Exchanges with Evan Lucas

In a world where the rules of business are being rewritten in real time, what does it actually take to build something that lasts?

This week on Exchanges, I sit down with Bernadette Schwerdt for a practical and energising conversation about entrepreneurship, online business growth, and what it really means to build with resilience. Bernadette shares her insights from interviewing Australia's leading CEOs in digital enterprise, on leveraging digital platforms effectively, the power of strategic partnerships, and how AI is transforming the way smart businesses think about marketing.

To find out more about Bernadette go here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadetteschwerdt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernadetteschwerdt/
Website: https://bernadetteschwerdt.com.au/
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Today's episode is sponsored by Mitrade a multi-regulated CFD trading platform, founded in Melbourne, that lets you access over 900 financial instruments — from gold and forex to indices and stocks — all in one place, with no commission.

Trading CFDs carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. AFSL 398528.

https://mytd.cc/yxTv
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Chapters
00:00 The Fascination with Entrepreneurship
05:22 The Rise of Online Entrepreneurship
12:18 Navigating Partnerships in Business
18:06 Marketing in the Digital Age
28:00 The Impact of AI on Entrepreneurship

https://mytd.cc/yxTv
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Exchanges, we sit down with Peter Petrov about the state of AI investment and whether the boom we're living through is built to last.

Drawing comparisons to past market bubbles including the dot-com era Peter unpacks the dynamics driving AI valuations, the risks that aren't getting enough attention, and what the next few years could look like for AI companies and investors alike as they come to market for the masses.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Mitrade a multi-regulated CFD trading platform, founded in Melbourne, that lets you access over 900 financial instruments — from gold and forex to indices and stocks — all in one place, with no commission.

Trading CFDs carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. AFSL 398528.

https://mytd.cc/yxTv
_________________________________________

Chapters
00:00 The Current State of AI Investment
05:03 Comparative Analysis: Dot Com Bubble vs. AI Boom
10:04 The Role of Major Players: NVIDIA and the AI Infrastructure
14:54 The Future of AI Companies: IPOs and Market Dynamics
20:01 Survival of the Fittest: Competition in the AI Space
25:08 The Future of AI: Predictions and Concerns

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The skies are changing and so is the future of national security.

This week on Exchanges, we sit down with Ben Westgarth, CEO and CTO of Department13, for a fascinating and timely conversation about drone technology, counter-drone systems, and what it really takes to protect Australia in an increasingly complex world.

Ben pulls back the curtain on how counter-drone systems actually work, why the ability to develop and adapt rapidly is now a strategic necessity, and what Australia's current defence capabilities look like and where they need to go. From the technology shaping modern warfare to the broader question of national resilience, this is an Exchange that connects cutting-edge innovation with the very real stakes of keeping a nation safe.

To find out more about Ben click here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-westgarth-1992a618/
Website: https://department13.com/

To find out more about Evan click here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-lucas-44a25316/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanlucas_/
Website: www.evanlucas.com.au

Chapters
00:00 The Journey into Drone Technology
01:56 Australia's Tech Landscape and Support
04:17 Department 13: Technology Overview
05:47 Future Resilience and Drone Evolution
09:40 Drones in Society: Opportunities and Risks
11:24 Illegal Drone Flights and Public Awareness
13:21 Government Spending and Infrastructure Needs
15:20 Learning from Cybersecurity Regulations
18:24 Subscription Model for Drone Monitoring
22:27 Public Misunderstandings of Drone Technology
25:57 AUKUS and Defense Spending Perspectives
30:55 The Limitations of Drone Jamming
34:26 Vision for Australia's Sovereign Capability
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What does it take to leave a successful career behind and build something entirely your own?

This week on Exchanges, we sit down with Natalie MacDonald for an honest and energising conversation about reinvention, purpose, and what the future of work really looks like. Natalie shares her journey from media to entrepreneurship, the lessons she learned along the way, and why building a strong personal brand has never mattered more than it does right now.

We explore the transformative impact AI is having on the workplace, what it means to build a career with genuine purpose at its core, and why supporting underrepresented communities isn't just the right thing to do it's essential for building a better, more innovative future of work.

To follow Natalie click here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-macdonald/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalie_workingatit/
Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/working-it-6475264103727403008/
Website: https://www.workingatit.com.au/

To follow Evan click here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-lucas-44a25316/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanlucas_/
Website: www.evanlucas.com.au

Chapters
00:00 The Journey of Natalie MacDonald
01:19 Transforming Work Environments
03:18 Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn
10:06 Monetizing Expertise and Overcoming Barriers
15:34 The Impact of AI on Employment
19:15 Creating a Supportive Workforce
23:41 The Future of Work: Hybrid Models
27:29 Entrepreneurship in the Modern World
32:46 Empowering Caregivers and Building Community
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What if the most powerful thing a leader can do is simply make people feel safe?

This week on Exchanges, I sit down with Graeme Cowan co-founder of R U OK Day for a conversation about what the future of work looks like. Graham shares his own journey through mental health challenges, what it taught him about leadership, and why psychological safety isn't just a buzzword it's the foundation of every high-performing team.

We explore what genuine care looks like inside organisations, how to build teams that are truly resilient, and the growing role AI is playing in reshaping leadership as we know it.

To Follow Graeme click here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecowan1/
Website: https://graemecowan.com.au/lets-connect/
Website: https://wecare365.com.au/

To Follow Evan click here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-lucas-44a25316/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanlucas_/
Website: https://evanlucas.com.au/

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Graham Cowan's Leadership Journey
02:34 Founding R U OK? and Mental Health Advocacy
05:22 The Power of Storytelling in Normalising Mental Health
11:57 Overcoming Resistance to Psychological Safety
12:52 Leading Like a Scientist: Hypotheses and Rapid Testing
14:56 The Role of Care in Leadership and AI's Impact
18:38 The Importance of Caring in Organizational Culture
19:06 Leadership's Role in Employee Engagement
20:41 Challenges of Traditional Leadership in Modern Workplaces
22:17 AI's Disruption and Opportunities for Leaders
28:27 Work-Life Balance and Reflection in a Digital Age
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