The Kofkin Bond’s Podcast

262. Beyond the Scalpel: Dr. Matthew Read’s Mission to Heal and Innovate

Welcome to Everyday Heroes, presented by Kofkin Bond & Co.

In this episode, Associate Professor Matthew Read joins host Tony Kofkin for an extraordinary conversation about medicine, innovation, and impact. A leading upper gastrointestinal surgeon, Chief Medical Information Officer at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, and Director of Research at the Daylight Foundation, Matthew is helping to reshape how we understand and prevent disease.

From developing AI-assisted surgical tools and augmented reality training systems to leading a national initiative to reduce healthcare-associated infections, Matthew’s work is at the forefront of medical innovation. He shares how technology and collaboration can save thousands of lives, reduce healthcare costs, and create a safer, more sustainable future for patients everywhere.

The episode also explores Matthew’s humanitarian projects in Kenya, where he has helped train local surgeons and build programs that transform communities from the inside out.

A story of curiosity, compassion, and purpose. This episode reveals how one surgeon’s drive to question, improve, and serve is transforming modern medicine.

 

https://daylightfoundation.org.au/

https://sentinelhealth.com.au/

Dr Keith Dindi Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUAv__uFKYY

 

 

261. From Corporate Turnarounds to Tech Innovations: Peter’s Journey

Welcome to Everyday Heroes, presented by Kofkin Bond & Co.

Today we sit down with Peter Worn, Co-founder and Joint Managing Director of Finura Group, a fast-growing financial services technology firm reshaping how advisors and clients experience wealth management.

Peter’s journey began in the high-pressure world of corporate turnarounds, where he faced failed software projects, volatile ASX-listed environments, and brutal boardroom battles. What could have driven him back to the safety of big corporates instead ignited his entrepreneurial spirit.

With his business partner, Aaron, Peter transformed hardship into opportunity, turning struggling businesses around and eventually founding Finura, built on a clean-sheet-of-paper tech vision. Today, he champions innovation for financial advisers, helping bridge the gap between rising client expectations, heavy compliance, and the power of modern technology.

Beyond the boardroom, Peter balances life as a husband, father, and grassroots AFL coach, showing that leadership extends beyond business into family and community.

This episode is a powerful story of resilience, vision, and transformation. Tune in to learn how adversity can spark innovation and why the future of advice lies at the intersection of people, technology, and purpose.

260. Turning Setbacks Into Success with Matt Carver

Welcome to Everyday Heroes, presented by Kofkin Bond & Co.

In this episode, Matt shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful golfer and later transitioning to real estate. He discusses the impact of resilience, his passion for golf, the life-altering accident that changed everything, and how he found new purpose in fitness and helping others.

Matt's story is a testament to the power of resilience, hard work, and the importance of connecting with people. In this engaging conversation, Matt and Tony explore the journey of overcoming fear in sales, the importance of rejection, and the personal challenges faced in building a successful real estate career.

They discuss cultural connections, the significance of networking, and the lessons learned from life experiences. The dialogue emphasizes resilience, health and fitness, leadership dynamics, and the necessity of taking action to achieve success.

Enjoy this weeks episode of Everyday Heroes.

 

259. Logic, Risk, and Reinvention: Jon's Entrepreneurial Story

Welcome to Everyday Heroes, presented by Kofkin Bond & Co.

In this episode, we sit down with Jon Wellman, co-founder and CEO of Vokke, one of Australia’s most trusted software development partners. Jon’s journey began far from the world of tech. As a young boy migrating from the UK, navigating schoolyard challenges, and later finding himself in financial planning, he was just as the GFC shook the world. Those early years taught him resilience, adaptability, and the power of saying “yes” to opportunities.

But Jon’s true calling emerged at university, where he met his future business partner. What started as an ambitious attempt to build a social network quickly transformed into a crash course in entrepreneurship. By 23, Jon had launched Vokke, driven not just by technical expertise, but by a vision to help businesses rethink the way they solve problems through software. Over the past decade, he has grown the firm to a 30-strong team, building bespoke solutions for industries where security and precision are paramount.

In this conversation with Tony Kofkin, Jon shares insights on the rise of AI, the future of software, and why adaptability and emotional resilience are the most important skills for the next generation. From the lessons of failure to the opportunities of innovation, Jon’s story is a powerful reminder that the real heroes are those who embrace change and lead others through it.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader navigating disruption, or simply curious about the future of technology, this episode will leave you inspired to see change not as a threat, but as an opportunity. Listen now.

258. From Loss to Legacy: Lucas’ Journey of Resilience and Purpose

Welcome to Everyday Heroes, presented by Kofkin Bond & Co.

In this episode, we sit down with Lucas Petrovich, whose story is a powerful blend of resilience, ambition, and purpose. From losing his father at a young age and facing bullying in school, to navigating financial hardship and an unexpected plunge into running a real estate business, Lucas shares the defining moments that shaped him.

He opens up about the turning point that transformed a struggling office into a record-breaking success, the lessons he’s learned about leadership and environment, and why he’s now driven to create a school that teaches life skills, financial literacy, health, and leadership to disadvantaged kids.

Lucas’s vision goes beyond education; it’s about breaking cycles, creating opportunity, and equipping the next generation to thrive. This conversation is a testament to the power of grit, the value of surrounding yourself with the right people, and the belief that one person can make a lasting difference.

Change begins when we choose to act. Join us for this inspiring episode of Everyday Heroes.

257. Refugee To Award - Winning Pharmacist : Sara Murdock's Journey Of Resilience and Empowerment

Welcome to Everyday Heroes, presented by Kofkin Bond & Co.

In this episode, we meet Sara Murdock, an award-winning pharmacist whose journey from war-torn Iraq to Australian community leader is a testament to courage, resilience, and the power of education. Hosted by Tony, this deeply moving conversation traces Sara’s early years growing up amid the Iran-Iraq war, the harrowing escape her family made in search of safety, and the challenges of rebuilding a life in a new country.

 

Sara shares how her parents’ emphasis on education became the foundation for her success, shaping her determination to make a difference as a pharmacist and advocate for health in her community. She reflects on the frontline challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the vital role pharmacists play beyond dispensing medicine, and how winning national awards reinforced her commitment to service and empowerment.

 

This episode delves into the realities of migration, the ongoing impact of trauma, and the importance of empathy and storytelling to inspire the next generation of refugees and professionals. Sara’s passion for community engagement, wellness education, and the healing power of connection shines throughout her story.

 

Whether you’re interested in stories of overcoming adversity, the immigrant experience, or the future of healthcare and community service, Sara’s journey will leave you inspired and empowered to use your voice.

 

Change begins with sharing our stories. Join us for this powerful episode of Everyday Heroes.

256. Redefining Success: Alex Kain on The Philosophy of Compassion, Community & a New Human Economy

Alex Kain has been passionate about entrepreneurship for as long as he can remember. From a young age, he was inspired by the idea of becoming a successful businessman, much like the success modelled to him in the media. Driven by this ambition, Alex embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, launching several startups, primarily within the rapidly evolving technology space. Amongst all of this, he also took on several ‘careers’ as a dating agency consultant, private investigator and comedian. Over the years, as he honed his skills, Alex’s focus gradually shifted toward helping other businesses achieve greater productivity and efficiency. He became particularly adept at assessing the existing systems and processes within organisations, identifying areas where improvements could be made, and devising strategies for optimisation.

 

However, as his career progressed, Alex began to notice something that sparked a deeper reflection—growing social inequities that seemed to persist around him. Whether it was issues of access to opportunities, unequal resources, or systemic barriers, he became increasingly aware of the ways in which social disparities were impacting people’s lives.

 

This awareness, coupled with his desire to make a positive impact, led Alex to rethink the way he viewed success and progress. Rather than focusing solely on assisting businesses, Alex began considering how he could apply his analytical skills to address these social challenges. He envisioned a movement that sought to inspire a broader shift in perspective—a new way of understanding the world and our roles within it. Drawing on his prior experience, he began developing ideas for a philosophy that would challenge conventional thinking and encourage individuals and organisations to view success through a different lens, one that prioritised equity, inclusivity, and social responsibility.

255. Redefining Recruitment with Nathan Soti

This week, we welcomed Nathan Soti to the Kofkin Bond podcast. Nathan is a true people-person with a natural ability to connect, understand, and support others. With several years of experience in Financial Services and Sales, he has developed not only a deep understanding of the industry but also a strong passion for helping others thrive within it.

Over the years, Nathan noticed a recurring gap in the recruitment experience, both as a candidate and as a client. Frustrated with the transactional nature of traditional agencies, he decided to do something about it. That’s when Ethos360 Recruitment was born.

Nathan founded Ethos360 with a simple but powerful belief: people are a business’s most important asset. His mission is to support growing businesses by connecting them with high-quality talent across Financial Planning, Mortgage Broking, and Insurance, talent that will not only thrive in the role but also align with the values and culture of the organisation.

Under Nathan’s leadership, everything at Ethos360 , from their process and technology to their team’s approach, is purposefully built to find the right people, not just the available ones. For Nathan, recruitment isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about creating meaningful, long-term matches.

254. The Worst Disease You’ve Never Heard Of – Inside EB with Simone Baird

In this week’s episode of the Kofkin Bond Podcast,  Dimi and Tony sit down with Simone Baird, the dedicated Family and Support Coordinator at DEBRA Australia, for an emotional and eye-opening conversation about Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare, debilitating, and often life-threatening genetic skin disorder. Commonly referred to as “the worst disease you’ve never heard of.”

Simone courageously shares the deeply personal story of her beloved daughter Eliza, who was born with EB. From the moment of Eliza’s birth, their lives changed forever, and Simone takes listeners through the heartbreaking reality of living with a child affected by this cruel condition

Simone talks about how DEBRA Australia has stood beside Simone’s family like a lifeline, offering critical services including psychological support, in-home nursing care, and financial aid for the overwhelming costs that EB families often face. DEBRA’s support extends beyond just clinical care, they provide hope, community, and a sense of not being alone in the fight. Simone urges listeners to learn more about EB, share the stories of those affected, and support the vital work of DEBRA Australia in their mission to improve the quality of life for individuals and families living with this devastating condition.

253. Brighter Days: Jason Reid's Journey of Hope and Community

In this weeks podcast, Jason Reid discusses his journey and the formation of the Brighter Days Foundation, a charity focused on supporting children with severe illnesses. Jason shares personal anecdotes, including his son's battle with a brain tumor and other health challenges, which inspired him to start the foundation. He highlights the importance of community involvement and the significant impact of their fundraising efforts, which have raised over $5 million since inception. The podcast also touches on the emotional and physical support provided by the foundation, the annual Brighter Days festival, and the collaborative efforts of volunteers and local organizations to make a difference in the lives of affected families. Jason's message emphasizes the power of community and the importance of giving back.