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The Real Biz Life Chronicles
Unedited stories of Business, Branding and Life.
Banish boring as Tracy Fryer and her guests take a ride on the rollercoaster of being a business owner - or of simply being human! Get ready to learn exactly what it takes to grow with distinction and show mediocrity the middle finger. In this podcast Tracy interview’s authentic business owners, who share their story of building a successful business, their strategies behind their success and leading the way.
RAW. Honest. Unedited.
The Real Biz Life Chronicles
#083 Wisdom Without the Ego: John Dawson
What if the best leaders don’t stand in the spotlight, but lift others into it?
In this episode, I sit down with John Dawson, Seven West Media’s resident advertising trainer, whose career spans over 25 years across radio, TV, digital, press, and agency. But this conversation isn’t just about media; it’s about leadership, presence, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing who you are (and backing others while you’re at it).
Whether you're building a team, working in sales, or just figuring out what kind of leader you want to be, this one’s for you.
Specifically, John shares:
[03:13] Why he believes true leadership is about service, not spotlight
[08:17] What kept him inspired over two decades in the media industry
[11:35] His approach to mentoring the next generation at Seven West Media
[14:08] The three most important things in media (spoiler: it’s all about relationships)
[17:47] The best advice he gives new leaders—and what most people get wrong in boardrooms
[21:30] Why innovation can come from the most unexpected sources
[27:46] The branding mistake businesses keep making (and how to fix it)
[30:51] What we can all learn from the All Blacks’ no dickheads policy
[34:28] What boxing taught him about confidence, identity, and resilience
[42:53] Why he believes each decade invites a new version of growth
Mentioned in this episode:
[27:00] Legacy by James Kerr – Lessons from the All Blacks
[14:00] LinkedIn Research Study on Sales Professionals
[55:26] Babaji’s lecture on wealth and happiness
[58:00] PSA Testing and Men’s Health Awareness
About John Dawson
John Dawson is the resident advertising trainer at Seven West Media, with over 25 years of experience in the media industry across broadcast TV, radio, print, digital, and agency work. With degrees in Communications and Psychology, John combines a deep understanding of human behaviour with practical media know-how to coach, mentor, and empower the next generation of media professionals. A former musician, nightclub manager, and national sportsman, John brings authenticity, humour, and heart into everything he does.
Connect with John
LinkedIn: John Dawson
Celebrating Season 2 with a Free Brand Discovery: designstudioperth.com.au/brand-discovery
About Tracy: Tracy Fryer is a branding powerhouse, speaker, and founder of Design Studio Perth and Trace Designs Bespoke. She’s dedicated to helping business owners and creatives build brands that truly reflect their values, passions, and long-term vision. As the host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles, Tracy brings raw, insightful conversations that push entrepreneurs to embrace bold growth, develop strategic branding, and lead with unapologetic confidence. Her approach is refreshingly real—blending deep expertise with a passion for authenticity, creative excellence, and business success.
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