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“If pain is unavoidable, I’d rather suffer doing something I love.”
Michael Dargie reconnects with creative rebel and longtime friend David Schmeikal for a raw and deeply reflective conversation about creativity, permission, and building a life that feels right—not just looks right.
This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.
David talks about the many ways we get stuck doing things we don’t love, believing that “someday” we’ll earn the right to do what we really want. But what if that day never comes? From working on a travel-inspired card deck with Must Do Canada to producing personal story films, David is actively challenging old beliefs and making time for projects that align with who he is today—not who he was expected to be.
They dive into themes of personal suffering, creative courage, and how pain is unavoidable—but we get to choose the kind that leads somewhere meaningful. David shares his experience painting murals with his wife, the reflective exercise that shaped their 10-year life plan, and why going deep with strangers can feel easier than opening up to people we know.
This episode is for rebels who feel like they’re living a “should” life—and are ready to start living a want life instead.
Quotable Quotes
“If pain is unavoidable, I’d rather suffer doing something I love.”
“We don’t give ourselves enough runway.”
“We sedate ourselves to the point of oblivion.”
“We are humans being and doing—it’s about intention.”
“Let’s do some work and then let’s dig in and start building.”
Episode Highlights
Card Deck Project | Collaborating with Must Do Canada on an adventure deck
Creative Boundaries | Only saying yes to projects that truly resonate
Early Stories | Living with a belief that his ideas “aren’t worth doing”
The Film That Started It | Creating a personal film about his creative journey
Redefining Pain | Choosing the pain that leads to growth
10-Year Vision | How a vivid life plan reshaped his priorities
Permission to Create | How to start before you feel “qualified”
Painting with His Wife | Joy in collaboration and art for art’s sake
Going Deep | Meaningful convos with strangers vs. small talk
Advice to Creators | Start with what you want, then do the work
LINKS FROM EPISODE
David’s Website (davidschmeikal.com)
David’s LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/davidschmeikal)
David’s Instagram (instagram.com/davidschmeikal)
Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com