Paul Edginton and Milly Albers sit down with Maria Palumbo, CEO of Junction Australia, to explore her career journey, her early experiences with poverty, and her path from mining and government work into the not for profit sector. Maria shares how those experiences shaped her leadership and her understanding of housing systems, frontline pressures, and the complexity of building homes for vulnerable communities.

In this conversation Maria explains why Australia has struggled to keep up with housing demand, how layers of compliance slowed construction, and what she observed during her years in government as processes grew faster than outcomes. She talks through the years of stalled housing programs, the limits faced by community organisations, and the impact of public expectations on government decisions. Maria also reflects on the value of commercial skills in community leadership and how working at every level of an organisation shaped her approach to decision making.

In this episode:

• Maria’s career path from mining to community housing and the turning points that shaped her purpose

• The pressure of navigating poverty as a young parent and how that experience influenced her work

• How compliance, regulation and administration slowed Australia’s ability to build housing

• The long term effect of stalled housing programs and why the system struggled to meet demand

• What Maria learned about leadership, decision making and building capability inside complex systems

This episode is for leaders and practitioners across government, community services and housing who want a clear, grounded view of how systems actually work on the ground and what it takes to create progress inside pressure filled environments.

Don’t forget to subscribe to The CEO Advantage Podcast so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed today’s conversation, leave a review and share this episode with a fellow leader.

We’d love for you to become part of our growing leadership community. Visit our website www.ceoadvantage.com.au.

For leadership advice and more content, follow us on Instagram @ceo_advantage.

Connect with Paul Edginton on Linked In: / paul-edginton-5047a511

In this episode of The CEO Advantage Podcast, host Paul Edginton sits down with Carolyn Curtis, former CEO of The Australian Centre for Social Innovation and a long-time collaborator at The CEO Advantage. They talk openly about leadership in the not for profit and community sectors, what it means to carry the weight of a CEO role, and how identity, wellbeing and purpose shape the experience of leading. The discussion explores how to recognise when it is time to move on, how to let go of a role that defines you, and what comes next after stepping away from the top job.

Carolyn shares how her focus has shifted to helping organisations understand culture by looking beneath the surface. She and Paul discuss the difference between compliance and culture, how burnout and psychosocial risk are now key leadership issues, and why trust, connection and communication matter more than ever. Together they reflect on power, decision making and the changing expectations of a modern workforce, offering grounded insight from their own years in leadership.

In this episode:• How stepping away from a CEO role can redefine identity and purpose• The difference between compliance and culture in shaping performance• Why burnout and psychosocial risk now sit at the heart of leadership• How power and influence shape behaviour inside organisations
• What generational change means for leadership and communication

This episode is for anyone in leadership, governance or social impact who wants a clear and practical look at the human side of leading people and the realities of working within complex systems.

In this episode of The CEO Advantage Podcast, host Paul Edginton is joined by Kevin McCarthy to explore the art and science of leading change within organisations. Kevin shares how his early career in healthcare and academia shaped his understanding of leadership and culture, and how his later work with senior teams, Harvard and Stanford scholars, and global organisations deepened his insights into what truly drives transformation.Over the conversation, Kevin unpacks the challenges of leading in complex environments, the role of curiosity and open-mindedness, and why leadership must balance structure with adaptability. Drawing from decades of experience, he discusses practical frameworks for shaping culture, improving dialogue, and sustaining both innovation and core business success.In this episode:• How Kevin’s early career in healthcare education revealed the power of organisational culture• The difference between technical expertise and the social art of leadership• Practical ways leaders can foster curiosity, vulnerability, and open dialogue• Why ambidextrous leadership is key to balancing innovation and stability• The essential role of power, relationships, and reasoning in driving meaningful changeThis episode is for current and aspiring leaders who want a clear, experience-based understanding of how to navigate change, build trust, and lead organisations that keep evolving with purpose.

We’d love for you to become part of our growing leadership community. Visit our website www.ceoadvantage.com.au.

For leadership advice and more content, follow us on Instagram @ceo_advantage.

Connect with Paul Edginton on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-edginton-5047a511/

Join hosts Paul Edginton and Milly Albers as they sit down with Matt Stevenson-Dodd, founder of Trust Impact, to unpack how organisations can run with rigour while staying true to purpose. Matt shares how his early youth work and personal journey shaped a commitment to better outcomes for young people, and why live, simple evidence matters more than bulky reports.

Through this conversation, Matt explains how joined up data and live dashboards help organisations make faster, smarter decisions, why publishing honest failure builds credibility with funders and communities, and how running a social enterprise with commercial discipline protects mission and impact. He also outlines the origins of Trust Impact, the governance lessons from a YMCA pilot that joined federated databases to create a live impact dashboard, and practical steps leaders can take to move from backward looking reports to real time evidence.

In this episode:
• The core principles of measurement design and how to decide what truly matters
• The YMCA pilot that linked federated databases and the governance lessons it revealed
• Building dashboards that support both frontline decision making and strategic oversight
• How transparency around success and failure strengthens credibility with funders and staff
• Practical steps for leaders to move from static reporting to live evidence through governance, pilots and continual improvement

This episode is for anyone working in charities, social enterprise, policy, or program delivery who wants frameworks that actually move the dial, and practical examples of how to measure impact without getting lost in complexity.

We’re back with Season 3 of The CEO Advantage Podcast - and this season, we’re going deeper. Expect more human, more raw, and more insightful stories from leaders who have walked through challenges and change.
Paul Edginton and Milly Albers sit down with Hugo Toovey - Major in the Army, cancer survivor, CEO and founder of 25 Stay Alive. Hugo’s journey is not just about survival, but about redefining leadership through vulnerability, purpose, and connection. He opens up about the power of honesty in leadership, the importance of checking in on others, and how sharing our struggles can transform teams, communities, and lives. Hugo has moved some of the world's biggest leaders from Amazon, Telstra, Santos, Commonwealth Bank and more.
Key Leadership Takeaways:
- Vulnerability Builds Trust

- When leaders admit struggles, they humanise themselves and create stronger, more connected teams.
- Purpose Fuels Resilience

- Transforming personal adversity into a mission creates authentic influence and lasting impact.
- Connection is Leadership

- True leadership isn’t about having all the answers

- it’s about showing up, listening, and supporting others.
Don’t forget to subscribe to The CEO Advantage Podcast so you never miss an episode.

If you enjoyed today’s conversation, leave a review and share this episode with a fellow leader.
We’d love for you to become part of our growing leadership community.

Visit our website www.ceoadvantage.com.au.
For leadership advice and more content, follow us on Instagram @ceo_advantage.

Connect with Paul Edginton on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-edginton-5047a511/

Join host Paul Edginton as he sits down with Carmel Crouch, long-serving Managing Director of STEPS Group Australia, to unpack a remarkable life devoted to inclusion, leadership, and resilience.

Carmel’s story is one of courage, fierce independence, and relentless drive, from managing four supermarkets at 22, to rescuing a struggling organisation and building one of Australia’s most impactful disability services.

In this episode:
• Growing up with no roadmap for leadership and creating her own

• Overcoming systemic discrimination with empathy, tenacity and pragmatism

• How Carmel turned personal challenges into a national social enterprise

• The vision behind Pathways College and its generational impact on families
• Reflections on succession, legacy and the search for the next right leader

Carmel’s insights cut through management theory and land firmly in lived experience. This is a conversation for anyone leading people, building purpose-driven organisations, or wondering how to turn a “no” into a national movement.

If this episode resonates, please subscribe, share, and leave a review.

Don't forget to subscribe, share, and join the conversation on The CEO Advantage.www.ceoadvantage.com.au

Follow us on Instagram @ceo_advantage

Join host Paul Edginton for a candid and insightful conversation with Stephen Mabbs, co-founder and former CEO of Escient, one of Australia's leading independent consulting firms. From his early days in defence science and the Army Reserve to founding and scaling a values-led business, Stephen shares the key lessons and turning points that shaped his path.This episode covers Stephen’s reflections on risk, resilience and leadership, including a powerful story about near burnout and rebuilding from the ground up. He also speaks about the importance of mental health, listening to others, and the experience of completing Harvard’s Advanced Management Program.

With clarity and humility, Stephen unpacks the challenges of running a business while staying aligned with your values and looking after your people.

In this episode:

- Transitioning from military and academic life into entrepreneurship

- Lessons from defence engineering and consulting

- Founding and growing Permian, and its acquisition by SMS Management & Technology

- The impact of Harvard and the confidence it sparked

- Why trust, authenticity and listening are core to leadership

- How Escient was born and what makes it differentThis conversation is for business owners, executives and emerging leaders who want to grow without losing sight of what matters.

If you enjoy the episode, follow The CEO Advantage Podcast for more honest and practical conversations.

Don't forget to subscribe, share, and join the conversation on The CEO Advantage.

www.ceoadvantage.com.au

Follow us on Instagram @ceo_advantage

In this episode, Paul Edginton speaks with Ricky Sydney, an internationally experienced CTO, about the realities behind AI, data strategy, and leading digital transformation without the hype.Key Topics Covered

- How CEOs can engage with AI without getting overwhelmed

- The evolving roles of CTOs and CIOs in board-level decisions

- Why data quality matters more than dashboards- Avoiding costly tech mistakes through people-first thinking

• ⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠
• ⁠Subscribe to CEO Advantage on YouTube⁠
• ⁠Connect with Paul on Linked In

Ricky brings decades of global leadership experience across the US, Europe, and Australia. With deep expertise in data analytics and systems implementation, he offers rare behind-the-scenes knowledge of both enterprise tech and consulting.

Whether you’re a CEO, board member, or tech leader, this episode helps you understand how to approach AI and data with clarity, caution, and confidence.

Don't forget to subscribe, share, and join the conversation on The CEO Advantage. ⁠www.ceoadvantage.com.au⁠

Join Paul Edginton and Dan Gregory, co-founder of The Behaviour Report and former Gruen Transfer panelist, as they explore the complex psychology of ambition, self-employment, and personal transformation.

This episode dives into Dan's evolution from blue-collar beginnings and early ad agency success to stand-up comedy and behavioural strategy.

They unpack what it means to thrive without fitting in, the impact of early success, and how to leverage humour and intellect to build a meaningful career.Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review!

Join host Paul Edginton and co-host Milly Albers as they sit down with Trent Driver, Principal of Scotch College Adelaide. With a 30 year career in education, Trent shares fascinating experiences on his journey into teaching, his leadership style, and what it takes to run a school community of more than 600 staff and staying focused on students.

This episode covers
• How a uni side gig sparked a lifelong teaching career
• Why authentic leadership matters in modern schools
• Balancing academic rigour with student wellbeing
• Leading with purpose in a complex education system
• Advice for passionate teachers feeling stuck or burned out

Whether you're an educator, a parent, or a leader in any field, this conversation is packed with insight, real talk, and inspiration.Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who believes in the power of purpose driven leadership.