Leading You

In this personal and powerful solo episode of Leading You, Julie shares a leadership moment that was anything but scripted. While delivering a keynote in Malaysia, an unexpected request forced her to make a tough call—and it had nothing to do with performance, and everything to do with values.

This episode isn’t about what you stand for. It’s about what you refuse to stand for—and why those boundaries say even more about your leadership than your best highlight reel ever could.

If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation that looked good from the outside but felt wrong on the inside, this is your reminder that leadership isn’t about applause. It’s about alignment.

Because the moments you say no—especially when it costs you—are the ones that define who you really are.

In this episode, we cover:

• The behind-the-scenes story of Julie’s Malaysia keynote
• What happened when a live snake was brought on stage
• The tension between visibility, values, and performance
• Why drawing a boundary may cost you—but is always worth it
• How to reconnect with your own leadership non-negotiables

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: The untold side of leadership
01:00 – The setup: a keynote in Malaysia
03:00 – The unexpected moment: a snake, live on stage
04:00 – Why Julie refused to participate
05:00 – Standing firm in personal values
06:00 – The professional fallout—and inner peace
07:30 – Why your “no” matters more than applause
08:00 – Redefining what real leadership looks like
09:00 – Your reflection: what won’t you stand for?
10:30 – Quiet choices that build legacy
11:00 – Final thoughts and journal prompts

Reflection Prompt:

What’s something you quietly refuse to tolerate—even when others expect you to

Want to go deeper?

Download the free Unstuck Yourself masterclass and reconnect with the leader you truly are—before the pressure, performance, or people-pleasing crept in.

Links:
Join the Lead.Her Collective Dinner Series
Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program

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 honest solo episode of Leading You, Julie calls out one of the most socially acceptable excuses we make: “I’m just busy.”

But here’s the uncomfortable truth, busy isn’t always about productivity. Sometimes it’s a mask. A defence mechanism. A way to avoid discomfort, decisions, or even deeper truths.

Julie shares the health scare that brought her own busyness into sharp focus, and the mindset shift that changed everything. If you’ve ever found yourself measuring worth in how much you juggle, this is the reminder you didn’t know you needed.

Whether you’re teetering on the edge of burnout, trying to do it all, or just sick of running on autopilot, this episode is your call to slow down, get real, and lead differently.

In this episode, we cover:

• The subtle (and sneaky) ways busy becomes part of your identity
• What you might be avoiding when you keep saying yes
• The burnout spiral and what it really costs
• Why “I’m fine” can be the biggest red flag of all
• How to press pause and choose a different pace
• A challenge to reflect and reclaim how you want to show up

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Why we need to stop saying “busy”
02:00 – The post-pandemic promise we’ve already broken
03:45 – Busy as avoidance: what are you really running from?
06:30 – My personal wake-up call (and the health scare that forced me to stop)
09:00 – The signs we ignore—until our bodies force us to pay attention
11:15 – Leadership isn’t about how much you can juggle—it’s about how well you lead yourself
13:00 – What would shift if you chose alignment over adrenaline?
15:00 – Your call to action: lead the day on purpose

Reflection Prompt:

Where are you using busy as a shield?
What would change if you stopped and chose differently?

Links:
Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program

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.

What if the best chapter of your leadership story is still ahead of you?

In this powerful episode of Leading You, I’m joined by Di Mantell - former ICU nurse turned CEO and board director - whose career is living proof that leadership doesn’t have an expiry date. From the hospital ward to leading Australia’s largest healthcare PPP, Di’s journey challenges everything we think we know about relevance, purpose, and what it means to lead well at every stage of life.

We unpack what it takes to stay visible, confident, and values-driven in a world that often overlooks older women or expects them to step aside. Di shares how she found her voice in male-dominated spaces, why courage must come before confidence, and the pivotal moment that made her realise she was playing small.

Whether you’ve felt invisible, underused, or unsure of your next move, this episode is your reminder that your leadership still matters - perhaps now more than ever.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why job titles don’t define you - your values and voice do
• The difference between sponsorship and mentorship (and why women need both)
• What to do if you feel unseen or overlooked at work
• The habit that’s quietly undermining your leadership
• How to lead with purpose, not just position
• Why reinvention is your leadership edge

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Di Mantell: ICU nurse to billion-dollar boardrooms
02:00 – The moment that shifted her leadership identity
05:00 – Feeling out of place but showing up anyway
07:00 – Owning your difference and standing in your values
09:00 – Playing small vs growing into your next chapter
12:00 – Why leadership evolves instead of expiring
14:30 – Moving from status to significance
16:00 – How sponsorship shapes careers
18:00 – The beliefs holding women back
20:00 – What to do if you feel invisible
22:00 – The one habit that quietly sabotages leadership
24:00 – Final words: reinvent, back yourself, and lead differently

Want to reflect more deeply?
Ask yourself:

• Am I bringing my full self to the rooms I’m in - or shrinking to fit in?
• Who sees the real power in my leadership - and have I asked them?
• What’s one small, brave step I can take this week to evolve?

Know someone who feels like her time has passed? Share this episode.
🎧 Listen now and reclaim your space as a leader - at any age, any stage, in any room.

Links:
Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program

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

Connect with Di:
Website: https://dimantell.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/di-mantell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/di_c_mantellofficial

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if burnout isn’t about being too busy—but about being “fine”?

In this honest solo episode of Leading You, Julie unpacks the quiet, insidious kind of burnout that so many high-achieving women experience—the one that hides behind the word “fine.” It’s not the dramatic collapse we associate with burnout. It’s the slow erosion that happens when your choices don’t match your values.

From juggling work and ageing parents to people-pleasing and pushing through, this episode will help you spot the early warning signs and reconnect with your energy before burnout takes hold.

If you’ve been feeling numb, resentful, or simply “off,” this is your invitation to pause, reflect, and choose differently.

 In this episode, we cover:

• Why burnout isn’t just about workload—it’s about misalignment

• The truth behind the word “fine” and why it’s a red flag

• How small daily choices either drain or empower you

• Real-life examples from women juggling too much for too long

• Why reclaiming your energy is the ultimate leadership move

• Three powerful reflection prompts to help you reset

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome and introduction
01:00 – The danger behind the word “fine”
02:00 – What the burnout stats are really telling us
04:00 – Misalignment: the hidden root cause
06:00 – Real-life story: an executive caught in the juggle
08:00 – Why burnout is a self-leadership issue
09:00 – You are the CEO of your energy
11:00 – The power of the pause
13:00 – 3 reflection questions to uncover what’s really going on
15:00 – Burnout as erosion, not explosion
16:00 – Final thoughts and your invitation to shift

Ready for a reset?
Download the  Clarity Compass to reconnect with what matters most and lead with intention.
Know someone stuck in “fine”? Share this episode with her.

Links:
Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program

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.

What happens when you stop asking for permission and start saying yes—even before you're ready?

In this bold and brilliant episode of Leading You, Julie sits down with Claire, better known as DJ FADJ—a former mortgage broker turned international DJ, entrepreneur, and founder of an inclusive DJ school for women and kids.

From playing private gigs for Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and the AFL Brownlow, to empowering thousands of women to find confidence behind the decks, Claire shares her powerful story of reinvention, resilience, and redefining what’s possible.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a role that no longer fits—or you're craving a pivot that feels wild and aligned—this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• How motherhood sparked a radical career rethink
• The magic of saying yes before you're ready
• Breaking into male-dominated industries with courage and style
• Why DJing “like a girl” is a power move—not a weakness
• Building community and confidence through music
• Creating a legacy that’s true to you

Whether you're navigating change or craving clarity, Claire’s story is proof that you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to back yourself—and take one bold step.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome and intro
01:00 – From finance broker to DJ FADJ
04:00 – How motherhood prompted a powerful career shift
06:00 – The first gig: saying yes before she was ready
08:00 – The snowball effect: from local to global
10:00 – Founding a DJ school during COVID
13:00 – What it’s like to stand out in a male-dominated industry
16:00 – The power of self-doubt and playing your way
19:00 – Gigs of a lifetime: Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Formula 1
22:00 – The Disco Club: empowering women through dance
24:30 – Final advice for bold pivots and brave leadership

Want more inspiration? Listen now on your favourite platform, and share this episode with someone ready to lead with heart, rhythm and reinvention.

Need clarity on your own bold leap? Download the Clarity Compass to reconnect with what matters most.

Links:
Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program

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

Connect with Claire:
Website: https://www.houseoffadj.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-o-shea-b764a526/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djfadj

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling stuck? Burnt out from doing everything - but not being seen for it?
It’s time to shift your mindset, take back your power, and get unstuck.

Watch the free masterclass replay and learn the mindset shift that changes everything.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this deeply personal solo episode of Leading You, Julie unpacks a quiet but powerful crisis many high performers face: the moment they realise they’ve become a stranger to themselves.

This isn’t just about burnout. It’s about identity. About tying our worth to achievement, KPIs, and how much we can juggle without falling apart.

Julie shares her own story of hitting that wall—and the uncomfortable but life-changing reflection that followed. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Who am I when I’m not delivering, achieving, or proving?”—this episode is for you.

Whether you’re in a season of change, navigating self-doubt, or simply feeling disconnected from your leadership voice, this is a powerful invitation to pause, reflect, and reset.

In this episode, we cover:

• The subconscious patterns that keep high achievers in proving mode
• Why leadership burnout is more about disconnection than capacity
• What happens when you outgrow your identity—but keep wearing the same jacket
• The real cost of shrinking to fit outdated versions of yourself
• The power of pressing pause and asking: Who am I now?
• Practical prompts to help you reconnect with your true leadership identity
• Why clarity creates courage—and how to find yours

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction and episode context
• 01:00 – The dangerous link between achievement and identity
• 02:15 – Why high performers get stuck in the “doing equals value” loop
• 03:45 – The moment I realised I didn’t know myself outside of my work
• 05:00 – How proving becomes a silent addiction for many leaders
• 06:30 – The concept of “oversized jackets” and outdated self-images
• 08:15 – When we outgrow roles but stay because of fear or guilt
• 09:30 – The emotional and energetic cost of shrinking to fit
• 10:45 – What happens when we finally press pause and reflect
• 11:30 – The questions I asked to reconnect with my leadership self
• 12:15 – How clarity gives you the courage to choose differently
• 13:00 – Shifting from performance to presence in leadership
• 14:00 – A call to stop apologising for outgrowing where you are
• 15:00 – Wrap-up, reflection prompt, and next steps

Links:
Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program

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 episode of Leading You, I’m joined by Tony Frost—executive coach, keynote speaker, company director, and author of The Professional. With an award-winning career spanning law, accounting, and executive leadership, Tony shares a grounded, forward-thinking take on how to stay relevant in a world of constant change.

We explore the essential human skills that will never go out of date—emotional intelligence, storytelling, self-awareness, humility—and how to develop them to become the kind of leader others want to follow.

Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or yourself, this conversation offers clear, practical strategies to help you lead with confidence, clarity, and real connection.

What we cover:

• Why soft skills are now business-critical
• The three timeless traits followers want from leaders
• How humility helps you build trust and negotiate better
• Why storytelling is your leadership superpower
• “Relevance deprivation syndrome” and how to avoid it
• How to identify your ‘prime capabilities’ and ‘human tasks’
• Four dangerous mindsets that make leaders obsolete
• How to embrace lifelong learning (without burning out)
• Using AI as a career tool—not a threat
• The role of feedback, reverse mentoring, and self-leadership in growth

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome to Leading You
• 00:44 – Meet Tony Frost: From Lawyer to Executive Coach
• 01:17 – The Urgency of Future-Proofing Your Career
• 01:54 – AI’s Impact on the Legal Industry
• 03:15 – Essential Skills for Leaders in an AI-Driven World
• 07:47 – Emotional Intelligence: The New Competitive Advantage
• 10:29 – Dangerous Mindsets for Leaders to Avoid
• 14:49 – How to Embrace Lifelong Learning Without Overwhelm
• 17:09 – Reverse Mentoring & Learning from the Next Generation
• 19:04 – Final Takeaways and Next Steps for Future-Ready Leadership

Links:
Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program

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

Connect with Tony Frost:
Website: https://frostleadership.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-frost-cmc/
Buy The Professional: https://frostleadership.com.au/my-book/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the clarity you’ve been craving doesn’t come from vision boards or five-year plans… but from pressure?

In this solo episode, Julie Hyde gets brutally honest about the moments that pushed her to breaking point—financial stress, a cancer diagnosis, and the realisation that “fine” was a trap keeping her stuck. These weren’t just hard seasons. They were turning points. And they forced one truth to the surface.

When your back’s against the wall, you stop performing—and start leading from truth.
This isn’t about glorifying struggle. It’s about understanding the role discomfort plays in growth, alignment, and empowered decision-making. If you’ve been ignoring that quiet inner voice or waiting for the ‘right time’ to make a change… this is your wake-up call.

In this episode, Julie shares:

• Why we delay change until the pain outweighs the fear
• The biology of discomfort—and how it sharpens your focus
• Her personal story of rock bottom (twice)
• The mindset shift that put her back in the driver’s seat
• How to make one bold, aligned move—before crisis forces your hand

💡 This episode is for anyone stuck in the loop of “fine,” waiting for a sign, or silently burning out behind the scenes. It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about making one honest choice.

🎧 Listen now and take the first step back to yourself.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction to Leading You Podcast
00:44 The Power of Tough Moments
01:30 Avoiding Complacency and Embracing Change
03:16 The Impact of Pressure and Clarity
05:23 Personal Story: Hitting Rock Bottom
08:05 Health Scare and Prioritizing Life
10:44 Empowered Choices and Alignment
14:47 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
16:09 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Links:

Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program

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.

What happens when life as you know it ends overnight—and you choose to rebuild from nothing?

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Stephenie Rodriguez—digital entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and one of Women in Tech’s Top 100 of 2024. Stephenie’s story of survival after contracting cerebral malaria is nothing short of extraordinary.

Given a 2% chance of survival, she awoke from a coma to find both feet and part of her hand gone. But instead of giving up, she chose a different path—one of radical resilience, reinvention, and purpose.

From ICU to international para-athlete, Stephenie is now the first Australian woman to compete in para fencing since 1968. And she’s only getting started.

We talk about the mindset shift that changed everything, the rituals that anchor her, and her mission to impact a billion lives through tech, advocacy, and inclusion.

In this episode, we explore:

• The mosquito bite that changed her life forever
• Choosing to amputate both feet—and why it was an act of power
• The difference between surviving and truly living
• How Stephenie became her own best friend
• Why daily gratitude and affirmations became her non-negotiables
• Becoming a para-athlete and a global voice for inclusion
• The truth about identity, reinvention, and leading yourself forward

This episode is a masterclass in mindset, courage, and becoming who you were always meant to be.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Leading You Podcast
00:20 Meet Stephenie Rodriguez: Digital Entrepreneur and Global Changemaker
01:16 A Life-Altering Mosquito Bite
05:54 The Battle with Cerebral Malaria
08:11 The Road to Recovery and Resilience
11:59 Embracing Disability and Finding New Purpose
22:31 Becoming a Para Athlete and Fencer
26:16 Future Goals and Ongoing Impact
29:49 Conclusion and Call to Action

Rate & Review:
If this conversation moved you, please leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps us amplify voices like Stephenie’s.

Links:

Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program

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

Connect with Stephenie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalgodess/
X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/digitalgodess/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/digitalgodess/
TEDx: https://www.ted.com/talks/stephenie_rodriguez_how_i_met_my_best_friend

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.