Belonging, identity, power, and the courage to build something new.

In this episode of Naked at the Top, Aleyx sits down with Christopher Asahara for a deeply honest conversation about growing up between cultures, being told you are not quite one of “us”, and learning how to turn difference into advantage rather than disadvantage.

Christopher shares what it feels like to be an outsider in certain rooms, how global perspective reshapes the way you see leadership, and why narrow “America First” thinking often fails in a world built on connection, collaboration, and cultural intelligence. From community building and leadership during moments of social tension, to speaking up, taking risks, and trusting your own judgement, this episode explores what it really means to lead with both confidence and conscience.

The conversation moves through entrepreneurship, imposter syndrome, redundancy, reinvention, and the responsibility that comes with influence. There are stories of starting again, building teams, protecting people, and staying calm when everything around you is moving fast.

At its core, this episode is about identity, voice, and learning to stand comfortably in your own power — not by dominating, but by serving, listening, and building communities that last.

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sterclass in human-first leadership, honest business building, and why caring is not a soft skill — it’s a strategic advantage.

Aleyx Ward sits down with Damien Gooden, CEO of HR Central, to unpack what it really takes to build a business where people stay, trust grows, and leadership doesn’t hide behind titles. From accidentally becoming a CEO to navigating COVID, firing customers, and building deep loyalty inside teams, Damien shares real stories from two decades in business.

The conversation moves beyond textbook leadership and into the messy, human reality of running companies. Damien explains why subscription revenue nearly stalled growth, why referrals beat control, and why focusing on outcomes — not micromanagement — is the only way to scale without burning out.

There are powerful reflections on parenting, culture, authenticity, and mental health, including phone-free dinners, getting teenagers to talk, and why men need spaces where it’s safe to open up. Damien also breaks down Radical Candour with real-world examples that every leader will recognise.

If you’re building a business, leading a team, or trying to be a better human while doing both — this episode is for you.

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🍎 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/naked-at-the-top/id1741310522

🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

What does it look like when an entrepreneur applies business discipline to comedy – and comedy thinking to business?

In this episode of Naked at the Top, Morry Morgan shares the unconventional path that took him from an only-child upbringing and global travel, through China’s fast-moving business culture, and into building one of the most unexpected ventures in Australia: a comedy school and conference that shouldn’t exist – but does.

This conversation is about preparation, courage, and following ideas all the way through. Morry unpacks how five minutes on stage became the turning point for an entirely new career direction, why breaking comedy’s rules unlocked commercial opportunity, and how creating something niche can actually grow the wider economy.

We explore the reality of fast-speed living, the mental cost of always being “on”, and the resilience required when momentum disappears overnight. Morry speaks candidly about burnout, anxiety, fasting, and the mindset shift that turned a breakdown into a breakthrough.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your strangest idea might actually be your most viable one – this episode will challenge how you think about preparation, energy, and commitment. This is a conversation for founders, creatives, and leaders who don’t fit neatly into one box – and don’t want to.

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🎧 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/7oepK8jODbGvwsCzPbMBeY

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🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

Some careers begin with a plan. Others begin with a quiet decision made far earlier than anyone expects.

In this episode of Naked at the Top, Aleyx sits down with Colleen Callander — a leader who started working in retail at just 16 and went on to become CEO of two of Australia’s most iconic fashion brands. But this conversation isn’t about polished confidence or highlight-reel success.

Colleen speaks candidly about imposter syndrome that never truly disappeared, burnout that hit at the peak of her career, and the internal stories that quietly shape how leaders show up every day. She shares why confidence isn’t something you’re born with, but something you build through action, reflection, and repetition.

This episode explores leadership through a deeply human lens — kindness as a strength, values as decision-makers, and environments where people genuinely want to do their best work. From redefining success to rebuilding after burnout, Colleen offers grounded insight for anyone navigating leadership, ambition, or self-belief.

If you’ve ever looked capable on the outside while questioning yourself on the inside, this episode will resonate deeply.

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🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

Alan Gill brings a rare mix of sharp business instinct and playful curiosity to this conversation. As co-founder of Choice Energy, one of the fastest-growing energy businesses in AsiaPac, he has lived through the chaos, pressure and exhilaration of scaling at speed. Yet beneath the targets and milestones sits a leader who still draws sharks in meetings, turns corporate stresses into comedy, and uses creativity as a tool for clarity, connection and calm. This episode reveals the human side of ambition, from startup survival to finding joy in the everyday.

Aleyx and Alan explore the early days of building a business with no safety net, raising a young family at the same time, and carrying the weight of responsibility when people are relying on you for their livelihood. They dive into leadership identity, humour as a resilience strategy, navigating growth, and why the best insights often come from childlike curiosity rather than boardroom bravado.

Through stories about sharks, toilet echo disasters, corporate lessons, cultural contrasts and the people who keep him grounded, Alan gives a refreshingly honest view of what leadership feels like behind the scenes. Not polished. Not filtered. Simply human. This is an episode for anyone building something meaningful while trying to stay connected to who they really are.

Alan’s reflections land with warmth, wisdom and a healthy dose of mischief. If you’re growing a business, leading people or simply trying to make sense of ambition while still living a life that feels like yours, this conversation will stay with you.

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🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

Authentic leadership grows from the unseen parts of a life. In this episode, Seung Paik reveals the moments that shaped his identity long before he ever stepped into a leadership role. He shares the immigrant values that built his work ethic, the twenty-five years of military service that taught him discipline and humility, and the internal questions that guided him through purpose, crisis and transformation.

Seung speaks openly about identity over image, the privilege of leading others, how economics sharpens decision-making and the cost–benefit thinking that guides meaningful life choices. He explores the role relationships play in shaping markets, why transactional leadership falls short and how transformation always begins at the top. 

This episode invites you to slow down, go inward and see leadership as something built through service, gratitude, humility and truth delivered with compassion. It is a conversation for anyone searching for clarity, direction or a more authentic way to lead.

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🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

When tragedy strikes, some people crumble. Others rebuild the system that failed them.

 Naomi from Care Advisory is one of those people. After witnessing first-hand how broken the aged care industry can be, she set out to create change – building a business grounded in ethics, transparency, and trust.

In this episode of Naked at the Top, Naomi shares how she turned heartbreak into purpose, defied expectations, and created a business model that puts people before profit. She opens up about the personal sacrifices behind her success – from single parenting and burnout to late ADHD diagnosis – and how she learned to lead with courage, compassion, and conviction.

If you’ve ever felt torn between doing what’s right and doing what’s easy, Naomi’s story will remind you what real leadership looks like.

🎧 Subscribe to Naked at the Top for honest conversations with leaders who are redefining success through authenticity, purpose, and heart.

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🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

In this episode of Naked at the Top, host Aleyx Ward sits down with Stephen Luxmore, founder of Your HR Team, to explore how growth mindset, self-awareness and authenticity are redefining modern leadership.

From starting out as a gardener to becoming a respected HR consultant, Stephen shares how moments of doubt and stereotype shaped his purpose. He talks openly about creating psychological safety, breaking corporate conformity, and why simplicity wins when it comes to building a people-first culture.

Together, Aleyx and Stephen uncover what it means to lead with courage and kindness, how to stay authentic in a world of business buzzwords, and why humour, humility and curiosity always outlast control.

This conversation is packed with insight for founders, HR professionals and anyone leading teams through change — a reminder that leadership isn’t about power, it’s about people.

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🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

Advisory boards might sound like something reserved for big corporates – but for founders and entrepreneurs, they’re one of the most powerful growth levers you’ve never used.

In this episode of Naked at the Top, we uncover how founders, leaders, and business owners can use advisory boards to sharpen decisions, strengthen strategy, and accelerate personal growth.

Our guest dives into the hidden psychology of leadership, exploring how loneliness, self-doubt, and risk-taking shape the entrepreneurial journey. From career pivots to neuroscience, EQ versus IQ, and the surprising impact of adventure on leadership, this episode gives a masterclass in how to grow both a business and a mindset.

You’ll also discover how boards can transform culture, expand thinking, and hold leaders accountable in ways that traditional management structures can’t.

Whether you’re scaling fast, starting fresh, or just feeling stuck – this is the conversation that’ll help you see your business, and your leadership, differently.

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🍎 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/naked-at-the-top/id1741310522

🌐 Website – https://www.nakedatthetop.com

From a second-hand mower to a nationwide empire of 5,500 franchises – Jim Penman’s story is proof that purpose and persistence can outlast any plan. In this episode of Naked at the Top, Jim shares how a small lawn mowing business turned into one of the world’s most successful franchise systems, and why his mission was never about money – it was about funding research that might just change the world.

We unpack what it really takes to scale a values-led business: obsessive improvement, servant leadership, and an unshakable focus on helping others succeed. Jim reveals how giving his personal phone number to every franchisee isn’t crazy – it’s how he stays connected to the people who matter most. From there, his philosophy of “franchisees first” has redefined what leadership looks like.

He talks candidly about faith, failure, family, and fulfilment – why wealth without purpose feels empty, and how raising grounded kids is the ultimate measure of success. There’s no polished PR here, just raw honesty from a man who built a movement by caring deeply, thinking differently, and walking the walk.

Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or chasing your next idea, this episode will leave you rethinking what success truly means – and how small, daily improvements can build something extraordinary.

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🎧 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/7oepK8jODbGvwsCzPbMBeY

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