‘Stories (Un)Told’. In Collaboration with Cairns Crocodiles
‘Stories (Un)Told’. In Collaboration with Cairns Crocodiles
We unpacking the stories we carry but don’t always tell. The stories we’ve (un)told ourselves, and the stories that are still being written…
No Perfect Briefs, No Perfect Bosses: What Real Leadership Looks Like
Welcome to Stories Untold! This season is about pulling back the curtain, on the mess, the moments, and the lessons you don’t always hear out loud. In this first episode, we sit down with Xanthe Wells, VP of Global Creative for Pinterest, to talk about what it really takes to grow, as a leader, a creative and a human. From early missteps in management to the reality of building safe spaces for risk, this is a conversation about staying open when everything around you is shifting. Here’s what we get into: • Why being promoted is not the same as being prepared. • How to protect the space for creativity, risk and realness. • The uncomfortable truth about never having the “right” brief, team or budget. • Why safety, not polish, is the foundation of creative work. • What it means to lead when everything, and nothing, is certain. If you’ve ever found yourself in the chaos of doing the work and figuring it out as you go, this one’s for you. Hit play and exhale.
From Command to Care: A New Way to Lead That Actually Works
Welcome to Episode 2 of Stories Untold, a series about redefining success, leadership, and the stories we don’t always share. Sherilyn Shackell spent the first 15 years of her career leading the way she was taught, with pressure, performance, and a belief that success meant rising fast and leading hard. But it came at a cost. To herself. And to the people around her. In this episode, she shares the moment that forced her to stop, reassess, and redefine what leadership should really look like. Because true leadership isn’t about control. It’s about building others up. It’s not about having the answers, it’s about knowing how to listen, ask better questions, and create the conditions for people to thrive. • What it takes to unlearn outdated leadership habits. • The moment that sparked a complete personal and professional reset. • Why The Marketing Academy was born from a desire to give others a different path. • How to lead with care, not control. • The essential human skills we should be teaching from age eight. If you’ve ever questioned whether there’s a better way to lead, this one’s for you.
Think Harder: Why the Best Ideas Refuse to Die
Welcome to Episode 3 of Stories Untold. From Big Brother to boardrooms, Maz Farrelly has spent her career mastering the art of commanding attention, and keeping it. In this episode, she shares what four decades of storytelling have taught her about leadership, impact, and the difference between simply being seen and truly being remembered. Because the best stories don’t happen by chance, they’re built, sweated over, sharpened, and fearlessly delivered. • Why leadership starts long before the job title. • How to earn your audience’s trust (and keep it). • The make-me-care formula for content that actually connects. • Why “professional” doesn’t mean “boring”. • How to pitch, speak, and create with conviction. If you’ve ever wanted to tell a story that sticks, this one’s for you.
Culture in the Balance: What We Lose When We Stop Listening
Welcome to Episode 4 of Stories Untold. Annabelle Herd has shaped Australian culture from both the screen and the stage, with decades in media and now as CEO of ARIA. She’s a leader who believes that empathy is power, that soft skills aren’t weak, and that culture needs more than applause – it needs protection. In this episode, she shares what she’s learned from a life in leadership, the expectations she’s shed, and why influence starts with how you make people feel. • Why local culture matters, and what happens if we let it fade. • The truth about how your mindset shifts with experience. • Why credentials don’t define leadership, and vulnerability does. • Why gender equality in the workplace is still a work in progress, and what real progress looks like. • The joy of discovering new music (no matter your age). If you’ve ever questioned what leadership could look like with more heart, this one’s for you.
No One Way: Rethinking the Accessible Path
Welcome to episode five of Stories Untold, where we speak with Paralympian and CEO of Inclusively Made, Paul Nunnari, a powerful voice for inclusive design, lived experience, and rethinking what real accessibility looks like. In this episode, Paul unpacks why the way we talk about disability matters, and how outdated models still shape the way society, workplaces, and brands think about inclusion. With humour, insight and grounded optimism, he shares what it takes to move beyond tokenism and why designing for disability actually raises the bar for everyone. • Why the “medical model” of disability still holds us back. • The power of starting small, and why imperfect inclusion is still progress. • What it means to build with lived experience at the table. • How disability cuts across every identity, and makes organisations stronger. • Why rethinking the journey is just as important as reaching the goal. If you’ve ever hesitated on where to start when it comes to inclusion, this is the episode to press play on.
More Than a Title: Leading With Purpose, Not Ego
Welcome to episode six of Stories Untold, where we sit down with Melissa Fein, Managing Director, Media, APAC at Accenture Song – a sharp thinker, dynamic leader, and fierce advocate for creativity, innovation and values-driven leadership. In this episode, Melissa reflects on her journey from becoming one of Australia’s youngest CEOs to leading media at one of the country’s most influential marketing and communications firms. With honesty, clarity and hard-won insight, she unpacks what it takes to thrive in a fast-paced, traditionally male-dominated industry – and why staying true to your values can be your biggest advantage. • How AFL shaped her goal-setting mindset. • What it takes to build culture, not just capability. • The power of unbreakable trust within a team. • How rethinking success can open new pathways for the future. • Leadership as a woman: the challenges, the lessons, and her advice for males supporting other women in the workplace. No matter where you are on your leadership journey, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Steering Change: Mastering the Art of Saying No and Embracing the Right Yes
In this episode of Stories Untold, we sit down with Alex McLean, General Manager of Marketing at BMW, to explore the evolving landscape of automotive branding, leadership, and creative drive. From his early days in front of the camera to leading some of the world’s most iconic brands, Alex’s journey is anything but ordinary. With experience spanning creative agencies and corporate leadership, Alex shares what he’s learned about navigating change, building strong teams, and leading with both heart and strategy. He shares honest reflections on the evolving marketing landscape and why curiosity, culture, and courage are the keys to staying ahead. • From agency to global brand: what Alex learned along the way. • Why data and instinct both have a seat at the table. • Build with purpose: hire versatile people, involve them in the process, and foster passion within your team. • The power of saying no and resisting the urge to jump straight in. • Where brand marketing is headed and how to stay ahead. Hit play to explore how Alex is shaping the future of the brand, one bold move at a time.
The Inner Child: Fuel for Curiosity and Pushing Boundaries
Welcome to episode eight of Stories Untold, where we chat with Anna Jackson, Head of Creative Excellence at Telstra — a storyteller, strategist, and champion of brave ideas. From copywriting beginnings to leading creative at scale, Anna shares how she’s learned to trust her gut, embrace vulnerability, and build space for creativity to thrive. She reflects on the power of diverse voices, breaking free from expectations, and why creativity belongs to everyone. • Why creativity needs structure but not too much. • How to build a culture that encourages experimentation and curiosity. • The storytelling frameworks that connect brands to people. • How missing data can stall progress and leave entire markets untapped. • Emotion drives action more than logic. Curious to find out how she’s reshaping the meaning of creative leadership? Press play now.
The Creative Machine: Why AI Isn’t The Enemy
Welcome to episode nine of Stories Untold, featuring Marie-Celine Wiström, or affectionately known as MC, Head of Creative Technology and AI at Made This. From a small New York design studio to global innovation projects, MC shares how her multicultural background and passion for storytelling shaped her unique approach to creative tech. She explores how AI can expand — not replace — human creativity for those bold enough to explore its potential. • How AI is a creative catalyst making big ideas more possible, and more affordable. • Why uncertainty and non-linear thinking spark real innovation. • How co-creation with AI can elevate, not erase, human creativity. • Building trust, collaboration, and ethical frameworks in tech-led work. • Cross-discipline collaboration is where the best ideas are built. • Why digital-first demands more content, across more channels with more pressure than ever. If you’re curious about building a more effective, collaborative, and human future with AI, this episode is for you.
More Than a Label: The People Behind Powerful Brands
Welcome to episode ten of Stories Untold, where we sit down with Caroline Wood, Head of Marketing at Fever-Tree. A brand known for its quiet confidence and creative clarity. From agency beginnings to leading a global brand, Caroline shares how clarity, collaboration and an unwavering focus on quality have shaped her approach to marketing and leadership. • The genuine love she has for her product and the privilege of selling something she truly believes in. • How strong leadership is about bringing diverse strengths together and watching them compliment each other. • The influence of female role models in her career, and the power of women supporting women. • The importance of staying curious, hustling for new opportunities, and never standing still. • Why the best brands today are those agile enough to move fast and evolve with tech. Press play to hear how Caroline is leading with substance and why calm, considered creativity still makes the biggest impact.
Finding Your Voice: Leading with Empathy and Impact at Unilever
In the final episode of Stories Untold, we sit down with Kate Westgate, Head of Marketing for Unilever’s Home Care division, a leader who brings empathy, clarity and purpose to every part of her work. A people-first leader whose purpose is rooted in inspiring her family and making impactful marketing campaigns. Kate shares how she’s learned to trust her instincts, find her voice, and build teams where creativity and care go hand in hand. With honesty and warmth, she unpacks what it means to lead with intention in a fast-changing world. • The connection between problem-solving and marketing. • Why true leadership means building trust, being honest, and having each other’s back. • The importance of working smarter, not longer—long hours aren’t a badge of honour. • Why gut instinct matters, especially when it challenges the data. • The tenacity and determination required to push through even the toughest campaigns. • And why the future of marketing must remain deeply human, even in a tech-led world. Hit play to discover how Kate is reshaping leadership. Driven by purpose, powered by people, and guided by gut.