As the banking industry grapples with the complexity of a digital, global market, one question remains: do community banks still matter? In this episode, Tim Crane, Wintrust President and CEO, shares how local banks are quietly fueling America’s economic resilience by keeping relationships at the heart of finance.

Crane explains why proximity and trust still give community banks a competitive edge, how local decision-making drives growth and what happens when financial institutions see themselves as partners in progress rather than profit centers. He also reflects on the cultural challenge of staying small while scaling successfully and the importance of community, connection and long-term impact.

This conversation offers a compelling look at the future of finance.

Listen now to discover how local banking is helping communities – and businesses – thrive.

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Website: https://www.wintrust.com/

Is ESG just another corporate buzzword – or the key to long-term success? In this episode, Francesco Di Ciommo, President and CEO of FDC Consulting Digital ESG, reveals how sustainability has evolved from a compliance checkbox into a true driver of profitability and innovation.

Di Ciommo shares how he transformed his own company by embedding ESG principles into its business model, proving that responsible leadership and growth can coexist. He explains why sustainability is no longer optional, how next-gen consumers are reshaping corporate strategy and what practical steps every organization can take to stay ahead.

This conversation challenges traditional thinking about what it means to build a successful, future-ready business.

Listen now to discover why embracing ESG might be the smartest business move you make.

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Website: https://fdcesg.com/en/

Water security is the crisis hiding in plain sight – and most of us don't realize how close we are to the edge. In this episode, Francois Gouws, Managing Director of TRILITY, reveals why major cities are heading into another drought, how 100-year-old underground infrastructure is quietly failing beneath our feet and why the water we take for granted could become our scarcest resource.

Gouws discusses why desalination and recycled water are no longer optional and how AI and robotics are revolutionizing the way we predict pipe failures before disaster strikes.

Packed with insights on climate adaptation and the hidden technology keeping cities alive, this conversation will change how you think about the water flowing from your tap.

Listen now to discover how collaboration is preparing Australia for the crisis ahead.

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Website: https://trility.com.au/

Many believe manufacturing can't compete in high-cost markets like Australia, but Greg Stack, CEO of Nexans, proves otherwise. In this episode, Stack reveals how his company maintains profitable manufacturing operations despite higher labor and energy costs and why the ‘Made in Australia’ advantage is more valuable than ever.

Stack discusses the E3 operating model that balances economic, environmental and engagement goals and the recycling breakthrough that achieved 30 percent circularity. Packed with insights on localizing global strategy, leading transformation in resistant markets and finding your differentiated value proposition, this conversation challenges conventional wisdom about manufacturing viability.

Listen now to discover why being selective about your markets might be the key to sustainable manufacturing success.

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Website: https://www.nexans.com.au/

Most leaders spend their energy defining goals and aligning teams, but Martin U Ripple, Group CEO of ANCA, reveals why the real work begins after that. In this episode, Ripple introduces the DAAD framework and explains why defending your strategy against distractions is where 80 percent of leadership energy should go.

Ripple discusses why the best engineers often make poor managers, how to build a team of respectful contrarians and the Mercedes smart car lesson that shows why real innovation needs its own ecosystem. Packed with insights about pivoting and disruptive thinking, this conversation challenges conventional leadership wisdom.

Listen now to discover why learning to say no might be the most important skill you develop as a leader.

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Website: https://machines.anca.com/

What if the key to scaling isn’t doing more, but doing less, and doing it better?

In this episode, Matthew Wilkins, Founder and CEO of Venergy Solar Australia, reveals how discipline, focus and long-term thinking turned a small solar startup into a national leader in renewable energy.

Wilkins shares how battery storage and smart software are reshaping the grid, the hard lessons behind saying no to distractions, and why treating contractors as true partners has become his biggest competitive advantage.

We also explore leadership habits that last – building trust, creating white space to think and remembering that you’re never wrong for doing what’s right.

Listen now to learn how to scale with purpose and avoid the burnout.

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Website: https://venergysolar.com.au/

What does it really take to build a business that lasts? In this episode, Verne Harnish, Founder and CEO of Scaling Up, breaks down the truths most founders miss about growth.

From pricing power and compensation models to curiosity-led leadership and culture, Harnish shares how great CEOs build companies that scale without losing their soul. He reveals how to identify your company’s true constraints and why naming your strategy matters more than any mission statement.

If you’re ready to move beyond hustle and learn how to grow smarter – not just bigger – this conversation is for you.

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Website: https://coaches.scalingup.com/

What if one of your most effective brand levers isn’t a campaign – it’s what your people wear every day? In this episode, Pamela Jabbour, Founder and CEO of Total Image Group (TIG), breaks down how intentional uniform design boosts confidence, signals values and delivers real ROI.

Jabbour shares the hard lessons behind her ‘no client over five percent’ rule, how B Corp certification reshaped operations without blowing the budget and why details – collars, pockets and trims – separate forgettable from iconic.

We also get into leadership habits: the power of the pause, ‘kill it with kindness’, reframing imposter syndrome into preparation and building sustainable growth as TIG expands into New Zealand.

Listen now to learn how to turn uniforms into strategy – and culture – one thoughtful detail at a time.

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Website: https://totalimagegroup.com.au/