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Megan Draper | The CEO Turning Discarded Furniture into Human Dignity

Megan Draper | The CEO Turning Discarded Furniture into Human Dignity

DescriptionIn this episode of the Power Of Women Podcast, host Di Gillett speaks with Megan Draper, Founder and CEO of Furniture Reuse Solutions (FRS) — a 100% female-owned environmental company that has quietly redefined what it means to lead with purpose.

Megan was raised to believe that women were meant to be subservient to men — homemakers in the background, while men took the lead as breadwinners. A chance encounter at a gas station led her into the world of recycling and environmental logistics. Today, she leads a company that has redirected more than £60 million worth of surplus furniture to over 200 nonprofits and humanitarian organisations — avoiding landfill and transforming lives in the process.

We explore the growing intersection of sustainability, circular economy principles, and social responsibility — and how impact-led leadership is no longer optional in today’s business landscape. This episode is for anyone building something bigger than themselves — especially women navigating leadership, visibility, and purpose in a world that still questions their right to take the lead.

In this episode we reveal:

  • The truth about leading in a male-dominated industry
  • How one desk or chair can transform a child’s future
  • The power of circular economy thinking in business
  • Why real leadership today must include social impact

New episodes drop every Monday to power your week.

Judy King | Reclaiming Her Life After Childhood Trauma

Judy King | Reclaiming Her Life After Childhood Trauma

Judy King is the first octogenarian guest on the Power Of Women Podcast — and she is nothing short of extraordinary. Now living her best life in Mallorca, Judy’s story is a powerful journey of success and healing, after unearthing repressed childhood memories.

Our conversation is a true emotional rollercoaster. We celebrate Judy’s remarkable achievements, including her domination of the Paddington real estate market in the 1960s — a feat few women could dream of at the time. But behind the success, Judy battled hidden demons: repressed childhood memories that left her overwhelmed by a persistent, haunting sense of failure. In recent years, therapy helped Judy unlock deeply buried truths — a harrowing history of undiagnosed trauma, sexual abuse, abandonment, emotional deprivation, and lifelong impacts on her mental health.

Judy shares her raw and courageous story with us, offering hope and wisdom for anyone who has faced darkness and fought their way back to the light.

Her full journey is captured in her powerful new book, AGNES – A Childhood Betrayed and Reclaimed.

Content Warning: This episode discusses topics related to child sexual abuse, trauma, and mental health.

In this episode:

  • Judy King is on a mission to help adult survivors of child abuse.
  • Her childhood experiences shaped her problem-solving skills.
  • Judy’s entrepreneurial spirit was driven by a desire to survive.
  • Judy became a recluse to focus on her personal issues.
  • Buddhism provided her with kindness and a new perspective.
  • Confronting her childhood trauma was a pivotal moment in her healing.

New episodes drop every Monday to power your week.

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Judy’s book is available:

Amazon https://www.amazon.com.au/Agnes-childhood-reclaimed-Judy-King/dp/1761096974 and at major bookstores.

10% of author royalties will be donated to the Blue Knot Foundation: https://blueknot.org.au/

Debbie Lee | So You Want to Write a Book? Here’s How.

Debbie Lee | So You Want to Write a Book? Here’s How.

So, you want to write a book? Debbie Lee on how to get published.

If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming an author, this episode of the Power Of Women Podcast is a must-listen!

The world of publishing is evolving, and today’s authors must do more than just write—they need to promote themselves through podcasts, social media, literary festivals, and every opportunity that comes their way. As publishing veteran and owner of Ginninderra Press, Debbie Lee understands this shift firsthand. Bequeathed the company by its founder, Stephen Matthews, she carries the deep responsibility of honouring his legacy while navigating the industry’s modern challenges.

In this episode of the Power Of Women Podcast, Debbie and Di dive into the multifaceted world of publishing. From the crucial role of professional editing to the expanding formats of books, they explore the key elements every writer must consider. They also discuss common pitfalls in manuscript submissions, the realities of book-to-screen adaptations, and the growing impact of censorship on literature.

Plus, with more women than ever finding their voices in publishing, self-promotion has never been more important. Authors can no longer hide behind their pages—it’s time to step into the spotlight.

New episodes drop every Monday to power your week.

Debbie Lee | So You Want to Write a Book? Here’s How.

In his episode, we explore:

  • How print on demand technology has revolutionized the publishing industry, allowing for more flexibility and accessibility for indie authors.
  • The indie publishing landscape is changing, with authors needing to adapt to new realities.
  • Authors must invest in the editing and design process to ensure their book is of high quality.
  • Engaging a qualified editor is crucial for authors.
  • Women authors are increasingly finding their voice in the industry.

 

Connect with Di:

Connect with Di on LinkedIn

Follow Power Of Women on LinkedIn

Follow Di on Instagram

The Power Of Women Podcast Instagram

Contact Di

 

Find Debbie Lee at:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-e-lee/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ginninderra_press/

Website https://ginninderrapress.com.au/

 

Jo Scard | Could Working From Home Sway the Federal Election?

Jo Scard | Could Working From Home Sway the Federal Election?

Could the push to keep working from home be the sleeper issue that sways the next federal election?

In this bonus episode of the Power Of Women Podcast, Di sits down with Jo Scard — Founder & CEO of Fifty Acres, one of Australia’s leading impact communications and engagement agencies. With deep expertise in political strategy and public perception, Jo unpacks how working from home and the fight to protect flexibility at work could become one of the most politically charged issues of our time.

Are flexible work arrangements just a workplace trend — or a defining electoral issue?

In this episode:

– Creating a workplace that accommodates personal needs is essential.

– There is no one-size-fits-all model for flexible work.

– Trust in employees is crucial for effective remote work policies.

– Trust in employees is crucial for effective remote work policies.

– The perception of productivity needs to evolve in modern workplaces.

New episodes drop every Monday to power your week.

Karen Faehndrich | A Laser Focus on Leadership Performance & Capability

Karen Faehndrich | A Laser Focus on Leadership Performance & Capability

In this episode of the Power of Women podcast, Karen Faehndrich unpacks leadership performance & capability, emphasising leadership requires courage and adaptive thinking. She opens up about the power of self-advocacy, the importance of building strategic relationships, and the unique hurdles women often face in leadership. Karen dives into the critical role of listening and understanding workplace dynamics, sharing personal insights on overcoming anxiety and boosting confidence in both academic and professional settings.

Karen and Di Gillett explore the nuances of leadership; focus on emotional intelligence; the value of trust; the pitfalls of artificial harmony in teams, the necessity of cultural sensitivity; the importance of women advocating for themselves and continuously striving for leadership excellence.

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Personal Growth

05:54 Overcoming Academic Anxiety and Embracing Confidence

08:53 Building Strategic Relationships for Career Advancement

12:05 Identifying True Advocates in the Workplace

14:54 The Importance of Self-Advocacy and Communication

21:05 Challenges Faced by Women in Leadership

24:00 The Long Game: Navigating Gender Bias in the Workplace

32:30 Cultural Sensitivity and Team Dynamics

36:15 The Impact of Emotional Intelligence

40:16 Women in Leadership: Challenges and Advocacy

46:19 Pursuing Leadership Excellence

 

Connect with Di:

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Find Guest Name at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenfaehndrich/

Rachel Neylan OLY | The Power of Choices Over Sacrifices

Rachel Neylan OLY | The Power of Choices Over Sacrifices

Di talks with Rachel Neylan, former professional road cyclist, Olympian, and all-around powerhouse about the power of choices not sacrifices, on this episode of the Power of Women Podcast. From a young girl watching the Olympics on TV to standing on the podium as a World Championship silver medallist, Rachel’s perseverance is nothing short of inspiring.

We dive into:

✨ The calculated risks and choices [note she doesn’t call these sacrifices] Rachel took to achieve success in professional cycling

✨ How resilience and work ethic shaped her career and personal growth

✨ The importance of identity and purpose beyond athletics

✨ Powerful insights on the parallels between high performance in sports and business

✨ Her transition from elite sports to a new path in performance coaching and consulting

Rachel’s story is a testament to the power of determination, adaptability, and self-belief. Making the transition from athlete to consultant & high-performance coach, Rachel draws on her combined success as a professional athlete and academic knowledge to incorporate her unique insights into high-performance optimisation, resilience-building and team optimisation. What is irrefutable is her passion for empowering others combined with her infectious enthusiasm.

New podcast episodes drop every Monday to power your week.

Connect with Di:

Connect with Di on LinkedIn

Follow Power Of Women on LinkedIn

Follow Di on Instagram

The Power Of Women Podcast Instagram

Contact Di

 

Find Rachel Neylan at:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-neylan/

Website https://www.rachelneylan.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rachneylan/