How DnD Became a Career: Brennan Lee Mulligan’s College Journey

In the first episode of our College Journeys series, Hank Green talks to Dimension 20 host, Dropout writer, performer, and overall great guy: Brennan Lee Mulligan. Before Brennan joined the CollegeHumor cast and became a famous comedian/writer/game master, he was (in no particular order): a 14 year old philosophy major, a Law & Order PA, a LARP camper, a “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” contestant, a bartender missing a front tooth, and more!

We’re on a mission to learn how people have learned! To do that we’re interviewing people from various fields and asking them about their lives, careers, and college journeys. The "College Journeys" series aims to inspire viewers by showcasing the varied paths to success and highlighting the importance of learning, both in school and through life.
__________________________________________________________________________

Follow us on social media!
__________________________________________________________________________
Chapters:
00:31 - Introductions
02:02 - Storytelling
03:34 - Gaming
03:52 - Being Bullied
04:50 - The Wayfinder Experience
09:42 - Mentoring
11:12 - No High School
11:31 - Junior College and a GED
13:02 - 14 Year Old Philosophy Majors
14:35 - Why Philosophy
16:19 - College Expectations
17:46 - College and SVA
20:21 - The Experience of SVA
21:22 - The purpose of college (for Brennan)
23:21 - Missed Opportunities
24:59 - Help Navigating College
27:49 - Debt?
28:34 - Transition to College
30:24 - Delivering Value
31:23 - Questioning Choices
32:37 - More Questioning
35:10 - The End of College
36:32 - Starting Life After College
40:22 - Career Achieved
42:49 - Putting the Pieces Together
51:33 - What would you do different?
54:02 - Opportunities
55:42 - Other Careers/Non College
57:33 - Brennan Makes More Sense Now
58:04 - Why Storytelling?
01:00:01 - Finding Your People
__________________________________________________________________________

#CollegeJourney #BrennanLeeMulligan #HankGreen

[studyhall]

Have any college related questions or want to share your own college stories? Drop them in the comments below! And let us know who else you want to see on College Journeys. Stay tuned for more epic content! (roll for initiative not required)

[MatthewBrpg]

Saw a comment on another video that was like "Would you leave your partner for Brennan Lee Mulligan?" and the top answer was "No, because Brennan would be disappointed in me for making that choice."
That's the level of devotion Brennan inspires.

[turnipslop]

"When you light a candle, with another candle, the first candle isn't diminished. The world just grows brighter. Knowledge is just like that" - Well said Mr. Mulligan. Well said.

[Speedy-vykq]

So Brennan and his brother were basically the original Phineas and Ferb? Highly precocious step twins getting into hijinks.

[namasc]

“He meant Yugoslavia and I went *gasp* Atlantis!” truly had me cry laughing

[always_]

Seeing the thumbnail like “oh Brennan Lee Mulligan!” then seeing the channel like “oh! Brennan Lee Mulligan???”

[emilysmith]

Angry parents want to show you how powerful they are.

Loving parents want to show you how powerful YOU are.

[eely]

I am preemptively getting in the comments.

[lyricbot]

"We did that, parent trapped 'em" oh suddenly everything about Brennan's life makes sense

[JustinWPruett]

Hank Green + Brennan Lee Mulligan = Greatness, guaranteed.

[davetoms]

_"Capitalism isolates and alienates people from one another and you become discrete units of labor that are siloed away from meaningful community, and that gives rise to predatory communities like cults and other things that want to address that alienation by then taking advantage of people... "_
~ You're goddamn right that's a *Brennan Lee Mulligan* quote that I fully and completely agree with

[werttrichen]

It is incredibly depressing that an essential part in the creation of Brennan, as we know him, was winning what is pretty much the lottery (who wants to be a millionaire). This really puts into perspective how many people we have lost.

[outlawmel]

I remember seeing an episode of Game Changer years ago where Izzy had to answer the question of what Brennan 'wanted more than anything' (paraphrasing off the top of my head here, don't come at me.) Izzy's answer was 'to be a father.' 😭❤ So glad this dream has come true for them.

[priyabuddhavarapu]

There is no corner of my heart I would not turn over for this man

[auradmg]

Brennan talking about how he taught Emily Axford how to play D&D... Needs a record scratch 'you may be wondering how I got here' moment

[alexnasa]

Ok, the amount of effort Hank and Brenden are putting in to just stay on topic must be massive.

[theyounglinksociety]

As a mid 20s, confused lost artist without a ton of schooling and has half a tooth missing. Greatly appreciate Brennan coming on here and talking to me personally.

[ChroniclesOfCallum]

The fact that Elaine Lee signed her own kid up for D&D is such an incredible move for a parent. Brennan's parents should be studied for how they created and nurtured a Brennan into being.

[possiblybottomlesspit]

I firmly believe that Brennan Lee Mulligan is the ‘best’ interviewee I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. I have listened to this man talk for ungodly lengths of time and I marvel constantly at his beautiful storytelling ability.

[ryanharty]

I want a memoir... This life story is insane.