Rambles and Shambles with Ana

Courtney has worked as a hairdresser for ten years and has listened to more life stories from behind a salon chair than most people hear in a lifetime. In this conversation, we talk about growing up creative, receiving a diagnosis on the spectrum as a teenager, leaving school to start a hairdressing apprenticeship and building confidence through work. We also talk about great bosses, tough lessons, the reality of salon life, the stories people share from the chair and why listening is one of...

Jason can seem intimidating at first, but beneath that is someone deeply caring, fiercely driven, and very thoughtful about life. In this conversation, we talk about growing up in a violent household, learning confidence early and how he went from being a hyper, aggressive kid to someone who now tries to lift other people up. We also talk about failure, masculinity, mental health and why passion matters more than following a path that was never meant for you. This episode is about self-worth,...

Reza grew up pulling apart TVs, toys and anything else he could get a screwdriver into, mostly to the horror of his parents. That curiosity turned into a career in engineering, then a life in academia, research and teaching. In this conversation, we talk about childhood curiosity, studying engineering, moving to Australia and why he chose teaching over a more straightforward industry path. We also get into what students don't see behind the scenes, how he thinks about motivation and discipli...

Zdenka is one of those people who is equal parts tough and caring, quick to speak her mind but always looking out for others. Raised in a strict Croatian household, she learned early how to work hard, adapt and stand her ground. In this conversation, we talk about school, culture, being different, early work experiences that didn’t always go to plan, and how she found her confidence over time. We also talk about family, motherhood, and the kind of values she’s tried to pass on.

Kata is one of those people who lifts the energy in a room, warm, observant, and quietly tough. She’s worked across IT and the public sector and loves travel more than she loves small talk. In this conversation, we talk about being a rule-follower with a mischievous streak, how work ethic can be both a strength and a trap, and what good managers do differently. We also talk about finding happiness in the work and the people around you, and how life can shift your relationship with time, cont...

Taman grew up in a first-generation migrant family where hard work wasn’t optional and expectations were often assumed. We explore how writing things down helped him clarify direction, how community shapes discipline, and what happens when corporate environments shift from trust to micromanagement. This episode sits with pressure, standards, identity, and the difference between working hard and feeling trusted.

Mick, aged 88, has dedicated his life to his community through his work, sports, local government, and volunteering. In this conversation, we talk about growing up during difficult times, learning to push through setbacks and why sport and community became central to his life. We discuss leadership as being accessible and honest, doing the work without seeking recognition and what becomes less important as you get older.

Allen’s working life has unfolded across countries, industries, and repeated restarts. In this conversation, we talk about growing up around a family business, experiencing early instability, and how responsibility shapes decision-making before confidence has caught up. We explore redundancy, starting over, and what it takes to keep going when outcomes feel beyond your control. This episode focuses on persistence, restraint, and learning to progress without a clear foundation.

Beames grew up in a small town and later moved into corporate work, where figuring out how you’re doing isn’t always straightforward. In this conversation, we talk about learning to let go of rigid ideas about how work should be done, why leading from a spreadsheet doesn’t always work, and how much you can pick up by paying attention to how people actually show up. We discuss why he’s deliberate about giving feedback, how listening and reading the room matters, and what that’s changed about t...