In this incredible episode of The Gabi Koyenov Podcast, join me as I delve into the colorful and inspiring life of Uncle Edik, a former finance professional who found his passion in the art of pickling. Edik shares the touching moments of a family visit that reaffirmed his life choices and the joy he finds in making good food.As we explore Edik’s journey, he enlightens us on the science of pickling and how he transitioned from a stable finance career to pursuing his culinary passion. We discuss the balance between work and passion, the importance of teaching, and finding purpose in everyday activities. Edik also dives into his love for math and philosophy, relating concepts like Plato’s World of Forms to his life, pondering the perfection of the world, and appreciating the beauty of life’s imperfections.Our conversation takes a deeper dive into personal topics such as the challenges of dating in your 30s, perceptions of the Bukharian community, debating stereotypes, and the value of hard work across generations. Edik expresses pride in his Bukharian identity, emphasizing the importance of community and mentorship. He shares philosophical reflections on life and happiness, concluding with impactful final messages about living a fulfilled life. Tune in for a rich episode that covers the intersections of culture, passion, identity, and philosophy with Uncle Edik.Connect with Uncle Edik!Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncle_ediks_pickles?Website - https://www.uncleedikspickles.com/Order the pickles!! They will be the best pickles you ever have!Connect with Gabi Koyenov!Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GabiKoyenovProductionsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/journey_with_gabi/Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2SoydqNskaV9wOra0Yh6Z3?si=d1891df9a822414cBook a session!The Men's Therapy Studiohttps://themenstherapystudio.com/Check out Edik's and my episode of Slatki Stol on Sarah Borokhov's Channel.Sarah's SocialsYoutube - @visualsbysarah Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bukh.official/?hl=en#00:00 Intro05:26 From Finance to Pickles08:35 The Science of Pickling15:56 Balancing Work and Passion32:52 Teaching and Finding Purpose37:50 The Fascinating World of Math38:04 Plato's World of Forms40:28 Is the World Perfect?41:39 The Beauty of Life's Imperfections46:22 A Life-Changing Journey in Peru51:14 The Birth of a Pickle Business59:07 The Challenges of Dating in Your 30s01:12:29 Perceptions of the Bukharian Community01:16:48 Debating Stereotypes and Hard Work01:17:33 Generational Differences and Stereotypes01:19:03 Navigating Cultural Identity and Stereotypes01:22:02 Pride in Bukharian Identity01:25:14 The Importance of Community and Mentorship01:36:34 Philosophical Reflections on Life and Happiness01:50:36 Concluding Thoughts and Final Messages