CurlyBlue and the results speak for themselves:* he’s released a game called "Shmackle" (which already has 1.25 million installs), and* he became a verified music artist with over 25 million streams on Spotify.He’s achieved a lot. And he’s done it in a contemporary kind of way that speaks volumes about the power and importance of creativity and the kind of workplace that is becoming increasingly common for a new generation of entrepreneurs.

In the final edition of The Floorplan for 2025, Libby and Matt expand upon a topic discussed in an earlier episode - the role blockchain might play in the fight to protect personal privacy. Our special guest is the President of the Midnight Foundation, Fahmi Syed, a significant voice in decentralised governance and digital innovation. The Midnight Foundation is an organisation dedicated to growing the Midnight network — a fourth-generation blockchain built for secure, compliant, and private decentralised applications — and supporting the global community around it. It helps developers, creators, and privacy advocates build tools that protect personal data, support digital freedom, and power the breakthrough generation of blockchain innovation.Also, Matt reckons he’s found his workplace Utopia. Its location may surprise.Join us!Links You can learn more about The Midnight Foundation here. Charle Hoskinson was our guest in The Floorplan S4E4 here.

The Floorplan returns! Do we ever stop working? A resounding no according to a new study. What are popcorn brains and do you have one? And Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz joins the podcast to ponder digital minionship and the augmentative qualities of workplace AI that excite him. Note: During this episode Matt mentions a Bond University podcast with Bond University data analytics expert Dr Steven Stern. You can hear or watch it here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5y3MUZ2Ce1avXy21xukK4B?si=ZXgO3lWlRa27F3eWpGPsqQAbout Professor Marek KowalkiewiczMarek is a Professor and Chair in Digital Economy at QUT Business School. Listed among the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders in AI by thinkers360, Marek has led global innovation teams in Silicon Valley, was a Global Research Program Lead and Founding Research Manager of SAP's Machine Learning lab in Singapore, and a Research Fellow at Microsoft Research Asia. His newest book, "The Economy of Algorithms: AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions" is a winner of Australian Business Book Awards (Technology) 2024.Marek received his MSc in Business Information System from Poznan University of Economics in 2002, and PhD (Summa Cum Laude) from the same university in 2006.

Libby Sander made her SXSW Sydney debut last week when she appeared asa panellist alongside Andy Walshe from Liminal Collective, Ben Johnston from Josephmark and Ben Hamley from JLL to talk about 'Why AI's best gift is making us more creative.'Not only did she present, but she listened and observed and emerged inspired and has some fascinating insights to share.

In their fifth season finale Libby and Matt consider the cost of resentment at work and ponder whether workplace sporting teams are an answer to flagging job enthusiasm. While on matters sporting, there's also a bit of grand final talk (well, it is the season...)And a VERY special guest this week!Bruce Daisley is one of the world's leading voices on workplace culture. He's a best-selling author and keynote speaker and host of a hugely popular workplace culture podcast - Eat Work Sleep Repeat. Learn more about Bruce and his work HERE.

Does your workplace have quirky names for its rooms? Ever wondered why? AI in the headlines this week as some big employers initiate some significant changes. And Bond University's Associate Professor James Birt joins the podcast. James was studying AI before most of us owned a smartphone. He argues that gaming represents the height of what computing can do by combining AI, storytelling, music, graphics, vision, and immersion. He also thinks gamers possess unique skills that place them ahead of the workplace game. Read more about James HERE. ·

This week Libby and Matt contemplate the value of boredom. These days boredom is easily avoidable - instant entertainment is only a short scroll away courtesy of the complex multimedia platforms we carry in our pockets. It wasn't always thus, of course. Can we benefit from being bored? What about boredom in the workplace? What is the science of boredom? And given a choice, would you take boredom over an electric shock? These questions and more touched on by world-renowned workplace boredom expert, Professor Cynthia Fisher. Also, some fascinating research has emerged linking psychopathy with workplace management. We also ponder research into the best ways to holiday.

Ever been so immersed in a task you’ve completely lost sense of yourself, forgotten about time and place, and been so absorbed in the act of doing something that all distractions simply fade away? If so, you may have entered that special place where your individual skill matches the complexity of the task. You, dear listener, may have entered the FLOW ZONE! Can flow and work co-exist in a meaningful way? That’s what Libby and Matt talk about this week before Libby delves a little deeper with Chicago-based architect David Dewane, the creator of a workplace called theEudaimonia Machine. It’s a workplace design that attempts to ‘go with the flow’ to make a work zone more efficient, inspiring, creative and innovative. Learn more about David here. You can read more about the Eudaimonia Machine at many places, but here's a good place to start.  

So much to discuss this week. Is a simultaneous bias by employers against both younger and older workers starting to gather steam? Data out of an Australian Human Rights Commission report seems to suggest it. But when all the talk is 'skills shortage' and when younger workers aren't so keen on tackling management roles, how have things come to this? Also, Libby chats with ex-Googler, Tristan Cameron. What is life really like at one of the world's most sought-after workplaces?

Matt and Libby consider the economic cost of unhappiness at work and ponder the price of anxieties brought on by the speed of workplace change.And if younger employees aren’t particularly interested in taking up management roles, who will be the leadersof the future?   Libby enjoys a terrific chat with Tony Bacigalupo. At just 23, Tony took a big chunk of his savings to IKEA and led the charge to open New York's first dedicated co-working space. He’s since become extremely active in the global co-working movement. Also, Libby doesn't mind a spot of medieval swordplay. Who knew?  

A bumper edition this week with Libby back from the Big Apple!Both Libby and Matt share some tales from the road and ponder whether the secret to a happy workplace may be found through its (collective) stomach. Also, Libby enjoys an in depth chat with Stanford University economics and management guru Professor Nick Bloom who - among lots of other things - has all the numbers on working remotely (and isn't afraid to use them!). About Professor Nicholas BloomNicholas (Nick) Bloom is the William Eberle Professor of Economics at Stanford University, a Senior Fellow of SIEPR, and the Co-Director of the Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship program at the National Bureau of Economic Research. His research focuses on management practices and uncertainty. He previously worked at the UK Treasury and McKinsey & Company.He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the recipient of the Alfred Sloan Fellowship, the Bernacer Prize, the European Investment Bank Prize, the Frisch Medal, the Kauffman Medal and a National Science Foundation Career Award. He has a BA from Cambridge, an MPhil from Oxford, and a PhD from University College London. On the personal side he is English, living with his Scottish wife and American kids on Stanford campus, in a multi-lingual English household.

That'll be ASSOCIATE Professor, thank you! The return of The Floorplan coincides with a promotion to Associate Professor for our favourite organisational behaviour expert. And a richly deserved nod it is! How good! To kickstart the new series, Matt and Libby discuss the longevity industry boom and its implications and ponder whether Gen X-ers have fair reason to feel a little forgotten. Also, the stats don't lie when it comes to the ever-growing throng opting for a nomadic working life - and that makes it the perfect moment to catch up with one of our most popular ever interviewees, Ella Cotterell. About Ella CotterellElla on Linked inElla is an online business management consultant and a proud advocate for work on your terms. She holds a First-Class Honours degree in Psychological Science and is a qualified rehabilitation counsellor. Her background is rooted in mental health, trauma, and recovery— once working alongside veterans and ex-police officers navigating life beyond institutional systems. Over time, her path shifted toward “helping the helpers”—supporting practitioners, creatives, and entrepreneurs building values-led businesses at the intersection of justice, healing, and systems change.Along the way, Ella retrained as an Online Business Manager (OBM) and Digital Marketer, combining her foundations in psychology and trauma with practical systems expertise.Ella's relatively late-in-life neurodivergence diagnosis has inspired her to think deeply about creative ways to make work fit life.

A very special episode with very special guest to end the fourth series of The Floorplan!Freshly returned from her annual trip to Japan with Bond University Business School students, Libby spends a fascinating hour with Dr Andy Walshe. Andy is a globally recognised leader and expert in the field of elite human performance. He is co-founder of and a partner at The Liminal Collective, a collective of partners and ambassadors dedicated to reimagining the future of what is possible as a human 2.0, humans 2.0, and humanity 2.0. The Collective helps create, plan, organize and execute against some of humanity's greatest opportunities ranging from space flight and deep sea exploration to reimagining the future of national security and elite sport. For more than two decades the has focused on the goal of “de-mystifying talent” by researching and training individuals and teams across a vast network of world-class programs in sport, culture, military and business settings.Andy's been the Director of High Performance for Red Bull, where he worked with hundreds of international athletes and cultural opinion leaders and supervised a team of industry-leading scientists, engineers, physicians and technologists to develop and implement elite performance models. He was the Performance Manager for Red Bull Stratos, leading the performance plan for Felix Baumgartner’s record-breaking jump to Earth from the stratosphere in 2012.

Can you build a perfect workplace? Isaac French thinks so."People are hungry for one-of-a-kind experiences. Spaces with soul, and that tell a story. And anyone with a dream and some good old-fashioned work can make good on that opportunity," he says. In a complicated, rapidly moving world where more and more workers demanding more meaningful work opportunities supported by more flexible employment structures, it's the perfect time to ponder how environment and productivity can happily co-exist. More about Isaac FrenchIsaac grew up on a farm in central Texas, homeschooled by his parents alongside nine siblings in a traditional faith-based community. Best childhood ever, he says.He's been dreaming up business ventures ever since he can remember: from home-brew soda to antique repair, and plenty in between.At 24, with a whole lot of help, he turned $20k of savings and a dream into a modern village of lakeside cabins. He poured everything he had into his 5-acre slice of Texas, and Live Oak Lake​ welcomed its first guests just ten months after groundbreaking.But two weeks later, disaster struck: Airbnb suspended his account. No warning, no explanation.With a loan payment looming, he had to get creative.He paid a local influencer a few hundred dollars to post an Instagram giveaway, and within days, he had $40,000 in direct bookings and thousands of followers.Within a year, he's built an audience of over 100k which drove 80%+ direct bookings and 95% occupancy.Guests have returned time and again, drawn by timeless design, authentic storytelling, and experiential hospitality.

Professor Raj Choudury from Harvard Business School joins The Floorplan to discuss, among plenty of other things, his new book The World Is Your Office: How Work from Anywhere Boosts Talent, Productivity, and Innovation. And perhaps policy makers will be once bitten, twice shy when it comes to politicising flexible working arrangements from now on - Libby and Matt discuss the federal opposition's rapidly ditched attempt to force public servants back to the office. Also on the agenda: 'Polyworking' among younger employees - what is it and why is it a thing? And what would you do with a compulsory 'recharge day'?

Technology entrepreneur Charles Hoskinson joins the podcast to talk about early influences on his thinking, decentralised governance, trust, challenges in cryptocurrency, and the problem he'd most like to solve. A fascinating conversation with a deeply thoughtful and insightful leader. About Charles HoskinsonCharles Hoskinson is a Colorado-based technology entrepreneur and mathematician. He attended Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Colorado Boulder to study analytic number theory before movinginto cryptography through industry exposure.His professional experience includes founding threecryptocurrency-related start-ups – Invictus Innovations, Ethereum and IOHK – and he has held a variety of posts in both the public and private sectors. He was the founding chairman of the Bitcoin Foundation’s education committee and established the Cryptocurrency Research Group in 2013.His current projects focus on educating people about cryptocurrency, being an evangelist for decentralization and making cryptographic tools easier to use for the mainstream. This includes leading the research, design and development of Cardano, a third-generation cryptocurrency that launched in September 2017.MoreCharles is active on social media. You can follow him on X.com (Twitter) ⁠here⁠. And the YouTube video of Charles Argentinian talk that originally piqued Libby's interest can be found ⁠here⁠.  

A packed episode this week with Libby and Matt considering the implications of research suggesting AI is beginning tounderstand us better than we understand ourselves. Also, what do young employees REALLY think about ever-fattening CEO paycheques? And a discussion about ‘taskmasking’ – basically the art of making yourself appear productive at work – extracts a ‘George Costanza/Pensky File’ confession from one of your hosts. Special guest Michal Matlon joins the podcast too. Michal is architectural psychologist who creates environments that support human well-being and helppeople fulfill their potential. His fascinating work explores how space influence behaviour, thinking, and emotional experience.He’s also the co-founder of the Venetian Letter, a project focused on spreading awareness of science-based, human-centred architecture.

This week Libby and Matt discuss the Governor of Tokyo's workplace initiative that he thinks will prop up Japan's sluggish population growth - as long as marriage is the end goal, of course. Libby is surprised to learn Darwin has something similar on the go (sort of). And a fascinating practical insight into organisational behavioural change when Libby meets Leschen Smaller. Leshcen is Director, Element Business & Accounting Solutions. Her business analysed 4-day week data, applied lessons learned, and now reaps significant workplace rewards.

Libby and Matt take a look at a very Gen Z phenomenon that should make employers and recruiters alike think twice about overstating the merits of workplaces.Daisy Mack joins the podcast too.Once a high-flying talent agent who represented some of entertainment's biggest names at William Morris Endeavour, Daisy now teaches meditation, sound healing and breathwork.She's learned a lot along the way and her insights into navigating modern workplace challenges are a must listen. Learn more about Daisy Mack here.

In their final episode of the year, Libby and Matt discuss the latest research on work from home (WFH) practices and ponder a Gallup report that suggest the time may now for those who want to trade down their work ambitions to focus on a better life. Workplace wellbeing expert Dr Jenna Mikus and Founder and Managing Partner of the Eudae Group talks about her researching for and advising clients seeking architectural and organisational transformational change, and how work environments can be curated for health and wellbeing. There's even a bit of cricket talk Well it is summer...

Why are Australians hording their annual leave? Libby and Matt discuss. They also consider some interesting research pointing to a less collegiate work experience for younger employees. And after a couple of BBC radio presenters made their true (not particularly kind) feelings public via a 'reply all' email sent in error, your hosts fess up to their own email disasters. A fascinating interview for you too. Regular listener 'Jen' was listening to an earlier episode of The Floorplan featuring Professor Gretchen Spreitzer (S2E2) on the value of thriving at work when she had a revelation. It wasn't a particularly good one. Jen realised she was not thriving. For a host of different reasons she was experiencing the exact opposite. But the forensic and considered way she thought her way through everything is genuinely inspiring. We reckon her story will resonate.

Organisational psychologist and leadership expert Dr Vicki Webster returns to the podcast to encourage us to think a little differently about how we handle workplace conflict. While on conflict, can we 'AI' our way out of difficult workplace conversations? Also, do stand-up desks help or hinder workplace health? A new UK study might shift the furniture... And, as always, plenty more!

Libby and Matt deliver a quick whip around of the organisational behaviour stories and issues making headlines. Among them: The insane economics of boozing on a school night. Do workplace incentives do what they're meant to? Which jobs make us happiest? Do underperforming nice people have their own special value? All this and more!

We all know the pandemic changed the workplaces and the work market dramatically. In this episode, Libby and Matt think through what - and why - certain changes have stuck and discuss what talent-hunters and jobseekers alike may have learned. Libby's special guest is CEO and co-founder of mentoring software platform Brancher, Holly Brailsford. An Organisational Psychologist, Holly - together with software engineer Jake Bayer - set up Brancher to 'use science to keep employees happy, connected, and not eyeing the exit'. Here Holly offers a stack of insights into contemporary job-seeking, talent-spotting and talent retention.

Dr Libby and Matt ponder why modern organisations are almost always big on the idea of innovation but often really small on implementing the change required for it.

Dr Libby and Matt discuss neurodivergence in the workplace. They gain insight from psychologist and speaker Ella Cotterell who was diagnosed with autism at 26. Ella is also a Somatic Trauma Educator and Feminine Embodiment practitioner.

Dr Libby and Matt reflect on their unusual career trajectories as they consider the method in searching for an ideal working life. They are joined by author Lola Berry who talks resilience, happiness, and challenging yourself.

This week Libby and Matt dig into the scourge of 'zombie leadership' and ponder the broader ramifications of it. Zombie leadership is an idea built on the popular perception that that leaders are special, and that we can’t work or succeed without them. Libby speaks at length to Professor Alex Haslam from UQ’s School of Psychology. He recently led widely-publicised research into the idea of zombie leadership. Professor Haslam argues that perceptions of 'all-knowing' leadership remain popular despite being demonstrably harmful in an organisational behaviour context and need to be challenged.

Freshly returned from a Bond University Business School Japan Study Tour, Dr Libby reports on dream Tokyo workspaces occupied by clothing giant Uniqlo and real estate group JLL. This episode also explores 'pseudo-productivity' and busyness.

This episode unlocks organisational mysteries. We also chat with work futurist Ben Hamley from real estate giant Jones Lang LaSalle.

Dr Libby and Matt ponder why we seem to be stuck on the idea of a 5-day working week. Their special guest is Dr Dale Whelehan, CEO of 4 Day Week Global.

Dr Libby and Matt speak to Professor Gretchen Spreitzer about the value of thriving at work, and explore why we might not be thriving in our lives.

Dr Libby and Matt look at the merits of legalising a right to switch off from work and ponder the issues most likely to emerge in the next twelve months.

In the final episode of Season 1, Dr Libby and Matt discuss 2023's recurrent organisational behavioural themes. They also have a stab at predicting the issues that will dominate in 2024.

Meetings are highly unpopular, often demotivating, usually inefficient, and definitely costly. Here's the science on how we can make them better.

In this episode, Dr Libby and Matt talk about the research on networking. Dr Libby chats with relational expert Julia Palmer about simple skills to improve our relationships.

Dr Libby and Matt talk us through the financial, mental, and physical cost of a messy office. They also explore what the research says about less mess.

Dr Libby and Matt look at the research on "teamwork making the dream work". They are joined by organisational behaviourist Professor Markus Baer from Washington University.

Dr Libby and Matt look into the uglier side of organisational behaviour. Joining them is organisational psychologist Dr Vicki Webster.

Dr Libby and Matt take a look at the hit-and-miss of cult workplaces. Think workplace mediation spaces, Michelin-star cafes, puppy daycare, and slippery slides. Libby talks to management consultant Priyal Sodha who lifts the lid on the culture of overwork.

Dr Libby and Matt ponder the covid pandemic as 'the great workplace disruptor'. Libby also talks to Alice Drew about her role as Head of Place Futures at Lendlease.