It’s the 22nd of January, and this is my first podcast episode of the year. I’ll share why I’ve taken my time to start and how this decision ties into one of the most important lessons I teach: strength of mind and of self.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why it’s OK to move at your own pace and let go of the pressure to start strong in January.
• How strength of mind and of self serves as the foundation for bold decisions, whether you’re a leader, a parent, or navigating career transitions.
• The power of choosing your own path and trusting your inner compass, even in a world that expects conformity.

I’ll also share personal stories about my non-linear career path and how embracing change shaped the way I think, work, and mentor others.

This is a conversation about alignment, intention, and creating success on your own terms. Tune in if you’re ready to redefine what it means to lead with strength in 2025.

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"𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲..." — Emmy-award winning TV reporter and journalist Aundrea Cline-Thomas @aundreact said making that leap from journalism to entrepreneurship wasn't as much about #courage as it was about being the only acceptable option for her. We touched on so many shared ideas and actionable strategies. Some ideas from this conversation:

♦ Having a strategy isn't necessarily about exiting the profession you're in. It's about making a conscious #choice. If you choose to stay, you know you're staying because you love it, not because it's your only option. If you choose to leave, you'll have your next best move in place.

♦ It's a tough world out there. It's going to require commitment and hard work to navigate a career outside of journalism, but know that your journalism skills arm you with such a solid foundation upon which to build knowledge and acquire new skills.

♦ You really have to dig deep and know WHAT YOU WANT as well as what you DON'T want. If you can't figure those out, figure out WHAT YOU VALUE MOST in life.

The principles we discuss aren't exclusive to journalism. If you're on the cusp of making a bold move, or on the fence about what's next, this episode is for you.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible and YouTube.

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Feeling Stuck? Ask Yourself This ONE Question 🎙

In this Quick Take episode, I dive into the powerful question that can help you break free—and the radical honesty it takes to get there.

This insight is inspired by my conversation with Aundrea Cline-Thomas, Emmy Award-winning journalist turned entrepreneur. Her course, The Rewrite, guides journalists navigating career transitions, especially those considering a life beyond the industry.

We also explore the role of #AI, the mindset shifts, confidence, and strategic planning essential for moving forward.

💡 Watch this short episode for a fresh perspective—and don’t miss the full conversation, available soon on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.

Ready to get unstuck? Let’s dive in.

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💡 Standing Up for Change: Lessons from Dr Amireh Fakhouri 💡

She is the face of one of Australia's largest class actions. What drives someone to take a stand, knowing the risks?

Dr Amireh Fakhouri’s story is one of resilience, advocacy, and a refusal to accept the status quo. As the lead plaintiff in one of Australia’s largest class action, representing junior doctors underpaid for their overtime, she didn’t just fight for financial justice. She stood for cultural change—demanding recognition for the work and sacrifices of a profession too often taken for granted.

🎙 In our conversation on Choices & Chances, Dr. Fakhouri shared:

🔹 The pushback she faced from entrenched attitudes: “This is how it’s always been done.”
🔹 The sacrifices involved in leading a four-year legal battle.
🔹 The hope for a future where junior doctors are fairly treated, without the stigma of asking for what they deserve.

Dr. Fakhouri's story also highlights the power of identity and resilience. As a Palestinian Australian, a GP working with refugee communities, and an advocate for equity, she embodies a deep understanding of what it means to fight for fairness—both in her personal journey and her professional mission.

Her courage reminds us that standing up for change doesn’t mean fighting alone—it means paving the way for others.

👉 What barriers have you faced in advocating for change, and how did you push through them? Let me know in the comments on social media.

🎧 LISTEN to the podcast and let me know what resonated most with you. I'd love to hear from you.

Thank you for listening! Please consider leaving us a 5-star rating so others can find the podcast. Follow us on social media and join the mailing list for more content.

🎙️ In this episode, we’re tackling a fear that keeps so many brilliant professionals from sharing their ideas: the fear of being ‘cringe.’

If you’ve ever second-guessed posting your expertise or worried about how your thoughts might be received, this episode is for you. I dive into:

• Why thought leadership and personal branding are increasingly crucial in today’s professional world
• How fear of judgment holds back your impact—and how to reframe it
• Why we all stand to gain from richer public discourse
• Practical strategies to create authentic, valuable content that resonates with your audience (and avoids performative "cringe")

It’s time to shift the narrative, overcome hesitation, and share the ideas the world needs to hear.

Your voice matters. When you hold back, industries and communities lose out on diverse perspectives, innovative solutions, and meaningful conversations. It’s time to step up, reframe your fears, and contribute to the conversations shaping the future.

Tune in for actionable insights that will help you unlock your voice and step into the thought leadership role you’re meant to own. Download the free PDF here: https://choiceschances.kit.com/thoughtleadership.

🎧 Ready to break free from the fear of cringe, build your influence, make an impact, and elevate public discourse? Hit play and let’s start the conversation!

Thank you for listening! Please consider leaving us a 5-star rating so others can find the podcast. Follow us on social media and join the mailing list for more content.

If you're feeling stuck or paralysed — afraid of making the "wrong" decisions, this episode is for you.

Thank you for listening! Please consider leaving us a 5-star rating so others can find the podcast. Follow us on social media and join the mailing list for more content.

My next guest is Richelle Carey, Emmy Award-winning, former Al Jazeera English and CNN presenter whose life path took a sharp turn... by choice. Richelle asks, “If this is what you want, why haven’t you done it?”

We delve into what happens when we go against the grain of what we’ve come to believe is ‘expected’ by society. How do we remain authentic and stay true to the choices that align with our genuine desires for our lives? It takes courage and an inner knowing of what it is you really want for yourself.

Richelle Carey has had an enviable global career and was living her dream of constant travel and larger-than-life adventures. Then, one day... at age 49, she decided to leave all that behind and move back to her parents’ spare room in the States to fulfil her other dream of becoming a mother, with or without a partner.

She shares insights from a life lived with purpose and imparts life lessons that others might find helpful. Richelle is the epitome of strength, authenticity and inspiration.

If you can relate to our conversation, let me know which parts resonated with you and what your experience has been. I’d love to hear from you.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible and watch on YouTube.

Thank you for listening! Please consider leaving us a 5-star rating so others can find the podcast. Follow us on social media and join the mailing list for more content (https://choiceschances.ck.page/bio).

Thank you for listening! Please consider leaving us a 5-star rating so others can find the podcast. Follow us on social media and join the mailing list for more content.

In this episode, my friend, Emmy-nominated TV journalist Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani, and I chat as women with big ambitions, a strong sense of justice, women who are navigating parenthood, and women who are usually pressed for time but want to do so much. Caroline and I became colleagues when the biggest TV network in the US decided to launch a global news channel.

But timing wasn't on our side — Covid hit and plans were disrupted. That said, the best thing about that project was becoming friends with brilliant people like Caroline. Here we are reconnecting on a podcast from opposite sides of the world. Life looks so different now and the choices we make are based on very different priorities.

If you can relate to our conversation, let me know which parts resonated with you and what your experience has been. I'd love to hear from you.

Thank you for listening! Please consider leaving us a 5-star rating so others can find the podcast. Follow us on social media and join the mailing list for more content.