Process The Podcast

Arielle Thomas

Welcome to Process the podcast, where we welcome guests of all creative disciplines and bridge the gap between art and commerce as leaders in their lane. We dive into their unique process to actualize their ideas and get our hands dirty with - the work. Host Arielle Thomas hopes you love these creative conversations with some of the most celebrated names in the Australian fashion, media, and design landscape! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. What To Do If You Get Cancelled: Sally Branson on Due Diligence & Protecting Your Hard Work

    54 MIN AGO

    What To Do If You Get Cancelled: Sally Branson on Due Diligence & Protecting Your Hard Work

    How do you protect your brand when the unthinkable happens? In this episode of Process, host Arielle Thomas is joined by Sally Branson, a leading Crisis Management and Reputation Management Director. Together, they pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of protecting a creative legacy. Sally reveals why a crisis is process-driven rather than just a disaster to be feared. From the volatile nature of influencer marketing to the legalities of product safety, this conversation is an essential masterclass for any founder. They dive deep into the necessity of due diligence, the power of transparency against misinformation, and the heavy emotional impact a public crisis has on a founder's mental health. Whether you're navigating stakeholder management, rebuilding your SEO reputation, or establishing consumer trust, Sally’s "control the controllables" approach offers a roadmap for maintaining brand integrity in an unpredictable digital age. In This Episode: How to treat your reputation as a tangible asset rather than an abstract concept. Navigating the "new rules" of influencer marketing to avoid liability and hidden risks. The secret to building unshakable consumer trust through radical transparency and product safety. Why due diligence is your brand's best insurance policy against future scandals. Managing the emotional toll on founders when facing public scrutiny and high-pressure stakes. Mastering stakeholder management to keep partners and investors aligned during a storm. Tactical SEO strategies to reclaim your digital narrative and rebuild after a reputation hit. The future of brand integrity and how to stay resilient in an evolving creative landscape. Say hello to us! You can find us through the links below:  Our Guest, Sally Branson, on Linkedin Here Your host, Arielle Thomas, on Instagram Here Process the Podcast on Instagram Here See you next Tuesday!

    1h 22m
  2. Can You Be an Ambitious CEO and a Present Mother? Michelle Battersby Thinks So

    6 DAYS AGO

    Can You Be an Ambitious CEO and a Present Mother? Michelle Battersby Thinks So

    Michelle Battersby is one of Australia’s most influential female founders. From launching and scaling Bumble Australia to co-founding Sunroom, and now leading Peanut, the global social network connecting women through fertility, pregnancy and motherhood, Michelle has built her career at the intersection of tech, community and female empowerment. In this episode of Process, Michelle opens up about her transition into matrescence, the psychological shift into motherhood that mirrors adolescence, and what it really looks like to lead a high-growth global company while pregnant and postpartum. We discuss: What matrescence actually means, and why no one talks about it Why pregnant women in leadership roles matter more than ever The realities of startup life behind the glossy headlines Building Bumble in Australia and what that taught her about brand and community Co-founding Sunroom and taking the leap into entrepreneurship Scaling Peanut as a global platform for women navigating fertility, pregnancy and motherhood The decision-making frameworks she uses as a CEO Risk tolerance, ambition and redefining success as a modern woman Michelle shares candid insights into balancing motherhood with executive leadership, how identity evolves through different seasons of life, and why representation of ambitious, pregnant women in business is critical. This conversation is for founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, women navigating career pivots, and anyone curious about the psychological and strategic layers of building community-driven tech companies. If you're interested in female leadership, startup growth, motherhood and modern ambition, this episode is essential listening. Find Michelle on Instagram here. Find your host, Arielle on Instagram here. Find Process the Podcast on Instagram here. See you next Tuesday x

    1h 20m
  3. “The U.S. Market Is a Beast”: Sophie Hood on Scaling Seoul Tonic, Her Growth Tactics & her NEXT business!

    17 FEB

    “The U.S. Market Is a Beast”: Sophie Hood on Scaling Seoul Tonic, Her Growth Tactics & her NEXT business!

    🎙️ Sophie Hood on Building Seoul Tonic: From Australia to New York, Amazon, Retail Strategy & Scaling a Wellness Brand What does it really take to build a modern wellness brand and have the ambition to take it global? In this episode of Process, Arielle Thomas sits down with Sophie Hood, founder of cult-favourite tonic brand Seoul Tonic, to unpack the creative and commercial decisions behind moving to New York, scaling through retail, navigating Amazon, and positioning a product for international success. Sophie is one of Australia’s most exciting women-led founders to watch, and in this conversation, she shares the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship: from winning Food Stars and landing major retail opportunities, to managing inventory pressure, pitching airlines like Qantas, and building a brand that resonates in the hyper-competitive U.S. market. This episode is a masterclass in creativity meeting commerce. Perfect for founders, brand builders, marketers and anyone curious about what it actually takes to turn an idea into a global consumer brand. ✨ In this episode, Sophie and Arielle cover: Moving from Australia to New York and why global ambition changes everything The early creative vision behind Seoul Tonic and finding product-market fit What winning Food Stars taught Sophie about pressure and opportunity How to position a wellness product for premium retail Scaling from independent stores to national distribution Inventory, supply chains and the realities of cash flow Why community and in-store experience matter more than ever The brutal truth about launching in the U.S. market How Amazon really works. Seller Central, fulfilment and margin games Differences between U.S. and Australian e-commerce Pitching to major partners like Qantas Launching new product lines and beauty brands Why financial modelling is a non-negotiable skill for founders Her up-and-coming 2nd business, this time in the beauty space! Find Sophie on Instagram here. Find Seoul Tonic on Instagram here. Find Process the Podcast on Instagram here. Find your host Arielle Thomas on Instagram here. See you next Tuesday!

    1h 17m
  4. The Future of Process: Building Australia's First Creative Space Surrounding a Podcast

    9 FEB

    The Future of Process: Building Australia's First Creative Space Surrounding a Podcast

    In this special petit episode of Process, Arielle Thomas shares what’s next for the podcast and why it’s evolving into something much bigger than conversations behind a microphone. From building a recognisable visual identity to creating a physical creative space in Sydney, Arielle reflects on the realities of podcasting, the importance of consistency, and her long-term vision for cultivating a thriving creative community. She opens up about the challenges and rewards of running a creative podcast, how collaboration has shaped the journey so far, and why hosting events and bringing listeners together in real life is the natural next step for Process. This episode is an invitation into the future of Process: a place where ideas are exchanged, careers are sparked, and creativity is treated as a shared practice, not a solo pursuit. ✨ What You’ll Hear in This Episode🎧 About Process • Why podcasting is both an art and a long game• The vision for Process as a leading creative podcast• Plans to build a physical creative hub in Sydney• How community and collaboration drive growth• The role of visual identity in building a recognisable brand• Creating spaces that feel welcoming and creatively charged• Why consistency matters more than perfection• How listener engagement shapes the future of the show• Hosting events and real-world creative gatherings• Where Process is heading next 🎧 About Process Process explores the journeys behind creative careers — from fashion and media to design, publishing, film and entrepreneurship. Each episode unpacks how ideas are built, how brands evolve, and what it really takes to create meaningful work in today’s cultural landscape. To learn more about the clubhouse, head to cinemathom.com/clubhouse Find Process the Podcast on Instagram here. Find Process the Podcast on Tik Tok here. Find your host, Arielle Thomas, on Instagram here. See you next Tuesday!

    28 min
  5. Backbone: "Business Structures and Tax" - All the things they never taught you in school

    29 JAN

    Backbone: "Business Structures and Tax" - All the things they never taught you in school

    Welcome to episode two of Backbone! The four-part mini series where we discuss the financial side of building a business. Today, we get into the structures that sit underneath your business and the tax impacts of each! Whether you’re just starting out, running a side hustle, or transitioning into something more complex, the way your business is set up has real implications for tax, cash flow, and risk. And yet, this is one of the least openly discussed parts of being a founder. So, this week, we have the candid tax conversation that no one seems to be having. In this episode, we cover: • The common business structures available to new and growing business owners • How and when structures tend to change as your business becomes more complex • The tax realities founders often avoid (and why that’s risky) • Our perspective on when to bring in an accountant, bookkeeper, or advisor and what to look for. This episode is brought to you by Notion - and by far one of our favourite tools, Notion Agent. Notion Agent is fundamentally different from typical AI tools. Instead of just suggesting or chatting, it completes tasks end-to-end, turning days of manual work into minutes. It acts like a Notion super user that understands your workspace, your working style, and how you like things done - helping you stay organised, clear, and accountable as you build. Let Notion Agent do the heavy lifting for you at ⁠Notion.⁠

    54 min
  6. Ben Watts: How to Build a World-Class Creative Career

    28 JAN

    Ben Watts: How to Build a World-Class Creative Career

    Legendary fashion and celebrity photographer Ben Watts joins Process for a conversation about longevity, instinct, and building a career in one of the most competitive creative industries in the world. From photographing icons like Heath Ledger to navigating the shift from film to digital, Ben opens up about the mindset that has sustained his decades-long career. Why being a great photographer starts with being a good people person, how to develop a recognisable style, and what it really takes to earn trust with world-famous talent. Host Arielle Thomas and Ben dive into the realities of hustling early on, the impact of social media on modern creatives, and why dignity, curiosity, and enjoyment remain at the core of meaningful work. It’s an honest, insightful look at how to stay creatively fulfilled while operating at the highest level. Why being a people person is as important as technical skill How Ben built trust with A-list talent The difference between chasing trends and developing a signature style What the transition from film to digital changed forever How social media reshaped the photography industry The role of hustle and adaptability in long creative careers Why dignity and professionalism still set people apart Staying authentic in a competitive field Finding joy in the process—not just the outcomes Becoming the person people want to hire again and again Find Ben on Instagram here. Find Ben's extensive portfolio of work on Art Dept. Find Process the Podcast for the visuals of Ben's work and this episode here. Find your host, Arielle Thomas on Instagram here.

    42 min

About

Welcome to Process the podcast, where we welcome guests of all creative disciplines and bridge the gap between art and commerce as leaders in their lane. We dive into their unique process to actualize their ideas and get our hands dirty with - the work. Host Arielle Thomas hopes you love these creative conversations with some of the most celebrated names in the Australian fashion, media, and design landscape! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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