The Thought Follower

"People don't open up because of who you are, they open up because of how you are." Consumer Psychologist Hannah Shamji has run over 1,000 interviews. She shares her best tips for having real conversations. Plus we discuss a special collaboration & we need your help. Found the hidden Easter egg inside the show? Keen to get involved? Reach me at [email protected]

Ecological economist Steven Hail (Episode 12, Season 1) explains the 9 planetary boundaries & why they matter to every single one of us.

Joseph La Posta, CEO of Multicultural NSW (Episode 11, Season 1) has built one of the most engaged workforces in the Australian public sector. He shares the driving force behind this high performance: a diverse, inclusive leadership team that mirrors the community it's designed to serve.

Decentralised work is the one lasting impact of the pandemic. It's created flow-on effects for workplace design. Matt Newell (Episode 2, Season 1) explains how hospitality design principles shaped his agency's new office fit-out & the surprising results.

The younger generation expects a different relationship with their employer than those that came before. Award-winning Managing Partner Danny King (Episode 4, Season 1) shares her insights from building a best-in-class workplace culture at her own firm.

"I help my kids practice gratitude so one day they can live in it". Blakey Johnston's most important title is Dad. In our chat (Episode 5 of Season 1), he shared the simple "7G's" bedtime routine he does with his boys to build their character. He helps them learn to practice gratitude & recognise all the good things in their lives.

Resilience is thrown around a lot these days. But maybe there's a better way to be: anti-fragile. Drew Fortin explains the difference & what it can mean for our lives.

Do you have a personal brand? Should you? Carlii Lyon has worked with some of the biggest personal brands on the planet (think Miranda Kerr). In this chat she shares a really simple framework to start curating your own personal brand with intention. She unpacks the big lie most of us tell ourselves when it comes to being a thought leader & shares her own journey with imposter syndrome. Carlii even audits my personal brand on the show - yikes! Finally, Carlii offers tips on building gravitas and charisma. Visit Carlii Lyon's website to see how she might be able to help you with your personal brand. Follow your host, Joe McKay, on Linkedin.

This episode is Part 2 of my chat with economist Steven Hail. Listen to Part 1 before jumping in. If you're wondering why life today is SO expensive, this episode will explain. Steven explains Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), a radically different approach to managing the economy. To explain MMT, Steven takes us back 10,000 years to explore the origins of money. The truth will surprise you (hint: it's not what you learnt in high school economics). He explains the big logical flaws in the neoclassical models of economics, which drive how governments & policymakers approach managing the economy. These flaws impact our daily lives in a major way, driving up inflation & especially property prices. Learn more about Modern Monetary Theory at Modern Money Lab

Nothing in nature grows forever, except a cancer. Steven Hail is an economist and lecturer at Modern Money Lab, a Charity offering a global online masters degree in the economics of Sustainability. Today's society is all about more money, more stuff, more spending. Steven explains why this isn't a sustainable approach to life on this planet. Hale advocates for a shift towards measuring well-being rather than focusing solely on economic growth. He also introduces the concept of donut economics, which aims to balance human needs with environmental sustainability.

Everyone wants to build diverse, inclusive & engaged teams. Few have achieved it. As CEO of NSW Government Agency Multicultural NSW, Joseph La Posta has built one of the most engaged teams in the public service. Joseph had a successful sports administration career at the AFL. It was then that he learnt the hard way the pitfalls of surrounding oneself with sameness. Today, Joseph is laser focused on building teams that mirror the community they serve, with powerful results. In this episode, Joseph shares some powerful statistics & stories that illustrate why inclusion is a necessity for future success in any industry.

Adrian Baillargeon, a leadership team performance specialist, discusses his book "Teams that Swear by Each Other" and the importance of trust and authenticity in teams. He shares his journey of finding his calling and offers advice on optimising performance energy. Adrian emphasises the power of thought leadership in expanding thinking and inspiring action. He also provides tips for public speaking and highlights the significance of non-negotiables in daily routines. The episode concludes with a discussion on the impact of family time and the importance of trusting the process in finding one's calling. Get a free copy of Adrian's book, Teams That Swear (By each other) with the promo code swearbyjoe - visit the store here

In this episode: Come for the PR & media insights. Stay for the 90 degree turn into Feminism & why 95% of women are better off outside of marriage. Hannah Moreno, social justice advocate and founder of PR firm Third Hemisphere, discusses the role of traditional media and the impact of social media on PR. Hannah also delves into her passion for feminism, sharing her own experiences n maintaining equality in her own marriage.

What IS human-centred design? Can technology help kids play more sport? Did the Sydney Olympics ruin Australia's sports industry? These are just some of the thought-provoking questions covered in this week's episode, featuring Adrian Tobin, Co-Founder at human-centred design agency Kinlab. Adrian is also the Founder of Crest Surf Clubs. Follow Adrian on LinkedIn

Dr Elaine Stead is one of the most respected figures in Aussie Venture Capital.She's faced some major setbacks along the way, and found a way to keep going.In this episode, I speak to Elaine Stead about a little bit of everything:How often VCs get it wrongHer SuperpowersWhy she does itHer KryptoniteThe FutureCapitalismHer FamilySocialism

Drew Fortin, founder and CEO of Lever Talent, discusses the broken employee-employer relationship. He shares a future of work enabled by AI & robotics. In a world increasingly dominated by technology, Drew sees a way individuals can regain control of their careers and leverage their unique human abilities. Drew explores the concept of robotics powered by AI and how it will shape the future workforce. He also shares insights on personal development, vulnerability as a leader, and the role of mental fitness in professional growth. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on the evolving landscape of work. Check out Drew's podcast The Lever

Blakey Johnston, a former Pro surfer, proud Dad and mental health advocate, recently broke the world record for the longest ever surfing session, ripping a massive 707 waves in 40 hours & 7 minutes. Blakey undertook this challenge in honour of his late father, who took his own life ten years ago. We chat about Blakey's approach to preparation, nutrition & mindset to get through this incredible feat. Blakey also shares the actionable steps he takes to show up every day as the best version of himself. Through his work with his organisation, Grind to Thrive, Johnston aims to raise awareness about mental health and encourage others to prioritise their well-being. He emphasises the importance of self-awareness, gratitude, and daily routines in maintaining mental resilience. Listen in to hear all about Blakey's next crazy physical challenge! Learn more about Grind to Thrive Blakey on Insta

Danny King is the award-winning Founder and Managing Partner of DKL Employment Law. She shares openly about how staying true to herself has helped her grow a successful business. Danny explains how she's built a truly inclusive culture where others thrive on being their true selves too. Danny calls out the narrow, biased traditional view of 'success' & what it looks like in top tier firms. Danny also shares her personal experience living with ADHD and how it has influenced her approach to work.

Andrew Mckenzie, a strategy and media expert, explains why organisational culture is the only defence against poor ethical behaviour. The Director of Crackle Communications discusses crisis management and the changing landscape of communication in the digital age. He emphasises the importance of proactive and reactive communication strategies, and the role of social media in shaping public opinion. Mckenzie also highlights the need for transparency and ethical decision-making in crisis management. He shares insights from his experience working with various organisations and offers advice on navigating the challenges of crisis management. Overall, Mckenzie's expertise and perspective shed light on the evolving nature of communication and the role of thought leadership in managing crises.

Matt Newell, CEO of award-winning creative agency The General Store, discusses the importance of finding the truth between the extremes of doomsdayers and evangelists when it comes to AI and other trends. He shares how The General Store has doubled down on the office experience for employees, creating a space that competes for patronage and facilitates collaboration and creativity. Newell emphasises the value of moments of dumb brilliance in retail design and the need to balance strategy with creativity. He also discusses the current boom in physical stores and the importance of understanding how your own brain works to be successful as a business leader.

Shane Rodgers, author and former journalist, discusses his viral LinkedIn article The career Advice I wish I had at 25 and the changing landscape of work in this thought-provoking episode. He reflects on the success of his article, which resonated with millions of readers, and explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work-life balance. Shane has expanded his thoughts on the future of work into a book Worknado. Shane discusses the importance of trust and innovation in the workplace. This conversation offers valuable advice for navigating the evolving world of work and finding joy in your career. Purchase Shane's new book, Worknado Follow Shane on LinkedIn Follow Joe on LinkedIn

The Thought Follower is equal parts business podcast, personal development & good old-fashioned curiosity. Your host, Joe McKay, goes out of his comfort zone in these engaging conversations covering a wide range of topics. If you're a little bit curious, you'll get a lot out of the show. Some of the stories from Season 1 include: A venture capitalist, who’s a socialist A former surf pro who surfed for 40 hours straight to raise awareness for mental health An author whose viral linkedin post changed his life & sent him on an 8 year quest. A lawyer who’s built an award-winning practice by owning her weird CEO of a creative agency trying to bring back the ‘dumb brilliance’ to design An economist with a radical solution for the future of our planet A crisis manager who shut down the Fairfax email system after a racy article about the porn industry An executive coach who explains how he found his calling & the surprising reason it’s not all sunshine and roses The MD of a PR agency who’s a proud feminist taking on trolls & keyboard warriors A Futurist who explains how AI + robotics could be the solution the broken employee-employer relationship   A new episode of the Thought Follower will drop every Wednesday.   Make sure you subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss an episode! The Thought Follower on YouTube