The Median Podcast

Conserving biodiversity within the Western Ghats of India

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 05:00:23 GMT

[Introduction]

In this week’s episode Jeff is joined by Vinod Chandramouli who is the co-founder of Mycelium Ecology - an organisation on a mission to develop community projects with the purpose of conserving biodiversity within the Western Ghats of India.

Having been in the IT and cloud software spaces for close to 20 years, Mycelium is at the heart of who Vinod is having grown up around nature during his formative years.

In saying that, his step away from this long career into the area of conservation is very much a leap of faith as a once experienced operational expert turns into a first-time builder where milestones, rather KPIs, provide the best measure for something as beautiful, and yet complex, as the natural world.

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[Timestamps]

00:01:00 Birth of Mycelium Ecology

00:10:00 Conservation as the new startup frontier

00:21:38 Mission of conserving, coexisting and evolving

00:30:05 Taking a new leap of faith as a builder

00:35:28 Living a minimalist lifestyle

00:47:00 Beauty of the Western Ghats of India

00:53:42 What Mycelium Ecology will look like in 50 years’ time

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Family - Career - Self: What comes first?

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 05:00:16 GMT

[Introduction]

In this week’s episode I’m joined by Danny Thai, founder of Zecar, a data-driven one stop shop for all things electric cars and clean energy to help consumers make the switch. The conversation begins with how Zecar came to be before delving deeper on how Danny balances the three competing priorities of family, career and himself, in his life. To making sure he maximises his potential in order to make a change in this world to the opportunity cost of not being able to spend as much time as he can with his kids, this week’s episode encapsulates what we all think about as we try to forge a career path that does not leave behind our family and more importantly, ourself.

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[Timestamps]

00:00:00 Vehicle to achieving a means to an end

00:09:15 How Zecar came to life

00:19:34 Staying organised with so many competing priorities

00:28:50 Role of family and friends in an entrepreneur’s journey

00:41:09 How kids fit into the balancing act

00:51:55 Switching off to allow for ‘me’ time

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A dyslexic kid from South Africa with nothing but a dream

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 06:00:48 GMT

[Introduction]

In episode #34 Jeff is joined by Jesse Oliveira who shares his immigration journey as a dyslexic kid growing up in South Africa. Now 28-years old, Jesse resides in Sydney where he has very much found his calling in software sales despite having studied law at the same university as Nelson Mandela. With his dyslexia causing him daily challenges, this has far from stopped Jesse from living by his values. His condition very much acts a reminder to keep pushing forward no matter what life throws at him.

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[Timestamps]

00:02:40 A salesperson with dyslexia, using it as an advantage

00:17:32 Fear of being average, kid from Africa with nothing but a dream

00:35:35 Living by your values, learning and experiencing new things

00:49:55 Handling the pressure as a salesperson, time management and value selling

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Going through the IVF journey

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 06:00:10 GMT

[Introduction]

In Australia 1 in 6 couples will struggle with infertility. In this week’s episode of The Median Podcast, I’m joined by Wenyi who shares her four plus year journey to conceive her first. In this very personal and intimate story, Wen sums it up best in saying that "You think that you caught this expressway to achieving what you want in a quicker way. But in reality, we (as in Wen and her husband) actually went on a roller coaster of emotions.”

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[Timestamps]

00:01:23 Getting to the IVF journey, treatment through COVID, express way turned into a rollercoaster

00:20:25 Public versus private hospital experience in Australia and China

00:27:30 How to keep positive despite the heartache

00:33:20 Route to surrogacy, large business in Ukraine

00:40:25 Lack of support, women delaying childbirth

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Achieving social justice, core tenets of an enduring business, 3Ps of value, vulnerability as a leader

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 06:00:29 GMT

[Introduction]

In this week’s episode of The Median Podcast, I’m joined by Yan Kruger who is the managing director of Growth Wave, a boutique business and HR advisory firm. Throughout his 15+ year journey, Yan has worked across the full remit of human capital and brings a unique blend of experience as a consultant as well as internal employee and leader. With that, Yan shares the four pillars to creating an enduring business, the values that define him and his business, the painful leadership lessons he has learnt in his career and how his upbringing has very much shaped his desire to achieving social justice where the ultimate reward is very much an emotional one.

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[Timestamps]

00:01:18 Injustices in the world, a wanting to achieve social justice, achieving an emotional reward, influences when growing up - best friend and mum

00:11:53 Applying core business principles in his consulting business - fair/equitable pay for workers, adopting a transparency ethos for customers and employees, profitability from day one and challenging the status quo, disrupting the business consulting space

00:28:32 Values that define who he is - people, planet and profit, the importance of sustainability

00:31:47 How fatherhood was a pivotal time in his career, burning the candle at both ends

00:35:25 We teach what we most need to learn, being vulnerable as a leader, leading a team in a hybrid work environment, mistakes as a leader, giving feedback in the workplace, the pitfalls of heuristics

01:01:45 “A comet is coming - which camp are you in?”

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Existential challenges of growing up, blueprint to life, importance of strong friendships

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 06:00:26 GMT

Introduction

Phil and I met over six years ago when we joined Freshworks during its early years. With that, this week’s episode of The Median Podcast is very much picking up where we left off all those years ago as we talk about the existential challenges of growing up, creating your own blueprint to life and the importance of having strong friendships as you navigate through life. Overall, this is very much a fun and casual conversation between two good friends that just so happens to be recorded.

Timestamps

00:01:45 Existential challenges of growing up, root of comparison, growing up with seven close friends, understanding your own blueprint to life

00:23:54 Power of just giving it a go, having a support network that tells you how it is, criteria for good friendships

00:39:00 Responsibility that comes with rearing children, just being good enough, the opportunity cost of chasing perfection, running your own race, being a kid again

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Expat in Hong Kong, Berlin-Hong-Kong-Helsinki, working the remote life, job search serendipity

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 06:00:07 GMT

Timestamps

00:02:10 Expat life in Hong Kong during COVID, establishing friendships in a new country

00:07:15 Berlin - Europe’s place for partying, the changing landscape

00:09:42 A new life in Helsinki, Helsinki compared to Berlin, enjoying the city for what it is, Finnish culture, happiest nation in the world

00:19:00 Continuing the remote working life, the joys of product management, hiring anyone in the world with the Horizons software platform

00:38:00 Serendipity in job searching, being open to new opportunities, listening to your gut

00:49:18 Why The Median Podcast, content moderation, role of critical thinking

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Once-bitten-twice-shy, experiencing new again, bond between father and son, navigating the next professional challenge

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 06:00:30 GMT

Introduction

Girsh and I met over 10 years ago when we’re at Thomson Reuters. Hence, today’s episode of The Median Podcast is very much a conversation between two good old friends. We talk about the importance of routines, not letting past experiences affect the experiences of today, the triumphs and challenges of fatherhood and where to next in search of the next professional challenge.

Timestamps

00:01:00 Getting back into the groove after a move, creating new and improved routines, moving in with someone and how the dynamics change in a positive way

00:07:00 Fear of not being good in relationships, opportunity to learn and grow, and not to repeat the same mistakes, embarking on an experience as a first-timer again

00:16:22 Using circuit-breakers and being self-aware to overcome negative emotions

00:21:40 Being a single-father and the challenges of raising a child in today’s modern world, developing a relationship with your child, finding the balance between family and career

00:42:33 Navigating the next professional challenge, creating the next impact, being a good man is good enough

01:00:27 Mastering meditation, stopping the constant hum of life

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Living your best life, selling your expertise, making an enduring contribution

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 06:00:56 GMT

Introduction

In episode #28 of The Median Podcast, I’m joined by Robert Chen - in addition to being a partner at a renowned professional training and coaching organisation called Exec|Com based in New York, Rob is a Wall Street Journal best seller having recently published his book, “Selling your expertise” to glowing 5-star reviews. In this conversation, Rob shares his views on how anyone can live their best life and where his mission/his purpose, much like the premise of his book, is to help business leaders and their teams, or anyone else as a matter of fact, tap their innate potential, deepen client relationships, and to win in the most competitive marketplaces and in life.

Timestamps

00:01:40 How do you live your best life, living every day with purpose, definition of ‘best’

00:07:40 Rob’s personal story, the catalyst for self-evaluation, finding a profession that fits you

00:15:12 Importance of contribution as a mission for life, finding one’s life purpose,

00:20:25 The Pan-Asian community in the US, improving the representation of Pan-Asians in the corporate and government sectors

00:28:10 Letting it be

00:30:40 The premise of “Selling your expertise”, the importance of selling in all facets of life, being a kid again to not worry about failure

00:43:30 Aligning your actions with what you say, learning with purpose

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Today’s hiring landscape, dichotomy in growth, playing the game and not losing the edge

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 06:00:23 GMT

Introduction

In episode #27, we’re joined by Jonjo O’Hara, principal and co-founder of Tenet Recruitment - a boutique technology recruitment firm with a philosophy of helping connect purposeful people across the customer lifecycle. Today’s conversation covers of plethora of topics as Jonjo and I unpack what it means to find purpose in our work and how the incessant need for growth can be a double-edged sword. With that, is it possible to find the ‘goldilocks’ state of mind where you can be forever calm without losing that killer edge?

Timestamps

00:00:40 Navigating the hiring and recruitment space given the current macro tailwinds,

00:02:51 A greater emphasis on employee experience given the need for workers to find meaning and the shortage in talent, COVID factors affecting people differently

00:05:45 Finding meaning and growth in work, pursuit of greater life/balance, need for a greater challenge that also has greater commercial outcomes, dichotomy in growth

00:13:57 Meditation as a way to take a pause on survival mode, reading as a way to understand perspective, tiring your mind so the body turns off the survival mode, a rational way to staying in the present

00:28:23 Self reflecting on the journey and the outcome, changing definitions of growth, having it all in life, focusing on what’s most important

34:25 Defining yourself in three words, having a different perspective, finding the balance between calmness and having the edge

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Has in-car technology plateaued, going off-grid with today’s battery and solar technology, EV proposition in Australia

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 06:00:22 GMT

Introduction

In episode #26 I’m joined by the very knowledgeable Tesla Tom, host of the Ludicrous Feed YouTube channel, who demonstrates the benefits of EV ownership coupled with renewable energy household products from an Australian perspective. Although very much a Tesla fan with his Model S and Model 3, Tom and I chat about other players in terms of BYD and Hyundai, and their positioning in the market. Further to this we delve deeper into the conundrum of improving the EV proposition in Australia whilst seeing what one can do at home to speed up the transition.

Timestamps

00:00:20 Very first delivery of Tesla’s Model Y and BYD entering Australia’s market

00:01:59 Car subscriptions on top of the purchasing price of the vehicle

00:04:19 An ethical dilemma with self-driving, autonomous driving in Australia, regulation and the practicality of autonomous driving

00:07:53 BYD and its proposition, increasing adoption in Australia, lithium supply and its battery life

00:11:53 Has car technology reached a peak, advancements in software to improve vehicle safety

00:17:15 Creating a home for an EV, going off-grid with battery and solar technology, limitations of today’s battery technology, cost-benefit-analysis

00:25:55 Addressing EV adoption by improving charging accessibility, enhancing the highway toilet stop with upgraded facilities

00:33:11 Manufacturers wary of Australia’s conditions, going all-in with EVs, changing the manufacturing process for EVs versus internal combustion engine cars

00:36:32 Privilege of purchasing an EV, achieving net zero and the issue of exporting ICE cars to developing countries from richer countries

00:39:02 Designing the perfect EV business and car, investing in charging infrastructure as a first priority, manufacturing efficiencies, having solar panels on the car roof

00:46:47 Rise of Hyundai and KIA in the EV stakes, the EV5 and the EV6, evaluating the driving experience, other manufacturers in terms of Jaguar, BMW and Mercedes

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Story behind Bambuddha, ROI behind kindness in business, managing mental health

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 06:00:09 GMT

Introduction

In episode 25 of The Median Podcast, I’m joined by the very lovely Anna Sheppard, founder and CEO of the Bambuddha Group, a social enterprise offering leadership coaching and CSR programs centered on empowering leaders, and their organisations, to integrate kindness practices into all facets of their business. In addition to sharing how the kindness ethos came to be, and which forms the foundation of the Bambuddha way, Anna opens up about her life story and where her sole mission, her purpose, is to reduce inequality in this world.

Timestamps

00:01:35 Embedding kindness into all facets of the business, educating leaders on how to integrate kindness practices into business strategy

00:07:44 The power of bringing diversity in the workplace - gender, age, beliefs, etc.

00:10:25 Translating kindness into something measurable and digestible

00:13:40 Building a ROI case for implementing kindness into an organisation across sales, customer service, environmental concerns, etc.

00:16:27 Traits from leaders that limit the person from achieving more, creating an environment where leaders can be themselves

00:22:28 How organisations should best approach managing mental health

00:26:45 Experience during COVID, showing up as a leader when times are tough, importance of having a strong support network, listening as a way of kindness

00:36:10 Story of Bambuddha, adapting the kindness message to different people, using technology to amplify the Bambuddha ethos, who is Anna

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How kids change everything, interviewing for a nanny, teaching critical analysis

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 06:00:35 GMT

Introduction

As the global head of SI partnerships at a US-listed SaaS company, Alex leads a very large team scattered across the globe but if you were to put that hat aside, his focus is very much on his two kids and how he, along with his wife, can instil in them the values and lessons on how to be an upright individuals. With that, this week’s podcast is very much a conversation between two dads on what it’s like raising kids in today’s environment and the life that comes with it.

Timestamps

00:00:35 The thinking behind bringing on a nanny / child helper, the interview process for hiring a nanny, the criteria for picking the right one

00:08:40 Building rapport with kids, responding to silly questions

00:11:20 Allowing kids to be kids, happiness that comes from family, bringing up responsible children

00:15:13 Pressure to be a perfect parent and a perfect spouse, handling pressure by not worrying about the outcome, not outsourcing one’s happiness

00:24:25 How not to be driven by materialistic wants and possessions, creating lessons for kids

00:30:08 Learnings as a second time dad, experience does help

00:34:05 Parallels with raising kids and leading a global team, teaching critical analysis, “what’s the worst thing that can happen?”

00:45:15 Achieving the balance between work, family and life, allowing family time

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8 habits to a health lifestyle, preventative health, making a change permanent

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 06:00:35 GMT

Introduction

What are the 8 habits to leading a healthy lifestyle? In this Thursday’s episode, we have Tristram Sheehan, CEO of Hamptons Life, joining the conversation as we discuss the above in addition to how an childhood tragedy became the catalyst for him leading an organisation very much at the forefront of making preventative health at the top of everyone's priority list.Timestamps

00:00:00 How Hamptons Life came to be, the importance of preventative health

00:03:25 Eight habits to a healthy lifestyle, eating foods grown in harsh / stressful environments

00:26:50 Health coaching versus selling a product or service, making a change permanent

00:34:10 Preventative health providers versus general practitioners, comparisons with the US and the UK

00:37:37 How a childhood tragedy became the catalyst for moving into the health space

00:42:41 Imparting healthy habits on kids, the impact and health learnings from COVID

00:47:00 Finding willing customers for Hampton Life, the market dynamics in the US, differences with the health industry and how health insurance works in Australia

00:52:45 Experience in using a smartwatch to tracking key metrics, using wearables as part of preventative health

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Genesis of astrotourisim, growth-conscious as opposed goal-conscious, letting it be

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 06:30:00 GMT

Introduction

Sonny is definitely of man of many ideas where it was very kind of him to share his journey in creating the very successful Bubble Tent Australia offering - a very unique nature accommodation in Capertee, NSW. This week's episode of The Median Podcast is very much a good old conversation about the confluence of business and life with an old friend. In that, it’s as very much about crafting the most beautiful guest experience possible as it is a very philosophical one on accepting what is in life and just letting it be.

Timestamps

00:00:00 How Bubble Tent Australia came to be, the beginnings of astro-tourism

00:09:48 Listening to your gut, knowing when it’s right

00:10:29 Using tech startup principles to design the perfect tent, creating that next amazing experience, balancing current customer expectations with creating a new vision that is accepted

00:19:37 Innovation going forward and using the customer feedback loop

00:23:36 Growth conscious versus goal conscious, not over-iterating on something that works

00:27:01 Importance of team and creating a true values proposition for team members,

00:37:42 Accepting where you are at and embracing discomfort, the catalyst for growth and the inspiration going forward

00:43:23 The oddest request from a guest, staying on the front line to be close with the customer, creating an experience that is seamless for the guest

00:52:05 What this business has done to Sonny

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Startup within a listed entity, Australia’s e-conveyancing industry, you can have anything but you can’t have everything

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 06:00:58 GMT

Introduction

Ronny and I met over 10 years ago when we were both in the financial markets. In this week’s episode, Ronny shares his new found passion in an exciting new venture that is revolutionising a key area in Australia’s property market. More importantly, it’s a new career path that allows him to build something with a strong social benefit driven by an early childhood memory on the need to give back.

Timestamps

00:01:00 The importance of career, the catalyst for change

00:02:57 Pexa and the e-conveyancing industry in Australia, creating a new offering for the market - a startup within a listed entity

18:00 Joining an organisation that creates a social benefit, socialist to capitalist and then back to socialism, the need to make a positive social change

00:27:02 Definition of “made it”, the hedonic treadmill, the end of goal of a career, enjoying the next technological advancement

00:33:15 The S-curve to learning, the law of diminishing returns, not being comfortable

00:39:09 “Not giving back to the point I would like to give back”, making a difference in the NDIS space, creating a side hustle

00:47:39 You can have anything but you can’t have everything, the power of focus, listening to your ruminations, reticular activating system

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Switching off for 2 weeks, perils of tribalism in society, responsibility as an education-enabler

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 07:00:38 GMT

Introduction

I met Boris in 2018 when I interviewed him for a role at the software company I was with back then. I was so impressed by his knowledge, and his potential for success, that I told him to look elsewhere. This honesty paved the foundation for our friendship. From looking at ways we should limit social media use to understanding how tribalism, perpetuated by today’s media outlets, has become one of the biggest threats to society, episode 20 of The Median Podcast is very two much friends critically analysing what the current state of the world is.

Timestamps

00:02:42 What do I do next in life, blocking out the noise, beginning a new chapter

00:12:00 The great experiment of switching off, two weeks without internet, the perils of being constantly being connected, being pushed by different agendas by social media

00:23:02 Instil or enforce discipline when it comes to social media use, a corporation’s social responsibility, the trouble with hidden agendas

00:32:40 Thinking critically as the solution, giving responsibility to children, publicly have the conversation around social media use

00:43:00 Return to tribalism as the biggest threat to society, the role of media today, making a stand versus the narrative-purpose, a decentralised news outlet

00:53:00 Rise of new media, Substack, podcasting as a new medium

00:55:00 Tom Brady versus school teachers, increasing training standards for teachers, making an education a public good, teaching life skills

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How an EV charging business operates, unpacking EV use in Australia, being a trailblazer in a nascent industry

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 08:05:09 GMT

Introduction

In episode 19 of The Median Podcast, I’m joined by the very passionate Geoff Brady who is the Head of Sales and Marketing at Evie Networks. Evie Networks is shaping the future of e-mobility by building and operating electric car charging stations.

After a 17+ year career at Optus to now very much being a trailblazer in nascent industry, Geoff and I chat about:

• How an EV charging business operates

• Opportunities and challenges of working in a nascent industry

• Learnings taken from the telecommunications industry to Evie Networks

• Unpacking EV use in Australia

• What it will take to increase mindshare and expand the use of EVs

Timestamps

00:00:53 From telecommunications to electric vehicle charging, the similarities and the differences

00:02:50 The Evie business, common pushbacks to electric charging, using renewable energy supply, difference between chargers, metropolitan, regional and highway infrastructure

00:17:57 Life working in a nascent industry, startup mentality, building capabilities in people and process

00:21:50 Electric vehicle use in Australia, unpacking the low uptake of EVs - price points, vehicle choice, government support/initiatives, ingrained consumer behaviours

00:31:10 The long term vision, increasing the adoption of EV cars on the roads, the energy landscape in Australia, energy storage devices

00:38:25 Positioning EV Networks in the market, letting the infrastructure do the marketing

00:42:43 Challenges in the role, fighting for mindshare in strategic initiatives, charting a path to a successful career

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Investing in a inflationary environment, deglobalisation, earnings’ compounders, best investment you can make

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 06:00:52 GMT

Introduction

Daniel is the Chief Investment Officer of Financial Decisions, a boutique wealth advisory firm, and holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL), that services family offices. In this week’s episode, we talk about how one should approach investing in an inflationary environment to determining what is the best investment one can make.

Timestamps

00:02:15 Understanding the current situation, is there an easy fix, the need to raise interest rates to quell inflation

00:05:00 Was there to alternate way to reinvigorate demand given COVID, the role of central banks and whether the Fed made a mistake with their interpretation of inflation, natural rate of interest

00:09:50 Investing in a inflationary environment, the balance between raising prices as a business without impacting demand, the role of substitution in consumer behaviour, bottoms-up investing

00:19:25 De-globalisation and its supply chain effects, just in time versus just in case

00:26:40 Does history repeat itself, uniqueness of today’s economic environment

00:31:58 Long-term compounders, the case for Microsoft, cloud-computing business, Activision Blizzard

00:43:08 When is the right time to get back into growth stocks, protecting capital and focusing on good companies

00:49:20 Show me the incentive I’ll show you the outcome, applying it to his children

00:52:06 60/40 portfolio split, role of large pension/super funds, allocation to private equity and alternatives, cryptocurrencies

00:57:30 Growing capital in a sustainable way on a personal level, fear of loss aversion, the greatest investment you can make

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Work-life integration as a CEO, husband and father, be courageous enough to be honest

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 06:00:36 GMT

Introduction

Asheesh is the co-CEO of Drive Yello, a last-mile logistics company that leverages the gig economy. In this episode, we talk about building a successful career whilst also ensuring the same success is present at home. With a young family of two kids, Asheesh talks about his professional motivations and how with the help of parenting courses and the upbringing of his parents, designs a lifestyle very much centered around his kids.

Timestamps

00:01:18 Balance a career with a young family, happy at work to be happy at home, work and life is muddled, transitioning between worker and parent during COVID

00:07:40 Decompressing after a day at work with kids, balance versus integration, enjoying the moment with a coffee

0014:00 Being present for your kids, setting boundaries around technology, creating boundaries for your kids, being a parent is not about being perfect

00:21:05 Keeping the connection with your spouse, creating husband and wife time, implementing admin hour in the household

00:24:42 The motivation to succeed professionally, making most of the opportunity given by parents, parallels with ones’ parents and how they grew up and their parenting style

00:34:10 Not allowing technology impede on your day to day, the problem with instant messaging applications, be courageous enough to be honest

00:42:15 Life as a co-CEO, biggest challenges right now, business as DriveYello - last mile delivery using gig economy workers

01:16:32 One piece of advice for a new dad

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Dealing with redundancy, how work defines identity, a leopard can change its spots

Thu, 26 May 2022 06:00:46 GMT

Introduction

I met Clive about 10 years ago because our respective wives are good friends. Hence, it was good to have a solid conversation with Clive directly, more so as he recently got made redundant, as opposed to us just tagging-along when our wives met up.

Timestamps

00:00:51 How work shapes ones’ identity, the first question that gets asked when two people meet for the first time, life after redundancy

00:04:17 Using your mind versus using your hands, life as a handyman

00:09:43 Dealing with redundancy with a positive mindset and going through the stages of grief, taking to understand one’s identity in an analytical way

00:16:10 Identifying the signs leading up the redundancy, the redundancy topic as a more meaningful conversation opener

00:26:06 Charting the next path, a continuation of the investment strategy journey, determining one’s timeframe as a key consideration for objective-based investing

00:41:20 Importance of a strong family network during this experience, the stoic approach to handling a potentially tough situation

00:50:50 How does an analytical mind decompress for the day, learning from children to get a fresh perspective, being there for their kids

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Running a high-performance sales team, empowering the next generation of female leaders, the most rewarding life experience

Thu, 19 May 2022 06:00:25 GMT

Introduction

Janette and I met over 10 years when we crossed paths as sales professionals at Thomson Reuters (now called Refinitiv). In this free-flowing conversation, Janette shares how raising her young daughter is analogous to running a high-performance sales team that is adept at handling complex deals.

Timestamps

00:00:55 The most rewarding experience, family as a catalyst for re-prioritisation

00:06:50 How raising a child is like a running a sales team, balance empathy with a performance mindset, handling complex deals,

00:13:00 Creating an organisational culture where sales becomes a team sport, creating a win-win relationship amongst leaders, sales individuals, and clients

00:17:08 Teaching independence as a child’ and using that sales professional, powerful of empowerment and motivation to drive greater success

00:22:40 Becoming a sales professional, a scientific approach to sales

00:25:55 Empowering young female leaders via a business resource group, mission behind the group, the importance of soft-skills

00:35:48 Technology and it’s influence of soft-skill development, shorter attention spans, handling distractions in today’s day and age

00:39:20 Switching off as a sales professional, work life integration versus work life balance, optimising enjoyment in work and life

00:44:40 Being responsible for the team as a sales leader, what is the value add of a sales leader

00:50:30 Applying the passion for sales into another area, Bill Gates being an inspiration, climate, animal welfare, plastic use, solving the underlying problem and the social impact of it

01:00:00 Favourite food pairing with red wine

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Demystifying inflation, implications behind policy-driven economics, bringing economics to the people

Thu, 12 May 2022 06:30:38 GMT

Janu and I met over 10 years ago when she was an economist at a Big 4 Australian bank. In this podcast, we go deep into world and economic affairs to make sense of what’s happening in the world and how central banking tools to influence the cash rate can have a profound impact of growth and the societies that work to achieve it.

Timestamps

00:00:40 Causes of today’s inflation, supply chain issues in China, zero-COVID policy

00:08:00 Transitory versus permanent inflation, why interest rates shouldn’t be zero based on certain economic indicators

00:14:00 Is inflation that bad, reactive versus pre-emptive central bank policy, effect from globalisation and the mobility of labour

00:19:42 Betting against the central banks, thinking ahead for the RBA

00:24:50 Neutral rate of interest, how central banks work and its relationship with the markets

00:30:53 Bringing economics to the people, distilling information so it makes for the everyday person, role of the economist in Asia versus Australia

00:51:08 Living in Hong Kong, how financial and economic data is utilised in Hong Kong

00:52:45 Economic nuances specific to China, impact of Evergrande, policy-driven economics

01:04:15 Implications behind Australia’s recent budget, thinking long-term with fiscal policy, creating a foundation for the next generation, extending leadership terms

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Philosophy behind detaching yourself from everything, staying in the present with Apple Reminders, finding meaning as a genealogist

Thu, 05 May 2022 06:30:39 GMT

Tara and I met over 25 years ago during our high school days. In this pod, we have a very philosophical conversation about what is the meaning of life, why is it so important and what does it mean if you’re able to find that meaning.

Timestamps

00:00:00 Can you have meaning in life if you detach yourself from everything, what is a meaningful life and why is it important

00:03:15 “Man’s search for meaning” by Viktor Frankl

00:06:10 Seeing things as transient, enjoying life day-by-day, meaning is forward thinking

00:14:00 Bringing learnings from the past to the present, a tool to stay in the present

00:18:16 Is staying the present a privilege place to be

00:26:15 Is impact synonymous with meaning, finding meaning with genealogy, creating a better existence for the next generation

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Role of dopamine and serotonin, being vulnerable as a leader, creating psychological safety

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 06:30:34 GMT

I met Caroline back in 2006 at my first job out of university. Fast forward 16 years, it’s been a pleasure to see Caroline pivot from an 18-year career in investment banking to launching her own executive coaching business which uses a neuroscience-based approach to empower confidence in her clients.

Timestamps

00:00:00 Doing versus being, living in the present, the catalyst for change

00:03:45 Role for dopamine in doing and the role of serotonin, and endorphins, for the here and now, applying these chemicals to running a business

00:06:24 How to stay in the now when dopamine can be so easily grasped, role of meditation, science behind three-grateful-breaths

00:12:25 Adopting a science-based approach to coaching, partnering with clients so it makes sense for them

00:14:48 Establishing a contract between coach and client

00:17:00 Vulnerability of courage, showing our emotions, being human to create a connection, empathy in leadership

00:23:48 “Ice-queen” to being vulnerable as a leader, a raw journey to becoming a coach

00:28:30 Suffering equals pain times resistance, the art of letting go

00:32:40 Where confidence comes through, building confidence by giving it a go, confidence between men and women, and other physiological differences

00:43:15 Gender equality is about bringing together the different types of thinking between men and women

00:44:05 Teaching the ‘why’ first to building confidence, working on the entire iceberg to look at your fundamental beliefs, managing your flight versus fight response

01:03:35 Creating psychological safety in an organisation, feeling positive and being yourself, changing the conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion

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Hiring as a startup CEO, product led growth AND superior distribution, instilling vision into culture

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 06:30:09 GMT

I first met Sri back in 2017 when I travelled to Chennai, India to do a meet and greet with leadership at the previous software company I was with. From the day we first met to recording this lovely conversation, Sri has always been someone who is very focused and humble in his approach. In his role now as co-founder and CEO of Rocketlane, Sri shares his views on hiring and building a culture of constant learning.

Timestamps

00:00:00 What a week for a startup CEO looks like

00:01:47 Hiring for leadership roles in sales and marketing, criteria outside of key competencies, finding a leader who is a coach

00:07:18 Experienced versus someone who can step into the role

00:09:40 The relationship between sales and marketing, the many arms of marketing

00:11:32 Does a great product sell itself, product led growth with superior distribution

00:15:24 Working on brand to create an experience, building community

00:17:42 The problem that Rocketlane solves, defining success and the culture around it

00:26:05 How to instil vision into a company’s culture

00:30:24 Scaling yourself as a founder, creating a “founder’s office”

00:32:35 Structuring life as a startup CEO, looking after yourself with diet and exercise

00:36:38 Working on the mental game, being disciplined with your days

00:39:08 World affairs on tech valuations, being a long-term optimist

00:41:25 Breaking the stalemate because two candidates of two equal candidates, hiring mistakes

00:44:45 2022 on being a pivotal year, learnings from the past, not repeating the same mistake twice

00:50:02 How boarding meetings work, tackling a problem with a different perspective

00:53:40 Scalability of referrals as a zero cost customer acquisition strategy, burn multiple as SaaS company based in India

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20 years on Wall Street, investing in real assets, managing emotion in times of uncertainty

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 06:30:54 GMT

I met Robert only a month ago as a chat about the current state of the B2B software market for a consulting opportunity led, and started with, a very warm and engaging conversation about our lives. In this podcast, we dig deep into the mechanics behind the financial markets to then understanding what we truly hope to achieve from our participation in it.

Timestamps

00:02:08 Making your job, investments, and lifestyle work for you, side businesses and virtual hustles, changing nature of work

00:05:04 Throwing seeds in the ground to create freedom, being empathy driven

00:06:30 Shrinking of the financial services industry on Wall Street and the movement of skills, executing a vision and culture that really helps people

00:09:13 How financial markets have evolved, specialisation versus a wholistic and tailored approach, opening up alternative investments to the individual

00:11:29 Applying institutional techniques to individuals, using alternatives, modern finance theory, correlation, marginal benefits that are increasing less as a result of diversification

00:16:06 The paradigm of risk assets versus safe assets, a human is a human, managing risk from an institutional perspective

00:23:52 How an everyday investor can manage the risk on an investment, not following the crowd, decision-making in uncertainty

00:28:10 Applying a institutional mindset to managing emotion, getting professional help

00:35:20 Life lessons from the markets, where there’s a will there’s a way, it’s all about the results and the outcome

00:36:49 The reasons as why the number of people in the financial services industry is shrinking

00:42:40 Considerations around active and passive investing, deploying alternatives, rise of private investments, the mechanics of quantitative easing

00:57:20 What is the fascination with generating returns

01:07:20 Teaching the next generation on how to navigate this world

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No smartphones, vision for consumer tech, limits with blockchain, origins of NFTs

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 06:30:25 GMT

I met Kelvin over 10 years ago at a wedding where we sat together on the same table because our wives were part of the bridal party. Over the years, Kelvin has been a fantastic go-to-person when it comes to understanding current technology, and its use-cases, to where it will be in 5 to 10 years' time. Kelvin and his co-host, Geoff, produce the nakedtechpodcast.com that gives listeners everything they need to know about the latest technology by breaking down tech news coverage.

Timestamps

00:00:00 A piece of technology you can’t live without

00:02:23 Addiction versus sustainability, live by the sword; die by the sword

00:06:50 Have smartphones reached their peak, can the jump to VR be achieved

00:09:35 The vision of all consumer technology, what does offline really mean

00:13:13 Forgetting the value of a face-to-face conversation, the merits of technology, is technology the problem or it it just human nature

00:19:42 Using old technology to beat today’s scammers, utilising blockchain to stamp out fraud, the limits with blockchain today

00:25:00 The beginnings of digital currency, centralised versus decentralised

00:29:00 Web1 versus Web2 versus Web3, origins with tokenisation and NFTs

00:37:20 The importance of technology education

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Building with real-life Mecano, how an industrial designer thinks, power of listening

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 05:30:50 GMT

I met Michael very briefly at his wedding over 10 years ago where I was more a +1. We reacquainted recently after Michael kindly offered his expertise on a design concept a friend and I are working on.

Timestamps

00:00:30 Selling the “Mecano” of building materials

00:03:07 Industrial designer to technical specialist to technical sales

00:06:18 Comparing to this innovative building material to the human body

00:12:50 An example of where this material is currently used, meeting building standards

00:21:00 How an industrial designer thinks, creating an infectious behaviour, an environment to thrive

00:23:58 Power of a great manager/leader, how to truly sell

00:26:50 Being OCD as a designer at home, combating anxiety

00:30:46 Dealing with anxiety by letting go and not controlling others, achieving 1% productivity gains

00:36:37 From hats to the NBA, reliving the NBA during the 90s, the characters behind players

00:40:15 The Ben Simmons fiasco, dealing with pressure, digger deeper to understand someone

00:47:13 Dealing with people who don’t open up, the power of listening, handling different opinions

00:53:53 Understanding who you are as a person so you can effectively project your thoughts

01:12:30 Teaching kids on how to approach obstacles

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Permanence in friendships, betting on yourself, not squandering paradise

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 06:00:00 GMT

I met Nanditha back in 2018 when she came to Sydney from Chennai to run some marketing events at the previous software company I was with. From a self-proclaimed “nummy” (naive) of a woman, Nanditha now chairs the European Women On Board organisation in Brussels whose aim is to increase gender diversity in C-Suite and Board roles throughout Europe. In this podcast, we delve into the longevity of friendships and how the passing of a family member gave her a blank canvas to really live an authentic life.

Timestamps

00:00:00 Winding down after a long week of week

00:02:05 Myers-Briggs personality test, the secrets of an extrovert, categorising friendships, you’re the average of the five people you’re with

00:06:33 Friends that complement you and those who provide a different perspective, value alignment

00:11:00 Concept of permanence in friendships, life is transitory, being thankful for friendships

00:16:52 Are we squandering the paradise we live in, importance of self-love, desirability quotient

00:20:44 The formative years on someone’s life and its influence on life approach

00:24:20 Comparison leading to a negative spiral, creating a new way of living, bucking the trend,

00:30:00 Betting on yourself, being a master of one’s actions, my mum as a close friend

00:37:36 Creating support outside of home, having support when its needed the most, overcoming obstacles that will set you free

00:42:52 Acknowledging, accepting and overcoming mental barriers

00:45:30 Not squandering life by being your authentic self [snippet], renewal after a family basis, connecting the dots looking back

00:54:50 Where will life take you, not shying away from beating your own drum

01:00:25 Initiating programs at the European Women on Board organisation

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Advice for first-timers, perfect parenting, rediscovering identity, vaccinations

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 06:30:27 GMT

I met Sandi 17 years ago at university but it has only been recently we have rekindled our friendship. In this conversation, Sandi discusses the challenges, and the triumphs, of raising her two lovely kids with her husband in Singapore whilst also achieving both professional and personal success. She’s an avid traveller and aims to visit at least 50% of all the countries in the world - I’m sure she can get to 100%.

Timestamps

00:00:00 “Sundar days”, having lunch with a vegetarian in Singapore

00:03:30 Advice for a first-time-parent, how to approach parenting books

00:05:59 The feeling of being a mum, retaining ones’ identity, winning the lotto but losing a limb

00:10:24 Approaching books with your child’s personality in mind, over-functioning, expectation setting

00:15:23 Parenting and its effect on the partner, my experience, instilling values when they’re young

00:24:41 Being in control versus doing a perfect job, grading yourself as a parent, need to achieve

00:29:35 Fascination with trying to achieve a perfect parent

00:31:22 Traditional gender roles in the workplace, changes in work and identity, sharing the mental responsibilities of parenting

00:35:30 Changing reality and creating a workplace that really pays homage to parenting, parenting during COVID and the stress that comes with it, using hired help to get off the “mum track”

00:45:58 Parental policy in Scandinavia, changing parental dynamics

00:48:13 Societal expectations, the influence of social media on being a perfect parent

00:50:35 Rediscovering enjoyment and one’s identity, what’s truly important, the fear of death

00:59:25 Dealing with immediate family members who are anti-vaccination, outside dining arrangements in Singapore as a result of COVID, practices in Singapore

01:07:30 Vaccination in a household that practices traditional Chinese medicine, influence of main stream media on vaccination choice

01:19:25 Explaining COVID to a six-year old who can’t see her grandparents because they won’t vaccinate, the importance of choice

01:22:24 Lightening round!

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Making an impact, finding one's identity, sleeping in a car to a close a deal

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 06:30:23 GMT

I met Tanya, an ex-professional basketball player, quite a few years ago at a WeWork event. We bonded over a laugh and we’re still laughing over this podcast as we chat about her new directions in life.

Timestamps

00:00:42 What’s more important - making an impact, family or is it the convergence of both?

00:01:28 A solution to balancing it all

00:02:20 Delegation with people you trust in both the workplace and at home, trust with a child-carer

00:05:15 The need for control in parenting and it’s relationship with trust

00:08:20 How would one gain trust from someone who needs that control, letting go as a parent

00:12:48 The definition of impact, a direct relationship with an outcome, coaching with structured steps

00:16:40 Finding identity as an ex-professional athlete, helping athletes transition into life outside of sports, bringing business acumen to health care professionals

00:24:50 Where the need to make an impact came from, compartmentalisation of thoughts

00:29:00 Applying a sporting mindset to running a business

00:29:30 Sleeping in a car to close a deal, being alert 24/7, anticipating customer calls

00:34:08 Success leaving crumbs versus God leaving signs, learning from the best person, the modelling and visualisation framework

00:37:55 Applying the modelling framework to a job, selling is about relationships, the need to achieve

00:41:50 Leaning on faith to give direction, the role of meditation

00:42:53 Difference between success leaving clues and the direction of where I want to go and am pulled to, focusing on the day by day so you don’t lose yourself

00:47:50 Importance of having a laugh

00:50:20 A framework to restoring order back in life, working out your resources, constraint breeds creativity

00:54:15 Not being afraid to ask the question, people will forget you so you have nothing to lose

01:00:24 Simple scales, complex fails, it’s all about relationships

01:02:52 Lightening round!

01:15:20 It shouldn’t always be just about achieving, it should also be about enjoying

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Beauty of simplification, memorable travel experiences, COVID lessons

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 07:00:54 GMT

I met Melissa a few years ago during a customer engagement at a previous software company I was working at. You don’t really know someone until you have a conversation with them so it’s been a pleasure to get to know Melissa more during this podcast.

Timestamps

00:00:00 COVID as catalyst for enduring change, career focus, valuing what’s most important

00:01:40 Struggles with corporate communications to then moving to technical writing

00:02:45 The catalyst that really set the motion for change, working across three timetables

00:05:13 Not worth it or not important enough?

00:06:43 Bringing greater meaning, focusing on self, reprioritisation

00:08:56 Letting go of the dream home, home is where you’re the happiest

00:10:00 Creating a new path in technical writing, what is technical writing, making it simple

00:15:08 A framework to distilling a piece of writing into its most effective form

00:17:26 Symbiotic relationship with product management

00:20:25 Key techniques to improve any form of writing

00:23:49 Technical writing versus food writing, food-photos-writing

00:25:40 Opportunities in technical writing

00:27:14 What’s next about a post-grad in technical writing

00:28:00 The beauty of travelling, first destination to travel to once COVID subsides, gaining a new perspective

00:30:28 Top three most memorable travel experiences, dunes, ancient civilisation, volcanic eruption

00:33:55 What is the allure of travel, experiencing life throwing chance to the win, travelling with kids

00:37:30 Travelling with zero plan

00:39:25 Weirdest thing eaten, eating like a local

00:41:00 Most memorable food experience, melt in the mouth wagyu, the best tomato

00:44:47 Cuisine in Singapore, hawker stores for breakfast, lunch and dinner

00:51:45 Travelling around Australia

00:52:22 Resort versus the city

00:54:12 Self planning versus utilising travel companies

00:56:02 Exotic foods, witchetty grubs, whale, horse,

00:58:20 Antarctica, cruising, Nordic countries, Denmark

01:01:00 Greatest life lesson learnt during COVID

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Salary is a drug, employees as customers, positive thinking, measuring your life

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 21:00:35 GMT

I met Ikshit at a company celebratory event in Chennai, India at the very grandeur ITC Grand Chola. Ikshit works in the total rewards and HR space where he very much epitomises the importance of establishing a true connection with whoever whom you’re speaking with.

Timestamps

00:00:00 Salary is a drug that they give you to forget about your dreams, is it intentional

00:03:05 Renumeration in a post COVID world, quality of work over money

00:06:55 What has caused the so-called “Great Resignation”, why positions aren’t being filled

00:11:55 Hunting down talent, explaining today’s hiring to the stock market

00:13:45 How to really attract great talent, adding variability in a role, establishing a relationship

00:17:40 Creating talent fungibility, proactive over reactive

00:19:10 Discussions about the future as opposed to exit interviews

00:22:15 Your employees are your customers, retention during an exit interview

00:26:30 Employees first, creating empathy with your team

00:31:30 Thinking in terms of human connections

00:36:10 Do thoughts end, short-term thoughts versus long-term, driving towards positive thinking,

00:39:55 What does ‘enough’ mean, drawing a line as to when it is enough, what is one’s plan so you will live your life

00:48:57 how will you measure your life and how will you be remembered

00:54:15 Bringing new life into this world, having no expectations

00:57.28 One single advice on being better leader

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Societal expectations & obligations, beauty of chance encounters, Singapore life

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 02:18:49 GMT

I met Jonathan by chance back in early 2017 when our Air India flight to Singapore got cancelled because of “rats on the plane”! We shared a room at a hotel in the outskirts of Chennai waiting for out next flight, we shared a meal and we created a long-lasting friendship.

Timestamps

00:00:00 How a stranded Air India flight brought us together

00:03:03 Singapore and it’s aim to reduce its carbon footprint

00:05:22 COVID in Singapore

00:07:35 Finding meaning to life, does helping others matter, not overthinking

00:16:45 Societal expectations and obligations as an adult, bringing a kid into this world

00:20:45 Feeling less existential dread if everyone was kinder to one another, staying positive and motivated

00:27:05 Injecting a catalyst for change, are kids the answer, how to change for the positive

00:33:25 Looking at life spiritually, the intangibility of religion, how a tragedy helped me value life and to find meaning

00:47:00 Beauty of chance encounters, reminiscing about our delayed flight back to Singapore

00:51:30 Life as a Singaporean, government plans to raise GST to 9%, taxes for the better of society

01:05:28 Creating aware of cryptocurrency in Singapore

01:06:55 Booking a honeymoon that pleases the wife

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Two-week syndrome, difference between a man and a boy, dating with a checklist

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 02:42:27 GMT

I met Trevor back in 2019 back when we were at Freshworks and having now recorded The Median’s first podcast with him, I could not have thought of a better person to speak with on this momentous occasion.

Timestamps

00:00:00 Challenges of a parenting

00:10:24 New family car

00:12:05 Toyota 86 or his brother

00:14:38 Self realisation, materialism, two-week syndrome

00:18:00 Consumerism, value of money

00:18:58 What do you value, trust and quality in people

00:21:02 Faith and experience in one’s life

00:25:45 Reflection and humility to be better

00:26:35 Difference between a man and a boy, mindfulness and initiative in marriage and in friendships

00:31:48 Values and character building

00:33:20 Breaking down traditional roles in a marriage

00:35:50 Finding someone who complements you, 72-point-checklist

00:45:50 Doing things when it’s tough as a man, keeping the score in the sky

00:51:11 Putting yourself in a situation to allow you to change, renewal of the mind

00:56:52 Promoting diversity of thought, life is a journey, pride versus humility

01:03:26 Timeless dating advice

A huge shoutout to my dear friend, Renee, who not only reviewed all the lead-up work to establishing this podcast but also acting as a constructive and alternate soundboard to my thinking.

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