Adventures of the Nomadic Mic Nikhil Nagarkar

RVZR joins Nik on The Nomadic Mic to do what she does best - breed compassion through relatability. What's struck us is how her art does the same, which goes to show that it truly is the essence of a person that shines through in any endeavor that they choose. Watch the full episode to find out how she's taken her experiences in cultural identity, relationships, and self-esteem onto the canvas to not only inspire conversations, but to also adorn the insides of people's homes.  

Dr. Félix Landry Yuan is an environmental scientist who has spent his years researching the conservation of culture through the preservation of snakes and reptiles. Apart from his research in the field, Félix takes a sattvic approach to his mind and body, only indulging in foods and general activities that contribute to his overall well-being, and ultimately the well-being of others and the planet. He also enjoys getting into flow through a lifelong passion for skateboarding and being tied to an emerging community of skaters. 

What does life look like growing up around legends of Hong Kong cinema? John Chiang Jr. joins Nik on The Nomadic Mic to discuss his experience of discovering identity while carrying the weighted legacy of his parents.  


01:25 - How John and Nik know each other
02:45 - What was it like for John growing up?
04:08 - Who are John's parents?
05:35 - Talking about legacy
09:30 - John joining the film industry
10:50 - From actor the chef
16:30 - The glamor of being a chef, as portrayed in movies
19:50 - How experiences form our identity
21:00 - Expanding on identity and wearing masks
26:30 - How do characters differ on set vs the kitchen?
30:00 - Growing in the public eye and letting it forge your personal brand
35:45 - What kind of special feedback does John get from his parents
40:00 - The Nomadic Mic set
44:50 - Being a good storyteller in life
50:00 - Nik's long story about the book "When Breath Becomes Air"
52:00 - Living in a distracted world
54:40 - Dopamine detox
56:00 - The 70's were Peak times for Hong Kong cinema
58:50 - John's dad winning Asia's best actor
1:02:00 - A fight breaks out at the disco
1:04:30 - John's mom's career trajectory
1:07:00 - The 70s were crazy. Need to learn martial arts.
1:09:55 - What would John say to his younger and older self?

What is this a high school movie? 

Not quite. But nearly 10 years after graduating high school Lewis and Nik rendezvous on the set of The Nomadic Mic. The boys talks about Lewis’ life as a musician, with a reputation of consolation when we all experience the very real moments of heartbreak, serendipity, and sadness. His melodies have cradled millions, and now we get to hear stories from his life and the experiences from where these relatable lyrics stem from. 

01:57 - The brain has an algorithm that synthesises dreams with life
03:44 - Dream journals
06:00 - Lew’s dreams and its parallels with his music
07:30 - Dreams about people  - Empathy for others -  Research about said people
09:15 - Introspection in songwriting
11:00 - How Berklee impacted Lew’s music
14:30 - Being rated at Berklee
18:25 - It doesn’t matter if you’re the best if people don’t like being around you
18:54 - Joining the police force before Berklee was humbling
21:45 - How skills from police training transferred to Berklee
24:30 - The tenacity required to be in an arts field
26:40 - What does “pop” music actually mean?
28:11 - Impacting community by finding your purpose
31:58 - Music is just a tool for Lew’s bigger purpose
33:07 - Not over identifying with labels
34:45 - What kind of people are in Lew’s community? People who aren’t afraid to say they don’t have their shit together
37:11 - What kind of songs does Lew like to write?
38:50 - What is Lew like when he’s alone and doesn’t have his community around him?
41:15 - Interactions when experiencing anxiety
43:40 - Understanding social rules
44:42 - Social expectations of masculinity and what it means to Lew.
53:44 - The philosophy of Lew’s tour “Planting Seeds”
56:28 - Finding your voice as a person that people can trust
59:55 - Are you holding the right tools for your personality?
1:02:40 - What conversation would Lew have with his younger and older self?
1:08:05 - Lew’s final thoughts for the people

Nik sits down with Xavier, an old friend from high school, to talk about his journey in the realm of languages. Xavier was raised in a Spanish-Chinese household where he picked up Spanish, Cantonese, and English very early on in life. Faced with an ultimatum at a pivotal point in his career, he mastered fluency in Mandarin within several months, and is now pursuing French. It's inspiring what language can do for our perception of the world, and how it helps us connect with the stories of more people. Nik sits down with Xavier, an old friend from high school, to talk about his journey in the realm of languages. Xavier was raised in a Spanish-Chinese household where he picked up Spanish, Cantonese, and English very early on in life. Faced with an ultimatum at a pivotal point in his career, he mastered fluency in Mandarin within several months, and is now pursuing French. It's inspiring what language can do for our perception of the world, and how it helps us connect with the stories of more people.