Beneath the Surface

When Warren James first joined me back on episode 9, his ambition of writing a book was very much in its infancy.   After a mere 18 months in the making, Warren is back on episode 44 of Beneath the Surface to discuss his brand-new book ‘Further Faster: The ultimate guide to accelerating your career’. An engineer by trade, Warren spent many years working FIFO in the oil and gas industry before the harsh reality of burn-out set in.  He then shelved the steel caps to found Rapid Mentoring, which ultimately led him down the path of authorhood.  The rest, as they say, is history... In this episode, Warren kicks things off with his author’s journey, and details the emotional rollercoaster and key challenges that come with writing a book.  We also chat through topics including finding your purpose, aligning your values, the ‘four pillars’, flow states and the value you can offer by doubling down on your strengths. On top of that, we discuss the double-edged sword of asking for genuine feedback, and how being really specific in your request is vital to receiving the feedback that needs to be heard. Warren’s a legend and it’s a pleasure to not only share the mic with him, but congratulate him on a truly inspiring read.  ‘Further Faster’ is out now and available here, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy our chat.

“The ability to influence is a critical element for life and we’ve all done it, whether conscious or not.”  Wise words from heavy industry sales specialist and all-round top bloke Chris Lyons, who joins me on episode 43 of Beneath the Surface. When his dreams to play professional footy didn’t pan out as hoped, Chris dived head first into the world of sales which saw him spend plenty of time in the construction, oil & gas and mining industries. In this episode, we discuss the seemingly misguided public perception of the Australian mining industry, the power that comes from truly owning your personal style, why picking your battles is absolutely critical and how the process of ‘faking it til’ you make it’ can lead to actually making it. On top of all this, Chris shares his top tips for how to improve our sales and influence skills, from a career of lived lessons.   This one is not just for those who aspire to sell - the tips Chris shares throughout this podcast can be applied to absolutely all of us.

“For every negative peanut out there, there’s a thousand supportive people cheering me on.”  On possibly the most quotable episode to date, Larzy the Sparky absolutely lights up episode 42 of Beneath the Surface (yes, pun intended). Lara Kelly is an apprentice electrician and self-proclaimed tool geek who started documenting her career journey just shy of 2 years ago.  With just over 16,000 Instagram followers, it’s obvious that she’s making a huge impact on those who are supporting her journey. In this episode we discuss why Lara decided to document her apprenticeship journey, the highs and lows of having a strong social media presence, why school-based educational programs are key for evolving heavy industries and Lara shares her top tips for those looking to jag an apprenticeship. Lara’s enthusiasm, excitement and positivity makes her a fantastic advocate for trades in the Australian mining industry, and I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as we enjoyed having it.

Teagan Dowler’s passion for diversity and inclusion evolved early in her career.  When a lightbulb moment led to a realisation that her core values were misaligned to a lack of acceptance of difference, she set out to do something about it.  I’m very excited to introduce (or reintroduce) you to Teagan on episode 41 of Beneath the Surface. Teagan is a leadership coach, cultural change specialist and status quo challenger.  She’s the author of Rules of the Game: Women in the Masculine Industries and founder of The BCW, aiming to influence individuals, organisations and society to be more accepting, aware and capable.  In this episode, Teagan speaks to her journey through heavy industry and shares plenty of great stories along the way.  We dive deep into the concept of unconscious bias and Teagan also shares her view that addressing and defusing the fear associated with the psychology of change is a critical step to building a truly diverse and inclusive workforce. Teagan is up there with some of the most passionate and proactive diversity and inclusion leaders in Australia’s heavy industries, and it was an absolute pleasure stealing some time out of her busy schedule to chat on the show. Connect with Teagan here: Website     -     Instagram     -     LinkedIn

Although it feels a bit weird sitting on the other side of the podcasting table, I knew I was in very safe hands with Nikki McMurray as a guest on her new podcast, Leadership in Hazardous Industries.  It’s a pleasure to rebroadcast our chat here on episode 40 of Beneath the Surface. Nikki is a leadership facilitator and coach who is passionate about helping leaders in hi-vis workplaces go from surviving to thriving.  I’ve been fortunate to work with Nikki over the past few years, so I was over the moon when I heard she was launching her very own podcast. In this episode, we discuss some key leadership traits that make a great leader as well as the difference between leading teams in both hazardous and non-hazardous environments. We also touch on the DiSC methodology and Nikki even coaxes me into sharing my evening wind-down routine. I have all the time in the world for Nikki and it’s very cool to be a part of her podcasting journey.  Nikki - thanks for having me and I can’t wait to do it all again.

Two birds with one stone on episode 39 of Beneath the Surface, with the host of Life of Mine Podcast Matty Michael joining me for an epic conversation.  Matty is blazing a solid path through the podcasting realm of the Australian mining industry, sharing fantastic conversations in his iconically relaxed style. Knowing that we both love a good chat, Matty and I figured it was best to just switch on the mics and see what happens.  Plenty of great discussions of course, though we do dive fairly deep into the podcast space, chatting through the highs and lows of launching and maintaining a show in the midst of our bustling lives. Thinking that we’d halved our workload by bringing the podcasts together, the irony is not lost on us as we quickly realised that there’s likely to be a few sequels on the cards. If you haven’t done so already, check out Life of Mine Podcast where Matty takes a look at the stories of various people involved in the Australian mining industry, and beyond. You'll hear tales from an eclectic mix of personalities across the industry, and will have a good laugh along the way.  An absolute pleasure shooting the breeze with Matty, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did…

A lot has changed since Andrew O’Brien and I first chatted back on episode 6 of Beneath the Surface, and it’s a pleasure to welcome him back to help make sense of the financial impacts of COVID-19. Andrew is a geologist turned site senior executive turned financial advisor, and specialises in blending his wealth of knowledge in the financial services industry (excuse the pun) with his background in mining and resources. In this episode we talk primarily about the general financial impact that COVID-19 has had on the Australian economy, and break down the numerous incentives currently available to those who’ve been financially affected.  We also dive deep into the ‘early access to super’ scheme, discuss how to navigate a cancelled holiday and importantly, Andrew shares some great advice to those experiencing financial hardship. A very informative conversation as always, and I can’t thank Andrew enough for joining me for another round.  Enjoy...

“Leadership is hard work, and that’s why great leaders seem to be few and far between.”  Adam Bean has a refreshing perspective of site-based leadership, and it’s a pleasure to welcome him to episode 37 of Beneath the Surface. Beanie is a chippie turned boiler maker who has carved himself an eclectic career journey.  Although he lives for a challenging construction project, Beanie is also a marketing professional, SCRUM coach, leadership keynote speaker and has even dabbled in trading options (just in time for the GFC). In this episode, Beanie shares his journey through the construction industry, including his swift rise up the frontline leadership ladder.   We also discuss the SCRUM methodology that he enacts, his career pivot into social media marketing and how a focus on adding value to those around you is a key to success. There’s a lot of gold in his perspective on key leadership traits of great crew supervisors, and it’s clear how passionate he is about achieving great results.  It was a pleasure listening to Beanie openly share his depth of knowledge and lessons learned from many years in the dust.  Enjoy...

With so much uncertainty across the globe due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one certainty was counting on my good friend Peter Finn for an open, honest and very real conversation about the current ambiguous state of the global mining industry. Finny is the Managing Director of Face Contracting, host of the wildly popular Full Production podcast and all round fantastic human.  Finny is no stranger to a relaxed and tangential conversation, and this one didn’t disappoint. Our chat focuses primarily on the current state of the mining industry, with the impacts of COVID-19 absolutely affecting each and every one of us.  We also talk mindsets, being kind to ourselves, having the difficult conversations and we even dive into a bit of politics, which is a first for the show.  On top of this, Finny talks openly about his next business venture, continuing his tradition of changing how we work in the mining industry, and beyond. It’s always a pleasure chatting with Finny and as always, plenty of laughs were had.  I have no doubt you’ll take something away from this podcast, so enjoy and take care of yourselves…

“Suicide is everyone’s business”, a simple mantra that fuels the great work of Vince Borg - field officer for Mates in Mining, founder of Green Light Academy and my amazing guest on episode 35 of Beneath the Surface.  Vince focuses his energy on empowering those around him to feel comfortable in starting uncomfortable conversations: tackling the alarming suicide statistics of our industry, and beyond. In this episode Vince chats about his journey through the mining industry, how battling his own demons led him down a path of service, everything ‘Mates in Mining’ and how he empowers crews to broach the topic of suicide with their mates. On top of this, we talk of how COVID-19 has seen his phone ring off the hook, why you’re never alone in self isolation and all things Green Light Academy - Vince’s way of taking his mental health services beyond the mining industry. You’ll hear just how passionate Vince is about the services he provides, and it’s obvious that he’s making a positive impact on everyone who crosses his path.  His time to chat is very much appreciated - as is yours for tuning in. Enjoy…

Pre-starts: part of the daily routine on sites in hazardous industries across the world.  Yet for some, presenting in front of a crew for just a few minutes is the hardest part of the day.  To help shift your perspective when it comes to pre-starts, it’s a pleasure to welcome Kate Norris and Thomas Krafft from Presentation Boss to episode 34 of Beneath the Surface. Kate and Thomas specialise in helping people from all walks of life provide clear, confident messages that cut to the point.  They are passionate about crafting epic presentations, and have a wealth of knowledge to offer anyone involved in pre-starts. In this episode, we discuss why public speaking is feared by many, how our role models set our standards, being intentional about engagement, the power of vulnerability and how a simple shift in mindset will change your pre-starts forever. Kate and Thomas share a wealth of knowledge and we have a lot of laughs from start to finish.  This is a must-listen for anyone who presents in a pre-start setting, and I hope you get as much out of this conversation as I did.  Enjoy…

“When it comes to mental health, we have an abundance of awareness - but as a society, we’re doing very little with it”.  Matt Boyce: FIFO son, founder of Human Connection Project and all-round great guy joins me on episode 33 of Beneath the Surface. After the tragic death of his best friend in 2015, Matt slumped into a deep state of depression in which suicidal thoughts and social isolation were a daily experience.  Putting up his hand and resurfacing nearly a year later, he set his sights on launching Human Connection Project: a multi-layered social enterprise aimed at highlighting the importance of human connection in conjunction with professional support to improve mental health. In this episode, Matt talks openly about his childhood growing up in a FIFO home, the loss of his best mate and the dark year that ensued as well as all things Human Connection Project.  We also dive deep into the alarming suicide statistics in Australia, the power of morning routines and Matt shares his take on how we can each contribute to a societal movement targeted at tackling the mental health epidemic. Although we discuss a range of serious topics throughout this episode, we also have a lot of laughs and I really appreciate Matt and the work he’s doing.  I can’t thank him enough for sharing his time and insights, and the world is definitely a better place with people like him doing what he’s doing, enjoy...

Who’d have thought that an ability to sew would be the springboard to an eclectic career in mining?  No shortage of great stories here, as the one and only Bud O’Shannessy joins me on episode 32 of Beneath the Surface. Bud is a life-long miner, ‘mind health’ advocate and co-founder of LiveMine - an innovative software solution that’s changing the game for the underground mining industry. In this episode, Bud details how it all began - heading underground for the first time at just 16 years old, how he was able to progress from a Jumbo operator to project manager in 18 months, and how a burning idea manifested into the creation of an innovative mining technology platform. On top of this, Bud openly shares how some difficult circumstances caused him to notice some significant changes in the way he was thinking and feeling.  Although faced with some challenging realities, it was the people of the mining industry that ultimately reached out and helped him off the floor. Bud is an amazing person with a contagious enthusiasm for the mining industry.  I can’t thank him enough for sharing his story and I have no doubt you’ll enjoy this one…

When Jop Havinga accepted a research project to study blast crews in the Queensland mining industry, little did he expect his perception of effective communication to be challenged.  With a safety focused research lens, it’s a pleasure to welcome Jop to episode 31 of Beneath the Surface. Jop is a field researcher for Griffith University in Brisbane, working closely with a previous guest in Professor Sidney Dekker at the Safety Science and Innovation Lab.  A majority of his research focuses on projects that create safer and more productive work environments. In this episode, Jop talks in depth about his time spent researching blast crews, how his views of what is effective communication were challenged, the theory (and power) of distributed cognition as well as his research-based perspective of whether company employees really are safer than contractors.  Hilariously, Jop also shares his observations of some ingenious means of communication on the drill pattern.  This is a really interesting conversation and I can’t thank Jop enough for sharing his knowledge and insights of the mining industry.

In 2016, 3.6 million Australians were subjected to physical violence and/or emotional abuse by a current or previous partner.  Ash Turner’s journey is included in this alarming statistic, and it’s a pleasure to welcome her to episode 30 of Beneath the Surface.   Ash is a fellow podcaster, single mum and domestic violence survivor, who openly shares her traumatic and empowering story of her journey through a relationship riddled with domestic violence. In this episode, Ash talks openly about her experience being mentally, emotionally and physically abused by an ex-partner, how she broke free from the chaos as well as the ongoing side effects she now experiences. Ash is awesome and I highly recommend connecting with her and tuning into her podcast ‘Empower with Ash’, which is all about using the adversity in our lives as motivation for triumph. Reach out to Ash on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram 

Have you ever felt guilty for working away?  Feel like you repeatedly spend your R&R making up for lost time and doing your best to get ahead, only to feel completely drained by the time you head back to work?  Dan Rogers knows this cycle all too well, and it’s a pleasure to welcome him to episode 29 of Beneath the Surface where we dive head first into personal development. Dan not only has a long history working in FIFO industries, he’s also a coach, speaker, skydiving fiend and founder of Proactive Personal Development - helping men and women who work away from home improve their mindset, recover their relationships and live their dreams in their free time. In this episode, we talk through how to get back in touch with what’s most important to you, the value in constantly working on your self-leadership skills, as well as the life-changing power of planning  On top of this, Dan also shares a fantastic questioning tool when it comes to decision making, and takes the crown for being my first guest to quote the great and powerful Vin Diesel. Dan is down to earth, very relatable and genuinely loves helping people live their best lives.  I’m so glad there are people like Dan out there doing what they’re doing and I’m sure you’ll find some gold in this one.  Enjoy…

My Dad Does FIFO is a beautiful children’s book and it’s a pleasure to welcome the author, Blaiz Rahley to episode 28 of Beneath the Surface. Blaiz is a rigger, having spent nearly 8 years working across FIFO industries.  One night in his donga, he put pen to paper to craft what is now a wonderful book for children whose parents work away from home.  In this episode, Blaiz talks through how he first ventured into the rigging industry, the evolution of My Dad Does FIFO and the overwhelming support he’s received since its release.   My Dad Does FIFO is the perfect gift for a FIFO family and I highly recommend picking up a copy.  A huge thanks to Blaiz for taking time out of his weekend to join me for a chat, enjoy… Grab a copy here  Reach out to Blaiz here

It’s an absolute pleasure to welcome the infectiously positive Sarah McVanel to episode 27 of Beneath the Surface.  As a recognition expert, Sarah has worked closely with mining organisations in Canada and openly shares her wealth of knowledge, along with her FROG methodology (Forever Recognize Others Greatness). Sarah is passionate about guiding each of us to re-discover our own greatness.  She’s a dynamic speaker, coach and author who helps leaders leverage the exponential power of recognition to retain top talent and generate a positive work culture. In this episode, Sarah and I discuss the parallels (and differences) between the Australian and Canadian mining industries, the underestimated value of recognition and how easy it is for companies and individuals to create a culture of recognition each and every day. Sarah absolutely walks the talk, and I can’t thank her enough for our trans-Pacific conversation.  Enjoy… Find Sarah here: Website Lots of juicy free resources Weekly recognition and workplace culture VLOGs FROG Forever Recognize Others' Greatness one-minute mini daily podcast available on Podbean or Amazon Alexa  Recognition membership site called the FROG Portal

“Imagine a space in which there are no rules, a space in which people spontaneously negotiate and collaborate in order to create the safest outcomes for everyone…”  A powerful concept from my perspective-shifting guest, Professor Sidney Dekker on episode 26 of Beneath the Surface. Sidney is a best selling author, international speaker, filmmaker, pilot, seasoned academic and safety iconoclast.  On top of all this, he’s the director of the Safety Science Innovation Lab at Griffith University in Brisbane and is on a mission to open the eyes of industry to approach safety differently. This episode is jam-packed as we discuss the trade off of common sense for hi-vis vests, how ‘zero harm’ is fuelling a culture of risk secrecy, an over-utilised focus on ‘un-safety’ as well as the danger in cultivating a workforce that’s littered with psychological resignation.  Sidney’s very cheeky towards us miners, but rounds off all of his digs with very valid, interesting and thought-provoking points.  I can’t thank him enough for sparing time in his busy schedule to join me for a chat and I hope this episode is as impactful on you as it was on me. Find Sidney here: http://sidneydekker.com/ Safety Differently (movie) here: http://sidneydekker.com/safety-differently-movie/ 

Ian Mclean is solving the FIFO mental health epidemic, one box at a time and joins me on episode 25 of Beneath the Surface.  Ian is the founder of Hitchbox - helping mining and resource companies change the culture and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in their workforces. A few years ago, Ian’s battle with mental health nearly caused him to quit his job and walk away from the FIFO industry.  Instead, he chose to put up his hand, voice his struggles and ask for help. As daunting as this seemed for him at the time, he was blown away with the proactive support and understanding that he received, which ultimately led to launching Hitchbox. In this episode, we discuss all things Hitchbox including Ian’s battle with mental health, how easy it really is to ask for help, pink shower loofahs, creating a safe place in people’s personal space and the underestimated power of novelty and suspense when organising a toga party. I’m so proud of the work that Ian is doing and very excited that the launch of this episode coincides with RUOK? Day - Australia’s national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone to ask, “Are you OK?” and to remember every day of the year to support people who may be struggling with life’s ups and downs. Ian has a heart of gold and is truly passionate about solving the FIFO mental health epidemic.  It was an absolute pleasure to chat with him, enjoy…  

“You have bowel cancer” - four simple words that no one ever wants to hear.  In episode 24 of Beneath the Surface, my good friend Zach Bray joins me to discuss how his whole life was turned upside down just a few months ago. At 25 years of age and with no family history of bowel cancer, Zach’s story is absolutely one that we can all learn from.  Earlier this year, a Facebook post from a mutual friend was the catalyst for Zach to pay more attention to what his body was telling him.  Thankfully, he listened. In this episode, Zach recounts his bowel cancer journey through identifying symptoms, diagnosis, surgery, recovery and life beyond cancer.  On top of this, he shares the significant risk factor that caused him to pass out in the doctor’s office, and discusses how a delicious late night snack led to his first ride in an ambulance. I can’t thank Zach enough for jumping on the line to share his experiences, and for being such a positive and proactive ambassador for bowel cancer awareness in general.  I wish him nothing but the best of health for years to come, enjoy...  For more information, please visit https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/ 

Did you know that 90% of the stress endured by FIFO workers is not caused by their job, but rather the interaction between their work and home lives?  Episode 23 of Beneath the Surface is an in-depth mental health journey through the FIFO industry with the amazing Sandra Lam. A registered psychologist, organisational development professional and founder of FIFO Focus, Sandra’s on a mission to create happier, healthier FIFO individuals, families and workplaces. In this episode, we focus primarily on the 6 major mental health issues that affect FIFO workers, and dive deep into what they are, how to spot them in ourselves and others, and how to deal with (or at least mitigate) the impact. On top of the ‘Big 6’, we also talk about the importance of constructive conflict in our personal relationships and what companies (and individuals) can focus on to nurture a healthy FIFO workplace. So much knowledge shared in this one, with plenty of tips and tricks to help us all through our mining journeys.  I hope you have as many ‘ah ha’ moments as I did, enjoy…

One of the friendliest people on the planet joins me on episode 22 of Beneath the Surface.  Julia Hasche is an author, blogger, podcaster, mentor and all round awesome human.  On top of all that, she’s a mining engineer and founder of Single Mother Survival Guide - in which she proactively helps single mums live their best life. When her daughter was just 2 months old, Julia walked away from her relationship, moved across the country and ventured down the path of solo-parenting.  She set out to be the best mother and role-model she could be, and along the way discovered an evolving community of amazing women who are treading a similar path. In this episode, we discuss her journey through the mining industry, the challenges of single parenting and even tackle societal biases - highlighted in a crazy story of when she tried to buy a fridge.  On top of this, she's a huge advocate for the mining industry and is proactively spreading the message of the vast opportunities that the resources sector has to offer. I’m sure you’ll agree that Julia absolutely radiates positivity, and it was so good to connect with her to share this episode with you, enjoy…

Here we are at episode 21 and wow - what a journey it has been thus far!  This one’s a bit different as I’ve only switched on one microphone this week, recording my first ever solo episode of Beneath the Surface.  Now that we’ve surpassed the 20 episode mark, I thought it’s worth spending some time reflecting on the great conversations and acknowledging the amazing guests that have joined me on the show thus far.  Primarily focusing on the key take-aways from each episode, I also talk through how these conversations came to be and elaborate on the stories that surround them. After reflecting on the journey to date, I then discuss the future of the show and share a tweak that I’m making to the format of Beneath the Surface.   Thanks for tuning in, and a huge thank you to: Leanne Hughes Matt Linney Nikki McMurray Peter Finn Mick Hoyt Andrew O’Brien Tracey Marwood Benny McKenna Warren James Sam Parker Linda Fragomeni Liam Byrne Regan Jones Ryan and Jack Kain Barratt Therese Lardner Daniielle Alexis James Cowin Angela Lavin Dani Tamati

Such a pleasure to welcome the wonderful Dani Tamati to episode 20 of Beneath the Surface.  Soon after her 21st birthday, Dani jumped at an opportunity to leave a 5 star hotel in Perth for a FIFO role in the Pilbara, and never looked back. Today, Dani is a FIFO wife, mother of four young adults and Founder/Managing Director of THE resources HUB, a specialised talent attraction, acquisition, HR and outplacement consultancy, giving complete and comprehensive employment life-cycle solutions.   Dani also heads up Resourceful Women, aiming to engage, encourage, empower and evolve women to be the very best versions of themselves. On top of this, she has recently taken on the voluntary role of Media and Marketing Management Lead for CoRE (Centre of Resources Excellence) Learning Foundation – a not-for-profit organisation is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the CoRE Expansion Project, firstly throughout WA, with the intent to go national. In this episode, Dani recounts the epic adventures that have seen her (and her family) navigate the mining industry of Western Australia, and beyond.  She talks through the evolution of THE resources HUB and we also dive deep into all things Resourceful Women. Dani has a very infectious personality and it was great to switch on the mics and welcome her to the show.  I have no doubt that you’ll enjoy our conversation as much as I did...

They say there are two sides to every story, so who better to elaborate on mine than my partner in crime, Angela Lavin.  We’ve been in each others’ lives longer than not, so it’s an absolute pleasure to (finally) welcome Ange to the podcast. This episode is very relaxed, so grab a cup of tea and join us as we reflect on our decision to enter the mining industry, starting a family with a DIDO dad and the challenges we faced through geographic and communicative isolation. On top of this, we share plenty of laughs through the crazy stories that have made us who we are today, and we wouldn’t have it any other way...

A lot of laughs in episode 18 with my awesome guest, James Cowin.  In a Beneath the Surface first, James and I ditched the air conditioning for some fresh air and sunshine on a cracking winter day in Brisbane.   James’s eyes were opened to the world of mining at just 7 years old, finding himself in the pit of an open cut mine, accompanied by his geologist relatives.  Now a mining engineer, James shares some powerful stories from the perspective of a gay man in the mining industry of Australia. On top of this, James is a State Partnerships Coordinator with Out for Australia, a not for profit organisation that seeks to support and mentor aspiring LGBTIQ professionals. In this episode we talk about the influence of our internal monologues, how curiosity and acceptance are the key to progression and James shares some of the hilarious and ‘detailed’ questions that he’s received from site colleagues over the years. I’ve got all the time in the world for James and it was great to fire up the mics and welcome him to the show.  I hope you laugh as much as we did, enjoy...

The one and only Daniielle Alexis is my superstar guest on episode 17 of Beneath the Surface (www.seanlavin.co/podcast).  Daniielle’s personal journey is so powerful and I’m grateful for both how eager she was to share it, and how open and honest she allowed herself to be.   Daniielle is a trailblazing transgender actor, best known for lighting up our screens in 2017 on season 5 of Australian prison drama, Wentworth.  To supplement her acting career, Daniielle lives the FIFO life, spending weeks at a time in the mining industry of Western Australia.   In this episode, Daniielle tells her inspirational story. We dive deep into the challenges and triumphs of life before and after her transition, FIFO life as a transgender woman and her aspirations of hitting the bigtime in Hollywood.   This one has it all - from laughter to tears and tragedy to triumph.  Daniielle is proactively breaking down barriers spreading nothing but positivity in all that she does.   Reach out to Daniielle here :) 

Episode 16 lights up with the amazing Therese Lardner.  Therese is a registered psychologist, leadership coach and founder of Mindset Coaching and Consulting, who works with businesses to create happy, healthy and productive workforces.   Therese was a FIFO partner for around 10 years and I thought it’d be great to get her perspective from the other side of the coin - what’s life’s like at home, whilst you’re working away.  We also talk about the power of planning prior to entering the mining or related industries, and Therese shares some great advice that I certainly didn’t apply before stepping foot on site for the first time.   On top of that, and as the title suggests, we talk all things burn out.  I was fascinated when Therese explained that she’d experienced burn out not only once, but twice.  She’s very open and honest about what she went through, and her experiences have really ignited her passion to pay it forward and help others.   My perspective was definitely challenged in this episode and Therese gave me plenty to think about.  I'm sure you'll feel the same way, enjoy...

Without a doubt, the most vital aspect of the global mining industry is safety.  My first real induction to the broader scope of safety culture started many years ago when I met today’s guest, Kain Barratt. Now, safety shares are an every day event on sites across the globe.  For those unfamiliar with the term, safety shares open the door for real, organic conversations around safety on site and typically start with a crew member sharing a story, insight or observation related to safety.   This episode is like one deep, intense and perspective shifting safety share, with Kain sharing so much gold in relation to safety culture in high-risk industries. Three powerful takeaways include normalised attitudes to high-risk environments, the false perception of production over safety and how one simple question can empower anyone to ensure their work area is always safe. I’m so grateful that people like Kain exist in the industry, as he’s not only proactive and will always have your back, he’s got a knack for making safety personal - which, in my opinion, is the key to empowering everyone to take ownership of their own safety, and influence others to do the same. Pull out a notepad and enjoy the show...

In a Beneath the Surface first, we’ve switched on three mics and it’s awesome to welcome Jack Aubort and Ryan Loomans from The Pretengineers podcast to the show.  The Pretengineers was created to share experiences and lessons to help budding engineers fill the gap between University and industry. In this episode, Jack and Ryan talk through their interesting and eclectic experiences, from 100% commission door-to-door sales through to sniper training in the Swiss army.  We also dive deep into safety and gain insight from their (fairly) short-lived experiences in heavy industry, with Jack sharing several very confronting stories. On top of all this, we get the inside scoop of all things the Pretengineers, from the men behind the voices. A lot of love, laughs and lessons in this one and there’s absolutely value here for all.  Enjoy...

“Surely there’s an app for that!” - a phrase that I say nearly every week.  But after months of trial, error and frustration, Regan Jones found himself with no other option but to create his own.   An electrician with an Executive MBA, Regan’s a very interesting and inspirational character in resources industry, and it’s a pleasure to welcome him to episode 13 of Beneath the Surface.  Regan’s worked onshore, offshore, locally, internationally, and I dare say has worked nearly every roster out there. In this episode we focus primarily on two topics - how Regan saved the life of close colleague on a job in the Indian Ocean and One Minute Closer - his lifestyle and roster app that’s completely changed the game for shift workers, FIFO and beyond. I encourage you to do two things after tuning into this episode: download One Minute Closer and sign up for that First-Aid refresher.  There’s so much value here - I could’ve easily talked to Regan all day, enjoy… Reach out to Regan here and check out all things One Minute Closer here.

Have you ever wanted to lose weight, but felt that ‘site life’ made it too difficult to do so?  Liam Byrne of Live Beyond Fitness joins me on episode 12 and it was great to chat with someone who completely turned their life around while working away on a drilling operation. A budding professional rugby league player who’s passionate about podcasts and MMA,  Liam has travelled around Australia through his work in the seismic and exploration drilling industries.  After a significant knee injury saw him tip the scales at over 140 kgs, Liam tells his story of how he lost nearly a third of this body weight whilst working away. We talk about how his competitive mindset has been both a blessing and a curse, dive down a MMA rabbit hole and Liam talks very openly about his significant weight gain and how a random photo from a glam-rock party caused him to completely overhaul his life. Now a personal trainer and founder of Live Beyond Fitness, Liam dedicates his time to helping those both on and off site get on top of their health, once and for all. It was awesome to catch up with Liam and such a pleasure to share his story with you.

A wonderful human being in Linda Fragomeni rocks the mic for episode 11 of Beneath the Surface.  Late in 2018 and as this podcast was being conceptualised, I had the pleasure of meeting Linda after her mic-drop speech at a prestigious awards night.   With this podcast idea in mind, her speech cemented why I wanted to capture and share the stories of the amazing people who make up the global mining and related industries.   This is such an eclectic conversation where we discuss life as an apprentice, the perception of gender inequality, impostor syndrome, balancing your work and home life, social isolation and the struggle of maintaining your work standards while your world off site is completely falling apart.   On top of all this, Linda (aka Dylan) talks through her recent journey on reality TV - joining the cast of 2018’s Bride and Prejudice.   Linda is an absolute gem in the industry, and I can’t thank her enough for being so enthusiastic to join me on the show.  Thanks for tuning in, I know you’ll enjoy this one...   Find Linda here  

Such a pleasure to bring you episode 10 of Beneath the Surface with an amazing human in Sam Parker.  Sam’s a super friendly guy whose 'Grab Life by the Balls’ movement is positively tackling men’s mental health.  A chiropractor by trade and a sportsman at heart, Sam’s passionate about tackling the scary and un-Australian statistics around suicide in this country. Excitingly, 'Grab Life by the Balls' is making its way to the mining game, spreading the word and bringing a refreshing sense of realness and relatability to the stigma that surrounds men's mental health. In this episode, we dive deep into Sam’s background, discuss how powerful and life-changing social connection can be and of course, talk all things ‘Grab Life by the Balls’. Sam’s a legend, and the world is absolutely a better place with people like him doing what he’s doing, enjoy… Find everything ‘Grab Life by the Balls’ on the website and get involved through Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Warren James of Rapid Mentoring joins me on episode 9 of Beneath the Surface.  Warren is an engineer by trade, who’s worked on projects in energy, high voltage electrical and has spent a number of years in the oil and gas industry.     Warren is also the founder of Rapid Mentoring, created to help graduates and those within the early years of their careers go further, faster.  But as we discuss in this podcast, the content is absolutely applicable to anyone at nearly any stage of their career.   In this episode, we navigate the struggles of working on FIFO projects, the harsh reality of burn-out, how a close colleague changed Warren's perspective of wanting to retire at 40, and how stumbling on a seemingly random article on LinkedIn proved to be the catalyst for Warren to pivot into a career that he was truly passionate about.  On top of all this, Warren talks through a very simple, yet powerful technique to switch off, sleep better and get happy.   Finally, in a Beneath the Surface first, Warren shares a great offer for anyone keen to join the Rapid community.  Stay tuned until the end of the episode for all the details.   Thank you for being part of the journey, enjoy…   Reach out to Warren here

Benny McKenna lights up episode 8 of Beneath the Surface, sharing his strategic approach to mining operations through the lens of a professional athlete. Once a professional junior rugby league halfback, Benny now applies grand final winning strategies to the circuits he coordinates, all with an eye to get the best out of his team and deliver confetti-worthy results. We discuss the similarities between a football game and mining operations, the motivation that comes from a looming relegation and what really matters when the final whistle blows. Benny’s a very special character in the mining game and I’m so glad he made the time to join me on the show.  Enjoy...

Episode 7 sees Tracey Marwood grabbing the mic to join me on Beneath the Surface. Trace is a miner, small business owner, cycling enthusiast and mother, who has jumped in and out of the mining industry as her business and family have expanded. In this episode, Trace talks through her time being pregnant on site, the challenges she faced as well as the difficulties of helping to run a business from her camp room. On top of all this, Trace offers some amazing advice for those working in the industry who are looking to start (or grow) a family - advice that can be applied far beyond the scope of a mining operation. It’s always great to catch up with Trace and I hope you enjoy the episode.  Reach out to her here: Instagram (@tracemarwood) Mackay Cycles (https://mackaycycles.com.au)

Andrew O’Brien joins me for episode 6 of Beneath the Surface.  Andrew is a very unique character in the mining game - he’s a geologist, holds a site senior executive (SSE) ticket and is a certified financial advisor.  In this episode, Andrew and I talk all things finance in the mining industry. We discuss general financial education, tackle stereotypes and even dive head-first into the recent Royal Commission into misconduct in the banking, superannuation and financial services industry.   On top of all this, Andrew shares the biggest financial mistake that he sees miners make, and provides some fantastic advice to avoid the trap. I really enjoyed speaking to Andrew and am grateful for the knowledge and insights he shares.  Reach out to Andrew here. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show...

Such a pleasure to welcome the hilarious Mick Hoyt to the podcast.  This is a silly one as we share stories, memories and a lot of laughs from our mining journeys.  Mick brings an element of fun and cheekiness to his role and there’s rarely a dull day with Mick on the crew. He’s an amazing story teller and a brilliant wordsmith who showcases a skill that very few people in the modern world possess.  That skill is poetry, and Mick shares one of his finest ditties towards the end of the episode.   On top of this, we reflect on our journeys entering the industry, the anxiety and fear of the unknown that rolls through the mind of a 'greenie’ and the all encompassing regulations that govern the ‘carton rules’. I’m so glad that Mick threw his hand in the air to join me on Beneath the Surface, and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did...

The one and only Peter Finn joins me for the 4th episode of Beneath the Surface.  Finny is the managing director of Face Contracting and the host of Full Production, a podcast that provides a platform for listeners to get behind the conversations that people are having in the mining industry. This episode is a special one as we navigate everything from Finny’s history, growth mindsets, finding your purpose as well as the power of treating miners as people, and not just numbers.   On top of all that, Finny comes straight out of left field with a golden nugget of relationship advice, via a reflective activity he highly recommends. It’s always great to catch up with Finny, and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Everything Face Contracting can be found here and make sure you hit the subscribe button on Full Production, you won’t be disappointed.

I'm delighted to welcome leadership guru Nikki McMurray to the show. Nikki leads Corporate Learning Partners and specialises in all things coaching, mediation and leadership and has worked in the mining industry for 13 years.     We talk all things frontline leadership and diversity, with Nikki sharing some deep and insightful stories along the way.   To learn more about Nikki or simply get in touch, you'll find her here.

A wonderful human being in Matt Linney joins me on Episode 2 of Beneath the Surface. This one is all about how transformational consuming podcast content can be, and how the mining environment is perfect for broadening your perspective, while you work. Matt's been listening to podcasts since 2005 and throughout his career in the mining industry.  They've been a source of entertainment and education for Matt, and have ultimately shifted his perspectives and challenged his biases.   A fantastic takeaway from this episode is how listening to podcasts, while at work, has ultimately shaped Matt into being a people-focused leader who actively applies podcast insights into his current mining supervisory role.

We're switching it up on the very first episode as the amazing Leanne Hughes hijacks the hosts' chair to talk all things Beneath the Surface with Sean Lavin.   It was an absolute pleasure to have Leanne steal the hosts' mic.  She's a facilitator, speaker, MC and fellow podcaster who hosts the very successful First Time Facilitator podcast.    I'm extremely grateful that she answered the bat-signal for episode no. 1 and you can reach out to Leanne here.    Thanks for tuning in...