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Viv's journey into the spotlight as a gift wrapping expert is a remarkable one. Initially met with scepticism, she transformed what many see as a frivolous skill into a source of joy and excitement. As she notes, “You have to be comfortable within your own skin that what you have to say has some value.” This self-acceptance is crucial, especially in a world that often prioritizes more traditional forms of expertise. Viv emphasizes the importance of JOY in her work, particularly when the news cycle can often seem heavy and burdensome. “In this news cycle that's really burdensome, you've got to have joy,” she says. Balancing the seriousness of current events with a light-hearted approach can create a refreshing counterpoint. This is especially important when presenting to an audience that may not initially see the relevance of gift wrapping amidst the chaos of the world. One of the key insights from our conversation is the need to understand timing in the media landscape. Viv shares, “There’s a time for everything, and if you’re going to be an expert, you’ve got to lean into the timing.” This means being adaptable and recognising that sometimes, despite all your preparation, the news cycle may shift unexpectedly, pushing your segment to the background. Yet, persistence is key; as Nic points out, “You might not have won that battle, but you will end up winning the war” by continuing to share your expertise. Viv’s success also comes from her ability to connect with media personalities and understand their rhythm. “The talent sets the cadence,” she explains. Whether it’s speeding up or slowing down, adapting to the host's style is essential for making a lasting impression. This adaptability has led to repeat invitations to share her gift wrapping skills, proving that a harmonious relationship with media can significantly enhance one's visibility. At the heart of Viv's work lies the profound psychology of gift giving. She explains that “Any gift given with love is a lovely gift.” The wrapping may be beautiful, but it’s the memories and emotions tied to the gift that truly matter. An example she shares is particularly poignant: a husband who framed his wife’s formal dress, a cherished item reflecting their journey together. “Was it about the wrapping? Well, I'd like to think it was lovely wrapping, but it was actually about the memory,” she notes, highlighting the deeper connections that gifts can represent. Reflecting on our conversation, it’s clear that Viv Anthon’s approach to gift wrapping transcends the act itself. It’s about joy, timing, and the personal connections we build through our gifts. If you want to delve deeper into Viv’s insights and learn more about the art of gift wrapping, tune into the full episode. You might just find a new appreciation for the gifts you give and receive this holiday season.

Wine Chats: What gives a podcast the X factor? Great chemistry, honest conversation and the willingness to keep showing up. Wine Chats hosts Billi Milovanovic and Lyndsey Kirkwood join Nic Hayes on #TheExpertsPodcast for a behind-the-scenes look at building a podcast from scratch. What began with Billi’s personal blog became a conversation between two friends whose chemistry was already well tested. But finding their rhythm was only part of the challenge. Years of limited engagement left them questioning whether anyone was listening and whether the effort was worth it. More than 400 episodes later, they have plenty to share about persistence, partnership and keeping the conversation fresh. Billi and Lyndsey also discuss the ups and downs of sponsorship, the realities of making money from podcasting and the support at home that helps them keep going. An honest, entertaining conversation about what it takes to build a podcast and why the connection between the hosts matters as much as the content.

This episode dives deep into the challenges small business owners face and the crucial role they play in our economy. Gabe Enslin, a sought-after small business expert, reminds us that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are indeed the backbone of the Australian economy. They generate over fifty percent of the GDP and employ two-thirds of the workforce. Yet, Gabe emphasises a sobering reality: "If you don't look after it, you're in a lot of trouble." This raises a pivotal question – why aren’t SMEs receiving the attention they deserve? Gabe attributes the struggles of SMEs to poor leadership in government. He argues that decision-makers often overlook the impact their choices have on everyday Australians and small businesses. He states, "I don't think that they understand the impact it'll have to the everyday Aussie taxpayer." With corporate conglomerates dominating the landscape, small businesses often find themselves fighting for survival. As baby boomers begin to retire, the need for effective succession planning becomes critical. Gabe stresses the importance of adopting a proactive mindset early in your business journey. “Succession thinking is a mindset that you adopt early on, where you build a system that becomes less dependent on you,” he explains. This foresight allows owners to explore their exit options without the pressure of a looming deadline. Many business owners enter their ventures driven by passion but quickly find themselves overwhelmed. Gabe notes, “You’re under the pump, trying to do a bit of strategic leadership... and you’ve done eighty hours for the week.” It’s essential to recognize that leadership is a skill that requires time and effort to develop. Gabe encourages owners to focus on developing their teams and systems to ensure the business continues to thrive without them. The journey of building a business is not just about solving problems but also about preparing for the future. As we reflect on these insights, it’s clear that the current landscape for small businesses requires attention and action. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, consider how you can shift from a reactive to a proactive mindset regarding your business’s future. For those looking to dive deeper into this conversation and gain more insights from Gabe Enslin, tune into the full episode.

Mental health for men has been in the past a taboo subject, two Irishmen are changing this with a coffee and a bit of exercise. Dave Eccles and Tadhg Kennelly the founders of When No One's Watching (WNOW) share their story on The Experts podcast. The pandemic served as a catalyst, revealing the urgent need for connection and support among men. Tadhg explains how the isolation of losing his job led to a deep dive into his mental state, and it was Dave's persistence that pulled him back from the brink. Their simple act of meeting for coffee evolved into a larger initiative, inviting others to join their conversations. Dave reflects, "By helping Tadhg through his moment, I think I was helping myself. We're a believer that the most selfish thing you can do is do something for somebody else." As they began inviting friends to join them, WNOW organically grew into a community with 72 chapters across eight countries. Tadhg emphasizes the importance of changing the narrative around men's mental health: "If you say to a male, come down to the beach and talk about your feelings, they'll run away. But if you say, let's do a bit of exercise and grab a coffee, they're in." This approach has created a safe space where men can connect without the pressure of formal therapy settings. It's about showing up, moving, and sharing stories, helping to alleviate the loneliness that many face. The name When No One's Watching speaks to the authenticity behind their initiative. Tadhg explains, "It's about living your life like nobody's watching and getting out there to face the world as your true self." While the growth of WNOW is encouraging, it also underscores the profound need for such support networks. Tadhg poignantly states, "Unfortunately, we're trying and we can see men literally the weight of the world dropping off their shoulder when we step into the circle." Nic is horrified that there is no state or federal support for such an obvious preventative measure. The only government support has come from the Irish government. The group is self-funding but for them to grow it needs government support. It's clear that WNOW is not just about exercise; it’s about building a community that prioritises mental health and mutual support. As we reflect on their journey, it's inspiring to see how conversations around mental health can shift when approached with authenticity and care. For anyone feeling isolated or in need of connection, remember: help is often just a coffee away. For more insights and to hear the full conversation, tune into the episode with Dave and Tadhg.

Beyond Canberra’s Political Bubble Canberra might be the centre of Australian politics, but it is also a city of tradies, teachers, business owners and families dealing with the same pressures as the rest of the country. In this episode of The Experts Podcast, Nic Hayes speaks with 2CC breakfast presenter Stephen Cenatiempo about the real Canberra, his unconventional journey into radio and why local broadcasting still matters. A Tale of Two Cities Stephen describes Canberra as a city divided between the political bubble and the people living outside it. While politicians, advisers and public servants dominate the national perception of Canberra, many residents in its outer suburbs feel disconnected from the decisions being made around them. “There are real people in this town. It’s a tale of two cities.” It is this Canberra that Stephen speaks to every morning. An Unconventional Road to Radio Stephen did not follow the traditional broadcasting pathway. Before entering radio, he sold cars, worked in real estate and built a career across several industries. Those experiences gave him something valuable when he eventually stepped behind the microphone: stories to tell and a genuine understanding of working people. “I came to radio with stories to tell rather than through the traditional route.” That life experience shapes his direct, grounded and conversational broadcasting style. Making National Stories Local Broadcasting from the nation’s capital means federal politics is never far away, but Stephen knows his audience wants more than political theatre. His role is to explain how national decisions affect people locally, from household pressures and employment to infrastructure and community concerns. “National stories matter to local people too. There’s always that local angle.” For Stephen, strong radio makes big issues relevant to the lives of the people listening. Conversation Without Agreement Stephen is comfortable challenging guests, but he also believes disagreement should not prevent a worthwhile conversation. He recalls interviewing Peter Garrett about AUKUS despite their opposing views. The discussion demonstrated that robust debate can still be respectful, informed and valuable to an audience. Stephen believes quality radio should be available everywhere, not just in Australia’s largest cities. It should reflect its community, challenge conventional thinking and give local people a genuine voice. This is a compelling conversation about Canberra beyond the politics, the continuing strength of local radio and a broadcaster who understands the people behind the headlines.

Why Earned Media Matters More Than Ever AI, fake experts and misinformation are reshaping the communications landscape. In this episode of The Experts Podcast, Nic Hayes speaks with leading PR strategist Trevor Young about the growing challenge of establishing trust and credibility in an increasingly artificial world. The Rise of Fake Experts Media outlets are receiving pitches featuring fake experts, AI-generated profiles and highly convincing images. For journalists, identifying genuine expertise is becoming harder. Trevor says legitimate experts must ensure they are visible, verifiable and easy for the media to assess. “It’s up to the experts who want to be in the media to make sure they can be found and that they are genuine.” Can AI Really Do Your PR? AI can support research, planning and content creation, but Trevor and Nic question claims that it can replace the judgement, relationships and strategic thinking behind effective PR. Communication is human. It requires personality, credibility and an understanding of the audience that cannot be produced with a single prompt. Be Visible and Verifiable Journalists, clients and AI search tools are increasingly checking the digital footprint of potential experts. Trevor explains why professionals need credible proof of their experience across owned media, including websites, articles, podcasts and social platforms. Expertise is no longer enough. It must also be discoverable. Earned Media Has Its Sexy Back In a world saturated with paid and AI-generated content, earned media has become even more valuable. Independent media coverage provides third-party credibility and creates the trusted online signals that influence audiences, journalists and AI search results. “Earned media is that credible, curated, specialist tier of media. It’s where the real engagement happens.” Broadway and Off-Broadway Media Trevor compares major national outlets to Broadway and smaller, specialist platforms to Off-Broadway. While the big stage remains attractive, niche publications, podcasts and industry media can deliver stronger engagement with highly relevant audiences. Both have an important role in building authority and reputation. This is a sharp and timely conversation about authenticity, discoverability and why genuine expertise remains the most valuable communication asset of all.

The Changing Media Game with Russel Howcroft The media landscape has changed dramatically, but one thing hasn’t: the battle for attention. This week on The Experts Podcast, Nic Hayes sits down with one of Australia’s most recognised advertising and media figures, Russel Howcroft, to unpack what has changed, what hasn’t and what it takes to build a brand in an increasingly fragmented media world. Russel entered advertising in 1987 at McCann Erickson and immediately knew he had found his industry. Since then, he has had a front-row seat to enormous change across advertising, television, radio, digital and social media. While audiences are now spread across more platforms than ever, Russel argues the fundamental role of media remains as powerful as ever. If you want to reach people at scale, you still need media. The challenge is knowing where to find them and how to earn their attention. Russel also pushes back against the expectation of instant results. Drawing on a recent conversation with Professor Mark Ritson, he explains that advertising takes time to work. Building a genuine brand isn’t a campaign measured in weeks or months. It can be a ten-year commitment. Social media has changed the equation again. Russel shares how short-form clips from Gruen have introduced the program, and him, to entirely new audiences after 18 years on air. Through all the disruption, platforms and technology, Russel believes the central challenge remains remarkably simple: find a way to get people’s attention. Nic and Russel discuss the power of media, the long game of brand building, changing audience behaviour and why creativity remains one of the most valuable currencies in advertising.

Putting Children First A confronting story of lived experience, systemic failure and the fight to reform child protection. In this episode of The Experts Podcast, Nic Hayes sits down with child safety advocate and founder of the Child First Movement, Jason Blyth. Jason’s story is difficult, deeply personal and ultimately one of purpose. Having experienced abuse and the failures of the child protection system firsthand, he is now using that lived experience to push for meaningful reform and ensure children are heard when they need help most. When the System Fails the Child Jason describes a childhood shaped by trauma, abuse and repeated attempts to seek help from a system that was supposed to protect him. By the age of nine, he knew something was fundamentally wrong. Rather than addressing the abuse he was experiencing, Jason says the system focused on his behaviour and treated him as the problem. “You’re just treating a symptom here. No one cared to actually discover why I had the problems I did.” It is an experience that continues to drive his advocacy today. From Lived Experience to Action Jason believes child protection cannot be properly reformed without listening to those who have experienced the system firsthand. Through the Child First Movement, he is calling for lived experience to be embedded into policy, decision-making and the delivery of child protection services. For Jason, the measure of success is remarkably simple. “The only question that matters to me is, was the child safe? If you can’t answer that, then you failed in exactly what you’ve been designed to do.” Putting Children at the Centre This is a powerful conversation about what happens when systems lose sight of the people they were created to protect. Jason challenges governments, agencies and policymakers to rethink how Australia approaches child safety and, critically, to listen when a child asks for help. His message is clear. Procedures, policies and processes matter, but the safety of the child must come first. This episode of The Experts Podcast is confronting at times, but it is also a story of resilience, purpose and one man’s determination to turn lived experience into lasting change.

Growth Isn’t Always Success What happens when a business grows fast, turns over more than $30 million and employs 140 people, but still struggles to pay the bills? In this episode of The Experts Podcast, Nic Hayes sits down with trades entrepreneur Kane Tyler Smith for a refreshingly open conversation about growth, profit, cash flow and learning some very expensive lessons. Kane started his apprenticeship in Year 10 and went on to build a substantial trades business. From the outside, the numbers looked impressive. But Kane admits he became caught up in the vanity metrics of revenue and staff numbers without paying enough attention to margins and cash flow. At one point, the business lost $2.2 million in a single year, forcing Kane to rethink what business success actually looked like. Today, he operates with a leaner team of around 30 people, targeting $15 million in revenue and a 10% profit margin. His focus has shifted from being bigger to being better, profitable and sustainable. Nic and Kane discuss the dangers of rapid growth, managing cash flow, building wealth outside the business, balancing family and work, and why sometimes taking a step back is the smartest move you can make. They also explore Kane’s move into podcasting and why sharing mistakes can be just as valuable as sharing success. A candid conversation about ambition, resilience and the difference between building a big business and building a good one.

Should Media Contributors Get Paid? Should experts and regular contributors be paid for appearing in the media? It is a debate that has been around for years, but Amanda Rose’s very public departure from her weekly spot on Seven’s Sunrise has put it firmly back on the agenda. This week on The Experts Podcast, Nic Hayes sits down with media professional and TV contributor Carmen Braidwood to ask where the line sits between being an expert and becoming paid media talent. Amanda took to social media to explain her departure, saying she was asked to become exclusive to Sunrise without being paid. It raises a fair question: if a network wants exclusivity, should it pay for it? Nic takes a strong position on how Amanda handled it. After three years of building a profile on national television, he believes taking the dispute public was naive and counterproductive. In Nic’s view, the social media post became more of a publicity stunt than a genuine debate about payment. Amanda may have had a reasonable argument, but publicly attacking the arrangement risked devaluing the profile, goodwill and reputation she had spent three years building. Not to mention future media opportunities. There is also something to be said for grace. Nic argues Amanda could have simply declined the request, thanked Sunrise for three years of national exposure and moved on. Carmen brings another perspective. There is a clear distinction between an expert appearing to provide knowledge and build their profile, and a regular contributor relied upon to entertain, offer opinions and become part of the program. As Carmen puts it: “When you bring someone onto your show because they’re opinionated, because they have the capacity to take a few swings and maybe put their own personal reputation at stake, that takes some bravery.” Twenty years ago, regular contributors were more likely to be paid. Today, shrinking budgets and greater competition have changed the economics of media. But payment isn’t the only measure of value. Media exposure delivers credibility, profile and opportunities worth considerably more than an appearance fee. When does an expert become talent? Should exclusivity come with payment? And when a media relationship ends, is there something to be said for leaving with a little more grace? Nic Hayes and Carmen Braidwood tackle it all on The Experts Podcast.