breaking the cycle of silence
TEAM culture & LEADERSHIP program
What kind of culture are you building?
In sporting teams, workplaces and schools, there are moments when behaviour falls short of shared standards but in the moment it can be difficult to know how to respond. When those moments pass without being addressed, silence can begin to shape what becomes normal within a culture.
This session helps teams respond to those moments earlier and more constructively. By strengthening awareness, empathy and the confidence to speak up, teams reinforce the standards they want to uphold.
Over time, cultures where people feel able to address issues respectfully foster stronger trust, accountability and high performance.
Drawing on Mitch Brown’s experience within elite football, as the first openly bisexual male in men’s AFL, the session combines candid storytelling with facilitated discussion and practical bystander strategies.
90 minutes | In person
Co-designed and co-facilitated by Mitch Brown (he/him) and Lou Keck (she/her)
Who it’s for:
Teams across workplaces, schools and sporting environments
Leaders responsible for shaping culture, behaviour and team standards
Organisations seeking practical ways to strengthen psychosocial safety, trust and accountability
What you’ll leave with:
Greater confidence to address behaviour when it falls short of shared standards
Practical bystander strategies for responding constructively in real world situations
Clearer understanding of how silence shapes norms and expectations within teams
Stronger empathy and awareness of the experiences that influence how people show up at work and within teams
A shared foundation for reinforcing cultures of trust, respect and accountability
-
To understand how cultures of silence develop and influence norms and behaviour within teams
To build empathy and awareness of the experiences that shape how people show up within teams
To identify common barriers that prevent people from speaking up
To apply practical bystander strategies in real world situations
To build confidence to address behaviour early and reinforce trust, respect and accountability
To strengthen shared team commitments that support speaking up and psychological safety
-
Pre-Workshop Survey: A short survey for your team to complete helps us assess existing knowledge and gather anonymous questions, allowing us to tailor the session for maximum impact.
Post-Workshop Survey: An opportunity for participants to reflect on their learnings and provide honest feedback on the session.
Impact Report & Next Steps: A detailed report with key insights and expert recommendations to help your team continue its inclusion journey beyond the workshop.
-
Prices vary according to group size and delivery format. Get in touch for a quote.
mitch brown
meet your facilitators
Designed in partnership with Queer Town and delivered by Mitch and Lou, the program blends lived experience with specialised, professional expertise.
He/Him | Inclusion advocate, leader, speaker and former AFL footballer
Mitch Brown is an advocate, speaker and leader passionate about challenging harmful norms around masculinity, safety and belonging.
In August 2025, Mitch became the first openly bisexual past or present male AFL player in the game’s 130-year history, a moment that signalled more than visibility. It was a call for safer cultures, disrupting silence and pushing for environments where people don’t have to trade safety for authenticity.
Today, Mitch works across high-performance, corporate and community settings, focusing on creating safer systems and stronger communities. Alongside his advocacy, Mitch brings leadership experience across the social impact sector, including roles as a Board Director, social enterprise CEO and founder.
LOU KECK
She/Her | Leadership and inclusion facilitator, speaker and consultant
Lou is a purpose-driven leader working at the intersection of gender equity, inclusion, mental health and cultural change.
With extensive experience across not-for-profits and social enterprises, Lou designs and delivers initiatives that move beyond awareness to meaningful behaviour change. Her work has focused on sexual harassment prevention, inclusive leadership and youth empowerment, translating complex social issues into practical, interactive learning that resonates across diverse teams.
Grounded in evidence and human connection, Lou is committed to creating environments where people feel respected, supported and empowered to bring their full selves to work and life.
“Mitch’s story is so powerful. i felt a shift in the whole room. it made me reflect on moments i’ve stayed quiet and what I need to do differently next time.”
Workshop participant
“Lou has a way of making complex issues feel clear and actionable. I left feeling really capable and genuinely equipped to speak up in safe ways.”
Workshop participant
program superpowers
storytelling that stays with you
From an all-boys school to the hyper-masculine world of elite AFL and beyond, Mitch shares his rich, deeply relatable lived experience in ways that inspire and motivate audiences to take action, at work and in their personal lives.
PRACTICAL FOR real-world moments
Participants leave with practical, adaptable strategies they can use immediately. Speaking up doesn’t have to be confrontational; we make action feel possible rather than overwhelming.
HIGH-IMPACT, efficient format
Delivered in a focused 90-minute session, the program creates meaningful emotional and behavioural shifts while fitting easily into busy team schedules.
“education with queer town is Actually one of those life-changing experiences that provides the knowledge to enable us to be kind and thoughtful humans and allies.”
workshop participant
ready to LEARN MORE?
Get in touch to request a program overview and explore bringing this vital program to your organisation.