What do fruit blocks, ad agencies and strategy rooms have in common? Rod Buchecker.
In this episode, Marissa Hankinson speaks with Rod about his journey from growing up in the Riverland to shaping leadership across Australia. With a career that began on a weighbridge at 17 and moved through the fast-paced world of Clemenger and BBDO, Rod shares how asking the right questions became his sharpest leadership tool.
Now a brand strategist, mentor and the chair of CE30 for The Executive Connection, Rod is known for helping people cut through complexity, reconnect with purpose and lead with more clarity. He reflects on his early years in business, the impact of his father’s death, and why leadership without reflection is just noise.
It’s a thoughtful, energising conversation from someone who knows how to hold space for real insight.
Produced by Wavebreaker Productions.
#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #RodBuchecker #LeadershipClarity #AustralianLeaders #StrategyCoach #BrandStrategist #ExecutiveMentor #WavebreakerProductions #CareerJourney #LeadWithPurpose
What do you do with a $134 French martini fail and a bottle of Chambord you’ll never use again? If you’re Jesse Cordoma, you build a business around it.
In this episode, Marissa Hankinson chats to South Australia’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year about his inventive journey from cocktail disaster to launching Cusion — a sleek, pod-based drinks system designed to deliver bar-quality cocktails at the push of a button.
Jesse shares how the idea struck during his uni days, how COVID stalled early progress, and why returning to his career in engineering turned out to be the best detour. He also lifts the lid on patents, prototypes, and the unglamorous realities of bringing a product to market. Oh, and there’s a cameo from a slightly smashed pod dispenser at the Adelaide 500.
A lighthearted, insightful chat with a founder who’s as sharp with logistics as he is with a cocktail pun.
Produced by Wavebreaker Productions.
#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #JesseCordoma #CusionCocktails #YoungEntrepreneur #StartupStory #MadeInSA #DrinkTech #InnovationInAction #WavebreakerProductions #PodcastAustralia
Bram Lagrou didn’t move to Australia for business. He moved for love and found himself rebuilding his career from scratch. What followed was a bold leap into entrepreneurship, drawing on decades of international sales and coaching experience to help leaders connect, grow and lead from within.
In this episode, Marissa Hankinson chats to the Belgian-born psychologist, strategist and founder of Lagrou Partners about making brave decisions, building a values-led business, and why personal development should never be optional. From mentoring under global names like Brian Tracy and Dr John Demartini to his no-plan entry into Australian entrepreneurship, Bram shares what it really takes to grow in life and leadership.
Produced by Wavebreaker Productions.
#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #BramLagrou #LeadershipPsychology #EntrepreneurshipStory #ImmigrantFounder #HighPerformanceMindset #PersonalDevelopment #WavebreakerProductions #ReinventYourself #AustralianPodcasts
When Jane Pappin left her hospital shift one night, she didn’t just walk out the door. She walked straight into entrepreneurship and never looked back.
With over 35 years of nursing experience, Jane saw first-hand the gaps in post-discharge care and decided to do something about it. No side hustle. No safety net. Just a belief that she could create a better model.
In this episode, Marissa Hankinson sits down with the founder of Pop-Up Health to unpack the bold beginnings of the business, why aged care is everyone’s responsibility, and how Jane scaled a family-run operation to support hundreds of South Australians and eventually join the national Lumiere Care Network.
A no-nonsense conversation about purpose-led leadership, risk-taking, and backing yourself in an uncertain system.
Produced by Wavebreaker Productions.
#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #JanePappin #PopUpHealth #HealthcareInnovation #AgedCareAustralia #LeadershipInNursing #WomenInBusiness #WavebreakerProductions #PurposeDrivenLeadership #StartupStories
Danielle Colley didn’t follow a traditional path. She left high school, went to drama school, and built a life from a series of reinventions — actor, audio producer, TV producer, journalist, and now confidence coach. But what stayed constant? Her ability to back herself, even when it felt terrifying.
In this episode, Danielle shares her raw and relatable story of rebuilding from scratch — raising two young kids alone, navigating burnout, and using a personal blog to kickstart her career in wellbeing journalism. Now a sought-after coach and author, she’s helping people and organisations redefine success, confidence and the culture we build around achievement.
A funny, thoughtful and deeply human conversation about backing yourself, letting go of hustle culture, and making choices that actually feel good.
Produced by Wavebreaker Productions.
#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #DanielleColley #ConfidenceCoach #BurnoutRecovery #RedefiningSuccess #WomenInLeadership #AuthenticLiving #WavebreakerProductions #LifeAfterBurnout #SelfWorthMatters
Nick Simpson’s business story starts in a citrus orchard and weaves through everything from beef filtration to landscape gardening, injury recovery and now pet nutrition.
In this episode, Marissa Hankinson speaks to the founder of Port Lincoln Pet Treats about growing up in a Riverland repatriation scheme, launching his first business after school, and the messy, nonlinear path to building something that sticks.
Nick opens up about the back injury that changed his career trajectory, the collapse of a key supplier that could have ended everything, and the road trip that sparked a new joint venture. The result? A fast-growing brand that now exports premium seafood-based treats to Asia and beyond.
A frank and uplifting conversation about resilience, reinvention and building businesses without buzzwords.
Produced by Wavebreaker Productions.
#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #NickSimpson #PortLincolnPetTreats #StartupJourney #SouthAustralianBusiness #FounderStory #ResilientLeadership #RegionalInnovation #WavebreakerProductions #BootstrappedBusiness
What do hairdressing, fast food and corporate boardrooms have in common? For Roland Roccioletti — everything.
In this episode, Roland speaks with Marissa Hankinson about the unconventional path that led him to become a trusted advisor and boardroom leader across industries as diverse as defence, dairy, digital, and racing. From his early trade apprenticeship to international roles in packaging and economic development, Roland’s journey is one of reinvention, curiosity and continuous learning.
Now the founder of Future Proof Advisory and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Roland shares lessons on risk, legacy and why future-proofing isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a mindset.
Produced by Wavebreaker Productions.
#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #RolandRocculetti #FutureProofAdvisory #LeadershipJourney #BusinessReinvention #BoardroomStrategy #GovernanceMatters #WavebreakerProductions #FromTradesToTransformation #AustralianLeadership
In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, Marissa Hankinson is joined by Lynda Schenk — a seasoned brand strategist and executive who opens up about the reality behind high performance: the burnout, the boundaries, and the brave decisions it takes to make a career sustainable.
Lynda shares insights from years of leading brands and businesses, including what she’s learned about navigating pressure, creating intentional space, and rethinking what success should really look like.
Whether you're a marketer, a founder, or a leader trying to find balance, this episode delivers sharp insight, empathy, and straight-talking perspective.
▶️ Full episode:
The Glass Ceiling | Wavebreaker
https://theglassceiling.podbean.com/
#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #LyndaSchenk #BrandLeadership #BurnoutRecovery #ExecutiveWellbeing #MarketingLeadership #WomenInBusiness #SustainableSuccess #LeadershipBoundaries #WavebreakerProductions
In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, Marissa Hankinson speaks with Rebekah Tucker — a globally experienced business leader with a sharp strategic mind and a grounded leadership style.
Rebekah shares insights from her international career, including the importance of cultural intelligence, purpose-driven decision-making, and how to stay connected to what really matters as a leader. From corporate growth to personal evolution, this conversation offers practical takeaways and authentic stories for anyone navigating leadership and business at scale.
#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #RebekahTucker #LeadershipWithPurpose #GlobalBusiness #BusinessLeadership #CulturalIntelligence #WomenInBusiness #StrategicLeadership #CareerGrowth #WavebreakerProductions
Produced by Wavebreaker Productions
In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, Marissa Hankinson speaks with Oliver Ciancio — a mergers and acquisitions specialist helping businesses navigate complex deals, strategic growth, and high-stakes decisions.
Oliver shares what really goes on behind closed boardroom doors — from preparing a business for sale to acquiring companies for growth. Whether it’s a family-run business or a major corporate entity, Oliver brings clarity to the high-pressure world of M&A, shedding light on the processes, the pitfalls, and the power of a well-executed deal.
This is a must-listen for business owners, investors, and professionals curious about what it takes to scale, sell, or strategically acquire in today’s market.
#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #OliverCiancio #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessGrowth #BusinessSale #CorporateAdvisory #ExitStrategy #BusinessValuation #StrategicPlanning #ScaleYourBusiness #WavebreakerProductions
Produced by www.wavebreakerproductions.com
In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, Marissa Hankinson speaks with George Belperio, the founder of Fasta Pasta one of South Australia’s most recognisable hospitality success stories.
George shares how he turned one humble pasta restaurant into a multi-location operation across the state. From the early days of hands-on hustle to navigating the challenges of growth in a dynamic industry, this episode explores what it takes to build a business with staying power.
A must-listen for founders, food entrepreneurs, and anyone fascinated by the journey from local beginnings to household name.
Produced by Wavebreaker Productions
#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #GeorgeBelpario #FastaPasta #SouthAustralianBusiness #HospitalityLeadership #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurJourney #AdelaideBusiness #LocalSuccessStory #WavebreakerProductions #ItalianFood
In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, host Marissa Hankinson sits down with Cassie Day, a seasoned entrepreneur, business leader, and dedicated carer. Cassie shares her journey of building a purpose-driven business while juggling the demands of family life, being a carer, and maintaining her own wellbeing.
Through candid reflections, she discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the realities of balancing professional ambition with personal responsibilities, and the strategies that have helped her navigate it all. From overcoming setbacks to fostering resilience, Cassie offers invaluable insights for business leaders, working parents, and carers striving to create success on their own terms.
Join us for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about leadership, perseverance, and the importance of self-care in the fast-paced world of business.
Produced by Wavebreaker Productions
#Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #BusinessLeadership #StartupSuccess #FemaleFounder #WorkLifeBalance #CaregiverLife #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceWellbeing #TheGlassCeiling #WavebreakerProductions
Join Marissa and Drew Knowles as they explore the intersection of human behavior, AI, and personal growth. From understanding the impact of technology on human behavior to leveraging AI for augmentation, not replacement, this conversation delves into the future of work and life.
Meet Sam Quist, the entrepreneur bringing pickleball to Australia and making a difference in the sports industry. With a family legacy in tennis and a passion for innovation, Sam is manufacturing equipment and apparel for the fast-growing sport while working with schools to promote its inclusive benefits. Tune in for an insightful conversation on turning a vision into reality, the power of family influence, and the future of sports for all.
Join us for a powerful conversation with Ben Howard, founder of Monopoly Property Group. Ben shares his personal story of overcoming adversity, including the impact of family suicide and the loss of loved ones.
Despite these challenges, Ben has cultivated a mindset of success and a drive to live life to the fullest.
In this episode, Ben opens up about:
The emotional journey of coping with family suicide and loss
How he's harnessed his grief into a hidden drive for success
His mindset and strategies for achieving goals and proving others wrong
The importance of living life to the max and making the most of every moment
How he's built a successful business and created a legacy
Don't miss this inspiring episode with Ben Howard, a true champion of resilience, determination, and the human spirit!
Content Warning: This episode discusses themes of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a trusted support service or call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Julie Height, a commercial lawyer who embarked on an extraordinary adventure with her family, sailing around Australia and Indonesia for two years during COVID. While navigating the challenges of homeschooling and life on the water, Julie also founded her own business!
In this episode, Julie shares:
Her family's incredible journey and the lessons learned along the way
How she balanced homeschooling, entrepreneurship, and life on a sailboat
The challenges and triumphs of building a business during COVID
Her experiences as a woman in law and entrepreneurship
How she's now growing her business and enjoying life on land, with a newfound passion for hiking
Don't miss this remarkable episode with Julie Height, a true champion of resilience, adaptability, and determination!
Join us for a insightful conversation with Samantha Boardman, a renowned spending expert who's helped countless individuals and families manage their finances effectively. Samantha shares her unique approach to money management, emphasizing that it's not about how much you earn, but how you manage it.
In this episode, Samantha dives into:
Her personal journey and how she became a spending expert
The common mistakes people make with their finances, regardless of income
Her proven process for taking control of your spending and staying on track
How she's helped people from all walks of life, from those on Centrelink benefits to six-figure earners
Her top tips for maximizing your money and achieving financial freedom
Don't miss this informative episode with Samantha Boardman, a true champion of financial literacy and empowerment!
Join us for an inspiring conversation with James Begley, founder of PickStar and former AFL player. James shares his raw and relatable journey of struggling to find his purpose after retiring from professional sports. He opens up about the challenges he faced, from feeling lost to finding his niche and building a successful business. In this episode, James dives into: His transition from professional sports to entrepreneurship The struggles of finding his identity and purpose after sports How he overcame financial challenges, including paying wages on his credit card His passion for supporting others in similar situations through PickStar Recent acquisitions and future plans for the business Don't miss this heartfelt episode with James Begley, a true champion of resilience, determination, and innovation!
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Marina Walkley, a resilient entrepreneur who's approaching a decade of running her own business. Born in Russia, Marina moved to New Zealand at 12 and later settled in Australia. She shares her remarkable journey of navigating a new language, school, and culture, all while building a successful business. In this episode, Marina opens up about: Her childhood in Russia and the challenges of relocating to a new country How she adapted to a new language, school, and culture in New Zealand and Australia The lessons she's learned from her entrepreneurial journey so far Her experiences as a woman in business and how she's overcome obstacles Her plans for the future and what's next for her business Don't miss this heartwarming episode with Marina Walkley, a true champion of determination, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit!
Join us for Season 2, Episode 1 of The Glass Ceiling podcast, as we chat with Adam Peach, a trusted advisor and business coach who's scaled his family business, Adelaide Tools, to new heights.
Adam shares his journey of selling to a larger company, Bunnings, and navigating the transition. Today, he's paying it forward through his advisory business, Peach Tree, helping others achieve income freedom and beyond!
Tune in now to hear Adam's inspiring story and learn from his experiences!
#TheGlassCeiling #Season2 #Episode1 #FromFamilyBusinesstoFreedom #AdamPeach #TrustedAdvisor #BusinessCoach #IncomeFreedomScale #Entrepreneurship #FamilyBusiness #MergersAndAcquisitions #Leadership #Advisory #PeachTree
