Can you grow your business without spending a cent on ads? Karl Schwantes says yes — by using Google reviews the right way. In this episode, he shares how NDIS providers and small businesses can turn great client experiences into a steady stream of new leads for free. You’ll learn how to make your service remarkable, get more five-star reviews, and build a reputation that attracts both clients and staff. #NDIS #NDISmarketing #disabilitybusiness #NDISproviders

In this episode, former Sydney Swans player Barnaby Howarth shares a story that is real, raw, and unforgettable. After surviving a violent gang attack that left him with brain damage, Barnaby rebuilt his life with grit, humour, and kindness. He talks about what resilience truly means, how to keep going when life falls apart, and why being a good person matters more than any so-called superpower. He also opens up about how people can have genuine conversations with people with disabilities, ...

What happens when life takes a sharp turn and your dream disappears overnight? In this episode, Michael talks with Emanuel, the National Operations Manager at Ability Connect, who shares how a car accident changed his life and how he rebuilt purpose through leadership, systems, and people in the NDIS sector. They discuss how to move from personal loss to leadership growth, the importance of sustainable systems, and how to stay profitable without burning out. Emanuel also opens up about mana...

What does it take to stay awesome at what you do without burning out? In this episode, Michael talks with Bradley Williams, founder of The Becoming Collective, about what it means to keep your energy, passion, and purpose alive in the work you do. Brad shares how occupational therapists and other professionals can: Build genuine connection and communityFind purpose in their daily workPrevent burnout by knowing their strengths and limitsLead with honesty, reflection, and careThis is a real c...

Thinking about launching a podcast but second-guessing yourself? In this episode, Svenja and I unpack practical ways to beat imposter syndrome, get your first episodes out, and set up simple systems that keep things moving. We cover minimum viable gear, show format choices, guest management, and how a podcast builds trust faster than a website or social post alone. What you will learn: A simple first step to silence imposter syndromeThe minimum tech to start without overthinking itSolo vs gu...

Meet Jeremy Pucheta, founder of Move2Thrive Clinic. In this candid conversation he shares how he grew from sole trader to a team, what went wrong, what worked, and how he balances family life with building a business. We dig into pricing with confidence, systems that keep you sane, the lonely middle ground of scaling, and why mentorship and community matter. What you will learn: Moving from sole trader to company and tracking real growthPricing your time, avoiding undercharging, and saying n...

The NDIS world is full of passionate providers, but how do you tell the difference between the ones who genuinely care and those who don’t? In this episode of the NDIS Provider Growth Journey Podcast, Michael Clark sits down with Ward Sheehan, founder of Ethical Tick. Ward has over 30 years’ experience in disability services and is now focused on connecting ethical, like-minded providers who put participants first. Ward shares: Why he created Ethical Tick and how it helps providers stand ou...

TW: Mental Health. What happens when life forces you to confront stress, loss and burnout head-on? In this episode, we speak with Brett Sams, founder of The Self Care Zone. Brett’s story begins with tragedy and evolves into a mission to help others prioritise self-care, resilience, and mental health in their personal lives and workplaces. Brett shares: His personal journey after losing his brother and how support shaped his recovery.Why driving became his unexpected gateway to self-de...

What does it take to stop being invisible on LinkedIn? In this episode, Michelle shares how she went from hesitant poster to being recognised as a LinkedIn go-to person in her industry. With 15 years of marketing experience, she explains how she built confidence, created a consistent posting rhythm, and developed a supportive “village” of collaborators. Michelle opens up about: Why consistency is the foundation of LinkedIn growthHow collaboration and supporting others builds real influenceO...

What does it mean to put people before paperwork? In this episode, we sit down with Stacey Goulding, behavioural specialist and founder of LumaBloom, to explore her unique human-first approach to behaviour support and business. Stacey shares how she built services in the UK, transitioned into the NDIS world in Australia, and why she believes collaboration should replace competition among providers. Stacey opens up about: Why behaviour support is like being a detective and a cheerleaderHow s...

Think 10x Bigger. Stop playing small. But... How do you innovate in a system bound by strict rules? In this episode, we sit down with Yasser Zaki, global operations leader at Tender Loving Care, to unpack how he balances compliance, creativity, and purpose in the NDIS world. Yasser shares: Why disruptive management is essential for growth.How to avoid being stuck in the red ocean of sameness.The real definition of quality of life for vulnerable communities.His personal journey with me...

Most health and NDIS business owners work in their business instead of building one that gives them back time, money, and life. In this episode, Paul Wright shares how he went from a single physio practice to six thriving clinics and why he eventually sold them to focus on teaching others how to earn more, work less, and enjoy life. You will hear about: The shift from being the go-to person to building systemsWhy family time is quantity time, not "quality" timeHow to stop trading hours for ...

Think sending a "we've got capacity" email will get you referrals? Think again. In this episode, Michael talks with Hannah Redford, a support coordinator with six years of experience, about what actually works when approaching support coordinators for NDIS referrals. If you are an NDIS provider trying to grow your business, this conversation will save you months of trial and error. In this episode: • Why a clear niche matters more than you think • The red flags in your emails that get you ...

What happens when a former child protection worker becomes an NDIS business owner with no business background and grows faster than expected? In this honest and practical conversation, Stevie Lee shares how she: Grew from one SIL home to five in just 13 monthsBuilt her service around participant outcomes instead of profitsFaced burnout and tough family sacrifices in the early daysPut KPIs in place to track real participant progressMade space for staff to grow, learn and leadStepped back with...

Tired of cold calls and boring marketing? Steve Dart shares how he helped a small sports brand go from unknown to Commonwealth Games legend—by launching a podcast before podcasts were cool. In this episode, Steve reveals: Why building real relationships beats sellingHow LinkedIn can be your most powerful toolThe “HOPE” strategy he uses to grow his network dailyWhy helping others first leads to unexpected successHow to become unforgettable in your industry Whether you're in the NDIS world or ...

Want to grow your NDIS business using LinkedIn? In this episode, LinkedIn strategist and NDIS consultant Con Sotidis shares proven tips to help NDIS providers get more referrals, build strong networks, and grow their business online. You’ll learn: How to use LinkedIn to grow your NDIS businessThe four pillars of social selling for support providersHow to write LinkedIn posts that attract referralsWhy personal branding matters for NDIS providersHow to connect with other NDIS businesses for gr...

In this episode, Michael speaks with James Loveday, one of the most experienced voices in the NDIS sector, about the real challenges behind disability support work. They explore what it’s like to work in the NDIS while living with neurodiversity and mental health struggles. James shares his personal journey through burnout, addiction, and masking—along with practical ways support workers, BDMs and leaders can create safer, more supportive workplaces. Topics covered include: How neurodiverg...

What would it take to go from zero to 200 participants in just six months? In this powerful episode, Michael Clark sits down with Stu Paull—BDM at Plan Manage Assist and one of the most trusted names in the NDIS space—to unpack the truth about networking, referrals, and relationship-based growth. Together, they build a hypothetical provider business live on air, step-by-step, showing how to market with purpose, build a real community, and avoid the mistakes most new businesses make. 🎯 In th...

In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, Michael Clark sits down with Craig Minter from The Healthy Business Lab to tackle the uncomfortable question too many providers are asking: “Why am I working so hard and still broke?” Whether you're a director, ops manager, or provider, this episode dives into the reality behind low margins, rising costs, and the pressure to survive while still delivering great support. 💬 What you’ll learn: Why "profit first" isn’t greedy—it’s survival Wha...

What if your biggest business breakthrough came from getting it all wrong? In this brutally honest episode, Michael sits down with Tom—aka Mr Purple—to talk about the lessons most NDIS providers are too afraid to say out loud. This one is for the directors, founders, and managers who are holding everything together behind the scenes. We talk about: ✅ Why mistakes aren’t just okay—they’re your best teacher ✅ The hidden pressure behind “scaling” ✅ What to do when profit disappears ✅ When to k...