Origin Story with David McIntosh Jr

David McIntosh Jr
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Sharing Origin Stories. Guests include Jimmy Carr, Seth Godin, Example, Founder of Reebok, Rory Sutherland and 100+ more.

  1. OCT 25

    #144 Fin Taylor (Fin vs History) - Did the Internet Wreck Culture?

    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 playbookChapters00:00 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

    1h 5m

  2. OCT 22

    #143 Moroccan Locals Teach Me About Happiness, Money and Love

    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

    32 min

  3. OCT 6

    #142 Oliver Burkeman - How to Live A Life That Feels Good (without a to-do list)

    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 -- 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

    1h 11m

  4. SEP 13

    #141 Darren McGarvey - Understanding the Anger of Britain's Working Class and the Trauma Economy

    Writer, rapper and social commentator Darren McGarvey joins Origin Story to unpack the “trauma economy,” working-class rage, AI warping our narratives, and the safeguards every storyteller needs. Content note: This episode includes discussion of addiction, withdrawal, violence, and mental health. 00:00 Welcome, why Poverty Safari mattered to me 01:02 Pollok in the 80s, safety, and the two-minds dichotomy 04:00 Structural poverty, jobs disappearing, trust collapsing 10:34 Working-class anger, different tribes, same material pain 12:17 Social mobility loneliness, West End vs Pollok 12:51 Hip-hop as agency, finding a community 16:23 Brokenness, comedowns, and what you run from 20:16 Sudden success, visibility shock, family trade-offs 24:04 When your pain becomes a product 27:04 Safeguards before you share, prevention beats cure 30:06 Accountability, making amends in public and private 33:10 Your story isn’t only yours, many truths, many versions 36:37 Going public can re-activate perpetrators, stay safe 37:07 Viral fame without guardrails, modern public safety 39:03 Boundaries, being an introvert in public 41:05 Harassment, threats, and learning to de-escalate 42:10 Reward systems, status, and identity labels 56:00 Getting triggered, the buzz, and stepping back 62:18 Advice to younger Darren, alcohol, and timing 66:13 What he hopes this new book does, and why

    1h 9m

  5. AUG 26

    #140 Chris "The Problem" Duncan - From His Mum’s Murder to the UFC Octagon

    Chris “The Problem” Duncan is a UFC fighter with one of the most powerful and painful stories you’ll ever hear.The day before his very first fight, his mum was murdered. Instead of walking away, Chris fought — and won. From that moment on, he carried pain into every battle, turning trauma into purpose.In this episode, Chris opens up about:The moment with Michael Bisping that went viral.Training with Dustin Poirier & Jorge Masvidal at American Top Team.Cutting weight, surviving fear, and fighting teammates.Why pain forged his mindset and legacy.This is not just a story about fighting in the UFC.It’s a story about survival, belief, and what it really takes to keep going when life tries to break you.📍 Follow me – https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr💌 Support on Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/davidmcintoshjr🛒 Origin Story merch – https://originstoryclub.co.ukSponsors:Bands for Brothers: https://www.instagram.com/bandsforbrothers/Bad Attitude Studio: https://www.instagram.com/bad.attitude.studios/?hl=en

    1h 2m

  6. AUG 13

    #139 Ruby Lola: The Ambition Difference Between Men and Women

    Ruby Lola is a Podcaster and Host of The Personal Best Podcast. What does personal best really mean? And why do men and women get such different messages about how to achieve it? In this episode of Origin Story, I sit down with Ruby Lola — host of Personal Best — to unpack the surprising truth about ambition, gender, and the pressure to “be enough.” Ruby opens up about: Growing up with an alcoholic parent and losing her dad in her early 20s The hidden cost of chasing your “best self” Why men are pushed towards discipline and women towards self-love How ambition looks (and feels) different for women The balance between grit and grace in achieving your goals This is a raw and unfiltered conversation about self-improvement, grief, gender, and redefining success on your own terms. 📲 Follow Me: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr Substack → https://davidmcintoshjr.substack.com Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/davidmcintoshjr Get in touch - david@davidmcintoshjr.com --- Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:05 What “Personal Best” Really Means 4:12 Why Men & Women Get Different Self-Help Advice 10:18 Growing Up With an Alcoholic Parent 19:39 Losing Her Dad to Addiction 31:25 The Truth About Ambition for Women 42:00 Balancing Grit & Grace 50:15 Advice for Finding Your Personal Best

    45 min

  7. JUL 27

    #138 Living With the World's Rarest Condition (15 people) - Dylan Lombard

    In this episode of Origin Story, I sit down with someone truly one of a kind—Dylan Lombard. Dylan is one of only 15 people in the world with MDP Syndrome (Mandibular Dysplasia with Deafness and Progeroid Features), a condition that affects physical appearance, fat distribution, and hearing. But Dylan isn’t defined by a diagnosis—he’s a force of creativity, kindness, and visibility. We talk about what it’s like growing up with a visible difference, why media representation matters, and how Dylan has used photography, poetry, and dance to connect with the world—and most importantly, with himself. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN What MDP Syndrome is, how it manifests, and how Dylan was diagnosed What it’s like being visibly different online vs. in real life Why photography became Dylan’s way of telling his story The emotional toll—and power—of social media visibility How movies like A Different Man are shifting public perception Why face equality and better representation in schools, media, and work matter TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Dylan Lombard 00:37 – Growing up with a visible difference 01:27 – Finding confidence through photography 02:14 – Sharing his story in the school magazine 03:24 – Storytelling as connection and advocacy 04:42 – What is MDP Syndrome? 06:07 – Photography as an emotional outlet 06:50 – The medical name and physical effects of MDP 08:12 – Pain, physical limitations, and the joy of dance 09:31 – Reframing rarity as a gift 11:00 – Early signs and years-long path to diagnosis 12:43 – Living visibly: public reactions in real life and online 13:59 – Dealing with staring, laughing, and comments 14:36 – Negative social media comments and their impact 16:43 – The harmful algorithms of negativity 18:26 – Finding confidence and community online 19:55 – How dance and photography build friendships 20:33 – Representation in film: A Different Man and breaking villain tropes 22:40 – From “villain” to hero: visibility and storytelling 23:20 – What people without visible difference should know 24:48 – Unconscious bias and the need for better education 25:25 – Dylan’s message for listeners 26:37 – Final thoughts and where to follow Dylan LINKS 📸 Follow Dylan – https://www.instagram.com/be_yourself_dylan 🟣 Learn about Face Equality – https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/campaigns/face-equality 📍 Follow me – https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr 💌 Support on Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/davidmcintoshjr 🛒 Origin Story merch – https://originstoryclub.co.uk ABOUT MDP MDP stands for Mandibular Dysplasia with Deafness and Progeroid Features. It’s an ultra-rare condition that causes tight skin, hearing loss, an unusually high metabolism, and extreme fat loss in the face and limbs. Only about 15–50 people in the world are known to have it. Dylan is using his visibility to raise awareness and inspire others to embrace who they are. ABOUT ORIGIN STORY Each week, I sit down with hidden-gem heroes and global voices to uncover the moments that shape who they are—so we can apply their insights to our own lives. Follow the show to hear the next origin story first.

    28 min

  8. JUL 18

    #137 Iryna Gil: Escaping Ukraine: A Comedian's War Story

    In this raw, wide-ranging interview, Ukrainian stand-up comic Iryna Gil tells the story of how her rising comedy career collided with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine just 11 days after she filmed her first special — and how she’s using comedy to challenge war fatigue, weaponised headlines, and Western apathy. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Kyiv under fire: A first-hand account of air-raid sirens, evacuations, and working through missile strikes The Soviet shadow: How post-Soviet distrust fuels Ukraine’s self-organising spirit, entrepreneurial drive, and digital-first approach to governance. Comedy as translation: How Gil uses humour to bridge the empathy gap and make the war relatable to those far removed from it. Misleading headlines: What “billions in aid” actually looks like and why surface-level stats breed hostility and misinformation. Peace through deterrence: Iryna’s uncompromising vision for peace in strength TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Botox for Burping – the weirdest opening ever 01:13 Meet Iryna Gil 02:45 Growing up in post-Soviet Ukraine 10:13 Starting stand-up in Kyiv 14:18 Ukraine’s hustle culture and distrust of government 21:04 24 Feb 2022: missiles hit Kyiv 28:54 Leaving home under fire 32:10 Zoom calls from bomb shelters and hiding behind two walls 39:47 Losing safety, leaving Kyiv 43:52 Starting over in Scotland 48:45 Grieving a life left behind 50:38 Comedy, trauma, and fighter jets 53:55 What "billions in aid" actually means 57:00 The real cost of headlines and public perception 1:01:48 Has Ukraine faded from public attention? 1:04:32 Genocide Olympics and comparative advocacy 1:05:38 What peace really looks like 1:06:47 Closing thanks LINKS Follow Iryna Gil – https://www.instagram.com/gil_iryna Follow David – https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr Support verified Ukrainian charities – (Add specific links) Support on Patreon – Patreon.com/davidmcintoshjr Buy Origin Story merch – originstoryclub.co.uk Support verified Ukranian charities - Save Life: https://savelife.in.ua/en/projects/military-en/status/active/ U24: https://u24.gov.ua/projects ABOUT ORIGIN STORY WITH DAVID MCINTOSH Every episode, David explores the pivotal moments that shape extraordinary people — from hidden-gem heroes to global voices — so you can apply their lessons, insights, and perspective to your own journey. Subscribe and turn on notifications to catch the next origin story first.

    1h 7m
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Sharing Origin Stories. Guests include Jimmy Carr, Seth Godin, Example, Founder of Reebok, Rory Sutherland and 100+ more.

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