From Commune to Global Entrepreneur: Jason Howard's Journey

At the start of each podcast episode, I ask my editor to add a "teaser". It's a highlight from the conversation designed to grab the listener's attention and spark some curiosity. When I listened back to this episode, the teaser instantly had me laughing hard because it's about.... lentils! 😂 Not that I'm being flippant (some people take their lentils very seriously!), but straight away you can hear that Jason Howard and I are having a great time recording this episode of Global Horizons. Jason Howard has had quite an incredible journey. From growing up in the picturesque, alternative town of Bellingen, in Northern NSW, to leading global innovations in education technology as the Global Head of Recruitment and Admission Solutions at Flywire, Jason’s story is a testament to the power of adaptability, perseverance, and a touch of serendipity. In this episode, Jason shares his journey from a would-be lawyer to an entrepreneur and education trailblazer. He takes us through formative moments, like discovering the international student organisation AIESEC at university, which opened his eyes to the global opportunities that would shape his career. Along the way, we dive into his early days of burning CD-ROMs for university marketing, his transition to the UK during StudyLink’s growth years, and the lessons he’s learned about navigating change in an ever-evolving industry. Jason’s reflections on the evolution of technology in education are as insightful as they are relatable. From the clunky tools of the ’90s to today’s buzzworthy generative AI, he discusses the enduring importance of storytelling, human connection, and quality content. And beyond the professional sphere, Jason opens up about his love for travel, his connection to regional Australia, and his vision for giving back to Indigenous communities. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a career that’s as fulfilling as it is impactful, or how to embrace change with open arms, this conversation is for you. Jason’s mix of wisdom, humour, and grounded perspective makes this one a must-listen. This episode is brought to you by ⁠Choosing Your Uni, the platform that's changing the way that students research and choose their university. We're also grateful for the support from Insider Studios (⁠⁠https://www.insiderstudios.com.au/⁠⁠) on this episode - the world of content is shifting, so don't get left behind, the professionals at Insider are there to guide you.