On this episode of Leave Looking Up, we sit down with Dr. Yusef Salaam — author, activist, motivational speaker, and one of the Exonerated Five. Wrongfully imprisoned at just 15 years old, Yusef endured years of wrongful incarceration before reclaiming not just his freedom, but his voice, his future, and his name. Today, he is a New York City Councilman, has received a lifetime achievement award from Barack Obama, is a published author, and is a global symbol of transformation and justice.

This season of Leave Looking Up continues to explore the minds of worldbuilders — visionaries who have a very clear idea of the world they want to see, and put forth efforts to bring that world into fruition. Yusef Salaam has done exactly that. From surviving the depths of the prison system to writing poetry behind bars, from discovering the spiritual meaning of his name to holding public office, Yusef’s story is one of sacred alignment and radical resilience.

In this episode, Yusef opens up about the power of faith, the lessons passed down from his mother, the meaning of his own name, and how everything we do - even choosing to not participate, has power.

This is a conversation about identity, divine timing, and the lifelong work of transforming injustice into impact.

If this conversation moves you, subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who believes in liberation, legacy, and the power of remembering who you are.

Credits:Host and Executive Producer: Neal LudevigCo-host: Amer JandaliProduced and scored by: Lushik Lotus LeePost-Production Sound Engineer: Alexander RossiVideographer: Krishna Adoni

Links:📘 Dr. Yusef Salaam Website: https://www.yusefspeaks.com

📸 Dr. Yusef Salaam IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.yusefsalaam/ 🌍 Leave Looking Up Website: https://www.leavelookingup.com▶️ Leave Looking Up YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leavelookingup

On this episode of Leave Looking Up, we sit down with the multi-hyphenate creative force Ray Angry — Grammy-nominated pianist, composer, producer, and longtime member of The Roots. From performing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, to playing Carnegie Hall five times (including a reimagining of Prince’s music), to collaborating with legends like Questlove, Stevie Wonder, D'Angelo, and Joss Stone, Ray’s career has transcended genres and redefined what it means to be a 21st-century musician.

In this season of Leave Looking Up, we explore the minds of worldbuilders — visionaries who don’t just create art but architect entire ecosystems. Ray Angry has done exactly that with Producer Mondays, a groundbreaking experiment in communal creativity that has become a sanctuary for some of today’s most gifted musicians. Born from a desire to capture the real-time magic of music-making and nurture a space free from ego, Producer Mondays offers artists something increasingly rare: permission to be themselves.

In this episode, Ray opens up about the lessons learned from grief, the spiritual traditions that shaped his artistry, the dangers of ego, and how he’s dedicated his career to building spaces where music can be created — not manufactured. We also hear how Producer Mondays has sparked new careers, renewed creative spirits, and redefined community for artists in New York and beyond.

This is a conversation about mastery, intention, and building a legacy that leaves the world looking up.

If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who believes in the power of community and creativity.

CreditsHost and Executive Producer: Neal LudevigCo-host: Amer JandaliProduced and scored by: Lushik Lotus LeePost-Production Sound Engineer: Alexander RossiOn-Site Sound Engineer: Albert GooldVideographer: Shuhei Hayashi

Links:
🎶 Ray Angry Website: https://www.rayangry.com
🎹 Producer Mondays: https://www.instagram.com/producermondays/
📸 Ray Angry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayangry/
🌎 Leave Looking Up Website: https://www.leavelookingup.com
▶️ Leave Looking Up YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leavelookingup

As we celebrate worldbuilders—visionary creators designing a better future through their work and way of being, it's only fitting that we were able to sit down with acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, educator, and artist Poranguí, whose life work embodies this mission.

A former professor at the Phoenix Conservatory of Music and Arizona Commission of Artists, Poranguí has performed at South by Southwest, Envision Festival, and on platforms such as TEDxSedona, BBC, and PBS. His globally beloved, improvisational performances dissolve the boundary between stage and audience, transforming concerts into ceremonies.

From his roots in indigenous sweat lodges and silent meditation retreats to his journey through Duke University—where he created a custom major in “Healing Through Music and Dance” — Poranguí’s story is one of deep listening, cultural honoring, and radical authenticity. In this powerful conversation, we explore how dance floors became altars, how he redefined medicine, and how creating a sacred circle of men during the pandemic led to an ongoing community of artistic healing.

Poranguí is not just making music. He’s building a world—one where we remember we are all relatives, and music is the medicine that brings us back to life.a

For full & uncut episodes, along with a number of other perks, please visit ⁠www.leavelookingup.com/fans⁠ and subscribe!

If you love love what you're hearing today and want to hear (and see) more, you can do so at the following links: ⁠https://www.leavelookingup.com/⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/leavelookingup⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/leavelookingup

🎧 Credits

• Host: Neal Ludevig

• Guest: Poranguí

• Co-Host: Sasha Demitrovic

• Producer: Lushik Lotus-Lee

• Sound Engineer: Alexander Rossi

• Designer: Andrea Kang

• Media Support: Justin Jett Carter

• Original Theme Music: Brady Watt

• Additional Music: Blue Dot Sessions

This season, we’re diving deep with worldbuilders—those who transform a vision into reality.

Today’s guest is Casey Fenton, the visionary founder behind Couchsurfing, a movement that reshaped travel for millions across the globe. From a single couch connection to a worldwide community spanning 220,000 cities, Casey’s journey shows how grit, vulnerability, and a clear sense of self can spark massive change.

In this episode, we explore the origin story of Couchsurfing, the pivotal moments that tested Casey’s resilience, and how his experiences building—and letting go of—the platform shaped his understanding of identity. We also dive into Casey’s latest work on ego hacking: a process for becoming the person you aspire to be, not alone, but through community and shared reflection.

Join us for a conversation about the risks that define us, the feedback loops that shape us, and the real work of becoming who we are meant to be. Stick around to the end for a guided exercise led by Casey himself—to start your own ego hacking journey.

If you love love what you're hearing today and want to hear (and see) more, you can do so at the following links:
https://www.leavelookingup.com/
https://www.patreon.com/leavelookingup
https://www.instagram.com/leavelookingup/
https://tiktok.com/@leavelookingup
Youtube: @leavelookingup
Hosts:
Neal Ludevig
https://www.instagram.com/misternealio/
https://tiktok.com/@misternealio
Amer Jandali:
https://instagram.com/amerjandali
​https://tiktok.com/@amerjandali
Team:
Executive Producer, Producer, and Host: Neal Ludevig
Co-Host: Sasha Dimitrevic
Lead Producer: Jeremiah Cothren
Lead Engineer: Alexander Rossi
Engineer: Justin Jett Carter

Hosted by Neal Ludevig and Amer Jandali, Leave Looking Up is a podcast where we humanize our heroes through uplifting conversations about the somewhat tumultuous and often challenging state of the world.We interview a diverse roster of guests from Grammy Award-winning musicians, to Emmy Award-winning producers, to internationally recognized activists and influencers, educators, innovators, and more. Rana Abdelhamid is a truly inspirational organizer and global human rights activist making positive changes in the world today. She's a Truman Scholar, founder of the organizations Hijabis of New York and the Women's Initiative for Self Empowerment which she started when she was 16. She is also a 1st degree Black Belt, and is one of youngest serving board members of Amnesty International USA. Rana’s list of honors is a true testament to who she is. She has been selected by Forbes as a 30 Under 30 in the social impact category, has received both a NYC Council Proclamation and an International Youth Advocate award by the UN, and has been recognized by countless other organizations for the social impact of her work. This episode is a special one. We had the opportunity to sit down with Rana both before, and after, her 2022 run as a candidate for the United States Congress to represent the 12th district in New York. This is part 2. In these conversations, we hear some of her active processing around the outcome of the race. We also learn how heartbreaks around who we are can lead to a lifelong path of community activism and changemaking, how we can channel our emotions into action(s), how our identities inform our decision making process, and how we can all get involved in the political processes that affect our lives both locally and nationally. If you love love what you're hearing today and want to hear (and see) more, you can do so at the following links: https://www.leavelookingup.com/ https://www.patreon.com/leavelookingup https://www.instagram.com/leavelookingup/ https://tiktok.com/@leavelookingup Youtube: @leavelookingup There you can support what we’re creating, hear more soundbytes that didn’t make it to the final cut, get more wisdom from our guests, score merch, be the first to get access to our content, and more. Thank you for joining us and listening in today, and if you haven’t already, please be sure to leave a rating and review of the podcast in your app of choice. CREDITS: You can follow Claire on the following social channels: https://www.instagram.com/ranaabdelhamid/ https://www.instagram.com/wearemalikah/ https://www.youtube.com/@UCPcCUNmflClsBeNb38LYYTA Hosts: Neal Ludevig https://www.instagram.com/misternealio/ https://tiktok.com/@misternealio Amer Jandali: https://instagram.com/amerjandali ​https://tiktok.com/@amerjandali Team: Executive Producer, Producer, and Host: Neal Ludevig Host: Amer Jandali Lead Producer: Lushik Lotus Lee Lead Engineer: Alexander Rossi Engineer: Justin Jett Carter Designer: Andrea Kang This is a podcast produced and created by @moon31exp #leavelookingup #podcastlove #motivation #mindsetmatters #entrepreneurs #storytelling #innovation #mindset #podcastlife #empowerment #empowering #howtopodcast #womenempoweringwomen #powerfulwomen #womensmonth #muslim #muslimwomen #muslimcommunity #hijabinspo #hijabi #selflove #muslimlove #selflovejourney #malikah #selfdefense #womensday #RanaAbdelhamid

In recognition of United Nations Day, we'd like you to meet Dr. Sylvia Earle, a literal pioneer of our time. Known affectionately as "Her Deepness", Sylvia was named a "Champion for the Earth" by the UN in 2014, and is a renowned marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer.

Over the course of her more than six decade long career doing groundbreaking work in marine science, Sylvia was named a "Hero of the Planet" by Time Magazine, was a TED Prize Winner, is a National Geographic "Explorer-At-Large", and beyond, dedicating her life to exploring the ocean and advocating for its protection. Her passion for the ocean not only has deepened our understanding of marine life, but also has ignited a global movement for ocean conservation.

In this episode, we dive deep and uncover what it was like to live underwater for weeks on end, gain insights from the obstacles she overcame as a trailblazing female marine scientist in the 1960s, and most importantly, learn how we can rally allies in our mission to safeguard and preserve our planet.

For the full & uncut episode, along with a number of other perks, please visit ⁠⁠⁠www.leavelookingup.com/fans⁠⁠⁠ and subscribe!

If you love love what you're hearing today and want to hear (and see) more, you can do so at the following links: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.leavelookingup.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/leavelookingup⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/leavelookingup⁠

In recognition of National Heroes day, we'd like you to meet Andy Mann, acclaimed photographer, filmmaker, musician, and multi-hyphenate. With work featured in National Geographic, the New York Times, BBC Wildlife, and many more, his work has garnered him an Emmy nomination, 12 Telly Awards, and the legendary Crystal Compass award in recognition of his work that led to the designation of the world’s largest Arctic National Park in Franz Josef Land, Russia.

In this episode, we sat down with Andy at his home studio in Boulder to learn how he made his way into the film and photography world, shifted his career from cooking to climbing, and about his journey cofounding Sealegacy with Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier, which helped create the world’s very first international marine protected area. Not to mention, hear some incredible words of advice from the legendary Jane Goodall!

For the full & uncut episode, along with a number of other perks, please visit ⁠www.leavelookingup.com/fans⁠ and subscribe!

If you love love what you're hearing today and want to hear (and see) more, you can do so at the following links: ⁠https://www.leavelookingup.com/⁠⁠

https://www.patreon.com/leavelookingup

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/leavelookingup

Get ready to be inspired as Leave Looking Up returns with its second season, diving deep into the minds of changemakers shaping our future. After a stellar first season that garnered thousands of listens and shares globally, Leave Looking Up is back with more thought-provoking conversations.

Hosted by Neal Ludevig, acclaimed producer and entrepreneur, along with co-hosts Amer Jandali and Sasha Dimitrevic, this season will explore the theme of worldbuilding—uncovering the frameworks and ideas changemakers are using to shape a better future.

This season features an impressive lineup, including Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award winners, TIME Heroes of the Planet, Guinness World Record Holders, Emmy and Telly Award Winners, and more.

About Leave Looking Up

Leave Looking Up is more than just a podcast; it’s a movement. Through thoughtful conversations with some of the most influential figures of our time, the show uncovers the models, concepts, and language that changemakers use to create a positive impact. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or practical advice, Leave Looking Up offers a refreshing perspective on the challenges we all face.

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