What if the secret to building a remarkable life isn’t chasing a personal brand… but making the world better first?

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Guy Kawasaki, bestselling author, entrepreneur, former chief evangelist of Apple, host of Remarkable People, and one of the most respected voices in innovation, influence, and entrepreneurship.

This conversation goes far beyond business.

We talk about what truly makes someone remarkable, why young people should focus on interests over pressure-filled passions, the truth about personal branding, the mistakes that shape success, and how to make the world better in your own way.

We also dive into privacy, digital security, creativity, books that change lives, and the brutally honest advice Guy would give his 18-year-old self.

If you’re ambitious, building something, or trying to stand out in a noisy world, this episode is a masterclass.

What You’ll Learn

• Why personal brands are a result, not a goal

• What makes a person truly remarkable

• Why mistakes may shape you more than success

• How to pursue interests instead of forced passions

• Why privacy matters more than most people realise

• The 3-word philosophy Guy believes is the secret to life

• How to make the world better starting small

Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva, host of the Remarkable People podcast, and author of nineteen books including Everybody Has Something to Hide, Think Remarkable, and Wiser Guy. He is an adjunct professor of UC Santa Cruz, and trustee of the University of Hawaii Foundation. He was the chief evangelist of Apple, trustee of the Wikimedia Foundation, and brand ambassador of Mercedes-Benz. Kawasaki has a BA from Stanford University, an MBA from UCLA, and an honorary doctorate from Babson College.

In this episode:

00:00 – What Makes Someone Remarkable?

02:30 – Meet Guy Kawasaki

05:10 – Why Personal Branding Is Backwards

09:00 – Build Accomplishments, Not Image

13:00 – Privacy Mistakes Young People Make

17:30 – Why Signal & Security Matter

22:00 – Passion vs Interests Debate

26:00 – Entrepreneurship Advice for Young People

31:40 – The Truth About Personal Brands

35:00 – “Do Good Sh*t” Philosophy

37:10 – 2 Books That Changed Guy’s Life

40:10 – Advice to His 18-Year-Old Self

41:59 – How to Make the World Better

43:00 – Final Thoughts & Surfing Exit

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If this episode challenged the way you think about success, branding, or impact, share it with someone who needs it.

And if it made you rethink how you approach your goals, share it with someone who needs the reminder to stop waiting and start creating.

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And remember:

Don’t chase being impressive.

Chase being useful.