

Kickoff Sessions
Darren Lee
Weekly podcast episodes with the sharpest minds in the world to help you live a richer & more fulfilling life. Previous guests include Luke Belmar, Justin Waller, Sahil Bloom, Gad Saad, Peter Schiff, Stirling Cooper, Jack Hopkins, Sadia Khan, Matt Gray, Daniel Priestley, Richard Cooper, Justin Welsh, Arlin Moore and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 27, 2021 • 55min
#18 Jason Sio – Exploring The Start-Up World, Side Gigs, eCommerce & The Increase in Online Fraud
Jason Sio is CEO and founder of Lizuna, an eCommerce fraud and risk analytical system integrated with Shopify. Jason graduated from the University of Hawaii with a BA in Japanese language studies and quickly relocated to Japan where he started his first company offering customers from overseas access to Japanese digital content.Since 2018, Lizuna was selected to be a part of 500 Startup Kobe program and are the only fraud solution platform available on the Japanese Shopify App platform. Lizuna specialize in helping eCommerce merchants detect, reduce, and prevent fraud orders and bad actors while not losing out on legitimate customers. Therefore, increasing sales and profit by allowing merchants to customize the AI assisted fraud system to further increase its accuracy rate and automate fraud checks. Our conversation discusses how Jason moved to Japan and kicked off Lizuna. Jason provides his thoughts on the rapid increase in online fraud due to the effects of COVID-19 and the surge in eCommerce recently. Lastly, we take a look into 2021 predictions and how merchants can protect themselves from security issues going forward. Follow Kickoff Sessions on Spotify to keep updated with new sessions!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing the session on Instagram or leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. Tell everyone I'm a semi-decent guy and it really helps to grow the show!For show notes and more episodes, visit Kickoff Sessions website. Sign up to the Kickoff Sessions email list for regular updates and content.Connect with me on LinkedInSupport the growth of Kickoff SessionsSupport the music artist: FarsiThank you internet people!*** Learn to Build a Website *** This episode is affiliated with Gary Melican Web Design, providing specialized web design, analytics, SEO, email marketing and conversion. Knowing how to build websites allows you to explore business ideas quickly and without the need to find and hire someone else. Move faster by learning to build your own website. This course is for exiting business owners, people with business ideas and people with a growth mindset. The common underlying trait between all these people is that they recognize a website is an essential piece of any business these days.What you will learn in Gary’s intense 30-hour coursework includes; website set up, GDPR basics, creating web pages, Google Analytics and mobile optimization. For more information check out my episode with Gary Melican. Support the show

Jan 23, 2021 • 15min
#17 Solo Sessions – Follow Your “Passion” or Feel The Pressure of The Traditional Path
In this solo sessions I break down the different avenues you can take in your career and some of the motives behind decision making. I discuss what it truly means to follow a “passion” and analyze if this is a real possibility for regular people like you and I. Lastly, I take a look into what we can do to navigate our own path and relinquish ourselves from the societal pressures of conformity.Timestamps:(00:00) – Introduction(01:34) – Meet my imaginary friend, James(06:55) – Navigating your own path(12:25) – Merging interests with experience Follow Kickoff Sessions on Spotify to keep updated with new sessions!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing the session on Instagram or leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. Tell everyone I'm a semi-decent guy and it really helps to grow the show!For show notes and more episodes, visit Kickoff Sessions website. Sign up to the Kickoff Sessions email list for regular updates and content.Connect with me on LinkedInSupport the growth of Kickoff SessionsSupport the music artist FarsiThank you internet people!*** Learn to Build a Website *** This episode is affiliated with Gary Melican Web Design, providing specialized web design, analytics, SEO, email marketing and conversion. Knowing how to build websites allows you to explore business ideas quickly and without the need to find and hire someone else. Move faster by learning to build your own website. This course is for exiting business owners, people with business ideas and people with a growth mindset. The common underlying trait between all these people is that they recognize a website is an essential piece of any business these days.What you will learn in Gary’s intense 30-hour coursework includes; website set up, GDPR basics, creating web pages, Google Analytics and mobile optimization. For more information check out my episode with Gary Melican. Support the show

Jan 20, 2021 • 1h 2min
#16 Shane Finn – Mindset of an Endurance Athlete, Fear of Failure, Consistency & Intrinsic Motivation
Shane Finn is an ultra-marathon and endurance athlete, host of the Pushing Limits Podcast, charity fundraiser, and online coach at Shane Finn Training. Shane has completed numerous races in his career such as running 12 marathons in 12 days, 24 marathons in 24 days, triathlons and ironman events all around the world. Most notably, cycling and running across USA from San Francisco to New York in just 36 days. He has raised over €300,000 for charity during this period. Our conversation focused on the mindset of Shane’s endurance events, breaking down his approach to completing these incredible achievements and what he is learned along the way. Shane provides his thoughts on failure and the influences which have continuously motivated him throughout his career. We discuss goal setting, ambition and how to create a consistent and sustainable schedule. Follow Kickoff Sessions on Spotify to keep updated with new sessions!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing the session on Instagram or leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. Tell everyone I'm a semi-decent guy and it really helps to grow the show!For show notes and more episodes, visit Kickoff Sessions website. Sign up to the Kickoff Sessions email list for regular updates and content.Connect with me on LinkedInSupport the growth of Kickoff SessionsSupport the music artist FarsiThank you internet people!*** Learn to Build a Website *** This episode is affiliated with Gary Melican Web Design, providing specialized web design, analytics, SEO, email marketing and conversion. Knowing how to build websites allows you to explore business ideas quickly and without the need to find and hire someone else. Move faster by learning to build your own website. This course is for exiting business owners, people with business ideas and people with a growth mindset. The common underlying trait between all these people is that they recognize a website is an essential piece of any business these days.What you will learn in Gary’s intense 30-hour coursework includes; website set up, GDPR basics, creating web pages, Google Analytics and mobile optimization. For more information check out my episode with Gary Melican. Support the show

Jan 13, 2021 • 1h 2min
#15 Darren Marble – Search for Fulfilment, Raising Capital, IPOs, Crypto Fraud & Sobriety
Darren Marble is a serial entrepreneur and a leading expert in new forms of finance. Darren is co-founder of Crush Capital, CEO of Issuance and previously the CEO of CrowdfundX. He is the creator of the Going Public television series, enabling retail investors to access IPOs and other financial products which were previously reserved for accredited investors.Darren is the co-founder of the Crowd Invest Summit and a contributor to Business Insider and Inc. His insights have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Forbes, and the Los Angeles Business Journal, to name a few.Our conversation details Darren’s motivations to continuously pursue new ventures and what he has learned from each endeavor. Darren expands on the difficult task of raising capital for early-stage founders right up to going public. We exchange stories of cryptocurrencies and discuss some of the benefits to a life of sobriety. Follow Kickoff Sessions on Spotify to keep updated with new sessions!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing the session on Instagram or leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. Tell everyone I'm a semi-decent guy and it really helps to grow the show!For show notes and more episodes, visit Kickoff Sessions website. Sign up to the Kickoff Sessions email list for regular updates and content.Connect with me on LinkedInSupport the growth of Kickoff SessionsSupport the music artist FarsiThank you internet people!*** Learn to Build a Website *** This episode is affiliated with Gary Melican Web Design, providing specialized web design, analytics, SEO, email marketing and conversion. Knowing how to build websites allows you to explore business ideas quickly and without the need to find and hire someone else. Move faster by learning to build your own website. This course is for exiting business owners, people with business ideas and people with a growth mindset. The common underlying trait between all these people is that they recognize a website is an essential piece of any business these days.What you will learn in Gary’s intense 30-hour coursework includes; website set up, GDPR basics, creating web pages, Google Analytics and mobile optimization. For more information check out my episode with Gary Melican. Support the show

Jan 7, 2021 • 1h 9min
#14 Emily Clements – Neuroscience of Entrepreneurship, Creativity, Deep Work, Burnout & Caffeine
Emily Clements is a neuroscientist and PhD candidate in neuroimaging, focusing on the research in Neuroscience of Entrepreneurship in Kings College London. Emily has a background in cognitive neuroscience and utilizing computational models to better understand peoples decision-making processes. Kings College launched its first ever collaboration between the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience and the Entrepreneurship Institute over a five-year-study. Meaning Emily is going to scan the brains of entrepreneurs, figure out how they think, and whether she can use these insights to help everyone become more entrepreneurial. Based on the findings of the study, the research is aiming to understand what might spark entrepreneurial thinking to build evidence-based educational programmes which can be used in academic curriculums.Our conversation focused on her research to date, particularly the Entrepreneurial Brain Challenge and discussing topics such as uncertainty in our daily lives which can impact our decision making and judgement dramatically. We also looked at areas such as creativity, burnout, deep work and even the effects of caffeine on productivity. Follow Kickoff Sessions on Spotify to keep updated with new sessions!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing the session on Instagram or leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. Tell everyone I'm a semi-decent guy and it really helps to grow the show!For show notes and more episodes, visit Kickoff Sessions website. Sign up to the Kickoff Sessions email list for regular updates and content.Connect with me on LinkedInSupport the growth of Kickoff SessionsSupport the music artist FarsiThank you internet people!*** Learn to Build a Website *** This episode is affiliated with Gary Melican Web Design, providing specialized web design, analytics, SEO, email marketing and conversion. Knowing how to build websites allows you to explore business ideas quickly and without the need to find and hire someone else. Move faster by learning to build your own website. This course is for exiting business owners, people with business ideas and people with a growth mindset. The common underlying trait between all these people is that they recognize a website is an essential piece of any business these days.What you will learn in Gary’s intense 30-hour coursework includes; website set up, GDPR basics, creating web pages, Google Analytics and mobile optimization. For more information check out my episode with Gary Melican. Support the show

Jan 1, 2021 • 24min
#13 Solo Sessions – How to Pivot Your Training & Nutrition During Lockdown
A solo session focusing on restructuring your training and nutrition during lockdown. Not only are restrictions more challenging for everyone but adjusting your physical routine can be difficult without the necessary equipment. I detail where you can buy affordable, versatile equipment which can be delivered to you quickly. I break down how to emulate your regular training pattern at home and what adjustments must be made to your diet due to the decreased level of activity the new restrictions have imposed. Timestamps:(00:00) – Introduction(01:30) – 3 stages of equipment(04:37) – Where to buy equipment(12:53) – Constructing your training plan(17:53) – Constructing your nutrition planLinks to Amazon Netherlands & Amazon Germany:NL: https://www.amazon.nl/ DE: https://www.amazon.de/Follow Kickoff Sessions on Spotify to keep updated with new sessions!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider dropping a share on Instagram or leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. Tell everyone I'm a semi-decent guy and it really helps to grow the show!For show notes and more episodes, visit Kickoff Sessions website. Sign up to the Kickoff Sessions email list for regular updates and content.Connect with me on LinkedInSupport the growth of Kickoff SessionsSupport the music artist FarsiThank you internet people!*** Learn to Build a Website *** This episode is affiliated with Gary Melican Web Design, providing specialized web design, analytics, SEO, email marketing and conversion. Knowing how to build websites allows you to explore business ideas quickly and without the need to find and hire someone else. Move faster by learning to build your own website. This course is for exiting business owners, people with business ideas and people with a growth mindset. The common underlying trait between all these people is that they recognize a website is an essential piece of any business these days.What you will learn in Gary’s intense 30-hour coursework includes; website set up, GDPR basics, creating web pages, Google Analytics and mobile optimization. For more information check out my episode with Gary Melican. Support the show

Dec 31, 2020 • 51min
#12 Darragh O' Riordan – Building a Winning Team, Leadership & Developing Successful Habits
Darragh O’ Riordan is a business leader with over twenty years’ experience in marketing, sales, and business systems in technology and healthcare industries. Darragh hosts the Digital Transformation Lab podcast and focuses on building resilient, high performing teams and supporting team members career growth and development. He has extensive experience in business development with VMware, CoreHR and as director of EMEA business development with FireEye.Throughout our conversation we delve deeper into what makes a winning team, looking at some of the key principles in team building in all organizations. Darragh provides his thoughts on leadership qualities at both the managerial and team member level. Lastly, we exchange ideas on the importance of physical health and the benefits to productivity and workload. Follow Kickoff Sessions on Spotify to keep updated with new sessions!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing the session on Instagram or leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. Tell everyone I'm a semi-decent guy and it really helps to grow the show!For show notes and more episodes, visit Kickoff Sessions website. Sign up to the Kickoff Sessions email list for regular updates and content.Connect with me on LinkedIn.Support the music artist: FarsiThank you internet people!*** Learn to Build a Website *** This episode is affiliated with Gary Melican Web Design, providing specialized web design, analytics, SEO, email marketing and conversion. Knowing how to build websites allows you to explore business ideas quickly and without the need to find and hire someone else. Move faster by learning to build your own website. This course is for exiting business owners, people with business ideas and people with a growth mindset. The common underlying trait between all these people is that they recognize a website is an essential piece of any business these days.What you will learn in Gary’s intense 30-hour coursework includes; website set up, GDPR basics, creating web pages, Google Analytics and mobile optimization. For more information check out my episode with Gary Melican. Support the show

Dec 28, 2020 • 31min
#11 Solo Sessions - A Practical Guide to New Year’s Resolutions
In this solo session I take a look into New Year’s resolutions and why so many of them are destined for failure from the very beginning. I provide a detailed insight into four major components: Financial, Career, Health and Personal. Breaking down each objective by ensuring they are both actionable and achievable. I use these as a basis for constructing well formulated New Year’s resolutions.Downloads my free personal finance template here which I cover in the financial objectives. I have continuously iterated this template to make it as simple and automated as possible. Therefore, making this whole personal finance thing rather straightforward.Timestamps:(00:00) – Introduction(02:15) – Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail(05:08) – Financial Objectives(11:48) – Career Objectives (18:23) – Health Objectives (24:38) – Personal ObjectivesFollow Kickoff Sessions on Spotify to keep updated with new sessions!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing the session on Instagram or leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. Tell everyone I'm a semi-decent guy and it really helps to grow the show!For show notes and more episodes, visit Kickoff Sessions website. Sign up to the Kickoff Sessions email list for regular updates and content.Connect with me on LinkedIn.Support the music artist: FarsiThank you internet people!*** Learn to Build a Website *** This episode is affiliated with Gary Melican Web Design, providing specialized web design, analytics, SEO, email marketing and conversion. Knowing how to build websites allows you to explore business ideas quickly and without the need to find and hire someone else. Move faster by learning to build your own website. This course is for exiting business owners, people with business ideas and people with a growth mindset. The common underlying trait between all these people is that they recognize a website is an essential piece of any business these days.What you will learn in Gary’s intense 30-hour coursework includes; website set up, GDPR basics, creating web pages, Google Analytics and mobile optimization. For more information check out my episode with Gary Melican. Support the show

Dec 21, 2020 • 57min
#10 Lem Springsteen – House Music in The ‘90s, Touring & The Future of The Music Industry
Lem Springsteen is part of the house music duo Mood II Swing based in New York City. Lem is a song writer, music producer and recently completed an international DJ tour from 2016 to 2018. Mood II Swing became one of the most in-demand remixers in the late ‘90s, with remixes of Ultra Naté's "Free" that struck gold. Their impact extended beyond New York's house scene to techno and UK garage clubs. Mood II Swing worked closely with Louie Vega throughout the ‘90s and between 1994 and 1996, they released close to 100 tracks, including remixes and collaborative works. Throughout this period, dedicating 100% of their time to the studio, with standout tracks including “Do It Your Way", "All Night Long,", "Ohh" and "Move Me". After over 25 years’ of making tracks, Lem is on a new path curating his own album which is soon to be released in January 2021. Lem and I break down his music career and the origins of house music in the ‘80s and ‘90s in New York. In a laidback conversation, we discuss some of the influences in his style of production throughout the years. Taking a look at his most recent tour, some of the highlights along the way and setbacks which he has learned from. Lastly, we take a look at the future of the music industry in an era where COVID-19 is reshaping the nightclub scene. Follow Kickoff Sessions on Spotify to keep updated with new sessions!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider dropping a share on Instagram or leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. Tell everyone I'm a semi-decent guy and it really helps to grow the show!For show notes and more episodes, visit Kickoff Sessions website. Sign up to the Kickoff Sessions email list for regular updates and content.Connect with me on LinkedIn.Support the music artist: FarsiThank you internet people!*** Learn to Build a Website *** This episode is affiliated with Gary Melican Web Design, providing specialized web design, analytics, SEO, email marketing and conversion. Knowing how to build websites allows you to explore business ideas quickly and without the need to find and hire someone else. Move faster by learning to build your own website. This course is for exiting business owners, people with business ideas and people with a growth mindset. The common underlying trait between all these people is that they recognize a website is an essential piece of any business these days.What you will learn in Gary’s intense 30-hour coursework includes; website set up, GDPR basics, creating web pages, Google Analytics and mobile optimization. For more information check out my episode with Gary Melican. Support the show

Dec 17, 2020 • 56min
#09 Luke Mackey – Bolt’s Strategy, Competition, Market Share & Improving The Transport System
Luke Mackey is the Country Manager of Bolt, Europe’s largest mobility company. Bolt now has more than 30 million users across 40 countries and is valued at around $1.9 billion. Bolt has launched in Dublin with more than 1,000 taxi drivers and recently raised $182 million to expand its on demand transportation network in Europe and Africa. Previously to joining Bolt, Luke was CEO of Bamboo, the Irish mobile ordering marketplace he co-founded in 2017 while in university. The idea for Bamboo began when Luke identified a change in consumer behaviour for on-demand services. Our conversation focused on how Luke identified a gap in the market and how he has taken these learning outcomes into his new role at Bolt. We go into detail on the strategy behind Bolt, competition in the market and the opportunities to improve the taxi-hailing industry. Follow Kickoff Sessions on Spotify to keep updated with new sessions!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider dropping a share on Instagram or leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. Tell everyone I'm a semi-decent guy and it really helps to grow the show!For show notes and more episodes, visit Kickoff Sessions website. Sign up to the Kickoff Sessions email list for regular updates and content.Connect with me on LinkedIn.Support the music artist: FarsiThank you internet people!*** Learn to Build a Website *** This episode is affiliated with Gary Melican Web Design, providing specialized web design, analytics, SEO, email marketing and conversion. Knowing how to build websites allows you to explore business ideas quickly and without the need to find and hire someone else. Move faster by learning to build your own website. This course is for exiting business owners, people with business ideas and people with a growth mindset. The common underlying trait between all these people is that they recognize a website is an essential piece of any business these days.What you will learn in Gary’s intense 30-hour coursework includes; website set up, GDPR basics, creating web pages, Google Analytics and mobile optimization. For more information check out my episode with Gary Melican. Support the show