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In this quietly remarkable episode, Laurie Smale—former dropout, junkyard worker, communication mentor, and now digital storyteller at 79—joins host Nigel Rawlins for a conversation that redefines what it means to start over late in life.

Laurie shares how he walked away from school at 13 after brutal treatment by a maths teacher and began working in a junkyard under the guidance of Old Bill, his first mentor. Decades later, he returned to education, graduating with honours at 37, and most recently, launching his Magic Minutes YouTube series at 78 with the support of digital mentor Sue Ellson.

From sleeping beside a furnace to building a personal brand online, Laurie’s journey illustrates how fear, when faced with humility and support, can be transmuted into wisdom and legacy. This episode is both a tribute to lived experience and a roadmap for anyone looking to pivot, adapt, and thrive.

Key Themes

Confronting lifelong fear and self-doubt with small, intentional steps
Reinvention in later life using digital tools and social media
The enduring value of mentorship and human connection
Lifelong learning as a mindset—not a timeline
Legacy, storytelling, and the quiet power of older voices in business

Mentions

People & Mentors:

Sue Ellson (LinkedIn expert) https://sueellson.com/

Old Bill Menzies (junkyard mentor)

Dave Stokes (audio producer) https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-stokes/

Systems & References:

Magic Minutes video series https://www.youtube.com/@lauriesmale

National Speakers Association https://www.professionalspeakers.org.au/

Grandma Moses (artist & reinvention symbol) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandma_Moses

Contact

Explore Laurie’s books, Magic Minutes videos, and speaking work at lauriesmale.com

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Support the show

Connect with Nigel Rawlins

website https://wisepreneurs.com.au/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/
Twitter https://twitter.com/wisepreneurs

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Ben Aldridge, Kate Mosse and Ben Daniels