About New Material with Herbert Lui & Hamza Khan
Join Herbert Lui and Hamza Khan as they dive headfirst into the raw, messy, and electrifying creative process animating this show. From ghostwriting for tech giants and celebrity thought leaders to stepping into the spotlight as authors and speakers, the dynamic duo unpacks their journey of moving from ‘behind the scenes’ to ‘center stage.’ In this unfiltered conversation, they share candid insights into the thrill—and nerves—of launching new material into the world, the art of collaboration, and how speaking your truth can break down the thin veil between invisibility and impact.
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 with wanting to write another “classic” book, while Herbert challenges him to reconsider what success actually means. They discuss J. Cole's apology, questions of creative lineage and legacy, and the recursive pressure to keep proving yourself.
The episode closes with Hamza acknowledging the vicious cycle of comparison and the need to “respond rather than react,” to pick up the pen, write, and put it down without always needing to publish or compete.
Useful links:
How I Tamed My Envy of Almost Everyone But Especially Elizabeth Gilbert (https://kirstenpowers.substack.com/p/how-i-tamed-my-envy-of-nearly-everyone) by Kirsten Powers (Archived version (https://web.archive.org/web/20240711053811/https://kirstenpowers.substack.com/p/how-i-tamed-my-envy-of-nearly-everyone))
Making Friends With My Nemesis (https://writeordiemag.com/essays/making-friends-with-my-nemesis) by Elizabeth Austin
A Toast For The Underdogs (https://hamzak.com/2026/02/04/a-toast-for-the-underdogs/) (via Hamza’s blog)
Creative lineage (https://herbertlui.net/creative-lineage/) (via Herbert’s blog)
J. Cole’s hard decision for an easy life (https://herbertlui.net/j-coles-hard-decision-for-an-easy-life/) (via Herbert’s blog)
8 Feb 2026
14: From the Heart | New Material
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 expressing yourself fully; not holding back from your work. They discuss the recursive relationship between writing, thinking, and living: how daily practice compounds into something larger. Herbert reflects on how impossibly high standards paralyzed him, while Hamza grapples with his own tendency to overexplain instead of simply saying the thing.
Herbert challenges Hamza to write only seven sentences per post, with the goal to practice restraint, brevity, and the courage to not say everything you want to say.
Useful links:
Reflecting on my failure to write a NYT bestselling book (https://herbertlui.net/reflecting-on-my-failure-to-write-a-nyt-bestselling-book/) (via Herbert’s blog)
Tell Your Whole Story (https://hamzak.com/2026/01/20/tell-your-whole-story/) (via Hamza’s blog)
Five (https://herbertlui.net/five/) (via Herbert’s blog)
8 Jan 2026
13: Steel Sharpens Steel | New Material
Hosts Herbert Lui and Hamza Khan examine nicknames, creative journeys, and the value of vulnerability in writing, challenging each other to publish uncomfortable journal entries, ultimately exploring true creative expression.
2 Jan 2026
12: The Struggle Continues | New Material
Hosts Herbert Lui and Hamza Khan discuss reclaiming creative work as a liberating act, maintaining writing discipline, and resisting the urge to over-format personal expression, celebrating authentic, unoptimized creation.
5 Apr 2025
11: Get Lost Sometimes | New Material
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 emphasize the value of writing as a thinking process and the importance of accepting oneself. Hamza plans to start his day with writing, aiming to improve his work through consistent practice and feedback.
Edited by Evan Mader (https://evanmader.com/podcast-editing)
29 Mar 2025
10: Bag The Boss Up | New Material
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 boss-employee dynamics to more collaborative, respectful leadership. Khan emphasizes the importance of treating employees with dignity and autonomy, citing examples like Chobani and Clorox. They also reflect on personal experiences with authority figures and the need for leaders to foster genuine partnerships with their teams.
Edited by Evan Mader (https://evanmader.com/podcast-editing)
15 Mar 2025
9: Your Brain Is A Muscle | New Material
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, rediscovering the focus and emotional connection that comes with slowing down. Together, they explore how analog tools can strengthen creative muscles and suggest starting small—like writing to-do lists by hand—to experience the benefits firsthand.
Edited by Evan Mader (https://evanmader.com/podcast-editing)
10 Mar 2025
8: Just Kids From Scarborough | New Material
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. They also touch on the evolving landscape of hip hop and tease future episodes where they'll unseal more stories from "The Scarborough Files."
Edited by Evan Mader (https://evanmader.com/podcast-editing)
1 Mar 2025
7: Straight From Shibuya | New Material
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 psychological and emotional benefits of travel, such as reduced stress and improved creativity. Both emphasize the importance of personal freedom and autonomy in their work and lives, aiming to inspire their listeners to create their own "empires" and pursue meaningful, fulfilling experiences.
Edited by Evan Mader (https://evanmader.com/podcast-editing)
26 Feb 2025
6: Passports & Pivots | New Material
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's journey from Doing to launching a billion-dollar company as inspiration. Hamza opens up about his shift from productivity and creativity to burnout and leadership, with plans for a book on toxic leadership. Meanwhile, Herbert reflects on his year of restraint and health, aiming to grow his blog. Both are excited about the future of their podcast—bigger goals, better production, and reaching more people.
Edited by Evan Mader (https://evanmader.com/podcast-editing)
1 Feb 2025
5: No More Parties in NYC | New Material
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 for New York’s buzz. They also touch on AI events, career reinvention, and the ongoing evolution of their podcast. Tune in for real talk, laughs, and insights on making bold moves and embracing change.
Edited by Evan Mader (https://evanmader.com/podcast-editing)
6 Dec 2024
4: Make It All Come to Life | New Material
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 (https://herbertlui.net/starting-developing-and-finishing/)—emphasizing the importance of understanding your strengths and complementing them with others. Herbert identifies as a starter, while Hamza sees himself as a finisher. They share insights on the importance of caring about your work, the challenges of balancing tasks, and the significance of finishing projects to their full potential, using examples like Shigeru Miyamoto and Childish Gambino.
Edited by Evan Mader (https://evanmader.com/podcast-editing)
8 Nov 2024
3: To Be Spontaneous | New Material
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 Abloh's philosophy on creative work. They explore the playful aspect of creative work “The Idiot” (aka “The Fool”) in the creative process, emphasizing the importance of playfulness and spontaneity. Hamza reflects on his own creative odyssey, including his desire to return to music video production and the impact of playfulness on his public speaking. Herbert shares prompts from his book Creative Doing and his blog on remembering how to play and nurture your inner child.
Useful links:
Chaotic Good (https://every.to/the-long-conversation/first-thought-best-thought) by Rachel Jepsen
Madman, Architect, Carpenter, Judge: Roles and the Writing Process (https://www.ut-ie.com/b/b_flowers.html) by Professor Betty Flowers
Make time to Play (https://www.holloway.com/g/creative-doing/sections/make-time-to-play?ruid=9e2d86eb-c75b-4c01-8bf4-51969f5863fe&utm_source=share_section_link&vip_code=FRIENDS), a prompt from Herbert’s book Creative Doing
The four inner beings of a writer (https://herbertlui.net/the-four-inner-beings-of-a-writer/) (via Herbert’s blog)
2.5 hours with Rising Green (https://herbertlui.net/2-5-hours-with-rising-green/) (via Herbert’s blog)
Edited by Evan Mader (https://evanmader.com/podcast-editing)
25 Oct 2024
2: Everything I’m Not | New Material
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. Meanwhile, Herbert opens up about his own battles with
editorial scrutiny and why staying true to your creative vision matters, even when external voices get loud. Together, they explore the push and pull of self-doubt, learning to separate your work from your worth, and embracing uncertainty as part of the creative journey. If you’ve ever wrestled with feelings of inadequacy or wanted a glimpse into the creative process's messier side, this episode gives you an honest look at what it means to create with integrity and resilience.
Edited by Evan Mader (https://evanmader.com/podcast-editing)
11 Oct 2024
1: Kids See Ghostwriters | New Material
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 break down the personal and professional shifts that take any creative process from invisible to impactful. Whether you’re starting your own project or just curious about how the creative process unfolds, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the journey.
Edited by Evan Mader (https://evanmader.com/podcast-editing)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 10 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
7
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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