LISTEN ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
Podcast #024: Peter Switzer
Building a personal brand that lasts isn’t about chasing attention. It’s about consistency, credibility, and the ability to stay relevant through change. Few people demonstrate that better than Peter Switzer.
Over more than two decades, Peter has built the Switzer Group into a diversified business spanning media, publishing, financial planning, and a listed managed fund, the Switzer Dividend Growth Fund. He’s one of Australia’s most recognisable business and financial commentators, known for translating complex economic ideas into clear, practical insights.
An award-winning broadcaster and twice runner-up for Best Current Affairs Commentator on radio, Peter began his career teaching economics at the University of New South Wales, where two of his former students would go on to become household names: future Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Afterpay founder Anthony Eisen.
Known for his energy, market intuition, and ability to identify opportunities others overlook, Peter has balanced a lifetime of professional achievement with family, football, and grandfatherhood. Away from the studio, he’s a proud Roosters fan and “Poppy” to three grandchildren, roles that remind him that leadership and legacy extend far beyond business success.
“If we betrayed our values so our business became more valuable, that would pollute the brand and ultimately ruin the value of the business.”
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 INTRO / HOOK
02:22 EARLY CAREER AND EDUCATION – WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
10:13 FINDING AND LEVERAGING YOUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
13:21 HOW VALUES BUILD LONG-TERM SUCCESS
17:38 WHEN VALUES AND REPUTATION ARE TESTED
21:21 STAYING NIMBLE: PRIVATE VS PUBLIC COMPANIES
25:33 WHY YOUR FIRST SALE MATTERS MOST
28:16 YOU DON’T NEED A MENTOR TO BE MENTORED
30:10 WHERE SWITZER LEARNED THE VALUE OF REPUTATION
37:12 ECONOMIST, COMMENTATOR, OR EDUCATOR?
47:20 LESSONS FROM MENTORS AND ROLE MODELS
53:24 LEADERSHIP, LEGACY, AND MENTORSHIP
58:20 CLOSING REFLECTIONS / OUTRO