Podcast
Leadership Decanted
Hosted by Paul Garcia & KG Butler · EN
Curious about leaders, leading teams, or leadership? So are Paul Garcia and Kerry "KG" Butler. In fact, they turned their periodic happy hour chats about life and leadership into the Leadership Decanted Podcast. Join Paul and KG as they discuss all things leadership. Each episode of Leadership Decanted asks fascinating questions about leadership and keeps the conversation flowing over a nice bottle of wine.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
(6.04) A Kaleidoscope, Not a Recipe: Systemic Leadership in Polycrisis
2w ago01:00:35Tap to summarizeSend us a message!Something has seemed fairly obvious in the field of leadership development for a while now: the gap between what people learn and what they're able to apply when they return to their organisations. It shows up as disillusionment, stalled change efforts, and the recurring question of why things that seem so clear in a programme setting become so resistant in practice. It's a gap Liz Skelton has been sitting with, and working on, for over two decades.Join KG and Paul as they chat to Liz about systemic leadership, polycrisis, and the conditions that either allow or prevent new ways of working to take hold. Liz is a leadership practitioner, co-author of Lost Conversations, and PhD candidate at the ANU School of Cybernetics, and her work sits at the intersection of adaptive leadership, systems change, and the question of what it actually takes to shift entrenched dynamics.As always, the conversation is 'facilitated' by our friends at Annandale Cellars. On this episode we very much enjoy the 2024 Mastroberardino Mastro Bianco, a white blend from Campania in southern Italy, made by a historic family winery known for preserving ancient indigenous grape varieties. On the palate it's beautifully rounded and textured, with tropical notes of white peach and melon giving way to clean citrus and a freshness that keeps it from tipping into anything overtly fruit-driven. Paul also detected banana. The official tasting notes did not. We encourage you to weigh in.Get at least half a dozen of these (or half a dozen of any of Annandale Cellars' amazing wines) and get a 20% discount by using our discount code at checkout: DECANTEDSláinte friends! Great to see you again!!Useful resources from this episodeLiz Skelton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-skelton-3160834/The Adaptive Practice: https://www.theadaptivepractice.com.auANU School of Cybernetics: https://cybernetics.anu.edu.auLost Conversations, book.If you are interested in a written reflection of this discussion and its themes, you can find our brief article here. Please feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time by leaving us a text/voice message via the link at the top of these show notes!Or talk to us through either of the options below.Email: askus@leadershipdecanted.com Website episode comments: www.leadershipdecanted.comDisagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss, or people you'd like us to talk to? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!
Transcribe →Cheeky Half Episode (39): Did you experience A LOT OF stress yesterday? You aren't alone.
3w ago00:25:01Tap to summarizeSend us a message!Gallup publishes its State of the Global Workplace report once a year. This year it's 251 pages of data on engagement, emotions, wellbeing and the general mood of the global workforce. One of its headlines on the 2026 edition? "Global employee wellbeing improved for the first time in three years."Paul and KG have questions. And Paul calls BS.Cheeky Half episodes are short. So rather than spending your precious minutes on a written explanation, we definitely encourage you to listen.You can find the Gallup State of the Global Workplace: 2026 Report at gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspxIf you are interested in a written reflection of this discussion and its themes, you can find our brief article here. Please feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time by leaving us a text/voice message via the link at the top of these show notes!Or talk to us through either of the options below.Email: askus@leadershipdecanted.com Website episode comments: www.leadershipdecanted.comDisagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss, or people you'd like us to talk to? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!
Transcribe →(6.03) Leading through Consciousness: Seeing Things 'As They Are'.
Apr 2601:15:59Tap to summarizeSend us a message!If you are a 'dyed-in-the-wool' rationalist, you may not enjoy this episode. However, if every now and again you find yourself asking, "I wonder if there is truth and knowledge beyond what I see and hear - maybe even outside the 'accepted' boundaries I was taught?" then continue!KG and Paul are enthralled by a most unexpected conversation with Marti Spiegelman, a teacher and practitioner of 'Indigenous Technologies' or, as she herself sometimes refers to them, 'Original Wisdom'. Join us for the conversation where Marti takes our intrepid hosts through a journey of deep insight and roguish assertions. Is it possible to be in the world - in relationships, in leadership - in ways that are totally counter to those we have been exercised all our life? And thank goodness for Annandale Cellars! In fact, we aren't sure if Paul would've made it through the episode without the generosity of our great friends at Annandale Cellars. On this occasion we crack open a 2025 Mada Wines Blanc, from the Australian Canberra region. It is a fresh, bright blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer. Tropical notes on the nose and zesty freshness on the tongue. A wonderfully refreshing wine.Get at least half a dozen of these (or half a dozen of any of Annadale Cellars' amazing wines) and get a 20% discount by using our code at checkout: DECANTEDSláinte friends! Great to see you again!!Useful resources from this episode:The Foundations of Precision ConsciousnessShaman's LightIf you are interested in a written reflection of this discussion and its themes, you can find our brief article here. Please feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time by leaving us a text/voice message via the link at the top of these show notes!Or talk to us through either of the options below.Email: askus@leadershipdecanted.com Website episode comments: www.leadershipdecanted.comDisagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss, or people you'd like us to talk to? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!
Transcribe →Cheeky Half Episode (38): "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry."
Apr 1200:18:17Tap to summarizeSend us a message!Robert Burns' poem, To a Mouse, provides the line (translated into more modern English) to this episode's title. Paul went on that potentially fraught trip (see Cheeky Half 37 for that story!), and he thought he had everything under control - until he didn't. Cheeky Half episodes are short. So rather than spending your precious minutes on any further explanation, we definitely encourage you to listen.And yes, Paul & KG would like to acknowledge their privilege.Please feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time by leaving us a text/voice message via the link at the top of these show notes!Or talk to us through either of the options below.Email: askus@leadershipdecanted.com Website episode comments: www.leadershipdecanted.comDisagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss, or people you'd like us to talk to? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!
Transcribe →(6.02) Is AI coming for our brains?!?!
Mar 2801:09:27Tap to summarizeSend us a message!Artificial Intelligence is all over our feeds. It is both, promising and threatening, in equal measure.As we drink from the fire hose of hallucinatory AI 'information', what are we to make of its reach and its use? We know that many AI tools can parrot back meeting conversations and often provide some useful summaries of the topics that were discussed. But shared language can often lead to a blind and untested assumption of shared meaning. Just because we use the same words; does it necessarily mean we arrived at the same understanding?KG and Paul find themselves in a deep, and sometimes unsettling, conversation with Clinical Psychologist and Entrepreneur, Dr Jay Spence. Jay is co-founder and Director of Evro AI, a technology start-up that is looking to surface not just the meaning of the words people utter, but the meaning they may be making, or misunderstanding, between each other - beyond the words themselves.The potential application and implications of this project are enormous. But of course, it inevitably leads us to some very thorny places - ethically, psychologically and socially. Despite Paul's obvious discomfort, KG & Jay manage to talk him off the ledge, for at least long enough to enjoy an amazing bottle of wine!As always, the wine is generously provided by Annandale Cellars. On this occasion we crack open a 2023 Nick Spencer Wines, Light Dry Red, from Gundagai NSW. It's a superbly balanced blend of Pinot Noir & Shiraz, with lots of berries, cherries and spice on the nose. In the mouth it's an elegant fruit bomb - juicy but never over the top.Get at least half a dozen of these (or half a dozen of any of Annadale Cellars' amazing wines) and get a 20% discount by using our code at checkout: DECANTEDSláinte friends! Great to see you again!!Useful resources from this episode:Evro AIAustralia’s AI Ethics Principles2024 update to the OECD AI PrinciplesEthics Guidelines for Workplace AIPlease feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time by leaving us a text/voice message via the link at the top of these show notes!Or talk to us through either of the options below.Email: askus@leadershipdecanted.com Website episode comments: www.leadershipdecanted.comDisagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss, or people you'd like us to talk to? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!
Transcribe →Cheeky Half Episode (37): From a Mexican Holiday to the 'Sunk Cost' Fallacy.
Mar 700:18:02Tap to summarizeSend us a message!How does the capture and death of a drug cartel kingpin, Paul's planned vacation and the phenomenon of the sunk cost fallacy end up as part of the same 'Cheeky Half' conversation? Good question.Cheeky Half episodes are short. So rather than spending your precious minutes on a written explanation, we definitely encourage you to listen.And yes, Paul & KG would like to acknowledge their privilege.Please feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time by leaving us a text/voice message via the link at the top of these show notes!Or talk to us through either of the options below.Email: askus@leadershipdecanted.com Website episode comments: www.leadershipdecanted.comDisagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss, or people you'd like us to talk to? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!
Transcribe →(6.01) Leadership. For Humans. By Humans.
Feb 2100:59:23Tap to summarizeSend us a message!Fifty! Yes, that's 50. Episodes, that is.As be begin our sixth year of Leadership Decanted, we kick it off with our 50th main episode. And what a rewarding conversation this was. In this episode the conversation turns to questions like, "What if leadership is simply a response to human connection? And not just connection, but also the nurturing and cultivation of those very connections so as to contribute to the lives of those we lead and those we serve?"What would that look like?We think it looks like Ali Smyth - Founder and Director of Electric Collective. Join KG and Paul as they chat to Ali over a delectable bottle of wine about her professional journey and how, by embracing unconventional - yet oh so human - approaches, she has built a business that clearly expresses her own humanity, and the humanity of those around her.We are grateful to Annandale Cellars for once again generously providing the wine to accompany this expansive conversation. On this occasion we are fortunate to taste a Schloss Gobelsburg Grüner Veltliner Loss 2024 from Austria. Crisp and lively with notes of green apple, pear, white pepper, and a hint of lemon - maybe even pineapple!Get at least half a dozen of these (or half a dozen of any of Annadale Cellars' amazing wines) and get a 20% discount by using our code at checkout: DECANTEDSláinte friends! Great to see you again!!Useful resources from this episode:Electric CollectiveElectric Collective on InstagramPlease feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time by leaving us a text/voice message via the link at the top of these show notes!Or talk to us through either of the options below.Email: askus@leadershipdecanted.com Website episode comments: www.leadershipdecanted.comDisagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss, or people you'd like us to talk to? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!
Transcribe →Cheeky Half Episode (36): 2026 is looking good!
Feb 700:12:08Tap to summarizeSend us a message!Welcome back! And thank you for joining us on the first Cheeky Half of Season 6.Join Paul & KG as they talk about what the sixth year may hold for the show, as well as shaking the dust from their microphones by talking about a whole lot of nuthin'!And we also welcome back our wonderful supporters, Annandale Cellars. We don't know what wines we're going to get, but we can guarantee they're going to be amazing!This year we want to make a concerted effort to connect with our community of listeners - we'd love to get your feedback, your thoughts on the episodes, any reflections on what you've heard and, of course, any ideas on topics that you feel are worth pursuing. Don't be shy, please reach out on our email below.Oh, and if you'd like to take full advantage of our massive 20% discount for any six bottles or more you purchase online from Annandale Cellars, then head to acellars.com.au and use our discount code DECANTED at check-out. Totally worth it.Please feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time by leaving us a text/voice message via the link at the top of these show notes!Or talk to us through either of the options below.Email: askus@leadershipdecanted.com Website episode comments: www.leadershipdecanted.comDisagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss, or people you'd like us to talk to? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!
Transcribe →(5.11) Endings and Beginnings: We look back on our year
Dec 2700:42:35Tap to summarizeSend us a message!Five years. Five seasons. 2025 was a milestone year for us in the podcave. And we have you and our wonderful guests to thank for that.In this final episode of 2025, KG and Paul reflect on the year that was - the many insightful, if not inspirational, conversations. The impact our guests are making both, in their local communities and across the glove. And the wines... oh, the wines! Thank you all for your continued support. We'd love to step up our engagement with our audience in the coming year. So please, if you have it in you, drop us an email - tell us what topics you'd like us to explore, or perhaps someone you'd want us to talk to. Maybe you have a favourite wine you'd want us to try! Is there something we could improve on? Always up for that feedback. Either way, we'd love to hear from you. Don't be shy: askus@leadershipdecanted.comFinally, we hope you have found time to celebrate the milestones and achievements for 2025. If you need some delicious, thirst quenching wines, you can use our discount code 365 days a year! Enjoy a 20% discount by using our code at checkout for any six wines or more: DECANTED Don't wait! Visit our wonderful sponsors, Annadale Cellars, and stock up for the summer.Sláinte friends! See you next year!Useful resources from this episode:Plate It ForwardPod&HiveThe Greater Good Diaper ProjectCities for PeaceNo Silver BulletPlease feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time by leaving us a text/voice message via the link at the top of these show notes!Or talk to us through either of the options below.Email: askus@leadershipdecanted.com Website episode comments: www.leadershipdecanted.comDisagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss, or people you'd like us to talk to? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!
Transcribe →(5.10) Leadership: A Profound Expression of Empathy & Compassion
Nov 2901:03:50Tap to summarizeSend us a message!It's easy to dismiss social barriers as inevitable - the natural friction that comes with 'being different'. But it's much harder to look directly at the systems that keep people unseen, unheard, and separate from opportunity. But what if the work of genuine leadership offered something far more radical: not the removal of barriers through policy or process alone, but the daily practice of seeing people in their wholeness, and moving with them through the discomfort of that recognition?Shaun Christie-David offers a quiet counterpoint to the usual narratives around social enterprise. As founder of Plate It Forward and a collective of "Social Enterprise" restaurants, he has built organisations where empathy isn't a virtue-signaling slogan — it's woven into hiring, kitchen rhythms, and shared work. It's leadership as a sustained commitment to human dignity, grounded in his own family's experience of migration and the profound luck of belonging.KG and Paul spent time in the Podcave with Shaun, listening to a story that moves from banking to Sri Lanka to restaurants that quietly challenge every assumption about who belongs in Australian workplaces. What emerges is leadership as something far more grounded than most frameworks allow — a long game that ripples forward across generations.At the heart of Shaun's work is a disarming question: Why? Why do we assume people with criminal records are untrustworthy? Why overlook skilled migrants when organisations claim there is a talent shortage? Why reduce people to categories when what stands before us is a person with agency and capability?Ultimately we explore that, perhaps, the real work of leadership is the willingness to build something so it can live beyond you, and the insistence that your success is only meaningful if it creates conditions for the success of others.We are grateful to Annandale Cellars (and so is Shaun!) for once again generously providing a delicious bottle of wine to accompany this awe-inspiring conversation. On this occasion we are fortunate to taste a 2024 Catlow & Co Nebbiolo, from Beechworth, Victoria. It is a soft and rounded red with a long, delicious finish of red berries, roses and spice. A gorgeous, juicy wine or drink now, or store for a special day.Get at least half a dozen of these (or half a dozen of any of their amazing wines) and get a 20% discount by using our code at checkout: DECANTEDSláinte friends!Useful resources from this episode:Plate It ForwardColombo SocialKabul SocialKolkata SocialKyiv SocialPlease feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time by leaving us a text/voice message via the link at the top of these show notes!Or talk to us through either of the options below.Email: askus@leadershipdecanted.com Website episode comments: www.leadershipdecanted.comDisagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss, or people you'd like us to talk to? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!
Transcribe →