Shows
Rural Leadership UnearthedCreating change to thrive togetherThis conversation is part of a series exploring the impact of the Changemaker Workshops delivered across more than 30 regions by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, thanks to the Future Drought Fund. These workshops are part of the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.In this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, we’re joined by Tanya Lehmann, a leader who has made it her mission in life to un-riddle the things that sometimes hold our small towns back from taking control and shaping their own bright fu...2025-07-2348 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedWe’re not meant to lead aloneIn this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, we sit down with Jason Strong, former Managing Director of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and a leader with more than 30 years’ experience in the red meat and livestock industries. Since wrapping up his role with MLA at the end of 2023, Jason has embraced the chance to shift gears and follow his curiosity and passions. From this vantage point, Jason reflects on some of the big leadership lessons of his career, and the lasting take-aways from his experience on course 11 of the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP).He...2025-07-0948 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedFuture leaders are the bridgeWe’ve just marked National Reconciliation Week for 2025 – the theme centred on ‘Bridging Now to Next’. In this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, we sit down with a veteran of Indigenous affairs and graduate of the third Australian Rural Leadership Program, John Paterson. John fondly recalls the expansion of perspective the ARLP gave him. Within his cohort, John was looked to for leadership and insight into some of the enduring conversations Australia is still having about respect, recognition of First Nations History, land rights, and the ability to live, work and thrive side by side, together. John’s roots stem from...2025-06-1252 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedBetter TogetherIn this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, the Unbreakable Farmer, mental health crusader Warren Davies, speaks to us about the insights and stories he feels privileged to share in as he travels around rural Australia. He reflects on the forces buffeting the communities he speaks to, and particularly the impact that the rapid transition to renewable energy sources is having throughout country Australia.In this conversation, Warren reflects on what he is seeing and hearing as many farmers, families and towns face circumstances they’ve never come up against before. He shares what he se...2025-04-0949 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedLeadership in a volatile worldIn this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, Australian Rural Leadership Foundation CEO, Matt Linnegar, sits down with former Australian diplomat and founder of Geopolitical Strategy, Michael Feller, for a conversation about leadership in an increasingly chaotic global environment. Matt and Michael examine how leaders internationally are navigating rapid change and disruption. They discuss the limitations to a ‘transactional’ style of leadership, and the need for calm, empathetic leaders with strong values and clear objectives. They discuss the implications of economic policies impacting free trade and offer some observations about what may lie ahead as we m...2025-03-2647 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedTackling the big, complex issues in agricultureIn this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, we have joined forces with the Ducks on the Pond podcast to bring you a conversation about advocacy; systems thinking; solutions journalism and more. In this chat with Ducks on the Pond co-host and founder of the Rural Podcasting Co, Kirsten Diprose, and Catherine Marriott OAM – an ‘agvocate’, ARLF Associate and former WA Rural Woman of the Year, we explore the challenges surrounding how our rural industries are represented and perceived. Catherine and Kirsten share how they have both arrived at the ways they want their leadership to havean...2025-03-051h 01
Rural Leadership UnearthedLeadership Reflections: How to be a vulnerable leaderAndrew Bryant is a manager of learning at the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, responsible for the design and delivery of leadership programs. He joins us for this episode of ARLF podcast,Rural Leadership Unearthed, to illuminate what it takes to be a ‘vulnerable leader’. Andrew draws on our second ever episode, with regional arts leader Alysha Herrmann, who describes how she frames the raw and difficult parts of her story to enhance her leadership.This is the first of a recurring ARLF episode format where we sit down with one of our knowledgeable learning team and g...2025-02-1236 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedLeading into 2025There’s a huge amount of symbolism in a new year, and that can bring with it a lot of pressure.
As we mark the start of a year and a new season for the ARLF podcast, Rural Leadership Unearthed, we wanted to give you some inspiration and ideas that we hope will set you up to start the year off in a positive way.
So, we’ve wrapped up a bit of collective wisdom from some past guests, including Aaron Thomas, Megan McLoughlin, OIi Le Lievre, Melanie Bloor, Liz...2025-01-1520 min
AgriFutures On AirStepping Back to Leap Forward: Lessons from the ARLF TRAIL Program"Seriously, just do it! You certainly won't regret it.”In the latest episode of the AgriFutures Capacity Building miniseries, we hear from two agricultural leaders who participated in the transformative Australian Rural Leadership Foundation's TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program - Verity Price, Deputy CEO of the Australian Chicken Meat Federation, and Jacob Birch, Managing Director of Yaamarra & Yarral in the native grains industry.From the powerful Welcome to Country ceremony that set the tone, to the immersive experiences in nature the program pushed them to step back and reflect on their purpose, behaviours, and relationships in ne...2024-12-1826 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedOptimistic for AgIn this episode, we reflect on the recent challenges and wins for Australian agriculture and take a look at trends that will continue to impact the sector. This is a conversation between two veterans of agricultural advocacy and leadership in rural Australia: CEO of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and former head of the National Farmers Federation, Matt Linnegar, and our inaugural Special Representative for Australian Agriculture, Su McCluskey.
Sitting down with our host, Claire Delahunty, Su shares her recent experience representing Australian agriculture at the COP29 Summit in Azerbaijan. She and Matt discuss...2024-12-1147 min
AgriFutures On AirLeadership growth through self-reflection: A peak behind the curtain of the ARLF Agribusiness Leadership Program“It was the furthest thing from a day spa, but it gave me space.”Jennifer Galloway has a hectic life - a young family and a busy job as Acting General Manager covering three portfolios - Workforce, Communications and Adoption (WCA) at AgriFutures Australia.Day-to-day, Jen leads a team dedicated to effectively delivering AgriFutures’ research outcomes to the people that need them most. She also ensures the WCA team’s communication efforts extend to attracting a motivated and future-ready agricultural workforce, while helping build their leadership skills. But for Jen, participating in the Australia...2024-12-1135 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedNursing where the need is greatIn this expansive episode registered nurse, John Wright, reflects on the career he has built as a remote area nurse and clinical educator currently serving some of Australia’s most remote communities. John is a proud emissary for a career that he has found to be rewarding, challenging and rich.
Sitting down with our host, Claire Delahunty, John shares the winding path he walked on his way to join the ranks of a profession of which men make up just over ten percent. His love of ‘bush’ communities has remained a constant throughout his life...2024-11-1349 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedDairy leader's mental health missionIn this raw episode, dairy industry leader, Aaron Thomas, shares the story of his mental health break-down in the midst of a “perfect storm” of personal and professional hardship. As well as managing a dairy farm in Southeast Gippsland, Aaron is working to break down the stigma, shame and lack of support that can see people struggle alone – especially in rural communities.
Sitting down with our host, Claire Delahunty, Aaron candidly talks about his battle with depression, anxiety and alcoholism, and how in 2016, his mental health deteriorated to the point that he twice attempted to end...2024-10-0948 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedResilient communities run on connection & kindnessIn this inspiring episode, ‘connection cultivator’ and co-founder of the grass-roots group, Resilient Uki, shares her passion for hyper-local community leadership.
Sitting down with our host, Claire Delahunty, Mel explores what she and her community have learned from the devastating NSW floods of 2022. She unpacks how an existing scaffold of connection helped Uki to cope with the trauma and isolation of the flood, and what the community has done since to make sure that it is well prepared for the next challenge.
Mel’s motto is “in service”, and she richly...2024-09-1150 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedCotton's leadership fibreIn this illuminating episode, cotton industry leaders and growers, Liz Stott and Aaron Kiely, share their stories of advocacy for their industry, and contribution to their communities.
Sitting down with host, ARLF Chief Executive Matt Linnegar, for this special conversation, Liz – deputy chair of the Cotton Australia board, and Aaron – President of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, speak about their pathways in the cotton industry. They also reflect on the ways that a range of leadership development opportunities have shaped their understanding of how and where they can make an impact.
This rich conversation takes in everyth...2024-08-0758 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedKeeping the fire burningIn this inspiring episode, Indigenous Midwife and Arrernte leader, Cherisse Buzzacott, shares her story of personal resilience and service to her community. She unpacks the ways systemic prejudice can compromise structures of care available to First Nations women and birthing people, and her determination not to accept what is broken, but to play a lead role in fixing it.
Cherisse is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s Milparanga Leadership Program (2023). She has just returned from the first session of Course 31 of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, thanks to a scholarship from the National Indigenous Au...2024-07-101h 18
Rural Leadership UnearthedBouncing back from the brinkIn this thoroughly aquatic episode, Port Fairy abalone diver, founder and director of Fox Wild Abalone, Craig Fox, takes us inside the world of this unique wild harvest industry. Craig revisits one of the darkest times in his professional life, when a highly contagious outbreak of Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) swept through the industry’s Western Zone. He speaks about the devastating emotional and financial impact, and the collective leadership the fisheries sector showed to recover and rebuild. Craig is passionate about fostering the diversity needed for his industry to continue to flourish into the future.
The bu...2024-06-1336 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedHealing self to heal othersIn this generous episode Indigenous leader, Bernice Hookey, shares her passion for disrupting the harmful cycles that exist around intergenerational trauma. She offers insight into her own journey of healing, and how it has led to her passion for fostering and supporting leadership through her amazing work with First Nations women.
Bernice was also sponsored by the National Indigenous Australians Agency to take part in course 29 of the Australian Rural Leadership Program in 2022.
Sitting down with our host, Claire Delahunty, she describes how grief and darkness led her to a stronger connection with the importance...2024-05-081h 04
Rural Leadership UnearthedTo be saved by a strangerIn this raw episode, double organ transplant recipient and Herd of Hope founder, Megan McLoughlin takes us through the grief of receiving an extraordinary gift from a stranger, and her path to purpose and peace.
Megan describes the experience of managing juvenile diabetes growing up in rural South Australia; losing most of her sight at the age of 26 and the joy and freedom she finds in barrel racing.Megan undertook a mentorship through the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s National Mentoring Program in 2023 – a process which helped her realise she did not have to “prove” to the worl...2024-04-101h 23
Rural Leadership UnearthedReframing how we think about farmingOli Le Lievre is the founder of the hugely successful Humans of Agriculture podcast and media business. From suburban Sydney to a career in agriculture, Oli has let his curiosity and passion guide him to the frontline of reshaping the narrative about farming.
Having experienced a range of roles on the land in Australia and overseas, and within the agri-corporate world, Oli has faced-down doubt and inner conflict to start a remarkable movement. It all centres around his conviction that stories are the key to reconnecting people with where food and fibre comes from.
Oli s...2024-03-201h 08
Rural Leadership UnearthedThe Art of Vulnerable LeadershipIn this revealing episode, writer/creative practitioner/community advocate/youth mentor/Australian Rural Leadership Foundation alum Alysha Herrmann shares her journey of authentic and vulnerable leadership.
With family roots entrenched in the wool industry, Alysha's life began with constant movement and a deep connection to rural communities. Facing adversity in her teen years, she made the bold decision to leave her family and school at just 15. The transformative experience of motherhood at 17 propelled her to pursue further education, and her inner creative, that reshaped her future.
Sitting down with ARLF's Vivienne Johnson, Alysha shares her evolution from a reb...2024-02-0729 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedLeading our regions through disaster - and how it doesn’t have to be complicatedSteve Tinker heads Telstra’s operations in Northern and Western Victoria and he’s part of Telstra’s Response Team. Over 30 years in the job, he’s led Telstra’s customer response, and support for impacted communities through some of the worst natural disasters we’ve seen. With our regions experiencing a cyclone, floods and fires in recent weeks, Steve and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s chief executive Matt Linnegar discuss the challenges, and rewards, of leadership during disasters. And Telstra’s boost in disaster support across the regions.
As a teaser, we learn:
Steve’s leadership approac...2024-01-1038 min
Climate ConversationsQuick Climate Links: Need for leadership discussed on 'Nourishing Matters to Chew On'The podcast "Nourishing Matters to Chew On" talked with the Chief Executive of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF), Matt Linnegar, who helped us grasp more completely the importance of good leadership in these different and difficult times.
Nourishing Matters to Chew is one of the many podcasts hosted by the "Climactic Collective"
Other Quick Climate Links for today are:
"‘It’s just more and more lanes’: the Texan revolt against giant new highways";
"Dear politicians, young climate activists are not abuse victims, we are children who read news";
"‘Disaster’s in the recovery’: bushfire survivors still waiting for homes";
"Devouring th...2022-04-3006 min
Nourishing Matters to Chew OnMatt Linnegar, CEO ARLF, on leadership and building community resilienceLeadership - highly desirable and topical! Listen in to my great conversation with Matt Linnegar, that's all about leadership and two very special drought resilience programs that he and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation is delivering to support farmers and rural communities. Key, support, skills and networks for people, resilient communities and our food systems. Matt is the Chief Executive of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) who's passionate about the programs ARLF runs, the people he works with and supporting rural and regional communities. ARLF runs six programs and we chat about key leadership...2022-04-2948 min
RawAg PodcastEpisode 28: Oli Le Lievre - Agricultural EnthusiastOli Le Lievre is the Content Marketing Manager at AuctionsPlus and the Founder of Humans of Agriculture. His career to date has seen him working in a variety of roles ranging from farm management, to fresh produce export, corporate agribusiness advisory to agtech startups. Oli is passionate about increasing consumer awareness, showcasing career opportunities in agriculture to the next generation and believes that innovative people and ideas will deliver solutions for businesses and communities to thrive. Oli takes on these tasks in his day to day role as well as through his...2021-10-1246 min
The Future of Leadership179 The importance of leadership impact with Matt Linnegar Have you ever been driven by ambition? The desire for status and accolades can be a strong motivator. CEO Matt Linnegar learned early that this is a limited path. He shifted focus: he went from ‘what role do I want?’ To ‘what impact can I contribute to?’ The change of ambition from self to contribution has been central in his career choices. In this interview, we look at other leadership traps and how to avoid them. 👉🏼 Want to share your experience? Ask a question? Share a resource? Jump on our podcast Facebook page here. Why you should lis...2020-11-1136 min