Really Good Conversations

Summary
What happens when you realise the life you've built no longer fits? 
In this episode, Andrew Sloan shares the story behind his book Why Things Feel F*cked and the personal reinvention that followed.
From ending a long-term relationship to taking his work on the road, Andrew explores why so many of us feel stretched, stuck or overwhelmed and why better conversations might be the way through. 
We talk about nervous systems, leadership, perfectionism and the quiet power of human connection.
Guest
Andrew Sloan is an integrated psychotherapist and leadership coach who works with individuals from all walks of life, as well as CEOs and executive teams navigating performance and culture challenges.
His work sits at the intersection of wellbeing and high performance, with a focus on self-leadership, nervous system awareness and meaningful conversations. He is the author of Why Things Feel F*cked and speaks nationally on leadership, resilience and connection.
Overview
After publishing his book, Andrew made a series of significant life changes, choosing freedom and possibility over stability. That shift becomes the gateway into a wider discussion: why do so many of us feel under pressure, even when life looks "fine" on paper?
Andrew unpacks the modern productivity trap and the way digital life keeps our nervous systems in a constant state of activation. He explains why chaos isn't new, but our relationship with it has changed; and how the smallest shifts, from elongating the exhale to reconnecting with nature, can begin to restore calm.
Andrew shares why most performance issues at work are really conversation issues. High performance and wellbeing are not opposing forces, but deeply connected.
This is a thoughtprovoking, grounding episode about curiosity, courage and the human need for meaningful connection.
 
Key takeaways
Modern life keeps our nervous systems activated through constant digital input.
Many workplace performance problems are actually conversation problems.
Calm hasn't disappeared — it's simply covered over by protective patterns.
Small, practical shiftscan reset more than we realise (breath, nature, connection)

For more information:
Andrew Sloan www.andrewsloan.com.au

Summary
When was the last time you had a night out that felt completely worth it?
In this episode, Amy is joined by 'The Jodie's', Jodie Whelan and Jodie de Vries, founders of House of Zim; a women-only events concept redefining what a great night out looks like for women over 35.
Guest
Jodie Whelan and Jodie de Vries are co-founders of House of Zim, a Sydney-based women-only events concept designed for women over 35.
With backgrounds in brand and marketing, they've combined strategic thinking with lived experience to create thoughtfully curated, early-evening dance events that prioritise connection, nostalgia and joy.
Overview
Between careers, children, responsibilities and the constant pressure to optimise our lives, joy can quietly slip down the priority list. And when getting out requires organising childcare, coordinating diaries and reshuffling life's logistics, the stakes feel higher. If you're going to make the effort, it needs to be worth it.
House of Zim was built around that idea - "a guaranteed good night".
Together, they explore why women-only spaces feel different, what actually happens on a dance floor when women feel safe, and how music reconnects us with parts of ourselves that may have been pushed aside.
The conversation moves beyond events into something deeper; identity, permission, friendship and the courage to prioritise what makes us feel alive.
If you've ever wondered when you last danced, laughed freely or did something purely because you wanted to, this episode will resonate.
 
Key takeaways
How the loss of 'joy' sparked the idea of creating 'House of Zim'

What 'House of Zim' really means, and who it's for

The psychology behind music, memory and connection


Building a brand aligned with values and the misconceptions 

How women-only spaces shift energy and confidence


For more information on
House of Zim https://houseofzim.com/

Summary
In this episode, Amy is joined by Isiah McKimmie to talk about intimacy, desire and the conversations couples often avoid. They explore why desire changes over time, how comparison and unrealistic expectations create pressure, and why focusing on what gets in the way of connection can be more helpful than trying to "do more".
Guest
Isiah McKimmie is a clinical sexologist and relationship therapist who works with individuals and couples around intimacy, desire and connection.
Overview
With Valentine's Day approaching, this conversation looks beyond the romance and into the realities of long-term relationships; the conversations we avoid, the expectations we carry, and the quiet ways intimacy can start to feel harder over time.
Isiah shares what couples most commonly come to therapy for, and why the issue they arrive with is often only part of the picture. Together, Amy and Isiah explore why sex and intimacy feel so emotionally loaded, how avoidance can slowly erode connection, and why comparison often creates unnecessary pressure.
They also unpack how desire naturally fluctuates across a relationship, the role emotional and mental load play in intimacy, and why removing what blocks connection is often more powerful than trying to add more.
 
 
Key takeaways
Why the issue couples come to therapy with is often only part of what's really going on

The conversations couples avoid most

Why changes in desire are normal across long-term relationships

The impact of emotional and mental load on intimacy and connection

Why improving intimacy often starts with removing what gets in the way, rather than trying to do more




For more information on
Isiah McKimmie https://isiah-mckimmie.com/

In 2025 Amy spoke to a range of amazing guests from across around the world - including UK, US, Cyprus & Australia! 
This fun episode is a snapshot of the responses our guests gave when asked the question "If you came with a warning label, what would it say?"
This question always gets a laugh. Ask it to someone in your life and see what conversations spark
Check out all our guests from 2025 and join us in 2026 for more Really Good Conversations.

In this episode, Amy is joined once again by former Sportsgirl and Sussan CEO, award-winning leader, mentor, speaker and author, Colleen Callander.
Colleen kicked off our 2025 guest line-up with "From Shop Floor to CEO: Burnout, Boundaries & Bold Leadership", and now we've come full circle as she returns to close out the year and explore the theme of confidence from her new book, The Power of Confidence.
Amy begins by asking Colleen how her year has unfolded since their January conversation, and what tips she has for avoiding the end-of-year panic if we didn't achieve everything we expected.
From there, they dive into the idea that confidence isn't something we're born with, but a skill and muscle we can build over time. 
Colleen unpacks the cost of low confidence, the stories and self-talk that quietly hold women back, and the importance of surrounding yourself with a supportive inner circle. She explains how to challenge your inner critic, rewrite your story, and talk to yourself like you would your best friend.
Colleen also shares her 30-day confidence transformation, showing how small, realistic daily actions can create surprisingly big shifts.
This is an uplifting, practical conversation to help you close the year with gratitude and step into 2026 with more courage, clarity and confidence.
Key Outtakes: 
Focus on what you have achieved and not what you didn't 
Confidence isn't something we're born with – it's a skill we can learn, strengthen and practise over time.

The stories we tell ourselves can hold us back; changing the narrative can change the trajectory of our lives.

Low confidence can quietly limit opportunities, decisions and experiences across a decade or more.

Your inner circle matters – the people around you can lift your confidence or slowly chip away at it.

Small, consistent daily actions create meaningful confidence shifts, as outlined in Colleen's 30-day transformation.

 
More about Colleen: 
Website https://www.colleencallander.com.au/about
Podcast episode: "From Shop Floor to CEO: Burnout, Boundaries & Bold Leadership"
https://www.reallygoodconversations.com.au/pages/40-from-shop-floor-to-ceo-burnout-boundaries-bold-leadership