On this episode of Leave Looking Up , we sit down with the multi-hyphenate creative force Ray Angry — Grammy-nominated pianist, composer, producer, and longtime member of The Roots . From performing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon , to playing Carnegie Hall five times (including a reimagining of Prince’s music), to collaborating with legends like Questlove , Stevie Wonder , D'Angelo , and Joss Stone , Ray’s career has transcended genres and redefined what it means to be a 21st-century musi...
Jun 03, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 6
As we celebrate worldbuilders—visionary creators designing a better future through their work and way of being, it's only fitting that we were able to sit down with acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, educator, and artist Poranguí , whose life work embodies this mission. A former professor at the Phoenix Conservatory of Music and Arizona Commission of Artists, Poranguí has performed at South by Southwest , Envision Festival , and on platforms such as TEDxSedona , BBC , and PBS . His globally belove...
May 21, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 5
This season, we’re diving deep with worldbuilders—those who transform a vision into reality. Today’s guest is Casey Fenton, the visionary founder behind Couchsurfing, a movement that reshaped travel for millions across the globe. From a single couch connection to a worldwide community spanning 220,000 cities, Casey’s journey shows how grit, vulnerability, and a clear sense of self can spark massive change. In this episode, we explore the origin story of Couchsurfing, the pivotal moments that tes...
May 06, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Hosted by Neal Ludevig and Amer Jandali, Leave Looking Up is a podcast where we humanize our heroes through uplifting conversations about the somewhat tumultuous and often challenging state of the world.We interview a diverse roster of guests from Grammy Award-winning musicians, to Emmy Award-winning producers, to internationally recognized activists and influencers, educators, innovators, and more. Rana Abdelhamid is a truly inspirational organizer and global human rights activist making positi...
Nov 05, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In recognition of United Nations Day, we'd like you to meet Dr. Sylvia Earle, a literal pioneer of our time. Known affectionately as "Her Deepness", Sylvia was named a "Champion for the Earth" by the UN in 2014, and is a renowned marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer. Over the course of her more than six decade long career doing groundbreaking work in marine science, Sylvia was named a "Hero of the Planet" by Time Magazine, was a TED Prize Winner, is a National Geograph...
Oct 24, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In recognition of National Heroes day, we'd like you to meet Andy Mann, acclaimed photographer, filmmaker, musician, and multi-hyphenate. With work featured in National Geographic , the New York Times, BBC Wildlife, and many more, his work has garnered him an Emmy nomination, 12 Telly Awards, and the legendary Crystal Compass award in recognition of his work that led to the designation of the world’s largest Arctic National Park in Franz Josef Land, Russia. In this episode, we sat down with Andy...
Oct 08, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Get ready to be inspired as Leave Looking Up returns with its second season, diving deep into the minds of changemakers shaping our future. After a stellar first season that garnered thousands of listens and shares globally, Leave Looking Up is back with more thought-provoking conversations. Hosted by Neal Ludevig , acclaimed producer and entrepreneur, along with co-hosts Amer Jandali and Sasha Dimitrevic , this season will explore the theme of worldbuilding—uncovering the frameworks and ideas c...
Sep 26, 2024•32 sec
Meet Benjamin Von Wong (aka Von Wong), a true one-a-king world builder. A Canadian artist, activist, photographer and long time nomad, Von focuses his energy on bringing more awe and fantasy to our world. Known for his inspiring environmental art installations and hyper-realist art style that have taken the internet by storm, Von’s viral work has been featured globally in everything from TED Talks, to the United Nations, to the World Economic Forum, and have even landed him in the Guinness Book ...
Sep 26, 2024•32 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Meet Rana Abdelhamid, a truly inspirational organizer and global human rights activist making positive changes in the world today. Rana is a Truman Scholar, founder of the organizations Hijabis of New York and the Women's Initiative for Self Empowerment which she started when she was 16. She is also a 1st degree Black Belt, and is one of youngest serving board members of Amnesty International USA. Rana’s list of honors is a true testament to who she is. She has been selected by Forbes as a 30 Un...
Mar 08, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Meet Lorena Beltran, a true multi-hyphenate. Lorena is an international speaker, consultant, and activist on all things cannabis. She is the founder of both CannabiSalud Mexico and Endonatura Labs, companies focused on research, product manufacturing, and advocacy work connected to the legal medical cannabis framework in Mexico. An integral part of the movement that successfully legalized medicinal marijuana in Mexico, Lorena has since launched a non-profit association called Alianza Latinoameri...
Feb 28, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Meet Dr. Leyla Acaroglu, an award-winning designer, sustainability provocateur, social scientist and entrepreneur. Leyla's list of accolades is truly something to behold; She’s a mainstage TED speaker, LinkedIn Changemaker and was named a United Nations Champion of the Earth in 2016 for her work in advancing science and innovation for sustainability. On top of all of that, she's the founder of the CO Project Farm, and the "Unschool" of Design, which she founded in 2014. In her words, the school’...
Feb 21, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Meet Nate & Hila, otherwise known as Nathanology and Hila the Killa (or more recently, Hila the Earth); two artists and activist voices whose work in the world of sustainability, education, sexual freedom, and activism, have garnered them millions of likes and views of their socials like Tik Tok and Instagram, hundreds of thousands of fans across the globe, coverage from outlets like the BBC, Billboard, Timeout and NY1, and performances at internationally acclaimed venues like the House of Y...
Feb 14, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Meet Jonathan Javier and Jerry Lee, influencers, job search experts, and the 2020 LinkedIn Top Voices for Tech through their company Wonsulting, which has amassed 1.2M+ followers on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and IG, garnered 30+ million impressions monthly and reached 100M+ jobseekers globally. Founded in 2019 with the mission of turning underdogs into winners, Wonsulting focuses on helping people from non-traditional backgrounds, secure offers from top companies like Google, Facebook, Deloitt...
Feb 06, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Meet Claire Wasserman; an inspirational educator and author who founded "Ladies Get Paid," a platform, community, and book that champions the professional and financial advancement of women. Named as one of the top most 100 powerful woman by Entrepreneur Magazine’s and one of the 75 most influential financial leaders by “Marquis Who's Who”, Claire has advocated for women globally, hosted podcasts, and has garnered international coverage for her work. In today’s episode, we sat down with Claire t...
Jan 31, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Meet Brady; renowned bassist, producer, musician, and cancer survivor. Touring with, recording, and headlining tours with the likes of Talib Kweli, DJ Premier, members of Rage Against the Machine, and Marc Rebillet, this New Hampshire native turned Harlemite that created the viral series "Bass & Bars", which has featured everyone from Matisyahu to Jadakiss, is worth listening to. In this episode, we learn about the journey of bringing dreams to reality, the power of grit and hard work, and t...
Jan 24, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Meet Shelah Marie; Founder and CEO of The Curvy, Curly, Conscious movement, mental health & wellness influencer, meditation enthusiast, reality tv star & wife of platinum selling artist Ace Hood. In this episode, Neal and Amer sit down with Shelah Marie, whose voice in the world of mental health, social justice, and wellness, is making real impact. Throughout the episode, they learn about how to have a conversation with your future self, self acceptance, the power of finding your own com...
Jan 16, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Meet Pierce Freelon, 2x Grammy Nominee, Former City Councilman, Emmy Award-winning Producer, Author, father of 3, and most recently inducted into the Kennedy 50. Join Neal and Amer as they sit down with Pierce and hear about the importance of honoring our ancestors, vibrations, dealing with failures and challenges through acceptance, being obedient to your intuition, and that the way you do one thing, is the way you should do all things. For the full & uncut episode, along with a number of o...
Jan 16, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Our 1st episode welcomes your hosts - Neal Ludevig and Amer Jandali - who tell you what you're in for, their promise to you, a bit about themselves, and gives your a highlight reel of some of our favorite snippets from our first season.
Jan 12, 2023•3 min•Season 1Ep. 1
