Angus Stevens - First Act

Time-stamped overview

05:58
05:58 Skipped film school, directed Say Anything play.
09:45
09:45 Australian's uncluttered nature and adaptability in London.
13:29
13:29 Pivoted into digital media for scalable creativity.
14:19
14:19 Music labels, record companies, and radio stations adapt. Lady Gaga was initially underestimated but proved herself.
18:52
18:52 Unattached hang gliding experience near Byron Bay.
22:19
22:19 Embracing life's uncertainty, finding peace in chaos.
24:12
24:12 Transitioning career, balancing family, and seizing opportunities.
27:43
27:43 Virtual reality shifts perspective and fosters empathy.
32:45
32:45 Navigating through diverse company cultures in my job.
34:11
34:11 Supporting innovators, educating skeptics, gaining organisational advocates.
37:20
37:20 Using VR to train frontline workers for resilience.
41:14
41:14 Running own business has advantages and pressures.
44:20
44:20 Author discusses idea for film entertainment app.
47:14
47:14 Listening is crucial for product success.

Hosts: Cec Busby and Adam Bub
Guest: Angus Stevens
Audio Production: Morgan Sebastian Brown for Pinstripe Media

The never-ending story of entrepreneurship: Angus Stevens on life, leadership, and near-death experiences

Angus Stevens’ life flashed before his eyes. He didn’t think he would make it after a hang-gliding accident left him hospitalised for months.

The Sydney father-of-two came out of the near-death experience with fresh sense of purpose. This paved the way for a new business venture: virtual reality and augmented reality studio Start Beyond.

Coming from a background in writing, directing and producing TV, documentaries, theatre and short films, and working with the likes of Taylor Swift, Bob Geldof, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, Angus found his calling.

Start Beyond has since developed more than 1.2 million AR and VR learning experiences. Their clients include Fortune Global 500 companies Accenture and Meta, as well as Woolworths and St John Ambulance.

So how did Angus get to this unique space? Hear his inspiring career journey on First Act.

For more info, visit startbeyond.co.

Key topics

Leadership in small businesses

  • Authentic leadership and allowing employees to be themselves
  • Importance of work-life balance in small business settings
  • Encouraging projects outside of work to bring energy back into the workplace

VR and AR technology

  • Human-centric focus of VR and AR, beyond simulations
  • Real-world applications in education and training
  • VR and AR principles as industry-agnostic, suitable for diverse companies

Entrepreneurial journey and career reflections

  • Transition from traditional media to digital media
  • Insights from working with major companies like Accenture and Meta
  • Embracing challenges, taking risks, and finding innovative solutions

Episodes

  • All
  • 2024
  • 2022
  • 2019
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