In this compelling episode of the Creating Synergy Podcast, we sit down with Pauly Vandenbergh, Indigenous and Multicultural Engagement Manager at AFL and Co-founder of Munda Wines to explore the transformative concept of the "Third Space."

Pauly shares powerful insights about bridging the cultural divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, fostering mutual understanding, and the role of education in creating meaningful change.

This is more than a conversation; it’s a step towards a more inclusive future.

📌 Topics covered:

• The importance of cultural immersion and awareness
• Lessons from the failed referendum and its impact
• How to co-exist while honoring Australia's rich Indigenous heritage

🎧 TUNE IN NOW to hear Pauly’s incredible journey and vision for a better Australia.

TIMESTAMP:

00:00 - Living in Two Worlds & The Third Space

05:59 - The Impact of the Referendum Failure

11:05 - Changing the Date of Australia Day

14:48 - Systemic Issues & Indigenous Incarceration Rates

19:42 - Breaking the Cycle Through Education

26:12 - Indigenous Representation in Media & Society

33:06 - The Difference Between New Zealand & Australia in Embracing Indigenous Culture

45:19 - The Lack of Empathy & Truth-Telling in Australia

55:07 - How Non-Indigenous People Can Support Change

1:12:26 - The Power of Sport & Role Models for Indigenous Youth

1:12:51 - Social Inequalities Explained in a $100 Race

Where to find PAULY VANDENBERGH

• Linkedin
• WEBSITE

Join the conversation on Synergy IQ on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram (@synergyiq).

Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us.

#CreatingSynergyPodcast #Leadership #CulturalAwareness #Inclusion

🎙️ What does it take to break through barriers and redefine what’s possible in your career and life?

In this empowering episode of the Creating Synergy Podcast, we sit down with Donny Walford, Founder of Behind Closed Doors, a trailblazer in business and a fierce advocate for women in leadership.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝:

▶︎ 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 - Twice denied a promotion, Donny turned the tables—and won. Her story will leave you asking: What’s stopping me from taking my shot?

▶︎ 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 - How Donny’s upbringing shaped her fearless leadership style.

▶︎ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 - “It’s not just what you know; it’s who knows you.” Learn how to stand out.

▶︎ 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 - How Donny is mentoring the next generation of leaders.

"𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺." – Donny Walford

This episode will make you question your limits and inspire you to step into your full potential.

Are you ready to break your own barriers and redefine success?

Tune in now!



TIMESTAMPS:

00:50 - Leadership and Emotional Regulation

08:18 - Breaking Gender Norms in Childhood

18:43 - Overcoming Workplace Challenges and Winning Promotions

28:36 - The Power of Resilience: "Don’t Let the Bastards Beat You"

29:58 - Tackling Imposter Syndrome and Backing Yourself

46:45 - Networking as a Career Game-Changer

47:31 - The Impact of Visibility in Hybrid Work Environments

52:06 - Setting KPIs for Networking and Professional Growth

59:52 - How Women Can Build Confidence and Seize Opportunities

1:09:16 - Raising the Next Generation of Leaders



Where to find DONNY WALFORD

• Linkedin
• WEBSITE

Join the conversation on Synergy IQ on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram (@synergyiq).

Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us.


#CreatingSynergyPodcast #Leadership #Resilience #BreakingBarriers #ListenNow

What does it really mean to connect with yourself and others on a deeper level?

How can understanding your emotions unlock new possibilities in life, leadership, and relationships?

In this episode of the Creating Synergy Podcast, we sit down with Nathan Jones, Co-Founder of Mood.ai, TEDx speaker, and pioneering emotional researcher. Nathan shares his remarkable journey of self-discovery and how his experiences shaped his mission to revolutionise emotional intelligence.

Here’s why you need to tune in:

• Hear Nathan’s raw and honest story of growing up chasing approval and finding the courage to embrace his authentic self.
• Discover how journaling can be a transformative practice for self-awareness and mental clarity.
• Explore the groundbreaking work of Mood.ai and how it’s redefining how we measure and use emotional data.
• Gain insights into the emotional spectrum and why understanding your emotions is the key to resilience and meaningful connections.
• Learn how emotional intelligence can go beyond the workplace and impact every aspect of your life.

This episode is packed with science, storytelling, and actionable insights that will challenge you to rethink how you show up in your own life.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in emotional research.

👉 Listen now and unlock your potential with Nathan Jones!


TIMESTAMP:

00:00 - Introduction and Nathan’s journey to finding his purpose

04:47 - Defining purpose and the importance of emotional connection

08:57 - Growing up chasing approval and discovering self-acceptance

21:57 - The transformative power of journaling for self-awareness

44:45 - Understanding the emotional spectrum and its role in personal growth

45:21 - Measuring and using emotions as data: The Mood.ai story

48:02 - What emotional intelligence really means and why it matters

57:46 - The link between emotional intelligence and intrinsic motivation

1:02:10 - Communication as a key pillar of emotional intelligence


Where to find NATHAN JONES:

• Linkedin
• WEBSITE

Join the conversation on Synergy IQ on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram (@synergyiq).

Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us.


#CreatingSynergyPodcast #EmotionalIntelligence #Authenticity #NathanJones #MoodAI

Change is hard. It’s messy, uncomfortable, and downright complicated. But what if you could turn all that chaos into clarity? In this final part of our Change Series, Kylie Butler is back with something truly special: the Game Changers Program.

This isn’t just another take on change management. Kylie reveals a fresh, human-centered approach that digs deep into why people resist change, how to truly engage your team (even the quiet ones), and why disengagement might actually be your biggest untapped resource.

💡 What You’ll Learn (and Love):

• How to flip resistance into your team’s biggest strength.
• The simple yet powerful mental model framework that brings clarity to even the messiest changes.
• Why psychological safety is the secret sauce to real, lasting engagement.
• How to spot the quiet disengagement that could be holding your team back—and turn it around.
• Real, practical tips to lead with confidence and empathy, even in chaos.

Hit play now and let Kylie inspire you to take a fresh, human approach to change.

And if you love what you hear, share this episode with your team, friends, and network.


TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction to the Change Series and Part 3 with Kylie Butler

01:36 - Shifting from the ‘What’ to the ‘How’ of Change

03:28 - The Magic of Game Changers

08:13 - Why Change is Difficult for Organizations

17:38 - The Mental Models Behind Change Resistance

29:50 - Visualizing Engagement with the Game Changers Mat

41:10 - Transforming Resistance into Opportunity

46:20 - Leveraging Game Changers to Empower Teams

52:18 - Applying Game Changers to Stakeholder Management

56:02 - Final Thoughts and How to Get Started with Game Changers

Where to find KYLIE BUTLER

• Linkedin
• WEBSITE

Join the conversation on Synergy IQ on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram (@synergyiq).

Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us.

#Leadership #ChangeManagement #SystemsThinking #Neuroscience #Transformation #OrganisationalChange #MentalModels #ChangeLeadership #BusinessStrategy #CreatingSynergyPodcast #KylieButler #ChangeSeries

We’re excited to release #134 of the Creating Synergy Podcast, featuring Linda Feldt, CEO of ACH Group!

In this episode, Linda takes us on a journey through her remarkable career — from her regional roots in Mount Gambier to leading innovation in the aged care industry.

🔑 Key takeaways from this episode include:
✔️ The transformative potential of the Greenhouse home model for aged care.
✔️ How digital innovation is reshaping workforce efficiency and customer care.
✔️ The value of community connection in leadership.
✔️ Navigating challenges like change management and tackling ageism.
✔️ Practical advice for emerging leaders on embracing innovation and creating space for fresh ideas.

💡 Whether you're a leader, innovator, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable insights on leading with purpose, empowering teams, and driving meaningful change.

Tune in now on your favourite podcast platform

Don't forget to like, share, and let us know your thoughts in the comments!


TIMESTAMP:

00:00 - Introduction to Linda Feldt, CEO of ACH Group

04:47 - The Values That Shaped Linda’s Leadership

12:12 - The Challenge of Mergers: Culture Is Key

18:58 - Transitioning from Corporate to Purpose-Driven Leadership

21:16 - Why Leadership Is About Letting Go

26:16 - The Balcony View: Seeing the Bigger Picture

32:01 - Parenting and Leadership: What Becoming a Mother Taught Me

41:24 - Shifting Leadership Styles at ACH Group

53:57 - ACH Group’s Small-Home Model: Revolutionizing Aged Care

1:09:12 - The Future of Aged Care: Innovation and Technology



Where to find LINDA FELDT

• Linkedin
• WEBSITE

Join the conversation on Synergy IQ on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram (@synergyiq).

Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us.

#CreatingSynergyPodcast #Leadership #Innovation #AgedCare #ACHGroup #ChangeManagement #DigitalTransformation #CommunityConnection

🚀 Just Dropped!


In Part 2 of our Change Series, Kylie Butler shares a fresh approach that’s changing how leaders tackle complexity in their organisations – and it’s a formula you might not have tried yet!


Here’s a sneak peek of what we cover:

▶️ Why Systems Thinking Works: Forget the usual “change” tactics. Discover what actually makes change stick.

▶️ The BCIP Framework: Simple, effective, and built for real results. Boundaries, Context, Interactions, Perspectives – Kylie breaks down how this approach transforms the change process.

▶️ Real Stories, Real Impact: Hear how this formula has helped organisations turn complexity into clarity and get lasting results.

If you missed Part 1, catch up on our website! 🌐 This is the kind of series every change leader (or anyone dealing with change) should tune into.

👉 Listen now on your favorite platform and share this episode with anyone who’s ready for a fresh approach to change!

Don’t forget to share this episode and spread the insight!



TIMESTAMPS:

06:00 - Our Framework and Tools

09:50 - Client Testimonial on Effectiveness

10:00 - Change Process Misconceptions

15:00 - Importance of Sense-Making in Change

39:38 - Systems Thinking as a Way of Thinking

41:00 - Better Decisions with Systems Thinking

45:20 - BCIP Framework Introduction

1:00:00 - The “Beekeeper” Metaphor

1:19:20 - Feedback on the Framework’s Impact

1:22:00 - Embracing Complexity for Effective Change



Where to find KYLIE BUTLER

• Linkedin
• WEBSITE

Join the conversation on Synergy IQ on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram (@synergyiq).

Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us.

#Leadership #ChangeManagement #SystemsThinking #Neuroscience #Transformation #OrganisationalChange #MentalModels #ChangeLeadership #BusinessStrategy #CreatingSynergyPodcast #KylieButler #ChangeSeries

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐏𝐎𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

🎙️ 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞—and we’re kicking it off with a game-changing conversation! 💡

Ever wondered why some changes feel overwhelming while others inspire action? It’s not just about resistance – it’s about whether the change makes sense to us.

🧠 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞?
𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐭: It's a bit of a rollercoaster, and the key to navigating it lies in something much deeper than communication or training...

In this episode, we sit down with Kylie Butler, SynergyIQ’s General Manager and Change Expert, who’s here to reveal the neuroscience behind change challenges and how Sensemaking approach can revolutionise the way you and your team experience change.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞:

▶︎ Busting the myth of “change resistance”
▶︎ Sensemaking for Change
▶︎ Systems Thinking 101
▶︎ Mental Models
▶︎ The Messy Middle
▶︎ The Neuroscience of Change

🔊 This episode is a must-listen for leaders, managers, and change-makers who want to better understand the human side of change and drive lasting transformations in their organisations.

🎧 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐎𝐖 for Part 1 of our Change Series and get ready to challenge the way you think about change!

📲 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms.

👇 Click the link to listen and share with your network—let’s spread the word on how to make change work!

https://blog.synergyiq.com.au/creating-synergy-podcast/episode-132

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction

03:33 - Systems Thinking and Sense-Making

07:09 - Addressing Complexity in Change

08:37 - Keeping Engagement High During Change

11:54 - The Difference Between Personal and Organizational Change

12:42 - The Role of Leadership in Navigating Change

16:09 - The Messy Middle of Change

19:35 - Overcoming Past Negative Change Experiences

23:09 - Busting the Myth of Resistance to Change

29:55 - Making Sense of Change for Sustainable Transformation

47:16 - The Neuroscience Behind Change




Where to find KYLIE BUTLER

• Linkedin
• WEBSITE

Join the conversation on Synergy IQ on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram (@synergyiq).

Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us.

#Leadership #ChangeManagement #SystemsThinking #Neuroscience #Transformation #OrganizationalChange #MentalModels #ChangeLeadership #BusinessStrategy #CreatingSynergyPodcast #KylieButler #ChangeSeries

Ready to hear a story of true resilience, leadership, and unstoppable drive?

In this week’s Creating Synergy Podcast, we sit down with the extraordinary Al Jawhari, Co-Founder and CEO of Starke-AMG. Al’s story is nothing short of inspiring—he’s faced it all, from fleeing a civil war to building global businesses that break barriers.

In this episode, you’ll hear Al’s firsthand insights on:

• How escaping a war zone shaped his relentless mindset
• Leadership lessons from military training that help him lead unstoppable teams
• Turning failures into opportunities and building multiple successful ventures
• What it takes to push through fear and thrive under pressure

This episode is packed with lessons on leadership, resilience, and innovation that you won’t hear anywhere else!

🎧 👉 Tune in now or catch us on your favorite podcast platform!

Trust us—this is one conversation you don’t want to miss. If you’ve ever doubted what you’re capable of, Al’s story will remind you that you can create your own success, no matter the odds.

And as always, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Like, share, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes of the Creating Synergy Podcast.


TIMESTAMPS:

00:04:38 - Al’s background and the origin of Starke-AMG
00:07:13 - Growing up in Liberia and lessons from Al’s father
00:15:11 - Fleeing the civil war and its impact on Al’s mindset
00:19:00 - Military background and leadership lessons from the Egyptian Air Force
00:25:32 - How military precision shaped Al’s business leadership style
00:40:33 - Building a successful team: Empowering others to greatness
00:57:18 - The secret to creating 'unbeatable' technology
01:00:01 - Vulnerability and personal growth as a leader
01:23:53 - Business fundamentals: Trust, clarity, and responsibility
01:39:24 - The power of resilience: Turning failure into success



Where to find Al Jawhari

• Linkedin

Join the conversation on Synergy IQ on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram (@synergyiq).

Access SynergyIQ Website to get to know more about us.