Naked at the Top

Have you ever had a season where everything in your life fell apart at once and you couldn't catch your breath? Then this episode is for you. Today I'm sitting down with Nicholas Howe. He's the founder of Howe United Games and Software, a single dad to a nine-year-old, and the creator of a free app called Cups and Spoons that helps couples build healthier relationships. Before we re...

You can be brilliant at what you do and still feel like the kid no one picked — and starting a business doesn't always fix that. In this episode of Naked at the Top, Gabriele Sanguigno, founder of Tooth Fairy AI, shares what it takes to compete with the biggest names in tech as a self-described introvert who'd rather be coding than selling. He opens up about the cost of the dream — runni...

Everyone tells you to "just be yourself" at the top — but nobody warns you how exposed that can leave you, or how lonely it gets being the one who's supposed to have the answers. In this episode of Naked at the Top, Leadernomics author, keynote speaker and 25-year Air Force veteran Seung Paik strips back the polished version of leadership and shares what it looks like behind closed...

Belonging, identity, power, and the courage to build something new. In this episode of Naked at the Top , Aleyx sits down with Christopher Asahara for a deeply honest conversation about growing up between cultures, being told you are not quite one of “us”, and learning how to turn difference into advantage rather than disadvantage. Christopher shares what it feels like to be an outsider in certain...

sterclass in human-first leadership, honest business building, and why caring is not a soft skill — it’s a strategic advantage. Aleyx Ward sits down with Damien Gooden, CEO of HR Central, to unpack what it really takes to build a business where people stay, trust grows, and leadership doesn’t hide behind titles. From accidentally becoming a CEO to navigating COVID, firing customers, and building d...

What does it look like when an entrepreneur applies business discipline to comedy – and comedy thinking to business? In this episode of Naked at the Top , Morry Morgan shares the unconventional path that took him from an only-child upbringing and global travel, through China’s fast-moving business culture, and into building one of the most unexpected ventures in Australia: a comedy school and conf...

Some careers begin with a plan. Others begin with a quiet decision made far earlier than anyone expects. In this episode of Naked at the Top , Aleyx sits down with Colleen Callander — a leader who started working in retail at just 16 and went on to become CEO of two of Australia’s most iconic fashion brands. But this conversation isn’t about polished confidence or highlight-reel success. Colleen s...

Alan Gill brings a rare mix of sharp business instinct and playful curiosity to this conversation. As co-founder of Choice Energy, one of the fastest-growing energy businesses in AsiaPac, he has lived through the chaos, pressure and exhilaration of scaling at speed. Yet beneath the targets and milestones sits a leader who still draws sharks in meetings, turns corporate stresses into comedy, and us...

Authentic leadership grows from the unseen parts of a life. In this episode, Seung Paik reveals the moments that shaped his identity long before he ever stepped into a leadership role. He shares the immigrant values that built his work ethic, the twenty-five years of military service that taught him discipline and humility, and the internal questions that guided him through purpose, crisis and tra...

When tragedy strikes, some people crumble. Others rebuild the system that failed them.  Naomi from Care Advisory is one of those people. After witnessing first-hand how broken the aged care industry can be, she set out to create change – building a business grounded in ethics, transparency, and trust. In this episode of Naked at the Top , Naomi shares how she turned heartbreak into purpose, defied...

In this episode of Naked at the Top, host Aleyx Ward sits down with Stephen Luxmore , founder of Your HR Team , to explore how growth mindset, self-awareness and authenticity are redefining modern leadership. From starting out as a gardener to becoming a respected HR consultant, Stephen shares how moments of doubt and stereotype shaped his purpose. He talks openly about creating psychological safe...

Advisory boards might sound like something reserved for big corporates – but for founders and entrepreneurs, they’re one of the most powerful growth levers you’ve never used. In this episode of Naked at the Top , we uncover how founders, leaders, and business owners can use advisory boards to sharpen decisions, strengthen strategy, and accelerate personal growth. Our guest dives into the hidden ps...

From a second-hand mower to a nationwide empire of 5,500 franchises – Jim Penman’s story is proof that purpose and persistence can outlast any plan. In this episode of Naked at the Top , Jim shares how a small lawn mowing business turned into one of the world’s most successful franchise systems, and why his mission was never about money – it was about funding research that might just change the wo...

Mindset is the single biggest factor in whether your business thrives or collapses - yet it is also the part most entrepreneurs get wrong. In this Naked at the Top episode, Alex Sy joins us to unpack why mindset is the root of business success. He shares his journey from hitting rock bottom to mentoring others, and why many owners sabotage themselves with fake goals, poor retention strategies, and...

What does it really take to build a business you love without losing yourself along the way? In this Naked at the Top episode, Kellie Simpson shares her journey from corporate burnout to building a thriving, values-led business as a Legal VA. She opens up about the breaking points that forced change, the importance of choosing clients wisely, and the mindset shifts that helped her go from survivin...

What does it really take to build wealth without losing yourself along the way? Tal Evans shares his powerful story of growing up in a poor migrant family, and how those early struggles shaped his resilience, mindset, and approach to business. From starting with nothing to creating lasting success, Tal opens up about the lessons he learned through failure, leadership challenges, and building teams...

What does it take to lead with joy, grit, and zero ego—even when life tries to crush you? Chris Christofi has built an empire from the ground up. But it’s not the hustle that defines him—it’s the heart. In this episode of Naked at the Top , Chris shares how being fired, losing it all, and even getting banned from motorcycles taught him everything he needed to know about leadership, humility, and h...

Zoe Goodhardt doesn’t just understand growth—she builds it from the inside out. In this high-impact episode of Naked at the Top , Zoe shares what it really takes to lead modern marketing, shape high-performing teams, and strip back the fluff in business. With a background that spans bold career moves and brand-defining moments, she offers grounded insight into leadership, clarity, and what separat...

What does it really take to lead with heart - without losing your edge? In this emotionally charged and fiercely practical episode, we meet Ronnie Lewis, a CEO and founder whose leadership philosophy is anything but conventional. Raised on courage and built through loss, Ronnie doesn’t just talk values - he lives them. From moments of sharp self-awareness to radically honest hiring practices, this...

Mia Bowyer doesn’t lead the way most people expect. She blends AI with authenticity, automates systems while holding space for real connection, and built a thriving business without fitting into the traditional CEO mould. In this episode of Naked at the Top, Mia opens up about what it really takes to automate your life without losing your humanity. Named Young Entrepreneur of the Year and founder...

What happens when a messaging expert and leadership strategist decides to flip the script on herself? In this special intro episode, Aleyx Ward—the voice behind Naked at the Top —steps into the guest seat. Interviewed by future guest Mia Bowyer, this conversation strips away the brand polish and reveals the emotional engine behind the podcast. From childhood survival patterns to hard-won clarity,...

STORIES FOR BUSINESS NEWSLETTER: https://storiesforbusiness.substack.com/ FOLLOW NAKED AT THE TOP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakedatthetop/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naked-at-the-top/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nakedatthetop/  🎥 YouTube – https://youtube.com/@NakedAtTheTop?sub_confirmation=1 🍎 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/naked-at-th...