A Story of Redemption: From Jackass Star to Recovery Advocate | World Class Podcast with Brandon Novak

In this powerful episode of the World Class Podcast, Chris Vasquez sits down with Brandon Novak, a man whose life story is a testament to the power of transformation.

Known for his wild days as a professional skateboarder and a fan favorite on MTV's "Jackass" and "Viva La Bam", Brandon’s life was also defined by a deep struggle with addiction. This conversation goes beyond the stunts and fame to reveal the raw, honest truth behind his journey.

Brandon opens up about what it was like to go from being homeless, eating out of trash cans, to becoming a TV star—and the internal conflict he faced, knowing that his success was temporary. We explore the painful reality of addiction, the moment he realized he had two choices: get sober or die, and how he used that realization to change his life.

This episode isn't just about addiction; it's about the universal human struggle with vices and avoidance. Brandon shares the profound wisdom he gained on his path to becoming a bestselling author and recovery advocate. He discusses the critical work of rebuilding oneself, the importance of aligning actions with words, and the magic found in facing the things we've been avoiding.

If you’ve ever felt like your success was temporary or that you were running from your own truth, this conversation with Brandon Novak will inspire you to stop talking and start walking.

Chapters:

00:00 | Mentality Creates Reality: An Introduction to Brandon Novak

00:17 | From Homeless to Hollywood: The Unseen Struggles of Fame

00:35 | The Two Choices: Sobriety or Death

00:53 | Our Universal Vices: What We're All Avoiding

01:03 | Finding the Magic in the Work We Avoid

01:10 | Rebuilding Yourself: The Power of Walking the Walk

In this episode of World Class, host Chris Vasquez sits down with Amjad Masad, the visionary CEO of Replit, a billion-dollar AI startup revolutionizing software development.

Amjad shares his contrarian insights on building a one-person billion-dollar company, rethinking education in a post-AI world, and unlocking human potential through technology.

From drawing inspiration from ancient Stoic philosophy to embracing boldness in leadership, Amjad explores how AI agents, high agency, and exceptional taste are reshaping the future of work and innovation. He also opens up about his personal journey, overcoming self-sabotage, and cultivating a life of harmony to become his best self.

Packed with actionable advice and profound reflections, this episode is a must-watch for entrepreneurs, developers, and anyone striving to thrive in the AI era.

In this episode of the World Class Podcast, Chris Vasquez sits down with legendary solo venture capitalist Oren Zeev, founder of Zeev Ventures. With a one-man fund that has consistently outperformed the biggest firms in Silicon Valley, Oren shares deep insights on how to think like a world-class investor, the mindset founders need to build generational companies, and why being contrarian is often the key to winning.

We dive into his origin story, his investing philosophy, and how he made early bets on companies like Chegg, Audible, Houzz, and Next Insurance. Oren also unpacks the unique traits of Israeli entrepreneurs, decentralized decision-making, and why America needs more radical meritocracy.

This conversation is packed with tactical wisdom and timeless frameworks for anyone building, investing, or simply looking to think more clearly and act more courageously in a noisy world.