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Published by Leanne Hughes
Leanne on Demand is your unfiltered backstage pass to bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and the messy magic of life beyond the boardroom. Think of it as your daily dose of scrappy creativity, served up while I’m walking, working in public, or just living out loud. Every day, I’ll bring you real-time reflections on business, leadership, and the random sparks of inspiration that pop up along the way. From behind-the-scenes peeks into my work to off-the-cuff chats with brilliant minds (or solo rants while I’m on a run), these bite-sized episodes are all about keeping it raw, relatable, and ridiculously actionable. This isn’t your typical polished business podcast – no overthinking, and no-fluff. Perfect for big thinkers, go-getters, and anyone itching for a fresh perspective on how to show up, take action, and make moves. New episodes drop daily. Grab your headphones and let’s take this outside.
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Alan and I catch up over coffee and martinis, talk weather and travel (including his Nantucket trip), and share updates on upcoming books and family projects. We dive into “you made it, now what?”—how successful people start asking “how much is enough?” and why the better question is “enough of what?” Alan argues success is about purpose, not endless accumulation, and warns about scarcity mindset, low self-esteem, and normative pressure to “beat the Joneses.” He shares practical markers of “enough”: living without financial anxiety, protecting family, pursuing opportunities by choice, being generous without risk, buying back time, and walking away from bad clients and deals. We discuss hobbies, using talents beyond work, the survive–alive–arrive–thrive model, shutting “watertight doors,” and organizing life selfishly to gain freedom and reduce guilt. 00:00 Cold Open Banter 00:31 Vacation Tan Talk 01:45 Books and Life Updates 03:15 You Made It Now What 03:57 Enough Money vs Purpose 05:47 Bucket Lists and Iceland Rant 07:05 Bigger Boat Syndrome 09:00 Bored After Success 10:13 Retired for 25 Years 11:23 Why Hobbies Matter 12:51 Talents And Recognition 13:21 Beyond Success Buying Time 15:10 Enough Metrics For Success 16:16 Purpose Shifts With Age 18:08 Avoid Purpose Fanaticism 18:58 Watertight Doors Model 20:30 Coaching Scarcity Mindset 21:26 Generosity Of Spirit 22:56 Staying Challenged In Retirement 25:49 Calling Personal Metrics 26:47 Systems Healthy Selfishness 27:34 Final Thanks And Wrap Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
Recorded live at ConCon on the Gold Coast, Alan and I covered everything from consulting, confidence and pricing through to AI, universities, ghosting, self-belief and even why he thinks consultants should stop calling themselves consultants. As always, Alan challenged conventional thinking with ideas that make you stop, question your assumptions and rethink how you're showing up in business. Some of the biggest ideas we explored include: Why calling yourself a consultant immediately puts you in a crowded market. How to become an "object of interest" so clients actually want to keep talking to you. The real reason prospects ghost you and what you can do differently. Why you should stop trying to solve problems and instead reframe them. How creating demand starts with fresh thinking, not better marketing. The importance of talking to economic buyers instead of getting stuck in the wrong conversations. Why "best practice" is becoming outdated and what to focus on instead. Alan's thoughts on universities, trades and the changing workforce. What confidence really means and why self-trust matters more than experience. Why maintaining client relationships is about consistently providing value, not checking in for the sake of it. The role of improv, curiosity and fearless thinking in consulting. Alan's views on HR, innovation, disruption and why there is no such thing as "normal" anymore. His advice for new consultants looking to stand out in an increasingly noisy market. One of my favourite quotes from the conversation was: "Confidence is the belief you can meet other people's expectations even though you haven't before." This conversation is packed with practical ideas, controversial opinions and plenty of laughs. I'd love to hear what landed most for you. Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me a message and let me know your biggest takeaway. Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
In this episode, I'm sharing an unexpected update on my next book, Work Fame: Get the Projects, Promotions, and Perks You Deserve . Check out the book pre-order site! What started as a routine conversation with my publisher quickly turned into a full-blown pre-order campaign. I discovered the book was already available online for pre-order, sooner than expected, which meant it was time to shift gears and start thinking seriously about marketing. Rather than following the same approach I used for The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint , I wanted this campaign to reflect the themes of the book itself. Fame, recognition, visibility and earning opportunities are all central ideas in Work Fame , so I built a campaign around those concepts, including something I'm calling the Wall of Work Fame. I'm also sharing the ambitious goal I've set for the launch. A goal that many people would consider unrealistic in the Australian business book market. In this episode, I talk about: Why securing a publishing deal with Wiley changed the way I think about book launches The journey of developing the core framework behind Work Fame How I approached marketing differently from my first book The inspiration behind the Wall of Work Fame Why I immediately set a target of 1,001 pre-orders The surprising momentum generated before any public launch announcement The generous support from early champions and bulk purchasers What I'm learning about visibility, recognition and audience engagement in real time Key takeaways Marketing works best when it reflects the product you're promoting. Ambitious goals can create energy and focus when they feel meaningful. Early momentum often comes from trusted relationships, not broad audiences. Recognition can be a powerful motivator when thoughtfully incorporated into a campaign. Sometimes the most exciting opportunities arrive before you feel fully prepared. Resources mentioned Work Fame: Get the Projects, Promotions, and Perks You Deserve The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint Manus AI Jia Jiang and his book Rejection Proof Jia Jiang's TED Talk on 100 Days of Rejection Matt Stewart and The Custodian Way A final thought This project has been quietly unfolding behind the scenes for months. To see so much support before a public announcement has been both surprising and encouraging. The road to 1,001 pre-orders is still a long one, but it's a challenge I'm excited to pursue. Thanks for listening. Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
Using Language to Increase Value, Demand, and Influence (with Alan Weiss) I chat with Alan Weiss about his recent Europe trip (Portugal, London, Paris), including Portugal’s popularity, walking Lisbon’s steep hills, high tea at The Ritz, a Paris boutique hotel with a private garden, and the relaxed café culture compared to timed American restaurants. We then dive into how to use language to increase your value, demand, and influence: creating vivid verbal pictures with metaphor, analogy, and strong phrasing, and never “dumbing down” your words. Alan shares sales conversation lines that reframe objections, plus guidance from The Martial Arts of Language—don’t interrogate, use follow-up questions, and always probe beyond the first answer (often with “Why?”). We also discuss naming offers (like KATIN and “Innovation never grows old”), the risks of outsourcing creativity to AI, and how to improve by studying great writing and collecting standout quotes. 00:00 Warm Welcome Banter 03:12 Today’s Topic Words Matter 04:28 Building Vocabulary Branding 05:50 Verbal Pictures In Business 07:14 Better Questions Follow Ups 09:51 Turning Sales Conversations 13:03 Martial Arts Lines Examples 13:58 KATIN Offer Origins 14:30 Bold Language Filters 15:01 Roasts and Blunt Feedback 15:47 How to Name Offers 16:47 AI Naming and Contrast 17:55 Reversal and Analogy 19:09 AI Writing Risks 21:19 Good Enough Drafting 21:55 Steal Great Language 24:24 Why Reading Endures 26:11 Analogies and LinkedIn Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
eanne Hughes and Alan Weiss explore what it really takes to design premium client experiences — from large-scale thought leadership conferences to intimate high-touch group gatherings in penthouse suites around the world. Alan shares the frameworks, courage, and lifestyle philosophy behind his most successful events, and Leanne reflects on her own recent red carpet camp-out experience. Topics Covered Defining high-end experiences — Alan's two models: large group conferences (125–150 people) vs. intimate groups (7–10 people in premium locations) The large format event — Outside speakers (Dan Pink, Jonah Berger), a $30–35K AV crew, volunteer wranglers, concurrent sessions, and how to turn a cost-neutral event into $150K in spinoff business The intimate group format — Penthouses in London, Paris, and LA; Michelin-starred dinners; provoking IP over socialising The role of location — Why venue matters more for small groups, and how Alan used his Kauai suite to transform a stuffy session Program design — Overwhelming with value, reframing problems rather than solving them, and the story of Mike Robert's legendary Pebble Beach strategy program Courage and filling seats — Becoming an "object of interest," the chain reaction of attraction, and why you should never lead with price Accessibility as a brand strategy — Being the most accessible expert in a niche, and where to draw the line Curating the right room — Why sophistication and maturity matter more than income, and the one time someone didn't belong Lifestyle as the real brand — Why people follow Alan for the life he lives, not just his consulting expertise What people get wrong — The experience should showcase you , not the venue; using Broadway plays, tours, and dinners as vehicles for IP Virtual high-end experiences — Why Alan believes in-person is essential for high-touch, community-building work Planning and promotion — Shameless promotion, letting your wife veto the destination, and the 24-hour sign-up experiment Key Quotes "You don't solve problems. You recast and reframe them, so people say, 'I never looked at it like this before.'" — Alan Weiss "The higher high-tech goes with AI, the higher touch is required." — Alan Weiss "I prove that you can do it — and more importantly, that you can do it unashamedly." — Alan Weiss Resources & People Mentioned Dan Pink — Author and speaker Jonah Berger — Wharton School professor, author of Contagious Michael Bungay Stanier — Author of The Coaching Habit Randy Gage — Author, prosperity mindset expert The Innovation Formula — Alan Weiss & Mike Robert (1985) Connect Alan Weiss: alanweiss.com Talk the Walk — next episode: first week of June Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
I jumped in for a spontaneous popup episode to share a conversation I had on The Solo Sauce podcast. We recorded it just before I flew to Nepal, I was in that messy in-between state where I was trying to wrap things up, thinking about what’s next, and not overthinking my answers. Which means what you’ll hear is probably closer to how I actually think. Joeri and I got into: the workshop disaster in Canada that accidentally kicked off my career how a podcast turned into a brand, a book, and real opportunities why community is still the most valuable asset I’ve built what people get wrong about content and personal brand and the parts of running your own business that don’t get talked about enough We also went deep on things I don’t usually say out loud: I’m still figuring things out content is how I think, not just how I market and the whole “busy” narrative is mostly perception 📺 Watch the full conversation with Leanne on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4444T_ujaic 🎧 Prefer audio? Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XZYtEOAfbPJComLn90g1I?si=38befac491294bc9 Or on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/the-solo-sauce-podcast/id1876214009?l=en-GB&i=1000755727432 Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
What makes someone more interesting, more insightful, and better at what they do? In this episode of Talk the Walk , Leanne and Alan go well beyond business. They explore why a full life outside work, including hobbies, culture, travel, current events, films, ideas, and even the everyday chaos of tradies and repairs, can sharpen your thinking rather than distract from it. Alan shares why the most valuable consultants are often polymaths, not specialists trapped in a narrow lane. From Oscar film reviews to global politics, first world problems, confidence, self-worth, and the danger of living life through a screen, this conversation moves across the map and lands on one central point: your work gets better when your world gets bigger. They also dig into what it means to live in the moment, why curiosity matters, how confidence fuels great thinking, and why you’re responsible for making something of your life instead of sitting back and waiting. In this conversation: Why having a “whole life” gives your work more depth How wide interests can make you a stronger marketer and thinker The difference between ego and esteem Why people are desperate for spaces that go beyond pure business talk Alan’s thoughts on confidence, critical thinking, and personal power Why capturing everything can stop you from actually living it The line that sums it all up: you’re not here to go in the water, you’re here to make waves Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
In this episode of Talk the Walk , Leanne and Alan Weiss kick off with ducks, snow and martinis… and end up in a sharp conversation about ego, esteem and why most professionals are letting the wrong thing drive their behaviour. If you’ve ever: Second-guessed yourself after one critical comment Obsessively checked feedback scores Felt like an imposter despite evidence you’re good at what you do Avoided posting, pitching or pushing back This one’s for you. From ducks to dignity Alan shares stories from his snow-covered property, feeding ducks who respond to his “Berlitz-level quack.” It’s light, it’s funny… and then we pivot. The real conversation begins with a distinction most people get wrong. Ego and esteem are not the same thing. Ego vs esteem: the difference that changes everything According to Alan: Ego is external. It protects your image. It’s how you want to be seen. Esteem is internal. It’s your belief that you are worthy, regardless of success or failure. Ego can be smashed by criticism, comparison or public embarrassment. Esteem doesn’t collapse from attack. It deteriorates from neglect. That’s the kicker. Most people aren’t losing esteem because someone attacked them. They’re losing it because they’ve stopped tending to it. The default problem Alan argues that the default human setting is guilt and fear. We say: “I was wrong.” “I shouldn’t have said that.” “They’re going to find me out.” Leanne references the research on imposter phenomenon. Over 80% of high achievers feel like frauds at some point. That’s not lack of talent. That’s neglected esteem. Practical ways to build esteem (intentionally) Alan suggests building devices into your life: Write 10 great things you did this month In the morning, note 3 positive things you’ll do At night, record 3 positive things you did Screenshot praise and keep it somewhere accessible Esteem needs reinforcement. If you don’t reinforce it, social media, comparison and criticism will erode it for you. Consultants and low self-esteem This is where it gets uncomfortable. Low-esteem consultants: Don’t push back Let clients dictate terms Slash fees Obsess over smile sheets Avoid controversy Alan is blunt: If you don’t believe you have value, why should anyone else? He also dismantles audience feedback culture. Smile sheets mean nothing. Ask the buyer if you met their needs. Respect matters more than affection. The LinkedIn trap One negative comment. One stranger saying “This makes no sense.” And suddenly you spiral. Alan’s advice: Consider the source Don’t defend yourself against unsolicited critics If you want feedback, ask someone you respect Otherwise, you become a ping-pong ball. No guilt. No fear. No peer. This phrase came from a spontaneous response Alan gave when someone asked why he’s so confident. He walks into rooms with a silent challenge: prove me wrong. That doesn’t mean arrogance. It means he isn’t waiting for permission. The “no peer” piece is important. Stop measuring yourself against everyone else. Focus on your own metrics. Handling fear Most fear is fear of criticism. Alan puts content out globally, daily. Many professionals are terrified to post once a month. You don’t have to defend yourself against every critic. You don’t need universal approval. And as Alan says: There are statues of heroes in parks. There are no statues of critics. On ego (the healthy version) Ego isn’t the villain. It’s a regulatory device. But if it’s fragile, it becomes reactive. Leanne shares her frustration seeing outdated thinking still being rewarded on big stages. Alan reframes it: Don’t go into life rage. Self-effacing humour beats superiority every time. Guilt spirals and perspective One consultant spent 24 hours worrying about a project that the client loved. Alan’s point: Separate worth from efficacy . You are worthy. Full stop. Then evaluate performance based on your own metrics. Did you test for understanding? Did people engage? Were there questions? Questions and objections show interest. Apathy is the real danger. Final takeaway Alan closes with this: You control more than you think. You control your ego. You control your esteem. If you let other people influence those without filters, you’re not leading your own life. Join us next time We’re back on 13 March for another Talk the Walk session. In the meantime: Where are you neglecting your own esteem? Are you chasing approval instead of respect? What metric are you using that’s quietly sabotaging your confidence? Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
My latest article is all about extracting your ROI - listen in! Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
If you’re feeling pressure to make 2026 bigger, faster, cleaner, or more impressive than last year, this episode cuts through that noise quickly. What you’ll hear in this episode Why New Year’s resolutions create unnecessary pressure and disappointment The difference between patience and procrastination, and how fear shows up in both Why changing expectations is a strength, not a character flaw The “mercy rule” we all need for projects, careers, and goals that aren’t working How smart people know when to push forward, go around, or stop completely Why plans shouldn’t lock you in and why empty space in your calendar matters The problem with bucket lists and comparison-based success What’s being overhyped right now, and what’s quietly undermining progress Why flexibility isn’t flippancy, it’s judgement A simple way to rethink success without lowering your standards One question to sit with after listening What expectation are you protecting out of pride, not because it still makes sense? Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
This is it. Episode 365. The last time I open the podcast with those words. This episode isn’t a neat bow or a highlight reel. It’s a real reflection on what it actually takes to show up every single day for a year, without fireworks, without drama, and without pretending it was always fun. I talk about why documenting the year mattered more than “performing” it, and how most of the work happened quietly in between the milestones. The Everest Base Camp analogy still holds. You get there… and it’s just another step. The meaning lives in the repetition. I share what surprised me most. – Why batching sounded smart but killed the point – How finding a story in the ordinary became the real challenge – What outsourcing production changed forever – Why audio still wins for me, hands down – And how this project sharpened my ability to think out loud, even when energy was low I also talk honestly about the limits of the format. The quality dipped at times. Some episodes were rough. That’s the cost of consistency. And I’m okay with that. This project ends so I can redirect the bandwidth into the next big thing, my book with Wiley. That trade-off matters. Finishing well sometimes means stopping cleanly. If you listened to one episode or all 365, thank you. You were part of this, whether you ever told me or not. This feed isn’t dead. It’s just paused, repurposed, and ready for whatever comes next. No episode tomorrow..! THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
This is the second-last episode of this daily podcast project, and honestly, I didn’t come in with some big, profound lesson lined up. I just wanted to share something that happened. On Sunday, Chris and I were out driving his 1979 Trans Am. Black. V8. Screaming chicken on the bonnet. Full Smokey and the Bandit vibes. A bird decided to do its business right on the hood, so we pulled into a servo to wash it off. As we were about to leave, we noticed eight to ten American classic cars parked nearby. Chevys. A Knight Rider replica. The works. One of the guys waved us over and said, “I thought you were with us.” We weren’t. They were heading to a car meet about ten minutes away and invited us to come along. We followed the convoy. Told ourselves we could peel off if we wanted to. We didn’t. We grabbed a coffee, hung around for nearly an hour, met some great people, and Chris walked away with tips, parts advice, and new groups to join. All because a bird crapped on the car. Here’s the twist. If that bird hadn’t done that, none of those events would’ve happened. I also posted a quick 13-second Instagram Reel. No planning. No strategy. Just a point-of-view clip of accidentally ending up at a car meet. It’s now the highest-performing video I’ve ever posted. Higher than Everest Base Camp. Higher than anything I’ve carefully thought through. It’s a real-time reminder of how interest-based media works. The people watching it aren’t my audience. I’m not getting clients from it. That wasn’t the goal. But it shows that attention doesn’t belong to the most meaningful or effort-filled content. It belongs to what people are interested in, right now. Followers still matter for credibility and social proof. But reach today is driven by interest, not loyalty. And that’s actually encouraging. It means you don’t need a big platform or years of momentum to get cut-through. You just need to put something out that people want to look at. That’s it for today. Tomorrow, I’ll wrap up what this daily podcast project has taught me. Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
Only three episodes left in this daily podcast experiment. In this episode, I’m sharing a deceptively simple icebreaker I picked up at a Brisbane rooftop event that involved good wine, smart people, and an afternoon of intentional pour choices. During a conversation with Niha, she described a workshop activity called The Animal Game . W Here’s how it works. You choose three animals, one at a time, without overthinking it: For each animal, you note two traits that feel accurate. The twist in the debrief. Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
Today I sat down with Jan Keck (a self-proclaimed “community addict”) whose tagline is “Let’s have conversations that matter.” Jan created Ask Deep Questions , which started as a deck of cards to help friends connect on a camping trip and has since grown into a global tool for facilitating meaningful conversations. We talked about the real stuff: loneliness in a hyper-connected world, how to build belonging without forcing it, and how to hold space when things get awkward or emotional, especially online. What we covered Why we still feel alone even with endless ways to connect Jan’s definition of a close friend: who could you show up to at midnight with a bottle of wine and they’d let you in? The moment a personal goal-setting retreat changed Jan’s path, and why belonging hits different when you feel accepted as you are The difference between: connecting based on shared history (where you’re from), and connecting based on shared direction (where you’re heading) Whether “belonging at work” is real, and why it’s harder when people didn’t opt in The concept of challenge by choice (the pool metaphor) for vulnerability and participation How Jan “holds space” by designing the right container and community agreements , so the group carries the space, not the facilitator The awkward truth about virtual events: the instant drop-off when you hit “Leave”, and why Jan now builds in an informal hangout after sessions Jan’s Campfire Formula for engagement: you don’t light a big log first, you build momentum with micro-actions The three levels of Ask Deep Questions cards: Curious: “What are you most grateful for in your life?” Brave: “If you could relive a moment of your life, which one would you pick?” Vulnerable: “How do you want to be remembered?” Scaling connection in large groups using breakout rooms, structure, and clear instructions (plus the link to the bystander effect) Confidence on camera: why Jan credits improv (and repeating discomfort) for killing perfectionism A line I’m stealing: Presence over perfection Practical takeaways I’m sitting with If you want depth, design for depth . It doesn’t “happen naturally” on Zoom. The “closing” matters. Virtual events need a deliberate debrief runway . For groups bigger than about 6–7, you need structure or you’ll get silence. Don’t ask for vulnerability first. Earn it . About today’s guest Jan Keck Creator of Ask Deep Questions Mission: helping people feel less alone through meaningful conversations and experiences. Links Ask Deep Questions: askdeepquestions.com Jan’s site: jankeck.com Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
Today’s guest is Tim Ferguson, CEO of Audience , joining me from Switzerland. If you’ve ever walked into a workshop and felt your soul quietly leave your body, Tim is one of the people trying to stop that from happening. This conversation is a masterclass in what great facilitation actually looks like when it’s done properly. Tim doesn’t treat “engagement” like a nice-to-have. He treats it like the job. We talk about Tim’s wild career pivots, starting as a day camp counsellor, then theatre school, then a PhD track in religious studies, and somehow ending up running a global company that designs better corporate meetings and coaches leaders to present well. None of it was planned, which is both annoying and reassuring. A huge theme in this episode is audience-first design . Tim and his team start with who’s in the room, not what’s on the slide deck. He even asks clients to imagine cancelling the event and selling tickets instead. If people had to pay with their own money and time, what would make it worth it? That question alone is enough to expose how much corporate stuff is built backwards. We also get into: Why facilitation is a marathon, not a sprint (and why that matters if you want to do this work long-term) How to handle the moment someone calls your workshop “a waste of time” without getting defensive or folding A practical reset method (1-2-4-All) for turning tension into something useful Tim’s preparation routines, including how he memorises names and builds trust fast What it actually takes to work internationally (spoiler: relationships, reliability, and zero entitlement) The two underrated skills for new facilitators: presence (body language) and listening for what’s not being said If you run workshops, lead meetings, or present for a living, you’ll steal ideas from this one immediately. Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
I’m recording this on Christmas Day, full festive mode, about to eat and drink everything in sight. But first, I squeezed in a proper workout. A 45-minute Peloton bike bootcamp with Tunde that absolutely cooked my legs. After that, I did something very on-brand for me. I impulse-bought a $29 USD online course off Instagram and gave it a crack straight away. It was an intro to shuffle dancing from an account called Shuffle Mums . If you’ve seen shuffling before, you’ll know it’s fast footwork, cardio-heavy, and way harder than it looks. I spent about 15 minutes learning three moves: The running man The double running man A heel kick variation The teaching style was solid. Break the moves down, then stitch them together at slow, medium, then fast pace. I made it through slow, half-held medium, and completely fell apart after that. Here’s the honest part. Watching myself in the mirror, I looked stiff, intense, and nothing like the instructors who look chill and effortless. Brow furrowed. Upper body rigid. Very “trying hard” energy. Which is exactly what learning looks like. Will I stick with it? No idea. There’s every chance I won’t. And I’m fine with that. I’m not journalling my why. I’m not blocking time in my calendar. This isn’t a new identity. It’s a 10–15 minute finisher after a workout that’s fun, different, and forces my brain to focus. That’s enough. What I loved most was how mentally absorbing it was. The coordination, the footwork, the rhythm. It reminded me of hiking in Nepal, where every step required attention. I also went down a rabbit hole and learned that shuffling came out of the Melbourne rave scene in the 1990s , dancing in circles, no mirrors, no performance mindset. Just movement, music, and freedom. That context made it even better. So I’m giving it a go. No pressure. No overthinking. Just movement for the sake of it. If in a few months I can post a progress video without cringing, that’ll be a bonus. What this episode is really about Trying things without overcommitting Letting fun be the reason Habit stacking without making it a life philosophy Using movement to wake up your brain Being bad at something and not quitting immediately What’s one thing you could try for 10–15 minutes a few times a week without turning it into a self-improvement project? Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
In this Christmas Day episode, I’m recording fresh off a humid Brisbane hike and a lot of thinking time. I expand on yesterday’s conversation about media and platforms, and get specific about two things I’m genuinely prioritising in the year ahead. First, private podcasts. I break down what they are, why I’ve been using them for years, and why I think they’re one of the most underrated tools for client delivery, learning on the go, and building trust without spraying content everywhere. I share how I’ve used them for coaching, webinars, and even my own learning, and why I’m planning a short, locked-down mini series as my primary email sign-up. Second, the book. I talk about the behind-the-scenes decision to trial PR for the first time, what I’ve committed to around the launch window, and why locking this in early is changing how I’m thinking about angles, writing, and visibility. This is very much an experiment, and I explain what I’ll be watching to decide if it’s worth the investment. I also share a simple but sharp exercise I’m using to shape content and offers next year: What does my audience want more of, and what are they desperate to reduce or remove? No hype. Just practical clarity. This episode is less about Christmas cheer and more about direction, focus, and choosing fewer things that actually move the needle. Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
In this episode, I walk through the social media platforms I actually use, why I still use them, and what’s staying or shifting as I head into the new year. Earlier this year, I published a deep dive on my $11K tech stack. This conversation is the companion piece, focused purely on social and media platforms. The question I’m asking myself is simple: Why am I here? And is it still doing the job? Here’s the rundown. LinkedIn This is my main business platform. It’s where I share ideas, test thinking, meet smart people, and build momentum for the book. It’s staying. No debate. If my work is business-focused, this is non-negotiable. Instagram This is behind-the-scenes, fitness, travel, and real life. It’s lighter. I’ll sometimes delete the app on weekends or holidays to give myself a break, but I like the entertainment value and the people I stay connected with here. Facebook Still useful, but mainly for groups, Messenger, and local community updates. My Facebook group exists, people still join, but it’s no longer a growth engine for my business. And that’s fine. Not everything needs CPR. WhatsApp Not really social media, but it’s where a lot of my real conversations happen. Group chats, side chats, logistics, and friendships all live here. TikTok This one’s intentional curiosity. I’m using it as a listening tool for Gen Z and emerging leaders, because that audience matters for the book I’m writing. I’ll start creating content here, but I’m realistic. I may need help to make that happen properly. It’s also brilliant for travel, venues, and local recommendations. The algorithm is sharp, and it rewards curiosity. Strava Surprisingly motivating. I’m paying for it. Kudos matter more than they should. Even stretching feels rewarded. Substack This is a big one. Weekly writing, clearer thinking, and a strong entry point into the book. This is where longer ideas live first, before they get repurposed elsewhere. Podcast + YouTube I’m not continuing daily episodes next year. The feed stays. The episodes stay. The name and artwork will change. Expect fewer episodes, more depth, and tighter alignment to the book themes. YouTube will continue as a distribution channel for the podcast. Big picture: One strong weekly article becomes the pillar. Everything else supports it. Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
I recorded this episode late. All year I’ve been disciplined. Daily episodes. Even from Nepal with poor internet And yet here I am, back home, beachy, relaxed, watching eight hours of cricket… and suddenly a three-minute podcast feels heavy. That’s the bit I wanted to call out. It’s not that the work is hard. It’s that the perception of effort ramps up when you’re in soft mode. When you’re already moving, working, exercising, creating, the extra thing barely registers. When you’ve gone full couch, everything feels like a task. I talk about why the last stretch of anything feels harder, just like the final kilometres of a run. Same effort, louder brain. And how habit stacking and timing matter more than motivation. The takeaway is simple. Don’t wait to feel ready. Change the context. Do the thing while you’re already in motion. Because once you start, it’s fine. It’s the thinking about it that’s exhausting. key ideas I unpack Why the last leg of the year feels heavier than the rest Effort vs perception of effort and why your brain lies Soft mode vs motion mode and how context changes everything Why doing the thing is easier than gearing up to do the thing How habit stacking saves you from yourself questions to sit with Where are you blaming fatigue when it’s really a context problem? What task feels big purely because you’ve stopped moving? What would change if you did that thing earlier, faster, or mid-motion? Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
The Story Behind “Eat Clean, Drink Dirty” A while back, my Red Carpet Campout collaborator, Steve Demedio, asked about my dietary requirements. I replied via SMS, “I eat clean and I drink dirty.” That phrase stuck with me, especially recalling a trip to Thailand with Chris. Our mornings were all about a healthy routine—coffee, hydration, gym sessions, and a fruit-filled breakfast—while our afternoons melted into beautiful sunsets with a Chang or a mojito in hand. That contrast perfectly sums up my lifestyle: keeping things balanced rather than swinging to extremes. Moderation: The Sustainable Way I’m not here to dish out advice—this is about sharing what works for me and letting you decide what fits your life. I don’t follow the latest fad diets or extreme regimens; I simply opt for a moderate approach that supports both my well-being and my enjoyment of life. Sure, some folks might say that skipping alcohol entirely gives you extra energy and mental clarity, but I believe in the power of a couple of drinks to spark real conversations and genuine connections. For instance, I’ve seen how a casual beer can break down barriers—reminding me of my mate in the police force, who fondly recalled the old days when cops could wind down together over a few beers. Balancing Health and Happiness I’m aware that moderation isn’t for everyone, and there’s a fine line between maintaining a balanced lifestyle and potentially overdoing it. I keep my commitments to eating well, exercising, and living healthily, which helps counterbalance the occasional indulgence. For me, being 40 means I can experiment with this balance—eating clean while enjoying a little dirty drink—and find long-term sustainability without feeling deprived. Where Do You Stand? As of February 2025, I’m comfortably navigating my “eat clean, drink dirty” path. I’m curious about your take: do you find that moderation in your habits makes life more sustainable? Do you ever wonder if striving for extreme health benefits is worth sacrificing those spontaneous, fun moments? Questions for You How do you balance a commitment to healthy living with the desire to enjoy life’s lighter moments? Have you ever noticed that a casual drink or relaxed conversation has led to unexpected clarity or connection? What does long-term sustainability look like for you when it comes to balancing healthy habits with a bit of indulgence? Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com Let's connect on all the channels: Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn Leanne Hughes on Instagram Visit my website: leannehughes.com Email me: hello@leannehughes.com Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio .
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Observed September 18, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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