At the 2025 ACEL National Conference I was set a big challenge. Wrap up the three days of conversations and learning. Sounds easy, but there was a catch. I only had 20 slides, and 20 seconds per slide. A total of 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

Here's my presentation - if you usually listen on apple, head over to YouTube to see the video.

Dear Stardust was presented live, at the 2025 Australian Council for Educational Leaders National Conference.

To launch Dear Stardust, I read my letter to the audience in Sydney, Australia, and have stitched together the amazing threads that I have received so far.

Do you ever feel judged by your tribe?

Adam Kuss, an exceptional leader in a variety of contexts, takes us inside his view on the tribes that have shaped him, and looks towards a future in 2040 with a new tribe that brings out the very best in all young people.

Adam works in leadership development as a special advisor and a pedagogical leadership consultant. He is currently completing his PhD at the University of Queensland.

We start with Adam's letter, which is particularly relevant in grand final week, before moving onto a song titled "Sudanese" by The Bedroom Philosopher. We then talk tribes, learning, and tensional analysis before wrapping up with some paraphrasing of Homer Simpson.