Episodes
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the cost of looking the other way
Louis argues that “becoming a villain” often starts not with overtly malicious intent, but with willful ignorance. He gives an example from his own business, where a bad payment setup was double-billing customers. He notes that a business can either ignore the problem, exploit it by quietly...
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Disaster recovery; how to deal with & recover from your life falling apart
Louis explains two main strategies for dealing with life disasters. First, instead of panicking and obsessing over a problem, reframe it as: “If I find this, I’ll do X; if I don’t, I’ll do Y.” This helps reduce stress and makes it more likely you’ll actually solve the immediate issue, because you...
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I want to do what you do; where do I start?
Louis' main point is that there is no single, linear “right way” to start a career or find your path. He explains his own journey as a series of accidents, detours, and random opportunities: starting in audio, moving through internships and repair work, trying health insurance sales, then…
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I want to do what you do; where do I start?
Louis’ main message is that there is no single, linear path to finding a career or purpose. Using his own life in audio and electronics repair as an example, he explains that he started in one place, wandered through several unrelated jobs and internships, and only gradually discovered what he…
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traditional media outlets are catching onto the "you own nothing" culture shift
In this episode, Louis discusses an Atlantic article about HP’s Instant Ink subscription and uses it as a broader example of how companies are shifting ownership away from consumers. He agrees with the article’s core complaint: a printer that can be remotely disabled because a subscription lapses...
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Google is killing authentic websites & I made it worse 😔
Louis says this is a hard video to make because it’s about personal failure and compromise. He explains that for most of his career, his business and YouTube presence were built on honesty, transparency, and showing the messy reality of repair work rather than polished marketing. That approach...
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Allow yourself the luxury of honesty with yourself.
In this episode, Louis argues that the most important issue is not piracy or other questionable behavior itself, but honesty with yourself about what you’re doing. He says people often try to justify actions like downloading media by inventing moral reasons for it, instead of simply admitting,...
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Adults have no idea how to speak to, educate, motivate, and discipline children.
This episode discusses the common phenomenon where children or teenagers, upon gaining a bit of freedom, often act out in extreme ways, such as getting involved in substance abuse or dropping out of school. Louis argues that this behavior is not due to a lack of discipline at home but rather...
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Is All Piracy Equal? Exploring Gray Areas: When Is It REALLY "Stealing" ??
This episode presents a nuanced discussion on the topic of piracy, focusing on the circumstances under which Louis believes piracy can be justified. He recounts personal experiences, particularly with Netflix and Sony, where he felt misled or cheated by the companies' practices. For instance, he...
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What will you be remembered for?
The video is a personal narrative by Louis, who reflects on his life and career, discussing various jobs he held, including low-paying retail and sales positions, and his eventual move into the tech repair industry. He shares an anecdote about working for a healthcare sales company that he left...
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That sinking feeling
The video discusses the emotional reactions people have when they receive phone calls or messages from different individuals. Louis reflects on the variety of feelings that arise when seeing a specific name on their phone, ranging from excitement and positivity to dread and defensiveness. He...
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CHANGE STARTS WITH YOU
Louis expresses a strong call to action against unethical business practices by certain factories, specifically targeting Jack Telecom. Louis is outraged by the company's deceptive practices, which include falsely branding products with Apple logos and not caring about the consequences for their...
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The lower rungs on the economic ladder are gone
In this video, the Louis discusses the challenges and changes in the repair industry, particularly focusing on the difficulties faced by new entrants compared to when he started his business around 2009. He begins by explaining the equipment he uses, such as the Pure Air VLF 48 clean room bench,...
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Why I don't use Apple products
This episode discusses Louis' personal reasons for not using Apple products, emphasizing the frustration with Apple's ecosystem and user interface. The main argument is that Apple products often complicate tasks that should be simple, forcing users to adapt to Apple's way of doing things rather...
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Less anxiety & more productivity through disciplined time management.
This episode discusses the importance of time management and discipline in achieving personal and professional success. Louis emphasizes a unique approach to time management that focuses on the immediate future rather than long-term planning. He argues that long-term plans often fail due to...
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Rushing is demeaning; how to manage time to avoid stress and be productive.
This episode discusses effective time management strategies to enhance productivity and reduce stress in both personal and business life. Louis criticizes the notion of long work hours as a measure of productivity, emphasizing instead the importance of accomplishments and structured work. The…
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Thoughts on dynamic pricing at stores
The video recounts an experience Rossmann had with dynamic pricing at a bodega in New York City. He met his accountant at a deli and noticed flat-screen TVs displaying prices. When the accountant asked the deli owner to change the prices using a remote, the prices doubled, demonstrating a system...
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An important message on investing, confidence, & self-value to wallstreetbets & young gamblers.
This episode discusses the pitfalls of risky investment strategies, particularly those involving meme stocks and options trading, which are often pursued by individuals who feel that traditional, conservative investments, dubbed "boomer investments," are not lucrative enough. Louis argues that…
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A word on stress management, deescalation, and "the right to fail."
This episode discusses the concepts of de-escalation and escalation in handling stress, particularly focusing on the internal feedback loops that people often experience in stressful situations. Louis shares personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate how people tend to escalate stress by...
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a guide to developing real, lasting confidence
This video begins with Louis discussing the concept of confidence, particularly how it is often misunderstood. He reflects on his younger years, describing himself as socially awkward, financially unstable, and physically weak, and how he believed achieving certain milestones would boost his...
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An important lesson on self worth and honesty; it's ok to suck
Louis, in this video, shares his experiences and insights from tutoring and his past jobs, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's strengths and weaknesses. Louis discusses how many people attach their self-worth to their proficiency in a particular field, which can be detrimental,...
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You’ll be safe if I don’t pay for your panini
In this video, Louis delves into a topic that diverges from his usual content: dating etiquette, specifically who should pay on the first date. The video was prompted by a conversation in which a woman expressed that if a man didn't pay on a first date, it would be a significant turn-off and make...
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I would rather be an A-HOLE than an “Influencer” ; why I have NO RESPECT for these people!
This episode details Louis's frustration with the current state of influencer culture on YouTube, particularly focusing on the lack of consumer advocacy among influencers. Rossmann criticizes influencers for prioritizing their relationships with brands and their own careers over the interests of...
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How to invest in yourself, and the importance of value.
In this episode, Louis discusses the importance of investing in oneself and provides detailed examples from their own experiences. He emphasizes that the initial step is to test an idea with minimal investment to see if it has potential. For instance, he started his YouTube channel with a cheap...
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Focusing on money before respect earns you neither.
Louis uses a small claims court scenario to illustrate a broader lesson about customer service and business management. He emphasizes that not all business is good business, especially when dealing with difficult customers. Louis advises against taking on jobs that seem likely to cause more…
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How to properly reflect on failure.
This episode discusses the concept of failure and the crucial differences in how successful and unsuccessful people perceive and handle it. The key distinction lies in their approach to goals and their focus on either the past or the future. Successful individuals set valid goals, which are...
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Negotiating with yourself to get things done
This episode focuses on the concept of turning excuses, which are often seen negatively, into a structured learning environment to achieve success in fields where there are no formal guidelines or textbooks. Louis addresses common questions about his expertise in component-level motherboard...
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Creating a curriculum for self learning through excuses.
This episode discusses the role of excuses in the learning process, particularly in situations where there are no formal resources like textbooks, courses, or certifications to guide you. Louis emphasizes that many people seek shortcuts or secrets to success in various fields, from fitness to...
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Do you value yourself more than a broken Macbook?
In this video, Louis reflects on his personal experiences and the feedback he received from his audience regarding previous videos on life choices and therapy. He begins by discussing his commitment to responding to emails and offering advice, a principle he adopted after receiving help himself...
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It's not about the money, it's about the respect
The video focuses on a fundamental principle for anyone in the service industry: it's not about the money, but about respect. Louis emphasizes that setting and sticking to a fair rate is crucial for establishing respect for one's craft. Many clients, even well-intentioned ones, may perceive...
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Why I dislike people who abuse the "F" word
Louis discusses the history and significance of a Dell computer that has been sitting unused for a long time. Louis addresses common misconceptions from viewers who think they intentionally break and then fix computers for content. He clarifies that the Dell XPS M1530 belongs to his uncle and use...
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How I achieve freedom from the fear of failure
Louis discusses the concept of failure and how to handle it, particularly in the context of business and personal growth. Louis begins by explaining that he initially started creating YouTube content not to gain fans, but as a form of self-therapy. This process helped him realize that many of…
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Why my old business failed, how to not be a stupid failure like Louis Rossmann
This episode discusses Louis appreciation for a high school history teacher, Dr. Yung, who effectively taught history by providing context, analogies, and diverse reading materials, particularly on Soviet Russia. This segues into Louis' critique of Apple, drawing parallels between Soviet…
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Career advancement and the myth of passion and "doing what you love"
This video addresses the concept of passion in the context of career and professional growth. Louis challenges the common advice to simply "follow your passion," arguing that this can lead to frustration and failure if one's passion does not align with their skills. Instead, he advocates for...
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"Do what you find fun" is bad advice for beginners: the beginning is NOT fun!
This video discusses the distinction between fun, passion, and motivation, particularly in the context of pursuing a career or mastering a skill. Louis challenges the common advice that one must find their work fun and be passionate about it to succeed. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of...
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If you're going to be the bitch, be the whole bitch! no half bitch allowed here
The video revolves around Rossman's reflections on life lessons learned from a friend named Dino, a large, tattooed man with a criminal past but a kind heart. Dino taught Louis the importance of honesty and accountability in interactions with others. One of Dino's key philosophies was…
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Don't live life with an employee's mindset; create life as you want it to be.
The video discusses the concept of the "Employee Mindset" and its impact on personal and professional life. Louis argues that the Employee Mindset, instilled from a young age through the education system and societal norms, conditions individuals to accept suboptimal situations without question....
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A word on manipulation
The video discusses the topic of manipulation, emphasizing how intelligent and logical people can be more susceptible to manipulation than less intelligent individuals. Louis recounts a discussion by Eli the Computer Guy, where it was mentioned that intelligent people can be more easily…
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Don’t internalize it.
In the video, Louis discusses the importance of not internalizing external opinions, whether they are positive or negative. He shares personal anecdotes to illustrate his point. One story involves a restaurant worker who goes out of their way to remember his preferences, which leads him to help...
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My problem with the cult of Apple.
This video revolves around Louis' critique of Apple's business practices and user culture, drawing parallels to historical and personal anecdotes. He starts by reminiscing about a high school history teacher, Dr. Yung, who provided a comprehensive understanding of historical contexts…
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Beware contracting self-destructive mindsets of self pity and envy
This episode addresses a comment Rossmann received, which criticizes him for being "dumb" and for having better resources due to being born in a more privileged place. Louis uses this as a springboard to discuss a broader issue: the mindset of envy and self-pity. He acknowledges that while he...
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The importance of doing something rather than nothing to find your place in the world
Louis shares his personal journey, highlighting how he stumbled through various jobs and internships before finding his niche in MacBook component-level board repair. Initially, he was interested in audio engineering, but due to a lack of specific knowledge, he ended up in the wrong internships…
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Don’t Scream Around Children
In this episode, Louis emphasizes that children are acutely aware of their surroundings and the behavior of adults, even if they appear to be distracted. He argues that children don't want to feel like a burden and rely on their parents for stability. When parents are frequently stressed or...
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Social Anxiety
This episode discusses social anxiety from two main perspectives: perspective and responsibility/projection. Louis uses an analogy of a person walking through a field and encountering a prison to illustrate how perspective shapes our understanding of freedom and imprisonment. People inside the...
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Motivation for rebuilding from rock bottom depression
Louis reflects on his struggles with procrastination, depression, and business failures, emphasizing the importance of breaking down overwhelming tasks into smaller, manageable steps. He shares personal anecdotes from a particularly difficult period in his life around 2010-2011, where he faced...
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The biggest lies we tell ourselves all start with "tomorrow"
Louis takes on an internal locus of control in this episode. He highlights the importance of taking small steps and building on daily progress rather than waiting for the perfect conditions to start. By celebrating small successes and learning from each day's work, you can gradually achieve your...
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I never assume I am the good guy or a good person. Here is why.
Louis elaborates on his personal philosophy of assuming he is the "bad guy" in any situation. This mindset serves as a self-check to prevent him from becoming corrupt or complacent. He contrasts this with the common belief that people are inherently good and only others are evil, arguing that…
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A tactic for keeping depression away.
Louis highlights two primary types of depression: situational depression, which arises from specific life events, and depression caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. He recount his mother's severe depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which often manifested in...
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A word on addiction, waiting for rock bottom & losing friends
"Louis was tearing up towards the end.I genuinely felt that.Reach out to your friends, no matter what." Marking the three-year anniversary of his friend’s passing, Louis challenges the common belief that people struggling with addiction can only be helped after they reach their lowest point. He...
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A word on bullying.
"Bullying is a serious problem, particularly for people in our field. The group of people labeled nerds are more likely to enter the tech field, and also more likely to be bullied through their youth.Here I go through some bad advice I hear given and my experience with it. I go over the beginning...
About this show
Uploaded to Spotify as Podcasts. Original Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkVbIsAWN2lvpys3pHlAHXGEamiDEWiRN
Hosted by
Louis Rossmann
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