In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Annie Parker about instinct, founders, community and moments when life asks for immediate action.

Annie has spent more than 20 years across international startups, technology and consulting, building ecosystems and accelerator programs in London and Sydney, including Wayra, muru-D, Microsoft for Startups and Tech Central. Now semi-retired in Tasmania, she reflects on moving fast when the signal is clear, backing founders with real commitment, and creating the kinds of communities that help people build what matters.

This conversation moves from high impact international startup scaling to selling up and moving to a farm within 79 days, to Code Club Australia, Techfugees Australia, HER, creative thinking, trusting great people and learning how to tread more lightly on the land.

This episode explores:

• Life-changing decisions and the question “what are you waiting for?”
• What Annie looks for when backing founders and startup ideas
• The tough conversations co-founders need to have early
• HER, Wayra and the delight of seeing founders grow beyond expectation
• Code Club Australia, Techfugees Australia and enabling people to build skills, confidence and companies
• Asking who else wants to help and finding like-minded people
• Moving from Sydney startup life to a farm near Penguin, Tasmania
• Creativity, trust, teams and the next chapter of land, animals and practical skills

Guest links:

• Annie Parker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annparker1/
• Code Club Australia: https://www.codeclubau.org/

Conversation references:

• HER: https://weareher.com/
• Robyn Exton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynexton/
• Techfugees Australia: https://techfugees.com/
• Pip Marlow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pipmarlow/
• Jackie Coates & the Telstra Foundation: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-coates-3a239529/
• Matt Hart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthart1/ + his Natural Genius episode is coming soon!

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Annie Parker
01:35 Moving to Tasmania and choosing a different life
06:20 “What are you waiting for?”
09:16 Trusting instinct and backing big decisions
18:46 Founder fire, tough conversations and startup success
23:30 HER, Wayra and seeing founders grow
27:21 Code Club, Techfugees and enabling communities
31:11 Asking who wants to help and getting things done
38:20 Trusting great people and building teams that shine
43:55 Learning practical skills and tending the land
45:16 Margaret Mead and thoughtful, committed citizens

Explore further:

Develop your Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au
Learn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.au

Subscribe to hear future episodes.

Credits:

Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and near Penguin, 26 April, 2026
Produced at the Violet Town and Kiama offices, 26 April - 18 May, 2026

Natural Genius Podcast https://naturalgenius.com.au