Michael Dargie speaks with Terry Tucker, a man who’s lived many lives: Division I basketball player, SWAT hostage negotiator, undercover cop, cancer warrior, author, and motivational speaker. Terry’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and redefining what it means to live with purpose—even when the odds are against you.

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

Diagnosed with terminal cancer over a decade ago, Terry has endured more than 13 years of treatment, the amputation of his leg, and countless physical and emotional battles. But instead of giving up, he chose to get even more intentional. Now, he shares his story on global stages and more than 700 podcasts, offering hard-won wisdom on courage, purpose, and connection.

He breaks down his “Three F’s” (faith, family, friends), his mindset shifts (“do I have to, or do I get to?”), and what it really means to build sustainable excellence. We also learn about his favourite book, his Rocky Road obsession, and how a roomful of nurses made him feel like the most beloved man alive.

This episode is a must for anyone navigating hardship and wondering if they still matter. Spoiler: you do.

Quotable Quotes

“You don’t kill your inner critic. You just tell her to wait her turn.”

“If I can turn a death sentence into a life sentence, so can you.”

“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”

“You get to choose what kind of pain you want in life.”

“Half the nurses want me as their dad. The other half want me as their husband.”

Episode Highlights

Cancer Warrior | Living 13 years with terminal cancer

The Three F’s | Faith, family, and friends as foundation

SWAT Life | Hostage negotiator and 6’8” undercover cop

Basketball & Brotherhood | A family full of giants

Purpose Work | Turning pain into teaching

Sustainable Excellence | Principles to live an uncommon life

Legacy Book | Inspired by conversations with former players

Favourite Book | Legacy by James Kerr (All Blacks rugby team)

Ice Cream Test | Rocky Road forever

Advice to Rebels | Hitch your wagon to people who care

LINKS FROM EPISODE

Terry’s Website (motivationalcheck.com)

Terry on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/terry-tucker-9b5605179)

Terry on Facebook (facebook.com/motivationalcheck)

Terry on Instagram (instagram.com/sustainableexcellenceauthor)

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

Michael Dargie welcomes Kevin Palmieri, co-founder and host of Next Level University and Podcast Growth University, for a raw and inspiring conversation about rebuilding your life with intention.

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

Kevin opens up about walking away from a high-paying job, facing mental health struggles, and using podcasting as a path to purpose. He’s now recorded over 1,900 episodes and coaches more than 50 podcasters monthly—all without using paid ads or sponsorships. He shares what it means to be vulnerable, how storytelling changed his life, and why the only real growth starts from within.

From imposter syndrome and bad interviews to fast food, tattoos, and rap lyrics, Kevin holds nothing back. This is an episode for rebels who know they’re meant for more—and are willing to do the uncomfortable work to get there.

Quotable Quotes

“You don’t need a backup plan for your purpose.”

“Everything starts and ends with self-improvement.”

“I didn’t think I’d be here—but I’m grateful I stuck with it.”

“Fast food, rap, and podcasting—I was born for the mic.”

“The people who support you will be louder than the ones who don’t.”

Episode Highlights

Next Level University | 1,900+ episodes, no guests, all growth

Starting Over | Leaving a six-figure job after suicidal ideation

Coaching Podcasters | From first client to podcast strategist

Low Point | Christmas with no money, car in collections

High Point | $1M listens + $1M earned in one day

Internal Work | Imposter syndrome never really leaves

Tattoos with Meaning | Angel vs. devil, father figures, and barbed wire

Fast Food Fave | Taco Bell wins—bodybuilder or not

Rap & Writing | Kevin’s creative escape

Rebels in Waiting | Your tribe is waiting—you just haven’t met them yet

LINKS FROM EPISODE

Next Level University (nextleveluniverse.com)

Kevin's LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160)

Kevin's Instagram (instagram.com/neverquitkid)

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

Michael Dargie catches up with novelist and writing coach April Dávila for a conversation full of unexpected turns, from evacuating wildfires in L.A. to fondling caramel tubes at Starbucks (it’s a writer thing).

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

April shares how she helps writers navigate the mental blocks that stop them from putting words on the page. Her approach blends mindfulness with craft, helping people move past their inner critic, beat imposter syndrome, and finally get the damn thing written. Her motto: persistence over talent, every day of the week.

She also talks about her upcoming nonfiction book on mindfulness and writing, belly dancing as self-care, and how asking weird questions is part of the job. And yes, her first novel is set on an ostrich farm in the Mojave. Because why not?

This episode is for anyone with a story in them—and a little weird in their heart.

Quotable Quotes

“There are two kinds of writers—those who get published, and those who quit.”

“Persistence over talent. Every day of the week.”

“You don’t kill your inner critic. You just tell her to wait her turn.”

“Once a story gets its hooks in you, you’re kind of screwed.”

“Weird isn’t weird if you own it. It’s your superpower.”

Episode Highlights

Wildfire Evacuation | The things you grab when you have 20 minutes

Writing & Mindfulness | Coaching authors through fear and resistance

The Inner Critic | Why she belongs in the corner, not the driver’s seat

Weird Questions | Life as a curious fiction writer

Books & Backgrounds | Grapes of Wrath to pandemic romance

Belly Dancing | April’s answer to self-care and teenage independence

Walking as Writing | Why movement unlocks creativity

Creative Lives | Novels about ostriches, ultramarathons, and gold miners

COVID Reading | Escaping reality with fantasy and HEA romance

Rebels in Waiting | Own your weird, find your people, write the story

LINKS FROM EPISODE

April's Website (aprildavila.com)

April's LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/aprildavila)

Daily Writing Group (aprildavila.com/write)

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

Michael Dargie reconnects with Ian Harrison—artist, futurist, founder of SneakAR—for a freewheeling conversation about authenticity, immersive fashion, and making impact one step at a time.

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

Ian shares the origin story of SneakAR, a tech-driven footwear brand that combines AR/XR with custom design to deliver truly interactive experiences. Think: 3D visuals, videos, games, and even backstage passes triggered by pointing your phone (or glasses) at a pair of shoes. He breaks down how it works, what it’s for, and why it’s not just about flexing—it’s about connecting.

We also go deep on growing up in 90s Austin, being raised by a healer and an artist, building creative ecosystems, and why what we leave behind is what matters most. From graffiti to futurism, from hip-hop to blockchain, Ian’s path has been anything but ordinary.

This one’s for the rebels building what doesn’t exist yet—and doing it with heart.

Quotable Quotes

“All we have is what we leave behind.”

“If pain is unavoidable, suffer for something that moves you.”

“Your algorithm is your people.”

“Be a rebel. Break shit. Fix it. Try again.”

“Journey telling is the new storytelling.”

Episode Highlights

SneakAR Origins | From concept to immersive footwear tech

Minimum Enjoyable Product | Why joy beats viability

Live Custom Drops | Swag, design, and culture at conferences

AR & XR Integration | What your shoes can actually do

Web3 Vision | Frictionless access, tokenized authenticity

Austin Roots | Skateboarding, hip hop, and South by Southwest

Family Influence | Raised by a social worker and an artist

Comfort Food | No pineapple on pizza, poutine is fine

Basquiat to Stevie | His artist and music influences

Future Dreams | AGI personas, graffiti restaurants, beach life

Advice for Rebels | Explore. Break stuff. Fix it. Be.

LINKS FROM EPISODE

SneakAR (sneakar.io)

Ian's LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ian-harrison-164544b)

Ian on Instagram (as Muenstervision) (instagram.com/muenstervision)

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

Michael Dargie sits down with Jeanne Omlor, an international business strategist who went from broke single mom to building a thriving coaching business helping others succeed—without paid ads.

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

Jeanne shares her rollercoaster life journey through fashion design, acting, Parisian poverty, single motherhood, and eventually entrepreneurship. From selling watermelon slices on the beaches of Greece to landing high-level CEO clients, Jeanne’s story is one of bold reinvention and real grit.

She explains her method for helping coaches and consultants attract high-ticket clients without using paid ads, why congruence matters when investing in yourself, and how fear disguised as “being cautious” is what’s holding people back from their potential.

This episode is a call to all rebels in waiting: you don’t need to be fixed before you begin. As Jeanne says, “You’re worthy and ready now.”

Quotable Quotes

“There’s no fixing. No waiting. You’re worthy and ready right now.”

“Don’t frame fear as something virtuous.”

“Stop doing things that make you sweat and start creating value.”

“Everything I did before—acting, design, starving artist—it all helps me now.”

“Life keeps going. If not now, when?”

Episode Highlights

Life in Paris | From no money to free pasta and movie nights

Starving Artist | Creating without a backup plan

Creative Roots | Acting, design, and classical singing

Business Shift | Coaching high-ticket clients with no paid ads

Fixers Welcome | Her ultra-premium offer for CEOs

Personal Advice | Get help, invest in yourself, stop negotiating with fear

Food & Fun | Wild salmon, Korean dramas, ice cream, and cheese

Wanderlust | Dreams of Japan and cherry blossoms

Advice for Rebels | Stop waiting. Clarity comes from doing.

LINKS FROM EPISODE

Jeanne’s Website (jeanneomlor.com)

Client Reviews (jeanneomlor.com/reviews)

Jeanne on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jeanneomlor)

Jeanne on Facebook (facebook.com/jeanneomlor)

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

Michael Dargie reconnects with creative rebel and longtime friend David Schmeikal for a raw and deeply reflective conversation about creativity, permission, and building a life that feels right—not just looks right.

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

David talks about the many ways we get stuck doing things we don’t love, believing that “someday” we’ll earn the right to do what we really want. But what if that day never comes? From working on a travel-inspired card deck with Must Do Canada to producing personal story films, David is actively challenging old beliefs and making time for projects that align with who he is today—not who he was expected to be.

They dive into themes of personal suffering, creative courage, and how pain is unavoidable—but we get to choose the kind that leads somewhere meaningful. David shares his experience painting murals with his wife, the reflective exercise that shaped their 10-year life plan, and why going deep with strangers can feel easier than opening up to people we know.

This episode is for rebels who feel like they’re living a “should” life—and are ready to start living a want life instead.

Quotable Quotes

“If pain is unavoidable, I’d rather suffer doing something I love.”

“We don’t give ourselves enough runway.”

“We sedate ourselves to the point of oblivion.”

“We are humans being and doing—it’s about intention.”

“Let’s do some work and then let’s dig in and start building.”

Episode Highlights

Card Deck Project | Collaborating with Must Do Canada on an adventure deck

Creative Boundaries | Only saying yes to projects that truly resonate

Early Stories | Living with a belief that his ideas “aren’t worth doing”

The Film That Started It | Creating a personal film about his creative journey

Redefining Pain | Choosing the pain that leads to growth

10-Year Vision | How a vivid life plan reshaped his priorities

Permission to Create | How to start before you feel “qualified”

Painting with His Wife | Joy in collaboration and art for art’s sake

Going Deep | Meaningful convos with strangers vs. small talk

Advice to Creators | Start with what you want, then do the work

LINKS FROM EPISODE

David’s Website (davidschmeikal.com)

David’s LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/davidschmeikal)

David’s Instagram (instagram.com/davidschmeikal)

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 Lori Pieper—meditation teacher, wellness guide, and spiritual rebel—to talk about what happens when you stop living for everyone else and finally take care of yourself.

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

Lori opens up about her “come to Jesus” moment when she realized that entrepreneurship needed to resonate with her soul—not just be a to-do list of tactics. After retiring from her corporate career, Lori embraced her spiritual side, training in Ayurveda, yoga, and Deepak Chopra’s Primordial Sound Meditation. Now, she guides women to shed decades of social conditioning, say no with confidence, and remember who they were before burnout took over.

She shares her early creative quirks (Nancy Drew live-action role play in her backyard), her Gen X rebel streak, and what she’s learned from watching women in her life push too hard for too long. The conversation gets real about habits, grace, and the danger of confusing productivity with worth. Lori’s not afraid to talk about wine, Netflix marathons, and why pineapple does not belong on pizza.

This episode is a reminder that rebellion can be soft, self-loving, and absolutely essential. As Lori says, “Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It’s critical.”

Quotable Quotes

“Taking time for yourself is not selfish. It’s critical.” – Lori Pieper

“You cannot take care of anyone else if you’re not taking care of yourself.” – Lori Pieper

“Our brains are wired to keep us safe—and to tell us we’re doing something stupid.” – Lori Pieper

“Give yourself the grace you’d give a baby learning to walk.” – Lori Pieper

“Let your freak flag fly.” – Michael Dargie

Episode Highlights

From Corporate to Conscious | Lori’s pivot to entrepreneurship and self-care

Primordial Sound Meditation | How Deepak Chopra’s method changed her mornings

Wellness Work | Ayurveda, yoga, and healing from burnout

Rebel Women | Teaching women to say “no” without guilt

Creative Childhood | Nancy Drew mysteries in the backyard

Networking & Growth | Overcoming fear through Success Champion Network

Pizza Preferences | Pineapple is not invited

Bookshelf Staples | Bliss Brain and The Miracle Morning

Wine + Northern Exposure | Guilty pleasures and cozy nights

Advice for Rebels | Take small slices, give yourself grace, and stop trying to eat the whole pie

LINKS FROM EPISODE

Lori’s LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/loripieper)

Lori’s Facebook (facebook.com/lori.pieper.16)

Lori’s Instagram (instagram.com/loripieper23)

Journey to Inner Joy Website (https://www.journeytoinnerjoy.com)

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 connects with Alan Lazaros, co-host of Next Level University, a podcast with over 1,900 episodes dedicated to helping people grow 1% every day. Alan shares his journey from achievement-obsessed engineering grad to purpose-driven coach, sparked by a near-fatal car crash at age 26.

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

That moment forced Alan to face mortality and triggered a radical shift: from external success to internal alignment. He began pursuing self-mastery, and built a career around helping others do the same. Alan talks about what it really means to design a life you don’t need a vacation from, how personal responsibility is the key to freedom, and why most people are playing not to lose instead of playing to win.

He gets candid about childhood trauma, drinking to fit in, and the fear of being different. Today, Alan’s all-in on designing optimal days, running a podcast network, and building a life with intention, discipline, and love—plus two cats, a dog, and a projector-fueled Star Wars movie marathon setup.

This one’s for rebels who feel like they don’t fit in, and know they’re meant for more.

Quotable Quotes

“Personal responsibility is where all good things start.”

“You don’t need a vacation from a life you love.”

“There’s an expiration date on blaming other people for your stuff.”

“At least if I’m going to be disliked now, it’s for being who I really am.”

“Alan 3.6 is way more capable than Alan 1.6.”

Next Level University | 1,900 episodes and counting

The Car Crash | A wake-up call at 26

Self-Mastery | Turning discipline inward

Daily Design | His 3-part day model

Life Alignment | Doing the work every day

Guilty Pleasures | Star Wars, Swedish fish, and surround sound

Rebel Movies | Lion King and Good Will Hunting

Advice to Rebels | Don’t play to not lose

Favorite Place | Home in New England forests

What He Wishes People Knew | You control more than you think

LINKS FROM EPISODE

Next Level University Website (nextleveluniverse.com)

Alan’s LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc)

Alan’s Facebook (facebook.com/alan.lazaros)

Alan’s Instagram (instagram.com/alazaros88)

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