Shows
The Magnus Effect PodcastConnect through conversations. not social media. | Dawson KellyIn this episode, we talk to Dawson Kelly, a young and creative college student at Berkeley, about his journey in starting a card game called 'Fuck the Small Talk.' He shares how he defines his ever-changing identity, his passion for entrepreneurship, and his struggle to balance school life with his projects. Dawson discusses his inspirations, the importance of mentorship, and how he believes creativity can solve many of today's problems. He also gives practical advice on how to manage social media addiction and create more meaningful relationships. Tune in to learn about Dawson's approach to doing what you...2025-02-141h 10
The Magnus Effect PodcastRunning a Non-Profit in College: The Secret to Effectively Serving a Community & Creating ImpactIn this episode, we talk with a pre-med student at UC Berkeley about their journey and challenges. Learn about choosing the right school, managing tough courses, and competing for club spots. Discover how they started the Glass Slipper Initiative, a nonprofit helping kids with disabilities, and how they balance school with running this impactful project. Get inspired by their dedication to making a real difference while pursuing their dreams in medicine.
0:00 Introduction
1:52 Initial Expectations of Berkeley as a Pred-Med
5:17 Navigating Volunteering Clubs on Campus
7:48 The Glass Slipper Initiative
14:30 Understanding the People You Help
20:42 Difficulties of Expanding a Non-Profit
23:13 Tips...2024-11-091h 02
The Magnus Effect PodcastWeb3 Founder: The Surprising Traits Every College Student Needs for Success | Leanid #27
In this episode, I talk to Leanid, a student who moved from Belarus to California and learn about his incredible journey building a business and his recognition of cultural differences. Learn how he overcame cultural differences, grew as an individuals, and formed meaningful friendships even when he left his home country when everything was going well. We also explore cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and Web3, the struggles of managing school with big projects, and why taking risks early in life can be so important. Whether you're into tech, personal growth, or understanding human behavior, this episode offers valuable insights...2024-10-251h 26
The Magnus Effect PodcastHow I became a Chess National Master, AI Textbook Author, and Venture Investor before 20 | Anaiy S.
In this episode, I sit down with Anaiy Somalwar , an AI textbook author, chess national master, and venture investor who achieved all of this before turning 20. We dive into the lessons learned from balancing passion and practicality, how resilience and discipline from chess shaped success in AI and venture capital, and the importance of maximizing long-term happiness over short-term wins. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a student, or someone looking for inspiration on how to achieve big things, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on persistence, confidence, and redefining success.
00:00 Introduction and Background
00:34 Early Life and Chess Beginnings
01:46...2024-10-161h 05The Magnus Effect PodcastHow to Build Genuine Connections in College and Reject the Expectations of Others | Yavuz & Jen
In this episode, I am joined by Jen and Yavuz, two students who dedicate their free time to building student communities. We dive into how to make the most out of community events and find real value in them. You'll learn about hosting impactful events, building fitness communities, and navigating social climbing. We discuss how to follow paths that truly interest you instead of just chasing careers and how to keep exploring diverse fields. The episode also covers improving social skills, overcoming social anxiety, and maintaining healthy relationships by valuing independence and shared values. Finally, we highlight the importance...2024-10-161h 41
The Magnus Effect Podcast"Everyone is Building!" How Transferring to UC Berkeley Enabled My Entrepreneurial Journey | Tom Lam
Tom Lam is a transfer student at UC Berkeley actively pursuing multiple ventures within the startup space. He is known on campus to post content around the day in his life as a student, amassing close to 500,000 views on Instagram shorts. Listen to my conversation diving deep into his journey and understand his mindset to get so much done. 0:00 Early Upbringing
3:12 Finding a career path
7:33 Should People Transfer?
9:52 Creating your own opportunities
12:03 Jumping Into Startup
14:17 Building a resilient mindset
18:18 Bringing Your Idea to Reality
26:41 What Did You Wish You Knew Coming In?
28:31 Struggles with Building
35:01 Applying Lessons to New V...2024-09-1853 min
The Magnus Effect PodcastNavigating College and Breaking into Startup Accelerators Without a Perfect Plan | Safwan Masood
Fireside chat with the former president of Student-Run Startup Accelerator Free Ventures. Graduating Senior, Safwan Masood, explains his journey into the startup space after originally intending to go into law and offers tips to aspiring founders to maximize their resources and time on campus.
0:00 Career Summary
1:05 Navigating Opportunities on Campus
3:04 What is Free Ventures?
4:14 How do you get into an Accelerator?
5:50 What are the Characteristics of Successful Accelerator Founders?
8:20 Corporate vs Startup Route
13:00 Should Students Pursue Leadership in Clubs
14:14 Putting Others First
16:00 Facade of Working at a Large Company
17:27 How to Decide on a Career
20:10 10 Year Outlook
20:59 What do...2024-06-2629 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#21 What it takes to become a THIRD degree Black Belt & Elite Powerlifter | Evan Tsai
Conversation with Evan Tsai about the tests you need to endure to get a third-degree black belt and what mental state he puts himself through in order to achieve such extreme physical feats.
0:00 Intro
1:41 Interest in Taekwondo
3:35 What it Takes to be a Black Belt
8:17 Pushing Through the Hard Times
10:27 How to Endure the Hardest of Physical Tests
13:06 Is Taekwondo for Everyone
14:17 Channeling Discipline into Other Activities
15:57 Lifting Journey
21:20 Surrounding Yoursaelf with Sustainable Motivation
30:38 UCI Student Life
36:05 Balancing School with Hobbies
37:52 Future Career Plans
40:47 Closing Tradition
44:22 Question for the Next Guest?
45:20 El Fin
2024-06-1245 minThe Magnus Effect Podcast#20 Can ChatGpt 4o be a podcast host? Watch it try
Chat Gpt 4o is an exciting new feature that allows you to talk to Ai using your voice but how does it hold up in a podcast interview with a simple prompt?
0:00 Introduction
1:53 Main Ambitions
3:32 Managing Time
5:37 Major Challenges in Podcasting
9:27 Advice for Starting a Podcast
12:58 Most Rewarding Part of Podcasting
15:13 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting
18:02 Maintaining Motivation
19:53 Memorable Guests
21:44 Unexpected Challenges
23:56 Preparing Mentally and Physically for Interviews
27:05 Favorite Questions to Ask
2024-06-0541 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#19 Why I'm Dropping Out of Berkeley MET to Purse My Passion in Manufacturing | Anshul Bajaj
Serial Machinist, Entrepreneur, & Mentor for FRC Team 4414 Hightide talks about how to get started and create that thing you want to build so badly.
0:00 Introduction
4:47 Interest in Manufacturing
10:49 Love for Electric Skateboards
15:57 What Makes an Elite FRC Team
21:21 Getting Your Team to Buy Into the Vision
26:02 Most Rewarding & Worst Memory in Robotics?
29:26 Big vs. Small Teams
34:53 Hosting Off-Season Events
27:48 Attracting Talent
39:17 Integrating Skill Building in the Classroom
40:42 What Makes a Good Machinist?
43:00 How to Find a Business Partner
48:27 Buying a Machine
49:50 Role of College
53:26 Corporate or Entrepreneurial roles in the future?
56:59 Hardest Project
59:08 The Secret to Balancing Your Time
1:03:09...2024-05-291h 06
The Magnus Effect Podcast#18 How to Balance Work study with Rigorous Academics | Viviana
UC Berkeley student Viviana talks about her experiences working to pay her college tuition.
0:00 Introduction
1:44 Current Work Study Job
3:49 Unique Parts of the Job
6:08 Hours & Pay
7:33 Favorite Jobs
11:23 Creative Writing
13:27 Teaching
16:27 Being a Bio Major at Berkeley
18:58 Campus Involvement
20:05 Balancing Strategy
23:06 Dealing with the Size of Berkeley
27:10 Avocado Festival
31:29 Hot Seat! - Card 1
33:17 Hot Seat! - Card 2
35:17 Hot Seat! - Card 3
36:21 Hot Seat! - Card 4
41:52 Closing Tradition
43:45 Question for the Next Guest
44:01 El Fin
2024-05-2244 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#17 Being Apart of a 1 BILLION Dollar Fund in College?! Students in Venture Capital | Alvin Xiao
Successful startup founder and now a general partner at FutureX Capital as a college student. Discussion on how to get into the Venture Capital Space and the importance of Capital in todays world.
0:00 Intro
0:43 Entering the Tech Industry
4:29 Getting Assistance and Funding for Startup
6:53 Takeaways from Exiting Startup
8:55 Where Did the Passion Stem From?
12:05 Nvidia's Own Incubator
15:03 Lecturing Through Short Form Content
16:17 What Do Venture Capital Firms Offer?
19:38 What Does Money Mean to You?
29:17 How Did You Get Into Venture Capital?
34:16 Should College Students Strive to be in this Space?
35:51 Living Up to the Pressure as a 19 Year Old...2024-05-1559 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#16 Best-Selling Author & Biotech-Startup Founder Before Freshman Year | Maryanne Alhallak
How Maryanne has been driven to achieve so much in her life, how she did it, and how she manages time.
0:00 Intro
0:58 Experiences as a Refugee
3:47 Historical Context of the War
5:13 Reflecting Back on Traumatic Experiences
7:38 You Need Money to Make Impact
9:15 Becoming a Published Author at 9 Years Old
11:05 Nature vs. Nurture
12:45 Is It Worth the Effort?
13:41 What Are You Striving for?
14:46 Current Hobbies
16:41 Current Startup Project
18:44 Scariest Part of Building
20:09 Most Difficult Part About Building
21:09 Skipping a Grade
23:24 Dealing with Agism
25:37 Embrace Young Age or Hide It?
27:58 Know Your Limits
29:46 Navigating Competition in a Competitive School
31:46 Internships vs...2024-05-0854 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#15 How to Build a Robotics Company In College
0:00 Introduction
2:02 How Arya Started in Robotics
4:30 Outlook on Robotics Over Time
7:27 Patenting Robots8:40 Arya's First Patent
11:22 What Does Robolabs Do?
13:52 How Did This Business Start?
18:06 Patenting Fun Facts
20:00 Learning From His Mistakes
24:47 How to Host a Robotics Competition
28:43 Regrets of Hosting
31:38 Role of College
34:25 Having Fun While Being Disciplined
38:07 Role Models and Mentors
41:32 Community? Private? Public? Where Should You Go?
47:02 How Does the Environment Shape the Individual
49:49 Future of...2024-05-011h 11
The Magnus Effect Podcast#14 You can use Canvas to do WHAT? Balancing college with teaching the youth (ft. Saki)
Conversation with Saki about why she teaches the youth as a part time job how how she balances it with her academics.
0:00 Intro
1:01 Saki's 3 Languages
3:07 Career Support from Parents
4:23 Student Transformation Story
6:32 Knowing When To Be Strict vs Nice
8:28 Who Are You In The Eyes Of students
9:44 Unlimited Happiness From Seeing Students
11:04 Balancing Work With School
14:59 Role of College
17:59 Community College vs University
20:46 You Need To Be SHAMELESS!
26:55 Who Is That Person from High-School
29:10 Is Reflecting On Past Mistakes Healthy?
31:43 Lack of Sleep
34:53 Hot Seat! - Card 1: People will never forget the time I ____
39:57 Card 2: What's something you hate...2024-04-2452 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#13 Does UC Berkeley Set too High of a Standard? (ft.Bhuvan)
Ambitious college student gets in his own way with negative thoughts and shares them on social media, here is why.
0:00 Intro
2:00 Why Post Vulnerably on Social Media?
8:50 Trouble Finding Hobbies and Girlfriends
10:30 Playing to Stereotypes
14:00 Pitying for Attention
16:08 Best Case Scenario
19:00 Surrounded by Sweats
22:00 Myth of Shortcomings of Others
24:38 Should People Approach You First?
31:17 Misconceptions of Campus Social Circles
35:00 Formula to Make Friends
38:00 Too Normal for Therapy
45:30 Sin of Sloth
48:30 Venting Does Not Mean Depressed
52:19 Out of State Tuition, is Berkeley Worth It?
57:16 Entrepreneurial vs Academic Worth of College
1:03:26 Hard Workers Should Be Rewarded
1:05:20 Positivity Doesn't Sell
1:13:00 Confidence From...2024-04-171h 24
The Magnus Effect Podcast#12.5 LineupsValorant.com founder urges students to have more fun | Conversation with UPENN M&T-Kyle Zhang
UPENN M&T student shares how he launched LineupsValorant.com in high school. Listen to his love for teaching and giving back to the world.
0:00 Introduction
0:55 First Entrepreneurial Venture
6:40 How has Networking Benefited You?
8:57 Favorite Connections
10:58 Early Exploration in AI
13:00 Interest in Game Development
16:34 Favorite Personal Projects
18:37 Fulfillment from Teaching
19:49 Favorite pieces of advice to give to students
20:55 Development process for LinupsValorant
28:20 Finding a Cofounder
30:59 Picking your niche
32:58 Skipping prom to launch
34:50 Role Models
38:33 Stress Tolerance
41:34 Most stressful moments in development
46:32 Screw giving your younger self advice
49:16 Taking Advice from others
50:36 Finding your authentic self
54:16 Lessons in Tennis
58:31 Closing...2024-04-101h 02
The Magnus Effect Podcast#12 Across the Coast: Life as a Student at UPenn's Most Prestigious Business Program (M&T) Part 1UPenn M&T student describes his campus life.
0:00 Introduction
2:23 How did you get into your major?
5:30 Immersion into video games
7:45 Kyle's Personality
13:00: West Coast vs. East Coast
13:55 Solitude
24:02 Should you strive for Penn M&T?
25:24 Favorite Memory at Penn
30:20 Campus Involvement
32:37 Quant Research
35:36 Self-Love
37:35 Choosing your inner circle
39:17 Similar Values vs. Similar Experiences
42:19: Values
43:24 Giver vs. Taker
46:37 Everything will work out.
49:01 Confidence through upbringing
2024-04-0348 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#11 The Art of Learning (ft.Tay)UC Berkeley student Tay talks about how he approaches learning hobbies and skills while resolving parental pressures.
0:00 Intro
1:54 Major(s)
2:26 Love for Math
3:58 High-School Upbringing
8:20 CS Learning Process
9:18 Branching out into Machine Learning
10:40 Feeding Sparks of Interests
12:01 Finding Someone to Learn with
14:45 Card Magic Side Hustle
16:36 Persisting through Difficult Learning
18:53 Is Magic a Good Side Hustle?
20:40 Meeting Expectations of Parents
25:12 Relabeling Trauma
28:09 Is there a Parenting Rulebook?
30:26 Generational Values
32:28 Personal Competitive Edge
34:50 Imposter Syndrome
35:55 Campus Involvements
36:32 Getting into Consulting
37:48 Campus Organization Culture
39:45 Benefits of Multiple Communities
41:29 The Beauty of Teaching
44:45 Berkeley Research
45:52 Large language Model 101
56:20 Appreciation Comes from the...2024-03-271h 12
The Magnus Effect Podcast#10 Stop Being a LOSER: Hot Takes On College Students (ft. Josie)Episode 10 special ft.Josie. Listen as I play hot seat with hot takes, providing tips on how you should maximize your opportunities in college and get out of your own head.
0:00 Intro
2:02 What are you looking forward to?
2:16 Josie's worst gift
4:12 Magnus's worst gift
5:21 Josie's Biggest Fear
6:51 Magnus's Biggest Fear
9:55 Do not let your past prevent you from a greater future.
11:25 How do you know when you're good enough?
14:18 How do you find the people who push you?
16:36 Are most college students ambitious?
17:52 "The good enough mentality"
20:34 Josie's take on the ambitious student landscape
21:25 Is UC Berkeley a good...2024-03-2036 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#9 Avoid this one mistake as a college freshmanTyler Le shares his story about what he wishes he did in his freshman year. Listen to this episode to learn about the struggles of studying abroad, finding an interest in archery, the purpose of college, and many more.
0:00 Intro
1:05: What is your major?
2:27 How did you get into computer science?
3:52 Regrets during quarantine?
4:41 Socializing through Video Games
6:54 Socializing on campus
8:22 Finding a community through archery
11:00: Why do you enjoy archery?
15:00 Mistakes during the Freshman Year
17:35...2024-03-1343 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#8 UC Berkeley college student talks about navigating music with computer science
Isabelle Ng, a UC Berkeley student, talks about her love for music and exploration in a variety of hobbies. Listen in as she talks about her interests in music, computer science, mentoring, and choir.
0:00 Intro
1:16 Major(s)
2:42 How I got into music
4:45 Music production
6:37 Approaching songwriting
8:20 The hardest part about composing
10:13 happy songs vs. sad songs
13:00 Interest in Computer Science
15:56 Experiences as a teacher
17:18 Impact on students
18:41 Favorite student interaction
20:00 Is Berkeley for song writers?
21:17 Campus engagement:
23:49 Time management
24:44 Learning through mentoring
26:23 Most passionate extracurricular
27:34 Time scheduling
28:35 How I spend my free time
29:35 How to keep in touch with...2024-03-0646 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#7 College content creator explains political satire and the messed up TRUTH about sustainability
Conor Stayton, a college student, talks about content creation. Listen in as he talks about his interests in conservation and natural resources, geographic information systems, and politics.
0:00 Intro
1:18 Major(s)
3:17 Applications of GIS
5:28 Shortcomings of a GIS Project
8:11 How much work does a GIS project take?
10:03: What is a conservation and natural resources major?
11:43 Time Commitments
12:50: How I got into content creation
15:50 Online threats
17:41 Lessons from Growing a Platform
19:31 Defining your audience
21:05: Beginning on Twitch TV
23:25 Online personality
25:06 Making content for brands
28:30 How to Step Away from Social Media
30:09 Campus organization life
32:21 Social media skills transferring to practical skills
34:39...2024-02-2857 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#6 Experiences of an international student coming to UC Berkeley
On today's episode, our guest Pranav Dogra talks about his experiences coming to America when he was a high-school junior. Learn about how he faced social struggles and ultimately found his purpose.
0:00 Intro
0:59 Parental pressures when choosing majors
5:48 Standards of living
13:13 Anti-Comparison
14:42 Importance of having an outgoing personality
22:58 Berkeley trains you for rejection
25:47 Why I enjoy school
27:51 What drives me
28:58 Envisioning the future as a teacher
34:07 Lowest point in college
36:07 Things to look froward to
37:33 Why I recommend UCB
40:44 Closing tradition
44:46 Close
2024-02-2345 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#5 What's the advantage of diverse perspectives in entrepreneurship?
Join us for an enlightening episode featuring Shasi, as we explore his dynamic journey through education, entrepreneurship, and global innovation. From his initial fascination with mechanical engineering and aerospace to his transition to electrical engineering and computer science, Shasi shares insights gained from diverse experiences and cultural adaptability. We delve into his involvement in product design, startup ventures, and international competitions, uncovering valuable lessons in team management, strategic thinking, and global market penetration. Discover how Shasi's perspectives on globalization, societal norms, and traditional businesses shape his vision for the future, offering profound insights into the evolving landscape of success...2024-02-141h 29
The Magnus Effect Podcast#4 Honing In On Your Passion: "Go Outside and Waste More Time!" Future Of Flight and Lessons In Entrepreneurship with Alan Zhang
In this captivating episode, our guest delves into the intricacies of networking and building connections, drawing from experiences like visiting leading EVTOL companies in China and founding VTOL at Berkeley. We explore the challenges faced in project development, including bureaucratic obstacles and the importance of seeking mentorship. Our guest reflects on leadership development, embracing vulnerability, and the value of feedback, emphasizing engagement with online communities and the joy found in storytelling and video production. Tune in to discover more about our guest's journey through drones, filmmaking, and entrepreneurship, offering valuable advice to aspiring high schoolers and insights into the...2024-02-0758 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#3 Making the Most of Indecision: "Don't stay inside, go out and make friends!" Societal Pressures & Friendships, Navigating Uncertainty With Vishal SareddyIn this thought-provoking episode, Vishal candidly shares his dynamic pursuit of majors in political economy and computer science, weaving through a tapestry of interests—from geography to entrepreneurship. As we delve deeper, Vishal reflects on the evolving landscape of friendships, the weight of societal expectations, and the constant tug-of-war between confidence and uncertainty. Join us for an illuminating conversation that delves into the heart of the college conundrum, offering insights, inspiration, and a glimpse into the universal quest for fulfillment and purpose. Welcome to a journey of discovery with Vishal Sareddy!
2024-01-3157 minThe Magnus Effect Podcast#2 Stitching the Cosmos: Navigating the Space Between Astrophysics and Fashion with Henry Goldberg
Delving into the uncertainties of an astrophysics major and the vast opportunities offered by the school for fashion exploration, we navigate the complex interplay of societal expectations and personal happiness. Our guest reflects on the dichotomy between a passion-driven career and financial stability, unraveling the societal push towards safer choices. We scrutinize the role of university in self-discovery, networking, and personal growth, challenging preconceived notions about the limitations of higher education. Join us as we uncover the profound influence of surroundings on career decisions, highlighting the positive feedback loop created by passionate individuals supporting each other. 2024-01-2131 min
The Magnus Effect Podcast#1 Believing in the Good of People: The Future of Entrepreneurship Through the Eyes of a College Student-Hari Parthasarthy
Join us for an inspiring podcast episode featuring Hari Parthasarathy, a college student expressing his views on the future of entrepreneurship. Discover Hari's transition from clinical interests to biotechnology, business, and technology convergence. Explore his Silicon Valley upbringing, impactful campus engagements, and aspirations in biotech and venture capital. Uncover Hari's values emphasizing doing good, making a global impact, and the influence of Hinduism on his mission. Tune in to explore Hari's narrative of ambition, values, and the evolving landscape of ethical entrepreneurship through the lens of a visionary student.
2024-01-1438 min