About ’Influence Me’ Leadership Podcasts - Andrew Short AFSM
Leadership Podcast Series hosted by former Australian Emergency Services Senior Executive - Andrew Short AFSM. Season 3 commencing July 2025 focuses on thought-provoking conversations with leaders who influence the emergency services sector. The big challenges facing the industry are explored in this series, whilst emphasising the role of leadership in driving progress. As the title suggests, I’m here to learn, grow, and be influenced - and I invite you to join the conversation. ”The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” - (William James) This is my philosophy.
Podcast contact is: influencemepodcast@icloud.com
“The Heart Behind the Uniform - Protecting the Protectors” - Dr Megan Kamath - Influence Me Podcast - Season 3 - Episode 8
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, yet many of the factors that contribute to poor cardiovascular health are especially common in emergency service careers—long hours, shift work, chronic stress, interrupted sleep and a tendency to put everyone else’s wellbeing ahead of our own.
In this episode of Influence Me, I’m joined by Dr. Megan Kamath, an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist based in Los Angeles. Her clinical and research interests sit at the intersection of patient care, research and education, with particular interests in heart failure, women’s cardiovascular health, preventive cardiology and leadership in healthcare.
Dr. Kamath is passionate about improving heart health through both patient care and education and is widely recognised for translating complex cardiovascular science into practical advice that helps people lead happier and healthier lives.
Together, we explore the hidden cardiovascular risks facing emergency service personnel, what the evidence tells us about prevention, what organisations can do to better support their people, and the practical steps individuals can take to improve their long-term health.
We also discuss her recent book - Resilient Cadence: A Poetry Anthology: My Journey in Medicine, available here at: https://www.amazon.com.au/Resilient-Cadence-Anthology-Journey-Medicine-ebook/dp/B0GZR8WS2N
Whether you’re serving on the frontline, leading a team or simply interested in living a longer and healthier life, I hope you find this conversation both informative and thought-provoking. #emergencyservices #leadership #crisis #cardiachealth #prevention #homesafe
14 Jun 2026
“From Incident to Insight - Learning Lessons in Emergency Services” - Brett Stephens - Influence Me Podcast - Season 3 - Episode 7
I recently joined Brett Stephens from 660 Productions for a timely discussion on lessons learnt in emergency services, and why organisational memory matters.
We discussed why it is critical that emergency services organisations do more than simply review past incidents, and it's got to be more than just releasing a Safety Bulletin. The real value comes from capturing the lessons, reinforcing good practice, and making sure that knowledge is passed on to current and future leaders, crews and teams.
We also explored the role of documentary-style video production as a practical and powerful way to share operational knowledge across large and geographically dispersed workforces. In an environment where face-to-face training is not always possible, modern multimedia and internet-based platforms provide outstanding opportunities to make learning more accessible, engaging and enduring.
Leadership was a strong theme throughout the discussion. Good leaders do not allow hard-earned lessons to disappear with time, retirement or organisational change. They make sure those lessons are passed on, so others do not have to re-learn them the hard way.
As we discussed in the episode:
“In emergency services, lessons are often written in risk, sacrifice and consequence. The responsibility of leadership is to make sure they are not forgotten.”
A great conversation with Brett Stephens, and an important reminder that learning from experience is not just about looking back.
It is about building safer, wiser and more capable emergency services for the future.
A Revelation showcase of Brett’s previous work is available at: https://vimeo.com/1199982168?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
Brett is contactable via email: brett@sceniuspictures.com.au with his website being: https://sixsixtyproductions.com/
7 Jun 2026
“The Resilience Factor” - Leanne Riggs - Influence Me Podcast - Season 3 - Episode 6
My guest for this important episode is Leanne Riggs from "The Resilience Canopy".
As outlined on their website, The Resilience Canopy seeks to transform Australia’s response to social and climate challenges by placing communities at the centre of the solution.
Leanne is widely recognised for her ability to build trusted relationships, foster meaningful collaboration and apply emotional intelligence and creativity to drive positive change in people's lives. Combined with her previous experience in the emergency services sector, she brings a unique and practical perspective to one of the most important conversations facing Australia today.
In this episode, we explore the concept of community resilience and why some communities are better able to prepare for, withstand and recover from emergency incidents and disasters than others. We discuss the critical role of social connection, local leadership, preparedness and community capability, and why building resilience before disaster strikes may be one of the most important investments we can make as a nation.
I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and encourage you to learn more about the important work being undertaken by The Resilience Canopy at www.resiliencecanopy.com.au
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