Fearless Conversations

Mohammed Semra was born in Sudan, to the Beja people of Eastern Sudan, and arrived in Footscray as a child. He is now the Mayor of the City of Maribyrnong, the youngest mayor in Australia at present and the first person of sub-Saharan African descent elected mayor in the country. He started out facilitating in youth work through the Centre for Multicultural Youth.In this conversation with Dimitri Antonopoulos, Semra talks about what it takes to lead a community you grew up in. Who gets to be in the room. Why lived experience only counts if it comes first. And what a basketball club can do for a kid who has nowhere else to belong. They are joined near the end by Nina, a Year 9 student from Braybrook College who is Mayor for the Day.They get into:* Growing up Sudanese at home and Australian at school, and never finding a place to be both* Being told to change his name to get elected.* Why basketball was the difference between him and the friends who went another way* Consultation theatre, and what co-design looks like when it starts at the beginning* Stewardship as a leadership practice: making decisions for the next 10 to 20 years* Choosing between two good outcomes, and finding the one everyone can live with* Council’s anti-racism project: 80% of respondents had experienced racism, and only 15% reported it* Nina’s anti-racism student group, and why she wants us to stop putting people into categories Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe

Sherry-Rose Bih was born in Cameroon, moved through Gabon and South Africa, and arrived in Melbourne at six years old. She’s a board member of the Centre for Multicultural Youth, founder of WomanGirl, and a social inclusion coordinator working in mental health. She is also about to launch her own podcast.In this conversation with Dimitri Antonopoulos and Damian Karaula , Sherry-Rose talks about what community practice actually requires of us. What it costs. What it gives back. And why showing up, even when you’re unsure what to say, is the thing!They get into:* Growing up across three countries and what migration teaches you about belonging* The difference between climbing the ladder and raising the village* Why isolation is a form of torture — and what that tells us about what we actually need* The indoctrination of individual competition, from ATAR scores to the boardroom* What “ubuntu” means as a leadership practice, not a philosophy* Her own story of almost cancelling this conversation — and what made her come anyway* Her upcoming podcast series: Nobody’s Coming to Save YouWorth your time. Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Bonny traces a life lived at full stretch: from stage designer in Cold War Berlin to web pioneer on the Sunshine Coast; from a rainforest off-grid in the Queensland hinterland, to the 61st floor of a Manhattan skyscraper — and the burnout that finally brought him to his knees.What emerges is a conversation about identity, stillness, the cost of people-pleasing, and what it actually means to grow up — as a man, a father, a leader.We talk about:* The childhood question that shapes who you become — whose love did you crave, and what did you have to do to get it?* Fast dopamine, the slot machine hidden in your phone, and why sitting under a tree might be the most radical act available to us* Three and a half years living without walls in a Queensland rainforest — and what nature quietly teaches you* The startup culture of performing confidence while the kitchen burns* Depression, burnout, and the fetal position that changed everything* Why nothing f***s up a startup quicker than running out of happiness* The one word swap that gives you your life back — replacing “I have to” with “I want to”* What real vulnerability looks like in leadership* Becoming best friends with your worst case scenario* And at 60, being the closest he’s ever been to knowing who he actually is Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe

Damian Karaula and Dimitri Antonopoulos sat down on a humid Melbourne morning. No agenda. No topic brief. Finally making time for a conversation.We started where a lot of conversations start right now: how do you stay sane in 2026? The noise, the news cycle, the algorithms designed to keep you anxious and activated. Damian talked about what that constant stimulation actually does to your nervous system, not as theory, but as something he notices in his own body. And we both landed on the same place: you don’t solve it by consuming better content. You solve it by reclaiming your spaces.From there we went deep. Rituals. Posture. Breath. Journaling. The difference between safe spaces and brave spaces. Why complaining is usually grief wearing a mask. Why most leadership failures start with unresolved inner work, not a lack of strategy.Damian talked about the idea of threshold keepers. Ancient figures in cultures who held space for people to move through difficult passages. He’s convinced we’re missing them now, and that there’s something profound in rebuilding that role for this moment, not through credentials or titles, but through the willingness to do your own work first.I shared what I’ve been reading about community and belonging, and what I keep coming back to: that every time we gather, we have the potential to model the future we want to create. Most people running meetings, workshops, conferences and boardrooms have never stopped to think about that.We also talked honestly about what excites us. Younger generations who aren’t buying the old story. Community as a genuine form of leadership. A Moth-style storytelling event we’re planning. Some panel conversations we’re putting together. The possibility of something more substantial, a few days together, later in the year._Referenced in this episodeThe Moth — the American storytelling organisation and podcast that inspired the spoken-word event format Damian and I are developing. Worth listening to if you’ve never come across it. themoth.orgMentor Hub — Damian Karaula’s organisation, where a lot of the resilience and leadership lab work he references is grounded.If this episode sparked something, here’s further readingCommunity: The Structure of Belonging — Peter Block. This is the book I was reading when we recorded. On what it actually takes to build genuine community, and why most attempts fail before they start.The Art of Gathering — Priya Parker. How we gather shapes what’s possible. One of the clearest books on why most meetings and events fail before they start.In Over Our Heads — Robert Kegan. On the gap between what modern life demands of us and what we’re actually equipped to handle. Dense but worth it.Lost Connections — Johann Hari. A readable, well-researched case for why belonging and community aren’t soft ideas, they’re survival.The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk. Everything Damian was pointing to about the nervous system, activation, and what we carry in our bodies. The science behind the conversation. Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Dimitri Antonopoulos and Damian Karaula speak with psychologist Julia Cannatelli about vulnerability, resilience, and conscious leadership. Drawing on over 20 years of practice, Julia reflects on why healing and leadership both begin with relationship, and why many workplaces still struggle to create psychologically safe spaces.Together, they explore vulnerability as both necessary and risky, the tension between authenticity and belonging, and resilience as a skill built through discomfort rather than fearlessness. The conversation also touches on values as a stabilising force, purpose as a guiding direction rather than a destination, and the importance of self-reflection in an increasingly reactive world.The episode closes with a reminder that leadership is less about performance and certainty, and more about presence, humility, and the courage to stay human. Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe

In this powerful conversation, Dimitri and Damien sit down with Reverend Jon Owen, CEO and Pastor at Wayside Chapel, to explore the depth of what it means to live a life of purpose, service, and grace.From his early days working with asylum seekers and Aboriginal communities in Western Sydney, to his current role walking alongside people on the streets of Kings Cross, Jon has dedicated his life to what he calls “the work behind the work” — the inner journey that sustains outward service.Jon shares stories of courage, hope, and humility — from sheltering East Timorese families in the 1990s to reimagining leadership at the edges of society. He speaks with rare clarity about burnout culture, the power of slowing down, and why true spirituality isn’t about centring ourselves, but decentring — finding purpose in connection and community.Listen for:The difference between doing the work and being the workHow to sustain hope in the face of despairWhy leadership begins with humility and serviceThe spiritual discipline of getting out of your own wayWhat it means to “die well” — and finish with grace Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Fearless Conversations, Dimitri and Damien sit down with Julia Symons, Chief Impact Officer at Athletes for Hope Australia and former elite netballer, to explore the art of leadership through empathy, grace, and connection.Julia reflects on her journey from elite sport to the boardroom — to her current work helping athletes find purpose beyond sport. She shares insights into what it means to lead through listening, how grace can be a radical act in leadership, and why storytelling and humility matter more than ever.The conversation moves fluidly between the personal and the professional — the role of mentors, parenting as a mirror, and the quiet courage it takes to step out of the spotlight and make space for others.Listen for:The transition from elite sport to purpose-driven leadershipHow humility, grace, and curiosity shape impactThe role of mentorship and connection in personal growthWhy leadership should be accessible, not elitistWhat it means to care — truly — in your work and life Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Fearless Conversations, Dimitri and Damian sit down with Cameron Schwab, former AFL CEO turned artist, coach, and leadership thinker. The conversation traces Cameron’s remarkable journey from the pressure of football boardrooms to the quiet practice of fine art, and how both worlds shaped his philosophy of leadership.The discussion begins with art as a mindful practice and the courage required to create space for interpretation. Cameron reflects on his time at the Victorian College of the Arts, where a teacher challenged him to bring vulnerability into his drawings — a lesson that resonated deeply with his approach to leadership.From his turbulent childhood and early appointment as CEO of Richmond at just 24, Cameron shares how courage became a learned skill. He talks about the difference between complex and complicated problems, the shift from a “got to” to a “get to” mindset, and the importance of defining reality while giving hope. His long-standing journaling practice — anchored in two questions, What’s important? and What’s possible? — provides a daily rhythm for resilience and clarity.The conversation moves into authenticity and creativity in leadership. Cameron explains why authentic leadership cannot exist without bravery, and why creativity is essential for leaders facing ambiguity and complexity. He draws on influences from Rick Rubin, Steven Pressfield, and his own legacy in pioneering women’s football, showing how constraint often sparks innovation.The episode closes with reflections on legacy, human leadership, and the responsibility to create workplaces that balance high performance with high well-being. Cameron leaves us with a powerful reminder: leadership is less about answers, and more about creating the conditions for people to thrive together. Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Fearless Conversations we are joined by one of Dimitri's life-long friends, Nikos Psaltopoulos, to discuss the importance of vulnerability, empathy, and connection in a fast-paced and often demanding world. The conversation begins with a reflection on the hero's journey as a metaphor for our own lives. The three friends then explore the challenges of navigating bad leadership, the importance of finding moments of renewal and regeneration, and the courage it takes to break away from societal expectations.Nikos shares his personal experiences of transitioning from a corporate career to flying in and out of Athens for work, highlighting the challenges and rewards of creating a life that aligns with his values and priorities. He emphasises the significance of embracing vulnerability and showing up authentically, even when it feels lonely or uncertain.The conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of cultural connection and the unique experiences of being third-culture kids. The three friends reflect on the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving and sharing our cultural heritage. Tank | Marchfirst | Mentorhub | Totheo Global | The Might Kitchen Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe

Damian and Dimitri catch up after both turn 50 and reflect on the power of vulnerability, the need for connection and how the hustle-pressure to remain productive is not serving as well at all.…..⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the podcast.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for podcast updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tank Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mentorhub Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Weekly Journal of Creative Leadership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Tank Quarterly⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to March First at marchfirst.substack.com/subscribe