Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast WanderLearn: Travel to Transform Your Mind & Life
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stop saying, "If I Die..." | 12 Jun 2026 | 00:01:17 | |
My mom often says, “If I die….” I sometimes accidentally say the same thing. The “if” is a cognitive security blanket I pull over my head so I can pretend that death — the only thing every single human being who has ever lived has accomplished — might somehow not apply to me. As though the universe looked at my particular assortment of questionable decisions and said, “This one, we keep.” It will not say that. I am, biologically speaking, a disaster in slow motion. I have a weakening knee. I have eaten gas station sushi. Twice. I once stayed up until 3 am reading reviews for a blender I did not buy. “If I die, give my record collection to someone who will actually appreciate it.” Wrong. “When I die, some stranger at an estate sale is going to pay $4 for a crate containing my entire personality.” The “if” started innocently enough. Parents use it. “If something happens to me...” they say, then trail off. But I’ve decided to stop. As an act of radical honesty, I am replacing every “if I die” with “when I die,” and I am inviting you to join me in this terrifying linguistic journey. Let’s try Before: “If I die, make sure the kids know I loved them.” After: “When I die, make sure the kids know I loved them — and also that the router password is taped inside the drawer.” What do you think? Put your thoughts in the comments. Connect Send me an anonymous voicemail at SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my Substack newsletter. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: * YouTube * X * TikTok 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 with its unlimited hotspot & data that never expires! Use code LR32K 4. Or get 5% off when you sign up with Saily, another global eSIM with a built-in VPN & ad blocker. 5. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 6. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 7. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken. 8. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 9. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear 10. Get nomadic travel insurance from SafetyWing! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 72-Year-Olds Admit Their Parenting Mistakes | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:27:16 | |
Sym Blanchard & Joan Chan discuss the ups and downs of their parenting journey. They are both around 72 years old. Each had a boy and a girl with their exes. Watch the video of this podcast! They candidly share their mistakes and how things turned out decades later. Timeline 00:00 Two parents made 4 children 02:00 Sym’s daughter 04:20 Teenagers 06:00 Cultural difference 09:00 Change after 40 16:20 Sym’s mistakes 21:50 Kids having kids What do you think? Put your thoughts in the comments. Connect Send me an anonymous voicemail at SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my Substack newsletter. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: * YouTube * X * TikTok 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 with its unlimited hotspot & data that never expires! Use code LR32K 4. Or get 5% off when you sign up with Saily, another global eSIM with a built-in VPN & ad blocker. 5. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 6. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 7. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken. 8. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 9. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear 10. Get nomadic travel insurance from SafetyWing! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Sawyer CEO - Philanthropist Kurt Avery | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:31:40 | |
Corporations are often seen as evil, selfish entities. We overlook that they allow billions of parents to feed, educate, and heal their kids. Jobs also generate taxes that allow governments to build roads, hospitals, and schools. Taxes fund welfare and protect national parks. None of this would be possible (or at least easy) without corporations. Don’t believe me? Consider humanity before corporations. Our global standard of living was far lower than today. Still don’t believe me? Listen or watch this episode with Sawyer CEO Kurt Avery. Buy his book, Sawyer Think. Timeline 00:00 Sawyer’s charitable actions 05:00 Sawyer Think book 10:00 Protecting Against Bugs 12:20 Origin Story 17:00 Burning off the COGs 19:00 The Why 20:30 Decision Matrix 22:55 Math Trap 27:10 Final Advice If you’re a backpacker, you’ve heard of Sawyer & probably used their filters. In this show, Kurt Avery explains what he’s been doing for decades through his company. It might surprise even the most cynical of you out there. It might give you a bit of hope for humanity, too. If this episode inspires you, consider giving to the Sawyer Foundation. Or, if you want a win-win, buy their Sawyer’s products online or at your local retailer. A portion of Sawyer’s profits always goes to charity. Connect Send me an anonymous voicemail at SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my Substack newsletter. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: * X * YouTube * TikTok * 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 with its unlimited hotspot & data that never expires! Use code LR32K 4. Or get 5% off when you sign up with Saily, another global eSIM with a built-in VPN & ad blocker. 5. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 6. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 7. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken. 8. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 9. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 300th Episode! Listen To The Most Popular Episode! | 04 Jul 2024 | 00:46:29 | |
To celebrate my 300th WanderLearn podcast episode, I'm sharing my most popular episode. If you like the nuanced way I tackle the controversial subject of hunting, be sure to go to the bottom of this page and follow the links to hear the other episodes I've done related to hunting. In 2018, Brittany Hosmer Longoria was swept up in a social media firestorm with these trending hashtags:
What had she done to induce such a vicious reaction? The surprising answer is nothing that remarkable. What she had done was to hunt a leopard in Namibia and take a photo of her holding the dead leopard. Here's why that's unremarkable: First, she was not a poacher. She spent nearly $40,000 to get all the permits to legally hunt that old male leopard. I could understand that people would get worked up if she were a poacher. She was not. She did everything by the book. Nobody disagrees with that. Second, she didn't post the photo on Instagram. She submitted it to the Safari Club International (SCI) when they solicited photos that exhibited a "hunting heritage." She uploaded the photo to SCI's private server. SCI would evaluate these photos. But before they could, an animal activist got a hold of the photo and released it to the public. In other words, it's not like Brittany illegally shot a leopard and then bragged about it. On the contrary, she went through all the legal steps and took a pretty standard post-hunt photo. This sort of thing happens thousands of times every day, so what Brittany did was thoroughly unremarkable. Therefore, it's a bit hard to understand why she, out of all the legal hunters who post photos of their trophies, would get targeted by social media harshly. I met with her in 2019 at the SCI conference to talk with Brittany. Listen to this podcast and tell me your thoughts in the comments below. Although I met her briefly, she's clearly a shy and humble person. Introverts dislike the spotlight. I commend her for her courage in facing the spotlight to dispel some myths and misunderstandings about hunting. I warned her that I would hit her hard with tough and uncomfortable questions, which a journalist must do to capture all sides of a story. Indeed, you'll hear that at one point in the interview, she nearly shuts down, seemingly exhausted by my barrage of questions. As always, she kept her cool and composure, which her hysterical enemies often do not. I commend Brittany. Moreover, I wanted to give her a chance to answer some thought-provoking and provocative questions that people who dislike hunting may have. Meanwhile, people who hate hunting should listen to her pro-hunting arguments. Many people who have a knee-jerk adverse reaction to hunting have never given much thought to it. Ignorance leads to misunderstandings. So if you hate hunting, listen to this podcast. I don't expect to convert you. In fact, I am not even trying to convert anyone to anything. I just like to promote listening and the calm exchange of ideas. I am a part-time vegan (I only eat animals when I'm traveling or when I'm a guest at someone's house). So I'm not a hunter. However, I believe many people who disapprove of hunting don't see the nuance in this complex subject. I don't claim to be an expert. I just like to listen and learn. I hope you do too. If so, share this episode and comment below. If you want to leave a comment, here's a tip: the less emotional and savage your comment is, the more convincing it will be. Scream and swear often if you want to turn people off from your argument. I know, this is the Internet, so we're all supposed to get outraged about everything. But please try to act like a grown-up. Here is a funny and educational video about the subject https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQh-f1rBjx4 What about Green Hunts? The hardest question I didn't ask Britt Longoria during the podcast is why she doesn't do Green Hunts. I didn't ask that question because I didn't think about it, but a couple of people asked me after the interview. A Green Hunt is when you shoot an animal with a tranquilizer instead of deadly ammunition. After the podcast, I asked Britt if she could answer the question. She wrote her response and here are the highlights of what she said.
Britt hasn't tried a green hunt, so I think she should try before she concludes that they're a big difference between the two. She might learn that the difference isn't as big as she theorized. And even if she does feel that there's a big difference, not all hunters may agree with her. Britt observes that Green Hunts have a bigger entourage than a normal hunt. I could see how that could be annoying or distracting. Still, I imagine there is a HUGE difference between hunting ALONE and hunting with a buddy. In other words, if you graph the intensity of the hunting experience with # of hunters on the X-axis and intensity on the Y-axis, you would get an asymptotic line that flattens out when you have 5+ hunters. In regular hunts, you usually have an entourage of at least three (driver, guide/PH, and hunter). You often have another hunting buddy, a skinner, or an armed government official. So you have 3-6 folks on a traditional hunt. Let's say you have twice that on a green hunt. I've never been on either hunt, but I imagine there's not THAT much of a difference between having 5 or 10 folks on your hunt. What do you think about Green Hunts? BONUS #1: Listen to my wife and I debate Brittany Longoria and hunting. BONUS #2: A year after this interview, I followed up with Longoria for a second interview. BONUS #3: If you found this podcast intriguing and profound, listen to my podcast with the Director of Conservation at Safari Club International. Lastly, at the end of this podcast, Brittany mentioned that she is on Instagram but that it's private. Recently, Brittany Longoria made her Instagram page public from private.
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| He's Seen Most of Countries in Less Than a Year - Michael Zervos | 27 Jun 2024 | 00:19:08 | |
I interviewed Michael Zervos in Cote d'Ivoire a few months ago. He was 10% done with his every-country-speed tour. I interviewed him today, June 27, when he's halfway done! Watch the Video In the second half of the show, Michael Zervos reflects on Africa. 00:00 Intro 03:30 Sudan 07:00 Africa
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| How To Travel in Africa with Young Kids | 21 Jun 2024 | 00:07:34 | |
Here are two episodes featuring Margaret Bensfield Sullivan, author of Following the Sun: Tales (and Fails) From a Year Around the World With Our Kids. Margaret spent a year traveling to 29 countries on six continents with her husband and their two young kids. How did she do it? What did she learn? What advice does she have for traveling parents with young children? Watch the Video 00:00 Africa More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Family of 4 Traveling Nonstop to 29 Countries with Margaret Bensfield Sullivan, Following the Sun book author | 14 Jun 2024 | 00:19:50 | |
Here are two episodes featuring Margaret Bensfield Sullivan, author of Following the Sun: Tales (and Fails) From a Year Around the World With Our Kids. Margaret spent a year traveling to 29 countries on six continents with her husband and their two young kids. How did she do it? What did she learn? What advice does she have for traveling parents with young children? Watch the Video Timeline 00:00 World-proof your kids More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Kommu: Alternative to Airbnb, TrustedHousesitters, & Couchsurfing | 07 Jun 2024 | 00:39:14 | |
It's hard to describe Kommu in an elevator. It's a clever mix of Airbnb, TrustedHousesitters, and Couchsurfing. I spoke with Bo Abrams, the founder and CEO of Kommu. Why should you pay $300 annually to access this new, exciting app that helps you find lodging and accommodation in a new way? Timeline 00:00 Pain point 03:00 Kommu vs. Airbnb 06:30 Practical example of Kommu 11:00 Logistics 15:00 Social capital 22:00 Profit 24:15 How does Kommu make money? 29:12 Recovering your rent 33:00 Verifying rent More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Did Mallory & Irvine Summit Everest 100 years ago? Author Dr. Robert Edwards investigates | 01 Jun 2024 | 00:35:01 | |
Wow. If you want the most comprehensive study of George Mallory's 3rd and final climb up Mt. Everest, read this book! The book Mallory, Irvine, and Everest: The Last Step But One by Dr. Robert Edwards examines the mystery surrounding George Mallory and Andrew Irvine's 1924 attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The book provides a fresh and original perspective on this historical event, as the author is a mathematician who has applied modern analysis techniques to the available evidence. Dr. Edwards has thoroughly researched the contemporary accounts, letters, and artifacts related to the climb and has identified inconsistencies in previous narratives. The book's release coincides with the 100th anniversary of Mallory and Irvine's fateful expedition and offers unique insights. Mountaineering experts Jochen Hemmleb and Thom Dharma Pollard have praised its potential to shed new light on whether Mallory and Irvine were the first to conquer Everest. This unique perspective is sure to enlighten the audience. Mallory picked a strong, young, inexperienced climbing partner, Andrew Irvine, to push to the summit. Video interview with the author, Robert Edwards SPOILER #1: Nobody knows if either one of them made it. And this book doesn't offer a definitive answer either. However, this book will enthrall you if you want to learn what the most meticulous researcher has discovered. For example, Edwards spends pages examining everything about the mysterious ice ax found high on the mountain. SPOILER #2: The ax is almost certainly Irvine's or Malory's, but we don't know which one. The author concludes that it was placed there and didn't tumble or drop there accidentally. What I love about this book is that Edwards lets the evidence speak. After reading this excellent book and interviewing the author, here's my best guess as to what happened: Mallory probably reached the summit late in the afternoon, forcing him to descend at night. When investigators found his corpse in 1999, Mallory's sunglasses were in his pocket, indicating he descended at night. He ran out of oxygen, which sapped his strength and heat just when he needed to stay warm at nightfall. He had few clothes compared to modern climbers. Without oxygen, he got disoriented and wobbly. His judgment worsened. One slip was all it took to break his leg and slide down to his resting spot, where he was found decades later. This hypothesis is my speculation, not the book's. Get the book, and judge for yourself. WARNING: This book may bore people with only a passing interest in this topic. VERDICT: 5 out of 5 stars!
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Surviving a Plane Crash That Killed the Pilot | 24 May 2024 | 00:22:06 | |
Glen Van Peski sat in the co-pilot seat of a tiny plane that crashed, killing the pilot next to him. What happened? How did Glen and all the other passengers survive with minor or moderate injuries? We talk a lot about death in this episode, including how Glen's mom and son died. We end on a positive note! Watch the Video About Glen Glen Van Peski is a civil engineer who used his skills to engineer the lightest backpacking gear in the Solar System. Glen is the founder of Gossamer Gear. In 2024, he released Take Less, Do More: Surprising Life Lessons in Generosity, Gratitude, and Curiosity from an Ultralight Backpacker. In this interview series, Glen shares snippets of his book. The final episode is a flashback episode of Glen and Francis recording themselves chatting while hiking up San Francisco's historic Sweeney Ridge. Bonus video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QivSPWiKfU Join the exclusive WanderLearn Patreon club. More about Glen Van Peski Glen Van Peski, founder of Gossamer Gear, is known for his legendary contributions to the backpacking community. A native Californian, Van Peski grew up in the western outdoors, and when his oldest son joined Scouts, he led the troop’s backpacking program. Through those experiences, he became intrigued by lightweight backpacking. He started sewing his gear and eventually started his own company, manufacturing ultralight backpacking equipment. Glen and his company have been featured in Backpacker, Outside, National Geographic Adventure magazines, and the New York Times. Van Peski is an internationally sought-after speaker known for his inspiring, humorous, and information-packed presentations. He has hiked most of the Pacific Crest Trail, wandered the backcountry in Japan and Europe, and bike-packed on the Great Divide. He lives in Bend, Oregon, with Francie, his wife of over forty years, and is the father of two grown sons. More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 5 Best Backpacking Gear Tips from Gossamer Gear's Founder | 17 May 2024 | 00:06:29 | |
In the first 10 seconds of this episode, you'll hear Glen Van Peski's top five tips on lightening your backpacking load. He shares several other brilliant tips on improving your backpacking skills and gear in less than five minutes. Watch the Video Glen Van Peski is a civil engineer who used his skills to engineer the lightest backpacking gear in the Solar System. Glen is the founder of Gossamer Gear. In 2024, he released Take Less, Do More: Surprising Life Lessons in Generosity, Gratitude, and Curiosity from an Ultralight Backpacker. In this interview series, Glen shares snippets of his book. The final episode is a flashback episode of Glen and Francis recording themselves chatting while hiking up San Francisco's historic Sweeney Ridge. Bonus video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QivSPWiKfU Join the exclusive WanderLearn Patreon club. More about Glen Van Peski Glen Van Peski, founder of Gossamer Gear, is known for his legendary contributions to the backpacking community. A native Californian, Van Peski grew up in the western outdoors, and when his oldest son joined Scouts, he led the troop’s backpacking program. Through those experiences, he became intrigued by lightweight backpacking. He started sewing his gear and eventually started his own company, manufacturing ultralight backpacking equipment. Glen and his company have been featured in Backpacker, Outside, National Geographic Adventure magazines, and the New York Times. Van Peski is an internationally sought-after speaker known for his inspiring, humorous, and information-packed presentations. He has hiked most of the Pacific Crest Trail, wandered the backcountry in Japan and Europe, and bike-packed on the Great Divide. He lives in Bend, Oregon, with Francie, his wife of over forty years, and is the father of two grown sons. More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Reframing & Recalibrating Your Self-Assessment Changes Everything | 10 May 2024 | 00:09:36 | |
In this episode, Glen Van Peski shares the story of an American worker who visited India to see where his outsourced job went. The lesson was surprising. Do you think you're not in the top 1%? Think again. Watch Video on YouTube Glen Van Peski is a civil engineer who used his skills to engineer the lightest backpacking gear in the Solar System. Glen is the founder of Gossamer Gear. In 2024, he released Take Less, Do More: Surprising Life Lessons in Generosity, Gratitude, and Curiosity from an Ultralight Backpacker. In this interview series, Glen shares snippets of his book. More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| The Power of Generosity with Glen Van Peski, author of Take Less, Do More | 02 May 2024 | 00:24:21 | |
Glen Van Peski reveals one of his favorite annual backpacking trips, how to stop a snorer, and lessons about generosity. 00:00 Arizona's Buckskin Gulch 03:33 How to stop someone snoring 4:30 Lessons from a disabled son 6:45 Chopsticks as tent stakes - Chopstakes 9:30 Accepting generosity 14:30 Subtract Toward Happiness 16:40 The Generous Debit Card
Bonus video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QivSPWiKfU Join the exclusive WanderLearn Patreon club. More about Glen Van Peski Glen Van Peski, founder of Gossamer Gear, is known for his legendary contributions to the backpacking community. A native Californian, Van Peski grew up in the western outdoors, and when his oldest son joined Scouts, he led the troop’s backpacking program. Through those experiences, he became intrigued by lightweight backpacking. He started sewing his gear and eventually started his own company, manufacturing ultralight backpacking equipment. Glen and his company have been featured in Backpacker, Outside, National Geographic Adventure magazines, and the New York Times. Van Peski is an internationally sought-after speaker known for his inspiring, humorous, and information-packed presentations. He has hiked most of the Pacific Crest Trail, wandered the backcountry in Japan and Europe, and bike-packed on the Great Divide. He lives in Bend, Oregon, with Francie, his wife of over forty years, and is the father of two grown sons. More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon
Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Taking the Stairs & Liking It with Lauren Speeth of Elfenworks | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:25:04 | |
Sometimes a brief meeting with one human can change your life. Lauren Speeth, President of Elphenworks Productions, met US President Jimmy Carter decades ago. Lauren Speeth, PhD, combines a lifelong background in Silicon Valley technology with a commitment to educational, pro‑social storytelling. A classically trained violinist and longtime member emeritus of The Peninsula Symphony’s first violin section, she is also a voting member of The Recording Academy and has produced films and media projects that address poverty, inequality, and the climate crisis while aiming to foster hope. Her work in social impact has led to advisory roles with leading institutions: she serves as an External Advisor to Stanford’s Center on Poverty and Inequality, where she helped architect the Center’s first website and co-orchestrated its launch with a Concert for Hope, and she is a Lifetime Member of the Board of Councilors at The Carter Center. In higher education, she has held positions as a Regent Emeritus of Saint Mary’s College of California and has taught and lectured widely in management, statistics, computer science, and social entrepreneurship, including ongoing involvement with Bakke Graduate University. Speeth’s activism and philanthropy were shaped in part through a mentoring relationship with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, whom she came to know through her deep engagement with The Carter Center. As a Life Member of its Board of Councilors, she sought guidance from Carter while framing the mission and operating principles of The Elfenworks Foundation; during these conversations, he encouraged her to “risk failure for worthy causes,” advice that helped her define the foundation’s core pillars of having a clear vision, working in partnership, avoiding duplication, sharing credit, measuring results, and staying the course. Speeth has since carried Carter’s counsel into her writing and public speaking, including her book Taking the Stairs and Liking It: 7 Steps to an Amazing Life, which draws directly on his wisdom along with her own research and global experience. I bought the book & it’s only 99 cents on Amazon. Timeline 00:00 Jimmy Carter meeting 13:00 How to get feedback 16:30 Stamina Connect Send me an anonymous voicemail at SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my Substack newsletter. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: * X * YouTube * TikTok * 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 with its unlimited hotspot & data that never expires! Use code LR32K 4. Or get 5% off when you sign up with Saily, another global eSIM with a built-in VPN & ad blocker. 5. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 6. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 7. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken. 8. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 9. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Bitcoin Halving 2024: Why the Stock-to-Flow S2F Model Will Break This Cycle | 19 Apr 2024 | 00:10:09 | |
It's April 19, 2024: Bitcoin's 4th Halving is happening today! The block reward, doled out every 10 minutes, will drop from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC. That translates into an inflation rate of only 0.85%, far less than gold or any other currency. From now until 2140, the inflation rate will slowly decrease to zero. This explains why Bitcoin has appreciated against inflating currencies over several years —and that it will continue since governments will always recklessly print money. Watch the YouTube Video to See the Charts It's easier to follow along. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGBgo6ImfpY In this episode, we celebrate the BTC Halving by reviewing Plan B's stock-to-flow (S2F) model, which I first critiqued at the previous halving in 2020. Back then, I predicted that the model would break in 2024 and beyond. Because the article and video were so viral, I've been reviewing the model's state annually. This update is extra special because it's the 2024 Halving. Watch the 9-minute video below to see why I still believe what I said in 2020: that the stock-to-flow model will begin to crack this year. As I explained in the video, the divergence between the two most recent models and reality is already happening. Only the original and most conservative S2F model remains viable. But in 2025 and definitely by 2026, you'll see that model will become as useless as the last two S2F models.
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| How To Frame Our Life Story with Glen Van Peski author of Take Less, Do More | 16 Apr 2024 | 00:15:04 | |
Glen Van Peski is a civil engineer who used his skills to engineer the lightest backpacking gear in the Solar System. Glen is the founder of Gossamer Gear. Today, Glen releases his new book, Take Less, Do More: Surprising Life Lessons in Generosity, Gratitude, and Curiosity from an Ultralight Backpacker. Sign up for his Virtual Launch Party on April 16, 2024. In this interview series, Glen shares snippets of his book. The final episode is a flashback episode of Glen and Francis recording themselves chatting while hiking up San Francisco's historic Sweeney Ridge. In this April 16, 2024 episode, we begin by encouraging you to register for Glen's Virtual Launch Party. Next, we introduce Glen, using two different filters: the negative story vs. the positive story. Using different lenses, we can radically transform how we view macro- and micro-moments throughout our lives. More about Glen Van Peski Glen Van Peski, founder of Gossamer Gear, is known for his legendary contributions to the backpacking community. A native Californian, Van Peski grew up in the western outdoors, and when his oldest son joined Scouts, he led the troop’s backpacking program. Through those experiences, he became intrigued by lightweight backpacking. He started sewing his gear and eventually started his own company, manufacturing ultralight backpacking equipment. Glen and his company have been featured in Backpacker, Outside, National Geographic Adventure magazines, and the New York Times. Van Peski is an internationally sought-after speaker known for his inspiring, humorous, and information-packed presentations. He has hiked most of the Pacific Crest Trail, wandered the backcountry in Japan and Europe, and bike-packed on the Great Divide. He lives in Bend, Oregon, with Francie, his wife of over forty years, and is the father of two grown sons. More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| What are the hardest countries to visit? The world's fastest traveler answers | 12 Apr 2024 | 00:08:36 | |
Michael Zervos shares the countries he worries he may be unable to visit. He also says what he will do if he runs out of time. As of April 12, he's 20% done with his quest. He wrote to me, "I am going to be in Zambia the next two nights and then in Malawi with the night bus the next day after from Harare (in theory)." You can watch this 3-min interview on YouTube. Glen Van Peski has a new book! Sign up for Glen Van Peski's free book launch virtual party on Tuesday April 16, 2024 3:00 pm EDT. I'll release a special WanderLearn episode they day of his book launch party, so look for it next Tuesday! Also, watch my previous interview with Glen Van Peski. More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Detained in Moscow for 7 Hours - The Project Kosmos with Michael Zervos | 04 Apr 2024 | 00:09:42 | |
Michael Zervos's attempt to set a speed record to travel to every country began with a stumble in Russia. Watch the interview on YouTube! Check out all my interviews with Michael. On 4/4/24, he wrote to me: "Maputo has a lot of bribing but I never felt in danger. It was just pathetic at a point. The cops not even bothering to make infractions up sometimes. They just walked away with our documents. There were some more serious issues in DRC but I’ll have to tell you about them at a later time." More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Traveling To Every Country Faster Than Anyone - Michael Zervos of Project Kosmos | 29 Mar 2024 | 00:05:07 | |
Michael Zervos is trying to visit 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. Periodically throughout 2024 and 2025, I will interview Michael Zervos about his 1.5-year quest to travel to all the nations in the world faster than anyone else! #1 Who is Michael Zervos & what is Project Kosmos? Michael Zervos explains Project Kosmos and why he's trying to be the fastest person to travel to every country. Watch this interview on YouTube Follow him on social media to see if he pulls it off. Michael Zervos makes well-produced social media content. Visit Michael Zervos's Linktree for all his links. More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.
Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| The DRC’s Health Challenges - Congo Struggles | 22 Mar 2024 | 00:08:58 | |
Xavier Garneau shares why he walked 10% of the journey. He also explains why he drank the local water and didn't take malaria pills. He also has advice for those who want to follow in his footsteps. Watch the 4th and final episode on YouTube! More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Putting a DRC Official in a Headlock | 15 Mar 2024 | 00:09:06 | |
Garneau tells us that when he lost his temper, a DRC immigration official was put in a headlock! Watch the video of this episode! This is part 3 of a 4-part series. See photos and read his epic report on this insane trip. More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| A Clever Tactic When Traveling in the DRC and Other Challenging Places | 08 Mar 2024 | 00:08:27 | |
Garneau explains the most innovative thing he did, which got him through countless hassles in the DRC. This is part 2 of a 4-part series. Watch this episode on YouTube! In this episode, learn why Garneau did his trek and how he accidentally traversed through an area while a genocide was in progress. Read his epic report on this insane trip. More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Traversing the DRC Solo Overland - Stumbling Into a Genocide | 01 Mar 2024 | 00:18:17 | |
Many travelers brag that they are "adventurous" because they bag a famous peak, visit Vietnam, or eat escargot. Although I celebrate anyone who pushes their travel limits, let's calibrate our definition of adventurous. My definition of an adventurous traveler is Francois Xavier Paradis-Garneau. He's a 23-year-old intrepid Canadian who got the BBC's attention when he became the first Western tourist to do the ring road around Afghanistan after the Taliban took over. In 2022, he upped the ante with an even more ambitious trip: a 3-month traverse of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), from Angola to Uganda. I've driven across half of the DRC (from Uganda to Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic). Therefore, I have an idea of what he had to go through. Watch this episode on YouTube! This is part 1 of a 4-part series. In this episode, learn why Garneau did his trek and how he accidentally traversed through an area while a genocide was in progress. See photos and read his epic report on this insane trip. More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Drakensberg & Other Weeklong Backpacking Trips | 23 Feb 2024 | 00:15:32 | |
Brad Graff & Sam Sliman share advice on the Drakensberg Traverse in South Africa. 00:00 Drakensberg Traverse Advice The Most Extreme Backpacking, the Julian Alps in Slovenia More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Vietnam's Sexism, Religion, Education, & Future | 20 Mar 2026 | 00:27:19 | |
Watch this interview to enjoy the b-roll Hal makes informative videos about Vietnam.1st video of the series: Subscribe to Hal's outstanding YouTube channel B-Roll credit: @HalOnEarth Timeline 00:00 Do The Vietnamese Like China More Than The USA? 03:20 Learning the Vietnamese language 05:00 YouTube channel goals 07:00 What Hal Loves & Hates about Vietnam 10:00 Sexism in Vietnam? 13:00 Religion 14:45 Educational system 19:00 Vietnam's future Hal's videos mentioned in the interview: Connect Send me an anonymous voicemail at SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my Substack newsletter. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: 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 with its unlimited hotspot & data that never expires! Use code LR32K 4. Or get 5% off when you sign up with Saily, another global eSIM with a built-in VPN & ad blocker. 5. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 6. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 7. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken. 8. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 9. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Drakensberg Traverse Backpacking Trip Report | 16 Feb 2024 | 00:19:29 | |
Brad Graff & Sam Sliman return to the WanderLearn Show to report how their 5-day adventure on South Africa's Drakensberg Traverse went. The short answer: it was a wet, sloppy, cold mess! Watch the Video to get the long answer! More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Will Bitcoin’s Lightning Network Struggle? | 09 Feb 2024 | 00:14:55 | |
Gary Arndt explains why the Lightning Network may not be the panacea to Bitcoin's throughput issue. Watch this interview on YouTube! Gary Arndt is the host of the fabulous Everything Everywhere Daily Podcast. Listen to my previous episodes with Gary Arndt:
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Predictions for the 2024 Election in the USA | 02 Feb 2024 | 00:06:25 | |
Gary Arndt predicts that we'll get two candidates that nobody wants. Gary Arndt is the host of the fabulous Everything Everywhere Daily Podcast. Listen to my previous episodes with Gary Arndt:
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.
Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| How the Gaza & Ukraine Wars End | 26 Jan 2024 | 00:06:11 | |
Gary Arndt reflects on how to solve the world's most challenging wars. Watch the interview on YouTube! Gary Arndt is the host of the fabulous Everything Everywhere Daily Podcast. Listen to my previous episodes with Gary Arndt:
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Why China Won’t Invade Taiwan | 19 Jan 2024 | 00:07:38 | |
Gary Arndt explains why it's unlikely that China will invade Taiwan. Gary Arndt is the host of the fabulous Everything Everywhere Daily Podcast. Listen to my previous episodes with Gary Arndt:
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Can Anyone Win the Ukraine War? | 12 Jan 2024 | 00:08:23 | |
Gary Arndt reflects on the Russo-Ukrainian War so far. Watch the interview on YouTube! Gary Arndt is the host of the fabulous Everything Everywhere Daily Podcast. Listen to my previous episodes with Gary Arndt:
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Podcasting vs. Travel Blogging | 05 Jan 2024 | 00:13:08 | |
Gary Arndt shares his insights and dirty details about why he left travel blogging and how podcasting is different. Gary Arndt is the host of the fabulous Everything Everywhere Daily Podcast. Listen to my previous episodes with Gary Arndt:
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Predictions for 2024 | 03 Jan 2024 | 00:10:52 | |
In my Annual Prediction Show, I review last year's predictions before making my new predictions. Watch my 2024 Predictions on YouTube Let's go: 1. Trump loses the nomination Yes, this prediction is almost as crazy as saying in 2015 that Donald Trump would be the next US President. Few believed that back then, and everyone assumes he will be the nominee in 2024. However, almost every election has at least one surprise, and I'm betting this will be the big surprise. I have low confidence in this prediction. 2. Republicans nominate Nikki Haley, not Trump Who will represent the Republicans if Trump doesn't? Nikki Haley because Ron DeSantis lost his momentum. She is light years behind Trump, but if anyone can beat Trump, Haley can. 3. The Republican defeats Joe Biden This prediction implies that Joe Biden will win the nomination, not Gavin Newsom (who would be a better candidate) or any other Democrat. If Trump runs against Biden, Biden might win. But any other Republican will defeat Biden. 4. Australian flooding will kill at least 50 This is a conservative prediction. Deaths could easily be in the hundreds. 5. Bitcoin doubles in value during a year of a halving It will go above $80,000 during 2024 but won't close above $80,000. 6. Ethereum closes at $3333 Because everyone expects a bullish crypto year, I'm nervous that the crowd will (once again) be wrong. Still, it's hard to believe Ethereum will lose value this year, even with assaults from Solana and Bitcoin. Therefore, I'm making a moderately bullish prediction. I won't be surprised if Ethereum reaches $5000 at some point. 7. S&P climbs 7% After a profitable 2023, the US stock market will likely cool off. Although a recession is priced in, not much other bad news is. Expect a modest year. 8. ANC will lose the majority of seats for the first time in 30 years After spending 3 months in South Africa in 2023, it's clear that South Africans are fed up with the ANC more than ever. The main problem is that the opposition is fractured. A sloppy, chaotic coalition government will emerge with the ANC still the top dog despite its lack of majority. 9. Jimmy Carter dies He's been in a hospice for nearly a year. His wife died in November 2023. I hope I'm wrong, but let's appreciate his final months. 10. I finish the manuscript of The Unseen Africa I've been saying this often, but now I'm super determined. Plus, I finished the dreaded South Africa chapter, so it should be clean sailing for the next half of the book! Previous predictions To see my previous forecasts, check out my predictions for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Share and put your feedback or predictions in the comments below! Feedback Give anonymous verbal feedback to this show or the podcast by using the SpeakPipe link below. Maybe you have:
To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! Get a crypto hardware wallet from Ledger. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 8 Ways To Manage Your Flight With A Toddler | 21 Dec 2023 | 00:08:47 | |
Surprisingly, I rarely fly. I prefer overland travel, which contributes fewer greenhouse gases than planes. I've never sat next to a baby, but I pity those who have, including the parents. Send this Public Service Announcement (PSA) for the travel holidays to anyone who plans to fly with a baby. Flying with a Tiny Tornado: A Survival Guide for Parents (and Other Passengers) Ah, toddlers. Tiny humans with the volume knob cranked to eleven and the attention span of a goldfish on Red Bull. So, you're brave enough to take one on a plane? Buckle up, buttercup, because it's gonna be a flight... interesting. But fear not, weary warrior! Here's your arsenal for surviving (and maybe even enjoying) an airborne adventure with your mini-me: 1. Book Direct Flights Booking direct flights is like finding the secret passage in a video game. One entry, minimal fuss. Aim for a non-stop odyssey. Fewer disturbances mean fewer chances for your tiny traveler to unleash their vocal powers mid-air. 2. Connecting Flights Should Have Longer Layover For those facing the unavoidable layover quest, fear not! Seek connections with longer layovers—2 to 3 hours, the sweet spot for parental peace. A break for the toddler to stretch, tire out, and possibly snooze on the second leg. Just avoid layovers longer than your toddler's attention span. The purpose of more extended layovers is that air pressure may alter the ears of the baby, making them fussy. As adults, we manage to handle this change in air pressure, but babies can not. Therefore, they start screaming. If you have a longer layover, it will allow the baby to settle down. Secondly, it will give them time to stretch their body and get themselves tired. 3. Utilize Pre-Boarding Facility Get in before the stampede of luggage and confused tourists. Let your offspring claim the throne of their airplane kingdom before the peasants arrive. Just promise you won't use the microphone to announce their nap schedule. 4. Pack Baby Bag Separately Think Mary Poppins's carpetbag filled with enough snacks, wipes, and distractions to rival a Disney theme park. Diapers? Pack more than you think, then triple it. Trust us, a poopnado at 30,000 feet is not a good look. It should include:
You should always keep extra diapers in your hand carry, even if your flight is as short as one hour. You never know when a baby might soil the diaper, which can get extremely uncomfortable. Keeping some snacks in your bag can keep your baby busy for some time. 5. Dress Them Comfortably Dress your tyke for the runway of comfort. No puffer jackets or haute couture discomfort, please. Loose-fitted clothes are the fashion-forward choice. Remember, a comfortable toddler is a happy toddler, and a happy toddler is a quieter one. 6. Book A Separate Seat For The Baby Secure a kingdom for your little royalty—a separate seat for the tiny traveler. A car seat fortress ensures safety and grants you respite from the lap-monarchy. Buckle up, little one, for the journey of a lifetime! 7. Check-In Baby Gear At Gate Leave strollers, car seats, and inflatable T-Rexes for the ground crew. Trust us; you'll have enough to juggle without becoming a circus act with a carry-on the size of a small car. 8. Bring Something For Entertainment Distraction is Your Weapon! Tablets loaded with cartoons? Check. Finger puppets that tell Shakespearean sonnets? Why not? Anything to keep those tiny eyes glued to something other than the screaming lady in seat 12B. Conclusion And there you have it, intrepid parent – a guide to turn your toddler's travel saga into a comedy of errors, laughter, and a few well-earned victories. May your flights be smooth, your snacks abundant, and your toddler's giggles the soundtrack to your epic adventure! Safe travels! More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Surprising Facts About Gorillas & African Wildlife | 15 Dec 2023 | 00:09:35 | |
Many believe Africa is teeming with wildlife. Others believe seeing gorillas and other wildlife must be cheap because Africans have a low income. Both of these ideas are myths. In eight minutes, I answer a Patron's question about seeing mountain gorillas in Rwanda. I mention Uganda. Watch the Video on YouTube The cost estimates mentioned in the video are the cheapest possible mountain gorilla treks. You have to hunt to find a deal for $800. But they exist. What also exists is the $8000 deal. African safari prices vary tremendously. Furthermore, you could consider seeing the lowland gorillas in the Republic of Congo. The price is about a quarter of what the mountain gorillas cost, but they are far away. So bring binoculars. Lastly, I answer the question about the abundance of African wildlife. The reality is much more depressing than you imagine. African wildlife is rare & usually hunted.
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| What Do the Vietnamese Really Think About Americans? | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:08:46 | |
Watch the video version of this podcast Hal makes informative videos about Vietnam. See my previous video with him: Subscribe to Hal's outstanding YouTube channel. Connect Send me an anonymous voicemail at SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my Substack newsletter. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: * X * YouTube * TikTok * 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 with its unlimited hotspot & data that never expires! Use code LR32K 4. Or get 5% off when you sign up with Saily, another global eSIM with a built-in VPN & ad blocker. 5. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 6. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 7. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken. 8. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 9. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Hammocks vs. Tents | SCUBA Diving | Current Affairs | 08 Dec 2023 | 00:23:18 | |
Travel Tribe X Podcast Host Jordan Chmiel has tried hammocks & tents. He explains why he loves hammocks! We also dive into the SCUBA world. We end with current world hot spots. 00:00 Hammocks vs. Tents 05:15 Next Adventure 07:45 SCUBA Diving 14:30 Ukraine & North Korea More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! Get a crypto hardware wallet from Ledger. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| A Real Life ’Dumb and Dumber’ Experience | 01 Dec 2023 | 00:08:59 | |
Travel Tribe X Podcast Host Jordan Chmiel shares a hilarious true story when he acted like the two idiots in the final scene of the "Dumb and Dumber" comedy. Watch that scene & the whole episode on YouTube! Subscribe to the Travel Tribe X Podcast on any podcast app, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify #southkorea #travel #livingabroad More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! Get a crypto hardware wallet from Ledger. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| How To Get Over the Fear of Living Abroad! South Korea Case Study | 23 Nov 2023 | 00:19:50 | |
Travel Tribe X Podcast Host Jordan Chmiel exposes his secrets on finding the courage to live in South Korea when he hardly knew where it was. 00:00 Intro 01:00 1st lesson 08:00 2nd lesson 09:00 South Korea Subscribe to the Travel Tribe X Podcast on any podcast app, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify #southkorea #travel #livingabroad More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! Get a crypto hardware wallet from Ledger. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Russo-Ukrainian War Predictions & Israeli War Impact | 17 Nov 2023 | 00:27:48 | |
Nejc Trušnovec is a War Analyst who is closely following the Ukraine War. I've interviewed him three times on the WanderLearn Show. November 2023 Interview Nejc reflects on how his 7/7/2022 Ukraine War predictions fared. He also shares his 2024 predictions for the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Lastly, we end by talking about how the 2023 Israeli War will impact Ukraine. March 2022 Interview We recorded this on March 27, 2022. Jump to our 7/7/22 conversation about the Ukraine war. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:00 Current War Situation 05:50 Tactics 14:00 Are we rushing to judgment? 17:00 What's next? 19:10 What will happen to Putin? 23:00 Best News Sources 24:00 Final predictions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-BITpsCH4U
Nejc's Top 3 War News Sources
Feedback Give anonymous verbal feedback to this show or to the podcast in general by using the SpeakPipe link below.
More info If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! My Patrons and Gossamer Gear sponsored this show! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Follow me on:
Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! If you prefer to send me a one-time tip on PayPal, use my email FT@FrancisTapon.com Lastly, for cryptocurrency tips, use my address: FTapon.x Affiliate links 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 or FTX.us https://ftx.us/home/#a=8886044 Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Travel Tribe X Podcast Host Jordan Chmiel Twardowski | 10 Nov 2023 | 01:07:50 | |
Podcast Swap! Francis Tapon appeared on the Travel Tribe X Podcast and we're re-airing the episode on the WanderLearn Podcast feed! Enjoy this one-hour interview, where Jordan Chmiel Twardowski interviews Francis Tapon. Subscribe to the Travel Tribe X Podcast on any podcast app, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify! Or search for Travel Tribe X on whatever app you're using to read this! More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| When to End a Debate | 03 Nov 2023 | 00:04:24 | |
You debate someone daily. It could be your partner, friend, co-worker, boss, or an anonymous a*****e on social media. Debates can be exhausting and unproductive, especially if you're debating someone close-minded and inflexible. I've made controversial points about:
Therefore, I have plenty of experience debating intransigent people. In the past, I would waste time debating religion (I have a BA degree in Religion) and other taboo subjects, but lately, I've developed a new technique to avoid having useless discussions. I reveal my simple tactic below that you can employ when you're talking about:
Lastly, look in the mirror! Make sure you apply the same question to yourself! Maybe you're the stubborn one! Tell the other person what evidence you want to see before changing your mind. Watch the YouTube Video I hope it's helpful! If so, share!
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| The Ideal Writing Space & Environment | 27 Oct 2023 | 00:03:00 | |
A subscriber wants to know: what is the ideal writing space? It takes me 5-10 years to pump out a book, so I'm a lousy author to answer this question, but I'll try. I answer the question in a three-minute video. This house in California's Trinity Alps was nearly perfect because it lacked mobile phone coverage. However, it had Internet. More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Touring Pakistan in 2023 | 20 Oct 2023 | 00:24:14 | |
Avalanche expert Robert Hahn appeared on an earlier WanderLearn episode. In last week's show, he and his Malagasy wife discussed the difference between Malagasy and American culture. This week, we talk about: Pakistan Culture 00:00 Why Pakistan? 01:30 Where Robert went 04:30 Safety 07:00 India relations 12:12 Surprises
Watch Video on YouTube!
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Madagascar Culture vs. USA | 13 Oct 2023 | 00:23:04 | |
Avalanche expert Robert Hahn appeared on an earlier WanderLearn episode. Back then, he was single. Now, he's brought this Malagasy wife to join him in one of the two episodes below. After we recorded, she preferred that I not share her name. Madagascar vs. USA Culture 00:00 How they met 00:30 What shocked her 02:15 What shocked Robert 05:45 Couples in the USA vs. Madagascar 08:40 Fady = Forbidden Taboo 11:30 Body shape preferences 15:00 Madagascar's Future Watch Video on YouTube! More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| If the USA is Racist, Why Do Dark-Skinned Immigrants Come? | 06 Oct 2023 | 00:07:18 | |
A WanderLearn listener asked me: "Why do people come to the United States to escape racism if there is systemic racism in the USA?" In this show, I answer that question in 6 minutes. Watch the Video on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKc2nQ4HXmg Podcast For more on racism in the USA, hear what Rejoice Tapon says. More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Hal On Earth, Especially Vietnam | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:15:27 | |
Hal makes informative videos about Vietnam. Watch the video of this podcast Hal gets credit for the B-roll in the video! Subscribe to Hal's outstanding YouTube channel. Timeline 00:00 Who is Hal Medrano? 04:00 Pittsburgh, PA 06:30 Why Hal Returned to Vietnam 08:00 Hal On Earth Channel Hal's videos mentioned in the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo0mkcMbDHI SE Asia 30 years ago Connect Send me an anonymous voicemail at SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my Substack newsletter. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: * X * YouTube * TikTok * 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 with its unlimited hotspot & data that never expires! Use code LR32K 4. Or get 5% off when you sign up with Saily, another global eSIM with a built-in VPN & ad blocker. 5. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. 6. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! 7. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken. 8. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! 9. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| A Dangerous Book About African Energy | 29 Sep 2023 | 00:14:40 | |
NJ Ayuk has written a provocative book called A Just Transition: Making Energy Poverty History with an Energy Mix. Akuk sums up his book in 6 words: "Gas First. Solar and Wind Later." Here are some memorable parts of the book:
He sums up his book in a sentence: "We cannot ignore the needs of millions in our zeal to prevent climate change." Africa shouldn't have to be energy poor I'm not a climate doomsday activist. Most doom-and-gloom apocalyptic scenarios that many environmentalists forecast are overly negative. Yes, the world is warming. Yes, it's primarily human-made. However, just as the Netherlands thrives despite being below sea level, most coastal metropolises will use technology to deal with sea level rise. Farmers will grow different crops. Canadians will grow what farmers in Nebraska grow, and Nebraskans may grow tropical fruits. In short, humanity will do what it's always done: adapt. It won't be fun; we wish we were wiser; maybe 1 billion will die or get displaced, but we'll survive. And yes, thousands of plant & animal species will suffer. It may be the sixth mass extinction event. But humans will survive it. In short, part of me is fine with Ayuk's idea of Africa blasting tons of natural gas into the atmosphere because you must consume energy to get rich. Ayuk suggests that humanity's ship is sinking, and Africa should be able to drink the alcohol with everyone else while the ship goes down. Indeed, why does the rest of the world get to spew out greenhouse gases while Africans have to refrain or use solar/wind, which aren't 100% competitive yet? I understand. However, there are three problems 1. Africa will suffer more than any other continent from global warming since it is already the hottest continent. Therefore, they are shooting themselves in the foot by increasing greenhouse cases. Ayuk cites that gas emits half the greenhouse gases of coal, but that's not a big difference. If it were 10x, I'd be impressed. But since Africans are growing from 1.1 billion to 4.4 billion this century, they need something better than gas. 2. As Ayuk rightly observes, Africa has abundant wind/solar capacity. Africa could lead in renewable, clean energy just like they leapfrogged others when they skipped landlines and went straight to mobile. Africans innovated on mobile money because they were early adopters. Instead, Ayuk wants to copy the energy dinosaurs in the rich world who are already innovating in wind & solar. Africans will again be forced to buy wind & solar tech from abroad since they didn't invent it when they could because they were too busy burning their gas. 3. Ayuk has deep financial interests in African natural gas companies and apparently nothing in wind & solar. On August 1, 2023, his LinkedIn profile states: "Mr. Ayuk concentrates particularly on the structuring, local content, documentation and negotiation of oil, gas and petrochemical transactions. His clients include oil and gas producers, operators, petrochemical manufacturers, oil field services companies and financing parties in the energy industry. He has played a key role in negotiating and documenting the purchase and sale of upstream and midstream oil and gas assets, farmins, farmouts, volumetric production payments and other drilling fund and development dollar investment arrangements, as well as petrochemical project development, asset acquisition and divestiture and joint venture investments. The Oil and Gas Year Publication recognized him as "a shrewd, street-smart, savvy dealmaker and major asset" and Chambers and Partners recognized him as an "important player" and a "tremendous resource"-an acknowledgement bestowed upon him by his peers in the industry." Verdict Ayuk is deep in bed with the oil and gas industry. He's made millions from that industry. Of course, he will champion Africa exploiting all their natural gas resources even if it leads to worse global warming. Ayuk has enough money to buy a few mansions in Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, and Russia to escape the heat. As Upton Sinclair said, "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." 1/10 stars. #AJustTransitionMakingEnergyPovertyHistorywithanEnergyMix More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 2024 Election, Israel, Ukraine, & Taiwan with Sym Blanchard | 22 Sep 2023 | 00:16:45 | |
Sym Blanchard & I look into our crystal balls to assess global politics. Sym listens to countless political podcasts during his long hikes. I love to debate his reflections. 00:00 Presidential Election 2024 02:40 Ukraine War 04:00 Israel & Palestine 09:50 Taiwan Watch the Video Previous episodes featuring Sym Listen to my first interview with Sym.
Connect with Sym Blanchard on Facebook and Instagram.
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Are Vegans Doomed To Get Osteoporosis? | 15 Sep 2023 | 00:19:15 | |
Sym Blanchard is a 70-year-old thru-hiker who completed America's Triple Crown hike in 2023! He's section-hiked all the sections of the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail! Sym Blanchard has been a vegan for the last 10 years. He just got diagnosed with osteoporosis. Although I still encourage veganism and vegetarianism, his tale emphasizes the importance of carefully watching your nutrition. Timeline 00:00 Vegan gets osteoporosis 02:50 Diet changes 05:50 Long-term decline 13:13 Plans for 2024 Watch the Video
Previous episodes featuring Sym Listen to my first interview with Sym.
Connect with Sym Blanchard on Facebook and Instagram.
More info To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe | |||