The High Ground
The High Ground is a podcast for founders, operators, and senior leaders who are building companies that scale and want to understand the systems, decisions, and infrastructure behind businesses that do it with structure and intention.Hosted by Chloe and Derek Buntin, co-founders of Boderia, each episode covers B2B growth, revenue operations, commercial infrastructure, and the leadership decisions that determine whether a company scales or stalls. The conversations that belong on the high ground.www.boderia.io - commercial infrastructure for scaling B2B companies.
Would You Hire Yourself? The Test Most Founders Fail | ft. Blake Thompson
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If you had to hire yourself into your own business, would you? Blake Thompson on the ego and discipline gaps that quietly cap a founder's growth.
Blake is the CEO and co-founder of Xrecruiter, which helps recruiters launch and run their own agencies, from solo operators to teams turning over $20 million a year. He and Chloe cover:
The "would you hire yourself?" test every founder should takeWhy ego is the biggest destroyer of...Why Business Owners Waste 20% Of Their Ad Spend | ft. Jason Le
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Most ad accounts could cut 20-30% of their budget and still get the same result. Jason Le shows where that money is quietly leaking.
Jason is the founder and managing director of JRNY Digital and has managed more than $40 million in ad spend across 200 businesses. He and Chloe cover:
How a business doubled to $10M, then cut the channel responsibleThe "fact or opinion?" test for marketing decisionsWhy most small businesses don't need more...Why Your Senior Hires Keep Failing (And How to Fix It) | ft. Daniel Moussa
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A wrong senior hire can cost a founder-led business 3â5x that person's salary. Daniel Moussa explains how to get it right the first time.
Daniel is the founder of Third Way Advisory, an executive search firm working exclusively with founder-led businesses across Australia and Asia. He and Chloe cover:
Why a founder-led CEO role is a different job to a corporate CEOThe "pre-season" hiring process Dan borrows from elite sportHow to headhunt senior ta...Money vs Reputation: Which One Actually Scales Your Business? ft. John Lee
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What happens when a business owner builds across property development, investing, mentoring, entertainment and other industries?
For John Jia-Ren Lee, business opportunities often come through relationships, conversations and connections rather than simply searching for investments.
In this episode of The High Ground, John shares how property development became his core business, how he approaches new business opportunities, what he looks for in partnerships, and why he believes investors can create value beyond simply providing...
Why Your Sales Funnel Is Not Working
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Most businesses think the funnel ends when someone buys.
But the sale isn't the finish line. It's the beginning of the customer relationship.
In this episode of The High Ground, Chloe and Derek break down why the traditional linear funnel no longer reflects how people actually buy, especially in B2B. Customers research, leave, return, compare alternatives, ask questions, and may take months before they are ready to buy.
đ Build your own hig...
How to Make Your Business Stand Out
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Most businesses want to stand out, but end up looking exactly like everyone else.
They copy their competitorsâ websites, messaging, offers and positioning, creating what we call a âsea of samenessâ.
The problem is, when customers can't see a clear difference between you and your competitors, you end up competing on price rather than value.
đ Build your own high-performance Revenue System đđ˝ www.boderia.io
In this episode of The High Ground, Chloe a...
Revenue Is Growing But You're Still Broke? Here's Why.
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You can be the busiest person you've ever been and still have less money in the bank than you did a year ago. Everyone's flat out. The calendar looks full. The top line looks great. Yet there's no money.
In this episode of The High Ground, we break down why revenue growth doesn't automatically lead to profit and how rising costs, underpricing, unnecessary expenses and inefficient systems can leave businesses working harder without actually becoming more...
Why Your B2B Leads Aren't Converting
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Most businesses think they need more leads.
They generate leads. They run outreach. They increase sales activity.
But none of that matters if they're attracting the wrong customers.
In this episode of The High Ground, we break down why lead quality matters more than lead volume, how to identify your ideal customer profile, and how to build a more targeted approach to B2B growth.
We explore why 10 highly qualified...
Why You Don't Need a Full-Time CMO Yet | ft. Simon Dell
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Most business owners want growth.
But growth comes with mistakes.
Hiring the wrong people. Growing too quickly. Making expensive decisions. Learning what doesn't work.
In this episode of The High Ground, Simon Dell, CEO & Founder of Cemoh, shares the lessons he has learnt from building businesses, making mistakes, hiring teams, and helping companies grow.
The conversation explores the realities of business growth, hiring, marketing strategy, leadership, fractional CMO services, and...
How to Actually Get B2B Clients From LinkedIn
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Most people posting on LinkedIn are getting absolutely nothing out of it.
They post consistently. They connect with people. They comment every day.
But none of that matters if it doesn't translate into revenue.
In this episode of The High Ground, Derek and Chloe break down how to actually get B2B clients from LinkedIn, why relationships need to come before pitching, and how to turn your LinkedIn presence into a long-term...
Your $1M Strategy Won't Get You to $5M
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Most founders think a growth plateau means they need more leads.
More ads. More outreach. More salespeople.
But what if leads aren't actually the problem?
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Derek and Chloe break down why businesses stop growing, how broken sales processes and founder dependency create hidden bottlenecks, and why adding more leads, people, or software can make the problem even more expensive.
They explore how to...
Why Your AI Strategy is Failing | The Real Problem
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Everyone is talking about AI.
New tools. New automations. New promises.
But here's the uncomfortable truth...
AI doesn't fix broken businesses.
It amplifies them.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Derek and Chloe explore why so many businesses waste money on AI, how broken processes and fragmented software limit growth, and why the businesses getting the best results are using AI to improve systems rather than replace...
20 Overrated Lessons Every Founder Should Unlearn
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Most business advice is repeated so often that people assume it must be true.
But is it?
Should you always hustle? Is the customer always right? Should you follow your passion? Should you fake it until you make it?
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Derek and Chloe unpack 20 pieces of overrated business advice and explain what actually works when you're building and scaling a modern business. From AI and business...
Your Broken Business Processes Are Silently Killing Your Growth
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Most founders think their biggest challenge is getting more customers.
But the real bottleneck is often the systems running the business.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Derek and Chloe explore why businesses become founder-dependent, how fragmented software quietly reduces productivity, and why integrated systems are essential for sustainable business growth.
They explain how disconnected CRM platforms, marketing tools, sales processes, and operational systems create unnecessary complexity, hidden costs, and poor...
Rebranding Without Systems Will Destroy Your Business
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Rebranding a business is not just about changing your name, logo, or website.
The businesses that grow long term are the ones that evolve their positioning, build strong systems, and adapt when their brand no longer represents the value they deliver.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Derek and Chloe share the journey behind rebranding Adonis Media into Boderia, the challenges of letting go of a 20+ year brand, and why building a complete...
She Built a $100M Empire While Nobody Was Watching! | ft. Giselle Kramer
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Most people think building a successful business is about having the right idea.
But the businesses that scale are built on strong leadership, operational excellence, and the ability to adapt.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Giselle Kramer shares how she helped build NGU Real Estate from a single office into a $100M+ business while leading operations, building high-performance teams, and embracing AI to stay ahead of industry change.
As Co-Founder...
How a Founder Rebuilt Himself by Rebuilding Everyone Else | ft. Leon Stendholm
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One conversation can change a life.
Sometimes it can save one.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Dr Leon Stensholm shares how personal loss became the driving force behind one of Australia's most impactful community organisations focused on mental wellbeing, resilience, and human connection.
As the Founder of Body and Mind by Leon and Lookout07, Dr Leon has dedicated his life to helping young people, business owners, and communities build resilience...
AI in Construction: Why Most Business Owners Are Wrong | ft. Paul Doherty
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AI isn't replacing business owners.
But it is changing the way businesses operate.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Paul Doherty shares how AI, automation, and operational systems are reshaping traditional industries such as civil construction, rail infrastructure, and project delivery.
While many conversations about artificial intelligence focus on software companies and tech start-ups, Paul provides a practical perspective from the frontline of business operations, where efficiency, cash flow, workforce management...
Is Your Daily Routine Killing Your Productivity? | ft. Meghan Jarvis
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Performance isn't about working harder.
It's about recovering better.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Meghan Jarvis shares why burnout has become one of the biggest threats to business performance, leadership effectiveness, and long-term success.
As the Founder and CEO of WellCorp Health and Wellness, Meghan works with executives, entrepreneurs, elite athletes, and world-renowned touring artists to help them sustain high performance without sacrificing their health.
She breaks down...
The End of Paid Ads? How to Build a Community People Love | ft. Nicholas Stallard
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Success in business isn't just about building a product.
It's about building a community people genuinely want to be part of.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Nicholas Stallard shares how he went from serving in the Australian Defence Force to co-founding AM Social, one of Australia's fastest-growing community-led event brands.
He breaks down how community building, organic marketing, content creation, and authentic experiences helped transform a simple coffee meetup into...
Stop Starting the Wrong Business: Do This Instead!
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Most people donât fail at starting a business because they lack talent.
They fail because they build the wrong thing.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, we break down why most startups and small businesses struggle to gain traction and how founders can avoid wasting time, money, and energy by validating demand before building products, websites, or brands.
Many entrepreneurs focus too early on logos, branding, websites, and product development wi...
90% of Young Entrepreneurs Get This WRONG
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Most young entrepreneurs think business success happens fast.
But real entrepreneurship is built through focus, discipline, sales skills, and long term consistency.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, we break down the biggest mistakes young entrepreneurs make when starting a business and why most founders fail by chasing too many opportunities, expecting fast success, and avoiding the fundamentals of business growth.
Many people enter entrepreneurship believing social mediaâs version of su...
You're Spending on Ads Wrong (Here's What Works)
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Most businesses think they have an ads problem.
In reality, they have a systems problem.
Why most paid advertising campaigns fail to generate high quality leads and how positioning, messaging, sales alignment, and revenue systems directly impact conversions and business growth.
Many B2B businesses assume more clicks, impressions, and ad spend will increase revenue. But without a clear ICP, strong offer, conversion focused landing pages, and aligned sales processes, ads simply...
Your Tech Stack Is Killing Your Growth (And You Donât Even Know It)
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Most businesses think they have an ads problem.
But the real problem is weak systems, unclear positioning, and poor lead qualification.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, we break down why most paid advertising campaigns fail to generate high quality leads and how positioning, messaging, landing pages, and sales processes directly impact conversions and business growth.
Many B2B businesses believe increasing ad spend, clicks, and impressions will automatically increase revenue...
From Refugee to Multi-Millionaire: The Success Blueprint | ft. Emil Juresic
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Most people think success in business is about opportunity.
But real business growth, entrepreneurship, and B2B leadership are built through pressure, resilience, and long-term execution.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Emil Juresic shares his journey from arriving in Australia as a refugee to building multiple successful businesses in real estate and property development.
He breaks down the mindset required for business growth, how...
Why Rebranding Wonât Fix Your Business
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Most B2B companies donât have a branding problem - they have a positioning problem. If your business feels stuck, your leads are low quality, or your messaging isnât landing, a rebrand wonât fix it.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Chloe and Derek break down why most rebrands fail and what actually drives business growth. They explain why changing your logo, website, or visuals wonât solve deeper issues like unc...
The Reality of Leadership No One Prepares You For | ft. Dominique Lamb
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Most people think leadership is about growth, success, and recognition.
Very few are prepared for the pressure, scrutiny, and responsibility that come with it.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, we sit down with Dominique Lamb to unpack what leadership actually looks like behind the scenes - across business, government, and high-stakes environments.
Because building a business isnât just operational. Itâs psychological.
<...
Your Business Can't Run Without You (And That's the Problem)
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Most businesses believe they are valuable until the moment they try to sell.
Revenue alone doesnât create business value. If your company relies on the founder to drive every sale, decision, and relationship, you donât have a scalable business⌠you have a job.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Chloe and Derek break down why most businesses struggle to scale or sell, and why predictable revenue systems and op...
Your B2B Marketing is Failing (How to Build a Revenue Engine)
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Most B2B companies donât have a marketing problem - they have a revenue problem. If your marketing team feels busy but your revenue isn't moving, you are likely suffering from a lack of alignment.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Chloe and Derek break down why typical lead generation fails and how to build a revenue system that actually scales your business to $3M and beyond.
In th...
Why Your Best Clients Keep Leaving (And How to Stop It)
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Learn how to reduce churn and improve customer retention in B2B by understanding what churn rate is and why customers actually leave.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, we break down what churn rate really means, the hidden reasons customers churn, and the practical systems you can use to reduce churn and protect revenue.
Whether you're a founder, marketer, or sales leader, this episode gives you a clear...
Why I Became Suicidal After Making My First Million | ft. John Templeton
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Most people say they want wealth.
Very few are prepared for what it actually does to them.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, we sit down with John Templeton to unpack what really happens when you start making (and losing) serious money.
If you're building a business, navigating growth, or stepping into higher stakes - this episode will change how you think about money, identity...
Starting a Clothing Brand When the Market is Saturated | ft. Myles Eaton
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Starting a clothing brand sounds exciting - until you realise how competitive the streetwear market really is.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, we sit down with Myles Eaton, founder of POINTS Streetwear, to break down what it actually takes to start and grow a streetwear brand in a saturated market.
Whether youâre building a fashion label, launching a product brand, or trying to stand out in a cr...
The Truth About Starting a Podcast (After 1 Year)
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Starting a podcast sounds simple - record a conversation, upload the episode, and watch the audience grow.
But the reality of starting and running a podcast is very different.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, we share the honest lessons from one year of podcasting - the things no one tells you before you start. From the quiet early days where episodes go out to almost no listeners, to...
How to Build a Brand Someone Would Actually Buy | ft. Phillip Di Bella
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Most people build a business.
Very few build a business someone else would actually want to buy.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, weâre joined by Phillip Di Bella - founder of Di Bella Coffee and Coffee Commune - to unpack what it really takes to build a brand with long-term value.
Whether you're scaling, thinking about exit, or just starting out, this episode of...
Why Your Content Isnât Ranking (Googleâs E-E-A-T Explained)
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Youâre publishing content.
Itâs optimised. Consistent. Well-written.
And still⌠itâs not ranking.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, we break down Googleâs E-E-A-T framework - Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust - and explain why credibility is now the most important ranking signal in modern SEO.
Whether youâre publishing blogs, videos, or thought leadership, this episode will help you bui...
Why Your NOT Closing Deals (And What to Do Instead)
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Most B2B deals donât stall because of budget or competition.
They stall because buyers hesitate.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, we break down why B2B sales cycles drag, why pipelines feel busy but donât convert, and how to shorten your sales cycle without discounting, chasing, or forcing urgency.
Whether youâre a B2B founder, sales leader, or growth operator, this e...
Stop Discounting - Do This to Your Prices Instead
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Most businesses donât struggle because of poor marketing - they struggle because theyâre priced wrong.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, we break down pricing strategies in marketing and why price is never just a number. Pricing shapes perception, signals confidence, and determines the type of customers you attract long before a sales conversation even begins.
Whether youâre a founder, marketer, or business leader, this episode will h...
The Long Game Behind âOvernight Successâ | ft. Tau Fereti
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Turning a passion into a career sounds exciting - but the reality is usually long hours, uncertainty, and years of work before anyone sees the result.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Iâm joined by Tau Fereti, an international DJ and creative entrepreneur who turned his love for music into a global business. We unpack the unseen side of that journey - working multiple jobs, late nights, slow progress, self-doubt, and the di...
Why High Performers Stay Stuck in Life & Business | ft. Brett Scott
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If youâre doing the work but still feel stuck, inconsistent, or overwhelmed, the issue usually isnât effort - itâs mindset.
In this episode of The Adonis Effect, Iâm joined by Brett Scott, a mindset coach who helps high performers break through internal limits and build real freedom, discipline, and momentum. We unpack why so many capable people stay stuck despite working hard, and how shifting mindset, identity, and standards can change e...
How NOT to Lose Clients as Your Business Grows
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Why do some businesses grow effortlessly while others constantly chase new customers?
Itâs not marketing. Itâs retention.
If youâre tired of replacing lost customers, spending more on ads, or feeling stuck on a growth treadmill, this episode explains how better customer experience increases loyalty, lifetime value, and long-term revenue - without starting from zero every month.
In this episode, youâll learn:
Why customer experience now beats pr...