For almost two decades, Lana Jones was a principal dancer at the Australian Ballet, celebrated for lead roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Sleeping Beauty. And still, she was told she was “too strong”. After an illustrious career, Jones stepped away from the spotlight to retrain as a midwife. In this episode, Lana joins Briana Blackett to discuss how being “too strong” has helped her soar – from the stage to the delivery room.

• Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
• Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From styling hair to fighting crime, Detective Senior Sergeant Leemara Fairgrieve made quite the switch when she left hairdressing to join Victoria Police. These days, she’s busting major drug syndicates and rising through the ranks. But while she’s tough on crime, Leemara admits she can be tough on herself, and at times, ‘too accommodating’. In this episode, Leemara joins Briana Blackett to discuss how her softer side actually helped her build trust, discover her passion, and find success in her role as a police officer.

• Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
• Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. 

Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You shortcut to this season's top leadership advice... 

Over the summer, we're playing a special series containing season five's most interesting and practical leadership advice. Each episode revolves around a single question. This week it's: Imagine you are the Prime Minister, what is the one thing you would change? 

You'll hear from Director of the Australian-Geospatial Intelligence Organisation Kathryn McMullan, Fair Futures Founder Fiona David, reputational risk lawyer Rebekah Giles and executive communications coach Kate Mason. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carla Zampatti’s daughter, self-confessed nerd Allegra Spender, never saw herself as a natural fit to lead her late mother’s fashion empire. But that’s where she ended up, before a runway-worthy career-pivot which saw her ride the Teal wave into federal politics. In this episode, Allegra joins Briana Blackett to discuss how being “too nerdy” helped her break the mould in fashion, her switch from colour palettes to politics – and why playing to your strengths is the key to every professional pivot. 

• Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
• Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're revisiting our interview with newly minted Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg. 

Bennell-Pegg is Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space Agency, and the first person to train as an astronaut under the Australian flag. Back in 2024. she spoke with Helen McCabe about her remarkable career, imposter syndrome and whether grit is more important than talent.

• Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You shortcut to this season's top leadership advice... 

Over the summer, we're playing a special series containing season five's most interesting and practical leadership advice. Each episode revolves around a single question. This week it's: tell me about your biggest leadership failure and what you learned from it? 

You'll hear from Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley, former Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka, Director of the Australian-Geospatial Intelligence Organisation Kathryn McMullan, University of Sydney Vice Chancellor Mark Scott and Australian fashion industry leader Kellie Hush.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You shortcut to this season's top leadership advice... 

Over the summer, we're playing a special series containing season five's most interesting and practical leadership advice. Each episode revolves around a single question. First up: What's the best piece of career feedback you've received? 

You'll hear from CBRE's Natalie Slessor, Senator Jane Hume, CEO of the Group of Eight Universities Vicki Thompson and executive communications coach Kate Mason. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How often have you thought about your leadership values? Well, what if you flipped that and started thinking in terms of anti-values? 

Georgie Holt is the CEO of media start-up Flight Story - the powerhouse behind the Diary of a CEO podcast. She's also spoken a lot recently about AI and her efforts to see if she, as CEO, can remove large parts of her role. 

In this episode, she speaks about building a culture based on "founder mentality", AI and the idea that a business shouldn’t just have values - it should also have anti values.

• Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can the corporate world learn about leadership from elite sports teams? 

All AFL fans will recognise the name Paul Roos. He was a legendary coach and player who is perhaps best known for ending the Sydney Swan's 72 year premiership drought. But his leadership insights extend well beyond the pinnacles of elite sport.

Today Paul heads a company called Performance by Design, dedicated to improving leadership in the corporate sector. In this episode, he shares his secrets on how to systemise a winning culture and build a team. 

• Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're revisiting one of our favourite FW Leadership Series episodes. 

Do you ever feel shackled by the expectation to be 'polite'? Wendy McCarthy is one of Australia’s leading feminists, businesswomen, activists, and a best-selling author. In this discussion with Helen McCabe, Wendy shares the many lessons she's learned about life, love and leadership.

• Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.