Forks in the Road: A podcast exploring dilemmas in everyday leadership

Today we’re joined by Dr Alex Markwell, an emergency physician, health leader, educator and advocate whose career has been shaped by expertise, service and the courage to change direction.
Alex completed her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Queensland before undertaking specialist training at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. She became a Fellow of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine in 2011.
Alex is a Past President of the Australian Medical Association Queensland, former Chair of the Queensland Clinical Senate, and was deeply involved in Queensland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alex shares candid insights on standing up against systemic injustices, navigating unexpected health challenges, leveraging peer mentorship, and redefining professional identity when life forces a change in direction. While Alex is passionate about emergency medicine, today we hear the personal health reasons that led her to reconsider her career path.
Let’s dive into our conversation with Dr Alex Markwell.
Key moments in the podcast:
00:00 Mentor Nudge Moment
00:38 Podcast Welcome Setup
01:14 Meet Dr Alex Markwell
02:43 Queensland Roots
04:19 Books That Shaped Her
05:59 Self Care Reality Check
07:45 Choosing Medicine Path
11:56 Mentors And Peer Support
14:32 Advocacy Nudge To AMA
18:59 New Career Direction
21:35 Speaking Up For Justice
24:01 Leadership In Emergency
27:21 Gender Bias And Harassment
31:43 Calling Out Bad Behavior
34:09 Health Crisis After COVID
39:59 Clinician And Patient Lens
44:34 Three Golden Nuggets
47:39 Closing Credits Farewell
Here is what stays with us from this conversation:
Leadership is born from showing up and calling out injustice.
* Grassroots Advocacy: Stepping into advocacy roles begins simply by identifying an issue and daring to use your voice, even as a junior professional.
* Challenging Normalised Behaviours: True cultural change requires calling out inappropriate behavior in real-time, preventing toxic habits from becoming acceptable norms.
* Crisis vs. Collaborative Leadership: High-stakes environments like the emergency room hone rapid crisis leadership, but long-term impact requires shifting to reflective, collaborative governance.
Growth thrives in two-way support and peer-to-peer connection.
* The Power of Lateral Mentorship: Career development relies heavily on peer support networks and mutual learning rather than traditional top-down hierarchies.
* Strategic Encouragement: A gentle nudge from a trusted peer or mentor can provide the exact confidence boost needed to step into unexpected opportunities.
* Shared Resilience: Surrounding yourself with trusted colleagues creates a safety net for navigating high-pressure careers.
Career detours often reveal new avenues for purpose and impact.
* Adapting to Unexpected Pivots: Facing severe health challenges requires stepping back, reassessing capabilities, and embracing alternative career paths like virtual care and board leadership.
* Separating Identity from Profession: True resilience comes from uncoupling your personal worth from a single professional title or rigid career trajectory.
* Leveraging Lived Experience: Transitioning from clinician to patient offers invaluable perspective for improving patient dignity, safety, and healthcare governance.
* Be open to pivots: Don’t be afraid to say yes to new paths; even if your original plan changes, meaningful opportunities will follow.
Intuition and clarity guide us through life’s biggest forks in the road.
* Trusting Your Instincts: Taking time to listen to your gut helps prevent missteps and provides clarity during difficult choices.
* Saying Yes to the Unknown: Remaining open to unexpected opportunities often leads to fulfilling destinations you never originally planned for.
Connect with Alex Markwell
This is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
Listen to this podcast on Substack, Spotify or Apple. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.
Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland
Produced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.
Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.
Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative and
Social Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit flyntrok.substack.com

Today, we’re joined by Mark Middleton, Global CEO of Icon Group, based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He is a radiation therapist whose clinical expertise and strategic vision have shaped one of the world’s leading integrated cancer-care providers.
Mark began his clincial training in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and early in his career took an opportunity to work in North America and Europe.
When he returned to Australia, he became a co-founder of Radiation Oncology Queensland, now part of Icon Group. Since becoming CEO in 2015, he has led Icon’s growth within Australia and expansion internationally.
Mark was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2022 for his significant contribution to Australian cancer care.
At the heart of his leadership is a simple belief: where people live should not determine whether they live, or the quality of care they receive.
Let’s dive in …
Key moments in the podcast:
00:00 Patient First Mindset
00:33 Podcast Welcome
01:03 Meet Mark Middleton
02:32 Rapid Fire Origins
02:57 Farm Work Lessons
04:18 First Solo Leap
05:49 Choosing A Career
08:46 Sport To Radiations
12:16 Why Radiation Therapy
13:52 Mentors And Nurture
18:08 Growing As A Leader
22:38 Overseas Career Pivot
26:08 Starting The Business
29:20 MBA And Learning
33:52 Clinical Credibility
38:04 Hardest Fork In Life
42:05 Golden Nuggets
44:18 Closing And Credits
Here is what stays with us from this conversation:
* Frontline Experience Fuels Meaningful Leadership
* Grounding Strategy in Practical Reality: True credibility comes from understanding the core experience of your workforce and customers firsthand.
* Combining Empathy with Execution: Deep clinical or technical domain knowledge, paired with business acumen, creates an unstoppable blueprint for decision-making.
* Leading from the Coalface: Staying connected to daily operations ensures long-term strategy never loses touch with human-centered service.
2. Ambition Hardens When Urgency Takes Hold
* Reframing Pivotal Moments: Personal hardships and unexpected life turns often serve as the ultimate catalyst for clarity and drive.
* The Imperative of Relentless Execution: Recognizing that time is finite pushes leaders to step up, make bold moves, and make every opportunity count.
* Turning Adversity into Purpose: Transforming major life disruptions into enduring motivation to build something bigger than yourself.
3. Don’t Be a Bystander in Your Own Journey
* Embracing Boldness Early: Hesitation and overly conservative thinking hold potential back; real growth happens beyond the comfort zone.
* Active Ownership: Taking full accountability for career pivots, international leaps, and entrepreneurial risks rather than passively waiting for permission.
* Continuous Curiosity: Approaching leadership as a lifetime of learning, reading, seeking out diverse perspectives, and questioning the status quo every day.
4. Build an Organisation of Leaders, Not Just a Company
* Investing in the Next Generation: True success lies in identifying high-potential talent, nurturing their capabilities, and empowering them to scale new markets.
* Relationships over Transactions: Cultivating decades-long professional trust forms the backbone of sustained organizational growth.
* Creating Enduring Legacy: Ensuring those around you have access to greater opportunities than the generation before them.
Connect with Mark Middleton
This is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
Listen to this podcast on Substack, Spotify or Apple. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.
Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland
Produced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.
Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.
Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative and
Social Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit flyntrok.substack.com

In this summary episode, hosts Anne Boland and Stephen Berkeley reflect on their recent conversations across Episodes 50 through 54. Bringing together stories from Australia, New Zealand, and Nepal, they extract powerful lessons on vulnerability, purpose-driven leadership, career pivots, and community co-creation .
Featured Guests (Episodes 50–54)
* Eps 50 Jude Pemel (Australia) – “Spotting the Clues: When Passion Meets Opportunity”
* Eps 51 Surya Bhatta (Nepal) – “Humility-Driven Growth: Scaling with Purpose and Humility”
* Eps 52 Lisa Scharoun (Australia / International) – “Design as an Agent of Social Change”
* Eps 53 Taimi Allan (Australia/New Zealand) – “Trust the Trajectory of Your Unconventional Career Path”
* Eps 54 Andrew Old (New Zealand) – “Stepping Up Long Before You Feel Ready”
Key moments in the podcast:
00:00 Welcome and Setup
01:08 Community and Curiosity
03:23 Theme Strong Foundations
04:30 Lisa Finding Home
06:24 Guiding Others Abroad
07:27 Surya Village Roots
09:47 Andrew Bold Career Leap
13:00 Purpose Led Paths
13:43 Jude Following Heart
19:33 Taimi Letting Go Regret
23:15 Humility Driven Growth
28:51 Open Mind Conversations
29:40 Diversify Your Network
32:00 Wrap Up and Credits
Here is what stays with us from this conversation:
1. Solid Foundations Power Bold Risk-Taking
“A stable foundation isn’t an anchor that holds you back—it is the safety net that empowers you to take bold leaps into the unknown.”
* Rooted Resilience: Having a strong origin—such as a tight-knit hometown community—provides a safe harbor to return to, allowing leaders to take risks globally.
* Struggle as a Building Block: Overcoming everyday hardship in youth builds the endurance needed to handle complex professional environments.
* Leaping Before You Feel 100% Ready: Saying “yes” to major roles outside your comfort zone and relying on just-in-time learning to bridge knowledge gaps.
2. Purpose-Driven & Heart-Led Leadership
“When you navigate by your inner compass and passion, every unexpected shift leads to authentic contribution.”
* Following the Inner Compass: Prioritizing heart-centered choices over material wealth or rigid career milestones.
* Roots of Passion: Allowing early life experiences and family role models to serve as the fuel for your life’s mission.
* Human-Centered Service: Approaching complex work with deep empathy, recognizing that those we serve often teach us how to be more human.
3. Humility-Driven Growth & Co-Creation
“True transformation happens when leaders step off the pedestal of ‘hero’ and walk alongside communities as humble enablers.”
* Ordinary People, Collective Impact: Moving away from the hero complex to recognize that effective leaders are ordinary people bringing community wisdom together.
* Respecting Pacing Over Forced Scaling: Resisting the urge to rush growth and instead co-creating tailored solutions at a pace the community can sustain .
* Open-Minded Connection: Entering every encounter without assumptions, knowing that true collaboration begins with genuine curiosity.
4. Portfolio Trajectories & Releasing Regret
“Your unique path is your greatest asset—letting go of past regret unlocks the power of your lived experience.”
* Shedding Educational or Career Shame: Releasing regret over unfinished traditional paths (such as uncompleted degrees) to appreciate the rich real-world experience gained.
* Focusing on ‘Doing’ Over ‘Being’: Concentrating on the tangible work you want to execute rather than fixating on executive titles.
* Paying Generosity Forward: Honoring mentors who gave you a chance by backing and mentoring the next generation.
5. Intentional Connection & Network Diversity
“Actively seeking out diverse worldviews expands our horizons and challenges how we see the world.”
* Auditing Your Circle: Conducting an honest inventory of your network to identify gaps in perspectives, cultures, and experiences .
* Initiating Open Conversations: Reaching out to people outside your usual bubble simply to listen, learn, and understand their world .
Memorable Quotes
“I grew up with a really stable foundation, and that changes everything. What helped me take these, what people would consider big risks... was that I always felt like, ‘Okay, if it doesn’t work out, I can go back. I’ll be okay.’” Lisa Scharoun
“I’ve always done what my heart wanted to do. To chase the material life has never entered my consciousness. Every major shift came from listening to that inner compass.” Jude Pemel
“Leaders are not heroes. I think they are just ordinary people showing up, doing things constantly, improving every day, doing things together, bringing everybody’s ideas together, and driving real change through community.” Surya Bhatta
“I’ve learnt very, very slowly and painfully to stop regretting stuff... because the life experience that has given me has probably given me way more than a degree would have at the time.” Taimi Allan
Weekly Listener Challenge
Take an inventory of your current personal and professional network. Where are the gaps in terms of diversity, background, or life experience? Challenge yourself to reach out to someone new this week simply to listen and learn about their world .
This is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
Listen to this podcast on Substack, Spotify or Apple. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.
Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland
Produced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.
Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.
Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative and
Social Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit flyntrok.substack.com

Today, we are joined by Andrew Old, the Deputy Director-General, Public Health Agency and Mental Health Group with the Ministry of Health, New Zealand.
Andrew is a public health physician and has held a number of clinical leadership roles, as well as executive leadership and governance positions in strategy, community participation, patient experience, and quality improvement.
Andrew was the 2018/19 Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellow for New Zealand, and was based between the Clinical Excellence Research Center at Stanford University, and the Social Interventions Research Evaluation Network at UC San Francisco.
Upon returning to NZ he was almost immediately seconded to support the COVID-19 response, latterly as Chief Clinical Officer, before becoming the inaugural Deputy Director-General for the Public Health Agency on its formation in July 2022.
Andrew received his medical and public health degrees from the University of Auckland, and is a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine. He was awarded Fellowship of the New Zealand Medical Association in 2011 for services to the profession and the public.
Let’s dive in to our conversation with Andrew Old.
Key moments in the podcast:
00:00 Podcast Intro
01:16 Meet Andrew Old
02:53 Growing Up With Music
04:48 Awe At World Health
06:49 Staying Grounded
09:45 Choosing Medicine
15:30 Finding Public Health
18:47 Becoming Systems Minded
21:08 Study That Shapes You
26:48 First Leadership Leap
29:59 Learning On The Job
34:14 When Leadership Gets Hard
40:29 Hope And Purpose Ahead
43:47 Three Career Nuggets
47:48 A Quote To Remember
Here is what stays with us from this conversation:
Growth Happens When You Step Up Long Before You Feel Ready
* Embracing Uncertainty: Backing yourself and taking leaps when opportunities arise, rather than waiting for a “perfect” moment that never comes.
* Navigating the Unknown: Stepping into executive and managerial roles—even before having formal experience in managing people or corporate budgets—by trusting your potential.
* Just-in-Time Learning: Prioritizing targeted, practical skill development when new challenges present themselves over relying solely on traditional degrees.
True Fulfillment Comes From What You Do, Not What You Want to Be
* Shifting Career Focus: Moving away from chasing titles or rigid career milestones to focus on what a “good day” of meaningful work actually looks like.
* Systems Thinking Over Quick Fixes: Looking “upstream” to understand the broader context, social determinants, and systemic dynamics behind front-line issues.
* Leading with Curiosity: Asking better questions and remaining continuously curious to appraise complex situations critically.
The People and Culture Around the Work Matter Most
* Environment Over Job Description: Recognizing that even the perfect job on paper will not bring fulfillment if the team dynamic and work environment do not fit.
* Grounding in Community and Family: Maintaining perspective in high-demand leadership roles by prioritizing family, daily routines, and personal connections.
* Perspective and Empathy: Remembering that success in human-centered fields relies on honoring others and harmonizing efforts toward a shared goal.
Authentic Leadership Bridges Divides Through Vulnerability and Hope
* Disarming Cynicism: Facing skepticism—including your own—by openly calling out doubts and re-anchoring efforts in the fundamental “why”.
* Honoring Professional Identity: Maintaining core personal values and professional ethics while transitioning into broad governance and civil leadership roles.
* Amplifying Symbols of Hope: Actively seeking out, celebrating, and sharing moments of progress to sustain a sense of purpose within large, complex systems.
Connect with Dr Andrew Old
This is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
Listen to this podcast on Substack, Spotify or Apple. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social media, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.
Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland
Produced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.
Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.
Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative and
Social Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit flyntrok.substack.com

Today we are joined by Taimi Allan, the Mental Health Commissioner for South Australia, and she describes herself as a Wellbeing Warrior, Strategist, Tech-Geek, Do-er, Compassionate Leader, and Creative—and Enabled, not disabled by lived experience.
Taimi’s early career steps were through studying drama and theatre arts, jobs in hospitality and the airline industry. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in her own recovery journey through complex mental health challenges. We also love her summary of her career path so far, from consumer to CEO to Commissioner. Her work includes leading national anti-discrimination initiatives and directing a Mental Health Innovations company. Uniquely, Taimi served on mental health commissions in both New Zealand and South Australia. Taimi is Deputy Chair of the eMental Health International Collaborative, a member of UNICEF’s global Digital Youth Mental Health Expert Network, and a member of South Australia’s Suicide Prevention Council, among other governance roles.
Let’s dive in…
Key moments in the podcast:
00:00 Letting Go of Regret
00:53 Podcast Welcome and Guest Intro
03:17 Quickfire Qantas Stories
05:16 Crochet and Creative Recharge
07:51 Teen Music and Love Story
10:10 Early Forks in Career
15:02 Degree Doubts and Validation
17:57 From Arts to Mental Health Messaging
20:22 Leadership Rise and Lived Experience
24:50 Mentors and Enabled by Experience
28:03 Mind and Body and Anti-Stigma Work
31:53 Commissioner Role and Team Culture
38:14 Global Partnerships and Cultural Authority
43:38 Weaving Culture in Australia
47:08 Saying Yes to Commissioner Role
51:39 Three Golden Nuggets and Farewell
54:36 Outro and Next Episode Teaser
Notable Quotes
* “You are not disabled by your experiences. You are enabled by them.”
* “Don’t be embarrassed about any part of your life. It’s all learning and teaching.”
* “When things go right, it’s because we are moving at the speed of trust.”
Here is what stays with us from this conversation:
Your Lived Experience Is Your Ultimate Leadership Asset
* Reframing Vulnerability into Power: Turning recovery journeys through complex mental health challenges into strengths rather than deficits.
* The Power of Edutainment: Using creative mediums like theater, film, and comedy to communicate mental health messages without making people feel railroaded.
* Collective Peer Support: Leveraging shared lived experience to break down stigma, build empathy, and foster authentic human connection.
Releasing Regret Unlocks Your True Purpose
* Overcoming Academic Stigma: Letting go of the shame of an unfinished degree to recognize that raw life experience offers irreplaceable wisdom.
* Walking Through Open Doors: Embracing unexpected career detours and trusting that non-linear paths lead exactly where you need to be.
* Self-Validation over External Approval: Moving beyond the need to prove worth through perfectionism or traditional credentials.
Real Systems Change Moves at the Speed of Trust
* Weaving Cultural Authority: Learning from collectivist Indigenous wisdom to embed cultural authority across systems rather than treating it as an afterthought.
* Flattening Workplace Hierarchies: Dismantling rigid structures so individuals feel empowered to take charge of their own wellbeing and growth.
* Navigating the “Mirror Moment”: Supporting staff who bring lived experience to work as they navigate personal reflections and maintain performance standards.
Authentic Leaders Welcome Challenge and Lead with Kindness
* Grounding in Core Values: Living and leading by two foundational rules: work hard and be kind.
* Inviting constructive critique: Embracing challenges from colleagues and community as essential fuel for personal and system improvement.
* Moving with Curiosity: Remaining comfortable with not knowing everything and viewing mistakes as vital opportunities to learn and rebuild trust.
Connect with Taimi Allan
This is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
Listen to this podcast on Substack, Spotify or Apple. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.
Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland
Produced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.
Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.
Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative and
Social Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit flyntrok.substack.com