Episodes

  • 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.com/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
  • What Being Real Means to VICTORIA GARRICK BROWNE

    What Being Real Means to VICTORIA GARRICK BROWNE
    Aug 14 2025
    Victoria Garrick Browne is a USC volleyball player turned mental health advocate turned social media icon who has been recognized by Forbes 30 under 30 for her work. She has chosen to broadcast her mental health online. On this episode of Mentor Buffet, Victoria sits down with Alexi to share her story and about a mentor who really helped her when she was struggling. The girls discuss what it means to be real, how to decide what to share and what not to share, and if everything is a simulation and what that means.
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    32 mins
  • KEIRA D'AMATO: This Is What It Feels Like

    KEIRA D'AMATO: This Is What It Feels Like
    Aug 7 2025
    Keira D'Amato took 10 years off running and then broke the American Records in both the half marathon and marathon. On this episode of Mentor Buffet, she talks about what led to her decision to go for it again, talks how she changed her relationship to running this time around, and what it feels like to make a big change. Keira talks about how she learned to prioritize herself and shares stories about her coaches Scott Roscoe and Matthew Centrowitz Sr. She reads a text from Joan Benoit Samuelson the night before the Olympic Trials Marathon. And she talks about her new book, Don’t Call It A Comeback, which is out in the world and ready for you to read.
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    1 hr
  • BAO NGUYEN'S MENTOR BUFFET

    BAO NGUYEN'S MENTOR BUFFET
    Jul 24 2025
    The filmmaker Bao Nguyen joins Alexi to talk about various mentors throughout his life, all of who have influenced how he sees his art—from an important middle school teacher to a Sundance-winning director. Shoutouts to Miss Tripp, Miss Grossman, Jeff Chang, Tony Bui, and Tran Anh Hung.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Help Me Please 7

    Help Me Please 7
    Jul 17 2025
    Alexi answers listeners' advice questions about making a big change in your life, dealing with an audience, and moving cities. She also shares what she's learning pitching a TV show.
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    21 mins
  • LESLEY PATERSON: What Is Love?

    LESLEY PATERSON: What Is Love?
    Jul 3 2025
    Alexi Pappas is joined by Lesley Paterson who is the Oscar-winning screenwriter of All Quiet on the Western Front and a world champion triathlete. She shares about her late husband Simon Marshall and other important people in her life.
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    51 mins