Subtle Disruptors

Adam Murray

Podcaster telling the stories of those who are quietly having an amazing positive impact on our world.

  1. Joel Hines: The subtle disruption of thresholds, stories, and re-memberings - SD96

    12/12/2025

    Joel Hines: The subtle disruption of thresholds, stories, and re-memberings - SD96

    There are moments in our life when we cross a threshold. A place where, once we pass through, we can no longer go back. The experience cannot be unexperienced. Another person now stands in the place of the one that was here in the moment before. These moments can happen in seconds, or they can happen across years. This is one of the key themes Joel Hines and I explore and keep coming back to in this conversation: leaving our current state; crossing thresholds; transforming; and then returning to integrate. It is something he has brought to his work as a facilitator of rites of passages, in guiding organisations to greater effectiveness, and in coaching and mentoring leaders. I finding myself relaxing into the conversation. Content with the energy and the pace. There does not seem to be any rush, a combination of our setting at Melbourne’s Abbotsford Convent, my state of mind, and Joel's comfort in his own skin. He has a depth and wisdom that only comes through a quantity and quality of living. I experience a warmth in our conversation. A pace that is not rushed and a confidence that it will unfurl as it needs to. I can sense there are many lived experiences he is drawing from, and it is from this place that he has something worth saying. Stories are central to the way Joel operates in the world, and towards the end of our conversation he shares a myth for us to ponder: about cycles, returnings, re-memberings and the wisdom the can come with age. If you enjoyed listening you Joel you may also enjoy the following episodes: - Gilbert Roscehcouste on saving the Abbotsford Convent - Kyle Wood on a new type of masculinity - Jamin Heppell on the positive potential of suburban sporting clubs Support the show through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/subtledisruptors/membership

    1h 12m
  2. Jess Price: Moving slowly and building things - SD95

    12/11/2025

    Jess Price: Moving slowly and building things - SD95

    How does one even begin to think about the kind of worlds that might exist in 2075? Those working in the world of foresight specialise in this kind of thing, and although we didn't talk about it directly in this conversation, I think it is one of the emerging skillsets of this episode's guest, Jess Price. After a series of events that resulted in being burnt out at her current job, Jess could see the need for work to be reimagined. The dominant design of work and and the workplace has been stagnant for close to a century, and although it may be implicit, this is a choice we are all passively or actively making. Jess is in the process of building an organisation, called Paradigm Makers, that will be relevant in 2075. Exactly what that looks like is impossible to foretell, but it will enable a world that is more inclusive, diverse, and human-centred in its approach. Through leveraging seven proprietary principles, Jess describes herself as the consultant who designs, with much of her work about surfacing the invisible systems and networks so that change can be intentional. There is so much in this conversation that I loved, including: - Jess's time a the New York State Library - Building a second brain - A wall of inspiration, from books to pictures of the phases of the moon - Technology only being beneficial if it aids something in the physical world - Awareness of energy flows to design one’s day and week Jess is thoughtful, insightful and inspirational throughout this conversation, and if you enjoy it you may also enjoy listening to: Eddie Harran on redesigning our relationship with time Amantha Imber on bringing science to the art of innovation Megan Davis on tapping into story-telling for influence and connection Support the show through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/subtledisruptors

    1h 13m
  3. Dennis Armfield: The gifts of our limiting beliefs - SD94

    12/11/2025

    Dennis Armfield: The gifts of our limiting beliefs - SD94

    The moment is surreal on many levels. This week’s guest retired from AFL football soon after I started this podcast. As an avid Carlton supporter I had admired him from afar for, among other things, his whole-hearted approach to every contest in every game. I remember reading what he was saying was next for him after stepping away from football: to help other players with the journey he was now on, transitioning from being a professional athlete to something else. As a wannabe athlete, I had often wondered what that inflection point was like, and I wanted to have a chat with him about it immediately. I just didn't know how to do it. How would I get in contact with him? What would I even say? So now, 8 years later through a sequence of chance events, I find myself sitting at the cafe at Carlton's headquarters, surrounded by memorabilia and memories, chatting to that same footballer and one of my Carlton heroes, Dennis Armfield. In his own words, Dennis was a fringe player who had to work incredibly hard for every game. Without doubt this is one of the attributes the endeared him to all the fans of the club, and to his teammates as well. But his accolades extended beyond the field, being honoured with the Jim Styles Community Leadership Award in 2015 for the work he did with Odyssey House. It is with similar whole-heartedness and a desire to lift those around him that Dennis now works to pass on skills in resilience, culture and leadership; things he learnt as a player. He consults to organisations through The Elevation Company, and separately works to support the growth and connection of men through My Elevated Network. Generosity is the word that came to mind during this conversation with Dennis: generous to the fans in all he gave on the field; generous with his time for this interview with me; and generous through giving so much of himself through his work. If you enjoyed listening to Dennis you might also enjoy listening to: - Carmen Hawker on football and feminism - Jamin Heppell on bringing science to the art of innovation - Adrian Medhurst on tapping into story-telling for influence and connection Support the show through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/subtledisruptors/

    1h 16m
  4. Hoang Anh Cat: A tale of egg tarts, monkey magic & why girls don’t have to be bad at maths - SD93

    17/10/2025

    Hoang Anh Cat: A tale of egg tarts, monkey magic & why girls don’t have to be bad at maths - SD93

    As we walked around Melbourne's Hoa Nghiem Buddhist Temple, I start to develop a new perspective for my friend, and this week's guest, Hoang Anh Cat. This is not a new thing for my relationship with Cat - it seems that every time I spend time with her I become aware of a new part of her. Whether it be about her time working on some amazing projects with the CSIRO. Or how she refuses to play the game of one-upping, or status-proving at start-up pitch nights. There is a unique depth and diversity to the life that she has led and leads. Underpinning it all is a quality of humility that is rare to come across. Not the type of humility that is self-servingly deprecating. Not the type that diminishes oneself in order to shy away from engagement. Nor the type that placates to the insecurities of others. Instead it is a type that is realistic about strengths, achievements and weaknesses alike. And one that inspires others while holding them to account for their own responsibility to use what they have to live their own values. There has no doubt been much Cat has overcome to find her self in the position she is in, and with the opportunities she now has. Some of these are revealed in this conversation, but a lot, I am sure, remain unrevealed. There will no doubt be new sides to Cat that I come to understand, and that I can't wait to get to know. Cat is vibrant, enthusiastic, insightful and generous in this conversation. And if you like this episode you may also enjoy listening to Desmond John, Garry Williams, Shree Rubinstein, Lina Patel, Penny Locasco. You can support the show through Patreon: www.patreon.com/subtledisruptors

    1h 42m
  5. Desmond John: The subtle disruption of appreciating local, historical, context - SD92

    05/09/2025

    Desmond John: The subtle disruption of appreciating local, historical, context - SD92

    I am blown away by the memory of this week's guest. Desmond John has an ability to recall stories about people and place that fills me with admiration. I find myself wondering how he does this. And my conversation with him gave me a few hints. We sat in one of his favourite places: a lounge area at The Commons co-working space in Melbourne's QV building. It overlooks the always active intersection of Bourke and La Trobe streets. As we sit I find an unexpected calmness watching people go about their day in the city. As I listen to Des, what comes through is his genuine curiosity and interest in people. He remembers all the details of the times we had spent together, even though they were close to 10 years ago. Details I have to admit I had forgotten. And his knowledge of the history of Melbourne and his ability to weave a story about them is wonderfully engaging. Although I am less of a city fan that I used to be, I wanted to hear more about this city we both grew up in and call home. One of the ways Des is bringing his knowledge of people and place together is in his important (although unofficial) role of being a key connector within Melbourne's start-up ecosystem. You can read more about the tours and events Des is part of by following him on https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmond-john This is the first episode back for the podcast after a long hiatus. I am grateful to Des for taking the step to be my first guest in some time. It was wonderful to be chatting to someone with such warmth. And it felt so good to be back doing this thing I enjoy so much. If you like this episode, you may also enjoy listening to Garry Williams and Shree Rubinstein, two other great connectors within Melbourne's start-up ecosystem. ----- Visit www.subtledisruptors.com for more about this podcast and services I offer. Visit www.patreon.com/subtledisruptors to support the show financially.

    54 min
  6. John Chambers: Changes, macro and micro, that create value for all of us - SD91

    29/02/2020

    John Chambers: Changes, macro and micro, that create value for all of us - SD91

    Positive change is what John Chambers is enabling through his life's many aspects: start-ups; helping corporates innovate in a way that suits them best; working with people to help them grow; seeking ways to grow awareness and connection with Aboriginal Australians.

    38 min
  7. Ian Banyard: Getting lost in nature to find our true nature - SD90

    15/12/2019

    Ian Banyard: Getting lost in nature to find our true nature - SD90

    Nature can provide inspiration to many of us, but it’s been particularly significant to Naturepreneur, Ian Banyard, who been discovering how reconnecting with the natural world is key to saving both ourselves and our planet.

    47 min
  8. Athalia Zwartz: Enabling external change through internal work - SD89

    01/12/2019

    Athalia Zwartz: Enabling external change through internal work - SD89

    In many ways, this podcast series is about creating change in a way that is accessible to all of us, and which is aggregate has an amazing impact. This episode encapsulates this beautiful, both through the guest Athalia Zwartz, and the organisation she is part of, Initiatives of Change

    58 min
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4.8
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

Podcaster telling the stories of those who are quietly having an amazing positive impact on our world.

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Murray
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Subtle Disruptors