Shangrila with Joe Begley

Every Lesson I Learned Last Year

I sat down with Ramon for our first podcast back.     Ramon: https://www.instagram.com/resolute_media_/ [https://www.instagram.com/resolute_media_/]   Joe: https://www.instagram.com/bigjoebegs/ [https://www.instagram.com/bigjoebegs/]       In this episode, we explore a wide range of thought-provoking topics, from overcoming fear and imposter syndrome to lessons from legendary entrepreneurs, artists, and thinkers. If you're looking for insights on success, creativity, and mental resilience, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom.   We kick things off with some skepticism about the episode itself (00:30), but quickly dive into the importance of writing things down and implementing them to solidify memory, as explained by Alex Hormozi (02:20). The conversation shifts to how problems are a precursor to success, drawing from both Hormozi's philosophy and lessons from the movie Hidalgo (05:00).   One core takeaway: Never wish for fewer epic stories (07:00). Challenges and struggles often create the best moments in life. We then ask a powerful question—What would I do if I wasn’t afraid? (08:30)—a concept that drives self-discovery and bold action.   Morgan Housel and Chris Williamson provide a framework for analyzing productivity: What feels like work but isn’t productive? What doesn’t feel like work but is actually productive? (10:30). This leads to practical tips, like avoiding sleeping with your phone in your room (14:00), and discussing Ramon's unique approach to productivity (15:00).   We challenge the notion of imposter syndrome, as Alex Hormozi argues that it often isn't real (18:45). Then, the conversation takes a personal turn with stories about Ramon’s dad and the Latinos for Trump movement (21:00), followed by an open discussion on depression and therapy (22:50). A key takeaway? Therapists need to move on—a controversial perspective worth unpacking (24:15).   Many people aren’t afraid of failure itself; they’re afraid of failing in front of others (26:30). This idea from Alex Hormozi leads to a discussion on lagging vs. leading metrics (29:30), with Orion Taraban explaining how focusing on daily actions leads to long-term success.   We also take a deep dive into The Beatles’ insane work ethic (31:50) and David Harley’s concept that real artists ship—meaning that creativity isn’t just about making things, but about putting them out into the world. Dan Mace’s philosophy further reinforces this idea: Look at what you have in your possession and create with it (33:50).   Then, we pivot to the spiritual side, discussing Soak by Ram Dass, the challenges of Austin comedy podcasts, and how to talk to famous, intimidating people (34:10). We explore how that which you can see gets prioritized (38:55) and how Founders Podcast provides deep insights into legendary figures like Steve Jobs (40:15).   Speaking of Jobs, we analyze being entertaining in business (42:51) and Mark Andreesen’s idea that the world is a malleable place (44:30)—suggesting that reality is shaped by those bold enough to mold it.   Finally, we close with a game-changing realization: Once I shifted from being scared to go onstage to excited, everything changed—a lesson from Mark Normand via Sean Millea (47:30).   ---

How the f*ck are you supposed to decide who to invite to a wedding - 23 with Brandon Legendre

00:00 The Old Pod 02:00 Brandon is engaged / Wedding Stress / How do you pick groomsmen 06:45 Brandon's Donation / People trying to get pregnant 15:00 Tyreek Hill / Getting women pregnant 20:30 Booze makes you not cum fast 22:00 Alcohol and Hangovers. Joe's vacation. Bachelor parties 24:45 Scramble the brains 32:00 Weed and booze breaks 44:00 Joe's Insane Rash 46:00 Nat is fat / Bullying your friends / Drinking problems / the fridge broke / stolen bike 55:00 Joe's Busted Fridge I sat down with my producer, Brandon to discuss a number of things. Most importantly, his engagement and my fridge getting destroyed. In this episode, Joe and Brandon dive into everything from wedding stress and picking groomsmen to the surprising downsides of booze. Brandon shares his engagement news and the chaos of planning a wedding (00:00). The conversation takes a wild turn when Brandon makes an unexpected donation that leads to a hilarious gay porn joke (06:45). Joe gets personal about Tyreek Hill and the pressures of getting women pregnant (15:00), and the duo explores the connection between alcohol, hangovers, and how booze might just be the secret to not finishing too fast (20:30). Joe’s vacation stories, bachelor party antics, and the infamous brain scramble make for unforgettable moments (22:00). Later, the guys discuss the pros and cons of weed and booze breaks (32:00), Joe’s insane rash (44:00), and why bullying your friends might just be the cure for everything—well, almost everything, except a busted fridge (46:00). As the episode wraps up, they ponder the political implications of Joe Biden’s presidency and the influence of The Wire on their lives (1:02:00), before taking a quick detour to Germany (1:17:00).

Is AI Going to Take Over Music - #21 with Alec Boyd

Shangrila Podcast #21 with Alec Boyd Alec is a good friend of mine living in Austin, Texas. He is the creator and frontman of Beach Street Music. He has toured and produced for numerous bands around the country. In this episode, I sit down with Alec Boyd, a local Austin musician, for a wide-ranging conversation that touches on comedy, music, and everything in between. We start by exploring the nuances of speaking voice volumes and the realization that your comedian friends are essentially your coworkers. We talk about how important it is to hang out with regular friends who keep you grounded (00:00). Alec shares his journey of being drawn to comedy, and we discuss The Bike Riders movie, imagining what it would be like if the Sex Pistols actually showed up to band practice (02:00). From there, we dive into the concept of selling out and the challenge of setting personal standards as an artist (04:00), leading to a discussion on the world of indie rock and bedroom pop (07:00). We then tackle the topic of homogeneity in music, the grid system that influences modern sounds, and the rise of artists like Steve Lacy (11:00). I share my experience hearing a truly terrible song, which sparks a conversation on AI music and the role of "feel" in creativity (13:00). This transitions into my attempt to become a DJ and how computer-generated music intersects with AI (16:00). We touch on the legendary Austin comedy venue, The Mothership (21:00), and then dive into what it means to be mega-famous, using Taylor Swift as an example (24:00). Alec and I explore the idea of creating music that is perfect but not necessarily popular (27:00), and we take a moment to reflect on the documentary Searching for Sugarman and my own experience of getting robbed (28:30). We talk about the feedback loop that artists can get caught up in when chasing perfection. The conversation then shifts to the stand-up creation process, where we break down the intricacies of crafting a joke and the parallels between music and comedy (32:55). Alec shares a clip from The Replacements, leading to a discussion about the band and their influence on music (35:45). Finally, we wrap up by reminiscing about the pre-internet days of discovering new music and how platforms like Spotify have changed the way we experience and find new sounds (39:00). Throughout the episode, we discuss a wide range of artists, including the Sex Pistols, Tame Impala, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Dom Dolla, Steve Lacy, Pavement, R.E.M., Burial, Elle King, Post Malone, Zach Bryan, Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, Barry Manilow, Roxy Music, Iggy Pop, Rodríguez, The Rolling Stones, The Replacements, and Diarrhea Planet. Filmed at The Creek and The Cave Studios in Austin, Texas.

The Basement Tapes (Semi-Solo)

In this wild and unpredictable solo episode, chaos reigns as we jump from a Black Sabbath cover to taking tequila shots, and even delve into a bizarre experience at a Chinese massage parlor. The conversation takes a twist into Chinatown and mafia stories before a musical interlude with a Sturgill Simpson cover. Things get heated during a debate about air purifiers, which somehow turns into a therapy session, before spiraling into off-the-rails chaos and dead baby jokes. We wrap up with a discussion on smart homes, a journey to the origins of Shangrila, and a reminder that this is definitely not Coldplay. Buckle up—this episode is a rollercoaster from start to finish.

Back from The Depths of Hell - Nat Rogachevsky

Nat Rogachevsky is my boy. Dive into Shangri-La, where host Joe Begley takes you on a journey through captivating conversations and thought-provoking topics. Each episode explores a range of subjects, from intriguing cultural phenomena to personal stories and beyond, all delivered with Joe’s signature insight and engaging style. What to Expect: * In-Depth Discussions: Joe brings a wealth of knowledge and curiosity to every episode, offering listeners a deep dive into each topic. * Guest Interviews: Hear from a diverse array of guests who share their expertise, experiences, and unique perspectives. * Engaging Stories: Enjoy compelling narratives and personal anecdotes that bring each subject to life. * Thoughtful Insights: Gain new perspectives and ideas that provoke reflection and inspire conversation.