In this episode of Rules Don’t Apply, Lisa Watts, CEO of The Conversation, joins Dan Krigstein for a deep dive into truth, trust, and the future of Australian media.

Lisa shares how The Conversation is redefining journalism by partnering with academics to make complex ideas clear, credible, and accessible to everyone and why, in an era of AI and misinformation, that mission has never mattered more.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How The Conversation bridges the gap between academia and the public to make knowledge more accessible.

• Why building trust, not chasing clicks, is the real currency of modern media.

• Lisa’s perspective on navigating AI, misinformation, and the responsibility of truth-telling.

• What authentic, evidence-based journalism looks like in 2025 and beyond.

• The power of expert voices and how they can help shape a more informed, fact-led future.

This is one you won't want to miss, because redefining truth starts with the right conversation.

Welcome back to Rules Don’t Apply with The Growth Distillery.

In this episode, Dan Krigstein sits down with the incomparable Jean Oelwang, Founding CEO and President of Virgin United, and a woman who has spent decades building partnerships that literally change the world.

From working alongside icons like Nelson Mandela, Jane Goodall and Sir Richard Branson, to championing unity, moral leadership and purpose-driven business, Jean brings rare wisdom, warmth and clarity to a world in chaos.

This conversation is equal parts moving, energising and delightfully human featuring stories of radical hope, unexpected friendships and the kind of leadership we all wish we saw more of.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why genuine partnership still feels “radical” in business

• How love (yes, love!) can be a legitimate leadership strategy

• What companies get wrong about culture and how to fix it

• The rituals, values and behaviours that make relationships last

• How we can rebuild unity in a world addicted to division

If you’re craving big ideas, practical inspiration and a reminder that connection still wins this one is unmissable.

If you’ve ever wondered who really shapes the future, here’s the truth: we do. Every decision we make today defines what comes next. And our next guest helps guide us toward making the right ones.

Recorded live at SXSW Sydney, Dan sits down with Reanna Browne: futurist, strategist, unapologetic systems thinker and occasional “bad dinner guest” (in the best possible way).

Reanna is on a mission to redesign how we live, work and lead, putting humanity, health and hope back at the centre of progress. Together, they unpack the signals shaping tomorrow, and why small actions today can shift everything.

What this episode explores:
• How health and work are becoming inseparable
• AI as both a technology and an ideology
• Why “ridiculous” ideas often become tomorrow’s normal
• Practical ways to navigate change without burning out
• The power of agency: future happens through action and inaction

Sit back, grab a coffee and open your mind, the future's still ours to shape.

This week, host Dan Krigstein sits down with creative technologist, musician, strategist (and self-proclaimed “maker of cool sh*t”) Manon Dave. From composing tracks for global artists like will.i.am and Snoop Dogg, to shaping innovation inside major broadcasters like the BBC, Manon is the definition of a modern polymath.

Together, they dive into what happens when art meets algorithm and why imagination, originality and cultural instinct matter more than ever in an AI-accelerated world. In this episode, we explore:

•How technology is levelling the creative playing field

•Why “feel” beats precision in music, ideas and product design

•Innovation vs indulgence: knowing when to kill an idea

•Imagination as the new creative superpower

•What the “Netflix problem” means for the future of creativityGet ready to hear from someone effortlessly cool, sharing TV series recommendations, fresh thinking, and a candid look at what it really takes to thrive at the creative-tech crossroads.

Welcome back to Rules Don’t Apply

!In Episode Three host Dan Krigstein sits down with the exceptional Sandy Carter, Silicon Valley powerhouse, COO of Unstoppable Domains, bestselling author and one of Forbes’ Top 10 Women in Tech.

Sandy has been shaping the future of emerging technology. In this conversation, she breaks down what truly drives success in AI adoption, why culture can make or break innovation and how leaders can empower their teams instead of scaring them into silence.This episode explores:

•How to create a culture where AI enables people not replaces them
•How leaders can remove fear and build trust in transformative change
•The role of ethics, transparency and accountability in the AI-powered future
•Why failure deserves celebration and how it unlocks bigger winsIt’s a sharp look at how culture, trust and tech will shape the leaders of tomorrow.

Hit play and join us as we explore the real rules of innovation....

Welcome to Episode 2 of Rules Don’t Apply. Dan Krigstein is joined by Dr Frederik G. Pferdt, Future Optimist, Educator, Entrepreneur, Award-Winning Author and Google’s first-ever Chief Innovation Evangelist.For more than a decade, he helped shape the creative culture behind some of Google’s most ambitious breakthroughs and now he’s focused on helping people design more hopeful futures.In this inspiring conversation, Frederik reveals why curiosity is the most powerful tool we have for shaping what comes next and how optimism, imagination and play can unlock innovation in every workplace. This episode explores: •Practical rituals for building bold, creative teams.•Why making space for emotion fuels better problem-solving.•How leaders can help people feel safe enough to experiment, fail and try again. If you’re a leader, creator or simply someone wanting to feel excited about what’s ahead this episode will shift your mindset.Hit play, stay curious and join us in designing a more optimistic tomorrow.

Welcome to Episode 1 of Rules Don't Apply!Dan Krigstein sits down with Sir Martin Sorrell.

The industry titan who helped define modern advertising and continues to challenge what’s next as Founder of S4 Capital and Founder & Former CEO of WPP.

This conversation takes a clear-eyed look at the forces reshaping our world and what today’s leaders must do to keep up. Sir Martin reveals why quantum computing may soon become the most disruptive technology on the planet, even outpacing AI.

He unpacks the organisational habits slowing large companies down and why collaboration and an ego-free culture are the only real accelerators of innovation.

We explore:

•The future of global growth
•Shift from legacy models to digital investment
•Leadership traits that separate those who will thrive from those who’ll get left behind.

And yes, there’s even a moment of reflection on life balance and what matters most in the long run.If you care about where media, technology and creativity are heading, this one is for you.

What does it take to be happy in a world that never slows down?In this special event, The Growth Distillery’s Dan Krigstein sits down with Mo Gawdat - former Chief Business Officer at Google [X], best-selling author of Solve for Happy and Unstressable, and founder of One Billion Happy - for an extraordinary conversation on joy, resilience, and human potential.From reverse-engineering happiness to navigating the rise of AI with compassion and wisdom, Mo shares profound insights on how to find peace and purpose amid modern chaos.Inspired insights from inspirational thinkers, delivered differently.

In the final episode of Stories Untold, we sit down with Kate Westgate, Head of Marketing for Unilever’s Home Care division, a leader who brings empathy, clarity and purpose to every part of her work.

A people-first leader whose purpose is rooted in inspiring her family and making impactful marketing campaigns. Kate shares how she’s learned to trust her instincts, find her voice, and build teams where creativity and care go hand in hand. With honesty and warmth, she unpacks what it means to lead with intention in a fast-changing world.

• The connection between problem-solving and marketing
• Why true leadership means building trust, being honest, and having each other’s back
• The importance of working smarter, not longer—long hours aren’t a badge of honour
• Why gut instinct matters, especially when it challenges the data
• The tenacity and determination required to push through even the toughest campaigns
• And why the future of marketing must remain deeply human, even in a tech-led world

Hit play to discover how Kate is reshaping leadership. Driven by purpose, powered by people, and guided by gut.

Welcome to episode ten of Stories Untold, where we sit down with Caroline Wood, Head of Marketing at Fever-Tree.

A brand known for its quiet confidence and creative clarity.From agency beginnings to leading a global brand, Caroline shares how clarity, collaboration and an unwavering focus on quality have shaped her approach to marketing and leadership.• The genuine love she has for her product and the privilege of selling something she truly believes in• How strong leadership is about bringing diverse strengths together and watching them compliment each other • The influence of female role models in her career, and the power of women supporting women• The importance of staying curious, hustling for new opportunities, and never standing still• Why the best brands today are those agile enough to move fast and evolve with techPress play to hear how Caroline is leading with substance and why calm, considered creativity still makes the biggest impact.