Future Fit Leadership

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Welcome to Future Fit Leadership a podcast for emerging and experienced leaders to learn, grow and become future fit!  There has been a global shift in how we lead people. Traditional models are being challenged, and our workplaces are now dynamic.  In this podcast you will hear and connect with leaders, CEO’s and change makers who will challenge the status quo and share their future ready strategies to unlock your growth.  No matter where you are on your leadership journey this podcast will give you practical ideas and tools to help you think outside the square and become a change maker in your industry.  Future Fit leadership is your place for bite sized learning, for time poor executives. Contact Sadhana Smiles via email: sadhanasmiles@realchange.com.au  Or connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/ 

  1. The Power of Storytelling in Leadership Communication with Carmen Sederino

    1D AGO

    The Power of Storytelling in Leadership Communication with Carmen Sederino

    What makes a message land? In this episode, I sit down with Carmen Sederino, founder of Illuminated Story, to explore why storytelling is one of the most underused leadership skills today. Carmen brings a rare perspective. With a background in performing arts and nearly two decades in corporate leadership, she works with CEOs and executives to strengthen how they communicate when it matters most. We talk about the gap between delivering information and actually connecting with people. Why data alone rarely sticks. And how leaders can use story, presence, and energy to bring their message to life. This is a practical conversation on executive presence, communication under pressure, and how to move from simply presenting information to creating real impact. If you lead people, present often, or carry responsibility for communicating change, this episode will give you a clearer way forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min
  2. From Breakdown to Purpose: James Chisholm's New Lens on Leadership

    MAR 22

    From Breakdown to Purpose: James Chisholm's New Lens on Leadership

    In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with James Chisholm, co-founder of Peeplcoach, for a conversation that goes well beyond traditional leadership advice. James shares his journey from leading in a global corporate environment to experiencing a mental health breakdown that forced him to step back and reassess everything. What emerges is not a story of failure, but one of clarity. A shift from chasing results at all costs to building leadership that is human, sustainable and grounded in purpose. We talk about the reality many leaders don’t speak about. Burnout that goes unnoticed. Cultures where people stay silent. And the pressure to perform that quietly ties self-worth to outcomes. James challenges the way we think about resilience. Not as pushing through at any cost, but as self-management. Knowing when to step forward, when to slow down, and when to ask for help. We also explore what leadership needs to look like now. Empathy not as a soft skill, but a commercial one. Coaching not reserved for executives, but essential for emerging leaders. And the growing expectation that people can show up as themselves at work without judgement. There’s a clear message in this conversation. The old playbook is no longer enough. Human-centred leadership is not optional. It is what will define the organisations that attract, retain and grow the best people. If you lead people, or aspire to, this is a conversation worth your time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min
  3. Leading in a World of Robots, Risk and Rapid Change with Sue Keay

    MAR 15

    Leading in a World of Robots, Risk and Rapid Change with Sue Keay

    What does leadership look like in a world where robots inspect our infrastructure, AI shapes our healthcare, and automation transforms entire industries? In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Dr Sue Keay, one of Australia’s leading voices in robotics, AI ethics and the future of work. Sue began her career as a geologist before moving into robotics and commercialisation, eventually leading major national initiatives in robotic vision and cyber physical systems. We discuss Australia’s unexpected global strengths in field robotics, from automated ports to autonomous mining vehicles, and why we risk losing our competitive edge if we continue to export our best talent. Sue shares her perspective on AI adoption in Australian workplaces, the growing divide between early adopters and those resistant to change, and why AI literacy is becoming a non-negotiable leadership capability. We also explore ethical accountability in AI systems, the importance of keeping humans in the loop, and how robotics can support climate resilience, disaster response and personalised healthcare. And in a powerful discussion on diversity in STEM, Sue speaks candidly about structural barriers for women in technology and why future systems must be shaped by diverse voices. Her three words for a future fit leader? Curious, kind and authentic. This is a practical, forward-looking conversation for leaders navigating rapid technological change and wanting to stay ahead of what’s coming next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    52 min
  4. Where We're Failing: A Frank Conversation on Domestic Violence Prevention with Cassandra Kalpaxis

    MAR 8

    Where We're Failing: A Frank Conversation on Domestic Violence Prevention with Cassandra Kalpaxis

    Domestic violence is not a fringe issue. It is not a private matter. And it is not someone else’s problem. In this episode, I sit down with family lawyer Cassandra Kalpaxis for a direct and deeply confronting conversation about domestic and family violence in Australia. Cassandra shares that in her practice, around 95 percent of her cases now involve domestic violence. Not always physical. Often invisible. Coercive control. Financial abuse. Psychological harm that slowly strips away identity and autonomy. We discuss the warning signs many people miss, what meaningful support actually looks like, and why pressure can push survivors further into danger rather than towards safety. We explore where our systems are falling short, from policing to prevention, and the accountability that sits not just with government, but with workplaces, leaders, communities and men. As International Women’s Day calls us to Balance the Scale, this episode asks a harder question. Where are we still failing? And what responsibility do we each carry to change it? If you need support, confidential help is available through 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 8m
  5. How Do We Balance the Scale When the World Isn’t Balanced? International Women's Day Special

    MAR 7

    How Do We Balance the Scale When the World Isn’t Balanced? International Women's Day Special

    In this solo episode of Future Fit Leadership, Sadhana Smiles steps into the conversation herself.  In this special International Women’s Day episode of Future Fit Leadership, Sadhana Smiles offers a candid reflection on the 2026 theme Balance the Scale and what it means in the world we are navigating today. For several years, Sadhana stepped back from celebrating International Women’s Day, not because progress has not been made, but because progress has not moved fast enough. In Australia, one woman a week is killed through domestic and family violence. Women retire with significantly less superannuation than men, and older women are the fastest growing cohort experiencing homelessness. If balance is the goal, it suggests something remains out of alignment. This episode explores the role leaders play in correcting that imbalance through policy, culture and accountability. Because balance is not symbolic. It is structural. And it requires action. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    12 min
  6. Beyond the School Gate: The Fight Against Bullying and the Power of Community with Phillip Heath

    MAR 1

    Beyond the School Gate: The Fight Against Bullying and the Power of Community with Phillip Heath

    In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Phillip Heath, Head of Barker College, to explore what it truly means to lead a school community in a rapidly changing world. With more than three decades in education, Phillip shares his vision for future-ready learning — one that goes beyond academic results to shape young people of character, courage and compassion. We talk about digital literacy, global citizenship, Indigenous partnerships, and the role schools play in preparing students not just for work, but for life. One of the most powerful parts of our conversation centres on bullying - how it shows up in modern school environments, the impact of social media, and the responsibility leaders carry in creating cultures where every student feels safe, known and valued. Phillip speaks candidly about the need for proactive leadership, strong community partnerships, and embedding respect as a lived practice, not just a policy. This is a thoughtful and timely conversation about education, responsibility, and the kind of leadership our young people need now more than ever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min
  7. Why CEO's Fail and Succeed: Insights from Kate Mason

    FEB 22

    Why CEO's Fail and Succeed: Insights from Kate Mason

    What does it really take to succeed as a CEO today and what does it take to leave a legacy that lasts? In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I’m joined by the brilliant Kate Mason, a trusted advisor to CEOs, boards, and executive teams across some of the most complex organisations in Australia and globally. Kate shares what she’s seeing at the top of organisations right now. How CEO pathways are changing. Why diverse experience matters more than ever. And why the most successful leaders know they cannot, and should not, do it alone. We talk candidly about the CEO–board relationship, where trust is built or quietly eroded, the rookie mistakes that derail succession planning, and why starting that conversation too late is one of the biggest risks businesses take. Kate also unpacks the idea of the “glass cliff”, how leaders can assess whether someone is truly ready for the next role, and the question she always asks: how far down the runway are they? This is a practical, honest conversation about leadership at the top. About empathy, adaptability, forward thinking, and keeping the human at the centre of decision making in an environment that keeps shifting. If you are a CEO, an aspiring leader, a board member, or someone thinking seriously about what the next generation of leadership should look like, this conversation is for you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min
  8. The Human Edge - Rethinking Critical Thinking in an AI World with Bethan Winn

    FEB 15

    The Human Edge - Rethinking Critical Thinking in an AI World with Bethan Winn

    In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I’m joined by educator, speaker and author Bethan Winn for a timely and thoughtful conversation about critical thinking in an age shaped by AI, speed and constant information overload. Bethan’s journey began in a small Welsh town, grounded in language, community and curiosity, before taking her from teaching in London to building a new life and career in Australia. What started as a one year adventure became a long term commitment to education, learning and helping others think more clearly. A personal health scare in 2019 became a turning point, prompting Bethan to step away from traditional roles and focus on the work she now does so powerfully, helping leaders, teams and organisations strengthen judgement, curiosity and courage. We explore the ideas behind her book The Human Edge: Critical Thinking in the Age of AI, including what critical thinking really means beyond the buzzwords, how AI is subtly reshaping the way we process information, and the early warning signs leaders should watch for when thinking starts to slip. Bethan shares practical frameworks, real world examples and a deeply human perspective on why experience, reflection and dialogue still matter. This conversation is for leaders navigating complexity, change and technology, and for anyone who wants to think well, lead well and stay human in the process. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min
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About

Welcome to Future Fit Leadership a podcast for emerging and experienced leaders to learn, grow and become future fit!  There has been a global shift in how we lead people. Traditional models are being challenged, and our workplaces are now dynamic.  In this podcast you will hear and connect with leaders, CEO’s and change makers who will challenge the status quo and share their future ready strategies to unlock your growth.  No matter where you are on your leadership journey this podcast will give you practical ideas and tools to help you think outside the square and become a change maker in your industry.  Future Fit leadership is your place for bite sized learning, for time poor executives. Contact Sadhana Smiles via email: sadhanasmiles@realchange.com.au  Or connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/ 

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