The Mike Method

Most founders want two things: to raise their next round and to exit. Few will say it out loud, but Brian Wong will.In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins sits down with Brian Wong, a prodigy who graduated from UBC’s Sauder School of Business at 18, raised more than $40 million in venture capital, and builtKkiip, one of the world’s largest mobile advertising platforms, before selling it in 2019. Now based in New York City, Brian leads Ascii Ventures, a next generation fund redefining what it means to be truly founder friendly.Together, they explore what makes great founders fundable, how humility and curiosity strengthen leadership, and why the future of venture capital is being shaped by people who have lived the startup experience themselves.Brian also shares how Ascii's founder focused model aligns incentives, creates a flywheel for liquidity, and helps early stage companies build culture, confidence, and sustainable growth. The conversation touches on the evolving landscape of crypto and stablecoins, how mainstream adoption is already underway, and why this shift matters for leaders and investors alike.If you have ever wondered how top founders think or how investors identify the qualities that predict success, this episode offers both insight and inspiration.Episode Resources:Brian Wong: LinkedInViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people think nervous system regulation means being calm — it doesn’t; it means not getting stuck. In this episode, Mike Desjardins talks with Anna Brooks, a guide in deep transformation whose work blends somatics, nervous system regulation, and “soul truth.”They explore how your nervous system shapes every experience and how flexibility—not calm—is the real goal. Anna shares simple tools like the one-breath hum and butterfly taps, plus the ABC path: Awareness. Breathe. Choose. This conversation is a deep exhale and a practical guide to feeling steady in motion.PS Here is a wonderful resource from Anna, discussed in this episode Shift & IntegrateEpisode Resources:Anna Brooks: Website / LinkedIn / Newsletter SignupFall (6 weeks) women's circlePartnerships for 2026Power of the Pause (free resource!)A special playlist that tends to Nervous System soothingViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the moments that knock you down are the very ones that set you up for what’s next?In this week's episode of the Mike Method, Mike sits down with Carly Moir, founder and CEO of White Canvas Design, a powerhouse design agency rooted in heart and led with purpose. A former national softball team captain turned entrepreneur, Carly shares how resilience, vision, and a triple-threat mindset helped her turn creative passion into impact.Together, Mike and Carly explore the emotional intelligence behind great branding, how misalignment can shape team culture, and why learning to use AI well might just be the next creative superpower. They dive into what it means to stay authentic in a world of change, and how lessons from sports, leadership, and life remind us that even our hardest moments can become our greatest teachers.This conversation is about creativity, authenticity, and the courage to keep showing up, both in business and in life.Episode Resources:Carly Moir: LinkedInWhite Canvas Design: Website / InstagramViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“We didn’t know when our lessons would arrive, but they did. And for us, they came when everything was falling apart.”In this episode of The Mike Method, host Mike Desjardins sits down with Zach Berman, co-founder of The Juice Truck, Canada’s first cold-pressed juice bar.Zach shares how he and his co-founder, Ryan Slater, transformed a global crisis into a moment of reinvention—pivoting from brick-and-mortar shops to a thriving wholesale business now found in over 300 stores across Canada.From backpacking through Nepal and India to pioneering a movement around health, community, and conscious consumption, Zach’s story is one of heart, hustle, and perspective.Together, they explore:The mindset that nothing is good or bad until we assign it meaningHow the team at The Juice Truck reimagined their business model overnight during COVIDWhy having too many ideas can be both a gift and a challengeThe power of leading with curiosity, trust, and listening before sellingWhether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative, or someone navigating change, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes the biggest disruptions become the clearest invitations to evolve.Episode Resources:Zach Berman: LinkedIn / A Little More Good Podcast The Juice TruckViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mike Desjardins sits down with Robert Glazer to explore the power of core values and how living in alignment with them shapes both leadership and life.Robert is the founder and chairman of Acceleration Partners, a global leader in partnership marketing, and the author of several Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling books, including Elevate and Friday Forward. He’s also the host of the Elevate Podcast, a top-ranked show on business and leadership, and a global speaker known for helping individuals and organizations elevate their performance.Together, Mike and Robert discuss how clearly defining your core values can serve as a compass for decision-making, reduce burnout, and strengthen relationships. Robert shares how identifying your triggers can reveal what truly matters, and how the “core value compass” can help navigate life’s toughest choices with clarity and confidence.They also explore how values evolve through experience, the essential role of community in reinforcing them, and why core values should be intrinsic rather than aspirational. The conversation highlights the ripple effect that occurs when leaders live authentically in alignment with their values, creating deeper fulfillment and meaningful impact in the world.Episode Resources:Robert Glazer: Website / BooksThe Compass Within by Robert GlazerViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re re-releasing one of our most listened-to and loved episodes! A timeless conversation that hits just as hard today as when it first aired.What if the real reason your sales team isn’t closing deals has nothing to do with the market and everything to do with your company’s diluted genius?In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike sits down with international business mentor and Models Method creator, Simon Bowen, for a deep dive into what truly sets high-performing companies apart. Spoiler: it’s not just about having a great product. It’s about clarity, believability, and staying connected to your company’s core brilliance — what Simon calls your “genius.”Simon breaks down how that genius can fade as a company grows, especially when the founder’s original thinking gets lost across departments. He shares how complex ideas become instantly more persuasive when they’re visualized instead of just talked about — using frameworks, models, and even simple drawings to make the message stick.Mike and Simon also explore why believability often matters more than trust in complex sales, and how showing (not telling) your story makes all the difference. The conversation offers practical insight into adapting to changing markets without losing your company’s soul.Whether you’re leading a global team or refining your own message, this episode is a masterclass in clear communication, strategic positioning, and protecting what makes your business unique.Episode Resources:Connect with SimonThe Models MethodViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign UpLeadership CirclePeloton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins breaks down the mechanics of being triggered and introduces the ABC Method, a simple yet powerful way to shift out of automatic reactions and into conscious choice.Mike shares how awareness, a single breath, and a prepared choice can transform the way we respond in heated moments. With practical examples, he shows how this method can help us move from defensiveness to accountability, curiosity, and stronger connection.Whether it’s at work, at home, or in everyday conversations, learning to pause and choose differently can change the quality of our relationships and improve our communication skills.What you’ll take away:Triggers often spark automatic reactions that don’t serve us.The ABC Method: Awareness, Breath, Choice.Why it helps to decide on your new response in advance.How defensiveness shows up and what to do instead.Practical ways to take responsibility, diffuse tension, and ask better questions.A small shift in the moment can create big changes over time. Try it out and see how it works for you.Episode Resources:John Dwyer: LinkedIn / WebsiteInstitute of WowViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do free vacations, Jerry Seinfeld, and Happy Meals have in common? For John Dwyer, they are all part of a playbook that has helped businesses bring in billions in revenue.In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike sits down with John Dwyer (JD), founder of the Institute of Wow and a direct response marketing legend. JD has worked with brands like Disney, KFC, 7-Eleven, Woolworths, and BP, and his campaigns have broken records while leaving competitors wondering what just happened.JD shares how to use psychology, storytelling, and what he calls “artificial wow factors” to design irresistible offers. You’ll hear how he turned beer into currency, sold out turf farms, and helped a small bank grow by giving away free vacations. He also breaks down why most loyalty programs miss the mark, the biggest myths about branding, and how B2B companies can stay creative with incentives while keeping it ethical.This conversation is creative, practical, and full of fresh perspective. Whether you are a marketer, entrepreneur, or just curious about what makes people say yes, you’ll walk away with plenty of ideas and inspiration.Episode Resources:John Dwyer: LinkedIn / WebsiteInstitute of WowViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really mean to be “driven”?In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins sits down with Dr. Doug Brackman, a psychologist, ultra-endurance athlete, and author of Driven. Doug brings both academic expertise and lived experience, sharing insights from his own journey and two decades of work with elite performers, entrepreneurs, Navy SEALs, and world-class athletes.Together, Mike and Doug explore the unique wiring of driven individuals, the pull toward chaos and innovation, and the hidden costs that often come with intensity and ambition. They dig into the neuroscience of drive, why the world feels designed for farmers but breakthroughs are born from hunters, and how to transform that restless energy into a force for purpose and impact.Along the way, they cover:Shame, imposter syndrome, and the myth of normalFounder syndrome and the loneliness of visionary leadersBuilding trust and finding your “Wolfpack”How to reframe what feels like a burden into a giftIf you’ve ever asked yourself, Why am I like this?, or wondered how to channel your energy into something meaningful without burning out, this conversation will give you new language, perspective, and tools to work with.Episode Resources:Dr. Doug Brackmann: Website / LinkedinDriven by Doug BrackmannViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered what leadership sounds like through the eyes of a grade eight student? Mike and his daughter Lillie share their perspective.This week on The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins is joined by his daughter Lillie for a special conversation about leadership. Their discussion is playful, honest, and thoughtful, exploring what leadership means from both a young student’s perspective and a parent’s viewpoint.They talk about school, friendships, mentorship, and emotional intelligence, highlighting how leadership starts with guiding ourselves and showing up authentically for others. Along the way, their conversation is full of curiosity, laughter, and meaningful reflections.The episode celebrates connection between parent and child, across generations, and in the ways we develop kindness, communication, and resilience in everyday life.Episode Resources:ViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign UpAmelia EvansMonique MarcottDeryn LavellGoMacroPeloton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.