Do BDMs still belong in the NDIS world? That’s the question we tackle in this episode of the NDIS Provider Growth Journey, where Michael sits down with Stu Paull—one of the most respected and connected BDMs in the sector. They talk honestly about the reality of the role, what’s not working, and why some businesses struggle to get results from their BDMs.

Stu shares what small providers can do if they can’t afford a full-time BDM, why niche and clarity matter more than networking, and what he’d do differently if he ran his own SIL business. They also dive into marketing mistakes, lazy copywriting, and the difference between good ideas and real impact.

This isn’t just theory. Stu brings real talk, grounded advice, and the kind of perspective only someone deep in the NDIS trenches can offer.

This episode is a continuation of an earlier episode with Stacey you can listen to here: https://youtu.be/jdWFUcTdOfw -

We sit in a warm and honest space with Stacey Goulding from LumaBloom. She talks about leadership in a real way. She shares how she works with complex participants, stays close to support workers and keeps things human in a field that can feel heavy. Stacey explains how her training is built with support workers, not at them, and why teamwork is the only path that feels right for her. She also talks about pressure, emotions and the everyday reality of this work.

Stacey opens up about the loneliness that can sit inside leadership. She talks about boundaries and the tricky line between being friendly and becoming a friend. She shares how burnout crept up on her and how it hit all at once. She talks about the months that followed and the slow return of energy and joy. She opens up about tiny things that helped her through it, like time with her dog, gaming nights with family and small moments where she could breathe again.

She also shares how LinkedIn changed her world. In one week she met people who understood her work and wanted to connect. She talks about finding a networking space that felt kind, safe and welcoming. She explains how that moment pushed her to keep showing up. Stacey also shares why “Free Day Fridays” mean so much to her and why giving back is the heart of her work.

If you work in the NDIS and you feel tired or stretched, this conversation will feel gentle and grounding. Stacey speaks with care, honesty and lived experience. She reminds us that we all learn as we go, and that taking care of yourself is part of taking care of the people you support.

NDIS business growth and allied health leadership take centre stage in this episode of the NDIS Provider Growth Podcast. Today, Michael sits down with Daniel Sharman, founder of DLS Allied Health, to unpack the real pressures, turning points and mindset shifts behind growing an allied health service to over 1,000 NDIS participants.

Daniel shares the truth about leadership, imposter syndrome, systems breaking as you scale, and why saying no to the wrong participants is not only ethical - it’s essential for long-term growth.

Daniel opens up about the hard seasons, the mindset required to survive them, and why community-based allied health can outperform traditional clinic models. If you’re an NDIS provider, BDM, allied health practitioner or support coordinator, this episode gives you practical insights you can apply immediately.

Get in touch with Daniel at https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielsharman/