The Startups Drive

On this episode of The Startups Drive, I sat down with best-selling authors Adem Manderovic and George Coudounaris to talk about their newly released book Closed Circuit Selling and the system behind it.Adem and George break down what Closed Circuit Selling actually is, the core pillars that drive it, and why it’s becoming one of the most effective approaches to sales today. We dive into how this method helps create stronger relationships, more predictable outcomes, and a clearer structure for anyone looking to improve their sales process.They also share real-world insights — from their own experience and from the results their students have achieved — giving a practical look at what actually works when it comes to selling in today’s environment.Whether you’re a founder, in sales, or simply looking to improve your ability to communicate and close, this episode offers clear, actionable insights you can start applying straight away.A great way to kick off 2026 if you’re serious about improving your sales skills and building something that lasts.Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Adem and GeorgeLinkedins https://www.linkedin.com/in/adem-manderovic/https://www.linkedin.com/in/b2b-marketing-expert/The book https://www.amazon.com.au/Closed-Circuit-Selling-Predictable-Unpredictable/dp/B0GQ2YV52Y/Our partner page https://theb2bplaybook.com/ccs-resourcesMore about the book https://theb2bplaybook.com/closed-circuit-sellingMore about there programs https://theb2bplaybook.com/cro-school

On this episode of The Startups Drive, I welcomed back Stephanie Nguyen — construction professional and founder of Threefold Strategy, a business focused on helping people set meaningful goals and actually follow through on them.Stephanie and I sat down to unpack accountability — why it matters, what it really looks like in practice, and why holding yourself accountable is often harder than it sounds. We talked about the role other people play in accountability, whether it’s mentors, peers, or accountability partners, and how the right support can keep you moving when motivation dips.We also dug into the deeper reasons behind goal-setting itself — why understanding why you want a goal is just as important as the goal itself. And we didn’t shy away from the grey areas either: is a no-excuses mindset always healthy, or is it okay when real life gets in the way? Where’s the line between discipline and self-compassion?This is a powerful episode to listen to as we close out 2025 and head into 2026 — especially if you’re serious about setting better goals, building real accountability, and doing the work that actually moves the needle.Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Stephanie LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanienguyenofficial/⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stephanienguyenofficial⁠⁠

On this episode of The Startups Drive, I welcomed back Natalie Tran — a business and transition coach and former accountant and finance executive — who helps people navigate career change and business growth through her work at Transition With Purpose.As we head into the countdown to the end of 2025, Natalie and I sat down to talk about when it’s actually the right time to make a career transition, how to build real confidence, and how to design your own career portfolio instead of just chasing job titles — while also creating the work-life balance you actually want and can sustain.We also unpacked the mindset and systems behind successful transitions — what matters more, how they work together, and how to figure out which one you personally need more of right now.And we didn’t avoid the hard stuff either. We spoke about burnout — the signs, the symptoms, what to watch for, and what to do if you or someone close to you is already running on empty.This episode is for anyone feeling stuck, thinking about change, or already in the middle of one and wondering if they’re on the right track — and it’s a powerful listen as we head into 2026.Natalies First Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/2GH8XTu4oEizLc0fBOUPg6Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Natalie W: https://www.transitionwithpurpose.com.auLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-tran-coach-melbourne/**Insta: @transitionwithpurposeYT: @transitionwithp YouTubeApple Podcasts: Transition With Purpose PodcastSpotify: Transition With Purpose Podcast Spotify

In this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with Robyn Clark — a Media and Communications student with a focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Robyn is an emerging talent, eager to learn and build her path in the startup and business world.We talk about her journey through university — why she chose her degree, how her studies are shaping her perspective, and the real pros and cons of formal education versus hands-on experience. Robyn also shares her take on the power of networking for young professionals, how students can build real connections, and what she’s learned from working with tools in AI and social media marketing.We wrap up by talking about balance and drive — including how her passion for running keeps her focused and motivated in life and work.This is a must-listen for students, early-career professionals, and anyone looking to take their first steps in the business, startup and professional worlds. Follow Robyn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynelizabethclark/Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/

In this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with May Ku — founder of Reev, the upcoming dating app designed to move past swipes and algorithms. May talks about her background growing up in Korea, her path to Australia, and how she made the uncommon leap from a career in market research to entrepreneurship. We get into the realities of modern dating apps — from their focus on superficial swipes to their reliance on algorithms — and why she believes authentic connection can’t be engineered that way. May shares her vision for Reev and what it takes to build something different in such a crowded space. Whether you’re a founder curious about turning an idea into a startup, or just someone interested in where dating apps are headed, this episode offers insight into both love and entrepreneurship.Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow May and Reevehttp://www.reev.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayhyunjiku/

In this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with Matt Ainsworth — a startup mentor with years of experience in Asia’s innovation scene. Having lived in Japan for nearly a decade, Matt brings unique insight into the country’s startup culture, its rapid pace of development, and what Australia can learn from one of the world’s most advanced ecosystems.We explore Matt’s journey to Japan, the cutting-edge prototypes and ideas emerging from its startup community, and where Australia has opportunities to collaborate and grow. Matt also shares his work at Tekkon, a platform that connects founders with developers, and explains why technical talent is so critical to early-stage success. From understanding the developer’s role to exploring alternative tools for founders who can’t afford one early on, this conversation is full of practical advice and global perspective.If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or just curious about how Asia is shaping the future of startups, this episode offers valuable lessons and fresh inspiration.Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Matthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ainsworth-35a53522b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

In this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with David Kenney — a legend of Australia’s startup scene, mentor, investor, and author of the best-selling book Epic Execution.We dig into David’s journey and the story behind his book, as he shares insights on founder mindset, building the right team, and truly understanding your market and customer. We also tackle key questions every founder should ask — like what to know before starting, how to connect with your audience, and how to stay open to learning even when you think you’ve got it all figured out. Whether you’re just starting out, scaling up, or simply rethinking your next move, this episode is packed with sharp advice, hard-earned lessons, and honest conversation.Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Davidhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkenneyofficial/https://www.epicexecution.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/epic-execution/posts/?feedView=allhttps://www.startwithepic.com/

In this episode of The Startups Drive, I’m joined again by Nathan Linsley — CEO and Founder of NadoCo Interactive — who recently shifted into the music industry, building tools to solve real problems artists and creators face.Nathan shares insights from his time exploring the startup ecosystems in South Korea and Japan, offering a unique perspective on how they differ from Australia’s startup scene, and what Aussie founders can learn from these global innovation hubs.We also dive into the realities of startup negotiations — why equity isn’t always the best incentive, and how early-stage teams can find the right mix of rewards and motivation.Plus, we explore the rising role of AI in startups, especially in the early stages where cost and speed matter most. But that doesn’t mean developers are out of a job — far from it. Nathan explains why developers still play a vital role as startups grow and scale.Whether you’re a startup founder, software developer, or just curious about global startup trends, this conversation offers insights, strategy, and inspiration you can use.Nathans Previous episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Jm8b29wWekoVrnIt1jG62Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Nathan http://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlinsley1http://instagram.com/nadocodes

In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Tran — a business and transition coach and former accountant and finance executive — who helps people navigate their career changes and business growth through her business, Transition With Purpose. With a unique blend of strategy, practical experience and thoughtful coaching, Natalie empowers individuals to make intentional, fulfilling shifts in their lives.We cover everything from recognising when it’s time for a career change, to overcoming the fear and uncertainty that often comes with it. Natalie also breaks down the art of effective goal setting — sharing how to turn big dreams into small, achievable steps that actually stick.Whether you’re considering a career pivot, feeling stuck in your current path, or just looking to set more meaningful goals, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and inspiration to help guide your next move.Tune in for a grounded, eye-opening conversation that might just be the push you need.Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Natalie W: https://www.transitionwithpurpose.com.auLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-tran-coach-melbourne/**Insta: @transitionwithpurposeYT: @transitionwithp YouTubeApple Podcasts: Transition With Purpose PodcastSpotify: Transition With Purpose Podcast Spotify

In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Nguyen—construction professional and founder of Master of Achievement, a business dedicated to helping others reach their goals.We explore a wide range of topics, including the value of having a mentor, how to find the right one for you, and the power of building meaningful connections through networking. At the heart of our conversation is a key takeaway: the more you understand yourself, the more equipped you are to grow and succeed.Whether you're looking to level up in your personal or professional life, this episode offers insight and inspiration to help you on your journey. Tune in for a motivating and thought-provoking conversation!Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Stephanie LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanienguyenofficial/⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterofachievement/Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stephanienguyenofficial⁠⁠Website: ⁠www.masterofachievement.com⁠Email: ⁠[email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with Peter Do, a nurse turned consultant at Oracle and an entrepreneur passionate about the intersection of health, technology, and fitness. We dive into his journey from the medical field to the startup world, the power of meaningful conversations, and what you can learn just by listening. Peter also shares insights on his journey into his first accelerator program that kickstarted his journey into healthtech. He sees it as his biggest failure, but offers valuable insights into his start, middle, and finish of his accelerator coming in with just an idea.Tune in for an inspiring discussion on career transitions, networking, and making an impact in health and tech!Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Peter https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterdonurse/https://www.instagram.com/p3ter_theexplorer/

Gunnar Habitz, is a man who moved to Australia from Europe almost 8 years ago. He is an accomplished author who works in partnerships and knows how to build strong relationships with customers and clients. He is also an authority when it comes to email marketing and the power of email marketing. Today Gunnar and I sat down and spoke about building relationships and the power of  building those relationships, the power of email marketing and how it is still the leading form of marketing and the power it has for the subscriber, We also spoke about his recently published book Lead Not Manage as well as other books and that he has in stored in the future. A great listen for people who want to learn how to build stronger relationships, email marketing and about some of the stories of Lead not manage. Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Gunnarhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/gunnarhabitzhttp://www.leadnotmanagebook.com/

Nathan Linsley is a Senior Full Stack Engineer and the CEO & Founder of NadoCo Interactive. NadoCo works exclusively with startups to help them reach their full potential in the tech space and create any kind of SaaS, Mobile App or Platform that they can imagine.Today Nathan and I sat down and spoke about what it's like being in the start-up space, finding the right co-founder as well as ways to help startups and learn from past experiences. We also touched on AI and the future it holds for startups going forward. A great chat for anyone interested in starting a business, looking for a co-founder, wanting to know more about Ai or just interested in business in general.Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Nathan http://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlinsley1http://instagram.com/nadocodes

Raghav Ravisankar is a software engineer at Superhero, community organizer and AI researcher. In this conversation, Raghav and I spoke about the future of AI; building a community called Open Coffee Sydney; growing your network; A great and insightful conversation showing the power of both AI and Networking, This podcast is a must listen.Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Raghavhttp://raghavr.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/raghavism/

Just a quick update on the podcast and the future with the revamping of it. Firstly, i want to say thank you to everyone who has listened to the podcast up and until this moment. It means a lot to me. The podcast is going to be changing with a revamp new look and new name going forward where i will be stilling down with people and having conversations with them but in a slight shift towards startups and business also. I am going to be having conversations and talking to them about things outside of business also as we are all people going and there is more to our lives then just 1 thing. I am still going to be having interesting conversations with people that is the core of my believe and finding ways to learn and grow but in more refined ways as well as in a wide variety of ways as well. The Episodes with before the change will have the old title card on it will remain as they are all very interesting conversations and any more will have but the new ones will have the new title card on it but that is not to say i won't have people outside of business and start ups on here also. I am excited about the journey ahead and the next chapter of the podcast. 

Isaac Adams is not only a man who has served his country, he is also a man who has committed his life to horses. He has been riding and training horses for a nearly a decade and has turned this passion into a way of helping people overcome personal challenges. Today, Isaac and I had the privilege of sitting down to discuss how interactions with horses can help people with trauma and overcoming adversity, as well as the deep bonds formed between riders and horses and how these connections mirror the relationships we cultivate with people. We touched on his military service and more. A wonderful and insightful chat with a man who has given so much in service and helping people doing what he loves. Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/

Christian Valenzuela is a man who has worked in film, videography and editing for nearly a decade. He is a man who loves films and passionate about films and editing. Christian and I sat down and spoke about the film industry, the growth of it and what the future holds for it with the impact of AI. We also spoke about a lot more topics and had both an insightful and fun conversation. Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/

Doctor Alexander Roper has been in the education system for over 30 years, with two decades working in the higher education sector. He has been Dean at numerous institutions and makes it his goal to do what is best to help his students succeed in study and life. Alexander and I sat down and spoke about the education system - the good and bad - and going to education later in life compared to earlier in life. We also spoke about finding yourself through your degree and how it's incumbent upon all educators to help their students reach their full potential. It pulls absolutely no punches, and forms one part of our interview about all things education. It's a must listen for anyone studying, thinking of going on to do their degree or for anyone currently working in education. Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/

Jerome Buck has been coaching at grassroots level for over 30 years. He has seen the changes in coaching over his time and the effects it has had on coaches, Players, Parents and Clubs. In today's episode Jerome and I spoke about the changes in coaching over the years and difference and the impact that it has had on not only players but also coaches as well as also talking about coaching in a time of social media and letting kids have fun and enjoy sport with no added pressure put on them. Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/

Chris Barton is not only a successful entrepreneur he is a man on mission. A mission of Building Resilience and raising awareness of mental health one step at a time. Chris has done many charity walks to help raise awareness and make a difference. In todays episode Chris and i talk about his movement Step Into Action and ways of building resilience in a time where mental health and suicide rates are rising. And its Chris mission to help change that one step at a time. Follow Myself https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/Follow Chris and Step Into Action https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbartonstepintoaction/https://www.instagram.com/step_into_action/