What happens when creativity, community, and technology collide?
Summary
In this episode, I catch up with Sol Rogers, my old next-door neighbour from Totnes who’s now the Global Director of Innovation at Magnopus and founder of the award-winning immersive studio Rewind. Sol’s career has spanned VR, film, and emerging tech for Disney, Jaguar, and Meta, and he’s earned an honorary doctorate for his impact on the industry.
We talk about his unconventional start as a new-age traveller, the realities of success, ADHD, fatherhood, and what it means to build communities that truly support people. Sol shares stories of breakthroughs, burnout, and staying grounded in a fast-moving world — including how a VR demo for Jaguar unexpectedly reshaped car design.
A thoughtful, open conversation about creativity, purpose, and time.
Guest
Dr Solomon Rogers
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/solrogers/
Magnopus – https://www.magnopus.com/
Host
Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/
Website – www.dannyhearn.me
Podcast – www.deeplyhumandesign.com
Chapters
00:00 Childhood Connections and Early Influences
03:41 Career Journey and Professional Achievements
06:34 Defining Success: Personal Perspectives
09:29 The Role of Community in Personal Growth
12:31 Navigating Privilege and Opportunity
15:11 The Impact of ADHD on Life and Work
18:23 Building a Culture of Community in Business
21:09 The Intersection of Friendship and Leadership
34:05 The Emotional Complexity of Team Dynamics
36:43 Navigating Business Challenges and Personal Growth
40:08 The Intersection of Technology and Design
46:36 The Evolution of Virtual Reality in Automotive Design
50:41 The Future of Digital Twins and Immersive Experiences
56:46 Cultivating Healthy Relationships with Technology
