Mike Pirie on Growing Up in South Africa, Cybersecurity, Crypto Scams & Building New Skool Communities

Mike Pirie is a cybersecurity and technology leader with a risk-first lens on crypto; and one of the most unexpectedly fascinating life stories you'll hear. From being raised in a beach lighthouse hostel in Port Elizabeth to navigating apartheid-era schooling, mandatory military service, and eventually landing in South Carolina, Mike's path is anything but linear.

In this episode of Hair Stories with Carin Chantel, we get into the real stuff: Flock of Seagulls hair, painting himself with oil-based paint as a kid, and the honest journey of a receding hairline. But also; crypto. Mike entered in May 2020, grew a portfolio fast, got burned by scams, and turned those hard lessons into communities that help everyday people (especially busy parents) navigate decentralized finance with real security guardrails.

We also talk about his spiritual life, reiki mastery, a decades-long journaling practice, a bipolar misdiagnosis he only learned about two years ago, and what it means to parent a 27-year-old and a 21-month-old at the same time.

In this episode:

• Growing up in South Africa during apartheid & attending multiracial private school
• How mandatory military service led him into forensics, tech, and eventually Microsoft
• International career stops: Israel, the UK, Canada, and beyond
• Entering crypto in 2020; the wins, the scams, and what he learned
• Building crypto communities on Discord, Patreon, and now Skool
• Launching "Mystical Mic" a community rooted in spiritual practice
• "Palmetto Tech" tech support for solo entrepreneurs and mompreneurs
• Journaling, poetry, creativity, and trusting intuition
• A misdiagnosis that changed everything







Mike’s YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@cryptoeasewithmike

Follow him on Skool https://www.skool.com/@mikepi

Mystical Mike Skool

Follow Carin Chantel

Album photo by: Hannah Pirie

HanSheng Lee discusses his professional and personal journey, highlighting his current work with the Art Collective International (ACI), a creative ecosystem designed to uplift and support artists. Lee delves into his childhood experiences growing up as a dual citizen of Taiwan and America, which involved a deep connection to nature, food, and art. He reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his plans to open a tea house, which ultimately led him to focus on ACI. Lee talks about his multifaceted approach to art and his entrepreneurial background, stressing the importance of collaboration, creativity, and kindness in business. The conversation also touches on the supportive community found on the Skool platform, contrasting it with the toxicity often present on other social media platforms.

His personal youtube

Business youtube

Skool Community

Website

Unlocking the Power of Decision-Making & Personal Authenticity with Ian

In this engaging episode, Ian shares his journey from Ohio to coaching and building 'The Fire Games' in Manchester. He emphasizes the importance of genuine relationships, joy in decision-making, and the need to confront life's challenges head-on. Ian reflects on his early ambitions in science and creativity, his unique approach to personal branding through his hairstyle, and his transformative experiences in business coaching. He discusses the critical role of confidence, agility, and authenticity in achieving success and fostering deep connections. Listeners are encouraged to take inventory of their lives, challenge perceived limitations, and live without regret.

Unfiltered Wisdom: Heidi Clements on Ageism, Sobriety, and Writing.

In this interview, writer and producer Heidi Clements discusses her journey from a childhood marked by aloof parenting to a successful career in television production. She reflects on her struggles with body dysmorphia and the societal pressures placed on women as they age, explaining why she now uses social media to advocate for the visibility of women over 50. The conversation highlights her decision to embrace her natural hair and her past experiences working on shows like Baby Daddy and A Current Affair. Clements also touches on her sobriety, the challenges of the entertainment industry strike, and her current efforts to sell scripts that authentically represent older women. Ultimately, she emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and the necessity of prioritizing one’s own needs over the expectations of others.

Note: This was recorded in 2024.

Heidi on Instagram

Get on her Substack

Julia Bezya/Юлия Безверхая is a Hairstylist and Educator from Lubny, Ukraine.  Julia acquired her education at Erteqoob in Kyiv, and vigorously pursued advanced training after her initial education. She went on to become an educator at SACO Academy in Ukraine before arriving at Nova Arts Salon in Downtown, Los Angeles. Julia has been drawn to fashion and architecture and sees hair as another fabric with variations in creating and shaping. Learn more and explore her offerings on Instagram.

In this episode Julia shares how she ended up in California. What it’s been like learning english and working on clients in L.A. She shares what she expected California to be and to her surprise what it turned out to be for her. Julia opens up about a “shame story” growing up, and how after a conversation with her teenage daughter, was able to see how she may have affected someone in her youth. Her laugh is contagious, and her enthusiasm through it all; very delightful. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did, let us know what you think in the comments and please subscribe to catch more Hair Stories With Chantel. 

JULIA BEZYA on IG ⁠https://www.instagram.com/juli_bezya/ . #JBcut #educator #british techniques

Known on social media as Ky, and the Vibe With Ky, Kyrus is a lighthouse not only in the world of marketing but also in the conversations around mental health. 

Through a lens of grief and pain; 2018 was full of events in Kyrus’s life that would set him on a new path of physical and mental recovery. He decided he wanted to be here, and began to think about what that would entail to help himself through the darkness and how he could potentially help others.  His personal experience with ADHD, severe depression, and generalized anxiety disorder has shaped his perspective and fueled his passion for mental health advocacy. As an actor and writer, Ky has always had a penchant for storytelling. With this narrative gift, he illuminates his own mental health journey, casting it as an inviting and approachable topic.

One of my favorite quotes from Kyrus is “It’s not about fitting into the world, it’s about making the world fit you.”

Kyrus's on IG @thevibewithky, and his website. #thevibewithky #neurospicy

Kyrus mentions: Somethings Company founded by Patrick Gilligan. A team of dedicated people helping the future of teens live better lives. He shares some Digital Marketing tips with us in this episode and serves as Executive Director of Paid Media for 1SEO Digital Agency.

Chantel mentions:

Psychology Today online

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists

Finds this article https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists

Could be very helpful for those looking for an online source that specializes in trauma and mental health disorders that may be related to trauma.

Whitney VerMeer holds many accalades in the hair industry and being the first woman to design a line of scissors is also one of those. Ergonomically crafted for smaller hads these scissors are archetypical for hair artist seeking the ultimate creative freedom from a tool. Whitney is known for her avant-garde editorial work, and titles such as Global Creative Lead and Platform artist. This Internationally acclaimed, multi-award winning artist talks her early years as a hairstylist, what it was like carving out a space for herself and the determination to thrive in a field she is passionate about. She discusses her neurodivergency, business practices, and what has been like as a queer person in the barbering/grooming space of the hair industry.

Details:

*Transcript of the episode can be found on hairstoriespod.com

*Whitney's website: https://www.whitneyvermeer.com/by-wvm

*IG: https://www.instagram.com/whitneyvermeer/

Mentions:

-Christine Schuster

The Hair Room Bay St. and Jersey City Heights in Jersey City, New Jersey

I’ve included a link in the show notes if you’d like to book with her or have any questions. 

Her instagram is Hair Coffe Design. The transcript for this episode is available on the Hair Stories Pod.com.   Thank you so much for listening to this episode of Hair Stories With Chantel and a big thank you to my guest Candase of Kinsugi Coffee Co and Stylist at The Hair Room.

Links for Candace; IG, book here.

Visit the website for Hair Stories With Chantel for more information and transcripts.

Amanda Jade is a Southern California local and a Ceremonial Hairstylist. You can find her at KEEP YOUR CROWN RIGHT SALON & WELLNESS CENTER in San Bernardino Ca.

Part 2. of a very open and honest conversation with Tasha Davis.  This episode you will here me struggle through articulating my thoughts as I work through sharing stories of my past and speaking about insecurities I've never shared publicly. We over came some audio and connectivity issues and I feel graced to be able to share this experience with Autie Hair Coach, Tasha Davis.  Thank you for listening and please let us know what you think. 

Chantel on IG, Tasha Davis on IG 

Tasha's Podcast.