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"The consumer, quite honestly, especially the younger generation, is looking for something more than just love me because I'm spending my money, they want to be connected to a brand." - Chris Gillen

This week’s theme

As the CEO and co-owner of A Closer Look, Chris brings nearly three decades of expertise from the frontlines of retail and customer service, guiding brands through the labyrinth of CX transformation.

Curious about how to leverage these insights to transform your own approach to customer experience? Tune in to hear Chris Gillen share practical strategies and visionary ideas that can help you stay ahead in this dynamic landscape. Don’t miss out—listen to the full episode now!

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Emotive loyalty vs. Transactional loyalty.
• Impact of COVID-19 and inflation on CX
• The role of AI in customer experience.
• Generational shifts in consumer behaviour.
• Proactive vs. Reactive customer service.
• The value of human connection.
• Proactive leadership in customer experience.
• Consumer empowerment and expectations.
• Innovation amid economic challenges.

Key links

• Chris Gillen LinkedIn
• A Closer Look Website
• A Closer Look Facebook Page
• A Closer Look X (Twitter ) Page
• Toys R Us Website
• Target Website
• Burning Mountain Adventures LinkedIn

About our guest

As CEO and co-owner of A Closer Look, Chris leads the team towards achieving their vision of being the ultimate partner for brands fanatical about the customer experience. He is dedicated to building brand loyalty for clients of all industries by providing robust data about the first-hand experiences of all customers who interact with their brand.

Chris’s experience in helping businesses iterate and improve their customer experience spans nearly three decades, including various leadership positions in retail companies known for phenomenal brand loyalty. His extensive expertise in leading and managing customer service programs has been instrumental in helping businesses improve their service offerings through the use of technology.

About our host

Our host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.

Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.

Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally.

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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"Improvisers don’t have time to hypothesise about the future of an idea. If you bring me an idea or a brick, I can't consider if it’s viable for the rest of the show; I just have to trust that it is and know the process will land us somewhere interesting. In businesses, leaders often assess the future of an idea instantly and may deny it, rather than just saying, 'Yes, and let’s build on this idea.' The improviser remembers the past, honours the present, and cares not for the future." - Broni Lisle

This week’s theme

Broni Lisle, a seasoned improv performer with decades of experience, shares how the art of improvisation can radically reshape the way teams communicate, collaborate, and innovate. Drawing from his work both on stage and in business settings, Broni Lisle reveals how improv helps individuals embrace spontaneity, listen deeply, and create a culture of trust and openness.

Tune in to discover how you can apply these game-changing improvisational techniques to your business. Broni’s insights are sure to spark creativity and open new doors for your team’s success. Listen now!

In this episode you’ll hear about

• Building stronger communication in your team
• Fostering trust through vulnerability
• The importance of spontaneity and playfulness
• Overcoming your inner critic and embracing innovation
• The importance of listening to connect, not to respond
• Redefining the standard 'Yes, and' to a 'Hell Yeah'

Key links

• Broni Lisle LinkedIn
• Improv Conspiracy podcast
• Growth Factory website
• Spontoon TV on YouTube

About our guest

Broni has been a professional performing artist and creative for 23 years. A theatre practitioner, writer, actor, songwriter, musician and all the et ceteras in between. Over a career of thousands of stage shows, international and national tours, radio play and countless hours in rehearsal rooms, Broni has distilled his values and passion in the performing arts down to a few things; authenticity, trust, and whimsy. These values dictate the projects and the people worth collaborating on and with.

In addition, Broni holds degrees in Theatre and Education and is an expert teacher, director and facilitator of improvisation, theatre and music.

Broni works with corporate individuals and teams on becoming better communicators, collaborators and improving their creativity, ultimately creating a happier workplace.

About our host

Our host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.

Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.

Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally.

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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“Your health is the only thing that's keeping you there, doing your job. ... Your body might not give you that choice. ... You keep running at such a pace and we keep expecting our body to just sustain us, which it does, to a point, but at some point it might decide that's enough and it forces you to stop." - Cailie Ford

This week’s theme

Cailie Ford, a clinical nutritionist with a background in change management, has channelled her passion for food and health into a thriving practice.

Don’t let the demands of work jeopardise your health. Tune in to this episode and discover how to nourish your body and mind, so you can thrive both at work and in life.

In this episode you’ll hear about

• Cailie’s journey from change management to nutrition.
• Key areas Cailie targets in her wellness programmes.
• Bad habits in corporate environments and how to address them.
• Strategies for managing stress through nutrition and lifestyle changes.
• Easy adjustments for improving nutrition, including managing stress.
• Balanced breakfasts and intermittent fasting for women.
• Hydration Tips.
• Balancing weight loss goals with a busy work life.
• Physical activity in sedentary jobs.
• Mindful eating and simplifying nutrition.

Key links

• Cailie Ford's Website
• Cailie Ford LinkedIn
• Cailie Ford Instagram

About our guest

Cailie is a motivational speaker, clinical nutritionist and accredited change manager. Cailie works with businesses and across the globe, providing customised workshops and programs to support employees to feel better and achieve more.

Workshops and programs focus on the relationship between physical and mental wellbeing and their impact on business performance, working towards a healthier, happier and more engaged workforce.

Cailie also runs a busy private practice, specialising in gut health, hormones, sustainable fat loss and women's health across the lifespan.

About our host

Our host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.

Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.

Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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“You just got to put the supports in place and show them why they're doing something and give them a reason for being, rather than just, you know, hey, here's a task. Get that done, and then I'll give your next one. We want stuff at work that feels rewarding and that shows that we are progressing in our work. And that, to be honest, is just being a good manager, being a professional business, showing people their pathways through your company. If you can do that, you'll improve mental health much better than yoga on a Thursday, meditation Monday morning, and some healthy fruit and snacks in the fridge.”

Andy Wright

This week’s theme

Andy Wright, the visionary CEO of Streamtime and founder of Never Not Creative, who is on a mission to revolutionise the way we think about mental well-being in our work environments.

Andy Wright brings a wealth of experience and an innovative mindset to the table, revealing how he’s tackled pressing issues like anxiety and depression within the creative sector.

Tune in to this episode for actionable insights and inspiring strategies to transform mental health practices in your creative workspace.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• Deciding focus and project attraction
• Ensuring action and impact in initiatives
• Mental health experiences influencing method
• Views on supporting graduates and internships
• Design of work and its effects on mental health
• Strategies for workplace mental health improvement
• Effective business approaches to mental health
• Managing constant change and uncertainty
• Methods for creating lasting change

Key links

• Andy Wright LinkedIn
• Never Not Creative Website
• Creative Mornings where Andy gave a talk on mental health
• Everymind
• Anxious Achiever Podcast
• Streamtime
• Interbrand
• Landor
• R/GA
• Never Not Finishing School
• Allies and Never Not Creative
• HBR Article - the concept of the "ideal worker" and its impact on personal identity

About our guest

Andy is an experienced leader in the creative industry with a successful track record of business growth, and creating award winning innovative brands and products. Andy is the creator of Never Not Creative.

Currently, CEO of Streamtime, project management software for the creative industry, Andy previously co-founded creative agency For The People, and worked in leadership positions at Interbrand, Landor and R/GA. Passionate about improving outcomes for emerging talent, mental health and recognising the value of creativity he founded Never Not Creative in 2018.

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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“So it's about being able to marry the two, so quant and qual, and to be able to use either one to more deeply explore whatever pattern of behaviour you're trying to unpack...so I think bringing the two together is super powerful.”
- Angela Bliss

This week

Angela Bliss, a seasoned behavioural scientist and designer, shares her unique insights into how decisions are often made subconsciously, long before we’re aware of them. Angela has worked with top-tier companies and government bodies, seamlessly blending behavioural insights with creative execution.

In this episode, Angela dives deep into the fascinating world where behavioural science meets data science, exploring how this powerful combination can transform the way organisations approach user experience (UX) research. She reveals how understanding subconscious decision-making can be the key to designing truly impactful products and services. Angela shares insights from her experience working with a major bank, where AI and behavioural science are reshaping internal and external campaigns. Angela discusses how organisations are shifting their risk appetite, driven by the need to innovate with AI.

Tune in to this episode and discover how to harness the subconscious mind's power to drive better decisions.

In this episode you’ll hear about

• What is the importance of quantitative data in design?
• How can designers overcome biases and improve their work?
• How can one check their own biases?
• What are the implications of making decisions before being consciously aware of them?
• What is the best way to understand a person’s point of view or decision-making?
• How can we design for cognitive ability, including cognitive decline?

Key links

• Angela Bliss LinkedIn
• London School of Economics (LSE)
• National Australia Bank
• Telstra
• Nissan
• Department of Health (Victoria)
• Department of Transport (Victoria)
• "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness" by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein
• "Predictably Irrational, Revised and Expanded Edition: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions" by Dan Ariely
• "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman

About our guest

Angela Bliss is a behavioural scientist and designer with over 20 years of experience working with Australia’s largest businesses and government departments including NAB, The Reece Group, Wesfarmers Health, Department of Health, Victoria, Department of Transport, Victoria, Telstra, MYOB, Bunnings, Coles and Nissan. Angela works in the field of applied behavioural science, combining behavioural insights with creative execution across service, product and communication design. Angela is a member of the Global Association of Applied Behavioural Scientists (GAABS) and holds degrees in economics and marketing, and

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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“I would put tech language and technologies in simple terms. So I pull it apart, put it, and put it back into simple terms that other people would understand. Because with my many years experience of working with tech people, sometimes it's quite difficult for non tech people understand what they talk about. And to make any decisions to purchase, let's say, any software, anyone who's not technical has to understand what it is, what problem is solving. And this is where I come on board and explain people how it's supposed to be. Like, if you're not technical person, I would explain, as a, like your five year old put it in simple terms for you.”

Olga Bubnova

This month’s theme

Olga Bubnova, a tech marketing and branding expert who’s spent 13 years helping companies simplify and thrive. Olga’s not just talking theory—she’s actively transforming businesses by bridging the gap between complex tech and everyday understanding. From industrial automation to AI, Olga has a unique gift for translating dense technical language into clear, actionable insights.

In this episode, Olga shares her journey from translating embedded systems lingo into plain English to coaching businesses on how to present technology in a way that resonates with non-technical audiences. Whether you’re dealing with blockchain, cybersecurity, or just trying to make sense of software, Olga has tips that can help you break through the noise. Olga also unravels the common challenges faced by entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs alike, from the confusion of choosing the right tools to the paralysis that comes with tech overwhelm.

If you’re ready to transform how your business approaches technology and cut through the noise, tune in to this episode. Learn how to stay ahead without getting lost in the tech shuffle.

In this episode you’ll hear about

• What's different from normal marketing, and how does it help in the technology world?
• What were the words tech people were using that people didn't understand?
• How has Olga found, in her experience, the best ways to communicate technology to non-technical audiences? What are some major themes or strategies she focuses on?
• What are some steps that someone who isn't a technical person should take to understand a technology and translate it for the outside world?
• How would people within a software company, who aren't technical, go about learning things in the best way, do you think?
• How to help somebody reacting to tech overwhelm, how to facilitate a conversation to help them focus on the problem, challenge, or goal?
• Where should leaders look for insight and information about technological changes?
• How can leaders react more quickly to changes and adopt new technologies effectively?
• What advice would you give to entrepreneurs or leaders on setting up rituals that promote sharing knowledge about trends and technology within their teams?

Key links

• Olga Bubnova LinkedIn
• Tech Femme Fusion Website

About our guest

Olga is a tech marketing and branding expert, specialising in helping tech businesses stand out and attract new opportunities through strategic branding, marketing solutions, and powerful storytelling. Her expertise covers areas like industrial automation, tech start-ups, software development, blockchain, FinTech, cybersecurity, AI, and SaaS, and more.

Olga is also the co-founder of a start-up named Tech Femme Fusion and hosts the "Marketing for

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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"A lot of the ideas are existing and being able to get permission and the space to be able to work on ideas that maybe might have been someone else's baby at some point, but being able to sort of take them on and nurture them."

“Sometimes I like to refer to our team as the Lazarus team because they're sort of raising projects from the dead, but sometimes ideas are just not quite their time yet…being able to sort of resurrect that project, think about it slightly differently, and being able to communicate that internally is quite challenging when there's that rich history behind some of the sort of initiatives that are important but perhaps haven't been executed right in the past. ”

- Shane Burford

Don’t miss this episode where Shane Burford lays out the blueprint for embedding innovation practices that deliver long-term value. Tune in now to learn how you can bring these strategies into your own organisation and elevate your game to the next level!

In this episode you’ll hear about

• What is Shane Burford's background and expertise in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship?
• What are some of the hardest challenges faced in establishing new businesses within large organisations?
• What strategies are effective in resurrecting and repurposing old ideas within a company?
• How does the "build-measure-learn" approach influence innovation in a corporate setting?
• What are the challenges in working with core teams on innovation projects in established organisations?
• What role does data play in justifying the investment of time and resources in a new innovation initiative?
• How do you measure the success of a new product or service, especially when aiming for mass-market adoption?
• What happens when an innovation idea doesn’t work out as expected, and what lessons can be learned from such failures?
• What is the attitude towards failure in innovation teams, and how can it be used as a learning experience?
• How to balance strategic thinking versus action-oriented approaches in your innovation processes?
• How does top-down support from leadership impact the ability to drive innovation?
• How to manage the risk of political sensitivities when developing new ideas?
• How to manage the process of killing ideas when they don’t meet customer needs or organisational goals?

Key links

• Shane Burford LinkedIn
• CAR Group
• National Australia Bank
• Telstra
• Toyota

About our guest

Shane is an entrepreneurial leader focussed on establishing new growth businesses within existing organisations. He is focussed on embedding innovation practices in organisations so that they can discover and incubate higher risk and longer term opportunities.

Shane has worked in innovation at NAB, Telstra, Toyota and is currently building new businesses within CAR Group where he is Head of Design. With a background in product and design Shane is passionate about establishing new businesses that better solve customer needs whilst also delivering long term commercial and strategic value.

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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"I call myself a playful experience, and I really lean into the experience because that is where the magic happens. And if you create the playful experience the right way, you can draw out unexpected responses and unexpected underlying culture issues, because the power is solving a problem with a problem."
- Trudi Boatwright

Trudi Boatwright is a playful experience designer extraordinaire. Trudi challenges the notion that solving problems has to be a boring affair. She argues that by embracing playfulness, we can unlock new levels of creativity, improve communication, and foster stronger leadership.

Trudi shares her fascinating career path, including her early experiences working in seemingly unrelated fields. She describes how she began incorporating playful elements into her work, even when it meant pushing boundaries. Trudi also discusses the challenges of introducing playfulness into traditional business cultures.

Ready to experience the transformative power of play for yourself? Listen and discover Trudi's playful challenge that will help you see your problems in a whole new light!

In this episode you’ll hear about

• The surprising origins of taking a playful approach in your organisation
• How workplaces have evolved over time
• How playfulness can solve problems (especially in communication)
• The truth about multitasking (and how to focus better)
• Tips to become a better listener
• How to make presentations unforgettable
• The undeniable benefits of a playful workplace
• Ways leaders can foster playfulness within their teams
• Challenges to overcome when bringing play to work
• How to be more playful at work (without being disruptive)
• The future of AI in the workplace and the importance of human connection

Key links

• Trudi Boatwright Website
• Trudi Boatwright LinkedIn
• E37 – Dara Simkin
• Royal Children's Hospital
• Dame Phyllis Frost Centre
• Tarrengower Prison
• The Elements of Play Toward a Philosophy and a Definition of Play BY Scott G. Eberle
• E46 – Chris Mitchell

About our guest

Trudi is a Playful Experience Designer who specialises in solving problems with play! Working within the intersection of applied improvisation, design thinking and experiential learning, she leans on her Masters of Design Futures and 20 years of experience as an arts practitioner to use her playful learning theory to boost communication and connection.

She is a professional speaker, coach, and writer, working within organisations and government departments to utilise play as a problem solver and leadership tool through workshops, activations, and keynotes. She creates immersive theatre through her theatre company, TBC Theatre, runs a menagerie household of kids, cats, dogs and fish and believes that playfulness has the capacity to solve some of our most wicked problems.

About our host

Our host,

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/