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...

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 expr...

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. He...

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...

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 emphasi...

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 bo...

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, redi...

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....

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 p...

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&#...

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...

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 Ham...

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 Ab...

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....

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 brea...