Fearless Females Podcast (supported by Westpac)

About Fearless Females Podcast (supported by Westpac)

The Fearless Females Podcast is for founders, leaders and disruptors to share what it takes to build bold businesses and careers. From first steps to global scale we uncover candid stories. expert insights and spotlight the women shaping the future of business. From funding and mentorship to mindset and scale these raw conversations deliver the practical tools and powerful inspiration females need to think fearlessly and go further, together. Hosted by Kelly Jamieson and Anna Dimond and supported by Westpac.

Publisher

Fearless Females Podcast

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Sept 2025

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Tamara Bryden - why banks want to say 'yes'

   From a graduate program at a major bank to leading Westpac's business lending division, Tamara Bryden shares what she's learned about backing female founders, managing cash flow and leading with honest conversations. As Managing Director of Business Lending at Westpac Group and a driving force behind Westpac's $1B commitment to female founders and the Westpac Female Founder Awards, Tamara shows how a big bank can actually back the women building small businesses. Tamara explains what sparked the $1B commitment: a stat she found shocking, that only around 2% of private capital goes to female-led startups, even though more women than men are starting businesses. Rather than be frustrated with the problem, Westpac committed to lending. Just over two years in, they've supported more than 2,000 female-led startups with $911 million, and the second $500 million has gone faster than the first. The businesses range from a tattoo shop to non-invasive IVF treatments to Sandy Baby, a product that wipes sand off kids before they get back in the car. We unpack why women often don't walk through the bank's door: worry about not meeting the criteria, fear of being judged, and the idea that a "no" means a lack of confidence in the business. Tamara's message is the opposite. The bank wants to find a way to say yes, and the $50k Startup Business Loan can be unsecured, so founders don't have to give up equity or put the family home on the line. What the bank wants to see is a solid plan, a way to monetise the idea and your experience in the sector. We also get into the numbers side: why cash flow is the top issue SMEs raise, why separating personal and business finances early keeps you honest, and why Tamara has seen as many businesses fail from growing too fast as from growing too slow. She shares how she protects her best hours (no morning meetings, so she's not reactive all day), the fortune cookie message taped to her laptop that defines success for her ("You have made a difference"), and why she believes that 99% of the time, leadership comes down to sitting down and having a real conversation, not a 20-page PowerPoint. If you've ever wondered whether you're "ready enough" to talk to a bank, this episode will change your mind. Key takeaways: Westpac wants to say yes. Go in informed, and if the answer is no, ask them to walk you through the financials. An unsecured $50k Startup Business Loan is an alternative to giving up equity for seed funding. Separate personal and business finances early, and plan your cash conversion cycle before you grow. Fast growth can sink a business as quickly as slow growth. Never avoid the hard conversation. Open, respectful conversations build trust and avoid resentment. You don't have to do it alone. Tap into accelerators, networks and the startup community (including Fearless Females). Tamara's book recommendations for leaders: The First 90 Days and The Founder's Mentality. Thank you to Westpac for supporting this episode of Fearless Females Podcast. Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has committed $1B to support female entrepreneurs and offer the Startup Business Loan. Apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50k unsecured. To learn more, search 'Westpac supporting female founders'. Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges and T&C's apply. General advice only.

2. 

   21 Sept 2026

   Jane Cay, Birdsnest

   From a converted gambling den above a Cooma menswear store to a fashion empire that fills an old shopping mall, Jane Cay shares how Birdsnest became one of regional Australia's most loved brands, and one of its biggest employers. Jane embodies fearless leadership built on customer obsession, adaptability and a deep loyalty to the community that built her. Twenty-two years ago Jane launched Birdsnest online while everyone told her "no one's going to buy jeans online." Today Birdsnest employs over 100 people in a town of 6,500, has twice made Australia's top ten places to work, and runs its own design and manufacturing team, born from the frustration of stocking brands that stopped at size 14 and wouldn't listen to what her customers actually wanted. We dig into the unglamorous reality behind the growth: three all-nighters fixing a platform migration disaster the night before launch, learning the hard way never to let one person hold the only key to your tech, and choosing to relentlessly rebuild systems as the business outgrew them. Jane is candid about the two times the business contracted, especially the terror of COVID, when she had to cut rosters and watched her team quietly cover shifts for each other before she could even find the words to ask. She reframes small town limitations as an edge: being locked into a reliable regional postal network let Birdsnest match city delivery speeds early on, and being 100km from the nearest big city hasn't stopped her building a values-led, tech-powered personalised service, right down to handwritten notes on every parcel, backed by systems that remember a customer's preferences and order history. On AI, Jane is hands on and enthusiastic: she's used it to solve a problem the team once thought was too complex to tackle, automatically classifying their entire clothing catalogue by seasonal colour analysis (hue, chroma, value) so customers can shop by their personal colour palette. Her closing message to founders: ideas need space, so protect your best hour of the day for working on the business, not just in it. Key takeaways: Location can be a strength, not a limitation. Build the infrastructure that makes it one. Don't let one person become a single point of failure for critical systems, mitigate that risk early. AI is best applied to problems that were previously "too complex to bother with," not just repetitive admin. Protect a fixed block of time for strategic thinking; growth doesn't happen only in the busywork. Jane is offering Fearless Females Podcast listeners a $20 Wardrobe Voucher (one use only, minimum spend $100). Simply use the code "Fearless Females" when you get to checkout. Thank you to Westpac for supporting this episode of Fearless Females Podcast. Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac actively support female entrepreneurs through their new Female Founder Awards. Learn more about how Westpac actively support female founders here : ⁠www.westpac.com.au/fearlessfemales⁠ (http://www.westpac.com.au/fearlessfemales) Your hosts today are: Anna Dimond from ⁠Palas Jewellery⁠ (https://palasjewellery.com/) Kelly Jamieson from ⁠Edible Blooms (https://www.edibleblooms.com.au)

3. 

   7 Sept 2026

   Christine Khor, Peeplcoach

   From the Kraft and Hallmark boardrooms to founding her own coaching business, Christine Khor shares what it really takes to bet on yourself after 25 years building other people's brands. Christine embodies fearless leadership forged through radical honesty, hard won resilience and a refusal to let anyone else write her story. After being told she was "too opinionated" to make CMO, and refusing to let anyone dictate how she'd parent, Christine walked away from corporate at 30 to found Peeplcoach, with a mission to make executive-calibre coaching accessible to middle management and emerging leaders, not just the C-suite. She reframes "know your numbers" as the single biggest gap she sees, and shares how an embezzlement early in her career taught her to build financial safeguards without losing trust in people. We dig into what it actually took to raise her first ten investors, why she treats advisors like a "tribe" she calls on for different needs, and the moment she called out a VC's "she's the whole package" excuse for backing a competitor instead of her. Christine opens up about leading through her husband's cancer diagnosis and her own autoimmune illness, and the discipline she's built around energy, not perfection. On AI, her view is blunt: it's a productivity tool, not a replacement for human connection, and the businesses that win will be the ones led by people. Key takeaways: Know your numbers. If finance isn't your strength, get a trusted advisor, don't outsource the risk by ignoring it. Own your difference rather than hiding it, an accent, a background or an "unusual" profile can be a competitive edge, not a liability. Protect your energy: cut out neutral and negative relationships, and don't wait for burnout to force the reset. AI is an efficiency tool. Values, connection and human judgement remain the real differentiator. Christine is generously offering Fearless Females Podcast listeners 10% off any Peeplcoach program, just mention "Fearless Females" when you get in touch : https://peeplcoach.com/peeplcoach-fearless-females-podcast/ (https://peeplcoach.com/peeplcoach-fearless-females-podcast/) Thank you to Westpac for supporting this episode of Fearless Females Podcast. Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac actively support female entrepreneurs through their new Female Founder Awards. Learn more about how Westpac actively support female founders here : www.westpac.com.au/fearlessfemales (http://www.westpac.com.au/fearlessfemales) Your hosts today are: Anna Dimond from Palas Jewellery (https://palasjewellery.com/) Kelly Jamieson from Edible Blooms (https://www.edibleblooms.com.au)

4. 

   2 Feb 2026

   Carla Penn-Kahn from ProfitPeak on Storytelling, Strategy & Raising 7 figure Start Up Capital

   What does profitable growth actually look like behind the scenes? This week, e-commerce operator turned SaaS founder Carla Penn-Kahn breaks it down with uncommon clarity. After bootstrapping and scaling multiple online retail brands (including Australia’s largest pure-play kitchenware business, shipping 25k orders a week at the COVID peak) through to exit, Carla co-founded Profit Peak, a profit-optimization platform helping Shopify brands and retailers make smarter decisions on growth, cash flow and margins. Carla’s operator pedigree shows up everywhere: disciplined numbers, people rigor and a habit of turning setbacks into signal. She shares how working with her husband works because of clear lanes - he owns brand and creative; she owns finance, ops and people - and why strong boundaries (hello, no work-talk before the first coffee) protect both family and focus. On raising capital, Carla flips the script: she didn’t enter a noisy pitch circus. She built conviction through conversations (including Blackbird’s start up community programs), then chose investors who kept her in the driver’s seat - backers who’d be the first call when things get bumpy. She also unpacks global networks and programs that accelerated her US entry - She Loves Tech and Peak XV’s Spark (see links below) - and why connection compounds faster than capital. We cover: The storytelling spine that wins rooms: Problem → Solution → Why You → Why Now → Team. Why emotion matters in B2B pitches (reminding investors founders are people, not just P&Ls). Hiring in the GPT era - why tests can mislead and gut +references matter more. Shifting from “family” to high-performance team (right people, right seats, right stage). Buying businesses vs. starting from zero - and how her investment-banking discipline paid off. The reframe that powers resilience: there’s learning, not disappointment. Carla’s through line is simple and powerful: share generously, decide decisively and optimize for profit on purpose. Key takeaways Design for profit early. Cash, margin and inventory discipline beat “growth at all costs.” Pitch the story, not spreadsheets. Problem, solution, why you, why now and the team build conviction. Choose investors like team mates. Values-aligned partners keep you driving the bus. Hire for stage, not just skill. Right seats, fast feedback, fewer “family” dynamics. Connections compound. Programs and ecosystems (She Loves Tech, Peak XV Spark) open markets. Reframe “failure.” Treat outcomes as inputs - move forward with the learning. Partner shout-out Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has doubled its Female Entrepreneurs Fund to $1B and offers the Startup Business Loan - apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50K unsecured. Learn more: search “Westpac supporting female founders.” Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply. General advice only. Links and mentions : Learn more about ProfitPeak : ProfitPeak.io | Boost your e-Commerce store's profitability (https://www.profitpeak.io/) and Carla’s favourite book : “The Infinite Game” by Simon Sinek The programs that have fast tracked Carla’s SAAS fast growth record: 1. Blackbird — Giants (founder community & programs): https://www.blackbird.vc/giants (https://www.blackbird.vc/giants?utm_source=chatgpt.com) (Blackbird also runs Foundry, its early-stage accelerator: https://www.blackbird.vc/foundry (https://www.blackbird.vc/foundry?utm_source=chatgpt.com).) 2. She Loves Tech (global competition & accelerator for women in tech): https://www.shelovestech.org/ (https://www.shelovestech.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 3. Peak XV - Spark (early-stage founder program with grants& mentorship): https://www.peakxv.com/sparkTop of Form Bottom of Form Other programs Carla hears great things about: Antler: Global startup generator & early-stage VC(programs and how to apply). Startmate: Accelerator & Fellowships (ANZ) (accelerator, fellowships, investor info). Y Combinator: Accelerator (US) (about YC, programs, resources). If this episode lifted you, hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share it with someone who’s building better systems for people.

5. 

   19 Jan 2026

   Kim McKay on retiring in her 40s. Architect Your Freedom: Strategy, Intuition & the “Messy Middle”.

   Kim’s story isn’t a get-rich-quick tale; it’s a master class in deliberate life architecture.  Equal parts numbers, nerve and knowing yourself. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can build a career you love and a life you choose, this conversation is your permission slip (and plan).What happens when the fearless strategist behind award-winning brand transformations turns her lens inward? In this episode, Kim McKay - business architect, entrepreneur and straight-talking advisor - shares how she deliberately designed a non-linear life, retired in her 40s, and swapped rigid routines for intentional freedom. From early “Project 50” planning to the very real messy middle of leaving a high-identity career, Kim breaks down the blend of big-picture vision and first 10% execution that powered her choices. She talks candidly about intuition (yes, including astrology and human design), why fear is data not a directive, and the simple decision filter she uses for scary moves: What’s the worst that can happen - and can I handle it? In this episode of the Fearless Females Podcast, we cover: How to set a freedom goal (and why money = time + patience, not hacks) The two gears every business builder needs: zoom-out strategy and zoom-in action Leaving before you’re stale: spotting the moment a season is complete Replacing identity tied to work with a wider definition of self Why “no routine” can be a valid routine This episode is jam packed. Our favourite quotes from Kim McKay include: “We have two lives. The second begins when you realise you only have one.” “I value freedom, so I planned for it. That’s not luck, that’s design.” “Leave the party while you’re still having fun.” Partner shout-out Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has doubled its Female Entrepreneurs commitment to $1B and offers the Startup Business Loan - apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50K unsecured. Learn more: search “Westpac supporting female founders.” Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply. General advice only. If this episode added some fearless courage to your day, hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share it with someone who’s building better systems for people.

6. 

   5 Jan 2026

   Paulette Kolarz : Playbook for high performing teams

   At 26 years of age, Paulette Kolarz was handed the keys to a $400M division and asked to help steer a 150-store icon through receivership - while leading 3,500 staff. Today, the BespokeHR founder and Performance Collective Academy creator distils those hard-won lessons into a people-first playbook any leader can use. Paulette makes a simple, powerful case: you don’t build a business, you build people, and people build the business. She shows how to anchor teams to a clear North Star, install a rhythm for feedback and performance and create cultures built on trust (not osmosis). We dig into her “no BMW” rule (no bitching, moaning, whinging), why exits shouldn’t be a dirty word and how to spot when someone (or you) has fallen out of love with the role - then act humanely and fast. You’ll hear Paulette’s morning reset (top-three priorities +ten minutes for gratitude), the mindset that dissolved imposter syndrome in that giant boardroom, and the growth shortcut she swears by: run toward the biggest problems and solve them. We also explore kind authority (“kindness is a strength, not a weakness”), building mastermind circles so you’re not the smartest in the room, and her next bold chapter - scaling her leadership academy, international stages, and a book. Candid, practical and generous, Paulette reminds us leadership works best when it’s firm on standards, soft on people and utterly authentic - even on the days you’re calling your Brat Pack from the couch. Key takeaway highlights Leadership philosophy Build people first. Results follow when you invest incapability, clarity and care. Kindness. Be warm and human and hold high standards - “the standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” Don’t be the smartest in the room. Curate masterminds and mentors who stretch you. Solve the biggest problems. If you want outsizedgrowth, run toward the hardest issues and fix them. Culture + operating system North Star alignment. Everyone should know thepurpose, the plan and how their role moves the needle. Install rhythm, not osmosis. Cadences for 1:1s, feedback, goals and reviews beat ad-hoc “people stuff.” Trust as infrastructure. Open, vulnerable leaderscreate safety for honest conversations - including exits. Right seats, right people. Act quickly (and kindly)when the fit or the love for the role fades. Personal performance Night-before priming. Go to bed knowing the top three moves that will shift tomorrow. 10-minute morning reset. Gratitude → focus → blockers; set the day’s energy intentionally. Fuel from service. Energy comes from helping others progress—use that as a flywheel. Entrepreneurial moves Scale through leaders. The Performance CollectiveAcademy shifts from “done for you” to “built within you.” Next bold bet. Go bigger and louder: internationalstages, a book, and expanding leader capability at scale. Our favourite quotes from Paulette Kolarz: “You don’t build a business - you build people, and people build the business.” “Kindness is a strength.” “Stand for something or you’ll fall for everything.” “If you’re the smartest person in the room - leave the room.” Partner shout-out Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has doubled its Female Entrepreneurs Fund to $1B and offers the Startup Business Loan - apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50K unsecured. Learn more: search “Westpac supporting female founders.”Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply.General advice only. Links : https://bespokehr.com.au (https://bespokehr.com.au) https://performancecollectiveacademy.com (https://performancecollectiveacademy.com) If this episode lifted you, hit Follow, drop a quickreview, and share it with someone who’s building better systems for people.

7. 

   22 Dec 2025

   Dr Isobel Marshall : Menopause, Asking the Obvious, Saying No & Making Impact Without Burning Out

   Doctor, social entrepreneur and 2021 Young Australian of the Year Isobel Marshall has built a career at the intersection of medicine, gender equity and practical change. As co-founder of TABOO, she helped turn a simple idea - sell period products here to fight period poverty and stigma everywhere - into a national conversation. On the policy front, she’s served on the Premier’s Council for Women SA and contributed to high-stakes panels (including Australia’s independent COVID-19 response review), where she learned that the bravest move in a room of experts is often to ask the obvious question no one wants to admit they don’t understand. Now, as co-founder of Acro Health, and as a young woman embarking on her graduate career as a Medical Doctor, Isobel is reframing midlife women’s health: making prevention tangible (think protein, resistance training and bone/muscle strength) and challenging the harmful belief that pain and depletion are “just part of being a woman.” She explains the difference between physiology (what’s normal) and pathology (what needs treatment) and why that clarity changes lives - from periods to pregnancy to menopause. Isobel also gets candid about seasons of focus (right now, deepening her craft as a doctor), imposter feelings as a pre-performance check rather than a stop sign, and the underrated superpower of saying no. You’ll hear how she motivates patients with what actually matters to them (“Who - or what - do you need to stay strong for?” hello, dog-walk goals), why we shouldn’t silo ourselves as “science” or “creative,” and how to architect a life that’s ambitious and humane. Key takeaways Ask the obvious. In expert rooms, basic questions surface better decisions and shared understanding. Name it right. Don’t label pain and heavy bleeding as “normal” - that’s pathology, not “women’s lot.” Prevention is power. Through menopause: prioritise protein, resistance training, and bone/muscle health to reduce frailty. Motivation that sticks. Tie health goals to what people love (kids, grandkids, the dog, independence). Imposter = readiness check. Use nerves like stage butterflies - proof you care - then perform. Don’t silo yourself. You can be medical and creative; allow a wide identity. Life in seasons. You don’t need to do policy, startups and medicine all at once - rotate focus. Permission to say no. “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” Protect energy for what matters. Rebrand ageing. Midlife is a phase of power - women deserve visibility, support and celebration. Design your days. Small rituals (hello, coffee craft) can anchor presence and reduce rush. Mic-drop moment : “Your value isn’t determined by your productivity.” Partner shout-out: Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has doubledits Female Entrepreneurs Fund to $1B and offers the Startup Business Loan—apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50K unsecured. Learn more: search “Westpac supporting female founders.”Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply.General advice only. Links : Acro Health (https://acrohealth.com.au/) Taboo Period Products – TABOOPeriod Products (https://tabooau.co/) If this episode lifted you, hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share it with someone who’s building better systems for people. Who should listen? Founders, clinicians, policy wonks, educators, and anyonenavigating women’s health - from first period to post-menopause - who wants practical, humane ways to create impact without burning out.

8. 

   8 Dec 2025

   Suzanne Brown: Renting Fairly, Leading Bravely & Lifting Women Up because “You can’t be what you can’t see”

   Suzanne Brown started in real estate at 21, became one of WA’s youngest licensed agents, and went on to build Rentwest into one of the state’s largest property management firms. Today she’s the President of REIWA, only the second woman in 106 years and the first leader to come from a property management background. In this uplifting conversation, Suzanne shares how a love of learning (and an early detour from accounting) set her up to scale a values-led business that now oversees tens of millions in rents while championing great experiences for tenants and owners alike. She opens up about saying “not yet” to the presidency while her youngest finished school - why that boundary was fearless leadership, not hesitation - and how stepping into a very public role matters for visibility: “You can’t be what you can’t see.” We dive into WA’s rental crunch - its disproportionate impact on women, older renters, and those leaving domestic violence - and the policy levers that actually move supply. Suzanne also unpacks why real estate has long been a strong industry for women (pay parity and flexibility when it’s done right), her 10-10-10 morning ritual for focus, and the obligation leaders have to elevate and mentor the next generation. If you care about housing, inclusive leadership, andbuilding a career that fits real life, this one’s rich with practical wisdom. Key Takeaways: Visibility is leadership. Suzanne accepted a public-facing presidency to model what’s possible: only the 2nd female REIWA President in 106 years - and the first from property management. Fearless can be “not yet.” Setting family-first boundaries (delaying the presidency during her son’s final school years) was a strategic, values-aligned choice. Real estate can work for women. In residential PM, Suzanne’s seen genuine pay parity, flexible pathways (early or late-career entry), and rapid success built on networks and service. Rental crisis has faces. Women exiting DV, single-income renters, and older Australians are bearing the brunt; support must pair demand help with supply solutions to avoid worsening affordability. Lead with lift. “Elevate other women” isn’t a slogan - Suzanne mentors actively so opportunity compounds across the industry. Operate on routines, not willpower. Her 10-10-10 start(movement, meditation/breathwork, learning) resets focus and energy, even on busy days. Purpose over polish. You don’t need to love the spotlight to serve; integrity, advocacy and consistent results build the kind of influence that lasts. Thank you to Westpac for supporting this episode of Fearless Females Podcast. Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has committed $1B to support female entrepreneurs and offer the Startup Business Loan. Apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50k unsecured. To learn more, search 'Westpac supporting female founders'. Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges and T&C's apply. General advice only.If you'd like to learn more about real estate in Western Australia, you can visit RentWest Solutions (https://www.rentwest.com.au/) and REIWA (https://reiwa.com.au/)

9. 

   24 Nov 2025

   Melissa Librandi “If Not You, Then Who?” – Courage, Culture & Choosing Yes

   From AFL locker rooms to the News Corp boardroom, Melissa Librandi shares how courage, empathy and a well timed “yes” can change your career and your company. Melissa embodies how fearless leadership is forged at the crossroads of empathy, pragmatism and bold bets. From pioneering flexible work years before it was mainstream to backing disruptive destination marketing that won “World’s Best Tourism Film,” Melissa shows why the bravest decision is often the most human one. She reframes imposter syndrome as a “positive nervousness” a stage ready gut check that keeps ego in place and standards high. We dig into her talent philosophy (great leaders listen more than they speak), why a true leader expects star performers to outgrow roles and the art of unlocking potential by asking people where they want to be in five years - and then helping them map the path. Melissa opens the playbook on fearless innovation: use the data, but don’t outsource judgment, intuition is still a competitive edge. She shares the five global megatrends leaders must operationalize now (from AI to health and wellness) and translates each into practical, small-business moves. We also go inside high-performance sport, where weekly scrutiny demands poise, empathy and relentless reset rituals (yes, sometimes it’s as simple as writing a list). Her mantra “say yes and work it out later” comes with the counter skill of knowing when to say no, by listening to your gut. And her mic-drop truths - “If not you, then who?” and “Keep leaning in until you must lean out” are a rallying cry for women weighing career moves alongside life plans. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance heart with hard metrics and how to lead teams through euphoric wins and brutal losses, this episode is your blueprint. Key takeaways: Imposter syndrome and how to flip it as your super power. Developing and growing your team - a manager hopes you’ll stay but a leader knows you’ll move on and they will help you get there. Use data to inform, intuition to decide. Sometimes you back the good idea and then prove it. Marketing technology and innovation. We cover a lot of ground in this one! Unfiltered insights that resonate with both emerging and established leaders Thank you to Westpac for supporting this episode of Fearless Females Podcast. Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has committed $1B to support female entrepreneurs and offer the Startup Business Loan. Apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50k unsecured. To learn more, search 'Westpac supporting female founders'. Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges and T&C's apply. General advice only.

10. 

    10 Nov 2025

    Pippa Hallas - The Own Your Skin Story. Legacy, Science & Fearless Beauty.

    From her grandmother who famously waxed her legs in the foyer of David Jones to a modern brand leading with science and soul - this episode goes behind the scenes with Pippa Hallas, CEO of Ella Baché. Pippa opens up about steering an 80-year Australian icon through massive industry change while staying anchored to one simple truth... healthy skin builds real confidence. You’ll hear how Pippa: Keeps Ella Baché centered on skin health over hype (no Kardashian fad-chasing, just evidence-led formulations and education). Balances heritage with innovation - growing to 150+ locations and a national training academy while nurturing teams with decades-long tenure. Made bold brand bets (hello, Jessica Watson’s solo circumnavigation) by backing people first and trusting her gut. Advocates for authenticity in an era of “fast-food beauty”encouraging us to own our skin story rather than chase someone else’s face. Designs a life that works (early starts, family dinners, shared logistics) and a culture that hires for talent and kindness - then lets the culture “spit out the rattlesnakes.” Thinks about what’s next, including selective international expansion when the timing is right. Pippa also shares her favourite mantra, “When they go low, we go high”, and why reframing tough moments (and returning to gratitude) is a leadership superpower. If you’ve ever wondered how a beloved, family-led brand can stay fresh, principled, and fearless in a crowded category, this conversation is a masterclass. Mic-drop takeaway: Be the best version of you - own your skin, your story, and your pace. Then go for it. This episode will be a favourite for anyone working in a family business and women needing a push to own their own skin proudly. A big Fearless shout out to our partner, Westpac (https://www.westpac.com.au/help/community/female-founders/). Recently Westpac have committed $1B to support female entrepreneurs and offer the Startup Business Loan. You can apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50k unsecured. Learn more by searching 'Westpac supporting female founders'. Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply. General advice only. Links and mentions: www.ellabache.com.au (https://www.ellabache.com.au/) (Pippa's family business, Ella Bache) Corporate Christmas Gifts (https://www.edibleblooms.com.au/collections/christmas-gifts-and-hampers) (Kelly, our co-host and founder of Edible Blooms & Co, delivering joy daily) Ideas for your Kris Kringle (https://palasjewellery.com/collections) (Anna, our co-host and founder of Palas, Australian designed jewellery with meaning)

11. 

    27 Oct 2025

    Cara Miller - Meet The Disruptor Who is Transforming Health Profitably Through Empathy

    “I don’t like saying I’m a hospital CEO - healthcare management takes a team.” In this candid conversation, Cara Miller, CEO of North Eastern Community Hospital (and current National Chairperson of AHPRA), shares how she’s challenging the status quo with a patient-centred, staff-first, tech-enabled model of care. Cara traces her path from sick kid turned St John Cadet to radiographer and sonographer - then the defining moment that set her leadership compass: pausing a routine scan to properly care for an unexpected twin pregnancy, even when the system pushed for speed and profit over patient care. That became her blueprint: respect the patient, invest in people, and build systems that make the right thing the easy thing. We dig into how she embraces regulation (don’t evade it - innovate within it), the practical role of AI and automation to put attention back on patients, and the culture shifts that keep hospitals human (from greeting night-shift cleaners to flattening hierarchy while staying accountable). Cara’s leadership mantras land hard and useful: tackle the hardest problem first, don’t be afraid to lead, and her mic-drop: “If you’re not using data to inform decisions, you’re not making good decisions.” In this episode: 1. The moment that mattered: choosing patient dignity over throughput and why people → patients → profit (in that order). 2. Innovation inside the rules: embracing regulators and making compliance-by-design the engine of improvement. 3. Tech that gives time back: AI note - taking, smarter workflows, and the non-negotiable human touch. 4. Team, not titles: building high performance through gratitude, visibility and clear accountability. 5. Put a bounce back in your step: the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people. 6. Networking without the ick: lead with generosity, make it a safe space, and invite the introverts in. 7. Leadership with courage: tough calls, constrained budgets, and data dashboards that keep you honest. Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has doubled its Female Entrepreneurs Fund to $1B and offers the Startup Business Loan, apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50K unsecured. Learn more: search “Westpac supporting female founders.” Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply. General advice only. Helpful links: Discover more about our hosts, Kelly and Anna by visiting www.edibleblooms.com.au (http://www.edibleblooms.com.au)and www.palasjewellery.com (http://www.palasjewellery.com) If this episode lifted you, hit Follow, drop a quick comment and share it with someone who’s building better systems for people.

12. 

    13 Oct 2025

    Tammy Barton - Small Steps, big freedom: scaling MyBudget to a household brand.

    At 22, Tammy Barton quit her job, set up at the kitchen table in Adelaide, and started helping people not just create budgets - but actually stick to them. That simple client-first idea became MyBudget (founded 1999), a national brand that’s now supported 130,000+ clients with personalised, dynamic money plans, automated bill payments and savings, and the kind of accountability that turns financial stress into freedom. Tammy takes us behind the scenes of the early leaps - leasing a tiny office, buying second-hand furniture and signage, and hiring her first teammate within a year - and the long game that followed: growing to more than 270 staff across Australia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines and investing $30M in proprietary technology to scale care without losing the human touch. We unpack her leadership philosophy of small, consistent steps, continual learning, and mentorship; why “do what’s right for the client” remains the North Star in every decision; and how MyBudget measures success beyond revenue - toward wellbeing and lasting behaviour change. Tammy also shares what’s next: deeper tech, a client-obsessed product roadmap, and expansion opportunities in New Zealand and the UK. In this episode, you’ll learn: The moment Tammy spotted the market gap - and whyexecution beats inspiration How to go from solo to scale without breaking culture Practical systems that make good money habits automatic The founder mindset for tough calls (and how to keep going when no one’s watching) Why “progress over perfection” is the most underrated financial strategy Perfect for: founders, leaders, and anyone who’s ever built a budget that looked great on paper—and wants one that works in real life. And a warm shout out to our partner, Westpac, who have been a key partner in the success of My Budget. Recently Westpac have committed $1B to support female entrepreneurs and offer the Startup Business Loan - you can apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50k unsecured. Learn more by searching 'Westpac supporting female founders'. Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply. General advice only. Links & mentions: www.mybudget.com.au (Tammy's personal finance business) www.myhomebuild.au (Tammy's most recent businessexpansion with an Award winning home build company)

13. 

    29 Sept 2025

    Karla Way-McPhail: Build it, Back People, and Go the Whole Dream

    “Don’t dream half the dream - dream the whole dream.” In this powerhouse episode, Karla Way-McPhail joins us from Yeppoon, Queensland to share how she grew from teacher to accidental entrepreneur leading 16 businesses under The Real Group and why her formula is simple: invest in people, not industries. Karla opens up about the rituals and beliefs that fuel her resilience (yes, 4:30am calls, daily gratitude and her beloved morning bath), her people-first leadership playbook, and the bold bets that transformed a coastal town into a growing business hub. From logistics and training to salons and barges, Karla shows how clear values, empowered teams and radical optimism can scale anything. She also tells the raw story of her husband’s sudden “widow-maker” heart attack, the months-long rebuild that followed and the perspective shift that reshaped their lives and companies. Expect goosebumps, straight talk, and a mic-drop message on belief, legacy and using business as a vehicle for good. In this episode Go all-in: Why half-measures kill momentum - “have a go, go hard, and don’t shrink to fit.” People over products: Karla’s superpower is developing leaders who love coming to work and make great decisions in her absence. Purpose with teeth: How The Real Group formalised its giving through a charity that helps disadvantaged people - housing support, driving lessons, domestic violence assistance, prison-to-work pathways, and education for students expelled elsewhere. Build it where you are: The case for regional HQs - shortcommutes, community impact, and proving naysayers wrong by launching one of the largest face-to-face RTOs north of Brisbane. Mindset rituals: Gratitude bowls, future-vision checks, and surrendering the uncontrollable. Reinvention after crisis: Turning a life-altering health scare into a values reset (and a new chapter breeding Wagyu and Brahman cattle). No “yes-people”: Why candour beats consensus and how to keep “white noise” out of your orbit. Signature quote: “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Shout-out to our partner Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has committed $1B to support female entrepreneurs and offers the Startup Business Loan - apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50K unsecured. Learn more: search “Westpac supporting female founders.” Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply.General advice only. Links & mentions The Real Group (https://www.realgroupaustralia.com.au/) (Karla’s portfolio &philanthropy) Coach Carter quote (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHgTSEhsRjQ) (the “our deepest fear…”passage that Karla sends to her kids)

14. 

    29 Sept 2025

    Alisa Fraser: From The Block to building al.ive body

    From police officer to reality TV trailblazer to product founder, Alisa Fraser has never been afraid of the long game. In this episode, the co-founder and CEO of al.ive body (with twin sister Lysandra) shares how grit, design obsession and values-first leadership turned a beach-scribbled idea into a brand that’s sold 2.2M+ products across 900+ stores in Australia and New Zealand. Alisa opens up about the pressure-cooker lessons from winning The Block (17 weeks, three hours’ sleep a night), the reality behind “overnight success” (14 years in the making), and the fearless choices behind al.ive Body’s rise - from six months of underground R&D to selling a house to fund the first production run. She gets real about scaling pains (startup to scale-up), why category discipline and SKU rationalisation matter and how to protect your culture as the team grows. We also go deep on authenticity and visibility: being an introvert in the public eye, handling trolls and nurturing a community that DMs daily with wins, questions, and product love. Plus, the rituals that keep her steady (F45 at dawn, quiet desk time before the team arrives), the “who not how” rule that changed her leadership, and the spiritual intuition she uses to read the room and herself. In this episode Big swings, real stakes: How a property loss birthed a product company - and why Alisa and Lysandra put serious skin in the game. Naming it “al.ive”: A brand built to elevate everyday rituals and make people feel grounded, inspired, and – yes - alive. Scale with discipline: When to expand categories, when to rationalise SKUs, and how org structure must evolve with growth. People and culture: Hiring for values, empowering leadership beyond the founder, and avoiding the one “bad hire” culture dip. Public profile, private person: Staying genuine on social, engaging with community, and filtering unhelpful noise. Hard truths: It’s “99% hard and 99% rewarding” - cash is tied up in stock, pay yourself last, and play the long game. Alisa’s takeaways Don’t dream half the dream. If you believe you can, you’re already halfway there. Who, not how. Bring in specialists who’ve “been there, done that” and learn from them. Choose your teachers wisely. Take advice from operators who’ve carried the risk. Protect your energy. Create routines (and boundaries) that keep you clear and effective. Partner shout-out Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has committed $1B to support female entrepreneurs and offers the Startup Business Loan - apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50K unsecured. Learn more: search “Westpac supporting female founders.” Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply. General advice only. Loved Alisa’s story? Follow the show, leave a quick review, and share this episode with a friend who’s building something bold. New episodes drop every second Tuesday.

15. 

    25 Sept 2025

    Meet your hosts Kelly and Anna: Our business origin stories

    From first steps to global scale, Episode Zero sets the tone for the Fearless Female Podcast : candid stories, practical tools, and big-hearted inspiration for women building, leading, and living bravely. Co-hosts Anna Dimond (Palas Jewellery) and Kelly Jamieson (Edible Blooms) share the origin story of the show and the community that powers it - how a simple Wednesday morning walk turned into a national platform amplifying female founders and powerhouse CEOs. You’ll hear how networks open doors, why “it takes a village,” and how generosity (plus a few spreadsheets) can change the trajectory of a business. We also spotlight our partner Westpac, who “walk the talk” for women in business - doubling its female founder fund to $1B and backing our Fearless Innovator program, which recently awarded $160,000 in cash and prizes to emerging founders. Along the way, Anna and Kelly swap stories from their own 20-year+ business journeys - sister-built startups, reinvention after loss, chocolate-dipped strawberry empires, and the very real juggle of family and boardrooms. Expect laughs (and a few “did that make the edit?” moments), plus the themes that keep surfacing across our Season 1 guests: human-first leadership, intuition you can trust, failing fast, and not quitting before the miracle. What you’ll learn How community, mentors, and warm intros accelerate women-led ventures Funding & mindset: applying with a plan (not perfection) and backing yourself The honest path to “overnight success”: resilience, reflection, and support squads Why men are essential allies in building a more equitable business landscape The power of consistent habits (and walk-and-talk problem-solving) Episode extras Fearless Innovators: our grant program for up-and-coming founders in SA (with national ambitions) and the village of donors, sponsors, and supporters bringing it to life. Release cadence: new episodes every second Tuesday—perfect for your morning stride or commute. Listener love: if this uplifted you, please follow, rate, and share it with a friend who needs a boost. Links & resources 1. Westpac – Supporting female founders & startups: Search “Westpac supporting female founders” to learn more. Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply. General advice only. 2. Edible Blooms: Hampers & Dessert Boxes | Same Day Delivery | Edible Blooms (https://www.edibleblooms.com.au/) 3. Palas Jewellery: Palas Jewellery | Collect, inspire and share (https://palasjewellery.com/) Special thanks & a little gift 🎁As a thank-you for being part of our launch, use code FEARLESS at Edible Blooms and Palas Jewellery for a special treat when you checkout. Enjoying Episode Zero? Hit follow, drop a quick review, and join us every second Tuesday as we lift the hood on the wins, wobblies, and wisdom of the women shaping the future of business - so we can think fearlessly and go further, together.

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Spotify

5.0 / 5

30 ratings

Contact Fearless Females Podcast (supported by Westpac)

Guest appearances

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