In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with Vancouver-based independent author and publisher Corey Croft for a candid conversation about writing, depression, ego, and the strange compulsion to finish terrible books.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

Corey shares how his path to becoming a novelist began not with ambition, but with anxiety. During a difficult stretch marked by depression, he realized he always had "time" to write — he just wasn't using it. A community writing challenge to produce 1,000 words a day became the catalyst. What began as an experiment turned into a therapeutic practice, and eventually into a serious body of work. Writing, for Corey, became a way to confront inner chaos and shape it into narrative.

The conversation moves from craft to philosophy. Corey speaks openly about ego — how it quietly sabotages artists — and the importance of humility when pursuing creative work. He reflects on literary influences like Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, the discipline he learned from Stephen King's On Writing, and why he treats writing like a job rather than waiting for inspiration to strike.

There's humour woven throughout: from his refusal to abandon a bad novel (no matter how painful), to his thoughts on dog-earing book pages, to his suspicion of overly optimized, AI-driven culture. Beneath the jokes is a deeper concern about authenticity — about becoming too polished, too homogenous, too disconnected from the rough edges that make people human.

At its heart, this conversation is about staying real. Corey talks about diminishing the "mask" we wear in public life and striving to align who we are on the outside with who we are internally. For creative rebels and entrepreneurs alike, it's a reminder that art isn't about perfection — it's about honesty.

Audere est facere. To dare is to do. And sometimes, to write.

"You always have time. You just have to make it." — Corey Croft

"Let the ego shrivel up and die on the vine." — Corey Croft

"The freaks make up the world." — Corey Croft

"I love broken spines." — Michael Dargie

"If you're not your honest and true self, how are people ever going to fall in love with you?" — Corey Croft

[01:22,000] Independent Publisher | Corey explains why he created Fly Pelican Press and chose the indie route.

[05:35,000] Writing as Therapy | A 1,000-words-a-day challenge becomes a turning point during depression.

[09:45,000] Dostoevsky on a Megabus | The book that changed Corey's life: Crime and Punishment.

[10:26,000] Writing Like a Job | Lessons from Stephen King's On Writing and treating creativity with discipline.

[13:02,000] Writing Across Gender | Why Corey avoids writing female leads — and the authenticity dilemma.

[17:52,000] You Always Have Time | The myth of "when I have time" gets dismantled.

[23:32,000] Homogeneity and AI | Concerns about optimization and losing human imperfection.

[28:34,000] The Completion Compulsion | Corey refuses to abandon bad books — no matter how awful.

[32:30,000] Rebels in Waiting | Advice for aspiring artists: diminish the ego and embrace rejection.

[38:05,000] Reduce the Mask | Authenticity as a lifelong practice.

• Corey Croft Author Website (https://coreycroftauthor.com)

• Corey Croft on Instagram (https://instagram.com/coreycroftauthor)

• Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7144.Crime_and_Punishment)

• On Writing by Stephen King (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10569.On_Writing)

• Henry Miller (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/147.Henry_Miller)

• Edinburgh, Scotland (https://www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/edinburgh)

About the Host of The RebelRebel

Learn more about Michael Dargie, his book on branding, and cool tools he built at https://MichaelDargie.com

In this episode, Michael Dargie talks with Robert Schmidt—brand strategist, educator, and senior skydiving instructor based in Calgary, Alberta. Robert runs a national brand strategy firm called Box, where he helps organizations figure out who they are, what they stand for, and how to connect with the people that matter most.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

Robert's superpower? Helping brands be something for someone—not everything to everyone. He shares the importance of finding your unique point of view, creating internal alignment, and building brand from the inside out. With clients across Canada and team members as far away as Beirut, Robert's work is as global as it is grounded.

They talk about how COVID reshaped his business, why teaching adult learners lights him up, and how skydiving became both a metaphor and a mindset. With over 1,000 jumps under his belt—including future plans to jump over the pyramids of Giza—Robert explains why fear is often the final gate before true awesomeness.

They also cover his upcoming book about why brand deserves a permanent seat in the boardroom, and the 700% ROI some of his clients have seen from brand investments.

His advice to rebels in waiting? Be awesome. Make the choice, take the leap, and be something for someone—not everything to everyone.

"Awesome hides on the other side of fear."
"Be something for someone, not everything to everyone."
"You can't climb a mountain all at once. But you can take the next step."
"Your brand should have a seat at the boardroom table."
"If you're not choosing awesome, what are you choosing?"

What He Actually Does | Brand strategy, storytelling, and adult education
Remote Before It Was Cool | Selling the office and going national
Skydiving Instructor | 1,000+ jumps and a love of wingsuits
Future Plans | Jumping over the pyramids of Giza from a C-130
Teaching Style | Creating "aha" moments for grown-ups
From Science to Strategy | His path from microbiology to marketing
The Book | Arguing for brand at the boardroom table
People First | Why human connection matters more than ever
The Restaurant Test | Ask them what they would eat
Hot Enough to Break Your Nose | A taco story for the ages
Advice to Rebels | Choose awesome. Be real. Take the leap.

We Are Box Website (https://wearerebox.com)
Robert on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandingstrategist/)
Robert on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/robert.schmidt.7374)

About the Host of The RebelRebel

Learn more about Michael Dargie, his book on branding, and cool tools he built at https://MichaelDargie.com

In this episode, Michael Dargie talks with India Hayes, founder of Bikers Hangout—a grassroots global movement for motorcycle riders. Broadcasting from Warrington, England, India shares how her idea to connect riders around the world began in a hospital while recovering from pneumonia. Frustrated by the lack of an international biker network, she started a Facebook group. That seed grew into Bikers Hangout, a multimedia platform complete with its own radio station, live shows, club directory, and growing global partnerships.

India opens up about riding through personal health struggles, including kidney failure and spinal issues, and how building Bikers Hangout gave her focus and something to live for. From her first illegally rebuilt TS125 to launching shows across the UK, US, and beyond, India's journey is powered by persistence and love for the biking community.

She also talks about the importance of giving back, connecting small service businesses to riders, and using the platform to support organizations like Blood Bikes. With plans to tour more, build out the global club directory, and collaborate with TV hosts and major cargo networks, India shows what's possible when you follow your calling—even if the road is bumpy.

Her advice to rebels in waiting? Be patient, be relentless, and get out into the world. "You have one life, and that life is soon gone. So just do it. Give it 100%."

"You have one life, and that life is soon gone. So just do it. Give it 100%."
"There wasn't a global bikers platform—so I built one."
"It's quite an emotional connection you have with a motorcycle… you are at one."
"Sometimes you've got to stop and show them how it's done."
"Every day is a new day. I've got stuff to do."

The First Ride | Rebuilding a bike from boxes at 13
From Facebook to Global | How Bikers Hangout was born in a hospital bed
Radio for Riders | Starting a biker-run global radio station
Riding Through It | How India built a business while battling chronic illness
Going Worldwide | 200+ clubs in the directory (and growing)
Community, Not Commerce | Why they never charge the clubs
The Real Ones | Featuring underground mechanics and unlisted legends
Building for Others | Helping Blood Bikes generate income through partnerships
The Long Game | Plans for tours, collaborations, and more shows
Advice to Rebels | Patience, persistence, and putting in the work

Bikers Hangout Website (https://www.bikershangout.co.uk/)
India on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/india-hayes-703ba01a/)
India on Threads (https://www.threads.com/@bikershangout2019?xmt=AQF0TSiYBpXGOo9tddkzVQkU5unVaotSI1bI3Q4RCUpr-50)
India on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@indiahayes666)

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About the Host of The RebelRebel

Learn more about Michael Dargie, his book on branding, and cool tools he built at https://MichaelDargie.com