What I learned in business (that didn't kill me!) copertina

What I learned in business (that didn't kill me!)

What I learned in business (that didn't kill me!)

Di: James H Stewart
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Have you ever wondered why some businesses go broke and others are successful? Have you ever wondered why some leaders rise to the top in difficult situations?


For 40 years I was a corporate undertaker. I buried businesses that failed and helped save those where there was still a pulse.


I was parachuted into some of corporate Australia’s biggest financial crisis, insolvencies and turnaround environments. I have been in Board rooms, Court rooms and on shop floors when all seems lost (and sometimes it was).


Over decades at the coal face of business (often in the most difficult circumstances), I have seen & heard stories that delighted and inspired me, as well as those which serve as a guide of the path not to take.


I also spent years in leadership roles at Ferrier Hodgson and KPMG Australia where I sat on the Board and was the National Consumer and Retail leader.


The purpose of What I learned about Business (that didn’t kill me!) is to share the stories behind some of the world's most interesting business situations, how they unfolded, how my guests dealt with them, and how those experiences changed them and the way they do business.


I hope that my podcast entertains and engages listeners who want to know more about the worlds great business leaders and the lessons that didn’t kill them…….

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James H Stewart Economia Gestione e leadership Management Successo personale Sviluppo personale
Episodi
  • Peter Robinson: Bombs, Bullets & The Batman

    Peter Robinson: Bombs, Bullets & The Batman
    May 4 2026

    A former F18 fighter pilot, a former leader of the Australian aerobatic flying team the Roulettes, a Senior Advisor to the Australian Defence industry and someone who literally jumps off tall building (or cliffs) in a single bound.


    That's what you get when you chat with Peter Robinson.


    In this high-impact episode, James Stewart sits down with Peter Robinson, CEO of NWE Strategic to discuss the current and future state of Australia's Defence capability.


    Peter is a former leader of KPMG's Defence practice and has operated at the sharp end of aviation, leadership and strategic risk — and now advises organisations across defence, logistics, mining and energy.


    This conversation moves from the cockpit to the boardroom… and from Batwing jumps to billion-dollar defence decisions.


    In this episode:
    • Peter’s journey into the RAAF and life as a fighter pilot
    • Leading the Roulettes and managing risk in high-performance environments
    • Why he took up Base Jumping in a Bat Suit
    • Whether Australia is spending enough on defence
    • Are we getting value for money from defence budgets?
    • Does Defence have a bureaucracy or systems problem?
    • Has the dual leadership model inside Defence worked?
    • Why AUKUS matters — and whether it is worth the cost
    • How warfare is changing through drones, missiles and low-cost technology
    • Where Australia may be most exposed if conflict came sooner than expected
    • What leaders in business can learn from military decision-making under pressure

    This is a fascinating discussion about preparedness, leadership, execution risk and what large systems must do when the stakes are high.



    Connect:

    Website: jameshstewart.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-h-stewart-gaicd-83b46a9/


    Disclaimer:

    This podcast is for general informational and entertainment purposes only. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or any organisation mentioned. Nothing in this episode constitutes financial, investment, legal, defence, political, strategic or other professional advice. Discussion of defence capability, geopolitics and public policy includes opinion, interpretation and forward-looking commentary which may change over time. Listeners should undertake their own independent research and seek appropriate professional advice before acting on any matters discussed.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    54 min
  • Kate Jenkins AO: The Commissioner.

    Kate Jenkins AO: The Commissioner.
    Apr 27 2026

    Harvey Weinstein and Brittany Higgins have one thing in common. They were at the heart of a movement to reform workplace safety and workplace culture and right at the centre of that process, was Kate Jenkins AO, one of Australia’s most prominent voices on workplace safety, sexual discrimination and culture.


    Kate is the former Sex Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission and has led some of the most significant reviews and inquiries in Australia, including the landmark Respect@Work report into workplace sexual harassment, the independent review into culture inside Federal Parliament, and major cultural reviews across sport, government and business.


    Kate was also the Commissioner of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission and is currently the Chair of the Australian, Sports Commission, Chair of Creative Workplaces Australia and President of the Australian Red Cross among other roles.


    This conversation goes beyond headlines and policy settings, to explore what really happens inside organisations when systems fail, power is misused, and people do not feel safe to speak up.


    James and Kate discuss:

    • Why culture failures are rarely sudden — they often develop gradually over time

    • The warning signs boards and executives frequently miss

    • Why complaint systems can fail the people they are designed to protect

    • The challenge of balancing performance, fairness and accountability

    • What meaningful reform looks like after crisis or misconduct

    • Lessons from reviews across Parliament, sport and major institutions

    • Why workplace culture should be treated as a core governance and business risk


    Kate also reflects on the human stories behind her work and what leaders can do to create safer, stronger and more respectful workplaces.


    An essential episode for directors, executives, founders, HR leaders and anyone responsible for leading people.


    Follow the show for more conversations with leaders who have learned through challenge, crisis and experience.


    Website: https://jameshstewart.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-h-stewart-gaicd-83b46a9


    Important Disclaimer: This podcast is provided strictly for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, governance, employment, HR, financial or professional advice of any kind, and must not be relied upon as a substitute for obtaining advice specific to your circumstances. The views, opinions and recollections expressed by guests are their own, based on their personal experiences at the time of recording, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or any organisation past or present. References to individuals, institutions, events or reforms are general in nature and may be incomplete or subject to change.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 ora e 5 min
  • Angus Raine: Housing Affordability Crisis.

    Angus Raine: Housing Affordability Crisis.
    Apr 20 2026

    The Australian residential housing market is unaffordable for many. It is being impacted by a perfect storm of a supply demand imbalance, rising construction costs, a fuel crisis, and a planning system which many argue needs wholesale reform.


    To hear more, I sit down with Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne — one of Australia’s oldest and most enduring family businesses to get his perspective on Australia's housing crisis and what it takes to build a sustainable, intergenerational family business.


    Founded in 1883 and now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Raine & Horne has navigated more than a century of market cycles — from booms and busts to wars and recessions — and today operates at scale across Australia and international markets.


    In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore both the evolution of a multi-generational family enterprise and the realities of Australia’s housing market.


    We cover:

    • The 140-year journey of Raine & Horne and how succession has been successfully managed across generations.
    • How to avoid ego, groupthink and capability gaps in family businesses.
    • The current state of Australia’s residential property market.
    • The housing affordability crisis — and the key drivers behind it, from supply constraints to migration, tax settings and construction costs.
    • Major planning reforms, including recent high-density development changes in Victoria.
    • The rise of institutional capital and the build-to-rent sector.
    • How technology, data and AI are reshaping the real estate agency model.
    • The concept of regional "rentvesting" and how that may make property ownership accessible to a generation of Australians.


    This episode is proudly brought to you by the Family Business Association in Australia and New Zealand. Whether you’re an investor, business leader, or part of a family enterprise, this is a practical and insightful discussion on markets, leadership and long-term thinking.


    Disclaimer:

    This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal or professional advice. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. You should seek appropriate professional advice before making any financial or investment decisions.


    Connect with me:

    Website: https://jameshstewart.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-h-stewart-gaicd-83b46a9

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    41 min
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