What I learned in business (that didn't kill me!)
Episodes
Adam Posner: What's the Point of Loyalty?
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What is customer loyalty — really?Is it points? Discounts? Retention metrics? Or is it something deeper?In this episode of What I Learned in Busines...
Anne Laure Descours: The Invisible Engine of Global Retail
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone talks about sustainable retail products and saving the planet, but who really cares? Retailers? Customers? Government?The global retail sourc...
Ian Robson: Premierships & Pressure points. Sport in the Spotlight
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!), I sit down with Ian Robson, one of the most experienced and battle-tested spor...
Simon Toohey: Masterchef to Market Maker
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I sit down with chef, MasterChef finalist, television host and entrepreneur Simon Toohey.Many Australians know Simon from MasterChef ...
Andrew Love: Surrounded by Liars and Thieves
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, James H Stewart sits down with Andrew J Love, one of Australia’s most experienced former restructuring advisers and non-executive d...
Christo Van Egmond: The School of Rock!
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Christo Van Egmond — Inside the Business of Live MusicWhat does it really take to bring the world’s biggest artists to Australia?In this episode J...
Anastasia Pelot: Inside the Mind of Gen Z & Gen A.
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!), James Stewart explores one of the most important and misunderstood challenges ...
Andrew Yates: CEO KPMG Australia
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!), James Stewart sits down with Andrew Yates, CEO of KPMG Australia, to explore w...
Jim Sarantinos: Parramatta Eels. No easy try.
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!), James H Stewart sits down with Jim Sarantinos, CEO of the Parramatta Eels, one...
Anna Samkova: Customer Strategy, Loyalty and Behaviour
04 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From surviving a devastating car accident in Ukraine to becoming one of Australia’s most influential thinkers in customer loyalty and digital strate...
Nishan Wijemanne: From Start Up to Shiperoo!
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From escaping civil war in Sri Lanka at just six years old, to building one of the most successful automation start-ups in Australia and New Zealand, ...
Bruce Carter AO: Harris Scarfe. Elders. Whyalla. Crown Resorts
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, James sits down with Bruce Carter AO, one of Australia’s most respected commercial advisors and arguably South Australia’s “Mr ...
Ian Nairn: Laura Ashley, Witchery, Country Rd, David Jones & Hudsons Bay
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Iain Nairn walks into a room, he brings over 40 years of global retail experience — and a lifetime of lessons in leadership, resilience, and re...
Jackie Kruger: Black Milk. Fandom, Sharkies & Alternative Fashion.
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From a kitchen table in Brisbane to a global online fashion movement — this is the story of Black Milk Clothing.In this episode of What I Learned in...
John King: Myer, House of Fraser, Matalan.
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John King's global experience in retail and wholesale brands is unique. He led three major retailers—Matalan, House of Fraser, and Myer—through wi...
Frank Cancelloni: Murder, Mystery, Jim Thompson & The White Lotus
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to transform a national treasure into a modern global brand?In this episode, James H. Stewart sits down with Frank Cancelloni, Group...
Patrick Elliott: Private Equity Playbook
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Private-equity veteran Patrick Elliott (Founding Partner, Next Capital; ex-Macquarie PE; former Chair of JB Hi-Fi) joins James H Stewart to unpack car...
Di Gillett: The Power of Women in Business.
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, James H Stewart sits down with Di Gillett — a fashion-design student, turned retailer, turned headhunter, turned podcaster — whos...
Evan Thornley: Bold Bets, Big Start ups, Social Enterprise, & Politics
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of What I Learned in Business, James H Stewart sits down with Evan Thornley — entrepreneur, investor, reformer, and one of Australia...
Paul Howes: Politics, Beaconsfield, Career Pivots & Tenet Advisory
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!), host James H Stewart sits down with Paul Howes — one of Australia’s most r...
Mark Korda: Enron, Ansett, Timbercorp, Arrium & Collingwood
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Born out of the ashes of Enron and the collapse of global Big 5 firm Arthur Andersen, Korda Mentha has become a powerhouse advisory firm in Australia/...
What I learned in business (that didn't kill me!)
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For 40 years I was a corporate undertaker. I buried businesses that failed and helped save those where there was still a pulse.I was parachuted into s...