15 Minutes with the Boss

Epizode

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  Chris Judd’s formula for high performance – on and off the field 17.08.2026 20min

  Asked about a pivotal moment in his career, former AFL star Chris Judd is quick to respond: don’t do what everyone else is doing. “[The pivotal moment] was taking complete control over my fitness program,” says Judd. In business, Judd, who is the founder and portfolio manager of Cerutty Macro Fund, a concentrated equities fund that invests primarily in smaller companies, applied the same rule – and it changed the course of his career. On this week's episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out how the former West Coast Eagles captain secured a premiership, two Brownlow Medals and is now tackling the world of small caps. This podcast was sponsored by Aussie Broadband. Further reading: AFL great turned stockpicker Chris Judd just made 20pc returns One of the greatest to play Aussie rules, Judd has kicked off a second career in fund management buying ASX small-cap stocks.  ‘The phone stopped ringing’: How retirement shock hit this Olympian In 2016, former Opals star player and Olympic medallist Lauren Jackson was forced to retire. Since then, her life has taken several turns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  This exec left banking to buy a caravan park. Now he runs an empire 10.08.2026 16min

  "I had everything on the wire, on the line," says Grant Wilckens, remembering when the global financial crisis hit. The chief executive and founder of G'Day Group had started his holiday parks business in 2004 when Lehman Brothers collapsed. "It was probably the hardest I've ever worked, the most stressed I've ever been." On this week's episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the former investment banker to find out how he survived the GFC, the lessons it taught him and how it fundamentally changed his business. This podcast was sponsored by Aussie Broadband. Further reading: The key trait private equity looks for when hiring a CEO Thomson Reuters president Steve Hasker shares HR tips and why the soaring cost of AI tokens might just save your job. Fasting, coffee and no chores: A Young Rich Lister’s success formula Oscar Ledlin reveals the secrets of his success, including where his best ideas come from, his morning routine and the advice he almost always ignores.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How an exercise physiologist designed her ideal workout routine 03.08.2026 16min

  “I've really changed my relationship with exercise over the past few years”, says Katie Lyndon, the chief executive of Exercise and Sports Science Australia. The exercise physiologist has made a conscious effort to shift her mindset around workout routines from something she has to do to something she loves. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with Lyndon to find out how she designed a workout program that provides physical, mental and professional benefits. This podcast was sponsored by Aussie Broadband. Further reading: Inside Ahmed Fahour’s high-performance morning routine The chief executive of Gurner Group and former boss of Australia Post says the way he starts his day has been “transformational”. Morning sun, and eat your vegies first: 19 habits for a healthier life Exercise and nutrition are vital, but which specific habits offer the greatest bang for buck? Five doctors and a physiologist share their top longevity secrets. The 20-minute ‘power’ fix missing from midlife workouts Muscle power helps us perform basic everyday tasks but declines twice as quickly as strength during the ageing process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Thomson Reuters CEO on AI bill shock, career risks and his biggest mistake 27.07.2026 21min

  The president and CEO of Thomson Reuters says the company has had "bill shock this year in the tens of millions of US dollars over and above our budget”. And while Steve Hasker maintains the global technology and information firm, which is valued at $US40 billion ($57 billion), is disciplined financially, the costs are rising. This week, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with Hasker to find out how the company is navigating these technological advancements and the benefits of making career mistakes. This podcast was sponsored by the City of Parramatta. Further reading: AI bill shock: Corporates revolt against costly models AI usage is paid in tokens that represent how difficult a given task is, but the cost per token varies wildly for different models. Five CEOs reveal the best piece of career advice they’ve ever received The start of a new year is an opportunity to set fresh goals, create new routines and map out work objectives. Five business leaders share their morning routines and tips for getting ahead. Use of AI ‘tech stacks’ driving demand for lawyers The more artificial intelligence is used within a law firm, the more professionals are needed to vet the technology’s outputs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Trailer: How I Made It returns July 29 22.07.2026

  How I Made It is back with host Lauren Sams.  Don’t miss season six as we uncover how Australia’s top entrepreneurs built their fortunes and what they learnt along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  ‘The phone stopped ringing’: How retirement shock hit this Olympian 20.07.2026 18min

  In 2016, former Opals star player and Olympic medallist Lauren Jackson was forced to retire. She had had 17 knee operations and could not get on top of her injury. “At that point, I was really aware that my identity as a basketball player was gone,” the now-chief strategy and basketball partnerships officer for the WNBL Australia recalls. Since then, Jackson’s life on and off the court has taken several turns. In this week's episode, the former basketball player tells BOSS editor Sally Patten about the challenges she faced when she retired for the first and second time, and how she forged a new career path after exiting the sport. This podcast was sponsored by the City of Parramatta. Further reading: Ex-Opals star on the secret weapon transforming women’s sport Lauren Jackson is now leading strategy for the Womenʼs National Basketball League and she has a front-row seat to the money flowing into the game. How this four-time Olympian and CEO handles high-stress situations From injury heartbreak to Earthletica co-founder, Bronte Campbell shares the radical shift in goal-setting that fuelled her transition from elite sport to start-up. Basketball-playing MD: ‘We get hit in the face and we get back up again’ Humanity Health Group’s Dr Kylie Henderson has been playing the sport since primary school. Here’s how the game has shaped her management style. She answers our Time Out Q&A.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Fasting, coffee and no chores: A Young Rich Lister’s success formula 13.07.2026 18min

  Oscar Ledlin is just 34 years old, but last year he was ranked number 55 on the Financial Review Young Rich List with a fortune valued at $123 million. The founder and chief executive of the Ledlin Group started the company after seeing a gap in the market for small commercial properties during the e-commerce boom. In this episode, the property entrepreneur sits down with BOSS editor Sally Patten and reveals the secrets to his success, including where his best ideas come from and the piece of advice he almost always ignores. This podcast was sponsored by the City of Parramatta. Further reading: Young property entrepreneur gets set in green concrete start-up Oscar Ledlin, who ranks number 55 on the Young Rich List, has launched a company specialising in sustainable concrete production, with ambitions to IPO. This developer cracked the Young Rich List by making warehouses sexy Oscar Ledlin has tapped into the Instagram generation to build his fast-growing commercial property empire, but there have been stumbles along the way. Billionaire property whisperer Monika Tu spills her secrets Ready to retire at 45, everything changed for this immigrant from humble beginnings when she met her third husband – and discovered her purpose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Why this expert thinks communication is ‘going down the gurgler’ 06.07.2026 18min

  Communications expert Louise Mahler has spent years helping leaders gain confidence, presence, and influence in the way they communicate. However, since the pandemic and the rapid increase of online platforms, Mahler believes people are losing the ability to engage with audiences. But she's hopeful that connection can be restored. On this week's episode, the former opera singers reveals her top public speaking tips to BOSS editor Sally Patten. This podcast was sponsored by the City of Parramatta. Further reading: Want to be better at public speaking? NIDA’s CEO shares her tips Chief executive Liz Hughes has a few secrets when she is preparing a speech, such as leaving marks to show the parts that need to be delivered with high energy.  The speaking tips these execs use to own the room, and get ahead Female executives suffer from a “gravitas gap” but some are learning to project greater confidence and authority, helping them to move up the corporate ladder. ‘I’d lost my identity.’ How this exec recovered from redundancy A new coach, hypnotist and Hollywood movie helped Allison Rossiter tackle one of her biggest fears. Now, the Novartis president shares how they can help you too.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  This Four Pillars Gin co-founder is taking on whisky – and the ASX 29.06.2026 18min

  Stuart Gregor has always been a keen storyteller. From his first job working in journalism as a copy boy to co-founding craft gin brand Four Pillars, this entrepreneur has used his skills to build brands and their narratives. Now the chief executive of ASX-listed Lark Distillery, the whisky boss is having to tell a new type of story to analysts and fund managers. In this week's episode, Gregor tells BOSS editor Sally Patten about the various challenges of speaking to consumers, the industry and now the market. Further reading: Whisky maker Lark hires Four Pillars Gin co-founder as CEO The Tasmanian company’s product will be in 700-millilitre bottles for the first time in 33 years as it tackles global brands such as Johnnie Walker. Four Pillars Gin sold to XXXX’s Japanese owner The brewing giant behind names such as Furphy and Little Creatures has snapped up the other half of the distiller for an estimated $50 million. He may not be a ‘whisky guy’, but Larry Emdur’s single malt is good as gold It began as a bit of birthday fun for the TV personality, but in just two years, The Ben Buckler has become a multi-award-winning brand with an impressive new CEO.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Ask about WFH and you’ll get dropped from shortlist, headhunter warns 22.06.2026 17min

  “We’ve had a number of years when there was a huge emphasis on people’s work-life balance. Now it’s about performance,” says Chris Karagounis. The managing director at executive search firm Alex Kaar says working in the office allows budding leaders to contribute to the culture and community, and to keep learning. And if they're not there, then they risk falling behind. On this week's episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out from the corporate headhunter what it takes to be a senior leader today, and how aspiring executives should approach issues such as working from home and artificial intelligence. Further reading: Four steps to land your first board position The step into the boardroom is an important milestone, and something many ambitious professionals dream about. But how do you make it happen? How I convinced Kerry Packer he should hire me Mary Wooldridge, outgoing CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, worked for the media tycoon in the late 1990s. She’s used some of the skills she learnt ever since. Why job seekers looking for $200k-plus roles should be worried  After taking a break from her exec role, Diedre Hosking returned to a market offering $100,000 less, as firms swap veterans for cheaper, AI-literate juniors.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How the death of her husband changed this exec’s career forever 15.06.2026 17min

  When Sharon Pickering’s husband died, she realised she needed to choose where she directed her energy and focus on what mattered to her. After years of being a dedicated scholar, the academic made a decision that would set her on a path to becoming the vice chancellor of Monash University. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the university boss to find out how a new role shifted Pickering’s career to one of leadership. Further reading: ‘I’d lost my identity.’ How this exec recovered from redundancy A new coach, hypnotist and Hollywood movie helped Allison Rossiter tackle one of her biggest fears. Now, the Novartis president shares how they can help you too. Meet the researchers tackling big problems Combining knowledge and expertise across disciplines is the new face of successful research in the university sector. The move this MD calls ‘extremely hard, but I’ve never looked back’ T2 Tea managing director Christelle Young finds that by cutting out reading, writing and talking first thing in the morning, it sets up her day in the right way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How this CEO changed his leadership style for the sake of top performers 08.06.2026 19min

  Procter & Gamble’s Australian chief executive, Neal Reed, has been with the global manufacturer for 30 years. The company behind household brands such as Pampers nappies, Gillette razors and Pantene and Head & Shoulders shampoos has long been committed to finding and developing top talent. But as the CEO has discovered, the strategy presents a temptation to push high performers too hard.  On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out how this P&G boss learnt he was overburdening senior leaders. Further reading: Why this CEO gets his advice from the 20-somethings in the office As Gen Z swells to a third of the workforce, P&G’s Australia-New Zealand CEO Neal Reed says reverse mentorship keeps him connected, skilled up and relevant. ‘I didn’t realise how far gone I was’: How this CEO survived burnout Jess Saxby, chief executive of Banjo’s Bakery Cafes, couldn’t stop. She was always chasing the next thing. Until she couldn’t any more. ‘Do you have five?’: This CEO’s trick for managing staff requests Stefan Leitl, vice president for Australia and New Zealand at Cisco, has to juggle family with fitting into the working hours of the US. Here’s how he does it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Neil Perry opens up about the high cost of overspending 01.06.2026 17min

  He’s one of Australia’s most influential chefs and restaurateurs. But when Neil Perry was faced with the closure of his restaurant, Song Bird, he realised he’d broken his most important rule. “You've always got to be prepared to walk away," Perry says. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out what went wrong with the Double Bay restaurant, and what he’s learnt as the culinary giant prepares to open Pizzeria Spotto.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Why this smartphone boss called time on saying yes to everything 25.05.2026 18min

  Praveena Raman, the head of Motorola in Australia and New Zealand, is a self-described yes person.  At the start of her career as an engineer, the “say yes to everything” mindset opened doors to pivotal opportunities that would set her on the path to becoming an executive. But a crucial piece of advice also made the smartphone boss realise the importance of saying no. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the country head of the eighth-largest smartphone manufacturer globally to find out why she decided to shift her mindset.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  What this CEO of a drinks company learnt from the tech industry 18.05.2026 19min

  One of Anubha Sahasrabuddhe’s proudest moments was getting Chinese consumers to drink Coca-Cola – and lots of it. Earlier in her career, Sahasrabuddhe, now the chief executive of brewing giant Lion, was asked to go to China in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics and take on the competition, Pepsi. Sahasrabuddhe’s stint was a success, but there were also failures. The experience led the chief executive to adopt a strategy she says the tech industry has mastered. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the boss of Australia’s second biggest brewing company to find out how past mistakes have shaped future wins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  What this executive learnt from working for Kerry Packer 11.05.2026 21min

  Mary Wooldridge, the outgoing chief executive of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, worked for the media tycoon in the late 1990s.  While her time at Kerry Packer's company, Consolidated Press Holdings, taught her some invaluable skills, Wooldridge found it unmotivating. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out why the former politician traded a Packer deal-making role for public policy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  This exec was terrified of public speaking, but now she loves it 04.05.2026 20min

  When Allison Rossiter was offered a dream job, she had just one hesitation: she was terrified of public speaking. But not wanting to walk away from the opportunity, the budding executive asked for a public speaking coach. On this week’s episode, the president for Novartis in Australia and New Zealand tells BOSS editor Sally Patten how a new coach, a hypnotist and a Hollywood movie helped her tackle one of her biggest fears.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Why Vivid’s festival director won’t be reading any reviews 27.04.2026 20min

  For any arts production, reviews are a crucial metric of success. But for Brett Sheehy, what the critics have to say means very little. For him, it’s all about the audience. On this week’s episode, Vivid Sydney's festival director tells BOSS editor Sally Patten how he's determined his own way of measuring success.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Don't ask about WFH: This top exec’s guide to job interviews 20.04.2026 20min

  As the managing director of Franklin Templeton in Australia and New Zealand, Felicity Walsh has done her fair share of job interviews. In that time, the local head of the global asset manager has figured out what candidates should – and should not – do during the process. This week, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the top executive to find out her tips on researching prospective employers and potential interviewees, and when to ask about working from home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Inside Ahmed Fahour’s high-performance morning routine 13.04.2026 22min

  The chief executive of Gurner Group and former boss of Australia Post says his morning routine has been transformational. Ahmed Fahour says he now thinks more clearly, has lost 13 kilograms over the past two years and has discovered the best productivity hack: sleep. On this week's episode, the top executive tells BOSS editor Sally Patten how a new start to the day has helped drive high performance at work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.