The Politics of Everything

A warning that is episode mentions some themes that may not be suitable for all listeners. If you're in Australia and experiencing domestic violence or need to speak to a counsellor, please contact 1800 737 732. As the winner of AHIA's Australia's Best Eco Salon in 2020 & 2021, sustainability and low-tox living is a huge passion for Tenille Lawrence. She is a multi-award-winning hair stylist that has been fortunate enough to travel the world as a global hair educator for over 15 years.    While spending years styling hair at runway shows, fashion week events, and magazine shoots was an incredibly fun and exciting lifestyle, this mum of four slowly started feeling sick, stressed, and run down. Tenille was told that during three out of four pregnancies she had developed chemical poisoning from being exposed to harsh chemicals over the years in the hair industry.   Tenille's experience with chemical poisoning motivated her to follow her heart and build the business on sustainable, eco-friendly and vegan ethos, free from harsh chemicals and nasty ingredients while still creating gorgeous hair. She set up the salon and decked it out with upcycled furniture and plants to give it an elective look and feel. A concept that was very popular with the community and environmentally conscious locals and quickly grew into a seven-figure business with 30 staff and another 3 QLD-based salons in a matter of a couple of years.    In addition to this, seven years ago Tenille had to file for bankruptcy after leaving a domestic violence relationship, and this inspired her to set up a hair salon from home to be able to pay off her debts. This small salon in her garage quickly snowballed with people knocking on her door saying that “A little birdie told me you're a hairdresser” and she quickly got busier and managed to open up her first Brisbane-based salon, called Little Birdie Hair Co, in a large warehouse.    Tenille is now a spokesperson for sustainability within the hair industry, and she is passionate about the local community and making sure victims of domestic violence are supported in the workplace, being the first hair salon in Australia to work towards getting a White Ribbon Accreditation.    We discuss: What parts of hairdressing have the most toxins and how easily can these items be replaced for less toxic options? Please give us some common examples – from hair colour to even the things like the tools you use. How long were you working in hairdressing before your started to feel unwell from being exposed to chemicals? What are some of the short- and longer-term health problems these exposures can create and how prevalent is that these days? Do clients need to be as aware of this when they visit a salon or products we use at home? What are the main challenges to making a hair salon successful in 2022 and how do you tackle these? Where else can the salon sector help protect its people better? Takeaway: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Salons?   CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: (48) Tenille Lawrence | LinkedIn Website: Little Birdie Hair Co - Australia's Best Eco Salon

Mentoring can change your life and your career if done right. One of my standard guest questions asks who their #1 mentor has been and their impact. Most of my formal mentors have been local, as in the same city or at least country ad global mentorship has been limited perhaps by staid ideas of commonality, access and relevance in decades gone by. Today I chat to Sahera Sumar, the Founder of a social enterprise (profit for purpose) called Worldwide SHEroes or WWS. It focuses on leadership capacity building, by empowering women of diversity and disadvantage to rise to their leadership potential. Their global mission is to support women to achieve economic equity and inclusive leadership and to measure our impact using the UN Sustainable Developmental Goals. In Sahera's words, this is not your mainstream women's mentorship program.  They provide mentorship through global mentors within 10 Industry categories, connecting women in the developed world, with women who are from emerging economies.  These Mentors are senior women in C-suite, or senior mgt roles who are passionately working with aspiring / emerging leaders from countries such as Egypt, Syria. Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, Tajikistan and many more. Their mentees come from international developmental agencies such as Aga Khan Foundation, HOST International and Migrant Resource Centers. The global vision is for WWS to grow, establish meaningful and aligned partnerships so they can fully digitize our platform; strengthen our learning and development programs and build a greater awareness. She is drawing upon her own many years of global corporate experience in talent and leadership development to strengthen leadership capability for international development projects and capacity building projects. She Sahera utilises neuro-leadership, positive psychology, and values-based leadership to develop emotionally intelligent leaders and a well-being culture. Inclusive mentorship and a global vision is what has resulted. We discuss: What are the main ways the way we access leadership development changed in your experience? How exactly does global mentorship work best at a practical and impact level from your experience? What led you to form SHEroes and why focus on female leaders only? SHEroes recently celebrated its first birthday, and you now have 550+hours of mentoring under your belt, 60+ mentors and working in 35 countries. How do you plan to expand your reach into new geographies, industries and to begin working with First Nations Women globally. Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Global Mentors?   CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/saherasumar W: https://www.worldwidesheroes.com

Customer service is everything for most businesses that last the distance. Our customer loyalty to a brand or business leader can be shaped by our experiences every day and sometimes our feedback is heard, noted, and more importantly positively acted upon, and sometimes, well it is not and the results can mean the end of the road for that business if that is a recurrent theme. After all there is always another airline to fly, another makeup brand to use or another car we COULD buy. My guest today is Winston Tu, the Founder and CEO of Luxo Living, Australia's leading online boutique furniture store. A trailblazer in the e-commerce sector, Winston has been selling products online since 1999, before the arrival of Ebay in Australia. Winston was an early facilitator of ground-breaking customer-service tools including built-in shipping platforms, which saw Luxo Living save over $300,000 within the first year. As he commemorates 21 years at the helm, Winston has grown Luxo Living into a leading online retailer that boasts an annual turnover of $22million. Luxo Living offers impeccably made, comfortable home styling pieces at an attractive price point.   The brand has used its customer complaints as avenues to pinpoint areas of growth, allowing it to compete against top brand names within the Australian market such as Amazon, Catch.com.au and Temple & Webster.   We discuss: Customer feedback and customer service are interlinked – what is your view of each as a valuable way to manage your business (or essentially any business)? Is the customer always right? Customer complaints can offer ways to unravel pain points and make some decisions faster such as what stock to carry or delete and also how to do better for more customers. With online sales now such a mainstay for many products and services, is that harder or easier than ever? What systems are needed for excellent customer feedback to actually drive change? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Customer Feedback?   CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winston-tu-26a0353b/?originalSubdomain=au W: https://www.luxoliving.com.au/   Special Listener Zencastr offer for all my podcast friends! I love Zencastr for all my podcast recordings. For everyone that signs up for the Pro Plan or higher, you will be receiving $10 for every month they stay on past the 14-day trial period, maximum of $30 if they stay on for at least 3 months on the Pro Plan.   To use your code, go to this pricing page and enter promo code - thepoliticsofeverything at the Coupon Code field found underneath the individual plans.

Shyness is something we rarely talk about let alone elevate in our loud, often brash, TikTok-fuelled all singing and dancing world. Meet Melbourne-based Kaley Chu, the founder of 100 Lunches with Strangers, a movement she founded off the back of her best-selling book of the same name where Kaley shared her journey from a shy immigrant to a confident TEDx Speaker in just 2 years by getting out of her comfort zone and arranging 100 lunches with complete strangers. When COVID hit she turned virtual and has arranged over 350 lunches with strangers (ranging from CEOs, billionaires and even celebrities like Shane Jacobson), and now works with others to help build their confidence, grow their network and unleash their potential. Kaley has spoken at over 200 events, both in-person and virtual, over the last 3 years to spread positive energy and help others grow and connect. She's also created two strong communities with over 4,000 members combined, with weekly events to help people connect and grow. (One targeted at personal development and the other supporting Asians in Australia). Kaley is in her 30's, happily married and a proud mum of two boys. Kaley shares in this podcast her responses to: Shyness is the tendency to feel awkward, worried, or tense during social encounters, especially with unfamiliar people. Is it a superpower because it can help us get prepared in a way, or something that we need to “fix” to succeed in careers, business and personally? Explain with some examples. Do you think shyness is cultural or in our DNA somehow? Share your view and why. For someone shy how do you convince yourself to meet 100 strangers for lunch? What did that teach you? Has your experiment meant you are now longer shy? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Shyness?   To connect (and maybe have lunch!) with Kaley go to: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaleychu/?originalSubdomain=au Website: https://www.kaleychu.com/

Workplace wellbeing matters more than ever, as people from all sectors are making health-led decisions that are more valuable perhaps than power, money and status. Having experienced her own life-changing burnout, Sally describes herself as a Burnout Survivor now Thriver, her own journey to recovery inspired her health coaching practice, Health that Heals. Sally McGrath has not one experience with burnout but three. She beat each round and remains so far. Sally has a lifelong passion for health and wellbeing and has guided and supported individuals and teams to treat burnout and prevent burning out, sharing resources that empower the individual to identify what needs to change to reduce the risk of burnout. Sally also shares strategies that support "mental health hygiene", something that can be ignored when a person is experiencing the spiral into burnout.  Sally has combined her 30-plus years of managing and training teams with her preventative health beliefs & expertise to deliver sustainable workplace wellbeing programs that engage and empower individuals. Sally also coaches burnt-out self-employed and professional women, to restore their joy, energy, and focus for work and life. Sally is a published author of the book Health that Heals, Transform Your Life Before It's Too Late and is a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, in New York. Sally's joy comes from empowering individuals and teams to create what she terms "work and life in synergy". We cover off: Burnout treatment and prevention is what you talk a lot about on social media and in your work. How much is burnout about our workplace vs our greater lives outside what we do for money? I like your email signature that says:” Experiencing Burnout isn't a reflection of your personal worthiness. It's a culture that encourages people to put work ahead of their personal needs. What has been your experience with managing your wellbeing long term as a businesswoman? Workplace wellbeing has changed a lot over the years. Staff post-Covid restrictions, many seem to have empowered themselves more than ever – through quite quitting and resigning from workplaces they aren't happy in or determining hybrid work arrangements before the boss offers them. How has that been facilitated do you think and will it last? Explain your view. What types of modern workplaces doing well overall when it comes to managing stress, fatigue, burnout and unhealthy habits, and are there a few examples of truly innovative workplaces that have made wellbeing #1 goal, and how. Must be more than leaving work early on a Friday or free yoga classes at lunch! Takeaway: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Workplace Wellbeing?   Contact details: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallymcgrath/ Website: www.healththatheals.com.au

Tel K. Ganesan is a self-made serial entrepreneur, engaging public speaker, philanthropist, mentor, film producer, and world traveller with a globally recognized reputation across multiple industries. He currently serves as Founder/CEO of multiple thriving enterprises, including Kyyba, Inc. - a Michigan-headquartered global IT company with over 700 employees and millions in annual revenue - Kyyba Films, Kyyba Wellness, Kyyba Innovations, Kyyba Fashions, and Kyyba Music. Infectious enthusiasm and courageous determination power his drive to do what others are afraid to do as he blazes a trail for the next generation of entrepreneurs with a simple secret to success: do what makes you happy. Ganesan earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Wayne State University before getting his start at the Chrysler Corporation. Over 13 years, he earned multiple awards and promotions in manufacturing and product development. The desire to make a bigger impact and build something of his own then took Ganesan in the direction of entrepreneurship with the establishment of Kyyba, Inc. Ganesan is fuelled by a belief that entrepreneurs make the world a better place for everyone, founding TiECon Detroit - the largest entrepreneurial conference in Michigan. Today, TiE boasts over 56 chapters in at least 13 countries, with a specific focus on supporting women in male-dominated industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and financial services. Additionally, the Kyyba Kidz Foundation uplifts underprivileged women and orphans, providing vital education, skills, and on-the-job training opportunities. Over a 30-year career, Ganesan's ground-breaking work has earned him consistent national recognition, including: Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year finalist (2012, 2013, 2014) and a place among D Business Magazine's “Detroit 500” most powerful business leaders. On any given weekday morning, Ganesan can be found in deep meditation and yoga poses before heading into his business ventures. He actively “levels up his comfort zone” with tennis, kayaking, and traveling to new places. After everything he has worked hard to achieve, Ganesan is still convinced that his biggest potential is yet to be realized, and he works hard daily to push the limits of what's possible synonymous with the tagline of Kyyba, make impossible, possible. We discuss: The term ‘comfort zone' is firmly embedded in our everyday cultural discourse – say the metaphor of ‘leaving one's comfort zone' became popular in the 1990s, coined by management thinker Judith Bardwick in her 1991 work Danger in the Comfort Zone: How do you define a comfort zone and surely it varies depending on your risk appetite? Please explain your view and why. Within the comfort zone, there isn't much incentive for people to reach new heights of performance. It's here that people go about routines devoid of risk, causing their progress to plateau. Is that always a bad thing? Can you enhance your own sense of comfort zones and how do you push that beyond your basic level of comfort? How can we make the impossible seem possible and still remain balanced in how we live our lives and not say burnout? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Comfort Zones?   Connect via @TelKGanesan www.TelKGanesan.com www.Kyyba.com Special Listener Zencastr offer for all my podcast friends! I love Zencastr for all my podcast recordings. For everyone that signs up for the Pro Plan or higher, you will be receiving $10 for every month they stay on past the 14-day trial period, for a a maximum of $30 if you stay on for at least 3 months on the Pro Plan. To use your code, go to this pricing page and enter promo code - thepoliticsofeverything at the Coupon Code field found underneath the individual plans.

Steve Hui was one of my early guests on this podcast back in 2018. How our experience of business, life, and travel has changed in four years. I wanted to invite Steve back as a refresher of how our experience as a society has evolved, for better or worse maybe, in a world battered by Covid19 and all the border closure pain that has plagued the airline sector. Airlines are posting record losses as we enter year three of the pandemic but also, lost experienced staff due to layoffs and restructures. Many of us just want to fly and not expect extensive airport delays or endless flight changes to do so. A recap of who is Steve is probably in order. For over 17 years, Steve applied his skills solving complex problems in senior finance roles in corporations including Macquarie Bank but made the brave move to leave the corporate world to start his own business inspired by his innovative thinking, his passion for travel and a burning desire to optimise things. Steve is a CPA and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales. Then a new business idea evolved. It all started when he flew for the very first time in business class over 14 years ago on a business trip, and he was hooked. Since then, he has religiously researched and tested his knowledge in extracting the best ways to maximise the points to fly (and ideally fly business class). Established in 2012, iFLYflat is the leader in reward points management. They are the experts in Points Advice and Flight Bookings. iFLYflat provides a fully managed service helping businesses and individuals to uncover the true value of their airline and credit card points. So let's explore what that looks like in late 2022 including: How did iFLYflat survive and maybe even thrive in the past few years when the pandemic changed travel in many ways for a very long time? How have flyer points programs you work with changed and is that better or worse for most travellers? How can we maximise our flyer points if we travel less now that say Zoom meetings replaced a lot of business travel in particular? How else have reward programs had to create more value that we may not be aware of? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The NEW Politics of Flyer Points?   CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/uas/login-submit W: https://www.iflyflat.com.au/   Special Listener Zencastr offer for all my podcast friends! For everyone that signs up for the Pro Plan or higher, you will be receiving $10 for every month they stay on past the 14-day trial period, maximum of $30 if they stay on for at least 3 months on the Pro Plan. To use your code, you go to the pricing page and enter promo code - thepoliticsofeverything at the Coupon Code field found underneath the individual plans

Sustainable architecture is also referred to as green architecture or environmental architecture. It challenges architects to produce smart designs and use available technologies to ensure that structures generate minimal harmful effects to the ecosystem and the communities. And with a world in the midst of climate change emergency, it has a big role to play. However, it no doubt has it challenges such as cost and accessibility. To find out I am speaking to Ninotschka Titchkosky, an architect who has more than 25 years' experience leading major architectural projects, and developing innovation and research opportunities working with architects, academics and industry partners. She co-CEO of BVN Architecture where she steers the firm's research into robotics and digital fabrication. She wants to realize smarter and more creative solutions that are better for the planet, especially by using robotics, advanced technologies and new materials. Ninotschka is passionate about the role architects play in shaping our interactions, communities and cities. She is a whole systems thinker and approaches a brief from unique angles resulting in award-winning design. Ninotschka is also co-leading the design of one of Sydney's most famed projects, Atlassian's future headquarters at Central Station. This low-carbon project will be the tallest hybrid timber building in the world at 40 stories. She is a commissioner on the Commission for the Future of Sydney CBD, which is tasked with examining the changing nature of the city in a post COVID-19 world. We discuss: Decarbonization is a big deal. Explain how much waste there is in traditional building processes and how that contributes to climate change? How do you define sustainable architecture and why does it matter? Is it more than 7-star energy ratings and why? What role does 3D printing play in future architecture? Maybe this is something that can work for developing nations as well? Robotics are also important in sustainable architecture – give us an idea of what role they play. The new $1.4 billion Atlassian office building in Sydney is one of your high-profile projects. What makes that building so unique? Takeaway: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Sustainable Architecture?   CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: (42) Ninotschka Titchkosky | LinkedIn W: BVN   Special Listener Zencastr offer for all my podcast friends! I love Zencastr for all my podcast recordings. For everyone that signs up for the Pro Plan or higher, you will be receiving $10 for every month they stay on past the 14-day trial period, a maximum of $30 if they stay on for at least 3 months on the Pro Plan. To use your code, go to this pricing page and enter promo code - thepoliticsofeverything at the Coupon Code field found underneath the individual plans.

JUST A LISTENER WARNING THIS EPISODE CONTAINS REFERENCES TO DRUG ADDICTION AND MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES. Everyone loves a comeback story. From the late Steve Jobs being fired from Apple the company he started and then returned and then launching iconic products like the iPhone to basketball GOAT Michael Jordan coming out of retirement to lead the Chicago Bulls to championship glory not once but three times.   There is something magical, inspirational, and remarkable about any underdog coming from behind to knock down Goliath and become an icon.   My guest today has the classic comeback story that involves struggles, personal demons, and corporate glory, then failure and today an ultimate success.   Sean Castrina is a serial entrepreneur, speaker and author, He is the Founder of The Weekend MBA and host of The 10 Minute Entrepreneur Podcast a top 10 entrepreneurship podcast as well as the author of 4 bestselling books. He has been featured in Forbes, Inc. Money Magazine as well as an Instagram account with over 300k followers.   We discuss:   How did your addition to prescription medication become your secret weapon when it comes to business? You have gone from a dream job to bankrupt and now a millionaire. How did that transpire? What does a comeback really involve and is it something we can all maybe also achieve? A few examples, please. What is in your business planning that you rate as vital, especially in the volatile start-up world? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Comebacks?   To connect with Sean: W: https://seancastrina.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seancastrina/

Anyone of my vintage growing up in the 80s and 90s knows my guest today, Alison Brahe. As a teen who wanted a career in journalism, I consumed magazines like oxygen. Alison was the epitome a Dolly magazine cover girl everyone wanted to be. Even as I posted on my socials, I was speaking to Alison today childhood friends instantly messaged me in excitement and gushing recollections of how much they recall loving Alison Brahe. She was fresh faced and golden skinned with a naturally beautiful smile. Alison was as well-known as Aussie supermodel Elle Macpherson and was on covers everywhere. Better still was that she fell in love with and married another Australian icon, former model, singer and actor Cameron Daddo in their early 20s and are together today. The recap on her story is this. Alison Brahe began working as a model at 16 years old. She was an instant hit in both the magazine and commercial worlds and soon found herself in demand in Australia, London and Tokyo. Big name clients like Coca Cola and Speedo came calling, as well titles like Cosmopolitan, Cleo and Dolly. In 1992, she graced the cover of Dolly seven times and in Cleo was voted among the "Top Most Influential Women of the Century" by its readers.  Alison was the face of Portmans through their most successful period and later became the face of the Jacqui E clothing label. In the 90's Alison became the host of one of Australia's most enduring and successful children's television programs, Here's Humphrey. She went on to host her own afternoon show for the NINE Network, Guess What? Then Alison and Cameron moved to Los Angeles in 1992. It came as a shock to Alison's management when one day she walked away from lucrative modeling and acting career to follow her heart. In 2013, she achieved her degree from UCLA in Early Childhood and embarked on a successful career in childcare. Alison returned with her family to Australia in 2016 to spend time with her parents and unite her children with her homeland. She still teaches and has created a popular podcast called "Separate Bathrooms" with her husband and produced by Nova Entertainment. Now in her 50s, Alison has experienced a lot of the changes every woman of a certain age does. Menopause. She wrote a book ‘Queen Menopause' in fact. For a very long-time menopause was treated like a deeply hidden secret – my own mother barely talked about it in the company although she suffered through symptoms for a long time while working, raising me, and just trying to navigate life. Hear from Alison on: Do you recall when you started to feel “the change” and how you managed it day to day? Communication is key when it comes to managing menopause – like all life matters really. You recommend choosing a time when you're in a good headspace to share with your partner what you're feeling. This can be hard for some of us independent types. Any examples of how you have done this successfully? Did you get help from a GP ad what did that look like in terms of treatment options? When was the turning point for you to want to make menopause a cause and even a book? A short story of how you wrote the book and what made you think it was something worthwhile? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Menopause?   CONTACT INFO: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alidaddo/?hl=en Special Listener Zencastr offer for all my podcast friends! For everyone that signs up for the Pro Plan or higher, you will be receiving $10 for every month they stay on past the 14-day trial period, maximum of $30 if they stay on for at least 3 months on the Pro Plan. To use your code, you go to the pricing page and enter promo code - thepoliticsofeverything at the Coupon Code field found underneath the individual plans

In the 80s and 90s legal dramas ruled TV viewing in my household. Liability law and litigation seemed to be where the action was at least in that genre. What is the state of play today when it comes to being a successful lawyer? Meet Jamie E. Wright one of the most highly sought-after millennial lawyers and crisis communicators based in Los Angeles, CA. Being at the intersection of the law, business, pop culture and politics, Wright has made a name for herself in legal and business circles as an expert in managing multidimensional businesses and clients with keen insight on the law and a forward-thinking flare. She is an attorney and principal in the J. Wright Law Group, P.C. Wright, who is licensed to practice law in the State of California, and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. While at Berkeley, she worked for the mayoral campaign of the former Mayor of Berkeley, Tom Bates. Due to her commitment to the campaign and work ethic, Wright was appointed to the City of Berkeley, Peace and Justice Commission at age 19. After graduating from UC Berkeley, Jamie attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. While at Hastings, Jamie was a member of the Negotiations Team and won second overall Mediator and second overall team in the National Negotiations Competition in Chicago. Additionally, she was the President of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and the Competitions Co-Chair for the Western Regional Black Law Students Association, a sub-division of the National Black Law Students Association. Wright was awarded a scholarship from the American Bar Association Business Section, as well as the Charles Houston Bar Association for academic excellence. She has gone on and had a successful career to date. Jamie is a recipient of the LA's most influential under 40 award and the Legacy Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the 2nd Supervisorial District. Most recently, Jamie was appointed to the Marijuana Task Force where she is one of three Board members who draft regulations for physicians prescribing cannabis. Wright currently serves as the Secretary to the Board of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Southern California and Chairs the Emerging Leaders Committee which is comprised of young adults ages 18 to 35 who are engaged in combating social injustice in communities of colour. Additionally, she was the former Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Inglewood Airport Area Chamber of Commerce. She is also a volunteer lawyer for a collective of minority cannabis growers in South Los Angeles. We hear from Jamie on: The most common type of liability lawsuitin which you stand to lose assets is one resulting from an accident, according to one article I came across. Clearly, your work is more than the art of “ambulance chasing” – explain what you do in a typical day. Quite simply, liability means legal responsibility for one's actions. Failure to meet this responsibility leaves a person open to a liability lawsuit for any resulting damages. In order to win a lawsuit, the claimant must prove that the accused party is liable. What role does the lens of liability law play in any successful legal practice in the USA and perhaps the world? What are some of the biggest challenges in this area of law today in 2022? What aptitudes make a great lawyer, especially in the liability practice arena? Medicinal cannabis is very mainstream these days but not always. How has that area of law evolved as society has become more accepting of its benefits for chronic pain sufferers, and what are the challenges you face? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Liability Law?   CONTACT INFO: Web: About Jamie - The Wright Law Firm Employment Lawyers (jamiewrightesq.com) LinkedIn:  (15) Jamie E. Wright | LinkedIn   If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

Truth matters but in an era of social media curation and leaders who can lie and remain in power, it can sometimes seem like it doesn't. We all hold conflicting views of self, and multiple perspectives of who we are and how we should act. As leaders, juggling these selves is a constant tightrope walk as we negotiate our personal and professional lives, a balancing act that often leaves us unsatisfied and unable to lead effectively. Something needs to change. In the new book, my guest today taps into the truth conundrum. Joe Hart has authored True Perspective: Why leading with the truth always wins. As an organisational psychologist, coach, mentor and facilitator, Joe Hart provides an insightful, holistic guide for leaders on how to get your best results as a leader by embracing your truth and mastering self-awareness. Drawing upon extensive experience working with organisations such as Samsung, Chandler Macleod and Gallup, Joe takes a deep dive into his own life story, showing the value of being vulnerable and applying true perspective to your most tightly held beliefs.  In 2017, he founded ‘True Perspective', a practice specialising in enabling people to improve their performance, reach their full potential and achieve balance. His core mission is to help people create meaningful changes to their lives. Joe shares with us: Truth is something applauded when it creates justice or shines a light on news that is deemed in the public interest. However, it can also hurt and alienate others depending on the content of that truth. Why does truth matter and do we need to always tell it? How do you believe we can better align with your purpose, so you have direction and clarity to do work that matters and be true to ourselves? What role does having greater self-disclosure have on our sense of self and how does that help us be more honest with the greater world? Businesses can generate an image that appeals to their customers, then when things go very wrong and they fall short – think of things like major banks collapsing during the GFC or products being recalled because of a health hazard, there's a truth gap. So what advice do you see being overlooked and why? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Truth?   CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: Joe Hart | LinkedIn W: Joe Hart   If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

Content creation is sometimes seen as the “fun” part of marketing for businesses and leaders. That said, it takes a degree of vision, commitment, and even some failure to get traction with your target market. My guest today knows how to make content that is both content-rich and money-making! LaTisha Styles is a marketing expert, mentor to high-achievers, and the Founder & CEO of You've Got Clients®. She is an Online Marketing Certified Professional®, and a Psych-K® Facilitator who helps entrepreneurs shift subconscious blocks to establish the beliefs that form the foundation of their dream as well as shift any limiting beliefs or subconscious blocks standing in the way of that dream. She is an avid content creator who produces content-rich videos about marketing strategy, online business ideas, personal development, manifestation, and other thought-provoking short speeches. Leaning on her expertise she has helped hundreds of coaches build their businesses into multi-6-figure businesses, and has consulted and partnered as a content producer, ambassador, and expert for high-profile companies including Progressive Insurance, The National Association of Realtors, Beazer Homes, and PNC Bank. She has also been featured on Forbes, Business Insider, Credit Suite, Part-Time Money, and more.   In the podcast, you will hear: What makes great content creation in 2022 and how has that changed over the past few years? What is your favourite way to distribute content – maybe a social media platform or something in real life – and why is that the case? What rules do you set for yourself and your clients before they create a video or share an idea online that lands and creates noise? How do self-limiting beliefs perhaps block creative content for some people and what is the way to overcome that fast? Your most challenging content creation experience and what did that teach you?   To connect with LaTisha: https://instagram.com/latishastylestv https://facebook.com/latishatv https://youtube.com/latishastyles    If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

Persuading others to think, feel or do something is part of human nature. My guest today has written a book entitled ‘How to Persuade' – showing us the skills you need to get what we want. In it. Michelle Bowden provides readers with research-proven techniques to master the art of persuasion. Through engaging, real-world examples, Bowden shows how to transform your weaknesses into strengths to move people from 'no' to 'yes' - every time.   Michelle is a Certified Speaking Professional and communication skills coach. Over the past 23 years, Michelle has delivered her Persuasive Presentation Skills Masterclass more than 950 times for over 12,000 people. Her client list is a Who's Who of international business, from banking and finance to information technology, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, and retail—and her coaching has helped those businesses win multi-million-dollar bids and projects. She is also the best-selling author of How to Present: The Ultimate Guide to Presenting Your Ideas and Influencing People Using Techniques that Actually Work.   We discuss: We hear terms like coercion which is largely negative and influence which seems to be more on trend as a term, but persuasion is not the same right? How do you define it? Every day we're faced with moments where we either win or lose - whether it's trying to convince your boss to approve your leave, secure a business deal or even win an argument with friends. So, what's the key to winning more of the time? How can we tweak our communication style to be more persuasive in everyday life? Is there a process we can adopt to get more strategic on the art of persuasion? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Persuasion?   CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellebowdenenterprises/   Special Listener Zencastr offer for all my podcast friends! For everyone that signs up for the Pro Plan or higher, you will be receiving $10 for every month they stay on past the 14-day trial period, maximum of $30 if they stay on for at least 3 months on the Pro Plan. To use your code, go to the pricing page and enter promo code - thepoliticsofeverything at the Coupon Code field found underneath the individual plans Custom Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything (case sensitive) Call To Action (CTA): I want you to have the same easy experience I do with my podcasting and content needs. If you go to zencastr.com/pricing and enter the promo code thepoliticsofeverything, you'll get 30% off your first three months of PRO or higher individual plans. It's time to tell your story!

Software as a service (or SaaS) is a way of delivering applications over the Internet—as a service. Instead of installing and maintaining software, you simply access it via the Internet, freeing yourself from complex software and hardware management. SaaS applications are sometimes called web-based software, on-demand software, or hosted software. Whatever the name, SaaS applications run on a SaaS provider's servers. The provider manages access to the application, including security, availability, and performance. Many of us use these applications daily! Today I speak to Nathan Gampel, the CEO of Simpel and Associates, who are known as business transformation specialists. For more than two decades, Nathan has advised leading organizations on their most complex change programs. From private equity led mergers and acquisitions to modernizing how global organizations work, Nathan helps companies win at change. Nathan is also the inventor of Kinetic Transformation; a patent-pending algorithm for understanding change at scale and creating actions that beat the 70% challenge. For anyone who wants to understand the world of SaaS, this is your episode. In this podcast, Nathan will share: SaaS platforms involve software that is available via third-party over the Internet. Examples of popular SaaS providers include BigCommerce. Google Workspace, Salesforce. These are household names but not always! How did this happen? Can you define what Saas is and how it has evolved over time? What role does SaaS play in business transformation and how? Some examples would be great! What kinds of SaaS products do you see in the next few years and who can benefit? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of SaaS Products?   CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: (1) Nathan Gampel | LinkedIn    If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

I met Kristofer Rogers some 15 years ago, when I was a lobbyist, and he was working for an online fundraising platform. Nearly two decades have rolled by, and how the world of work, play, tech, online sales, and everyday transactions have very much changed! Kristofer is a highly regarded technology leader who is recognised as a thought leader in emerging payments and technology innovation. He is currently Australia's CEO of EonX Services, part of a publicly listed fintech growth company (CSE:EONX) focused on developing their new account-to-account payments solution.They are the local subsidiary partnering with Mastercard to develop their new account-to-account payments solution. Prior to joining EonX, Kris was General Manager ANZ at Mambu, the $5 billion-valued core banking platform provider. In November 2019, he was announced as the Start-Up Executive of the Year at the CEO Magazine's Executive of the Year Awards for his work as CEO of Zepto (formerly Split Payments), which he led from launch to becoming a market leader in direct debit and real-time payments solutions leveraging open banking. Kristofer is also a Non-Executive Director and board member of Feros Care, a disability and aged care provider helping people ‘grow bold' with better care and technology. Kris presents on future trends in technology across the globe and is also a strategic advisor on fundraising and social impact for corporates and non-profits. A keyboard warrior the piano playing kind, he also is father to three kids, and lives with his wife in balmy Byron Bay, one of the most popular sea change destinations in Australia. Hear Kristofer's insights on: How would you describe the modern payment system in 2022 and what has fundamentally changed over the last few decades? Examples please. Banks are still powerful holders of mortgage loans and seen as mostly stable businesses that customers can rely on for their savings and credit cards etc, but has the rapid rise of a raft of new players upended that? Is the appeal of disruptor payment systems perhaps generational? How much ethical and fiscal responsibility do these disrupters have to their customers? What do you foresee as the next big trends for payments globally? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Payments?   To connect: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristoferrogers/    If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

Free will is something we all perhaps don't think a lot about in our everyday lives.   My guest today David Lawrence is the author of Are We Biochemical Robots. He is a social critic and animal rights advocate, and philosophical proponent of free will, opposing the determinist views held by many new media personalities. David wrote his book as a response to the 10th anniversary of another author Sam Harris' book Free Will, in an effort to expose the flawed thinking that Harris' book and determinist ideology present - and to address the central arguments against the existence of free will. David holds a B.A. in Philosophy from UCLA as well as Jurisdoctor Law Degree from USC. So this is an episode for the thinkers among us as we discuss determinism, free will, and why the great debate between them matters more than ever. We talk about: How can free will be defined and is it something most humans take for granted? Please explain your perspective in a few sentences. What is determinism and what does that have to do with free will? In your words, determinists have markedly grown in number over the past decade, in large part due to a misreading of neuroscience studies seeking to link prior neural brain activity to the exercise of choice. At the same time, the moral importance of the free will debate has been increasing in intensity due to other scientific findings, which demonstrate that determinist beliefs promote cheating and other anti-social conduct. For many successful people and those who aspire to be say wealthier or smarter or more goal-orientated that may seem like the natural way to reach their goals in business or sport, for example. What is the counter argument to this and how can it help society function better? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Free Will?   CONTACT INFO: https://www.biochemicalrobots.com/ biochemicalrobots@gmail.com  If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

Israel is an entrepreneurial powerhouse and a hotbed for pioneering technologies, profitable business opportunities, and high investment returns. For these reasons, it is no surprise that the world's leading multinational companies have all chosen Israel: Microsoft, Motorola, Google, Apple (three R&D centres), Facebook, Berkshire-Hathaway, Intel, HP, Siemens, GE, IBM, Philips, Lucent, AOL, Cisco, Applied Materials, IBM, J&J, EMC, and Toshiba are just some of the names in a long list of over 200 MNCs who realized that Israel is their ideal investment opportunity  Furthermore, many multinational corporates such as Tata, Kodak, Citi bank, and many others have established innovation HQs in Israel. So how does Israel manage to stay on top of technology in a variety of sectors? Moreover, what makes it so unique that so many international players come and seek the next innovation here? To find out, we hear from Yoel Israel an Israeli-American tech entrepreneur who has been at the forefront of the Israeli marketing ecosystem. He founded WadiDigital, Israel's leading technology marketing agency, and Cyfluencer, a cybersecurity influencer & distribution platform as well as Israel Unfiltered a social platform that highlights the culture and the people of Israel, to the English-speaking world. Yoel's extensive background in marketing and technology is matched only by his passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. He has been able to establish himself as a leader in the industry, both through building WadiDigital and founding Cyfluencer.  Today, Yoel lives in the Haifa District of Israel with his wife and two daughters. Shalom Yoel. Hear from Yoel about: A FEW QUESTIONS TO PREPARE FOR: How did Israel become the self-proclaimed tech start-up capital of the world? It must be more than just government support? In 2016 alone, Israeli start-ups raised a record $4.8 billion from investors, while high-tech and start-up companies were sold for $10.02 billion through acquisitions or IPO's. Israel is also home to the highest number of engineers per capita and has the world's 2nd highest R&D expenditure as percent of GDP (4.3%). Has the pandemic and factors like wars and inflationary pressures in the USA for example dampened this in 2022? One recent article I read says “Israel's tech ecosystem is strong and vibrant, but areas of vulnerability could pose challenges to the industry and possibly to the wider Israeli economy” – this was warned the outgoing executive director of tech-focused organization Start-Up Nation Central (SNC), Wendy Singer. What do you think of this perspective and how can that be overcome? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of the Israeli Tech Sector?   CONTACT INFO: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoeltisrael/ https://twitter.com/YoelTIsrael  If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

Entrepreneurship is often lauded with stories of skyrocketing success which inspire us to think about our own careers and business experiences. This success and public profile sometimes come after one or two big setbacks, maybe in the wake of business lessons learned hard way and bankruptcies even.  My guest today is both an entrepreneur and someone who leads scores of budding entrepreneurs. Jack Delosa has personally trained, mentored, and presented live to over 245,000 entrepreneurs and companies including ASX200 companies, SMEs, governments, athletes, NRL and AFL clubs, celebrities, and some of the world's leading entrepreneurs. Jack has a string of accolades like being a five times AFR Young Rich Lister, a two-times-selling author, and the founder of Australia's largest business coaching and training provider for entrepreneurs, The Entourage, which has a community of 650,000 members. Since 2010, The Entourage has helped members add over $2 billion in value to their businesses. Under his leadership, The Entourage has been awarded the 4th Best Place to Work in Australia, and the Top 50 in Australasia, by Best Places To Work.  Jack is also a high-profile investor, having invested in companies spanning biotechnology, luxury real estate, finance, e-commerce retail, recruitment, and even aviation, including one company that became what's known in Silicon Valley as a ‘unicorn'; as in a business that goes from $0 to $1 billion within ten years. Hear from Jack on:   Are entrepreneurs born or made or is that too simplistic? What made you start The Entourage and how has that program changed and kept pace with what entrepreneurs need and want to know over the past 12 years? What qualities does a true entrepreneur have and who is your pick of the crop (favourite entrepreneur and why)? Do most entrepreneurs have to take big risks or fail fast, or can there be a slow-burn version of entrepreneurship that works well too? Takeaway: What is your overarching message for anyone facing The Politics of Entrepreneurs?   To connect: LinkedIn: Jack Delosa | LinkedIn Website: https://www.the-entourage.com/  If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

At one time or another we've all had a bad boss – whether it's through bullying and intimidation, unfair feedback or unrealistic workloads. Their behaviour sets the tone for what's acceptable in an organisation and can cause major issues for productivity, staff turnover and wellbeing, especially during difficult times like we're experiencing now. In a tough or toxic work environment, how can you challenge your thinking and shift perspective to make relationships work? I My guest today Michelle Gibbings has written a book Bad Boss: What to do if you work for one, manage one or are one where she draws upon decades of experience in corporate leadership to provide a practical transformation guide. In this book she covers all three perspectives: the direct report, the boss and the boss's boss, helping readers quickly identify where the issue lies, along with actionable steps to turn things around. Michelle says that bad bosses aren't always bad people, and it takes work at every level to create an environment where everyone can flourish. Michelle's previous books include ‘Step Up: How to Build Your Influence at Work', and ‘Career Leap: How to Reinvent and Liberate your Career'. She is a global keynote speaker, on a mission to help leaders, teams and organisations create successful workplaces - where people thrive, and progress is accelerated. Has the pandemic and The Great Resignation trend meant less willingness to accept a bad boss? Does remote or hybrid work shift the ways the “bad boss” dynamic operates and make it easier or harder to shift for those relationships? How can an employee improve their own voice and action change in a toxic workplace? How do you know if you are a bad boss in 2022? How can a business make sure that having an eye on simply creating profits and outputs are not the key to their management success? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Bad Bosses?   CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellegibbings/ Website: www.michellegibbings.com If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

If nothing else, the past few years of a pandemic, has proven that many businesses rely on the global landscape – shutting borders during the Covid19 pandemic meant that many suffered from a lack of qualified staff, from missed trade opportunities, from not travelling to events, and from being unable to make quality connections beyond the realms of their laptop. While many organisations have perhaps shifted their focus domestically perhaps derived from necessity, there is no doubt that many still want to operate on a global scale. My guest today, Cynthia Dearin is the Founder of Dearin & Associates, and she has launched a new book Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global international. The book provides a step-by-step, accessible guide for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to amplify their impact on the international stage. Drawing upon decades of experience in international business, including extensive stints working abroad in global roles, Dearing brings a unique perspective on international expansion and guides readers on how to execute the right strategy to ensure their success. With 23 years of international experience, Cynthia is on a mission to empower business owners and CEOs to scale internationally and amplify their impact in the world. An Australian-qualified legal practitioner, Cynthia worked in the UK, US, Europe, and Middle East, as an Australian diplomat and as a management consultant. She also spent three years as the CEO of the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Cynthia is proficient in Arabic and French, both of which she uses professionally. Her previous book is Camels, Sheikhs and Billionaires: Your Guide to Business Culture in the Middle East and North Africa. Hear from Cynthia on: Can you explain what the biggest barriers are for businesses to get global expansion done right and how that can be remedied? Not all business is a type suited to global expansion – thinking of your local café that is not a franchise or even my PR business is probably limited in that way. Are there hallmarks of who can scale up globally and who can't? Cultural divides exist and not all international markets are the same clearly – what is the best way to navigate the cultural challenges and for example, do you need to have a local team to guide you? How can you go global cost-effectively and remain market price sensitive to your global customers? Any hacks and ideas?   CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiadearin/   W: https://dearinassociates.com/ If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything

Business development is the lifeblood of any organisation. It is in many ways about building connections and capitalising on that as well as finding new ways to expand your product or service offering to existing customers. However, with sales being something many people find challenging or even off-putting what does the gold standard of great BD require? To find out, I am speaking to Victoria Butt, who I met around 2013 in a networking group – the perfect BD environment perhaps. Victoria is the Founder and Executive Search Consultant of Parity Consulting, serial entrepreneur, Founder and Chief Training Officer at Evolve Sales Training, Board Member for Entrepreneurs Organisation Sydney and Angel Investor for BIPOC women.  In 2021, BIPOC angels was created, an angel investment fund exclusively working with and supporting females who are Black, Indigenous, People of Colour. A decade ago she founded Parity Consulting, a recruitment organisation specialising in placing diverse and capable talent in Product, Pricing, Digital, Marketing and Data Analytics. Parity was founded to reshape how the industry saw candidates and lift them to be equal to the client. In 2017, she joined Entrepreneurs Organisation in Sydney and lead the first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative the organisation had seen in the APAC region, and now sits on the Sydney Board for member success. In 2020 at the height of COVID-19, Victoria set up Evolve Sales Training, an online sales training platform specifically for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses. Based on long term sales mentoring, this B2B platform provides processes, accountability and frameworks for busy entrepreneurs and sales professionals to drive sustainable higher revenue. A mother of two young children, wife, blogger, and self-confesses wine snob, Victoria is passionate about anything to do with DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging). Let's discuss the Politics of Business Development. Questions that Victoria canvasses include: As someone in executive search, I imagine business development has been a key part of your career and business life. Give us a snapshot of how you approach BD? Great products and services don't always mean money spinners. My career is in PR and strategic comms and I am always amazed when businesses focus on the shiny stuff like fancy content or social media images on say Instagram and then find that alone won't convert to sales. What is the secret sauce you see missing in many business's sales training practices? More than 40% of actual salespeople say prospecting is the most challenging part of the sales process, followed by closing (36%) and qualifying (22%). How can BD be done organically and authentically – many people who love their business still find “sales” approaches challenging? Is there a tried-and-true way to create a funnel or sales or similar that lands with the right target audience more and converts to sales faster? What role does automatic and tech play in business development and ultimately sales? Can you share an example or two?   CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: (15) Victoria Butt | LinkedIn W: (15) Parity Consulting: Overview | LinkedIn and Evolve Sales Training – Evolve Sales Training If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

The tech field lags far behind on workplace gender equality: There's a stark difference in hiring quotas, salary, and retention numbers for women in tech compared to their male counterparts – pointing out deeper inequalities and foundational problems in the industry. I am in conversation with Paula Bratcher Ratcliff. She is the force behind Women Impact Tech, a community for collaboration, professional growth, and belonging to inspire, educate, empower, and advance women in technology. This is her big goal! Paula argues that just because a company has a good diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement doesn't mean they follow through. It's about building support systems – having an active and purposeful mission to elevate your employees – especially women or other under-represented groups in your office. A few months ago, Women Impact Tech  released its first-ever Women Impact Tech 100 list, honouring the 100 top organizations where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statements go above and beyond to foster an equitable and thriving workplace environment for women. Coinciding with International Women's Day earlier this year, the Women Impact Tech 100 highlights the most innovative, ground-breaking tech companies that prioritize DEI initiatives in their company foundation—making it clear through tangible action that diversity is a key contributor to overall company success. The best of the progressive companies who prioritize DEI make up the 2022 Women Impact Tech 100. The list was compiled after extensive research and review using public data, including employee feedback on workplace culture for women and other under-represented groups, company benefits, and perks, and dedicated DEI efforts. Hear from Paula about these areas: Women in tech seem to still face so many challenges. Inequity across the board, underpaid and underrepresented. Studies show female managers at tech companies make 10% less on average than their male counterparts across major cities. Women make up just 28.8% of the total tech workforce while women of color only make up 4% of the computing workforce and almost no senior leadership roles. How can this change faster? Why should more women want to work in tech? Sounds like it may not want us! The pandemic's impact on women in tech was stark. Women in the tech industry were twice as likely to be furloughed or laid off than their male counterparts throughout the pandemic. 54% of women say that the pandemic is making it harder for them to break into the tech industry. Meanwhile, 38% of those who do break in, plan on leaving in the next 2 years, and many report dissatisfaction with the industry. Why are many qualified women leaving the tech industry and what can businesses do to retain them? CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: Paula R. Bratcher Ratliff | LinkedIn W: Women Impact Tech | WIT https://www.linkedin.com/company/womenimpacttech/ If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

Bev Andrews is a change management expert. For several years now, I have worked with and witnessed the rise of the change management function in a range of organizations – from utilities to banks and all kinds of businesses. Usually communicating change takes patience, time, and a lot of nuanced approaches to get it going. Change management draws on theories from many disciplines, including psychology, behavioural science, engineering, and systems thinking. And there are many different models to choose from.  A central idea of all change management theories is that no change ever happens in isolation. In one way or another, change impacts the whole organization and all the people in it. But with good change management, you can encourage everyone to adapt to and embrace your new way of working. Sounds easy enough.   My guest Bev has devoted the past 20 years of her career to delivering business solutions across a broad range of services in a diverse set of industries. Bev has extensive experience in Organisational Management – managing, developing, and facilitating change to achieve organizational improvement and transformation. During her career, Bev has worked within organizations of different shapes and sizes, including those shown below. Bringing this experience to her business now, ASPIRE Change Management, Bev continues to provide the highest level of practical and empowering change management support, training, and advice to Australian businesses.  Unlike other consultancies, Bev's company ASPIRE specializes only in change management.  They provide end-to-end change management, which includes strategy, planning, delivery, and capability development. Working strategically and tactically, ASPIRE leverages your processes and tools and engages your employees on the journey.   In this podcast you will hear:   What is change management and how does it ideally work for an organization? What is the basis of your framework for change management? How can a business know if it's getting change management right? A Harvard Business Review found 81% of the projects with effective change management came in on or under budget, according to the study. When change management wasn't as effective, there was a clear negative fiscal impact. The Harvard Business Review suggests 60-70% of all the change initiatives undertaken in organizations fail and a 2015 McKinsey study found the same kind of figures. What common mistakes do you usually see that may interrupt how change managers can bring their best to an entity? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Change Management?   CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: (14) Bev Andrews | LinkedIn W: ASPIRE CHANGE MANAGEMENT - Home   If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

While many of my guests are talking from experience, and often professional prowess is at the heart of these podcasts. But not always – life is more than career or business and The Politics of Everything was never designed to be an entirely “business-minded podcast.”   Enter today's guest whose new book How to get laid on Tinder – for Men caught my imagination right away! To set the scene. Maureen Pound had not had a single date in 7 years.  She was busy running a business and raising two anonymous sperm donor children on her own. It was after a life-changing Thailand bike ride with 50 other entrepreneurs raising money for orphans that she decided to get back on that horse - and what an adventure.    Over the six years that followed, she matched with thousands of men on Tinder, talked with over 500, and met close to a hundred.  She went on walks, played tennis, had coffee, dinner, drinks, and sneaky Rendez-Vous.     She heard stories of frustration and annoyance from a lot of men and decided she wanted to help; to share ideas and strategies to help them meet great people. The idea for her book How To Get Laid on Tinder - For men, was born. She's passionate about supporting men and giving them tools to communicate well, both online and offline.   She is practical and fun and not afraid to be direct. This should be one heck of an episode! Perhaps not one for minors or anyone not keen to understand what goes in the Tinderverse!   In this episode hear from Maureen on: What is the best thing about Tinder dating, and then, the worst? What made you write a guide to Tinder dating for men. We are told that 30 million matches are registered every day on Tinder- what advice do you have for men on the App? We also know 76.9% of Tinder users in 2020 were male. So are men still the pursuers of the online dating world or what is your experience? Don't women need help and a book too? What advice would you give anyone wanting to meet new people on Tinder or other Apps? Have you found love and connection on Tinder and if so, is that something Tinder does well? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Tinder?     Contact details: W: www.howtogetlaidontinder.com.au   If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

Presenting is something we all need to do at some stage of our lives – perhaps for our own wedding speech or making a board presentation, hosting a webinar, or doing an investor pitch. As a former TV reporter turned professional presenter and communications coach, this is in my wheelhouse. But for so many people it becomes something they have to master and sometimes find it hard to manage that all-important preparation and delivery! While I have my own presentation style, I am always keen to find out how others present and manage their style of presentation whether that be in person or online. Enter communications specialist Monica Lunin. She is the founder & co-director of consultancy Mojologic - where she works with the best to make meaningful change for their clients. She is also the author of a new book, What She Said, which explores 40 inspiring speeches from women throughout history, delving into how and why they were so impactful in creating positive change and how we can apply these lessons to the workplace. Her fascination with communication can be traced back to school and university when she was an avid debater and public speaker. Her academic pursuits in political science and international relations gave way to a career in business – and the power of persuasion has always permeated her view of the world. Monica wants to live in a world where ideas flow, leaders are brave, and salespeople don't make you cringe. As a sought-after consultant, facilitator, and speaker she has worked with companies like AMP, Macquarie, EY, Qantas, and Suncorp to motivate and empower behavioural change. When she's not attached to a lapel mic, you can find her swimming at Manly Beach, skiing down a mountain, cramming for a book club, or negotiating with teenagers. In the podcast, Monica shares: How did you decide what speeches made the grade in your new book ‘What she said'? Impact is a key feature of being a presenter. Speeches demand a sense of performance and poise to create impact. What is your advice to anyone wanting to master a speech from idea to writing to delivery? Do you have a special way to prepare your own presentation for example and walk us through that? Do people – say men vs women - really present differently and is that something we can all embrace as a USP for ourselves, rather than trying to change ourselves to be more like someone else? True or false? message for us on The Politics of Presentation Styles?   CONTACT INFO: W: https://www.mojologic.com.au/author/mojologic/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicalunin/?originalSubdomain=au To take advantage of the special 30% discount to use Zencastr as one of my wonderful POE listeners please go to Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything. Promo code: thepoliticsofeverything

A personal brand is widely recognized as the perception or impression of an individual based on their experience, expertise, competencies, actions, or achievements within a community, industry, or the marketplace at large. Personal brands may be deliberately modified to reinvent a public person.   So, when did this become the norm, and do everyday humans really have a personal brand, or do we need to constantly create one to remain relevant and visible? And does having a personal brand make any difference in an already hectic, noisy online world where TikTok and Instagram are flooded with content that can at times seem self-indulgent.   I am speaking to someone who works extensively in this personal brand space. Kathryn Porritt is known around the world as the leading Iconic Strategist for personal brands. She works privately with those destined for greatness to help them take their expertise and turn it into their Iconic Empire. Following the successful sale of her multi-million dollar eCommerce company, she established Icons Incorporated to represent the world's elite personal brands - with branding, representation services, commercialization strategies, big-deal PR, and speaking.   Hear from Kathryn on: When did having and managing your own personal brand become a norm in modern society? Are there some examples e.g. The Kardashians or a Simon Sinek. Does a personal brand differ from your company brand if you are, for example, say Elon Musk – founder of Tesla? How do you compartmentalize that? What are the best ways to amplify your personal brand – social media has to be a part of it but does it have to be? Are there times when a personal brand can become toxic or not ideal? Do everyday folks have a personal brand they may not be aware of and how do we know what our brand personality and value proposition are? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Personal Branding?     Contact details: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-porritt/?originalSubdomain=au W: https://www.kathrynporritt.com/   If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

Privacy is something everyone in the modern era must come to terms with. Our digital footprint is everywhere and protecting our identity from theft or managing who can see our personal details online is a hard one. How much information do you have on who knows what about you as you do your daily routine of doing a spot of internet shopping, searching news articles, sending out emails, or posting a few photos on social media from your laptop or smartphone? My guest today Marco Bellin, is here to discuss The Politics of Privacy. He is currently the CEO at Datacappy, whose VPN protects you from advertisers, data collectors, and third-party agencies with full-device coverage. Marco has enjoyed a diverse and long career that includes education, bioscience investing, and more recently, privacy. After graduating from Vassar College in 1989, Marco started work as a research assistant at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. There, he developed a passion and an acumen for studying and analyzing biotech stocks which he continues to do to the present day. In 1992, he founded Science, Technology, and Teaching, which taught 3rd-grade science after school in New York City public schools. Marco then went on to work for ReadSpeak Inc., a private business focused on education through language acquisition. He received his Master's in Educational Administration from NYU in 1999. In 2002, he founded Elephant Hill Organic Farm and after the birth of his children, closed the farm and focused solely on biotech investing. In 2016, he founded Blindcut, LLC, an internet privacy company, and now is at the helm of Datacappy. Marco also plays tennis with his dogs and strives to make the world a better place. We discuss in this podcast: What drove Marco to lead a company like Datacappy and what problem does the business solve? How do you 100% know the Datacappy VPN keeps you anonymous and encrypted? How has tech complicated our privacy in a globally connected world and is that always bad? What are some of the main ways we are giving up our right to our own sense of pure privacy every time we click on a social media feed like Instagram or order a pizza online and can we do much about it if we want to have the access and convenience of these digital tools? How can smaller businesses keep up with data privacy compliance? Why does our kids' privacy has to be put first.     To connect with Marco: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-bellin/ W: Datacappy VPN & Browser   If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

Inheritance is kind of like anything to do with money, religion, or politics for many people. It is almost taboo when it comes to dinner party conversations or even banter among those who know and love us. It seems rather old-fashioned to me! To tackle this topic, I am lucky to have here today Vanessa Stoykov is a financial educator and best-selling author. From her 22-year history of owning a financial services education-focused media business, Evolution Media Group, Vanessa has a deep understanding of the finance world and has the unique ability to communicate this in a way that everyday people can understand. She is also the Founder of NMP Education, an award-winning television producer, and an author.   Recent research commissioned by Vanessa reveals that 74% of Australians believe you should be having conversations with family members about inheritance before the person passes away, but only half actually have. The main reason behind why people haven't, even though they want to, is because they aren't sure about how to approach the “touchy subject”. They keep putting it off because they aren't sure about the response they will receive.   In the next 15 years, it's estimated that the average Australian could receive $320,000 in inheritance[1]. This $3.5 trillion wealth transfer between one generation to the next is being dubbed ‘the economic tsunami', and it highlights the enormous impact inheritance will have both to the country's economy as well as people's day-to-day lives.  Interestingly, the data also highlighted that almost half of respondents (48%) believed having these conversations before it's too late will lead to less conflict amongst beneficiaries after their loved one's passing, which is a key driver behind why so many people think it's important. An overwhelming majority (74%) believe it's up to the person leaving the inheritance to instigate the conversation when and if they choose to do it. In this episode, Vanessa and I discuss:   Why do you think people expect an inheritance to be theirs because of bloodlines or marriage? Does this a historical reference? What is your take on the idea that inheritance can be planned differently – such as giving it all away for a philanthropic legacy or giving it well before you pass away? What mistakes do many people make when it comes to receiving an inheritance no matter their age or financial status? E.g., https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/newsletters/2017/apr/avoid-inheritance-mistakes.html Do will disputes often cost more than their worth in legal fees etc? How can that be avoided? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Inheritance?     Contact details: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-stoykov/ W: https://vanessastoykov.com.au/ [1] https://www.nmpeducation.com.au/opinions/reinvention-new-retirement-sizzler/   If you are a podcaster who wants to record quality sound with ease, sign up to Zencastr Professional account today for a 30% discount. To reclaim this amazing Zencastr offer designed for The Politics of Everything audience, just use the Link: zen.ai/thepoliticsofeverything and use Promo Code: thepoliticsofeverything.

Terminology always has a season and moment in the sun. If I had to put money on it, I would bet for 2022 it would be this term – The Great Resignation. The “Great Resignation” was coined and predicted by psychologist Anthony Klotz—and is the tipping point of a nearly decade-long trend of employment dissatisfaction. Also known as the Big Quit and the Great Reshuffle this is an ongoing economic trend in which employees have voluntarily resigned from their jobs en masse, beginning in early 2021, primarily in the United States. Possible causes include wage stagnation amid rising cost of living, long-lasting job dissatisfaction, and safety concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some economists have described the Great Resignation as akin to a general strike.   To get deeper into what this means, I am chatting to Aliza Knox. She is the author of Don't Quit Your Day Job, outlining six mind shifts you need to rise and thrive at work. Aliza built and led APAC businesses for three of the world's top technology firms—Google, Twitter, and Cloudflare. Named 2020 APAC IT Woman of The Year, she spent decades as a global finance and consulting executive and is now a non-executive board director, a senior advisor for BCG, and a regular columnist for Forbes, where she shares her wisdom (and humour) to help professionals who dream of "doing it all."   Aliza now shares her passion and lessons learned with the next generation of business leaders guiding companies across new frontiers while building and maintaining strong connections between teams around the world.   Hear from Aliza on:   What is The Great Resignation about and what does it mean for employers and then employees alike in a post-pandemic working environment? There has since been a huge amount of research trying to work out why this has happened. Are workers quitting work entirely, as the pandemic makes us reevaluate our priorities? Or are they quitting to pursue their dreams in a different career? How can one build a culture in a company or entity that attracts and retains the best and brightest talent and stems from The Great Resignation? Some recent data worth noting is that the rates of vacancies, resignations and wage growth all slowed in the fourth quarter of 2021, which is a signal that the rebound in labour demand has faded. So, if you weren't part of the great resignation, you may already be too late. What comes next for business leaders wanting to be flexible but not desperate in their war for taken? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of The Great Resignation?     Contact details: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alizaknox/?originalSubdomain=sg

Cities are amazing – built environments full of diversity, energy, culture, and pace. What makes a city more liveable though as cities get more crowded, traffic intensifies, and people struggle to find affordable housing close to their schools, workplaces, and communities they know and love? Does a city need our refining to truly sing in 2022? I am speaking today to Dr. Tammy Wong Hulbert – who I met almost 20 years ago when we worked together at Customs House on Sydney's iconic harbourside foreshore. Now based in Victoria, an hour's flight from Sydney Australia, Tammy has a real sense of what makes cities liveable. Tammy is an artist, curator, and Senior Lecturer at RMIT University, School of Art, Master of Arts (Arts Management) specializing in curating. In 2021 she was the recipient of an Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools (ACUADS) Research Innovation Award. Her research focuses on ‘curating inclusive cities' enacted through collaborations with marginalized urban communities, to unearth and care for their perspectives and build citizen participation through exhibitions and public art projects. These methodologies stem from Tammy's art practice which focuses on expressing the multi-layered and fragmented spaces between cultures, a result of her position as a fourth-generation Australian of Chinese descent and living in a super-diverse and postcolonial society. She has remained dedicated to increasing the dialogue around Australia's relationship with Asian and Chinese communities through arts activity and has worked with a wide range of contemporary artists and communities in Australia and Asia in galleries, museums, and public spaces during her career. Her most recent curatorial project was Becoming Home: Stories of Chinese Australians at ArtSpace Realm in Melbourne, Victoria (2022). She is currently working on an ARC Linkage project Vital Arts: Skilling young people for their futures awarded in 2021.   Hear Tammy discuss: What makes a city liveable and how do we know we are in one? Why is inclusiveness such a big part of a liveable city dynamic – any examples of good and bad models you can share? As a child of an immigrant family, what do you make of how transferable are “city living experiences” from one big city to another? Cities have become in some ways less vital during the Covid-19 pandemic where many people had to be in lockdown ad there was some movement globally away from traditional centres to more space, more affordable housing, and lifestyle changes – tree or sea change for example. How does that affect the viability of cities long term? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Liveable Cities?     To connect with Tammy: LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/tammy-wong-hulbert-107130b4 W: www.tammywonghulbert.com

Online sales rule the world. An April 2021 Adobe study showed that global e-commerce sales were hitting $4.2 trillion that year, with U.S. consumers accounting for close to one-quarter of that spending. Australia has a similar story. The pandemic forced many consumers to rely on e-commerce to get the basics as well as the more one-off items to survive lockdowns, work, home school, set up home gyms, and eat and drink.   Surveys of consumers in the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States showed online shopping is becoming the preferred method of grocery shopping for a growing number of consumers. Over half of the consumers in all three countries said they believe they are saving money by shopping for groceries online.   My guest today Priya Radia is a former lawyer turned serial entrepreneur. She's the co-founder of four online businesses including two E-commerce brands, and the creator of the Nine to Free Society - a community for E-commerce entrepreneurs to grow and scale their brands.    Believing in a better way to live, Priya left her career behind to build businesses that could create financial freedom, support her lifestyle and give her time with her family. She's deeply passionate about helping others do the same and contributing to a new narrative around what it means to work.    Priya shares in this show what she makes of these areas: A collaborative research project completed by Forbes, Huffington Post, and Marketing Signals, found 90% of all eCommerce (so online only) businesses fail within the first 120 days of launch. What excites you so much about eCommerce as a business model? Why did she start her first online business, and some of the mistakes you made that many others may relate to, especially if they have little time or money to invest yet in fancy ideas like an influencer campaign to boost sales? How did you make the most of the early growth success of 18 x sales revenue in the first six months? What are some of the ways an online product business can become successful and allow a business owner to have more “freedom” away from the tools? E.g., SEO campaigns? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Ecommerce?     To connect with Priya: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priya-radia-b409aa58/ Insta: @iampriyaradia

Celebrity endorsements have been part of the advertising game for decades, and over the past decade that has manifested into a plethora of social media marketing campaigns using famous folks as well as the rise of “micro-influencers” alongside the stable of paid talent promoting any number of products and services for business across the globe. Influencer marketing has emerged as not only one of the fastest-growing ways to attract and maintain customers for a brand but also one of the most effective forms of inspiring brand loyalty. But it has to be done right. It has to be authentic and ethical – and since July 2020 there has been an Australian code of practice that affects PR agencies, talent managers, influencers, and brands. My guest today knows firsthand the harsher realities of celebrity endorsements and says that such endorsements are not a guarantee of success for a brand – or even sales. Philip Masiello is one of the founders of CrunchGrowth Revenue Acceleration Agency, one of the fastest-growing marketing agencies in the nation. He is renowned for his e-commerce and Amazon selling expertise. He is also well-known for his entrepreneurial talent, having launched five unique international brands since the age of 25. In addition, Phil is an investor in several interesting startups as varied as digital games, the circular recycling economy, real estate, and personal care products. In addition to providing capital, Phil uses his marketing expertise to help these startups to scale faster. Phil tells a cautionary tale – sharing a view many brands get enamored with celebrities and think that is the key to success. But it can work against you as much as it can work for you. In this podcast, you will hear: How Phil founded a skincare line with a supermodel for one of the shopping channels but while she had credibility in the space–she had written books on the concept and was genetically blessed, this business partnership wasn't a slam dunk. In a more cynical consumer world, is there any way to ensure these endorsements can last beyond one campaign? Are new regulations going to make using celebrity endorsements harder for brands to create financial value in? For example, someone getting in a celebrity one-off paid endorsement that has millions of YouTube or Instagram likes but no sales does happen. Does using influencer-style paid posting take away from the authenticity? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Celebrity Endorsements?   Contact details: W: https://philmasiello.com/ and https://getuplifted.com/)

Corporate innovation is at the heart of any business success.   Bruno Pešec helps business leaders innovate profitably He is one of the rare innovators who can claim that he has worked on a regulation-defying freight train and an award-winning board game for teaching entrepreneurship and innovation. With ten years of experience in different industries—including defence, manufacturing, education, entertainment, and financial services—he has delivered projects that had positive impact on GDP of several countries, succeeded and failed inventing and innovating, and overcame several problems and challenges with no obvious solutions. In addition to his corporate experience with brands like DNV, DNB, and Kongsberg Group, Bruno is deeply involved with the global entrepreneurial community. He co-founded Norwegian Lean Startup Circle, Norway's largest Lean Startup community, and Founder Institute Norway, the world's premier idea-stage accelerator and startup launch program. He often serves as a mentor and judge at various accelerators, incubators, and events across the globe. His academic credentials include a master's degree with distinction in industrial engineering and management, specialization in production and quality engineering, and an advanced management diploma with specialization in strategy and innovation. He has also been trained by Toyota in corporate value creation and innovation. Bruno is currently undertaking a doctorate in organizational change, with a particular focus on the issues with innovation in large enterprises. He has been a passionate practitioner of martial arts since 1997, having trained in karate, wrestling, and muay thai. Bruno resides in Oslo, Norway, with the love of his life, Tamara. We are here to discuss The Politics of Corporate Innovation. We cover off in this podcast:   Corporate innovation can be defined as the process of enterprises implementing innovation opportunities into existing business models. Established companies who engage in corporate innovation typically have a dedicated team towards innovation efforts. Is that always the case or can innovation be embedded in a business culture, so everyone has a chance to do it inside a company? A 2020 McKinsey study shows innovation is in crisis. Quote “COVID-19 pandemic has upended nearly every aspect of life, from the personal (how people live and work) to the professional (how companies interact with their customers, how customers choose and purchase products and services, how supply chains deliver them). However, more than three-quarters also agreed that this crisis will create significant new opportunities for growth, although this varies significantly by industry.” What are some ways you have seen that happen so far and will that continue to happen longer term? Do larger organizations tend to have a harder time innovating vs leaner, smaller businesses, who can be nimble, try new things faster, and be agile in hard times, or not? Examples, please. What are the tried-and-true best ways to execute corporate innovation and why? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Corporate Innovation?     Contact details: LinkedIn: (23) Bruno Pešec | LinkedIn W: Bruno Pešec (pesec.no)

Voice acting sounds like a pretty niche career, right? It reminds me of the radio ads I grew up with, in the 80s and 90s – the familiar voices whose faces and names I probably never would see or know. However, through my media and PR career, I have employed scores of voiceover actors to narrate videos and more recently, even be the face of a campaign and usually through connections I already had over an agency. I'm speaking today to experienced techpreneur David Ciccarelli, the Founder, and CEO of Voices. His business is for anyone who has been told their whole life that they have a great voice and should be on the radio, considering the exciting world of voice acting. More than just talking, voice acting requires the ability to connect with an audience and bring a script to life, the technical capability to record, edit and export high-quality audio, and the business know-how to reply to jobs, negotiate gigs, and follow up for future work. Income potential ranges from US$100 to $10,000 per job depending on if the work will air on broadcast television or for non-broadcast uses such as phone system recordings or internal corporate training videos. David's company has been written about in The New York Times, CNNMoney, BusinessWeek, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fast Company. He has appeared on Business News Network and The Globe and Mail TV. He is currently attending Harvard Business School and is a frequent guest speaker at industry conferences.  A big warmed-up voice welcome to David as we unpack The Politics of Voice Acting.   In this podcast, we chat about: How has the voice acting sector changed over the years? Do you need formal training to succeed and what about customized areas like accents? What specific role has new technology played in enabling anyone to become a voice actor? E Who was the best voice actor you ever worked with and why? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Voice Acting?     Contact details: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidciccarelli/?originalSubdomain=ca W: https://www.voices.com/

Many of us have heard of the term metaverse, perhaps firstly when it came to global attention in 2021 when Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg publicly changed its parent company name to Meta. According to one definition, a metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection. Meet Sam Joel, the founder of GiveTree, a virtual game world built on top of an NFT marketplace, where a portion of every transaction goes to a real-world charity and helps make the world a better place.  His own story is very inspiring and not like most tech-preneurs we know. Sam originally started GiveTree as a simple charity directory over three and half years ago, while he was homeless and suffering from mental illness and addiction. For most of that time, he lived in an internet cafe in Sydney Australia & relied on the support of local charities to help him survive. In June 2019 the government granted him 'emergency access' to his superannuation. He accessed 'up to $ $6000 from his super & rented a room in North Bondi. That solved the shelter problem. That did not solve the mental illness and addiction problems. He really struggled with adjusting back to normal life – for example, drinking over 30 standards a day, every day as he tried to manage PTSD & mental health problems. In April 2020 due to excessive alcohol consumption, he had a brain seizure. That was the turning point for Sam getting the medical attention he needed to make it. After being discharged from the hospital, over the course of the next few months, his mental health issues slowly started subsiding because I had stopped drinking, got a part-time job, started building new relationships, and started to become healthy again.  Originally, just a simple charity directory, fast forward three years & GiveTree is now evolved into Australia's first NFT marketplace “for good”. Hear from Sam on: What was the hardest part of starting this tech business especially as you were overcoming some very hard personal circumstances? How have you made GiveTree Australia's first NFT (non-fungible token) marketplace that really gives back? What steps has that involved from a business planning and financial investment view? You say that NFTs are an incredible new fundraising resource for charities both in Australia and around the world. You now look forward to helping charities adventure into the metaverse world of blockchains, cryptocurrency, NFTs, 3D avatars, VR, AR, Gaming, and more. Why has this been not done yet do you think? How can more charitable organizations get involved in this metaverse so they can also be a part of this brave new world? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of the Giving Metaverse?     For more: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samjoel/ Website: https://www.givetree.io/

I am always in awe of designers and architects who actually create tangible projects that stand the test of time and make communities come together – whether that be in the form of sky-high buildings, bold bridges, and public artwork that often harmonizes and reflects who lives and works in that neighborhood. Clever design can literally change lives and make us all happier and safer. Just picture the Eiffel Tower in France or the Brooklyn Bridge in New York or even the Hills Hoist clothing line, and you can quickly get what I mean! Today I am speaking to Jayne Harrison. She is the Founding Director of JDH Architects and has been at the helm since its inception in 2003. Through her leadership, and pioneering vision, her business JDH has delivered an extensive portfolio of education and community projects and a hard-earned reputation as one of Australia's most creative and dynamic architecture firms. She also leads JDH Ed, a forum for Speakers, Thinkers, and Dreamers to come together in the exchange of knowledge and ideas. Specializing in educational architecture has allowed Jayne to combine her love of creativity and lifelong learning. With a unique holistic approach to engagement and in-depth understanding of pedagogical practice, Jayne's thirst for knowledge has established the practice as leaders in educational architecture, planning, and design. Believing in a better way to practice her profession, where people and the environment are the cornerstones of good design, she looks towards long-lasting solutions that support a responsible and resilient thriving future, the built environment, and the communities they serve. As an engaging communicator, Jayne frequently speaks at educational conferences both in Australia and overseas.  Harrison is also an avid supporter of gender equality in the architectural and construction space and regularly calls out the industry through speaking opportunities and seminars. She is also extremely passionate about supporting other female entrepreneurs and would love to see more women working alongside her in leadership roles. In this episode you will hear:   What does educational architecture entail? What is the biggest error people make when it comes to designing a statement building and even bringing a design to life? Is great, sustainable design subjective and of its era, or are there generally some tried and true ways to build structures that have form, function, and some generally agreeable design success in there?  Women in architecture and construction are still today outnumbered – what solutions are there to attract more women to the field? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Design?     To connect with Jayne: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdhjayne/?originalSubdomain=au W: https://www.jdharchitects.com.au/

  Today's guest wears a lot of impressive hats: Former Socceroo | Broadcaster | Adjunct Professor, Sport & Social Responsibility | Author | and Human Rights Activist Who else could this be but Craig Foster AM? Following a decorated football career as Australia's 419th Socceroo and 40th Captain, Craig has become one of Australia's most respected sports people as a broadcaster, social justice advocate, and human rights campaigner. Craig represented Australia in the Junior National Team at age 15 in the first FIFA Under 16 World Cup in China, 1985 where he was selected in the FIFA Team of the Tournament. He would later go on to represent Australia at senior level on 29 occasions including as Captain. Following retirement, he quickly became one of Australia's most respected sports broadcasters with an 18-year, triple Logie-winning career with Australia's multicultural broadcaster, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) as part of The World Game (TWG) team which included five FIFA World Cups and four FIFA Women's World Cups as well as the UEFA Champions League, English Premier League and domestic competitions. He is a vocal supporter of a higher humanitarian intake by Australia and particularly an increased intake for Afghan refugees. A smidgen of his relevant humanitarian work efforts includes being: A member of the Australian Multicultural Council under the Department of Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship division An Ambassador for Amnesty Australia, the Affinity Intercultural Foundation, and Addison Road Community Centre including their #RacismNotWelcome campaign for Local Councils across Australia, Pushing Barriers, an Australia Committee member with Human Rights Watch, Advisory Council member of the Australian Human Rights Institute, UNSW and a Director of the Crescent Foundation. His humanitarian activism extends to several, high-profile campaigns including #SaveHakeem to free Bahraini refugee Hakeem al-Araibi from a Thai prison for which he was a Finalist for the Australian Human Rights Commission Medal. He is a former columnist for the Sun Herald, author, and co-author of several books including ‘Fighting for Hakeem' by Hachette Australia, and writes for the Guardian, The Age, and other publications and holds a Professional Coaching License and helped guide dozens of Australia's finest young female and male talents, many of whom graduated to Australia's National Teams. In 2019, the Australian Financial Review recognized Craig as a ‘True Australian Leader', the Sydney Morning Herald as one of the ‘People that Defined 2019′, he was the recipient of the 2020 NSW Government Humanitarian Award for his work with sport and human rights, an Australian Human Rights Commission Medal finalist, was awarded the Australian Muslim Council 2020 Abyssinian Medal and was a finalist for the NSW 2021 Australian of the Year. In 2021, Craig became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australia Day Honours List which he dedicated to and shared with his refugee friends and all refugees seeking safety around the world. In 2020, Craig contributed to the acquisition of Humanitarian Visas and evacuation of around one hundred predominantly female Afghan athletes from Kabul escaping the Taliban including the Afghan National Women's Football Team and Taekwondo athletes, as well as Afghanistan's several Paralympians who went on to compete at the Tokyo Paralympic Games weeks later.  Working with Australia's Immigration Minister, Alex Hawke, and Foreign Minister, Marise Payne as well as trusted members of the Australian Parliament, Craig used his sporting and political connections to secure the safety of many Afghans.  Shortly after the Kabul airport was closed to evacuation flights, Craig also assisted 15 young girls to escape a Kabul safe house while the Taliban searched from house to house for them and acquired the Humanitarian Visas for them to resettle in Australia. Somehow, Craig was nominated as one of Australia's Best Dressed Men despite spending his life in ripped jeans and board-shorts and still plays football for the Waverley Old Boys Over 35's in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia where he tries to relive old glories. Today, Craig advises on athlete activism for some of Australia's most prominent sportspeople and is an Adjunct Professor of Sport and Social Responsibility with Torrens University, Australia where he has developed an online course called ‘Sport for Good' which teaches athletes and sport practitioners how to utilize sport for social justice and progressive issues around the world. Craig holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), a Master's Degree in International Sports Management, and a Postgraduate Degree in Football Management. In this episode, Craig discusses: How do you define human rights? Maybe a practical example of what that is in practice. Is it just about equality of opportunities in a legal and moral sense or much more? What prompted you to become a human rights advocate? Was there a trigger for you that made you focus on this and what keeps you going when issues like Manus Island detainees among other cases must sometimes feel like they will never go away? Many of us witnessed through the consistent media coverage your role in freeing footballer Hakeem al-Alraibi in 2019. That was a relentless campaign and one that I imagine you had to pull on every lever you had to make that case stay front of mind in not just the media but the government's agenda. Reflecting on that experience, what did that reveal about Australia's human rights approach? We have a problematic human rights record in Australia and the First Nations people have suffered and continue to suffer – for example, ABS figures from 30 June 2021 stated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners made up 30% of all prisoners and 78% had experienced prior adult imprisonment. And life expectancy remains much lower than non-Indigenous Australians. How can we rectify this huge and relentless situation faster and in a way that is humane? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Human Rights?   To connect with Craig: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-foster-am-69b9a72b/ W: www.craigfoster.net

Negotiating is part of our every day – from business deals to romantic relationships, we all need to be able to create outcomes that work well. Hopefully meeting our needs and those of others who we may work, transact, live and socialise with.   My guest today Simon Russell is the founder and Director of Behavioural Finance Australia (BFA). At BFA he provides specialist behavioural finance training & consulting. His services are designed to improve financial decision-making, communication, and engagement. He mostly works with fund managers, major super funds, financial advisers and other financial services professionals. Simon is at the forefront of how behavioural finance research can be applied to improve financial decisions and outcomes. His own research has demonstrated the efficacy of a number of relatively simple psychological strategies – such as how changing the order that investment returns are presented can help investors make better long-term decisions, how ‘anchors' can impact perceptions about the value of financial advice, and how category labels and graph axes can influence investment choices and risk perceptions. Simon is the author of three books on behavioural finance: Behavioural Finance - A guide for financial advisers, Applying Behavioural Finance in Australia and Cyborg, and is currently writing his fourth: Behavioural Finance - A guide for listed equities teams. He is a regular speaker on behavioural finance and financial decision-making at industry and academic conferences. Simon holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) & Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) both from the University of Adelaide, Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance & Investments from the Securities Institute of Australia, Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University, Diploma of Financial Planning from MLC Advice Education and a Graduate Certificate in Management from the Australian Institute of Management.   Hear from Simon on:   Why is negotiation so important and how can we get better at it? What is the #1 mistake most organisations make when it comes to addressing deeply ingrained issues with the way their leaders negotiate and how do you go about remedying this? Most businesses want action that generates higher returns, to lower risks, and winning as well as retaining more clients. However, when they are doing well enough with the status quo how do you advise they improve to future-proof their entities? What is anchoring about – how does it work in action? Has Covid and more widespread remote operating for most businesses changed what works best when it comes to negotiating? Explain with a case study or example, please.   To connect with Simon: LinkedIn: (5) Simon Russell | LinkedIn W: Home - Behavioural Finance Australia

Emotional Intelligence has been talked about for a few decades now. It is for many, more important than IQ to succeed and feel connected, fulfilled, and thriving in business or personal pursuits. Emotional intelligence (otherwise known as emotional quotient or EQ) is defined as the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. Nikk is a born leader and entrepreneur and is in demand as Australia's leading expert in Scalable Emotional Intelligence Frameworks. Her hyper-logical approach to emotional intelligence has led to ground-breaking insights and delightfully practical applications. She has created world-leading EQ training programmes that show leaders and their teams how to synergistically combine IQ and EQ in order to take themselves to extreme heights in both their business and personal lives. Her business InspireTribe provides strategic and insightful mentoring, coaching, and training that uncovers the unconscious limiting patterns of individuals who are seeking to be successful. This episode covers off: What is EQ really about and why does it matter? What is the biggest error people make when it comes to harnessing their EQ and what can we do to help overcome this? What is your Scalable Emotional Intelligence Framework able to do for people, and how to operate it? Conflict is part of life and workplaces especially – what does an EQ mindset do to help overcome conflicts more easily? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of EQ? CONTACT INFO: LinkedIn: (9) Nikk Hughes | LinkedIn W: https://www.inspiretribe.com.au/

Most of us know that Vitamin D is important to our health. Many of us stuck inside offices are actually deficient in Vitamin D, which in a nation where skin cancer is still a major issue, seems ironic. Meet Mathew Collett. He is CEO, director, and co-founder of Solar-D, a Sydney-based company reframing how we experience SPF in the form of revolutionary sunscreens. Growing up on Sydney's iconic coastline Mathew enveloped himself in a beachside lifestyle and the Emerald City's outdoor culture from a very early age - starting as a young nipper (junior surf lifesaver) on the famous sands of Bondi Beach and later on taking up an array of sports including cricket, rugby and his passion for surfing. Growing up in Bondi, where Solar D Derma Tech's life began, Mat has instilled his active lifestyle and passion for outdoor activities to his three teenage kids who spend any spare moment following in their father's footsteps by taking on water sports, surfing, team sports and becoming volunteer Surf Life Savers at the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Savers Club. Solar D Derma Tech is hailed as the biggest development in SPF technology in over 50 years, the technology is formulated to allow through more of the UVB light that our bodies use to naturally produce Vitamin D, whilst still offering broad SPF protection. After securing patents in territories all around the world, Mat began to build the Solar D brand, spending the last several years re-educating and shifting the public mindset toward using the new sunscreen which benefits from the Activated Vitamin D SPF Technology, while continuing the overall importance of a ‘slip slop slap' mentality. Mathew has over 30 years of experience across startups, Banking, Corporate Advisory, FMCG, and Business Development. Mathew spent over 20 years in corporate banking and financial markets where he developed a key understanding of financial instruments, business management, and client relationships. Mathew was a former Director at JBWere (now Goldman Sachs Australia) and Managing Director of ICAP Australia where he specialized in fixed income, private equity, venture capital investments, and corporate advisory for early-stage business across multiple sectors. He was also co-founder of Australia's oldest and largest Lime Farm, Lime Grove, which created a large range of Lime-based FMCG products which sold over 75% through Australia's largest grocery chain, Woolworth's. Prior to Solar D, he helped fund, build and commercialize Cocoon Data (now Covata), a data security company now listed on the ASX (CVT). Mathew discusses in the podcast: Why solar in terms of your business focus? What do you like about this business most? How do we safely use sunscreen and still keep producing a natural level of Vitamin D? Explain why this is so important. What is a “vitamin D promoting SPF technology” about and what should we all understand it to mean in terms of products? Why do we need more of the “good Vitamin D” and has your business found differences globally given different climates and environmental conditions for people? Who have been your greatest mentors (1 or 2) and what has made them have such an impact in your life Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Solar? For more about Mathew: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-collett-728b6012/ W: http://www.solar-d.com/

Who else feels the weight of the life administration burden? For me, two businesses, two kids under 13, one busy husband, and my own needs and goals in fitness, academics, so-called work/life balance, and beyond often seem to be a bit much to triumph over consistently and also get some decent sleep.   Enter Dinah Rowe-Roberts. She is a streamlined, systemizing and time and money savior! After her second child was born, she found herself overwhelmed with paperwork, complicated logistics, and to-dos. She knew she needed a new approach and so together with an old friend Mia Northrop they decided to conquer the problem and the Life Admin Life Hacks podcast was born. Their mission is to minimize, automate, share and delegate life admin.   This experience has now resulted in a book - Life Admin Hacks, a step by step guide to: saving time and money, reducing the mental load, and streamlining your life  which was published by in January 2022. She has an accounting and finance background and was previously a Director at PwC and the Chief Operating Officer for a national mental health provider. So. let's get her nuggets of gold as we discuss The Politics of Life Admin.   In this episode, you can hear: What is the #1 life admin task Dinah avoids and why? The mental load is talked of a lot, and especially for modern mothers. How does that ongoing flurry of “things to do, places to be” impact our effectiveness to get anything done and how can we change that load? Online tools are great but there are lots out there - how do you find the best ones that suit your needs and goals? How can people become better at saving money or spending less? Decluttering is easy for some, but it is mostly boring and hard for some of us. Do you advocate for professionals to come in? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Life Admin?   To connect more with Dinah: W: https://www.lifeadminlifehacks.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/life-admin-life-hacks

Workplaces of all types have changed considerably since I started my newspaper journalism career in the late 1990s.  Inclusion at work was not even thought of but it is a wonderful thing it has become a major goal for offices, factories, and political environments the world over.   My guest today is an expert on workplace inclusion. Gloria Tabi is an Author and the Managing Director at EVERYDAY INCLUSION and Founder of Voice Everyday Racism. Gloria's research specializes in Social Analysis on Race, Social Inequalities, and Anti-Racism. As a Black African-Australian woman, Gloria brings well-grounded knowledge and experience of the impacts presented in race and gender identities.   With over 30 years of experience in Project Management, Employment Services, Professional Mentorship, and Business Coaching Gloria's ability to engage, negotiate and build worthwhile relationships across diversity, clients, and demographics are her greatest skills. Gloria provides proactive, relevant, and impactful training frameworks that are tailored to your business for a safe, productive, and sustainable future.   Hear from Gloria on: Why has workplace inclusion become such a major focus for companies who perhaps even a decade ago? Is it about profit as much as people – why or why not? It can start with hiring and having a D&I policy but how does everyday culture in an organization need to operate to succeed with having a more inclusive workplace that thrives financially as well as socially? The Diversity Council of Australia has a yearly index they share. We began tracking the state of inclusion in the Australian workforce in 2017. The stats don't lie! It appears to be workplace inclusion and diversity means success. What is holding companies back from making such changes or keeping them up in your view? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Workplace Inclusion?   To connect with Gloria: W: www.voiceeverydayracism.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriatabi/

Given we can all benefit from fresh ideas, I chose to kick off my 2022 podcast year with Donna McGeorge. This is someone super passionate about enhancing the large amount of time we spend in our workplace or home offices (too much, for many) to ensure it is effective and productive, as well as enjoyable. Donna has worked with managers and leaders throughout Australia and Asia–Pacific for over 20 years. She delivers practical skills, training, workshops, and facilitation to corporates such as Jetstar, Medibank Private, and Ford Motor Company so they learn to manage their people well and produce great performance and results. Her CV reads like her eclectic record collection (yes, classic vinyl): Manager of Theatre, Sports & Concert Tours for the UK-based Keith Prowse; Asia–Pacific Organisational Development Manager for Ford Motor Company in Shanghai, China; as well as roles at Telstra, Qantas, Ernst & Young and former airline Ansett. She lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland, a region known for its world-class beaches, but her most creative moments come while sipping tea on her balcony, gazing at the meandering waterways, alongside her husband, Steve, and dog, Prudence. Known as THE productivity coach, she has a range of books, products, and services to help you improve the way we live and work every day and I need some of her magic as much as anyone. Listen to this podcast to learn: How important is routine and what are your top 3 ways you advise people to form one that works for us as not everyone is a “morning person”? Brainpower is something we all love to harness. How can we rewrite our brain to be more energized and therefore productive? Does our stage of life or age impact that so we need to readjust this over time? Why is being intentional so important in improving our capacity to do more and do things better too? Lockdown has helped us all refocus on what we NEED to do more because we became used to not scheduling so much into a day. Explain how you organize your week to be able to ‘win more'. Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Capacity?   To find out more about Donna: W:: https://donnamcgeorge.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnamcgeorge/

A successful career in asset management requires going beyond your technical skill base to develop business acumen and street-savvy that will take you to the next level. Enter Dr. Monique Beedles is an internationally recognized thought leader in asset management and best-selling author of several books including Asset Management for Directors. She works with individuals, teams, and companies all over the globe to help them become leaders in asset management. With a Ph.D. in Strategy, a Masters of Finance, and twenty years of board experience, Monique amassed the technical skill and business savvy to guide others on a transformative journey of growth.  In September 2021, she published a new book ‘Leadership Assets: empower your career from the workshop to the boardroom, and pinpoints the smarts you need to succeed in your asset management career. Drawing on more than twenty years of experience as a board director and advisor to senior leaders, Monique has written Leadership Assets especially for asset managers who want to realize their leadership potential, and for leaders who want to empower their teams. In this podcast, Monique will share: What does an asset manager do? What are the top 3 leadership assets you believe people need to succeed and why? What has changed the most in the past two decades you've worked as a board director and advisor for senior leaders? Is about tech or priorities such as ESG that have had an impact or something else? Explain. What mistakes are the most common for those who want a career in asset management and how can they be avoided? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Assets?   To contact Monique: LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/moniquebeedles W: https://www.moniquebeedles.com/

Mentoring has been a critical part of many successful people's career story. Sometimes it's done formally and for an exchange of money, but often it is about a more seasoned leader meeting regularly with a less seasoned human and imparting ideas, knowledge, and even empowerment. I am chatting today to James Sewell, the founder of MentorConnex, a service that connects entrepreneurs and business owners searching for success, with battle-hardened mentors who know how to get it. James spent the early part of his career in the insurance market, as a Lloyd's of London broker, until he convinced his then girlfriend, Jenny, to join him on a 9-month trip to Australia as a maternity leave replacement. Fast forward 13 years, two weddings and two kids later, and James and Jenny now call Australia home. After breakfast with his brother-in-law one morning, James decided it was time to trade in a great salary, comfy office, and long-lunches on expenses, for a life of hauling junk in bright pink trucks.  And a few months later he (and his brother-in-law) launched PINK JUNK. Whilst the business was not the success James dreamed of, it was a brilliant introduction into the world of business ownership and an incredible experience. Although the challenges James faced when building PINK JUNK led to it being conceptualized, it wasn't until a flight back from a visit to the UK when James' sister laid down the gauntlet with the words “if you don't do it, I will”, that James finally committed to stepping way outside his comfort zone, and starting MentorConnex. Beyond family and surfing poorly, James thrives on helping other business owners have more success, by making it easier than ever to access 1-2-1 advice and guidance, from authentic experts, who've trodden the path before them. Hear from James on: What does a mentor do for someone and how do you know if you've met the right mentor to help you in your career or business? How is different from a business coach experience? How did MentorConnex start and what makes its service different from others that existed prior? How do you know when it's time to break up or move on from your mentor? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Mentoring? To find out more about James Sewell: LinkedIn: (12) James Sewell | LinkedIn Website: https://mentorconnex.com/

I have to admit, I am a sucker for buying merchandise or ‘merch' as we colloquially say in the land Down Under. Whether it be signed books by authors at their book launch or tea towels from a boutique vineyard on a regional holiday I am handing over that plastic card with joy! Last year, according to  Intelligence Insider, the pandemic fueled rapid acceleration of online buying in several countries that were somewhat lagging—and some of those will continue to see major expansion in 2021. India, Brazil, Russia, and Argentina are all projected to post at least 26% growth in retail e-commerce sales this year. As in 2020, the Asia-Pacific – where Australia is - and North America will lead the regional rankings for retail e-commerce sales this year. China's size population means that the Asia-Pacific will account for 60.8% of retail e-commerce sales worldwide in 2021. North America will claim a 20.3% share, and Western Europe 12.6%. My guest today Gwen Blake has managed branding & design projects for some of Australia's best-known brands. She is an expert in branding and design and has a passion for product sales and entrepreneurism. Today, she is managing director of award-winning Sydney-based branding and packaging design agency, Boxer & co., and the author of a book on packaging design, Packaging a Punch. Gwen orchestrated the branding behind dynamic serious journalists turned podcaster duo Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales' successful podcast Chat 10 Looks 3. If you listen to the podcast, like me, it is peppered with shout-outs to Gwen! She consults with them to develop and manage their merch business. At the time of the Australian Federal Government leadership spill in November 2018, Gwen created a meme of a canvas bag with the words ‘Ban the single-use prime minister' – that was a big moment for her business. She gained quick and widespread media interest and sold thousands of these bags from a company that she literally started overnight at her kitchen table. In this podcast, Gwen explains: In 2018, you were basically an internet sales sensation when I like many bought your ‘Ban the Single Use Prime Minister' tote bags (and coffee cup) in the wake of former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull being sacked, after many years of a rotating door of leaders. Tell us how you came up with the idea and how it generated you $50K in a short time? How quickly does an idea need to turn into merchandise ready for sale to be relevant? Tell us how you came up with the branding for the popular podcast Chat 10 Looks 3? Is there a ‘secret sauce' formula to market test before producing items en masse? Share your process! Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Merchandise? To connect with Gwen Blake: LinkedIn: (13) Gwen Blake | LinkedIn Website: Homepage - BOXER & CO (boxerandco.com.au)

Ashley Peverett is the Co-founder & CEO of the Building Communities Initiative (BCI). A self-proclaimed entrepreneur, he grew up in a family business so had a good start. While working, Ashley studied business part-time and completed an MBA from the University of New England. He climbed the corporate ladder across several organizations to eventually hold an Asia-Pacific-wide management role. Along this journey, he moved from Perth to North Queensland, to NSW then Mumbai. Then the GFC of 2008 hit and his life path and career were suddenly changed forever. Later, Ashley completed a Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Western Australia and reveled in the history of architecture. In a new career cycle, Ashley was known as a talented designer working for the most part from repeat business or referrals from existing clients. He then became focused on the growing housing crisis in emerging nations, and he set about to create an organization dedicated to meeting this need. The Building Communities Initiative was born. Ashley used global professional networks to bring together a group of multidisciplinary consultants who shared his passion for this cause. After two years of research and development, they had a design and construction model which can construct a community of 5,000 quality affordable homes in less than six months and within a cost that meets the expectations of these governments. BCI is about to commence our first project in India using this technology and is in negotiations with several countries to construct hundreds of communities within the next five years. The Initiative's long-term vision is to drive construction costs to the bare minimum and to create a financial instrument that will enable 1 million of the world's poorest people every year to own their own homes. Ashley discusses in this podcast: How the Building Communities Initiative (BCI) was born, and how Ashley led a dialogue with governments and private developers across Africa and India to understand the key performance indicators we needed to achieve. How these sustainable housing designs are rolled out in a way that may be different from what traditional aid organizations or even other governments offer these nations? How can developed nations address housing inequity and improve affordability? And why apartment living is not necessarily the answer! Takeaway: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Affordable Housing? To connect with Ashley Peverett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-peverett-a24b93122/ Website: https://buildingcommunitiesinitiative.org/

Financial literacy is a term that excites some, but many people are hard-pressed to get excited about it, despite its importance in how we all view, manage and maximize our money, from our first pocket money as a kid to making retirement savings last these days for up to 30 years after we no longer earn a wage. My guest Julia Newbould is Managing Editor of Money magazine, Australia's most-read personal finance magazine. In this role, she oversees all content for the magazine, website, and podcast.  In June she started the Friends with Money podcast. Prior to that, she had been Editor at Large for the magazine, where she started as the public face of the publication through podcasts, has led webcasts for corporates such as Westpac and Aware Super, as well as TV and radio segments. Through her various positions in financial media, it has been her overarching goal to demystify finance for more people and allow those who want to do more with their money to have greater opportunities to access the best information. Julia has spent the majority of her career in media, combining her academic background in economics and practical experience in journalism, she has contributed and led editorial and content teams for financial services publications and Top 20 ASX listed companies for the past 20 years. Since 2000, she has worked extensively with financial planners where she has gained much knowledge about personal finance and an understanding of the role professionals can play in helping people reach their personal and financial goals. In 2013, driven by a desire to see greater inroads in financial independence for women, Julia established and managed the Stella Network, an initiative supported by BT Financial Group to support women in financial planning with the belief financial planners should be more like the people they hope to serve. Julia is an Advisory Board Member for 1Million Women and a Member of the University of Sydney Alumni Council. From 2016 to 2018, Julia served as Treasurer for Women in Theatre and Screen (WITS) and was a Women of Westpac – Global Trends Committee member. In March 2020, her first book The Joy of Money was published. The book was written to help women become more confident around money and understand how to structure theirs better to reach life's goals. Julia Newbould has a passion for writing, equality, theatre, 70s music, and classic film and in her spare time, when not locked down, she attends red carpet events, reads voraciously, acts as a mentor for women in business, and has been known to write reviews under a pseudonym or two. In the podcast hear from Julia on: Financial literacy is a term many of us never knew when we started work or had to make decisions about money we have earned – what is it and why does it matter? What makes financial literacy work best? Is it a school subject we miss out on or is there an ongoing way we can become better at our own financial understanding all the way from first job to retirement and beyond? The GFC and the 2018 Banking Royal Commission showed many people that trusting the so-called “smartest people in the room” with our money is not always wise. What role do advisors play and what do we as consumers need to understand as well? Are women needing different financial literacy supports or is it not a gender-led issue? Explain and give some ideas on what financial literacy looks like for us? Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Financial Literacy? To connect with Julia: Linkedin: Julia Newbould | LinkedIn

Water management and the policies behind it is something we all need to get our heads around, whether you live in a big city, small town, a coastal region or a remote community. I am deeply passionate about the water sector having worked closely within the NSW state government during the recent drought of 2018-2020, leading communications in areas such as community engagement and stakeholder management, which set off my thinking about how we approach water policy in the 21st century. A basic human right, access to clean, safe water for drinking and daily use, remains not something many people worldwide lack. Recent droughts in Australia seem to be intensifying as the impacts of climate change make extreme weather events more common. Today's guest is the CEO of the Australian Water Association, Corinne Cheeseman discussing The Politics of Water Management. The AWA is Australia's largest water network of professionals and practitioners who manage our most precious resource - water. It offers a platform where members - companies and individuals -share, connect and inspire to drive and inspire a sustainable water future. Corinne has spent most of her career working in water, including many years at Australia's largest water utility Sydney Water in roles ranging from environmental management to water quality to community education, and in recent years she led data and analytics teams to build new capabilities, solve problems and create value through data. She has helped develop data strategies and capabilities in large organizations including the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) as well as Not for Profits such as Amnesty International Australia and The Smith Family. From a young age, Corinne has been curious about health and the environment, and she particularly loved science at school which led to her first degree in Biology and after a few years working in a water laboratory, she completed her Masters in Environmental Management. It was however her passion for working with people who shared a strong sense of purpose that has been a constant thread throughout her career. We discuss:   What are the biggest issues facing water policy at this time and what would you like to see happen while you are CEO to improve this? What attention does climate change get in the water management debate and how can that be better managed? How can water access become more equitable and is it up to wealthier countries to help other nations get that basic human right of clean water access happening faster? What about regional communities who by and large have become accustomed to seasonal changes such as droughts, floods, and bushfires impacting their livelihoods and communities' access to water. How can they be better catered for? Take away: What is your final takeaway message on The Politics of Water Management?     To connect with Corinne and the AWA: LinkedIn: (14) Corinne Cheeseman | LinkedIn Website: Australian Water Association | AWA | Australia's Leading Water Authority

Buying property is expensive especially in Australia's biggest cities and regional areas now surging too (thanks Covid), with purchasers paying stamp duty, conveyancing, and legal fees, not to mention the huge deposit required. So, would you really want to pay more for something you could do yourself? Well, recently I did. For the first time ever, my husband and I engaged a buyer's agent to find us a Coastal family home that had some non-negotiables, a set time frame, and a strict budget – so the agency we used Spring Buyer's Agency is run by Michelle Tucker and Linda Johnson, and they were worth every cent – having found us the right property in 8 days. As background, Linda brings a diverse and varied skill set to Spring Buyers Agency, having operated in multiple roles in her 23 years' experience within the Real Estate industry.  Beginning in residential sales, she was mentored by an industry leader and spent 10 years as a successful selling agent in one of Australia's most iconic and desirable locations - Bondi Beach. She held senior leadership positions, functioning as Director of Operations with Raine & Horne Bondi Beach, Head of Residential Sales with LJ Hooker Lower North Shore, and was General Manager with the Australian operation of LINK Franchising, the largest business brokerage firm in the world. Linda also achieved her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2016. Michelle's 15 years' experience within the property industry is built on an intimate understanding of market conditions and a drive to achieve outstanding results. Beginning her career with LJ Hooker Terrigal, she worked as a specialist property developer on the Central Coast. Most recently, as Head of Projects for McGrath Central Coast, Michelle managed all medium to large scale off-plan development projects. Buyer's agents work for buyers to find a suitable property according to the buyer's brief and often negotiate the purchase on behalf of the buyer. Depending on the service needed, they may charge a set fee, starting from as little as $100 to attend an auction for you. For a full search, inspection, and negotiation service, they may charge a percentage of the property's sale price, which can be up to 3 percent, plus GST. When houses in my home city of Sydney now selling well over $1.5 million, that adds up to a lot of money when you pay another service. So, is it worth it? Like all my guests, I wanted to remind you that they are not being paid nor vice versa. We cover in this podcast: What is a buyer's agent and how did you become one? How did the sector grow and who uses a buyer's agent? Is it just for wealthy people? What has been the hardest thing about being a buyer's agent – are you ever been unsuccessful for a client for whatever reason? How do you ensure they get a great property and not pay too much or feel obligated to say yes faster than normal market conditions? Take away: What is your final takeaway message on The Politics of Buyer's Agents? To connect more with Linda and Michelle: Website: https://www.springbuyersagency.com.au/