In this episode of Let’s Talk About EX, we sit down with Matt McFarlane—founder of Comp Strategy and brains behind the Startup People Summit—to talk all things compensation.
We unpack:
Why startups get compensation wrong (and what it costs them)
The rise of pay transparency—and how to prepare for it
What ‘getting it right’ really means (hint: it’s not just about numbers)
Why early-stage people leaders need better support (and how Matt’s fixing that)
Matt also shares the backstory behind launching the Startup People Summit—a new event tackling real-world people challenges in fast-growth environments.
Whether you’re a Head of People, a founder, or just compensation-curious, this one’s for you.
If you want to go deeper, check out:
Matt’s newsletter: The FNDN Series
His upcoming event: Startup People Summit
Or follow him on LinkedIn: Matt McFarlane
About the episode:
Nora Koslowski is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of EVEN, a digital career development platform designed to shift the stats and support more women into leadership. In this episode, she shares the founder story behind EVEN (which started over a cocktail), her firsthand experience of workplace discrimination, and the structural challenges that still hold women back at work.
We also dive into:
Why the “hourglass” issue is stalling gender equity
What great inclusive cultures actually look like
Why digital transformation depends on culture, not tech
How organisations can take real action to support women’s career progression
Nora’s message is clear: inclusion isn’t a policy — it’s a practice. And it’s time to treat it like one.
About Nora:
Dr Nora Koslowski is a learning innovation expert and the Co-Founder & Co-CEO of EVEN. She's worked across four countries, held senior roles in academia and business, and now helps employers close the leadership gender gap through bold, evidence-based career development programs.
📧 nora@even-careers.com
🌐 even-careers.com
🔗 Follow Nora on LinkedIn
On this episode (in recognition of Men’s Health Week) we’re joined by Rae Bonney OAM — mental health specialist, men’s health advocate, counsellor, and all-round force for good.
From workplaces to policy tables, Rae’s work challenges how we think about masculinity, mental health, and the stories we tell ourselves about what men “should” be.
In this episode:
Why “men don’t talk” is a myth
The heartbreaking (and too-common) story of Hypothetical Harry
Why most wellbeing programs fail to reach the men who need them
How workplaces can step up without stripping away masculinity
What it really means to create space and psychological safety
Whether you lead a team or love someone who’s struggling, this one will stick with you.
🧠 “Don’t assume you know what’s going on. Ask: what does it feel like being you today?”
About Rae Bonney OAM
Rae is a workplace mental health specialist, qualified counsellor, and advocate for men’s and boys’ health. She’s worked across heavy industry, public policy, and crisis response — and brings both lived and professional experience to everything she does. Rae is a Beyond Blue ambassador, Vice President of the Australian Men’s Health Forum, and Vice Chair of Global Action on Men’s Health.
🎙 Listen to Let’s Talk About EX
We tackle the tough stuff about workplace culture, wellbeing, burnout, and people strategy — without the fluff.
💬 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if it hit home.
👉 exsona.com
👉 Connect with Rae via LinkedIn
👉 Book a free People Strategy Session: exsona.com/contact
#MensHealthWeek #RaeBonney #EmployeeExperience #MentalHealth #WorkplaceCulture #PeopleStrategy #EX #PsychosocialSafety
Host: Ryan McGrory
Guest: Alexia Elmers, Talent Acquisition Specialist
Episode Highlights:
Resources Mentioned:
Listen and Subscribe: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Episode Title: Elevating Human Experiences at Work
Guest: Alana Bennett
Founder, Connected Experience
Expert in Employee Experience Design and Fractional CPO Services
In this Episode:
About Alana Bennett: Introduction to Alana's journey from leading employee experience before it became a recognised field, to founding Connected Experience.
The Birth of Connected Experience: How the pandemic influenced the trajectory of employee experience and led to the creation of Alana's company during a pivotal global shift.
Fractional CPO Role: Exploration of the growing trend of fractional CPO roles, their flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and the strategic value they bring to resource-constrained environments.
Integrating Strategy with People Operations: Alana discusses the critical integration of business and people strategies, emphasising the seamless alignment for organisational success.
Leadership Development: Insights into Alana’s approach to leadership development, focusing on context-specific strategies and experiential learning.
Future of HR and People Ops: Predictions and advice for evolving HR practices to meet modern business challenges and enhance organisational performance.
Resources and Links:
Inspired to transform your employee experience? Book a consultation with Alana to begin your journey toward a more connected and engaged workplace.
Show Notes:
Episode Title: Leading with Integrity: Fay Calderone’s Blueprint for a Respectful Workplace
Guest: Fay Calderone, Employment Lawyer and Author
Overview: In this episode, Ryan McGrory sits down with Fay Calderone to discuss her impactful work in employment law and her recent book, "Broken to Safe." Fay shares her insights on how leaders can create safer, more inclusive workplaces that not only comply with laws but also foster a culture where employees flourish.
Key Points:
The Inspiration Behind 'Broken to Safe': Fay discusses what motivated her to write her book and how her experiences as an employment lawyer shaped its content.
Creating Safe Workplaces: Fay elaborates on practical strategies for leaders to eliminate toxicity and ensure safety in the workplace.
The Role of Leadership in Employee Wellbeing: Insights into how leadership styles impact employee health and organizational culture.
Legal Implications: Fay discusses the evolving legal landscape and how organizations can stay compliant while fostering a positive workplace culture.
Advice for Leaders: Practical tips from Fay on how leaders can proactively address workplace challenges and support their teams.
Resources Mentioned:
For more insights on enhancing your workplace culture, visit Exsona’s official website and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates and resources.
Introduction to Luke Jamieson: Meet Luke, a self-proclaimed ‘well-behaved larrikin’ and a visionary in employee and customer engagement.
The Story Behind the Bio: Luke discusses his humorous yet insightful take on professional bios and how it reflects his approach to work.
Unconventional Career Paths: From his beginnings as a pastry chef to becoming a CX and EX leader, Luke shares how diverse experiences contribute to his expertise.
Gamification and Engagement: Insights into how gamification can transform workplace culture and employee satisfaction.
Candid Thoughts: A frank discussion about the intersection of employee experience and organisational success, and how personal authenticity plays a role in professional settings.
Resources and Further Reading: Links to Luke’s content, his co-hosted series #Twenty20ish, and how to connect with him for more insights.
Episode Availability: Listen to the full conversation on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Allan Sparkes on Transforming Adversity into Advocacy
Join us in this powerful episode of "Let's Talk About EX," where we sit down with Allan Sparkes, CV, OAM, a name synonymous with bravery and resilience. Allan is not only a celebrated hero but also a staunch advocate for mental health. His life's work, transitioning from a decorated police veteran to a mental health advocate, offers invaluable insights into the role of mental wellness in high-stakes professions. In our conversation, Allan shares his personal journey through critical mental health battles and how these experiences shaped his mission to foster mental resilience among first responders and beyond.
Key Topics Discussed:
Allan's transformation from receiving Australia’s highest bravery decorations to becoming a mental health advocate.
The critical importance of addressing mental health proactively, particularly in high-pressure environments.
Allan’s initiatives and programs designed to enhance mental health among first responders and corporate settings.
Resources Mentioned:
"The Cost of Bravery" by Allan Sparkes available on Amazon
Interested in learning more about how to support culture in your organisation? Contact Exsona for consultations and workshops on creating inclusive environments that harness the full potential of all employees. Visit our website to get started.
Subscribe & Follow: Don’t forget to subscribe to "Let's Talk About EX" on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on LinkedIn for more insights into enhancing workplace culture and employee experience.
Episode Overview: Join host Ryan McGrory as he explores the fascinating world of neurodiversity in leadership with Mariane Power, a clinical psychologist and executive coach who specializes in neuro-affirming solutions for neurodivergent leaders. Discover the unique challenges and strengths that neurodivergent individuals bring to leadership roles and how inclusive practices can benefit everyone in the workplace.
What You’ll Learn:
The importance of neurodiversity in fostering innovation and creativity in the workplace.
Practical strategies for creating neuro-affirming environments that promote psychological safety.
Insights from leading research on neurodiversity, including studies from Deloitte and academics like Bruyère and Colella.
Featured Guest: Mariane Power
Mariane Power is a future-focused clinical psychologist and the co-founder of The Posify Group. She integrates positive psychology, neuroscience, and performance principles into career and leadership development, focusing on neurodivergent professionals.
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Mariane:
Interested in learning more about how to support culture in your organisation? Contact Exsona for consultations and workshops on creating inclusive environments that harness the full potential of all employees. Visit our website to get started.
Subscribe & Follow: Don’t forget to subscribe to "Let's Talk About EX" on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on LinkedIn for more insights into enhancing workplace culture and employee experience.
In this episode of "Let's Talk About EX," Ryan McGrory sits down with Dr. Kathryn Page, an acclaimed expert in leadership, workplace wellbeing, and organisational development.
Dr. Page delves into the critical intersections of leadership and organisational culture, providing invaluable insights into enhancing employee engagement and resilience.
What You'll Learn:
Featured Guest: Dr. Kathryn Page is an organisational psychologist known for her extensive work in improving mental health in the workplace, fostering positive leadership practices, and developing strategies to enhance employee engagement and resilience. As a leadership partner at ByMany, Dr. Page is dedicated to creating leadership that contributes to a better world.
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Dr. Kathryn Page:
Eager to transform your workplace culture? Schedule a free consultation with Exsona to discuss strategic HR solutions tailored to enhance employee engagement and wellbeing. Book your session today.
Subscribe and Follow: Don’t miss out on insightful episodes like this! Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.
Follow us on LinkedIn for updates and more content dedicated to improving workplace culture and employee experience.
In this episode of Let's Talk About EX, host Ryan McGrory is joined by Jenna Mikus, a strategic advisor who blends wellbeing science with architectural insights to promote environmental health and eudaemonic well-being. Jenna shares her innovative approach to creating spaces that not only meet the functional needs but also enhance the well-being of individuals through her concept of 'Eudaemonic Design.'
What You'll Learn:
Featured Guest: Jenna Mikus, Founder of the Eudae Group
Resources Mentioned:
What now?
In this episode of "Let's Talk About EX," join your host Ryan McGrory as he dives into an engaging conversation with Kelly Stone, a celebrated writer, trainer, and coach renowned for her innovative approaches to employer branding.
Kelly shares her insights on how businesses can revolutionize their employer brand by empowering their team to be authentic brand ambassadors. From deploying grassroots strategies to leveraging internal subject matter experts, Kelly discusses practical steps to make your Employer Value Proposition (EVP) resonate at every level of your organisation.
Tune in to discover how to transform your company’s culture from the inside out and turn your employees into your most powerful advocates.
For more on Kelly, find her on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stonekelly/
Her Website: https://www.craftmycontent.com.au/the-ultimate-guide-to-recruitment-marketing
What are key issues impacting employee’s wellbeing, and how do we support them?
We tackled this and more in the latest episode of Let’s Talk About EX where we were joined by Dr Natalie Flatt, a psychologist, researcher and business owner with a knack for innovation - especially in the workplace wellbeing and mental health area!
We had an awesome conversation as Natalie shared her insights and experience in working with organisations to improve their response to wellbeing in her role as Co-founder/ CEO of Connect Psych Services.
And, we also touched on some of the research and amazing work that she’s doing in her other role (she must have cloned herself, surely?!) as Chief Innovation Leader at one of Australia’s leading workplace wellbeing research groups at Superfriend.
If you care about workplace wellbeing, your team’s wellbeing or how to support people in your team better - there’s heaps in this episode for you … Enjoy!
If you don’t define your culture, then how can you describe it to others? How do you drive it? How do you grow it? How do you measure it?
We covered this in the latest episode of Let’s Talk About EX where we were joined by Mary Lemonis, the Chief People and Sustainability Officer at REA group.
REA Group are a collection of 16 brands, with 3000 employees operating across three continents. Whether you know REA group or not, you’re probably familiar with and have used their technology and platforms … as they’re the group behind companies like RealEstate.com, Mortgage Choice, Flatmates.com.au, Property.com.au … and more.
So, it made for an interesting conversation as we discussed a range of things that happened to tie back Mary’s experience in establishing and growing strategies that are purpose-driven… and backed by data!
We covered heaps of topics - EVP, Leadership, Talent attraction, people data, future of work … you name it.
Mary was generous in sharing her ideas and stories, so I think you’ll get a lot out of it … have a listen.
LINKS
See what Mary is up to on LinkedIn!
Millions of Australians are working parents. In fact, 67% of families in Australia have two working parents! It’s amazing that with so many people experiencing what it’s like to work as a parent that our workplaces, the employee experience and even society doesn’t really feel like it’s designed for smooth sailing for parents.
On this episode of Let’s Talk About EX, we’re joined by Nadine O’Regan, General Manager at TQ Solutions.
We discussed the experience or working parents - their needs, frustrations, the importance of flexibility; and, what workplaces are doing (and can do) to create a culture that supports working parents.
Nadine has a great deal of experience in this area, and is passionate about the topic - so it’s great to have her on the podcast to share her insights, tips and ideas.
There’s so much gold in this conversation. Enjoy!
In this episode of Let's Talk About EX, we’re joined by Claudia Barriga-Larriviere - Senior Director, People and Culture at Sendle. She is seasoned professional in culture and strategy in corporate but also with an emphasis in the startup space. In our conversation, Claudia shared her unique insights on the importance of authentic startup cultures and their impact on well-being and success. There’s so much gold in this conversation - tips, takeaways and insights … so much. Enjoy!
Check out Claudia on LinkedIn here.
And, learn more about Sendle here.
In this episode of Let's Talk About EX, we’re joined by Jonathan Clark the co-founder of The Eighth Mile Consulting, a company that specializes in helping organizations navigate complex challenges and achieve their goals. With over a decade of experience in the Australian Army, Jonathan brings a unique perspective on leadership and change management. In our conversation, we delve into his insights and experiences, discussing the role of leadership in creating a positive employee experience and successful organisational change.
Check out Jonathan on LinkedIn here.
And, learn more about The Eighth Mile Consulting here.
In this episode of "Let's Talk About EX," we sit down with Alisha Murdoch, the Head of People and Culture of Jetts Australia, to discuss what makes the company a great place to work. Jetts Australia is a fitness franchise that operates over 50 gyms throughout the country, and they've built a reputation for valuing their employees and creating a positive work environment.
During our conversation, Alisha shares her insights on the company's culture and how they prioritize employee development and support. She also talks about some of the unique benefits and perks that Jetts offers, such as flexible scheduling, ongoing training opportunities, and a strong sense of community.
If you're interested in learning more about what it's like to work at Jetts Australia, this episode is a must-listen. We hope you enjoy hearing from Alisha and gain some valuable insights into how to create a positive workplace culture. Tune in now!
On this episode, I caught up with Kyla Banks, Group Head of Employee Experience and Internal Communications at nib.
Kyla leads an extraordinary EX team and has done some incredible things at nib - supporting some revolutionary people initiatives to support wellbeing, performance and the overall employee experience.
She has a background in marketing and PR, so it was good to get the chance to discuss what attracted her to EX, learn about her approach - as well as discuss some of the unique EX challenges facing the world of work today.
Kyla was really generous with tips, ideas and sharing her experience so I'm sure there’s a lot of value for you in this episode
We hope you enjoy!
On this episode, I caught up with Oscar Trimboli - author of how to listen, Deep Listening & Breakthroughs.
As well as an author Oscar is also a professional speaker, an apple award winning podcast host and a successful mentor who works with clients to achieve growth within their organisation, for their team and with their leaders.
He’s a true expert on the topic of listening - and I could listen to him all day.
We discussed Oscar’s new book - How to Listen - and he was full of interesting stories, research and boundary-pushing organisations. Have a listen …
To learn more from Oscar (including where to get his book!) check out -
https://www.oscartrimboli.com/howtolisten/
Thanks -