Another Way

Dan Koda, also known as Dan Koch, is the founder of Sacred, one of Australia's leading ceremonial cacao movements. Before dedicating his life to cacao, Dan was one of Australia's rising trance DJs, performing at major festivals including Future Music, Creamfields, Summadayze and Stereosonic, and sharing the stage with artists such as Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren, Paul Oakenfold, Cosmic Gate and Dash Berlin. In 2013, after opening for Above & Beyond in front of 7,500 people in Melbourne, he walked away from the music industry, feeling called to create something that was better for people and the planet.After three years of sobriety, with cacao becoming a central part of his journey, Dan began combining ceremonial cacao with music and conscious gatherings. That vision became Sacred in 2016, creating alcohol-free cacao ceremonies, festivals and community experiences before evolving into a globally recognised ceremonial cacao brand. Today, Sacred works directly with Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon to source wild-crafted ceremonial cacao, supports rainforest regeneration, and has built a community of hundreds of thousands of people through its products, events and educational content.In this conversation, we explore what it really means to follow your heart, the lessons Dan has learned from cacao, music, and nature, and why so many of us are searching for deeper connection in a world that's never been more distracted.We also dive into:Dan's transition from the electronic music scene to building Sacred CacaoThe power of cacao as a daily practice—not just a drinkLiving from the heart instead of the mindConscious business, purpose, and creating meaningful impactWhy community, ritual, and nature matter more than everWhether you're curious about cacao or simply looking for another way to live, this is a conversation that invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect with what matters most.Affiliate Code - 10% discountUse our affiliate code to receive a 10% discount on any purchase at https://www.sacredtaste.com/ Code - "anotherwaywithmatt"Connect with Dan / SacredDan's IG: https://www.instagram.com/koda.sounds/Sacred's IG: https://www.instagram.com/wearesacredSacred's Website: https://www.sacredtaste.com/Connect with Matt / Another WayMatt's IG: https://www.instagram.com/mattdefina_/ Another Way IG: https://www.instagram.com/thereis___anotherway/Join The CollectiveReady to join our community and connect with other ambitious, heart-led entrepreneurs, founders and facilitators? Book a call with Matt and the team here: pages.anotherway.au/apply

May Samali is the Founder and CEO of Human Leadership Lab. As a speaker, facilitator, coach, researcher, investor and board director, she helps organisations and individuals unlock leadership potential and sustain high performance.She is a Fellow at the Institute of Coaching at Harvard Medical School and holds a Professional Certified Coach credential from the International Coaching Federation. In 2024, she was recognised as one of the Top 15 Coaches in Sydney by Influence Digest.May is also a Venture Partner at 77 Partners and recently served on the Board of Directors of Inspirato (formerly NASDAQ: ISPO) prior to its acquisition. She holds a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University.Her early career as a corporate lawyer, venture capital investor and tech CEO sparked a deep interest in helping people develop the mindsets, skills and systems required for human leadership and sustainable high performance.May’s insights on leadership have been featured in Forbes, Australian Financial Review, ABC Radio National and Stanford Social Innovation Review.Connect with May / Human Leadership LabWebsite - Human Leadership Lab⁠LinkedIn - Human Leadership LabInstagram - Human Leadership LabLinkedIn - May Samali⁠Instagram - May Samali⁠ Connect with Matt / Another WayAnother Way WebsiteInstagram - MattInstagram - Another WayJoin 'The Collective' - email us at [email protected] to apply.

What does Existential Kink actually look like in practice? In this special follow-up episode with Dr Carolyn Elliot, author of Existential Kink, I step into the client seat and allow Carolyn to coach me through a powerful session (note: I suggest you listen to the previous episode if you don't know what EK is).We dive into the challenges I’m facing in leadership, life and business, and she guides me through a pretty damn expansive EK practice (that isn't actually even in the book). I’ll be honest—sharing this episode makes me nervous. It’s one of the most vulnerable conversations I’ve ever had on the podcast. But I believe there’s value in being open about the messy, human side of growth, and I hope my experience will resonate with you and offer some insights for your own journey. I also hope you get to see and feel the power of EK in action too.IG - Carolyn Elliot - www.instagram.com/carolynlovewell_IG - Matt Defina - www.instagram.com/mattdefina_

I am so excited to share this episode with you - Existential Kink is a practice that has changed my life and changed the lives of so many people and clients around me and this episode I'm talking to the creator and author of the practice. Dr. Carolyn Elliott, now known as Carolyn Lovewell, is a writer, educator, and expert in shadow integration, with a PhD in Critical and Cultural Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. She is best known for her book Existential Kink: Unmask Your Shadow and Embrace Your Power, which explores how embracing repressed parts of ourselves can unlock personal transformation. The book blends Jungian shadow work with a unique approach to finding pleasure in difficult or undesirable experiences.In addition to her writing, Carolyn runs online programs like the "Sleep Over Mystery School," teaching occult philosophy and practical magic. She also founded the online community Electric Yes, where she offers coaching and workshops focused on her "Existential Kink" practices. Carolyn has traveled extensively, lived as a digital nomad, and now resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her family​.On the episode, we talk about: What 'Existential Kink' is How Carolyn discovered the 'EK' practice Why we actually love and create our own suffering (and how to change this) How to use EK to create the life you truly want (and why you don't yet have it) How Carolyn uses EK in her everyday life and relationshipCarolyn's Links Instagram The Immortal College Buy the book: Existential KinkMatt's Links Another Way Instagram Matt Defina Instagram

It has been a hot minute, but we are back! This time we are welcoming Ryan Hubbard — Cool 2 Be Conscious Founder & Breathwork FacilitatorRyan is the founder of Cool 2 Be Conscious, a breathwork facilitator, and a dedicated community builder who has taken a movement from five friends in Christchurch to thousands of people across Australia and New Zealand. His events, tours, and workshops have created a thriving community united by breath, connection, and a shared desire to feel alive.Ryan's path here was anything but linear. He grew up on a farm in New Zealand, spent years operating heavy machinery, tried his hand at personal training, painting, kayak guiding, and eventually found his calling as a professional dive instructor on the Great Barrier Reef – until a serious ear injury brought it all crashing down. That loss, and the depression that followed, became the doorway to everything.Through breathwork, fasting, cold exposure, and a deep commitment to personal growth, Ryan transformed his life — and now dedicates himself to helping others do the same. His unique approach blends high-energy facilitation with raw vulnerability, making his events a genuinely life-changing experience for anyone who walks through the door.He's also a proud new dad and the visionary behind New Waves – an upcoming music festival set for 2027 that combines big-stage acts with ice baths, saunas, and breathwork for thousands.---Cool 2Be Conscious - https://www.cool2beconscious.com/Ryan Hubbard IG -https://www.instagram.com/ryanhubbards/----Another Way - www.anotherway.auAnother Way IG - www.instagram.com/anotherway_auMatt Defina - www.instagram.com/mattdefina_