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“People don’t resist you—they resist what you shake up.”
In this episode, Michael Dargie connects with Simone van Neerven, founder of ReBella, a Dutch-based consultancy helping organizations harness their internal rebels to spark meaningful innovation.
This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.
Simone shares how her journey started in corporate aviation, where she pushed boundaries and challenged the status quo—eventually leading a turnaround initiative at KLM that saved €100 million without spending a cent. That project showed her the power of working differently, and the importance of creating space for rebels to thrive.
Simone now helps companies, from Chanel to Dutch social impact organizations, understand and leverage the curious, creative, courageous people often labelled as troublemakers. Through her newsletter, “Ask Dr. Rebel,” and her self-published booklets, she offers insights to rebels, their managers, and anyone who needs help navigating change.
She also shares her love for finding surprising rebel stories (like why the Air Max exists), her rebel childhood origins, her adopted street-cat-turned-roommate, and why slow mornings with coffee and podcasts matter. Her advice to rebels in waiting? It’s not about you. People resist because you shake up what feels safe. But keep going—we need you.
Quotable Quotes
“It’s not rebels who make trouble. It’s trouble that makes rebels.” – Simone van Neerven
“People don’t resist you—they resist what you shake up.” – Simone van Neerven
“I want your boss, not someone from your team.” – Simone van Neerven
“We need people who are wired differently to solve wicked problems.” – Simone van Neerven
“Just like that. 30 minutes on the dot.” – Michael Dargie
Episode Highlights
ReBella Roots | From corporate job to rebel consultant
Spotting Rebels | Curious, creative, courageous, and full of care
Corporate Turnaround | How she saved €100M at KLM
Ask Dr. Rebel | Her bi-weekly newsletter for rebels and their teams
Unexpected Clients | From Chanel to Down syndrome inclusion orgs
Rebel Story Origins | Trading dolls for toy trucks at age four
Solving Wicked Problems | Why we need weird thinkers
Publishing Her Way | Bypassing Amazon to go direct
Comfort Starts | Coffee, podcasts, and slow mornings
The Cat Next Door | Basje moves in—no questions asked
Advice for Rebels | Resistance isn’t personal. Keep rebelling.
LINKS FROM EPISODE
ReBella Website (https://rebella.la)
Simone on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sneerven)
Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com