Natural Genius: Deep Conversations. Meaningful Lives.

Natural Genius is a podcast of thoughtful conversations with people shaping meaningful lives, useful work and uncommon paths. Hosted by Sam Bell, the show listens for the hidden clever in each guest: the instinct, inner knowing, craft, courage and lived wisdom that shape how they build, lead, create, care and contribute. Guests include founders, operators, makers, artists, elders, wisdom holders and people whose lives carry practical insight. The conversations trace what becomes possible through close listening, trusted instinct, and a life organised around what matters. Listen for the thread. Notice what feels true. Take what’s useful into your own life and work. More at naturalgenius.com.au

Natural Genius: Deep Conversations. Meaningful Lives. is a business podcast hosted by Natural Genius, with 78 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Natural Genius hosts Natural Genius: Deep Conversations. Meaningful Lives., a business show with 78 episodes published.

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  Episode #78

  #78 Jamie Butemeyer: Being Seen, Dropping the Masks and the Age of Performance

  Sep 23, 202644 minS1

  Jamie Butemeyer works at the intersection of expression and belonging: the ways we learn to edit, perform and suppress parts of ourselves to stay connected, liked and safe. Her path began in theatre, dance and pageants, where being impressive became tied to love and belonging. Later came New York auditions, yoga, Aspen, organising, coaching and The School of Expression. Across the different forms, the question underneath stayed similar: what happens when we stop performing our way through life and let more of who we are be seen? Jamie is a transformational leadership coach working with founders, creatives and conscious leaders, bringing together embodiment and creative expression. Jamie and Sam move from Jamie's four-day “Love Fest” wedding into visibility, masks, belonging and becoming less offendable. Jamie makes an important distinction: becoming unoffendable isn’t pretending nothing hurts. It begins with learning to feel what hurts instead of intellectualising, bypassing or distracting ourselves away from it. They also talk about attention in an age of short-form content: protecting the first hour of the day, rebuilding the ability to sit with long-form ideas, and “create before you consume”. Closing out with seasonal living, shapeshifting and integration. Thank you to the natural genius of Marisa Hallsted for introducing us. Content note: This conversation includes discussion of psychedelics, psychedelic healing and integration. Laws and clinical frameworks vary by location. This is general information only, not medical or legal advice, or a recommendation to use any substance or treatment. What you’ll hear: Belonging and the versions of ourselves we show the world Being seen, visibility and dropping the masks Why becoming “unoffendable” begins with feeling what hurts Distraction, short-form content and protecting the first hour of the day “Create before you consume” and rebuilding long-form attention Shapeshifting with the seasons and making space for integration Guest links: Jamie Butemeyer and The School of Expression: https://www.jamiebutemeyer.com/theschoolofexpression Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiebutemeyer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-butemeyer-995327170/ Express to Expand free workbook: https://golden-paper-36209.myflodesk.com/wws8vm5npw Jamie and Skippy's Love Fest wedding: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DbozSmQPXx5/ Conversation mentions: Marisa Hallsted, Natural Genius #62: https://youtu.be/5cgJeJxSQ4E “Becoming unoffendable” - Natalie Hummel: https://nataliehummelcoaching.com/ Zack Kravits: https://www.instagram.com/zackkravits Authentic Living, Lindsay Patterson + Beth Mobilian: https://www.lindsayandbeth.com/aspen-program Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke / Aspen Institute: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/about/our-history-and-heritage/ Chapters: 00:12 Marisa, friendship and the Love Fest wedding 04:28 Visibility, expression and being seen 10:22 Becoming unoffendable by feeling what hurts 13:45 Distraction, long-form attention and “create before you consume” 20:33 Theatre, yoga, Aspen and the road into coaching 27:04 Belonging, self-expression and the freedom to stop fitting in 32:16 Shapeshifting with the seasons, integration and aliveness Explore further: Discover Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and Aspen, 19 August 2026. Produced at the Kiama office, 19 August - 24 September 2026. Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

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  Episode #77

  #77 Graeme Boden: Family, Contribution and a Meaningful Life Without a Grand Plan

  Sep 15, 202633 minS1

  Graeme Boden has built a life of significant professional achievement, deep family commitment and sustained contribution to others. Across a long career in finance, resources, corporate planning and governance, Graeme worked with BHP, Bougainville Copper, major US resources companies, Sons of Gwalia and numerous ASX-listed and emerging businesses. In his twenties he joined BHP’s Ok Tedi copper-gold project team in Papua New Guinea, working across an international feasibility team and gaining unusual exposure to senior executives and major global companies early in his career. There is a lovely story from his late twenties. Sitting in the Morgan Guaranty boardroom in New York with BHP’s Treasurer, Graeme was asked about an Australian mining project and gave a view that went against conventional wisdom. Afterwards, the Treasurer told him he was proud of how Graeme had represented BHP. Graeme tells the story humbly, acknowledging this as part of an extraordinary early education in competence, contribution and learning to think across disciplines. Family sat at the centre of it all. Graeme’s parents were profound role models. Their influence carried into Graeme’s own marriages, children and grandchildren, decades of involvement in his children’s schools and community, helping establish the Learning and Attentional Disorders Society of WA when ADHD was still poorly understood, and an ongoing commitment to philanthropy and volunteering. When his children were benefiting from what other people had built before them, Graeme felt it was his turn to “carry the baton”. He describes contribution as his thanks for what had gone before and his contribution to what would come after. Now retired, Graeme continues to contribute through organisations including Community First Development, ANZGITA and Foodbank WA, alongside supporting a wide range of charities. A recurring instinct throughout the conversation is looking out for people who have hit difficult times through no fault of their own. Sam knows Graeme as Uncle G, a gentleman she admires who's magnanimous, humble, generous and kind. This conversation moves through work, family, leadership, love, volunteering, grandchildren, travel, Australian red wine and what Graeme calls the ordinary “sweetness of life.” Asked how he built a meaningful life, Graeme offers something refreshingly simple. He hasn’t had a grand plan. Family has remained at the centre. What you’ll hear: • Building professional confidence at BHP and on the Ok Tedi project • Working internationally and learning alongside highly capable people • Leadership, decision-making and contributing beyond your own expertise • Why family remained central throughout Graeme’s career • Helping establish one of WA’s early organisations supporting families affected by ADHD • “Carrying the baton” for the people who come after us • Philanthropy, volunteering and helping people doing it tough • Parents as role models for love, respect and gentlemanly conduct • Children, grandchildren and the sweetness of ordinary family life • A meaningful life that emerged without a grand plan Guest links: • Graeme Boden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graeme-boden-11149611/ Conversation mentions: • ADHD WA: https://www.adhdwa.org/ • Australia and New Zealand Gastroenterology International Training Association (ANZGITA): https://www.anzgita.org/ • Australian Doctors for Africa: https://ausdocafrica.org/ • Community First Development: https://communityfirstdevelopment.org.au/ • Australian Wildlife Conservancy: https://www.australianwildlife.org/ • The Smith Family: https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au • MacKillop Family Services: https://www.mackillop.org.au/ • Kids First Australia: https://www.kidsfirstaustralia.org.au/ • The Salvation Army: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/ • Foodbank WA: https://www.foodbank.org.au/WA/ Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Graeme Boden 03:34 His father, BHP and the early career years 06:18 Confidence, international boardrooms and representing BHP 11:13 Leadership, ADHD WA and carrying the baton 14:18 Volunteering, philanthropy and helping others 17:01 Parents, role models and family legacy 21:19 Fatherhood, grandchildren and the sweetness of life 23:53 Family at the centre, without a grand plan 28:41 Contribution, Foodbank, travel and enjoying life Explore further: Discover Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam Bell: https://samanthabell.com.au Other platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568387 Subscribe for more long-form conversations with thoughtful leaders, founders, creatives and changemakers across business, human intelligence, AI, wellbeing and meaningful lives. Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and Burswood, Perth, 14 August 2026. Produced at the Kiama office, 14 August - 15 September 2026. Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

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  Episode #76

  #76 Wendy Fyfe: Curiosity, Connection and Changing What You Believe Is Possible

  Sep 13, 202648 minS1

  Wendy Fyfe has spent much of her career helping people see more possibility in themselves, their work and each other. In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with her long-time friend, strategist, facilitator and executive coach Wendy Fyfe about curiosity, connection, limiting beliefs and the small shifts that can change what feels possible. Wendy has spent decades working with executives, senior leaders and organisations through leadership development, culture and large-scale change, including Director-level work at Deloitte and executive coaching across complex transformations. Her approach is deeply human: suspend assumption, understand the person and their map of the world, build connection first, then work with what can change. The conversation moves from Wendy’s solo travels through South America to coaching, parenting, community, workshops and skiing. She reflects on how overthinking can stop us acting, why discomfort often accompanies growth, and how changing one belief, one action or one conversation can shift a trajectory. There is plenty of Wendy in this one too: jumping into a freezing pool fully clothed with her daughters, “Hoover energy” versus “groover energy”, deliberate playfulness at work, volunteering, chairlift conversations and the joy of feeling fully alive on skis. What you’ll hear: Suspending assumptions and staying open to what another person can teach you How old beliefs can constrain capability, confidence and possibility Why curiosity can change the way we approach difficult relationships Choosing spontaneity, mischief and joy in busy adult life The energy we bring into a room, and why playfulness can deepen connection Building relationship and connection before trying to create change Small shifts, discomfort and the internal dialogue that shapes what we do next Guest links: Wendy Fyfe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-fyfe/ Wendy Fyfe Consulting: https://wendyfyfe.com/ Wendy recommends: The Teenage Brain by Frances E. Jensen — a compelling read for parents of teenagers and anyone interested in adolescent brain development, decision-making, risk-taking, memory and addiction: https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-au/products/teenage-brain-book-frances-e-jensen-9780062067852 Susan David, The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage — one of Wendy’s favourite TED Talks, especially the idea of emotions as a rich source of data rather than a trigger for immediate action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDQ1Mi5I4rg Chapters: 00:12 Openness, assumptions and seeing possibility 05:49 South America, fear and overthinking 15:06 Curiosity and changing what you believe is possible 19:34 Mischief, joy and “Hoover” versus “groover” energy 29:18 Community, connection and how change really happens 32:38 Skiing, aliveness and trusting the edge 35:54 Small shifts, discomfort and changing the trajectory Explore further: Discover Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Other platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568387 Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and Geelong, 26 May, 2026. Produced at the Kiama office, 26 May - 14 September, 2026. Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

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  Episode #75

  #75 Pete Spence: Beyond the Mechanical Worldview: Stillness, Connection and Human Potential

  Sep 10, 202643 minS1

  What becomes possible when we become still enough to notice more of what is already available within us, between us and around us? Peter Spence returns to Natural Genius, moving beyond the high-performance foundations of his first episode into stillness, connection, human potential and quantum thinking. Pete has spent decades across Australian cricket and elite sport, including the NSW Cricket Association, Australian Cricket Board, AIS Cricket Academy and the Victorian Institute of Sport. He now works as a Sports & Performance Consultant. Beginning with Pete’s recent Peace of Mind retreat with Brahma Kumaris, the conversation moves through soul consciousness, rest and recovery, Danah Zohar and Ian Marshall “dreaming each other’s dreams”, different cultural and spiritual perspectives, non-locality, breathwork, connection to land and Ralph Van Gelder singing to a spring in Mongolia. The conversation is exploratory and throughout, Pete returns to a question that has shaped his work for decades: how might people retain openness and access more of what they are capable of? What you’ll hear: • Why stillness and recovery matter for performance and human potential • Moving beyond a purely mechanical worldview • Ideas that emerge between people, not only within individuals • What different cultural and spiritual perspectives can open in our thinking • Non-locality, consciousness and Pete’s curiosity about quantum ideas • Shamanism and connection to the land • Breathwork, mindfulness and becoming more receptive Guest links: • Peter Spence: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-spence-6021016/ • Pete’s first Natural Genius: https://youtu.be/iNLPdw0oZls Conversation mentions: • Brahma Kumaris: https://brahmakumaris.org.au • 100 Days of Peace 2026: http://www.tiny.cc/100Days2026 • Calm in the City: https://www.calminthecity.org.au/ • Kalvinder Shields: https://sites.google.com/site/kalvindershields/ • Pete Williams’ Natural Genius: https://youtu.be/NX2G0g4asXc • Serana Hunt-Hughes’ Natural Genius: https://youtu.be/7CeCpefExpY • Margaret Wheatley / Berkana: https://www.margaretwheatley.com/ | https://www.berkana.org/ • Margaret Wheatley: Leadership and the New Science ; A Simpler Way ; Finding Our Way ; Turning to One Another • Danah Zohar: https://danahzohar.com • Danah Zohar: The Quantum Self ; The Quantum Society ; SQ: Spiritual Intelligence ; The Quantum Leader ; Zero Distance • David Jones: https://davidjonesdrums.com/ • Carmen Warrington: https://www.carmenwarrington.com/ • Barney Mercer - breathwork facilitator Sam mentions: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barney-mercer-495863268/ • The Art of Breathing : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58958038-the-art-of-breathing • Deeper Mindfulness : https://franticworld.com/deeper-mindfulness/ • Catherine Freeman: https://www.instagram.com/cathyfreeman/ Chapters: 00:00 Welcome back and the Peace of Mind retreat 05:27 Human potential and “dreaming each other’s dreams” 12:48 Rest, recovery and moving beyond the mechanical worldview 20:23 Time, culture and different ways of knowing 29:39 Non-locality, connection and a Mongolian spring 34:06 Openness, consciousness and experiences beyond the conventional 37:46 Breathwork, mindfulness and connection to the whole Explore further: Discover Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Other platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568387 Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and Phillip Island, 16 June, 2026. Produced at the Kiama office, 16 June - 10 September, 2026. Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

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  Episode #74

  #74 Hamish Curry: Leave Room to Discover, Rethinking Education and Thinking for Yourself in the Age of AI

  Sep 8, 202639 minS1

  Leave enough room to notice what you didn’t plan for. Six months after Hamish Curry’s first Natural Genius conversation, we catch up after his nearly two months of travel through Japan and the US. The stories begin with road trips, Hamish's adult children, the all-important snacks, unexpected festivals and places discovered simply because they sounded interesting. They open into a bigger question: what happens when we leave enough space for experience and discovery? Hamish is General Manager at Cool.org and has spent over three decades across schools, libraries and education organisations in Australia and internationally, including the State Library of Victoria, NoTosh and the Asia Education Foundation at the University of Melbourne. After speaking at the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Spring Learning Summit, Hamish reflects on students pushing back on default AI use, the invisible ways AI already influences decisions, and why education needs discernment rather than simply better prompting. We move through “baby adults”, risk, philosophy, the arts, real-world learning, overstimulation, purpose and the value of slowing down enough to think, wonder and ask better questions. And back to one of Hamish’s enduring themes: serendipity tends to appear when we make room for it. What you’ll hear: • Why the memorable parts of travel are often the unplanned ones • “Baby adults”, risk and getting feedback from the world • University students wanting space to think before using AI • The invisible AI already shaping health, banking, transport and shopping • Why Hamish would put philosophy and the arts back into education • Learning through real experience rather than simply absorbing information • Making room in work and life for ideas, adventure and serendipity Guest links: • Hamish Curry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamishcurry • Attention to Detail: https://hamishcurry.com/2026/07/03/attention-to-detail/ • Cool.org: https://cool.org/ • Hamish’s first Natural Genius episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfNMrg6aMfg Conversation mentions: • Harvard Graduate School of Education / Next Level Lab Learning Summit: https://nextlevellab.gse.harvard.edu/homepage/spring-convening/ • Liz Bull: https://www.instagram.com/lizzycphoto • Mark Lobo: https://www.marklobo.com.au/ • Sam Neill’s chickens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2I2_GBawWI Chapters: 04:30 Japan, adult children and leaving room for serendipity 10:22 “Baby adults”, risk and learning from the world 19:49 Harvard and changing approaches to learning 24:03 Students pushing back on AI and its invisible influence 28:37 Philosophy, the arts and asking better questions 33:15 Slowing education down and learning through experience 36:04 Making space for wider thinking, random walks and adventure Explore further: Discover Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au Other platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568387 Subscribe to hear future episodes. Credits: Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and Box Hill, 17 July, 2026. Produced at the Kiama office, 17 July - 8 September, 2026. Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au

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