An engineer. A founder. A fan-first futurist.

Michael Dodsworth is building smarter launch systems and reminding us all to focus on the next boulder.

In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with Michael Dodsworth—an engineer-turned-founder with deep roots in fandom, tech, and creative process. Born in the north of England and now living in LA, Dodsworth is the founder ofFanfare, a platform helping brands, creators, and fans connect around high-demand, high-volume events like sneaker drops, product launches, and concert tickets.

What started with a Commodore 64 and a love for problem-solving has evolved into a career spanning startups, acquisitions, and digital innovation. After being acquired by Salesforce and working with Ticketmaster, Dodsworth became obsessed with improving the chaotic, often unfair experiences fans face when trying to access products they love.

Michael shares stories of his early days hacking Radio Shack computers, building balloon animations, and grinding through paper routes on steep Yorkshire hills. He opens up about the pressure of startup life, how he once crashed production two weeks into a job, and why joy and discipline—not motivation—are what keep him going.

They explore everything from 80s synth pop and guilty-pleasure movies like Samurai Cop, to burnout, branding, and why Mario Kart and LA traffic can be strangely meditative. This is a conversation about building what won’t leave you alone—and the power of just showing up.

“You’re never going to have perfection the first time you launch… there are nerve-wracking moments, but you just keep going.”

“You’re never going to button up everything. There’s always going to be risks. The important part is to steady the ship.”

“Find the thing that works for you—and do that. You don’t have to follow anything you see in other places.”

“Once you finally accept that playing Mario Kart is the right thing for you to do in these moments, you’ll feel a lot better.”

“There’s always going to be problems—but now you can build your way out of them faster than ever before.”

“That motivation fades pretty quickly. What’s left is the belief you’ll get there—and just showing up.”

“I’m a big proponent of focusing on the process… Just the next boulder. That’s it.”

Startup Life | Launching Fanfare and chasing fairness

Growing Up Yorkshire | Paper routes, 8-bit computers, and grit

Creative Pivot | When tech meets design and marketing

Hacking Radio Shack | How curiosity built a career

System Fail | Breaking production two weeks in

Visual Identity | Rebranding the Fanfare experience

Reset Routines | Driving, Mario Kart, and solo joy

Food & Nostalgia | Curry sauce, chip shops, and old cravings

Advice for Rebels | Keep showing up and focus on the next boulder

Fanfare (https://fanfare.io)

Michael on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/fanfare-io/)

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