Biz

BIZ is a podcast about work and how to make it work for you. This season, we're promising new wisdom, fresh energy, and zero fluff. Co-hosts Em Vernem (ambitious but efficient) and Lisa Lie (founder of Learna) bring real talk, real hacks, and real experience. No vague inspo, no recycled advice—just smart, straight-up strategies that actually work. Because work is hard enough without having to figure it all out yourself. Because work is hard enough without having to figure it all out yourself.

  1. 3 days ago ·  Video

    The Thing About Income Tax You're Getting Wrong

    There aren't many certainties in life... but tax is one of them. And look, on the surface it doesn't come across as the sexiest of topics, but burying your head in the sand is a surefire way to create unnecessary stress in your life. The sooner you get your head around tax, the less you'll have to think about it.In this episode of BIZ, Lisa and Em chat to the Managing Director of HNRY to unpack the misconceptions many people have about tax and how understanding it is essential, especially if you're a business owner, sole trader or make extra income outside of your regular employment.  In this episode you'll learn: What you can actually claim as a work expense The pros and cons of different business structures when it comes to tax The tax incentives for superannuation contributions  Why a tax refund might not be a good thing How to manage your taxes when you're self-employed THE END BITS Support independent women's media.Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au. You can remain anon!  HOSTS: Lisa Lie and Em Vernem GUEST: Karan Anand - Managing Director & Chief Strategy Officer at HNRY (Check them out if you're a sole trader and want to automate your tax!) EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Courtney Ammenhauser SENIOR PRODUCER: Thom LionVIDEO PRODUCER: Marlena Cacciotti Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 5 Aug ·  Video

    Employees vs Sole Traders: Who's Actually Winning?

    Everyone seems to have an opinion about the "right" way to work. Get a secure job.Start a business.Build a side hustle.Work remotely.Be your own boss. But once you strip away the Instagram reels and LinkedIn success stories... which path actually leads to more freedom, more money and less stress? In this episode of Biz, Lisa Lie and Em Vernem unpack the biggest myths about modern work with with a peek behind the curtain to see how Australians on either side of the ledger feel about employment, freelancing and self-employment. Together, they explore the trade-offs that rarely make it into the conversation, from flexibility and financial security to purpose, pressure and everything in between. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder, thinking about starting a side hustle or wondering if self-employment is really worth it, this episode will help you think more clearly about the career that's right for you. In this episode you'll learn: Why social media has distorted the way we think about work. The biggest myths about being your own boss. What employees secretly envy about sole traders... and vice versa. Whether flexibility really leads to greater happiness. The hidden costs and hidden benefits of working for yourself. Practical questions to ask before making your next career move. If you're standing at a career crossroads, this episode is the reality check you've been looking for. THE END BITS Support independent women's media.Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au. You can remain anon!  HOSTS: Lisa Lie and Em Vernem EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Courtney Ammenhauser SENIOR PRODUCER: Thom LionVIDEO PRODUCER: Marlena Cacciotti Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. 29 Jul ·  Video

    How To Successfully Ask For A Pay Rise At Work

    Asking for more money at work isn't everyone's idea of fun. But in most cases if you don't ask you'll stay exactly where you are - so it's an imperative skill if you want to be the one rewarded. In this episode, hosts Lisa and Em discuss how to effectively negotiate a pay rise with your manager and share anecdotes on how they've successfully asked for more money at work. From starting your campaign months before your next review cycle to what actually to say to your boss in the meeting, and how to balance the push with undeniable evidence. This episode will help you build the script and the confidence to ask for what you want. What you'll learn: - The four points you can use to structure your pay rise conversation with your manager - How to prepare before the meeting (including what not to say) - The non-cash items you can also negotiate - How to create an ongoing dialogue to leverage at the right moment, regardless of if it's "performance review" time.  RECCO'S:  Salary comparison website Glassdoor Learn The FBI's negotiation techniques in Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss Check out 'Confidently negotiating your salary' in Here in Learna. THE END BITS Support independent women's media.Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au. You can remain anon!  HOSTS: Lisa Lie and Em Vernem EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Courtney Ammenhauser SENIOR PRODUCER: Thom LionVIDEO PRODUCER: Marlena Cacciotti Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. 15 Jul ·  Video

    How To Change Careers Without Blowing Up Your Life

    Pivoting careers can seem like a daunting prospect. But changing course doesn't have to happen all at once. Sometimes professional pivots happen slowly over time. In this episode, Em and Lisa unpack their own career pivots, sharing the different approaches they took to change direction. From applying for jobs you might not feel 100% qualified for, to identifying a market gap and building your own business, Em and Lisa share the challenges, fears and steps they took to pivot professionally. Career coaches:- Kate Richardson- Claire Seeber Our BIZ hosts are Lisa Lie - a former Head of People & Culture and Organisational Coach - and Mamamia’s Em Vernem. If you want to build skills fast check out LearnaSign up to the BIZ newsletter hereTHE END BITSSupport independent women's media.Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au. You can remain anon!  HOSTS: Lisa Lie and Em Vernem EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Courtney Ammenhauser SENIOR PRODUCER: Thom LionVIDEO PRODUCER: Marlena Cacciotti Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. 8 Jul ·  Video

    The Fear Proof Way To Change Careers At Any Age

    What if changing careers didn't have to feel like jumping off a cliff while risking that sweet comfort you already enjoy? In this episode, career coach Kate Richardson shares a practical roadmap for making a career change with less fear and more confidence. From working out whether your new passion could actually become a viable career, to navigating a change when you're already running on empty, Kate shares the questions, frameworks and small experiments that can help you move forward without risking everything. Career Coach recommendation: Kate RichardsonMore on this topic from one of our eps in last season... 5 Steps To Make A Career Pivot That Actually Works  Our BIZ hosts are Lisa Lie - a former Head of People & Culture and Organisational Coach - and Mamamia’s Em Vernem. If you want to build skills fast check out LearnaSign up to the BIZ newsletter hereTHE END BITSSupport independent women's media.Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au. You can remain anon!  HOSTS: Lisa Lie and Em Vernem EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Courtney Ammenhauser SENIOR PRODUCER: Thom LionVIDEO PRODUCER: Marlena Cacciotti Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. 1 Jul ·  Video

    How To Work With Perfectionists (Even If You Are One)

    Are you, or someone you work with, a perfectionist? If you have perfectionist tendencies, it can be frustrating to work alongside people who don't because you feel like they don't care enough about the work. And if you don't identify as a perfectionist but have to work with someone who is? Well, it can be equally challenging because things can be overworked, delayed, or shared way too late for fear of things not being 'good enough'. In this episode, Em and Lisa unpack how to work with perfectionists, how to manage your own perfectionist traits, and how to give feedback to people who might not be the best at receiving it.  Plus, Lisa shares another one of her go-to frameworks that can help you let go of 'perfect' and move forward faster.  Our BIZ hosts are Lisa Lie - a former Head of People & Culture and Organisational Coach - and Mamamia’s Em Vernem. Book recommendation: The Trusted Advisor by Charles Green And if you want some fast skills from Learna:Check out 'Build trust fast' in Learna. Click the link below on mobile to get into it: https://www.learna-app.com?id=l-aSenXj6878Or check out 'Naming your value at work' in Learna. Click the link below on mobile to get into it: https://www.learna-app.com?id=l-lSlExM4482 Sign up to the BIZ newsletter hereTHE END BITSSupport independent women's media.Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au. You can remain anon!  HOSTS: Lisa Lie and Em Vernem EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Courtney Ammenhauser SENIOR PRODUCER: Thom LionVIDEO PRODUCER: Marlena Cacciotti Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. 24 Jun ·  Video

    People Don't Remember How Hard You Worked. They Remember This Instead

    You know that feeling when someone joins a project and you instantly relax? And then there are the people who somehow create more meetings, more emails, more confusion and more work for everyone around them. In this episode, Em and Lisa unpack the small workplace habits that make people easy to work with, and the ones that quietly make things harder. They share practical ways to reduce friction, improve collaboration and become the colleague everyone wants on their team. Plus, Lisa shares a simple meeting framework that could save you hours every week. If you've ever wondered why some people seem to make work feel effortless, this episode is for you. Our BIZ hosts are Lisa Lie - a former Head of People & Culture and Organisational Coach - and Mamamia’s Em Vernem. Book recommendation: The Trusted Advisor by Charles Green And if you want some fast skills from Learna:Check out 'Build trust fast' in Learna. Click the link below on mobile to get into it: https://www.learna-app.com?id=l-aSenXj6878Or check out 'Naming your value at work' in Learna. Click the link below on mobile to get into it: https://www.learna-app.com?id=l-lSlExM4482 Sign up to the BIZ newsletter hereTHE END BITSSupport independent women's media.Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au. You can remain anon!  HOSTS: Lisa Lie and Em Vernem EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Courtney Ammenhauser SENIOR PRODUCER: Thom LionVIDEO PRODUCER: Marlena Cacciotti Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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BIZ is a podcast about work and how to make it work for you. This season, we're promising new wisdom, fresh energy, and zero fluff. Co-hosts Em Vernem (ambitious but efficient) and Lisa Lie (founder of Learna) bring real talk, real hacks, and real experience. No vague inspo, no recycled advice—just smart, straight-up strategies that actually work. Because work is hard enough without having to figure it all out yourself. Because work is hard enough without having to figure it all out yourself.

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