What Up, World!

This week!: being in a state of 'flow', the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, success tax, reflections on some troubling pop-culture news, the challenge of holding two conflicting viewpoints, consequentialism and the long haul, and the importance of taking care of yourself. Thanks for listening!

After a brief hiatus, we're back - this time with a chat about big bro's new job, the pros and cons of post-secondary education, enjoying the process, the fun of not knowing what comes next and the dangerous temptation of security. Thanks for listening!

On a foggy 53rd installment, we assess the value of cultivating a public persona, the paradox of doing so while resisting the unproductive drain of ego, and some clear lessons learned in failure. Thanks for listening!

This week: phone scams, planting a flag, 'workaholism', the power of community and more! Thanks, as always, for listening!

Only 50 episodes after she was first name-dropped on the show, our sister Mimi shows up to talk teaching, childhood and only *some* of her quirks. Quirks and all, we think she's pretty cool. About time she cleared up her schedule enough to make it on air for a chat. Enjoy!

This 50th (!!!) episode has it all: an earthquake, discussion about the current state of media, updates on Big & Lil's stories, reflections on pressure and the comfort of its absence, and maybe even some other stuff too. Thanks for listening!

This week: J's thoughts on the NBA playoffs (we're a sports podcast now?), the conclusion to big bro's job search, the trouble with conditional employment, financial independence, the tradeoff between time and money, the value of investing in perspective and the matter of squandering privilege.

This week: learning from mistakes, the interpretive nature of failure, legacy, absolutes in human fulfillment and 'consequentialism'. Thanks for listening!

Tensions run high in the early stages of this one, as a disgruntled authority figure issues a threatening ultimatum. After that, discussion of a great blog post by friend of the show Mike A (no wait, that's too obvious... M Arnold), broader thoughts on the school system, an update on Big Bro's job search, and a chat about the not-so-glamorous psychological experiment that is entrepreneurship.

As Jamal stresses over what to wear to Coachella and we engage in some good old-fashioned oneupsmanship, we eventually settle into a conversation that touches on: competitive fitness, the psychological impact of financial strain, the good fortune of a fruitful job search, paying it forward vs looking out for #1 and, again, Jamal's Coachella outfit. Thanks for listening! Drop us a line! questions@whatupworldpod.com

This week, a rebellious bird joins us in challenging the status quo: the structure of a typical workweek, the significance of scholastic achievement, and more. Plus, the importance of the company you keep, the two kinds of 'networking' and the joys of doing stuff. Thanks for listening! PS. When do we tell Jamal that's it's not "Silicone" Valley?

On the eve of a certain 6-year-old's birthday, Big Bro compares the experiences of a job search - then and now. We talk about an intentional approach to employment, the utility of money as a tool, internalizing a true sense of urgency, and explore the idea that - in a sense - everyone is self-employed, from the self-made mogul to the pizza-delivery driver.

Who's shameless? Pretty much everyone featured on this week's episode: university students, Super Nintendo Jamal, an overzealous interviewer - even a San Franciscan bird making its presence felt throughout. Finally, Yacine turns a corner and starts to feel good about the beginnings of his new direction... upbeat and - in a word - unashamed. Thanks for listening!

This week, Lil' Bro appreciates no longer being a car salesman and Big Bro reflects on last week's unpleasant milestone, pondering what comes next. Thanks, as always, for listening.

As Jamal's story rounds into the fun zone, Yacine's does the opposite. How do you wax poetic about the depths of struggle, while you're still in them? Maybe you don't. No doubt the obstacles will look different in hindsight. For now... enjoy?

This was a good one. Candid, reflective and productive. We both learned something along the way, talking through issues of pressure, doubt, self-worth and a long exploration of the importance of adversity. Hope you enjoy.

Jamal's recent experiences in Cuba and Yacine's growing recognition of things he hadn't previously considered provide two good examples of what the essayist TS Eliot was getting at when he wrote: "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."

With Jamal on hiatus in Cuba, friend of the show Mike Arnold joins Yacine as co-host for this week's installment. Mercifully, we only spent a few minutes talking about the utility of math before moving on to other things including shared experiences from the mental battlefield of entrepreneurship, the Buddhist mantra of detachment, the nature of ambition and just what to do about ego... Enjoy! PS. To vote Jamal off the show permanently, leave a 5-star rating in your podcast app.

On this episode: David Letterman, the nuance of character, pro sports, self awareness/acceptance and personal development in the face of real-world constraints. Thanks for listening! If you rate/review/subscribe/tell a friend, an angel will get its wings. And if it already his wings, those wings will get racing stripes.

Returning to separate time zones, reflection on an upcoming milestone for Jamal leads us into a discussion on the benefits of hindsight, intention as an evolving process, intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation and personal growth from youth into adulthood. Mentioned: https://thelostconnections.com/ Don't forget to rate/review/subscribe! Thanks for listening!

Jude Angelini is best known as 'Rude Jude', his on-air personality for Shade 45 on Sirius XM radio. He's also now the published author of two books, entitled 'Hyena' and 'Hummingbird', and was the co-creator of a now-defunct podcast called the 'Foreally Show'. He was extremely welcoming in sitting down with us at the Sirius XM offices in LA, for a no-holds-barred chat about life, love and more. Hope you enjoy. http://www.rarebirdbooks.com/hummingbird-by-jude-angelini Twitter: @rude_jude Instagram: @onemorejude

Dr. Christopher Ryan is the best-selling author of 'Sex at Dawn' and host of the hugely successful and hugely influential podcast entitled 'Tangentially Speaking'. He's also now the latest guest on 'What Up, World!', thanks to his being really gracious and humble in sitting down with us for a chat, live on location in Los Angeles. We spoke with Chris about...a whole bunch of stuff. Enjoy! Do yourself a favour and check Chris out on Tangentially Speaking, on social media (@thatchrisryan), or at his website (chrisryanphd.com). Thanks for listening!

This late-night conversation was a wandering but enjoyable one, getting into fairly deep exploration of some topics not usually discussed (sober) on a Saturday night. We roll through athletes standing up to systemic injustice, case studies of a few ordinary people scraping by on a minimum wage, acknowledging the existence of a 'starting line' in life, the moral implications of wealth inequality and more. Some heavy stuff here, maybe, but then again - YOLO. Thanks for listening! Don't forget to tell a friend to hop on board the What Up Express.

Quinn Taylor is a physiotherapist, fitness coach and a genuinely well meaning guy. Recently, he joined us for a chat that touched on - among other things - the physical component of human well-being, how he found his way to a livelihood built around helping others, and the hard-wiring of people as social animals. You can find Quinn on Instagram (@quinn_taylor). Drop him a line to say hi. Sorry for the spotty sound quality on this one... Thanks for listening!

With Jamal back home in San Francisco, this conversation took us primarily into the details of some recent highs and lows for Yacine, including a real-life cautionary tale about how the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

This 30th episode marks our first time recording together in the same room! After getting over the initial weirdness of each other's physical presence, we dive into an assortment of topics including the 'hedonic treadmill', today as a moment in cultural history, the role of chance in extreme success stories, the forces that drive corporations, the fear of visibility and some updates on our respective ventures. Feel free to drop us a line: questions@whatupworldpod.com. Thanks for listening and happy new year!

Christmas episode! As St Nick readies his chariot for flight, we talk about holiday plans and all the usual things people discuss at this time of year: poker, artificial intelligence, #vanlife, the permanence of choice, a documentary about adventure, Jim Carrey and our late uncle, who plays an important role in our respective Christmas memories...and otherwise, really. Enjoy, and all the best to you and yours! Discussed: https://goo.gl/MyJQFv https://vimeo.com/184028703    

This time, we take on Crossfit, methods of education, lessons from select music-industry personalities, enjoying the process, the intrinsically neutral value of "more", money as choice and more! Thanks for listening! Drop us a line at questions@whatupworldpod.com!

Yacine laments the challenges of herding young hoopsters before Jamal launches into a laundry list of discussion points. Former Facebook executive Chamath Palihapitiya figures heavily into the first half of this one. Throughout, we touch on social media, economic forces and their effect on the world, authenticity in marketing, the immediacy and power of today's media, and a couple of personal anecdotes from the last few days.

Long one! We get carried away toward the end in a conversation about "putting yourself out there" and getting comfortable with discomfort. Prior to that, Kijiji//Craigslist, J's experimentation with a plant-based diet, "zero steps to optimal living", the phenomenon of cultural shift, a real-life 'This Is Water' moment, bracing for 30 and more. This felt possibly the most like a conversation we'd have 'off air' of any of the episodes we've done. Feel free to drop us a line at questions@whatupworldpod.com. Thanks for listening!

This week, the What-Up Bros weigh in on veganism, Black Friday, case competitions, Giving Tuesday, Nelson Mandela, Warren Buffett, plus an update on Yacine's Chris Ryan saga...and more! Oh, and as always, top-notch humour on display throughout. Don't forget to tell a friend and drop us a line at questions@whatupworldpod.com!

On this episode, frisbee administration (!), the paradox of "motivational speakers" (we brush them aside until we make the same discoveries for ourselves), not knowing what we don't know, the magic of removing the tension of profit from a business...and big bro coins a new term. Mentioned: Rich Roll podcast (Jan 2, 2017) w/ David Goggins; I Am Bolt (available on Netflix); This American Life (Nov 5, 2017) "129 Cars". As always, feel free to drop us a line: questions@whatupworldpod.com!

Admittedly, we recorded this in the late evening, but "dog's dinner" isn't a thing. On this episode, Lux (star of episode 11's dog party) joins us for an in-studio meal as JB and YB discuss some of the ups, downs and altogether messy elements of a self-directed livelihood. Also discussed: S-Town, This American Life, Matt D'avella, Rich Roll, Damon John and more. Drop us a line! questions@whatupworldpod.com

This week: awkward conversations, the joys of purging unwanted "stuff" and the latest from the front lines for Big & Lil'. Drop us a line! questions@whatupworldpod.com

Finally, some details about Medium Bro's new career chapter! A pumped-up Jamal exhales after a stressful visa renewal process, then gets down to brass tacks about what comes next for him. A tinny-sounding Big Bro reports live on location from the office, as he preps for the launch of his new workshop series.

On this milestone twentieth episode, we hit a mixed bag of topics: anecdotes about family, a handful of stories taking place in a drive-thru, updates on recent events and more. Thanks for listening to this point! If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would subscribe and tell a friend. Cheers to the next 20!

Recording on Jamal's last day employed with his now former employer, we reflect on the closing of that chapter for him, before looking ahead to what comes next. The milestone prompts the revisiting of larger questions about ambition, gratitude, contribution and more. Also in this episode: listener email and a deeper exploration of some of the views publicly expressed by Yacine's man-crush du jour, AJ Leon. Check out episode 222 of Tangentially Speaking, for reference. Enjoy and hit us up at questions@whatupworldpod.com. Thanks for listening!

On this real-timey episode, we chat about Lil Bro's impending unemployment, Big Bro's one-year anniversary of leaving the corporate world, money as a means to wellness, teaching math classes, kids' basketball and more! If you're interested, check out Big Bro's mostly dormant blog (whitecollarnirvana.com) and/or markmanson.net, both of which are discussed on this episode. As always, feel free to drop us a line at questions@whatupworldpod.com!

This week, thoughts on not just the senselessness of recent events in Las Vegas, but on what can be done to cope with terrible things that happen in the world and - by a similar token - in response to more minor grievances. Plus, a possibly exciting development on the podcasting front, and an update on last week's wayward parker. Like what we're up to? Tell or friend and/or drop us a line! questions@whatupworldpod.com

Catch-up episode this week, as the brothers compare notes about the latest, both in their respective pursuits and in headline news. Jamal expresses greater clarity about the type of digital-media business that interest him the most. Yacine takes on a current hot topic in Canadian politics. Questions? Comments? Drop us a line at questions@whatupworldpod.com. Thanks for listening!

Mike Arnold is a Toronto-based entrepreneur and friend of the show who left his prior job at an insurance company to start a private-tutoring business with his sister. Now five years into that adventure, Mike stops by to talk self employment, ambition, naivete, ups & downs, podcasting, marathoning and a whole lot more. Enjoy! Find Mike @arnoldtutoring or @mikearnoldmath on social media, and/or drop us a line with questions/comments at questions@whatupworldpod.com. Thanks for listening!

Whew...this is a scary one (at least for Yacine). Big Bro makes a conscious, uncomfortable effort to open up about the scary moments on the path to a meaningful livelihood. We cover wavering confidence, pressure, parenthood and other things that are hard to talk about... Turns out that forging your own path is not always all lollipops and gumdrops. We'll be back with a happier conversation next time. Until then, invite a friend and/or drop us a line to say hi: questions@whatupworldpod.com.

The brothers compare lessons learned from the stories of AJ Leon and Jason Markk, chat about the nature of entrepreneurship and the extent to which it's the 'be-all-end-all', some of the practicalities of prioritizing fulfillment over lifestyle and, of course, four-syllable words. Drop us a line at questions@whatupworldpod.com, catch us on social media @whatupworldpod, and be sure to invite a friend. Thanks for listening!

In this bonus episode (!!!), social-media strategist, former Goldman Sachs investment banker and all-around entrepreneurial badass Nupur Singh joins us to talk about forging her own path, departure from the corporate world, making a difference and a whole lot more! You can find Nupur at www.nupursingh.com or @thecrispycorner on Instagram. We enjoyed this conversation with her and we hope you do too!  

This week, Big Bro struggles to keep it together while demanding answers about the birthday party that Younger Bro recently hosted...for a dog. Eventually regaining its composure, the conversation moves on to the topic of "working for the weekend", blurring the distinction between work and play, patience in the never-ending pursuit of fulfilling life/livelihood and the magic of avoiding "zero days". We hope you enjoy! Hit us up with questions, or just to say hi, at questions@whatupworldpod.com.

LA-based recording artist Stevie Dub joins to talk about his journey, building a career in music, mentoring youth, staying motivated, finding fulfillment and a whole lot more. Stevie is a highly energetic, humble dude, and a shining example of someone intentionally pursuing meaning in life and livelihood. Enjoy, and check him out online (@steviedub on IG & SoundCloud, @steviedubmusic on YouTube, and more). If you like what you hear, don't forget to rate, review and subscribe! Thanks for the love!

On this episode, 'What Up, World!' welcomes its first guest! In a chat enabled by modern technology/serendipity (thank you, Gary Vee) and spanning 4.5 time zones, the brothers get to know Coady Bennett - passion-driven entrepreneur from Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Coady owns a clothing company (@RTHLshop on Instagram) that uses proceeds to fund random acts of kindness. Energy is high on this one, as three dudes become fast friends through shared views and experiences. We hope you'll look up RTHL online (rthlshop.com) and join that community.

Bonus episode! With a flurry of guests on deck for upcoming installments, the brothers catch up for an extra, non-Wednesday release to update on their respective stories. Guest appearances will presumably include less of this story line, so the occasional bonus episode may come in handy for continuity purposes. Topics covered in this freewheeling chat include a running gag that leaves a lot to be desired, El Nino, box jumps, grown-man dates, and a much more on-topic discussion of the role of intention and character in optimizing many areas of human wellness. Finally, Jamal updates on another personal project of his. Quick turnaround to next episode: 009 is ready to go for #WhatUpWednesday!

What is the role of money in the pursuit of meaning in our lives and livelihoods? Critical, as it turns out. After Jamal updates on his job search and Yacine reflects on some of the mental battles that come with the territory of entrepreneurship, the brothers tackle the matter of personal finance and the importance of intention in the pursuit of fulfillment.

Birthday-boy Jamal updates us on his job search and wrestles with the need for employment vs the desire for fulfillment. Yacine finds encouragement in rising frequency of 'small wins' in his business and explains the significance of his tattoo (as alluded to in episode 2). The tattoo - reading "This is water." - is based on a commencement speech by the late author David Foster Wallace. If you dig the concept, you're encouraged to google the phrase and find the original speaker's words. Questions/comments? Shoot us a note at questions@whatupworldpod.com. Also, we very much appreciate if and when you rate/review/subscribe. Thanks!

A near-argument breaks out over a failed pop-culture reference. Big Bro Yacine reflects on the latest of his adventures in social enterprise. The podcast is dealt an unexpected bounty of intrigue at Medium Bro Jamal's expense, as his journey takes a dramatic turn. The brothers field their first piece of listener email!