

Influence Unlocked
Piccolo Podcasts
Want to learn what it really takes to grow a brand and harness the power of influence to create lasting impact?
Influence Unlocked opens the door into the exciting world of public relations, personal branding, and leadership success. We go deep, exploring the highs and lows, the inner workings of, and the big ideas behind some of Australia's leading entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and change makers.
So come beyond the news headlines and highlight reels and get ready to UNlock your influence.
Hosted by Samantha Dybac, founder and CEO of leading Australian PR and strategic communications firm, The PR Hub.
Influence Unlocked opens the door into the exciting world of public relations, personal branding, and leadership success. We go deep, exploring the highs and lows, the inner workings of, and the big ideas behind some of Australia's leading entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and change makers.
So come beyond the news headlines and highlight reels and get ready to UNlock your influence.
Hosted by Samantha Dybac, founder and CEO of leading Australian PR and strategic communications firm, The PR Hub.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 18, 2021 • 34min
“If you don’t ask, you don’t get” with Amanda Rose
Having crossed paths several times over the past decade, I finally got to sit down with multi-talented #BossLady herself, Amanda Rose. In addition to penning her weekly careers column in the Daily Telegraph, Amanda is also a business consultant, media commentator, women in business advocate, keynote speaker, workplace trainer, and entrepreneur, founding no less than six businesses.
As one of LinkedIn’s most influential people, Amanda has built a personal brand based on influencing people in a positive way. Whether it is through her consulting work, providing commentary on issues of the day, mentoring young women, or establishing support networks for women in business, Amanda has created a personal brand that both underpins and propels her professional success.
In this episode, Amanda chats with me about her journey as a woman in business and shares the best way to turn your passion into a successful commercial venture. She also provides insights on how to build an effective personal brand, revealing this is a continuous improvement exercise requiring daily finetuning. But most importantly of all, Amanda emphasises the importance of authenticity. “What you see is what you get is the best thing someone can say to you about who you are in your brand”.
Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram@ https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/
Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here:
https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5
Producer:
http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 4, 2021 • 40min
Plan and prioritise with Susie Burrell
Bringing you the next episode of Influence Unlocked during lockdown in Sydney, I am joined by renowned dietician, business owner and media personality Susie Burrell.
A leader in her field with over 20 years’ experience as a paediatric and sports dietician and a Master of Coaching Psychology, Susie currently runs her own clinic in Bondi Junction. In addition to running a successful consulting business, she appears regularly on Channel Seven’s Sunrise program and writes articles on healthy eating for Body & Soul, smh.com.au and 9Honey.
And while she expertly juggles the competing demands of multiple roles, her path to success hasn’t always been smooth, often finding her business demands in direct conflict with her healthcare background. “As a health professional by trade that’s very different to what we’re trained to do, which is to help people and be giving… that is so different to being in the business world.” Gradually building the resilience to deal with these challenges, Susie shares her approach to dealing with career setbacks, which closely parallels with the advice she gives to clients struggling to stay on track with healthy eating plans.
In this episode, Susie gives us a masterclass in time management and the importance of planning, and shares who has influenced her in her career success. “When I think about the people who have influenced that I really respect, it’s because it’s not actually about them, it’s about the work of the content of the message. And they’re truly trying to help people be better.”
You can follow Susie Burrell on Instagram @susieburrelldietitian, visit her website at susieburrell.com.au or listen to her podcast, The Nutrition Couch on your favourite podcast app.
Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram@ https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/
Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here:
https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5
Producer:
http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 6, 2021 • 27min
“You just can’t sweat the small stuff” with Deanna Depetro
Deanna Depetro is the Creative Director and co-owner of Mossman Clothing, an Australian label known for an aesthetic that is at once fashion-forward and timeless, with a European twist. Since taking over the label with business partner Ben De Rango, Deanna has transformed the business from a small, Melbourne-based clothing company into an emerging label with a national profile, with her designs worn by celebrities such as Jennifer Hawkins, and securing key distribution deals with Myer and The Iconic.
Growing up in Melbourne with a seamstress mother, Deanna has always had a passion for fashion design, sourcing patterns and fabrics from local stores to make her own clothes. After working in Australia and New York in a variety of roles across the fashion industry, she got her first big break as a design assistant back in Melbourne, working her way up before landing at Mossman as a designer. After learning all the different aspects of the business, she took the next big step to realise her dream of owning a business.
In this episode, please join me as I chat with Deanna about what influences her as a designer, how she manages the hectic schedule of running a successful fashion label, and how she has perfected the art of the blazer. We also talk about the importance of taking ‘baby steps’ to achieve your career goals, staying positive and not sweating the small stuff.
You can follow Mossman and Deanna on Instagram at: @Mossman and @DeannaDepetro
Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram@ https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/
Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here:
https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5
Producer:
http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 22, 2021 • 38min
Get up, lace up and turn up, with Todd Liubinskas
For Todd Liubinskas, being fit goes way beyond wanting to look good. As a fitness entrepreneur, personal trainer, and the fitness director of Men’s Health magazine, Todd believes the real benefits of fitness lie in providing people with an outlet for self-care and connection, both with themselves and the community.
His qualifications as both a personal trainer and strength & conditioning coach have seen him train elite athletes including the Wallabies, New Zealand Rugby and the Aussie Sevens, and several years ago he transitioned successfully from a corporate career to the fitness sector to start multiple businesses, including the popular 440 Run Club. However, COVID brought unexpected challenges to the fitness sector in 2020, with Todd forced to shut his gym business and pivot to online training. Now, Todd is an advocate for health, fitness and wellbeing with a TEDx talk under his belt, championing the importance of community connection through fitness initiatives like 440.
Tune into hear more about how Todd motivates himself to get up at 4am every Saturday to run up a steep hill with up to 150 people, and his advice for those of us wanting to take the first step into a more active life.
Follow Todd on Instagram at: @toddliubinskas and @the_440 or on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddliubinskas
Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram@ https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/
Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here:
https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5
Producer:
http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 8, 2021 • 28min
Turning life’s challenges into your superpower, with Tory Archbold
For Tory Archbold, being clear about her values has laid the foundation for an incredible career as a high-profile publicist, entrepreneur, CEO and business coach. Her values have been instrumental in building Torstar into a successful global PR business but were also pivotal in helping her make the decision to walk away from it all. Today, Tory applies her passion, integrity and commitment to deliver to her new role mentoring female entrepreneurs and executives through her latest venture, Powerful Steps.
Dedicated to using her influence to empower others, Tory knows how life-changing it can be for women to share their experiences with each other. In addition to giving women a platform to tell their stories on her podcast, Powerful Stories, Tory is refreshingly candid in sharing her own personal journey with inspire others. From running a successful business as a single mother to dealing with being stalked for 12 years and surviving a near death experience, her challenges are a reminder that everyone’s lives, no matter how accomplished they appear, feature both success and survival.
I hope you find Tory’s journey and outlook on life as inspirational as I do. Tune in to hear more about how Drew Barrymore ended her career in PR (in a good way), how to attract the right people into your orbit and why a coffee date, not lunch, is the best way to build a powerful network.
Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram@ https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/
Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here:
https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5
Producer:
http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 25, 2021 • 47min
“Don’t hide behind the curtains” with Anthony Seibold
As the 2018 Dally M Coach of the Year and former head coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Anthony Seibold is accustomed to performing under pressure. However, even Anthony was unprepared for the ugly turn of events shortly after landing the high-profile role as Head Coach for the Brisbane Broncos, when, already under fierce criticism for a series of losses, he became the subject of a vitriolic smear campaign online. With the rumours and trolling spiralling out of control, Anthony was forced to recruit legal and cybercrime experts to find the culprits, taking the unprecedented move to pursue criminal, rather than civil action against those responsible.
Having played and worked as a professional rugby league player in Australia and overseas, Anthony also pursued a parallel career as a teacher and academic, completing a Master of Education and lecturing at the University of Southern Queensland. Today, he is an advocate for mental health and wellbeing as ambassador for the Readiness app and campaigns for legislation to hold online trolls accountable for cyberbullying.
In this episode, Anthony and I have an in-depth chat about standing up for yourself in the face of intense public scrutiny. We also talk about his journey as a kid from Rockhampton who became a world-class rugby league player and coach, and what it takes to be a leader in sport.
Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram@ https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/
Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here:
https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5
Producer:
http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 11, 2021 • 34min
Mastering breakfast TV and interviewing Oprah with Shaun White
Kicking off Season 3 of the Influence Unlocked is a guest with a truly uncanny knack for connecting with audiences. Currently the consumer correspondent for Australia’s no 1 breakfast television program, Sunrise, Shaun White is equally comfortable in front of a TV camera or hosting large events. His ability to build an authentic connection with people has also seen him score coveted interviews with talk show legend Oprah and tennis superstar Serena Williams.
Starting his journalistic career as a cadet with SBS, Shaun has worked across the media spectrum in print, radio, online and TV. Blending an eye for opportunity, a dogged perseverance and a talent for storytelling, Shaun has worked his way onto our screens on Australia’s most watched breakfast show, bringing audiences the latest in tech releases, property, consumer affairs and travel news from around the globe.
Having known Shaun for a few years now, I’m always impressed by how effortlessly he navigates the challenges of live TV. However, his journey has been anything but smooth sailing. In this episode, we discuss how overcoming anxiety and coming out to his family in his youth has played a key role in his career success. We also talk about some of the great advice he’s received over the years, from Sarah Stinson’s recommendation to ‘live in the moment, but don’t become complacent’, to his mother’s tip to ‘never stay at the party too long’. We also talk about the importance of asking ‘What’s the next thing in terms of innovation and how could we tell this story differently?’
Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram@ https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/
Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here:
https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5
Producer:
http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 8, 2021 • 45min
When your personal brand is a family affair with Tom Waterhouse
My guest for the final episode of season two has lived his whole life in the spotlight, and has recently been causing controversy with an ad campaign featuring bikini models in various scenarios including on a trampoline surrounded by goats. Tom Waterhouse was born in to racing royalty. On his mother’s side, horse trainers; on his father’s side, four generations of bookmakers. Despite an allergy to horses and very little interest in racing, by the age of 20 Tom was following in his father’s footsteps as a licensed bookmaker – much to his grandmother’s dismay.
His first business, TomWaterhouse.com, launched in 2010 and became one of Australia’s largest online betting companies. Three years later he sold the company to international bookmaking business William Hill, and Tom became the CEO of the Australian operation, responsible for major brands including Centrebet and Sportingbet and generating $2 billion in overall turnover.
In 2018 William Hill sold its Australian business and Tom bought back the brand, relaunching it as a membership-based tipping service. I really enjoyed listening to Tom speak about his childhood and what he took from growing up in such a disciplined, high performance “Waterhouse” household. Tune in to hear us talk about the impact that has had on him now as a businessman, husband and father of three and why despite not being comfortable with seeing himself on camera, he has chosen the path of leveraging his personal brand to promote his businesses.
Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram@ https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/
Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here:
https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5
Producer:
http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 22, 2021 • 37min
“I feel like I've been in fight or flight mode since I was 16.” with Emily Duggan
Talking to my guest for this episode was as thrilling as watching her race. Emily Dugan was just 22 years of age when she started racing in theSeries X3 NSW, after buying a race car on Gumtree, a suit on eBay and a helmet from Aldi. Self-taught and self-funded, she became the first female driver to race in the Super3 V8 Touring Cars Series in 2016. Since then, she has competed in events including the Toyota 86 Series and Supercars S3 Series. She’s also highly accomplished off the track, working with major brands like Penrite and Special K and being a finalist for Cosmopolitan’s Sportswoman of the Year in 2017.
Emily is passionate about breaking down the barriers that prevent girls and women from achieving their dreams, and she is an ambassador for Girls on Track, originally launched by British F1 driver Susie Wolff. She has been described as the hardest-working racing car driver in Australia, and she’s done it all without family support. These days she clocks speeds of up to 270km an hour, but Emily’s first experiences behind the wheel were driving herself to school every day after her parents separated and left her living on her own. It’s an incredible story and I feel privileged that she shared it with me on the podcast.
She has a maturity beyond her age and a unique approach to problem solving. Our conversation was a wild ride, with lots of hairpin bends and unexpected turns. I hope you’ll tune in to hear Emily talk about hitting the gym just after midnight, practicing times tables while running, and how her appendix might have cost her a championship.
Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram@ https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/
Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here:
https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5
Producer: Andrew Menczel
http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 8, 2021 • 54min
“Turn down any work that you're not 100% happy with” with Bec Brown
Bec Brown is the founder and director of highly successful PR agency, The Comms Department, known for representing some of Australia’s and the world’s biggest and best-known media, entertainment travel and lifestyle brands. But before she built her name as the PR behind big names like the Australian Radio Network, Bras n Things and Amazon Prime Video, Bec started out by following her dreams to be a singer and musician. Bec spent the early years of her career travelling the world, building her career and landing gigs in England, Fiji, Sweden and France.
But hustling for gigs and singing in restaurants eventually lost its lustre, and Bec realised that it’s not always the best idea to turn your passion into a profession. She returned to Australia and retrained in PR, working her way through some top agencies before launching The Comms Department in 2012 with her most recent employer, Universal Music, as her first client.
Last year Bec released her first book, You’ve Got This, compiling everything she’s learned on her fabulous career journey. Tune in to find out how the book came about, what Bec does when she needs to refuel, her advice for business owners starting out and why she’ll never be a professional brownie baker.
Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram@ https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/
Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here:
https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5
Producer: Andrew Menczel
http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.