Ep.#7: Blockchain and the Rise of the Digital Community- George Samuels

The Renaissance Effect

32:08

Did you know there’s an actual science to uncovering your hidden genius? It’s not about filling out a “dream job” worksheet—it’s about understanding how your brain is wired, identifying your natural aptitudes, and using them to thrive. This isn’t just a self-discovery exercise. It’s a game-changer for your career, your relationships, and how you show up in the world. Betsy Wills and Alex Ellison are redefining how we approach career discovery, proving that finding the right path isn’t just about landing a job—it’s about creating a life that aligns with who you actually are. ✅ Betsy Wills – Cofounder of YouScience, a groundbreaking psychometric assessment platform reshaping how we understand our talents. She’s also the Director of Marketing & Branding at Diversified Trust and a frequent lecturer at Vanderbilt University and NYU’s Stern School of Business. ✅ Alex Ellison – Founder of Throughline Guidance, a global college and career counseling practice. She’s a sought-after writer, speaker, and expert in college readiness and career development. ✅ Together, they co-authored Your Hidden Genius: The Science-Backed Strategy to Uncovering and Harnessing Your Innate Talents. Discovering your hidden genius isn’t just about career success—it’s about tapping into what makes you, you . Connect with Betsy & Alex: Website (Free Downloads): www.yourhiddengenius.com Book: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/your-hidden-genius-elizabeth-m-willsalexandra-ellison Related Podcast Episodes: How To Be You, But Better with Olga Khazan | 288 Finding Purpose Through Human Design with Emma Dunwoody | 228 195 / Finding (And Using) Your Voice with Amy Green Smith Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! 🔗 Subscribe & Review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music…

5 years ago 1:22:49

MP3•Episode home

My guest for Episode 7, is Geroge Samuels!
I've known George for many years and in fact I met him when he interviewed ME for a film I was producing when I had my animation company back in the day.

Kinda cool that I get to return the favor.

George is the Managing Director of Faiā, a consultancy he describes as bridging gaps through community & tech.

He has long been a "community guy" with entrepreneurial tendencies,

George, like many entrepreneurs, is something of a jack of all trades: his career has spanned from programmer to animator, salesman to Enterprise Community Manager.

Then Bitcoin exploded onto the world stage:

He first got involved with Bitcoin technology in 2013, was labeled a Key Person of Influence by Adobe in 2015, and was dubbed one of "Australia's Best Community Builders" by Pause Fest in 2017. His company Faiā is one of the first in APAC to offer exclusive BitcoinSV blockchain integration services.

George could easily be credited as the first person to really push me into the blockchain world, and my life has been much the better for it.
We talk about everything from growing up in Bangladesh and Australia, identity issues, entrepreneurship, business, and of course, Bitcoin!

I had a great time doing this interview and I hope you guys enjoy it!

When he's not advocating for BitcoinSV or writing about communities, you'll find George boxing, reading, or playing weiqi (Go) over tea.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/renaissanceeffect/support

8 episodes

Ep.#7: Blockchain and the Rise of the Digital Community- George Samuels

The Renaissance Effect

published 5 years ago

MP3•Episode home

My guest for Episode 7, is Geroge Samuels!
I've known George for many years and in fact I met him when he interviewed ME for a film I was producing when I had my animation company back in the day.

Kinda cool that I get to return the favor.

George is the Managing Director of Faiā, a consultancy he describes as bridging gaps through community & tech.

He has long been a "community guy" with entrepreneurial tendencies,

George, like many entrepreneurs, is something of a jack of all trades: his career has spanned from programmer to animator, salesman to Enterprise Community Manager.

Then Bitcoin exploded onto the world stage:

I had a great time doing this interview and I hope you guys enjoy it!

When he's not advocating for BitcoinSV or writing about communities, you'll find George boxing, reading, or playing weiqi (Go) over tea.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/renaissanceeffect/support

8 episodes

All episodes

1
Ep.#8: Choon James- A Campaign for Truth, Justice and Ethical Government 1:13:21

5 years ago1:13:21

1:13:21

My special guest for episode #8 is Choon James. She is a licensed real estate broker in Hawaii and has a B.A. in English and TESL as a minor from BYU - Hawaii Choon is originally from Singapore and has been involved in various environment and social justice causes for decades. She has been actively participating at Honolulu Hale for the past 12 years. She is a founding member of both the Defend Oahu Coalition and Save Oahu Farmlands. She is on the Ko'olauloa Sustainable Communities Planning Advisory Committee Kahuku Hospital Board of Directors Laie Point Community Association President & Board Member BYU-Hawaii/CCH Alumni Association President Shes a member of the Sierra Club An Amnesty International Freedom Writer Shes the Host of - Country Talk Story - which airs on Olelo Public Television And shes also a North Shore News columnist Just as a heads up, this is not a political podcast or episode, but I found Choon’s story very compelling. Choon’s been a lifelong activist, and has also recently thrown her hat into the ring, in running for Mayor of Honolulu in 2020. As a differentiator from most or all of her opponents, She's not accepting donations from Lobbyists or PACs, and in our conversation, much of her focus in running, is on restoring ethics to government. Choon has a unique voice in the political arena and is laser focused on bringing an efficient, inclusive, ethical government to the city of Honolulu. She also wants to bring back a strong sense of fiscal responsibility and accountability to city spending. We had fun doing this episode but unfortunately my SD card failed halfway through the interview and we had mic issues throughout. I managed to salvage the episode however but I had to do a little more editing than I normally like to and the sound quality suffered so I apologize for that. That being said, I hope you guys enjoy this conversation with, Choon James! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/renaissanceeffect/support…

1
Ep.#7: Blockchain and the Rise of the Digital Community- George Samuels 1:22:49

5 years ago1:22:49

1:22:49

My guest for Episode 7, is Geroge Samuels! I've known George for many years and in fact I met him when he interviewed ME for a film I was producing when I had my animation company back in the day. Kinda cool that I get to return the favor. George is the Managing Director of Faiā, a consultancy he describes as bridging gaps through community & tech. He has long been a "community guy" with entrepreneurial tendencies, George, like many entrepreneurs, is something of a jack of all trades: his career has spanned from programmer to animator, salesman to Enterprise Community Manager. Then Bitcoin exploded onto the world stage: He first got involved with Bitcoin technology in 2013, was labeled a Key Person of Influence by Adobe in 2015, and was dubbed one of "Australia's Best Community Builders" by Pause Fest in 2017. His company Faiā is one of the first in APAC to offer exclusive BitcoinSV blockchain integration services. George could easily be credited as the first person to really push me into the blockchain world, and my life has been much the better for it. We talk about everything from growing up in Bangladesh and Australia, identity issues, entrepreneurship, business, and of course, Bitcoin! I had a great time doing this interview and I hope you guys enjoy it! When he's not advocating for BitcoinSV or writing about communities, you'll find George boxing, reading, or playing weiqi (Go) over tea. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/renaissanceeffect/support…

1
Ep.#6: For the Love of Paddling- SUP Racing with Kenny Kaneko 1:56:24

5 years ago1:56:24

1:56:24

Kenny is a 3x All Japan Champion and 2018 Asia Champion. Interestingly, he was Born in Chigasaki Japan but raised in Southern California. Kenny started surfing from a young age but actually was drawn to another sport entirely- a sport played ON LAND, and that experience actually helped to shape his career in the water. We dive deep into that on the podcast. In his second year of college, he started outrigger canoeing under the influence of his father and became addicted once again, to the sea. Once he started SUP racing full time in 2013 he Won the All Japan SUP Championship the following year. Since 2015, he has raced overseas. In 2016, he won the 2nd Hong Kong International SUP Championship. In 2018, he won his third All-Japan title. Kenny is known as one of the absolute hardest working SUP racers out there. I interviewed him right before his most recent Molokai to Oahu SUP race which is known as one of the most brutal races on earth. Kenny’s full stats, race schedule, results and more can be found at http://kennykaneko.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/renaissanceeffect/support…

1
Ep.#5: Photography, Triathlons and Inspiration: A conversation with Andrew McHowell 1:31:14

6 years ago1:31:14

1:31:14

Andrew is a Landscape Photographer, Triathlete, and Entrepreneur based in Honolulu Hawaii. One of the things that separates Andrew from many other photographers in this day and age is his love of film. While many people have gone digital, Andrew remains a film die hard and prefers to shoot medium and large format. He's also an avid triathlete, adventurer and world traveler, and you can often find him commuting to work in a helicopter. Hope you guys enjoy this conversation on light painting and a whole lot more with Andrew McHowell! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/renaissanceeffect/support…

1
Ep.#4: Ukuleles, Entrepreneurship, and Giving Back: Jamming with Jody Kamisato 1:26:07

6 years ago1:26:07

1:26:07

Jody Kamisato is an entrepreneur and the owner of Ukulele Hale, an ‘ukulele studio in Honolulu that has produced some of Hawaii’s greatest rising stars. Many of his students have gone on to win international and statewide talent competitions including the dynamic duo Honoka & Azita. Jody is also a member of the award-winning group Heart & Soul. His debut album entitled “Take it Easy” was the recipient of the 15th Annual Hawaii Music Award for Island Contemporary and was nominated for 2 Na Hoku Hano Hano Awards – Most Promising Artists & Contemporary Album of the Year. Jody was recently featured on the Island Style Ukulele Volume 2 album, which received the 2015 Nā Hoku Hanohano Award for Compilation Album of the Year. Currently, you can find Kamisato performing with Heart & Soul twice a week at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa’s signature show the Starlit Hui and mentoring his ‘ukulele protégés Honoka & Azita. Jody also spends a lot of his free time volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hawaii as well as involving himself in many other charity events and activities. Jody is a rarity in that he not only has the respect and admiration of his fans as well as his musical peers, he also has found a way to build an incredibly successful business around it. When we think of entrepreneurs, we often think of someone in the tech space. There is a lot of bias in the media towards "the next big app", or the latest gadget that is changing our lives, for better or for worse. Because of this, the masses often don't think of music being an entrepreneurial pursuit. But make no mistake, Jody is the quintessential entrepreneur. He has the right mindset for success and has proven that you can take your passion, no matter what space it's in, and turn it into a wild success. What makes Jody so amazing to me, however, is not just his business and creative success, but also the fact that he has managed to design his business around his ideal lifestyle. Because of this, he spends every day doing exactly what he loves to do, with the people he wants to do it with. This, to me, beyond money, beyond notoriety, is a very high bar of success indeed and one we should all strive towards. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/renaissanceeffect/support…

1
Ep.#3: Advertising, Screenwriting and Navigating Hollywood with Brian Watanabe 1:39:34

6 years ago1:39:34

1:39:34

Brian Watanabe is a screenwriter, Copywriter, Creative Director and Blogger. He's written two screenplays which have both been produced for the big screen. His first, Operation End Game, has a stellar cast which includes the likes of Ellen Barkin, Rob Corrdry, Maggie Q, and Zach Galifianakis among others. His second screenplay was "Maisa", and it was the first ever animated film produced completely in the Chamorro language. Brian got his start in advertising and is now a freelance copywriter and director. His client list includes the likes of AT&T, McDonald's, Intel, Kraft, Mazda, Major League Baseball and many more. We cover a wide range of topics in this episode including advertising, screenwriting, and getting a script produced in Hollywood. For all aspiring screenwriters, filmmakers, Mad Men and creatives, this will be a fun one! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/renaissanceeffect/support…

1
Ep.#2: Nate Clowar: Making Video Games, Investing, and building your own car 1:26:18

6 years ago1:26:18

1:26:18

Nate is a good friend of mine and his interests cover a broad spectrum, from body surfing Sandy Beach to building cars. Early on when I started this podcast I knew I wanted to get him on the show. Nate has been working as an artist since 1990, with many of those years in the video game industry. He's been a lead artist, environment artist, TD and Art Director at some of the biggest video game companies. He's currently doing freelance work for the automotive and video game industries. Nate and his family have also been investing in real estate for decades and we dig a little into the nuts and bolts of that side business. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/renaissanceeffect/support…

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Ep.#1: The Search for Truth: Documentary Filmmaking with Risa Beer 1:32:23

6 years ago1:32:23