From Science Journalist to STEM Media Entrepreneur: unleash your big vision with Heather Catchpole STEM entrepreneurship journey - Refraction Media Transforming STEM Storytelling

🎙️ From Science Journalist to STEM Media Entrepreneur: How Heather Catchpole Co-Founded Refraction Media to Transform STEM Storytelling After a decade in science journalism, Heather Catchpole co-founded Refraction Media—now publishing 2 million magazines globally—proving there’s a scalable, sustainable business in making STEM visible, visual, and inspiring ( and recognized by Barack Obama for their impact). 🔍 What You’ll Learn:How to directly transfer your work experience into your own businessHow to be unapologetically ambitious ( and pull it off)Why knowing your audience inside out is the secret sauce to scaling sustainablyOvercome the detractorsHow strategic partnerships (like Google) can take your startup global in under two yearsHow to choose your growth model to fit the life you want 🧠 About the Guest: Heather Catchpole is the co-founder of Refraction Media, an award-winning science media company creating high-impact STEM content for students, governments, and global tech companies. With a background in geoscience, a Master’s in science communication, and experience at CSIRO, ABC, and the Powerhouse Museum, Heather has built a powerhouse brand now delivering 2 million magazines a year and supporting 75,000 digital users per month. 📌 Episode Highlights:00:00 Geoscience beginnings and discovering the joy of storytelling 04:00 Why she left the lab for a Master’s in Science Communication 07:00 ABC, CSIRO, and editing national journals as a freelance science writer 10:00 Career pivots, parenthood, and wearing “multiple hats” in media 12:00 How to tell science stories in ways that make people care 14:00 Founding Refraction Media: the story behind the name and mission 16:00 From virtual nuclear reactors to national school programs 18:00 Co-founding with Karen Taylor-Brown over a pub lunch 20:00 Bootstrapping, business modelling, and cash flow basics 22:00 The Google connection—and getting listed by Barack Obama 24:00 Why diverse teams matter in tech and science content 26:00 Growing fast vs. growing sustainably—and making the right choice 30:00 Hiring, managing, and why co-founding with the right person matters 33:00 Staying profitable, going global, and the power of reputation 35:00 Strategic mindset, managing risk, and trusting your gut 40:00 Burnout and resilience: how to recognize and manage both 44:00 Kids, guilt, and building a professional identity alongside parenthood 46:00 On privilege, imposter syndrome, and redefining success as a woman in STEMM 49:00 Gender gaps in STEM and how inclusive storytelling changes outcomes 51:00 Final reflections: team science, happy businesses, and brave leaps🔗 Resources Mentioned:Refraction Media – Official WebsiteCareers with STEM – Student & Teacher PlatformHeather Catchpole on LinkedInBook: I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong🤔 Reflection Time:What’s your version of a “pub lunch idea”—a business that combines what you know with what the world needs?Are you clear on your audience? Could knowing them better be the key to growth or reinvention?What kind of business do you want to lead—a startup for scale or a sustainable niche you can love long-term?Want to craft a career story that opens doors?I help STEMM professionals speak with clarity, confidence, and purpose and show up as thought leaders —so the right opportunities find you.📬 Let’s connect: angeliquegreco.com.au | LinkedIn  ⭐️ Help More People Reinvent Their CareersIf you enjoyed this episode, please:✅ Leave a quick ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 🙏♻️ Share it with a friend who's questioning their path in STEM Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.