You Free ?!

Session 71: Frontiers(with Kristen F.) Kristen F. calls in to tell Eric and Aazim about how she transitioned from a career in venture capital to become a full-time professional cyclist. Kristen also talks about her Alaskan upbringing, taking risks, and the importance of maintaining a sense of home when navigating unfamiliar environments. TL;DL: The Decision → You vs. You → More Than A Hobby → International Experiment → Risk Takers x Role Models → Hey There, Kristen → The Great Outdoors → Sense of Home → Any Path You Choose → Who Do You Want To Be ?! > Jump by Maliha B. (@meha128) >> "There's not necessarily successful careers, there's just successful people who will figure out how to be successful at whatever they do." - Kristen F. (@arcticfaulks) >> "It's just deeper than the 9 to 5." - Eric W. (@ericcwilson) >> "Now I have the agency to decide." - Aazim J. (@iseelucidly) > Little Dragon - "Swimming" > Leon Bridges - "Motorbike" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 70: Word of Advice (with Christina C.) Eric links up with Christina C., co-host of the podcast Healin' Out Loud, for a conversation about the art of sharing and receiving advice, the ways that technology can affect discourse, and the importance of remembering your 'why' when pursuing creative endeavors. Christina and Eric also look back on their upbringings in Brooklyn and respective educational experiences in the New England area. TL;DL: Meet Christina → Similar Paths → Tone + Voice → The Ability To Have Discord → No Rights, No Wrongs → Solicited Advice → To Each Their Own → Inward First → Remember The Why → Take It Or Leave It ?! > Jump by Aisha T. (@aishatyler) >> "Is what I'm asking for something I'm willing to change to get?" - Christina C. (@xtinacologne) >> "You have to create it for you." - Eric W. (@ericcwilson) > Jayda G - "Stanley’s Get Down (No Parking on the DF)" > Qur'an Shaheed - "Heal" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 69: Super Friends (with Antonio P.) Antonio P. connects with Savannah and Aazim for a jocular discussion touching on parenthood, the evolution of sociocultural norms, and how popular culture and entertainment can unify folks from different walks of life. Antonio also regales the duo with his stories of growing up in the Bronx, obsessing over Game of Thrones, and serving as a co-host for his podcast Nerds of the Round (@thenerdsoftheround). TL;DL: Know Your Surroundings → Put It All Out There → Modern Family → Heart On Sleeve → It's Antonio x Hello Again, Savannah → Not Even A Question → Nerds of the Round → Geek Squad → Quit Gatekeeping → You Like This Too ?! > Jump by Stan L. (@therealstanlee) >> "It's cool to find that little bit of commonality between your coworkers to make everyone seem, you know, human." - Antonio P. (@tonefromacrossthehall) >> "Yes... this is definitely a cool indie band and not Battlestar Galactica..." - Savannah C. (@_savananan) >> "Don't you wanna share joy?" - Aazim J. (@iseelucidly) > Nine - "Whutcha Want" > Chris Faust - "New Krypton (feat. Carras Paton)" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 68: The Agenda (with Michael P.) Aazim and Eric are joined by Minnesota Vikings DT Michael Pierce for a free-flowing conversation about his upbringing in Alabama, his passion for football, and the realizations that he's had about legacy, impact, and friendship. Michael also opens about his charity work, religious beliefs, and how Kobe Bryant's 'mamba mentality' motivated his work ethic. TL;DL: Never Looked Back → It Was Destined → Welcome, Michael → Birds of a Feather → Mamba Mentality → Learn, Learn, Learn → Comeback Season → God Willing → An Open Mind → Health Is Wealth ?! > Jump by Bo J. (@bojackson) >> "It's out there for the taking. You gotta have faith and a great work ethic." - Michael P. (@mpierce_97) >> "I plan on doing everything I was doing previously, but better." - Eric W. (@ericcwilson) >> "The impact can really expand to a whole different aspect of humanity." - Aazim J. (@iseelucidly) > Anthony Hamilton - "Southern Stuff" > Mali Music - "Lord's Will" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 67: Pull Up A Seat (with Malliron H.) Malliron H. enlightens Eric and Aazim about how she is using her podcast Baddies with Business to build community through conversation with early-stage Black women entrepreneurs. The triad also chat about office politics, the significance of representation, and common misconceptions that people have about building lasting success. TL;DL: First In The Family → Knowing What's Possible → Personas → The Best Candidate → The Kudos + The Congrats → Hi, Malliron → Baddies With Business → Impact x Inspiration → Baking > Microwaving → I Said That ?! > Jump by Earl S. (@dmx) >> "Do the best you can with whatever you can and don't feel like you have to compare it to somebody else." - Malliron H. (@malachashi_) >> "Don’t pander to me." - Eric W. (@ericcwilson) >> "So much of the knowledge gap comes from being able to see things as a possibility." - Aazim J. (@iseelucidly) > Georgia Anne Muldrow - "Run Away" > D2X - "It Was Written" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 66: The Dash In Between (with Mike W.) Aazim connects with Mike W. to discuss subverting external expectations, dodging dubious thought leaders, maneuvering through the follower economy, and acting now to build the foundation for future success. Then the conversation takes a philosophical turn... TL;DL: Expectations x Assumptions → One Day At A Time → Introducing Mike → Thought Leaders Everywhere → You Can Tell... → The Follower Economy → Gotta Have Goals → Let’s Get Philosophical → Evolution → How Do We Have An Impact ?! > Jump by Aaron V. (@aaronveera) >> "I think people are better BS detectors than a lot of people think." - Mike W. (@mike.w1z) >> "We're the aspect of evolution that can also contribute to evolution." - Aazim J. (@iseelucidly) > Statik Selektah - "Time (feat. Jack Harlow)" > Lion Babe - "Different Planet" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 65: First Taste (with James M.) Chef James M. joins Aazim and Eric for a conversation covering the culinary arts, the concept of 'character,' and the benefits of finding and focusing on your own specific lane. James also discusses his love of collaboration, his early years in Okinawa, and his apprecation for James Hemings, the enslaved Black chef who helped shape American cuisine. TL;DL: Sorta Like Simba → Many Lifetimes → Meet The Chef → Character x Caricatures → James Hemings → Pita Bread → Earning Stripes → Physical vs. Digital → Find Your Lane → Why Not ?! > Jump by Roy C. (@chefroychoi) >> "Make it national, international, global, however far it goes." - James M. (@jamesscookss) >> "I'm surprised we haven't said 'intentional' this episode." - Eric W. (@ericcwilson) >> "If you're really living, all these chapters do feel like lifetimes." - Aazim J. (@iseelucidly) > Payroll Giovanni & Cardo - "Make It Look Easy" > Uno Hype - "Deywun (feat. Rae Khalil)" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 64: Know Yourself (with Sadasia M.) Eric and Aazim are joined by Sadasia M., who shares a wealth of motivation and insights related to personal and professional growth, goal-setting, and the process of pursuing a life of value and purpose. The conversation also touches on the concept of spontaneity, the flaws in current workplace processes, and the freedom that comes from being an entrepreneur. TL;DL: Time Flies → Purpose x Process → Say Hey, Sadasia → Growth Posts → Bite-Size Goals → Ikigai → Fruit Inspector → The Ultimate Pyramid Scheme → Ideals > Idols → Unlearning, Right ?! > Jump by Harmony R. (@harmonic.aa) >> "The more you grow, the more you realize you need to grow." - Sadasia M. (@sadasia.nyrie) >> "That post is consistently moving." - Eric W. (@ericcwilson) >> "That was a big lesson for me: living in the moment doesn't have to mean spontaneity." - Aazim J. (@iseelucidly) > Destiny's Child - "Free" > Robohands - "Leaves" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 63: Ducking Fame (with MC Tree G) Chicago hip-hop legend MC Tree G (don't forget the G!) calls in for an unfiltered discussion about his longevity, the fulfillment that comes with embracing anonymity, and why he would have pursued politics if he hadn't become an artist. Tree also opens up about his creative process, the inspiration behind his newest album, Soul Trap, and much more. TL;DL: 0% → Talk To Tree → Elevation of The Game → If I Sound Like Them... → 40,000 Unread Emails → Always Been Mature → Houdini → The Right Time → Police Mon → No Surprises ?! > Jump by Sam G. (#samgreenlee) >> "Who I am now is who I'm supposed to be, who I was always going to be." - Tree (@mctreeg) >> "The music speaks for itself." - Eric W. (@ericcwilson) >> "You really have to live to create." - Aazim J. (@iseelucidly) > Tree - "ALL I'll EVA B" > Tree - "Scared of Airplanes" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 62: Canvas (with Mamadou Y.) Mamadaou Y. talks to Eric and Aazim about his journey as a multifaceted creative and the development of his recent album, To Stitch A Rose. Mamadou also speaks candidly about being the son of Malian immigrants, growing up in Harlem, and embracing his Islamic faith. TL; DL: Mother Tongue → Survival Tactics vs. Superpowers → A Poet First → Meet Mamadou. → Letting It Breathe → Persistent x Patient → Words Can Only Do So Much → Inshallah → Right Hook → The Middle ?! > Jump by Shems F. (@shemsfriedlanderart) >> "That's the beauty and complexity of humanity: we're everything and nothing at the same time." - Mamadou Y. (@mamadouofficiall) >> "It's realizing that everything is the journey." - Eric W. (@ericcwilson) >> "That's sort of what poetry is, right?" - Aazim J. (@iseelucidly) > Tartit - "Yahoye" > Mamadou. - "Childhood Memories" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 61: Story Time (with Savannah C.) Aazim and Eric are joined by Savannah C. for a conversation covering individuality, self-expression, human connection, and much more. Savannah also opens up about her childhood as a missionary kid, her educational experiences in Texas, and how her endless curiosity has gotten her in trouble with authority figures. TL; DL: Unique Upbringing → Stage Right → Grace To Grow → Whistleblower → Nice To Meet You, Savannah → Make It Make Sense → Identity Crisis → Someone To Talk To → Back To Peru → More To Give ?! > Jump by Alicia C. (@acortezmusic) >> "What can I learn from this situation? What can I take out of it?" - Savannah C. (@_savananan) >> "How else are we supposed to figure this whole life thing out, without dialogue and questions?" - Eric W. (@ericcwilson) >> "You have the information, you just don't care about the information." - Aazim J. (@iseelucidly) > Kierra Sheard - "Don't Judge Me (feat. Missy Elliott)" > Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - "Inspiration Information" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 60: Fresh Eyes (with Chelsa T.) Chelsa T. calls in to speak with Kelly and Aazim about her yoga journey, creating a community for BIPOC millennial women, and working in service of others. The conversation also covers the importance of language, the art of challenging other people's conceptions, and the beauty of building authentic connections in an online setting. TL; DL: Sun, Moon, Stars → The Little Steps → Hello, Chelsa x Kelly's Back → Yoga Class → Roots + Reimagination → Internet Intimacy → SOULache Rx → Paying It Forward → Limitless Language → Something New ?! > Jump by Alice W. (#alicewalker) >> "I wasn't put on this earth to be a repeat. " - Chelsa T. (@otc_ily) >> "You should always start there: with you." - Kelly C. (@__callmekel) >> "I love how y'all speak." - Aazim J. (@iseelucidly) > Mos Def - "Sun, Moon, Stars" > Ani DiFranco - "Revolutionary Love" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 59: Kinfolk (with David D.) David D. joins Cleveland and Eric for a powerful conversation about power, politics, and progress. The trio discuss their eye-opening experiences with racism, the challenges of working with elected officials, and the importance of documenting history as we live it. TL; DL: Primary Sources → Hey, Dave x It's Cle' Again → Living Through History → Michael Donald → The Badge → Two Sides, Same Coin → Power + Politics → Inside The Caucus → Transparency → Cognitive Dissonance ?! > Jump by Malcolm X. >> "There's no black and white - the truth is in the grey. " - David D. (@dafinessekiddd_) >> "Power, or despotism rather, isn't partisan." - Cleveland S. (@delacleve) >> "If we're not living through history, what exactly are we living through?" - Eric W. (@ericcwilson) > Lil Wayne - "Nightmares of the Bottom" > Lupe Fiasco - "WAV Files" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 58: Decisions, Decisions (with Erick C. and Cory J.) Eric is joined by Erick C. and Cory J. for a conversation that touches on a litany of topics including career aspirations, the accuracy of astrology, and why it's important to recognize there are no shortcuts when working toward generational wealth. Erick and Cory also open up about their respective upbringings and how their friendship has evolved since they met in college. TL; DL: Excuse Me → Hands On Deck → Meet Erick & Cory → Yeah, I'm A Taurus... → Fact vs. Fiction → Against The Grain → Trajectories → Behind the Lens → Industry Insights → Home Base ?! > Jump by Doug M. (@ascertainn_) >> "Learn how to talk with people, even if it's small talk." - Erick C. (@erickrcordero) >> "Put some more stock in what you've been through in life." - Cory J. (@therealcroc) >> "Far too often, we look at the 9-5 jobs to define who we are." - Eric W. (@ericcwilson) > Nines - "NIC (feat. Tiggs Da Author)" > Slick Rick - "Street Talkin' (feat. Outkast)" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth

Session 57: Brick By Brick (with Alex C.) Alex C. speaks with Eric and Aazim about the evolution of his lifestyle brand Earners (shopearners.com) and his experiences as both an artist and an entrepreneur. The trio also chop it up about the nature of networking, the importance of positive thinking, and the power that comes with trusting yourself and taking accountability for your actions. TL; DL: Stay Sharp → Meet + Greet → Lex Checks In → The Art of Earning → Skateboard P → Timeless x Exclusive → Trust Yourself → Love Is Love → If You Woke Up Today... → Accountability ?! > Jump by Pharrell W. (@pharrell) >> "I wake up every day and I earn." - Alex C. (@suckafreelex) >> "Accountability works both ways." - Eric W. (@ericcwilson) >> "Don't fault us 'cause you weren't hip earlier." - Aazim J. (@iseelucidly) > Busta Rhymes - "Enjoy Da Ride" > King Geedorah - "Next Levels" > Join the conversation at youfree.earth