Really Interesting Women

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

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Ep. 93    Michelle Deshong

This was a really interesting conversation with an ending that left me with goosebumps.

Michelle Deshong is a Fulbright Scholar, Churchill Fellowship recipient and former NAIDOC Scholar of the year. She’s a leader and advocate, with extensive experience working in both the public and private sectors. She has an in-depth knowledge of indigenous affairs, and in the mechanisms of government, advocacy and political change. She has worked, amongst many things, as senior advisor in the Department of Prime Minister in Cabinet and has headed the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute. She continues to deliver critical leadership training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. She runs her own consultancy and is an accredited trainer and facilitator specialising in leadership, governance, Australian and international politics, and human rights. But most importantly, she’s a proud kuku yalanji woman

On instagram, head to the link in my bio to hear her episode.

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

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Ep 92     Imam Sherin Khankan

Imam Sherin Khankan has described herself as being born between two worlds – Muslim and Christian. Her early influences have been profound. She studied sociology of religion and philosophy from the University of Copenhagen as well as studies in Arabic. She has written 4 books including Islam and Reconciliation – a public case, and Women are the Future of Islam.

But undoubtedly her most significant achievement to date, is as the founder of the first mosque with female imams in the Nordic countries and becoming one of the first female imams. Her aim is to challenge patriarchal structures and inspire other women. 

And she has…and does. 

An Imam. An Islamic feminist. A pioneer whose courage and determination is inspiring
in the face of enormous opposition. 

Head to the link in my bio to listen to her episode. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

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Ep 91   Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO

Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO FASSA FAAL is an inspirational indigenous leader. 

She’s a lawyer, academic, writer, filmmaker, indigenous rights advocate and lots more. 

Larissa was the first indigenous Australian to graduate from Harvard Law School and, she’s proud to say, not the last. 

Her career is multi faceted and she’s often taking several paths at the same time. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. 

She’s driven by social justice and her take on the voice to parliament and truth telling is important. It’s not driven by politics but by history. 

Her book Indigenous Australia for Dummies is also important. It also happens to be a great read which I would highly recommend (link below).

Head to the link in my bio to listen to this episode. I think it’s everything this podcast is supposed to be: inspiring, educational and entertaining.

Link to book:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/indigenous-australia-for-dummies-larissa-behrendt/book/9780730390275.html?source=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyZfr3NDS-wIViX0rCh0DtwBOEAQYASABEgKnsPD_BwE

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

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Ep 90    Dr Kirstin Ferguson

Kirstin Ferguson is an award-winning and globally recognised leader, executive coach, company director, writer and speaker. She is one of Australia’s most prominent leadership experts. 

Kirstin has an incredible and varied career starting as an Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force where she graduated Dux in her class, to senior executive with a leading law firm, to CEO of a global consulting company to over a decade on a range of company boards. And in between that, she obtained a PhD in leadership and culture. 

She’s also making a global impact, with UK- based Thinkers50 naming her as the only Australian in the world’s top 30 “Thinkers to Watch” and she was shortlisted for the Distinguished Award in Leadership in 2021. 

Put simply, my next guest is changing the way the world looks at leadership.


Her new book, Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership will be published by Penguin Random House early next year. Below is a link to order the book:

https://headheartleader.com/store/

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

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Ep. 89    Maj. General Elizabeth Cosson AM, CSC

Liz Cosson was the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Major General in the Australian Army. 

She enlisted in the Army in 1979. She was selected with 32 other women for the first male-equivalent officer training course. Throughout her distinguished military career, she held significant logistics and administrative positions. She received a commendation for her work in Cambodia. In 1999 she was responsible for logistics planning for the East Timor operation, and she was subsequently appointed as Chief of Staff of the Peace monitoring group in Bougainville for which she was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in 2001. 

In 2007, she was the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Major General in the Australian Army. Following this remarkable career, she retired from full time military service in November 2010 and joined the Australian Public Service where she eventually reached her current role as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

But it hasn't all been without its obstacles. We discuss a career threatening issue that Liz had to overcome. How she did that can be taken as a valuable lesson. As is our discussion on the value of values in becoming a worthy leader - in any field. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

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Ep 88   The Rt Hon. Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand

Dame Cindy Kiro's story is an extraordinary one. 

Her mother was born in a hut with a mud floor. Her Father was from a poor family who lived in a mining town in the north of England. From these humble beginnings Dame Cindy rose to become the 22nd Governor-General of New Zealand. The first Maori woman to be appointed as Governor-General.

She never forgot where she came from and, most importantly, the invaluable life lessons she learnt from her collective experiences growing up. 

The secret to her success? I'm not too sure but I would venture to guess that it has a lot to do with the strong moral values instilled from her grandmother together with having a genuine interest in others and an abiding curiosity.

She vowed to be a Governor-General for ALL New Zealanders and, with her background and intelligence and compassion and empathy, I have absolutely no doubt she will be. 

*some of the audio is a little unclear but please persist. It's worth it. 

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Ep. 87 Professor Jenny Martin

Jenny Martin is a dual-trained clinical pharmacologist and practicing general physician, has studied politics and health economics at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, is serving as Chair of Clinical Pharmacology in the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle and is the Director of Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence (ACRE),

On principle she resigned from Newcastle University’s council in protest over the appointment of former deputy Prime Minister and Chair of Whitehaven Coal, Mark Vaile to the position of Chancellor of that University. Such was the feeling in the community, his appointment did not go ahead and she was reappointed to the position by popular demand. 

So, as a practicing physician, teacher, researcher, multiple committee and editorial board member, and mother of four, you might wonder where she finds the time to join me in conversation. I’m certainly curious. Oh… I nearly forgot, she’s due in 2023 to also take up the position of President of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. 

Have a listen to Professor Jenny Martin’s episode on Really Interesting Women. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

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Ep. 86    Ilana Atlas AO

Ilana Atlas is an exceptionally successful business woman....who still suffers from imposter syndrome. But she knows how to deal with it and she shares that secret with us. 

In fact Ilana shares a lot of her wisdom and advice on how to not only cope, but succeed in a constantly evolving work place.  And there's very few better qualified to give that wisdom and advice.

We cover a lot of things. For example, the courage it takes and the benefits of taking unexpected opportunities. The importance of learning by watching and listening as well as being well prepared yourself so others will take you very seriously. The aforementioned imposter syndrome and how Ilana has tamed that beast. The different styles of leadership.  The enormous benefits of getting involved in not for profit organisations (see below for reference to Jarwun). The importance of compassion and empathy in business. 

I was also fascinated in what she's learnt from leaders such as David Gonski (who she succeeded as Chair of Coca Cola Amatil), Frank Lowy (with whom she sat on the board of Westfield) and John Bell (founder of Bell Shakespeare, the Board of which Ilana Chaired).

Ilana has seen a huge change in corporate culture (which she acknowledges still needs a fair way to go). In fact, I'd venture to say she's been an integral part of that change in her 40 years of working life, the vast majority of which has been in senior and executive roles. Her advice on how we can achieve gender balance and level the playing field, will benefit everyone. 


Ilana refers to her work with Jawun - a place where corporate, government and philanthropic organisations come together with Indigenous people to affect real change. Have a look at their website. Fascinating reading. 

www.jawun.org.au

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

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Ep. 85  Professor Lyria Bennett Moses

Lyria is my first guest that is the daughter of a previous guest, Annabelle Bennett (ep. 37). And they are both....well, quite brilliant.

Lyria is currently the Director of the UNSW Allens Hub for Technology, Law and Innovation she’s a Professor and Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Law and Justice at UNSW Sydney. She herself graduated with a science law degree with honours in pure mathematics, did her Masters and Doctorate at Columbia University where her dissertation was on the impact of technological change on law. Her ongoing research continues to explore those issues. More specifically she has recently been working on legal and policy issues associated with the use of artificial intelligence. 

It's an area of law that requires an academic approach combined with a very practical one. The events and inventions you may need to apply a legal mind to....haven't occurred or been invented yet.  But it's that sort of situation that stimulates Lyria's mind. 

We broach a number of topics, including the work of another of my guests, artificial intelligence pioneer, Distinguished Professor Genevieve Bell (ep. 58). And there's a lot of mutual respect there. 

It's a complex and fascinating area. Way out of my pay grade.

Head to the link in the bio to hear Lyria's episode.  

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
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