Advertise on podcast: The Limitless Equation

"When it comes down to it, it's creating rather than operating." Emily Cook is Managing Director of dentsu Queensland, leading a team of more than 75 people. Her superpower is limitless entrepreneurial spirit. We start with what that means for her. She's curious about how else something could be done, then gets stuck in and builds it, always with the goal of setting her people up for success. We get into the assumed knowledge in our industry, why every leader needs to understand the commercials of how a business makes money, and the difference between being told you're smashing it and actually knowing where you're heading. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I actually really like feeling uncomfortable." Leisa has never quite known what comfortable feels like. She lives in shades of uncomfortable, and she's built a life and a career around seeing how far she can push herself. Leisa is CMO at QUT, the university she studied at, after a decade as Audience Director at the ABC and earlier years at P&G and Coca-Cola. She was ranked Australia's #1 CMO in 2020. She's also climbed Kilimanjaro, paddled the Hawkesbury for 100 kilometres, and trekked Nepal just months after breaking her tibia. We start with her superpower, limitless adventure, and why the bigger the challenge, the better the planning needs to be. We get into the launch of Mother at Coca-Cola, a product that flopped so badly she thought her career was over. She takes us through the war room, the tank and the relaunch that turned it into a success within six months. She tells me about her friend Jo, whose final wish was simply for Leisa to have a good life, and how that wish has shaped every career decision since. And we land on leadership: the bosses who showed her what good looks like, and something she realises out loud for the first time on this mic. She's still doing the work when she wants to be leading it. This one stayed with me because of one line Leisa left me with: this is a special time. Whether we're in the hard bits or the good bits, we so rarely stop to notice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I actually learnt that I'm more intimidating than I think I am." Kedda Ghazarian found that out from a friend, over a drink, completely by accident. It's the kind of gap between how we think we show up and how we're actually received that runs right through this conversation. Kedda is Head of Marketing at Bonds, where she's helped launch Bloody Comfy Period Undies, The UnGenderwear Project, Be The Village, and convinced Robert Irwin to get into his undies for Bonds' US launch. Her team was named AdNews' 2026 Marketing Team of the Year. We start with the little kid at the grown ups' table. Kedda talks about stepping into leadership before she felt ready, and why she now believes "all leaders should ask the dumb questions" in the room. We get into why she's a chronic oversharer, and the boundaries she's still working out now that she's single for the first time in her adult life. She tells me what it actually takes to get a brand as loved as Bonds to lean into a campaign as bold as the Robert Irwin one, and why knowing exactly what you have permission to do is the real unlock. And we land on her superpower, limitless play, and why she refuses to let a title move her away from the creative work she fell in love with in the first place. This one stayed with me because Kedda names something so many of us do quietly. We keep chasing the next rung, and forget to enjoy the one we're standing on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"You have to choose your hard." That's Suzana Ristevski, and it sums up how she sees everything. Suzana is the Chief Marketing Officer for Google Australia and New Zealand. She's spent more than 30 years across NAB, GE, Optus, Medical Benefits Fund and 20th Century Fox, and she started out studying commerce and law before one marketing subject changed her whole direction. This conversation goes places Chloe wasn't expecting. Suzana talks about growing up in Oakleigh as the daughter of factory-working migrants, and how watching her parents graft shaped a work ethic she never questioned. She talks about finding out her son Ollie was on the spectrum, and how she went in thinking she'd have to teach him about the world, only to realise it was the other way round. There's a proper pull-apart of the word "smart", and why Suzana had spent decades believing she wasn't it. There's her separation, the year she didn't tell her own parents, and what it cost her to sit in that grief instead of running from it. And there's the idea Chloe keeps circling back to: internal alignment, the thing Suzana names as her real superpower, and the reason none of the rest of it, the job, the title, the boards, means much without it. This one stayed with Chloe long after the mics turned off. Suzana didn't hold back, and neither did the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"You're a walking hype machine." That's what a friend told Fiona Johnston when she asked people what her superpower actually looked like from the outside. Turns out they were spot on. Fiona is General Manager of Shopper, Brand and Loyalty at Metcash Food, the team behind IGA's brand, loyalty and shopper strategy across the country. She's the one behind the 'You Can't Beat Local' campaign, and after 20 years across consumer goods and brand consultancy, she's built a career on turning insight into growth, and turning people into believers in what's possible for them. In this episode we go deep on what Fiona calls limitless possibilities, her word for the energy she gets from getting people, teams and even her own kids to dream bigger than what's directly in front of them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Limitless Equation, Chloe Hooper sits down with entrepreneur, trust strategist and Upriva founder Nikki Hills for one of the most vulnerable and inspiring conversations ever shared on the podcast. Together they explore entrepreneurship, resilience, trust, intuition and the power of continuing to move forward when life doesn't go to plan. Nikki shares the incredible journey from building Mouths of Mums into one of Australia's largest parenting communities to launching her new business, Upriva, designed to help brands build authentic human trust in the age of AI. But this episode goes far deeper than business. For the first time, Nikki opens up about the unimaginable losses she has experienced throughout her life. This is a powerful conversation about grief, healing, courage, self-belief, community and what becomes possible when you continue to persevere through hardship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Limitless Equation, Chloe Hooper sits down with Kate Bailey, a senior brand, digital and media leader, for an honest conversation about hustle, accountability and backing yourself. Kate shares the early career moment she admitted she didn't know what she was doing, the response that changed how she leads, and why finishing 53rd out of 55 at a sailing championship went straight on the fridge. A conversation about self-belief, resilience, and what happens when you stop waiting to feel qualified. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Limitless Equation, Chloe Hooper sits down with Linda Na, senior marketing leader and aviation executive, for a deeply honest conversation about leadership, vulnerability, resilience and trusting your intuition. Together they explore what it means to remain calm through uncertainty, lead people with compassion, navigate difficult conversations and find confidence without losing humility. This is an inspiring conversation about courage, emotional growth, leadership and learning to trust yourself when life forces you to begin again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Limitless Equation, Chloe Hooper sits down with Lara Thom to explore self-belief, leadership, founder thinking, and the courage it takes to back yourself. Fresh from stepping away after ten years helping build Guzman y Gomez into one of Australia's most successful brands, Lara reflects on the emotional journey of leaving, the lessons she's learned about succession, and why true leadership is about developing the people around you. From becoming a CEO at just 28 years old with two children under two, to raising five children while building and scaling businesses, Lara shares powerful insights on trusting your gut, embracing change, and finding confidence in who you are. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, emotional maturity, founder mindset, self-belief, and what becomes possible when you stop waiting for permission and start backing yourself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Limitless Equation, Chloe Hooper sits down with Bel Harper to explore leadership, presence, and the power of staying true to yourself in challenging environments. With nearly three decades of experience in one of Australia's most competitive and traditionally male-dominated industries, Bel reflects on the lessons she's learned about resilience, stakeholder management, belonging, and building a career grounded in integrity. From navigating difficult workplace dynamics and learning when to push versus when to pause, to leading high-performing teams and creating cultures where people feel seen, Bel shares practical insights that every leader can apply. This episode is a masterclass in calm leadership, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and why good work, good people, and strong values always shine through in the end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Limitless Equation, Chloe Hooper sits down with Naysla Edwards to explore the power of human connection, and why it might be one of the most important superpowers we can develop. From moving across countries and building relationships without a shared language, to redefining happiness, leadership, and personal responsibility, Naysla shares a deeply honest perspective on what it means to live a full and meaningful life. This episode dives into growth, self-reflection, and the realities of avoidance, including a powerful moment where Naysla confronts the gap between what she values and how she shows up. It’s a conversation about courage, accountability, and choosing to evolve, one small step at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Limitless Equation, Chloe Hooper sits down with Laura Halbert to explore the power of authenticity, energy, and what it really means to show up as yourself. From navigating high-level executive environments to unlearning perfectionism and finding the courage to speak up, Laura shares her journey from controlled confidence to genuine self-expression. She opens up about leadership, the difference between confidence and self-belief, and the pivotal moments that pushed her to stop holding back and start trusting her voice. This episode dives into the balance between ambition and presence, redefining success beyond constant achievement, and learning to find joy in the process rather than just the outcome. Laura also reflects on motherhood, resilience, and the lessons that come from raising seven boys while building a career grounded in growth and change. It’s a conversation about energy, self-trust, and evolving through life’s chapters — with honesty, humour, and a willingness to keep figuring it out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Limitless Equation, Chloe Hooper sits down with Fleur Marks, agency leader and author, to explore the power of vulnerability and why sharing your story might be the most impactful thing you can do. Fleur opens up about her journey across more than 20 years in the industry, leading agencies, working with major brands, and navigating the pressure of high-performance environments. From questioning whether success has to come at a personal cost, to discovering purpose through storytelling, this is a deeply honest conversation about connection, ambition, and what it really means to achieve success without losing yourself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Limitless Equation, Chloe Hooper sits down with Sophie Madden, CEO of the Media Federation of Australia, to explore the power of collaboration, and why it might be the most underrated superpower in leadership today. Sophie shares her perspective on leading through complexity, managing stakeholders at every level, and why presence, empathy, and human connection are critical to success. From redefining work life balance to navigating leadership pressure and bringing “fun” back into the industry, this is a refreshingly honest conversation about what it really takes to lead, and live, well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Limitless Equation, Chloe Hooper sits down with Jacquie Alley to explore the power of passion and the responsibility that comes with it. Jacquie shares how her deep emotional connection to the things she cares about has shaped her leadership, her relationships, and her career but also the lessons she’s learned about regulation, boundaries, and self-awareness along the way. From navigating the challenges of running a business and leading teams, to the emotional realities of loyalty, conflict, and letting go, this conversation dives into what it really means to be “all in.” She also opens up about her experience in counselling, the power of community, and her passion for driving meaningful change, from supporting independent businesses to advocating for women and mental health. It’s an honest and thought-provoking conversation about emotional intelligence, ownership, and turning passion into action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.