Two Blokes One Business

Harvey Rivers & Adam Powell

Two Blokes One Business is a weekly business podcast for entrepreneurs, founders, recruiters, and aspiring business owners who want real lessons on starting, growing, and scaling a business.Hosted by Harvey Rivers and Adam Powell, two ex-professional footballers who built HARWELL., a specialist recruitment agency that generated $1.25M in year one, $6M in year two, and ranked #5 on the Australian Financial Review's Top 100 Fast Starters. Every episode digs into what it actually takes to build, lead, and grow a company - including the decisions that paid off, the ones that didn't, and everything in between.In solo episodes, Harvey and Adam break down the lessons, mistakes, and strategies they wish someone had told them three years ago when they were starting out. In guest episodes, they sit down for candid conversations with Australia's top entrepreneurs, leaders, and world-class performance experts - to unpack what actually drives success in business and life.If you want practical insights on building a business, scaling a company, and making smarter moves as an entrepreneur, this is the podcast for you.New episodes published every week - subscribe now to level up your business journeyConnect with the Harwell. team: https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness https://www.harwell.au/

  1. 1d ago

    The True Cost of Staying in a "Safe" Job (Nobody Calculates This)

    What if quitting your job or starting a business isn’t as risky as you think it is… and instead, what if the real risk is doing nothing? Most people spend their lives calculating the cost of taking action. But almost nobody calculates the cost of staying exactly where they are. If you're feeling stuck in a comfortable career, trapped by the "golden handcuffs," or constantly wondering whether you should start a business, change careers, or finally take that leap - in this episode we’re sharing one of the biggest mindset shifts that separates entrepreneurs from everyone else: The cost of inaction. We explore why playing it safe can actually be the biggest risk you'll ever take, how fear keeps professionals trapped in careers they no longer love, and why building a business goes deeper than money. Along the way, we also share some personal stories, discuss the reality of entrepreneurship, career changes, mindset, wealth creation, and why taking calculated risks often leads to the greatest rewards. In this episode, you'll discover: 👉The staggering hidden cost of staying in a comfortable corporate career 👉The "Golden Handcuffs" trap keeping high performers stuck 👉Scarcity mindset vs abundance mindset (think this is too ‘woo-woo’? Think again) 👉How to overcome the fear and anxiety of starting a business 👉Rewire your brain! Why most successful entrepreneurs think differently 👉Career change advice for professionals 👉The importance of ownership, accountability, and self-awareness 👉The ONE thing that matters more than simply earning more money Key moments: 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:14 The heart test story 00:05:55 The proposal at the waterfall 00:09:05 The cost of doing nothing 00:13:25 Shane's business plan 00:17:00 The golden handcuffs trap 00:22:55 Walking away from pro football 00:27:40 The cost nobody adds up 00:31:05 Growth, identity, and fulfillment 00:40:30 Danny's career change story 00:44:30 The fears people won't admit 00:52:45 Is business really for everyone? - 👉Connect with us https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness https://www.linkedin.com/company/two-blokes-one-business-podcast - Adam Powell & Harvey Rivers are the founders of HARWELL.   HARWELL. are renowned in the recruiting space - specialising in finding top talent within the Construction, Accountancy & Finance & Labour Hire sectors. Along with eCommerce. Their award-winning concierge approach is helping companies attract exceptional talent to their team. 👉Want help finding exceptional talent for your business?  Get in touch with Adam, Harvey, and the team at HARWELL. https://www.harwellconsulting.com.au/

  2. Jul 7

    Brooke McIntosh: The Truth About Trauma, Purpose, And Running Around Australia

    Brooke McIntosh hit rock bottom, survived suicidal thoughts and a life-changing car accident, then turned her pain into purpose by running around Australia for mental health awareness. In this powerful conversation, Brooke shares the incredible journey that transformed her life. After a life-changing car accident forced her to confront the truth, Brooke committed to rebuilding herself from the inside out. Four years later, she ran around Australia to raise awareness for mental health, proving that healing comes from having the courage to face pain. This episode is a must-watch for anyone navigating burnout, trauma, or the relentless pressure of high performance. Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, or simply someone searching for purpose, Brooke's story offers practical wisdom, hope, and actionable strategies for creating lasting change. In this episode, you'll discover: 👉How Brooke overcame childhood trauma and suicidal thoughts 👉Why turning pain into purpose changes everything 👉The mindset shift from victim to victor 👉How vulnerability creates stronger leaders and deeper relationships 👉Why high performers often struggle silently 👉The daily habits that build mental resilience 👉Practical strategies for improving self-talk and confidence 👉Lessons learned from running around Australia for mental health 👉How to stop seeking validation from others Key moments: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:00 Turning pain to purpose 00:04:20 Rock bottom at 26 00:07:40 Hit by a truck 00:12:20 Life after hospital 00:17:20 Vulnerability is strength 00:24:40 Why run 1600km 00:29:00 Running around Australia 00:33:20 Conversations over kilometres 00:36:40 The widower's thank you 00:49:40 Mirror talk and discipline - Connect with Brooke McIntosh https://brookemcintosh.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/brookemcintosh__ - 👉Connect with us https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness https://www.linkedin.com/company/two-blokes-one-business-podcast - Adam Powell & Harvey Rivers are the founders of HARWELL.   HARWELL. are renowned in the recruiting space - specialising in finding top talent within the Construction, Accountancy & Finance & Labour Hire sectors. Along with eCommerce. Their award-winning concierge approach is helping companies attract exceptional talent to their team. 👉Want help finding exceptional talent for your business?  Get in touch with Adam, Harvey, and the team at HARWELL. https://www.harwellconsulting.com.au/

  3. Jun 30

    Inside The 5-Step Plan We’d Use To Quit A Job And Start A Business (Safely)

    Before you quit your job and start a business, you need a plan. We’re sharing how to leave your job and start a business without blowing up your life. We talk through the real transition from employee to entrepreneur, including what we got right, what we got wrong, and the  steps we’d take today - if we were leaving a stable job to build a business from scratch. This is for anyone stuck in a corporate career, working a high-paying job that no longer feels aligned, or wondering whether their current career path is actually taking them where they want to go. We cover how to make the leap safely, how to build momentum before you quit, how to use your current skills and network to create a business idea, and how to set your “leap number” before going all in. Tune in to hear about 👉 How to know if your current job is taking you toward the life you actually want 👉 How to start building a business while still working full-time 👉 The benefits and risks of turning a side hustle into a full-time business 👉 How to use your existing skills, knowledge, and network to reduce risk 👉 Why the best business idea may already be hidden inside your current career 👉 How much money you may need before quitting your job 👉 How to set your “leap number” before making the jump 👉 The mistakes we made when leaving employment and launching our own business 👉 How to transition from employee to business owner without unnecessary chaos 👉 Why starting a business with kids, a mortgage, or financial pressure is possible If you are asking yourself questions like “Should I quit my job?”, “How do I start a business?”, “How much money should I save before leaving my job?”, - this episode will give you a practical framework to think through the decision properly. Key moments: 00:00:00 Intro 00:08:50 The five-step exit plan 00:09:40 What we got right 00:13:40 The resignation disaster 00:19:40 Weigh life against values 00:23:10 Find your real why 00:30:40 Build on the side 00:37:20 Use what you know 00:41:40 Productise your IP 00:46:30 Set your leap number 00:49:20 Burn the boats 00:53:40 Why everyone wins by trying - 👉Connect with us https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness https://www.linkedin.com/company/two-blokes-one-business-podcast - Adam Powell & Harvey Rivers are the founders of HARWELL.   HARWELL. are renowned in the recruiting space - specialising in finding top talent within the Construction, Accountancy & Finance & Labour Hire sectors. Along with eCommerce. Their award-winning concierge approach is helping companies attract exceptional talent to their team. 👉Want help finding exceptional talent for your business?  Get in touch with Adam, Harvey, and the team at HARWELL. https://www.harwellconsulting.com.au/

  4. Jun 23

    Your Blood Tests Are “Normal”, So Why Do You Still Feel TERRIBLE? | Dr. Daniel Kirkbride

    Burnout, brain fog, poor sleep, low energy, and chronic fatigue should not just be “part of the grind” for founders and CEOs. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Daniel Kirkbride, founder of CYORA, to discover what it really takes for entrepreneurs, CEOs, founders, and high performers to optimise their health, avoid burnout, and unlock more energy, focus, and longevity. Dan shares how his own experience with chronic fatigue, burnout, and misdiagnosis led him to build a data-led health optimisation business designed for people who refuse to accept “normal.” Instead of chasing cookie-cutter wellness protocols, random supplements, or peptides - Dan explains why your health should be treated like your business. Tune in to hear about: 👉Why “normal” blood work does not always mean optimal health 👉How burnout and chronic fatigue can be mistaken for depression or low motivation 👉The problem with generic wellness advice and cookie-cutter protocols 👉The key tests Dan uses: DNA testing, stool testing, blood work, VO2 max, DEXA scans, and Oura Ring data 👉How alcohol impacts sleep, inflammation, brain fog, muscle growth, energy, and business performance 👉Why subtraction comes before addition when improving your health 👉The foundational habits that can take most people from low energy to high function 👉When peptides, supplements, and advanced biohacking tools actually make sense 👉How gut health affects focus, mental clarity, mood, and cognitive performance 👉Why CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs need more than average health standards Key moments: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:30 The 60% Founder Problem 00:04:10 Cookie-Cutter Slop 00:06:00 The Antidepressant Story 00:09:00 Hardware Versus Software 00:11:50 Dan's Burnout Origin 00:17:10 Stop Benchmarking Average 00:22:30 The Six Tests 00:29:30 The 30-Day Reset 00:34:00 Alcohol Compounds Down 00:43:30 Juice Cleanse Truth 00:49:30 Peptides Deep Dive 00:57:50 Retatrutide and GLP-1s 01:02:50 Side Effects Explained 01:07:10 Where To Find Dan - 👉Connect with Dr. Daniel Kirkbride https://cyora.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/dr.daniel.kirkbride - 👉Connect with us https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness https://www.linkedin.com/company/two-blokes-one-business-podcast - Adam Powell & Harvey Rivers are the founders of HARWELL.   HARWELL. are renowned in the recruiting space - specialising in finding top talent within the Construction, Accountancy & Finance & Labour Hire sectors. Along with eCommerce. Their award-winning concierge approach is helping companies attract exceptional talent to their team. 👉Want help finding exceptional talent for your business?  Get in touch with Adam, Harvey, and the team at HARWELL. https://www.harwellconsulting.com.au/

  5. Jun 16

    3 Phrases That’ll Get You To Finally Start That Business (And Win At Life)

    Three simple mindset phrases can change the way you handle self-doubt, fear, and the moments where life tests you. Most people lose the game in the small moments, not the big ones. The micro-decisions you make every day quietly push your life one way or the other. In this episode, we’re sharing three short phrases we now live by - and how each one rewires the way you think about fear, failure, and starting. In this episode, we cover: 👉Why fear of judgement stops people from posting, starting, and growing 👉One word that can completely change your self-talk 👉How to find the one reason to do something instead of obsessing over every reason not to 👉Why small mindset shifts compound into massive life changes 👉The simplest, easiest, and most effective way to build confidence (even when you don’t feel ready) 👉Lessons from building a fast-growing bootstrapped business 👉How to use simple phrases to stay resilient when life, work, or business gets hard Key moments: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:00 Man in the Arena 00:04:30 Pissing Off 80% 00:09:30 Three Life-Changing Phrases 00:12:00 When You're Eighty 00:14:00 5th Fastest Growing 00:17:10 Phrase One Yet 00:20:20 Optimist Versus Pessimist 00:25:00 A Million Reasons 00:28:10 Reasons Not To Start 00:34:30 The Train Analogy 00:37:40 Phrase Three Resilience 00:41:40 Microdecisions That Compound 00:44:00 Environment Beats Willpower 00:47:20 Controversial Media Tricks 00:50:20 AI Copy Truth If you've been sitting on the fence about starting a business or backing yourself in any way, this one will give you the language to push through. - 👉Connect with us https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness https://www.linkedin.com/company/two-blokes-one-business-podcast - Adam Powell & Harvey Rivers are the founders of HARWELL.   HARWELL. are renowned in the recruiting space - specialising in finding top talent within the Construction, Accountancy & Finance & Labour Hire sectors. Along with eCommerce. Their award-winning concierge approach is helping companies attract exceptional talent to their team. 👉Want help finding exceptional talent for your business?  Get in touch with Adam, Harvey, and the team at HARWELL. https://www.harwellconsulting.com.au/

  6. Jun 9

    The 3 Hidden Fears Behind Every "Successful" Man | Carlo Chincarini

    Many men in business, leadership, and high-performance environments use success as a mask. Sure, the money, status, discipline, and results look impressive from the outside. But underneath is people-pleasing, comparison, anxiety, and a self-worth problem that no achievement can fix. In this episode, we sit down with Carlo Chincarini (Aka The Kingmaker) to explore what it really means to build self-worth, confidence, and authentic masculine leadership from the inside out. This conversation goes deep into the hidden struggles many men face behind success: such as people-pleasing, approval-seeking, toxic shame, comparison, self-doubt, burnout, emotional suppression, and the pressure to always achieve more. Carlo shares his personal journey - from growing up in Italy without a biological father to struggling with self-worth and body confidence. Then, eventually, discovering the deeper work that now helps men break free from “nice guy syndrome” and become powerful, grounded leaders. In this episode, we cover: 👉The difference between real confidence and pretending to be confident 👉Why so many men outsource their self-worth to success, status, money, and results 👉How “nice guy syndrome” shows up in business, leadership, relationships, and life 👉The link between people-pleasing, approval-seeking, toxic shame, and fear of rejection 👉Why high performers often achieve more but still feel like they are not enough 👉How business becomes one of the greatest personal development journeys 👉Why masculine leadership requires vulnerability, self-awareness, and emotional honesty 👉How to stop comparing yourself to others and take your power back Key moments: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:20 Genuine king vs pretender 00:05:00 Starting business at 18 00:07:40 The mask leaders wear 00:15:00 Personal purpose beats business purpose 00:22:40 Breaking nice guy syndrome 00:26:00 Three fears that run men 00:35:20 What do you really want 00:47:00 Character over goals 00:51:40 The comparison trap 00:56:20 Put yourself first today 00:58:00 Confidence is self-trust - Connect with Carlo https://www.instagram.com/thekingmakercoaching/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlochincarini/ https://www.thekingmaker.com.au/  - 👉Connect with us https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness https://www.linkedin.com/company/two-blokes-one-business-podcast - Adam Powell & Harvey Rivers are the founders of HARWELL.   HARWELL. are renowned in the recruiting space - specialising in finding top talent within the Construction, Accountancy & Finance & Labour Hire sectors. Along with eCommerce. Their award-winning concierge approach is helping companies attract exceptional talent to their team. 👉Want help finding exceptional talent for your business?  Get in touch with Adam, Harvey, and the team at HARWELL. https://www.harwellconsulting.com.au/

  7. Jun 2

    The Boring Formula That Makes People Successful

    Success is not as complicated as people make it look. In this episode of Two Blokes One Business, Harvey and Adam unpack why becoming successful can actually be simple - but not always easy. From redefining success beyond money, mansions, and social media status… To talking about hustle culture, self-belief, and doing what you say you are going to do - this conversation gets into what success really looks like in business and life. If you are an entrepreneur, ambitious professional, or someone trying to create more freedom, purpose, and fulfillment, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear about: 👉Why success is often more boring than people think 👉The difference between being rich and being truly wealthy 👉How social media creates a false image of success 👉The quickest, easiest, and most effective way to build “self-trust” 👉The role of hustle culture in business and entrepreneurship 👉Why hard work is seasonal, not a permanent badge of honour 👉How adversity, trauma and setbacks can shape successful people 👉Why consistency, curiosity and obsession matter more than motivation 👉How to balance business, parenting, relationships and personal growth Key moments: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:10 Recording mishap 00:04:50 Aliens and remote viewing 00:08:30 Babies and business grow together 00:12:50 Success at 20 versus 30 00:15:30 Rich is loud wealth is quiet 00:19:30 Success is temporary 00:24:50 The hustle myth unpacked 00:30:50 Doing what you say 00:38:50 Five lessons for 20-year-olds 00:44:50 Trauma and success - 👉Connect with us https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness https://www.linkedin.com/company/two-blokes-one-business-podcast - Adam Powell & Harvey Rivers are the founders of HARWELL.   HARWELL. are renowned in the recruiting space - specialising in finding top talent within the Construction, Accountancy & Finance & Labour Hire sectors. Along with eCommerce. Their award-winning concierge approach is helping companies attract exceptional talent to their team. 👉Want help finding exceptional talent for your business?  Get in touch with Adam, Harvey, and the team at HARWELL. https://www.harwellconsulting.com.au/

  8. May 26

    How a High-Achieving Woman Survived Domestic Violence (And Now Helps Others) | Tiarny Strachan

    Tiarny Strachan was independent, ambitious, and successful - until a toxic relationship slowly stripped away her self-worth, safety, and identity. This episode exposes the hidden reality of domestic violence, coercive control, psychological abuse, and high-functioning trauma - while showing what it really takes to heal, rebuild, and turn pain into purpose. Tiarny opens up about the early signs she missed, the love bombing, the isolation, the psychological manipulation, the moment her life was nearly taken, and the long road of rebuilding herself afterwards. She also shares how that experience became the foundation for her purpose: helping women move out of survival mode, reconnect with themselves, and step back into their power. Tune in to hear about: 👉How toxic relationships slowly break down your identity 👉Why high achievers can still lose themselves in the wrong environment 👉The early warning signs of emotional abuse, coercive control, and love bombing 👉Why domestic violence is not always physical at the start 👉Why it’s so hard to leave an abusive or toxic relationship 👉The role of self-worth, self-forgiveness, and identity rebuilding in healing 👉How to support someone in a toxic relationship without judgment 👉The link between trauma, hyper-independence, business, motherhood, and relationships 👉How pain can become purpose when you choose to rebuild Key moments: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:20 How abuse really starts 00:05:20 Meth enters the picture 00:09:40 Held hostage begins 00:16:00 The death threat 00:19:40 Giving up to survive 00:24:20 He walks free 00:30:00 Watching the footage 00:35:40 Two lost years 00:45:40 Out of survival first 00:53:40 The boss bitch myth - 👉Connect with us https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness https://www.linkedin.com/company/two-blokes-one-business-podcast - Adam Powell & Harvey Rivers are the founders of HARWELL.   HARWELL. are renowned in the recruiting space - specialising in finding top talent within the Construction, Accountancy & Finance & Labour Hire sectors. Along with eCommerce. Their award-winning concierge approach is helping companies attract exceptional talent to their team. 👉Want help finding exceptional talent for your business?  Get in touch with Adam, Harvey, and the team at HARWELL. https://www.harwellconsulting.com.au/

About

Two Blokes One Business is a weekly business podcast for entrepreneurs, founders, recruiters, and aspiring business owners who want real lessons on starting, growing, and scaling a business.Hosted by Harvey Rivers and Adam Powell, two ex-professional footballers who built HARWELL., a specialist recruitment agency that generated $1.25M in year one, $6M in year two, and ranked #5 on the Australian Financial Review's Top 100 Fast Starters. Every episode digs into what it actually takes to build, lead, and grow a company - including the decisions that paid off, the ones that didn't, and everything in between.In solo episodes, Harvey and Adam break down the lessons, mistakes, and strategies they wish someone had told them three years ago when they were starting out. In guest episodes, they sit down for candid conversations with Australia's top entrepreneurs, leaders, and world-class performance experts - to unpack what actually drives success in business and life.If you want practical insights on building a business, scaling a company, and making smarter moves as an entrepreneur, this is the podcast for you.New episodes published every week - subscribe now to level up your business journeyConnect with the Harwell. team: https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness https://www.harwell.au/

You Might Also Like