Lead Well Live Well

30 Episodes

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Episode 30: Kristen Hansen, Neuroscience, Leadership and Performance.

2026-08-3059:15

What happens when leaders keep giving people the answers instead of helping them think for themselves? In a world of AI, uncertainty and constant change, leaders need people who can think clearly, adapt quickly and make good decisions under pressure. In this episode, Mark Bilton speaks with Kristen Hansen, International Speaker and Leadership Neuroscience Expert, about what neuroscience can teach us about leadership, performance and the way people respond under pressure. Kristen explains why traditional command-and-control leadership is becoming less effective, how emotional states influence decision-making and team performance, and why asking better questions can help develop more capable, independent thinkers. They also explore emotional and social intelligence, how leaders can regulate their own state, the importance of white space and brain breaks, and why giving people greater ownership can help move teams from compliance to commitment. Kristen founded EnHansen Performance after seeing that the so-called “soft skills” of leadership were often undervalued. Her work uses practical neuroscience to help leaders better understand themselves, develop others and improve performance. A practical conversation for leaders who want to think better, lead better and help their people perform at their best. Learn more about Kristen: kristenhansen.com.au enhansenperformance.com.au If this conversation challenged the way you think about leadership, keep going. Discover more practical insights, programmes and resources to help you lead with greater clarity, build stronger teams and improve performance at Lead Well Live Well: https://www.leadwelllivewell.com.au/

Episode 29: Matt Formston AM, Blind | High Performance and Excellence

2026-08-0201:35:45

What does it take to lead with confidence when uncertainty is constant? In this episode of Lead Well Live Well, Mark Bilton sits down with Matt Formston AM, High Performance Athlete, Trust and Leadership Expert, whose remarkable journey spans the corporate boardroom, elite sport and some of the world’s most challenging environments. Diagnosed as legally blind at just five years old, Matt built a successful senior executive career at Optus while simultaneously becoming a multiple World Champion, Guinness World Record holder and elite big-wave para surfer. The leadership principles he now shares were not learned in a classroom. They were forged through years of navigating adversity, building trust, maintaining high standards and performing under pressure. Together, Mark and Matt explore what high performance really looks like, why accountability begins with personal standards, how leaders can create psychologically safe teams without lowering expectations, and why trust remains one of the most powerful drivers of leadership success. Whether you are leading a business, managing a team or striving for personal growth, this conversation offers practical insights you can apply immediately. In this episode: The mindset that transformed “I can’t” into high performance. Why standards create stronger cultures and safer teams. Lessons on resilience, accountability and disciplined leadership. The importance of trust in business and life. How to build a leadership framework that delivers lasting success. Why the journey matters just as much as the destination. Learn more about Matt Formston at mattformston.com. If you enjoyed this episode, follow Lead Well Live Well for more conversations with experienced leaders sharing practical insights on leadership, strategy and building organisations that thrive.

Episode 28: Neil Livingstone | Founder Freedom: Financial Leadership, Cash Flow and Scaling Your Business

2026-06-3049:50

Growing revenue does not always mean building a stronger business. Many founders reach a point where the business becomes more complex, cash feels tighter, and the decisions that once came naturally become increasingly difficult. The skills that helped build the business are not always the same skills needed to scale it. In this episode, Mark Bilton is joined by Neil Livingstone, an experienced CFO, commercial advisor, and Co-Founder of Founder Freedom. CPA qualified through PwC, Neil has spent decades helping founders strengthen cash flow, improve working capital, build financial operating systems, and transition from founder to CEO. Together, they explore why financial leadership is about far more than understanding the numbers. It is about creating clarity, building disciplined operating rhythms, making better decisions, embracing AI with purpose, and developing businesses that generate sustainable, long-term wealth. If you are a founder, CEO, business owner, or executive leader looking to build a stronger, more resilient organisation, this conversation offers practical insights you can begin applying immediately. About Neil Livingstone Neil Livingstone is a CFO Advisor, commercial advisor, and Co-Founder of Founder Freedom. He specialises in cash velocity, forecasting discipline, working capital, and financial operating systems that help ambitious businesses scale with confidence. His experience spans capital raising, strategic growth, and guiding founders through successful business exits. About Lead Well Live Well Lead Well Live Well equips founders, CEOs, executives, and leadership teams to lead with greater clarity, strategy, and purpose through practical leadership conversations, strategic advisory, and executive development.

Episode 27: Aidan Nuttall | Strategic Action in an AI World

2026-05-3001:16:44

In this episode of Lead Well Live Well, Mark Bilton speaks with Aidan Nuttall, Strategy Facilitator and Strategy Execution Specialist, about what strategy looks like in a world shaped by AI, uncertainty, and rapid change. They explore why traditional strategic planning is no longer enough, and why leaders need to move from static plans to strategic action, shorter learning cycles, experimentation, and stronger team alignment. Aidan shares practical insight on how organisations can use collaboration, technology, and agile thinking to turn strategy into action and build momentum in fast-changing environments. This conversation is for CEOs, founders, executives, business owners, and leadership teams who want to lead with clarity, adapt faster, and make better strategic decisions in an AI-driven world. Guest: Aidan Nuttall, Strategy Facilitator and Strategy Execution Specialist Website: waterfield.com.au LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aidannuttall

Episode 26: Sophie Musumeci, Real Entrepreneur Women

2026-05-0201:19:49

What if the real barrier to growth is not your strategy, but your identity? In this episode of Lead Well Live Well, Mark Bilton speaks with Sophie Musumeci, Founder and CEO of Real Entrepreneur Women, about leadership, identity, entrepreneurship, and what truly helps people move from feeling stuck to creating meaningful change. Sophie shares insights from thousands of conversations with women who want more freedom, purpose, and flexibility in their work and life. Together, Mark and Sophie explore why people often know what they want but struggle to take action, how identity shapes business growth, and why hustle culture is not the only path to building a successful business. They also discuss the transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, building a business around your life, balancing compassion with accountability, and leading through change with clarity. This episode is for leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals who want to grow without losing themselves in the process. Listen in for a practical and honest conversation on leadership development, business growth, identity, coaching, entrepreneurship, and sustainable success. Guest: Sophie Musumeci, Founder and CEO of Real Entrepreneur Women Website: https://rewomen.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-musumeci

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