The Women of Influence Podcast with Kate Meade

When was the last time you asked yourself if you are happy? When was the last time you asked yourself 'am I happy at work?'

This is Dr Kat Page and she explains and talks about being Happy. Well, that's where we start. But not like happy skipping around the place more about the; am I feeling content? Am I challenged just enough?

Kat is an organisational psychologist, researcher and leadership advisor, and the author of Good Work: Transforming Your Work from the Inside Out (Wiley, 1 April 2026).

And, again. I'm sorry not sorry! But I thought talking to Kat would be like talking to Wendy from Billions. I quickly found out no. That's not really where her research and work is grounded in. 

For Kat, it is about Happiness. 

I actually think I had the wind knocked out of me. I couldn't remember the last time I thought about being Happy at work. For me I just love it. And I loved this chat with Kat because she challenged my thinking. 

I hope it will, yours too. 
Her book isn't designed for the managers and leaders but to empower you. 

Loved it! 

Also note her book and work includes- burnout is a systems failure, not a personal one  and the next era of leadership isn't about training people for resilience to cope; it's about redesigning work so performance and wellbeing can coexist. 

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it. 

Wow. I want to go back and listen again. 

Love Kate

 *This episode was recorded via Zoom & is unedited.
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I could talk creativity all day and that is lucky because Tegan Higginbotham is oozing with it. 

Australian comedian, writer, actress.... I tried to write her business card and failed. 

But what I can tell is about this burst of joy when you hear her story. 

From the Primary School teacher who first believed in her to this hunger, this need to create. 

2026 is unfolding in magical ways for our Tegan and it was a privilege to capture this moment in time with her. 

Also, I'm sorry. Not sorry. But I had to ask about Odd Ball (the movie). Very embarrassing due to the sheer list of achievements Tegan has but also..... Man, I love that movie!

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I loved recording it for you. 

Love Kate 

*This episode was recorded via Zoom & is unedited.
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Hand on heart. I'm not sure if I could have stuck at it. 

Episode 16/100 we heard from Molly's Mum Adelle and how the dance Mum upended her life and then helped navigate from the other side of the world to help her daughter when COVID hit.

So, we couldn't not talk to Molly. (The daughter).

Honestly. It was one challenge after another and there would be no-one that would have blamed this young woman from walking away from her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

But this is the thing isn't it. 

When you can't walk away. You fight and fight and fight. Whatever it takes. 

Molly. Thank-you for joining us and thank-you for sharing your fight to follow your dream. 

*This episode was recorded via Zoom & is unedited.
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Happy St Patrick's Day to you. 

Zenita moved to Australia 15 years ago to play music and then made a life here. A band, two Irish pubs and another on Chapel Street this is a woman that has rolled with it.

We talk about music, why the move, and then how it came about saving one of Melbourne's most Iconic Irish Pubs- The Quite Man now Auntie Annies in Flemington.
Paying tribute to the original owner in the name, finding the blueprints of the building and saving it from demolition. 

Now to be honest. If I ever wished I could edit these podcasts I would but I made a promise that even if I asked a stupid question it would stay in. So forgive me as I asked about an 'Irish' song I love and find out it's Scottish. YIKES! 

Now to go enjoy this wonderful day of dancing and singing. Happy St Patricks Day everyone. 

Love Kate

*This episode was recorded via Zoom & is unedited.
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This is Adelle and she is a Dance Mum. 

Let me be clear. This is completely different to being a 'dance mom'. 

When you have a child that wants to do what only the 1% can do it takes a great deal of committement.

But more than talent, it's luck, the right moment and right time. It's waiting for a yes all while getting a thousand no's. 

So, what do you do when your child 'makes it' and COVID strikes. How do you get them through when you are on different sides of the world. 

This is only one part of Adelle's story. It's part her, and part her daughter Molly. What a team they have made.

This is a story of what it has taken for one family to help their child make it. 

Thank-you Adelle and like I say in this episode. Thank-you for all the support you have given the Victorian Dance Festival over the years. In the early days it wouldn't have been or got to what it was without you. 

Love Kate 

*This episode was recorded via Zoom & is unedited.
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This is Briony.

The make it happen person. 

Her story has a familiar theme not quite fitting but with the power of great females around you; the support will get you through....and then you fly!

I have know Briony since she was about 13 years old. I remember thinking I wanna be cool like Briony. Still do if I'm honest.

She is a Marketing WIZ! I say again- the make it happen person. Just knows how to find a way. 

This chat didn't intent to turn into a bit about a shoe brand it just happens that Briony is working for one and I wanted to know more about building community V traditional marketing. 

I got off the end of this chat and just want to start creating. 

Thanks Briony. Love you long time.

Kate 

*This episode was recorded via Zoom & is unedited.
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This is Mrs McPearl also known as Norma. 

I asked Mrs McPearl want she wanted most and she said 'to be taken seriously'. 

I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. 

Not quite 70 Mrs McPearl and Norma are the same person with two identities. But they share something beautiful in common. A passion for a story of a pearl or bead, that age is no barrier and if you think you can discount a person due to their age you have another thing coming. 

Feminism, ageism, barbie dolls, teaching.... there is so much to celebrate in this story. In Normas story that has evolved into Mrs McPearl. 

She is a Woman of Influence.

*This episode was recorded via Zoom & is unedited.
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I feel like I am sharing a dear friend with you and I have only known Donna maybe 18 months!

Everyone needs a Donna in their lives. 

This interview is the perfect example of thinking the story is going to go one way and then BAM! Off it goes in another directions.

This is a story of resilience. That not all dreams come true and that regret can be real.

But it's also about beginning again. Finding your place and writing your own story. 

This is my Donna. A woman that welcomed me to Melbourne when I didn't know who anyone was. We haven't stopped talking since. This is my wonderful friend Donna and now she is yours too. 

Oh, and she interviewed Clint Eastwood!!!! Come on!!! How cool is that. 

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I loved hearing it. 

Love Kate 

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This is Posey.

In all her energy. It's 150% or nothing. All in or all out. 

But it's a work around. A non stop way to figure it out. Going through a school system that isn't always designed for all minds. Where the barrier of success is about the number or mark on a test. 

What Posey shares is something that can be forgotten. That there are other ways to win in life without ace'ing the test. 

That finding your skill can start sweeping the floors in a hair salon; that can give you the confidence to do anything. 

If you really want it that is. 

So, here she is. A big ball of wonderful energy and life, a wife and mother and creative genius! 

I hope you feel as full of energy as I did after hearing Posey's story. 

Love Kate 

 *This episode was recorded via Zoom & is unedited.
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I'll give you 'just a Mum with a hobby' in a minute.

Ok listeners. If you have ever needed to hear this. You will not, you do not not need anyone elses permission to shine. To dream. To have a go. To have a red hot go.

Can you tell I'm fired up?!

This is Bec's story. One of starting from scratch. Teaching herself and learning. To running a business that turns over one million a year. 

I'll give you just a hobby!

I'm reminded of this poem-

Our Greatest Fear —Marianne Williamson
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other

people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

—Marianne Williamson

So to you. If you have an idea. Let Bec's story inspire you. And don't let anyone put you down as you chase your dream. 

All my love Kate

PS- I'm still fired up!

Check out @botanicalsbyluxe and you'll see this "hobby"

*This episode was recorded via Zoom & is unedited.
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