In Episode 174 of the No Limitations Podcast, There's No Possible Way Out Until There Is, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Graeme Cowan, Founding Director of R U OK? and author of Great Leaders Care.

 

In this deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation, Graeme reflects on his extraordinary journey back from a five-year battle with severe depression, a period during which he believed with "110% certainty" that he would never recover. Drawing on that lived experience, he explains why great leaders care, arguing that the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives and that the most successful teams are those where people care about each other, have each other’s back, and encourage one another. Graeme explores the concepts of the "red zone" and the "green zone", the power of psychological safety, the importance of vulnerability and purpose, and why leaders who combine a culture of care with high performance create more resilient, engaged and successful organisations. He also shares practical insights on building strong teams, recognising when people are struggling, navigating workplace stress, embracing change and AI, and creating the conditions for sustainable growth, resilience and wellbeing.

 

Graeme is one of Australia’s leading voices on workplace resilience and mental wellbeing. A former senior executive with Johnson & Johnson, Morgan & Banks, Pfizer and AT Kearney, he has spent more than two decades helping leaders build healthier, more successful workplaces. He is a Founding Director of R U OK?, helping establish one of Australia’s most recognised mental health movements, and is the co-founder of WeCARE365, which has trained more than 300,000 leaders globally through scalable wellbeing, psychological safety and psychosocial risk programs.

Graeme is also on the Board Services Committee at Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury Sydney. Graeme has delivered more than 700 presentations in 15 countries and is widely recognised for his practical and authentic approach to leadership and resilience. Graeme also runs Graeme Cowan Enterprises, where he builds team psychological safety and resilience. He is the author of five books, including the internationally acclaimed "Back From The Brink", which became a bestseller in China and earned praise from former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, as well as his latest book, "Great Leaders Care: Building Safe, Resilient and Successful Teams". Through his speaking, writing and advocacy, Graeme continues to champion the belief that high care and high performance are not competing priorities but essential partners in building thriving organisations and communities.

 

Please note: this episode was recorded on 5 August 2026.

In Episode 174 of the No Limitations Podcast,&nbsp;There's No Possible Way Out Until There Is, Blenheim Partners&rsquo; Gregory Robinson speaks to Graeme Cowan, Founding Director of R U OK? and author of Great Leaders Care.
&nbsp;
In this deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation, Graeme reflects on his extraordinary journey back from a five-year battle with severe depression, a period during which he believed with "110% certainty" that he would never recover. Drawing on that lived experience, he explains why great leaders care, arguing that the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives and that the most successful teams are those where people care about each other, have each other&rsquo;s back, and encourage one another. Graeme explores the concepts of the "red zone" and the "green zone", the power of psychological safety, the importance of vulnerability and purpose, and why leaders who combine a culture of care with high performance create more resilient, engaged and successful organisations. He also shares practical insights on building strong teams, recognising when people are struggling, navigating workplace stress, embracing change and AI, and creating the conditions for sustainable growth, resilience and wellbeing.
&nbsp;
Graeme is one of Australia&rsquo;s leading voices on workplace resilience and mental wellbeing. A former senior executive with Johnson &amp; Johnson, Morgan &amp; Banks, Pfizer and AT Kearney, he has spent more than two decades helping leaders build healthier, more successful workplaces. He is a Founding Director of R U OK?, helping establish one of Australia&rsquo;s most recognised mental health movements, and is the co-founder of WeCARE365, which has trained more than 300,000 leaders globally through scalable wellbeing, psychological safety and psychosocial risk programs.
Graeme is also on the Board Services Committee at Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury Sydney. Graeme has delivered more than 700 presentations in 15 countries and is widely recognised for his practical and authentic approach to leadership and resilience. Graeme also runs Graeme Cowan Enterprises, where he builds team psychological safety and resilience. He is the author of five books, including the internationally acclaimed "Back From The Brink", which became a bestseller in China and earned praise from former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, as well as his latest book, "Great Leaders Care: Building Safe, Resilient and Successful Teams". Through his speaking, writing and advocacy, Graeme continues to champion the belief that high care and high performance are not competing priorities but essential partners in building thriving organisations and communities.
&nbsp;
Please note: this episode was recorded on 5 August 2026.

A series regarded amongst the most inspiring and honest conversations with elite world class performing men and women across a broad genre covering the issues, opportunities and challenges confronting them. 
Gregory Robinson, Managing Partner at Blenheim Partners Executive Search and Board Advisory firm discovers the influences that have shaped their destinies, unlocking crucial insights into each guests core character, their motivation, broader thinking, strategies and approach they have taken to succeed. 
In a thought provoking show that breaks with the status quo, the guests and "first among equals", reveal their secrets, triumphs and disappointments with rare personal insight and learnings that you may wish to adopt in today's rapidly changing and competitive global landscape.

Thought provoking conversations with global business leaders

No Limitations

There's No Possible Way Out Until There Is | Graeme Cowan

In Episode 173 of the No Limitations Podcast, Game Changer, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with Adam Driussi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quantium and Chairman of Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Rugby League Club Ltd.

In this thoughtful, illuminating and at times confronting conversation, Adam shares his professional journey, from the early days as a young entrepreneur, the creation of Quantium, and how Quantium, through the transformative power of data, has markedly assisted in the improvement of operational performance, customer engagement and growth for organisations across multiple sectors and geographies. Adam then challenges us all with his candid and sobering synopsis of AI, and how the speed of change is unlocking new horizons and will extinguish others who fail to embrace the new world. He shares his personal story with AI, his digital twin, and the Gus Gould digital twin as we learn of Adam’s lifelong passion for sport and his insights as the Chair of the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs for not just the sport but business and leadership.

Quantium is a leading Australian data science and artificial intelligence company that helps global brands deploy AI systems, optimise supply chains, and analyse customer behaviours across retail, banking, telecommunications, and healthcare. Prior to founding Quantium in 2002, Adam was a Partner at Deloitte working in actuarial and analytics consulting. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australia.

Please note: this episode was recorded on 7 July 2026.

In Episode 173 of the No Limitations Podcast, Game Changer, Blenheim Partners&rsquo; Gregory Robinson speaks with Adam Driussi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quantium and Chairman of Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Rugby League Club Ltd.
In this thoughtful, illuminating and at times confronting conversation,&nbsp;Adam shares his professional journey, from the early days as a young entrepreneur, the creation of Quantium, and how Quantium, through the transformative power of data, has markedly assisted in the improvement of operational performance, customer engagement and growth for organisations across multiple sectors and geographies. Adam then challenges us all with his candid and sobering synopsis of AI, and how the speed of change is unlocking new horizons and will extinguish others who fail to embrace the new world. He shares his personal story with AI, his digital twin, and the Gus Gould digital twin as we learn of Adam&rsquo;s lifelong passion for sport and his insights as the Chair of the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs for not just the sport but business and leadership.
Quantium is a leading Australian data science and artificial intelligence company that helps global brands deploy AI systems, optimise supply chains, and analyse customer behaviours across retail, banking, telecommunications, and healthcare. Prior to founding Quantium in 2002, Adam was a Partner at Deloitte working in actuarial and analytics consulting. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australia.
Please note: this episode was recorded on 7 July 2026.

Game Changer | Adam Druissi

In Episode 172 of the No Limitations Podcast The Fight Has Just Begun, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Geoff Wilson AO, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Wilson Asset Management.

 

In this engaging conversation, Geoff discusses why he believes Australia is at a critical economic crossroads, arguing that rising taxes on capital and Australian businesses risk reducing productivity, discouraging entrepreneurship, limiting investment, and making it harder for younger generations to build wealth. Drawing on decades of investment experience, Geoff explores the importance of patient capital, share ownership, business growth and economic incentives, while also sharing his views on government policy, the future of the ASX, AI, leadership, philanthropy, and the opportunities Australia must protect if it is to remain a nation that rewards ambition, risk-taking and hard work.

 

Geoff brings more than 46 years of direct experience in investment markets, having held a variety of senior investment roles in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Geoff founded Wilson Asset Management in 1997, which today comprises 20 investment professionals who together offer more than 250 years of investment experience. The investment firm manages approximately $6 billion on behalf of more than 130,000 investors as the investment manager for nine listed investment companies (LICs), of which Geoff is Chair of eight, and four unlisted funds: Wilson Asset Management Leaders Fund, Wilson Asset Management Founders Fund, Wilson Asset Management Real Assets Fund and Wilson Asset Management Equity Fund. Geoff is also the Founder and Director of Future Generation Australia Limited and Future Generation Global Limited, and Director of WAM Alternative Assets Limited. In 2014, Geoff created Australia’s first listed philanthropic wealth creation vehicles, Future Generation Australia, and subsequently Future Generation Global in 2015. In 2024, Geoff was involved in the launch of the first all-female managed fund in Australia, Future Generation Women, delivering investment returns and advancing economic equality and opportunities for women and their children in Australia. To this day, the Future Generation companies have donated over $100 million to Australian not-for-profits. Additionally, Geoff holds a number of additional directorships with investment companies and non-profit organisations.

 

Please note: this episode was recorded on 2 July 2026.

In Episode 172 of the No Limitations Podcast&nbsp;The Fight Has Just Begun, Blenheim Partners&rsquo; Gregory Robinson speaks to Geoff Wilson AO, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Wilson Asset Management.
&nbsp;
In this engaging conversation, Geoff discusses why he believes Australia is at a critical economic crossroads, arguing that rising taxes on capital and Australian businesses risk reducing productivity, discouraging entrepreneurship, limiting investment, and making it harder for younger generations to build wealth. Drawing on decades of investment experience, Geoff explores the importance of patient capital, share ownership, business growth and economic incentives, while also sharing his views on government policy, the future of the ASX, AI, leadership, philanthropy, and the opportunities Australia must protect if it is to remain a nation that rewards ambition, risk-taking and hard work.
&nbsp;
Geoff brings more than 46 years of direct experience in investment markets, having held a variety of senior investment roles in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Geoff founded Wilson Asset Management in 1997, which today comprises 20 investment professionals who together offer more than 250 years of investment experience. The investment firm manages approximately $6 billion on behalf of more than 130,000 investors as the investment manager for nine listed investment companies (LICs), of which Geoff is Chair of eight, and four unlisted funds: Wilson Asset Management Leaders Fund, Wilson Asset Management Founders Fund, Wilson Asset Management Real Assets Fund and Wilson Asset Management Equity Fund. Geoff is also the Founder and Director of Future Generation Australia Limited and Future Generation Global Limited, and Director of WAM Alternative Assets Limited. In 2014, Geoff created Australia&rsquo;s first listed philanthropic wealth creation vehicles, Future Generation Australia, and subsequently Future Generation Global in 2015. In 2024, Geoff was involved in the launch of the first all-female managed fund in Australia, Future Generation Women, delivering investment returns and advancing economic equality and opportunities for women and their children in Australia. To this day, the Future Generation companies have donated over $100 million to Australian not-for-profits. Additionally, Geoff holds a number of additional directorships with investment companies and non-profit organisations.
&nbsp;
Please note: this episode was recorded on 2 July 2026.

The Fight Has Just Begun | Geoff Wilson AO

In Episode 171 of the No Limitations Podcast The Dirty Mix, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Lt. Col. Jahara “Franky” Matisek (PhD), Principal Consultant, JLM Strategy and Research; Senior Fellow at the Payne Institute for Public Policy; and Visiting Scholar at Northwestern University.

 

In a wide-ranging discussion, Franky returns to talk on the shifting global geopolitical and economic landscape, which is centred on what he describes as the “revenge of the industrial age”. Franky argues that decades of globalisation have left Western economies dangerously dependent on complex international supply chains, particularly for critical minerals, energy, manufacturing and technology inputs that are increasingly controlled by geopolitical rivals such as China, Russia and Iran. Franky also explores the breakdown of the post-Cold War international order, the rise of nationalism and strategic competition, the growing importance of industrial capacity, and the weaponisation of trade, resources and supply chains. He also discusses major geopolitical flashpoints including Iran, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, NATO, Africa, China and the future of AUKUS, while highlighting how emerging technologies such as AI, drones, autonomous systems and quantum computing are transforming warfare and economic power.

 

Franky is a decorated Command Pilot at the United States Air Force, where he has served for over two decades and completed over 1,300 combat hours in major operations such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Franky has over 3,700 hours of flight time in the C-17, E-11 BACN, T-6, and T-53; and has earned a Bronze Star in 2020 for commanding airbase operations at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Franky is currently a Principal Consultant at JLM Strategy and Research, a Fellow at the Payne Institute for Public Policy and the Co-Principal Investigator at the Defense Security Cooperation University. Franky also holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University where he is also Visiting Researcher.

 

Franky was a Military Professor at the U.S. Naval War College. He was also a Research Fellow at the European Resilience Initiative Center, SAGE Fellow at AFWERX, Fellow at the Irregular Warfare Initiative and an Associate Professor in MSS & Director of Research for SWC at United States Air Force Academy. In addition, he was the Minerva Co-Principal Investigator and Researcher at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. He is currently the most published active-duty officer serving with 2 books and over 200 articles on the defense industrial base, strategy, and warfare.

 

Please note: this episode was recorded on 24 June 2026.

 

Disclaimer: The views of Lt. Col. Matisek are his own and not those of the U.S. Air Force, Department of War, or the U.S. Government.

In Episode 171 of the No Limitations Podcast&nbsp;The Dirty Mix, Blenheim Partners&rsquo; Gregory Robinson speaks to Lt. Col. Jahara &ldquo;Franky&rdquo; Matisek (PhD), Principal Consultant, JLM Strategy and Research; Senior Fellow at the Payne Institute for Public Policy; and Visiting Scholar at Northwestern University.
&nbsp;
In a wide-ranging discussion, Franky returns to talk on the shifting global geopolitical and economic landscape, which is centred on what he describes as the &ldquo;revenge of the industrial age&rdquo;. Franky argues that decades of globalisation have left Western economies dangerously dependent on complex international supply chains, particularly for critical minerals, energy, manufacturing and technology inputs that are increasingly controlled by geopolitical rivals such as China, Russia and Iran. Franky also explores the breakdown of the post-Cold War international order, the rise of nationalism and strategic competition, the growing importance of industrial capacity, and the weaponisation of trade, resources and supply chains. He also discusses major geopolitical flashpoints including Iran, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, NATO, Africa, China and the future of AUKUS, while highlighting how emerging technologies such as AI, drones, autonomous systems and quantum computing are transforming warfare and economic power.
&nbsp;
Franky is&nbsp;a&nbsp;decorated Command Pilot at the United States Air Force,&nbsp;where he has served for over two decades and completed over 1,300 combat hours in major operations such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Franky has over 3,700 hours of flight time in the C-17, E-11 BACN, T-6, and T-53; and has earned a Bronze Star in 2020 for commanding airbase operations at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Franky is currently a Principal Consultant at JLM Strategy and Research, a Fellow at the Payne Institute for Public Policy and the Co-Principal Investigator at the Defense Security Cooperation University. Franky also holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University where he is also Visiting Researcher.
&nbsp;
Franky was a Military Professor at the U.S. Naval War College. He was also a Research Fellow at the European Resilience Initiative Center, SAGE Fellow at AFWERX, Fellow at the Irregular Warfare Initiative and an Associate Professor in MSS &amp; Director of Research for SWC at United States Air Force Academy. In addition, he was the Minerva Co-Principal Investigator and Researcher at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. He is currently the most published active-duty officer serving with 2 books and over 200 articles on the defense industrial base, strategy, and warfare.
&nbsp;
Please note: this episode was recorded on 24 June 2026.
&nbsp;
Disclaimer: The views of Lt. Col. Matisek are his own and not those of the U.S. Air Force, Department of War, or the U.S. Government.

There's No Possible Way Out Until There Is | Graeme Cowan

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