Transforming the Game

In this episode of Transforming the Game, Kristina Katsanevas sits down with Caroline Jean-Baptiste finance strategist, mentor, entrepreneur, and author of The Leverage Effect to unpack what it really means to build wealth as a self-employed woman.

In this conversation, they break down:

• How to tell the difference between good debt and bad debt
• What leverage really means—and why it’s a game-changer for business owners
• How to read your numbers and forecast cash flow (without being a finance nerd)
• When to buy property vs. when to scale your business
• Why 86% of small businesses never sell—and how to change that outcome

Caroline’s message is simple but powerful: feel the fear and do it anyway—just make sure you’re investing in something that brings a strong return.

Whether you’re a founder, freelancer, or just ready to get financially confident, this episode will show you how to turn what you already have into your next level of wealth.

📘 Grab Caroline’s book The Leverage Effect here: https://www.theleverageeffect.com.au

🌐 Connect with Caroline Jean-Baptiste
 Website: https://www.carolinejeanbaptiste.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinejean-baptiste
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinejeanbaptiste

💡 Connect with Kristina Katsanevas
 Website: https://www.kristinakatsanevas.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinakatsanevas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kkatsa
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TransformingTheGame
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristinakatsanevas

More episodes and links: https://beacons.ai/transformingthegame

Subscribe, like, and comment to support Transforming the Game—where we uncover the strategies, stories, and mindset shifts behind people who lead, build, and transform the world around them.

🎧 Listen and watch on:
 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TransformingTheGame
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/transforming-the-game/id1702065362
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4XQEGSYE1hSnfV0ykUn0a5

What does leadership look like when the stakes are life and death then again when the mission becomes meaning?

In this episode of Transforming the Game, Kristina Katsanevas sits down with Colonel Michael Scott CSC, a decorated Australian Army officer turned CEO, author, and founder of the 2023 Foundation, whose mission is to educate and empower others through firsthand experience and truth-seeking.

After serving in East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel, Michael shares powerful lessons from three decades in the profession of arms on teamwork, humility, and what it really takes to build a high-performing culture under pressure. From leading soldiers in combat to leading communities through division, he unpacks:

• How to turn adversity into purpose and service
• Why humility and followership matter as much as leadership
• The critical role of emotional intelligence in elite teams
• How to rebuild trust, accountability, and character in modern leadership
• The confronting realities of misinformation and why critical thinking is today’s new battlefield
• Why everyone should visit Israel and experience first hand the beautiful people and culture.

Michael’s story is one of courage, conviction, and legacy. His book, A Light Still Burns: Israel and the Values Worth Defending, challenges us all to rethink what we stand for and how we lead when no one’s watching.

🎧 Tune in to hear how one man’s journey from the front line to the foundation of a new movement is redefining what it means to serve, lead, and live with purpose.

📖 Learn more about Michael and his work at https://michaelscottcsc.com

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelscottcsc/

📘 Get the book A Light Still Burns: Israel and the Values Worth Defending on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1923501046

👇 Watch Now & Subscribe
 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TransformingTheGame
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/your-podcast-link
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/your-podcast-link

🌍 Connect with Kristina Katsanevas
 Links: https://beacons.ai/transformingthegame

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinakatsanevas
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KristinaKatsanevas
Website: https://www.kristinakatsanevas.com
 

If this episode helped you rethink what’s possible, please subscribe, like, and share—it helps us keep transforming the game.

What does it take to build a business that goes beyond balance sheets and leaves a legacy?

In this episode of Founders 15 of Fame, a segment of Transforming the Game, host Kristina Katsanevas sits down with Vishnu Naidu — Chartered Accountant, entrepreneur, and founder of Your Business Group (YBG) — to unpack what real success looks like when profit meets purpose.

After more than 30 years in accounting across Australia, New York, and South Africa, Vishnu has mastered more than numbers. He’s built a business model rooted in partnership — connecting business owners with trusted experts in law, finance, HR, and IT to grow and protect wealth across generations.

In this episode, we dive into:

 ✅ How YBG helps business owners scale through collaboration, M&A, and succession planning
 ✅ The power of legacy — and why Vishnu believes in protecting the “bloodline” of wealth
 ✅ Why resourcing and culture are today’s biggest business challenges
 ✅ How giving back through the Salvation Army, the Parramatta Chamber, and community projects fuels his purpose
 ✅ Why he believes, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it — but only if you take action.”

From boardrooms to community kitchens, Vishnu’s story is proof that business can be both profitable and profoundly human.
 “It’s very hard to rule from the grave—but in this case, you can.”

👤 About Vishnu Naidu

Vishnu Naidu is a Chartered Accountant, registered company auditor (ASIC), and Principal of Your Business Group (YBG). With over three decades of experience across multiple continents, he specializes in audit, taxation, CFO services, and strategic business advisory. Vishnu previously served as Senior Audit Manager at Ernst & Young and Partner at Macquarie Partners (acquired by Deloitte in 2011). Beyond business, he has served on the boards of the Salvation Army and the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce, embodying the belief that true success lies in giving back.

🌐 Learn more:
 • Vishnu’s Website: https://vishnunaidu.com
• Your Business Group: https://ybg.net.au

🕒 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Vishnu Naidu & YBG
 02:10 Redefining Accounting as Advisory
 04:43 Building Teams & Navigating Post-COVID Resourcing
 06:57 Scaling Smart: Mergers, Acquisitions & Succession
 08:25 Legacy & Protecting the “Bloodline” of Wealth
 10:40 Giving Back: The Human Side of Business
 12:45 Teaching Financial Literacy & Empowering the Next Generation
 13:48 Final Words: “Dream it, plan it, do it.”

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

 Watch on YouTube | Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
🔗 All Links: https://beacons.ai/transformingthegame
🌍 Connect with Kristina Katsanevas
Instagram: @kristinakatsanevas
Facebook: Kristina Katsanevas
Website: www.kristinakatsanevas.com

YouTube: Transforming the Game Podcast

If this episode inspired you or changed how you see leadership, please subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps us keep transforming the game.

🎙️ Founders 15 of Fame | Nicholas Hamilton on Building Hamilton I&E, Making the Complex Simple & Scaling in Heavy Industry

What does it take to compete with multinational giants—and win—as a specialist in one of the toughest industries in the world?

In this episode of Founders 15 of Fame, I sit down with Nicholas Hamilton, founder of Hamilton I&E, to unpack his journey from oil and gas to building one of Queensland’s most respected industrial electrical engineering companies.

Nicholas shares how he started with humble beginnings and grew to play at the same level as billion-dollar competitors, all while staying true to one core principle: make the complex simple. From hydrocarbon projects to large-scale government utilities, his team delivers work others find too daunting—and that’s exactly how they’ve built their edge.

🔥 Why You Need to Listen:

• Learn how Hamilton scaled from a two-person startup to a fleet of 30+ trucks.
• Understand why people are always the biggest challenge—and the biggest opportunity.
• Discover how to attract and keep A-players in industries where talent is everything.
• See how SMEs can go head-to-head with global players and win.
• Get a glimpse into what’s next for Hamilton I&E as they expand across Queensland.

📍 Recorded in Brisbane, with the Story Bridge in view, this episode dives deep into strategy, people, and the grit it takes to thrive in high-stakes industries.

👇 Watch Now & Subscribe
 📺 YouTube | 🎧 Spotify | Apple Podcasts
 🔗 All links: https://beacons.ai/transformingthegame

🌍 Connect with Kristina Katsanevas
 📸 Instagram: @kristinakatsanevas

📘 Facebook: Kristina Katsanevas

🌐 Website: www.kristinakatsanevas.com

📺 YouTube: Transforming the Game Podcast

If this episode gave you insight or sparked a new idea, hit subscribe, like, and comment below—your support helps us keep transforming the game.

#TransformingTheGame #Founders15ofFame #IndustrialEngineering #Leadership #BusinessGrowth

What happens when a pharmacist of 20 years realizes medicine alone isn’t enough, and turns to the subconscious mind as the key to transformation, fulfillment, and energy?

In this inspiring Founders 15 of Fame episode, I sit down with Skye Swift—a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and health optimization facilitator based in Australia. Skye shares her personal journey from constant striving to deep fulfillment, and how she now helps high-performers dissolve hidden barriers, reclaim their energy, and build more authentic lives and businesses.

🔥 Why You Need to Listen

• Understand why the subconscious mind drives 90% of our daily lives.
• Learn transformative techniques to overcome internal blocks.
• Explore how energy and frequency shape personal growth.
• See why community and connection are vital for healing.
• Hear how long-term programs create deeper, lasting change.
• Discover why self-reflection and compassion unlock fulfillment.

Skye doesn’t just teach this, she lives it. From running successful pharmacies to guiding entrepreneurs and teams, her work creates ripple effects that transform lives, cultures, and companies.

Show Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Authentic Conversations
 00:52 – Meet Skye Swift: A Journey in Wellness
 03:05 – The Power of the Subconscious Mind
 05:51 – Transformative Techniques for Personal Growth
 09:00 – Healing Through Connection and Understanding
 11:51 – Programs for Lasting Change
 15:08 – The Science of Energy and Attraction
 17:57 – Finding Inner Happiness and Fulfillment
 21:08 – Conclusion and Call to Action

👤 About Skye Swift
 Skye Swift is a pharmacist, business owner, and subconscious optimization facilitator. With over two decades in pharmacy and a passion for wellness, she helps people free their minds from limitations, reclaim their energy, and embrace lasting fulfillment.

🌐 Website: skyeswift.com
📸 Instagram: @skye_swift

🌍 Connect with Kristina Katsanevas / Transforming the Game
🔗 All links: beacons.ai/transformingthegame
🌐 Website: www.kristinakatsanevas.com
📸 Instagram: @kristinakatsanevas
📘 Facebook: Kristina Katsanevas
📺 YouTube: Transforming the Game Podcast

🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

If this episode sparked something in you, please subscribe, like, and share—it helps us keep transforming the game.

Frank Greeff on Authenticity, Hustle & Kinso AI | Transforming the Game Podcast

A bold ambition that ruined his parents’ chance to sell the business they’d built their entire lives… Frank Greeff had no option but to take it all the way. That drive turned him from a young chef into a tech founder who went on to sell his company for $180 million by 29.

In this episode of Transforming the Game, Kristina Katsanevas sits down with Frank to talk about the grit behind entrepreneurship, the messy realities of selling a business, and why authenticity not perfection is the real currency in branding and leadership.

Frank shares how family shaped his entrepreneurial spirit, what it’s like to navigate online criticism, and why creativity is essential to both business and life. He also reveals his next big mission: Kinso AI, a platform built to organize the chaos for hustlers and business operators. His goal? To hit 10,000 people on the waitlist—and you’ll want to be one of them.

We also dive into his cookbook Eat With Purpose, which channels proceeds to children’s cancer research, and the role of community in growth through initiatives like The Founders Table.

🧩 CHAPTERS

00:00 Bold Ambition & Family Business
 03:08 Why Authenticity Wins in Branding
 05:59 Social Media: The Real vs. The Fake
 09:08 Family Dynamics & Entrepreneurial Drive
 11:58 Selling a Business: The Hard Truths
 15:10 Lessons from a $180M Exit
 17:52 How to Prepare for an Exit
 21:05 The Vision for Kinso AI
 29:22 Relationships, Goals & Balance
 33:59 The Speed of Growth in Business
 37:55 Finding Purpose Through Creativity & Community
 41:52 Handling Online Criticism with Empathy
 45:57 Building Community with The Founders Table
 51:42 Why “Done Is Better Than Perfect”

📬 Connect with Frank Greeff
🔗 Kinso AI Waitlist: https://kinso.ai
📖 Eat With Purpose Cookbook: https://eatwithpurpose.com.au
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankgreeff
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankgreeff

🌍 Connect with Kristina Katsanevas
🔗 All Links: https://beacons.ai/transformingthegame
🌐 Web: https://www.kristinakatsanevas.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinakatsanevas
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristina.katsanevas
📺 YouTube: Transforming the Game Podcast

👇 Watch now, subscribe, and drop your biggest insight in the comments. Let’s keep transforming the game together.

From Detention to Diplomacy: Jeremy Donovan on Healing, Culture & Legacy | Transforming the Game Podcast

What if your first keynote was at the United Nations—and your second was opening the Sydney Olympics?

From growing up in foster care and facing the juvenile justice system… to performing on the world stage and becoming one of Australia's most respected cultural healers, Jeremy Donovan’s story is nothing short of extraordinary.

In this powerful episode of Transforming the Game, Kristina Katsanevas sits down with Jeremy (aka Jeremiah)—a proud Kuku Yalanji and Gumbaynggirr man—to talk healing, reclaiming identity, and using pain to shape purpose.

🔥 Why You Need to Watch:

• Learn how Jeremy reclaimed his birth name, story, and purpose
• Hear how culture and language can heal generations
• Understand the power of impact-led business and community leadership
• Discover how men can lead change in conversations on domestic violence and mental health
• Explore what legacy truly means—and why dreams are free

🧩 CHAPTERS
 00:00 – The Moment Dreams Became Real
 02:30 – Identity, Name & Reclaiming His Story
 06:50 – Performing at the Sydney Olympics
 10:15 – Detention, Redemption, and a UN Keynote
 13:30 – Healing Through Culture, Art & Business
 17:45 – Men’s Mental Health & Feathers of Freedom
 21:30 – Poverty, Privilege & Purpose
 27:00 – Building Legacy: What Will They Say at Your Funeral?

📬 Connect with Jeremy Donovan
 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremydonovan_
🎨 Native Arts: https://nativearts.com.au
🕊️ Feathers of Freedom: https://feathersoffreedom.org (if available)

🌍 Connect with Kristina Katsanevas
 🔗 All links: ⁠https://beacons.ai/transformingthegame⁠
 🌐 Web: ⁠https://www.kristinakatsanevas.com⁠
 📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/kristinakatsanevas⁠
📘 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/kristina.katsanevas⁠
📺 YouTube: Transforming the Game Podcast

👇 Watch now, subscribe, and comment your biggest insight. Let’s keep transforming the game together.

Welcome to Founders 15 of Fame | Sisu Canberra: The Studio Healing Trauma, Performance & the Nervous System

Welcome to Founders 15 of Fame—the raw, unfiltered segment of Transforming the Game where we go behind the brand, behind the logo, and straight into the minds of the founders changing the way we live, work, and heal.

In an age of AI and automation, it’s easy to forget there are real people behind the brands you love. That’s why we’re cutting through the noise and giving founders 15 minutes to share their story, their vision, and their why—straight from the source.

Today’s guests? Best friends, single mums, and co-founders Lia and Camille, the powerhouse duo behind Sisu Canberra—a revolutionary wellness studio combining evidence-based psychology with movement, meditation, contrast therapy, and nervous system regulation.

With Lia’s 20+ years as a clinical and forensic psychologist and Camille’s savvy background in property and finance, they’re blending science and soul to create a space that doesn’t just treat symptoms—it transforms lives.

🧠 From trauma healing to high-performance mental fitness
 🧘‍♀️ From reformer Pilates and meditation pods to polyvagal-informed therapy
 🔥 From glass-of-bubbles vision boards to building something real for Canberra (and beyond)
 They’re building SISU into more than a space—it’s a movement.

This is the kind of business born from friendship, purpose, and a refusal to accept the status quo.

🌐 Explore Sisu Canberra
Website: https://sisucanberra.com
Instagram: @sisucanberra

🎧 Listen & Subscribe to Transforming the Game
YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts
🔗 All links: https://beacons.ai/transformingthegame

🌍 Connect with Me (Kristina Katsanevas)
Instagram: @kristinakatsanevas
Facebook: Kristina Katsanevas
Website: www.kristinakatsanevas.com

If this episode gave you something to think about—or made you feel seen—please hit subscribe, drop a comment, or share it with someone who needs it. Your support helps me bring more founders to the forefront.

🎤 Let’s keep transforming the game.

Beyond CEO: Jim Keyes on Building Empires, Disrupting Limits & Redefining Legacy

What happens when a kid from a plumbing-less home grows into the powerhouse who ran two of the most iconic global brands—and still believes he’s just getting started? In this elite episode of Transforming the Game, host Kristina Katsanevas goes deep with Jim Keyes—former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, pilot, artist, and best-selling author of Education Is Freedom. But this isn’t a corporate resume. It’s a battle-tested blueprint for staying relevant, reinvention, and rising above fear. From behind closed boardroom doors to one-on-one lessons with Warren Buffett, Jim breaks silence on the decisions that defined billion-dollar pivots, the leadership principles that transcend any industry, and why he believes the most underrated business skills today are creativity, gratitude, and courage. This is not nostalgia. This is a full-on masterclass in how to own your evolution and lead in a world that’s obsessed with disruption but allergic to discipline.

Why This Episode Demands Your Time:

The inside playbook of how Jim re-engineered 7-Eleven into a global growth machine

What really happened at Blockbuster—and why history got it wrong

How to neutralize fear, flip it into opportunity, and lead when the lights go out

The mindset formula for transforming humble beginnings into undeniable impact

Why curiosity is the new CEO superpower—and how to cultivate it at scale

Recommended Reading
Order here: Education Is Freedom by Jim Keyes: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CH6X6BVB?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_au

Make the World a Better Place Follow Jim:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkeyesauthor/ 

Website: https://www.jameswkeyes.com/

👇 Watch Now & Subscribe
📺 YouTube | 🎧 Spotify | Apple Podcasts
🔗 All links: https://beacons.ai/transformingthegame

🌍 Connect with Kristina Katsanevas
📸 Instagram: @kristinakatsanevas
📘 Facebook: Kristina Katsanevas
🌐 Website: www.kristinakatsanevas.com
📺 YouTube: Transforming the Game Podcast

If this episode moved you or made you think differently, please subscribe, like, comment, and share—your support means the world and helps us keep transforming the game.

🎙️ Transforming Business with Hugh Hilton
Billion-Dollar Deals, the Six C’s of Success & Finding Fun in the Game

What happens when an $8 billion dealmaker breaks down success into six simple principles?

In this powerhouse episode of Transforming the Game, Kristina Katsanevas sits down with the legendary Hugh Hilton—a global real estate magnate, private equity expert, and personal coach to JT Foxx—with a personal net worth of over $900 million. While many recognize the Hilton name, Hugh’s legacy is built entirely on his own genius, grit, and generosity.

With decades of experience in mergers, acquisitions, and turnarounds, Hugh reveals the mindset and strategies behind his signature Six C’s and how The Four Agreements shaped a $2.5 billion negotiation. This isn’t just about making money—it’s about leading with creativity, curiosity, and compassion.

Whether you’re scaling a business, reigniting a team, or chasing your next big deal, this episode offers tactical insights and timeless wisdom to help you truly transform the game.

🔥 Why You Need to Listen
✅ Learn Hugh’s Six C’s of Success—a framework for leadership, negotiation, and culture
✅ Discover how The Four Agreements can reframe your thinking in high-stakes moments
✅ Understand how to re-engage disengaged teams through compassion and communication
✅ Hear how Hugh made $28 million off a $7 million gap—by being bold, ethical, and fun
✅ Get inspired to lead with more joy, purpose, and perspective

📚 Recommended Reading

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

The Credibility Code (on mastering communication)

📌 Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hugh Hilton

03:09 The Power of the Four Agreements

05:4928 Million out of the box

08:416 C's you need to learn

11:22 Creating a Fun Work Environment

📺 Watch on YouTube | 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
 🔗 All links: https://beacons.ai/transformingthegame

🌍 Follow Kristina Katsanevas
📸 Instagram: @kristinakatsanevas
📘 Facebook: Kristina Katsanevas
🌐 Website: www.kristinakatsanevas.com
📺 YouTube: Transforming the Game Podcast

If you got value from this episode, please subscribe, follow, like, and comment—I’d really appreciate your support. Let’s keep transforming the game together