What happens when a former scientist becomes Canada's first pro blogger, publishes four books, and now builds custom AI marketing tools for fun? In this episode, I talk with Tris Hussey about curiosity, content, and building a life around technology that empowers people.

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 Dargie talks with Tris Hussey, a lifelong technologist, educator, author, and self-described curiosity-driven geek. Based in Chilliwack, BC, Tris has worn many hats: paleontology-obsessed kid, research scientist, blogger, podcaster, marketing strategist, university instructor, and now an AI-enabled marketer.

Tris shares how his career evolved from studying fossilized pollen and running labs at Duke University, to becoming Canada's first professional blogger in 2003. He eventually authored four books—including WordPress Absolute Beginner's Guide—and made it his mission to democratize technology for everyone.

He opens up about the joy of teaching, writing overly long prompts, and helping small businesses understand and use AI without fear. He calls it "vibe coding"—rapid prototyping powered by curiosity. Tris doesn't just talk tech; he lives it. From building tools with his 10-year-old daughter to analyzing podcast data with custom Python scripts, he's all in.

The conversation moves from page builders and WordPress bloat to LEGO, Solitaire, and building a substack called "Generally AI." Through it all, Tris keeps coming back to one idea: learning is the most important skill we've got—and it's never too late to start.

His advice for rebels in waiting? Stay curious. Stay learning. And if you don't know how to do something, just ask one question at a time.

Quoteable Quotes

"Everyone should be able to use technology. It shouldn't be hard." — Tris Hussey
"If you want better prompts, have the AI write your prompt for you." — Tris Hussey
"Just learn more." — Tris Hussey
"Just fine doesn't have to be less than." — Michael Dargie
"Curiosity is what keeps me moving forward." — Tris Hussey

Episode Highlights

Corn vs Tabor | Chilliwack pride and Bookman trivia
Canada's First Blogger | From science to blogging in 2003
Pollen and Oil | His academic roots in palynology
Lab Coats & Fume Hoods | Why he left research for tech
Blogging for Business | Before content marketing was a thing
Teaching Tech | Making tools accessible to everyone
The Worst Book | Foursquare in 10 Minutes—glad it was paid up front
Best Work | Democratizing WordPress for beginners
AI Marketing | Solving brand and content problems with AI
Vibe Coding | Building tools with ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini
Prompt Structure | RACE and Casino models for better AI output
Learning by Challenge | Why problem-solving is his teaching method
Solitaire & ADHD | How it helps him focus during calls
LEGO & Cooking | What fills Tris's creative tank
Teaching AI to Kids | Helping families learn AI the right way
Advice to Rebels | Stay curious, ask questions, and just keep learning

Links From Episode

Tris Hussey Website (https://www.trishussey.com/)
Tris on Facebook (https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishussey/)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

In this episode, Michael Dargie talks with Rebecca Prejean, an artist, instructional designer, and fierce advocate for neurodivergent people in corporate learning. Based just outside Austin, Texas, Rebecca brings her lived experience as a mother of an autistic child into her work—designing training that's inclusive, accessible, and actually usable by everyone, especially folks with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia.

She shares the deeply personal story of her son's diagnosis, how doctors told her he would never walk or talk, and how that experience shaped everything that came after. From early struggles to find support and community, to recognizing the same barriers in adult workplaces, Rebecca's path became clear: build better systems that work for more people.

They talk about art, chameleons, wild turkeys, cassette tapes, music as a sanctuary, and even egg carving (yes, really). Rebecca reveals her love of coloured pencils, her shifting subject matter—from jungle cats to intimate insects—and how those themes reflect her mission to uplift the unseen.

The conversation gets into deep truths about dehumanization, systemic failure, and how families often carry the burden alone. Through it all, Rebecca is real, grounded, and wise beyond the algorithm.

Her message to rebels in waiting: "The rebellion is never about you. You're doing it so that others can get the things they need."

Her podcast The Quirk Factory is on its way—because the world needs more spaces where quirks don't just belong, they thrive.

"The rebellion is never about you." — Rebecca Prejean
"We're all people first." — Rebecca Prejean
"Even if I don't agree with someone, I should still see them as human." — Rebecca Prejean
"The world needs more Rebecca, Rebecca." — Michael Dargie
"Egg carving is a thing. And there's a whole expo." — Rebecca Prejean

People First | Designing corporate training for neurodivergent minds
Parenting Changed Everything | From diagnosis to advocacy
Built Different | Saying what she thought—even as a kid
Art as Outlet | How pencils became her safe space
From Surgeon to Storyteller | Why that career pivot happened
Chameleons & Small Creatures | Drawing the intimate, overlooked animals
Authenticity & Protection | Telling her family's story, with care
Egg Carving | Yes. Emu eggs. With a Dremel.
Musical Escapes | Cassette tapes, clarinet solos, and orchestral joy
Travel as a Teacher | Why global perspective matters
Launching a Podcast | The Quirk Factory is coming soon
Advice to Rebels | It's not about you—it's about the people who need you

Rebecca Prejean on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rbprejean/)
Website (https://www.ebgc.net/)

What happens when a creative rebel says yes to a fluke invite to Antarctica? In this episode, I talk with Heather Thorkelson about wild pivots, polar travel, and building a business with impact.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

In this episode, Michael Dargie speaks with Heather Thorkelson—entrepreneur, polar expedition guide, and founder of PolarTracks Expeditions. From growing up as a third-culture kid to building a pair of polar travel businesses, Heather's story is a blend of adventure, business smarts, and deeply human moments.

Heather shares how a chance Facebook connection from a trip years earlier led to her first job in Antarctica—kicking off a career she never imagined. Today, she runs PolarTracks Expeditions, a boutique travel agency for Arctic and Antarctic cruises, and Minimal Impact Cruises, which is launching a cutting-edge, wind- and solar-powered expedition ship called the Captain Arctic.

She talks about the magic of cold-water diving, the thrill of standing among 100,000 penguins, and the humbling vastness of the polar regions. Heather opens up about her unusual path, how growing up in a pilot's family shaped her curiosity, and the moment she received a mysterious "download" at the Penguin Post Office that told her she'd be back.

The conversation covers everything from Swedish food and volcano hikes to near-death skydives and jellyfish orbs. At its heart, Heather's story is about saying yes, pivoting often, and trusting that the universe knows what it's doing—even when you don't.

Her advice to rebels in waiting? If it lights you up, say yes. Don't cling to things that no longer serve you. Pivot often, stay curious, and go touch some damn grass.

Quoteable Quotes

"Nobody ever died from pivoting." — Heather Thorkelson

"Kindness is everything. Not nice—kind." — Heather Thorkelson

"Plot twist. Thanks, universe." — Michael Dargie

"You don't need to know how—just know that it lights you up." — Heather Thorkelson

"Touch grass. It's medicine." — Heather Thorkelson

Episode Highlights

The Arctic Life | Living near Gothenburg and chasing concerts in Copenhagen

PolarTracks Expeditions | Building a polar travel company from scratch

Captain Arctic | A silent, solar- and wind-powered ship for Arctic cruises

Penguin Post Office | A download from the universe

Saying Yes | Why her career was a total fluke

Growing Up Abroad | Costa Rica, Japan, South Africa, and more

Cow Sharks & Kelp Forests | Cold water scuba and surprise jellyfish

Creative Curiosity | Pancakes, storytelling, and forest walks

Rebel Advice | Pivot often, don't cling to what doesn't work

What the World Should Know | Be kind and go outside

Links From Episode

Website (http://www.minimalimpactcruises.com/)

Heather on Facebook (https://www.instagram.com/polartracksexpeditions/)

Heather on Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/minimalimpactcruises/)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

What happens when a little girl obsessed with animals grows up, faces down fear, and builds a vet clinic on a dream? In this episode, Beth Barrett shares her story of grit, independence, and what it really means to live in alignment with your values.

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 Dargie talks with veterinarian and entrepreneur Beth Barrett about her decades-long career, her passion for animals, and the power of doing hard things. From her clinic just outside Calgary, Alberta, Beth shares what it took to build her dream practice—complete with an indoor dog arena, a fancy chicken coop, and the best damn surgery suite this side of anywhere.

Beth knew she wanted to be a vet since she was a kid, and she never looked back. But the path wasn't without its setbacks. After a serious horseback riding accident, she had to decide whether to quit or face her fears. She chose to ride again. That decision changed her.

She and Michael talk about everything from the corporatization of veterinary care, to why tired dogs are good dogs, to Stoic philosophy and dried mango. Beth opens up about the joys of riding, training, and how teaching dogs stretches their bodies and their minds. Her message to rebels in waiting: do hard things. That's where the growth is.

Quotable Quotes

"Create the things you wish existed."

"A tired dog is a good dog."

"The growth I've experienced in life has come at those hard spots."

"Doing hard things will make you extraordinary."

"You don't get stronger when things are cushy."

Episode Highlights

Becoming a Vet | From childhood dream to lifelong career.

The Power of Vision | Turning a horse farm into a full-service clinic.

Private vs. Corporate | Why independence matters in vet med.

Doing Hard Things | How fear almost kept her out of the saddle.

Training for Health | Dog yoga, strength, and stretching.

Riding for Joy | The magic of working equitation.

Dog Park & Arena | Why tired dogs are good dogs.

Fill Your Bucket | What Beth does to recharge.

Favourite Place | Cycling and hiking in the Tonto Preserve.

Favourite Season | Autumn, and what it teaches us.

Rebel Advice | Do the hard thing.

Links From Episode

Barrett Veterinary Practice Website (http://barrettvet.ca)

Dr. Beth on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/barrettveterinarypractice/)

Dr. Beth on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/barrettveterinarypractice)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

What happens when a former smoker and self-described non-athlete turns into one of Canada's most refreshing voices in fitness and habit formation? In this episode, I talk with Oonagh Duncan about Gen X women, body neutrality, the power of pleasure, and her dream of fronting an 80s hair band at brunch.

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 Dargie talks with Oonagh Duncan—fitness coach, author of Healthy as Fck*, and host of the podcast Goals, Grit and Some Woo Woo Shit. From her home on Salt Spring Island, BC, Oonagh shares how she helps Gen X women build habits that actually stick, even when nothing else has before.

Once a reluctant exerciser who smoked and hid from gym class, Oonagh discovered the power of habits while walking on a salvaged treadmill, watching Jerry Springer. That single act of curiosity led her to build Fit Feels Good, an online community helping women find fitness through pleasure, not punishment.

She and Michael talk about niching down, the evolution of the fitness industry, and how new weight-loss drugs like Ozempic are transforming the conversation around health. Oonagh also opens up about her beginnings as a fat activist, her pivot to inclusive wellness, and why the ectomorph-mesomorph body type theory belongs in the past.

Beyond business, she talks about life on Salt Spring Island, Sunday hikes, fart reels, fake meat, and why living in a small community has taught her to be kinder. They also dive into her creative past as a playwright, the pain of a sophomore flop, and why her next big dream involves spandex, power ballads, and brunch.

Her message to rebels in waiting: don't wait to have everything figured out. Move toward whatever feels warmer, follow the good feelings, and the rest will come.

Quoteable Quotes

"If you hate exercise, you just haven't made it small and pleasurable enough." — Oonagh Duncan

"Don't be a dick." — Michael Dargie

"Weight loss isn't controversial in science, only on social media." — Oonagh Duncan

"You just have to move towards warmer." — Oonagh Duncan

"Living on an island makes me a better person—reluctantly." — Oonagh Duncan

Episode Highlights

Finding Her Niche | Why Oonagh focuses on Gen X women and habits that feel good.

Fitness for Everyone (Almost) | The lessons from bootcamps and niching down.

The Weight Loss Shift | How GLP-1 drugs are reshaping the wellness industry.

Habit Loops | The treadmill, Jerry Springer, and discovering pleasure in movement.

Body Neutrality | From fat activism to inclusive health conversations.

Small and Pleasurable | The secret to habits that stick.

Island Life | How community keeps her accountable and kind.

Fake Meat & Fart Reels | Her unapologetic guilty pleasures.

Sophomore Flop | The tough lesson from her second play, Talk 60 to Me.

Brunch Rock | Her dream of fronting an 80s hair band… before noon.

Rebel Advice | "Move toward the warmer."

Links From Episode

Fit Feels Good (http://www.fitfeelsgood.com/)

Oonagh on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/oonaghduncan)

Oonagh on Facebook (http://facebook.com/fitfeelsgood)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com