Rambles and Shambles with Ana

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 discipline, learning from failure, and why education can give people a bigger view of what their lives could be.

Manjil grew up in Nepal, became the first in his family to go to university, and moved to Australia thinking he’d land an engineering job quickly. That is not how it went.In this conversation, we talk about strict schooling, family pressure, migration, rejection, bakery shifts, missed interviews, starting again, and the long road into the career he knew he was capable of. We also talk about resilience, leadership, community, and why hope matters just as much as hard work.

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.

Bonus Rambles are the in-between episodes, just Ana reflecting on what’s been coming up through the conversations and whatever's been on her mind between episodes.

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, control, and self-worth when you’re forced to slow down.

Ron has spent decades in entertainment, from early rejection letters to senior leadership at NBC, working on campaigns for shows most people grew up with. In this conversation, we talk about getting your foot in the door, surviving uncertainty, creativity under pressure, and what happens when the work matters but the outcome still doesn’t land.We also get into awards, failure, boldness, people management, and why some anxiety is probably a sign you’re doing something that actually stretches you. This one sits in the space between ambition, taste, resilience, and knowing when not to settle.

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.

Inas moved to Australia and rebuilt her career from the ground up, carrying years of experience that weren’t always seen or recognised. She’s a migrant, a mother, and someone who cares deeply about doing meaningful work without losing her voice along the way.In this conversation, we talk about starting over in a new country and what it’s like to be unheard despite having strong ideas. We explore confidence, ambition, protecting your energy at work, and what changes when you stop tolerating misalignment and start backing yourself. 

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.

Matt is a teacher and footy coach who spends his days responsible for kids, parents, and the systems that come with that.In this conversation, we talk about what teaching and coaching actually involve, what surprises you when you’re entrusted with young people, and where good intentions from adults can start to get in the way.We cover repetition, feedback that sticks, how confidence forms over time, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for a kid is not step in too fast.

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.

Deb has spent her career in high-pressure environments, where decisions carry real weight.In this conversation, an experience comes up that changed how tolerance, perspective, and limits are understood day to day.We talk about how that shift influenced the choices that followed, where the line sits now, and how people decide when something no longer feels worth staying for.

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 the way he works with people.

Archie’s working life didn’t follow a clear plan. He moved through hands-on jobs, heavy industry, years of martial arts training, and work with UFC fighters.In this conversation, we talk about how confidence didn’t come from pushing harder or believing more in himself. It came later, when the right people backed him and the environment finally changed.This episode looks at how support shapes confidence over time and how work can feel very different depending on who you’re around.