Content provided by Otago Access Radio and Denise Quinlan. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Otago Access Radio and Denise Quinlan or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App Go offline with the Player FM app!
Traditional banks often lack personalized service, and local businesses struggle to find true partnership in financial institutions. Meanwhile, higher education faces scrutiny over relevance and ROI in a world where information is nearly free. Harry Allen helped launch Studio Bank to blend technology with high-touch service, fueled by community investment. At Belmont, he's applying the same entrepreneurial mindset to modernize university operations and embed practical learning experiences, like a one-of-a-kind partnership with Dolly Parton, into academia. In this episode, Harry L. Allen, co-founder of Studio Bank and now CFO at Belmont University, unpacks the bold vision behind launching a community-first bank in a city dominated by financial giants. He shares the leadership lessons that shaped his journey, how to lead through crisis, and why mentorship is the key to filling today's leadership vacuum. Key Takeaways Leveraging both financial and social capital creates a unique, community-first banking model. High-tech doesn't mean low-touch, Studio Bank fused innovation with personal relationships. Leadership means showing up, especially during crisis. Universities must shift from being information hubs to delivering real-world experience. Succession and mentorship are vital to cultivating the next generation of leaders. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Harry L. Allen 01:49 The Birth of Studio Bank 04:29 Leveraging Technology in Community Banking 07:25 The Courage to Start a New Venture 10:37 Leadership Challenges in High Growth 13:02 Leading Through Crisis: The COVID Experience 17:55 Transitioning from Banking to Education 21:16 The Role of Leadership in Higher Education 25:16 Adapting to Challenges in Higher Education 30:04 The Leadership Vacuum in Society 33:17 Advice for Emerging Leaders 35:21 The American Dream and Community Impact No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.…
Content provided by Otago Access Radio and Denise Quinlan. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Otago Access Radio and Denise Quinlan or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
In this episode of Making Work Better, Denise Quinlan is joined by Sarah Stack, People & Culture Lead at Spark, NZ’s largest telco and digital services provider. Together, they unpack how Spark co-designed a culture of care with staff – embedding wellbeing, connection, and inclusion into everyday work culture. Sarah shares how listening to staff, training in-house wellbeing coaches, and leaders sharing personal stories have helped Spark reduce stigma around mental health, introduce new supports, and improve wellbeing and engagement across its 5,000-person workforce. If you’re looking to make wellbeing part of your strategy — not just your comms — this conversation is full of practical insight and inspiration. Links • Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 • Spark’s wellbeing journey: https://businessgroup.spark.co.nz/insight-engine/finding-our-way-to-wellbeing-in-the-workplace Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz
Content provided by Otago Access Radio and Denise Quinlan. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Otago Access Radio and Denise Quinlan or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
In this episode of Making Work Better, Denise Quinlan is joined by Sarah Stack, People & Culture Lead at Spark, NZ’s largest telco and digital services provider. Together, they unpack how Spark co-designed a culture of care with staff – embedding wellbeing, connection, and inclusion into everyday work culture. Sarah shares how listening to staff, training in-house wellbeing coaches, and leaders sharing personal stories have helped Spark reduce stigma around mental health, introduce new supports, and improve wellbeing and engagement across its 5,000-person workforce. If you’re looking to make wellbeing part of your strategy — not just your comms — this conversation is full of practical insight and inspiration. Links • Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 • Spark’s wellbeing journey: https://businessgroup.spark.co.nz/insight-engine/finding-our-way-to-wellbeing-in-the-workplace Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz
In this episode of Making Work Better, Denise Quinlan speaks with Dan Te Whenua Walker, Māori tech leader and Global Co-Chair of Microsoft’s Indigenous Employee Resource Group. Dan shares how tikanga Māori isn’t just cultural heritage - it’s a living, practical guide for building workplaces that truly care. From his Master’s in Māori and Indigenous Leadership came Te Rau o te Huia, a whānau AI named after his beloved grandmother. Through stories of leadership, connection, and embedding manaaki into corporate culture, Dan reminds us: that connection, purpose, and care aren’t extras they’re essential. As Dan says, “This is tikanga in action.” Links: Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
In this episode of Making Work Better, Denise Quinlan talks with Kristy Matthews, Group Head of Talent and Inclusion, and Chloe Stewart-Tyson, Group Manager of Health, Safety, Environment and Wellbeing from Beca, about how the global employee-owned engineering consultancy is redesigning work for people, performance, and purpose. They discuss hybrid working, talent attraction and retention, and simplifying systems to reduce overload. From graduate onboarding to wellbeing programmes and affinity networks, Beca is making changes that stick - not through top-down mandates, but through grassroots momentum and shared ownership. If you’re looking for practical ways to future-proof your culture, this episode is full of real-world inspiration. Links: Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
Enjoy this replay of Making Work Better - Host Dr. Denise Quinlan sits down with Charlotte Ward, Kiwibank’s Chief People Officer, to explore how clear purpose, trust, and continuous listening are reshaping the future of work. Discover how Kiwibank is redefining hybrid work by finding the “flex within the flex,” where meeting innovations, dynamic wellbeing leave, and intentional leadership create an environment where everyone thrives. Charlotte shares how a culture built on belonging and purpose drives real results and Denise, the perennial independent, finds herself wishing she worked for Kiwibank. Links - Free copy of Making Work Better Report: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 - Kiwibank’s culture: https://www.kiwibank.co.nz/about-us/careers/life-at-kiwibank/culture/ - Fixing the Overload Problem at Work, Kelly & Moen: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/fixing-the-overload-problem-at-work/ Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz/ Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
In this episode of Making Work Better, Denise Quinlan speaks with Stephen Eames Tumuaki/Principal and Matt Boucher Tumuaki Tuarua/Deputy Principal from Rāroa Intermediate about reimagining wellbeing in education. They share how Rāroa has embedded systemic support for student and teacher wellbeing, developed a clear pastoral care framework, and fostered a culture where no one is a single point of failure. From reducing burnout to boosting staff retention and building collective capacity, this episode is full of ideas that challenge how we define care, leadership, and what schools can be. Links: Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Rāroa School: https://www.raroa.school.nz/ Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
In this episode of Making Work Better, Denise Quinlan is joined by Sarah Stack, People & Culture Lead at Spark, NZ’s largest telco and digital services provider. Together, they unpack how Spark co-designed a culture of care with staff – embedding wellbeing, connection, and inclusion into everyday work culture. Sarah shares how listening to staff, training in-house wellbeing coaches, and leaders sharing personal stories have helped Spark reduce stigma around mental health, introduce new supports, and improve wellbeing and engagement across its 5,000-person workforce. If you’re looking to make wellbeing part of your strategy — not just your comms — this conversation is full of practical insight and inspiration. Links • Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 • Spark’s wellbeing journey: https://businessgroup.spark.co.nz/insight-engine/finding-our-way-to-wellbeing-in-the-workplace Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
What does it take to build a business for good? Denise sits down with Nicki and David Crowley, the passionate leaders behind Scafit, a company proving that care, values, and leadership can transform a business from the inside out. Scafit has built a thriving, people-first culture where wellbeing, leadership development, and genuine care drive both engagement and productivity. Nicki and David share how they’ve embedded support systems—from all-day breakfasts to mental health resources and life and health insurance - and how a culture of trust and responsibility has doubled productivity in a flat-pricing industry. Listen to the inspiring journey of the world’s first B Corp-certified scaffolding company, and take away fresh ideas for making work better in your own organisation! Links - Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 - Scafit: https://www.scafit.co.nz/ Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
Join Denise in conversation with Brooke Stringer, People Development Manager from Mercury, an organisation proving that purpose, autonomy, and trust are keys to a thriving workplace. Mercury has embraced adaptive ways of working, where employees are given ownership to make decisions, leadership is transparent, and people are empowered to perform at their best. Brooke shares how Mercury has built a responsive and capable culture through listening, transparency, and a strong shared purpose. Listen to how Mercury’s clarity around what’s “fit for now” helps get work done and fights perfectionism. So many ideas here for you to make work better in your own organisation! Links: Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Mercury: https://www.mercury.co.nz Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz/ Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
Join Denise in conversation with another organisation that is making work better for people and performance. Today, it’s Rob Holmes, Discovery Director at Paperkite, Wellington-based, digital design agency that is proud to say “We put people first”. Talking to Rob is like trying to catch a tiger by the tail. He moves fast and covers so much great territory - recruitment, sales and client relationships, co-leadership, flexible working, professional and personal staff development, building a deliberate values-based culture. Hang on, enjoy learning what makes Paperkite a fantastic place to work, and make a list of things you want to start doing in your workplace! Links Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Paperkite: https://paperkite.co.nz/ Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz/ Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
In this episode, host Dr. Denise Quinlan sits down with Charlotte Ward, Kiwibank’s Chief People Officer, to explore how clear purpose, trust, and continuous listening are reshaping the future of work. Discover how Kiwibank is redefining hybrid work by finding the “flex within the flex,” where meeting innovations, dynamic wellbeing leave, and intentional leadership create an environment where everyone thrives. Charlotte shares how a culture built on belonging and purpose drives real results and Denise, the perennial independent, finds herself wishing she worked for Kiwibank. Links - Free copy of Making Work Better Report: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 - Kiwibank’s culture: https://www.kiwibank.co.nz/about-us/careers/life-at-kiwibank/culture/ - Fixing the Overload Problem at Work, Kelly & Moen: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/fixing-the-overload-problem-at-work/ Follow Denise @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan nziwr.co.nz/ Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
In this Making Work Better series overview, Denise Quinlan, interviewed by Ruth Christie, Leadership and Personal Development Coach, shares why we need to make work better. She says ‘it’s time to stop fracking human resources’, and that we need to make sure work is humanly sustainable. She identified 5 key strategies in her research that are define the organisations that are winning for their people and their business. In this and every episode, you'll get practical strategies and ideas you can put into action - knowing they're tried and tested by successful workplaces. Denise lifts the lid on the secrets of future-fit leadership gleaned from inspiring leaders across a range of workplaces who are making a difference for their people. Get your free copy of the Making Work Better Report here: https://mailchi.mp/nziwr/making-work-better-report-2024 Follow Dr Denise Quinlan @drdenisequinlan linktr.ee/drdenisequinlan https://nziwr.co.nz/ Follow Ruth Christie, Leadership and Personal Development Coach @ruth-christie https://www.ruthchristie.com/ IG: @viewfromtheruthtop Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
In this episode Dr Lucy Hone and Dr Denise Quinlan discuss collective resilience, building wellbeing and resilience in diverse populations, and how to develop the most important skills associated with resilience. This episode was originally recorded for the Flourish FM podcast and is re-broadcast here with kind permission from podcast hosts, Dr Nick Holton and Dr Jon Beale. Full notes: nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
S4-E7- Lex Davis, educator and LGBTQIA+ advocate, explains why feeling invisible in your own school makes belonging impossible, why silence is inherently unhelpful, and how using an ‘equity pause’ can be a game changer. Learn how to recognise when you’re privileged and holding space, how to share space, find common ground, and listen to what LGBTQIA+ youth need. Support links, full notes & glossary: nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
Working out who you are and where you belong is challenging for many young people. For youth from marginalised ethnic groups with diverse gender identities, the challenges are more complex. Intersectionality can result in people feeling cut into ever smaller slices. Lex Davis, educator and takatāpui, shares one approach helping young people navigate this space. Support links, full notes & glossary: nziwr.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
Even though we live in a country of abundance, many of our people go hungry and lack shelter. Helen Robinson explains how poverty drives social exclusion and isolation, deep shame and mental distress. Helen says ‘the way out and through is in relationship’. To enable change, she challenges everyone listening to ‘be in relationship with someone who is wildly different to you and see where it takes you’. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
Even though we live in a country of abundance, many of our people go hungry and lack shelter. Helen Robinson explains how poverty drives social exclusion and isolation, deep shame and mental distress. Helen says ‘the way out and through is in relationship’. To enable change, she challenges everyone listening to ‘be in relationship with someone who is wildly different to you and see where it takes you’. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz…
Welcome to Player FM!
Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.