How I Work

We love to pretend we’re above jealousy – that successful, self-aware people don’t feel it. But that’s a lie.  When bestselling author and Mamamia Out Loud co-host Holly Wainwright found herself wide awake one night, jealous of a close friend’s success, she realised jealousy wasn’t something to outgrow. It was something to pay attention to.  Because jealousy doesn’t just make you small. It points to what you secretly want – the thing you’re scared to say out loud.  In this episode, Holly and I talk about the strange power of envy: how it can shake your sense of self, clarify your ambitions, and even become the most honest career compass you’ll ever have.  Holly and I discuss:  The moment Holly recognised jealousy in herself and what it revealed about her buried ambitions.  How jealousy can act as a signpost for what you really want – if you’re brave enough to look at it.  The difference between ambition and competition, and how one can paralyse while the other propels.  Why success metrics constantly shift, and how to define what “doing well” actually means for you.  How to stay grounded and generous when envy or comparison start to creep in.  The link between gratitude, perspective, and creative freedom.    Key Quotes  “You’re only jealous of things you really, really want.”  “If I focus all the time on what other people are doing, that’s what paralyzes me.”  Connect with Holly on Instagram and LinkedIn, listen to Mamamia Out Loud and Mid, and check out her latest book He Would Never here.  Listen to Part 2 of this interview with Holly Wainwright here.    My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple-to-apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year, Holly Wainwright promises herself she won’t burn out again - and every year, she does.  When she told me that, I laughed - not because it’s funny, but because I’ve been there too. Last year, I hit my own wall of exhaustion so hard it became the inspiration for my next book.  In this bonus episode, I sit down with Holly Wainwright - bestselling author and co-host of Mamamia Out Loud - for an honest conversation about burnout, energy, and why breaking the “do-crash-repeat” cycle is harder than it sounds.  We talk about the promises we make to ourselves, the boundaries we fail to keep, and how to start protecting the parts of life that matter most - our health, focus, and family.  Holly and I discuss:  The patterns that keep Holly stuck in the burnout cycle  Why she chose “nup” as her word of the year - and how that’s going  The privilege and guilt tied up in saying no  How she’s restructuring her week to protect creative focus and family time  The surprising rewards that keep her motivated (including worm farms)  The “Yes-But” strategy that sets boundaries without guilt  My “Never Again” list and how it helps me avoid burnout triggers  Why rebuilding energy is a constant recalibration, not a one-time fix  Taylor Swift’s reminder to treat your energy like a luxury item  Key Quotes  “Almost every year I say I’m not going to get myself to that place again - and then I do.”   “Rebuilding your energy isn’t a one-off fix. It’s a constant recalibration.”   Connect with Holly on Instagram and LinkedIn, listen to Mamamia Out Loud and Mid, and check out her latest book He Would Never here.  Listen to Part 1 of this interview here.    My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple-to-apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long tenure sounds like a good thing - until it starts holding your business back. Here’s what I learned when I stopped treating it as a badge of honour. In this Quick Win, I’m joined again by clinical psychologist Sabina Read to unpack the hidden downside of long staff tenure. I share how high tenure at Inventium was quietly stalling innovation, what finally shifted my thinking, and why I now see shorter tenure as a healthy sign of growth.  Sabina and I discuss:  The hidden shadow side of long tenure  Why fresh thinking often gets ignored by legacy voices  How old experiences can kill new ideas before they start  Why newer team members often bring better solutions  A mindset shift that helped me reframe turnover  Key Quote “If it’s happening at Inventium, where we talk about innovation every day, it can happen anywhere.”  Listen to the full episode with Sabina here.  Connect with Sabina via her website, Instagram, or check out her podcast Human Cogs.  My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most companies think connection is built in the office. Atlassian discovered the opposite.  In this episode, I’m joined by Avani Prabhakar, Chief People Officer at Atlassian. Avani takes us inside Atlassian’s Team Anywhere model, which has redefined how 13,000 people across the globe work together.  We unpack what really drives connection, how to structure your workday to avoid Zoom fatigue, and why Atlassian ditched PowerPoint altogether. If you’ve ever wondered what the future of work actually looks like in practice, this is a rare behind-the-scenes look.  Avani and I discuss:  The difference between “remote first” and “distributed first” work  Why connection doesn’t come from sporadic office attendance  Atlassian’s framework for intentional togetherness (ITG)  How to design your workday to balance meetings, deep work, and collaboration  Why Atlassian banned PowerPoint and moved to a written-first culture  How asynchronous communication transformed decision-making  The role of AI agents in HR and how non-technical teams built their own tools  The four stages of becoming a strategic AI user  Avani’s predictions for the future of work: asynchronous by default, AI collaboration, and focusing on how we work rather than where  Key Quotes  “Connection wasn’t built by sporadic office attendance. Real connection happens when you intentionally bring people together with a purpose.”  “The future of work won’t be about where we work. It will be about how we work.”   Connect with Avani on LinkedIn.    My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You could be trying your hardest to build psychological safety - and still be getting it wrong. Here’s why just one person feeling unsafe can quietly unravel your entire team.   In this Quick Win episode, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Sabina Read to unpack one of the biggest leadership mistakes I made last year: misunderstanding how psychological safety really works. We talk about how uneven safety erodes trust, and I share the exact tool my team now uses to make sure we catch culture issues early - before they snowball.  Sabina and I discuss:  Why psychological safety must be universal, not just widespread  The ripple effect of one team member feeling unsafe  How safety gaps shift conversations into private whispers  The ritual we now use to track team health every 6–8 weeks  Why we focus on what’s working - not just what’s broken  Key Quote “If just one person doesn’t feel psychologically safe, that can do a lot of damage to the whole level of trust within the team.”  Listen to the full episode with Sabina here.  Connect with Sabina via her website, Instagram, or check out her podcast Human Cogs.  My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you say the wrong thing online - or at work - and suddenly feel the world closing in? Clare Stephens knows this all too well. After publishing an article that completely missed the mark, she was hit with a wave of outrage that forced her to rethink how she apologised, how she listened, and how she led.  In this episode, I sit down with Clare Stephens, writer, podcaster, and former editor-in-chief at Mamamia. We talk about the lessons she’s learnt from being on the receiving end of online criticism, what makes an apology actually land, and how leaders can foster a culture where mistakes don’t spell disaster. Clare also shares how she walked away from what she thought was her dream role to pursue a more creative and values-aligned path.  By the end of our conversation, you’ll have a new lens on handling criticism, leading with empathy, and making decisions that keep you true to yourself.  Clare and I discuss:  Why Clare avoids the term “cancel culture” and what she sees instead  The psychological toll of public shaming and internet outrage  How constructive feedback – not angry comments – changed her perspective  The key difference between apologising online and at work  Why leaders fear saying the wrong thing, and how to navigate this  Clare’s decision-making hack for choosing what to say yes and no to  How comparison with her twin sister shaped her career – and what motherhood taught her about self-worth  Key Quotes  “The less you do, the quicker the fire ends.”  “Sometimes saying yes is just procrastination.”   Connect with Clare Stephens on Instagram, LinkedIn and pre-order her latest book The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done here.    My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When life gets hectic, relationships are often the first thing to slip. But what if a simple habit could keep you connected - even during your busiest seasons?  In this Quick Win episode, I’m joined by New York Times bestselling author Sahil Bloom to unpack what it really means to be socially wealthy. Sahil shares the tiny practice he uses to maintain strong relationships, even when life gets overwhelming - and why it’s been a game-changer for his friendships and marriage.  Sahil and I discuss:  Why relationships are the strongest predictor of a happy life  The mistake most people make when it comes to social wealth  Sahil’s rule for staying in touch: when you think something nice, say it  How he uses iPhone memories to spark tiny moments of connection  The “life dinner” ritual that keeps his marriage strong  Key Quote “When you think something nice about someone, let them know right then.”  Listen to the full interview with Sahil here. Connect with Sahil Bloom on Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn and his website. Check out his latest book The Five Types of Wealth.  My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Record a question for Amantha’s next Ask Me Anything here: https://www.speakpipe.com/howiwork **  It’s harder than ever to cut through in the workplace – whether you’re job hunting, leading a team, or simply trying to keep up with AI. In this AMA episode, I answer your questions on how to thrive in today’s world of work.  In this episode, I share:  How to differentiate yourself in a crowded job market where AI is levelling CVs and cover letters.  What really makes a high performing team today – from psychological safety to energy management.  How to define and develop critical thinking skills in the age of AI.  My best tips for stepping into leadership for the first time – from running one-on-ones to avoiding the trap of giving too much advice.  Amantha Recommends  Loom: My favourite quick video tool for making job applications stand out and for capturing thinking in real time.  Tella: A polished way to create video proposals or audition tasks  The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier: A simple, practical guide to shifting from advice-giving to coaching with better questions. Grab a copy here.  Glad We Met by Steven Rogelberg: Hands down the best book I’ve read on running effective one-on-ones. Get it here.  Have a question you want me to answer in the next AMA episode? Reach out via email (amantha@inventium.com.au) or socials – I’d love to hear from you!    For more on this, check out my AI slop episode - where I unpack why flooding the world with AI-generated content isn’t the same as creating something meaningful. (Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts)  And if the critical thinking bit struck a chord, my chat with futurist Bob Johansen is a great follow-up. He shares how to see AI as augmented intelligence - you plus AI, not you versus AI. Tune in here.    My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au     Credits:   Host: Amantha Imber   Sound Engineer: Martin Imber See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

** Book in for Inventium’s GenAI Productivity Upgrade here: https://inventium.com.au/genai-cohort/ ** AI isn’t just for work. From helping you plan meals to keeping your kids entertained, it can be a powerful tool for everyday life. In this episode, Inventium’s AI expert Neo Aplin joins Amantha to share 25 practical ways to use AI at home, including: Smart shopping with fridge photos and food lists Recipe ideas based on what’s already in your pantry Batch meal prep and planning Laundry and cleaning hacks for tricky stains Personalised fitness advice Fun activities for kids, from Dr. Seuss–style poems to colouring pages Plant identification and care tips Holiday planning and packing lists If you’ve ever wondered how AI can make your life outside of work simpler (and a little more fun) this episode has you covered.   My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits:  Host: Amantha Imber  Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Record a question for Amantha’s next Ask Me Anything here: https://www.speakpipe.com/howiwork **  What do you do when procrastination takes over? How can AI actually change your workflows? And what are the best systems to manage tasks?  In this AMA episode, I answer listener questions on procrastination, the Right to Disconnect laws, process bottlenecks, and how I use AI tools in my everyday work. These are the challenges so many of us wrestle with - and I share my practical strategies, missteps, and experiments.  In this episode, I share:  How I break down overwhelming tasks (including writing my fifth book) and strategies I use to beat procrastination.  Why the Right to Disconnect laws may not fit modern, flexible workplaces - and what managers need to rethink.  Where to start when fixing a bottleneck in your processes, and how AI can help.  My system for keeping notes, tasks, and reminders organised.  The GPTs, prompt libraries, and tools I rely on daily - from proposal writing to creating Instagram reels.  Amantha recommends:  Notion: My digital command centre for projects, tasks, and notes   Granola: My go-to meeting notes app that combines live transcripts with my human notes to capture every detail  Tella: A simple tool I use for recording and sharing video proposals to add a personal touch  Zapier & n8n: Automation powerhouses that streamline repetitive tasks and free up hours every week  Jeff Su: A productivity YouTuber whose Notion course transformed how I set up and run my system  Have a question you want me to answer in the next AMA episode? Reach out via email (amantha@inventium.com.au) or socials – I’d love to hear from you!     My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au     Credits:   Host: Amantha Imber   Sound Engineer: Martin Imber See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

** Book in for Inventium’s GenAI Productivity Upgrade here: https://inventium.com.au/genai-cohort/ ** Struggling to get AI to write emails that sound like you? AI expert Neo Aplin joins Amantha to share how to train tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot to act like your own email-savvy executive assistant. Inventium’s GenAI lead Neo Aplin breaks down: Why most people get poor email outputs from AI The critical context AI needs to draft great emails How to build a custom email assistant using ChatGPT projects What to include in your tone and style guide When it's actually worth using AI for email (and when it's not) Plus, Neo shares a clever workaround for using AI to answer repetitive work questions—without it needing to read your whole inbox. Whether you're dealing with a mountain of email or just want replies that actually sound like you, this episode is packed with practical advice for making AI work smarter.   My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits:  Host: Amantha Imber  Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the biggest value of AI isn’t answers, but better questions? For Morgan Brown, Vice President of Product and Growth at Dropbox, that realisation has transformed everything from family dinners to global product strategy.  In this episode, I chat with Morgan about how he uses AI as both a problem-solver and a sparring partner. Morgan leads Dropbox’s AI products, but he’s also built his own app from scratch - with no coding background - to help his six-year-old son manage type 1 diabetes.  We dive into how Morgan uses AI to eliminate grunt work, create powerful prompts, and even stress test his own ideas. This conversation will show you practical ways to turn AI into a genuine partner for your work and life.  We discuss:  The story behind CARB Scan, the AI-powered app Morgan built to help his son manage diabetes  How he uses AI to eliminate shallow work, like meeting recaps and email sorting  Why designing prompts is a superpower—and Morgan’s framework for writing great ones  The automation Morgan built to scan and summarise the entire AI/ML landscape every morning  How to use AI as a true thought partner for brainstorming, strategy, and decision-making  The risks of skipping human feedback and why real-world validation still matters  Morgan’s advice for spotting your own hidden time sinks and turning them into AI experiments  Key Quotes  “LLMs aren’t the best search engine. They’re much better as a thought partner.”   “The real leverage of AI isn’t the answers. It’s the better questions.”  Connect with Morgan Brown on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and his website https://www.morganbrown.co/  Check out Morgan’s book Hacking Growth.  Get your hands on Morgan’s AI research prompt here.  If you enjoyed this, listen to my episode with Bob Johansen - we talked about reframing AI as “augmented intelligence,” and it pairs beautifully with Morgan’s approach.    My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

** Book in for Inventium’s GenAI Productivity Upgrade here: https://inventium.com.au/genai-cohort/ ** Most people use AI like a polite assistant: “do this, write that, draft this.” The problem? It rarely pushes back or challenges your thinking - leaving your blind spots intact. In this episode, Inventium’s AI expert Neo Aplin joins me to share how to flip the script and use AI as a creative collaborator. You’ll learn: Why AI naturally behaves like a sycophantic assistant - and how to change that How to use prompts to make AI act as a devil’s advocate Ways to test how your ideas or presentations will land with different audiences How to use AI for “jobs to be done” brainstorming and innovation Why using AI for perspective-shifting is better than not testing your ideas at all If you want AI to make you smarter (not just faster) this episode will show you how.   My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits:  Host: Amantha Imber  Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever said yes when your whole body was screaming NO!!? Those small choices add up, leaving us drained, resentful, and out of alignment with our own lives.  In part 2 of my conversation with Lael Stone - educator and author of book Own Your Story, we unpack the hidden patterns that shape our decisions, the family imprints that hold us back, and the practical shifts that help us step into our power.  If you’ve ever felt torn between what you should do and what you actually want to do, this conversation will show you how to pause, get curious, and realign.  You’ll learn:  The idea of a “full body yes” and how to use it in daily decisions Why family imprints often drive our definition of success (and how they can sabotage us) How to flip the question from “how bad could it be?” to “how good could it get?” The importance of learning to receive, not just give – and how to build rituals that honour this Why most of us listen to fix rather than listen to hear, and how to change that habit Simple ways leaders can balance listening with guiding their team The first step to emotional intelligence: asking “what’s going on for me right now?”  Key Quotes  “If it’s a maybe, it’s a no until it’s a full yes.”  “Our fundamental need as humans is to be heard, not to be fixed.”  Connect with Lael Stone on Instagram, LinkedIn and her website, and check out her latest book Own Your Story.  Listen to Part 1 with Lael Stone here.    My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Book in for Inventium’s GenAI Productivity Upgrade here: https://inventium.com.au/genai-cohort/ Have you ever received a 10-page document that looked impressive, only to realise it was clearly spat out by AI, with no real human thought behind it? That’s what AI expert Neo Aplin calls AI slop: content that’s high on volume but low on value. In this conversation, Neo and Amantha unpack: Why AI slop is becoming increasingly common in workplaces The hidden costs of drowning teams in AI-generated documents Why creating more content is no longer a measure of good work How to shift the focus from volume to targeted value Practical strategies for making your work stand out in an AI-saturated world If you’ve ever felt buried under AI-generated fluff - or worried your own work is being lost in the noise - this episode will help you cut through the slop and get back to what really matters. My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai) If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au Credits:Host: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your colleague doesn’t reply to your email. Days pass. Your mind spins - do they not like me, do they not want me on the project, or are they just busy? It’s these unhelpful stories that quietly drain our energy. But what if there were two simple questions that could reset your perspective in moments like these?  In this episode of How I Work, I sit down with educator and author Lael Stone, whose new book Own Your Story explores how the stories we tell ourselves shape the way we live and work.  Lael shares the two reflection questions she uses daily to interrupt spirals of self-doubt and comparison. She also coaches me through my own struggles while writing my fifth book, showing how shifting perspective can help us feel lighter, more energised, and in flow.  By the end of this chat, you’ll have a practical mental reset you can use any time - whether at work, at home, or in the middle of a 3am overthinking spiral.  We discuss:  The two questions Lael uses every day to reset perspective How to pause spirals of self-doubt with “What am I making this mean?” Why “What do I want this to look like?” opens us up to new possibilities Lael coaching me through my own writing doubts and pressures How comparison keeps us stuck and what to do instead The role of childhood imprints in shaping our beliefs about work, money, and relationships Why most of us never learned what a healthy boundary looks like - and how to create them as adults Why setting boundaries is an act of self-love  Key Quotes  “What am I making this mean? Can be a pattern interrupt question to actually stop and go, what is the story here?”  “It feels very freeing to realise I could actually change this. I could change what this means for me.”  Connect with Lael Stone on Instagram, LinkedIn and her website, and check out her latest book Own Your Story.    My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So many of us strive to find that ‘perfect job’, but once we get there, do we run the risk of having it become our sole focus, to the detriment of everything else in our lives? I asked my very close friend Sabina Read to join me on a deep dive discussion into work and identity to try and get to the bottom of this. Sabina is a clinical psychologist, regular contributor on 3AW and co-host of the popular podcast Human Cogs. Sabina and I discuss: Why having an occupation that aligns with our personal identity is a good thing If having a personally aligned career can lead to a lack of balance An easy way to identify if you are letting your vocation swallow your sense of self Listen to the full interview with Sabina here. Connect with Sabina via her website, Instagram, or check out her podcast Human Cogs.   My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai) If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast ButlerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you think AI is all about saving time and cutting corners, think again.  In this conversation with futurist Bob Johansen, we explore how AI can be used as a thinking partner - to help you generate ideas, build clarity, and make better decisions in a chaotic, unpredictable world. Bob argues that the real power of AI lies in augmented intelligence, not artificial intelligence.  Bob Johansen is a distinguished fellow with the Institute for the Future in Silicon Valley. For more than 50 years, Bob has helped organisations around the world prepare for and shape the future. He has written 15 books and his latest one Navigating the Age of Chaos, is out on October 28.  He walks us through: - The key skill that will future-proof your career - How to use AI to get unstuck and think more creatively - Why clarity beats certainty in a BANI world (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible) - The leadership traits needed to thrive in the AI-first decade  Whether you’re excited about AI or sceptical, this episode will shift your mindset and give you a roadmap for working with AI, not against it.  Want to learn more about AI upskilling? Check out this episode with Neo Aplin on how to go from AI gunslinger to AI architect on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Bob’s new book Navigating the Age of Chaos: A Sense-Making Guide to a BANI World That Doesn't Make Sense is out October 28. Pre-order it here   Key quotes  “Ten years from now, almost all leaders will be augmented or you’ll be out of the game.”  “I don’t trust AI for answers. I use it to stretch my mind.”    My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you’re rushing through the day, it’s easy to lose sight of what actually matters.  In this Quick Win episode, New York Times bestselling author Chris Guillebeau shares the reflection question he asks himself to reset and stay focused. Chris also reveals how a simple 40-minute check-in can help you course-correct in the moment, without relying on complicated productivity systems.  Chris and I talk about:  The reflection question Chris uses to decide if the day was valuable  Why he believes the ordinary moments in life matter just as much as the big milestones  The 40-minute check-in that helps him reset and make the most of his time  How Chris uses these reflections as a reset—not a rigid system  Why Chris doesn’t stick with one method forever (and that’s okay)  Key Quotes: “Every day has something, at least one thing, that is special.” “If the last 40 minutes weren’t that valuable, what do I want to do differently next?”  Listen to the full interview with Chris here. Connect with Chris on Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn and his website, Listen to his podcast Side Hustle School, and check out his latest book Time Anxiety.    My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au     Credits:  Host: Amantha Imber  Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgie Holt set herself a radical challenge: Could she completely remove herself from the operational side of her job using AI? In this conversation, Georgie shares how she used ChatGPT tools to build systems that dramatically reduced the time she spent on hiring, communications, and day-to-day decision-making. Georgie is the co-founder and CEO of Flight Story, which she co-founded with Stephen Bartlett. It’s the media company that is home to The Diary of a CEO - the second biggest podcast in the world, with over 1 billion streams and over 11 million YouTube subscribers.  Georgie walks us through her process for identifying what to automate, how she built a custom GPT to handle interviews, and why she believes this technology can be a game-changer - especially for women in leadership. You’ll learn: How Georgie saved 20–25 hours a week with AI The custom GPT she built to run candidate interviews Why she created a "writer’s room" AI model inspired by Hollywood How AI can help leaders double down on emotional intelligence The two areas Georgie now spends her reclaimed time on This is part one of a two-part conversation that explores the future of work, leadership, and how to use AI to elevate (not erase) your humanity. Follow Georgie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgie-holt/ Listen/watch Diary of a CEO: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDiaryOfACEO  My new book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here:https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ Connect with me on the socials:LinkedInInstagram Want more tips to improve the way you work and live?Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for practical, science-backed strategies:https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  For full show notes from all episodes, visit:https://www.amantha.com/podcast Get in touch: amantha@inventium.com.au CreditsHost: Amantha ImberEpisode Producer: Sam Blacker, The Podcast ButlerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.