What happens when the unthinkable becomes your story – and that story becomes the backbone of your brand?

In this episode of The Meaningful Marketing Podcast, marketing strategist and host Chantal Gerardy sits down with Bali bombing survivor, speaker and author Andrew Csabi to unpack not just his incredible journey, but the marketing mechanics behind it.

Together, they explore how Andrew turned a life-altering trauma into a purpose-led message, a book, and a speaking career and Chantal breaks down exactly why his storytelling works so well in a noisy, sceptical online world.

This isn’t just a story of resilience. It’s a practical masterclass in using real, raw experience to build trust, credibility and emotional connection in your marketing, without feeling exploitative, fluffy or fake. If you’re a business owner or marketing VA wondering how to create content that actually lands (and leads to clients), this conversation shows you how to do it with heart and strategy.

💡 You’ll Learn:

• Why emotionally charged stories cut through marketing noise – and how Chantal recommends using them without oversharing or trauma-dumping
• How Andrew uses his book as a strategic business asset – and the simple ways you can turn a book, blog or keynote into ongoing leads
• What makes a personal story commercially powerful – Chantal breaks down structure, relevance and clear calls to action
• How trauma-informed content can build credibility and trust when handled with care, consent and intention
• The role of purpose in a personal brand that actually converts – and how to align your story with offers, not just inspiration

If you want your marketing to feel more human and more effective, this episode will show you how to use story and vulnerability as a real strategy, not just a nice-to-have.

📚 Connect with Andrew Csabi:

📖 Order his book: BOM BALI: Life After Death
🔐 AGC Pro-Tec Security: agcprotec.com.au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agcpro_tec/

Facebook: AGC Pro-Tec: https://www.facebook.com/agcprotect
Bom Bali – Life after death https://www.facebook.com/bombalilifeafterdeath

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcsabi

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What do dating apps, ghosting, and awkward first coffees have to do with building a podcast brand? Everything, if you know how to turn your personal experiences into content that connects.

In this episode of The Meaningful Marketing Podcast, Chantal chats with Andrew Small, host of the Over 40s Dating Podcast: Real and Unfiltered, about how he transformed his real-life dating disasters into a fast-growing, relatable podcast brand, all while juggling work, family, and zero marketing background.

Whether you’re a marketing VA helping a client stand out, or a business owner looking to build your own brand, this episode shows you how to turn authenticity into strategy.

You’ll Learn:

• How Andrew found his niche by tapping into real, raw personal stories
• Why relatability beats perfection in building an audience
• The marketing power of “passion projects”
• How to start a content platform with zero tech skills
• What makes a podcast pitch-worthy for sponsorships

🔗 Resources & Links:

🎙️ Follow Andrew’s podcast: Over 40s Dating – Real and Unfiltered on your favourite streaming platforms
🌐 Website coming soon. Follow @over40sdatingpodcast for launch details

📈 More from Meaningful Marketing

📥 Download your FREE Marketing Guide
👉 chantalgerardy.com.au/free-downloads

🎧 Catch more episodes
👉 themeaningfulmarketingpodcast.com

🌐 Learn more
👉 onlinebusinessmarketing.com.au

What if the “fix” isn’t more rest, more stretching, or another short-term treatment… but an entirely different approach to your body and mind?

In this episode, physiotherapist and founder of The Ikaika Method Mana Shigematsu shares his powerful story, from a misdiagnosed injury to building a strength-first, soul-led recovery model that challenges everything you think you know about healing.

We talk real results, raw branding, and why pain is often the signal, not the root, of what’s really going on.

💡 You’ll learn:

• Why most traditional physio gets it wrong (and what to look for instead)
• The mindset shift that helps athletes, high performers & chronic pain sufferers heal
• How Mana uses strength, clarity, and warrior energy to empower his clients
• What branding looks like when you stop trying to “appeal to everyone”
• How he’s marketing his business by being fully himself

💪 Connect with Mana Shigematsu

🌐 theikaikamethod.com.au
📸 Instagram – @theikaikamethod
🎟️ Follow his wellness event series: @empowerfitexperience
🏋️‍♂️ Personal: @manamatsu

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🎯 Download our FREE Marketing Guide

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