What happens when a career built on facts, figures, and investigations collides with the very human question of where, and how you want to raise a family?

Anton and Ben sit down with Paul Fontanot, whose journey spans forensic accounting, partnership, migration, and a surprisingly memorable introduction to Australian wine.

Paul grew up in Germiston and built his career in forensic accounting, work that demands precision, judgment, and the ability to sit with uncomfortable truths. That path eventually led him to Australia, where he rebuilt from scratch and went on to become a partner in a leading law firm, proving that starting again doesn’t mean starting small.

But this conversation is not just about professional success. Paul reflects on the decisions behind the move — weighing responsibility to family against familiarity, choosing long-term stability over short-term certainty, and learning that belonging takes effort, not entitlement. Australia didn’t hand him a life; it invited him to build one.

And then there’s the wine. A vineyard in the Hunter Valley, a father-in-law with strong opinions, and a lesson in humility that says more about migration than any spreadsheet ever could. It’s funny, grounding, and deeply Paul - a reminder that no matter how serious the work, life has a way of keeping you human.

This episode is about competence without ego, ambition without noise, and the courage to rebuild with your values intact.

🎧 Listen to Episode 22 of A Stranger, A Suitcase, and A Story at https://3spod.com
Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

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