Optimal Conversations

Optimal Conversations

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be an exceptional leader? Join us as we dive into the many layers of leadership with inspiring voices from all walks of life sharing personal stories behind their journey to the top. I'm Mary Wong, founder of Optimal Life Solutions, and over the past 20 years, I've been helping people become better leaders and communicators. Join our podcast for some solo insights and incredible guest conversations. Optimal Conversations - Real People, Real Conversations.

Episodes

July 16, 2025 52 mins

Send us a text

We all know networking events are your chance to get to know people in your community, whether that's local or globally, but what is a 'good' networking event?

Take a listen and learn how to make networking your superpower, as we discuss all things networking with Kacie Brignell - what to do, and what not to do!

riven by a passion for connecting people and fostering business growth, Kacie Brignell, a seas...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

We've changed our podcast! Find out more as you listen to this episode.

Navigating change can be a leader's greatest struggle, and one of their most outstanding achievements. In this episode, Mary discusses the neuroscience of change and ways to become comfortable with adapting to varying circumstances, enabling you to stand out as an innovative and resilient leader.

Find out more about Mary at www.optimalcoac...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Serial podcaster and strategist, Darren Saul, shares the importance of podcasting for building authority through marketing, brand building, and credibility. We discuss common mistakes and the reasons many people give up early on their podcast aspirations. 

Darren shares his own journey, noting that his podcast, "Playing with Perspective," has grown to 250 episodes. He encourages aspiring leaders to embrace cu...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Following a career transition, Aurora's work now focuses on sustainability. We discuss the effect of empowering employees at all levels to take ownership of sustainability initiatives as she shares examples of successful food waste reduction programs. Leaders, listen to find out how creating a culture of conversation and boundary-setting achieve desired outcomes with full team engagement.

Find our more a...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Megan shares her amazing journey to living her yes, and evolving personal leadership. She talks about rediscovering herself amidst the turmoil of a relationship breakup, then shares how she has channelled her learnings into her soon-to-be-released debut novel, "It's Always Been Me".

It's an inspiring listen... and one that may well change your life!

Here's the quote she mentions: And the day cam...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Mel works with Women Leaders who are navigating their forties and fifties and has many enlightening strategies, tools, and resources that business leaders can use to support their female employees through menopause and peri-menopause.
We also discuss how boundaries are important in self-care and how self-awareness underpins successful navigation through difficulties.
More about Mel:
Mel's book, &apos...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

The most powerful tool we have is a question! Listen and learn how questions help us connect, grow, and learn more about ourselves and others.
Emily Jane is a multi-talented, multi-skilled, young leader who walks her talk. In this podcast, she discusses how a powerful question helped her make a huge decision that has impacted her life in a very positive way.

Find out more about Emily by checking out her l...

Mark as Played
November 21, 2024 47 mins

Send us a text

After 15 years in corporate leadership roles, Renee's life changes saw her leading as an entrepreneur. We follow her journey of change, as she relates how personal challenges guided her transition into her current business. We also discuss health, nutrition, and the role of non-judgement in a safe space for growth.

Find out more about Renee here: www.defininghealth.com.au

Facebook: https://www.f...

Mark as Played
November 11, 2024 49 mins

Send us a text

Author of "The Coffee Table book for Mature Dating", Rylll shares her first-hand experience of where her dates went wrong in her search (and discovery) of the greatest love of her life. 
Join us as we discuss many subjects, including the differences between growing up last century and this one! It's a lot of fun and very informative.

Find Ryll at:

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/r...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

In this second part of two podcasts, Shevonne discusses the myth of perfection and the art of apology and shares her very personal journey through complete incapacitation and her ongoing recovery. 

This is an inspiring and uplifting listen filled with wisdom and grace. Don't miss it.

To find out more about Shevonne, connect with her on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/shevonne-joyce/

Gre...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

She is passionate, a driver, creative but also analytical, and an astute problem solver. Meet Shevonne Joyce, a dynamic and neurodivergent leader featured in Harvard Business Review who is still happy to admit to stunning vocal faux pas!
Part one of two - this episode is packed with fascinating conversation. 
Find out why we are sometimes unlikeable, grow your understanding of autism and ADHD, and learn about ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Imagine having a scan as a teenager and discovering you are missing a significant part of your brain - the 'superhighway' that connects the left and right sides. That's what Michael experienced. It plays out in his life and in the lives of others with the condition of neurodivergence and often is coupled with mental health issues as well.
In this fascinating discussion, Michael shares his very perso...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

When Jodi meets women who have so much adrenaline going on that they are constantly in fight or flight, she is reminded of her former life as a wedding planner - a life where everything has to happen promptly and perfectly.

That was before she found the power of stillness and the realisation that to speed up, she needed to slow down.

Listen to her journey and her tips to living a lit-up life, filled ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Have you ever wondered how other businesses seem to find the cash for large projects or equipment?
Or perhaps you have already realised that there is a grant that could help you but hold back because of the daunting task of applying.

Our guest, Liz Fleming, is a Chartered Accountant with more than 15
years of experience in corporate finance. She now works strategically with clients to get clear about ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

A trip to Sierra Leonne as part of her studies changed Jane's perspective on life. She decided to make a difference when she saw how little people there had. This led to her starting her own charity, the Figtree Children.
 Supported by a social enterprise gift store, multiple donors, and charity events, Figtree Children supports children to be cared for and educated in one of the world's most impoverishe...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Ana talks about how looking after ourselves is pivotal to successful leadership.

With a background in organisational psychology and later on in personal development and coaching, Ana has spent years supporting women in navigating the unique pressures of modern life. In her work with women, she often meets the mother-hens looking after all the chicks and forgetting to care for themselves. 

Here, she s...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Natasha shares her journey from a young woman who hid herself away to an emancipated woman enjoying her freedom. Her experience has given Natasha a unique perspective on the world of self-talk. She says our conversations with ourselves are crucial to success in every part of our lives.

Insta: natashafountas

Great conversations underpin all successful leadership relationships and can create enduring transformational impa...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Take a walk in the world of prolific author and mentor Vicki Bennet. She talks about all things creativity, self-care, and emotional regulation, sharing her expertise from over 35 years of corporate training. 

Great conversations underpin all successful leadership relationships and can create enduring transformational impact.
If you want to change the world and don't know where to start, or if you’d...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Her life started with a tumultuous childhood in an abusive household with a Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde father and an unshrinkable, high-functioning mother who hid the abuse. Now, she has turned it all around.

Angela has lived the journey of trauma, resilience, healing, and transformation and now helps other women from struggling to thriving with her collaborative healing community, She Simply Impacts. Here, we talk about c...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

As a mother of three young children, Narelle found herself falling over things and went to see her optometrist to discover she was facing permanent blindness. 

That hasn’t stopped her from living her life to the fullest, and she is on a mission to make sure anyone with a disability has the same opportunity. 

In this episode, we talk about resilience, innovation, country life, reflection, and opportunities. Join us for a...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    Latino USA

    Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.