Episodes
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After decades leading hospitals and major health initiatives as a CEO, COO, CFO and Executive Director, Dr Helen Chalmers has built a career around leadership, service and creating meaningful impact.
In this episode, Helen shares her journey from growing up in South Australia to leading complex healthcare organisations, navigating career transitions, and building a portfolio of board and committee roles. We explore what it really takes to move from executive leadership into governance, how to stay relevant as your career evolves, and why some of the most rewarding opportunities can come later in your professional life.
Whether you're considering a board role, planning your next career chapter, or simply interested in leadership that leaves a lasting legacy, this conversation is packed with practical insights and honest reflections.
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In this episode of The Catalyst Project podcast, Mark Johnson and Paula Turbill sit down with Freddy Bartlett, Founder of ICAM, to explore what it really takes to build something from the ground up.
Freddy shares an honest look at the founder journey, from the early uncertainty of starting with nothing, to the pivotal decisions, risks and challenges that shape a business along the way.
This conversation dives into resilience, mindset, and the often-unseen realities behind entrepreneurship. If youโve ever considered starting something of your own, or you're in the thick of building, this episode offers a grounded perspective on what it truly takes to turn an idea into a business.
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Missing episodes?
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What does it take to run across Australia and raise $1 million for childhood cancer?
In this episode of The Catalyst Project, Eddie Tchigique shares the mindset behind his extraordinary mission, and why he believes he is not special. Just consistent and willing to suffer.
Mark and Eddie discuss drive, discipline, discomfort, legacy and how resilience is built one hard decision at a time. Because doing something difficult once builds confidence, doing it repeatedly builds character and eventually, what once felt impossible becomes your baseline.
If you want to live an exceptional life, you have to lean into discomfort. This conversation will challenge you to lace up, step up, and push further than you thought you could.
Click here to make a donation and support the cause: https://fundraise.redkite.org.au/fundraisers/Frenchmanontherun/fundraise
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In this episode of The Catalyst Project, Mark Johnson, co-founder of EGM, shares his take on the talent market, how AI is reshaping recruitment, and what organisations are getting right - and wrong - with flexibility and generational expectations. Smart, sharp and straight talking. You don't want to miss this.
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With 15+ years of experience in high-stakes disputes, Amanda Brady knows how to lead under pressure and win with purpose.
As Director at Cowell Clarke, Amanda heads the Dispute Resolution and Construction practice, while also (formerly) serving as President of NAWIC SA, championing diversity and career pathways for women in the built environment.In this episode of The Catalyst Project, Amanda shares how to navigate complexity, influence change, and lead with both legal precision and people-first thinking.
Bold leadership. Sharp insights. Real impact.
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With nearly two decades shaping finance and a career built on discipline and drive. Steve McGrath brings a wealth of experience in leading teams, driving financial performance and turning numbers into meaningful outcomes. As the Founder of Distil Advisory and former CFO and Head of Finance across major organisations, Steve knows what it takes to navigate complexity and deliver results with clarity and conviction.
In this episode of The Catalyst Project, Steve shares his perspective on hard work, resilience and building a life and career thatโs both high-performing and deeply human. -
In a time of rapid energy transition, Jessica Morris is helping shape what the future looks like, for customers, communities, and the sector itself. As Head of Customer and Strategy at SA Power Networks, Jess leads the charge in aligning innovation, service delivery, and sustainability with evolving expectations.In this episode of The Catalyst Project, Jess shares how to lead through complexity, balance competing priorities, and design strategy that truly puts people at the centre.
Customer-first. Future-focused. Insight-packed.
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From decoding brainwaves to redefining mineral exploration, Ben Schultz has built a career at the intersection of neuroscience and AI. In this episode of The Catalyst Project, Ben shares how his groundbreaking work from mental speech recognition to AI-powered prospecting, is reshaping how we interact with machines, data and the Earth itself.
Tune in for a fascinating conversation that spans brain-computer interfaces, exploration tech, and the future of humanโmachine connection.
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In this episode Mark and I are joined by Levi Mitchell, recently recognised as one of ten outstanding achievers in the 2025 Governance Top 100. Levi shares his journey to securing board roles, his perspective on what marks an effective director, and how modern governance is evolving in a rapidly changing world. Together, we dive into the mindsets, networks, and strategic thinking that define today's most impactful board leaders.
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We often talk about what it takes to lead - but what about what it takes to follow? In this episode of The Catalyst Project, Paula is joined by Dr Ruth Sims to unpack her research on followership and how it underpins effective leadership.
It's a fascinating conversation that flips traditional leadership thinking and highlights why every great leaders needs great followers.
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Season 2 of The TCP Podcast kicks off with a powerful conversation with Maria Palumbo, CEO of Junction Australia. Together, we explore what it really takes to perform at your best and why confidence and self-belief are the foundation of great leadership.
From building trust to backing yourself through challenges, this season dives deep into resilience, purpose, and the courage to lead authentically. -
In this episode of The Catalyst Project, we sit down with Clair Scapinello. For a candid conversation about the good and bad traits we pick up from the leaders around us.
Claire shares the leadership lessons that have shaped her, what to carry forward, what to leave behind, and how those experiences have influenced her own leadership style.
Hosted by Mark Johnson and Yasmine Johnson, this episode is all about reflection, growth, and the powerful impact of leading (and learning) by example.
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In this episode of The Catalyst Project, weโre joined by Kate Russell for an honest and insightful conversation about one of the most misunderstood qualities in leadership: vulnerability.
Kate brings a powerful mix of wisdom and lived experience, challenging the way we think about showing up as leaders especially when it matters most.
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We got chatting with Michelle Tuckey, internationally recognised workplace psychology expert and leading researcher at the University of South Australia. Michelle is passionate about creating healthier, more respectful workplaces and her research is driving real change.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into her insights on leadership, systems thinking, and psychological safety in todayโs workplace. Michelle blends deep scientific insight with practical strategies that organisations can use to prevent bullying and harassment and build safer, stronger teams.
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In this episode, we sit down with Paul Edginton, founder of The CEO Advantage.
Paul discusses how his early career influences and career path led to the birth of The CEO Advantage, and shares insights on navigating leadership challenges and effective workplace communication.
We explore the key traits of a successful CEO, the critical role of mentorship, and strategies for fostering gender diversity in leadership. Paul also reflects on finding workโlife balance and the often-overlooked role of joy in strong, resilient leadership.
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In this episode, we dive into the early experiences that shape leadership with Paul Unerkov. Paul shares insights into how his formative years influenced his leadership style, from family values to work ethic, respect, and courtesy.
Research shows that factors like family dynamics, education, and early professional experiences significantly shape an individualโs leadership journey and Paulโs story is no exception.
Join Paula and Mark as they explore how these early influences played a pivotal role in Paulโs career and leadership development.
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We got chatting with Shantell Williams, Chief Technology Officer at Tiimely, about the importance of knowing where you get your energy fromโand giving yourself permission to recharge without guilt.
๐๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ธ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ด๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ? Whether itโs reading a book, practicing yoga, walking the dog, or savouring 30 minutes of quiet with your morning coffee, itโs important to embrace those moments, even if your routine slips now and then.
In this episode, Shantelle shares insights on maintaining balance, sustaining energy, and why itโs okay to give yourself some grace when life gets hectic. Itโs a refreshing reminder that taking care of yourself is key to showing up as your best self.
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We got chatting with Merrily Hunter, Founder and CEO of MAC Trade Services, about how she built a ๐ฎ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฏ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐, ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต, ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ป๐ผ ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐. Let me say that again: a thriving business, built from scratch, with no external investment.
Today, MAC is the largest energy services and e-electrification business in South Australia, with 53 staff and a network of over 1,000 tradespeople nationwide. Working with government and businesses, theyโre making a real impact on the transition to a cleaner, more efficient energy future.
In our conversation with Merrily, we covered everything from leadership to high performance and balance. In this episode, we take a closer look at overcoming unconscious bias and hiring for cultural fit, a crucial factor in building a strong, resilient team.
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In our very first episode, we got chatting with RAA's Chief Strategy Officer and General Manager of Home and Energy, Ben Owen. Ben sat down with Paula and Yasmine to share his journey, insights, and the importance of ๐ ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐จ๐ง๐ when looking to progress your career.
