In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Michael Dargie — branding strategist, creative thinker, and author of BrandJitsu — for a sharp, no-fluff conversation on how brands are really built, why most messaging fails, and how hospitality (and beyond) can stop chasing trends and start creating meaning.This episode is a deep dive into brand clarity, creative discipline, and strategic storytelling — with real-world applications for operators, founders, and creatives alike.

🧠 What You’ll Learn

• Michael’s path into branding and the philosophy behind BrandJitsu

• Why most brands confuse noise with impact — and how to cut through

• The difference between branding, marketing, and storytelling (and why it matters)• How creative constraints can actually unlock stronger brand identity

• Live Q&A: applying BrandJitsu thinking to hospitality, personal brands, and businesses

⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)

• 00:02:30 – Michael’s background and the origin of BrandJitsu

• 00:14:00 – Why most brands fail: clarity vs chaos

• 00:28:00 – Creative discipline, constraints, and brand consistency

• 00:42:30 – Live Q&A: applying branding frameworks to real businesses

• 00:57:00+ – What strong brands get right — and where most go wrong

🎯 Who It’s For

Hospitality operators, founders, creatives, marketers, and leaders who want to build brands with intention, stop chasing applause, and create identities that actually resonate — internally and externally.

✅ If You Loved This Episode

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• Share this episode with your team, creative partners, or anyone responsible for “the brand.”