Don't Stop Us Now! Podcast

Few people can say they've founded a non-profit that raises millions while creating a community that helps supporters achieve extraordinary physical challenges. Annie Crawford is one of those rare individuals.As the founder of CanToo, a high-profile Australian charity running for nearly two decades, Annie has revolutionised fundraising for cancer research. CanToo organises physical challenges like ocean swims and half marathons, where participants receive months of professional coaching in exchange for fundraising commitments.As a result, more than 20,000 people to date have achieved impressive physical challenges, and more than AUD$33 million has been raised to fund cancer research. Aside from CanToo, Annie’s had some fascinating career experience including helping to build a very successful Biotech startup in San Francisco.  In this episode you’ll hear how:How a Kombi van trip around Europe with her parents and 6 siblings impacted Annie’s world view (can you imagine 9 people in a Kombi van?!) How Annie places values at the heart of what she does and how she built CanToo Her ingredients for building a sustainable and successful organisation, andHow Annie learnt to overcome an almost paralysing fear of public speakingAnnie is a very down to earth and modest person and you can tell that her life and priorities have been shaped by family tragedy. With CanToo she’s built an incredible and fitting legacy.Enjoy this episode with the inspiring and values-driven Annie Crawford.  Useful LinksCanToo

Our guest this week is the most pioneering woman we’ve ever had on the show. Canadian Jill Heinerth is arguably the world’s greatest cave diver and underwater explorer. She’s also a writer, photographer and filmmaker. Jill literally goes places no human has ever gone before. She’s swum past the graves of more than 100 of her friends, as well as having some pretty close calls herself. Jill is the first Explorer in Residence for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, she’s also a recipient of Canada’s prestigious Polar Medal, and a Fellow of the International Scuba Divers Hall of Fame. To put it simply, Jill’s life story is extraordinary. In this episode you’ll hear: Why Jill chooses to chase fear not run from itHow Jill has learnt to develop and combine different skills in order to make her cave diving and exploring career sustainable What happened after she dived in the crevices of an iceberg in AntarcticaHow Jill thinks about putting a team for a new expedition together, andHow she feels being the star of a new, award-winning documentary about her career, called Diving Into The Darkness.*Jill Heinerth is an amazing storyteller so enjoy this fascinating conversation with the intrepid and eloquent Jill Heinerth.* P.S. If you’re in Sydney don’t miss the chance to see screenings of the documentary during the first week of October with Jill attending in person along with Director Nays Baghai.Useful LinksJill’s website - https://www.intotheplanet.com/The Documentary - Diving into the DarknessOfficial Website: https://divingintothedarkness.com/Australian Screening Dates with Jill Heinerth & Director Nays Baghai: https://divingintothedarkness.com/ditd-week/Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/divingintothedarkness/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divingintothedarkness/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divingintothedarknessYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivingIntoTheDarknessWatch the Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIjdVAdpTnQ&t=139s

Ever wondered what it’s like to ride in a rocket, and we do mean literally? Today you get to hear first hand about space travel with our guest, the 44th female astronaut in history and the first Iranian and Muslim woman in space. Astronaut and Entrepreneur, Anousheh Ansari is also only the 4th self-funded person to travel to space and the International Space Station. We had the best time in this conversation with Anousheh, hearing her incredible stories about the experience of rocketing into orbit. And Anousheh is so much more than an astronaut. She’s also an extremely successful entrepreneur and co-founded a successful technology company which saw her listed on Fortune Magazine’s 40 under 40. Shortly after she sold that business in 2000 for around $USD 750 million. A qualified electrical engineer, Ahousheh has been recognised for her innovation and entrepreneurialism with numerous awards including the George Mason University Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, and a Space Pioneer award from the National Space Society These days, Anousheh is focused on solving humanity’s biggest problems, something she does as CEO of the X Prize Foundation as you’ll hear in our episode. It’s some of the most hopeful content we’ve heard in years! In this absorbing episode you’ll also learn: How growing up in Iran during the Revolution has impacted Anousheh’s approach to lifeWhy space was something that fascinated her since she was a little girlWhat Anousheh believes it takes to build a successful business How she and her family have made a massive difference to the space industry The highs and lows of 9 months of astronaut training in Russia, andHow, with numerous X Prizes addressing Earth’s biggest issues, she’s hopeful about our future.So buckle up and do not miss this inspiring conversation with the entrepreneurial and abundant thinker & doer, Anousheh Ansari. Useful LinksX Prize Foundation websiteX Prize on LinkedinX Prize on YoutubeX Prize on FacebookX Prize on InstagramX Prize on XX Prize on TiktokAnousheh on Linkedin

Here we are halfway through the year and if you’re anything like the amazing people we work with in our programs and coaching, many of you are feeling like it's been a real slog. Combine that with what’s going on in the world, and with the fact that hybrid working can make you feel more isolated and alone, we thought it timely to invite back on the show a very popular guest who happens to be a Stanford-trained psychologist, burnout expert, award winning author, and an amazing executive leadership coach, Dr Jacinta Jiménez.We last featured Dr Jacinta on the show shortly after her award winning book, The Burnout Fix was published. Because we’re now seeing more, not less, burnout these days we’re so happy we were able to secure a window in Jacinta’s diary to hear the latest on wellbeing and taking care of ourselves and our teams at work.You’ll hear:How Dr Jacinta herself has had to come back from multiple operations including neurosurgery just last December which led to her having an unplanned stint in ICUHer take on the importance of giving ourselves time to reflect, integrate and recuperate, whether we’ve been sick or notHow you’re not alone in feeling isolated as Dr Jacinta calls out a ‘Connection Crisis’ happening to us all,And the practical things you can do if you’re feeling stretched too thin or burnt outEnjoy this enriching conversation with the wise and compassionate Dr Jacinta Jiminez.Useful LinksOur first interview with Jacinta - Fixing BurnoutJacinta’s websiteJacinta on Linkedin

Holy Dooley - we are now 6 years old!!! To celebrate this epic milestone for the show, we are taking the equivalent of a First Class Round the World ticket to hear from the most amazing, impactful and wise guests - all in this one episode! From the UK’s House of Lords, to the woman who has been declared as being responsible for creating the most exciting constitutional democracy in the world. From a global design icon and author to an internationally recognised and lauded Social Entrepreneur from Ethiopia. We hear from our very oldest (and wisest) guest at 92 and also our very youngest guest (mid 20’s) both on starting a business. And what different experiences they had some 70 years apart! There’s so much in here it’s hard to summarise so just a few of the things you will hear include: Advice from a non techy tech veteran on how all of us can, and need to, become meaningfully involved in tech How the world’s first non binary Government Minister and the world’s most recognised leader of enhancing democracy against authoritarianism, Audrey Tang, thinks about her role How a seasoned entrepreneur and philanthropist in the Americas believes women need to advocate much more strongly for themselves when it comes to negotiating; What to think about before you start your side hustle or startup; and   We hear from Stanford Graduate School of Business Professor Jennifer Aaker and her co-author colleague, Naomi Bagdonas, on how important it is for us all to lighten up a little. Our aim is that this celebration episode will brighten and lighten your day. So without further ado wish us Happy Birthday and enjoy this blockbuster episode!Useful LinksTrailer for feature documentary ‘Good Enough Ancestor’ about Audrey TangCurious to learn more? Check out our full interviews with our featured guests:Full episode with Martha Lane FoxFull episode with Audrey TangFull episode with June Dally WatkinsFull episode with Brukty TigabuFull episode with Margarita HerdociaFull episode with Sophia AthasFull episode with Debbie MillmanFull episode with Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas

Our episode this week looks at an under-appreciated concept for reflecting on, and gaining new insights for your next career step or business idea.We go on a journey with Claire to learn about a ‘World Listening Tour’ that Greta did some years back. She had decided to leave her intense role at (RED) and wasn’t sure what she wanted to do next, nor even which country she should live in!This dilemma about what next prompted Greta to put together her very own listening tour to learn what had been happening in the world outside the bubble of her all-absorbing (RED) role, as well as discover what other interesting things were happening in the space she was interested in.  At the same time, she figured, she’d also get a ‘feel’ for whether she’d want to live in particular cities or not. In this unique episode we share:What a Listening Tour isWhat Greta wanted from her ‘World Listening Tour’ How she secured her meetings, sometimes with amazing people  What you need to consider to have your own successful listening tour, andHow you can have one these days without leaving home. What we love about the concept of a Listening Tour is that there’s no limit to the kind of topics or themes you might want to explore. And, as you’ll discover, through curious and well prepared conversations with contacts and strangers, a lot of insight can come. Perhaps a Listening Tour is exactly what you need now? Enjoy this episode! 

Our episode this week features a woman who has one of the most unique backgrounds and skill sets we’ve come across. Elizabeth Eastland is a full time artist these days, however her career prior to the last few years centred around leadership roles in global corporates and academia focussed on technology,  innovation and entrepreneurship. Liz is a Canadian Australian now based in Sydney, however her career has taken her from North America to Australia and Paris and back to Sydney. She’s been a CEO of a telco startup, held a global role at telco giant Alcatel, and she’s headed up innovation and entrepreneurship programs for two universities, the University of Wollongong and the University of NSW.  What’s so fascinating about Liz is that right from the start she embraced and studied two disciplines: art (initially creative writing) and science, and she’s continued this duality right throughout her executive career. It’s not surprising to learn her father was a rocket scientist and her mother an artist and designer. Plus Liz herself has at least 3 degrees. In this intriguing conversation you’ll hear: Liz’s reaction when she was transferred to Australia at age 28How Liz’s multi disciplinary background has given her unique perspectives on what it takes to be truly innovativeHow a planned nine month, mid career break turned into a four year voyage sailing around the MediterraneanHow Liz was effectively responsible for the innovation strategy of a whole nation in one of her roles; and Liz’s surprising, yet super refreshing, definition of success for herself. Enjoy this fascinating conversation with the creative and uber-disciplined Elizabeth Eastland. Useful Links:Elizabeth Eastland website (including details of her May 2024 art exhibition)

Every now and then we meet with a guest who blows us away by the scale and worthiness of their vision. And there’s no doubting this week’s guest is one of those. Lee Yearsley is an AI veteran and entrepreneur with a unique track record that speaks to her skill of anticipating the future. Raised in Zimbabwe and South Africa, Lee sold her last AI company 10 years ago to IBM. It was the first company in the world to deploy AI in businesses such as banks, insurance companies and health care. And now Lee’s at it again channelling her philosophy of building a global AI company that the world will need, not today, but in 5 years time. Her vision is big; she wants to reach more than 100 million customers worldwide. Lee’s business is called Akin and her determination to use technology for good has seen her incorporate as a public benefit corporation (that’s an American legal entity that embeds a business model that benefits both shareholders and society). Akin is bringing a new and more advanced type of AI to market, called Adaptive Reasoning. It already has customers ranging from NASA to healthcare companies with disabled clients.Now despite the fact Lee has a track record of founding and exiting several businesses, she shares with us just how difficult it is to raise funding as a female founder. In this episode you’ll hear how: Lee was positively dissuaded, if not barred, from studying computer science at Uni because she was a woman She says she ignores the accepted wisdom of how to build a successful startup and that others should ignore it tooPervasive AI systems already are and how much they’re influencing the decisions we make in a negative way; and The creative and unique way Lee goes about envisioning, building and growing her business. We were lucky to spend time with Lee after she spoke at the Impact Investment Summit in Sydney recently. Enjoy this episode with the visionary and genuinely pioneering Lee Yearsley. Useful LinksAkin AILee on LinkedIn