In this episode of Defining Boundaries, Peta sits down with Jan Francke, a geophysicist, inventor and self described explorer who has spent more than 35 years working with ground penetrating radar and near surface geophysics.

Born in Vancouver and raised between Canada and Australia, Jan shares how curiosity, competition with himself, and a desire to explore what others were not looking at shaped his unconventional career path. From mineral exploration in the Arctic and Africa to scanning beneath Mayan temples in Mexico and working inside the Great Pyramid of Giza, Jan explains how he designs custom radar systems for environments where standard tools are simply not enough.

The conversation explores innovation, risk taking and the importance of education in a rapidly evolving industry. Jan reflects on modifying equipment when the market did not yet offer what he needed, the responsibility of communicating science clearly, and the challenge of maintaining rigour in a world often drawn to spectacle.

Together, Peta and Jan unpack the breadth of ground penetrating radar applications, from mining and infrastructure to autonomous vehicles and even lunar exploration. They also discuss curiosity as a driving force, the role of resilience in a global career, and why after three decades in the field, there is still so much beneath the surface waiting to be discovered.

This episode is a fascinating conversation about science, exploration and the power of asking better questions.

You can find Jan on LinkedIn and through his global geophysics work.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-francke-gpr/

In this episode of Defining Boundaries, Peta Cox sits down with Rebecca Formanek, a Category A Hydrographic Surveyor and offshore professional, to talk honestly about building a career guided by curiosity, resilience, and a deep connection to the ocean.

From growing up on the NSW South Coast to mapping the seafloor on research vessels across Australia, the United States, Europe, and the Pacific, Rebecca shares her unconventional journey into hydrographic surveying. The conversation explores life offshore, the realities of working in high-pressure and remote environments, and the challenges of navigating a non-linear career path in a highly specialised field.

Together, Peta and Rebecca unpack what hydrographic surveyors really do, from multibeam and seafloor mapping to deep-sea and riverine work, while also diving into the human side of the profession. They discuss mental resilience, self-doubt, learning on the job, and the importance of mentorship, adaptability, and staying curious in an industry shaped by rapid technological change.

This episode is an honest and grounded conversation about following what pulls you, backing yourself into unfamiliar spaces, and building a career that doesn’t always follow a straight line.

You can find Rebecca on LinkedIn

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-formanek/⁠

In this episode of Work Worth Doing, Peta Cox sits down with Tam Relia, CPA, financial coach, and founder of Cents & Solutions, to unpack what financial wellbeing really means for business owners, and why understanding your money is about far more than profit.

Tam works with women and small business owners who are passionate about their work but were never taught how to truly understand, manage, or feel confident with their finances. Drawing on over 15 years’ experience across construction, defence, energy, and retail, Tam shares what she sees behind the numbers: stress, burnout, survival mode, and business decisions driven by fear rather than clarity.

Together, Peta and Tam explore financial literacy, mindset, and emotional relationships with money, from cash flow and pricing to paying yourself, building buffers, and creating calm, confidence, and control in business. They discuss why so many capable professionals struggle financially, how poor financial understanding fuels anxiety, and what leaders can do differently to build sustainable, people-centred businesses.

This is an honest, practical conversation for anyone who loves their work but wants their business to feel less stressful, more intentional, and aligned with the life they actually want to live.

You can find Tam on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tam-relia/