For years, in every performance review, Melanie Silva was told she was “too excited”. Too passionate. Not serious enough. Then she joined Google and, suddenly, that enthusiasm was exactly what was wanted. In this episode, Briana Blackett speaks with Mel – now the Vice President and Managing Director of Google Australia and New Zealand – about taking pay cuts to chase opportunities and why she's grateful she didn't get her dream job the first time around. This is a conversation about pivoting sideways and, even, backward. Because sometimes the best way up is not straight ahead.

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What should you do if you are feeling stuck in your career? And what are the small, strategic steps you can make today to start moving forward? 

In this panel discussion, recorded live at the FW Leadership Summit, join FW’s Head of Business Expansion, Ruby Leahy Gatfield, as she talks about the small, strategic steps you can make today to reap long-term rewards in your career. With Chief Executive Women’s Sarah Rowley, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth, Wmn-Kind founder Ruby Riethmuller and communications coach Dr Kate Mason.

• Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW member today.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 25 years, Pamela Naidoo-Ameglio has moved from diamond mines in South Africa to copper operations in rural Australia, and then made a leap that she never saw coming: running a nuclear reactor, despite having zero nuclear experience. Along the way she’s been told she’s "too quiet", and not assertive enough. In this episode, Pamela shares with Briana Blackett why curiosity beats confidence, how to pivot when you have no idea what you're doing – and why quiet women might just be the leaders we need most.

• Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
• Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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How would intense public scrutiny impact your leadership style? 

Laura Kane is one of the most closely watched leaders in the nation. At just 33, she became the first woman to serve as the AFL's top football official. Today she continues to hold one of the most prestigious football operating roles, and will lead the AFLW competition into the 2026 season. In this episode, she speaks with FW Founder Helen McCabe about how she learned to navigate scrutiny as a leader. 

Please note: This episode was recorded the week before Laura Kane's new role at the AFLW was announced. 

Plus, this season Helen McCabe is answering YOUR leadership questions. Wait to the end of the episode to hear her take on burnout and Gen Z employees. If you have any leadership dilemmas, send them her way by emailing [email protected]. 

• Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW member today.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FW’s own deputy managing director Jamila Rizvi has spent her career as what she calls a “perennial number two” – from the Prime Minister’s office to media empires. She’s made bold pivots, survived life-altering health scares, and discovered that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit: I don’t want to do this alone. In this episode, Jamila chats with Briana Blackett about resignations feeling like break ups, fear masquerading as excitement, and how professional co-dependence has been key to her success.

• Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
• Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if your least favourite part of leading people is errr the people? 

Nicole Scurrah is an accomplished and widely-respected leader. She was Chief of Staff to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, Telstra Health’s Chief Operating Officer and a partner at Sayers Group.Today, Nicole is founder and executive chair of Create Advisory. In this episode she talks to FW founder Helen McCabe about how to be a great leader when people are your least favourite part of the job.

Plus, this season Helen McCabe is answering YOUR leadership questions. Wait to the end of the episode to hear her take on job interviews. If you have any leadership dilemmas, conundrums and pet peeves for Helen, send them her way by emailing [email protected]. 

• Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW member today.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She was winning Olympic gold and World Championships. But at 23, Giaan Rooney was burned out. She retired from swimming, became a television presenter, then pivoted again – to a career you’d never expect. Giaan tells Briana Blackett how, at each turn, being “too invested” has seen her succeed. And how putting aside ego has given her the courage to change lanes – and have a crack at something new. 

• Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
• Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Natalie Wilde is one of Queensland's top public servants. She has worked across the public sector for over 23 years and is the current Director-General of the Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism. In this episode, she talks with FW Founder Helen McCabe about owning ambition, the secret to managing stakeholders and why she describes 85% of her job as leading through ambiguity. 

Plus, this season Helen McCabe is answering YOUR leadership questions. Wait to the end of the episode to hear her take on job interviews. If you have any leadership dilemmas, conundrums and pet peeves for Helen, send them her way by emailing [email protected]. 

• Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW member today.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does bravery mean in leadership? And are there secrets to being brave, even when you don't feel like it is possible?

Ruby Riethmuller is the founder and CEO of Womn-Kind, a youth-led mental health platform. She launched the platform in 2020, after struggling with anxiety as a teenager and coming to terms with her own identity as LGBTQ in a small country town. She’s also a regional health advocate and Deputy Commissioner at the NSW mental health commission. In this episode, she talks with FW Founder Helen McCabe about Gen Z work habits, imposter syndrome and how she makes the conscious effort to be brave, each and every day. 

Plus, this season Helen McCabe is answering YOUR leadership questions. Wait to the end of the episode to hear her take on 1-1 meetings. If you have any leadership dilemmas, conundrums and pet peeves for Helen, send them her way by emailing [email protected]. 

• Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW member today.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Reid is the founder of the world-famous Lune Croissanterie. But before creating her own formula for the perfect buttery, flaky croissant, she was a Formula One aerodynamicist, working on some of the fastest cars on the planet. And though she’s been labelled "too lucky", in this episode, she reveals the grit behind every seemingly effortless pivot, the years of hard work, and how a battle with an eating disorder led her to the top of a pastry empire.

• Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
• Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if courageous leadership isn't always about immediate action. But instead knowing how to wait and build influence to create maximum impact... 

Michael De’Ath started his career as a teacher and went on to become one of the country’s most accomplished public servants before starting his own leadership advisory and executive coaching business. In this episode, he speaks with FW's Helen McCabe about courageous leadership, decisiveness and why people too often think about succession planning all wrong. 

Plus, this season Helen McCabe will be answering YOUR leadership questions. We want to know your leadership dilemmas, conundrums and pet peeves. Send them our way by emailing [email protected]. 

• Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW member today.
• Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.