WanderLearn: Travel to Transform Your Mind & Life

Michael Zervos is the fastest traveler ever! Watch the Video Now that Michael Zervos has traveled to all the countries faster than anyone else, what's next for him?  Additionally, what advice would he offer to anyone who wants to break his speed record?  Did you know Zervos has a book deal? Exciting!  We cover it all in 13 minutes! Timeline 00:00 Advice to the next person who tries to beat the record 04:50 Next steps Michael Zervos has visited every country faster than anyone else while recounting the happiest moments in people's lives. In this interview series, we talk about his Project Kosmos. Michael Zervos makes well-produced social media content. Visit Michael Zervos's Linktree for all his links. Follow Michael Zervos on Instagram. Connect Send me an anonymous voicemail at SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at https://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr   Sponsors 1. My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron for as little as $2/month at https://Patreon.com/FTapon 2. Get $5 when you sign up for Roamless, my favorite global eSIM! Use code LR32K 3. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 4. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 5. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken.  6. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 7. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

I'm celebrating the 350th podcast episode with Michael Zervos! He did it! Many people try to travel to all the countries in the world quickly, but most fail. Therefore, when I met Zervos in Côte d'Ivoire in February 2024, when he was just 10% into his race, it seemed highly unlikely that he would succeed where so many others had failed. Still, there was something about Zervos that made me believe he would pull off this stunt.  Although many things impressed me about Zervos, the most important was his level of organization. He had secured valuable sponsors who would help him get visas, which is the biggest bottleneck in this quest. As someone who has visited 127 countries, I know how visas limit you more than money. Having two passports would help in obtaining visas, although he did most of the journey with only his US passport. After completing his quest, Zervos and I discussed the following topics: 00:00 The stats 03:00 Deported from Nicaragua 6:16 Two other surprises 10:45 One regret 12:45 Where to revisit  16:30 Where not revisit Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfprfrcYrvU Podcast   Michael Zervos has visited every country faster than anyone else while recounting the happiest moments in people's lives. In this interview series, we talk about his Project Kosmos. Michael Zervos makes well-produced social media content. Visit Michael Zervos's Linktree for all his links. Follow Michael Zervos on Instagram. Connect Send me an anonymous voicemail at SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at https://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr   Sponsors 1. My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron for as little as $2/month at https://Patreon.com/FTapon 2. Get $5 when you sign up for Roamless, my favorite global eSIM! Use code LR32K 3. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 4. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 5. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken.  6. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 7. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Nomadic Matt is a pioneering travel blogger. One day, we'll call him the grandfather of travel blogging during the Golden Era of travel blogs. He's not known for his travel feats but rather for the extensive tips he's provided on his popular website, which focuses on budget travel. Watch the Video The book's budget used to be $50/day, but inflation and a post-COVID world forced Matt to update his book. In 2025, he refreshed his bestselling book, which is now called How to Travel the World on $75 a Day.  As part of his book tour, he's appearing on the WanderLearn Show twice! Nomadic Matt discusses 00:00 When to book a hotel 02:40 Why is Africa left out of his book? 05:10 Bilt Rewards Credit Card 08:10 Airline booking tips 09:20 Travel insurance 12:00 Tourist Cards 15:00 Why Matt travels less than before 18:30 Blogging is dead?   Questions What's the most embarrassing or ridiculous thing you've done to save money while traveling? What's the difference between EatWith, WithLocals, and Traveling Spoon? When do you usually book your hotels? Why is Africa left out? Are tourism cards still worth it? When do you use travel insurance? Why not use Kiwi? What are Bilt Rewards? His book is packed with tips. Here are my favorite ones.  The best websites to keep track of the latest credit card deals BoardingArea FlyerTalk The Points Guy View from the Wing Pay your rent and get frequent flyer points with Bilt Rewards Matt's top three airline booking sites  My favorite airline website is Kiwi, and use this link to get $10 off. He doesn't mention Kiwi in his book. Instead, his favorite flight booking sites are: Skyscanner Momondo Google Flights For insurance Safety Wing World Nomads MedjetAssist IMG InsureMyTrip for comparison shopping Sell your old clothes to raise money for your trip Vinted ThredUp Poshmark Online Garage sale to raise funds and downsize VarageSale OfferUp Swappa for electronics Gazelle Decluttr Anytime Mailbox starts at $6 and has several locations. Lodging Sites LateRooms Last Minute Hotel Tonight Priceline Hotwire Roomer allows you to buy someone else's hotel reservation at a steep discount Agoda excels in East Asia Food Matt is a foodie. I am not. Here are some of his favorite sites: EatWith has 5000+ hosts in over 130 countries WithLocals Traveling Spoon Ride-sharing or hitchhiking for the 21st century Search for "ride-sharing" and the name of the region/country where you are traveling. You'll usually find options. I've used BlaBlaCar in Europe, for example. Tourism Cards Nomadic Matt sold me on the tourism cards that give you access to popular sites and public transportation. Although that can save you nearly half the price, it's only suitable for those doing a whirlwind, fast, and comprehensive tour. If you want to see the British Museum, don't get the London Pass. But it makes sense if you're going to see most of the significant sites. Why is Africa left out? The first half of the book offers general, practical advice. The second provides specific guidance to various regions. For example, he has a section about Australia. You'd think a book that helps travelers live on $75 a day would encourage tourists to visit Africa. Like Southeast Asia, parts of Africa have a low cost of living. For example, in 2013, in Benin, I rented a two-room place with a shower (but a shared outhouse for a toilet) for $10 per month! Ten years later, maybe the price has doubled to $20 a month!   Still, Nomadic Matt confesses, "I had to make trade-offs and omit the lesser-visited countries and regions..." (Kindle Location 1434). I won't quibble with his decision or logic. Conclusion When I got an advanced copy of Nomadic Matt's book, I expected to be bored out of my mind. I figured it was a book for beginners or intermediate travelers, not hyper-experienced travel studs like me.  As usual, I was wrong. Nomadic Matt pumped me with many ideas I was oblivious to. Although I shared my favorite ones on this page, buy How to Travel the World on $75 a Day to get all his excellent advice. Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Nomadic Matt is a pioneering travel blogger. One day, we'll call him the grandfather of travel blogging during the Golden Era of travel blogs. He's not known for his travel feats but rather for the extensive tips he's provided on his popular website, which focuses on budget travel. Watch the video interview The book's budget used to be $50/day, but inflation and a post-COVID world forced Matt to update his book. In 2025, he refreshed his bestselling book, which is now called How to Travel the World on $75 a Day.  As part of his book tour, he's appearing on the WanderLearn Show twice! #1 How Nomadic Matt Travels on $75 a Day! Nomadic Matt discusses: 00:00 Splitting between Austin and NYC 02:40 Couchsurfing 05:15 Stupidly cheap 07:00 EatWith and Traveling Spoon    Questions What's the most embarrassing or ridiculous thing you've done to save money while traveling? What's the difference between EatWith, WithLocals, and Traveling Spoon? When do you usually book your hotels? Why is Africa left out? Are tourism cards still worth it? When do you use travel insurance? Why not use Kiwi? What are Bilt Rewards? His book is packed with tips. Here are my favorite ones.  The best websites to keep track of the latest credit card deals BoardingArea FlyerTalk The Points Guy View from the Wing Pay your rent and get frequent flyer points with Bilt Rewards Matt's top three airline booking sites  My favorite airline website is Kiwi, and use this link to get $10 off. He doesn't mention Kiwi in his book. Instead, his favorite flight booking sites are: Skyscanner Momondo Google Flights For insurance Safety Wing World Nomads MedjetAssist IMG InsureMyTrip for comparison shopping Sell your old clothes to raise money for your trip Vinted ThredUp Poshmark Online Garage sale to raise funds and downsize VarageSale OfferUp Swappa for electronics Gazelle Decluttr Anytime Mailbox starts at $6 and has several locations. Lodging Sites LateRooms Last Minute Hotel Tonight Priceline Hotwire Roomer allows you to buy someone else's hotel reservation at a steep discount Agoda excels in East Asia Food Matt is a foodie. I am not. Here are some of his favorite sites: EatWith has 5000+ hosts in over 130 countries WithLocals Traveling Spoon Ride-sharing or hitchhiking for the 21st century Search for "ride-sharing" and the name of the region/country where you are traveling. You'll usually find options. I've used BlaBlaCar in Europe, for example. Tourism Cards Nomadic Matt sold me on the tourism cards that give you access to popular sites and public transportation. Although that can save you nearly half the price, it's only suitable for those doing a whirlwind, fast, and comprehensive tour. If you want to see the British Museum, don't get the London Pass. But it makes sense if you're going to see most of the significant sites. Why is Africa left out? The first half of the book offers general, practical advice. The second provides specific guidance to various regions. For example, he has a section about Australia. You'd think a book that helps travelers live on $75 a day would encourage tourists to visit Africa. Like Southeast Asia, parts of Africa have a low cost of living. For example, in 2013, in Benin, I rented a two-room place with a shower (but a shared outhouse for a toilet) for $10 per month! Ten years later, maybe the price has doubled to $20 a month!   Still, Nomadic Matt confesses, "I had to make trade-offs and omit the lesser-visited countries and regions..." (Kindle Location 1434). I won't quibble with his decision or logic. Conclusion When I got an advanced copy of Nomadic Matt's book, I expected to be bored out of my mind. I figured it was a book for beginners or intermediate travelers, not hyper-experienced travel studs like me.  As usual, I was wrong. Nomadic Matt pumped me with many ideas I was oblivious to. Although I shared my favorite ones on this page, buy How to Travel the World on $75 a Day to get all his excellent advice. Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Battle of the Big Bang: The New Tales of Our Cosmic Origins examines the most profound idea: how did the universe begin? Watch the video, as it includes illustrations in the final 10 minutes. Although I'm not a physicist, I have read many books about the Big Bang, physics, and the universe. This book is an in-depth exploration of the competing models that hypothesize about our origins. I appreciated learning about the Ekpyrotic universe and Conformal Cyclic Cosmology (CCC), two novel ideas. For instance, CCC posits that "the universe is cyclic but never re-collapses. Each eon expands until all mass disappears." "In the Ekpyrotic universe, the movement of the branes is controlled by a springlike force, operating in a higher dimension. What was being suggested was that this force is felt in our reality as dark energy." I also appreciated that the book included several illustrations that were essential for grasping these counterintuitive topics. One of the authors, Phil Halper, is a well-known YouTuber.  The other co-author is Niayesh Afshordi, a cosmologist. I interviewed Phil Halper on my WanderLearn Show. Watch the 30-second book trailer If you're fascinated by the Big Bang, watch the video below, where I interview Phil Halper, one of the book's co-authors. Here's the timeline: 00:00 Problems with the Big Bang 04:00 Before the Big Bang 06:20 Stephen Hawking's Strange Theory 09:30 Imaginary numbers and time 11:11 Natural Selection of Universes 19:30 Are we in a white hole? 23:40 Conformal Cyclic Cosmology CCC 25:00 Ekpyrotic theory 28:30 Carroll-Chen Model   Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

I've never highlighted a book as much as They're Not Gaslighting You: Ditch the Therapy Speak and Stop Hunting for Red Flags in Every Relationship.  It's my favorite book in 2025! Watch the Video Interview Author Dr. Isabelle Morley gives us a timely book that rejects the reckless proliferation of the following terms:  Sociopath Psychopath Love bomb Narcissist Boundaries Borderline Toxic Gaslighting Who is Dr. Isabelle Morley? Dr. Morley is not a chronic gaslighter trying to convince the world that she doesn't gaslight by writing a book about it. Here's her resume: Author of Navigating Intimacy and They're Not Gaslighting You Co-host of the podcast Romcom Rescue Contributor to Psychology Today Advisory Board Member of the Keepler app Founding Board Member of UCAN Member of the American Psychological Association Certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) The Gottman Method – Completed Levels 1 and 2 Relational Life Therapy – Completed Level 1 PsyD in Clinical Psychology from William James College, 2015 Doctoral project researching hookup culture's impact on relationship formation, 2015 Master's in Professional Psychology from William James College, 2013 Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University, 2011 My Fatima Story I dated a woman for two years. Let's call her Fatima. In the second half of our relationship, Fatima bombarded me with many of the highly charged and often misused words listed above. After she dumped me the fifth and final time, I finally pushed back on her barrage of accusations. I said to her, “So, you truly believe I'm a narcissist? Let's look up the clinical definition of a narcissist and see how I stack up.” She agreed. Perplexity wrote: To be clinically considered as having Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) according to the DSM-5, an individual must exhibit at least five out of nine specific characteristics. These characteristics, as summarized by the acronym “SPECIAL ME,” include: Sense of self-importance Exaggerating achievements and expecting to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements. Preoccupation Being preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love Entitled Having unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with their expectations. Can only be around people who are important or special Believing that they are “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions). Interpersonally exploitative Taking advantage of others to achieve their own ends. Arrogant Showing arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes. Lack empathy Being unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others. Must be admired Requiring excessive admiration. Envious Often being envious of others or believing that others are envious of them. These symptoms must be pervasive, apparent in various social situations, and consistently rigid over time. A qualified healthcare professional typically diagnoses NPD through a clinical interview. The traits should also substantially differ from social norms. I asked her how many of these nine characteristics I exhibited consistently, pervasively, and in many social situations. She agreed that I was nowhere near five of the nine. Admittedly, I sometimes exhibited some of these nine characteristics in my intimate relationship with Fatima. I'm certainly guilty of that. However, to qualify as a true narcissist, you must display at least five of these nine characteristics often and with most people, not just your partner. To her credit, my ex-girlfriend sheepishly backed down from that accusation, saying, “You're right, Francis, you're not a narcissist.” Later, I would educate her (or, as she would say, “mansplain”) about another of her favorite words: gaslighting. I mansplained by sending her a video clip of renowned couples therapist Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman, who explained why standard disagreements and having different perspectives aren't gaslighting. Soon after explaining that, Mrs. Gottman explains why, in some ways, “everybody is narcissistic.” Watch 6 minutes from 1:35:30 to 1:41:30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9kPmiV0B34&t=5730s After listening to an expert define gaslighting, Fatima apologized for incorrectly using the term. This is what I loved about Fatima: she wouldn't stubbornly cling to her position when presented with compelling evidence to the contrary. This is a rare trait I cherish. Narcissists and sociopaths are about 1% of the population, so it's highly unlikely that all your exes are narcissists and sociopaths. Still, Fatima flung other popular, misused terms at me. She loved talking about “boundaries” and “red flags.” According to Dr. Morley, my ex “weaponized therapy speak.”   Dr. Morley writes, “It's not a new phenomenon for people to use therapy terms casually, even flippantly, to describe themselves or other people. How long have we referred to someone as a ‘psycho' when they're acting irrationally or being mean?” Although weaponized therapy speak isn't new, it's ubiquitous nowadays. Dr. Morley's book sounds the alarm that it's out of control and dangerous. Three types of people would benefit from Dr. Morley's book: People like Fatima: Does someone you know tend to denigrate people using therapy speak? Are they intelligent, rational, and open-minded like Fatima? If so, they must read this book to recalibrate how they use these powerful words. People like me: Are you (or someone you know) accused of being a psychopath, a gaslighter, or a person with OCD? Actual victims: The explosion of use of these powerful words has diluted their meaning. As a result, the real victims of narcissists and sociopaths are now belittled. Their true suffering is minimized when every other person has a sociopath in their life. Their grievances are severe. Let's not equate our relationship problems with their terror. I'll list some of my favorite chapter titles, which will give you a flavor of the book's message: Chapter 4: Are They Gaslighting You, or Do They Just Disagree? Chapter 5: Do They Have OCD, or Are They Just Particular? Chapter 6: Is It a Red Flag, or Are They Just Imperfect? Chapter 7: Are They a Narcissist, or Did They Just Hurt Your Feelings? Chapter 9: Are They a Sociopath, or Do They Just Like You Less Than you Like Them? Chapter 11: Did They Violate Your Boundaries, or Did They Just Not Know How You Felt? I will quote extensively to encourage everyone to buy Dr. Mosley's book. Most quotations are self-explanatory, but sometimes I will offer personal commentary. Excerpts The trend of weaponized therapy speak marks something very different. These days, clinical words are wielded, sincerely and self-righteously, to lay unilateral blame on one person in a relationship while excusing the other from any wrongdoing. ========== Many times, we use these words as protective measures to help us avoid abusive partners and reduce our risk of “wasting” time or emotional energy on family or friends who don't deserve it. But using these terms can also absolve people from taking responsibility for their actions in their relationships. They can say, “I had to do that because of my obsessive-compulsive disorder” or “We didn't work out because she's a narcissist,” instead of doing the hard work of seeing their part in the problem and addressing the issues behind it. As a couples therapist, I'm particularly concerned with how the enthusiastic but inaccurate embrace of clinical terminology has made it harder to sustain healthy romantic attachments. With Fatima, our relationship woes were always my fault because I crossed her “boundaries” and I was a “narcissist.” If I disagreed, I was “gaslighting” her. Or I was being “defensive” instead of apologizing. And when I apologized, I did so incorrectly because I offered excuses after saying I'm sorry (she was right about that). The point is that she used weaponized therapy speak to demonize me, alleviating herself from the burden of considering that perhaps she shared some of the responsibility for our woes. ========== Their friend doesn't agree with their warped view of an event or their disproportionate reaction? The friend is an empathy-lacking narcissist who is actively gaslighting them. ========== In one memorable session of mine, a client managed to accuse their partner of narcissism, gaslighting, love bombing, blaming the victim, lacking accountability, having no empathy, and being generally abusive, manipulative, and toxic . . . all within twenty minutes. Although Fatima and I went to couples therapy, I don't remember Dr. Mosley being our facilitator, but that sure sounds like Fatima! LOL! ========== I'm certified in emotionally focused couples therapy (EFCT), which is a type of couples therapy based on attachment theory. ========== For example, if you feel like a failure for letting your partner down, you might immediately minimize your partner's feelings and tell them they shouldn't react so strongly to such a small issue. (For anyone wondering, this isn't gaslighting.) That makes them feel unheard and unimportant, so they get even more upset, which makes you dismiss their reaction as dramatic, and round and round it goes. Welcome to my world with Fatima! ========== You could claim your partner is toxic and borderline because they're emotionally volatile and unforgiving. You could say their feelings are disproportionate to the problem, and their verbal assault is bordering on abusive. But your partner could say that you are a narcissist who is gaslighting them by refusing to acknowledge their feelings, showing no empathy for the distress your tardiness caused, and shifting the blame to them (just like a narcissist would!). You'd both be wrong, of course, but you can see how these conclusions could happen. ========== Weaponized therapy speak is our attempt to understand people and situations in our lives, yes, but it is also a strategy to avoid responsibility. It puts the blame solely on the other person and allows us to ignore our part. ========== However, the vast majority of partners and friends are not sociopaths, narcissists, or abusers. They're just flawed. They're insecure, demanding, controlling, emotional, or any number of adjectives, but these traits alone aren't pathological. ========== But doing such things now and then in our relational histories, or doing them often in just one relationship, doesn't mean we have a personality disorder. These diagnoses are reserved for people who exhibit a persistent pattern of maladaptive behaviors in most or all of their close relationships. ========== I wasn't an abusive partner. I was a messy newcomer to relationships, as we usually are in our teens and twenties, trying my best to navigate my feelings while following bad examples from television and making plenty of other blunders along the way. Stonewalling was immature and an unhelpful way of coping, but it wasn't abuse. ========== If we're looking for a partner who will always do the right thing, even in the hardest moments, we're only setting ourselves up for disappointment. As I mentioned before, really good people can behave really badly. ========== If we don't know the difference between abusive behavior and normal problematic behavior, we're at risk for either accepting abuse (thinking that it's just a hard time) or, alternatively, throwing away a perfectly good relationship because we can't accept any flaws or mistakes. Alas, Fatima threw away a perfectly good relationship. I was her second boyfriend. Her lack of experience made her underappreciate what we had. She'll figure it out with the next guy. ========== Disagreeing with someone, thinking your loved one is objectively wrong, arguing about what really happened and what was actually said, trying to find your way to the one and only “truth”—these are things that most people do. They are not helpful or effective, but they also are not gaslighting. ========== “What? I didn't say yes to seeing it, Cece. I said yes to finding houses we both liked and visiting them. Sometimes you just hear what you want to and then get mad at me when you realize it's not what I actually said,” Meg answers. “Stop gaslighting me! Don't tell me what happened. I remember exactly what you said! You told me yes to this open house and then changed your mind, and I'm upset about it. I'm allowed to be upset about it; don't invalidate my feelings!” Cece says, her frustration growing. Meg feels surprised and nervous. She didn't think she was gaslighting Cece, which is exactly what she says. “I didn't mean to gaslight you. I just remember this differently. I don't remember saying I would go to this open house, so that's why I don't understand why you're this upset.” “Yes, you are gaslighting me because you're trying to convince me that what I clearly remember happening didn't happen. But you can't gaslight me because I'm positive I'm right.” ========== Cece's accusation of gaslighting quickly shut down the conversation, labeling Meg as a terrible partner and allowing Cece to exit the conversation as the victor. ========== I find gaslighting to be one of the harder labels to deal with in my clinical work for three reasons: 1. Accusations of gaslighting are incredibly common. I hear accusations of gaslighting at least once a week, and yet it's only been accurate about five times in my entire clinical career. Boyfriend didn't agree with what time you were meeting for dinner? Gaslighting. Spouse said you didn't tell them to pick up milk on the way home, but you swear you did? Gaslighting. ========== You could say, “I want you to know that I really understand your perspective on this. I see things differently, but your experience is valid, and it makes sense. I'm not trying to convince you that you're wrong and I'm right, and I'm sorry if I came across that way.” WHAT IS VALIDATION? Validation is another word that suffers from frequent misuse. People demand validation, but what they're really asking for is agreement. And if someone doesn't agree, they call it toxic. Here's the thing, though: Validation is not the same as agreement. ========== You can disagree in your head but still validate how they feel: “Hey, you're not crazy. I see why you'd feel that way. It makes sense to me. I'd probably feel that way too if I were in your shoes, experiencing our interaction the way you did. I care about your feelings.” ========== “I bet it felt really awful to have me challenge your experience and make you feel like it wasn't right or valid.” I regret I learned this lesson too late with Fatima. I was too slow to validate her feelings. We learn something in every relationship. Ideally, our partner is patient with us as we stumble through the learning process, often repeating the same error until we form a new habit. However, Fatima ran out of patience with me. I couldn't change fast enough for her, even though I was eager to learn and dying to please her. By the time I began to learn about proper validation and apologies, she had given up on me. ========== My husband, Lucas, hates it when lids aren't properly put on jars. You know, when a lid is half on and still loose or haphazardly tightened and askew? I, on the other hand, could not care less. I am the only perpetrator of putting lids on wrong in our house. I barely screw on the top to the pickles, peanut butter, medications, water bottles, or food storage containers. I don't even realize that I do it because I care so little about it. This drives Lucas absolutely crazy. I love this example because it's what I would repeatedly tell Fatima: some habits are hard to break. Dr. Mosley knows her husband hates half-closed jars, but she struggles to comply with his wishes. We're imperfect creatures. ========== Is your partner always leaving a wet towel on the floor after showering? Red flag—they're irresponsible and will expect you to clean up after them. Is your friend bad at texting to let you know when they're behind schedule? Red flag—they're selfish, inconsiderate, and don't value your time. It's all too easy to weaponize this term in a relationship, in hopes that it will shame the other person into changing. ========== People aren't perfect. Individually, we're messy, and in relationships, we're much messier. We all make mistakes, sometimes repeatedly for our entire lives. Instead of labeling all unwanted behaviors as red flags and expecting change or running away altogether, try a new approach: Identify why those behaviors hurt you and share that with your loved one instead. ========== When confronted with the knowledge that we've hurt someone, many of us become defensive. We hate the idea of hurting the person we love and since we usually didn't intend to hurt them, we start explaining why our actions weren't that bad and why they shouldn't feel upset. It comes from a place of inadequacy, self-criticism, and remorse. If the other person responds like this but you can tell they care about your pain, this may be a good time to give them some grace in the form of empathy and time. Wait a few hours or even a few days, then try the conversation again. For every criticism I had about Fatima's behavior, she had 20 criticisms about my behavior. As a result, I had many more opportunities to fall into the trap of becoming defensive. It's so hard to resist. I'm still working on that front. ========== We all have a touch of narcissism, which can get bigger at certain points in life, ========== Conflicts are upsetting, and we've all developed ways of protecting ourselves, whether it's getting loud to be heard or emotionally withdrawing to prevent a panic attack. Underneath these less-than-ideal responses, though, we feel awful. We feel scared, insecure, inadequate, unimportant, and alone. We hate fighting with our loved ones, and we really hate that we've hurt them, especially unknowingly. We're not being defensive because we have a narcissistic belief in our own superiority; we're doing it because we're terrified that the person won't understand us and will see us negatively, so we need to show them our side and explain to them why we aren't to blame. ========== But whether it's an inflated ego, vanity, self-absorption, or just unusually healthy confidence, these traits do not make a narcissist. To have NPD, the person must also require external validation and admiration, and to be seen as superior to others. This is the difference between a big ego and grandiosity. Grandiosity goes several steps beyond confidence—it's a near-delusional sense of importance, where someone exaggerates their achievements and expects others to see them as superior. ========== Some people suck. They're immature, mean, selfish, and unremorseful. Some people don't respect other people in their lives. They lie and they cheat, and they don't care that it hurts others. But they can be all these things and still not be a narcissist. There's a lot of room for people to be awful without meeting the criteria for a personality disorder, and that's because (you guessed it!) people are flawed. Some people feel justified in behaving badly, while others just don't know any better yet. Our growth is messy and not linear. ========== The reality is that anyone who genuinely worries that they are a narcissist, probably isn't. That level of openness and willingness to self-reflect is not typical of a narcissist. Plus, narcissists don't tend to believe or care that they've hurt others, whereas my clients are deeply distressed by the possibility that they've unknowingly caused others pain. ========== As with gaslighting, I have rarely seen people accurately diagnose narcissism. To put it bluntly, I have never seen a client in a couples therapy session call their partner a narcissist and be right. In fact, the person misusing the label usually tends to be more narcissistic and have more therapy work to do than their partner. ========== person involved with a narcissist to accurately identify the disorder because people with NPD are great at making other people think they are the problem. It's an insidious process, and rarely do people realize what's happening until others point it out to them or the narcissist harshly devalues or leaves them. Now, you might be in a relationship with someone who has NPD, but instead of jumping to “narcissist!” it's helpful to use other adjectives and be more specific about your concerns. Saying that a certain behavior was selfish or that a person seems unremorseful is more exact than calling them a narcissist. ========== Love bombing can happen at any point in a relationship, but it's most often seen at the start. ========== Love bombing is also a typical follow-up to fights. ========== Humans are a complicated species. Despite our amazing cognitive capacities and our innate desire to be good (well, most of us anyway), we often cause harm. People act in ways that can damage their relationships, both intentionally and unknowingly, but that doesn't make them sociopaths. In fact, anyone in a close and meaningful relationship will end up hurting the other person and will also end up getting hurt at some point because close relationships inevitably involve a degree of pain, be it disappointment, sadness, anger, or frustration. Even when we're doing our best, we hurt each other. We can't equate normal missteps and hurt with sociopathy. ========== People love to call their exes sociopaths, just like they love calling them narcissists. Dr. Mosley focuses on the term sociopath because it's more popular nowadays than the term psychopath, but they both suffer from misuse and overuse, she says. If your partner (or you) use the term psychopath often, then in the following excerpts, replace the word “sociopath” with “psychopath.” ========== calling someone a sociopath is extreme. You're calling them out as a human who has an underdeveloped (or nonexistent) capacity to be a law-abiding, respectful, moral member of society. And in doing so, you're saying they were the entire problem in your relationship. Unless you were with a person who displayed a variety of extreme behaviors that qualify as ASPD, that conclusion isn't fair, accurate, or serving you. Again, you're missing out on the opportunity to reflect on your part in the problem, examine how you could have been more effective in the relationship, and identify how you can change for the better in your next relationship. If you label your ex a sociopath and call it a day, you're cutting yourself short. ========== Let the record show that I have never seen someone use the term sociopath correctly in their relationship. ========== some boundaries are universal and uncrossable, but the majority are personal preferences that need to be expressed and, at times, negotiated. Claiming a boundary violation is a quick and easy way to control someone's behavior, and that's why it's important to clarify what this phrase means and how to healthily navigate boundaries in a relationship. Fatima loved to remind me of and enforce her “boundaries.” It was a long list, so I inevitably crossed them, which led to drama. ========== There are some boundaries we all agree are important and should be uncrossable—I call these universal boundaries. Violating universal boundaries, especially when done repeatedly without remorse or regard for the impact it has on the other person, amounts to abuse. ========== The main [universal boundaries] are emotional, physical, sexual, and financial boundaries ========== Outside of these universal, uncrossable boundaries, there are also individual boundaries. Rather than applying to all people, these boundaries are specific to the person and defined by their own preferences and needs. As such, they are flexible, fluid over time, and full of nuance. If they are crossed, it can be uncomfortable, but it isn't necessarily abuse. ========== boundary is a line drawn to ensure safety and autonomy, whereas a preference is something that would make you feel happy but is not integral to your sense of relational security or independence. ========== While a well-adjusted person might start a dialogue about how to negotiate an individual boundary in a way that honors both partners' needs, an abusive person will never consider if their boundary can be shifted or why it might be damaging or significantly limiting to the other person. Instead, they will accuse, blame, and manipulate their partner as their way of keeping that person within their controlling limits. ========== The point is that as we go through life, our boundaries shift. As you can see, this is part of what makes it difficult for people to anticipate or assess boundary violations. If you expect and demand that the people close to you honor your specific boundaries on certain topics, but you're not telling them what the boundaries are or when and how they've changed, you're setting your loved ones up for failure. ========== And again, people unknowingly cross each other's individual boundaries all the time. It's simply inevitable. ========== It will create an unnecessary and unproductive rift. 3. We Mistake Preferences for Boundaries Boundaries protect our needs for safety and security. Preferences promote feelings of happiness, pleasure, or calm. When someone crosses a boundary, it compromises our physical or mental health. When someone disregards a preference, we may feel annoyed, but it doesn't pose a risk to our well-being. ========== You've Been Accused of Violating a Boundary If you're in a close relationship, chances are you're going to violate the other person's boundaries at some point. This is especially likely if the person has not told you what boundaries are important to them. However, you might also be unjustly accused of violating a boundary, perhaps a boundary you didn't know about or a preference masquerading as a boundary, and you'll need to know what to do. ========== I never thought of telling Fatima that she was “borderline.” It helps that I didn't know what the term meant. Dr. Mosley says that a person must have several of the “borderline” characteristics to have borderline personality disorder (BPD). Fatima only had one of them, so she did not have BPD. Here's the only BPD trait she exhibited: Stormy, intense, and chaotic relationships: Have relationships that tend to be characterized by extremes of idealization and devaluation in which the person with BPD idolizes someone one moment and then vilifies them the next. Because they struggle to see others in a consistent and nuanced way, their relationships go through tumultuous ups and downs, where they desire intense closeness one minute and then reject the person the next. Fatima promised me, “I will love you forever,” “I want to marry you,” “I will be with you until death,” “I'll never leave you,” and other similar extreme promises. Three days later, she would dump me and tell me she never wanted to get back together. Two days later, she apologized and wanted to reunite. Soon, she would be making her over-the-top romantic declarations again. She'd write them and say them repeatedly, not just while making love. Eventually, I'd fuck up again. Instead of collaborating to prevent further fuck ups, Fatima would simply break up with me with little to no discussion. This would naturally make me question her sincerity when she repeatedly made her I-will-be-with-you-forever promises. You might wonder why I was so fucking stupid to reunite with her after she did that a couple of times. Why did I always beg her to reconsider and reunite with me even after we repeated the pattern four times? (The fifth time she dumped me was the last time.) Humans are messy. I expect imperfection. I know my loved one will repeatedly do stupid shit because I sure will. So, I forgave her knee-jerk breakup reaction because I knew she didn't do it out of malice. She did it to protect herself. She was in pain. She thought that pulling the plug would halt the pain. That's reasonable but wrong. That doesn't matter. She's learning, I figured. I need to be patient. I was hopeful we'd break the pattern and learn how to deal with conflict maturely. We didn't. I'm confident she'll figure it out soon, just like I learned from my mistakes with her. ========== If I had to pick one word to describe people with BPD, it would be unstable. Fatima was unstable in a narrow situation: only with one person (me) and only when the shit hit the fan with me. Aside from that, she was highly stable. Hence, it would have been ludicrous if I accused her of having Borderline Personality Disorder. Luckily, I never knew the overused borderline term; even if I did, I wouldn't be tempted to use it on her. ========== Just as with red flags, we all exhibit some toxic behaviors at times. I don't know anyone who has lived a toxic-free existence. Sometimes we go through tough phases where our communication and coping skills are down, and we'll act more toxically than we might normally; this doesn't make us a toxic person. Indeed, many romantic relationships go through toxic episodes, if you will (should we make “toxic episode” a thing?), where people aren't communicating well, are escalating conflicts, and are generally behaving badly. We need to normalize a certain level of temporary or situational toxicity while also specifying what we mean by saying “toxic.” This is the only way we can determine whether the relationship needs help or needs ending. ========== trauma is itself a heavy, often misunderstood word. Its original meaning referenced what we now call “big T” trauma: life-threatening events such as going to war or surviving a car crash. Nowadays, we also talk about “little t” trauma: events that cause significant distress but aren't truly life-threatening, like being bullied in school or having an emotionally inconsistent parent. ========== Avoiding relationships with anyone who triggers hard feelings will mean a very lonely existence. ========== a trauma bond is the connection that survivors feel with their abuser. ========== A captured soldier who defends his captors? That person is, in fact, trauma bonded. ========== soldiers aren't trauma bonded after going to war together; they're socially bonded, albeit in an unusually deep way. A captured soldier who defends his captors? That person is, in fact, trauma bonded. ========== None of us get to have a happy relationship without hard times and hard work. It's normal and okay to sometimes struggle with the person you're close to or love. When the struggle happens, don't despair. Within the struggle are opportunities to invest in the relationship and grow, individually and together. ========== If you determine your relationship is in a tough spot but not abusive, now's the time for some hard relational work. A good cocktail for working on your relationship is specificity, vulnerability, and commitment. ========== Making a relationship work requires you and your loved ones to self-reflect, take responsibility, and change. This process won't just happen once; it's a constant cycle you'll go through repeatedly over the course of the relationship. You'll both need to look at yourselves, own what you've done wrong or could do better, and work to improve. Nobody is ever finished learning and growing, not individually and certainly not in a relationship. But that's what can be so great about being in a relationship: It's a never-ending opportunity to become a better person. And when you mess up (because trust me, you will), be kind to yourself. As I keep saying, humans are wonderfully imperfect. Even when we know what to do, sometimes we just don't or can't do it. ========== In this world of messy humans, how do you know who will be a good person for you to be with? My answer: Choose someone who wants to keep doing the work with you. There is no perfect person or partner for you, no magical human that won't ever hurt, irritate, enrage, or overwhelm you. Being in close relationships inevitably leads to big, scary feelings at times, so pick someone who wants to get through the dark times with you. Remember that when people are behaving badly in a desperate attempt to connect—not control—they'll be able to look at themselves, recognize the bad behavior, and change. Pick someone who has the willingness to self-reflect and grow, even if it's hard. Someone who will hang in there, even during your worst fights, and ultimately say, “Listen, this is awful, and I don't want to keep arguing like this, but I love you and I want to figure this out with you.” Wow. So well said. And this, in a paragraph, explains where Fatima and I failed. I dislike pointing fingers at my ex when explaining why we broke up. I made 90% of the mistakes in my relationship with Fatima, so I bear most of the responsibility. However, Fatima was the weaker one on one metric: having someone who wants to collaborate to make a beautiful relationship despite the hardships. The evident proof is that she dumped me five times, whereas I never dumped her or even threatened to dump her. I always wanted to use our problems as a chance to learn and improve. Fatima used them as an excuse to quit. She tried. She really did. However, she lacked the commitment Dr. Mosley discussed in that paragraph. Perhaps another man will inspire Fatima to find the strength and courage to bounce back and not throw in the towel. Or maybe she will mature and evolve to a point where she can be with someone less compatible than I was for her. She would often declare, “Francis, we're incompatible.” I'd say, “No, we are compatible; we have incompatibilities. Everyone has incompatibilities. We just need to work through them. If there is a willingness to collaborate, we can solve any incompatibility. The only couples who are truly incompatible are the ones where one or both individuals refuse to budge or learn. We can overcome countless incompatibilities as long as we both want to be together.” ========== We have wounds and scars and bad habits. We rely on ineffective but protective coping mechanisms. We push others away when we're hurt or scared. ========== Everyone behaves badly sometimes. But even then, odds are they're not gaslighting you. Conclusion I'll repeat: They're Not Gaslighting You: Ditch the Therapy Speak and Stop Hunting for Red Flags in Every Relationship is my favorite book in 2025! Buy it! Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Charles Veley explains why having a travel checklist can be beneficial and how the MTP app helps. Charles Veley is often referred to as one of the world's most traveled people, but whether he is definitively the most traveled depends on the criteria used.  I've met Charles Veley four times, and for the fourth time, we recorded our conversation!  In 2005, Charles Veley founded the Most Traveled People (MTP) community. MTP divides the world into 1,500 areas. As of May 2025, Charles Veley has been to 1,322 of them! That's why he's been called the Godfather of Systematic Travel! Download the MTP app or create a profile on MTP's website. Charles Veley achieved notable milestones, such as becoming the youngest person to visit all 320 countries and provinces recognized by the Travelers' Century Club (TCC). He has traveled millions of miles and taken over thousands of flights.    Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Charles Veley and I discuss his mini-adventure at the Chile-Bolivia border. It illustrates how no matter how much you travel, you keep having fun and unexpected moments. Charles Veley is often referred to as one of the world's most traveled people, but whether he is definitively the most traveled depends on the criteria used.  I've met Charles Veley four times, and for the fourth time, we recorded our conversation!  In 2005, Charles Veley founded the Most Traveled People (MTP) community. MTP divides the world into 1,500 areas. As of May 2025, Charles Veley has been to 1,322 of them! That's why he's been called the Godfather of Systematic Travel! Download the MTP app or create a profile on MTP's website. Charles Veley achieved notable milestones, such as becoming the youngest person to visit all 320 countries and provinces recognized by the Travelers' Century Club (TCC). He has traveled millions of miles and taken over thousands of flights.    Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Matthew Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau are the authors of Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier. The new book explains the business side of space. Watch all four videos about Space to Grow I interview Brendan Rousseau, one of the two co-authors. In this episode, we dive into the Kessler Syndrome, which might keep us stuck on Earth!  Watch our interview on YouTube! In our second episode, Brendan Rousseau discusses how close we are to having space hotels and joyrides. Is space tourism around the corner? See the video interview. In our first episode, Brendan Rousseau shares his origin story and how he ended up at Blue Origin. He discusses why space isn't what it used to be. Watch the Video of episode 1 of 3 About Brendan Rousseau  Current Role: Strategy Manager - New Glenn, Blue Origin: Focuses on orbital launch strategy. Education: Williams College: Bachelor's in Astronomy and Economics. Phillips Exeter Academy: MacKenty Prize in Astronomy. Professional Experience: Harvard Business School: Teaching Fellow and Research Associate. Booz Allen Hamilton: Senior Consultant supporting U.S. Space Force programs. Williams College Astronomy Department: Teaching Assistant. Publications & Awards: Co-author of Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier. Recognized as a Payload Pioneers - 30 Under 30 and Via Satellite Rising Star. Questions In these podcasts, I ask them the following questions: 1. If you were an entrepreneur, what space-related startup idea would you pursue? 2. What are some of the most surprising findings from your research? 3. How do you envision the future of human habitation in space? 4. In what ways can space exploration contribute to solving Earth's economic challenges? 5. What ethical considerations arise from expanding economic activities into space? For example, can we colonize Mars or Europa if we find non-DNA-based bacteria there? 6. What were the challenges you faced during your research? 7. How do you foresee international relations evolving as nations compete for resources in space? 8. What are your predictions for the next decade in space exploration? 9. What are your thoughts on space tourism? 10. Who is the primary audience for this book? 11. What do you hope readers take away from "Space to Grow"? 12. What's a popular vision of space exploration that probably won't happen? 13. What narratives or myths about space need to be challenged? 14. What's the percentage chance that the Kessler Syndrome catastrophe will occur in the 2020s, 2030, and beyond? 15. How can public awareness be raised regarding the importance of investing in space? 16. What advice would you give entrepreneurs looking to enter the space industry? 17. In what ways might our values shift as we become a multi-planetary species? 18. What is a rarely discussed consequence of expanding into outer space? 19. If there was one message you want readers to remember, what would it be? 20. Do you want to clarify any misconceptions about the space economy? 21. What do you wish you had mentioned in the book? Perhaps some breaking news? 22. Lastly, how can interested individuals get involved or contribute to discussions around space economics?  23. What tips do you have for co-writing a book? 24. Did you change your mind about something during your writing process? 25. Do you have action items for the audience? Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Matthew Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau are the authors of Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier. The new book explains the business side of space. Watch all four videos about Space to Grow I interview Brendan Rousseau, one of the two co-authors. In this episode, Brendan Rousseau discusses how close we are to having space hotels and joyrides. Is space tourism around the corner? See the video interview. In our first episode, Brendan Rousseau shares his origin story and how he ended up at Blue Origin. He discusses why space isn't what it used to be. Watch the Video of episode 1 of 3 About Brendan Rousseau  Current Role: Strategy Manager - New Glenn, Blue Origin: Focuses on orbital launch strategy. Education: Williams College: Bachelor's in Astronomy and Economics. Phillips Exeter Academy: MacKenty Prize in Astronomy. Professional Experience: Harvard Business School: Teaching Fellow and Research Associate. Booz Allen Hamilton: Senior Consultant supporting U.S. Space Force programs. Williams College Astronomy Department: Teaching Assistant. Publications & Awards: Co-author of Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier. Recognized as a Payload Pioneers - 30 Under 30 and Via Satellite Rising Star. Questions In these podcasts, I ask them the following questions: 1. If you were an entrepreneur, what space-related startup idea would you pursue? 2. What are some of the most surprising findings from your research? 3. How do you envision the future of human habitation in space? 4. In what ways can space exploration contribute to solving Earth's economic challenges? 5. What ethical considerations arise from expanding economic activities into space? For example, can we colonize Mars or Europa if we find non-DNA-based bacteria there? 6. What were the challenges you faced during your research? 7. How do you foresee international relations evolving as nations compete for resources in space? 8. What are your predictions for the next decade in space exploration? 9. What are your thoughts on space tourism? 10. Who is the primary audience for this book? 11. What do you hope readers take away from "Space to Grow"? 12. What's a popular vision of space exploration that probably won't happen? 13. What narratives or myths about space need to be challenged? 14. What's the percentage chance that the Kessler Syndrome catastrophe will occur in the 2020s, 2030, and beyond? 15. How can public awareness be raised regarding the importance of investing in space? 16. What advice would you give entrepreneurs looking to enter the space industry? 17. In what ways might our values shift as we become a multi-planetary species? 18. What is a rarely discussed consequence of expanding into outer space? 19. If there was one message you want readers to remember, what would it be? 20. Do you want to clarify any misconceptions about the space economy? 21. What do you wish you had mentioned in the book? Perhaps some breaking news? 22. Lastly, how can interested individuals get involved or contribute to discussions around space economics?  23. What tips do you have for co-writing a book? 24. Did you change your mind about something during your writing process? 25. Do you have action items for the audience? Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

In 3 WanderLearn episodes, Alex Hutchinson and I discuss his new book, The Explorer's Gene. This is episode 2 of 3. The Explorer's Gene examines human exploration broadly, going beyond traditional expeditions to investigate why humans explore everything from new foods to music. Watch my 1st Video Interview with Alex   #2: Does Tech Impact on Our Desire to Explore? Is Exploration Required for Fulfillment? #3: Exercising Your Explorer Muscle. Exploring vs. Exploiting. Exploration in our DNA.  Timeline for episode 3 0:00 Tips 02:00 Endurance & Exploring 05:30 Exploiting vs. Exploring 07:00 Exploring in our DNA 09:00 Many ways to explore About the book, The Explorer's Gene The Explorer's Gene is made of 3 parts: 1) Why do we explore 2) How we explore 3) What does exploring mean Written in an engaging style that combines narrative stories with scientific research, it's comparable to Malcolm Gladwell's work but with stronger research foundations. It has a comprehensive scope and accessibility. It investigates human and animal exploratory behavior. The book connects external exploration to internal growth, offering insights into decision-making and personal development. It blends entertainment and scientific rigor, appealing to readers interested in human behavior, science writing, and self-discovery. Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

I interviewed Michael Zervos in Côte d'Ivoire 14 months ago. He was 10% done with his every-country-speed tour.  I interviewed him today, April 8, 2025, when he's over 90% done! Watch the Video Timeline 00:00 Only 23 countries to go 05:20 Time left 08:15 How he gets tourist visas 16:16 Greek Passport 20:00 Finish line Follow him on Instagram   More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

In 3 WanderLearn episodes, Alex Hutchinson and I discuss his new book, The Explorer's Gene. The Explorer's Gene examines human exploration broadly, going beyond traditional expeditions to investigate why humans explore everything from new foods to music. Watch my Video Interview with Alex   #2: Does Tech Impact on Our Desire to Explore? Is Exploration Required for Fulfillment? #3: Exercising Your Explorer Muscle. Exploring vs. Exploiting. Exploration in our DNA.  Timeline for episode 3 0:00 Tips 02:00 Endurance & Exploring 05:30 Exploiting vs. Exploring 07:00 Exploring in our DNA 09:00 Many ways to explore About the book, The Explorer's Gene The Explorer's Gene is made of 3 parts: 1) Why do we explore 2) How we explore 3) What does exploring mean Written in an engaging style that combines narrative stories with scientific research, it's comparable to Malcolm Gladwell's work but with stronger research foundations. It has a comprehensive scope and accessibility. It investigates human and animal exploratory behavior. The book connects external exploration to internal growth, offering insights into decision-making and personal development. It blends entertainment and scientific rigor, appealing to readers interested in human behavior, science writing, and self-discovery. Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Charles Veley is often referred to as one of the world's most traveled people, but whether he is definitively the most traveled depends on the criteria used.  I've met Charles Veley four times, and for the fourth time, we recorded our conversation!  Watch it on YouTube  In 2005, Charles Veley founded the Most Traveled People (MTP) community. MTP divides the world into 1,500 areas. As of April 2025, Charles Veley has been to 1,322 of them! That's why he's been called the Godfather of Systematic Travel! Download the MTP app or create a profile on MTP's website. Charles Veley achieved notable milestones, such as becoming the youngest person to visit all 320 countries and provinces recognized by the Travelers' Century Club (TCC). He has traveled millions of miles and taken over thousands of flights.          Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Matthew Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau are the authors of Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier. The new book explains the business side of space. Watch all four videos about Space to Grow I interview Brendan Rousseau, one of the two co-authors. Brendan Rousseau shares his origin story and how he ended up at Blue Origin. He discusses why space isn't what it used to be. Watch the Video About Brendan Rousseau  Current Role: Strategy Manager - New Glenn, Blue Origin: Focuses on orbital launch strategy. Education: Williams College: Bachelor's in Astronomy and Economics. Phillips Exeter Academy: MacKenty Prize in Astronomy. Professional Experience: Harvard Business School: Teaching Fellow and Research Associate. Booz Allen Hamilton: Senior Consultant supporting U.S. Space Force programs. Williams College Astronomy Department: Teaching Assistant. Publications & Awards: Co-author of Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier. Recognized as a Payload Pioneers - 30 Under 30 and Via Satellite Rising Star. Questions In these podcasts, I ask them the following questions: 1. If you were an entrepreneur, what space-related startup idea would you pursue? 2. What are some of the most surprising findings from your research? 3. How do you envision the future of human habitation in space? 4. In what ways can space exploration contribute to solving Earth's economic challenges? 5. What ethical considerations arise from expanding economic activities into space? For example, can we colonize Mars or Europa if we find non-DNA-based bacteria there? 6. What were the challenges you faced during your research? 7. How do you foresee international relations evolving as nations compete for resources in space? 8. What are your predictions for the next decade in space exploration? 9. What are your thoughts on space tourism? 10. Who is the primary audience for this book? 11. What do you hope readers take away from "Space to Grow"? 12. What's a popular vision of space exploration that probably won't happen? 13. What narratives or myths about space need to be challenged? 14. What's the percentage chance that the Kessler Syndrome catastrophe will occur in the 2020s, 2030, and beyond? 15. How can public awareness be raised regarding the importance of investing in space? 16. What advice would you give entrepreneurs looking to enter the space industry? 17. In what ways might our values shift as we become a multi-planetary species? 18. What is a rarely discussed consequence of expanding into outer space? 19. If there was one message you want readers to remember, what would it be? 20. Do you want to clarify any misconceptions about the space economy? 21. What do you wish you had mentioned in the book? Perhaps some breaking news? 22. Lastly, how can interested individuals get involved or contribute to discussions around space economics?  23. What tips do you have for co-writing a book? 24. Did you change your mind about something during your writing process? 25. Do you have action items for the audience? Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

This mini-episode is another Public Service Announcement from a grammar Nazi. It's my simple effort to clean up sloppy English. I explain why you should never say something is: Very Full Very Unique  Perplexity.ai elaborates: Very Full or Very Unique This mini-episode is another Public Service Announcement from a grammar Nazi. It's my simple effort to clean up sloppy English. I explain why you should never say something is: Very Full Very Unique  Perplexity.ai elaborates: Why You Should Never Say Something Is "Very Full" or "Very Unique" Very Full Semantic Issue: Saying "very full" is not inherently incorrect, but it can be seen as redundant or unnecessary. "Full" typically means completely filled or occupied, so adding "very" doesn't add much meaning. However, in casual conversation, it's often used to emphasize a high degree of fullness. Alternative Phrasing: Instead of "very full," you might say "completely full" or "totally full" to convey a stronger sense of being filled to capacity. Very Unique Semantic Issue: The term "unique" means being one-of-a-kind or without equal. Therefore, saying "very unique" can be seen as contradictory because something cannot be more or less unique; it is or isn't. Alternative Phrasing: If you want to convey that something is unusual or exceptional, consider using phrases like "very unusual," "extremely rare," or "exceptionally special" instead of "very unique." Common Usage: Despite the logical inconsistency, "very unique" is commonly used in informal contexts to mean "very unusual" or "very special." However, in formal or precise writing, it's generally advised to avoid this usage. In summary, while "very full" might be redundant, "very unique" is more problematic due to its logical inconsistency with the definition of "unique."   More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Major League Baseball, an exclusively North American league, says its best annual team is the "World Champions," having won the "World Series." No other continent is invited to compete. Similarly, the NBA's top team is called the "World Champions," even though, once again, only North American teams can compete. In 20 seconds, I complain about how North American leagues use the term "World Champs." For a more in-depth analysis, consider what Perplexity.ai wrote: The terms "World Champions" in NBA basketball and "World Series" in MLB are contentious but widely used for several reasons: ## NBA "World Champions" 1. The NBA is considered the best basketball league globally, attracting top international talent[3][7]. 2. Many of the league's best players, including recent MVP winners, are international[1][3]. 3. The NBA champion is viewed as the best professional team in the world, competing against global competition even though games are played in North America[3]. ## MLB "World Series" 1. Baseball is widely played on three continents, with MLB being the highest level of play[3]. 2. A significant percentage of MLB players are international, making it a global competition[3]. ## Other Examples 1. NFL Super Bowl winners are sometimes called "World Champions," though this is more controversial due to American football's limited global reach[3]. 2. The NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, featuring teams from the USA, Canada, Finland, and Sweden, has recently sparked intense international rivalry, particularly between the USA and Canada[2][5]. ## Counterarguments 1. Some argue these terms are arrogant, as the teams don't actually compete against all global teams[4][6]. 2. In European soccer, UEFA Champions League winners are called "European champions" despite it being the most prestigious club tournament worldwide[4]. The use of "World Champions" in American sports leagues remains a topic of debate, with proponents arguing it reflects the highest level of global competition, while critics see it as an overstatement of the leagues' international reach. Citations: [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtmP9AlXIBY [2] https://time.com/7260170/canada-usa-hockey-4-nations-face-off-trump-recap-analysis/ [3] https://cyclonefanatic.com/forum/threads/world-champions-what-is-it-long.286599/ [4] https://nique.net/opinions/2023/09/29/world-champion-of-what/ [5] https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/43879940/usa-canada-brutal-4-nations-clash-great-event-hockey [6] https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/438n83/why_team_that_wins_nba_championship_is_called/ [7] https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/165g923/a_lot_of_people_are_missing_the_point_of_the_term/ [8] https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/why-usa-vs-canada-matters-in-4-nations-face-off-and-how-the-rivalry-has-triggered-a-rich-new-era-in-hockey/   Leave anonymous audio feedback at https://speakpipe.com/ftapon More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. Subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always ftapon. Follow me on: https://facebook.com/ftapon https://twitter.com/ftapon https://instagram.com/ftapon https://youtube.com/user/ftapon https://tiktok.com/ftapon https://pinterest.com/ftapon https://tumblr.com/ftapon My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/refer/RAF280959/?utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=refer-a-friend&utm_campaign=refer-a-friend Start your own podcast with the same company I use, Podbean, and get one month free! https://www.podbean.com/ftapon  In the USA, trade crypto with Kraken https://r.kraken.com/c/2226643/687189/10583  Get the Ledger crypto hardware wallet: https://shop.ledger.com/?r=a673bccc2782 Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=LWXFYQOS For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear: https://www.gossamergear.com/?rfsn=2024242.1f815 Get nomadic travel insurance from SafetyWing! https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=ftapon&utm_source=ftapon&utm_medium=Ambassador

Matthew Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau are the authors of Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier.  The new book explains the business side of space. I interview both authors.  Here's my interview with Matthew Weinzierl. Watch the Video Timeline 00:00 Intro 02:00 Low-hanging fruit 07:00 Surprises 09:30 Space is vast and crowded 11:30 Kessler Syndrome 16:30 What won't happen in space? 21:45 Moon and Mars predictions 25:21 Advice for Entrepreneurs 28:00 New news 30:00 Co-authoring advice          About Matt Weinzierl Matt Weinzierl is Senior Associate Dean and Chair of the MBA Program at Harvard Business School, where he is the Joseph and Jacqueline Elbling Professor of Business Administration in the Business, Government, and the International Economy Unit and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. His research focuses on the optimal design of economic policy, particularly taxation, emphasizing a better understanding of the philosophical principles underlying policy choices. Recently, he has launched a set of research projects focused on commercializing the space sector and its economic implications, viewable at www.economicsofspace.com. He has served on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Tax Expenditure Commission, the board of the National Tax Association, and on the editorial boards of Social Choice and Welfare and National Tax Journal. Before completing his PhD in economics at Harvard University in 2008, Professor Weinzierl served as the Staff Economist for Macroeconomics on the President's Council of Economic Advisers and worked in the New York office of McKinsey & Company.  My Questions In these podcasts, I ask them the following questions: 1. If you were an entrepreneur, what space-related startup idea would you pursue? 2. What are some of the most surprising findings from your research? 3. How do you envision the future of human habitation in space? 4. In what ways can space exploration contribute to solving Earth's economic challenges? 5. What ethical considerations arise from expanding economic activities into space? For example, can we colonize Mars or Europa if we find non-DNA-based bacteria there? 6. What were the challenges you faced during your research? 7. How do you foresee international relations evolving as nations compete for resources in space? 8. What are your predictions for the next decade in space exploration? 9. What are your thoughts on space tourism? 10. Who is the primary audience for this book? 11. What do you hope readers take away from "Space to Grow"? 12. What's a popular vision of space exploration that probably won't happen? 13. What narratives or myths about space need to be challenged? 14. What's the percentage chance that the Kessler Syndrome catastrophe will occur in the 2020s, 2030, and beyond? 15. How can public awareness be raised regarding the importance of investing in space? 16. What advice would you give entrepreneurs looking to enter the space industry? 17. In what ways might our values shift as we become a multi-planetary species? 18. What is a rarely discussed consequence of expanding into outer space? 19. If there was one message you want readers to remember, what would it be? 20. Do you want to clarify any misconceptions about the space economy? 21. What do you wish you had mentioned in the book? Perhaps some breaking news? 22. Lastly, how can interested individuals get involved or contribute to discussions around space economics?  23. What tips do you have for co-writing a book? 24. Did you change your mind about something during your writing process? 25. Do you have action items for the audience? More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

When people win awards or are honored in some way, they often say they are "humbled" to receive the recognition. That's absurd. It's the wrong word. Say you're thrilled, happy, or honored, but don't say you're humbled! More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Happy Valentine's Day 2025! Matthew Halteman and I discuss his book Hungry Beautiful Animals. Professor Halteman mentions NutritionFacts.org. See/Hear all four episodes with Matthew Halteman. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Matthew Halteman and I discuss his book Hungry Beautiful Animals. Here's the timeline of our discussion in case you want to skip to a section. 00:00 Know yourself 05:15 Negotiating and compromising 09:15 Cognitive Dissonance    Have you tried lab-grown meat? It has many other names: Cultivated Meat: This term is increasingly favored as it accurately describes growing meat from animal cells in a controlled environment. Cell-Based Meat: This name emphasizes that the meat is derived from animal cells rather than whole animals, highlighting its scientific origins. Cultured Meat: Like cultivated meat, this term refers to meat produced through cellular agriculture techniques. Clean Meat: This term was popular among early advocates, suggesting a more ethical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional meat. Synthetic Meat: This name indicates that the product is artificially created, which can evoke mixed consumer reactions. Slaughter-Free Meat: This term appeals to ethical consumers concerned about animal welfare and the implications of traditional meat production. Becoming vegan is easier than ever. Consider taking baby steps. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Lab-grown meat has many other names: Cultivated Meat: This term is increasingly favored as it accurately describes growing meat from animal cells in a controlled environment. Cell-Based Meat: This name emphasizes that the meat is derived from animal cells rather than whole animals, highlighting its scientific origins. Cultured Meat: Like cultivated meat, this term refers to meat produced through cellular agriculture techniques. Clean Meat: This term was popular among early advocates, suggesting a more ethical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional meat. Synthetic Meat: This name indicates that the product is artificially created, which can evoke mixed consumer reactions. Slaughter-Free Meat: This term appeals to ethical consumers concerned about animal welfare and the implications of traditional meat production. Matthew Halteman and I discuss his book Hungry Beautiful Animals. Here's the timeline of our discussion in case you want to skip to a section.

Vegans have a marketing problem: they're perceived to be annoying, self-righteous, judgmental, and inflexible. Author Matthew Halteman's book Hungry Beautiful Animals is designed to fix that perception and make veganism more appealing and less threatening. Visit his website about Hungry Beautiful Animals. Matthew Halteman and I discuss his book Hungry Beautiful Animals. Here's the timeline of our discussion in case you want to skip to a section. 00:00 Intro 04:30 Marketing Problem? 07:00 Practical Tips 10:00 Kindergarten Values 12:00 Abstract food 16:30 Aspirations 20:40 Fish Watch the Video Book review In his excellent book "The Better Angels of Our Nature," Steven Pinker observed that humanity has become less barbarous with each passing century. Consider the improvements to: - Women's rights - Gay rights - Racism - Slavery - Death penalty - Wars - Prisons Pinker was asked, "What will people in the 22nd century think of us? What are we doing that will seem barbarous and immoral to future humans?" Pinker said (I'm paraphrasing), "The way almost everyone financially supports the barbarous and inhumane treatment of animals by buying and eating animals." True. Today's vegans are like the anti-slavery people 200 years ago: annoying, and everyone wished they would just go away. How can vegans be more inviting? It seems like an all-or-nothing club.  This book says, "Relax. You're welcome to join the tribe." Hungry Beautiful Animals is a vibrant and engaging exploration of veganism.  The book stands out for its joyful and inclusive approach, aiming to transform the often polarizing topic of veganism into an inviting conversation.  Halteman's writing can be too verbose, but it is filled with humor and anecdotes that resonate regardless of one's dietary choices. ### Key Themes - Joy and Kindness: Halteman emphasizes that adopting a vegan lifestyle can be a source of joy rather than a burden. He encourages readers to view veganism as a journey filled with possibilities rather than a strict set of rules that can lead to feelings of shame or guilt.    - Personal Stories: The book is rich with anecdotes that illustrate the interconnectedness of all living beings. For instance, Halteman reflects on moments his dog (Gus), who inspired him to write this book. - Community Focus: Halteman invites readers from all backgrounds to join in a collective movement towards kindness and compassion for animals, promoting the idea that everyone is welcome in this exploration of veganism, even if you're not hardcore, full-time. - Practical Guidance: Beyond philosophical discussions, the book provides practical suggestions for leading a more animal-friendly life, including tips on creating pollinator-friendly habitats in one's yard. The book offers profound insights and the ability to provoke thought without condemnation.  It is an engaging read that challenges preconceived notions about veganism while fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. Overall, Hungry Beautiful Animals is a book about veganism and an invitation to live more compassionately and joyfully with all beings. VERDICT: 9 out of 10 stars!

Who was DB Cooper? Did he have a military background? Where did the cash found in Tena Bar come from? What's a plausible explanation for what happened on the night that DB Cooper jumped? Did he survive? In part 3 of 3 about DB Cooper and Flight 305, Dr. Robert H. Edwards delves into that and more. Watch the Video Timeline 00:00 Who was DB Cooper? 07:00 Military background 13:30 Cash in Tena Bar 19:20 Plausible story 28:20 Did he survive? More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

DB Cooper was cunning. What were the various considerations he had to contend with to pull off the only unsolved act of air piracy in US history? Watch the Video DB Cooper needed a: Plane with an airstair Short flight Terminating flight Late afternoon flight In part 2 of 3 about DB Cooper and Flight 305, Dr. Robert H. Edwards delves into that and more. Timeline 00:00 Planning and Prep 08:30 Three precursors More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

I've always recorded my annual predictions on December 31 or January 1. However, on December 28, 2024, I started a two-week trip to Dalat, Vietnam.  I wanted to travel light, so I recorded my annual predictions on December 27, allowing me to leave my audio and video gear in Ho Chi Minh, where I planned to return on January 15, 2025.  In my podcast a few days ago, I said that my prediction that Jimmy Carter would die in 2024 was wrong.    Sadly, my 2024 prediction was correct. See my 1-minute video The only good news in this sad news is that I get an extra point in my 2024 prediction evaluation scorecard, bringing me to 5 out of 10 points, a mediocre score, tying my worse performance. See my 2024 predictions. You can also see my 2025 predictions.  RIP Jimmy Carter. Feedback Contact me or leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast at https://speakpipe.com/ftapon  More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

In my Annual Prediction Show, I review my horrible 2024 predictions before making my new predictions. I got 4 out of 10 points, my worst year ever! I hope to do better this year! My 2025 predictions Watch the Video   1. A global recession crushes the US economy. In July 2022, the yield curve inverted and stayed inverted for 783 consecutive days, marking the longest period in U.S. history. In early September 2024, it un-inverted. Usually, a recession occurs about 12 months after the un-inversion. Admittedly, the recession can occur between 6 and 24 months after the un-inversion, so we could postpone it until 2026. However, disaster will likely strike before October 2025. 2. The US unemployment rate doubles. The US unemployment rate is 4.2% at the end of 2024 and will be 8.4% by 2025. 3. Bitcoin loses more than half of its value. Although BTC may climb to $150,000, it will eventually be around $50,000 in 2025, surprising everyone. 4. The S&P 500 drops at least 1,000 points. The S&P 500, which measures US stocks, will drop below 5,000 (it is beginning 2025 around 6,000). 5. Ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump won't "end the war in 24 hours," but his administration will broker a deal because both sides are getting tired of fighting. Ukraine is running low on men. President Volodymyr Zelensky recently lowered the draft age from 27 to 25. Russia is running low on money. In mid-June, $1 bought 50 Russian rubles; in the last two months of 2024, $1 bought 100 rubles. Similarly, a barrel of petroleum has lost half of its value over the same period. 6. Elon Musk & Donald Trump end their bromance. Two titanic personalities will struggle to share the spotlight. 7. Trump will fail to fulfill five of his most wacky campaign promises. Although I dislike Trump, most of his critics never read his book The Art of the Deal, which explains his negotiating strategy: start with an absurd offer or demand, then negotiate down from there.  Trump is a dog that barks constantly but rarely bites. The Left squirms and takes his every word seriously, failing to see that it's just bluster, a negotiation tactic, or just a joke meant to offend the easily offended. Here are 5 campaign promises Donald Trump will fail to keep. Promise: Deporting 13 million people. Reality: he'll deport less than one million. Promise: Death Penalty for Drug Dealers. Reality: It won't happen; we struggle to execute mass murderers. Promise: 60% tariff on Chinese goods and up to 20% on all imports. Reality: At most, he'll get a 10% broad tariff and higher tariffs on targeted, symbolic goods (like Chinese cars). Promise: Abolishing the Department of Education. Reality: It won't happen, although the Department of Education will get cuts thanks to Musk's DOGE. Promise: Military Action Against Drug Cartels. Reality: It won't happen. 7. I'll finish The Unseen Africa. This book has been 10 years in the making, so it's due. To see my previous forecasts, check out my predictions for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

In this three-part series, Dr. Robert Edwards and I discuss the fascinating mystery of DB Cooper. In 1971, a man hijacked Flight 305, received $200,000 in $20 bills, 4 parachutes, and skydived into the darkness over the Pacific Northwest, never to be seen again.    Watch the Video Subscribe to my YouTube channel and WanderLearn podcast to get the three episodes.  Buy Dr. Robert H. Edwards's book about DB Cooper & Flight 305.  To see photos and evidence related to the DB Cooper Case, visit Robert's Flickr site.  The FBI has more information about the DB Cooper and Flight 305 case. Dr. Edwards has written three books addressing the biggest 20th-century mysteries: George Mallory DB Cooper The Voynich Manuscript. I've interviewed Dr. Robert Edwards twice about his book Mallory, Irvine, and Everest: The Last Step But One. These interviews went viral. Listen to the first one, which focuses on his book. Next, listen to the second one, focusing on the recent discovery of Sandy Irvine's foot on Mt. Everest.  #1 What happened before DB Cooper jumped? How did the FBI screw up its investigation? Here's the timeline of DB Cooper Episode #1. Timeline 00:00 Reviewing the basics 04:00 Flight path 09:00 The oscillations 12:30 Reproducing the flight 18:00 Meteorology 21:50 Communications More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Michael Zervos explains why North Korea is the toughest country to visit. Watch the video interview Listen to all 6 of my interviews with Zervos. Timeline 00:00 Why North Korea is the toughest 05:30 How Zervos makes videos 11:00 What's the upcoming schedule Follow him on Instagram More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Michael Zervos of The Project Kosmos is two-thirds through his trip to every country. He's on track to break the record for visiting all the countries faster than anyone else. We talked while he was in Lviv, Ukraine in December 2024. Listen to all 6 of my interviews with Zervos. Timeline 00:00 Intro 05:00 Ukraine War 11:00 USA Election reactions 14:30 Palestine Follow him on https://www.instagram.com/theprojectkosmos Feedback Leave an anonymous voicemail on SpeakPipe.com/FTapon Or go to Wanderlearn.com, click on this episode, and write a comment. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Durian is recognized for its overpowering and foul odor, often described as similar to feces. I decided to try it and record my reaction. See the video! Have you ever attempted to eat durian or smelled its distinctive aroma?   #durian #durianfruit #review Feedback Leave an anonymous voicemail on SpeakPipe.com/FTapon Or go to Wanderlearn.com, click on this episode, and write a comment. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

I attack the expression that says, "You can't compare...." About 99% of the time, you CAN compare anything with anything. You may dislike the comparison or believe the two things are vastly different, but that doesn't mean you CANNOT compare them.   Feedback Leave an anonymous voicemail on SpeakPipe.com/FTapon Or go to Wanderlearn.com, click on this episode, and write a comment. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Forgive me for rushing through this interview. We were under time pressure. But if you would like, send me a message encouraging me to interview Ege Riitsalu again in greater depth. In this episode, Ege Riitsalu shares her tragic personal story. It serves as an example of the power of radical forgiveness. Watch the Video of this podcast About radical forgiveness How do you get out of a rut and onto a ridge? Although my book, Hike Your Own Hike, offers ideas, it doesn't discuss radical forgiveness, which can lead to breakthroughs.  In my first TEDx Talk, I discussed "How Travel Transforms You." But what if the wanderlust doesn't quite do the trick?  Then, you take another type of journey, a mental one, to unlock deep-seated memories and beliefs.   Ege Riitsalu is an Estonian who used radical forgiveness to dislodge a mental roadblock. Since then, she's run workshops and offered one-on-one therapy to help others take this mental journey. Enjoy this two-part series discussing radical forgiveness and how to employ it. Part 2: How to forgive the man who murdered your dad Don't forget to listen to... Part 1: What is Radical Forgiveness and When Should You Use It? In this episode, Ege Riitsalu introduces you to the concept of radical forgiveness. What's below is taken from what Ege Riitsalu has written about radical forgiveness. It's good for those with: General dissatisfaction with life: stress, anxiety, meaninglessness, lack of purpose, low income, poor physical/mental health, etc. Constant criticism of self and others, feelings of shame and guilt. Painful emotions regarding life events that have taken place (divorce, betrayal, offense, claims about a partner, etc.). Repeated life patterns in personal and professional life (separations from life and business partners, dismissal from work, etc.). RADICAL FORGIVENESS IS A FIVE-STEP JOURNEY that results in freeing yourself from emotional burdens and transforming negative experiences into sources of personal growth and inner peace. This process allows for a deeper understanding and compassion for oneself and others. Sharing your story: You get the opportunity to express, discover, and map your experiences and the feeling of being a "victim" Feeling emotions and taking responsibility: You allow yourself to feel all emotions and focus on expressing them in a safe space and a restrained manner. Collapsing the story: When discovering your story, move toward understanding, compassion, and empathy to separate your interpretations, judgments, and expectations and deal with the facts. Emergence of a new story: After discovering and releasing negative emotions and recurring disturbing thoughts, you can understand their motives and eliminate the story of being a "victim." Integration: You integrate your entire experience holistically through various practices. Radical forgiveness will help you: Return to the joy of life and happiness that is so characteristic of you. Find inner peace, strength, and balance. Create more harmonious relationships with yourself and others. Get rid of repressed emotional reactions such as anger, guilt, resentment, shame, etc. Get out of victim mentality and behavior. To shake off feelings of unforgiveness towards yourself or someone else. To heal from emotional pain and the burden of the past.   Watch the Video Feedback Leave an anonymous voicemail on SpeakPipe.com/FTapon Or go to Wanderlearn.com, click on this episode, and write a comment. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

How do you get out of a rut and onto a ridge? Although my book, Hike Your Own Hike, offers ideas, it doesn't discuss radical forgiveness, which can lead to breakthroughs.  Watch the Video In my first TEDx Talk, I discussed "How Travel Transforms You." But what if the wanderlust doesn't quite do the trick?  Then, you take another type of journey, a mental one, to unlock deep-seated memories and beliefs.   Ege Riitsalu is an Estonian who used radical forgiveness to dislodge a mental roadblock. Since then, she's run workshops and offered one-on-one therapy to help others take this mental journey. Enjoy this two-part series discussing radical forgiveness and how to employ it. Part 1: What is Radical Forgiveness and When Should You Use It? In this episode, Ege Riitsalu introduces you to the concept of radical forgiveness. What's below is taken from what Ege Riitsalu has written about radical forgiveness. It's good for those with: General dissatisfaction with life: stress, anxiety, meaninglessness, lack of purpose, low income, poor physical/mental health, etc. Constant criticism of self and others, feelings of shame and guilt. Painful emotions regarding life events that have taken place (divorce, betrayal, offense, claims about a partner, etc.). Repeated life patterns in personal and professional life (separations from life and business partners, dismissal from work, etc.). RADICAL FORGIVENESS IS A FIVE-STEP JOURNEY that results in freeing yourself from emotional burdens and transforming negative experiences into sources of personal growth and inner peace. This process allows for a deeper understanding and compassion for oneself and others. Sharing your story: You get the opportunity to express, discover, and map your experiences and the feeling of being a "victim" Feeling emotions and taking responsibility: You allow yourself to feel all emotions and focus on expressing them in a safe space and a restrained manner. Collapsing the story: When discovering your story, move toward understanding, compassion, and empathy to separate your interpretations, judgments, and expectations and deal with the facts. Emergence of a new story: After discovering and releasing negative emotions and recurring disturbing thoughts, you can understand their motives and eliminate the story of being a "victim." Integration: You integrate your entire experience holistically through various practices. Radical forgiveness will help you: Return to the joy of life and happiness that is so characteristic of you. Find inner peace, strength, and balance. Create more harmonious relationships with yourself and others. Get rid of repressed emotional reactions such as anger, guilt, resentment, shame, etc. Get out of victim mentality and behavior. To shake off feelings of unforgiveness towards yourself or someone else. To heal from emotional pain and the burden of the past.   Watch the Video Feedback Leave an anonymous voicemail on SpeakPipe.com/FTapon Or go to Wanderlearn.com, click on this episode, and write a comment. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Who you vote for in the 2024 US Presidential election matters little if you don't live in Maine, Nebraska, or a battleground state.  If you want to be highly pedantic and annoying, you could argue that your vote matters even in non-swing states like California. That's because if most Californian Democrats conspired not to vote, a Republican would win even though the polls heavily favor the Democrat. However, if you live in the real, realistic world, my point is accurate on a practical level. Watch the video of this podcast!  What do you think about what I say in the video? Am I full of shit? In the video, I mention abortion. Watch my video that proves that abortion has nothing to do with morals or morality. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Niamh McAnally's memoir, Following Sunshine: A Voyage Around the Mind, Around the World, Around the Heart, offers readers a rich tapestry of travel, personal growth, and introspection. This book transcends the typical travelogue by intertwining McAnally's adventures with profound reflections on her life experiences, including themes of loss, self-discovery, and resilience. Watch the Video Interview!   Overview of the Book Following Sunshine takes readers on an enthralling journey through various landscapes, from the lush jungles of Fiji to the serene beaches of Vanuatu. McAnally's narrative is not just about her travels; it delves deeply into her struggles, including dealing with loss, divorce, and financial hardships. Her expressive language vividly captures the beauty of the locations she visits and the emotional transitions she experiences, making her reflections relatable to a broad audience. Themes and Style McAnally's writing combines elements of travel, adventure, and self-help. She shares her experiences in diverse settings—participating in turtle conservation in Vanuatu and reflecting on local customs—while confronting complex personal topics such as childhood trauma and uncertainty about the future. This blend creates a compelling backdrop for her reflections on love, loss, and the human impact on ecosystems. The memoir is "a riveting adventure with a touch of romance," keeping readers engaged with its twists and emotional depth. She is confident and self-aware, echoing throughout her stories of solo travel and constant change. Her ability to articulate moments of revelation is honest without being overly dramatic. Reader Reception The reception of Following Sunshine has been overwhelmingly positive. Readers have highlighted its ability to evoke deep emotional responses, often finding themselves moved to tears by McAnally's storytelling. Many appreciate her inviting them to reflect on their lives while sharing her journey. The book has been described as a testament to the power of storytelling in understanding oneself and one's past. Conclusion In summary, Following Sunshine is more than just a memoir; it is an invitation to explore the world and one's inner self. Niamh McAnally's unique voice and perspective resonate throughout her narrative, making it recommended for anyone interested in travel, personal growth, or simply seeking inspiration through storytelling. The book promises to leave a lasting impression long after the final page is turned. Feedback Leave an anonymous voicemail on SpeakPipe.com/FTapon Or go to Wanderlearn.com, click on this episode, and write a comment. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

On the 100th anniversary of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine's death on Mount Everest, I interviewed Dr. Robert Edwards, author of Mallory, Irvine, and Everest: The Last Step But One, which reexamined their mysterious story in extreme detail. Watch my original interview with Dr. Edwards, my most popular interview in 2024. It provides an excellent background for today's interview. Today, Dr. Edwards returns to the WanderLearn Show to discuss Jimmy Chin's surprising October 2024 announcement that he found Andrew Comyn Irvine's foot! Andrew Irvine's nickname was Sandy. Watch the Video Photo by National Geographic Image copyright: National Geographic National Geographic sponsored the expedition and announced the momentous news. The rest of Sandy's body has not been found yet. Sandy died 100 years ago. In 1960, Chinese climber Wang Fuzhou claimed he spotted a dead European climber who had to be Sandy Irvine. Assuming that sighting was accurate, nobody has seen Irvine since then ... until now. Famed mountaineer and photographer Jimmy Chin found Sandy's foot inside the 100-year-old boot.  Robert Edwards wrote his initial impressions of Sandy's discovery on Goodreads.  In this interview, we delve into greater detail, including the map Dr. Edwards made: In the podcast, I struggled to understand why Dr. Edwards thought Sandy's foot may have been found either in pin v1 or v2.  After the interview, I reflected more carefully and realized that the Central Rongbuk Glacier is sliding west (right in the image). I initially assumed it was sliding north (down the image). Excerpt of Dr. Edwards's Goodreads post I can think of at least two scenarios which are consistent with the new discovery: • On June 8, 1924, Irvine fell from somewhere on the North Face of Everest to the head of the Central Rongbuk Glacier. If so, it seems to me that, given the topography of Mount Everest, the start of that fall had to be either within, or to the west of, the Norton Couloir. In that case, Irvine fell at least 500 meters to the west of where Mallory's body was found. • On June 8, 1924, Irvine became immobilised or died in the place where on May 24 or 25, 1960, the Chinese mountaineer Wang Fu-zhou would see the body of “a European in braces” [for North Americans: suspenders]. The Chinese route was along the Northeast Ridge. According to reports of a speech in Leningrad in 1965, Wang saw the body at 8,600 meters (28,215 feet): that is, between the Second Step and the Third Step. If so, the body could only be that of Irvine; and he had died on the descent. In this scenario, at some unknowable date after 1960, natural events carried Irvine's body down the mountain to the head of the glacier. In both scenarios, the implacable creep of the ice carried part of Irvine's remains to the place where Jimmy Chin found them in September 2024. The first scenario excludes the second: for if in 1924 Irvine fell to the glacier, Wang Fu-zhou in 1960 could not have seen a body of any kind at 8,600 meters. No doubt, other scenarios are conceivable. What next? Undoubtedly, the China-Tibet Mountaineering Association will conduct an expedition to find the rest of Irvine's body and any artifacts associated with it; or will permit National Geographic to undertake such an endeavour. The search could possibly be made before the winter; otherwise, the next window will probably be the spring of 2025. Irvine's body and artifacts will surely be found. The Chinese authorities also have the opportunity to examine Irvine's boot for rock particles, which might reveal where he had been before he died. (As far as I can determine, Mallory's boots were never tested in this way.) In either event, we may then know more about the last climb of Mallory and Irvine. Dr. Edwards added in an email to me: In case I didn't explain clearly the difference between the two pins in the Google Earth image: pin v1 is based on ice velocity of 10 meters/year; pin v2 is based on ice velocity of 27 meters/year (based on a range of Chinese estimates for the East Rongbuk Glaicier). In both cases, the pin assumes movement of the remains over 100 years, i.e. assuming that Irvine fell all the way to the glacier in 1924. So Pin v1 is 1,000 meters downstream; pin v2 is 2,700 meters downstream. If Irvine's remains fell after 1960 (which, given Wang's sighting, I'm inclined to think more probable), both pins would be much closer to the head of the glacier. Pin v1 would be at most 640 meters downstream; pin v2 would be at most 1,728 meters downstream. Both pins hug the western rim of the glacier, since I'm inclined to think that objects starting near the rim will remain near the rim. (A glaciologist would know.)   More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Eric Gilbertson is back! Eric Gilbertson and Branden Joy dragged 400 pounds (180 kg) of gear on 4 sleds across Greenland. They covered 1,539 miles (1,420 snow kiting, 119 man hauling) in 40 days. On his biggest day, he covered 218 miles kiting. His fastest kiting speed was 33mph. They did 4 first ascents. Read Eric Gilbertson's Greenland traverse trip report. Krisli Melesk co-hosted this show with me. She and I were in awe of Eric's accomplishments. Watch the Video Interview  

Everyone loves coincidences. During my month in Estonia, I bumbled into Krisli Melesk, who bumbled into Eric Gilbertson on K2. Eric & I were scheduled to record a podcast a few days after I met Krisli, so I invited her to join the show as a surprise guest!  Eric Gilbertson is in the process of climbing to the highest point in every country. He's done 143 out of 193! This is first of a two-part series, featuring Eric & Krisli. Subscribe to get next week's episode where we will discuss Eric kite surfing across Greenland! You must listen to my first two interviews with Eric Gilbertson! Krisli Melesk is also remarkable. She deserves her own episode and book! Her list of adventures is long and mind-blowing. We only delved into a couple of her countless adventures in this episode. In this episode, we focus on K2 and Everest, especially their joint experience on K2. Although they didn't climb K2 on the same team, they met on K2 and summitted a few days apart. We end the show by talking about Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain, with an elevation of 28,169 feet (8,586 metres). It is situated in the eastern Himalayas on the border between Sikkim state, northeastern India, and eastern Nepal, 46 miles (74 km) north-northwest of Darjiling, Sikkim. We discuss why Eric was able to summit Kanchenjunga and Krisli was not. Note: In the show, I refer to Krisli as "Kris," but the automatic subtitle generator on the video transcribed her name as "Chris." Also, I apologize for the mediocre audio quality. We had tech issues. Watch the Video   Feedback Leave an anonymous voicemail on SpeakPipe.com/FTapon Or go to Wanderlearn.com, click on this episode, and write a comment. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Palle Bo is from Denmark, which controls Greenland. He's been to Greenland twice, and I was blessed to visit it in 2024. We share our thoughts. Palle hosts the Radio Vagabond podcast! Subscribe to it! Enjoy other Palle Bo episodes!  Feedback Leave an anonymous voicemail on SpeakPipe.com/FTapon Or go to Wanderlearn.com, click on this episode, and write a comment. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

What kind of traveler are you? Palle Bo and I discuss the variety of travel styles and the myth of how people who have been to many countries travel. Palle hosts the Radio Vagabond podcast! Subscribe to it! Enjoy our other episodes together! Feedback Leave an anonymous voicemail on SpeakPipe.com/FTapon Or go to Wanderlearn.com, click on this episode, and write a comment. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

I share reflections on last night's Harris-Trump Debate in the first two minutes of this podcast. In the rest of the podcast, I review Yuval Noah Harari's newest book. Harari is one of my top three favorite authors. I also love Bill Bryson and Walter Isaacson. Therefore, I was thrilled that a few months ago, I got an advanced copy of Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI, which launches today, September 10, 2024.  It's a 515-page book but is filled with headers over its 11 chapters, making it modular and readable. I also reviewed his previous book, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. I loved Nexus, although Homo Deus is still my favorite Harari book. Nexus explores the evolution of information networks from prehistoric times to the present, focusing mainly on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society.  Outline There are 3 parts: Part 1: Human Networks focuses on history and how information went from clay tablets to silicon. Part 2: The Inorganic Network focuses on the internet age and the birth of AI. It discusses how computers differ from printing presses and how the information networks are relentless and fallible. Part 3: Computer Politics focuses on how AI will enter every aspect of our lives, governments, and businesses. He discusses democracies, totalitarianism, and the Silicon Curtain (how China and the West have different internets and AIs). Overview and Themes In Nexus, Harari argues that human history has been profoundly shaped by our ability to create and share narratives, which he identifies as the foundation of our social structures. He posits that information networks—from oral traditions to the internet—serve as the "glue" that holds societies together. The book emphasizes the dual nature of information: while it can foster cooperation and understanding, it can also propagate falsehoods and manipulation, particularly in the age of AI. Nexus is more urgent and personal than Harari's previous works. It tackles contemporary issues related to AI, warning about its potential to manipulate human behavior without direct control.  Harari connects historical developments, such as the rise of farming and cities, to the evolution of information networks.  Nexus mixes historical analysis and philosophical reflection with Harari's trademark ability to provoke thought about the implications of modern technology. His exploration of how AI could reshape human existence is captivating and unsettling, prompting you to reconsider your relationship with technology. One fascinating observation is that governments used to spend 80% of their budgets on the military. Today, they spend about 10% on the military and more on healthcare.  Critique Harari makes the same error that many nonfiction books do: they spend 95% of the book complaining and 5% of the time discussing the solution. Conclusion Happily, Harari isn't bleak or hopeless. He isn't overly pessimistic about our future. He believes we're at a critical crossroads, akin to when Christian scholars decided what books would make it into the Bible. What we do today will have an impact forever. Totalitarianism loves AI's ability to survey and process data to keep the population in check. However, totalitarianism hates that AI is a black box that is unpredictable and hard to control. Totalitarianism may become dependent on AI to make wise decisions, and it may falter, especially if the AI doesn't do what's best for the totalitarian leader. Harari believes that democracy will triumph over totalitarianism because democracy is self-correcting and open to criticism. It's constantly adjusting to the wisdom of the crowds, whereas totalitarianism is rigid.  Ultimately, he believes that strong, wise institutions will help us incorporate the best of AI while avoiding its follies and dangers. Nexus contributes to the discourse on AI and its societal implications. While it may not achieve the same universal acclaim as Harari's earlier works, like Sapiens or Homo Deus, it offers a compelling examination of how information networks have evolved and the urgent questions they raise for the future. Readers looking for a blend of history, philosophy, and contemporary relevance will find much to ponder in Harari's latest offering. After my verdict, I have included some excerpts from the book so you can get a feel for what it covers. VERDICT: 9 out of 10 stars. Excerpts To conclude, the new computer network will not necessarily be either bad or good. All we know for sure is that it will be alien and it will be fallible. We therefore need to build institutions that will be able to check not just familiar human weaknesses like greed and hatred but also radically alien errors. There is no technological solution to this problem. It is, rather, a political challenge. Do we have the political will to deal with it? Modern humanity has created two main types of political systems: large-scale democracy and large-scale totalitarianism. ========== Another common but mistaken assumption is that creativity is unique to humans so it would be difficult to automate any job that requires creativity. ========== third mistaken assumption is that computers couldn't replace humans in jobs requiring emotional intelligence, from therapists to teachers. ========== If it means the ability to correctly identify emotions and react to them in an optimal way, then computers may well outperform humans even in emotional intelligence. Emotions too are patterns. ========== Actually, computers may outperform humans in recognizing human emotions, precisely because they have no emotions of their own. We yearn to be understood, but other humans often fail to understand how we feel, because they are too preoccupied with their own feelings. In contrast, computers will have an exquisitely fine-tuned understanding of how we feel, because they will learn to recognize the patterns of our feelings, while they have no distracting feelings of their own. ========== Actually, computers may outperform humans in recognizing human emotions, precisely because they have no emotions of their own. We yearn to be understood, but other humans often fail to understand how we feel, because they are too preoccupied with their own feelings. In contrast, computers will have an exquisitely fine-tuned understanding of how we feel, because they will learn to recognize the patterns of our feelings, while they have no distracting feelings of their own. A 2023 study found that the ChatGPT chatbot, for example, outperforms the average human in the emotional awareness it displays toward specific scenarios. ========== If three years of high unemployment could bring Hitler to power, what might never-ending turmoil in the job market do to democracy? ========== The most important human skill for surviving the twenty-first century is likely to be flexibility, and democracies are more flexible than totalitarian regimes. ========== The rise of unfathomable alien intelligence undermines democracy. If more and more decisions about people's lives are made in a black box, so voters cannot understand and challenge them, democracy ceases to function. ========== Power lies at the nexus where the information channels merge. ========== For most of recorded history, the military was the number one item on the budget of every empire, sultanate, kingdom, and republic. ========== For many people in the 2010s, the fact that the health-care budget was bigger than the military budget was unremarkable. But it was the result of a major change in human behavior, and one that would have sounded impossible to most previous generations. ========== It places a heavy responsibility on all of us to make good choices. It implies that if human civilization is consumed by conflict, we cannot blame it on any law of nature or any alien technology. ========== It places a heavy responsibility on all of us to make good choices. It implies that if human civilization is consumed by conflict, we cannot blame it on any law of nature or any alien technology. It also implies that if we make the effort, we can create a better world. ========== It places a heavy responsibility on all of us to make good choices. It implies that if human civilization is consumed by conflict, we cannot blame it on any law of nature or any alien technology. It also implies that if we make the effort, we can create a better world. This isn't naïveté; it's realism. ========== The invention of AI is potentially more momentous than the invention of the telegraph, the printing press, or even writing, because AI is the first tool that is capable of making decisions and generating ideas by itself. ========== The good news is that if we eschew complacency and despair, we are capable of creating balanced information networks that will keep their own power in check. Doing so is not a matter of inventing another miracle technology or landing upon some brilliant idea that has somehow escaped all previous generations. Rather, to create wiser networks, we must abandon both the naive and the populist views of information, put aside our fantasies of infallibility, and commit ourselves to the hard and rather mundane work of building institutions with strong self-correcting mechanisms. That is perhaps the most important takeaway this book has to offer. ========== This wisdom is much older than human history. It is elemental, the foundation of organic life. The first organisms weren't created by some infallible genius or god. They emerged through an intricate process of trial and error. Over four billion years, ever more complex mechanisms of mutation and self-correction led to the evolution of trees, dinosaurs, jungles, and eventually humans. Now we have summoned an alien inorganic intelligence that could escape our control and put in danger not just our own species but countless other life-forms. The decisions we all make in the coming years will determine whether summoning this alien intelligence proves to be a terminal error or the beginning of a hopeful new chapter in the evolution of life.

Radio Vagabond Host Palle Bo shares the meaning of his name in various languages.  We share what we've been doing since we last met in Thailand. Lastly, Palle shares why it's worth revisiting countries that gave you a negative impression the first time. Palle hosts the Radio Vagabond podcast! Subscribe to it! Enjoy other Palle Bo episodes!  Feedback Leave an anonymous voicemail on SpeakPipe.com/FTapon Or go to Wanderlearn.com, click on this episode, and write a comment. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

In 2022, I delivered this speech at the inaugural Extraordinary Travel Festival in Yerevan, Armenia. Watch the Video to See the Slides! I was the only in-person speaker invited to speak again at the 2nd conference. Why? Because the audience rated this speech highly. Judge for yourself. Come to hear me deliver a new speech at the 2nd Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand, in mid-November 2024! Reserve your seat! Timeline 00:00 Africa trip overview 03:00 Communicating 04:30 Picking up 3000 hitchhikers 10:00 Meeting Rejoice 12:55 Chad's tallest peak - Emi Koussi 18:00 Libya's tallest mountain - Bikku Bitti 27:00 South Sudan's tallest peak - Kinyeti 30:00 Sudan's tallest mountain - Jebel Marra 34:00 Four Lessons 40:00 Q&A  Feedback Leave an anonymous voicemail on SpeakPipe.com/FTapon Or go to Wanderlearn.com, click on this episode, and write a comment. More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Watch the 3-minute video of what it's like to feed and kiss elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  In mid-November 2024, hear me speak at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand! TIMELINE 00:00 Intro 00:23 Feeding bananas 01:15 Kissing 02:10 Hung   More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHW-9M4Vrc4 Ric and I talked in Thailand about Thai hospitality, international marriages, and the November 2024 Extraordinary Travel Festival! In mid-November 2024, hear me speak at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand! TIMELINE 00:00 Why Ric lives in Thailand 01:17 Sincerity of Thai hospitality 04:00 International marriages 07:00 ETF 2 #thailand #ETF2 #travel   

Palle Bo and I met in Toronto this week to discuss the global hot spots and the US election. We chat about Harris vs. Trump, Ukraine, Taiwan, and Gaza. Palle has been to Taiwan and recently went to Ukraine, near the front lines. As an outsider, he's bewildered by the US election. We recorded this a day before Harris picked her VP, Walz. Please subscribe to Palle's Radio Vagabond podcast! Enjoy other Palle Bo episodes!  More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.  

Every country has been colonized or occupied, including Thailand. However, Thailand is one of the handful of countries that did not get formally colonized for an extended period.  Why? How? I answer that question in this 2-minute video. In mid-November 2024, hear me speak at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand!   More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.  

In mid-November 2024, hear me speak at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand! Watch the video of this episode! For good reason, Thailand is called the Land of the Smiles: the Thais smile easily and often! It reminds me of Africans or Latin Americans. However, how sincere is that smile? As I wrapped up my Thailand tour, I reflected on that question. What do you think? More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

ERROR: At the start and end of this video, I say that the Carnival Magic amusement park is in BANGKOK. That's WRONG! It's in PHUKET, Thailand. I'm sorry for the error. There is no Carnival Magic in Bangkok. I should have known better since I filmed all the footage in this video! Phuket is a 12-hour drive or 75-minute flight from Bangkok.  In mid-November 2024, hear me speak at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand! Carnival Magic is a massive Thai cultural carnival theme park in Phuket, Thailand. It is the world's first Thai carnival theme park, spanning over 40 acres and featuring dazzling lights, colors, and imagery celebrating Thailand's rich cultural heritage and traditional festivals.[1][2] Key Features - Inspired by exotic carnivals worldwide, Carnival Magic presents breathtaking evening celebrations, regal pageantry, and cultural fun unmatched by any other show.[1] - It features the world's longest parade float on a gigantic 70-meter stage in a 2,200-seat theater.[3] - The park boasts the world's largest light and sound show, the world's largest LED sculpture, and the world's tallest popcorn machine.[3] - Illuminated by 40 million lights in a dazzling display of colors and vibes, offering an extraordinary experience.[3] - Holds 9 Guinness World Records, making it Thailand's most awarded company by the Guinness World Record Organization.[3] History and Development - Envisioned in 2003 by the parent company Phuket FantaSea, to create a fantasyland celebrating Thai culture and traditions.[3] - Construction was halted and restarted 3 times due to the 2004 tsunami, the late 2000s recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] - Finally unveiled in 2022 after persistent efforts, with an investment of over $150 million, making it the largest theme park development in Thailand.[3] Carnival Magic offers a unique and immersive experience, showcasing Thailand's vibrant culture through spectacular shows, parades, and attractions, making it a must-visit destination for local and international visitors.[1][2][3][4][5] Citations: [1] https://www.carnivalmagic.fun/eng/ [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvzScwzVfhU [3] https://www.carnivalmagic.fun/eng/about.php [4] https://www.tourismthailand.org/Entertainment/carnival-magic [5] https://www.tripadvisor.ca/AttractionProductReview-g293920-d25008237-Carnival_Magic_Theme_Park_in_Thailand-Phuket.html 999 Moo 3 Kamala Kathu Phuket 83150  Call : +66 76 385 555 Email : info@carnivalmagic.fun  

  If there was ever a podcast where you're better off seeing the video, this is it! It features lots of footage that I shot the first time I visited. In mid-November 2024, hear me speak at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand! Timeline 00:00 Intro 00:50 History 03:05 Temples 04:10  Islands 05:38 Snorkeling, SCUBA diving, & fish 07:15 Lodging 08:15 People 09:00 Dance & nightlife This video gives you an exciting overview of Thailand! You'll learn about Thailand's history, beaches, aquatic sea life, temples, languages, culture, nightlife, and dancing. Subscribe to watch my video kissing a Thai elephant! Video script Welcome to the Land of Smiles! Thailand is a country that tantalizes your taste buds, tickles your senses, and leaves you wondering if you've accidentally stepped into a vibrant dream. Thailand has got to be one of the most aptly named countries on the planet. The “Land of Smiles” delivers grins at every turn with its beautiful scenery, delightfully eccentric cultural experiences, and some of the most blissed-out, friendly people you'll ever encounter. Just be prepared for lots of bewildered head-scratching and delighted laughter as you embrace the organized chaos and tongue-in-cheek whimsy that makes traveling here such an endlessly entertaining adventure. A History with More Spice Than Your Pad Thai Thailand boasts a history as rich and complex as a bowl of tom yum soup. Kingdoms rose and fell, leaving behind a trail of magnificent temples and enough intrigue to make a soap opera jealous. We won't bore you with dates (because, let's face it, remembering your anniversary is hard enough), but here's the gist: powerful empires, epic battles fought on elephant back (seriously!), and a whole lot of cultural exchange. The Thais like to refer to their nation as the “Land of the Free” since they proudly managed to avoid getting colonized by myopic European powers who were too distracted trying to invent terrible ideas like bloodsports and obesity. The origins of this glorious nation trace back to the ancient Sukhothai kingdom, which ruled large swaths of present-day Thailand from the 13th to 15th centuries and essentially laid the groundwork for all the mischief to come. They invented the Thai alphabet, converted the nation to Theravada Buddhism (a spirituality that preaches detachment yet somehow birthed the Muay Thai boxing culture), and kick-started a prolific period of temple construction that persists today. Thailand maintained a rich, quirky cultural identity through a delightfully convoluted pageant of kingdoms and capitals. Thailand's history is like a spicy curry – full of twists, turns, and unexpected ingredients. Imagine a time when Ayutthaya was the New York City of Southeast Asia, bustling with trade, culture, and probably a few epic food fights. Then came the Burmese invasion, like a hangry Godzilla stomping through the city. But fear not! The Thais rebuilt, and today, Ayutthaya's ruins are a testament to resilience and the importance of investing in sturdy walls. Thailand's history is as colorful as its temples and diverse as its cuisine. From ancient civilizations to modern-day monarchy, this country has seen it all. Fast forward to today, and Thailand is a vibrant mix of tradition and modern life. You'll find glittering skyscrapers sharing the skyline with ancient temples, monks in saffron robes browsing smartphones, and grandmothers selling mango-sticky rice beside sleek cafes. The Grand Palace complex is a must-see if only to check off “tour the wildly ornate milieu of one of the world's most eccentric, propaganda-addicted royal dynasties” from your bucket list. The palace grounds feature the famous Emerald Buddha sculpture - a diminutive jade figure that looks like something you'd win at a county fair but is priceless to Buddhists. Nearby sits the aptly named Wat Pho, home to the epic Reclining Buddha statue that's so colossal you half expect it to pop up and start rapping about all the golden donuts it ate. Temples and Religion: Where Buddha Takes Center Stage Thailand has more temples than there are grains of sand on its beaches. Wat Pho's reclining Buddha is so chill it's practically horizontal. And the Grand Palace? It's like a wedding cake made of gold and gemstones. As for religion, Thais blend Buddhism with a dash of animism, like adding chili to mango sticky rice. It's a spiritual cocktail that keeps the universe in balance. Thailand is steeped in Buddhism, and the magnificent temples testify to the country's rich spiritual heritage. Wat Pho will leave you speechless with its reclining Buddha and towering golden chedis. In Ayutthaya, explore the crumbling ruins of ancient temples, remnants of a once-great kingdom. Island Hopping: The Aquatic Adventure Now, let's get to the good stuff: the islands! Thailand's coastline is dotted with gems – Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Krabi – each offering a slice of paradise. But getting there is half the fun (or mild terror, depending on your seafaring tolerance). Imagine yourself crammed onto a longtail boat, the wind whipping through your hair (and possibly carrying off your hat). The turquoise water stretches out before you, but don't get too mesmerized – keep an eye out for the inevitable spray that might leave you looking like a contestant on Wipeout. Thai's islands are like a buffet of paradise, and you're the hungry traveler with a plate (or boat) to fill. The joy of island hopping is like speed dating with beaches – each has its personality. Some are shy and secluded, while others flaunt limestone cliffs and party vibes. And let's not forget the snorkeling – it's like attending a marine masquerade ball, where fish wear sequined scales and dance to the rhythm of the tides. The Andaman islands like Phuket, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Lanta, and Ko Lipe have appeared on approximately one zillion desktop wallpaper screensavers with their sugar sand beaches, cliffs of swirled limestone karsts, and forests of coconut trees casually minding their own bad hair day business. Offshore, the islands offer some of planet Earth's most insane snorkeling and diving thanks to absurdly vibrant coral reefs and a psychedelically promiscuous marine life community. Marine Life: More Than Just Nemo The minute you slip beneath the waves in Thailand, you enter a technicolor wonderland. Let's talk fish – we're not talking goldfish crackers here. You've got graceful angelfish gliding by and maybe even the occasional grumpy-looking moray eel poking out of a hole. For the more adventurous, vibrant coral reefs are teeming with life. Picture schools of shimmering blue tangs, trumpetfish with their Pinocchio noses, and perhaps a majestic manta ray gliding past like a giant underwater spaceship. Underwater, Thailand's marine life is a kaleidoscope of colors. The Phi Phi islands have emerged as the undisputed snorkelers' playground thanks to their rockin' reefs populated by residents like the omnipresent clownfish–yup, the one that found Nemo – but also the elusive seahorse, basically the James Bond of the sea. And then there's the triggerfish, with a face only a mother could love. But hey, beauty is subjective, right? The coral reefs are like underwater cities, bustling with activity. Remember, don't touch the coral – it's like graffiti on the Mona Lisa. With 4000 km of coastline, Thailand's incredibly biodiverse marine ecosystems delight snorkelers, divers, and beachgoers alike. The warm, clear waters of the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand allow optimal visibility to witness vivid coral gardens and drifting schools of tropical fish. Some of the most colorful aquatic life you may spot includes the electric blue-and-yellow regal angelfish, the aptly named clownfish darting in and out of swaying anemones, vibrant parrotfish, and powder blue tang swimming through staghorn coral mazes. Stay very still, and you may even catch sight of free-swimming moray eels slithering across the reefs or skillfully camouflaged scorpionfish. Luxury Hotels: Where Dreams Come True (and Wallets Cry) Craving a touch of luxury after your island adventure? Thailand has you covered. We're talking opulent beachfront resorts with infinity pools that seem to melt into the horizon, private plunge pools big enough to host a pool party, and service so good you might start questioning your ability to tie your own shoes. The best part? These luxury digs won't leave you needing a second mortgage. Thailand offers incredible value for money, so you can live like royalty without needing to win the lottery. Thailand's luxury hotels redefine opulence. Imagine waking up in a floating villa. Or sipping champagne in a rooftop pool overlooking Bangkok's skyline – it's like swimming in liquid stardust. And the spa treatments? They're so relaxing, you'll forget your own name. Friendly People: Hugs, Smiles, and Tuk-Tuk Negotiations Thais are the friendliest folks on this side of the Milky Way. They'll greet you with a wai (a respectful bow) and feed you until you waddle.. Thais are renowned for their hospitality, their smiles as warm and welcoming as a bowl of khao tom (chicken rice soup – trust us, it's amazing). Communication might be a challenge sometimes but don't worry, a little game of charades goes a long way. Plus, the locals often appreciate the effort, rewarding you with a hearty laugh and maybe even a discount on that souvenir elephant keychain. Of course, there's always the grumpy taxi driver, the one who seems to have forgotten the “Land of Smiles” motto. But hey, even grumpy adds flavor to the experience, right? Dance Performances and Entertainment: Hip-Shaking Extravaganza Thailand's dance performances are like a fusion of Cirque du Soleil and a tropical storm. The traditional khon dance tells epic tales of gods, demons, and love triangles. Meanwhile, the ladyboys of Pattaya leave you questioning your hip flexibility. And the nightlife? It's a neon jungle where cocktails flow like waterfalls, and neon signs promise enlightenment (or at least a blurry selfie). Thailand's nightlife is as vibrant as the orchids at every market. Want to be dazzled by elaborate dance performances with glittering costumes and gravity-defying moves? Head to a cabaret show – just be prepared to have your gender stereotypes playfully challenged by the stunning ladyboys. For something a little more low-key, wander through a night market, where you'll find street performers juggling fire, musicians filling the air with soulful melodies, and puppet shows that will transport you back to your childhood. So there you have it – Thailand, where elephants roam, tuk-tuks zigzag, and every street corner smells like a stir-fry adventure. Pack your sense of humor, an empty stomach, and an extra pair of flip-flops – you're in for a wild ride!