Whether you're a founder navigating a long clinical development road, a commercial leader trying to move physician behavior, or someone who just needs a reminder of why they got into this industry- Shaun's final piece of advice will stay with you: "Focus on that one patient you saw an impact on. Because that's the heart of everyone listening to this podcast."

This week, Crystal sits down with Dr. Tim Rayner (AI philosopher and founder of Superesque) to unpack cognitive archaeology: Tim's practice for excavating the tacit expertise you've already accumulated and don't know you know.

It's the moment Crystal realised she'd been training AI agents the same way she'd onboard a new employee: tell them what the company stands for, walk them through the values, give them golden examples, and tell them what to do when they reach the edge of the instructions.

The most quotable, deeply human conversation about AI we've had on the show. "You've given me (and others) permission to approach AI as something deeply human, and not something to be afraid of."

Find Tim and Superesque

Website / Course: http://superesque.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-rayner-superesque/?skipRedirect=true YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCReT3gYhxukSW2zx3jd6Bxw/videos

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• How Not to Use AI — Abby Wuamusu
• Custom GPTs (OpenAI) and Projects (Anthropic / Claude) as starting points for purpose-built AI systems
• Richard Brautigan, All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace

MedTech Mentor listeners get SUPERESQUE15 at https://superesque.com/

EPISODE CHAPTERS

• 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
• 03:17 – "Go-Get-Hers" Origin Story
• 06:38 – The Importance of Sales Experience in Marketing
• 08:31 – Defining Moments in Leadership
• 09:55 – Early Career Lessons in Communication and Mindset
• 15:53 – Building Resilience Through Challenges
• 18:26 – The Ripple Effect of Caring Leadership
• 21:21 – Self-Care: The Key to Caring for Others
• 22:24 – Navigating Redundancy: It's Not Personal
• 28:39 – Embracing Change: The Path to Coaching
• 32:45 – The Transition to Coaching: A New Chapter
• 36:03 – Empowering Women in MedTech
• 39:55 – Women in MedTech Navigating Noise in the Modern Workplace
• 41:46 – Past Mentor's Advice: The Importance of Running to the Fire
• 44:10 – Uncovering Personal Narratives and Mindset - Face vs Fiction
• 47:58 – The Power of Reflection and Self-Discovery
• 50:16 – Investing in Personal Growth and Community
• 53:56 – Morning Rituals and Getting Your Ducks in a Row
• 55:31 – Mentoring with Care and Presence
• 59:45 – CTA - Becca's Offer

SPECIAL OFFER FOR MEDTECH MENTOR LISTENERS This February, Becca is offering:

• 30-minute complimentary connect call for all Medtech Mentor listeners
• 25% off all coaching packages for the month of February '26

CONNECT WITH BECCA

• Website
• LinkedIn: Becca Meehan

Charisse is a Loan Kit Coordinator and operations specialist who’s seen it all: high-pressure logistics, last-minute emergencies, and the daily dedication it takes to keep patients safe and surgical teams supported.

In this episode, she shares real-world stories, practical insights, and the mindset you need to thrive in one of healthcare’s most critical (and often overlooked) roles.

Tune in to discover:

🛡️ How Charisse and her fellow Loan Kit Coordinators protect patient safety and surgical outcomes 🔍 The precision, accountability, and teamwork required to manage hundreds of parts across multiple hospitals ⏱️ Ways LKCs create efficiency and save costs for hospitals and MedTech companies 🤝 How they support surgeons, sales reps, and the entire healthcare team- even under immense time pressure 🚚 What it’s really like to manage logistics under pressure, and the pride that comes from making a difference 🌟 Why it’s time to recognise and celebrate these unsung heroes, and what Charisse wishes more people understood about the role

Want to kick off the new year with real MedTech insight?

Comment and share this episode with #medtechmentorpodcast for your chance to win a personal mentoring session with Charisse herself. There’s no better way to start the year than learning from someone who’s truly lived this experience.

Hit play and get inspired by the unsung heroes of MedTech! Or check it out on MedTech Mentor's YouTube Channel

With more than two decades and thousands of complex cardiac cases in Australia and the U.S., Michael has pioneered “first-in-man” procedures and helped shape the future of heart surgery. He’s held senior roles at The Ohio State University and Mount Sinai Hospitals, is currently Professor at Macquarie University, and practices cardiothoracic surgery in the public and private sector across Sydney.

As founder and Chief Medical Officer of Sydney Heart Valve, Michael is leading the development of next-generation transcatheter heart valve technologies—delivering minimally invasive options for patients with structural heart disease. He is also a founding partner and Chair of the Medical Advisory Panel at Cordis Asset Management, a boutique fund manager investing in innovative medical technology companies that are transforming the treatment of chronic disease.

In this episode, Michael shares his journey to building a dynamic portfolio career. Together, we explore:

How openness to people and opportunities transformed his journey How serendipity and “the company we keep” matter more than any single destination The pivotal moments, mentors, and mindset shifts that shaped his career On resilience: truly knowing your strength comes when tested Mentor advice and book recommendations that shaped his leadership

Whether you’re a clinician, innovator, or simply curious about the intersection of medicine, technology, and personal growth, this conversation is for you.

After each episode, our Mentors give an additional hour of their time to mentor a listener. We do this because we believe real growth happens through connection, learning, and paying it forward.

Share this episode on your socials with #medtechmentorpodcast and tell us what stuck with you—whether it was a story, an idea, a question, or just a moment you enjoyed. You’ll go in the running for an exclusive one-on-one mentoring conversation with Michael Vallely. Don’t miss your chance to connect—subscribe and share today!

References & Further Reading:

• Michael Vallely’s LinkedIn
• Sydney Heart Valve
• Cordis Asset Management
• Principles by Ray Dalio

Tommy shares his deeply personal journey, from his own struggles to becoming a passionate advocate for helping others find their footing in life.

Together, Crystal and Tommy explore the power of vulnerability, the importance of honest conversations, and practical ways to support mental health- both in and out of the workplace.

Tommy discusses how “Find Ya Feet” empowers young people, professionals, and communities to build resilience, foster connection, and embrace their authentic selves with workshops that make a proper difference.

Listeners will come away with actionable insights on:

• Breaking down barriers to mental health support
• Creating safe spaces for open dialogue
• Building daily habits that nurture wellbeing
• The ripple effect of kindness and community

Tommy’s story is a reminder that we all have the strength to “find our feet”- no matter where we start. If you’re interested in bringing Tommy’s message to your organisation, head to Find Ya Feet’s website to learn more about his corporate workshops and programs.

We are so grateful to have Tommy on the show for a heartfelt conversation that we hope will leave you inspired to find ya feet and help those around you find theirs.

Please, sharing is caring, please like and share this episode across your channels with #findyafeet and #medtechmentor podcast to enter to win the 1-hour mentoring session with Tommy. 🫶🏻

A master at leveraging unconventional strategies, Omar reveals the power of social media and finding mentorship everywhere. He's sharing his approach that will help you turn any interaction into a goldmine of insights.

Here's what you'll get from this episode:

✨ Straight-talk advice on harnessing the power of informal mentorship

✨ Actionable tips for using social media to grow your MedTech startup's sales pipeline- without ever stepping into a hospital

✨ Omar's unique framework for asking questions that unlock genuine, impactful advice you can use right away

As a thank you to our listeners who like & share with #medtechmentorpodcast we've got two amazing giveaways!

🎁 60% discount code for Khateeb & Co's sales course to help you transform your sales game with Omar's strategy

🎁 30 day free trial of OmniCreator, the all-in-one, AI enabled LinkedIn content creation platform

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights to take your game to the next level!

In this information-packed episode, you'll gain insights on:

• The Basics of Entrepreneurial Finances and Raising Money
• The Impact of Economic Downturns: What is Driving Investors
• Alternative Funding Platforms: Explore innovative ways to secure capital beyond traditional means
• Investor Preferences Decoded: Learn what investors are looking for and tailor your pitch to stand out
• The Changing Landscape of Work: See how new work models are shaping fundraising strategies.
• Nicky's journey is an inspiration in itself. From his time as a combat medic to his leadership role at Australis Scientific, he'll share his experiences and the valuable lessons learned from his mentors.

This episode is more than just information; it's an opportunity to:

• Learn from a successful medtech entrepreneur: Gain firsthand knowledge and actionable strategies.
• Demystify entrepreneurial finance: Ditch the financial jargon and gain clarity on fundraising.
• Hear how Nicky overcame obstacles and built a successful medtech company: Let his story be your roadmap to navigating challenges.

Don't miss this chance to win a one-hour mentoring session with Nicky himself by sharing this episode with #medtechmentorpodcast

Patrick dives into the challenges and rewards of starting from scratch in a new field, leveraging his strengths to make an impact. He also shares the power of mentorship and how a chance encounter led to a pivotal role at Stryker which set the foundation for his career.

This episode is packed with takeaways for anyone considering a career change or looking for guidance on developing as a leader. Other topics discussed;

• new identities and the mindset required to dive into something new
• refocusing, aligning strengths and experiences to make an impact
• how a 17 second phone call connected him for an offer at Stryker
• Gallup Strengths and his top five
• mentors can come from anywhere- shout out to Mick!
• second place turned out to be a gift
• developing as a leader, you’re not a leader if you don’t have followers, nobody does anything alone
• taking a bad situation and turning it into an opportunity to connect with someone, you never know what you'll learn
• Favorite quote: “to live is to do, not to have done”

This episode is packed with takeaways for anyone considering a career change. Patrick's story reminds us to embrace new opportunities and chase your passions, even if it means diving head first!

Associated links:

• Patrick’s LinkedIn
• Cooper to Realise Olympic Dream

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

James is an accomplished Medtech Entrepreneur and Electrical Engineer committed to making a difference by creating neurotechnologies that improve patient lives and wellbeing.

Growing up with parents who are both Neurologists, James has a passion for the brain and all things neuroscience. He eventually combined this unique perspective with his education in electrical engineering. From an early age, James demonstrated remarkable ingenuity, creating inventions like mind-controlled wheelchairs—straight out of a Marvel movie!

Today, James and his team at Vistim Labs are on a mission to help Dementia Specialists diagnose patients faster by anticipating which diagnostics will identify the right diagnosis (within the first patient visit) with their innovative AI-powered screening diagnostic tool.

In this episode, we delve into a range of topics, including:

• Neurotechnology and Brain Science
• Enhancing Diagnosis and Reducing Wait Times
• Vistim Labs' Groundbreaking Brain Scan Technology
• Innovative Tools and Ventures
• Agency, Self-Talk, and Perception in Personal Development
• Attentional Priming and Behavioral Science, Ex-Mantra
• Community and Outreach, Lit Conversations

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Nicholas shares the second part of his incredible journey - from the uncertainty of the beginning to thriving business owner. He provides invaluable insights into overcoming the challenges of entrepreneurship, navigating uncertainty, and trusting your instincts.

Nicholas reminds us to lean on your trusted advisors – you're never alone on this entrepreneurial path. With a wealth of knowledge from his diverse experiences, Nicholas offers pertinent advice on thepower of saying "no" rather than saying "yes"

We are grateful to Nicholas for his time and wisdom, and we can't wait for you to enjoy this insightful conversation!

🚀 Please don’t forget, Nicholas will be generously donating an hour of his time to for a 1:1 mentoring session to one of our listeners who like and share on social media with the #medtechmentorpodcast Don't miss this outstanding opportunity to spend quality time with a leader like Nicholas, it's an opportunity not to be missed!

Get ready to gain insights that will have a lasting impact on your journey. Tune in now! 🎧

Links mentioned in this episode:

• https://njtmedtech.com.au/

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

NJT MedTech Solutions is an upcoming medtech consultancy supporting start-ups and small and medium medtech businesses to grow and prosper This episode was recorded back when Nicholas had just founded NJT MedTech Solutions in mid 2022. Prior, Nicholas had a remarkable track record as Lead of Corporate Accounts, Government Affairs and Distribution for Baxter International, Head of Corporate Accounts and Government Affairs at Hillrom and held several senior positions at Synthes and Johnson & Johnson.

Nicholas’s incredible journey takes us from his roots as a nuclear medicine scientist to founding his own medtech consultancy - a testament to his drive and determination

Nicholas inspires us to approach our career not as a rigid upwards ladder but as a flexible lattice, encouraging us to break free from our comfort zones and explore new horizons. Don’t underestimate the power of that first step - even a casual coffee chat can lead to life-altering opportunities. With a wealth of experience from the medtech industry, Nicholas offers invaluable advice on the importance of building personal connections throughout your extended social network.

Nicholas is a treasure trove of knowledge, generously sharing his wealth of insights. He is a cherished member of the MedTech Mentor Village, and we are confident that you will find his conversation as enlightening and enjoyable as we did.

Keep an eye out for Part II on Nicholas's reflections 1 year later

Links mentioned in this episode:

• https://njtmedtech.com.au/

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Next Science is a company pioneering technology to combat the rising problem of antimicrobial resistance. Prior to joining Next Science in 2017, she was President of Depuy Synthes APAC where she led the Orthopaedics Division of J&J. She was also the President of Asia Pacific for Synthes GmbH, the world leader in Orthopaedic trauma care. Prior to joining Synthes in 2004, she held several senior positions at Cochlear Limited in Product Development, Global Marketing and Education.

Judy shares how she started her MedTech journey, a happy accident of geographical convenience. She was a single-mum trying to balance family and a career, and secured her first position with General Electric as an Administrator. What happened thereafter is a testament to her natural talent and drive, as well as the blue sky within medtech.

Fast forward, and this year Judy celebrates her 40th year of service. Judy discusses how the mission and purpose to improve the lives of patients is what kept her in an industry that demanded a 24/7 pursuit of continuous improvement. Familiar with the tough decisions, she shares stories of some of her hardest calls and lessons learned, and how those experiences keep her focused on what’s important, the patient- that is the north star, that is how decisions get made.

Judy has this beautiful knack of being able to bring the "human into the room", and she is always there to help. Undoubtedly, if you spend any amount of time with Judy, she’ll ask you that exact question, “How can I help?” which is where the title of this episode comes from.

I am such a tremendous fan of Judy and am not not shy to say I truly soaked every moment of our time in the studio together... She carries the conversation! Her story and sage advice made a marked impact on me, and I hope that you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Please don’t forget, Judy will be generously donating an hour of her time to for a 1:1 mentoring session to one of our listeners who like and share on social media with the #medtechmentorpodcast Don't miss this outstanding opportunity to spend quality time with a leader like Judy, it's an opportunity not to be missed!

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Sabeen's present-day purpose shows up with her very own consultancy, Crescent Strategy, and she currently sits on various boards with the aim to help others realise their commercial ambitions by creating effective go-to-market strategies that take these amazing technologies to the next level. To date, she has worked with over 300 start-ups and is sincerely passionate about opportunities that push innovation forward in the Asia Pacific region.

Sabeen’s been part of my village for a few years now, and I’ve always found her experience to be so unique and her perspective enlightening. She has an uncanny ability to understand both sides of his ecosystem, the new and the established, and she’s always rooting for the Underdog… which I love.

In this conversation, we explore how she cultivated this mix of experiences, and as a result, uncovered a new nickname, the MedTech Double Agent, which is where the title of this episode comes from.

I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did and find it insightful to just what opportunities exist if you are willing to take a risk and live outside your comfort zone!

Topics discussed:

1. Career building
2. Accelerators, and scaling up
3. Start-Up Space, what you need to know!

Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.crescentstrategyconsulting.com/ https://www.thebalancecareers.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-working-at-a-startup-company-3859588 https://www.ausmedtech.com.au/

This podcast is produced by PodStream Studies and hosted by ZenCast.fm

Kirsten dedicates her time to helping individuals find focus and igniting curiosity. She partners with individuals, inspiring teams, and engendering positive change in corporate culture. As an accomplished leadership and performance coach, well-being expert & author of the book Lead Well: How to Show Up Consistently Well in Leadership and Life, Kirsten is someone who is passionate about human potential.

That being said, Kirsten did not start out as an entrepreneur. She spent the better part of two decades within MedTech, starting out in sales, to people management, and finally as a National Salesforce Effectiveness Lead with Johnson & Johnson.

Kirsten shares her professional journey as a MedTech professional and now entrepreneur and gives us tactical takeaways of how she practices building resilience, and her mentors within the space of positive psychology.

Considering what a year 2020 has been, we could not think of a better show to leave our listeners as we pause, reflect, refresh, and prepare for 2021!

Topics discussed:

1. What is resilience?
2. 2020- Think of us as a ball, and 2020 as wet cement...
3. Building Resilience, it's the micro and the macro
4. Breathe
   1. Susan David's TED Talk, "discomfort is the price of a meaningful life."
   2. Grounding Exercises

This podcast is Produced by PodStream hosted by ZenCast.fm

Chris shares his professional journey as an Electrical Engineer who accidentally found his way to MedTech through the service pathway, and how he utilised a strength-based approach in forging a non-linear career path that took him into operations, and eventually even policy writing and corporate sales.

Chris’ journey was supported by amazing coaches and mentors who encouraged him to jump into different projects, and they were also not afraid to share clear constructive feedback. He shares those pivotal moments where he received that feedback and how he leaned into it with gratitude which helped him mindfully recalibrate. These experiences in his professional development ultimately enabled him to push himself outside his comfort zone and job-craft his way to his current role as general manager.

Chris’s story is an excellent reference point on so many levels. It speaks to young engineers looking to break into the industry, as well as seasoned professionals who experience those moments of tough feedback and how to embrace them with gratitude and grow!

This podcast is Produced by PodStream hosted by ZenCast.fm

Topics discussed:

1. Inventing and commercialising a medical device
2. MedTech Accelerator Programs
3. Public speaking

Links mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.needlecalm.com.au/
• http://medtechactuator.com/
• https://ritualize.com/box-breathing-military-secret/

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Links mentioned in this episode:

• https://thenounproject.com/

This podcast is a personally-funded passion project created by Crystal Howell, produced by PodStream, and hosted by ZenCast.fm

TRANSCRIPT OF SHOW:

MTM001 Annie Arnett - SHOWNOTES

Crystal: [00:00:02] Hello everybody. This is Crystal Howell host of the MedTech mentor podcast. The podcast is designed to provide mentorship and advice to personal connections, with stories with our guests. In our first edition, we had an opportunity to sit down with Hologic's very own Annie Arnett talking about her own personal story and how she's mindful of how you show up and lead day to day. I'm really excited today to be here with Annie Arnett. She's the general manager and vice president of Hologic ANZ. And she’s had a prestigious career within med tech, you know, starting out within her field of technical sales within microbiology and moving into marketing with the likes of Kimberly Clarke and eventually Stryker where she had an impressive decade with them, promoted from product manager to marketing manager and eventually marketing director of their surgical division in the United States before taking this role here at Hologic as again, the general manager and vice president. Thank you so much, Annie. I'm so excited to have you here today.

Annie: [00:01:01] Oh, Crystal. Thanks for having me. It's great to be here and you know, I'd love to help you sharing my story of how I've got to where I am at. It's a great opportunity so thank you.

Crystal: [00:01:10] Oh, you're so welcome! So that, that background, there's a lot in that, but it's really funny. I'd love to hear your story of, you know, med tech is it's not very transparent. What does your family think that you'd get up to all day in this role?

Annie: [00:01:25] Yeah, it's um, it's funny you ask that cause uh, mum is a, she, she was a nurse, retired now, but, uh, an operating room nurse, and then a community nurse. And she's been a school nurse and a few other things, but always through her career, she's, she's been a nurse. And, and so I'm working in a complimentary industry in the med tech industry. You know, we have some great conversations. Um, but I just started out in this role and mum had to go and get her mammogram. And so she rocks up. She lives in, in Lismore. Uh, so she walks up to get her mammogram and it's a Hologic mammography machine. And so mom can't help herself. And this is where I was like, Oh mom, you did what? So she's talking to the radiographer and she's like, Oh my daughter, my daughter works for this company. She actually leads it in Australia. And I was like, Oh mom, no, you didn't. But then she had a really great conversation. She said it made it, made the mammogram go, go by really, really quickly.

Crystal: [00:02:22] Thats the funny thing is when you ask, you know, what does your daughter think you do? And what do your kids think? Are your parents? Um, you know, I asked Lucas once, you know, what do you think I do? And he's like, Oh, you talk to people a lot and you send them to jobs. Like I was like, yeah, Yeah. Yeah, that's it that's pretty much it.

Annie: [00:02:39] Um, Georgie has come to the office a couple of times in a couple of different companies that I've, I've worked for. And in, in one of the companies...]]> This week, Crystal Howell and Annie Arnett cover her personal MedTech story and how her journey made her mindful of her personal brand, how she shows up as a leader. Sharing some of her most cherished pieces of advice throughout her career from her own mentors. Annie provides an honest conversation about self-reflection, staying true to values, and remembering that your personal brand is your own.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• https://thenounproject.com/

This podcast is a personally-funded passion project created by Crystal Howell, produced by PodStream, and hosted by ZenCast.fm

TRANSCRIPT OF SHOW:

MTM001 Annie Arnett - SHOWNOTES

Crystal: [00:00:02] Hello everybody. This is Crystal Howell host of the MedTech mentor podcast. The podcast is designed to provide mentorship and advice to personal connections, with stories with our guests. In our first edition, we had an opportunity to sit down with Hologic's very own Annie Arnett talking about her own personal story and how she's mindful of how you show up and lead day to day. I'm really excited today to be here with Annie Arnett. She's the general manager and vice president of Hologic ANZ. And she’s had a prestigious career within med tech, you know, starting out within her field of technical sales within microbiology and moving into marketing with the likes of Kimberly Clarke and eventually Stryker where she had an impressive decade with them, promoted from product manager to marketing manager and eventually marketing director of their surgical division in the United States before taking this role here at Hologic as again, the general manager and vice president. Thank you so much, Annie. I'm so excited to have you here today.

Annie: [00:01:01] Oh, Crystal. Thanks for having me. It's great to be here and you know, I'd love to help you sharing my story of how I've got to where I am at. It's a great opportunity so thank you.

Crystal: [00:01:10] Oh, you're so welcome! So that, that background, there's a lot in that, but it's really funny. I'd love to hear your story of, you know, med tech is it's not very transparent. What does your family think that you'd get up to all day in this role?

Annie: [00:01:25] Yeah, it's um, it's funny you ask that cause uh, mum is a, she, she was a nurse, retired now, but, uh, an operating room nurse, and then a community nurse. And she's been a school nurse and a few other things, but always through her career, she's, she's been a nurse. And, and so I'm working in a complimentary industry in the med tech industry. You know, we have some great conversations. Um, but I just started out in this role and mum had to go and get her mammogram. And so she rocks up. She lives in, in Lismore. Uh, so she walks up to get her mammogram and it's a Hologic mammography machine. And so mom can't help herself. And this is where I was like, Oh mom, you did what? So she's talking to the radiographer and she's like, Oh my daughter, my daughter works for this company. She actually leads it in Australia. And I was like, Oh mom, no, you didn't. But then she had a really great conversation. She said it made it, made the mammogram go, go by really, really quickly.

Crystal: [00:02:22] Thats the funny thing is when you ask, you know, what does your daughter think you do? And what do your kids think? Are your parents? Um, you know, I asked Lucas once, you know, what do you think I do? And he's like, Oh, you talk to people a lot and you send them to jobs. Like I was like, yeah, Yeah. Yeah, that's it that's pretty much it.

Annie: [00:02:39] Um, Georgie has come to the office a couple of times in a couple of different companies that I've, I've worked for. And in, in one of the companies...]]> Crystal Howell false no 1949