Arete Podcast with Richard Triggs

In this episode of the Arete Podcast, Richard Triggs sits down with Richard Palmer, Co-Founder and Partner at Qurate Advisory, to explore what it really takes to build a business that has lasting value. Richard has spent more than 25 years across corporate advisory, investment, governance, technology, M&A and executive leadership. His career has taken him from New Zealand to the UK and Australia,...

In this episode of the Arete Executive Podcast, Richard Triggs sits down with Teva Smith, communications strategist, content creator and fractional communications consultant, to explore the power of creativity, personal brand and human connection in a world overloaded with digital noise. Teva’s career has moved across countries, industries and creative disciplines. From growing up in South Africa...

In this episode of the Arete Executive Podcast, Richard Triggs sits down with Ewan McDonald, Founder and CEO of Spectra, to discuss the realities of building and sustaining a business through some of the most volatile conditions in the oil and gas sector. Ewan shares the story behind founding the business in 2009 during the coal seam gas exploration boom, and the evolution from its original beginn...

223 Birgit Schnelle – Certified EOS Implementer – Entrepreneurial Coach – EOS Worldwide by Richard Triggs

In this episode of the Arete Executive Podcast, I sit down with Andrew Rodgers, Chief Executive Officer of CST Hire, Chair and Non-Executive Director. With more than two decades of leadership experience across resources, manufacturing, infrastructure, and professional services, Andrew shares the lessons from a career defined by reinvention, curiosity, and cultural leadership. Andrew discusses his...

In this episode of the Arete Executive Podcast, I sit down with Damien van Brunschot — Director of EvolveResolve, host of The Resolution Room podcast, leadership coach and trainer, and former Managing Partner with 29 years of legal experience. Damien shares his journey from decades in commercial litigation and governance through to his transition into mediation, conflict resolution, and leadership...

In this episode of the Arete Executive Podcast, I sit down with Tim Dwyer, business growth strategist and founder of Tolemy, to explore how leaders can create clarity, alignment, and activation across their organisations. Tim shares the journey from his early vision in 2008 to develop a “Google Maps for business” through to the creation of the Tolemy Map and his recently published book. We unpack...

In this episode of the Arete Executive Podcast, I speak with Dr Zena Burgess FAICD FAPS, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Psychological Society, about her leadership journey across psychology, governance, and health reform. Zena shares how she scaled APS into a digitally enabled organisation with influence at state and federal levels, while also balancing a diverse board portfolio that in...

In this episode of the Arete Executive Podcast, I speak with Vincent Berry, Director at Sajen Legal, about how business owners and executives can better protect their organisations from legal risk. Vincent shares his journey from young lawyer to firm director, why commercial litigation and insolvency are such critical areas right now, and how business leaders can mitigate risks with the right cont...

In this episode, I sit down with Kylie Sprott to explore her journey from senior executive roles into a true portfolio career that blends board directorships, consulting, mentoring, writing, and public speaking. Central to this transition is her latest venture, Sprott Methods—a leadership platform developed over three years that combines global collaborations, masterclasses, interviews, and practi...

In this episode, I sit down with Ashton Bishop, CEO of Step Change, to talk all things marketing, such as why so much of it fails, and how challenger businesses can cut through the noise without outspending their competition. We trace Ashton’s journey from co-creating 'R U OK? Day' to building a consultancy that helps companies, from small trades businesses to ASX-listed giants, unlock real growth...

In this episode, I’m joined once again by Dr Gavriel "Gav" Schneider — CEO, author, strategic risk expert, and one of Australia’s foremost thinkers on how to navigate uncertainty and unlock human potential. We dive deep into his latest book, 'Presilience: How to Navigate Risk, Embrace Opportunity and Build Resilience', exploring why most organisations still view risk too narrowly, and how reframin...

In this episode, Richard Triggs interviews long-time colleague Darren Finkelstein on how accountability drives performance, reduces overwhelm, and creates real behavioural change in teams and individuals. They reflect on Darren’s pivot from Apple executive to boating entrepreneur to becoming a sought-after accountability coach. The discussion highlights how leaders can model accountability, why fr...

In this episode of the Arete Podcast, I speak with Trudy MacDonald, founder of Talent Code HR and a former CEO of three organisations, with a background in organisational psychology. Trudy shares powerful insights into the post-pandemic leadership landscape and what it takes to build high-performance teams in today’s evolving world of work. We explore the shift toward more empathetic leadership, t...

In this episode of the Arete Podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Griffiths, a renowned author and speaker. Andrew reflects on our 11-year friendship and shares his journey from buying a dive shop at 17 to becoming an international sales manager and eventually a prolific author with 14 books published. We delve into the importance of creating a strong personal brand, especially for...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jake Swinglehurst, the CEO of Lucas' Papaw Remedies. Jake, who has been sporting his iconic mustache for seven years, shares the fascinating history of Lucas' Papaw Remedies, a family-owned business founded by Dr. Lucas in 1910. Jake discusses the legacy carried on through six generations, the challenges and milestones faced by the business, and...

In this episode, I reconnect with my long-time friend and mentor Rex Urwin, who joins me on the Arete Podcast. Rex shares his journey from coaching to mentoring, emphasising the transformative potential within each individual. We discuss the significance of mentorship, the evolution of personal growth, and the role of ancient wisdoms and practices such as breathwork and hermetic principles in cont...

In this episode, I sit down with Mark, the Managing Director of Bennett + Bennett. We discuss his experiences growing up in Brisbane, his journey in the land surveying industry, and his rise through the ranks at Bennett and Bennett. Mark shares insights on the company’s history, their involvement in major projects like Snowy Hydro and Gold Coast Light Rail, and the importance they place on wellnes...

In this episode of the Arete Podcast, I welcome Nick Symonds, the director of MAS, a Brisbane-based architecture studio specialising in hotels, resorts, and multi-residential projects. Nick shares insights into his company's focus, the transition from an established firm to starting his own business during COVID, and the strategic decisions that paved the way for MAS's growth. He also touches on h...

Growing any business takes skill, but growing one through strategic acquisitions takes a special kind of skill. It’s a skill that comes naturally to Matthew Dowd, CEO of Perth-based Keystone Training Group. Matthew joined me on the Arete Podcast, sharing details of the journey the growing Registered Training Organisation (RTO) has had so far. Keystone Training Group currently has three distinct su...

205 - Darren Godwell - Chief Executive Officer - i2i Global by Richard Triggs

204 - David Smith - Chair & CEO - Ceres Tag Ltd by Richard Triggs

The sky's the limit when it comes to aerospace, and ASX-listed Quickstep taking that literally. I spoke with Mark Burgess, MD and CEO, about the stellar growth the company has had in recent years, growing from a staff of 12 to 265 just on one manufacturing site alone. The company has diversified from being primarily focused on the international military market and now includes commercial transport...

When you can contribute to improving the education and prospects of young people, you can sleep at night knowing that your work is worthwhile. This interview gives us a brief, behind-the-scenes look at the work of an organisation that’s doing fantastic work and changing lives at the point where it’s most critical. It’s a testament to what can happen when a husband and wife start off with a simple,...

Omnii is a collaboration between some of the most talented minds in the safety and fire protection industry. Listen in as Peter shares the story of the birth of the business and their rise to having a team of 56 people across the east coast of Australia, and with affiliates in the US, Canada, Chile and the UK Useful Links Omnii website: omnii.com.au/ Peter Glodic on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/peter...