The Extraordinary Life of an Accidental Author with Jennifer MacLean
Release Date: 08/22/2025
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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“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 BRANDJITSU, 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 page to update friends on Newton’s life turned into a literary project filled with feline wit, existential musings, and a surprising publishing deal.
Panda shares the full origin story, from her post-divorce life in a tiny apartment to Newton’s online rise, his unique quirks (wasabi, cumin, and lavender were among his favourites), and how a literary agent eventually brought his voice to print. Beyond the book, she talks about her love for theatre, her CAT Award nomination, and the lessons she learned growing up as a middle child with close-knit sisters.
The conversation meanders through sushi recommendations, bucket list travel dreams, reflections on Canada’s place in the world, and the value of asking for help. Her advice for rebels in waiting? Know why you’re doing something, do it because you love it, and let go of the expectation that success is the only worthy outcome.
Quotable Quotes
“I am actually a published author—an accidental published author, I might add.”
“He was something else. The hate did run deep, but he adored me.”
“No man can succeed on their own if they’re by themselves.”
“Sometimes it doesn’t matter what the end goal is—it’s all about the journey and the friends along the way.”
“Just fucking do it. Going in expecting success is the wrong way to look at it.”
Episode Highlights
Accidental Author | How a cat’s Facebook page became a published poetry book.
Newton the Cat | From wasabi and cumin to deep-running feline disdain.
Stage Life | Acting in Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web and a CAT Award nomination.
Middle Child Superpower | Growing up with two sisters and a tight family bond.
Moving West | From Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to Calgary, Alberta.
Bucket List Dreams | Japan, mountain ranges, and community theatre abroad.
Sushi Favourites | Sushi Bar Zipang in Bridgeland and Globefish in Kensington.
Man Is Not an Island | The importance of community and asking for help.
Rebel Advice | Be self-aware, do it because you love it, and let go of outcome pressure.
LINKS FROM EPISODE
Jennifer’s Book (https://jennifermaclean.ca)
Jennifer on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jennlynnmaclean/)
Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com