After the Title

How do you turn setbacks into success and start living the life you’ve always wanted?

In this episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30, host Fran Harper talks with David Patterson, also known as the Bucket List Accountant, about the biggest lessons he learned on his journey of business growth, personal development, and financial planning.

At 30, David believed life would simply fall into place. But after personal loss and missed opportunities, he realized that success requires action, intentional goal-setting, and the courage to follow your passion. Today, he helps others achieve both wealth and fulfillment by aligning business with personal growth.

You’ll learn:

• Why waiting for things to happen can cost you valuable time
• The importance of goal-setting in business and life success
• How financial planning and mentorship create long-term impact
• Why following your passion leads to true personal growth
• Life advice for overcoming fear, change, and challenges
  

Timestamps

Chapters

00:00 Reflecting on Life at 30

04:19 The Importance of Setting Goals

09:01 The Role of Business in Achieving Dreams

11:20 Lessons from Personal Loss

15:31 Advice to My Younger Self

17:37 Navigating Change in a New World

23:11 The Best Advice Received

28:11 Quickfire Questions and Reflections

37:38 Intro & Outro.mp4

Listen to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1DgzhgbR0Zq3Ov1SpyyK9L

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-i-wish-i-knew-at-30/id1834149833

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatIWishIKnewat30

Follow the show What I Wish I Knew at 30:

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/wiwikat30/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/fran.harper.79

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/whatiwishiknewat30

Guest – David Patterson
Host – Fran Harper

If this episode resonated, follow/subscribe, drop a rating & review, and share it with someone who needs this conversation.

#WhatIWishIKnewAt30 #DavidPatterson #BucketListAccountant #LifeLessons #BusinessGoals #PersonalGrowth #OvercomingFear #SuccessMindset #GoalSetting #Entrepreneurship #Mentorship #FinancialPlanning #LeadershipPodcast

At 30, Libby Cook-Black thought she’d chosen security. One year later, she left a high-status government role to build The Female Co, empowering women and girls in regional and remote communities. In this conversation, Libby (Zenath Kes, Erub Island) shares powerful lessons on identity, resilience, culture, leadership, and aligning work with values—including what elite sport taught her about business and how to engage meaningfully with First Nations communities.

You’ll learn

• Why values-aligned decisions beat “secure” paths over the long term
• Translating elite sport habits into business success (consistency, discipline, pain → growth)
• Practical ways to build bridges with First Nations communities (beyond tokenism)
• How to navigate uncertainty, trust your gut, and “try once” (then again)
• The best & worst advice Libby received—and how emotion can be an asset in leadership
  

Timestamps
00:00 Intro & Libby’s story
03:40 Security vs alignment at 30
06:30 Leaving a government role for purpose
12:20 Sport → business mindset
15:40 First Nations leadership & inclusion
27:05 Injury, identity & reinvention
33:50 Advice to her 30-year-old self
41:50 Best & worst advice
52:45 Final takeaway

Guest

Libby Cook-Black — Founder & MD, The Female Co | Former Australian Jillaroo, QLD Maroon, Indigenous All-Stars, QLD Rugby 7s Red | Indigenous Marathon Project graduate | Cairns Women of the Year (HC), CBWC Volunteer of the Year

Listen to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1DgzhgbR0Zq3Ov1SpyyK9L

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-i-wish-i-knew-at-30/id1834149833

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatIWishIKnewat30

Follow the show What I Wish I Knew at 30:

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/wiwikat30/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/fran.harper.79

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/whatiwishiknewat30

Guest – Libby Cook-Black
Host – Fran Harper

If this episode resonated, follow/subscribe, drop a rating & review, and share it with someone who needs this conversation.

#WhatIWishIKnewAt30 #LibbyCookBlack #FirstNations #TorresStrait #WomenInSport #Leadership #Resilience #CareerChange #Purpose #TheFemaleCo #RugbySevens #Jillaroos

“Chef Adam Moore on Resilience, Mental Health & Life Lessons | What I Wish I Knew at 30 Podcast”

In this episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30, Fran Harper sits down with Chef Adam Moore, a globally recognized culinary innovator, entrepreneur, and mentor. Adam opens up about his journey through the culinary world and beyond, sharing personal stories of resilience, mental health awareness, and the importance of mentorship and self-love. Adam, shares his traumatic experience of being in close proximity to centre of the disaster and the awful

From navigating unexpected challenges to balancing parenthood, career, and personal growth, Adam offers powerful lessons that inspire listeners to embrace change, learn from setbacks, and keep growing.

Key takeaways:

• Why resilience is essential for overcoming life’s curveballs
  
  
• The role of mentorship in shaping your path
  
  
• Self-love and kindness as foundations for growth
  
  
• Lessons from navigating trauma, career shifts, and change
  
  

Listen now for raw insights, inspiration, and life lessons that will help you face challenges with strength and confidence.

#WhatIWishIKnewAt30 #FranHarperPodcast #ChefAdamMoore #Resilience #MentalHealth #LifeLessons#mental health and resilience #culinary innovation and life lessons#mentorship stories#personal growth and self-love #overcoming challenges podcast #inspiration podcast 2025 #resilience in life and career  

In this engaging conversation, Sarah Green shares her journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the lessons learned from her experiences. Reflecting on her life at 30, she discusses the importance of understanding one's needs, the challenges of balancing personal and professional life, and the significance of curiosity and kindness towards oneself. Sarah emphasizes the value of communication, the impact of societal expectations on women, and the necessity of rest in achieving personal well-being. Through quickfire questions, she offers insights into her growth and the mindset shifts that have shaped her approach to success.

In this episode, Chef John McFadden shares his journey through the culinary world, reflecting on the lessons learned from personal and professional challenges. He discusses the importance of empathy in leadership, the impact of technology on careers, and the value of mentorship. John also recounts his experiences competing in world championships and emphasizes the significance of teamwork and preparation in achieving success. Through his story, listeners are encouraged to embrace their struggles, learn from adversity, and never underestimate the impression they make on others.

Join Fran Harper as she sits down with Cheryne Blom, master coach, author, and founder of The Self Mastery Hub. In this insightful episode, Cheryne shares her transformative journey through her 30s, revealing how she overcame personal challenges and embraced authenticity. Discover the power of courage over confidence, the importance of self-awareness, and how life coaching played a pivotal role in her growth. Tune in for inspiring lessons on breaking free from outdated patterns and stepping into your true self.

In this episode, Fran Harper speaks with Mark Field, a seasoned professional in the food and grocery consultancy industry. They explore Mark's journey, reflecting on the lessons learned from his career, the challenges faced, and the wisdom gained over the years.

Mark shares insights on the importance of consistency, personal values, and adapting to the changing landscape of work and life. The conversation also touches on the impact of technology, the significance of customer focus in business, and the advice he would give to his younger self. Listeners are encouraged to take actionable steps in their own lives based on the insights shared.

In this episode, Fran Harper speaks with James Parkes, a former rugby player turned corporate wellbeing advocate. They discuss the lessons learned from James's journey, including the importance of resilience, the value of authenticity, and the challenges faced in both personal and professional life.

James shares insights on navigating change, the significance of mental health, and the necessity of being kind to oneself. The conversation also touches on the impact of technology on modern challenges and the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences.

Summary

In this episode of 'What I Wish I Knew at 30', host Fran Harper engages with Marina Brbot, an author and inspirational speaker, to explore the lessons learned from life experiences, particularly around the age of 30. They discuss the pressures of societal expectations, the importance of self-acceptance, and the transformative power of adversity. Marina shares her journey of self-discovery, the impact of her father's death, and the realization that it's never too late to pursue one's dreams.

The conversation emphasizes the significance of being kind to oneself, embracing one's truth, and the courage to say no. Listeners are encouraged to take actionable steps towards their own growth and to remember that their best chapters are still ahead.

In this episode, Fran Harper shares her personal journey of resilience, business challenges, and life lessons learned through adversity. From the unexpected closure of her family business to starting anew with Paramount, Fran reflects on the importance of relationships, self-care, and personal development.

She emphasises that life's toughest moments often lead to the most valuable insights, urging listeners to live with purpose and make conscious choices.