Innotainment Podcast

Episode 24 – Bonus: Brain-Friendly Leadership – Aga's lessons from Season 2 and plans for 2026

In this solo episode of Innotainment, Aga Gajownik reflects on the first half of Season 2 and brings together the most important lessons from conversations with neuroscientists, HR leaders and organisational practitioners while sharing what’s ahead for 2026.
What started as a short experiment turned into a deeper exploration of what it really takes to build brain-friendly organisations. Drawing on insights from guests including Naomi Glover, Larissa Murmann, Andrea Toh, Brian Slattery and Feng Ling Li, Aga unpacks the recurring patterns that kept surfacing across very different industries and leadership roles.
This episode explores how performance, burnout, communication and leadership are deeply shaped by how human brains actually work, and why many so-called “performance issues” are really unmet neurocognitive needs.
Discover:🧠 Why burnout is more often caused by friction, unclear expectations and emotional labour than workload💬 How communication builds trust when it focuses on connection, not meetings🧩 Why psychological safety enables learning, innovation and honest feedback⚡ How micro-learning and small habits outperform long, high-stress training programs🧠 What leaders miss when they manage outputs but ignore cognitive load and nervous systems🌱 Why brain-friendly leadership is ultimately human-friendly leadership
Aga also shares personal reflections on leadership, self-regulation and the invisible emotional labour many managers carry, and outlines what’s coming next as Season 2 moves into a deeper dive on neurodiversity at work.
Whether you’re a founder, senior leader, people manager or simply trying to work better with your own brain, this episode offers a grounded, human perspective on how to lead without burning yourself, or your team out.

Episode 23 – S2E5: How to build brain-friendly learning cultures w/ Feng Ling Li, Head of HR, Lifelong Learning Singapore

In this episode of Innotainment, Aga sits down with Feng Ling Li, a seasoned HR leader helping organisations across Singapore and the region develop true learning cultures that drive performance, resilience and innovation.
Together, they unpack why learning is no longer “a yearly training budget exercise” but a daily practice that requires psychological safety, experimentation, and leadership empathy. From micro-learning and reverse mentoring to AI-supported development, this conversation shines a light on what it really takes to help people grow in a rapidly changing world.
Discover:🧠 Why learning must feel as natural as breathing, not a KPI checkbox📱 How micro-learning and hybrid formats support real retention🤝 Why psychological safety, empathy and respect matter more than ever🤖 How AI supports learning (and where human judgment is still essential)👥 Practical ways leaders can personalise development without burning out HR📊 How to measure learning outcomes beyond “completed course hours”
 
Whether you're an HR leader, founder or people manager, this episode shows you how to build a workplace where learning feels safe, continuous and human-centred and where your teams can adapt at the speed of change.

Episode 22 - S2E4: Beyond perks. How to evolve corporate benefits and build human centred teams w/ Andrea Toh

In this episode, Aga Gajownik sits down with veteran benefits leader and founder Andrea Toh to explore what modern employee benefits really mean in today’s workplace.
Beyond insurance plans and surface level perks, Andrea reveals how meaningful benefits are built through culture, communication, and human connection, not just budgets. With 20 years of experience shaping benefits systems across Singapore, she unpacks how organisations can create workplaces where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay.
 
Together, they dive into:
✨ Why “traditional benefits” no longer meet the needs of Gen Z and millennial workers🧠 How culture, purpose and team communication directly shape employee experience💬 The hidden cost of poorly trained managers and why they make or break retention👥 How small companies can create big impact through simple, human benefits🔄 Why job design, team alignment and meaningful conversations matter more than perks🏡 The role of family, flexibility and community in building workplaces people love
 
Whether you’re a founder, people manager, or HR professional, this episode reveals how benefits can become a daily experience, not a PDF policy, and how leaders can design teams that thrive without burning people out.

Episode 21 – S2E3: Trust, teamwork and the ADHD brain - How to unlock high-performing teams w/ Brian Slattery

In this episode, Aga Gajownik sits down with Brian Slattery, founder of Teamwork Unlocked and former Head of Culture Club at Google, to explore what really happens inside teamwork when different brains, strengths and cognitive styles collide.
From late ADHD diagnosis and leadership quirks to building escape-room-powered leadership programmes, Brian shares a refreshingly honest look at how trust, psychological safety and better conversations can transform the way teams collaborate.
You’ll hear:🧠 How ADHD shows up in leadership and why late diagnosis often brings both clarity and chaos🔐 Why trust should be given, not earned - and the speech Brian teaches leaders to transform culture🧩 The 9 team profiles he sees in action inside escape rooms (and why “Mavericks” and “Challengers” are disappearing)🚫 Why innovation stalls in risk-averse cultures and how permafrost forms in middle management✨ Practical, tiny habits that help leaders support cognitive diversity without adding workload🎉 The art of celebrating failure and why “birthday culture” does absolutely nothing for motivation
Whether you're a senior leader, HR professional or a manager trying to build more brain-friendly teams, this conversation is a masterclass in understanding people, creating trust and designing systems that let every brain contribute.

Episode 20 - S2E2: How to grow, lead and thrive in a hybrid, AI-enabled workplace w/ Larissa Murmann

In this episode, Aga Gajownik sits down with Larissa Murmann, Digital Chief HR Officer at Unilever International, to unpack how leaders can navigate change, support their teams and adapt new technologies without burning people out.
Larissa offers a candid, insider perspective on what’s changing inside global organisations - from AI adoption and hybrid team design to fractional roles and wellbeing at scale. Together, they explore the mindset shift leaders must make, why emotional and subconscious intelligence matter more than ever, and how to build high-performing teams when humans and AI increasingly work side-by-side.
You’ll hear practical strategies for navigating uncertainty, preventing burnout, and creating workplaces where people feel trusted, empowered and supported - no matter their neurotype, generation or working style.
Whether you’re a founder, HR leader or emerging manager, this conversation will show you how to design more brain-friendly teams and lead with confidence in a rapidly evolving world.

Episode 19 - S2E1: The real cost of disengagement - Why it’s time to build brain-friendly workplaces.

In our first episode of Innotainment Season 2, Aga Gajownik brings back applied neuroscientist Naomi Glover to dive deep into what’s really happening inside our workplaces and inside our brains.
From burnout and disengagement to the challenges of introducing psychological safety, this episode explores how outdated structures, rigid office mandates, and untrained managers are quietly costing organisations billions.
Discover:🧠 What neuroscience reveals about engagement, burnout, and motivation💼 Why flexibility and trust aren’t “perks” but they’re performance essentials🤖 How technology and AI are reshaping the way our brains focus and connect✨ Practical shifts to start building brain-friendly organisations that help everyone thrive, neurodivergent or not.
Whether you’re a senior leader, HR professional, or simply someone tired of bad meetings, this episode offers a science-based perspective on how to make work actually work.

Episode 18: Bonus - How to start over without starting from scratch with Lu Li

In this final bonus episode of season 1, ⁠Aga Gajownik⁠ sits down with ⁠Lu Li - entrepreneur, author, and founder of Content Gym. They dive into the reality of professional development through entrepreneurship - the pivots, the letting go, and the art of turning “failure” into fuel for growth.
They talk about what it really means to evolve professionally, how to know when it’s time to change direction, and why starting over can be the most strategic move you make.
This one’s for anyone standing at a crossroads - reflecting, recalibrating, and ready to build their next chapter with more clarity and self-compassion.
Are you building a business?
🎁 Grab your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free companion guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:
🧠 The Neurodivergent Founder’s Business Model Cheat Sheet. A visual, ADHD-friendly, no-fluff companion to help you reflect, take action, and connect the dots.
Let’s build a business that fits you!
Want to keep the conversation going? Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Innotainment_Podcast

Episode 17: Bonus - How to make your business profitable with Romka Walkowiak

In this special episode, ⁠Aga Gajownik⁠ sits down with ⁠Romka Walkowiak⁠ - fractional CRO and founder of ⁠GroWise⁠ - to break down the different revenue streams that can fuel your business model.
We’ll explore how to diversify your income, build a sustainable flow of cash, and ensure your financial strategy aligns with your values and energy.
This is about finding the revenue streams that work for you and your business, whether you're in the early stages or looking to scale up.
🎁 Grab your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free companion guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:
🧠 The Neurodivergent Founder’s Business Model Cheat Sheet. A visual, ADHD-friendly, no-fluff companion to help you reflect, take action, and connect the dots.
Let’s build a business that fits you!
Want to keep the conversation going? Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Innotainment_Podcast

Episode 16: Bonus - How to use podcast guesting as a strategy?

Being a guest on someone else’s podcast is a great marketing tool for your business, BUT only if you’re strategically reaching out to shows that align with your expertise.
In this bonus episode, ⁠Rhianne Lovell-Boland ⁠⁠and ⁠⁠Aga Gajownik⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ discuss why guesting works best when there’s a clear connection between the value you can add to the host’s audience.
Aga shares the vague pitches she’s received from people completely outside of her industry, and Rhianne shares ways you can pitch yourself in a more effective way.
Plus, they talk about why podcasters should consider inviting guests onto their own show as a way to elevate organic marketing and reach new audiences.
Want to put this into action? - Apply to be a guest on the Innotainment Podcast ⁠here⁠ - Or, book a Podcast Guesting Strategy Discovery Call with Rhianne ⁠here⁠
Building a business? Grab Aga's⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠free companion guide⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠The Neurodivergent Founder’s Business Model Cheat Sheet. A visual, ADHD-friendly, no-fluff companion to help you reflect, take action, and connect the dots
Interested in podcasting? Get Rhianne’s freebie:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Your Ultimate Business Podcast Checklist: From Idea to Launch⁠⁠⁠⁠: the step-by-step guide to turning your podcast idea into a powerful business tool.
Want to continue the conversation? Follow us on Instagram:
⁠⁠⁠⁠@Innotainment_Podcast⁠⁠⁠

Episode 15: Bonus - How to stay consistent and save time with podcast episode planning

In this bonus episode, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Rhianne Lovell-Boland and Aga Gajownik⁠⁠⁠ break down how to turn your podcast concept into episode topics that actually serve your business. They discuss content pillars, building an idea bank, and creating repeatable formats to save you time, stay consistent, and avoid the dreaded “what should I record this week?” stress.
Listen in to learn how to plan smarter, not harder, and keep your podcast working for you long after you hit publish.Need guidance? Book an Episode Planning Session with Rhianne to map out episodes that speak to your ideal client, create a rhythm that works for you, and get a repeatable structure so planning feels easier instead of overwhelming.
Building a business? Grab Aga's ⁠⁠⁠free companion guide⁠:⁠⁠The Neurodivergent Founder’s Business Model Cheat Sheet. A visual, ADHD-friendly, no-fluff companion to help you reflect, take action, and connect the dots
Want to continue the conversation? Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@Innotainment_Podcast⁠