Episodes

  • Ryan Holiday: Wisdom Takes Work

    Ryan Holiday: Wisdom Takes Work
    Oct 23 2025
    Ryan Holiday, the writer who has popularized the ideas of stoicism among millions of people, joins host Alexi Pappas to talk about his mentors from history. From the Roman Empire, Ryan calls on Marcus Aurelius, Hadrian, and Antoninus, but he also calls on legendary basketball coach Gregg Popovich, the writer Joan Didion, Florence Nightingale the mother of modern nursing, and Michel de Montaigne, the french philosopher. Ryan believes our greatest mentors can be found in books. He also shares about why he was first attracted to stoicism, what it means to him now, and how it could help us all. For a limited time, we’re partnering with Merrell to give you an exclusive offer of 25% off your first purchase using the code MENTORBUFFET25 when you checkout on Merrell.com. You can find Alexi's favorite Merrell shoes and gear at merrell.com/alexi. Mentor Buffet has teamed up with Square. Go to square.com/go/mentorbuffet to learn more about how your business can grow with Square.
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    48 mins
  • What you want might not exist yet

    What you want might not exist yet
    Oct 17 2025
    Alexi is back with another episode of Help Me Please, where she answers listeners' advice questions—about receiving criticism, finding or creating your dream job, and when to break off a marriage. Alexi also shares an update on her running.
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    23 mins
  • ZACK BORNSTEIN: Finding Your Voice

    ZACK BORNSTEIN: Finding Your Voice
    Oct 9 2025
    Zack Bornstein, the writer and director and comedian, joins host Alexi Pappas to talk about the beginning of his creative career in Hollywood and the lessons he’s since learned along the way. Zack emphasizes that creative output holds all the answers. Make more work and your voice will reveal itself. Zack also shares about mentors of his, including the writers and directors Jonathan Groff and Bill Lawrence. Check out http://merrell.com/alexi for Alexi’s collection of Merrell products.
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    52 mins
  • NICOLE McLAUGHLIN: Create What You Want

    NICOLE McLAUGHLIN: Create What You Want
    Oct 2 2025
    Nicole McLaughlin, the prolific upcycler and fashion designer, joins host Alexi Pappas on Mentor Buffet to discuss her creative process, the importance of spending time alone, and how she worked up the courage to make a big leap and change her whole life—from working a mostly predictable corporate job at Reebok, to launching her own business and career, completely on her own terms. This conversation is about creating something that didn’t exist before. If you love Mentor Buffet, we’d love to hear from you. Please fill out the audience survery: http://voicingchange.media/mentorbuffet Shop Alexi’s Merrell collection: http://merrell.com/alexi Follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mentorbuffet
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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Help Me Please: “It’s not that crazy to try something different"

    Help Me Please: “It’s not that crazy to try something different"
    Sep 19 2025
    Alexi answers listener advice questions about helping people who don’t want to be helped, how to make a big change, and how to fix the problems that football can cause within a marriage. Alexi also shares an update on her running.
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    22 mins
  • JAY DUPLASS: Slow Down & Tune In

    JAY DUPLASS: Slow Down & Tune In
    Sep 13 2025
    Alexi sits down with a real life mentor: filmmaker and cross country kid Jay Duplass. Jay shares about what he does to protect his creativity, dispels myths about making money as a filmmaker, and shares what he admires about indie filmmaking icon Richard Linklater. Jay also tells the story of how he unexpectedly began his acting career and shares an on-set ritual that puts entire film crews at ease. And finally, Jay is a mentor to many young filmmakers—like Cooper Raiff, the director of Shit House and Cha Cha Real Smooth—and he shares what that’s looked like. Among other things—Alexi and Jay vibe like crazy. Tune in for a great hour long conversation between two friends. If you love Mentor Buffet, we'd love to hear from you. Please fill out our Audience Survey: ⁠⁠http://voicingchange.media/mentorbuffet⁠⁠ If you love the show, follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mentorbuffet Check out Alexi's Merrell collection: http://www.merrell.com/alexi
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    1 hr and 28 mins
  • SINNA NASSERI: A Strange Victory

    SINNA NASSERI: A Strange Victory
    Aug 28 2025
    The photographer Sinna Nasseri joins host Alexi Pappas after shooting their Outside Magazine cover together. They reflect on the shoot and talk about believing in potential, following a feeling with curiosity, and believing The Universe is good. Sinna also shares about how he changed his life—abandoning his career as a lawyer to pursue photography. They discuss the differences between observing and concluding, what's real and what's not, and how to change your default settings. Check out Alexi's Merrell collection: www.merrell.com/alexi If you love Mentor Buffet, we'd love to hear from you. Please fill out our Audience Survey: http://voicingchange.com/mentorbuffet Check out what we're doing with Square at: www.Square.com/go/mentorbuffet
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Help Me Please Special from Training Camp

    Help Me Please Special from Training Camp
    Aug 22 2025
    Alexi takes a break from her routine at training camp in Mammoth to give some advice to Bella Chao. Alexi and Bella are 10 years apart in age and both ran for Dartmouth College.
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    23 mins