When Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans, neonatal intensive care unit nurse Medea Gabriel’s role as a caregiver is put to the ultimate test as she tries to save her babies, her ailing mother, and herself. On July 31st, Good360 will bring you her untold story of craftiness, care, resilience, and survival in a weekly podcast mini-series commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the launch of the DisasterRecovery360 platform.
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A podcast for leaders in the social sector who want to deliver more impact through innovation. Each week we deliver tips on how you can be more innovative and speak to leaders from across the sector to share best practice.
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Welcome to ’Leadership with Sonia’ – the podcast where we delve into the heart of leadership, guided by seasoned leader Sonia McDonald. Join us as we explore actionable insights, real-world strategies, and inspiring stories to empower you on your leadership journey. Get ready to step into your full potential and lead with impact!
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Ep #147 - Alison Covington - How Good360 Australia built an incredible platform through partnerships
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Alison Covington, the Founder and Managing Director of Good360 Australia. The organisation has built an innovative platform to match businesses' brand-new unsold goods with charities and individuals in need across the country. The conversation also covers the challenges and logistics involve…
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Episode 18: From Adversity to Leadership Excellence: A Journey of Persistence and Growth with Rachael Cook and Tatia Power of Inclusee
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In this episode of Leadership with Sonia, we explore an extraordinary leadership journey filled with resilience, courage, and personal growth. Rachael Cook and Tatia Power open up about overcoming childhood trauma, navigating the corporate world, and breaking through cultural barriers to embrace her authentic leadership style. This conversation is …
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Ep #146 - Kate O'Hara - How Food Bank WA are using innovative methods to ensure healthy food is available to all
36:37
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Kate O'Hara, the CEO of Foodbank WA, a leading food relief organisation in Western Australia. The organisation has implemented creative procurement methods, expanded mobile distribution services, and rebranded its nutrition education program to ensure healthy food is available as a basic hum…
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Episode 17: Balancing Leadership and Life: Insights from Paul Scurrah of Pacific National
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In this episode of the Leadership with Sonia Podcast, we sit down with Paul, a seasoned leader with profound insights into effective leadership and personal discipline. Paul shares his approach to maintaining a healthy work-life balance by setting clear boundaries and being deliberate about his time management. Paul discusses the importance of “boo…
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Episode 16: Making Stress Your Buddy: Transforming Pressure into Power
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In this episode of Leadership with Sonia, Sonia dives into the often overwhelming world of stress and how to transform it from a burden into a powerful ally. As we near the end of the year, many are feeling the weight of life's demands—family, finances, and the endless stream of stressors from social media and the news. Sonia shares her personal jo…
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Ep #145 - Michelle Greenwood: How lived experience helped Invisible Illnesses to become an impactful organisation
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Michelle Greenwood, the Founder and CEO of Invisible Illnesses, a charity that provides support and services for people living with invisible illnesses. Michelle shares her personal story of being diagnosed with fibromyalgia and how that experience led her to create Invisible Illnesses, whic…
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Episode 15: Leading with Courage and Kindness: A Conversation with Jane Phipps
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In this episode of the Leadership with Sonia podcast, Sonia engages in an inspiring conversation with Jane, the Chief Operating Officer of Teach for Australia. They explore the power of courage, kindness, and authenticity in leadership. Jane shares her journey from a mathematician in the defense world to a leader in education, revealing the impact …
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Episode 14: Embracing Vulnerability and Curiosity in Leadership with Shannan Quain
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In this insightful episode of Leadership with Sonia, host Sonia McDonald engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Shannan Quain, a seasoned leader in public service. Together, they explore the delicate balance of setting boundaries, the importance of vulnerability, and the power of trust in leadership. Shannan shares personal stories about …
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Ep #144 - Tamara Searant: How Guide Dogs NSW/ACT are using their mission to create better outcomes for the people they support
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Tamara Searant from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, about how their organisation is working towards creating a more accessible and inclusive world by 2030. The organisation is implementing innovative strategies focused on policy, enforcement, and education to address systemic barriers and empower the lo…
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Episode 13: Lead with Love: Embracing Kindness, Courage, and Inclusion in Leadership
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In this episode of Leadership with Sonia, Sonia McDonald dives deep into the essence of true leadership. She discusses the importance of focusing on kindness, courage, and inclusivity in today's challenging global environment. Sonia shares personal insights, inspiring stories, and experiences from her journey with Leadership HQ, emphasizing how lea…
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Episode 12: Empowering Through Collaboration: Leadership Lessons from Alison Covington of Good360 Australia
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In this episode of the Leadership with Sonia podcast, we chat with Alison Covington, the founder of Good360, about the impact of compassionate leadership and resilience in the nonprofit world. Alison shares insights into how Good360 connects surplus goods with communities in need, addressing issues like digital exclusion and hygiene poverty. Discov…
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Ep #143 - Lots of people are talking about innovation, but not many are doing it. Here's why
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss the common challenges organisations face in trying to innovate, such as lack of resources, risk aversion, and difficulty measuring impact. Dan and Tracey share a "secret" that successful leaders use to create innovative and impactful organisations - focusing on building a collaborative, innovat…
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Episode 11: Building Resilient Leaders: The Power of Authenticity and Courage with Mark O'Brien
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In this engaging episode of Leadership with Sonia, host Sonia McDonald sits down with Mark O'Brien, the inspiring CEO of Impression Dental Group, to explore the journey of leadership marked by authenticity, resilience, and transformation. Mark shares his personal experiences and insights from leading and turning around companies, including his impa…
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Episode 10: Leadership Unplugged: Courage, Kindness, and Connection with Bridgette di Ferdinando
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Join us on Leadership with Sonia as we dive into a captivating conversation with Bridgette, an innovator and leader in workplace technology. From pioneering fingerprint technology to shaping leadership paradigms, Bridgette shares transformative insights and experiences that illuminate the path to effective leadership. Throughout this engaging conve…
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Episode 9: Leading with Courage and Compassion: Embracing Inclusivity in the Workplace with Tanya Walford
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In this episode of the Leadership with Sonia Podcast, host Sonia McDonald sits down with Tanya, a passionate and authentic leader, to discuss the importance of inclusivity in the workplace and the power of self-reflection. Tanya shares her journey as a leader and carer, emphasizing the need for continual personal growth and the significance of comp…
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Ep #142 - Is it innovation or continuous improvement?
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss the difference between innovation and continuous improvement in organisations. The hosts emphasise that the terminology is less important than the focus on making positive changes and improvements that benefit the clients or people being served, whether through solving problems or pursuing new …
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Ep #141 - Sharing decision making at all levels of the organisation
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss how organisations can share decision-making at different levels, including strategic, program/service, and individual levels, in order to better meet the needs of clients and stakeholders they support through more inclusive and collaborative processes. Practical tips are provided on setting up …
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Episode 8: The Biggest Mistakes Every Leader Makes (And It's Probably You)
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In this episode, Sonia McDonald, CEO of Leadership HQ and founder of the Leadership Collective, explores common leadership mistakes, especially in communication. Drawing from her 17+ years of experience, Sonia offers practical tips to help leaders improve and excel. Key Highlights: Biggest Leadership Mistake: Communication Other Common Leadership M…
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Ep #140 - Using inbox automation to free staff up for innovation
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Jonathan Clegg and Trevor Harris from Coxswain Alliance, about how they help non-profit organisations automate their email inboxes. This allows staff to spend more time on higher value tasks like customer service and innovation instead of manually sorting through high volumes of emails. Here…
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Episode 7: Empowering Leaders Through Curiosity and Connection with Vic ICT for Women CEO Mary-Beth Hosking
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In this captivating episode of Leadership with Sonia, host Sonia McDonald sits down with the dynamic Chair of Vic ICT for Women, who shares her passion for technology, leadership, and continuous learning. They dive into the importance of staying curious and connected in the rapidly evolving tech industry, and how engaging with new technologies and …
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Ep #139 - Why you need an innovation strategy
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss how developing an innovation strategy can help organisations to achieve their mission. Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation: Mission without strategy can be overwhelming, but with a plan, it's achievable. Innovation strategy, focusing on bridging the gap between curr…
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Episode 6: Transforming Leadership: Embracing Values and Diversity with Germaine Symons of 8Squad
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In this inspiring episode of the Leadership with Sonia Podcast, Sonia McDonald sits down with Germaine Symons, the dynamic leader of 8Squad, to explore the transformative power of values-based leadership and the importance of embracing diversity in the workplace. Jermaine shares his journey from overcoming personal health challenges to driving busi…
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Ep #138 - Hayley Cull: How Plan's Gender Compass is changing the way we speak about gender equality
21:05
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Hayley Cull, the Deputy CEO at Plan International Australia. Hayley discuss Plan International Australia's Gender Compass initiative, which conducted research to understand public attitudes towards gender equality in Australia. It identified six audience segments and aims to provide targeted…
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Episode 5: Navigating Leadership in Crisis: The ExigoTech Journey
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In this episode of "Leadership with Sonia," Sonia McDonald sits down with the dynamic leadership team from ExigoTech: Vivek, Niten, and Kalpana. They share their experiences of leading a business through the challenges of COVID-19 and highlight the importance of compassionate, courageous, and inclusive leadership. The discussion delves into how tru…
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Ep #137 - Kylie Wallace: How Seedling Giving acts like the matchmaker for charities
32:31
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Kylie Wallace, CEO and Chief Gardener of Seedling Giving about her social enterprise which aims to simplify and improve the charity donation experience for donors and non-profits by vetting charities and matching donors with high-impact giving opportunities. Kylie discusses how her experienc…
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Episode 4: Embracing Courage and Kindness in Leadership with Alice Hanna
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In this inspiring episode of the Leadership with Sonia Podcast, we sit down with Alice Hanna, a dynamic leader known for her unwavering commitment to courage and kindness. Alice shares her personal journey of overcoming fears, the significance of living by her core values, and the powerful impact of supportive relationships on her career. Join us a…
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Ep #136 - Why you should be collaborating with organisations on a similar mission
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss how collaborating with other organisations that have similar missions is important for creating systemic change to address complex social issues. It explores how mapping stakeholders and using collective impact approaches can help organisations work together more effectively. Here is a taste of…
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Join me in this uplifting episode of Leadership with Sonia titled "Just Rock It." Inspired by my book of the same name, I'll share how to embrace your strengths, overcome challenges, and truly rock your life. Through personal stories and powerful insights, I'll guide you to focus on your inner greatness, rise above adversity, and live with passion …
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Ep #135 - Jen Luff: The value of disability lived experience for innovation
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Jen Luff, COO of Ability First Australia, discussing how the Ability Forum provides a platform for people living with disabilities to have their voices heard and inform innovation. It also explores how organisations can tap into the Ability Forum to better understand the needs of people with…
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Welcome back to the Leadership with Sonia podcast! In this episode, I delve into the power of mindset and attitude in leadership. Drawing from personal experiences and insights, I explore how cultivating a leadership attitude can transform your approach to challenges and opportunities. From setting the right mindset to embracing resilience, I share…
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Ep #134 - How Can Leaders Foster Creativity?
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss practical strategies that leaders can employ to foster creativity within their organisations. It covers tips like sharing learnings from failures, allowing experimentation, promoting diversity, and more. Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation: Six practical strategies …
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Welcome to the first episode of the Leadership with Sonia podcast! I'm Sonia McDonald, and I'm thrilled to kick off 2024 with you all. In this episode, I dive into the whirlwind of life and share insights from my recent keynote at Griffith University's Future Leaders Summit Retreat. From reflecting on our most precious resource—time—to embracing co…
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Ep #133 - Measurement and communication of your mission
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss the importance of measuring and communicating progress towards an organisation's mission and ambitious long-term goals. Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation: Measuring and communicating progress towards achieving an organisation's ambitious goals. Measuring progress …
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Ep #132 - How could technology free your team to innovate?
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss how organisations can use technology to free up employees' time and mental capacity, so they can focus on innovation, improving the client experience, and perform higher value work. Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation: How technology empowers team to innovate and fo…
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Ep #131 - How anyone can innovate for impact
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss how individuals can help create a culture of innovation within their organisation, regardless of their formal leadership role. It provides insights and strategies for demonstrating creative leadership, aligning work with organisational mission, understanding client needs, and empowering others …
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Ep #130 - David Spriggs: Digital Technology in the Not-For-Profit Sector
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discusses technology in the nonprofit sector, featuring insights from David Spriggs, CEO of Infoxchange. Some of the topics discussed are AI adoption, cybersecurity challenges, data analysis opportunities, and the importance of digital transformation planning. Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cov…
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Ep #129 - Why innovation isn't a 'nice to have' for Not-For-Profits
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss why innovation is essential for non-profits and not just a nice-to-have, and provides advice for leaders on how to shift mindsets and overcome challenges to innovation within their organisations. Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation: Leaders need to change mindsets f…
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Ep #128 - Jeff Walkley: How Belgravia Leisure's focus on client centricity and inclusion is benefitting their clients, the community and their business
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Jeff Walkley, CEO of Belgravia Foundation discussing how his organisation promotes inclusivity and client centricity through programs that support physical activity for people with disabilities and mental health, while also gathering community feedback and evaluating initiatives for long-ter…
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Ep #127 - Implementation: The unsung hero of innovation
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss the importance of implementation in innovation and how focusing on execution is key to realising impact from great ideas. It provides tips for organisations on establishing processes to successfully implement innovative concepts. Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation:…
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Ep #126 - Are you making one of these 4 innovation mistakes?
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss four common mistakes organisations make that can hinder their ability to innovate successfully. The mistakes covered include a lack of structured innovation processes, internal rather than client-focused innovation, risk-averse leadership styles, and not having a compelling reason for change. H…
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Ep #125 - Jamie Hodgson: How Key Assets Australia have aligned the organisation to deliver client centred innovation
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Jamie Hodgson, CEO of Chrysalis Transformation Hub within Key Assets Australia. He discusses how Chrysalis is taking a shared service approach to build innovation capability within the organisation, with their first initiative focusing on co-designing with young people on the 'Voice of the C…
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Ep #124 - Rachael Cook: How mission focus allowed Inclusee to change their model to impact more participants
23:58
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Rachael Cook, founder of Inclusee, discussing how her organisation provides social connection services to older Australians and refocused their model and operations based on their mission to reduce social isolation. They share how clarifying their purpose allowed them to innovate and impact …
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Ep #123 - Why every organisation needs an innovation process
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley talk about why every organisation needs an innovation process. They also cover what a good innovation process looks like and some things leaders should think about when setting one up. Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation: Empowering people through an innovation process is c…
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Ep #122 - When can a consultant help you better deliver social innovation outcomes?
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss when it makes sense to bring in consultants for social innovation projects. They highlight the benefits consultants can provide through fresh perspectives, specialised expertise, driving change, reducing risks, and building long-term organisational capacity. Here is a taste of what Tracey and D…
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Ep #121 - Claire Rogers: How Oho help community care organisations to deliver on their mission
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Claire Rogers, founder of Oho, discussing her organisation's mission to prevent unsuitable people from working in care industries through automating ongoing credential monitoring of staff. She shares her career journey and how Oho helps care organisations validate the credentials of over 111…
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Ep #120 - Barriers to effective collaboration with the people you support
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss the additional supports needed beyond training to truly enable collaboration and shared decision making with stakeholders. It explores the importance of things like creating space, using tools and templates, establishing engagement groups, setting remuneration policies, and providing organisati…
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Ep #119 - Kyle Behrend: How Not For Profits are putting AI to practical use for positive change
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In this episode, Dan Bentley and Tracey Newman are joined by Kyle Behrend the founder and director of NFPS.AI. Kyle's business is educating and empowering not for profits on practical applications of artificial intelligence, and explores both the opportunities and challenges for non-profits in leveraging AI for increased impact and efficiency. Here…
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Ep #118 - Creating a culture of innovation: Leadership strategies for the new year
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss strategies for the new year and how as a leader you can create the right culture for innovation. Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation: Creating a culture of innovation through creative leadership strategies Using the CIA method (Communications, Interactions, Alignmen…
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Ep #117 - Aron Mercer: How Xceptional are changing the game around neurodiverse employment
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In this episode, Dan Bentley and Tracey Newman are joined by Aron Mercer, co-founder and chief growth officer at Xceptional. Xceptional is an organisation that connects Neurodivergent people with employment opportunities, and trains employers on how to be more inclusive with Neurodivergent employees. Here is a taste of what Tracey, Dan and Aron cov…
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Ep #116 - Mission focus, the underused innovation tool that NFP's have in abundance
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In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley discuss the underused tool that NFP's have in abundance, Mission Focus. Here is a taste of what Tracey and Dan cover in the conversation: What is Mission Focus and why is it important? Why are some leaders not focused on being Mission Focused, even though it is abundant in the sector and critical for i…
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