The Growth & Banter Podcast

Hosted by Blake Micola

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Where Ideas and Strategy Meet Brutal Honesty. Growth & Banter isn't your average business podcast. It's raw, intelligent, and built for ambitious founders, operators, and creatives who've outgrown the fluff. You'll hear unfiltered conversations with real business and organisational builders—not just influencers—who've faced the chaos, cracked the code, and came out sharper. Every episode fuses elite growth strategy with hard-won personal lessons. If you're tired of motivational nonsense and craving real talk with depth, this is your place. Subscribe and binge episodes that hit different: tactical, honest, and just unpolished enough to keep it real. New drops every month. Highlights weekly. Banter guaranteed.

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38 recent

October 18, 2026Episode 381 hr 1 min

EP38 - Building a Wellness Powerhouse With Bernadette Sukkar

From a few Pilates mats in her Tamarama living room to two thriving Sydney studios, Bernadette Sukkar has built Body By Berner into more than just a fitness business. In this episode of Growth & Banter , we sit down with Bernadette Sukkar, Founder of Body By Berner , to unpack her journey from New York's fashion PR scene to creating one of Sydney's distinctive boutique wellness brands. We explore how Bernadette leveraged her background in branding and PR to build a loyal community, create a standout customer experience and turn a founder-led business into a growing wellness brand. Inside this episode: How Bernadette went from New York PR Director to wellness entrepreneur Building a brand that stands out in a saturated fitness industry Turning customer experience into genuine community and loyalty Making the transition from instructor to CEO Scaling from one studio to two without losing the brand's identity The challenges, sacrifices and lessons behind building a business around your personal brand From backing yourself in a completely new industry to knowing when to step back and let your business grow beyond you, Bernadette shares her perspective on entrepreneurship, brand building and creating something people genuinely want to be part of. Whether you're building a business, growing a personal brand or looking to create a stronger connection with your customers, this episode offers valuable insights into what it takes to build a brand that lasts. 🎧 Listen now to Episode 38 of Growth & Banter!

October 5, 2026Episode 371 hr 6 min

EP37 - The Advantage of Human Connection in Business with Steve Grace

What separates the founders who scale from the ones who stall? Often, it comes down to the people they hire and the relationships they build. In this episode of Growth & Banter, we sit down with Steve Grace, founder of The Nudge Group, entrepreneur and podcast host, to unpack what it takes to build great teams, strong networks and businesses that can scale. With more than 20 years across recruitment, media and entrepreneurship, Steve shares what traditional hiring gets wrong, how he spots A-players, the biggest mistakes founders make when building teams, and why employer brand matters when competing for great talent. We also explore how sales has evolved from transactions into long-term relationship building, why networking is becoming one of the most valuable business assets, and the growing importance of genuine human connection. Plus, Steve gives us a sneak peek inside The Pillars, his exclusive members club, including the concept, the space, the events and why Australia is finally embracing private business club culture. Inside this episode: • Spotting A-players and building high-performing teams • The evolution of sales and business networking • Why relationships are a growth advantage • Inside The Pillars • Founder brand, AI and the future of work Whether you're a founder, business owner or leader, this episode is packed with practical insights on hiring, networking and building a business that lasts. 🎧 Listen now to hear what really drives growth: better people, stronger relationships and smarter decisions.

July 23, 2026Episode 3650 min

EP36 - From Family Lawyer to Leading Voice in Modern Separation With Gabriella Pomare

In this episode of Growth & Banter, we sit down with Gabriella Pomare, Partner at The Norton Law Group, family lawyer, speaker, and author of The Collaborative Co-Parent, to explore the realities of modern separation and why family law is about far more than legal outcomes. After more than a decade practising exclusively in family law, Gabriella has become a leading voice in helping individuals, families and business owners navigate one of life's most challenging transitions with greater clarity, communication and confidence. We discuss the emotional responsibility that comes with family law, the role of personal brand in professional services, and how business owners can protect both their personal and commercial interests during separation. Gabriella also shares the principles behind The Collaborative Co-Parent, why effective communication is often the difference between prolonged conflict and a healthier path forward, and how separation doesn't have to mean the end of a family. The conversation explores leadership, conflict resolution, co-parenting, and the mindset required to guide people through highly emotional situations while building trust and lasting outcomes. Inside this episode: • Gabriella's journey into family law and leadership • Building authority in a profession built on trust • Personal branding in professional services • The impact of separation on business owners • Protecting businesses through planning and communication • The Four Pillars of Communication during conflict • Lessons from The Collaborative Co-Parent • Leading with empathy in high-pressure situations Whether you're a business owner, leader, professional, or someone navigating change in your personal life, this episode offers practical insights into communication, resilience, and making better decisions when the stakes are high. 🎧 Listen now to discover why the most powerful tool in conflict isn't the law, it's communication.

June 23, 2026Episode 351 hr 1 min

EP35 - From Behind the Chair to Building One of Australia's Most Recognised Haircare Brands with Natalie Anne

In this episode of Growth & Banter, we sit down with Natalie Anne, founder of Natalie Anne Haircare, to explore the journey from working behind the salon chair to building one of Australia's most recognised haircare brands. What began as a passion for helping women feel confident has evolved into a global brand, trusted by both professional stylists and everyday consumers. Natalie shares the lessons, challenges, and pivotal moments that shaped her career, along with the realities of scaling a business in one of the world's most competitive industries. We discuss the gap she saw in the market, the importance of education and trust, how she built a loyal community around the brand, and why personal credibility has become more important than ever in today's digital landscape. The conversation also explores entrepreneurship, leadership, company culture, and the mindset required to navigate the highs and lows of building a business. Inside this episode: • The journey from hairdresser to founder • Building Natalie Anne Haircare from the ground up • Creating products that solve real customer problems • The role of personal brand in business growth • Building trust in a crowded and competitive market • Lessons from scaling a beauty brand • Balancing business, family, and ambition • The future of the hair and beauty industry Whether you're a founder, creative, business owner, or simply curious about what it takes to turn expertise into a thriving brand, this episode offers an honest look behind the scenes of building a modern business. 🎧 Listen now and hear how Natalie turned creativity, credibility and community into a global haircare brand.

May 10, 2026Episode 341 hr 2 min

EP34 - From $60k Savings to a $252 Million Empire With Scott O'Neill

🎙️ From $60k Savings to $250M Property Empire | Scott O'Neill on Wealth, Rentvesting & Commercial Property In this episode of the Growth & Banter Podcast , Scott O'Neill joins Blake Micola to unpack the mindset, strategy, and decisions that helped him build a $250M net worth before turning 40. Scott shares his journey from working construction sites as a civil engineer to founding Rethink Property Group, now one of Australia's leading commercial property advisory firms. The conversation dives deep into: Why the traditional Australian property strategy is becoming outdated The truth about rentvesting vs owner-occupying How commercial property creates cash flow and financial freedom Why most Australians stay trapped in the "dream home" mindset Building wealth without sacrificing lifestyle The risks of relying purely on residential growth How business owners should think about investing outside their company The future of property amid AI, inflation, interest rates, and political change This episode is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone looking to build long-term wealth differently. 🎧 Listen now and learn how to think beyond the traditional path to financial freedom.

April 13, 2026Episode 331 hr 11 min

EP33 - From Homeless to the King of Sales With Adam McCaughey

In this episode of Growth & Banter, Blake Micola sits down with sales powerhouse Adam McCaughey to unpack one of the most unconventional journeys in business. From getting expelled at 15… to working in world-class kitchens like Rockpool… to living on a superyacht… and eventually closing $20M+ in sales. Adam's story is anything but typical. But this episode isn't just about the journey, it's a deep dive into what actually drives growth in today's market. They break down: Why conviction beats skill in sales The biggest mistake founders make when trying to scale How to identify the real bottleneck in your business The shift from product-led to founder-led growth Why are most people consuming information… but failing at execution How AI is reshaping teams, roles, and the future of business Plus, they unpack the concept of the "growth engine" and why building systems before scaling could be the difference between stagnation and exponential growth. If you're a founder, marketer, or operator trying to scale smarter (not just harder), this episode will challenge how you think about sales, leadership, and building a business in 2026. Tune in to rethink everything you thought you knew about growth.

March 15, 2026Episode 3256 min

EP32 - From Professional Rugby Union to Entrepreneurship With Ben Seymour

In this episode, we are joined by Ben Seymour, a former professional rugby union player turned entrepreneur, to unpack the journey from elite sport to building Rise, a fast-growing performance supplement brand. This episode covers the mindset required to transition from professional athlete to business owner, the realities of launching a product-based brand, and why discipline, recovery, systems, and community matter if you want to perform at a high level. Ben shares lessons from his rugby career, what sport taught him about pressure and resilience, and how those principles now shape the way he approaches business, health, and life. The conversation also dives into endurance, hydration, creatine, sleep, recovery, personal branding, and what it really takes to build a brand that people trust and come back to. It is a sharp, honest conversation about performance, entrepreneurship, and creating something meaningful from the ground up. Follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation.

February 2, 2026Episode 3147 min

EP31 - Scaling Finder From Startup to $100M+ Revenue With Jeremy Cabral

In this episode, I had a chance to sit down with Jeremy Cabral, co-founder of Finder.com, to unpack what it really takes to scale from scrappy experiments to a global machine. Jeremy shares the inside story of Finder's journey, from generating a few thousand dollars in revenue to building and supporting a 600-person team operating across multiple countries. He breaks down how Finder built a scalable content and acquisition engine, why most companies misunderstand how Google actually works, and how intent, user engagement, and disciplined execution matter far more than shortcuts or hacks. This is a candid look at growth as a system, not a trick. Our conversation goes deep into leadership at scale: hiring and retaining top operators, building a culture that actually sticks, and why systems consistently outperform "great talent" once a business grows past the early stages. Jeremy explains how Finder protected its internal playbooks, built execution pods, and maintained loyalty in a highly competitive market. We explore what it takes to move from $10m to $100m, including isolating the right growth levers, installing repeatable engines, and knowing when founders must step back or re-enter the weeds. Jeremy shares his current work helping brands scale past eight figures, drawing on pattern recognition from hundreds of companies. This episode closes with a practical take on AI and technology. Less hype, more infrastructure. Jeremy explains how to break work into steps, remove grunt work through automation, and use AI as an amplifier rather than a replacement. If you're building a business and want clarity on growth, systems, leadership, and the future of scale, this episode delivers real insight without the noise

December 15, 2025Episode 301 hr 9 min

EP30 - The David & Goliath of Female Pharmaceuticals With Thomas and Anabelle

Brother–sister founders. A category most people never question. And an industry dominated by global giants who can outspend you in their sleep. Annabelle and Tom from Femme Organic, the Melbourne duo who turned a lockdown frustration into a 100% organic, plastic-free period care brand and pushed it onto shelves in 400+ stores. They unpack the stuff founders actually deal with: Building a "David vs Goliath" brand when the aisle is owned by conglomerates Why getting into retail isn't the hard part… staying there is How B2B (their workplace bathroom boxes) became the smartest shortcut to B2C Cash flow reality, long lead times, and why subscriptions change the game Packaging mistakes, rookie errors, and the kind of chaos that either breaks you or upgrades you And the strategy behind content that cuts through, education, disruption, and calling out what others won't No hype. No highlight reel. Just the messy middle, said out loud. If you're building something real, this one's worth your time.

November 10, 2025Episode 291 hr 0 min

EP29 - Miss Universe Australia to Mrs Matcha With Monique Riley

Miss Universe Australia 2022 turned entrepreneur. In this episode, we sit down with Monique Riley, founder of Mrs Matcha, to explore how she transformed a chance opportunity into a global platform and built a business that's redefining how Australians enjoy matcha. Monique takes us behind the scenes of her ten-month journey to winning Miss Universe Australia, her unexpected leap into entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to turn a personal brand into a thriving business. She opens up about the discipline, rejection, and self-belief that shaped her path, the challenges of launching Mrs Matcha, from supply shortages to price shocks, and the lessons learned building an authentic brand now stocked in over 50 cafés across Sydney and expanding internationally. Get her raw insights on the reality behind the glamour, and hear her vision for growing Mrs Matcha globally while staying true to health, quality, and integrity. 🎧 Tune in and share your biggest takeaway from this episode.