Natural Genius: Greater signal. Lighter work.

Natural Genius
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Hidden clever, made useful.  Natural Genius is a podcast and Lab for founders, operators, and leaders who want greater signal and a clear next move. Start with the Signal Check-In, or book a Signal Lab for focused clarity.More at naturalgenius.com.au

Episodes

  1. #10 - Iris Ray Nunn: Deep Listening, Nature, and Remembering What We Know

    1D AGO

    #10 - Iris Ray Nunn: Deep Listening, Nature, and Remembering What We Know

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Iris Ray Nunn about deep listening, attunement to nature, and remembering what we already know. Iris's background spans social entrepreneurship, clinical aromatherapy and body-work, activism, growing businesses and more recently regularly guiding at Uluru, one of the sacred sites at the centre of Australia.  This is a welcoming and spacious conversation about sensing, slowing down, and reconnecting with the intelligence within. Iris guides us through deep listening practices, nature-based awareness, and presence. This episode explores • Deep listening as a way of knowing • Nature as an intelligent collaborator, when we tune in • Sensory awareness and embodied perception in nature • Intuition and the unique, inner signal • Creating space for emerging insight  Guest links • Iris Ray Nunn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irisraynunn/ • Deep Listening to Nature: https://www.deeplisteningtonature.com/contact • Latest updates via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deeplisteningtonature and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deeplistening2nature • 10,000 AMEND https://www.facebook.com/AncientMotherEarthNewDreaming • Words from Iris: “Learn rare, simple deep listening skills that awaken an embodied knowing of our belonging in Nature. Skills which can be easily shared with family and friends to bring greater peace and comfort in our world. If you would like to know more about how you can help young Anangu mothers in their self employment efforts at Uluru, please get in touch." All welcome to send a request or private message to https://www.facebook.com/iris.r.nunn  Chapters 02:10 Iris’ childhood in the Gap, Brisbane, by the Enoggera Creek 07:20 The influence of water and nature 13:00 Uluru, ngangkari, healers and wisdom of elders 17:18 The origin of the Aṉangu and animal and plant family 21:30 The present moment, Aṉangu learning and sacred site insights 37:00 Finding the wild spirit through book writing 46:00 Having courage to go beyond the comfort zone and dropping fear Explore further Book a Lab: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Peregian Beach and Crabbes Creek, 16 February, 2026 Produced at the Peregian Beach office, 17-18 February, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    1 hr
  2. #9 Nick Jaffe: Readiness, Responsibility, and Living Well

    4D AGO

    #9 Nick Jaffe: Readiness, Responsibility, and Living Well

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Nick Jaffe about focus, responsibility, and designing a life that is both enjoyable and exacting. Drawing on Nick’s experiences as a freelance photographer, filmmaker, sailor, overlander, craftsman, writer, builder, entrepreneur, surfer, and dad, this conversation explores hyper-focus, tolerance for discomfort, and how life changes with responsibility for others. This is an honest conversation about agency, endurance, and choosing how to live well.  This episode explores • Hyper-focus and decisive execution • Designing life for freedom and readiness • Responsibility as a clarifier • Risk, endurance, and tolerance for discomfort • Activism, privacy, and moral seriousness • Building work and products that last Guest links • Nick Jaffe: https://www.nickjaffe.com.au • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nick_jaffe • YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@NickJaffe • Kohutt™ - Nick's Australian-made goods label https://kohutt.com.au • Kohutt Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kohutt.workshop • "The Years of Thunder" by Nick Jaffe https://www.nickjaffe.com.au/book Chapters 02:20 Hyper-focus, full commitment, and getting things done 06:20 The best life experience: children 08:04 Designing an interesting life 15:34 Flow, Federation Square, privacy, and partnerships 19:10 Privacy, apps, and AI agents 23:00 Wild surfing, remote Tasmania, and secret lagoon barrels 34:00 Readiness, opportunity, fool-hardiness, and being lucky 38:04 Circumnavigation, big ambitions, and containerised efficiency 42:00 Establishing Kohutt™ and building heirloom, outdoor gear Explore further Book a Lab: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Melbourne, 25 January, 2026 Produced at the Travancore, Violet Town, Tullamarine and Peregian offices, 1 - 15 February, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    50 min
  3. #8 – Peter Spence: High Performance, Joy and Expansive Thinking

    FEB 8

    #8 – Peter Spence: High Performance, Joy and Expansive Thinking

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Peter Spence about accessing natural genius through joy, presence, and expansive ways of thinking. Pete reflects on decades of work across elite sport, coaching, arts, and leadership, drawing insights from cricket, ballet, and Cirque du Soleil. Together, they explore how inner focus, openness, and joy support sustained performance, meaningful collaboration, and more fulfilling ways of living and working. This episode explores • Joy and satisfaction as foundations for performance • How high performers access “no thought” states • Self-organisation, spontaneity, & non-linear thinking • Coaching as listening, facilitation, & restraint • Moving beyond mechanical toward quantum perspectives • Self-organisation as a core human capacity Guest links: • Peter Spence: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-spence-6021016/ • Shawn Green: The Way of Baseball (stillness and “no thought”)  • Dr Amy Saltzman: mindfulness in sport, medicine, and education • Graham Winter: hleadership, sport psychology, and Olympic work https://www.grahamwinterpsychology.com • Debbie Muir: coaching, leadership, and Great Traits  https://medium.com/@debbiemuir/about • Meg Wheatley: Soul-grounded Leadership and systems thinking https://margaretwheatley.com/ • Kalvinder Shields: economics, leadership, and meditation  https://meditationaustralia.org.au/about-us/ma-council-and-patrons/ • Dr Elise Bialylew – Mindful in May https://www.mindfulinmay.org/ • Chris Laszlo https://www.sustainablevaluepartners.com Books: • The Way of Baseball: Finding Stillness at 95 mph by Shawn Green & Gordon McAlpine https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Way-of-Baseball/Shawn-Green/9781439191200 • A Still Quiet Place for Athletes by Dr Amy Saltzman https://stillquietplace.com/product/a-still-quiet-place-for-athletes-mindfulness-skills-for-achieving-peak-performance-and-finding-flow-in-sports-and-life/  • Quantum Leadership: New Consciousness in Business by Tsao & Laszlo https://www.sup.org/books/business/quantum-leadership • Works by Danah Zohar on quantum thinking Chapters: 02:17 High performance across arts, sport, business 07:15 Cricket in Australia alongside ballet and rugby 11:22 Innovation in elite sport, openness, and fulfilling lives 20:00 AI, directorship, mindful technology, and Graham Winter 27:00 Joy as a foundation for satisfaction and achievement 35:00 AIS, VIS, and Cirque du Soleil performance models 48:20 Mindfulness and recognising individual talent Explore further: Book a Lab: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Melbourne, 16 January, 2026 Produced at the Travancore and Violet Town offices, 26 January - 6 February, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    52 min
  4. #7 – Olena Severyn: Digital Nomad Life, Community, and Emails People Actually Read

    FEB 5

    #7 – Olena Severyn: Digital Nomad Life, Community, and Emails People Actually Read

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Olena Severyn about building a grounded, mobile life through community, presence, and thoughtful communication. Olena shares how choosing the right environments, cultivating presence, and how writing genuinely human emails support meaningful work, wellbeing, and connection. Drawing on her experience as a digital nomad, email strategist, and wellness practitioner, this conversation explores how calm, clarity, and simplicity create work that people want to engage with. This is a practical and reflective conversation about community, attention, and designing rhythms that support both performance and optimism. This episode explores: • Community as a compass for travel, work, and decision-making • Presence and self-awareness in a mobile, nomadic life • The freediving mindset: calm, grounded, and steady under pressure • Writing emails people actually want to read • Simple communication that builds trust and connection • Work rhythms that support focus, wellbeing, and optimism Guest links: • Olena Severyn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olena-severyn/ • Network School: https://www.ns.com • Recommended book: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle https://eckharttolle.com/the-power-of-now/ Chapters: 01:02 Olena’s background, destination travel, and community-first living 11:40 Freediving, presence, and calm under pressure 19:00 Staying connected through simple communication 21:40 Writing emails people actually read 30:05 Belonging and contribution 35:00 Building successful communities at Network School 38:00 Productivity, structure, and balance as a digital nomad 41:00 Listening to your body: nutrition and self-trust 43:22 Inner work, optimism, and imagining positive futures Explore further: Discover your Natural Genius one-on-one with Sam: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Melbourne and Bali, 18 January, 2026 Produced at the Travancore and Violet Town offices, 26 January - 5 February, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    48 min
  5. #6 - Rosalinda Batson: Emotional Intelligence, Intuition, and Leadership

    FEB 1

    #6 - Rosalinda Batson: Emotional Intelligence, Intuition, and Leadership

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with long-time friend and leadership practitioner Rosalinda Batson about emotional intelligence as a lived practice, intuition, and committing fully to meaningful work without keeping a plan B. Drawing on decades of experience in leadership development, organisational dynamics, and emotional intelligence, Ros reflects on courage, integrity, motherhood, friendship, and long-term contribution. This is a conversation about leading with awareness, backing big decisions, and building a life with boundaries that hold. This episode explores • Emotional intelligence as a daily leadership practice • Intuition, sensing, and decision-making • Fear, love, and commitment without an escape hatch • Leadership, motherhood, feminism and sustainable boundaries • Long-term contribution, volunteering, and integrity • Deep friendship and what it creates Guest links • Rosalinda Batson: https://au.linkedin.com/in/rosbatson • Neural Networks: https://neuralnetworks.com.au • Emotional Intelligence for Leaders, Coaches and Changemakers: Free version: https://www.neuralnetworks.com.au/free-ebook and full book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Leaders-Coaches-Changemakers-Emotional-Intelligence/dp/B0FF538YSW/  Chapters 00:14 Introduction to Rosalinda 02:42 Knowing what you stand for as a leader 06:29 Intuition, sensing, and decision-making 11:00 Commitment without a plan B 19:36 Writing, feminism, and self-actualisation 27:25 Courage, contribution, and volunteering at scale 33:40 Getting a lot done together and cultivating curiosity 40:00 Emotional Intelligence for Leaders, Coaches and Changemakers 45:00 Friendship, parenting, and shared adventures Explore further Signal Check-In: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Melbourne, 23 January, 2026 Produced at the Violet Town, Terang and Warrnambool offices, 26 January - 1 February, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    51 min
  6. #5 - Hamish Curry: Curiosity, Education, Adventures and Serendipity

    JAN 29

    #5 - Hamish Curry: Curiosity, Education, Adventures and Serendipity

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with educator and collaborator Hamish Curry about curiosity as a way of moving through life and work, designing conditions for serendipity, and education that builds agency. Drawing on Hamish’s work across Cool.org, the State Library of Victoria, and the DO Lectures Australia, this is a conversation about playfulness, designing experiences, and creating environments where people deeply learn and can’t quite explain why they’re feeling a certain way. This episode explores: • A “go have adventures” operating principle • Curated serendipity and the conditions that invite meaningful collisions • Curiosity as a driver of learning • Designing memorable experiences using people, place, and program • Building community through education and shared experiences • Hope, optimism, and practical frameworks that support action • The success of the DO lectures Australia Guest links: • Hamish Curry - General Manager, Cool.org. Educator, enabler, collaborator, schemer. https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamishcurry • Eddie Harran https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardharran  • Cool.org’s Hope and Act Frameworks & AI Literacy for Teachers Course • Enjoy a DO lectures Australia talk: https://thedolectures.com/everything/?eventType=DO%20Australia  • the DO lectures Australia venue & (hosts) Tess & Graham Payne - payneshut.com • Apply for the DO lectures https://thedolectures.com/events/do-wales/  • Pete Spence, Sports & Performance Consultant and creator of Creative Performance Exchange (CPX) https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-spence-6021016/ Books: • Orbiting the Giant Hairball – Gordon MacKenzie Music: • To Let a Good Thing Die – Bruno Major https://open.spotify.com/track/2nMeu6UenVvwUktBCpLMK9 Chapters: 02:30 Playfulness in work, curiosity, learning through experience and sagacity 06:10 Designing successful experiences 09:30 Curated serendipity 12:00 People, place, program: designing deeply memorable experiences 18:40 Creating community and memorable learning experiences 39:47 Hope and Optimism, the Hope + Act framework and working with Harvard researchers  Explore further: Book a Lab: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Melbourne, 16 January, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    40 min
  7. #4 - Nicklas Wallberg: Social Entrepreneurship, Trust, and Designing Work for Joy

    JAN 27

    #4 - Nicklas Wallberg: Social Entrepreneurship, Trust, and Designing Work for Joy

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Nicklas Wallberg about social entrepreneurship, trust, and designing work that people genuinely want to show up for. Drawing on experience across facilitation, social entrepreneurship, and cross-sector collaboration, Nicklas shares how trust is built early, how conditions for truth-telling are created, and why joy is not a by-product of good work but a deliberate design choice. This is a grounded conversation about courage, collaboration, and making thoughtful career decisions that create freedom and long-term impact. This episode explores: • Social entrepreneurship and individual leadership • Trust-building that starts early and compounds over time • Collaboration across systems and sectors • Creating truth invitations and conditions for honest dialogue • Joy and fun as deliberate design choices in meaningful work • Making hard career decisions that lead to growth and freedom Guest links: • Nicklas Wallberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nwallberg/ • Tram Sessions: https://www.youtube.com/@TramSessions Chapters: 00:13 Introduction to Nicklas 01:04 Improving systems through social entrepreneurship and Tram Sessions 08:00 Facilitation, trust, and early conditions 17:40 Why social impact attracts good people and how joy is embedded in work 31:00 Choosing when to leave a great role and trusting the next chapter 35:00 Lessons from Nicklas’s grandfather on kindness and leadership Explore further: Book a Lab: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Melbourne and Stockholm, 20 January, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    40 min
  8. #3 - Lisa Gamboni: Strengthening Your Voice and Leading with Clarity

    JAN 25

    #3 - Lisa Gamboni: Strengthening Your Voice and Leading with Clarity

    In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with strategic advisor Lisa Gamboni about strengthening your voice, holding clarity under pressure, and leading in ways that create space for others to succeed. Drawing on decades in high-stakes commercial environments, Lisa reflects on self-belief, empathy, and discernment as essential capabilities for clear thinking and grounded leadership. This is a practical conversation about agency, courage, and  effective leadership. This episode explores: • Strengthening your voice in complex environments, being your own snowflake: doing “you” (uniquely)  • Self-belief under pressure, and saying what others won’t • Calling out bullying • Developing capability: high performance teams, senior leaders, new consultants • Deep empathy and natural instinct as core advisory capabilities • The conditions that let executive teams “make room” for each other • Lisa's observations of successful, high performance teams and leaders from her time as a senior partner at KPMG, Deloitte, and boutique consultancies, working with private equity firms and businesses across the globe Guest links: • Lisa Gamboni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-gamboni/ • Dealside: https://dealside.com.au/ Chapters: 02:06 Thinking for yourself, and backing your own view 06:50 Empathy and the human context behind performance 10:27 Challenging unacceptable behavior in leadership 15:40 Lisa’s sixth sense in assessing leaders capabilities 24:20 “Big buckets of cold water” to calm inflamed, high-pressure situations 30:10 Telepathy and flow in high performing teams 35:00 The “Mickey Mouse” approach: listening more 38:20 Leadership that makes room for everyone’s success  43:49 Under pressure: “Do you want the answer or the lesson?” 48:00 Highly valued advisory: one slide, one phrase, one story  Explore further: Book a Lab: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Melbourne, 16 January, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

    54 min

  9. JAN 6

    #2 - The Signal Check-In: Hear What Matters, Focus and Choose your Next Move

    This is a short, repeatable Signal Check-In you can return to whenever you need clarity.  It’s designed for moments when things feel busy or unclear. A few minutes to listen, trust and focus. Bring your phone timer, a pen, paper and open mind. In this episode: • A way to settle your system • A question to reveal what matters • Space for knowing to emerge Explore further: Natural Genius Signal Reply: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Chapters: 0:12 Introduction 0:22 Signal Check-in 2:23 Close & Suggestions Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Melbourne, 4 January, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast: https://naturalgenius.com.au

    3 min

  10. JAN 5

    #1 - Welcome to the Natural Genius Podcast

    Natural Genius is a podcast and Lab for founders, operators, and leaders who want greater signal and a clear next move. In this opening episode, Natural Genius Founder, Samantha (Sam) Bell, shares why this podcast exists, who it’s for, and how clarity often arrives when we  listen and trust. This episode explores: • Why inner signal matters • How listening changes decision-making • What “natural genius” actually points to Explore further: Signal Check-In: https://naturalgenius.com.au Book a Natural Genius Lab: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Subscribe to hear future episodes. Chapters: 00:14 Welcome & Sam's background 04:30 Tapping inner knowing 05:27 Creativity in business 06:00 Apply for a free Natural Genius Lab Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Melbourne, 4 January, 2026 Natural Genius Podcast: https://naturalgenius.com.au

    8 min
  • 10 Episodes

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Hidden clever, made useful.  Natural Genius is a podcast and Lab for founders, operators, and leaders who want greater signal and a clear next move. Start with the Signal Check-In, or book a Signal Lab for focused clarity.More at naturalgenius.com.au

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