The Catalyst Project

After decades leading hospitals and major health initiatives as a CEO, COO, CFO and Executive Director, Dr Helen Chalmers has built a career around leadership, service and creating meaningful impact. In this episode, Helen shares her journey from growing up in South Australia to leading complex healthcare organisations, navigating career transitions, and building a portfolio of board and committee...

In this episode of The Catalyst Project podcast, Mark Johnson and Paula Turbill sit down with Freddy Bartlett , Founder of ICAM, to explore what it really takes to build something from the ground up. Freddy shares an honest look at the founder journey, from the early uncertainty of starting with nothing, to the pivotal decisions, risks and challenges that shape a business along the way. This conve...

What does it take to run across Australia and raise $1 million for childhood cancer? In this episode of The Catalyst Project , Eddie Tchigique shares the mindset behind his extraordinary mission, and why he believes he is not special. Just consistent and willing to suffer. Mark and Eddie discuss drive, discipline, discomfort, legacy and how resilience is built one hard decision at a time. Because...

In this episode of The Catalyst Project, Mark Johnson , co-founder of EGM, shares his take on the talent market, how AI is reshaping recruitment, and what organisations are getting right - and wrong - with flexibility and generational expectations. Smart, sharp and straight talking. You don't want to miss this.

With 15+ years of experience in high-stakes disputes, Amanda Brady knows how to lead under pressure and win with purpose. As Director at Cowell Clarke, Amanda heads the Dispute Resolution and Construction practice, while also (formerly) serving as President of NAWIC SA, championing diversity and career pathways for women in the built environment. In this episode of The Catalyst Project, Amanda sha...

With nearly two decades shaping finance and a career built on discipline and drive. Steve McGrath brings a wealth of experience in leading teams, driving financial performance and turning numbers into meaningful outcomes. As the Founder of Distil Advisory and former CFO and Head of Finance across major organisations, Steve knows what it takes to navigate complexity and deliver results with clarity...

In a time of rapid energy transition, Jessica Morris is helping shape what the future looks like, for customers, communities, and the sector itself. As Head of Customer and Strategy at SA Power Networks, Jess leads the charge in aligning innovation, service delivery, and sustainability with evolving expectations. In this episode of The Catalyst Project, Jess shares how to lead through complexity,...

From decoding brainwaves to redefining mineral exploration, Ben Schultz has built a career at the intersection of neuroscience and AI. In this episode of The Catalyst Project , Ben shares how his groundbreaking work from mental speech recognition to AI-powered prospecting, is reshaping how we interact with machines, data and the Earth itself. Tune in for a fascinating conversation that spans brain...

In this episode Mark and I are joined by Levi Mitchell, recently recognised as one of ten outstanding achievers in the 2025 Governance Top 100. Levi shares his journey to securing board roles, his perspective on what marks an effective director, and how modern governance is evolving in a rapidly changing world. Together, we dive into the mindsets, networks, and strategic thinking that define today...

We often talk about what it takes to lead - but what about what it takes to follow? In this episode of The Catalyst Project , Paula is joined by Dr Ruth Sims to unpack her research on followership and how it underpins effective leadership. It's a fascinating conversation that flips traditional leadership thinking and highlights why every great leaders needs great followers.

Season 2 of The TCP Podcast kicks off with a powerful conversation with Maria Palumbo, CEO of Junction Australia. Together, we explore what it really takes to perform at your best and why confidence and self-belief are the foundation of great leadership. From building trust to backing yourself through challenges, this season dives deep into resilience, purpose, and the courage to lead authenticall...

In this episode of The Catalyst Project, we sit down with Clair Scapinello. For a candid conversation about the good and bad traits we pick up from the leaders around us. Claire shares the leadership lessons that have shaped her, what to carry forward, what to leave behind, and how those experiences have influenced her own leadership style. Hosted by Mark Johnson and Yasmine Johnson , this episode...

In this episode of The Catalyst Project, we’re joined by Kate Russell for an honest and insightful conversation about one of the most misunderstood qualities in leadership: vulnerability. Kate brings a powerful mix of wisdom and lived experience, challenging the way we think about showing up as leaders especially when it matters most.

We got chatting with Michelle Tuckey , internationally recognised workplace psychology expert and leading researcher at the University of South Australia. Michelle is passionate about creating healthier, more respectful workplaces and her research is driving real change. In this episode, we take a deep dive into her insights on leadership, systems thinking, and psychological safety in today’s work...

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Edginton , founder of The CEO Advantage. Paul discusses how his early career influences and career path led to the birth of The CEO Advantage, and shares insights on navigating leadership challenges and effective workplace communication. We explore the key traits of a successful CEO, the critical role of mentorship, and strategies for fostering gender diversi...

In this episode, we dive into the early experiences that shape leadership with Paul Unerkov. Paul shares insights into how his formative years influenced his leadership style, from family values to work ethic, respect, and courtesy. Research shows that factors like family dynamics, education, and early professional experiences significantly shape an individual’s leadership journey and Paul’s story...

We got chatting with Shantell Williams , Chief Technology Officer at Tiimely , about the importance of knowing where you get your energy from—and giving yourself permission to recharge without guilt. 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺? Whether it’s reading a book, practicing yoga, walking the dog, or savouring 30 minutes of quiet with your morning coffee, it’s important to embrace those mo...

We got chatting with Merrily Hunter, Founder and CEO of MAC Trade Services, about how she built a 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Let me say that again: a thriving business, built from scratch, with no external investment. Today, MAC is the largest energy services and e-electrification business in South Australia, with 53 staff and a network of over 1,000 tradespeop...

In our very first episode, we got chatting with RAA's Chief Strategy Officer and General Manager of Home and Energy, Ben Owen. Ben sat down with Paula and Yasmine to share his journey, insights, and the importance of 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 when looking to progress your career.