The Next Level

04/25/2019

When you lift, you change your body’s shape, right?

Well, that’s also may be how we create gender.

The Big Inside host Christian Matyi, a/k/a “XN,” tackles the fascinating topic of how changing our shape creates – and sometimes conflicts – with how society understands our gender.

We’re joined by self-proclaimed “regular guy,” collegiate wrestler Mack Beggs, as well as professors Kareem Kubchandani and Stephan Pennington to discuss how changing our body’s shape to perform gender is maybe one of the most normal aspects of just being human.

Plus, one of the coolest Little Insider segments at the end of the show. (CAT JACKET!) All this and more on this very masculine episode of The Big Inside.

When you lift, you change your body’s shape, right? Well, that’s also how we create gender.  We talk about it with collegiate wrestler Mack Beggs and professors Kareem Kubchandani and Stephan Pennington.

03/05/2019

What is the most important meal of the day? The Big Inside’s show host Christian Matyi, a/k/a “XN,” is betting he knows what you’re gonna say. What you’re probably not expecting is how what we think we know about breakfast may not be quite what we assumed. XN dives into the background of this nostalgic meal armed with a pack of nutrition-savvy athletes and the amazing food historian and author Heather Arndt Anderson. What we pull up might make you forget about whether or not breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but instead wonder why you thought that in the first place.

Show host Christian Matyi, aka "XN," versus “the most important meal of the day.” We’re tearing apart breakfast with food historian Heather Arndt Anderson and a pack of athletes who know a lot about nutrition.

01/30/2019

What are you doing right now?
Like LITERALLY right now? And are you sure you’re doing it right?

The Big Inside’s host Christian Matyi, a/k/a “XN,” is joined by professional Classical music viola player Drew Ricciardi, who’s journey brought him from the high stakes world of professional music into some interesting theories on how you’re moving your body. Or not moving.

Plus: a couple detours into history and housebuilding.

The Big Inside’s host Christian Matyi, a/k/a “XN,” talks with professional viola player Drew Ricciardi, who uncovers a fascinating way to look at how your body moves, and says a bunch of complicated words.

12/18/2018

Just how much does your personal aesthetic – the way you look to others – impact what you create?

In the second of a two-part episode of the podcast, The Big Inside, show host Christian Matyi, a/k/a “XN,” is joined again by very special guest Liam O’Donnell, director, writer, and producer of 2017’s sci-fi flick “Beyond Skyline.” They unpack how, whether we know it or not, aesthetics are constantly reshaping how we represent ourselves in the world.

Please help the show out by subscribing on Spotify, iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Leave a review, and please consider becoming a patron at Patreon.com/TheBigInside.

The second of a two-part episode featuring movie director of Liam O’Donnell of 2017’s sci-fi flick “Beyond Skyline” looks at how personal aesthetics shape our perception.

12/04/2018

From the podcast inspired by The Next Level, here's The Big Inside's latest episode:

We’re back for our tenth (we think) season! And we are opening this run of episodes with a very special guest: Liam O’Donnell, movie director, producer and writer most known for the 2017 sci fi action flick, “Beyond Skyline.”

Liam gave show host Christian Matyi (a/k/a “XN”) a whole lot of interview. So much, in fact, that we are going to present our stories with Liam in two parts. This episode is the first of two parts.

Liam shares a fascinating backstory that may shift how we perceive the power of physical aesthetics. And yes, Schwarzenegger makes an appearance in the narrative. (Because he always does, right?) The tale is a little different than you might think, and sets a stage for how he perceives the world, which sets us up to learn more about the film itself in part 2.

Be sure to leave us feedback on this episode, and please go to our Patreon page and subscribe to the show at Patreon.com/thebiginside.

The first of a two-part episode featuring the Schwarzneggerian backstory of Liam O’Donnell, movie director, producer, and writer of 2017’s sci-fi flick “Beyond Skyline”.

01/05/2018

What do you REALLY know about calories?
On this week’s episode of The Big Inside, Christian Matyi, aka “XN,” gives you a (slightly sentimental) spin through the history of a common dietary term, and how it may just shift your perspective at the start of 2018.

Happy 2018! We pick up a snow shovel, meet a French physicist from 200 years ago, and offer you a (slightly sentimental) twist on the calories you’ll use in the new year ahead.

12/11/2017

Is the chase for prestige ruining competitive sport at the amateur level? Why are we so driven to win – and are the costs worth it?

The new season of The Big Inside is back, and show host Christian Matyi, aka “XN,” has pulled together an amazing group of athletes to toss around whether chasing winning is a positive motivator, or competitive poison.

Also: we totally get invaded by a baby, and XN is hearing voices . . . All that and more as season SIX (gasp!) of The Big Inside launches!

The new season of the show gathers a cast of thousands! (Well, maybe less than that.) We're trying to figure out why we get so obsessed with winning stuff. Plus: RANDOM BABY!

09/19/2017

Men's Physique is a pointless exercise when it comes to drug-tested competitions. And it may not only be a pointless pursuit, but also highly destructive.

While more and more "insta-fame"-lusting men flock to this bastard pageant, the sport from which it emerged – bodybuilding itself – is meanwhile being deteriorated. Cause for alarm among competitors? Coach XN thinks so . . . and here's his Mr. Miyagi version of wisdom for y'all.

Men's physique may be the worst thing to happen to bodybuilding. But drug-tested competitors are actually working against their own benefit most of all!

09/11/2017

Coach has often said: "The best teachers are not those who strive to be better then those they mentor."
Well, looks like once again he has been better to buy one of his own alumni, as shows up with a stringer beard game than XN, when they ran into each other at a recent competition.
Beards are not officially part of , but maybe they should be.

@ Lexington High School (Massachusetts)

09/09/2017

is always full of little joys.

09/08/2017

to that time this team got its first hardware.


?

07/26/2017

Sometimes just can't even handle how amazing are.
is one of those incredible athletes.
Truly representing great ideals, and what is all about.