Director Download podcast

Episode 12

The Economic Forces Every Board Should Be Watching 

Interest rates may dominate the headlines, but boards face a far broader set of economic challenges. Geopolitical conflict, trade tensions, supply chain disruption, AI, the energy transition and slowing productivity are reshaping Australia's economy and creating new risks and opportunities.

In this episode, AICD Chief Economist Mark Thirlwell examines the major forces driving today's economic environment and what they mean for governance, strategy and growth. From the Reserve Bank's next interest rate decision to AI's economic impact and Australia's productivity challenge, he shares practical insights for directors navigating a more volatile world.

Episode 11

Dr Philip Lowe: Why the ASX Governance Principles Need a Reset

The ASX Corporate Governance Principles are undergoing a significant review, with proposed changes aimed at simplifying requirements and strengthening trust in Australia's governance framework for listed entities.

In this episode, Chair of the ASX Corporate Governance Advisory Group and former Reserve Bank Governor, Dr Philip Lowe explains the thinking behind the proposed fifth edition of the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations.

Dr Lowe discusses board culture, diversity, skills, transparency and regulatory duplication, and shares his views on Australia's economic challenges, including productivity, investment and AI. He also explains why strong governance remains essential to attracting capital and supporting long-term prosperity.

Episode 10

Why Director Wellbeing Is a Governance Issue

Directors are expected to make sound judgements on complex issues, often under significant pressure. But how often do boards consider whether directors themselves are in the best position to make those decisions?

In this episode, workplace wellbeing expert Dr Rebecca Chabot explains why director wellbeing is far more than a personal health issue, it's a governance issue. Drawing on neuroscience, Rebecca explores how chronic stress can impair judgement, decision-making and emotional regulation. She shares practical strategies to help directors think more clearly, recover effectively and perform at their best in the boardroom.

Episode 9

How High-Performing Boards Govern Culture 

Organisational culture shapes performance, conduct and risk, making it a critical area of board oversight.

In this episode, Dr Juliet Bourke, Adjunct Professor at UNSW and Chair of Ovarian Cancer Australia, joins Sally Linwood, Corporate Governance Lead at the AICD and lead author of a new guide Governing Culture in a Complex World. Together, they explore the guide's five principles for governing culture, why culture is a boardroom priority, how directors can gain meaningful oversight, and why human capital expertise deserves a stronger voice in today's boardrooms.

Episode 8

How Boards Can Drive Meaningful Reconciliation in 2026 

This year marks 20 years since the introduction of Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs), alongside the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week.

Around 3,500 organisations now have a RAP, but meaningful reconciliation goes beyond commitments on paper. In this episode, Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine discusses the board's role in turning commitment into impact. She explains what distinguishes effective RAPs from box-ticking exercises, how directors can oversee meaningful progress and accountability, and why reconciliation remains a strategic governance priority. Karen also shares lessons from two decades of RAPs and the leadership needed to drive lasting change.

Episode 7

The Three Questions Directors Need to Ask About AI Adoption

Artificial intelligence is moving from experimentation to organisation-wide adoption, creating both opportunities and new governance challenges.

As AI becomes embedded across operations, boards are playing a critical role in overseeing investment, managing risks and enabling responsible use.

In this episode, Professor Nicholas Davis, Co-Director of the UTS Human Technology Institute, explains what effective AI governance looks like in practice.

The discussion covers aligning AI with strategy, assessing return on investment, managing “shadow AI” use, and responding to the rise of agentic systems, as well as the level of literacy directors need to govern with confidence.

Episode 6

Boardroom Dynamics Under Pressure: Why Culture and Candour Matter

Effective governance relies on more than technical expertise. Boardroom culture shapes how directors challenge assumptions, manage conflict and make decisions under pressure. 

In this episode, global board adviser and author Joy Harcup explores the dynamics that underpin board effectiveness. Drawing on her work with chairs, CEOs and directors, she explains how pressure influences behaviour, why constructive conflict is critical to good governance, and what separates high-performing boards from those that avoid difficult conversations.
You’ll gain practical insights into strengthening board relationships and addressing unproductive dynamics, including the risks of excessive harmony.

Episode 5

What Every Director Should Know Before a Crisis Hits 

Most organisations will face a crisis at some point. The question is whether they are prepared when it happens. In this episode, crisis management expert and SKMG co-founder Neil Shoebridge shares lessons from decades advising organisations through cyber-attacks, operational failures, reputational challenges and workforce restructures. He explains what separates organisations that emerge stronger from those that struggle to recover, highlighting the importance of preparedness, rapid response and effective communication.

For directors, the conversation offers practical guidance on the board's role before, during and after a crisis, including protecting stakeholder trust when it matters most.

Hosted by Bennett Mason and Kulja Coulston

Episode 4

Governing AI Without Losing Human Judgement 

AI promises greater productivity and efficiency, but could it also be weakening critical thinking, memory and decision-making? 

In this episode, NeuroLeadership Institute co-founder and CEO Dr David Rock explores the neuroscience behind AI adoption and why boards need to look beyond the technology itself. Drawing on emerging research, he examines the cognitive risks of over-reliance on AI, the importance of AI fluency, and common mistakes organisations make when implementing the technology. For directors navigating rapid change, this conversation offers practical insights into leadership, governance, and human performance in the age of AI.

Episode 3

Inside the First Wave of Mandatory Climate Reporting

Australia's mandatory climate reporting regime has completed its first reporting cycle, giving boards early insight into one of the biggest shifts in corporate disclosure in a generation.

Tim Bednall, Partner and Head of Governance at Mallesons, and Dr Eileen Doyle, an experienced non-executive director, join us to discuss the lessons emerging from year one.

They explore where organisations underestimated the challenge, including data, governance, capability and cost, and what directors should do as the regime expands. They also ask whether climate reporting is strengthening board decision-making or adding another layer of compliance.

Episode 2

Preparing for the New Era of Cyber Risk

AI is reshaping the cyber threat landscape, enabling cyber attacks to be launched at unprecedented speed and scale. Regulators are issuing urgent warnings, and boards are being told to strengthen resilience before vulnerabilities are exploited. Yet many organisations still don’t fully understand their cyber risk exposure, or whether their systems, suppliers and governance processes are prepared for a major incident.

Joining us to discuss the current cyber threat landscape is Rachael Falk. Rachael is one of Australia’s leading experts on cybersecurity and regulation. She’s a Partner in the Risk Advisory practice at Ashurst and former CEO of the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre.

Episode 1

What Boards Get Wrong About Risk in Uncertain Times

Most boards think they’re prepared for the next crisis; however many are still operating with playbooks built for a fundamentally different time.

Roger Dennis, founder of Dennis & Partners, has spent decades helping boards and leaders navigate volatility and mitigate risk. He believes we’ve entered a fundamentally different operating environment.

From geopolitical shocks to cascading “polycrisis” events, this conversation explores how to separate signal from noise, and what boards need to do differently to stay ahead and uncover opportunity in an unstable world.