In this episode, Michael Dargie welcomes videographer, storyteller, and spontaneous cannonballer Carmen Pineda Selva. Known for her honest storytelling and contagious energy, Carmen shares the moment six months ago when she finally stopped resisting the universe and just started moving with it.

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

What started as an unexpected invitation to ride motorcycles for a travel video evolved into a transformative life reset—both creatively and personally. Carmen opens up about post-COVID burnout, a major life breakup, healing through Alberta’s landscapes, and finding joy (and love) on the back of a motorcycle.

She talks about the creative spark behind her documentary project Alberta’s Healing Landscapes, which is now growing into a national series capturing stories of healing and connection across Canada—from the back of a bike. There’s heartbreak, humour, gravel roads, and a heavy dose of humble wisdom in this episode—and Carmen’s unapologetic authenticity shines the entire way.

Cool stuff Carmen says

“I don’t know how the universe works, but I know how to move with it.”

“Life is supposed to be fun—I forgot that.”

“Don’t think. Just jump.”

“Pizza is like sex—even when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good.”

“If you don’t obey your inner rumble, you’re gonna create crap.”

Episode highlights

Life After Burnout | Carmen shares how a post-COVID crash and a failed application changed everything

Riding Toward Healing | Her first motorcycle ride becomes a spiritual wake-up call

Alberta’s Healing Landscapes | Dreaming a full documentary project in her sleep

From Film to Freedom | How videography and motorcycles collided into a whole new life

Pizza, Poetry, and Potholes | The rebel wisdom of joy, connection, and jumping in

Rebel with a Camera | Why she films from the back of a bike

Cannonball Thinking | How doing things before overthinking fuels everything

Healing Across Canada | A multi-part series capturing the soul of the country on two wheels

Why JD Matters | The love story that began with a helmet and a promise

Using Her Superpower | Being “incognito” to capture the realest moments

Links from the episode

Videography Incognito (https://facebook.com/videographyincognito)
Freedom Biker Tours (https://freedombikertours.com)

Hosted by: Michael Dargie
THEREBELREBELPODCAST.COM | LINKEDIN.COM

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with author, editor, and writing mentor Deborah Ager, founder of Radiant Media Labs. Based in Maryland, Deborah helps business leaders, professionals, and creatives translate their decades of knowledge into books that clarify, inspire, and connect.

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

Deborah shares how her work evolved from marketing consultant to book coach—and how a single ghostwriting project opened a door she didn’t expect. Now, she guides clients through a process she calls “Clarify, Storify, Amplify,” giving them the structure and strategy they need to write books that build brands, careers, and legacy.

She opens up about how poetry, language precision, and her own creative practice inform her work—and how joy, not perfectionism, is the secret ingredient to finishing. Whether you’re stuck at page one or polishing your manuscript, this episode is full of practical wisdom, thoughtful metaphors, and writer-to-writer solidarity.

Quotable quotes

“Editing is revision—but it’s also revisioning.”

“That thing you feel awkward about? It might be your superpower.”

“Just creating can feel very good—even if no one ever sees it.”

“Words have nuance. Choosing the right ones can change everything.”

“Discernment will help you move forward faster.”

Episode highlights

From Marketing to Memoirs | How Radiant Media Labs got its start

Ghostwriting to Book Coaching | The power of clarifying other people’s ideas

Editing as Joyful Revisioning | How to make peace with the hard parts

Mindset Matters | Why joy and process go hand in hand

Not Everyone Will Like It | And that’s okay

Knowing Your Reader | Why audience clarity changes everything

The Poetry Edge | Precision of language as a business advantage

Clarify, Storify, Amplify | Deborah’s signature 3-part writing framework

A Perfect Deborah Day | Creativity, conversation, and long walks

What Deborah Reads | Essays, hybrid memoirs, and story-rich nonfiction

Guilty Pleasures | Gardening, lake walks, and sharing food with wildlife

Creating for Joy | Letting go of judgment and loving the process

Rebels in Waiting | Discernment is the rebel’s best friend

Black-Eyed Peas & Greens | Deborah’s go-to comfort food

Dreambook Launcher | A free tool to help you start your book

Links from the episode

Radiant Media Labs Website (https://radiantmedialabs.com)

Deborah Ager on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahager)

BrandJitsu Book (https://brandjitsu.com)

Hosted by: Michael Dargie
THEREBELREBELPODCAST.COM | LINKEDIN.COM

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com