Slicing through the noise podcast
Real stories. Tough decisions.
Leadership, unfiltered with Jennifer Elliott.
Leadership isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters — and doing it well.
In Slicing Through the Noise, Jennifer Elliott, CEO of Integrity and Values, sits down with Australia’s business leaders who’ve faced the pressure, made the hard calls, and led their teams through moments that defined their careers.
These are conversations about clarity in chaos, about holding the line when it’s easier to compromise, and about the silent disciplines that separate reactive managers from accountable leaders. No jargon. No fluff. Just real-world insights from those who’ve learned to cut through distraction, complexity, and noise — and focus on what drives results.
Whether you’re leading 50 people or 500, each episode is a chance to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what leadership is really about.
Episode 13: Peter Drinkwater
In this episode Peter unpacks the attention economy, why authenticity now outperforms polished messaging, and how organisations can create signals people want to engage with rather than push content that gets ignored. This conversation is practical, direct, and highly relevant for CEOs, founders, and senior leaders navigating cluttered markets.
Episode 12: Paul Noppen
Paul discusses the challenges of starting a business with limited resources, the importance of prioritising service over ego-driven growth, and how he navigated betrayal within his leadership team. He also highlights the critical role of hobbies and personal passions in maintaining balance and avoiding burnout. This episode is packed with actionable advice for leaders looking to build sustainable businesses and foster loyal teams.
Episode 11: Craig Patterson
From one bulldozer and a bold vision to a $100 million civil and mining services powerhouse, Craig Patterson has lived leadership from the ground up. In this episode of Slicing Through the Noise, Craig shares how early challenges, bold choices and values-driven leadership took him from operating heavy machinery at 14 to leading a thriving company with over 150 employees. If you’re growing a business in tough conditions, his hard-won lessons on safety, succession, community and culture are pure gold.
Episode 10: Richard McCarthy
In this compelling episode of Slicing Through the Noise, Richard McCarthy — shares his transformative leadership journey from the corporate world of Shell to a purpose-driven role in infrastructure. With trademark humility and strategic clarity, Richard explores the mindset shifts that shaped his approach to leadership.
Episode 9: Rohan McLellan
From transforming supply chains to delivering potable water to 300,000 people in Fiji, this conversation is rich with leadership wisdom, legacy thinking, and sharp takes on the future of manufacturing, sustainability, and team culture. Blending lessons from elite sport with decades of hard-won business insight, Rohan unpacks how discipline, timing, and a deep commitment to quality have shaped Clover’s role in building critical water infrastructure across Australia and beyond.
Episode 8: Tony Dodd
Tony shares his journey from a junior clerk to CEO, discussing how his leadership philosophy has been shaped by values such as fairness, responsibility, and empathy. He emphasises the importance of being genuine and self-aware as a leader, reflecting on the lessons learned from his early career and how effective leadership was crucial during the global pandemic. Tony also touches on how to build a team culture centred on responsibility and customer-first values.
Episode 7: Ian Whiting
With more than 45 acquisitions under his belt, Ian speaks candidly about how he assesses company fit, why attitude trumps skill, and the critical role of curiosity and accountability in any thriving organization. This is a must-listen for any leader who wants to build with purpose, lead with humility, and stay grounded in a rapidly changing business world.
Episode 6: Mark Casey
In this sharp and candid episode of Slicing Through the Noise, host Jennifer sits down with Mark Casey, current CEO of RIS Safety and a seasoned serial entrepreneur known for building, fixing, and selling high-stakes businesses across the globe. With 30+ years of leadership experience—including scaling international operations, leading businesses through crises like the GFC, and integrating multiple acquisitions—Mark offers practical wisdom for CEOs who need to act decisively, manage risk, and lead people through uncertain terrain.
Episode 5: Mitch Birt
In this insightful and deeply human episode of Slicing Through the Noise, host Jennifer sits down with Mitch Birt, Managing Director of Pure Fishing Asia Pacific. With a career that’s grown from checkout clerk to senior executive, Mitch opens up about the raw realities of leadership, including the power of authenticity, the cost of poor decisions, and the lessons that can only be learned by making mistakes.
Episode 4: Gary Marshall
In this rich and reflective episode of Slicing Through the Noise, Gary Marshall, Managing Director of DEM Fire, shares his deeply personal leadership journey—from jazz musician to business owner, and everything in between. With host Jennifer Elliott, Gary unpacks the raw truth of what it really takes to lead through growth, mistakes, reinvention, and the long shadow of family business dynamics.
Episode 3: Nathan Craner
Deputy Managing Director Nathan opens up about the highs and lows of his journey—from growing up as one of seven kids in a large family to navigating tax debt, business ownership, and major leadership responsibilities. Nathan shares stories of his early jobs, how McDonald’s instilled a customer-first mindset, and what it really took to lead others in both fitness and corporate spaces.
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