#259: I Dissected An Octopus. Here’s What I Learned… w/ Perry Knoppert

Today, I get to introduce you to someone who fundamentally helped create the personal development industry as we know it.In the 1970s, Marcia Martin was one of the original pioneers behind EST (now known as Landmark Forum).She was there during the very first 30-person seminar… and helped the organization grow to 800,000+ graduates, sparking a movement that would go on to impact 3.5 million people worldwide.(And yes, she did all of this back when she had to manage all of this using a “card box” paper filing system)But her career didn’t just end with EST…She helped Tony Robbins launch Unlimited Power, worked behind the scenes with Jack Canfield, helped to make the filming of The Secret happen, and supported the creation of the Hoffman Process, Wealth Dynamics, and countless others who would go on to shape an entire generation of transformation.During my first few conversations with Marcia, I could tell there was so much to cover that a single episode wouldn’t quite do it justice.So this is why we’re splitting this episode into two parts.In Part 1, we dive deep into Marcia’s story and her perspective on the origin of the self-help movement… including a crazy concoction of both genuine breakthroughs and psychological manipulation that shaped the industry.Specifically, we explore:How as a hungry 20-something, Marcia “accidentally” stumbled into the very first EST seminar because of a free hot dog and ended up filling 10,000+ person stadiums and putting EST on the map.What it was actually like behind the scenes of EST: the brilliance, the breakthroughs… and the darker practices that pushed people to their psychological limitsHow even the most noble visions to “save humanity” can spiral into manipulation, control, and cult-like dynamics once ego and power enter the equation — and what Marcia learned from watching that unfold firsthandIf you’ve ever been impacted by personal growth work in any form — from Tony Robbins to Landmark to modern-day coaching — this is a must-listen.Marcia’s story (and her new book: Sex, Power, and Transformation) gives you a front-row seat to where it all began.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Marcia MartinBrandon Fong introduces Marcia Martin, a pioneering figure in the personal development industry who helped build the foundation of what would become EST and eventually Landmark Forum. He outlines her significant influence, from helping launch Tony Robbins’ Unlimited Power to working with Jack Canfield on The Secret, the Hoffman Process, and more. Brandon also highlights key themes to listen for—transformation, manipulation, and the evolution of the self-help movement.00:39 - Marcia reflects on building EST from 30-person seminars to 800,000 graduatesMarcia gives an early glimpse into the astonishing growth of the movement—from a small seminar in 1971 to nearly a million people impacted by the end of the decade.01:41 - From paper files to global influence: Marcia's impact beyond ESTBrandon recounts Marcia's extensive influence in the personal development world, including helping global brands and being knighted for her humanitarian work.03:21 - A sneak peek into three pivotal elements of the episodeBrandon teases listeners with three themes: the fateful hot dog moment that led Marcia to EST, the brilliance and psychological limits within the training, and how noble missions can spiral into manipulation.05:03 - Launching into the interview: Brandon and Marcia begin their conversationBrandon welcomes Marcia

A year into her coaching journey, Amy Birks generated a grand total of… $60.Pair that with a big investment she made into a coaching program, and Amy ended up with a $36K loss that first year.Fast forward 10 months later, and Amy is sitting in a Sedona hotel room with friends when someone feeling stuck with their business said, “I just wish someone would tell me what steps to take.”Amy started asking questions — and within 12 minutes, a full strategy appeared in her mind like a Google Map.Everyone in the room froze.“Wait,” they said, “you actually see this in your head?”That was the day Amy realized she had what she now calls her GPS Brain — the superpower that helps her instantly map people’s paths from confusion to clarity.Having personally hired Amy, I’ve personally experienced Amy not only helping to save me 25 hours per month in my business… but she’s also helped TWO of my community members (we call them Castaways) in transformational ways.She helped one Castaway identify a strategy that will help double her business next year… and in 30 days generated nearly six figures.Another Castaway she helped save 35 hours per WEEK by transitioning some 1-on-1 work into a group format, with results pouring in one week later.Amy’s brain is epic, and I can’t wait for you to learn from her on how to leverage her GPS brain to help simplify your business!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, Amy BirksBrandon introduces Amy as a close friend and fellow Curiosity Island castaway. He previews three core takeaways from the episode: how Amy helped him save 25 hours per month, her journey from $60 in profit to a $64k week, and her nonlinear career path that developed her unique “GPS brain.”00:39 - Amy discovers her “GPS brain” in a Sedona hotel roomAmy recalls a pivotal moment at a mastermind retreat when she spontaneously mapped out a full strategy for a friend’s business idea in just 12 minutes. This unlocked her realization that she had a natural gift for strategy and clarity — a turning point that redirected her entire business.03:14 - Brandon highlights Amy’s incredible impact and bioBrandon shares Amy’s background — from corporate strategy roles to consulting for the Dallas Mavericks — and the ripple effects of her GPS brain on the Curiosity Island community, including transformative results for Laura DeFranco and Jennifer Pear.06:45 - Brandon compares Amy’s origin story to getting bitten by a radioactive spiderBrandon dives deeper into Amy’s strategic superpower. Amy describes how her mind visualizes strategy as a dynamic GPS map that forms through curiosity and inquiry, allowing her to chart efficient, values-aligned paths for clients.10:42 - Brandon and Amy explore unconscious genius and how most people miss itAmy shares how her strategic ability always felt so “normal” that she didn’t value it — until others pointed it out. She and Brandon discuss how people often overlook their most valuable gifts because they come naturally.14:19 - Building momentum through intuition and simplicityAmy explains how she asks questions to uncover clear paths for action, turning complexity into momentum. Her excitement and deep understanding of her clients’ visions fuel rapid transformation.17:21 - From $60 in profit to deep personal alignmentAmy opens up about her first year in business, where she made just $60. She reflects on the internal judgment she felt and how she later realized that following her curiosity — even when nonlinear — gave her all the skills she needed.24:23 - The $64,000 week: when alignment changed everythingAmy describes how simplifying her offerings and writing her book led to her most successful week. The big shift? Focusing...

Today’s episode is… a little strange.As the title suggests, I dissected an octopus.But don’t worry — no nine-brained, three-hearted, blue-blooded sea creatures were harmed in the making of this podcast 🐙.Instead, I brought back a dear friend and Curiosity Island citizen, Perry Knoppert — aka “Dr. Octopus” — the founder of the Octopus Movement, a global network of non-linear thinkers solving the world’s most unsolvable problems.So what does it mean to “dissect” an octopus?In this episode, I take Perry through my brand-new process called Find Your Four in 4,000 — where in just 4,000 seconds (about an hour), I use my curiosity + a custom GPT to help someone uncover the tiny slice of what they do (their 4%) that creates the majority of their impact and joy.And the results were wild. Perry walked away with so much clarity that he even turned the insights into a manifesto for his life’s work.Here’s why this matters for you: By listening in, you’re not just hearing an inspiring story from someone who’s making a big impact… You’ll also see exactly how this process works in real time — and then mirror it for yourself.Normally, this is something I only guide people through inside my Curiosity Island community… but for this episode, I wanted to pull back the curtain and make it more accessible. Paired with the free workbook I created for you, my intention is that you’ll be able to apply the same framework to your own life — and start building in alignment with your 4%.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Perry KnoppertBrandon introduces a special return guest: Perry Knoppert, also known as Dr. Octopus, founder of the Octopus Movement. Brandon sets the stage for a deep exploration of Perry’s 4% through a unique and immersive “Find Your 4 in 4000” session using AI, GPT, and real-time curiosity.02:27 - Who is Dr. Octopus?Brandon reads Perry’s full bio, detailing Perry’s transformation from homelessness to leading the Octopus Movement—a global network of nonlinear thinkers solving the world’s most unsolvable problems.04:24 - Understanding the 4% ConceptBrandon introduces the “Find Your Four” concept and shares a free downloadable PDF guide to help listeners identify the 4% of their activities that yield 64% of their results, based on fractal applications of the 80/20 rule.07:05 - What is “Find Your 4 in 4000”?Brandon explains how he uses GPT, real-time transcription, and curiosity to identify someone’s 4% within 4000 seconds. This episode is a live demo with Perry as the subject.09:39 - A Journey to Childhood: Perry’s Yellow Room & GrandmotherPerry vividly describes his first room with yellow walls and shares a heartfelt story of his grandmother—a WWII resistance member who taught him selflessness through humble, quiet courage.15:01 - Building Weird with LEGOPerry describes his chaotic, unplanned Lego building as a child. He reflects on the joy of creation without attachment and how “weird” was a recurring theme in his thinking and expression.17:17 - Embracing “Weird” as a ComplimentPerry shares how he embraced his unique way of seeing and building things, which contrasted with others. To him, “weird” is a celebration of originality and difference.21:34 - From LEGO to Life: Creativity as FlowPerry discusses the emotional experience of starting from scratch and the energy of creating something new—an experience he describes...

At 19, Anthony Englert thought he’d cracked the wealth code.He was living in a million-dollar mansion, cashing checks from a hedge fund with 12% monthly returns, and feeling on top of the world……until his business partners accused him of not being willing to take enough risk, kicked him out of the company, and he lost everything — including his entire life savings and his closest friends.It was a rock bottom moment.But in a wild twist of fate… getting kicked out ended up saving him. Because just a few months later, he learned the truth:He had unknowingly been part of a Ponzi scheme — and his partners’ betrayal became the thing that protected him from disaster.But as crazy as that sounds — that near miss taught him the valuable lessons that eventually led Anthony to joining an elite team at Goldman Sachs managing $33 billion in assets.Today, Anthony is on a mission to help entrepreneurs avoid the mistakes he’s seen made at the highest levels, and truly design holistic wealth… from the inside out.We jammed on a LOT in this episode — but here are 3 things I especially loved:The “Lifestyle vs. Legacy” decision that will impact every other decision you make in your businessWhy increasing your profit isn’t the most effective way to unlock value in your companyHow to use F.A.S.T. thinking to make smarter business and financial decisions (without getting lost in tactics)If you’re ready to start thinking like an investor — and design a life and business that outlives you — this one’s a must-listen.ALSO...I'd highly recommend taking Anthony’s curated financial assessment to reveal whether your current strategy supports long-term wealth or holds you back — and what to do next.Select founders may be invited to a complimentary 90-minute session (no pitch, just value) with Anthony which is a HUGE value.👉 Alfa Advisory Founders Financial AssessmentShow Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Anthony EnglertBrandon Fong introduces his friend and financial strategist, Anthony Englert. He highlights Anthony’s journey from surviving a Ponzi scheme to leading a Goldman Sachs team managing $33 billion, and now advising entrepreneurs through Alfa Advisory.00:44 - Anthony’s teenage entry into real estate and how a Ponzi scheme taught him his first major financial lessonAnthony recounts his first big “investment” at 19, involving a sketchy hedge fund, fraudulent equity banking, and a $125,000 check—only to find out later it was all part of a Ponzi scheme. His early mistake became a catalyst for pursuing real financial literacy.02:17 - Why Brandon isn’t a “finance guy” and how Anthony made wealth building accessible for entrepreneursBrandon shares his past struggles with understanding finances as a business owner and how Anthony’s clarity and holistic strategy transformed his approach to money and business.04:07 - Lifestyle vs. Legacy: A framework that will shift how you view your businessBrandon previews Anthony’s “Lifestyle vs. Legacy” framework, explaining how the type of business you choose to build shapes every other financial and strategic decision you make.05:42 - Brandon reads Anthony’s bio and explains why he trusts him with his financial futureFrom Goldman Sachs to climbing Kilimanjaro, Brandon reads Anthony’s impressive bio and gives listeners a glimpse into his character, brilliance, and values as both an advisor and adventurer.08:12 - “The Wendy’s Moment”: How a 7-year-old optimized a fast food order and formed a belief that money = happinessAnthony shares a vivid...

I’ll never forget my sophomore year of college, wandering the cobblestone streets of Sevilla, Spain, earbuds in… listening to something brand new to me at the time:Podcasts.One show in particular stood out: Entrepreneurs on Fire.Hearing real entrepreneurs talk about building businesses that made an impact felt revolutionary compared to the dry, theoretical lectures I was getting in class. It was like discovering a portal into the life I knew I wanted.Fast forward almost a decade…Selena Soo (episode #242) invites me into one of her curated “Rich Relationships” mixers, and I find myself in a breakout room with Kate Dumas — the heartbeat of EO Fire.If you don’t know, EO Fire is one of the most downloaded business podcasts (175M+ downloads), hosted by John Lee Dumas. But what many people don’t see is that behind the scenes, Kate has been co-building the entire empire with John… while also navigating a romantic relationship, cross-country moves, and now raising a kid together.To date, EO Fire has generated $28M+ in revenue while impacting millions — and their relationship all started with Kate meeting a sweaty John while in his boxers in the middle of an Insanity workout (hilarious story you’ll hear on the show.)In this episode, we go deep on:🔥 What it’s really like to build a multimillion-dollar business with your life partner with two OPPOSITE skillsets🔥 How Kate went from feeling invisible to launching her own show and stepping into her power🔥 Why they intentionally scaled back from 8 employees to 3 — and what it taught them about freedomWhether you’re in business with your partner, thinking about it, or just curious how 175M downloads happen behind the scenes…This episode will give you a rare look into what makes it all work.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Kate Erickson DumasBrandon opens the episode with a heartfelt welcome and shares a personal story about his early exposure to podcasts, specifically "Entrepreneurs on Fire" (EO Fire). He introduces today’s guest, Kate Erickson Dumas, as the co-builder and operational force behind EO Fire, a business podcast with over 175 million downloads and $28M+ in revenue.00:36 - A hilarious first encounter: boxer shorts and insanity workoutsKate recounts the unforgettable moment she met her now-husband John Lee Dumas—he answered the door in boxer shorts, mid-insanity workout, to show her an apartment. This funny and awkward first meeting would eventually blossom into a powerful romantic and entrepreneurial partnership.02:17 - Behind the scenes of EO Fire: a podcasting empire co-built with loveBrandon shares how he met Kate through a breakout room in Selena Soo's mixer and highlights EO Fire’s success and transparency, including monthly income reports. He introduces the key themes of the episode, including working with a romantic partner, stepping into personal power, and pivotal business decisions.06:35 - Launching Kate’s Take: from invisibility to intentional leadershipKate opens up about joining EO Fire and feeling unsure of her worth. She discusses a life-changing transformational training in LA and how it helped her overcome feelings of invisibility. Launching her podcast "Kate’s Take" became a powerful declaration of self-worth and a major growth milestone.12:30 - The meet-cute love story of Kate and JohnKate shares their love story—from awkward neighbors in Pacific Beach to...

Back in March, I hosted the first ever LIVE event for my community, Curiosity Island.We hired my friend and Curiosity Island “Castaway” Bob Regnerus to produce the video footage for our event:Click right here to watch the videoWhy am I sharing this with you?* Incoming humble brag *If you listen to that video, there was definitely a theme in what the Castaways shared:“You feel like you're entering a Brandon world when you come into his space. It is warm, inviting, challenging, curious and so exciting in the best way.”“I've never met anybody like Brandon who takes creating experiences so seriously.”“This Curiosity island that he's created is so much more than a business or a brand or a mastermind… This is really an experience”.The theme that I notice is World Building / Experience Design.After designing several live events, hundreds of virtual experiences, and speaking on many stages, I’ve never actually sat down to ask myself:“What am I actually doing?”Meaning:How would I actually teach someone about my approach to World Building?When another Castaway, Meredith Grundei, asked me to come on her LinkedIn live show to talk about it… it was a perfect excuse for me to actually teach my approach.So after several hours of GPT biking and playing around, I arrived at this:To design transformational experiences, have your MOM make a WAFFLE 👇MOM is an acronym that stands for the 3 phases of an experience…While WAFFLE is an acronym for the 6 keys to make an experience stick.Whether you run events, lead a community or team, create content, or just want to inject more magic into your daily life… this one’s for you.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Meredith GrundeiBrandon introduces the episode as a unique hybrid format: a collaborative conversation with friend and Curiosity Island castaway, Meredith Grundei. The focus is on designing transformational experiences, anchored by Brandon's custom "Have Your MOM Make a WAFFLE" framework.00:57 - The MOM and WAFFLE Framework: A Sneak PeekBrandon sets the stage for the framework he created to help people design memorable and magical experiences. The acronym “MOM” (Momentum, Open Loops, Memory) and “WAFFLE” (World, Anchors, Fusion, Flaws, Language, Emotion) serve as the episode’s central theme.03:24 - Meredith Welcomes Brandon & Introduces the Speaker's LoungeMeredith welcomes Brandon to the Speaker’s Lounge, her monthly conversation series. She invites him to share the origin story of Curiosity Island, the imaginative community he leads.04:29 - The Birth of Curiosity Island: A Domain Bought in a FlashBrandon recounts a pivotal Zoom call with his friend Vlad where the phrase “Curiosity Island” was coined—and how he immediately bought the domain. He explains how the name gave conceptual structure to his vision of a place filled with wonder and transformation.06:16 - What is Curiosity Island? A Transformational, Imaginative CommunityBrandon describes Curiosity Island as a place of infinite possibility—“mirrors, not mentors”—where castaways help each other uncover their gifts. Meredith adds how impactful it’s been for her, especially through the “Breeze Offer” concept.08:45 - Why Presentations Need to Become ExperiencesBoth Brandon and Meredith discuss how modern audiences are no longer captivated by static presentations. With content overload, the key...

Imagine this:You’re driving to a high-end coaching workshop—an event you’ve just spent a big chunk of money to attend.You’re hopeful, nervous, not totally sure if you even should be going…And then, mid-drive, you get into one final painful conversation with your mother—and decide, in that moment, to end the relationship.This was a pivotal moment for today’s guest, Kim DeYoung.Kim showed up to that event tear-streaked, emotionally raw… and more open than she’d ever been.That one choice—to attend the event and to let go of a meaningful relationship—was the catalyst for everything that followed.In today’s episode of Beyond Curious, Kim shares how that moment cracked her open… and how it led to her life’s work helping others unpack their choices through something she calls “choice mapping.”We explore:🔍 The 3 types of maps that help you understand the ripple effects of your past decisions🧭 The 5 questions you can ask to help you make more conscious and intentional choices✍️ How to leverage “Choice Mapping” to re-write your internal stories in a more impactful wayIf you’re navigating a big decision,  looking for clarity in your next chapter, or simply desire to be more intentional with your choices, this one’s for you.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Kim DeYoungBrandon opens the episode with gratitude and excitement, introducing Kim DeYoung—choice coach, facilitator, and author of The Book of Choice. He outlines three key takeaways: understanding the three types of maps (unfolding, people, and exploration), five powerful questions for intentional decision-making, and how mapping choices can help rewrite internal narratives.00:01:28 - Three essential tools to listen for in today’s episodeBrandon previews what listeners should pay attention to: the unfolding, people, and exploration maps; five key decision-making questions; and how to use mapping to shift internal stories. He teases a live mapping session that takes place during the episode.00:02:52 - Why choice mapping matters and how it transformed Kim’s lifeKim shares a pivotal moment in 2012 when she made a life-altering decision to end her relationship with her mother. This emotional event led her to a personal breakthrough at a transformational workshop and marked the beginning of her deep dive into understanding choice and its ripple effects.00:06:50 - The power of listening to your own truthBrandon reflects on Kim’s vulnerability and how expressing deep truths leads to meaningful connections. Kim shares how a single choice can unfold into life-changing opportunities and how this realization birthed her “choice mapping” process.00:08:02 - What is choice mapping and how did it begin?Kim explains how her choice mapping process began with personal reflection and evolved through mapping other people’s stories. Initially using mind-mapping software to track decisions, she developed a visual, flexible, and powerful framework for understanding life’s most important choices.00:10:23 - Brandon shares a personal reflection about legacy and intergenerational impactBrandon opens up about his grandfather’s recent passing and how a recorded interview with him highlighted the deep ripple effects of past decisions. He connects this reflection to the power of choice mapping and its potential to affect future generations.00:12:35 - The three types of choices: simple, momentary, and proactiveKim outlines the three types of choices we make daily. She emphasizes the “proactive choice” as the one that truly warrants deeper exploration—choices that move your life in a meaningful direction.00:15:21 - The three...

One of my core values is something I call conscious storytelling.I believe the stories we tell — both internally to ourselves and externally to the world — create our reality.Change your story, and you can change your reality.That’s why in this Beyond Curious Time Machine episode, I wanted to hit both sides of storytelling:How do we tell more magnetic external stories that attract the right people and opportunities into our lives?How do we rewrite the internal stories running in the background of our own lives?To do this, we are bringing in clips from 3 previous guests:Episodes #36 and #37 with Michael Hauge — Hollywood storytelling legend that has worked on projects starring will smith, julia roberts, tom cruise & many others whose 6-step formula helped me become a dramatically better storyteller. Episodes #147 and #148 with Jude Charles — documentary filmmaker who has produced stories for Google, Steve Harvey, and dozens of visionary CEOs… flips the script, showing us why storytelling isn’t a formula… and reminding us that the most important story you’ll ever tell is the one you tell yourself.Episode #160 with Britt Lefkoe — one of the world’s top mindset experts, who reveals how our childhood stories quietly shape our reality… and how to put more possibilities back on the table.If you also believe in the power of storytelling — both internal and external — this episode is for you!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guests, Michael Hauge, Jude Charles, and Britt LefkoeBrandon introduces this special "Time Machine" episode centered around the art and impact of storytelling. He explains the Time Machine format, which revisits past episodes and extracts key insights. Brandon also shares his philosophy of "conscious storytelling" and how this episode will explore both external and internal narratives.02:20 - Michael Hauge’s Six-Step Storytelling FormulaBrandon introduces Michael Hauge, highlighting his Hollywood credentials and deep influence through works like Hero’s Two Journeys and Storytelling Made Easy. He explains why Michael’s six-step framework became foundational for Brandon’s storytelling journey.05:59 - Michael Hauge Explains the Six Key Beats of StoryMichael details his six essential story steps:SetupCrisisPursuitConflictClimaxAftermathHe walks through each phase with examples, showing how to build empathy, define a visible goal, and end with a transformation that aligns with the audience’s aspirations.11:30 - Brandon Reflects on Michael's Influence and Additional EpisodesBrandon shares more episodes featuring Michael—#36, #37, and #168—and offers unique glimpses into how Michael’s storytelling wisdom manifested in live coaching and even a “liquid storytelling” experiment.13:02 - Introduction to Jude Charles and His Storytelling PhilosophyBrandon introduces Jude Charles, known for his work with Google and Steve Harvey, and for his book Dramatic Demonstration. He sets the stage for Jude’s perspective that storytelling is not bound by formulas.13:24 - Jude Charles Defines Storytelling as a Specific Moment in TimeJude emphasizes storytelling as “a recounting of a specific moment in time.” He explains how specificity and visual detail pull listeners into a narrative and why everyone inherently has the ability to tell compelling stories.16:28 - Why Jude Rejects Storytelling FormulasOffering a counterpoint to Michael Hauge, Jude argues that life is not a formula—and neither is storytelling. He critiques the rigidity of the hero’s journey and

As a 13-year-old immigrant struggling to fit in, Dmitriy Kozlov found rap music.In some ways it saved him — it gave him an outlet and a path to self-expression. But in other ways it nearly killed him.Dmitriy ended up getting involved with gang activity — and eventually, the very gang he ran with turned on him and nearly killed him… more than once. Those near-death experiences became the wake-up call he needed to walk away from that life for good.Fast forward to today…Dmitriy is working with some of the most legendary names in the thought leadership world — people like Lewis Howes, JJ Virgin, Daymond John, Dan Lok, and Joe Polish — helping them build “category of one” personal brand websites through his agency, Influex.Even more incredible?At age 25, he rediscovered his passion for spoken word poetry — and has since used it to grow his business, attributing over seven figures in revenue to performing live on stages around the world.Some things to look forward to in this episode:How Dmitriy uses “unapologetic self expression” via spoken word artistry to land high-end clientsHow to integrate your past, present, and future into a brand that feels fully aligned and multidimensionalDmitriy performs a spoken word piece called, Remember Who You Are!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, Dmitriy Kozlov Brandon introduces today’s guest, Dmitriy “Dima” Kozlov—a spoken word artist and the founder of branding agency Influex. Dima shares a teaser of his poetic talent, and Brandon previews the themes of the episode, including unapologetic self-expression, brand alignment, and Dima’s gripping life journey from immigrant to influential entrepreneur.00:05:24 - The roots of Dima’s expression: Eminem and a near-death experience Dima recounts his early life as a Russian immigrant, discovering self-expression through rap after being bullied. A pivotal moment came after being jumped by a gang at age 13—an experience that pushed him toward academics, work ethic, and eventually entrepreneurship.00:10:36 - Reigniting the flame of expression with spoken word at 25 After a major breakup and lifestyle shift, Dima reconnects with his artistic roots. A spoken word piece written in a shower in LA reignites his creative expression and unlocks a powerful tool for healing and connecting with others—especially fellow entrepreneurs.00:14:25 - Meeting his mentor, Yannick Silver, and entering the world of Mavericks Dima shares how he earned a scholarship to Underground Online Seminar, where he met Yannick Silver. This connection evolved into mentorship and the co-creation of Maverick NEXT, a community for impact-driven young entrepreneurs.00:20:13 - Planting the seeds of an elite network through service Brandon and Dima discuss the ripple effects of co-founding Maverick NEXT, highlighting the long-term impact of building meaningful relationships with purpose-driven peers and mentors.00:21:41 - The art of mentorship and the power of giving first Dima breaks down how he approached Yannick Silver with a value-first mindset, offering web services at cost in exchange for mentorship. This “give first” strategy laid the foundation for many high-profile relationships and business opportunities.00:25:48 - Scaling with soul: Unscalable moves that built a premium agency Dima shares how going above and beyond for early clients, focusing on quality and relationships, created a reputation that attracted top-tier clients like Lewis Howes and Joe Polish—without heavy marketing.00:30:43 -...

Last year I committed to a new endurance challenge:A 100 mile bike ride.Somewhere along the way, a wild idea hit me…What if I could work while riding?Not just answering emails — I’m talking deep, creative, transformational work.Fast forward to today, and I’m getting more done on my bike than I do at my desk.I call it GPT Biking.In this episode, you’ll ride along with me (literally… I recorded this episode on my bike) as I share:How I use ChatGPT as a creative partner while cruising down the road — generating better ideas than I often do sitting stillThe relationship-building hack I’ve developed that lets me send unforgettable personal messages while pedalingBehind-the-scenes of my real-time creative process — from developing facilitation structures to dreaming up frameworksI’ve had SO many people ask me about how I do this, so it’s about time an episode came out on it.If you’ve ever wanted to combine movement, nature, and creativity into a single, game-changing productivity ritual…You’re going to love this one.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s solo episode with Brandon Fong. Brandon shares that there’s no guest today—just him revealing how he gets more work done while training for a 100-mile bike ride than at his desk, including building relationships and using ChatGPT as a creative partner. 00:01:35 - Brandon demonstrates the difference between raw iPhone bike audio and an AI voice-filtered version, noting the improved listening experience despite some quirks. 00:02:47 - He explains how the episode was recorded in two separate biking sessions—initially for friends curious about “GPT Biking,” later expanded into a behind-the-scenes workflow session. 00:03:32 - Quick definitions of recurring concepts: Curiosity Island (invite-only community), Find Your 4 (framework for maximizing results), Architects (co-creators of Curiosity Island’s future), and Moonshots (ambitious personal goals). 00:04:54 - Beginning of the on-bike recording: Brandon introduces GPT Biking, his process for using ChatGPT during rides via a phone mount and voice-to-text/audio replies. 00:05:53 - Case study: Using GPT Biking to refine Curiosity Island Architects’ core values into themes like “Breathtaking Collaboration,” “Conscious Contribution,” and “Childlike Curiosity,” plus brainstorming systems for balanced contributions. 00:10:48 - Brandon’s second major on-bike activity: sending video messages via WhatsApp and iMessage to build and nurture relationships while riding. 00:13:23 - GPT Biking Part 2 begins: Brandon outlines four goals for this ride, including drafting a trademark specimen for Curiosity Island, evolving moonshot weaving frameworks, collaborating with his wife Leah, and refining the Find Your 4 software. 00:15:32 - He details the “moonshot weaving” process—pitching moonshots in group facilitations, collecting instant collaborative feedback, and synthesizing ideas for collective action. 00:22:00 - Brainstorming the “Moonshot Domino” concept: a metaphor inspired by The One Thing for defining each castaway’s next impactful move, including potential collaboration with experts like Colin to assess clarity and alignment. 00:25:48 - Expansion on moonshot storytelling: chronicling each castaway’s journey with tools like Descript to document breakthroughs and refinement in real time. 00:27:24 - Ride wrap-up: 46 miles completed, 11 video messages sent, an introduction made, facilitation plans finalized, and partial progress on software ideas, with physical fatigue marking the session’s end. 00:29:17 - Studio wrap-up weeks later: reflections on which bike-born ideas stuck (Moonshot Domino evolving into Moonshot Portals) and which...