The Inspired CEO

Steve Maarbani, CEO of VentureCrowd and former PwC partner, joins Kate Save on The Inspired CEO to share his remarkable journey from a humble upbringing to transforming Australia’s venture capital landscape. In this episode, Steve opens up about the early experiences that shaped his drive for fairness, financial literacy, and innovation. He discusses the founding of VentureCrowd, the digitisation...

After 15 years in the corporate world, Rochelle Gance found herself burnt out, unwell, and disconnected from her true path. What followed was a profound personal transformation—one that led her to found Strength Within and support others in reconnecting with themselves through intuitive guidance, movement therapy, and holistic wellness. In this episode of The Inspired CEO, Rochelle shares how stre...

At just 9 years old, Josh's Rainbow Eggs founder Josh Murray started selling eggs from his backyard. What began as a small pocket-money venture has grown into a thriving business, with his free-range eggs now stocked in over 200 Victorian supermarkets.   Josh’s commitment to ethical farming goes beyond the eggs—his solar-powered mobile sheds, Maremma guardian dogs, and dedication to sustainability...

Briana Evigan went from global recognition as an actress and dancer to becoming a changemaker working at the intersection of storytelling and community empowerment. After building a successful career in Hollywood, a moment of deep personal reflection led her to take a one-way trip to Bali, which set her on a new path of purpose. In this episode, Briana shares how that decision led to years working...

From one store to a billion-dollar pharmacy empire—Jack Gance, co-founder of Chemist Warehouse, reveals the strategy behind Australia’s most disruptive retail success story. In this episode, Jack shares how Chemist Warehouse scaled rapidly by focusing on what customers really want—low prices, wide product ranges, and unexpected value—while forging powerful, win-win relationships with suppliers and...

In this episode of The Inspired CEO, Kate Save speaks with David Fastuca, co-founder of Growth Forum and Locomote, about his journey from teenage side hustler to scaling and exiting multi-million dollar businesses. David shares the lessons behind building Locomote, buying it back post-exit, and helping B2B founders generate over 150 million dollars in sales pipelines. He explains how multi-channel...

From postnatal depression to personalised women’s health solutions, Stephanie Slater is on a mission to transform the way women access essential health services.   Co-founder of Askle. Co, Stephanie’s journey started with her own struggles with postnatal depression and discovering the life-changing impact of genetic testing and targeted nutrition. Now, she’s empowering women at every stage—from pr...

For 26 years, Tim Conolan has been changing the lives of sick children and their families across Australia.   As the founder of TLC for Kids, Tim has delivered over 16.2 million instances of care—offering vital support like medical bill assistance, distraction therapy, and even memory-making trips for children in palliative care.   From rapid-response aid to Australia’s first TLC Ambulance, his mi...

What does it take to build an empire across multiple industries? In this episode of The Inspired CEO, Gerry Ryan, founder of JAYCO Australia, shares his journey from a young accountant to a business mogul with investments in caravans, sports, theatre, and wine. Gerry reflects on the keys to leadership, innovation, and diversifying across industries, from manufacturing over 280,000 caravans and mot...

What does it take to turn a dream into a global success story? In this episode of The Inspired CEO, Kristina Karlsson, founder of Kikki. K and Dream Life, joins host Kate Save to share her journey from a small Swedish town to building an internationally recognized brand—and how she’s reinvented herself after facing business challenges. Kristina is passionate about helping others unlock their poten...

What does it truly mean to live authentically? In this episode of The Inspired CEO, host Kate Save sits down with Kat John, authenticity coach, keynote speaker, and host of the Real, Raw, Relatable podcast, to explore the power of radical self-acceptance. Kat shares her personal journey from chronic pain, addiction, and people-pleasing to becoming a leader in self-empowerment and authenticity. She...

Dr. Ganesh Naidoo is the founder, CEO, and medical director of Medmate, a pioneering virtual healthcare platform transforming access to medical care and prescriptions across Australia. With a background as a rural and urban GP, he witnessed firsthand the challenges of accessing healthcare, especially in remote areas. Driven by a passion for innovation, he helped introduce electronic prescriptions...

Dr. Peter Larkins is a highly respected sports physician, author, and media commentator with a distinguished career in sports medicine. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Larkins has worked with elite athletes across a variety of sports, including the AFL, Olympic athletes, and international sporting organizations. He is well-known for his expertise in injury prevention, treatment, and rehabili...

What does it take to build a global media and education empire from scratch? In this episode of The Inspired CEO, host Kate Save sits down with Nathan Chan, CEO and publisher of Founder, to uncover his journey from IT support to creating one of the most influential platforms for entrepreneurs worldwide. Nathan shares how he turned his curiosity into a business, the lessons he's learned from interv...

Derryn Hinch is a renowned Australian journalist, broadcaster, and former politician, with a media career spanning over five decades. Known as the "Human Headline" for his fearless approach to journalism, Hinch built a reputation for tackling controversial issues head-on. He began his career in New Zealand, later moving to Australia where he worked across television, radio, and print. Throughout h...

Dr. Michelle Woolhouse is an integrative medicine physician, author, and founder of Vively. With over 28 years of experience, she specializes in holistic care for menopause, anxiety, and burnout. A passionate advocate for whole-person health, Dr. Woolhouse is an ambassador and mentor for the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine and the host of the FX Medicine Podcast. Her...

Tom Ormerod is redefining luxury travel and holiday home ownership. As the co-founder of Luxico and Parador, Tom has transformed how high-end travelers experience personalized stays and how families co-own premium holiday homes. With Luxico, he introduced a service-focused approach to luxury vacation rentals, offering high-end properties with tailored concierge services. Now, with Parador, he’s pi...

In this episode of The Inspired CEO, host Kate Save sits down with Glen Noonan, the CEO of Diabetes Victoria, to explore the principles of purpose-driven leadership and the evolving landscape of healthcare. With an extensive background that spans across corporate giants like PwC and the not-for-profit sector, Glen shares his personal journey and what led him to take the helm at Diabetes Victoria....

In this episode, renowned entrepreneur Nick Bell shares his journey from starting with just $300 to building a $300 million business empire. Known for his sharp instincts and relentless drive, Nick discusses how his entrepreneurial spirit began in high school, selling lunches and renting out equipment to save for overseas travel. His hustle evolved into digital marketing, cold-calling clients from...

Sharon Novoa is the CEO of Whole Care Solutions, a disability support service. She began her career in 2008 and completed her undergraduate studies in Nutrition and Dietetics in Kenya in 2012. Sharon worked with World Vision, providing essential health care services to communities in Northern Kenya. In 2013, she moved to Australia to pursue a Master of Health Science at Victoria University in Melb...

In this episode, Paul Taylor, a neuroscientist, exercise physiologist, and former British Royal Navy air crew officer, shares insights into how stress and discomfort can be harnessed to build resilience. Drawing from his military experience, Paul explains how extreme training, such as survival exercises and interrogation resistance, reshaped his response to stress, making everyday challenges more...

Nicky Whelan is an Australian actress and model who grew up on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. Best known for her role as Pepper Steiger on the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours, she has since made a name for herself in Hollywood. After moving to the United States, Nicky appeared in notable films such as Hall Pass, The Wedding Ringer, and Trauma Center, where she showc...

Dr. Nicole Yap is a leading Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and the founder of the Australian Breast Care Centre (ABCC). With a special focus on women under 50, she is dedicated to improving early detection and surgical outcomes for breast cancer patients. Dr. Yap is a graduate of Melbourne University and specializes in breast cancer reconstruction, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, melanoma, and skin c...

Naomi Simson is an influential entrepreneur, author, and speaker, widely recognized for her dynamic approach to business and leadership. As the founder of RedBalloon, one of Australia's leading online gift retailers, she has revolutionized the gift experience industry. Naomi's entrepreneurial journey is marked by her passion for innovation, customer engagement, and creating memorable experiences....

In this episode, Hatem Saleh, founder and CEO of Atlantic Group, shares his remarkable journey from starting a small restaurant in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, to leading one of Melbourne’s most prestigious hospitality groups. Hatem reflects on his early entry into the industry out of necessity, driven by his mother’s health challenges, and how his passion for high-end catering and hospitality grew f...