Episodes

Hey, it’s the Weekend Rewind! And today, I’m bringing you a conversation that takes me back—not to high school days exactly, but to what’s happened since for one of my classmates. And wow, what a story. My guest today is Pita Taufatofua a dual Olympian (yes, dual—both Summer and Winter Olympics!), a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and the founder of Tonga Strong. B ut you probably remember him best as that flag bearer at the Rio 2016 Olympics—the one who broke Twitter with his entrance. In this r...

Move over virtual workshops, let’s talk about virtual marathons - more specifically, online events that can span over a couple of days. It’s a different game, with longer interaction, so how do you maintain your energy, and keep your participants wanting more, too? This week’s guest is the perfect person to answer this question because she’s been running online events since 2007! I'm joined by Suzi Dafnis, the CEO of HerBusiness, a collaborative online community of women who are growing and sc...

Today, I'm giving you a behind-the-scenes look at something special I've been working on – the Red Carpet Camp Out retreat that I'm co-hosting with Steve Demedio from Mind Body Travel. Final tent remains. Keen? Send me a note! What is the Red Carpet Camp Out? I'm taking 8 dynamic consultants to a luxury glamping site about 90 minutes west of Brisbane for a completely different networking experience. The best part? We'll be almost entirely off the grid – no phone signal (though our conference ...

Hey, great to have you here. In this episode, I share the story behind my recent experience with paperwork that inspired me to rename the episode from “Bureaucracy” to “Bureaucrazy.” I felt that swapping the C for a Z better captured how frustrated I was with the process. What Went Down: I was dealing with a never-ending loop of paperwork at the Department of Transport. It all started when I was trying to sort out some car paperwork, which turned out to be nearly impossible to get done. Even af...

I talk about my love for Vietnamese food and how visiting a cluster of similar stores showed me that competition isn’t something to fear—it’s an opportunity. I recount my personal experience at different food spots where I discovered that when businesses are close together, they naturally push each other to improve. I invite you to think about how this approach can apply to your own work or business. Instead of seeing competition as a threat, I challenge you to consider how it can signal marke...

Today, I share my personal framework that has helped me host engaging and lively panel discussions. I break it down into four essential parts that I call the 4Ps. By the end of our chat, you’ll see how a bit of preparation and a clear vision can make all the difference. 1. Philosophy I start by explaining how having a strong vision and clear values sets the tone for your panel. I talk about why balancing diverse viewpoints and keeping the audience’s interests front and centre matters to you and...

Hey there! Today's episode is super fresh because I've been actively putting these strategies into practice. I want to share with you my process for dealing with overwhelm, and how I've discovered that treating everything as a project brings amazing clarity. What Overwhelm Feels Like For Me You know those moments when you're in the shower, driving, or trying to sleep, and suddenly remember "Oh no, I didn't contact that person!" or "I forgot to respond to that email!"? When these micro-reminder...

In this episode, I chat with Mel Kettle, an inspiring thought leader on connected leadership. We share some laughs about past podcast experiments, discuss the importance of knowing when to fail fast, and explore what it means to be fully connected. You’ll learn about Mel's professional journey, moving from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast, and the balance between pushing through challenges and knowing when to quit. Mel offers valuable insights into setting boundaries, the importance of self-awar...

In this episode of the Weekend Rewind, I sit down with Nick Gray, the author of 'The 2 Hour Cocktail Party'. You'll hear about Nick's innovative approach to socializing, which led him to create a thriving community and launch his multimillion-dollar business, Museum Hack. Learn how Nick's formula—name tags, icebreakers, cocktails only, and a strict two-hour limit—can help you host seamless and enriching gatherings. Discover tips on overcoming the initial fear of hosting, the benefits of inviti...

You won’t believe what ChatGPT admitted when I asked it about its biggest fear. The answer? Irrelevance. And honestly, that hit home. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay relevant in a world moving at lightning speed—especially with AI shaking things up—this episode is for you. I’m joined by my good friend Ronsley Vaz, the reason I started my podcast in the first place. He’s the founder of We Are Podcast and now runs Amplify AI, where he helps people like you and me leverage AI without losing ou...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Kate Karanges fromThe Latest, a photographer and creative powerhouse who has helped shape my brand presence through the lens. We just wrapped our third shoot together and I thought it'd be fun to run a debrief, on some things like: ➡️ When less is more—the power of simplicity, minimalism, and strategic restraint. ➡️ When more is more—going big, embracing colour, layers, and boldness. ➡️ How to trust your gut to know which one suits your brand, your photos, a...

Over the weekend, I had the incredible experience of seeing poet-philosopher David Whyte live in Byron Bay. His words didn’t just land—they cut straight to the core. In this episode, I share some of his most profound passages, including a powerful take on branding and identity that shook me. David Whyte challenges the way we see ourselves, reminding us that branding—something so many of us chase—can actually trap us. He describes it as an external mark of ownership, something that confines us r...

Bureaucrazy. Yup, that' show I spell it. Hear about my Achilles journey, my humorous experiment with redundant work reports, and the value of questioning long-standing processes. You'll also learn about Elon Musk's take on bureaucratic inefficiency and my little life hacks that defy everyday systems. By the end, I encourage you to reflect on the 'limestone mines' in your life and consider if it's time to shake things up. Curious about how breaking the rules here and there can lead to better e...

The CEO in me knows to focus on ROI... BUT, the Leanne loves ROL (Return on Luck) more. And that's what I spoke to Cherie Canning about today! Btw, if you don't know Cherie, you must connect with her. Cherie invited me on her podcast, Lead with Courage this week, and afterwards we hit record for this daily episode. In this 9 min episode, Cherie reflects on the cost and benefits, both tangible and intangible, of running a podcast and explores the concept of 'opportunity cost'. You'll hear ins...

Internationally bestselling author Matthew Dicks shares why storytelling so important, and how telling stories is not simply sharing a series of events; it’s the manipulation of emotions. It’s a skill that can be taught and he shares some of the techniques he uses to engage his audience, whether they're 10 year old kids, or politicians. In this episode you’ll learn: What a story is (and what it isn’t) The details you should leave in your story and more importantly; the details you can leave o...

In this Talk the Walk chat with consulting legend Alan Weiss, we explore how professionals can stay relevant and thrive in the age of AI. Rather than viewing AI as a threat, Alan shares his perspective on using it as a powerful tool to create more value for clients. Key highlights: Why AI is currently about 80% accurate and how to account for its limitations Alan reveals his groundbreaking "Allen Intelligence" project that will give consultants access to his decades of wisdom through AI The...

Happy Valentine’s Day! In today’s episode, I share a heartwarming list of 34 things she absolutely loves — some big, some small, but all of them bringing her joy. From the perfect first sip of coffee to the thrill of a spontaneous upgrade, Leanne reflects on the everyday moments that make life sweet. This episode is all about appreciating the little things — whether it’s a fast Wi-Fi connection, the perfect avocado on toast, or the joy of inside jokes that never get old. Leanne also touches on...

Not all great business ideas start from scratch—some of the smartest entrepreneurs simply bolt onto existing products and services to create something even better. Think about Jibbitz (the Crocs charms that sold for $10M) or the countless AirPods cases and accessories that piggyback off Apple’s products. In this episode, I explore the power of piggyback innovation (also called derivative innovation), sharing examples of people who’ve turned small, complementary ideas into massive businesses. F...

This 46 page book proposal word doc has just sat on my desktop since 2022... today's the day I share it with you! As I revisit some of its core concepts, I reflect on why it didn't materialise and what might still be relevant today. The proposed book, tentatively titled 'Discoverability' or 'Charismatic Change', aims to revolutionise change management by promoting swift, effective, and charismatic change rather than traditional, slow approaches. I'll share a few key chapters and ideas, such a...

Let's tip (pun intended) typical tipping practices on its head. I'll share with you my personal journey, from working in pubs in the UK to how a hefty tip changed my own service approach. Learn why pre-tipping can act as an insurance policy for great service, how it flips the power dynamic in your favour, and why this rare strategy will make you stand out. I'll also touch on the importance of showing respect and generosity, especially in challenging times for the hospitality industry. Tune in...

Thanks for tuning in! If you're wondering whether great leadership can truly transform someone's career and life trajectory, this episode is for you. What you'll learn: How a bold, unconventional CEO shaped a 25-year-old's entire approach to business and creativity The power of asking "why not?" instead of "why?" Why pushing boundaries and taking immediate action can lead to extraordinary results Join me as I share my experience working at Wicked Campers, a company that threw traditional bu...

In this Weekend Rewind, host Leanne Hughes shares an enriching conversation with Jenny Blake, an influential figure in her career. Join Jenny Blake's incredible Substack: Rolling in D'Oh. Jenny, a renowned author and career strategist, discusses her experience working at Google and her transition to consulting. They dive into Jenny's latest book 'Free Time: Lose the Busy Work, Love Your Business' and the impactful concepts from her previous book 'Pivot'. You’ll discover Jenny’s practical tip...

We often talk about confidence, success, and reaching our full potential, but there's a hidden force that quietly undermines all of that: low self-esteem. In this Talk the Walk livestream, Alan Weiss and I explore the unspoken impact low self-esteem has on your career, relationships, and personal growth. We'll explore how this silent saboteur shows up in everyday decisions, keeps you playing small, and robs you of opportunities you might not even realise you're missing. But it’s not all doom ...

Let me introduce a new concept I coined - 'confirmation culture.' We'll delve into the rise of this phenomenon, comparing it to the well-known cancel culture, though it's quite different at its core. You’ll hear about my personal experiences with excessive appointment confirmations, and how this mirrors the rise of 'ghosting' in our society. I'll also share insights on how confirmation culture impacts everything from job applications to business operations, and propose solutions like smarter ...