The Find Your Influence Podcast with Anton Guinea

AI, Influence, and the Future of Leadership: Erik Simons on Technology, Psychology, and Business

In this episode of the Find Your Influence Podcast, AI expert and entrepreneur Erik Simons shares how a background in business and psychology led him to become an early internet pioneer and co-author of Business Is War: AI Is the Secret Weapon in Business with JT Foxx. Erik explains why AI is a bigger shift than the early internet, why most people underestimate its impact, and how it will soon shape both our work and personal lives. He also offers practical advice for business owners on where to start with AI, plus his leadership philosophy of leading by example and understanding every role you manage. 
 
Erik Simons recounts building the first browser-based online casino and affiliate program in the early days of the internet and draws direct parallels to today’s AI wave. He argues that AI will soon be woven into everyday life, with people talking more to AI than to humans, and urges leaders to educate themselves and start using simple AI tools now. The conversation covers influence, role models like his father, uncle, and JT Foxx, and why effective leadership means doing the work yourself first, then guiding others. 
 
Takeaways: 
AI is a transformational technology on par with (and larger than) the early internet. 
Psychology helps explain both human behavior and how AI models are designed. 
Business owners should first learn about AI, then experiment with simple tools. 
Automating repetitive tasks (e.g., transcription) is an easy, high-value entry point. 
Real leadership is influence through example and firsthand understanding of every role. 
 
Best Quotes: 
“AI will become a better friend than any human can be… it can get to know you better than you know yourself, and it’ll always be there for you.” 
“This really reminds me of that time in the early internet… the world is about to adopt AI in a much bigger way than we adopted the internet.” 
“Number one is definitely understand it… you cannot just ignore this. Learn as much as you can about AI.” 
“Often it’s not the most complex, shiny object that creates value, but simple applications of the technology to repetitive tasks.” 
“It’s difficult to lead somebody if you don’t really understand the job they do. I always like to get my hands dirty and experience it myself first.” 
 
Timestamps: 
 
0:00 – Introduction and Erik’s background in business and psychology 
0:05 – Creating the first browser-based online casino and affiliate model 
0:08 – Why AI matters and why “Business Is War” was written 
0:09 – Prediction: talking to AI more than to humans 
0:12 – Ray Kurzweil, future forecasts, and AI adoption 
0:16 – Three steps for business owners to start with AI 
0:18 – Transcription and content as simple AI wins 
0:19 – Erik’s definition of influence and choosing influences 
0:20 – Family and JT Foxx as key influencers 
0:31 – Leadership by example and doing every role yourself 
0:33 – Psychology experiments: conformity, authority, and behavior 
0:36 – Final reflections on influence and the future 
 
Conclusion: 
 
Erik Simons combines psychology, early internet experience, and AI expertise to show why leaders can’t afford to ignore AI. His message is clear: understand the technology, start small, and apply it where it creates real value, while leading teams by example. This episode offers a concise playbook for anyone wanting to stay influential and effective in an AI-driven future. 

Balancing Strength and Authenticity: Leadership, Influence, and Thriving in a Male‑Dominated Industry with Angela Bondini

What does it really take to lead with authenticity and influence in a male‑dominated industry? In this episode of the Find Your Influence Podcast, Angela Bondini, experienced business manager at Cool Right Air Conditioning, shares how she and her husband transformed a long‑standing family HVAC company into a respected industrial infrastructure specialist. From honoring a business founded in 1978 to reshaping it into something that truly reflects who they are, Angela reveals the realities of hard work, risk, and reinvention behind the scenes. 
 
Drawing on her diverse background across government, hospitality, and property, Angela explains how a “rolling snowball” of experiences and strong female role models shaped her leadership style. She opens up about learning to balance masculine and feminine energies—holding her own in a tough, male‑heavy environment while staying deeply connected to emotion, empathy, and authenticity. Listeners will gain insight into how Angela defines influence, how she leads her team through example and transparency, and why investing in staff development and personal growth is central to the way she does business. Join us as we unpack what it means to be a powerful, genuine female leader in a traditional trade. 
 
Summary: 
 
In this episode, Angela Bondini shares how she and her husband transformed Cool Right Air Conditioning from a long‑standing residential family business into a specialist in industrial infrastructure. She explains how her diverse career background, strong female role models, and events like Lauren Lahav’s women’s empowerment experiences have shaped her authentic leadership style in a male‑dominated industry. Angela highlights her definition of influence—showing people a better way by example—and details how she and Paul invest in their team’s growth, blending commercial success with genuine care for their employees’ wellbeing and futures. 
 
Takeaways: 
Influence is about example, not position. 
Angela sees influence as showing people a better way—how you communicate, behave under pressure, and design a life that aligns with your values. 
You can blend strength with authenticity. 
In a male‑dominated space, Angela consciously balances assertiveness and independence with emotion, empathy, and vulnerability, rather than choosing one over the other. 
Family businesses can be reinvented. 
Angela and Paul respected the legacy of a 1978 residential HVAC business while intentionally shifting it toward industrial infrastructure work that challenges and excites them. 
Investing in staff creates a win–win. 
Profit isn’t just for owners; they redirect success into better pay, equipment, technology, training, and personal development so their team can build great lives too. 
Women benefit from empowered, supportive spaces. 
Experiences like Lauren Lahav’s events highlight how powerful it is for women to gather in rooms where they feel safe, loved, and encouraged to be fully themselves. 
 
Best Quotes: 
“Where we are today certainly didn’t come to us on a platter—we’ve done the hard slog to turn an established business on its head and make it our own.” 
“As women, we can put on that masculine energy to hold our space in business, but we’re still women. We still have that emotion we carry, and that flowy feminine feel is so important.” 
“Being an influence is really just showing people potentially a better way—setting a good example of what success looks like for you.”  
“It doesn’t work just with Paul or just with me. We both play important roles in our business. We’re a team, and our people are part of that team too.” 
“If we’re doing well, we want our employees doing well. It’s not, ‘We made profit so we go on holiday.’ It’s better pay, better tools, better vehicles, better training—and a better life for them.” 
 
Timestamps: 
 
0:00 – Who influenced Angela + podcast intro 
2:30 – What Cool Right Air Conditioning does today 
4:10 – 1978 origins and Paul’s journey into industrial HVAC 
5:30 – Transforming the family business and “making it our own” 
12:15 – How strong women and Lauren Lahav shaped Angela 
15:21 – Balancing masculine and feminine energy as a female leader 
18:17 – Challenges for women leading in a male‑dominated industry 
25:19 – Angela’s definition of influence 
29:53 – Investing profits back into staff, tools, and training 
 
Conclusion: 
 
In this episode, Angela Bondini shows what authentic leadership looks like inside a male‑dominated, family‑owned trade business. By honoring the legacy of Cool Right Air Conditioning while boldly reshaping it toward industrial work, she and her husband Paul demonstrate that tradition and transformation can coexist. Angela’s blend of strength, vulnerability, and openness—paired with a genuine commitment to reinvesting in her people—highlights that real influence is earned through example, integrity, and care. Her story is a powerful reminder that when leaders stay true to themselves and intentionally lift others, both businesses and the humans inside them can truly thrive. 

Rejection Therapy to Viral Fame: How He Built 10,000 Followers in 6 Months with Lawrence Petrizulli

This episode dives into the unlikely journey of an introverted, heavily bullied kid who grew into a confident accountant creating viral street interview content. You will hear how he turned dry topics like tax and accounting into fun, bingeable clips that pull over a million monthly views on social media. He opens up about using rejection therapy, humor, and curiosity to talk to strangers, build relationships, and turn conversations into powerful content. Along the way, he shares deeply personal moments of transformation, from being publicly humiliated in high school to finding mentors who gave him the brutal truth he needed to hear. You will also learn how he now mentors others, leads by example, and uses influence not to control people, but to open their minds to new ideas. If you have ever felt socially awkward, creatively stuck, or afraid of rejection, this conversation will give you both practical tools and serious inspiration.
 
Summary:
The guest explains how he went from a bullied, friendless teenager with poor social skills to a confident accountant and content creator who conducts street interviews on money, taxes, and life. He breaks down his strategy for making complex financial topics entertaining, using humor, curiosity,y and honest conversations with everyday people. He shares how rejection therapy and social freedom drills helped him overcome fear of judgment and become comfortable approaching strangers on the street. The episode also highlights the role of mentors in his journey, especially one friend who gave him brutally honest feedback that sparked a major personal transformation. Finally, he talks about leadership, mentorship, and influence, describing how he now helps his videographer and others grow in business and life while staying grounded in integrity and values.
 
Takeaways:
You can turn even “boring” topics like tax and accounting into viral content if you focus on storytelling, humor, and real people.
Rejection therapy and social freedom drills are powerful tools for overcoming social anxiety and fear of being judged.
Brutally honest feedback delivered with genuine care can become the turning point for massive personal growth.
True leadership means never asking your team to do something you have not done and are not willing to do yourself.
Small daily interactions, like saying hello to strangers, can compound into opportunities, friendships and unexpected benefits.
 
Best Quotes:
Influence is helping people see different ideas, then think critically about which ones they accept.
Rejection only hurts when you let it hit your ego; if you treat it as a game, you become unstoppable.
I only lead people as far as I have gone myself, so leadership keeps pushing me to grow first.
Most people forget you in 20 or 30 seconds, which means you are free to be yourself in public.
I would rather underpromise and overdeliver than make fast money by crossing ethical lines.
 
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Audio setup and microphone talk
00:04:36 From accounting to social media and marketing
00:05:42 Making tax and money content actually entertaining
00:06:58 Rejection therapy and stories from the street
00:10:38 Fun dating angle with “would you date an accountant.”
00:12:59 Social proof and growth to a million monthly views
00:13:55 From bullied kid to personal development journey
00:17:51 Redefining influence and opening minds
00:19:59 When do you become an influencer
00:21:09 Values, integrity, and turning away misaligned clients
00:24:11 The pickup artist show andthe  first spark of hope
00:26:49 Meeting his mentor and life-changing tough love
00:31:40 Reading people and delivering the right message
00:32:40 Helping his videographer rebuild and grow
00:36:56 Leadership by example and transparent guidance
00:40:11 No one is above any task in the business
00:42:32 Using everyday interactions to build relationships
00:45:25 Gratitude, connection, and wrapping up the show
 
Conclusion:
This episode proves that your past does not have to dictate your future, especially if you are willing to face discomfort and grow. Our guest shows how vulnerability, humor, and relentless practice can transform social anxiety into social freedom. His story is a reminder that influence is not about fame; it is about helping people see new possibilities for themselves. Whether you are a creator, a professional, or simply someone who wants more confidence, his journey gives you a blueprint you can start following today. As you finish listening, ask yourself where you are hiding from rejection and how you can step into the street, the conversatio,n or the opportunity that might change everything.

From Garage to Millions: The Rocket Fuel Story Behind Savvy Touch with Savvy Steve

In this episode, Savvy Steve takes you from the paddock to the boardroom as he shares how a broken horse and a wild idea sparked a life-changing business. What starts as a story about energy, the Year of the Fire Horse, and an unlikely connection with an abused gelding becomes a masterclass in resilience and intuition. Steve unpacks how hands-on healing, essential oils, and a relentless belief in his products evolved into Savvy Touch and its now-iconic Rocket Fuel. You will hear how he and his wife turned a garage filled with 20-liter pails into a thriving operation that survived crashes, pandemics, and sleepless nights. Along the way, Steve reveals how saying yes, learning fast, and backing yourself can transform setbacks into million-dollar months. Get ready for a raw, unpolished, and incredibly inspiring entrepreneurial ride.
Summary:
The conversation centers on the journey of a business called Savvy Touch, founded by Steve, who has a deep connection to horses. Steve shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting with his early ventures in New Zealand, including bringing in copy eyewear and developing reactive apparel. He faced significant challenges, including the loss of the tourist industry and corporate clients. Steve's passion for horses led him to develop horse care products, which later expanded into the human market. The turning point came with the equine flu outbreak, where his products saved many horses. The business grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now entering the pro market with products for elite athletes.
 
Takeaways:
Your biggest breakthroughs often emerge from your deepest failures and the moments you most want to quit.
Truly effective products come from solving real problems for real people long before there is a polished brand.
Synergy in ingredients and alignment in purpose can turn a simple formulation into a category-defining product.
Pivoting quickly in a crisis, like COVID, can transform a small side hustle into a scalable business.
Surrounding yourself with positive influences and owning your mistakes is essential for long-term entrepreneurial success.
 
Best Quotes:
The Year of the Fire Horse is all about burning everything down so you can rebuild with clean energy and massive abundance.
Horses are nature’s purest mirror, so whatever energy you bring to them is exactly what they send back to you.
Our products are not special because they are natural; they are special because every ingredient is synergistic and makes the next stronger.
Rocket Fuel is the product that took us from a niche brand to an iconic one.
Companies that survive are the ones that take the beatings, stay deep in the red, and still refuse to quit.
Timestamps:
00:00 Fire Horse Energy And New Beginnings
03:02 Personality, Taurus Traits And Business Role
04:03 Becoming The Face Of Savvy Touch
07:00 Early Ventures And Financial Crash
10:00 The Abused Horse That Changed Everything
17:01 Mark Todd, Elite Horses And Savvy Touch Origins
26:02 From Equine Flu Fix To Human Rocket Fuel
33:00 Covid Pivot And Garage Production Boom
36:19 Certification And Entry Into Pro Athlete Market
37:17 Sports Teams, Growth And Global Expansion
40:48 Influence, Mindset And Learning From Failure
45:53 Discount Code And Final Wrap Up
 
Conclusion:
Savvy Steve’s story proves that a business can be both deeply spiritual and fiercely practical. From an abused horse and a cracked neck adjustment to Rocket Fuel and million-dollar months, this journey is built on intuition, grit, and an obsession with results. What began in stables and garages now impacts thousands of households, athletes, and teams who rely on Savvy Touch every day. The lesson is clear: stay in the fight, listen to your gut, and let your failures sharpen you rather than stop you. If you have ever wondered whether your crazy idea is worth pursuing, this episode shows you exactly what can happen when you refuse to let go.

Pain, Mindset & Madness: What It Really Takes to Go Long in Triathlon with Belinda Granger

Long-distance triathlon is not just about strong legs and lungs; it is about how far your mind will let you go. In this episode, you will hear a legendary iron-distance racer share how influence, mindset, and a tiny bit of crazy shaped her life on and off the course. From freezing days in Challenge Roth to stacking 50 full-distance races, she explains why age groupers might actually be the real superheroes of the sport. You will hear how mentors, coaches, and partners redirected her entire career and why being open to influence is her secret weapon. We also explore her second life in triathlon as a commentator, pro liaison, and mentor to the next generation. If you care about high performance, resiliency, and what it really takes to show up year after year, this conversation is for you.
Summary:
This episode dives into how influence shapes an athlete from childhood through a long professional triathlon career and into life after racing. The guest shares stories of brutal cold races, stacked Ironman seasons, and the mental games required to keep showing up. She highlights the crucial role of mentors and coaches who taught her to treat triathlon as a full-time job and to respect recovery as much as training. We hear how she reframed DNFs, near misses, and pressure-filled showdowns into fuel for growth rather than failure. The episode closes with her work as a commentator, pro liaison, and youth mentor, helping the next generation navigate sport, media, and mindset.
Takeaways:
Mindset and willingness to suffer matter just as much as talent in long distance triathlon.
Age group athletes deserve massive respect for balancing training, travel, work, and family.
The right mentors can completely change your career by teaching you how to live like a professional, not just train like one.
Social media can be a powerful but dangerous influence, so athletes need support and boundaries around it.
Life after racing can be just as meaningful when you use your experience to guide and protect the next generation.
5 Best Quotes:
You have to be just a little bit crazy to race long distance triathlon and actually enjoy hurting that much.
In our sport, the age group athletes might be even crazier than the pros because they do all the same work while holding jobs and raising families.
There is no such thing as failure in racing if you can take even one positive lesson and never make the same mistake again.
Influence shapes who we become long before we realize it, from parents who push us to try new things to coaches and partners who see potential before we do.
The mind controls everything in long-distance racing, and believing you can win often starts with someone else believing in you first.
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Tech struggles and pre-race banter
[00:01:50] Coldest day at Challenge Roth
[00:03:50] Why long-distance triathletes are a little crazy
[00:06:25] Pros versus age groupers and respect for both
[00:09:27] Racing 50 iron distance events and five a year
[00:11:59] Coaching, belief, and the power of mindset
[00:15:14] Lifelong love affair with triathlon
[00:16:16] Racing around the world and choosing destinations
[00:17:53] What influence really means in sport
[00:20:10] Early influences from family and partner
[00:22:42] Learning the craft from Rock and Heather
[00:24:50] Treating triathlon like a full-time job
[00:28:29] Social media as a positive and negative influence
[00:30:10] Turning failure into reframing and growth
[00:33:00] Old school tough coaches and mental strength
[00:35:10] Rivalry, pressure, and the breakthrough win
[00:40:54] When pressure flips,s and you crack
[00:42:38] Modern pressures on pros and public image
[00:45:40] Creating the pro liaison role at Challenge Family
[00:48:40] Mentoring youth at Phoenix Futures camps
[00:53:23] Lifelong friendships and giving back to the sport
Conclusion:
This episode proves that performance is never just about watts and pace; it is about the people and ideas that shape you along the way. From freezing marathons and five Ironman seasons to mentoring teenagers with world-class potential, our guest shows how influence can be the difference between burnout and legacy. Her stories remind us that pressure can crush you or sharpen you, depending on how you frame it. She has turned a lifetime in triathlon into a platform to give back, champion pros, and guide rising stars. If you are chasing your own big goals, this conversation invites you to ask who is influencing you and how you can become that positive influence for someone else.

How Feminine Energy and Tough Lessons Are Transforming Modern Construction Leadership - Robby Kruyer

Robby Kruyer went from fiery young chippy to a reflective, values-driven leader building high-performance homes and high-performing teams. In this episode, he opens up about the unseen stress of running a construction business that literally builds people’s dreams. Robby shares how female leaders and team members reshaped his leadership, his empathy, and even how he thinks about something as simple as a worksite toilet. You’ll hear how honesty, transparency, and character separated the people who thrived after leaving his business from those who collapsed into liquidation. We also dive into energetic connection, the wild story of landing on The Block TV show, and why Robby is obsessed with passive, high-performance homes. If you care about leadership, legacy, and doing business the right way, this conversation will hit home.
 
Summary:
Robby Kruyer talks about the emotional and mental load of running a construction business and how he had to evolve from an angry, fiery boss into a more empathetic and self-aware leader. He explains how feedback from young apprentices and female team members challenged his management style and helped him grow, especially through honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations. The episode explores the role of women in trades, how their perspective changes culture on site, and why creating respectful environments matters more than ever. Robby shares how he has helped team members start their own companies, highlighting the difference that transparency, values, and character make in long-term success. He finishes by explaining his passion for high-performance passive homes and why focusing on the building envelope and sustainability is the future of residential construction.
 
Takeaways:
Sustainable leadership means owning your mistakes, sharing your lessons, and accepting that your influence shapes other people’s futures.
Female team members can dramatically improve culture, communication, and awareness in traditionally male-dominated trades.
Transparency and honesty when leaving or starting a business relationship often determine who thrives and who fails long term.
Strategic mentorship and investing in your own business education can fast-track growth, even when it feels financially uncomfortable at the start.
Passive, high-performance homes prioritize airtight, energy-efficient building envelopes that reduce or even eliminate the need for heating and cooling.
 
Best Quotes:
Influence comes with a massive responsibility, because if you hide your mistakes, you’ll guide people in the wrong direction.
You’ve got to lead by example on site, even down to how clean the portaloo is, because your culture shows up in the smallest details.
Don’t try to jump from A to Z in business; just move from Column A to Column B to Column C, one step at a time.
Having more feminine energy in leadership makes you more empathetic, more aware, and better at understanding why people feel the way they do.
Building a passive, high-performance home is about the quality of the building envelope, not the shiny things you put inside it.
 
Timestamps:
00:00 | Opening reflections on stress, responsibility, and growth
02:27 | Transparency, values, and helping team members start their own companies
05:26 | Learning from female team members and changing site culture
08:05 | Feminine energy, relationships, and female influence in Robby’s life
09:15 | Zoe’s impact and building radical transparency in the team
10:48 | Millie’s “manifestation” story and breaking into construction as a woman
12:10 | Growing up without a father figure and the example of a hardworking mum
13:10 | Legacy, influence, and the responsibility of guiding others in business
15:16 | Sharing financial mistakes, accounting systems, and step-by-step growth
16:02 | Business coaching, investing in knowledge, and trusting the right people
18:20 | Energetic connection, manifestation, and opportunities appearing at the right time
19:13 | The Block TV show, pressure, and doors opened through exposure
21:49 | Risk, payment challenges, and long-term business payoff from TV exposure
22:34 | What Evo Built does and the vision for high-performance passive homes
23:20 | Explaining passive houses, airtight building envelopes, and sustainability focus
 
Conclusion:
This episode shows that real strength in business isn’t about barking orders, it’s about listening harder, softening your ego, and owning your impact. Robby’s story proves that when you embrace feedback—from apprentices, women in your team, and trusted mentors—you don’t just build better houses, you build better humans. His journey from chaotic early days to leading a values-driven construction company is a roadmap for anyone who wants to grow without losing their integrity. Whether it’s helping former employees start their own companies or chasing the vision of truly passive homes, Robby keeps choosing legacy over shortcuts. If you’re ready to rethink leadership, culture, and what’s possible in the building game, this conversation will stay with you long after the tools are packed away

How Leaders Can Prevent Self-Injury and Mental Health Crises with Lori Vann

Listeners discover how common self injury actually is, as Lori explains that it affects people far beyond the stereotype of teenage girls, including children as young as eight and adults well into their fifties. She highlights the strong correlation between non suicidal self injury and suicide, showing why early recognition and intervention are critical for safety and recovery. During the conversation, Lori describes how COVID intensified an already raging mental health crisis and pushed many people to seek counseling for the first time in their lives. We also explore how C suite and organizational leaders shape workplace mental health through their actions, their vulnerability, and the way they respond when employees ask for help. Finally, Lori reframes influence as servant leadership and service, sharing powerful clinical stories and the mission behind Van Wellness and the Institute for Non Suicidal Self Injury..
 
Summary:
Luke explains how Australian property prices have surged while rental yields and cash flow have fallen, making it harder for new deals to stack up. He shares how selling properties in Melbourne, paying capital gains tax, and reallocating into Brisbane produced far better long term growth than simply holding. Luke also describes his pivot from purely residential into commercial property, development, and other business ventures as the market shifts. Beyond money, he unpacks his eight year streak of running at least 7 kilometers every single day and how that consistency has inspired others to raise their own standards. Throughout the episode, Luke and Anton connect influence, leadership, and investing back to one core principle: consistent action that builds trust over time.From Single Properties To Strategic Portfolios The New Rules Of Investing
 
5 Takeaways:
Self injury carries an estimated lifetime risk around 30 percent in the United States and has a very high correlation with suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
COVID did not start the mental health crisis, it dramatically intensified it and drove many adults and young people into counseling for the first time.
Organizational trust around mental health depends on how leaders and HR respond when employees disclose struggles or ask for time off and accommodations.
Influence and leadership have the greatest impact when they prioritize service, ethics, and a willingness to refer clients or staff to other experts when needed
Building strong rel,ationships and a recognizable brand helps you become the person others think of and reach out to when they are in crisis or seeking change.
 
5 Best Quotes:
Influence comes with responsibility and is at its best when it is rooted in humility, service, and a focus on others rather than ego.
Self injury is far more common than most people realize, and it is not just a teenage phase but a behavior that spans childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
The true attitude toward mental health in any organization starts at the top, where C suite actions speak much louder than polished memos.
Real leadership is inseparable from being a servant who is willing to show vulnerability, share struggles, and model the hard work you expect from others.
It is not who you know but who knows you, and how many people think of you first as a trusted resource when they need help and guidance.
 
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Lori Vann Background
02:10 How Common Self Injury Really Is
04:57 Suicide Risk and Why Self Injury Matters
05:56 Covid and the Mental Health Wildfire
07:50 Are Companies Serious About Mental Health
08:59 How Leaders Can Influence Mental Health Culture
11:35 Vulnerability and Humanity in the C Suite
12:38 Redefining Influence As Service
14:58 Family Roots and Early Influences
17:34 Business Coaching and Relationship Capital
20:22 Life Changing Clinical Success Stories
23:58 Ethics, Limits, and Referring Out
25:03 Why Self Injury Chose Lori’s Career
27:20 Realizing Friends Had Also Self Injured
30:10 Leadership Through A Servant Lens
31:36 The Cost Of Disconnected Senior Leaders
32:57 A Message To Those Who Are Struggling
34:51 Where To Find Self Injury Resources
36:51 Closing Thanks And Future Connections
 
Conclusion:
This episode brings self injury and suicide risk out of the shadows and into an honest, compassionate conversation that leaders and everyday listeners need to hear. Lori Vann shows that while the statistics can feel heavy, there is real hope when skilled professionals and caring leaders commit to prevention, intervention, and stigma reduction. For organizations, the takeaway is that mental health is no longer optional, it is a core leadership responsibility that demands consistent, human centered action. For individuals who are struggling, Lori’s message is that you are not alone, what you are facing is more common than you think, and there are people and resources designed specifically to help you. As you finish this episode, consider how you can use your influence to serve others, support mental health, and help create spaces where asking for help is respected as a sign of strength

From Single Properties To Strategic Portfolios The New Rules Of Investing with Luke Moroney

influence, leadership, consistency, daily habits, long term wealth, property investing, Australian property market, residential property, commercial property, portfolio strategy, capital gains tax, selling and reinvesting, Brisbane property, Melbourne property, affordability, rental yields, cash flow, buyers agent, business exit, business growth, running streak, daily running, mindset, discipline, trust, credibility, inspiration, impact, financial freedom, investing strategy
Shownotes:
Influence is not built in a moment; it is forged in the quiet, relentless act of showing up day after day. In this episode, we sit down with Australian property strategist and eight year run streak legend Luke Moroney to unpack what real influence and real wealth building actually look like. Luke lifts the hood on a brutally hot property market, why yields are getting squeezed, and how smart investors can still move the needle by thinking in portfolios, not one off deals. Along the way, he shares how a single colleague changed the trajectory of his life, how he built and exited a buyers agency, and how he has inspired others through his extreme consistency. From running at airports to repositioning millions between cities, Luke shows that the same mindset can transform both your health and your net worth. If you want a blueprint for long term success that is grounded in discipline rather than hype, this conversation is your playbook.
Summary:
Luke explains how Australian property prices have surged while rental yields and cash flow have fallen, making it harder for new deals to stack up. He shares how selling properties in Melbourne, paying capital gains tax, and reallocating into Brisbane produced far better long term growth than simply holding. Luke also describes his pivot from purely residential into commercial property, development, and other business ventures as the market shifts. Beyond money, he unpacks his eight year streak of running at least 7 kilometers every single day and how that consistency has inspired others to raise their own standards. Throughout the episode, Luke and Anton connect influence, leadership, and investing back to one core principle: consistent action that builds trust over time.From Single Properties To Strategic Portfolios The New Rules Of Investing
5 Takeaways:
Consistency in small daily actions compounds into credibility, influence, and long term results.
You must adapt your investing strategy as markets change instead of clinging to what used to work.
Paying capital gains tax can be a smart move if it lets you reposition into stronger growth opportunities.
Thinking like a portfolio strategist instead of a single property owner leads to better decisions and resilience.
Leadership and influence are earned by doing the hard work in full view, not by talking about what you might do.
5 Best Quotes:
Every action you take has an effect on someone else, so how you show up is incredibly powerful.
Lead by example by being the first one in and the last one to leave, because people trust what they see you do.
You do not always start with belief in yourself, but seeing proof in others can unlock what you are truly capable of.
In property, the real strategy is long term portfolio design, not emotional attachment to a single property.
Influence starts with impact and ultimately becomes inspiration when people choose to follow your example.
Timestamps:
00:00 Recording chaos and the quarter to rule
01:00 Scaling podcast production on a budget
03:20 Fixing the distracting background on camera
04:00 Luke’s simple 7 lap daily run routine
05:05 Eight years straight and managing niggles
06:12 Running through travel, airports and jet lag
06:48 Training smart after injuries and blisters
07:55 Redefining influence as impact and inspiration
09:00 Introducing Luke and his property background
10:45 Pivoting beyond residential into new ventures
12:00 Affordability crunch and yield challenges
13:30 Selling in Melbourne and reallocating to Brisbane
15:30 Olympics, infrastructure and regional growth stories
16:40 Influence as the impact of your actions
18:00 The colleague who sparked Luke’s investing journey
19:20 Helping a cousin build a five property portfolio
20:30 Leading by example with first in, last out
21:40 How consistency builds deep trust over time
22:40 Borrowing belief from the proof of others
24:20 Anton’s 23 day run streak and lessons learned
25:20 The five pillars of influence framework
26:40 Planning part two and asking for new guests
Conclusion:
Influence is not a lightning strike; it is the steady beat of turning up when others would rather tap out. Luke’s story shows that the same discipline that gets you out the door for a run every day is the discipline that lets you buy, sell, and reposition your portfolio with confidence. When you stop obsessing over one property and start thinking like a long term strategist, the fear around tax, timing, and market noise starts to fade. Most of all, this episode is an invitation to lead from the front in your health, your money, and your relationships, so others can borrow belief from your example. If you are ready to build a life where your influence, wealth, and well being all grow together, Luke’s playbook is a powerful place to start.

From Fearful Speaker to Daily Podcaster: Turning Conversations into Clients with Robert Plank

Public speaking terrifies most people, but what if the very thing you fear becomes the engine that grows your business every single day? In this episode, you will hear how a shy, introverted computer programmer turned his fear of the spotlight into a thriving podcasting and content machine. We dig into how podcasting helps you beat the traffic problem, build real relationships, and stay relevant in a noisy online world. You will discover how simple tools like your phone, a couch, and a clear offer can turn casual conversations into serious revenue. Along the way, you will hear stories of mentors, clients, and a growing team that prove consistency and courage trump perfection. If you are serious about growing your business, this episode shows you why you cannot afford to ignore podcasting any longer.
Summary:
This episode explores how podcasting became the key that unlocked business growth, visibility, and confidence for an introverted tech entrepreneur. Robert shares how he leaned into his fear of public speaking, built a show, and used podcast guesting and hosting to attract clients, partnerships, and long-term opportunities. He explains how simple tools and environments, from cars to couches to Riverside, can remove technical excuses and make content creation easy and sustainable. The conversation highlights how mentors, pricing shifts, LinkedIn networking, and a quarterly compilation book series helped him package his skills into scalable services. Finally, he breaks down how building a remote team, delegating production, and offering a simple done-for-you podcast service lets business owners focus on the conversations while his company handles everything else.
5 Takeaways:
Podcasting is a powerful solution to the traffic and visibility problem for serious business owners.
You do not need fancy gear to start, only a phone, a quiet space, and the courage to have meaningful conversations.
Mentors, simple pricing, and bold decisions like raising rates can rapidly accelerate your income and impact.
LinkedIn is a highly effective way to find quality guests, build relationships, and turn conversations into clients or referrals.
Delegating production to a capable team frees you to focus on relationships, strategy, and consistent content creation.
5 Best Quotes:
Public speaking used to paralyze me, but podcasting became the vehicle that set me free and built my business.
If you can figure out podcasting, you can fight the noise, build your network, and attract the right people to you.
Discipline is huge because once the calendar is in front of me, I will show up and I will not let anyone down.
Sometimes the simplest advice, like double your prices, forces you to grow into the business you were meant to run.
You do the conversations and let the team handle the rest, because there is only one of you and trying to do it all will keep you small.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Overcoming fear of public speaking and early struggles
00:02:18 Discovering podcasting as the solution to the traffic problem
00:05:03 Simple tech, cars and couches as easy recording studios
00:06:51 Mindset, enthusiasm, and escaping negative people
00:09:20 Fear, evolution, and choosing positivity in modern business
00:11:39 Discipline, introversion, and building a podcasting habit
00:13:48 Staying relevant and prolific with consistent content
00:15:48 Mentor story and the power of doubling your prices
00:18:09 Recommending mentors and the ongoing networking effect
00:18:46 Favorite guests and multi dimensional success stories
00:20:20 Using LinkedIn to book quality podcast guests at scale
00:24:32 Introducing the podcast service and current client base
00:26:17 Favorite client story and creating a simple monthly offer
00:28:26 Client uniqueness, names, and memorable personal brands
00:29:19 Publishing frequency and managing a daily podcast show
00:30:13 Supportive relationships and long term consistency
00:30:58 Building a remote team, delegating, and buying back time
00:34:38 Long term collaborations, compilation books, and client podcasts
00:36:04 Commitment, passion, and sticking with the journey
00:37:30 Episode wrap up and goodbye
Conclusion:
This episode proves that you do not need to be a natural performer to win with podcasting. What you need is a clear why, a simple system, and the courage to keep showing up even when it feels uncomfortable. By turning conversations into content and content into relationships, you can stay visible, relevant, and top of mind in your market every single day. When you pair that consistency with a supportive team and a streamlined offer, podcasting stops being a side project and becomes a true growth engine. Listen back, pick one concept you heard today, and act on it so that your next conversation can become the start of your next big breakthrough.

How Builders Can Stop Going Broke And Start Running Real Businesses with Kyle Zanetto

construction business, building business, home builder, high performing homes, airtight construction, energy efficiency, insulation, double glazing, ventilation systems, Tasmanian builder, Future Builder community, builder education, business coaching for builders, construction leadership, scaling a trades business, managing cashflow, builder pricing mistakes, markup and margins, profit and loss, banking buckets, multiple bank accounts, avoiding going broke, construction systems, estimating mistakes, client relationships, referrals, sales skills for tradies, social media marketing for builders, Facebook ads for builders, TikTok audience, niche marketing, leadership evolution, team culture, work ethic, long hours, burnout, asking for help, podcasts, online courses, AI in construction, data driven decisions, business resilience, financial safety net, operating expenses
Shownotes:
From nearly going broke on multimillion-dollar builds to mentoring 100-plus construction companies, this episode is a masterclass in turning pain into power. Our Kyle Zanetto shares how he went from a young tradie on the tools to leading multiple teams across Tasmania and co-founding a fast-growing builders’ education community. You will hear the real numbers, the near-disasters, and the pivotal mindset shifts that turned a struggling builder into a data-driven business owner. We dig into high-performing homes, airtight construction, smart banking systems, and why most builders fail long before the market takes them out. If you are in construction, trades, or any service business, this conversation will show you how to stop working seven days a week for free and start building a business that supports your life, not destroys it. Get ready for a raw, practical, no-ego look at what it really takes to win in the modern building game.
Summary:
In this episode, our Kyle Zanetto explains how he went from a hands-on builder in Tasmania to a multi-location business owner and co-founder of Future Builder, a community that shares tools, templates, and training for builders. He breaks down the fundamentals of high-performing homes, focusing on airtight construction, insulation, quality windows, and smart ventilation to reduce energy loss and improve comfort. The conversation dives deep into the harsh financial realities of building businesses, including underpricing, thin margins, and a year where he lost hundreds of thousands of dollars while working 80 to 100 hours a week. He shares how investing heavily in business education, systems, banking structures, and leadership transformed his operations and gave him clarity and control over his numbers. Throughout, he emphasizes the power of community, asking for help, and building a company big enough to hold the dreams of every employee so they never feel forced to go out on their own.
5 Takeaways:
Invest in business education before you start your own building company so your first jobs are profitable instead of experiments.
High-performing homes start with airtight construction, great insulation, and quality windows paired with proper ventilation.
You may need to rebuild your team and culture as you evolve from a crew of mates to a professional, system-driven company.
Smart banking with multiple accounts and clear buckets for tax, overhead, and project money can save you from silent financial disaster.
Surrounding yourself with a community of open-book builders accelerates learning and reduces the chances of going broke alone.
5 Best Quotes:
Joining the right community can give you more progress in six months than the last ten years in business.
You go from being a builder to being a business owner, but most of us try to do it without any business apprenticeship at all.
Sometimes you have to Phoenix the business and rebuild it so the new company matches the new vision.
If you do not know how to sell, your only chance is to be so good that referrals do the talking for you.
Every piece of information you need is already online, but you only get it when you are willing to drop the ego and ask for help.
Timestamps:
00:00 Coast life, sheds, and staying focused
05:01 What high-performing homes really are
07:34 Birth of Future Builder and the builders’ library
09:45 Member wins and the power of zero bad feedback
11:02 Family business roots and choosing building over engineering
13:06 Starting a company young and learning the hard way
15:44 Early work, tiling, and building a local reputation
17:24 Sales, referrals, and the small-town advantage
19:38 Finding your niche and not trying to please everyone
21:55 Long-term marketing and choosing the right platforms
22:55 Growing to 30-plus staff across Tasmania
23:28 From lads on the tools to a professional company
24:39 Leadership style shifts and meeting rhythms
25:24 Building a company big enough for everyone’s dreams
26:08 One-on-one mentoring and giving away his playbook
27:18 A community of 100 open-book builders
28:36 The hope of ending the broke-builder cycle
29:10 Why construction is brutal and who survives it
30:34 Advice for new builders before starting a business
31:32 The year he lost hundreds of thousands of dollars
33:05 Building a three-month safety net in every company
34:32 From one bank account to 60 smart buckets
36:39 Drop the ego and ask for help
37:03 Education is everywhere if you are willing to invest
37:57 Who he thinks should be on the show next
39:18 Podcast talk, tech fails, and behind-the-scenes moments
41:02 Estimates lost to software and why backups matter
42:42 Going broke, life costs, and appreciating money
43:04 Relationships, sacrifice, and still being here
Conclusion:
This episode proves that being great on the tools is not enough if you want to survive the modern building industry. Our Kyle Zanetto shows that the real turning point comes when you treat business skills like a trade in themselves and train accordingly. By rebuilding his systems, team, finances, and mindset, he turned near-collapse into a platform for helping builders across the country. His story is a reminder that you can love the chaos of construction without letting it consume your health, relationships, or bank account. If you are ready to stop guessing your numbers, stop undercharging, and start building a future-proof business, this conversation is your wake-up call.