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Listen "Culture Snap Ep 8: Finbar O’Hanlon – From Rock Star to Innovation Leader"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode of Culture Snap, Keeva Stratton welcomes Finbar O’Hanlon—musician, innovator, and business strategist. From his beginnings as a “problem child” in Liverpool to becoming a rock star and then a tech entrepreneur in Australia, Finbar’s journey is a masterclass in curiosity, resilience, and reinvention.
Finbar shares how his relentless drive to solve problems and push boundaries has shaped his remarkable career, and offers a unique perspective on creativity, innovation, and the future of AI.
Key Topics & Highlights
Early Life & Musical Beginnings:
Finbar discusses his childhood curiosity, his move from Liverpool to Australia, and how picking up a guitar changed his life. He shares stories of being labelled a “problem child” and how music became his outlet and passion.
From Music to Tech:
Hear how Finbar’s obsession with music led to a successful career as a professional guitarist, and how his curiosity about technology and digital recording sparked a transition into business and innovation.
Entrepreneurial Journey:
Finbar recounts the “happy accidents” that led him from music stores to founding Australia’s first computer-based music store, and eventually to developing software solutions for major companies.
Innovation & Problem Solving:
Discover Finbar’s approach to innovation—focusing on the problem behind the problem, asking the right questions, and not being limited by “expert” thinking.
The Art of Storytelling:
Learn why storytelling is a crucial skill for entrepreneurs, especially when raising investment and aligning teams around a vision.
Burnout & Redefining Success:
Finbar opens up about the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of knowing your limits, and the lessons learned from burnout and leadership struggles.
Spiritual Growth & Reflection:
The episode explores Finbar’s journey inward, including a pivotal encounter with a Tibetan Buddhist master in Paris, and how reflection and daily rituals now shape his life and work.
Creativity, AI & the Future:
Finbar shares his optimistic view on AI, seeing it as a tool to augment human creativity and connection, rather than something to fear.
Memorable Quotes
“I was just a curious kid who didn’t fit the norm. Music became my way to compete with myself and find connection.”
“Creativity is about solving problems by reorganising what already exists.”
“If you don’t believe in your journey, no one else will.”
“AI is a paintbrush in the palette—if we use it right, it can help us become more human.”
Connect with Finbar O’Hanlon
www.finbarohanlon.com
Finbar shares how his relentless drive to solve problems and push boundaries has shaped his remarkable career, and offers a unique perspective on creativity, innovation, and the future of AI.
Key Topics & Highlights
Early Life & Musical Beginnings:
Finbar discusses his childhood curiosity, his move from Liverpool to Australia, and how picking up a guitar changed his life. He shares stories of being labelled a “problem child” and how music became his outlet and passion.
From Music to Tech:
Hear how Finbar’s obsession with music led to a successful career as a professional guitarist, and how his curiosity about technology and digital recording sparked a transition into business and innovation.
Entrepreneurial Journey:
Finbar recounts the “happy accidents” that led him from music stores to founding Australia’s first computer-based music store, and eventually to developing software solutions for major companies.
Innovation & Problem Solving:
Discover Finbar’s approach to innovation—focusing on the problem behind the problem, asking the right questions, and not being limited by “expert” thinking.
The Art of Storytelling:
Learn why storytelling is a crucial skill for entrepreneurs, especially when raising investment and aligning teams around a vision.
Burnout & Redefining Success:
Finbar opens up about the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of knowing your limits, and the lessons learned from burnout and leadership struggles.
Spiritual Growth & Reflection:
The episode explores Finbar’s journey inward, including a pivotal encounter with a Tibetan Buddhist master in Paris, and how reflection and daily rituals now shape his life and work.
Creativity, AI & the Future:
Finbar shares his optimistic view on AI, seeing it as a tool to augment human creativity and connection, rather than something to fear.
Memorable Quotes
“I was just a curious kid who didn’t fit the norm. Music became my way to compete with myself and find connection.”
“Creativity is about solving problems by reorganising what already exists.”
“If you don’t believe in your journey, no one else will.”
“AI is a paintbrush in the palette—if we use it right, it can help us become more human.”
Connect with Finbar O’Hanlon
www.finbarohanlon.com
More episodes of the podcast Culture Snap
Introduction to the Culture Snap Podcast
04/09/2025
In God we trust