
The Karat Podcast
Ever wondered what your favorite creators are like behind the scenes? Karat Financial co-founders Eric Wei and Will Kim talk with today’s biggest creators to get to know the humans behind the content. Tune in to go deep, with topics covering hopes, dreams, philosophy, and insecurities.
Latest episodes

Dec 20, 2023 • 1h 33min
EP. 58 - I quit pro chess for Twitch: akaNemsko's story [VIDEO]
Former pro chess player turned top Twitch streamer, akaNemsko shares why she quit chess, how she became a streamer, and her relationship with her parents. They discuss burnout, childhood freedom, and the challenges of being a female in a male-dominated world. She also talks about the difference between female and regular Grandmaster titles in chess and the perceptions of emotional well-being in the chess community.

Dec 12, 2023 • 1h 8min
EP 57 - I quit college to stream: iGumdrop's story [VIDEO]
Jaime, a former college student turned full-time streamer, opens up about the struggles of growing up, the stress of becoming successful, and what's next beyond streaming. Topics discussed include dropping out of college, hustling as a high school student, dealing with hate, finding the right therapist, and future plans.

Dec 5, 2023 • 1h 3min
EP. 56 - ConnorEatsPants on Beating Depression, Burnout, & Being Rich [VIDEO]
@ConnorEatsPants felt suffocated in school - but when he streamed, he felt alive. He developed that passion into a 7 figure streaming career collaborating with friends like jschlatt & Ludwig. Over 15 years in though - he's burned out and looking to find fulfillment.
Today Connor opens up on the anxieties of Internet fame, why he makes content, and what he's thinking about doing next.
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Learn more about Karat at
https://www.trykarat.com
Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Follow Eric at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Connor at
@ConnorEatsPants
https://www.instagram.com/connoreatspants/
https://twitter.com/ConnorEatsPants
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00:00 - Intro
01:25 - The first video game I ever played
03:58 - I started streaming with my Nintendo DS
05:03 - Improv improved my life
07:01 - The everyday struggle of a high schooler
10:30 - I am BURNED OUT
19:08 - Connor wokring on the Infinity War set: Wakanda's gardener
27:04 - What happens when streamers live together
33:55 - Who *is* ConnorEatsPants?
39:16 - Watching por*hub in Animal Crossing
42:03 - The Pantsies, the happiest moments of my life
48:04 - Ludwig events are the place to be
52:14 - The highs and lows of being a streamer
1:01:40 - The Sistine Chapel was a brand deal

Nov 28, 2023 • 1h 18min
EP. 55 - He Fought Mythbusters & Won: Allen Pan's Villain Origin Story [VIDEO]
@allenpan almost made it to MythBusters but was rejected at the last round - and then later sued by them.
He's built a top channel showcasing crazy inventions like giving snakes robot legs - with a secret underlying message about capitalism hidden in them.
Join us as he talks about his time on TV, how he hitchhiked across the US dressed as Ash Ketchum, and why he values principles over money.
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Learn more about Karat at
https://www.trykarat.com
Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Follow Eric at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Allen Pan at
@allenpan
https://www.instagram.com/sufficientlyadvanced/
https://www.tiktok.com/@allenpan?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
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00:00 - Intro
01:26 - How Allen was NEARLY a MythBuster
03:31 - The secrets of cable TV
07:08 - Becoming a welder in a week
09:44 - How Allen Pan owns the MythBusters copyright
14:53 - Getting sued by Warner Bros. Discovery
21:43 - Why you can't avoid the evils of capitalism
33:47 - Quitting a stable career to live in a tent and hitchhike
40:31 - Hitchhiking across America as Ash Ketchum
48:00 - The crazy way Allen taught robotics on a budget
54:15 - What it means to be "chaotic good"
58:38 - Why hindsight rarely sees true failure
01:03:07 - Exposing the multi-million dollar mosquito scam
01:12:06 - How to balance a message with entertainment

Nov 21, 2023 • 1h 17min
EP. 54 - I Asked NileRed For Life Advice [VIDEO]
Before he was a rogue super scientist making uranium glass in his garage, NileRed loved playing with firecrackers with his dad. Now he has over 12 million followers across all platforms.
Learn his origin story on the Karat podcast.
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Learn more about Karat at
https://www.trykarat.com
Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Follow Eric at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow NileRed at
@NileRed
@NileBlue
@NileRedShorts
https://www.instagram.com/nile.red/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/NileRed2
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00:00 - Intro
01:24 - The reason why NileRed became a YouTube chemist
11:58 - NileRed almost went into filmmaking instead of chemistry
15:56 - Why NileRed does all the production on his own
27:27 - How NileRed was ALMOST a doctor
39:55 - Balancing creativity with business
45:22 - How money has changed Nigel
55:21 - Why Nigel NEEDS to see a therapist
01:00:28 - How YouTube helped Nigel become confident
01:06:20 - The reason Nigel HATES being a celebrity

Nov 15, 2023 • 55min
EP. 53 - I Quit Wall Street to Make $3 Million On TikTok: Your Rich BFF [VIDEO]
Vivian Tu became a millionaire at age 27. She quit her Wall Street and left a $600k/ yr Buzzfeed job to make TikToks sharing financial advice - and blew up.
Today she shares her secrets- why you need a mentor, what being in finance is *really* like for a woman, and how to turn your biggest fears into your biggest motivators. Join Your Rich BFF and host erictway on The Karat Podcast -
and preorder her upcoming book release at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735755/rich-af-by-vivian-tu/!
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Learn more about Karat at
https://www.trykarat.com
Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Follow Eric at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Your Rich BFF at
@YourRichBFF
https://www.instagram.com/your.richbff/?hl=en
https://www.tiktok.com/@yourrichbff?lang=en
Preorder her book at
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735755/rich-af-by-vivian-tu/
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00:00 - Intro
00:55 - How to be a millionaire by 27
02:05 - UChicago student to Wall Street employee
08:22 - My old boss HATED that I was “girly”
15:25 - Why Asians care about education
17:00 - UChicago: Work HARD, Play HARDER
23:16 - How to balance a six figure job with making TikToks
28:12 - You can't deport me - why I'm entitled
32:49 - f*ck it I'm quitting my job and going full time as a creator
36:14 - My fiancé has been my biggest supporter
40:46 - How to thrive: CUT OFF THE HATERS
48:39 - I met my fiancé at a dive bar aka IRL Hinge
51:41 - Roaches made me move in with my fiancé

Nov 8, 2023 • 1h 9min
EP. 52 - Inside NYC's New Secretly Thriving Content "House" [VIDEO]
@TejasHullur , @ColtKirwan , & @ShervinShares live together in a 800 sq ft closet in NYC. They've quadrupled their YouTuber follower count to over 250K in less than a year.
Most content creator houses fail. What's their secret?
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Learn more about Karat at
https://www.trykarat.com
Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Follow Eric at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Tejas at
@TejasHullur
Follow Shervin at
@ShervinShares
Follow Colt at
@ColtKirwan
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Oct 31, 2023 • 1h 3min
EP. 51 - why being a girl boss sucks: ur mom ashley's journey [VIDEO]
@urmomashley has millions following her NYC vlogs on style and relationships. Now she’s ready to share more on her journey as a female CEO- and why she’s been afraid to discuss it publicly.
Join Ashley & host erictway on the Karat podcast!
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Learn more about Karat at
https://www.trykarat.com
Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Follow Eric at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Ashley at
@urmomashley

Oct 25, 2023 • 54min
EP. 50 - Kelly Wakasa Won't Stop [VIDEO]
Kelly Wakasa hit rock bottom. With no direction, he chose to live by only one motto, 'Do What Excites.' Now, he's a full-time vlogger in New York, living to the fullest with no plans on stopping anytime soon.
Join us on the Karat podcast with @KellyWakasa
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Learn more about Karat at
https://www.trykarat.com
Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat
Follow Eric at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway
Follow Kelly at
@KellyWakasa

13 snips
Oct 17, 2023 • 1h 10min
EP. 49 - Meet the YouTube Expert Behind 10 Billion Views: Paddy Galloway’s Full Story [VIDEO]
Paddy Galloway, a YouTube expert with over a decade of experience, shares his secrets for getting billions of views. Topics include the influence of the YouTube algorithm, transitioning to authentic connections with the audience, the journey to success, creating good content, work-life balance, personal growth, leaving a positive impact, and reflections on life decisions and gratitude.