The Business Of podcast

Smarter ageing - How living longer is reshaping how we live and work

Australians are living longer, with life expectancy now around 83 years. But is a longer life a happier life? UNSW Scientia Professor Kaarin Anstey explains how longevity is transforming how we need to think about careers, consumer markets, and government policy.

Pampering our pets – Inside one of Australia's fastest-growing industries

From spa treatments to doggy day care, Australians spend an estimated $21 billion on their pets each year, according to Animal Medicines Australia. Anneke van den Broek, founder of pet-care brand Rufus & Coco, explains what’s driving the boom in pet ownership and pampering – and how to stay top dog in a fast-growing market. 

Same product, different price – When AI decides how much you pay 

UNSW Business School Associate Professor Sam Kirshner unpacks the ethics of personalised pricing, where companies use customer data to tailor costs for individuals. 

Pocket Doctor – How the MedTech app is reshaping healthcare access

Could AI help cure the world’s healthcare gaps? Dr Jackie Rabec, co-founder of MedTech company ThinkMD.ai, explains how technology is transforming care – from underserved regions with few doctors to patients in advanced healthcare systems. 

Burnout is holding us back – Here’s how to beat it

Are we working too hard?  Or are we working wrong? From tech overload to toxic bosses, Women’s Agenda co-founder Angela Priestley unpacks what’s really driving burnout at work and how we fix it. 

Reaping the rewards – The promises and pitfalls of loyalty programs 

We're all players in the massive loyalty program game, whether we're collecting coffee stamps, airline miles, or cashback percentages. But here's the million-dollar question: Who's really winning? iFLYflat founder Steve Hui shares how businesses generate value from loyalty programs, and the mistakes to avoid.

Disconnected – The hidden cost of workplace loneliness.

Loneliness is quietly affecting workplace productivity more than many organisations realise. Clinical psychologist Dr Zac Seidler explains how poor mental health is harming workplace productivity and cohesion, and what we can do to reduce it. 

No plan, no problem – How Sibella Court designed her own career path

From New York fashion shoots to heritage hotels in Australia, designer Sibella Court proves instinct can be your sharpest business tool. On this episode of The Business Of, she shares how trusting your instincts – and going out for dinner – can be the best marketing strategy of all.

The sharing economy – Can collaboration cure overconsumption?

Could collaborative consumption be the cure for our throwaway culture? Robert Chan, the managing director of car-sharing platform Turo, believes we're on the brink of an ownership revolution. He explains what it takes to run a successful business in the sharing economy.

Home truths - how the housing crisis is hurting business

The social impacts of Australia’s housing crisis are well documented, and we’re starting to feel its effect on business. “We know in Sydney, for example, the housing crisis costs the economy $10 billion a year. So it is not just a social crisis, it's a productivity and economic crisis as well.”  Professor Philip Oldfield explains how a lack of affordable housing near major employment hubs is impacting the people who work there, and how businesses can build better workplaces. 

Smarter not harder – How AI is changing the way we work

AI is revolutionising the way we work – automating everything from email creation and data analysis, through to medical diagnostics. But does faster really mean better? As businesses chase efficiency, are we measuring productivity in the right way, or just the easiest way? The Dean of UNSW’s Business School, Professor Frederik Anseel, says true productivity isn’t about hours worked; it’s about impact.

IT Upgrade – The future of recycling office e-waste

Every second, 12 tonnes of plastic are manufactured globally, and millions of tonnes end up as waste. For entrepreneur James Lancaster, this stark reality drove him to create Renew IT, a company dedicated to sustainability, in a bid to tackle the problem head-on. What started as a recycling business that generated value from discarded electronics became a passion. 

From Test to T20 – How cricket bowled over a new generation of fans

The global cricket market is booming. It’s projected to be worth 6.1 billion dollars this year. And while traditional revenue streams such as broadcast rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales still drive the cricket business, it’s the shortened T20 format that’s drawing in new revenue and new fans. Former cricket star turned commentator Lisa Sthalekar explains the lucrative business behind one of Australia’s favourite sports and what it can teach you about your company.

From cash to clicks – How technology is changing financial transactions

"Do you have cash?" It's a question that's becoming increasingly rare in 2025. Nowadays, many of us prefer the convenience of digital wallets over physical cards, not to mention banknotes and coins. According to Richard Holden, an economist and UNSW Scientia Professor, we're moving towards a "functionally cashless" society, with the costs associated with carrying cash on the rise.

The new marketing mix – are podcasts the future of brand marketing?

Podcasting has completely reshaped the audio landscape, pulling audiences away from other media and into a space where brands, businesses, and creators can connect directly with engaged listeners. Today, companies are leveraging podcasts as a powerful marketing tool—leveraging the medium’s popularity as an accessible platform for authentic storytelling. 

Building Banish – How Lottie Dalziel turned a New Year's resolution into a sustainability startup

In 2018, Lottie Dalziel scribbled down a New Year's resolution: Do better for the planet. Unlike most of us, she actually followed through. Frustrated by the lack of practical and authentic eco-friendly products on the market, Lottie decided she’d take matters into her own hands. While most startups take years to refine their product, test the market, and strategise their launch, Lottie built Banish – a marketplace and education platform focused on environmental responsibility – in just two weeks.

What’s the story? How to create a compelling brand narrative

Apple doesn’t sell computers. It sells creativity. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say people don’t buy computers, they buy the story a company tells about them – that they’re creative, clever, responsible, or anything else that might matter. Shane Currey, the founder of PRIME Collective Australia, learned this while working in the luxury brand space – without a powerful story behind a brand name, a laptop is just a laptop.

Culture and data – What sets the Sydney Swans apart on and off the field

Game days start hours before the opening siren for the Sydney Swans’ COO, Drew Arthurson. His game prep usually includes hosting corporate events. And sometimes making coffee for the players. Everyone in the organisation has their own game-day rituals, but when you break it down, it’s the art and science of how individuals do their best work.

Programmed for loyalty – The psychology of consumer behaviour

For decades, the world’s best brands have refined their techniques to reach new consumers and create loyal, life-long customers. But the modern consumer is smart and informed, maybe even cynical. So how do you grow your business without resorting to manipulative psychological tactics? Consumer behaviour expert Professor Nitika Garg says authenticity and a holistic approach to your brand’s identity are key to earning consumer loyalty. 

Understanding Gen Z – How this startup is engaging a new generation of consumers

How can brands connect with the next generation of consumers? It's a question on the minds of many, especially in a bustling online marketplace. Yet, only a few have cracked the code. While most organisations have jumped on social media in a bid to attract young consumers, what they haven’t done – according to Sam Koslowski, co-founder of youth media brand The Daily Aus – is taken the time to truly understand their audience. 

Hollywood hustle - From indie producer to CEO

Lights... Camera... Spreadsheets? Emile Sherman and his production company See-Saw Films have produced some of the last few decades' most beloved films and TV shows, including The King’s Speech, Lion, Heartstopper, and Slow Horses. It’s a job he loves, but not all glitz and glamour. It's similar to running a business in almost any other field...

Creative conversations - The business of making and selling art

‘Dreaming is such an important thing. You have to have space to imagine what something could be.’ Carving out the time and space to imagine and ideate is crucial for all business leaders. The development and growth of their companies depend on it. And for contemporary artist Ramesh Nithiyendran, finding time to ‘daydream’ is only possible with the strong infrastructure he’s built around himself and his practice.

The resilient entrepreneur – How this Aussie med tech start-up went global

At seven years old, Hayley Saddington experienced an incident that became the catalyst for her whole career.Decades later, Hayley founded two companies – HALO Medical Devices and PeakMedical – but she’s not your typical tech entrepreneur. For one thing, she doesn’t come from a tech background. Both companies have tested her patience, her drive and her sleep schedule, but her deeply personal purpose has kept her going. And as a mentor to budding entrepreneurs, Hayley wants to help others determine their purpose and find that same drive to succeed in business.

Trade secrets – How hipages went from start-up to ASX listed company

It’s the early 2000s, and Roby Sharon-Zipser just wants his internet connection to cover his whole house. He’s on his hands and knees, trying to thread a cable through a hole in the floor, caked in white dust, when he realises... I need some help! In that moment, the idea for hipages was born. And over 20 years later, it’s transformed from a Yellow Pages-style home improvement directory to an app-based marketplace, connecting tradies and homeowners right across the country.

Cyber security: How to keep data safe in the digital age

Bigger is not always better, especially when it comes to data. In a digitised world, collecting reams of customer data is possible, but at what cost? Many companies don’t even realise they’re suffering an extreme case of ‘bad data hygiene’, which could be critical in the face of a cyber incident. Laura Newton, a regulatory lawyer and cyber incident response lead at Herbert Smith Freehills, explains best practices for managing customer data, preparing for a cyber incident, and responding if one occurs. 

Psychosocial safety – Creating a healthy, productive workplace

How productive can you be if your working environment is toxic and bad for your mental health? Whether your workplace is challenging due to work overload, high stress levels, or something as simple as unfair remuneration, mentally unsafe working conditions are a significant problem. They put workers at risk, but they also decimate productivity and morale. 

Crisis response – What to do when your business lands in hot water

Tell the truth and tell it fast, especially when faced with a crisis that has the potential to put people – and an organisation’s reputation – at risk. Most businesses have some sort of crisis management plan to enact when threatened with turmoil, but what happens when the best-laid plans fail? Sue Cato, one of Australia’s leading crisis experts, has been at the coal face of many of those incidents, guiding an array of companies through their most vulnerable moments.  

Balancing act – How successful leaders blend creativity with commercial realities

Would you describe yourself as a right-brained or left-brained thinker? We’ve been conditioned to believe you’re either one or the other. And while we all know a math genius who couldn’t hold a paintbrush if they tried and some creative geniuses who’d be lost in the simplest of spreadsheets, we can all develop both our creative and logical abilities. And in business, having a balance of both is key to great leadership.

Experience marketing – How Kayo Sports converts casual viewers into superfans

In today’s attention economy, it’s all about getting and keeping eyeballs on your product or service. How do you capture attention in an increasingly crowded market? And once you have it, how do you convert a casual fan into a die-hard fan? Darren Werner is the Head of Marketing at Kayo Sports, an Australian streaming service that airs live and on-demand programming. He explains how to capture viewer attention by adapting your product to changing consumer habits and leveraging the media platforms fans already love.

Profit and purpose – balancing short-term imperatives with long-term sustainability goals

Business is an incredibly powerful force – how do you use it for good? How do you balance ambitious social impact targets with the realities of day-to-day operations? For Adam McCurdie, co-founder of social enterprise ticketing platform Humanitix, creating social impact was the priority from day one. How was he going to change the world? By starting a software company with a difference: one where he and his co-founder have no exit plan, and the profits go to charities worldwide. 

Future skills – the know-how you need for the next era of business

What will you need to know – or know how to do – to succeed in business over the next ten years? A decade ago, the answer would have been to upskill in tech. According to Lee Hickin, the AI Technology and Policy Lead for Microsoft in Australia, the advances we've seen in the last decade mean that “technology is not this thing that happens as a segment of a business, it’s actually how a business runs today.”

Responsible AI – How your business can steer, not fear, new tech

Artificial intelligence is becoming more powerful by the day, which means the dangers that come with it are growing, too. If you’re using AI tools in your business, you need to know how to use them safely and responsibly. So where do you start? Dr Catriona Wallace, a world-leading AI expert and Adjunct Professor at AGSM, shares a framework for using AI ethically, and explains why that responsibility falls on the shoulders of leaders and not just tech teams.

Back to basics – finance 101 for small to medium enterprises

So, you want to start a business. And no matter how big your ambitions are, chances are you’re going to start small as one of the 99.8% of businesses in Australia that operate as small-to-medium enterprises – or SMEs. Associate Professor Kristle Romero Cortés teaches people how to make confident financial decisions for themselves and their organisations every day at the University of New South Wales School of Banking and Finance.

Super power – the Australian superannuation fund making retirement more equitable

Katrina McPhee’s in the superannuation industry for the long haul now, but that wasn’t always the case. She’s currently the Chief of Staff at Aware Super, one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, but when she first entered the industry, she wasn’t interested in sticking around in a field not exactly known for its desire to shake things up.

Slow success – what this fintech startup can teach you about building trust

Tech start-ups have been the darlings of business media in recent years, and for good reason: new technology is exciting and flashy, and tech entrepreneurs tend to share pithy catchphrases about grinding, hustling, or “moving fast and breaking things.” But what happens when a start-up needs to slow down? In the case of the investment app Pearler, speed was never the ultimate goal.

Prioritising purpose – How this ticketing company succeeded without traditional marketing

Humanitix didn’t spend a cent on traditional marketing in their first few years of operation. Despite this, they built up a client list that includes Google, TED, Red Bull, Canva, and Facebook, and they gave millions to charity in the process. How did they do it? Adam McCurdie is the co-founder and CEO of Humanitix, the new contender disrupting the fiercely competitive ticketing industry for all the right reasons. After making a pact with his close friend and co-founder, Adam left the corporate world in search of more meaningful work – and that relentless pursuit of purpose is the driving force behind Humanitix’s unconventional marketing. 

Beyond logos - why better branding means better business

How do you market your business when no one’s watching TV anymore? How do you make your name stand out when the internet is overrun with ads? And how do you make your name stick when everything’s moving so fast? Dee Madigan is an advertising expert, a founding panelist on ABC’s The Gruen Transfer and the creative director and owner of ad agency Campaign Edge. 

Ethical Marketing – is AI becoming a moral minefield for marketers?

What makes a great marketer? Maybe a good eye for product design, a deep understanding of market dynamics, excellent communication skills and the ability to give customers what they want. But what about a fierce devotion to ethics? Wendy Mak is the Chief Marketing Officer at Link Group, a global financial services company driven by digital and data technology. Wendy’s excited about the potential productivity gains promised by brand-new technology like generative AI, but she’s not all-in - yet. 

The progress principle - how climate resilience is influencing the jobs of the future

“In future, I expect that everybody will have climate resilience and mitigation as part of their roles.” Penny Joseph is the Head of Climate Resilience at major Australian electricity provider Ausgrid. Just a few years ago, roles like Penny’s didn’t exist, but we can expect demand for ‘green careers’ to grow. As more organisations and industries grapple with how to address climate change, Penny explains to The Business Of host Dr Juliet Bourke that roles like hers will become the norm.

Risky business: How we adapt to climate change could ‘insure’ a better future

You might have come across the term black swan events – commonly used in the insurance space, they’re considered rare occurrences that are almost impossible to predict. As our climate and weather patterns continue to change at pace, the unexpected is really all we can expect now. How do businesses like insurers plan for risk and implement resilience strategies in the face of uncertainty? 

Policy in the slow lane: How can we speed up change and drive down emissions?

The battle to halt climate change is impacting most aspects of our day to day lives – right down to the cars we drive. But there’s a missing piece in the industry that could improve things – the electric vehicle industry. Manufacturers are making higher quality EVs than ever before, and more of them. At the same time, more Aussie drivers want their next car to be electric. So why is our country one of the slowest in the world in making the transition? More importantly – how do we get in the fast lane? 

Ethical AI – or ethical humans?

The Business of AI Episode 1: AI and machine learning are already reshaping the way we live and work. How can leaders use it ethically?

Guests: Lamont Tang, Director of Industry Projects, AGSM @ UNSW Business School; Professor Toby Walsh, UNSW Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence, Chief Scientist for the UNSW AI Institute; Stela Solar, Director, National Artificial Intelligence Centre CSIRO's Data61

How can AI help healthcare?

The Business of AI Episode 2: At a time when healthcare workers are stretched to near breaking point, what role does AI have in augmenting natural skills and capabilities?

Guests: Lamont Tang, Director of Industry Projects, AGSM @ UNSW Business School; Maureen Murphy, Professor of Practice, UNSW Business School, Founder, Managing Director of ClearTrack, Commercialisation Facilitator at i4 Connect; Dimitry Tran, Co-founder and Chief Business Development Office for Harrison AI, Co-founder, CEO and Board Director for Annalise.ai, AGSM MBA 2015.

Privacy and Responsible AI

The Business of AI Episode 3: How can consumers and citizens safeguard their right to privacy when using AI, and how can businesses stay ahead of the AI privacy compliance curve?

Guests: Lamont Tang, Director of Industry Projects, AGSM @ UNSW Business School; Peter Leonard, Professor of Practice at UNSW Business School and Director at Data Synergies; Mary-Anne Williams, Michael J Crouch Chair for Innovation, Founder and Director of the UNSW Business AI Lab and Deputy Director of the UNSW AI Institute.

How ethical is your supply chain?

The Business of Supply Episode 1: Advances in regulation, law reform, and technology have greatly enhanced our capacity to create ethical and sustainable business practices. So why are some organisations still struggling to embed this in their supply chains?

Guests: Associate Professor Michele Roberts, Associate Dean (Post-Experience), UNSW Business School and Academic Director of AGSM; Associate Professor Tracy Wilcox, School of Management and Governance, UNSW Business School; Frances Atkins, Co-Founder, Director givvable, AGSM MBA (Executive) 2020.

Disrupting the food chain

The Business of Supply Episode 2: It's rare that we look down at our plates and consider where our food comes from – that is until it’s gone. Between recent geopolitical conflict, and devastating disruptions to supply lines, what is the current state of food today?

Guests: Associate Professor Michele Roberts, Associate Dean (Post-Experience), UNSW Business School and Academic Director of AGSM; Scientia Professor Shan Pan, School of Information Systems and Technology Management, UNSW Business School; Pablo Quintero, Principal Product Manager, Vow, AGSM MBA 2016.

Burning Up: What will we do when the energy runs out?

The Business of Supply Episode 3: Today, energy markets are in a state of intense flux. How can leaders inside and outside the energy sector best keep up, and plan for the secure future of their industry?

Guests: Associate Professor Michele Roberts, Associate Dean (Post-Experience), UNSW Business School and Academic Director of AGSM; Associate Professor Katja Ignatieva, School of Risk and Actuarial Studies, UNSW Business School; Ben Hutt, CEO & Managing Director, Evergen, AGSM MBA 2006.

The work of making hybrid work, work

The Business of Work Episode 1: It’s been almost three years since office workers were told to pack up our laptops and head home. Is working from home working for businesses?

Guests: Professor Nick Wailes, Senior Deputy Dean (External Engagement) UNSW Business School and Director AGSM @ UNSW Business School; Professor Karin Sanders, Senior Deputy Dean (Research & Enterprise) at UNSW Business School and co-founder of the UNSW Hybrid Leadership Lab; Paul Edwards, General Manager of Strategy and Customer at Mirvac

How to build a culture that attracts and retains talented staff

The Business of Work Episode 2: It’s always been vital to build a company culture that attracts and retains talented employees. What happens to corporate culture when the workforce is dispersed with employees working not only from different locations, but in some cases, in different countries? And how can policies like ‘work from anywhere’ help?

Guests: Professor Nick Wailes, Senior Deputy Dean (External Engagement) UNSW Business School and Director AGSM @ UNSW Business School; Associate Professor Will Felps, School of Management and Governance, UNSW Business School; Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, AGSM MBA 2014 

The future’s got (tech) talent

The Business of Work Episode 3: What will the future of work look like in a world increasingly dominated by technology?

Guests: Professor Nick Wailes, Senior Deputy Dean (External Engagement), UNSW Business School, and Director AGSM @ UNSW Business School; Professor Barney Tan, Head, School of Information Systems and Technology Management, UNSW Business School; Lee Hickin, Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft ANZ.

Meet the CEO: Shemara Wikramanayake

At the latest UNSW Business School Meet the CEO event, Shemara Wikramanayake, Managing Director and CEO of Macquarie Group, joined UNSW Chancellor David Gonski in a wide-ranging discussion about the future of green investment, how to build diverse and high-performing teams and businesses, and how to lead a global workforce.

The Business of Art

In 2019, the global art market was booming. Art fairs drew crowds of international buyers who would fly in to make purchases, making in-person events a central part of the art buying world. Like many industries, art auction houses had to quickly pivot to survive the pandemic. Travel and event restrictions ground the art fair market to a halt. Suddenly, the relationships that aid success in the world of high-net-worth art sales, were harder to maintain. 

The Business of Sport

Australia has a mega-reputation as a sporting nation. Globally, we punch above our weight, on the field, in the pool and on court. How does that global success play out locally? Over the past two years, major sporting events were disrupted by COVID-19. Crowd numbers were decimated jeopardising sponsorships and broadcast deals. Sport – like every other business in Australia – has had to continuously adapt and pivot to survive and thrive. In this episode, The Business of Sport, we discuss how a data-driven approach to sports marketing and operations is impacting how clubs operate.

The Business of Mental Health

Evidence of the physical toll of COVID-19 is everywhere. Illness, isolation, and loss of income are just some of the ways we have been impacted by COVID-19. Crisis support service Lifeline Australia reported a 40% increase in service delivery as Australians adjusted to new challenges at the height of the pandemic. In this episode, we will discuss how mental health support organisations are leveraging emerging technologies to provide better access and expand their reach.

The Business of Finance

In the finance industry, rapid advances in technology and a shift towards more responsible business practices are driving waves of change. Digital technologies, such as blockchain, are creating new business opportunities and strengthening governance and accountability within the sector. Meanwhile, businesses are putting capital to work with purpose. In this episode, we explore the changing landscape and look at how consumer behavior shifts drive demand for ethical investment. 

The Business of Climate Change

Globally we are at a crucial point when it comes to climate change. Fires, floods and record-breaking temperatures have revealed its devastating environmental impact, but what’s the cost of climate inaction at a business level? Research by Deloitte says over 80% of executives worldwide are concerned about climate change and how it affects their industries, yet many might not be aware of the amount of action required in the next 5 - 10 years in order to address it.

The Business of AI

Do you ever ask your virtual assistant about the weather? Or maybe play your favourite playlist for your trip to work? As humans, we interact with AI more often than we think, and that’s only going to grow. Some analysts say that within the next two years, at least 35% of all customer interactions will be handled by a virtual assistant or AI. For business, this means greater efficiencies and facilitating better decision making. But at the same time, there’s some frightening possibilities around AI. 

The Business of Tourism

Tourism is one of Australia’s largest industries. Before COVID, it injected $152 billion into the economy annually and accounted for 1 in 13 jobs. Post COVID it’s a different story, one where travel bans and repeated lockdowns of the local population have taken a toll. But with big challenges come big opportunities, namely the incentive for Australians to explore the incredible destinations and cultural experiences they have right here on their doorstep. This episode explores Indigenous tourism experiences and their capacity to transform the domestic tourism market. 

The Business of Food

Have you ever questioned how the food in your local supermarket got there? Consumers are increasingly thinking about the origins of their food, and it's shaping their choices around who they shop with. However, shopping with a conscience comes with a cost, which can lead to a difficult trade-off for customers who want to shop sustainably. In this episode, we’re exploring how the food industry responds to the sustainable food movement. We’ll unpack the challenges and opportunities facing retailers and consumers, and ask how technology will improve how we shop.