Your Next Step with Mahdieh Rassafiani

Mahdieh Rassafiani
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Honest conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers daring to do things differently.

  1. Aug 2

    Ep 12: The Psychologist Who Forgot How to Cope || Ben Jepsen

    Everyone knows the coping strategies. Ben Jepsen spent 6 years studying them, then forgot every single one when he burnt out. He's an organisational psychologist who completed 6 years of psychology training, hit a wall he didn't see coming, and only realised he was burnt out a month later when someone told him. Out of that funk came Blue Friend, a mental health card deck that started as a shoebox of fidget toys and resilience cards he made for himself, and has since reached 250+ people through workshops. In this episode Ben (founder of Blue Friend) and I talk about why we forget the things that make us feel better right when we need them most, the science of labelling your emotions to calm your nervous system, why "impact over profit" kept him moving when charging for wellbeing felt wrong, and what it took to come back after quitting for two months. This one is for anyone sitting in the middle ground of languishing, struggling to put themselves out there, or holding an idea they're too burnt out or scared to start. This episode discusses burnout and mental health. If you're struggling, support is available - please reach out to someone you trust or a professional service in your area. WHAT WE COVER: Why we forget our coping strategies exactly when we need them most.The signs of burnout most people miss until it's too late.How labelling your emotions sends a calming signal to your brain.Box breathing and why the long exhale relaxes your nervous system."Impact over profit" and the discomfort of charging for wellbeing.How to filter advice when everyone has an opinion (the Brené Brown Venn diagram).Why courage comes before confidence, not the other way around.Quitting for two months and what pulled him back.Building a "cookie jar of wins" so you don't forget your own progress.Why the smartest first step is self-compassion, not action.TIMESTAMPS  [00:00] — Subscribe + welcome  [00:37] — Who is Ben and what is Blue Friend  [01:30] — Not realising he was burning out and the signs he missed  [03:37] — Languishing: the word he learned in COVID for the middle ground  [04:02] — What the people around him couldn't see  [05:52] — The shoebox that became a mental health card deck  [07:52] — Flicking through the deck and why reminders matter  [09:58] — The science: why the brain deletes our coping strategies  [10:47] — Normalising the struggle and labelling your emotions  [14:09] — The unglamorous side of turning a passion project into a business  [16:16] — Reframing money: people investing in themselves  [19:18] — Quitting for two months and what brought him back  [22:28] — Walking through the deck: affirmation, grounding and action cards  [26:47] — Box breathing live, and the seven-second version  [34:40] — Why psychology, and the 13-year-old who knew  [37:38] — How to filter advice when everyone has an opinion  [41:39] — Courage before confidence and putting yourself out there  [44:45] — Building a founder toolkit and adapting from user feedback  [49:47] — Grit, taking breaks, and why your baseline never resets  [52:34] — What he'd say to anyone too burnt out or scared to start CONNECT WITH BEN JEPSEN INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/bluefriendben/ LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-jepsen/ INFORMATION ON BLUE FRIEND WEBSITE — https://www.bluefriend.com.au/ INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/bluefriendau/ LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/company/bluefriend/ CONNECT WITH MAHDIEH INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/mahdieh.rassafiani/ LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahdieh-rassafiani-97611a185/ FOLLOW YOUR NEXT STEP PODCAST INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/yournextstep.pod/ TIKTOK — https://www.tiktok.com/@yournextstep.pod YOUTUBE — https://www.youtube.com/@yournextsteppodcast

    Ep 12: The Psychologist Who Forgot How to Cope || Ben Jepsen

  2. Jul 15

    Ep 11: The Finance Expert: Most People Shouldn't Start A Business! Do This Instead || Stephen Mitchell

    Everyone talks about finding your passion. Stephen Mitchell built his career by ignoring that advice completely. He grew up in Western Sydney, opened one of the first small group training gyms in Surry Hills, built a genetic testing startup that ran out of money, then accidentally fell into car finance after losing it all. Now he runs Nexus Advisory, a boutique brokerage helping founders access the debt they need to scale. In this episode Stephen (founder of Nexus Advisory) and I talk about why "do what you're good at" beats "do what you love", the biggest mistake founders make when they borrow money, why Australia's capital is stuck in property while America's flows into business, and why sometimes the smartest move isn't being the founder at all. This one is for anyone who feels lost about their direction, is thinking about borrowing to grow, or wonders whether the founder path is actually for them. WHAT WE COVER: Why "do what you're good at" is better advice than "do what you love."Falling into your career by accident and making it work anyway.The one thing lenders actually want to see before giving you money.Why Australian capital hides in property while American capital backs business.How broker commission structures quietly trap founders in bad loans.The red flags that expose a predatory lender in under a minute.Minimising losses when you're naturally a risk-taker.Why being a great 2IC can be just as rewarding as being the founder.Increasing your luck surface area by broadening your skillset early.TIMESTAMPS  00:00 — Subscribe + welcome  00:27 — Who is Stephen growing up in Western Sydney and feeling lost  04:41 — From a Surry Hills gym to a genetic testing startup, and what killed it  09:12 — Imposter syndrome and the moment he actually felt like a founder  10:56 — Falling into finance by accident: car dealerships, boiler rooms and starting his own brokerage  15:32 — Risk appetite, control issues and why he'd never answer to a board  18:17 — Selling the gym, vendor finance regrets and his one piece of exit advice 20:41 — The biggest mistake founders make when borrowing money  24:03 — Australia vs the US: property obsession, conservative capital and private credit  30:42 — Money, risk and momentum: what he wishes he knew 15 years ago  33:09 — Why this generation is so serious, and the truth about authenticity online 42:17 — Why Nexus stays boutique, and how broker commissions quietly hurt founders  45:44 — How to avoid predatory lenders (his red flags are so simple)  48:28 — The advice every Australian founder needs to hear  53:22 — Legacy, kids and why his next step is the simplest one yet CONNECT WITH STEPHEN MITCHELL  LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-mitchell/ INFORMATION ON NEXUS ADVISORY  WEBSITE — https://www.nexusadvisory.co/  LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/company/nexusadvisory/posts/?feedView=all CONNECT WITH MAHDIEH  IINSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/mahdieh.rassafiani/  LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahdieh-rassafiani-97611a185/ FOLLOW YOUR NEXT STEP PODCAST  INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/yournextstep.pod/  TIKTOK — https://www.tiktok.com/@yournextstep.pod  YOUTUBE — https://www.youtube.com/@YourNextStepPodcast

    Ep 11: The Finance Expert: Most People Shouldn't Start A Business! Do This Instead || Stephen Mitchell

  3. Jun 29

    Ep 10: This Is What It Actually Takes To Go All In || Olly Williams

    Everyone romanticises walking away from the safe path. Olly actually did it. director title, nice car, the income he chased since his twenties. Then he hit rock bottom, got sober, and gave it all up to bootstrap a health and wellness brand he knew nothing about. In this episode Olly (founder of Sunday Salt) and I talk about what success really means once money stops being the answer, the brutal reality of building sunday salt from ground zero, burning through 90k pre-revenue, and how documenting the messy founder journey openly pulled in a whole network of people providing valuable advice.  This one is for anyone standing at the edge of a big decision, wondering if they have the courage to start over. WHAT WE COVER: Redefining success after you get everything you thought you wanted.Hitting rock bottom and rebuilding piece by piece. Why the skill curve is always steeper than you think, and so is your ability to learn. Managing future stress by living the worst case once, then moving on.Building brand and community before you even have a product.Documenting the journey as an underrated arbitrage.How complementary co-founders cover each other's blind spots.Balance as a discipline, not a default.TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Cold open: the night that changed everything 01:35 — Who is Olly: from Bathurst basketball obsession to real estate director to founder 04:19 — Redefining success: from money and status to fulfillment and freedom 06:26 — Rock bottom: waking up with no memory and getting sober 16:05 — The brutal first 30 days: hating his own content and starting from zero 23:15 — Why gels and electrolytes: the ingredient gap nobody else was solving 30:10 — The real cost of building a product: a $250K packaging call and a hidden expense 34:02 — Going public with the numbers: the $6300k bill that brought in free mentors 39:43 — Angel investors vs. bootstrapping: what Olly actually wants in a partner 52:47 — What's next: building community before the product even exists CONNECT WITH OLLY WILLIAMS INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/ollywynnwilliams/ LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-williams-688432241/  TIKTOK — https://www.tiktok.com/@oliverwilliams952  INFORMATION ON SUNDAY SALT WEBSITE — https://www.sundaysalt.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOornzD9gpp3mvqd-JdVIphvruZtA7qxBEj_JopBQOVNsCfd0QMuM  INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/sundaysaltau/  LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunday-salt/posts/?feedView=all  TIKTOK — https://www.tiktok.com/@sundaysaltau  CONNECT WITH MAHDIEH INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/mahdieh.rassafiani/ FOLLOW YOUR NEXT STEP PODCAST INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/yournextstep.pod/ TIKTOK — https://www.tiktok.com/@yournextstep.pod YOUTUBE — https://www.youtube.com/@YourNextStepPodcast

    Ep 10: This Is What It Actually Takes To Go All In || Olly Williams

  4. Jun 14

    Ep 9: Rewriting the Rules of the Beauty Industry || Sophie Sin Yu Auyeung

    Sophie Sin Yu Auyeung is the founder of MYRRAR your AI-powered beauty bestie, the app helping every woman understand her skin, her undertone, and what actually works for her own unique face. But here's the thing... she's not technical. She pitched this idea in a room full of 70 tech bros. And she's had managing directors look her dead in the face and tell her Myrrar "isn't a real business." And instead of letting any of that break her... she used it. Every single NO became fuel. We got into the stuff I think we don't talk about enough: what rejection actually does to you, why failing isn't the end (she's walked away from two businesses before this one), what it means to build something in public when you have no idea what you're doing yet, and why she's not building a product... she's building a movement. This one's for anyone who's ever felt like they don't fit the mold. Sophie's proof you can just go build your own. WHAT WE COVER The shower thought during COVID that became MYRRAR (and why it took 5 years to feel right).The real problem with beauty... it's not the makeup, it's who gets left out.Why AI can do what influencers and sales assistants never could.How she handles doubt when the people doubting her run accelerators.Why building publicly on TikTok was one of her smartest moves.How to know when to quit something vs. when to keep pushing.What school gets so wrong about failure and fitting in.The mindset shift that changed everything: done is better than perfect.TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Sophie introduces herself: funny, sassy, strong, and "borderline stubborn" 02:07 — The origin of MYRRAR: from a shower thought during COVID to pitching in front of 70 tech bros 07:11 — The real problem in the beauty industry (and why it is bigger than you think) 14:30 — Facing doubt: when investors and managing directors tell you to your face it is not a real business 20:43 — Why Sophie chose to build Mirror publicly from day one 25:11 — What entrepreneurship actually means: impact, identity, and building something that is all yours 31:25 — Knowing when to quit: why exiting is sometimes the smarter, braver move 35:10 — What the education system gets wrong about failure, uniqueness, and preparing people for real life 47:56 — What success really looks like for Mirror (it is a movement, not just an app) 49:13 — Advice for anyone who has an idea sitting in their notes app right now CONNECT WITH SOPHIE LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-sin-yu-auyeung-aba898186/  INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/_myrrar/ TIKTOK — https://www.tiktok.com/@sophie_myrrar?lang=en  DETAILS ABOUT MYRRAR WEBSITE — https://www.myrrar.com/  INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/_myrrar/  TIKTOK — https://www.tiktok.com/@_myrrar?lang=en  CONNECT WITH MAHDIEH INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/mahdieh.rassafiani/ FOLLOW YOUR NEXT STEP PODCAST INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/yournextstep.pod/  TIKTOK — https://www.tiktok.com/@yournextstep.pod  YOUTUBE — https://www.youtube.com/@YourNextStepPodcast

    Ep 9: Rewriting the Rules of the Beauty Industry || Sophie Sin Yu Auyeung

  5. May 28

    Ep 8: Storyteller. Poet. Healing, Connection, and the Courage to Live Fully || Andrew Riis

    Most people spend their whole lives running from the dark. Andrew ran toward it. A poet, storyteller, and farm kid from Canada, Andrew has walked through grief, darkness, and seasons of life that would break most people. And instead of rushing past them, he learned to sit in them. Trust them. Let them change him. In this episode, he shares a philosophy rooted in nature, ancestry, and a radical refusal to live with a closed heart. The kind of conversation that makes you want to slow down, breathe, and actually feel your life again. This one's going to stay with you. WHAT WE COVER The muddy river on a Canadian farm that shaped everything Andrew believes about being aliveWhy feeling empty despite having everything traces back to one thing: our relationship with deathWhy connection isn't something to create. It's something to return toWhat nature actually teaches us about rest, grief, and trusting the dark seasons of our livesThe tidal river moment that redefined faith and resilience for AndrewSimple practices to come back to yourself when the darkness feels like it won't liftWhy Andrew is finally ready to tell his own story and the one line that called him out: "Stop being willfully blind to your own truth"TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Andrew and Mahdieh open: green energy, farm life, and who Andrew really is 01:19 — “A soul so in love with the sacred opportunity to be alive” 03:14 — Why staying soul-connected matters: ancestors, war, and peace as a birthright 06:01 — The root cause of modern disconnection: our relationship with death and control 09:23 — How consumer culture invented the self and sold us safety 10:03 — Connection is something to return to, not create (the leaf analogy) 11:32 — Why Andrew looks to nature: trees, rivers, and what’s stood the test of time 13:45 — The leaf that’s always red and orange — what nature teaches us about hope 15:08 — Rest as the missing piece of becoming: learning to honour the winter 16:26 — The tidal river: trusting that the ocean will come to you 20:21 — How a decade of telling others the world is friendly was actually Andrew convincing himself 25:03 — What to do when you want to heal but don’t know where to start 27:44 — Breathwork, nature walks, and the five-things practice 29:21 — Stop colonising your own emotions — meet your feelings with curiosity 34:00 — When you face the mirror, magic starts: synchronicities, the stranger named Peter 37:39 — Beyond overcoming: what’s possible when you stop defining yourself by your trauma 41:06 — What season Andrew is in now and why spring is finally arriving 44:19 — “Stop willfully blind to your own truth”: the moment he chose storytelling over another agency 46:28 — “I don’t want to die with my song unsung” CONNECT WITH ANDREW RIIS LINKEDIN — https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpriis/  INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/andrew.riis/ CONNECT WITH MAHDIEH INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/mahdieh.rassafiani/ FOLLOW YOUR NEXT STEP PODCAST INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/yournextstep.pod/ TIKTOK — https://www.tiktok.com/@yournextstep.pod YOUTUBE — https://www.youtube.com/@YourNextStepPodcast

    Ep 8: Storyteller. Poet. Healing, Connection, and the Courage to Live Fully || Andrew Riis

  6. May 14

    Ep 7: She Left Everything. Twice. Here's What She Learned || Behnaz Sahaf

    This one's personal. This week I sat down with the most requested guest amongst my friends - my mum (Behnaz). She grew up in a small town in Iran, lived through the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War, became a doctor, raised two kids, and then immigrated to Australia with no job, limited English, and no family around her. She did it once. Then she went back to Iran and did it all over again. It took her eight years to get her fellowship as a GP in Australia. She started from scratch twice, at an age when most people are thinking about slowing down. This conversation covers resilience, identity, what it means to be authentic, and why she believes life is far simpler than we make it. One of the most honest, emotional episodes I've recorded. I hope it stays with you. KEY TAKEAWAYS Your why has to be bigger than the goal. Title and status won't carry you through hard seasons. Purpose will.Failure only exists when you're attached to one outcome. Reframe the setback as part of the path.Support systems are everything. Accepting help is a strength, not a weakness.You can start over at any age. She began her Australian registration when her peers back home were retiring.Authenticity is about values, not status. She never wanted the car or the clothes. She'd rather give the money away. Help without expecting anything back. The thing she's most proud of is help no one even knew she gave.Don't judge your past self by your present wisdom. You did the best you could with what you had.Life is simple. Be a good person. Do your best. That's enough.TIME STAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction 02:52 - Growing up through the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War 05:33 - Leaving Iran, studying medicine, and immigrating to Australia 09:41 - Starting over, a master's degree without knowing how to use a computer 17:05 - What people misunderstand about her 21:26 - The season of life that almost broke her 25:28 - Her relationship with failure and why she reframed everything 33:06 - Was there a time you were worried about me but said nothing? 40:41 - Her advice for anyone who feels lost right now 43:37 - Where she sees her future going CONNECT WITH MAHDIEH INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/mahdieh.rassafiani/ FOLLOW YOUR NEXT STEP PODCAST INSTAGRAM — https://www.instagram.com/yournextstep.pod/  TIKTOK — https://www.tiktok.com/@yournextstep.pod  YOUTUBE — https://www.youtube.com/@YourNextStepPodcast

    Ep 7: She Left Everything. Twice. Here's What She Learned || Behnaz Sahaf

  7. Apr 30

    Ep 6: Why Being ‘Weird’ Might Be Your Biggest Advantage || Braith Leung

    Everyone says "be authentic."  Very few actually show you what that looks like. In this episode I sit down with Braith who has built across startups, content, and music and one thing stands out - he doesn't wait.  He follows curiosity, takes action, and isn't afraid to look a little "weird" doing it. This isn't about having it figured out. It's about trusting the process while you do. This isn’t a conversation about having it all figured out.  It’s about trusting the process.  If things don't fully make sense yet this one's for you. WHAT WE COVER: Why curiosity is your biggest unfair advantageStanding out with zero experience or social proofUsing AI without sounding like everyone elseWhy giving value for free early changes everythingBuilding a personal brand that converts, not just gets viewsLetting go of advice that no longer serves youRejection as redirectionTIME STAMPS: 02:10 - Curiosity as a growth engine  04:45 - Why giving value early in your career pays off  07:15 - Outreach strategies and building social proof  10:05 - Overcoming age and experience doubts in startups 13:30 - AI: automation vs. authenticity  17:00 - How social media levels the playing field for young founders  20:40 - Getting started with personal brand and content  24:05 - Why consistency beats motivation  27:30 - Using AI ethically without losing your voice  31:00 - Music as therapy and brand extension  34:10 - Owning your "weirdness" as a differentiator  37:20 - Unlearning outdated advice  40:15 - Handling skepticism about youth and credibility  43:30 - What's next: Kinso, personal brand, and music  47:20 - Rejection as a filter, not a failure  50:00 - Identity, perseverance, and staying true to yourself CONNECT WITH BRAITH: LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/braith-leung/INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/braith.mp4/TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@br.ai.thFOLLOW EX-VICARIOUS WEBSITE: https://ex-vicarious.com/ FOLLOW EX-VICARIOUS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ex-vicarious/ FOLLOW KINSO ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kinso.app/ JOIN KINSO WAITING LIST: https://www.kinso.ai/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnZDMKnHvF45_2dfXwTDm_d6eiHOf52s8fFxsRF5h2LU4P9Wl1Nzh-yNVWe88_aem_zY8EOUBpV15akD_g0brlmg CONNECT WITH MAHDIEH ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/mahdieh.rassafiani/ FOLLOW YOUR NEXT STEP PODCAST SOCIALS INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/yournextstep.pod/TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@yournextstep.podYOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/@YourNextStepPodcast

    Ep 6: Why Being ‘Weird’ Might Be Your Biggest Advantage || Braith Leung

  8. Feb 12

    Ep 5: Modern Dating Is Broken — Here’s What We’re Missing || May Ku

    In this episode, I sit down with May Ku, founder of Reev, a dating app built to bring depth and real conversation back into modern dating. We talk about her journey growing up in a highly competitive environment in Korea, struggling with identity, and how that shaped the woman and founder she is today.  What I loved about this conversation is that it’s not just about building a tech product, it’s about understanding human connection. We dive into the realities of modern dating - rejection, ghosting, technology fatigue, toxic dynamics -  and why so many of us feel disconnected despite being more “connected” than ever. May shares why she believes dating apps shouldn’t just be about swiping… but about conversation, curiosity, and emotional intelligence. We also unpack the mindset shifts required to build something meaningful, both in love and in business. This episode is for anyone navigating dating in this generation, building something from scratch, or learning how to separate rejection from identity. Whether it’s relationships or entrepreneurship, growth requires resilience. KEY TAKEAWAYS Growing up in a competitive culture and struggling with identityThe real story behind launching ReevWhy modern dating feels harder than everRejection and how to stop taking it personallyThe role technology plays in connection (and disconnection)Lessons from love that translate into businessWhy cheating is more complex than we thinkRecognising and stepping away from toxic relationshipsFeminine and masculine energy in today’s dating landscapeThe future of dating appsCHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction & Mae’s Background  03:06 – From Competitive Culture to Founder  06:10 – Why Modern Dating Feels Broken  09:00 – Rejection & Emotional Resilience  11:43 – Technology’s Impact on Relationships  15:02 – Mindset Shifts in Entrepreneurship  17:52 – Lessons from Love & Business  20:39 – Understanding Cheating  23:57 – Toxic Relationship Patterns  26:40 – Feminine & Masculine Energy  29:54 – The Vision Behind Reev  32:48 – The Future of Dating  35:37 – Final Advice CONNECT WITH MAY LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayhyunjiku/ INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/maytheku/ TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@may.the.ku DOWNLOAD REEV  ANDROID - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.reev.app&hl=en APPLE COMING SOONCONNECT WITH MAHDIEH ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/mahdieh.rassafiani/  FOLLOW YOUR NEXT STEP PODCAST SOCIALS INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/yournextstep.pod/ TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@yournextstep.pod YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/@YourNextStepPodcast LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-next-step-podcast/

    Ep 5: Modern Dating Is Broken — Here’s What We’re Missing || May Ku
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Honest conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers daring to do things differently.

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