The Socius Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of The Socius Podcast, we’re joined by Seb Serrano Valladares, known as the ‘9to5ver’ on social media, who’s proving you can grow a personal brand, chase your goals, and build influence without leaving your 9-to-5 or corporate job.

From turning his own lifestyle into a source of inspiration online, to coaching other professionals on balancing career and passion projects, Seb shares how he stays consistent, builds a loyal community, and chooses partnerships that align with his values.

We dive into handling online criticism, mastering time management, and using social media as a modern tool for growth.

Packed with real strategies for resilience, brand building, and creating impact outside work hours, this episode is for anyone chasing success while keeping their career.

Connect with Seb:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9to5ver/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sebserrano12

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Instagram: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast https://www.instagram.com/thesociuspodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

TikTok: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@thesociuspodcast

Facebook: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast https://www.facebook.com/thesociuspodcast/

LinkedIn: @thesociuspodcast https://au.linkedin.com/company/the-socius-podcast

Spotify: @thesociuspodcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5xYBq7dLOkfYx0MiFC2hKu?si=b8fcc2c9f4f047b4 Apple

Podcasts: @thesociuspodcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-socius-podcast/id1566473205

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Socius Podcast, we sit down with Julian Fayad, Founder and CEO of LoanOptions.ai, to explore how technology is reshaping the way we approach lending and financial decision-making.

Julian shares the vision behind building an AI-driven platform in a complex, highly regulated industry, and the leadership principles that have guided him through the challenges of scaling a fintech business. We discuss the role of innovation in simplifying financial systems, the importance of designing with the end user in mind, and how data and technology can be used to create more transparent, efficient experiences.

This conversation offers a thoughtful look at what it takes to challenge legacy systems, build trust in a digital-first environment, and lead with clarity in a fast-evolving space. For business leaders, founders, and anyone interested in the intersection of innovation and impact, this episode offers valuable insights on building with purpose and navigating complexity.

Connect with Julian:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianfayad/

Loanoptions.ai: https://loanoptions.ai/?partnerId=1222

Follow us on our socials!

Instagram: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast https://www.instagram.com/thesociuspodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Facebook: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast https://www.facebook.com/thesociuspodcast/

LinkedIn: @thesociuspodcast https://au.linkedin.com/company/the-socius-podcast

Spotify: @thesociuspodcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5xYBq7dLOkfYx0MiFC2hKu?si=b8fcc2c9f4f047b4 Apple

Podcasts: @thesociuspodcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-socius-podcast/id1566473205

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Socius Podcast, we dive into the story of Charlie Viola, Executive Chair, Adviser, and Founding Partner at Viola Private Wealth. From his humble beginnings as a bank teller to overseeing over $2.5 billion in assets for high-net-worth clients, Charlie’s journey is one of ambition, resilience, and a relentless focus on what truly matters: the client.

Charlie shares the secret behind the success of Viola Private Wealth, of building trust through a client-first approach. He opens up about the exciting management buyout of Pitcher Partners’ Sydney wealth management business and how his team has created a unique system for acquiring and retaining clients through exceptional service.

Beyond business growth, Charlie is passionate about creating a culture of ownership within his company, where everyone has a stake in the outcome. If you're looking for insights on wealth management, the power of personal branding, or how trust can fuel business success, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. 

Contact Charlie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlieviola/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/viola-private-wealth/ Viola Private Wealth: http://violaprivatewealth.com.au/

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Facebook: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast https://www.facebook.com/thesociuspodcast/

LinkedIn: @thesociuspodcast https://au.linkedin.com/company/the-socius-podcast

Spotify: @thesociuspodcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5xYBq7dLOkfYx0MiFC2hKu?si=b8fcc2c9f4f047b4

Apple Podcasts: @thesociuspodcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-socius-podcast/id1566473205

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carolina Montanez

Join us as we chat with Carolina Montanez, co-founder of Plane 2 Sea International, an innovative Australian-based logistics company redefining how SMEs manage their freight.

Carolina shares her journey of starting the business with three friends, navigating the balance between business and friendship, and the importance of setting clear boundaries. She explains that they aren’t just selling services in the logistics world - they’re selling relationships. It’s about building trust with clients, being transparent, and ensuring they feel confident that their cargo is in safe hands.

Carolina also shares her thoughts on the importance of truly listening in business, noting that effective communication is key to understanding client needs and creating stronger connections.

Tune in for insights on building lasting relationships and making freight accessible for SMEs!

Connect with plane 2 sea:

https://plane2sea.com.au/about/

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Facebook: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast https://www.facebook.com/thesociuspodcast/

LinkedIn: @thesociuspodcast https://au.linkedin.com/company/the-socius-podcast

Spotify: @thesociuspodcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5xYBq7dLOkfYx0MiFC2hKu?si=b8fcc2c9f4f047b4 Apple

Podcasts: @thesociuspodcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-socius-podcast/id1566473205

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Socius Podcast, we chat with Jim Fairhall-Dickie, Head of Wealth at Aureus Financial, about the challenges and strategies small to medium businesses face in creating wealth, time, and profit. With over 20 years of experience in financial advice, Jim shares his journey from receptionist to business leader. He discusses the importance of financial planning, managing money, and reverse-engineering goals to drive business growth.

Jim also emphasises the value of coaching and education in helping clients build a strategic financial framework. He shares his philosophy of making himself redundant by empowering clients to take control of their finances. We dive into succession planning, the passing down of wealth, and the mindset required for long-term financial success in business.

Join us for an insightful conversation on leadership, financial planning, and ensuring sustainable success for businesses and families.

Connect with Jim

Aureus Financial: https://www.aureusfinancial.com.au/

Business Owner Resources: https://www.wealthhealthcheck.com.au/2025-plus-bonus

Financial Freedom Secret Show – The Aureus Financial Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/financial-freedom-secrets-show-the-aureus-financial/id1333453302

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Spotify: @thesociuspodcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5xYBq7dLOkfYx0MiFC2hKu?si=b8fcc2c9f4f047b4

Apple Podcasts: @thesociuspodcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-socius-podcast/id1566473205

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we are joined by George Hanna, founder of HD IT, a Managed IT Services Provider, who dives into the world of cybersecurity and business growth. George has built his business over the past 15 years, focusing on helping business productivity and providing tech support through strong, trust-based relationships.

True to Socius' mission of empowering businesses to thrive through education and collaboration, George shares insights into the Essential Eight Framework, which helps companies mitigate cyber risks. He also highlights how HD IT's customer-first core value and solution-focused approach have been central to its success.

As businesses embrace AI, George offers a fresh perspective on cyber safety, sharing practical cybersecurity tips and emphasising the importance of education and awareness for business owners.

Connect with HDIT: https://hdit.com.au/ Follow us on our socials!

Instagram: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast https://www.instagram.com/thesociuspodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Facebook: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast https://www.facebook.com/thesociuspodcast/

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Spotify: @thesociuspodcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5xYBq7dLOkfYx0MiFC2hKu?si=b8fcc2c9f4f047b4

Apple Podcasts: @thesociuspodcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-socius-podcast/id1566473205

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of The Socius Podcast, we’re joined by David Sutantyo, owner of Twelve Grains Capital, who shares his journey from owning a café to building a successful commercial lending and mortgage business in Sydney. David talks about the power of mentorship, the importance of automation in scaling businesses, and how to navigate the current challenges in the business world, particularly the risks of overborrowing. We dive into the concept of opportunity costs, both in terms of business decisions and personal choices! David’s insights on growing a business, managing loans, and making smarter financial decisions offer valuable takeaways for any entrepreneur or business owner. Tune in now!

Connect with David:

Twelve Grains Capital: https://www.twelvegrainscapital.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/12grainscp/

Follow us on our socials!
Instagram: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast https://www.instagram.com/thesociuspodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Facebook: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast https://www.facebook.com/thesociuspodcast/

LinkedIn: @thesociuspodcast https://au.linkedin.com/company/the-socius-podcast

Spotify: @thesociuspodcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5xYBq7dLOkfYx0MiFC2hKu?si=b8fcc2c9f4f047b4

Apple Podcasts: @thesociuspodcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-socius-podcast/id1566473205

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we're joined by Christopher Melotti, a marketing and business consultant and founder of Melotti Content Media, a dynamic content, copywriting, and marketing agency. Christopher takes us through his journey of building his company while staying profoundly engaged and passionate about every project and client he serves. His insights on balancing growth with genuine care for the work are a must-listen for anyone looking to scale their business while keeping their passion alive.

We also dive into some thought-provoking conversations on corporate identity and whether marketing has become too rule-driven. This episode also discusses whether brand guidelines restrict a company's marketing efforts and the room for creativity and relevance.

If you're a marketer, business owner, or creative looking to stay true to your passion while scaling your business, this episode is for you!

Check out Christopher and Melotti Content Media : https://www.melottimedia.com.au/ https://christophermelotti.com.au/

Connect with Christopher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophermelotti/

Follow us on our socials!
Instagram: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast https://www.instagram.com/thesociuspodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Facebook: @thesociuspodcast / thesociuspodcast https://www.facebook.com/thesociuspodcast/

LinkedIn: @thesociuspodcast https://au.linkedin.com/company/the-socius-podcast

Spotify: @thesociuspodcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5xYBq7dLOkfYx0MiFC2hKu?si=b8fcc2c9f4f047b4

Apple Podcasts: @thesociuspodcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-socius-podcast/id1566473205

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we’re joined with Peter Ristevski, founder of Invest Plus Accounting, who shares his bold perspective on Australia as an overtaxed nation and critique of trust in the accounting profession.

Peter opens up about his journey, from working at Mark Bouris' firm to founding his own practice, where he’s spent over 25 years specialising in bespoke trust structures that protect assets, minimise taxes, and build generational wealth. He also dives into his role in local government and his drive to change the city’s direction.

Listen in to hear about Peters unique business philosophy focused on solving complex tax and asset protection challenges while building a flexible, educated, and highly skilled team to support his clients.

Check out Invest Plus Accounting: https://www.investplusaccounting.com.au/

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Facebook: @thesociuspodcast   / thesociuspodcast  

LinkedIn: @thesociuspodcast https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Spotify: @thesociuspodcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3s0BlAH...

Apple Podcasts: @thesociuspodcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...

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We sat down with Rebecca Raad, leader of the BNI network across Sydney North West and Penrith regions, to explore her inspiring journey from biochemist to business owner. Rebecca shares how she transitioned from feeling trapped in a science career to building a structured referral network that connects small business owners and fosters meaningful communities.

In this episode, Rebecca reflects on the power of saying “yes” to opportunities, taking a leap of faith to buy a business, and overcoming the challenges of balancing work and family. She highlights her mission at BNI: helping businesses grow through collaboration, trust, and shared purpose, while creating an impact that goes beyond numbers.

Rebecca’s story is a testament to the importance of perseverance, faith, and community in building a successful and meaningful business.

Are you ready to take a seat?

Connect with Rebecca:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-raad-59a402175/
 BNI: https://bnisnw.com.au/

Follow us on our socials!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesociuspodcast 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-socius-podcast/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesociuspodcast/ 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3s0BlAHmjrSLqOCeuoJomH?si=ad92079915204f45 
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-socius-podcast/id1566473205

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.