From high school teacher to actor, musician, and risk-taking coach, Adam LaSalle shares how courage, belief, and creativity can change your life.

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 talks with New York-based actor, musician, and coach Adam LaSalle about the art of taking risks, believing in yourself, and helping others find their creative spark. After a decade as a high school teacher, Adam left the classroom to pursue acting and music full time—while also building a practice that helps others make bold moves in their own lives.

Adam shares his early love for the arts, the anxious tendencies that made risk-taking feel impossible, and the moment he realized creativity was essential to his wellbeing. From his most challenging stage role in Two Pianos, Four Hands to his pilot group program connecting “rebels in waiting,” Adam’s story is about alignment, persistence, and using personal experience as a model for others.

The conversation wanders through New York moments, from bagels in pajamas to advice from strangers, and touches on everything from instruments as self-care tools to the song he and his fiancée sing daily to their cat, Iris. Adam’s advice to would-be rebels? Acknowledge what you feel, believe change is possible, and have the courage to try—before you think you’re ready.

Quotable Quotes

“I’m hoping to use my life as an experiment and model what it means to take a risk.”

“You stop being creative when you’re an adult… that’s when I went out of alignment.”

“People are kinder than we think they’re going to be.”

“The process is the product.”

“You have more access to your potential than you realize.”

Episode Highlights

From Teacher to Actor | Leaving the classroom to pursue music, theatre, and coaching.

Creative Childhood | Band, drama club, and finding community in the arts.

Out of Alignment | Losing creativity in adulthood and its impact on wellbeing.

Two Pianos, Four Hands | Preparing for a nine-minute double concerto on stage.

Human Conversations | Why “fine” isn’t enough when someone asks how you are.

The Process Is the Product | Lessons from music that apply to life and growth.

Instruments as Self-Care | Keeping guitars, piano, and bass within arm’s reach.

Most New York Moments | From bagels in pajamas to sushi in gym shorts.

Rebel Advice | Acknowledge, believe, and have the courage to try—before you’re ready.

LINKS FROM EPISODE

Adam’s Website (http://www.adamlasalle.co/coaching)

Adam on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jennlynnmaclean/)

Adam on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@AdamLaSalleOfficial)

Adam on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-lasalle/)

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

From farm life to global brand transformation, Jean-Pierre Lacroix shares how emotional connection, travel, and persistence fuel his 35-year journey in business.

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 talks with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, president of one of Canada’s longest-running privately owned brand transformation agencies. From helping reinvent Dairy Queen’s image to working with global banks, Jean-Pierre has spent 35 years guiding companies through change by focusing on emotional connections over functional features.

Raised on a farm in Chesterville, Ontario, Jean-Pierre traded strawberry fields for design school and built his first firm into the largest independent brand consultancy of its time. His journey spans opening offices in China and the Middle East, writing Think Blink: The Blink Factor Manifesto, and earning an MIT certification in AI for business during the pandemic.

Jean-Pierre shares how travel fuels his creativity, why colour and shape matter in branding, and the need for businesses to understand the emotional needs driving customer decisions. He also opens up about painting watercolours of his travels, his favourite haunts in Toronto, and the importance of persistence for “rebels in waiting.”

Quotable Quotes

“We’re emotional creatures. We don’t reason, we feel.”

“Be a sponge in life. Don’t be a rock.”

“Persistence—the darkest hour is the hour before sunrise.”

“If you resonate emotionally, you make it easier for people to buy from you.”

“My biggest fear is becoming irrelevant.”

Episode Highlights

From Farm to Fortune 500 | How early life shaped a career in creative problem-solving.

The Blink Factor | Why emotional connection trumps functional benefits in branding.

Global Offices | Opening in China and Oman to follow future market growth.

Learning Always | Earning an MIT AI certification before ChatGPT was public.

Colour and Emotion | How hues like green, blue, and orange influence trust and aspiration.

Travel as Inspiration | Connecting the dots between cultures, ideas, and innovation.

Artistic Side | Painting watercolours of European holidays as a creative practice.

Favourite Toronto Spots | Monkey Bar, Sebastien’s pastries, and the local Starbucks.

Rebel Advice | Persistence—the toughest time is just before you succeed.

LINKS FROM EPISODE

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

Jean Pierre on Instagram (https://www.facebook.com/jeanpierre.lacroix.96)

Website (http://www.sld.com/)

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

From accidental author to award-nominated actor, Jennifer “Panda” MacLean shares how a snarky cat, a love of theatre, and pure self-awareness shaped her creative journey.

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 talks with Jennifer “Panda” MacLean—healthcare worker, actor, and the accidental author of An Ode to Myself, a book of poetry “written” by her late cat, Newton. What began as a cheeky Facebook page to update friends on Newton’s life turned into a literary project filled with feline wit, existential musings, and a surprising publishing deal.

Panda shares the full origin story, from her post-divorce life in a tiny apartment to Newton’s online rise, his unique quirks (wasabi, cumin, and lavender were among his favourites), and how a literary agent eventually brought his voice to print. Beyond the book, she talks about her love for theatre, her CAT Award nomination, and the lessons she learned growing up as a middle child with close-knit sisters.

The conversation meanders through sushi recommendations, bucket list travel dreams, reflections on Canada’s place in the world, and the value of asking for help. Her advice for rebels in waiting? Know why you’re doing something, do it because you love it, and let go of the expectation that success is the only worthy outcome.

Quotable Quotes

“I am actually a published author—an accidental published author, I might add.”

“He was something else. The hate did run deep, but he adored me.”

“No man can succeed on their own if they’re by themselves.”

“Sometimes it doesn’t matter what the end goal is—it’s all about the journey and the friends along the way.”

“Just fucking do it. Going in expecting success is the wrong way to look at it.”

Episode Highlights

Accidental Author | How a cat’s Facebook page became a published poetry book.

Newton the Cat | From wasabi and cumin to deep-running feline disdain.

Stage Life | Acting in Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web and a CAT Award nomination.

Middle Child Superpower | Growing up with two sisters and a tight family bond.

Moving West | From Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to Calgary, Alberta.

Bucket List Dreams | Japan, mountain ranges, and community theatre abroad.

Sushi Favourites | Sushi Bar Zipang in Bridgeland and Globefish in Kensington.

Man Is Not an Island | The importance of community and asking for help.

Rebel Advice | Be self-aware, do it because you love it, and let go of outcome pressure.

LINKS FROM EPISODE

Jennifer’s Book (https://jennifermaclean.ca)

Jennifer on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jennlynnmaclean/)

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