Episode Details

With a desire to inspire, Desh is on a mission to educate, entertain and enhance the lives of those he connects with. He is a documentary filmmaker, serial entrepreneur, and the founder of Think Inc. and This is 42. As a passionate advocate for change, Desh is also an active philanthropist.

In 2011, Desh acted as a founding member of Sri Lanka Unites (SLU), an organization created to heal and reconcile the once war-torn country. He also created The Dreamer’s Foundation, a not-for-profit that strives to help ambitious young people pursue their dreams. 

I’m looking forward to getting into something a bit different today and hearing from the man who is adding value to people like Sam Harris and Neil deGrasse Tyson. 

Things you will learn in this episode: 

[00:01 - 07:57] Opening Segment 

• I introduce today’s guest, Desh Amila
• Documentary filmmaker
• Think Inc.
• Featuring speakers like Neil deGrasse TysonThis is 42
• Be sure to check out guestio.com and start booking
• Desh gives some background on his story
• Born in a small village in Sri Lanka 
• Born into a 28 year Civil War - 1981
• Early childhood experience 
• Left the town on a scholarship
• The journey in Australia 

[07:58 - 17:04] From Trying to Survive to Leaving a Legacy

• Desh talks about his time in survival mode
• Early job experience 
• The struggle making you who you are today
• Making the transition out of the struggle and into Opportunity
• Volunteering at a radio station
• Figuring out the skill for talking and connecting 
• Going into filmmaking 
• Wanting to leave a legacy
• Promoting intellectualism and think tanks - Think Inc.
• A word from our sponsor

[17:05 - 25:31] Adding Value to Sam Harris and Neil deGrasse Tyson

• Desh talks about his documentary Islam and the Future of Tolerance
• How it came about on a tour with Sam Harris
• Being able to criticize anything
• Being invited to create a film 
• Desh shares about the conference tour
• Traveling with Sam Harris and Neil deGrasse Tyson
• Everyone in an intellectual space 
• Selling Think Inc. 
• Creating This is 42
• Upcoming movie 
• Better Left Unsaid 
• How to support

[25:32 - 32:04] Closing Segment

• Who you know or what you know?
• Who you know, and what you want from them
• What do you want to achieve? 
• Desh shares about managing relationships
• Treating public intellectuals with respect and dignity 
• How Desh adds value to relationships
• ThE RaNDoM RoUnD
• How to engage with Desh
• Links below
• Final words 

Tweetable Quotes: 

“I do feel as the person I’ve become, the appreciation I have for the things that I have now, the gratitude I have now, it all stems back from the struggle.” - Desh Amila

“I think who you know is incredibly important, but doesn’t really go as far as I think it would if you don’t know what it is that you want from those people.” - Desh Amila

Resources Mentioned:

• Conversations with Coleman
• Support Better Left Unsaid

Connect with Desh on Instagram,

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