The Spotlight Series - Don’t just survive, thrive! – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of AI for Good, Nicola Steel speaks with Dr Joan Palmiter Bajorek, Innovation Evangelist, Founder of Clarity AI, and author of Your AI Roadmap. Joan brings her deep expertise in conversational AI, career development, and personalised data-driven tech to this human-focused conversation.

Joan shares how her love for languages and linguistics sparked her passion for conversational AI and led her to roles in academia, tech, and entrepreneurship. Together, Nicola and Joan explore the power of AI to enhance - not replace - human connection, particularly in the job search and mental health spaces.

Joan and Nicola discuss:

🧠 How conversational AI is evolving and why simplicity in design matters

💼 Career advice for breaking into AI, from networking to personal branding

📚 Joan’s book Your AI Roadmap and her mission to make AI careers accessible

🌱 The importance of career resilience and mental health tools like Wobot and Career Flow

🌐 Clarity AI’s real-world impact through custom data and AI solutions, including preventative healthcare innovations using smart IoT devices

This episode blends practical career advice, thought leadership, and real-world examples of how AI can improve lives - while keeping the human at the centre. A must-listen for job seekers, tech professionals, and anyone passionate about ethical AI and career empowerment.

Here are the resources discussed in the episode:

Free Personalized Roadmap Quiz: YourAIRoadmap.com/me

Your AI Roadmap Book: YourAIRoadmap.com

Joan's Podcast: YourAIRoadmap.com/podcast

Welcome to the first podcast episode of Season 7 which is all about AI for Good! In this season, we’re exploring how AI is shaping industries, driving innovation, and making a positive impact on the world.

To kick things off, Nicola Steel speaks with Stijn Hendrikse, a seasoned SaaS entrepreneur, investor, and author, about the transformative power of AI in the software industry and how startups can leverage AI for growth.

Stijn shares insights from his extensive career, from his early days as a developer to leading global marketing for Microsoft’s SMB segment, writing T2D3, and coaching go-to-market leaders. He also reveals details about his upcoming book, Level Up, which focuses on how AI can enhance strategic decision-making in SaaS companies.

Nicola and Stijn explore how AI is revolutionising marketing and go-to-market strategies, emphasising the importance of understanding the fundamentals - positioning, personas, and messaging - before using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude AI. Stijn highlights how AI can free up time for high-value work but stresses the importance of accountability, validation, and thoughtful leadership when managing AI-generated content.

They also discuss the future of AI in SaaS, including its potential to lower barriers to entry, empower entrepreneurs and younger generations, and drive innovation in software development. Stijn encourages SaaS leaders to embrace AI, not fear it, and to see it as a tool that enhances efficiency, leadership, and strategic growth.

This episode sets the stage for an exciting season of AI for Good, packed with practical insights for SaaS founders, AI innovators and tech professionals looking to scale in the age of AI.

Nicola Steel, Founder of JJP Talent Solutions, sits down with Andrew Pedley, co-founder of Carbonaught, a pioneering company dedicated to delivering scalable carbon removal solutions and enhancing food security worldwide. Andrew brings a wealth of experience from his extensive corporate career in financial markets within investment banks and heavy industry to his innovative approach in the environmental tech space.

Andrew shares the compelling journey that led him to start Carbonaught, driven by a mix of necessity and frustration with the status quo. He reflects on the critical moments and thought processes that fueled the inception of the company, including his desire to create a meaningful and impactful business. We dive into the challenges Carbonaught faced in its early days, from complex logistics to market validation loops, and how they navigated these hurdles with a small but dedicated team.

We also explore Andrew’s approach to building a team, where he prioritises kinship and intellectual horsepower aligned with the company's mission. Andrew offers insights into the strategies that secured funding for Carbonaught, including the pivotal moments when the company gained international recognition, solidifying their path to success.

Throughout the conversation, Andrew provides candid advice for startup founders, emphasising the importance of building something solid, staying true to your vision, and creating your own validation layers. He also shares his skeptical view on mentorship, advocating instead for the value of having "co-pilots" who have navigated similar challenges.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, carbon removal technologies, and the journey of transforming a bold idea into a successful, impactful company. Whether you're in the early stages of your startup or just curious about the future of carbon removal, Andrew's story will inspire and inform.

In this episode, Nicola Steel, Founding Director of JJP Talent Solutions, talks with Kent Bolton, the Chief Technology Officer at Foodini, who brings two decades of experience from both corporate and startup environments. Kent shares his fascinating career journey, highlighting his initial role as an analyst programmer, moving through various positions in tech sales, and even running his own company. His path led him back to the tech space as a business sales project manager before taking on the CTO role at Foodini.

Kent delves into the differences between working in large corporations and startups. He explains how startups offer a more direct and immediate approach, with transparent differences of opinion and the ability to get products to market quickly. In contrast, larger corporations are characterised by more predictable processes and extended timelines.

Throughout the conversation, Kent emphasises his passion for technology and creativity, discussing how his diverse roles have shaped his approach to tech leadership. He shares insights on the importance of strategy, understanding processes and fostering high-quality outcomes.

Kent also touches on the challenges he's faced, particularly in understanding and communicating with people from diverse backgrounds. He discusses his continuous effort to improve leadership skills and the importance of recognising personal strengths and weaknesses.

To stay up-to-date with technological advancements, Kent dedicates time daily to reading about relevant topics and running multiple servers and tools. He highlights the importance of transparency and empowering team members to make decisions in their areas of expertise.

Kent introduces Foodini's mission, which began with an ex-lawyer's passion to solve food allergy issues. He describes how Foodini aims to make finding safe food for people with allergies and lifestyle diets simple and accurate, using AI tools to gather menu data.

Finally, Kent offers advice for those considering transitioning from corporate environments to startups. He underscores the need for adaptability, communication, and involvement in the startup setting, and emphasises the importance of finding roles that align with one's skills and passions.

Tune in for an engaging discussion filled with valuable lessons and insights from Kent Bolton's extensive experience in the tech industry.

In this episode, Nicola Steel, Founder of JJP Talent Solutions talks to Jonathan Milgate, Chief Technology Officer at Camplify. 

Jonathan is a seasoned tech leader with an impressive career spanning 20 years in various roles and industries. With a background in Software & Systems Development, Jonathan has worked with startups, multinationals and government. His passion for agile software delivery from a technical and cultural perspective has shaped his leadership style and approach to fostering a culture of innovation.

Jonathan shares insights from his pivotal moment of choosing leadership as a career, not just a promotion, and discusses how he fosters a culture of continuous improvement and psychological safety within his teams. He highlights the importance of retrospectives, individual learning and the autonomy to solve problems.

We delve into Jonathan's daily routines and habits that contribute to his success, such as his love for walking his dog, listening to podcasts and networking with other tech leaders. He also provides invaluable advice to aspiring tech leaders, emphasising the need for continual learning and a broad knowledge of technology.

Finally, Jonathan reflects on the best advice he has received: to take one step at a time and understand that "good enough" is often good enough. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with practical tips and wisdom for anyone looking to advance their career in tech leadership.

In this episode, Nicola Steel, Founder of JJP Talent Solutions, talks to Alex Ferguson, a visionary tech leader and entrepreneur with extensive experience in AI, startups and leadership. Alex has an impressive track record in driving innovation and building successful tech teams. 

Alex describes his diverse background, including an engineering degree in Aerospace, a degree in Chinese from the University of Queensland, and a Master’s degree from Taiwan. He provides unique insights from over a decade of experience in engineering, design and helping businesses embrace digital and AI-driven transformations.

Alex and Nicola discuss the challenges faced by startups, from navigating rules and regulations to seeking innovative opportunities in today's tech landscape. Alex shares fascinating stories of helping customers bring transformative ideas to life within organisations, focusing on technology and problem-solving.

Alex talks about how to avoid common pitfalls in startups, such as not solving the right problem, managing cash flow and building the right team.  He discusses strategies for attracting top talent and the importance of self-reflection in leadership.  Alex emphasises the value of surrounding yourself with smarter individuals, avoiding micromanagement and allowing team members to excel in their areas of expertise.

Alex also focuses on AI automation, ethical considerations in AI design and training, and the most exciting emerging tech trends. From AI agents to augmented reality, Nicola and Alex explore how these advancements will shape the future.

In this episode, Nicola Steel speaks to Dawid Naude who is Co-Founder of Pathfindr.ai, an AI innovation studio.

Dawid shares his journey from a tech-curious kid to a leader in AI and innovation. He began his career with a 5-year stint as an Associate Director at NAB Financial Markets.

Dawid's career took a pivotal turn when he joined Accenture, where he quickly transitioned to senior roles in AI, Salesforce, Cloud, Digital and the Metaverse.

Inspired by colleagues who successfully launched and sold their businesses, Dawid saw an opportunity to start something focused on AI. This led to the creation of Pathfindr with a mission to help businesses embrace AI and amplify its impact.

Dawid discusses the challenges of growing his team, particularly hiring senior staff with high salaries, and the importance of generating quality leads. His strategy focused on creating demand before worrying about supply, significantly enhancing Pathfindr's lead generation approach.

For aspiring founders, Dawid advises making your business about you, positioning yourself as an industry influencer and developing a robust lead generation strategy. Reflecting on his journey, he emphasises embracing risk early and understanding that discomfort often signals growth.

Dawid describes entrepreneurship as an intense learning experience, teaching him more in 16 weeks than the past 10 years. Despite longer hours, he feels more energised than ever and encourages others to give entrepreneurship a try and learn from those who routinely start businesses.

Justin Hennessy has over 20 years experience in the software industry growing several startups to successful acquisition including RedEye, Outfit.io and Neto eCommerce. He has extensive technical expertise coupled with a passion for leadership and empowering people to reach their potential.

Beginning his adventure in software development back in 1997 in Adelaide, Justin quickly expanded his expertise into networking, routing, switching and data centres. Not just a technical wizard, he also excels in project management, coaching and leadership, skills honed over decades in the industry.

From a young age, he was drawn to technology. At just 8 or 9 years old, Justin was already programming, painstakingly handwriting code from magazines into his first computer. By high school, he was running his own IT support business, showcasing an entrepreneurial spirit that would serve him well in his career.

Discover how he landed his first leadership role, stepping up during a critical moment when the founder of his company had to leave. This pivotal experience taught him the importance of courage and seizing opportunities, a key piece of advice for aspiring leaders.

Learn about his approach to enabling team members to reach their highest potential by granting them autonomy and pushing decision-making power to the execution level. Justin shares what he looks for in team members, emphasising the need for leaders who understand the business context before implementing changes.

Justin also dives into the chaotic yet exhilarating world of startups, explaining the balance between chaos and scaling, and the rewarding challenge of getting the business formula right.

For those looking to grow startups, Justin shares the importance of transparency, clear communication, and having a people-centric leader with a clear vision. His recommended reads, including Stephen Covey’s "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and Andrew Chen’s "The Cold Start Problem," have significantly influenced his personal and professional development.

Dive into the vibrant world of startups with Antler Partners Mike Abbott and James McClure as they talk to Nicola Steel, Founder of JJP Talent Solutions, in this illuminating episode. With a wealth of experience spanning from founding companies to working with tech giants like Google and Uber, Mike and James share their perspectives on what draws them to startups, the highs and lows of their careers, and invaluable insights on Antler's approach and their recent Queensland launch.

Discover what makes startups attractive to both founders and investors, as Mike and James delve into the importance of problem-solving, assembling motivated teams and seizing opportunities. Gain valuable advice for aspiring founders, including the significance of surrounding oneself with the right people and embracing risk-taking.

Explore overlooked skills for startup success and reflections on their own journeys, as Mike and James candidly discuss the learning curves, regrets and the rewarding camaraderie of the startup ecosystem. Tune in for a rich discussion filled with practical wisdom and inspiration for anyone embarking on their entrepreneurial path.

Jonathan Gamez has over 20 years' experience in the IT and OT domains.  He began his career as a software engineer and progressed through various leadership roles, including CTO at Interlate. 

Jony explains how he first became interested in technology when he broke the family's new PC, a problem he needed to solve before his father discovered what he had done!

It took Jony over 6 months to secure his first paid role in tech.  Prior to this, he did two unpaid internships at Mincom which set him up in his career.  His advice to graduates and emerging professionals is to make sure you take any opportunity that come your way, even if it is not the ideal one because it will take you in the right direction.

He explains how the ability to really understand people and emotional intelligence are both critical to be successful in tech leadership.  Jony advises developing your soft skills, for example by studying Behavourial Studies, as well as the importance of introspection and self reflection to progress in your career.

Jony discusses his predictions for digital transformation in mining and resources including:

• greater adoption of autonomous vehicles and robots  
• the ability to remove people from the hazard and therefore do all the hazardous work remotely
• the AI revolution and importance of critical thinking skills.