Behind the Bio with Ashley Feraude

Ashley Feraude sits down with Paul Whitehorn, head of the National Zoo & Aquarium, including the iconic Jamala Wildlife Lodge.

In this conversation, we dive into the fascinating world of zoo operations and uncover the complex work involved in caring for, presenting, and protecting animals.

Paul has always wanted to work with animals, and his deep passion for our connection with other species shines through. He shares his personal...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Chris Condon who is the Assistant Director of Strategic Risk Management Bushfire at ACTRFS.

Chris began his emergency management career in rural New South Wales, inspired by a passion for the rural sector developed during his time at an agricultural high school. He joined the NSW Rural Fire Service in 2002 and later the ACT Rural Fire Service in 2017.

His formal career in emergency services began w...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Meagan Loader with is the Chief Curator at NFSA.

Meagan has a rich background in community radio, having founded three music radio stations. She was instrumental in designing each station’s sound and brand, selecting and training presenters and producers, and developing programming and digital content strategies.

A passionate advocate for music and Australian arts, culture, and identity, Meagan bri...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Claire Fenwicke, who leads the Region Media journalist team.

Claire has a great back story that takes us through the career progression of a passionate journalist, communicator and editor.

Starting with a degree in Journalism, Claire worked her way though writing of regional press, then working in the high pressured environment of TV as a news producer, then a stint in Canberra FM before landing a ...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Will, who is an experienced dancer, actor and presenter, as well as Marketing Manager at the National Zoo & Aquarium and Jamala Wildlife Lodge.

He manages to balance both sides to his professional passions with drive and deep meaning, especially when it comes to communicating with audiences, whether they be via performance or marketing.

Will has been cast in the Australia and New Zealand Tour f...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Josh Mulrine, who currently works with specific clients to source stones and gems and deliver unique jewellery pieces.

Josh's back story is a very interesting one, with his previous successful pursuits in cinematography and event management paving a unique path towards his fascination with jewels.

As a very social and driven individual, Josh has had to learn how to discover opportunity at time...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Samantha, who is a Chair of the International Association for the Study of Popular Music, an Associate Dean Higher Degree Research and Deputy Head of School at the ANU School of Music.

Considering her academic achievements, we discuss what it means to be an academic, is one born or developed and what is an academic mindset.

Samantha has a great life story to tell about her journey through music, bo...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Wayne Phillips, who is the Commissioner at ACT ESA, the agency that includes Fire & Rescue, Ambulance, Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Services.

If that sounds like a big job with a wide scope of responsibility, then that’s because it certainly is. Wayne takes us through the reactive and proactive work of the various areas, the type of people this work attracts and the supreme professio...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Cyf, who is the founder of Forge Constructions - a team that offers commercial and residential construction services throughout Canberra and surrounding regions.

Cyf discusses his love for the trades and the complete building process, his business journey and how it has evolved from carpentry, to commercial work and then to residential projects. We also chat about the changes in the industry, futu...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Tania, who started in fashion but quickly turned her passion for making things to ceramics. She grew a successful practice that included exhibitions, awards and a busy production studio. Tania is now at the start of her next exciting chapter as a painter.

We discuss the difference between craft and art, the balance between art and business, how to feed the soul and the bank balance at the same tim...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Bri Williams, who is TikTok content creator and real estate professional.

Bri is a perfect example of someone that has managed to balance two somewhat opposing professions. One the one hand a TokTok star with a large and loyal following in Canberra and beyond and, on the other hand, she is a real estate agent wth LJ Hooker.

We explore how hard or easy keeping a balance between career and passion is...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Lachlan Jarvis who is a Private Investigator from the agency 'Lyonswood'.

Lachlan offers a great insight into the type of people that are drawn to this profession and the skills they have to make them really suitable for it. He also gives us a great look into what PIs do and the kind of principles and codes they abide by.

So if you ever wondered if PIs are lone wolves, do they use gadgets...

Ashley Feraude is in conversation with Nesh Nikolic, who is the Managing Director of the Strategic Psychology practice and a clinical psychologist.

Nesh provides and insight into the world of psychology in private practice, the theoretical and applied principles that guide his work, the clients he consults and the most common challenges he assists people to overcome.

With the rise of psychology as a fundamental need for overall balan...

Ashley Feraude is in conversation with Theo Koutsikamanis, Partner & Sales Executive at Bastion Property Group.  

Theo loves what he does, but it took the simple advice of a mentor early in his career to set him on this path. 

Theo’s journey from working over a hot grill seven days a week in a family takeaway to being a partner in a key real estate group in Canberra, provides a great insight into how strong work ethic, interperso...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Avon Dissanayake: Strategic Communicator in Transformation, Innovation & AI.

Avon is an accomplished leader with over eighteen years of experience in private, corporate and public sector roles. All this experience has meant that he has changed jobs and careers many times but used a specific ‘storytelling’  thread to join them all together. 

Avon also has a specific mindset w...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Cam Sullings who is a presenter for hire and and provides media training via his consultancy Present with Impact. 

Cam loves to be behind the mic to present, lead panels, host events and run radio programs. He has made a long career out of his passion for public speaking by tapping into a field that many of us dread. 

Cam takes us through tips on how to see presenting in a confi...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Tara Cheyne, who is the Member for Ginninderra in the ACT Labor Party. 

As a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Tara’s ministry portfolio includes Human Rights, City and Government Services and  Night-Time Economy. With all that keeping her very busy, we step back to how Tara got to his point in her career after her studies Arts and Journalism.

We unpick the drivers and the pro...

Ashley Feraude in conversation with Jeremy Byrnes, who has multiple decades of experience in wedding and portrait photography.

One the one hand, the conversation explores Jeremy's love for connecting with people to tell their stories through photography and, on the other, connecting with oneself in order to achieve a healthy work and life balance. Jeremy is also a strong believer that people should be celebrated and n...

Ashley Feraude in conversatoin with Francis Owusu, Founder & CEO Kulture Break.

Francis is a very inspirational person to many people, and it's not surprising considering that he is a social entrepreneur, he has been transforming the lives of young people for over two decades and is also an Australian of the Year award winner.

In this conversation, we explore how and why he started Kulture Break, and how ...