Carl Jung famously stated, "The greatest burden a child must bear is the unlived life of its parents." In this episode, Michael, Rasanath, and Vipin explore the connection between ego and parenting, and how unresolved ambitions, unmet needs, and unconscious identities quietly influence the way we raise our children. These inner dynamics lead us to place invisible expectations on our kids, hoping they will achieve or become what we have not yet faced in ourselves. They discuss how the desire to be seen in a certain way can subtly shape, and even strain, our relationships with our children. Through stories of homeschooling struggles, moments of public embarrassment, and the ever-present feeling of envy, they reflect on how personal growth can create the space for our children to live their own lives more freely. They also dive into how parenting, at its best, becomes a spiritual practice. It reveals what we need to work on within ourselves and invites us to grow in ways we might otherwise avoid.

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Enneagram Certification Program

Upbuild Coaching Certification Training (starts in October)

Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
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In Part 2, Hari Prasada and Rasanath vividly share what it was like in the heat of the moment distributing books in the streets and subways of New York City. They open up more about pivotal struggles they faced, including feeling humiliation and imposter syndrome, and how letting go in the spirit of service made room for the transformation we all crave deep down. Beyond being a most vital practice of compassion by outreach, book distribution also became a mirror that reflected their concocted identities, resistance to change, and something of the true self that lies beneath all these coverings.

Links

Enneagram Certification Program

Upbuild Coaching Certification Training (starts in October)

Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

If you’ve spent time in New York City, or many other cities around the world, you’ve likely seen monks on street corners or in subways, holding out books and trying to spark conversations. This sacred practice is known as Book Distribution. In this episode, Hari Prasada and Rasanath share what it was like to engage in this practice during their early days in a New York City monastery. They tell stories, some funny, some more serious, and speak about the deeper purpose behind Book Distribution. With honesty and reflection, they reveal how the experience challenged their egos, tested their intentions, and opened them to unexpected moments of grace. Without having to walk the streets of New York book in hand (though we hope one day you will!), they give you a taste of the experience and accompanying lessons.

Links

Enneagram Certification Program

Upbuild Coaching Certification Training (starts in October)

Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

Each of us is wired with a specific hierarchy of three core instinctual drives, shaping how we move through the world. The Instincts (sometimes referred to as Instinctual Variants) is part of the Enneagram framework and plays a powerful role in how our personalities form. One Instinct tends to dominate and demands most of our attention, a second supports it, while a third gets neglected and becomes a Blind Spot. In this episode, Michael, Hari, and Rasanath unpack the three Instincts—Self-Preservation, Sexual, and Social—and how they show up in our daily lives. They explore the energy behind each, how these Instincts function at their healthiest, and how they can create suffering. By understanding your “Instinctual Stack,” you can begin to shift from automatic patterns to conscious integration, creating space for real growth and movement toward the best version of yourself.

Links

Enneagram Certification Program

Upbuild Coaching Certification Training (starts in October)

Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

Many of us pride ourselves on our ability to compartmentalize. We like to keep our personal and professional lives separate, push aside difficult emotions, and stay productive in the face of whatever comes our way. But what if this “skill” we value so highly is quietly cutting us off from our own hearts? In this episode, Hari Prasada, Rasanath, and Vipin examine why compartmentalization seems helpful but ultimately prevents us from being our best self. They distinguish between presence and suppression, explore how disconnection from the heart affects our relationships, and discuss what it takes to return to the emotions we've long set aside.

Links

Enneagram Certification Program

Upbuild Coaching Certification Training (starts in October)

Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

Most of us are terrible at feedback. It’s awkward, forced, or worse, completely ineffective. In this episode, Michael, Hari, and Vipin break down why that is and how to fix it. They draw from their own journeys at places like McKinsey, MTV, Goldman Sachs, and Upbuild to show how feedback can be an act of ego…or a gateway to growth, trust, and real connection. They unpack what makes feedback land (or fall flat), why intention matters more than anything else, and how to make feedback human again.

Links

Enneagram Certification Program

Upbuild Coaching Certification Training (starts in October)

Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

Why do we blame even when we know it’s harmful? It’s a behavior so woven into our daily experience that most of us hardly notice it, let alone question it. In this episode, Michael and Hari Prasada unpack the inner workings of blame, exploring how it arises from the ego's desire to control and enjoy. They examine its seductive emotional appeal, the false sense of order it provides, and the ways it damages our relationships and cultures. With real-life examples and practical tools, they highlight how we can shift from reactive blame to conscious accountability.

Links

Enneagram Certification Program

Upbuild Coaching Certification Training (starts in October)

Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

Most of us spend the majority of our waking hours at work, yet so many people feel dissatisfied with their jobs. In this episode, Michael, Vipin, and Hari Prasada explore why work so often feels disconnected from meaning and how the ego plays a central role in this struggle. They break down the financial insecurities, self-limiting beliefs, and social pressures that keep us stuck in unfulfilling careers. The conversation also challenges the modern assumption that work should be our primary source of purpose.

Links

Enneagram Certification Program

Upbuild Coaching Certification Training (starts in October)

Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

Today, we’re sharing something a little different. Michael was recently a guest on the Lovelink podcast, hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. Their show has featured many prominent guests, and in this episode, they sit down with Michael to explore the differences between coaching and therapy, Michael’s journey from Goldman Sachs to Upbuild, the tension between ego and success, and the role of spirituality in coaching. We’re excited to share their conversation with you.

Links

Enneagram Certification Program

Upbuild Coaching Certification Training (starts in October)

Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

Compliments are the currency of love and something we all crave. Yet, paradoxically, somehow receiving a compliment is so hard for most of us. In this episode, Vipin and Hari dive into the dynamics of compliments and our ego's complex response to them. They explore how our longing for validation often leads us to reject the very recognition we seek. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical insights, they unpack the hidden impact on our self-perception and relationships as we struggle with compliments. They also share practical tips for how to receive as well as give effective compliments.

Links

Enneagram Certification Program

Upbuild Coaching Certification Training (starts in October)

Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild