How do you go from a kid in Detroit with a box of tools to building the iPod, co-creating the iPhone, and selling your company Nest to Google for $3.2 billion?In this rare, deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Tony Fadell—legendary builder, investor, and author of Build—to unpack the true mindset behind innovation, the real price of success, and why he walked away from Apple and nine figures to start over.We explore:• Why failure—not success—is the best teacher (and why it took Tony 15 years to succeed)• The behind-the-scenes of building the iPod, iPhone, and Nest—and why they almost didn’t happen• The emotional toll of success, and why he chose to walk away at the peak• Tony’s playbook for rebooting your identity after massive success• How to know which ideas are worth pursuing (and which ones are just noise)• Mentorship, parenting, legacy, and what it means to “die with zero”This episode is part blueprint for bold creation, part cautionary tale, and part soulful reflection on what actually matters once you’ve “made it.”Whether you’re a builder, founder, or simply figuring out your next chapter, this conversation will challenge how you see success, failure, and your own potential.⏱️ Chapters:00:00 – 🎙️ Intro: iPod inventor, iPhone co-creator, Nest founder00:01:12 – 💡 From birdhouses to Silicon Valley: Tony’s early tinkering00:04:40 – 💥 Why he left Michigan for a “leap of faith”00:07:55 – 🧠 The problem with our education system and punishing failure00:11:10 – 🛠️ Creating his own world after moving schools 12 times00:13:33 – 🚪 Getting into General Magic—the original iPhone, too early00:17:10 – 🔥 Ego death after $800M failure at age 2500:20:48 – 📉 Why the first two iPods were total failures00:24:10 – 📈 Staying humble when the iPhone finally changed the world00:27:30 – 💼 Walking away from Apple and nine figures00:30:15 – 😩 Burnout, politics, and why he needed to “reboot Tony 4.0”00:33:10 – 🚴 18 months off, soul-searching, and rediscovering purpose00:36:22 – 🌡️ The thermostat idea that stalked him for 10 years (Nest origin)00:40:05 – 🔍 Validating the idea before building: 9-month business blueprint00:44:30 – 🤝 How to pick the right co-founder (like marriage)00:47:45 – 💬 Why mentorship is everything—and how to know when you become the mentor00:51:30 – 🧠 Parenting vs babysitting: giving risk to help others grow00:54:20 – 🧘 Redefining success: from building to mentoring, from earning to giving00:59:45 – 💸 Why Tony (and others in SV) are planning to die with zero01:02:20 – 🧬 Designing a life exit strategy—not just a business one01:04:44 – 📱 Why Apple refused to sell porn—and what values should guide tech01:09:12 – 🤖 What scares Tony about AI & the mindset of young founders01:13:00 – 🔁 Final thoughts on legacy, intention, and using your life force well👉 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexIkonnPodcast👉 Follow Alex: https://www.instagram.com/alexikonn/👉 Brought to you by: https://link.intelligentchange.com/tools68894b

Why are we so afraid to feel? To cry, to scream, to get ugly?In this powerful and vulnerable conversation, I sit down with Luuk Melisse—former professional dancer and co-founder of Sanctum, a global movement experience blending ancient spiritual practices with modern sound, ritual, and raw expression.We talk about:• Why we’ve been conditioned to suppress our emotions—and how that creates disconnection• How to heal through movement, sound, and somatic release• The science and soul behind Sanctum’s 3-body method: Physical, Emotional & Energetic• Creating collective rituals to break through isolation and loneliness• Embracing the ugly, the shadow, and the full spectrum of what it means to be human• Rewiring survival patterns and learning to surrender• Love, impermanence, and being a channel for something greater than yourselfFilmed high in the mountains of Switzerland, this conversation is part soul talk, part masterclass in somatic intelligence—and a reminder that the most powerful healing doesn’t happen through perfection… but through presence.If you’ve ever felt lost, disconnected, or unsure how to fully express yourself, this episode will speak to your soul.CHAPTERS: 00:00 – 🎙️ Welcome to the mountaintop with Luuk from Sanctum00:01:22 – 🧭 How Sanctum began (and why Luuk didn’t create it)00:03:19 – ❤️ The epidemic of loneliness and how movement heals00:05:20 – 🎧 Why Sanctum uses headphones, sound, and spiritual immersion00:07:17 – 🎬 How Luuk designs every class like a movie00:09:00 – 🧘‍♂️ The “3 Body” method: physical, emotional, energetic00:12:22 – 🌊 How to raise your frequency (without spiritual bypassing)00:15:01 – 🧠 Addiction to survival mode and rewiring the brain00:17:03 – 🧘‍♂️ Meditation, detachment, and befriending the mind00:18:30 – 🌑 Embracing your shadow—anger, grief, shame, and all00:21:04 – 👂 Why we don’t express our full selves (and how to start)00:25:02 – 🎭 Make it ugly: how imperfection becomes sacred00:27:27 – 🎉 Ritual, collectivity, and the magic of shared emotion00:29:59 – 🌬️ How to self-regulate through movement and breath00:33:46 – 🌱 Why true transformation begins in the body00:36:00 – 📱 The digital evolution of Sanctum00:38:13 – 🪞 Love, attachment, and impermanence00:41:00 – 💫 Living in service & becoming a vessel for something bigger00:45:08 – 💗 Final thoughts on gratitude, death, and being fully alive👉 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexIkonnPodcast👉 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/alexikonn/👉 Created with: https://link.intelligentchange.com/tools68894b

What does it take to scale a health startup from $10M to over $600M in annual revenue? In this deep-dive conversation, I sit down with Jon Corne former Chief Marketing Officer at AG1 (Athletic Greens)—to unpack the real story behind the rise of one of the most recognised brands in wellness today.Jon shares:• How he went from barista and accountant to executive leader in one of the fastest-growing supplement companies• The creator economy secrets that fuelled AG1’s explosive growth• How to scale from 10 to 90 employees and keep performance high• Real talk about LTV, CAC, and making smart bets in uncertain markets• The behind-the-scenes of working with creators like Tim Ferriss and Andrew Huberman• How to win in saturated markets by thinking long-term and obsessing over the customer• Tactical insights for tracking podcast performance, pricing creator deals, and optimising attributionWhether you’re an entrepreneur, operator, or creator—this episode is a blueprint for exponential growth, data-driven strategy, and building a team that scales.From spreadsheets to story-telling, Jon’s approach is part startup hustle, part brand genius, and 100% actionable.📌 This is a must-watch if you’re building a DTC brand or scaling anything in the creator economy.TIMESTAMPS00:00 – 🎙️ Introduction to Jon and AG1’s $600M journey00:01:15 – ☕ From barista & accountant to growth leader at AG100:02:30 – 📈 How Jon helped scale from $10M to $600M00:06:00 – 🔍 Discovering AG1’s biggest growth levers00:09:25 – 🎧 The podcast arbitrage opportunity00:13:00 – 💡 Why being the customer gave him an edge00:18:10 – 🧠 Turning insights into repeatable systems00:22:40 – 📊 Building a media attribution engine from scratch00:26:50 – 🎯 How to pitch ideas internally and get funding00:30:30 – 📉 The 3-part creator portfolio strategy (Index, Stock Pick, Crypto)00:34:55 – 🔄 Negotiating long-term creator deals00:41:20 – 🧬 What made Andrew Huberman say “I’ll work with you”00:47:15 – 🛠️ How to track ROI on podcast and influencer campaigns00:54:45 – 🔥 The “Jenga tower vs. compounding machine” mindset01:02:10 – 🛍️ GPT as the next major recommendation engine01:07:30 – 🌱 What’s next: building in health, tech, and impact👉 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexIkonnPodcast👉 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/alexikonn/👉 Created with: https://link.intelligentchange.com/tools68894b

What really separates the ultra-wealthy from everyone else? Is it luck, timing, or something deeper—an unshakable way of seeing the world?In this fascinating and candid conversation, I sit down with Steve Varsano—founder of The Jet Business, the world’s first street-level showroom for private jets, and a man who has spent decades advising and negotiating with some of the most successful entrepreneurs, executives, and industry leaders on the planet.We talk about: • The defining traits and mindsets of today’s top performers (and how they differ from past generations) • Why passion—not money—drives the most enduring success stories • The role of resilience, relationships, and reading energy in business • Steve’s harrowing first jet sale that ended with a gun to his head—and the life lessons he carried from it • How to create your own “lucky breaks” by being out in the world and taking bold action • The importance of vision, adaptability, and staying true to your values, even in high-stakes dealsFrom life-or-death moments to behind-the-scenes insights on billionaires’ decision-making, this episode is part masterclass in entrepreneurship, part survival story, and part blueprint for building a life and business on your own terms.Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned founder, or simply curious about the hidden mindsets of the ultra-successful, this conversation will shift how you see risk, relationships, and the meaning of success itself.

00:00 – 🎙️ Introduction to Steve Varsano and The Jet Business00:01:15 – 🛩️ How Steve became known as “the jet guy”00:02:03 – 🌍 The global shift in private jet ownership and clientele00:03:22 – 💡 The evolving mindset of the ultra-wealthy over the past 25 years00:05:05 – ❤️ Why passion—not money—is the real driver of lasting success00:07:48 – 🚫 Never taking no for an answer and overcoming negativity00:09:10 – 🤝 Building trust and relationships with elite clients00:12:05 – 🏢 Creating the world’s first jet showroom in London00:15:18 – 👀 The power of face-to-face connection in business00:18:44 – 🔫 The dramatic story of Steve’s first jet sale and a gunpoint threat00:24:12 – 💪 Acting on instinct in high-stakes situations00:27:00 – 📋 The importance of keeping your word and delivering on promises00:29:18 – ✈️ Lessons from a career spanning aviation, private equity, and luxury sales00:32:42 – 🗺️ Why having a clear “flight plan” matters for life and business00:36:10 – 🎯 Writing down your 10–20 year vision00:39:28 – 🍀 How to “get hit by the lucky bus” through relentless action00:43:15 – 🌐 The value of getting out in the world vs. working from home00:46:28 – 🎟️ Creating your own opportunities by showing up00:49:50 – 💼 How Steve landed his first major job through persistence00:53:42 – 🔍 Finding creative solutions when clients want the impossible00:57:05 – 🧠 The role of positive thinking in making deals happen01:00:14 – 🙏 The importance of appreciation, even at the top01:04:00 – 💬 Final reflections on resilience, relationships, and opportunity

👉 Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexIkonnPodcast👉 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexikonn/👉 Brought to you by: https://link.intelligentchange.com/tools68894b

In this deeply moving episode of The Intelligent Change Podcast, I sit down with the extraordinary chef, activist, and warrior spirit Asma Khan—founder of London’s iconic Darjeeling Express and star of Netflix’s Chef’s Table.Born the “second daughter” in a society that mourned her existence, Asma shares how rejection, patriarchal norms, and early trauma became the fuel for her unstoppable rise. With raw vulnerability and poetic power, she reveals how she turned pain into purpose, silence into a roar, and exclusion into a legacy of radical inclusion.We talk about: • How to find strength in your scars • Turning marginalisation into a mission • Building a business with soul (and an all-women kitchen) • Her relationship with gratitude, legacy, and self-love • The spiritual poetry and ancestral strength that shaped her💥 Whether you’ve ever felt unseen, underestimated, or unworthy—this episode will remind you of the fire that lives within.⸻✨ Quotes to Remember:“If there’s no seat for you at the table, pull up a chair.”“You are the only one who can break out of the chains you tied yourself.”“I don’t want to break the glass ceiling. I want to bring the whole building down.”⸻🔔 Subscribe for more soulful conversations with world-changers.💬 Drop a comment and let me know what part of this conversation moved you most.❤️ If you believe in legacy through love, share this episode.

00:01:24 – 🌸 The Second Daughter – Growing up feeling unwanted

00:03:40 – 👑 Warrior Princess – Sister’s love and empowerment

00:07:00 – 💔 Childhood Wounds – Turning pain into strength

00:08:45 – 🏏 Street Cricket & Justice – Fighting back against unfairness

00:10:37 – 🔥 Becoming Unbreakable – Inner power over external judgement

00:13:06 – 🚢 Captain of Your Ship – Steering your own life

00:14:11 – 🌊 The River Legacy – Nourishing others for the future

00:16:28 – 🍲 Women in the Kitchen – Claiming respect in hospitality

00:17:55 – ✨ Sharing the Light – How her sister’s kindness shaped her

00:19:27 – 👨‍👧 Fathers & Daughters – Teaching true power

00:21:02 – 🌟 Believing in Yourself – Igniting inner worth

00:23:07 – 🌱 The Seed Story – Breaking through darkness to grow

00:25:13 – 🛡 Radiating Strength – Compassion over arrogance

00:27:48 – 🏛 Breaking the Building – Beyond the glass ceiling

00:28:49 – 🤝 Level Playing Field – Uplifting others to equality

00:29:31 – 🌩 Walk Alone – The anthem that fuels her journey

00:31:21 – 🪷 Modern Enlightenment – Redefining success & cleansing the soul

00:32:20 – 🍂 Autumn Lessons – Trusting in the coming spring

00:33:40 – 💖 Nurturing Self-Love – Belief despite criticism

00:47:51 – 🔥 Through the Fire – Emerging victorious against all odds

00:48:23 – 🏔 Business is the Hardest Race – Endurance through challenges

00:49:43 – 🤍 Becoming Who I Needed – Building a legacy for others

00:50:17 – 🪦 Burial at the Gates – A message for women to never be crushed

👉 Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexIkonnPodcast👉 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexikonn/Brought to you by: https://link.intelligentchange.com/tools68894b

What happens when two people build an entire life together—businesses, a family, a global following—and still choose to separate?

In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Mimi and I sit down for the first time since our conscious uncoupling to talk about the truth behind our separation after 16 years together. From meeting as young dreamers in Toronto, to building a multi-million dollar business, becoming parents, and navigating the unraveling of a romantic relationship—we share it all.

This is not a story of failure. It’s a story of love evolving, of choosing honesty over comfort, and of honoring growth over illusion.

If you’ve ever questioned the meaning of love, struggled with letting go, or wondered how to stay connected even when the form of the relationship changes—this conversation is for you.

🔸 Why we separated

🔸 The impact of parenting on our relationship

🔸 How our values shifted over time

🔸 What conscious uncoupling really looks like

🔸 How we continue to love and lead as co-parents and business partners

This is one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had. Thank you for witnessing it.

👉 Subscribe here: @alexikonnpodcast

👉 Follow me on Instagram: @alexikonn

Brought to you by: https://link.intelligentchange.com/to...

Why Comfort Is Killing You | Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan Race In this powerful episode of Intelligent Change, I sit down with Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan Race and Tough Mudder, to uncover what it truly takes to build grit, resilience, and a purpose‑driven life in a world obsessed with comfort.We recorded this right after doing 100 burpees and 100 flights of stairs in Zermatt, Switzerland—and Joe showed up with the same intensity that has inspired millions to do hard things and transform their lives.💥 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:✅ Why modern society (and especially men) are becoming soft—and how to reverse it✅ How subtracting comforts creates deeper happiness and gratitude✅ The power of Fire. Ready. Aim. and why action beats planning every time✅ How Joe raised his kids to be strong, resilient, and grateful✅ The mindset shifts that took him from Wall Street to building a global movement✅ Why you need a date on your calendar that scares you—and how that creates real changeJoe’s philosophy is simple but not easy:👉 If you have everything, you appreciate nothing.👉 If you have nothing, you appreciate everything.Whether you’re a parent, entrepreneur, or someone feeling stuck in comfort, this conversation will push you to embrace discomfort, build your own calluses, and design a life that actually feels alive.🔥 Watch, share, and let me know in the comments: What hard thing will YOU commit to this week?✨ If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes on building a life with purpose, gratitude, and intelligent change.👉 Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexIkonnPodcast👉 Follow Joe De Sena: https://www.instagram.com/realjoedesena/👉 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexikonn/Brought to you by: https://link.intelligentchange.com/tools68894b

What if the only thing holding you back isn’t the world around you… but the stories you’ve been telling yourself?

In this deeply honest and powerful conversation, I sit down with Peter Crone—the globally renowned “Mind Architect”—to explore how we can break free from the unconscious patterns that shape our stress, limit our potential, and quietly sabotage our success.

Peter shares how to:

✅ Let go of the past and stop living in old programming

✅ Dissolve stress by accepting life as it is

✅ Stop performing for love and start living as your true self

✅ Transform limiting beliefs into freedom and clarity

✅ Redefine success beyond fear, hustle, and burnout

“You can’t create a new future while dragging the baggage of your old identity.” – Peter Crone

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or someone who knows they’re capable of more, this episode will challenge the way you think, expand what you believe is possible, and help you step into a life of deeper peace and purpose.

What if everything you’ve been told about success is wrong? That suffering isn’t a requirement—and burnout isn't proof you’re doing it right?

In this deeply raw and powerful conversation, I sit down with David Ghiyam—entrepreneur, spiritual teacher, and co-founder of MaryRuth Organics, the #1 liquid vitamin company in the world—for a soul-stirring exploration of what it really takes to manifest the life you want.

We talk about:

How David went from $700K in debt and sleeping on the floor to building a billion dollar brand

Why guilt, shame, and old belief systems silently block your abundance

How to know when your intuition is speaking (and how to trust it)

The spiritual reason most people fail right before their breakthrough

The one mindset shift that opened the door to a $400M opportunity

And why suffering is not your ticket to success—certainty is.

This episode is a reminder that miracles aren’t random—they’re engineered through energy, intention, and belief. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creator, or someone in search of deeper meaning, this conversation will shift how you see your path—and what’s truly possible.

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Watch it. Share it. Rewatch it. Then go manifest your destiny.