Conversations In Noosa

Welcome to Everyone Has A Story, the podcast where I interview inspiring people from all walks of life. In this episode, I have the pleasure of talking to Maria Woods, the principal of Sunshine Coast Grammar, a school that is known for its excellence and innovation. Maria shares with me her insights on how to educate children in the digital age, how to deal with the challenges of social media and online bullying, and how to foster a culture of leadership and community among students. She also reveals some of the secrets behind Sunshine Coast Grammar's success and why it is not a one-size-fits-all school. If you are a parent, an educator, or simply interested in learning from a remarkable leader, you don't want to miss this conversation with Maria Woods.

Like many of us, settling on a career in our teens or even early twenties can be elusive. Today’s guest didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life. From underwater archaeological sites in the Aegean Sea to outrunning pirates in the Red Sea, she’s managed to combine all her loves. Travel, shopping, and homewares. 

Imagine how challenging running multiple business interests can be. Today’s guest is a woman of many talents and passions. She’s always been fascinated by different industries and opportunities and has pursued her goals with courage and creativity. From organising dream weddings to running successful gymnasiums and fitness centres in Australia and the Cayman Islands to launching a chain of popular art and wine studios. My guest is a female entrepreneur who has learned valuable lessons along the way. It’s been a journey of discovery, challenge, and growth. A journey that still has some way to go.

Are older women being seen? More importantly, are they being heard? Millennials buried deep in a social media landscape seldom recognise what baby boomers have to offer. Today’s guest speaks about her purpose of being seen and heard as a septuagenarian. And Kerala, India with its cultural diversity, rich history, and varied landscape that includes the Arabian Sea coast, seems worlds away from Dalby, the often-hot rural Queensland town where my guest grew up. Why does she go there every two years? Find out in this episode.

The Comiskey Group is a family-owned hospitality, entertainment, and construction company founded by Paul Comiskey more than 50 years ago. Rob is one of two brothers who run the business with his dad and the group recently opened the doors on The Doonan, a site they purchased 15 years ago. I was interested in learning why and how some people see opportunity in a venture when others don’t. The Comiskey Group has done that with several projects and as you’ll hear in this episode, sometimes without a “plan B”.

Coffee has a rich history, complex chemistry, and a variety of effects on the human body and mind. For many, it’s more than just a drink; it’s a ritual, a social lubricant, a source of energy, and pleasure. I recently sat down with two locals responsible for the smoothest double espresso I’ve ever tasted. Ben & Kate Saultry from Bunker Specialty Coffee Co.

There are many tools, strategies, events, and support available for business owners these days. Coaches, consultants, boot camps, and business breakfasts. In this episode, you'll meet a business owner who’s fined tuned the art of conversation, connection, and community and packaged it up into a brand new podcast that’s paying dividends.

My guest on today’s episode of our podcast always dreamt of creating a place where it felt like the people dining were at his home sharing a meal. Somewhere warm, relaxed, and familiar. The idea for Herbert sprang from a collaboration with Alex McKechnie, an earlier podcast guest, and the end result is described as a creative yin to an excel yang. The explanation for that lies ahead in the episode you’re about to hear.

There’s something very special about All' Antica.  The space is warm and cozy and the tables have those traditional red and white tablecloths and the Chianti on the menu pairs perfectly with the Italian fare. I can’t help but hear the Billy Joel classic in my head, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, and the words linger long after the meal has ended. The restaurant itself has been operating for more than three decades. Everyone Has a Story and today I'd like you to meet Helen and Shane McNally

Harry grew up in a large immigrant family in the rough and tough western suburbs of Melbourne and his first jobs in kitchens were an escape, of sorts, from the tight reins his dad held over the seven kids. He’s prepared food for Formula One driver Michael Schumacher and he recalls the early days of Cecconi’s in Melbourne’s Crown Casino when the pollies would be seated on one side of the restaurant and the local mafia on the other. Everyone has a Story and today I’d like you to meet Harry Lilai (executive chef Bocca Italian)

Nilla is the driving force behind the Vanilla Food brand. There’s a café, retail, and a cookbook. The Vanilla Food cookbook is on sale in the IN Noosa Magazine shop on our IN Noosa website and on vanillafood.com.au In this episode, you’ll hear the story of a rebellious teen from Denmark who dreamt of traveling and ended up a successful businesswoman on the other side of the world in a country she now calls home.

Today’s guest had a great childhood. He traveled around Australia with his parents on a bus being home-schooled. This ignited his adventurer’s spirit that led him to London with plans to then make it to New York City. His passion for and interest in botany has set him off on a fascinating journey of discovery that has dovetailed into his career in hospitality as co-owner of Herbert in Noosa Junction.

Today’s guest has worked as part of the production team for some of the world’s biggest films and television shows. From Harry Potter to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp, to The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise. These days he’s helping people from his Doonan home with skills honed while on set as a makeup artist. Everyone has a story and today I’d like you to meet Michael Krehl from Scalp Micropigmentation Noosa.

Abalone has been a much sort after product in Asian countries, however with fewer exports heading to China there’s now a push by the New South Wales Abalone Association to get abalone on menus here in Australia and to raise awareness for the product amongst Aussie consumers. Greg Finn and Greg Ryzy are both part of the association and I spoke to them on the afternoon ahead of a sold-out abalone experience at Peter Kuruvita’s Noosa restaurant, Alba by Kuruvita.

Today’s guest never thought she’d be working with people involved in domestic violence cases. Her interest in sociological issues started at a young age and driving social change has been a powerful motivator. Kathleen Hope is the General Manager of Sunny Kids, Sunshine Coast.

Today’s guest has dedicated herself to her career in ophthalmology with study and work in places like London, Singapore, Melbourne, and Sydney. Her father’s influence in terms of the way he helped and supported his children early on with their careers has had a big influence on my guest today, and in turn, there’s an element of giving back to the community and giving back to students who are just starting out.

You can't help but get swept up in my next guest's enthusiasm when she talks to you. She's a podcaster, coach, and author of the book Radical Self Belief. She's spent a lot of her time helping women and now she's turning her attention towards helping blokes. This episode is full of cracking one-liners that you're sure to remember and repeat to others.

Today's guest is the founder of OneWorld, a home furnishings business with seven retail outlets and an online store as well. It's a great entrepreneurial tale of a South African businessman who turned his rejected job applications into fuel to start his own company.

There's always been a sense of myth and mystery around baseball. MLB teams like the New York Yankees, The White Sox, and the LA Dodgers are globally recognised brands, and while the game may not be considered a tier-one game in Australia, a local club, Sunshine Coast Baseball has given my son Max a sense of purpose, passion and skill level that I'll always be grateful for. It might just do the same for your kids.

My guest on today's episode is a cardiologist who's studied and worked all over the world, from the UK to Italy, Germany, and the United States. With the recent deaths of prominent Australians, Shane Warne, and Senator Kimberley Kitching, cricketer Ryan Campbell is luckily recovering following his cardiac arrest; pre-emptive measures around heart disease and heart attacks have been a trending topic. Professor Christian Hamilton-Craig believes that there's a simple, accurate test that could save many more lives.