EducationSelf-ImprovementBusinessEntrepreneurship

301 Podcast

Marcus Engel

The interview podcast for the hottest up and coming entrepreneurs, artists and creators.
Get inspired with two weekly episodes, presented by your host Marcus Engel.

Play

Open in

21 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 1 hr 2 min
English

Episodes 21

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S5 · E108
September 17 · 1 hr 10 min
YouTube Banned Him and Here Is Why - Ömer Sastim aka Master Oogway
On June 20th, 2024, Ömer Sastim better known as Master Oogway, tried to log into his YouTube account and couldn't. Five years of building a total of 27 million subscriber channels, gone overnight. He built one of the biggest channels in his category by voicing the Kung Fu Panda character and turning small moments of wisdom into viral shorts. Then he released a song that crossed a line he now openly regrets, and YouTube pulled everything. In this episode we sit with the honest reckoning of what that day actually felt like, what he'd do differently, and how he's rebuilding two years on. We also talk about the rage baiting economy that's currently reshaping social media, where he thinks it all leads, why he genuinely believes people take the internet too seriously. Plus how he actually copes with hate, what it takes to be a real creator today, and the next chapter he's quietly building around POV content and brand partnerships. Chapters: 00:00 Doom's day 00:52 27 million subscribers gone overnight 04:53 Why YouTube goes after big creators 11:51 The rage baiting content industry and where it leads 18:32 Have you forgiven yourself for the video that got you banned 24:57 The shift toward more positive content 34:53 The economics of controversial content 40:15 What it actually takes to be a content creator today 42:38 The financial pressure and the next move 45:56 How Master Oogway was born 49:47 Chasing morality versus chasing views 54:40 How he copes with negativity 58:46 Being himself now, not hiding behind the character 61:21 What's next, POV content and brand partnerships 68:12 A new leaf 68:37 A laugh a day will push the hardships away Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel/ Subscribe to the 301 Podcast for new episodes every two weeks.
S6 · E107
August 30 · 45 min
The Hook, The Album, and Half a Billion Views with Leyla Afshonkar
Leyla Afshonkar built one of the biggest viral moments in Instagram history, a video with Neymar that reached hundreds of millions of views. She could have kept riding that wave forever. Instead she quietly walked away from it and switched, completely, to music. Leyla is now building an artist career from scratch. She released her album Juicy earlier this year and is treating everything before this as a previous chapter. In this episode we get into what happened, why she made the switch, and what the last two years of internal work looked like as she stopped chasing views and started chasing a childhood dream she'd been ignoring since she was a kid. We also talk about what actually makes something go viral, why she thinks the hook is everything, how a spiritual awakening two years ago rewired the way she creates, and the boring reality of being a beginner in the music industry after being one of the most watched people on the internet. Plus her honest take on comfort zones, discipline, ADHD, and the songwriting process that only happens when she's half asleep in the middle of the night. In this episode: - Why she completely walked away from the viral content that made her famous - The full switch from entertainer to artist and why she made it - What actually makes something go viral and why the hook is everything - The spiritual awakening two years ago that changed how she creates - Her album Juicy and the sushi meal that inspired it - Why she thinks ADHD is a superpower, not a curse - What discipline actually looks like when you're rebuilding from zero - Why the music industry has been much harder than she expected - Why comfort zones are dangerous even when they're successful - Her advice for anyone who wants to reinvent themselves and doesn't know how Chapters: (00:00) What actually makes something go viral (01:42) Why she's not afraid to show her real self on camera (03:01) Can confidence actually be trained (04:04) Growing up struggling with beauty standards (05:50) COVID, Arabic comedy, and going viral for the first time (06:56) The complete shift, why she walked away from what was working (08:01) Joe Dispenza, meditation, and the spiritual awakening (09:22) Why ADHD is a superpower (10:18) Why chasing views stopped being fulfilling (11:31) Wanting to be an artist, not an entertainer (13:34) The album Juicy and the music dream she carries (15:48) How to actually shift your personality (17:38) Discipline, atomic habits, and the boring reality (19:40) The unseen work behind a single song release (21:39) Why criticism of her music hits harder (25:00) The version of Leyla in the studio when the camera is off (26:50) The New Year's sushi meal that became a song (28:17) Why her best songs come in the middle of the night (31:05) How she actually rests in Amsterdam (32:05) The music industry has been harder than she expected (33:22) Why she refuses to commit to a single genre (37:26) Why comfort zones are dangerous even when they're successful (43:54) Don't forget to breathe Subscribe to the 301 Podcast for new episodes every two weeks.
#106
August 13 · 1 hr 9 min
The Secret Behind Ekster's Lionel Messi and Steven Bartlett Deal | Olivier Momma
Olivier Momma didn't pay Messi's €1.5 million endorsement fee. He found the back door. In this conversation we get into how he actually landed one of the most unreachable people on earth, then went on to land Steven Bartlett and Diary of a CEO for the 1% TravelPack. Both without the standard playbook. Olivier is the founder of Ekster, the Amsterdam brand that started as a Kickstarter smart wallet in 2016 and now heads past $50 million a year across wallets, travel gear, and accessories. In this episode he breaks down the exact story of how Ekster landed Messi (through a broken merch website), how the Bartlett deal came together (starting with a single high risk podcast sponsorship), and the 1% mindset that's been baked into every Ekster product for a decade. We also get into why life is still chaos after ten years, what he'd tell any founder starting today, why he still hasn't felt the "I made it" moment, what home actually means to someone who moved every three years, and the SMS he'd send to every phone in the world. In this episode: The full Messi story, including the broken web store back door How the Steven Bartlett and Diary of a CEO collaboration actually happened Designing the 1% TravelPack with the DOAC team Why the modular wallet decision was the marginal gain that changed everything The Hong Kong 2016 QR code moment that started Ekster His sister's €500 Kickstarter video that raised $350,000 The failed first venture (Delhi Scouts) nobody hears about The secret sauce for building a brand in 2026 Why he's still not settled, and what home actually means to him Chapters: 00:00 The Messi backdoor (cold open) 00:30 How the Steven Bartlett collaboration actually happened 06:00 Designing the 1% TravelPack together 10:00 The 1% mindset has always been Ekster 13:00 The modular wallet decision that changed everything 15:00 Hong Kong 2016: the QR code moment 17:00 Kickstarter, his sister's video, and the first $350K 21:00 What he misses about the early days 24:00 The secret sauce for starting a brand today 30:00 The storytelling framework every brand should steal 35:00 Why life is still chaos after ten years 39:00 Behind the scenes versus the Instagram life 50:00 The full Messi story: how the deal actually closed 57:00 The World Cup viral moment 1:00:00 What home means when you've moved every three years 1:02:00 The price of the entrepreneur life 1:03:15 How he finally learned to switch off in Cape Town 1:05:47 Rapid fire: Own the Unknown
S7 · E105
July 23 · 1 hr 14 min
The $10 Million Problem Most Millionaires Face | James Galligan
James Galligan is 22 years old. In 18 months he built A Players Club from zero to more than 160 members. His best month was €185,000 in cash. He could have scaled it to €700K a month if he wanted to. He chose not to. James is an Irish entrepreneur, one of Iman Gadzhi's early sales stars (setter, then top closer, then team lead), and now the founder of A Players Club, Europe's most exclusive private founder network. In this conversation we get into why he thinks reputation matters more than revenue, what he actually had to unlearn from Iman, why he stopped posting Instagram Reels on purpose, and the "gap" he believes every entrepreneur eventually has to sprint through. We talk about the philosophy his mentors gave him (exit in ten years, not scale next month), the day he decided anyone can be a millionaire but only true entrepreneurs get to €10 million, why he defends Iman against the "scam" allegations, and the vision he has for the next five years that includes physical locations for entrepreneurs around the world. Chapters: 00:00 Anyone can be a millionaire, but €10M is the real test 00:33 The last 18 months of A Players Club 03:00 What "the gap" actually is 06:00 Turning down €700K a month 08:00 Setting the record straight on Iman Gadzhi 12:00 Founders Podcast as a team culture hack 15:00 What he had to unlearn from Iman 19:00 Culture over speed in hiring 21:00 Not 10,000 millionaires. A thousand people worth $10M plus 23:00 Where the drive actually comes from 25:00 Wealth in relationships, not material things 34:00 Business as art 40:00 Hiring for access, not just skills 44:00 The 1:30am text and what it actually means 46:00 Steve Jobs versus quality of life 48:00 Trust from a distance 51:00 Why he stopped posting Instagram Reels 55:00 Path of Discovery: the German boat story 59:00 Building software for in-person events 1:03:00 What most people get wrong about community 1:08:00 The vision for the next five years 1:11:00 Rapid fire and "The Gap" Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/jamesgalligann/ https://www.theaplayersclub.com/ https://www.instagram.com/aplayersclub/ Follow Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel/ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories!
S5 · E104
July 10 · 1 hr 29 min
How to Build a Business That Runs Without You | Dar Stormson
Dar Stormson has built and sold three companies. He also thinks 9 out of 10 businesses fail. And that the ones that don't fail often end up somewhere worse: the lukewarm zone where they don't quite fail and don't quite succeed and just slowly eat away at the owner until they burn out or give up. Dar is the founder of Størmson Consulting and Stormson Capital. He started his first company at 14, got kicked out of school for 52% absence, then ended up teaching his own class. Since then he's built, scaled and sold multiple companies including Kaplock, the encrypted coat-lock startup that scaled from an attic in Breda to millions in funding. In this conversation we get into the actual playbook that the top 10% follow, which almost nobody else knows. We talk about why you should stay in bed instead of writing code, the "four gear wheels" that turn a startup into a self-running organization, how it actually feels to exit a company for millions, the day he chose to reinvest every single euro to save his team, and why he thinks the biggest tragedy in business is entrepreneurs who don't know when to quit. In this episode: - Why 9 out of 10 businesses fail (and the sadder fate of the ones that survive) - The counterintuitive way to find a million dollar idea without writing a single line of code - The story of getting kicked out of school at 14 and building his first company - The 4 gear wheels of a scalable organization: goals, processes, teams, dashboards - What "collective intelligence" is and why Silicon Valley uses it - How it actually feels to exit a company (and why the first one didn't feel real) - The negotiation tactics every founder should know before signing anything - Stormson Capital: his new fund and community for entrepreneurs - What 15 years of entrepreneurship has actually cost him - What he'd tell 16 year old Dar if he walked in the room today Chapters: 00:00 Why 9 out of 10 businesses fail 04:00 Inner Academy: getting kicked out of school at 14 14:00 The counterintuitive way to find a million dollar idea 19:00 Kaplock: from stolen jackets to a scaled business 28:00 The 4 gear wheels of a scalable organization 36:00 The Silicon Valley method: collective intelligence 51:00 How exiting a company actually feels 54:00 The day he chose team over cash 1:00:00 Negotiation tactics every founder should know 1:06:00 Stormson Capital: his new fund and community 1:12:00 What entrepreneurship really costs you 1:19:00 How to deal with failure and stress 1:24:00 What he'd tell 16 year old Dar 1:27:50 The final SMS: "Give it a try" Follow Dar: https://www.instagram.com/darstormson/ Follow Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel/ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories!
S5 · E103
June 25 · 1 hr 4 min
How we Lost the Art of Conversation | Hannah Rinne
We're losing the art of conversation. That's at least what Hannah Rinne thinks and she says the reason isn't social media exactly. It's that we've become too entertained by ourselves to need anyone else. Hannah is the founder of the Conversation Club, a movement in Amsterdam that pulls strangers together in person to talk about the things social media won't let us slow down for. Is having a boyfriend embarrassing? Is social media ruining our lives? Is love harder to find today? She's also a co-founder of Social Capital, a radio host on the Conversation Club show, a Rocycle instructor with 1,500 classes under her belt, and a self-described "cultural curator." In this episode we get into why she thinks our phones are quietly draining the substance out of our lives, and what she's actually doing in Amsterdam to bring it back. We talk about the moment on a beach in Australia where she sketched out the Conversation Club while getting her nails done. The first event at the Hoxton, where she capped it at 15 people and ended up staying until 10pm. Why "friction maxxing" might be the most important wellness trend of the next five years. In this episode: - Why the real problem isn't social media, it's that we're too entertained by ourselves - How the Conversation Club went from a beach idea to a sold-out movement in Amsterdam - Why our IQ dropped for the first time last year, and what that signals about the next decade - The sauna conversation Hannah will never forget with two strangers - Why she chose to be a "cultural curator" instead of picking one lane - The lost art of observation, boredom, and waiting in line without your phone - "Friction maxxing": why deliberate discomfort might save us What she'd send to every phone on earth if she could send one SMS Chapters: 00:00 The attention crisis: why nobody talks anymore 01:00 Hannah's portfolio life: cellist, gymnast, entrepreneur 03:00 The family that wasn't supposed to produce a founder 05:00 Why fewer women say yes to podcasts 09:00 How the Conversation Club was born on a beach in Australia 13:00 Are we losing critical thinking? IQ went down for the first time 18:30 The first event: 15 strangers, four hours of conversation 22:00 The best conversations Hannah has ever had 26:30 "We're too entertained by ourselves" 36:00 From corporate burnout to "cultural curator" 44:00 Sauna culture, friction maxxing, and the lost art of being bored 53:00 The nostalgia for a pre-phone world 1:00:00 Get off your phone: Hannah's message to the world Follow Hannah Rinne: https://www.instagram.com/hannahrinn/ https://www.instagram.com/conversationclubb/ https://www.instagram.com/socialcapital.studio/ Follow Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel/ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories!
S5 · E102
June 11 · 1 hr 6 min
The Creative Genius Behind Red Bull, Nike and Netflix | Ron Simpson
Ron Simpson doesn't pitch. He didn't pitch BYD, the first client at his new agency WinWin. He didn't pitch Bacardi or The Good Roll either. They came to him because the network already knew what he was building. In this conversation, Ron walks us through how he built a micro marketing agency on a "triangle system" where the brand, the creator, and the agency all win in the same deal. He breaks down why he turned down the AI influencer trend everyone else is chasing, what he actually hates about AI in marketing, and his creative process where he hunts problems instead of dreaming up solutions. We also go places Ron usually doesn't go in interviews. The restaurant concept he had to say goodbye to two days before this recording. What fifteen years of entrepreneurship has actually cost him and the one thing he wishes he had started earlier. In this episode: - Why "Ron Simpson only has something to prove to himself" is still true in 2026 - How Win Win works, and why it could have been called Win Win Win - The BYD launch story: 150 micro influencers, no pitch deck, one phone call - Why Ron bet on real humans when the rest of the market bet on AI influencers - What he hates about AI in marketing (and what he actually loves about it) - His creative process, his night owl hours, and why he chases problems not solutions - The restaurant concept he lost two days before this recording - What fifteen years of entrepreneurship has actually cost him - His advice to 22 year olds who DM him about building a brand - The name Ron gives this chapter of his life Chapters: 00:00 Cold open 00:45 Is "Ron only has to prove something to himself" still true in 2026? 04:00 Pick a fight to win: the Win Win philosophy and the triangle system 10:30 The BYD launch: 150 micro influencers, no pitch deck 17:00 Real UGC, brand freedom, and why authenticity wins 22:30 Why Ron bet on real humans, not AI influencers 25:30 What Ron loves and hates about AI in marketing 33:00 The Terminator vision creative process: hunting problems, not solutions 41:00 Losing: the restaurant concept he closed two days before this recording 44:00 Burnout and being "too close to the glass" 49:00 The real price of fifteen years of entrepreneurship 52:30 Advice to 22 year olds building a brand 56:30 The Moment: three quick fire questions to close Follow Ron Simpson: https://www.instagram.com/ronsimpson/ https://ronsimpson.com/ Follow Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel/ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories!
S6 · E101
April 23 · 54 min
Living, Working & Loving With ADHD - Rosie Turner ADHD Coach
Rosie Turner is an accredited ADHD coach, founder of ADHD Untangled, and someone who spent decades not knowing why everything felt just a little bit harder than it should. In this episode we go far beyond the diagnosis story, we talk about what it actually feels like to live in an ADHD brain, the emotional weight, the shame spirals, the rejection sensitivity that can floor you for days. We talk about running a business with ADHD: the burnout cycles, the financial reality, the hiring mistakes, and the moments every month where you think about quitting and we talk about what actually helps: real routines, real community, and learning to use ADHD as a vehicle instead of a victim story. This is one of those conversations that makes you feel less alone, whether you have ADHD, think you might, or love someone who does. Timestamps (00:00) — What would you want someone to experience to understand ADHD? (01:45) — How Rosie felt different before she knew why and the coping mechanisms that hid it (03:35) — The overachiever mask: how success on the outside can hide exhaustion on the inside (05:22) — When did you start to ask questions? The moment the party lifestyle stopped (06:30) — Discovering rejection sensitive dysphoria and realising everything connected (07:57) — Starting ADHD Untangled from a friend's sofa with nowhere to live (08:38) — After diagnosis: the relief, and then the delayed grief (10:29) — What becomes harder once you know — unmasking and losing your old life (13:00) — Shame vs guilt: what shame really means for the ADHD brain (15:26) — The shame spiral and how the school system builds it in (16:32) — Rejection sensitive dysphoria in real life: the blue tick, the vague text, the spiral (18:30) — The three types of ADHD and why the one everyone knows is actually the smallest (20:17) — Running a business with ADHD: how it really looks from the inside (21:18) — Why the business wasn't planned and what happens when novelty meets no structure (23:07) — ADHD and finances: the part nobody talks about (24:00) — The hiring problem: rushing the process, trusting too quickly, skipping the contracts (26:10) — How many times this month have you thought about shutting it down? (26:26) — What keeps her going: the layered why behind the business (28:13) — The positives: pattern recognition, risk-taking, and connecting fast (29:46) — Routine as medicine: the 4:30am morning practice and what it actually does (32:01) — Sparklerisation: why your routine needs to keep changing to keep working (33:30) — Practical tips for ADHD entrepreneurs: do less, get support, think ahead (35:51) — Don't do it alone: why isolation nearly broke her (37:10) — Relationships after diagnosis: avoiding dating for two years (38:26) — Not knowing how to show up without a mask (39:41) — Getting dumped on WhatsApp — and what she did next (42:15) — What partners of people with ADHD need to understand (44:07) — The one thing she wishes every partner knew (46:43) — Demand avoidance: never tell an ADHDer what to do (47:31) — Should you get diagnosed? Why she always asks "why wouldn't you?" (49:02) — Using ADHD as a vehicle, not a victim story (50:25) — How to work with Rosie: coaching, training, and the ecosystem she's building (52:15) — Three things to do this week if you have ADHD (53:44) — Final questions: what she's learning, the name of this chapter, and her message to the world Connect with Rosie: https://www.instagram.com/rosieadhduntangled/ https://untangledco.com/academy/adhdinformedcoachcoach Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel/ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories!
S5 · E100
April 9 · 48 min
How This Artist Landed Kesha, Chris Brown & Ed Sheeran | Dzanar Abbas-Zade
He arrived in the Netherlands at age 8 with nothing but a violin. Three refugee camps later, he taught himself Photoshop from forums, started freelancing at 15, and ended up directing visuals for Chris Brown, G-Eazy and Riff Raff, working alongside Sam Feldt and Ed Sheeran. Besides his celebrity client list, his pink glitter basketball ended up on Times Square and later got bought from Drake's father. He calls this chapter of his life "the beginning." This is the story of Dzanar Abbas-Zade. We get into how he went from grinding behind a computer to becoming the secret weapon behind some of the biggest names in the industry. How he got his first big break by offering to work for free. How a rare condition where he sees colors and shapes when he hears music became his creative superpower and why he walked away from the A-list client work to launch his own art. And if you stick around until the end he also shares one one underrated trick he says most creatives completely overlook when trying to work with bigger names. This is a conversation about obsession, timing, courage, and what it actually takes to get in the room. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) The most underrated trick in the creative industry (02:43) From refugee camp to VIP parties (07:21) Arriving in the Netherlands with nothing (08:21) Teaching himself everything from a computer (10:22) How obsession turns into a career (14:22) First music videos and the EDM scene (17:41) What made his work different from everyone else (19:21) Working with Sanfeldt before he was famous (21:43) Should creatives work for free? (23:55) His rare condition: seeing colors when hearing music (26:47) How he approaches a creative project (27:48) Why creativity loves silence (34:15) His favorite project: G-Eazy NFT collection (36:18) What it's like collaborating with A-list artists (38:13) The shift from client work to his own art (39:09) Launching his first exhibition during COVID (40:06) His pink glitter basketball on Times Square (43:39) The most underrated trick: study the art of language (45:35) It's not luck. It's timing. (46:31) Advice for young creatives (47:50) Three final questions Connect with Dzanar: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dzanar/ Website: https://dzanar.com/ Follow Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel/ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories!
S6 · E99
March 3 · 51 min
The Misconceptions About Disability Nobody Talks About - Sophie-Anne Onland
Today we speak with Sophie-Anne Onland, about the challenges and opportunity for disability representation. Born with a limb difference, Sophie shares her personal journey of growing up with a disability, the challenges she faced, and how she overcame them to become a voice for change. Key Topics Discussed: - Sophie's early life and the role her parents played in encouraging her to live without limits. - The lack of representation of people with disabilities in media and how it affected her self-esteem. - The pivotal moment that led Sophie to embrace her disability and become more open about it. - The importance of good representation and how it can impact individuals' self-worth and societal inclusion. -Sophie's transition from hiding her disability to becoming a public speaker and advocate. -The founding of her Agency Ninety-nine aimed at increasing the visibility and representation of people with disabilities in media and advertising. - Practical advice for brands on how to authentically represent people with disabilities. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:38 - The importance of representation 01:51 - Growing up without role models 04:12 - Sophie's early life and family support 06:00 - Teenage years and growing insecurities 07:51 - The energy spent on hiding and adjusting 10:43 - Nature vs. nurture: Sophie's positive mindset 13:13 - The impact of disability on personal growth 17:47 - The societal approach to disabilities 21:14 - Acceptance and self-worth 23:22 - Sophie's journey to self-acceptance 28:45 - The role of social media and finding role models 33:07 - Sophie's content journey and mission 36:43 - Founding the agency Ninety-Nine 42:03 - What brands get wrong about representation 47:03 - The future of disability representation in media Connect with Sophie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophieonland/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-anne-onland-27978449/ Agency: https://www.instagram.com/ninetynine_agency/ Follow Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel/ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories! #DisabilityRepresentation #Inclusion #Podcast #Inspiration #Sophie #RepresentationMatters #Diversity #Acceptance #SelfWorth #MediaRepresentation
S5 · E98
Dec 18, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min
Leading Psychologist on how to Heal your body with your mind, Trauma Responses and Shame - Caroline Middelsdorf
Trauma isn’t just caused by extreme events like war, accidents, or abuse. In this episode, trauma psychologist Caroline Middelsdorf explains trauma as invisible wounds, experiences that overwhelmed the nervous system and were never fully processed. We explore why trauma often goes unrecognized, how the mind can forget while the body remembers, and why many people live in survival mode for years without realizing it. Caroline breaks down common trauma responses, including people-pleasing, hypervigilance, anxiety, emotional exhaustion or burnout and explains why these patterns often surface later in life. A central theme of this conversation is shame. Shame is one of the most overlooked trauma responses and one of the biggest blocks to healing. We discuss how shame develops, why it keeps people stuck, and how healing requires more than awareness alone, it requires nervous system regulation, emotional safety, and integration. This episode also covers: - Childhood trauma and emotional neglect - Big T vs small t trauma - Dissociation and body memory - Why trauma symptoms often appear in your late 20s or 30s - The stages of healing emotional wounds - How to support a partner who has experienced trauma - What to look for (and avoid) in a therapist If you’ve ever felt constantly on edge, emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected from your body, or ashamed without knowing why, this conversation will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface. This episode is for education and reflection. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional mental health care. About the guest Caroline Middelsdorf is a trauma psychologist specializing in nervous system regulation, emotional trauma, and healing chronic stress responses. She shares educational content on trauma, shame, and healing across multiple platforms. 📌 Caroline’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinemiddelsdorf/?hl=en 🎙️ Caroline’s podcast Real, Raw and Authentic: https://www.youtube.com/@UCtk43vLV-ch0nuKEhO4iXMA Timestamps: 00:00 – What Trauma Really Is (And Why We Get It Wrong) 04:15 – Invisible Wounds & Childhood Trauma 09:00 – How Trauma Shows Up Later in Life 17:30 – Why the Mind Forgets but the Body Remembers 25:40 – Survival Mode, Burnout & Anxiety 36:45 – Shame: The Most Overlooked Trauma Response 45:20 – Why Awareness Alone Doesn’t Heal Trauma 53:10 – The Hardest Part of Healing 01:01:30 – How to Support a Partner with Trauma 01:08:35 – Who You Become After Healing 01:12:15 – Message for Anyone Feeling Broken
S5 · E97
Dec 4, 2025 · 50 min
Scaling from 10K to 250K Months with Meta Ads (From a $50M Ad Buyer)
In this episode, I sit down with Ahmed Kamel, one of the top performance marketers in Europe, to break down why ads “stop working,” how to fix them, and the exact creative and targeting system he uses to scale brands from 10K → 50K → 100K → 250K months and beyond. Ahmed has driven half a million dollars in a single day, managed six-figure monthly budgets, and produced 524% year-over-year growth for brands by thinking like an investment manager, not a traditional “media buyer.” We get into: - Why most founders diagnose their ad problems wrong - The creative mistakes 90% of Meta ad accounts do - The right way to structure campaigns in 2025–2026 - Why traffic campaigns are “window shoppers” and what to run instead - The growth ceilings at 10K, 50K, 100K, 250K months (and how to break them) - Meta’s Andromeda update and the end of weak AI creatives - How to test with a €1,000/month budget, step by step - Why overproduced ads fail and simple UGC wins - The metric founders obsess over that doesn’t matter - The 7-day fixes that immediately improve conversions Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduction and Record-Breaking Ad Sales (00:23) - The Role of an Ads Manager (00:43) - Comparing Bank Interest to Ad Returns (01:07) - The Reality of Marketing Guarantees (01:32) - Factors Influencing Ad Success (02:16) - Misconceptions About Advertisement (02:51) - The Problem with Overpromising in Marketing (03:15) - Testing and Iterating for Success (04:15) - Breaking Growth Ceilings (05:04) - Case Study: B2C SaaS Growth (06:05) - Different Growth Ceilings for Different Revenue Levels (07:03) - Challenges of Scaling High-Revenue Businesses (07:34) - Common Misdiagnoses by Founders (08:22) - Practical Steps When Ads Stop Working (09:22) - Setup vs. Creative Issues in Ad Campaigns (10:23) - Quick Funnel Check for Founders (11:40) - Elements of a Good Landing Page (13:59) - Do Ugly Landing Pages Sell Better? (15:02) - The Impact of AI on Ad Creatives (16:28) - Trends in Ad Creatives for 2026 (17:16) - Meta Andromeda Update and Its Impact (18:44) - Importance of Strong Creatives (19:45) - Effective Black Friday Creatives (20:45) - Industry-Specific Creative Strategies (22:20) - Simplifying the Buying Journey (24:42) - The Power of Storytelling in Ads (26:01) - Human Connection in Advertising (27:28) - Trusting the Algorithm vs. Data-Driven Decisions (29:30) - Audience Segmentation vs. Broad Targeting (30:57) - Thinking Like a Business Owner (31:58) - Building Trust with Clients (34:37) - Practical Advice for Small Budgets (35:42) - Example: Scaling a Podcast Course (39:14) - Overcoming Fear of Ads (39:47) - The Painful Truth About Scaling (40:30) - Bottlenecks for Founders (41:25) - Misconceptions About Ads (42:40) - Ethical Considerations in Advertising Connect with Ahmed: https://www.instagram.com/ahmedkamel_7/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-kamel-performance-marketer/ Follow Marcus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/301podcast Marcus: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel 💌 Business inquiries: studiobooking@weare301.comIn this episode, I sit down with Ahmed Kamel, one of the top performance marketers in Europe, to break down why ads “stop working,” how to fix them, and the exact creative and targeting system he uses to scale brands from 10K → 50K → 100K → 250K months and beyond. Ahmed has driven half a million dollars in a single day, managed six-figure monthly budgets, and produced 524% year-over-year growth for brands by thinking like an investment manager, not a traditional “media buyer.” We get into: - Why most founders diagnose their ad problems wrong - The creative mistakes 90% of Meta ad accounts do - The right way to structure campaigns in 2025–2026 - Why traffic campaigns are “window shoppers” and what to run instead - The growth ceilings at 10K, 50K, 100K, 250K months (and how to break them) - Meta’s Andromeda update and the end of weak AI creatives - How to test with a €1,000/month budget, step by step - Why overproduced ads fail and simple UGC wins - The metric founders obsess over that doesn’t matter - The 7-day fixes that immediately improve conversions Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Record-Breaking Ad Sales 00:23 - The Role of an Ads Manager 00:43 - Comparing Bank Interest to Ad Returns 01:07 - The Reality of Marketing Guarantees 01:32 - Factors Influencing Ad Success 02:16 - Misconceptions About Advertisement 02:51 - The Problem with Overpromising in Marketing 03:15 - Testing and Iterating for Success 04:15 - Breaking Growth Ceilings 05:04 - Case Study: B2C SaaS Growth 06:05 - Different Growth Ceilings for Different Revenue Levels 07:03 - Challenges of Scaling High-Revenue Businesses 07:34 - Common Misdiagnoses by Founders 08:22 - Practical Steps When Ads Stop Working 09:22 - Setup vs. Creative Issues in Ad Campaigns 10:23 - Quick Funnel Check for Founders 11:40 - Elements of a Good Landing Page 13:59 - Do Ugly Landing Pages Sell Better? 15:02 - The Impact of AI on Ad Creatives 16:28 - Trends in Ad Creatives for 2026 17:16 - Meta Andromeda Update and Its Impact 18:44 - Importance of Strong Creatives 19:45 - Effective Black Friday Creatives 20:45 - Industry-Specific Creative Strategies 22:20 - Simplifying the Buying Journey 24:42 - The Power of Storytelling in Ads 26:01 - Human Connection in Advertising 27:28 - Trusting the Algorithm vs. Data-Driven Decisions 29:30 - Audience Segmentation vs. Broad Targeting 30:57 - Thinking Like a Business Owner 31:58 - Building Trust with Clients 34:37 - Practical Advice for Small Budgets 35:42 - Example: Scaling a Podcast Course 39:14 - Overcoming Fear of Ads 39:47 - The Painful Truth About Scaling 40:30 - Bottlenecks for Founders 41:25 - Misconceptions About Ads 42:40 - Ethical Considerations in Advertising Connect with Ahmed: https://www.instagram.com/ahmedkamel_7/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-kamel-performance-marketer/ Follow Marcus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/301podcast Marcus: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel 💌 Business inquiries: studiobooking@weare301.com
S5 · E96
Nov 20, 2025 · 53 min
Inside the Mind of a Serial Founder | Julia Mitereva
What does it take to build multiple ventures, lead global communities across continents, and still stay grounded as a creator and founder? In this episode of the 301 Podcast, Marcus Engel sits down with Julia Mitereva, founder of Fashion Potluck, Greek Social, Founders Mesh and part of the leadership team behind Moldovan Brands Runway (MBR) project, to explore the mindset, discipline, and creativity behind her nonlinear entrepreneurial journey. From launching her first venture in her early 20s to building one of Amsterdam’s most beloved founder communities, Julia shares the systems, philosophies, and lessons that shaped her path. She opens up about failing early, finding the right co-founder, switching between tech and fashion, and how she’s now helping shape Moldova’s growing startup and fashion ecosystems. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn: - How Julia balances multiple high-energy ventures - The surprising influence her parents had on her entrepreneurial mindset - Why failure is one of her most important tools as a founder - How she built Fashion Potluck into a 40,000+ women’s platform - Why big social platforms should take notes on ethical, safe spaces online - The origin of Founders Mesh and why it became a startup-VC magnet - How Moldova’s fashion and tech scenes are evolving and Julia’s role in it - Why community only works when you build it with real intention and value If you’re a founder, community builder, creator, or someone exploring a non-linear career path, this episode is packed with lessons on authenticity, resilience, and building things that actually matter. ⏱ Timestamps (00:00) – Introduction (00:10) – Balancing multiple ventures (00:28) – The joy of entrepreneurship (00:49) – Early beginnings in entrepreneurship (01:27) – Influence of family on entrepreneurial spirit (03:13) – Finding the right co-founder (05:57) – Embracing failure in entrepreneurship (09:07) – Building a strong co-founder relationship (10:20) – The story behind Fashion Potluck (14:11) – Ethical and safe social media spaces (17:07) – Pivoting to Greek Social (21:14) – Founders Mesh: building a community for founders (27:24) – Unique aspects of Founders Mesh (29:59) – Passion for fashion and Moldovan Fashion Week (34:12) – Contributing to Moldova’s fashion and tech industries (35:24) – Advice for aspiring Moldovan entrepreneurs (40:10) – The secret sauce to building an engaged community (43:16) – Balancing a busy entrepreneurial life (47:59) – Future plans and impact (52:43) – 3 FINAL Questions Connect with Julia: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/iuliamiterev/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juls.mitereva/?hl=en Follow Marcus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/301podcast Marcus: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel 💌 Business inquiries: studiobooking@weare301.com
S5 · E95
Nov 7, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Jorn Kirkels - How to Biohack your Health
This Episode is about the science of biohacking your health and performance with Jorn Kirkels, founder of Cellular. We dive into how People can take control of their energy, focus, and longevity using smart, data backed strategies. From finding the right form of magnesium to creating powerful morning routines, managing stress levels, and tracking your recovery and performance, Jorn shares the exact systems he uses to help top entrepreneurs feel and perform at their best. Learn how to optimize your sleep, reduce fatigue, and build discipline without burnout. This episode is packed with valuable insights on prioritizing your health and well being, so you can truly live your best, youthful life. Timestamps : (00:00) - Intro to Biohacking (02:55) - What is a good morning routine (07:48) - Jorn's early life experiences (11:55) - What is Jorn's personal health tips for his Parents (14:30) - Whats the effective way to build Discipline (19:30) - What to implement today to feel better tomorrow (24:40) - How was Cellular started ? (29:01) - How can people get help from Cellular (31:03) - Whats the biggest hidden Energy drainer (52:43) - Do Jorn miss the carelessness of life ? (01:04:32) - 3 FINAL Questions ------------------------------------- Connect with Jorn: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jornkirkels Website : https://joincellular.com/#hero Follow the 301 Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/301podcast Marcus: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts 💌 Business inquiries: studiobooking@weare301.com
S5 · E94
Oct 23, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Kasper Brandi Petersen - Building a $100 MILLION Business
In Today's Episode our guest is Kasper Brandi Petersen, co-founder and CEO at LABFRESH, the Amsterdam based fashion tech brand pioneering odor resistant, stain repellent menswear. Kasper has turned failure into fuel: after burning millions in his first venture, he pivoted to build LABFRESH into one of Europe’s most crowdfunded consumer brands. In this episode you’ll discover how to start a company, build a startup, and make money in business without relying on venture capital. Kasper shares his journey of entrepreneurship, including how to launch a startup, how to build a business from scratch, and the real cost of getting timing wrong. Whether you’re an aspiring founder or ready to scale your side hustle, tune in for actionable lessons on crowdfunding, product market fit, lean growth, and legacy building. This episode in not the typical fake success stories and instead one grounded in real struggle's and strategy of an Entrepreneur. Enjoy the Episode! Timestamps: (00:00) - Trailer (01:12) - Experience of First Crowdfunding (03:12) - Was there Self Doubt Initially (04:34) - Was Labfresh Viral videos Strategic or Luck? (07:14) - How to Predict best timing for Launch? (08:39) - Being Pioneer vs First Mover (14:00) – From Visionary to Operator (17:00) – The Birth of Labfresh (21:00) – Technology, Crowdfunding & Community (28:00) – Setbacks & Growth Challenges (33:00) – Adapting Through Crisis (37:00) – Founders, Partnerships & Balance (43:00) – The Future of Fashion ------------------------------------- Connect with Kasper: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/kasperbrandi Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasperbrandi/ Website : https://labfresh.nl/ Follow the 301 Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/301podcast Marcus: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts 💌 Business inquiries: studiobooking@weare301.com
S5 · E93
Oct 9, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Rajhen Ramoutar - He Lost His Nephew to Cancer and created the SuperDex Cancer Foundation
What would you do if your greatest loss became your life’s purpose? In this Episode of 301 Podcast , we meet the man who ran seven world marathons and founded the Super Dex Foundation all in memory of his nephew, who passed away from cancer at just one and a half years old. His story is a look at love, purpose, and what it means to keep a promise beyond death. Donate to Super Dex Foundation : https://www.superdex.nl/nl/ He shares how running marathons turned into a mission, to fund treatments for children battling cancer. From carrying his nephew’s memory across finish lines to building one of the most transparent charities in Europe, his journey is about more than endurance. It’s about turning pain into action, and transforming personal loss into global hope. This episode blends resilience, purpose, social impact, and entrepreneurship. You’ll learn how grief can fuel creation, how business can drive change, and how one person’s vision can ripple across thousands of lives. Whether you’re a founder, dreamer, or just searching for meaning this story reminds us that a legacy of love never dies. Timestamps : (0:00) - Trailer (01:07) - Rajhen's Marathon Record (04:48) - How did Super Dex start (12:22) - How did Rajhen overcome Grief and Decided to build big (16:27) - What's like Living in a Duality (19:58) - Why did Rajhen decide to create his own Foundation (31:13) - Do you want to do something Good ? (31:31) - What was the most surprising thing from Foundation ? (35:22) - Rajhen is also a company Founder ? (44:48) - Hardest moment for Rajhen (52:30) - What Fuels Rajhen ? (1:00:17) - 3 Final Questions (1:03:45) - Outro Donate to Super Dex Foundation : https://www.superdex.nl/nl/ Connect with Rajhen: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/rajhen? YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rajhenramoutar District Social: https://districtsocial.nl/ Follow the 301 Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/301podcast Marcus: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts 💌 Business inquiries: studiobooking@weare301.com
S5 · E92
Sep 25, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
Leroy ter Braak - Meet the Youtube Strategist who can make anyone go Viral
Leroy Ter Braak is one of the world’s most influential YouTube strategists. He’s helped top creators rack up millions of views, build massive subscriber bases, and turn their channels into thriving business empires. His approach focuses on the elements most creators overlook: packaging, pre-production, and storytelling. In this episode, you’ll learn: Whats the Secret to a viral YouTube channel How to get first 1000 subscribers How to grow on YouTube how to get more subscribers how to grow your youtube channel Timestamps : 0:00 - Intro 1:38 - Craziest YouTube Story 2:53 - Hanging out with worlds Biggest Creators 5:20 - Do you know who'll blow up ? 15:15 - How did Leroy become a YouTube Strategist ? 18:13 - How did Leroy learn about YouTube ? 22:40 - Leroy working with some of the Biggest Creators 29:48 - Times Strategies didn't work 39:18 - Red flags to lookout in a YouTube strategist 44:11 - 3 Non negotiables to focus on ? 49:11 - Myths that are not true at all ! 51:38 - what are the Growth lever's on YouTube ? 01:06:55 - Advice leroy would give to his younger self 01:14:55 - 3 Final Questions 01:16:38 - Things most people DONT DO :) Connect with Leroy - Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/leroyterbraak/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCispOsoXcsoA8OOZ6ZLQPng Follow the 301 Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/301podcast Marcus: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts 💌 Business inquiries: studiobooking@weare301.com
S5 · E91
Sep 12, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
The Dark Side of Video Editing - Tom Lulofs from TomsProject
In this episode of the 301 Podcast, I sit down with Tom Lulofs, the founder of Fullstack Editor and the man behind the world’s biggest video editing community. Tom shares how one viral YouTube video changed his life, how he went from building an agency to creating a global community for editors, and what he learned directly from Alex Hormozi and Sam Ovens about results, business, and growth. If you’re a video editor, freelancer, content creator, or community builder, this episode gives you raw insights into what’s fading (like old editing models), what’s accelerating (results & storytelling), and what skills you’ll need to stay relevant. We dive into: -Why “editing is dead” (and what actually matters today) -How Tom grew from 0 to 5,000 subscribers overnight -Lessons from meeting the top Skool community builders in the world -Why most communities fail and how to make one thrive -The mindset shift from editor to entrepreneur -What video editors must learn to stay relevant in 2025 Chapters : 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - Tom gains 5000 Subscribers overnight 3:39 - Tom meets Alex Hormozi and Sam ovens 8:50 - Tom learned this after meeting Alex Hormozi & Sam Ovens 23:11 - Biggest learning about " Communities " 27:57 - Secret's about Tom Lulof ! 31:53 - Biggest failures in Tom's journey 41:14 - Communication is key 52:30 - Toms view on Subscriber counts and views 01:03:44 - 3 Final Questions Connect with Tom - Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/tomlulofs?igsh=M21qY3owemVhbzZk Website : https://fullstackeditor.com/ Skool Community : https://www.skool.com/fullstackeditor/about Follow the 301 Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/301podcast Marcus: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts 💌 Business inquiries: studiobooking@weare301.com
S5 · E90
Aug 29, 2025 · 50 min
He Went from Broke at 24 to a $1 Million Exit at 27 - Nour Chaaban
If you are looking for answers on How to scale a business , How to have a Million dollar exit and how successful entrepreneurs think , this Episode of the 301 podcast is for you . Nour Chaaban is a seasoned entrepreneur and has a Master degree in behavioural psychology, with multiple failed venture until his successful exit, and he reveals strategies to build successful businesses, how to sell a business and how to have a exit plan . He explains: ⬛How to Bounce Back After Losing Millions ⬛How to Sell Your Startup for $1 Million ⬛How to Find Real Product-Market Fit ⬛How to Turn Failure Into Business Success ⬛How to Build a Community Around Your Business 00:00 – Preview 01:18 – First purchase after receiving $1Million 04:55 – Alex Hormozi & Acquisition.com, Acquire.com 13:46 – Finance Books don't work ! 19:45 – How Nour failed multiple times before his success 25:13– The Secret 4 Step framework . 32:57 – What most people hate ? 38:13 – Nour's Strategy with successful Exits 46:15 – 3 Final Questions Connect with Nour : Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuronius?igsh=dG04aXQyYXg2dWp6 Visit Growth Addicts: https://growthaddicts.com Follow the 301 Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/301podcast Marcus: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts 💌 Business inquiries: studiobooking@weare301.com
S5 · E89
Aug 16, 2025 · 55 min
How is the Creator Economy Changing With AI - Jens Glerum
My guest Jens Glerum is the founder of CreatorMate. We discuss the real strategies behind building a successful creator business in today’s fast changing creator economy. From AI driven audience insights to long-term brand creator partnerships, Jens shares exactly how creators can scale their influence, monetize smarter, and turn content creation into a sustainable business. Whether you’rehttps://www.instagram.com/trycreatormate?igsh=enE5NDVtNDlrdmFs a YouTuber, TikTok creator, Instagram influencer, or brand owner, this conversation is packed with actionable tips on partner-led growth, digital storytelling, and building ecosystems that actually work in 2025. Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing content creation . Jens breaks down why most creator partnerships fail, the key steps to create a content-market fit, and how to leverage AI tools for consistent growth. We discuss creator marketing strategies, digital branding, startup funding for creators, and the secrets to building a vetted creator marketplace. If you’ve ever wondered how to scale a creator led startup, secure brand collaborations, or launch a creator platform like CreatorMate, this episode gives you the complete blueprint. From almost losing his business to raising pre seed funding and pivoting to a thriving AI powered creator platform, Jens’ journey is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and business growth. This podcast is your guide to thriving in the creator economy, navigating AI disruption, and building creator brand partnerships that generate results. Timestamps 00:00 - Early YouTube Days – Jens’ start as a young creator, first videos, challenges, and community 04:06 - Creator Life & Identity – Loneliness, balancing online vs real life, and moving into design work 06:05 - First Entrepreneurial Steps – Early jobs, Amsterdam e-commerce role, and lessons on product & growth 10:08 - Content & Branding Insights – Content’s role in startups, branding pitfalls, and algorithms & saturation 16:00 - From Advice to Strategy – Storytelling, authenticity, and content strategy for B2C brands 20:16 - The Birth of CreatorMate – Founding story, early struggles, partnership with Marnix, and mentorship 25:32 - The Startup Rollercoaster – Jens as CEO, startup realities, financial struggles, and near bankruptcy 29:24 - The CreatorMate Pivot – Max Kleinstra’s role, new model, value proposition, and focus areas 36:17 - Lessons & Growth – Luck, mistakes, key learnings, and the reality of building a company 42:02 - Personal Journey – Caring about work, partnership, growth, balance, and friendships Connect with Jens Glerum: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__glerum?igsh=MWI3MXdldHgwcnVkOA== CreatorMate: https://www.instagram.com/trycreatormate?igsh=enE5NDVtNDlrdmFs Follow the 301 Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/301podcast Marcus: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel 💌 Business inquiries: studiobooking@weare301.com

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes