The Canberra Business Podcast

Tired of hearing that inclusive hiring is “too hard” or “too costly”? We sat down with Jigsaw Australia’s Canberra hub manager, Lucas Tyson, to unpack a model that proves otherwise: real workplace training through digitising projects, award wages from day one, and structured support that makes placements stick. This is a ground-level look at how to turn paperwork backlogs into purposeful work and transform hesitation into confident...

Ready to stop guessing at social media and start leading it? We sit down with Susie Basiaco, founder of The Social Nest, to unpack how a former e‑commerce owner turned strategist builds real results without chasing every trend. Suzy shares the pivotal lessons that took her from packing secondhand books in her lounge room to shaping campaigns for micro, small, and mid‑sized businesses across Canberra and beyond.

We dig into...

Looking for a faster path into global markets without starting from scratch? We sit down with Egypt’s ambassador Mr Hani Mohamed Nagi to map out a clear route for Australian businesses to scale across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe using Egypt as a strategic base. This is a practical tour of policy, opportunity, and on‑the‑ground support that helps founders, exporters, and investors move from interest to action.

We un...

Want the real reasons Canberra homes cost more—and what would actually move the needle on supply? We sit down with Taz Building Group CEO Suman Dhillon to unpack a 13‑year climb from one home to a $30 million operation, delivering 70–80 new builds a year while keeping clients coming back. From stable subcontractor teams to five‑month build timelines after approvals, Suman shares how paying trades on time, standardizing processes, a...

A hotel door that scans your face sounds futuristic, until it won’t let you back in after breakfast. That story sets the stage for a candid tour through AI’s promise and pitfalls with Dr. Ryan Payne of CanBe Lab at the University of Canberra. We dig into how convenience can collide with bias, what inclusive design looks like in practice, and why Canberra is a powerful proving ground for responsible, human-centered innovation.
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What if the problem isn’t the pipeline, but the job ad? We sit down with Craig Wallace, Head of Policy at Advocacy for Inclusion, to unpack why disability employment remains stuck and how a simple shift—hiring for inherent requirements instead of generic checklists—can unlock talent and performance. Craig explains how AFI blends individual advocacy with systemic reform, drawing on lived experience to solve real access issues while ...

A pen test won’t save your business if the cleaner unplugs your backup server. We dig into Purple Resilience with Aris Zinc Group's Lizzie Christiansen and Michelle Carn to show how true operational strength blends cyber defense with people, process, and supply chain readiness. From tailgating and propped warehouse doors to vendor failover and business continuity drills, we share the simple fixes and smarter tests that keep sm...

A Canberra success story meets global scale: Greg sits down with Sarah Bailey, Group Executive Director and CEO Australia at Penten Amio, to unpack how a startup founded by 11 local families became a trusted partner to the Five Eyes. From secure communications that enable classified access anywhere to AI powering electronic warfare decoys, we get inside the technology, the strategy, and the people behind a binational mission.
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What does it take to prove competence when the stakes are sky-high? We sit down with ASPEQ’s Hamish Finlay to unpack how a New Zealand–born exam provider became a global engine for regulators, running high-stakes testing for pilots, trades, healthcare, and emergency services across 25 countries while anchoring leadership, IT, and candidate services right here in Canberra.

Hamish traces the company’s origins to New Zealand’...

Australia’s biggest customer isn’t a corporation; it’s the Commonwealth. We sit down with AQMN Legal’s Matthew Bautz to map a practical path for SMEs that want to sell to government without getting lost in rules, panels, and paperwork. Matthew explains why procurement inside Canberra runs on transparency and value for money, not speed. Including how that changes the way you bid, partner, and protect your IP.

We get specifi...

If your business runs on a card reader, a laptop, and a phone, you already rely on more connectivity and data than you think. We sit down with Telstra’s Nathan Gumley - Telstra Executive for Strategy, Transformation and Planning to unpack a practical playbook for growth and resilience: networks that do more than connect, AI that actually helps teams work faster, and security habits that stop expensive mistakes before they happen.

Ready to steer a boat for the first time—at walking pace—past Parliament House and the War Memorial? Greg sits down with GoBoat Canberra co-owner Amy Wetherby to unpack how an electric picnic boat venture won locals’ hearts, turned casual staff into leaders, and kept sustainability at the centre without losing sight of cash flow and safety. This is a grounded, behind-the-scenes look at building a small tourism business that feels p...

What does it take to build a globally competitive content company from Canberra? Michael Tear, CEO of Wildbear Entertainment, reveals the extraordinary journey from two university students with a dream to a 180-person powerhouse creating documentaries for Netflix, Disney, BBC and beyond.

The path wasn't straightforward. Starting with virtually no industry connections, Michael and co-founder Serge faced years of strugg...

When Michael Minns and Blanca Barreras of Hayes Recruitment stepped into our new podcast studio, they brought fresh perspectives on how digital transformation is reshaping the recruitment landscape while preserving the irreplaceable human element at its core.

"Digital transformation is a technology solution to a business problem," Michael explains, cutting through the buzzwords to the heart of what matters for or...

When office buildings become more than just places to work, magic happens. That's the powerful message Tashi Dorji, head of FlexSpace at JLL Flex Solutions, brings to the Canberra Business Podcast as he unpacks the evolution of co-working spaces from simple desk rentals to vibrant communities driving innovation and connection.

Remember when "cool" offices just meant bean bags and ping pong tables? Those days...

Jane Brownbill stands at a crossroads many of us dream about – after decades in high-powered roles as a CEO and senior manager, she asked herself what she truly wanted to do when she "grew up." Her answer became See Yourself, a coaching practice specifically designed for young adults and neurodiverse individuals who need support finding their unique path forward.

See Yourself offers a suite of tailored programs including o...

Data is everywhere in your organization, but do you truly understand what it means? Sam Spencer, CEO and CISO of Aristotle Metadata, reveals how the missing piece in most data strategies isn't fancy algorithms or massive storage capabilities—it's simply understanding what your data means and where it lives.

From measuring podcast listeners to protecting patient information, Sam explains how his Canberra-based sof...

Nestled in Canberra's southern suburb of Tuggeranong stands the area's first new hotel in 12 years. Punthill Hotel Apartments is breaking the mold of traditional accommodation and challenging assumptions about where business travelers want to stay.

Nick Bell, National Account Manager for Government at Punthill, joins us to reveal why this strategic location makes perfect business sense. "You'll never se...

With 36 years of experience in personal injury management, Susie Walford, General Manager of Federal Self-Insurance at Employers Mutual Limited (EML), offers a powerful perspective on building purpose-driven workplaces that prioritize both people and performance.

In this compelling conversation, Walford reveals how EML—Australia’s largest personal injury claims provider—has cultivated an award-winning culture while deliver...