In this episode of The Doing Epic Stuff Podcast I trade words with the infectiously affable Kenny Robertson (née Kurniawan), Community Leader of Startspace; a free business support service specifically for new and early-stage business founders, provided by State Library Victoria.

I love Kennie. 

She makes everyone else around her feel good and that’s a rare and powerful thing, especially in the early-stage founder community where wins and effort aren’t necessarily in harmony. 

Having personally been a member of Startspace for some time (this very episode was recorded, edited and produced on location but, full disclosure, not in the spiffy dedicated podcasting facility, hence the low-level bg noise…) eventually having Kennie behind the mic felt like a no-brainer. We unpack her entrepreneurial aspirations, side quests and setbacks from humble origins selling handmade bracelets to Indonesian classmates to being a one-time Co-Founder of a Sustainable Tourism start-up. 

A spell in corporate retail followed by a shock resignation was soon followed by a sojourn to Melbourne, Australia. But it wasn’t until Kennie returned to her native land that the potential to financially leverage others' desires to explore the nation of over 100 active volcanoes became clear to her. 

An apparent step back taken in order to gain a better view…

There are all manner of hard-earned experience gems to be discovered from our discussion; navigating challenging co-founder partnerships, the pitfalls of a thriving business built upon an unclear (primary) product/market fit and tips on managing our mental health when our big idea becomes our biggest problem.

Dig it.

& don’t forget to be YOUR Epic!

Mike Drohan

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit doingepicstuff.substack.com

Welcome to the Doing Epic Stuff podcast with your host Mike Drohan. Together we’ll explore the stories and journeys of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Man, being an entrepreneur is a real test. It just is. 
There are no safety nets. 
No cheer squad when you’re feeling sh*tty about progress (or lack of).
 No ‘easy days’ where you can just coast, safe in the knowledge that there will be a pay-check at end of the week.

It’s all

on

YOU!

But for some, such as Dagobert Ranouf and his wife Lucy, co-founders of design software-as-a-service start-up known as Logology, there simply is no other choice...

One of the few newsletters I subscribe to and always make time to read is called Indie Hackers – what’s an Indie Hacker?

(noun)

1. person building an online project that can generate revenue
2. person seeking financial independence, creative freedom, and the ability to work on their own schedule

It was within this very newsletter that I first heard of man-like-Dagobert-Ranouf and his truly EPIC entrepreneurial journey - an engrossing story about the shifting fortunes of the digital entrepreneur, the perils of a poor co-founder match and how authenticity and vulnerability have underpinned a last-ditch marketing strategy which has put Logology on a trajectory to success and made Dagobert an unlikely influencer in the Twittersphere.

Enjoy and remember to be YOUR Epic!

Mike

Show notes:

• Dagobert’s rather excellent start-up ‘Logology’ – get a designer-quality logo for your start-up in 5 minutes:https://www.logology.co/
• Dagobert’s Twitter account – the heart and soul of his iconic meme-heavy marketing strategy: https://twitter.com/dagorenouf
• The Indie Hackers newsletter which I personally subscribe to/first heard about Dagobert Ranouf: https://www.indiehackers.com/newsletter

Digging Doing Epic Stuff?

• Hit your boy up on The Bird (Twitter): @BehindTheEpicStuff or email ([email protected]) or Insta https://www.instagram.com/doingepicstuff/?hl=en
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• Join the fortnightly newsletter: https://mailchimp.doingepicstuff.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit doingepicstuff.substack.com

Welcome to the Doing Epic Stuff podcast with your host Mike Drohan. Together we’ll explore the stories and journeys of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Steve Chapman is one of the most interesting people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting during my time on earth.

 ‘The “(NOT A) LOST CAT”’ project is a prime example of the weird and wonderful pastimes Steve engages in. A hand painted re-production of an original, actual lost cat poster. Steve has now personally re-printed and re-issued his re-production to hundreds of intrigued individuals across the globe who have gone on to display the poster in almost every country on earth.

I’m 100% serious – the world map is in the show notes...

A Ted X speaker, prolific creative and holder of an MSc in Organisational Change, Steve’s professional life began on a very different trajectory. Having been convinced, by the commonly held belief amongst his secondary school teachers, that he was "either lazy or just not that bright (or both)" -  his difficulties in learning, love of whacky doodling, bizarre storytelling and ad-hoc creating (ofttimes during math class) apparently weren't applicable to a 'respectable' adult life..

This episode is an exploration of un-tapping our creative potential. 

• Can we de-tune the fixed way we see the world?
• How much of what we do is actually who we are or just a product of social constructs and what happens once we start to challenge them?
• What is the improvisers mindset and how has Steve leveraged it to create some of the most interesting and audacious projects you’ve never heard of?

Enjoy this full-of-unreal ep. of the Doing Epic Stuff podcast

Show notes:
Please consider supporting Steve by purchasing a piece of his artwork!! All info is within his website and IG (below)

• All things Steve  https://www.shop.canscorpionssmoke.com/product/not-a-lost-cat-poster/
• Hosier lane: Melbourne’s most celebrated laneway for street art: https://www.instagram.com/hosierla/?hl=en 
• The Power of Neurodiversity (referred to in the podcast as ‘The Gift of…’) which Steve refers to in the context of special needs classes: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-power-of-neurodiversity-thomas-armstrong/book/9780738215242.html
• ‘The Art of Creative Resilience’ – a talk Steve gave which references in relation ‘tuning in’ to signals our body/mind is giving us to help decipher our real feelings toward a given situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhcp3pozaHI
• 9 Meals from Anarchy repay Steve in vegan cooking stock! https://www.ninemealsfromanarchy.co.uk/

 Digging Doing Epic Stuff?

• Hit your boy up on The Bird (Twitter): @BehindTheEpicStuff email ([email protected]) or Insta https://www.instagram.com/doingepicstuff/?hl=en
• Delve into the complete DES Podcast back catalogue here
• Join the fortnightly newsletter: https://mailchimp.doingepicstuff.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit doingepicstuff.substack.com

Welcome to the Doing Epic Stuff podcast with your host Mike Drohan. Together we’ll explore the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

“What I was attempting to do was tell society what they wanted to hear. Or what I thought they wanted to hear, which was to have this Alpha Bravo male who doesn’t talk about pain. Who doesn’t talk about vulnerability and I was like ‘it’s actually killing me.’ – and it nearly did get to that point.”

There’s something very refreshing about someone in a position of power having the courage to be vulnerable.

Indeed, Ben Vasiliou, CEO of Youth Projects and a driving force behind their revolutionary Social Enterprise; The Little Social Cafe, credits that same vulnerability with being the catalyst for major positive change both in his professional and personal life. 

Having navigated a life below the poverty line, identity crisis, being a young father and the trials of the top position at an organisation committed to breaking the cycle of disadvantage – Ben has an extraordinary story to share with us.

A special shoutout to Banyule City Council whom Ben credits with having the vision and resources to make the Little Social Café in Rosanna, Melbourne a reality. If you’re listening to this podcast and based in Melbourne, Australia, do make sure to swing past, grab a delicious coffee for yourself and sprinkle some kindness into someone’s day through their ‘pay-it-forward service’: purchase a drink or snack for someone experiencing homelessness or accessing Youth Projects' homelessness services.

EPIC stuff within this episode:

• Even an award winning CEO can balls things up from time to time!
• Un-packing Youth Projects: providing support (since the 80s!) to young people and individuals experiencing disadvantage, unemployment, homelessness, alcohol and other drug issues
• Exploring the power of vulnerability and how sharing your story can be a vehicle for good
• How to be part of the solution to 116K Australians living homeless and 1 in 8 being below the poverty line 
• All about the Little Social Café and how it’s reaffirming a vision of young people being good-to-go in a very competitive job market whilst also providing a sustainable, financially viable business model

Show notes:

• Youth Projects (Ben is CEO):  https://www.youthprojects.org.au/who-we-are
• The Little Social Cafe (Social Enterprise) - get down there and 'pay it forward'!: https://www.youthprojects.org.au/social-enterprise
• Skills Plus: a not-for-profit which Ben was formerly the GM: https://skillsplus.com.au/
•  Banyule City Council “the reason why that (The Little Social) has been successful” according to Ben: https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/About-us

 Digging Doing Epic Stuff? Hit your boy up:

• Twitter @BehindTheEpicStuff 
• Email: [email protected] 
• Insta: https://www.instagram.com/doingepicstuff/?hl=en
• DES Podcast back catalogue here
• Fortnightly newsletter: https://mailchimp.doingepicstuff.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit doingepicstuff.substack.com

Ever had a job where, no matter how good you are at it, you can still get fired at any given moment?

Pretty stressful, right? 

“I could come in and do a terrific job on a team, get them in wonderful physical shape, but if for some reason the performances don’t ensue, ‘cause it’s a win/loss outcome-based environment, you might still lose your job. So, there’s not always that job security with what I do because, at the elite level, you’ve gotta win. "

Russell Jarret has managed to sustain a career as an elite Physical Performance/Strength and Conditioning Coach for over 30 years.

That’s A LOT of early starts and burpees…

Now a proven key player behind the players, his interest in the elite fitness training profession was originally piqued by an inspiring Physical Education teacher. Russell has since worked with some of Australia’s most elite sporting organisations including the Australian Football League, Australian Institute of Sport, Cricket Australia, Women’s National Basketball League, Australian Basketball League and elite level Golf and Tennis as well as literally thousands of individual and group sessions.

Then, out of nowhere, the national personal training industry is scuttled overnight…

“Lockdown two really punched a hole in us because, when we got locked down a second time it was probably a bit longer, actually, and we’d done all of those things to remain relevant and to remain front of mind and we had no more tricks up our sleeve…"

We chat mindset and methods to navigate major change in our lives, the benefit in having a side hustle, how our physical exercise needs to adapt to complement our age AND there’s even some time to throw a couple of questions at Russell provided by Doing Epic Stuff listeners.

EPIC.

BTW: if you dig the episode, I’d greatly appreciate a review on your preferred podcast listening platform - the more awareness we create together the closer we get to a world where everyone has the opportunity to pursue their epic stuff.

 Show notes:

• Russell's website incl. his online courses: http://www.russelljarrett.com.au/
• All kinds of interesting stuff on his Insta: https://www.instagram.com/russell_jarrett1/

If you enjoyed this episode of the DES podcast or are onboard with my mission of empowering more people to find and follow their extraordinary, more of the time, please consider subscribing to the fortnightly eNewsletter. It features some snackable epic content, the latest DES developments and a heads-up on upcoming episodes: https://mailchimp.doingepicstuff.com/subscribe

or catch me on the web: doingepicstuff.com

We out!

#doingepicstuff #entrepreneur #motivation 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit doingepicstuff.substack.com

Ever flirted with the idea of turning your favourite hobby, passion or side-hustle into your career? 

Dave Walker knows a thing or two about it and, as anyone who has bravely ditched the grind to pursue the glory of a passion led career would know, it doesn't always pan out exactly how you'd envisaged...

“You just chew it out in three hours, they don’t like it, so you do another one. I was like… ‘I think I might be dead inside?!’”

More than a little obsessed with collecting 90s nostalgia memorabilia, Dave is the kind of dude who imports entire seasons of obscure-sci-fi-dramas-on-lazer-disk-from Japan. 

As American rapper ‘Dom Kennedy’ would affirm: “This is My Type of Party”… 

His endless love for the table top game; Warhammer 40,000, or 40K to the less-filthy casual, is the primary subject matter for his wildly entertaining and unexpected hit YouTube channel: MS_Paints which I happened to stumbled across one Sunday whilst DEEP down a lockdown DIY margarita session/YouTube algorithm fuelled content rabbit hole. 

As it would turn out the show’s title had far heavier connotations than just a tongue-in-cheek reference to a Microsoft painting tool; The main impetus behind Dave creating the channel being his unexpected diagnosis of b*****d degenerative autoimmune disease: Multiple Sclerosis or M.S. 

MS_Paints is his way of dealing with that particular S-O-A-B whilst also championing positive values in a ofttimes male-toxic wargaming community, changing the perception of disabilities and the pursuit of hobbies that require fine motor skills, with a disability.

EPIC.

Show notes:

• The MS_Paints YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaUQbazFa3BDEu_6I84s1Zg
• Dave’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=30912887
• Dave’s Insta (where you can see some of the MS_Paints characters incl. ‘Health and Safety’ Frog and his miniature-hungry cat): https://www.instagram.com/ms_paints_/

If you enjoyed this episode of the DES podcast/want to get onboard with my mission of empowering more people to find and follow their extraordinary, more of the time, please consider subscribing to the fortnightly eNewsletter. It features some snackable content, latest DES developments and a heads-up on upcoming episodes: https://mailchimp.doingepicstuff.com/subscribe

Catch me on the web: doingepicstuff.com
Or, love to hear form you on Twitter: @BehindTheEpic

We out!

#doingepicstuff #entrepreneur #motivation #warhammer #paintingwarhammer  #multiplesclerosis #gamesworkshop #ms

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit doingepicstuff.substack.com

“Maybe 17 years ago, as I was doing orthopaedics, I just started to feel like ‘oh my god, these people, much like myself with my injuries, never really get better’ right? You kind of get them sort of better – you have a broken leg, you can fix a broken leg and come back (to normal) but most injuries just end up being ongoing, nagging problems.”

Dr Elizabeth Yurth is the Co-Founder and Medical Director of Boulder Longevity Institute, Colorado.

She’s been providing Tomorrow’s Medicine Today since 2006.

What does that actually mean?!

Literally regenerating people.

Think 1985 science-fiction comedy-drama film ‘Cocoon’ but in real life! 

She’s the most extensive professionally accredited individual I’ve ever had on the Doing Epic Stuff podcast. Seriously, she has multiple paragraphs of medical industry certifications. It’s actually a little bit intimidating!

An avid skier since childhood, plagued by repeated debilitating injuries, @dryurth, now THE authority on regenerative/longevity medicine and co-founder of @boulderlongevityinstitute , initially sought to break the repeat injury cycle by seriously leaning into a career in orthopaedics: surgery concerned with the musculoskeletal system.

Eventually, stonewalled by those very same frustrations (patients returning with repeat injusries) and a system which appeared to be counterintuitive to long-term patient rehabilitation, she went maverick! Doubling down on epigenetics and other innovative regenerative treatments in combination with a holistic approach to wellness that is at the sharpest part of the cutting edge of this medicine.

This is a seriously valuable conversation for anyone interested in living longer and better, improving lifestyle or just optimising your you. I even manage to sneak in a Keto diet question from past DES podcast guest: @sylviemuay aka Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu, the Muay Thai legend with 268 professional fights and no signs of slowing down. EPIC!

Subject matter
Blue Zones
Longevity hacks
Community and its effect on your longevity
Epigenetics (modifying our genes)
Genetics misnomers
Why you should NEVER stop pumping iron
The best cardio format for longevity (hint; it isn’t running)
Where does Pilates fit in the longevity puzzle?
Powernaps: Good? Bad? Ugly?
The importance of restoring and maintaining your circadian rhythm and how to do it.
Fasting: why it’s good for us and recommended methods for optimal results
Sex: is ‘getting busy’ killing us?!

EPIC Stuff

• Got a big idea for a future guest, show feedback of just like to chat? Holler at your boy, Mike: https://twitter.com/BehindEpicStuff
• Sign-up for a fortnightly dose of inbox delivered, snackable EPIC content delights: https://mailchimp.doingepicstuff.com/subscribe
• HQ: doingepicstuff.com

 Show notes

• Lumosity  the brain training mobile app I personally use to prep for a podcast/stave off laziness/punish myself for a hangover and combat cognitive degeneration. https://www.lumosity.com/en/
• Action Bronson (aka my favourite rapper living) who has successfully transformed from blunt smoking, extravagant eating, behemoth to fitness obsessed, extravagant eating in smaller portions, fit-behemoth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qumFCN1yLOA
• Learn about Blue Zones: places around the globe where people are living longer, happier lives: https://www.bluezones.com/
• Not sure where to begin on your own Longevity Quest? Check out Dr Yurth’s ‘What to fix first’ course:&am

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit doingepicstuff.substack.com

“So, one of the greatest things that my students can do is not follow my direction. I love it. ‘Wow! you just came up with another way for me to teach this!’”

David Razowsky is the improviser’s improviser.

He’s also exceptionally good at cognitively reframing: turning the negative into the positive - a no-doubt valuable asset for one who has dedicated their life to performing completely unscripted.

Balls to the wall, no safety net, improvisational acting.

The kind of performing that, when it goes disastrously wrong, can make for great YouTube content; ‘oh my god, this person is dying on stage’ kind of stuff…
 
Having held the Artistic Director position at the prestigious Second City Centre, Los Angeles and performed alongside the likes of Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Jeff Garlin and Amy Sedaris, this is a man who knows a thing or two about The Art of Winging It.

The ability to improvise Is something I’ve personally held a lifelong fascination for, no doubt inspired by the Golden Era Hip Hop I grew up listening to; Big L, Tupac, Biggie, Method Man – rappers from an era when the ability to freestyle was tantamount to the size of your reputation and your record contract. 

As a podcast host; the ability to be fully engaged with my guest whilst steering toward (or away!) from certain topics is one of the most challenging aspects of the game.

That balancing act between being in the moment and being in control – or as David would likely suggest; relinquishing control.

David is a master of this dance. He’s considered a bit of a maverick, in the improvisation world, as his ‘present awareness’ improvisation method, really demands that practitioners forget all of their preconceptions about why, how and what improvisation is and completely drop their ego. As you can imagine; this has not been positively received by all members of the performing arts community…

“A major revelation I had is that everybody’s opinion of me is none of my business and that was just one of those great things (to learn): ‘Oh… Oh, I don’t care what you think! It’s not my business! I don’t spend any time thinking about you.’”

Show notes

• David’s website: https://www.davidrazowsky.com/
• Old town ale house: best Dive Bar in Chicago – the drinking hole where David and fellow Second City teachers and students would hang out after class: http://www.theoldtownalehouse.com/
• California Summer arts festival, care of California State University, whom David works with: https://www.calstate.edu/SummerArts/Festival/Pages/default.aspx
• The book about meditation David mentions: https://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-Not-What-You-Think/dp/0060730579

If you enjoyed this episode of the DES podcast or are onboard with my mission of empowering more people to find and follow their extraordinary, more of the time, please consider subscribing to the fortnightly eNewsletter. It features some snackable epic content, the latest DES developments and a heads-up on upcoming episodes: https://mailchimp.doingepicstuff.com/subscribe

or catch me on the web: doingepicstuff.com

We out!

#doingepicstuff #entrepreneur #motivation #whatinspiresme #inspiration

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit doingepicstuff.substack.com

“To give you an indication, it was like 8 o’clock in the morning or 8:30 in the morning, the doors were pretty close to opening, and I’m sitting there with the AV (audio visual) guys, trying to work out how to get video in and, audio out...”

That’s Marco Rosano, co-founder of the NO/BS ‘Digital Reality Check’ digital/tech/design conference that almost wasn’t...

The disconcerting situation which Marco found himself (on opening morning!) was a ripple effect from a global pandemic that was only just being felt in Australia.

A number of high-profile speakers booked for the conference had pulled out at the 11th hour, leaving Marco and team in a mad scramble to try and deliver a hybrid live/remote solution, to a paying audience, on a completely unrehearsed digital platform.

Having heard rumblings of a major health issue back in December 2019, Marco, like the vast majority of Australian’s had no way of knowing the magnitude of what was soon to follow. 

“I remember saying to Jay (Marco’s business partner and co-founder of the conference) 'don’t worry, it’ll probably blow over by the time the conference rolls around!'"

As it would turn out, the NO/BS digital conference would literally be the last public event before the party was officially over until further notice.

“We were on a bar across the road there on Russell st, with some of the speakers, maybe ten or twenty of the attendees as well having a good drink we finished up about one in the morning. 7 in the morning the Grand Prix was cancelled."

Find out what it took to get this boot-strapped, purpose led digital/design/tech conference off the ground, against the odds and the grain in this episode of The Doing Epic Stuff Podcast.

Show notes

• All about past and future NO/BS events: https://nobs.events/
• The Digital Advertising Agency of which Marco is a co-founder/partner: https://soulandwolf.com.au/

If you enjoyed this episode of the DES podcast or are onboard with our mission of empowering more people to find and follow their extraordinary, more of the time, please consider subscribing to the fortnightly eNewsletter. It features some snackable epic content, the latest DES developments and a heads-up on upcoming episodes: https://mailchimp.doingepicstuff.com/subscribe

doingepicstuff.com

We out!

#doingepicstuff #entrepreneur #motivation #whatinspiresme #inspiration

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit doingepicstuff.substack.com

“I feel like I’ve been doing it my entire life, and I still have that passion. When I wake up in the morning and go into the fire station I... I’m, you know, living the dream!”

Haisely O’Leary is clearly stoked to be Station Officer at New Plymouth Fire Station 61, New Zealand. 

Husband to legendary Ultra Marathon Runner; Lisa Tamati, it’s no surprise that Haisely is also not a stranger to pavement pounding across disturbing distances - we catch-up whilst he’s in training for an upcoming, EPIC 100-mile race. Good luck with that, Haisely!

What’s the driving force behind Haisley’s storied 25-year career in the FENZ and what can be learned from an individual who has fostered long-term comradery and respect from colleagues without the ‘Alpha’ style approach to leadership?

What makes one choose to run for that long?!

Having ran (limped..) a measly marathon distance myself and experienced the loopiness that can go on in the brain department during 4 hours+ in the hamster wheel, I’d long ago formed the opinion that people who were willing to spend THAT much time in the saddle are just as likely to be running away from something as they are ‘toward’…

There’s a lot to unpack and learn from this unassuming everyday hero. 
I hope you enjoy the episode.

Show notes

• Haisley’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haisleyj/?hl=en
• For anyone interested in getting into running, improving your times and technique or you might already be in-training for an event: Lisa Tamati (Haisley’s Wife) is offering Doing Epic Stuff listeners a FREE 8-week, strength and conditioning course. You can check it out on her website: www.strength.lisatamati.com

If you enjoyed this episode of the DES podcast or are onboard with our mission of empowering more people to find and follow their extraordinary, more of the time, please consider subscribing to the fortnightly eNewsletter. It features some snackable epic content, the latest DES developments and a heads-up on upcoming episodes: https://mailchimp.doingepicstuff.com/subscribe

doingepicstuff.com

We out!
#DoingEpicStuff #startuplife #lockdown 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit doingepicstuff.substack.com