Human Potential for Everyone with Adam LaSalle
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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The Blink Factor with Jean-Pierre Lacroix
The RebelRebel Podcast
“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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The Extraordinary Life of an Accidental Author with Jennifer MacLean
The RebelRebel Podcast
“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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Jamaican Roots, Global Perspective with Carrolee Moore
The RebelRebel Podcast
“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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High Finance to Feature Films Jaze Bordeaux
The RebelRebel Podcast
“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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From Football to Futurism with Chris Doelle
The RebelRebel Podcast
“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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AI, HR and the Future with Dan Friker
The RebelRebel Podcast
“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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Free-Range Joy with Cathy Nesbitt
The RebelRebel Podcast
“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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Making Media That Matters with Guillermo Barraza
The RebelRebel Podcast
“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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Wear Your Inside on the Outside with Stacey Gonder
The RebelRebel Podcast
“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“Never stop believing in your abilities to create.”
In this episode, Michael Dargie connects with Venezuelan-born filmmaker, photographer, and educator Gustavo Bernal from his home in Austin, Texas.
This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.
Gus shares how a childhood obsession with Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” led to a lifelong love affair with storytelling. He talks about his first editing jobs—literally cutting film by hand in Caracas—and how a short sci-fi film helped him earn an artist visa to move to the U.S. His path hasn’t been easy, but it’s been fuelled by curiosity, resilience, and a refusal to give up on creating meaningful work.
The two talk about storytelling foundations, the thrill of teaching kids and adults alike, and what Gus learned walking the streets of Austin while connecting with friends around the world. He opens up about soup as metaphor, his guilty pleasure for one-hit wonders, and the story behind those iconic Lego glasses.
This episode is packed with insight, humour, and reminders that being a creative rebel means honouring your weird, chasing what moves you, and making something new—even when it’s hard.
Quotable Quotes
“Never stop believing in your abilities to create.” – Gus Bernal
“You need challenges to grow.” – Gus Bernal
“Cooking is like editing film. It’s about the ingredients, timing, and selecting the best parts.” – Gus Bernal
“You’re a walker. I love that.” – Michael Dargie
“These glasses were magical… a kind of super power.” – Gus Bernal
Episode Highlights
Caracas to Austin | Cultural shocks, kindness, and pedestrian life
Gus Bernal Film | Building a business in film, photo, and education
Teaching Film | Kids, structure, and emotional storytelling
Software Choices | From Avid to Adobe, and learning DaVinci
Sledgehammer Moment | Peter Gabriel changes everything
Award-Winning Short | Sci-fi, festivals, and a visa to the U.S.
Creative Walks | Nature, messages from afar, and mental health
Lego Glasses | Personality, power, and classroom magic
Top Film Picks | 2001, La Haine, Leon, and The Great Beauty
Cassettes & One-Hit Wonders | Pure 80s and 90s nostalgia
Soup Mastery | Why French onion is the king of soups
What His Son Should Know | The world isn’t always easy
Advice to Rebels | Believe in your voice, be resilient
LINKS FROM EPISODE
Gus’s Website (gusbernal.com)
Gus on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/gustavobernal)
Gus on Instagram (instagram.com/gus_bernal_film)
Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com