Leadership is not about a title. It is about how you show up, who you serve, and what you do when the pressure is on.

In this episode of Rural Leaders, host Oli Le Lievre sits down with David Jochinke, Wimmera farmer, ARLP Course 18 alumni, former President of the Victorian Farmers Federation and former President of the National Farmers’ Federation.

David reflects on a leadership journey shaped by community, advocacy and service. From stepping into a local Victorian Farmers Federation role to representing Australian agriculture on the national stage, he shares what it takes to stay grounded, do the work behind the scenes, and lead with authenticity. Together, they explore navigating complex environments, understanding what drives people, telling stories that cut through, and building the networks that make change possible.

As part of this season’s focus on ARLF leadership practices, this episode explores authentic leadership, leading from who you are, not who you think you need to be. From lessons in high pressure moments to insights drawn from cave diving, David offers a practical perspective on staying calm, learning from mistakes and backing yourself.

This is a conversation about courage, discipline and taking action, even when things are not perfect.

Some highlights:

● How David’s leadership journey began through local advocacy and community involvement

● Why leadership is never about the title

● How authentic leadership means being yourself, even under pressure

● Why storytelling is such a powerful tool in advocacy

● The importance of networks, trust and staying grounded

● What cave diving taught David about pressure and staying calm

● Why courage, discipline and action matter more than perfection

Our host:

Oli Le Lievre is the host of Rural Leaders, an ARLP Course 28 alumni, and the founder of Humans of Agriculture.

Resources:

Australian Rural Leadership Foundation

Rural Leaders podcast

Change is a constant in rural, regional and remote Australia, but adapting well is something we all have to learn.

In this episode of Rural Leaders, host Oli Le Lievre sits down with Dr Ananth Gopal, co-founder of Polykala, to explore what adaptability really looks like in practice. Drawing on years of experience in leadership development and experiential learning, Ananth unpacks why adaptation is not just about reacting quickly, but about understanding what to hold on to, what to let go of, and how to grow through change.

Together, they explore the realities of leading through uncertainty, from shifting markets and technologies to the emotional weight of loss that often comes with change. This conversation challenges the idea that people resist change, instead reframing it as a natural response to perceived loss. It also highlights the importance of compassion, clarity and curiosity in leadership.

As part of this season’s focus on ARLF leadership practices, this episode dives into adaptation, the ability to respond to changing contexts while staying grounded in purpose and values. It is a thoughtful and practical discussion for anyone navigating change in their team, business or community.

This episode offers a powerful reminder that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about creating the conditions where people can move through change together.

Some highlights:

• Why adaptation is about balancing what we keep, what we lose, and what we grow

• The difference between reacting to change and responding with intention

• How loss, not change, is often what people are really resisting

• The role of experiential learning in building leadership capability

• Why leaders need to create “holding environments” to support people through uncertainty

• How to regulate the “heat” in teams during times of pressure and change

• Why clarity, compassion and communication are critical when leading others through transition

• How curiosity can help you better understand your own response to change

Our host:

Oli Le Lievre is the host of Rural Leaders, an ARLP Course 28 alumni, and the founder of Humans of Agriculture.

Resources:

Polykala

Australian Rural Leadership Foundation

Rural Leaders podcast

Alyssia Kennedy knows what it feels like to leave school and realise that knowing how to pass exams is not the same as knowing how to navigate adulthood. Growing up in Tasmania, Alyssia saw firsthand the gap between what students are taught in the classroom and the practical life skills young people need when it comes to budgeting, understanding taxes, navigating Medicare, managing car expenses, and making confident decisions about work, study and life after school.

In this episode of Rural Leaders, Alyssia shares how one invitation to speak to a group of Year 10 students became the spark for her Life After School program, which is now supporting young people across Tasmania. What began as a single session at one school has grown into a broader advocacy effort, driven by Alyssia’s belief that all young people deserve access to practical, relatable tools to help them step into adulthood with confidence.

As part of this season’s exploration of the ARLF leadership practices, this conversation focuses on advocacy - the willingness to take action, speak up for a need, and work towards what could exist rather than accepting what already does. Alyssia reflects on the courage it has taken to grow her idea, the power of community and support networks, and the resilience required to keep going through some of life’s most difficult seasons.

This episode is a practical and inspiring conversation about identifying a gap, backing yourself before everything feels ready, and building momentum for change by bringing others with you. Alyssia’s story is a reminder that advocacy can start small, but with persistence, collaboration and purpose, it can create lasting impact for communities and future generations.

Some highlights:

• Why practical life skills like budgeting, tax, Medicare and car expenses matter so much for young people leaving school

• How Alyssia turned one school session into a growing program reaching students across Tasmania

• What advocacy looked like as she pitched the need for change to decision-makers at Parliament House

• Why leadership is not positional, but something we practise and grow into over time

• How grief, challenge and recovery helped Alyssia clarify what matters most

• What success could look like if practical life skills were embedded more deeply in schools and communities

• Why Alyssia believes that if you care about an idea, you should start the conversation and take action

Our host:

Oli Le Lievre is the host of Rural Leaders, an ARLP Course 28 alumni, and the founder of Humans of Agriculture.

Resources:

Upturned Tasmania

Life After School program

Australian Rural Leadership Foundation

Rural Leaders podcast