The Wisepreneurs Podcast

At 73, Jon Younger has spent his career understanding how talent evolves—from HR executive at Exxon to business builder to independent advisor on the future of work and AI. 

In this conversation, Jon addresses the positioning challenge experienced professionals rarely voice: how do you justify premium rates when younger consultants cost less and AI handles routine knowledge work?

Jon explains why accumulated profe...

In our hyperconnected world, we respond to time scarcity by optimising, accelerating, and implementing more productivity systems. But what if the solution isn't doing more—it's doing less?

Mayumi Kataoka, a certified forest therapy guide based in Sydney, takes professionals on three-hour walks that cover barely 1.2 kilometers. Participants consistently report losing track of time and finding clarity they didn't know t...

When Anna Burgess Yang was diagnosed with a brain tumor just weeks before surgery, her three years of systematic business building became the difference between collapse and continuity. In this conversation, Anna shares how strategic financial planning, smart automation systems, and operational frameworks allowed her FinTech writing business to run for two months without her active involvement. She reveals the specific tools, workf...

At 74, a routine phone call during COVID changed everything for Dr. Michael Best. After 50 years practicing medicine, he discovered the endocannabinoid system—a biological network in every human body that he'd never learned about in medical school. Now 80, he's writing a scientific book on the topic while mastering AI tools, Obsidian, and Zotero, proving that intellectual challenge sustains cognitive vitality rather than ...

Most career advice tells experienced professionals to modernize, rebrand, and compete with younger workers on their terms. Robert Vlach, who leads Europe's largest freelance community, says that's backwards.

In this three-hour deep dive—our longest episode ever—Robert explains why your "good name" built through decades of professional relationships is more valuable than any personal brand. This conversation funda...

For many accomplished women, the sudden arrival of brain fog, fatigue, or memory loss can feel like a professional crisis, sparking fears of losing one's edge. But what if these challenges aren't a sign of burnout, but a solvable physiological issue? In this vital episode, Nigel Rawlins sits down with award-winning investigative science writer Amy Alkon, author of Going Menopostal. Amy pulls back the curtain on the shocki...

If you’ve ever underlined a passage, bookmarked an idea, or highlighted something brilliant—only to forget it—this episode is for you.
In this thought-provoking conversation, Sönke Ahrens joins host Nigel Rawlins to show how to turn a lifetime of learning into real, shareable value. 

Sönke, best known for his book How to Take Smart Notes, shares how digital tools like Obsidian and Readwise can help professionals externalise thei...

This episode is a masterclass in career reinvention after 60. For professional women considering entrepreneurship, the path can seem filled with challenges, from overcoming age discrimination to navigating financial uncertainty. 

Nigel talks with LinkedIn expert and veteran solopreneur Sue Ellson to create a practical roadmap for success. 

Sue defines her "Geekster" identity—using technology to build a flexible career and r...

Episode Overview

What if your 60s could be the launchpad for a thriving solo venture? In episode #71, feminist and work-revolution thinker Laetitia Vitaud returns for her third appearance to share how women over 60 can reinvent their careers using their relationships and wisdom. 

From leveraging your 150 trusted connections to embracing seasonal work rhythms, Laetitia offers practical ideas for career reinvention for women over 60. 

H...

In this quietly remarkable episode, Laurie Smale—former dropout, junkyard worker, communication mentor, and now digital storyteller at 79—joins host Nigel Rawlins for a conversation that redefines what it means to start over late in life.

Laurie shares how he walked away from school at 13 after brutal treatment by a maths teacher and began working in a junkyard under the guidance of Old Bill, his first mentor. Decades later, he retu...

In this Wisepreneurs Podcast episode, host Nigel Rawlins speaks with Czech publisher and technologist Tomáš Baránek about the enduring value of curated publishing in a world saturated by fast content and generative AI. Tomáš shares how his team at Melvil Publishing selects nonfiction titles with long-term value, from authors like Yuval Noah Harari and David Grann, and why translating a book well is just as much a craft as writing i...

What happens when a distinguished accounting professor decides there's more to life than academia? In this captivating conversation, 66-year-old Kim Watty reveals her remarkable journey from emeritus professor to entrepreneur, co-founding The Main Act with her daughter Prue.

After three decades teaching accounting at prestigious Australian universities, Kim felt pulled toward a different purpose. That calling material...

Episode Summary

In this episode of Wisepreneurs, host Nigel Rawlins sits down with Filip Drimalka, an AI strategist, digital transformation expert, and author of The Future of No Work. Filip shares game-changing insights on AI-driven productivity, automation, and the evolving workplace.

Is AI replacing jobs—or redefining them? Filip challenges traditional ideas of expertise, explaining how entrepreneurs, freelance...

In this episode, we sit down with Michal Novotný, a distinguished physiotherapist and fitness coach who has worked with elite athletes such as Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, and Hollywood stars including Orlando Bloom and Chris Hemsworth.

Michal shares his journey from his early career in ATP tennis to developing groundbreaking approaches, and authoring Czech Republic bestsellers Sport is Pain and The Secret of Healthy Mo...

In this episode of The Wisepreneurs Podcast, host Nigel Rawlins speaks with Anna Burgess Yang, a former FinTech executive turned freelance content writer and solopreneur. Anna shares her journey from corporate to self-employment, balancing her career with raising three children. She highlights how she uses automation, lean thinking, and generative AI to stay organized, streamline workflows, and maintain a successful business.

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In this episode of the Wisepreneurs Podcast, host Nigel Rawlins sits down with Krisna Hanks, a metabolic health expert, to discuss how prolonged sitting can undermine even the healthiest habits. With decades of experience and her role as Director of Employee Wellness Programs at Ovadia Heart Health, Krisna highlights the importance of small, frequent “metabolic sparks” to boost resilience and mental clarity. She introduces the conc...

In this episode of The Wisepreneurs Podcast, host Nigel Rawlins speaks with Tonianne DeMaria, co-author of Personal Kanban, about her inspiring journey from fashion to becoming a productivity expert. Tonianne highlights how visual systems like Personal Kanban empower independent professionals and business owners to streamline their workflow, manage energy, and create sustainable habits for long-term success. The discussion also div...

In this episode of The Wisepreneurs Podcast, host Nigel Rawlins interviews Peter Compo, author of The Emergent Approach to Strategy. Drawing on 25 years of experience at DuPont, Peter illustrates how businesses can adapt and thrive in unpredictable environments by employing an emergent thinking framework. 

He emphasises that identifying key obstacles, eliminating bottlenecks, and guiding decision-making are crucial steps i...

In this episode, my guest, Gail Greatorex, is a leading expert in product safety with over 25 years of experience. Gail shares her journey from working with the Australian government to becoming a self-employed consultant, where she helps businesses navigate consumer protection laws, compliance, and product recalls. 

She reflects on the freedom and flexibility of working for herself, allowing her to choose projects that al...