Host Paul Spain sits down with Kiwi innovator Sir Ian Taylor . From his humble beginnings in rural New Zealand—where he vividly recalls the first time his family home was lit by electricity—to founding Animation Research Ltd and revolutionising sports broadcasting technology worldwide, Ian shares tales of pivotal life decisions, setbacks, lessons in leadership from the army, and how Māori values have shaped his business philosophy. Sir Ian’s story is a powerful reminder to follow your curiosity,...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 83
Host Paul Spain is joined by Rachel King , founder of Quotient , to dive into the art (and necessity) of working at "human speed." With a background as a civil engineer and expertise in psychology, Rachel unpacks why our obsession with busyness doesn’t equal value, how digital overload and workplace pressures can drive burnout—and, most importantly, practical strategies for leaders and teams to prioritise meaningful work, set boundaries, and thrive without running on empty. Whether you’re a star...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 82
Join host Paul Spain as he sits down with Dr. Simon Malpas , scientist, entrepreneur, and chief executive of Kitea Health. Explore Dr. Simon’s inspiring journey from his global research experiences to co-founding successful medical device companies. Explore how Dr. Malpas' innovative work is poised to transform lives with a groundbreaking micro-implantable pressure-sensitive device. Discover insights on overcoming challenges, raising capital, and the potential of New Zealand as a hub for technol...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 81
Host Paul Spain sits down with Grant Straker , the CEO and co-founder of Straker , a global leader in AI-driven language and translation technologies. From his early days growing up in New Zealand and his time as an elite paratrooper in the British Army, to his journey into entrepreneurship and eventual public listing on the Australian Stock Exchange, Grant shares a fascinating tale of innovation, perseverance, and growth. Tune in to hear about the challenges and triumphs of building a tech comp...
Mar 21, 2025•55 min•Ep. 80
Host Paul Spain is joined by Simon Bridges , former leader of the National Party and current CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber . Simon shares insights into the decision-making processes that have shaped his career path from law to Parliament and eventually into the business world and reflects on key moments of risk and opportunity. Simon also offers a rich perspective on New Zealand's business landscape, touching on the challenges and opportunities in the current economy, the role of technolo...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 79
Hear from Sir John Key , former Prime Minister of New Zealand, as he shares his journey from humble beginnings to national leadership. Key discusses his upbringing, his tenacity and strategic mindset in the world of currency trading, and the pivotal moments that led him to a career in politics. Key shares insights into his time as Prime Minister, the importance of surrounding oneself with talented people, and his post-political ventures into technology and innovation. Whether you're interested i...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 78
Join host Paul Spain and Grant Lynch , Managing Director of Unlimited Potential Real Estate , as Grant shares his journey from his roots in West Auckland, navigating the challenges of the real estate sector to stepping out and co-founding UP Real Estate with Barry Thom. Discover how Grants personal values, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity played pivotal roles in his entrepreneurial success. Don't miss this opportunity to glean valuable lessons on leadership, innovation, and personal ...
Dec 27, 2024•56 min•Ep. 77
Host Paul Spain is joined by Levi Fawcett , founder and CEO of Partly . Levi shares how his unique background fuelled his problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial spirit, eventually leading Partly to secure New Zealand's largest Series A funding of $37 million. Join us as Levi reflects on his pivotal experiences at Rocket Lab, the trials and breakthroughs of running multiple ventures, and the audacious ambition needed to build a global company aimed at revolutionising the car parts industry. G...
Dec 06, 2024•48 min•Ep. 76
Join host Paul Spain and guest Mark Cochrane , CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand , as Mark shares his journey from the scenic landscapes of South Otago to leading one of the most acclaimed agencies in Asia Pacific. With engaging anecdotes from his diverse career—from marketing execution at BT Cellnet to expanding Saatchi's presence in Bangkok and Australia—Mark offers valuable insights into the art of fostering meaningful client relationships, innovative leadership, the adaptability and w...
Nov 22, 2024•59 min•Ep. 75
Join host Paul Spain as he sits down with Kaila Colbin , founder and CEO of Boma . Kaila shares her wealth of experience in entrepreneurship and leadership, from orchestrating impactful TEDx events to her collaboration with the Crusaders Rugby team, Kaila shares her thoughts on the balance between courage and empathy in leadership, with engaging discussions on personal growth, the practicalities of business, and fostering innovation. This episode is packed with valuable insights for aspiring ent...
Oct 18, 2024•52 min•Ep. 74
Host Paul Spain sits down with seasoned business leader Mark Powell to delve into an inspiring journey of leadership, resilience, and transformation. Mark shares invaluable lessons from the frontline to the CEO's desk. Discover how he navigated the complexities of unionized environments, spearheaded significant operational turnarounds, and adapted strategies to fit diverse market contexts. Mark’s reflections on servant leadership, work-life balance, and the importance of continuous learning prov...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 73
With a wealth of experience across business growth, marketing strategies, technology, and consulting, Jon Bridge has led Refresh Renovations to achieve over half a billion dollars in completed renovation work. Jon shares insights about their successful business model, the challenges and strategies of franchising and international expansions in the renovation industry.
Sep 13, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 72
Andrew Young , Chief Executive of the Cancer Society ’s Auckland Northland division join's Paul Spain to discuss his learnings over 20 years of leadership and governance in the business and charity sector. Andrew shares his journey, driven by personal loss and a commitment to reducing cancer’s impact. Listen and learn from a key New Zealand leader, plus support Daffodil Day and the fight against cancer. Donate at Daffodil Day 2024...
Aug 22, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 71
Julia Grace is an international speaker, educator, author and award-winning recording artist. In this episode Julia shares personal stories of overcoming mental health challenges and turning them into teachable moments. With practical tips for creating a support system, navigating workplace challenges, and the value of facing feedback constructively, Julia offers invaluable insights on mental wellbeing, communication, and the power of turning personal challenges into impactful opportunities....
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 70
Serge Van Dam is a renowned figure in New Zealand’s tech startup scene, with a diverse background in FinTech, PropertyTech, AI, and SaaS. Recognized as a fintech thought leader, Serge also invests in promising Kiwi software ventures, earning the Arch Angel Award for his substantial impact on the startup ecosystem. In the episode, Serge shares his personal experiences, including start up challenges, corporate roles, and supporting NZ tech companies to build successful businesses....
Aug 02, 2024•59 min•Ep. 69
On this episode host Paul Spain is joined by Mitchell Pham , a Vietnamese-New Zealand Tech innovator and Strategic Advisor. Mitchell shares his remarkable journey from escaping Vietnam as a refugee to becoming a prominent entrepreneur and reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to business, including navigating crises, building resilient teams, and fostering international trade connections. From his early struggles to the challenges of steering his businesses through economic do...
Apr 12, 2024•2 hr 17 min•Ep. 67
Misti Landtroop is the managing director for Palo Alto Networks in New Zealand, a key global cyber security leader. Misti has spent over 20 years in key leadership roles ranging from early stage start-ups through to Fortune 100 companies, including over a decade at Microsoft. Listen as Misti shares her insights on leadership, career challenges, and personal growth.
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 66
In this episode Stew Darling, founder of Unstoppable Force, shares invaluable insights drawn from his military intelligence background and leadership expertise. From strategic interviewing techniques to the significance of resilience in high-stakes environments, Stew provides thought-provoking perspectives on decision-making, leadership, and personal growth.
Mar 05, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 68
Jamie Hunt , founder of Pressio , co founder of 2XU and professional triathlete, shares his journey from athlete to entrepreneur. Discover how Jamie's unwavering passion for retail, ethical business practices, and innovative product development have propelled his ventures to international success.
Jan 05, 2024•58 min•Ep. 65
Join host Paul Spain in conversation with digital marketing innovator, Ben Guerin , co-founder of the international agency Topham Guerin . Listen as they dive into the challenges and successes of agency growth, the power of social media marketing, and the emergence of platforms like TikTok. Ben shares insights on leveraging data, reaching new markets, and the lessons learned from political campaigns. Discover how businesses can stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving digital landscape....
Nov 24, 2023•52 min•Ep. 64
In this episode, Paul Spain is joined by Michael Rebelo , CEO of Publicis Group in Australia and New Zealand. Michael takes us on a journey through his fascinating career, from his time in London's advertising industry to his current role with Publicis Group. Join us as we delve into the challenges and opportunities of marketing and digital transformation. Hear Michael's thoughts on the evolving media landscape, consumer expectations and fostering a culture of collaboration within a diverse busi...
Sep 06, 2023•59 min•Ep. 63
In this episode, Paul Spain chats with Adrian Palmer , general manager of Common Good Coffee and Joyya Collective . Adrian shares his journey of using business as a force for good and building connections globally. Discover the secrets behind their community coffee business, the challenges they face, and their dedication to a better world, where business plays a crucial role in social service provision and the fight against modern slavery....
Aug 16, 2023•44 min•Ep. 62
Paul Spain is joined by Vaughan Fergusson - Founder of Vend , a thriving POS business, which was acquired for US$350 million. He is also co-founder and trustee of The Pam Fergusson Charitable Trust , which teaches kids to innovate with programs like OMGTech! and Institute of Awesome . Join us as we learn from Vaughan's experiences as an inventor, innovator, and leader....
May 19, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 61
Richard Conway , founder and CEO of Pure SEO , shares insights into scaling a business and the significance of inflection points in business growth. Richard stresses the importance of comprehending the lifetime value of customers. He emphasizes the need for leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, offer better value to customers, and remain ahead of the competition. And the benefits of creating a culture of continuous learning, surrounding oneself with good people, and being open to coaching...
Apr 21, 2023•57 min•Ep. 60
Paul Spain is joined by Lindsay Zwart , Chief Enterprise Director at Vodafone New Zealand . Lindsay shares her career journey, leadership skills, and challenges in implementing change in a large organization. Lindsay also discusses the importance of company culture, feedback, career development plans, and networking to grow in a role and prepare for the future.
Mar 06, 2023•55 min•Ep. 59
Ian McCrae , founder and former CEO of Orion Health , shares his journey to creating one of the leading providers of health care software. Ian reflects on the challenges they faced in their growth, including transitioning to a larger team, establishing credibility, and bidding for large international tenders.
Feb 03, 2023•43 min•Ep. 58
Dr. Paul Woodfield , a senior lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, discusses his background and research in entrepreneurship and innovation in family businesses, traditional industries, and science for technological innovation. He talks about his own family's history in the wine industry and the importance of family businesses in New Zealand's economy.
Jan 20, 2023•48 min•Ep. 57
Paul Spain is joined by Cecilia and James Robinson , co-founders of My Food Bag which they grew to be worth over $100m in under 3-years, and more recently launching innovative healthcare start-up Tend Health . The Robinson Duo have a proven track record for start ups and high growth business.
Jan 06, 2023•49 min•Ep. 56
Paul Spain is joined by Julian Smith , head of Global Marketing at Rockit Global . Julian shares what it's like to work with some of New Zealand's leading brands and his recent success with Rockit Global.
Dec 16, 2022•47 min•Ep. 55
Queenstown business owner Matt Wong has a background in wildlife conservation before stepping into tourism as manager of i-SITE visiting centre in Queenstown. Matt also managed Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters a mix of aviation, tourism and the film industry and more recently owning and managing iFLY Indoor Skydiving NZ in Queenstown. Matt shares the importance building a strong team and stepping out of your comfort zone....
Dec 02, 2022•44 min•Ep. 54
