Shows
Fun Spicy#016 - Is it just Me or is Nobody Hitting the Flow State?Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of the Fun Spicy Podcast!I’ve been asking myself why I can’t focus on the things I actually care about. After revisiting the concept of pleasure vs. enjoyment, I realized I might not be missing discipline - I might be missing balance. This is a reflection on flow, distraction, and the “pretty colors” that keep pulling us away.
2026-02-1603 minFun Spicy#015 - Divisional Playoffs, Tech Life, and the BayHey guys, welcome back to another episode of the Fun Spicy Podcast!In this episode, we talk through NFL divisional playoff matchups, make our picks for the Broncos–Bills and Niners–Seahawks games, and revisit some memorable playoff players and moments. We also dive into tech life stories and chat about Varun’s move to the Bay Area, his first impressions, and what living in the Bay is really like.
2026-01-191h 00Fun Spicy#014 – Breaking Down the NFL Wild Card Games ft. Big GHey guys, welcome back to another episode of the Fun Spicy Podcast!This episode is all about the NFL Wild Card games as Big G and I break down matchups, share our predictions, and talk through playoff storylines. Expect plenty of football talk with a sprinkle of random riffs and banter along the way :)
2026-01-101h 09Fun Spicy#013 - Acting, Adulting & the Art of Resilience — with Deepti MenonHey guys, welcome back to another episode of the Fun Spicy Podcast!It’s easy to follow the crowd — but it takes real courage to pave your own path.Today I’m joined by actor and creator Deepti Menon, who shares her inspiring journey from a STEM-focused high school to art school, and eventually, into the unpredictable world of acting and freelancing.We dive deep into courage, rejection, resilience, and the realities of adulting — the things no one really prepares you for when you’re chasing a creative life.If you’re enjoying...
2025-10-1351 minFun Spicy#012 - Teacher to Mortgage Specialist: Home Buying Tips with Jeff the Mortgage ProHey guys, welcome back to another episode of the Fun Spicy Podcast!Today I’m joined by Jeff the Mortgage Pro — a former teacher who made the leap into the world of mortgages.We dive into his journey, break down home buying 101, and talk about what the 2025 housing market really looks like.If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.You can also follow Jeff on...
2025-09-2447 minFun Spicy#011 - So…People Are Cheating Tech Interviews Now?Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of the Fun Spicy podcast!Today I’m joined by Rafay, cofounder of Rounds.so — a platform that started by helping candidates prep for technical interviews, and is now tackling a surprising new challenge: cheating with AI.We’ll dig into Rafay’s journey learning to code, how Rounds began, and what he’s seeing change in the world of technical interviews. Let’s jump in!(0:26) Learning How to Code(8:08) Imposter Syndrome & Excitement of Reading(16:44) Biggest Lesson Learned in College(21:53) Importance o...
2025-07-031h 02Fun SpicyThe Recent Thought - What would you regret the most if you didn’t act on it?In this episode, I reflect on the trap of chasing external validation — how fleeting it is, how deeply it shapes our choices, and how reframing it through one powerful question changed my perspective. I share a personal journey toward internal fulfillment and encourage you to ask: What would you regret most if you didn’t act on it?
2025-06-2204 minFun Spicy#010 - Creativity for Everyone: Unlocking Your Potential with Pia LeichterHey everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Fun Spicy podcast.Like most people, you probably don’t consider yourself creative. But the truth is you are creative and it shows up in many every day activities — from putting together a killer outfit or whippin up a new recipe in the kitchen.In today’s episode, I’m joined by Pia—an entrepreneur, creative coach, and bestselling author of Welcome to the Creative Club who went from working as a Creative Director to helping others bring their wildest ideas to l...
2025-05-1250 minFun Spicy#009 - From Athlete to Mindfulness Founder: Walker’s Ascend JourneyHey everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Fun Spicy podcast.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed in college? Like there wasn't a single moment to relax, with thoughts constantly racing through your mind? Now imagine adding the demands of being a college athlete to that experience.
Today's episode features Walker, a college football athlete at Wake Forest University, who discovered mindfulness apps like Calm and Headspace to help manage his hectic student life. While these apps were helpful, he struggled to find meditation content that truly matched his current emotional state. This inspired him...
2025-01-2633 minFun Spicy2024 - Dear Future SelfHey everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Fun Spicy podcast.
It seems like the year always goes by so fast. Seems like it just started and then poof, it’s over!
In today’s episode, I reflect on the year 2024, sharing my thoughts as a way for my Future Self to remember it.
My substack - https://substack.com/@jalajpunn
So let’s get right into it!
(00:01:08) Living by Yourself makes you Realize the True Importance of having People Around
(00...
2025-01-0617 minFun Spicy#008 - Balancing Punches and Peace: Boxing Meets MeditationHave you ever sat by yourself and done nothing? It’s so easy to be consumed by the external world of deadlines, relationships, and media while forgetting to check in with yourself and actually seeing how you’re REALLY doing.
Meditation or mindfulness is a tool that helps you with that. People tend to think of meditation as a way to be calm. That’s one aspect of it but the greater part of this process is witnessed through the changes you go through as a person.
Today’s episode feature Joey, a professional boxer who cred...
2024-11-1039 minFun Spicy#007 - Going Pro : Identity, Self-Doubt, and the Hurt LockerHey everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Fun Spicy podcast.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? That's a question you probably haven't thought about in a while, I bet. Many kids, including myself, would've said "professional athlete." Did you know less than 2% of college athletes go pro?
It's easy to glamorize the life of a professional athlete without actually knowing anything about it. Today's episode features Kevin, one of these "less than 2 percenters." We discuss identity, the pressure that comes with success...
2024-10-011h 04Fun Spicy#006 - Is There Something Bigger Out There?In our daily routines, we find ourselves immersed in countless trials and challenges, each one seemingly blending into the next. Amidst this constant whirlwind, it's all too easy to push aside or delay contemplating life's ultimate purpose. The question itself can be daunting, yet embracing it has the potential to unveil profound insights and recalibrate our priorities in unexpectedly enriching ways.
In this episode, I chat with Sim who I met at UCLA. We talk about how a simple question of life’s purpose ignited his curiosity to search for the supreme truth. This led him down a...
2024-06-241h 08Fun SpicyThe Recent Thought : Embracing Change and Life's Temporary InvestmentsContemplation on the constant nature of change, its emotional toll, and its essential role in personal growth and gratitude for life's experiences.
2024-06-1602 minFun SpicyThe Recent Thought : Life Without External InfluenceExplores free thinking, societal influences, and life's purpose, comparing life to a video game and discussing the quest for personal spirituality 😊
2024-05-2703 minFun Spicy#005 - Perspective Shift: Pandemic, Growing Older, and Stakeholder CapitalismThe pandemic was a challenging transition that caused many to reassess their priorities in our fleeting lives. A few years vanished instantly, and that time is irreplaceable. We simply aged and moved forward. Aging comes with its own challenges, including personal change and witnessing friends take on life's responsibilities. As we grow older, we gain a better understanding of society and strive to contribute positively to leave the world a better place.
In this episode, I chat with my friend Naish who I’ve known from middle school. We chat about how the pandemic sh...
2024-05-1840 minFun SpicyThe Recent Thought : Student Driver Bumper Stickers Are Not WorkingIn this week’s recent thought, I talk about why student driver bumper stickers are not working 😃
2024-05-1304 minFun SpicyThe Recent Thought : Stakeholder CapitalismIn this week’s recent thought, I talk about stakeholder capitalism 😃
2024-04-2904 minFun SpicyThe Recent Thought : Highs and LowsIn this week’s recent thought, I talk about highs and lows 😃
2024-04-1503 minFun Spicy#004 - Friendship and Growth Through VolleyballJoining a sports league, particularly a sport you haven't played in years, brings its own surprises. It's not often that you find a group of like-minded individuals who are diverse in thought and experience, making it enjoyable to participate in a sport that now feels somewhat unfamiliar.
In this episode, we chat with Marissa about our personal and team improvements throughout our sand volleyball season.
Don't miss an episode if you're curious, looking for a laugh, or eager to learn from someone else's life experiences!
(00:00:23) Zog League Results
(00:03:25) Zog League Competition...
2024-03-2934 minFun Spicy#003 - Cultivating a New Passion in Uncertain Times — Plants and GardeningDuring the COVID pandemic, plants and gardening surged in popularity as they were among the few activities that could be enjoyed in quarantine.
In this episode, we chat with Diana, a plant enthusiast who discovered her passion during the pandemic. She shares her experiences with plants and provides practical advice for their care and upkeep. We also delve into the challenge of choosing the right plant and offer tips on what to consider when purchasing from a large retailer.
Don't miss an episode if you're curious, looking for a laugh, or eager to learn from...
2024-02-2643 minFun Spicy#002 - Journey from India to UCLA: Community, Cricket, and MeditationMoving, even just a street over, let alone across the world, can be daunting 🤯
Join us for a casual chat with Prit as he recaps his exciting journey from India to UCLA, his thoughts on the missing sense of community in the U.S., his love for the popular sport of Cricket in his home country, and his memorable experience at the OSHO Meditation Camp.
Don't miss an episode if you're curious, looking for a laugh, or eager to learn from someone else's life experiences!
(00:00:00) From India to UCLA
(00:12:16) Living in India
(00:16:27) Lack of...
2024-01-301h 09Fun Spicy#001 - Playing Volleyball As An AdultIn this episode, I'm joined by my friend Tyson as we recap our volleyball experience with Volo Sports and make predictions for our sand volleyball season with ZogSports
2023-12-3026 min2023-12-2901 min