Hearts & Mines

ivy & gecko
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

Not just another mining podcast... Hearts & Mines looks beyond share prices, production guidance, and the latest advances in mining technology. Instead, we explore the human side of the industry — showcasing the achievements, practices and insights of company directors and executives who are passionate about leadership, culture and improving the experience of people working in mining. Join us as we explore an often underrated, but critical, dimension of the resources industry. Our guests share personal stories, experiences and lessons that are rich in substance and offer insights into our own development as leaders and professionals. These are the stories of mining people who understand that leadership is ultimately about people — building trust, engaging stakeholders, creating healthy cultures and bringing out the best in those around them. Hosted by Stuart Chandler, Nathan Giglia, Alana Bray-White and David Beilby, Hearts & Mines brings together candid conversations, personal stories, and practical insights from some of the industry's most interesting leaders. If you have a story to tell and would like to join the conversation, we'd love to hear from you. Contact info@ivyandgecko.com.au to register your interest. Hearts & Mines is recorded at Podwave Studios in West Leederville. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in ’Hearts & Mines’ are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.

  1. 1h ago

    Attitude, Aptitude & Removing the Fear of Failure: Darryl Cuzzubbo's View on Leadership

    In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David is joined by Nathan Giglia to speak with Darryl Cuzzubbo, Managing Director and CEO of Arafura Rare Earths. A mechanical engineer by training, Darryl built his career at BHP and Orica, then led SolGold before taking the top job at Arafura, where he is delivering the Nolans Project, Australia's first ore to oxide rare earths operation.   This is a candid conversation about leadership, purpose and backing people over experience. Darryl explains why belief in the mission is the one non-negotiable for a leader, how a coal mining crew hired on attitude and aptitude built the safest underground coal mine in Australia, and why removing the fear of failure unlocks the best in people. He also shares how Arafura raised capital within days of being named in the US Critical Minerals Framework, what he learned from a CEO role that turned out to be the wrong fit, and why his best career advice is to double your capability every three years. A thoughtful, practical listen for anyone leading in resources.   Connect with: David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ ivy & gecko 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko   Timecodes: (00:00) Introduction (02:05) Early years and Italian heritage (09:40) Big company versus small company speed (13:25) Nolans and the central processing hub (16:40) Non-negotiable leadership qualities (18:30) Vulnerability and leading through a fatality (20:50) Learning from honest mistakes (23:50) Attitude and aptitude over experience (27:40) Australia's productivity and energy challenge (32:10) Employee value proposition and hiring for values (37:25) Board table versus executive table (40:50) The SolGold mistake (43:30) Removing the fear of failure (47:30) Getting graduates into mining (49:20) Quick fire questions   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines   Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios: https://podwavestudios.au/   Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.   #HeartsAndMines #ivyandgecko #ExecutiveSearch #MiningIndustry #MiningLeadership #AustralianMining #Resources #Podcast #RareEarths #CriticalMinerals #Arafura #NolansProject #Leadership #Recruitment #MiningCareers

  2. Oct 18

    Psychological Safety, Productivity & Succession: Sinead Kaufman’s View on Mining’s Next Decade

    In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David is joined by co-host Nathan Giglia to speak with Sinead Kaufman, non-executive director of South32 and Deep Yellow and former Chief Executive of Minerals at Rio Tinto. With more than 30 years across the global resources sector, Sinead led Rio Tinto's battery materials growth, including the Rincon and Arcadium lithium acquisitions, and is now building a second career in the boardroom. This is a warm, funny and thoughtful conversation about what leadership really means, how serving your team beats chasing authority, and why the pace and perspective of a board role differ from the executive table. Sinead also shares the story of the INSEAD scholarship that changed her career, why she believes people leave leaders and not businesses, and her view that productivity is the biggest challenge facing Australian mining. A genuinely open and good-humoured conversation, with plenty of Irish wit along the way. David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ ivy & gecko  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko Timecodes: (00:00) Introduction (02:45) Growing up in Ireland and Bahrain (06:10) Running, sewing and a weekend car (09:50) What leadership means (13:35) Executive versus board leadership (18:20) Director challenges and CEO transitions (21:40) Leading through VUCA conditions (24:30) Criticism, failure and INSEAD (31:40) Listening and winning hearts and minds (36:10) Why people stay, and workplace culture (40:50) Mining's productivity decline (43:15) The skills shortage and STEM (44:45) AI and productivity (47:20) What gives hope, and the risk ignored (53:40) Nelson Mandela and parting advice Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only. #HeartsAndMines #ivyandgecko #ExecutiveSearch #MiningIndustry #MiningLeadership #AustralianMining #Resources #Podcast #SineadKaufman #RioTinto #South32 #BoardLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #Productivity #INSEAD

  3. Oct 11

    Trust, Composure & Values Over Culture Fit: Steven Harvey's View on Leading in Mining

    In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David is joined by co-host Nathan Giglia to speak with Steven Harvey, Chief Operating Officer of Vault Minerals. With more than 40 years in the industry. Steven grew up in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, studied at the School of Mines, and now oversees operations at one of Australia's gold producers as Vault works through a proposed $12.6 billion merger with Genesis Minerals. This is a thoughtful, down to earth conversation about keeping operations focused through corporate change, why leadership can be learned, and why granting trust beats micromanaging. Steven also shares an early career lesson on the chain of command, why values matter more than culture fit, and a warning that high gold prices can disguise poor execution. A practical and candid conversation for anyone leading people in mining.   David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ ivy & gecko 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko   Timecodes: (00:00) Introduction (00:15) Leading Vault through the Genesis merger (03:10) Growing up in Kalgoorlie and the School of Mines (09:25) Climbing the smelter stack and woodworking (12:10) What makes an exceptional leader (17:45) Mentoring and training your replacement (19:25) Granting trust instead of micromanaging (23:15) The chain of command lesson (25:25) Attracting talent to a mid-sized miner (31:45) Engagement, fairness and being seen on site (38:20) Hiring for values over culture fit (44:55) The people shortage in mining (48:05) Why high gold prices can hide poor execution (53:50) Using AI in mining (01:01:30) Rapid fire questions   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/   Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.   #HeartsAndMines #ivyandgecko #ExecutiveSearch #MiningIndustry #MiningLeadership #Leadership #Recruitment #BoutiqueFirm #WorkplaceCulture #CareerAdvice #Vulnerability #TeamCulture #AustralianMining #Resources #Podcast

  4. Oct 4

    Back Yourself, Back Your Team & Build the Culture: Nick Anderson's View on Mining Leadership

    In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David is joined by co-host Nathan Giglia to speak with Nick Anderson, Managing Director and CEO of ASX-listed gold explorer Golden Horse Minerals and board member of Green 360 Technologies. Raised on a cattle farm in Tumbarumba at the foot of the Snowy Mountains, Nick trained as a chemical engineer, moved through mineral processing and banking, and now leads a company built from 20 separate transactions across 1,800 square kilometres of WA's Southern Cross region.   This is a fun conversation about leading without micromanaging, why constructive conflict and psychological safety lead to better decisions, and what changes when you move from the executive suite to the boardroom. Nick also shares the leadership failure that taught him when to step in, the mentor advice "stop telling me why it won't work and tell me how to make it happen", and why attracting more women into STEM roles is the industry's easiest win on the people shortage. A refreshingly down-to-earth conversation with one of the junior gold sector's most distinctive leaders, horse puns included. David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ ivy & gecko 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko Timecodes: (00:00) Introduction (00:45) Welcome and the Year of the Horse (01:45) Growing up in Tumbarumba and boarding school in Sydney (04:15) From chemical engineering to mining, finance and banking (05:45) Golden Horse Minerals, Hopes Hill and the gold plant boom (08:05) Empowering people and avoiding micromanagement (11:25) Surrounding yourself with the right people and constructive conflict (14:30) Transitioning from executive to board member (15:55) Leading through uncertainty and the best advice he received (17:35) A leadership failure and the lesson learned (19:10) Golden Horse's value proposition and workplace culture (22:00) The people challenge and women in mining (23:50) AI, horse puns and takeover readiness (26:05) David's most memorable guests (30:35) Rapid fire questions Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only. #HeartsAndMines #ivyandgecko #ExecutiveSearch #MiningIndustry #MiningLeadership #Leadership #Recruitment #BoutiqueFirm #WorkplaceCulture #CareerAdvice #Vulnerability #TeamCulture #AustralianMining #Resources #Podcast

  5. Sep 30

    Old Friends, Honest Stories & 50 Conversations: David and Stuart's View on Hearts & Mines

    In this special mini episode of Hearts & Mines, the tables are turned as David is interviewed by his longtime friend and colleague Stuart Chandler, Senior Client Partner at ivy & gecko. Having worked together for more than 20 years across executive search, the pair reflect on why David and Alana Bray-White, ivy & gecko’s Managing Director, started the podcast, why vulnerability sits at the heart of every conversation, and what sets Hearts & Mines apart from more technical mining podcasts. David then turns the questions back on Stuart, exploring what makes a candidate truly memorable, why strong executives can struggle when a company's growth phase doesn't match their experience, the people who have shaped his career, and the lessons from Patrick Lencioni's Getting Naked. The conversation also looks ahead to ivy & gecko's future as a boutique firm, the upcoming magazine celebrating 50 Hearts & Mines conversations, and Stuart's plans to launch a podcast of his own. A warm and genuine conversation between two old friends who clearly enjoy working together. David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ ivy & gecko 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko Timecodes: (00:00) Why David Started Hearts & Mines (02:05) Vulnerability and Leadership Stories (03:20) Stuart's Path Into Executive Search (04:30) What Drew Stuart to ivy & gecko (05:55) What Makes a Candidate Memorable (06:50) When Good Candidates Fail (08:00) The Advantage of a Boutique Firm (09:15) People Who Shaped Stuart's Career (10:35) Running, Hiking and Recharging (11:15) What's on Stuart's Bedside Table (12:40) The Future of ivy & gecko (14:35) Making a Remote Team Work (16:00) Celebrating 50 Conversations (17:20) Stuart's Podcast Plans   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only. #HeartsAndMines #ivyandgecko #ExecutiveSearch #MiningIndustry #MiningLeadership #Leadership #Recruitment #BoutiqueFirm #WorkplaceCulture #CareerAdvice #Vulnerability #TeamCulture #AustralianMining #Resources #Podcast

  6. Sep 28

    The Leadership Skills Mining Executives Miss with Dominic Piper

    In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David is joined by first-time co-host Nathan Giglia to speak with Dominic Piper, editor of Australia's Paydirt and Gold Mining Journal. A multi-award winning journalist with more than two decades covering the international resources sector, Dominic has built his reputation on the junior and mid-tier end of the market, writing without fear or favour and travelling to the places most people would never put on an itinerary.   This is a rare look at the industry from the other side of the microphone. Dominic talks about growing up working class in the northeast of England, the screenplays he has been quietly writing for years, and why the junior sector runs almost entirely on force of personality. He is candid on the Peter Principle in mining, why brilliant geologists are so often set up to fail as leaders, the two decisions he got wrong and what they taught him, and why permitting gridlock is really a problem created by the majors. Along the way there are Kalashnikovs at a West African border post, a warning about what happens when a company elevates itself onto a new share register, and a thoughtful case for why the breakdown of community is the biggest risk the world is ignoring.   David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ ivy & gecko 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko   Timecodes: (00:00) Intro (00:40) Meet Dominic Piper, multi-award winning mining journalist (03:45) Africa Down Under, from 60 delegates to 1,400 (05:50) Darlington to Perth, and wanting to be a journalist at nine (10:25) The secret screenplays and the characters of the junior sector (16:00) Clarity of purpose when you control none of the variables (18:25) The Peter Principle, good geologists and unprepared leaders (21:35) Leading through COVID by stripping back to fundamentals (26:25) Two failures, the gold conference and a personnel call (29:15) Hiring for a unicorn or a dinosaur (32:30) Kalashnikovs, bribes and border posts in West Africa (34:35) Culture in a small team, and attracting people to mining (39:25) Permitting, the majors and mining's chance to be the good guys (44:00) M&A, Northern Star and the Elliott effect (47:40) Rapid fire, hope, community and the leader he'd most like to meet   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only. #HeartsAndMines #MiningPodcast #DominicPiper #Paydirt #GoldMiningJournal #AfricaDownUnder #MiningLeadership #JuniorMining #WesternAustralia #ResourcesSector #MiningNews #MiningIndustry #Leadership #NorthernStar #MiningJournalism

  7. Sep 20

    Identity, Trust & Authenticity: Julissa Shrewsbury's View on Mining Leadership

    In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David sits down with Julissa Shrewsbury, founder and managing director of New Work Consulting, to explore a side of mining leadership that rarely gets airtime: identity. Julissa helps leaders and organisations close the gap between the brand a business claims and the way its people actually show up, and she works closely with the resources sector.   This is a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about what leadership brand really means, why so many technically brilliant mining leaders struggle with the human side of the role, how AI slop is quietly eroding trust, and why the leaders of the future will need to be, in Julissa's words, demonstrably human. A warm and insightful discussion about authenticity, self-awareness, and the power of showing people what they are truly capable of.   David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ ivy & gecko 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko   Timecodes: (00:00) Cold open: identity, AI and leadership (00:42) Meet Julissa Shrewsbury and New Work Consulting (01:50) Argentina, Portugal and a family built on migration (05:55) The teacher who first reflected on her potential.  (08:00) Why an outsider was drawn to mining leaders (10:20) The technocrat's leap into leadership and the role of trust (12:40) What leadership brand actually means (15:25) Coaching leaders to be authentic but responsive (18:20) Winning over sceptical teams and developing the whole person (23:00) Executive versus board: two professional identities (27:05) Mining's image problem and individual reputation (29:30) AI slop, the sea of sameness and eroding trust (33:40) Building leadership identity in the next generation (36:30) Julissa turns the tables on David (41:10) Rapid-fire: hope, risk and advice to a 20-year-old self   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only. #HeartsAndMines #MattAllen #AndeanSilver #CerroBayo #SilverMining #MiningLeadership #JuniorMiners #ASXMining #ChileMining #ResourcesSector #MiningCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #AIinMining #PerthPodcast #MiningPodcast #CriticalMinerals

  8. Sep 13

    People, Progress & Not Confusing Speed: Matthew Allen's View on Mining Culture

    In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David is joined by Matthew Allen. A self-described "reformed oil and gas guy" and accountant by training, Matthew has spent his career deliberately stepping out of big-company comfort and into junior explorers and developers across oil and gas, rare earths, lithium and now silver, working on every continent along the way. He currently leads the restart of the historic Cerro Bayo silver-gold mine in southern Chile. This is a candid conversation about what genuine leadership looks like in small companies where there are no egos and everyone has to row in the same direction. Matthew and David explore why failure is the best teacher, why humility and authenticity matter more than authority, the challenge of selling mining as a career to the next generation, operating responsibly in remote South American communities, and where AI is genuinely reshaping how a small-cap miner works. A warm, generous and thoughtful discussion from a leader who has never been afraid to take on a challenge. David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ ivy & gecko 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko   Timecodes: (00:00) Cold open & preview (00:45) Introducing Matthew Allen, MD & CEO of Andean Silver (01:50) Country NSW childhood, cadets and a fighter-pilot dream (05:05) Rugby league, sports management and lessons for listed companies (07:00) Resilience, learning to fail, and the $27M dry hole (09:25) Tracing family history back to 1066 and Gallipoli (11:55) Family life, and raising a creative, dyslexic daughter (14:30) What effective leadership really takes: vision, execution and people (19:00) Culture "complement" over culture "fit", humility and small teams (22:50) Andean Silver and restarting the Cerro Bayo mine in Chile (27:30) Chilean workforce laws, diversity and social licence (33:50) Asking the right question, and the legacy of Sir Charles Court (38:35) Selling mining as a career and fixing it through education (42:00) AI as a productivity tool and the silver supply deficit (49:55) Decision-making: the call to sell Otto Energy's only producing asset (52:55) Rapid-fire round and advice to his 25-year-old self   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only. #HeartsAndMines #MattAllen #AndeanSilver #CerroBayo #SilverMining #MiningLeadership #JuniorMiners #ASXMining #ChileMining #ResourcesSector #MiningCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #AIinMining #PerthPodcast #MiningPodcast #CriticalMinerals

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Trailer

About

Not just another mining podcast... Hearts & Mines looks beyond share prices, production guidance, and the latest advances in mining technology. Instead, we explore the human side of the industry — showcasing the achievements, practices and insights of company directors and executives who are passionate about leadership, culture and improving the experience of people working in mining. Join us as we explore an often underrated, but critical, dimension of the resources industry. Our guests share personal stories, experiences and lessons that are rich in substance and offer insights into our own development as leaders and professionals. These are the stories of mining people who understand that leadership is ultimately about people — building trust, engaging stakeholders, creating healthy cultures and bringing out the best in those around them. Hosted by Stuart Chandler, Nathan Giglia, Alana Bray-White and David Beilby, Hearts & Mines brings together candid conversations, personal stories, and practical insights from some of the industry's most interesting leaders. If you have a story to tell and would like to join the conversation, we'd love to hear from you. Contact info@ivyandgecko.com.au to register your interest. Hearts & Mines is recorded at Podwave Studios in West Leederville. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in ’Hearts & Mines’ are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.

Information

  • Creator
    ivy & gecko
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Hearts & Mines

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