Mentor Buffet
Alexi Pappas
Alexi Pappas's Mentor Buffet is a podcast about mentorship: Who influenced the people who influence us? Who helped them along their journey?Alexi is an Olympian, filmmaker, actress, and bestselling author, and she's leaned on mentors to help her level up faster than she could on her own. After losing her mom to suicide when she was four, she needed to find other people to lean on. Now, it's Alexi's turn to peel back the curtain on mentorship. In each episode of Mentor Buffet Alexi sits down with people who inspire her—athletes, entrepreneurs, creatives, and beyond—to have conversations about chasing dreams and befriending pain, through the lens of those who have shaped them into who they are today.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 22, 2025 • 23min
Help Me Please Special from Training Camp
Alexi takes a break from her routine at training camp in Mammoth to give some advice to Bella Chao. Alexi and Bella are 10 years apart in age and both ran for Dartmouth College.
Aug 14, 2025 • 32min
What Being Real Means to VICTORIA GARRICK BROWNE
Victoria Garrick Browne is a USC volleyball player turned mental health advocate turned social media icon who has been recognized by Forbes 30 under 30 for her work. She has chosen to broadcast her mental health online. On this episode of Mentor Buffet, Victoria sits down with Alexi to share her story and about a mentor who really helped her when she was struggling. The girls discuss what it means to be real, how to decide what to share and what not to share, and if everything is a simulation and what that means.
6 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 60min
KEIRA D'AMATO: This Is What It Feels Like
Keira D'Amato took 10 years off running and then broke the American Records in both the half marathon and marathon. On this episode of Mentor Buffet, she talks about what led to her decision to go for it again, talks how she changed her relationship to running this time around, and what it feels like to make a big change. Keira talks about how she learned to prioritize herself and shares stories about her coaches Scott Roscoe and Matthew Centrowitz Sr. She reads a text from Joan Benoit Samuelson the night before the Olympic Trials Marathon. And she talks about her new book, Don’t Call It A Comeback, which is out in the world and ready for you to read.
Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
BAO NGUYEN'S MENTOR BUFFET
The filmmaker Bao Nguyen joins Alexi to talk about various mentors throughout his life, all of who have influenced how he sees his art—from an important middle school teacher to a Sundance-winning director. Shoutouts to Miss Tripp, Miss Grossman, Jeff Chang, Tony Bui, and Tran Anh Hung.
Jul 17, 2025 • 21min
Help Me Please 7
Alexi answers listeners' advice questions about making a big change in your life, dealing with an audience, and moving cities. She also shares what she's learning pitching a TV show.
Jul 3, 2025 • 51min
LESLEY PATERSON: What Is Love?
Alexi Pappas is joined by Lesley Paterson who is the Oscar-winning screenwriter of All Quiet on the Western Front and a world champion triathlete. She shares about her late husband Simon Marshall and other important people in her life.
Jun 27, 2025 • 17min
Help Me Please 6
Alexi answers listeners' questions about how to be high vibrational on command, how to balance striving and being present, and also one about a jealous boyfriend.
Jun 20, 2025 • 1h 1min
ZOEY GROSSMAN: Your Own Power Is In Your Art
Zoey Grossman, the first photographer to ever join host Alexi Pappas on Mentor Buffet, shares about her anxiety, the relationship between her and her subjects, and the times she feels the most magic. Zoey also shares her secrets for confidence and directing advice she got from Francis Ford Coppola.
Jun 5, 2025 • 45min
NICK DURR: Family Matters
Nick Durr, the accomplished Hollywood gaffer, joins Alexi Pappas to talk about mentorship in his family. His dad and brother are also gaffers, and Nick discerns what he’s inherited from each of them from what’s only his. Nick also talks about the start of his career, a consequential family trip to Thailand, and the importance of shittalking on set.
May 29, 2025 • 19min
Help Me Please 5
Alexi answers listeners' questions about accountability, codependence, and when to give up.
