#490 Beyond the Brief: Dave Klaiber’s Journey from Directing Big Ad Campaigns to Real Conversations
Dave Klaiber built his career in advertising and directing — pitching big ideas and leading creative campaigns for major brands. But these days, he’s using his skills to tackle something more personal: men’s mental health, community, and connection. In this episode, Dave opens up about the highs and lows of the ad world, his own mental health journey, and why he's now focused on storytelling with purpose. From his True South documentary, to his virtual reality projects, and now his new series It Ain’t Over Yet — aimed at emotional resilience — Dave is proof that creativity can evolve and still hit just as hard. Learn more about It Ain't Over Yet and check out David's Website here: https://www.itaintoveryet.tv/ Follow David on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/daveklaiber/ You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#489: This Beloved Sydney Restaurant’s Closure Reveals the Crisis Facing Small Businesses
After five years of serving up the soul of Sicily in the heart of Paddington, Simone Crivello and Isobel Galloway made headlines a couple weeks ago with a raw, heartfelt message announcing the closure of their beloved restaurant, Zafferano Trattoria Mediterranea. In this episode, MB sits down with the couple behind the viral video that struck a chord with small business owners across Australia. From Simone’s roots in Porticello to building a community around Mediterranean hospitality, we explore their journey—what Zafferano meant to them, the harsh realities that forced them to close, and what they believe needs to change to keep small business culture alive. This isn’t just a farewell—it’s a call to action. And it’s not the end of the road for Simone and Isobel. Hear how they’re taking their passion for food, storytelling, and tradition to the next chapter: a cookbook, food tours, and a dream project in Sicily. You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#488 The Little Rickshaw: From Pop-Up to One of South Australia’s Best Restaurants
We headed down to Aldinga, South Australia, to sit with Trinh and Mike—the couple behind The Little Rickshaw. What started as a weekend pop-up in an old blacksmith’s workshop is now one of the most talked-about restaurants in South Australia. In this episode, we unpack their journey—how they built this restaurant from scratch, what it’s really like working side by side, and the bold, creative approach they bring to modern Asian cuisine. We also talk about life in South Australia—why the slower pace, the strong sense of community, and the focus on quality of life offer a welcome contrast to the hustle of Sydney or Melbourne. Check out The Little Rickshaw's Website here: https://www.thelittlerickshaw.com.au/ South Australia. Celebrate the Simple Pleasures. Visit southaustralia.com.au to discover yours. You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Halfway Checkpoint: Sam Kelly, Deb Sams, Tracy Sheen & Ben Crowley
We’ve hit the halfway checkpoint.Let’s take a look back at some of the best moments from The Mentor this year — packed with powerful insights and lessons. Who do you want to see next on The Mentor? Drop your suggestions below. Here are some of the highlights so far… Listen to the full podcasts via the links below. #478 Sam Kelly #483 Deb Sams #482 Tracy Sheen #481 Ben Crowley You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#487 Standing Out by Slowing Down: The Rise of The Bird Whiskey with Paul Giles
I’m proud to be a co-owner of The Bird Whiskey, alongside Andrew Nugent — but the person running the show every day is Paul Giles. In this episode, we sit down with the man who’s been flying the flag for The Bird since day one.Paul shares how this whiskey came to life, the story behind the name, and why we’ve taken a different path—focused on authenticity, First Nations culture, and creating something that connects with people, especially women, in a space traditionally dominated by men.This is the real story behind The Bird, from the guy who’s made it soar.Check out The Bird Whiskey's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thebirdwhiskey/You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark Bouris speaks to business owners and entrepreneurs, finding out what makes them tick and their plans for growth. Some business owners are on the way up and enjoying new success, others are at a turning point. Mark digs into their stories and finds out why they set out to create their own path, their challenges and where they go from here. Based on his own personal experiences and learnings, he also passes on his own guidance on how to take their business to the next level.
Ireland