Picking Up Rocks

Welcome back to the podcast! Today, we’re diving into the heart of storytelling, comedy, and the art of vulnerability with the brilliant Ray Connolly. Ray Connolly is an award-winning copywriter in Los Angeles, California. He also performs stand up comedy around the country and Europe. He’s punched up CEO keynotes, wrangled celebrities on set and crafted brand identities for startups and tech behemoths alike. Before finding advertising, Ray spent fifteen years working as a line cook, rafting guide, fish monger, among other grueling jobs. He co-parents two young boys.In this episode, we explore how personal experiences inform professional storytelling, the delicate balance of vulnerability in branding, and the power of saying, "I don't know." Ray also shares insights from his process of developing stories for LinkedIn and his forthcoming book, tentatively titled I Can't Believe It's Not Better. Whether you're looking for lessons in crafting compelling narratives or just a good laugh, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss.

In this episode of Picking Up Rocks, we’re joined by Patrick Skene, the founder of Cultural Pulse and a master storyteller who has spent 15 years building bridges between sport, culture, and history. From his early days playing makeshift cricket matches with kids on holiday to authoring acclaimed books like The Big O and Celestial Footy, Patrick has always been captivated by the way sport unites and inspires.Patrick shares his perspective on the unique power of sport as a level playing field—one where culture, community, and competition intersect in meaningful ways. We discuss everything from his work igniting fan engagement through multicultural marketing to his passion for celebrating match officials and coaching his Under-6s football team.Expect insights into the profound role of storytelling in sport, the importance of meeting communities where they are, and why he believes sport teaches us to navigate life’s victories and defeats. It’s a conversation filled with hope, reflection, and a love for the timeless magic of the game.Whether you’re a sports fanatic, a storytelling enthusiast, or someone curious about how to create connections through culture, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Chris Jankulovski joins Picking Up Rocks to share the incredible journey of navigating life with a rare genetic condition, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Diagnosed at 19 and given a life expectancy of 30, Chris now shares decades of survival wisdom and a unique perspective on what it means to thrive against the odds.Through his moving stories, Chris discusses his “Hope Amplifier” medication, the power of gratitude, and his commitment to living with purpose. We traverse Chris’s transformation from a struggling entrepreneur to a purpose-driven leader, leveraging intuition and resilience to overcome immense personal and professional challenges. Chris Jankulovski is a speaker, entrepreneur, and author with an extraordinary story of resilience and purpose. Diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder von Hippel-Lindau syndrome at just 19, Chris has undergone over 40 brain surgeries and has faced a lifetime of life-threatening medical challenges. His condition, which causes tumors to grow throughout the body, limited his life expectancy to just 30 years. Despite this prognosis, Chris has transformed his experiences into a source of strength, redefining what it means to live fully and with intention.

In this episode, Derek McCormack joins host Patrick Beggs to share his insight into the ultimate challenge of building agency in selves and others, through Parenthood. Derek is director at the Raising Children Network and has a different take on parenting experts - that there are none. Emphasising that parenting is an evolving practice of guiding behaviour, providing emotional support, and managing daily care. The conversation explores how societal shifts, like the attention economy and climate anxiety, have made the role more challenging, yet the fundamental principles of raising children remain unchanged.Derek offers insight into how the Raising Children Network delivers research-backed, actionable guides to parents in a world where misinformation can spread rapidly. He shares personal reflections on raising his blended family and the delicate balance of care and independence as children grow. As well as how his parenting journey coincides with his professional journey with the Raising Children Network.Looking forward, Derek paints a picture of a future where parenting support focuses more on children’s emotional well-being and expands to provide guidance for parents who are also caring for aging family members, reinforcing the importance of a community-centered approach to family life. 

In this episode of "Picking Up Rocks," Andy Pearson, VP of Creative at Liquid Death, shares his insights on the power of facing fears and pushing personal limits. We track how engaging with 'scary stuff'—from his roles in ultramarathon running to innovative marketing strategies—has fueled growth and learning in his life across many aspects of it. Andy delves into his experience with the grueling Barkley Marathons, highlighting the intense challenges and psychological resilience required, while also sharing some keen insight into how the race was started and also finished for the first time by an outsider, free from pre conceived notions of whats possible. He connects these experiences to his professional work, where he employs fear-facing as a strategy to invigorate the branding and marketing of Liquid Death, helping turn a mundane category, bottled water, into an entertaining ever evolving show. Andy articulates how stepping into discomfort can lead to profound personal and professional breakthroughs, making a case for embracing fear as a pathway to discovery and innovation.Andy Pearson has spent the last 15 years as both an advertising creative director and ultramarathoner in the US. For the last two and half years, he's lead all creative and marketing at Liquid Death as the VP of Creative, helping the brand become one of the fastest growing non-alcoholic beverages brands of all time. In his (very limited) free time, he's also the host of his own comedy running podcast called Between Two Pines.

In this episode, join Starlight CEO Louise Baxter to discuss the importance of innovation and storytelling in their organisation's mission. She shares insights into their innovative approach to improving children's hospital experiences, highlighting the power of accepting failure and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Louise and the Starlight team are pioneers in understanding that mental and physical health are intrinsically tied to one another. In this conversation, we learn how Starlight's creative solutions positively impact the lives of children and families facing health challenges.Louise Baker is the CEO and Executive Director of The Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia, leading the organisation's purpose, vision, and strategic growth. Louise believes that the leadership of Starlight is both a responsibility and a privilege.

In this episode join Gary A. Bolles for an conversation on the future of learning. We delve into how organisations are shaping the knowledge landscape, the evolution of learning from traditional methods to digital platforms, and the significant role of technology in education. Bolles offers deep insights into the changing nature of skills, the impact of artificial intelligence on learning, and the crucial roles businesses and employers play in fostering continuous learning and skill development. It's a thought-provoking look at education's transformation and the opportunities it presents for organisations and individuals alike.Gary A. Bolles is based in San Francisco, California and is the Chair for the Future of Work with Singularity University and a partner in strategy consulting firm Charette, LLC. Formerly a co-founder of SoCap, SocialCapitalMarkets.net, the premier US-based event for impact entrepreneurs and funders, and served as the catalyzer for Kanect, a data-focused impact initiative in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State. He is a A globally recognised expert on the Future of learning and the future of work, he consults with C-suite leaders of global companies, labor and education leaders from Brazil to Canada, and global non-profits. 

Join us for an inspiring session with Professor Briony Rogers, CEO of Fire to Flourish at Monash Sustainable Development Institute. Today, we delve into the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing in empowering communities to co-design resilient futures amidst disasters.Professor Rogers brings to light the significance of integrating diverse fields of expertise to tackle the complexities of climate change and disaster recovery. She discusses how combining knowledge from various disciplines leads to more innovative, inclusive, and effective solutions for community resilience.This episode highlights the power of knowledge sharing and the incorporation of multiple perspectives in developing sustainable strategies. We explore the journey of communities that have successfully harnessed interdisciplinary approaches to rebuild and reimagine their futures, turning adversity into an opportunity for growth and sustainable development.Reference list:Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict; Donna Hicks; 2010