Fearless conversations about mindful, purpose-driven and impactful leadership. marchfirst.substack.com
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May 5, 20261 hr 24 min
The Rainforest: Bonny Morlak
In this conversation, Bonny traces a life lived at full stretch: from stage designer in Cold War Berlin to web pioneer on the Sunshine Coast; from a rainforest off-grid in the Queensland hinterland, to the 61st floor of a Manhattan skyscraper — and the burnout that finally brought him to his knees.What emerges is a conversation about identity, stillness, the cost of people-pleasing, and what it actually means to grow up — as a man, a father, a leader.We talk about:* The childhood question that shapes who you become — whose love did you crave, and what did you have to do to get it?* Fast dopamine, the slot machine hidden in your phone, and why sitting under a tree might be the most radical act available to us* Three and a half years living without walls in a Queensland rainforest — and what nature quietly teaches you* The startup culture of performing confidence while the kitchen burns* Depression, burnout, and the fetal position that changed everything* Why nothing f***s up a startup quicker than running out of happiness* The one word swap that gives you your life back — replacing “I have to” with “I want to”* What real vulnerability looks like in leadership* Becoming best friends with your worst case scenario* And at 60, being the closest he’s ever been to knowing who he actually is Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe
April 14, 2026Episode 4846 min
A Quiet Revolution
Damian Karaula and Dimitri Antonopoulos sat down on a humid Melbourne morning. No agenda. No topic brief. Finally making time for a conversation.We started where a lot of conversations start right now: how do you stay sane in 2026? The noise, the news cycle, the algorithms designed to keep you anxious and activated. Damian talked about what that constant stimulation actually does to your nervous system, not as theory, but as something he notices in his own body. And we both landed on the same place: you don’t solve it by consuming better content. You solve it by reclaiming your spaces.From there we went deep. Rituals. Posture. Breath. Journaling. The difference between safe spaces and brave spaces. Why complaining is usually grief wearing a mask. Why most leadership failures start with unresolved inner work, not a lack of strategy.Damian talked about the idea of threshold keepers. Ancient figures in cultures who held space for people to move through difficult passages. He’s convinced we’re missing them now, and that there’s something profound in rebuilding that role for this moment, not through credentials or titles, but through the willingness to do your own work first.I shared what I’ve been reading about community and belonging, and what I keep coming back to: that every time we gather, we have the potential to model the future we want to create. Most people running meetings, workshops, conferences and boardrooms have never stopped to think about that.We also talked honestly about what excites us. Younger generations who aren’t buying the old story. Community as a genuine form of leadership. A Moth-style storytelling event we’re planning. Some panel conversations we’re putting together. The possibility of something more substantial, a few days together, later in the year._Referenced in this episodeThe Moth — the American storytelling organisation and podcast that inspired the spoken-word event format Damian and I are developing. Worth listening to if you’ve never come across it. themoth.orgMentor Hub — Damian Karaula’s organisation, where a lot of the resilience and leadership lab work he references is grounded.If this episode sparked something, here’s further readingCommunity: The Structure of Belonging — Peter Block. This is the book I was reading when we recorded. On what it actually takes to build genuine community, and why most attempts fail before they start.The Art of Gathering — Priya Parker. How we gather shapes what’s possible. One of the clearest books on why most meetings and events fail before they start.In Over Our Heads — Robert Kegan. On the gap between what modern life demands of us and what we’re actually equipped to handle. Dense but worth it.Lost Connections — Johann Hari. A readable, well-researched case for why belonging and community aren’t soft ideas, they’re survival.The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk. Everything Damian was pointing to about the nervous system, activation, and what we carry in our bodies. The science behind the conversation. Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe
December 15, 202554 min
Julia Cannatelli - Presence
In this episode, Dimitri Antonopoulos and Damian Karaula speak with psychologist Julia Cannatelli about vulnerability, resilience, and conscious leadership. Drawing on over 20 years of practice, Julia reflects on why healing and leadership both begin with relationship, and why many workplaces still struggle to create psychologically safe spaces.Together, they explore vulnerability as both necessary and risky, the tension between authenticity and belonging, and resilience as a skill built through discomfort rather than fearlessness. The conversation also touches on values as a stabilising force, purpose as a guiding direction rather than a destination, and the importance of self-reflection in an increasingly reactive world.The episode closes with a reminder that leadership is less about performance and certainty, and more about presence, humility, and the courage to stay human. Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe
November 3, 202550 min
Jon Owen — Wayside Chapel
In this powerful conversation, Dimitri and Damien sit down with Reverend Jon Owen, CEO and Pastor at Wayside Chapel, to explore the depth of what it means to live a life of purpose, service, and grace.From his early days working with asylum seekers and Aboriginal communities in Western Sydney, to his current role walking alongside people on the streets of Kings Cross, Jon has dedicated his life to what he calls “the work behind the work” — the inner journey that sustains outward service.Jon shares stories of courage, hope, and humility — from sheltering East Timorese families in the 1990s to reimagining leadership at the edges of society. He speaks with rare clarity about burnout culture, the power of slowing down, and why true spirituality isn’t about centring ourselves, but decentring — finding purpose in connection and community.Listen for:The difference between doing the work and being the workHow to sustain hope in the face of despairWhy leadership begins with humility and serviceThe spiritual discipline of getting out of your own wayWhat it means to “die well” — and finish with grace Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe
November 2, 20251 hr 8 min
Julia Symons — Grace & Leadership
In this episode of Fearless Conversations, Dimitri and Damien sit down with Julia Symons, Chief Impact Officer at Athletes for Hope Australia and former elite netballer, to explore the art of leadership through empathy, grace, and connection.Julia reflects on her journey from elite sport to the boardroom — to her current work helping athletes find purpose beyond sport. She shares insights into what it means to lead through listening, how grace can be a radical act in leadership, and why storytelling and humility matter more than ever.The conversation moves fluidly between the personal and the professional — the role of mentors, parenting as a mirror, and the quiet courage it takes to step out of the spotlight and make space for others.Listen for:The transition from elite sport to purpose-driven leadershipHow humility, grace, and curiosity shape impactThe role of mentorship and connection in personal growthWhy leadership should be accessible, not elitistWhat it means to care — truly — in your work and life Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe
August 22, 20251 hr 11 min
Cameron Schwab
In this episode of Fearless Conversations, Dimitri and Damian sit down with Cameron Schwab, former AFL CEO turned artist, coach, and leadership thinker. The conversation traces Cameron’s remarkable journey from the pressure of football boardrooms to the quiet practice of fine art, and how both worlds shaped his philosophy of leadership.The discussion begins with art as a mindful practice and the courage required to create space for interpretation. Cameron reflects on his time at the Victorian College of the Arts, where a teacher challenged him to bring vulnerability into his drawings — a lesson that resonated deeply with his approach to leadership.From his turbulent childhood and early appointment as CEO of Richmond at just 24, Cameron shares how courage became a learned skill. He talks about the difference between complex and complicated problems, the shift from a “got to” to a “get to” mindset, and the importance of defining reality while giving hope. His long-standing journaling practice — anchored in two questions, What’s important? and What’s possible? — provides a daily rhythm for resilience and clarity.The conversation moves into authenticity and creativity in leadership. Cameron explains why authentic leadership cannot exist without bravery, and why creativity is essential for leaders facing ambiguity and complexity. He draws on influences from Rick Rubin, Steven Pressfield, and his own legacy in pioneering women’s football, showing how constraint often sparks innovation.The episode closes with reflections on legacy, human leadership, and the responsibility to create workplaces that balance high performance with high well-being. Cameron leaves us with a powerful reminder: leadership is less about answers, and more about creating the conditions for people to thrive together. Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe
November 1, 20241 hr 3 min
Nikos Psaltopoulos - Empathy
In this episode of Fearless Conversations we are joined by one of Dimitri's life-long friends, Nikos Psaltopoulos, to discuss the importance of vulnerability, empathy, and connection in a fast-paced and often demanding world. The conversation begins with a reflection on the hero's journey as a metaphor for our own lives. The three friends then explore the challenges of navigating bad leadership, the importance of finding moments of renewal and regeneration, and the courage it takes to break away from societal expectations.Nikos shares his personal experiences of transitioning from a corporate career to flying in and out of Athens for work, highlighting the challenges and rewards of creating a life that aligns with his values and priorities. He emphasises the significance of embracing vulnerability and showing up authentically, even when it feels lonely or uncertain.The conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of cultural connection and the unique experiences of being third-culture kids. The three friends reflect on the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving and sharing our cultural heritage. Tank | Marchfirst | Mentorhub | Totheo Global | The Might Kitchen Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe
July 4, 202448 min
Vulnerability
Damian and Dimitri catch up after both turn 50 and reflect on the power of vulnerability, the need for connection and how the hustle-pressure to remain productive is not serving as well at all.…..Support the podcast.Subscribe for podcast updatesTank WebsiteMentorhub WebsiteSubscribe to The Weekly Journal of Creative LeadershipSubscribe to The Tank Quarterly Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe
April 25, 202450 min
Nick Pearce - HoMie
In this deep and insightful conversation, we meet with Nick Pearce, the founder of HoMie, a social impact venture focused on supporting homeless people through a unique retail and training model. Nick shares his journey of starting HoMie, the challenges and insights he's encountered, and the importance of approaching social issues with curiosity, humility, and a focus on human connection. …..Support the podcast.Subscribe for podcast updatesTank WebsiteMentorhub WebsiteSubscribe to The Weekly Journal of Creative LeadershipSubscribe to The Tank Quarterly Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe
March 21, 20241 hr 10 min
Michelle Grace Hunder - Rise
What does it take to make an impact with creativity, leadership, and a camera?Michelle Hunder is one of Australia’s most celebrated, awarded and revered music photographers. Her transformative journey to becoming a renowned music photographer, and her projects like 'Rise' and 'Her Sound, Her Story,' demonstrate her resilience against adversity, and the discovery of her identity.Enjoy this wonderful conversation with one of our dear friends, Michelle Hunder Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe
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