Enlighten Up Bro!

Enlighten Up Bro! Episode #11: Chasing Your Dream With Buddhism

SGI-USA — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0700

Episode 11 of Enlighten Up Bro! out now!

Welcome back to Enlighten Up Bro!
On this episode, we sat down with Steve from Maryland, working in audio visual installation and aspiring musician. Though reality may be tough, learn how Steve uses his Buddhist practice to appreciate his daily life and uses that as motivation to never give up on his dreams of becoming a world wide musician!

00:00 Introduction
00:16 Host catch up
02:17 Welcome Steve!
03:15 Introduction to Steve
05:16 Steve’s show and tell
07:48 How does Buddhism help chase your dreams
20:00 Having appreciation for daily life
29:10 Conclusion

Check out our socials!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enlighten.up.bro
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enlighten.up.bro

Who Are We?
Welcome to Enlighten Up Bro! a podcast run by regular dudes who are attempting to find answers to life’s questions. Through discussion and interviews, the hosts, Shota, Grady and Kenichi will address various areas of life of a young man through the lens of Nichiren Buddhism.

#buddhism #bro #men #dreams #musician #appreciation #nevergiveup

Enlighten Up Bro! Episode #10: Buddhism: Religion or Philosophy???

SGI-USA — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:38:38 -0700

Welcome to our new series on this podcast where we try to demisty Buddhism or take common misconceptions about Buddhism and clarify them! These episodes will be short and simple so that anyone can listen at any time!

Our first episode in this series: Is Buddhism a religion or philosophy???
Learn through the discussion of our three hosts how Buddhism can be both a philosophy and religion that can be used as a tool to navigate daily life!

00:00 Introduction
00:25 New series introduction
02:14 Is Buddhism a religion or philosophy
21:57 Conclusion

Check out our socials!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enlighten.up.bro
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enlighten.up.bro

#buddhism #bro #men #religion #philosophy #dailylife

Enlighten Up Bro! Episode #9: Happy Father's Day!!!

SGI-USA — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:06:45 -0700

Happy father’s day to all the dad’s out there!

On this Episode Enlighten Up Bro!, we talked with Everton and Bryant, both navigating being a father while also winning in their everyday lives. Whether you are an aspiring father or currently navigating the challenges of fatherhood, learn from Everton and Bryant how their Buddhist practice expanded their lives to become the best daddies for their children!

00:00 Introduction
00:20 Host catch up
04:19 Welcome Everton and Bryant!
05:56 Introduction to Everton!
08:00 Introduction to Bryant!
13:35 Their biggest struggle as a father so far
18:44 Everton and Bryant’s show and tell!
23:57 Fatherhood and Buddhism
43:50 Conclusion

Check out our socials!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enlighten.up.bro
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enlighten.up.bro

#buddhism #bro #men #father #fatherhood #family #raisingkids

Enlighten Up Bro! Episode #8: A Buddhist Take on Masculinity

SGI-USA — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:46:49 -0700

Episode #8 of Enlighten Up Bro! podcast out now!!!

What does masculinity mean today?

In this episode of Enlighten Up Bro!, we speak with Cam Morose of Boston, the most athletic school psychologist you will ever meet.
Experiencing masculinity at its worst—learn how a good role model and someone to listen to you without judgement, is all we need to combat toxic masculinity.
Which bro’s love bucket can you fill today to help them feel seen?

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:17 Host catch up
05:22 Welcome Cam!
06:33 Who is Cam?
13:12 Cam’s show and tell
20:42 Shota’s vs cockroach (interlude)
27:35 Cam’s take on masculinity
49:38 Conclusion

Check out our socials!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enlighten.up.bro
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enlighten.up.bro

#buddhism #bro #men #masculinity #menshealth #mentalhealth

Enlighten Up Bro! Episode #7: Gen Z VS Millennial

SGI-USA — Mon, 25 May 2026 05:00:00 -0700

What can older generations learn from the younger generation? How does Buddhism help bro’s navigate their daily lives?

On this episode of Enlighten Up Bro!, our Millennial hosts sat down with three Gen Z bros from San Diego, California Jordan, Isaiah and Dominic. Navigating the social challenges of high school under COVID-19 restrictions, learn from these three bros what they feel is the biggest misconception of Gen Z. From baggier jeans to questioning the why, hear what older generations can learn from the next generation!

Timestamps:
00:00 Episode preview
00:58 Introduction
01:10 Host catch up
03:23 Introduction to Jordan, Isaiah, and Dom
09:18 What defined the Gen Z high school times?
16:46 What defined the Millennial high school times?
21:17 What can older generation learn from Gen Z?
35:38 Skinny vs baggy jeans
41:31 Why do bros need Buddhism?
49:12 Conclusion

Check out our socials!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enlighten.up.bro
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enlighten.up.bro

#buddhism #bro #men #genz #millennials #purpose #covid19 #highschool #menshealth #mentalhealth

Enlighten Up Bro! Episode #6: Buddhist Business Owner VS The IRS?!

SGI-USA — Mon, 11 May 2026 21:00:00 -0700

Does it ever feel like you’re lost and confused about what direction to take your future?

On this episode of Enlighten Up Bro!, we sat down with Steve Saperstein, a business owner from Boston. Finding himself lost and confused after graduating from college, Steve traveled the world, hitchhiking from Ireland to India. Eventually, after taking advice from a random woman in a train station, he ended up in Boston. Hear how Steve learned that Buddhism is not an absence of problems, but becoming a master problem solver.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:14 Host catch up
05:22 Intro to Steve!
10:38 Steve's story
17:41Steve's show and tell item
20:19 Got a problem?
21:33 Steve's answer
43:52 Conclusion

Check out our socials!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enlighten.up.bro
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enlighten.up.bro

#Buddhism #Bro #Men #business #life #problemsolving

Enlighten Up Bro! Episode #5: 120 Americans Go To Hiroshima To Pledge For Peace

SGI-USA — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0700

What can an ordinary dude do to contribute to world peace?

In March, 120 SGI-USA youth representatives, including Shota, Grady, and Kenichi, were invited for a US-Japan peace exchange in Hiroshima, the site of the first atomic bombing. Through warm encounters with local SGI Buddhists, a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and hearing stories of atomic bomb survivors, they arrive at a clear answer to this question—to treasure the person right in front of you.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:15 Host catch up
05:25 What was our trip to Japan?
12:53 Host Reflection
33:21 Summary of the trip
36:01 Conclusion

Check out our socials!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enlighten.up.bro
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enlighten.up.bro

#buddhism #bro #men #peace #Japan #nuclearweapons #menshealth #youngmen #atomicbomb #Hiroshima

Enlighten Up Bro! Episode #4: Buddhist Football Coach Tackles His Purpose In Life

SGI-USA — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0700

What does purpose in life mean and how do you find it?
For this episode, we sat down with Josef, a proud Texan and high school football coach. Learn how Josef used Buddhism to call an audible in his once downward spiral life to teaching and mentoring kids in the classroom and football field.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:31 Host catch up
04:44 Guest Introduction
11:13 Josef's show and tell
16:26 Josef's journey in his Buddhist faith
24:26 Got a Problem?
32:12Discussion with Josef
49:22Conclusion

Check out our socials!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enlighten.up.bro
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enlighten.up.bro

#buddhism #bro #men #football #teaching #purpose #coaching #mission #life #youngmen #menshealth

Enlighten Up Bro! Episode #3: Frat Boy Turns Buddhist Bro

SGI-USA — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0700

Wondering whether you should make that career switch or not?
For this episode, we got to hang out with Jesse, a once avoidant frat bro turned dedicated medical student. Learn how Jesse confronted indecisiveness and Four Lokos through beefing up his Buddhist practice.

00:00 Introduction
00:34 Host catch up
06:14 Guest Introduction
08:40 Jesse's show and tell
12:01 Who is Jesse?
28:02 Got a Problem?
29:14 Discussion with Jesse
46:25 Conclusion

Enlighten Up Bro! Episode #2: Buddhist Navy Veteran Proposes in a Convertible!

SGI-USA — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0700

For this episode, we sat down with our big bro James—aka The XL Texan— where he discusses how Buddhism helped him become the partner that shows up.

00:00 Introduction
00:30 Host catch up
05:05 Introduction to James
18:30 Asking James relationship questions
47:35 Conclusion

Enlighten Up Bro! Ep#1: Goal Setting With Buddhist Bros

SGI-USA — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0800

Welcome to Enlighten Up Bro!, a podcast run by regular dudes who are attempting to find answers to life’s questions. Through discussion and interviews, the hosts, Shota, Grady and Kenichi will address various areas of life of a young man through the lens of Nichiren Buddhism.
In our first episode, we sat down and talked about goals! What were the goals we set at the beginning of the year? How have we been progressing with them? What steps can we take to stay on top of our goals?
Subscribe to us on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcast or any of your favorite podcast sites so that you never miss an episode!

Time Stamps:
0:00:00 Introduction
00:01:08 Host Introductions
00:14:29 Got a Problem? (New Segment)
00:17:24 What's Our New Year Goals?
00:26:42 How To Maintain The Goals We Set
00:49:49 Conclusion