What if the very definition of success you’ve been chasing isn’t really yours?

In this raw, powerful episode, Sam sits down with Kevan Smith — storyteller, creative strategist, and co-founder of Brighton United — to explore how grit, resilience, and community can transform how we live, work, and lead.

From growing up on a self-sufficient farm in rural Arkansas to building an award-winning creative business in the UK, Kevan’s story is one of deep reflection, unfiltered truth, and radical self-discovery. But it’s also a story about race, isolation, and what it truly means to belong.

💬 Kevan opens up about:

• The 3 stages of success and why most people get stuck at stage one
• His experiences with racism and exclusion in the UK business world
• Why storytelling is a revolutionary act — and how it helped him find his voice
• The birth of Brighton United and the call to create inclusive, diverse spaces where everyone belongs
• His TEDx journey and mission to help people build connection through shared values

Whether you’re a founder, a leader, a parent, or simply someone trying to find your way in a noisy world — this conversation will stay with you.

👉 Don’t just listen. Feel it. Share it. Let it challenge your perspective.

📍 Timestamps & Chapters available in the description

📲 Follow, like & subscribe for more stories that redefine success.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple & all major platforms.

https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast

#DifferentHatsPodcast #RedefiningSuccess #BrightonUnited #StorytellingForChange #YouAlrightMate #MentalHealthAwareness #DiversityAndInclusion #Entrepreneurship #TEDx #Belonging #BlackVoices #Grit #Purpose #Storytelling

KEY CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro

05:34 - Community, Belonging & Brighton

05:47 - Kevan’s Three Stages of Success

09:05 - Values, Fulfilment & Regret

11:17 - Rediscovering Grit & Embracing Struggle

16:03 - Self-Discovery vs. Societal Expectations

20:34 - Childhood on the Farm in Arkansas

25:18 - The Power of Reframing Work

28:54 - From Science to Storytelling

33:55 - Saying Yes to Opportunity: The NSYNC Story

38:14 - Film, Creativity & Finding Purpose

43:52 - The Power of Story to Connect

49:34 - Brighton United: Where It All Began

52:09 - Challenging the Status Quo

01:03:30 - Experiences of Racism & Belonging

01:17:12 - Building a More Inclusive Future

01:24:21 - A Blueprint for Change

01:34:00 - Relationships Over Ego

01:39:46 - Final Thoughts, Gratitude & Growth

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

• Search Seven: https://www.searchseven.co.uk
• Plus X: https://www.plusxinnovation.com
• Nostos Hove: https://www.nostos-hove.co.uk
• Rivervale: https://www.rivervale.co.uk

Produced By:

H2 Productions Ltd – https://h2productions.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if redefining success starts with showing up for yourself first?

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I sit down with the incredible Sophie Bryan – workplace culture specialist, TEDx speaker, burlesque performer, sex conversationalist, and unfiltered truth-teller – to unpack a life shaped by trauma, resilience, and radical self-discovery.

From surviving childhood illness and navigating a complex family dynamic to breaking cycles of poverty, Sophie shares how her drive for financial independence led her to question not just what success looks like, but how it feels. We explore why Montessori education shaped her approach to parenting and leadership, and how freedom, curiosity and play have become her personal pillars for living and working.

Sophie opens up about her journey with body dysmorphia, how she transformed shame into self-expression through burlesque, and how her work in sex and soul coaching is helping individuals and couples reconnect with intimacy, desire, and communication.

We also dive into:

• Why workplace culture must change before the education system can
• The crucial link between sexuality, leadership and creative flow
• How to challenge taboos and empower our kids (and ourselves) to talk about sex differently
• The power of forgiveness, legacy, and owning your story

Sophie wears a lot of hats (possibly more than me) – but every one is rooted in authenticity, truth, and a mission to create a world where people feel safe to live in alignment with who they really are.

This episode is honest, inspiring, and full of brave conversations we all need to be having.

00:00 - Introduction

05:20 - A Childhood Shaped by Trauma

11:00 - Rewriting the Script: From Survivor to Achiever

14:30 - PTSD, Alcoholism & Compassion for Her Father

19:30 - Healing Through Storytelling and Eulogy

24:00 - Values That Guide Sophie's Life

29:30 - Discovering Montessori & Parenting Differently

35:20 - Raising an Independent Daughter

40:30 - Why Workplaces Are Failing Us

46:30 - Creating Freedom in the Workplace

53:00 - Aligning Work Culture with Human Needs

01:01:00 - Exposing Broken Systems & Flipping Leadership

01:10:00 - From Body Dysmorphia to Burlesque

01:24:00 - Sex, Shame & Communication in Relationships

01:48:00 - Final Reflections on Self-Love and Legacy

🎥 WATCH NOW on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cNRMczhuGm8

🎧 LISTEN on Spotify/Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/differenthats

Hit play. This one will stay with you. 🚀

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

• Search Seven: https://www.searchseven.co.uk
• Plus X: https://www.plusxinnovation.com
• Nostos Hove: https://www.nostos-hove.co.uk
• Rivervale: https://www.rivervale.co.uk

Produced By:

H2 Productions Ltd – https://h2productions.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you could live a life with no regrets? What if success wasn’t measured by money, fame, or external validation, but by how present you are in each moment?

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Yaron Engler returns to the Different Hats Podcast for the first time as a two-time guest, and it’s nothing short of transformational.

🔥 We dive deep into:

✅ Defining Success on Your Own Terms – Is it wealth, status, or simply living true to yourself?

✅ Being Fully Present in a Distracted World – The simple yet profound tools to bring yourself back to NOW.

✅ Navigating Life’s Transitions – What do you do when everything is about to change?

✅ Overcoming Fear & Embracing Love – The mindset shift that changes everything.

✅ Masculinity, Purpose & The Power of Honest Conversations – Why men struggle, and how we can redefine strength.

Yaron's raw honesty, wisdom, and energy shine through in every moment. Whether you’re at a crossroads, searching for clarity, or just need an injection of inspiration—this episode WILL hit home.

💡 “Am I guided by fear or am I guided by love?”

This is more than a podcast—it’s a wake-up call.

Key Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

02:25 - Our Mission: Redefining Success

05:07 - Vulnerability Sparks Transformation

05:59 - Defining Success: Living Without Regret

08:18 - The Power of Presence: Body, Breath & Tools

12:21 - Finding Joy in Simple Moments

15:22 - Living Your Truth: Authentic Growth

22:06 - New Beginnings: Following Your Purpose

29:43 - Fear vs. Love: What Truly Drives You?

33:03 - The Financial Pressure vs. Passion Dilemma

40:04 - This Too Shall Pass: Overcoming Struggles

46:47 - Balancing Passion, Career & Family Life

52:28 - Showing Our Kids What’s Possible

58:56 - The Men's Circle: Common Challenges Men Face

1:06:03 - Finding Purpose: A Journey Within

1:14:51 - Have Men Lost Their Role in Society?

1:19:19 - What’s Really Driving You? Ego vs. Truth

1:23:57 - The Ripple Effect of Living Your Truth

1:27:09 - Final Advice: Making Life’s Big Decisions

🎥 WATCH NOW on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cNRMczhuGm8

🎧 LISTEN on Spotify/Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/differenthats

Hit play. This one will stay with you. 🚀

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

• Search Seven: https://www.searchseven.co.uk
• Plus X: https://www.plusxinnovation.com
• Nostos Hove: https://www.nostos-hove.co.uk
• Rivervale: https://www.rivervale.co.uk

Produced By:

H2 Productions Ltd – https://h2productions.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.