Huddle In Level Up Podcast

Huddle Up Creative

Welcome to the Huddle In Level Up Podcast, where we share skills, insights, and experience from business leaders and marketing managers, because there is just so much to learn from the people around you. So, without further ado, let's huddle in and level up!

  1. 4d ago

    Ep 13: Ben De Jonge - People, Process and the Next Chapter

    What happens when you step away from the business you spent years building? In this episode, Emma sits down with Ben De Jonge, Brand and Growth Lead at Dapth and former founder of The Cut, for an honest chat about business ownership, reinvention, process, people and digital change. Ben shares what it was like to close The Cut after 15 years, step into a new chapter, and rediscover the freedom of focusing on the work he loves most. Emma and Ben also unpack why strong processes build trust, how structure creates better outcomes for teams and clients, and why business owners need to avoid getting stuck in the weeds. They also explore community, in-person events, AI, human connection, and how to create value without turning every conversation into a sales pitch. If you’re thinking about growth, change, leadership, systems or your next chapter, this episode is full of honest reflections and practical insights from someone who has lived it. Connect with Ben: 👉🏽 Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-de-jonge-108b212b/ 👉🏽 Find out more about Dapth: https://dapth.com/ Connect with Emma: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If you're a business owner and it's been a while since you took a proper look at your brand, positioning, and market presence, request a free Brand First Impression Review. Emma will look over your brand and share her honest feedback. Request your review at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

    Ep 13: Ben De Jonge - People, Process and the Next Chapter
  2. Jul 24

    Ep 12: Dawn Russel - How Better Delegation Builds Better Teams

    Delegation sounds simple… until the work comes back wrong, deadlines slip, and you start thinking, “Honestly, I should have just done it myself.” In this episode, Emma sits down with Dawn Russell, leadership expert, author, and founder of The Heartware Group and Predictive Recruitment Partners, to unpack why delegation is one of the most important leadership skills for business growth. Dawn shares what she wishes she had understood earlier in her leadership career, including why delegation needs to be tailored to each person, not just the task. Emma and Dawn explore why leaders often become the bottleneck, how poor delegation can hold teams back, and why understanding behavioural styles can completely change the way you brief, support and grow your people. They also dive into Dawn’s seven-step delegation framework, the difference between telling and coaching, how to check for mutual understanding, and why asking people how they would approach a task can build confidence, initiative and better long-term capability. If you’re a business owner, leader or manager who feels like everything still comes back to you, this episode will help you rethink delegation as a growth tool, not just a way to get things off your plate. Connect with Dawn: 👉🏽 Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnrussell-workforce-optimiser/ ***FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR BEHAVIOURAL STYLE -> Take the assessment here https://heartwaregroup.com.au/start-your-journey/whats-your-profile/  Connect with Emma: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If you're a business owner and it's been a while since you took a proper look at your brand, positioning, and market presence, request a free Brand First Impression Review. Emma will look over your brand and share her honest feedback. Request your review at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

    Ep 12: Dawn Russel - How Better Delegation Builds Better Teams
  3. Jul 3

    Ep 11: Eddie Zhang - How Better Project Systems Save Time, Sanity and Money

    If your projects live in spreadsheets, scattered emails or someone’s very tired brain, this episode is your sign to sort it out. In this episode, Emma sits down with Eddie Zhang, founder of Zhamatix, to unpack how businesses can set projects up for success, keep teams aligned, and use tools like Asana to work smarter, not harder. Eddie shares why projects often blow out, how poor planning creates chaos, and why mapping your processes before automating them is so important. Emma and Eddie also dive into what good project structure actually looks like, from goals, owners and milestones through to due dates, reporting rhythms and accountability. They explore why tasks should have one clear owner, how project templates can save huge amounts of time, and how the right task management system can create visibility without micromanaging your team. If you’re running a service-based business, managing client projects, or trying to get your team out of the “where is that up to?” loop, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you bring more clarity, consistency and calm into the way work gets done. Connect with Eddie: 👉🏽 Connect with Eddie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiezhangzhamatix/ 👉🏽 Find out more about Zhamatix:https://www.zhamatix.com/ Connect with Emma: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If you're a business owner and it's been a while since you took a proper look at your brand, positioning, and market presence, request a free Brand First Impression Review. Emma will look over your brand and share her honest feedback. Request your review at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

    Ep 11: Eddie Zhang - How Better Project Systems Save Time, Sanity and Money
  4. Jun 25

    Ep 10: Luke Pirrottina - The Leadership Habit That Holds Teams Back

    Being great at your job doesn’t automatically make you a great manager. In this episode, Emma sits down with Luke Pirrottina, Head of Capability and Development at Good Drinks Australia, to unpack what it really takes to step into leadership and manage people well. They explore the difference between managing tasks and leading people, why first-time managers often struggle to let go of control, and how creating the right environment can help teams feel safe, supported and empowered to grow. Luke shares practical tools and frameworks for better leadership conversations, including the GROW coaching model, the SBI feedback model, and a simple two-way expectations meeting that can help managers build clarity, trust and accountability with their teams. Emma and Luke also dig into the reality of difficult conversations, why avoiding them can cause bigger problems later, and how leaders can balance empathy with clear expectations. If you’re stepping into a management role, leading a team, or trying to support future leaders in your business, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical ideas you can start using straight away. Connect with Luke: 👉🏽 Connect with Luke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-pirrottina-55166168/ 👉🏽 Find out more about Good Drinks Australia: https://gooddrinks.com.au/ Connect with Emma: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If you're a business owner and it's been a while since you took a proper look at your brand, positioning, and market presence, request a free Brand First Impression Review. Emma will look over your brand and share her honest feedback. Request your review at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

    Ep 10: Luke Pirrottina - The Leadership Habit That Holds Teams Back
  5. Jun 4

    Ep 9: Tracey Mylecharane - Legal Foundations For Business Growth

    Think your business legals can wait until there’s a problem? Think again. In this episode, Emma sits down with Tracey Mylecharane, founder of TM Legal Atelier, to unpack why strong legal foundations are essential for sustainable business growth - especially for small business owners who don’t have endless time, money or energy to waste fixing problems later. Tracey shares what more than 20 years in law has taught her about contracts, client agreements, website terms, privacy policies and the real risks of DIY templates or ChatGPT-generated legal documents. She explains why prevention is always better than cure, how the right documents can protect your cash flow and reputation, and why your legals should build trust with clients, not scare them away. If you’ve ever thought “surely something is better than nothing” when it comes to contracts, this episode will make you think twice. It’s a practical, honest conversation about protecting your business, knowing when to ask for help, and building the right professional relationships before things go wrong. Tracey Mylecharane: 👉🏽 Connect with Tracey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracey-mylecharane/ 👉🏽 Find out more about TM Legal Atelier: https://www.tmlegalatelier.com.au/ Emma Burdett: 👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/ 👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If this episode has you thinking about your brand and just how visible it is, now is a great time to request a FREE Brand First Impression Review from Emma. Submit your request today at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/brand-first-impression-review/

    Ep 9: Tracey Mylecharane - Legal Foundations For Business Growth
  6. Apr 7

    Ep 7: Cass Emmerson - Branding is More Than a Logo

    Branding is more than just a logo or colour palette! It’s the feeling people get, the reputation you build, and the experience your business creates at every touchpoint. [This episode was recorded in October 2025]  In this episode, Emma sits down with fellow brand strategist Cass Emerson from Emmersyn Brand Strategy to unpack what branding really means in today’s business landscape, and why it plays such a critical role in growth, marketing, and customer connection. They explore the difference between personal and commercial brands, how branding and marketing work together, and why strong brand foundations can dramatically improve everything from visibility to sales. Emma and Cass also dive into the power of brand activation, the importance of internal culture and team behaviours, and why brand should never be treated as a one-off project. From solo founders to growing teams, this conversation is packed with insights on how to build a brand that feels aligned, stands out in the market, and supports long-term business success. If you’ve ever wondered whether branding is really worth the investment, how it impacts marketing performance, or what it takes to create a brand people genuinely connect with, this episode will give you plenty to think about. Want to dive deeper? Meet the humans behind this episode. Cass Emerson:👉🏽 Connect with Cass on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandraemmerson/👉🏽 Connect with Cass on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmersyn_brandstrategy/  Emma Burdett:👉🏽 Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajburdett/👉🏽 Follow Huddle Up Creative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddle_up_creative/ PS - If this episode has inspired you to consider levelling up your branding and marketing, we’d love to chat. Book an obligation free discovery call with Emma today at https://huddleupcreative.com.au/free-discovery-call/

    Ep 7: Cass Emmerson - Branding is More Than a Logo

About

Welcome to the Huddle In Level Up Podcast, where we share skills, insights, and experience from business leaders and marketing managers, because there is just so much to learn from the people around you. So, without further ado, let's huddle in and level up!