What do two cheeky mini-donkeys and a paddock full of personality have to do with leadership? A lot more than you might think.

In this episode of The Reins of Leadership, we explore an unexpected rebellion - not in the boardroom, but in the paddock - and the powerful lessons it holds for business leaders, teams, and anyone managing people with purpose.

Meet Dotty and Sparky, the unlikely masterminds of the Great Donkey Uprising, and discover how their dynamic mirrors the strategist-implementer tension within your own team. We also introduce Paddy - the wise, seen-it-all Guardian, and unpack the essential third role that too many leaders overlook.

This isn’t just a story about mini-hooves and bent fences. It’s a metaphor-rich exploration of how leadership really works: in the quiet moments, the unseen conversations, and the environments we create (or neglect).

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

In this episode, Merinda explores the role of emotional intelligence in the age of artificial intelligence - and how our ability to connect, attune, and lead from the heart is becoming more essential than ever.

As machines grow faster and more capable at cognitive tasks, it’s our human qualities; empathy, presence, intuition, that truly set us apart.

Drawing on her own leadership practice and moments of quiet connection with her equines, Merinda shares how heart-to-heart presence literally reshapes the brain, builds emotional resilience, and deepens your capacity to lead with clarity in uncertain times.

You’ll hear:

• Why emotional intelligence is no longer a “soft skill”
• The neuroscience behind presence, empathy, and regulation
• How horses co-regulate with us and help build leadership coherence
• Why AI can support us, but not replace our presence
• How to stay grounded, spacious, and strong when the world speeds up

💛 Featured Resource:
If you’ve been feeling caught in overthinking, overwhelm, or emotional spirals — grab my free guide:
👉 Are You Spiralling? — Click here to download it

🌿 For more resources, programs and soulful leadership tools, visit:
👉 https://merindasmith.podia.com

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

In this episode I’m joined by the truly remarkable Shae – a leader, HR specialist, and equine soul whose story is both deeply personal and powerfully inspiring.

We explore how horses have shaped Shae’s personal growth, leadership style, and trauma-informed approach to HR. From childhood memories with her grandparents' horses to transformative moments in adulthood, Shae shares how equine therapy helped her reconnect with herself and lead others with greater empathy and emotional intelligence.

Inside this episode:

• How horses taught Shae patience, presence, and emotional awareness
• The role of equine therapy in healing from childhood trauma
• Insights into trauma-informed HR and emotionally safe workplaces
• The power of non-verbal communication and co-regulation in leadership
• How one horse helped Shae reclaim her story on the very road where her trauma began

This conversation is a gentle yet powerful reminder that leadership isn’t just about strategy – it’s about connection, courage, and the willingness to feel.

Favourite moment?
Shae’s story about using equine therapy to gain insight into her past relationship is a must-listen. The clarity, compassion, and self-awareness it brought is something we can all learn from.

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au