The Happy Accidents Podcast

Is success about willpower… or something more unpredictable?

In this unscripted and unedited episode of Happy Accidents, Dennis flips the script and explores the surprising connection between the famous Marshmallow Test and the role of serendipity in success.

You’ll hear why delayed gratification does matter... but also why it’s not the full story. Through real-world examples (like James Dyson’s journey), his TED Talk insights, and...

What do a 450-pound tire, a back injury, and 60-second squats have in common?

For Michael Cassidy — everything.

In this episode of Happy Accidents, Michael shares how a devastating back injury, a pandemic career pivot, and a total lack of time to work out led to the unexpected birth of his fitness brand: the 60 Second Workouts App.

We explore:

• The accident that kickstarted his health journey
• Why “not having time to exercise” b...

Link to the article mentioned in the episode: https://dennisgeelen.me/the-solopreneurs-guide-to-recurring-revenue-how-to-build-a-subscription-based-business

What happens when you're pushed out of the business you built from scratch? 

In this episode of Happy Accidents, I share the jaw-dropping true story of Kathleen King—the woman behind Tate’s Bake Shop.

Before it became a $500 million cookie empire, Kathleen was betrayed by her b...

Did you know that your favorite colorful outfits owe everything to a teenager’s failed experiment? In 1856, William Henry Perkin was just 18 years old when he accidentally created mauveine—the world’s first synthetic dye—while trying to cure malaria. This vibrant purple shade, once reserved for royalty, took over the fashion world in a craze known as the “mauve measles.”

But Perkin’s discovery didn’t just change fashion. It revolut...

How Going Against the Grain Leads to Success – JG Francoeur on The Happy Accidents Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with serial entrepreneur JG Francoeur to talk about what it really takes to succeed in business. We dive into:

✅ Why

Can you create your own luck?

In this episode, I share a real-life example of how a single email led to an unexpected chain of events—proving that serendipity is often just bold action in disguise.

Inspired by Sahil Bloom’s Curiosity Chronicle, we dive into the power of taking shots, building connections, and embracing uncertainty to unlock new opportunities.

You'll learn:

✅ How a simple DM changed Sahil Bloom’s book sales

✅ And ...

Discover how Howard Schultz turned Starbucks into a global coffee empire after a life-changing trip to Milan.

This episode explores the serendipitous events and entrepreneurial journey that reshaped coffee culture in America and beyond.

Learn how Schultz's vision of bringing the Italian café experience to America faced skepticism but ultimately triumphed. 

We'll dive into the power of serendipity in business and share tips for aspi...

How Dude Perfect Became YouTube Legends | Happy Accidents Podcast

Discover the incredible journey of Dude Perfect, the viral sensation that started with a backyard basketball bet and became one of the biggest names on YouTube!

From their days as college roommates at Texas A&M to building a global empire with billions of views, Tyler Toney, Garrett Hilbert, Cody Jones, and twins Coby and Cory Cotton turned their love for trick shots...

Over 5,000 years ago, ancient Phoenician merchants accidentally discovered glass during a simple cooking mishap on a sandy beach.

In this episode of Happy Accidents, we uncover the fascinating history of glass, from its serendipitous beginnings to its evolution through ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire, and beyond.

Learn how this accidental invention shaped art, architecture, and innovation across centuries. Plus, I share some mind-b...

In this episode of the Happy Accidents Podcast, host Dennis Geelen interviews Finn McKenty to uncover how unexpected moments, chance encounters, and “happy accidents” shaped his unique career path.

Finn shares how embracing serendipity and the power of unexpected opportunities led him to creative breakthroughs and entrepreneurial success. Learn how to leverage life’s surprises to fuel your own journey, whether you're a solopreneur,...

Is success driven by pure hard work, or does luck play a bigger role than we think?

In this episode of the Happy Accidents podcast, we dive deep into the views of four top entrepreneurs and authors—John Knotts, Jay Clouse, Adam Tank, and Matt Watkinson—as they share their unique perspectives on luck and its role in achieving success.

Can luck be created, or is it something that happens by chance?

Discover how these experts leverage...

In this episode, I share two incredible serendipitous moments that happened recently through our involvement with Friends of Honduran Children (FOHC).

From supporting three children at an orphanage in Honduras to starting a small business with two talented girls, the connections we’ve made are nothing short of miraculous.

The first serendipity struck when a Facebook post about handcrafted greeting cards connected us with someone wh...

In this episode of The Happy Accidents Podcast, I sit down with Craig Fernandes, the brilliant founder of SecureMyScholarship and Lock&Stock, to discuss how serendipity and one simple idea led to a $6 million-dollar scholarship startup.

Craig shares his inspiring journey, starting with the development of Lock&Stock, a mobile app that incentivized students to stay off their phones during class.

Little did he know, this app would pav...

Ever wonder how Hollywood superstars like Charlize Theron and Vin Diesel got their big break?

It wasn’t just talent—it was pure serendipity!

In this episode of the Happy Accidents podcast, I dive into the incredible stories of how Charlize Theron’s acting career took off after a chance encounter at a bank and how Vin Diesel’s indie short film Multi-Facial caught the eye of Steven Spielberg, leading to his role in Saving Private Rya...

In 1985, Coca-Cola made one of the boldest moves in marketing history by introducing New Coke – a sweeter version of the iconic drink that no one asked for.

What was meant to challenge Pepsi turned into a massive backlash that shocked the company and sparked nationwide protests.

But just 79 days later, Coca-Cola made a comeback that would forever strengthen customer loyalty.

In this podcast episode, I break down the story of how Co...

Sometimes it feels almost impossible.

Like all the stars are aligning perfectly in order for two people to meet and fall in love.

That's exactly what happened for Dennis Leyton and his eventual wife, Inna.

Listen as Dennis tells the incredible story of how fate brought them (and kept them) together.

Connect with Dennis here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisleyton/

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more incredible Hap...

You won't believe how they got caught!

Sometimes, it’s not the detective work, the high-tech forensics, or the years of investigation that catch the criminal.

Sometimes, it’s just plain luck.

In this episode of the Happy Accidents podcast, I’m dive into four true crime stories where a simple twist of fate led to the downfall of some of the most notorious criminals in history. You have to love some true crime happy accident stories!

Imagine being woken up in the middle of the night by your spouse, only to hear the words, 'I'm gay, and I want a divorce.'

In this emotional and raw interview, Megan Broker shares her incredible journey of discovering her husband's truth and the life-altering moment that changed everything.

She opens up about the shock, the heartbreak, and how she found the strength to move forward.

But the most incredible part of her story? How sh...

In this special podcast episode, I sit down with Mohammad Khan, a mechanical engineer who has a surprising passion: writing and storytelling.

Balancing the worlds of technical precision and creative expression, my guest shares his three favorite 'Happy Accident' stories from the history of science—unexpected discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the world.

From serendipitous lab results to unplanned breakthroughs, these...