The Anti-Failure Podcast

Hosted by Chris Kendall

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Mar 2026

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About the show

Successful CEOs, founders and entrepreneurs are unanimous on one thing - there is no success without failure. Failure is to be embraced as it teaches us much more than success ever can. The Anti-Failure Podcast shares the stories of Australian small businesses and the people behind them, who have faced and embraced failure in order to succeed. Enduring not only despite failure, but because of it. We will unpack the tools, tactics and traits that helped them to emerge victorious, paving the way for other Aussie small businesses.

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40 recent

March 26, 2026Episode 4035 min

Truth, Grith & Gut Health with Frank Caruso

How does a kid, written off by his teacher as someone who’d “never add up to anything,” go on to found one of Australia’s most recognisable health brands? In this episode of the Anti-Failure Podcast, Chris sits down with Frank Caruso, founder of Caruso’s Natural Health, whose journey stretches from humble beginnings in suburban Sydney to building a multimillion-dollar business, all without a formal education. Frank’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, self-belief, and the unconventional paths that often lead to success. He shares how family values, hard work, and a mindset shaped by adversity became the foundation for his approach to both life and business. As Chris and Frank unpack pivotal moments—from pounding the streets looking for his first job to navigating setbacks like economic downturns and public health scares—listeners gain insight into how embracing failure can spark curiosity, innovation, and purpose. With lessons drawn from decades in the health and wellness industry, Frank’s reflections on attitude, creativity, and building a legacy prove invaluable for anyone seeking inspiration beyond the classroom.

February 18, 2026Episode 3938 min

Reps Remove Doubt with Todd Liubinskas

In the latest episode of the Anti-Failure Podcast, Chris welcomes Todd Liubinskas - fitness director at Men’s Health, entrepreneur, and community advocate, to unpack the winding journey that has shaped his approach to business, fitness, and giving back. From leaving high school to launch his own courier service, to navigating the challenges of franchising in the gym industry, Todd’s story is packed with hard-won lessons about trusting your gut, embracing setbacks, and finding opportunity even when things go sideways. Throughout the conversation, Todd shares insights from his work with globally recognised brands like Reebok and Red Bull, the evolution of fitness communities, and his commitment to charitable initiatives like Let’s Get Going and WhatAbility. With mindset as his weapon, Todd turns setbacks into opportunities by reframing every obstacle as a building block and believes that putting in the work, day in day out, slowly erodes doubt and builds confidence. In Todd's playbook to success, it's fail, learn, repeat. The opportunity’s in the reps.

February 4, 2026Episode 3825 min

Learning, Leading and Letting Go with Dean Matthews

In this episode, Chris sits down with Dean Matthews, founder of SaaS platform OnTheClock, to unpack what failure really looks like across a 20-year journey of bootstrapping, building, and staying focused. Dean shares how failing fast became a competitive advantage, why chasing shiny objects nearly derailed him early on, and the hard lessons that come from spreading yourself too thin. From walking away from side projects, to learning when to say no, to making decisions with incomplete information and real financial consequences, this is an honest conversation about discipline, delegation, and learning in public. It’s a grounded look at anti-failure in practice. Not dramatic blow-ups or overnight wins, but the quiet decisions that compound over time and turn setbacks into momentum.

November 28, 2025Episode 3754 min

When Compassion Beats Profit: Australia's First Not-For-Profit Family Law Firm

What does it look like when compassion becomes the driving force in an industry built on conflict? Chris sits down with Carolyn Devries, founder of New Way Lawyers, Australia’s first not-for-profit family law firm. Carolyn shares the very real story of walking away from the traditional legal pathway to build a practice that puts people at the centre of every decision. Carolyn talks about the frustrations that pushed her out of private practice, the early days of building a values driven firm, and the emotional weight of supporting families through separation, divorce and domestic violence. She and Chris explore how she learned to balance heart and commercial clarity, how her team stays grounded while doing difficult work, and why culture matters more than any bonus structure. This is an intimate and uplifting conversation about purpose, courage and choosing the harder road for the right reasons. If you want to create meaningful change in your own field or simply hear what it sounds like when someone builds a business that genuinely aligns with who they are, Carolyn’s story will stay with you. Connect with New Way Lawyers If you or someone you know needs support during separation, divorce or domestic violence, New Way Lawyers offers free and accessible help alongside their legal services. Website: www.newwaylawyers.com Learn more about their approach, book an initial consultation or explore their resources. Lunch With A Lawyer (Free Service): A private and anonymous Facebook community where you can ask family law questions at no cost and receive guidance from a qualified lawyer every weekday between 12 and 1pm. Search Lunch With A Lawyer on Facebook to join. Domestic Violence and Family Law Support: New Way Lawyers provides free initial consultations through partner organisations and their private domestic violence fund. Visit their website for more details on accessing this service.

October 29, 2025Episode 3646 min

Begin With Integrity - Rob Martin from MCommercial

In the latest instalment of The Anti-Failure Podcast, Chris sits down with Rob Martin, Founder of MCommercial, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and redefining success. With nearly two decades of experience in the building and commercial property sectors, Rob shares his journey from working in large corporate environments to launching his own people-first commercial property buyer’s agency. Rob opens up about navigating the challenges of starting a business, the lessons learned from personal and professional failures, and how prioritising relationships and integrity helped him overcome setbacks. He discusses the pivotal moments that inspired him to break away from the traditional, sales-driven approach to real estate, and instead create a brand built on transparency, honesty, and genuine purpose. Whether you're a small business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or anyone striving to strike a balance between ambition and wellbeing, Rob’s story is a candid look at how to turn setbacks into opportunities for growth. Tune in to hear how failure, in the right context, can be the foundation for personal transformation and a more fulfilling kind of success. Want to hear more from Rob or learn more about investing in commercial property? Website - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-martin-mcommercial/

October 8, 2025Episode 3556 min

Clarity in the Chaos

Valentina Coin - aka the Digital Transformation Fairy Godmother - joins Chris on the Anti-Failure Podcast to unpack how small businesses can turn tech chaos into scalable, sustainable growth. From tackling failed software launches to aligning people, processes, and technology, Val shares why embracing failure is a gamechanger for business (and personal) transformation. If you want practical strategies to turn process and technology headaches into business wins, this conversation is your blueprint! Check it out now and start building without the chaos.

August 28, 2025Episode 3451 min

Scaling Good: Navigating Change in Non-profits with Alex Green

From a career that began in the social services of inner-city Manchester to now leading successful organisational mergers and launching Loom Consulting, Alex’s journey is one of intentional pivots, entrepreneurial thinking, and a relentless drive to “do good, better.” Chris and Alex explore how embracing commercial strategies, fostering innovative governance, and harnessing technology can unlock new ways for charities to deliver on their missions while avoiding the pitfalls of risk aversion and stagnation. Alex’s story is a fresh reminder: meaningful change and even commercial success are possible in the purpose-driven sector, if you’re willing to challenge tradition! If you’re building impact in the “for purpose” world, be bold, merge missions, embrace technology, and never forget the human factor. Want to get in touch with Alex or learn more about Loom Consulting? Head to loomconsulting.com.au for all the details.

August 13, 2025Episode 3358 min

Beyond the Burners: How Failure Shaped Bridget's Success in Food and Health

What happens when the chef at the top of her game realises the recipe for success is destroying her health? Award-winning chef, author, and nutritionist Bridget Foliaki-Davis joins Chris to share how she went from running Sydney’s finest kitchens to overhauling her life, losing 35 kilos, healing from burnout and turning food into medicine. Bridget shares the intense realities of professional kitchens, the battles of being a woman in a male-dominated industry and the surprising business lessons she learned along the way. Her story takes a pivotal turn when burnout and health issues force her to rethink her approach to food, business, and well-being. If you’re ready for a raw, inspiring take on health, business and purpose, this episode serves it straight - no sugar-coating.

July 24, 2025Episode 3238 min

Franchise Wins From Failure with David Altamura of Wild Soul Wellness

In this episode, Chris sits down with David Altamura, founder of Wild Soul Wellness, to unpack a journey from adversity to opportunity. From personal training and swim coaching in Melbourne to launching wellness spaces in Byron Bay, David eventually returned home to lead a fast-growing franchise network. Along the way, he nearly lost it all in a $60,000 construction disaster, a messy legal battle, and the gut punch of starting over with his young family. Chris and David dig into the lessons that helped him bounce back, scale up, and now guide franchisees through the growing pains with real-world tools like hands-on lease support and a community-first business model. If you're building something, starting over, or just need a hit of entrepreneurial honesty, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to keep going. To find out more about David and Wild Soul Wellness, visit www.wildsoulwellness.com.au

July 4, 2025Episode 3154 min

From Reality TV To Real Growth: Luke McLeod’s Unconventional Road To Enlightenment

What if your biggest failures turned out to be the launchpad for the life you were truly meant to live? In this episode, Chris sits down with Luke McLeod, who went from artillery gunner in the Australian Defence Force to starring on Australia’s highest-rating reality dating show, before finding his real calling: helping people unlock everyday enlightenment. Luke’s story is one of unexpected pivots. He opens up about the moment everything crashed - his business failed, his relationship ended, and his world shrank to a one-bedroom apartment and four blank walls. A chance Netflix documentary inspired a one-way ticket to India, where he learned that true growth doesn’t come from escaping discomfort, but leaning into it. Today, through his app Soul Alive , his book Everyday Enlightenment , and corporate mindfulness sessions, Luke’s mission is to show that meditation isn’t just for monks or wellness gurus, it’s a practical tool to help us stay grounded when life doesn’t go to plan. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to pick up the pieces after a setback, or how to find real calm in the middle of the chaos, Luke’s honest insights will remind you that the road to growth is rarely straight but always worth it. Tune in as Chris and Luke explore what it means to embrace failure, stay present, and truly experience the rollercoaster of life, one step, one breath at a time.