About Dear 21 Year Old Me - life lessons from leaders
Anchored by their 21st birthday and reflecting on their aspirations, our guest discusses how their perspectives on life and leadership have been framed, what critical life and leadership lessons they’ve learned, and what they would say today to their 21-year-old self.
In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Shannon Brown
We go back in time to 2005 when Shannon turned 21.
Shannon reflects on his career in music and what he was doing when he celebrated his 21st!
We talk about how he got into music and how he joined The Ten Tenors.
What was it like to tour and perform around the world?
We discuss how he became a musical director.
Shannon talks about working in the arts and leadership lessons he's learned along the way.
Shannon reflects on his music to-do list.
We ask Shannon what he'd say to his 21-year-old self, and what Shannon at 21 would say to himself now.
Links
NSW Schools Spectacular - Go the Distance (https://youtu.be/ED8lNB8SeLw?si=qXNs5wtQkTSZlGwk) - YouTube
Shannon singing Australian National Anthem Australia Day 2009 (https://youtu.be/SacWN6M0Kys?si=z92QJvhonKN4kRgI) - YouTube
Anthony Warlow and Philip Quast - Lily's Eyes (https://youtu.be/6-RYHcyhLqk?si=YGTySphWc8KtvwYQ) - YouTube
Simon Gleeson and Kane Richardson (another!) Lily's Eyes (https://youtu.be/P57EM8RAr9Q?si=U0YC4SBt0LIwo5dm) - YouTube
Mahler's Symphony No. 8 - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein 1975 (https://youtu.be/gOddn8-35c0?si=VoK1Afr4mi1HZ4Hb) -YouTube
Mahler's Symphony No. 9 - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein 1975 (https://youtu.be/IoNEeKJ2x44?si=kPzLfQxlzPHXp0YB) - YouTube
Mormon Tabernacle Choir - John Rutter - For the Beauty of the Earth (Mormon Tabernacle Choir - John Rutter - For the Beauty of the Earth) - YouTube
Shannon Brown - website (https://www.shannonbrown.com.au/)
Shannon Brown - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@bombrown)
NSW Talent Development Program (https://www.talentdevelopmentproject.org.au/)
National Boys' Choir (https://nationalboyschoir.com.au/)
Dear 21 Year Old Me website (https://jeremyirvine.com.au/podcasts/dear-21-year-old-me/)
Jeremy Irvine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremymirvine/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremymirvine/)
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23 Oct 2025
E14: Heidi Farren
In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Heidi Farren
We go back in time to 2014 when Heidi turned 21.
Heidi reflects on her career in the tourism industry and how at seven years of age, she knew she wanted to run a business
We talk about how she got into tourism and created Altitude Tours
What did COVID 19 mean for Heidi's business and what it was like in a tourism region ?
We discuss how to "personalise the ordinary and systemise the extraordinary."
Heidi talks about building a business and embedding a customer-centric culture
We ask Heidi her go-to-places in Queenstown
We ask Heidi what she'd say to her 21-year-old self, and what Heidi at 21 would say to herself now.
Links
Altitude Tours https://www.altitudetours.co.nz/ (https://www.altitudetours.co.nz/)
Tourism Innovation Group https://tig.co.nz/ (https://tig.co.nz/)
Destination Queenstown https://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/ (https://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/)
Dear21 Year Old Me website (https://jeremyirvine.com.au/podcasts/dear-21-year-old-me)
Demand for choc-milk outstrips supply https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/10622246/Demand-for-choc-milk-outstrips-supply (https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/10622246/Demand-for-choc-milk-outstrips-supply)
Security guards monitor chocolate milkhttps://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/10648979/Security-guards-monitor-chocolate-milk (https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/10648979/Security-guards-monitor-chocolate-milk)
My Google review of Altitude Tours https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gt45zbF3B5vJqv137 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gt45zbF3B5vJqv137)
Jeremy Irvine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremymirvine/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremymirvine/)
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'Security guards monitor chocolate milk', stuff.co.nz, 22 October 2014
26 Sept 2025
E13: Ros Cardinal
In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Ros Cardinal
We go back in time to 1989 when Ros turned 21.
Ros reflects on her career in the federal public service and how she moved to running her own firm
We talk about a critical piece of feedback and what changed Ros's leadership mindset
What does AI and its impact mean for leaders?
We discuss being your best true self and what that means for leaders and their teams
We ask Ros her favourite and least favourite organisational phrases (during which we reference TV show Utopia - the character's name we talk about was Beverley, played by Rebecca Massey)
We ask Ros what she'd say to her 21-year-old self, and what Ros at 21 would say to herself now.
Links
Ros Klein https://www.shapingchange.com.au/ (https://www.shapingchange.com.au/)
The Resilient Employee (Amazon website) (https://www.amazon.com.au/Resilient-Employee-essential-thriving-workplace/dp/0994486804)
Jeremy Irvine https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremymirvine/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremymirvine/)
Dear21 Year Old Me website (https://jeremyirvine.com.au/podcasts/dear-21-year-old-me)
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23 Jul 2025
E12: Andrew Klein, MC, speaker, trainer
In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Andrew Klein
We go back in time to 1986 when Andrew turned 21.
Andrew reflects on his early career and what made him change career direction
We talk about the Sydney Olympics and Andrew's involvement
Why is 'Survivor' a TV show Andrew loves?!
We discuss being genuine and the importance of honesty in challenging situations
We ask Andrew what he'd say to his 21-year-old self, and what Andrew at 21 would say to himself now.
Links
Andrew Klein https://andrewklein.com.au/ (https://andrewklein.com.au/)
Jeremy Irvine https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremymirvine/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremymirvine/)
Dear21 Year Old Me website (https://jeremyirvine.com.au/podcasts/dear-21-year-old-me)
You're the Voice original music video (You)
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28 Mar 2024
E11: Sarah Makris, career success coach
Send us a text In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Sarah Makris We go back in time to 1997 when our guest, Sarah Makris, turned 21. Sarah reflects on her career journey, her drive, and determination. We discuss understanding your brand and the importance of simple, clear communication. Sarah steps back and looks at the contrasts between corporate life and running your own small business. We discuss how Sarah learns from others and the traits of being a good leader. We ask ...
17 Mar 2024
E10: John Bucchino, composer, songwriter, performer
Send us a text In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest John Bucchino We go back in time to 1972 when our guest, John Bucchino, turned 21, and look at his trip back to the East Coast from California. John reflects on his earliest musical influences and how he began songwriting. We talk about how John's composing evolved, and the importance of humility and being true to himself. John reflects on a critical lesson with an executive and what led to a key track in a Disney movie. Jo...
22 Feb 2024
E9: Garry Pearson OAM, teacher, association CEO, mentor
Send us a text In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Garry Pearson OAM We go back in time to 1973 when our guest, Garry Pearson, turned 21, and look at what was happening in the world, and closer to home back then. Garry reflects on his experiences commencing as a teacher and then moving into executive roles. We talk about how Garry's leadership style has evolved, and the importance of humility. Garry reflects on a critical early lesson learned. Garry talks about the im...
14 Apr 2023
E8: Craig Norenbergs - journalist, manager, and sports fan
Send us a text In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Craig Norenbergs We go back in time to 1989 when our guest, Craig Norenbergs, turned 21, and look at what was happening in the world, and closer to home back then. Craig reflects on his experiences growing up in Canberra. We talk about how Craig's leadership style has evolved, and the importance of humility. Craig reflects on how he got his start in the media, driving across two states to try and do so, and how literal...
28 Mar 2023
E7: Michael Manthorpe PSM - former senior Australian Public Servant
Send us a text In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Michael Manthorpe PSM We go back in time to 1984, when our guest, Michael Manthorpe, turned 21, and look at what was happening in the world, and closer to home back then. Michael reflects on his experiences growing up in Queensland, and how then he eventually joined the Australian Public Service. We talk about how Michael's leadership style evolved, and the importance of curiosity. Michael looks back on his care...
18 Feb 2023
E6: Russell Dixon - entertainer, director, leadership coach
Send us a text In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Russell Dixon. We go back in time to 1996, when our guest, Russell Dixon, turned 21, and look at what was happening in the world, and closer to home back then. Russell reflects on his experiences growing up in Dunedin, New Zealand, and then he eventually got involved in the world of entertainment. We talk about how Russell's leadership style on and off stage has evolved, and Russell and Jeremy share reflections on some...
6 Aug 2022
E5: Katherine Rich - former politician, association CEO, and roller-skater
Send us a text In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Katherine Rich. We go back in time to 1988, when our guest, Katherine Rich, turned 21, and look at what was happening in the world, and closer to home back then. Katherine reflects on her experiences growing up in Dunedin, New Zealand, and then how she eventually got involved in politics. We talk about how Katherine approached some significant public policy debates during her time in Parliament and how she stayed true ...
Send us a text In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Doug Weller. We go back in time to 1977, when our guest, Doug Weller, turned 21, and look at what was happening in the world, and closer to home back then. Doug reflects on his experiences growing up in Queensland, and how he took some chances that came his way and ended up in regional radio. We talk about how Doug backed himself and forged a career in journalism including as a foreign correspondent and his time ...
6 Sept 2021
E3: Darcy Milne - radio and podcast whiz
Send us a text In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Darcy Milne. We go back in time to 2015, when our guest, Darcy Milne, turned 21, and look at what was happening in the world, and closer to home back then. Darcy talks about his career on and off-air, and how he cut a deal with his school principal that saw him eventually work on one of Australia's top radio shows - and then, why he left it, and what he loves about what he's doing. We talk about how Darcy met his now-...
26 Aug 2021
E2: Hacia Atherton - empowering women in trades
Send us a text In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Hacia Atherton. We go back in time to 2009, when our guest, Hacia Atherton, turned 21, and look at what was happening in the world, and closer to home back then. Hacia talks about how her life was framed by her passion for horses, and how an accident changed her view of the world - and herself - in an instant. We talk about how Hacia literally had to learn how to walk again, and in doing so, decided how she want...
9 Jun 2021
E1: Stuart Wenn - finance executive and AFL umpire
Send us a text In this episode of Dear 21-Year-Old Me, with guest Stuart Wenn. We go back in time to 1990, when our guest, Stuart Wenn, turned 21, and look at what was happening in the world, and closer to home back then. Stuart talks about his career on and off-field, and what it took to be at top of his 'game' - an Australian Football League field umpire - and how a chat with his school coach was a sliding door moment that set him on the path for umpiring. The discipline, focus, a...
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