62. Kristi Russell Part 2 - Typical Kristi & The Basque Cheesecake

Author: Lui Diaz
Published: Thu 13 Mar 2025
Episode Link: https://luidiazpodcast.substack.com/p/62-kristi-russell-part-2-typical

Welcome back to what's been called "the most Melbourne podcast ever"! Let’s dive into the deliciously fun and thought-provoking world of Episode 62, Part 2, with the fabulous leadership coach Kristi Russell. Buckle up for a recap of Part 1, the juicy highlights of Part 2, and a sprinkle of the funniest, most thought-provoking, and insightful moments—complete with timestamps, because who doesn’t love a good time-stamped treasure map? Let’s roll!

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Recap of Part 1

In Part 1, we kicked things off with Lui welcoming Kristi to Melbourne’s artsy Hosier Lane. Kristi dropped some golden nuggets about personal growth, authenticity, and shedding the masks we wear. Her mantra, “Let’s look at being less of who you’re not rather than changing who you are,” set the stage for a convo that was equal parts hilarious and wise.

Highlights of Part 2

Part 2 is where things get real—and really tasty! Lui and Kristi dig into a Basque cheesecake Kristi baked using a Recipe Tin Eats recipe by Nagi (shoutout to the culinary queen!). The episode is a whirlwind of foodie fun, deep dives into personal growth, and spontaneous chats with passersby—like Coles delivery folks and cheesecake-craving strangers. Kristi opens up about her journey, from family dynamics to coaching leaders, while Lui reflects on his own path. They tackle big themes like fear of success, identity, and finding happiness in life’s grind.

A deeper dive into the character

* We’re gifted with a closer look into Kristi’s warm, hospitable nature, as passed down from her mum and grandma, as she welcomes passersby to join in our laneway party of laughter, wisdom, and creamy dessert.

* Kristi reveals the cost of critical thinking—labeled 'Typical Kristi' for daring to differ from the group.

* Her story sparks a question: Truth or popularity? Is independent thinking a strength or a risk in our social world?

* Kristi’s bold truth-speaking and growth-driven mindset make her the fresh, authentic leader we’re craving.

"The Cave You Fear Holds the Treasure" (00:32:55 - 00:33:06)Lui recalls a dive-bar quote—“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek”—tying it to Kristi’s fear-of-success thread. Kristi connects it to her own journey, realising she’s been dodging her potential. It’s a profound reminder that what scares us most might unlock our greatest rewards—deep, right?

The Space Between Stimulus and Response" (00:38:17 - 00:38:46)Kristi drops a Viktor Frankl-inspired gem: between every trigger and reaction lies a space where we can choose our response. She admits it’s tough—she fails daily—but it’s the key to growth. This hits hard: How often do we react on autopilot instead of pausing to choose? It’s a nudge to rethink our knee-jerk moments and own our power.

"Fearing Success and Identity Loss" (00:51:02 - 00:52:15)Kristi and Lui explore the fear of success, pondering if it ties to losing one’s identity when external growth outpaces internal readiness. Lui shares how his comfort in struggle (thanks to a single-mom upbringing) made success feel like a threat. Kristi’s lightbulb moment about leaders like Nagi not catching up to their own growth challenges us to think: Are we scared of success because it rewrites who we think we are?

There you have it, folks! Part 2 of Episode 62 is a wild ride of giggles, cheesecake, and soul-stirring chats. Kristi and Lui prove that leadership, life, and a good snack can coexist beautifully.

You can learn more about Kristi’s work at unconditionalleader.com or connect with her on LinkedIn at https://au.linkedin.com/in/kristilrussell

Also, here’s a link to Nagi’s Basque Cheesecake Recipe - https://www.recipetineats.com/basque-cheesecake/

🫶 Thanks again for listening and watching! Let us know what you think and catch you in Part 3—bring your own Basque cheesecake!

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