Success x Happiness

Adrian Nisbet nearly lost the family business before he learned what the “end game” really meant. From working in his parents’ factory at age ten to putting wages on a personal credit card, Adrian has lived the pressure most founders quietly carry. In this episode, he shares how defining your end game isn’t about selling — it’s about building a business that serves your life.
 
In this episode, Adrian breaks down succession planning, creeping normality, pricing blind spots, founder identity shifts, and why most family businesses lack the right support. He explains how to write your “end game” on the back of a beer coaster and why simplicity beats 200-page strategy decks.
 
You’ll learn how to define success on your terms, avoid financial drift, build governance the right way, and design a business that outlasts you.
 
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Get in touch with Adrian Nisbet – https://www.theendgame.com.au/
 
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Adrian’s Quick Fire Answers
What does success mean to you?
“Helping founders in a way they haven’t been helped before — seeing the difference it makes in their lives.”
 
What does happiness mean to you?
“Removing the things that make you unhappy and not chasing the next big thing.”
 
What’s your normal morning routine these days?
“Up around 5:30am, some form of exercise before the kids wake up — it’s hard to make time later.”
 
What piece of advice would you put on a billboard for the world to see?
“Don’t worry so much. It will be okay.”
 
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Listen To The Podcast
https://pod.link/1683066164?view=apps&sort=popularity
 
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Find Us On Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/sxhpod
 
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Chapters
(00:00:00) - Introduction
 
(00:00:43) – Chapter 1 | Defining The End Game & Founder Identity
 
(00:19:54) – Chapter 2 | Succession, Governance & Growing Beyond The Founder
 
(00:25:53) – Chapter 3 | Practical Strategy: Pricing, Mindset & Avoiding “Creeping Normality”
 
(00:35:59) - Quick Fire Questions
 
(00:40:30) - Outro
 
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#podcast #entrepreneurship #exitstrategy

From surviving the GFC to rebuilding from the brink, Michael Kain’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and long-term thinking.
Growing up on the Sunshine Coast in an Italian family that valued hard work and community, Michael went on to build Devcon into one of the region’s most respected development and construction businesses.
 
In this episode, Michael shares the realities of navigating economic collapse, buying out business partners at rock bottom, and rebuilding culture-first leadership through compounding effort.
 
You’ll learn how resilience can be both a strength and a curse, why culture is the ultimate competitive advantage, and how long-term thinking shapes businesses that actually last.
 
Get in touch with Michael Kain - https://devconpropertygroup.com.au
 
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Michael’s Quick Fire Answers
 
What does success mean to you?
“Fun.”
 
What does happiness mean to you?
“Family.”
 
What’s your normal morning routine these days?
“Gym at 5:30 or 6:30, breakfast, then into meetings.”
 
What piece of advice would you put on a billboard for the world to see?
“Make a decision, commit to it 100%, and don’t second guess yourself.”
 
Who would you suggest as a future guest on the show?
“Graham Hobbs or Kathleen Hope.”
 
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Listen To The Podcast
https://pod.link/1683066164?view=apps&sort=popularity
 
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Find Us On Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/sxhpod
 
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Chapters
 
(00:00:00) – Intro
 
(00:00:48) – Chapter 1 | Growing Up on the Coast
 
(00:16:12) – Chapter 2 | Compounding Effort & Resilience
 
(00:22:56) – Chapter 3 | Entering Property & Early Failure
 
(00:33:17) – Chapter 4 | Surviving the GFC & Mining Collapse
 
(00:36:55) – Chapter 5 | Buying Out Partners & Rebuilding
 
(00:48:53) – Chapter 6 | Culture as the Competitive Advantage
 
(01:05:45) – Quick Fire Questions
 
(01:10:42) – Outro
 
#podcast #development #culture

She’s shaped generations of young people by putting character before credentials. Michelle Carroll’s story spans decades of educational leadership, from leading elite girls’ schools in Melbourne to becoming Principal of Matthew Flinders Anglican College here on the Sunshine Coast. Her work is centred on one powerful belief: great education builds great humans.
 
In this episode, Michelle shares what real leadership in education looks like today, how schools can better support young people in a fast-changing world, and why character, belonging, and purpose matter more than ever.
 
You’ll learn what modern leadership looks like, how to develop resilience and emotional intelligence in young people, and why participation, service, and strong role models shape lifelong success.
 
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Michelle's Quick Fire Answers
What does success mean to you?
“Having people participate fully in what’s in front of them.”
 
What does happiness mean to you?
“The freedom to walk from point to point and see nature unfold — a lizard, a sea eagle, a whale passing by.”
 
What’s your normal morning routine these days?
“Early mornings, some exercise outdoors, and a coffee before heading into school.”
 
What piece of advice would you put on a billboard for the world to see?
“Listen to understand, not to respond.”
 
Who would you suggest as a future guest on the show?
“A graduate — hearing the voice of an 18-year-old would be powerful.”
 
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Listen To The Podcast
https://pod.link/1683066164?view=apps&sort=popularity
 
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Find Us On Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/sxhpod
 
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Chapters
 
(00:00:00) – Intro
(00:00:45) – Chapter 1 | The Responsibility of School Leadership
(00:04:56) – Chapter 2 | Michelle’s Journey into Education
(00:12:23) – Chapter 3 | Defining Leadership in Young People
(00:25:49) – Chapter 4 | Building Character, Belonging & Purpose
(00:45:31) – Quick Fire | Success, Happiness & Advice
(00:48:07) – Outro
 
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#podcast #education #leadership

From the outside, mastery looks effortless, but the real story is written in sacrifice.
 
Sam Lucas is a world-class cellist whose life has been shaped by obsession, discipline, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. From growing up in a deeply musical household to performing and studying across Europe, Sam’s journey reveals what it truly costs to chase greatness, and why fulfilment isn’t found at the finish line.
 
In this episode, Sam shares his path from prodigious talent to international performer, the mental and physical toll of elite musicianship, and how endurance sport transformed his performance on stage. Together, we explore high performance, identity, sacrifice, and the delicate balance between success and happiness.
 
You’ll learn what elite mastery really demands, why marginal gains matter, how physical fitness supports creative excellence, and how to sustain a long career without losing yourself along the way.
 
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Sam’s Quick Fire Answers
What does success mean to you?
“The pursuit of happiness in what you do, and being able to live from it while having a positive effect on the world.”
 
What does happiness mean to you?
“Appreciation for the world you live in, doing well for your family, being ethical, and keeping a sound mind.”
 
What’s your normal morning routine these days?
“In winter, I sleep in as late as possible, have cereal or a bagel, shower, and head to rehearsals. In summer, I usually start the day with a run or mobility work.”
 
What piece of advice would you put on a billboard for the world to see?
“Start physical sport early. Take care of your body — it takes care of your mind.”
 
Who would you suggest as a future guest on the show?
“My professor — one of the most philosophical and switched-on people I know.”
 
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Listen To The Podcast
https://pod.link/1683066164?view=apps&sort=popularity
 
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Find Us On Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/sxhpod
 
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Chapters
(00:00:00) – Intro
(00:00:47) – Chapter 1 | Growing Up Inside Music
(00:06:01) – Chapter 2 | The Path to Elite Performance
(00:16:52) – Chapter 3 | The Cost of Mastery
(00:29:24) – Chapter 4 | Running, Recovery & Resilience
(00:54:06) – Quick Fire Questions
(00:58:41) – Outro
 
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#podcast #classicalmusic #highperformance

From turning grief into colour, Kirsten Jackson’s art proves that pain can become purpose. After losing her Mum at just 14, Kirsten found refuge in painting. A practice that would evolve into a globally recognised abstract art career built on flow, endurance and creative truth. Her story is one of resilience, patience, and trusting the long game.
 
In this episode, Kirsten shares her journey from childhood loss to building a thriving international art business, navigating rejection, self-doubt, motherhood, health challenges, and the discipline required to keep creating over decades.
 
You’ll learn how to find flow in your work, why endurance matters more than talent, how to turn passion into a sustainable business, and what it really means to keep going when there’s no finish line.
 
Get in touch with Kirsten Jackson – www.kirstenjackson.com.au
 
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Kirsten’s Quick Fire Answers
 
What does success mean to you?
“Continuing to do what I love, staying true to my values, and never stopping the creative journey.”
 
What does happiness mean to you?
“Presence, freedom, and being deeply connected to what I’m doing.”
 
What’s your normal morning routine these days?
“Early starts, movement, time in the studio, and creating before the day takes over.”
 
What piece of advice would you put on a billboard for the world to see?
“Keep going — even when it feels slow, it’s all adding up.”
 
Who would you suggest as a future guest on the show?
“Dr Wesley.”
 
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Listen To The Podcast
https://pod.link/1683066164?view=apps&sort=popularity
 
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Find Us On Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/sxhpod
 
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Chapters
 
(00:00:00) – Intro
(00:00:43) – Chapter 1 | Finding art through grief and flow
(00:06:47) – Chapter 2 | From passion to profession
(00:20:44) – Chapter 3 | Health, resilience and endurance
(00:24:47) – Chapter 4 | Scaling creativity without losing balance
(00:40:36) – Quick Fire Questions
(00:42:55) – Outro
 
#podcast #art #resilience

Great leaders don’t fail under pressure, their brains do. Today David Watson returns to unpack what actually happens in your mind when stress hits, and how the best leaders learn to regulate themselves before leading others.
 
In this episode, David shares hard-earned insights from working across eight countries in some of the world’s highest-pressure environments. We dive deep into emotional intelligence under stress, amygdala hijacks, peak performance curves, and why understanding yourself is the foundation to leading high-performing teams.
 
You’ll learn how to lead calmly in chaos, avoid emotional contagion, manage pressure without burnout, and create psychological safety that lifts performance rather than shuts it down.
 
Get in touch with David Watson – https://neurolead.net.au
 
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David Watson’s Quick Fire Answers
 
What does success mean to you?
“Being able to do what gives you joy, consistently.”
 
What does happiness mean to you?
“Happiness isn’t constant — it’s a feeling of clarity, openness, and willingness to engage.”
 
What’s your normal morning routine these days?
“Early wake-up, phone out of the bedroom, water with creatine and salt, affirmations, speech practice, and grounding before the day starts.”
 
What piece of advice would you put on a billboard for the world to see?
“Understand and lead yourself first — or your brain will make decisions for you.”
 
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Listen To The Podcast
https://pod.link/1683066164?view=apps&sort=popularity
 
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Find Us On Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/sxhpod
 
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Chapters
(00:00:00) – Intro
(00:00:44) – Chapter 1 | Leading Under Pressure & Emotional Intelligence
(00:32:33) – Chapter 2 | Peak Performance, Pressure & Burnout
(00:58:14) – Quick Fire Questions
(01:04:28) – Outro
 
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#podcast #leadership #highperformance #neuroscience

He survived 650 days falsely accused of spying and imprisoned in a foreign country, an experience that reshaped his understanding of resilience, meaning, and the human spirit.
 
Professor Sean Turnell’s journey from Australian economist to political prisoner in Myanmar is one of the most extraordinary stories of endurance in modern times.
 
In this episode, Sean shares how imagination, history, and the concept of the hero’s journey helped him survive solitary confinement, uncertainty, and the constant threat of death. From economic reform and political collapse to meditation, meaning, and perspective, this is a conversation that goes far beyond geopolitics.
 
You’ll learn what real resilience looks like when everything is stripped away, how perspective can become a survival tool, and how to find meaning in your own “box” moments when life pulls the floor out from under you.
 
Get in touch with Sean Turnell – https://www.seanturnell.com
 
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Sean’s Quick Fire Answers
 
What does success mean to you?
“Doing work that matters, with integrity, and knowing you’ve helped others along the way.”
 
What does happiness mean to you?
“A sense of meaning, perspective, and connection, especially with the people you love.”
 
What’s your normal morning routine these days?
“Early mornings, quiet reflection, reading, and easing into the day with purpose.”
 
What piece of advice would you put on a billboard for the world to see?
“Control what you can, especially your attitude.”
 
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Listen To The Podcast
https://pod.link/1683066164?view=apps&sort=popularity
 
-
 
Find Us On Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/sxhpod
 
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Chapters
 
(00:00:00) – Intro
(00:00:48) – Chapter 1 | Childhood, Imagination & the Foundations of Resilience
(00:05:15) – Chapter 2 | Economics, Purpose & Helping Fragile Nations
(00:12:48) – Chapter 3 | Myanmar, Reform & the Road to Imprisonment
(00:28:16) – Chapter 4 | Arrest, Isolation & Life Inside the Prison Cell
(00:54:45) – Chapter 5 | Survival, Meaning & the Hero’s Journey
(01:05:37) – Chapter 6 | Release, Reflection & Life After Prison
(01:17:05) – Quick Fire Questions
(01:19:31) – Outro
 
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#podcast #resilience #humanspirit #myanmar 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Success x Happiness crew. As tradition dictates, Rich is joined by his two eldest kids, Teddy and Franks, for a Christmas Eve yarn about life, school, fears, goals, siblings, and what it’s really like being a kid right now. From surprisingly deep life lessons to absolute chaos, this conversation is equal parts heartfelt and hilarious. Headphone listeners… you’ve been warned.
 
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Listen To The Podcast
https://pod.link/1683066164?view=apps&sort=popularity
 
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Find Us On Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/sxhpod
 
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Chapters
(00:00:00) – Introduction
(00:00:33) – Chapter 1 | Chaos
(00:10:14) – Outro
 
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#podcast #family #christmas