The Values Lab

Viren Thakrar

Welcome to The Values Lab, a podcast series for founders and portfolio career professionals seeking inspiration to live a more intentional, values-led life. Hosted by Viren Thakrar, Founder of In The Game and Values Map.

  1. Oct 27

    Jimi Maroudas on Contribution and Getting the Best Out of Others

    Send us a message 😊 In this episode, I chat with Jimi Maroudas about his value of Contribution. We speak about: - The Latin roots of the word contribution and how it resonates with him - Taking a leap of faith from engineering into a career in music - The surprising similarities between getting the best out of others in the recording studio and the corporate world - Creating environments where every voice is heard - The difference between making a contribution and making an impression Enjoy 😊 Links Supporting slide deck Jimi made for the show  Corporate:  Jimi Maroudas | LinkedInCreative: Website: Jimi Maroudas - Producer, Mixer, EngineerPictures from the studio: JIMI MAROUDAS (@jimimaroudas) • Instagram photos and videos About Jimi From the recording studio to the boardroom, Jimi’s career has been anything but conventional.  He’s a management consultant, award-winning record producer and Board Director of the Music Producers & Engineers Guild of Australia (MPEG). Jimi started in music with no skills or network, just a strong desire to be part of it. After quitting his safe job and refusing a safety net, he worked unpaid 18-hour days as a studio runner, fetching coffee for some of the world’s biggest artists.  He has since become one of Australia’s most respected record producers, working on numerous multi-platinum and number one records and earning a reputation for his ability to mine the creative potential of artists and help them realise their vision. Seeking new ways to make a meaningful contribution, Jimi became a learner again. He completed his MBA and brought that same approach into the corporate world, working closely with businesses and leaders to help them navigate their toughest challenges and deliver  meaningful change. These two seemingly different worlds have much more in common than you might think. What connects them is his passion for people, understanding what truly matters, bringing out their best and working together to get hard things done. Driven by curiosity, a love of learning and a genuine desire to make a difference, Jimi believes an important part of success is what you contribute to others as you work towards a shared goal. Keywords Contribution, Values, Growth, Leadership, Creativity, Corporate Culture, Music, Personal Development The Values Lab is brought to you by Viren Thakrar, Founder of Values Map - valuesmap.com

    Jimi Maroudas on Contribution and Getting the Best Out of Others
  2. Jul 9

    Penelope Barr on Freedom and the 6-3-3 Concept

    Send us a message 😊 In this episode, I explore the value of freedom with Penelope Barr. Penelope shares her 633 model focused on balancing work, travel and creation.  She talks about the importance of freedom within structure. We also discuss how conversations in Paris planted the seed for working and living differently. Penelope also shares her decision criteria for saying yes to work, how she helps others design their own portfolio careers, as well as more about her book "Win the Night to Win the Day", the strategic guide for high performers to sleep well, work better and live best. Links www.linkedin.com/in/penelopebarr https://www.winthenighttowintheday.com/ About Penelope Penelope Barr is a Portfolio careerist, Advisor, Author, Technology innovator, Coach and working parent. Penelope draws on more than 25 years of executive experience to help high performers and organisations design more aligned and sustainable ways of working and living. She’s the creator of the 6:3:3 concept, focused on the connection between rest, performance, and strategic, sustainable success. Penelope’s new book “Win the Night to Win the Day. Sleep Well. Work Better. Live Best.” (Hardie Grant, 26 May 2026) is a guide created by research, interviews with global experts and years of experiments to help you design your personal best days to sleep well because your best days are made at night. Keywords freedom, structured living, personal development, portfolio careers, life design, sleep optimisation, experimentation, values, travel, work-life balance The Values Lab is brought to you by Viren Thakrar, Founder of Values Map - valuesmap.com

    Penelope Barr on Freedom and the 6-3-3 Concept
  3. Jul 3

    Jen Ryder on Growth and Intentional Discomfort

    Send us a message 😊 In this episode, I explore the value of growth with Jen Ryder. Jen shares how growth evolved for her from accumulating knowledge to accumulating understanding, and how her father's lifelong learning shaped this value. We discuss seeking discomfort intentionally, from uncomfortable hikes to reading opposing viewpoints, and her morning learning ritual. Jen also shares how she creates space for business leaders to grow through peer advisory groups and why she's passionate about supporting regional Australian communities. Links Jen Ryder | LinkedIn Jen Ryder - Vistage Chair - Leadership Coach and Mentor About Jen Jen Ryder is a Vistage Chair, Fractional General Manager, and facilitator who works with business owners and leaders to create clarity, challenge thinking, and unlock growth. With a background in business operations, leadership, and professional services, Jen brings a practical and deeply human approach to leadership conversations. Known for asking thoughtful questions that cut through noise and complexity, Jen creates spaces where leaders can think more clearly, make better decisions, and reconnect with what matters most. Her work centres on the belief that leadership can be both challenging and deeply relational — and that some of the best breakthroughs come through honest conversations, shared wisdom, and values-led reflection. Based in regional Queensland, Jen works with leaders across industries through peer advisory groups, strategic facilitation, and operational advisory work. Keywords growth, values, personal development, leadership, introspection, entrepreneurship, community, learning, comfort zone, self-improvement business strategy, personal growth, marketing, peer advisory, learning, boundaries, skills development, entrepreneurship, community support, professional development The Values Lab is brought to you by Viren Thakrar, Founder of Values Map - valuesmap.com

    Jen Ryder on Growth and Intentional Discomfort

About

Welcome to The Values Lab, a podcast series for founders and portfolio career professionals seeking inspiration to live a more intentional, values-led life. Hosted by Viren Thakrar, Founder of In The Game and Values Map.