Shows
Freedom From The DeskIt’s Okay Not to Know: Your Permission Slip to Ask, Learn, and GrowIn today's episode:In this episode, I'll be chatting today about "It's Okay Not to know!" ... so much focus is put on us as business owners, parents, husbands, wife's, friends and family to know everything! Today I'll talk about the power of being OKAY Not Knowing. ____________________Hi, I’m Nicola Brunton. Proud founder of n.b. Office Assist, qualified bookkeeper, VA, and now passionate advocate for building a flexible and sustainable online business.After 25 years supporting small business owners, not-for-profits, and entrepreneurs through every admin and behind-the-scenes challenge im...2025-07-2313 minFreedom From The DeskAbove the Fold in 2025: Why First Impressions Still Matter in Digital MarketingIn today's episode:In this episode, I'll be exploring the enduring (but often overlooked) importance of "above the fold" content and how it fits into today's digital landscape. We'll discuss how this concept has evolved, why it still matters, and some practical strategies too! ____________________Hi, I’m Nicola Brunton. Proud founder of n.b. Office Assist, qualified bookkeeper, VA, and now passionate advocate for building a flexible and sustainable online business.After 25 years supporting small business owners, not-for-profits, and entrepreneurs through every admin and behind-the-scenes challenge imaginable, I re...2025-07-1715 min
First Up PodcastFirst Up - The Podcast, Tuesday 15 JulyOn today's First Up pod: In South Korea, medical students have gone back to class after a boycott of more than a year; we celebrate the birthday of a Dutch artist who turned black paint into magic; Nicola Willis talk about electricity, and Australian police trying to take our cops and Tess Brunton checks out a seaside suburb in Dunedin, to find a taste of Italy. First Up - Voice of the Nathan!2025-07-1450 minFreedom From The DeskPerspective vs. Perception - Seeing Beyond Your Default LensIn today's episode:In this episode, how we see the world — Your Perspective and Perception. While they’re often used interchangeably, they’re very different and learning to understand, expand, and even challenge them can an interesting mindset tool to learn about and develop, especially in business and life.____________________Hi, I’m Nicola Brunton. Proud founder of n.b. Office Assist, qualified bookkeeper, VA, and now passionate advocate for building a flexible and sustainable online business.After 25 years supporting small business owners, not-for-profits, and entrepreneurs through...2025-07-0913 minFreedom From The DeskRising Into Alignment with Lisa O'NeillIn today's episode:Today I’m chatting with someone who brings light wherevershe goes, the awesome Lisa O’Neill. She’s not only my co-host in the 28 Days of Gratitude movement we’ve been doing together, but also the founder of UpLevel with Lisa — where she empowers women to rise into their full potential with confidence, clarity, and courage.In this episode, we dive into the journey behind her work, the three powerful programs she’s recently launched, and how building an online business allowed her to live in deeper alignment with her values.For a limi...2025-07-0232 minFreedom From The DeskTurnover versus Profit - Real Talk ...In today's episode:Turnover vs Profit - Real TalkHad you heard this before... ?👉 “My business made six figures last year!”But did it? Or is that just turnover talking? In today's episode with talk about the sparkly object in the room ... 'Turnover'. ____________________Hi, I’m Nicola Brunton. Proud founder of n.b. Office Assist, qualified bookkeeper, VA, and now passionate advocate for building a flexible and sustainable online business.After 25 years supporting small business owners, not-for-profits, and entrepreneurs through every admin and behind-the-scenes challenge...2025-06-2516 minFreedom From The DeskFinancially Forward: Preparing for the New Financial Year with Erin DavisIn today's episode:Financially Forward: Preparing for the New Financial Year with Erin DavisWe’re talking MONEY in the lead up the EOFY ... but not in a way that makes your eyes glaze over. This week on Freedom From The Desk, I sit down with the incredible Erin Davis, creator of the Grounded Rich Girl Program, chartered accountant and money coach. Together, we chatted about:- Getting financially prepped for the new financial year & reflecting on the past financial year - Setting intentions & some common pitfalls - Building financial co...2025-06-1836 minFreedom From The DeskThe Gods of Guilt: Navigating Guilt in BusinessIn today's episode:The Gods of Guilt: Navigating Guilt in BusinessThis episode was inspired by the Netflix series, The Lincoln Lawyer, Season 3, Episode 10 — titled The Gods of Guilt.It got me thinking about how many of us are silently carrying guilt in many ways, in business, in grief, in our relationships and we don’t always realise how much it's impacting our choices, our energy, and our wellbeing.Guilt often shows up quietly, but it’s powerful. And sometimes … we confuse it with other emotions that feel just as heavy but aren...2025-06-1111 minFreedom From The DeskThink Smaller: The Secret to Achieving Big GoalsIn today's episode:Think Smaller: The Secret to Achieving Big GoalsSounds counter intuitive right? Thinking smaller to achieve big goals? If you have ever felt overwhelmed by a massive goal, only to find yourself stuck and unmotivated? Well, you're simply not alone. In today's episode, we're exploring why thinkingsmaller might just be the key to achieving those big dreams. Recommended reading: The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy____________________Hi, I’m Nicola Brunton. Proud founder of n.b. Office Assist, qualified bookkeeper, VA, and now passionate advocate fo...2025-06-0412 minFreedom From The DeskAre Hashtags Dead? What's Working in 2025Hi, I’m Nicola Brunton. Proud founder of n.b. Office Assist, qualified bookkeeper, VA, and now passionate advocate for building a flexible and sustainable online business.After 25 years supporting small business owners, not-for-profits, and entrepreneurs through every admin and behind-the-scenes challenge imaginable, I realised something big:You weren’t made to stay stuck at your desk.Freedom From The Desk is the podcast that helps you evolve from task-juggler to a more aligned individual, through exploring mindset, money, self-leadership, and online income streams that align with the life you actually want to live.In...2025-05-2814 minFreedom From The DeskMy Health StoryHi, I’m Nicola Brunton. Proud founder of n.b. Office Assist, qualified bookkeeper, VA, and now passionate advocate for building a flexible and sustainable online business.After 25 years supporting small business owners, not-for-profits, and entrepreneurs through every admin and behind-the-scenes challenge imaginable, I realised something big:You weren’t made to stay stuck at your desk.Freedom From The Desk is the podcast that helps you evolve from task-juggler to a more aligned individual, through exploring mindset, money, self-leadership, and online income streams that align with the life you actually want to live.In...2025-05-2529 minFreedom From The DeskDo you have a Default Positive Memory?Hi, I’m Nicola Brunton. Proud founder of n.b. Office Assist, qualified bookkeeper, VA, and now passionate advocate for building a flexible and sustainable online business.After 25 years supporting small business owners, not-for-profits, and entrepreneurs through every admin and behind-the-scenes challenge imaginable, I realised something big:You weren’t made to stay stuck at your desk.Freedom From The Desk is the podcast that helps you evolve from task-juggler to a more aligned individual, through exploring mindset, money, self-leadership, and online income streams that align with the life you actually want to live.In...2025-05-2308 minFreedom From The DeskPodcast Update - May 2025Hi, I’m Nicola Brunton. Proud founder of n.b. Office Assist, qualified bookkeeper, VA, and now passionate advocate for building a flexible and sustainable online business.After 25 years supporting small business owners, not-for-profits, and entrepreneurs through every admin and behind-the-scenes challenge imaginable, I realised something big:You weren’t made to stay stuck at your desk.Freedom From The Desk is the podcast that helps you evolve from task-juggler to a more aligned individual, through exploring mindset, money, self-leadership, and online income streams that align with the life you actually want to live.2025-05-2304 minFreedom From The DeskSoft Skills and Hards Skills - What are they? Ep 6: Soft Skills and Hards Skills - Join me as we take a look at Soft Skills and Hard Skills and how they fit into your business, work and life. Sources:Deloitte | Soft Skills for Business Sucess: https://www2.deloitte.com/au/en/pages/economics/articles/soft-skills-business-success.htmlForbes | The Importance of Soft Skills in a Post Pandemic World: hhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/ulrikjuulchristensen/2020/11/09/the-importance-of-soft-skills-in-a-post-pandemic-world/?sh=422a36ba5c26_______________________About n.b. Office Assist:Hi, I’m Nicola Brunton or n.b. Office Assist! With over 20 year...2025-05-2309 minFreedom From The DeskBurnout Ep 5: Welcome to today’s podcast! Join me, and my guest speaker, Pauline Guthrie - Professional Counsellor as we discuss Burnout. Pauline's experience is vast with over 36 years of experience in education as a successful teacher, counsellor and trainer providing a rich background for incorporating motivation and empowerment with wisdom and insight. She has had four years of intensive practice as Head of Student Welfare and Guidance at a major Brisbane private school, and 13 years' experience in her own private counselling practice.Learn about: What is Burnout? | Recognise the signs of Burnout | COVID and Burnou...2025-05-2330 minFreedom From The DeskImposter Syndrome Ep 4: Welcome to today’s podcast! Join me as we take a look into Imposter Syndrome!We hear this term, Imposter Syndrome a lot and probably more when as a business owner. What is it? How do you recognize it? What are some simple things we can do to help ourselves? Referenced Resources:Canon Australia | The Lab Decoy: https://youtu.be/F-TyPfYMDK8Do you have Imposter Syndrome Flow Chart: https://insights.dice.com/2019/07/31/imposter-syndrome-flowchart/Additional Help: Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.auBlack Dog Instit...2025-05-2313 minFreedom From The DeskSocial Media Etiquette EP3: Welcome to today’s podcast! Join me as we talk Social Media Etiquette! Growing up we were all taught how to behave, show respect, how to be polite and courteous, right? Nowadays, for many they seemed to have missed the 'Social Media Etiquette Memo' and are unfortunately missing the mark, on applying some critical Social Media Etiquette - in a world where your social media is forever out there once posted, it pays to try and stick to some form of order ... and keep those 'little ducks in a row'. Referenced Resources: - Think before...2025-05-2313 minFreedom From The DeskTitles EP2: Welcome to today’s podcast! Today we take a look at titles and in particular the Titles that surround the business and administration world! I’m talking aboutEA’s, PA’s, OBM’s, SMM’s, VA’s …. OMG!!! I cringe, just reading them out.We’ll talk about each, there general descriptors, and the broad alignment to each one.How do you feel about titles, do they empower or restrict you when it comes to your business and business growth? Special thanks to Lyn Prowse-Bishop from eSOS for the great info-graphic - Histor...2025-05-2310 minFirst Up PodcastFirst Up - The Podcast, Tuesday 6 MayOn today's First Up pod: Donald Trump has announced tariffs on non-US made movies; we talk about teens leaving New Zealand for a better life overseas with finance minister Nicola Willis and Tess Brunton has the details on a new alliance between tourism leaders to get more international visitors to explore the North Island. First Up - Voice of the Nathan!2025-05-0543 min
Paddle and FlowEpisode 9: Paddles and Plans - Part 2Welcome to Episode 9 of Paddle and Flow. Alex and Nicola are back with the second half of a two-part episode about our recent paddling adventures and plans for 2025. This week we talk about the mix of conditions we’ve had here on the East Coast of Scotland, with Alex getting caught in a squall on the same day Nicola was paddling on a sea of silver glass five miles along the coast.We then move on to discussing our paddling plans for the year - paddle, lots...2025-02-1237 min
Big Ideas LabNIF SustainmentHow do you maintain a facility built to achieve the impossible? In this episode, we explore the National Ignition Facility Sustainment Project—an undertaking to ensure that the world’s most energetic laser continues to deliver on its mission. Discover how scientists at the National Ignition Facility keep this technological marvel running, overcoming challenges of aging systems to ensure it remains a cornerstone of innovation and a vital asset to the nation’s security.-- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.Sound...2025-01-2822 min
MenuMenu Episode 11Happy New Year Menu lovers! This is the one that’s all about the podcast interview adventures of 2022. It’s my best bits! Listen to fun and joyous food tales from top chef and restaurateur, Glynn Purnell, Rosa Brough of Seven Fifty Films, Conrad Brunton of Tonic Talent. Along with food memories and restaurant pet peeves from Jack Brabant of Digbeth Dining Club, Nicola Burston of the Drinks Trust, the hilarious Harriet Giles of Dishoom and the brilliant Sam Coulstock from the Institute of Hospitality. And I have the dating food story of the year From Eugine Patterson of Vibez drin...2023-01-0125 min