The Kismet Podcast

In this episode of The Kismet Podcast, Carina sits down with Nat Kramersh, Kismet's Chief Operating Officer and our first exec in the room.Nat's path to COO wasn't exactly direct. After five years at a high-performing consulting firm, she made the deliberate decision to step back, take time off, and figure out exactly what she wanted next, on her own terms. No job lined up. Just a vision board, a LOT of intentional networking, and a very well-crafted LinkedIn message to a CEO who rarely checks his inbox.They talk about what it means to be intentional about your career, the women's leadership program that had Nat doing one leap a week, navigating imposter syndrome as a first-time exec, and why hard work feels different when you're genuinely aligned.Plus: manifesting, Freida McFadden's Hannah Montana double life, and the great shoes-on-or-off debate that has divided the entire Kismet leadership team.Follow us!Instagram: @kismethealthyLinkedIn: @kismethealthcareYouTube: @KismethealthcareApple PodcastsKismet Contact us 📥 [email protected]

Nadine Nasser-Eldin was 20 years old when she took on one of the worst performing stores in OPSM's national network, in the middle of a pandemic, and turned it around in ten months.In Episode 12 of The Kismet Podcast, Carina sits down with Nadine to talk about ambition, community, cultural identity and the kind of care that changes people's lives.Nadine grew up navigating the balance between a traditional Middle Eastern family culture and her own drive to build something for herself. In this episode they cover building community from the ground up, upskilling herself to upskill others, running workshops for managers decades her senior, what it actually looked like to turn a struggling store around through word of mouth and genuine connection, finding Kismet, navigating cultural expectations with grace and boundaries, solo travel to Korea and Japan, a national advertising campaign she almost said no to, and a story about a little boy with autism that will stop you in your tracks.🎧 Also available on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 — Welcome & Intro00:45 — Nadine's Role at Kismet01:30 — Starting Out at 1902:00 — Health Science & the Optometry Plan02:30 — Eight Years at OPSM03:00 — Stepping Into Management03:30 — Taking On the Worst Store in the Country04:30 — Turning It Around in Ten Months05:00 — Embracing New Technology06:00 — Running Workshops for Senior Managers07:00 — Building Community Through Word of Mouth08:30 — Flowers, Chocolates & a Community That Cared Back09:30 — Knowing When to Move On10:30 — Managing the Biggest Store During Reopening11:30 — Having a Cry in the Back and Getting On With It12:30 — The Team That Kept Her Grounded13:00 — Finding Kismet14:00 — The Seven O'Clock Phone Call15:00 — How Mon Found Her16:00 — People First, Numbers Second17:00 — The Transition to Working From Home18:30 — Learning the NDIS19:30 — Unreasonable Hospitality at Kismet20:30 — The Calm Carry Story23:30 — Small Things, Big Impact24:00 — Growing Up Between Two Cultures25:00 — Get the Key in Your Hands26:30 — Breaking the Cycle27:30 — Blocking Out the Noise28:30 — Boundaries & Confidence29:30 — Solo Travel to South Korea30:30 — Japan & Seeing the World Differently32:00 — Travel Tips & What She Loved33:30 — Taking Your Leave34:00 — Bali, Fiji & What's Next35:00 — On Goals36:00 — Investing in Personal Life36:30 — Pilates, Walks & Exploring the City37:00 — Lucy the Ragdoll & Olive the German Shepherd39:30 — On Luck40:30 — Hard Work vs Being Handed Things41:00 — The National OPSM Campaign43:30 — Say Yes Anyway45:00 — Goals for the Next 12 Months46:00 — What She Hopes People Say at Her 50th47:00 — Advice to Baby Nadine47:30 — ClosingFollow us!Instagram: @kismethealthyLinkedIn: @kismethealthcareYouTube: @KismethealthcaredApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kismet-podcast/id1872529224Kismet: https://www.kismet.healthcare/Contact us 📥[email protected]

Josh Coulson has worked at some of the biggest tech companies in the world. LinkedIn. Deloitte. Atlassian. And then a redundancy opened a door he didn't even know he was knocking on.In Episode 11 of The Kismet Podcast, Carina sits down with Josh to talk about a career that has taken him from a printer desk at WorkCover QLD to building a team of 23 at LinkedIn, from consulting at Deloitte to leading data and analytics at Australia's fastest growing startup.Josh stumbled into analytics via a six week unpaid internship that turned into six years, built his career across Silicon Valley, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney, and eventually made the call to come home to Brisbane for family.They get into what he learned about leadership at Atlassian, why transparency should always be the default, how AI cost him his job and why that doesn't scare him. 🎧 Also available on YouTube and Apple PodcastsFollow us!Instagram: @kismethealthyLinkedIn: @kismethealthcareYouTube: @Kismethealthcared Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kismet-podcast/id1872529224Kismet: https://www.kismet.healthcare/Contact us 📥[email protected]

Jack Bennett did his job interview from a hostel bunk bed in Sydney. Three days later he got the call.In Episode 10 of The Kismet Podcast, Carina sits down with Jack Bennett, one of Kismet's earliest team members, for a conversation that travels from Zimbabwe to Cork to South Africa to Sydney to Cairns to Brisbane — and covers a lot of life along the way.Jack has been in Australia for over three years, has seen almost every corner of the country through his work with Kismet's community team, and has built a life here that started with a job interview he took on a hostel bunk bed.Jack grew up in Zimbabwe, moved to Ireland at five, spent a gap year in South Africa and eventually landed in Australia — where a low moment in a Sydney hostel almost sent him straight back home. In this episode he talks about the advice that kept him going, three years at Kismet, homesickness, learning Spanish for love, country music, Lord of the Rings and what luck actually means.🎧 Also available on YouTube and Apple PodcastsFollow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kismethealthy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kismethealthcare/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@Kismethealthcared⁩  Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kismet-podcast/id1872529224Kismet: https://www.kismet.healthcare/ Contact us📥 [email protected]

In this episode of The Kismet Podcast, Carina sits down with Ross Widdows — product designer at Kismet — for a conversation that wanders through art, craft and the kind of creative restlessness that leads someone to build a pool cleaning business, invent a float tank ventilation system, run a furniture company and end up in tech — sometimes all at once.The thread running through all of it is the same: a love of making things and a curiosity that doesn't switch off.They also get into AI, the future of creative work, Huon Pine, MONA and why the best buildings are the ones that take a lifetime to build.Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 — Welcome & Intro00:45 — Ross's Role at Kismet01:30 — Growing Up Creative02:00 — Visual Arts Degree03:00 — The Kinetic Sculpture That Changed Everything05:00 — A Creative Household? Not Quite05:30 — Life After Uni06:00 — Roscoe's Pool Services is Born07:30 — Negotiating His Own Rate09:15 — The Float Tank CO2 Problem11:00 — Inventing a Solution & Selling It Nationally12:00 — Into Medical Technology13:00 — What is Industrial Design?15:00 — From Medical Tech to Making Furniture16:30 — The Commission-Only Furniture Business17:30 — Life in the Garage Workshop18:30 — When Passion Becomes Obligation20:00 — Joining Kismet22:00 — What He Loves About the Role23:30 — AI & the Future of Design27:00 — Protecting the Creative Industries31:00 — On Goals28:30 — Half Marathon in Progress31:00 — The Dream Workshop32:00 — Hand Tools & the Art of Joinery36:00 — AI & the Arts39:00 — Travelling for Inspiration40:00 — Huon Pine & Tasmania42:00 — MONA & Dark Mofo43:30 — Architecture & Buildings With Stories45:00 — On Luck47:30 — Gratitude & Feeling All the Feels48:30 — What He Hopes People Say at His 50th49:30 — Don't Be Afraid to Fail51:00 — The Teacher Who Almost Said No52:30 — ClosingAlso available on YouTube & Apple Podcasts.Follow us!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kismethealthy/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kismethealthcare/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KismethealthcaredApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kismet-podcast/id1872529224Kismet: https://www.kismet.healthcare/Contact us: 📥[email protected]

The Kismet Podcast is a show about the careers we build, the detours we didn't expect, and the quiet moments of fate that end up changing everything.Hosted by Carina Waye, each episode goes beyond the job title — into the real stories of ambition, pivots, purpose, and the hard-won lessons that only come from taking a leap.Whether you're deep in your career, starting over, or building something entirely your own — these are the conversations you didn't know you needed.

What does it actually look like to find your own way of healing?In Episode 8 of The Kismet Podcast, Carina sits down with Rebecca Abeysiri from Kismet's customer experience team for a conversation that goes in some wonderfully unexpected directions.Bec came to Kismet via a biotech degree, a COVID-era hospital role and a science internship. But what she brings to this episode goes well beyond her career.They cover a diagnosis at 19 that changed everything, a week-long plant medicine ceremony overseas, breathwork, astrology, World of Warcraft and what it really means to approach healing on your own terms.Warm, curious and a little bit woo woo — exactly how we like it.Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 — Welcome & Intro00:45 — Bec's Role at Kismet01:30 — From Biotech to Tech02:00 — PPE Spotting During COVID02:45 — Landing at Kismet03:30 — Early Memories of the Team04:00 — Original Plan: Research04:45 — What She Loves About the Role05:30 — Where the People Focus Comes From06:15 — On Goals07:15 — The Yoga Headstand Goal08:30 — Breathwork & Mindfulness09:30 — The Feel Good Hood10:30 — Growing Up With Her Brother11:30 — Getting Into Astrology13:00 — Moon Cycles & Work Patterns14:00 — Holding Space for Hard Conversations15:30 — Perfectionism & Letting Go17:15 — Tearing Muscle to Repair It18:00 — The Endometriosis Diagnosis20:00 — The Plant Medicine Ceremony22:30 — How She Found the Shaman23:30 — How She Knew It Worked24:30 — Maintaining the Healing Day to Day25:00 — Not Every Feeling is Justified26:00 — Being an Adrenaline Junkie27:00 — Skydiving at 1827:30 — Love of Reptiles29:00 — Holly & the Copperhead Snake31:30 — On Luck32:30 — Sagittarius is the Luckiest Sign33:30 — Energy In, Energy Out34:00 — Streaming & Gaming35:30 — World of Warcraft37:00 — On Creativity40:30 — Finding Creative Outlets43:00 — Goals for the Next 12 Months43:45 — Five Years From Now45:00 — What She Hopes People Say45:30 — Advice to Baby Bec46:30 — ClosingAlso available on YouTube & Apple Podcasts.Follow us!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kismethealthy/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kismethealthcare/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KismethealthcaredApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kismet-podcast/id1872529224Kismet: https://www.kismet.healthcare/Contact us: 📥[email protected]

In this episode of The Kismet Podcast, Carina sits down with Nick Upton - Integrations Manager at Kismet - for one of the most honest and unexpected conversations in the series so far.Nick's journey is anything but linear. From growing up in the Whitsundays running a family hostel, to owning a cafe at 19, accidentally becoming a DJ, and travelling the world - it's a story full of colour, chaos, and hard-won lessons.But it's what happened in London that changed everything.After losing his job and finding himself homeless for nearly three months, Nick was forced to confront one of the most uncomfortable truths a person can face: that the life you're in is the one you built.What followed was a mindset shift that now defines everything about how he leads, parents, and shows up in the world.This episode covers the roads less taken, the moments that break you open, and why attitude really is everything.Chapter Timestamps00:00 — Welcome & Intro00:45 — Nick's Role at Kismet01:15 — Growing Up in the Whitsundays02:30 — First Business at 1905:00 — Becoming a DJ07:00 — DJ Nicatude is Born08:45 — Heading Overseas09:30 — Au Pair Life in Germany10:00 — Homeless in London11:45 — The Stranger Who Changed Everything15:30 — Asking for Help17:00 — The Bathroom Mirror Moment19:15 — Coming Home20:45 — Meeting Jen23:30 — The Wedding24:45 — Imogen's Arrival27:45 — The Kismet Surgeon30:30 — Imy Today33:00 — Finding the NDIS35:45 — Building the Business37:15 — Motivational Speaking & the MLM Detour39:30 — On Luck42:00 — On Goals44:45 — The Three Rules46:10 — Advice to Young Nick46:45 — ClosingAlso available on YouTube & Apple Podcasts.Follow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kismethealthy/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kismethealthcare/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kismethealthcared Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kismet-podcast/id1872529224 Kismet: https://www.kismet.healthcare/ Contact us: 📥 [email protected]

In Episode 6 of The Kismet Podcast, Carina Waye sits down with Kismet Customer Experience & Onboarding Specialist, Vanessa Hyland.Vanessa’s journey has taken her from hospitality and travel to working across SaaS companies and eventually supporting NDIS participants, providers and support coordinators at Kismet.But this conversation goes beyond career paths.Vanessa opens up about:• Leaving school at 16 to experience the world• Travelling solo to Canada and working on a ski mountain• Becoming an Australian citizen after 20 years• Raising a blended family• Why she’s become obsessed with goal setting in her 30s• The power of kindness and the idea of “dreamweaving” experiences for othersIt’s a conversation about growth, empathy, and choosing to move through life with intention - even when self-doubt shows up.🎧 Also available on YouTube & Apple Podcasts.Follow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kismethealthy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kismethealthcare/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kismethealthcared Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5jJHKELxLNdzHdrhXgRIoi?si=10db7407ed7b4aec Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kismet-podcast/id1872529224 Kismet: https://www.kismet.healthcare/ Contact us: 📥 [email protected]

In this episode of The Kismet Podcast, Carina sits down with software engineer Harry Travers for a conversation that goes everywhere - from mechanical engineering degrees and startup life to AI robots, cricket matches and the quest to learn Danish. Harry’s path into tech wasn’t exactly linear. Starting out in physics, switching to mechanical engineering, then teaching himself to code in his spare time, he eventually worked his way into software engineering before landing roles at companies like Amazon and returning to the startup world at Kismet. But this episode isn’t just about code. Carina and Harry talk about setting goals (and realising they’re not always what you thought they’d be), the difference between big tech and startups, why hobbies are better when you’re allowed to be terrible at them, and whether AI is about to make us all obsolete. There’s also plenty of detours along the way including cricket, conspiracy theories, Danish language struggles, and the existential question of whether LinkedIn is now entirely written by robots. A fun, thoughtful and slightly chaotic conversation about careers, curiosity, and figuring things out as you go. Follow us!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kismethealthy/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kismethealthcare/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kismethealthcared  Kismet: https://www.kismet.healthcare/  Contact us: 📥  [email protected] 

Paralympian Don Elgin on Resilience, Identity & the Mindset Behind Elite Performance. In this episode of The Kismet Podcast, Don Elgin shares the full story behind his extraordinary sporting career - from growing up in rural Australia with a disability, to representing Australia across multiple Paralympic Games and winning gold on the world stage. But beyond the achievements, this episode dives deep into: • Growing up without being defined by “disability” • Missing out on a Paralympic team at age 16 • The mindset of elite athletes and chasing one-percent improvements • Why identity beyond sport matters • The “door reset” technique for handling life’s setbacks • Raising kids while competing at the highest level This is a conversation about more than sport - it’s about perspective, ownership, and choosing to live fully.  Follow us!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kismethealthy/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kismethealthcare/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kismethealthcared  Kismet: https://www.kismet.healthcare/  Contact us: 📥  [email protected] 

Most people wait for the perfect idea. Dan Lombard thinks that’s the mistake. In episode 3 of the Kismet Podcast, Dan shares the mindset that helped him move countries, break into tech, and build opportunities from simple curiosity. You’ll hear about: Why most ideas evolve after you start The power of being genuinely interested in people How small risks compound over time Why action beats overthinking If you’ve been waiting to feel ready - this conversation might change how you think about starting.  Chapter Timestamps00:00 – Introduction 01:05 – Growing up in South Africa 02:00 – Wanting to become a professional cricketer 03:00 – Studying Industrial Engineering 04:05 – The unexpected path to Australia 05:15 – The gap year that changed everything 06:20 – Learning to code during downtime 07:00 – Cold messaging people on LinkedIn 08:15 – Landing his first job in tech 09:00 – Starting a career during COVID 10:05 – The networking lesson most people miss 11:10 – Being interesting vs being interested 12:05 – Joining AirTree 13:20 – Taking a break to create on YouTube 14:10 – Crypto, risk and trying something different 15:05 – Discovering Kismet 16:05 – The moment Kismet appeared on the radar 17:05 – Moving into software engineering 18:10 – Why Kismet felt different 19:05 – High trust culture 20:05 – Do more with less 21:00 – The importance of goals 22:10 – How goal setting changed his mindset 23:10 – Building a future with his wife 24:05 – Starting something together 25:05 – Why the perfect idea doesn’t exist 26:05 – Learning by doing 27:00 – Fear, embarrassment and starting anyway 28:05 – The advantage of a small team 29:05 – Personal goals vs company goals 30:00 – The Live Your Dreams bonus 31:00 – Music, creativity and life outside work 32:00 – Final thoughts Follow us!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kismethealthy/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kismethealthcare/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kismethealthcared  Kismet: https://www.kismet.healthcare/  Contact us: 📥  [email protected] 

In Episode 2 of The Kismet Podcast, Carina Waye sits down with Matt Trezise for a candid conversation about service, mental health, and what happens after life in high-pressure environments. Matt reflects on his time in the Australian Army, including his deployment to Afghanistan, and the realisation that what he was experiencing wasn’t “normal.” He speaks openly about seeking support, rebuilding capacity, and how healing reshaped the way he shows up in work and life. Together, they unpack consistency over ego, luck as opportunity meeting action, and the quiet power of continuing to show up - even when the outcome isn’t clear. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome & meeting Matt 01:10 – Early career & joining the Army 03:40 – Training, expectations & learning to show up 05:10 – Afghanistan deployment & earning opportunity 07:30 – Life after the Army & identity shifts 10:45 – High performance, pressure & normalising stress 14:20 – The moment of realisation: ‘This isn’t normal’ 19:50 – Naming it & seeking help 23:30 – Therapy, capacity & the ‘full bucket’ metaphor 27:50 – Luck, opportunity & taking action 30:10 – Leadership beyond titles 33:40 – What strength actually looks like 36:30 – Life after healing: what’s lighter now 38:30 – Advice to his younger self 40:00 – Closing thoughts & gratitude Follow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kismethealthy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kismethealthcare/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kismethealthcared Kismet: https://www.kismet.healthcare/ Contact us: 📥 [email protected]

Welcome to our first episode! Carina Waye sits down with Justine Cabandong, Product Manager at Kismet, for a thoughtful conversation about identity, career pivots, and trusting your gut. Justine reflects on her upbringing between the Philippines and Australia, her non-linear career journey, and the pivotal moments that shaped her path. Together, they discuss the power of intentional rest, redefining goals, overcoming fear, and what it means to take up space, both personally and professionally. This episode is a gentle reminder that growth doesn’t have to be linear, loud, or perfectly planned. Perfect for listeners navigating change, self-discovery, and their own version of success. Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & meeting Justine 01:00 – Growing up between the Philippines and Australia 03:30 – Living alone & learning to enjoy your own company 04:45 – Career eras: confused graduate → saying yes → slowing down 07:00 – Turning down a “dream” job & trusting your gut 08:30 – Finding product management through customer success 10:15 – The Eat, Pray, Crochet era & intentional rest 12:30 – Destiny, fate & pivotal life moments 15:30 – Redefining goals (and learning to love them) 18:30 – Overcoming fear, solo travel & mindset shifts 25:30 – Public speaking, taking up space & personal growth 28:00 – What impact Justine hopes to leave behind 30:00 – Advice to her younger self & closing reflections  Follow us!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kismethealthy/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kismethealthcare/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kismethealthcared  Kismet: https://www.kismet.healthcare/  Contact us: 📥  [email protected]