The RebelRebel Podcast
“I’m hoping to use my life as an experiment and model what it means to take a risk.” From high school teacher to actor, musician, and risk-taking coach, Adam LaSalle shares how courage, belief, and creativity can change your life. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael talks with New York-based actor, musician, and coach Adam LaSalle about the art of taking risks, believing in yourself, and helping others find their creative spark. After a decade as a high school teacher, Adam...
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“Be a sponge in life. Don’t be a rock.” From farm life to global brand transformation, Jean-Pierre Lacroix shares how emotional connection, travel, and persistence fuel his 35-year journey in business. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael talks with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, president of one of Canada’s longest-running privately owned brand transformation agencies. From helping reinvent Dairy Queen’s image to working with global banks, Jean-Pierre has spent 35 years guiding...
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“No man can succeed on their own if they’re by themselves.” From accidental author to award-nominated actor, Jennifer “Panda” MacLean shares how a snarky cat, a love of theatre, and pure self-awareness shaped her creative journey. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael talks with Jennifer “Panda” MacLean—healthcare worker, actor, and the accidental author of An Ode to Myself, a book of poetry “written” by her late cat, Newton. What began as a cheeky Facebook...
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“Be sure that what you are doing is rooted in truth and rooted in you.” From Jamaican roots to Texas living, Carrolee Moore shares how loss, resilience, and truth fuel her mission to help overlooked voices be heard. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael chats with Carrolee Moore—entrepreneur, storyteller, and fierce advocate for underrepresented voices. From her early years in Jamaica creating entire imaginary worlds in her backyard to navigating a new culture in Boston,...
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“Nobody ever comes from nowhere.” Award-winning director and producer Jaze Bordeaux shares his journey from finance to filmmaking, his rebel philosophy for creating outside the system, and his mission to bring big-scale sci-fi to life from Toronto. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael chats with Jaze Bordeaux—an award-winning Canadian director, producer, and storyteller whose career began far from the film set. From his early work in corporate finance to creating...
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“Be afraid, but go anyway.” Texas polymath Chris Doelle shares how curiosity, creativity, and persistence took him from cinnamon toothpicks to podcasting’s earliest days, AI strategy, and even board games that bring legendary football teams to life. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael chats with Chris Doelle — one of the original podcasters and a serial entrepreneur whose career spans media, sports, AI consulting, and game design. Based deep in the heart of Texas, Chris has...
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“There’s never going to be the perfect time to take a leap.” AI strategist and global HR leader Dan Friker shares how curiosity, culture, and tech are reshaping the world of work—and why small businesses can now play big. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael chats with Dan Friker, a global HR strategist and AI consultant with decades of experience helping organisations—from Fortune 100s to small businesses—navigate the evolving world of talent management. From his early...
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“Why hit the bottom? Just go up from where you are.” A laughter leader. A worm advocate. A wellness warrior. Cathy Nesbitt is transforming stress into joy—one giggle and compost bin at a time. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode Cathy Nesbitt joins Michael Dargie for a one-of-a-kind conversation about joy, purpose, worms, and why laughter really might be the best medicine. From corporate secretary to compost queen to laughter yoga teacher, Cathy’s journey is anything but ordinary—and totally...
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“I wish people would just know that their fear is what is stopping them” A misfit. A filmmaker. A disruptor for good. Guillermo Barraza is building a future where creators know their power—and how to use it responsibly. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode Michael Dargie welcomes Guillermo Barraza to the studio—filmmaker, founder of the Homegrown Arts and Media Collective, and passionate advocate for ethical media creation. From growing up in Calgary in a traditional Latino family to building a...
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“People don’t belong in boxes” A disruptor. A costumer. A soul stylist. Stacey Gonder fuses fashion and mindset to help people stop hiding—and start showing up as themselves. This episode is sponsored by my new book , helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode In this episode, Michael Dargie connects with Stacey Gonder—a creative rebel, transformational coach, and custom costume designer based in Toronto, Canada. Known for reinventing herself, Stacey is now blending two of her passions: clothing and coaching. Her mission? To help people walk...
info_outline“That thing you feel awkward about? It might be your superpower.”
In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with author, editor, and writing mentor Deborah Ager, founder of Radiant Media Labs. Based in Maryland, Deborah helps business leaders, professionals, and creatives translate their decades of knowledge into books that clarify, inspire, and connect.
This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.
Deborah shares how her work evolved from marketing consultant to book coach—and how a single ghostwriting project opened a door she didn’t expect. Now, she guides clients through a process she calls “Clarify, Storify, Amplify,” giving them the structure and strategy they need to write books that build brands, careers, and legacy.
She opens up about how poetry, language precision, and her own creative practice inform her work—and how joy, not perfectionism, is the secret ingredient to finishing. Whether you’re stuck at page one or polishing your manuscript, this episode is full of practical wisdom, thoughtful metaphors, and writer-to-writer solidarity.
Quotable quotes
“Editing is revision—but it’s also revisioning.”
“That thing you feel awkward about? It might be your superpower.”
“Just creating can feel very good—even if no one ever sees it.”
“Words have nuance. Choosing the right ones can change everything.”
“Discernment will help you move forward faster.”
Episode highlights
From Marketing to Memoirs | How Radiant Media Labs got its start
Ghostwriting to Book Coaching | The power of clarifying other people’s ideas
Editing as Joyful Revisioning | How to make peace with the hard parts
Mindset Matters | Why joy and process go hand in hand
Not Everyone Will Like It | And that’s okay
Knowing Your Reader | Why audience clarity changes everything
The Poetry Edge | Precision of language as a business advantage
Clarify, Storify, Amplify | Deborah’s signature 3-part writing framework
A Perfect Deborah Day | Creativity, conversation, and long walks
What Deborah Reads | Essays, hybrid memoirs, and story-rich nonfiction
Guilty Pleasures | Gardening, lake walks, and sharing food with wildlife
Creating for Joy | Letting go of judgment and loving the process
Rebels in Waiting | Discernment is the rebel’s best friend
Black-Eyed Peas & Greens | Deborah’s go-to comfort food
Dreambook Launcher | A free tool to help you start your book
Links from the episode
Radiant Media Labs Website (https://radiantmedialabs.com)
Deborah Ager on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahager)
BrandJitsu Book (https://brandjitsu.com)
Hosted by: Michael Dargie
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Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
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