Jared and James

Why do we spend so much time complaining about things we actually have the power to change? Being optimistic doesn’t mean ignoring everything that’s wrong. You can acknowledge the problems in the world while still believing things can get better. You can recognize that your team is down 29 points and still believe there’s a chance to come back. You can get rejected five times and still believe the sixth opportunity could be the one.
In this episode, I talk about the difference between complaining about problems and becoming part of the solution. Whether it’s negativity on socia...

This week, we're honoring the late, great Mike Ditka by diving into his hilarious performance in Kicking and Screaming, one of my all-time favorite comedies. Honestly the most underrated movie of all time. I’m breaking down the funniest moments, the most iconic quotes, and why this movie deserves way more love!
Then we’ve got A tribute to a football legend who also delivered a legendary comedy performance. From the juice box showdown to the coffee addiction, I’m revisiting the scenes from Mike Ditka that made this movie unforgettable.
Then I’m looking at PITBULL'S NEW ALBUM —...

What if being grateful for your life doesn’t mean you have to stop wanting more? In this episode, we talk about the balance between gratitude and ambition, and why not being is a big factor in preventing gratitude.
I get into why gratitude can sometimes feel forced, and why we need more examples specific to us. I get into why constantly telling yourself that “life is short” can actually make it harder to enjoy your life, and how trusting that there’s more time can take some of the pressure off.I also talk about the difference between being pr...

What's the greatest sitcom of the 90s? Is it Seinfeld, Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or something else entirely? We're kicking off this Rabbit Hole Roundup with a debate about some of the most iconic sitcoms of all time before diving into a hilarious, underrated comedy starring Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher: Guess Who?
Then, we're getting into something a little deeper. Sylvester Stallone shares a powerful message about how much our words can stick with people, and Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olsen reminds us how a simple act of kindness can make a lasting difference in someone's...

The Fast & Furious movies are known for fast cars, ridiculous stunts, explosions, and somehow surviving things that should be physically impossible. But hidden underneath all of that are some surprisingly powerful lessons and quotes.
In this episode, I break down 5 bits of wisdom from the Fast & Furious movies and the deeper meaning behind them — from Han's lesson about character and knowing someone's true worth, to Dom's philosophy on family and loyalty.
So whether you're a lifelong Fast & Furious fan or you've never seen a single movie, I think there's something here for everyone.Tune in now…
#FastAndFurious #Life...

To start things off we’re taking a trip back to one of my favorite childhood movie franchises: Spy Kids! I recently rewatched the movies and realized that the first two still hold up all these years later. We’ll talk about what made them so great, why the first two are still my favorites, and how the later movies compare. Then we’re getting into some bigger life lessons: celebrating the accomplishments you’ve already achieved instead of constantly moving the goalposts, why comparison can steal your joy, and why you should “8 Mile” your life by being comfortable enough with who you...

Have you ever felt like you always have something to prove? For much of my life, my first instinct when someone doubted me, judged me, or told me I couldn't do something was: I’ll show them. Whether it was being doubted as an athlete, trying to prove my worth to certain people, dealing with negative comments about my speech challenges, being bullied— I always felt this need to prove people wrong. And honestly, there is nothing wrong with wanting to prove the haters wrong. But what happens when you spend so much time trying to prove yourself to other peop...

This week’s RHR we’re starting with one of the biggest movie debates of all time: What is the best Shrek movie? These movies are hilarious, nostalgic, packed with incredible music, and are some of my favorites. Then I dive into a clip from Eric Thomas about why reading and gaining knowledge means very little if you never put it into action. We talk about learning versus actually practicing what you learn, information overload, and why a few lessons you truly apply can be more valuable than 50 books you simply finish. I also discuss why you’re younger than you th...

What are you actually embarrassed about?
We’re taught from a young age to worry about what other people think—but what if some of the things we’ve been told to be embarrassed about are actually the things we should be proud of? In this episode, I share some personal examples of things I’ve been told were embarrassing and explain why I see them completely differently.
From putting yourself out there when nobody is watching, to rejection, taking an unconventional path —maybe standing out isn’t something to be ashamed of. Maybe it’s exactly what makes you cour...

This week I’m diving into George Costanza’s five best lies from Seinfeld. George as we know is a lot of things-a short stocky bald man, but he’s also a hilarious amazing liar. Then we get into some bigger life lessons. Ne-Yo shares an incredible story about Andre 3000 trusting himself when people told him not to release one of his biggest songs. From there, I share a clip from Quaison who explores why failing doesn’t make you a failure unless you allow that loss to become your identity. I then talk about how the smallest acts of kindness...

Did you miss these deeper lessons in Spider-Man: Brand New Day? 🕷️This might be my favorite Spider-Man movie yet, and underneath all the action is a powerful message about identity, healing, self-love, and learning how to use the things that make you different.
In this episode, I break down 5 lessons from Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Peter Parker spends the movie struggling with who he is and who others think he should be—but maybe the answer isn't becoming someone else. Maybe it's understanding yourself better, accepting your strengths, and learning how to use them.
Tune in now…________Link to B...

Football is BACK! So of course we’ll be talking the biggest NFL stories. But first, I’m explaining why Tokyo Drift is my favorite Fast & Furious movie. From Han and the cars to the music, Japan, and the overall vibe, there’s just something about this movie that works for me. Then we’ve got some powerful creator and entrepreneurship wisdom. Hoodie Allen talks about why you can’t let past success—or the fear of not being able to duplicate it—stop you from creating your next piece of work. Then I’m sharing TWO clips from Nicky Cass about why c...

What if one of the biggest lessons about confidence came from a Nickelodeon sitcom? In this episode, I dive into one of my favorite episodes from Victorious—the Bird Scene—and why I think it teaches an incredibly important lesson about creativity, self-worth, and the need for approval. We all want encouragement and support, but what happens when our happiness, confidence, or willingness to create depends entirely on someone else's opinion? From my own journey as a content creator trying to balance authenticity with the realities of social media, to experiences as an athlete seeking approval from teammates and coac...

In this edition of Rabbit Hole Roundup, I'm giving you my unpopular take after finally watching the entire Fast & Furious series... I honestly don't think there's a bad movie in the franchise! From the original movies to Tokyo Drift, Hobbs & Shaw, and everything that came after, I think you have to judge each movie on its own merit. Sticking with Fast & Furious, I'm also counting down my favorite songs from the series. From Ooh Ahh to Danza Kuduro, these movies gave us some SERIOUS bangers! Then I react to some advice from T-Pain about encouraging people even when you...

In this episode, I dive into one of the biggest misconceptions I had after reading “The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. I thought mindfulness meant I could control every thought, eliminate anxiety, and always be happy. I quickly learned that wasn't the case. I discuss why you're not your thoughts, why I don't believe happiness is simply a choice, how our physical and mental health work together, and why separating your self-worth from your performance can completely change your mindset. This isn't about pretending life is always positive—it's about learning how to respond to life's challenges with grea...

Was Dunkman the greatest dunk contest ever?! I'm breaking down the absolutely INSANE finals from last Tuesday, including some of the most creative and athletic dunks I've ever seen—and why these guys inspire my own dunk journey! Then we're talking Toy Story 5 and why, despite a little possible recency bias, this might actually be my favorite Toy Story movie yet. We'll get into the emotional moments, the message about toys vs. technology, and why I think technology doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing thing. Plus, a powerful reminder after a Pilates teacher had nobody show up to her cl...

Advice is everywhere. From parents and teachers to coaches, social media, and motivational speakers, everyone has an opinion on how you should live your life. But not all advice deserves to be followed. Some advice works great for certain people, but other phrases get repeated and we don't understand why. In today's episode, I break down some of the best and worst advice I've received over the years—from clichés that I believe do more harm than good to lessons that have completely changed the way I approach life. Along the way, I share personal stories about my hea...

In my new Rabbit Hole Roundup first up, I came up with one of my favorite lists yet: 5 songs I'm “not” embarrassed to know every word of. As someone who spent years as both a camper and camp counselor, I've been exposed to plenty of songs that somehow became permanently ingrained in my brain. Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift etc.…let's just say there are some songs I know WAY too well. And don't lie—you probably know these words too! Then I'm talking about one of my all-time favorite and criminally underrated movies: Be Cool. It has an absolutely amazing...

I turned 30 on August 17th!!? And honestly… it's a little scary and a little exciting at the same time. It feels crazy even saying it. There was a time when I almost didn't make it past 18 after going through the acute phase of my life-threatening illness. Now, all these years later, I'm entering a new decade with big dreams, big goals, and plenty still left to accomplish. In this video, I reflect on the biggest lessons my 20s taught me—from staying true to myself and embracing an unconventional path, to learning not to compare my timeline to everyone else...

Rabbit Hole Roundup 136! And this one is a BIG one because I'm officially 30 as of yesterday! I talk about turning 30, why getting older doesn't mean you have to lose your inner kid! Then we dive into Spider-Man: Brand New Day! I absolutely loved the movie and explain why I think it could be one of the best Spider-Man movies yet, while also addressing my brother's criticisms who saw it with me. I break down Peter's struggle between being Peter Parker and Spider-Man, Jean's story, the emotional themes, the villains, the technology, and where the MCU could go from here...

Today's episode is about one of the greatest lessons I've ever learned from the Rocky movies. Rocky never won the fight in the first film, yet millions of people still walked away feeling like he was the true winner. Why? Because sometimes the biggest victories aren't found on the scoreboard. From Rocky to Cape Verde's incredible World Cup run, my own college basketball tryouts, asking out girls despite the fear of rejection, and Hall of Fame athletes who failed thousands of times, we're talking about why giving everything you have can be a victory all by itself. Sometimes you...

In this episode of the Rabbit Hole Roundup, we're talking my favorite Key & Peele skits ever which will of course be a ton of fun. We've also got new summer music from Shaboozey, Chiddy Bang & Flo Rida. I also review the new Masters of the Universe movie. Then we dive into the sports world with a recap of Dunkman Group C featuring Isaiah Rivera, Darius Clark, Miller, and more, before breaking down the latest MLB storylines and an exciting Big3 week of games. Plus, I look ahead to Mac McClung and Group D in Dunkman and the upcoming Big3...

Why do so many people struggle to move on from their past? Whether it's painful memories, people who hurt us, or even the belief that our best days are behind us, the past has a way of keeping us stuck if we let it. In this episode, I talk about why healing is about more than just time, the difference between remembering and living in the past, and how we can create a future that's even better than what we've left behind. Along the way, I discuss lessons from Kung Fu Panda 2, 13 Going on 30, my own life-threatening illness, my...

Summer isn't over yet—and I'm here to prove it! This week on Rabbit Hole Roundup, I'm counting down 10 songs you need to keep summer and keep the good vibes going, from classics like *All Star* and *I Gotta Feeling* to newer hits and songs that instantly remind me of summer camp. We need to stop declaring summer over in early August! Then I react to a powerful conversation from Joel Madden and Travie McCoy about why there is no rulebook for creativity and why you shouldn't let other people put you in a box. After that, I dive in...

What can Derek Jeter teach us about chasing our dreams? In this episode, I break down one of my favorite lessons from Derek Jeter an all time great athlete who played the game the right way—why he ran every single play out, no matter how impossible it seemed. I also dive into: Why most people quit too early My six-year content creation journey My dunk journey The New York Knicks' incredible championship run and comeback wins Sometimes success isn't about talent—it's about refusing to stop before you've truly given yourself a chance. Tune in now... ____ ____ Link to Buy...

This week on the Rabbit Hole Roundup I kick things off with my Top 5 acting performances that gave me chills, featuring unforgettable performances from Gene Wilder, Will Smith, and more. Plus, I give some honorable mentions that just missed the list. Then we head into the movie corner as I finally watched The Hunger Games for the first time and explain why I finally understand all the hype. I dive into the deeper themes of the series, celebrity culture, rebellion, and why the second movie completely hooked me. In the music corner I'm talking about brand new songs from...

In today's world everything seems to be extreme. One bad game means an athlete is washed. One disagreement becomes a red flag. One diet becomes the miracle solution. Social media rewards the loudest opinions, the hottest takes, and the most divisive conversations. But what if the truth is usually somewhere in the middle? In this episode I discuss why hot take culture is affecting sports, relationships, diet advice, social media, and even our own self-worth. Topics include: Sports debate culture Relationship advice and red flags Diet culture and extreme eating trends Mental health and self-worth Social media algorithms and...

This week on the Rabbit Hole Roundup, we're ranking the greatest Pixar villains of all time! From Syndrome to Randall we've got some good ones… Following that I'm diving into a fascinating story about a 92-year-old man who still works because he genuinely loves what he does. When you find your passion, it needs to be part of your forever. We also discuss Vex King's thoughts on practicing spirituality when life gets difficult, and I have a post about why having fun may actually be an athlete's greatest competitive advantage. And to finish things off I have another another pa...

What happens when everything is going according to plan... and then you lose? This season, the basketball team I coached finished the regular season (who came on the podcast a few months back) 10-0 and entered the playoffs with championship aspirations. We were the top seed, the team everyone expected to win, and for the first time in my coaching career, we weren't the underdogs. Then everything changed. After falling behind 23-1, we fought all the way back, still lost. As painful as that loss was, it taught me some valuable lessons about passion, resilience, perspective, and why one...

EA Sports BIG wasn't just making sports games—they were creating some of the most fun and creative video games ever made. This week I'm counting down my Top 5 EA Sports BIG games, from SSX Tricky to NFL Street 2, and talking about why modern sports gaming has lost some of that magic. After that, I review the newest Avatar movie and why I think the series is about much more than incredible visuals. It's a deeper look at the spiritual nature of our realm. I also open up about some recent negative comments I received regarding my speech challenges bu...

We spend so much time treating our lives like a waiting room. Waiting for the relationship. Waiting for the success. Waiting for the breakthrough. But what if this chapter isn't something to rush through? Inspired by the movie Passengers, in today's episode I explore the tension between ambition and presence. How do we pursue big goals without allowing them to steal the joy of where we are right now? I share lessons from my own journey through health challenges, content creation, personal growth, and the struggle of feeling like life isn't unfolding according to plan. I discuss why adversity...

This week on the Rabbit Hole Roundup I'm honoring Chris Johnson CJ2K following the heartbreaking news of his ALS diagnosis by counting down the five most electric running backs I've ever watched. This isn't about the greatest running backs of all time—it's about the players who made were must see tv. After that I dive into one of my favorite motivational concepts: the Roger Bannister Effect. As someone chasing dunking goals and a high vertical myself, it's incredible watching dunkers continue pushing what's believed to be humanly possible. I react to a powerful clip from Quaison about wh...

Do you remember the Drake & Josh episode where Josh finally had enough of Drake's behavior? Looking back, that episode taught one of the most important lessons about self-respect, boundaries, and standing up for yourself even as a nice guy. As someone who has always considered himself a nice guy, I've often struggled with uncomfortable conversations and setting boundaries. Sometimes we give people chance after chance because we care about them, hoping they'll change. But eventually there comes a point where continuing to accept poor treatment isn't kindness anymore—it's self-neglect. In this episode, I break down the powerful lesson fr...

This week in the Rabbit Hole Roundup we're diving into one of the hardest lists I've ever had to make: the 10 best pop-punk songs of the 2000s. Inspired by Bowling For Soup frontman Jaret Reddick naming “Ocean Avenue” as the greatest pop-punk song ever, I put together my own list. And yes I have a very wide variety taste in music going from Migos last week to pop punk this week lol. After that, I talk about why you often already have enough answers to get started on your goals and why taking imperfect action is usually better than wait...

Some people leave you drained… and some people remind you there's still good in the world. In today's episode, I talk about 5 types of people the world desperately needs more of. From consistency and emotional awareness to authenticity, optimism, and kindness, this is a conversation about the qualities that truly make people stand out in a world that can sometimes feel fake, cold, or disconnected. This video is for anyone who's ever felt overlooked, taken advantage of, emotionally exhausted by inconsistent people, or discouraged by the negativity around them. At the same time, it's also about hope — because there ARE...

This week on the Rabbit Hole Roundup we're taking a trip down memory lane. I'm reflecting on the generational run that Migos had during the late 2010s and counting down my five favorite songs from one of the most fun groups in modern rap. While their music may not always carry deep messages, sometimes music simply exists to make us smile, sing along, and relive great memories. I also discuss: Why your content can make a bigger impact than numbers ever show. The power of nostalgia and how positive memories can help create a better future. What Jalen Brunson's...

For all of us iCarly fans, and I'm not ashamed to say this is still one of my favorite shows, we all love Gibby! But what if he was actually one of the most authentic characters on TV? In today's new episode, I dive deep into the life lessons hidden inside iCarly and why Gibby's unapologetic confidence might be something we all need more of. From being called “weird” to feeling pressure to fit in, I talk about why shrinking yourself for approval never leads to happiness. I also react to a powerful clip from Cole Dasilva about staying weir...

In this week's Rabbit Hole Roundup, I'm covering everything from Knicks championship, underrated sci-fi philosophy to nostalgic throwbacks, to a heated conversation about the state of modern content—and wrapping it all up with a massive sports week. I start in the movie corner with the 2016 sci-fi film Passengers with Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence. The film opens up deep questions. From there, we flash back to childhood nostalgia with the live-action Scooby-Doo films. Then I shift into a powerful cultural clip from Trevor Noah breaking down why so much modern content feels hollow—and what it means when algo...

From “Crooked Smile” to “Return of Simba,” J. Cole has spent years dropping some of the most meaningful and motivational lyrics in hip hop. In today's episode, I dive deeper into 5 powerful J. Cole lyrics and the life lessons behind them — including self-love, confidence, persistence, authenticity, delayed success, social media pressure, and chasing your dreams even when nobody believes in you yet. We break down lyrics from: Crooked Smile Sideline Story A Lot Return of Simba Premeditated Murder Along the way I also share personal stories about content creation, dealing with self-doubt, building something meaningful long term, and why authentici...

In today's Rabbit Hole Roundup, we're covering a little bit of everything. I kick things off with a countdown of Kramer's 5 funniest jobs from Seinfeld, despite the fact that he barely ever worked LOL. Then I shift into a discussion about a viral clip of a guy feeling ashamed to be working at McDonald's and why so much of the judgment people face in society is completely backwards. If you're working hard and doing your best, there's nothing to be ashamed of. After that, Bowling For Soup frontman Jaret Reddick delivers a simple but powerful reminder about encouraging others...