Episodes
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How many times have you told yourself:
"I'm going to do that."
"I really should get onto that."
"This year will be different."And then… nothing changes?
In this episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde explores one of the biggest reasons capable people fail to create meaningful change: the difference between being interested in something and being truly committed to it.
Using a simple but surprisingly powerful story about homemade muesli bars, Julie unpacks the psychology behind why good intentions rarely lead to consistent action. She explores the "intention-behaviour gap"—the space between what we say we want to do and what we actually follow through on.
Drawing on the research of psychologist Peter Gollwitzer, Julie explains why people are dramatically more likely to achieve their goals when they move beyond vague intentions and make specific commitments about when, where and how they'll take action.
Whether it's your leadership, health, relationships or personal growth, this episode will challenge you to stop confusing wanting something with deciding to do it.
In this episode, we discuss:
The difference between being interested and being committed The psychology behind the intention-behaviour gap Why good intentions rarely create lasting change How procrastination keeps capable people stuck Why language shapes mindset and behaviour The power of specificity, structure and accountability Why clarity matters more than motivation How commitment changes focus, energy and follow-through Leadership habits that stay stuck in "interested" mode Practical strategies to turn intention into actionThis is a practical, honest and highly relatable conversation about self-leadership, accountability and closing the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and Theme
00:16 The Muesli Bars Lesson
02:21 The Intention vs Action Gap
03:27 The 50/50 Problem
05:23 Interested or Committed?
08:01 How Language Shapes Behaviour
10:09 Three Practical Steps
10:22 Step One: Name It
11:40 Step Two: When, Where and How
13:05 Step Three: Meaning and Honesty
15:23 Wrap Up and Next Actions
16:51 Clarity Compass and FarewellLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program here
Get the Clarity Compass hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What happens when you've achieved everything you thought would make you happy… but something still feels missing?
In this episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde sits down with Saru Gupta to explore a reality many high-achieving leaders experience but rarely talk about openly: emotional flatness.
On paper, life looks successful. The career is progressing. Relationships are intact. Goals are being achieved. Yet underneath it all sits a quiet sense of disconnection that many leaders struggle to explain.
Drawing on her own journey through corporate leadership, burnout, grief, divorce and personal transformation, Saru shares why mindset alone is not always enough. Together, Julie and Saru explore the connection between nervous system health, emotional regulation and embodied leadership, and why reconnecting with ourselves may be the missing piece many ambitious people are searching for.
This conversation challenges the belief that the answer is always another promotion, another goal or another achievement. Instead, it offers a different perspective: that sustainable leadership starts by understanding what your body, emotions and nervous system have been trying to communicate all along.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why high achievers often mistake emotional flatness for burnout The difference between mindset work and nervous system regulation Why constantly chasing the next achievement doesn't create lasting fulfilment How emotional awareness helps us become stronger leaders The signs you may be disconnected from yourself without realising it Why curiosity is more powerful than self-criticism The role of embodied leadership in sustainable success How nervous system health influences performance and wellbeing Practical ways to reconnect with yourself Three powerful questions to help you slow down and listenIf you've ever felt successful on paper but disconnected on the inside, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on what it really means to thrive.
Timestamps
00:00 Nervous System First
00:22 Podcast Introduction & Meet Saru Gupta
01:56 Success on the Outside, Disconnection on the Inside
03:38 Chasing the Next High
05:28 Leaving Corporate and the Crash That Followed
06:24 The Whole Self Method Explained
09:12 Why We Avoid Difficult Feelings
12:11 What Emotional Flatness Really Feels Like
14:21 Clarity Compass Break
15:13 Mindset vs Nervous System Regulation
18:22 Why Internal Safety Matters More Than Strategy
18:40 The Whole Self Method Pillars
19:46 Rewiring the Nervous System
21:58 The Ordinary Signs You're Reconnecting
23:19 The Messy Middle and Burnout Recovery
24:20 The Self-Criticism and Burnout Cycle
25:52 Starting with Curiosity
28:14 The Two-Minute Daily Practice
30:34 Three Questions to Ask Yourself Daily
31:46 Closing Reflections and FarewellLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program here
Get the Clarity Compass hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auConnect with Saru:
Website: https://sarugupta.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saru-gupta/
Instagram: @iamsaruguptaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Missing episodes?
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What happens when a woman becomes so good at responding to everyone else’s needs that she completely loses connection to her own?
In this deeply reflective episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde explores a question that stops even the most capable women in their tracks:
“What do you want when nobody needs anything from you?”
It sounds simple. But for many high-performing women, the answer is far more difficult than expected.
This episode dives into why so many successful women lose touch with their own desires, needs and sense of self after years of being rewarded for competence, responsibility and reliability. Julie unpacks the hidden cost of constantly being the “safe pair of hands” — the person everyone depends on — and why that identity can quietly crowd out personal fulfilment, joy and direction.
Through stories from coaching clients and insights from years working with leaders and ambitious women, Julie explores:
Why high-performing women struggle to answer what they truly want The difference between knowing what to do and knowing what you desire How responsibility, identity and fear bury personal fulfilment Why many women feel foggy, flat or disconnected despite looking successful on the outside The emotional cost of constantly living in response mode The role of people pleasing, obligation and performance identity How to reconnect with yourself without needing to blow up your life Why silence and space are essential for clarity The danger of building a life around “should” Small but powerful ways to reconnect with your own voice againJulie also shares the story of a highly accomplished client who realised she had spent years knowing exactly what everyone else needed from her — but no longer knew what she needed for herself.
This episode is an invitation to pause long enough to ask yourself an honest question many women have not considered in years.
What do you actually want?
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Big Question
02:15 Why the Silence Happens
02:41 Client Story Feeling Stuck
04:21 Doing Next vs Wanting
06:42 Three Ways Desire Gets Buried
11:32 The Hidden Cost of Not Knowing
12:25 Penny and Reconnecting
14:39 Three Starting Points
15:11 Silence and Small Questions
18:12 Separate Wants from Shoulds
19:32 Closing Reflection and Choice
21:25 Clarity Compass Invitation
22:07 Thanks and GoodbyeLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program here
Get the Clarity Compass hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What happens when the life that looks successful on the outside is slowly costing you everything on the inside?
In this powerful episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde sits down with leadership expert, former corporate executive and author Fleur Marks to explore the hidden cost of perfectionism, burnout and achievement addiction.
For years, Fleur appeared to have it all. A successful corporate career, leadership credibility, a loving family and a reputation for delivering exceptional results. But beneath the surface, she was exhausted, overwhelmed and carrying impossible expectations.
Then her body forced her to stop.Following a life-threatening health crisis, multiple surgeries, autoimmune disease and cancer, Fleur found herself confronting a reality she could no longer push through. What followed became the catalyst for a complete reset of how she lived, worked, led and defined success.
Together, Julie and Fleur explore why so many high-performing women tie self-worth to achievement, how perfectionism disguises itself as excellence, and why sustainable leadership requires boundaries, recovery and self-compassion.
In this episode, we discuss:
Perfectionism and high-functioning burnout The overachiever identity and achievement addiction Leadership pressure and emotional exhaustion Chronic stress and the impact on physical health Why ambitious women struggle with "being enough" Sustainable success and redefining achievement Boundaries, rest and recovery for leaders The neuroscience behind overachievement Excellence without self-sacrifice How to break the overachiever cycleOne of the most powerful moments in the conversation centres around a simple but confronting question:
"How different would your life be if you truly believed you were enough, had done enough and had enough?"
This episode is for leaders, founders, professionals and ambitious women who are tired of carrying everything while quietly running on empty.
Timestamps
00:00 The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism
00:42 Meet Fleur Marks
02:16 Success on the Outside, Drowning on the Inside
05:17 The Waiting Room of Death
10:03 Losing Control and Learning Acceptance
12:54 Clarity Compass Break
13:46 Understanding the Overachiever Cycle
20:36 The "You Are Enough" Question
22:27 Redefining Success
25:14 The Sequins Squad and Support Systems
26:37 Final Reflections and FarewellLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program here
Get the Clarity Compass hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au
Connect with Fleur:
Website: https://fleurmarks.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fleurjmarks/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleurmarks/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What does a cereal box have to do with leadership, reputation and career progression?
More than most people realise.
In this solo episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde unpacks one of the most powerful metaphors she uses with clients when discussing identity, leadership positioning and professional reputation.
Because just like products on a supermarket shelf, people make decisions about you long before they understand the full picture.
Your reputation is your packaging.
Your behaviours are your ingredients panel.
And whether intentional or not, you are constantly training people how to see you.This episode explores why highly capable leaders often become trapped inside outdated perceptions, how behaviours reinforce professional identity over time, and why visibility alone will not move you into your next level of leadership.
Julie also explores research from organisational psychologist Dr Tasha Eurich around self-awareness and why the gap between how we see ourselves and how others experience us often widens at senior levels.
In this episode, we cover:
Leadership identity and reputation Why behaviours shape positioning The danger of becoming known only as “the doer” Strategic positioning vs visibility Self-awareness and executive perception How leaders accidentally reinforce outdated identities Repositioning yourself for future leadership opportunities Why delivering more is not always the answerIf you have ever wondered why you continue being seen for the same type of work despite wanting more influence, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership growth.
Because your reputation is already speaking for you.
The question is… what is it saying?
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Leading You
00:29 The Cereal Box Identity Hook
01:30 Positioning Like Special K
03:10 The Self-Awareness Reality Check
04:01 How Reputations Get Built
05:27 Reposition Without Changing Who You Are
06:47 Clarity Compass Break
07:40 Three Reputation Questions to Ask Yourself
08:37 Why Doing More Can Keep Leaders Stuck
09:23 COO Case Study: The Shift That Changed Perception
11:40 Rewrite Your Leadership Promise
13:05 Final Reflection and Next StepsLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program here
Get the Clarity Compass hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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There's a moment many leaders experience.
The role that once gave you energy, purpose and identity starts to feel heavier. Not because you've stopped caring or lost your capability — but because something no longer fits.
In this episode of Leading You, I sit down with Susan Simon — educator, former principal of three independent Queensland schools, and author of debut novel The Secrets of St Jude's — for a deeply honest conversation about what happens when your leadership identity starts to disconnect from who you're becoming.
After more than four decades in Australian school communities, Susan brings an insider's perspective on the emotional complexity of leadership: the joy of building empowered teams, the weight of competing stakeholder expectations, the politics, the pressure — and eventually, the grief of leaving a role that once defined her.
This conversation goes far beyond education. It's for anyone in leadership, corporate, or business who has quietly wondered: Is this still who I am?
What we cover:
Why strong leadership often feels invisible to the person doing it The emotional load of leading complex organisations with competing expectations The quiet warning signs that something has shifted — before crisis hits Why leaving a leadership role can feel like grief, not just a career change The risk of letting work become your entire identity How to reconnect with yourself outside of your title Why grounding practices aren't a luxury — they're a leadership necessity Susan's debut novel and the psychological complexity of elite school communitiesTimestamps
00:00 Life Components First
00:43 Meet Susan Simon
02:16 Leadership In Flow
08:09 Stakeholders And Pressure
11:05 When Identity Shifts
17:37 Leaving And New Paths
20:22 Grief And Attachment
24:34 Advice For Stuck Leaders
28:53 Inside The Debut Novel
33:11 Wrap Up And ReviewsLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program here
Get the Clarity Compass hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au
Connect with Susan:
Website: https://susan-simon.com/
Instagram: @susan.simon_author
Purchase link: https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/The-Secrets-of-St-Judes/Susan-Simon/9781922190154See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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If your mind hasn’t switched off in a while, this episode is for you.
In this solo episode of the Leading You Podcast, I’m talking about something I’m seeing everywhere right now. Not just physical busyness, but mental noise. The kind that keeps you switched on from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep. The kind that slowly becomes your normal without you even realising it.
Here’s the truth: being busy isn’t always the problem. Staying in that state for too long is.
Drawing on my own recent experience of stepping away for a short reset in Daylesford, I share what really happens when you create space. Why clarity, energy and perspective don’t come from pushing harder. They come from stepping away.
We tell ourselves we’ll slow down later. After this week. After this project. After this season. But clarity doesn’t live in the noise. And you don’t reset by doing more.
Sometimes, the most strategic thing you can do is pause.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why mental noise is the real problem, not your calendar The difference between a busy season and a constant state of pressure What a small reset in Daylesford reminded me about clarity and energy Why you don’t need a big holiday. You just need intentional space. How your environment directly shapes your thinking and decision-making The one question to ask yourself when you’re running on empty Why your energy is your responsibility, not your workload’sThis episode is your permission slip to rethink how you’re fuelling your energy, especially heading into the second half of the year. Because if you don’t create space intentionally, your body will eventually do it for you. And not in a way you choose.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Leading You
00:31 Busy Minds and Burnout
02:56 A Simple Daylesford Reset
04:18 Clarity After the Break
05:54 Relevance and Next Level
07:05 Step Away From the Noise
08:52 Mini Break Ideas
09:19 Mid Year Winter Reset
10:13 Refuel Before You Crash
12:14 Wrap Up and ReviewLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What if the most powerful work of your career is still ahead of you?
In this episode of the Leading You Podcast, I sit down with career transition coach and author Robyn Greaves to explore what she calls the “third chapter”, a stage that is less about winding down and far more about stepping into something more intentional, more energising and more aligned with who you are now.
For many of us, the traditional idea of retirement simply no longer fits. We’re living longer, staying healthier for longer, and the desire to contribute doesn’t just switch off at a certain age. Yet the dominant narrative still pushes us towards stepping back, slowing down and becoming less relevant. This conversation pushes back on that, hard.
Robyn and I get into the real challenges that come with this transition, the identity shift that catches people off guard, the practical challenge of positioning your value in a market that often prizes titles over experience, and the mindset shift required to see this stage as opportunity rather than ending.
One of the most powerful ideas we explore is what Robyn calls “ageing superpowers”, the perspective, pattern recognition and hard-won wisdom that only comes from decades of lived experience. These are not soft skills to downplay. They are capabilities to own and leverage.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why the third chapter is not an ending, it’s a redesign How to navigate the identity shift that comes when you step out of a long-held role Why positioning your value matters more than your title ever did What “ageing superpowers” actually are and how to use them How to start without a perfect plan, and why that’s the right move What it looks like to design a chapter that is energising, purposeful and on your termsIf you’ve ever wondered what comes next, or found yourself uncertain about how to navigate this stage, this episode will give you a new lens, one grounded in possibility, not limitation.
Timestamps
00:00 Take One Small Step
00:42 Meet Robyn Greaves
01:18 What Is The Third Chapter
03:27 Why It Matters Now
06:44 Designing A Great Chapter
09:04 Hidden Transition Challenges
10:30 Relevance And Identity Shift
11:42 Aging Superpowers
15:40 Practical Steps To Start
17:09 Agency And Final Takeaway
19:17 Wrap Up And ReviewLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auConnect with Robyn:
Website: https://robyngreaves.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/careercoachsydney/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Most of us assume confidence and identity are built through big moments. But more often than not, it’s something much smaller that does the shaping. A single comment, a label, a sentence spoken at the wrong moment by the wrong person.
And those words? They stay a lot longer than they should.
In this solo episode of Leading You, I explore the power of belief. Where it comes from, what we do with it, and why the most important belief you carry is the one you choose, not the one placed on you.
I share personal stories, from being told I wasn’t good at maths in primary school, to being told I’d fail English, to navigating a cancer diagnosis where the language of others could have easily shaped a very different outcome.
What becomes clear is this: the same person, the same capability, can experience completely different outcomes depending on what they choose to believe.
Because it’s never just about what was said to you. It’s about what you agreed with.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why the smallest moments often shape us the most How a single label placed on you in childhood can follow you for decades The difference between what is said to you and what you choose to keep Why people rise to the level of belief you have in them — and why the same is true of yourself How to use awareness as the starting point for changing the beliefs that are holding you back What it means to take ownership of your mindset, especially when life gets hardThis episode is an invitation to look at the beliefs you’re carrying, which ones are helping you move forward, and which ones have simply become familiar.
Because your future isn’t shaped by what people have said about you. It’s shaped by what you choose to believe.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Leading You
00:53 Power of Words
01:34 A Leader Said No
02:40 Grade Three Math Label
04:12 Belief Builds Winners
05:08 Told I’d Fail English
07:29 Cancer Fight Mindset
11:01 Relevance and Identity
12:13 Self Belief Matters Most
14:54 Choose What You Accept
15:50 Rewrite the Old Story
16:57 Closing and ReviewsLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde sits down with Peter Norris to explore a story that challenges assumptions about identity, leadership and what is actually possible.
Peter grew up in an environment where crime was normalised. His father was one of Australia’s most wanted bank robbers, his brother followed a similar path, and by the age of six, Peter was already involved in break-ins.
At thirteen, he made a decision that changed the direction of his life.
This conversation explores that moment, the choices that followed, and what it takes to step away from what feels inevitable. It also moves into leadership, where Peter now leads a multimillion-dollar hospitality group with a clear philosophy built on courage and kindness.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
The defining decision that changed Peter’s trajectory How environment shapes belief and what becomes possible Why small, consistent choices matter more than big moments The tension between loyalty, identity and personal responsibility How to lead with both courage and kindness in today’s workplace The role of belief in shaping performance and cultureThis is a conversation about choice, ownership and leadership. It challenges the idea that your past determines your future, and reinforces the impact of the decisions you make over time.
Timestamps
00:00 Not Defined by Past
00:42 Meet Peter Norris
02:39 Early Life and Belonging
05:13 Foster Care and Family Split
06:57 First Crimes at Six
09:05 Pivotal Moment at Eleven
11:53 Choosing a New Path
15:06 A Real Foster Family
16:21 Lead Her Mastermind Promo
17:36 Unstoppable Athletic Drive
19:14 Great Wall Marathon Lessons
20:11 Winning the CEO Role
21:06 Culture Change No Bullies
21:52 Courage and Kindness Leadership
22:45 Belief Unlocks Potential
25:54 Mistakes Growth Over Perfection
27:11 Vulnerability Builds Trust
28:14 Daily Choices Shape Culture
31:39 Power to Change Trajectories
32:28 Past Doesn’t Define Future
34:52 Turning Point at Thirteen
35:39 Final Thanks and Outro
Links:
Learn more about my group coaching program hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auConnect with Peter:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573484279801
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-norris-a54b369a/
Book: https://www.thebankrobbersboy.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde unpacks a common frustration for high-performing professionals who feel stuck in their careers despite consistently delivering strong results.
The insight is simple, but confronting. You are not being overlooked. You are being categorised.
Organisations naturally group people based on patterns they observe over time. Some are seen as leaders who shape direction, while others are seen as reliable executors who deliver. Both are valuable, but they are treated very differently when opportunities arise.
This episode explores why doing more does not change how you are perceived, how strong performance can reinforce the wrong identity, and what needs to shift if you want to move into your next level of leadership.
If you are known as the safe pair of hands but want to be seen as someone who leads, influences and shapes decisions, this conversation will help you understand what is really happening and how to start changing it.
Key Takeaways
Career progression is driven by perception, not effort Doing more can reinforce the identity that is keeping you stuck The shift required is positioning. How you think, contribute and show upTimestamps
00:00 The Pattern I’m Seeing
01:12 Why “Overlooked” Is the Wrong Frame
02:45 How Organisations Categorise People
05:10 The Safe Pair of Hands Trap
07:20 Why Doing More Keeps You Stuck
09:05 Capability vs Perception
11:18 How Opportunities Are Actually Decided
13:02 Shifting From Execution to Influence
15:10 The Positioning Shift
17:22 How to Understand How You’re Seen
19:05 Practical Step: The 3-Word Feedback Exercise
21:00 Moving Into Your Next Level
22:30 Final ReflectionLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program here
Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde sits down with financial advisor and retirement strategist Jenny Brown to challenge the way we think about retirement.
Because for most people, retirement has been framed as an end point. Work hard, build your career, save enough… then stop. But what happens after that?
Jenny brings over 30 years of experience to this conversation, along with insights from her book Retirement: The Great Escape Plan, and what becomes clear very quickly is this… retirement planning is not just about money. It’s about how you want to live.
Together, they unpack the biggest mistake people make when planning for retirement, why starting with numbers can lead you in the wrong direction, and how to shift your thinking towards purpose, identity and lifestyle.
This conversation explores:
Why retirement is a transition, not a finish line The importance of designing your life before you design your finances The four stages of retirement and what to expect at each phase The identity shift that comes when work is no longer your anchor Why structure, connection and meaning matter more than you think The reality of aged care and why it requires early awareness, not reactive decisionsIf you’re in your 40s, 50s or beyond, this episode will challenge how you think about retirement and give you a more intentional way to approach what comes next.
Because retirement isn’t something you drift into. It’s something you design.
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Aged Care Minefield
00:39 Meet Jenny Brown
01:46 Why She Wrote the Book
04:04 The Four Stages of Retirement
08:53 Aged Care Reality Check
12:49 Mastermind Break
14:00 Common Retirement Planning Mistakes
16:50 Identity After Work
19:29 Creating Rhythm in Retirement
21:36 Finding Your Financial Freedom Number
23:17 The Retirement Mindset Shift
24:11 Wrap Up and Next StepsKey Takeaways
Retirement is not a finish line. It’s a transition that requires intention, not assumption. Most people start with the wrong question. Instead of asking “How much do I need?”, start with “What do I want my life to look like?” The people who thrive in retirement are not necessarily the wealthiest. They are the ones who have built purpose, connection and structure into their lives. Identity plays a bigger role than most realise. When work stops, many people struggle with who they are without it. Aged care is one of the most complex and emotional parts of retirement planning. The best decisions come from slowing down, asking questions and understanding your options early. If you’re in your 40s or 50s, now is the time to start thinking about your next phase, not just financially, but personally.00:00 Aged Care Reality Check
00:39 Meet Jenny Brown
01:46 Why She Wrote It
04:04 Four Retirement Stages
06:55 Planning Before You Quit0
8:53 Aged Care Minefield
12:49 Mastermind Break
14:00 Purpose Before Numbers
16:50 Identity After Work
19:29 Rhythm And Routine
21:36 Your Freedom Number
23:17 Retirement Mindset Shift
24:11 Wrap Up And Reviews
Links:
Learn more about my group coaching program hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auConnect with Jenny:
Website: https://jbsfinancial.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennybrownjbs/
Book: https://jbsfinancial.com.au/the-great-escape-plan/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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There’s a stage of life we don’t talk about enough.
You’re managing your career, your children, your relationships… and at the same time, stepping into supporting or caring for your parents.
It often happens quickly. Without warning. Without a roadmap.
In this episode, I share a deeply personal experience of navigating this season. The emotional weight, the decisions, the constant thinking ahead, and the mental load that sits behind it all.
Because it’s not just what you’re doing… it’s what you’re carrying.
There’s also a quieter layer to this that doesn’t get spoken about. The grief that comes with watching your parents change, lose independence, or decline. The shift from being supported to becoming the support.
This isn’t just a personal conversation.
It’s a leadership one.
Because many people are navigating this quietly while still showing up to work every day. And if you’re leading people, understanding what sits behind someone’s energy, behaviour and capacity matters.
This episode is about awareness, compassion, and recognising that you are not alone in this season.
In this episode, I cover:
What the sandwich generation really is, and why it’s growing
• The hidden mental load of caring for both children and parents
• The emotional impact, including grief and role reversal
• Why this stage can feel overwhelming, even when everything looks “fine”
• The importance of asking for support and not doing it all alone
• Why leaders need to understand what their people may be carryingTimestamps
00:00 Podcast intro
00:28 The reality of the sandwich generation
01:55 A personal story and what this stage looks like
03:41 My own caregiving experience
05:36 The hidden mental load
06:49 Why this matters in the workplace
08:45 Grief and cognitive decline
10:12 Break
11:24 Sibling roles and distance care
14:12 Don’t lose yourself in the process
15:50 Support, resources and reflection
16:47 CloseLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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We’ve been taught that leadership is about performance.
Results. Output. Driving outcomes.
But what if the real driver of performance… is care?
In this episode, I sit down with Graeme Cowan to have a conversation that I think more leaders need to hear.
Because right now, people are under pressure.
Nearly one in two managers are experiencing severe stress every week.That’s not just a wellbeing issue. That’s a leadership issue.
We talk about what caring leadership actually looks like in practice, not as a “nice to have”, but as something that directly impacts performance, resilience and culture.
This is a grounded conversation about how you show up as a leader when things are hard, how you support your people without lowering standards, and why connection is becoming one of the most important leadership skills we have.
In this episode, we cover:
Why care is not soft… it’s a driver of performance The reality of stress and pressure leaders are navigating right now Why leadership is about creating environments where people feel seen and supported The difference between pushing for performance and enabling it Practical ways to have better conversations with your team The four pillars of care: self-care, crew care, red zone care and creating a “code green” cultureTimestamps
00:00 Start better conversations
00:43 Meet Graeme Cowan
01:43 Depression behind success
03:56 Recovery and purpose
06:19 Relationships and resilience
08:26 Why care matters now
11:25 Mastermind break
12:37 Four pillars of care
14:00 Building caring teams
16:01 Red zone care framework
19:10 Changing corporate incentives
22:43 Intentional actions for mood
25:23 One practical leadership move
27:42 Wrap up and closeLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program here
Connect with Graeme:
Website: https://graemecowan.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecowan1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graemecowan/Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this episode of Leading You…
I’m talking about something I’m hearing more and more… age.
Not ageing itself, but the story people start telling themselves about what it means.
“I’m too old.” “They’ll choose someone younger.” “I feel invisible.”Most people aren’t being told they’re past it. They’re deciding that themselves.
And once that story takes hold, it changes how you show up. You hesitate, hold back, and start questioning whether you belong in rooms you absolutely belong in.
This episode brings it back to what actually matters… your value, your positioning, and your relevance.
Because experience plus self-belief plus relevance equals authority.
In this episode, I explore:
Why age becomes a problem when it turns into identity How that thinking impacts confidence, behaviour and visibility Why ageism is real, but you still can’t hand over your power The difference between capability and relevance How to reposition yourself for what’s nextTimestamps:
00:00 Welcome
00:26 Why age feels bigger than it should
02:31 The age story trap
04:26 Ageism and ownership
07:59 Relevance over age
09:55 Future relevance
11:03 Mindset shifts
13:45 Authority
14:46 Final thoughts
16:07 CloseLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde is joined by memory expert and Australian memory champion Tansel Ali for a fascinating conversation about memory, focus and mental performance in a world full of distractions.
What makes Tansel’s story so powerful is that he didn’t begin with a brilliant memory. In fact, he believed the opposite. For years he saw himself as someone who constantly forgot things, struggled to retain information and relied on Post-it notes just to stay organised.
Then everything changed.
After discovering memory techniques through a friend, Tansel began deliberately training his brain. That journey led him to extraordinary achievements, including memorising two full Yellow Pages directories in just 24 days. It sounds impossible, yet his story is a reminder that the brain is far more trainable than most people realise.
In this conversation we go beyond memory techniques. We explore how memory training strengthens focus, improves communication and supports clearer thinking, something that matters enormously for leaders navigating complex and fast-moving environments.
We also talk about cognitive overload, a challenge so many leaders face today. Moving from meeting to meeting, decision to decision, conversation to conversation without pause can leave the brain scattered and exhausted. Tansel explains why this doesn’t just feel draining. It actively weakens recall, focus and mental clarity.
Another important theme in this episode is the role of AI and technology. Tools like AI can support our thinking, but they should never replace it. As Tansel explains, if we outsource too much of our thinking and remembering to technology, we risk weakening the very skills that help us lead well.
We also dive into practical ideas, including simple strategies to remember names, prepare your brain before meetings and reduce the mental clutter that drains focus and energy.
If you have ever felt mentally overloaded, distracted or forgetful, this episode will challenge how you think about memory and give you practical ways to sharpen your mind.
In this episode we explore
How Tansel Ali went from believing he had a bad memory to becoming a memory champion
• Why memory is far more trainable than most people think
• How memory training improves focus, learning and communication
• What cognitive overload does to leaders and why so many people feel mentally exhausted
• How to think about AI without outsourcing your own thinkingTimestamps
00:00 Focus Memory Hack
00:22 Podcast Intro
01:30 From “Bad Memory” to Memory Champion
02:48 Discovering Memory Techniques
05:00 Benefits of Memory Training
08:05 AI and Technology Trade-offs
11:59 Authentic Leadership and Mental Clarity
14:31 Cognitive Overload
17:09 Remembering Names
20:40 Sharpening the Mind
23:16 Switching Off at Night
26:29 Final TakeawaysLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde challenges the common advice given to women in leadership to “speak up more” and “be more visible”.
While it sounds empowering, Julie explains why speaking up on its own is not a strategy and how, without clarity and positioning, visibility can actually weaken your influence rather than strengthen it.
Drawing on years of working with capable professionals in leadership and business, Julie explores the difference between participation and contribution, why relevance matters more than volume, and how anchoring yourself to your values and future direction gives your voice real authority.
If you want your voice to carry weight, not just volume, this episode will help you think differently about influence, positioning and leadership presence.
What We Cover in This Episode
Why speaking up without a strategy can make you reactive rather than powerful
• The difference between participating and contributing
• Why relevance matters more than volume in today’s workplace
• How anchoring yourself to your values changes the authority of your voice
• Why positioning, not performance, determines influence
• Three powerful reflection questions to ask before you speak
• How clarity strengthens leadership presenceTimestamps
00:00 Introduction to Leading You
00:49 Why the “speak up more” advice is incomplete
02:37 Why clarity matters more than visibility
03:55 Relevance and real value in today’s workplace
05:31 What are you actually known for?
06:51 Leadership in the AI era
07:47 Anchoring your identity as a leader
09:32 Why positioning builds authority
12:08 Three reflection questions before you speak
13:34 Why clarity beats volume
14:24 Final reflection
15:06 Rate, review and closingLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Resilience is often described as strength. But real resilience is far less polished.In this episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde sits down with Australian entrepreneur, author, and founder of Runway Room, Alex Fevola, for a powerful and deeply grounded conversation about rebuilding when life changes overnight.
At 22, Alex became a young mum. Weeks later, she lost her partner. On the same day, she experienced a medical emergency that resulted in major surgery and waking with a colostomy. It is an extraordinary chapter of loss, trauma, and shock, but this conversation is not about drama. It is about what happens next.
Alex speaks honestly about grief, journalling, hope, and the truth behind the question, “How did you cope?” There was no magic trick. There was support, feeling what needed to be felt, and choosing, when she could, to move forward.
From there, the episode moves into entrepreneurship. How working with women in hair and makeup became a source of independence and purpose. How spotting a gap in the market led to the creation of Runway Room. And what it really takes to build a beauty brand in a competitive industry without cutting corners on ethics or performance.
This is a conversation about tenacity over talent. About long-term thinking. About authenticity in a filtered world. And about leading yourself through seasons you never planned for.
If you are navigating change, building something meaningful, or rebuilding after disruption, this episode will resonate.
Key Themes
Resilience beyond clichés Navigating grief and medical trauma Journalling as a tool for processing Choosing hope without denying pain Building purpose through meaningful work The founding of Runway Room Ethical product development and long-term growth Tenacity in competitive markets Authenticity in the age of filters and AI Believing in your capability as a woman in businessTime Stamps
00:00 Opening mindset moment
00:05 Meet Alex Fevola
01:30 Young motherhood, loss and medical trauma
04:42 Why she wrote Silver Linings
06:54 Coping tools, hope and not getting stuck
09:44 Sponsor message
10:49 Rebuilding through beauty and independence
12:33 The Runway Room concept
17:06 Product development and clean formulas
19:18 Tenacity, patience and long-term growth
21:06 Authenticity in the public eye
24:48 Final message to women and closingLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auConnect with Alex:
Website: https://www.runwayroom.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexfevolamakeup/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-fevola-159aa529/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde continues the conversation on leadership identity and explores one of the most important shifts high-performing women must make. Moving from being the dependable Achiever or Go-To to becoming the trusted Authority.
Many capable women are rewarded for being reliable, responsive, and indispensable. But over time, these identities can quietly limit influence, visibility, and progression. In today’s fast-changing workplace shaped by AI, restructures, and leaner teams, relevance is everything.
Julie shares a powerful client story of a high-performing leader returning from maternity leave who found herself misaligned and overlooked despite strong results. Nothing changed externally until she shifted internally. Within three months of repositioning herself, she was promoted.
This episode introduces three forward-facing identities that support long-term leadership influence: the Author, the Anchor, and the Authority. It also unpacks why women delay this shift and what courage really looks like in practice.
If you’re performing well but sensing friction, exhaustion, or stagnation, this episode will help you reflect on who you’re being rewarded for being and who you need to become next.
Key Themes
The difference between being needed and being respected Why old leadership identities stop working Identity alignment and relevance in an AI-driven workplace The Author, Anchor, and Authority identities Letting go of external validation Why courage is the tipping point Positioning yourself for future opportunitiesTime Stamps
00:00 Welcome and episode context
01:18 From being needed to being respected
02:13 Client story. Return-to-work repositioning
04:58 Courage and releasing old validation
06:04 Why relevance matters now
07:53 The three identity levels explained
07:56 The Author. Owning your narrative
09:30 The Anchor. Emotional steadiness
11:08 The Authority. Trusted judgement
12:10 What changes when you lead as Authority
13:13 Why women delay the shift
15:10 Tools and support
16:47 Final reflections and wrap-upLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program here
Access the Turning Point Diagnostic hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this solo episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde speaks directly to a pattern she is seeing again and again, particularly among high-performing women. Capable, committed leaders who start the year with strong intentions, only to find themselves slipping back into old habits that no longer serve where they want to go.
Julie explores why this isn’t a motivation problem or a confidence gap. It’s often an identity issue. Many women continue to lead from roles that once kept them safe, successful, and rewarded, but now quietly limit their influence and growth.
In a rapidly changing environment shaped by AI, restructures, and leaner organisations, being reliable, helpful, and endlessly available no longer guarantees visibility or progression. In some cases, it keeps leaders overextended, overlooked, and misaligned.
Julie introduces three common identities she sees women cycling through: the Self Editor, the Achiever, and the Go-To. Each is socially rewarded, professionally reinforced, and emotionally difficult to release, even when it’s clear they’ve been outgrown.
This episode also unpacks the early signs of misalignment, why burnout is often about identity rather than workload, and how to begin shifting how you show up through intentional reflection and boundary-setting.
If you’ve felt frustrated, stuck, or quietly exhausted despite performing well, this conversation will help you name what’s happening and consider what needs to change next.
Conversation Talking Points
Why capable leaders still hit invisible ceilings The link between identity, safety, and professional reward How old patterns resurface when pressure rises The Self Editor, the Achiever, and the Go-To identities Why being indispensable doesn’t equal being positioned Early signs of misalignment and internal friction Burnout as a signal of identity strain Introducing the Identity Audit Shifting from performance to intentional leadershipLinks:
Learn more about my group coaching program here
Access the Turning Point Diagnostic hereConnect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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