179: Creativity, Innovation and Play with Founder and Chief Play Officer at Culture Hero, Dara Simkin
Release Date: 11/21/2024
201: Heart-Centred Leadership with Jane Phipps
The Debra Shepherd Podcast
I’m excited to welcome Jane Phipps to The Debra Shepherd Podcast this week. Jane is a transformational leader, consultant, and former COO with over 20 years’ experience across education, government, and the not-for-profit sector. A finalist for the 2024 Outstanding Leadership Award and a certified Mental Health First Aider, Jane’s known for building inclusive, values-driven teams and leading change with heart. Drawing on her lived experience as a single mum and survivor of workplace bullying, Jane’s heart-centred approach blends courage, empathy, and integrity. Based in Melbourne, Jane...
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200: Celebrating 200 Episodes of The Debra Shepherd Podcast
The Debra Shepherd Podcast
Welcome to episode 200 of The Debra Shepherd Podcast. This episode is a big milestone. I started the show in February 2020, and even though this is episode 200, it feels like the beginning. My vision for the podcast over the last five years hasn’t changed. The show is here to help you lead well, create success and experience more ease, joy and meaning in your life and business. Join me for this special celebration. Together, we’ll celebrate 200 episodes of The Debra Shepherd Podcast and look back at the top 10 episodes at the time of this recording. TOP 10 EPISODES...
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199: Ethical AI for Purpose-Driven Growth with Dr Nici Sweaney, Founder of Ai Her Way
The Debra Shepherd Podcast
There are so many conversations about AI at the moment, but this one is very different and it’s a must listen because this conversation goes way beyond AI tools and prompts. I’m still buzzing from this conversation on The Debra Shepherd Podcast with Dr Nici Sweaney. This conversation is packed with experience, wisdom, insights and takeaways about AI that you need to hear. Dr Nici Sweaney is an internationally recognised leader in ethical AI, known for blending deep technical expertise with a strong commitment to equity, governance, and real-world impact. With nearly two decades of...
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198: Community, Wellness and Plant-Based Living with Gabby Tyler, Founder of Juice Institute
The Debra Shepherd Podcast
I’m excited to welcome Gabby Tyler to The Debra Shepherd Podcast. Gabby is the Founder of Juice Institute - Adelaide’s leading cold-pressed juice company and Australia’s first freeze and ship juice business. What started in her home kitchen in 2018 has grown into a national wellness brand helping thousands of Australians nourish their bodies with pure, plant-powered nutrition. Gabby’s model makes raw, cold-pressed juice accessible anywhere, crafted from South Australian produce and flash-frozen to lock in nutrients. A passionate advocate for sustainability and community, Gabby uses...
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197: Menopause, Cancer, Midlife and Women’s Health with Sonya Lovell
The Debra Shepherd Podcast
I'm honoured to welcome Sonya Lovell to The Debra Shepherd Podcast. Sonya is a menopause advocate, podcast host and speaker dedicated to reshaping the conversation around women’s health. As host of Dear Menopause, Sonya shares honest, informative discussions that empower women to better understand and navigate menopause. Drawing on her own lived experience with menopause and cancer, Sonya speaks passionately about the importance of self-advocacy, bridging the gap between personal experience and professional expertise to inspire women to take charge of their health and voice. In this...
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196: Increase Your Visibility With Podcasting
The Debra Shepherd Podcast
In this quick conversation on The Debra Shepherd Podcast, we're talking about podcasting and how podcasting is a powerful way to increase your visibility and build your profile and presence as a business owner, entrepreneur or leader. SHOW NOTES Get all episode show notes here: CONNECT WITH DEBRA Instagram
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195: The Relationship Between Purpose and Visibility
The Debra Shepherd Podcast
In this episode of The Debra Shepherd Podcast, we're discussing the relationship between purpose and visibility and how losing connection to your purpose directly affects how you show up for your business and how you build your profile and presence. SHOW NOTES Get all episode show notes here: CONNECT WITH DEBRA Instagram
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194: The Visibility Shift: Turning Fear into Fuel for Growth and Impact
The Debra Shepherd Podcast
Many talented and driven business owners and entrepreneurs hesitate to show up for their business. Some hide behind perfectionism or fear of judgement. Others feel overwhelmed and exhausted simply by the thought of putting themselves out there. Some hold themselves back and never get started. Today, we’re making a shift. In this episode of The Debra Shepherd Podcast, I share three visibility secrets to help you show up authentically, connect deeply with your audience, and build a magnetic personal brand. SHOW NOTES Get all episode show notes here: ...
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193: Connection, Kindness and Community with Tanya Boots, Founder of Inspirational Tea Co.
The Debra Shepherd Podcast
I’m honoured to welcome Tanya Boots to The Debra Shepherd Podcast this week. Tanya is the Founder of Inspirational Tea Co., a Gold Coast–based tea gifting brand that turns everyday tea breaks into moments of inspiration. After 15 years in FMCG as a Category Manager, Tanya swapped spreadsheets for teabags, creating premium whole-leaf teas with motivational quotes on every tag. Beyond the cup, Tanya has built a warm community of tea lovers who connect through shared rituals, events, and micro-gifting moments. Tanya’s mission is to inspire busy women to pause, connect, and feel supported...
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192: Life By Design with Kelly Donougher, Founder of 13 Interiors
The Debra Shepherd Podcast
I’m thrilled to welcome Kelly Donougher, Director and Founder of 13 Interiors to The Debra Shepherd Podcast this week. With over 20 years business experience across a range of industries, Kelly founded 13 Interiors in 2017. Since then, the business has grown to operate on a national scale with studios in Perth and Melbourne. Kelly is a speaker, mentor, author and one of Australia’s leading interior designers. Kelly regularly features across a range of media publications and outlets, including Adore Magazine, Home Beautiful, The West Australian, Perth Home Show, Channel 9,...
info_outlineI'm honoured to welcome Dara Simkin to The Debra Shepherd Podcast this week.
Dara is Australia’s leading Playful Work Design specialist, and is the founder and Chief Play Officer of learning experience design consultancy, Culture Hero. She has worked with organisations like The LEGO Foundation, McKinsey & Co, Silicon Valley's IDEO Play Lab and world-renowned play researcher Dr Stuart Brown and has presented to brands like IKEA, AGL, Royal Canin, MYOB and Google.
As an expert facilitator and passionate advocate for the potential of play in the workplace, Dara believes play has the power to transform the way we live, work and lead. In 2024 Dara is undertaking a major research project exploring the impact of play in business in partnership with RMIT University.
In this episode, Dara shares her story. We talk about connection, engagement, culture, creativity, innovation and incorporating play into business and the way we work.
HIGHLIGHTS
- How play changes the way we live, work and lead.
- The impact of new technology on business and why businesses must be adaptable and flexible to survive.
- Dara explains why play is important in business and shares examples of what play is and isn’t.
- How Dara and her team at Culture Hero incorporate play into the way they work.
- Giving your people an opportunity to play in business.
- Dara shares the benefits of integrating play into business as well as tips and advice to businesses that may be hesitant about incorporating play into the workplace.
- Why we can’t be at our best creatively or effectively drive innovation without play.
- The importance of imagination breaks during the day.
- Why a psychologically safe and trusting workplace is essential for integrating play into business.
- Dara shares tips for business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders wanting to incorporate play into business.
Plus, more!
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SHOW NOTES
Get all episode show notes here:
www.debrashepherd.com.au/debra-shepherd-podcast
CONNECT WITH DARA
CONNECT WITH DEBRA
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