Authentic Leadership Podcast

I first met Darryl Bishop MNZM during my time at the Mental Health Foundation, where he was Programme Manager under the Ministry of Health, leading the Like Minds, Like Mine programme. He has always been one of those rare people who consistently show kindness, integrity, and respect to everyone he interacts with.

I couldn’t be more pleased to see him appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, recognising his passion an...

We often measure people by their success. Yet, as an old Chinese saying reminds us, true character is not shaped in moments of triumph; it is revealed in times of hardship. It is in the lowest moments, when everything seems lost, that character shows itself in how we rise, how we keep going, and how we choose to show up.

What do you do when your dreams are shattered, when all the hope and the future you once believed in suddenly sli...

The long-awaited grand ball finally arrives, stirring excitement throughout the kingdom. Though originally intended only for eligible young women to meet the prince, Ivo finds himself unexpectedly drawn to the event. Still healing from heartbreak, Ivo has been isolating for weeks, but the energy of the ball sparks a faint desire to reconnect with the world. When his childhood friend Tom, a musician performing at the event, stops by...

In this poignant chapter, the kingdom buzzes with the news that the mysterious younger prince is searching for a bride. Meanwhile, Ivo and George spend more time together in quiet companionship, deepening their bond through shared conversations and long walks. Although Ivo harbours unspoken feelings, he dares not hope for more. His heart breaks when George reveals that he is being pressured by his father to marry, not out of desire...

Seemingly simple questions can require immense courage, bravery, and dignity. It takes a strong person to put their own agenda aside and genuinely address a child's needs, no matter how difficult the questions may be. This kind of strength deserves to be celebrated. We should honour the moments when a mother, despite her heartbreak, continues to try her best to meet her children's needs with dignity and integrity. Whether these mom...

How prepared is our society to openly discuss difficult topics and to pay more attention to the grief that individuals experience? Instead of expecting people to just move on from their heartbreak, we should acknowledge and recognize one another's pain. Authentic Leadership Podcast Conversation with Jordyn Elyse

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Authenticity Studio presents the Authentic Leadership Podcast—a place where truth is spoken without filtering, and where we celebrate individuals who dare to live and lead as their true selves. Each episode dives into powerful conversations about living authentically, leading with vulnerability, and embracing the courage it takes to be unapologetically you.

From navigating personal identity and mental health to challenging societal ...

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In a world where institutions are shaped by capitalism—often valuing productivity over recognising people as emotional beings with complex life journeys—how easy is it to live authentically and stay true to yourself, inside and out? In this episode of the Authentic Leadership Podcast, I speak with Jordyn Elyse about the courage it takes to lead with vulnerability, drawing on Brené Brown’s message to dare to le...

In this video, I share the deeply personal reason why I wrote The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Cinderella. Growing up, I never saw a fairytale about a boy who loved another boy. There were no stories that reflected my dreams, my heart, or my reality. This book is my way of filling that gap—telling a love story that faces societal prejudice and celebrates the courage to be true to yourself.

In The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Cinderella, love mu...

Jordyn Elyse shared her journey from childhood to motherhood, navigating identity through separation, grief, and vulnerability. She lives with authenticity, showing up truthfully—with love and passion. It was a conversation I’ll never forget: a soul-to-soul exchange that many will deeply relate to, touching on heartache, kindness, beauty, and grace. Through her honesty, we unpacked the unspoken expectations around grief—how it’s of...

In this heartfelt reflection, I explore what it means to love someone without expecting anything in return. Unconditional love is about presence, acceptance, and showing up for someone—even when it's hard, even when you're not sure how they'll receive it.

It’s the kind of love we often long for, yet fear to offer. Vulnerability, courage, and patience are at the heart of it. Sometimes it feels like an ocean—beautiful, vast, and a lit...

As Ivo’s bond with George deepens, so do his feelings — and his fears. On the evening of his birthday, Ivo waits nervously for George, questioning everything from his clothes to whether his feelings might be revealed. When George finally arrives, his warmth and a simple gift — a box of Ivo’s favourite chocolates — melt Ivo’s anxiety into gratitude. It’s a gesture more thoughtful than anything Ivo has ever received. In that moment, ...

As Ivo turned eighteen, he grew into a gentle and kind young man who preferred solitude and quiet over the expectations of society. While others his age were busy seeking wives, Ivo quietly carried a secret wish for a prince of his own — a dream he no longer dared to speak aloud. Though admired by many for his compassion and sincerity, he had come to accept that he might live alone forever. His only true comfort came from early mor...

Ivan Yeo and Kevin Harper (He/him), CEO and Chief Enabler of the Changing Minds community, delve into the meaning of authentic leadership in this thought-provoking episode. Kevin, a visionary leader with both wisdom and an inquisitive mind, shares his journey—from the individual to the community, society, and beyond—exploring how challenging and rewarding it can be to lead with authenticity. Their honest conversation centres on liv...

The Boy Who Wanted to Be Cinderella" is a heartwarming and magical ten-part story about Ivo, a kind-hearted young man who dreams of finding his prince in a world where such love is unspoken. Growing up in a society that expects him to follow tradition, Ivo struggles with loneliness and self-doubt, longing for a fairytale that mirrors his own heart's desires.

One summer, he meets George-a charming and compassionate young man-by the l...

The reason I created Authenticity Studio is to build a platform that honours individuals who lead by example, and to tell the truth—truth that isn't tied to institutional or financial constraints. That includes sharing my own lived experience. I’ll be opening up about my journey of being diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and ADHD—as an Asian, gay migrant—and all the pain, ache, and longing that make us human.

There are some people whose presence you never forget—not because of fame or status, but because of the way they carry themselves with quiet strength, deep kindness, and unwavering authenticity. Gary Sutcliffe is one of those rare individuals.

For the past two decades, Gary has turned his lived experience of mental distress into a powerful force for change. His voice has helped shape mental health service delivery and development du...