Don't Stop Us Now! Podcast

Today you are coming on tour with us to a newly opened, state of the art immersive technologies research centre at Portsmouth University in England. The CCIXR, or Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality, is the UK’s first facility where the latest in special effects, gaming and virtual reality technologies are all brought together. Come with us as we learn all about this cutting edge facility from the Centre’s Business Director, Pippa Bostock and Specialist Technician and Producer, Hattie Ball. As you’ll hear, the Centre is at the forefront of how technologies are converging to make all kinds of experiences that much more realistic - from films and theatre, to museum visits, as well as incredible training simulations for industry and the armed forces. (Think virtual reality on steroids.) In this episode we start with Pippa taking us through the big picture including the metaverse,  and then we’re going to dive a little deeper and speak with Hattie who walks us through a rea

We’re back from our much needed holiday and super excited about our guest this week. She’s a technology veteran who’s just made the leap, after a long career with big global tech brands, to run a climate tech startup in Singapore. Maya Hari spent over 15 years in the digital media, mobile and e-commerce industries, working in the US and in Asia Pacific with companies such as Google, Samsung and Microsoft. She also led Twitter’s operations in Asia Pacific.Now she’s taken up the reins as CEO of a startup called Terrascope with a mandate to scale the young venture. She’s had three months in her new role and is excited about how it fits both her professional and her personal purpose.You can tell Maya is a deep thinker and we love how she talks about: How she made the decision to leave big corporates to join a startupHow she assesses when it’s right to make a career transitionWhat she learnt from her most challenging career experience,And we just loved a habit of hers that she calls ‘Serendipity Reading’

This week we have a treat in store for you: an Australian entrepreneur who’s literally bringing nature indoors with her creation of a whole new segment using Australian native botanicals for products such as handwash, cleaning products, and dog shampoo. Founder of Bondi Wash, Belinda Everingham, launched her business in 2013. Today, the premium Bondi Wash range is sold and known around the world for its quality, chemical-free formulations and beautiful scents. Curiously, what Belinda’s doing now with her business is light years away from how her career started as a management consultant. In this episode you’ll learn:How serendipity helped Belinda scale her overseas presence not long after launchingWhat happened when Belinda had to go into battle with a US giant trying to stop her using her brand nameThe one thing she believes is critical for success in businessAnd why, when starting Bondi Wash, Belinda threw her rigorous and structured management consultant training out the window.We think you’

We can hardly believe it but Don’t Stop Us Now! is officially 4 years old! It was quite a different world back when we launched in 2018. Covid wasn’t a ‘thing’, working from home was often seen as a privilege, and organisations never would have believed they could ‘convert’ to digital and remote operations as easily and rapidly as they did.We’ve had a ball going back through the 146 episodes of the past four years to bring you this special episode featuring wonderful highlights and memories. We also identified a few key incredibly helpful themes that keep cropping up with our inspiring, pioneering and innovative female leaders (83 so far and counting). You’ll also hear about the one moment Claire will NEVER repeat again as well as the moments that filled us with wonder and awe. Plus, learn how you could win a $100 Amazon gift card. So come on a highlights-filled journey with us now. . . preferably whilst eating cake and supping champagne!  :-) LinksOur How to Manage Your Inner Cr

Our guest this week is a truly pioneering woman in so many fields. For instance, if you live in Australia today, then many of the rights you may take for granted came about thanks, at least in part, to the determined and courageous stand of feminist pioneer, businesswoman and writer, Wendy McCarthy. From campaigning tirelessly for women’s rights, to smashing the glass ceiling time after time, Wendy, now in her 80s, has done it all including just publishing a book: ‘Don’t Be Too Polite Girls’. Unsurprisingly, she’s been described as a national treasure. Starting out as a teacher, Wendy has evolved over the decades to be an executive, a founder and company director. Across all these endeavours, she has worked for change in education, family planning, human rights, public health, conservation and the Arts to list a few.In this episode you’ll hear the formidable Wendy share:How one profound lesson as a young girl has shaped her life How she’s learnt to take risks and not be intimidatedHow trying to

This week’s guest was named IT Woman of the Year for the APAC region in 2020 and despite her illustrious and super busy career in senior regional leadership roles at Google, Twitter and Cloudflare, Aliza Knox also managed to find time to mentor many women along the way. As a result of all her rich experience, Aliza has just published a book on the 6 essential mindshifts you need to rise and thrive at work. The book is called Don’t Quit Your Day Job. These days, Aliza serves as a non executive director on Boards in multiple countries and is a senior advisor to her old consulting firm, Boston Consulting Group. We were fascinated to catch up with Aliza to learn more about her own career lessons as well as the 6 key mindshifts she’s identified in her book. We think you’ll be fascinated too. Hear unique advice and stories including: Why a bad job situation led to Aliza moving countriesWhy reflecting on your career options at any point in time is so valuable What job dating isAnd, whic

It’s not everyday you come across a global marketing leader who trained as an engineer and computer scientist! But that’s true for our visionary guest this week, Lucinda Barlow. Lucinda is Senior Director, Head of Marketing for Asia Pacific for Uber. Before joining Uber two years ago, Lucinda was global Marketing Director for YouTube, with its 2 billion daily users.With more than 20 years of experience working in Internet and mobile in Asia, the US and UK, Lucinda has some incredible and varied experience coupled with a true passion for championing creativity. In this episode you’ll hear how:How Lucinda changed her life, and her job, after receiving some wise advice from fashion designer and icon Diane von FurstenbergHow she thinks about making big career transition decisionsWhy she believes failure should be celebrated moreAnd how Lucinda brings creativity out in her teams. Enjoy this episode with the incredibly passionate and creative Lucinda Barlow. P.S. A reminder that our mini episode

We’re back from Covid (hooray!) and so even more excited about this week’s inspiring guest! Joanna Flint is Chief Commercial Officer for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group where she’s responsible for its global marketing, sales, revenue management, brand and distribution functions. She is also a member of the company’s Board. Joanna joined the luxury brand last year after more than twelve years with Google in Asia where, amongst other roles, she was Managing Director of Google Singapore. Based in Singapore with her family, after 20 years living in Asia, Joanna is also a member of YPO and a mentor to early stage start-ups. If you’re contemplating your career or thinking about changing roles then you have come to the right place because Joanna has some of the most thoughtful musings on this topic we’ve heard. In this episode you’ll learn:The incredible story of why Joanna nearly didn’t apply for the top job at Google in Singapore and what happened to make her change her mindThe opportunities

This week’s mini episode explores what it takes to build a successful partnership with a co-founder. One thing we’ve noticed with numerous early stage startups is the challenge in those very early days of finding a co-founder, or co-founders, whom you can really work with for the long term, even when the pressure’s on. So often you hear of acrimonious founder breakups and it got us asking ourselves, how do you create a good working relationship over time if you have co-founders? One person who’s brilliantly navigated the co-founder challenge is serial Scottish entrepreneur Lesley Eccles, who with her 4 other co-founders built a blockbuster business called FanDuel. We spoke to Lesley on the podcast a year ago and she has some amazing stories and experiences if you haven’t heard that episode.  In this mini episode you’ll hear how Lesley and her co-founders made a success of working and pivoting together for more than ten years to create a business that has ultimately been valued over $11 bil

We have a smart operator and a great champion for women on the show this week. Her name is Vered Raviv Schwarz  and she’s spent the past 20 years in disruptive tech companies, based in Israel. These days Vered is President and Chief Operating Officer for Guesty, a property management platform offering software that’s used by people renting out short term and vacation rental properties around the world. With Guesty’s multiple features they can easily list and manage their rentals on multiple sites such as AirBnb and Vebo. Before Guesty, Vered spent nearly 6 years at the freelancer marketplace Fiverr as Chief Operating Officer. And prior to that she was a lawyer and General Counsel at other tech companies.We’ve been struck by what a smart operator and thinker Vered is. In this episode you’ll hear a lot of great advice including:How some of the best advice Vered was given, and now gives herself, changed the course of her entire careerWhy she’s passionate about making tech companies more

This week’s mini episode is all about the value of having a mindset of ‘keeping on going’ even when you stumble. Now that isn’t always easy is it? One woman who’s really mastered the knack of telling herself constructive stories when things don’t go to plan, is US-based international Uber executive, Julia Paige. Julia is Uber’s global head of Social Impact and she also happens to be a mum of triplets. When Julia was on the show 18 months ago we were really struck by how good she is at constructive self-talk and her ability to dust herself off and keep moving. At the heart of Julia’s outlook on tackling tough times is the powerful idea that we all control our own stories. We get to write our narrative and we get to say how our stories end - and, for Julia, she makes sure that the story never ends with failure. Enjoy this mini episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We’re super excited about our first guest for the year. Speaker, author and storyteller, Briony Benjamin, is known for the amazing and purposeful viral videos she creates, as well as her book, ‘Life is Tough But So are You’, which came out last year. Briony is a master at her craft and she’s also incredibly inspiring when she talks about her cancer journey.In this episode you’ll hear about: The moment when Briony realised a career in accounting or commerce wasn’t for herHow her life changed in an instant with a diagnosis everyone dreadsWhat she thinks about when it comes to getting her creative work out into the worldAnd what habits she cultivates to stay on top of her content game. Enjoy this episode with the irrepressible, funny and delightful Briony Benjamin.  Useful LinksBriony on Instagram - @briony_benjamin Website: www.brionybenjamin.comMust Do - watch this amazing viral video from Briony - ‘You Only Get One Life’: Briony’s Book - ‘Life is Tough! But so are You’Books

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken”. Oscar Wilde Being genuinely yourself sounds good but it’s not always easy to do is it? It takes strength to resist the societal pressures and norms we all operate under, and it also takes real clarity on what actually is important, deep down, to each of us as individuals.It’s always so interesting to hear how different people define success for themselves and this week’s mini episode shares some wonderful examples. Hint, the two extraordinary women we hear from have very different but equally beautiful answers. Be fired up hearing Oatly Executive Creative Director for North America, Heidi Hackemer’s personal success definition and inspired by entrepreneur and passionate womens’ advocate, Bobbi Mahab’s very different version.The key truth is, there’s no one right answer. So what would yours be? Enjoy. Useful LinksHeidi's full interview with us - Heidi Hackemer - Navigating the WorstBobbi's full interview with us - Bobbi Mahlab -

Career decisions can be tricky things can’t they? Often they can be some of the most stressful decisions we make; decisions such as: ”Should I say yes to this project or transfer?” Or “Should I stay in my job or should I go?” These times come to nearly all of us . . . unless you’re the Queen of course who’s just reached her 70th year anniversary in her job! Can you imagine that? Our How To episode this week explores all that’s involved in making great career decisions and with a lot less stress. Huge apologies to Her Majesty as we know this probably isn’t the episode for her

What better way to start a new Lunar Year than by dusting off any Omicron blues and ensuring you have the right mindset for the day and week ahead? Our first mini episode for the year brings you self-confessed ‘rabid optimist’ and former Australian of the Year, Dr Fiona Wood. This inspiring powerhouse manages to stay incredibly positive despite her very confronting and life-saving work as a world-leading burns surgeon. Learn some tactics that she uses to bring back happy memories and change her own mood.In this short but sweet episode you can also contemplate whether or not you agree with Voltaire on what our most important decision of all is. Enjoy! And if you haven’t already, why not connect with us on LinkedIn... just mention “Don’t Stop Us Now! podcast” and we’ll be right there.Links of interest Fiona’s full interview with usIf you enjoy this episode, an interview you might like too; Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas - Humour as a Super Power See acast.com/privacy for privacy and

Our first episode for 2022 explores different ways of thinking about your year ahead. You’ll hear us have a candid and informal conversation about how we’re individually thinking about our own plans and aspirations, and how to make them happen. You may be surprised at just how different our approaches are!You’ll learn why Greta thinks getting really granular with her time management is what she needs this year to reach her goals, while Claire is focusing on her key priorities and planning around those. We plan to make more conversational and ‘unplugged’ episodes like this one so please let us know what you think or if you disagree! We always love to hear from you. P.S. If you’re really hungry for more content on planning your year then also check out our episode from 2020 called How to Have a Great Year.  Useful LinksGoogle researchers discuss the rise in searches related to changing priorities Brene Brown interview with James Clear Jonathan Fields podcast - Good Life P

We’re really thrilled to share a very different type of episode, one that features some of the best advice and insights from six of our incredible guests this year. We recap some of the key themes that emerged from 2021 AND we explore how to set yourself up for 2022.If you’re looking for some perspective at the end of another crazy year filled with all the highs, lows, cancellations, and uncertainties that come with living during a global pandemic then you’re welcome! :-) After listening to these amazing and inspiring guests you’ll:Hear what we and others think is most important, really Be inspired by the simple steps you can take to build a better world; andFeel equipped and ready to constructively farewell 2021 and welcome 2022 with the right mindset and the right priorities for you going forward. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we’ve enjoyed revisiting our time with the amazing people who joined us this year. Finally from both of us, we wish you and yours all the very best for

Our mini episode this week is a cracker… we revisit the advice of high achieving changemaker, speaker and author, Holly Ransom, who’s thoughts on managing her energy not her time really struck a chord with us and many of you.Not only that, in this episode we’re sharing some valuable advice from Holly that you haven’t heard before.So if you’ve been thinking you want next year to be different to this year, then get ready to be inspired and provoked by hearing how Holly’s approach to managing her energy has been an absolute game changer for her in terms of her schedule, her mindset and her productivity. It all began when she made some big changes as part of her recovery from depression. Enjoy this mini Future Proof Me episode with the inspiring Holly Ransom.Useful LinksHolly’s websiteHolly’s new book – The Leading EdgeHolly’s podcast – Coffee PodsHolly on LinkedInHolly on InstagramHolly on Twitter See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Happy December everyone! The end of the year can mean travel planning for a lot of people, and business trips and holidays are the bread and butter for the fashion entrepreneur and founder on the show this week, Stefanie Nissen.California-based Stefanie founded her business ‘Trvl Porter’ with the idea that you would arrive at your destination to find a hand-picked travel wardrobe waiting for you at your hotel. When you’re heading home, you can buy the pieces you love, or return them all simply by leaving them with your hotel. The business was starting to take off when Covid effectively put Stefanie’s business into hibernation. All the more frustrating as not only had the business been really starting to get traction, it had also enjoyed some great coverage in the NY Times as well. In this episode you’ll hear where Stefanie is at today in figuring out the future for Trvl Porter as well as: How she started her career in fashion design The advice her designer employer gave her that made

This week’s mini episode is all about crowdfunding and in particular equity crowdfunding. Equity crowdfunding is where retail investors can buy a share in a young company which is seeking funding without having to list on the stock exchange or take on formal VC capital. Capital raising can be such a time consuming occupation for a Founder yet if you have the right offer for equity crowdfunding, then this can be a great way to proceed. One of our guests has proven to be a master at successfully completing two extremely impressive equity crowdfunding campaigns. We’re talking about Brianne West, the New Zealander serial entrepreneur and founder of global sustainable cosmetics company, Ethique. Brianne has a bold and pioneering mission, to rid the world of single-use plastics. She started Ethique to replace all those plastic-bottled products we use in our bathrooms, from shampoos to moisturisers, with solid bars of concentrated product. Brianne crowdfunded twice to grow her business: once