All episodes

Podcast host Ivana Ivanek interviews Australia-based marketer Mariah McInnes about content marketing, what makes good content, and how to tell better stories while building a personal brand online.
Mariah shares her path from corporate marketing to freelancing and digital nomad life, including quitting her job during COVID, a major surgery after discovering rare neuroendocrine cancer, and how recovery led her to meet her partner, who now complements her business skills.

They discuss living and working from a car and then a bus, resilience through business setbacks, and Mariah’s practical storytelling approach: align content to a sales goal and content strategy,...

Host Ivana Ivanek shares a mindset shift and strategic move for building an online personal brand people trust and buy from while running a business alongside a nine-to-five.

After feeling tired during a busy stretch in Vienna, she reflects on a coffee chat with her peer Karina about resting without seeing it as failure, handling fear of judgment and silent rejection from others, and how some people—including partners—may not support your vision.

Ivana’s immediate action step is to get a “business bestie” and actively cheer for peers so support is reciprocal. Strategically, she frames social media as a “digital business...

Host Ivana Ivanek welcomes Dr. John Torrens to discuss the return on investment entrepreneurs gain by prioritizing mental, physical, and spiritual health instead of hustle culture.

Torrens shares how rapid company growth led him toward burnout, pre-diabetes, inflammation, poor sleep, and an ADHD diagnosis, prompting him to treat his health as an experiment and reject “hero” grind worship that can resemble addiction.

He explains practical sleep-first habits—tracking sleep data, managing light exposure with blue-blocking glasses and morning sunlight, using infrared sauna, eating earlier, avoiding alcohol within hours of bed, and exploring grounding—and describes how better sleep improves creativity, decision-making, relationships,...

Host Ivana Ivanek shares three actions to immediately build a trustworthy personal brand people buy from.
Grab your favourite note-taking device and get inspired!

In this episode of the Online Business by Design podcast, host Ivana Ivanek interviews Stephanie Ramirez about building a sustainable online business and personal brand through identity shifts, self-expression, and intentional lifestyle design.

Stephanie shares her experience as a first-generation college graduate carrying pressure to achieve, how repeated layoffs (including a third layoff in 2022 while working in tech) pushed her toward entrepreneurship, and the internal decision to stop chasing a fourth corporate job after experiencing remote work, digital nomad travel, and lifestyle flexibility.

They discuss how high achievers often replicate corporate habits in business by overworking, people-pleasing, copying online...

In this episode of the Online Business by Design podcast, host Ivana Ivanek shares insights from four years as both a podcast host and guest to help listeners pitch themselves to podcasts for more visibility, speaking opportunities, and personal brand growth while building an online business.

She explains what she learned reviewing around 60 guest applications, including noticing that most applicants were men and how fear of rejection and overthinking can hold women back from putting themselves out there.

Grab your favourite note-taking device and get inspired!

In this episode of the Online Business by Design podcast, Ivana Ivanek welcomes Kristi, an expert in building sustainable businesses. Kristi shares her journey as a business coach, shaped by a unique upbringing and a strong philosophy of life without rules. She emphasizes the importance of being intentional in creating a business that supports one's version of a wealthy life. Kristi discusses overcoming social pressures, the mindset shifts required to embrace failure as growth, and the duality of being content with the present while striving for more.

She also delves into client retention strategies, ensuring unique and transformative client experiences...

In this episode of the Online Business By Design podcast, host Ivana Ivanek explores the real reasons behind why people avoid creating content on social media and building a digital business card and personal brand. Ivana dispels the myth that fear of sales is the primary reason and introduces four main layers of fear and self-sabotage that she has identified through recent conversations. She provides strategies for overcoming these barriers.

In this episode of the Online Business by Design podcast, host Ivana Ivanek interviews Melissa Snow, a business relationship strategist who empowers women entrepreneurs.

Melissa discusses the importance of authentic networking, debunking common misconceptions such as imposter syndrome and being 'salesy.' Listeners will learn about the real purpose of networking—building relationships and providing value without expectations. Melissa also offers practical tips for introducing oneself effectively, whether at in-person or online events, and stresses the significance of walking into networking events with intentionality and strategy.

Tune in to discover how to make meaningful connections while staying true to who you are.

In this episode of the 'Online Business by Design' podcast, host Ivana Ivanek guides listeners on how to reflect correctly on their achievements and prepare effectively for 2026.

Recorded on Christmas Eve, Ivana shares personal insights from her tumultuous year, emphasizing the importance of flexible timelines and steady progress. She underscores the value of building a personal brand and audience early, taking immediate action, and not overthinking others' opinions. Ivana also provides practical advice with a newly recorded brand story training and lead generation resources to help online business builders move forward with confidence.

Tune in for a motivational discussion...