Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector

In this landmark episode of Work with Purpose, host David Pembroke sits down with Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Australia’s 28th Governor-General, for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation recorded at Government House.Marking one year and one day since her appointment, the Governor-General reflects on her journey from suburban Canberra to one of the nation’s highest offices. She shares insights into her upbringing, career, and the values that guide her leadership – care, kindness, and respect.Listeners will gain a rare glimpse into the evolving role of civic institutions, the importance of inclusive public service, and the power of storytelling in shaping national identity. From her early volunteerism to her work in law, sport, climate, and social justice, the Governor-General’s story is one of curiosity, courage, and commitment to community.In this episode, you’ll hear about her path to Governor-General, why care, kindness, and respect are central to her vision for modern leadership and public service, and how her diverse career shaped a holistic view of Australia’s institutions and the people who power them.This episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about Australia’s future, the role of public service, and the values that bind us together.Key tipsChampion civics education. Help build a more informed and engaged society by promoting understanding of Australia’s democratic systems and institutionsCollaborate across sectors. Break down silos between public, private, and community sectors to foster innovation and shared purposeLead with compassion. Embed care and kindness into everyday decision-making – whether in policy, leadership, or community engagement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever considered what it takes to design public services that keep pace with technology while staying genuinely human-centred?In this episode of Work with Purpose, IP Australia Deputy Director-General Margaret Tregurtha joins Wendy Cohen, Deputy CEO of IPAA, to explore how modern public institutions can foster innovation, build trust and deliver services that meet evolving community needs.Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how intellectual property underpins Australia’s economic and cultural wellbeing, why recognising and protecting First Nations knowledge is essential to a fair and modern IP system, and what responsible adoption of emerging technologies like AI really looks like in practice.The conversation also highlights the mindsets and capabilities needed to drive meaningful change inside government, from embedding transparency and inclusion to creating cultures that support curiosity and continuous improvement. It offers a practical and grounded look at what it takes to build public services that are trusted, adaptive and ready for the future.Key TakeawaysHuman centred design is essential for modern public services.True transformation happens when services are built around people's real needs and expectations, not just new technology.Protecting First Nations knowledge strengthens Australia's innovation system.Recognising and safeguarding Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property is vital for fairness, cultural resilience and a modern IP framework.Responsible innovation depends on clear governance and a culture of curiosity.Emerging technologies like AI deliver public value only when supported by strong risk frameworks, purposeful leadership and teams empowered to learn and experiment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special International Men’s Day episode, Work with Purpose host David Pembroke, Founder and CEO of contentgroup, brings together two senior public sector leaders to explore what male role modelling looks like in practice, not in theory.Deputy Secretary David Mackay (Regions, Cities and Territories, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts) and Michael Pohl (National Manager for Smart Centres across Regional NSW and the ACT at Services Australia) share candid reflections on leadership, identity, caregiving, cultural background, and the real pressures of balancing demanding roles with busy family lives.Listeners will hear lived experience, practical behaviours, First Nations perspectives, and personal stories that illuminate the difference male leaders can make in shaping respectful, healthy public sector workplaces.Key TipsPeople remember how leaders make them feel: small moments of validation or dismissal shape workplace culture more powerfully than formal feedbackLead with questions, not answers: curiosity and humility help unlock team insight, build trust, and create stronger decisionsNormalise shared caregiving: taking parental leave and protecting family time strengthens leaders and helps shift outdated gender normsBe honest about the chaos: vulnerability creates psychological safety and helps teams feel understood and supported Show Notes Coro Canberra (David Mackay’s choir)Hartley Cycle Challenge (Michael’s charity ride) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special International Men’s Day episode, Work with Purpose host David Pembroke, Founder and CEO of contentgroup, brings together two senior public sector leaders to explore what male role modelling looks like in practice, not in theory.Deputy Secretary David Mackay (Regions, Cities and Territories, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts) and Michael Pohl (National Manager for Smart Centres across Regional NSW and the ACT at Services Australia) share candid reflections on leadership, identity, caregiving, cultural background, and the real pressures of balancing demanding roles with busy family lives.Listeners will hear lived experience, practical behaviours, First Nations perspectives, and personal stories that illuminate the difference male leaders can make in shaping respectful, healthy public sector workplaces.Key TipsPeople remember how leaders make them feel: small moments of validation or dismissal shape workplace culture more powerfully than formal feedbackLead with questions, not answers: curiosity and humility help unlock team insight, build trust, and create stronger decisionsNormalise shared caregiving: taking parental leave and protecting family time strengthens leaders and helps shift outdated gender normsBe honest about the chaos: vulnerability creates psychological safety and helps teams feel understood and supported Show Notes Coro Canberra (David Mackay’s choir)Hartley Cycle Challenge (Michael’s charity ride) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered how political leaders decide which issues make it to the top of the agenda?In this episode of Work with Purpose, host David Pembroke speaks with Professor Liam Smith and Dr Connor Wynn from Behaviour Works Australia to explore how politicians make high-stakes decisions under pressure and what the public sector can learn from the process.Drawing on extensive behavioural research, Smith and Wynn reveal how political leaders rely on heuristics, or mental shortcuts, to navigate complexity, limited time and competing demands. They explain how community sentiment, emotion, political capital and timing influence which policies rise to prominence, and how these forces shape outcomes across government.Listeners will learn how understanding the psychology of decision making can help them engage more effectively with ministers, anticipate shifting priorities and design advice that resonates. This is an engaging conversation about influence, timing and the human side of leadership in government, offering practical guidance for anyone working in or alongside the Australian Public Service.Key tips:Use the “wait and see” principle. Recognise when an issue is gaining traction and be ready to act when political and community momentum align.Seize the moment. Identify windows of opportunity created by events, media attention or public pressure, and present advice when decision makers are most receptive.Think like your audience. Understand how leaders and communities perceive an issue, and frame advice using real-world perspectives and public sentiment, not just technical evidence.Show notes:Behaviour Works Australia – behavioural science research and case studies: behaviourworksaustralia.orgHow the political elite make decisions - Wynn - 2025 - Australian Journal of Public Administration - Wiley Online Library Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.