Currently we are all coping with incredible levels of disruption and change. For the past 10 years, Dr. Adam Fraser in partnership with Dr. John Molineux from Deakin University have been researching and studying how do we have a more constructive relationship with struggle and discomfort. Adam is renowned Internationally as a peak performance researcher and expert who helps organisations and individuals push beyond their potential. What is unique about his research is that it focuses on how do people go beyond their potential without the collateral damage that normally comes with elite performance. A self confessed research obsessed "nut", Adam has forged a stellar career now as a best selling author ( "Third Space" and "Strive"), keynote speaker and media commentator. Adam brings a refreshing evidence-based honesty that goes to core of the inherent resilience of human beings. Collectively Adam and Avril do not believe people need to be more resilient, on the contrary, they need to practice better self care to strive, thrive and survive!

In this podcast, our 5th episode of AHAA! Moments, we hear Part 2 of Avril Henry's deep, entertaining and illuminating discussion with Australia's leading demographer, Bernard Salt. Avril and Bernard discuss the rise of China, artificial intelligence, the workforce of the future and expanding our understanding of the impact of global mega trends on Australia - especially now in the era of COVID-19. They dig deep into their immense collective leadership experience and expertise to also discuss how Australia will need to manage its relationship with China going forward into the 2020's. We also hear about the clear data that predicts that the largest population of Australian's born somewhere else will be Chinese by the mid 2020s, and what this means for us all. Bernard illuminates us with his own research into what he refers to as the "trust deficit" with Governments, institutions and corporation's and we even find out the real story behind his most famous of coined phrases globally - "smashed avocado".

In the midst of the Global COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Avril Henry interviews the legendary demographer, media personality, researcher and author, Bernard Salt - informative, articulate, humorous and globally famous for the term "smashed avocado". As fellow "numbers nerds", Bernard and Avril will take listeners on a fascinating journey of changes predicted for the 2020s based on Bernard's unique and powerful research. This podcast was recorded in early March as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Australia with force. They discuss generational changes in leadership, politics, social and work structures and what Australia is likely to look like post COVID-19. Boomers are offended by being seen as senior citizens and don't want to retire, while Gen Xs want Boomers to just go away , and Gen Y are coming to terms with being adults with their own family demands. Gen Ys and Gen Zs will lead the way in the new digital economy and change the way we work and live, all being accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its severe consequences. The world has changed forever and nothing will the same ever again. Tune in for a lively, fun discussion.

In Part 2 of Avril Henry's interview with the Australian Icon of Women's Rights, Wendy McCarthy AO, we hear so much more about Wendy's life journey as one of Australia's and the world's most influential intellectuals in the space of women's rights, education and reproductive rights. In 2001 Wendy was voted a "Top 100" Australian Intellectual and in the same year she was noted in the publication "Power of One" as one of Australia's Top 100 people who impacted our nation's history. In Part 2 of this interview Avril and Wendy's discussion goes beyond Women's Reproductive Rights to her broad and deep life journey in making a meaningful and sustainable difference in change for women's rights broadly and education. They discuss the obstacles along Wendy's 50 year long journey in leadership, what it took to make a true and measurable difference for women's rights and what obstacles remain in 2020. We also learn more about their deep belief and experience in constructively engaging men in change for women and not just protesting and being outraged or "revolutionary" which is often not as effective and much more chaotic than collaborative engagement with men in power. In addition, another critical success factor for Wendy and other female leaders has been to lead women to better work and support each other together as a counterbalance to the power of the so called "boys club". This podcast brings to life what the saying "women hold up half the sky" really means and how a decades long "tribe" of educated women led by Wendy have changed the course of history.

In our second episode of AHAA! Moments, Avril Henry interview's the Australian icon of women's rights and in particular women's reproductive rights, Wendy MCarthy in a thought provoking and in depth two part podcast. "Women's sexual and reproductive rights have finally been recognized as human rights," the United Nations declared, going on to say that these rights "emerge from the recognition that equality in general, gender equality in particular, and the emancipation of women and girls are essential to society. Jan 20, 2009 Inequality and outright attacks against women are tearing reproductive rights and women's rights down, one policy at a time. By supporting reproductive rights that protect women's rights, we turn the tide for a more just, sustainable world. Abortion-rights movements, also referred to as pro-choice movements, advocate for legal access to induced abortion services. The issue of induced abortion remains divisive in public life, with recurring arguments to liberalize or to restrict access to legal abortion services. Wendy McCarthy is an experienced businesswoman who has assumed many major leadership roles in both the public and private sectors for nearly forty years. Her first experience as a political lobbyist came about when, newly pregnant, she and her husband joined the Childbirth Education Association (CEA) in Sydney, campaigning for (amongst other things) the rights of fathers to be present at the births of their babies. Since then, she has had three children, and been an active change agent in women's health, education, broadcasting, conservation and heritage and Australian business. Her senior executive and non-executive positions have included: CEO - Family Planning Association of Australia (1979-84); Member - National Women's Advisory Council (1978-81); Member - Sydney Symphony Orchestra Council; Director - Australian Multicultural Foundation. She has held executive and non-executive director roles in many of Australia's leading private and public institutions including Executive Director, Australian Federation of Family Planning Associations; Deputy Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for eight years; General Manager of Marketing and Communications, the Australian Bicentennial Authority; Chair of the National Better Health Program; Executive Director of the National Trust; Director Star City; Chair of the Australian Heritage Commission; and Chair of Symphony Australia. In 2005 she completed ten years as Chancellor of the University of Canberra. She has been Chair of Circus Oz, McGrath National Youth Mental Health Foundation and Pacific Friends of the Global Foundation, and a Non-Executive Director to GoodStart Childcare Limited. In 2009 after 13 years of service to Plan International, she retired from her role as Global Vice Chair. She is Patron of the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance Wendy's contribution to Australian life has been recognised in various ways. In 1989 she became an Officer of the Order of Australia for her contribution to community affairs, women's affairs and the Bicentennial celebrations, and in 1996 she received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of South Australia. In 2003 she was awarded a Centenary of Federation Medal.

We remember where we were and what we were doing when those AHAA! Moments occurred, and our lives are changed forever. This podcast series shares with you the AHAA! Moments of well renowned Australian and international leaders, covering topics as broad as artificial intelligence, the future of work, gender equity, women's reproductive rights, cybersecurity, sustainability and geopolitics, from the likes of Wendy McCarthy, Bernard Salt, Ann Sherry, and Keith Suter to name just a few. In this first episode of AHAA! Moments, we present a trailer for the entire 2020 series by Avril. Following you will have the opportunity to hear Avril interviewed by Avril Henry & Associates CEO, David Kwasha, as we discuss her AHAA! Moments during an illustrious career as a transformational leader in the corporate world to becoming a renowned speaker, author, coach and consultant after deliberately leaving corporate life and setting up her own independent business - Avril Henry and Associates. As the series evolves over 2020, Avril and her amazing guests give us all thought provoking and illuminating insight into their own epiphanies with unique and inspiring lessons in a broad breadth of topics for leaders now and in the near future. Avril Henry is the Founder and Executive Director of Avril Henry & Associates. An acclaimed keynote speaker, consultant, coach, mentor and author, who is passionate about diversity and inclusion, developing collaborative leaders and positive workplaces. Over 16 years her consulting business has helped organisations to change their culture and build their leadership capability. Avril's career has spanned senior roles in finance, project management, change management and human resources in South Africa, Australia, the UK and USA. In 2015 Avril was named one of the Australian Financial Review (AFR) Westpac 100 Women of Influence in Australia, and one of the 10 most influential women in the diversity space. She has been recognised by the Human Rights Commission and received business awards in Australia and the USA, for her diversity programs. She has received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement in HR Award at the Australian Human Resources Awards and received a global award for Excellence in Leadership Coaching. Avril has been a senior advisor on cultural transformation, gender and diversity to the Chief of Defence, Chief of Army, Australia; the ACT Commissioner of Emergency Services and was a member of the Navy People & Capability Committee for over a decade. Avril has coached Generals and Brigadiers in the Australian Army, including the Chief of Army and Head of Special Forces, ambassadors in foreign services and CEOs. Her clients cover banks, mining, construction, IT, health, universities, pharmaceuticals and biotech's, state & federal government departments and cabinet ministries. She is the author and co-author of several books on leadership, the different generations at work and gender. Avril is regularly on ABC national radio and TV and writes for several business magazines. She lives in Sydney and Mollymook with her husband and two Spoodles, who keep her grounded!