Wisepreneurs | Independent Professionals Building Practice on Their Own Terms

Hosted by Nigel Rawlins | Wisepreneurs

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Aug 2026

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The Wisepreneurs Podcast features conversations with experienced professionals, authors, academics, and consultants about building sustainable practice on their own terms. Hosted by Nigel Rawlins, the show explores how experienced independent professionals position accumulated expertise, work with AI tools, and use the cognitive advantages that come with decades of professional experience. Topics include positioning, professional transitions, cognitive vitality, relational branding, and the changing nature of knowledge work. New episodes fortnightly. 90+ episodes. Transcripts and more: wisepreneurs.au Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins Subscribe to The Wisepreneur newsletter: wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter Field guides for independent professionals, short workbooks and self-assessments that give you an honest reading of what you are working with: wisepreneurs.com.au/field-guides

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August 13, 2026Episode 9744 min

Sarah Duran Fractional COO: Systems for Solo Businesses That Scale

Sarah Duran is a fractional COO who helps solo business owners extract their business from their own head and turn it into systems that scale. She never planned to run a business — she watched her parents do it her whole life and wanted none of the weight of other people's livelihoods — but contract work turned into a decade-long practice she now runs in under 40 hours a week. Sarah explains why what got you to six figures will bankrupt you at seven: the moment the business outgrows one person's head, the instinct that built it becomes the bottleneck. She walks through her six-point operational audit covering strategy and systems, clients and services, and profit and value, and shares why most capacity problems are actually clients-and-services problems in disguise — too many offers for too many different people. The conversation covers her approach to AI as a tool that reveals the work you should never have been doing, how she runs strategic step-backs three times a year to keep her own practice on track, and why she believes independent work is fundamentally good for people and for society. Wisepreneurs explores how experienced independent professionals position accumulated expertise and build sustainable practice. Mentions and references Books: Instant Freelancer by Sarah Duran People Melisa Liberman — previous Wisepreneurs guest Anna Burgess Yang — business automation expert and Wisepreneurs guest Nellie Yusipova — AI expert Tools: Claude (AI analysis), Notion (project management) Connect with Sarah Website: fruitioninitiatives.com LinkedIn: Sarah Duran The Solopreneur Collaborative group program is described at fruitioninitiatives.com Support the show Connect with Nigel Rawlins Website: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/ Free assessments for independent professionals: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/field-guides/ The Wisepreneur newsletter, practical thinking for experienced independent professionals, every Tuesday: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2311675/supporters/new

July 30, 2026Episode 9651 min

Liz Micik AI Website Visibility: What Independent Professionals Must Fix Now

Liz Micik shows independent professionals what AI agents see when they read a website, after 28 years fixing broken ones. Her framework puts four questions to a site: can an agent find you, understand you, trust you, and use you. The free Signal Check at lizmicik.com/signal-check asks ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity and Gemini about your business three times each; Nigel scored +24, with 14 checkable facts from Perplexity and none from Claude. Liz explains why schema now matters for a different reason, why Contact Form 7, CAPTCHAs and specs buried in PDFs stop an agent acting on your site, and why consistency across your website, LinkedIn and reviews is how a machine decides you are trustworthy. She also runs her own practice through a named Claude assistant, and still checks its work by hand. Wisepreneurs explores how experienced independent professionals position accumulated expertise and build sustainable practice. Mentions and references Ann Handley on writing; Marie Haynes and The Search Bar; Nate B. Jones on the open brain method Imperva 2025 Bad Bot Report: automated traffic passed human traffic at 51 per cent Tools: Contact Form 7, Schema Pro, Cloudflare, Claude Code, Perplexity, Gemini How to connect with Liz Website and free Signal Check: lizmicik.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lizmicik Support the show Connect with Nigel Rawlins Website: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/ Free assessments for independent professionals: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/field-guides/ The Wisepreneur newsletter, practical thinking for experienced independent professionals, every Tuesday: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2311675/supporters/new

July 16, 2026Episode 9557 min

Kay Sargent Space and Cognition: Workspaces for Independent Professionals

Kay Sargent makes the case that your workspace is part of your cognition, not a backdrop to it. Kay leads neuroinclusive design at global firm HOK and wrote Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces (Wiley). Her framework — six modalities of work, each needing a higher-stimulation and a lower-stimulation version — gives independent professionals a practical way to set up a home office that supports their best thinking rather than taxing it. She also explains the "pureeing problem" that makes open-plan offices fail, why knowing whether you're hyper or hyposensitive changes how you arrange the room, and the hidden energy cost of AI. She explains her six modalities of work, why each needs a higher-stimulation and a lower-stimulation version, and the pureeing problem that makes open-plan offices fail. For anyone working alone from home she offers a starting point: know thyself, test different spots, and protect movement and natural light. Kay and Nigel also get into neuroaesthetics, the hidden energy and water cost of AI, and the verification bottleneck where AI generates cheaply but humans still judge what works. Wisepreneurs explores how experienced independent professionals position accumulated expertise and build sustainable practice. Mentions and references Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces by Kay Sargent (Wiley) Charles Handy, the Shamrock organisation HOK; KPMG neuroinclusive headquarters; the Microsoft study of 60,000 workers How to connect with Kay LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kay-sargent-53b2431 HOK and research: hok.com Support the show Connect with Nigel Rawlins Website: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/ Free assessments for independent professionals: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/field-guides/ The Wisepreneur newsletter, practical thinking for experienced independent professionals, every Tuesday: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2311675/supporters/new

July 2, 2026Episode 9443 min

Valentine Gatard Career Independence: Human Agency and the Future of Work

Valentine Gatard built 15 years of career independence in Paris as a speaker, coach and host of the Work Narratives podcast. She has just completed a master's in organisational studies at La Sorbonne and is writing a book on workplace narratives and agency. Valentine explains why French professionals increasingly refuse management roles, how two colleagues fell out because collaboration meant respond immediately to one and think before answering to the other, and why human agency matters more as AI takes over routine work. She describes building an agency assessment app on Lovable connected to Supabase, research on narrative agency from Finnish researcher Hanna Meretoja, and her work with the nonprofit Les Emergences on the quaternary economy, a model that recognises every form of societal contribution. After 15 years self-employed, she names community as the most important resource an independent professional has. Wisepreneurs explores how experienced independent professionals position accumulated expertise and build sustainable practice. Mentions and references: Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber Hanna Meretoja, Finnish researcher, narrative agency Laetitia Vitaud, future of work author and Valentine's first podcast guest Les Emergences, nonprofit promoting the quaternary economy Connect with Valentine: Website | LinkedIn: Valentine Gitard Support the show Connect with Nigel Rawlins Website: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/ Free assessments for independent professionals: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/field-guides/ The Wisepreneur newsletter, practical thinking for experienced independent professionals, every Tuesday: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2311675/supporters/new

June 18, 2026Episode 9344 min

Alisha Hook Career Coaching: Networks and Reputation in a Shifting Job Market

Alisha Hook spent 25 years in talent acquisition and HR before founding Your Career Edge to coach professional reinvention. Her career coaching and fractional talent consultancy is based in Melbourne and works both sides of the hiring desk. Alisha explains three trends reshaping the job market for experienced professionals: job hugging, where people hold onto roles out of fear rather than satisfaction; peek-a-boo jobs, where listings vanish within days under high applicant volumes; and anti-perks, the hidden downsides behind attractive job descriptions. She covers how AI tools like Microsoft Copilot are changing hiring decisions, with employers pausing recruitment as AI-generated resumes start to look identical, and outlines how she coaches individuals on building professional reputation, mapping career advocates, and understanding what applicant tracking systems actually filter for. She is completing ICF coaching accreditation through Thought Conductor. Wisepreneurs explores how experienced independent professionals position accumulated expertise and build sustainable practice. Mentions and references: Charles Handy, business philosopher, second curve concept Ben Legg, Wisepreneurs Podcast episode 87, portfolio careers International Coaching Federation (ICF) Thought Conductor, coaching accreditation provider Microsoft Copilot, AI workplace tool Connect with Alisha: Website yourcareeredge.com.au LinkedIn Alisha Hook Support the show Connect with Nigel Rawlins Website: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/ Free assessments for independent professionals: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/field-guides/ The Wisepreneur newsletter, practical thinking for experienced independent professionals, every Tuesday: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2311675/supporters/new

June 4, 2026Episode 9258 min

Johanna Rothman Independent Consulting: Principles That Outlast Every Trend

Johanna Rothman has worked as an independent consultant since 1994 and written 21 books on management, consulting, and professional writing, including Successful Independent Consulting. Johanna uses the Consulting Role Grid from Champion, Kiel and McLendon (1990) to draw a distinction that matters for every experienced professional: hands-on experts who take no responsibility for client growth are really contractors, not consultants. She explains the nine consulting roles from reflective observer to trusted advisor, why retainer agreements serve both consultant and client better than hourly billing, and how continual planning replaces rigid annual plans. The conversation includes her reader journey mapping technique for nonfiction books, adapted from Jeff Patton's user story mapping, and her approach to time-boxing daily work. For experienced independent professionals, this episode maps the practical mechanics of building consulting practice around deep expertise. Mentions and references: Successful Independent Consulting by Johanna Rothman Free Your Inner Nonfiction Writer by Johanna Rothman Consulting Role Grid — Champion, Kiel & McLendon (1990) Jeff Patton — user story mapping, adapted for reader journey mapping Connect with Johanna: Website: jrothman.com | LinkedIn: Johanna Rothman Wisepreneurs explores how independent professionals turn accumulated expertise into sustainable practice. Support the show Connect with Nigel Rawlins Website: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/ Free assessments for independent professionals: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/field-guides/ The Wisepreneur newsletter, practical thinking for experienced independent professionals, every Tuesday: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2311675/supporters/new

May 21, 2026Episode 9147 min

Bex Thomas Intentional Career Breaks: Sabbaticals That Lead to Real Change

Bex Thomas spent 20 years in recruitment before an intentional career break became the catalyst for a portfolio career as a career transition coach, sabbatical coach, and podcast host of Sabbatical Stories. Bex explains her five-question framework for planning intentional career breaks: why you are taking the break, when to take it, where to go, who to spend time with, and who you want to become afterwards. She covers the financial planning behind extended breaks, how to negotiate leave when your company has no sabbatical policy, and why the integration period after a break determines whether it changes your career or fades into memory. Most mid-career transitions, she argues, turn out to be values realignment rather than seismic change. Wisepreneurs explores how experienced independent professionals position accumulated expertise and build sustainable practice. Mentions and references: Ikigai by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X, author of Solve for Happy BreakSpace, online community for career break planning The Sabbatical Project, not-for-profit promoting sabbaticals Connect with Bex: website: bexthomas.com | LinkedIn: Bex Thomas Support the show Connect with Nigel Rawlins Website: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/ Free assessments for independent professionals: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/field-guides/ The Wisepreneur newsletter, practical thinking for experienced independent professionals, every Tuesday: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2311675/supporters/new

May 7, 2026Episode 9050 min

Margareta Krizova Freelance Advice: Six Questions for Professional Reinvention

Margareta Křížová offers freelance advice for professional reinvention, sharing six questions that replace the business plan. After co-founding a boutique M&A advisory firm in Prague in 1993, Margareta spent almost 30 years in dealmaking before selling her equity stake at 53 to rebuild as an independent freelancer. She now combines selective advisory work with entrepreneurship mentoring and runs the NEWTON University Business Accelerator, now in its fifth year with 14 projects in acceleration. Her six questions (what do you sell, who will buy it, why, what is your go-to market, what is your pricing strategy, and do you want to work alone or with partners) cut through the complexity that stops people from starting. She describes the financial blind spot she calls invisible work, where freelancers fail to count their own hours and underprice as a result. The conversation covers why side hustles work as a low-risk transition from corporate employment and how Margareta uses ChatGPT with Keith Cunningham's The Road Less Stupid as a virtual thinking partner for business decisions. Mentions and references: NEWTON University Business Accelerator, Keith Cunningham, The Road Less Stupid, Third Career (book by Margareta Krizova) Connect with Margareta: website: margaretakrizova.com | LinkedIn Margareta Křížová Wisepreneurs explores how independent professionals turn accumulated expertise into sustainable practice. Support the show Connect with Nigel Rawlins Website: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/ Free assessments for independent professionals: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/field-guides/ The Wisepreneur newsletter, practical thinking for experienced independent professionals, every Tuesday: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2311675/supporters/new

April 23, 2026Episode 8956 min

Janine Garner Expertise Monetisation: How Women Build Independent Consulting Practices

Janine Garner helps women entrepreneurs over 50 turn accumulated expertise into independent consulting practices that charge what professional judgment is worth. After 20 years in corporate marketing, finishing as group marketing director for the Oroton Group overseeing Oroton and Ralph Lauren brands across Australia and Asia, Janine built a seven-figure mentoring business focused on expertise monetisation for experienced women leaving corporate careers. In this conversation, Janine explains why experienced women consistently underprice themselves when starting independent practices, often earning less per hour than a fast-food worker despite decades of professional knowledge. She shares her days-down-dollars-up business strategy for restructuring consulting offers around value rather than time. Janine breaks down the four-role network model from her book It's Who You Know: promoters who champion you, teachers who stretch your thinking, pit crew who keep you on track, and butt kickers who drive action. She explains why true collaboration requires curiosity rather than transaction, and how to codify implicit professional knowledge into saleable intellectual property. The conversation also draws on Professor Ron Heifetz's work at Harvard Kennedy School on the professional, familial, and ancestral voices that shape career decisions. Janine describes building a business for a client in her sixties who wanted to work exclusively with CEOs from her caravan. Mentions and references: It's Who You Know, Be Brilliant, and From Me to We by Janine Garner. Professor Ron Heifetz, Harvard Kennedy School. Melissa Liberman, executive coach. Connect with Janine: janinegarner.com.au | LinkedIn: Janine Garner Wisepreneurs explores how independent professionals turn accumulated expertise into sustainable practice. Subscribe for new episodes. Support the show Connect with Nigel Rawlins Website: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/ Free assessments for independent professionals: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/field-guides/ The Wisepreneur newsletter, practical thinking for experienced independent professionals, every Tuesday: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2311675/supporters/new

April 9, 2026Episode 8852 min

Ella Zhang Expertise Building: Micro Habits for Experienced Consultants

Ella Zhang helps experienced professionals monetise hard-won expertise through inner operating systems that rebuild leadership capability from the inside out. From her Sydney consulting practice, she draws on neuroscience and Chinese medicine to design micro habits that make capability stick where one-off training programs fail. Ella explains how four inner operating systems, mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical, shape sustainable performance for independent consultants. She covers diagnosing organisational issues by root cause rather than surface symptom, why micro habits outlast workshops, and how values alignment prevents burnout. The conversation includes her own burnout recovery in 2007, her book Upgrade: How to Outperform Your Default Self to Gain Your Super Powers, her annual Vipassana meditation practice in the Blue Mountains, and why she has sacked only one client in ten years. Mentions and references: Upgrade by Ella Zhang. Luc P Beaudoin, productive practice research. Vipassana meditation. Neuroscience research on burnout and recovery. Connect with Ella: ellazhang.com.au | LinkedIn: Ella Zhang Wisepreneurs explores how independent professionals turn accumulated expertise into sustainable practice. Support the show Connect with Nigel Rawlins Website: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/ Free assessments for independent professionals: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/field-guides/ The Wisepreneur newsletter, practical thinking for experienced independent professionals, every Tuesday: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2311675/supporters/new