SCU Buzz | The Southern Cross University podcast

What does great leadership really look like when the pressure is on?

In this candid and inspiring conversation, four remarkable Southern Cross University alumni explore the idea that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about authenticity, resilience, courage and staying true to your values when faced with uncertainty, self-doubt and change.

Speaking at the Southern Cross University Alumni Leadership Lunch, Dr Kellie Wren, Emily Williams, Grant K. Grierson and Theresa Mitchell share the experiences that have shaped their leadership journeys across healthcare, diplomacy, education and community service. Guided by moderator Professor David Heilpern, the panel reflects on navigating challenges, building confidence, learning from setbacks and leading in a way that feels true to who they are.

From responding to crises and driving change within complex organisations to supporting vulnerable communities and inspiring the next generation, this conversation offers powerful insights into what it means to lead with purpose. Discover how resilience is built, why connection matters, and how some of the most effective leaders embrace vulnerability, empathy and lifelong learning.

Whether you're an emerging leader, an experienced professional or simply looking for inspiration, this episode is a reminder that leadership isn't about perfection. It's about showing up, staying grounded in your values and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

How do new industries actually get built - and where are the next big opportunities in regional Australia?

In this episode recorded live at Primex Field Days 2026, we explore how research, agriculture and industry collaboration are driving the future of farming, creating new markets, and unlocking high-value opportunities - from functional foods to the fast-growing hemp industry.

Recorded in the Northern Rivers, this episode brings together researchers and industry leaders to break down how innovation moves from early research to real-world impact.

You’ll learn:

- How emerging industries are developed from research to market

- Why regional agriculture is shifting towards value-add and diversification

- How crops like rice and hemp are being adapted for new climates and new uses

- The real barriers to scaling new industries (regulation, supply chains, funding)

- Where the biggest opportunities are in hemp, plant-based products and sustainable materials

Why it matters:

Regional economies are changing. Smaller farms and shifting climates mean success now depends on innovation, differentiation and collaboration - not just production.

This episode shows how research is helping regions:

- Build entirely new industries

- Increase farm profitability

- Create more sustainable and resilient systems

Key takeaways:

- New industries are co-designed across research, business and government

- The future of farming is diversified, high-value and sustainability-driven

- Hemp is an emerging sector with major potential—but needs policy and investment

- The biggest gains come from rethinking how we use what we already grow

Who should listen?

Farmers and agribusiness professionals

Students interested in science, agriculture or sustainability

Entrepreneurs exploring new markets

Anyone curious about real-world research impact

Training for a marathon comes with big questions: Am I doing enough? Too much? What should I eat? And how do I avoid injury?

In this episode, a panel of Southern Cross University researchers and practitioners sit down with Olympian Courtney Atkinson to translate the science of endurance performance into practical, everyday advice.

Covering everything from biomechanics and injury prevention to nutrition and race-day strategy, this conversation is designed to help runners at every level make smarter decisions in their training.

In this episode, you’ll take away:

- Evidence-based principles for building endurance safely and sustainably

- How to balance training load with recovery to avoid burnout and injury

- Insights from osteopathy on movement, pain and running mechanics

- Real-world nutrition advice for fuelling training and racing

- What carb loading actually involves—and how to do it properly

- Tips for managing gut issues and improving tolerance during long runs

- Effective recovery habits, including sleep, hydration and active recovery

- Pacing strategies to help you avoid hitting the wall

- Mental techniques to stay focused and push through fatigue

Grounded in research but built for real runners, this episode gives you the tools to train with confidence, perform at your best, and enjoy the process along the way.

Essential Stories: Creativity, Community, and Collective Identity was presented by Southern Cross University and NORPA.

A sold-out discussion moderated by Professor David Heilpern that brought together national and local voices to explore how community storytelling and place-based cultural practices can support recovery, resilience and a renewed sense of collective identity.

This discussion formed part of NORPA’s wider creative development project 'Dinner Party at the End of the World', a bold multi-artform response to the 2022 floods that supports regional recovery through local stories, connection and reflection.

SCU academic Jeanti St Clair contributed key research and community insights, reinforcing the University’s commitment to regionally relevant research and meaningful community partnerships.

The musical introduction to this podcast was written and performed by Alako Myles.

Rewilding the Stage: Agency and Responsibility in Feminine Creativity was presented by Southern Cross University and NORPA.

This panel discussion explores female creativity in the production of NORPA’s performance, WILDSKIN. The panel analyses how themes of ‘rewilding’ were woven into the production, from choreography to set and costume design.

The discussion is chaired by Southern Cross University Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and feminist historian, Professor Mary Spongberg.

Panellists include:

Charlotte Haywood; Set and Costume Designer, NORPA

Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal; Movement Director and Performer, NORPA

Heather Fairbairn; Associate Director, NORPA.

This panel session was recorded live at NORPA.

The musical introduction to this podcast was written and performed by Alako Myles.

In this powerful panel discussion, four distinguished alumni — Greg Young (CEO, Coast Entertainment Holdings), Marion Charlton (COO, Queensland Airports), Will Brook (CEO, Brookfarm), and moderator Georgina Holt (Director, Co-Creative Studios) — share candid insights into what it truly means to lead in 2025.

From navigating crises like COVID and industry tragedies, to building resilient teams and staying true to values under pressure, this episode explores:

- Whether leadership is innate or developed

- The role of authenticity, trust, and culture in effective leadership

- How values are tested in real-world decision-making

- Practical tips for emerging leaders, including networking, self-care, and getting things done

Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, or seasoned executive, this episode offers rich, relatable stories and actionable advice to help you grow as a leader in any field.

This audio was recorded at our Lessons in Leadership: Alumni Lunch Series.

Study business: https://www.scu.edu.au/study/business/

The musical introduction to this podcast was written and performed by Alako Myles.

A special edition buzz from a BusinessNSW summit at Southern Cross University. Sophie Cruikshank, head of sustainability at Essential Energy, chats to Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Education Impact) Ben Roche about how to deal with change, from fundamental internal transformation to external pressures like COVID and the floods.

In this episode of SCU Buzz, Dr Owen Hogan chats with Lara Goode, SCU alumna and founder of Coastal Therapies, about her journey from new osteopath to thriving clinic owner. Lara shares the highs and lows of starting a business, including rebuilding after a flood, managing staff, and balancing work with motherhood.

They also discuss the upcoming Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management, designed to help professionals - especially in allied health - gain the business skills needed to launch and grow their own ventures.

Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management: https://www.scu.edu.au/study/courses/graduate-certificate-in-small-business-management-1008130/

The musical introduction to this podcast was written and performed by Alako Myles.

With the rise of smartphones and social media, bullying has evolved far beyond the schoolyard, creating additional challenges for school communities to protect young people.

In this episode of the SCU Buzz podcast, Dr Vanessa Miller and Dr Tony Yeigh from Southern Cross University’s Faculty of Education explore the growing issue of cyberbullying and share their expert recommendations for addressing this national problem.

Learn more about research in the Faculty of Education: https://www.scu.edu.au/education/research/

The musical introduction to this podcast was written and performed by Alako Myles.

It's no secret that Australians love coffee. We consume more than 6 billion cups of it each year. Yet less than 1% of this coffee is grown in Australia. Researchers from Southern Cross University, Dr Simon Williams, Dr Ben Liu and Professor Tobias Kretzschmar, speak on the SCU Buzz podcast about their research project that is looking to boost Aussie beans by developing a more suitable variety of coffee planet for the Australian climate, as well as a unique way to describe it.

Learn more about Southern Cross University’s coffee research project: https://www.scu.edu.au/news/2023/its-coffee-time--who-ordered-the-fresh-bread-flat-white/#d.en.514489

This research is part of the Harvest to Health Research Impact Cluster: https://www.scu.edu.au/research/harvest-to-health/

The musical introduction to this podcast was written and performed by Alako Myles.