In this special episode, Nic invites you for a stroll down memory lane, sharing how the TIB podcast began, the unexpected moments that shaped it, and the evolution from early guest chats to Real Tradie Stories, F#ck It Friday, and the daily TradieRonaCast episodes. It’s a warm and honest look at the journey and the community that has grown around it, wrapped up with a little nostalgia and a reason to stick around right to the end.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When December starts piling on the pressure, most tradies slip straight into survival mode. Nic digs into why the lead-up to Christmas feels so chaotic for so many business owners and offers simple, real-world shifts you can make right now to steady your cashflow, set clearer boundaries, get your crew aligned, and protect your energy heading into shutdown. The goal is to help you finish the year feeling more in control and far less overwhelmed. REGISTER HERE for the free workshop to turn chaos into control before Christmas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does it really mean to be a man today? Nic sits down with John Broadbent, author of Man Unplugged, to unpack the pressures, confusion, and disconnection many men face. From business collapse to personal rebuilding, John shares his own story and the lessons learned through men’s groups, rites of passage, and connection. This is an honest chat about self-worth, leadership, and legacy—and why understanding “men’s business” might just change the way you show up at work, at home, and in life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Real change starts when you stop performing and start unbecoming. Nic sits down with Dr. Ash Moreland, neuroscientist and founder of the Re-MIND Institute, to unpack the hidden programming that keeps tradies stuck half on the tools and half in business. They explore identity, purpose, and the cost of hustle on marriages, kids, and mental health, then map a simple path forward: awareness, education, transformation. You’ll hear how to spot imposter syndrome, let go of control so you can delegate, and replace numb-out habits with healthy boundaries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Think running a race team is hectic? Try rebuilding a 10,000-horsepower engine between rounds while managing a plumbing crew back at work. In this episode, Nic chats with Adam Wright from Snap-On Tools and drag racer and business owner Phil Read. Together, they reveal how Snap-On’s national initiatives and Phil’s multi-generation racing legacy collide in the fast lane. From balancing business and burnout to supporting a greater cause, they share the story behind Snap-On’s partnership with the McGrath Foundation, and how pink tools, pit-side fundraising, and teamwork are helping fund vital cancer care nurses across Australia. You can donate by buying pink Snap-On tools and merch from your local van or visiting the Snap-on Tools Fundraising page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Think you need to grind 80-hour weeks to keep your business afloat? Nic chats with builder Brendan Wyllie from Str8Edge Construction about his leap from apprentice to business owner, and the mindset shift that took him off the tools and into true leadership. He shares honest lessons on tricky clients, the power of documenting everything, and why consistent quoting keeps work flowing. You’ll hear how coaching, systems, and trusting his “mini-me” tradie helped him build a reliable team, steady cash flow, and more time for family (and a few triathlon sessions).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rock bottom moments and honest conversations aren’t just character building, they are game changers. Nic is joined by her son Blake, whose journey from freezer warehouses to million-dollar eCommerce sales and back again shaped the lessons behind his current venture, Wispix AI. They chat about what happens when ego gets in the way, why community matters, and how tradies can use AI to streamline admin, automate calls, and boost profits. From turning site voice notes into job reports to building consistency in quoting, Blake shows how practical AI can be. You’ll hear how a “generalist plus AI specialist” combo protects profit and frees up family time. Learn more about Wispix AI & connect with Blake here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rats in the office? That’s one thing. But running your trade business with the wrong structure? That could cost you everything. Nic is joined by Dan and Tim from the Two Drunk Accountants to talk about something every trade business owner needs to get right: your business structure. Whether you're a sole trader just starting out or you're eyeing off a company setup, they break down the pros, cons, and hidden traps you need to know. They also share their now-infamous “Ratgate” office saga, which turns out to be a perfect reminder of what happens when you ignore the warning signs. You can also catch Dan & Tim in their podcast: Two Drunk Accountants PodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What if the thing holding your business back isn’t your team, but how you’re leading them? Mick Scotney, ex-sparky now CEO & Founder of Awakened Business, shares what it really takes to build a team that runs without you doing all the thinking. He unpacks how to step out of the daily grind and into true leadership, from letting go of control to building systems that support growth. Mick scaled his business from two to over eighty staff by focusing on people, culture and structure, creating a team that could thrive without him in every detail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From chemistry labs to high-vis on-site, Reece’s path into the trades was anything but typical. Now running one of Australia’s most unique trade businesses, Wardrobe Refractories, he’s navigating emergency breakdowns, tight compliance, and the challenge of building trust with casual crews. With a clear focus on shifting from self-employed to true business owner, Reece shares how systems, structure, and mindset are helping him lead with more clarity and control.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Tyson Blanch bought the business, he knew it had potential, but he didn’t expect it to grow so fast. In this episode, Nic and Tyson talk through the journey from solo tradie to team leader, building a thriving workshop with multiple staff and more freedom at home. Tyson reflects on the power of asking for help early, leading with vulnerability, and learning to step back so others can step up. It’s an honest look at what it really takes to grow a business that works for you, not the other way around.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Finance broker Anthony Hopson from Urban Broker brings a unique perspective to money management, blending his background in banking with breathwork to help tradies shift how they think and feel about money. Nic chats with Anthony about why brokers can offer more flexible options for self-employed clients and how unspoken beliefs about money, often formed in childhood, can lead to stress, poor decisions or conflict. They talk about breathwork as a tool for emotional regulation, especially in business, and how grounding yourself can lead to clearer thinking, better lending outcomes and healthier money habits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn’t your pricing, team, or strategy.. but your mindset? Nic chats with mindset coach Di Russell about the real reason many tradies feel stuck even when they’re doing all the “right” things. Di shares her personal story of rebuilding after loss, running a multi-state business, and the lessons she’s learned about self-worth, identity, and success. This episode will challenge and encourage you to rethink what success actually looks like and how to build a trade business that brings more joy, not just stress.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After four decades in the trade, Miles knows a thing or two about building a business that lasts. Nic chats with Miles about his journey from apprentice to owner of Astley Electrical, and the lessons learned along the way, from business partner breakups to leading a values-driven family team. They unpack the systems, culture, and mindset that make up “The Astley Way,” and why professionalism, respect, and continual learning matter just as much as technical skill. Whether you're stepping off the tools or planning for your legacy, this one’s full of real-world wisdom for every tradie in business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you’ve ever felt like your brain’s a chaotic mix of too many ideas, unfinished tasks, and caffeine-fueled energy bursts, you’re not broken. You might just be wired differently. And that can be a massive advantage. Skye Waterson from Unconventional Organisation knows this first hand. Diagnosed with ADHD while completing her PhD, she’s since helped business owners across the world turn that chaos into clarity with tools that actually work for neurodiverse brains. In this episode, you’ll learn how to spot the signs of ADHD (even without a diagnosis), why traditional advice often fails business owners with ADHD, and how to build focus, routines, and team systems that actually stick.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Struggling to make sense of online marketing for your trade business? In this episode, Nic chats with Brandon Willington, from Where U, who breaks down his no-fluff approach to digital marketing using his 3Cs method—Clicks, Conversion, and Conversation. From setting up ads on Meta and Google to building landing pages that actually convert, Brandon shares practical tips for tradies who want real results without wasting cash. They also chat about CRMs, AI tools, and why you don’t need a big agency—or even your face on camera—to succeed online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nic and Waz sadly see too many couples who are disconnected, join them as they explore how this happens and share their tips on finding your way back TWL038 re-runSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nic and Waz talk through how a job title can help your parnter begin to understand how much you do within your tradie wife role. TWL036 re-runSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Running a niche trade business comes with its own set of challenges, and Dan Boscolo from Timeless Staircases knows this firsthand. From starting as an apprentice to leading his own stair-building business, Dan shares how he grew his business while staying true to his craft. He also shares how support from the TIB community helped him tackle cash flow issues and why keeping his passion for skateboarding alive has been key to his work-life balance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Leadership can be tricky for trade business owners trying to guide their teams. Nic chats with Dani Ferrier, founder of Lead Like a Legend, about how to tackle leadership and tough conversations in the workplace. With years of experience in hospitality and wilderness guiding across 8 countries, Dani brings a fresh take on communication and leadership as she explains why we often avoid difficult conversations and shares her “Pace Pace Lead” framework to handle them better. Dani also talks about giving positive feedback and how cultural factors like tall poppy syndrome can make it challenging. Her advice encourages leaders to embrace vulnerability, improve communication, and build stronger, more motivated teams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ken Miller
FFS. Was a great show, now a giant ad to for driving people to spend $49. a month every 6 minutes...