In the final episode of Rules Don’t Apply, Dan Krigstein sits down live at SXSW with two absolute powerhouses: Professor Ganna Pogrebna, behavioural scientist and AI ethics expert and Graham Kenny, one of the world’s leading thinkers on strategy and organisational performance.
Together, they’re the perfect paradox: the humanist and the data modeller, the strategist and the scientist and they’re teaming up to challenge some very comfortable assumptions about how modern businesses think, plan, measure and decide.
In this episode we explore:
• Why so many brilliant strategies collapse on execution
• Why AI is reshaping executive roles, culture and organisational structure
• The magic mix of intuition vs data in high-stakes decision-making
• How to stop drowning in metrics and find the four things that actually matter
• Why uncertainty isn’t the enemy, it’s the opportunity
If you’re a leader, strategist, creative, technologist or just someone who loves seeing smart people challenge each other, this one’s going to hit the spot. Expect big laughs and sharper thinking. Hit play and enjoy the chaos.
In Episode 10 of Rules Don't Apply, Dan Krigstein sits down with the unstoppable Dr Michelle Dickinson, aka Nano Girl: engineer, nanotechnologist, science storyteller and professional exploder-of-things (in the best possible way).
Recorded live at SXSW Sydney, this conversation dives head-first into the very real, very human side of AI, education, curiosity and how we protect the next generation without holding them back. Michelle brings her trademark warmth, wit and wisdom blending deep technical insight with an unapologetically human lens.
In this episode we explore:
• How digital inequality is shaping who benefits and who misses out
• The “McDonald’s approach” to tech for kids
• Why curiosity is a lifelong superpower (and how school squeezes it out of us)
• How leaders can build cultures where introverts, deep thinkers and quiet creatives thrive
For anyone who’s planning for the future, shaping it or nurturing the next generation who’ll live in it, this episode is for you.
In this episode of Rules Don’t Apply, Lisa Watts, CEO of The Conversation, joins Dan Krigstein for a deep dive into truth, trust, and the future of Australian media.
Lisa shares how The Conversation is redefining journalism by partnering with academics to make complex ideas clear, credible, and accessible to everyone and why, in an era of AI and misinformation, that mission has never mattered more.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
• How The Conversation bridges the gap between academia and the public to make knowledge more accessible.
• Why building trust, not chasing clicks, is the real currency of modern media.
• Lisa’s perspective on navigating AI, misinformation, and the responsibility of truth-telling.
• What authentic, evidence-based journalism looks like in 2025 and beyond.
• The power of expert voices and how they can help shape a more informed, fact-led future.
This is one you won't want to miss, because redefining truth starts with the right conversation.
In this live SXSW Sydney edition of Rules Don’t Apply, Dan Krigstein sits down with Ricky Sutton journalist, strategist and creator of the Future Media podcast for a bold, no-filter conversation about how storytelling, truth and media power are being rewritten by AI.
Ricky brings decades of newsroom experience, entrepreneurial grit and a touch of chaos theory to the stage arguing it’s time for media to stop playing defence and start fighting smart.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
• Why the media industry has “forgotten it can win” and how to fix that
• Why “doing more with less” is the wrong AI mindset
• The chaos engine: how randomness keeps creativity alive
• Why truth isn’t one thing and why that’s okay
• How creators and journalists can learn from each other
Smart, surprising and a little provocative, it’s a masterclass in what happens when courage meets creativity.
Tune in, think differently and dare to do things your own way.
Welcome back to Rules Don’t Apply with The Growth Distillery.
In this episode, Dan Krigstein sits down with the incomparable Jean Oelwang, Founding CEO and President of Virgin United, and a woman who has spent decades building partnerships that literally change the world.
From working alongside icons like Nelson Mandela, Jane Goodall and Sir Richard Branson, to championing unity, moral leadership and purpose-driven business, Jean brings rare wisdom, warmth and clarity to a world in chaos.
This conversation is equal parts moving, energising and delightfully human featuring stories of radical hope, unexpected friendships and the kind of leadership we all wish we saw more of.
In this episode, we explore:
• Why genuine partnership still feels “radical” in business
• How love (yes, love!) can be a legitimate leadership strategy
• What companies get wrong about culture and how to fix it
• The rituals, values and behaviours that make relationships last
• How we can rebuild unity in a world addicted to division
If you’re craving big ideas, practical inspiration and a reminder that connection still wins this one is unmissable.
If you’ve ever wondered who really shapes the future, here’s the truth: we do. Every decision we make today defines what comes next. And our next guest helps guide us toward making the right ones.
Recorded live at SXSW Sydney, Dan sits down with Reanna Browne: futurist, strategist, unapologetic systems thinker and occasional “bad dinner guest” (in the best possible way).
Reanna is on a mission to redesign how we live, work and lead, putting humanity, health and hope back at the centre of progress. Together, they unpack the signals shaping tomorrow, and why small actions today can shift everything.
What this episode explores:
• How health and work are becoming inseparable
• AI as both a technology and an ideology
• Why “ridiculous” ideas often become tomorrow’s normal
• Practical ways to navigate change without burning out
• The power of agency: future happens through action and inaction
Sit back, grab a coffee and open your mind, the future's still ours to shape.
This week, host Dan Krigstein sits down with creative technologist, musician, strategist (and self-proclaimed “maker of cool sh*t”) Manon Dave. From composing tracks for global artists like will.i.am and Snoop Dogg, to shaping innovation inside major broadcasters like the BBC, Manon is the definition of a modern polymath.
Together, they dive into what happens when art meets algorithm and why imagination, originality and cultural instinct matter more than ever in an AI-accelerated world. In this episode, we explore:
•How technology is levelling the creative playing field
•Why “feel” beats precision in music, ideas and product design
•Innovation vs indulgence: knowing when to kill an idea
•Imagination as the new creative superpower
•What the “Netflix problem” means for the future of creativityGet ready to hear from someone effortlessly cool, sharing TV series recommendations, fresh thinking, and a candid look at what it really takes to thrive at the creative-tech crossroads.
Welcome back to Rules Don’t Apply
!In Episode Three host Dan Krigstein sits down with the exceptional Sandy Carter, Silicon Valley powerhouse, COO of Unstoppable Domains, bestselling author and one of Forbes’ Top 10 Women in Tech.
Sandy has been shaping the future of emerging technology. In this conversation, she breaks down what truly drives success in AI adoption, why culture can make or break innovation and how leaders can empower their teams instead of scaring them into silence.This episode explores:
•How to create a culture where AI enables people not replaces them
•How leaders can remove fear and build trust in transformative change
•The role of ethics, transparency and accountability in the AI-powered future
•Why failure deserves celebration and how it unlocks bigger winsIt’s a sharp look at how culture, trust and tech will shape the leaders of tomorrow.
Hit play and join us as we explore the real rules of innovation....
Welcome to Episode 2 of Rules Don’t Apply. Dan Krigstein is joined by Dr Frederik G. Pferdt, Future Optimist, Educator, Entrepreneur, Award-Winning Author and Google’s first-ever Chief Innovation Evangelist.For more than a decade, he helped shape the creative culture behind some of Google’s most ambitious breakthroughs and now he’s focused on helping people design more hopeful futures.In this inspiring conversation, Frederik reveals why curiosity is the most powerful tool we have for shaping what comes next and how optimism, imagination and play can unlock innovation in every workplace. This episode explores: •Practical rituals for building bold, creative teams.•Why making space for emotion fuels better problem-solving.•How leaders can help people feel safe enough to experiment, fail and try again. If you’re a leader, creator or simply someone wanting to feel excited about what’s ahead this episode will shift your mindset.Hit play, stay curious and join us in designing a more optimistic tomorrow.
Welcome to Episode 1 of Rules Don't Apply!Dan Krigstein sits down with Sir Martin Sorrell.
The industry titan who helped define modern advertising and continues to challenge what’s next as Founder of S4 Capital and Founder & Former CEO of WPP.
This conversation takes a clear-eyed look at the forces reshaping our world and what today’s leaders must do to keep up. Sir Martin reveals why quantum computing may soon become the most disruptive technology on the planet, even outpacing AI.
He unpacks the organisational habits slowing large companies down and why collaboration and an ego-free culture are the only real accelerators of innovation.
We explore:
•The future of global growth
•Shift from legacy models to digital investment
•Leadership traits that separate those who will thrive from those who’ll get left behind.
And yes, there’s even a moment of reflection on life balance and what matters most in the long run.If you care about where media, technology and creativity are heading, this one is for you.
What does it take to be happy in a world that never slows down?In this special event, The Growth Distillery’s Dan Krigstein sits down with Mo Gawdat - former Chief Business Officer at Google [X], best-selling author of Solve for Happy and Unstressable, and founder of One Billion Happy - for an extraordinary conversation on joy, resilience, and human potential.From reverse-engineering happiness to navigating the rise of AI with compassion and wisdom, Mo shares profound insights on how to find peace and purpose amid modern chaos.Inspired insights from inspirational thinkers, delivered differently.
In the final episode of Stories Untold, we sit down with Kate Westgate, Head of Marketing for Unilever’s Home Care division, a leader who brings empathy, clarity and purpose to every part of her work.
A people-first leader whose purpose is rooted in inspiring her family and making impactful marketing campaigns. Kate shares how she’s learned to trust her instincts, find her voice, and build teams where creativity and care go hand in hand. With honesty and warmth, she unpacks what it means to lead with intention in a fast-changing world.
Hit play to discover how Kate is reshaping leadership. Driven by purpose, powered by people, and guided by gut.
Welcome to episode ten of Stories Untold, where we sit down with Caroline Wood, Head of Marketing at Fever-Tree.
A brand known for its quiet confidence and creative clarity.From agency beginnings to leading a global brand, Caroline shares how clarity, collaboration and an unwavering focus on quality have shaped her approach to marketing and leadership.• The genuine love she has for her product and the privilege of selling something she truly believes in• How strong leadership is about bringing diverse strengths together and watching them compliment each other • The influence of female role models in her career, and the power of women supporting women• The importance of staying curious, hustling for new opportunities, and never standing still• Why the best brands today are those agile enough to move fast and evolve with techPress play to hear how Caroline is leading with substance and why calm, considered creativity still makes the biggest impact.
Welcome to episode nine of Stories Untold, featuring Marie-Celine Wiström, or affectionately known as MC, Head of Creative Technology and AI at Made This.From a small New York design studio to global innovation projects, MC shares how her multicultural background and passion for storytelling shaped her unique approach to creative tech. She explores how AI can expand — not replace — human creativity for those bold enough to explore its potential.• How AI is a creative catalyst making big ideas more possible, and more affordable.• Why uncertainty and non-linear thinking spark real innovation• How co-creation with AI can elevate, not erase, human creativity• Building trust, collaboration, and ethical frameworks in tech-led work• Cross-discipline collaboration is where the best ideas are built• Why digital-first demands more content, across more channels with more pressure than everIf you’re curious about building a more effective, collaborative, and human future with AI, this episode is for you.
Welcome to episode eight of Stories Untold, where we chat with Anna Jackson, Head of Creative Excellence at Telstra — a storyteller, strategist, and champion of brave ideas.From copywriting beginnings to leading creative at scale, Anna shares how she’s learned to trust her gut, embrace vulnerability, and build space for creativity to thrive. She reflects on the power of diverse voices, breaking free from expectations, and why creativity belongs to everyone.• Why creativity needs structure but not too much• How to build a culture that encourages experimentation and curiosity • The storytelling frameworks that connect brands to people• How missing data can stall progress and leave entire markets untapped • Emotion drives action more than logicCurious to find out how she’s reshaping the meaning of creative leadership? Press play now.
In this episode of Stories Untold, we sit down with Alex McLean, General Manager of Marketing at BMW, to explore the evolving landscape of automotive branding, leadership, and creative drive. From his early days in front of the camera to leading some of the world’s most iconic brands, Alex’s journey is anything but ordinary.With experience spanning creative agencies and corporate leadership, Alex shares what he’s learned about navigating change, building strong teams, and leading with both heart and strategy. He shares honest reflections on the evolving marketing landscape and why curiosity, culture, and courage are the keys to staying ahead.• From agency to global brand: what Alex learned along the way• Why data and instinct both have a seat at the table• Build with purpose: hire versatile people, involve them in the process, and foster passion within your team.• The power of saying no and resisting the urge to jump straight in.• Where brand marketing is headed and how to stay aheadHit play to explore how Alex is shaping the future of the brand, one bold move at a time.
Welcome to episode six of Stories Untold, where we sit down with Melissa Fein, Managing Director, Media, APAC at Accenture Song – a sharp thinker, dynamic leader, and fierce advocate for creativity, innovation and values-driven leadership.
In this episode, Melissa reflects on her journey from becoming one of Australia’s youngest CEOs to leading media at one of the country’s most influential marketing and communications firms. With honesty, clarity and hard-won insight, she unpacks what it takes to thrive in a fast-paced, traditionally male-dominated industry – and why staying true to your values can be your biggest advantage.
• How AFL shaped her goal-setting mindset
• What it takes to build culture, not just capability
• The power of unbreakable trust within a team
• How rethinking success can open new pathways for the future
• Leadership as a woman: the challenges, the lessons, and her advice for males supporting other women in the workplace
No matter where you are on your leadership journey, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Welcome to episode five of Stories Untold, where we speak with Paralympian and CEO of Inclusively Made, Paul Nunnari, a powerful voice for inclusive design, lived experience, and rethinking what real accessibility looks like.
In this episode, Paul unpacks why the way we talk about disability matters, and how outdated models still shape the way society, workplaces, and brands think about inclusion. With humour, insight and grounded optimism, he shares what it takes to move beyond tokenism and why designing for disability actually raises the bar for everyone.
• Why the "medical model" of disability still holds us back
• The power of starting small, and why imperfect inclusion is still progress
• What it means to build with lived experience at the table
• How disability cuts across every identity, and makes organisations stronger
• Why rethinking the journey is just as important as reaching the goal
If you’ve ever hesitated on where to start when it comes to inclusion, this is the episode to press play on.
Welcome to Episode 4 of Stories Untold.
Annabelle Herd has shaped Australian culture from both the screen and the stage, with decades in media and now as CEO of ARIA. She’s a leader who believes that empathy is power, that soft skills aren’t weak, and that culture needs more than applause - it needs protection.
In this episode, she shares what she’s learned from a life in leadership, the expectations she’s shed, and why influence starts with how you make people feel.
• Why local culture matters, and what happens if we let it fade
• The truth about how your mindset shifts with experience
• Why credentials don’t define leadership, and vulnerability does
• Why gender equality in the workplace is still a work in progress, and what real progress looks like
• The joy of discovering new music (no matter your age)
If you've ever questioned what leadership could look like with more heart, this one’s for you.
Welcome to Episode 3 of Stories Untold.
From Big Brother to boardrooms, Maz Farrelly has spent her career mastering the art of commanding attention, and keeping it.
In this episode, she shares what four decades of storytelling have taught her about leadership, impact, and the difference between simply being seen and truly being remembered.
Because the best stories don’t happen by chance, they’re built, sweated over, sharpened, and fearlessly delivered.
• Why leadership starts long before the job title
• How to earn your audience’s trust (and keep it)
• The make-me-care formula for content that actually connects
• Why “professional” doesn’t mean “boring”
• How to pitch, speak, and create with conviction
If you’ve ever wanted to tell a story that sticks, this one’s for you.