Join Jess Hickman as she dives deep into conversation with Tavale Ilalio, founder of Mahana Culture—a powerful platform reclaiming ancestral wisdom, cultural storytelling, and intergenerational healing.

In this episode, Jess and Tavale explore the three pillars of identity through Blood, Birth, and Choice:

• Blood speaks to the lineage we inherit—our cultural DNA, the values we carry, and the stories that live within us.
• Birth honours our ancestors and the places we come from, unpacking how connection to land and lineage shapes our worldview.
• Choice explores the brave decisions we make to challenge systems, forge new paths, and honour the legacy we wish to leave behind.

Tavale shares his own transformative journey as a Pasifika leader reclaiming space in a Western world, and how Mahana Culture empowers others to do the same. This episode is a rich invitation to reflect on who we are, where we come from, and the choices that define us.

Join Jess Hickman as she dives deep into a vibrant conversation with Catherine Marriott, a trailblazer in the agriculture industry and advocate for sustainable growth.

Fresh off a year of global travels across six continents, Catherine shares insights into Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, highlighting their impact on leadership, business practices, and workplace cultures.

From the challenges faced by developing nations to actionable strategies for embedding ESG in meaningful ways, this episode unpacks the complexities of balancing profit with purpose.

Catherine's linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinemarriott?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Jess Hickman sits down with Veronica Mason, a high-performance coach and LGBTIQ+ advocate, to discuss her inspiring journey of advocacy, and leadership.

Veronica shares personal experiences, including overcoming adversity and her recent appointment to the New South Wales LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council.

Together, they explore actionable steps for fostering inclusion, becoming a better ally, and creating supportive environments in both professional and personal settings.

Resources

In this episode, Jess sits down with Steve Vamos, a global leader with over 40 years of experience navigating some of the world’s largest organisations through periods of immense change and disruption. From the 1980s recession to the COVID-19 pandemic, Steve has endured it all and shares the invaluable lessons he’s learned along the way.

Steve explores the importance of cultivating the right mindset as a leader—one that prioritises care, connection, and enabling others, rather than control and fear of mistakes. He highlights the power of communication, psychological safety, and a genuine interest in helping others succeed as key pillars of effective leadership during times of upheaval.

To grab a copy of Steve’s Book Visit :

Steve Vamos

After working with @inland_digital delivering a workshop last year at the annual company retreat, I was impressed with Lawrence Breen (Owner and Director) approach to workplace culture and goal setting. Therefore, I asked Lawrence to join me on The Upstander Leader podcast.

We discuss all things leadership, including how the pandemic changed business and impacted Lawrence as a leader. We explore the importance of company values and how the Inland Digital team ensure values are lived within the business and client experience every day.

Lawrence also shares tips for current and emerging leaders.

Always a pleasure to chat thanks for joining me LB.

#podcast #podcastlife #business #businessowner #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #centralwest #orangensw #upstanderleader #jessicahickman #bullyology #upstandermovement #upstandereffect

We chatted about issues affecting, community, leadership, workplace bullying, and harassment, as well as the rough and tumble of the bear pit which is the NSW Parliament.

Phil shares his experience of entering parliament for the first time and the culture of 'heckling', how he approaches objection, and his passionate drive to always fight for his community to have a voice. An entertaining and insightful conversation.

In this podcast with Jo Farrell ( General Manager (ACT) at Kane Constructions // Founder of Build Like A Girl // Board Director YWCA Canberra) we unpack the challenges Jo faced being a female in the construction industry.

Jo shares a personal story about having to work for free to prove her capability in a male-dominated industry, being pushed over in a portaloo by her colleagues, and outlines her journey to being a change-making industry leader.

Jo also talks about her business and mission 'Build like a girl' which encourages girls to enter the trades.

A conversation not to be missed!!

(Note: Jo thankfully recorded this podcast live from the construction project during a power outage so apologies if the sound quality isn't great)

Join me for the first guest in the Upstander Leader Series 🎙

Jessica Hickman Podcast chats with Michelle Bowditch (CEO & Founder - Door20a) exploring a personal story of bullying, toxic behaviours, and impacts.