Upbuilding The Self

We are excited to share that we launched a new podcast called "The Upbuild Enneagram Library." It offers a deep and practical exploration of the Enneagram and how it supports the journey from ego to the true self. If you have enjoyed Upbuilding the Self, you will love what you hear on this new podcast. You will hear from the same Upbuild team, Rasanath, Hari, Vipin, and Michael, and it will carry the same heart as the conversations on this feed.We are pausing new episodes here for now so we can focus our creative energy on the new show. You can listen to The Upbuild Enneagram Library wherever you get your podcasts. We hope you subscribe and join us there.Podcast link: https://www.upbuild.com/enneagram-podcastLinksEnneagram Library Live:  Join our bi-weekly conversations and teachings on the Enneagram to help you see yourself, others, and the human condition more clearly. Thursdays at 6pm ET on Zoom.Upbuild Coaching Certification Training. Starts in October.Upbuild WebsiteInstagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

They explore how unresolved ambitions and unmet needs sneak into parenting and shape expectations. They share awkward, real-life parenting moments and homeschool tensions that reveal egoic patterns. Themes include envy, parental identities like perfectionist or image manager, shame transfer, and tools to pause reactive impulses. Parenting is framed as a mirror and a challenging spiritual practice of service.

In Part 2, Hari Prasada and Rasanath vividly share what it was like in the heat of the moment distributing books in the streets and subways of New York City. They open up more about pivotal struggles they faced, including feeling humiliation and imposter syndrome, and how letting go in the spirit of service made room for the transformation we all crave deep down. Beyond being a most vital practice of compassion by outreach, book distribution also became a mirror that reflected their concocted identities, resistance to change, and something of the true self that lies beneath all these coverings.LinksEnneagram Library Live:  Join our bi-weekly conversations and teachings on the Enneagram to help you see yourself, others, and the human condition more clearly. Thursdays at 6pm ET on Zoom.Upbuild Coaching Certification Training. Starts in October.Upbuild WebsiteInstagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

If you’ve spent time in New York City, or many other cities around the world, you’ve likely seen monks on street corners or in subways, holding out books and trying to spark conversations. This sacred practice is known as Book Distribution. In this episode, Hari Prasada and Rasanath share what it was like to engage in this practice during their early days in a New York City monastery. They tell stories, some funny, some more serious, and speak about the deeper purpose behind Book Distribution. With honesty and reflection, they reveal how the experience challenged their egos, tested their intentions, and opened them to unexpected moments of grace. Without having to walk the streets of New York book in hand (though we hope one day you will!), they give you a taste of the experience and accompanying lessons.LinksEnneagram Library Live:  Join our bi-weekly conversations and teachings on the Enneagram to help you see yourself, others, and the human condition more clearly. Thursdays at 6pm ET on Zoom.Upbuild Coaching Certification Training. Starts in October.Upbuild WebsiteInstagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

Each of us is wired with a specific hierarchy of three core instinctual drives, shaping how we move through the world. The Instincts (sometimes referred to as Instinctual Variants) is part of the Enneagram framework and plays a powerful role in how our personalities form. One Instinct tends to dominate and demands most of our attention, a second supports it, while a third gets neglected and becomes a Blind Spot. In this episode, Michael, Hari, and Rasanath unpack the three Instincts—Self-Preservation, Sexual, and Social—and how they show up in our daily lives. They explore the energy behind each, how these Instincts function at their healthiest, and how they can create suffering. By understanding your “Instinctual Stack,” you can begin to shift from automatic patterns to conscious integration, creating space for real growth and movement toward the best version of yourself.LinksEnneagram Library Live:  Join our bi-weekly conversations and teachings on the Enneagram to help you see yourself, others, and the human condition more clearly. Thursdays at 6pm ET on Zoom.Upbuild Coaching Certification Training. Starts in October.Upbuild WebsiteInstagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

Many of us pride ourselves on our ability to compartmentalize. We like to keep our personal and professional lives separate, push aside difficult emotions, and stay productive in the face of whatever comes our way. But what if this “skill” we value so highly is quietly cutting us off from our own hearts? In this episode, Hari Prasada, Rasanath, and Vipin examine why compartmentalization seems helpful but ultimately prevents us from being our best self. They distinguish between presence and suppression, explore how disconnection from the heart affects our relationships, and discuss what it takes to return to the emotions we've long set aside.LinksEnneagram Library Live:  Join our bi-weekly conversations and teachings on the Enneagram to help you see yourself, others, and the human condition more clearly. Thursdays at 6pm ET on Zoom.Upbuild Coaching Certification Training. Starts in October.Upbuild WebsiteInstagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

Most of us are terrible at feedback. It’s awkward, forced, or worse, completely ineffective. In this episode, Michael, Hari, and Vipin break down why that is and how to fix it. They draw from their own journeys at places like McKinsey, MTV, Goldman Sachs, and Upbuild to show how feedback can be an act of ego…or a gateway to growth, trust, and real connection. They unpack what makes feedback land (or fall flat), why intention matters more than anything else, and how to make feedback human again.LinksEnneagram Library Live:  Join our bi-weekly conversations and teachings on the Enneagram to help you see yourself, others, and the human condition more clearly. Thursdays at 6pm ET on Zoom.Upbuild Coaching Certification Training. Starts in October.Upbuild WebsiteInstagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

Why do we blame even when we know it’s harmful? It’s a behavior so woven into our daily experience that most of us hardly notice it, let alone question it. In this episode, Michael and Hari Prasada unpack the inner workings of blame, exploring how it arises from the ego's desire to control and enjoy. They examine its seductive emotional appeal, the false sense of order it provides, and the ways it damages our relationships and cultures. With real-life examples and practical tools, they highlight how we can shift from reactive blame to conscious accountability.LinksEnneagram Library Live:  Join our bi-weekly conversations and teachings on the Enneagram to help you see yourself, others, and the human condition more clearly. Thursdays at 6pm ET on Zoom.Upbuild Coaching Certification Training. Starts in October.Upbuild WebsiteInstagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

Most of us spend the majority of our waking hours at work, yet so many people feel dissatisfied with their jobs. In this episode, Michael, Vipin, and Hari Prasada explore why work so often feels disconnected from meaning and how the ego plays a central role in this struggle. They break down the financial insecurities, self-limiting beliefs, and social pressures that keep us stuck in unfulfilling careers. The conversation also challenges the modern assumption that work should be our primary source of purpose.LinksEnneagram Library Live:  Join our bi-weekly conversations and teachings on the Enneagram to help you see yourself, others, and the human condition more clearly. Thursdays at 6pm ET on Zoom.Upbuild Coaching Certification Training. Starts in October.Upbuild WebsiteInstagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

Discover the intriguing differences between coaching and therapy, and how each facilitates self-discovery. Hear about a transformative journey from a fast-paced corporate life to a deeper exploration of spirituality and authenticity. The conversation navigates the tension between ego and personal growth, highlighting the importance of self-awareness in leadership. Learn how recognizing ego can lead to a more fulfilling life, alongside practical exercises for personal development and a compassionate approach to self-improvement.