In this episode, Kerrie sits down with the much-mentioned (and very busy) Kelly Hopkins – a natural connector, community-builder and champion of collaboration.

Fresh from being a finalist at the Prime Minister’s Awards, Kelly shares what it’s like to be recognised for work that she describes as “just what we do organically” – the kind of behind-the-scenes, people-first impact that rarely makes headlines, but changes lives.

Together, Kerrie and Kelly explore what it means to build an ecosystem – not an exclusive group, but a growing network where people feel welcomed, seen, and supported across industries and states. Kelly also shares the deeply personal moment that reshaped how she wants to live: the realisation, after her dad’s funeral, that kindness is the legacy that lasts.

You’ll also hear stories of:

• how Defence Industry Networking (DIN) became a “base in every state”
• the magic of collaboration without competition
• why Kelly sends bags of potatoes as encouragement
• and yes – the unexpectedly powerful and amusing rise of Crocs

If you’ve been craving a reminder that connection can be simple, spacious, and genuinely human – this conversation will feel like an encouraging boost.

Listen in for: courage, community, empathy, and a few laugh-out-loud moments.

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Find Kelly here -

LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyhopkinshays/⁠

Find Kerrie here -

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kerriephipps.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Twitter / X - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/KerriePhipps⁠⁠⁠

What happens when a simple “good morning” becomes a doorway to years of connection?
In this full-circle conversation, I’m joined by facilitator and connector Benny Callaghan and we trace our story all the way back to a Sydney train in 2009, a momentary meeting, and a chain of introductions that rippled outward in the most beautiful ways.
Benny invites us to build connection across invisible walls by listening to different perspectives, sharing information generously, and noticing the stories we make up when we don’t communicate.
We also explore leadership, collaboration and creating safe environments for people to be brave. From offering to take a stranger’s family photo, to starting conversations with “What are you passionate about?”, to a rainforest walk that shifted the energy of an entire group - this episode is a gentle reminder that opportunities for connection is always closer than we think.

Loved this episode? Support us to create more podcasts by buying our producer a coffee - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bmc.link/kerriephipps⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Benny here -

Website: https://www.bennycallaghan.com/

LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennycallaghan/

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bennyloveslife/⁠

Find Kerrie here -

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kerriephipps.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Twitter / X - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/KerriePhipps⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Connect with Confidence, Kerrie chats with Vinay Pushpakaran from Chennai - professional speaker, customer experience and sales consultant, past President of the Professional Speakers Association of India, and co-author of Filter Coffee Chronicles.

We explore:

• How Vinay’s first business deal collapsed, and the mentor whose words helped him rise again
• Why every business is in the customer experience business, and how small “extra 30-second” gestures create lasting delight
• The heart behind Professional Speakers Summit 2026, built around the theme of synergy and meaningful connection
• How quiet moments of connection - even with strangers - can shift perspectives, especially for introverts
• The story behind Filter Coffee Chronicles, a collaborative book of short, soulful stories created during lockdown

This conversation is a warm reminder that setbacks are part of the journey, that tiny moments of kindness matter, and that you make a bigger difference than you realise.

Loved this episode? Support us to create more podcasts by buying our producer a coffee - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bmc.link/kerriephipps⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Vinay here -

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vinaypushpakaran.com/

LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinaypushpakaran/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bootstrapmarketer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinaypushpakaran/

Find Kerrie here -

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kerriephipps.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Twitter / X - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/KerriePhipps⁠⁠⁠

Humourist and master storyteller Tim Gard joins me for a joyful, deeply human conversation about humour, connection and the surprising moments that shape us.

Tim shares stories from a life lived noticing the funny, the meaningful and the profound - from his US Navy days to travelling the world as a professional speaker with his tiny chickens and banana phone. We explore how humour opens doors, calms stress, builds bridges across cultures and helps us stay grounded when work or life feels heavy.

Together we talk about:

1. ​Why humour is a powerful tool for inclusion
2. ​The unexpected wisdom of strangers
3. ​How speakers can use humour thoughtfully
4. ​Turning everyday moments into memorable stories
5. ​Staying open to connection, even when tired or “off-duty”

It’s a wonderful conversation, reminding us to look for the laughter - and the people - we might otherwise walk past.

Loved this episode? Support us to create more podcasts by buying our producer a coffee - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bmc.link/kerriephipps⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Tim here -

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://timgard.com/

LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/timgard

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimGardInternational

X: https://x.com/funwithtim

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TimGard

Find Kerrie here -

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kerriephipps.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Facebook public page - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/KerriePhipps1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Twitter / X - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/KerriePhipps⁠⁠⁠

From HALO jumping over Mount Everest to heartfelt moments of courage, empathy, and cross-cultural connection, Zoe Dryden and Kerrie Phipps share stories that remind us of what’s possible when we stay curious, kind, and open to adventure. A conversation full of insight, laughter, and genuine humanity.

Loved this episode? Support us to create more podcasts by buying our producer a coffee - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bmc.link/kerriephipps⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Zoe here -

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://leadershipinaction.nz/

LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoedryden/

Face Nepal: https://www.face-nepal.org/

Find Kerrie here -

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kerriephipps.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Facebook public page - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/KerriePhipps1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Twitter / X - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/KerriePhipps⁠⁠

In this inspiring episode of Connect with Confidence, Kerrie chats with Kevin Humphreys; former Black Hawk pilot, mental health advocate, and founder of Cor Infinitus.

Kevin shares his journey from combat missions to confronting shame and suicidal thoughts, and how he turned that pain into purpose by creating memorials that give dignity to families and hope to those at risk.

We explore:

• The link between pride, shame, and resilience
• Why self-compassion and understanding others is vital for leadership
• The power of connection. One question, one conversation can save a life

Loved this episode? Support us to create more podcasts by buying our producer a coffee - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bmc.link/kerriephipp

Find Kevin here -

Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.kevinhumphreys.com.au/

LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinhumphreys-keynotespeaker/

Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/KevinHumphreysKeynoteSpeaker

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/kevinhumphreyskeynotespeaker/

Find Kerrie here -

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kerriephipps.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerriephipps/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook public page - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/KerriePhipps1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Twitter / X - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/KerriePhipps⁠

Samantha Arrington Sliney shares how courage, creativity and connection can shape culture and how a Pentagon meeting inspired her first children’s book, All the Things Our Mommy Can Do.

Loved this episode? Support us to create more podcasts by buying our producer a coffee - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bmc.link/kerriephipps⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Samantha here -

Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.whitelaceandcombatboots.com/

LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-arrington-sliney/

Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/WhiteLaceandCombatBoots

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/samanthaarringtonsliney

Find Kerrie here -

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kerriephipps.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerriephipps/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook public page - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/KerriePhipps1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Twitter / X - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/KerriePhipps⁠

Note from Kerrie Phipps

A recent trip to India included the most extraordinary conversations with today’s – and tomorrow’s – leaders. They’ve written a description, so it’s over to K. Suwetha and Varsini. R to share their thoughts in the description – and their insightful questions in the video. Enjoy!

Cheering you on,

Kerrie

Note from K. Suwetha and Varsini. RA Mind-Opening Interaction with Kerrie Phipps | DR G.R. DAMODARAN SCHOOL OF COMMERCE AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS*We, the students of 2 MIB B, had the honour of participating in an empowering Masterclass session with the internationally acclaimed speaker, coach, and author – Ms. Kerrie Phipps. Her energy was magnetic and her words, truly eye-opening. The session sparked deep thoughts on how to talk to strangers, how to create real human connections, and how simple conversations can change lives.The following day, we had the opportunity to sit down with Kerrie ma’am for a personal interview in the SCIB Conference Hall. Every answer she gave struck a chord-filled with insight, passion, and a message that stays with us: connection begins with courage.

This interview also provided us with enriching content and ideas for our upcoming edition of Glimpse Magazine, capturing not only words but wisdom.

Highlights from the Interview

• Step-Up Moments – Saying yes to unexpected opportunities, even when self-doubt creeps in.
• Courageous Communication – Speaking up when it matters most, and why it lifts others.
• The Power of Listening – A Berlin encounter with a refugee that reshaped perspectives on empathy.
• Daily Practices for Self-Awareness – The grounding power of deep breathing and journaling.
• Kindness in Leadership – Why compassion fuels clarity, innovation, and problem-solving.
• Curiosity Over Judgment – Staying open and inquisitive, even through resistance or burnout.
• A Kindness Economy – The global shift toward valuing empathy, heritage, and human connection.

• 
  

💡 This conversation is a reminder that leadership begins with self-awareness, courageous choices, and the belief that kindness truly changes everything.

Loved this episode? Support us to create more podcasts by buying our producer a coffee - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bmc.link/kerriephipps⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Kerrie here -

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kerriephipps.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerriephipps/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook public page - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/KerriePhipps1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Twitter / X - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/KerriePhipps⁠