disrupt. with Koa Browne

Building Communities in an Age of AI & Loneliness | Jason's Startup Story

In this interview, I sit down with Jason Van Dyk, co-founder of Sociable, a community-focused events platform redefining how people connect. Jason shares his journey from being an introverted university student to teaching himself how to code, the early struggles of launching during Covid, and his vision for building authentic communities in an age dominated by AI and digital noise. This conversation dives deep into entrepreneurship, resilience, mental health, and the future of human connection. Here are some of the topics we cover in this episode: * The story behind Sociable and why Jason built it * Struggles with loneliness and creating authentic connections * Teaching himself to code after failed developer partnerships * Launching during Covid and adapting with creative solutions * Lessons from scope creep, missed deadlines, and early mistakes * Why padel and other accessible activities are exploding * Thoughts on AI, creativity, and the loneliness epidemic * Building community-driven businesses vs. chasing hype * The mental health toll of entrepreneurship and coping mechanisms * Fitness, faith, and discipline as daily anchors * The strain entrepreneurship places on relationships and friendships * Lessons from fundraising, resilience, and startup culture * Plans for Sociable's growth in South Africa and beyond 👉 If you're a founder craving real connection, I'm building the Deep Movement Collective (DMC), a global community that matches small groups of entrepreneurs to meet in person each month through movement-based activities. Think hikes, ocean dips, trail runs, coffee walks, real conversations with people who get the journey you're on. You can apply to join the community here → https://the-dmc.com [https://the-dmc.com] Follow Jason: * https://www.instagram.com/jasonvandyk/ [https://www.instagram.com/jasonvandyk/] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvd/] * Download the Sociable app: https://www.thesociableapp.com [https://www.thesociableapp.com] Follow me: * https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/ [https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/koabrowne/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/koabrowne/]

From Sleeping on Air Mattresses to Raising $1M: Female Tech Founder's Raw Journey

In this raw and honest interview, Serisha Barrat shares her incredible journey from sleeping on blow-up mattresses and selling her car to building Lawyered Up, a legal tech platform democratizing access to legal services across Africa. She opens up about the brutal realities of female entrepreneurship, the loneliness of building a startup, surviving complete business failure, and how she's now raising $1 million while operating in Kenya, Botswana, Nigeria, and South Africa with a 70% female team. Topics covered in this interview: * The real cost of entrepreneurship/ personal sacrifices and failures * Building AI legal technology for African markets * Fundraising strategies that actually work in Africa * The loneliness epidemic among entrepreneurs * How AI is changing the legal profession * Creating sustainable business models Follow Serisha: * https://www.instagram.com/serisha_barrat/ [https://www.instagram.com/serisha_barrat/] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/serisha-barrat-49ab80b0/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/serisha-barrat-49ab80b0/] Follow me: * https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/ [https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/koabrowne/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/koabrowne/] Calling all entrepreneurs I'm building the Deep Movement Collective. Join the community that's redefining what it means to connect deeply, with founders who inspire and challenge you. Apply to join the community → https://the-dmc.com [https://the-dmc.com]

How Sarah's Love For Tequila Inspired Her to Build Her Own Global Alcohol Brand

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah, founder of Leonista, to unpack her journey in building one of South Africa's first 100% organic agave spirits. Sarah shares how Leonista began with curiosity and a deep love for tequila. She followed that passion all the way to Mexico, where she posed as a journalist to gain access to top distilleries and learn the craft firsthand. Back home, she started experimenting in her garage, learned everything from scratch, and eventually built a brand that now exports to eight countries and supports lion rewilding projects across South Africa. We talk about: * The lessons learned from building a spirit brand with zero industry experience * How she landed on Leonista's brand, name, and lion symbolism * Navigating South Africa's alcohol distribution landscape from scratch * The brutal realities of bootstrapping and reinvesting every cent * Going through full organic certification across production, bottling, and storage * What exporting to eight countries taught her about brand clarity * How to design a product that invites ritual, not just consumption Follow Sarah: * https://www.instagram.com/barbarella_twinkletoes/ [https://www.instagram.com/barbarella_twinkletoes/] Follow Leonista: * https://www.instagram.com/leonistaspirit/ [https://www.instagram.com/leonistaspirit/] Follow me: * https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/ [https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/koabrowne/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/koabrowne/] 🎁 Special for disrupt. listeners: Get 10% off your next Leonista order at leonista.co.za using the code "disrupt" at checkout.

How to Overcome Fear & Break Free from Your Comfort Zone | Ryan Stramrood

In this episode of disrupt. I sit down with Ryan Stramrood, an ultra-extreme open-water and ice swimmer, Guinness World Record holder, peak performance coach, and inspirational speaker. Ryan's story is nothing short of incredible. From being a regular guy with no formal sports background to breaking world records in some of the planet's most brutal waters, including swimming a mile in Antarctica at -1°C and being among the first people to swim around Cape Horn. His journey is a masterclass in mental resilience, pushing past comfort zones, and redefining human potential. 🔥 In this episode, we dive into: 🔹How Ryan went from business owner to extreme athlete 🔹 The mental and physical training required to swim in freezing waters 🔹 Overcoming fear, failure, and the limits we place on ourselves 🔹 The life-changing lessons cold water swimming has taught him 🔹 Why comfort zones are the enemy of growth and how to break out of them 🔹 His most brutal and terrifying swims (including one in Siberia!) 🔹 Practical insights into the world of inspirational speaking If you're looking for motivation to push past your limits, challenge your comfort zone, and rewire your mindset, this is an episode you can't afford to miss. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more disruptive conversations! 📲 Follow Ryan Stramrood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanstramrood/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanstramrood/] 📲 Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/ [https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/] 🔔 Turn on notifications so you don't miss the next episode!

Leading Sleep Scientist: 1 in 3 Adults Don't Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is something we all do, humans, animals, and even plants. But why do we sleep, and what actually happens in our brains while we're asleep? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dale Rae, a leading sleep scientist, to explore the fascinating world of sleep, its critical role in memory, immune function, and mental well-being, and what happens when we don't get enough of it. We discuss: 🔹 Why sleep is essential for survival 🔹 The different stages of sleep and their functions 🔹 How sleep affects learning, memory, and emotional processing 🔹 The impact of sleep deprivation on the brain and body 🔹 The role of circadian rhythms and how light influences sleep 🔹 Sleep disorders like insomnia and why women suffer more than men 🔹 Practical tips to improve your sleep quality If you've ever struggled with sleep, wondered why you wake up tired or just want to optimize your health and performance, this conversation is for you. Follow: Dr Dale Rae https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-rae-00648849/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-rae-00648849/] Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/ [https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/] 📌 Subscribe for more conversations with disruptors and thought leaders.