Finding Meaning In Work

Bryony Cole

Bryony Cole, the world's foremost authority on sextech, explores how technology influences our most intimate moments. 

Known for her top-rated podcast Future of Sex, she advises governments, tech giants, and entertainment leaders on emerging sextech trends. 

Cole also founded Sextech School, a pioneering pre-accelerator program, now in its 15th cohort, guiding hundreds of entrepreneurs and innovators in the sexual wellness and technology space.

Her innovative research and international hackathons have garnered recognition from events like SXSW, WebSummit and Founders Forum. 

Featured in The New York Times, Vogue, and Wired, and seen on Netflix, Bryony's work empowers women and redefines the future of sexuality. 

Today, Future of Sex is a central media and resources hub for the sextech industry.

Her vision is to create a world where technology enhances human connection, and she actively works towards this by shaping policy, fostering innovation, and advocating for sexual well-being.

Contact: 

Interviews: bryony@futureofsex.com

Instagram: @bryonycole, @futureofsex, @sextechschool

Ruhee Meghani

Ruhee is the founder of Allied Collective, Australia’s leading facilitation and wellbeing practice, specialising in leadership development, psychosocial hazard prevention, and workplace culture transformation. With 13+ years of experience supporting over 45 organisations, she has helped businesses improve employee retention, leadership capability, and wellbeing outcomes through targeted, evidence-based training. Her background in psychology, business management, and Yoga philosophy informs a measured, results-driven approach to organisational change. As a Regional Advisory Council member at the Victorian Multicultural Commission, she advises on workplace equity, anti-racism, and economic inclusion. She also mentors women entrepreneurs in wellbeing and leadership. A recognised expert in her field, Ruhee delivers practical, high-impact training and strategy that enables organisations to build stronger, more resilient teams.

Collective Closets

Collective Closets is not just part of the Australian fashion landscape—it is actively reshaping it. Founded in Melbourne with a deep commitment to slow fashion, the label bridges continents and cultures through thoughtfully crafted clothing that carries meaning in every thread.

Established in 2016 by sisters Fatuma and Laurinda Ndenzako, Collective Closets has grown from an intimate family story into a brand that authentically connects the creative spirit of Africa with Australia’s contemporary fashion identity. Their philosophy is clear and consistent: to create enduring pieces that make women feel seen, understood, and beautiful. Every garment is crafted with intention, designed for women who value both artistry and purpose.

The label emerged from a vision to offer something truly distinctive in Australian fashion—a brand that celebrates the vibrant textiles of Africa while speaking directly to the modern Australian woman. Collective Closets' journey began with the iconic Maasai Shuka, whose bold patterns and rich cultural significance became the cornerstone of their design philosophy.

As African-Australian designers, Fatuma and Laurinda bring an authentic perspective to the cultural conversation. Their collections go beyond beautiful clothing—they open dialogue, challenge perceptions, and highlight the sophistication of African textiles reimagined through contemporary design. Through each piece, Collective Closets invites wearers to be part of a new chapter in Australia’s fashion narrative—one that celebrates diversity, heritage, and conscious creativity.

Dr. Jason Fox aka The Wizard Philosopher

Dr. Jason Fox is a wizard-philosopher and bestselling author masquerading as a leadership futurist. He works with questing teams seeking new and meaningful progress—beyond the default.

 

I had such a great time hosting Dr. Jason Fox aka ‘the wizard philosopher’ on the  podcast. In this conversation, he shares how his unconventional path, from studying motivation and behaviour change to exploring ecological systems and even navigating World of Warcraft informs his work guiding leaders and organisations toward more authentic, purpose-driven strategies. He critiques the narrow, metrics-obsessed approach of many corporate environments, arguing that real progress emerges when people embrace ambiguity, develop deeper curiosity, and remain open to creative possibilities. Whether referencing the importance of liberal arts thinking in an AI-driven era or highlighting how people can find meaning even in mundane roles, Jason emphasises that true meaning can’t be forced or fabricated; instead, it arises from thoughtful engagement with complexity, empathy, and collective exploration

ONE IDEA: AUTHENTICITY

This episode is a bit different.

Rather than the usual interview format, we’re trying something new. These "ONE IDEA" episodes feature recordings of essays I’ve written and published on Disruptive Business Network. Covering topics from authenticity to game theory to how technology is shaping our lives, these essays all center on one fundamental theme: our search for meaning, especially in the work we do.

I hope you enjoy it.

In this first essay: Authenticity

We often think of authenticity as simply “being true to ourselves.” But is that really what it means?

This essay explores a fascinating story of Johnny Cash’s rebirth, guided by the legendary producer Rick Rubin. Rubin didn’t just focus on the “authentic” man behind the music..he amplified the mythical Man in Black, reigniting Cash’s career in the process.

The key insight? Authenticity isn’t about clinging to who you are today; it’s about becoming who you need to be to create impact. In a world that overemphasizes hyper-individualism, this essay challenges that notion, encouraging us to think beyond the ‘I’ and focus on the ‘we.’

Drawing from the wisdom of Aristotle, Nietzsche, and beyond, I explore how true authenticity requires discipline, courage, and connection to others.

So how can we redefine authenticity in our own lives? Let’s dive in.

 

 

David Swan

David Swan is one of Australia's leading technology reporters and editors. He is the Technology Editor for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, and was previously Technology Editor for The Australian newspaper.

In 2024 he was awarded Australia's best technology journalist at The Lizzies, Australia's national IT Journalism awards. Previous roles include chief technology reporter at independent IT news website iTWire, and at News Corp publication Technology Spectator.

Garry Williams

 

In my latest episode of the Finding Meaning in Work podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Garry Williams, a cornerstone of Melbourne’s tech community. Garry's story is one of resilience, connection, and a deep commitment to building meaningful spaces for people to gather.

Some key themes of the conversation:

1. Community & Connection: Garry has been pivotal in creating spaces that bring people together, not just for networking but for genuine connection. His work in the tech sector, especially with events like FuckUp Nights and his involvement with Inspire9, highlights his passion for fostering meaningful interactions.
2. Burnout & Self-Care: Like a few of us, Garry has faced burnout from saying “yes” too often. His journey in setting boundaries and prioritising self-care is something I think we can all relate to, especially those of us who juggle many roles in our professional and personal lives.
3. Finding Meaning: For Garry, the meaning in his work comes from curating experiences and connecting people. Whether it’s through tech events or helping companies grow, his joy lies in bringing people together and creating spaces where innovation and culture intersect.
4. Looking Forward: Garry's next venture, Group Group, is focused on niche communities—combining his passion for technology, music, and subcultures. It’s exciting to hear about his plans to build something new and impactful in Melbourne’s west.

Check out the full episode and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.disruptivebusinessnetwork.com/podcast

 

About Garry Williams

 

Garry (Gaz) Williams - CHIEF CHIEF, GROUP GROUP

Gaz runs GROUP GROUP - a specialist advisory+execution brand centred on the overlap of brand-building and capital growth stages for tech focused companies.

 

Gaz was first employee at Tractor Ventures leading brand-building & marketing for the company that became the fastest growing fintech in Aus. Previously, he was Creative producer of Innovation at University of Melbourne, and worked on some very strange things at Science Gallery Melbourne.

As well as running partnerships at General Assembly or coworking at Inspire9, Gaz has an extreme allergy to vanilla content, and places particular importance on niche creation, experimentation, curation, and the importance of place in his culture meets tech weirdo overlap

Landon Brown

In this podcast episode, Landon Brown discusses his career journey from starting in executive search as a teenager to working for tech giants like Google and Airbnb, and eventually founding his own HR consultancy, Partner in Kind. The conversation explores key themes such as finding meaning in work, the challenges of pursuing passion versus purpose, and the importance of social impact. Landon emphasises the role of privilege, his commitment to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, and the need to rethink hiring practices to give more opportunities to diverse candidates. He also encourages listeners to pursue meaningful work, whether within organisations or through entrepreneurship, by taking bold, confident steps to shape their careers.


Landon Brown is the Founder and CEO of Partner in Kind, a Talent and HR consultancy that places people and social impact at the heart of everything they do by donating 20% of all fees to charities and not-for-profits. Originally from and now based in Melbourne, but previously living in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and London, Landon brings 15 years experience scaling over 50 different pre-IPO companies across 29 countries, while also previously working internally at Airbnb and Google 

Michael Cullen

In this episode of "Finding Meaning in Work," I spoke with Michael Cullen, who shared his journey from nursing to leading Future Energy Skills, an organisation that provides licensing assessments and training for the energy sector, particularly electricians. He discussed how his nursing background shaped his empathetic leadership style, emphasising the importance of treating each person as an individual. Michael highlighted the cultural shift at his organisation towards a more supportive and holistic approach to licensing assessments. He also reflected on the evolving industry, particularly the move towards renewable energy and the increasing number of women in trades, and shared his thoughts on meaningful work, which for him means making a positive impact and fostering a culture of growth and happiness

About Michael (in his own words)

 

I have been the Executive Officer of Future Energy Skills for three years, following an operational background of approximately eight years. I am a licensed electrician and electrical inspector, and I spent several years as a registered electrical contractor, running a small business.

My passion is people—both the staff who work with me and the larger team that serves our Energy Industry. I firmly believe that culture eats strategy for breakfast. Respect and treat everyone for who they are.

I began my adult working life as a nurse, which taught me to appreciate that we all have unique life journeys. We need to be seen, heard, assisted when needed, and respected for what we bring. Our workplaces are made up of individuals who each contribute an important piece to the table, extending to the wider industry and forming the very fabric of our society

Daniel Ajak

In this episode of 'Finding Meaning in Work', we sit down with Daniel Ajak, a defence lawyer and co-founder of the African Australian Legal Network. Born in a refugee camp in Kenya, his family having escaped from Sudan, he is now a lawyer working in Melbourne. His practise is devoted to helping African and other marginalised communities in Melbourne. Daniel shares his incredible journey from adversity to advocacy. Join us as he reflects on the challenges he's faced, the lessons learned, and his commitment to serving his community.