The lessons that shaped us didn't come from a classroom.
Dan Mall on Design, Identity, and the Courage to Pivot
We chatted with Dan Mall about the path from sketchbooks and curiosity to building a design career, running an agency, and eventually walking away from work that no longer fit. Dan shares stories about growing up between cultures, learning to trust his creative instincts, and what basketball, family, and failure have taught him along the way.
Jonathan Stark didn’t start as a pricing expert—he started as a musician chasing a dream, then pivoted into software, and eventually rebuilt his entire career around one idea: hourly billing is broken.
Husna shares her experience as a third culture Swahili woman from Mombasa, Kenya, growing up between the Swahili coast and the U.S., and how that tension pushed her to question Western ideas of success, identity, and “the right way” to live.
In this episode of Swurl Radio, Eric and Ayka sit down with Emmy Award–winning designer and educator Chris Do. Chris opens up about reinventing yourself after failure, growing up between cultures, battling introversion, and the mentors who shaped his life.
Most career podcasts give you a highlight reel.
We want genuine stories from leaders who have soul and creativity and some humor.
Eric and Ayka grew up without a strong support system - his parents passed away when he was 11 and Ayka's mom was a single immigrant mom in medical school, so we made a lot of horrible, ridiculous, and stupid decisions. So we are hoping this channel will feel like a fun and warm family friend, who will tell you the hard truth.
We focus on tech and creative leaders who can provide some anecdotes or experiences that help our audience feel inspired and motivated.
We want to hear the backstory, the failures, and the process.
Our goal is to focus on an audience of international professionals who are either in transition or getting started, but they feel like they are in the dumps and need a real human story.
We are thinking of people who don’t have supportive family members or don’t have money to blow on a coach and are a bit overwhelmed by YouTube tutorials.
You'll like SWURL Radio if you:
Looking for an intentional space to explore ideas and reconnect with your curiosity?
Goal setting and vetted Guidance
Swurl gives you access to trusted coaches, specialists and recruiters for real support.
Genuine connection
Tired of LinkedIn, AI outreach and transactional networking?
You should be on SWURL radio if:
If you’ve got a perspective worth sharing, whether you’re building something, changing something, or simply thinking differently, we want to hear from you.