Mentor Buffet

The restauranteur and media icon David Chang joins host Alexi Pappas to talk about how to level yourself up by failing within boundaries. They talk about checking in with your actual priorities, the importance of being around people who are better than you, and what it really means to grow up. David also talks about the mentorship he received early in his career in the restaurant business and explains his worldview through the myth of Sisyphus.

Cat Cohen, the comedian, writer, and actress joins host Alexi Pappas to talk about her legendary age gap friendship with a woman named Marla who originally was her voiceover acting coach but then became a friend who taught her a bunch of life lessons she still cherishes today. Cat also shares about some of her peers in comedy who she’s learned from. The girls also discuss the movie they acted in together, the excruciating conditions that are sometimes necessary for creativity, and how to tell if your jokes are funny.

The chef and media extraordinaire Eddie Huang joins host Alexi Pappas to discuss how a handful of mentors have helped him stay in touch with himself and his values along his ever-evolving and sometimes turbulent business trajectory in the media world. Eddie shares what the editor of his book Fresh Off the Boat taught him about writing and how the lessons we learn making art always apply elsewhere in our lives too. Eddie recounts the day he met Anthony Bourdain and tells Alexi about how their friendship was predicated on a mutual commitment to always tell the truth. Eddie and Alexi also talk about the difference between judgment and understanding, the characteristics of a graceful mentor, and how to stay focused.

Grammy-winning artist Estelle tells host Alexi Pappas about how curiosity is her guiding light at this point in her music career. They discuss why Estelle’s famous for her collaborations, and she talks about making American Boy with Kanye West, Garden Shed with Tyler the Creator, and Oh No with Kaytranada. Estelle also shares her tips for staying present, talks about the importance of making honest art, and explains why everything is perfect.  Subscribe to Mentor Buffet for a new episode every Thursday.