Wellness Check and Media Vision: Personal Development and Documentary Collaboration

Date: August 21, 2025
Participants: Gary Sheng, Johnny Rapp
Duration: Extended conversation
Context: Mutual wellness check during Gary's life transition period, discussion of documentary collaboration and media company vision

Executive Summary

This conversation represents a pivotal moment in both Gary and Johnny's personal and professional development. Gary, currently in a transitional "wilderness season" after leaving Alpha Schools and experiencing unreliability from Dr. Lael Alexander, conducts a wellness check with Johnny, who has recently turned 28 and is focused on "becoming a man." The conversation reveals Johnny's mature evolution from struggling creative to serious documentary filmmaker, while Gary processes his own journey toward independence and authentic ministry work.

Key outcomes include concrete plans for a three-way collaboration between Gary, Johnny, and photographer Jason on an expanded "Wellness Check" documentary series, with ambitious vision for international episodes exploring different cultural approaches to family and living. Both participants demonstrate significant personal growth and spiritual development while articulating a shared mission to create authentic media alternatives to mainstream "brain rot" content.

Opening: Personal Updates and Life Transitions

Johnny's Personal Development (Age 28)

Maturity Declaration:

"Time to be a man. I think my prefrontal cortex is finally developed. So I'm like, okay. Time to be a man... Time to grab life by the horns and be like, this is what I'm here for. I'm here to help. I'm here to be a good person. Be spiritually wealthy, mentally wealthy. Financially wealthy."

Romantic Partnership Focus:

"Hopefully attract a mate so I can procreate and do my biological duties. It's always on my mind."

NYC Studio Setup:

"I'm going to start doing some events here. In the backyard, like barbecues and stuff like that. Trying to bring together different cool people that I think are lights in this crazy city."

Gary's Transitional Season and Lael Alexander Disappointment

Commitment and Reliability Crisis:

"The most important thing about growing up is just like doing what you say you're going to do. It's not easy... After talking about it for a month and a half. Of me starting in August or actually starting in July... I call his daughter because his daughter is responsive. Daughter's like, what's this about? What would you come over for?... There's no eca. When you can start."

Homeless Period and Divine Timing:

"So in Austin, homeless. Luckily. I have mentor, friend type figures. That limb Travis that let me stay at his place for a week... I think this was God telling me. Figure out what you believe. Figure out what it means to be a man."

Character Assessment Framework:

"Does it mean to be a man? That people that don't have too much spiritual discernment. Think you're the man... Or does. Holding commitments. That you stick to. Make you a man. And being someone that's trustworthy, reliable."

Spiritual Development and Baptism Plans

Gary's Baptism Announcement

Baptism with Marcus and Ariel:

"Plan to give. Water. Baptize with Marcus and Ariel. Probably end of the month."

Location Considerations:

"Third dc. So I don't know what the most symbolic place would be. I'm open to BBC."

Johnny's Supportive Response:

"Dang. I might have to come down there for that. That'd be so special. Bro... I'll come. Through, bro."

Masculine Leadership Crisis and Family Structure Analysis

Critique of Absent Fathers

Lael Alexander as Case Study:

"There's so many traumatized kids. We're both some ways... And just talking to some of whales here because he was just kind of an absent in his inventions and shit and in China and stuff. Takes a toll, man. If you are a father. That cannot be reliable."

Bastard Children Situation:

"By the way, jra. Because he had two of his bastard kids at the fucking thing in Florida. It was awkward as fuck... You made your current wife babysit your bastard kits... You created the situation that's traumatized the heck out of his kids."

Cultural Context of Fatherhood Crisis

Johnny's Cultural Analysis:

"And you are very blessed that we don't have a child. Or children, you know what I mean? It's a tough thing being a parent... the way that the west has set up families is not how it is... In the other parts of the world that I've seen... Where dads are expected to be constantly in people's lives. Usually it's like a community that raises a child."

Eastern vs. Western Family Models:

"At least over in the East. It's a whole family thing. And when you don't have that family requirement. Or that family that is required to grow a child healthily. It's tough."

Objectification of Women and Masculine Development

Gary's Struggle with Lust and Cultural Critique

Jesus's Teaching on Adultery:

"I was, like, watching this video. Of someone explaining this verse. That jesus had. Jesus said. If you'd rather gouge out your eyes and go to heaven. Than go to hell with two eyes. And he's, like, looking at the woman. In an adult in an adulterous way. Right. Getting, like, an objectifying way."

Cultural Normalization Critique:

"And I think about how I contributed to that. And millions, millions of men have contributed to that... Treat women in a discarding way. Going to rubbing tugs... It's just so normal ized."

Johnny's Pendulum Philosophy

Understanding Feminine Energy:

"Being able to see the pendulum. Because if you can see, like, okay, this is the worst perspective a man can have on women. But what's the best?... And it's really understanding that they're going through a whole different universe as us. And you have to have a very caring heart as a man to actually love a woman."

Daughter Perspective Framework:

"Because basically you want to treat women just as if your daughter or something. And your daughter's going to go through all these health issues, go through having her period, going through so many different things. Having men objectify her. And treat her inappropriately."

Empathy Over Objectification:

"If you can fix that, which is the hardest thing to do as a van, get out of the objectification stage and get into the empathetic, understanding, well grounded stage. You're going to be a lot better."

Thailand as Family Values Model

Johnny's Thailand Vision

Family Compound Model:

"This is why I was so bullish on Thailand... Where the concept is, okay? We're all blood. We're all family. Let's buy this. Maybe it's a one acre property for $10,000... Let's build from the ground up. All of us right here on this specific spot."

Spiritual Wealth Through Family:

"And these people are very spiritually wealthy because they're constantly surrounded by their family. And they're not spending rent here. Spending rent here... They're all compounding all of. Their faith and all of their love. In in one specific spot."

Mother-Centered Philosophy:

"Whatever your mother is interested in, that's what you kind of build. You want to build your mother her dream home?... Whatever satisfies your mother's spirit is actually going to satisfy your spirit. Because they are conjoined."

Gary's Interest in Eastern-Western Fusion

Cultural Integration Vision:

"I realize what you just said. Of fusing the best of Eastern with what makes sense from the west as well. I feel like that is such a powerful part of our future... I think we're going to want to be involved in multiple in both the use and the West."

Thailand Trip Planning:

"I'm overdue for another Asia visit. Thailand."

Wellness Check Media Project Development

Jason Photographer Introduction

Professional Background:

"He's been doing journalism. Photojournalism and fashion photography. For the past ten years. Professionally. Published with Vogue's of the World. And all these things, and he's just kind of realized all that shit is stupid. And fake."

Real Media Vision:

"And so he wants to create real media. He wants to create, like, a real media company. And he wants me to kind of executive producer and star in some of it, but really form together a very real human centric media company."

Documentary Structure and Vision

Season Progress:

"So we shot the whole first season of Wellness Check. Season one. And then now season two, we're setting up the start recording in October. And we have a budget for it. Too."

Wellness Check Concept:

"We're kind of, like, coming up with an idea of basically him following me around and doing wellness checks on people, me literally flying in and checking in on you. And seeing what you're up to. And making sure you're good."

Alternative to Vice:

"Creating kind of a new what Vice was supposed to be. But now for human centric, real media stuff. Real stories. Real problems. Real pain that people are going through. And then also real solutions which already exist over in the east."

Gary's Media Ministry Revelation

Wellness Check as Essential Utility

Anti-Bragging Solution:

"Obviously with more purpose. And refinement through these conversations, et cetera. It'll be really good, I think. It'll be, like, really calming. And inspiring. And help the people that are being featured. And as we know, it's hard to brag about yourself... So this is like an essential utility."

Personal Experience Validation:

"I went back home for my birthday. And people seemed like they really understood me. Much more. Because I did that episode... Now I have something to point to. Where? I don't have to boast. I can just send them a link. And watch it, and it's a lot more selfless."

Theological Framework for Media Ministry

Kingdom Unlocking Philosophy:

"I don't talk to her a lot, but the few times I did talk to her, it was impactful for me. It was a woman pastor. Who? She's in her 70s now. See, you don't build the kingdom. You unlock the kingdom through your heart... You are the kingdom. Right Of God. Right. You are the kingdom. You radiate that, right?"

Digital Media for Kingdom Work:

"But how are we using digital media in a way that 's actually helping make that as radiant as possible? No, we're not. And I really like the wellness check vibe."

Alpha Schools Departure and Educational Philosophy

Gary's Alpha Schools Exit

Educational Philosophy Conflict:

"Education is important to me for sure. But I'm not going to be able to do that. Do what I want to do with education, I realized. At Elite private school. That is poorly run. And doesn't take feedback."

Scaling vs. Quality Critique:

"But scaling a human system. Like a productivity app. There's something that doesn't make sense about that, right?... you work on something really small. You get that, right? And then you can start scaling that over time."

Greater Fools Game Analysis:

"But then that creates this contradiction of okay. Well, we live in a world that's all about exaggeration. Selling your bag before the next person buys in... It's like a lot of these greater Fools games."

Mike Ajouz Mentorship Impact

Wall Street Veteran Wisdom:

"At one point, managed a $20 billion fund in New York City, moved to Austin, came to Christ four years ago... he runs a number of entrepreneurs running small but useful businesses. And treats those... his kids, he's in his 50s."

Beautiful Mentorship Model:

"He's like, okay, that's such a beautiful model. And of course, it's nice that you can, like, oh, kind of regret. See the darkness of high finance in New York. But he left with a bunch of money, right?"

Spiritual Warfare and Cultural Critique

Gary's Christian Ontology Development

Suffering as Natural Reality:

"Someone that has wanted society to feel as easy as fixing bugs in a code base. That's not how it works, though... part of why I'm adopting a Christian ontology worldview. Is just to have a worldview that understands that suffering is like a natural part of reality."

Divine Trust vs. Anxiety:

"And I'm trying to be someone that is less anxious about my own life as well, and trust that. What should unfold will unfold. And that's how it has been so far, too."

America as Dystopia Analysis

Dystopia Disguised as Utopia:

"When people think of dystopia. They think of the Cyberpunk 77... But Dystopia looks like utopia. But it's actually dystopia... We have sweet green, we have solid. Restaurants. But we have so many churches. This feels like shit, though."

Fake Christianity Critique:

"I asked this Christian girl that leads this Bible study for this big church. In the city... she was like, oh, well, are you dating? Christians. She's like, no. I'm like, what the fuck? What do you believe?... So. It's all I fake. Right."

Thailand vs. America Cultural Comparison

Johnny's Thailand Advocacy

Anti-Stress Culture:

"They have an anti stress culture. And that's beautiful. We need that. And the only way to get that is to go there. And then try to come bring it back here... I just want you to experience, bro. I think you should try to go out for, like, a month and just experience a civilization. That is anti stress."

Family Reunion Culture:

"Going to a barbecue. With the family on a random Wednesday that they do every single week. And seeing every cousin, every uncle, every mom, every dad... it's like having a family reunion every single week. And we don't have that shit here."

Documentary Potential

Cultural Revelation Opportunity:

"Thailand, when you think about people, think of, I think noodles and sex tourism. That's what they think, but actually, in the core of it, Is family values anti stress... if that were to be unfolded in some sort of way that people could see that, I think it would be really life changing."

Chinese Wisdom and Practical Philosophy

Johnny's Chinese Proverb Appreciation

Reality-Based Wisdom:

"The only thing I wipe is the Chinese proverbs. The most is because they are basing everything that they say off of reality. It's no heaven. And what's going on right here, right now, the sun has light. And it is hitting your face. That is the energy of life."

Practical Religion Concept:

"And I just feel like we need a practical religion. God the father up in the sky. No. You're getting hit with sunlight that is this, like, magical power to energize you. That is God. Light is gone. Let there be light, and light is real."

Gary's Civilizational Analysis

China's Educational System Critique:

"And if you think about what they've done with their education system, Which is a fork. Of American education. Which is like highly standardized tests... And it was also worth investigating as the really high suicide and depression rates. Of young people."

Peter Thiel Surveillance State Warning:

"So these are people that don't believe in an afterlife... They believe, metaphorically, that there's interesting lessons in the Bible... Anyone that could possibly, through machine learning algorithms, be identified as someone that could manufacture a bomb. Should be eliminated before they can commit the crime."

Three-Way Collaboration Vision

Documentary Mission Statement

Core Question Framework:

"How to live and why to live... And then we go the different places where people are living to figure out that question... And we're not afraid to talk about what is on our minds and hearts."

Non-Partisan Truth-Seeking:

"And we're not saying, oh, you must hate everyone in Israel, or you must take a side on this. It's like, this sucks. This is not working. Whatever is happening is not worth it. That's what everyone should agree on, right?"

Production Philosophy

Humble Seeking Approach:

"We should have this really humble. Seeking sort of mindset. That we feel a lot of things right now... We have been blessed by God. By the universe... To have been in the rooms with the most powerful people in the world... And whatever is happening is on it."

Global Journey Framework:

"And so what is it? And we're going to find it. On a journey around the world. Literally."

Practical Collaboration Structure

Role Distribution:

"Different people. Different superpowers... Jason photographer, documentarian. You people person. Me, people person."

Recording and Documentation:

"And everything should be recorded moving forward. Everything about, including the audio. Not just the Granola. Right, including the audio."

Personal Growth and Spiritual Synchronicity

Gary's Spiritual Confirmation

Divine Timing Recognition:

"Two days ago... This is God. I love this... We are going to witness some shit. Big time. And contribute to it."

Johnny's Maturity Integration

Responsibility and Purpose:

"Time to establish myself. As the partner that I need to be to the world... Up until this point, I was just kind of, I don't know, just free flowing through the world, experimenting."

Key Themes and Strategic Outcomes

Authentic Media Alternative

Both participants recognize the need for genuine alternative to mainstream media "brain rot," with specific focus on practical wisdom about "how to live and why to live."

Cultural Bridge-Building

Strong interest in exploring different cultural approaches to family, stress management, and community building, particularly Eastern vs. Western models.

Spiritual Development Integration

Both demonstrate significant spiritual maturation while maintaining practical focus on creating positive impact through media and community building.

Three-Way Partnership Formation

Concrete plans for Gary-Johnny-Jason collaboration combining strategic thinking, cultural connectivity, and professional production capabilities.

International Documentary Vision

Ambitious scope including Thailand episodes, community screening events, and systematic exploration of different civilizational approaches to human flourishing.

This conversation represents a pivotal moment in both participants' development, combining personal growth with professional collaboration and spiritual development with practical cultural analysis. The resulting documentary vision offers potential for significant cultural impact through authentic storytelling and cross-cultural wisdom sharing.