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:
Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)
Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025)
Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

Michael, Rasanath, and Hari Prasada dive into guilt—an emotion we all encounter but often misunderstand. Through engaging examples—from battling inner critics to avoiding plastic bottles—they reveal how guilt is a reflection of our conscience, the interplay between guilt and shame, and why it’s essential to understand what guilt is truly pointing to. They unpack common reactions to guilt—suppressing, avoiding, or wallowing—and guide you on how to channel this feeling into an opportunity for personal growth.

Links:
Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)
Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025)
Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

Moral superiority is a trap that almost everyone falls into, often without realizing it. In this episode, Michael, Hari Prasada, and Rasanath unpack the ways in which the ego drives us to feel “better” than others—even in the name of values and virtue. They share personal anecdotes and insights to explore how moral superiority can mask unresolved emotions, hinder relationships, and alienate us from others. With vulnerability and depth, they reveal how to distinguish genuine values from ego-driven behavior and discuss the path toward transcending this subtle, yet powerful, egoic tendency. If you’ve ever struggled with the need to be “right” or “good,” this conversation will challenge and inspire you to reflect more deeply.

Links:
Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)
Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025)
Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

One-on-one meetings are an unavoidable cornerstone of work life, yet many of us find it challenging to lead or engage in them effectively. In this episode, Michael, Rasanath, and Vipin share insights on transforming these meetings from transactional encounters into opportunities for authentic connection and enhanced productivity. They examine the transformative role of psychological safety and ego-awareness, showing how these elements lay the groundwork for strong, effective workplace relationships. Covering practical essentials, common pitfalls, and the often-overlooked power of alignment and clarity, this episode offers actionable strategies for leaders and employees to elevate their one-on-ones—and, ultimately, their workplace culture.

Links:
Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)
Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025)
Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

My ego drives me to achieve, and if I were to give up my ego, wouldn't I also be giving up that drive and all my future successes?

With this prompt as the starting point, Vipin, Rasanath, and Michael dive into the nuanced relationship between the ego and ambition, exploring whether our quest for success is truly driven by the ego – or if there's a deeper force at play. Drawing on timeless teachings from Eastern wisdom, particularly the Bhagavad-gita, the hosts examine how the ego shapes our desires, motivations, and definitions of success. Through candid personal stories, philosophical insights, and practical reflections, they challenge the idea that surrendering the ego means surrendering ambition. Instead, they offer fresh perspectives on how aligning with the true self can lead to more authentic, fulfilling achievements.

Links:
Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)
Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025)
Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

Time is the most valuable resource in the world. And yet, most of us are not so great at managing it.
In this episode, Michael, Hari and Vipin delve into the relationship between time management and the ego. They share the principles on which they base their philosophies for time management, along with tips and tricks for productivity. They emphasize how effective time management is deeply tied to understanding one's core values and how the ultimate goal of these practices is to facilitate the journey towards becoming one's most authentic self.

Links:
Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)
Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025)
Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

It’s November 2010 on the Goldman Sachs trading floor in New York City. Just two years removed from the depths of the Global Financial Crisis, but you would never know it. The stock market has nearly doubled in the last 18 months, the Federal Reserve has freshly announced its second round of Quantitative Easing, and it feels like one big party on Wall Street. [from the opening paragraph of the article, Trading Derivatives and the Shame-Based Fear of Being Ordinary]. 

In this episode, Hari interviews Michael on the reflection Michael wrote sharing his experiences on the trading floor. They discuss the insatiable need for admiration, shame as a fuel, our loss of freedom, how to be humble, the movement toward authenticity, and how to overcome the shame-based fear of being ordinary.

Links:
Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)
Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025)
Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

As Rasanath shares in this episode, “Walking through our shame is the deepest experience of authenticity.” But what does it really mean to “walk through our shame” and how does one actually do that? In this episode, Michael and Rasanath do a deep dive into the emotion of shame and how it is impacting all of our lives in both big and subtle ways. They explore the nature of shame, its origins, and its complex role in our daily lives and relationships. They shed light on how shame fuels our actions, the internal struggle it creates, and the transformative journey from shame to humility. They also share strategies to confront and carry shame—an essential step towards achieving authenticity and higher consciousness.

Links:
Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)
Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025)
Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

Do you like being held accountable? Do you like holding others accountable? In this episode, Vipin, Hari Prasada, and Rasanath delve into different aspects of accountability. They explore the often anxiety-inducing way that accountability is viewed, how it can be misapplied,  what makes for a more empowering approach, and the need for partnership in the process. This episode will help increase your desire for accountability and counter the strong tendency toward its avoidance.

Links:
Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)
Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025)
Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild

Whether we are writing birthday cards, telling somebody how we feel about them, or giving a speech at a funeral, most of us find ourselves trying to say the “right” thing,” rather than what we actually feel. In this episode, Michael, Hari Prasada, and Rasanath discuss the importance of genuinely connecting with our emotions, the cost of saying the right things without feeling them, and the tendency to prioritize efficiency over authentic emotional expression. Through personal anecdotes and practical frameworks, they explore how to reconnect with our heart and its emotions, providing actionable steps to lead a more fulfilling and empathic life.

Links:
Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)
Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025)
Upbuild Website

Instagram: @upbuildnyc
Facebook: Upbuild
LinkedIn: Upbuild