Building agency.
In each episode, we explore the diverse ways our guests approach challenges in their lives. Asking how they go about building agency into their actions, how they confront fears and what they have learnt along the way.
The intention of the conversations this year is that they will help to inform the building process of a learning tool/experience to help combat the rise of eco-anxiety in our youth. The tool/experience is being developed throughout 2024.
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Masculinity in the Age of Algorithms: A Conversation with Dr Krista Fisher of Movember
Dr. Krista Fisher of Movember discusses how digital spaces and algorithms impact young men's health, relationships, and well-being in an interview with Patrick Beggs.
26 Feb 2025
From Comedy to Copy: Ray Connolly on Words That Win Hearts
Welcome back to the podcast! Today, we’re diving into the heart of storytelling, comedy, and the art of vulnerability with the brilliant Ray Connolly. Ray Connolly is an award-winning copywriter in Los Angeles, California. He also performs stand up comedy around the country and Europe. He’s punched up CEO keynotes, wrangled celebrities on set and crafted brand identities for startups and tech behemoths alike. Before finding advertising, Ray spent fifteen years working as a line cook, rafting guide, fish monger, among other grueling jobs. He co-parents two young boys.
In this episode, we explore how personal experiences inform professional storytelling, the delicate balance of vulnerability in branding, and the power of saying, "I don't know." Ray also shares insights from his process of developing stories for LinkedIn and his forthcoming book, tentatively titled I Can't Believe It's Not Better. Whether you're looking for lessons in crafting compelling narratives or just a good laugh, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss.
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27 Jan 2025
Storytelling Through Sport: Patrick Skene on Belonging, Unity, and Hope
In this episode of Picking Up Rocks, we’re joined by Patrick Skene, the founder of Cultural Pulse (https://culturalpulse.com.au/) and a master storyteller who has spent 15 years building bridges between sport, culture, and history. From his early days playing makeshift cricket matches with kids on holiday to authoring acclaimed books like The Big O and Celestial Footy, Patrick has always been captivated by the way sport unites and inspires.
Patrick shares his perspective on the unique power of sport as a level playing field—one where culture, community, and competition intersect in meaningful ways. We discuss everything from his work igniting fan engagement through multicultural marketing to his passion for celebrating match officials and coaching his Under-6s football team.
Expect insights into the profound role of storytelling in sport, the importance of meeting communities where they are, and why he believes sport teaches us to navigate life’s victories and defeats. It’s a conversation filled with hope, reflection, and a love for the timeless magic of the game.
Whether you’re a sports fanatic, a storytelling enthusiast, or someone curious about how to create connections through culture, this episode is for you.
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20 Nov 2024
A thirst for life and Surviving Against the Odds: Chris Jankulovski’s Journey of Resilience, Intuition, and Purpose
Chris Jankulovski, a speaker, entrepreneur, and author with a rare genetic disorder, shares his extraordinary journey of resilience and purpose, leveraging intuition and hope to thrive against life-threatening medical challenges.
30 Sept 2024
The Ultimate Challenge of Building Agency with Derek McCormack
In this episode, Derek McCormack joins host Patrick Beggs to share his insight into the ultimate challenge of building agency in selves and others, through Parenthood. Derek is director at the Raising Children Network and has a refreshing take on “parenting experts,” that there are none. Emphasising that parenting is an evolving practice of guiding behavior, providing emotional support, and managing daily care. The conversation explores how societal shifts, like the attention economy and climate anxiety, have made the role more challenging, yet the fundamental principles of raising children remain unchanged.
Derek offers insight into how the Raising Children Network (https://raisingchildren.net.au/) delivers research-backed, actionable guides, to parents in a world where misinformation can spread rapidly. He shares personal reflections on raising his blended family and the delicate balance of care and independence as children grow. And how his parenting journey coincides with his professional journey with the Raising Children Network.
Looking forward, Derek paints a picture of a future where parenting support focuses more on children’s emotional well-being and expands to provide guidance for parents who are also caring for aging family members, reinforcing the importance of a community-centered approach to family life.
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18 Apr 2024
Embracing the Edge: Andy Pearson on doing the scary stuff and why it matters.
In this episode of "Picking Up Rocks," Andy Pearson, VP of Creative at Liquid Death, shares his insights on the power of facing fears and pushing personal limits. We track how engaging with 'scary stuff'—from his roles in ultramarathon running to innovative marketing strategies—has fueled growth and learning in his life across many aspects of it. Andy delves into his experience with the grueling Barkley Marathons, highlighting the intense challenges and psychological resilience required, while also sharing some keen insight into how the race was started and also finished for the first time by an outsider, free from pre conceived notions of whats possible. He connects these experiences to his professional work, where he employs fear-facing as a strategy to invigorate the branding and marketing of Liquid Death, helping turn a mundane category, bottled water, into an entertaining ever evolving show. Andy articulates how stepping into discomfort can lead to profound personal and professional breakthroughs, making a case for embracing fear as a pathway to discovery and innovation.
Andy Pearson has spent the last 15 years as both an advertising creative director and ultramarathoner in the US. For the last two and half years, he's lead all creative and marketing at Liquid Death as the VP of Creative, helping the brand become one of the fastest growing non-alcoholic beverages brands of all time. In his (very limited) free time, he's also the host of his own comedy running podcast called Between Two Pines.
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19 Mar 2024
Dr. Laura Jana's Guide to QI Skills: Building Proactive Resilience
Join our host, Patrick Beggs, in an powerful conversation with Dr. Laura Jana on future ready skill sets. Dr Jana a pioneering paediatrician and child development expert dives deep into the transformative power of QI skills, which Dr. Jana champions as essential tools for thriving in our unpredictable global landscape. With her divers background and insightful research, Dr. Jana unpacks how QI skills are pivotal in preparing individuals—not just children—for the challenges and opportunities of a future intertwined with artificial intelligence and ongoing global changes. Through vivid stories and real-world examples, she showcases the significant impact of these skills in fostering a culture of proactive resilience, collaborative problem-solving, and forward-thinking. Dr. Jana passionately argues for a shift in educational and personal development practices to embrace these key skills, ensuring listeners leave with a renewed perspective on resilience, ready to tackle the future with confidence and creativity.
Ted-talks referenced:
5 connections that will change children’s lives (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DFX7Cm-eLM)
Skills Every Child Will Need to Succeed in 21st century ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_1Zv_ECy0g)
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20 Feb 2024
Shining a Light: Innovating for Children's Health with Louise Baker
In this episode, join Starlight (https://www.starlight.org.au/) CEO Louise Baker to discuss the importance of innovation and storytelling in their organisation's mission. She shares insights into their innovative approach to improving children's hospital experiences, highlighting the power of accepting failure and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Louise and the Starlight team are pioneers in understanding that mental and physical health are intrinsically tied to one another. In this conversation, we learn how Starlight's creative solutions positively impact the lives of children and families facing health challenges.
Louise Baker is the CEO and Executive Director of The Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia, leading the organisation's purpose, vision, and strategic growth. Louise believes that the leadership of Starlight is both a responsibility and a privilege.
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23 Jan 2024
Future of Learning with Garry A. Bolles
In this episode join Gary A. Bolles for an conversation on the future of learning. We delve into how organisations are shaping the knowledge landscape, the evolution of learning from traditional methods to digital platforms, and the significant role of technology in education. Bolles offers deep insights into the changing nature of skills, the impact of artificial intelligence on learning, and the crucial roles businesses and employers play in fostering continuous learning and skill development. It's a thought-provoking look at education's transformation and the opportunities it presents for organisations and individuals alike.
Gary A. Bolles is based in San Francisco, California and is the Chair for the Future of Work with Singularity University and a partner in strategy consulting firm Charette, LLC. Formerly a co-founder of SoCap, SocialCapitalMarkets.net, the premier US-based event for impact entrepreneurs and funders, and served as the catalyzer for Kanect, a data-focused impact initiative in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State. He is a A globally recognised expert on the Future of learning and the future of work, he consults with C-suite leaders of global companies, labor and education leaders from Brazil to Canada, and global non-profits.
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6 Dec 2023
Resilient Futures: Interdisciplinary Paths to Community Empowerment
Join us for an inspiring session with Professor Briony Rogers, CEO of Fire to Flourish at Monash Sustainable Development Institute. Today, we delve into the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing in empowering communities to co-design resilient futures amidst disasters.
Professor Rogers brings to light the significance of integrating diverse fields of expertise to tackle the complexities of climate change and disaster recovery. She discusses how combining knowledge from various disciplines leads to more innovative, inclusive, and effective solutions for community resilience.
This episode highlights the power of knowledge sharing and the incorporation of multiple perspectives in developing sustainable strategies. We explore the journey of communities that have successfully harnessed interdisciplinary approaches to rebuild and reimagine their futures, turning adversity into an opportunity for growth and sustainable development.
Reference list:
Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict; Donna Hicks; 2010
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15 Nov 2023
Re-defining The Narrative with Andreas Tzortzis
In this episode of Picking up Rocks Podcast, we have Andreas Tzortzis. Andreas, a former journalist and brand storyteller at Red Bull, who later shaped the customer experience at Apple Store. Now, he's embarked on a new journey in Amsterdam, founding his consultancy Hella, focusing on voice and narrative strategies for brands. His unique approach to redefining his path, grounded in his rich career history and personal life, offers valuable insights into living by doing and leading by example. Join us as Andreas shares his compelling story of transformation, illustrating the power of narrative in both personal and professional realms and our ability to own it and more importantly redefine it and our place within.
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20 Sept 2023
Future of content with Fred Grinstein
In this episode, we are joined by a very special guest, Fred Grinstein, who is here to discuss the pivotal moment content is currently experiencing. With a 14-year tenure in Film/TV development executive roles, Fred has navigated the Hollywood dream, working with industry giants such as Anonymous Content, Vice Media, and A&E Network, to name a few.
His expertise lies in unscripted content, navigating the intersections of culture and society, and ushering them into the mainstream through the screen.
We are incredibly excited to share this conversation with you. Fred's insight, courage, and candor in the face of uncertainty are invaluable, especially considering the current global climate.
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22 Aug 2023
Decoding the Digital Maze: Empowering Grassroots Voices with Chris Cooper
In this episode Patrick and Chris Cooper dive deep. Join them as they tackle the challenges of disinformation in the digital era and delve into the tools that empower organisations to decipher and traverse the intricate maze of online narratives. Discover the strategies employed behind the curtains to battle misinformation and gather insights on how grassroots organisations can amplify their voice in a crowded digital space. The conversation is an attempt to shed some light on the critical need for a more wholesome information ecosystem in today's world and allow grassroots, community-driven orgs a fair shake of the attention sauce battle.
Chris is a Freelance Advocacy strategy, disinformation + climate change expert working across Asia-Pacific. The former Senior Campaign director + Head Of Office, APAC for Purpos (A Civic and Social Organisations, who builds and supports movements to advance the fight for an open, just, and habitable world)
Chris just left his post as Executive Director at Reset Australia, and is now a non Executive director.
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26 May 2023
Discovering Resilience: Simon Goodrich's Journey with Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome
In this episode of the Picking Up Rocks Podcast, we explore Simon Goodrich's inspiring story and the mindset that shapes his life. He opens up about his experiences with Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome (https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/von-hippel-lindau-syndrome) (VHL) – a hereditary condition characterized by tumors emerging in multiple organs. To date, he has undergone seven major surgeries, including four brain surgeries to remove brain tumors. Join us as we delve into Simon's extraordinary journey and uncover the resilience behind his success as trailblazer in the purpose-led design industry in Australia, Simon continually pushes the limits of possibility.
Simons Bio:
Simon Goodrich is a co-founder of Portable (https://portable.com.au/), a purpose-driven digital design agency with a mission to address social need and policy failure using human-centred design and technology. It delivers technology-based and design-thinking informed solutions and innovation in the form of useful, accessible products and services which place the user experience at their centre. Since 2006, Portable has delivered over 800 digital and design projects in the impact areas of justice, mental health and government transformation.
Simon is a Senior Honorary Fellow at Melbourne Law School and Melbourne School of Government at The University of Melbourne. He is the Australian Ambassador for the New York-based International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, dubbed the Oscars for Online. Simon is a fellow of the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre at Victoria University, a leading justice innovation body and is a past National President of AIMIA, at the time the peak digital body in Australia.
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Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
1,591
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 23 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
10
Social presence
0
YouTube
65
Engagement
27
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