What I Wish I Knew At 30

What does success really mean when life doesn’t go to plan? In this powerful and deeply honest episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30 , Fran Harper sits down with Paul Horwell , an international leader, community advocate, and President of JOY Media, to unpack identity, belonging, career pressure, and the mindset shifts that shaped his life. Paul reflects on his 30s,  a period marked by career succes...

In this powerful episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30 , Fran Harper sits down with Alan Tompkins , the first Australian ambassador for the Burnt Chef Project , to talk candidly about mental health, burnout, and breaking the stigma in the hospitality industry. After spending 22 years as a chef and silently battling mental health challenges for over 30 years , Alan shares his deeply personal journey,...

Step inside the extraordinary life of Peter Wright, a chef-turned-global-hospitality powerhouse whose career spans the Olympic Games, Rugby World Cup, Glastonbury Festival, and some of the world’s most intense mega events. 🌍🔥 In this episode, Peter Wright reveals the untold career lessons he learned while rising from a young chef in Melbourne to becoming a leader in the global hospitality indust...

If you’ve ever wondered what true resilience looks like, this episode with AFL legend Steve “Bam Bam” Baker is your masterclass in AFL resilience, grit, adversity, and mental toughness. Steve Bam Bam Baker reveals the life lessons he wishes he knew at 30 — lessons built from AFL grit, AFL resilience, and years of competing with the toughest players in the game. From being drafted as an underdog to...

In this powerful episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30, chef, educator, and ocean-inspired innovator Elke Travers shares the raw, unfiltered life lessons at 30 that shaped her career, her mindset, and her future. From an eight-year working honeymoon around the world to rebuilding life after a health crisis, Elke reveals the exact life-changing lessons she wishes she knew earlier, the real “What I Wi...

In this power-packed episode, we uncover the mindset shifts for success that truly separate achievers from bystanders. Special guest Mike Maddocks — certified NLP Master Practitioner, mindset coach & high-stakes poker pro — breaks down the mindset blueprint he wishes he’d had at 30. From overcoming fear to mastering emotional control, Mike reveals the mindset shifts for success that helped him...

Discover the real life lessons Jim Penman wishes he knew at 30 — wisdom that can transform your mindset, your career, and your entire future. In this powerful episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30, Jim shares deep insights about purpose, success, discipline, mental wellness, and the surprising truth behind his franchising empire, Jim’s Group. In this conversation, we dive deep into What I Wish I Kne...

Dave Crane shares his incredible journey of self-discovery, mastering NLP, and navigating a successful career in media, motivational speaking, and personal development. From overcoming career setbacks during COVID to discovering his ultimate “Max” self, the unstoppable version of himself, this episode is packed with lessons on resilience, risk-taking, and intentional action. In this inspiring conv...

If you’re ready to rise to greatness, reclaim your power, and step into your most authentic life , this conversation with master trainer & coach Connie Theodoridis is for you. In this powerful interview, Connie shares the life lessons she wishes she knew at 30 —from breaking free of toxic relationships to trusting your intuition, finding your authentic path, healing deeply, and building lastin...

Discover how filmmaker and charity CEO Donna Lyon transformed trauma, addiction, and adversity into a life of purpose, creativity, and empowerment. In this compelling episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30, host Fran Harper dives into Donna’s journey from “surviving” to “leading,” and how her organisation Left Right Hook helps survivors heal through storytelling, movement, and community. Donna opens...

What does it take to turn your life around after hitting rock bottom? In this episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30, Fran Harper interviews Robert Theodoridis , a transformative entrepreneur who went from prison to building thriving businesses. Rob shares his real-life lessons on resilience, mindset, personal growth, and overcoming adversity, offering actionable advice for anyone striving to achieve...

In this inspiring episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30, host Fran Harper sits down with Venessa Barnes, a respected voice in the food industry whose career has spanned from the kitchen to corporate strategy. Venessa opens up about her journey from being a chef to becoming a strategic leader, the challenges she faced during COVID-19, and her personal battle with breast cancer at just 32. She also sh...

Chef Sarah Maric | Chef, Educator, and Culinary Leader - From Royal Kitchens to Resilience In this episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30, Sarah Maric, President Emeritus of the Australian Institute of Technical Chefs reveals the real lessons behind Courage, Burnout & Redefining Success. From cooking for royalty to leading some of Australia’s most demanding kitchens, and now inspiring the next ge...

Chef Glenn Flood - The Heat Beyond the Kitchen: Lessons on Leadership and Burnout In this episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30 , host Fran Harper chats with Chef Glenn Flood, culinary leader, mentor, and coach, as he reveals the real lessons behind leadership, burnout, and self-discovery. From high-pressure kitchens to mentoring future leaders, Glenn shares how emotional regulation, gratitude, and...

In this inspiring episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30 , host Fran Harper sits down with Philip Wilkinson OBE , one of the most influential figures in the global food and agricultural industry. With over four decades of leadership across the dairy and poultry sectors , Philip shares his hard-won wisdom, from building relationships that last, to making fast, confident decisions that drive success. H...

Tim Whitehead: Leadership, Resilience, and the Power of Relationships in Business | What I Wish I Knew at 30 Podcast In this inspiring episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30, Fran Harper sits down with Tim Whitehead, a seasoned entrepreneur and hospitality leader with over 40 years of experience in the global food and business industry. Tim opens up about his career transitions, hard-earned lessons i...

Chef Samuel Burke | From Kitchen to Corporate: Resilience, Mentorship & Life Lessons in the Culinary World In this inspiring episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30, Chef Samuel Burke takes us through his remarkable culinary journey, from working in kitchens to leading operations in the Australian meat industry. Sam opens up about burnout, resilience, and the importance of work-life balance in a d...

"Lowina Blackman on IVF, Holistic Crypto Coach, Founder of Crypto Magic, Mindset Shifts, 3D vs 5D living, self-care, personal growth, Bitcoin investing, life lessons at 30 | What I Wish I Knew at 30 Podcast" In this episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30, host Fran Harper sits down with Lowina Blackman, holistic crypto coach and founder of Crypto Magic, to unpack her powerful journey from corporate f...

How do you turn setbacks into success and start living the life you’ve always wanted? In this episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30 , host Fran Harper talks with David Patterson, also known as the Bucket List Accountant , about the biggest lessons he learned on his journey of business growth, personal development, and financial planning. At 30, David believed life would simply fall into place. But a...

At 30, Libby Cook-Black thought she’d chosen security. One year later, she left a high-status government role to build The Female Co , empowering women and girls in regional and remote communities. In this conversation, Libby (Zenath Kes, Erub Island) shares powerful lessons on identity, resilience, culture, leadership, and aligning work with values —including what elite sport taught her about bus...

“Chef Adam Moore on Resilience, Mental Health & Life Lessons | What I Wish I Knew at 30 Podcast” In this episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30 , Fran Harper sits down with Chef Adam Moore , a globally recognized culinary innovator, entrepreneur, and mentor. Adam opens up about his journey through the culinary world and beyond, sharing personal stories of resilience, mental health awareness, and...

In this engaging conversation, Sarah Green shares her journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the lessons learned from her experiences. Reflecting on her life at 30, she discusses the importance of understanding one's needs, the challenges of balancing personal and professional life, and the significance of curiosity and kindness towards oneself. Sarah emphasizes the value of communication, the...

In this episode, Chef John McFadden shares his journey through the culinary world, reflecting on the lessons learned from personal and professional challenges. He discusses the importance of empathy in leadership, the impact of technology on careers, and the value of mentorship. John also recounts his experiences competing in world championships and emphasizes the significance of teamwork and prep...

Join Fran Harper as she sits down with Cheryne Blom, master coach, author, and founder of The Self Mastery Hub. In this insightful episode, Cheryne shares her transformative journey through her 30s, revealing how she overcame personal challenges and embraced authenticity. Discover the power of courage over confidence, the importance of self-awareness, and how life coaching played a pivotal role in...

In this episode, Fran Harper speaks with Mark Field, a seasoned professional in the food and grocery consultancy industry. They explore Mark's journey, reflecting on the lessons learned from his career, the challenges faced, and the wisdom gained over the years. Mark shares insights on the importance of consistency, personal values, and adapting to the changing landscape of work and life. The conv...