New Material with Herbert Lui & Hamza Khan

Hamza and Herbert dive into the chaos of building in fast-moving spaces. Hamza reflects on the daily strategic pivots at his AI startup, and the tensions of working on the business vs. working in it, and the tradeoffs that come with chasing momentum.They unpack the underdog mentality: how ambition can become a trap, leading you to chase legacy metrics instead of focusing on craft. Hamza grapples with wanting to write another “classic” book, while Herbert challenges him to reconsider what success actually means. They discuss J. Cole's apology, questions of creative lineage and legacy, and the recursive pressure to keep proving yourself.The episode closes with Hamza acknowledging the vicious cycle of comparison and the need to “respond rather than react,” to pick up the pen, write, and put it down without always needing to publish or compete.Useful links:How I Tamed My Envy of Almost Everyone But Especially Elizabeth Gilbert by Kirsten Powers (Archived version)Making Friends With My Nemesis by Elizabeth AustinA Toast For The Underdogs (via Hamza’s blog)Creative lineage (via Herbert’s blog)J. Cole’s hard decision for an easy life⁠ (via Herbert’s blog)

Herbert takes on Hamza’s challenge from the previous episode to publish something from his journal: a raw, uncomfortable post about failing to become a New York Times bestselling author by 30. The piece turns out as a meditation on ambition, failure, and the gap between expectation and reality. Together, they reflect on how honesty can be useful. The conversation explores the consequences of expressing yourself fully; not holding back from your work. They discuss the recursive relationship between writing, thinking, and living: how daily practice compounds into something larger. Herbert reflects on how impossibly high standards paralyzed him, while Hamza grapples with his own tendency to overexplain instead of simply saying the thing.Herbert challenges Hamza to write only seven sentences per post, with the goal to practice restraint, brevity, and the courage to not say everything you want to say.Useful links:Reflecting on my failure to write a NYT bestselling book (via Herbert’s blog)Tell Your Whole Story (via Hamza’s blog)Five (via Herbert’s blog)

In this episode of New Material, Herbert and Hamza kick off by exploring nicknames and self-created monikers. They discuss the prevalence of big personalities in their favorite genre of music, hip hop, before diving into their creative journeys. Hamza reflects on his recent professional setbacks and the value of vulnerability in writing, and how his practice of writing every day is progressing. Herbert discusses his private journaling practice and the distinction between that and his public blog posts, as well as concern for others involved and maintaining privacy. Hamza challenges Herbert to publish something from his inner sanctum, noting how a couple of his recent blog posts started as raw journal entries. They issue each other a creative challenge: by January 15th, both will publish something from their private journals that feels slightly uncomfortable. The conversation explores how, sometimes, true creative expression sometimes requires showing teeth, referencing Anthony Bourdain's candid writing and Timothy Chalamet's fearless portrayal in Marty Supreme.Useful links:Supreme Fiending: A Fate Heist Too Far (via Hamza’s blog)Out of the comfort zone (via Herbert’s blog)

In this episode of New Material, Hamza announces the launch of his new blog, (https://hamzak.com/) marking a return to his writing roots. Inspired by Herbert’s daily writing practice (https://herbertlui.net/), Hamza reflects on his feelings after years of instrumentalizing his creative work and seeks to reclaim writing as a liberating, personal act. Herbert shares his approach to maintaining a 1,400+ day writing streak, emphasizing low barriers (writing five original sentences counts as a blog post), generative creativity over explosive bursts, and writing for joy rather than optimization. They discuss the “trance of ambition” and how it can, sometimes, get in the way of creative fulfillment. They consider blogs as calling cards rather than revenue sources, and discuss how to resist the urge to over-format or instrumentalize every post. The conversation explores how to maintain creative discipline while avoiding the trap of turning every personal moment into content, with both hosts celebrating the return to authentic, unoptimized expression.Useful links:Dance With Your Darlings (via Hamza’s blog)Stop exploiting yourself (via Herbert’s blog)The asymptotic queue (via Herbert’s blog)

Herbert Lui and Hamza Khan discuss the creative process, self-doubt, and the importance of writing. Hamza shares his experience of delivering a new keynote, which received a standing ovation but left him feeling unsatisfied. He reflects on the advice from Herbert's article, "Don't Think To Write, Write To Think," and decides to rewrite the keynote for better clarity. They emphasize the value of writing as a thinking process and the importance of accepting oneself. Hamza plans to start his day with writing, aiming to improve his work through consistent practice and feedback.Edited by ⁠⁠Evan Mader

Herbert Lui and Hamza Khan, co-hosts of the "New Material" podcast, celebrate episode 10 by discussing the concept of "boss" in hip hop culture and leadership. Hamza Khan delves into the etymology of "boss," linking it to historical power dynamics and capitalism. They explore the idea of decentralizing power in the workplace, advocating for a shift from traditional boss-employee dynamics to more collaborative, respectful leadership. Khan emphasizes the importance of treating employees with dignity and autonomy, citing examples like Chobani and Clorox. They also reflect on personal experiences with authority figures and the need for leaders to foster genuine partnerships with their teams.Edited by ⁠Evan Mader

In this episode of New Material, Herbert Lui (Creative Doing) and Hamza Khan (SkillsCamp) dive into the surprising power of analog methods in creativity and productivity. Herbert shares his shift from digital tools to pen and paper, explaining how index cards and the Zettelkasten method sharpen his thinking. Hamza opens up about overcoming creative blocks by embracing handwritten notes, rediscovering the focus and emotional connection that comes with slowing down. Together, they explore how analog tools can strengthen creative muscles and suggest starting small—like writing to-do lists by hand—to experience the benefits firsthand.Edited by Evan Mader

In this episode of New Material, Herbert Lui and Hamza Khan dive into their creative origins, reflecting on how growing up in Scarborough shaped their perspectives, work ethic, and artistic sensibilities. They explore the power of constraints in creativity, the lessons of resilience from their upbringing, and the influence of hip hop—especially artists like Eminem and 50 Cent—on their journeys. They also touch on the evolving landscape of hip hop and tease future episodes where they'll unseal more stories from "The Scarborough Files."Edited by ⁠Evan Mader

Herbert Lui and Hamza Khan discuss their recent travels and personal reflections. Herbert recounts his month-long trip to Asia, highlighting his experiences in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo, including cultural immersion and family connections. Hamza shares his transformative trip to Rome, which helped him process grief and inspired his new book project on leadership and empire. They explore the psychological and emotional benefits of travel, such as reduced stress and improved creativity. Both emphasize the importance of personal freedom and autonomy in their work and lives, aiming to inspire their listeners to create their own "empires" and pursue meaningful, fulfilling experiences.Edited by Evan Mader

Herbert Lui and Hamza Khan dive into social media and personal branding—Herbert shares why he’s hesitant to use social media, while Hamza talks about rebranding to align his online presence with his real self. They explore the struggle to stay authentic while managing a professional image and why personal stories are key to building a strong brand. They also discuss career pivots, using DJ Divas's journey from Doing to launching a billion-dollar company as inspiration. Hamza opens up about his shift from productivity and creativity to burnout and leadership, with plans for a book on toxic leadership. Meanwhile, Herbert reflects on his year of restraint and health, aiming to grow his blog. Both are excited about the future of their podcast—bigger goals, better production, and reaching more people.Edited by ⁠⁠⁠Evan Mader⁠⁠

Herbert Lui and Hamza Khan dive into their experiences living in New York versus Toronto—comparing the energy, opportunities, and personal growth each city offers. They chat about pushing past comfort zones, staying mindful, and not taking life for granted. Hamza opens up about his evolving career, eventually turning 40, and stepping up as a CEO, while Herbert shares his creative journey and love for New York’s buzz. They also touch on AI events, career reinvention, and the ongoing evolution of their podcast. Tune in for real talk, laughs, and insights on making bold moves and embracing change.Edited by ⁠⁠Evan Mader

Herbert Lui and Hamza Khan discuss their respective weeks, with Herbert focusing on his book and social media engagement, and Hamza on his keynote speaking engagements. They explore three different roles in the creative process—starter, developer, and finisher—emphasizing the importance of understanding your strengths and complementing them with others. Herbert identifies as a starter, while Hamza sees himself as a finisher. They share insights on the importance of caring about your work, the challenges of balancing tasks, and the significance of finishing projects to their full potential, using examples like Shigeru Miyamoto and Childish Gambino. Edited by ⁠Evan Mader⁠

In this episode of New Material, Herbert Lui and Hamza Khan continue their exploration of creative processes. Hamza shares his consistent 5am (!) wake up routine and tales from his recent travels, including a chaotic week of context-switching between family events and work. Herbert talks about his visits to The Met, his decision to stick to a pressing book deadline, and his revisiting of Virgil Abloh's philosophy on creative work. They explore the playful aspect of creative work “The Idiot” (aka “The Fool”) in the creative process, emphasizing the importance of playfulness and spontaneity. Hamza reflects on his own creative odyssey, including his desire to return to music video production and the impact of playfulness on his public speaking. Herbert shares prompts from his book Creative Doing and his blog on remembering how to play and nurture your inner child. Useful links: Chaotic Good by Rachel Jepsen Madman, Architect, Carpenter, Judge: Roles and the Writing Process by Professor Betty Flowers Make time to Play, a prompt from Herbert’s book Creative Doing The four inner beings of a writer (via Herbert’s blog) 2.5 hours with Rising Green (via Herbert’s blog) Edited by ⁠Evan Mader⁠

In this episode of New Material, Herbert and Hamza dive deep into the murky waters of imposter syndrome and its potentially crushing effect on creative work. Hamza shares the raw reality of tackling a high-stakes textbook update project, facing a torrent of feedback that left him questioning his own skill. He reflects on the challenge of navigating criticism while holding onto his creative voice. Meanwhile, Herbert opens up about his own battles with editorial scrutiny and why staying true to your creative vision matters, even when external voices get loud. Together, they explore the push and pull of self-doubt, learning to separate your work from your worth, and embracing uncertainty as part of the creative journey. If you’ve ever wrestled with feelings of inadequacy or wanted a glimpse into the creative process's messier side, this episode gives you an honest look at what it means to create with integrity and resilience. Edited by ⁠Evan Mader⁠

In our first episode, Herbert and Hamza unpack what it means to step out from behind the scenes and bring your voice front and center. As two creatives who’ve spent years ghostwriting for others, they get real about the evolution from crafting ideas in the shadows to launching this show and exploring creativity through every lens imaginable. From creative block to confidence-building, the duo break down the personal and professional shifts that take any creative process from invisible to impactful. Whether you’re starting your own project or just curious about how the creative process unfolds, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the journey. Edited by Evan Mader