BLXCK INK Podcast

Welcome my friend and fellow athlete: Hamish Hall. We cover everything from growing up on farms and riding motorbikes, to transitioning into endurance sport and pushing through the mental battles of long-distance racing.Hamish shares his journey from motocross and downhill racing into triathlon, the mindset shift required to compete in endurance sport, and what really goes on during those long hours when your body starts to break down.Show Sponsor: Koombana Financial Reach out today to book in your free initial chat www.koombanafinancial.com.au

Carmelo Ioppolo, founder of ENM Electrical joins me for a deep 3.5-hour conversation about entrepreneurship, growth, mindset, and building a business at a young age.At just 25 years old, Carmelo is already scaling his electrical business with ambitious plans to grow a serious team and push revenue far beyond what most trades businesses attempt in their early years. The conversation dives into what it actually takes to build something from the ground up, the ego required to start, the humility required to grow, and the mental battles that come with chasing big goals.

Bunbury Turf Club is gearing up for its biggest day of the year and this week’s episode goes right inside the operation.Ahead of this weekend’s Bunbury Cup, I sat down with Kyle Potter to break down what actually goes into running and maintaining a major regional racecourse. From track preparation and horse welfare, to race-day pressure, betting, crowds and the sheer scale of Cup Day. This is a proper behind-the-scenes look at an event most people only experience from the bar.If you’ve ever rocked up to the races without thinking about what’s happening beneath your feet (or behind the scenes), this episode will completely change how you see it.

Gage is back for round seven and like always, it goes everywhere.This episode starts chaotic (nicotine relapses, bad podcasts, Japanese cigars, and marketplace hustles) before slowly evolving into something deeper: addiction cycles, discipline, masculinity, money, ambition, business benchmarks, and what it actually feels like when you start becoming the person you’ve been pretending to be for years.There’s honest talk about substance control, marriage dynamics, business growth, chasing big revenue targets, selling the car to double down on momentum, and the psychology of “I’m him” moments — when the scoreboard finally reflects the work.

Learn more and donate here 👉🏼 https://www.toby.org.au/Ian Meacham shares the deeply personal story of his son Toby’s childhood cancer diagnosis and the emotional journey that followed. From the shock of diagnosis to months spent living near hospital care, Ian opens up about how this experience reshaped his priorities, his family life, and his perspective on success.Alongside this story, Ian discusses building and scaling multiple construction businesses, growing a team to nearly 90 employees, and delivering over $30 million in projects each year. He reflects on leadership under pressure, managing risk in large-scale construction, hiring the right people, and maintaining strong business culture while navigating personal adversity.This episode explores resilience, leadership, entrepreneurship, and how facing life’s hardest moments can redefine ambition, business growth, and what truly matters.

Heres a front-row seat into the mind of Brandon Willington. Australia's top Facebook and Google marketing education agency. Known for building high-performing ad systems, winning industry recognition for his results, and helping businesses scale with precision. Brandon doesn’t just talk marketing, he lives it. His track record, client wins, and award-level performance have put him in the top tier of Australian marketers.Recorded in his Batcave where everything is engineered for deep focus, high output, and zero distraction. Brandon breaks down his obsession with protecting attention, structuring his days for thinking time, and designing environments that drive performance.

I sit down with David Faulkner, owner of Nixon Electrics, for a raw, operator-to-operator conversation about what it really takes to scale a trade business.Dave breaks down the realities of growing from a single location into a multi-site operation, the pressure that comes with managing people at scale, and why “busy” doesn’t always mean profitable. We talk systems, hiring, leadership, emotional regulation, and why small wins eventually stop registering when your benchmarks keep moving.This is a grounded, honest discussion about growth, responsibility, culture, and the mental load that comes with building something serious over a long period of time.

A solo episode unpacking our IVF journey so far told entirely from my perspective as the partner.This conversation covers the mental and emotional side of IVF, navigating fertility issues, vasectomy reversal, learning how complex conception actually is, and what it’s like supporting someone you love through a process you can’t physically carry for them.This episode is not medical advice, just an honest account of the experience so far.⚠️ DisclaimerThe BLXCK INK Podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only. Views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of affiliated individuals or organisations. Stories shared on this podcast may contain fictional elements or be embellished for creative effect. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental unless explicitly stated. This podcast is not intended to provide professional advice. Listener discretion is advised.Also…I, Jake Kerr, am a creative person who regularly evolves in my thinking and perspective. At times, I may explore unconventional or even seemingly wild ideas as part of his process to learn, grow, and spark deeper thought.Please leave space for my growth and witness without judgement. Remember, I am a human who willingly explores vulnerability and perspective on camera for entertainment purposes.

Rhys Veen is a Bunbury-based physiotherapist, business owner, husband, and new dad and this conversation goes well beyond injuries and rehab.Rhys shares his journey from uni graduate to clinic owner, how he thinks about money, growth, and hiring, and what changes when you’re responsible for both a business and a family. We also get into entrepreneurship ceilings, value, faith, identity, and the unexpected similarities between starting a business and becoming a parent.

Amy shares the full story of losing her salon in a fire that wasn’t just accidental damage but collateral from criminal activity next door. We unpack the shock of waking up to your entire livelihood gone, the pressure of still showing up for clients and staff, and the mental toll of having to “be strong” when all you really want is a break.This conversation goes far beyond the fire. We talk about community, legacy, faith, burnout, leadership, and what it really means to run a values-driven business in a small town. Amy opens up about honouring $15,000 worth of gift vouchers from another closed business, the guilt of staff losing their tools overnight, and the strange strength that comes from being forced to start again.

In this episode, I’m joined by Josh Wood for a wide-ranging conversation that moves well beyond finance.We talk about the reality of working with banks, why human advice still matters in an AI-heavy world, and how confidence, preparation, and adaptability shape everything from business to endurance sport. Josh shares his background in mortgage broking, triathlon, and performance, plus some brutally honest perspectives on stress, money, training, relationships, and long-term thinking.This is a grounded, real conversation about doing hard things, backing yourself, and building a life that actually fits — not just one that looks good on paper.

Federal Member for Forrest, Ben Small, joins the BLXCK INK Podcast for the second time to discuss his new role and some important current topics.We unpack big issues affecting the South West and the country more broadly, including housing affordability, small business, entrepreneurship, regional decision-making, fishing regulations, energy policy, and how long-form conversations can provide context that traditional media often misses.We go beyond headlines and soundbites to explore what it’s actually like representing a regional electorate at a federal level — from being recognised in the local Coles aisle to navigating complex national policy decisions that directly impact everyday Australians.

In today's episode, I sit down with Ash Griggs for a yarn about creativity, business, fatherhood, competition, identity, and what it really means to build something over time.We talk about the evolution of creative work, discipline versus talent, staying in the game when things get hard, and how perspective shifts as life changes.

Ben Lloyd-Smith returns to the BLXCK INK Podcast for a long-overdue deep dive into business, real estate, development, systems, burnout, growth, personal evolution, and everything in between.Ben has been building Zephyr Real Estate and Zephyr Developments with an obsessive focus on service, structure, and long-term thinking — and in this episode we unpack the realities behind it all. From commission-based highs and lows, to handling clients, to scaling sustainably, to knowing when you’re cooked and need to reset.

Visit www.mgmgroup.com.au/careers today to explore an exciting future in transport www.blxckink.com.au 👈🏼 all new goods now available!Secure your Bahlu // BLXCK INK tee before they sell out🎙 Todays guestFrom heavy-fab in Kalgoorlie to running one of the cleanest vehicle fabrication workshops in the South West, Zac O’Bree has built Red Hot Engineering into one of WA’s most exciting custom tray and canopy operations.We dive into the whole journey — leaving subcontracting behind, building systems, scaling the workshop, bringing on staff, learning to delegate, mastering content creation, and preparing for fatherhood.This is a proper deep-dive into small business reality, fabrication culture, and the mindset behind building a premium custom brand from the ground up.

Visit www.mgmgroup.com.au/careers today to explore an exciting future in transport!Julie Broad has worn many hats — from CEO of the Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce to now being one of Bunbury’s newest City Councillors. In this episode, we go deep into her personal and professional evolution — how early failures, emotional maturity, and a lifelong drive to “get it done” shaped the woman she is today.

Visit www.mgmgroup.com.au/careers today to explore an exciting future in transport!From a humble coffee van to one of Bunbury’s most loved cafes — this is the full story of Little Spencer. Liam and Corey join me fresh off the sale of their café to talk about how they built it from scratch, the systems behind their success, and what life feels like now that it’s all sold.We go deep on business, burnout, building community, and what it means to run a thriving café as a couple. It’s a powerful chat about growth, self-belief, and knowing when to step away — all told by two of the sharpest operators Bunbury’s ever seen.

🖤 BLXCK INK tees 🖤www.blxckink.com.au 👈🏼 all new goods now available!Every shirt you buy supports the podcast.Check out our latest drops, a fusion between BLXCK INK and our beautiful city of Bunbury.Printed here in Bunbury by yours truly.🎙 Todays guestThis episode dives deep into the legacy and evolution of MGM Bulk and the Giacci family dynasty, one of Bunbury’s most iconic business stories, through the eyes of Jimmy Giacci, third-generation leader and marketing mind behind the brand.We cover everything from the origins of Giacci Brothers, the transition to MGM, and the realities of running a 600-person transport operation, through to Jimmy’s personal journey — from machines and quarries to marketing, snowboarding, cars, creativity, and life balance.Jimmy’s story is a raw look at legacy, leadership, and what it means to carry a family business into a new era while staying grounded in creativity, humility, and purpose.