Best Auckland Conversations Podcasts (2025)

In this special episode of Espresso Exchanges, host Vaibhav Kashyap sits down with Josh Farr, founder of Campus Consultancy, international speaker, and best-selling author of Lessons from 100,000 Student Leaders. Josh has spent almost a decade training young leaders around the world—and in this conversation, he distills what he’s learned about turn…

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#43 - 2x Olympian and QLD Olympic Council President Paul ‘Gonzo’ Gonzalez on The 1% Rule: How a $2.2 Million Fundraiser, a $120 Million Opponent, and a Team-First Mindset Redefine Leadership 51:45

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5d ago51:45

51:45

Today, on Better Student Leaders, Two-time Olympian, silver medalist, and President of the Queensland Olympic Council, Paul “Gonzo” Gonzalez has spent decades studying what separates good players from great ones. From leading Australia to a baseball silver medal to delivering a record-breaking $2.2 million fundraiser in 24 hours, Gonzo’s life has b…

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#42 - Leading through Fear into Courage: How First-Year Engineer Mariefinah Marcuelo is Reviving the Women in Engineering Podcast at the University of Auckland 15:00

5d ago15:00

15:00

What does leadership look like when it arrives — even in your first year of university? In this inspiring episode of Better Student Leaders, we meet Mariefinah Pollen Marcuelo, a first-year engineering student at the University of Auckland, whose experience in a recent leadership workshop sparked a powerful idea: to revive the Women in Engineering …

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#41 Vice-Chancellor George Williams on Building a Personal Brand: How Higher Education Must Build Trust and Shape the Future of Democracy 31:39

11d ago31:39

31:39

Today on Better Student Leaders, I’m joined by Professor George Williams AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University — one of Australia’s preeminent constitutional law experts, author of 43 books, and a barrister who has appeared before the High Court. Beyond the law, Professor Williams is redefining what it means to be a univers…

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#40 - Empathy Safaris, AI and the Future of Student Life: How RMIT's Associate Director of Student Life Tim Burdeu uses Curiosity to Rethink the World of Work 46:01

11d ago46:01

46:01

In this episode of Better Student Leaders, host Josh Farr speaks with Tim Burdeu, Associate Director of Student Life at RMIT University and Board Director of the Student Experience Network. With more than two decades of experience across Australia, New Zealand and Vietnam, Tim shares how curiosity, adaptive leadership and co-design are reshaping th…

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#39 UNE's Vice-Chancellor and CEO, Chris Moran: Future-Proofing Universities through Courage, Community and Kindness 43:03

18d ago43:03

43:03

What does it take to future-proof universities and how can student leaders shape the next decade of higher education? In this episode of Better Student Leaders, Josh Farr is joined by Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of the University of New England. With a career spanning CSIRO, UQ, Curtin, and now UNE, Professor Moran has led world-…

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#38 Ambition Loves Company: Branding Masterclass with Bond University’s Director of Marketing and Brand, Shannon Tricklebank 40:07

18d ago40:07

40:07

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#37 How Hannah Arndt Climbed Australia's Tallest Building After Attending Our Growth Mindset Workshop - Special Student Episode 9:04

25d ago9:04

9:04

In this special student highlight on Better Student Leaders, we sit down with Hannah Arndt — Juris Doctor candidate, Griffith University, and 2025 Gold Coast Mayor’s Student Ambassador. Just weeks ago, Hannah faced her biggest fear: climbing Q1, the tallest building in Australia. What began with tears and hesitation transformed into one of her prou…

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#36 International Award-Winning Mentoring Program Coordinator Shivani Tholasi on the Tips, Tricks and Secrets to Make YOUR Mentoring Program Succeed 22:49

28d ago22:49

22:49

Today on Better Student Leaders, I’m joined by Shivani Tholasi, Membership and Higher Education Coordinator at the Institute of Managers and Leaders Australia and New Zealand. Shivani has coordinated the Most Impactful Mentoring Program Award three years in a row, recognised internationally on the Mentorloop platform. In this episode, Shivani share…

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#35 Scaling to 160,000 young people with CEO of The Youth Impact Foundation, Andy Skidmore: The power of relationships, humans and 'leading with' 33:45

1M ago33:45

33:45

In this episode of Better Student Leaders, I sit down with Andy Skidmore, CEO of the Youth Impact Foundation — a not-for-profit that now reaches over 160,000 young people each year across Australia and New Zealand. Andy shares the remarkable journey from founding Burn Bright to integrating nine youth organisations into one collaborative model. We d…

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#34 Why Great Student Leaders Quit - Whitepaper based on 150+ years of experience in residential accommodation 36:31

1M ago36:31

36:31

In this special edition of Better Student Leaders, Josh reads aloud his whitepaper Why Great Student Leaders Quit: Redesigning Residential Leadership that Builds College Culture without Student Leaders Burning Out. Drawing on insights from more than a dozen senior staff and student leaders across eight Australian universities, the paper explores th…

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#33 Inside the Student Experience Network: CEO, Paul Clayton on Service and Leadership 29:29

1M ago29:29

29:29

📖 Episode Summary From managing leisure centres in the UK to leading UQ Sport, steering the QUT Guild through reform, and now shaping the Student Experience Network, Paul Clayton has spent his career building communities where students thrive. In this conversation, Paul shares what makes a great student organisation, the difference between student …

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#032 Opportunity + Confidence = Momentum: Building Leaders at UoW Pulse with Jaimee Evans and DJ 31:39

2M ago31:39

31:39

In this episode of Better Student Leaders, Josh sits down with Jaimee Evans (Student Events Manager, UoW Pulse) and Demelza “DJ” Jones (Student Experience Manager, UoW Pulse) to explore how the University of Wollongong builds thriving student communities through leadership, events, and clubs. From major cultural events like Diwali to grassroots vol…

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#031 Passion + Humility: Stef Maccar’s Formula for Leadership Growth 32:41

2M ago32:41

32:41

In this episode of Better Student Leaders, host Josh Farr chats with Stef Maccar, a trailblazer in student engagement with over 15 years of experience at Monash Student Association and a Director on the Student Experience Network Board. Stef shares how an unexpected start in student radio reshaped her career, and how that passion evolved into build…

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INTERVIEW: How to Pivot From a Career That Doesn't Feel Quite Right, w/ Joseph Liu (TED Speaker) 44:57

6M ago44:57

44:57

Imagine to spend your entire life marching towards a career... only to realise it wasn't for you. But even worse: To discover it on your first weeks on medical school. Would you keep going, or risk everything to find a life that feels more like... you? Today's guest: Joseph Liu - Keynote speaker, career consultant, and podcast host dedicated to hel…

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REPLAY: The SECRET to Work Life Balance (Steve's on Paternity Leave) 1:01:02

7M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

As I'm slowly returning back from paternity leave, I thought it would be fitting to share an episode on the very thing we work for: Our life. Is having work-life balance achievable? Is it realistic? What does work-life balance even mean to me? These are likely questions you've had running through your head. What does your current work-life balance…

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HAPPY FRIDAY: Wave goodbye to sticks & carrots. There's a better alternative for your career. 22:01

7M ago22:01

22:01

If you're a millennial, chances are you've got boomer parents. Parenting with reward and punishment. Sticks and carrots. Extrinsic motivation. And this might lead to a career choice based on reward and punishment. A well paying "prestigious" job. Implied negative consequences if you didn't go to college. Safe professions. And the result? A drainin…

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Why do so many people hate their jobs–and what you can do about it: 7:02

7M ago7:02

7:02

The Monday Blues. Hump day. TGIF. It's become so normal, we've just accepted that you should dread work and celebrate the end of the work week. Why do we put up with this? Why do we settle for jobs that drain us, rather than energise us? Especially when they're not necessarily meaningfully contributing to society. And more importantly, what can yo…

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Between Two Beers: How a Conversation with Mates Turned into NZ's Top Podcast 50:15

7M ago50:15

50:15

My life's mission is to help working professionals like you take the next steps in their professional lives and design a career that works for them. And part of that mission is interviewing some of the most interesting career changes on the planet. Top career coaches. As well as regular people like you and me who went from a standard career and de…

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MOTIVATION: Don't Follow Your Passion. Here's What You Should Do Instead: 10:47

7M ago10:47

10:47

You've been told your entire life, to follow your passion. That if you just love the work you do, work won't feel like work at all. And yet, you're sitting at your desk, clock-watching, questioning whether you made the right career choice. But what if you've been looking at it all wrong? In today's Monday Motivation, I'm going to convince you why …

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HAPPY FRIDAY: Practice is over-rated. Here's an even better idea: 11:39

8M ago11:39

11:39

Growing up, we get told to practice. Practice your alphabet, practice your timetables, practice your sports drills. But what if you're practicing the wrong things? What if you're not focusing on the things you're good at? Do you even know what your strengths are? Maybe you don't even realise how good you are at certain things, because they come so …

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Wealth is an Illusion. Here's Why: 6:45

8M ago6:45

6:45

What is it costing you to keep chasing the illusion of wealth? In today's episode, we're going to break free from the consumerism mindset. - If you’re enjoying this podcast, don’t forget to follow us on your favourite app. - Join the Escape the nine to five MOVEMENT: https://www.facebook.com/groups/etntf - To contact Steve directly, visit: https:/…

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INTERVIEW: You're Not Working to Your Strengths. Here's What You Should Do Instead, w/ Gallup 37:03

8M ago37:03

37:03

This week, I'm joined by Jim Collison & Saurav Atri - two experts on using your strengths at work. You'll learn: How to truly figure out your strengths How working to your strengths will transform your career And I'll give you one simple tool you can use today to put this conversation into practice. - If you’re enjoying this podcast, don’t forget t…

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MOTIVATION: Why Work is Such a Slog–A Simple Fix: 9:33

8M ago9:33

9:33

You see others who seem to love what they do, thriving in their careers, and you wonder: What's wrong with me? Why does work feel like such a slog? Why does it feel like I'm constantly trying to keep up, instead of excelling? And then, Doubt creeps in. You start to believe, maybe you're just as not talented as others. But here's the truth: You're …

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HAPPY FRIDAY: The Research Behind Career Freedom–Why it's Important. 6:42

8M ago6:42

6:42

You grew up thinking careers were linear. Step one: get a degree. Step two: land a job. Step three: climb the ladder. But you've seen enough examples of people not following this path to know it's bullshit. And often, these people are happier than the corporate warriors climbing the ladder. You want more from your career: one that grows with you, …

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"Climb the Ladder"-"Getting Ahead"-"The Winning Edge"–What Does it All Mean? 9:34

8M ago9:34

9:34

Harder. Better. Faster. Stronger. Can't we see that it's an endless competition that we're all destined to lose? Climb the ladder. The winning edge. Getting ahead. It's all a competition, that's unsustainable. What can you do instead? In this episode, you're going to find out. - If you’re enjoying this podcast, don’t forget to follow us on your fa…

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INTERVIEW: Learn This SECRET from a Career Transition Expert w/ Mark Langford 36:26

8M ago36:26

36:26

Have you ever wished you could get some advice from other career pivoters? Not just one or two tips, but the whole process. Even better: what if you could get 10,000 hours of experience in the career transition space? Heck, if you talk to someone like that, you might be talking to an expert. Mark Lankford is that expert. He started on Wall Street,…

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TIP: Why Monkeys Go Further Than Ants (in their careers). 9:57

8M ago9:57

9:57

You're working hard, but it's sometimes hard to see where this is all going. Deep down you wonder. What if I've chosen the wrong path? What if I'm wasting time, climbing higher in a role I don't even like? But imagine sticking with the wrong ladder for the next 5, 10, or even 20 years? Sure, you might earn a decent pay check, or pick up a fancy ti…

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MOTIVATION: A NEW Framework for Your Career. 8:28

8M ago8:28

8:28

You're stuck in a career that feels like it's going nowhere. When you started in your job, it felt like the perfect stepping stone to success. A clear ladder to climb. But now? You're staring at the same desk, the same tasks, and the same routine you've been in for years. You thought you'd have it all figured out by now. More money. More purpose. M…

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REFLECTION: A Brutal Reality Check. 4:54

8M ago4:54

4:54

You wake up every day, rushing into the same routine: Work emails, meetings, deadlines. You tell yourself, you'll chase those dreams "some day", but some day isn't a date on your calendar–and your life calendar has an expiry date. When was the last time you reflected on the fact you're going to die? In this episode, we're going to reflect on the k…

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MISSION: Venting About Work? Here's What You Can Do Instead: 8:48

8M ago8:48

8:48

How many times have you sat with your closest friends, venting about work, and dreaming about doing something different? But how often do those conversations actually lead to action? The truth is, most of us are great at talking about change, but terrible at holding ourselves, or each other, accountable. How many conversations have you had where th…

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HAPPY FRIDAY: Use THIS Method to Get Proven Career Benefits. 5:38

8M ago5:38

5:38

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to achieve their career goals faster than others? Is it talent, hard work, or even luck? Maybe it's something much simpler–something you can tap into today. You've probably heard the saying, "You're the sum of the five people you spend the most time with." It isn't just some motivational quote, it's actua…

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Social "norms" are a facade. Here's why: 8:26

8M ago8:26

8:26

People love putting you in boxes: Ben the accountant. Jess the lawyer. Steve the Vet. We're taught from a young age to aim for stability, safety, and predictability. Deviating from that is seen as a threat. Not just to you, but to the very framework they've built their lives around. It's not just a career path. It's an identity. And when you show …

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INTERVIEW: The Messy Middle–What to do in a Career Crisis w/ Laura Robichaux 41:35

8M ago41:35

41:35

Today's guest is a walking case study on what happens when we chase external success, but it doesn't match who we are on the inside. She is, in her own words, a corporate dropout, a recovering codependent, people pleaser. She was a very successful professional in the advertising industry, only to get burnt out to the point. She couldn't get out of…

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TIP: You've Done Your Bucket List Wrong. Here's Why: 7:43

8M ago7:43

7:43

Have you ever stopped to think about what you would regret if your time ran out tomorrow? It's an uncomfortable thought, but most of us live as though we have an infinite number of days. We work jobs we don't love, postpone our dreams, and tell ourselves I'll get to it "someday". But here's the thing: Someday is never guaranteed. And as we grow ol…

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MOTIVATION: Wondering What Could Have Been in Your Career? 9:15

8M ago9:15

9:15

You wake up every morning, rush through your routine and dive headfirst into a job that if you're being honest with yourself, barely energises you anymore. It's not that you hate it, it pays the bills, keeps you busy. But deep down, there's this gnawing sense that something's missing. Maybe you've got a passion project gathering dust. Or dreams you…

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REFLECTION: Imagine Retiring Realising This: 5:27

8M ago5:27

5:27

You're a working professional. You're busy–from one deadline to the next, one promotion to the next goal. But when was the last time you stopped and truly reflected on your life and career? When you stopped measuring yourself by someone else's goalposts and started living a life true to your own measure of success? This Sunday, we're going to refl…

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MISSION: You're not doing this and it's CRUCIAL to your career. 6:13

8M ago6:13

6:13

You're at the end of another work week. You're working hard, keeping busy, but deep down, you wonder, is this really what I'm meant to be doing? Most of us are so busy doing that we don't take the time to listen. We ignore the small moments of joy, the activities that energise us, and even the people who inspire us. What if you could pause, step b…

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HAPPY FRIDAY: The PROVEN Research Behind "Fake it til you make it." 5:55

8M ago5:55

5:55

Imagine walking into a room full of people you admire–You're wanting to make an impression in your career, to stand out to be noticed, but as soon as you step inside, self doubt creeps in. Your palms sweat, your heart races, and a small voice whispers, "You're not good enough." Now imagine flipping a switch–a confidence switch–and all that doubt d…

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Being "Civilised" is Over-Rated. Here's Why: 7:03

8M ago7:03

7:03

How much of your life is dictated by what others consider "normal"? You sit at a desk all day because it's considered professional. You might wear a suit and tie because it's civilised. You put on shoes even when they hurt your feet, because that's just what people do. But have you ever stopped to wonder why...? Why do we force ourselves into unco…

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INTERVIEW: How to Hand in Your Resignation... in Spite of Fear w/ Alexis Martinez 34:42

8M ago34:42

34:42

What does it take to leave a safe corporate environment–complete with a potential six figure salary, so you can finally live and work on your own terms? Today I spoke with Alexis Martinez, a former wealth management professional at Merrill Lynch. She's spent five intense years helping high net worth clients, only to discover she was burnt out and …

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TIP: Your Career Timeline Holds the Clue to Future Happiness. 6:49

8M ago6:49

6:49

Your career is on autopilot. You're working hard, showing up every day, but something feels off–like you're drifting, not driving, through your professional life. We often look at our jobs as one long blur of repetitive, sometimes meaningless tasks. And if you're drifting through your career, you might be thinking... "Is this really it?" What if t…

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MOTIVATION: The One Moment in Your Life Worth Listening To. 6:57

8M ago6:57

6:57

Do you feel like life is speeding by so quickly that you barely have time to figure out if you're on the right track? Every week, the days blur together–work, eat, sleep, repeat–and amidst that blur, you might miss the subtle signs that your life is trying to tell you something. In today's Monday Motivation, I'm going to help you kickstart your wo…

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REFLECTION: A Surprisingly Easy Way to Find Your Dream Job... Without Sacrificing Everything Else. 4:00

8M ago4:00

4:00

You're worrying about making the right choice in your career. Every decision feels like it could make or break you. You lie awake at night, worrying about the future, while quietly hoping everything will just work out, and you'll find yourself in your dream job. You don't wanna reach retirement regretting the career decisions you did or did not mak…

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MISSION: A simple, proven strategy for stopping career stagnation. 5:44

8M ago5:44

5:44

Are you feeling like your career is going nowhere? Every day feels the same: the monotony, the lack of progress, the dreams of what 'could be' slipping further away with each passing Monday. You're not just unsatisfied, you're beginning to doubt if change is even possible for you. But what if there's a simple and proven way to break free from the c…

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HAPPY FRIDAY: You're Taking Your Career Too Seriously. Here's Why: 5:58

8M ago5:58

5:58

You want to come across as a professional: to your clients, to your colleagues, to your boss. But are you taking yourself too seriously? And how is it costing you in your career? In this happiness episode, you're going to find out. - If you’re enjoying this podcast, don’t forget to follow us on your favourite app. - Join the Escape the nine to fiv…

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THOUGHT: THIS is holding you back from making a career change. But it's irrelevant. 4:41

9M ago4:41

4:41

We all have embarrassing moments etched in our memories. That time everyone laughed at us in primary school. That rejection in high school. That night we got drunk at college and humiliated ourselves. But how many embarrassing moments do you remember in your life not involving you? And why is this relevant to your career? In this week's Thought of …

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INTERVIEW: A Mindset Shift That Will Transform Your Career w/ Taylor Sleaford 42:36

9M ago42:36

42:36

What makes for a meaningful career and who are these people achieving it? How have people escaped the 9 to 5 with a smile on their face ad how have they done it? My life's mission is to help working professionals like you take the next steps in their professional lives and design a career that works for you. Having interviewed some of the most int…

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TIP: If You're Looking for the Perfect Job, You're Doing it Wrong. 12:39

9M ago12:39

12:39

What do I want to be when I grow up? It's a question we've all asked in our lives–and if you're thinking about making a career change, chances are you may also be thinking, how do I find a job that I like, or maybe even love? How do I change careers without losing the financial security of my current job? How do I balance my career with my persona…