Podcasts about trusted housesitters

I encourage you to watch this 3-minute podcast on YouTube. YouTube is now dubbing my English videos into 10 other languages: Dutch French German Hindi Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Polish Portuguese Spanish In my "After the Spike" video, YouTube only offers 8 languages. I don't know why. I'm fluent in French and Spanish, so I can confirm that the translation is surprisingly accurate! I suppose it's the case for other languages that I don't speak. Try it out! Go to any of my videos. Click on the Settings Wheel in the lower-right corner. Change the audio track to whatever language you understand! What do you think of the translation accuracy? Why me?  YouTube added this slick feature to my YouTube channel because I participate in their Partner Program and my channel is educational. I suspect they will roll out the feature to more video creators in 2026. 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. For the best travel credit card, get one of the Chase Sapphire cards and get 75-100k bonus miles! 3. Get $5 when you sign up for Roamless, my favorite global eSIM! Use code LR32K 4. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 5. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 6. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken.  7. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 8. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

See 20 other misused terms or expressions Rather than a left/right political spectrum, I prefer the 5 categories in the pictured grid. Take the test to discover where you stand. The terms "left" and "right" on the political spectrum can be confusing, partly because their meanings have evolved significantly over time and differ across countries and historical contexts. The same applies to the term "liberal." Initially, "left/right" originated from the seating arrangements during the French Revolution, where those who sat on the left supported revolutionary change. At the same time, those on the right favored the monarchy and the status quo. Today, “left” generally refers to progressive, reformist, or socialist policies, and “right” to conservative or traditionalist views. However, the specific policies and ideologies associated with each can vary dramatically between countries and eras. In the United States, “left” is often associated with Democrats or progressives, supporting ideas like social welfare, civil rights expansion, and government intervention in the economy. In parts of Europe, some parties that call themselves "liberal" actually promote free-market policies (which, in the U.S., are usually considered “right” of center). In Latin America, "right-wing" can sometimes mean supporting authoritarian regimes, while “left-wing” can carry connotations of populist or anti-imperialist movements, which again differ from European or North American understandings. The term "Liberal" is another example of shifting meaning: In the United States, "liberal" tends to refer to people who favor more government intervention in social and economic affairs, aligning with the political left. In the UK, "Liberal" historically meant support for free markets, individual liberties, and limited government, often closer to what Americans would call "libertarian" or even (in some cases) "conservative." In Australia or Canada, "liberal" can fall anywhere along the spectrum: in Australia, the Liberal Party is a major right-of-center party. Because political contexts, historical developments, and party platforms differ by place and time, these terms do not have a fixed, universal meaning. As a result, simply labeling someone or a policy as “left,” “right,” or "liberal" can cause confusion or miscommunication unless the specific context is clearly defined. 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. For the best travel credit card, get one of the Chase Sapphire cards and get 75-100k bonus miles! 3. Get $5 when you sign up for Roamless, my favorite global eSIM! Use code LR32K 4. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 5. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 6. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken.  7. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 8. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Do you know people who wail about "the media"? Whenever that happens, it's always an incomplete sentence. They should say, "The media I disagree with." Saying "the media" implies there is only one media or that they have a united message.  Media isn't unified. Just skim the Internet for a few minutes, and you'll get wildly different points of view and reporting. In the mini-episode, I elaborate. This mini-episode is another Public Service Announcement from a grammar Nazi. It's my simple effort to clean up sloppy English. 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. For the best travel credit card, get one of the Chase Sapphire cards and get 75-100k bonus miles! 3. Get $5 when you sign up for Roamless, my favorite global eSIM! Use code LR32K 4. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 5. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 6. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken.  7. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 8. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.  

Simon & Schuster provided me with an advanced copy of the superb book After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People, scheduled for release on July 8, 2025. The University of Texas authors, Dean Spears and Michael Geruso, have written a mind-blowing book! It's my second favorite book of 2025! My favorite 2025 book is They're Not Gaslighting You. Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-JfpjJRkok Podcast   The Population Whimper When I was born, Paul R. Ehrlich's book, The Population Bomb, was a mega-bestseller. Although I never read the book, my generation believed the book's message that humanity is dangerously overpopulated. The book gave me one major reason not to have children. The book made intuitive sense, built on Thomas Malthus's observations, that if our population continues to expand, we will eventually hit a brick wall. However, Ehrlich, a Stanford biologist, made these stunningly wrong predictions in The Population Bomb: Mass Starvation in the 1970s and 1980s: The book opened with the statement, "The battle to feed all of humanity is over. In the 1970s, hundreds of millions of people will starve to death in spite of any crash programs embarked upon now."    England's Demise by 2000: He suggested that England would not exist by the year 2000 due to environmental collapse related to overpopulation.   Devastation of Fish Populations by 1990: He predicted that all significant animal life in the sea would be extinct by 1990, and large areas of coastline would need to be evacuated due to the stench of dead fish.   India's Famine: He predicted catastrophic food shortages in India in the 1990s that did not materialize.   United States Food Rationing by 1984: He envisioned the U.S. rationing food by 1984. Instead of all this doom and gloom, here's what happened: we went from 3.5 billion (when Ehrich wrote his doomsday book) to 8 billion people today, most of whom are fat. Today, our biggest problem isn't famine but obesity. Dean Spears and Michael Geruso's new book should have been called The Population Whimper because it says the opposite of what The Population Bomb said. Forget a catastrophic demographic explosion. We're going to suffer a catastrophic demographic implosion. The graph on the cover of After the Spike sums up the problem: during a 200-year time period, the human population will have spiked to 10 billion and then experienced an equally dramatic fall. Three criticisms of After the Spike For a book packed with counterintuitive arguments, it's remarkable that I can only spot three flaws. Admittedly, these are minor critiques, as they will disappear if we stabilize below 10 billion. 1. Wildlife lost The authors correctly argue that the environment has been improving even as the human population has been growing rapidly. For example: Air and water are now cleaner than they were 50 years ago, when the population was half its current size. Our per capita CO2 consumption is falling. Clean energy production is at an all-time high. There's one metric that authors overlooked: wildlife. As the human population doubled, we've needed more space for growing food. This has led to a decrease in habitat, which is why biologists refer to the Anthropocene Extinction. While fish farms are efficient, overfishing continues. The Amazon gets denuded to make space for soy and cattle plantations. The loss of African wildlife habitats is acute, as the African population is projected to quadruple in this century. I imagine that the authors of After the Spike would counter: National parks didn't exist 200 years ago. Green revolutions and GMO foods have made the most productive farmers ever. De-extinction may restore extinct species. And they're correct. There are bright spots.  However, as we approach 10 billion, wildlife will continue to suffer and be marginalized. The book should have mentioned that. Dean Spears and Michael Geruso would likely agree that if humans continue to grow nonstop, wildlife will continue to suffer. However, they aren't arguing for nonstop human expansion. They want stabilization. When you combine stabilization with technology (e.g., vertical farming and lab-grown animal products), we would reverse the downward trend in wildlife habitat. 2. Increased energy consumption Dean Spears and Michael Geruso celebrate humanity's progress in energy efficiency and productivity. However, they overlook these facts: 1. The Rebound Effect (Jevons Paradox): As energy efficiency improves, the cost of using energy services effectively decreases. This can lead to: Increased usage of existing services: For example, more efficient air conditioners might lead people to cool their homes to lower temperatures or for longer periods. More fuel-efficient cars might encourage more driving. Adoption of new energy-intensive activities: The increased affordability of energy services can enable entirely new consumption patterns that were previously too expensive to adopt. Think about the proliferation of data centers for AI and digital services, or the growth of electric vehicles. While individual electric vehicles (EVs) are more efficient than gasoline cars, the rapid increase in their adoption contributes to overall electricity demand. 2. Economic Growth and Rising Living Standards: Increased demand for energy services: As economies grow and incomes rise, people generally desire greater comfort, convenience, and a wider range of goods and services. This translates to greater demand for heating and cooling, larger homes, more personal transportation, more manufactured goods, and more leisure activities, all of which require energy. Industrialization and urbanization: Developing economies, in particular, are undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization. This involves massive construction, increased manufacturing, and the expansion of infrastructure, all of which are highly energy-intensive. Even with efficiency gains, the sheer scale of this growth drives up overall energy consumption. Emerging technologies: The growth of data centers, AI, and other digital technologies is leading to a significant increase in electricity demand. 3. Population Growth: While efficiency might improve per unit of output, the overall global population continues to grow. More people, even if individually more efficient, will inherently consume more energy in total. 4. Shifting Economic Structures: Some economies are shifting from less energy-intensive sectors (like agriculture) to more energy-intensive ones (like manufacturing or specific services). Even within industries, while individual processes might become more efficient, the overall scale of production can increase dramatically. 5. Energy Price and Policy Factors: Low energy prices: If energy remains relatively inexpensive (due to subsidies or abundant supply), the incentive for significant behavioral changes to reduce consumption might be diminished, even with efficient technologies available. Policy limitations: Although many countries have energy efficiency policies, their impact may be offset by other factors that drive demand. Conclusion: While technological advancements and efficiency measures reduce the energy intensity of specific activities, these gains are often outpaced by the aggregate increase in demand for energy services driven by economic growth, rising living standards, population increases, and the adoption of new, energy-intensive technologies and behaviors. The challenge lies in achieving a proper decoupling of economic growth from energy consumption, and ultimately, from carbon emissions. Humanity's per capita energy consumption has been steadily increasing with each passing century, a trend that is unlikely to change soon. Therefore, humans of the 26th century will consume far more energy than those of the 21st century.  The authors of After the Spike would probably argue that in 2525, we'll be using a clean energy source (e.g., nuclear fusion), so it'll be irrelevant that our per capita energy consumption increases ten times.  Again, short term, we're going in the wrong direction. However, in a stabilized world, we won't have a problem. 3. Designer babies The authors of After the Spike never addressed the potential impact that designer babies may have. I coined the term "Homo-enhanced" to address our desire to overcome our biological limitations.  Couples are already using IVF to select the gender and eye color of their babies. Soon, we'll be able to edit and select for more complex traits such as height or even intelligence. It's easy to imagine a world like Gattaca, where parents collaborate with CRISPR-powered gene tools to create custom-made babies. One reason some people don't want to reproduce is that it's a crap shoot. Any parent who has more than one child will tell you that each of their children is quite different from the others. Given that they grow up in the same environment, it suggests that genetics is a decisive factor. Until now, we couldn't mold our children's DNA. Soon, we will.  If we were to remove the lottery aspect of having a child and allow parents to design their children, perhaps there would be a baby boom. Dean Spears and Michael Geruso would probably argue that this is unlikely or centuries away from happening. We'll be descending the steep population slope long before we are homo-enhanced. One trillion humans in this millennium? In the Bulgaria chapter of The Hidden Europe, I observed that Bulgaria is depopulating faster than any other European country. Having peaked at 9 million in the late 1980s, a century later, it will be half that size. Despite that, in that chapter, I predicted that in 500 years, we'll have one trillion humans in the solar system, with at least 100 billion on Earth. This video explains how and why that may happen:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lJJ_QqIVnc Conclusion In 2075, will After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People look as stupid as The Population Bomb looks 50 years after publication? Does After the Spike make the same errors as The Population Bomb? Paul Ehrlich's underestimated technology and the continued collapse in fertility rates. As Dean Spears and Michael Geruso point out, fertility rates have been declining since they were first measured. Had Ehrlich extrapolated the trendline, he would have realized that our demographic collapse was imminent, not an explosion. Furthermore, technology solved many of the problems Ehrlich imagined. Is After the Spike making the same error? Fertility rates won't fall forever. They must stop. Otherwise, we'll become extinct. However, will fertility rates soar due to technology or some other reason? What could make our fertility rates return to three or more? Here are a few ideas: We master fusion energy, providing us with ultra-cheap energy and dramatically decreasing the cost of having children. Robots perform most jobs, leaving humans with ample time to raise large families.  As the negative effects of depopulation start rippling across the world, a global cultural panic erupts, prompting people to prioritize reproduction. Homo-enhanced humans, merged with artificial general intelligence, decide to proliferate to dominate the planet. Vertical farms and lab-grown cultured meat improve the environment so dramatically that humans feel less guilty about having three or more children, and generous subsidies offset the costs. Admittedly, these scenarios are unlikely to occur during the next 50 years, so After the Spike won't become the joke that The Population Bomb became in 50 years. Still, I predict that Ehrlich's great-great-granddaughter will write The Population Bomb II: Thomas Malthus Will Be Right Someday. Verdict 10 out of 10 stars! Excerpts The excerpts below are from an advanced copy, which may have undergone edits. Hence, some of these excerpts may have been reworded or deleted in the final print. The reason I am quoting them is that even if the excerpts are removed in the final edition, they illustrate the book's overall message.  It would be easy to think that fewer people would be better—better for the planet, better for the people who remain. This book asks you to think again. Depopulation is not the solution we urgently need for environmental challenges, nor will it raise living standards by dividing what the world can offer across fewer of us. Despite what you may have been told, depopulation is not the solution we urgently need for environmental challenges like climate change. Nor will it raise living standards by dividing what the world can offer across fewer of us. To the contrary, so much of the progress that we now take for granted sprang up in a large and interconnected society. Part I's big claim: No future is more likely than that people worldwide choose to have too few children to replace their own generation. Over the long run, this would cause exponential population decline. Whether depopulation would be good or bad depends on the facts and depends on our values. We ask about those facts and values, building up to an overall assessment: Part II and Part III's big claim: A stabilized world population would be better, overall, than a depopulating future. Part IV's big claim: Nobody yet knows how to stabilize a depopulating world. But humanity has made revolutionary improvements to society before— we can do it again if we choose. We won't ask you to abandon your concerns about climate change; about reproductive freedom and abortion access; or about ensuring safe, healthy, flourishing lives for everyone everywhere. We won't ask you to consider even an inch of backsliding on humanity's progress toward gender equity. We insist throughout that everyone should have the tools to choose to parent or not to parent. This book is not about whether or how you should parent. It's about whether we all should make parenting easier. In 2012, 146 million children were born. That was more than in any year of history to that point. It was also more than in any year since. Millions fewer will be born this year. The year 2012 may well turn out to be the year in which the most humans were ever born— ever as in ever for as long as humanity exists. Within three hundred years, a peak population of 10 billion could fall below 2 billion. The tip of the Spike may be six decades from today. For every 205 babies born, human biology, it turns out, would produce about 100 females. Average fertility in Europe today is about 1.5. That means the next generation will be 25 percent smaller than the last. Birth rates were falling all along. For as long as any reliable records exist, and for at least several hundred years while the Spike was ascending, the average number of births per woman has been falling, generation by generation. In the United States in the early 1800s, married white women (a population for whom some data were recorded) gave birth an average of seven times. If life expectancy doubles to 150 years, or quadruples to 300 years, couldn't that prevent the depopulating edge of the Spike? The surprising answer is no. The story of the Spike would stay the same, even if life expectancy quadrupled to three hundred years. In contrast, if adults' reproductive spans also changed, so people had, say, one or two babies on average over their twenties, thirties, and forties and then another one on average over their fifties, sixties, and seventies, then that would stop depopulation— but it would be because births changed, not because later-adulthood deaths changed. Where exactly should humanity stabilize? Six billion? Eight? Ten? Some other number? This book makes the case to stabilize somewhere. Exactly where will have to be a question for public and scientific debate. So the extra greenhouse gas emissions contributed by the larger population would be small, even under the assumption here that the future is bleak and we go on emitting for another century. The environmental costs of a new child are not zero. Not by a long shot. Not yet. But they are falling. Each new person who joins the ranks of humanity will add less CO2 than, well, you over your lifetime. Humanity could choose a future that's good, free, and fair for women and that also has an average birth rate of two. There is no inescapable dilemma. In that kind of future, people who want to parent would get the support that they need (from nonparents, from taxpayers, from everyone) to choose parenting. The most plausible way humanity might stabilize— and the only way this book endorses— is if societies everywhere work to make parenting better. Globally, we now produce about 50 percent more food per person than in 1961. “endogenous economic growth.” Endogenous means “created from the inside.” Ideas do not come from outside the economy. They come from us. Because scale matters, a depopulating planet will be able to fill fewer niches. A threat with a fixed cost: A threat has arisen that will kill all humans (however many) unless a large cost is paid to escape it (such as by deflecting an asteroid) within a certain time period. Could a kajillion lives ever be the best plan? That question goes beyond the practical question that this book is here to answer. Between our two families, we have had three live births, four miscarriages, and three failed IVF rounds. Parenting will need to become better than it is today. That's what we, your authors, hope and believe. The opportunity cost hypothesis: Spending time on parenting means giving up something. Because the world has improved around us, that “something” is better than it used to be. In no case is there evidence that more support for parents predicts more births. Nobody— no expert, no theory— fully understands why birth rates, everywhere, in different cultures and contexts, are lower than ever before. I hope these excerpts compel you to buy the book. If you're still undecided, consider that the book features numerous graphs and illustrations that will rewire your brain. Buy After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People. 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. For the best travel credit card, get one of the Chase Sapphire cards and get 75-100k bonus miles! 3. Get $5 when you sign up for Roamless, my favorite global eSIM! Use code LR32K 4. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 5. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 6. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken.  7. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 8. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.  

Happy 4th of July, 2025! Celebrate your independence by exploring outside! In 3 WanderLearn episodes, Alex Hutchinson and I discuss his new book, The Explorer's Gene. This is the 3rd of 3 episodes. 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 First Video Interview with Alex   Video #2: Does Tech Impact on Our Desire to Explore? Is Exploration Required for Fulfillment? Video #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 do 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 with scientific rigor, appealing to readers interested in human behavior, science writing, and personal growth. Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe 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. For the best travel credit card, get one of the Chase Sapphire cards and get 75-100k bonus miles! 3. Get $5 when you sign up for Roamless, my favorite global eSIM! Use code LR32K 4. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 5. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 6. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken.  7. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 8. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.  

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.

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.

“The most difficult part about traveling the world isn't actually the logistics of a trip—it's finding the courage to go in the first place.” —Matt Kepnes In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Matt talk about how his travel style has changed over the years, and how fears affect people’s travels (1:00); strategies for saving money on the road (10:30); and strategies for finding activities on the road, and where to start a long-term journey (19:30). Matt Kepnes (@nomadicmatt), commonly known as “Nomadic Matt,” is a travel blogger and the New York Times bestselling author of Travel the World on $75 a Day and Ten Years a Nomad. Notable Links: The Vagabond's Way, by Rolf Potts (book) Levison Wood (explorer) Van Life before #VanLife (Deviate episode) Home exchange (lodging service) Trusted Housesitters (lodging service) Travel Ladies (lodging app) EatWith,com (hospitality service) The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel's 2017 album Lumber. Note: We don't host a “comments” section, but we're happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.

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.

Episode Guest: Carlyn ShawCarlyn Shaw's Bio: (Taken from Carlyn's website)I'm a Life Coach, Connection Catalyst, Smile & Synchronicity Starter, Inspirational Storyteller and the Founder of Strangers To Friends. I'm also traveling the world with Trusted Housesitters and currently in Australia! I'm on a SMILE MISSION: Your Smile Vibe attracts your Tribe! My "Whoever Smiles First Wins" Shirts prove - Our Smiles Connect Us All. They inspire JOY! The shirts also reflect self love, knowing when we smile for ourselves...we've already won. From my MS diagnosis in 1997 (age 19) to the death of my best friends the following year, to painful journeys, including the loss of my front teeth, I share my raw stories to show you're not alone, but most importantly, we have a choice on how to handle "what happens". We GET TO create a life we love - even when it feels like we are starting from scratch. I invite you to rewrite your story to serve you so you can live a life you not only dream of, but deserve. The moment you decide to show up for yourself, life starts to show up for you, too. It's time to give yourself permission, to speak your truth, trust your intuition and own your worth. You're not alone. And, you don't have to navigate your stories, on your own. It's no accident we are meeting! I'm excited for you to say yes to courageous action and live in joy!For more information about Carlyn Shaw please check out her links:CarlynShaw.comStrangerstoFriends.comIG: ConnectWithCarlynIf you would like to support my channel please consider:http://buymeacoffee.com/truththath7Linktree: https://linktr.ee/truththathealspodThank you for all of your support and for helping to make this channel a reality :)

Jim welcomes Kim Ryals from Caravan to Alaska to share her journey from nonprofit executive to full-time digital nomad, and running a boutique RV caravan service to Alaska. Kim discusses the logistics of planning small-group trips, and the benefits over travleing solo or in larger more structured caravans. She shares the challenges and rewards of leading caravans, and offers insider tips on exploring the Last Frontier. She shares tips from her extensive experience traveling to Alaska, while balancing work with adventure, and the importance of planning for both enjoyment and connectivity. Discover must-see highlights, the value of guided travel experiences, and how to prepare for unexpected challenges on the road. As entrepreneurs running multiple endeavors, Jim and Kim also discuss logistics and business formation – identifying when one might consider forming an LLC versus operating as a sole proprietor. The discussion also touches on marketing strategies, and the dynamics of group travel, while providing valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and RV enthusiasts alike. Kim is a a full-time digital nomad who emphasizes the significance of diversifying both travel experiences and revenue streams, while achieving a healthy work-life balance. No discussion about the Last Frontier is complete without some memorable experiences from Alaska, including close encounters with wildlife and breathtaking natural beauty.Whether you're considering a solo trek or joining a guided group, Kim's expertise will help you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!Key Takeaways: 1Preparation is Key for an Alaska Road Trip.Alaska is Bigger Than You Think!Community and Local Knowledge Enhance the Travel ExperienceExpect Limited Connectivity on the Drive North & South Plan for Extended Travel TimeConnect & Learn Morehttps://caravantoalaska.comRESOURCES MENTIONEDThe Milepost: https://amzn.to/432OlaLSeacor Tours:https://seacortours.com/Trusted Housesitters:https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/Caretaker Gazette:https://www.caretaker.org/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE RV ENTREPRENEURhttps://therventrepreneur.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Join the RVE community on Facebook!⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/therventrepreneurcommunity⁠Connect with RVE on all your favorite socials⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/connect⁠⁠Got questions or comments for our hosts? Leave us a voice message! ⁠⁠https://therventrepreneur.com/voicemail⁠⁠(NOTE: Audio submitted may be published on the podcast unless specifically requested otherwise.)Got a great story or tips to share with RVE Listeners? Complete our Guest Intake Form:https://therventrepreneur.com/guestform

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

If you want to go abroad with free accommodation or even buy a place overseas, take a listen to this week's ep! As always, please send us your ideas to our instagram @makingthecutpodcast.De La Vali - https://www.delavali.com/White Lotus - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13406094/Jacob Collier - https://www.instagram.com/jacobcollier/?hl=enEuropean Listings - https://www.instagram.com/europeanlistings/?hl=enStefan Crainic - https://www.instagram.com/stefan.crainic/?hl=enJosephine Haas - https://www.instagram.com/josephine_haas/Trusted Housesitters - https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/In Dark Corners - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m00174kfA mug of life - https://www.instagram.com/a_mug_of_life/Much Ado about Nothing - https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/much-ado-about-nothing-london-tickets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

The 1 euro house project has been talked about in countless articles, on the news, and spread across social media. So, can you really buy a house in Italy for 1 euro? Sort of. What most people don't mention are the extra costs like taxes, fees, and renovation costs. Plus, did you know about the renovation timeline a homeowner has to adhere to? In this episode we lay out the details of buying a "1 euro house" and the alternative, buying an inexpensive house in Italy "regular style." In this episode we mention two great resources. Idealista article: "1 euro houses in Italy: the villages still in the spotlight in 2025" by Flavio Di Stefano  One Euro Houses article: Map of 1 euro houses The HGTV show we mention is Fixer to Fabulous (during recording Darcy mistook this show for Home Town (a cuter show in her opinion)). If you'd like to support the podcast you can use our affiliate Booking link or Trusted Housesitters link. Thank you so much for listening! We would absolutely appreciate it if you could follow us and rate us wherever you listen; it helps the podcast grow and it makes us feel like we're making a difference!  You can find us at ⁠⁠onlyabag.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@onlyabagpodcast⁠⁠. 

If you aren't related to an Italian and can't get the jus sanguinis visa, perhaps the easiest way to live in Italy is by acquiring a student visa. Can I go to college in Italy? Can I take courses taught in English? How much does it cost? In this episode we answer all of those questions and more. This episode is a part of our "How to Live in Italy" series where we dive into different visa options. It would mean so much to us to know if you liked this episode. Please check out our poll in the previous episode or contact us via email or through our website to tell us if you want to hear more on topics like this one, or if you prefer to hear about being a tourist and short term travel tips. If you don't want to commit to a year-long visa, like a student visa, but want to visit Italy on a tourist visa, we can't recommend housesitting enough. We use ⁠Trusted Housesitters⁠* which has a fairly steep upfront cost (a few hundred dollars) but that's covered with a few nights of a house sit which should never cost you money.  Thank you so much for listening! We would absolutely appreciate it if you could follow us and rate us wherever you listen; it helps the podcast grow and it makes us feel like we're making a difference!  You can find us at ⁠⁠onlyabag.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@onlyabagpodcast⁠⁠. 

After a trip filled with good pasta, great gelato, and a wealth of national treasures, what could be more natural than wanting to live here? At least, that was our thought! In this episode, we look at four of the most common avenues for residency: jus sanguinis, work visa, student visa, and digital nomad visa. We will delve into each of these more in depth in later episodes (poll below, if you'd like to tell us which kind of episodes you prefer), but for now, he's a little bit of information to get that imagination started! And if you'd like to get your feet wet with living in Italy, we can't recommend housesitting enough. We use Trusted Housesitters* which has a fairly steep upfront cost (a few hundred dollars) but that's covered with a few nights of a house sit which should never cost you money.  Thank you so much for listening! We would absolutely appreciate it if you could follow us and rate us wherever you listen; it helps the podcast grow and it makes us feel like we're making a difference!  You can find us at ⁠onlyabag.com⁠ and ⁠@onlyabagpodcast⁠. 

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.

Planning on taking a cruise to/around Italy? Not sure what that entails? Struggling to see how it's possible given the fact many of the towns are land-locked? After Darcy talked to her mom about an upcoming trip to Italy, we were inspired to do a little digging into cruises to, from, and around Italy. Some are massive cruise ships with multi-port journeys, water slides, and endless buffets others are, in fact, ferries with an unassuming bar and restaurant that get you from point A to B. In this episode we get into the pros and cons of it all plus touch on what the environmental impacts of various transportation might be. If you're planning on going to Rome in 2025, we highly recommend booking your hotels (and potentially even your flights) as soon as possible. If you'd like to help out Only A Bag, you can use our affiliate links marked with an asterisk.  For hotels, we tend to use Booking* since we're already a part of their member program, but Expedia* also has a robust member program with similar prices on hotel rooms. For an aggregate that seems to offer slightly better deals across the board, we recommend checking out Agoda*.  And if you've always loved the idea of staying in Italy for an extended period and becoming part of the culture, we can't recommend housesitting enough. While it does often entail taking care of someone's pet, it can also be a gateway to seeing Italy in a totally new way. We use Trusted Housesitters* which has a fairly steep upfront cost (a few hundred dollars) but that's covered with a few nights of a house sit which should never cost you money.  Lastly, if you're already looking to book flights, we like to use the airline's website, however, some aggregates do offer better deals, so we always recommend checking Expedia* or Booking* before purchasing.  Thank you so much for listening! We would absolutely appreciate it if you could follow us and rate us wherever you listen; it helps the podcast grow and it makes us feel like we're making a difference!  You can find us at ⁠onlyabag.com⁠ and ⁠@onlyabagpodcast⁠. 

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.

Why do Italian children put out their shoes on January 5th to be filled with candy? Why are there so many witches and witch-related accoutrement after Christmas? And what can you do on January 6th in Italy to celebrate (or just partake) in Epiphany? Well, free candy galore, for one! In this episode, we dive in and give you everything you need to know about Epiphany. If you're planning on going to Rome this year, we highly recommend booking your hotels (and potentially even your flights) as soon as possible. If you'd like to help out Only A Bag, you can use our affiliate links marked with an asterisk.  For hotels, we tend to use Booking* since we're already a part of their member program, but Expedia* also has a robust member program with similar prices on hotel rooms. For an aggregate that seems to offer slightly better deals across the board, we recommend checking out Agoda*.  And if you've always loved the idea of staying in Italy for an extended period and becoming part of the culture, we can't recommend housesitting enough. While it does often entail taking care of someone's pet, it can also be a gateway to seeing Italy in a totally new way. We use Trusted Housesitters* which has a fairly steep upfront cost (a few hundred dollars) but that's covered with a few nights of a house sit which should never cost you money.  Lastly, if you're already looking to book flights, we like to use the airline's website, however, some aggregates do offer better deals, so we always recommend checking Expedia* or Booking* before purchasing.  Thank you so much for listening! We would absolutely appreciate it if you could follow us and rate us wherever you listen; it helps the podcast grow and it makes us feel like we're making a difference!  You can find us at ⁠onlyabag.com⁠ and ⁠@onlyabagpodcast⁠. 

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.

Which Christmas market is the most popular? Which is the oldest? We'll answer those questions and more in this episode! Edit, and this is a big one: In this episode Darcy is super excited about the "biggest Christmas tree in the world." Upon further fact checking, it is not in fact a living tree, but Christmas lights arranged along the side of Mount Ingino in the shape of a Christmas tree. We do our best to deliver only accurate information, but sometimes things slip through the cracks, like "the biggest Christmas tree in the world." We also do our best to tell you when we're wrong and we appreciate your understanding. That said, there is tons more in the episode that is correct, so we hope you give it a listen! With the Jubilee coming up we highly recommend booking hotels in Rome as soon as possible, if you're planning on visiting in 2025. If you're visiting other parts of Italy in the coming year and want to know when to book hotels and flights, check out our episode When to Book: Hotels and Flights and even When to Book: Trains and Buses. If you'd like to help out Only A Bag, you can use our affiliate links marked with an asterisk.  For hotels, we tend to use Booking* since we're already a part of their member program, but Expedia* also has a robust member program with similar prices on hotel rooms. For an aggregate that seems to offer slightly better deals across the board, we recommend checking out Agoda*.    If you're looking to book flights, we like to use the airline's website, however, some aggregates do offer better deals, so we always recommend checking ⁠Expedia⁠* or ⁠Booking⁠* before purchasing.  And if you've always loved the idea of staying in Italy for an extended period and becoming part of the culture, we can't recommend housesitting enough. While it does often entail taking care of someone's pet, it can also be a gateway to seeing Italy in a totally new way. We use Trusted Housesitters* which has a fairly steep upfront cost (a few hundred dollars) but that's covered with a few nights of a house sit which should never cost you money.    Thank you so much for listening! We would absolutely appreciate it if you could follow us and rate us wherever you listen; it helps the podcast grow and it makes us feel like we're making a difference!  You can find more at ⁠onlyabag.com⁠ and contact us via email at onlyabagpodcast@gmail.com or on Instagram at ⁠@onlyabagpodcast⁠. 

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.

In this episode, we teach you how to order coffee in Italy like a natural. Some of you might see that this is a quasi-repeat of a previous episode. Part of that is due to us learning more about the coffee culture in Italy, and part of that is due to us watching Lidia Poet on Netflix and wondering why they were drinking tea. So in this episode we delve into the history of coffee in Italy, and teach you how to order your favorite drinks. If you're planning on going to Rome in 2025, we highly recommend booking your hotels (and potentially even your flights) as soon as possible. If you'd like to help out Only A Bag, you can use our affiliate links marked with an asterisk.  For hotels, we tend to use Booking* since we're already a part of their member program, but Expedia* also has a robust member program with similar prices on hotel rooms. For an aggregate that seems to offer slightly better deals across the board, we recommend checking out Agoda*.    And if you've always loved the idea of staying in Italy for an extended period and becoming part of the culture, we can't recommend housesitting enough. While it does often entail taking care of someone's pet, it can also be a gateway to seeing Italy in a totally new way. We use Trusted Housesitters* which has a fairly steep upfront cost (a few hundred dollars) but that's covered with a few nights of a house sit which should never cost you money.    Lastly, if you're already looking to book flights, we like to use the airline's website, however, some aggregates do offer better deals, so we always recommend checking Expedia* or Booking* before purchasing.  Thank you so much for listening! We would absolutely appreciate it if you could follow us and rate us wherever you listen; it helps the podcast grow and it makes us feel like we're making a difference!  You can find us at ⁠onlyabag.com⁠ and ⁠@onlyabagpodcast⁠. 

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.

Elizabeth Cromwell chats about her adventurous sabbatical after moving from Maryland to San Francisco, sharing her journey through various life changes, including her professional path, divorce, and becoming an empty nester. Creating her own life sabbatical gave her the structure to travel across Italy, the US, and Martha's Vineyard, among other places, emphasizing the value of decompression, self-discovery, and living into new experiences. Elizabeth provides practical advice for women looking to undertake their own life sabbatical, underlining the importance of being intentional and seeking support from loved ones. Dig in to learn how to create your own daring and courageous life with the empty nest.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:15 Elizabeth's Journey to San Francisco03:02 Embracing Change and Challenges06:08 Planning a Sabbatical09:23 First Quarter in Italy14:54 Exploring Trusted House Sitters18:50 Martha's Vineyard and Autism Advocacy20:22 Self-Sustaining Farm Life21:05 Volunteering and Nonprofit Management22:21 Holiday Reunions and Travel Plans24:12 Advice for Women Embracing Change28:35 Embracing Age and Freedom29:51 Conclusion and Future PlansFind information about Trusted Housesitters.Learn more about Island Autism.Read Elizabeth's Travel Journal here!