Welcome to The Inner Game of Change, the podcast where we explore the unseen forces that shape how we lead, adapt, and thrive in the face of change and transformation.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr Jonathan Thorpe—a former Navy pilot turned leadership educator—to unpack one of the most vital ingredients of effective teams: psychological safety.

From the boardroom to the break room, we explore what makes conversations feel safe, why trust must precede truth-telling, and how safety and accountability must work together—not in opposition—for change to truly take hold.

Jonathan also shares his six-step dialogue framework and reminds us that not all resistance is resistance—sometimes, it’s just people needing time to process.

Whether you lead teams through change or support those who do, this episode will leave you with both practical tools and fresh perspective.

I am grateful to have Jonathan chating with me today.

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An Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real...

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Ali Juma
@The Inner Game of Change podcast

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Welcome to a very special mini-series on The Inner Game of Change. I’m thrilled to take you on this journey as we explore something both timeless and practical: Mental Models for Managing Change.

In our last episode, we explored Leverage Points — how small, well-placed actions can shift entire systems. We talked about where change managers should be scanning for influence — not just solving problems, but shifting the conditions that create them.

Today, we pivot to a model that pairs beautifully with that: Map vs. Territory.

But first — if you’re just joining us, a quick reminder of what this mini-series is all about.
A mental model is a way of seeing — a thinking framework that helps us interpret complexity, make better decisions, and lead change more thoughtfully.

And just like any map, the clearer our model, the more confidently we can move through uncertainty.

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Ali Juma
@The Inner Game of Change podcast

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Welcome to The Inner Game of Change, the podcast where we explore the unseen forces that shape how we lead, adapt, and thrive in the face of change and transformation.

Today, I’m joined by Bronwyn Penhaligon — a strategic psychotherapist who helps people and teams get unstuck by tackling the emotional loops and environmental triggers that hold them back. In this conversation, we unpack burnout — how it’s different from stress, why it’s rising, and what both leaders and individuals can do to stop normalising overwhelm. We also explore the deep connection between mindset, environment, and change readiness.

And then — we zoom out. We talk about the psychological impact of artificial intelligence. Not just what it does, but how it’s quietly reshaping how we think, connect, reflect — even how we relate to ourselves.

So whether you’re managing change, leading a team, or just navigating your own mental patterns — this episode has something for you.

I am grateful to have Bronwyn chatting with me today.

About Bronwyn

Okay, it’s time to stop.

Stop telling yourself you'll start next week. Stop lying awake every night stressing about your problems. Stop drinking your way through a bottle bitching to your friends...

Just stop.

Let's face it, all the 'new year, new me' mantras and goal setting sessions won't change anything if you don't change your behaviour.

So...
- If you’re struggling to regulate your emotions
- Sick of overthinking and stressing yourself out
- Tired of procrastinating and faffing through your day
- And you're ready to start doing better…

Then we need to talk.

I'm a Strategic Psychotherapist and I'm here to move you from where you are now, to where you want to be - as fast as possible.

I help people not just 'feel' better, but be more effective in life; to actually 'be' better. I work 1:1 with people ready to get out of their heads, with teams keen to optimise their performance, and with companies who are in need of a fresh voice to talk about the elephant in the room.

- visit www.penhaligons.com.au
- book an initial consult
- or DM me here

Day one or one day. You choose.

Contacts

Bronwyn’s Profile

linkedin.com/in/bronwyn-penhaligon-32977313

Website

penhaligons.com.au (Company)

Send us a text

An Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ali Juma
@The Inner Game of Change podcast

Follow me on LinkedIn