#225: From Escaping A Religious Cult → Collaborating With Disney & A Landing $500K Children’s Book Deal About A Unicorn Having A Bad Day… w/ Jessika von Innerebner

If you asked me:“Brandon, what ideas have most impacted your life?”I’d give two answers:My Find Your Four™ concept that my entire world is built around+2 EnergyThese two concepts unlock the ability to:Build a life doing the things you love the most With the people that bring you the most energyI’ve gone deep on Find Your Four™ already… but today is an opportunity to go SUPER deep on +2 Energy.On the surface, it’s a very simple concept:After every interaction you have, rate your ENERGY level from -2 to +2.You’ll start to notice several things:When you feel +2 energy from someone, they most likely feel +2 energy from youTherefore, anyone ELSE that YOU feel +2 energy from, that same person will also likely feel +2 energy (and vice versa)When you connect +2 humans to other +2 humans, EVERYONE winsThis simple concept has literally created an energy vortex of transformational humans.So much so that most people that operate in the “+2 World” are often receiving 10 or more incredibly transformational intros every single week.Randy introduced me to JenniferI introduced Braxton to Yasmina. I introduced Randy to Yasmina.Yasmina introduced Braxton to Jennifer.Jennifer introduced Braxton to Randy.TLDR = everyone got connected to everyone, all off of the basis of +2 energy.Because this is such an important concept, that I talk about all the time, I wanted a deep dive “Masterclass” on this subject that covers perspectives from how people have implemented this concept.So, I brought on THREE of the humans most responsible for transforming my life with this concept:Randy MollandMark FujiwaraJennifer HillI can’t wait for you to listen… and even better IMPLEMENT this concept.It’s truly changed so many people’s lives, so I’d be honored to introduce it to you ❤️Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guests, Randy Molland, Jennifer Hill, and Mark Fujiwara Brandon Fong shares a heartfelt intro to three of the most influential people in his life, teasing the transformative “plus two” concept that has reshaped his energy, fulfillment, and relationships. He forgoes formal bios to speak from personal experience, expressing deep gratitude and excitement for this powerful conversation.01:05 - Introducing Randy Molland and the "Plus Two" concept Brandon describes Randy as the lead domino in introducing him to both the plus two concept and the other two guests. He highlights how Randy’s energy and connections radically influenced his podcast and life.02:04 - Introducing Mark Fujiwara and Jennifer Hill Brandon introduces Mark as a soulful brother in the wealth management space who’s transitioning to purpose-driven “Ikigai” work. He introduces Jen as a spiritually attuned super-connector and founder of OptiMatch, whose influence has shaped countless episodes of the show.06:30 - The origin of the "Plus Two" concept from a Tim Ferriss podcast Mark shares how he discovered the plus two energy scale through Jim Collins on Tim Ferriss’ podcast, and how he adapted it to track his energy in 15-minute increments, eventually discovering how deeply negative interactions affected his energy at home with his daughter.10:49 - Randy on operationalizing the Plus Two concept in networking Randy recounts how he simplified Mark’s system to assess people energetically after meetings and categorized them in his CRM...

During Apartheid in South Africa, townships were created to segregate non-white populations from white-designated areas.Today, they still exist, and are very impoverished areas where life is difficult.On top of that…South Africa has the highest unemployment rate in the world.Today’s guest, Willem Gous, is doing something AMAZING in these areas.Take Lovedonia for example.Lovedonia was an unemployed mother of two that lived off of handouts from her family.She had broken English, but enrolled in Willem’s class.Four weeks later, she’s making 4,000 Rand per week after starting a hair salon.According to my quick google search, the median income in a South African township is closer to 2,000 Rand per MONTH.This completely changed Lovedonia’s life. But it doesn’t stop with Lovedonia…Willem is on a mission to solve the South African unemployment crisis by empowering them to create their own businesses.Add on top of that the fact that Willem is absolutely a Beyond Curious human, having done things like:Created his first business to get a girlfriend (it worked)Celebrated his 33rd birthday by putting together a musical (despite the fact that he wasn’t a good singer) by writing songs and getting voice training coaching. Became a firewalking instructor… just to name a few ;)Can’t wait for you to listen!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Willem Gous Brandon Fong kicks off the episode with enthusiasm, welcoming new and returning listeners to another inspiring conversation. He introduces today’s guest, Willem Gous, a South African entrepreneur making waves by empowering people in townships to become business owners. Brandon shares the story of how they met serendipitously on Focusmate and teases three major takeaways from the conversation: Willem’s humorous path to fame, his transformative work in South Africa’s townships, and how his approach to entrepreneurship can apply universally.00:03:07 - The Focusmate story: serendipity leads to podcast magic Brandon recounts how a random coworking session on Focusmate led to meeting Willem. Their instant connection and shared energy sparked deeper conversations and ultimately this podcast episode.00:04:36 - Exploring South African townships and Willem’s mission Brandon defines South African townships for listeners unfamiliar with them, sharing how Willem’s work enables individuals in high-unemployment areas to create businesses—often within a single day of attending his workshops.00:06:46 - Business as a tool for self-discovery: lessons from Willem’s father Willem reflects on his entrepreneurial upbringing and how his father, an inventor and academic, inspired him to use business not just for profit, but as a vehicle for personal growth and exploration.00:08:33 - The unconventional business that helped Willem find love Willem humorously recalls starting his first business as a way to become famous and attract a girlfriend—an approach that unexpectedly landed him in newspapers, radio, and TV.00:12:25 - From photo comics to mobile content: Willem’s early ventures Willem dives into the details of how he revived a dead photo comic genre, negotiated full-color newspaper placements, and distributed mobile content to 25,000 users per week.00:14:32 - Creativity is about perspective, not quantity of ideas The conversation shifts to creativity and mindset. Willem emphasizes how changing one’s perspective—not coming up with more...

A catalyzing moment in Aidan Uttinger’s life could easily be a scene from a movie:Closing your eyes, spinning a globe, stopping it with your finger, and going there.Aidan’s finger ended up on the Philippines, and he ended up there as a teenager, eventually becoming adopted by a Filipino family.But that’s just the start…In today’s episode, you’ll learn:How living in the Philippines inspired Aidan to turn Love into a currency to alleviate povertyWhat Aidan learned after having a near death experience falling from a 2 story roof on his headHow Aidan proposed to his fiance by hiding a box of treasure on an island and leading her to find it…. And so much more.I can’t wait for you to listen!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Aidan Uttinger Brandon opens the episode with high energy, welcoming listeners and teasing four powerful themes in Aidan's story: becoming an illegal alien in the Philippines, experiencing cockfighting culture, attending a life-altering funeral, and surviving a near-death experience in Bali. He describes Aidan as a spiritual visionary creating a love-based economy and highlights his impact through global love farms.00:07:32 - Aidan’s unforgettable treasure hunt proposal in the Philippines Aidan recounts a year-long, elaborately planned proposal involving a fake treasure chest, Filipino divers, and a floating gold coin that saved the surprise. This romantic and adventurous gesture reflects his deep connection to the Philippines and commitment to expressing love in powerful ways.00:12:18 - Aidan’s chaotic youth and the moment a globe changed his life Reflecting on a troubled past of instability and homelessness, Aidan shares how spinning a globe in desperation landed him in the Philippines. Initially pointing to freezing Uzbekistan, he re-spun and committed to wherever he landed—The Philippines—altering the trajectory of his life forever.00:16:38 - Culture shock and a world-shifting arrival in Manila Aidan vividly describes his emotional arrival in Manila, observing children begging in the rain and families living under tin roofs. The stark poverty immediately shifted his worldview and filled him with gratitude for privileges he never realized he had.00:22:22 - Becoming part of a Filipino family against all odds With no money, no visa, and no plan, Aidan was taken in by a Filipino family with young daughters—an extremely rare act of trust and kindness. This moment became a cornerstone of his life, offering him the love and belonging he had never experienced.00:26:09 - Immersed in cockfighting culture and underground arenas Aidan shares an insider’s perspective on cockfighting, the national sport in the Philippines, including how bets are placed using intricate hand signals and how his Filipino dad—armed and respected—navigated these intense arenas. It's a surreal glimpse into a tradition outsiders rarely witness.00:33:19 - The funeral that changed everything A powerful story unfolds as Aidan recounts attending a funeral for a three-year-old boy who died from an illness that a $1.50 vaccination could have prevented. This tragic moment deeply etched itself into Aidan’s heart and set the emotional foundation for his life’s mission.00:38:03 - A promise to pay love forward and the seed of the love farm vision In a heart-to-heart with his Filipino dad, Aidan is told to repay the family's kindness by paying it forward. That simple directive became a spiritual contract—one Aidan would later fulfill by building love farms around the world to uplift others.00:41:54 - Love as currency: the creation of The...

This episode will forever stand out as a game changer for me personally.I had a major breakthrough in this episode AND I continued to implement after the recording and it’s been INCREDIBLE.So here’s what happened, and why I’m super excited about this episode:I’m CONSTANTLY learning new ways to…Increase my awareness of unconscious thought patterns (both negative and positive)Diminish the power of negative thought patternsAmplify the power of positive thought patternsSo when I found out that Susan Drumm was leveraging MUSIC to do this, I was immediately intrigued.Susan has a book called, The Leader's Playlist: Unleash the Power of Music and Neuroscience to Transform Your Leadership and Your LifeHere’s a teaser of the power of this:During the episode, Susan helped me uncover that I have a belief that was driving my behavior:“If I’m not growing, I’m dying.”This belief HAS served me in many ways, but there is a point where it becomes unhealthy.In my case, it’s caused me to sit and dream about the future and things I want to learn and do… when I should be sitting and enjoying a simple and present moment with my family.So in Susan’s model, she has you find a SONG that represents this thinking pattern.For me, I realized the perfect song that represents this constant drive for growth is the song, “I Don’t Wanna Stop” by Ozzie OsbourneNow, whenever I catch myself unable to sit still and enjoy a present moment, I can immediately recognize that I’m running the “I don’t wanna stop” track in my mind.Now here’s where it gets FUN:Once you catch yourself “listening to the old playlist”, you can shift to listening to a NEW “playlist” that you want to embody.For me, I was looking for a song that encapsulated the feelings of:Being a visionary with big ideas to change the worldNever wanting to stop creating, building, and making an impact… but doing it from a sense of wholeness and completeness instead of lackBeing completely present and there with my family during every moment, even if it’s not ultra stimulating like my brain is wired to craveThe perfect song that fit this?It didn’t exist.So thank god we live in 2025, I actually used AI to create the song myself.Here it is.I created it, listened to it, and promptly started crying because it hit me so deeply.This song has become the “soundtrack” to this new phase of my life… and a constant reminder to step into creating from wholeness WHILE being completely present with my family.I had HEARD AI music before, but never quite realized where it fit into my life until this moment.I’m now in the process of creating entire albums that encapsulate my desired future states, core beliefs, and perspectives on the world.Stay tuned, because I’ll be sharing a LOT more about this, and releasing...

I feel…Full. Whole. Grateful. Awe. Inspired. Excited. Elevated. Loved. Seen.Why?March 12th - 16th I was with some of my favorite humans on the planet during the first LIVE Curiosity Island™ event.For those that may not be familiar, Curiosity Island™ is an invite-only community that is comprised of many of the podcast guests you hear on the show.My website is in need of a major update on describing Curiosity Island, but you can check it out here for deets.Anywho…I spent ~2 months designing this experience, and it felt like a true masterpiece the way it unfolded.The only thing attendees were told was:“Show up and on the agenda is magic.”Behind the scenes, I was weaving together that involved…A private chef cooking in our “Curiosity Mansion” (a $5.5 million dollar home we rented as the venue)A twist on secret santa that I called “Secret Mirror”An improv class, mini golf, bumper cars, escape roomsWeaving together the “superpowers” (we call it the 4% on the island) of attendees into the eventA surprise visit to a friend’s house that turned her place into essentially a magical Willy Wonka museum… and SO much more.It’s essentially the event I’ve always dreamed of having… that didn’t exist… so I created it.Today’s episode is a FULL breakdown of what happened, and a “peek into my brain” as to how I designed this wild thing.Enjoy 🙂Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, the Castaways of Curiosity Island Live in San DiegoBrandon Fong opens the episode with overflowing gratitude and joy, fresh off the first-ever in-person gathering of the Curiosity Island community. He introduces this behind-the-scenes solo recap to unpack the magic, community design insights, and personal takeaways from the event.00:04:20 - Setting the Foundation: Citizenship, Passports, and the 4% FrameworkBrandon lays down the foundational concepts of Curiosity Island, including the metaphor of earning citizenship and the deeply personal "Find Your Four Percent" framework—a fractal breakdown of actions, environments, and beliefs that yield disproportionate results in life.00:13:20 - Beach Arrival and Gem Fuller’s Grounding RitualThe castaways meet for the first time on a San Diego beach. Jem Fuller, a seasoned facilitator, leads a grounding eye-gazing ritual where attendees exchange the words “I see you. I let you see me. You are safe,” fostering psychological safety and connection right from the start.00:19:05 - Curiosity Island Customs: Passport Control & Leah + Kya's Special RoleAt the mansion entrance, attendees pass through a custom "Curiosity Island Customs & Border Patrol" station where Brandon’s wife, Leah, and 17-month-old daughter, Kya, greet them and stamp their passports. A QR code leads to a custom welcome video and sets the stage for a magical weekend.00:24:04 - Cooking a Story: Five-Course Collaborative DinnerBrandon introduces Ben Gorelick, the community's live-in chef, who organizes a five-course meal that everyone cooks together in pairs. This shared culinary journey becomes a powerful bonding and storytelling experience, with laughter, minor chaos, and intentional pairings.00:28:08 - The Mirror Mystery: Secret Santa with a Reflective TwistDay two begins with a twist on Secret Santa called “Secret Mirror.” Participants draw someone else’s...

During COVID, there was one “game night” that changed my life.We were sitting down to learn a new game, when my wife, Leah, made a comment:“It’s so funny and a bit frustrating playing board games with you, because you’re too good at figuring out how to win at them.”(Though the last two nights, Leah has kicked my ass in DC Deck Building)Anyways…For some reason, Leah’s comment eventually triggered a question in my mind:“If I’m so good at figuring out how to win at new games, what would it look like if I designed a game for myself (as a player) to play?”This SINGULAR question changed my life.More on that another day, but that’s why I’m SO excited to introduce you to today’s guest, Yu-Kai Chou.Yu-Kai JUST released a brand new book called “10,000 Hours of Play: Unlock Your Real-Life Legendary Success”TLDR: It’s the ultimate manual for turning your life into a game that you’ll never want to stop playing.If you’ve never heard of Yu-Kai, I’ve been a fan of his work for over a year now.Yu-Kai… Is considered the leading authority on gamification in the worldHas impacted 1.5 BILLION users around the worldWas knighted (and eventually promoted to a duke) by the Joseon Imperial Family of KoreaToday we go DEEP into his work on gamification, focusing specifically on his new book.If you’re someone that wants to (1) create the biggest impact you’re capable of making and (2) have TONS of fun in the process of doing so…This is an episode you will NOT want to miss!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, Yu-Kai ChouBrandon welcomes listeners and introduces Yu-Kai Chou, a globally recognized expert on gamification and behavioral design. He sets the stage for a fun and impactful episode, noting Yu-Kai’s influence on over 1.5 billion user experiences and hinting at stories ranging from gamifying war recovery to noble knighthood.00:01:39 - From "total loser" to Duke: Yu-Kai’s epic transformation through gamificationBrandon teases three episode highlights, including Yu-Kai’s personal transformation story, the six steps to turn life into a game, and how gamification applies to family life. He also spotlights Yu-Kai’s impressive credentials, including his pioneering Octalysis framework, bestselling books, and recent consulting for President Zelensky’s office in Ukraine.00:10:41 - The story behind Yu-Kai’s knighthood (and upgrade to Duke)Brandon and Yu-Kai dive into the whimsical and real story of his knighthood—later promoted to Duke—by the royal family of the defunct Joseon Empire of Korea, which now operates as a digital nation. Yu-Kai explains the crypto-nation-building initiative and why he modestly still refers to himself as a knight.00:16:14 - From "game-addicted loser" to real-life legend: Yu-Kai’s origin storyYu-Kai shares a...

Here were the thoughts that ran through my mind the first time I met today’s guest, Jennifer Payeur at an event:“She’s like a tree.”I don’t know what it was.Maybe it was her green dress… her grounding and wise presence… Whatever it was, I was like “I must talk to this incredible human.”Sure enough, at dinner the first night I found myself right at her table, and we immediately hit it off.She’s got a CRAZY story, and my intuition was right… She IS like a tree!Jenn used to be a high flying corporate executive, and her life reflected it.20 hour days… constant travel… AND was raising four children.Eventually this high stress lifestyle led to severe health issues, including chronic fatigue, pneumonia, and ultimately, stage 4 cancer.Through a crazy series of events, Jenn was introduced to a little-known therapy in the United States called gemmotherapy — plant stem cell therapy.These plant stem cells played a significant role in her full recovery, and today she owns a company, Nature Provides, that is helping people all over the world to improve their health.AND she’s even released a new book called Ancient Plant Wisdom that goes deep into how to resolve over 100 of our most common chronic and degenerative health conditions… including heart disease and cancer.In today’s episode, you’ll learn:How studying with the “13 Indigenous Grandmothers” reshaped her view on stewardship of the Earth.What plant stem cells ARE and why they unlock systemic health benefits that go far beyond what other forms of herbal medicine can provide.How Jenn has learned to listen to her intuition, and how it’s saved and majorly altered her life trajectory on multiple occasionsCan’t wait for you to listen!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Jennifer Payeur Brandon opens with a warm welcome and shares his excitement about today’s guest, Jennifer Payeur. He recounts their serendipitous meeting at an event in Turks and Caicos, describing Jen as having the wisdom and groundedness of a tree. Brandon previews three exciting themes from the episode: Jennifer’s battle with stage four cancer and plant stem cell healing, her studies with the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers, and the incredible process behind her plant stem cell company, Nature Provides.08:33 - Chronic fatigue, pneumonia, and a cascade of health crises from corporate burnout Jen opens up about her unsustainable lifestyle in 2008: twenty-hour workdays, constant travel, and raising four kids. Ignoring serious symptoms until collapsing at work, she finally seeks medical help and receives a life-altering wake-up call from her doctor.13:52 - A book falls off a shelf and leads Jennifer to Barbara Brennan’s healing school In a moment of synchronicity, the book Hands of Light falls on Jen’s head, introducing her to Barbara Brennan. She embarks on a four-year intensive training in energy healing, learning how illness originates in the energetic field before manifesting in the physical body.17:56 - The mystery of energy transitions and what Barbara Brennan...

Whenever I meet someone “in the wild” and they ask me what I do, I struggle with what to say.Because in reality, my business is to gather world class humans on imaginary “Curiosity Island” to play and solve big problems.I’m guessing today’s guest, has a similar struggle, because here are a few things that are a part of her “world”She’s as multi-award-winning performer with her alter ego, VNCCII where she embodies a futuristic Super Sentient AI SuperHeroine digital avatar, merging music, live music performances, technology, and storytelling to craft immersive experiences that bridge the digital and physical worlds.Her science fiction novel, "Galacta.i.ssance and the VNCCII Awakening," is set to travel to the moon with NASA. She’s focused on elevating the consciousness of humanity leveraging world building from her novel + her alter egoIn other words:Samantha is not only beyond curious… but she’s also built a life and career that is 100000% unapologetically her.So cool.I can’t wait for you to listen.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!Introduction to Beyond Curious and Today's Guest, Samantha Tauber.Episode: Exploring the Future with Samantha Tauber (VNCCII)00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Samantha Tauber (VNCCII)Brandon Fong introduces today’s guest, Samantha Tauber, also known as VNCCII. A multidisciplinary artist, musician, and storyteller, VNCCII is pioneering next-gen metaverse art and blending music, tech, and storytelling to uplift collective consciousness. Her sci-fi novel is even being sent to the moon!00:42 - Manifesting reality through imaginationSamantha shares a surreal moment—her novel, which features a scene on the moon, is actually being sent there via NASA’s Astrobotic Griffin Lander mission. She explores the idea of how imagination can shape reality over time.02:04 - VNCCII’s mission and alter egoBrandon explains VNCCII’s background as a digital avatar twin and stage persona. Samantha’s work embodies futurism, AI, and artistic innovation. Her book’s lunar mission is a testament to her vision of storytelling as a way to uplift humanity.04:27 - How did Samantha’s book end up on the moon?Samantha shares the incredible story of how her novel is being sent to the moon using NanoFiche technology, a highly durable space-age archival method. She explains her connection with Bruce Ha, who owns the patents for NanoFiche, and how the Interstellar Foundation made this dream a reality.06:55 - The power of storytelling and intention in manifesting opportunitiesBrandon asks whether Samantha had always intended to send her book to the moon. She reflects on the synchronicities between her imagination and the real-world manifestation of her ideas.10:14 - The tuning fork as a tool for transformationVNCCI, Samantha’s alter ego, wields a tuning fork as a symbol of attunement and alignment with one’s higher self. She discusses how frequencies and sound healing have shaped her journey and how tuning forks became central to her storytelling.14:22 - The psychology of alter egos and personal transformationSamantha explores how VNCCII as an alter ego has helped her grow. Referencing the “Proteus Effect,” she explains how embodying a character influences real-life behaviors. VNCCII has allowed her to level up and step into a higher version of herself.18:08 - From music producer to sci-fi world builderSamantha details her transition from music production to storytelling, metaverse...

Muhammad Ali. Lebron James. Tom Brady. Britney Spears. The Kardashians…… he’s photographed them all.As today’s guest, Marc Serota says, “It’s easier to say who I haven’t shot than it is to say who I have.”I’m grateful to say that I actually first met today’s guest in person in beautiful Turks & Caicos at our buddy Al-B Hannemann’s event.After spending several days snorkeling and sharing meals together, I quickly became enraptured by this man.He’s TRULY lived a Beyond Curious life and has the wildest stories.I’m talking things like:Risking his life to chase hurricanes, document war zones, riots, and natural disasters.Photographing dozens of Olympics, Super Bowls, NBA Finals…Spending quality time with the world’s biggest celebrities, politicians, and athletesIf you want to see his insane portfolio, you can check out his site right here:Marcserota.comI just found hours slipping by as we sat together and he shared mind blowing story after mind blowing story…So of course, I had to bring him on the podcast ;)I can’t wait for you to listen!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Marc SerotaBrandon introduces the episode with excitement, teasing incredible stories from the legendary photographer Marc Serota, who has captured some of the most iconic figures in sports and entertainment. From photographing Muhammad Ali, LeBron James, and Britney Spears to covering historic Super Bowls and Olympic events, Marc's career is nothing short of extraordinary.02:18 - How Brandon Met Marc: Turks and Caicos & A Lifetime of StoriesBrandon shares how he met Marc at an event hosted by former pro beach volleyball player Albie Hanneman. Their conversations in Turks and Caicos left Brandon captivated by Marc’s storytelling and legendary career.02:59 - Three Key Highlights to Look Forward To in This EpisodeWhat it was like to do a photoshoot with Muhammad Ali, Will Smith, Joe Frazier, and Mike Tyson.How to stay comfortable around high-profile people and make them feel at ease.Why being colorblind has actually helped Marc in his career as an award-winning photographer.04:45 - Marc Serota’s Background: The Goat Hunter of PhotographyA deep dive into Marc’s impressive bio—his work with Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and major leagues like the NBA, NFL, and NHL. He has covered four NBA Finals, two World Series championships, and numerous historic sporting events.06:21 - The Super Bowl Shot That Changed Everything: John Elway’s Defining MomentMarc shares an incredible story about how he captured a defining shot of John Elway’s Super Bowl victory, which later became a Sports Illustrated cover. He breaks down how he positioned himself in a unique way, separate from other photographers, to capture a legendary moment.12:17 - The Philosophy of Being Different: Finding the Unseen AnglesMarc explains why he always seeks unique perspectives in his work. He shares how legendary photographers inspired him to go against the crowd and be in places where no one else was to capture iconic shots.18:34 - Breaking into the Industry: The Miami Herald and a Wrestling MatchMarc tells the gripping story of how he hustled his way into an internship at the Miami Herald by sneaking into a wrestling event, capturing a dynamic shot of Hulk Hogan vs. Macho Man Randy Savage, and proving himself under...

Here’s a small taste of some of the crazy adventures discussed in today’s episode:Building a social network with members including space shuttle captains, members swimming oceans, skiing down from the summit of Everest, winning world cups, & olympic gold medalistsGrowing a division of Dell Computer from 0 → 1.5B in 11 monthsBeing connected with some of the most influential people in the world (he once made an intro between Martin Luther King III and the founder of Earth day if that says anything)OH…And that doesn’t even include the crazy adventures he’s created for his community, including doing things like:Visiting Mongolian Eagle HuntersTaking Russian MIGs to SpaceClimbing the inside of the Great PyramidsOH…And he’s also the founder of Domino.one which is an impact incubator and accelerator with clients representing the Pope and the United Nations.I think that’s all.(Just kidding, there’s still more).Paul Kirchoff has a life that doesn’t seem even remotely possible (or real).Add that to the fact that he literally lives in a bus traveling with his wife and, as he says, “moves his front door every 120 days or so”.This is a wild one. I can’t wait for you to listen.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, Paul KirchoffHost Brandon Fong introduces Paul Kirchoff, also known as "Kirch," a serial entrepreneur, investor, humanitarian, and global adventurer. Paul has built and led multiple companies, including EPX—a next-generation business and social network for superachievers. He has pioneered billion-dollar ventures, advised leading companies, and even co-founded efforts to combat COVID-19. This episode is packed with thrilling stories, entrepreneurial wisdom, and personal growth insights.00:35 - Paul’s accidental strategy session with Michael DellPaul recounts an unforgettable moment early in his career at Dell. Just days into the job, he unknowingly critiques Dell’s operations to a fellow employee—who turns out to be Michael Dell himself! This sets the stage for Paul’s remarkable journey within the company.02:05 - A deep dive into Paul’s entrepreneurial careerBrandon shares Paul’s impressive track record, from taking Dell’s Inspiron division from $0 to $1.5 billion in sales in 11 months to founding multiple companies in impact innovation, digital marketing, and business incubation.05:24 - Connecting Martin Luther King III with the founder of Earth DayPaul shares a powerful story of how he facilitated a life-changing conversation between Martin Luther King III and Professor Alan Trattner, bridging environmental sustainability and social justice in a profound way.08:54 - The importance of adding value to powerful relationshipsBrandon and Paul discuss how seemingly small introductions can lead to monumental impact, and how thinking outside traditional value exchanges can help anyone build meaningful connections.11:15 - Paul’s early days at Dell: From struggling job applicant to top performerPaul opens up about how he struggled to land his first job despite attending a prestigious business school at an exceptionally young age. After multiple rejections, he finally gets a foot in the door at Dell, leading to his meteoric rise in the company.14:12 - The billion-dollar insight: Why Paul went against industry trendsPaul explains how a contrarian bet on large-screen laptops helped Dell dominate the market. While competitors focused on smaller devices, he realized that most users weren’t actually traveling. This counterintuitive move led to one of Dell’s biggest product successes.17:53 - The lesson of ‘healthy paranoia’ in businessPaul shares one of...