You Motherfunner

In our first 3 guest episode, we’re celebrating the journey to our success in achieving B Corp certification. What is a B Corp? How does it work? What’s involved in it all? Tune in as we’re talking to three of our B-keepers, from the people, procurement and food and beverage teams about the impact of the B Corp journey and the way this shows up in each of their areas in our business. For more, visit this page on our website - fun-lab.com/about/bcorp

This episode we sat down with our resident glitter queen Amy.  We talk lessons from fine dining and her passion for creating memorable experiences. The challenges of being a people please in reform and learning how to have hard conversations moments. What self reflection looks like for her, how you show up in moments of opportunity,

Tune in for the full chat about Niall’s journey in Funlab (and some of the world). You’ll hear how his famous last words as a backpacker “I’m not looking for a career here” got him into a role that’s resulted in a 16+ year career. 

Sitting down with Wayne, with over 10 years of Motherfunner experience in our venues. He has a real passion for guest experience and cultivating that in his team.  He is the pioneer of dressing up (in costume) in our interview process. We talk about the shift adding costumes to interviews created, how conversations cultivate a culture of creating memorable experiences, his championing of sustainability and the project of data gathering to create trackable environmental change. 

Our guests John and Saia have worked together for so long they’re basically brothers.  Starting out working on the door, taking opportunities and becoming some of the most knowledgeable arcade and amusement gurus. Listen in to hear about some of the behind the scenes in a games venue and of course have a few laughs along the way. 

With over 20 years in the business, Blaise holds so much passion for bringing fun to the world.  We talk about how the guest journey mapping happens, where the passion comes from and how she sustains it plus so much more! Trigger warning towards the end of the episode around some conversations related to domestic violence. If this brings up anything for you please reach out to your local domestic violence support and if there is immediate threat of danger always call your local emergency services.

We sat down with Oonagh and Carlos to talk about the journey of transitioning our parent company Funlab to a consumer facing brand.

Funlab has been around for over 20 years, we sat down in 2023 with Chelsea Mannix - Funlab's Chief People Officer (aka. our Hunter Gatherer) whose been around for almost all of those years. There's the inspirational right place at the right time way she came to be part of Funlab. We talk about some of the first venues before we were officially Funlab, some of the best interview costumes she's seen in her time and so many more stories from over the years. 

This episode we are speaking with Kat, she has an awesome passion for making communication accessible for all. We talk all about her idea of making a communication board. What it is, how it came to be and who it can be used for.  This is something that has worked for us at Funlab - if you’re inspired or interested you can jump over to https://www.scopeaust.org.au/business-solutions for more information/support from a dedicated communication accessibility organisation.  

Ahead of our annual Day of Fun we sat down with Michael Schreiber, Founder and CEO of Funlab alongside Simon Dodd, National Clinical Advisor at headspace Australia's Youth Mental Health Foundation.  We talk about how this partnership started, some lessons in fundraising and the impact a day like this has across both Funlab and headspace.  For more information on our Day of Fun partners. AUS: Headspace.com.au  You can donate here NZ: Youthline.co.nz  You can donate here

This time we’re talking with Sarah or Smac as she’s know around the office. She’s lead a bit of a revolution in the way we tackle the first day as a Motherfunner with her idea of  Funcademy. 

Our Motherfunner this episode is Josh, he is the mind that thought up and pitched the idea that eventuated into Hijinx Hotel. He has been with Funlab for a few years now,  how he started wasn’t the most traditional route, but it it makes sense when you know now, that he is the Innovations manager at Funlab.  If you’ve heard about Hijinx Hotel, played there or even worked there, this is a must listen episode! 

Recorded at the end of 2022, the first year of the You Motherfunner Podcast. Your host Saj is on the other side of the microphone, diving a little deeper into his background, passion for creating a podcast and how it all began.

Talking with Natasha ‘Tash’ Ciconte about dealing with and managing stress, learning how to ask for help and not feeling guilty for practicing self care.

If you do not know much about Fibromyalgia, this is an episode for you to listen to. When Rachel was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, her entire life changed. In this episode our Funlab fangirl speaks so openly about her condition, what it is like to live with it, and what she does to stay positive.  

Athena loves an escape room, and currently works in our Castle Towers venue in Sydney. In this episode, we get to unpack with Athena what it's like to walk in the shoes of a Trans woman. There is a lot in this episode for a lot of us to learn from. We may have friends who are currently transitioning, or workmates who are Trans - but do we know what is the right support we need to provide them? Speaking from her personal experiences, Anthea shares with us some of those answers that will help us build better connections with the Trans community around us. Trigger Warning: This episode explores themes of Transphobia - which includes stories of verbal abuse, lack of safety, and sensitive language. 

Today we speak to Frances Palu, who along with being an Assistant Venue Manager is a absolute superstar Kids Party host. But beyond her work persona, Fran shares her story of what it's like growing up in New Zealand, moving to Melbourne, and being half Samoan, and half Tongan. Fran is warm, friendly, and gives us a great insight into this culture. At Funlab, Encouraging our Uniqueness is one of our Core Values. At her current venue at Archie Brothers in Docklands, Fran leads an incredible culturally diverse team, and believes everyone should be given a chance. She loves to hear stories of her team's diverse cultures, and learn about other Motherfunner's stories. Speaking of stories, if you would like to share yours, or have any questions, comments, or feedback, please email podcast@fun-lab.com 

She's the glitter queen with bright pink hair. But that's not the only thing that makes her sparkle; she's Funlab's model for inclusivity and diversity. No one gets left behind, or left out in her venue.  Alex Guy is the Venue Manager at Crown in Melbourne operating Holey Moley, Jukes, and Red Herring. She's been at Funlab for 5 years, operating one of the busiest venues throughout the company. On this episode Alex offers ways to add more inclusivity into your teams.  Alex encourages her Motherfunners to bring their unique, natural, and weird selves to work every day. This is part of what makes Funlab the place it is today. In fact, it's one of our core values. Without our individuality, we'd all be boring replicas - and no one likes to be bored! Alex offers great advice on how to encourage our uniqueness, while also exploring the great wins that this value brings.  If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, you can rech out to us directly at podcast@fun-lab.com.

It's 2022...coming out should be a no-brainer at this point. Yet, so many individuals of the LGBTQIA+ community remain in fear of this process to express themselves. We've asked Simon to give us some insight.  This fearless Motherfunner, Simon Whicker, is the Venue Manager at Strike King Street Wharf in Sydney. In this episode, Simon tells us his story on coming out as a gay man and the obstacles he battled to get there. His story reminds us to live our individual truths in order to be our most authentic selves. Simon offers advice and encouragement to those who wish to come out, and provides insight on the importance of coming out within Funlab or any work place.  At Funlab, we encourage our Motherfunners to be exactly who they are. Our active allyship promotes the rights of Motherfunners that identify with LGBTQIA+ and our brand culture centres around the inclusivity and diversity of all individuals.  If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, you can reach out to us directly at podcast@fun-lab.com. Check out the following resources for support on the LGBTQIA+ community in Australia/New Zealand:  https://www.lgbtiqhealth.org.au/services_and_supports https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/support/l/lgbtqi-support-services/

If she's ripped out her headset on a bustling Saturday night or has asked what your name is four times, it's not rude - that's just Aimee.  Aimee Westley is the Venue Manager at Strike QV in Melbourne, and was recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). On this episode, we dive into Aimee's diagnosis with ADD and what it means to be neurodivergent at Funlab.  Aimee encapsulates the ideal Motherfunner - she's hilarious, open, honest, and unscripted. Her attitude with ADD is not one of shame or indignation; rather, she embraces it while being unafraid to speak up about her diagnosis. Aimee takes us through her daily life as a Venue Manager in the fast-paced hospitality industry, and offers advice and support to those who struggle with (or relate to) the symptoms of ADD.