Description: Andrew Osei (Founder of BIGSIX MEDIA and NAV BRANDING) reflects on the complex, codependent concepts of passion and compassion in his personal essay, "The Compassion Hypothesis." He breaks down the three core definitions of passion (Emotion, Love, Suffering) and links them to his experience managing bipolar disorder. Through candid, anecdotal accounts, Osei confronts his "impenetrable" emotional skin and the difficulty of truly 'suffering with' others, relating his emotional defence mechanisms to the Roman soldiers in The Passion of the Christ. The essay concludes with a look at how deep-seated pain and trauma have forced him to build personal "walls of Jericho," defining a philosophy of fierce loyalty and equally fierce retribution.

Key Takeaways:

Themes: Mental health, bipolar disorder, self-reflection, spirituality, trauma, compassion, personal philosophy, self-critique.

Description: Andrew Osei (Founder of BIGSIX MEDIA) sits down to reflect on his 26th birthday and the unexpected journey that led him to entrepreneurship. He shares how his father—a man who journeyed from Ghana to Sierra Leone to start a bakery business and more—instilled an entrepreneurial spirit and the value of market research. This episode explores the "divine intervention" and opportunities found on the uncertain, yet rewarding, path of a creative entrepreneur, contrasting it with the traditional route of higher education.

Key Takeaways: Market research through observation; finding your true calling outside of traditional paths; the enduring influence of family on career choices; and the blessings found in uncertainty.

Themes: Entrepreneurship, family legacy, career pivot, self-discovery, resilience, and creative industries.

In the second episode of The Masterminds Journal, Andrew Osei reflects on his journey through his late twenties—from the success of his ventures, BIGSIX MEDIA and NAV BRANDING, to his deeper search for meaning. He grapples with the concepts of "chasing serenity" versus "pursuing happiness," the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes, and the modern idea of the "hedonic treadmill." This deeply personal journal entry culminates in a defining mission: moving beyond self-centeredness to a life that is "Net Positive."

This First Episode of the Mastermind's Journal is all about the intentions we set and the desired outcomes we have in mind. This recording of a journal entry I wrote on September 6th, 2024, details my journey in trying to restore a broken relationship with my father by giving in to his demands. Do you think it backfired? Give it a listen and find out.