disrupt. with Koa Browne

Koa Browne

Powerful stories of entrepreneurship & life. I've spent my life creating businesses, some worked, some didn't, but every experience shaped me. Then, in 2020, everything changed. I lost my stepfather, then my father, then my mother. Grief and severe anxiety took over. I felt lost. One night, alone in the mountains, I asked myself: What would actually push me to grow again? The answer was this podcast. Through disrupt. I sit down with entrepreneurs, extreme athletes, and big thinkers, the ones who take risks, fail hard, and keep going anyway. 💡 If you're building something from scratch, this podcast will remind you that you're not alone. 💡 If you're facing failure, you'll hear how others have fought their way back. 💡 If you're questioning everything, these conversations will challenge how you think. disrupt. is for the ones who think differently, the risk-takers, the ones crazy enough to bet on themselves. If that's you, welcome. You're exactly where you belong. Connect With Me IG: https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koabrowne/

Episodes

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

    10/03/2025

    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 Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvandyk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvd/ Download the Sociable app: https://www.thesociableapp.com Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/koabrowne/

    1h 25m
  2. How Sarah's Love For Tequila Inspired Her to Build Her Own Global Alcohol Brand

    06/13/2025

    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/ Follow Leonista: https://www.instagram.com/leonistaspirit/ Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/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.

    1h 20m
  3. How to Overcome Fear & Break Free from Your Comfort Zone | Ryan Stramrood

    03/11/2025

    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/  📲 Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/  🔔 Turn on notifications so you don't miss the next episode!

    1h 28m
  4. From Life-Changing Surgery to Building Sealand | Jasper Eales Interview

    02/17/2025

    From Life-Changing Surgery to Building Sealand | Jasper Eales Interview

    In this episode of disrupt. I sit down with Jasper Eales, designer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Sealand, a globally recognized sustainable brand that's redefining how we think about materials, design, and conscious business. Jasper's journey is anything but ordinary. At just 23, he faced a life-threatening liver transplant, a moment that reshaped his perspective on life, creativity, and entrepreneurship.  That experience, combined with his deep connection to nature, led him to build a company that upcycles waste into high-quality, purpose-driven products. Today, Sealand is a leader in sustainable innovation, but behind the success is a story of resilience, problem-solving, and unconventional thinking. What You'll Learn in This Episode: 🔷 How a medical waste epiphany sparked Sealand's sustainability mission 🔷 The real challenges of starting a sustainable brand 🔷 Why mindset, resilience, and adaptability are the keys to lasting success 🔷 How Sealand adapted through COVID and global expansion 🔷 The untold struggles of running an eco-conscious business in a profit-driven world 🌍 This is more than a business story—it's a deep dive into entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the power of perspective. Follow Sealand: https://www.instagram.com/sealandgear/ Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/ If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more incredible stories from successful entrepreneurs, don't forget to subscribe to this channel! By subscribing, you'll be the first to know when I drop new episodes. Plus, it helps this channel grow, allowing me to bring you even more valuable content.

    1h 26m
  5. Escape the 9 to 5: E-Commerce Mastery and Maximizing Your Time with Nick Coetzee

    06/07/2024

    Escape the 9 to 5: E-Commerce Mastery and Maximizing Your Time with Nick Coetzee

    In this episode of disrupt. I had the pleasure of chatting with Nick Coetzee, who transitioned from a biokineticist to a successful e-commerce entrepreneur. Nick shares how his desire to avoid trading hours for money and to financially free himself and his parents led him to start his own health-focused e-commerce brand. Nick takes us through his journey from bootstrapping with dropshipping to creating and manufacturing high-quality products. He explains how optimizing the customer journey and mastering Google ads helped him dominate the red light therapy market in the U.S. We also explore his resilience and adaptability during challenges like COVID-19, including strategic decisions like moving warehousing to the U.S. to better serve customers. Nick's application of stoic principles, such as focusing on what he can control and practicing Memento Mori, provides valuable insights on managing stress and maintaining a balanced life. Throughout the conversation, Nick offers actionable advice on how to achieve e-commerce success, sharing his strategies and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. Follow Nick Coetzee: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nickcoetzee/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_nickcoetzee Follow Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koabrowne/ Thank you for listening! If this episode inspired or taught you something, it's just the beginning. My goal is to provide you with top-quality, free access to knowledge that transforms your view of entrepreneurship & life. Stay tuned!

    1h 16m

About

Powerful stories of entrepreneurship & life. I've spent my life creating businesses, some worked, some didn't, but every experience shaped me. Then, in 2020, everything changed. I lost my stepfather, then my father, then my mother. Grief and severe anxiety took over. I felt lost. One night, alone in the mountains, I asked myself: What would actually push me to grow again? The answer was this podcast. Through disrupt. I sit down with entrepreneurs, extreme athletes, and big thinkers, the ones who take risks, fail hard, and keep going anyway. 💡 If you're building something from scratch, this podcast will remind you that you're not alone. 💡 If you're facing failure, you'll hear how others have fought their way back. 💡 If you're questioning everything, these conversations will challenge how you think. disrupt. is for the ones who think differently, the risk-takers, the ones crazy enough to bet on themselves. If that's you, welcome. You're exactly where you belong. Connect With Me IG: https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koabrowne/