SHFT POD

Dan and Erin sit down with Ben Nowlan, co-founder and CEO of Sherpa - one of Australia's leading last-mile delivery and retail fulfilment platforms. Ben shares Sherpa's fascinating origin story, from a Sydney lounge room startup in 2014 to a national logistics technology business serving major retailers across Australia. He unpacks the world of same-day delivery, how Sherpa operates behind the scenes for brands like PetBarn, and why Australian retail is largely unprepared for the Amazon wave. 

Ben also gets candid about the hard lessons learned from taking on the wrong investors, losing market share to global giants like Uber and DoorDash, and why choosing your cap table wisely could make or break your business.

Beyond the logistics and boardroom battles, Ben opens up about what it really means to build a business while staying present as a parent and partner. He talks about integrating work and life rather than trying to balance them, and why time is the one thing you can't get back - so you might as well start now. 

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Erin sits down with Mark Curry, founder of Savvy Beverage - a functional drinks brand built around brain health, focus, and sustainable energy. Mark takes us back to his roots as a commercial lawyer at one of Australia's largest firms, where long hours, toxic culture, and the gap between legal theory and reality slowly pushed him to question everything. His curiosity led him down a rabbit hole of biohacking, nootropics, and the science of performance, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Mark unpacks what nootropics actually are, how they differ from traditional supplements, and why he believes we're only just scratching the surface of brain optimisation. From functional sparkling water to enhanced coffee pods, he walks through how Savvy Beverage came to life, and why the hardest part wasn't the science, it was starting from scratch in an industry he knew nothing about. 

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In this special duo episode, Dan and Erin step back from their guest interviews to reflect on the first 12 episodes of the SHFT POD. They share standout moments and key takeaways from guests, highlighting themes of family, health, authenticity, and the courage to leave corporate comfort zones. 

Dan and Erin then deep-dive into leadership - specifically, what makes a truly great leader. They unpack accountability's critical role, exploring why so many leaders struggle to hold their teams to account and how the absence of clear frameworks, fact-based conversations, and consistent follow-through quietly erodes culture.

The conversation turns personal as Dan and Erin discuss self-awareness as a non-negotiable leadership trait. They cover the insecurities that hold leaders back, the danger of promoting great workers into leadership roles they aren't ready for, and what it really takes to set aspiring leaders up for success.

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Dan and Erin sit down with Cass Champion, founder of My First Job, a platform connecting teenagers with real employment opportunities while they're still in school.

This conversation covers the gaps young people face when entering the workforce, ranging from lacking basic workplace confidence and communication skills to having no understanding of superannuation or financial literacy. 

Cass, Dan, and Erin also discuss why Gen Z has been labelled "entitled" and challenge that narrative with empathy and nuance, because everybody starts somewhere.

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Dan and Erin sit down with Chloe Ragg, founder of Social Studio Middle East, for an honest conversation about building a business from scratch, navigating major life challenges, and redefining success. From growing up on a Queensland farm to launching a social media agency in Dubai, Chloe shares her journey through risk-taking, resilience, motherhood, and overcoming cancer.

Chloe also opens up about designing a life around freedom, family, and purpose, and the realities of entrepreneurship that social media doesn’t show.

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Dan sits down with Chrae Tawhai, founder of Envision Energy, to unpack his journey from growing up in Alice Springs to building a 100% First Nations–owned energy business. Chrae shares how he transitioned from the tools into entrepreneurship, the lessons learned from scaling a team, and how a near-fatal accident became the turning point that pushed him to pursue something bigger.

Chrae also dives into his mission to create generational change through renewable energy, the importance of family and culture in shaping his path, and why making a real impact drives his vision for the future.

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Dan and Erin sit down with Jeremy Cabral, co-founder of Finder, to unpack the journey of building a global business from the ground up. Jeremy shares how he helped scale Finder, the leadership philosophy behind hiring for potential over experience, and what it really takes to sustain hyper-growth.

The conversation covers self-awareness, identity beyond business, and why knowing when your chapter is done might be the most important leadership skill of all. Jeremy also dives into the future of leadership in the age of AI, the importance of staying adaptable, and how embracing discomfort can unlock your next level.

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Dan and Erin sit down with entrepreneur Scott Chapman to unpack a journey that goes far beyond business.

From early failures and chasing ego in the corporate world to building purpose-driven ventures that genuinely change lives, Scott shares the raw realities of entrepreneurship.

At the heart of this conversation is a deeply personal story that led to the creation of Able Digital Wellness, a platform designed to improve the lives of people living with disabilities.

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Dan and Erin sit down with Scott Imlach, a Gold Coast hospitality operator behind some of the city’s most loved venues.

From starting as a teenage wedding planner to building a multi-venue hospitality group, Scott shares the realities of the industry, the impact of Covid, and why community, adaptability, and looking after locals is the key to long-term success.

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Dan and Erin sit down with James, founder of Agent Hype, who shares his journey from international DJ to building a fast-growing marketing agency.

They unpack reinvention, the power of personal branding, and how AI and automation are changing the game for business. This episode dives into adapting in uncertain seasons, staying ahead of the curve, and why the future belongs to those willing to evolve.

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