Inside Rylan’s Mind

In this episode, I stumbled upon a YouTube video showcasing a 5-year hair growth time-lapse, inspiring me to embark on my hair growth journey. I had little interest in selfies or social media sharing, but the video changed my perspective. I committed to growing my hair, envisioning a style akin to Jason Momoa in Aquaman. However, the reality of hair type and the awkward growing stage made this a c...

In this unique episode, I surprise an unsuspecting live audience during my college's open mic event by sharing stories from my podcast. From initial hesitation to gaining confidence, I chose a compelling episode titled "Trolling an Online Scammer." Despite nerves and unexpected changes, I delivered a confident performance and received a fantastic audience response. Additionally, I to...

In this episode, I revisit a past story shared titled "I got enticed into joining the gym, and now I regret it." While the original story remains true, this episode offers a different perspective, shedding light on the unshared aspects of the experience. Delving into motivations for hitting the gym, societal pressures, encounters with trainers and nutritionists, and the impact of the pan...

In this episode, I delve into the perplexing existence of a lecture called "Math Tuts" during my first year of college. The enigmatic acronym intrigued me, and the lecture turned out to be an unexpected challenge. I share the trials and tribulations of this class, where understanding the purpose and methodology seemed impossible. From mysterious questions on the board to the professors&#...

In this episode, I explore the perpetual struggle of getting the "right thing at the wrong time" throughout my life. From childhood toys to gaming trends, each year's birthday gift seemed obsolete the next year. This dilemma of timing and choices haunted me until I realized the futility of trying to predict the future. Reflecting on this, I learned to embrace the present and accept t...

In this episode, I delve into an intriguing thought experiment about subscriptions in life. We often have subscriptions like Netflix or gym memberships, but do we truly maximize their value? I explore examples like streaming platforms, gyms, and even education as subscriptions we either can't fully utilize or choose not to. It's a contemplative journey into the subscriptions we engage with...

In this episode, I share a peculiar experience that unfolded while I was taking a shower—the perfect time for creativity to strike. As I showered, I inadvertently became an unintended audience for a heated argument between a middle-aged couple in the building corridors. Intrigued, I overheard their dispute, realizing the intensity was escalating. The climax came when the wife dropped the bombshell...

The manga journey continues, bringing new challenges and dilemmas. In this episode, I delve back into my manga journey, starting from where we left off. After buying my first manga, "Chainsaw Man" volume 1, YouTube flooded me with manga-related content, especially manga collector videos. Watching these, I discovered a defect in my manga copy—the pages inside were printed in the wrong ord...

In this episode, we dive into Indian superstitions, challenging their beliefs. We start with the practice of eating curd and sugar before exams, finding its origins and potential scientific basis. Next, we explore the superstition of not whistling at night and its questionable relevance. The myth of hair growing faster in summer is debunked, inviting listeners to conduct their research. Moving on,...

In this episode, I almost quit podcasting due to an existential crisis during exam season while living in a rental apartment. The pressure and doubts made me question my podcast's purpose, but I sought advice from my family to clear my mind. Ultimately, I resisted the urge to quit, reaffirming my love for podcasting. This episode explores the struggle of almost giving up and emphasizes seeking...

In this episode, I recount a perplexing experience on Instagram. A seemingly unknown girl named Anya messaged me, claiming to be a friend of one of my acquaintances. Despite being strangers, she initiated daily conversations, mimicking an oddly close relationship. As she persisted with repetitive questions like "How are you?" I grew increasingly uncomfortable and chose to block her. Late...

In this episode, I delve into my erratic relationship with Snapchat, a platform seemingly elusive for introverts. Snapchat's essence revolves around having a wide social circle and interesting daily activities to share via "snaps" (pictures or short videos). Initially lacking friends on the platform, I stumbled upon the quick add feature, connecting with school acquaintances. Streaks...

In this episode, I share a 7th-grade English exam story, highlighting my habit of last-minute studying. The exam involved reading passages and responding. The last section tested writing skills. Procrastinating, my mom intervened, making me read a thick book on writing skills. Despite the effort, the actual exam questions were entirely different. Nevertheless, I completed the exam and surprisingly...

In this episode, I share an interesting tale about my unusual habit of not washing jeans for an entire year. I discuss the reasons behind this decision, including advice from my mom and online sources. Exploring my observations during this experiment, I noticed the jeans didn't smell bad and fit better without washing, albeit making them stiff. I recount a particular incident involving white p...

In this episode, I discuss my recent transition into a rental home undergoing renovation, delving into the specifics of my sleeping situation. With no AC available, I experimented with different methods to beat the heat, including adjusting bed positions and keeping curtains open. A quirky attempt to sleep naked led me to research its benefits and drawbacks. Eventually, when the renovation conclud...

In this episode, I recount the comical disaster of how I accidentally slept through an important exam during Sunday classes in eighth grade. These classes were held every year for 11 years, but I wasn't exactly an eager participant. I often skipped them to catch up on sleep, leading to an unexpected missed exam. The ensuing chaos and a clever way out involving my mom added an amusing twist to...

In this episode, we delve into the peculiar world of napping. As a kid, I vowed never to nap, considering it a waste of time. However, as the years passed, exhaustion and realization changed my perspective. The lack of coffee and early college mornings made afternoon naps irresistibly appealing. What surprised me was how rejuvenating a three-hour nap could be, defying the recommended shorter durat...

In this episode, I share a high school tale from 10th grade, where my academic focus made me overlook a girl named Selena who had a crush on me. The pressure of upcoming board exams and my social awkwardness kept me oblivious to her subtle attempts at connecting. On the last day of school, she bid me goodbye, expressing her feelings indirectly. Looking back, I regret not recognizing her affection....

In this episode, I share the hilarious yet unfortunate story of how I inadvertently slept through my racing finals on the much-anticipated school sports day. Despite my natural athletic abilities and a unique turning technique, tough competition in interclass races drove me to practice extensively for the upcoming sports day. However, a simple oversight with my alarm led to me waking up four hours...

Embark on a wild adventure as I recount how a friendly bet led me to, unlike 10,000 posts on Instagram. From a casual conversation to an unexpected dare, I found myself immersed in a challenge that would test my patience and determination. Join me in this episode as I navigate the unliking journey, face Instagram's cooldown limits, and reflect on the evolution of my likes over the years. The e...

Welcome to a new series of thought-provoking journeys, a departure from my usual life stories. In this episode, we delve into "Thought Experiments" and venture into the realm of imagination. Imagine waking up in a world of fantasy, experiencing a hero's journey, and then returning to our reality, bound by a secret oath. But would we truly want fantasy to be our reality? Explore the i...

Welcome to an exploration of living life like a video game. Embark on a journey through the realms of Clash of Clans (COC), a mobile game that imparts valuable life lessons. Discover the allure of grinding, the pitfalls of shortcuts, and the joy of embracing the journey. In this episode, we decode how the principles of gaming can shape our approach to real-life challenges, just like in COC. Join t...

Join me as we celebrate the first anniversary of this podcast! We delve into the amusing tale of spending a day with the #1 listener, who turns out to be none other than my best friend, Melissa. From how she claimed the top listener spot to the quirky adventures we embarked on during our anniversary celebration, this episode is a rollercoaster of fun and surprises. Tune in for a lighthearted, laug...

Join me as I share my journey with manga, a fascinating realm of Japanese comics. From discovering manga through anime to the unique reading style and challenges of black-and-white pages on a small screen, I explore the barriers to entry I faced. Delve into the contrast between anime and manga consumption, my longest manga read, and my dream of becoming a mangaka. I also discuss the lure of physic...

Join me in this episode as I revisit my school days and recall my experience with crafting class. Unlike my positive encounter with drawing discussed in a previous episode, crafting was a struggle for me. I share how this mandatory subject led to flunking grades and how my parents stepped in to help. Discover the challenges I faced, the ingenious way I handled a tough situation during a craft assi...