Origin Story with David McIntosh Jr

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In this episode of Origin Story, I sit down with Pierre Schoeman, the South African-born Edinburgh and Scotland rugby prop. We talk about growing up in a country where rugby can feel like a religion, the setbacks that shaped his early career, and the decision to leave home and build a life in Scotland.This is a conversation about more than rugby: it’s about family, faith, belonging and figuring out who you are when the game eventually ends. Pierre also shares what it felt like to play against South Africa in a Scotland shirt, how he’s preparing for life after rugby, and whether he can imagine returning home one day.Expect to hear about:- Growing up in South Africa and falling in love with rugby- The family experiences that shaped Pierre- Being selected for the D team and finding a way forward- Leaving home for Scotland with two suitcases- Playing South Africa as a Scotland international- Preparing for the mental side of life after rugby- Scottish slang, braais and a quick-fire roundCHAPTERS00:00 The 127kg rugby prop and the steak02:01 How social media can bring people to rugby04:19 Growing up where rugby is a religion14:35 Family and the experiences that shaped Pierre19:44 The setback that changed his rugby journey24:59 Leaving South Africa for Scotland30:15 Playing South Africa in a Scotland shirt39:45 What happens after a rugby career?44:47 Preparing for life after the game55:11 Building connections beyond rugby58:27 Style, charity and Slaters1:01:05 Scottish slang quiz1:03:00 Quick-fire questions1:05:20 Could Pierre return to South Africa?Thanks to Slaters for sponsoring this episode.If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to Origin Story and let me know your favourite moment in the comments.--Follow David & Origin StoryInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmcintoshjrWebsite: https://davidmcintoshjr.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DV9tUfz5nGCmH0bfZUFrMApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/origin-story-with-david-mcintosh-jr/id1542740010Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/davidmcintoshjr— Sponsored by SLATER MENSWEAR OFFICIAL TAILORING PARTNER OF ORIGIN STORY.https://www.slaters.co.uk/?srsltid=AU7gw4Vj7l4xsLUMIsAoO4ipQRybKQn9nv694aIW0gvg4O1v2RTQ-WDiFuelled by NEUTONICCODE “David”

Chris Williamson is a podcaster and the host of Modern Wisdom.

This conversation has been years in the making for me. I started listening to Chris in 2019, aged 21, trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted from life. His voice has been with me through so much of that journey. To sit opposite him in Edinburgh, hosting a podcast of my own, was a moment I’ll never forget.

Chris spends much of his life asking the questions. This time, he lets us into his own story: the sensitive boy growing up in Stockton-on-Tees, the need to feel useful to feel loved, and the private uncertainty behind a very public success. It’s a side of him we rarely get to spend this much time with.

Expect to learn how Chris’s upbringing shaped the man he became, why healing can change your ambition, what becoming Chris Williamson has cost him behind the scenes, how he knew it was time to leave his old life behind, what happened when Joe Rogan’s first message landed in his inbox, the advice he gives me about taking the leap to America, what his schoolmates would have expected him to become, why he still struggles to see himself the way others do, and much more…

For years, I’ve learned from Chris. In this conversation, I got to know him.

This is Chris Williamson’s Origin Story.

—

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In this episode of Origin Story, I’m joined by Craig Ferguson, a endurance challenge athlete and mental health ambassador who recently completed an extraordinary feat: walking the length of America. Over 110 days, Craig covered more than 3,300 miles, averaging around 85,000 steps daily, and raised an astounding £1.4 million for mental health charities. Despite the enormity of this journey, Craig shares how the reality of it still hasn’t fully sunk in, with the weight of the physical challenge and the impact of the fundraising only becoming clearer with time.We dive into Craig’s background, exploring how uncertainty in his early life eventually led him to embrace adventure and charity challenges as a purpose-driven path. He talks about the importance of taking risks and being open to life’s unpredictable turns, especially highlighted through his travels and the unique challenges he has undertaken. The conversation also sheds light on the profound mental and emotional trials he faced, the support from friends and surprising celebrity backers, and the deeply personal moments that made the journey meaningful. Throughout, Craig emphasizes the power of having a purpose bigger than oneself and encourages listeners to take bold steps toward their calling, no matter how daunting it may seem. Whether you’re interested in endurance feats, mental health advocacy, or inspiring life stories, this episode offers a compelling blend of all three.Instagram: instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr Get 10% off Neutonic with code DAVID: https://neutonic.comAffiliate link/code: I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.

John Swinney is the First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP).But before Bute House, before becoming Scotland’s longest-serving Deputy First Minister, and before eventually taking the top job, John was a politically engaged teenager from Edinburgh who joined the SNP at just 15 years old.In this episode of Origin Story, I sit down with John Swinney inside his residence Bute House to talk about the story behind the politician.We talk about growing up in Edinburgh, discovering politics as a teenager, joining the SNP in 1979, his unexpected journey to becoming First Minister, stepping back from frontline politics for his family and ultimately returning when he believed his party and country needed him.We also talk about child poverty, social mobility, Scottish independence, Scotland’s relationship with America, the Tartan Army taking over Boston, Scotch whisky tariffs, his conversations with Donald Trump, family life, political pressure, paddleboarding, hangovers and what the Scottish Dream could look like for the next generation.This is a conversation about more than politics.It is about duty, opportunity, identity, public service and what drives someone to keep stepping forward when it might be easier to step away.This is John Swinney’s Origin Story.Follow David:Instagram: @davidmcintoshjrTikTok: @davidmcintoshjrLinkedIn: David McIntosh JrSpotify / Apple Podcasts: Origin Story with David McIntosh Jr

Jason “Wee Man” Acuña is one of the most recognisable faces from Jackass, the MTV show and movie franchise that changed comedy, skateboarding, stunts and chaos forever.But before Jackass, before the movies, before people were shouting “Wee Man’s here!” in the streets of Japan, Jason was a skater from California who found his name, his confidence and his community through skateboarding.

In this episode of Origin Story, Wee Man sits down with David McIntosh to talk about the real story behind Jackass.

We talk about how he got the name Wee Man, growing up with dwarfism, becoming part of Big Brother magazine, the formation of Jackass, the early days of doing insane stunts for barely any money, the friendship between the crew, Ryan Dunn, Bam Margera, fame, Hollywood, money, sobriety, skateboarding, and why Jackass still means so much to people more than two decades later.

This is a conversation about more than stunts. It is about finding your own lane, refusing to imitate anyone else, staying true to yourself, and building a life around fun, friendship and chaos. This is Jason “Wee Man” Acuña’s Origin Story.

Subscribe for more conversations with world-class performers, creators, athletes, founders and cultural icons.

Follow David:Instagram: @davidmcintoshjr

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#WeeMan #Jackass #JasonAcuna #OriginStory #DavidMcIntosh #Podcast #JackassForever #Skateboarding #MTV #Comedy #RyanDunn #BamMargera #JohnnyKnoxville #SteveO

John McCalla-Leacy is a former KPMG global executive, coach, speaker, former international canoeist, martial arts champion and one of the most extraordinary origin stories ever told on this podcast.In this episode of Origin Story, John sits down with David McIntosh Jr for a deeply inspiring and almost unbelievable conversation abouzt homelessness, resilience, reinvention, race, social mobility, financial freedom, grief, leadership, faith in people, and what it really means to build a life that no one could have predicted.From growing up in South London as the son of Jamaican parents from the Windrush generation, to experiencing homelessness, competing internationally as a canoeist, working in fashion for Benetton, living across Italy, China, Hong Kong and Thailand, becoming a martial arts champion, joining KPMG, rising to become one of their top-performing partners in Asia and later Global Head of ESG, John’s story genuinely sounds impossible.But the most unbelievable part? A grant from The Prince’s Trust changed the direction of his life and years later, Queen Elizabeth II personally heard his story, passed it on to King Charles, and John ended up having dinner with the King.This is a powerful, funny, emotional, and life-affirming conversation about resilience, reinvention, community, money, leadership, identity, and learning how to turn the hardest parts of your story into the thing that carries you forward.Follow David McIntosh Jr:Instagram: @davidmcintoshjrLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mcintosh-jr-47683b120/Follow John McCalla-Leacy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mccalla-leacy/Sponsored by Neutonic — the nootropic drink designed for focus, energy and getting stuff done.Use code DAVID at checkout.neutonic.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo2no5bA7Ap7ScRXIfpOjvA2tiDOmzbEaoA9FgsUJhT2YoAn-3w

Michael Smoak (HigherUpWellness) is a coach, creator, podcaster and online voice known for helping people turn pain into purpose through faith, fitness, discipline and brutally honest conversations about grief, masculinity and healing.

In this episode of Origin Story, Michael Smoak sits down with David McIntosh Jr in Long Beach, California for a deeply honest and surprisingly life-affirming conversation about grief, faith, heartbreak, masculinity, death, purpose, family, emotional expression, and what it really means to become a man.

From caring for his dying father, to processing young parental grief, to rebuilding his life through faith and service, Michael explains how the worst thing that ever happened to him became the foundation for his work, his message and his relationship with God. David and Michael also explore the “Dead Parents Under 30 Club”, why men struggle to talk about heartbreak, the danger of suppressing emotion, the difference between real strength and performative toughness, and why “you only live once” might be the wrong way to look at life.

This is a raw, emotional and powerful conversation about grief, God, love, letting go, and learning how to turn pain into purpose before it breaks you.

Follow David McIntosh Jr:

Instagram: @davidmcintoshjr

Follow Michael Smoak:

Instagram/TikTok: @higherupwellness

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Andy Macdonald is a skateboarding legend, Team GB Olympian, 23-time X Games medallist and officially the oldest Olympic skateboarder in history.

In this episode of Origin Story, Andy Macdonald sits down with David McIntosh Jr for a funny, thoughtful and surprisingly inspiring conversation about Scottish roots, skateboarding culture, vert skating, Team GB, the Olympics, X Games, fatherhood, risk, discipline, Livingston Skatepark, making money as a pro skater, and how on earth he is still flying around ramps at 51 years old.

From growing up skating in New England and Boston, to discovering his family connection to Dumfries, getting British citizenship, representing Team GB at the Paris Olympics, and becoming one of the most decorated skateboarders of all time, Andy explains what it takes to stay world-class across multiple generations of skateboarding.

This is a conversation about longevity, identity, counterculture, fatherhood, clean living, Scottish pride, Olympic history, and what skateboarding can teach you that school never could.

Or, to put it more simply: a poor Scottish podcaster asks a 51-year-old skateboarding icon how he’s still less scared of halfpipes than most of us are of sending an email.

Follow David McIntosh Jr:
Instagram: @davidmcintoshjr

Follow Andy Macdonald:
Instagram: @andymac720

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Rufus Rice is a comedian, podcaster, musician and viral TikTok creator known for his posh-boy persona, chaotic storytelling, sharp class commentary and cult online catchphrases like “Hello shaggers.”

In this episode of Origin Story, Rufus Rice sits down with David McIntosh Jr at Spotify HQ for a hilarious and surprisingly revealing conversation about class, private school, boarding school, TikTok fame, comedy, music, going viral, social mobility, the “posh” hierarchy, Scottish schemes, Patreon, the manosphere, Big John, Maltesers, and why he refuses to take sync claps seriously.

From growing up in Singapore and going to boarding school, to dropping out of university and building a career through TikTok, Rufus explains how he accidentally became one of the UK’s most recognisable young comedy creators while refusing to pretend he has a traumatic origin story.

This is a chaotic, funny and brutally honest conversation about privilege, class, ambition, internet fame and what happens when a posh TikToker gets interrogated by a poor Scottish podcaster.

Follow David McIntosh Jr:
Instagram: @davidmcintoshjr

Follow Rufus Rice:
Instagram/TikTok: @rufusrice

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Carol Kane is the co-founder of Boohoo, the brand Boohoo - she built from a £1,500 website in 2006 into a £1.5 billion publicly listed group. She served as co-CEO and Executive Director of Boohoo Group, overseeing its IPO in 2014 and the acquisition of brands including Debenhams, PrettyLittleThing, Nasty Gal, Dorothy Perkins and Karen Millen. She is a pioneer of influencer and celebrity marketing in British fashion.

In this episode of Origin Story, Carol sits down to share the full journey from growing up as the youngest of four in a three-bedroom house in Jarrow, Northeast England, to building a publicly listed fashion empire worth £1.5 billion. She talks about losing her father at 20, being the first in her family to go to university, landing in Hong Kong at 22 with almost nothing, and how those early years gave her the commercial instincts that would define her career.

We cover the founding of Boohoo, how Carol and co-founder Mahmud Kamani identified e-commerce before the high street even took it seriously, and how they used distressed media buys, MTV bumpers and reality TV stars from Geordie Shore to build a brand that nobody saw coming.

Carol also opens up about the harder chapters the Leicester supply chain controversy, the weight of public scrutiny, the reputational damage that followed, and how meditation, breath work and a Buddhist monk she met in Thailand helped her stay grounded through it all.

This is a conversation about identity, class, resilience, wealth, and what it really means to build something that outlasts you.

Follow me on Instagram: www.instragram.com/@davidmcintoshjr

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Daniel Sloss is a comedian, author, and father. From a 17-year-old at Edinburgh's Stand Comedy Club to causing 100,000 breakups worldwide, Daniel Sloss shares the moments that nearly broke him, and ultimately transformed him, on his journey to becoming one of comedy's most authentic voices.In this episode, Daniel takes us inside the make-or-break moments behind his career, including the night his Netflix specials dropped and he sat reading 3,000 DMs on ecstasy, the devastating spiral of drinking 3/4 bottle of whiskey on stage every night during his global tour, and the moment his wife told him to go back on the road because staying home was driving them both mad.He reveals how his parents drove him to gigs as a teenager and learned he'd lost his virginity by watching his set, why refusing to move to London's "clicky bullshit" scene was the best decision he made, and how Eddie Izzard convinced him to tour Europe when he thought nobody would understand his comedy.Daniel also reflects on the bold move that defined his career - being the only UK comedian to speak out when everyone else stepped back - the price of doing the right thing, and the bittersweet reality of achieving global fame while hating himself at the peak of success.This is a candid conversation about Robot Wars, imposter syndrome, becoming a father, grief, comedy as truth-telling, and why "I'm Daniel and Dad now" matters more than any sold-out show. Follow Daniel Sloss📸 Instagram 👉 @danielsloss🎫 Tour dates 👉 danielsloss.comOrigin Story takes you behind the scenes with the people whose work has shaped your life. Hosted by David McIntosh, each episode explores the pivotal moments, unexpected challenges, and hard-won lessons from creators, comedians, and change makers who've built something extraordinary.Content Warning: This episode contains strong language throughout, and discussions of sexual assault, grief, death, suicide, addiction, and mental health struggles.

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Ben Barlow is the lead vocalist of Neck Deep — the Welsh pop-punk band formed in Wrexham in 2012 that’s become one of Britain’s biggest modern rock exports. Neck Deep are one of my favourite bands

In this episode of Origin Story, we do it properly: in a skatepark — because skate culture and pop-punk aren’t aesthetics… they’re a philosophy. Ben talks about growing up in skateparks, why “living on your own terms” became his whole life assignment, and how the band went from posting “What Did You Expect?” online to global tours, viral hits, and over a billion streams.

We go deep on authenticity vs trends, attention as currency, and why subculture feels like it’s dying — then we zoom right in again: what fame does to young men, how Ben avoided the “rockstar trap,” and the real costs of life on the road (including the moments you miss that don’t show up on Instagram).

And then the episode turns into the stuff fans actually care about: the emotional engine behind the early songs, how Life’s Not Out To Get You became a lifeline for people, and why Ben still believes human art cuts through even in an AI era.

About Neck Deep:
Neck Deep are a Welsh pop-punk band formed in Wrexham in 2012, originally sparked when Ben Barlow and guitarist Lloyd Roberts posted “What Did You Expect?” online — a DIY start that snowballed into a decade-plus career of major chart success and global touring.
Their latest chapter includes the self-titled album Neck Deep (released Jan 19, 2024 via Hopeless Records), described by the band as a “return to roots” record made in-house with Ben’s brother Seb involved in the process.

Expect to learn:

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Why skateparks produce “no status games” — and what that teaches you about life

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The real story of early Neck Deep: DIY beginnings, heartbreak fuel, instant traction

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Style vs substance (in skating and in music) — and why “being yourself” wins long-term

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Attention economy, trend culture, and why “effort” became social currency

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Fame, relationships, and how to stay grounded when your life goes nuclear

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Why Life’s Not Out To Get You hit so hard, and how Ben thinks about responsibility to fans

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AI, authenticity, and why human-made art still matters

Instagram: @davidmcintoshjrPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/davidmcintoshjr/aboutSubstack: https://substack.com/@davidmcintoshjr?Merch: https://originstoryclub.co.uk/

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Jimmy Carr is back. Jimmy Carr is one of the most recognisable comedians on the planet: world-touring stand-up, TV host, and author - famous for brutal roasts and surgical one-liners.

But in this episode, you get the sharper edge and the deeper thinking: why 2026 is going to feel like a turning point and how young men can get control back.

Jimmy is one of the most respected comedians in the world: a world-touring stand-up, TV host, and author known for brutal one-liners and zero mercy…

but in this episode you get the full range - savage comedy and the deeply human side. We talk about dating, masculinity, porn, cheap dopamine and why so many young men feel stuck - then we go way bigger: AI as a new “god”, the end of old institutions, how podcasts replaced mainstream media, and why politics is entering a genuinely weird new era.

And then the episode turns: Jimmy opens up about grief and love - remembering Sean Lock (including the first joke Jimmy ever heard him say, and why he felt like a father figure), the impact of losing his mum Nora, and a beautiful tribute to Janey Godley and what she said about Jimmy behind the scenes.

Expect to learn:

Why women select for competence and what “safety” really signals.

Jimmy’s advice to young men: porn, risk, rejection, and building a real life

The loneliness trade-off: liver damage vs social isolation How J

immy thinks about anxiety, discipline, and “life assignment”

Sean Lock’s legacy — and what it’s like to lose someone you built a career beside Grief, funerals, and the difference between resume virtues and eulogy virtues AI, institutions, and why the next decade could get very “interesting”and much, much more.

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00:00 — Young Men Are Stuck

01:52 — Jimmy’s Back: Glasgow Banter

04:18 — “Media Diet” & Mental Health

07:27 — ADHD, Boundaries & Discipline

08:23 — Arenas, Imposter Syndrome, Movies

13:46 — Early Comedy Influences

16:21 — How You Build Confidence

17:32 — First Glasgow Joke (DVD Era)

18:52 — Comedy = Friendship

20:28 — Why Dark Humour Helps

22:16 — Dating: Safety, Competence, Chemistry

24:48 — Advice to Young Men: Porn, Games, Asking Girls Out

27:09 — Drinking vs Isolation

29:28 — Dealing Young People In: Agency Over Empathy

31:35 — Trump + Debate vs Deliberation

32:28 — Fourth Turning + Class Politics Flip

34:31 — Podcasts Replaced Mainstream Media

36:52 — “Be Of Service” — Working-Class Agency

37:46 — “Woke”, Status & Suicidal Empathy

39:19 — Jimmy’s Come-Up: Luck + Work Ethic

42:29 — Pre-Show Mindset

44:32 — Jimmy’s Laugh + His Mum

47:48 — Sean Lock: First Meeting + Legacy

53:54 — Grief, Mortality & Talking To The Dead

55:18 — Funerals: Eulogy vs Résumé

01:01:31 — AI, God & The Future

01:04:26 — Secret Struggles: Dyslexia, Body Image, Work

01:07:24 — Pax Americana Ending + The World Shifting

01:10:29 — Kids, Legacy & Meaning

01:13:18 — Janey Godley Tribute

Instagram: @davidmcintoshjr

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/davidmcintoshjr/about

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Benny Higgins is a Scottish Banker and Former CEO of RBS, Bank of Scotland and Tesco Bank. He is also the chairman of a portfolio of companies. He's a lover of Art and Poetry. He is also my good friend.

Benny Higgins grew up in Toryglen tower blocks, captained Celtic’s youth team, and became a defining force in modern Scottish business — from CEO of RBS during the NatWest takeover, to building Tesco Bank from the ground up. But what makes Benny different is the paradox: a numbers man with a lifelong devotion to poetry, art, and culture — and a Glaswegian accent that never moved an inch.

We recorded this in Kelvingrove Art Gallery, a place that shaped Benny as a 10-year-old at his first ever art competition — and still represents the thread running through his life: curiosity, pride, and the desire to win.

We get into Celtic, class, and leadership… the reality of boardrooms at scale… why he hires through trust over “perfect CVs”… and the stories you genuinely couldn’t script: Maya Angelou, the Golden Globes, Soho, and a cocktail named after his fifth wife Sharon.

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Why Kelvingrove is symbolic to Benny’s origin story

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Toryglen tower blocks: toughness, community, and confidence through football

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Celtic youth captaincy and the first leadership lessons that stuck

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“I just wanted to win”: the mindset behind academic dominance

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Actuarial exams in 2.5 years (when the average was ~7)

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RBS context + how the NatWest hostile takeover happened

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Building Tesco Bank from scratch: 140 people → 5,000 → 8m customers

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Hiring “the best people I knew” and why trust beats process

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Social mobility: money, identity, and why he treats everyone the same

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Soho stories: tailors, members clubs, and the “Higgins No.5” cocktail

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The Golden Globes: Jon Hamm photo… taken by Bradley Cooper

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Lunch with Maya Angelou: poetry, Burns, and an unforgettable moment

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What people think is true about him (but isn’t)

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What’s next — and the ambition that still drives him

Guest

Benny Higgins — former senior leader at RBS, creator of Tesco Bank, chair/board roles across culture and business.

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If you’ve got a moment coming up — wedding, promotion, graduation, or a first interview — check out Slaters Made To Order. It’s a belter.

Dan Boerman is a Comedian and TV Personality on Jimmy Carr's Am I The A**hole. He is also a good friend.

I’ve wanted to record this conversation for a long time.

Dan Boerman is a New Zealand comedian who left a steady job, moved to the other side of the world, and has been relentlessly chasing stand-up ever since – from sleeping in a kid’s dinosaur bed outside Edinburgh to getting a thousand people to watch him fold a fitted sheet on a hill.

In this episode, we get into:

Growing up in small-town rural New Zealand and dropping out of school

Years on benefits, smoking tiny “Russian doll” cigarettes in the kitchen

Barbering as accidental crowd work – and the now infamous Jimmy Carr Am I the A**hole? story

Leaving security behind to move to Edinburgh for comedy

Why London feels like kindling for opportunity

The viral sheet stunt that turned into awards, brand deals and a new life

“Don’t die wondering” and what it really means to bet on yourself

Why some people live and die never hearing the sound of their own voice

This is an episode about chasing the weird, specific thing you can’t stop thinking about – and refusing to let your life pass in quiet comfort.

If you enjoyed this one, send it to someone who’s been talking about “one day” for too long.

Follow Dan: @danboermancomedy

Follow me / Origin Story: @davidmcnintoshjr

In this episode of Origin Story, I sit down with a Red Bull F1 tyre technician to unpack how he went from watching races in pubs to travelling the world with Max Verstappen’s team - Vegas, Brazil, Mexico and beyond. We get into the pressure of sub-2 second pit stops, the chaos of race weekends, and what life really looks like inside the world’s most famous F1 team.In this episode we cover:Growing up in working-class Scotland and discovering F1Why engineering wasn’t the first plan – and how he found his way into the sportThe moment Red Bull came callingWhat a race week actually looks like from the insideVegas, Brazil, Mexico and the wildest travel stories from the F1 calendarThe pressure of being “the tyre guy” in a world champion teamWhat F1 has taught him about teamwork, discipline and courageAdvice for anyone who thinks “people like me don’t get jobs like that”⏱ Chapters:00:00 – Intro03:12 – Growing up in Scotland & first F1 memories10:45 – From uni & early jobs to Red Bull Racing19:30 – Inside the tyre bay: what his job actually is27:05 – Race week routines, stress & team culture36:20 – Vegas, Brazil, Mexico & F1 travel stories47:10 – Pressure, mistakes & how you bounce back56:40 – Life outside the paddock & relationships1:05:00 – Advice for young people chasing unlikely careers💌 Stay in the Origin Story universe:Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr🎙 Follow the guest:Instagram: http://instagram.com/sc0ttduncan/SPONSORS:💧 This episode is sponsored by VYBEYBig thank you to Vybey for supporting Origin Story.If you’re like me – long recording days, travel, runs, gym, not enough sleep – plain water doesn’t always cut it. Vybey’s electrolyte powders make it stupidly easy to stay on top of your hydration:Quick to mix, actually tastes goodHelps you stay sharp and energised through busy daysPerfect for before/after workouts or long days on the road🧃 Try Vybey here (code DMAC): UK & Europe: https://vybey.co.uk/?shpxid=d48f4c7e-7953-44bb-a9d8-8a8dff0a49dbAus: http://vybey.au/Merch (Shop Origin Story): originstoryclub.co.ukPlease remember to hit subscribe!

Fin Taylor is a standup comedian and podcaster. He is the creator of Fin Vs History and Fin vs The Internet.

Comedian Fin Taylor joins Origin Story to unpack how a Glasgow kid who relocated to a Oxford girls’ boarding house (7–13) got “cancelled” at 14, started stand-up at 18, and went from £500/month gigs to sold-out tours and a cult podcast.

We get into why TV exposure ≠ audience, how to actually build jokes that work anywhere, the Riyadh debate, and the monoculture flashpoint of Bonnie Blue.

In this episode:

• ​Private school without the money: damage at both ends
• ​The headmaster who told him off… then apologised (context collapse 101)
• ​Comedy = craft: word choice, rhythm, ending on the funniest word
• ​TV vs Internet: why clips and podcasts move tickets
• ​Parasocial fans & designing theatre shows that don’t feel contrived
• ​Getting punched on stage and handling chaos in real time
• ​Building Bumble Risky: owning the edit, scaling a team
• ​The Riyadh question, Bonnie Blue, and the “death of taste”
• ​If starting today: the 90-day playbook

Chapters00:00 Cold open — “Cancelled at 14”02:18 Glasgow roots & Hutchie debate05:12 Living in a girls’ boarding house (7–13)12:30 Headmaster apology & early confidence17:40 Starting stand-up at 18; debate team as proto-comedy24:10 £500/month vs £380 rent — taking the leap30:22 Why TV didn’t move tickets36:05 Parasocial fans & theatre design43:22 Riyadh debate & brand fit51:03 Punched on stage — what you do next58:00 Building Bumble Risky & the core team1:04:10 Next horizon: a British South Park1:09:40 If starting now: people, reps, own the edit

I travelled from Scotland to Morocco on holiday. As soon as I arrived I knew I needed to interview the locals. They were the most philosophical people I had met.Taghazout is a fascinating surf village perched on Morocco’s Atlantic coast - sun-soaked, salt-stained, and full of surprises. We spent 2 days exploring this strange-and-beautiful place, and found way more than perfect waves: unexpected kindness, late-night tea rituals, and stories you won’t hear in a guidebook…Support the showEarly access & bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/davidmcintoshjrFollow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjrBuy Merch: originstoryclub.co.uk

Oliver Burkeman is a British writer and former Guardian columnist best known for Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, exploring how accepting life’s limits beats chasing productivity hacks.

We recorded this right before Oliver’s show, crammed into his dressing room at the Assembly Rooms. It’s intimate, honest, and very Origin Story: where did these ideas come from, and how do they shape a life you’re proud of? Oliver (author of 4,000 Weeks) takes us past productivity hacks to acceptance, attention, and the power of choosing enough.

In this episode

The efficiency trap: why getting faster just attracts more work

“Life task”: finding your next right thing with the resources you actually have

Planning that breathes (navigation, not micromanagement)

Daily-ish over streaks—the kinder path to consistency

Hobbies done for their own sake (the case for atelic joy)

Attention over productivity: designing a week that actually feels good

AI, inboxes, and why “caught up” is a myth

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Tell me in the comments: what would you cut this week if you truly accepted you’ll never be on top of everything?

Support the show

Early access & bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/davidmcintoshjr

Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr