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Conversations with leaders on building careers, companies & character the hard way. No shortcuts, just sweat.
Founded by Charlie Selth, Will Chapman and Dimitri Gremos, the show began as 'The Business Of' – a passion project between Will and Charlie who were curious about what it really takes to succeed.
Today, Sweat Capital is an evolving platform that combines that same curiosity with a bigger mission: to democratise access to knowledge and humanise business leadership in Australia.
Founded by Charlie Selth, Will Chapman and Dimitri Gremos, the show began as 'The Business Of' – a passion project between Will and Charlie who were curious about what it really takes to succeed.
Today, Sweat Capital is an evolving platform that combines that same curiosity with a bigger mission: to democratise access to knowledge and humanise business leadership in Australia.
124 Episodes
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In this episode of Sweat Capital, we sit down with Brad Pulford, Managing Director of HP Australia, to unpack what’s really happening to the way Australians work - and why so many people feel disengaged, burnt out, or disconnected from their jobs. Brad draws on insights from HP’s Work Relationship Index, which shows that only a small minority of knowledge workers globally have a healthy relationship with work. We explore what’s driving that breakdown, how Australia compares to other regions, and why flexibility, autonomy, and meaning now matter more than traditional career incentives. We also trace Brad’s own career journey - from working across Africa and emerging markets to leading a major global technology business in Australia - and discuss what he’s learned about leadership, building teams, and progressing inside large corporates without getting stuck or complacent. The conversation goes deeper into the impact of AI and technology on careers, what work might look like over the next decade, and how young professionals can think more deliberately about the roles, environments, and organisations they choose to invest their time in. If you’re early in your career, navigating corporate life, or trying to understand how work is changing - this episode offers a data-driven, practical perspective on how to build a career that actually works for you, not just one that looks good on paper. ***Follow Sweat Capital on Instagram & LinkedInWe'll see you in the next one,Keep playing the long game.
In this episode of Sweat Capital, we sit down with Mitch Hughes, founder of NextGen Ventures, for a real look at what it takes to raise a first-time fund – when you don’t have the “standard” VC network or track record behind you. Mitch breaks down how NextGen closed ~$2m in its first close (targeting $2.5m), what the fundraising process actually looked like, and why cold outreach was a huge part of getting momentum early. He explains the strategy they used to build credibility before writing a single cheque: setting up a national student scout network, meeting hundreds of startups, writing memos, and building proof points by showing which companies went on to raise from other investors. We also dig into the engine of NextGen: a student VC model across six universities, designed to find ambitious founders from “underground” campus communities - the people who won’t show up through the usual top-down channels. Mitch shares what he looks for in young founders (speed, rate of learning, customer obsession, ambition), why “first-time founder” can be a misleading label, and how the falling cost of building with AI changes the entire startup curve. This episode is for anyone thinking about venture, fundraising, building a fund, or building a company - and for students wondering what the next decade of careers might actually look like. Follow Sweat Capital on Instagram & LinkedIn.We'll see you in the next one,Keep playing the long game.
This episode was recorded OnAir @ IMARC. For more information on the world's biggest mining conference and how to get involved, visit imarcglobal.com.In this episode of Sweat Capital, we sit down with Mark Kristoff, CEO of global commodities trading firm Traxys, to unpack how careers in physical commodities trading are built. Mark takes us back to his earliest jobs, running lawn-mowing and painting businesses as a teenager, learning early what it meant to be responsible for outcomes, cash flow, and customers. He walks through attending Cornell on a Navy ROTC scholarship, preparing for a career as a fighter pilot, and the abrupt pivot that forced him to rethink his future. We then dive into how Mark entered the commodities world through a job in the mailroom, why reading the shipping documents he was delivering on the subway mattered, and how understanding learnings from these moments of curiosity led to him making an ascension to lead Traxys as CEO. For anyone curious about commodities, trading, or how senior careers are built over decades - no shortcuts - this episode offers a rare, practical look inside an industry most people never see. Follow Sweat Capital on LinkedIn & Instagram.We'll see you in the next one,Keep playing the long game.
In this episode of Sweat Capital, we sit down with Marcus Marchant, CEO of Vistaprint and founder of Bondi Joe, to unpack how a career actually evolves when you’re willing to pivot and take risk. Marcus reflects on his first job at Dymocks, what retail taught him about customers, and how those early lessons shaped everything that followed. He walks us through starting his career as a lawyer in M&A, realising it wasn’t where he wanted to stay, and the difficult decision to leave law without “starting from zero.” We dive into his transition through Citibank’s management associate program, where he combined legal knowledge with customer insight to launch a same-day personal loans product - and how that moment set the foundation for senior leadership roles. The conversation also explores corporate venture capital, innovation inside large organisations, and what Marcus learned founding Bondi Joe as a creative outlet alongside a demanding executive career. For anyone navigating early career decisions, considering a pivot, or trying to understand how skills compound across industries, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at how careers are actually built. Follow Sweat Capital on Instagram & LinkedIn.We'll see you in the next one,Keep playing the long game.
This episode was recorded on 21 October 2025, OnAir @ IMARC. For more information on the world's biggest mining conference and how to get involved, visit imarcglobal.com.In this episode of Sweat Capital, we sit down with Shane Jones, New Zealand’s Minister for Resources, to unpack what a career inside politics really looks like – and how responsibility changes the way decisions get made. Shane reflects on growing up in rural New Zealand, his first job in an abattoir, and how early life experiences shaped his appetite for leadership. He explains why a cancer diagnosis became a turning point that pushed him toward public service, and what surprised him most when he moved from governance and advisory roles into Cabinet. We also discuss the realities of governing: pressure, trade-offs, and why resource development and mining became culturally stigmatised – as well as what political leadership actually requires when you decide to challenge that narrative. Shane breaks down how governments think about certainty, regulation, fast-track approvals, and capital attraction, and why tone and execution matter as much as policy intent. For anyone interested in careers in politics, public service, leadership, or operating at the intersection of government and capital, this episode offers a rare, unfiltered look at how decisions are really made.Follow us on LinkedIn & Instagram.We'll see you in the next one,Keep playing the long game.
In this episode of Sweat Capital, we sit down in New York with David Teh, Partner at Simpson Thacher, one of the world’s most prestigious law firms, to unpack what a truly global legal career looks like. David traces his journey from Macquarie University to Hong Kong, London, and ultimately Wall Street - including formative years at Cravath during the dot-com boom and a front-row seat to the evolution of private credit from relationship lending to one of the most powerful forces in global finance. We dive into how major financing markets actually develop, why cycles repeat under new labels, and how lawyers can add real value beyond black-letter law - particularly as clients demand sharper structuring advice and commercial judgment. For law students, young professionals, and anyone curious about elite global careers, this episode offers rare insight into how top lawyers build trust, credibility, and client relationships over decades - not shortcuts. Follow us on Socials:InstagramLinkedInWe'll see you in the next one,Keep playing the long game.
In this episode of Sweat Capital, we sit down with Steve Kovac, CEO of Idemitsu Australia, to unpack what it’s like running the Australian arm of a global Japanese conglomerate during a once-in-a-generation shift. Steve shares how Idemitsu is navigating its transition from coal into critical minerals, what that pivot looks like in practice, and how global strategy, culture, and long-term thinking shape decision-making inside one of the world’s largest energy and resources groups. We also dive into Steve’s personal journey – from early-career mining engineer to CEO – discussing how to build credibility on-site, make the right career moves, and lead through complexity as responsibility grows. If you’re interested in the energy transition, critical minerals, or how to build a long-term career in mining and resources, this episode offers rare, practical insight from someone who’s actually done it. Follow Sweat Capital:InstagramLinkedInWe'll see you in the next one,Keep playing the long game.
This week on Sweat Capital, we are joined by Stellar Health CEO, Michael Meng.Mike’s transition from what many would see as a dream job, Principal at a high performing private equity firm, into taking a chance on a somewhat spontaneous opportunity is interesting in itself. But the challenge he took on certainly raised our eyebrows…A core goal of aligning the interests of health insurers, care providers and patients is something that many people would dismiss as utopian thinking. However, by leveraging their proprietary technology platform and >200 strong team, Stellar Health are doing just that.A must listen for anyone who is curious about the way that tech can impact problems in ways that we had never thought possible.Follow Sweat Capital:InstagramLinkedInKeep playing the long game,We'll see you in the next one.
This episode was recorded on 22 October 2025, OnAir @ IMARC. For more information on the world's biggest mining conference and how to get involved, visit imarcglobal.com.In this episode of Sweat Capital, we’re joined by Bryan Quinn, Managing Director of Aurelia Metals, to unpack what it’s really like stepping out of big mining and into the driver’s seat of a mid-cap resource company.Bryan shares the lessons he learned moving from large, global firms to running a mid-cap miner – where capital allocation, operational discipline and decision-making hit very differently. We explore how Aurelia is positioning itself for the next phase of base metals growth, why these commodities matter in a changing global economy, and how leadership looks when every decision truly counts.We also chat about their key asset in the Cobar Basin – one of Australia’s most prospective and under-appreciated mineral districts – discussing its geology, infrastructure advantages, and why it remains central to Aurelia’s long-term strategy.If you’re interested in mining, commodities, or what it takes to lead a resource company through cycles of volatility and opportunity, this episode offers a rare, on-the-ground perspective.Join our growing community of high performers:InstagramLinkedInWe'll see you in the next one,Keep playing the long game.
This week on Sweat Capital, we welcome back Anthony Liveris, our first-ever returning guest – and for good reason. Anthony is the CEO of Proto Axiom, Australia’s first company creation and investment platform for the life sciences, and someone who’s shaping the direction of the industry in real time.In this episode, we explore why the life sciences industry is poised to become Australia’s breakout industry, the momentum Anthony is seeing across research, capital formation and talent, and how Proto Axiom has evolved since we last spoke. From scientific breakthroughs to commercialisation pathways, Anthony lays out the structural advantages Australia has - and what needs to happen next to compete globally.We also explore what life is actually like as a young CEO operating in a field defined by long timelines, high uncertainty and massive upside.If you’re interested in the future of frontier science, investing in uncertainty, or building high-conviction companies from the ground up, this should be a great listen.Best way to support us is by following our socials!InstagramLinkedInWe'll see you in the next one,Keep playing the long game.
In this month’s internal Sweat Capital pod, we unpack a few things that have shaped how we’re thinking about the show and our own careers lately – starting with the power of simply asking for advice. We talk about why vulnerability builds connection, why you don’t need a formal “mentor” to get world-class guidance, and how your own experiences can become a real competitive edge.We also break down the learnings from our first truly “sort-of viral” clip – what worked, what didn’t, and what it means for how we approach short-form going forward.Finally, we run through what we’re planning for the Sweat Capital offsite: tightening our strategy, getting clearer on our brand, and building the systems that will help us improve the show.Follow Sweat Capital:InstagramLinkedIn
This week on Sweat Capital, we sit down with Blue Owl Managing Director Marc Pillemer – an Australian who’s built a global career inside one of the world’s leading alternative asset managers with over $300B AUM. Marc takes us inside how GP staking actually works - from sourcing deals, to evaluating culture and strategy, to deciding which investment firms will endure over the next 10–20 years. He breaks down the art of saying no, the importance of long-term relationships, and why permanence, alignment and discipline sit at the centre of every great deal. We also dive into his journey from actuarial studies at Macquarie to Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong and New York, Blackstone’s GP stakes platform, and ultimately Blue Owl - where he now helps shape one of the most active investing strategies in global alternatives. If you’re interested in private markets, building a career in finance, or understanding how elite investors think, this is a must-listen.Follow Sweat Capital:InstagramLinkedIn
Paul Tranter, CFO of Boston Consulting Group, joins Will and Charlie from his home in Boston, USA to share his remarkable story from a boy on the farm to a global leader in management consulting.We explore:Paul’s unique path to university, including going back to complete Year 12 at the age of 22 and how he considers this decision to be the “turning point” of his lifeHis pathway into management consulting at BCGThe impact that Harvard had on Paul’s personal developmentHis role as Global CFO at Boston Consulting GroupA great lesson in how to use adversity as a catalyst for growth and why grit can take you to places you have never dreamed (in Paul’s case the 61st floor of an office building!).We hope you enjoy!
Steven Marshall (President, American Australian Association; Former Premier of South Australia) joins Will and Charlie to unpack a career spent at the crossroads of public service, business and international engagement. We dig into Steven’s time leading South Australia (2018–2022) and the tough, high-stakes decisions he made during the COVID outbreaks.We trace his beginnings, his move from state politics into international advocacy, and what his new role at the American Australian Association actually involves — building networks, trade links and people-to-people ties between Australia and the United States.A major thread of the conversation is why Australians keep punching above their weight in the U.S. - the cultural traits and networks that help people land at the very top of global firms.A great listen if you have global aspirations for your career.***Follow us for BTS content and to stay up to date with the show!SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeLinkedInInstagram
It's been a huge October at Sweat Capital, and there's a lot to catch up on.In this monthly recap, Charlie, Will, and Dimitri discuss:The whirlwind launch and rebrand of the showCharlie and Will's trip to New York to interview world-class investors like Matthew McLennanLessons we've taken from conversations about value investing, career ambition, and not sweating the small stuff.BTS from the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025What makes Aussies stand out globallyWhat's in store for NovemberWe hope you enjoy and thank you so much to everyone for all of your support!Means the world.***THiNK Substack: https://thinkbypan.substack.com/Follow us for BTS content and to stay up to date with the show!SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeLinkedInInstagramTikTokXThis episode was recorded on 24 November 2025 at the University of Sydney's CreateSpace.
This episode was recorded OnAir @ IMARC. For more information on the world's biggest mining conference and how to get involved, visit imarcglobal.com.From Wollongong to leading a team of over 160,000 staff as CEO of Anglo American, Mark Cutifani CBE is an example of how Australia’s best are amongst the most elite mining executives across the globe.In this episode, we unpack…How Mark self-funded his way through universityHow he thinks through complex business problems by combining his on-the-ground technical experience with a commercial lensThe importance of meaningfully engaging with middle management, particularly the General ManagersA rare conversation with one of mining's most renowned corporate leaders.***Follow Sweat Capital on all platforms to stay up to date:InstagramLinkedInTikTokX
In this episode, we sit down with Matthew McLennan, Head of the Global Value team at First Eagle Investments, in his New York City office for a rare, wide-ranging conversation on investing, temperament, and compounding wisdom over time.Matthew shares stories from his childhood in rural Queensland, lessons from mentors at Goldman Sachs in both Sydney and London, and what he learned stepping into senior leadership at First Eagle during the GFC in 2008.We explore:How his early mistakes shaped his disciplineThe lessons he learned in the Asset Management Team at Goldman SachsWhy patience, humility, and temperament are undervalued in modern marketsThe rise of passive and AI investing — and what it means for value investorsHis best advice to his younger selfA rare conversation with one of the most thoughtful investors of our time.This episode was recorded on 19 September 2025.
In this episode, we sit down with Larry Anthony AO – third-generation Federal MP and former Minister for Social Security in the Howard government – for a deep dive into life in and out of Parliament.We cover the early days of his political career, including his unconventional campaign methods (including riding a push bike around Byron Bay), his infamous hungover Question Time appearance in Parliament, and what it's really like managing the largest spending portfolio in the Commonwealth in his role as Minister for Social Security.We also dig into the mechanics of being a Cabinet Minister, the behind-the-scenes workings of government, and how a young person can look to get a start in a political career.Plus, Larry shares his reflections on the Anthony family's political legacy, the transition from Parliament to business, and his work today as Chairman of the SAS Group. It's an honest look at politics, legacy, and leadership – from someone who's lived it all.We hope you enjoy!Follow our socials:LinkedInInstagramX TikTok
Welcome to the first episode of Sweat Capital – the next chapter in our journey of exploring ambition, effort, and the long game in business and life.In this launch episode, we introduce the new brand, share what Sweat Capital stands for, and set the stage for the conversations ahead. At its core, Sweat Capital is about doing the daily work, making the most of opportunities, and building something real over time – careers, companies, and character – with no shortcuts.Joining us is Dimitri Gremos, Head of Creative & Strategy at Sweat Capital, who has played a key role in shaping the brand’s identity and vision. Dimitri takes us behind the scenes of the rebrand, how we landed on Sweat Capital, and what listeners can expect from this new era of the podcast.If you’ve been with us since the early days, thank you for being part of the journey. If you’re new here, welcome – we’re just getting started.This episode was filmed at the University of Sydney's ThinkSpace.
Martijn Wilder AM has spent decades at the intersection of climate, capital, and policy—shaping the way governments and private markets respond to the challenge of decarbonisation.In this episode, we unpack Martijn’s career journey—from starting out in law and founding Pollination Group, to playing a key role in the National Reconstruction Fund and sitting on boards like WWF and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. He shares what drew him to emerging markets and frontier projects, how he thinks about sustainable investing, and why public-private partnerships are crucial for climate outcomes.We also dig into Australia’s policy landscape, the future of energy and innovation, and what advice he has for young people who want to build a meaningful career in climate or capital.
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