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One of the true trailblazers in mental health, resilience and leadership joins us on The Experts Podcast this week. A man with lived experience who has dedicated much of his working life to helping leaders become better at what they do. His message starts with two simple but often overlooked skills: empathy and listening. Graeme Cowan is a founding director of R U OK?, a speaker, facilitator and multiple-time author. From his first book, Back from the Brink, to his latest bestseller, Great Leaders Care, Graeme has consistently championed a leadership style built on genuine human connection. His message to leaders is straightforward. Be more empathetic, care more deeply and listen more effectively. They are simple traits, but they have the power to transform workplaces and the lives of the people within them. Through his writing and his podcast, The Caring CEO, Graeme continues to explore the challenges facing modern leaders. Mental health, burnout, artificial intelligence, resilience and workplace culture are all on the agenda. The conversations provide leaders at every level with an opportunity to pause, reflect and consider how their actions, decisions and communication impact those around them. Graeme has spent years speaking on stages across Australia and designing workshops that help organisations build stronger, healthier and more caring cultures. What stands out most is that his message is not just something he teaches, it is something he lives. There is a warmth and authenticity in the way he communicates that immediately puts people at ease. At a time when we have never been more connected through technology, many people have never felt more alone. That is especially true for men, who continue to struggle with discussing and managing their mental health. Graeme’s work is a timely reminder that caring leadership is not a weakness. It is one of the most important strengths a leader can possess.

We kick off The Experts podcast in 2026 with some energy to get you motivated and launch the year with a bit of vigour. Communications and body language expert Jordana Borensztajn is as fiery as her hair, with a wit to match and the attitude to back it up! Jordana has worn a lot of different hats and admits to making many mistakes, but she openly shares this so we can all learn from her journey. Her humour, her intelligence, and the fact that she’s always willing to give something a go is inspiring. She is a regular guest on overnight radio programs with uplifting segments to entertain the audiences. She is a rising star across other media platforms as well, and her use of social media is a benchmark for those looking to build an authoritative profile. Jordana has recently authored a book 'The Little Book of Influence - 8 Keys to Transformative Communication’ which I read on a flight from Adelaide to Brisbane and can highly recommend. It's not how to be an influencer 'Kim Kardashian' style but more how to bring presence into your communication. This book is full of practical and easy suggestions you can adopt to be a better communicator. Strap in and enjoy this episode with Jordana.

The housing crisis and home affordability has been a hot topic in the media in 2025. There really doesn't seem to be a solution through government initiatives or legislation but one thing is for sure, we all need to be savvier in the way we approach borrowing and investments. Our guest this episode is finance educator Zain Peart. Education is everything and Zain believes that 'influencers' are the greatest threat to a successful relationship with money. Their unregulated advice and jargon is dangerous when consumers are considering their biggest financial transaction. "The media is not belting this up, we are living in a cost of living crisis" Zain Peart Zain has some very clear messages for the market. Simple adjustments in language of 'first homeowner' to ‘first property owner' grants can change the way we think about the great Australian dream of owning your own house. A small change in mindset is required to take the emotion out of purchasing a home or an investment. It makes a difference. Zain’s calm and considered approach is very reassuring and influential. His tips are critical for everyone looking to invest or buy a property. Understanding the market, budgeting and payment options are all elements of an educated purchaser. A great listen for those entering the property market, or just to hear Zain’s calm and credible way of contributing to media.

Dr Nicole Lee is internationally known for her work in alcohol and other drug treatment and research. She is well known for her expertise in Australia's methamphetamine crisis and in the treatment of alcohol and other drug problems. She is a consulting psychologist and a behaviour change expert. She has extensive experience in policy, practice and data trends in alcohol and other drugs. Nicole is the CEO of Hello Sunday Morning, an Australian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping people who want to change their relationship with alcohol. Hello Sunday Morning was founded in 2009 by a young man, Chris Raine, who took a year off alcohol and blogged about his experience. He would wake up hangover-free and each post was signed off "Hello Sunday Morning". Many Australian's have a problem with alcohol. Rum was the first alcohol currency in Australia during European settlement over 235 years ago, and it has been instilled in our culture and way of life for generations. Alcohol consumption ccauses so much harm in our community contributing to mental health problems, domestic violence, relationship breakdowns, road fatalities and injuries, amid many more. In recent times we've seen a rebellion to the 'Aussie drinking culture', particularly from young people and women. Hello Sunday Morning have been instrumental in providing information and education to those seeking an alcohol-free life, with extremely impressive outcomes. In this episode, Nicole tells us about the huge numbers flocking to change their behaviour with alcohol, the media's interest in this topic, and the support and assistance that Hello Sunday Morning can provide. Some very timely messages as we approach the 'silly season' for those who want to make an adjustment to their lives.

How do young people engage in the news cycle? Where do they go for information? What content interests them? These are the questions brands, businesses, and governments are asking as they all try to connect with younger audiences. This week on the podcast we speak with someone who has some of those answers. Billi Fitzsimons is the Editor in Chief at The Daily Aus. It’s a newsroom that’s been designed with young people in mind. This independent newsroom boasts over 2 million visits per month and has a particular style which appeals to vibrant and influential young Australians. Billi eloquently tells us how and where it started, and what’s happening there now. At The Daily Aus., news is delivered free of opinion, directly to the consumer via many platforms. Podcasting being one of them, and you’ll hear in Billi’s voice her passion for this format. Her recent interview with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is a great example of podcasting serving its younger audiences, with the questions not too dissimilar to that of traditional media but asked through a young person’s lens. This young Editor’s desire for storytelling, and appetite for news and content is apparent. The pedigree of media brilliance is not surprising when you discover who Billi’s parentals are (Parentals so Gen X). She shares many hints and tips on how and why brands should front up and connect with younger people. After all, younger people make up a majority voting mass in the community, having overridden the 'baby boomers' last election. Looking forward to watching Billi make her way in the modern media landscape.

Lisa Cox is a former advertising professional that had the world in front of her… she wasn't born disabled, but a moment at an airport changed her life forever. The representation of people with disability in advertising and marketing still has a long way to go. People are so blinkered in their approach, but Lisa is a strong advocate for those in power to understand that there is a major missed opportunity to talk about this. We are a diverse community, and we need diverse images, people, and views moving forward. It makes good business sense to do this. Lisa is doing a PHD focused on improving employment outcomes for disabled people. The social, economic, and financial results have proved to be of great benefit when a diverse representation is used. This includes underemployed, medial tasks and improving the opportunities and attitudes of those who have an opportunity to work with a disabled person. "We are not all buying wheelchairs and prosthetic legs... we are buying cat food, cars, lunch etc." We got talking about some of the positives of the NDIS, game changing experiences whilst fully aware of the negative commentary and those looking to take advantage of the system. Lisa is a beautiful person who is energised, motivated, and driven to make a difference. Her media engagements have been wide and vast but one gets the feeling that this is just the beginning.

What is wealth? Is it financial security? Is it time? Is it just the freedom to do what you want? There are many answers to this question, but it’s all very subjective and individual. This week on The Experts podcast we speak with The Australian's Wealth Editor, Julie-anne Sprague (or JAS as she is affectionately known). JAS has been at the forefront of financial reporting and wealth for most of her career. Formerly the Editor of the Australian Financial Review’s Rich List, a broadcaster on 6PR, a podcaster with a deep fascination for financial storytelling. JAS often uses the line ‘you want to be a millionaire not a billionaire’ because in her eyes, the complexities and pressures applied as the stakes go up, is not worth it. The stories that JAS finds compelling are the start-ups; the original ideas, the hard work put in to make something from nothing. Inherited wealth seems to be a dominating feature in the media, but it is the salt of the earth and gritty stories that catch the eye of this journalist. Julie-anne did a stint presenting the afternoon show on nine’s talk-back radio station, 6PR in Perth. The axing of the show was to her a complete left field decision which caught her and others in the industry by surprise. It was a blow to this seasoned journalist but has ultimately had a positive and lasting effect on the way she approaches her wealth writing today. We tried to keep the podcast to 40 minutes, but both Nic and JAS love a chat, and the episode provides some gold content for money and finance storytellers on how to make an impact with your pitch.