Stories Unlocked

White Key Marketing

Welcome to Stories Unlocked Spotify 🎧 – the podcast for everyone and anyone looking to grow, learn, and feel inspired Each week, your hosts, Ari George and Selina Nguyen, bring you open and honest conversations with incredible personalities. From the leaders you admire to the changemakers redefining success, we aim to educate, entertain, and inspire you to unlock your full potential. Prepare to take notes, laugh, cry, and discover what it means to live as the best version of yourself. Tune in with an open mind, and let’s journey together through the stories that shape our world.

  1. Stories Unlocked With Con Damouras | S4 EP3

    03/14/2025

    Stories Unlocked With Con Damouras | S4 EP3

    Born and raised Greek-Australian, Con Damouras has dedicated his life to preserving tradition, building businesses, and shaping Sydney’s café culture. As the visionary behind Bar Italia, one of Leichhardt’s most iconic Italian café-restaurants, he carries forward a legacy of hard work, resilience, and authentic hospitality. His journey began with humble beginnings. His father arrived in Australia by ship, bringing with him the family’s olive oil business. Growing up in Belmaine, Con was a popular kid at Belmaine High, but life was far from easy. His older brother’s struggles in a psychiatric ward left a deep impact on him, fueling his drive to succeed. By 22 years old, Con’s passion for luxury and ambition led him to buy a Rolls-Royce, inspired by the dream of driving someone to the Opera House. At 24, he was married, balancing family life with his growing ventures in Sydney’s café scene. From running coffee shops and a pizza shop to managing a wedding car business, Con built a reputation for quality, service, and tradition. But his biggest mark? Bar Italia. Located in the heart of Little Italy, Sydney, it remains a timeless institution, serving home-style Italian meals, paninos, and legendary gelato. A place where cash is king, service is brisk, and flavors transport you straight to Italy. In Stories Unlocked, Con dives deep into his Greek heritage, family history, childhood, business ventures, and the lasting impact of Bar Italia. 🍝 Authentic Italian & Greek Culture | ☕ The Sydney Café Scene | 🎙️ Stories of Passion & Legacy 🎧 Subscribe now and never miss an episode! 👉 Available on all major platforms. 🎥 Our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@storiesunlocked/featured

    1h 30m
  2. Stories Unlocked With Yia Yia Helen Dedes | S4 EP2

    03/08/2025

    Stories Unlocked With Yia Yia Helen Dedes | S4 EP2

    From Greece to Sydney, from restaurateur to social media star. YiaYia Helen Dedes shares her incredible journey With Stories Unlocked. Born into a tight-knit Greek family, YiaYia Helen witnessed history firsthand when an invasion changed the course of her life at just nine years old. At 21 years old, she set sail for Australia on a 40-day boat journey, leaving behind her homeland to build a new future. Married in 1967 in Greece, she and her late husband worked tirelessly to create Dedes Waterfront Group, one of Sydney’s most recognized restaurant chains. From humble beginnings, their dedication to Greek hospitality and flavors left a lasting impact. After years in the industry, she passed the business on to her son, Con, and embraced retirement. Now, she shares authentic Greek recipes, traditions, and life wisdom through YiaYia’s Kitchen on Facebook and YIAYIA’S GREEK KITCHEN on Instagram. Her mission? To preserve Greek culture, connect generations, and inspire people to think positively. "Home is where the heart is. Think positive." – YiaYia Helen In Stories Unlocked, she dives into her childhood, journey to Australia, family, restaurant success, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. 🍽️ Greek Cuisine & Tradition | 🇬🇷 Family & Heritage | 🎙️ Wisdom & Life Lessons 🎧 Subscribe now and never miss an episode!👉 Available on all major platforms.🎥 Our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@storiesunlocked/featured

    58 min
  3. Stories Unlocked With Matthew Mazzotta | S3 EP10

    03/07/2025

    Stories Unlocked With Matthew Mazzotta | S3 EP10

    From stacking pizza boxes at 13 to running a high-performing digital marketing agency, Matthew Mazzotta has built his success from the ground up. Born into a hardworking family, his father a Telstra technician and DJ, his mother a skilled dressmaker. Matthew learned early that discipline and persistence were the keys to success. Growing up with three younger brothers, he developed a strong sense of responsibility and ambition. By 16, he was working behind a bar, taking shifts at Qudos Bank Arena, and later studying Business Commerce at Macquarie University. At 20, he discovered his passion for marketing through school case studies, leading him to climb the ranks in management before stepping out on his own. Now at 28, Matthew is the founder of DNM Digital, a results-driven marketing agency specializing in SEO, Google, and Meta Ads that help online brands scale their profits. His vision for the next five years? To build a reputable, premium, and performance-based business that delivers real results. In this podcast, Matthew shares his story, his upbringing, early jobs, the lessons learned, and the mindset shifts that shaped his entrepreneurial journey. Get insights into business, digital marketing, and the hustle it takes to build something from scratch. 💡 Business & Entrepreneurship | 🚀 Digital Marketing | 🎙️ Real Stories & Lessons 🎧 Subscribe now and never miss an episode!👉 Available on all major platforms.🎥 Our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@storiesunlocked/featured

    1h 12m
  4. Stories Unlocked With Joe Carbone | S3 EP8

    02/03/2025

    Stories Unlocked With Joe Carbone | S3 EP8

    In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of a creative force who grew up in an Italian household, where a self-employed father instilled values of hard work and determination. His childhood was spent breakdancing under the Fairfield Bridge, competing in street dance battles inspired by A Set Up DVD, and dreaming of a life that broke boundaries. At 18, he took his first job as a baker, but by 19-20, he had hit the big stage as a performer with Justice Crew on Australia’s Got Talent. With a fearless "jump first, ask questions later" mindset, he pursued entertainment full-throttle. From captivating audiences at wedding shows to purchasing theatres by age 32, his journey embodies ambition and boldness. The COVID era marked a pivotal moment, as he diversified his creative endeavors and launched XS Events Australia in 2024. With over 6000 events under their belt, XS Events has become a leader in premium event management, providing top-tier entertainment and seamless production. He is also the visionary behind Dauntless, a high-energy performance brand with over 2000 shows. This episode covers everything from humble beginnings and family values to building thriving ventures, balancing creativity with business, and lessons learned along the way. 🎤 Tune in for captivating stories, unforgettable insights, and the powerful rise of a leader who continues to break the mold! 🎧 Subscribe now and never miss an episode!👉 Available on all major platforms.🎥 Our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@storiesunlocked/featured

    1h 44m

About

Welcome to Stories Unlocked Spotify 🎧 – the podcast for everyone and anyone looking to grow, learn, and feel inspired Each week, your hosts, Ari George and Selina Nguyen, bring you open and honest conversations with incredible personalities. From the leaders you admire to the changemakers redefining success, we aim to educate, entertain, and inspire you to unlock your full potential. Prepare to take notes, laugh, cry, and discover what it means to live as the best version of yourself. Tune in with an open mind, and let’s journey together through the stories that shape our world.