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“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 BRANDJITSU, 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 career in accounting to leading global workforce strategies at Manpower Group, Dan’s path has been shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives.
Dan shares how AI in HR has evolved from buzzword to practical game-changer, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses. He recounts real-world examples—from regional plumbing companies to Airbnb hosts—leveraging AI tools that were once reserved for massive corporations. He also addresses the gap between the rapid development of AI capabilities and the slower pace of human adoption and understanding.
The conversation travels back to formative experiences, including Dan’s study abroad in Germany, visits to global institutions like NATO and the European Commission, and the cultural lessons he absorbed from living and working internationally. These experiences underpin his belief that a global perspective is essential for competitiveness, whether in business or life.
Dan also opens up about the importance of embracing failure, recounting the risks and rewards of leaving a secure corporate role for the uncertainty of new challenges. His advice for “rebels in waiting” is practical and profound: take quiet time to reflect, start small, map your goals, and accept setbacks as part of the journey.
From cat film festivals to electric Mustangs, from the intricacies of hospital staffing to the joy of live music, Dan’s stories remind us that curiosity is a powerful driver—not just of career success, but of a rich and connected life.
Quotable Quotes
“Curiosity gives some people anxiety, right? Like going outside of the norm… gives them a certain amount of fear of failure.” – Daniel Paul Friker
“Agentic workflows are so rad. It’s such a game changer.” – Michael Dargie
“What used to be out of reach or just cost prohibitive for a lot of companies is now accessible for free or a fraction of the cost.” – Daniel Paul Friker
“There’s never going to be the perfect time to take a leap.” – Daniel Paul Friker
“I would not be where I am today personally or professionally had it not been for a litany of failure.” – Daniel Paul Friker
Episode Highlights
AI in HR | Dan’s work helping companies—from Fortune 100s to $25M firms—understand and apply AI tools in staffing and recruitment.
HR Analytics Origins | How Dan’s early focus on data science in HR set the stage for his career.
The Bar Conversation | How a casual chat led to a side hustle in AI case studies.
Levelling the Field | Small businesses using AI to compete with large corporations.
Global Perspective | The role of travel and cultural exposure in shaping Dan’s worldview.
Top Three Cities | Geneva, Singapore, and Tokyo, and what each taught him.
Life at Home | Cooking, family, and why he leaves insect cuisine to others.
Transportation Choices | From motorcycles to his Ford Mustang Mach-E EV.
Bucket List | Returning to “his” Germany with his family.
Rebel Advice | Take quiet time, make a plan, start small, embrace failure.
LINKS FROM EPISODE
Dan on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-friker/)
Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
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