After 34 years at the forefront of Australian media from the Today Show to the Channel Nine evening news, Georgie Gardner speaks with host Sam Macpherson to reflect on a remarkable career, the stories that shaped her, and what comes next.

In this episode of The Company We Keep, Georgie opens up about covering two of Australia's most devastating events: the Port Arthur massacre early on in her career and the Bondi shooting at its close. She shares what it was like to report both without and then amid the firehose of social media, and why she believes the line between misinformation and deliberate disinformation has never been more dangerous.

Georgie also reveals the most charismatic people she's ever interviewed (the names will surprise you), why everyday people often make for the best television, and the real reason she chose to walk away from journalism at the peak of her career.

Georgie Gardner: https://www.instagram.com/georgiegardner9/

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Key Takeaways

Failed acting auditions leading to a pathway in journalism

Misinformation is accidental, disinformation is deliberate

Embrace your mistakes and just be yourself

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Follow the Podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2oQlEYFk3Gud0HgPRaxgdM?si=176ef52b5a0f4972

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-company-we-keep/id1895814064

Website: https://vectoradvisors.au/

Connect with Sam Macpherson:

Sam Macpherson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-macpherson-6ba11ba2/

Vector Advisors: https://au.linkedin.com/company/vector-advisorsau

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Chapters:

(0:00) Preview

(0:40) Introducing Georgie Gardner

(1:00) From acting to radio to TV

(2:54) Live TV, the Today Show & the roles that challenged her most

(4:28) Career bookended by tragedy: Port Arthur to Bondi Beach

(6:12) Today Show memories & entertaining interviews

(7:02) The most charismatic people she's met

(9:28) Has the 24-hour news cycle made audiences better or worse informed?

(12:50) Misinformation vs. disinformation

(14:28) Why Georgie stepped away from journalism after 34 years

(19:04) Advice to her younger self & closing remarks

Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podwave Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.podwavestudios.au

The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute financial or investment advice.

Peter Toll is the National Leader of Food & Agribusiness, Deal Advisory M&A Partner, and International Liaison Partner at BDO. In this inaugural episode of The Company We Keep, Peter joins host John to unpack what nearly 30 years in professional services has really taught him.

From growing up on a Merino stud farm in Wagin to advising on some of WA's most significant private M&A transactions, Peter draws a direct line between country values such as hard work, community, and deep relationships.

He shares his unfiltered take on the baby boomer wealth transfer that's quietly reshaping Australia's private business landscape, why most businesses aren't actually ready to sell (even when they think they are), and how the corporatisation of Australian agriculture is transforming the very sector he grew up in.

Peter Toll: https://au.linkedin.com/in/peter-toll-80652b14

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Key Takeaways

Relationships are the foundation

The baby boomer wealth transfer is real and accelerating

Most businesses aren't buyer-ready

Selling a business is emotional, not just transactional

Say yes to the hard jobs. Success isn't the financial outcome

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Follow the Podcast:

Website: https://vectoradvisors.au/

Connect with John Gardner:

John Gardner: https://au.linkedin.com/in/john-gardner-maicd-8ab3a519

Vector Advisors: https://au.linkedin.com/company/vector-advisorsau

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Chapters

(0:00) Relationships, community, and deal making

(0:45) Welcome to The Company We Keep

(1:00) Introducing Peter Toll | National Leader, Food & Agribusiness at BDO

(1:25) What's kept Peter at BDO for nearly 30 years

(2:15) The International Liaison role explained

(2:55) Growing up on a Merino stud farm in Wagin

(5:35) Community values and the power of rural relationships

(8:00) Current deal activity and market sentiment

(10:00) Sectors driving WA deal flow

(10:35) The corporatisation of Australian agriculture

(12:25) The changing face of rural communities

(16:45) Advising private vs. publicly listed companies

(17:45) The emotional psychology of selling a business

(19:35) Preparing vendors for life after the deal

(25:10) Advice to a younger Peter Toll

Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podwave Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.podwavestudios.au

The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute financial or investment advice.

"The Company We Keep" is a dedicated section on VECTOR Advisors' website that profiles a curated selection of notable individuals across business, politics, sport and media. The purpose is to celebrate the people VECTOR works alongside, strengthen relationships, and amplify the voices of those shaping their respective industries.

At VECTOR, we pride ourselves on the strength of our relationships and this series is one way we celebrate the people we work alongside. We’ve taken this initiative to profile a select group of people.