Naked at the Top

Aleyx Ward
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Real leadership is personal. And it’s the messy, everyday moments nobody talks about. Naked at the Top strips it all back. Each week, Aleyx Ward, Brand Storyteller and Professional Speaker, dives into the day-before stories: the awkward Zoom freezes, the winging-it meetings, the "did-I-really-just-say-that" moments. But we don’t just hear their version. We ask three people close to them what they really see. It’s raw.It’s hilarious.It’s painfully human. If you're tired of leadership podcasts that feel like TED Talks in disguise — this is your permission slip to eavesdrop on what real leadership sounds like.

  1. JAN 18

    The Childlike Curiosity Behind Big Success | Alan Gill

    Alan Gill brings a rare mix of sharp business instinct and playful curiosity to this conversation. As co-founder of Choice Energy, one of the fastest-growing energy businesses in AsiaPac, he has lived through the chaos, pressure and exhilaration of scaling at speed. Yet beneath the targets and milestones sits a leader who still draws sharks in meetings, turns corporate stresses into comedy, and uses creativity as a tool for clarity, connection and calm. This episode reveals the human side of ambition, from startup survival to finding joy in the everyday. Aleyx and Alan explore the early days of building a business with no safety net, raising a young family at the same time, and carrying the weight of responsibility when people are relying on you for their livelihood. They dive into leadership identity, humour as a resilience strategy, navigating growth, and why the best insights often come from childlike curiosity rather than boardroom bravado. Through stories about sharks, toilet echo disasters, corporate lessons, cultural contrasts and the people who keep him grounded, Alan gives a refreshingly honest view of what leadership feels like behind the scenes. Not polished. Not filtered. Simply human. This is an episode for anyone building something meaningful while trying to stay connected to who they really are. Alan’s reflections land with warmth, wisdom and a healthy dose of mischief. If you’re growing a business, leading people or simply trying to make sense of ambition while still living a life that feels like yours, this conversation will stay with you. 📲 Connect with Naked at the Top: 🎥 YouTube – https://youtube.com/@NakedAtTheTop?sub_confirmation=1 💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/naked-at-the-top 📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nakedatthetoppodcast 🎧 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/7oepK8jODbGvwsCzPbMBeY 🍎 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/naked-at-the-top/id1741310522 🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

    56 min

  2. JAN 4

    The Economics Behind Great Leadership | Seung Paik

    Authentic leadership grows from the unseen parts of a life. In this episode, Seung Paik reveals the moments that shaped his identity long before he ever stepped into a leadership role. He shares the immigrant values that built his work ethic, the twenty-five years of military service that taught him discipline and humility, and the internal questions that guided him through purpose, crisis and transformation. Seung speaks openly about identity over image, the privilege of leading others, how economics sharpens decision-making and the cost–benefit thinking that guides meaningful life choices. He explores the role relationships play in shaping markets, why transactional leadership falls short and how transformation always begins at the top.  This episode invites you to slow down, go inward and see leadership as something built through service, gratitude, humility and truth delivered with compassion. It is a conversation for anyone searching for clarity, direction or a more authentic way to lead. 📲 Connect with Naked at the Top: 🎥 YouTube – https://youtube.com/@NakedAtTheTop?sub_confirmation=1 💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/naked-at-the-top 📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nakedatthetoppodcast 🎧 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/7oepK8jODbGvwsCzPbMBeY 🍎 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/naked-at-the-top/id1741310522 🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

    1h 4m

  3. 12/07/2025

    Building Trust in a Broken System | Naomi Anderson

    When tragedy strikes, some people crumble. Others rebuild the system that failed them.  Naomi from Care Advisory is one of those people. After witnessing first-hand how broken the aged care industry can be, she set out to create change – building a business grounded in ethics, transparency, and trust. In this episode of Naked at the Top, Naomi shares how she turned heartbreak into purpose, defied expectations, and created a business model that puts people before profit. She opens up about the personal sacrifices behind her success – from single parenting and burnout to late ADHD diagnosis – and how she learned to lead with courage, compassion, and conviction. If you’ve ever felt torn between doing what’s right and doing what’s easy, Naomi’s story will remind you what real leadership looks like. 🎧 Subscribe to Naked at the Top for honest conversations with leaders who are redefining success through authenticity, purpose, and heart. 📲 Connect with Naked at the Top: 🎥 YouTube – https://youtube.com/@NakedAtTheTop?sub_confirmation=1 💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/naked-at-the-top 📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nakedatthetoppodcast 🎧 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/7oepK8jODbGvwsCzPbMBeY 🍎 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/naked-at-the-top/id1741310522 🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

    39 min

  4. 11/24/2025

    Why Growth Mindset Wins | Stephen Luxmore

    In this episode of Naked at the Top, host Aleyx Ward sits down with Stephen Luxmore, founder of Your HR Team, to explore how growth mindset, self-awareness and authenticity are redefining modern leadership. From starting out as a gardener to becoming a respected HR consultant, Stephen shares how moments of doubt and stereotype shaped his purpose. He talks openly about creating psychological safety, breaking corporate conformity, and why simplicity wins when it comes to building a people-first culture. Together, Aleyx and Stephen uncover what it means to lead with courage and kindness, how to stay authentic in a world of business buzzwords, and why humour, humility and curiosity always outlast control. This conversation is packed with insight for founders, HR professionals and anyone leading teams through change — a reminder that leadership isn’t about power, it’s about people. 📲 Connect with Naked at the Top: 🎥 YouTube – https://youtube.com/@NakedAtTheTop?sub_confirmation=1 💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/naked-at-the-top 📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nakedatthetoppodcast 🎧 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/7oepK8jODbGvwsCzPbMBeY 🍎 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/naked-at-the-top/id1741310522 🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

    59 min

  5. 11/09/2025

    The Hidden Power of Advisory Boards | Andy Rooke

    Advisory boards might sound like something reserved for big corporates – but for founders and entrepreneurs, they’re one of the most powerful growth levers you’ve never used. In this episode of Naked at the Top, we uncover how founders, leaders, and business owners can use advisory boards to sharpen decisions, strengthen strategy, and accelerate personal growth. Our guest dives into the hidden psychology of leadership, exploring how loneliness, self-doubt, and risk-taking shape the entrepreneurial journey. From career pivots to neuroscience, EQ versus IQ, and the surprising impact of adventure on leadership, this episode gives a masterclass in how to grow both a business and a mindset. You’ll also discover how boards can transform culture, expand thinking, and hold leaders accountable in ways that traditional management structures can’t. Whether you’re scaling fast, starting fresh, or just feeling stuck – this is the conversation that’ll help you see your business, and your leadership, differently. 📲 Connect with Naked at the Top: 🎥 YouTube – https://youtube.com/@NakedAtTheTop?sub_confirmation=1 💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/naked-at-the-top 📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nakedatthetoppodcast 🎧 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/7oepK8jODbGvwsCzPbMBeY 🍎 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/naked-at-the-top/id1741310522 🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

    45 min

  6. 10/26/2025

    From Lawn Mowing to 5,500 Franchises | Jim Penman

    From a second-hand mower to a nationwide empire of 5,500 franchises – Jim Penman’s story is proof that purpose and persistence can outlast any plan. In this episode of Naked at the Top, Jim shares how a small lawn mowing business turned into one of the world’s most successful franchise systems, and why his mission was never about money – it was about funding research that might just change the world. We unpack what it really takes to scale a values-led business: obsessive improvement, servant leadership, and an unshakable focus on helping others succeed. Jim reveals how giving his personal phone number to every franchisee isn’t crazy – it’s how he stays connected to the people who matter most. From there, his philosophy of “franchisees first” has redefined what leadership looks like. He talks candidly about faith, failure, family, and fulfilment – why wealth without purpose feels empty, and how raising grounded kids is the ultimate measure of success. There’s no polished PR here, just raw honesty from a man who built a movement by caring deeply, thinking differently, and walking the walk. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or chasing your next idea, this episode will leave you rethinking what success truly means – and how small, daily improvements can build something extraordinary. 📲 Connect with Naked at the Top: 🎥 YouTube – https://youtube.com/@NakedAtTheTop?sub_confirmation=1 💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/naked-at-the-top 📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nakedatthetoppodcast 🎧 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/7oepK8jODbGvwsCzPbMBeY 🍎 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/naked-at-the-top/id1741310522 🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

    1h 9m

  7. 10/12/2025

    Why Most Business Owners Fail at Mindset | Alex SY

    Mindset is the single biggest factor in whether your business thrives or collapses - yet it is also the part most entrepreneurs get wrong. In this Naked at the Top episode, Alex Sy joins us to unpack why mindset is the root of business success. He shares his journey from hitting rock bottom to mentoring others, and why many owners sabotage themselves with fake goals, poor retention strategies, and a short-term obsession with cutting costs. We dive into what truly drives sustainable growth: understanding customers, building resilience, and recognising when closing a business is actually the smartest move. Alex also reveals how mentorship shaped his path, and the hard truths leaders need to face if they want to keep growing. If you have ever wondered why your business feels stuck despite all the effort, this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you practical ways to rethink your strategy. Hit subscribe for more real, unfiltered business lessons - no fluff, no ego. 🔗 More from Naked at the Top:  📌 Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@NakedAtTheTop?sub_confirmation=1 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3zNkgJ0CNjPqM0hF7pGmWz 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/naked-at-the-top/id1786932272 💡 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naked-at-the-top 📲 Connect with Naked at the Top: 🎥 YouTube – https://youtube.com/@NakedAtTheTop?sub_confirmation=1 💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/naked-at-the-top 📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nakedatthetoppodcast 🎧 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/7oepK8jODbGvwsCzPbMBeY 🍎 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/naked-at-the-top/id1741310522 🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

    53 min

  8. 09/28/2025

    Secrets to Building a Business You Love | Kellie Simpson

    What does it really take to build a business you love without losing yourself along the way? In this Naked at the Top episode, Kellie Simpson shares her journey from corporate burnout to building a thriving, values-led business as a Legal VA. She opens up about the breaking points that forced change, the importance of choosing clients wisely, and the mindset shifts that helped her go from surviving to thriving. Expect raw honesty, practical strategies, and plenty of inspiration for anyone looking to grow their business on their own terms. From pricing red flags and firing bad clients, to building dream teams remotely and setting healthy boundaries, Kellie’s story is packed with lessons that every entrepreneur can take away. This is about more than business growth – it’s about creating a life and business that truly align. If you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or anyone feeling stuck in the grind, Kellie’s journey will give you the tools and courage to take action. #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessSuccess #Startup #Growth #Mindset #Teamwork #Productivity #Resilience Subscribe now so you don’t miss what’s coming: https://www.youtube.com/@NakedattheTop?sub_confirmation=1 Special thanks to our sponsors, Core Story – find out more at https://corestory.com.au Aleyx on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleyxward/ Catch us on your favourite podcast directory: https://nakedatthetop.buzzsprout.com/share 📲 Connect with Naked at the Top: 🎥 YouTube – https://youtube.com/@NakedAtTheTop?sub_confirmation=1 💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/naked-at-the-top 📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nakedatthetoppodcast 🎧 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/7oepK8jODbGvwsCzPbMBeY 🍎 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/naked-at-the-top/id1741310522 🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

    47 min
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About

Real leadership is personal. And it’s the messy, everyday moments nobody talks about. Naked at the Top strips it all back. Each week, Aleyx Ward, Brand Storyteller and Professional Speaker, dives into the day-before stories: the awkward Zoom freezes, the winging-it meetings, the "did-I-really-just-say-that" moments. But we don’t just hear their version. We ask three people close to them what they really see. It’s raw.It’s hilarious.It’s painfully human. If you're tired of leadership podcasts that feel like TED Talks in disguise — this is your permission slip to eavesdrop on what real leadership sounds like.

Information

  • Creator
    Aleyx Ward
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Naked at the Top
  • Show Website
    Naked at the Top