The Company Road Podcast

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"A lot of the ideas are existing and being able to get permission and the space to be able to work on ideas that maybe might have been someone else's baby at some point, but being able to sort of take them on and nurture them." 

“Sometimes I like to refer to our team as the Lazarus team because they're sort of raising projects from the dead, but sometimes ideas are just not quite their time yet…being able to sort of resurrect that project, think about it slightly differently, and being able to communicate that internally is quite challenging when there's that rich history behind some of the sort of initiatives that are important but perhaps haven't been executed right in the past. ”

 - Shane Burford

Don’t miss this episode where Shane Burford lays out the blueprint for embedding innovation practices that deliver long-term value. Tune in now to learn how you can bring these strategies into your own organisation and elevate your game to the next level!

In this episode you’ll hear about

• What is Shane Burford's background and expertise in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship?
• What are some of the hardest challenges faced in establishing new businesses within large organisations?
• What strategies are effective in resurrecting and repurposing old ideas within a company?
• How does the "build-measure-learn" approach influence innovation in a corporate setting?
• What are the challenges in working with core teams on innovation projects in established organisations?
• What role does data play in justifying the investment of time and resources in a new innovation initiative?
• How do you measure the success of a new product or service, especially when aiming for mass-market adoption?
• What happens when an innovation idea doesn’t work out as expected, and what lessons can be learned from such failures?
• What is the attitude towards failure in innovation teams, and how can it be used as a learning experience?
• How to balance strategic thinking versus action-oriented approaches in your innovation processes?
• How does top-down support from leadership impact the ability to drive innovation?
• How to manage the risk of political sensitivities when developing new ideas?
• How to manage the process of killing ideas when they don’t meet customer needs or organisational goals?

Key links

• Shane Burford LinkedIn
• CAR Group
• National Australia Bank
• Telstra
• Toyota

About our guest 

Shane is an entrepreneurial leader focussed on establishing new growth businesses within existing organisations. He is focussed on embedding innovation practices in organisations so that they can discover and incubate higher risk and longer term opportunities. 

Shane has worked in innovation at NAB, Telstra, Toyota and is currently building new businesses within CAR Group where he is Head of Design. With a background in product and design Shane is passionate about establishing new businesses that better solve customer needs whilst also delivering long term commercial and strategic value. 

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For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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"I call myself a playful experience, and I really lean into the experience because that is where the magic happens. And if you create the playful experience the right way, you can draw out unexpected responses and unexpected underlying culture issues, because the power is solving a problem with a problem." 
- Trudi Boatwright

Trudi Boatwright is a playful experience designer extraordinaire. Trudi challenges the notion that solving problems has to be a boring affair.  She argues that by embracing playfulness, we can unlock new levels of creativity, improve communication, and foster stronger leadership.

Trudi shares her fascinating career path, including her early experiences working in seemingly unrelated fields. She describes how she began incorporating playful elements into her work, even when it meant pushing boundaries. Trudi also discusses the challenges of introducing playfulness into traditional business cultures.

Ready to experience the transformative power of play for yourself? Listen and discover Trudi's playful challenge that will help you see your problems in a whole new light!

In this episode you’ll hear about

• The surprising origins of taking a playful approach in your organisation 
• How workplaces have evolved over time
• How playfulness can solve problems (especially in communication)
• The truth about multitasking (and how to focus better)
• Tips to become a better listener
• How to make presentations unforgettable 
• The undeniable benefits of a playful workplace
• Ways leaders can foster playfulness within their teams
• Challenges to overcome when bringing play to work
• How to be more playful at work (without being disruptive)
• The future of AI in the workplace and the importance of human connection

Key links

• Trudi Boatwright Website
• Trudi Boatwright LinkedIn
• E37 – Dara Simkin
• Royal Children's Hospital
• Dame Phyllis Frost Centre
• Tarrengower Prison
• The Elements of Play Toward a Philosophy and a Definition of Play BY Scott G. Eberle
• E46 – Chris Mitchell

About our guest 

Trudi is a Playful Experience Designer who specialises in solving problems with play! Working within the intersection of applied improvisation, design thinking and experiential learning, she leans on her Masters of Design Futures and 20 years of experience as an arts practitioner to use her playful learning theory to boost communication and connection.

She is a professional speaker, coach, and writer, working within organisations and government departments to utilise play as a problem solver and leadership tool through workshops, activations, and keynotes. She creates immersive theatre through her theatre company, TBC Theatre, runs a menagerie household of kids, cats, dogs and fish and believes that playfulness has the capacity to solve some of our most wicked problems.

About our host

Our host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.

Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-n

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For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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"Always give 110% in even that smallest line you draw on paper." - Sharbani Dhar

Sharbani Dhar, 2023 winner of the ISG Digital Titan Award and Founder and CEO of DotInfinity, a product and design consultancy. Sharbani started her career in architecture but her passion for problem-solving led her to design and user experience. She then migrated to Australia, facing the challenge of resetting her career due to a lack of local experience. Through perseverance and a focus on lifelong learning, she overcame these hurdles and built a successful career in design leadership. 

Listen and learn how to become a champion intrapreneur, equipped with the tools and mindset to push boundaries and make a positive impact within your organisation!

In this episode you’ll hear about

• Reinventing yourself: Sharbani's transition from architecture to UX design highlights the importance of embracing change and following your passions.
• Overcoming obstacles: Learn how Sharbani tackled the unique challenges faced by immigrants in the Australian job market.
• Authenticity in design: Discover why staying true to your values is crucial for creating impactful and user-centred solutions.
• The power of feedback: Sharbani shares practical advice for overcoming the fear of sharing work and seeking feedback, emphasising the importance of creating a safe space for teams to collaborate and innovate.
• Reframing failure: Explore the concept of "failure KPIs" and how embracing missteps can actually lead to greater success and innovation.
• Unravelling complexity: Sharbani reveals her strategies for breaking down complex problems and making informed decisions based on educated guesses about business impact and technical feasibility.
• Building alliances: Learn how to create strong relationships within your organisation by understanding the needs and motivations of your colleagues and stakeholders.
• The importance of diversity: Discover how diverse perspectives enrich problem-solving and lead to better outcomes.
• Navigating disagreements: Sharbani shares her approach to dealing with challenging personalities and fostering a collaborative environment.

Key links

• Sharbani Dhar LinkedIn
• DotInfinity
• Australian Post (Auspost) 
• Monash Health
• Design Outlook
• Miro 
• Figma 
• Telstra

About our guest 

The 2023 winner of the ISG Digital Titan Award, Sharbani is the Founder and CEO of DotInfinity, a product and design consultancy.

She champions design-led product strategies that harmonise customer-centric solutions with overarching business goals.

Her expertise spans multiple sectors, including Government, Telecommunications, Finance, and Technology. An active community member, she volunteers as a Consumer Advisor for Monash Health and as an Advisory Board member for Design Outlook.

Beyond her professional sphere, Sharbani explores her creative pursuits in film production, helping craft short films that illuminate socially relevant themes and mentoring young migrants trying to establish themselves professionally.

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For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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"I think it's adventure that drives me. So it's adventure that is at the heart of all of this. I didn't really enjoy school. I wasn't particularly good at school. I was diagnosed, you know, either dyslexic or dyspraxic or, you know, suffered from a bang on the head. But that wasn't until university. So school was kind of a constant experience of being told that I was smart but lazy, and it just didn't make sense to me. I wasn't very good at it. But then I worked. My first kind of career was in advertising, and I was very lucky, I think, to find places that valued people that thought differently."​ - Ben Mason

Ben Mason shares his journey of living and working remotely on a sailboat, discussing his background in strategy work and entrepreneurship, including his appearance on Dragon's Den. He describes the challenges of maintaining a balance between freelance work and boat life, his struggles with dyslexia and dyspraxia during school, and his innovative ventures like starting a pizza delivery social enterprise during COVID-19. He also talks about his current location in the Bahamas and plans to sail further.

Dive deeper into his adventures and learn how to embrace a lifestyle of remote work and adventure by listening to this episode, be inspired by his journey and embark on your own path to freedom and innovation today!

In this episode you’ll hear about

• Ben Mason's background in strategy work, entrepreneurship, and appearance on Dragon's Den
• The challenges of living and working remotely on a sailboat
• Struggles with school due to dyslexia and dyspraxia
• Balancing freelance work with boat maintenance
• The feasibility and challenges of remote working, balancing client expectations with the realities of boat life
• Future plans without limits

Key links

• Ben Mason LinkedIn
• Ben Mason Twitter
• Fortnum & Mason 
• Dragon’s Den

About our guest

Currently a freelance CSO providing marketing consultancy including brand strategy, product innovation, naming and creative ideas, Ben works remotely from his sailboat.

Previously Co-Founder at Love Triangle, a pizza delivery social enterprise launched summer 2020 during Covid lockdown. In the midst of lockdown they raised many thousands for a foodbank, met the King and employed over 100 people from the hard-hi hospitality industry.

Previously Ben founded a baked beans startup that Richard Branson described as 'a pioneering business idea' and The Daily Mail described it as, 'twice as good as Heinz and 10 times tastier than Waitrose'. Check out Ben's appearance on Dragons' Den!

About our host

Our host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.

Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.

Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally.

Support the show

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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“When you were doing the intro, you know, you can just hear how diverse and broad the different types of roles or experiences and industries I've had were. I think you know some parts have been serendipitous right. Where you're just kind of following your instinct around what you enjoy like this constant search in your work for things where you feel good you know you're getting joy out of it you're learning you're collaborating with really clever people. That's like everything to me.” - Sam McCallum

This month’s theme

Sam McCallum shares insights from her extensive industry experience and strategic design background. Key topics include the importance of team alignment, the application of hypothesis-led experiments to address strategic scepticism, and maintaining work-life balance. Sam also emphasises the value of diversity, iterative feedback, and practical strategies for preventing burnout and ensuring effective project delivery.

Gain valuable insights from industry expert Sam McCallum on strategic design, team alignment, and maintaining work-life balance. Listen now to elevate your business strategies and achieve successful project outcomes.

In this episode you’ll hear about

• Sam's background in strategic design and diverse industry experience
• The differences between consultancy and in-house roles
• The importance of strategic design in aligning with market trends and customer needs
• The role of strategic designers in enabling executives and product teams
• Why it's important to bring people together for key project moments
• How hypothesis-led experiments can be used to address strategy skeptics
• The benefits of diversity and inclusion in teams
• The value of iterative feedback in strategy development and the practical steps for implementing iterative processes
• The importance of self-care and work-life balance
• Ways to avoid burnout and maintain energy

Key links

• Outfoxed.co
• Sam McCallum LinkedIn

About our guest host

Sam brings 19 years of diverse experience from consultancies, digital agencies and client-side leadership roles. Known for CX, strategic design, business design and innovation, Sam has a track record of successfully delivering new products and business models to market.

Sam's industry experience includes Finance, Media, Telco, FMCG, Grocery, QSR, Retail, and Government, with roles including; Head of Experience Design at Latitude Financial, Head of Marketing at Fairfax Media, and Strategy Director at R/GA.

About our host

Our host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.

Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.

Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally

Support the show

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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"It felt like things were taking me into uncomfortable situations, and then learning from uncomfortable situations basically brought opportunity, and an opportunity then opened up other doors and things went from there. Really." - Chris Hudson

This month’s theme

For the past year, the Company Road podcast has been a beacon of inspiration for leaders and aspiring intrapreneurs. But today, the host, Chris Hudson, steps out of his usual role and into the interview chair.

In this special episode, Nathan Bell, Chris's long-time colleague, delves into Chris's fascinating journey.  From a childhood marked by distance and isolation to a successful career in advertising, Chris shares the pivotal moments that shaped his outlook and his passion for helping others bring positive change to their workplaces.

This introspective conversation is packed with valuable insights for anyone who wants to find their voice, embrace their individuality, and become a changemaker within their organisation. 

In this episode you’ll hear about

• How Chris developed a view of the world
• What made Chris feel like the world was against him
• When did Chris realise he needed to be more positive
• What was Chris's moment of frustration
• How Chris found his tribe and rhythm within advertising
• How Chris learned to overcome adversity
• How meeting his wife influenced his life
• The challenges of balancing family life and a professional career
• Some of Chris' tips for productivity
• How Chris' experience as a father has made him a better leader
• Balancing being a leader and being a role model for your children
• Where Chris sees his company and podcast going in the future

Key links

• The Carrot Collective
• Nathan Bell LinkedIn

About our guest host

Nathan Bell, Founding Partner of the Carrot Collective has anchored his career at the intersection of research, strategy, design and cultural change. With over 25 years in advertising, brand strategy, large format immersive technology and the built environment, Nathan has led some of the world’s most pioneering brands, cities, and institutions to solve complex design and societal problems.

About our guest (your normal host!)

Our host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.

Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.

Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally.

Support the show

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

Send us Fan Mail

“Any little action, no matter how small, can make a huge difference.” - Joel Vermaas

This month’s theme

Joel Vermaas, a seasoned researcher and founder of Vibrant Insights, breaks down the dramatic shift from traditional methods like face-to-face interviews to the data-driven approaches of today.

Joel also shares his passion for the vast and ever-changing landscape of market research, highlighting the opportunity to delve into everything from consumer goods to life's most delicate moments.  

Listen and gain valuable insights from their target audience and make informed business decisions.

In this episode you’ll hear about

• How research has transformed from traditional methods to a data-driven approach.
• Why critical skills are needed to thrive in the dynamic world of market research.
• What is the importance of "backwards market research" to focus on actionable outcomes
• How to avoid common pitfalls that can derail your research efforts.
• The exciting world of choice modelling and its power to inform product development.
• How AI can be used to gather data and generate insights

Key links

• Vibrant Insights
• LinkedIn 
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• The Research Society 
• Australian Data Insights Association 
• Mark Ritson’s article Backwards Market Research 
• Joel Vermaas LinkedIn 

About our guest

Joel is the founder of Vibrant Insights – a market research, insights and strategy agency at the intersection of commercial work and community, helping brands thrive. Joel has been in research for nearly two decades, and worked at some of Australia’s leading quantitative agencies.

Joel started Vibrant Insights to demonstrate that businesses can balance mindful approaches, while remaining commercially viable.

Joel, and Vibrant, does a great deal of work in the commercial space, with a range of publicly listed and private companies across property portals, digital, consumer packaged goods, quick-service restaurants, and even end-of-life (funerals, cremations, memorialisation). This includes brand/comms work, innovation, advanced techniques like segmentation and choice modelling, and harnesses a range of research tech.

At the same time, it’s about building up a ‘peace chest’ from doing this commercial work, funding the ability to engage in pro-bono / low-bono work, helping not-for-profits, while also donating 10% of profits to charity.

To Joel, it’s about a small sacrifice to profit and salary, to ultimately make the world a better place.

About our host

Our host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.

Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.

Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues t

Support the show

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

Send us Fan Mail

“If you're going to take a role, there are three things that are important: a good problem to work on, good people to work on it with, and good leadership that you have faith in or you believe in."  - David Bradford

This month’s theme

This month we discuss the significance of identifying crossroads within our careers or organisations. In each episode, we explore the pivotal moments where decisions shape our professional trajectories, and strategies for navigating challenges and change as an employee or a leader. 

From career transitions and industry shifts to leadership changes and organisational restructuring, we unpack practical strategies, share success stories, and empower listeners to embrace challenges and change as a catalyst for growth and innovation.

Rachel Zhang and David Bradford share their experiences building a high-performing team at Telstra. They discuss the importance of authentic leadership, fostering trust, and creating a space where everyone feels valued. You'll hear how they approach interviews differently, focusing on finding the right fit rather than just skills.

Learn how to create a thriving team environment that embraces diverse perspectives and fosters innovation.

In this episode you’ll hear about

• How to maintain an open and authentic interview style, ensuring the right fit for both the role and the team
• How to create a space where introverts and other personalities can thrive in the workplace
• How to address the challenges of maintaining team connection and communication in a remote work environment
• How does bias in recruiting impact the hiring process, and what can be done to mitigate it
• How does squad engagement and chapter engagement contribute to team morale and productivity
• How to identify signs that an organisation may not be a good fit and how to navigate unexpected changes within an organisation.
• How to navigate unexpected challenges like market changes or innovation, manage conflicts effectively through communication and empathy, and promote authenticity as a superpower to build confidence and reduce stress in both personal and professional contexts

Key links

• Telstra 
• Design Outlook 
• RMIT University 
• AKQA 
• Accenture 
• Parliament of Victoria 
• Rachel Zhang on LinkedIn 
• David Bradford on LinkedIn 
• ANZ 
• NAB
• Deloitte 
• Royal Mail 

About our guests

Support the show

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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“Some people are really good at corralling people towards a decision and doing so in a way that makes everybody feel like they weren't bullied into making that decision.” - Lina Patel

This month’s theme

In this episode, we delve into a crucial aspect often overlooked by organisations: the importance of cultivating strong relationships within teams. 

Amidst the hustle of daily tasks and navigating organisational change, it's easy for us as leaders to prioritise the 'doing' over fostering meaningful connections and having open conversations. 

Specifically, we are focussing on actionable strategies that leaders can take on to initiate a positive transformation within their organisations and communities. Join us as we uncover the power in collaborative and constructive relationships and its impact on success.

In this episode you’ll hear about

• Mastering your first steps in facilitation: Tips to kickstart a career in the industry
• How to identify different mentoring styles and the benefits of each approach
• Ways to bring people together and inspire collaboration
• The ways in which environmental factors can influence the success of a project of facilitation session
• The importance of creating inclusive spaces that meet diverse needs 

Key links

Lina’a Consulting Firm: https://www.revmaconsulting.com/

Lina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linaxpatel/?originalSubdomain=au 

The Value Web: https://thevalueweb.org/ 

Polykala: https://www.linkedin.com/school/polykala/ 

Company Road https://companyroad.co/

Kind Enterprises: https://www.kindenterprises.co/

Stage A Change: http://www.stageachange.org/

The designer who created Lina's branded Mural templates is Zenaida Beatson
https://www.zbeatson.design/

The training Lina mentioned : Working Creatively with Difference https://anzpop.org/training-programs/process-work-public-courses/working-creatively-with-difference/

About our guest

Lina Patel is a Facilitator and Collaboration Designer. Her mission is to alleviate needless workplace suffering and bring more kindness into the world, one team at a time.

With 25 years of experience in the public and private sector and in areas like finance, compliance, risk, and project management. She has been part of over 65 teams and facilitated more than 500 meetings onsite and online. She makes most sense in groups.

As a facilitator, Lina takes care of the details whilst supporting groups to achie

Support the show

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

Send us Fan Mail

“Seniority doesn't win, experience does” - Kevin Finn

This month’s theme

This month we discuss the significance of identifying crossroads within our careers or organisations. In each episode, we explore the pivotal moments where decisions shape our professional trajectories, and strategies for navigating challenges and change as an employee or a leader. 

From career transitions and industry shifts to leadership changes and organisational restructuring, we unpack practical strategies, share success stories, and empower listeners to embrace challenges and change as a catalyst for growth and innovation.

In this episode you’ll hear about

• Ways to identify a crossroads in your career 
• Reflecting on whether a company’s culture aligns with your values
• How business leaders can create the conditions for successful transformation and change within their organisation
• How to foster buy-in and collaboration from the wider team to drive organisational change forward
• Ways for employees to have constructive conversations with their leadership team during periods  of change

Key links

Company Road 

NO/BS

Nick Berman’s Episode 31 

Kevin’s latest venture: Crossroads 

Jim Antonopolous 

Berlin Liew’s Episode 44 

About our guest

Kevin Finn is a brand expert, author, internationally recognised branding designer and TEDx speaker. His personal belief is: There is wisdom in learning.

With 30 years experience, Kevin began his career in Dublin at the design studio that has created all of U2’s album covers. Following this, for seven years he was Joint-Creative Director of Saatchi Design, Sydney, part of the Saatchi & Saatchi global network. Between 2003 and 2018 he explored the intersection of design with social, cultural, political and economic issues through his independent self published design journal, Open Manifesto. His book ‘Brand Principles: How to be a 21st Century Brand’ was published in 2022. In 2007, he founded his independent design practice TheSumOf.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-finn-3aa8a33/ 

About our host

Our host, Chris Hudson is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of Company Road, helping businesses and leaders find meaning, impact and positivity.

Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hudson-7464254/ 

Support the show

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/