Harvey Weinstein and Brittany Higgins have one thing in common. They were at the heart of a movement to reform workplace safety and workplace culture and right at the centre of that process, was Kate Jenkins AO, one of Australia’s most prominent voices on workplace safety, sexual discrimination and culture.

Kate is the former Sex Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission and has led some of the most significant reviews and inquiries in Australia, including the landmark Respect@Work report into workplace sexual harassment, the independent review into culture inside Federal Parliament, and major cultural reviews across sport, government and business.

Kate was also the Commissioner of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission and is currently the Chair of the Australian, Sports Commission, Chair of Creative Workplaces Australia and President of the Australian Red Cross among other roles.

This conversation goes beyond headlines and policy settings, to explore what really happens inside organisations when systems fail, power is misused, and people do not feel safe to speak up.

James and Kate discuss:

• Why culture failures are rarely sudden — they often develop gradually over time

• The warning signs boards and executives frequently miss

• Why complaint systems can fail the people they are designed to protect

• The challenge of balancing performance, fairness and accountability

• What meaningful reform looks like after crisis or misconduct

• Lessons from reviews across Parliament, sport and major institutions

• Why workplace culture should be treated as a core governance and business risk

Kate also reflects on the human stories behind her work and what leaders can do to create safer, stronger and more respectful workplaces.

An essential episode for directors, executives, founders, HR leaders and anyone responsible for leading people.

Follow the show for more conversations with leaders who have learned through challenge, crisis and experience.

Website: https://jameshstewart.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-h-stewart-gaicd-83b46a9

Important Disclaimer: This podcast is provided strictly for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, governance, employment, HR, financial or professional advice of any kind, and must not be relied upon as a substitute for obtaining advice specific to your circumstances. The views, opinions and recollections expressed by guests are their own, based on their personal experiences at the time of recording, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or any organisation past or present. References to individuals, institutions, events or reforms are general in nature and may be incomplete or subject to change.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Australian residential housing market is unaffordable for many. It is being impacted by a perfect storm of a supply demand imbalance, rising construction costs, a fuel crisis, and a planning system which many argue needs wholesale reform.

To hear more, I sit down with Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne — one of Australia’s oldest and most enduring family businesses to get his perspective on Australia's housing crisis and what it takes to build a sustainable, intergenerational family business.

Founded in 1883 and now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Raine & Horne has navigated more than a century of market cycles — from booms and busts to wars and recessions — and today operates at scale across Australia and international markets.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore both the evolution of a multi-generational family enterprise and the realities of Australia’s housing market.

We cover:

• The 140-year journey of Raine & Horne and how succession has been successfully managed across generations.
• How to avoid ego, groupthink and capability gaps in family businesses.
• The current state of Australia’s residential property market.
• The housing affordability crisis — and the key drivers behind it, from supply constraints to migration, tax settings and construction costs.
• Major planning reforms, including recent high-density development changes in Victoria.
• The rise of institutional capital and the build-to-rent sector.
• How technology, data and AI are reshaping the real estate agency model.
• The concept of regional "rentvesting" and how that may make property ownership accessible to a generation of Australians.

This episode is proudly brought to you by the Family Business Association in Australia and New Zealand. Whether you’re an investor, business leader, or part of a family enterprise, this is a practical and insightful discussion on markets, leadership and long-term thinking.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal or professional advice. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. You should seek appropriate professional advice before making any financial or investment decisions.

Connect with me:

Website: https://jameshstewart.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-h-stewart-gaicd-83b46a9

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Geopolitics now sits at the centre of business decision-making.

My guest is Dr Merriden Varrall, one of Australia’s leading geopolitical analysts and China specialists, and the founder and CEO of Vantage Geopol.

Merriden brings a rare combination of academic depth, policy experience, and commercial advisory insight. She has spent nearly a decade living and working in China, held senior roles with the United Nations Development Programme in Beijing, led the East Asia Program at the Lowy Institute, and now advises boards and executives on how global political shifts impact strategy, risk, and long-term investment decisions.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How China actually sees the world — and why Western analysis often gets it wrong
• The evolution of geopolitics from a fringe issue to a top-three boardroom risk
• The impact of leadership and political disruption on global stability
• The fragmentation of the global economic order and the growing importance of energy, climate policy, and critical minerals
• Practical advice for business leaders navigating geopolitical uncertainty

This is a deep and timely discussion on one of the most important forces shaping the global economy — and what it means for decision-makers today.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-h-stewart-gaicd-83b46a9

Website: https://jameshstewart.com

The information, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guest and are provided for general informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial, legal, investment, or other professional advice. This podcast is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, decision-making in relation to any investment, business, or strategic matter. Listeners should seek appropriate professional advice tailored to their individual circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, no representation or warranty is made as to its completeness or reliability, and no liability is accepted for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.