"Create the things you wish existed."

What happens when a little girl obsessed with animals grows up, faces down fear, and builds a vet clinic on a dream? In this episode, Beth Barrett shares her story of grit, independence, and what it really means to live in alignment with your values.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode

In this episode, Michael Dargie talks with veterinarian and entrepreneur Beth Barrett about her decades-long career, her passion for animals, and the power of doing hard things. From her clinic just outside Calgary, Alberta, Beth shares what it took to build her dream practice—complete with an indoor dog arena, a fancy chicken coop, and the best damn surgery suite this side of anywhere.

Beth knew she wanted to be a vet since she was a kid, and she never looked back. But the path wasn't without its setbacks. After a serious horseback riding accident, she had to decide whether to quit or face her fears. She chose to ride again. That decision changed her.

She and Michael talk about everything from the corporatization of veterinary care, to why tired dogs are good dogs, to Stoic philosophy and dried mango. Beth opens up about the joys of riding, training, and how teaching dogs stretches their bodies and their minds. Her message to rebels in waiting: do hard things. That's where the growth is.

Quotable Quotes

"Create the things you wish existed."

"A tired dog is a good dog."

"The growth I've experienced in life has come at those hard spots."

"Doing hard things will make you extraordinary."

"You don't get stronger when things are cushy."

Episode Highlights

Becoming a Vet | From childhood dream to lifelong career.

The Power of Vision | Turning a horse farm into a full-service clinic.

Private vs. Corporate | Why independence matters in vet med.

Doing Hard Things | How fear almost kept her out of the saddle.

Training for Health | Dog yoga, strength, and stretching.

Riding for Joy | The magic of working equitation.

Dog Park & Arena | Why tired dogs are good dogs.

Fill Your Bucket | What Beth does to recharge.

Favourite Place | Cycling and hiking in the Tonto Preserve.

Favourite Season | Autumn, and what it teaches us.

Rebel Advice | Do the hard thing.

Links From Episode

Barrett Veterinary Practice Website (http://barrettvet.ca)

Dr. Beth on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/barrettveterinarypractice/)

Dr. Beth on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/barrettveterinarypractice)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

"Weight loss isn't controversial in science, only on social media."

What happens when a former smoker and self-described non-athlete turns into one of Canada's most refreshing voices in fitness and habit formation? In this episode, I talk with Oonagh Duncan about Gen X women, body neutrality, the power of pleasure, and her dream of fronting an 80s hair band at brunch.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode

In this episode, Michael Dargie talks with Oonagh Duncan—fitness coach, author of Healthy as Fck*, and host of the podcast Goals, Grit and Some Woo Woo Shit. From her home on Salt Spring Island, BC, Oonagh shares how she helps Gen X women build habits that actually stick, even when nothing else has before.

Once a reluctant exerciser who smoked and hid from gym class, Oonagh discovered the power of habits while walking on a salvaged treadmill, watching Jerry Springer. That single act of curiosity led her to build Fit Feels Good, an online community helping women find fitness through pleasure, not punishment.

She and Michael talk about niching down, the evolution of the fitness industry, and how new weight-loss drugs like Ozempic are transforming the conversation around health. Oonagh also opens up about her beginnings as a fat activist, her pivot to inclusive wellness, and why the ectomorph-mesomorph body type theory belongs in the past.

Beyond business, she talks about life on Salt Spring Island, Sunday hikes, fart reels, fake meat, and why living in a small community has taught her to be kinder. They also dive into her creative past as a playwright, the pain of a sophomore flop, and why her next big dream involves spandex, power ballads, and brunch.

Her message to rebels in waiting: don't wait to have everything figured out. Move toward whatever feels warmer, follow the good feelings, and the rest will come.

Quoteable Quotes

"If you hate exercise, you just haven't made it small and pleasurable enough." — Oonagh Duncan

"Don't be a dick." — Michael Dargie

"Weight loss isn't controversial in science, only on social media." — Oonagh Duncan

"You just have to move towards warmer." — Oonagh Duncan

"Living on an island makes me a better person—reluctantly." — Oonagh Duncan

Episode Highlights

Finding Her Niche | Why Oonagh focuses on Gen X women and habits that feel good.

Fitness for Everyone (Almost) | The lessons from bootcamps and niching down.

The Weight Loss Shift | How GLP-1 drugs are reshaping the wellness industry.

Habit Loops | The treadmill, Jerry Springer, and discovering pleasure in movement.

Body Neutrality | From fat activism to inclusive health conversations.

Small and Pleasurable | The secret to habits that stick.

Island Life | How community keeps her accountable and kind.

Fake Meat & Fart Reels | Her unapologetic guilty pleasures.

Sophomore Flop | The tough lesson from her second play, Talk 60 to Me.

Brunch Rock | Her dream of fronting an 80s hair band… before noon.

Rebel Advice | "Move toward the warmer."

Links From Episode

Fit Feels Good (http://www.fitfeelsgood.com/)

Oonagh on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/oonaghduncan)

Oonagh on Facebook (http://facebook.com/fitfeelsgood)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

"It's never going to be as hard as you think it is."

What happens when a theater nerd from Appalachia drops out of college, moves to Hong Kong with $200, and discovers people will actually pay her to write? In this episode, I talk with Rachel Allen about words, travel, and building a business from scratch.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode

In this episode, Michael Dargie talks with Rachel Allen, a writer, fractional CMO, and founder of Bolt from the Blue Copywriting. Rachel's path has been anything but straightforward—from studying theatre, journalism, and Asian studies, to living in Hong Kong, England, Greece, and beyond. Along the way, she discovered that words could pay the bills and eventually built a career helping businesses make words make money .

She shares how her early love of theatre shaped her understanding of story, why dropping out of college and moving across the world was the best decision she ever made, and how a $3.25 writing job turned into a global business. From luxury real estate copy to probiotic rhyming board books for kids, Rachel has written just about everything—and learned to embrace the freedom and fear that come with running her own company .

The conversation digs into big questions: why travel makes us better humans, how language literally shapes the way we see the world, and why pseudo-historical utopias are both fascinating and dangerous. Rachel also shares the story behind her upcoming memoir Bat Shit, her next book Feral Wife, and her self-assigned PhD project exploring the cultural roots of the American South .

Beyond business, she talks about her love of bourbon, her habit of walking in cemeteries for peace and quiet, and her introverted approach to networking. Her advice to rebels in waiting: decisive action unlocks doors you didn't know existed—and you are far more capable than you think.

Quoteable Quotes

"I make words make money." — Rachel Allen

"Whatever it is, it's not welded into the rebar of the universe. We made it. We can change it." — Rachel Allen

"It's never going to be as hard as you think it is." — Rachel Allen

"I am not a 100% all-the-time likable human." — Rachel Allen

"Experiences are the most important part of this whole thing." — Michael Dargie

Episode Highlights

From Appalachia to Asia | How Rachel went from Tennessee to Hong Kong with $200.

The $3.25 Job | The moment she realized words could make money.

Luxury Real Estate & Dog Costumes | Early days of writing anything and everything.

Theatre Roots | Why acting and writing are two sides of storytelling.

Travel as Teacher | Why everyone should see the world if they can.

Pseudo-Historical Utopias | The danger of longing for a past that never existed.

Memoir: Bat Shit | Growing up in Christian nationalism and breaking free.

Next Book: Feral Wife | Learning what it means to be loved.

Self-PhD | Exploring the cultural roots of Southern identity.

Cemetery Walks | Why quiet, unusual spaces fuel creativity.

Advice to Rebels | Take decisive action—you're more capable than you know.

Links From Episode

Website (https://www.boltfromthebluecopywriting.com/)

Rachel's Website (https://www.rachelcatherineallen.com/)

Rachel on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelallenwrites/)

Rachel on Facebook (https://boltfromthebluecopywriting.substack.com/)

Rachel on Instagram (http://instagram.com/boltfromthebluecopywriting)

Rachel on Threads (https://rachelcatherineallen.substack.com/)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

"You have a finite number of heartbeats. There are infinite possibilities."

What happens when a seven-time founder who once built a company around landing on the moon steps into the arena as herself? In this episode, I talk with Mary McCorvey about moonshots, stand-up comedy, and living life on your own terms.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

In This Episode

In this episode, Michael Dargie speaks with Mary McCorvey, a seven-time founder, Army veteran, broadcaster, author, and stand-up comic based in Philadelphia. Mary has built companies around products, services, and even competitions to land on the moon. Now she's turning the spotlight on herself with her book Experience Over Expectation: Let Go of the Plan and Live on Your Terms .

Mary shares the story of Moonmark, her most ambitious project yet: a global competition where high school students designed lunar landers, with two teams producing designs that NASA engineers agreed could actually work on the moon. Although the pandemic halted the mission, the experience changed lives, and the Lander Company eventually did reach the moon in 2024 .

Her journey into entrepreneurship began after serving in the Army, where she went from digging trenches for cable to becoming a broadcaster thanks to a leader who recognized her potential. That chance moment shaped her lifelong commitment to leadership, integrity, and creating opportunities for others .

Mary also talks about embracing AI in her writing process, blending platforms like GPT, Perplexity, and Grok to analyze her memoir and craft her latest book. She opens up about her love of stand-up comedy, her unexpected passion for high-performance driving at tracks like Watkins Glen, and her belief that peace is possible if we're willing to choose it .

From growing up in Sarasota with limited opportunities, to enlisting in the Army at 18, to building seven companies and reinventing herself again and again, Mary embodies what it means to live without default. Her advice to rebels in waiting is unforgettable: "You have a finite number of heartbeats. There are infinite possibilities.

Quoteable Quotes

"You have a finite number of heartbeats. There are infinite possibilities." — Mary McCorvey

"Every time I've built a company, it's been about how to positively impact others." — Mary McCorvey

"I was digging trenches, holding a shovel, when I said, 'I'd like to be a broadcaster.' And someone gave me that chance." — Mary McCorvey

"Peace is possible. It's complex, but possible." — Mary McCorvey

"Experiences are the most important part of this whole thing." — Michael Dargie

Episode Highlights

Seven-Time Founder | Building companies again and again with purpose.

Moonmark | A global competition to design landers for the moon.

Army to Broadcasting | How a shovel and a sergeant changed her life.

AI in Writing | Using multiple platforms to analyze her memoir.

Experience Over Expectation | Her new book about living on your terms.

Stand-Up Comedy | Why the stage is her favourite place in Philly.

High-Performance Driving | Racing at Watkins Glen and loving every second.

Peace is Possible | Lessons from time spent in war zones.

Dinner Guests | Why she'd choose comedian Leanne Morgan and Barack Obama.

Advice to Rebels | Finite heartbeats, infinite possibilities.

Links From Episode

Mary McCorvey Website (http://marymccorvey.com/)

Mary on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marylmccorvey/)

Mary on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/McCorveyMary/)

Mary on Instagram (https://www.facebook.com/McCorveyMary/)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

"Kindness is never wasted—it expands into greatness."

What happens when a broadcaster-turned-salesman discovers that giving is the fastest path to success? In this episode, I talk with Bob Burg, co-author of The Go-Giver, about kindness, influence, and building a life around service.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode

In this episode, Michael Dargie speaks with Bob Burg, speaker, author, and co-creator of the international bestseller The Go-Giver. Known for its simple but powerful message—that shifting focus from getting to giving leads to success—The Go-Giver has sold over a million copies worldwide and become a staple in leadership, business, and personal development .

Bob shares how he stumbled into sales after early stints in radio and television. With no formal training, he failed fast—until a desperate trip to a bookstore introduced him to the work of Tom Hopkins and Zig Ziglar. Devouring their books, he quickly learned that sales wasn't about talking people into something, but about providing real value. That discovery launched a lifelong pursuit of learning, leading him into the world of personal development classics like How to Win Friends and Influence People and Think and Grow Rich .

The conversation spans from his childhood dream of playing third base for the Boston Red Sox to his career as a sought-after speaker, traveling the world to talk about influence, persuasion, and service. Bob explains why nobody buys because of your quota or goals—they buy because they believe they'll be better off. He also shares stories about life in Jupiter, Florida, with his rescue cat Buddy, his admiration for hockey legend Bobby Orr, and his simple joys like reading over coffee and bagels .

Looking ahead, Bob is reworking his book Adversaries into Allies into a new edition called Genuine Influence: How to Master the Art of Persuasion, slated for release in 2026. His advice to "rebels in waiting" is grounded and practical: know your cause, find systems and mentors, take action, persist through the no's, and never mistake failure for finality .

At its heart, this episode is about shifting perspective—success isn't about self-focus, it's about making every person and moment better off for having crossed your path.

Quoteable Quotes

"Nobody's going to buy from you because you have a quota. They buy because they believe they'll be better off." — Bob Burg

"Success is really an inside job. It starts with what you put in your head and heart." — Bob Burg

"The highest purpose of life is to make each moment better off because it passed by you." — Bob Burg

"Kindness is never wasted—it expands into greatness." — Bob Burg

"Our job in business is to be the Yoda. The customer is the Luke." — Michael Dargie

Episode Highlights

The Go-Giver | Why giving first creates success.

From Radio to Sales | How failure led Bob to personal growth.

Discovering Systems | Learning from Zig Ziglar and Tom Hopkins.

Inside Job | Success begins with mindset and personal development.

Jupiter Life | Bagels, coffee, and reading with his rescue cat, Buddy.

Sports Memories | From dreaming of the Red Sox to admiring Bobby Orr.

Travel & Speaking | 35 years of conferences and lessons from the stage.

Genuine Influence | His next book on persuasion and people skills.

Advice to Rebels | Know your cause, persist, and learn from failure.

Links From Episode

Bob Burg Official Website (https://burg.com)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

""You shouldn't use words to burn. They should be for light and for warmth."

Richard has spent the last 19 years running a near-shore bilingual contact center that thrives on empathy, communication, and human connection in an era dominated by automation.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center. Richard has spent the last 19 years running a near-shore bilingual contact center that thrives on empathy, communication, and human connection in an era dominated by automation .

Richard's story begins in Philadelphia, where childhood trips to Mexico sparked his love of Spanish and culture. After studying Spanish in college, he took what was supposed to be a short trip to Costa Rica to teach English at a friend's center. Instead, he fell in love—with the country, with the culture, and with the woman who would become his wife. That leap of faith became a lifelong adventure, culminating in the creation of Costa Rica's Call Center .

He explains why call centers aren't just about dialing lists—they're about rhetoric, persuasion, and the art of speech. For Richard, the real skill lies in listening, building rapport, and finding those rare "positive escalations" where a customer compliments an agent to their supervisor. He compares communication to fire: it can burn, but it can also light and warm, and the best agents know how to use it for encouragement and clarity .

The conversation ranges widely, from his love of 1970s electromechanical pinball machines and jukebox rescues in the Costa Rican mountains, to his passion for movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and The Maltese Falcon. Richard also shares the daily joys of Costa Rican life—warm rain in a convertible, fresh seafood at the market, and the surreal beauty of the rainforest .

At the heart of it all is his philosophy: rebels in waiting should remove unnecessary weight, play the long game, and find balance. Business doesn't require shortcuts or being number one—it requires integrity, patience, and compassion. His advice is simple: plan ahead, stay curious, and make space for yourself so your best ideas can surface.

Quoteable Quotes

"It's a luxury trade—where else can you speak to hundreds of people a day?" — Richard Blank

"You shouldn't use words to burn. They should be for light and for warmth." — Richard Blank

"If you can't find ways to decompress, you'll never last as an entrepreneur." — Richard Blank

"They need more compassion—it starts with simply acknowledging existence." — Richard Blank

"You're Canadian, that's fun." — Richard Blank

Episode Highlights

Costa Rica's Call Center | Building a near-shore bilingual hub of empathy and communication.

Spanish Major to CEO | How a short trip turned into a lifelong adventure.

Pura Vida Life | Why Costa Rica feels like paradise.

The Art of Speech | Listening, persuasion, and positive escalations.

Pinball Collection | Rescuing 1970s electromechanical treasures from the mountains.

Jukeboxes Too | Preserving vintage machines as cultural artifacts.

Movie Buff | From The Maltese Falcon to Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Rain in a Convertible | Everyday magic in Costa Rica.

Compassion First | Why acknowledging existence is the start of connection.

Advice to Rebels | Remove weight, play the long game, and find balance.

Links From Episode

Website (http://www.costaricascallcenter.com/) Richard on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/costaricascallcenter/)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

"Entrepreneurship is the craziest, scariest roller coaster ever."

What happens when selling RVs leads to buying dental scrap, melting it down for precious metals, and then launching a startup with a mission to bless lives? In this episode, I talk with Brandon Sherwood about entrepreneurship, family, and why it's just not that serious.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode

In this episode, Michael Dargie chats with Brandon Sherwood, an entrepreneur from Heber City, Utah, whose path has been anything but ordinary. Brandon runs a business that buys dental scrap—old crowns and bridges—and refines them into precious metals like gold and palladium. It's a niche market with a 10-to-15 year runway, but for Brandon, the real story is how it led him to launch Gladly Network, a startup built on a mission statement as simple as it is powerful: bless lives .

Gladly is designed to connect small, impact-driven businesses with people in meaningful ways, starting with dental offices as a kind of employee perk system. For Brandon, it's about more than business—it's about making sure his company continues to add value long after the dental scrap dries up. He explains the challenges and joys of building something new, calling entrepreneurship "the craziest, scariest roller coaster ever" .

The conversation stretches back to Brandon's roots: growing up in Arkansas, working in his dad's RV dealership, and discovering that while cubicle life wasn't for him, sales and relationships were. He tells the story of how a cousin pulled him into the strange world of dental scrap on his day off from selling RVs—and how eight months later, he made the leap into a whole new career .

Beyond work, Brandon opens up about raising four teenage boys, how experiences like concerts, sports, and camping trips matter more than things, and why his favourite recharge involves disappearing into the Utah mountains to sit under an aspen tree and remember that life's problems aren't that serious .

From street tacos in Cozumel to family Halloween costumes, Brandon's story is one of humour, humility, and hope. His advice to rebels in waiting: you've got to love it, believe in it, and remember that failure is just part of the process—so keep throwing the ball in the right direction.

Quoteable Quotes

"It's just not that serious. Take a breath. Everything's going to be okay." — Brandon Sherwood

"Entrepreneurship is the craziest, scariest roller coaster ever." — Brandon Sherwood

"You've got to love it and believe in it—otherwise it's not worth doing." — Brandon Sherwood

"Mistakes are only mistakes if you don't learn from them." — Brandon Sherwood

"Experiences are the most important part of this whole thing." — Michael Dargie

Episode Highlights

The Dental Scrap Business | Turning crowns and bridges into precious metals.

The Gladly Mission | Building a company around blessing lives.

The Startup Roller Coaster | Why entrepreneurship is equal parts scary and exciting.

From RVs to Teeth | How a day off changed his career.

Family First | Raising four teenage boys and finding joy in their passions.

Sports & Memories | Why experiences last longer than presents.

Nature Therapy | Grounding himself under an aspen tree in Utah.

Street Tacos | Why he'll walk miles for the perfect taco.

Fluent in Spanish | How it came in handy during a car sale.

Bucket List Dreams | Attending major sporting events and seeing Tom Waits live.

Advice to Rebels | Love it, believe in it, and don't take life too seriously.

Links From Episode

Gladly Network (http://www.gladlynetwork.com/)

Brandon on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/gladly.good/)

Brandon on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/gladly-network)

Brandon on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565968919272)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with Jodi Krangle, a professional voice actor, singer, and host of the Audio Branding podcast. Based just north of Toronto, Jodi has been a full-time voice actor for nearly two decades, lending her voice to clients around the world while exploring the psychology and power of sound .

Jodi shares how her journey started in the mid-90s when she volunteered at CNIB, recording articles to reel-to-reel tape for the visually impaired. Years later, after burning out in SEO and internet marketing, she returned to the idea of voice acting and built a thriving career from scratch .

She talks about running The Muse's Muse, one of the earliest songwriting websites that grew into an online community of thousands, and how those lessons in marketing and community-building set her up for success in voiceover work. She also explains what it's like to balance union and non-union work, how AI voice technology is changing the industry, and why genuine acting and emotional authenticity will always set human performers apart .

The conversation also explores her passions outside of the booth—role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, a massive dice collection, and anime storytelling that blends lighthearted fantasy with deeper themes of love, loss, and memory. Jodi reflects on pivotal moments, like overcoming stage fright as a teenager, and shares her philosophy that "comparison is the thief of joy." Her advice for rebels in waiting is clear: run your own race, build relationships with clients who value you, and never assume you need to follow someone else's path .

Quoteable Quotes

"Some of the things we think are going to be so super important, just aren't really that important." — Jodi Krangle

"Run your own race." — Jodi Krangle

"The number one thing you're paying a voice actor for is to not waste your time." — Jodi Krangle

"Good audio makes everything look better." — Michael Dargie

Episode Highlights

Finding Voiceover | From CNIB volunteer work to professional voice actor.

Leaving SEO Behind | Why she pivoted from internet marketing to audio.

The Muse's Muse | Running a thriving online songwriting community in the 90s.

Stage Fright Lessons | Learning resilience from performing in high school.

Life in the Booth | Home studio vs downtown Toronto sessions.

Union vs Non-Union | Balancing Canada and U.S. work in a changing industry.

Clients That Matter | Building long-term relationships with people who value you.

Dungeons & Dragons | Dice collections, role-playing, and storytelling as improv.

Anime & Webcomics | Finding new perspectives through storytelling media.

The AI Question | Why authentic acting still beats a cloned voice.

Sound Matters | How audio branding influences trust and perception.

Advice to Rebels | Run your own race and stop comparing yourself.

Links From Episode

Website (https://voiceoversandvocals.com/)

Jodi on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodikrangle/)

Jodi on Facebook (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodikrangle/)

Jodi on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jodikrangle/)

"Speed reading doesn't work. Speed learning works."

What happens when a kid from Brooklyn grows up to become the world's fastest reader and teaches others to learn 100% faster in just four hours? In this episode, I talk with Howard Berg about speed learning, knowledge, and why smarter decisions could change the world.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with Howard Berg, officially recognized as the world's fastest reader by the Guinness Book of Records. Howard reads at a staggering 80 pages per minute, but more importantly, he has spent decades teaching others how to learn faster, retain more, and apply knowledge in ways that transform lives .

Howard grew up in the Brooklyn projects, where the library became his safe haven from gangs. By eleven, he was already reading at a college level. Later, while double-majoring in biology and psychology, he discovered that no one ever teaches students how to learn—only what to learn. Determined to change that, he developed methods that helped him finish a four-year psychology program in just one year, all while working multiple jobs. He proved his system worked by acing the GRE after reading 48 textbooks in three nights .

Since then, Howard has taught speed learning techniques to the U.S. Special Forces, the Royal Thai Army, corporate teams, and students around the world. He explains why speed reading alone isn't enough—it's about combining reading with comprehension, retention, and emotional intelligence to ensure knowledge sticks when it matters most. From teaching 11-year-olds to write graduate-level papers, to helping entrepreneurs read a business book a day, his system opens new doors for anyone willing to learn .

The conversation also touches on Howard's personal journey—his years as a Red Cross swimming instructor, his eclectic reading habits, his love of travel and music, and the joy he finds in helping others succeed. He shares stories of students who went from struggling to excelling—like a C student who became a professor at 22, and another who finished a college degree in just six months before selling his company for $38 million .

Howard's message is simple but powerful: the world's problems won't be solved by more people making bad decisions. If we can learn faster, understand more, and apply knowledge wisely, we stand a better chance of building a smarter, better future.

Quoteable Quotes

"The library was the safest place in Brooklyn—gang kids would rather be dead than caught there." — Howard Berg

"Speed reading doesn't work. Speed learning works." — Howard Berg

"Truth is, you don't need the stories—you need the ideas." — Howard Berg

"The number one asset every entrepreneur has is their ability to make choices and decisions." — Howard Berg

"This is already a learning process for me." — Michael Dargie

Episode Highlights

World's Fastest Reader | How Howard Berg earned his Guinness record.

Brooklyn Beginnings | Finding safety and purpose in the library.

Learning to Learn | Why schools never teach how to learn.

The Psychology Degree | Finishing a four-year program in one year.

Speed vs Learning | Why comprehension and EQ matter as much as speed.

Teaching the World | From 11-year-olds to the U.S. Special Forces.

One Book a Day | How entrepreneurs can transform by reading daily.

Stories of Students | From struggling kids to millionaire founders.

Life Outside Reading | Swimming, travel, music, and family.

Advice to Rebels | Learn from those who've already done it—and do it faster.

Links From Episode

Howard Berg's Website (http://www.berglearning.com/)

Howard on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardstephenberg/)

Howard on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/howard.berg.988711)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

"Your value proposition is the reason people choose you."

What happens when Michael Dargie hands over the mic to branding legend JP Lacroix? In this takeover episode, they unpack the lessons behind BrandJitsu and why truth and clarity are the foundation of every brand story.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

In this special takeover episode, Michael Dargie flips the script and lets branding veteran Jean Pierre Lacroix take the host's chair. The focus is Michael's book BrandJitsu, which JP describes as one of the most insightful books on positioning he's read in his 40+ years of brand transformation work .

JP probes the origins of the book—how it accidentally shifted from a West Coast adventure narrative into a hands-on branding guide—and why Michael felt compelled to put decades of client work into a framework anyone could use. At the heart of the conversation is the metaphor of jiu jitsu: fast, effective techniques to defend against brand confusion, grounded in truth and clarity .

The two explore the fundamentals of the BrandJitsu model: defining purpose and values, clarifying value propositions, and using archetypes to shape brand personality. Michael explains why brands need to know who they are, what they do, who they serve, and why anyone should care. They discuss the importance of storytelling—how even one short line, like Nike's "There is no finish line," can hold more power than a thousand ad campaigns .

Along the way, Michael shares stories from client work, including how a funeral home found its voice in a campaign called Life by Mary, shifting focus from grief to celebration. He also explains the "brand playbook" process he uses with companies: two intensive weeks of truth-finding, alignment, and clarity that result in a living guide to identity and positioning .

The episode underscores why branding isn't about logos or taglines, but about aligning internal purpose with external storytelling. For entrepreneurs, executives, and creative rebels alike, BrandJitsu offers a way to cut through the noise and build something meaningful.

Quoteable Quotes

"Truth and clarity—that's all the bottom stuff is." — Michael Dargie

"Your brand is the Yoda, not the Luke Skywalker." — Michael Dargie

"It's not as complicated as you think. Branding is simple—it's just a bunch of little pieces." — Michael Dargie

"Your value proposition is the reason people choose you." — Michael Dargie

Episode Highlights

RebelRebel Takeover | JP Lacroix interviews Michael about BrandJitsu.

Accidental Author | How a planned adventure book became a branding manual.

The BrandJitsu Metaphor | Fast, effective, story-driven branding.

Purpose and Values | Guardrails for how a company shows up.

Value Proposition vs Values | Why most businesses confuse them.

Brand Archetypes | Creator, Explorer, and finding your tribe.

The Iceberg | Story lives below the surface.

The Brand Playbook | A two-week process for truth and clarity.

Life by Mary | Reframing funerals as celebrations of life.

Storytelling Matters | Why one line can define a brand.

Advice to Rebels | Branding isn't a logo—it's your story, told with clarity.

Links From Episode

Michael Dargie on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldargie/) Michael Dargie on Instagram (https://instagram.com/michaeldargie) BrandJitsu Book Website (https://brandjitsu.com) Make More Creative Website (https://makemorecreative.com) Michael Dargie Website (https://michaeldargie.com)

Jean-Pierre on LinkedIn (http://linkedin.com/in/jeanpierrelacroix)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com