Danijela Čolić is an entrepreneur, strategist and Bosnian war refugee who has turned personal loss, displacement and hardship into a life built around business, community and helping others grow.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Danijela talks about the strength she draws from her family, the stories behind her tattoos, building Club Quantum and the lessons she has learned from running several businesses.

This is a conversation about using pain as fuel, letting go of what no longer serves you and having the courage to build a life that reflects who you really are.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch the UNCUT video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

Liam shares the story of a business trip to Dubai that turned into a terrifying fight for safety after a drone was intercepted near the Palm and explosions started echoing through the city.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Liam talks about running from the Palm, hiding in a building site, leaving goodbye messages for his children, finding a way home, and trying to make sense of what happened afterwards.

His story is about fear, family, survival, friendship, and the moment you realise that the things you thought mattered most can change very quickly.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch the UNCUT video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

David Thomson is the founder of Suada whose life was shaped by growing up mixed-race in 1970s Britain, poverty, violence at home, and the fight to build a different future.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, David talks about racism at school, joining the army at 16, becoming a boxing champion, discovering sales, and using persuasion, self-education and discipline to change the direction of his life.

David shares how resilience can come from harsh beginnings, but also why young people need better systems, stronger communication skills, and people willing to teach them rather than write them off.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch the UNCUT video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

Olivia Hamilton is the founder of Changing Minds Training, a mental health training company that helps professionals have better, more human conversations about mental health, crisis and suicide prevention.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Olivia talks openly about growing up in a chaotic home, struggling with self-harm from a young age, developing bulimia as a teenager, and living through suicide attempts, family breakdown and long waits for the right support. She also reflects on the shame, secrecy and confusion that often surround self-harm, and why people in pain are not usually looking for attention. They are often looking for help, connection and relief.

Olivia also shares practical insight into how parents, friends and professionals can respond when someone is struggling. Sometimes the most useful thing is not trying to fix the problem or deliver advice. It is staying calm, listening properly, asking what support they need, and helping them feel seen rather than judged.

Community note:

This episode includes open discussion of suicide, self-harm, bulimia, alcohol misuse, family trauma and mental health crisis.

Please take care while listening, especially if any of these subjects feel close to home.

Olivia-Louise shares her story with honesty and care, but the conversation is not intended as clinical advice. If you are struggling, please speak to someone you trust or contact a mental health support service in your area.

UK support:

Samaritans - Call 116 123 - Available 24 hours a day

SHOUT - Text SHOUT to 85258 - Free 24/7 crisis text support

Mind - mind.org.uk

Changing Minds Training - changingmindstraining.com

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch the UNCUT video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

Lyn Parent was born in Paris, raised in England, and built a life full of reinvention, risk, resilience and unexpected turns.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Lyn shares the story of being diagnosed with HIV in 1990, being told she had six months to live, moving to New Zealand, becoming a mother, facing stigma, surviving control and emotional abuse, and using her own experience to support other women.

Lyn’s story is about much more than one diagnosis. It is about refusing to be defined by fear, rebuilding a life from scratch, and turning personal pain into advocacy through Just Women Live.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

Sonya Black is a psychotherapist and CBT specialist whose work focuses on trauma, anxiety, depression and helping people understand what happens when the brain’s alarm system gets switched on.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Sonya explains why trauma is not always about the event itself, but how the brain and body process what happened afterwards. She talks about safety, powerlessness, flashbacks, rumination, shame, post-traumatic growth and why some memories feel as if they are still happening now.

Sonya also shares practical insight into how people can support someone after a difficult experience. Sometimes the most useful thing is not trying to fix anything. It is asking, “How can I show up for you right now?” and giving someone space, safety and time to make sense of what happened.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod/

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

Greg Wasserman is a podcast industry connector, LinkedIn creator and host of Podcast Network Insights, whose life changed after a mental health crisis led him into rehab.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Greg talks about losing his job during the pandemic, struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, learning the language of emotions, and discovering why asking for help is a strength rather than a burden.

Greg’s story is about recovery, vulnerability, male mental health, better communication, and the quiet power of saying the thing that someone else might need to hear.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

Rachael Rodgers is a specialist in wills and estate planning who helps people understand what really happens when life, death, divorce, blended families, property, children, and money collide.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Rachael explains why a basic will is often not enough, why assumptions about marriage and inheritance can cause serious problems, and why lasting powers of attorney may be one of the most important documents you ever create.

Rachael’s message is blunt but useful: you may not want to think about death, incapacity, probate, trusts, guardianship, inheritance tax, or who gets what when things go wrong, but avoiding the conversation does not protect the people you love.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod/

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d