Rekindle

When Linda Wright moved away from the City, her search for like-minded people led to the start of a prosperous practice.

I’ve followed Jen’s work for years and am hugely impressed with how she manages and runs her business. She always has her audience clearly in mind.

My final guest in this short series, Lisa founded Collective Hub, has written numerous bestsellers, is a well known serial-entrepreneur and as you'll hear is motivated and high energy. It came as no surprise to learn that she's active, busy and focused in these challenging times. 

In the penultimate episode of this COVID-19 series, I catch up with Australia's most prolific small business author to see how he's doing. Never a man to stand still for too long, I'm pleasantly surprised to hear him talk of 'slowing down' and I think that's a shift that may be here to stay.

Always open and forthright, Kate isn't finding this period any more plain sailing than the rest of us, but behind the discomfort new ideas are emerging.

Paul has worked in the area of leadership development for a few decades and puts great emphasis on personal connection. I was interested to hear how he's handling this dramatic change and I knew I'd learn something new from him. I always do.

Ever upbeat and high energy, communications expert, Paul Jones was always going to be on my hit-list for this short series and he didn't disappoint. He shares a great tip from Dr Martin Seligman that now adorns the door of our fridge.

In his role as CEO of COSBOA, Peter has been fighting the small business corner for years. A consistent voice on TV and Radio, he never shies away from a battle. So how is he personally combatting COVID-19? I can tell you there are a few things he doesn't miss. 

Next up in this COVID-19 series, we hear from Suzi Dafnis from HerBusiness. Suzi thinks we're going to be better people at the end of all this and is already noticing positive change in members of her community.

Time to talk with my other ex-Flying Solo partner and see how he's tracking. I can tell you he's bingeing on Narcos, Mexico on Netflix and as a self-confessed introvert there are aspects of all this that he's not struggling with at all. 

It's been ages since I caught up with my ex-Flying Solo partner, Sam so it was especially good to hear how she is doing. Not surprisingly, she's making the most of everything and has some good regimes in place in her household. What does she miss the most? Hugging her friends of course.

Continuing this special COVID-19 series, I talk with Tim Reid, host of the hugely popular Small Business Big Marketing show. As always, Tim is candid, entertaining and generous. 

This is the first in a short series where I catch up with some inventive friends and find out how they're bearing up in these unusual times. Today's guest is the founder of The Business Bakery and a frequent commentator on small business finance. 

In the final show of this series, before I commence a focus on how people are coping with COVID-19, I talk with career coach Annie Stewart about her new book, 'Career to Calling'.

In this episode from the library, I talk with one of my closest friends, Pauline Crawford about the motivations behind her little enterprise, 'Push Babies'. Started to satisfy a clear need, the business continues to bring pleasure nearly 20 years on.

Allan Parker is an eccentric, empirical behavioural scientist and a truly fascinating man. In this podcast he shares how we can shift out of problems into options; how he stays so engaged with his work and why the past and the future offer little appeal. I so loved talking with him.

Mike Staniford has been a good friend for over 20 years. We first met at a design agency in Sydney where he was Creative Director and I fiddled about at the 'client service' end. Yes, he was the glamorous one. A few years ago he chucked it all in and started his creative writing and painting career. He's doing well and learning a lot about staying true to his heart. 

Co-founder of STM, designers of some of the coolest laptop and gadget bags and cases, Adina Jacobs is also behind Mentor Walks an innovative service that matches female startups with established entrepreneurs. So how does she keep things together and maintain her energy and drive. Let's find out.

Jane Harper might be an award-winning author today, but we very nearly didn't get to see her work. That all changed when she entered a short story competition.

It took a while to convince John Macarthur to be my guest. The legend behind Purl Harbour, didn't think he had much to share with the world of business. He got that wrong. I find his approach colourful, inspiring and delightfully influenced by serendipity.

A different kind of show this time as it's a discussion I had with four artists at the opening of their group exhibition. Do artists think like business people? What can we learn from their approach to their craft and does it translate to the wider world of work? Pull up a stool and let's find out.

Delightfully unfashionably, Merle Singer is more interested in contemplation and reflection than storming ahead into the world of the hustle. In this interview she shares her approach to the melding of life and work and why we should investigate the unseen.

John Doran is a possibilitarian, helping others see there's nothing wrong with them, that what's right can't fix. He leans heavily on his inner circle and uses a number of strategies, one summarised by the acronym, SHED. It resonated for me, see what you think. 

As skilled as she was teaching others to work productively and maintain a positive mindset, Emma Grey had to embrace external support when her world was turned upside down. 

Josie McLean was so worried that she saw the world differently to others, she questioned her own mental health. However, after years of research and exploration she's found many like-minded individuals and groups and this keeps her energised, motivated and on-track.

That's the theory Andrew Griffiths practices to ensure he doesn't sit in his comfort zone for too long. And it seems to work. But then he's not your average guy.

Bundled into a camper van with her globetrotting parents and experiencing a Steiner education, doubtless contributed to Vashti Whitfield’s take on life. As you’ll hear, she’s deeply committed to challenging human potential.

Hunter Leonard was running a 20 person agency and doing well, but fun and excitement had left the building, replaced by admin and drudgery. So he did what he’s done before and turned everything upside down. It seems to be a strategy that works.

Christine McDougall is not someone who sits still. In the years I’ve known her, she’s moved direction and focus a number of times and that surely helps keep her energised. There’s a thread that weaves throughout her work and she never lets it go.

After ten years growing and running her business, Mandi Gunsberger successfully sold up and took the family to Italy. So how does an extended break from work change her view of the world and set her up for the future? Let's find out.

Julian Mather had his heart set on being a photo journalist and yet his first lens was attached to a sniper's rifle. While his journey through the world of work has continued to be eventful, one thread has been constant.

For Leanne Faulkner everything seemed to be going so well. An ‘accidental business’ struck a chord and quickly grew. Then along came the downturn and almost overnight business plummeted and sadly so did Leanne. Her experience precipitated huge change and today she’s devoted to helping others avoid a similar fate.

I got delightfully lost talking with Julie Paterson and it wasn't until some way in that I got back on track with my theme. Funnily enough, letting things sit awhile is precisely what's worked for her. 

Yuri Cataldo's creative journey has seen him lecture at Yale, Princeton and Stanford, work in theatre design on Broadway and kickstart a couple of businesses. So what does he do when he's feeling less than energetic? Mainly, he leans on people. 

Lisa Sweeney values connection and is constantly on the lookout for partnerships and collaborations. This served her well in her corporate life and clearly suits her role as CEO of Business in Heels. As you’d imagine, she’s a firm believer in the power of a good network.

Ben Fewtrell has been involved in a number of businesses and today spends much of his time helping others build theirs. He’s a keen landscape photographer, pilot and family man and while he’s usually upbeat and energetic, he admits to getting a bit so-so now and then.

Sarah Jenkins knew the time was right to shift direction, but it was only after a little freelance assignment that the flashbulbs really went off. A few years on she’s winning international awards and forging ahead in some exciting directions.

Urs Koenig is not normal. He attempts incredible feats, pushing his stamina to the absolute limit. And he’s no slouch in the world of business either. As you’ll hear, he values variety in his life and whether on stage as an international speaker or on the ground as an international peacekeeper, he knows how to operate at his best.

I’ve followed Valerie Khoo’s business career for around 20 years and she never ceases to surprise and amaze. I can’t think of many accountants who end up as curator of a major arts festival. So how and why does she keep reinventing?

More an intro to reveal the look and feel of things around here. I'm currently working on episodes and can't wait to get airborne. Thank you for joining me. It'll be fun, you'll see.