"We need a new hamster wheel for 2026."

Dive into '2025 Unplugged: A Candid Look at the Year That Was' for an insightful reflection on the year's pivotal moments, societal changes, and personal stories that shaped our world.

Iain and I reflect on significant global events, the impact of place and community, and the role of technology in shaping society.

We discuss personal growth, professional identity, and the importance of critical thinking in today's world. We look bacl on our favourite podcast moments and guests, emphasising the need for advocacy and understanding in a rapidly changing environment.

Chapters

00:00 Reflections on a Year of Change

05:10 The Impact of Place and Tragedy

10:43 Navigating a Complex Global Landscape

16:06 Personal Highlights and Collaborations

21:31 Technology, AI, and the Future of Work

31:15 The Impact of Technology on Identity and Vulnerability

33:05 Advocacy for Digital Safety and Regulation

34:58Personal Growth and the Third Act

36:31 Decolonization and Community Engagement

38:42 Upcoming Book Launch and Community Involvement

40:27 Exploring Literature and Audiobooks

41:29 Television and Cultural Reflections

51:26 The Beatles and Cultural Impact

56:59 Reflections on Meaningful Conversations and Future Endeavors

Share your views with us at josephine@gearedforgrowth.biz

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL18BTBLfckRwwraLZMvbpNj-MjHHy-cSH&si=pXJAR_mmTGGEcO2q

Miriam Castilla, is an ex-engineer and finance professional turned business mentor and course creator, committed to helping online coaches and service providers create more freedom and ease in their business.

Miriam is the founder of Magnetic Money. She is an international speaker, bestselling author and award-winning business owner. She’s also a former finance professional and certified hypnotherapist.

In this engaging conversation, Miriam Castilla shares her unexpected journey from a corporate career in engineering to becoming a financial coach and hypnotherapist.

She discusses the importance of mindset in managing money, the impact of personal experiences like divorce on identity, and how her unique approach combines practical financial advice with mindset transformation.

Miriam also explores the concept of money archetypes, the role of hypnotherapy in changing limiting beliefs, and the influence of social media on our understanding of success and self-worth.

Chapters

00:00 Miriam's Unexpected Journey

04:12 Reinventing Identity After Divorce

07:46 Marrying the Magical with the Practical

13:18 The Gendered Experience of Money Mindset

15:24 Understanding Money Archetypes

19:34 The Roots of Money Habits

21:11 Transforming Unconscious Beliefs

24:18 The Nature of Hypnosis

27:08 The Impact of Social Media on Money Mindset

31:37 Finding Purpose Beyond Wealth

Contact Miriam and do her quiz https://miriamcastilla.com/quiz/

Contact Josephine www.josephinepalermo.com.au

Karen Holliday, a former Chief Operating Officer shares her extensive experience in operational excellence and the print and mail industry. Karen discusses the importance of people in Operations, her journey overcoming barriers as a woman in a male-dominated field, and her passion for mentoring and empowering others, especially women. She emphasizes the significance of authenticity in leadership and the need to build trust and culture within organizations. The conversation highlights key messages for effective leadership and the value of connection capital.

Karen Holliday is a transformational leader, faith-based business consultant, and inspirational speaker whose mission is to help others rise above adversity with courage, authenticity, and strategy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:44 Operational Excellence in Print and Mail Industry

04:57 The Importance of People in Operations

07:24 Connection Capital and Its Impact

10:17 Overcoming Barriers and Mentorship

12:42 Empowering Women in Leadership

15:17 Authenticity in Leadership

17:58 Navigating Challenges as a Woman Leader

20:25 Building Trust and Culture in Organizations

23:04 Key Messages for Women in Leadership

Contact Karen

linkedin.com/in/karen-holliday

https://nyakconsulting.com/

See her TED talk here

https://youtu.be/MPQhdgt-dZw?si=rKKe7L7DpuvYTOoe

Contact Josephine

www.josephinepalermo.com.au

In this engaging conversation, Noel Massieshares his extensive leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of integrity, mentorship, and investing in people. He reflects on his time at UPS, the values that shaped his leadership style, and the challenges faced by newlypromoted leaders. Through anecdotes and practical advice, Noel highlights the significance of listening, establishing clear expectations, and fostering an inclusive environment to drive success in teams. Discover the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the importance of mentorship, and the values that drive successful leadership. Noel sharesinsights from his book, "Congrats You've Been Promoted," offering practical advice for new leaders navigating their roles. Tune in for a conversation filled with wisdom and actionable strategies for personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:11 Career Milestones and Leadership Philosophy

03:47 Influence of Family and Early Role Models

07:31 UPS: A Value-Based Organization

11:43 The Importance of Employee Inclusion

13:38 Leadership Trajectory and Evaluation

18:03 Navigating Tough Decisions and Conflict Resolution

22:31 The Impetus for Writing a Book

23:47 Leadership on the Front Line

26:59 Building Confidence in New Leaders

28:14 Establishing Terms and Conditions

33:16 Navigating Organizational Politics

38:09 Investing in People for Success

Contact Noel at https://noelmassie.com/ Contact Josephine at https://gearedforgrowth.biz/

In this episode, Iain and Josephine explore the dynamic political landscapes of the United States and Australia, highlighting the stark contrasts and shared challenges they face. As the US navigates a complex political climate, Australia offers a model of stability with its strong democratic institutions. Yet, in an era where expressing our points of view is crucial, we question whether platforms like LinkedIn can truly support open dialogue.

Join us as we discuss the importance of having a voice in today's world and the role of professional networks in fostering meaningful conversations.

Chapters

00:00 Reflections on Travel and History

01:38 The Weight of History and Modern Geopolitics

04:00 Contrasting Political Landscapes: Australia vs. the US

05:18 Pride and Human Rights in Europe

06:40 Corporate Responsibility and Social Media

08:41 The Future of Education and Government Interference

10:50 Critical Thinking in Higher Education

13:17 Navigating Professional Spaces and Speaking Up

15:46 Finding Common Ground in Complex Issues

17:57 Call to Action and Future Conversations

Watch on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL18BTBLfckRwwraLZMvbpNj-MjHHy-cSH

Share your views with us at josephine@gearedforgrowth.biz

Can your people scale as fast as your product? Spoiler: they can’t - and they’re not meant to. In this powerful episode, Josephine Palermo speaks with Nahed Khairallah, a global HR strategist who has helped rocket startups from 7-figure beginnings to 9-figure enterprises across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Nahed unpacks the uncomfortable truth: people don’t scale -systems do. And if you want to grow fast without breaking your culture, you need a jet-fueled HR strategy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:12 The Journey into HR and Scaling

08:43 Understanding Business and People Dynamics

13:20 Defining ROI in HR Strategies

18:02 Identifying the Right People for Success

22:30 Balancing People and Technology in Business

23:19 Balancing Human Skills and AI

24:52 AI in Recruitment: Enhancing Efficiency

26:46 Navigating the Risks of Automation

29:40 Key Recommendations for Founders

38:44 The Importance of Culture in Scaling

Connect with Nahed

• Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khairallahnahed
• • Organized Chaos Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/organizedchaos-podcast

  https://www.linkedin.com/in/khairallahnahed

  https://organizedchaos.fyi

  
  

  Connect with Josephine

  www.josephinepalermo.com.au

  
  

Katie Tamblin, author of The Lean-Agile Dilemma, began her career as an entry-level analyst and rose through the ranks to become a Chief Product Officer. She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director for data and tech businesses and advises private equity firms. With over 20 years of experience, Katie helps readers recognise the unique challenges of working within "chubby corporates" and provides strategies to navigate and succeed in these environments.

In this conversation, Katie Tamblin shares her journey from an analyst to a Chief Product Officer, discussing the complexities of product management within large organisations. She emphasises the importance of project management, the challenges of re-platforming, and the need for alignment between vision and execution. Katie also explores the differences between lean startups and chunky corporates, advocating for a tailored approach to agile methodologies in larger organisations. The discussion highlights the significance of data, cross-team collaboration, and the role of curiosity in driving successful change management.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Katie Tamblin

02:24 Transition from Analyst to Chief Product Officer

05:16 Challenges in Agile Transformation

08:05 The Concept of Replatforming in Corporates

10:42 The Lean Agile Dilemma: Writing the Book

13:34 Differences Between Startups and Chunky Corporates

16:19 Understanding Innovation vs. Execution in Corporates 23:13 The Agile Dilemma: Scaling Challenges

25:02 Knitting Teams Together: Collaboration Strategies

25:27 Replatforming: Aligning Goals and Methodologies

27:59 Data First: The Key to Successful Replatforming

30:57 The Role of Boundary Spanners in Corporates

35:05 Vision and Alignment: Keys to Successful Projects

40:48 Avoiding Performance Plateaus: The Importance of Alignment

Contact Katie Tamblin: https://www.katietamblin.com/

Buy the book:https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/979-8-8688-0321-5

In this engaging conversation, Josephine Palermo speaks with Dawn Mahan, PMP, about her journey into project management, the challenges faced in the field, and the importance of leadership and team dynamics. Dawn shares insights from her book, 'Projectland,' where she introduces the concept of using animal avatars to represent different roles in project management. The discussion emphasises the need for emotional management, the significance of setting projects up for success, and the evolving nature of project management in today's fast-paced environment.

Dawn Mahan, PMP, has trained thousands of professionals around the world. As the founder of PMOtraining.com, she’s a go-to advisor for C-level leaders and project managers across industries.

Read her book

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D4J4KHYC

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

01:56 Dawn's Career Journey and Project Management Discovery

09:21 Defining Project Management and Its Challenges

11:09 The Importance of People in Project Success

14:48 Exploring Project Land: A New Paradigm

18:36 The Dream Team: Animal Avatars in Project Management

22:01 The Gazelle Metaphor in Project Management

23:32 Dolphins: The Social Creatures of Project Teams

26:02 The Lion Avatar: Leadership and Authority

27:48 The Partnership Between Leaders and Project Managers

29:48 Team Dynamics: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing

31:12 The Importance of Kickoff Meetings

33:18 Managing Project Endings and Emotions

33:57 Navigating Challenges in Project Leadership

36:51 The Role of Project Managers as Team Leaders

40:12 Setting Projects Up for Success

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