Podcast · Business

Biz

by Mamamia Podcasts · English · Business

BIZ is a podcast about work and how to make it work for you. This season, we're promising new wisdom, fresh energy, and zero fluff. Co-hosts Em Vernem (ambitious but efficient) and Lisa Lie (founder of Learna) bring real talk, real hacks, and real experience. No vague inspo, no recycled advice—jus

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 26 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 25 minNew

“Start Embarrassingly Small”: How Annie Nguyen Built A Coffee Empire With $200

Annie Nguyen arrived in Australia with a background in finance and business, but couldn’t land a job as a barista. So she spent less than $200 setting up a tiny market stall selling Vietnamese iced coffee instead. That stall became ANNEES, now a beloved and growing chain of coffee shops popping up across Queensland. In this episode, Annie shares how she turned genuine human connection into an actual customer-service system, what Shark Tank taught her about backing your own vision, and why starting a business might require far less money, polish and certainty than you think. On…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

7 Oct 2026 · 30 min
Anaita Sarkar Made A $600K Mistake. She’d Rather You Didn’t
Anaita Sarkar is the co-founder and CEO of Hero Packaging, author of How To Sell Anything Online and her authenticity shines through to her MASSIVE TikTok following. But in this episode, she’s not here to give you the polished founder story. Anaita shares the mistakes that left Hero Packaging staring down a $600,000 inventory bill she didn’t know was coming, the moment she questioned whether she was actually a good business owner, and what it took to fight her way back. She also shares some of the most practical advice we’ve heard on BIZ, including the simple experiment she…
2 Sep 2026 · 30 min
How Much Money Do You Actually Need To Feel Free?
We're constantly told to earn more, save more and somehow become better at money. But what if feeling financially secure isn't just about the numbers? In this episode of Biz , Lisa Lie and Em Vernam sit down with financial educator Jess Brady to unpack the emotional side of money, and how the way we think about it can shape the choices we make. Jess explains what your "money monster" is, and how to stop it quietly sabotaging your financial goals. We also get practical: how to automate your money so you can stop wasting time online banking , what a "fruit tree" goal is and why having one can…
26 Aug 2026 · 27 min
Grit Or Quit? How To Know When To Go All In On Your Freelance Gig
Everyone loves the idea of being their own boss. But what happens when your side gig becomes a real business? In this episode of Biz , Lisa Lie chats with Cherie Clonan, CEO of The Digital Picnic , about what it actually takes to make the leap from employee or freelancer to business owner. Cherie gets brutally honest about the reality of building a business with bub in tow: three years without a salary, the pressure of making payroll, the temptation to quit, and why business ownership isn't necessarily the freedom fantasy we're sold. She explains how she knew The Digital Picnic had "legs",…
19 Aug 2026 · 26 min
How To Invest In Startups Without Knowing What You're Doing
What does it actually take to spot the next big business before everyone else? In this episode of Biz, Lisa Lie sits down with Phoebe Pincus, CEO of Startmate , who spends her days surrounded by founders, investors and a LOT of startup ideas. Start up investing may sound intimidating, but Phoebe walks us through how to actually begin, where to find the right startups and what you need to know before putting your money behind them. We get into the reality of how many startups fail for every success story, how investors can account for that when spreading their bets, and why investing in…
12 Aug 2026 · 21 min
The Thing About Income Tax You're Getting Wrong
There aren't many certainties in life... but tax is one of them. And look, on the surface it doesn't come across as the sexiest of topics, but burying your head in the sand is a surefire way to create unnecessary stress in your life. The sooner you get your head around tax, the less you'll have to think about it. In this episode of BIZ, Lisa and Em chat to the Managing Director of HNRY to unpack the misconceptions many people have about tax and how understanding it is essential, especially if you're a business owner, sole trader or make extra income outside of your regular employment. In…
5 Aug 2026 · 24 min
Employees vs Sole Traders: Who's Actually Winning?
Everyone seems to have an opinion about the "right" way to work. Get a secure job. Start a business. Build a side hustle. Work remotely. Be your own boss. But once you strip away the Instagram reels and LinkedIn success stories... which path actually leads to more freedom, more money and less stress? In this episode of Biz , Lisa Lie and Em Vernem unpack the biggest myths about modern work with with a peek behind the curtain to see how Australians on either side of the ledger feel about employment, freelancing and self-employment. Together, they explore the trade-offs that rarely make it…
29 Jul 2026 · 26 min
How To Successfully Ask For A Pay Rise At Work
Asking for more money at work isn't everyone's idea of fun. But in most cases if you don't ask you'll stay exactly where you are - so it's an imperative skill if you want to be the one rewarded. In this episode, hosts Lisa and Em discuss how to effectively negotiate a pay rise with your manager and share anecdotes on how they've successfully asked for more money at work. From starting your campaign months before your next review cycle to what actually to say to your boss in the meeting, and how to balance the push with undeniable evidence. This episode will help you build the script and the…
22 Jul 2026 · 35 min
Junkee Founder Tim Duggan On Finding Identity Outside Of Your Job Title
Making your job your whole personality is risky business. Because what happens to your sense of self if you lose your job... or eventually decide to move on from it? In this episode of BIZ, hosts Em and Lisa are joined by author, optimist and Junkee Media founder, Tim Duggan to help you figure out who you are without your job title. Our BIZ hosts are Lisa Lie - a former Head of People & Culture and Organisational Coach - and Mamamia’s Em Vernem . If you want to build skills fast check out Learna Sign up to the BIZ newsletter here THE END BITS Support independent women's media . Got a…
15 Jul 2026 · 32 min
How To Change Careers Without Blowing Up Your Life
Pivoting careers can seem like a daunting prospect. But changing course doesn't have to happen all at once. Sometimes professional pivots happen slowly over time. In this episode, Em and Lisa unpack their own career pivots, sharing the different approaches they took to change direction. From applying for jobs you might not feel 100% qualified for, to identifying a market gap and building your own business, Em and Lisa share the challenges, fears and steps they took to pivot professionally. Career coaches: - Kate Richardson - Claire Seeber Our BIZ hosts are Lisa Lie - a former Head of People…
8 Jul 2026 · 26 min
The Fear Proof Way To Change Careers At Any Age
What if changing careers didn't have to feel like jumping off a cliff while risking that sweet comfort you already enjoy? In this episode, career coach Kate Richardson shares a practical roadmap for making a career change with less fear and more confidence. From working out whether your new passion could actually become a viable career, to navigating a change when you're already running on empty, Kate shares the questions, frameworks and small experiments that can help you move forward without risking everything. Career Coach recommendation: Kate Richardson More on this topic from one of our…
1 Jul 2026 · 21 min
How To Work With Perfectionists (Even If You Are One)
Are you, or someone you work with, a perfectionist? If you have perfectionist tendencies, it can be frustrating to work alongside people who don't because you feel like they don't care enough about the work. And if you don't identify as a perfectionist but have to work with someone who is? Well, it can be equally challenging because things can be overworked, delayed, or shared way too late for fear of things not being 'good enough'. In this episode, Em and Lisa unpack how to work with perfectionists, how to manage your own perfectionist traits, and how to give feedback to people who might…
24 Jun 2026 · 18 min
People Don't Remember How Hard You Worked. They Remember This Instead
You know that feeling when someone joins a project and you instantly relax? And then there are the people who somehow create more meetings, more emails, more confusion and more work for everyone around them. In this episode, Em and Lisa unpack the small workplace habits that make people easy to work with, and the ones that quietly make things harder. They share practical ways to reduce friction, improve collaboration and become the colleague everyone wants on their team. Plus, Lisa shares a simple meeting framework that could save you hours every week. If you've ever wondered why some people…
17 Jun 2026 · 19 min
How To Use AI Tools To Work At A Higher Level
There's no denying AI is changing the way we work. So how can we stay up to date with the evolving workplace while retaining our critical thinking skills? In this episode, Lisa and Em chat to Inventium's Amantha Imber about how we can use AI as tool without relying on it. From how to write good prompts to having voice-to-voice conversations with AI, this episode explores the ways AI can help with busy work and the impact AI is having on what is valued in the workplace. What you'll learn: • AI prompting 101 • How to get your AI to get to know you • Why volume has lost value in…
10 Jun 2026 · 22 min
The 3 Skills That Make You Impossible To Replace At Work
The World Economic Forum says the most valuable workplace skills over the next few years won't be technical expertise. They'll be human skills. In this episode, Em and Lisa unpack three of the most important ones that AI CANNOT replace: curiosity, creative thinking and leadership. But what do those buzzwords actually mean in practice? From asking better questions in meetings to breaking out of autopilot and influencing outcomes without formal authority, they explain how these skills show up in everyday work and how you can start building them today. If you've ever wondered what makes someone…
3 Jun 2026 · 26 min
Why Busy Is The New Invisible, And What Creates Value Instead
Being busy feels productive. It feels safe. It feels like proof that you're working hard. But what if all that busyness is actually stopping you from creating real value at work? In this episode, Lisa and Em unpack why so many of us default to being busy when work feels uncertain, overwhelming or unclear. From colour-coding documents and endlessly refining presentations to filling our days with low-stakes tasks, they explore the psychology behind why being busy feels so good... And some of the things you're doing you didn't know fall into this category. Lisa explains why the workplace has…
1 Jun 2026 · 1 min
BIZ Season 3! The New Rules Of Work
What if the people getting ahead at work aren’t working harder… they just understand the new rules first? On Biz season 3, we’re unpacking the work skills that actually matter now, and tomorrow. With the latest AI tools to elevate your work and time, to becoming harder to replace in a changing workplace, to the unconventional career moves no one tells you about. Plus, insights from leading experts, founders and career coaches who’ll help you think sharper, move faster, and stand out for the right reasons. Biz. Work. Life. Sorted. Season 3 starts June 4 wherever you…
15 Apr 2026 · 26 min
Exactly How To Face Your Work Bully
Thought bullies would disappear after high school? Turns out, those people grow older, but don’t always grow up . Now they’re the ones causing trouble at work, in social circles, and even at events. Unfortunately, bullying in adulthood is far more common than many of us realise. In this episode of But Are You Happy , clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante break down why adult bullying happens and share practical strategies for dealing with it. You’ll also learn: Why people bully, and who tends to be their targets How people who are being bullied…
13 Apr 2026 · 31 min
Why Do We Procrastinate? Here Are Some Tips To Focus
Ever caught yourself doing 10 other things around the office instead of locking in and focusing on the one task or goal you really need to complete? In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante talk all about that relatable thing of procrastination. Anastasia breaks down what's really going on in the brain when we put things off and why it happens in the first place. You’ll also learn: The difference between productive and perfectionist procrastination How to adapt your environment to become more productive How to start…
11 Apr 2026 · 41 min
Trust Us. People Pleasing IS Burning You Out.
Have you ever said yes to your boss when you really wanted to say no ? Or agreed with a colleague even though your gut was telling you they were wrong? In this episode of But Are You Happy , clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpacks the psychology of people pleasing—why we do it, why we feel guilty when we don’t, and how it shows up in the workplace. You'll also learn: The hidden costs of saying yes too often How being overly agreeable can lead to burnout Practical tools for assertive communication at work How to set healthy, professional boundaries with colleagues If…
29 Oct 2025 · 28 min
The 4 Questions That Turn Any Interview Into a Job Offer
There's one moment that can completely transform your career trajectory, the job interview. Yet most of us approach it with outdated advice, generic answers, and crossed fingers. We rock up thinking we can wing it, hoping they won't ask about our biggest weakness and secretly panicking about whether we've done enough research. Meanwhile, there's always that one candidate who seems to have it all figured out, asking thoughtful questions and making genuine connections. What's their secret? The truth is, interviewing is a skill that can be mastered. And when you get it right, it opens doors you…
27 Oct 2025 · 31 min
Future-Proofing Your Career: How to Spot Industry Changes 5 Years Ahead
Let's be honest...waiting until you feel "ready" to make a career move is like waiting for the perfect weather to start exercising. It's never going to happen, and meanwhile, everyone else is getting ahead. This week, we're diving deep into why learning isn't just nice-to-have anymore - it's career insurance. Our guest Andrea Clark has spent her career helping people adapt fast, and she doesn't believe in waiting until you're ready to grow. From recognizing when that "mutual value exchange" with your employer has run its course, to spotting signals of change before they become obvious to…
22 Oct 2025 · 29 min
The Workaholic Test: Hidden Signs You're Trapped (And How to Get Out)
Do you feel guilty for taking breaks? Put work ahead of your relationships? Ignore your health in the name of productivity? You might be stuck in workaholic mode without even realising it! Meet your new BIZ hosts: Lisa Lie (former Head of People & Culture who worked herself into burnout twice in one year) and Em Vernem (Associate Editor at Mamamia who discovered that giving 80% at work prevents the burnout that comes from constantly operating at 100%). They've been trapped in the cycle, escaped it, and now they're exposing the workaholic trap that's keeping high-achievers burning…
20 Oct 2025 · 24 min
When Your Teammates Become Your Team: Navigating the Manager Shift
Going from mate to manager can get weird, fast. One day you're in the group chat laughing with your colleagues, the next day they might be laughing at you behind your back. This week, we're tackling one of the trickiest workplace transitions: becoming the boss of your former teammates. We dig into why this shift feels so bloody awkward (spoiler: it's not just you), how to navigate the immediate identity crisis when suddenly nobody wants to gossip with you anymore, and the art of setting expectations without turning into a micromanager overnight. Plus, we reveal the coaching trick that gets…
15 Oct 2025 · 32 min
How To Actually Get People To Listen To Your Ideas
Ever suggest something new at work only to hear "that's just how we do things here" and watch the energy completely deflate? Yeah, we've all been there. This week, we're chatting with Wade Kingsley about breaking free from status quo thinking and actually getting your ideas heard without being shut down or laughed at (been there too). Wade breaks down why most workplaces are set up to reward playing it safe, how to identify whether you're a Dreamer, Doer, or Doubter on your team, and the genius strategy of testing ideas in kitchen conversations before you pitch them to the boss. Plus, we…
13 Oct 2025 · 21 min
Sarah Harden: The Career Playbook of Reese Witherspoon's Ex-CEO
Forget everything you think you know about career success, this is the secret playbook of one of Hollywood's most influential female executives. In this special episode, Em sits down with Sarah Harden, the Australian powerhouse who co-founded and was the ex-CEO of Reese Witherspoon's $100 million media empire, Hello Sunshine. Sarah reveals the exact strategic moves that transformed her from a politics grad into a leader who built a company responsible for hits like Big Little Lies and The Morning Show . Her philosophy? You have to "stretch and take yourself out of your comfort…
1 Oct 2025 · 33 min
5 Steps To Make A Career Pivot That Actually Works
Ever found yourself scrolling LinkedIn at 2 am wondering if you should completely change careers?The average Australian will have 5-6 career changes in their lifetime - so if you're considering it, you're not alone! Career pivots can feel equal parts exciting and terrifying. In this episode, we get into the real stuff: how to know if it's time to make a move, what to do when you're not sure where to start, and why "transferable skills" are more than just a LinkedIn buzzword. From personal stories to practical advice, we cover the trade-offs and key questions to ask yourself before making the…
29 Sep 2025 · 30 min
How to Give (and Get) Feedback Without Making It Weird
Feedback the word that makes most of us want to hide under our desks. Whether you're asking for it or giving it, feedback conversations can feel bloody awkward. But here's the thing: we all know we need it to grow. This week on BIZ, leadership coach Lauren Humphrey, co-founder of The Mentable chats how to tackle the feedback minefield. We're exploring why feedback feels so intense (even when we ask for it), the difference between feedback and feelings, and how to build feedback into your work relationships without making it weird. From the psychology behind why we resist feedback to…
24 Sep 2025 · 27 min
INBOX: How to Upgrade Your Resume Without Lying
Lying on your resume when everyone else seems to be getting ahead? Struggling with reference dilemmas when your boss left on bad terms? Or maybe you've accidentally discovered your company's secret layoff plans and don't know whether to warn your colleagues? This week, we're diving into resume ethics, reference nightmares, and the ultimate workplace moral dilemma in our season finale. What you'll learn: • Resume Ethics Reality Check : Why changing your job title from "Marketing Intern" to "Marketing Coordinator" crosses the line from embellishment to lying, plus how to showcase expanded…
22 Sep 2025 · 19 min
The #1 Skill Every Team Manager Needs Right Now
Being a team manager isn't just about hitting targets - it's about helping your team grow and getting them ready for what's coming next. And right now, the skill that matters most is coaching! Let's be honest - most new managers feel like they're drowning. Everything's coming at them, everyone's coming at them, and they're stuck in that old-school "delegate and instruct" mode that leaves everyone frustrated. But here's the thing: coaching isn't some mystical two-hour journey exploration. It can be a five-minute conversation with four simple questions. This week, we break down why coaching is…

About Biz

Biz is a English business podcast from Mamamia Podcasts. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Mamamia Podcasts
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 26 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1361401612
Rights: 2026 Mamamia Podcasts

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