The Bla Bla Bunker

On this episode of The Bla Bla Bunker I am visited by a true master of his craft.  Erik Everhard is an author, men's coach, and a man who has experienced unparalleled success during his 25 years in the adult industry. Erik has won numerous awards and has slept with 5000 women (plus minus 500!).   We discuss Erik's journey, how he got into the industry, how the industry changed during his time there, who gets paid more men or women, monogamy, jealousy and the misconceptions that us civilians have about the adult industry, the demonization of masculinity, and the role of porn in modern relationships and where the industry is heading in terms of AI and Robots!    We also discuss how Erik transitioned to become an author and an elite sexual coach fo men and what he is helping them with in a modern society that is becoming more and more complex. www.everhardacademy.com https://twitter.com/ERIK_EVERHARD https://www.instagram.com/erikeverhardofficial/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikeverhard/

My guest Daniel Espitia has had an incredible story and journey through life. He is a man that has truly defied the odds and forged an extraordinary path. From leaving behind challenging circumstances in Colombia with nothing to his name, Daniel shares his interesting story.   Hear how Daniel ventured from Spain to the U.S. with a mere $200 to his name, eventually landing a role as a software tester at Microsoft during the groundbreaking era of modem development in the 80s. Learn firsthand about his contributions to building the first generations of modems, paving the way for technological advancements that would shape the future.   He then transitions from the tech world to becoming an economic advisor for governments and organizations worldwide. Gain insights into interesting moments, such as his involvement in the separation of Czechoslovakia, his experiences in Mexico where he sought out a long dead shaman, the Philippines, and the unexpected challenges he faced in Afghanistan.   We discussed how we do not seem to successfully enforce Western values and Western institutions in countries like Afghanistan and Daniel shared his reflections on his time there and the country's rapid transformation after the U.S. withdrawal, followed by the swift rise of the Taliban.    During his multifaceted career, Daniel found solace and meaning through the practice of spirituality during his global journey.    Daniel, now a therapist in Prague, opens up about the profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and sheds light on  how fear and insecurity have taken a toll on individuals and communities.   And more…

Do you ever suffer from Brain Fog? Do you frequently make mistakes or lose things? Are you often not fully present with loved ones? Are you struggling to lose weight and keep good habits?  All of this could be related to your sleep! On this episode of The Bla Bla Bunker I am joined by Matt Beedle in discussing the connection between sleep, health and peak performance, Matt Beedle, a former sleep-deprived high performer who has helped countless individuals optimize their sleep and transform their lives. In this episode, we'll discuss amongst other: The impact of sleep on brain fog, decision-making, personal relationships, loss of productivity and overall well-being. How to identify the unique factors that impair your sleep and how to implement lifestyle modifications to optimize your sleep environment and practices. Matt Beedle works with high performers on removing the largest bottle neck to their progress...sleep. https://www.linkedin.com/in/selfimprovement/ https://www.youtube.com/@Betterfutureself https://www.instagram.com/makesleepgreatagain/

In this episode of The Bla Bla Bunker we explore Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with Susan L. Ondrasek, a remarkable practitioner in Prague, Czech Republic, who has blended her Texan roots with the profound healing traditions of TCM. We discuss Susan's personal story, uncovering the transformative experiences that ignited her passion for TCM and how her initial encounter with Reiki and acupuncture in the 1980s sparked interest in holistic healing. Susan explains Chinese Medicine and its ability to address a wide spectrum of health concerns, from physical ailments to emotional well-being.  How has Susan integrated various healing modalities, including five-element and esoteric acupuncture, to address physical, emotional and spiritual imbalances. What are the most common misconceptions surrounding TCM and does it have a misrepresented role in different cultures? What roles does the media play? Why does TCM face challenges in gaining mainstream acceptance and what are the efforts being made to bridge the gap between traditional and Western medicine? Susan also gave some real-life examples of how TCM has transformed the lives of countless individuals. And how this ancient practice, rooted in harmony and balance, can empower people to achieve optimal health and well-being. And finally who is this Susan L. Ondrasek that is always commenting in various facebook groups in Prague?    Here are links to Susan for more information https://seventreasureshealingarts.com/ https://www.facebook.com/seventreasureshealingarts  

Teny Casal is a Brand Consultant, Copywriter & Business Storyteller She helps companies and entrepreneurs craft messages that make their stories and ideas stand out. Teny explained to me what it all means, why it's important more then ever to know who your audience and is, and how to build your brand with authentic storytelling. She shares how she helps her clients make their message stand out and also how she transitioned from a successful recruiting career to having her own business and the challenges that come with it.  And then we spoke about her pet turtle!   See more about Teny here  https://tenytales.com/en/copywriting-and-storytelling/ https://pragueactually.com/  

On this episode me and Olga discuss women in technology, gender equality, opportunities for women vs men, how women and men bring different qualities to the table in the tech industry and why the Czech Republic is behind on many things with respect to gender equality.   Olga Maximova is the Head of Nonprofit Development at Czechitas: an award-winning Czech-based social impact organisation that inspires, trains and guides new talents towards stronger diversity and competitiveness in Tech. Olga's focus is to help Czechtitas be a sustainable organisation that can do more social good. Olga is from Slovakia and comes from a family with a diplomatic background and she herself spent almost 10 years working for the British gov. Helping UK nationals out of crises.

Join me as I sit down with Max Munson, an early expat settler in Prague, Czech Republic. We explore his journey of how he got into the Wim Hof Method for self-improvement and eventually becoming a certified Wim Hof Method instructor.  How life was in post communist Prague and his run-ins with the Mafia in a city where corruption was and still is to some extent rampant. How was it for a young American expat to start a business in an environment like that?  And the story of Igor....    We also discussed marathon training, American politics and the current state of polarization in the USA today.

In this episode, We explore the world of dating after 50 in 2023 and what mature women appreciate in a partner. We delve into topics such as masculinity, why older women may prefer alpha males, and red flags to watch out for in dating as an older woman. We also discuss how the role of women has changed over time and what a mature woman thinks of the #MeToo movement. In addition, we'll explore why younger men might prefer dating with older women.    My guest on this episode is Simona Barbry, a lecturer, trainer, and coach who is passionate about helping companies and individuals improve their standard of living by making more meaningful life and work decisions.    Join us for an insightful and thought-provoking discussion about dating and relationships for grown ups!

Juwana Jenkins is a professor at the University of New York in Prague.  She began teaching as a Fulbright Scholar in South Korea, where she was also an instructor at the Seoul National Language Research Institute. With a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Honors in Media Studies.   Juwana also trains executives in international companies in communications and presentation skills. On this episode we discussed the status of education as there have been so many changes to education over the past decades.  Much more availability, greater equality when it comes to access but at the same time one might ask if there are too many people getting a degree? Are the schools leaving out some important things that prepare people for life?   How does school prepare people for innovation and entrepreneurship? Is there enough focus on critical thinking? Why can't people pay off their student loans? And a lot more

In this podcast episode, I take a dive into the world of alternative medicine and treatments such as aromatherapy with the charming and witty Vinuta who is the owner of Aroma Laska.    Join us as Vinuta shares her passion for essential oils, the benefits they offer, and her journey to becoming an expert in the field.     You won't want to miss this enlightening and fun-filled conversation with Vinuta who is the Essential Oil Queen of Prague.

Join me as I sit down with American Expat, in Prague, Alex Alderman, born and raised in the US, who served 5 years in the Marine Corps. In this episode, Alex shares his honest perspective on the shifts in American culture and his experiences in the military. We also delve into topics such as personality disorders and abuse.

Viking culture is massively popular and so is Viking history.   I got asked if there is any Icelandic Viking mentality today?   It made me think of the Vikings that discovered Iceland and what effect Viking lifestyle has had on our modern day culture. Are Vikings responsible for Scandinavian gender equality? Do Icelanders not plan ahead as a cultural inheritance from the Vikings?

She had a career that many were jealous of and she was the stereotype of success. But there was something not right, the feminine side was missing and she crashed... Alena Huberova is a Trainer, speaker and founder of SHELeads. A globetrotter, sports enthusiast and an optimist, with an insatiable curiosity about people, life and business. Throughout her career, she has cherished living and working in five countries across Europe and Asia. We talked about women in leadership, the expectations of women today, how people take their childhood traumas with them into their grown up lives and how Alena had to crash before she could really fly.  And a lot more   Also on Youtube in video   https://www.alenahuberova.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alenahuberova/ https://www.instagram.com/alenahuberova/

AHMET BILGE is a mess. He grew up in the US, matured in Turkey & now he's slowly decomposing in Switzerland. Ahmet is the creator & producer of "The American Standup Show" which features monthly high caliber English Standup Comedy all around Switzerland and through that Ahmet has performed with his favourite comedian, Louis C.K. Rising to be one of the top players in Switzerland, he is branching out to the International comedy scene with performances in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Liechtenstein, Thailand, & France.   We talked about comedy, cancel culture and stuff.   https://www.instagram.com/ahmetbilgecomedy/ https://www.ahmetbilgecomedy.com/  

Roc was planning a murder when he was young, he considers himself lucky that they did not have a gun in the household....the future had other plans for Roc.   Roc is a systems analyst who has worked with Fortune 500 corporations such as Enron, AT&T and Pfizer as well as being the host of the "Talking $*** Rahmaan Mwongozi" podcast.   Roc's problem-solving and “no excuses” mindset enabled him to avoid the trappings of his East Oakland neighborhood, where poverty, physical abuse of a step father, gangs, violence, and drugs took many down the rabbit hole of despair. Keeping his distance and planning his escape, Roc paid attention to where the power and resources lay and went after them. He has systematically avoided the trappings of the American dream, racial stereotyping as well as traditional ideas of romantic relationships. We discussed all things life, America, How important Bill Cosby was, polyamory, capitalism, abuse, murder plans and his book  "Inner Demons: Blazing A Path To Happiness"    https://twitter.com/TheRocsWorld https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ2ul1RRbeCdrg825XmUOXg/featured https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Demons-Blazing-Path-Happiness-ebook/dp/B07GDPB9ZL

This is the audio only from my Youtube series Ranting from the car, find The Bla Bla Bunker on Youtube and subscribe there.   I moved abroad 18 years ago from Iceland. I lived in Copenhagen and then Prague for 18 years now. Here are 6 things that I don't miss about living in Iceland.

Audio only version from my YOUTUBE series Ranting in the Car, you can see this episode there in video, The channel is...drumroll....The Bla Bla Bunker I moved abroad from Iceland 18 years ago. I lived in Copenhagen and then Prague for 18 years now. That gave a new perspective on Iceland and how it is compared to life elsewhere. Here are 6 things that I miss about living in Iceland. Stay tuned for 6 things I do not miss about living in Iceland

This is (audio only) from my Youtube series Ranting in the Car, you can find it in video version on The Bla Bla Bunker Youtube channel I made a previous episode about 6 things I do not like about Prague but here are the 6 things I enjoy about living in Prague. Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic in Central Europe. Prague has a big expat community from both east and west that gives it the Prague vibe.

Irene Antonez is an artist and musician from Russia.  Through her music and art she celebrates sensuality, emotionality and the beauty of nature and the microscopic world. Her family roots are Cossack which are a semi-nomadic and semi-militarized people from the steppes of Ukraine and Russia.  So in Irene's family tree there are Russians, Ukrainians and Lithuanians.   We discussed the situation in Ukraine, how that affects her family and relatives on both sides of the line, how they were taught at school in Russia that there should never be a war again but also how the messaging over the past 7-8 years has been changing with the rise of nationalism. And we talked about Russophobia that has been present and now is amplified by the War. Mushrooms are a big part of Irene's universe and art expression and she explained to me how advanced these organisms are and what we could learn from them as humans. And then we talked about her music and how Cossacks and Vikings might be connected historically. Irene has an art exhibition in Pragovka in Prague from the 9th of June 2022, check her links below for more   https://www.instagram.com/irene_antonez/ https://www.instagram.com/irene_antonez_art/ https://www.facebook.com/ireneantonezz https://www.facebook.com/ireneantonezart

I am doing these short videos "Ranting in the Car" on my Youtube channel "The Bla Bla Bunker" about different things that are on my mind while I am....drumroll....driving in my car.  This is the first one that I upload here and it is audio only.  So if you want to see that million dollar face that goes with this voice then head over to Youtube and subscribe there.  

Available on Youtube with video, The Bla Bla Bunker on YT.   This is Part 2 of my talk with Þórhildur Magnúsdóttir in Part 1 we discussed the question "Why do people go for polyamorous relationships"    On this part we discuss the topic of how does a polyamorous relationship work and what is her personal experience of polyamory. We discussed time management in a polyamorous relationship as well as how being polyamorous effects marriage.    Can we love many people at the same time?  How do you explain polyamory to your children when you are a polyamorous parent.    How are polyamorous couples judged and what are the most common questions about polyamory lifestyle.    Þórhildur Magnúsdóttir is an Icelandic woman who has made a career from her passion for increasing people's happiness by making relationships healthier.   https://www.instagram.com/sundurogsaman/

Available on Youtube in video, The Bla Bla Bunker on YT   This is Part 1 of my talk with Þórhildur Magnúsdóttir in Part 2 we discuss How a Polyamory relationship works    Þórhildur Magnúsdóttir is an Icelandic woman who has made a career from her passion for increasing people's happiness by making relationships healthier.  She also knows all the reasons why people do go for polyamorous relationships. The focus of her work with couples is to help each individual grow within the relationship and avoid unhealthy dependencies between couples.    Why do so many marriages end in divorce?  Do people have unreal expectations from relationships?  Is it realistic that one partner satisfies all your needs?  Is a polyamorous marriage a good way for for people to get more of what they need?   https://www.instagram.com/sundurogsaman/

Paul Kowacz lives in the world of music in Prague, he plays guitar for Red Baron Band that he formed in 1993 as well as a band called 333.     Paul is also an avid Vinyl collector with a personal collection of 8000 albums and counting! His passion for collecting led him to start buying and selling used vinyls from all over the world.  The vinyl is making a comeback!    And he told me how his Sticky Fingers album went from being worth 200 EUR to 2000 EUR when he met Keith Richards in Prague.   We talked about how it was to be a music fan during the communist era when certain music was not considered appropriate, everything was on the black market and how that created communities based on trust and mutual interest.    But were there some positive sides to communism?   We discussed many other things including how Paul can play guitar solos with the guitar behind his back and neck! (it is true, I have seen it).     Who were his idols?  Who changed music?   Is Rock and Roll dead?   http://redbaronband.cz/ https://www.333band.cz/ https://www.facebook.com/Agentura-Music-69-321418161235629 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpP_iZVIcvQJ5eVKq4kNZkw

Arnheiður Eiríksdóttir (Adda) is an Icelandic mezzo-soprano Opera singer who sings at various opera houses in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.   We talked about all things Opera, how her performance angst that she had from playing Piano disappeared when she got a microphone in her hand, how complicated Opera can be as you need to act, move and sing all at the same time as hearing the music.  How she once did not speak a word for 3 weeks and wrote everything she needed to communicate down on a paper!   We discussed money in Opera, #metoo, when she toured with Björk, how it is to sing at funerals, state support for the Opera and why that is needed, what are the biggest fears of an Opera singer and much much more.   https://www.instagram.com/arnheidureiriks/ https://www.narodni-divadlo.cz/en/profile/arnheidur-eiriksdottir-1633489

Jenn Lederer is a New York City based Comedian & Keynote speaker. Her work has been featured by SiriusXM, Forbes.com, The Huffington Post, Inspiring Lives Magazine, Google Headquarters, Yale and comedy clubs throughout New York City. Performing all over the country (virtually, too!), Jenn emcees, leads workshops and keynotes to help audiences learn how to access their most creative ideas through the physiological effects of laughter. We discussed how Americans see Europe, how she got to be what she is, her fears, humour, why everyone is offended and how she has never felt safe in comedy which is a reality a lot of male comedians are waking up to in the wake of the Will Smith vs Chris Rock incident.   https://www.jennlederer.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/JennLedererComedy https://www.facebook.com/JennLederer.Comedian https://www.instagram.com/jennlederer/ https://www.tiktok.com/@jennlederer   https://www.facebook.com/Blablabunker

The Czech Republic population is one of the smallest consumers of fish in Europe.  So Marek Jirovec and his partners took on a mission most people would compare to trying to sell sand in the Sahara desert or snow to Icelandic people.     But they have managed and built up a great company in boxxi.cz that delivers from "shore to door" some of the best fish in the world amongst others from Iceland.   Marek visited my podcast and we talked about Czech mentality, if Czechs should have stood up to aggression in history or if they were just very clever being small amongst giants.    Why do Czechs not like Russia?  But they still have a lot of Russian friends....What about all the refugees from Ukraine?  Will that work out fine with 300.000 people already in the country which has just 10-11 million inhabitants?   He explained to me the bizarre Christmas tradition that the Czechs have with bringing a life carb into the home, keeping him in the bathtub for a few days and then eating it!   We discussed how it is to do business with Icelandic people and what are the pros and cons of that, we talked Bi Polar disease and other mental health issues which he has first hand experience from and of course how on earth he and his partner came up with the idea to try and sell fish to people who do not eat fish!    https://www.instagram.com/boxxicz/ https://www.facebook.com/boxxicz https://www.boxxi.cz/en/

Mila is an up and coming Russian stand up comedian living in Barcelona.    ***After we recorded our original episode which I had not published yet, war broke out when Russia invaded Ukraine, so I caught up with Mila again to hear what she thinks about it, how it has affected her personally and her relationship with ther family and life on stage.     Mila was born in a small, North Western, Russian town called Kostomuksha which translates to "Black Revenge!"    Mila felt something was off in her family but didn't really understand what it was.  After moving away from there she realised that it was Narcissistic abuse which had a massive impact on her and her way to recovery from it has only just begun.    She loved arts but was forced to study economics which she hated, eventually she became a dancer...but then that career took an unforeseen turn so she started doing comedy.   We talked about how she got into it, and what inspires her material.  What she thinks of woke and its influence on comedy.  How are the hecklers, what can you do when the crowd is tough and how it is to be a woman in stand up comedy, what to wear and how that can impact the audience's view on you....   https://www.instagram.com/milashauruz/  

Chris Jagger is a musician, actor, writer and explorer who has recorded over 100 songs, acted in multiple films and plays as well as performing music with the likes of Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and of course his older brother Mick Jagger.   Born in 1947 in England, Chris got into music at an early age and followed his brother around getting to hear, see and meet all the most exciting artists that were coming up in post War England.     We discussed life and music, the war in Ukraine and how Chris has gone from one end of the world to the other, sometimes hitchhiking his way around.   How has the music changed, how was life in the Jagger family, how is it to have a brother in the biggest band in the world? How people keep comparing them. And how it was to be a taxi driver.... And a lot more.   You can hear some of his music in the episode.   Chris just released an album called Mixing up the Medicine and he also took on the task of documenting the Jagger family's story in his biography "Talking to myself".     http://www.chrisjaggeronline.com/ https://www.instagram.com/chrisjaggerofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/user/chrisjagger1 https://www.facebook.com/chrisdjagger   https://www.facebook.com/Blablabunker

From Taiwan to the American dream   Lee Chang is a chef and one of the owners of QQ Asian Kitchen, a family style Michelin guide fine dining restaurant in the center of Prague in the Czech Republic. Lee grew up in Colorado where his parents emigrated from Taiwan to live the American dream.  He was supposed to be the pride of the household as the only child.  They made him play violin which was not exactly the coolest thing to do in his eyes so he gave that up and then later he surprised them by telling them he wanted to do a degree in English to which they responded "don't you speak english already?" Through a series of random decisions Lee ended up in Prague where he opened his restaurant. He told me how it was being the only Asian kid on the block and how Asians are doing as a minority in the US of A.  Their history is not held high as the US authorities treated Asians in ways that most people do not know about.  We discussed why Asians are so successful and how they are being used as examples of success in ways that might make them targets for hate. Lee explained to me how he used the fact that he was teased for being different as a drive to get better and stronger instead of giving up.   And we discussed my brief adventure with Jenna Jameson   https://www.facebook.com/qqasiankitchen https://www.instagram.com/qqasian/ https://www.instagram.com/qleechangq/

Vojtěch Ripka is a Ph.D. in Political Science who specialises in the pedagogy of history, comparative social politics, methodologies of social science, communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe and transitional justice. In this episode we discussed how history is being used as an indicator of the now and future and how people sometimes tend to want to edit history when it is uncomfortable and brutal. We also discussed the geopolitical circumstances surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the role of the EU and Nato as well as how Putin's Russia works.  Are we looking at a shift in power in the world, are democracies deteriorating and where will we go from here?     Vojtěch is involved in two interesting projects https://historylab.cz/   An application that supports research teaching with historical sources in history. It focuses on the 20th century. It offers teachers and students a safe environment in which they can work creatively and not be afraid of mistakes. As a result, they acquire the skills and principles of historical thinking in a playful way, thus developing their historical literacy.   and    https://www.socialismrealised.eu/   The communist experience is part of the common European identity, and therefore we have created Socialism Realised – an online learning environment that presents content aimed at a deeper understanding of the lives of the people in these regimes and a comparison of these experiences to the present.

Richard Grannon is a content creator who covers psychology and philosophy in the context of how the world is today both on an individual level as well as mass behaviours and influences.   We discussed the invasion of Ukraine, if Putin has gone mad, how this will affect Russia and the rest of the world in the short term and the long run and why this is happening now.  Is there a World War III in the making?   We also discussed modern guilt of consumer capitalism, the environment, poverty, wealth transfer while we are busy fighting each other and the covid contradictions, cancel culture and censorship.  And how the Karen's of the world run the show on social matters.    Why are things as they are, how did they get this way and where will it go from here.   Ps. Richard was also on my episode 5 as well as episode 23 so make sure you hear those as well.   Check out Richard on Youtube, Instagram, facebook and TikTok https://www.youtube.com/c/RICHARDGRANNON https://www.instagram.com/richard.grannon/ https://www.tiktok.com/@richardgrannon0 https://www.facebook.com/richard.grannon.spartanlifecoach   https://www.facebook.com/Blablabunker https://www.instagram.com/theblablabunker/

Ever wondered who chooses to become a stripper and why?   Everyone seems to have an opinion but few know the reality. Amber Eve told me all the secrets, tips and trick:   Can strippers fall in love? Is the money good? Is it degrading?  Can you be a feminist and a stripper? Why are women guests in strip clubs more aggressive and less respectful? How are the hours? What does your family think?  How does the hustle work?   Born in a small catholic town in Bavaria, Germany, there was not much that indicated that Amber would choose this route.  She was an awkward loner and was identified as a highly gifted teenager.   How on earth does someone like that end up as a stripper    This is Amber's story.   https://www.amber-eve.com/ https://www.patreon.com/ambereve https://www.instagram.com/ambereve_official

John J. Malafronte is an American actor and director that grew up in New York City in the classic era of musicals and plays on Broadway and has directed plays on both sides of the Atlantic.  He recently started Classic Stage, a professional theatre company that presents live and virtual productions of the work of the great 19th and 20th century English-language playwrights in Prague in the Czech Republic John also spent 30 years working at Harvard University hospital as a therapist helping people dealing with eating disorders.   On this second part of our two episode talk we discuss, Climate Emergency, Censorship, the Covid response and Globalism.     John has very strong opinions and is unafraid of voicing them as he feels he has nothing to lose.   On part one which is out already as well, we discussed his catholic upbringing, how it was coming out as gay in the 70's, the abuse he suffered from both family and others and how he see's American politics.     https://classicstageprague.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ClassicStagePrague

John J. Malafronte is an American actor and director that grew up in New York City in the classic era of musicals and plays on Broadway and has directed plays on both sides of the Atlantic.  He recently started Classic Stage, a professional theatre company that presents live and virtual productions of the work of the great 19th and 20th century English-language playwrights in Prague in the Czech Republic John also spent 30 years working at Harvard University hospital as a therapist helping people dealing with eating disorders. On this part one of our talk we discussed his catholic upbringing, how it was coming out as gay in the 70's, the abuse he suffered from both family and others and how he see's American politics.   John has strong opinions and is not afraid of expressing them and is regularly punished on social media for sharing his views. In part two we discuss climate change, covid, censoring and globalism.   https://classicstageprague.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ClassicStagePrague/

Living away from your home country can be amazing but also can come with challenges, such as language barriers, limited social life, understanding of the public system as well as being met with xenophobic attitudes.  The Czech Republic has a very large number of foreigners living there but the society is not set to integrate these people so they feel welcome and valued.    Amanda is from Croatia and she is the founder of Prague Integration.  Her idea at the start was to volunteer to support expats that are relocating to the city, helping them find their ways in the system as well as support their social life.     Then Covid came with its draconian measures of lock downs, isolating expats who were already on the fringes of society even more.  When you keep humans scared, isolated, tell them not to go out, make them order fast food home and not breathe clean air then that is probably a recipe for disaster and Amanda saw that first hand, people needed help, substance abuse, domestic violence, anxiety, depression etc. all reached unseen levels.   So her business went from being a small little volunteer thingy to over 20 consultants in a matter of months which enabled her to leave the corporate world behind and focus only on what she likes.     Amanda has ADHD and explained to me how she has learned to live with that condition that has often caused her trouble but seems to also give her energy and strength to get her business off the ground...   http://pragueintegration.cz/ https://www.facebook.com/pragueintegration https://www.instagram.com/pragueintegration/

Juwana Jenkins is one of Philadelphia's finest exports, singer, songwriter & performer. She is renowned for her rich delivery and fiery presence as a headliner at international events and music festivals. But Juwana also works as a mentor, coach and facilitator, guiding with humour and warmth, for transformational insights and development.  She collaborates with international Companies and top level managers and helps them to find those golden "Aha!" moments. Juwana was a University professor in South Korea and her plan was always to go back home to the US, but she ended up in Prague in the Czech Republic and is still there 23 years later. We talked about her childhood, how she went to Church every Sunday despite not being religious, how her father decided to shelter her and her sisters from racism, how her mom gave her a pepper spray when she had to go around her rough neighbourhood and where her love for music came from. And as usual, a LOT more.   You can hear some of Juwana's music on the episode and on her webpage you can find details of her tour that starts in February 2022   https://www.juwanajenkins.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/3L9LVWXODopcuddvfunmOK https://www.instagram.com/juwanajenkins/ https://www.facebook.com/JuwanaJenkins https://www.youtube.com/user/juwanajenkins https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwanajenkins/

Did you know that in India there is this caste system where people are divided into groups creating a hierarchy that allocates you a certain role in society, the ones at the bottom are more often than not treated like shit.   Karan Veer Khurana is an Indian film maker, comedian and an actor. He visited my Bla Bla Bunker to explain me the caste system, what is being done about it, how it is portrayed in pop culture, comedy and society in general. And where he is in that system and what effect it has had on his life.   We also talked about his relentless desire to be on stage and how he overcame stage fright.  What inspires his comedy, what he would never make fun of and why and then we somehow ended up talking about fat shaming!   And we discussed India's role in the world and rapidly developing from being a provider of cheaper labour, the impact of green policies and the hypocrisy of the Western world when it comes to the environment.   https://www.instagram.com/karanvk95/

Radka Dohnalová is the founder and CEO of ATAIRU, a purpose-driven international education company, top 10 leadership development company in Europe, and no. 1 in the Czech Republic.  Atairu prepares leaders and organisations for the future by activating their authenticity and adaptability   Born just before the end of Communism in Europe, Radka saw nothing but opportunities and she was very focused on becoming something, building things and having a purpose.     We discussed her path that led her to the UN food program in Rome, her time in McKinsey&Company which seems to give their people an amazing foundation for future business endeavours.   Radka told me how she broke the glass ceiling by being the first woman breastfeeding two children while at Harvard during her MBA studies. And as if that wasn't enough work then she also co-authored "The Authentic and Integrated Leadership Model" while at Harvard!   And of course we discussed what are the main challenges for businesses and leaders currently with Covid and multiple social and cultural changes that call for more diversity and inclusion.   And a bit more...   https://www.atairu.com/en https://www.linkedin.com/in/radka-dohnalova-26398a14/ https://www.instagram.com/weareatairu/ https://www.facebook.com/AtairuAuthenticLeadership   The Bla Bla Bunker https://www.facebook.com/Blablabunker https://www.instagram.com/midlifecrisiswarrior/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/almar-hilmarsson-060bb22/

Joanna Sio is a linguist, a mother and a stand-up comedian from Hong Kong, China. She always wanted to leave Hong Kong and life took her to the cosmopolitan cities of Vancouver, Amsterdam, Singapore, Melbourne and eventually Olomouc! a city of 100.000 inhabitants in the east of the Czech Republic.   She visited my bunker and told me her story, how life was in Hong Kong while it was a colony of the UK, the class separation of foreigners vs locals and how Hong Kong has changed since China took control of it. We also discussed the Chinese mindset of thinking long term, Chinese Capitalism and if Chinese people are busy arguing about Pronouns as Westerners do nowadays.   And of course we discussed the comedy, what inspires her Chinese humour, what is off limits, how it is to be a woman in stand up and who gives more critical feedback on her stuff, women or men.   And a lot more...a lot   https://www.facebook.com/joannasiocomedian https://www.instagram.com/joanna_sio/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYzAIGxQLg0

Isaac Starobin owns Dirty Dog Barbeque in Prague, a very popular place that sells traditional American barbeque food. Born in Yonkers New York Isaac's plan was to become a lawyer but he found out that he liked his part time job in a "shitty" bar and grill more than he liked school so he changed course and went to culinary school and then on to work at a Michelin star restaurant in New York City where the love was tough, very tough.   He came to Prague for a holiday and got stuck like most expats do, started his business journey there where he ran a successful bar that he later sold. Only to venture on to open a restaurant which went bust and he was left with nothing but a grill and van...so he started a food truck operation taking his truck anywhere that he could find mouths to feed.  That eventually became Dirty Dog   Isaac does not love cooking, he loves the buzz, the action, the adrenaline and cooking dead meat of an animal on an open fire gives him a chance to connect with his inner caveman...   We went all over the place in our talks, hearing is believing.     https://www.ddbbq.cz/en/home/ https://www.instagram.com/dirtydogbarbeque/ https://www.instagram.com/dirtydogisaac/ https://www.facebook.com/ddstreetfood     https://www.facebook.com/Blablabunker https://www.instagram.com/theblablabunker/ https://www.youtube.com/theblablabunker

Ivak is a Turkish photographer and filmmaker in Prague who also works for a living in a "real job" as his mom told him he would have to do when he got interested in arts back home in Bursa in Turkey. In this Part 2 out of 2 episodes we discussed how Turkey today is a melting pot of very diverse cultures of conservative religious groups vs then more liberal groups in and around the bigger cities in the western part of the country.     Unless you have been to Istanbul you probably would not imagine that some of the biggest celebrities, actors and singers are openly gay.  And this is just one of the examples of the contrast in this society.     We discussed Erdoğan the controversial president of Turkey, what he has done right, what he is doing wrong and where the real political power rests in the country.   And there is no talk about Turkey without the classic Kebab question being discussed...   Ivak's photos are here https://www.instagram.com/monolumia/ https://www.ivak.org/   The Bunker https://www.facebook.com/Blablabunker https://www.instagram.com/thebunkerprague/ https://www.youtube.com/theblablabunker

Ivak is a Turkish photographer and filmmaker in Prague who also works for a living in a "real job" as his mom told him he would have to do when he got interested in arts back home in Bursa in Turkey.    In this Part 1 out of 2 episodes, he told me about the Ottoman empire that stretched so far into Europe, The Middle East and Northern Africa that they called the Mediterranean sea their "lake".  What does such a glorious past do to a nation?    We discussed how Ataturk changed and modernised Turkey and how that created a rift in the social fabric that still exists today.   And a lot more....   In Part 2 that is out in 4 days we discuss Turkey today, Erdogan, Gay and Trans people in Turkey and the classic kebab question that every Turk gets...   Ivak's photos are here https://www.instagram.com/monolumia/ https://www.ivak.org/   The Bunker https://www.facebook.com/Blablabunker https://www.instagram.com/thebunkerprague/ https://www.youtube.com/theblablabunker  

Who Shot JR?   JR Smith is a venture capitalist, he owns multiple startups, sits on boards of tech companies and has published books on cybersecurity and privacy. JR is also behind Adams Traktor, a music project formed to explore, expand, and in many ways bend the music genres that have influenced progressive modern music.     JR told me about his family background, how he slacked at school and got into DJing and promoting that he spent 12 years doing.  During that time the Grunge was getting started in Seattle and he saw all the big names before they were big, Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains etc.   When the mobile phones were catching on JR got into that industry in the US with zero knowledge but the right attitude and that eventually led him to come to Prague in 1997 to help build up mobile networks in over 10 countries.     Then AVG the antivirus company knocked on the door with an opportunity that became a great success story as JR led that company to amazing astronomical growth and eventually a stock exchange listing on NASDAQ 8 years later.  Some of the shareholders of AVG got 800 times their investment over the period that JR led the business....a lot of people became very rich.  JR explained to me how one makes such success happen, how it is to fire people who do not dance along and what is key to success in his eyes.   After leaving AVG JR needed a new mountain to climb so he went back to his passion, music and started the Adams Traktor project where he had to start almost from scratch, learning guitar, learning to sing, learning to write songs and how to work in a studio.     You hear Adams Traktor's  songs on the episode   https://www.adamstraktor.com/ https://soundcloud.com/user-263359563 https://www.instagram.com/adamstraktor/ https://www.facebook.com/AdamsTraktorMusic https://open.spotify.com/artist/0bxkS8BDIInKRx9IyeukVx   https://www.facebook.com/bunkerprague https://www.instagram.com/thebunkerprague/  

Magdalena Vokáčová is the owner of Magdalena Vokacova (vokacova.com), Psychological Coach, Trainer, Consultant, Art Therapist and a writer. Her ability is to look beneath the surface of things. And she can recognize and connect unexpected contexts, some people have even asked her if she is some sort of a fortune teller! She visited my Bla Bla Bunker and we discussed her life, the loss of her father when she was 8, how that shaped her and got her into philosophy at a very young age. She set out to be an actress as a rebellious act to swim against the family tradition of helping others but found out she was better in the audience than on the stage... A flight to Thailand led her to dedicate her career to coaching and she works with companies, individuals and couples on whatever issues they have.  She also trains other coaches and has worked internationally with brands such as Exxon, O2, KPMG and Nestlé. We talked about what coaching is, for whom it is, who should consider it, what companies need from coaches, what couples need from coaches and a million other things!  We even did a breathing exercise... https://vokacova.com/ https://www.facebook.com/vokacovamagdalena   https://www.instagram.com/magdalena.vokacova  

Oliver McGillick's career is centered around the live music industry - producing shows with international & local artists of all sorts such as: Iggy pop, Sting, Kasabian, The Chemical Brothers, Massive Attack, Kraftwerk, and Tom Odell.   He was born in Australia where his mother had emigrated to from Communist Czech Republic.  Oliver got to experience both worlds, Australia and a fast evolving Czech Republic in its infancy after the Velvet Revolution that marked the end of communism in the country.   Oliver is one of the main people behind the freedom festival that is held every year in Prague to remind people  that freedom is invaluable, and what the communist regime did here until 89 was something that will mark the nation for years to come.     Oliver is gay and told me how it was for him to come out, how he see's the gay community, what rights are missing and what is maybe going overboard.  We also discussed hyper correctness and political correctness and what impact that has on us as humans with instincts and needs.     And we also planned my parade of white hetero sexual middle aged men.......   https://www.instagram.com/olivermcgillick/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCAK4nxNRIv4-4aUOR9dIKA/featured

Stories of family abuse are always tragic, nobody comes out of that unharmed.     Kathlyn Chua is one of those victims.   Born and raised in Singapore, Katlyn was subject to mental and physical abuse from her father, she was bullied at school and the system failed her.  She ended up getting a restraining order on her father at the age of 21 and eventually moved from Singapore to Prague where she started her ongoing healing process.     As a part of that she got into Tarot cards, Rune and Oracle deck readings and now helps other people identifying trauma, discovering their talents, making hard choices and career decisions etc.  Katlyn also connects with the dead, she can see past lives and feels things that most of us do not feel.   She told me her personal story, about Asian family culture, her past live as an inhabitant of the Northern world, feminism, dating and how her dead grandfather c0ckblocked her !   https://www.nuwatarot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/nuwatarot https://www.instagram.com/nuwatarot/   https://www.facebook.com/bunkerprague https://www.instagram.com/thebunkerprague/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM63nbcoT1v4M-C0p8REySA  

Alexander Bongartz has dedicated his life to the military, he is a Royal Commando, a Green Beret.   He was one of the first ones in when the war started in Afghanistan and he has spent the past 20 years fighting wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere.     He explained to me the training, is it like in the movies with the floors scrubbed with a toothbrush?  The fears, what goes through your mind when the enemy is outside your camp throwing in grenades to try and kill you? How do you get back to some sort of normal after this?    And why on earth do you do this?  In his case it was a simple matter of 3 meals and a roof over his head, something he could not always have as a kid in Scotland and Wales.     And so much more...   https://www.facebook.com/Blablabunker https://www.instagram.com/theblablabunker/ https://www.youtube.com/theblablabunker  

Uliana Elina was born in the Soviet Union, she is a true Jackie Of All Trades, she has been a customs officer in Russia, published a metal album, is a mom, former beauty queen, salesperson, translator, teacher, actress and a wedding singer.   Uliana visited my podcast, told me how life was under communism, how her parents kept the surface clean while beneath it all there was violent physical and mental abuse.  She wanted to be in music but didn't get any support and being a musician wasn't a "real" job anyway...so the parents won and she graduated with a degree as a customs officer!   There was corruption during communism but it didn't stop there, she told me how the customs officers were openly corrupt, how the system in Russia is broken, why we in the West see Russia as an enemy and how she feels the Russian people do not know what they want so they believe in the leader blindly.     She wanted to leave so she eventually after a long struggle got a visa to move to Prague, during that time she made her first album with a metal band in Russia.   We talked about her band, Aurora Party Band, that she started with her boyfriend in Prague.  How other musicians see bands like her as the bottom of the barrel, how her band went from local band to a European event band and how it is to have to know a million songs and sing them for drunk guests at weddings!    And much more   https://www.instagram.com/aurorapartyband/ https://www.facebook.com/aurorapartyband https://soundcloud.com/uliana-elina https://www.instagram.com/elina_uliana_official/ https://www.instagram.com/uli_elina/   https://www.facebook.com/Blablabunker https://www.instagram.com/theblablabunker/ https://www.youtube.com/theblablabunker

This is my second part of talking with Yoav Haruvizepa. In this episode we talk about his time in the military, which is mandatory for all Israeli citizens and the traditions that they follow after finishing that duty.  Yoav tried life in Texas but eventually went back home to Israel, found love but they both wanted to leave as they felt that the country was not on the right path.   We discussed the conflict that Israel has with the Palestinians and Hamas, the roles of the Kibbutz in the settlements of new territories. How it is to live in fear, what he thinks about this conflict and if religion is preventing any more peaceful way forward.     How will this end? How will history judge this?  Has there ever been a peaceful creation of nations without victims?  What would Yoav do and feel if he was in the shoes of the Palestinians....   Check also part 1 (EP38) where we discuss the Holocaust, Yoav's childhood in the Kibbutz and the creation of Israel.   https://www.facebook.com/Blablabunker https://www.instagram.com/theblablabunker/ https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBlaBlaBunker

Yoav Haruvizepa is from Israel, he lives and works in Prague.  He visited my podcast and explained the different roots of jewish people. The Ashkenazi as he is and the Sephardi jew that have their origins in northern Africa. He explained me the impact of the holocaust on lives of jewish people, how the nation has processed it to a point that they tell jokes about it. How the holocaust and previous persecutions of jewish people keeps a certain narrative alive that is used to justify the needs to have their own country .   These persecutions led to the establishment of Israel but that was not the only possible choice, there were ideas to create a land of the Jews in Uganda!    We discussed the Kibbutz which is a type of settlement which is unique to Israel. A collective community, traditionally agrarian.  Yoav lived in one of those and even though the idea behind the Kibbutz is kind of "hippie-ish" he was a victim of bullying.   This is part 1 of my talk with Yoav.   In part 2, that comes out in two days we discuss his military service and what he did after that finished, why he wanted to leave Israel and how he sees Israel now.  And of course we discussed Israel's relations to its neighbours and the ongoing conflict with Palestine.   Will that situation ever be resolved? What causes it?     https://www.facebook.com/Blablabunker https://www.instagram.com/theblablabunker/ https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBlaBlaBunker

Vanishing twin syndrome refers to a condition that can take place during early or later pregnancy. When more than one embryo appears to be developing in the uterus, it might be that the person is carrying twins. Later though, one of the embryos or fetuses may no longer be detected. The baby that doesn't develop fully is called the vanishing twin and that can have a big impact on the surviving twinless twin.... Eva Sochorová is one of these twinless twins and it has had a big impact on her whole life. Eva is a lawyer who studied in Czech Republic and England and worked in European law and legislation for seven years. However she didn't get the satisfaction she thought she would get and embarked on a journey to discover what truly was bothering her and found what was causing her trauma.  Her path has never been easy as she was also a victim of sexual abuse which had a big impact on her life.   She told me her story, everything about the Vanishing Twin Syndrome, how she discovered she was a twinless twin, trauma and how the body deals with trauma.  And of course how people get on a healing path.   Eva now helps other people with their trauma through her therapy programs.   https://www.jsemtuprotebe.cz/ https://www.facebook.com/jsemtuprotebe.cz https://www.instagram.com/jsemtuprotebe.cz/