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In this milestone 400th episode, I reflect on nine years of podcasting and the extraordinary leadership lessons I’ve gathered along the way. I explore the show's enduring themes—wise leadership, effective teamwork, and self-mastery—and celebrate the voices that have challenged and expanded my thinking.
I revisit pivotal interviews, including a profoundly perspective-shifting conversation with non-binary advocate Yenn Purkis, and highlight standout episodes across three categories: moving stories, practical leadership tools, and game-changing insights.
From ultra-endurance athlete Laura Marshall to leadership futurists like James Surwillo and Brett King, each guest has added a unique thread to this rich tapestry of leadership wisdom.
Summary
Zoë shares personal updates:
Nine Years of Podcasting – Marking the 400th episode milestone, reflecting on the evolution of the podcast and the extraordinary journey since launching in 2016.
Deep Gratitude for Clients and Listeners – Acknowledging the role of clients who fund the show through their leadership work, and extending heartfelt thanks to long-time listeners—some tuning in since day one.
Professional Growth & Personal Transformation – From early doubts in 2016 to navigating leadership complexity through interviews, facilitation, and book-writing—Zoë shares how the show has shaped her professionally and personally.
The Power of Diverse Voices – Recounting a pivotal conversation with non-binary guest Yen Perkis, which opened the door to deeper empathy and broadened understanding of lived experiences beyond the mainstream.
The Move from Canberra to Newcastle – A significant personal change on the horizon, prompting reflection on what books and ideas are “coming with her”—both literally and metaphorically.
Themes that Endure – Leadership with compassion, building better teams, and living a life of self-mastery remain foundational pillars—now further enriched through diverse insights and transformational stories.
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Key Quotes
"Little perspective shifts can lead to big leadership transformations." – Zoë Routh
"We swim in the norms we don’t see—until someone invites us to look differently." – Zoë Routh
"What I’ve learned is that insight isn’t just intellectual—it’s emotional, embodied, and sometimes even spiritual." – Zoë Routh
Take Action
Revisit your leadership journey—Identify a conversation, book, or experience that shifted your thinking. What did it reveal about your own assumptions?
Create your own ‘Honour Roll’—List the stories, people, or episodes that challenged your worldview. Share them with your team as a learning resource.
Integrate diversity into leadership practice—Invite voices across generations, identities, and lived experiences into your leadership conversations and strategic planning.
Use story as a leadership tool—Host a story circle in your team. Ask: “What’s one experience that changed how you lead?”
Tip of the Week
Choose one interview, book, or personal experience that made you see differently—and revisit it. Ask yourself:“What did I miss the first time? What do I see now?”Insight grows with time, attention, and perspective.
Honour Roll – Good Stories
Ep. 86 – Laura Marshall: Enduroman Arch to Arc
Ep. 173 – Rachel Robertson: Leadership in Antarctica
Ep. 209 – Jordan Kibukamusoke: Gen Y Leadership
Ep. 312 – Iman Kibukamusoke: Gen Z Leadership
Ep. 226 – Jeff Korzenik: Second Chance Hiring
Ep. 283 – Manley Hopkinson: Sailing into the Hurricane
Ep. 362 – Paul Glover: From Incarceration to Legacy
Ep. 385 – John Graham: Good Samaritan Homes
Game-Changing Conversations
Ep. 119 – James Surwillo: Metamodern Leadership
Ep. 175 – Dr Alan Watkins: Integrative Decision-Making
Ep. 199 – Ginny Whitelaw: Embodied Leadership
Ep. 207 – Liz Wiseman: Multipliers and Accidental Diminishers
Ep. 224 – Carol Sanford: Regenerative Leadership
Ep. 225 – Brian Emerson: Polarity Thinking
Ep. 235 – Buster Benson: Productive Disagreement
Ep. 307 – Samantha Slade: Horizontal Leadership
Ep. 308 – Brett King: Technosocialism and the Future
Ep. 359 – Dr Mike Rucker: Redefining Fun in Leadership
Ep. 45 - Dr. Maja Stanojevic-Andre - How To Develop Leadership Maturity
Favourite Book Reviews
Ep. 67 – The Listening Society by Hansi Freinacht
Ep. 89 – Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee
Practical and Useful Tools
Ep. 42 & 104 – Alessandra Edwards: Executive Health
Ep. 34 – Stacey Barr: KPIs that Work
Ep. 256 – George Karseras: Build Better Teams
Ep. 295 – Rachel Audigé: Busting Bias
Ep. 322 – Laura Fredricks: The Art of the Hard Ask
Ep. 348 – Dr Ann Kowal Smith: The Power of Fiction
Ep. 140 – Charlene Li: Disruption Archetypes
Ep. 31, 84, 345 – Dermot Crowley: Productivity Mastery
Ep. 254, 323 – Donna McGeorge: Simplifying Leadership
Ep. 39 – Simon Dowling: Collaborative Style
Ep. 138 – Colin Ellis: Culture is Leadership
Ep. 141 – Digby Scott: Changemaker Mindset
Ep. 228, 367 – Mark Butler: Preventing Burnout
Ep. 311, 377 – Rohit Bhargava: Future Trends
Top 3 Most-Listened To
Ep. 234 & 328 – Peter Scott: Courage and Failure
Ep. 232 – Susie Walford: Happy Team Principles
Ep. 271 – Larapinta Trail: Fear, Conflict and Leadership
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About Zoë Routh
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the The Future of Leadership Podcast dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.