In this episode of The Wisdom Of… Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Shawn Nelson, founder and CEO of Lovesac, who has revolutionized the furniture industry through modular design and a "Designed for Life" philosophy. From starting in his mother's basement at age 20 to building a billion-dollar public company, Shawn shares profound insights on purposeful innovation, the responsibility of leadership, and creating products that evolve with human needs rather than forcing replacement cycles.

Ready to transform your innovation 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 Shawn's journey from basement startup to billion-dollar company

05:18 The "Designed for Life" philosophy and questioning industry assumptions

12:36 Modular thinking: How reconfigurable products reflect business strategy

18:52 Winning Richard Branson's "The Rebel Billionaire" and lessons in authentic leadership

25:44 Sustainability as business principle, not marketing initiative

33:29 The responsibility of innovation and serving deeper human needs

38:22 Building products that solve problems customers didn't know they had

45:36 Scaling purpose-driven companies without compromising core values

52:12 The future of ownership and consumer relationships

58:43 Creating lasting impact through evolutionary design thinking

Shawn Nelson is the founder and CEO of Lovesac, a direct-to-consumer specialty furniture brand that has fundamentally reimagined how furniture serves human lives. Founded in 1998 from his mother's basement, Lovesac has grown into one of the fastest-growing furniture companies in the United States, known for its patented Sactionals modular seating system.

Beyond business success, Shawn is recognized for his commitment to sustainability and the "Buy It For Life" movement. In 2005, he won Richard Branson's "The Rebel Billionaire" on Fox, demonstrating the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to drive his leadership approach.

With a Master's Degree in Strategic Design and Management, Shawn serves as a graduate-level instructor at Parsons, The New School for Design in New York City. His "Designed for Life" philosophy emphasizes sustainable products built to last a lifetime and designed to evolve with customer needs, providing long-term utility while reducing furniture waste.

Website: https://shawndnelson.com/

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

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnoflovesac/?hl=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/shawnydlovesac

Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations,...

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Oliver Garside, Co-Founder and Director of Rounded App, a beautifully simple accounting and invoicing application built specifically for freelancers and sole traders. Oliver shares the profound insights gained from nearly a decade of serving an underserved market, achieving an extraordinary 99% customer satisfaction rating, and discovering the infinite creativity of the Australian freelance economy. Learn about first principles thinking, customer-centric design philosophy, and the wisdom of building for humans rather than systems.

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 Oliver's journey from corporate redundancy to co-founding Rounded

05:30 The origin story: Meeting technical founders who built beautiful software but needed market strategy

12:45 First principles thinking: Building for end users, not their accountants

18:20 The philosophy behind "beautifully simple accounting" and challenging industry conventions

25:40 Market diversity: From sheep ultrasound specialists to yacht sail makers

32:15 Achieving 99% customer satisfaction through customer-centric design

38:50 Co-founder dynamics and navigating business tensions with ego aside

44:20 The freelance economy wisdom: Diversity of capability and confidence gaps

51:10 Mission beyond product: Stewardship of the freelancer community

57:30 Scaling challenges: Maintaining core genius while growing the business

Oliver Garside is the Co-Founder and Director of Rounded, a beautifully simple accounting and invoicing app built specifically for freelancers and sole traders. With a passion for empowering self-employed professionals, Oliver has played a pivotal role in creating a platform that takes the stress out of managing finances, making it easier for creatives, consultants, and contractors to focus on doing what they love.

With a background in marketing, customer experience, and startup growth, Oliver brings a user-first approach to everything he does. Under his leadership, Rounded has become one of Australia's most loved tools for solo business owners, achieving an exceptional 99% customer satisfaction rating through its commitment to simplicity, efficiency, and human-centric design.

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

Website: https://rounded.io

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

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:

In this episode of The Wisdom Of ... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Dr. Catriona Wallace, a world-renowned AI pioneer, founder of the Responsible Metaverse Alliance, and one of the most influential voices in ethical technology development. With over two decades in AI, long before most people knew it existed, Catriona brings a unique perspective that bridges cutting-edge technology with ancient indigenous wisdom.

As Chair of Boab AI, co-author of Checkmate Humanity, and a former Shark on Shark Tank Australia, Catriona has consistently been at the forefront of responsible technology development. But what makes this conversation extraordinary is her integration of plant medicine practices, indigenous community wisdom, and the "Seven Generations Principle" into the most advanced AI discussions of our time.

Ready to transform 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 Catriona's journey from wanting to be a farmer to becoming an AI pioneer

05:45 Why Australia risks becoming an "AI backwater" and the urgent need for responsible AI adoption

12:30 The difference between AI ethics and responsible AI and why most leaders get this wrong

18:15 The "evolutionary tipping point" toward transhumanism and what it means for business

25:20 Plant medicine journeys and their impact on tech leaders' understanding of regenerative economics

32:45 The Seven Generations Principle: How indigenous wisdom guides AI decision-making

38:30 From extraction to regeneration: Why business models must fundamentally transform

44:15 The eight principles of responsible AI and how to implement them in organizations

50:30 "Rapid Transformation" and the five-step process for evolving leadership consciousness

56:45 The intersection of technology love and nature love in shaping the future of humanity

Dr. Catriona Wallace has been recognized as a Top Global Power Woman by the Centre of Economic & Leadership Development and as the Most Influential Woman in Business & Entrepreneurship by the Australian Financial Review. In 2023, she was a Shark on the hit TV series Shark Tank Australia.

Catriona is the founder of the Responsible Metaverse Alliance and Chair of Boab AI, Artesian Capital's AI Accelerator and VC fund. She was also the founder of Ethical AI Advisory (now part of the Gradient Institute) and co-author of Checkmate Humanity: The How and Why of Responsible AI.

As founder of AI company Flamingo AI (which exited in 2020), Catriona led only the second woman-led business ever to list on the Australian Stock Exchange. She's an international keynote speaker, one of the world's most cited experts on AI and the Metaverse, and has been recognized by Onalytica as one of the world's top AI speakers.

With a PhD in Organizational Behaviour: Technology Substituting for Human Leaders and an Honorary Doctorate in Business, Dr. Wallace was inducted into the Royal Institution of Australia as one of Australia's most pre-eminent scientists. She is also a human rights activist, mother of five, trained Plant Medicine Guide, and strong advocate of the Psychedelic Renaissance.

LinkedIn: Dr. Catriona Wallace

Website: Responsible Metaverse Alliance

Personal Website:

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/

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.

👉 Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

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: