Wake Up with Chris Donnelly

Wake Up with Chris Donnelly
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A few years ago, I was just like many of you, figuring out the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, facing setbacks, and chasing breakthroughs. By 25, I had built and sold a leading digital marketing agency. By 30, I was co-founding Lottie, a health tech company transforming care solutions, and growing into one of the UK’s fastest-rising business creators. But along the way, I noticed something: the world is changing, yet most of us are still stuck playing by outdated rules. That’s why I launched Wake Up, a podcast for people who are ready to rewrite the playbook. It’s not just about hearing incredible stories, it’s about taking those stories and turning them into real, actionable steps. Each week, I sit down with some of the most inspiring leaders, creators, and innovators to uncover their strategies, struggles, and unfiltered truths. Wake Up isn’t here to inspire you for a moment, it’s here to empower you for a lifetime. Together, we’ll rethink the way we work, lead, and succeed in a world that demands new ideas. Thank you for joining the movement. Let’s wake up to what’s possible and create something extraordinary. 

  1. SEP 5

    The Man Behind the Sidemen’s $100 Million Global Empire | Jordan Schwarzenberger

    How do you build a $100 million creator business from scratch? This week, Chris sat down with Jordan Schwarzenberger, the man behind the Sidemen’s explosive business empire. From YouTube videos to burger chains, clothing brands, and viral drinks, Jordan has helped turn a group of creators into a $100M+ powerhouse. In this episode, he breaks down: - How the Sidemen scaled from content to commerce - The blueprint for building creator-led IP - The biggest mistakes creators make when launching products - Why community is everything,  and how to lose it in seconds - What makes a product actually go viral - The highs, lows, and lessons from building with one of the biggest creator groups in the world If you’re a creator, founder, or entrepreneur who wants to turn attention into assets,  this is the playbook. 0:00 Introduction 2:15 Jordan Early Years 7:05 Why You Shouldn't Go To Uni 10:15 What is a Monoculture? 13:55 Moving from Vice to LadBible 19:15 Jordan Starting His Own Agency 22:45 The Success of Chicken Shop Date 25:15 How to Command a Room When You're Younger 31:15 Jordan Starting with the Sidemen 35:15 Creating VIRAL Sidemen Brand 39:15 The Worst Business to Start 44:15 What Does Success Look Like for the Sidemen 45:15 Is There Competition with Prime? 47:15 How to Monetise Your Audience 49:15 How to Create Your Own IP 53:15 How to Build the Right Brand After Going Viral 58:15 Build Out Your Brand 1:04:15 Entertainment Vs Education  1:06:15 Creator Enterprise, Going Into SaaS 1:09:15 What Should Creators Stop Doing Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/ Follow Jordan: https://www.instagram.com/jordanschwarz/

    1h 12m

  2. AUG 29

    Psychology Hacks of the World's Best Advertisers - Rory Sutherland

    Ever wondered why your perfectly logical idea still flops? Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy, thinks logic is the real enemy of innovation. In this episode, Rory dismantles everything you thought you knew about business, branding, and consumer behaviour. From pricing psychology to irrational decision-making, he shows why people don’t buy what's logical, they buy what feels right. And if you’re a founder, marketer, or builder of any kind, this episode is your blueprint for thinking differently. Here’s what we cover: •  Why logic kills creativity in business • The psychological levers that actually drive sales • Why branding is about perception, not performance • What most startups get wrong about value But this isn’t just theory. Rory also talks about: • The danger of over - optimisation • Why data can’t explain human behaviour • How real innovation happens outside the spreadsheet If you want to build a brand that people fall in love with, not just tolerate, this is the episode to watch. Sign up to Revolut Business at https://www.revolut.com/rb/wakeup and add money to your account before September 14th, 2025, to receive a £200 / $200 welcome bonus. Subscription fees and T&Cs apply. Available for new Business customers in the UK and US. US Customers: Revolut is not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. The Revolut USA Prepaid Visa and Prepaid Mastercard are issued by Lead Bank pursuant to licensing by Visa(c) U.S.A. Inc. and Mastercard International for Mastercard cards. Your funds are FDIC insured up to $250,000 through Lead Bank, Member FDIC. See https://www.revolut.com/en-US/ for more details.  00:00 Introduction 03:04 Fat-Tailed Marketing 05:40 Blockbuster Not Buying Netflix 11:35 Reverse Benchmarking 20:40 Business Idea: Car Rental Company 26:30 How to Think Non-Rationally 36:30 Reframing the Value of Something Psychologically 39:00 Perception vs Value 43:00 Success of Family-Run Business  49:00 Jaguar Marketing 53:20 Why People HATE Innovation and New Inventions 1:03:40 Why Is Marketing Doomed? 1:10:30 Heathrow Pod 1:23:45 Best Marketing Ever 1:25:50 How Marketing Is Changing with AI 1:32:00 Think Like a Cop 1:38:00 How Increasing Your Price Can Make You More Money 1:45:00 How to Find the Best House 1:54:05 How Are Older People Going to Deal with AI? 1:56:50 Why Millionaires Are Leaving the UK 2:01:30 Why the Tax System Is F*cked for Young People Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/  Follow Rory: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorysutherland/?originalSubdomain=uk

    2h 9m

  3. AUG 22

    How I went from ZERO To $500 Million In ECOM in 3 Years | Davie Fogarty

    Ever wondered what it takes to go from $0 to $100 million? Davie Fogarty did that with 1 product in 1 year. After 7 failed startups, Davie finally cracked the code, and built The Oodie, one of the fastest-growing eCommerce brands in the world. In this episode, he shares his exact formula: • How to find the right product • His Facebook ad strategy that generated $1M in a day • Marketing, sales, and operations at scale • What most founders get wrong when building a business But this isn’t just the highlight reel. Davie also opens up about the darker side: • Panic attacks, burnout, and stress-induced rashes • The pressure of success, and nearly walking away from it all • Why the biggest wins can also be the loneliest And now? He’s using everything he learned to help millions and investing in them on SharkTank. This is his most honest, unfiltered conversation yet,  and if you're serious about building a business, you need to hear it. Sign up to Revolut Business at https://www.revolut.com/rb/wakeup and add money to your account before August 31st, 2025, to receive a £200 / $200 welcome bonus. Subscription fees and T&Cs apply. Available for new Business customers in the UK and US. US Customers: Revolut is not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. The Revolut USA Prepaid Visa and Prepaid Mastercard are issued by Lead Bank pursuant to licensing by Visa(c) U.S.A. Inc. and Mastercard International for Mastercard cards. Your funds are FDIC insured up to $250,000 through Lead Bank, Member FDIC. See https://www.revolut.com/en-US/ for more details.  Chapters:  0:00 Introduction  2:20 Davie early years  6:00 from 0 to 10M in first year  7:00 Skill to build a 10M business 8:00 how to jump on trends  10:30 Why are scared of Ai  11:30 Davie's E-commerce success  13:30 Launching 10 businesses at the same time  18:00 Fear of failing  19:00 Davie's Health Challenges  25:00 Competitiveness  26:00 Understanding Anxiety  30:00 Flexing   34:10 How Oddie exploded (finding the right market)    33:00 Riches in the niches  33:30 How to find the perfect product  37:00 The importance of building a brand not just selling a product  40:00 Best tools find trending E commerce business  42:00 Why Davie stepped down as CEO 45:50 Shark Tank  53:00 E Commerce Exits  1:00:00 Losing money on crypto  1:01:00 Davies fear of Public speaking  1:02:40 Life now after Business  1:07:00 The people who were with you when you had nothing  1:08:50 Biggest Secret about Billionaires  1:10:00 How to stop caring what people think of you  1:13:20 Stop following your passion Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/  Follow Davie: https://www.instagram.com/daviefogarty/

    1h 14m

  4. AUG 14

    How I turned $1000 into $320 MILLION | Nathan Barry

    What does it really take to turn your audience into a multi-million dollar company? Nathan Barry went from broke blogger to the founder Kit, a bootstrapped SaaS powerhouse generating $45 million a year in subscription revenue. This episode is more than just a story. It’s a masterclass in how creators can build real, scalable businesses, without investors, hype, or burnout. We cover: • How Nathan grew from $2K/month to $100K… then $500K… then $3M/month in revenue • The Ladder of Wealth Creation and how to climb it step-by-step • How to go from selling a $250 product to a $2,500+ product • Why email is still the most powerful tool in the creator economy • His framework for moving from low-ticket to high-ticket offers • How the Flywheel Effect transformed his business and how you can build one too • Why he turned down Spotify • How creators can spot underpriced, overvalued opportunities Whether you're just starting out or already have an audience, this conversation will challenge how you think about money, audience growth, and long-term success. Sign up to Revolut Business at https://www.revolut.com/rb/wakeup and add money to your account before August 31st, 2025, to receive a £200 / $200 welcome bonus. Subscription fees and T&Cs apply. Available for new Business customers in the UK and US. US Customers: Revolut is not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. The Revolut USA Prepaid Visa and Prepaid Mastercard are issued by Lead Bank pursuant to licensing by Visa(c) U.S.A. Inc. and Mastercard International for Mastercard cards. Your funds are FDIC insured up to $250,000 through Lead Bank, Member FDIC. See https://www.revolut.com/en-US/ for more details. 0:00 Introduction 2:10 Nathan’s Backstory 5:00 Celebrities on Kit  6:00 How to Make Great Content 8:42 Nathan's Childhood 12:23 Discovering Web Design 14:40 Writing Books 18:00 How to make a lot of money selling to a small audience**  20:00 Email Drives Everything 24:00 Writing 1,000 Words a Day for 600 Days 29:00 Life Transformation: $60K to $250K 30:55 Ladder of Wealth Curation 34:00 From $2K/Month to $100K/Month 35:42 Almost Gave Up 38:30 Getting ill 45:30 Doubling Down on Kit 53:00 Power of Word of Mouth 1:00:00 Jumping from $500K to $3M/Month 1:02:00 Why He Rejected Spotify 1:04:00 Building the Flywheel 1:13:30 Low-Ticket to High-Ticket Products 1:14:30 How Ryan Reynolds Became a Billionaire 1:17:00 Teaching Skills to People With Money 1:20:00 Chris’ Digital Product 1:25:00 Nathan’s Non-Flexing Philosophy 1:28:40 What’s the Difference Between a Strip Mall? 1:34:00 How Reese Witherspoon Became a Billionaire 1:37:55 Final Take: What Can People Wake Up To Today? Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/?hl=en  Follow Nathan: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry/?hl=en

    1h 39m

  5. AUG 5

    The Brutal Truth About FAILURE You Need To Hear | Elizabeth Day

    No one teaches you how to embrace failure, but what if that’s the only way to truly succeed? Today, I’m sitting down with Elizabeth Day, bestselling author, journalist, and host of the How To Fail Podcast, the hit podcast that’s changed how millions of people think about setbacks. Elizabeth opens up about the moments that shaped her: growing up in Northern Ireland, feeling like an outsider at school, the pursuit of confidence, and how repeated rejection eventually became her greatest superpower. She also shares the deeply personal stories behind her success, from boarding school struggles to navigating miscarriage, online hate, and public life, and why your ability to fail well might be the most important skill you’ll ever learn. If you’ve ever felt like you're behind, broken, or not enough, this one’s for you. Sign up to Revolut Business at https://www.revolut.com/rb/wakeup and add money to your account before August 31st, 2025, to receive a £200 / $200 welcome bonus. Subscription fees and T&Cs apply. Available for new Business customers in the UK and US. US Customers: Revolut is not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. The Revolut USA Prepaid Visa and Prepaid Mastercard are issued by Lead Bank pursuant to licensing by Visa(c) U.S.A. Inc. and Mastercard International for Mastercard cards. Your funds are FDIC insured up to $250,000 through Lead Bank, Member FDIC. See https://www.revolut.com/en-US/ for more details. 0:00 Introduction 1:40 Elizabeth & Chris’ experiences with IVF struggles 7:00 Self doubt in your 20s  9:55 Elizabeth’s early years 15:40 “Confidence in a muscle you can flex” 16:55 Elizabeth’s first job at 12  20:30 Gossip columnist 23:20 “Just do the hard thing over and over again” 24:50 Introverted Vs Extrovert 31:00 Understanding failure 35:20 If you're feeling lost watch this   39:15 Thoughts on Ozempic  41:15 How to balance it all 49:30 Elizabeth's IVF story 59:40 Sally Phillips opens up about failure 1:03:30 Kate Winslet opens up about failures 1:05:30 Psychic readings  1:13:30 Failing in your 20s  1:16:00 5 year plans 1:21:00 The importance of friendship 1:23:00 Work addiction 1:26:50 Conflict avoidant 1:29:20 Stop being a people pleaser 1:32:00 How to set boundaries 1:35:00 How to deal with negative opinions 1:40:20 Justin Baldoni & Blake Lively court case  1:44:50 Elizabeth being a CEO & Founder Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/  Follow Elizabeth: https://www.instagram.com/elizabday/ Pre sale link: https://lnk.to/OneOfUsElizabethDay

    1h 56m

  6. JUL 17

    Shaolin Warrior Master WARNING The Collapse of The West! This Modern Habit Is Killing Millions!

    You don’t need more motivation. You need mastery. In this episode, I sat down with ‪Master Shi Heng Yi  one of the world’s most respected voices on self-discipline, inner strength, and mental clarity. He’s not here to give you life hacks. He’s here to teach you how to face the uncomfortable truth: that most of us are running from ourselves. We unpack what it really means to live with presence, power, and purpose and how to stop letting your emotions, distractions, and past pain run the show. From overcoming addiction to comfort to understanding why we are the cause of our suffering, this conversation is a blueprint for those ready to step out of autopilot and take their mind back. If you’ve ever felt anxious, undisciplined, or like something’s missing, this is your wake-up call. Chapters:  0:00 Introduction 1:10 Early Years 3:20 Rebelling 6:40 How to Deal with Comparison & Competitiveness 10:00 How to Figure Out the Purpose of Life 12:12 Epidemic of Addiction & Greed 17:00 What to Do When Times Get Hard 20:00 Pain & Failure Can Sometimes Be Good 25:05 Demon Hand, Buddha Heart 28:00 Is This the Life You Want to Live? 30:00 How Can People Motivate Themselves? 33:00 Why Discipline Is Needed 34:00 How to Confront Your Demons 35:30 Have You Got a Dead Corpse in the Basement? 40:30 Your Thoughts Become Who You Are 42:50 5 Hindrances to Sensory Growth 45:50 R.A.I.N. Method 48:00 How to Stop Getting Triggered 50:00 You Can’t Grow When Comfortable 54:20 How to Grow Your Heart 56:10 Consistency Is More Powerful Than Intensity 1:00:08 Failure vs. Success 1:02:15 How to Focus on Goals 1:05:00 How to Let Things Go 1:06:00 How to Bring the Shaolin Spirit into Your Life Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/?hl=en  Follow Master Shi Heng Yi: https://www.instagram.com/shihengyi.online/?hl=en  Master Shi Heng Yi's Book: https://linktr.ee/shihengyi.online

    1h 8m

  7. JUL 10

    How to STOP Getting Defensive, Handle Difficult People & Take Back Your Power! Jefferson Fisher

    You don’t need to shout to be heard. You don’t need to win every argument to be respected. And you don’t need to fear difficult conversations, if you know how to lead them. In this episode, trial lawyer and #1 speaking coach Jefferson Fisher shares the communication frameworks that have made him one of the most trusted voices online for navigating conflict, setting boundaries, and speaking with confidence. We explore why less is more when you speak, how to stay calm under pressure, and the one mindset shift that instantly makes you more magnetic in any room. From boardrooms to relationships, Jefferson’s practical tools will help you argue less, say more, and lead without raising your voice. If you’ve ever struggled with people pleasing, being heard, or standing your ground, this one’s for you. Chapters: 0:00 Intro: Why Words Matter More Than Ever  1:30 Jefferson’s Backstory  4:50 Jefferson Powerful Online Voice  7:10 “What You Say Is Who You Are”  9:50 How to Spot a Liar  12:55 Nervous Before a Hard Conversation? Try This  15:20 Declutter Your Sentences, STOP Saying Um  17:45 Power of Speed & Tone in Speech  21:00 Why You Might Sound Like You're Lying  24:00 "Don’t Be a Waterfall, Be a Well"  27:00 How to Argue Less and Say More  30:00 How to Spot “Knots” in a Conversation  33:25 How to Lean Into Conflict  36:40 Feel an Argument Coming? Do This First  41:30 People Mirror Your Frequency, Use It Wisely  43:30 How to STOP Reacting to Insults  46:30 The Power of Letting Go  50:00 Stop Forcing Your Opinion, Try This Instead  56:00 The 3-Step Framework for Difficult Conversations  1:01:30 How to Argue Like a Lawyer  1:04:40 How to Say “NO” With Confidence  1:07:00 How to Clearly Set Boundaries  1:11:00 How to STOP People Pleasing  1:14:35 How to Stay Calm When Insulted  1:21:00 How to Apologise Properly  1:22:45 What to Say After a Bad Apology  1:25:30 How to Deal With a Narcissist  1:29:00 How to STOP Getting Defensive  1:30:30 Handling Insults at Work  1:33:00 How to Have Tough Conversations at Work  1:34:00 How Jefferson Leads His Business Link to Book: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/book Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/?hl=en Follow Jefferson: https://www.instagram.com/jefferson_fisher/?hl=en

    1h 36m

  8. APR 10

    Psychologist Reveals Mental Hacks That Will Unlock Your Dream Life In 3 Months - Maya Raichoora

    This episode might change the way you think about mindset forever. At just 17, Maya Raichoora was diagnosed with a chronic illness that left her unable to walk, eat, or even attend school. Doctors told her she’d never recover fully. But what changed everything wasn’t just treatment — it was visualisation. Maya shares the exact moment her healing journey began, how she used mental imagery to rewire her brain, and the powerful mindset tools she now teaches in her new book “Visualise.” If you’ve ever felt stuck, burnt out, or like you’re living in survival mode This conversation is a blueprint for getting back to yourself. Chapter: 00:00 – Introduction 02:31 – Introducing Maya 03:24 – Maya’s Early Life as a High Performer 04:09 – Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 05:19 – The Mental and Physical Struggle 06:39 – Isolation and Shame 08:39 – Searching for a Cure Worldwide 09:39 – The Question That Changed Everything 10:39 – Visualising a New Future 12:09 – The Obsession with the Mind-Body Connection 13:09 – Turning Pain into Purpose 14:09 – How to Start Visualising 15:09 – Building Your Future Self Through Reps 16:39 – The Power of Slowing Down 19:09 – Mind Like a Lake: A Visualisation for Calm 20:39 – The Energy Diet No One Talks About 22:39 – Recognising Your Seasons 26:09 – Hibernation Mode for High Performers 28:09 – Spring, Summer, and Harvest Cycles 30:39 – Following Your Own Race 33:39 – Building a Character-Driven Identity 36:09 – Taking Radical Responsibility 39:39 – The Real Role of Social Media 42:09 – Internal vs External Validation 45:39 – When You're Overwhelmed by Feedback 48:39 – Building Mental Fitness Habits 51:39 – Celebrating the Present Moment 54:39 – Letting Go of the Hustle Guilt 57:39 – Learning to Delete, Not Just Add 01:00:39 – Visualising Nike-Level Mindset 01:03:39 – Book Writing, Reading, and Rewriting Beliefs 01:06:39 – Building Accessible Tools for Young People 01:09:39 – Future Plans for Mental Fitness Education 01:12:39 – Why We Avoid Hard Conversations 01:15:39 – 6 Vulnerable Questions That Build Deep Connection 01:18:39 – Managing Stress Through Language and Awareness Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/?hl=en  Follow Maya: https://www.instagram.com/maya.mental.fitness/?hl=en  Link to book: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/465180/visualise-by-raichoora-maya/9781846048524

    1h 22m
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About

A few years ago, I was just like many of you, figuring out the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, facing setbacks, and chasing breakthroughs. By 25, I had built and sold a leading digital marketing agency. By 30, I was co-founding Lottie, a health tech company transforming care solutions, and growing into one of the UK’s fastest-rising business creators. But along the way, I noticed something: the world is changing, yet most of us are still stuck playing by outdated rules. That’s why I launched Wake Up, a podcast for people who are ready to rewrite the playbook. It’s not just about hearing incredible stories, it’s about taking those stories and turning them into real, actionable steps. Each week, I sit down with some of the most inspiring leaders, creators, and innovators to uncover their strategies, struggles, and unfiltered truths. Wake Up isn’t here to inspire you for a moment, it’s here to empower you for a lifetime. Together, we’ll rethink the way we work, lead, and succeed in a world that demands new ideas. Thank you for joining the movement. Let’s wake up to what’s possible and create something extraordinary. 

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