Let’s hit pause and look back on 2025. What actually worked this year? What nearly broke the process. And what it takes to build a podcast that lasts.

This is a countdown from the 5th most downloaded episode to the one that sat at #1 all year.

Some were expected. A few surprised us. There’s one episode that was harder to make than any other. And one conversation that quietly changed how I think about performance.

If you’ve already listened to the most downloaded episode of the year — you’ll know why it landed.
If you haven’t… you probably didn’t realise what you missed.

And before we close it out, we share a glimpse of what’s coming in 2026 — and why the next chapter of the podcast will be different.

1:15 — The lessons from 2025 that will shape the podcast long-term
4:30 — The episode that nearly broke the process (and why it mattered)
7:50 — Top 5 episodes of the year

18:40 — YouTube’s rise and the top 5 videos of the year

28:15 — The most overlooked episode — and Andrew’s biggest personal insight
30:45 — The Bite Size people shared and texted about most
34:45 — Guess the Guest Game
38:00 — What’s next in 2026

Use Code "PQPODCAST10" to get 10% off your Lumo Coffee order:https://lumocoffee.com/

Interested in sharing your story? Email Producer Shannon at support@performanceintelligence.com today with your story and contact details.

Learn more about Andrew and Performance Intelligence: https://performanceintelligence.com/
Find out more about Andrew's Keynotes : https://performanceintelligence.com/keynotes/

Follow Andrew May: https://www.instagram.com/andrewmay/

Watch the Performance Intelligence Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@performanceintelligencepodcast

If you enjoy the podcast, we would really appreciate you leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Play. It takes less than 60 seconds and really helps us build our audience and continue to provide high quality guests.

End-of-year is when intention meets opportunity. Before we close out the year, take a moment to reset your direction. Kamal Sarma walks through the ritual he follows every year to choose his word — the anchor that keeps him aligned when life gets noisy.

Kamal also opens up about how last year’s word helped him navigate the emotional toll of his work in domestic violence advocacy. If you’ve tried choosing a word before — or want to start fresh — this episode will guide you into the new year with clarity and purpose.

Listen to Kamal's previous episode here:https://shorturl.at/rQEMO
You can enter your word of the year here: https://www.rezilium.com/word-for-the-year
You can find Kamal at his website: https://www.rezilium.com/

or Linkedin: https://rb.gy/qemwq

Use Code "PQPODCAST10" to get 10% off your Lumo Coffee order:https://lumocoffee.com/

Interested in sharing your story? Email Producer Shannon at support@performanceintelligence.com today with your story and contact details.

Learn more about Andrew and Performance Intelligence: https://performanceintelligence.com/
Find out more about Andrew's Keynotes : https://performanceintelligence.com/keynotes/

Follow Andrew May: https://www.instagram.com/andrewmay/

Watch the Performance Intelligence Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@performanceintelligencepodcast

If you enjoy the podcast, we would really appreciate you leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Play. It takes less than 60 seconds and really helps us build our audience and continue to provide high quality guests.

Earl Evans is one of the most influential figures in Australian wealth management (CEO of Shaw and Partners), but the way he leads isn’t what you’d expect.

He doesn’t help people to look good. He helps them because he means it. Loyalty isn’t a strategy for Earl, it’s his default setting. And he’s built not just relationships, but an entire business this way: a company run by two CEOs, a model almost no one dares to try because it demands trust, humility, and respect.

With a growing footprint across Australia and New Zealand, and more than $49 billion in assets under advice, Shaw and Partners offers the intimacy of a boutique investment firm, backed by the resources and scale of a major global financial group, EFG International, managing over $310 billion of assets.

You'll hear:

• How a partnership built on shared values, trust, and clear boundaries created one of Australia’s most successful wealth firms
• The philosophy that drives his leadership — and how it shatters typical finance stereotypes of ego and power
• Stories from a decade-long friendship with his co-CEO and how they navigated agreement, disagreement, and decision-making
• Why building culture, loyalty, and connection can be more powerful than any strategy or title

If you’ve ever wondered what leadership looks like when it’s human, honest, and surprisingly effective, this episode shows you exactly how.

This is Performance Intelligence: the show that unlocks potential for everyday life.

2:00 Co-CEO model with Allan Zion — how it began and the challenges.
5:10 Reflections on Shaw and Partners’ success, Allan’s retirement, and whether Earl would share leadership again.
10:35 Earl’s early years and discovering his path.
14:30 The “loose and tight” leadership philosophy and leading by example.
21:30 Why sport is core to Earl and the firm.
25:45 How sport, the arts, and children’s programs shape the business culture.
29:45 Ali Day’s thoughts and Earl’s response.
33:15 Learning through mistakes and matching prize money when athletes earn it.
36:30 Tom Trbojevic’s reflections and travelling with Earl during injury.
40:30 Earl’s purpose, perspective on death, and enjoying life.
45:45 His one-of-a-kind 60th and approach to philanthropy.
52:45 Gus Worland’s take on Earl and their connection.
57:10 Earl’s vision for the next decade — and living to 100.

Connect with Earl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/earl-evans-2631b334/
Find out more about Shaw and Partners: https://shawandpartners.com.au/home

Use Code "PQPODCAST10" to get 10% off your Lumo Coffee order:https://lumocoffee.com/

Interested in sharing your story? Email Producer Shannon at support@performanceintelligence.com today with your story and contact details.

Learn more about Andrew and Performance Intelligence: https://performanceintelligence.com/
Find out more about Andrew's Keynotes : https://performanceintelligence.com/keynotes/

Follow Andrew May: https://www.instagram.com/andrewmay/

Watch the Performance Intelligence Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@performanceintelligencepodcast

If you enjoy the podcast, we would really appreciate you leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Play. It takes less than 60 seconds and really helps us build our audience and continue to provide high quality guests.