The Pursuit of Love - By Steve Claydon and Darcy J Smyth (Directors at Why Bravo)

In this episode, Barnaby Howarth shares an extraordinary story of adversity, faith, resilience, and love. From chasing an AFL dream and surviving a life-altering stroke, to walking alongside his late wife through stage four cancer, Barnaby reflects on what it means to keep showing up when life turns upside down. This is a powerful conversation about grit, grief, purpose, and the quiet strength found in simply rolling up your sleeves and giving life your best crack.

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🔗 Darcy J Smyth on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/darcyjsmyth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔗 Steve Claydon on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/thesteveclaydon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌐 Outbound Game: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠outbound.game⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌐 Why Bravo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠whybravo.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Pursuit of Love Podcast, Darcy and Steve explore the rapid rise of AI and what it means for the future of humanity, questioning whether technology enhances or erodes our most primal, human qualities. They discuss the growing shift between physical reality and digital worlds, the idea of “plugged vs unplugged” humans, and whether live sport, real connection and embodied experience will still matter. The conversation also touches on consciousness, afterlife, purpose, and how our beliefs about meaning shape the way we live now.

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🔗 Darcy J Smyth on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/darcyjsmyth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔗 Steve Claydon on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/thesteveclaydon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌐 Outbound Game: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠outbound.game⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌐 Why Bravo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠whybravo.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Former AFL player Ryan Clarke joins The Pursuit of Love podcast to unpack his shift from professional football to tech entrepreneur. After 97 games with North Melbourne and the Sydney Swans, Clarke took a year off to travel—only to discover how difficult it was to access a gym without locking into a membership. That frustration sparked the idea for Gymgoer, a fitness app designed to give travellers simple, contract-free access to gyms through day, week, or monthly passes.

In this episode, Ryan talks about raising $400,000 in funding, launching Gymgoer in October 2024, and rolling it out across Melbourne and key holiday destinations. He opens up about the steep learning curve of building an app with no technical background, the mindset shift from athlete to founder, and why solving your own problems often leads to the best business ideas. His message to young creators and entrepreneurs? Back

yourself and have a crack while you can.

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🔗 Darcy J Smyth on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/darcyjsmyth⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔗 Steve Claydon on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/thesteveclaydon⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌐 Outbound Game: ⁠⁠⁠⁠outbound.game⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌐 Why Bravo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠whybravo.com⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the Pursuit of Love podcast, Darcy and Steve dive into the rising influence of AI and why so much of it still feels soulless compared to real human connection. They explore meditation, witness consciousness, and prayer as ways to stay grounded in a noisy world—sharing personal stories of unexpected answers and quiet moments of clarity.

The conversation shifts into the emotional impact of the assassination of Charlie Kirk as discussed within the episode, reflecting on the cultural shock, the danger of celebrating violence, and the urgent need for civil, human-to-human dialogue. At its core, this episode reminds listeners to stay discerning, stay connected, and stay human.  

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🔗 Darcy J Smyth on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/darcyjsmyth⁠⁠⁠

🔗 Steve Claydon on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/thesteveclaydon⁠⁠⁠

🌐 Outbound Game: ⁠⁠⁠outbound.game⁠⁠⁠

🌐 Why Bravo: ⁠⁠⁠whybravo.com⁠⁠

This episode of The Pursuit of Love dives deep into the true meaning of strategy with business strategist Alex M H Smith. Together we explore why strategy isn’t about beating competitors at their own game, but about creating new value that only your business can bring to the world. Alex breaks down how zooming out, spotting patterns, and understanding broader industry dynamics can unlock opportunities most people never see.

We discuss everything from the risks of technology being forced onto society without genuine demand, to the challenge of building a business with predictable revenue floors. Alex also reflects on his natural strengths in context-switching and pattern recognition, and shares why he wrote No Bullshit Strategy as a guide for anyone serious about building a meaningful, value-driven business.

If you’re looking for a fresh, no-nonsense perspective on strategy, and how to think bigger in your own work, this conversation is for you.

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If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe and join the community:

🔗 Darcy J Smyth on LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/darcyjsmyth⁠

🔗 Steve Claydon on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thesteveclaydon⁠

🌐 Outbound Game: ⁠outbound.game⁠

🌐 Why Bravo: ⁠whybravo.com⁠

In this episode of The Pursuit of Love, artist Matt McMillan opens up about his creative journey, from childhood sketches and a shared friendship with the host, to the early spark that came from drawing his first Batman piece. Matt reflects on how his love of sport and movement influences his portraits, the importance of trusting the creative process (even through doubt), and the meditative flow that comes from focusing on fine detail.

Balancing life as an artist and a father, he shares what passion truly means in art, how time invested transforms perspective, and why creating your own luck starts with showing up for what you love.

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If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe and join the community:

🔗 Darcy J Smyth on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/darcyjsmyth⁠⁠

🔗 Steve Claydon on LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/thesteveclaydon⁠⁠

🌐 Outbound Game: ⁠⁠outbound.game⁠⁠

🌐 Why Bravo: ⁠⁠whybravo.com⁠

In this episode of the Pursuit of Love, Steve and Darc are joined by James Allen, a futurist and strategist. Throughout the Ep the lads dive deep into the profound implications of AI on society and the workforce.

James raises concerns about generative AI's potential to automate tasks that may not add value, leading to increased job competition and a shift towards vocational careers among younger generations.

James emphasises the existential risks of AI, including the potential for mass unemployment and the erosion of meaningful work. He advocates for community engagement and local actions as a means to foster connections and combat the isolation exacerbated by technology.

The conversation highlights the need for a long-term perspective in addressing the societal changes brought about by AI.

Podcast brought to you by Why Bravo

Hosts: Steve Claydon and Darcy J Smyth.

This week on the Pursuit of Love podcast, it’s just the boys, chatting past guests, the introduction of the 2-1 Rule and why 'simple' isn't 'dumb'.

From Steve Jobs’ genius for focus to the cautionary tale of Blackberry, we unpack why simplicity wins every time.

There’s even a detour into collectibles, scarcity, and why some things become priceless, all tying back to the same truth: keep it simple and it spreads.

Enjoy this weeks podcast brought to you by Why Bravo
Hosts: Steve Claydon and Darcy J Smyth.

This week on the Pursuit of Love podcast, we’re joined by Ari Mansfield - Head of Consumer Sales at the GWS Giants.

Ari’s journey has taken him from Red Bull to trampoline parks to Cricket Australia and now to one of the AFL’s boldest projects: helping build the GWS Giants from the ground up.

We dive into what it takes to shape culture in an expansion club, why the Giants want to become Australia’s biggest local footy club, and how sales plays a role in making it all stick.

If you’re into sport, leadership, or building something from scratch, this one’s for you.

Podcast brought to you by Why Bravo
Hosts: Steve Claydon and Darcy J Smyth.

This week on the Pursuit of Love podcast, Steve and Darc are joined by Jim Penman - founder of Jim’s Group and the man who turned twenty-four bucks into Australia’s biggest franchise network.

Jim shares the highs, the doubts, and the deep purpose that’s fueled his journey and why success, for him, isn’t about money but about family, faith, and service.

We talk tithing, meaning at work, and the bigger challenges facing society right now, from addiction to disconnection and why generosity might be the antidote.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to build big without losing your soul, this one’s worth the time.

Podcast brought to you by Why Bravo
Hosts: Steve Claydon and Darcy J Smyth.