Hi,

When I titled my book "Own Your Story, Or Someone Else Will" in 2023, my publisher didn’t object. Publishers are usually as strict about their book titles as any magazine or newspaper editorial team.

No one commented on my choice of an English title for a book originally written in Dutch, either. Interestingly, this turned out to be an advantage a year later when we also decided to publish the book in English.

"​Own Your Story, Or Someone Else Will​" specifically refers to my book, in which I advocate for taking control of people's perceptions of you. It's a book about personal branding, where I put personality at the core of the process rather than the algorithms and marketing practices that overwhelm you.

However, "Own Your Story" also speaks to how you take charge of your life and shape your own narrative. What you say about your life reflects how you view and experience it. It also tells the story of your journey. Hence, "owning your story " means " owning your journey."

We all live our first lives, no matter our age.

"Own Your Story" has become a recurring theme in my work, much like an artist’s motif. There’s the book and courses focused on personal branding. There’s the podcast, where I talk with others or share my own insights. And now, there’s this platform.

On this platform, I reclaim the freedom to venture beyond the niche of personal branding. I aim for serendipity, reading and thinking, wonder and curiosity. I am on a quest to discover what it takes to become a Brave New Human. Today, what we learn is often dictated by algorithms and search engines. On this platform, I aim to escape that.

What does this mean for you? I curate what I read, think, and learn about systems, art, philosophy, human behavior, AI, identity, and entrepreneurship into an inspiring read.

I’m excited to share this journey with you.