What does it mean to be human in an age of AI, algorithms, and endless optimization?

In this conversation, Dara Simkin—Australia's leading voice on play at work and founder of Culture Hero—shares insights from her upcoming book "Full Stack Human: The Mindset Upgrade You Need to Stay Human in a World Ruled by Technology" (co-authored with data scientist and futurist Tane Hunter).

In this episode, we explore:
✨ Why productivity hacks and wellness apps only treat symptoms, not root causes
🧠 The "backend programming" of our brains—cognitive biases, evolutionary hangovers, and our addiction to achievement
🎮 The five-layer stack: serious play, strategic hope, intelligent optimism, radical curiosity, and embodied adaptability
💭 A fresh take on mental health that prioritizes community over isolation
How play is actually training for adaptability and the unexpected
🌍 How to curate your "information diet" to escape doom-scrolling and find stories of progress
🎨 Why analogue, handmade, human experiences will become priceless as technology advances
🔄 The power of living life with friends, not just debriefing about it

About Dara: Dara Simkin is the founder of Culture Hero, a consultancy driving cultural change and experience design. She has worked with organisations worldwide and came to Australia after winning a video competition to travel Tasmania in a campervan for six weeks... never left!

Order the book: "Full Stack Human: The Mindset Upgrade: You Need to Stay Human in a World Ruled by Technology" (releases February 2025) https://www.culturehero.co/full-stack-human-book

Connect with Dara:
Website: culturehero.co
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/dara-simkin-culture-hero

Discover how to develop a deeper, more grounded sense of presence that helps you lead, perform, and navigate change with calm clarity.

In this conversation, professional drummer and leadership coach Mark Poiesz shares insights from performing for millions and coaching leaders at Google, Warner Bros, and beyond.

You’ll learn:
- How to build genuine presence (stage, leadership and otherwise) that connects and inspires.
- The power of deep listening, to others, to energy, and to yourself.
- How cultivating an “I AM” sense of self creates resilience in uncertainty.
- A simple cue to help you cultivate presence in the moment, and navigate uncertainty, change, and conflict with grace.

Enjoy!

You can find Mark at:
Website: https://www.markpoiesz.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/markpoiesz_
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/markpoiesz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-poiesz/

If you’ve been feeling powerless or thrown off course by constant change, this is for you. This video explores how to find a stable sense of power that no one can take away, no matter what’s happening around you.

You’ll learn how to shift from chasing control to building lasting inner strength, and why true power starts within.

Guided Visualisation: https://youtu.be/v6gSh5cGCms

I had the pleasure of speaking to Futurist Steph Clarke, who shares her insights on what it really takes to navigate a rapidly changing world.

We explore:

• The future of human connection in a time of loneliness, convenience, and rapid technological disruption.
• Leadership in uncertain times, and the contradictions in how we value and nurture skills of the future.
• Why many organisations are unprepared for accelerating change.
• Why friendship and connection are critical for both individuals and communities in times of disruption.
• Steph’s upcoming book How to Friend, and the role of friendship in wellbeing and resilience.

And, Steph shares how you can incorporate futures thinking into your life and work in order to preserve what matters most.

Check it out!

You can find Steph here:
LinkedIn: / steph-clarke
Website: https://www.28thursdays.com/

Connection and Change is a channel by Kara Hawkins, bridging inner transformation and systems change. We explore human connection, personal transformation, collective wellbeing and leading change.

No one loves change. It's universally uncomfortable. But whether it’s a change we choose (like a new career, moving cities, or starting a business) or one imposed on us (like job loss, grief, or a restructure), the way we experience it follows a very human inner process.

Tune in to learn more about what happens inside us during change, and how you can adapt more easily. This will not only help you through personal change, but it will also help you support loved ones and lead teams through organisational shifts.

We cover:
- The two main types of change, and why one often feels easier.
- The phases of the change curve, and why we don’t all experience them the same way
- Why the process isn’t linear, why it’s normal to loop between phases, and how to get out of those loops.
- How to support yourself and others at each stage of change.
- A simple, powerful question that can help you re-ground in any moment of change.

Image credit: https://mutomorro.com/tools/change-curve/

Imagine if you could manage change- personal, professional, and in your organisation- with so much more ease, and more fun!

This is what connection can do. Check out how :)

Why do so many change initiatives fail?

Gabrielle Pimstone is an expert in organisational transformation, facilitation and leadership with over 30 years of experience across global consultancies and major banks.

In this powerful conversation, we look at:
- The invisible dynamics beneath the surface that determine whether a change will last or fade.
- Why culture and meta processes of change matter more than toolkits and checklists.
- How leaders can use presence, empathy, and meta-skills to build change resilience.
- Real-world stories of organisations stuck in default patterns — and what it takes to shift them.
- The role of leaders in containing anxiety and modelling culture during times of disruption.

If you’re a leader, manager or change practitioner, this conversation will help you see beyond the surface and guide transformation that truly takes root.

Find out more about Gabrielle Pimstone here: https://www.gabriellepimstone.com.au/

Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, change, and connection.

Connect with me for coaching, advisory, or organisational change support: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-hawkins-75091b84/

Feel more confident, grounded and empowered with this short visualisation.
Use it to feel more confident now, or to prepare yourself for any situation you want to be your best in- a presentation, performance, or just the day ahead.