All Episodes - Essentially Existing
A weekly podcast where two students take a closer look at their thoughts and feelings about various things that happen in their lives.
View Podcast Details24 Episodes
Reflecting on Summer and Start of University
In this week’s episode, we catch up by talking about university initiation and Eric’s wisdom teeth removal. We then reflect on our summer to see if we accomplished everything we wanted to do and how we enjoyed it as a whole. Finally, we discuss going back to school and what that will entail for us in the near future. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Our Camping Trip and Loads of Nostalgia
This week, we start the podcast by looking back at our recent camping trip. We talked about the various activities we did there and focused especially on our stargazing session, as well as what we felt during it. We then venture off talking about how everything we have been doing lately made us feel nostalgic about life in general, and how a new chapter in our lives is about to start. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Living in Big Cities vs Small Cities
This week, we start the podcast by having a little discussion on why we’re feeling a bit like a wasteman and what we can do about it. Then, we discuss the question of whether we would live in a big city or a small city, and the appeal of each. We finish by taking a look at our own city, Montreal, and reflecting on our time spent in the city. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
We Took A Break
In this week’s episode, we catch up on activities we have been doing for the past two weeks, after having taken a break last week. Then, we talk about why we took the break and our thoughts about our decision. We discuss whether it was beneficial to us, as well as delve into the topic of quality versus quantity. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Getaway Trips and What Makes Them Fun
In this week’s episode, we first talk about reaching out to people we haven’t connected with for a while and how we felt about that. Then, we talk about Eric’s recent camping trip, what makes small getaways fun for us, and how a trip should be structured. Finally, we close the episode with a short reflection on what it feels like to upgrade to a new piece of technology. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Partying and Social Interactions
In this week’s episode, we first reveal what TV shows we’ve been watching lately, and have a little discussion about binge watching shows. Then, we talk about how being at a party allows you to be more carefree, and discuss why that is the case. We end the episode with a reflection on social interactions in general, and set a challenge for ourselves for the next week. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ (https://www.instagram.com/essentiallyexisting_/) Twitter: @eexisting_ (https://twitter.com/eexisting_)
Catching Up and Video Games
In this week’s episode, we catch up on what we have been up to for the past two weeks. Then, we talk about being spontaneous, unstructured summer days, and our experiences with video games. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Our Very First Unreleased Podcast Episode
In this week's very special episode, we decided to release our very first discussion that would lead to the creation of this podcast. This was recorded on February 1st 2021, a whole month before Essentially Existing was even a thing. In this hour-long unscripted discussion, we tackle a multitude of subjects, including happiness, friendships, social masks and more random topics along the way. We hope you enjoy this. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
Reunion with a Former Teacher
In this week’s more rambly episode, we first go over our progress on regaining control of our summer vacation, which was last week’s topic. Then, we discuss our reunion with a professor from high school. We try to see if there are any insights to be gained from this reunion and if it’s worth reaching out to professors. We also go on a tangent about the importance and impact of a teacher on a student’s life. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
Regaining Control of our Summer
In this week’s episode, we discuss the start of our summer vacation and how we feel it wasn’t what we expected it to be. We then talk about strategies that could help us regain control of our summer and have a good work-life balance. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Moving Out and Odyssey Plan feat. Antoine Shatawy
In this week’s very special episode, we have our very first guest on the podcast, Antoine Shatawy. Antoine is a long-time friend of ours and will be studying Mechanical Engineering at Concordia University. We discuss our thoughts on moving out of university and when we think we want to move out. Then, we explore what we think our lives will be like in the next 5-10 years. Finally, Antoine ends the episode with a talk regarding the importance of photography and art to him. Antoine’s Instagram: @theprintroommtl Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
On Shopping and Consumer Culture
In this week’s episode, we delve into the topic of shopping, trends and fitting in. We explore what would motivate consumers to purchase certain things despite not needing it and why people follow trends. We also analyze our own shopping habits and try to determine whether we also follow those trends. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
On Becoming Medical Students
In this week’s episode, we discuss our thoughts and feelings leading up to getting admitted into medical school. We then explain our admission process as well as the preparation needed for the application. We also include some CASPer test tips for people looking to take the test. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Life and Mortality
This week, we dive into a few "what if" hypothetical questions and explore our answers, tackling ideas such as the mortality of humans. Here are the questions we ended up discussing: - If you could stop a bad habit that you have, what would you stop? - If you could choose how you were going to die, what would you choose your death to be? - If you were given a choice to live as long as you like, how long would you like to live? Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
How We Became Friends
In this week’s episode, we take a trip down memory lane and explore how we became friends. We talk about the most vivid memories we have of each year leading up to now. Then, we discuss friendships in general, what makes a good friendship and why we’re still friends. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
End of Semester Stress
In this week's more laid-back episode, we decided to have a casual conversation about how we're feeling as we approach the end of the school semester. Then, we explored some tips and tricks that could potentially benefit our life in general. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Socializing and Finding Purpose in Life
In this week’s episode, we first discuss intentional socialization which is an idea we came across in a podcast. It involves the idea that we should be more active with our socializing attempts, instead of leaving it up to chance. We then touch on the unavoidable question that is, what is our purpose in life? We discuss our views on what is considered success, and what makes for a purposeful life. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Uncertainty About the Future
In this week's episode, we discuss the feelings of uncertainty that we have been experiencing lately. We then venture into our memories to understand why we dread feeling this way. Finally, we touch on what we cam do when faced with these thoughts. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Gifted Kids and Procrastination
In this week's episode, we first dive into the phenomenon of gifted kids and where we stand in regards to that. Then, we explore our relationship with procrastination and motivation, as well as mention some strategies we employ to overcome procrastination. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
How do you get people’s attention on the streets?
In this week’s episode, we revisit an interaction we had with someone who got our attention as we were walking on a street and delve into the social norms around it. We explore what it takes to get someone to pay attention to what you're saying and what strategies can be used to achieve that. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Growing up Chinese Canadian
In this week’s episode, we talk about the ongoing issues surrounding anti-Asian hate crimes. Then, we delve into our experiences growing up as Asians in Canada and the problems that we faced and still face to this day. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Why do we feel so unproductive?
In this week's episode, we talk about why we've been in a productivity slump and how we're trying to overcome it. Then, we touch on why we're doing this podcast and what it means for us. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Should Knowledge Be Accessible To Everyone?
In this episode, we reflect upon our March break, then dive into the subject of whether it is moral to charge money for knowledge based on a situation we encountered. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
Origins
In the very first episode of Essentially Existing, James and Eric introduce themselves (in a rather awkward fashion), then talk about the origin story of this podcast. Afterwards, they discuss their March break and their progress on building positive habits in their lives. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Feel free to DM us with your thoughts, comments and topic suggestions. We would love to hear them! Instagram: @essentiallyexisting_ Twitter: @eexisting_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!