The Real Biz Life Chronicles

Tracy Fryer

Unedited stories of Business, Branding and Life. Banish boring as Tracy Fryer and her guests take a ride on the rollercoaster of being a business owner - or of simply being human! Get ready to learn exactly what it takes to grow with distinction and show mediocrity the middle finger. In this podcast Tracy interview’s authentic business owners, who share their story of building a successful business, their strategies behind their success and leading the way.  RAW. Honest. Unedited. 

  1. #132 Darren Keegan: Why Most Leaders Make the Wrong Decisions

    JAN 29

    #132 Darren Keegan: Why Most Leaders Make the Wrong Decisions

    Send us a text What if the decisions you trust most are shaped long before logic ever enters the room? I sat down with Dr Darren Keegan, a strategist, decision scientist and AI-native consultant whose work lives at the intersection of intuition, judgement and human behaviour. Darren has spent years designing immersive business simulations for global organisations, helping leaders see how decisions actually unfold, not how we like to imagine they do. This conversation challenged many of the assumptions we make about rational leadership. We explored why intuition is always present, why data can quietly mislead us, and how bias, experience and emotion shape judgement long before a decision is executed. If you’ve ever ignored a gut feeling, over-relied on data, or wondered why “logical” decisions don’t always deliver logical outcomes, this episode is for you. Mentioned In This Episode (12:22) Why intuition is unavoidable in decision-making (14:59) How lived experience shapes judgement before logic kicks in (20:15) When intuition becomes invalid and leads us astray (24:01) Thinking fast vs thinking slow and why we default to shortcuts (27:34) What leadership education gets wrong about silos and systems (37:36) Using AI as a reflective thinking partner (40:37) The difference between judgement and decision (46:20) What simulations reveal about power and organisational culture (50:17) Confirmation bias and how leaders misuse data (1:04:53) The pre-mortem tool for making better decisions About Darren Keegan Darren Keegan is a decision scientist and strategic consultant whose work explores how humans and machines shape judgement. He has designed business simulations and executive education experiences for global organisations and now works at the forefront of AI-native consulting, helping leaders navigate complexity with greater awareness and clarity. Connect with Darren: Website | LinkedIn Sponsor — Cuppa Cartel Fueling real conversations, one cuppa at a time. Season 2 Gift: https://designstudioperth.com.au/brand-discovery Question for guest: Email info@therealbizlifchronicles.com  About Tracy: Tracy Fryer is a branding powerhouse, speaker, and founder of Design Studio Perth and Trace Designs Bespoke. She’s dedicated to helping business owners and creatives build brands that truly reflect their values, passions, and long-term vision. As the host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles, Tracy brings raw, insightful conversations that push entrepreneurs to embrace bold growth, develop strategic branding, and lead with unapologetic confidence. Her approach is refreshingly real—blending deep expertise with a passion for authenticity, creative excellence, and business success. Connect with Tracy Fryer: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok The Real Biz Life Chronicles Instagram The Real Biz Life Chronicles Facebook The Real Biz Life Chronicles Spotify Book Your Free Brand Discovery Is there a topic you’d love us to chat about? Send us a DM on any platform above, and we’ll make it happen!...

    1h 14m
  2. #131 Kate Molinari: Why People Choose to Follow Some Leaders

    JAN 22

    #131 Kate Molinari: Why People Choose to Follow Some Leaders

    Send us a text What does leadership look like when it’s stripped of titles, ego, and performative confidence? In this episode, I sit down with Kate Molinari, founder of Striide, to talk about the kind of leadership that people don’t just tolerate but actively choose to follow. Kate has led teams inside some of Australia’s biggest media organisations, including Seven West Media and Nine Entertainment Co. But it wasn’t corporate success alone that shaped her leadership philosophy. Motherhood, IVF, tough feedback early in her career, and stepping away from a role she loved all forced her to rethink what real leadership actually demands. We talk about confidence without control, empathy without losing authority, and why the hardest conversations are often the most important ones. Kate shares practical frameworks for feedback, leadership clarity, and building teams that actually trust one another, not just comply. If you’re building a team, leading people, or questioning the kind of leader you want to become, this episode will land. Mentioned in This Episode: (09:56) How Striide was built organically from lived leadership experience (13:36) What actually makes a great leader in today’s workplace (14:38) The feedback moment that reshaped Kate’s leadership forever (19:30) Why listening is one of the most powerful leadership skills (20:33) How to prepare for difficult conversations with clarity and care (25:31) Leadership habits we need to stop pretending are working (27:00) The essential traits of leaders people trust and follow (40:25) Navigating leadership, ambition, and motherhood through IVF About Kate Molinari Kate Molinari is the founder of Striide, a leadership development business focused on confidence, connection, and impact. With over 15 years’ experience leading high-performing teams, Kate now works with leaders, organisations, and schools to build practical, human leadership capability that actually works in the real world. Connect: LinkedIn | Website Official Sponsor — https://cuppacartel.com/ FREE Brand Discovery: https://designstudioperth.com.au/brand-discovery About Tracy: Tracy Fryer is a branding powerhouse, speaker, and founder of Design Studio Perth and Trace Designs Bespoke. She’s dedicated to helping business owners and creatives build brands that truly reflect their values, passions, and long-term vision. As the host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles, Tracy brings raw, insightful conversations that push entrepreneurs to embrace bold growth, develop strategic branding, and lead with unapologetic confidence. Her approach is refreshingly real—blending deep expertise with a passion for authenticity, creative excellence, and business success. Connect with Tracy Fryer: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok The Real Biz Life Chronicles Instagram The Real Biz Life Chronicles Facebook The Real Biz Life Chronicles Spotify Book Your Free Brand Discovery Is there a topic you’d love us to chat about? Send us a DM on any platform above, and we’ll make it happen!...

    55 min
  3. #130 Laura McRae: Finding Your Voice When You Don’t Feel Ready

    JAN 15

    #130 Laura McRae: Finding Your Voice When You Don’t Feel Ready

    Send us a text What if finding your voice isn’t about confidence at all, but about starting before you feel ready? In this episode, I sit down with Laura McRae, founder of Podcast Support Services and host of Podcasting for Business Owners. Laura is thoughtful, grounded, and refreshingly honest about what it really takes to show up when you’re naturally introverted, behind the scenes, and unsure you belong in the spotlight. Podcasting became her bridge. Not a stage for performance, but a place to practise being heard. We talk about finding your voice before confidence shows up, why podcasting is one of the most accessible platforms for business owners, and how imperfect action often creates the clarity we’re waiting for.  If you’ve been sitting on an idea, a message, or a podcast you keep postponing, this conversation is where you get started. In This Episode: (06:05) Finding your voice as an introvert (08:01) Why audio is the safest place to start if visibility feels daunting (10:09) Podcasting as the backbone of your content strategy (11:05) Why most podcasts stop after 10 episodes (14:58) Perfectionism, scripting, and speaking off the cuff (18:30) The unexpected power of podcast connections (25:24) Defining your audience, goals, and podcast mission (37:44) Why even confident speakers feel nervous starting a podcast (44:55) The simplest way to finally get started About Laura McRae Laura McRae is a podcast consultant and manager who helps business owners launch and grow podcasts that support real business goals without the tech stress. Through Podcast Support Services, she combines marketing expertise with practical podcasting support to help clients stay consistent, confident, and heard. Connect with Laura: Website: podcastsupportservices.com.au Instagram: @podcast.support.services LinkedIn: Laura McRae My Dad Wrote a Porno: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1pTV7WTxWRQI5bVeMsWzQf?si=27da01b550f1495e   Laura Mcrae’s Newsletter: https://podcastsupportservices.com.au/thelonggame/  ☕Official Sponsor — https://cuppacartel.com/ 🎁 FREE Brand Discovery: https://designstudioperth.com.au/brand-discovery About Tracy: Tracy Fryer is a branding powerhouse, speaker, and founder of Design Studio Perth and Trace Designs Bespoke. She’s dedicated to helping business owners and creatives build brands that truly reflect their values, passions, and long-term vision. As the host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles, Tracy brings raw, insightful conversations that push entrepreneurs to embrace bold growth, develop strategic branding, and lead with unapologetic confidence. Her approach is refreshingly real—blending deep expertise with a passion for authenticity, creative excellence, and business success. Connect with Tracy Fryer: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok The Real Biz Life Chronicles Instagram The Real Biz Life Chronicles Facebook The Real Biz Life Chronicles Spotify Book Your Free Brand Discovery Is there a topic you’d love us to chat about? Send us a DM on any platform above, and we’ll make it happen!...

    52 min
  4. #129 Exclusive Episode: The Real Cost of Business Growth

    JAN 8

    #129 Exclusive Episode: The Real Cost of Business Growth

    Send us a text What does growth really ask of you once the excitement wears off? This final episode in our exclusive series is an honest, unfiltered conversation about the cost of building a business beyond the numbers. Not the strategies that look good on paper, but the personal shifts, identity changes, and uncomfortable decisions that quietly sit behind sustainable growth. I’m joined by Paul Claessen, Sophie Stott, and Marcus Procopio as we unpack what most business conversations avoid. Letting go of control. Redefining success. Reinventing before the market forces your hand. And the reality that visibility, whether you like it or not, creates opportunity. This episode isn’t polished advice. It’s lived experience. If you’re navigating growth, questioning your next move, or feeling the weight of leadership more than the reward, this conversation will meet you where you are. 🕜 Mentioned In This Episode: (04:10) Letting go of founder identity to allow the business to grow (17:35) Defining success on your own terms, not borrowed expectations (21:08) Hiring, trust, and why responsibility always comes back to the owner (24:02) Control vs delegation and why founders never fully let go (38:35) Industry disruption through technology, market shifts, and AI (46:12) Perception of value vs actual value in business (1:01:06) Fear, identity, and resistance to being seen (1:16:39) Discipline, execution, and consistency as success drivers About the Guests Paul Claessen is the founder of Paul Claessen Consulting, known for his straight-talking, first-principles approach to business advisory and leadership. Connect: paulclaessen.com.au | LinkedIn Sophie Stott is Managing Director of Quickmail, leading the business through industry disruption with grit, innovation, and clarity. Connect: quickmail.com.au | LinkedIn Marcus Procopio is Director of Procopio Legal, bringing logic, humanity, and clear thinking to complex legal and business challenges. Connect: procopiolaw.com.au | LinkedIn ☕Official Sponsor — https://cuppacartel.com/ About Tracy: Tracy Fryer is a branding powerhouse, speaker, and founder of Design Studio Perth and Trace Designs Bespoke. She’s dedicated to helping business owners and creatives build brands that truly reflect their values, passions, and long-term vision. As the host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles, Tracy brings raw, insightful conversations that push entrepreneurs to embrace bold growth, develop strategic branding, and lead with unapologetic confidence. Her approach is refreshingly real—blending deep expertise with a passion for authenticity, creative excellence, and business success. Connect with Tracy Fryer: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok The Real Biz Life Chronicles Instagram The Real Biz Life Chronicles Facebook The Real Biz Life Chronicles Spotify Book Your Free Brand Discovery Is there a topic you’d love us to chat about? Send us a DM on any platform above, and we’ll make it happen!...

    1h 28m
  5. #128 Michael Watts: The Real Power of Advice

    12/31/2025

    #128 Michael Watts: The Real Power of Advice

    Send us a text What happens when business gets stripped of ego, perfection, and the need to always look like you’ve got it together? I sat down with Michael Watts, business advisor, systems thinker, stand-up comedian, and deeply present father, for a conversation that went far beyond strategy. This episode is about what really happens behind the scenes of business ownership and what it takes to keep going when things fall apart. Michael didn’t build his business from a place of certainty. He built it from disruption. Job loss. Mental health struggles. A marriage breakdown. Then a conscious decision to start again, deliberately and differently. We talk about why humour is one of the most underrated leadership tools, how rejection on stage builds resilience in business, and why “good enough” is often the smartest move you can make. We also unpack sustainability, people-first businesses, pipeline anxiety, and the reality of blending parenthood with leadership. Michael’s perspective on fulfilment, uncertainty, and learning to show up honestly, even when things feel unsettled, provided me with a sense of comfort, and I think it will for you too. If you’re navigating growth, pressure, identity, or the quieter moments where business feels heavier than usual, this conversation will meet you where you are. Mentioned In This Episode: (00:04) Why humour changes how people learn and connect (09:15) Handling rejection in comedy and business (22:43) When life collapses and business becomes the reset (30:49) Parenting, presence, and work–life blend (46:55) Why business alone will never fulfil you (54:18) The power of rest and “do-nothing” days About Michael Watts Michael is the founder of ToBe Advisory, helping business owners build better businesses for people, planet, and profit through strategy, systems, and sustainability. He’s also a stand-up comedian who believes laughter makes the world lighter. Connect: tobeadvisory.com | LinkedIn ☕Official Sponsor — https://cuppacartel.com/ Fueling real conversations, one cuppa at a time. 🎁 Season 2 Free Gift: https://designstudioperth.com.au/brand-discovery  About Tracy: Tracy Fryer is a branding powerhouse, speaker, and founder of Design Studio Perth and Trace Designs Bespoke. She’s dedicated to helping business owners and creatives build brands that truly reflect their values, passions, and long-term vision. As the host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles, Tracy brings raw, insightful conversations that push entrepreneurs to embrace bold growth, develop strategic branding, and lead with unapologetic confidence. Her approach is refreshingly real—blending deep expertise with a passion for authenticity, creative excellence, and business success. Connect with Tracy Fryer: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok The Real Biz Life Chronicles Instagram The Real Biz Life Chronicles Facebook The Real Biz Life Chronicles Spotify Book Your Free Brand Discovery Is there a topic you’d love us to chat about? Send us a DM on any platform above, and we’ll make it happen!...

    1h 1m
  6. #127 Hein Wagner: Fear, Vision, and the Life We Don't Dare to Imagine

    12/24/2025

    #127 Hein Wagner: Fear, Vision, and the Life We Don't Dare to Imagine

    Send us a text What if the thing that limits you isn’t your circumstance but the story you’ve been telling yourself about what’s possible? Hein Wagner was born blind. Yet he’s run the Antarctica Marathon, sailed the Cape to Rio, broken the World Blind Land Speed Record twice, and built a global career teaching people how to turn obstacles into opportunities. He calls himself “a blind man with vision,” and after speaking with him, I understand why. In this episode, we explore what fear really is, how we respond to the unknown, and why the greatest barriers in business and life often have nothing to do with resources or talent and everything to do with belief. The way Hein speaks about navigating the world without sight yet with absolute clarity made me rethink how I approach my own challenges. I’m pretty sure it will have the same effect on you. If you’ve ever felt stuck, afraid, or convinced your limitations are fixed, this is the conversation you need to hear. Mentioned In This Episode: (07:04) Choosing beauty without ever seeing it (16:03) What sighted people misunderstand about blindness (18:56) Changing the narrative around disability and career opportunity (20:36) How accidentally speaking at a school launched a global career (24:51) Echolocation, creativity and “seeing” the world through sound (33:32) Defining a personal brand without relying on visuals (46:11) Why Hein built the Hein Wagner Academy (1:16:22) The emotional power of “Dinner in the Dark” (1:20:43) How removing sight removes judgement About Hein Wagner Hein Wagner is an international keynote speaker, adventurer, blind ultra-athlete and global ambassador for disability inclusion. Known for breaking barriers, from the Antarctica Marathon to the World Blind Land Speed Record, Hein now dedicates his work to helping people and organisations turn obstacles into opportunities. He is also the founder of the Hein Wagner Academy, providing accredited training and pathways to employment for visually impaired students. Connect: heinwagner.com | Hein Wagner ☕Sponsor — https://cuppacartel.com/ 🎁 Season 2 Gift: https://designstudioperth.com.au/brand-discovery About Tracy: Tracy Fryer is a branding powerhouse, speaker, and founder of Design Studio Perth and Trace Designs Bespoke. She’s dedicated to helping business owners and creatives build brands that truly reflect their values, passions, and long-term vision. As the host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles, Tracy brings raw, insightful conversations that push entrepreneurs to embrace bold growth, develop strategic branding, and lead with unapologetic confidence. Her approach is refreshingly real—blending deep expertise with a passion for authenticity, creative excellence, and business success. Connect with Tracy Fryer: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok The Real Biz Life Chronicles Instagram The Real Biz Life Chronicles Facebook The Real Biz Life Chronicles Spotify Book Your Free Brand Discovery Is there a topic you’d love us to chat about? Send us a DM on any platform above, and we’ll make it happen!...

    1h 34m
  7. #126 Meal Prep, Masculinity, and Meaning with Jayson Smith

    12/18/2025

    #126 Meal Prep, Masculinity, and Meaning with Jayson Smith

    Send us a text What happens when the pursuit of becoming a better man intersects with food, faith, and genuine service? Jayson Smith stepped into my studio and didn’t hold back. He’s Perth’s most trusted Personal House Chef, but what struck me most wasn’t his culinary skill. It was the depth. The honesty. The inner work he’s done that reshaped his life, his marriage, his fatherhood, and his business. Jayson has cooked all over the world, from cruise ships to island resorts, but today his mission is far more intimate. He helps families slow down, reconnect, and feel cared for… one meal at a time. And behind that service is a story of breakdown, rebuilding, and the moment he heard a voice say, “You’re not done yet.” This episode is about the heart behind the hustle. Masculinity with integrity. Purpose you can feel. And why the food we choose is a direct reflection of how seriously we take ourselves. If you’re craving clarity, connection, or even just a better way to feed yourself in the chaos of business and family life, this one’s for you. Mentioned In This Episode (13:45) Earning trust when you work inside people’s homes (17:14) Healing, faith, and the “you’re not done yet” moment (26:17) Life on cruise ships, island resorts, and what hospitality teaches you (33:52) How a childhood memory shaped his relationship with food (37:36) Nutrition, respect, and why the food you eat reflects how you see yourself (43:27) The biggest mistake people make in their kitchen (47:27) How Jayson is using tech to transform his business (54:08) The simple carbonara he swears by (1:00:47) Fatherhood, ego, and becoming a better man About Jayson Smith Jayson is the founder of The Personal House Chef, a bespoke in-home meal prep and private chef service trusted by busy families, professionals, and elite athletes across Perth. With over 20 years of international culinary experience, he brings restaurant-level quality into everyday homes, serving not just food, but relief, structure, and care. Connect: personalchefperth.com.au | LinkedIn Official Sponsor: https://cuppacartel.com/ Season 2 Gift: https://designstudioperth.com.au/brand-discovery About Tracy: Tracy Fryer is a branding powerhouse, speaker, and founder of Design Studio Perth and Trace Designs Bespoke. She’s dedicated to helping business owners and creatives build brands that truly reflect their values, passions, and long-term vision. As the host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles, Tracy brings raw, insightful conversations that push entrepreneurs to embrace bold growth, develop strategic branding, and lead with unapologetic confidence. Her approach is refreshingly real—blending deep expertise with a passion for authenticity, creative excellence, and business success. Connect with Tracy Fryer: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok The Real Biz Life Chronicles Instagram The Real Biz Life Chronicles Facebook The Real Biz Life Chronicles Spotify Book Your Free Brand Discovery Is there a topic you’d love us to chat about? Send us a DM on any platform above, and we’ll make it happen!...

    1h 6m
  8. #125 Why Your Dental Ritual Is Wrong & What Actually Works with Dr Nerma Tulic

    12/11/2025

    #125 Why Your Dental Ritual Is Wrong & What Actually Works with Dr Nerma Tulic

    Send us a text What if the way you’ve been looking after your teeth is the very thing holding your smile back? I sat down with Dr Nerma Tulic, one of Perth’s most trusted cosmetic dentists and the founder of Beam Theory, to unpack the habits, misconceptions and quick-fix trends that keep so many people stuck. What she shared made me rethink my entire dental routine. Nerma has spent more than a decade transforming smiles and restoring confidence. Warm, composed and deeply committed to patient care, she’s the kind of dentist who remembers you’re a human being first. And when patients kept asking how she kept her own teeth so white, she created a science-led solution instead of offering shortcuts, Beam Theory was born from that intention. In this episode, we explore enamel health, whitening myths, the emotional side of dentistry and why preventative care should always come before aesthetics. These are the conversations that rarely happen in the chair, but matter more than we think. If you’re building confidence, refining your routines or simply want a healthier, brighter smile, this one’s for you. 🕜Mentioned In This Episode: 05:40 - The truth about fast-fix whitening 08:05 - The science behind Beam Theory 12:20 - Enamel health vs cosmetic whiteness 17:14 - Daily rituals that genuinely protect your teeth 20:49 - Balancing motherhood, dentistry and building a brand 27:30 - Botox, bruxism and functional dentistry 👩‍⚕️About Dr Nerma Tulic: Dr Nerma Tulic is a cosmetic dentist at Wellington Village Dental, known for her warm, people-first approach and her precision in smile transformation. She is the founder of Beam Theory, a next-generation teeth-whitening system designed to strengthen enamel first and whiten second. 🔗Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok ☕Official Sponsor: www.cuppacartel.com 🎁Season 2 Gift: https://designstudioperth.com.au/brand-discovery About Tracy: Tracy Fryer is a branding powerhouse, speaker, and founder of Design Studio Perth and Trace Designs Bespoke. She’s dedicated to helping business owners and creatives build brands that truly reflect their values, passions, and long-term vision. As the host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles, Tracy brings raw, insightful conversations that push entrepreneurs to embrace bold growth, develop strategic branding, and lead with unapologetic confidence. Her approach is refreshingly real—blending deep expertise with a passion for authenticity, creative excellence, and business success. Connect with Tracy Fryer: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok The Real Biz Life Chronicles Instagram The Real Biz Life Chronicles Facebook The Real Biz Life Chronicles Spotify Book Your Free Brand Discovery Is there a topic you’d love us to chat about? Send us a DM on any platform above, and we’ll make it happen!...

    55 min

About

Unedited stories of Business, Branding and Life. Banish boring as Tracy Fryer and her guests take a ride on the rollercoaster of being a business owner - or of simply being human! Get ready to learn exactly what it takes to grow with distinction and show mediocrity the middle finger. In this podcast Tracy interview’s authentic business owners, who share their story of building a successful business, their strategies behind their success and leading the way.  RAW. Honest. Unedited.