Andrew Joji
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About me

My path runs through CS fundamentals, a startup I founded, indie film sets, and volunteer work that matters. Different rooms, same instinct — and it turns out range is the point, not a detour.

My story

Growing up between countries often meant starting over — new schools, new friend groups, new ways of doing things. It also meant “home” was never a simple answer. I always felt a little out of place wherever I was, because I was never completely from there.

That constant resetting shaped how I see the world: I value diversity of thought and experience as a real asset, not just a nice idea — it’s easier to get to a good answer when you’ve seen a problem from more than one angle. I’m a lifelong learner at heart, and I like getting into the inner workings of things — how a piece of technology actually works, why people behave the way they do, how a business actually makes money.

I think that’s part of where the range comes from: software engineering, line-producing film sets, founding a business, volunteer work. Different rooms, but the same instinct for figuring out what’s actually going on and getting it done.

Timeline
  • Born here
    South Africa
    Where the story starts. That family connection makes the mission and work of Education without Borders (EwB) more meaningful to me, and closely aligned with my values and background.
  • Family roots
    Kerala, India
    Where my family is from.
  • 2004 – 2010
    Saudi Arabia
    Part of growing up.
  • 2010 – 2021
    Qatar
    Dukhan — most of my childhood and adolescence, and where I did my IGCSEs and A-Levels.
  • 2021 – Present
    Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Where I studied Computer Science at UBC, and where I'm now based — building software and off on side quests.

Influences

Who you surround yourself with shapes who you become, so I choose carefully. These are some of the minds I learn from, shelved by what they taught me, and I'm happy to pass them on.

Hands-on curiosity

Learning how things work by building, taking apart, or doing them.

Curiosity about how things work and about the universe.

People who build things and show how.

Flying and why planes do and don't crash.

Astronomy, rockets and the universe.

Wider horizons

A different view of the world and of what is possible, in how people live, travel and tell stories.

Adventure travel and living on the road.

Vlogging and telling a story well.

Seeing the world and exploring close to home.

Pushing out of your comfort zone.

More shelves

Building things and getting more done.

Understanding the mind and mental health.

Urban design that puts people before cars.

Simplicity and slowing down.

Browse all influences
Cluster

Books

Podcasts

Channels

ChannelChase After The Right PriceChannelCaseyNeistatChannelSmarterEveryDayChannelKurzgesagt – In a NutshellChannelCleo AbramOptimistic tech explainers; host of the Huge If True series.ChannelKara and NateChannelFunForLouisChannelJP SchulzeChannelMentour PilotChannelMark RoberChannelMichael ReevesChannelKarl RockChannelAli AbdaalEntrepreneurship and productivity.ChannelAlyn WallaceAstrophotography.ChannelScott ManleySpace and rocket news.ChannelReal EngineeringInnovation and how stuff works.ChannelTom ScottCuriosity and science.ChannelVeritasiumCuriosity and science.ChannelJohnny HarrisIndependent filmmaker helping understand the world.ChannelSimone GiertzMaker of things.ChannelStrange PartsLearning about tools and tech and making cool things.ChannelStuff Made HereMaking things, physical and coding.ChannelVan NeistatBuilding and fixing stuff.ChannelFly Me to the FunFlying adventures.ChannelPremier 1 DriverFlying a personal jet.ChannelStefan DruryPrivate aviation in Australia.ChannelSarah FossVan life and adventure.ChannelSmall Vans Big WorldVan builds.ChannelLet's Get Lost!BC overlanding and adventures, beautiful cinematography.ChannelDownieLiveVancouver adventures and beyond.ChannelIndigo TravellerReal and honest travel and storytelling.ChannelLuke KornsHonest life documenting and travel.ChannelSam EllisSearch Party, investigative journalism.ChannelNewel of KnowledgePsychology and mental health.ChannelSeek DiscomfortOne of Andrew's biggest influences growing up; helped shape his mindset to seek discomfort and push out of his comfort zone.ChannelYes TheoryChannelNot Just BikesUrban design and walkable cities, building cities around people and not cars.ChannelSimple LucasSimplicity and slowing down.ChannelPhoenix ResaleVideo game reselling.ChannelNew MoneyStock market investing; a channel Andrew follows.

Shows

Concepts