Kickoff Sessions – Details, episodes & analysis

Watch This NEXT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlK2P76_ZZs


Not many people know this, but Pat Flynn is the reason I started my podcast.

Back in 2020, I was broke, clueless, and desperate for a way out, I bought a $60 microphone. 

That mic? It came from an affiliate link on Pat Flynn’s website.

I binged watched every piece of content Pat had:

• How to start a podcast
• The best mics and software
• Editing tools I’d never used before

Fast forward to 2025, and I just recorded episode 258 of my podcast—with Pat Flynn himself.

In this episode, Pat shares the lessons, failures, and surprises from 15 years of building online businesses—including generating over $10M in revenue.

We talk about:

• How he built and grew Deep Pocket Monster to 1M subscribers
• The importance of emotional connection in your content
• Why small, vibrant communities are the future of business
• The reality of staying relevant in a changing landscape

Is it blind luck? Or the compounding effect of 15 years in the game?

Pat breaks it all down.

If you’re building a content business or just starting out, this is an episode you can’t miss.


Check out Pat’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@patflynn/

My Socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/darrenlee.ks
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-lee1

(00:00) Preview
(00:30) Importance of Serving Your Audience
(03:03) How to Create Raving Fans
(07:02) The Power of Consistency and Experimentation
(12:38) Will AI Take Over Online Media?
(17:56) Why Video Podcasts Do Better 
(19:13) The Benefits of Podcasting
(23:19) Pat Flynn’s Short-Form Content Strategies
(28:29) Short Form vs Long-Form Content
(34:02) The Art of Storytelling and Emotional Engagement
(36:39) Building Community 
(39:17) Starting as a Newcomer in a Niche
(42:03) Understanding People and Building Loyalty
(45:57) Transitioning to Community-Based Learning
(51:52) Investing in Startups
(59:18) How to Get Sponsorships and Build Relationships
(01:02:01) The Importance of Thumbnails

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Watch This NEXT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlK2P76_ZZs


I’ve discovered the best business to start in 2025.

It’s not rug-pulling meme coins. It’s not the latest AI tool. It’s not dropshipping

It’s building a business around content.

Creators like Alex Hormozi, Steven Bartlett, and Ali Abdaal have built empires by doing one thing exceptionally well.

Owning their voice.
In 2025, attention isn’t enough. Algorithms change, going “Viral” isn’t a strategy—it’s a gamble, ads stop working the moment you stop paying.

The game is trust.

Podcasts, YouTube, and long-form content are your greatest points of leverage because they:
- Build deep, parasocial relationships
- Convert trust into long-term revenue
- Establish you as the authority in your niche

In this video, I break down:
- Why content businesses will dominate 2025
- How to start with no audience or budget
- The exact system I used to go from $10K in debt to running Voics

2025 is the year to stop chasing trends.

Own your voice. Build leverage.

My Socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/darrenlee.ks
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-lee1


(00:00) Why You Should Start a Business in 2025 
(03:01) The Biggest Challenges Entrepreneurs Face  
(05:36) Why Long-Form Content Works in 2025  
(11:44) My Podcasting Journey  
(13:02) How to Start Your Content Business Today  

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Do you want to grow your podcast and monetise your audience? Get my exact system here: https://voics.ck.page/a25aeb8082


Everyone wants to build a personal brand nowadays.

But how do you turn it into a seven-figure business while still being authentic

Chris Do did—and he’s sharing exactly how he made it happen on today’s episode of Kickoff Sessions.

Chris Do - founder of The Futur, personal branding expert and one of the most influential voices in creative entrepreneurship lays out the strategies that helped him build a $1,000,000+ personal brand—by being authentic, consistent, and strategic.

From mastering the art of storytelling to building authority across platforms, Chris breaks down actionable steps to transform your passion into profit and build a million dollar personal brand. You’ll learn how to separate yourself from the rest, establish trust at scale, and how you can leverage digital tools to accelerate your brand growth.

We also dig into common pitfalls that hold most creators back and how Chris overcame them to build a brand that’s not just about followers, but real impact and revenue.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more episodes like this!


Connect with Chris Do
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo

My Socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/darrenlee.ks
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-lee1


(00:00) Why Storytelling is Important
(01:09) Building the Perfect Team
(04:54) The Different Types of Branding
(08:23) Personal Branding vs. Corporate Branding
(11:11) How To Build an Authentic Personal Brand
(15:03) Successful Personal Brands Today
(17:32) Longevity in Personal Branding
(21:42) Personal Development’s Role in Business Success
(24:42) Finding Identity in Design
(29:42) Choosing the Right Coach
(35:41) Scaling Authority Across Platforms
(37:43) Building Digital Products
(44:55) Micro Products for Accessible Learning
(46:00) AI’s Role in Sales 
(52:32) Chris Do’s Monetization Strategies
(55:16) How To Build a Community 

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 Welcome to episode #159 of Kickoff Sessions with Dr. Gary McGowan, founder of the Triage Method. Want to unlock the path to a thriving business that goes beyond simple follower count? Get ready to delve into a journey of content that spans over seven years, blending the personal and the professional brand. Today, Gary shares his experience building a fitness brand that places coaching and information sharing at the forefront.

Managing numerous projects and maintaining productivity can be a challenging feat. With personal anecdotes and lessons learned from managing large teams, we discuss the often overlooked concept of context switching and its impact on productivity. Learn how dedicated focus times and a healthy balance of theory and practice can lead to a productive flow state.

Our conversation doesn’t stop at fitness and productivity. We simmer down to discuss lifestyle design, personal preferences, and the role they play in decisions like where we live. We share our experiences dealing with injuries and the rehabilitation process, shedding light on their physical and psychological effects.

If you enjoy this pod, please leave a 5 star rating on Spotify and a review on Apple podcasts.

⏺️ Voics: https://www.voics.co/

🗞️ Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3KftBCP

🎤 Podcast Accelerator: https://bit.ly/3f1ir81

📞 Schedule Free Call: https://bit.ly/3GsNyTU

⭐ Leave a Spotify Review: https://spoti.fi/36RrL9Y

 Leave an Apple Review: https://apple.co/3uCwViF

(00:00) Preview
(00:49) Why Gary McGowan has created content for so long
(02:51) Strong beliefs, loosely held principles
(04:50) Playing the long game
(07:45) How Gary built his business and brand
(13:20) Following interests and curiosity   
(16:20) When to hire and grow your team
(19:05) How to maintain your focus and concentration
(22:18) How to overcome context switching
(27:40) When to go broad or narrow in life
(31:20) How to determine what success looks like
(35:12) The balance of theory vs. practice
(44:00) The importance of environment design
(50:00) The concerns of alcohol consumption
(58:15) The challenges of injury rehabilitation

Socials:
- Instagram: https://bit.ly/3LFbEgE

- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3FCS3JA

- Twitter: https://bit.ly/3ExJ26Z

Support the show

In episode #158 of Kickoff Sessions, I sit down with Ebrahim Turner for another Bali pod. Ebrahim is an entrepreneur, founder, and podcast host. This episode dives into Ebrahim’s journey to build his agency over seven years, the pain, challenges and opportunities that have come from it.

Ebrahim is no stranger to the challenges of building a business. He initially started his agency with a deep-seated fear and a desire to break free from the traditional path.

He shares lessons for other founders. Particularly on avoiding distractions, managing emotional states, and building a sound foundation for their ventures.

If you enjoy this pod, please leave a 5 star rating on Spotify and a review on Apple podcasts.

⏺️ Voics: https://www.voics.co/

🗞️ Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3KftBCP

🎤 Podcast Accelerator: https://bit.ly/3f1ir81

📞 Schedule Free Call: https://bit.ly/3GsNyTU

⭐ Leave a Spotify Review: https://spoti.fi/36RrL9Y

 Leave an Apple Review: https://apple.co/3uCwViF

(00:00) Preview
(00:57) Internal state = external reality
(06:06) Why did you live in fear?
(07:10) Using fear as a motivator
(11:00) Focusing on the process over the outcome
(15:00) Different mindsets of $10K/month & billionaires
(19:00) How Ebrahim built his agency over 7 years
(23:00) Adding more value beyond the service
(28:00) Stop stopping with your ideas
(31:00) Has money changed your perspective?
(34:00) The benefits of having a partner
(35:40) Benefits of mentors and influences
(40:00) Getting your first client & building confidence
(44:00) Why did you niche down into real estate?
(48:00) Biggest issues and challenges sales people
(51:25) The importance of culture and values
(56:00) The benefits of religion and spirituality
(01:04:30) Remove distractions to improve productivity
(01:08:30) The benefits of living in Bali & environment design
(01:13:00) How alcohol escapes your current reality
(01:17:30) The benefits of being in a relationship
(01:23:00) The reality of modern relationships
(01:27:00) How conditioning is generational
(01:30:10) How Ebrahim met Luke Belmar
(01:33:00) How I met Justin Waller
(01:38:00) Different energy at a place of abundance 

Socials:
- Instagram: https://bit.ly/3LFbEgE

- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3FCS3JA

- Twitter: https://bit.ly/3ExJ26Z

Support the show

On episode #157, I sit down with Richard Cooper, entrepreneur, private equity investor, YouTuber, high performance coach & author of The Unplugged Alpha.

Richard Cooper is known for cutting through the BS and delivering the cold hard truth on many topics. Including financial services and intersexual dynamics between men and women.

In our society today, we see a weakening of the Western male, made clear in media, Hollywood, and even ingrained in our school systems. Throughout this episode, we confront these issues head-on.

Anchored in personal experiences with major life events like the 2008-2009 financial crisis, the intricacies of divorce, and the rise of single-parent households, we unpack the profound impact these have on one’s professional and personal decisions. 

We discuss the importance of controlling our emotions, maintaining focus, and setting boundaries. Richard touches on the new wave of promiscuity and the potential dangers posed by platforms like OnlyFans. We lay out the red flags to watch out for in relationships and money matters. Finally, we delve into the pitfalls of alcohol consumption and the crucial role of personal responsibility.

To learn more about Richard Cooper, visit Entrepreneurs in Cars on YouTube.

If you enjoy this pod, please leave a 5 star rating on Spotify and a review on Apple podcasts.

⏺️ Voics: https://www.voics.co/

🗞️ Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3KftBCP

🎤 Podcast Accelerator: https://bit.ly/3f1ir81

📞 Schedule Free Call: https://bit.ly/3GsNyTU

⭐ Leave a Spotify Review: https://spoti.fi/36RrL9Y

 Leave an Apple Review: https://apple.co/3uCwViF

(00:00) Preview
(01:07) Is masculinity in decline?
(04:17) The school system and children's education
(10:10) Unplugging from society and positive influences
(12:00) Why Richard Cooper unplugged
(16:00) The impact of single-parent households   
(20:40) The wisdom comes from the pain
(23:00) The things that no one will tell you
(28:30) Advice for broke, lazy, unmotivated people   
(31:00) The common thread between Richard’s success
(34:20) Choose to win in life
(35:30) How to build a valuable tribe & network
(37:00) Key skills to build in your twenties
(42:30) The fundamentals of focus & overnight successes
(45:20) Dating and the impact of OnlyFans   
(52:40) Why women chase men with status
(55:40) How alpha males become beta males
(58:55) How men become soft and risk adverse
(01:01:56) 20 Red Flag by The Unplugged Alpha
(01:07:00) Has your perception changed as you earned more money?
(01:10:00) How much money affects relationships
(01:15:20) The reality of alcohol   

Socials:
- Instagram: https://bit.ly/3LFbEgE

- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3FCS3JA

- Twitter: https://bit.ly/3ExJ26Z

Support the show

Welcome to episode 156 of Kickoff Sessions! In this session, I sit down with Tibo Louis-Lucas, an entrepreneur who achieved a multimillion-dollar exit in less than two years. Tibo is the founder of Tweet Hunter and Taplio. In this session, we go deep into his product development strategy, creating and validating a new product weekly.

We break down Tweet Hunter and Taplio, two products that blew up in recent years. Learn about Tibo’s experimentation with AI-generated tweets and the implications of AI in social media and society.

Gain insights on identifying pain points, adapting based on customer feedback, and marketing your product in today’s market. We get into the realities of the entrepreneurial world and the future of AI.

If you enjoy this pod, please leave a 5 star rating on Spotify and a review on Apple podcasts.

⏺️ Voics: https://www.voics.co/

🗞️ Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3KftBCP

🎤 Podcast Accelerator: https://bit.ly/3f1ir81

📞 Schedule Free Call: https://bit.ly/3GsNyTU

⭐ Leave a Spotify Review: https://spoti.fi/36RrL9Y

 Leave an Apple Review: https://apple.co/3uCwViF
 
(00:00) Preview
(01:06) Tibo's product development strategy
(05:56) Why Chat GPT3 was not compatible for Tweet Hunter
(07:04) The applications of AI in social media and writing
(11:28) Why Tibo bootstrapped his startups
(13:52) How to create painkillers vs. vitamins
(16:25) The benefits of focus and solving your own problems
(19:50) Tibo's bridge between marketing and development
(21:50) Integrations with LinkedIn and Twitter
(25:05) Twitter Blue and Twitter premium API
(28:20) Competitors stealing your customers
(29:35) Tweet Hunter partnering with JK Molina
(33:23) Why people didn't want AI tweets
(35:33) The process of building and selling SaaS
(39:45) When to sell your company
(42:00) How to get people to use your product
(44:40) When to quit on your ideas
(46:00) Why do you love to build?
(48:00) AI driven code and development
(53:00) Catching up to the speed of technology

Socials:
- Instagram: https://bit.ly/3LFbEgE

- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3FCS3JA

- Twitter: https://bit.ly/3ExJ26Z

Support the show

Welcome to another episode of Kickoff Sessions. In Episode 155, I have the pleasure of sitting down with James Higgins, the founder of Ethical Bedding. We dive into the details of living a more fulfilling life and carving out your own path.

In this discussion, we explore the importance of discipline and consistency every single day. James shares his journey of transitioning from a secure career to pursue a different lifestyle.

We go deep into a variety of topics, such as health and nutrition to family and relationships, and even bodybuilding and hair loss prevention.

Whether you’re looking to go 0 to 1 or scale your own brand, this episode will provide you with a lot of helpful information.

If you enjoy this pod, please leave a 5 star rating on Spotify and a review on Apple podcasts.

⏺️ Voics: https://www.voics.co/

🗞️ Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3KftBCP

🎤 Podcast Accelerator: https://bit.ly/3f1ir81

📞 Schedule Free Call: https://bit.ly/3GsNyTU

⭐ Leave a Spotify Review: https://spoti.fi/36RrL9Y

 Leave an Apple Review: https://apple.co/3uCwViF

(00:00) Preview
(01:01) Helping others live a richer & more fulfilling life
(04:00) The 4 more important pillars of life
(08:18) How to identify what you really want to do
(16:17) The advantages of learning from a 9-5 job
(20:00) The mindset difference between US & Ireland/UK
(25:00) Figure out what you love doing for your first business
(26:50) Bridging the gap to leave your 9-5 job
(30:50) Testing a new product and building a team
(34:02) Do the right thing and take responsibility
(40:07) How millennials are building affinity to a brand
(42:40) How crowdfunding works and anyone can invest
(44:40) Is their bad blood between James & Dragon's Den?
(54:55) Advice for entrepreneurs raising capital
(58:30) Take the right money, don't just take any money
(59:50) Is James Higgins driven by money?
(01:05:30) Living in Asia and luxurious lifestyles
(01:10:30) Building a network and creating leverage
(01:15:00) Going from 0 to 1 and making life changes
(01:17:11) The emotional ride of entrepreneurship
(01:20:30) How to gain confidence
(01:23:50) The importance of competition in sport
(01:29:00) Accountability and going the distance
(01:37:40) Being based in Bali 
(01:39:20) How to grow James Higgins Tarzan hair

Socials:
- Instagram: https://bit.ly/3LFbEgE

- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3FCS3JA

- Twitter: https://bit.ly/3ExJ26Z

Support the show

Welcome to episode #154 of Kickoff Sessions for a little Q&A session. This week, I’m sharing my personal journey of transitioning from a 9-5 to going all in on Voics and Kickoff Sessions. Discover the importance of building leverage, and learn how I slowly built my agency for $0. I also discuss the pressures that come with leaving a full-time job and taking the leap.

I reveal my experiences working in finance, and how I built leverage. Find out why I chose to podcast during lockdown and how it led to incredible opportunities and network. Learn how to balance your time, build aggressively, and doubling down on your strengths.

If you enjoy this pod, please leave a 5 star rating on Spotify and a review on Apple podcasts.

⏺️ Voics: https://www.voics.co/

🗞️ Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3KftBCP

🎤 Podcast Accelerator: https://bit.ly/3f1ir81

📞 Schedule Free Call: https://bit.ly/3GsNyTU

⭐ Leave a Spotify Review: https://spoti.fi/36RrL9Y

 Leave an Apple Review: https://apple.co/3uCwViF
 
(00:00) Introduction
(00:37) What advice would you have going from a 9-5 to online business?
(03:57) What was your earlier jobs like and why did you start a podcast? 
(08:30) How and where did you meet your girlfriend? 
(12:35) What are your income sources? 
(16:30) Why did you leave your tech finance job?
(20:11) Is Jordan Peterson or Andrew Tate a better influence on young men?
(24:22) What episode would you rerecord with your current skillset? 
(27:00) Biggest mistakes in your career? 
(29:49) Have you ever fallen out with a guest?
(33:05) Biggest step in turning pro in the podcast?
(37:50) Is 18 too young to move to Bali? 
(40:15) How do you get a visa for countries in Asia? 
(41:35) What advice do you have for your younger self?
(44:45) How to deal with drink and drug abuse?
(49:15) How to know if a job is going nowhere? 
(51:40) Best way to allocate money in your podcast?
(55:45) Biggest thing you've changed your mind on?

Socials:
- Instagram: https://bit.ly/3LFbEgE

- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3FCS3JA

- Twitter: https://bit.ly/3ExJ26Z

Support the show

Watch This NEXT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlK2P76_ZZs

Welcome to episode #153 of Kickoff Sessions podcast, where we sit down for a Bali pod with Jack Hopkins, the CEO of Testosterone. Join us as we delve into the details of achieving greatness through a strong mindset, physical prowess, and a positive attitude.

In this episode, Jack opens up about his personal journey and the profound impact of fitness on mental health. Learn how being genuine can help build a powerful network and lead to building your tribe. Gain insights from Jack’s experiences in connecting with influential people, creating self-selling products, and the importance of mentorship.

We’ll discuss Jack’s experiences living and training in Southeast Asia, and the significance of family. We dive into the impact of testosterone on optimal performance and insights that will allow you to take control of your life, overcome obstacles, and achieve greatness.

If you enjoy this pod, please leave a 5 star rating on Spotify and a review on Apple podcasts.

⏺️ Voics: https://www.voics.co/

🗞️ Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3KftBCP

🎤 Podcast Accelerator: https://bit.ly/3f1ir81

📞 Schedule Free Call: https://bit.ly/3GsNyTU

⭐ Leave a Spotify Review: https://spoti.fi/36RrL9Y

 Leave an Apple Review: https://apple.co/3uCwViF
 
(00:00) Preview
(00:44) Why do you have to fix your mindset?
(05:22) Why physical health is a barometer of life
(08:24) How to Win Friends & Influence People
(11:30) Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
(13:50) How Jack Hopkins met Iman Gadzhi & Justin Waller
(16:45) How Iman Gadzhi gave Jack Hopkins advice
(18:55) CEO of Testosterone making $100K/month
(20:45) CEO of Testosterone's content strategy
(23:20) The benefits of sales & marketing
(26:55) How to turn your life around
(32:00) The benefits of turning up every day
(35:25) Why Jack Hopkins moved to Asia
(43:40) Living in the moment and focusing on what matters
(47:07) The Power of Now and removing the noise
(49:49) Telling the CEO of Testosterone my testosterone levels
(53:40) The importance of sleep for testosterone
(58:35) What it's like having too high of testosterone
(01:04:28) How to find the right mentors
(01:08:20) You're never going to save yourself to riches
(01:13:30) Become a master of saying No
(01:14:55) CEO of Testosterone's YouTube strategy
(01:21:00) Jack Hopkins's YouTube journey

Socials:
- Instagram: https://bit.ly/3LFbEgE

- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3FCS3JA

- Twitter: https://bit.ly/3ExJ26Z

Support the show