Leadership Odysseys

Wilson Poon: Listen First. Build Second. Lead Always.

Wilson Poon doesn’t just build businesses, he builds trust. From his early days as a software engineer to founding Whitetower Digital and co-founding MemberPulse, Wilson’s journey has been marked by sharp strategy, deep integrity, and a human-first approach to innovation. In this candid and compelling conversation, Wilson shares how he’s grown multiple businesses, sold a company, navigated failure, and led with quiet clarity all while helping others bring their visions to life.
Whether you’re building your first startup or scaling your tenth, this episode is a masterclass in doing business with intention, value, and genuine care.
Key Highlights
~ The moment Wilson walked away from a corporate tech job and began rewriting the rules of his own career.From a 2.5-hour commute to Dell, to discovering the world of startups and agency life — Wilson’s pivot point reveals the power of listening to your gut and trusting your own pace.
~ How Wilson built — and sold — a branding agency by identifying niche, scalable market demand.Wilson shares how he spotted opportunity in off-the-plan property developments, built recurring revenue, and made a strategic exit just before the COVID crash.
~ The realities of running multiple companies — and why clarity of purpose is non-negotiable.With Whitetower now a mature agency and MemberPulse his rising SaaS venture, Wilson opens up about how he structures his energy, delegates with trust, and prioritizes long-term value over short-term gains.
~ Lessons from a failed activewear startup — and why failure builds deeper insight than any course ever could.Wilson and his wife launched an activewear brand during COVID. It didn’t work. But the lessons — from supply chains to marketing to content strategy — now shape how he advises clients every day.
~ Why Wilson believes in “Hitch-style” consulting — showing up, solving real problems, and then disappearing.Inspired by the movie Hitch, Wilson has built a service model rooted in loyalty, transparency, and enablement. His goal? Help clients win, without becoming a bottleneck or chasing unnecessary scope.
Wilson Poon’s story is a refreshing reminder that success isn’t about hype — it’s about helping others win, one honest conversation at a time. His entrepreneurial journey spans tech, branding, SaaS, and strategy — but what remains constant is his refusal to overpromise and his commitment to solving problems that actually matter.
For any founder, leader, or builder feeling the pressure to do it all, Wilson’s clarity, calmness, and care offer a new blueprint: build slower, build better, and always build with heart.
Connect with Wilson Poon: LinkedIn 
Member Pulse: LinkedIn | Website 
Whitetower: LinkedIn | Website 
This episode is brought to you by: Flagship
Connect with Kirsty Gee:  LinkedIn |  Instagram | Website

Michael Ragavan: The Founder Rewriting the Rules of Wealth in Australia

Michael Ragavan was born in Australia to parents who had fled genocide in Sri Lanka, arriving with little more than resilience, hope, and an unshakable belief in opportunity. That belief would become the foundation for Our Leg Up, a bold venture reimagining home equity as a tool not just for building wealth, but for widening the path to ownership and opportunity. In this conversation, Michael shares the grit it took to challenge the system, the years spent learning the rules well enough to rewrite them, and why innovation and fairness must go hand in hand if we want to change the future of wealth in Australia.
Key Highlights
~ From family sacrifice to founder’s vision – How his parents’ escape from genocide in Sri Lanka shaped his worldview and gave him a deep understanding of financial insecurity and opportunity.
~ Reimagining home equity – Why Our Leg Up is more than a financial product; it’s a new category designed to help aspiring homeowners buy years sooner and give existing owners a way to put their equity to work.
~ Fighting “impossible” – The candid reality of being told no by banks, lawyers, and advisors and the relentless persistence it takes to turn a system-wide “no” into a workable “yes.”
~ Learning the rules to change them – The years Michael spent in the trenches studying regulations himself, developing the expertise to create a compliant and scalable model where none existed before.
~ Purpose as fuel – Why anchoring his business in fairness, inclusion, and real human impact has been the most resilient driver through setbacks and long timelines.
Michael’s story is a reminder that change rarely comes from those who accept the rules as they are; it comes from those willing to challenge them, learn them, and rewrite them for a fairer future. Our Leg Up is still in its early chapters, but its potential to reshape the way Australians think about wealth, ownership, and opportunity is already clear. This is more than a business story, it’s a blueprint for purpose-driven innovation in one of the country’s most entrenched systems.
 
Connect with Michael Ragavan: LinkedIn 
Our Leg Up: LinkedIn |  Instagram | Website 
This episode is brought to you by: Naturally Glutenfree 
Connect with Kirsty Gee:  LinkedIn |  Instagram | Website

Vision to Velocity: Simon Molnar’s Leadership Odyssey

Nearly two years on, we’re thrilled to replay Episode  1 of Leadership Odysseys with Simon Molnar. Simon’s path from weekend shifts in his parents’ jewellery store to helping drive Afterpay’s surge and now reinventing in-store retail with Flagship encapsulates everything our mantra, 'Embrace the Journey,' stands for. Press play to hear the lessons, pivots, and breakthroughs that shaped his leadership—and reignite your own sense of possibility.
Key Highlights~ Retail Roots & Side Hustle: How early weekends selling Pandora on eBay lit Simon’s entrepreneurial spark and paved the way for Australia’s largest pure‑play jewellery site.~ From Code to Commerce: Why Simon traded high‑paying gigs for a steep software‑engineering learning curve and how that technical fluency unlocked new business possibilities.~ Fueling Afterpay’s Ascent: The “help us help you” campaign that flipped Afterpay’s pipeline from outbound hustle to viral inbound momentum and what it teaches about customer‑led growth.~ Pivot with Purpose: Facing a six‑figure hardware setback at Flagship, Simon leaned into tough feedback, rallied his team, and invented a platform now powering retailers worldwide.~ Leadership & Well‑Being: Why treating mental recharge as seriously as physical recovery and building a culture of open vulnerability became Simon’s secret weapon for sustaining performance.
Simon Molnar’s journey demonstrates that true leadership is never linear; it’s forged through bold experiments, smart pivots, and unwavering self-care. Whether you’re scaling your first venture or steering a global team, let these insights inspire you to lean into uncertainty and lead with both courage and compassion.
 
Connect with Simon Molnar: LinkedIn 
Connect with Flagship: Website | LinkedIn
This episode is brought to you by: Naturally Glutenfree 
Connect with Kirsty Gee:  LinkedIn |  Instagram | Website

Michelle Brenton | From Burnout to Cellular Health: Redefining Resilience, Wellness & Purpose

In this deeply human episode of Leadership Odysseys, Kirsty sits down with Michelle Brenton—clinical naturopath, nutritionist, herbalist, personal trainer, and founder of Cell Wellness Co for a conversation that goes far beyond supplements and health advice.
Michelle shares the evolution of her 20+ year career in the wellness space: from running health food stores and clinics to co-creating Cell Charge, a globally trusted micronutrient supplement. But beyond the titles and ventures is a story of burnout, healing, reinvention, and the courage to slow down.
Together, we explore what it means to truly listen to your body, why rest is an act of resilience, and how we can protect our health in an increasingly toxic world. It’s a conversation rooted in honesty about motherhood, business, ambition, and the cost of pushing too far.
 
KEY HIGHLIGHTSTrading Perfection for Presence
Michelle shares how pneumonia and total exhaustion forced her to stop and start again. Her story reveals the strength in surrender and the importance of building a life that honours the body, not just the goals.
The Origin Story of Cell Charge
Discover how a unique micronutrient concentrate, developed for patients who had run out of options, grew into a product trusted by thousands. Michelle explains the science behind Cell Charge and why it's become a daily foundation for so many.
The Power of Letting Go
After selling their home and packing life into a caravan, Michelle and her family spent nearly four years on the road. The realisation? That freedom isn’t found in more, but in less.
Discipline vs. Wholeness
From extreme discipline to deep recalibration, Michelle discusses why her greatest strength was learning when to stop. This insight is especially powerful for high performers on the edge of burnout.
A Whole-Body Approach to Modern Health
From gut health and nutrient absorption to environmental stressors and soil depletion, Michelle breaks down the invisible load we carry—and how to support the body with simplicity, intention, and curiosity.
 
Why this episode matters:
Michelle’s odyssey is a masterclass in tuning into your body, your purpose, and the pace that’s right for you. Whether you’re navigating burnout, chasing big dreams, or simply looking to live more intention, this episode will meet you right where you are—and invite you to slow down, soften, and honour what matters most.
Connect with Michelle Brenton:  LinkedIn | Instagram
Cell Wellness Co: Website | Instagram
Connect with Kirsty Gee:  LinkedIn |  Instagram | Website
This episode is brought to you by: Naturally Glutenfree | Airwallex

Linda Wallace on The Power of Self-Attunement, Letting Go, and Redefining Success from the Inside Out

In this profound episode of Leadership Odysseys, we sit down with transformational coach Linda Wallace, whose journey spans global leadership roles, a personal reckoning, and a deep return to self. Once climbing the ranks of major corporate brands, Linda hit burnout—mentally, physically, and emotionally. But instead of pushing through, she paused. And in that pause, everything changed.
Today, Linda helps others step into lives of alignment, clarity, and embodied leadership, not through titles or hustle, but through deep listening, inner safety, and somatic awareness.
This episode is a masterclass in self-leadership. A call to let go of who the world told you to be and step into who you truly are.
Episode Highlights:
“Anxiety is loud. Intuition is quiet.” — Linda unpacks the difference between fear-based urgency and grounded self-trust, revealing how true direction is often quiet, not performative.
Purpose isn’t a title. It’s how you show up. — We explore how redefining purpose away from job titles and towards values-led daily action can radically reshape your life.
Our brains are wired for safety, not happiness. — Linda shares the neuroscience behind fear, why we default to the familiar (even if it hurts), and how to build courage through gentle, embodied awareness.
Leadership from clarity, not speed. — We challenge modern leadership norms that celebrate fast decisions and visible output, and explore the power of pause, attunement, and emotional regulation.
The moment she stopped performing and started listening. — Linda shares the pivotal moment that changed everything—and why being honest with herself was the bravest leadership decision she’s ever made.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever questioned the pace, the pressure, or the path they’re on. Linda Wallace reminds us that leadership is not about how loudly we speak, but how deeply we listen. If you’ve been searching for clarity, connection, or courage, this is the conversation your soul’s been waiting for.
Connect with Linda Wallace: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website
Connect with Kirsty Gee:  LinkedIn |  Instagram | Website
This episode is brought to you by: The Beauty Chef | Naturally Glutenfree

Claudine Ogilvie on Reinvention, Leadership in Complexity & the Future of Supply Chain Tech

In this episode of Leadership Odysseys, we’re joined by Claudine Ogilvie, an executive and entrepreneur who’s spent over two decades at the intersection of technology, transformation, and leadership.
From her time as CIO at Jetstar and Ridley Corporation to board roles with Cuscal and Scyne Advisory, Claudine has built a career shaped by curiosity, courage, and bold transitions. Today, she’s the founder and CEO of HivePix, a data orchestration platform improving transparency and trust across the supply chain.
We dive into the mindset behind leaving corporate leadership to build something new, how to navigate complexity without losing clarity, and why empathy, ethics, and innovation must go hand in hand in the age of AI.
This is a conversation about technology, yes—but also about purpose, progress, and leading with integrity in a rapidly evolving world.
Key Highlights:
~ The Leap into Entrepreneurship: Claudine shares what it took to step away from big business and start HivePix—and the gap in supply chain data she’s now solving.
~ Courageous Career Shifts: We explore how to know when it’s time to pivot, what holds leaders back, and why reinvention requires more belief than certainty.
~ Complexity and Clarity: Claudine offers lessons from leading large-scale transformation at Jetstar, including how to align teams, stay grounded, and make decisions when the path isn’t obvious.
~ The Future of Responsible Tech: A thoughtful look at AI, quantum computing, and the urgent need to build technology with trust, ethics, and inclusion at the core.
~ Act First, Think Differently: Inspired by a quote from Herminia Ibarra, Claudine reflects on how doing—more than thinking—reshapes how we lead and who we become.
Claudine Ogilvie’s journey is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about staying in your lane, it’s about learning, leaping, and building what you believe the world needs. Whether you’re navigating a career pivot or shaping the future of tech, this episode offers grounded insight and inspiration for embracing change with clarity and conviction.
Connect with Claudine Ogilvie: LinkedIn | Website 
Connect with HivePix: LinkedIn | Website 
Connect with Kirsty Gee:  LinkedIn |  Instagram | Website
This episode is brought to you by: Thebeautychef | Flagship

Raf Adams, The Suited Monk: How to Align Success with Inner Fulfilment

In this episode of Leadership Odysseys, we sit down with Raf Adams, global thought leader and creator of The Suited Monk philosophy. Raf shares the profound personal journey that led him from corporate success in global shipping to emotional burnout, and ultimately, to founding a global leadership movement that’s helped thousands of executives and organisations around the world.
Through his signature framework, distinguishing between the Suit (external success) and the Monk (inner self), Raf teaches us how to identify the gap between who we are and who we’ve been conditioned to be. If you’ve ever achieved success and still felt like something was missing, this conversation is for you.
~ The Gap Between the Suit and the MonkRaf explains how early conditioning and people-pleasing create a split between our outward identity and inner truth and how this hidden gap affects performance, well-being, and fulfilment.
~ The Wake-Up CallFrom chronic fatigue at 24 to being laid off during the 2008 financial crisis, Raf shares how his own journey forced him to stop chasing external validation and begin listening to his inner Monk.
~ The Three-Step Suited Monk MethodologyRaf outlines his transformative model that starts by reconnecting with self-awareness, then clearing emotional blockages, and finally aligning external achievement with personal purpose.
~ Making Suited Monk DecisionsHe reveals how true freedom and fulfilment come from making decisions that honour both your intuition and your responsibilities integrating the Monk first, then the Suit.
~ The Power of Slowing DownRaf explains why meditation isn’t always the answer—and how awareness can be found in silence, reflection, and choosing truth over noise.
Raf’s journey is a powerful reminder that success without alignment is never sustainable. The most courageous path we can take is the one that brings us back to ourselves. Whether you’re a founder, executive, or simply someone seeking more meaning in your work and life, this episode offers clarity, depth, and an invitation to tune inward.
Start your own journey home by taking The Suited Monk Life Review Quiz, a free reflection tool designed to help you reconnect with your inner Monk and realign with what truly matters: 👉 www.suitedmonk.com/quiz
Connect with Raf Adams: LinkedIn 
The Suited Monk: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website | You Tube Video
Connect with Kirsty Gee:  LinkedIn |  Instagram | Website
This episode is brought to you by: Thebeautychef | Airwallex

Alan Shields on Curiosity, Communication & the Startup Journey

In this episode of Leadership Odysseys, we sit down with Alan Shields—entrepreneur, board advisor, speaker, and co-founder of RFI Global. With over two decades of experience scaling a two-person startup into a global data insights powerhouse, Alan shares his leadership journey, the importance of storytelling, and what it really takes to build a business that lasts. From physics to financial services, Alan’s path is grounded in curiosity, strategic thinking, and a clear passion for helping others grow.
Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a team leader, or someone navigating your next big leap, this episode is filled with practical wisdom you’ll want to carry forward.
Key Insights from Alan’s Odyssey:
~ Curiosity is the foundation of great leadership. Alan explains why curiosity can’t be taught—and why it’s the single most important trait he looks for when hiring and mentoring.
~ Storytelling is a leadership superpower. With over 3,000 presentations under his belt, Alan shares how he structures compelling narratives using the SCQA method—situation, complication, question, and answer.
~ Build the right team, not just a big one. From day one at RFI, Alan focused on diverse, values-aligned talent. The result? A high-performing global team with over 24 nationalities—driven by curiosity, not just credentials.
~ Founders don’t have to do it all. Alan opens up about the moment he realised he wasn’t the right person to take RFI Global to the next level—and why self-awareness is a core part of leadership.
~ Startup lessons are meant to be shared. From writing The Startup Handbook to mentoring emerging founders, Alan reflects on why giving back is now central to his purpose.
Alan’s odyssey is a masterclass in scaling with heart, humility, and clarity. His approach to leadership—grounded in thoughtful reflection and bold decision-making—is a reminder that success isn’t just about building big, it’s about building well. Whether you’re on day one or year ten of your own journey, Alan’s story will leave you inspired to ask better questions, back yourself, and lead with intent.
Connect with Alan Shields: LinkedIn | RFI Global Website | The Startup Handbook
Connect with Kirsty Gee:  LinkedIn |  Instagram | Website
This episode is brought to you by: Thebeautychef | Airwallex

The World’s Last Royal Coachmaker – Jim Frecklington’s Living Legacy

In this extraordinary episode of the Leadership Odysseys podcast, we step into the world of Jim Frecklington MVO, OAM—Australia’s master royal coach builder and the man behind some of the most iconic ceremonial carriages in modern history.
From the rural fields of Peak Hill, NSW, to the grand halls of Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, Jim’s journey is a testament to passion, craftsmanship, and courageous leadership. He has built not one, but three royal coaches—each an intricate fusion of tradition, symbolism, and vision. As he opens the doors of his workshop to share his story, we’re reminded that leadership can be quiet, purposeful, and deeply legacy-driven.
 
In this episode, you’ll discover:
~ The inspiration behind Jim’s lifelong pursuit of building carriages fit for royalty—rooted in art, history, and heart. ~ How he assembled a global team of master artisans to create time capsules of British and Commonwealth history. ~ The resilience it takes to build something truly lasting—mortgaging his home, battling cancer, and continuing to create with unwavering commitment. ~ Why preserving craftsmanship matters now more than ever in an increasingly digital world. ~ His reflections on riding with Queen Elizabeth II, honoring the fallen of Dunkirk, and designing a masterpiece for King Charles III—an entirely hand-built, history-laden carriage that will one day carry future kings, including Prince William and Prince George, and be treasured as one of the most significant artistic and cultural creations of our time.
This is more than an interview. It’s a window into legacy-making at its finest. Jim Frecklington doesn’t just build coaches—he tells stories in motion, stories that will outlive all of us. His humility, wisdom, and quiet courage will leave you moved, inspired, and reminded that some of the greatest leaders are those who choose to leave something beautiful behind.
 
Connect with Kirsty Gee:  LinkedIn |  Instagram | Website
This episode is brought to you by: Naturally Glutenfree  | Airwallex

Lead with Purpose. Live with Agency: Robyn Saranah’s Odyssey

In this powerful episode of Leadership Odysseys, Kirsty sits down with Robyn Saranah—Executive General Manager at Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand and former National GM of Commonwealth Private. Robyn is not only a leader in finance but a lifelong champion for social impact and financial empowerment, especially for women. From growing up in a small country town to leading change across some of Australia’s most respected institutions, her journey is rich with insight, resilience, and heart. We explore the mindset shifts that shaped her, the importance of building agency through financial independence, and why vulnerability and courage are essential for modern leadership.
Key Insights from the Episode:
~ Resilience is built at the edgeRobyn shares that growth happens when we challenge ourselves at our “development edge”—those moments of discomfort that lead to real transformation, not just in leadership but in life.
~ Financial literacy is not about money—it’s about choiceShe reframes financial independence as a form of freedom, agency, and power. Whether you’re raising a family, building a business, or navigating change, knowing how to manage money is fundamental to self-determination.
~ You don’t need a title to be a leaderRobyn dismantles traditional definitions of leadership, reminding us that influence comes from how we show up, ask questions, build trust, and create safety for others, not just from a job title.
~ Surround yourself with “treasures”From mentors to challengers, Robyn encourages all leaders to build an inner circle of truth-tellers—people who know your values and will hold you accountable when you're out of alignment.
~ Kindness is a strategy, not softnessOne of Robyn’s most profound messages: enter every relationship with the mindset of “how can I help?” The universe has a way of showing up when you do—and this generosity builds deeper community and lasting impact.
Robyn’s odyssey reminds us that leadership is not a ladder—it’s a layered, evolving journey grounded in curiosity, courage, and connection. Whether you're navigating your first leadership role or building your legacy, this conversation is a masterclass in leading with purpose and humanity. Her call to action? Start small, ask the big questions, and never underestimate the power of asking for help.
Connect with Robyn: LinkedIn 
Good Shepherd Australia and New Zealand: LinkedIn | Website
Connect with Kirsty Gee:  LinkedIn |  Instagram | Website
This episode is brought to you by: Thebeautychef | Naturally Glutenfree  | Airwallex