WHYLD - Podcast for Bold Authentic People (And Those Who Wish They Were)

Send us a text"Go explore, meet strangers, listen, and ask questions. Tell them what the world looks like through your eyes. And, most importantly, make them feel safe and appreciated when sharing their own perspective. "Episode Teaser:Why it is time to say goodbyeKey messages curated from 9 former guest episodesBig THANK you to all listeners & supportersAfter an incredible journey spanning 50 episodes and almost 5 years, we are signing off WHYLD Podcast. Time to celebrate and share the top takeaways with you!Join host Tina one more time to revisit the podcast's beginnings, born from a desire to connect authentically amid the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking back on the countless hours of work and many moments of self-doubt… was it all worth it?  Oh, hell yeah! The unique, intimate conversations with WHYLD's guests inspired our listeners and host alike. From navigating people-pleasing tendencies to making bold life decisions and discovering the healing power of authenticity, WHYLD has featured guests from all walks of life – athletes, artists, explorers, and everyday-life champions. Let nine of them re-share their messages and invite you to a life of authenticity, compassion, and kindness.As the WHYLD journey concludes, we THANK YOU, dear listeners and everyone who has supported the podcast along the way. You mean the world to us. Keep living WHYLDly!Past episodes quoted in this one:WHYLD11: “Challenge Is a Given, Attitude a Choice” - with Kara ScottWHYLD21: “Exploring the World Awake” - with Erik LorenzWHYLD23: “How to Reclaim Life Through Authentic Choices” - with Sam SheppardWHYLD25: “Coming Home. A Gay Woman's Guide to Overcoming Rejection” – with Meagan O'NanWHYLD27: “A Family Sailing the Oceans for a Living” - with Brian TrautmanWHYLD29: “Skin Tales. Body Painting As Healing Art” – with Kristen ZamoraWHYLD39: “Just a Phase? Busting Bisexuality Stereotypes” - with Mark CusackWHYLD41: “Is It Selfish Not to Have Children” – with Veronica (The Childfree Connection)WHYLD43: “Words Divide, Words Unite? The Magical World of Lobsterbird” – with LobsterbirdDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Send us a textCould you do it? “My biggest fear of the journey wasn't dying. It was getting forced to use a motor." Episode teaser - what do we talk about? What did Markus experience on his journey home from India? What are the challenges of long-term solo sailing? #What is the reason Markus got – accidentally - moved by a motor for a few seconds? What was it like returning to a motorized world after 8 years? And… what's next? In more words:Hop on the sailboat with Markus Pukonen, as he continues his epic 8-year, no-motors circumnavigation of the planet. The Covid lockdown in India finally lifted and a window of opportunity opened to make his way back to Canada. Which, of course, took him another couple of years and many more challenges to overcome… For his inspiring project “Routes of Change”, Markus experienced first-hand just how much our world is made for the use of motors. Walking, paddling, sailing, cycling, skiing, pogo-sticking… Markus went above and beyond to trick his way around “motor barriers”. Yet, of the 2864 days on his journey, he unintentionally got moved by motors for an aggregated 12 seconds. What's your guess how that happened? In July 2023, Markus eventually made it back to Toronto. What was it like being home again after eight long years? And what vehicle did Markus choose for his reintegration into the motorized world? Tune in to hear the full story. Helpful resources / mentioned in the episode:Trace Markus' route on findpenguins.comWHYLD Podcast episode 2 with Thomas Clemens who walked the Pacific Crest TrailDo you want to connect with Markus?Website - www.routesofchange.orgDonate here - www.routesofchange.org/donatePatreon - www.patreon.com/RoutesofchangeYouTube - @RoutesofchangeInstagram - @RoutesofchangeFacebook - @RoutesofchangeDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Send us a textHow far could you travel without using any motor? “I asked myself, what would I do if I found out that I was gonna die in two weeks? What could I be doing, where I would have no regrets? […] That's where the Routes of Change project came from.” Episode teaser - what do we talk about?Ways to prepare… for a no-motors circumnavigation of the globe Ways to propel… yourself when motors aren't an option Ways to protect… the planet are available to everyone In more words:In this episode (part 1 of 2), Markus Pukonen shares with us the story of his incredible eight-year, strictly-no-motors circumnavigation of the globe. From Canada (2015) to Canada (2023), using muscle and wind power only, how is that even possible? Through his inspiring project, Routes of Change, Markus shows us ways we can explore the world while simultaneously respecting our planet. Ways like canoeing, hand-cycling, pogo-sticking, biking, sailing, walking… in Markus' case, a total of 73,000 kilometres. It wasn't just distance Markus had to overcome. From flesh-eating bacteria and raging storms while sailing solo to having his bicycle swallowed by Mekong river rapids… the physical and mental challenges during his 2864 days on the “road” will blow your mind. Listen to this episode to accompany Markus from Canada to India, where, after 5 years of travelling, his journey came to an abrupt halt. To be continued in episode 50. Helpful resources / mentioned in the episode:Markus' route on findpenguins.comRescue after ocean row boat capsized - here is a news articleIf you, too, don't know what a pogo stick is – a Wikipedia article Wwoofing (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms)Do you want to connect with Markus?Website - www.routesofchange.orgDonate here - www.routesofchange.org/donatePatreon - www.patreon.com/RoutesofchangeYouTube - @RoutesofchangeInstagram - @RoutesofchangeFacebook - @RoutesofchangeDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Send us a Text Message.Lift heavy sh**! “It was tough playing sports, having a period and from a young age of 15, I was having a lot of problems, like endometriosis. For those of you that don't know, you get all sorts of symptoms - heavy, bleeding, painful cramps.”  Episode summary:Tech, travel, triathlon – why a full-time job is no excuse not to go IRONMAN!“Women aren't small men” - how can you work with rather than against your cycle?Trust your body – what if it does not agree with your doctors?Endometriosis, perimenopause, hysterectomy? Don't worry, we'll enlighten you what all that means! In more words:Some would say that juggling a full-time job - one which entails a crazy amount of business travel - and serious athletic ambitions is admirable enough. Swim-bike-running Ironmans while battered by nausea and severe cramps is yet another level of willingness to suffer.Triathlete April Yoho (formerly Edwards) has been suffering from endometriosis since a young age. But all hell broke loose when she stopped taking “the pill” to regain her natural cycle and train according to it. What followed was a long medical journey full of dead-ends and doctors who were big on “I-know-better-than-you” and less generous with empathy.Listen to this power woman chat about her work in tech, relocating to the UK for a better quality of life, body type myths when it comes to who can be a triathlete, and battling endometriosis all the while "lifting heavy sh**" (a reference to Stacy Sims' book "ROAR").You can contact April here.Mentioned in this episode:April's blog post we discussed in the episodeDave Scott (triathlete) Ironman Triathlon – a series of long-distance triathlon races, the most famous one being held in Kona, Hawaii Stacy Sims, author of the mentioned book “Roar” & many more A few medical terms that we discussed:Endometriosis - medical condition Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) - a form of hormone therapy used to treat symptoms associated with female menopause Hysterectomy - surgical removal of the uterus and cervix Intrauterine device (IUD) - a birth control device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy Perimenopause - transition phase leading up to menopause Tubal Ligation (commonly known as having one's "tubes tied") - surgical procedure for female sterilization Vasectomy - surgical proDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

How could she have survived?“I didn't have a playbook at all. Nobody told me on February 15th to go on CNN and yell at the president to do something and to take action. I just did it.”Summary of what we talk about in the episode:Who was Alyssa Alhadeff?What happened in Parkland on February 14th 2018?How does a stay-at-home mom change the law?What could help prevent school shootings (or help stop them earlier)? In more words:It should have been a peaceful day. Valentine's Day. School was nearly over. And then the unthinkable happened…The day Alyssa Alhadeff and sixteen other souls died at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, everything turned upside down. It shook a nation – once more. It left a scar in Parkland's oh-so-peaceful community. And it altered Lori Alhadeff's forever. On February 13th 2018, she had been a stay-at-home mum of three. On February 15th, darkest grief had remade her into a fierce fighter on a national stage. Turning her grief into action, Lori became a relentless change-maker. Today, she needs two secretaries to organize her busy, public life. “Now I'm Alyssa's voice and I know that the tragedy happened, but we have to make a change moving forward.”Through their non-profit organisation “Make Our Schools Safe”, Lori and Ilan Alhadeff seek to prevent other parents from having to endure the pain of losing a child to a school shooting. Helpful resources if you want to understand what exactly happened at Marjory Stoneman High School on Feb 14th 2018:Wikipedia article about the tragedyDocumentary (available on YouTube): ”Parkland: Inside Building 12” Information on Lori Alhadeff's work:Make Our Schools SafeAlyssa's LawInstagram: @makeourschoolssafeFacebook: @MakeOurSchoolsSafe17TikTok: @makeourschoolssafe_Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Do you know who you are? “You're not white enough for the white people. You're not brown enough for the brown people, and it's our own people judging us.”Summary of what we talk about in the episode:Cultural belonging, financial pressures & mental health - what is it like being a Latino in the US?Vulnerability is strength? From “machismo” to authenticity.What crucial conversations shouldn't you avoid in a relationship?International development work (and beyond) – how can LISTENING be a game changer?Trailblazers – what qualities can first-generation immigrants tap into to make an impact?In more words: Dr. Paul Rivera was raised between worlds. Growing up in the US as the son of a Mexican mother and a Salvadorian father, he spoke English at school, and Spanish at home. And there were more dualities: Blue-collar background, white-collar aspirations. Public appearance, private struggles. Machismo versus vulnerability, people-pleasing versus authenticity.The latter opposing forces became a fight that defined many years of his life. Limiting gender norms and lack of communication stood in the way of his authentic self-expression as well as a fulfilled marriage.“I became a very inauthentic version of myself. I got to the point where I didn't recognise who I was.“But Paul always knew there was more to life and more to himself. He learned to speak multiple languages, travelled to 115 countries, became a father, a professor, and a diplomat (to name just a few of his roles).Today, Paul values authenticity more than people-pleasing and makes sure he has all the crucial conversations with Esther, his second wife. With their mutual business “Be. Act. Change”, Esther and Paul help individuals and organisations harness their full potential and achieve more.Mentioned in this episode: Book “Brown Enough” written by Christopher Rivas Own book, “Creating Your Limitless Life”, by Paul Rivera & Esther Zeledon: You can listen to the story of another person who grew up with dualities and became a bridge builder: Lobsterbird, WHYLD Episode 43  If you listen carefully to WHYLD Episode 7, you can hear Francesco's Italian hand gestures...Dish of the Dominican Republic we spoke about: "Sancocho"One of Paul's favourite books: “The Practice Effect” by David BrinDo you want to connect with Paul (& Esther)?Website: Be Act ChangeInstagram: @be.act.change & @riveraeconFacebook: Be Act ChangeYouTube: @be.act.changeDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

How authentic do you allow yourself to be, truly? “Given the big role working plays in our lives, it would be a big loss if we couldn't be ourselves at work, wouldn't it?”In short, we talk about this in the episode:How does your body let you know when you are in alignment – and when you are straying from your truth?In which situations or environments do you suppress your authenticity?How could you change that?If you made that change, how would your life be different? This episode is special. You are not going to meet a stranger and hear about their version of an authentic life. Instead, it is all about YOU. This episode is a guided visualization exercise, an invitation to reflect on your level of authenticity in important areas of your life, namely your relationships and your work life (no matter what you consider your work to be, e.g. employment, self-employment, volunteering, studying, homemaking, care work, studying etc.). You will be tuning into the language your body uses to signal that you are straying from your truth in unhealthy ways. And what it feels like when you are in alignment. You will be able to identify situations and environments in which you suppress your authentic self… and, thus, identify opportunities to change thanks to your heightened awareness. I will be guiding you to reflect on questions like:Do you alter your appearance for work, and how does that make you feel?Who are the people in whose presence you feel tense and inhibited?Is it uncomfortable for you just to sit with yourself – exposed to your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations – without a distraction?When do you feel most alive, and how can you tell? I invite you to give this episode - this guided journey - an honest try. If you prefer READING the exercise instructions, you can find them in the corresponding blog article on www.whyld.one.Let me know what you think of the exercise and this format of a guided visualization / reflection in general! Thank you & much love TinaDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Can you imagine paying for a sexual service? “My goal is that a client is not booking me again.”  In short, we talk about this in the episode:Why do women pay for sex? And is it a bad thing?How does one become a callboy… and why?Why does a sex worker say, “my aim is that no woman calls twice”?Is this even legal? Germany's Prostitution Protection Act and what introducing the “Nordic Model” would mean for consumers.Why might it feel safer for someone to book an escort than to go on a dating site?In more words:If this question appals you, please don't run away just yet. Sex work is an edgy topic and people tend to have strong opinions about it. As always with this podcast, you are invited to explore your (dis)comfort zone and respectfully meet perspectives different from your own. In this episode, you'll meet Ben Nordmann. Ben is passionate about creating positive, inclusive, and empowering spaces for people - in his job as a designer… and as a “supportive” escort. Typical job combination, right? The latter profession takes Ben on international travel to meet with his female “hosts” and explore their desires… Why Ben chose this path, what the motives of his clients are, and how it all works - learn that and more from this rare and very open account of a male “callboy”. Contrasting Ben's happy and self-determined situation, we also spoke about the darker sides of sex work – and why the current political push in Germany to criminalize “consumers” in general might not solve the issues after all while punishing an entire industry. Mentioned in this episode:Ben is a member of the Germany-based Professional Association for Erotic and Sexual Services (BesD e.V.): www.berufsverband-sexarbeit.de (English translation available) Currently, the “Prostitute Protection Act” / “Prostituiertenschutzgesetz" is the legal foundation for sex work in Germany.There is a political push in Germany to introduce the „Nordic Model” which would penalize the clients of sex workers. Ben offers a “Trusted Guest Program” on his website www.justnotbed.com - potential clients can contact Ben's former hosts to learn what the experience was like.Do you want to connect with Ben?Platform (for himself & other professionals sharing the same values): www.justnotbed.comPersonal website: www.ben-nordmann.comIG (platform): @justnotbed_ IG (just Ben): @ben_nordmannTwitter: @justnotbedDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

What is a Lobsterbird? “As the saying goes: A fish and a bird could fall in love. But where would they live?” In short, we talk about this in the episode: White-Asian, male-female, arts-science - what is it like to be a builder of bridges between polarities? 88 temples in 24 days – why Lobsterbird completed Japan's Shikoku pilgrimage in record time and what a rice field can teach you. Wormholes, wisdom, wonders – how Tina was challenged by Lobsterbird's language but found: We are not that different after all.In more words: Imagine recording a whole podcast episode on the topic of your name, just so you don't have to repeat the whole story to every new person you meet individually. Welcome to the world of Lobsterbird!Like their name, Lobsterbird as a person defies a short, unidimensional description. Multiprismatic, neuroemergent, and non-binary are but a few descriptors they like to use for themself. Born to “an Asian woman and a white dude”, Lobsterbird's path as a social chameleon, a wanderer between worlds, was predestined. As an artist, a healer, a guide, Lobsterbird's mission is to help people find their purpose and transcend their limitations, in order to help build a better world. This episode was born out of hesitation, a tension between different universes. Instead of turning away from the initial insecurities with one another, host and guest instead decided to go for exposure, exploration, and radical honesty with each other. What a magical experience! Enjoy the episode to learn more about barkeeping crustaceans, virtual pilgrimages, and the transformational powers of rice fields. Mentioned in this episode: Lobsterbird's Bridge to Being PodcastBridge to Being #43 “What the hell is a Lobsterbird?”Lobsterbird's Books: “Phase Out” and “Level Up”Tibetan Vajrayana BuddhismShikoku Pilgrimage Do you want to connect with Lobsterbird? Website: www.lobsterbird.comInstagram: @thelobsterbirdFacebook: @thelobsterbirdDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

How long can you hold your breath? “90% of the blackouts happen near the surface at the very end of the dive.”  In short, we talk about this in the episode: How dangerous is freediving really? Step by step, what happens during a vertical freedive?  What surprising reflexes help humans survive longer underwater? Who was Stephen Keenan to Lily and what happened on July 22nd, 2017?  In more words: Imagine walking 120 meters (131 yards) on one breath. Think you can make it?  And now imagine doing the same thing… diving. Miscalculated, ran out of oxygen? Tough luck, no way to breathe before you reach the surface! What sounds like a crazy, dangerous endeavour is Lily Crespy's passion and the most peaceful activity she can imagine. Freediving. Upon discovering this niche sport, not even a broken leg could stop Lily from diving into a new life. Formerly a molecular biologist, Lily became an athlete, competing in the world championships, and working internationally as a freediving instructor. In 2017, a tragic accident (“The Deepest Breath” movie, available on Netflix) involving Lily's friends - world-renowned safety diver Stephen Keenan and record-breaking freediving champion Alessia Zecchini – changed the trajectory of Lily's career.  Let Lily take you on a deep dive and explain the intriguing physiological reflexes that help humans survive longer underwater. Listen to her personal account of Stephen Keenan's fatal accident. And learn what she is up to now, writing a new chapter back home in Nice, France. Mentioned in this episode: “The Deepest Breath” movie“The Big Blue” movieWim Hof breathing method (NOT to be used for freediving in the water; can be used for static apnea)Mammalian Dive Reflex (set of physiological responses to immersion in water)Laryngospasm (protective reflex against pulmonary aspiration)Blow-Tap-Talk (method to recover blacked-out diver)Alexey Molchanov  & Natalia Molchanova († 2nd August 2015)Dahab Freedivers (freediving school in Dahab, Egypt, founded by Pascal Berger, Miguel Lozano, and Stephen Keenan, later run by Lily Crespy as manager)Alessia ZecchiniStephen Keenan († 22nd July 2017)Do you want to connect with Lily?www.enki-coaching.comIG: @lilycrespyFB: @lily.crespyDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Do I have to have kids? “Moms reach out to me all the time and share their stories and say that they just weren't aware that they had the choice.” In short, we talk about this in the episode:How can you find out if you (don't) want to have kids? Is being childfree different for men vs. women? Should “kids, yes or no” be a topic on your first date?  Why is this such a sensitive topic? In more words:Veronica grew up in a very traditional Hispanic home where the father worked and the mom… worked, too. This came on top of taking care of the household and children, “of course”.Being overworked and last on the to-care-for list was not a model young Veronica fancied for her future. Yet, for a long time, she didn't know she had a choice.Now 47 and confidently childfree, Veronica knows all about the pressure and the prejudice society applies to people for whom having children is not a given but an option - one that is considered very consciously.Together with her partner Rick, the Austin-based woman with a captivating smile founded “The Childfree Connection” – a global membership community for like-minded individuals.In the episode, we discuss the many stereotypes about childfree people, why many parents feel offended by this topic, what Veronica calls the “But Trap”, and how Veronica thinks about her old age without kids. Resources mentioned in this episode:Earth Overshoot Day – incorrectly addressed as “Earth Day” in the episode: The day of each year when humanity has used up the natural resources available in a year. The more people we become and the less sustainably we act, the earlier the date on which humanity passes this troublesome mark each passing year.“Is childfree for me?” - program + private community offered by VeronicaDo you want to connect with Veronica?Website: www.thechildfreeconnection.comInstagram: @thechildfreeconnectionFacebook: @thechildfreeconnectionDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Is “should” still part of your vocabulary? If it's not a F*** YES, it's a F*** NO!  In short, we talk about this in the episode:How the way you are eating might reflect your connection with yourself.How a “head person” might find access to their heart's voice.What you might want to know about the local culture before moving to the Azores…In more words:Alexandra “Allie” Elle has not always been this connected with the callings of her inner voice. The passionate writer lived with a severe eating disorder for nearly two decades. The anorexia that had once filled a void, lies slumbering now and serves as a beacon for when Allie strays from her truth.  Equipped with a wild curiosity, a fearlessness, and a radical love for what's authentically human, she followed her soul on a nomad journey to self. From Canada, where she grew up, past a small island in the Atlantic, where she leaped and fell, all the way to Poland, where her roots called. Listen to Allie share about her difficulties in navigating cultural clashes, reconciling the intellect and heart, making truthful decisions - and erroring at times.  Resources mentioned in this episode:Gabor Maté - www.drgabormate.com“Wise Mind”- Concept of Dialectic Behavior TherapyDo you want to connect with Allie?Instagram: @alexandraelle.writerDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Is it just a phase? “For that whole time, I was not being authentic. I was low-level terrified on a daily basis. And it doesn't take an expert to think about the effect that has on someone's nervous system. That repression is deadly.” In short, we talk about this in the episode: What are the stereotypes around bisexuality?Can gender-fluid people find partners?How are authenticity & mental health connected?In more words: “Promiscuous, unreliable, secretly gay or straight” – bisexual (or pansexual) individuals find themselves stereotyped and often even rejected by potential partners.Mark Cusack makes it a point to debunk these and other myths about sexuality, romance, and gender on his social media platform “notdefining”.Growing up, Mark (he/they) felt alienated by gender expectations and unable to grasp his fluid sexual orientation. Out of fear that his full self might be rejected, he remained closeted, repressed what was queer about him, and questioned his identity in silence.Unfortunately, repression doesn't go well with one's mental health. Battling with severe depression and anxiety is the price Mark paid for that life in the closet. But not anymore. Today, by being unapologetically authentic, Mark is the mentor he wished he had back then. “Every pot has its lid”, a popular German proverb, meaning: While you might think you are just too weird, too queer, too in-between to be lovable, remember that there are always people who are attracted specifically to who you are. And no matter their orientation: Everyone is attracted to authenticity and self-love. If you are questioning your sexuality or facing mental health struggles because of it, don't do it on your own. Go check out @notdefining across social media to find a supportive community led by the incredibly kind, and welcoming Mark Cusack. Do you want to connect with Mark?All-in-one-go: www.campsite.bio/notdefiningInstagram: @notdefiningYouTube: @notdefiningTikTok: @notdefiningTwitter: @notdefiningPatreon: @notdefining Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Do poverty, war, and health crises really lie outside of your responsibility? "I grew up with this sense of how inappropriate and unfair the world is. And how I shouldn't be passive in this injustice and that I shouldn't just take care of myself."  In short, we talk about this in the episode: How to become THAT person who saves lives worldwide on a Doctors Without Borders mission. What day-to-day humanitarian aid work is really like, beyond what you learn on the news. The emotional impact of working in crisis zones, how to cope with and grow through them.In more words: With an English-Canadian mother and a refugee from Iran for a father, Reza Eshaghian grew up with an awareness of multiculturalism and differences in living standards. Not wanting to follow in the footsteps of his father, a doctor, young Reza aspired to become a computer game developer instead - until a fateful book, “An Imperfect Offering” by James Orbinski, changed his path in life dramatically. With commendable persistence, Reza took each step of his education and career so he would eventually become eligible for his goal: Signing up as a humanitarian physician with Doctors Without Border / Médecins Sans Frontières and helping those fighting for survival in crisis zones around the world. In nine years of working with MSF, Reza has served in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Yemen, and Ukraine. This episode offers a first-person account of the things you did not expect humanitarian aid work to be like. Among others, we delve into the following questions: What do you need to do to become a humanitarian doctor with MSF in the first place? Can you choose where to go? How can you reconcile a career at home with being abroad for months on end? In what ways is the fieldwork not all like you would expect? What emotional impact does this work have and how does one deal with it?  Thank you, Reza, for these valuable insights and the existential work you do. If you, dear listener/reader, want to help Reza and his colleagues help others, maybe you want to consider donating to MSF? Resources mentioned in this episode: Médecins Sans Frontières: www.msf.orgDonate here: www.msf.org/donateReza playing piano – “Kercha” on YouTube Reza's favourite Iranian dish - “Fezenjan”Book by James Orbinski - “An Imperfect Offering” Do you want to connect with Reza? Twitter: @reshaghian Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Do you know how to ask for what you desire, embrace a “no” response, and respect your own boundaries?“I'm learning that to be a whole person and a happier person, I need to have conversations that are challenging all the time. Almost daily.”In short, in this episode, we talk about:What professional cuddling is and why it is valuable work.How cuddling events can teach you about boundary setting and navigating difficult situations.Why having an intimacy coordinator professional on set is an important asset in keeping actors and actresses safe throughout intimate scenes. With more words:Being a professional cuddler, the founder of “Cuddle Sanctuary”, as well as an intimacy professional for theatre, film, and TV, Jean Franzblau does not find it easy to explain what she does for a living.In her role as “Cuddle Queen Jean”, she bridges the gap between the astonishingly prevalent notion that there is not much to be taught about cuddling and the striking deficits in our culture regarding voicing needs and acting with consent. Especially when it comes to sexuality and other forms of vulnerable human interaction.Thus, Jean is on a mission to educate people on boundary-aware intimacy and to create safer environments for its exploration.Those who dare, join Jean in Cuddle Sanctuary's events in California to practice navigating boundaries and to invite the nurturing experiences they seek. Jean also trains people around the world to become facilitators of cuddle events themselves. As an intimacy professional, Jean coordinates between actors, writers, directors and others involved, to ensure emotional safety during a scene that involves nudity, played sexuality or even sexual violence.Resources mentioned in this episode:Buzzfeed Video: “People Spoon With Professional Cuddlers For The First Time” Movie: "We Need to Talk About Kevin" (Wikipedia)IFS – Internal Family Systems (Wikipedia)Book: Creating Consent Culture: A Handbook for Educators (von Marcia Baczynski (Author), Erica Scott (Author))Me Too Movement & Emily MeadePioneer intimacy coordinator: Alicia RodisYouTube yoga channel: "Yoga with Adriene" (& Benji)Do you want to connect with Jean?Website: www.jeanfranzblau.comYouTube: @CuddleSanctuaryInstagram: @hollywoodintimacycoordinator & @cuddlesanctuaryFacebook: @cuddlesanctuaryDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? “The Camino de Santiago […], known in English as the Way of St James, is a network of pilgrims' ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain.” (Wikipedia) On May 17th 2023, Tina is starting off on a big adventure and physical challenge: Walking the Camino Portugués, a 250+ (depending on the variation) kilometre path from Porto, Portugal, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. On foot, in about 2 weeks.The Camino Portugués is part of the Camino de Santiago's network of paths spanning Europe. Hundreds of thousands are arriving at Santiago's cathedral each year, celebrating their accomplishment, and hugging fellow strangers who, too, have come from far to experience the transformative magic of Camino.In an age when fast-and-far travel is available to many, witnessing every step of the way, like a chain of hundreds of thousands of moments, is a unique call for presence and deceleration. The slowness and sweat, the repetition and reflection, offer the kind of answers and change that many a pilgrim sets out for.In this semi episode of WHYLD Podcast, you learn about the Camino de Santiago and are invited to follow Tina's journey.Do check out WHYLD's Instagram & Facebook accounts for a personal pilgrimage report by Tina.Would you like more info on the Camino? Check out:Pilgrim's Office in SantiagoStingy Nomads blog post with lots of valuable info on the Camino PortuguésInfo on the "Spiritual" detour Tina plans on taking Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

What story will we tell when we are dead?   “There's all sorts of scenarios of death that can be embarrassing. […] It's just very private and very intimate and they're forced into almost having to expose themselves to someone.” In short, we talk about this in the episode:  What made Kari decide to become a mortician and what is it like to be in this job? How is caring for the living often more challenging than working with the dead?   What questions about the dead is Kari being asked most?How does Kari handle the tension between living her life and expecting a distressed caller any minute? What did more than 25 years of caring for the dead teach her about living?  With more words: Upon entering adult life, most of us focus on being full of choices, full of life, and making the most out of it. If we are lucky, getting older, sicker, and eventually dying is not on our to-think-about list at this age. So how come some young people choose to enter a profession that places death at the center of attention? What is it like dealing with loved ones in crisis, grieving and lost, all the time? And what happens to a body once handed over to the care of a funeral home? Kari Northey, single mom and mortician from Michigan, USA, has answers. Even though we generally like to push the thought of death away, we have so many questions and hope that if only we knew more about what's coming it would make us better prepared and feel more in control, when a loved one dies or when we are confronted with our own looming deaths. On her YouTube channel “Kari the Mortician”, it is Kari's mission to make the processes of a funeral home transparent, tangible, and less frightening. Whether it is embalming, cremating, or talking financials, Kari answers the questions of her audience – and does so with lightness and charisma.Resources mentioned in this episode: Kari's interview with "Hospice Nurse Julie": you can watch it on Kari's YouTube channel A tour of a crematory Kari captured for her channel A tour of an embalming room in which Kari explains the use of items like a "head block" "My Girl" -  the movie in which a girl grows up in a house that also holds her father's funeral home in the basement Do you want to connect with Kari? Website: www.karithemortician.com YouTube: @karithemortician Instagram: @kari_the_mortician Facebook: @karithemortician TikTok: @karithemorticianLinkedIn:  @Kari Northey Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

What if what you thought you wanted does not hold true anymore?  “The issue with phases of transitions is that they are exactly that: phases. They might start overnight and surprise the hell out of you. But then they will patiently accompany you until you figure out how to solidify the person soup that you have become.” It feels good to be consistent, to stay true to past statements and beliefs, to be the reliable, steady type of person. But what if things that were valid in the past are overcome by reality? Can you be a consistent person AND change? This solo episode is a vulnerable account of a difficult time, when three pillars of Tina's identity began to sway at once, shaken by the tremors of a personal earthquake. In this episode, Tina talks about: Liquefaction of soil and of an identityReorienting after losing interest in a dream careerAcknowledging the need for fewer stimuli in life Daring to navigate two romantic relationships at onceFinding the one thing that matters in this lifetimeResources mentioned in this episode:Quake City – Exhibition by Canterbury MuseumSoil Liquefaction – some info on WikipediaWHYLD Podcast episode 3, “The Hidden Superpower”WHYLD Podcast episode 33 with Nanda Jansson, “Why Fight the Winter? A Long COVID Journey”Blog post by Martha Beck, “Growing Wings: The Power of Change” Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch!  Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast  Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one   Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Will life ever be the same again?“I felt sick for about 10 days. On the 10th day, I went to bed and I woke up in the middle of the night, feeling literally like there was an elephant on my chest.”Nanda Jansson is one of the unlucky ones who made the acquaintance of COVID-19 in March 2020, while the other billions of us followed cases like hers on the media, safely locked into our homes, not sure what we should believe about this strange new disease that was quickly taking over the planet.A lot of us had lived in some degree of denial, not believing the possible severity of an infection – and its potential to completely change the life which came afterwards.It took Nanda 71 weeks to return to work again. She documented the long journey to recovery on her blog called “Living My Truth”. Her “Corona Chronicles" spread around the planet and helped others navigate their own COVID story.“I don't feel I've been suffering from COVID. I've been surfing the waves. I like to see myself as a resilient surfer.” Nanda, a Dutch woman who found love and a new home in Sweden (“we actually believe we are the world's first internet couple”), is a joy to listen to, as she radiates a deep curiosity and gratitude for life. In this episode, we talk about:A “first waver's” experience of almost dying and ever so slowly recovering from (Long) COVID-19Finding the gift and beauty in slowing downLearning to accept not only the “positive” aspects of our authentic selvesWelcoming challenging times for they change who we are for goodBecoming “person soup”Resources mentioned in this episode:Martha Beck: “The Way of Integrity” (book); “Growing Wings: The Power of Change” (blog post)Katherine May: “Wintering” (book)Nanda Jansson:  “Corona Chronicles” (blog post series)“Wintering” (blog post)"The Elephant on my Lungs” (blog post)Do you want to connect with Nanda?"Living My Truth" blog: www.livingmytruth.seInstagram: @livingmytruth.seFacebook: @livingmytruth.seLinkedIn: Nanda JanssonDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Do you get the sex you want?

What if you chose YOU today? “By making that choice I became significantly happier. And from then on, every time I made a choice that literally felt authentic, I would gain freedom, I would gain happiness.”

„Why do white people hate black people?” This is an honest question ⁉️ which people visiting Candidly Speaking events might seek answers to. In other contexts, (white) people might read this as an accusation and begin to push back – but not in the intimate space ❤️ Adolpha Cole & her team create for their participants.   Candidly Speaking is a concept for

Have you ever, during your travels, had a conversation that was so beautiful, so rare, so impactful that you wished others could have witnessed it? A fleeting moment in time, sharing your universe with a person whom you will likely never meet again. The stranger at the café in Marrakesh, the trucker in New Zealand, the villager in Tonga. Sharing these precious opportunities of diving into another person's world, learning about other ways of looking at and spending life is basically the reason why WHYLD Podcast exists.   For Erik Lorenz, it was his conversation with a German Lieutenant in Cambodia whose passion was to clear the soil from landmines. Erik sought a format to convey this and hundreds of conversations to follow with the world – and found it in podcasting.  A couple of years later, he is the creator of several very successful travel and adventure podcasts including “Weltwach” (German) and “Unfolding Maps”. He is also the author of more than a dozen books. Driven by passion, he did not plan to trade his job at a marketing firm for being a full-time entrepreneur. However, when you are on the path of purpose, you might involuntarily end up being too successful to not take a leap with it… Erik now lives in LA with his husband. From there, he roams our planet, physically or virtually, in search of inspiring voices and their stories about adventurous travels, humbling expeditions, cultural diversity, nature's beauties and a mutual appreciation for all of this. Would you like to know more about Erik's work?check out www.weltwach.de (German) or www.unfoldingmaps.com (English)  Finally, here is an article I published on LinkedIn that was inspired by the tech mishap in this episode: "Engine Failure in Podcasting" - about windy career paths, human error, agile product development, and how it all comes together in my personal podcasting journey.Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

How can you tell a season is ending? That's a question I have asked myself for 19 episodes of WHYLD Podcast

Who needs to do something about it?  For Delia Botea, the answer was “Me.” In Romania, a country where there are 600 000 stray dogs roaming the streets, waiting to be captured and very likely killed, Delia made a choice: If no one helps these poor, often malnourished, injured, sick, abandoned souls… she must do it. Once scared of dogs herself, she started rescuing one dog at a time and had all of her family members host one.  Soon she was running out of safe havens for her rescues, so she rented a warehouse to shelter them. Finally, she took a leap of faith and bought a piece of land in the middle of nowhere. With more hopes than funds, Delia founded CareForDogs Romania and created an impactful rescue center.  Until today, Delia has helped thousands of dogs stay alive, heal, trust again, find joy, and reach a loving forever home abroad. With their spaying campaign as well as educational efforts, Delia and her partner organizations work on shifting Romanian's attitudes towards animals. Today, there are many more dogs who need saving than there is the capacity to help them. Delia envisions that through educational efforts, the generation of her sweet young son will grow up changing this for the better.For now though, there is hardly any time to rest. Dozens of times a day, Delia's phone rings because another severely sick dog was found, abandoned by humans and left to suffer. The situation has increased dramatically since the onset of the Covid pandemic. There is not enough space to take in all dogs found. And funds are tight to ensure medical treatment and food for those in Delia's care. YOU can help Delia spread the word and save lives.  This energetic woman, fueled by purpose, will inspire you to live beyond the 9-to-5 and make something greater out of your life. Would you like to help Delia rescue more dogs?Follow & share CareForDogs Romania on Facebook: Facebook.com/carefordogsroAnd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carefordogsro/Visit their website: https://carefordogsromania.org/en/Donate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Carefordogsro.  If you don't use Paypal, check out other options to donate on CareForDogs Romania's website.If you are German, you might want to donate via Hunderettung Europa: https://hunderettung-europa.de/More resources:Check out the German partner organization that was mentioned: Hunderettung Europa, https://hunderettung-europa.de/Here is "The Dodo" video of Walter (Instagram), the poor dog who had to eat wall paste to survive: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CQHZkAxrSMy/Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Can you be the same person at work that you are at home? Before brushing off this question, pause and reflect. Why should you even ask yourself this? Why shouldn't you be able to be yourself at work? Why should this be important, after all?  Workplaces are spaces in which we spend a whole lot of our time. It's where we show up, challenge ourselves and others, learn, experience setbacks, laugh, fight, inspire, join forces, burn or bore out. It is an important space and we deserve to be seen, to be represented and included there. And to flip the coin: Workspaces are nothing without us, without our unique perspectives, without the momentum we start when we act with passionate authenticity. Unfortunately, many companies lose out on the people they need to thrive… and are not even aware this is happening. A story which this episode's guest - diversity & inclusion expert Teagan Dowler - can attest.  Teagan founded the “Blue Collared Woman” after experiencing what it was like to be a woman working in the heavy industries in Australia. And despite early warnings of her mentors, Teagan's career thrived rather than faltered when she started blogging out loud about the heavy industry's diversity issues.  As an organizational and leadership coach, she now helps organisations understand the cultural changes needed to incorporate a powerfully diverse workforce. And what the benefits are - for all parties involved. Would you like to connect with Teagan?Visit the BCW's website: www.thebcw.com.au Follow Teagan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebcw/ Or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBCW Connect with Teagan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagan-dowler-71aa284a/  Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Do you show your true self at work and in all your relationships?   You do not need to struggle with your gender identity to experience difficulties in answering YES to that question. Being ourselves first and foremost – and not what we think is expected of us in our many social roles – can be a courageous act. For Anastasia Biefang, the first transgender commander of the German Armed Forces, it took decades to stop pushing her inner truth back down. After many years of service, she took over her battalion in 2017 as a woman and with a film crew on her side. She shook and changed her fellow soldier's attitude towards gender diversity, brought to fall one or two prejudices and helped build thus far lacking policies for those who come after her. She shows how excelling at a respectable, traditional leadership role and being colourful without holding back is no contradiction. Apart from her professional role in the military, she is passionate about changing Germany's “Transexuals Act”, a law regulating the transition process of transgender people which is deemed to violate human rights and the German constitution.  In this intimate, fun conversation we talk about the queer community in Berlin, dreams for a diverse society, how great leadership is based on authenticity, and what Ana likes on her pizza.  Ana had waited to come out publicly up until a point where the damage of continuing to hide was bigger than the fear of what could be lost.  Her message to you? Be your true self or you won't know what vast possibilities lie ahead when you do.   Resources - legal situation for trans* people: https://www.dw.com/en/trans-germany/a-56031861https://tgeu.org/https://www.equaldex.com/ The documentary on Ana:  "Ich bin Anastasia" (“I am Anastasia“), 2019, documentary film by Thomas Ladenburger https://www.ich-bin-anastasia.de/en/Would you like to contact Ana?  Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastasiabiefangOr on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ana.biefangOooor Twitter: https://twitter.com/anabiefangDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

⁠Do you doubt you live up to people's expectations of you?Do you tend to belittle your own successes?Welcome to the club of many.⁠⁠Sometimes we call it modesty, sometimes we speak in the name of realism, sometimes we claim to acknowledge the support of others.⁠But frankly: oftentimes we simply cannot accept our own greatness.⁠⁠In this episode, we unpack the so-called IMPOSTER SYNDROME – a psychological phenomenon that has people feeling like they are a fraud. It disproportionately affects high-achieving individuals, who find it difficult to acknowledge their accomplishments.⁠⁠We also speak about STEREOTYPE THREAT– a rather nasty psychological effect that gives stereotypes a self-fulfilling power: If your environment puts a label on your forehead and you really want to disprove the negative stereotypes around it, this can weaken your performance and leave you even more doubtful of your capabilities.⁠⁠And we look at THINKING PATTERNS that encourage doubt in one's own abilities, how these patterns negatively affect our health and our lives – and what we can do to unlearn them.⁠⁠A must listen if any of this reminds you of yourself. ⁠⁠You owe yourself the respect you think you do not deserve!⁠⁠☝️Tip☝️: ⁠Listen to EPISODE 4 with Ashleigh Seymour and to EPISODE 15 with Romeo Salazar to learn what these two beautiful souls had to say about the “imposter” topic.⁠Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Are you holding open the door for fate to enter or do you push it close? Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. Sometimes we hit obstacles, sometimes miracles lift us across them.  In this episode, musical theatre performer Romeo Salazar shares his experience of losing the stage to perform on during the Covid pandemic. In this juicy, textured conversation we contrast seemingly mere luck and helping fate find you through your active being and doing.  Filipino-born and Catholic-raised Romeo takes us back to his years growing up as a highly ambitious student and athlete who struggled to accept his love for men. While his parents foresaw an academic future for him, their rebellious son followed his north star first as a dancer on national TV. For 36 years now and counting, he has been working as a choreographer, dancer, singer, and actor on renowned stages such as London's West End and musical theatres across Germany.   Equipped with life's degree in gratitude, authenticity, and the courage to face potential rejection, he built this career on the foundation of no professional education in music whatsoever. In fact, he did not even know what a Top C was all the while chanting it away in one of his first auditions.  Romeo proves that as long as your heart and mind are open, you can achieve more than you can possibly see coming for yourself. And that rock bottoms along the way are not bitter obstacles or signs of failure. Although no one loves their presence in life, dark times are a necessary ingredient to becoming who you are capable of being. Accepting whatever is, and whoever you are authentically, is key to holding open the door for fate to come in and do its magic… You would love to continue this conversation with Romeo? You can contact him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/romeo.salazarDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

How much are you willing to sacrifice in order to hide your „imperfections“?  We all do it at times. We throw our energy, time, and an impressively creative charade of excuses onto the things we feel insecure about, ashamed of, or „not ready yet“ for. We willingly trade our dreams, opportunities, and belief in ourselves for a chance to hide our imperfections from the people around us. And for the peace in knowing that we cannot fail… because we decided not to try in the first place.  This episode is a personal one. One in which I, WHYLD Podcast creator Tina, share about my own fear of not being perfect, how it surfaces in the creation process of this podcast, and what it costs me.  I am obsessed with people communicating and living authentically, vulnerably, courageously. And this is not because I am an expert on the matter but because I am an eager student of it.  A part of me cannot stand being seen as a work in progress, as insecure, as imperfect. This is not because I would love to impress others by all means… In theory, I am happy to be wrong and have my weaknesses. In practice, it is simply scary to feel raw and really be seen in all my colours. But I realized this very part prevents me from being true to WHYLDs core values and giving as much as I possibly can.  It is too big a sacrifice... Listen to this episode to wrap your head around: Why worrying about how you perform in a conversation is a selfish act that does others a disservice. What hidden struggles I fight with in the creation process of this podcast (#letsgetreal). Why it is important to observe your reasons for not doing something – and to identify when it is your fear of not being perfect whispering nonsense into your ear.  A book on the topic mentioned in the episode: “Brave, Not Perfect” by Reshma Saujani Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Did you know that up to 1 in 4 recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage?This is something few know about. In school during sex education, we learn how to avoid pregnancies. However, the other side of the medal is rarely spoken about: How to deal with not being able to get pregnant or the child never making it through to being a new, miraculous life on this planet.What does it really mean to experience a miscarriage? What do hormonal contraceptives you took in the past have to do with your chances of getting pregnant today? What options do you have when the embryo inside you is declared unable to develop any further?Besides the need for information, these scenarios come with grief, helplessness, and a feeling to be “a failure”. Losing a child or the hope to ever have one is often kept under a veil of silence, leaving those who experience this fate on their own. Medical professionals offer help to “fix” things as if they were broken. But is there really something wrong with those concerned or are there things to understand and learn before pregnancy is working for a body?In this episode of the podcast, a woman who has gone through the emotional and physical roller coaster ride of family planning, fertility centres, and miscarriages opens up about her experiences. Sandra Winterbach, a life coach from Hamburg, Germany, seeks to be an ally for those finding themselves in similar situations by sharing what she has learned and what has helped her through this difficult time. Her intimate account offers valuable insight into the complex topic of fertility as well as guidance for those who seek help navigating its terrain. Want to get in contact with Sandra Winterbach? Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-winterbach-inspirealliesEnjoy her raw and inspiring blog: https://sandra-winterbach.medium.com/ Are you interested in resources on the topic that Sandra recommends? www.isabelmorelli.de (German podcast available)www.juliaschultz.net/podcast (German podcast available)www.integral-evolution.com (English) Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Can you imagine sharing life with more than one partner? Find the love of your life, get married, buy a house, have kids. This default notion of a desirable, successful path in life is a common theme in society. In this picture, a monogamous “escalator” type relationship plays a central role. However, vowing sexual exclusivity to, loving and living with one partner only is not the sole option. It is estimated that about 4-5 % of people living in the U.S. are practising a consensual non-monogamous lifestyle (CNBS News 2019).  In this episode, you'll get to know three men who, this year, celebrate their 25th anniversary of living and loving together. We'll talk about how Chris and Sven (also known as Kris) fell in love with Andy, got him to leave the UK and move in with them in Wellington, New Zealand. Here, they live in a beautiful, unique house in the so-called Wellywood Hills. For decades, they have been sharing their lively home with family, friends, travellers seeking bed and board in exchange for their helping hand, and holiday guests of their little homestay business (Koromiko Homestay). Their unusual lifestyle alongside their open nature has inspired many people over the years to be true to themselves and proudly lead a life on their terms. There is a lot to learn from the Koromiko Trio who, between one another, share a wide spectrum of passions ranging from conservation work, gardening, active outdoor adventures, music, community contribution, art & design.Whether to you, this brief description sounds like a life to be excited about or one you cannot imagine for yourself… jump on board for this conversation. An authentic, deeply fulfilling life does not necessarily require following societal norms - though this may take courage and earnest self-reflection. It is through the expansion of our comfort zones that we learn and grow the most.Get in contact with Chris, Sven & Andy on their website, www.koromikohomestay.co.nz, or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KoromikoHomestay). Also, check out Sven's design work:  Plato Design (https://plato.design/).   Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Have you ever questioned feeling pity for someone with a disability? This conversation might make you do just that. Kara Scott had been confronted for years with strange neurological symptoms and vague diagnoses that would make a spelling champion break a sweat. Her life changed for good when, on the flight home after a family vacation, paralysis hit from her chest down. She has got every reason to resent her fate, or so one might think. But she won't buy that. This energetic mum of two will teach you a great deal about finding humour in grim situations and taking them head-on as an opportunity to grow. On Instagram, Kara reaches out to people as a role model for a positive, appreciative outlook on life no matter what. In doing so, she chooses to hide nothing, to be open and raw. In this WHYLD Podcast episode, Kara sheds light upon what impact her disability has on everyday life situations and on how able-bodied people interact with her. On the ride, we touch on topics like finding acceptance as a control freak, the nature of real compassion, carrying a child without sensing it, and why falling out of the wheelchair onto the bathroom floor is not so bad after all. Be prepared for an optimism boost. And remember – the glass is not only half full, but it does also provide plenty of space to capture every one of life's gifts pouring in!Get in contact with Kara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happy_para_mum/  Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Does your way of asking questions get you ahead or does it set you back?We pose questions all the time, out of a desire to understand, to connect, to get clearer on a course of action, to challenge others, and a million more reasons. Questions are such a basic component of our linguistic toolkit, rarely do we pay attention to their power. Yet, questions are far from being innocent or incidental. A question has the power to alter the course of a life, conjure up harm and hurt, trigger beautiful growth in a person, recalibrate someone's world view - all in an instant. Asking a question is setting a direction, like beating a track into the jungle, preparing the recipient of our question to follow us in thought, emotion, and action.Knowing that it is our duty to measure carefully how we make use of this tool. But let's not get dragged down by earnestness here – it is also our privilege to play with it and see how much value we can give by getting really good at asking questions! Whether it be in your family, your community, your company, your organization - you can help transform these environments by setting the right direction and starting healthy conversations for mutual growth.In this episode, you will learn how to turn the usual problem-solving approach upside down by not focussing on what's currently not working. Instead, you will hear about the benefit of focussing exactly on what is or has been working for you, what strengths your company can draw on, on what is making you or your community special... in order to get to where you want to be.Hop on and enjoy the ride!The following books have been an inspirational source for this episode and are a recommended read:Appreciative Inquiry Handbook - David L. Cooperrider, Diana Whitney, Jacqueline M. StavrosSwitch - Chip & Dan HeathThe Power of Moments - Chip & Dan Heath Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Are you attuned to your inner voice?Can you relate to the feeling of not being able to be your true self in the circumstances you are in? To experiencing pressure, stress, and the resulting effects on your body and mind as you try to meet the expectations of yourself and others? Depending on how deep you are stuck in the rabbit hole, you might think that there is no way out, that you are just not enough to meet the demands, that you'll have to continue to fight. But be mindful of the fact that in any given moment there are a plethora of choices available to you which can guide you out of the rabbit hole and into a life full of light and lightness. Sarah Appelt had originally aspired to become a doctor in Germany after school. But her body and soul had signaled to her that this path would not allow her to truly be herself and nurture her wellbeing. Luckily, she was aware and courageous enough to follow her inner voice to a different kind of life, in India. You'll hear about her journey of recovery from an eating disorder to a fulfilled, self-directed life in the interview. Sarah is the founder of Chalo Travels, a company that organizes tailored active, adventure, and yoga trips across India. She teaches Yoga, loves adventuring about the Himalayas, and has earned her spot on the front cover of an Indian fitness magazine as a female semi-professional mountain biker in India. Learn more about Sarah and Chalo! Travels  here: www.chalo-travels.com Or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/chalotravelsindia And Instagram: www.instagram.com/chalochaloindia Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

How well are you connected to who you truly are being at the core? What might sound like an awkward question to some is a game changer once we actually open up to it. We are more than our name, our profession, our history. Jason Stephenson, the creator of guided mediation and affirmation recordings, reflects on how mindfulness helps to strip away those superficial layers of identity and to get closer to your authentic being and your calling in life. In the true spirit of 2020, this episode frames the notion of life's challenges being a meditation in itself that has been presented to us for a reason, and upon which we are called to create something new, something good. Jason, too, has pushed through struggles in life, as a child, sensing that he was different from other children, and as an adult, going through a time of drug abuse. It was when he decided to record a guided mediation and affirmation CD called “I believe in me” for children, to help them feel valued no matter how different they thought they were, that a new journey began for him. Years later, he has founded several companies, runs multiple very successful YouTube channels, and contributes to the wellbeing of people from all over the world with his work.Be inspired by this kind-hearted, thoughtful Ozzie soul.  Learn more about Jason's work: https://www.facebook.com/JasonStephensonMeditation/ or https://www.youtube.com/JasonStephensonSleepMeditationMusicDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Have you ever wondered why phone booths in Italy might be wider than elsewhere?Well, it's most likely an untrue myth, to be fair. Plus, this is definitely not the topic of the episode - but you'll hear an answer anyway if you keep listening to the very end.In this episode, you'll get to meet Francesco Leone. A serial entrepreneur who does not consider himself to be one. All his life, being a passionate dreamer and a multi-faceted character, Francesco has created an authentic path for himself. It had led him from Italy to Bulgaria to India to Tenerife, among other stops along the journey. His ability to sniff out business opportunities and make a living out of creativity, little means, and hard work, is inspiring. Truth be told, this interview only captures a fraction of the stories that his rich life journey entails. At only 19 years old, he opened up his own pizzeria, finding out just how many things he had yet to learn. In India, he discovered his talent to create a truly special atmosphere for travellers in need of accommodation. After a setback that made him lose everything he had in India, he arrived on the Canary Islands, with only 50 Euros in his pocket, starting from zero. There, on Tenerife Island, he confirmed his resilience and capacity to create a new one-of-a-kind Backpacker Hostel, Los Amigos, with his heart and soul weaved into it. At the peak of his success, he was sought out by depression which eventually he came out of by changing his perspective on life.When in March 2020, COVID-19 hit Tenerife, he was back on the brink of losing everything he had built... again. Be inspired by Francesco's take on embracing uncertainty and accepting what is.Learn more about Francesco's Backpacker Hostel "Los Amigos" on Tenerife: www.losamigoshostels.comDo you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Are you putting others first and leaving yourself behind in the process?There is no right answer to the question of how much sacrifice is adequate and what degree of egoism is healthy. Luckily, life is not about either/or. Our span of life provides plenty of room for taking care of others as well for exploration, self-expression, and goal pursuit.When Bek Huynh was only a teenager, she made a decision to get her parents out of debt. She disobeyed her parents' wish for her to pursue financial security by following a prestigious academic career. Instead, she paved her own path. Yet, carrying the financial burden of her family, Bek did not dare to follow her vocational teenage dream. Only now, at the age of thirty, amidst the economic roller coaster of COVID-19, did she decide to take a leap and tell financial security to queue at the back...Would you like to contact Bek? Find her on Instagram or Facebook.Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Pleasure, indulgence and abundance is a popular theme of society  Especially in safe and economically prosperous parts of the world. Abstaining from something that we enjoy and think we need can therefore be experienced as anything between pointless, sad, and even downright scary. This could apply to all kinds of things, like cars, kitchen gadgets, sex, traveling or posting selfies on social media. But none of these examples pose an actual existential threat when we decide to renounce these items. Unlike the matter we will explore in this episode: The renouncement of foods in temporary fasting. This is why fasting is a controversial topic, or at least a choice that many people deem to be something along the line of silly and insane.  Whether you have always wondered what freaks pay to go on a fasting retreat, or you are curious about trying out this practice for yourself, listen in to this solo episode for some solid insight and myth-busting.   Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

What proof do you need to believe in your own resilience? A lot of people tend to attribute their successes in life to external factors. Well, I was just lucky… I had help I couldn't have done it without. This does not really foster one's self-esteem.  But what if you swam across the sea for 21 hours without stopping, without touching anything solid, through glearing day and pitch black night? Even the humblest soul must then acknowledge the fact that she is nothing short of resilient and full of purpose. I got to know Ashleigh a couple of years back as this humble, socially responsible person and knew nothing about her upcoming journey from being a bit shy to present herself in a swim suit to being an inspiring role model who crosses the English Channel.   Listen to her personal account of an impressive athletic achievement as well as inner adventure that has since touched and inspired many friends and strangers – like me. By her arduous passage from England to France, she helped raise funds for the British charity organization Safe Passage to, in turn, help unaccompanied child refugees reach Britain's shore safely.  Do you personally know anyone whose story should be told here? Or is there a topic you'd like to discuss? Let us know.Connect to Ashleigh Seymour on Instagram: www.instagram.com/barnacleheart Check out Safe Passage: www.safepassage.org.uk  Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Do you take others for granted?  You would realize that, at the latest, if you complained about something someone did “not right”.  All of us are making hundreds of choices daily when interacting with ourselves or other people. We could choose to be rude, to be unreliable, to be ignorant. Yet instead, most of us most of the time decide to be respectful, to do our best, to be trustworthy. We learn and grow and we become damn good at things others rely on us to do. So how come in some social environments people recognize our shortcomings first and our gifts last? Do YOU tend to see the negative in people before you take note of the positive? Chances are you do.  Addressing what we don't like about other people's behavior might result in them changing it. However – NOT addressing what we value about them might cause them to change exactly these things, too. Only if we acknowledge and appreciate them for it – verbally or through other ways – will they know what difference it makes to keep doing what they are doing.  Reflect with me on the hidden superpower of appreciation and how it can make a difference in your personal or professional life.  You would like to get in contact for feedback, questions, and suggestions? We're happy to hear from you! Write to whyld.community@gmail.com to get in touch.  Or:Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Would you have it in you to cross the US all the way from the southern to the northern end… on foot? Well, in episode 2 you get to meet someone who did just that. Thomas Clemens walked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a long-distance hiking trail that stretches for 4270 kilometers, in 5 months and 13 days. Doing nothing but putting one foot after another, day after day, across snow-covered mountains and through the searing heat of the desert, Thomas proved how far willpower and a strong routine can take you.   Thomas' mission is to help people like you and me manifest a healthy lifestyle that enables them to enjoy health and abundant quality of life into old age.     Listen to this episode to hear Tom's story. Learn about what made him embark on his PCT adventure, how the experience has changed his outlook, and what he thinks it takes to live a healthy, high-quality life.   You would like to get in contact for feedback, questions, and suggestions? We're happy to hear from you! Connect with Tom on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pct_polkadots/ Or check out Tom's professional website: https://www.tomfit.eu/tom-friends/Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one

Welcome to the WHYLD Podcast.Inspire people. Support others' growth. Create a meaningful life. If this mission resonates with your own values, this podcast is for you. My name is Tina Hewelt and I create WHYLD because I love people and am deeply curious about why they do what they do. Especially if – to me – they seem to have weird hobbies, quirky personalities, out-of-the-box thinking, I love exploring what gets them excited and drives their actions. I have had the chance to meet gorgeous individuals all over the planet whose experiences, backgrounds, dreams, world views, and personalities intrigue me and I know that sharing their stories will be of value to you. So in many episodes of this podcast, you'll get to be part of a conversation with some of these amazing human beings. In other episodes, I'll speak to you solo on all sorts of topics related to developing as an individual or group of people.So are you ready to jump right in? Awesome! This episode is about WHY you should speak out loud about your dreams and intentions.  You would like to get in contact for feedback, questions, and suggestions? Get in touch!Do you enjoy WHYLD? Then get in touch! Quick one-stop-shop: www.linktr.ee/whyld.podcast Follow us on Instagram: @whyld.thepodcast Find us on Facebook: @whyld.one Or visit our website: www.whyld.one