In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of...' Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Pam Johnson, a sixth-generation farmer and groundbreaking agricultural leader. As the first female president of the National Corn Growers Association and a founding member of MAIZALL (International Maize Alliance), Pam has led scientific initiatives including the final mapping of the corn genome while successfully transitioning a multi-generational family enterprise. Discover her profound insights on stewardship, character-building through adversity, and the "antenna up" philosophy that guides transformational leadership.

Ready to elevate your leadership approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

00:00 Introduction and the importance of agricultural leadership wisdom

05:18 From registered nurse to sixth-generation farmer: Pam's unique journey

12:36 The turning point: Standing up at the bankruptcy hearing

18:52 The "antenna up" philosophy: Paying attention to what the world needs

25:44 Breaking barriers as the first female National Corn Growers Association president

33:29 Leading the corn genome mapping project: Science meets agriculture

38:22 Building international alliances through MAIZALL

45:36 Succession planning: Transitioning the farm to the next generation

52:12 Resilience lessons from the 1980s farming crisis and 1998 hog market collapse

58:43 Character under pressure: The farming laboratory for leadership development

Pam Johnson is a pioneering agricultural leader whose influence extends far beyond farming. As the first female president of the National Corn Growers Association, she broke significant ground while leading groundbreaking scientific initiatives. As chair of the NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team, she collaborated with the USDA and National Science Foundation to facilitate the final mapping of the corn genome, a breakthrough that transformed agricultural science globally.

Johnson's commitment to advancing agriculture extends internationally through her role as a founding member and former president of MAIZALL, the International Maize Alliance, which unites corn grower associations from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States to address global trade barriers and promote agricultural innovation.

Before dedicating herself full-time to farming, Johnson worked as a registered nurse, bringing a unique perspective to her agricultural endeavors. Her multifaceted career and unwavering dedication to the farming community have earned her recognition as the 2024 Top Producer Women in Ag award winner.

Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/

Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/

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In a world where quick fixes and surface-level strategies dominate business conversations, the leaders who create lasting impact operate from deeper principles. They understand that sustainable success requires not just intelligence or strategy, but the courage to build authentically, persist through inevitable setbacks, and maintain perspective during both triumph and difficulty.

This second installment of The Wisdom Of Show's favorite moments compilation continues our exploration of the insights that refuse to leave your mind once encountered. From entrepreneurial founders who've built global brands to spiritual teachers who understand the psychology of resilience, from business transformation experts to researchers who've overturned fundamental assumptions about human potential.

These aren't theoretical concepts or motivational platitudes. These are hard-earned insights from leaders who've walked the difficult path of building something meaningful and emerged with wisdom that transforms how we think about courage, authenticity, and the mechanics of sustainable success.

Ready to transform your own insights into scalable frameworks? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method to learn how to capture and codify the kind of original thinking that drives lasting impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

00:00 Introduction: The courage required to build something lasting

02:07 Kristina Karlsson - Entrepreneurial insights on building something meaningful

08:45 Matt Purcell - Personal branding and visibility in the modern marketplace

19:47 Janine Allis - Boost Juice founder on entrepreneurial persistence and the power of "don't say no, say how"

26:10 Shi Heng Li - Buddhist wisdom on embracing life's inevitable fluctuations with equanimity

33:40 Alice Barbery - Leadership and workplace transformation insights

42:13 Ben Hamer - Future trends, technology, and human connection in a digital age

50:23 Dr. Dale Bredesen - Alzheimer's researcher on paradigm shifts, proactive approaches, and challenging assumptions

Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/

Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/

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In an era where surface-level advice dominates and quick fixes promise instant results, the conversations that truly matter are those that challenge our fundamental assumptions about leadership, performance, and sustainable excellence.

In this special episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, host Simon Bowen curates the most profound moments from his conversations with world-class leaders who operate at the highest levels under the most challenging circumstances. From Navy SEAL commanders who understand the difference between peak and optimal performance, to tech visionaries who think in decades rather than quarters, to elite athletes who reveal the hidden psychology of preparation and execution … these aren't just interview highlights.

These are the moments of wisdom that refuse to leave your mind once you've encountered them. The insights that fundamentally shift how you approach every strategic decision, every leadership challenge, and every conversation about what it means to build something lasting in an increasingly complex world.

Discover why your reactions under pressure are determined by what you practice in comfort, how internal conversations either protect or dilute your market value, and why the strongest leaders don't seek agreement, they create environments where truth can emerge, even when it's uncomfortable.

Ready to capture and scale your own original genius? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method to learn how to transform intuitive wisdom into frameworks that drive billion-dollar impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

00:00 Introduction: Why certain moments of wisdom change everything

00:25 Charlene Li - Digital transformation strategist who redefined how we think about organizational agility

03:55 Gus McLachlan - Elite performance coach revealing the hidden psychology of sustainable excellence

08:52 Liz Ellis - Legendary athlete on the preparation principles that separate champions from competitors

13:40 Alicia Ferguson - Visionary leader on building cultures that transcend individual performance

19:41 Rich Diviney - Former Navy SEAL commander on optimal performance and attribute-based leadership

29:44 Ed Catmull - Pixar co-founder on error-correcting mechanisms and creative leadership

41:28 Brett King - Futurist on AI, economic transformation, and the meaning economy

Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/

Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/

Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs!

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Join Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact.

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In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Tamara Jackson, Founder and CEO of Beaconship, a sanctuary where faith and business intertwine. From discussing the myth of compartmentalization to exploring the power of pause in leadership, Tamara shares profound insights on how faith-driven leadership creates authentic impact in today's hyperconnected world. Discover her four guiding values—Faith, Significance, Excellence, and Classiness—and learn why the deepest discoveries in business and life are made in slowing down, not speeding up.

Ready to elevate your leadership approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introduction and the importance of authenticity in leadership

05:18 The myth of compartmentalization and bringing your whole self to work

12:36 The power of pause in decision-making and leadership

18:52 Faith as a source of strength, not a liability

25:44 The difference between good decisions and best decisions

33:29 Four guiding values: Faith, Significance, Excellence, and Classiness

38:22 Significance vs success: focusing on long-term impact

45:36 Excellence without perfectionism: balancing high standards with reality

52:12 Classiness as an elevated leadership value

58:43 Leadership in an increasingly technological world

About Tamara Jackson

Tamara Jackson is the visionary Founder and CEO of Beaconship, where faith and business intertwine to create a brighter future. As a consultant, advisor, and investor, Tamara serves as a vital conduit between faith-based donors and the organizations they support. With over two decades of experience in communication, marketing, and entrepreneurship, she has honed her skills to become a driving force for change.

At the core of Tamara's philosophy lie four guiding values: Faith, Significance, Excellence, and Classiness—the foundation upon which she builds her work and inspires others to reach their full potential. Through her advisory and agency services, she is curating a global community of strong, brave leaders who are ready to seize their individual and collective potential.

Connect with Tamara Jackson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachtam/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeaconship/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebeaconship/

Website: https://beaconship.co

The Beacon Show: https://beaconship.co/show/

About Simon Bowen

Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.

Connect with Simon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/

Instagram:

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Jeff Dudan, Chairman & CEO of Homefront Brands and founder of AdvantaClean. From turning Hurricane Andrew's devastation into a business opportunity to scaling a national franchise with 240 locations, Jeff shares profound insights on entrepreneurial resilience, strategic decision-making, and building legacy businesses. Discover his unique "business athlete's" approach to recognizing inflection points, making decisions with discernment, and creating organizations that thrive through crisis and opportunity alike.

Ready to elevate your leadership approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introduction and Jeff's journey from college athlete to entrepreneur

05:18 How Hurricane Andrew became a life-changing inflection point

12:36 The athlete's mindset and its application in business leadership

18:52 Identifying the three critical types of inflection points in business

25:44 Scaling challenges: from founder-led operation to franchise model

33:29 The power of discernment in strategic decision-making

38:22 Creating sustainable franchise systems through franchisee-centered design

45:36 The partnership with St. Jude and building purpose beyond profit

52:12 Leadership fundamentals: why finding your own happiness comes first

58:43 Legacy-building and the transition to helping other entrepreneurs succeed

About Jeff Dudan

Jeff Dudan is the Chairman & CEO of HomeFront Brands and founder of AdvantaClean, a national restoration franchise that grew to 240 locations before its successful acquisition in 2019. His entrepreneurial journey began as a college football player at Appalachian State University, where he started a student apartment painting business, before pivoting to disaster recovery following Hurricane Andrew.

Jeff is the author of "Discernment: The Business Athlete's Regimen for a Great Life through Better Decisions," a Forbes contributor, and tireless advocate for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. His expertise spans franchise development, operational excellence, and leadership transformation, with particular insight into building sustainable business systems that balance growth with purpose.

Throughout his career, Jeff has demonstrated exceptional ability to recognize inflection points—those critical moments where decisive action transforms challenges into opportunities. As a former Division I athlete, he brings unique perspective on discipline, performance, and excellence to the entrepreneurial journey.

Connect with Jeff Dudan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdudan/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffdudan/

Website: https://jeffdudan.com/

Company: https://homefrontbrands.com/

About Simon Bowen

Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.

Connect with Simon

LinkedIn:

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Blake Thompson and Declan Kluver, co-founders of XRecruiter. From their fascinating journey as childhood friends turned competitors, to their eventual collaboration during COVID that led to one of Australia's fastest-growing companies, Blake and Declan share the unfiltered truth about building a business that's achieved 1540% growth in a single year. Discover how these young entrepreneurs rewrote the rules of the recruitment industry, their strategies for exponential scaling, and their vision for global expansion as they prepare to enter the US market.

Ready to elevate your leadership approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introduction and XRecruiter's remarkable growth story

05:18 The genesis: How COVID crisis turned competitors into collaborators

12:36 Creating community in a fiercely competitive industry

18:52 Technology's role in transforming the recruitment landscape

25:44 Building a successful partnership with complementary strengths

33:29 The psychology of positioning: Marketing to recruiters without alerting employers

38:22 The mathematics behind exponential growth and international expansion

45:36 Focus on sales: Why cost-cutting can't solve growth challenges

52:12 Personal insights and wisdom from Blake and Declan's journey

58:43 Future vision and the strategic move to Austin, Texas

About Blake Thompson & Declan Kluver

Blake Thompson (CEO) and Declan Kluver (Chief Business Officer) are the co-founders of XRecruiter, Australia's fastest-growing company, and winner of the 2024 AFR Fast Starters award with over 2,300% growth. Childhood friends who reconnected during the COVID pandemic, they transformed their separate recruitment agencies into a revolutionary platform that empowers recruiters to start and run their own businesses.

The Brisbane-based company has grown from $975,000 in revenue in 2023 to $16 million in 2024, with projections to reach $55 million in 2025. Their proprietary SaaS platform provides branding, marketing, accounting, payroll, licensing, advisory, and technology services to 66 partner agencies across Australia, New Zealand, and soon the United States.

In early 2025, Blake will relocate to Austin, Texas to spearhead XRecruiter's entry into the US market—a strategic move targeting a recruitment industry 25 times larger than Australia's.

Connect with Blake Thompson & Declan Kluver

XRecruiter Website: https://www.xrecruiter.io/

LinkedIn (Blake): https://www.linkedin.com/in/startarecruitmentagency/

LinkedIn (Declan): https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-kluver/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xrecruiter/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xrecruiter/

About Simon Bowen

Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of...

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Garry Ridge, Chairman Emeritus of WD-40 Company and founder of The Learning Moment. From transforming a single-product company into a global powerhouse to achieving remarkable employee engagement, Garry shares his philosophy of human-centered leadership that drives both business success and personal fulfillment. Discover his insights on creating a "tribe of learning," the power of reframing mistakes, practicing servant leadership, and building organizational cultures where people can truly thrive, learn, and contribute to something greater.

Ready to elevate your leadership approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introduction and Garry's leadership philosophy

05:18 The concept of "learning moments" instead of mistakes

12:36 Creating a tribe of belonging through shared purpose

18:52 Servant leadership principles in action at WD-40

25:44 Measuring success through employee engagement

33:29 Values as effective decision-making tools

38:22 Translating cultural principles into business results

45:36 Building human-centered systems that support growth

52:12 The future of leadership and continuous learning

58:43 Legacy and creating a sustainable impact beyond oneself

About Garry Ridge

Garry Ridge is the Chairman Emeritus of WD-40 Company and founder of The Learning Moment. During his 25-year tenure as CEO, Garry transformed WD-40 from a single-product company into a global powerhouse, growing its market value from $250 million to $2.5 billion while achieving an extraordinary 93% employee engagement rate.

Passionate about creating workplace cultures where people can thrive, Garry has developed and refined a leadership approach centered on learning, belonging, and purpose. His expertise in building human-centered organizations has made him a sought-after advisor for forward-thinking companies worldwide.

As a dynamic global keynote speaker and educator, Garry teaches "Culture at Work: Putting Principles into Practice" in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program at the University of San Diego. His mission is to make the world a happier place by fostering environments where people feel valued, connected, and inspired to contribute their best.

Garry's forthcoming book, "Any Dumbass Can Do It", distills his leadership wisdom into actionable principles that any leader can implement to create extraordinary organizational cultures.

Connect with Garry

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/

X: https://x.com/LearningMoment

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPogAomneEkNNFKJ_PLaX3g

Website: https://thelearningmoment.net/

About Simon Bowen

Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.

Connect with Simon

LinkedIn:

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Adrian Di Marco, founder of TechnologyOne, Australia's largest enterprise software company. From starting in a demountable office next to a hides processing plant in 1987 to building a $10 billion global enterprise, Adrian shares profound insights on patient leadership, maintaining original genius through growth, and creating lasting impact. Discover his counter-intuitive approach to capital raising, his revolutionary distinction between leadership and management, and the wisdom behind creating a business with heart and soul.

Ready to elevate your leadership approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

00:00 Introduction and Adrian's journey from demountable office to billion-dollar enterprise

05:00 The early days of technology in 1987 and selling interstate without modern connectivity

09:00 The founder mindset: solving a customer problem that nobody else was addressing

13:00 The revolutionary concept of configurable software that didn't need customization

17:00 Capital raising wisdom: why young startups shouldn't rush to dilute equity

25:00 The profound difference between leadership and management

32:00 How TechnologyOne split the company in two to foster continuous innovation

43:00 The Australian technology industry: innovation excellence vs. leadership challenges

49:00 Thoughtful succession planning over a 22-year journey

53:00 Creating the heart and soul of a company through meaningful philanthropy

57:00 The endowment approach to investing and the patience of generational wealth

Adrian Di Marco is the founder of TechnologyOne, Australia's largest enterprise software company with a market capitalization that grew to $10 billion under his stewardship. Starting the company in 1987, Adrian pioneered the concept of configurable enterprise software that didn't require constant customization—a revolutionary approach that challenged industry giants like Oracle and SAP.

Adrian served as CEO until 2017 and Executive Chairman until 2022, guiding the company through multiple transformations including the pivot to cloud computing. His patient, principled approach to business building has made him one of Australia's most respected technology leaders.

In 2025, Adrian was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to information technology and the community. Beyond TechnologyOne, he leads the Di Marco Group, a family office that continues his philosophy of patient investment and meaningful philanthropy.

Family Office: https://dimarcogroup.co

TechnologyOne: https://www.technologyonecorp.com

Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/

Instagram: