"PICKING BRAINS" podcast

Every person has a story. My aim is to find insightful, inspirational and impactful people and pick their brains so we can learn and adopt their knowledge in our lives. Guests are mostly from the business and creative fields.

Last refreshed: August 26th, 2025 at 5:43 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

EP.9 - Patrick Ward on the power of words, LinkedIn and personal branding

Patrick Ward is a copywriter, writing for publications such as Forbes, Ad Age and Business Inside. He's also the creator of a popular movement #WordsWithWard , which focuses on educating people on the true power of both written and spoken word and not only that, he's a LinkedIn influencer and LinkedIn Local LA co-host. We talk about what made Patrick take the leap of quitting his job, leaving everything in Australia and moving the US, the ups and downs, how good copywriting can impact your busin...

Oct 11, 2019•38 min•Season 1Ep. 9

EP.8 - Eric 'DidsLive' Didier on LinkedIn, storytelling, entrepreneurship and gaming

Eric 'DidsLive' Didier is a videographer, photographer, storyteller, public speaker, gamer, streamer, influencer and co-founder of one of the fastest growing companies in Milwaukee Urban Misfit Ventures. We talk about his journey to this point, what it takes to quit your job and start a business, how to scale, combining your passions with your work, finding yourself, what it takes to become an influencer and so much more. This is definitely worth a listen. Enjoy the interview! - "Everyone has a ...

Aug 09, 2019•45 min•Season 1Ep. 8

EP.7 - Thomas Despin on money, happiness and finding your purpose

Thomas Despin is the founder and CEO of Reconnect, a luxury retreat developed on a private island in Indonesia called Buka Buka in an effort for people to reconnect with nature and as a result - themselves and get away from their busy and stressful lifestyles. He's also founded 'Hustlers Villa' which connects entrepreneurs and digital nomads in an effort to create a community of people that want to actively collaborate, live on their own terms and give back to the world. Finally, he cycled all a...

Jul 22, 2019•47 min•Season 1Ep. 7

EP.6 - Stephen A. Crystal on staying relevant, esports and entrepreneurship

In this episode of #PickingBrains I'm picking the brains of a successful entrepreneur, advisor and investor - Stephen A. Crystal. Stephen has been involved in the casino, gambling and gaming industry for 30 years now, built and invested in multiple successful businesses and is not looking to stop. We talk about what it takes to be an entrepreneur, what he looks for when investing in other companies and how he is looking to embrace the emergence of #esports in the betting world. Enjoy the intervi...

Feb 20, 2019•44 min

EP.5 - Quentin "Q" Allums on being a misfit, entrepreneurship and esports

In this episode of #PickingBrains I'm picking the brains of a LinkedIn influencer, storyteller, content creator, TEDx Speaker and CEO of Urban Misfit Ventures - Quentin Allums. We talk about what it takes to build a personal brand, what are the challenges of founding and running one of the fastest growing startups in Milwaukee, the future of esports and much more. Hope you enjoy the #podcast! - "As entrepreneurs, that's what we do. We figure things out, we solve problems and learn along the way....

Jan 14, 2019•31 min

EP.4 - Tim Hyde on social media, happiness and solopreneurship

In this episode I'm picking the brains of the founder of a full service marketing agency TWH media - Tim Hyde. At the age of only 23, Tim is already an award-winning marketer, public speaker and brand consultant focusing on viral marketing and product growth. He has worked in companies such as TheLADbible and Social Chain helping them achieve massive growth and social engagement, including creating the top most engaged live stream by a brand ever, accumulating 2.4million comments in 2 hours! He ...

Oct 05, 2018•27 min•Season 1Ep. 4

EP.3 - Matt Pyke: from basketball player to business owner

Matt is an ex-basketball player who then had to pivot to quickly become a successful entrepreneur and founder of Pyke&Co and Fly High Media. Matt is also very active in the entrepreneurship scene in and around Manchester, providing value through many different mediums, including blogs, Q&A sessions and meetups. _ "Purpose is more important than personal success." - Matt Pyke _ FLY HIGH MEDIA ► https://www.flyhighmedia.co.uk FOLLOW MATT PYKE ► LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthe...

Aug 30, 2018•27 min

EP.2 - Luke Swann on writing children's books, education.

Luke is a young and aspiring entrepreneur & children’s campaigner, Director of The Prologue, which aims to be the largest ever free education system, a nominee in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards for the Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year and the author of a children's book 'Rosa's code' which is all over the UK schools already. _ "Education is the best tool for impact." - Luke Swann _ FOLLOW LUKE SWANN ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondluke/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/luke_...

Aug 30, 2018•27 min

EP.1 - Scott Mears on building communities, having mentors.

This is my very first interview of 'Picking brains of entrepreneurs' and I am very happy that Scott Mears is the first guest! _ Scott is a young and aspiring entrepreneur, digital marketer and a social media enthusiast based in Manchester. He's also heavily involved in building an entrepreneur community in and around Manchester and is responsible for TBE's (The Budding Entrepreneurs) meetup's success in the North. _ "Ready, shoot, aim. Just get on with it." - Scott Mears _ FOLLOW SCOTT MEARS ► Y...

Aug 30, 2018•27 min

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