54.7K
Downloads
238
Episodes
Sharing stories from amazing leaders just like you and me. Breaking down myths of leadership, imposter syndrome & helping us all be braver. Step by step.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Most of us have a story about who we are as a leader. The harder question is whether that story is true, or just the version we've rehearsed. In this conversation I sit down with Merle Singer, researcher, leadership developer, and creator of Epitome Leadership, to explore what three years of research across Australia and the US revealed about how women really lead. We get into the anxiety that showed up uninvited in her data, the gap between your brand and your reputation, and her four feminine archetypes: Sovereign, Consort, Empress, Seductress, that each carry their own relationship to power, their own gifts, and their own underbelly. This isn't a framework that boxes you in. It's a language for leading with more range, more agency, and a lot more honesty about what's actually driving you.
-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
Friday Mar 20, 2026
Friday Mar 20, 2026
The world shifted and most executives are still catching their breath. In this episode I called one of the sharpest strategic minds I know to make sense of it in real time: Matt Tice, CEO of Insurgence, who has navigated disruption with organisations across six continents. We get into what the Iran crisis actually means for business, why most leaders are asking the wrong questions, and the mindset shift that separates the ones who'll come out ahead from the ones who'll just survive it. Game theory, scenario planning, capital flows, supply chains and a framework for thinking clearly when the news cycle won't slow down. This is the conversation I wanted to have, and I think it's the one you need to hear.
-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
Friday Mar 06, 2026
Friday Mar 06, 2026
There are leaders who hold the seat. And then there are leaders who transform everything they touch.
Alexis George walked into AMP in August 2021 at one of the most challenging moments in the company's 176 year history. On the eve of her retirement as CEO, she sat down with us for this International Women's Day special to reflect on a career that has taken her from a small country town in Bega to the top of one of Australia's most iconic financial institutions.
She talks about growing up with parents who didn't have money but a mother who never once wavered in her belief that university was non-negotiable. She shares what it felt like to land in Prague as an Australian woman leading a business where nobody had ever seen anything like her. And she is honest about the moment her own daughter looked at her and said "Mum, it's not the glass ceiling anymore. It's the glass cliff."
She talks about what it actually takes to back yourself when the opportunity makes you sick in the stomach, why she is brutally focused on only doing the things only she can do, and what she is proudest of after five years rebuilding a culture where people are no longer embarrassed to say where they work.
Alexis also has something to say to every woman who has been told she can't have it all. Spoiler, she thinks that's garbage.
This one is special. We hope you love it as much as we do.
-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Friday Feb 27, 2026
Friday Feb 27, 2026
As the world just announced that Craig Tiley is heading to the United States Tennis Association as their new CEO, we're bringing back this conversation to celebrate his extraordinary legacy. And what a moment to do it.
For 20 years, Craig Tiley shaped Australian tennis into something the world genuinely admires. As CEO of Tennis Australia and Tournament Director of the Australian Open, he turned Australia's Grand Slam into a global benchmark, breaking attendance records, captivating billions of fans and delivering what Tennis Australia director Chris Harrop simply called a "transformative" tenure.
In this conversation, Craig shares the daily routine that sits at the heart of every relationship he builds, the direct thread between his coaching success and his leadership success, and how every overseas flight is an opportunity to make a new friend.
Craig's passion for people is what has always fuelled his success. The USTA is getting one of the best. We are so grateful he sat down with us.
Thank you, Craig. Australia is better for what you built. 🎾
-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
Friday Feb 20, 2026
Friday Feb 20, 2026
Jodi Geddes is back - and a lot has happened since Episode 13.
Since we last spoke, Jodi co-built Circle In into a globally recognised workplace platform before navigating the weight of a confidential exit, three months offline with her kids, and the question every exited founder eventually faces: who am I now?
In this honest, energising conversation, Jodi opens up abo
ut the identity grief of losing the founder title, why she refuses to be called a brand strategist, and what she discovered building Brandiie from scratch - that personal brand was never really about LinkedIn. It's about confidence.
If you've ever hidden behind your title, waited for a crisis before thinking about your visibility, or felt the cringe of putting yourself out there - this one's for you.
Your brand is your career insurance. And the best time to start was yesterday.
-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Friday Feb 06, 2026
Friday Feb 06, 2026
Leadership is getting things done through other people. So why are so many brilliant leaders doing the work themselves?
In this reflection on the Women Who Understand Influence series, Melissa unpacks one insight from each of five leading researchers - and why the gap between what you intend and what actually lands might be the most important thing you're not paying attention to.
If leadership feels heavier than it should, this is essential listening.
-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Thursday Jan 29, 2026
Thursday Jan 29, 2026
If you've ever been offered a promotion that felt smaller than your male peer's, or wondered why everyone loves working with you but you're still not getting the resources, this conversation explains why.
Professor Laura Kray's research reveals that society recognizes men through power but women through status - and this has real consequences. Even at identical organizational levels, men lead larger teams than women. And team size directly predicts compensation.
Professor Laura Kray is Professor at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and her research on debunking myths about the gender pay gap won a decade award for social impact.
-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
This conversation left me with a deep understanding as another piece of the jigsaw puzzle clicked into place. That feeling when something finally makes sense and you can start to see the solution.
The research is clear: Women are doing more of the "non-promotable" work in organisations, leading to burnout and being overlooked for promotions.
Professor Laurie Weingart and four academic colleagues formed The No Club - initially in response to their own challenges navigating their careers. Then they realised something much bigger was going on. Their research became the book "The No Club: Putting an End to Women's Dead-End Work."
Together we discuss: How do we help women reach and retain senior roles if we can't get off this merry-go-round of carrying an additional burden of work that doesn't lead to promotion?
This conversation should be compulsory viewing for leaders, for anyone focused on organisational design, and anyone passionate about accelerating women's careers.
If you're ambitious to make a bigger impact but can't shake the exhaustion, this conversation is for you.
Professor Laurie Weingart is Professor of Organizational Behavior and Theory at Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business. This is a replay of Episode #113
-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Friday Jan 16, 2026
Friday Jan 16, 2026
You don't need to tone it down or hide your competence. You need to add warmth.
Professor Alison Fragale's research shows that people want to work with those they both like AND respect. The Likeable Badass framework isn't about choosing one or the other—it's about having both.
This conversation is practical, research-backed, and empowering. Alison gives you a framework for being both respected and liked without apologising for either.
Professor Alison Fragale is an organisational psychologist and professor at UNC's Business School and author of the bestselling book Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve.
-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership
Friday Jan 09, 2026
Friday Jan 09, 2026
If networking feels transactional and icky, this conversation will change how you think about building influence.
Professor Rosalind Chow explains why status - not power - is the foundation of sustainable influence, how to network by being a conduit rather than a collector, and why becoming a sponsor is the fastest way to build your own network.
Professor Rosalind Chow is Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and Theory at Carnegie Mellon University and author of The Doors You Can Open: A New Way to Network, Build Trust, and Use Your Influence to Create a More Inclusive Workplace.
-----------------------
Craving inspiration?
I send an email each Sunday about leadership reflection, top tips to build an intentional & sustainable life and other things that have captured my attention and are too good not to share! Sign up here: https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/leadershipinspiration
Loving the podcast?
Leave us a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds & will inspire like-minded leaders to join the conversation!
Access Your Free Clarity Tool
Between the endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and decisions piling up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But here’s the truth: you can’t give more if you’re running on empty. That’s why we created Balance Your Brave—a free 15-minute diagnostic tool to help you regain control and clarity.
In just 15 minutes, you will:
✅ Pinpoint energy drains holding you back.
✅ Identify where to focus for the biggest impact.
✅ Walk away feeling calmer and more confident in your next steps.
Think of it as your personal roadmap to balance and alignment.
⬇️ Click here to access your free Balance Your Brave diagnostic tool.
https://www.bravefeminineleadership.com/Balance-Your-Brave
Are we friends? Connect with Us.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravefeminineleadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-feminine-leadership
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravefeminineleadership