The Startups Drive

On this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with Steve Grace, founder of The Nudge Group and one of Sydney’s most highly regarded business communities, The Pillars.

Steve shares his incredible journey relocating from England to Sydney, breaking down why Australia offers unmatched lifestyle and career payoffs compared to the likes London and New York City. We dive deep into the essential habits and skills every founder needs, and how surrounding yourself with the right people accelerates both personal and professional growth.

Plus, Steve shares the origin story behind forming both The Nudge Group and The Pillars, alongside the success they have driven. He also delivers sharp insights into the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), discussing how AI is reshaping the job market, displacing traditional roles, and the exact skills you need to upskill to get ahead in an AI-driven future.

Whether you're a startup founder, entrepreneur, or professional looking to future-proof your career, this episode is packed with actionable advice.

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Follow Steve, Nudge Group and The Pillars 

www.thenudgegroup.com

www.thepillars.au

https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge
https://www.instagram.com/stevegraceg

On this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with Antonia (Tia) Collings, Co-founder of Enaxiom, one of Australia’s most exciting up-and-coming cleantech startups.

Tia breaks down her journey co-founding Enaxiom, diving deep into their revolutionary thermal management technology. This game-changing cooling solution not only tackles the massive energy demands of modern AI data centers, but also produces freshwater as a by-product—unlocking game-changing opportunities for remote and water-scarce communities to host next-gen AI infrastructure.

Plus, Tia opens up about the personal and professional struggles of navigating the startup world. She shares why having a strong support network is non-negotiable for founder survival, and why celebrating the small wins keeps you grounded so you don't get completely consumed by the journey. We also discuss how everyday networking and strategic conversations directly opened doors to high-profile investors, along with the core lessons from her past endeavors that are shaping Enaxiom’s future.

Whether you're a startup founder, deep-tech enthusiast, or entrepreneur interested in the future of AI infrastructure and sustainability, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

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Follow Tia and Enaxiom 

https://www.enaxiom.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiacollings/

On this episode of The Startups Drive, I sat down with best-selling authors Adem Manderovic and George Coudounaris to talk about their newly released book Closed Circuit Selling and the system behind it.

Adem and George break down what Closed Circuit Selling actually is, the core pillars that drive it, and why it’s becoming one of the most effective approaches to sales today. We dive into how this method helps create stronger relationships, more predictable outcomes, and a clearer structure for anyone looking to improve their sales process.

They also share real-world insights — from their own experience and from the results their students have achieved — giving a practical look at what actually works when it comes to selling in today’s environment.

Whether you’re a founder, in sales, or simply looking to improve your ability to communicate and close, this episode offers clear, actionable insights you can start applying straight away.

A great way to kick off 2026 if you’re serious about improving your sales skills and building something that lasts.

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Follow Adem and George

Linkedins 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adem-manderovic/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/b2b-marketing-expert/

The book 

https://www.amazon.com.au/Closed-Circuit-Selling-Predictable-Unpredictable/dp/B0GQ2YV52Y/

Our partner page 

https://theb2bplaybook.com/ccs-resources

More about the book 

https://theb2bplaybook.com/closed-circuit-selling

More about there programs 

https://theb2bplaybook.com/cro-school

On this episode of The Startups Drive, I welcomed back Stephanie Nguyen — construction professional and founder of Threefold Strategy, a business focused on helping people set meaningful goals and actually follow through on them.

Stephanie and I sat down to unpack accountability — why it matters, what it really looks like in practice, and why holding yourself accountable is often harder than it sounds. We talked about the role other people play in accountability, whether it’s mentors, peers, or accountability partners, and how the right support can keep you moving when motivation dips.

We also dug into the deeper reasons behind goal-setting itself — why understanding why you want a goal is just as important as the goal itself. And we didn’t shy away from the grey areas either: is a no-excuses mindset always healthy, or is it okay when real life gets in the way? Where’s the line between discipline and self-compassion?

This is a powerful episode to listen to as we close out 2025 and head into 2026 — especially if you’re serious about setting better goals, building real accountability, and doing the work that actually moves the needle.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/

Follow Stephanie 

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanienguyenofficial/⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stephanienguyenofficial⁠⁠

On this episode of The Startups Drive, I welcomed back Natalie Tran — a business and transition coach and former accountant and finance executive — who helps people navigate career change and business growth through her work at Transition With Purpose.

As we head into the countdown to the end of 2025, Natalie and I sat down to talk about when it’s actually the right time to make a career transition, how to build real confidence, and how to design your own career portfolio instead of just chasing job titles — while also creating the work-life balance you actually want and can sustain.

We also unpacked the mindset and systems behind successful transitions — what matters more, how they work together, and how to figure out which one you personally need more of right now.

And we didn’t avoid the hard stuff either. We spoke about burnout — the signs, the symptoms, what to watch for, and what to do if you or someone close to you is already running on empty.

This episode is for anyone feeling stuck, thinking about change, or already in the middle of one and wondering if they’re on the right track — and it’s a powerful listen as we head into 2026.

Natalies First Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/2GH8XTu4oEizLc0fBOUPg6

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Follow Natalie 

W: https://www.transitionwithpurpose.com.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-tran-coach-melbourne/**

Insta: @transitionwithpurpose

YT: @transitionwithp YouTube

Apple Podcasts: Transition With Purpose Podcast

Spotify: Transition With Purpose Podcast Spotify

In this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with Robyn Clark — a Media and Communications student with a focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Robyn is an emerging talent, eager to learn and build her path in the startup and business world.

We talk about her journey through university — why she chose her degree, how her studies are shaping her perspective, and the real pros and cons of formal education versus hands-on experience. Robyn also shares her take on the power of networking for young professionals, how students can build real connections, and what she’s learned from working with tools in AI and social media marketing.

We wrap up by talking about balance and drive — including how her passion for running keeps her focused and motivated in life and work.

This is a must-listen for students, early-career professionals, and anyone looking to take their first steps in the business, startup and professional worlds. 

Follow Robyn

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynelizabethclark/

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https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/

In this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with May Ku — founder of Reev, the upcoming dating app designed to move past swipes and algorithms. May talks about her background growing up in Korea, her path to Australia, and how she made the uncommon leap from a career in market research to entrepreneurship.

 We get into the realities of modern dating apps — from their focus on superficial swipes to their reliance on algorithms — and why she believes authentic connection can’t be engineered that way. May shares her vision for Reev and what it takes to build something different in such a crowded space.

 Whether you’re a founder curious about turning an idea into a startup, or just someone interested in where dating apps are headed, this episode offers insight into both love and entrepreneurship.

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Follow May and Reeve

http://www.reev.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayhyunjiku/

In this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with Matt Ainsworth — a startup mentor with years of experience in Asia’s innovation scene. Having lived in Japan for nearly a decade, Matt brings unique insight into the country’s startup culture, its rapid pace of development, and what Australia can learn from one of the world’s most advanced ecosystems.

We explore Matt’s journey to Japan, the cutting-edge prototypes and ideas emerging from its startup community, and where Australia has opportunities to collaborate and grow. Matt also shares his work at Tekkon, a platform that connects founders with developers, and explains why technical talent is so critical to early-stage success. From understanding the developer’s role to exploring alternative tools for founders who can’t afford one early on, this conversation is full of practical advice and global perspective.

If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or just curious about how Asia is shaping the future of startups, this episode offers valuable lessons and fresh inspiration.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ainsworth-35a53522b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

In this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with David Kenney — a legend of Australia’s startup scene, mentor, investor, and author of the best-selling book Epic Execution.

We dig into David’s journey and the story behind his book, as he shares insights on founder mindset, building the right team, and truly understanding your market and customer. We also tackle key questions every founder should ask — like what to know before starting, how to connect with your audience, and how to stay open to learning even when you think you’ve got it all figured out. Whether you’re just starting out, scaling up, or simply rethinking your next move, this episode is packed with sharp advice, hard-earned lessons, and honest conversation.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/

Follow David

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkenneyofficial/

https://www.epicexecution.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/epic-execution/posts/?feedView=all

https://www.startwithepic.com/

In this episode of The Startups Drive, I’m joined again by Nathan Linsley — CEO and Founder of NadoCo Interactive — who recently shifted into the music industry, building tools to solve real problems artists and creators face.

Nathan shares insights from his time exploring the startup ecosystems in South Korea and Japan, offering a unique perspective on how they differ from Australia’s startup scene, and what Aussie founders can learn from these global innovation hubs.

We also dive into the realities of startup negotiations — why equity isn’t always the best incentive, and how early-stage teams can find the right mix of rewards and motivation.

Plus, we explore the rising role of AI in startups, especially in the early stages where cost and speed matter most. But that doesn’t mean developers are out of a job — far from it. Nathan explains why developers still play a vital role as startups grow and scale.

Whether you’re a startup founder, software developer, or just curious about global startup trends, this conversation offers insights, strategy, and inspiration you can use.

Nathans Previous episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Jm8b29wWekoVrnIt1jG62

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Follow Nathan

http://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlinsley1

http://instagram.com/nadocodes