Have you ever wondered why some businesses go broke and others are successful?
For 40 years I was a corporate undertaker. I buried businesses that failed and helped save those where there was still a pulse.
I was parachuted into some of corporate Australia’s biggest financial crisis, insolvencies and turnaround environments. I have been in Board rooms, Court rooms and on shop floors when all seems lost (and sometimes it was).
Over decades at the coal face of business (often in the most difficult circumstances), I have seen & heard stories that delighted and inspired me, as well as those which serve as a guide of the path not to take.
I also spent years in leadership roles at Ferrier Hodgson and KPMG Australia where I sat on the Board and was the National Consumer and Retail leader.
The purpose of What I learned about Business (that didn’t kill me!) is to share the stories behind some of the world's most interesting business situations, how they unfolded, how my guests dealt with them, and how those experiences changed them and the way they do business.
I hope that my podcast entertains and engages listeners who want to know more about the worlds great business leaders and the lessons that didn’t kill them…….
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Have you ever wondered why some businesses go broke and others are successful?
For 40 years I was a corporate undertaker. I buried businesses that failed and helped save those where there was still a pulse.
I was parachuted into some of corporate Australia’s biggest financial crisis, insolvencies and turnaround environments. I have been in Board rooms, Court rooms and on shop floors when all seems lost (and sometimes it was).
Over decades at the coal face of business (often in the most difficult circumstances), I have seen & heard stories that delighted and inspired me, as well as those which serve as a guide of the path not to take.
I also spent years in leadership roles at Ferrier Hodgson and KPMG Australia where I sat on the Board and was the National Consumer and Retail leader.
The purpose of What I learned about Business (that didn’t kill me!) is to share the stories behind some of the world's most interesting business situations, how they unfolded, how my guests dealt with them, and how those experiences changed them and the way they do business.
I hope that my podcast entertains and engages listeners who want to know more about the worlds great business leaders and the lessons that didn’t kill them…….
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does it take to transform a national treasure into a modern global brand?
In this episode, James H. Stewart sits down with Frank Cancelloni, Group CEO of Jim Thompson — Thailand’s most iconic names in silk design, craftsmanship, and culture.
Frank shares his journey from leading global retail giants in Asia like Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein to reimagining Jim Thompson for a new era. Under his leadership, the brand has evolved far beyond silk — opening the spectacular Heritage Quarter in Bangkok, expanding into fashion, homeware, and hospitality, and even featuring in The White Lotus (Season 3).
Together, James and Frank explore:
This is a conversation about reinvention, resilience, and respect for legacy — and a rare glimpse into what it takes to carry a 75-year-old brand into the future of global lifestyle retail.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Visit jameshstewart.com for updates, speaking events, and more episodes of What I Learned in Business (that didn’t kill me!).
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and host and do not necessarily reflect the views of any associated companies, organisations, or affiliates.
This podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional, financial, or legal advice.
All rights reserved © What I Learned in Business (that didn’t kill me!)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Private-equity veteran Patrick Elliott (Founding Partner, Next Capital; ex-Macquarie PE; former Chair of JB Hi-Fi) joins James H Stewart to unpack career pivots, equity investing and what they teach us about risk, governance, and value creation.
Patrick traces his path from restructuring at Ferrier Hodgson to Private equity investing at Macquarie, then the leap to found Next Capital. We dig into the JB Hi-Fi MBI-to-IPO journey, the lessons from the collapse of Topshop Australia and how to approach turnarounds when the exit options are limited.
Whether you’re a founder, operator, or investor, you’ll get a playbook in patient investing, strategic pivots, and why great businesses are built around great people.
Practical, candid, and loaded with real examples.
Key Takeaways:
“If you’re not learning or growing, you’re already going backwards.” — Patrick Elliott
About Patrick Elliott:
Patrick Elliott is Co-Founder of Next Capital and former executive at Macquarie Bank. A graduate of IMD (Switzerland), he has led investments across retail, consumer, and industrial sectors — combining analytical precision with entrepreneurial instinct.
Connect with Patrick:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-elliott-374a3214b
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share.
What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!) — hosted by James H. Stewart, exploring the stories behind resilience, reinvention, and leadership.
Connect with James:
🌐 JamesHStewart.com | LinkedIn
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organisations, affiliates, or of the host. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as business, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own independent advice before making decisions related to any topics discussed.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, James H Stewart sits down with Di Gillett — a fashion-design student, turned retailer, turned headhunter, turned podcaster — whose life and career are a study in resilience and reinvention.
Di began her career in fashion and retail with Myer and Country Road, before spending more than 30 years in executive search, working with industry icon Andrew Banks at Talent 2 and later founding her own firm, Agora Partners. Today, she hosts the acclaimed Power of Women Podcast, and with almost 100 episodes, is approaching the top 1% of podcasters globally.
In a deeply honest conversation, Di shares the moments that shaped her — from surviving sudden alopecia to navigating the loss of her sister-in-law, elite cyclist Amy Gillett, whose death inspired a national road-safety movement.
Together, James and Di explore how adversity reshapes ambition, and why confidence and visibility matter more than ever for women in business.
Key Takeaways:
“When you lose what defines you, you find out who you really are.” — Di Gillett
About Di Gillett:
Di Gillett is a business founder, podcast host, and advocate for women’s empowerment. With a background in retail and recruitment — including work with Andrew Banks and Talent2 — Di brings a grounded perspective on leadership, courage, and finding voice through adversity.
Connect with Di:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share.
What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!) — hosted by James H. Stewart, celebrating real stories of resilience, leadership, and growth.
Connect with James:
🌐 JamesHStewart.com | LinkedIn
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organisations, affiliates, or of the host. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as business, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own independent advice before making decisions related to any topics discussed.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of What I Learned in Business, James H Stewart sits down with Evan Thornley — entrepreneur, investor, reformer, and one of Australia’s most original thinkers on business and social change.
Evan’s career has been anything but conventional. He co-founded LookSmart, one of Australia’s first tech companies to list on NASDAQ at the height of the dot-com boom, before riding out its spectacular crash. He later entered Victorian politics, led the global Better Place electric-vehicle venture, helped rescue ABC Learning through the creation of Goodstart Early Learning, and today chairs LongView, a business tackling housing affordability and generational inequality.
James and Evan explore:
This is a conversation about big ideas, bold failures, and rebuilding success with meaning.
Key Takeaways:
“The line between visionary and fool is very thin — but it’s where all the progress happens.” — Evan Thornley
About Evan Thornley:
Evan Thornley is an Australian tech entrepreneur, investor, and impact leader. He co-founded LookSmart, led Better Place Australia, was a driving force behind the GoodStart consortium that rescued 650 childcare centres from the financial collapse of ABC learning and now heads LongView, a purpose-driven property business focused on long-term wealth and housing reform.
Connect with Evan:
LinkedIn | https://longview.com.au
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share.
What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!) — hosted by James H. Stewart, exploring the real lessons from business, innovation, and resilience.
Connect with James:
🌐 JamesHStewart.com | LinkedIn
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organisations, affiliates, or of the host. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as business, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own independent advice before making decisions related to any topics discussed.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!), host James H Stewart sits down with Paul Howes — one of Australia’s most recognisable public figures and a leader whose career has spanned the union movement, politics, and corporate life.
Raised by a single mother in Sydney’s Blue Mountains, Paul became the youngest ever National Secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union, rising to national prominence during the Beaconsfield mine disaster. He later became a key player in Labor’s 2010 leadership drama which led to Julia Gillard becoming Australia's first female prime minister— an experience he chronicled in his book Confessions of a Faceless Man.
Today, Paul reflects on the lessons learned from crisis leadership, public scrutiny, and career transformation — from the factory floor to the boardroom. He also discusses his work with Beyond Blue, and his next chapter as CEO of Tenet Advisory & Investments, founded by Luke Sayers.
This is a candid, insightful, and at times surprising conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what leadership looks like under the spotlight.
Key Takeaways:
“Leadership isn’t about power — it’s about accountability when it matters most.” — Paul Howes
About Paul Howes:
Paul Howes is the incoming CEO of Tenet Advisory and Investments (from January 2026), former National Secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union, National Managing Partner of KPMG's Enterprise and Consulting divisions and a respected voice on business transformation and social reform. He served on the National COVID-19 Advisory Board and the Beyond Blue Board, bringing together business and community leadership.
Connect with Paul:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pahowes/
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share.
What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!) is hosted by James H. Stewart — senior commercial advisor uncovering the real stories behind leadership and resilience.
Connect with James:
🌐 JamesHStewart.com | LinkedIn
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organisations, affiliates, or of the host. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as business, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own independent advice before making decisions related to any topics discussed.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Born out of the ashes of Enron and the collapse of global Big 5 firm Arthur Andersen, Korda Mentha has become a powerhouse advisory firm in Australia/Asia fuelled by winning some of the biggest and most high profile mandates in the country.
In this episode of What I Learned About Business (That Didn’t Kill Me), James H Stewart sits down with Mark Korda, co-founder of KordaMentha to discuss the inside story of founding KordaMentha, the lessons learned through some of Australia’s biggest corporate crises — including Ansett Airlines, Timbercorp, and Arrium, and the difficult cultural journey to transform Australia's most successful sporting club, Collingwood FC.
Key Takeaways:
“You don’t learn much when things go right — you learn, when everything almost falls apart.” — Mark Korda
About Mark Korda:
Mark Korda is Co-Founder of KordaMentha and a former President of the Collingwood Football Club. With decades in corporate restructuring, he’s been at the helm of landmark Australian administrations and continues to shape thinking on business recovery and governance.
About Korda Mentha:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kordamentha/posts/?feedView=all
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share.
What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!) is hosted by James H. Stewart — Senior commercial advisor and founder of JamesHStewart.com.
Connect with James:
🌐 JamesHStewart.com | LinkedIn
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organisations, affiliates, or of the host. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as business, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own independent advice before making decisions related to any topics discussed.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For 40 years I was a corporate undertaker. I buried businesses that failed and helped save those where there was still a pulse.
I was parachuted into some of corporate Australia’s biggest financial crisis, insolvencies and turnaround environments. I have been in Board rooms, Court rooms and on shop floors when all seems lost (and sometimes it was).
Over decades at the coal face of business (often in the most difficult circumstances), I have seen & heard stories that delighted and inspired me, as well as those which serve as a guide of the path not to take.
I also spent years in leadership roles at Ferrier Hodgson and KPMG Australia where I sat on the Board and was the National Consumer and Retail leader.
What I learned about Business (that didn’t kill me!) shares the stories behind some of the world's most interesting business situations, how they unfolded, how my guests dealt with them, and how those experiences changed them and the way they do business.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
