The Big Idea Soundboard 2026 Expert Pod — with Julie Macey from Impact Heroes
Looking for tailored support to shape your next collaborative project, program, or event for 2026? This AMA expert pod is for you! Share your concept, get honest feedback from peers, and fine-tune your approach to partnerships, networks, content, outreach, delivery, and impact. Discover how to co-design, collaborate like a pro, and supercharge your next big idea, all in a fun, supportive peer space.
Join Julie and a maximum of two other founders for these two-part mentoring sessions, designed to help you navigate current challenges or opportunities.
By the end of these Pods, you will have:
Gained clarity on key challenges in your business
Received tailored advice and peer insights
Identified and sense-checked solutions to move forward with confidence
DATES/TIMES
Part 1: Dec 4, 2-3PM AEDT
Part 2: Dec 11* - Same timeslot as session 1
Who is this pod best for:
This expert pod is ideal for anyone planning a new collaborative project, program, or event for 2026 who wants to move their idea forward with confidence before launch. Participants should have scoped their idea (with a first draft roadmap or plan), gained some initial traction (early partnerships, audience interest, a confirmed date or a pilot concept), and be ready to bring it to life as part of their 2026 operational plan.
What to expect from Session 1: LET’S GET UNSTUCK
Group Introductions – Share your business and why you joined this expert pod
Hotseat Coaching – Get targeted feedback on your biggest challenge
Action Planning – Identify key tasks to work on before the next session
What to expect from Session 2: LET’S DIVE BACK IN
Check-In & Reflections – Review progress and key takeaways
Homework Review & Course Correction – Discuss insights and refine strategies
Final Q&A & Next Steps – Get additional expert advice and plan your path forward
Between Sessions
Each attendee will leave session one with 1-2 small action items to test out their new learnings and bring along results to session two.
Virtual coworking sessions are offered to all participants who would like to complete their assigned task/s with group support, taking place on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month (AM & PM sessions available). This is an optional add-on and invites for Virtual Coworking will be sent with the Expert Pod invites when your registration is confirmed.
About Julie Macey at Impact Heroes:
I lead Impact Heroes, a purpose-driven advisory and social impact intermediary helping grow Australia’s impact economy by co-designing strategies, white-label programs, events, and conferences that strengthen the for-purpose ecosystem and champion the business-for-good movement. As part of my work, I advise and collaborate with partners, such as INCO, a global non-profit headquartered in Europe, to support innovation and impact-led entrepreneurship in Australia.
With over 20 years of experience in economic development, technology and social innovation, climate action, and cross-sector collaboration, I am an ecosystem builder at heart. Before founding Impact Heroes, I led major programs for start-ups, international education, and global engagement at the City of Sydney Council, and was involved in the launch of the Greenhouse Tech Hub, a collaborative innovation space in Sydney supporting climate-focused start-ups and entrepreneurs.
I am passionate about supporting emerging changemakers and impact-driven founders, helping them scale sustainably, connect with the wider community, and inspire others to embed impact into their careers and daily lives. Behind the scenes, I thrive on bringing together organisations across sectors to design collaborative projects that put people and planet first. I am French-Australian, a parent of two teenage boys, and I study part-time postgraduate studies at the UNSW Centre for Social Impact to keep my curiosity alive and ideas fresh.
Connect with Expert:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliemacey
SECURING YOUR SPOT
Request to join the pod to register your interest. If accepted, calendar invites will be issued for both dates + virtual coworking, click “yes” on all invites to ensure they show in your calendar.
If a ticket isn’t issued within 1-2 working days it means you have been added to a waitlist for this pod and you will be notified if we find you a space.
WHAT'S AN IMPACT COLLAB EXPERT POD?
Expert Pods are two-part, small group mentoring sessions, designed to help founders and organisational leaders build better systems for business, impact and/or wellbeing.
Facilitated by an Expert member from the Impact Collab, they are intimate, interactive, and personalised to your unique challenges, creating an environment for tailored advice, actionable feedback, accountability and growth.
How do they work?
Hosted during a single month, the pods are run as 2 x 1-hour online workshops, two weeks apart. The Workshops are interactive, with lots of Q&A, live feedback, and direct, tailored support.
At the end of Workshop 1, participants set a list of items to action or exercise. In Workshop 2, these items are reviewed, additional feedback is given, and next steps are provided. This is by far one of our most valuable knowledge and relationship-building programs in the community.
And the best part… it’s included in the Impact Collab membership with first time visitor guest passes available for just $1.15!
INTRODUCING ASK ME ANYTHING (“AMA”) SESSIONS:
These attendee-driven sessions are all about getting your burning questions answered and receiving practical support on the spot. Participants drive the general direction of the sessions by sharing challenges, asking questions, and gaining valuable, real-time feedback from both the Expert and other fellow participants.
By the end of the sessions, you’ll walk away with clear action steps, a refined approach to tackling your business challenges, and new connections within the Impact Collab community. Best of all, this valuable experience is included with your Impact Collab membership!
CANCELLATIONS AND NO SHOWS
Seats in the pods are extremely limited and our experts’ time is highly valuable so our cancellation policy is designed to reflect this.
If you are unable to attend your expert pod please email [email protected] as soon as possible to increase our chances of filling your seat.
If there are more than 7+ days until Workshop 1 your ticket will be re-released. No further action is needed and cancellation fees will not apply.
If there are less than 7 days until workshop 1, we will check the waitlist to see if we can find a replacement for your seat and best efforts will be made to fill your seat. If a replacement cannot be found, the following cancellation fees will apply. Both Sessions*: $30 *
Session 2 only: $15.
* Due to the private nature of the Expert Pods they will not be recorded. If you cannot attend session 1 then session 2 will be automatically forfeited.
Can’t make the pod dates, but would still like to work with the Expert 1:1?
You are welcome to contact [email protected] for a warm introduction, or reach out to the expert directly via their contact details above.