Art, ADHD, and Undead IP with Ben Walker-Storey
The RebelRebel Podcast
“That thing that made you weird? It’s your superpower now.” In this episode, Michael Dargie chats with illustrator, animator, and all-around macabre misfit Ben Walker-Storey. From his spooky spot in Grass Valley, California—known for gold rushes and now monster sketches—Ben opens up about his life as a creator navigating ADHD, artistic reinvention, and DIY horror storytelling. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. Ben is the creative force behind Cheap Chills Fan Club, an online brand that’s part creepy, part...
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Tech, Tactics, and Takeovers with Claire Milligan
The RebelRebel Podcast
“Don’t stop being that person who steps off the ledge.” In this episode, Michael Dargie connects with Claire Milligan, founder of Aimably, whose career has evolved from a designer obsessed with user experience to an entrepreneur helping businesses navigate private equity transformations—without losing their soul (or their engineers). This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. Claire shares her journey from building products inside a small startup to leading business lines within private equity–owned companies. When...
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Life After the Great Resignation with Laura Darrell
The RebelRebel Podcast
“Leadership is my jam.” In this episode, Michael Dargie connects with leadership coach, author, and former VP of Boston Pizza, Laura Darrell. From her new home in Mexico City, Laura shares the story of how she and her husband upended their successful corporate careers in Canada, packed up their lives—and their pets—and moved south to rediscover joy, purpose, and a better way of living. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. What began as a break from the grind turned into a lifestyle. Along the way, Laura wrote a book...
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Entrepreneurial Grit and Grace with special guests Tomer and Anastasia Arwas
The RebelRebel Podcast
“When you lose everything, you realise what you actually need to live a good life.” In this episode, Michael Dargie welcomes husband and wife duo Tomer and Anastasia, Ukrainian immigrants who rebuilt their lives and careers from scratch after arriving in Canada. As war displaced their lives, their response was bold: uproot, relocate, and start anew in a country where they knew no one. The conversation follows their incredible journey from fleeing conflict to becoming proud business owners in Calgary, Alberta. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share...
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Rebel in the Writer’s Room with Joel Novoa
The RebelRebel Podcast
“I couldn’t afford a Plan B. It was all or nothing.” In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with Venezuelan-American filmmaker Joel Novoa, a passionate storyteller whose journey winds through political unrest, deep personal reflection, and a relentless pursuit of creative expression. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. Joel shares how his early life in Venezuela shaped his worldview, teaching him to move forward even when everything around him felt stuck. With both a legal background and a master’s in...
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Villains, Rogues, and Heroes of NYC
The RebelRebel Podcast
“If you want to create change, do it. Don’t wait for permission.” In this episode of The RebelRebel Podcast, host Michael Dargie sits down with Rebecca Bratspies, a law professor, author, and environmental justice advocate, to explore the fascinating and often overlooked history of New York City’s place names. Her book, Naming Gotham: The Villains, Rogues, and Heroes Behind New York Place Names, reveals the incredible (and sometimes shocking) stories behind the names of streets, bridges, and parks in NYC. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share...
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Slow Trains and Big Ideas
The RebelRebel Podcast
“You have to be an advocate for curiosity.” In this episode of The RebelRebel Podcast, host Michael Dargie welcomes back Lou Maxon, a creative powerhouse whose journey spans branding, architecture, and the fascinating world of trains. Lou shares insights from his recent travels to Japan, where he immersed himself in the culture, history, and craftsmanship that continues to inspire his work. From exploring Komiko Art House to visiting a hidden model railroad museum in Yokohama, his experiences reinforced the idea that the best bets in life and work are the long ones. This episode is...
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One Golden Nugget For Creative Rebels
The RebelRebel Podcast
“There’s never a perfect time. Just begin.” In this episode of The RebelRebel Podcast, host Michael Dargie welcomes Steven Foster, the founder of One Golden Nugget, to share his remarkable journey through entrepreneurship, personal struggle, and self-discovery. From sleeping in his office during lockdown to creating a global platform that collects and shares wisdom nuggets, Steven’s story is as inspiring as it is humbling. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. Steven takes listeners back to his early days when his...
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Taking The Fight Forward
The RebelRebel Podcast
“At what age should I stop achieving? At what age should I stop improving?” When most people hit their 50s, they might slow down, lean into comfort, and start looking forward to retirement. Not Stuart Warren Dansby. He did the opposite—he stepped into the ring. In this powerful episode of The RebelRebel Podcast, host Michael Dargie sits down with Stuart to talk about his journey into competitive fighting later in life, a path filled with punches, humility, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your...
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Success Rooted In Resilience
The RebelRebel Podcast
“The secret hack of life is empathy.” In this gripping episode of The RebelRebel Podcast, Michael Dargie sits down with Anthony McDuffie Jr., a man whose incredible life story is a testament to resilience and redemption. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles during a volatile period, Anthony experienced both the warmth of a loving family and the chaos of a troubled community. When tragedy struck, and his father passed away, Anthony’s life spiraled into rebellion, leading to a gang-affiliated crime and a 25-year prison sentence at the age of 17. This episode is sponsored by my new book...
info_outline“Healthcare needs rebels. ”
In this episode of The RebelRebel Podcast, host Michael Dargie chats with Michael Silva, a business coach specializing in healthcare, particularly physical therapy. Silva shares his journey from being a passionate physical therapist to becoming a business coach who helps other PTs navigate the challenges of the industry. The episode kicks off with a lively discussion about life in Rhode Island, Silva’s favorite local foods like “stuffies,” and his thoughts on what it means to be a true Rhode Islander.
This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.
The conversation explores the challenges facing healthcare professionals, including declining reimbursements, administrative burdens, and burnout. Silva’s mission is to empower physical therapists to find joy and sustainability in their careers by starting their own practices. He opens up about his personal journey, including the struggles of working for a large corporate healthcare system and the transformative decision to start his own business.
Through candid stories and humorous insights, Silva reveals his philosophies on life: taking action without fear, asking for help when needed, and the importance of social connections as we age. Silva’s passion shines as he talks about his current mission—to save the physical therapy profession one business at a time.
Cool Stuff Michael Says
“Don’t live by ready, aim, fire. Live by ready, fire, aim.”
“Healthcare needs rebels. We keep people out of surgery and off drugs, but we’re getting squeezed.”
“If you don’t make time for the warm-up now, you’ll make time for an injury later.”
“Everyone thinks they’re more important than they are. You’re not that fucking important.”
“There’s a mass exodus of quality human beings leaving healthcare, and it’s time to change that.”
Episode Highlights
Michael Silva’s Background: Former physical therapist turned business coach, focusing on healthcare professionals.
Life in Rhode Island: A glimpse into Rhode Island culture, including Silva’s love for “stuffies” and the unique charm of the small state.
Challenges in Healthcare: Insights into the difficulties healthcare professionals face, from declining reimbursements to high student debt.
Starting a Business: Silva shares his journey of breaking free from corporate healthcare to start his own practice and eventually become a coach.
Philosophies on Action: Emphasizing the “ready, fire, aim” approach and encouraging rebels not to let fear hold them back.
Importance of Social Connections: Discussing the impact of maintaining friendships and social activities as key to aging well.
Personal Struggles and Triumphs: From dealing with family losses to finding new purpose, Silva’s story is both inspiring and relatable.
Links from Episode
Michael J Silva’s Website (https://michaeljsilva.com)
Michael J Silva oon LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljsilva-pt-consultant/)
Host: Michael Dargie, THEREBELREBELPODCAST.COM
Guest: Ryan Holck, DISTILLYOURSTORY.COM