15 Minutes with the Boss

Епизоди

• This Four Pillars Gin co-founder is taking on whisky – and the ASX 29.06.2026 18мин

  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.
• Ask about WFH and you’ll get dropped from shortlist, headhunter warns 22.06.2026 17мин

  “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.
• How the death of her husband changed this exec’s career forever 15.06.2026 17мин

  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.
• How this CEO changed his leadership style for the sake of top performers 08.06.2026 19мин

  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.
• Neil Perry opens up about the high cost of overspending 01.06.2026 17мин

  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.
• Why this smartphone boss called time on saying yes to everything 25.05.2026 18мин

  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.
• What this CEO of a drinks company learnt from the tech industry 18.05.2026 19мин

  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.
• What this executive learnt from working for Kerry Packer 11.05.2026 21мин

  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.
• This exec was terrified of public speaking, but now she loves it 04.05.2026 20мин

  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.
• Why Vivid’s festival director won’t be reading any reviews 27.04.2026 20мин

  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.
• Don't ask about WFH: This top exec’s guide to job interviews 20.04.2026 20мин

  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.
• Inside Ahmed Fahour’s high-performance morning routine 13.04.2026 22мин

  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.
• Why the CEO of BMW Australia wants you to take a ‘sleep test’ 06.04.2026 17мин

  Vikram Pawah has loved cars since he was a child. Or more specifically, engines. From Honda to Harley Davidson and now BMW, the chief executive has worked for some of the biggest car and motorcycle brands in the world. And it was through motorcycle riding that the luxury car company CEO learnt how to avoid making rash decisions: “Sometimes what your reflex is telling you is the wrong thing in motorcycle riding – it might make you crash.” On this week’s episode, the CEO of BMW in Australia and New Zealand sits down with BOSS editor Sally Patten to explain how the “sleep test” helps him make tough decisions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• ‘I didn’t realise how far gone I was’: How this CEO survived burnout 30.03.2026 16мин

  When Jess Saxby became the chief executive of Banjo’s Bakery Cafes, she went "hell for leather". Taking over the family business, the new CEO was always chasing the next big thing for the chain. Until she realised she couldn't switch off. On this week's episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the bakery boss to find out how Saxby overcame burnout and the boundaries she's put in place since.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Subway CEO shares secret to growing Australia’s largest fast-food chain 23.03.2026 17мин

  Turning around a business never comes down to just one thing, says Shane Bracken.  The chief executive of Subway in Australia and New Zealand believes three key steps have been critical to expanding the sandwich brand across the country. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out how this CEO continues to grow the largest fast-food chain in Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Ruslan Kogan says he’s made many mistakes. But this one stands out 16.03.2026 16мин

  The founder of online retailer Kogan.com firmly believes that mistakes are an “additional asset” that any company can learn from. But the entrepreneur says there was one “existential mistake” he made that stands out. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the chief executive to find out how he came to value decision-making and the missteps along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• What being made redundant taught this CEO about leadership 09.03.2026 18мин

  Lisa Chiba’s first executive role was “a bit of a rollercoaster”.  After starting in the role of customer service director, the company entered a divestment process – making the entire workforce redundant.  It was an experience that would give the now-Momentum Energy CEO some of big lessons on communication and transparency. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the chief executive to find out about the skills that helped Chiba navigate the path to executive leadership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Judo Bank founder reveals the biggest mistake a CEO can make 02.03.2026 18мин

  When it comes to banking, Joseph Healy has seen it all.  After a long career holding executive positions at NAB, ANZ and Citi, the high-profile banker co-founded Australia’s first fintech unicorn, Judo Bank. And beyond the world of financial services, the chief executive also started mental health group Malu Health last year. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out what drives this CEO and the most valuable lessons he’s learnt along the way. This podcast was sponsored by Aussie Broadband.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Why this CEO believes she should’ve spoken up more early in her career 23.02.2026 17мин

  Art Gallery of NSW director Maud Page says one of her biggest failures was not speaking up enough early in her career. “I’ve always spoken up if I thought there was an injustice, but one that I feel was a failure was when I fell pregnant," the gallery's chief executive says. On this week's episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with Page to find out about the early challenges she faced before taking on the state's top arts job – and the ones she's navigated since. This podcast was sponsored by Aussie Broadband.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• The promotion that set Orica’s CEO on a path to running the $12b giant 16.02.2026 17мин

  When Sanjeev Gandhi was called into the office of German chemical company BASF’s managing director, the young salesman was “tentative and concerned”. It was a meeting that would go on to change the course of his career. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the CEO of mining services giant Orica to find out how an unexpected opportunity paved the way to executive leadership. This week’s episode was sponsored by Aussie Broadband.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.