Trailblazing business leader, arts patron and advocate for women in leadership, Catherine Harris joins Talal Yassine for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about business, family and purpose.

From growing up as one of ten children in a loud, loving Italian–Irish household, to co-founding Harris Farm Markets and guiding it through more than 50 years of highs, lows and reinvention, Catherine shares stories that shaped her values: integrity, fairness, and lifting others as you lead.

She reflects on resilience through tough times, including near-bankruptcy, 17% interest rates and even a mafia threat, while highlighting the lessons of transparency, courage, and compassion in business.

Beyond Harris Farm, Catherine discusses her decades of public service: leading affirmative action at a national level, serving on boards from the NRL to the National Gallery, and even representing Bhutan as Consul-General. With humour, humility, and a lifetime of experience, she shows how business, family and values can intertwine to shape modern Australia.

Subscribe to Uncommon Ground on your favourite podcast platform.

Episode Running Order
Childhood and family roots (02:00)
Her mother: Australia’s first woman on TV (07:00)
Schooling, Florence, and finding her own path (10:00)
University struggles, dyslexia and discovering commerce (14:00)
Meeting David Harris and the origins of Harris Farm (20:00)
Starting out in Villawood and early hardships (25:00)
Near-collapse, 17% interest rates and resilience (30:00)
The mafia contract and surviving the 1990s (34:00)
Lessons from 50 years in business (38:00)
Family in business: succession, mentoring, and fairness (43:00)
Raising five boys and reflections on gender equity (50:00)
Serving as Consul-General for Bhutan (56:00)
Arts, culture, rugby league and public service (1:00:00)
Quickfire questions: misconceptions, guilty pleasures, advice (1:07:00)
Closing reflections: the power of listening to stories (1:10:00)

 

Trailblazing business leader, arts patron and advocate for women in leadership, Catherine Harris joins Talal Yassine for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about business, family and purpose.
From growing up as one of ten children in a loud, loving Italian&ndash;Irish household, to co-founding Harris Farm Markets and guiding it through more than 50 years of highs, lows and reinvention, Catherine shares stories that shaped her values: integrity, fairness, and lifting others as you lead.
She reflects on resilience through tough times, including near-bankruptcy, 17% interest rates and even a mafia threat, while highlighting the lessons of transparency, courage, and compassion in business.
Beyond Harris Farm, Catherine discusses her decades of public service: leading affirmative action at a national level, serving on boards from the NRL to the National Gallery, and even representing Bhutan as Consul-General. With humour, humility, and a lifetime of experience, she shows how business, family and values can intertwine to shape modern Australia.
Subscribe to Uncommon Ground on your favourite podcast platform.
Episode Running Order
<ul>
<li>Childhood and family roots (02:00)</li>
<li>Her mother: Australia&rsquo;s first woman on TV (07:00)</li>
<li>Schooling, Florence, and finding her own path (10:00)</li>
<li>University struggles, dyslexia and discovering commerce (14:00)</li>
<li>Meeting David Harris and the origins of Harris Farm (20:00)</li>
<li>Starting out in Villawood and early hardships (25:00)</li>
<li>Near-collapse, 17% interest rates and resilience (30:00)</li>
<li>The mafia contract and surviving the 1990s (34:00)</li>
<li>Lessons from 50 years in business (38:00)</li>
<li>Family in business: succession, mentoring, and fairness (43:00)</li>
<li>Raising five boys and reflections on gender equity (50:00)</li>
<li>Serving as Consul-General for Bhutan (56:00)</li>
<li>Arts, culture, rugby league and public service (1:00:00)</li>
<li>Quickfire questions: misconceptions, guilty pleasures, advice (1:07:00)</li>
<li>Closing reflections: the power of listening to stories (1:10:00)</li>
</ul>
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Real leaders. Real conversations. Real opinions.

What drives someone to speak up, stand out, and keep going when the pressure hits hard? Uncommon Ground is a monthly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Talal Yassine, where he sits down with high-profile Australians who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

In each episode, Talal goes beyond the headlines to explore the values, convictions, and personal struggles that shape public figures. It’s not just about what they’ve done, it’s about who they are when things get difficult.

Honest, raw, and deeply human, this is Uncommon Ground. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation.

Real leaders. Real conversations. Real opinions.
What drives someone to speak up, stand out, and keep going when the pressure hits hard? Uncommon Ground is a monthly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Talal Yassine, where he sits down with high-profile Australians who aren&rsquo;t afraid to challenge the status quo.
In each episode, Talal goes beyond the headlines to explore the values, convictions, and personal struggles that shape public figures. It&rsquo;s not just about what they&rsquo;ve done, it&rsquo;s about who they are when things get difficult.
Honest, raw, and deeply human, this is Uncommon Ground. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation.

Real leaders. Real conversations. Real opinions.

Uncommon Ground with Talal Yassine

Real leaders. Real conversations. Real opinions.

What drives someone to speak up, stand out, and keep going when the pressure hits hard? Uncommon Ground is a fortnightly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Talal Yassine, where he sits down with high-profile Australians who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

In each episode, Talal goes beyond the headlines to explore the values, convictions, and personal struggles that shape public figures. It’s not just about what they’ve done, it’s about who they are when things get difficult.

Honest, raw, and deeply human, this is Uncommon Ground. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation.

Real leaders. Real conversations. Real opinions.
What drives someone to speak up, stand out, and keep going when the pressure hits hard? Uncommon Ground is a fortnightly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Talal Yassine, where he sits down with high-profile Australians who aren&rsquo;t afraid to challenge the status quo.
In each episode, Talal goes beyond the headlines to explore the values, convictions, and personal struggles that shape public figures. It&rsquo;s not just about what they&rsquo;ve done, it&rsquo;s about who they are when things get difficult.
Honest, raw, and deeply human, this is Uncommon Ground. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation.

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