The profound Matt Purcell is here today to provide deep insights, share his colourful stories and enlighten you with his perspective while enjoying a delicious brew of Tiger Purrr Chai.

Matt is one of Australia’s leading entrepreneurs. He is also the recipient of the Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award and was nominated for Australian of the Year. He is the founder of top podcast The Examined Life where he gets personal with some of Australia’s most inspiring and recognisable people, talking business, leadership, mental health, spirituality, relationships and much more.

Matt is also the co-founder of Mentored Media which represents some of the top brands and personalities in Australia. Mentored Media helps their clients to build a brand story that generates a broad spectrum of emotions, creating a bond between the client and the brand.

In this conversation, Matt talks about being adopted when he was four months old by Australian parents and growing up in Newcastle. From a very young age, Matt knew he was different to other children and always gravitated toward older people. His brain (and zone of genius) worked in a deeply unique way, questioning everything in life, including his own identity.

Matt found music as an outlet for his emotions and, through mentorship, found a path motivating youth as a musician, playing and speaking in front of thousands of students and inspiring them in their own journeys.

We explore the challenges that Matt’s clients face when they engage Mentored Media. The biggest mistake is when people copy someone else’s method of success instead of finding what makes them unique. Matt advises us to look at our customers as the hero - not ourselves. Learn to be the guide, not the hero.

The high highs for Matt include providing a lifestyle and freedom for his family that he never had as a child. As we heal the past, we heal the present which then heals the future. Life is so much more than just the external. Focus on your spiritual pursuit to find meaning and purpose in your life. Christianity helped Matt get through a lot of tough times and he shares an inspirational biblical story of Joseph and his ability to interpret dreams.

Over a delicious cup of Tiger Purr chai, Matt tells us how grateful and appreciative he is to be alive and encourages everyone to always question everything and cultivate curiosity in the world. I’m truly honoured to bring you this conversation with Matt. I know it will resonate and play in your mind for days to come.

Topics Discussed

[1:10]

Matt identifies as having Australian software but Korean hardware.

[2:30]

Matt was born in South Korea, adopted by Australian parents when he was 4 months old, and shares his feelings about growing up in Newcastle.

[4:10]

When Matt went to school, children started pointing out differences between him and his parents. His parents separated when he was 6 years old which led to moving houses several times and reflecting on his adoption deeply.

[5:29]

He asked himself ‘who am I?’ at the age of 7 and gravitated toward older people.

[6:54]

Nobody was asking the types of questions that Matt was asking at his young age. He had to learn to adapt and knew he was different to other children. Creativity and music became an outlet for his feelings.

[8:37]

Music to Matt is the word made flesh. Music inspires memories, events, and evokes incredible emotion.

[10:32]

Part of Matt’s creative genius is that he’ll learn something from martial arts, music, filmmaking, and architecture and apply the principles to anything.

[12:13]

Matt shares the challenges his clients face in Mentored Media. The biggest mistake people make is copying someone else whose successful instead of finding what makes them unique.

[13:18]

Look at the key messages for yourself and your business - the pain, the villain that’s in your life, and your desires and wants. Look at your customer as the hero - not yourself. Be the guide, not the hero.

[14:10]

Matt wasn’t expecting to be nominated for Australian of the Year.

[14:36]

Matt’s mentor, Darren, encouraged him to start public speaking and helping youth. Matt advises to honour your feelings, validate those feelings and the questions you have about life are a lifelong pursuit. 

[16:47]

Life is more than just the external. The spiritual pursuit is incredibly important. Christianity helped Matt get through a lot of tough times.

[17:56]

Matt was a marriage celebrant for 3 years. He was playing a lot of weddings as a musician and decided to become a celebrant to bring a new dimension to the traditional boring role.

[19:26]

The high highs for Matt include a goal of providing a lifestyle and freedom for his family that he never had as a child. As we heal the past, we heal the present which then heals the future.
[20:38] Matt’s daughters (6 and 3 years old) have music and creativity in them.
[21:48] Matt shares a biblical story about Joseph, his ability to interpret dreams, honour God and keeps working to the best of his ability everywhere he is sent.
[26:33] Matt resonates with Joseph because he has the same gift. No matter where he’s worked or with whom, he’s been able to interpret dreams.
[27:50] Matt has bought a moleskin journal and a good pen for less than $100 which have made such a big difference to his life.
[28:38] 		Being alive makes Matt purr.