Beyond Curious ®

Jessika Von Innerebner grew up in a religious cult.

She wasn’t allowed to go to school. Her family was poor. She had to go door to door every Saturday to preach…

She felt trapped.

So she made a bold move:

At 17, she left.

With no idea what she was going to do or live, she boldly started to start living her life the way she wanted to. 

Slowly, she did exactly that.

She ended up working for her dream company, Disney.

She became an award winning children's author, landing a $500,000 book deal for her book series about “Kevin the Unicorn”.

She’s now traveling the world with her husband, Trevor (the episode that came out last week!) living a truly magical and inspired life of curiosity.

This is a FUN one for anyone who’s looking for inspiration on how to live boldly according to what makes you come alive.

00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Jessika von Innerebner

Brandon Fong introduces the episode with award-winning illustrator and author Jessika von Innerebner. Known for her vibrant storytelling and unique approach to creativity, Jessika’s journey from a challenging upbringing in a religious cult to becoming a Disney artist and bestselling author sets the stage for an inspiring conversation.

02:05 - Meet Jessika and her creative philosophy

Brandon highlights Jessika’s creative achievements and discusses her deep understanding of storytelling’s role in shaping beliefs, businesses, and lives. Jessika reflects on finding solace in her imagination during a difficult childhood.

04:31 - The story of TV-B-Gone

Jessika humorously recounts how she and her husband, Trevor, discovered and used a device to discreetly turn off intrusive TVs in public spaces, transforming their environments for better conversation and connection.

09:52 - Opting out of a religious cult

Jessika details her childhood in the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the moment at age 17 when she chose to leave. She shares the emotional and practical challenges of untangling from a controlling environment and rediscovering her autonomy.

17:51 - Art as an escape and a career launch

Jessika discusses how art became her sanctuary and pathway to freedom. She describes pitching herself for an unpaid apprenticeship at 17, which kickstarted her career and eventually led to working with Disney.

23:34 - The dream of Disney realized

Jessika reflects on how she manifested her childhood dream of working with Disney, despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds, including limited resources and education.

28:09 - Lessons from Disney and Pixar

Jessika shares behind-the-scenes insights from her time at Pixar, where playful workspaces inspired limitless creativity. She emphasizes the importance of staying connected to childlike wonder in creative work.

35:04 - Connecting with readers through storytelling

Jessika recounts receiving a heartfelt letter from a young fan of her book Sprout Branches Out, illustrating the profound impact of her stories on readers of all ages.

40:41 - Creating Kevin the Unicorn and embracing imperfection

Jessika opens up about the challenges of writing her first book, Kevin the Unicorn: It’s Not All Rainbows. She explains how the story's core message—accepting life’s messiness—was deeply personal and cathartic.

49:57 - Trevor’s influence and the power of balance

Jessika reflects on how meeting her husband, Trevor Blake, taught her the value of detachment and balance in creative work, transforming her from a workaholic into a more fulfilled artist.

54:11 - Constraints as creativity catalysts

Jessika explains how she uses self-imposed constraints, like choosing a single letter theme for illustrations, to spark unique and unexpected creative results.

59:33 - Embodying joy in creativity

Jessika emphasizes the importance of tuning into physical feelings of joy and excitement as signals for alignment in her creative process.

1:00:23 - A life-changing pivot

Jessika recalls June 2021, when meeting Trevor upended her life in the best way, allowing her to align her work, values, and happiness.

• Jessika von Innerebner’s Website: jessvoni.com
• Jessika von Innerebner’s Books:
• Kevin the Unicorn: It’s Not All Rainbows
• Kevin the Unicorn: Why Can’t We Be Bestie-corns?
• That’s MY Sweater!
• Sprout Branches Out

If I were to have read the title of this episode, I know what I’d be thinking:

“No way. How could it be possible to have a 9-figure exit with no employees? And on top of that, working less than 5 hours per day?”

I for sure had never heard of this done before…

That is, until I met today’s guest, Trevor Blake.

Trevor is the NYT bestselling author of Three Simple Steps, physicist, world traveler, and entrepreneur.

His story is absolutely insane.

Trevor grew up in poverty, being evicted from his home multiple times before the age of seven. 

His mom was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in 1969 and was given less than six months to live. 

She refused to accept this prognosis, telling everyone that she would live to see her children grow up.

So Trevor's childhood consisted of:

• Having zero money (his mom, despite having cancer, would work at a deli so she could take home the expired food for their family to eat)
• Being bullied (born as a red head, kids would call him “Carrot Top” and he’d hide out in the library to avoid them)
• Watching his unemployed father sit around and smoke all day

Yet despite all the odds, Trevor has not only become “traditionally” successful…

Through my interactions with him he’s clearly someone that purely enjoys life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why Trevor believes goal setting is BS, and why “intention setting” is more powerful
• Why Trevor’s “Mind Movie Technique” led him to have a dinner at a 3 michelin star restaurant in his pajamas (and how you can use this technique to help achieve your goals)
• The mechanics of how Trevor gets so much done in less than 5 hours of work per day

If you’re someone who’s willing to challenge assumptions and build an incredible life based on your unique gifts and desires, this episode is for you!

Host Brandon Fong introduces Trevor Blake, a serial entrepreneur, physicist, and New York Times bestselling author. Trevor shares insights into his unique business model, his remarkable $300 million in business exits, and his philosophy of living life on his own terms. Brandon also gives a shoutout to Michael Leibowitz for connecting him with Trevor and previews the key lessons to look forward to.

Trevor explains his revolutionary "hub model" that enabled him to sell a company for over $100 million while having no employees. He describes how this approach removes inefficiencies and emphasizes partnerships with experienced consultants.

Trevor recounts a pivotal moment with his mother, Audrey, who defied a terminal cancer diagnosis to live another 14 years. Her determination and "indefatigable feminine power" have inspired Trevor’s life and entrepreneurial journey.

Audrey’s kindness and resilience made her a beloved figure in their small village. Trevor reflects on the profound lessons of her life, including her funeral, attended by 300 people, and the inspiration she provided for Trevor’s entrepreneurial mantra: make a positive difference, have fun, and share the rewards.

Bullied as a child, Trevor found solace and inspiration in the library, where he read biographies, including that of Madam C.J. Walker. Her rise from adversity to becoming America’s first female millionaire profoundly shaped Trevor’s understanding of resilience and innovation.

Trevor introduces the concept of the "mind movie," a visualization technique he used to manifest success. He shares a quirky yet impactful story of celebrating a business exit by spending an entire day in pajamas, fulfilling his visualization step-by-step.

Trevor discusses how principles from quantum physics shaped his entrepreneurial journey. He explains the importance of setting intentions, experiencing the feelings of success, and creating a reality that aligns with your goals.

Trevor emphasizes the significance of imagining what life feels like the day after achieving a goal. He shares how this technique, rooted in quantum physics, helps bypass traditional limitations of goal setting.

Trevor and Brandon dive into the process of uncovering what you truly want in life. Trevor shares practical tips for setting intentions based on personal fulfillment rather than societal expectations.

Trevor outlines his approach to maximizing productivity with a five-hour workday. He explains how strategic breaks and focused work sessions lead to better creativity and balance.

Trevor ties the five-hour workday back to pre-industrial society and describes how technology allows entrepreneurs to adopt a "hub model," where collaboration replaces the traditional employer-employee setup.

Trevor debunks common misconceptions about goal setting and introduces his five principles of intention setting: make it powerful, positive, and specific, among others. He explains how these principles align with both neuroscience and quantum physics.

• Trevor G. Blake's Books:
• Three Simple Steps: A Map to Success in Business and Life
• Secrets to a Successful Startup: A Recession-Proof Guide to Starting, Surviving, and Thriving in Your Own Venture
• Trevor’s Courses: TrevorGBlake.com
• Recommended Documentary: Self Made (Netflix), based on Madam C.J. Walker’s life.

In the absolute most loving way possible, I would describe today’s guest as a wise, female, & British Indiana Jones.

Dr. Jude Currivan…

• Has a master’s degree in Quantum Physics  and Cosmology from Oxford University along with a Ph.D. in Archaeology from the University of Reading
• Has travelled to over 80 countries and worked with numerous wisdom keepers researching the nature of reality
• Is committed to collective and planetary healing, as the cofounder of wholeworld-view.org promoting the narrative that we are not separate, but rather inseparable, from each other and the whole world

And if those explorations into answering questions about the fundamental nature of reality aren’t enough…

Dr. Jude also had a 25 year career as an international finance director for two $500 million turnover businesses operating in 36 countries.

We cover a lot of paradigm shifting concepts in this episode, including:

• How the 2022 Nobel prize in physics is a HUGE leap in proving the science behind “woo woo” 
• How consciousness is not something that we have, but something that we ARE
• How studying fractals and thinking fractally is key to creating an impact based on the laws of nature

This is truly an episode for the Beyond Curious™ humans out there.

If you’re someone who’s willing to stay open, challenge your beliefs, and dive deep into the nature of reality, this one is for you!

In this mind-expanding episode, host Brandon Fong sits down with Dr. Jude Currivan—a cosmologist, healer, futurist, author, and member of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle. With a background that spans physics at Oxford, a PhD in archaeology, and extensive work in planetary healing, Dr. Currivan brings profound insights into the nature of reality, consciousness, and the interconnectedness of all things. Together, they explore topics that bridge ancient wisdom and modern science, inviting listeners to reimagine their understanding of existence.

00:00 - Welcome and Introduction

Brandon introduces the podcast and today’s guest, Dr. Jude Currivan, highlighting her diverse expertise in cosmology, business, and ancient wisdom traditions. Dr. Currivan provides a teaser: "We and the whole world are mind and consciousness."

02:07 - Dr. Currivan’s Biography and Mission

Dr. Currivan shares her journey from studying physics at Oxford to co-founding WholeWorld-View, a platform aiming to promote humanity's conscious evolution.

04:32 - A Journey to Australia’s Red Heart

Dr. Currivan recounts her transformative experience with an Aboriginal family in the Australian Outback. She describes their wisdom, connection to nature, and the 12-year-old shaman guiding her group under starlit skies.

10:05 - Balancing Corporate Life and Ancient Wisdom

Dr. Currivan explains her transition from a high-powered finance career to exploring spiritual and scientific frontiers. She shares how her early mystical experiences shaped her path.

15:31 - Listening to Inner Voices and Intuition

A discussion on how intuition manifests, from "hearing" inner voices to trusting gut feelings. Brandon reflects on a recent synchronistic moment, adding personal depth to the conversation.

19:46 - The 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics and Nonlocality

Dr. Currivan breaks down the groundbreaking Nobel Prize discovery that the universe is non-locally unified, explaining how it validates interconnectedness and challenges materialist views.

28:30 - Consciousness: Not What We Have, But What We Are

The duo dives into understanding consciousness as the fabric of existence, discussing ways to dissolve the illusion of separation.

33:25 - The Power of Synchronicities

Dr. Currivan encourages listeners to notice and embrace synchronicities as profound guidance from the universe, sharing insights on how joy and love open us to these experiences.

38:18 - Loving Yourself to Love the Whole

Brandon and Dr. Currivan explore how self-love reflects outwardly, creating a ripple effect of love and healing in the world.

45:06 - The Fractal Nature of Reality

Dr. Currivan explains fractals as foundational patterns in nature and consciousness. Brandon shares how this concept informs his "Find Your 4%" framework for maximizing impact.

55:39 - Information: The Hidden Building Block of Reality

The conversation turns to the role of meaningful information as a fundamental aspect of the universe, transcending energy, matter, space, and time.

01:03:41 - Closing Reflections

Brandon and Dr. Currivan reflect on choosing love, curiosity, and adventure as pathways to transformation. Dr. Currivan’s parting words: “When we choose love, we choose life.”

• WholeWorld-View Website: Explore Dr. Currivan's work, access free resources, and watch her documentary, A Radical Guide to Reality.
• A Radical Guide to Reality: Available on YouTube in 17 languages.
• Books by Dr. Jude Currivan:
• The Cosmic Hologram
• The Story of Gaia

Here’s a small sample of the “Curiosity Resume” of today’s guest:

• Helped raise over $100M for non profits
• Was a pop artist in the 90s with a song that knocked Whitney Houston’s "I Will Always Love You" out of the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 40 Charts
• Has been married to her husband for 30 years, with 3 children, in New York City… and has had a grand total of 5 fights with her husband (what an epic statistic to track 😆)

This, in combination with doing things like deciding to also live in her favorite city in the world (Paris) were all things that stood out to me when I first met Josselyne Herman Saccio.

She’s someone who’s willing to bend the rules of reality to manifest her curiosity, and I knew there was a ton to learn from her!

Here are 3 things to look forward to in today’s episode:

1. Why according to Josselyne your vision is NOT a goal — it’s a space, and how understanding this subtle shift impacts the way you approach manifesting what you desire
2. How shifting a limiting belief resulted in Josselyne becoming a Billboard Top 40 artist when she was a teenager
3. What Josselyne’s daughter selling bead sticks has to do with catalyzing Josselyne to raise over $100M for charity 

Can’t wait for you to listen!

00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Josselyne Herman Saccio

Host Brandon Fong introduces this week’s guest, Josselyne Herman Saccio, a transformative coach, talent manager, author, and philanthropist. With over 30 years of experience, Josselyne has impacted more than 200,000 people through her work in business, self-expression, and conflict resolution. She is also a former pop star whose group, Boy Crazy, had a #1 hit in 1993.

00:51 - The transformative power of raising $100,000,000 for charity

Josselyne’s ability to empower others stems from her life experiences, including raising significant funds for nonprofits. The conversation highlights her unique methodology of empowering people to live their dreams "now, not someday."

03:03 - Josselyne’s lifelong dream and her path to stardom

Brandon dives into Josselyne's story of how she realized her childhood dream of becoming a singer, knocking Whitney Houston off the Billboard #1 spot. This achievement catalyzed her mission to empower others.

06:08 - Breaking limiting beliefs to achieve rapid transformation

Josselyne recounts how she overcame the belief instilled at age 5 that “art couldn’t be a career,” leading to her pop music success. She emphasizes the power of addressing unconscious blocks.

09:56 - The importance of identity in pursuing dreams

Josselyne shares how introducing herself as a singer—even before achieving success—opened doors, including her serendipitous opportunity with Boy Crazy. She explains how aligning actions with identity transforms possibilities into reality.

12:29 - Being "unmessable with" through resilience

Josselyne reflects on losing an opportunity with Boy Crazy before being re-selected as their final member. Her ability to stay committed to her vision despite setbacks exemplifies the core of her coaching philosophy.

15:55 - From pop stardom to transformative coaching

After her music career, Josselyne shifted her focus to helping others fulfill their dreams, whether through talent management, philanthropy, or personal coaching. She explains how her coaching philosophy integrates creativity, action, and integrity.

18:20 - Coaching actors: Transformative principles for success

Josselyne shares her experience managing actors and emphasizes the importance of hard work, taking ownership of one’s career, and having a purpose beyond self-interest.

24:24 - Raising $100,000,000: Josselyne’s most impactful philanthropy

Josselyne recounts organizing events to support children who lost their parents during 9/11, catalyzed by her daughter’s simple act of kindness. She highlights the significance of bold asks in successful fundraising.

29:15 - The anatomy of enrollment and registration

Exploring the distinctions between creating possibility (enrollment) and making bold requests (registration), Josselyne explains how these principles apply to fundraising, relationships, and business success.

32:18 - Shifting from reaction to creation through vision

Josselyne outlines her methodology for overcoming survival-mode reactions by creating a predesigned vision space. This practice allows individuals to take empowered actions aligned with their dreams.

37:46 - Awareness and physical red flags in the path to creation

The discussion delves into recognizing triggers and physical manifestations of reactive states. Josselyne shares practical strategies to shift into a neutral space and stay connected to one’s vision.

44:04 - Designing micro and macro visions

Josselyne coaches Brandon on distinguishing between goals and vision. She elaborates on how vision serves as the context for life rather than an end destination, creating a space for presence and flow in every moment.

50:53 - The universe doesn’t tolerate empty space

Josselyne explains how intentional creation is essential to fill the inevitable gaps that arise in life. She emphasizes the importance of proactively defining what fills those spaces to remain aligned with one’s vision.

54:00 - Avoiding the pitfalls of entrepreneurial survival mode

For entrepreneurs, Josselyne warns against losing sight of vision in the pursuit of sustaining success. She offers actionable advice for staying in a state of creation rather than reaction.

• Josselyne Herman Saccio's Website: Basics of Being Unmessable With
• Josselyne’s Books:
• Peace Promises: 30 Days to a More Peaceful Life
• The Promise Effect: How to Create a Life That Wasn’t Going to Happen Anyway
• The Art of Being Unmessable With (Upcoming)

When I first discovered the 80/20 Rule (aka the Pareto Principle), I was immediately hooked.

In case you’re unfamiliar…

At its core, the 80/20 rule shows us how a small number of things often account for a large portion of the results. 

As a general rule of thumb, 80% of results come from 20% of the efforts:

• 80% of traffic occurs on 20% of the roads
• 80% of profits come from 20% of customers
• 80% of a language can be communicated with 20% of words.

80/20 immediately became my “lens” to focus on the tiny efforts that produce the biggest results in every area of my life.

Now here’s where it gets interesting:

After interviewing Perry Marshall on Beyond Curious™, I discovered that 80/20 is FRACTAL — a repeating pattern that continues at every scale.

In other words…

You can do an “80/20 ON the initial 20%” and what you discover is even more disproportionate:

4% of your actions are responsible for more than half of your results (64% to be exact!)

As soon as I learned about this, a series of questions came to mind:

• How can I find my four?
• How can I live more in my four—spending more time doing what I am uniquely designed to do that creates the biggest impact on others?

Simply put:

How do I FIND and then FUEL my 4%?

If this is a question that YOU would like to answer, you have quite a journey ahead of you…

… and I’d love to join you on it 🙂

In today’s episode, I do a deep dive on the Find Your Four™ concept.

Here are 3 things to look forward to:

• I’m going to introduce you to a part of your mind that you might not know that you had — and how building a relationship with this part of your mind can help you build a more aligned life
• Discover how understanding the fractal layers of 80/20 can help you get more results with more fulfillment and less work
• Learn HOW to Find Your Four — I’ll walk you through an exercise I invented called the 4% Time Machine AND share a custom GPT you can use to accelerate your path to identifying your 4%

This ONE concept has been the single most transformative idea in my world, and is at the heart of everything I do.

Now it’s yours 🙂

In this special solo episode of Beyond Curious, host Brandon Fong shares a transformative concept that has profoundly impacted his life: "Find Your Four™". This episode, marking both the first of 2025 and the 221st installment (Brandon's lucky number), offers a masterclass in uncovering the core 4% of your actions, beliefs, and talents that yield the greatest results in your life. Whether you're looking to build a life full of purpose, passion, and meaningful impact, or curious about designing your existence around what energizes you most, this episode is packed with insights, tools, and exercises to help you find your unique 4%.

• Brandon introduces the episode, emphasizing its importance as the first of the year and sharing his excitement for unpacking the "Find Your Four™" concept, which identifies the most impactful 4% of your efforts.
• Learn how this framework can help you align your life around what brings joy and maximizes your impact.

• Brandon explains the 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle) and reveals its fractal nature, where 4% of your efforts yield 64% of your results. He explores the Russian nesting doll analogy to illustrate this concept.

• How do you find and fuel your 4%? Brandon introduces this central question for the episode, teasing the topics of understanding your mind, the fractal layers of 80/20, and practical exercises.

• Brandon shares the concept of separating the Player (your active self) from the Architect (the designer of your life). He introduces the idea of studying your "Player" to identify their natural strengths (your 4%).

• A personal story from Brandon’s childhood about reverse-engineering games sparks an important question: what would a life designed for your unique strengths look like? This thought exercise inspires his "Player vs. Architect" framework.

• Brandon breaks down the layers:
• 20%: Your zone of brilliance (the broad areas where you excel, like teaching or marketing).
• 4%: The specific actions or qualities that yield the greatest results.
• 0.8%: Core beliefs and identity that drive your actions.

• Brandon shares why discovering your 4% is challenging—it’s often unconscious and so natural to you that you don’t realize its value. He offers analogies and examples, like his efficiency in childhood competitions.

• Brandon reveals his personal 4%:
• Curiosity, Connection, Creativity, Communication, and Catalyze.
• He explains how these elements have guided his career and personal growth.

• The smallest but most impactful layer, the 0.8%, consists of your core beliefs and identity. Brandon discusses how aligning these with your 4% unleashes your full potential.

• Brandon introduces a guided visualization called the "4% Time Machine" to uncover your core strengths through immersive reflection on your past, present, and future.

• Explore your childhood interests and the stories that bring you joy. Brandon walks listeners through journaling prompts to uncover their natural instincts and strengths.

• Brandon shares his custom GPT tool, which analyzes personal stories to identify your 20%, 4%, and 0.8%. Using his "Johnny Appleseed" story, he demonstrates how the tool works.

• A journaling prompt to identify a meaningful accomplishment where the journey was as fulfilling as the result. Brandon shares his Curiosity Quest event as an example and shows how the GPT tool provides valuable insights.

• Brandon asks listeners to identify four role models (two personal, two professional) and explains how their traits often mirror our own untapped potential.

• Brandon describes his imaginary community, Curiosity Island, and encourages listeners to envision their ideal life operating within their 4%. He introduces "Brilliance Bungalows" as symbolic representations of your unique strengths.

• A summary of the exercises and insights shared throughout the episode, emphasizing the power of finding your 4% and designing a life where work and play align seamlessly.

• Perry Marshall Interview: Explore Perry Marshall’s insights on episode 177.
• Book Mentioned: Willpower Doesn’t Work by Dr. Benjamin Hardy.

The best way I could describe today’s guest would be to say “she’s magic in human form.”

Monica Laurence has lived a truly remarkable life of magic and curiosity.

Here’s a small sample of some of her adventures:

• 7x venture exits & former Silicon Valley CEO
• Owns a private resort in Fiji for thinkers and doers
• Worked for Lucas Film, Disney, and Accenture
• TEDx speaker with her talk, “You Need Luck To Succeed“ 

In other words:

She’s a beyond curious entrepreneur who is obsessed with the Island life.

There is SO much in today’s episode, but here are 3 things to look forward to:

1. What Monica learned from getting to work at George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch and how it shaped her ability to build a playground for manifesting her curiosities
2. Why Monica decided to buy a private resort in Fiji as her “next move” after 7x exits
3. Monica’s experiences with “quantum surfing” and how you can create an “intuition temple” to help increase your ability to experience synchronicity and magic

This is a FUN one and I can’t wait for you to listen!

Huge shoutout to Blake Fly who introduced me to Monica!

Podcast Show Notes: Beyond Curious with Monica Laurence

Episode Title: Building a Life of Luck, Playfulness, and Magic with Monica Laurence

00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Monica Laurence

Host Brandon Fong opens with an introduction to Beyond Curious, setting the stage for an enlightening conversation with Monica Laurence, founder coach, serial entrepreneur, and expert in teaching people how to harness luck. Monica has had 7 venture exits, curated a community of global entrepreneurs, presented at TEDx, and runs a retreat in Fiji. Listeners are teased with three takeaways: lessons from Skywalker Ranch, Monica's bold leap into owning a Fijian resort, and her method of "quantum surfing."

05:46 - Learning resilience and magic from Fiji’s unique culture

Monica recounts how her uncle’s experiences in Fiji revealed the transformative power of community, culture, and authenticity. She shares how these influences inspired her path and fueled her curiosity and adventurous spirit.

10:38 - Monica’s experience at George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch

Monica details her time at Lucasfilm, where she worked in business development and strategy. She describes the magical environment of Skywalker Ranch, including how George Lucas’s innovative approach to blending technology and storytelling inspired her. Monica reflects on the importance of creating a "playground for manifesting curiosities," a concept she later applied in her ventures.

16:12 - Mentorship and embracing the art of failure

Monica draws parallels between the mentorship she received from her uncle and her time at Lucasfilm. Both experiences highlighted the power of experimentation and reframing failure as a natural part of discovery. Monica shares insights on how these lessons informed her approach to building ventures and fostering creativity.

24:40 - The story of Tavola: Monica’s retreat in Fiji

Monica explains how her intuition led her to purchase an 8-acre retreat in a remote part of Fiji. She describes the challenges of restoring the property, her vision of creating a sanctuary for creators and entrepreneurs, and the emotional moment when she shared her accomplishments with her uncle before his passing.

30:59 - Transforming a dream into reality, one spool of cable at a time

Monica shares a humorous yet inspiring story about how she established Internet connectivity on her Fijian property. The process of hauling and installing a massive cable spool exemplified her determination and ability to bring big visions to life.

34:37 - The transformative power of intuition: Monica’s “Year of Yes”

Monica reflects on a pivotal year in her life when she said "yes" to opportunities that helped her deepen her intuition and embrace the unseen aspects of life. From mystical encounters to unconventional healers, Monica describes how this journey opened her to new possibilities.

40:23 - Cherubs and the unseen world: A story of synchronicity

Monica recounts a profound experience involving her grandfather’s spirit, cherubs, and an unexpected package. This story highlights her belief in the unseen layers of reality and the magic of paying attention to synchronicities.

50:34 - The science of quantum surfing: Embracing a multidimensional reality

Monica introduces the concept of quantum surfing, a practice of navigating the energetic waves of our multidimensional universe. She explains how aligning with energy and intuition can elevate one’s consciousness and transform their reality.

58:14 - Building an intuition temple: A playful tool for tapping into wisdom

Monica shares her experience of creating an “intuition temple,” a meditative space designed to enhance connection with higher wisdom. She explains the process of building this imaginative sanctuary and how it can serve as a playful yet powerful tool for personal growth.

01:10:10 - Lessons in leadership and playfulness from Monica’s son

Monica talks about her son Keenan, a professional ultimate Frisbee player, and how his innovative approach to leadership—centered on playfulness and team celebrations—elevated both team morale and performance. She highlights how energy and joy can transform team dynamics.

01:14:52 - Final reflections on curiosity and luck

Monica leaves listeners with an encouraging message: curiosity is the gateway to being predictably lucky. By following what captures your attention and wondering about the synchronicities in life, you open yourself up to magic and possibility.

Links & Resources:

• Monica Laurence’s website: monicalaurence.com
• Learn about Quantum Surfing: quantumsurfing.com
• Subscribe to The Mavericks Game newsletter: mavericksgame.com
• Monica’s TEDx Talk: You Need Luck to Succeed
• Monica's LinkedIn Profile

The first ever conversation I had with today’s guest was about Octopi for a solid 15 minutes.

Within SECONDS, I knew we would be friends, and I’ve continued to have INCREDIBLE and mind-expanding conversations with her.

Her name is Susanne Goldstein, and she’s the definition of Beyond Curious.

As she says, her resume makes absolutely no sense, but it’s helped her become exactly who she needed to be to create the impact she’s making in the world.

Here’s a teaser of her journey:

• Studied engineering, decided to NOT pursue it… and instead chased her dream to produce movies.
• Produced her first Hollywood movie for Walt Disney Studios at age 27.
• Crowdfunded $45k to cross America’s urban/rural divide, proving her commitment to social change and inclusivity.
• Spent over two decades as one of the only women in the room coaching and consulting with men building tech startups and Fortune 500 businesses.
• Today, she’s combined her curiosities for storytelling, neuroscience, metaphysics, psychology, business and technology to help humans know themselves, live on purpose, get sh*t done, make money, and be the change they want to see in the world.

This is most CERTAINLY part 1 of many continued episodes with Susanne…

But today, here’s what you can look forward to learning:

• How to harness the “Millisecond Technique” to give yourself the power to choose your emotions (instead of them choosing you)
• How producing her first Hollywood movie for Walt Disney Studios at age 27 led Susanne to start upgrading herself like software, and why you should too.
• How you can use a “paintbrush” and “networking by 5” to manifest opportunities and create pathways in your career and life…. and how Susanne used this technique to break into Hollywood.

This is a FUN one, and I can’t wait for you to listen!

Show Notes for Beyond Curious Podcast - Featuring Susanne Goldstein

Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Susanne Goldstein:

Brandon Fong invites listeners to a profound conversation with Susanne Goldstein, a transformational leader and advocate for conscious living. Susanne shares how she empowers individuals to unlock their full potential through innovative tools, storytelling, and mindset shifts. From her trailblazing career in Hollywood to her revolutionary coaching programs, this episode delves into the art of creating opportunities, embracing authenticity, and living intentionally.

Timestamps & Highlights:

00:00 - Opening Introduction

Brandon Fong introduces Susanne Goldstein, describing her as a game-changing executive coach, thought leader, and the creator of the "Carry a Paintbrush" method. He highlights key takeaways, including manifesting opportunities and the power of intentionality.

00:30 - Susanne’s Philosophy on Life and Storytelling

Susanne explains her mantra: "Everything is either a lesson or a story." She shares her visualization of carrying a paintbrush to "paint doors" of opportunity and bring manifestations to life.

05:17 - The Power of Soul Connections

Brandon and Susanne reflect on their soulful connection and the ageless nature of deep, meaningful relationships, emphasizing shared values over surface-level differences.

07:22 - Susanne’s Origin Story: Clearing the Brook at Age 5

Susanne recounts a childhood story where she cleared a blocked brook, symbolizing her life’s mission to help others remove obstacles and find freedom. She explores how childhood awareness led to her dedication to social change.

12:14 - Overcoming Early Challenges

Susanne shares a formative experience of being labeled negatively due to her Jewish identity and how it shaped her understanding of inclusion and collective freedom.

17:01 - A Cosmic Perspective: The Wart on the Thumb of a Giant

As a teenager, Susanne imagines Earth as a wart on the thumb of a giant, reflecting her early connection to quantum thinking, spirituality, and the multiverse.

24:17 - Manifesting a Career in the Arts: The National Theatre Story

Susanne’s persistence in pursuing her dream job at London’s National Theatre highlights her method of manifesting opportunities. She describes her breakthrough moment and the metaphorical power of her "paintbrush."

33:31 - From Hollywood to Conscious Evolution: Susanne 2.0

After producing a Disney film at 27, Susanne realized the toxic environment wasn’t aligned with her values. She embraced intentional living by introducing "themes" to her personal growth and slowing time through her "millisecond technique."

41:18 - Rewiring the Brain: Neural Pathways as Life’s Code

Susanne explains how our brains act as supercomputers, reinforcing patterns through habitual thoughts and actions. She discusses the science behind rewiring neural pathways to access new timelines and upgrade one’s life.

52:19 - Networking by Fives: Breaking Into Hollywood

Susanne shares how her networking strategy, asking each contact for five additional connections, helped her land a position at Disney. She highlights the importance of genuine curiosity and authentic relationship-building.

01:03:53 - The Quantum Leap of Authentic Choices

Brandon and Susanne explore how making conscious decisions shifts your trajectory. Susanne illustrates how aligning actions with authenticity transforms your personal "timeline."

Links & Resources:

• Susanne’s LinkedIn Page
• Susanne’s Website
• Susanne’s Book: Carry a Paintbrush: How to Be the Artistic Director of Your Own Career
• Dare Human Academy: Learn more about Susanne’s programs on conscious living and self-mastery.

I seriously debated whether or not I’d share this, because I feel embarrassed…

But as soon as I felt the embarrassment, I decided it was all the more reason to share it 😆

Here we go…

In October 2016, I recorded one of my first podcast interviews as a guest on Elzie Flenard’s Journey To Mastery. 

Just listening to the first few minutes makes me cringe (I was 20 at the time lol)… and I’m debating whether or not I want to subject myself to listening to the whole episode.

My intention of sharing this is NOT so that you listen (please don’t, but if you do, don’t tell me about it) but to share two things:

1. Being embarrassed by your past self is something to be grateful for, because it shows that you’re growing
2. This moment came full circle 8 years later on today’s episode

This June, I got a LinkedIn message from Elzie with a cool invitation... to do a Beyond Curious™ recording with a live audience in a theater!

I wanted to do something special…

Knowing that Elzie interviewed me 4 years before I ever launched my own show, I thought it would be a “full circle moment” if I leveraged the opportunity to be a guest on my own show.

So that’s exactly what we did!

My dear friend Bob Regnerus (Episodes #16 and #191) became the temporary host of Beyond Curious™ and I became the guest!

It was an INCREDIBLE and somewhat weird experience…

Because I spend every week pulling out and positioning others, being on the receiving end for a change on my own show was fun.

I’d be honored if you checked it out 🙂

00:00 - Brandon introduces the episode’s origin and his guest interviewer, Bob Regnerus

Brandon sets the stage, explaining how this live podcast episode came about through a collaboration with Podcast Town and his friendship with Bob, whom he describes as a masterful question-asker and a spiritual thinker.

04:19 - Bob takes over as host and explores the meaning of “Beyond Curious”

Bob asks Brandon to define the show’s title, leading to a discussion about moving beyond simple curiosity to actively pursuing and manifesting impossible ideas.

06:44 - Brandon reflects on extreme challenges and going “beyond curious” in life

He shares his experience of tackling a 100-mile bike ride, explaining how pushing beyond perceived limits transforms personal consciousness and growth.

08:50 - The concept of Curiosity Island: A unique community framework

Brandon explains Curiosity Island, a metaphorical and practical initiative centered around helping individuals identify their “4%,” the most impactful actions and beliefs in their lives, using the Pareto principle.

12:49 - Why questions matter more than answers

Brandon discusses the transformative power of sitting with questions that lack clear answers, highlighting how they shape awareness and growth. He also introduces the concept of the “dark 4%”—disempowering beliefs—and how to uncover and challenge them.

17:48 - Collaboration as a cornerstone of success

Exploring his collaborative mindset, Brandon emphasizes the value of forming partnerships that align with each individual’s strengths and unique skills, rejecting possessiveness over ideas.

22:33 - Networking with a transformational mindset

Brandon explains his approach to networking as transformational, not transactional. By focusing on long-term relationships and authentic curiosity, he creates opportunities for deeper collaboration and mutual growth.

30:14 - The “plus 2 energy” method for recognizing ideal connections

Brandon introduces the “plus 2 energy” system, a method to evaluate interactions and align with people who energize and inspire you. He also shares how this framework shapes Curiosity Island’s community.

35:05 - How Brandon created his dream job and pursued international experiences

Brandon recounts how he secured a dream job by offering value upfront and leveraged it to travel the world with his wife, gaining new perspectives from 23 countries.

42:12 - Returning to childhood passions: The seed of storytelling

Brandon reflects on his love for storytelling, tracing it back to elementary school when he wrote quirky stories about his classmates. He emphasizes the importance of revisiting childhood passions to rediscover one’s true essence.

46:29 - Fatherhood and its influence on curiosity and growth

Brandon shares how becoming a father has deepened his appreciation for childlike curiosity, inspiring him to view life through his daughter’s exploratory lens.

50:24 - The future of Beyond Curious and Curiosity Island

Brandon reveals his vision for expanding Curiosity Island, helping others create their own “islands,” and bridging these communities. He also teases a book project on the “find your 4” concept as part of his mission to foster deeper connection and purpose.

52:05 - Closing thoughts and gratitude

Brandon thanks Bob for leading the conversation and encourages listeners to explore their “4%” and embrace the possibilities of combining their unique passions and talents.

Imagine being 10 years old, living in a single-wide trailer home, and watching your mom pull a knife from a butcher block to take her own life.

Not exactly an ideal circumstance…

Yet, that’s exactly where today’s guest, Scott Griswold got his start.

What I admire MOST about Scott is his belief that EVERYTHING happens FOR him, not TO him.

So despite the fact that he had a less than ideal upbringing, Scott has gone on to…

• Build a $30M/yr company, starting with $2.56 in his pocket
• Rescue 50 children from human trafficking in the Congo & provide over $100,000 in goods and services to a village and school in Zambia
• Find TRUE fulfillment in his life, in addition to mastering the science of achievement

Scott’s story and insights are a must-hear for anyone eager to learn how to turn adversity into advantage and build a life of impact AND fulfillment.

00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and Scott Griswold

Brandon Fong introduces Scott Griswold, a visionary business strategist with over two decades of experience. The episode previews Scott's incredible journey—from humble beginnings to scaling a $30 million company, and orchestrating impactful projects like rescuing children from trafficking. Brandon highlights three core themes: achievement, fulfillment, and exploring esoteric practices.

00:53 - Shoutout to Yasmina Ellins

Brandon acknowledges Yasmina Ellins for introducing him to Scott. Listeners are encouraged to check out Yasmina’s episode for more inspiration.

02:41 - Scott’s Humble Beginnings and a $30 Million Company

Scott shares his journey from growing up in a trailer with $2.56 in his pocket to building and ultimately giving away a $30 million business.

05:36 - The Impact of High School Chemistry Teacher Mr. Cook

Scott recounts how Mr. Cook, a high school teacher, not only secured him a full-ride scholarship but also taught him invaluable life lessons about truth and integrity.

09:13 - Why Mentorship Matters

Brandon and Scott discuss the importance of showing up authentically and closing the gratitude loop with mentors to build strong, lasting relationships.

12:52 - Navigating Achievement and Fulfillment

Scott reflects on how his early drive for achievement was rooted in healing past trauma. He emphasizes the importance of pairing external success with internal fulfillment.

15:15 - Rewriting Generational Conditioning

Scott shares an anecdote about inherited family habits to highlight how awareness and intentionality can disrupt unhelpful patterns.

20:30 - Hitting Rock Bottom and Surrendering to Growth

Scott opens up about pivotal low moments, including living in his in-law's basement, battling depression, and contemplating surrender, which ultimately led to his corporate breakthrough.

26:36 - Transformative Power of Perspective

Scott describes how reframing his childhood trauma, including his mother’s suicide attempt, gave him strength and compassion. He stresses the importance of conscious storytelling in shaping one’s life.

33:46 - Quantum Theory and Emotional Energy

Scott dives into the transformative impact of quantum theory, energy awareness, and the higher levels of human consciousness. He shares his experiences with meditation and spiritual practices.

45:05 - Power Versus Force and Spiral Dynamics

Scott discusses the profound lessons he learned from David Hawkins’ Power vs. Force and Spiral Dynamics, emphasizing self-awareness, emotional homeostasis, and accepting others.

50:35 - Esoteric Knowledge and Many Lives, Many Masters

Scott highlights the life-changing impact of the book Many Lives, Many Masters and the work of Dolores Cannon, which reshaped his understanding of life, death, and purpose.

56:36 - Giving Away a $30 Million Company

In a remarkable act of trust and fulfillment, Scott explains how he handed over his company to his executives, enabling them to pursue their dreams and allowing himself to focus on personal growth.

01:06:43 - Unbreakable Threads and Expanding Impact

Scott shares his involvement in impactful projects, such as Unbreakable Threads, launched during a Tony Robbins Business Mastery event. This initiative supports children in need through coaching, clothing, and resources.

• Scott’s LinkedIn Page
• Scott’s Website: Acres Club
• David Hawkins’ Power vs. Force
• Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss
• Dolores Cannon - Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique
• Gaia Streaming Service

Imagine standing on a first-grade playground, observing as kids tease one another. 

You’re just six years old, and your mind can’t seem to grasp why people treat each other this way. 

Fast forward a few decades, and that childlike curiosity transforms into a lifelong quest to decode human behavior… 

That’s the start of Michael Liebowitz’s story, and I’m BEYOND excited for you to learn from him today!

Michael is a messaging badass leveraging behavioral neurology, linguistics, a lot of strategy, and a sense of humor.

In other words:

He finds the words that make YOUR offers understandable and attractive without losing its spark of genius.

Today we dive into how YOU can…

• Avoid ‘killing’ your customer by connecting with their core ‘critter brain’ needs (you might be doing this unintentionally and accidentally repelling clients!)
• Identify and communicate belonging traits that attract your ideal clients like magic
• Integrate the time and motion language in messaging

If you’re someone with an important message you’d like to get out to the world, this is one you can’t miss!

Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Michael Liebowitz

Brandon Fong welcomes listeners to this insightful episode of Beyond Curious, introducing Michael Liebowitz, a master in behavioral neurology and messaging. With expertise in linguistics, strategy, and humor, Michael helps business leaders articulate messages that resonate deeply, fostering connection and clarity. This episode dives into Michael's journey, the science of human behavior, and how beliefs drive effective communication.

Timestamps & Highlights:

00:00 - Setting the Stage

Brandon opens with a shoutout to Bob Regnerus for connecting him with Michael. He shares Michael’s impressive background, emphasizing his mastery in behavioral neurology and linguistics to help businesses refine their messaging.

02:06 - Three Key Insights to Watch For

Brandon outlines the episode’s themes:

1. How a first-grade playground incident inspired Michael’s lifelong curiosity.
2. Understanding the "critter brain" and crafting survival-based messages.
3. The transformative power of articulating your core beliefs.

04:48 - The Playground Epiphany

Michael recounts a pivotal childhood memory of witnessing teasing in first grade. This moment sparked a lifelong quest to understand why people treat each other the way they do and how they communicate.

09:49 - The Lightbulb Moment: Discovering NLP

Michael shares his first encounter with neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) in his early 40s. Enthralled by its magic, he pursued formal training, which became a major turning point in his career.

15:55 - “Don’t Kill Your Customer”

Michael introduces his key principle: how traditional messaging often misfires by ignoring the brain's survival-based decision-making. He explains the importance of addressing the "critter brain" to establish trust before presenting logic-based justifications.

20:32 - Identity and Decision-Making

Exploring the role of identity in human behavior, Michael emphasizes that people align with brands that reflect their own self-perception. He reframes the classic adage, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy you,” to stress that buyers seek reflections of themselves in your messaging.

26:24 - The Power of Beliefs in Business

Michael explains why starting with core beliefs resonates deeply with audiences. He shares examples, including a kitchen gadget company whose belief, “It’s fun to show off,” revolutionized its messaging and sales strategy.

35:37 - Uncovering Your Core Beliefs

Through practical tips, Michael advises on how to identify your business's core beliefs using the question: "What’s important to you about [your work]?" He warns against the pitfalls of the “Start with why” approach, suggesting a more nuanced method for finding authentic answers.

47:09 - Time and Motion in Messaging

Michael delves into advanced language strategies, such as framing your message in present vs. future tense and static vs. active motion, to better align with audience expectations and needs.

56:03 - Your Message Determines Your Audience

Challenging the traditional marketing wisdom of audience-first messaging, Michael asserts that the strongest belief systems shape the most loyal audiences.

01:00:15 - Belonging Traits: Connecting with Your Ideal Client

Michael introduces the concept of “belonging traits” — the shared characteristics between you and your audience that foster alignment and trust. He explains how these traits create an effortless connection with ideal clients while filtering out poor matches.

Links & Resources:

• Michael’s Website : Mind Magnetizer
• Michael’s LinkedIn Page