What happens when the unthinkable becomes your story – and that story becomes the backbone of your brand?

In this episode of The Meaningful Marketing Podcast, marketing strategist and host Chantal Gerardy sits down with Bali bombing survivor, speaker and author Andrew Csabi to unpack not just his incredible journey, but the marketing mechanics behind it.

Together, they explore how Andrew turned a life-altering trauma into a purpose-led message, a book, and a speaking career and Chantal breaks down exactly why his storytelling works so well in a noisy, sceptical online world.

This isn’t just a story of resilience. It’s a practical masterclass in using real, raw experience to build trust, credibility and emotional connection in your marketing, without feeling exploitative, fluffy or fake. If you’re a business owner or marketing VA wondering how to create content that actually lands (and leads to clients), this conversation shows you how to do it with heart and strategy.

💡 You’ll Learn:

• Why emotionally charged stories cut through marketing noise – and how Chantal recommends using them without oversharing or trauma-dumping
• How Andrew uses his book as a strategic business asset – and the simple ways you can turn a book, blog or keynote into ongoing leads
• What makes a personal story commercially powerful – Chantal breaks down structure, relevance and clear calls to action
• How trauma-informed content can build credibility and trust when handled with care, consent and intention
• The role of purpose in a personal brand that actually converts – and how to align your story with offers, not just inspiration

If you want your marketing to feel more human and more effective, this episode will show you how to use story and vulnerability as a real strategy, not just a nice-to-have.

📚 Connect with Andrew Csabi:

📖 Order his book: BOM BALI: Life After Death
🔐 AGC Pro-Tec Security: agcprotec.com.au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agcpro_tec/

Facebook: AGC Pro-Tec: https://www.facebook.com/agcprotect
Bom Bali – Life after death https://www.facebook.com/bombalilifeafterdeath

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcsabi

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👉 onlinebusinessmarketing.com.au

What do dating apps, ghosting, and awkward first coffees have to do with building a podcast brand? Everything, if you know how to turn your personal experiences into content that connects.

In this episode of The Meaningful Marketing Podcast, Chantal chats with Andrew Small, host of the Over 40s Dating Podcast: Real and Unfiltered, about how he transformed his real-life dating disasters into a fast-growing, relatable podcast brand, all while juggling work, family, and zero marketing background.

Whether you’re a marketing VA helping a client stand out, or a business owner looking to build your own brand, this episode shows you how to turn authenticity into strategy.

You’ll Learn:

• How Andrew found his niche by tapping into real, raw personal stories
• Why relatability beats perfection in building an audience
• The marketing power of “passion projects”
• How to start a content platform with zero tech skills
• What makes a podcast pitch-worthy for sponsorships

🔗 Resources & Links:

🎙️ Follow Andrew’s podcast: Over 40s Dating – Real and Unfiltered on your favourite streaming platforms
🌐 Website coming soon. Follow @over40sdatingpodcast for launch details

📈 More from Meaningful Marketing

📥 Download your FREE Marketing Guide
👉 chantalgerardy.com.au/free-downloads

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👉 themeaningfulmarketingpodcast.com

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👉 onlinebusinessmarketing.com.au

What if the “fix” isn’t more rest, more stretching, or another short-term treatment… but an entirely different approach to your body and mind?

In this episode, physiotherapist and founder of The Ikaika Method Mana Shigematsu shares his powerful story, from a misdiagnosed injury to building a strength-first, soul-led recovery model that challenges everything you think you know about healing.

We talk real results, raw branding, and why pain is often the signal, not the root, of what’s really going on.

💡 You’ll learn:

• Why most traditional physio gets it wrong (and what to look for instead)
• The mindset shift that helps athletes, high performers & chronic pain sufferers heal
• How Mana uses strength, clarity, and warrior energy to empower his clients
• What branding looks like when you stop trying to “appeal to everyone”
• How he’s marketing his business by being fully himself

💪 Connect with Mana Shigematsu

🌐 theikaikamethod.com.au
📸 Instagram – @theikaikamethod
🎟️ Follow his wellness event series: @empowerfitexperience
🏋️‍♂️ Personal: @manamatsu

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👉 themeaningfulmarketingpodcast.com

Still using an old selfie as your profile photo? You might be sending the wrong message — and losing clients before they ever click your link.

In this episode, pro photographer Brad Delaney (founder of The Headshot Guys) breaks down why most business owners get branding photography wrong and what to do instead.

From head position to facial expression, Brad shares his go-to strategies for creating photos that actually build trust, communicate authority, and convert.

💡 You’ll learn:

• Why bad headshots are killing your credibility (and how to fix them)
• What your eyes, smile, and jawline are really saying to potential clients
• The five pro tips Brad uses to make anyone look confident on camera
• How to match your photo vibe to your audience — LinkedIn vs Instagram vs website
• What most people get wrong about personal branding and self-worth

📸 Work with Brad Delaney

👉 theheadshotguys.com.au
📱 Find him on social: @theheadshotguys

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👉 themeaningfulmarketingpodcast.com

Think sales is all about pushing offers and chasing leads? Nic Rone would disagree, and his entire career proves why.

From travel agent to political candidate to community connector, Nic shares how relationships, reputation, and real consistency turned his network into his most powerful marketing tool.

This episode is a masterclass in how to stop forcing your marketing and start letting connection do the heavy lifting.

💡 You’ll hear:

• How Nic built a travel business without competing on price
• What most people get wrong about networking (and how to fix it)
• Why he believes the best marketing is actually boring
• His strategy for local events, partnership marketing, and grassroots visibility
• What political campaigns taught him about social media, branding, and being real online

🔗 Connect with Nic Rone & Varsity Lakes Community Limited
🌐 Learn more: sportshouse.com.au/vlcl

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Is it possible to grow your brand, stay consistent, and still do it your way?

Leigh Martinuzzi says yes, and he’s done it over 1,100 times. In this refreshingly honest episode, Leigh shares how podcasting became his soul-satisfying side project, how it shaped his career in real estate, and why showing up unpolished is often what builds the deepest trust.

From cold calls to bloopers, growth routines to community movie nights, this one’s packed with real stories and real strategies.

💡 You’ll hear:

• Why Leigh ditched the “real estate wanker” image (his words!)
• How his podcast The Hidden Why helped him build confidence & connection
• What actually works when marketing a local service-based business
• Why consistency beats complexity every time
• How to sell without being salesy (even in real estate)

💬 Connect with Leigh Martinuzzi

🎙️ Listen to The Hidden Why Podcast
👉 thehiddenwhy.com

🏡 Looking to buy or sell on the Sunshine Coast?
👉 martinuzzi.com.au

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🎧 Catch all episodes
👉 themeaningfulmarketingpodcast.com

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👉 onlinebusinessmarketing.com.au

Think your SEO is “done”? Think again. In this punchy and practical episode, Katrina Puranik from Ranking Australia joins Chantal to reveal why “set and forget” SEO is quietly draining your leads, and what to do about it.

From hiring VAs and trusting ChatGPT to fixing messy websites and ditching random ad spend, Katrina shares exactly what it takes to rank (and convert) in 2025.

You’ll learn:

• Why most SEO fails and how to fix the foundations first
• What business owners get wrong when outsourcing SEO to VAs
• The truth about ChatGPT and cookie-cutter content
• Why throwing ads at a broken site is a waste of money
• Simple ways to make your SEO actually work (without losing your mind)

🔍 Book a Free Google Discovery Call with Katrina
👉 rankingAustralia.com.au

🎯 Download our FREE Marketing Guide

🎧 Explore Marketing with Chantal and Listen to all episodes
👉 themeaningfulmarketingpodcast.com

Think you need to “fake it till you make it” in leadership? Think again.

Leadership coach and former elite athlete Fiona Cullen joins Chantal to unpack why confidence doesn’t come from pretending, and how real leaders build trust, impact, and influence from the inside out.

From corporate culture to identity, mindset, and B2B growth, Fiona shares the behind-the-scenes truth of what it really takes to lead, especially when the stakes are high and the journey is long.

In this episode:

• Why faking confidence is costing you real results
• How to lead without losing yourself (or your team)
• Why leadership is unnatural and what to do about it
• The B2B mistake that’s stalling your sales
• What elite sport taught Fiona about resilience and repetition
• How to position yourself as a leader on LinkedIn (the smart way)

💼 Connect with Fiona Cullen

🚀 Explore leadership programs + download your free guide
👉 www.performastery.com.au

📲 Follow Fiona on LinkedIn
👉 linkedin.com/in/fiona-cullen (link provided if available; otherwise, user may add)

🎯 More from Meaningful Marketing

📥 Download the FREE Marketing Guide

🎧 Catch more episodes
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🌐 Work with Chantal
👉 onlinebusinessmarketing.com.au