In this milestone 400th episode, I reflect on nine years of podcasting and the extraordinary leadership lessons I’ve gathered along the way. I explore the show's enduring themes—wise leadership, effective teamwork, and self-mastery—and celebrate the voices that have challenged and expanded my thinking.

I revisit pivotal interviews, including a profoundly perspective-shifting conversation with non-binary advocate Yenn Purkis, and highlight standout episodes across three categories: moving stories, practical leadership tools, and game-changing insights.

From ultra-endurance athlete Laura Marshall to leadership futurists like James Surwillo and Brett King, each guest has added a unique thread to this rich tapestry of leadership wisdom.

 

🎧 In this episode, you'll also hear:

-My reflections on how I’ve grown since launching the show back in 2016

-A heartfelt thank you to the long-standing listeners and clients who have sustained this podcast journey

-Five distilled takeaways from 400 episodes, including the enduring truth that leadership is still hard—and you matter.

 

KEY MOMENTS:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections

04:24 Themes of the Podcast

04:54 Diversity and Eye-Opening Interviews

06:34 Highlighting Standout Episodes

07:35 Practical and Useful Interviews

08:10 Celebrating Notable Stories

 

🎙️ Honour Roll – Good Stories

Ep. 86 – Laura Marshall: Enduroman Arch to Arc 

https://zoerouth.short.gy/vixP29 

Ep. 173 – Rachel Robertson: Leadership in Antarctica

https://zoerouth.short.gy/NQx0Yx 

Ep. 209 – Jordan Kibukamusoke: Gen Y Leadership

https://zoerouth.short.gy/11xapl 

Ep. 312 – Iman Kibukamusoke: Gen Z Leadership

https://zoerouth.short.gy/tKdJAM 

Ep. 226 – Jeff Korzenik: Second Chance Hiring

https://zoerouth.short.gy/wm5wpT 

Ep. 283 – Manley Hopkinson: Sailing into the Hurricane

https://zoerouth.short.gy/Hia9lH 

Ep. 362 – Paul Glover: From Incarceration to Legacy

https://zoerouth.short.gy/YhrZNG 

Ep. 385 – John Graham: Good Samaritan Homes

https://zoerouth.short.gy/OL28lI

 

💡 Game-Changing Conversations

Ep. 119 – James Surwillo: Metamodern Leadership

https://zoerouth.short.gy/Emu9FV 

Ep. 175 – Dr Alan Watkins: Integrative Decision-Making

https://zoerouth.short.gy/BJlP3Y 

Ep. 199 – Ginny Whitelaw: Embodied Leadership

https://zoerouth.short.gy/NI38Xu 

Ep. 207 – Liz Wiseman: Multipliers and Accidental Diminishers

https://zoerouth.short.gy/LhqG72 

Ep. 224 – Carol Sanford: Regenerative Leadership

https://zoerouth.short.gy/L7qJ9T 

Ep. 225 – Brian Emerson: Polarity Thinking

https://zoerouth.short.gy/5IweFp 

Ep. 235 – Buster Benson: Productive Disagreement

https://zoerouth.short.gy/SzdsML 

Ep. 307 – Samantha Slade: Horizontal Leadership

https://zoerouth.short.gy/GHgWBb 

Ep. 308 – Brett King: Technosocialism and the Future

https://zoerouth.short.gy/VDgm5L 

Ep. 359 – Dr Mike Rucker: Redefining Fun in Leadership

https://zoerouth.short.gy/rZzM5L 

Ep. 45 - Dr. Maja Stanojevic-Andre - How To Develop Leadership Maturity

https://zoerouth.short.gy/jlVcrR

 

📚 Favourite Book Reviews

Ep. 67 – The Listening Society by Hansi Freinacht

https://zoerouth.short.gy/tZ93Tn

Ep. 89 – Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee

https://zoerouth.short.gy/dhyIvK 

 

🔧 Practical and Useful Tools

Ep. 42 & 104 – Alessandra Edwards: Executive Health

https://zoerouth.short.gy/bLVfqB 

https://zoerouth.short.gy/8MLPMt 

Ep. 34 – Stacey Barr: KPIs that Work

https://zoerouth.short.gy/ELRauv 

Ep. 256 – George Karseras: Build Better Teams

https://zoerouth.short.gy/EzdkLb 

Ep. 295 – Rachel Audigé: Busting Bias

https://zoerouth.short.gy/UQ3Nsq 

Ep. 322 – Laura Fredricks: The Art of the Hard Ask

https://zoerouth.short.gy/XKHtzQ 

Ep. 348 – Dr Ann Kowal Smith: The Power of Fiction

https://zoerouth.short.gy/uIrchg 

Ep. 140 – Charlene Li: Disruption Archetypes

https://zoerouth.short.gy/iv393Z 

Ep. 31, 84, 345 – Dermot Crowley: Productivity Mastery

https://zoerouth.short.gy/oTjnEA 

https://zoerouth.short.gy/7Hla8V 

https://zoerouth.short.gy/tOAH8k 

Ep. 254, 323 – Donna McGeorge: Simplifying Leadership

https://zoerouth.short.gy/i7Nxd4 

https://zoerouth.short.gy/AXoyzr 

Ep. 39 – Simon Dowling: Collaborative Style

https://zoerouth.short.gy/pOgvcc 

Ep. 138 – Colin Ellis: Culture is Leadership

https://zoerouth.short.gy/MpR8br 

Ep. 141 – Digby Scott: Changemaker Mindset

https://zoerouth.short.gy/f5tErY 

Ep. 228, 367 – Mark Butler: Preventing Burnout

https://zoerouth.short.gy/3m2mc3 

https://zoerouth.short.gy/SJRtHz 

Ep. 311, 377 – Rohit Bhargava: Future Trends

https://zoerouth.short.gy/wluNbL 

https://zoerouth.short.gy/NrnXjH 

 

🎧 Top 3 Most-Listened To

Ep. 234 & 328 – Peter Scott: Courage and Failure

https://zoerouth.short.gy/3Asvtr 

https://zoerouth.short.gy/Twfant 

Ep. 232 – Susie Walford: Happy Team Principles

https://zoerouth.short.gy/8jZ6b1 

Ep. 271 – Larapinta Trail: Fear, Conflict and Leadership

https://zoerouth.short.gy/SLaxdv