Leading You

In this episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde is joined by Preeti Inchody for a deeply human conversation about what happens when life interrupts momentum and forces an unexpected pause.

Preeti is an accomplished M&A advisor, known for operating at pace, leading with precision, and managing complexity with confidence. A simple accident during a family holiday changed everything. A fall resulted in multiple fractures, surgeries, and a long period of immobility that brought her professional and personal life to a sudden halt.

This conversation explores what unfolded beyond the physical recovery. The shock of losing independence. The mental and emotional weight of slowing down when you are used to moving fast. The identity shift that occurs when productivity, control, and capability are stripped away.

Julie and Preeti talk openly about surrendering control, asking for help, and navigating a season that could not be rushed or fixed. They also explore the unexpected clarity that emerged. A reassessment of boundaries. A quieter but stronger form of leadership. And a shift from proving to trusting.

This episode is not about crisis or drama. It’s about awareness. It invites reflection on the pace we keep, the assumptions we make about strength, and what becomes possible when we listen before life forces us to.

Conversation Talking Points

• A moment that instantly changed the pace of life
• Navigating shock, fear, and uncertainty
• The emotional impact of losing independence
• Identity when productivity is removed
• Letting go of control and accepting help
• Leadership during forced stillness
• Boundaries, clarity, and recalibration
• What slower seasons reveal about what matters

 

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction
01:05 Meet Preeti Inchody
03:10 The accident that changed everything
06:00 Facing the reality of surgeries and recovery
08:50 The struggle with acceptance
12:30 Losing independence and asking for help
15:40 Reworking routine and mindset
18:50 Letting go of control and trusting others
23:30 How leadership shifted in this season
27:20 Rediscovering intuition and clarity
31:10 Boundaries, ambition, and identity
35:20 Reflections for women who feel they cannot slow down
38:00 Final reflections
40:20 Episode wrap-up

 

Links:
Learn more about my group coaching program here

 

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

 

Connect with Preeti:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/preetiinchody/

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde is joined by former professional surfer and mental health advocate Cooper Chapman, founder of The Good Human Factory, for a grounded and practical conversation about mental health, resilience, and leadership in a high-pressure world.

Cooper shares how personal loss, family experience, and years as an elite athlete shaped his commitment to mental health education. What began as a small school initiative has grown into a global wellbeing movement, a bestselling book (The 1% Good Club), corporate programs, and an invitation to speak at the United Nations.

Together, Julie and Cooper explore why mental health is not something to fix when life falls apart, but something to strengthen daily through small, intentional habits. They unpack the power of the 1% rule. Just 14 minutes a day dedicated to mental wellbeing can significantly shift how leaders manage pressure, ambition, burnout, and identity.

This episode dives into the link between self-leadership and mental resilience, the danger of tying identity to performance, and why adaptability, self-kindness, connection, and time in nature are essential practices for modern leaders. Cooper also reflects on what surfing taught him about failure, emotional regulation, and staying grounded when things do not go to plan.

If you are a leader, high performer, or ambitious professional looking to build sustainable mental strength heading into 2026, this conversation offers perspective, calm, and practical insight without overwhelm.

Topics Covered in This Episode

• Mental health and leadership in high-pressure environments
• The 1% rule and daily mental wellbeing habits
• Burnout, ambition, and identity
• Self-leadership and emotional resilience
• Failure, adaptability, and performance
• Mindfulness, gratitude, and micro habits
• The role of nature and connection in mental health
• Building mental strength before crisis hits

 

Time Stamps

00:00 Welcome and introduction
01:05 Cooper’s background and early experiences with mental health
04:20 How family loss shaped his interest in wellbeing
07:30 The moment that sparked The Good Human Factory
10:40 Building workshops, podcasting and educating thousands
13:20 How The 1% Good Club was born
17:50 Why 14 minutes a day can change your mental health
20:10 Leadership, identity and the danger of tying worth to performance
23:40 What surfing taught Cooper about failure and adaptability
28:40 Self-talk, kindness and the relationship inside your head
32:00 Ambition vs self-destruction and where people cross the line
36:50 Habits that support mental resilience
40:20 Nature, grounding and nervous system regulation
43:30 The one behaviour people need to stop
47:20 Small shifts and the power of 1%
49:50 Final reflections and where to find Cooper’s work
51:00 Outro and call to review the podcast

 

Links

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

 

Connect with Cooper:
Website: https://www.thegoodhumanfactory.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooperchapman/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cooper-chapman-08a278151/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the first episode of Leading You for 2026. This episode invites you to pause before you plan and intentionally design how you want to lead yourself into the new year.

January offers a rare moment of stillness — quieter, slower mornings and the chance to breathe before the pace accelerates. It’s the ideal time to reset your mindset, reconnect with what matters and create a vision for the year that feels aligned, spacious and purposeful.

Rather than rushing into goals or structure, this episode focuses on intention. You’ll hear how I create my own 2026 “canvas” using colour, space and symbolism, and why I’ve shifted from choosing a single word to anchoring myself with a guiding statement. This approach helps you show up with clarity, confidence and calm, especially as the world continues to shift rapidly through technology, AI and rising expectations.

Across the conversation, I share five powerful questions to help you design your year with intention, deepen your self-awareness and strengthen your self-leadership. These questions will support you to reconnect with your values, focus your energy and make choices that align with the woman and leader you want to become.

If you want 2026 to feel more grounded and more meaningful, this episode gives you the framework to start.

Key Takeaways

• January is the perfect pause to reset, breathe and reconnect before the year begins in full.
• Your 2026 “canvas” reflects who you choose to be, not just what you plan to do.
• A guiding sentence can anchor your behaviour more powerfully than a single word.
• White space matters - in your schedule, in your thinking and in your leadership.
• Self-leadership is essential as the world accelerates through AI and constant change.
• Asking intentional questions expands clarity without overwhelm.

 

Time Stamps

00:00 Welcome to 2026
01:00 What’s coming on the podcast this January
02:40 Why early January is a powerful pause
05:10 Using the “canvas” metaphor for the year ahead
06:45 How I choose my colours and what they represent
09:20 The importance of white space and pausing
12:05 Why I’m choosing a statement instead of a word this year
14:30 Examples of empowering intentions for 2026
17:20 Five reflective questions to shape your year
20:45 Why self-leadership matters more than ever
22:10 Final reflections and your invitation to create your statement
23:30 Closing and what’s coming next

 

Links

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, I’m sharing the audio replay of my live masterclass, The Courage to Be the CEO of You.

This session explores why capable, high-performing people can still feel stuck, overlooked, or out of alignment — and how courage, perspective, and self-leadership play a critical role in moving forward.

Originally created with women in mind, this conversation quickly proved to be relevant across genders. In fact, we had men attend the live masterclass as well, and the frameworks and reflections landed just as strongly.

Leadership, clarity, and courage are not gender-specific skills. They’re human ones.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

In this masterclass, I unpack:

• Why “feeling stuck” is often a signal, not a failure
• How disconnection from values, voice, and perspective — quietly erodes confidence
• The Ladder Model, a simple way to reflect on how you’re currently leading yourself
• The CEO of You framework, and what it means to take ownership of your choices
• Why courage isn’t about bold moves, but about choosing differently — consistently
• The role perspective plays in clarity, decision-making, and presence

This isn’t about fixing yourself or doing more.
It’s about creating space to think, reflect, and lead yourself with intention.

Who This Episode Is For

This episode will resonate if you:

• Are in a leadership, professional, or business role
• Feel capable, yet under-recognised or slightly off-track
• Are navigating change, pressure, or a next chapter
• Want to lead with more clarity and less reactivity
• Are ready to pause, reassess, and choose with purpose

Want to Watch the Masterclass?

This was originally delivered as a visual masterclass, and you’ll hear references to the Ladder Model and the CEO of You diagram throughout the session.

If you’d like to watch the full masterclass with slides, the replay is available until 31 January 2026.

👉 Here is the link
Passcode: WsiFws8?

Going Deeper

If this conversation resonates and you’d like more structured, supported work around self-leadership, clarity, and positioning, you can also explore the Unstoppable You Mastermind™.

Leadership isn’t about doing more.
It’s about choosing differently.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As 2025 draws to a close, this episode is your invitation to pause. To breathe. To look back on a year that may have challenged, stretched, and refined you, and to extract the gold that will set the direction for how you lead in 2026.

Julie shares her biggest lessons from what she calls a refiner’s year. A year that stripped back, clarified, and rebuilt how she leads, works, and lives. From redefining her business model, to launching Lead.Her Collective, to stepping into deeper alignment through Human Design, this is not a recap. It is a debrief. One rooted in awareness, not hustle.

This episode walks you through 10 powerful reflective questions designed to help you unpack what truly mattered in 2025, and to consciously choose what you will carry forward into 2026. These are not achievement-based questions. They are alignment questions.

Perfect for leaders, business owners, and high-performing women who have spent the year holding it all together and are now ready to finish it clear, grounded, and intentional about what comes next.

Key Topics Covered:

• How Julie refined her leadership and business to align with purpose and energy
• The story behind Lead.Her Collective and Unstoppable You Mastermind
• What real rest looks like, and why half-working holidays don’t count
• The 10 reflective questions that shape clarity for the year ahead
• Why refinement, not reinvention, is your greatest leadership advantage entering 2026

 

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome and reflection on 2025
02:15 – Why this is a debrief, not a recap
04:30 – What 2025 taught me about refinement and alignment
07:00 – Letting go of old versions of yourself
09:45 – The five pillars now shaping my business model
13:20 – The birth of Lead.Her Collective and Unstoppable You Mastermind
17:10 – Real rest and why it changed everything
20:50 – The 10 questions that set the runway for 2026
28:45 – The shift from achievement to alignment
32:00 – Final message: refine what matters and lead into 2026 with intention

 

Links:

Learn more about my upcoming group coaching program here

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve been taught that success means doing more, being more, and having more. But what if the key to leading and living better is actually doing less?

In this episode of Leading You, Julie sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and productivity expert Donna McGeorge to explore her latest book Red Brick Thinking. Donna shares why we’re all addicted to “more” – more meetings, more systems, more commitments – and how this addition bias is fuelling overwhelm and burnout.

Together, they unpack how to recognise your red bricks (the things weighing you down), why subtraction is the real productivity strategy, and how letting go can create space for clarity, creativity, and calm.

If you’ve ever felt buried under too much to do, too much to manage, or too much pressure to perform, this conversation will give you the permission – and practical steps – to simplify.

Key Themes

• Why our instinct is to add, not subtract, when facing problems
• How to identify your personal and professional red bricks
• The emotional, cultural, and structural weights that keep us stuck
• How leaders can model strategic subtraction for their teams
• Why letting go creates the space your future self will thank you for

 

Episode Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction – Donna’s mission to help leaders work smarter, not harder
03:30 What inspired Red Brick Thinking and the research behind “addition bias”
08:15 How strategic subtraction works in real life
13:20 The emotional, cultural, and structural red bricks we carry
18:45 The unconscious contracts we sign at work and home
24:10 Letting go of obligation and people-pleasing
28:30 How leaders can model red brick thinking for their teams
34:00 Practical steps to start removing your own red bricks
38:45 Donna’s final message – why today’s decisions are gifts to your future self

 

Links:

Learn more about my upcoming group coaching program here

 

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

 

Connect with Donna:
Website: https://www.donnamcgeorge.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmcgeorge/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnamcgeorge

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a part of growth no one talks about — the fire before the glow up.
That uncomfortable season where everything feels messy, heavy, and unclear.
The part where you’re questioning who you are, what you want, and what’s next.

But what if nothing is going wrong?
What if you’re being refined for the version of you that 2026 requires?

In this powerful episode, Julie explores why the defining seasons of leadership often feel like grief, frustration, and transition. She unpacks why alignment rarely feels calm at the beginning, how to navigate the loneliness of growth, and what it truly means to lead yourself first.

This isn’t about hustling harder.
It’s about anchoring deeper.

You’ll walk away with practical reflection prompts and self-leadership cues you can use right now to turn this fire into fuel for your next chapter.

Key Themes

• Growth doesn’t always feel good — sometimes it feels like loss.
• Feeling “messy” often means you’re becoming more aligned, not less.
• Balance is outdated — anchored leadership is the new standard.
• Your next level requires self-trust, capacity, and boundaries.
• Reflection is the gateway to who you're becoming.

 

Episode Time Stamps

00:00 - Welcome & why the “fire” before the glow up matters
03:15 - Why feeling uncertain or messy is actually proof of growth
06:40 - The loneliness that comes with outgrowing people & environments
10:20 - The myth of balance — and what true self-alignment looks like
14:00 - Burnout, boundaries & belief: reflections on where you are now
18:30 - Preparing to meet the version of you required for 2026
22:00 - Close & what's coming next on Leading You

 

Links:

Learn more about my upcoming group coaching program here

 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever heard the phrase “it’s lonely at the top,” this episode will resonate deeply.
Joining me is Anthony Moss, strategy and governance specialist and author of The CEO Game Changer, to unpack how advisory boards can transform the way CEOs lead, grow, and sustain their businesses.

With over 30 years of global experience and more than 180 businesses advised, Anthony knows what it takes to break through the boom-and-bust cycle and move from surviving to thriving.

In this episode, we explore:

• The four stages of business growth — and why so many companies get stuck in stage two.
• Why advisory boards aren’t just for big corporates (and how smaller businesses can benefit too).
• The difference between good advice and great governance.
• What happens when you choose the wrong advisors — and how to avoid it.
• The power of objectivity, vulnerability, and perspective in high-level decision-making.

 

Anthony also shares a real-world case study of a family-run business that reinvented itself during COVID, proving that the right support can turn crisis into opportunity.

This conversation is for any CEO, founder, or business owner ready to stop firefighting and start leading with clarity, confidence, and strategy.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and episode overview
02:30 – Anthony’s journey from CEO to strategy advisor
06:15 – Why he wrote The CEO Game Changer
09:00 – The four stages of business growth
15:20 – When to consider creating an advisory board
19:45 – Real-life example: how Charlie’s Cookies pivoted during COVID
26:00 – The power of objectivity and external perspective
30:10 – What to do when your advisory board disagrees with you
35:00 – How to choose the right people for your board
42:00 – The vulnerability of leadership and why it matters
48:00 – Final thoughts: why advisory boards are a game changer

 

Get the book The CEO Game Changer: https://www.leadyourindustry.com/the-ceo-game-changer-book/

 

Links:

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

 

Connect with Anthony:
Website: https://www.leadyourindustry.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonymoss

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’d told me five years ago that I’d be talking about energy, auras, and astrology on this podcast, I would’ve laughed. But life has a way of opening our minds — especially when we’re forced to slow down, reflect, and look for meaning beyond logic.

In this episode, I share how a framework I would’ve once labelled “too woo woo” became one of the most practical tools for self-awareness I’ve ever started using: Human Design.

You’ll learn what Human Design actually is, why it’s not about crystals or clichés, and how it can help leaders — especially women — make better decisions, protect their energy, and operate in alignment with how they’re naturally wired.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, disconnected, or like you’re forcing your way through the day, this episode might just be the reset you didn’t know you needed

In This Episode

You’ll discover:

• What Human Design actually is and why it’s not as “woo woo” as it sounds.
• The five Human Design types and what they reveal about how you operate best.
• How to spot when you’re out of alignment (and what your energy is trying to tell you).
• The link between leadership and energy, and how awareness transforms how you lead.
• How I’m integrating Human Design into my group coaching to help women lead smarter, not harder.

 

Why You’ll Love It

This episode is a bridge between logic and energy, structure and flow.
It’s for the leaders who’ve mastered the frameworks — but still feel something’s missing.
Because when you understand how you’re designed to lead, you stop forcing it… and start flowing with it.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Why I never thought I’d talk about Human Design
03:40 – From structure to self-awareness: my journey through cancer and beyond
07:10 – What Human Design actually is
09:00 – The five Human Design types explained
12:30 – My design: Generator 6/2 – The Authentic Guide
18:20 – What alignment and frustration look like for generators
23:00 – How Human Design supports leadership and team dynamics
28:15 – Integrating energy awareness with mindset and strategy
32:00 – Real-life examples from clients using Human Design
36:10 – Why self-awareness is the ultimate leadership skill
40:00 – Final reflections and invitation to The Unstoppable You Mastermind

 

Resources Mentioned

• Explore your Human Design chart: https://www.mybodygraph.com
• Learn more about my upcoming group coaching program: https://juliehyde.com.au/leadher-mastermind

• Join the Lead.Her Collective™ Mastermind – Unstoppable You

 

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by LinkedIn or unsure where to start, this conversation with Karen Tisdell will shift how you think about the platform.

Karen is one of Australia’s leading LinkedIn experts, helping professionals and business owners build authentic brands, craft compelling profiles, and connect - without the spammy sales tactics.

In this episode, Karen shares how she turned curiosity into a thriving LinkedIn strategy business, and why connection (not content) is the real key to growth on LinkedIn in 2025.

In This Episode

• The early days of LinkedIn and how Karen became one of the first to recognise its potential
• Why writing about yourself is so hard and how to sound human, not robotic
• The truth about the LinkedIn algorithm in 2025
• The mindset shift from vanity metrics to meaningful relationships
• How engagement and commenting can transform your brand visibility

 

Time Stamps

00:00 — Introduction
02:12 — Karen’s journey from recruiter to LinkedIn strategist
07:30 — Why writing your own profile is so hard
10:45 — Embracing imperfection and sharing your authentic story
16:20 — Common LinkedIn mistakes that hold people back
21:40 — Why connections matter more than content
28:00 — The truth about the LinkedIn algorithm in 2025
34:15 — The power of commenting and genuine engagement
38:40 — How to use AI without outsourcing your thinking
42:30 — Overcoming fear of visibility on LinkedIn
46:00 — Final reflections on confidence, courage, and connection

 

Key Takeaways

• Building your brand on LinkedIn starts with connection, not content. Treat it as a community, not just another social platform.
• Stop chasing followers — build relationships that matter.
• Your personality and story are your edge. Let your quirks and voice shine through.
• AI can’t replicate your thinking — your perspective is what makes your content magnetic.
• Engagement isn’t just posting — it’s showing up, commenting, and adding to the conversation.

 

Resources and Links

• Join the Lead.Her Collective™ Mastermind – Unstoppable You 
• Connect with Julie Hyde on LinkedIn

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

Connect with Karen:
Website: https://karentisdell.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karentisdell/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.