Send in a question or comment via text.

🥋 What does it take to challenge the thinking of CEOs and boards and help them see the blind spots in their own business?

In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew sits down with John Kounas, Business Strategist and Advisor to C-Suite Executives and Boards, to unpack the structures, strategies, and mindset shifts that drive real results.

From building vision, mission, and values that teams actually buy into, to pivoting fast when the market shifts, John shares why clarity, agility, and integrity are non-negotiable for leaders. He reveals how scaling is all about structuring teams, listening deeply, and making decisions that ripple through an entire organisation.

Whether you’re leading a business, building one, or looking to sharpen your negotiation game, this conversation offers practical takeaways and a fresh perspective on success that lasts.

Connect with John Kounas on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/john-kounas-682a99209

🎧 New episodes of Rolling Through Negotiations drop every Thursday.

Thanks for listening, peace and love to you, and until the next one, take care. 

OSS!

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice.

If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
13YARN: 13 92 76

We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

Send in a question or comment via text.

🥋What does genuine reconciliation really look like?

In this episode, we yarn with Professor Andrew Gunstone, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Reconciliation at Federation University and founder of the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice.

We unpack the uncomfortable truth behind many so-called reconciliation efforts, where flying flags, wearing t-shirts, and hosting morning teas are treated as the full story, not just the starting point. We look beyond performative gestures and ask what it really takes to create structural change, build accountability, and stay grounded in self-reflection.

From asking "what’s your why?" before launching a RAP, to advocating for bold systemic reform, including treaty, truth-telling, and Indigenous-led governance, Andrew reminds us that without justice and truth, reconciliation is just a word.

With deep insight, courage, and decades of experience, Professor Gunstone shares stories and reflections that challenge us to think more deeply and act more genuinely. If you’ve ever questioned what real reconciliation looks like or what role you can play in it, this is an episode worth sitting with. 

Connect with Professor Andrew Gunstone on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/andrew-gunstone-22950a176

🎧 New episodes of Rolling Through Negotiations drop every Thursday.

Thanks for listening, peace and love to you, and until the next one, take care. 

OSS!

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice.

If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
13YARN: 13 92 76

We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

Send in a question or comment via text.

🥋 What does it mean to truly listen, not just in a conversation, but in life, business, and negotiation?

This week on Rolling Through Negotiations, we yarn with EJ Garrett, a proud Darumbal and Wulli Wulli man, filmmaker, and founder of EJ Garrett Pty Ltd, an Indigenous-owned media company leading powerful community based projects.

EJ has written, directed, and produced documentaries for NITV, and his approach to storytelling is deeply grounded in respect, listening, and the power of relationships. In this episode, he shares what he's learned from decades behind the lens, working with Elders, and telling stories that centre community, not just content.

We unpack: 

• Why the best storytellers are the best listeners
• How negotiation is shaped by the questions you ask and the patience to hear the answers
• Why pricing your work right is about honouring your worth
• And how money, at its core, might just be another form of energy and service
  
  

🔗 Check out EJ’s work and community platform at ejgarrett.au and support his initiative Buying Black to help sustain Indigenous-led media and storytelling.

https://www.buyingblack.com.au/about

🎧 New episodes of Rolling Through Negotiations drop every Thursday.

Thanks for listening, peace and love to you, and until the next one, take care. 

OSS!

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice.

If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
13YARN: 13 92 76

We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

Send in a question or comment via text.

🥋 What if mastering sales could help you create real change, not just in business, but for community too?

In this episode we yarn with Richard Hurst, a proud Gamilaroi man whose career spans property, education, recruitment, and leadership across both government and corporate sectors. Richard shares powerful insights from his journey. 

We unpack:

• The misunderstood art of sales (and why it starts with listening)
• How First Nations programs benefit from real connections
• The power of asking the right questions
• Black excellence in the workplace 

💬 "Don’t sell yourself short. Ask. Be bold. Reverse engineer where you want to be and help others get there too."

This yarn speaks to anyone walking the line between staying true to who they are and stepping boldly into spaces where they want to make a mark.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: Richard Hurst

🎧 New episodes of Rolling Through Negotiations drop every Thursday.

Thanks for listening, peace and love to you, and until the next one, take care. 

OSS!

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice.

If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
13YARN: 13 92 76

We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

Send in a question or comment via text.

🥋 Ever wondered what it really means to ‘find your gold’ and how that mindset shapes your leadership and negotiation skills?

In this episode, we roll through the power of mentoring, self-awareness, and behavioural flexibility with Lindsey Leigh Hobson, a 2024 LinkedIn Top Voice in Mentoring and Founder of The Learning and Development Collective.

Lindsey breaks down the difference between coaching and mentoring, shares practical tools to overcome imposter syndrome, and explains why self-leadership is the foundation of great negotiation.

💬 “Be the person who would inspire you.”

Whether you’re navigating leadership, stuck in self-doubt, or levelling up your mindset, this one’s packed with clarity, warmth, and actionable insight.

Connect with Lindsey on LinkedIn: Lindsey Leigh Hobson

🎧 New episodes of Rolling Through Negotiations drop every Thursday.
Thanks for listening, and until the next one, take care.
OSS!

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice.

If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
13YARN: 13 92 76

We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

Send in a question or comment via text.

🥋 What does real co-design look like and how do we shift from consultation to genuine collaboration?

This week is NAIDOC Week, a time to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s also a time to listen. 

In this episode, we sit down with Marius Little, a proud Arrernte man and engagement specialist who has spent years navigating the spaces between government, business, and community. From his early days in the South Australian public sector to founding his own consultancy, Marius brings grounded wisdom and hard-earned insight to the table.

We unpack:

• What co-design really means, walking together on equal footing, not ticking boxes
•  The true role of a facilitator, how those who listen rather than dominate can channel solutions instead of pushing top-down fixes
•  How to price and value Aboriginal business recognising the worth not just in services, but in cultural insight and leadership
•  Why self-determination is the thread that ties it all together: whether it’s co-design, facilitation, negotiation, or pricing, this conversation comes back to one core message: standing strong, being heard, and creating change on your own terms

Whether you're in policy, community, procurement, or just curious about doing things better this yarn is packed with strategies and tools to help you negotiate with respect and purpose.

Learn more about Marius Little and his consultancy services at https://mtlconsulting.com.au/ or or follow Marius on LinkedIn.

🎧 New episodes of Rolling Through Negotiations drop every Thursday.
 Thanks for listening, peace and love to you, and until the next one, take care.
 OSS!

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice.

If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
13YARN: 13 92 76

We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

Send in a question or comment via text.

🥋 What makes a leader worth following and how does negotiation fit into the picture?

In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew sits down with Brent Szalay, the Managing Director of Leaders In Business & SEIVA to unpack the connection between leadership, negotiation, and purpose.

Brent shares insights drawn from decades of experience advising SMEs, leading strategic planning programs, and mentoring business owners to focus on what matters most. From building resilience and measuring success to overcoming fear and setting high stretch goals, this conversation is filled with practical gems for anyone navigating leadership, business growth, or personal development.

 🎧 Learn more about Brent Szalay, work at https://www.seiva.com.au/ or follow on LinkedIn 

Tap play, and if you enjoy it, don’t forget to leave a review to help us keep the episodes rolling out every Thursday. 

OSS.

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice.

If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
13YARN: 13 92 76

We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

Send in a question or comment via text.

In this episode, we sit down with James d’Apice, the commercial litigator behind the beloved podcast Coffee and a Case Note. Known for serving up short, sharp legal insights over a long black, James brings his sharp wit, humility, and storytelling chops to a longer yarn with Matthew.

Key Takeaways:

• The real-life tension between director duties and day-to-day business reality.
• How “co-owner conflicts” often come down to missed values and unspoken expectations.
• Why James believes humility, not just legal knowledge is the key to resolving disputes.

With humour, honesty, and heart, this episode goes into the deeper lessons that make us better lawyers, business owners, and humans.

🎧 Learn more about James d’Apice work at https://gravamen.com.au/ and on Youtube Coffee and a Case Note videos.  

Tap play, and if you enjoy it, don’t forget to leave a review to help us keep the episodes rolling out every Thursday. OSS.

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice.

If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
13YARN: 13 92 76

We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

Send in a question or comment via text.

In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew has a yarn with Gemma Lloyd a proud Dunghutti and Gumbaynggirr woman, founder of Sacred Country Consulting, and a leader whose journey bridges community, business, and spirituality.

Gemma shares how she weaves cultural protocol, integrity, and connection into every aspect of her work. From unpacking the grey areas of black cladding to offering powerful analogies on how First Nations economies operate, this yarn gets to the heart of what authentic Aboriginal business looks and feels like.
 
Whether you're in procurement, working in community, or dreaming of starting your own business, this conversation is packed with practical insights and gentle reminders that rest, respect, and cultural responsibility go a long way.
 
Want to connect with Gemma? Visit: sacredcountryconsulting.com or follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacredcountryconsulting/

New episodes of Rolling Through Negotiations drop every Thursday.
Thanks for listening, peace and love to you, and until the next one, take care.

OSS!

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice.

If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
13YARN: 13 92 76

We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

Send in a question or comment via text.

🥋 What does it take to bring together 27 Aboriginal businesses, amplify truth-telling, and pass the baton to the next generation?

In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew sits down with Christine Ross a proud Arrernte and Kaytetye woman from Central Australia, long time resident of Boorloo (Perth), and the powerhouse behind some of the biggest Aboriginal conferences in the country.

With over 35 years of experience convening national events, Christine shares what it means to be a respected Aunty, why she won’t compromise on integrity, and the behind the scenes negotiation it takes to deliver the National NAIDOC Forum, an event that showcases the strength, diversity, and brilliance of First Nations businesses and voices.

This yarn dives deep into connection, community, and what’s possible when mob support mob and stories are shared from the heart.

Want to connect with Christine?
Christine Ross Consultancy on Facebook: facebook.com/christinerossconsultancy
LinkedIn: Christine Ross on LinkedIn

New episodes of Rolling Through Negotiations drop every Thursday.              Thanks for listening, peace and love to you, and until the next one, take care.

OSS!

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice.

If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
13YARN: 13 92 76

We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.