Last time; I introduced What I’m…Listening To; and to my surprise; it was the most clicked-on article; so here’s what’s grabbed my attention this past month.
Podcasts remain my go-to for their immediacy and variety; especially on my rides. I’m still enjoying The Knowledge Project and recently listened to the episode from Outliers: Estée Lauder. Prior to the podcast; I had no idea what she accomplished…her relentless and uncompromising single minded approach to business and perfection. If you're into startups or brand growth; it’s worth a listen.
I’ve also started listening to Smarter Marketer by James Lawrence; co-founder of the Australian marketing agency Rocket Agency. Not all episodes grab me; but these ones stood out:
- #77:LinkedIn Ads That Work – Expert tactics with AJ Wilcox
- #68:Content Marketing in the Age of AI – Marcus Sheridan
- How to Build Your Personal Brand as a Marketer – Fleur Brown (Jan 1; 2024)
https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast
On the book front:
Leslie Zane’s The Power of Instinctchallenges traditional marketing thinking by exploring how unconscious instincts drive consumer behaviour. She makes a compelling case for emotion-driven persuasion; offering insights relevant to products; brands; and personal branding; while throwing out the time honoured marketing theory such as segmentation; the funnel; and the concept of prioritising existing customers for growth. https://amzn.asia/d/izTsRG5
I enjoyed it and found her arguments warranted consideration.
When I want a break from work…
On the personal front; I stumbled upon the podcastForgotten Australia; a fascinating dive into the country’s overlooked stories from the past—often criminal in nature but also just interesting stories.
Some of the standout episodes I’ve listened to:
- This Week in 1927: The first Miss Australia; Beryl Mills (from WA… and Geraldton) and the newspaper stunt that built a media empire (read Packer).
- The Model and the Murder Case. An intriguing story about the murder trial of Shirley Beiger for shooting her boyfriend in 1954.
- Mystery Island (8-part series). This is all about what seemed to be an obsession at the time with sailing from Sydney to Lord Howe Island in the 1930’s; the plots; the back-stories and twists and turns found me wanting to binge listen.
These podcasts are exceptionally well-researched, replete with intricate twists and details, and merit a listen if you appreciate largely overlooked Australian history. Yes, it's more Eastern States-oriented, but that is to be anticipated given that was the epicentre of activity in the nascent period.https://forgottenaustralia.com
As for books beyond professional commitments…
I’ve been engrossed in The Catalpa Rescue (Peter Fitzsimmons), which recounts the compelling true account of six Fenian (Irish) prisoners’ audacious escape from “The Establishment”, now more commonly referred to as Fremantle Prison, on Easter Monday, 1876. It’s a notable narrative encompassing meticulous planning, precise execution, strategic brinkmanship, and… moments of incompetence. It’s a story I was entirely unaware of until a colleague presented me with the book at Christmas, without any prior knowledge of the narrative or the inherent intrigue.
I am also aware there is a monument at Rockingham on the foreshore commemorating their escape point. It is certainly worth a read if you have an interest in captivating Western Australian history! I’ve since subsequently acquired several other books on the Catalpa. https://amzn.asia/d/hLn0uPn
Truth is indeed stranger than fiction….
