Mary Wooldridge, the outgoing chief executive of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, worked for the media tycoon in the late 1990s. 

While her time at Kerry Packer's company, Consolidated Press Holdings, taught her some invaluable skills, Wooldridge found it unmotivating.

On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out why the former politician traded a Packer deal-making role for public policy.

Mary Wooldridge, the outgoing chief executive of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, worked for the media tycoon in the late 1990s.&nbsp;
While her time at Kerry Packer's company, Consolidated Press Holdings, taught her some invaluable skills, Wooldridge found it unmotivating.
On this week&rsquo;s episode, <a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten finds out why the former politician traded a Packer deal-making role for public policy.

15 Minutes with the Boss is a podcast that gives listeners exclusive access to some of the top CEOs in the country.

Each week AFR BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with a prominent leader and asks them to share the invaluable advice and wisdom they have accumulated throughout their careers.

For stories of success and failure and everything in-between, search and follow 15 Minutes with the Boss. It’s 15 minutes you can’t afford to miss. 

15 Minutes with the Boss is a podcast that gives listeners exclusive access to some of the top CEOs in the country.
Each week AFR BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with a prominent leader and asks them to share the invaluable advice and wisdom they have accumulated throughout their careers.
For stories of success and failure and everything in-between, search and follow 15 Minutes with the Boss. It’s 15 minutes you can’t afford to miss.

A weekly podcast about  success and failure and everything in-between.

15 Minutes with the Boss

All the latest episodes from all of the AFR's podcasts. 

All the latest episodes from all of the AFR's podcasts.&nbsp;

Latest episodes 

15 Minutes with the Boss is a podcast that gives listeners exclusive access to some of the top CEOs in the country. 

Each week, AFR BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with a prominent leader and asks them to share the invaluable advice and wisdom they have accumulated throughout their careers.

For stories of success and failure and everything in-between, search and follow 15 Minutes with the Boss. It’s 15 minutes you can’t afford to miss. 

15 Minutes with the Boss is a podcast that gives listeners exclusive access to some of the top CEOs in the country. 
Each week, AFR BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with a prominent leader and asks them to share the invaluable advice and wisdom they have accumulated throughout their careers.
For stories of success and failure and everything in-between, search and follow 15 Minutes with the Boss. It’s 15 minutes you can’t afford to miss.

What this executive learnt from working for Kerry Packer

Communications expert Louise Mahler has spent years helping leaders gain confidence, presence, and influence in the way they communicate.

However, since the pandemic and the rapid increase of online platforms, Mahler believes people are losing the ability to engage with audiences. But she's hopeful that connection can be restored.

On this week's episode, the former opera singers reveals her top public speaking tips to BOSS editor Sally Patten.

This podcast was sponsored by the City of Parramatta.

Further reading:

Want to be better at public speaking? NIDA’s CEO shares her tips

Chief executive Liz Hughes has a few secrets when she is preparing a speech, such as leaving marks to show the parts that need to be delivered with high energy. 

The speaking tips these execs use to own the room, and get ahead

Female executives suffer from a “gravitas gap” but some are learning to project greater confidence and authority, helping them to move up the corporate ladder.

‘I’d lost my identity.’ How this exec recovered from redundancy

A new coach, hypnotist and Hollywood movie helped Allison Rossiter tackle one of her biggest fears. Now, the Novartis president shares how they can help you too.

 

Communications expert Louise Mahler has spent years helping leaders gain confidence, presence, and influence in the way they communicate.
However, since the pandemic and the rapid increase of online platforms, Mahler believes people are losing the ability to engage with audiences. But she's hopeful that connection can be restored.
On this week's episode, the former opera singers reveals her top public speaking tips to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten.
This podcast was sponsored by the <a href="https://atparramatta.com/business/global-city?utm_source=australian-financial-review-&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_campaign=global-city">City of Parramatta</a>.
Further reading:
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/the-critical-piece-of-advice-this-ceo-was-given-by-her-chairman-20251205-p5nl62?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">Want to be better at public speaking? NIDA&rsquo;s CEO shares her tips</a>
Chief executive Liz Hughes has a few secrets when she is preparing a speech, such as leaving marks to show the parts that need to be delivered with high energy.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/careers/the-speaking-tricks-these-execs-use-to-own-the-room-and-get-ahead-20251105-p5n7wy?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">The speaking tips these execs use to own the room, and get ahead</a>
Female executives suffer from a &ldquo;gravitas gap&rdquo; but some are learning to project greater confidence and authority, helping them to move up the corporate ladder.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/novartis-alison-rossiter-leadership-public-speaking-20260501-p5zsxf?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">&lsquo;I&rsquo;d lost my identity.&rsquo; How this exec recovered from redundancy</a>
A new coach, hypnotist and Hollywood movie helped Allison Rossiter tackle one of her biggest fears. Now, the Novartis president shares how they can help you too.
&nbsp;

Why this expert thinks communication is ‘going down the gurgler’

Stuart Gregor has always been a keen storyteller.

From his first job working in journalism as a copy boy to co-founding craft gin brand Four Pillars, this entrepreneur has used his skills to build brands and their narratives.

Now the chief executive of ASX-listed Lark Distillery, the whisky boss is having to tell a new type of story to analysts and fund managers.

In this week's episode, Gregor tells BOSS editor Sally Patten about the various challenges of speaking to consumers, the industry and now the market.

Further reading:

Whisky maker Lark hires Four Pillars Gin co-founder as CEO

The Tasmanian company’s product will be in 700-millilitre bottles for the first time in 33 years as it tackles global brands such as Johnnie Walker.

Four Pillars Gin sold to XXXX’s Japanese owner

The brewing giant behind names such as Furphy and Little Creatures has snapped up the other half of the distiller for an estimated $50 million.

He may not be a ‘whisky guy’, but Larry Emdur’s single malt is good as gold

It began as a bit of birthday fun for the TV personality, but in just two years, The Ben Buckler has become a multi-award-winning brand with an impressive new CEO.

Stuart Gregor has always been a keen storyteller.
From his first job working in journalism as a copy boy to co-founding craft gin brand Four Pillars, this entrepreneur has used his skills to build brands and their narratives.
Now the chief executive of ASX-listed Lark Distillery, the whisky boss is having to tell a new type of story to analysts and fund managers.
In this week's episode,&nbsp;Gregor tells <a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten about the various challenges of speaking to consumers, the industry and now the market.
Further reading:
<a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/whisky-maker-lark-hires-four-pillars-gin-co-founder-as-ceo-20250915-p5mv2c?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">Whisky maker Lark hires Four Pillars Gin co-founder as CEO</a>
The Tasmanian company&rsquo;s product will be in 700-millilitre bottles for the first time in 33 years as it tackles global brands such as Johnnie Walker.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/japan-s-lion-takes-full-control-of-four-pillars-gin-20230703-p5dlas?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">Four Pillars Gin sold to XXXX&rsquo;s Japanese owner</a>
The brewing giant behind names such as Furphy and Little Creatures has snapped up the other half of the distiller for an estimated $50 million.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/food-and-wine/he-may-not-be-a-whisky-guy-but-larry-emdur-s-single-malt-is-good-as-gold-20260601-p602os?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">He may not be a &lsquo;whisky guy&rsquo;, but Larry Emdur&rsquo;s single malt is good as gold</a>
It began as a bit of birthday fun for the TV personality, but in just two years, The Ben Buckler has become a multi-award-winning brand with an impressive new CEO.

This Four Pillars Gin co-founder is taking on whisky – and the ASX

“We’ve had a number of years when there was a huge emphasis on people’s work-life balance. Now it’s about performance,” says Chris Karagounis.

The managing director at executive search firm Alex Kaar says working in the office allows budding leaders to contribute to the culture and community, and to keep learning.

And if they're not there, then they risk falling behind.

On this week's episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out from the corporate headhunter what it takes to be a senior leader today, and how aspiring executives should approach issues such as working from home and artificial intelligence.

Further reading:

Four steps to land your first board position

The step into the boardroom is an important milestone, and something many ambitious professionals dream about. But how do you make it happen?

How I convinced Kerry Packer he should hire me

Mary Wooldridge, outgoing CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, worked for the media tycoon in the late 1990s. She’s used some of the skills she learnt ever since.

Why job seekers looking for $200k-plus roles should be worried 

After taking a break from her exec role, Diedre Hosking returned to a market offering $100,000 less, as firms swap veterans for cheaper, AI-literate juniors.

 

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had a number of years when there was a huge emphasis on people&rsquo;s work-life balance. Now it&rsquo;s about performance,&rdquo; says Chris Karagounis.
The managing director at executive search firm Alex Kaar says working in the office allows budding leaders to contribute to the culture and community, and to keep learning.
And if they're not there, then they risk falling behind.
On this week's episode, <a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten finds out from the corporate headhunter what it takes to be a senior leader today, and how aspiring executives should approach issues such as working from home and artificial intelligence.
Further reading:
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/4-steps-to-land-your-first-board-position-20251007-p5n0ov?utm_source=omny&amp;amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;amp;utm_content=&amp;amp;utm_term=newsroom">Four steps to land your first board position</a>
The step into the boardroom is an important milestone, and something many ambitious professionals dream about. But how do you make it happen?
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/what-this-exec-learnt-from-working-for-kerry-packer-20260508-p5zv4e?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">How I convinced Kerry Packer he should hire me</a>
Mary Wooldridge, outgoing CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, worked for the media tycoon in the late 1990s. She&rsquo;s used some of the skills she learnt ever since.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/careers/why-people-earning-over-200k-should-be-scared-right-now-20260508-p5zv3r?utm_source=omny&amp;amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;amp;utm_content=&amp;amp;utm_term=newsroom">Why job seekers looking for $200k-plus roles should be worried</a>&nbsp;
After taking a break from her exec role, Diedre Hosking returned to a market offering $100,000 less, as firms swap veterans for cheaper, AI-literate juniors.
&nbsp;

What this executive learnt from working for Kerry Packer

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