Explore every episode of the podcast Sweat Capital

This episode was recorded OnAir @ IMARC. For more information on the world's biggest mining conference and how to get involved, visit ⁠⁠imarcglobal.com⁠⁠.

In this episode of Sweat Capital, we sit down with Mark Kristoff, CEO of global commodities trading firm Traxys, to unpack how careers in physical commodities trading are built. 

Mark takes us back to his earliest jobs, running lawn-mowing and painting businesses as a teenager, learning early what it meant to be responsible for outcomes, cash flow, and customers. He walks through attending Cornell on a Navy ROTC scholarship, preparing for a career as a fighter pilot, and the abrupt pivot that forced him to rethink his future. 

We then dive into how Mark entered the commodities world through a job in the mailroom, why reading the shipping documents he was delivering on the subway mattered, and how understanding learnings from these moments of curiosity led to him making an ascension to lead Traxys as CEO. 

For anyone curious about commodities, trading, or how senior careers are built over decades - no shortcuts - this episode offers a rare, practical look inside an industry most people never see. 

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We'll see you in the next one,

Keep playing the long game.

In this episode of Sweat Capital, we sit down with Marcus Marchant, CEO of Vistaprint and founder of Bondi Joe, to unpack how a career actually evolves when you’re willing to pivot and take risk. 

Marcus reflects on his first job at Dymocks, what retail taught him about customers, and how those early lessons shaped everything that followed. He walks us through starting his career as a lawyer in M&A, realising it wasn’t where he wanted to stay, and the difficult decision to leave law without “starting from zero.” 

We dive into his transition through Citibank’s management associate program, where he combined legal knowledge with customer insight to launch a same-day personal loans product - and how that moment set the foundation for senior leadership roles. 

The conversation also explores corporate venture capital, innovation inside large organisations, and what Marcus learned founding Bondi Joe as a creative outlet alongside a demanding executive career. 

For anyone navigating early career decisions, considering a pivot, or trying to understand how skills compound across industries, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at how careers are actually built. 

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We'll see you in the next one,

Keep playing the long game.

Paul Tranter, CFO of Boston Consulting Group, joins Will and Charlie from his home in Boston, USA to share his remarkable story from a boy on the farm to a global leader in management consulting.

We explore:

• Paul’s unique path to university, including going back to complete Year 12 at the age of 22 and how he considers this decision to be the “turning point” of his life
• His pathway into management consulting at BCG
• The impact that Harvard had on Paul’s personal development
• His role as Global CFO at Boston Consulting Group

A great lesson in how to use adversity as a catalyst for growth and why grit can take you to places you have never dreamed (in Paul’s case the 61st floor of an office building!).

We hope you enjoy!

In this week's episode, Charlie and Will were able to sit down with Terry Svenson - the CEO of QLD Cricket. The boys talk about how he runs the complex operation that is QLD cricket, his thoughts on privatising the BBL - which is very topical at the moment - and how he approaches domestic players leaving QLD cricket to pursue overseas opportunities. Terry has had a fascinating career thus far that has culminated in him leading one of Australia's most successful sporting organisations. The business lessons we learnt from Terry's leadership this episode were invaluable and the way he leads his staff and players in allowing them to put themselves first was both interesting and applicable for workplaces today.

We hope you enjoy!

A holiday! Something we could all do with.  This week’s podcast unwraps all things to do with tourism as current Experience Co. (ASX:EXP) CEO and former Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan joins Will Chapman and Charlie Selth to unpack the state of the industry, pathways into working in tourism/entertainment, and John educates us on Experience Co. and its future as one of Australia’s premier providers of adventure experiences. John has worked at the likes of Football Australia, Fox Sports and Queensland Events, in what has been a highly interesting career journey that we were very keen to unpack with John on the podcast. Amongst this, John also gave us great insights into the process behind the acquisitions Experience Co made, and its relationships with the government to secure funding.   We hope you enjoy!

In today's episode, Will and Charlie were lucky enough to sit down with the Principal of one of Australia's top schools, Jacinda Euler from Brisbane Girls Grammar. In this episode, Jacinda outlines her career pathway to teaching and we gain key insights into how BGGS consistently ranks in the top schools in Australia academically. As Jacinda stresses to us though, students' experience at BGGS is about much more than great academic results - it is a well-rounded student experience where students are given the chance to excel whether sport, the arts or music, be their calling. Jacinda also gives us a great insight into some of the key issues facing the education system today, including technological advancements and their impact on education through tools such as ChatGPT. All of this culminated in us getting a great understanding of how pivotal education institutions such as BGGS are for educating our next generation of business leaders.

Listen in to hear one of our most insightful episodes to date!

On this episode of The Business Of, Will and Charlie were lucky enough to be joined by Australian business royalty, Glen Richards. On this podcast, the boys discuss the story behind how Greencross Vets started, Glen's current interests and what he looks for when investing in a company, how he became a shark on Shark Tank and he leaves us with some great career and business advice that we found invaluable. Glen's wealth of experience across multiple industries cannot be understated and it was invaluable hearing him speak on the details surrounding his decisions in regard to why Greencross went public and what he looks for in business leaders.  Remember to find us on LinkedIn and Instagram and please consider giving the show a 5-star rating as it helps others find us!

In this episode, Will and Charlie hear some of the debate around Australia’s energy future and the factors influencing Australia’s mining industry. The discussion draws on the perspective of Bowen Coking Coal (ASX:BCB) Executive Chairman, Ballymore Resources (ASX:BMR) Chairman and co-founder of Stanmore Coal Nick Jorss. Nick is an incredibly passionate advocate of Australian mining and is not afraid to express his views on issues affecting the industry. In his discussion with the boys, he also shares what he believes is critical to being a good dealmaker and how he has always sought to make positive opportunities out of poor economic times.

In this episode, Charlie and Will reflect on some of the key lessons they've learnt from their first 16 episodes. With clips from previous episodes and a focus on what is going to be needed for the future young professional, this episode is a great overview of some of the fascinating interviews the boys have been a part of thus far.

In this episode, Charlie and Will were lucky enough to sit down with the co-host of the We Got The Chocolates podcast to discuss the business of podcasting. The following that Leigh, brother Mitch and mate Andrew, have amassed through the podcast is nothing short of extraordinary. With nearly 500k followers on Instagram, 252k subscribers on Youtube - to go along with nearly 100 million total views - and a podcast that consistently ranks in the top 50 podcasts in Australia, Leigh has helped build an incredibly captive audience. They're now at the interesting stage of commercialising their show and have already struck great success with a partnership with Amazon to promote The Test. Through leveraging their talent agency Born Bred Talent - which also houses the likes of the Inspired Unemployed - they are looking to grow their suite of partnerships and turn their once part-time hobby into a full-time business. He even hits us with his best dad joke in true Leigh fashion, to finish the podcast. We hope you enjoy!

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James Fielding, CEO of Audeara (ASX: AUA), joins Charlie Selth and Will Chapman to discuss the fascinating company that he founded. James talks to the origins of the company and how it aims to address hearing loss before it's too late - a problem that greatly impacts the quality of lives for many Australians. Further to this, he discusses the psychological shift that needs to be made in regard to how we think about hearing health. It is through engagements such as Audeara's healthy hearing partnership with the Brisbane Lions that Audeara is continuing to spread this message. We hope you enjoy this episode. Please follow us on LinkedIn/Instagram and rate the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts as it helps others find us! Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-of/?viewAsMember=true Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessofpodcast/?hl=en

Charlie and Will are joined by Hyrdalyte North America (ASX:HPC) CEO, Oliver Baker, to discuss his pathway to becoming the CEO of an ASX-listed company and how his innate understanding of marketing and strategic partnerships has held him in good stead for this challenging role. Oliver has been facing some headwinds as they attempt to grow Hydralyte in America due to a slight variation in consumer preferences in which products that are tried and tested in one region may not be as hot overseas. To educate his consumer, Oli has partnered with Shay Mitchell - famous Canadian actress and influencer - which represents a significant expense for the company but one that they hope will help consumers better understand their product, thus making it a household brand like it is in Australia. If you want to hear more about Hydralyte and its origins please give it a listen!

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Australia Post CEO Paul Graham joins Charlie and Will to discuss an organisation in which we are all stakeholders. In today's podcast, Paul outlines how his career in supply chain logistics led him to the coveted role of Australia Post CEO and the challenges that are present in his role. He also details how the expansion of “e-commerce” is a significant driver for the business and one that he speaks to extensively. We also question Paul about Australia Post’s letter delivery service and how, despite it being a major loss contributor to the bottom line, it is crucial to maintain so Australia Post meets its community obligations. We hope you enjoy one of the most informative and relevant podcasts to date.Please leave a 5-star review on your chosen podcast platform as it helps others find us. Also follow us on our social channels through the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-of/?viewAsMember=trueInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessof_/

Steven Marshall (President, American Australian Association; Former Premier of South Australia) joins Will and Charlie to unpack a career spent at the crossroads of public service, business and international engagement. We dig into Steven’s time leading South Australia (2018–2022) and the tough, high-stakes decisions he made during the COVID outbreaks.

We trace his beginnings, his move from state politics into international advocacy, and what his new role at the American Australian Association actually involves — building networks, trade links and people-to-people ties between Australia and the United States.

A major thread of the conversation is why Australians keep punching above their weight in the U.S. - the cultural traits and networks that help people land at the very top of global firms.

A great listen if you have global aspirations for your career.

***

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Join Will and Charlie as they are joined again by Louis Dooley to discuss the financial markets for 2023. They hear Louis’s thoughts on what the key drivers for the 2023 Global economy will be, what industries possess the most value for equities, how the interest rate environment will impact households and our chance of recession. They even surprise him at the end by asking for his favourite stock for the year ahead. 

*General Advice Warning* 

Information contained in this podcast does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided and the nature of the relevant financial product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. Always do your own research and never take financial advice from a podcast. 

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In this episode, Charlie and Will are joined by Ashes and World Cup-winning Australian cricket coach, John Buchanan. Listen to hear John's meteoric rise to coaching Australia's top team despite having never played for it himself. A masterful motivator of high performing individuals, John explains how his philosophies around coaching have, and continue to be, so relevant to business. We hope you enjoy.

*Please give the podcast a rating and a follow on your chosen podcast platform and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram through the below links*

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Charlie Selth and Will Chapman were lucky enough to be joined, just before Christmas, by ex-professional footballer and current fund manager Jack Trengove. Jack has always been a pioneer in his chosen fields becoming the youngest ever VFL/AFL captain at just 20 years of age whilst also pitching an “Elite Athlete Fund” to his current boss and mentor, David Prescott, at Lanyon Asset Management. We hope you enjoy.*Disclaimer: None of what is spoken about in this podcast should be taken as financial advice. The discussions are general in nature and do not consider your personal circumstances.*Please feel free to leave a rating and follow the podcast on the below platforms as it helps others find us.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-of/?viewAsMember=trueInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessofpodcast/ 

Will and Charlie are joined by Brendan Newell (General Manager – Cyber Pathways) to discuss the topic of cyber security and what corporate Australia should be doing to protect themselves. 92% of cyber security breaches involve a human error allowing the attack to occur. Brendan speaks to the idea of an organisation’s “cyber culture” and what can be done to build a strong one. Cyber attacks cripple the lives of individuals and the operations of businesses, this is a must listen for all.

* Please rate and follow our podcast as it helps others find us!*

Tamara Reid joins Will and Charlie for this week's episode of The Business Of. Voted the Emerging Leader by Telstra Business Women's Awards, community and leadership expert Tamara Reid is the 2 x startup Founder of Beaute Industrie and the Aesthetic and Beauty Industry Council, keynote speaker and brand manager. Tamara worked her way up from therapist to earn her seat at the senior leadership table where she now holds a global position as Head of Partnerships for Timely Business Management Software. We discuss the importance of treating every client as though they could lead to the next great opportunity for your business. Tamara also delves into some of the challenges that beauticians can face in trying to maintain that positive attitude towards their craft over long periods. It is from this challenge that she developed her original company Beaute Industrie which was a professional network for beauty professionals to collaborate and exchange knowledge/experiences. Join Will and Charlie in understanding how positivity in business can attract positive results.Please follow and rate the podcast!Links:The Business Of LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-of/?viewAsMember=true The Business Of Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessofpodcast/ Tamara Reid LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarashawreid/?originalSubdomain=au

Paul Vincent joins Will Chapman and Charlie Selth on this week’s episode of The Business Of. Paul elaborates on how he took a risk as a 32 year old manager at KPMG, with a family and a mortgage, to go out on his own. Over 30 years on and Paul has built Vincents into one of Australia’s leading mid-tier professional services firms. Join Will and Charlie in finding out how.

*

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Will and Charlie were joined by Peter Deans on this episode of The Business Of to talk about risk management and some recent events that have shone a spotlight on the need for modern businesses to manage their risks more closely. Peter has worked as a Chief Risk Officer at Bankwest and BOQ and more recently has started his own risk management firm called Notwithoutrisk Consulting which is an Australian based firm that provides a specialist consulting offering that addresses strategic planning, business planning and various business management issues, taking into account risk management considerations. We talk about the recent crypto crash, FTX and the increase in cyber attacks on Australian businesses. *Reminder - nothing on this podcast should be taken as financial advice nor are we licensed to provide any*

CEO of Sarina Russo Group, Kathleen Newcombe, joins Will and Charlie to discuss her journey in education and now business. Kathleen left her role as a teacher at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace to enter the business landscape without knowing what her next job would be. A life-long calculated risk-taker, Kathleen provides us with some invaluable insights and this episode is a great listen for employers, educators, and students.

Andrew Wellington sits down with us to unpack his fascinating career at PwC spanning 32 years. He shared many interesting insights from starting his career in the Bahamas to unpacking some of the weirdest deals he's worked on. We also delve into his role as Chairman of the Lions and the key role he has played in the introduction of the AFLW Lions team and the new Springfield development. He also provides some great advice to younger professionals at the start of their careers.

Karl Morris AO is CEO and managing director at Ord Minnett where he has previously held the role of Executive Chairman. Over his 32-year span at Ords, he has held roles across all facets of the business including stockbroking, funds management, and corporate finance. In 2019, Karl led a management buyout of the company from IOOF (now Insignia financial) and JP Morgan, thereby taking 100% independent ownership of Ord Minnett. He has held numerous key board positions including Chairman of QSuper, and Director’s duties on the board of RACQ. He is currently the Chairman of the Brisbane Broncos.

Join Will Chapman and Charlie Selth as they unpack the career of one of Australia's most highly acclaimed business leaders. 

It's been a huge October at Sweat Capital, and there's a lot to catch up on.

In this monthly recap, Charlie, Will, and Dimitri discuss:

• The whirlwind launch and rebrand of the show
• Charlie and Will's trip to New York to interview world-class investors like Matthew McLennan
• Lessons we've taken from conversations about value investing, career ambition, and not sweating the small stuff.
• BTS from the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025
• What makes Aussies stand out globally
• What's in store for November

We hope you enjoy and thank you so much to everyone for all of your support!

Means the world.

***

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This episode was recorded on 24 November 2025 at the University of Sydney's CreateSpace.

Louis Dooley, Investment Adviser – Morgans North Quay, joins Will Chapman and Charlie in the studio to discuss everything from the broader macroeconomy to the various aspects of his role including managing client relationships, investment analysis, and much more.

Stuart Giles joins Will Chapman and Charlie Selth to discuss his ascension to being an Australian business icon. He co-founded Epic Pharmacy Group, Icon Cancer Group and the Epic Good Foundation along with wife and close business partner Cathie Reid. Through their family office Arc31 they have diversified their portfolio to include an array of notable investments. As part of this riverside portfolio, he has since joined Ian Healy as a founder of the Australian Premier League cricket competition.

This episode was recorded OnAir @ IMARC. For more information on the world's biggest mining conference and how to get involved, visit imarcglobal.com.

From Wollongong to leading a team of over 160,000 staff as CEO of Anglo American, Mark Cutifani CBE is an example of how Australia’s best are amongst the most elite mining executives across the globe.

In this episode, we unpack…

• How Mark self-funded his way through university
• How he thinks through complex business problems by combining his on-the-ground technical experience with a commercial lens
• The importance of meaningfully engaging with middle management, particularly the General Managers

A rare conversation with one of mining's most renowned corporate leaders.

***

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In this episode, we sit down with Matthew McLennan, Head of the Global Value team at First Eagle Investments, in his New York City office for a rare, wide-ranging conversation on investing, temperament, and compounding wisdom over time.

Matthew shares stories from his childhood in rural Queensland, lessons from mentors at Goldman Sachs in both Sydney and London, and what he learned stepping into senior leadership at First Eagle during the GFC in 2008.

We explore:

• How his early mistakes shaped his discipline
• The lessons he learned in the Asset Management Team at Goldman Sachs
• Why patience, humility, and temperament are undervalued in modern markets
• The rise of passive and AI investing — and what it means for value investors
• His best advice to his younger self

A rare conversation with one of the most thoughtful investors of our time.

This episode was recorded on 19 September 2025.

In this episode, we sit down with Larry Anthony AO – third-generation Federal MP and former Minister for Social Security in the Howard government – for a deep dive into life in and out of Parliament.

We cover the early days of his political career, including his unconventional campaign methods (including riding a push bike around Byron Bay), his infamous hungover Question Time appearance in Parliament, and what it's really like managing the largest spending portfolio in the Commonwealth in his role as Minister for Social Security.

We also dig into the mechanics of being a Cabinet Minister, the behind-the-scenes workings of government, and how a young person can look to get a start in a political career.

Plus, Larry shares his reflections on the Anthony family's political legacy, the transition from Parliament to business, and his work today as Chairman of the SAS Group.

It's an honest look at politics, legacy, and leadership – from someone who's lived it all.

We hope you enjoy!

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Welcome to the first episode of Sweat Capital – the next chapter in our journey of exploring ambition, effort, and the long game in business and life.

In this launch episode, we introduce the new brand, share what Sweat Capital stands for, and set the stage for the conversations ahead. At its core, Sweat Capital is about doing the daily work, making the most of opportunities, and building something real over time – careers, companies, and character – with no shortcuts.

Joining us is Dimitri Gremos, Head of Creative & Strategy at Sweat Capital, who has played a key role in shaping the brand’s identity and vision. Dimitri takes us behind the scenes of the rebrand, how we landed on Sweat Capital, and what listeners can expect from this new era of the podcast.

If you’ve been with us since the early days, thank you for being part of the journey. If you’re new here, welcome – we’re just getting started.

This episode was filmed at the University of Sydney's ThinkSpace.

Martijn Wilder AM has spent decades at the intersection of climate, capital, and policy—shaping the way governments and private markets respond to the challenge of decarbonisation.

In this episode, we unpack Martijn’s career journey—from starting out in law and founding Pollination Group, to playing a key role in the National Reconstruction Fund and sitting on boards like WWF and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. He shares what drew him to emerging markets and frontier projects, how he thinks about sustainable investing, and why public-private partnerships are crucial for climate outcomes.

We also dig into Australia’s policy landscape, the future of energy and innovation, and what advice he has for young people who want to build a meaningful career in climate or capital.

Andrew Purcell – Energy, Emerging Markets, and the Value of Going Off-Piste

From investment banking in Hong Kong to drilling exploration wells in Cuba, Andrew Purcell has built a career that defies convention. In this episode, we sit down with the Executive Chairman of Melbana Energy to explore how and why he’s always chosen to operate in the world’s harder-to-navigate markets.

We talk about his early leap from banking into energy and infrastructure, what keeps him committed to jurisdictions like Cuba, and the strategic thinking behind deals like the recent Santos farm-in. Andrew also shares reflections from decades of investing across Asia—Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia—and the lessons he's learned about political risk, capital allocation, and long-term conviction.

Justine Morton started her career on the trading floor at Lehman Brothers in London—where she was the only woman in a sea of 100—and was offered the role of Global Head of Hedge Fund Sales in her twenties. But despite the prestige and momentum, she made the rare and courageous decision to walk away.

In this episode, we dive into that early chapter of Justine’s career—life in the high-stakes world of London finance, the lessons from working with world-class hedge funds, and the turning point that led her back to Australia.

Now an Executive Advisor at Providence, Justine helps families and not-for-profits make long-term, values-aligned investment decisions. We explore how she brings clarity to complex information, her approach to sustainable investing, and what it really means to be a trusted adviser across generations.

This episode was recorded on 21 October 2025, OnAir @ IMARC. For more information on the world's biggest mining conference and how to get involved, visit ⁠imarcglobal.com⁠.

In this episode of Sweat Capital, we sit down with Shane Jones, New Zealand’s Minister for Resources, to unpack what a career inside politics really looks like – and how responsibility changes the way decisions get made. 

Shane reflects on growing up in rural New Zealand, his first job in an abattoir, and how early life experiences shaped his appetite for leadership. He explains why a cancer diagnosis became a turning point that pushed him toward public service, and what surprised him most when he moved from governance and advisory roles into Cabinet. 

We also discuss the realities of governing: pressure, trade-offs, and why resource development and mining became culturally stigmatised – as well as what political leadership actually requires when you decide to challenge that narrative. Shane breaks down how governments think about certainty, regulation, fast-track approvals, and capital attraction, and why tone and execution matter as much as policy intent. 

For anyone interested in careers in politics, public service, leadership, or operating at the intersection of government and capital, this episode offers a rare, unfiltered look at how decisions are really made.

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Keep playing the long game.

Following last week’s episode on intrapreneurship inside a Big Four firm, this week we sit down with someone doing something just as bold—on the legal side.

Xavier Keary is the co-founder of G&T Ventures, a specialised group inside Gilbert + Tobin dedicated to supporting startups, scaleups, and investors. After starting his career as a capital markets lawyer, Xavier made the leap into the early-stage ecosystem—at a time when many questioned whether law firms had a role to play in backing founders from day one.

In this episode, we unpack what it really takes to build a startup-facing offering inside a top-tier law firm, why legal advice needs to be fast, human, and commercially savvy, and the common traps founders fall into when raising capital. Xavier also shares his views on Australia’s innovation landscape, how he’s scaling a relationship-led business, and what the legal profession can learn from venture-backed models.

Amanda Price didn’t follow the traditional Big Four path. After building and scaling startups early in her career, she brought that same founder mindset into KPMG—where she now leads High Growth Ventures, a division built to serve Australia’s most ambitious startups.

In this episode, Amanda shares how she carved out a space for startup-focused work inside one of the world’s largest professional services firms, and how she overcame early scepticism to build a nationally recognised offering. We dive into the unique challenges of integrating top-end advisory services with early-stage companies, how her team works like “portfolio managers,” and why trust, speed, and empathy are central to their model.

We also talk about intrapreneurship, what makes a great founder to back, and the personal tools Amanda relies on to handle pressure and maintain clarity.

For our 100th episode, we’re joined by Cathie Reid—an entrepreneur, board director, investor, and trailblazer whose career is anything but conventional. Cathie opens up about how a breakup in her early twenties sparked the journey that would see her build and scale a pharmacy empire, move into aged care and then founded a global cancer care business.

We talk about losing 60% of revenue overnight in the early Epic Pharmacy days, navigating exits, chairing an ASX-listed company during a hostile takeover, and what she's learned along the way about leadership, pressure, and reinvention.

She also shares insights into her work with Arc31, the family office she runs, her time on the Brisbane Lions board, and what it means to invest with purpose. A story of grit, growth, and not being afraid to start over—Cathie Reid is the perfect guest to mark our 100th episode.

Dr Nick Coatsworth became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic, fronting national press conferences as Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer. But behind that calm presence is a remarkable career in medicine, public health, and humanitarian aid.

In this episode, we explore Nick’s path from medical school to conflict zones with Doctors Without Borders, his time working in the Northern Territory, and how he found himself unexpectedly stepping into one of the country’s most visible health leadership roles.

We dive into the personal toll of high-stress environments, how he thinks about mental health and burnout, and what keeps him driven today outside of the public spotlight.

This is a conversation about resilience, purpose, and the unexpected turns careers can take—even at the highest levels.

Few lawyers can claim a career as dynamic and globally mobile as Lewis Grimm. With decades of experience across New York, Europe, and now Australia, Lewis has built a reputation as a trusted legal adviser on some of the most complex and high-stakes leveraged finance and restructuring deals in the world. From billion-dollar chapter 11s in the U.S. to groundbreaking Australian schemes of arrangement, Lewis has consistently found himself at the centre of transactions where the law meets commerce—and where the stakes couldn’t be higher.What makes Lewis particularly unique is his ability to marry legal precision with commercial acumen. Starting his career in New York’s high-pressure legal scene and now advising in Australia on cross-border sponsor-backed transactions, Lewis has worked alongside some of the world’s most prominent financial institutions, sponsors, and funds. Whether it’s the record-fast Southcross Holdings restructure or advising Macquarie on the Beauparc Utilities acquisition, his approach blends strategy, creativity, and deep legal expertise.In today’s episode, we delve into Lewis’s global legal journey, what it takes to be a truly great deal lawyer, and how the role of legal advisers is evolving in an increasingly commercial world.We also explore trends in private credit, insights into sponsor-led deals, and the legal intricacies behind some of the most fascinating transactions in recent memory.

Stephen Cole oversees four mining hubs, thousands of employees, and the daily operations that keep one of Australia’s largest iron ore producers running. In this episode, we sit down with Fortescue’s Director of Mining Operations to explore what that leadership actually looks like—on the ground and from the air.

We talk about his early days at BHP, the cultural shift he experienced moving to Fortescue, and how operational decisions get made at speed in a high-pressure environment. Stephen also opens up about the personal side of the job—the toll it can take, how he manages mental health, and why showing up on site still matters.

We also discuss Fortescue’s push into green iron and hydrogen, building a culture of safety and inclusion, and what it means to lead in a cyclical, capital-intensive industry.

Recorded after a tour of Fortescue’s Perth office, this episode is a candid look at leadership, resilience, and transformation in the mining sector.

Innovation is often talked about in terms of breakthroughs and big ideas—but the real challenge lies in turning those ideas into investable, scalable businesses. That’s where today’s guest comes in. Ken Jefferd is the Executive Director of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation at the University of Melbourne and Managing Director of its commercialisation arm, helping guide one of Australia’s most significant research portfolios into the hands of industry, investors, and end users.Ken’s background bridges both corporate and academic worlds. Before joining the university sector, he held senior global roles at BP, including as Head of Research & Technology and later CEO of one of BP’s Australian subsidiaries. Now, he oversees a $1.5 billion research and innovation enterprise, helping shape the infrastructure, capital pathways, and partnerships that fuel Australia’s knowledge economy.In today’s episode, we dive into Ken’s global experience, how Australia can better capitalise on its research strength, and the impact of new initiatives like Tin Alley Ventures and the Jumar Bioincubator.We also unpack the policy settings, funding gaps, and collaboration models that are shaping the future of commercialisation in Australia. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Ken Jefferd.

Turning world-class research into real-world impact is no easy task. It takes deep scientific knowledge, a sharp commercial eye, and a whole lot of persistence. Few people understand this better than our guest today, Dr. Peter Devine, CEO of Uniseed—Australia’s longest-running venture fund focused on research commercialisation.

Peter’s career has spanned the lab bench and the boardroom. With a background in biochemistry, microbiology, and a PhD in gynaecological oncology, he’s spent time in both academia and industry, giving him a unique perspective on how breakthrough science can become investable innovation. Before leading Uniseed, Peter worked in commercialisation offices like UniQuest, helping university researchers navigate the complex world of IP and tech transfer.

In today’s episode, we dive into Peter’s journey from scientific research to venture capital, his leadership at Uniseed, and what it takes to back high-risk, high-reward science-driven startups.

We also unpack the challenges of early-stage investing in Australia, the profile of successful deep-tech ventures, and Peter’s advice for young scientists looking to turn research into a career in innovation or investing. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Dr. Peter Devine.

Check out Peter Devine's Music: HERE

In the world of financial services, where every process must be airtight and every action traceable, documentation isn’t just admin—it’s risk management, compliance, and operational continuity. Yet teams still spend 4 to 6 hours manually writing SOPs and process guides—until now.Our guests today are Finn and Oliver, co-founders of Fluency, a company that’s reimagining how operations teams work. Best mates who learned to code while juggling university and part-time jobs, Fluency was born from Finn’s time in investment banking and an internship at HESTA, where he saw firsthand the inefficiencies of legacy documentation. What started as a side project quickly grew into a category-defining product.Fluency is 50x faster documentation. Their AI captures every step of a process with a simple 5-minute screen recording, transforming it into clear, compliant documentation in seconds. Already trusted by major players like AON, KordaMentha, and Bennelong Funds Management, Fluency is becoming critical infrastructure for financial services teams with high regulatory overhead and limited time.But they haven’t stopped there. After speaking to customers, they realised the deeper issue: operations teams were flying blind. So they built real-time process observation—a module that gives operations teams live visibility into workflows, bottlenecks, and compliance risks, similar to what sales and engineering teams get through CRMs.With $1.5 million in pre-seed backing and a bold mission to bring AI to enterprise operations, Finn and Oliver are just getting started.

It’s always fascinating to examine the economy from two different angles—especially when one is through the eyes of a wealth adviser and the other from the perspective of a business and restructuring specialist. While both are navigating the same macro environment, their day-to-day realities couldn’t be more different. In this episode, recorded just before the announcement of the latest Trump tariffs, we explore how both individuals and businesses are responding to what has become an increasingly complex and volatile economic climate.To help us do that, we’re joined by two senior professionals from Vincents—our podcast sponsor and one of Australia’s leading multidisciplinary advisory firms. Kenneth Beanland, from Vincents Private Wealth, and Steven Staatz, from the firm’s Restructuring & Insolvency division, bring years of experience in advising clients through both prosperous and uncertain times. From helping clients build resilient investment portfolios to working with struggling SMEs on turnarounds and restructuring, the breadth of their insight makes for a really unique and timely discussion.Hello and welcome back to The Business Of, I’m Will, and I’m Charlie. In today’s episode, we unpack the current economic climate from both the boardroom and the balance sheet—how small-to-medium businesses are coping with sustained rate pressure, and how investors are adapting their portfolios to meet both near-term needs and long-term goals.We also explore the federal government's Small Business Restructuring initiative, the rise of private markets in investment strategies, and wrap up with a few lighter questions—including a stock pick for 2025. We hope you enjoy this special episode featuring Kenneth Beanland and Steven Staatz from Vincents.

In this episode of Sweat Capital, we sit down in New York with David Teh, Partner at Simpson Thacher, one of the world’s most prestigious law firms, to unpack what a truly global legal career looks like. 

 

David traces his journey from Macquarie University to Hong Kong, London, and ultimately Wall Street - including formative years at Cravath during the dot-com boom and a front-row seat to the evolution of private credit from relationship lending to one of the most powerful forces in global finance. 

 

We dive into how major financing markets actually develop, why cycles repeat under new labels, and how lawyers can add real value beyond black-letter law - particularly as clients demand sharper structuring advice and commercial judgment. 

 

For law students, young professionals, and anyone curious about elite global careers, this episode offers rare insight into how top lawyers build trust, credibility, and client relationships over decades - not shortcuts. 

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In a country as vast and decentralised as Australia, the heavy vehicle industry is the lifeblood of our economy—connecting farms to ports, factories to distribution centres, and towns to cities. It’s easy to overlook just how critical the sector is, but without trucks, Australia stops. At the centre of this essential industry is our guest today, Todd Hacking, the CEO of the Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia.

Todd’s career is as interesting as it is relevant. From his early days in federal politics, working in government roles and regulatory affairs, to leading advocacy at Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia, he’s spent years building the policy and negotiation skills that now serve him so well at HVIA. It’s this blend of political instinct and industry insight that makes him uniquely suited to represent over 300 of Australia’s most important transport manufacturers and suppliers.

In today’s episode, we unpack Todd’s career journey, from Parliament House to the Brisbane Truck Show, and hear how he helped double HVIA’s membership during a pandemic while pushing for major policy reforms like the instant asset write-off.

We also dive into the future of heavy vehicles in Australia—from electrification and hydrogen innovation to safety, workforce development, and what’s being done to keep this vital industry moving. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Todd Hacking.

Brisbane has never been more front and centre. With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, the eyes of the world are firmly fixed on the River City. But beyond the stadiums and sporting headlines, Brisbane is undergoing a broader transformation—economically, culturally, and globally—and few people are better placed to talk about that than today’s guest.

Anthony Ryan is the CEO of the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, or BEDA, the city’s lead organisation driving tourism, investment, major events, and economic growth. With a background in community leadership and social enterprise, Anthony brings a unique perspective to one of the most strategically important roles in Brisbane’s future. Under his leadership, BEDA has adopted a data-driven and impact-focused approach to preparing Brisbane not just for the Olympics, but for long-term, sustainable success.

In today’s episode, we dive into the sectors that are energising Brisbane’s economy—from medtech and tourism to private capital and infrastructure—and what the path to 2032 and beyond could look like.

We’ll also unpack insights from BEDA’s State of the City Report, talk about the surge in international tourism, and hear Anthony’s vision for what a truly successful Olympic Games could mean for Brisbane.

Very few businesses in Australia can claim a history as rich and enduring as Washington H. Soul Pattinson. Founded in 1872 as a single pharmacy, it has since evolved into a diversified investment powerhouse, yet remarkably, it has remained a family-led enterprise for over 150 years. As the second-oldest ASX-listed company, Soul Patts has not only weathered world wars, economic depressions, financial crises, and evolving industry landscapes—it has thrived. It stands as a rare example of a business that has successfully balanced tradition with transformation, consistently delivering strong returns across multiple generations including this year earning the title 'Dividend Aristocrat' - a title afforded to a company that has grown its dividend every year for 25 years.

At the centre of this extraordinary journey is our guest today, Robert Millner. A direct descendant of the original founders, Rob has been on the board of WHSP since 1984 and Chairman since 1998, overseeing the company’s transition from its pharmaceutical roots to one of Australia’s most respected and diversified investment houses. Under his leadership, WHSP has expanded into telecommunications, energy, financial services, and beyond, all while maintaining its reputation for patience, discipline, and long-term value creation. Known for his pragmatic approach and contrarian investment philosophy, Robert has guided WHSP through multiple market cycles, making bold decisions that have positioned the company as a steady and strategic force in Australian business.

In today’s episode, we explore the remarkable history of Soul Patts, Rob's approach to leadership and investment, and how the company has built a reputation for resilience and strategic foresight.

We’ll also discuss WHSP’s bold investment moves, its role in shaping corporate Australia, and Robert’s insights on long-term investing and navigating economic uncertainty. We hope you enjoy 

If there is one thing that Australians have always loved, it is property. The Great Australian Dream is the desire for every Australian family to own their own home.

Owning your own home on your own block of land was a symbol of success. If you are lucky you may even manage to get yourself an investment property. However, the opportunities to invest in real estate are more expansive than they have ever been before.

In today’s podcast, we are joined by one of the best real estate minds in Australia, MA Financial Joint-CEO – Julian Biggins who oversees much of the MA Financial business but has built a particular name for himself in real estate.

On today’s podcast, we unpack with Julian:

- The rise of altnerative real estate investment opportunities and where MA Financial is seeing value for investors across various strategies such as pubs and marinas

- We discuss Australia’s current “housing crisis” and the variables that are contributing to the shortfall in supply & development activity

- We hear from Julian about the growth of MA Financial in his time since starting the firm alongside Chris Wyke

We hope you enjoy!