Real Stories. Raw Lessons. Timeless Wisdom.
What I Wish I Knew at 30 is the podcast that bridges generations — where host Fran Harper, entrepreneur, coach, and storyteller, invites guests from the worlds of food, business, sport, and travel to share the truths, turning points, and lessons they wish they’d known earlier in life.
Born from years of heart-to-heart conversations with young people, this show captures the wisdom, resilience, and humour of those who’ve lived, learned, and now want to give back. Each episode is a deep dive into mindset, purpose, growth, and human connection — because the insights of one generation should inspire the next.
If you love authentic conversations that make you reflect, laugh, and rethink what really matters at every age, this is your invitation to learn from experience, not just time.
🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube — and start discovering what you wish you knew at 30.
Real Stories. Raw Lessons. Timeless Wisdom.
What I Wish I Knew at 30 is the podcast that bridges generations — where host Fran Harper, entrepreneur, coach, and storyteller, invites guests from the worlds of food, business, sport, and travel to share the truths, turning points, and lessons they wish they’d known earlier in life.
Born from years of heart-to-heart conversations with young people, this show captures the wisdom, resilience, and humour of those who’ve lived, learned, and now want to give back. Each episode is a deep dive into mindset, purpose, growth, and human connection — because the insights of one generation should inspire the next.
If you love authentic conversations that make you reflect, laugh, and rethink what really matters at every age, this is your invitation to learn from experience, not just time.
🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube — and start discovering what you wish you knew at 30.
In this inspiring episode of What I Wish I Knew at 30, host Fran Harper sits down with Venessa Barnes, a respected voice in the food industry whose career has spanned from the kitchen to corporate strategy.
Venessa opens up about her journey from being a chef to becoming a strategic leader, the challenges she faced during COVID-19, and her personal battle with breast cancer at just 32. She also shares how AI and digital transformation are reshaping the food and hospitality industries, and how resilience, relationships, and authenticity helped her redefine success.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🎧 Key Questions Discussed:
What did life look like for you at 30?
How did your cancer journey change your approach to leadership and life?
What role does AI play in shaping the future of your industry?
What advice would you give your younger self about money, growth, and resilience?
✨ Main Takeaways:
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Vanessa Barnes
02:53 Vanessa's Journey at 30
05:42 The Impact of COVID on the Food Industry
08:59 Personal Challenges and Growth
12:05 Lessons from Adversity
14:42 Advice to My Younger Self
22:25 Respecting Money and Life Lessons
27:54 Balancing Career and Family Life
30:20 Navigating the Impact of AI on Business
34:20 The Power of Relationships
42:09 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
🔑 Keywords: Vanessa Barnes, food industry, COVID-19, breast cancer, personal growth, resilience, entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, relationships, authenticity, women in business
📌 Follow the Show:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatIWishIKnewat30
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiwikat30/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franharper/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fran.harper.79/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@franharpercoaching?lang=en
Guest - Chef Venessa Barnes
Host - Fran Harper
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