• Ep 43 - Kathy McKenzie - The Role of AI in Modern Leadership
    Jan 1 2026

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    A chance meeting while she boarded an Antarctic cruise liner led Kathy to see AI differently and to become an early adopter.

    Her perspective on where and how AI fits into our human-led businesses is part of this interview, in which she also shares her tumultuous journey of recovery from a serious injury.

    Find out more about Kathy:

    Website: https://fireupcoaching.com.au/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FIREUPCoachingofficial

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fireup_coaching/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fireupcoaching/

    Great conversations underpin all successful leadership relationships and can create enduring transformational impact.
    If you want to change the world and don't know where to start, or if you’d like to level up your leadership, we can help you to make that a reality.

    Get in touch with Mary at Optimal Life Solutions using the contact form on our website at www.optimalcoaching.com.au

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    55 mins
  • Ep 42 - Mary Wong - Celebrating Leadership, Wisdom, and Gratitude
    Dec 18 2025

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    Our final episode for the first quarter of the century! And in it we celebrate our guests, share wisdom highlights and pay tribute to the power of this community.

    Thank you, our listeners, for being part of this grand journey to the end of 2025.

    2026 will bring even more... May your break be safe and enjoyable, and may you all be blessed with love, peace, and happiness through the 2025 festive season.

    Great conversations underpin all successful leadership relationships and can create enduring transformational impact.
    If you want to change the world and don't know where to start, or if you’d like to level up your leadership, we can help you to make that a reality.

    Get in touch with Mary at Optimal Life Solutions using the contact form on our website at www.optimalcoaching.com.au

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    37 mins
  • Ep 41 - Rebekah Woodbine - Leading with Tenderness for Nurses
    Dec 4 2025

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    Trigger warning: this recording discusses topics that may be sensitive to some listeners. If you need support, please reach out. Lifeline 13 11 14.

    What do you do when you recognise a culture that is hurting those whose primary role is to care for others? You do something about it!

    After her own journey of recovery from anxiety, depression and more, Nurse Practitioner, Rebekah Woodbine, set about creating a podcast as a helpful resource providing tenderness for nurses. The effect has been phenomenal.

    Listen and be inspired by her very real description of what happens when the carers aren't being cared for; and by her brave decision to make a difference with the podcast.

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tendernessfornurses

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendernessfornurses

    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/tendernessfornurses

    TikToc: https://https//www.tiktok.com/@tendernessfornurses?_t=ZS-8tIuUAAGu3E&_r=1

    Website: https://perfectlysmooth.com.au/


    Great conversations underpin all successful leadership relationships and can create enduring transformational impact.
    If you want to change the world and don't know where to start, or if you’d like to level up your leadership, we can help you to make that a reality.

    Get in touch with Mary at Optimal Life Solutions using the contact form on our website at www.optimalcoaching.com.au

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    41 mins
  • Ep 40 - Mary Wong - Self-Care - the Leader's Energy Source
    Nov 19 2025

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    When burnout is affecting 49% of leaders globally, something is going terribly wrong, and it is worse in Australia...

    Find out how to be energised and enthused, maintain calm in a chaotic world, and prevent yourself from becoming a statistic as Mary shares with us her secrets to successful self-care.

    Download the free 'Serenity Strategies - Stress Relievers for Self-Care' booklet at this link: https://hub.optimalcoaching.com.au/serenity_strategies

    Get your grounding meditation recording here: https://hub.optimalcoaching.com.au/ol_grounding-meditation

    If you have problems accessing the download, please be in touch here or by email at admin@optimalcoaching.com.au

    Find out more about Mary and her work at these links:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marywong-coaching

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Optimal.Life.Solutions

    Website: www.optimalcoaching.com.au



    Great conversations underpin all successful leadership relationships and can create enduring transformational impact.
    If you want to change the world and don't know where to start, or if you’d like to level up your leadership, we can help you to make that a reality.

    Get in touch with Mary at Optimal Life Solutions using the contact form on our website at www.optimalcoaching.com.au

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    50 mins
  • Ep 39 - Birgitta Ravenhill - Transitioning to Leadership
    Nov 5 2025

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    After navigating the transition from corporate life in Europe to family life in Australia, then successfully raising her children to young adulthood, Birgitta found herself at a crossroads. Realising she needed to reinvent herself, she emerged re-energised and re-connected, putting her coaching experience from high-level sporting and corporate team backgrounds to work in helping women thrive in leadership.

    Join us as we explore transitions, rediscovery, and curiosity as tools for growth in leadership

    Learn more about Birgitta:

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

    Great conversations underpin all successful leadership relationships and can create enduring transformational impact.
    If you want to change the world and don't know where to start, or if you’d like to level up your leadership, we can help you to make that a reality.

    Get in touch with Mary at Optimal Life Solutions using the contact form on our website at www.optimalcoaching.com.au

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    43 mins
  • Ep 38 - Mary Wong - Self-Awareness - The Strong Leader's Secret Ingredient
    Oct 23 2025

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    In this episode, I explore the role of self-awareness in leadership - the ability to recognise your emotions, patterns, and impact on others. We’ll look at why leaders who understand themselves lead with greater clarity, empathy, and resilience, and how small shifts in self-awareness can transform relationships and decision-making. e.

    Tune in to discover how cultivating self-awareness helps you lead and grow, not just with strategy, but with authenticity.

    To find out more about Mary Wong, go to www.optimalcoaching.com.au

    Great conversations underpin all successful leadership relationships and can create enduring transformational impact.
    If you want to change the world and don't know where to start, or if you’d like to level up your leadership, we can help you to make that a reality.

    Get in touch with Mary at Optimal Life Solutions using the contact form on our website at www.optimalcoaching.com.au

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    25 mins
  • Ep 37 - Annette Densham - Leading in Awards
    Oct 9 2025

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    Join us as we talk all things awards - why they are a strategy for success and how you grow through participating in them. Which awards should you enter? Have you done enough to enter an award? How do you deal with that inner voice that says you aren't enough?

    Annette Densham, a former journalist, is the leader in award services. She answers all these questions and more... you can't miss this one!

    Find out more about Annette here: https://awardwritingservices.com/


    Great conversations underpin all successful leadership relationships and can create enduring transformational impact.
    If you want to change the world and don't know where to start, or if you’d like to level up your leadership, we can help you to make that a reality.

    Get in touch with Mary at Optimal Life Solutions using the contact form on our website at www.optimalcoaching.com.au

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    50 mins
  • Ep36 - Mary Wong - Feedback - the Magical Connection between Mistakes and Momentum
    Sep 25 2025

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    If the word 'feedback' gives you the heebies, you really cannot miss this episode. Whether it is giving feedback, receiving feedback, or both that sets your teeth on edge, this episode will help you make feedback your friend.

    Feedback is the ultimate growth tool and imperative for progress in your career and all aspects of life. Being open to it helps us grow and progress in our awareness, creating a life of ease.

    Take a listen, and embrace feedback - you'll be amazed with the results.

    To contact Mary, use the contact form at www.optimalcoaching.com.au or find me on the following socials:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Optimal.Life.Solutions

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimal-life-solutions

    Insta: https://www.instagram.com/optimal.life.solutions/

    Great conversations underpin all successful leadership relationships and can create enduring transformational impact.
    If you want to change the world and don't know where to start, or if you’d like to level up your leadership, we can help you to make that a reality.

    Get in touch with Mary at Optimal Life Solutions using the contact form on our website at www.optimalcoaching.com.au

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    32 mins