Unpopular People Podcast

Join us for an intriguing conversation with Len, a seasoned accountant with a unique life story that spans extraordinary places around the globe. As an indigenous American, Len's upbringing involved frequent travels and attending various schools, offering him a diverse perspective on life and education. From bustling cities to remote corners of the world, Len's adventures have shaped his understanding of different cultures and landscapes. Notably, during his time in Singapore, Len crossed paths with his partner, and together they now call Ōtautahi, New Zealand home. Len's journey is a testament to resilience, curiosity, and the beauty of embracing diversity. Tune in to discover more about Len's captivating life experiences and the insights he's gained along the way.

Join us for an engaging conversation with Jacob, a former sports journalist whose career has taken a delightful turn into advocacy within the disability sector. With his witty humour and love for cricket, Jacob brings a refreshing perspective to our podcast. In this episode, we explore his journey from sports journalism to his current role as a Communication and Engagement Lead in the disability sector, delving into his passion for inclusivity and accessibility. Additionally, we dive into Jacob's experiences with different education systems and schools throughout his life, offering intriguing insights into the diverse educational landscapes he's encountered. Don't miss this insightful and entertaining discussion with Jacob, where we explore his unique blend of professional expertise, personal passions, and life experiences.

In this episode, we're back after a hiatus due to moving countries and visa challenges. Now settled in New Zealand, we're restarting the podcast, focusing on community, family, and our upcoming Love Festival in Thailand. Expect revamped formats with shorter solo episodes, insights into Elisa's work, and engaging local interviews. We're exploring community engagement strategies and aim to stay politically neutral. Join us for stories about people, not politics. Support us via donations as we continue bringing intriguing tales from Unpopular People worldwide. Stay tuned!

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Community: www.unpopularpeople.com/community UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.com/shop About this episode: Isaac was born in New South Wales, Australia. He grew up in a house with seven family members. When he became an adult he went to Indonesia as a missionary. He is able to speak fluently Indonesian now. Sometime after his return, he moved to the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia to study for a master's degree in psychology and mental health practice. Isaac is a great friend and has a curious and determined mind which is inspiring for everyone around him. If you want to learn more about his decision to study psychology and mental health and what life looks like as a missionary, listen to this interview.

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Community: www.unpopularpeople.com/community UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Dave was born in Brooklyn, New York but moved away when he was very young. He lives in Miami Beach, Florida now. He started as a photographer very early and can see beauty everywhere, even in empty spaces. Dave runs a Wynwood shop where he sells clothes and other extraordinary articles. Everything is made by himself or his partner. Dave is a free spirit and a natural-born artist. His whole life is dedicated to art. He has so many ideas and his creative mind is constantly finding new ways to express itself. From photography to wire, to shirts, to mushrooms, to metal cows... you'll find out more about what that means in this interview. You'll also learn what it means to work your whole life as an artist, including the challenges that could come with it. By listening to this interview you'll understand that listening and learning from each other is key for personal development and success.

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Community: www.unpopularpeople.com/community UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Michelle is an actress from Mexico City. She is involved in many different projects and also teaches English to kids. Nowadays, she lives in Oaxaca City and manages a hostel there. She went through some rough times in her life but she learned how to use them as strength and to understand who she is. You will learn from this interview how to be able to use good or bad experiences to help yourself and others. Michelle's life story is inspiring and she's well educated in many fields, including philosophy. If you want to learn more about Michelle, you should check out our interview with her. Listening and learning from each other is key for personal development and success.

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Community: www.unpopularpeople.com/community UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Tina is a young independent woman that finished her PhD in Psychology before she turned 27. As a migrant child from Iran, it wasn't the easiest to grow up in the US. She tells us about her parents and the struggles they had after moving there from Iran. Tina also tells us about her amazing projects within the field of psychology. In this interview, you'll learn how difficult it can be to grow up in a different culture. Also, how to successfully accomplish your studies without a lot of money. You'll understand how you combine ergonomics and psychology, which may support companies to improve their workplaces. This interview is truly inspiring and proves again why “listening and learning from each other is key for personal development and success.”

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Community: www.unpopularpeople.com/community UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Gregory is an old friend of Ben. Ben and he went to school together until Gregory’s mother passed away. He moved to Konstanz, Germany with his grandmother. They struggled to get along, so Gregory had to go to an orphanage. He started selling and taking drugs when he was pretty young. Gregory needed structure in his life and decided to sign up for the army and spend 18 years serving for the German “Bundeswehr”. Now, he’s about to become a police officer. It’s a truly inspiring story. We apologise for our strong accent because English is not our first language. We still wanted to share his extraordinary story to an international audience because "listening and learning from each other is key for personal development and success".

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Community: www.unpopularpeople.com/community UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Dimitri is a polymath, originally from France. He lives in Australia and has completed his PhD in astrophysics here. As if astrophysics wouldn't be enough, he's also an actor, coach for people with porn and/or sex addiction, entrepreneur, stargazing tour guide, master in martial arts, comedian, cultural astronomer and just a great human being. He has many abilities, skills and talents and is an inspiration for others. He is highly motivated and learned the hard way how to handle setbacks. If you're interested in how to overcome difficult life circumstances and how to achieve incredible outcomes by putting in the work, don't miss out on listening to this episode. It was incredible to talk to Dimitri as he has so much positive energy that is essential to spread out into the world. In this interview, you'll learn why people look up, why people look down, and why both ways might be the same. Be inspired, listen and learn from each other for personal development and success.

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Community: www.unpopularpeople.com/community UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Rusty is the General Manager of SomaFM, an independent and donation-based radio station from California in the US. He’s been managing the playlists of several stations on there for more than 20 years. His music collection seems endless, and he always finds the right sound for the right moment. SomaFM feels like it magically adapts to the setting you’re listening to it. How he selects and finds the music on his stations, who else is involved, and why he became a radio broadcaster, will be explained in this episode. Rusty is one of Ben’s heroes when it comes to music. SomaFM and in particular Groove Salad has been a big influence on his musical journey. You’ll find out more about Groove Salad and the other stations in this podcast. This is a very special interview. We contacted Rusty for the first time and have never spoken to him before the recording of this episode. Listening and learning from each other is key for personal development and success. “I can’t imagine having a better audience!” -Rusty Hodge

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Community: www.unpopularpeople.com/community UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Dustin is a drag queen from Brisbane, Australia. He grew up in Kilcoy, Queensland and had to move away as the town he was born in hasn't had anything more to offer for him. He was married to a woman and has two children with her. Nowadays, Dustin is a single dad sharing the responsibilities for the kids with his ex-wife. Next to his everyday job and being a single dad, he acts and performs as a drag queen. It is quite remarkable to see the work he puts into his outfits and his performances. You’ll find out more about this in this interview. He also shares valuable life lessons, including the importance of failing and handling difficult people, especially when he's not performing. If you want to learn how to overcome mental obstacles and live a happy life even if you don't act like everyone else, listen to this interview. Through listening and learning from each other you'll achieve personal development and success. “No one's coming little girl” -Dustin Walker

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Community: www.unpopularpeople.com/community UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Kevin Liew is a multi-talented person and expert when it comes to exercise. He lives in Brisbane, Southeast Queensland. He was born in Canberra and moved to Brisbane because of skin issues. Kevin is a self-taught professional in many fields, ranging from callisthenics over pole dance to graphic design. He’s a role model concerning discipline and proving that you can become an expert in anything by using hard work and dedication. A personal trainer during the day and social media expert “by night”. If you want to find out more about how to find your passion or how to become an expert in something you love, listen to this interview. Listening and learning from each other is key for personal development and success. “Doesn’t matter how or where you start, just start. You’ll thank yourself in a years time.” -Kevin Liew

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Community: www.unpopularpeople.com/community UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Ben Fein was born in Heidelberg, Germany and was raised in a family with a huge love for music. While making music, he kept very busy, working, going to school and completing a university degree in economics. But Ben was having fun too! A decade of partying in the techno/trance scene in Europe opened his ears and heart more and more to electronic music and solidified his interest in increasingly complex waveforms of sound synthesis. He left Europe behind in 2015, and currently, he is still a “global citizen” but plans to spend the next few years in Australia. In 2018 he met Elisa, co-founder and partner, at the airport and told her not long after about the idea of Unpopular People, the podcast, and the community. They started their relationship and this project together and developed it from the first idea into what Unpopular People is now: A business providing services & personal training for people with mental health issues but also a community of extraordinary people and a sustainable fashion shop. If you want to find out more about Ben and the story & vision of Unpopular People, listen to this episode with one of the founders. It is a brief overview of his life and an insight into the ideas and challenges he’s facing. Listening and learning from each other is key for personal development and success. “Thank you Margit & Erhard for making this all possible, for your love and your support. A big Thank You also to my siblings for your support on my journey and travels all around the world. Also a moment of silence for the recent death of my grandpa. Rest in peace.” -Ben Fein

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Community: www.unpopularpeople.com/community UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Marla is a positive bubbly woman originally from the Philipines. We met her recently in Australia. Marla was born on the resort island Sibu where she and her four siblings had an unconventional upbringing without their parents. During her life, Marla has had many different jobs so far. She travelled a lot, worked as a diving instructor on a boat, and in hospitality which is what her heart beats for. You can find out in this interview what brought her to Australia. Marla shares her insights about her special upbringing, why she dropped out of school and how to live a life working in hospitality. In this episode, you can learn a lot about Philippine culture. If you ever wanted to know what a Yaya is, tune in, listen and learn from Marla because listening and learning from each other is key for personal development and success.

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Our special guest today is Annie, a strong Wiradjuri woman. She was born in Sydney and raised in Gosford. Spiritually, she is from central NSW. She is residing on the Gold Coast in Queensland now. Annie is a mother of two who is currently studying a Certificate IV in Mental health Peer Support Work after completing a Diploma in Mental Health last year at Tafe, Gold Coast. She is using her broad life and lived experience to help others in her role as a mental health support worker on the Gold Coast. Annie is also undertaking her personal and sensitive recovery journey from the clutches of addiction. Today, she will share not just her life story of her childhood and connections to the land but most importantly, her insight into addiction and how she is overcoming it. Shownotes: www.unpopularpeople.com/season3/s03e48

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Melbourne DJ & Producer Ollie Wilkes is a self-confessed techno lover from Adelaide, Australia. He grew up in New Zealand and Australia. Ollie started his career in the New Zealand club and outdoor party scene and continued his work in Melbourne after moving back to Australia. In nearly a decade since, Ollie has played around Australia, New Zealand, South America, and Germany - where he developed his own distinctive style based on Germany’s thriving techno scene. Recent years have seen Ollie balance a residency with the local crew Doesn’t Matter™ while focusing on his own music production. Known for his fluid mix of dark-driving techno and melodic deep-house, lucky crowds might even catch a cheeky original. In this interview, Ollie shares his insights on how he has fallen in love with electronic music. Tune in and learn from Ollie because listening and learning from each other is key for personal development and success. Shownotes: www.unpopularpeople.com/season3/s03e47

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Emmanuella is originally from Canada. She grew up in an academic family and moved to many different cities, countries & continents during her childhood. She has got a master's degree in neuroscience and currently studies medicine at Griffith University in Queensland. Her family is originally from Ghana (West Africa). As Emmanuella is used to change places, she shares her learnings from moving often and how to adapt to new environments. In this interview, you can learn about her beliefs, how studying in Australia looks like and how Covid has changed learning and studying in general. If you are interested in finding your field of study, medicine or neuroscience this episode is made for you because listening and learning from each other is the key to personal development and success. Shownotes: www.unpopularpeople.com/season3/s03e46

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Jeanene is an event planner from Canberra, Australia. She grew up on the Gold Coast, Australia, and went backpacking all over the world. After she worked in the travel and hospitality industry for several years, she has started her own company called Winederlust. Winederlust provides events with wine education, showcasing local and regional wines, featuring alternatives and emerging varietals, and comparing with international wines. In this interview, Jeanene shares insights about her private life, travel stories and tells how her small business started. You can learn a lot about Australian wine regions, good wine and of course her entrepreneurship. Wine knowledge combined with humour and an adventurous life story is what this podcast episode is about. If you’re interested in travelling and looking for good wine recommendations, listen to this amazing interview. Find out how to indicate a good wine from a bad one and learn how to drink responsibly because listening and learning from each other is key for personal development and success. Shownotes: www.unpopularpeople.com/season3/s03e45

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Fatima is a French Teacher originally from Lebanon. She was born during the civil war (1975 to 1990) and grew up with five sisters and two brothers in the Lebanese capital Beirut. Fatima has been living in Australia for 15 years. Recently, she changed her career to become a mental health worker because she wants to help people in her community. As her parents were fashion designers with their own company, she knows a lot about fashion manufacturing. During this interview, Fatima shares her childhood memories from growing up in an unsafe situation in Lebanon. She gives insights into her culture, her educational background and shares her experiences about living in a foreign country. In this episode, you can learn a lot about the Lebanese culture and how to handle misconceptions. If you’re interested in foreign cultures and experiences, have a listen to this inspiring interview because “listening and learning from each other is key for personal development and success.” Shownotes: www.unpopularpeople.com/season3/s03e44

More Info: www.unpopularpeople.com UP Shop: www.unpopularpeople.shop About this episode: Kellie is an enrolled nurse and single mum from Australia. She grew up in Brisbane and lives on the Gold Coast now. During her childhood, Kellie spent a lot of time in church as she grew up in a religious family. Nowadays, she studies mental health at TAFE Queensland. She has chosen this course because of her father, who lived with an undiagnosed bipolar disorder for 56 years. In this interview, Kelly shares her experiences living together with a person with bipolar disorder and what it means to grow up in church. You can learn a lot about forgiveness, free will, resilience, and how to handle your mental health when living or working with people having a mental disease. If you’re interested in mental health and you’re looking for advice, have a listen to this inspiring interview and join our discord server to get in touch because “listening and learning from each other is key for personal development and success.” Shownotes: www.unpopularpeople.com/season3/s03e43