Off The Leash Podcast

Caden Pierce made the decision of a lifetime this year.

Today's guest is Caden Pierce, a former Princeton basketball player & Purdue commit. Caden was Ivy League Player of the Year during the 2023-24 season. Before his senior year, Caden made an announcement that he was sitting out the season to retain his basketball eligibility while finishing his Princeton degree. He was a highly sought after recruit in the portal and ultimately committed to Purdue.

Caden covers why he made this decision, why he chose Purdue, and how he maximized this year away so he can dominate the court during the 2026-27 season.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

01:03 Life As A Normal Student

04:57 Caden's Decision To Take A Year Off From Basketball For Degree

10:35 Should The Ivy League Pay Its Players

13:59: Caden's Impressive Family

17:50 Why Purdue

20:12 What Separates Good From Great Players

23:02 The Mental Side of Basketball

25:15 Stadium Pulse

26:45 Playing 3x3 Basketball For Team USA

39:33 1v1 versus 5v5 Basketball

42:50 Mason v. Caden 1v1 

44:27 Princeton's Historic March Madness Run

52:28 NIL Money vs Opportunity

53:51 Are You Living Right?

59:20 Glaze

Thank you to our sponsor, Skinletics. Check them out at https://www.skinletics.com/ and be sure to use the code Mason20 at checkout.

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In this episode, we sit down with Yale linebacker Inumidun Ayo-Durojaiye as he prepares for the NFL Draft and shares what it’s really like navigating football at the Ivy League level.

From balancing one of the most demanding academic environments in the world to competing at a high level on the field, Inumidun breaks down the unique reality of being a Yale football player.

We dive into his journey, mindset, faith, and the discipline required to succeed in a system that demands more from you on and off the field.

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe so you never miss another one.

Mason "Mase" Shipp, Kelvin "Kelv" Smith, and Ejiro "E" Egodogbare break down E's unhealthy eye rolling habit. Mase & Kelv give their feedback and E teaches them how to add the useful tool to their toolkit. The trio finish the night with 21 Questions.

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Mason Shipp, Kelvin Smith, and Ejiro Egodogbare react to the Ivy League Hoopers making noise in the basketball world. Ejiro doesn't like Harvard. Mase says he's like that on the court and would beat the whole Yale Football Team. Kelv & E discuss Mason's "upper hand" in the training room, earning him the title "Master Massager."

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NEW EPISODE of OTL at Night!

Kelvin gives Mason and Ejiro random hypotheticals that turn into a way too deep conversation about the purpose of life, risk-aversion, and pursuing your dreams.

It ain't deep until it is...

Thank you for listening!

Today’s guest is John Hollway, a Professor at Penn Carey Law School and a Positive Psychology Expert.

When we are in college or early into our 20s, many of us struggle with our identity. We’ve spent our entire lives “LinkedIn chasing,” trying to accumulate the best titles, jobs, and accolades. At some point, we all have a realization that we are living an unfulfilling life because we’ve been chasing another person’s definition of success.

This interview will redefine what it means to live a fulfilling life, and provide you with systems to help you get there. Professor Hollway shares insight into why so many human beings fall into this trap, and explains the science behind how we can fix it. 

Professor Hollway explains…

00:50 Extrinsic vs Intrinsic Motivation

06:57 Self-Determination Theory

09:39 The Relationship Between Money and Happiness

13:04 How to Find Your Purpose Using Ikigai

17:53 Developing Self-Awareness & Good Judgement

21:53 The FIVE Pillars of a Fulfilling Life

23:59 The Importance of Relationships

26:58 How to Generate More Positive Emotions

32:00 The Three P’s

37:57 The Resilience Score

38:55 How to Properly Use Visualization

42:43 The Growth Mindset, Neuroplasticity, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

A transformational conversation for college students, young adults, and those looking to redefine the way they live their life.

Thank you to our sponsor for today’s episode, Skinletics. Please check them out here: https://www.skinletics.com/ … Use the code Mason20 at checkout.

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What really happens inside Yale's secret societies?

In this episode of OTL at Night, Mason, Ejiro, and Kelvin break down the truth about Yale secret societies, including the tap process, the "scramble," the infamous Skull and Bones, and more.

If you've ever wondered:

This episode is for you!

After being in society as seniors at Yale and going through the tap process, we decided to share a bit more insight into the whole experience. We hope to demystify the topic to curious listeners and make those who will be tapped in the future a little less stressed!

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OTL at Night is BACK!

Ejiro, Mason, and Kelvin sit down to catch-up on what they've been up to over the past week. As always, this does not go to plan. Instead, they discuss Ivy League basketball, Kelvin being in Skull and Bones, who would win in a boxing match between Mason and Kelvin, and how our dear friend Bennie played a pivotal role in Ejiro's development as a man.

An episode you don't want to miss.

The most unbelievable season in college football you’ve never heard of...

Before this year, Nico Brown was a name almost nobody in the sport knew.

Then, in his senior season at Yale, he became the highest graded wide receiver in the country according to PFF, went for 1,085 yards, earned All-American honors, won an Ivy League championship, and became one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal — now headed to Stanford.

This is the story behind that rise.

We talk about:

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Off The Leash Podcast for insights from top Ivy League athletes, experts, & entrepreneurs.

Thank you to Skinletics for sponsoring today's episode. If you are interested in using red light therapy to improve your life, check them out here: Skinletics

Could the world actually run on clean energy? Or is that just a nice idea?

In this episode of the Off the Leash Podcast, we sit down with atmospheric scientist Scott Denning (visiting professor at Yale) to break down what carbon is really doing to our planet, and what's truly standing in the way of a renewable energy future.

Scott has spent his career tracking CO2 from fossil fuels across the globe. In this conversation, he explains:

If you've ever been curious about the climate problem beyond politics, this episode is for you.

Timestamps

(00:00) Introduction and Career Overview

(04:19) Understanding Climate Change

(05:14) The Science Behind Climate Change

(13:04) Global Warming and Its Effects

(21:34) Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies

(31:54) Challenges of Long-Distance Electricity Transmission

(33:25) China's HVDC Lines and Renewable Energy Expansion

(34:16) Cost and Feasibility of Clean Energy Transition

(36:57) Historical Infrastructure Overhauls and Modern Comparisons

(38:46) Water Usage in Various Energy Sources

(40:15) Downsides and Geopolitical Impacts of Clean Energy

(47:12) Global Examples of Clean Energy Initiatives

(49:43) Individual Actions for a Cleaner Future

(59:16) Reflections on a Career in Climate Research

Thank you to Skinletics for sponsoring this episode. Check them out here: https://www.skinletics.com/

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