The B-side with James Barrow

How do you know when an idea’s really worth something? 💡 On every episode of the B-side, I ask my guests for a Bite of Wisdom, Jonathan Seidler breaks it down with one simple question: “Would I pitch it?” That’s how he knows if an idea has legs or if it’s just noise.

We dive into how this approach helped shape his latest novel, All the Beautiful Things You Love. Inspired by personal experiences, it’s a story that came from deep reflection and real-life moments after a breakup. Jonathan shares how he transformed those raw emotions into a captivating narrative – the kind you would pitch without a second thought.

Catch this episode and learn how to turn your ideas into something worth sharing. 🎧

Ever wonder how personal experiences fuel creativity? 🎙️ On episode 46 of The B-side with James Barrow, I catch up with Jonathan Seidler – author, creative director, and music critic. He’s written for The Guardian, SMH, and The Australian, and dives deep into men’s mental health and fatherhood in Esquire. (Link in bio☝🏼)

We jam on his journey from law school to shaping campaigns at Leo Burnett, his love for music (proud Nu-metal apologist!), and the 12 box method he swears by. Jonathan also opens up about his memoir It’s A Shame About Ray and the inspiration behind his latest novel, All the Beautiful Things You Love.

Plus, he drops killer tips for smashing creative blocks. 🎧 Don’t miss it!

On every episode of I ask my guests for a this is Simone Waugh - MD of Publicis Worldwide Australia’s segment of timeless truth. Simone is an industry powerhouse, all about using advertising to make a positive impact through the power of creativity. She’s worked across a range of sectors including tourism, healthcare, education, and sports. She even led the communications for the winning Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games bid with the Queensland Government.
We jam on her campaigns like “Lag Kills,” tackling youth drink driving by highlighting the dangers of lag in video games, and “Red Flags,” a campaign aimed at educating the community about coercive control to combat domestic violence. Simone shares her passion for amplifying First Nations voices and her role as the executive sponsor for Publicis’ ANZ’s emBRACE employee resource group. She also dives into ScUber, the world’s first submarine rideshare program, designed to raise awareness about Australia’s reef ecosystem and protect coral reefs.
We unpack what it takes to build effective community campaigns and explore a range of other concepts like Simone’s concept of “Kairos time” – and Simone shares memorable moments from her career, the challenges she’s faced, and her vision for the future of advertising and social impact.
Simone’s insights are both inspiring and practical. This was a fascinating conversation, if you want to learn more about how advertising can drive meaningful change and how you can contribute to social impact through your own work. Give it a listen. Cheers.

Ever wondered how advertising can drive real social change? On this episode 45 of the B-Side, I catch up with Simone Waugh, the Managing Director at Publicis Worldwide Australia. Simone is an industry powerhouse, all about using advertising to make a positive impact through the power of creativity. She’s worked across a range of sectors including tourism, healthcare, education, and sports. She even led the communications for the winning Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games bid with the Queensland Government.
We jam on her campaigns like “Lag Kills,” tackling youth drink driving by highlighting the dangers of lag in video games, and “Red Flags,” a campaign aimed at educating the community about coercive control to combat domestic violence. Simone shares her passion for amplifying First Nations voices and her role as the executive sponsor for Publicis’ ANZ’s emBRACE employee resource group. She also dives into ScUber, the world’s first submarine rideshare program, designed to raise awareness about Australia’s reef ecosystem and protect coral reefs.
We unpack what it takes to build effective community campaigns and explore a range of other concepts like Simone’s concept of “Kairos time” – and Simone shares memorable moments from her career, the challenges she’s faced, and her vision for the future of advertising and social impact.
Simone’s insights are both inspiring and practical. This was a fascinating conversation, if you want to learn more about how advertising can drive meaningful change and how you can contribute to social impact through your own work. Give it a listen. Cheers.

On every episode of the B-side my guests drop a bite of wisdom. This is some words of wisdom from Jason Tonelli, CEO of Zenith Australia.
Jason shares his profound expertise in media, technology, and advertising. And provides some valuable insights some pivotal themes reshaping the industry. This was a cracking episode. Listen now via the link in my bio.

In episode 42 of The B-side with James Barrow podcast, Jason Tonelli GAICD, CEO of Zenith Media Australia, shares his profound expertise in media, technology, and advertising. From driving digital marketing revolutions to steering innovative creative businesses.
In our conversation, Jason shares insights into pivotal themes reshaping the industry, including AI and Media Communications, Zenith’s ROI Strategies, and Leadership Coaching and Team Success.
Discover how AI, prompt engineering, and fostering curiosity converge to reshape problem-solving methodologies and cultivate a culture of continuous learning within media organisations. Explore the strategies behind Zenith’s renowned title as ‘The ROI Agency,’ consistently delivering tangible returns on investments within the dynamic media landscape.
Delve into the nuanced parallels between leadership coaching and sports coaching, and how tailored coaching approaches can amplify individual skills, foster cohesive team dynamics, and steer overall success within corporate environments.
This was a cracking episode filled with fresh perspectives and thought-provoking ideas that redefine success within the landscape of media and advertising. Along with a wealth of valuable insights from Jason’s visionary leadership and forward-thinking media communications strategies. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Cheers.
Link in bio

On every episode of I ask my guests for a this is the multitalented Simon Brock’s megabyte of brilliance, courtesy of the great T.S Eliot. 🎙️ What does it take to be both an ECD and an MD of one of the hottest Digital and new media agencies in Australia? Well why don’t you find out on the latest episode of The B-side with the multitalented Simon Brock ECD and MD of Digitas ANZ. 🚀

Simon, is a digital creative and strategic powerhouse. Since 2016, he's been crafting unforgettable brand experiences for big names like Arnott’s, EA Games, Pernod Ricard, and Virgin Australia. 🎮🥂

We jam on:
✨ Finding that sweet spot between creativity and business smarts.
📊 Mastering data-driven insights with a human touch.
💡 Crafting agile creative concepts that clients can’t say “no” to.
🔒 Navigating the complexity of personalization and privacy.
🤯 Plus, Simon shares his awesome 'Sober, Tipsy, Drunk' method for fearless creativity!

If you’re into marketing tech, digital strategies, and multi-channel creativity then have a listen via the link in my bio. 🌟

🎙️ What does it take to be both an ECD and an MD of one of the hottest Digital and new media agencies in Australia. Well why don’t you find out on the latest episode of The B-side with the multitalented Simon Brock ECD and MD of Digitas ANZ. 🚀

Simon, is digital creative and strategic powerhouse. Since 2016, he's been crafting unforgettable brand experiences for big names like Arnott’s, EA Games, Pernod Ricard, and Virgin Australia. 🎮🥂

We jam on:
✨ Finding that sweet spot between creativity and business smarts.
📊 Mastering data-driven insights with a human touch.
💡 Crafting flexible creative concepts.
🔒 Navigating personalization and privacy.
🤯 Plus, Simon's 'Sober, Tipsy, Drunk' method for fearless creativity!

If you’re into marketing tech, digital strategies, and multi-channel creativity then have a listen via the link in my bio. 🌟

🎙️ Episode 40 of the B-Side just dropped, and I'm diving deep into the world of creative strategy with Catherine King, Chief Strategy Officer at Leo Burnett. 🇦🇺

As an ex-Leo's alum, I couldn't resist sharing this little treasure: "100 LEO'S Wit & Wisdom from Leo Burnett." It's packed with inspiring quotes, like the timeless, "When you reach for the stars, you may not quite get them, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either."

This literary gem crossed my path on my very first day at Leo Burnett, right there on the reception desk, alongside a bowl of fresh, bright red apples. 📖🍎

Listen now via the link in the bio or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧

On every episode of The B-side with James Barrow podcast, my guests share a bite of wisdom. This is the incredibly awesome and super inspiring Catherine King’s short, sweet, and beautifully stoic contribution. Listen to our episode now via the link in the bio. If you want to know what makes the world’s best creative strategy leaders tick check it out.

How can creative strategy, curiosity, and courage drive brand success in today's marketing landscape?

In Episode 40 of the B-Side, I speak with Catherine King, Chief Strategy Officer at Leo Burnett Australia. With over two decades of industry experience, Catherine's journey is remarkable. From her Western Sydney roots, influenced by a Taiwanese mother and a Scottish father, to her diverse career spanning journalism, startups, and advertising.

We explore Catherine's fascinating career, from securing VC funding during the dot-com era to advising the World Bank and even trying her hand as a chef. Dive into her deep and diverse insights, and her emphasis on resonating with customers' desires and beliefs, and tapping into emotions and values that truly connect with audiences.

Catherine also discusses balancing complexity and simplicity in advertising and the value of team collaboration in creating memorable campaigns. She highlights the need for strategy to complement creativity, enhancing creative freedom. We discuss how to provide value in advertising by solving customer pain points first. And the importance of believability, product authenticity, and trust for brands to better connect with their audiences.

This episode is a deep dive into the mind and life influences of a remarkable strategic leader. I hope you find it as thought-provoking as I did. Cheers.

On every episode of the B-Side with James Barrow podcast, I ask my guests for a bite of wisdom. This is Patrick Rowe’s powerful dash of knowledge from Episode 38, which has just dropped. Patrick is the CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi Australia, a creative agency leader with a proven track record of building high-performance agencies. With over 20 years of expertise in retail, government, automotive, and financial services, Patrick shares insights on crafting connected customer experiences in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. We discuss Saatchi and Saatchi’s approach to optimizing marketing strategies across traditional and digital platforms, enhancing the complete customer experience, and fostering successful client and agency partnerships. Listen know link in bio ⬆️🎧⬆️🎧⬆️🎧🔥🔥🔥🔥 .are.saatchi

How can we craft connected customer experiences in an increasingly fragmented media landscape?

In episode 38 of the B-side, I had the privilege of speaking with Patrick Rowe, CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi Australia.

Patrick is a creative agency leader with a proven track record of building high-performance agencies that deliver impactful, award-winning work. With over 20 years as a senior member of the Publicis Groupe team, working across Sydney and Melbourne with a wealth of expertise in retail, government, automotive, and financial services, Patrick's insights are invaluable.

He shares details of his mission and his vision for leading Saatchi and Saatchi into new areas of opportunity and growth, as well as his leadership philosophy. Patrick discusses how the agency is helping brands optimise their marketing strategies across traditional and digital platforms, creating cohesive connected customer ecosystems. We also explore how advertising agencies can enhance the complete customer experience.

And Patrick discusses the key ingredients for a successful client and agency partnership while unpacking the details of the client growth loop.

This was a truly thought-provoking conversation. Patrick's deeply caring style of leadership, rock-solid strategic mindset, and down-to-earth approach is truly inspiring. I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did. Cheers! .are.saatchi

On every episode of The B-side I ask my guests for a bite of wisdom. This is Mike Spirkovski’s short, sweet sustainable call to action, for us to rethink everything and make some long overdue changes. Mike is the ex-Chief Creative Officer of Saatchi and Saatchi Australia who has co-founded a new creative company called Rethink Everything, which is committed to driving sustainable change with creativity, innovation and imagination. This was very cool chat, Mike is doing some incredible things. Listen now via the link in my bio or wherever you get your podcasts. ⬆️🔥🎧🔥⬆️🎧🙏

How can we use creativity to drive sustainability action on a global scale? On the latest episode of The B-Side with James Barrow podcast I had the pleasure of chatting with Mike Spirkovski, the former chief creative officer of Saatchi & Saatchi Australia.

He is now the co-founder of Rethink Everything a creative company that solves complex business problems by integrating creativity and imagination to create positive and sustainable change. Listen now in my bio ⬆️🎧⬆️🎧⬆️🎧

Mike explains the Rethink Everything business model and how he is partnering with brands to tackle some of society's most significant challenges. Like Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, spearheading the Great Reef Census campaign, a groundbreaking global citizen science effort to survey and protect the largest reef system in the world.

We discuss how organisations can integrate sustainability initiatives into their brand purpose rather than keeping them as part of a separate ESG strategy. And we jam on purpose-driven marketing, measuring the success of sustainability campaigns, the perils of greenwashing, and the need for brands to be authentic in their actions and marketing communications.

Mike and Rethink Everything are committed to making a difference and creating unprecedented, wide-reaching impact. It was a fascinating and inspiring conversation and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Cheers!

Had a great chat to ex-Saatchi and Saatchi CCO Mike Spirkovski about his new creative company Rethink Everything which is dedicated to solving complex business problems by integrating creativity and imagination to create positive and sustainable change.

Listen now where ever you get your podcasts.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-b-side-with-james-barrow/id1503852293?i=1000600734819

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nuuUQ5X4gMkFGZG70Zbnf?si=Mhi0tNHzTB-0cw27LczUTQ

Creating change, driving sustainability, and rethinking everything with Mike Spirkovski — THE B-SIDE How can we use creativity to drive sustainability? I chat with Mike Spirkovski, former chief creative officer of Saatchi & Saatchi. He is now the co-founder of Rethink Everything, a marketing communications agency that uses creativity to create positive and sustainable change. We jam on purpose-

On every episode of I ask my guests for a bite of wisdom. This is Nader ‘Lionheart’ Hamdan’s and one that he believes is the first step to realising your true potential. Listen now, link in bio ⬆️🎧⬆️🎧⬆️

The legendary ‘Lionheart’ Nader Hamdan talks about big dreams, boxing and belief on the latest episode of . Listen now where ever you get ‘em or via this link https://www.jamesbside.com/episodes/36-big-dreams-boxing-and-belief-with-nader-hamdan

It’s been a minute peeps, but I can’t wait to drop the next episode with my long time friend and legendary Australian boxer Nader ‘Lionheart’ Hamdan. We discuss all things Boxing, big dreams and belief. .hamdan.14

On every episode of The B-side I ask my guests for a bite of wisdom. This is Rob Campbell’s. Rob is the Chief Strategy Officer at Colenso BBDO, one of the world’s most awarded ad agencies. Listen to us jam on all things creative and brand strategy, with a heavy dose of conceptual anarchy and marketing chaos.

Episode 35 of the podcast has just dropped and it features strategic advertising firebrand Rob Campbell, Chief Strategy Officer of Colenso BBDO NZ, Aotearoa.

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-b-side-with-james-barrow/id1503852293?i=1000577670298

We discuss his new book Dream Small, where a group of planners and a photographer went on a road trip across New Zealand to capture how youth culture expresses how they see their life, and future, without filter.

We jam on his creative approach, strategic methods, and the importance of building a culture where people are free to take risks and make scary good work.

This was a cracking episode, confronting in some ways but filled with fresh, brutally honest ideas and opinions, that give us clients and creatives plenty to think about. He is an absolute gentleman, and I fricken’ loved chatting to him. Cheers.

Listen via the link above or wherever you get your podcasts.

Can robots really be creative? Listen to the latest episode of The B-side with James Barrow and my guest Richard Savery, and find out. Link in bio.

On every episode of The B-side with James Barrow I ask my guests for a bite of wisdom, this is the awesome and inspiring Jane Caro’s, and in typical campaign slogan style it’s three powerful words, that should strike at the hearts of Australians as they go to the polling booths this weekend.
Jane Caro is an award winning Australian columnist, author, novelist, broadcaster, documentary maker, feminist, social commentator, and advertising luminary who’s running for a seat in the senate representing the Reason party.

She pulls absolutely no punches as we discuss what the Reason party stands for, their principles on climate change, women's rights, equality for all, the erosion of public education, and the need for change towards a rational, honest, and transparent government. Listen now via the link in my bio or wherever you get your podcasts. ⬆️🎧⬆️🎧⬆️

Why aren’t there more creative voices in politics and what will it take to shake up the status quo?

Episode 33 of the B-side is an Australian federal election edition featuring Jane Caro AM. An Award winning Australian columnist, author, novelist, broadcaster, documentary maker, feminist, social commentator, and advertising luminary who’s running for a seat in the senate representing the Reason party.

Jane pulls absolutely no punches as we discuss what the Reason party stands for, their principles on climate change, women's rights, equality for all, the erosion of public education, and the need for change towards a rational, honest, and transparent government.

I have interviewed people from all sides of the political spectrum and I believe that creative friction and healthy competition benefits everyone. Regardless of your political persuasion Jane Caro delivers a timely and powerful pitch for us to vote for change this coming election.

I hope to see you at the local polling booth this weekend. Listen now via the link in my bio ⬆️🎧⬆️🎧 or wherever you get your podcasts.

On every episode of The B-side I ask my guests for a this is Oscar Trimboli’s nugget of deep listening goodness. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or the link in my bio.

Oscar Trimboli, is a global expert on listening, author, host of the Apple award-winning podcast Deep Listening and a sought-after keynote speaker.

Oscar has interviewed hundreds of the most diverse workplace listeners, including Spies, Air traffic controllers, hostage negotiators, and foreign language interpreters.

I hope you enjoy listening to the episode as much as I did.