Beyond Growth with Reyan Fernando

Reyan Fernando
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

Leadership lessons from business, life, and the journey within. Beyond Growth with Reyan Fernando is a podcast for leaders navigating the real work of business and personal growth. Hosted by Reyan Fernando, a business leader and coach, this show goes behind the scenes to explore what it truly takes to align a team, scale a business, and build something that lasts. Subscribe and join the journey beyond growth.

  1. Aug 11

    AI Can’t Do This: Why Local Radio is Winning In a Digital Age with Rachel Patterson

    In an era of AI, digital saturation and endless content, why is local radio still thriving? Reyan Fernando sits down with Rachel Patterson, General Manager of Geelong Broadcasters (K Rock & Bay 93.9), to explore the enduring power of localism and what makes radio so difficult to replicate. From her journey across 25 radio stations to her “listening-led” leadership style, Rachel shares what she’s learned about building genuine connections with audiences, teams and communities. Together, they unpack the “magic bundle” of radio, from real-time human connection and local relevance to authenticity, personality and community. In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and artificial content, this conversation explores why the human touch might just be the ultimate competitive advantage. This episode was proudly brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠ISO365 - ISO Compliance⁠⁠⁠, as a Service. You can connect with ⁠Reyan Fernando⁠ via ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠ or by heading to ⁠⁠⁠www.reyanfernando.com.au

    AI Can’t Do This: Why Local Radio is Winning In a Digital Age with Rachel Patterson

  2. Jul 28

    From Detective to Purpose: Dale Smith's Scaada Story

    After 21 years as a police detective, Dale Smith made a life-changing decision to walk away and build Scaada, an environmental solutions business driven by people, planet, and community. In this conversation, Dale shares the personal transformation behind the business. He reflects on letting go of an ego-driven leadership style, navigating ADHD, and learning that true leadership comes through collaboration, trust, and empowering others. We also explore how Scaada has built a culture that hires for character, develops leaders from within, and tackles some of Australia's toughest environmental challenges, from disaster response to water conservation. This is an honest conversation about leadership, personal growth, and building a business that creates a lasting impact. This episode was proudly brought to you by ⁠⁠ISO365 - ISO Compliance⁠⁠, as a Service. You can connect with Reyan Fernando via ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠ or by heading to ⁠⁠www.reyanfernando.com.au

    From Detective to Purpose: Dale Smith's Scaada Story

  3. Jul 14

    Mentorship, AI, and the Art of Family Business with Bill Winter and Mark Edmonds

    Join Reyan Fernando for a deep dive into the professional lives of Bill Winter and Mark Edmonds, two seasoned business leaders with decades of experience across family business consulting, corporate retail, and board governance. In this episode, we explore: The "Sliding Door" Moments: How pivotal decisions shaped their careers and led them to where they are today. Family Business Dynamics: Practical strategies for corporatizing family firms without losing their unique culture, and the importance of formal governance. The Power of Mentorship: Why lived experience beats theory, and how to find the right guidance. Tech & The Future: How they are leveraging AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to drive productivity while maintaining the essential value of face-to-face connection. The "True Business Stories" Journey: A look behind the scenes of their own podcasting venture and their mission to uncover the hidden stories of the Geelong business community. Whether you are navigating succession planning, looking to join a board, or simply seeking wisdom on leadership and giving back, this conversation offers a masterclass in staying engaged, curious, and forward-thinking at every stage of life. This episode was proudly brought to you by ⁠ISO365 - ISO Compliance⁠, as a Service. You can connect with Reyan Fernando via ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠ or by heading to ⁠www.reyanfernando.com.au

    Mentorship, AI, and the Art of Family Business with Bill Winter and Mark Edmonds

  4. Jun 30

    The Human Side of Tech: Building Trust in an AI-Driven World with Tristan Ellett

    "Technology is the great enabler, but trust is the foundation." In this episode, host Reyan Fernando sits down with Tristan Ellett, founder of Bigfish Technology, to unpack the rapidly evolving world of IT. From the early days of dial-up to the current AI arms race, Tristan shares his journey of building a business that prioritizes people over pixels. They dive into: The "Level Up" Philosophy: Why growth isn't just an option—it's a necessity for survival in a digital-first world. The Trust Factor: Why the best IT partnerships are built on human connection, not just technical specifications. Navigating the AI Era: How to balance innovation with governance, security, and the critical human element. Core Values in Action: How defining what you stand for—from being "Hardwired to Help" to "Progress with Purpose"—can transform your company culture and client relationships. Whether you're a business owner navigating IT complexity or a leader looking to scale, this conversation offers a roadmap for staying relevant, secure, and human in an increasingly digitized landscape. This episode was proudly brought to you by ISO365 - ISO Compliance, as a Service. You can connect with Reyan Fernando via ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠ or by heading to www.reyanfernando.com.au

    The Human Side of Tech: Building Trust in an AI-Driven World with Tristan Ellett

  5. Jun 16

    Stop Competing. Start Partnering. Ryan Toppin's Blueprint for Growth

    What if the biggest opportunity for growth isn't beating your competitors, but working alongside them? In this episode, Reyan Fernando sits down with Ryan Toppin, Founder of The Toppin Group, COO of Evolved Ecosystem, Co-Founder Auto Fetch and Melbourne host of Founders Live, to explore why strategic partnerships are becoming one of the greatest competitive advantages in business. Ryan shares the mindset that has shaped his entrepreneurial journey, from sport and retail to finance, fintech and AI, explaining why an obsession with customer experience has been the common thread behind every venture he's built. Together, they dive into the impact AI and automation are having on modern businesses, why leaders need to embrace change rather than fear it, and how collaboration consistently outperforms a scarcity mindset. Ryan also unpacks the importance of aligning sales and marketing, solving real customer problems and using long-form content to build trust and create meaningful business relationships. Whether you're a founder, business owner or business leader, this conversation is packed with practical insights on innovation, leadership and building a business that's ready for what's next. In this episode you'll learn: • Why partnerships create more opportunities than competition• How AI is reshaping the future of business• The importance of becoming obsessed with the customer experience• Why sales and marketing must work together• How long-form content is changing networking and trust-building• The leadership lessons Ryan has learned across multiple industries If you're looking for practical ideas to grow your business in an AI-driven world, this is an episode you won't want to miss. You can connect with Reyan Fernando via ⁠ LinkedIn or his website. This episode was proudly brought to you by ISO365 - ISO Compliance, as a Service.

    Stop Competing. Start Partnering. Ryan Toppin's Blueprint for Growth

  6. Jun 2

    Mark Neeld: Building Geelong's Sporting Future | Leadership, Geelong United & the Rise of the Venom

    In this episode, Reyan Fernando sits down with Mark Neeld, CEO of Geelong United Basketball, to explore a remarkable leadership journey spanning elite AFL, high-performance sport, and community impact. From his years as a player, coach, and football executive to leading one of Australia's fastest-growing basketball organisations, Mark shares what it takes to build winning cultures, develop great people, and create a lasting sporting legacy. Mark takes us behind the scenes of launching the Geelong Venom WNBL team in just three months, a bold undertaking that required vision, community support, and relentless execution. He discusses the challenges of building a professional sporting club from scratch, the importance of increasing female participation in sport, and why creating pathways for women and girls remains a key focus. The conversation also explores leadership under pressure, lessons learned from his time at the Melbourne Demons, managing public scrutiny, and maintaining a high-performance mindset while staying connected to the community. Whether you're a business leader, sports fan, coach, or entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable insights into resilience, culture, leadership, and the power of bringing a community together around a shared vision. Topics covered:• Building high-performance cultures• Launching the Geelong Venom WNBL team• Leadership lessons from AFL and basketball• Community ownership and engagement in sport• Developing female participation and coaching pathways• Managing pressure, setbacks, and public scrutiny• The future of sport in Geelong A fascinating conversation with one of Geelong's most influential sporting leaders. You can connect with Reyan Fernando via ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ or his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was proudly brought to you by⁠⁠ ISO365 - ISO Compliance, as a Service.

    Mark Neeld: Building Geelong's Sporting Future | Leadership, Geelong United & the Rise of the Venom

  7. May 19

    Kate Darby: Rewriting the AFLW Playbook - Grit, Motherhood, and Legacy

    Dive into the extraordinary story of Kate Darby, an AFLW pioneer who defied expectations and reshaped the game. From her childhood dream of playing footy to her late-career debut at 27, Kate shares the grit and determination that defined her path. Discover how a life-changing encounter with a young fan ignited her passion for community work, and hear the powerful account of her return to elite sport after becoming a mother – a journey that not only led to her best season but also inspired significant policy changes within the AFLW. Now coaching the next generation, Kate's legacy is one of unwavering spirit, profound impact, and continuously rewriting the playbook for what's possible. Get in touch with Kate at Kate Darby Talks You can connect with Reyan Fernando via ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ or his ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠. This episode was proudly brought to you by⁠ ISO365 - ISO Compliance, as a Service.

    Kate Darby: Rewriting the AFLW Playbook - Grit, Motherhood, and Legacy

  8. May 5

    Hyper-Growth & Hustle: Tom Simic on Building Australia's Biggest CFO Advisory

    Join Reyan Fernando for an inspiring chat with Tom Simic, founder of Simic Financial, as he reveals his ambitious plan to become Australia's largest virtual CFO advisory. Discover the incredible discipline behind his success, from earning six university degrees before 30 to being named "Young CA of the Year." In this episode, Tom unpacks: His "make friends, not sales" networking philosophy that fuels massive referrals. How Simic Financial helps businesses avoid the "idiot tax" by providing strategic financial guidance beyond traditional accounting. The power of "lock-in" periods and digital minimalism for hyper-focused growth. His vision for revitalising the Geelong entrepreneurial community. A sneak peek into his upcoming ebook: "The CFO blueprint for scaling to fifty million." If you're a business owner looking to scale, optimize profits, or simply be inspired by relentless ambition, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in to learn how Tom is redefining financial advisory and building an empire, one strategic move at a time. You can connect with Reyan Fernando via ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠ or his ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠. This episode was proudly brought to you by ISO365 - ISO Compliance, as a Service.

    Hyper-Growth & Hustle: Tom Simic on Building Australia's Biggest CFO Advisory
See All (31)

About

Leadership lessons from business, life, and the journey within. Beyond Growth with Reyan Fernando is a podcast for leaders navigating the real work of business and personal growth. Hosted by Reyan Fernando, a business leader and coach, this show goes behind the scenes to explore what it truly takes to align a team, scale a business, and build something that lasts. Subscribe and join the journey beyond growth.

Information