What if you’ve been searching for a purpose using a broken map? In this episode, we unpack how the Western world misunderstood Ikigai—and why the viral Venn diagram is more harmful than helpful. We explore how Ikigai is actually a feeling—one rooted in small joys, meaningful roles, and being present with what matters. Why do so many people confuse money with meaning? How can we build roles that align with our values rather than external validation? And what happens when we turn purpose into a productivity trap? You’ll walk away with a clearer, more grounded understanding of what gives life meaning. Whether it’s through craft, connection, or contribution, this conversation will help you redefine success on your own terms—and start noticing where fulfilment already lives in your day.

Nick Kemp is a leading Ikigai researcher and educator who has spent over four years studying the concept full-time. He hosts the Ikigai Tribe podcast and works closely with Japan’s top Ikigai scholars to debunk Western myths and teach the true cultural meaning of Ikigai.

Nick Socials: https://au.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-kemp-author https://ikigaitribe.com/ikigai-coach/ https://ikigaikan.com/author/

Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/

Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

Why are young men struggling more than ever—with no one talking about it? In this episode, we expose the real data behind why young men are struggling more than ever. Why are men earning less, dating less, and losing purpose in a world that's easier than ever? Tommy and I dive into what’s driving this quiet collapse—and how to fight back. We break down the three pillars of modern masculinity—resources, health, and relationships—and the real-life steps to build them. From the role of mentorship to the hidden power of third places, this episode gives you a tactical playbook to build confidence, attract real relationships, and reclaim your identity in a distracted world.

Tommy Halkyard is the director of Content for Ben Meer. He is also the author of Dear Younger Me (newsletter where he shares one piece of actionable learning from apprenticing under Ben)

Tommy Socials:

linkedin.com/in/tommy-halkyard

[email protected]

https://tommys-newsletter-7a5071.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/

Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

What if the reason people tune out when you talk isn’t what you say—but how you say it? In this episode, legendary communication coach and bestselling author Bill McGowan breaks down the real reasons most people sound the same—and how you can instantly stand out. We explore why most presentations fail, how to break free from “corporate speak,” and what the best communicators do differently. Bill shares powerful strategies from his new book Speak Memorably, including the 3 Ps of delivery (pace, pitch, projection), how to write for the ear (not the eye), and the tools that make people remember your words. You'll learn how to create original, authentic content—and why ChatGPT can’t do it for you. Whether you're pitching an idea, leading a meeting, or giving a toast, this episode will give you the tools to sound clear, captivating, and confident.

Bill McGowan is the Founder and CEO of Clarity Media Group and one of the world’s top communication coaches. He’s advised leaders at Amazon, Meta, LinkedIn, Spotify, and Airbnb, as well as Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy winners, Olympic champions, and White House staffers. A bestselling author and media veteran, Bill helps professionals break away from buzzwords and bland messaging to communicate with clarity, conviction, and memorability. His upcoming book, Speak, Memorably, is a masterclass in finding your authentic voice and standing out in a world where everyone sounds the same.

ORDER THE BOOK📚 : https://www.amazon.com/Speak-Memorably-Art-Captivating-Audience/dp/0063415194

Bill Socials:

https://www.claritymediagroup.com/team-overview/bill-mcgowan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-mcgowan-7103b

https://us.londonspeakerbureau.com/speaker-profile/bill-mcgowan/

Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/

Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

You feel scattered, disconnected, or unmotivated isn’t because you’re lazy... but because your phone has hijacked your brain?In this episode, we dive deep into the hidden addiction nobody talks about enough—your smartphone. Richard Simon turned his phone off for an entire year. Why? Because it was quietly wrecking his focus, relationships, and sense of peace. We explore the real impact smartphones have on mental health, why 75 full days a year are wasted on screen time, and how modern life normalizes something that’s deeply unnatural—being always available. You’ll learn how to tell if you’re addicted, why most “hacks” like screen time limits don’t work, and what it really takes to reclaim your mind. Richard shares powerful strategies from his book Unplug, including the “Off by Default” method and how to build an environment where focus thrives. By the end, you’ll walk away with a blueprint to reset your relationship with technology, protect your focus, and start living like you mean it again.

Richard Simon directs the website strategy at Georgetown Law in Washington, D.C., and is a former reporter and webmaster at Baltimore’s The Daily Record. He lives in Baltimore with his wife and three children. To this day, he leaves his smartphone off by default. His new book, Unplug, Richard shares what happens when you turn your phone off for a year. Through his story and others—from a chess grandmaster to a Major League Baseball player—you’ll learn how going phone-free transforms focus, relationships, and peace of mind.

Richard Simon Socials:

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/richard-simon/

https://www.esjwilliamson.com/authors/richard-simon

ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Unplug-Break-Your-Phone-Reclaim/dp/1523527560

Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/

Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

What if you don’t actually know what you want—because you’ve never stopped to ask? In this episode, we explore how mortality, overthinking, and identity traps stop people from taking bold action. What does it really mean to live without regret? How do you take risks before crisis forces you to? And how can self-reflection become more than just journaling—and actually change your behavior? Freek van Litsenburg, founder of @wethinkdeeply, shares the mindset that helped him transform a health scare into a life mission. Learn how to separate who you are from what you do, reframe your goals so they’re fully in your control, and use small experiments to unlock clarity and momentum. You’ll also discover why being “delusional” might be the best thing for you—and why most people never change simply because they’re stuck thinking. This episode is packed with practical frameworks, powerful stories, and prompts to help you move forward with more clarity, purpose, and self-trust.

Freek van Litsenburg is a writer, speaker, and founder of the viral platform @wethinkdeeply (440,000+ followers), where he shares powerful questions designed to sharpen thinking and provoke reflection. His journey began with a life-altering diagnosis—a tumor on his jaw in his early twenties—that forced him to confront mortality and re-evaluate what truly matters. Since then, Freek has been on a mission to help people live with clarity and intention. He doesn’t aim to coach or motivate—but to challenge people to think clearly in a world full of noise. Freek speaks globally on topics like mental clarity, decision-making, and setting priorities. He helps ambitious professionals think, choose, and live like mental athletes—what he calls Mental Precision. Through his international movement, he empowers others to slow down, zoom out, and avoid a life of regret by making more deliberate choices.

Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/

Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

What if the most overlooked trait of a great leader isn’t strategy or charisma—but radical self-awareness?In this episode, we explore how self-awareness can quietly hold you back when you don’t realize what others see, and why most people don’t have nearly as much of it as they think. Les shares what it takes to create the kind of environment where honest feedback isn’t just welcomed—it’s expected.We also get into why so many young people struggle to find their voice as leaders, how to identify blind spots before they hold you back, and why courage has to come alongside awareness if you actually want to grow.Les shares stories from working with Fortune 500 CEOs, including what separates those who stay stagnant from the ones who keep evolving. You’ll also hear surprising lessons from Elon Musk, Jamie Dimon, and even the White House—on how the most respected leaders are the ones who never stop learning about themselves.If you’re trying to become a leader while still figuring out who you are, this episode is for you.

Les T. Csorba is a leadership advisor, executive coach, and partner at Heidrick & Struggles, where he works closely with Fortune 500 CEOs and boards across the energy sector. Before his corporate career, Les served as a Special Assistant to the President at the White House under George H.W. Bush, an experience that shaped his perspective on leadership at the highest levels.He’s the author of the forthcoming book AWARE: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly, a behind-the-scenes look into how blind spots shape—or sabotage—leaders. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Corporate Board Member, and on networks like FOX News and CNBC.Whether in the boardroom or coaching one-on-one, Les brings unmatched insight into how courage, character, and clarity set great leaders apart.

PRE ORDER THE BOOK 📚: https://www.amazon.com/Aware-Power-Seeing-Yourself-Clearly/dp/1637634587

Les Csorba: linkedin.com/in/lestcsorba

Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/

Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

What actually stops most people from starting a business in college? In this episode, we unpack the mindset difference between wantrepreneurs and real entrepreneurs—and why 99% never get past the idea phase. Brian Lofrumento also reveals the biggest lie holding people back. You’ll learn why action beats ideas, how to make your first dollar without being “ready,” and why momentum matters more than motivation. We also dive into the fear of disappointing others, building something when no one believes in you, and how content creation can spark real opportunity. this episode will help you move from stuck to starting—because the only thing worse than failing is never trying at all.

What actually stops most people from starting a business in college? In this episode, we unpack the mindset difference between wantrepreneurs and real entrepreneurs—and why 99% never get past the idea phase. Brian Lofrumento also reveals the biggest lie holding people back. You’ll learn why action beats ideas, how to make your first dollar without being “ready,” and why momentum matters more than motivation. We also dive into the fear of disappointing others, building something when no one believes in you, and how content creation can spark real opportunity. this episode will help you move from stuck to starting—because the only thing worse than failing is never trying at all. Brian Lofrumento is a lifelong entrepreneur, having started his first business at the age of 19. Since then, he's launched, grown, sold, closed, advised, and invested in businesses across industries and with all different business models. Now, he's the host of one of the top business podcasts in the world – the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Podcast, with over 1,000 episodes and counting. Outside of his business portfolio, he's also the founder of Through Entrepreneurship, a nonprofit that makes entrepreneurship more accessible for everyone so that more solutions, more innovation, more growth, and more opportunities can happen for individuals, communities, and society through entrepreneurship.

Brian Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianlofrumento

https://www.instagram.com/imetbrian/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/c/BrianLofrumento

https://www.thewantrepreneurshow.com/

Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/

Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

What if looking confident has nothing to do with actually feeling confident? In this episode, we break down how to look confident—even when you're filled with nerves or self-doubt. You’ll learn why confidence is a skill (not a personality trait), how to stop broadcasting insecurity through your body language, and how repetition can rewire belief. You’ll hear practical strategies for walking into any room with presence, using purposeful movement, and shifting from fear to focus with a simple mental technique. Walk away with tools to carry yourself with clarity, handle pressure with purpose, and show up as your most grounded self—no matter how you feel inside.

Montana von Fliss is an executive speech and presentation coach, actor, speaker, facilitator, and founder and CEO of Montana & Co., a full service communication coaching company. Montana and her team of trainers transform presenters into passionate, powerful, and confident speakers. For the past 17 years, Montana has been coaching regularly for companies like Microsoft, GitHub, Amazon, Google—as well as a myriad of start-ups and individuals—on a broad range of communication issues, including content strategy, storytelling, and of course, excellent delivery. Her 30+ years as a professional actor gives her unique insight into how to disrupt the tradition of boring presentations and bring energy, fun, and joy into the room. Her passion is helping people own the stage and find ease, confidence, and a new tool set to tackle the daunting task of public speaking.

Montana's Socials:

www.montanavonfliss.com

https://www.instagram.com/montanavonfliss

https://www.linkedin.com/in/montana-von-fliss/

Montana's Ted Talk 🎤: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVFzbxmKNUw&t=47s

Follow the podcast on

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sAxaKJBGFCcvWSfBUGGm6?si=3ce7bf76affc4fb8

Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-mentality/id1776474114

Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/

Rishikurada.com

Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

What if the real reason you feel stuck isn’t a lack of motivation—but a misunderstanding of who you really are? In this episode, we explore how fear, overthinking, and outside expectations cloud our self-image—and what it really takes to break free. Why do we cringe at others? How does fear of being “just normal” shape our choices? And how can we actually measure growth in a world that rewards comparison? You’ll learn how to separate your true inner voice from the noise, reframe self-worth, and move forward even when overthinking paralyzes you. We dive deep into how fear can be a compass, not a barrier. You’ll walk away with tools to face what scares you, handle feedback with clarity, and make choices that align with your values—not someone else’s version of success.

Jennifer Diaz is a high-performance coach for ambitious entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs ready to lead with confidence, scale with purpose, and live with alignment. Through her signature mindset methods and deep understanding of behavior change, she helps her clients rewire subconscious beliefs, build resilient leadership, and create sustainable success—without sacrificing well-being. Jen’s path to coaching began with a bold leap: leaving a toxic job to pursue a calling she couldn’t ignore. Since then, she’s built a thriving business, hosted international retreats, and helped hundreds of leaders find clarity, confidence, and growth in both business and life. Her work centers on one powerful truth: facing fear isn’t a detour from success—it’s the way through.

Jen Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/jenmdiaz/?hl=en

https://www.jenniferdiaz.com

https://www.facebook.com/jenniferdiazcoaching

Follow the podcast on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sAxaKJBGFCcvWSfBUGGm6?si=3ce7bf76affc4fb8

Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-mentality/id1776474114

Rishikurada.com

Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/

Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “Once I start my business, then I’ll be happy”? In this episode, we unpack the myth that entrepreneurship is the ultimate path to fulfillment—and explore why that belief can leave so many young people stuck, burned out, or chasing the wrong things. What if your job isn’t supposed to make you happy? Why do we glorify leaving the 9-5 without understanding what we’re trading? We dive into the tradeoffs of entrepreneurship, the overlooked upsides of a 9-5, and the signs that your job might not be the right fit. You’ll learn the essential skills that matter when starting a business, how to attract customers by creating unique value, and how to use social media as a real tool—not just a distraction. We also talk about how the best ideas often come when you’re not forcing them, and why your purpose might be something bigger than just being your own boss. Starting a business can absolutely be exciting, empowering, and freeing—but only when it's built with intention. If you’re looking for clarity, curiosity, and a more grounded way to think about your next step, this episode is for you.

Sam Vander Wielen is an attorney-turned-entrepreneur and leading legal educator to online business owners. Sam’s the founder of Sam Vander Wielen LLC, the go-to contract template shop for online business owners that generates multi-seven-figure revenue annually. As the author of the book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy, and host of the On Your Terms® podcast, she cuts through the noise with no-fluff legal tips, refreshingly honest marketing strategies, and down-to-earth business advice to help entrepreneurs grow with confidence. Since 2017, Sam has helped over 350,000 online entrepreneurs legally protect their online businesses, all while navigating the devastating back-to-back losses of her parents, her own brain surgery, and becoming a caretaker.

📖 PRE ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/book/?srsltid=AfmBOophwYoB7ixh0JgD4nCQZXzUmAnv1dOjnExBMTTEazHBvjpr4TUH

Sam Socials:

instagram.com/samvanderwielen www.youtube.com/@UCRvmhnGVaMbL7Jf3_MgfNiA

samvanderwielen.com/shop-templates

samvanderwielen.com/podcast

Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/

Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental