Pascal Derrien Interview

Pascal Derrien is one of the few Irish Bees here on BeBee. He joined around the same time as I did and I have always found his writing authentic, creative and often provocative. Curious about this enigmatic and humble person, he kindly agreed to an online interview. Enjoy the read and get to know our friend better. -  Gert

First I would like to thank Gert for your friendship and taking the time to organize this interview, it’s always a bit of an apprehensive process when you know and respect the interviewer 😊 There is an element of making sure you do justice to the question and provide some substance to the reader. - Pascal

ON READING AND BOOKS

Gert: You are currently reading Conscious Awareness by Ian Weinberg. What can you tell about the book so far? What are the five or so best books you have read and why? 

Pascal: I won’t be spoiling the content of Ian’s book but what I can share with you that it’s obvious within the first 50 pages that Ian is not only a great mind but also a rare human being. He has the intellectual capacity to break down theories in simple terms and illustrate them with concrete examples that even a dumbo like me can catch the very essence of the message he conveys. On top of that I genuinely think he has the make-up of a global influencer and that his best work is yet to come.

First and foremost I like stories in books. I have read quite a few bio or autobiographies lately Phil Collins (Interesting) Bruce Springsteen (excellent) Duff Mc Kagan (unexpected) David Millar (honest) Andy Grant (sobering and inspirational). I don’t rank books but I really like Edgar Allan Poe, Hemingway, John Irving and Philippe Djan a French author.

I sometimes read two books at the time (but not always) as I think some chapters like in cooking go thru various stage of intensity and some concepts or ideas need to set and settle.

RUNNING AND CYCLING

Gert:  Pascal, you have often mentioned on BeBee your love of long distance running. When did it start and what keeps you going on the cold and wet Irish days?

Pascal: Indeed, and I have just completed another marathon two weeks ago in Derry in Northern Ireland. It’s difficult to explain honestly, I started to run at school in cross country competitions as a complement to my cycling routine, I kept running well into my thirties and stopped. I got back to running after a long hiatus about 8 years ago. It’s my me time, the be all and end of all in terms of mental balance its almost a mystical and meditating experience on long distances. I appreciate the camaraderie, humility and the exceptional individuals you come across in the running community. I am also a keen cyclist and I belong to the local club, I do my best to sign up to four or five long distance events per year.

TRAVELS

Gert: You have traveled to many countries. If you could travel for 100 days to any places in the world, which would you choose and why?

Pascal: I think I would like to go to places I haven’t been yet. Australia is the only continent I have not been to and I would like to further my knowledge of Asia, Africa and South America. I can think about a few denominators. In bulk I guess it is all about curiosity, people, climate, discovery and learning.

INJUSTICES 

Gert: From your many sublimely written posts, you take a stand on behalf of the downtrodden and those in less favorable circumstances. What experiences have brought this awareness? If you could institute a charity, what would you do?

Pascal: David and Goliath 😊. That’ true Gert and without digging into too much details I guess my upbringing got a lot to do with this. I lived in a caravan the first three of my life, when I was an infant I got very sick once and the local doctor was called but refused to come on site and treat me because he thought we were Roma or gypsies. I am told my father showed up at his surgery put him the car and brought him over to the ‘’camp’’. I was too young obviously to remember those events but these are the tales of social ‘’injustice’’ that normally gets my blood boiling.

ON HOW HE DOES IT

Gert: I marvel always at the originality and creativity of your writing, Pascal. In this older post of yours -  Inside a Non-writer's Mind - you mention the writing process you go through. How long does it take you think about, write and edit a post? Do you see it differently now than when you penned the post?

Pascal: Thanks Gert I am not sure it is that good to be honest, first because I am no writer and secondly, I sometimes genuinely fail to see what people really see in it. That said I need to answer your question I suppose. The process has not really changed, a lot of ‘’writing’’ happen when I run or cycle. I always start with the visual and the music support, once I am comfortable with my choices I start to write, it takes anything from a few hours to two or three weeks. I have noticed the topic and writing genre tends to dictate the velocity. If it’s a cathartic post it has its own rhythm and constraints, sci fi allows a lot of freedom, urban poetry is tricky and is sometimes unbalanced then it requires more efforts.

ROCK, METAL AND INDUSTRIAL MUSIC

Gert: You are a contributing writer for Neuweltmusic, which is based in Ireland and covers mainly Rock, Metal, Industrial, Electro & Alternative music. Please tell more about truths and the lessons you have learned from your exposure to these music groups and genres?

Pascal: What I have seen over the years is a realization that sex drug and rock n roll is a myth that those who of have managed to survive its lethal cycle are happy to have overcome in favor a cleaner lifestyle. In turn noticeably boosting their creative abilities. When I was younger I was really into straight edge values which a fraction of punk hardcore advocating alcohol and substances ban.

MENTORING

Gert:  Pascal - you mention in your profile that you are involved in mentoring. How do you see the role of a good mentor?

Pascal: It’s funny because I actually don’t like that term. I have shared my experiences and coached young country managers but it has always been more in terms of listening to what they were saying. Sometimes I would offer pointers but most people I have come across already have the answers. A good mentor needs to shut up in my own opinion.

TALENT CLOUD MEDIA

Gert: Currently, you are CEO (and founder?) of Talent Cloud Media, and I have to say the website is beautifully designed. How will online recruitment evolve over the next few years?

Pascal: I am not the founder but I am employee #1. Thanks for the compliments that I will obviously pass on 😊. The principles of recruitment remain the same, the search, screening and vacancies exposure are different. The end process remains a 121 or face to face interview with a hiring manager. The shift in my opinion will be the emphasis and focus on passive job seekers.

THE REAL PASCAL?

Gert: You say: "I have been described as a complex character by some or a straight down to earth individual by others, for some I come across as a deep prince of darkness while others may refer to me as a witty and light-hearted individual." Who is the real Pascal Derrien?

Pascal: If only I knew 😊 It’s probably all of that I suppose, and I guess you cannot be one dimensional? I am a simple and average guy really who have gone past his inhibitions.

Thank you Pascal - it was great to get to know you better and I appreciate your time.