In this episode of the Change It Podcast, host Eloise is joined by globally recognised change leader Melanie Franklin to explore how neuroscience is transforming modern change management.

Together they unpack:
🔹 Why traditional change models are no longer fit for purpose
🔹 How understanding the brain’s need for certainty, autonomy and energy conservation helps us design better change experiences
🔹 The practical application of current neuroscience literature in today’s fast-paced organisations
🔹 The rising role of AI and why human-centred skills like behavioural insight and relationship-building are more important than ever
🔹 How to make change easier to absorb by aligning it with how the brain actually works

Melanie brings clarity, warmth and forward-thinking wisdom to a conversation that feels timely and necessary.

This one’s for anyone leading, delivering or living through change.

In this episode, Eloise is joined by Chelsea Pottenger, founder of EQ Minds and one of Australia’s leading voices in mental wellbeing, to explore the very real impact of burnout in high-performance environments—especially in the world of transformation.

From her own journey through postnatal depression to becoming a global mental fitness advocate, Chelsea brings warmth, wisdom, and deeply practical tools to help us reset our expectations and protect our energy.

Together, we unpack:

• 🔥 How to spot burnout before it takes over

• 🧠 Mental fitness habits to support sustainable high performance

• 🛑 Why breaks aren’t a luxury—they’re essential

• 🧭 How leaders can set the tone for a mentally healthy culture

• 💡 Tactical advice for transformation professionals navigating constant demand

Whether you’re feeling the stretch or leading others through it, this episode offers grounded insight to help you lead well and live well.

⏱ Episode Breakdown
01:32 – Chelsea’s Personal Journey to Mental Fitness
03:51 – Understanding Burnout and Its Early Signs
09:22 – Practical Tools for Sustainable Work
16:10 – Creating a Culture of Wellbeing
21:02 – Implementing Breaks and Recovery Strategies
26:59 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Links:

https://www.eqminds.com/

https://www.amazon.com.au/Mindful-High-Performer-powerful-recharge/dp/1922351946

In part two of this AI special series, Eloise continues the conversation with Paul Gibbons and James Healy, authors of Adopting AI: The People First Approach.

This episode moves from theory to practice: unpacking the key principles and mindsets that enable ethical, effective, and human-led AI adoption in the workplace.

From complexity to behaviour, democracy to ethics, this is a must-listen for change professionals wanting to stay equipped and enabled to shape what comes next.

🔹 Embracing complexity: why neat frameworks won’t cut it🔹 The case for bottom-up adoption and organisational democracy🔹 Why behaviour change, not just tech change, is the game-changer🔹 Creating a culture of experimentation and curiosity🔹 The role of ethics and risk in scaling AI responsibly🔹 What change practitioners must start doing now to stay relevant🔹 Reflections on the global AI landscape and what’s coming downstream

If you haven’t already, be sure to go back and listen to part one: Rethinking Change for the Age of AI with Paul Gibbons and James Healey

And don’t forget to grab a copy of the book Adopting AI and connect with Paul and James on LinkedIn.

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-healy-7ba629167/?originalSubdomain=au

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulggibbons

https://thebehaviourboutique.com/

https://paulgibbons.net/

https://www.amazon.com/Adopting-AI-People-first-Paul-Gibbons/dp/B0F18ZXHKP

In this first episode of a two-part series, Eloise speaks with Paul Gibbons and James Healy, authors of Adopting AI: The People First Approach. Together, they explore why AI demands a radical shift in how we think about change—beyond models, beyond methods, and deep into mindset.

This isn’t about tools—it’s about trust, ethics, risk, and readiness in a world where AI is reshaping everything.

What we cover:

🔹 Why AI is fundamentally different from traditional technology🔹 The flaws in classic change management when it comes to AI🔹 The ethical and accountability challenges leaders can’t ignore🔹 How unpredictability demands new thinking, not just new tools🔹 The personal journey behind writing Adopting AI🔹 Why continuous learning and experimentation are now non-negotiable

This episode sets the stage. Part two dives into the practical principles—so be sure to follow the show so you don’t miss it.

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-healy-7ba629167/?originalSubdomain=au

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulggibbons

https://thebehaviourboutique.com/

https://paulgibbons.net/

https://www.amazon.com/Adopting-AI-People-first-Paul-Gibbons/dp/B0F18ZXHKP

In this episode of the Change It Podcast, Eloise is joined by Esther De la Cruz—thought leader, strategist, and advocate for simplifying the complex. Together, they explore how reducing noise and sharpening focus can drive better outcomes in change.

From cutting through cluttered communication to aligning strategy with narrative, this conversation is a breath of fresh air for anyone feeling overwhelmed by transformation fatigue.

You’ll hear:

• Why simplicity isn’t basic—it’s bold

• How neuroscience supports a simpler approach

• What curiosity has to do with clear thinking

• The role of AI in making change more human

• Practical tips to declutter your change plans and unlock team momentum

If you’ve ever felt bogged down in too many workstreams or buried under buzzwords, this one’s for you.

Links:

https://estherdlc.com/clients/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherdelacruz/?originalSubdomain=au

https://www.instagram.com/estherdlc_com/

https://www.amazon.com.au/Leading-Technology-Driven-Transformation-Financial/dp/0994415524

In this episode, Eloise is joined by the brilliant Rich Batchelor—a seasoned change enablement expert with over 30 years successfully delivering change. He has consulted, coached and educated with organisations across the globe and regularly lends his voice to many educational events, conferences and experiences each year.

From Lego Serious Play to cultural dynamics, Rich brings a refreshing perspective on how to unlock capacity, capability, and creativity in change. Tune in for a vibrant and intimate conversation exploring:

🔹 Rich’s global journey through change
🔹 Capacity vs capability – what's the sweet spot for real enablement?
🔹 The models Rich uses and why they still work in today’s shifting landscape
🔹 Who’s doing change well – big vs small, new vs old organisations
🔹 Why play, curiosity, and self-leadership are game changers
🔹 What you need to start doing differently today as a change practitioner
🔹 Practical advice for building resilience and a mindset that thrives in uncertainty

Whether you're deep in delivery or leading strategy, this episode will leave you inspired to rethink how we enable meaningful, human-centred change

In this episode of the Change It Podcast, I’m joined by Karla Micallef : an experienced and inspiring change leader with a passion for building enterprise-wide change capability that sticks.

We unpack the six key components of change maturity : from strategy and prioritisation to managing the change funnel, using fit-for-purpose frameworks, and embedding change well beyond the core change team.

Karla shares how to engage BAU teams, secure sponsorship, and build a model that balances governance with practicality. She speaks with clarity, calm, and a ton of wisdom — offering up real-world examples and grounded advice that every change leader will relate to.

If you're trying to lift your organisation’s change capability, get leadership buy-in, or move from reactive to strategic change then this one's for you.

🎙️ What we cover:

• Karla’s journey into change management

• What enterprise change capability really means

• The six pillars of change maturity

• How to manage a healthy change funnel

• Engaging BAU in sustainable change

In this episode of the Change It podcast, host Eloise Seidelin is joined by Matt Dragun, founder and managing director at Matae. Matt shares his extensive background in change and transformation management, from project management to executive coaching and building a technology company that’s shaping the future of change.

🚀 What’s in this episode?

🔎 Why listen?If you’re in change management, transformation, or leadership, this episode is packed with practical insights into the future of our industry and how to stay ahead using tools in a changing landscape.

✨ Exclusive for Change It listeners: Matae is offering a free 4-week trial of their Change Workspace v2.0—complete with Change Workspace v2.0 sandbox, your own pre-populated project to play in so you can check-out all the cool features, and you'll will be provided with a free onboarding session from the Matae team so you can get the most out of your trial experience.

Sign up at www.changeworkspace.io/changeit

🎧 Next episode: In two weeks, I’ll be chatting with Karla Micallef about Building Enterprise-Wide Change Capability—what it really takes to embed sustainable transformation.

👂 Listen now and let’s change it together!

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-dragun-1163b54/

matae.io

changeworkspace.io/changeit

Psychosocial risks in the workplace are finally getting the attention they deserve—but what do they really mean, and why does change management play a crucial role?

In this episode ofChange It, I sit down with industry expert Jenn Zuber to unpack the intersection of workplace change, mental health, and evolving legislation. We explore how poor change can drive stress, burnout, and disengagement—and howgood change management can safeguard employees and organisations alike.

We cover:
🔹 What psychosocial risk is (and why it’s often misunderstood)
🔹 How changing legislation is holding organisations accountable
🔹 The risks of bad change—and how to avoid them
🔹 Practical steps to protect your people and your organisation

With new workplace safety laws treating mental health risks as seriously as physical ones, this is a must-listen for change leaders navigating an evolving landscape.

🎧 Tune in now!

Links:

https://www.axiologygroup.com.au/about-us

https://www.axiologygroup.com.au/book-online

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/managing-health-and-safety/mental-health/psychosocial-hazards

www.changeittalent.com

#changeittalent #EloiseSeidelin #JennZuber #Axiology #changemanagement #ChangeLearning #PsychosocialRisk

In this thought-provoking episode of the Change It Podcast, host Eloise Seidelin sits down with Michelle Teunis, an expert in brain-friendly change and neuroscience, to explore the intersection of AI and Human Intelligence (HI) in change management. Together, they dive into the fascinating ways our brains react to change and how understanding these mechanisms can help us design more effective, sustainable change strategies.

Michelle shares her journey into applied neuroscience, unpacking how brain-friendly principles can be applied in personal and professional settings. The conversation covers how to foster emotional regulation, maintain social connection in the workplace, and harness co-intelligence between humans and AI to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Key topics include:

Michelle offers actionable insights for leaders and change practitioners who want to blend cutting-edge AI tools with a human-first approach to drive impactful transformation.

🎧 Tune in for expert advice, fascinating neuroscience, and practical strategies to lead smarter and more connected change initiatives.

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to the Change It Podcast
00:28 Michelle's Journey into Neuroscience
03:16 Applying Neuroscience in Personal Life
07:39 The Four Key Organizing Principles
14:22 Triggers and Responses to Change
18:29 Designing Brain-Friendly Change
25:22 Understanding Immunity to Change
26:30 The Brain as a Prediction Machine
29:54 Comparing Human Brain and AI
34:14 The Role of AI in Enhancing Human Capabilities
37:35 The Risks of Over-Reliance on AI
45:14 Balancing AI and Human Intelligence
46:05 Final Thoughts and Connection

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleteunis/

https://aclinstitute.teachable.com/p/brainfriendlychange

1. Diagnosing your own immunity to change, Kegan and Lahey, 2009: https://mindsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Chapter9.pdf
2. Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett (Cutting Edge Neuroscientist).
- The brain is a prediction machine: https://theknowledge.io/the-prediction-machine/amp/
- The theory of constructed emotion: https://fortelabs.com/blog/how-emotions-are-made/
Highly recommended books written by Lisa:
- 7.5 lessons about the brain.
- How emotions are made.
Dr Brett Kagan and Cortical Labs
- Growing neurons / brain-cells in a dish (synthetic brains and AI): https://corticallabs.medium.com/what-does-it-mean-to-grow-a-mind-5819fcdd8a99
- Merging AI and biology: https://youtu.be/L8tX7kMJDT4?si=4s9EX06Pygwqo72X

Don’t miss this episode filled with insights on the balance between technology and human connection in the ever-changing world of work!