Episodes

  • Speed Learning for Rebels with Howard Berg

    Speed Learning for Rebels with Howard Berg
    Nov 6 2025
    "Speed reading doesn't work. Speed learning works." What happens when a kid from Brooklyn grows up to become the world's fastest reader and teaches others to learn 100% faster in just four hours? In this episode, I talk with Howard Berg about speed learning, knowledge, and why smarter decisions could change the world. 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 sits down with Howard Berg, officially recognized as the world's fastest reader by the Guinness Book of Records. Howard reads at a staggering 80 pages per minute, but more importantly, he has spent decades teaching others how to learn faster, retain more, and apply knowledge in ways that transform lives . Howard grew up in the Brooklyn projects, where the library became his safe haven from gangs. By eleven, he was already reading at a college level. Later, while double-majoring in biology and psychology, he discovered that no one ever teaches students how to learn—only what to learn. Determined to change that, he developed methods that helped him finish a four-year psychology program in just one year, all while working multiple jobs. He proved his system worked by acing the GRE after reading 48 textbooks in three nights . Since then, Howard has taught speed learning techniques to the U.S. Special Forces, the Royal Thai Army, corporate teams, and students around the world. He explains why speed reading alone isn't enough—it's about combining reading with comprehension, retention, and emotional intelligence to ensure knowledge sticks when it matters most. From teaching 11-year-olds to write graduate-level papers, to helping entrepreneurs read a business book a day, his system opens new doors for anyone willing to learn . The conversation also touches on Howard's personal journey—his years as a Red Cross swimming instructor, his eclectic reading habits, his love of travel and music, and the joy he finds in helping others succeed. He shares stories of students who went from struggling to excelling—like a C student who became a professor at 22, and another who finished a college degree in just six months before selling his company for $38 million . Howard's message is simple but powerful: the world's problems won't be solved by more people making bad decisions. If we can learn faster, understand more, and apply knowledge wisely, we stand a better chance of building a smarter, better future. Quoteable Quotes "The library was the safest place in Brooklyn—gang kids would rather be dead than caught there." — Howard Berg "Speed reading doesn't work. Speed learning works." — Howard Berg "Truth is, you don't need the stories—you need the ideas." — Howard Berg "The number one asset every entrepreneur has is their ability to make choices and decisions." — Howard Berg "This is already a learning process for me." — Michael Dargie Episode Highlights World's Fastest Reader | How Howard Berg earned his Guinness record. Brooklyn Beginnings | Finding safety and purpose in the library. Learning to Learn | Why schools never teach how to learn. The Psychology Degree | Finishing a four-year program in one year. Speed vs Learning | Why comprehension and EQ matter as much as speed. Teaching the World | From 11-year-olds to the U.S. Special Forces. One Book a Day | How entrepreneurs can transform by reading daily. Stories of Students | From struggling kids to millionaire founders. Life Outside Reading | Swimming, travel, music, and family. Advice to Rebels | Learn from those who've already done it—and do it faster. Links From Episode Howard Berg's Website (http://www.berglearning.com/) Howard on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardstephenberg/) Howard on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/howard.berg.988711) Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com
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    39 mins
  • RebelRebel Takeover Episode: BrandJitsu Uncovered

    RebelRebel Takeover Episode: BrandJitsu Uncovered
    Nov 5 2025
    "Your value proposition is the reason people choose you." What happens when Michael Dargie hands over the mic to branding legend JP Lacroix? In this takeover episode, they unpack the lessons behind BrandJitsu and why truth and clarity are the foundation of every brand story. This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In this special takeover episode, Michael Dargie flips the script and lets branding veteran Jean Pierre Lacroix take the host's chair. The focus is Michael's book BrandJitsu, which JP describes as one of the most insightful books on positioning he's read in his 40+ years of brand transformation work . JP probes the origins of the book—how it accidentally shifted from a West Coast adventure narrative into a hands-on branding guide—and why Michael felt compelled to put decades of client work into a framework anyone could use. At the heart of the conversation is the metaphor of jiu jitsu: fast, effective techniques to defend against brand confusion, grounded in truth and clarity . The two explore the fundamentals of the BrandJitsu model: defining purpose and values, clarifying value propositions, and using archetypes to shape brand personality. Michael explains why brands need to know who they are, what they do, who they serve, and why anyone should care. They discuss the importance of storytelling—how even one short line, like Nike's "There is no finish line," can hold more power than a thousand ad campaigns . Along the way, Michael shares stories from client work, including how a funeral home found its voice in a campaign called Life by Mary, shifting focus from grief to celebration. He also explains the "brand playbook" process he uses with companies: two intensive weeks of truth-finding, alignment, and clarity that result in a living guide to identity and positioning . The episode underscores why branding isn't about logos or taglines, but about aligning internal purpose with external storytelling. For entrepreneurs, executives, and creative rebels alike, BrandJitsu offers a way to cut through the noise and build something meaningful. Quoteable Quotes "Truth and clarity—that's all the bottom stuff is." — Michael Dargie "Your brand is the Yoda, not the Luke Skywalker." — Michael Dargie "It's not as complicated as you think. Branding is simple—it's just a bunch of little pieces." — Michael Dargie "Your value proposition is the reason people choose you." — Michael Dargie Episode Highlights RebelRebel Takeover | JP Lacroix interviews Michael about BrandJitsu. Accidental Author | How a planned adventure book became a branding manual. The BrandJitsu Metaphor | Fast, effective, story-driven branding. Purpose and Values | Guardrails for how a company shows up. Value Proposition vs Values | Why most businesses confuse them. Brand Archetypes | Creator, Explorer, and finding your tribe. The Iceberg | Story lives below the surface. The Brand Playbook | A two-week process for truth and clarity. Life by Mary | Reframing funerals as celebrations of life. Storytelling Matters | Why one line can define a brand. Advice to Rebels | Branding isn't a logo—it's your story, told with clarity. Links From Episode Michael Dargie on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldargie/) Michael Dargie on Instagram (https://instagram.com/michaeldargie) BrandJitsu Book Website (https://brandjitsu.com) Make More Creative Website (https://makemorecreative.com) Michael Dargie Website (https://michaeldargie.com) Jean-Pierre on LinkedIn (http://linkedin.com/in/jeanpierrelacroix) Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com
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    38 mins
  • Lead It Like Lasso with Marnie Stockman & Nick Coniglio

    Lead It Like Lasso with Marnie Stockman & Nick Coniglio
    Nov 5 2025
    "Question everything and see it from every perspective." What happens when a high school math teacher and a computer programmer leave the corporate grind, write books inspired by Ted Lasso, and create a personal leadership app? In this episode, I talk with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio about building businesses, books, and better leaders. 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 welcomes co-authors, entrepreneurs, and leadership coaches Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio. From opposite ends of the U.S.—Marnie on Maryland's Eastern Shore and Nick in Georgia—they've joined forces to write Lead It Like Lasso and The Business of You, books that blend leadership frameworks with pop culture touchstones to help people live and lead authentically . Marnie began her career as a high school math teacher before moving into administration and customer success in ed tech. Nick started as a computer programmer, eventually moving into leadership roles where he learned firsthand what ineffective and authentic leadership looked like. Their paths converged at a company where values didn't match reality, and from that misalignment came the spark to build something of their own . Together, they've built Scaled, authored award-winning books, and are now developing Blue, an app that helps young people build their personal leadership brand. They share stories of book festivals, awkward signings, and creative ways to connect with readers, like Marnie signing books as bathroom passes. They also talk about resilience in business, why storytelling is 22 times more effective than facts, and how job seekers can stand out in a sea of sameness . Outside their professional world, Marnie knits and walks like it's an Olympic sport, while Nick swears by stretching and a daily dose of Wordle. They swap stories about crabs in Maryland, golf in Georgia, and how authenticity, curiosity, and humour fuel both their partnership and their writing . Their advice to "rebels in waiting" is simple but powerful: find your people, question everything, and keep rewriting your own story. Quoteable Quotes "Leadership is life—it doesn't just happen in the boardroom." — Marnie Stockman "Question everything and see it from every perspective." — Nick Coniglio "Find your Diamond Dogs—your personal board of advisors." — Marnie Stockman "The game is reviews. That is the game." — Michael Dargie Episode Highlights Lead It Like Lasso | Why Ted Lasso became the perfect framework for leadership. The Business of You | Helping young people build a brand that stands out. Math Meets Code | How a teacher and programmer became co-authors. Misaligned Values | Leaving corporate life to build something better. Diamond Dogs | The importance of personal advisors and support networks. Leadership is Life | Why it matters in classrooms, living rooms, and boardrooms. Book Signing Stories | Bathroom passes, LA Times Book Fest, and awkward empty tables. Stretching & Knitting | Daily practices that fuel creativity and wellbeing. Job Hunting Truths | Why resumes aren't enough and storytelling matters. Advice to Rebels | Be authentic, be curious, and keep building community. Links From Episode Lead It Like Lasso ( https://www.leaditlikelasso.com/) Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/leaditlikelasso) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-it-like-lasso) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/leaditlikelasso/) Twitter (https://twitter.com/leaditlikelasso) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@leaditlikelasso) Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com
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    36 mins
  • Rebels, Rogues, and Role Playing with Jim Zub

    Rebels, Rogues, and Role Playing with Jim Zub
    Nov 3 2025
    "Sometimes you just have to create your own creative circle." What happens when a kid from Oshawa who loved Dungeons & Dragons grows up to write the Avengers, Conan the Barbarian, and create new canon for D&D itself? In this episode, I catch up with my longtime friend Jim Zub, a comic writer, teacher, and storyteller who proves that staying in the game is the game. This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In this episode, comic writer, teacher, and storyteller Jim Zub joins Michael Dargie to talk about a creative journey that started with webcomics and led to writing some of the most iconic characters in popular culture. From his early days as a self-taught comic creator to his current role as the flagship writer for Conan the Barbarian, Jim shares how passion, persistence, and a willingness to reinvent himself have shaped his career . He recounts the leap of faith that began with Makeshift Miracle, his first webcomic, and how an encouraging email from Scott McCloud, author of Understanding Comics, set him on a path that took him to San Diego Comic-Con and ultimately into the professional comics world. Along the way, Jim navigated setbacks, like being rejected from Sheridan College's animation program, which pushed him to hone his skills and broaden his creative vision . The conversation ranges from his time working at Udon Studios, colouring old Conan comics, to writing Avengers during the height of Marvel's cinematic success, and how it felt to suddenly become a household name in Canadian media. He reflects on his love for Dungeons & Dragons, the joy of creating characters like Cridle who became official D&D canon, and how storytelling allows us to understand ourselves and others more deeply . Beyond the industry milestones, Jim talks about cooking as a personal creative outlet, karaoke traditions that built lifelong friendships, and the importance of carving out time to make work worth paying for. He offers candid advice to "rebels in waiting" who want to create: build a body of work, stay consistent, and don't wait for permission. His story is a reminder that creative success isn't about a single dream but about telling stories that resonate and building communities that last. Quoteable Quotes "Staying in the game is the game." — Jim Zub "Sometimes you just have to create your own creative circle." — Jim Zub "I don't think, 'I can't do this.' I think, 'here's the part where I try and convince myself I can't do this.'" — Jim Zub "This is old man wisdom—just stop, then say the important thing." — Michael Dargie Episode Highlights Who is Jim Zub | From Oshawa to Toronto, building a life in comics. Big Titles | Writing Avengers, Conan, Dungeons & Dragons, Stranger Things, and more. Makeshift Miracle | His first webcomic and early lessons in storytelling. Scott McCloud Email | The encouragement that launched him into comics. San Diego Comic-Con | The moment everything became real. Childhood Dreams | From wanting to animate Disney films to creating comics. Artist to Writer | How knowing every role in comics made him a better storyteller. Japan and Wayward | How travel shaped one of his most successful creator-owned series. Writing the Avengers | Behind the scenes of Marvel's biggest event during Infinity War. Conan the Barbarian | Carrying the torch of a legendary character. Dungeons & Dragons | From fan to official creator with characters like Cridle. Karaoke Traditions | Building community through music at conventions. Advice to Rebels | Create consistently, build work worth paying for. The Discipline of Writing | How persistence outweighs inspiration. Writer's Block | Lessons from 80 published books and counting. Where to Find Him | JimZub.com as the hub for everything. Links From Episode Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Bold Moves Only with Dr. Apollo Emeka

    Bold Moves Only with Dr. Apollo Emeka
    Oct 9 2025
    "So many people are waiting for permission. A decision is the permission." In this episode, Dr. Apollo Emeka joins the conversation from Panama City, Panama, where he and his family relocated after wildfires forced them from their home in California. What began as an evacuation turned into a bold life decision—one that exemplifies the very work Apollo now does with leaders and entrepreneurs: helping them make decisions so bold that the path forward becomes obvious. This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode Apollo shares his framework for understanding choices, distinguishing between inherited, default, and big decisions. From leaving school in fourth grade to joining the U.S. military at seventeen, his life has been shaped by pivotal moments where courage, clarity, and conviction mattered more than circumstance. His story winds through service as a Green Beret, intelligence analyst in the FBI, entrepreneur, and now decision strategist and coach. He reflects on how his parents' defiant love—marrying across racial lines when it was still illegal in many states—set the stage for his own willingness to challenge norms. Losing his mother as a teenager forced him into independence, while deployments in Iraq revealed the cost of poor decisions and deepened his commitment to developing better frameworks for making them. The conversation explores how bold decisions create clarity, why "waiting to see how it plays out" is rarely the answer, and how courage transforms fear into thoughtful action. Alongside stories of family life in Panama, skateparks with his kids, and date nights with his wife, Apollo underscores the importance of deciding with heart, not just with feasibility. Whether moving across continents, leaving stable careers, or reframing personal values, Apollo shows that life-changing clarity comes not from more information, but from the courage to choose. Quoteable Quotes "When you decide with heart, it lights you up even if you fail." — Apollo Emeka "So many people are waiting for permission. A decision is the permission." — Apollo Emeka "Sometimes you just have to let shit go and make space for what's next." — Michael Dargie "Critical thinking is thinking about your thinking while you're thinking." — Apollo Emeka Episode Highlights Born into Boldness | Apollo's parents' interracial marriage set the tone for defying convention. Fourth Grade Dropout | How being allowed to choose school sparked his decision-making journey. Military Intelligence | Training taught him to structure decisions in high-stakes contexts. Big Life Shifts | From physiotherapist to soldier, Green Beret, FBI analyst, and entrepreneur. Fires and Panama | Wildfires in California led his family to relocate across continents in 30 days. Decide With Heart | Why "can, could, should" aren't strong enough drivers. Raising Rebels | Skateparks, BMX, and resourcing kids in Panama's expat community. Courage Over Fear | How fear can be a catalyst for action. Lessons from the FBI | Understanding biases and critical thinking as tools for better choices. Rebel Advice | Define success in your own terms and crave it like air. LINKS FROM EPISODE Website (https://www.apollostrategy.com/about-us) Apollo on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/apolloemeka) Apollo on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/apolloemeka) Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com
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    50 mins
  • From Sea Kings to Stout with Rob Truscott

    From Sea Kings to Stout with Rob Truscott
    Oct 9 2025
    "You don't know what you don't know—until you travel."

    Today's guest is Rob Truscott—retired Canadian Forces navigator, brewer, and motorcycle enthusiast. From flying in Sea Kings and responding to Swissair 111 to surviving cancer and brewing in Nova Scotia, he's living proof that memento mori is less about dying—and more about living.

    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 welcomes Rob Truscott—retired military navigator, brewer at Great Roads Brewing, motorcycle tour lead, and veterans' advocate. Rob shares how growing up off-grid in BC set him on a path to the Canadian Armed Forces, where he logged nearly 3,000 hours on Sea Kings, taught mission planning, and supported major operations—including the response to Swissair Flight 111 off Peggy's Cove.

    Rob speaks openly about his bladder cancer diagnosis, the whirlwind of surgeries and treatments, and how memento mori ("remember you will die")—and its counterpart, memento vivere ("remember to live")—reshaped everything. Today he brews beer, rides long distances, and helps fellow veterans with marketing and awareness.

    From navigating by starlight to crafting a double-chocolate oatmeal stout, Rob's story is a masterclass in resilience, planning under pressure, and choosing joy—now, not later.

    Quoteable Quotes

    "Build the plan, execute the plan, expect the plan to go off the rails, make a new plan."

    "Motorcycling is about the journey, not the destination."

    "Your time is limited—so go for it."

    "You don't know what you don't know—until you travel."

    "What can you control? Start there."

    Episode Highlights

    Off-Grid Beginnings | Growing up in BC with hippie parents, trading horses for bikes, and planning an exit strategy.

    Too Tall to Fly | Turned away from being a pilot, Rob became a navigator—learning celestial navigation by starlight.

    Sea King Life | Nearly 3,000 hours in the air, operations around the world, and teaching future mission commanders.

    Swissair 111 | A night seared into memory, flying search patterns off Peggy's Cove with a handheld spotlight.

    Cancer Shock | A diagnosis that flipped everything upside down—five surgeries, treatments, and a medical release.

    Memento Mori | Living with mortality in view, and embracing memento vivere—to live your best life now.

    Brewing Beginnings | From buckets in the barracks to becoming head brewer at Great Roads Brewing.

    Drinkability First | Reds, ambers, stouts, and a double-chocolate oatmeal stout—beer designed to enjoy more than one.

    Motorcycle Therapy | Why riding clears the cobwebs, and why branch plans matter on the Cabot Trail.

    Travel Perspective | Rome, Korea, Japan—why you don't know what you don't know until you've been there.

    Simple Rebel Advice | "Start now. Define your own path. Your time is limited—so go for it."

    LINKS FROM EPISODE

    Rob on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dead_nought)

    Rob on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Noughtdead)

    Rob on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-truscott-99510818/)

    Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
    "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
    Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com
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    55 mins
  • Ignite Your Neurons with Utkarsh Narang

    Ignite Your Neurons with Utkarsh Narang
    Oct 9 2025
    “I’m someone who’s building life one day at a time—and loving it.” In this episode, coach, facilitator, TEDx speaker, and podcast host Utkarsh Narang checks in from Melbourne—“in the future,” as he jokes—and lays out a life stitched together by courage, curiosity, and conscious impact. This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode Raised in a family of doctors, he followed a straight path into physiotherapy, running three clinics in Delhi. But a restless question kept tugging: what’s my larger impact? That question pulled him into a start-up tied to Columbia Business School, where “I’ll figure it out” turned a three-month experiment into eight years of filmmaking, production, and later sales and operations. Then came another leap. In the middle of the 2020 pandemic, Utkarsh quit a stable corporate role to become a coach—despite understandable pushback from family. Those pivots, he says, weren’t acts of recklessness; they were experiments run in partnership with fear. Understand the fear, test it with small actions, then move. Utkarsh shares the values that anchor his days—freedom, growth, love, discipline—and why he recently replaced excellence with presence after a powerful retreat. He talks parenting two boys, starting the Ignite Neurons podcast to spark deeper conversations, and committing to an 800-plus-day meditation streak as a practice of simply “being.” Travel, too, shapes his worldview: Melbourne’s four seasons in a day, the energy of New York, and a romantic fascination with Paris. There’s lighter fare—kangaroos, garage spiders named Spidey, and table tennis battles in the backyard—but the thread is consistent: define success on your terms, keep learning, and cultivate the courage to choose your own road—even when you can’t see it to the end. His long-game ambition? Support a billion lives to create more clarity, courage, and conscious impact—one day at a time. Quoteable Quotes “I’m someone who’s building life one day at a time—and loving it.” — Utkarsh Narang “If you can see your path till the end, you’re walking someone else’s path.” — Utkarsh Narang “Courage to express love, to leave what’s not serving you, to try—courage is the point.” — Utkarsh Narang “Sometimes you just have to let shit go to make space for what’s next.” — Michael Dargie “Fear can be a guide if you run small experiments instead of freezing.” — Utkarsh Narang “What’s the most rebellious thing you’ve done?” — Michael Dargie Episode Highlights Melbourne Check-In | “I’m in the future” and yes, the lotto joke. Many Hats, One Line | Coach, facilitator, speaker, author—“building life one day at a time.” Doctor’s Son → Physio | Three clinics in Delhi and a fitness centre. Bigger Impact Itch | From local care to wondering about global reach. The Three-Month Bet | A start-up gig linked to Columbia Business School turns into eight years. Filmmaking to Ops & Sales | Stacking skills across creative and commercial lanes. Pandemic Pivot | Quitting a stable job in 2020 to coach—family shock included. Values Upgrade | Swapping excellence for presence after deep inner work. Coaching Focus | Clients across Australia, the US, and India—especially in tech. Define “Rebel” | Freedom to choose your days; a path you can’t fully see. Face Fear Thoughtfully | Identify the real trigger, then test with small actions. Meditation Streak | 800+ consecutive days; “not about success—just being.” Travel & Empathy | Melbourne’s weather, NYC’s energy, and a Paris daydream. Backyard Life | Kangaroos in the Grampians, a respectful détente with “Spidey.” Sport & Play | Table tennis with his kids; tennis fandom lives on. Rebels-in-Waiting | Know your why, keep learning, define success for yourself. The Big Goal | Touch a billion lives with clarity, courage, and conscious impact. LINKS FROM EPISODE Utkarsh Narang Website (http://www.utkarshnarang.com/) Utkarsh on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/utkarsh-narang/) Utkarsh Narang TedTalk (https://youtu.be/5aj0btxnBLo) Utkarsh on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ignitedneurons?igsh=MTB4aGJyMTdsdmMwdw==) Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com
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    33 mins
  • Never Ask A Cat For Financial Advice with Alex Joonto

    Never Ask A Cat For Financial Advice with Alex Joonto
    Sep 30 2025
    "You have a moral duty to yourself to go after the thing—even if you have to go alone at first." In this episode, writer and blogger Alex Joonto joins from the border of Spain and Portugal, where he's about to move into a new countryside home. He shares how writing has always been both his calling and his rebellion—leaving university against the advice of his family, diving into technical writing, and now pursuing life as a full-time author. This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In this episode Alex talks about experimenting with AI by creating a parody of Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life. He asked ChatGPT to generate its own rules, resulting in surprising gems like, "Never ask a cat for financial advice." The process showed him that while AI is a useful tool, what gives writing its true value is the human effort, vulnerability, and even suffering poured into it. He also discusses his debut book, Thank You President Corona, written in the heart of the pandemic. Instead of despair, Alex found growth—embracing fitness, therapy, and journalling while reframing adversity as opportunity. He shares his belief that even in the darkest times, silver linings can be found. This conversation weaves through his love of journalling as daily practice, thoughts on Medium vs. Substack, his favourite typeface (Verdana), and the family lasagna secret of adding nutmeg to the sauce. His advice for rebels-in-waiting is bold and simple: expect resistance, especially from those closest to you, but pursue your dream anyway. You have a moral duty to yourself to walk the difficult path. Quoteable Quotes "Never ask a cat for financial advice." — Alex Joonto "A piece of art is as valuable as the suffering the artist puts in it." — Alex Joonto "You have a moral duty to yourself to go after the thing—even if you have to go alone at first." — Alex Joonto "It just made the vein on my head pulse a little… a wasted opportunity to actually say something that matters." — Michael Dargie "Life can be a big joke—you don't need to take yourself so seriously all the time." — Alex Joonto Episode Highlights Portugal vs. Spain | Why Alex calls Portugal home but keeps returning to Spain. Becoming a Writer | From technical manuals to novels. AI Experiment | Creating "12 Rules for Life" through ChatGPT. Rule #1 | "Never ask a cat for financial advice." Going Against the Grain | Dropping out of university to pursue work and writing. Technical Writing | Manuals nobody reads and why it mattered. Spain's Inspiration | Its cultures, history, and lifestyles. Thank You President Corona | A rebellious pandemic book. From Push-Ups to Therapy | How pandemic habits reshaped his life. Medium vs. Substack | Pros, cons, and plans for publishing. AI and Art | Why suffering and vulnerability matter. Filling the Bucket | Journalling as mental training. Favourite Typeface | Verdana for clarity. Life Philosophy | Don't take yourself too seriously. Food Corner | Salads, olive oil, and lasagna with nutmeg. Books to Recommend | Atomic Habits and Jurassic Park. Advice for Rebels | Go despite resistance; a moral duty to yourself. Links from Episode Alex Joonto Website (https://www.alexjoonto.com/12-rules-for-life-according-to-chatgpt) Alex on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandro-giuntini-85014a5a/) Alex on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alexjoonto/) Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | BrandJitsu.com
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    33 mins