Rebuild From Zero: Growth Hacking After Losing Everything | Peter Murphy Lewis

When political turmoil in Chile pushed his adopted home “into disarray,” growth hacker and documentary filmmaker Peter Murphy Lewis lost his company, his community, and the life he’d spent 14 years building. In less than two weeks, he and his wife left everything behind and moved back to the U.S. with their three‑year‑old—starting again from his parents’ basement in Kansas.​ In this conversation with host Kandas Rodarte, Peter shares how he used a “do a lot with a little” growth‑hacking mindset to rebuild from zero, and what that looks like for solopreneurs—especially women over 40—who don’t have a big team or a big ad budget. From handwritten direct‑mail campaigns and simple cold calls to testing offers with TikTok and short‑form video, Peter breaks down practical, experiment‑driven marketing that doesn’t feel like bro culture.​ You’ll also hear the human side of disruption: PTSD, identity loss when your job title disappears, cultural shock moving from Santiago to small‑town Kansas, and how niche filmmaking about CNAs and nursing homes helped Peter find new purpose and impact. If you’re navigating a major life or business pivot, this episode offers both strategy and solidarity.​ Chapters: 00:00 Rebuild from zero: Peter’s 10‑day collapse00:53 Life disruptions, PTSD, and starting over​01:34 What growth hacking really means (without bro marketing)08:01 Experiment‑driven marketing for solopreneurs over 4013:37 Direct mail, cold calls, and why “old school” still works​19:06 Facing disruption: therapy, fear, and asking for help19:59 Identity beyond job titles and losing “entrepreneur”22:43 Hyper‑niche documentaries for CNAs and nursing homes28:00 Bicultural parenting and raising resilient kids33:18 Gratitude, legacy, and rebuilding a meaningful life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices