The Mental Load of Building a BusinessFounder wellbeing and sustainable performance with Byron McCaughey

In this episode of Podcast My Business, Tony Skinner speaks with Byron McCaughey, psychologist and founder of Sublime Studio, about the pressure founders and entrepreneurs carry when building a business.

The conversation covers founder stress, uncertainty, burnout warning signs, online visibility, authentic leadership and why wellbeing is closely linked to business performance. Byron also explains why psychological capital should be treated as a business lever, not just a personal wellbeing issue.

• Founder pressure and uncertainty
• Why business owners often look like they are coping
• Stress, anxiety and the “red zone”
• How pressure affects decisions, communication and relationships
• Online visibility without feeling like you have to perform
• Authentic leadership and showing up without wearing a mask
• Psychological capital and sustainable performance
• Practical tools for staying grounded under pressure

Byron shared a short grounding exercise called Dropping the Anchor, designed to help you step out of your mind and re-engage with the present moment when stress, anxiety or overwhelm starts to build.

The exercise uses the acronym ACE:

Accept what is showing up for you without judgement or resistance.

Example:

“I acknowledge that I’m feeling nervous about this meeting, and that’s okay.”

Shift your attention to something physical you can control right now.

Examples include pressing your feet into the floor, taking a slow deep breath, or noticing your hands on the chair.

Anchor yourself to your environment by noticing something around you that you had not paid attention to before.

Examples include the way light is coming through the window, the shape of an object in the room, or details in someone’s face.

Byron also discussed Psychological Capital as an important part of founder wellbeing and sustainable performance.

Psychological Capital helps founders get a clearer picture of their mental fitness across the four pillars of mental fitness, and learn how to strengthen the foundations that support sustainable performance.

Byron describes psychological capital as a performance multiplier and says it should be seen as a business lever, just like other forms of capital inside a business.

Looking like you are coping is not the same as coping.

For founders and business owners, sustainable performance requires self-awareness, support, practical tools and a stronger mental foundation.

Byron McCaughey
Psychologist
Sublime Studio

Website:
https://sublimestudio.com.au/

Sole traders make up a huge part of Australia’s small business economy, but many are still left to manage superannuation, tax and long-term financial planning largely on their own.

In this episode of Podcast My Business, Tony Skinner speaks with Karan Anand from Hnry about why superannuation matters for sole traders, why many independent earners delay or avoid contributions, and how the system is still largely designed around employees rather than people who work for themselves.

Karan explains the discipline challenge of voluntary super contributions, the tax treatment of concessional contributions, the importance of understanding fees and returns, and the admin steps sole traders can easily miss.

The conversation also touches on Hnry’s ContractorSuper update, which is designed to help businesses manage contractor super payments where those obligations apply.

This is a practical conversation for sole traders, independent earners, contractors and small business owners who want to better understand the role super can play in long-term financial security.

Most employees have superannuation handled for them.

For many sole traders, it is a very different story.

They often need to make contributions themselves, manage the cash flow, understand the rules, and make sure the right admin steps are completed.

That can be difficult when they are already doing the work, chasing invoices, managing tax, paying expenses and keeping the business moving.

In this episode, Tony Skinner speaks with Karan Anand from Hnry about sole traders, superannuation and the long-term financial decisions independent earners need to think about.

Karan explains why many sole traders do not make regular super contributions, why some are delaying contributions under financial pressure, and how voluntary super can be both a wealth-building tool and a discipline challenge.

The conversation also covers concessional contributions, super fund performance, fees, the importance of getting advice, and why the system still often assumes a traditional employee/employer relationship.

Karan also discusses Hnry’s ContractorSuper update, designed to help businesses manage contractor super payments where those obligations apply.

In this episode of Podcast My Business, Tony Skinner speaks with Andrew Towner about sport, networking and business — recorded off the back of the Socceroos’ famous win over Turkey.The conversation starts with football, but quickly moves into a bigger business lesson: the most expensive team is not always the best team.Andrew shares how sport creates a natural connection point between people, and why business often flows more easily once trust and relationships have been built. From networking events to club partnerships, he explains why bringing people together around a shared interest can open doors that cold outreach often cannot.Tony and Andrew also discuss the similarities between running a business and coaching a team. Talent matters, but so do structure, leadership, clear roles, trust and people management. As Andrew points out, some of the best coaches are not just technical experts — they are managers of people.The episode also covers networking consistency, follow-up, accountability and why business relationships often take months or years to turn into real opportunities.In this episodeWhy the Socceroos’ win was a great reminder that team value does not guarantee team performanceThe difference between a team of champions and a champion teamHow sport creates an easy starting point for business conversationsWhy networking works best when it is built around relationships, not quick salesWhat business owners can learn from coaches and sporting teamsWhy trust, follow-up and accountability matter in business developmentHow business opportunities can come from relationships built years earlierKey themesSport and businessNetworkingBusiness relationshipsTeamworkLeadershipTrustAccountabilityFollow-upSocceroosWorld CupBusiness developmentGuestAndrew TownerAndrew works with businesses through sport, networking and relationship-building, helping people connect through shared interests and business communities.

When a business gets into trouble, the damage does not always stay inside the business.

As Alan Bond discovered, business failure can become personal very quickly.

In this episode of Podcast My Business, Tony Skinner speaks with Chris Baskerville, Partner at Jirsch Sutherland Insolvency Solutions, about what happens when business debt, personal pressure, bankruptcy and restructuring collide.

This conversation looks at the rise in personal and business insolvencies, the risks directors face, how personal and company finances can become tangled, and why acting early can make a major difference.

Chris also explains the options people may have before and after bankruptcy, including personal insolvency agreements, restructuring pathways and the importance of understanding cash flow before the pressure becomes too great.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why personal and business insolvencies are rising
• How business debt can become personal pressure
• Sole traders, companies and liability structures
• Director liability and tax debt
• Phoenixing and legal consequences
• Bankruptcy and restrictions on managing companies
• Personal insolvency agreements
• Cash flow problems in construction and retail
• Why profit on paper does not always mean cash in the bank
• Why getting advice early matters

In this episode of Podcast My Business, Tony Skinner speaks with Karan Anand from HNRY about what the latest sole trader survey reveals about business confidence, economic pressure, and the rapid rise of AI adoption among Australia’s self-employed workers.

The conversation explores how sole traders are responding to cost pressures, changing customer behaviour, and uncertain market conditions. Karan shares insights from HNRY’s pulse survey, including the growing number of sole traders using AI tools in their business and what that could mean for productivity, competition, and future opportunities.

Tony and Karan also discuss the federal budget, the impact of economic shocks on sectors such as trades and healthcare, and why AI may become a practical advantage for sole traders who learn how to use it well.

This episode is for sole traders, freelancers, consultants, small business owners, and anyone interested in how AI is changing the way smaller operators compete.

Tony and Karan discuss:

• What HNRY’s sole trader survey reveals about confidence and business conditions
• Why economic shocks can hit sole traders quickly
• The impact of reduced spending on tradies, healthcare providers, and service businesses
• What the federal budget means for small business owners
• Why AI adoption among sole traders is accelerating
• How sole traders are using AI to save time and improve productivity
• The risks of ignoring AI while competitors start using it
• Why small businesses may have an advantage when adopting new tools quickly
• The future of work for sole traders and self-employed professionals

One of the biggest insights from the conversation is that AI is no longer just a tool for large companies. According to the survey insights discussed in the episode, around three in four sole traders are now using AI in some form, with many using it regularly in their work.

The episode also highlights that sole traders often feel economic changes faster than larger businesses. When costs rise, customers pull back, or work slows, sole traders can feel the pressure almost immediately because many operate without large financial buffers.

AI offers a potential competitive edge because it can help small operators move faster, communicate better, produce content, manage admin, research ideas, and improve productivity without needing a large team.

The main message: AI will not replace the value of good service, trust, relationships, or expertise — but sole traders who learn how to use it well may have a serious advantage over those who ignore it.

00:00 — Introduction and HNRY Pulse Survey Insights
Tony introduces Karan Anand and the discussion around HNRY’s latest sole trader survey.

02:52 — Economic Pressure on Sole Traders
Karan explains how economic shocks can quickly affect sole traders, especially those working invoice to invoice.

05:48 — Federal Budget and Small Business Implications
Tony and Karan discuss the budget, policy settings, and what they may mean for self-employed Australians.

08:45 — AI Adoption Among Sole Traders
The conversation turns to the rapid uptake of AI among sole traders and what the survey numbers reveal.

12:00 — AI Tools and Productivity
Karan and Tony discuss how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and other LLMs are changing everyday business tasks.

14:56 — Competing in an AI-Driven Market
Why sole traders who use AI well may be able to compete more effectively against larger businesses.

18:06 — The Future of Small Business and AI
Tony and Karan explore what AI could mean for the next stage of sole trader and small business growth.

20:57 — Final Thoughts
The episode wraps with reflections on opportunity, adaptation, and the future of work.

HNRY
https://hnry.com.au

Content Made Easy
https://contentmadeeasy.com.au

Podcast My Business
https://podcastmybusiness.com.au

Karan Anand

Today’s Federal Budget has sparked a fierce debate across Australia’s startup and small business community.

Some founders are calling it the biggest threat to innovation in years. Others say it’s a necessary correction. But one thing is clear — sole traders, startups, investors and small business owners are all paying close attention.

In this special episode of Podcast My Business, Tony Skinner speaks with Karan Anand from Hnry Australia about the tax changes, startup concerns, and what this budget could mean for the future of Australian business.

The conversation explores:

• Why venture capital and startup founders are reacting so strongly
• Whether the new CGT changes could discourage innovation
• Concerns around employee share schemes and attracting talent
• Why some businesses may look overseas
• The permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off
• AI-powered ATO compliance and audits
• Monthly PAYG discussions and real-time tax systems
• Why sole traders often miss out on government support
• The growing pressure on small businesses doing the right thing

Tony and Karan also discuss the wider economic picture, including fuel relief, housing concerns, the shadow economy, and the increasing role of data and automation in the Australian tax system.

Whether you’re running a startup, working as a sole trader, investing in business, or simply trying to understand where the Australian economy is heading — this episode gives a grounded look at one of the biggest business debates happening right now.

Karan Anand – Hnry Australia

Podcast My Business

Content Made Easy

GuestPodcast ChannelVideo & Content Production

In this episode of my podcast channel, Podcast My Business, I speak with Ryan McMillan from Atlas Digital about AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), online trust, and the growing issue of AI reputation risk for businesses.

As more people rely on tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity for recommendations and information, businesses are facing a new challenge:
What happens when AI gets your business information wrong?

Ryan explains how outdated pricing, incorrect services, inaccurate summaries and AI hallucinations can influence consumer decisions — especially when most people don’t second guess AI-generated answers.

We discuss:

• Why people are increasingly trusting AI recommendations
• What AI reputation risk means for businesses
• How LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini are changing search behaviour
• Why incorrect or outdated online information can have commercial impacts
• AI hallucinations and misinformation
• How businesses can audit how AI represents them online
• The role of reviews, authority and original content
• Why “being understood” online matters alongside being found
• The importance of creating quality content that adds to the ecosystem rather than echoing it

Ryan also shares practical advice for businesses wanting to better understand how AI tools are surfacing information about their products and services today.

Guest:
Ryan McMillan

In this engaging interview, Tony and Karan Anand from Hnry.com.au explore the world of sole traders in Australia, discussing their confidence levels, business structures, and the impact of current global events.

They share practical tips for sole traders to manage their finances effectively, adapt to technological changes like AI, and navigate economic uncertainties.

In this episode, Dr. Matthew Warden, Chief Medical Officer and Psychiatrist, discusses the importance of sleep for health and productivity, especially for business professionals.

Topics include optimal sleep duration, sleep hygiene tips, the impact of sleep on mental and physical health, and practical advice for prioritising sleep.

Takeaways

• Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep for optimal health.
• Establishing a consistent sleep schedule is crucial.
• Avoid stimulating activities before bed to improve sleep quality.
• Exercise, especially in the morning, enhances sleep.
• Poor sleep is linked to mental health issues and physical illnesses.

In this podcast episode, Tony and Professor David Castle discuss the significant impact of small changes in exercise on health and longevity.

They explore how even minimal physical activity can reduce the risk of early death and improve overall well-being.

The conversation emphasises the importance of integrating exercise into daily routines, the benefits of a comprehensive health program, and the role of physical activity in preventing conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

Practical tips for maintaining an active lifestyle are also shared, highlighting the importance of balance and strength training as we age.

Takeaways

Even small amounts of exercise can significantly improve health.

Five minutes of vigorous exercise can reduce early death risk.

Socializing and exercise can enhance mood and well-being.

Incremental changes in exercise habits are effective.

A comprehensive health program addresses diet, exercise, and mental health.

Exercise can help prevent Alzheimer's disease.

Building exercise into daily routines is essential.

Balance and strength training are crucial as we age.

Setting achievable fitness goals can motivate individuals.

Enjoying the process of getting fit is important.