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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.

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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/

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"Always give 110% in even that smallest line you draw on paper." - Sharbani Dhar

Sharbani Dhar, 2023 winner of the ISG Digital Titan Award and Founder and CEO of DotInfinity, a product and design consultancy. Sharbani started her career in architecture but her passion for problem-solving led her to design and user experience. She then migrated to Australia, facing the challenge of resetting her career due to a lack of local experience. Through perseverance and a focus on lifelong learning, she overcame these hurdles and built a successful career in design leadership.

Listen and learn how to become a champion intrapreneur, equipped with the tools and mindset to push boundaries and make a positive impact within your organisation!

In this episode you’ll hear about

• Reinventing yourself: Sharbani's transition from architecture to UX design highlights the importance of embracing change and following your passions.
• Overcoming obstacles: Learn how Sharbani tackled the unique challenges faced by immigrants in the Australian job market.
• Authenticity in design: Discover why staying true to your values is crucial for creating impactful and user-centred solutions.
• The power of feedback: Sharbani shares practical advice for overcoming the fear of sharing work and seeking feedback, emphasising the importance of creating a safe space for teams to collaborate and innovate.
• Reframing failure: Explore the concept of "failure KPIs" and how embracing missteps can actually lead to greater success and innovation.
• Unravelling complexity: Sharbani reveals her strategies for breaking down complex problems and making informed decisions based on educated guesses about business impact and technical feasibility.
• Building alliances: Learn how to create strong relationships within your organisation by understanding the needs and motivations of your colleagues and stakeholders.
• The importance of diversity: Discover how diverse perspectives enrich problem-solving and lead to better outcomes.
• Navigating disagreements: Sharbani shares her approach to dealing with challenging personalities and fostering a collaborative environment.

Key links

• Sharbani Dhar LinkedIn
• DotInfinity
• Australian Post (Auspost)
• Monash Health
• Design Outlook
• Miro
• Figma
• Telstra

About our guest

The 2023 winner of the ISG Digital Titan Award, Sharbani is the Founder and CEO of DotInfinity, a product and design consultancy.

She champions design-led product strategies that harmonise customer-centric solutions with overarching business goals.

Her expertise spans multiple sectors, including Government, Telecommunications, Finance, and Technology. An active community member, she volunteers as a Consumer Advisor for Monash Health and as an Advisory Board member for Design Outlook.

Beyond her professional sphere, Sharbani explores her creative pursuits in film production, helping craft short films that illuminate socially relevant themes and mentoring young migrants trying to establish themselves professionally.

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 think it's adventure that drives me. So it's adventure that is at the heart of all of this. I didn't really enjoy school. I wasn't particularly good at school. I was diagnosed, you know, either dyslexic or dyspraxic or, you know, suffered from a bang on the head. But that wasn't until university. So school was kind of a constant experience of being told that I was smart but lazy, and it just didn't make sense to me. I wasn't very good at it. But then I worked. My first kind of career was in advertising, and I was very lucky, I think, to find places that valued people that thought differently."​ - Ben Mason

Ben Mason shares his journey of living and working remotely on a sailboat, discussing his background in strategy work and entrepreneurship, including his appearance on Dragon's Den. He describes the challenges of maintaining a balance between freelance work and boat life, his struggles with dyslexia and dyspraxia during school, and his innovative ventures like starting a pizza delivery social enterprise during COVID-19. He also talks about his current location in the Bahamas and plans to sail further.

Dive deeper into his adventures and learn how to embrace a lifestyle of remote work and adventure by listening to this episode, be inspired by his journey and embark on your own path to freedom and innovation today!

In this episode you’ll hear about

• Ben Mason's background in strategy work, entrepreneurship, and appearance on Dragon's Den
• The challenges of living and working remotely on a sailboat
• Struggles with school due to dyslexia and dyspraxia
• Balancing freelance work with boat maintenance
• The feasibility and challenges of remote working, balancing client expectations with the realities of boat life
• Future plans without limits

Key links

• Ben Mason LinkedIn
• Ben Mason Twitter
• Fortnum & Mason
• Dragon’s Den

About our guest

Currently a freelance CSO providing marketing consultancy including brand strategy, product innovation, naming and creative ideas, Ben works remotely from his sailboat.

Previously Co-Founder at Love Triangle, a pizza delivery social enterprise launched summer 2020 during Covid lockdown. In the midst of lockdown they raised many thousands for a foodbank, met the King and employed over 100 people from the hard-hi hospitality industry.

Previously Ben founded a baked beans startup that Richard Branson described as 'a pioneering business idea' and The Daily Mail described it as, 'twice as good as Heinz and 10 times tastier than Waitrose'. Check out Ben's appearance on Dragons' Den!

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

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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“When you were doing the intro, you know, you can just hear how diverse and broad the different types of roles or experiences and industries I've had were. I think you know some parts have been serendipitous right. Where you're just kind of following your instinct around what you enjoy like this constant search in your work for things where you feel good you know you're getting joy out of it you're learning you're collaborating with really clever people. That's like everything to me.” - Sam McCallum

This month’s theme

Sam McCallum shares insights from her extensive industry experience and strategic design background. Key topics include the importance of team alignment, the application of hypothesis-led experiments to address strategic scepticism, and maintaining work-life balance. Sam also emphasises the value of diversity, iterative feedback, and practical strategies for preventing burnout and ensuring effective project delivery.

Gain valuable insights from industry expert Sam McCallum on strategic design, team alignment, and maintaining work-life balance. Listen now to elevate your business strategies and achieve successful project outcomes.

In this episode you’ll hear about

• Sam's background in strategic design and diverse industry experience
• The differences between consultancy and in-house roles
• The importance of strategic design in aligning with market trends and customer needs
• The role of strategic designers in enabling executives and product teams
• Why it's important to bring people together for key project moments
• How hypothesis-led experiments can be used to address strategy skeptics
• The benefits of diversity and inclusion in teams
• The value of iterative feedback in strategy development and the practical steps for implementing iterative processes
• The importance of self-care and work-life balance
• Ways to avoid burnout and maintain energy

Key links

• Outfoxed.co
• Sam McCallum LinkedIn

About our guest host

Sam brings 19 years of diverse experience from consultancies, digital agencies and client-side leadership roles. Known for CX, strategic design, business design and innovation, Sam has a track record of successfully delivering new products and business models to market.

Sam's industry experience includes Finance, Media, Telco, FMCG, Grocery, QSR, Retail, and Government, with roles including; Head of Experience Design at Latitude Financial, Head of Marketing at Fairfax Media, and Strategy Director at R/GA.

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/