WanderLearn: Travel to Transform Your Mind & Life

This is part 4 of 6 episodes with Rufina Garay, the host of the new FoodLove podcast!In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Intro01:00 Are Farmer's market scams? 10:10 What has made you resilient during the pandemic?15:45 Expedia ad17:00 KQED Forum podcast excerpt about the food industry19:10 Is the food industry in for a reckoning? 30:30 Afterward about "sexism and racism" in the food industry19:30 A tough questionIf you missed my previous episodes with Rufina Garay, follow the links below or look for them on your podcast player: Part 1: Are Some Cuisines Objectively Better Than Others?Part 2: An Empty Stomach is the Best ChefPart 3: Why Do Animal Eaters Hate Hunters?Part 4: Is the Food Industry Doomed?Part 5: Will Our Descendants Take Down Statues of Meat Eaters? SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by: ExpediaMy patrons at Patreon More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

This is part 3 of 6 episodes with Rufina Garay, the host of the new FoodLove podcast!In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Intro01:00 Brittany Longoria's Leopard photo 09:15 Lab-grown meat15:00 Expedia ad16:15 Clean meat19:30 A tough questionIf you missed my previous episodes with Rufina Garay, follow the links below or look for them on your podcast player: Part 1: Are Some Cuisines Objectively Better Than Others?Part 2: An Empty Stomach is the Best ChefPart 3: Why Do Animal Eaters Hate Hunters?Hunting podcastsSince this episode is mostly about hunting, you might be interested in my previous episodes about hunting:Brittany Longoria's Leopard PhotoRejoice and I debate the leopard photoBrittany returns to explain hunting mythsAre Hunters Responsible for the Decline of Africa's Wildlife?Are Hunters An Endangered Species Wonders Hunter of the YearSponsorsThis episode is sponsored by: ExpediaMy patrons at Patreon More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Rufina Garay is the host of the new FoodLove podcast!This is episode 2 of 6 with Rufina!We discuss00:00 Intro01:00 Cafeteria food vs. fancy restaurants06:57 An Empty Stomach is the Best Chef09:40 Is using salt in cooking cheating?15:40 Ads18:00 What food should one eat on the trail? 29:00 HydrationIf you missed part 1, "Are Some Cuisines Objectively Better Than Others?", then go back to listen to that!SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by: ExpediaRerouted.coMy patrons at Patreon More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

The next 4 episodes will feature Rufina Garay, the host of the new FoodLove podcast!We hadn't talked to each other since we casually played volleyball at Amherst College in 1992!Therefore, 30 years later, we had a lot of catching up to do!We talked for over 2 hours!Instead of airing it as one mega-long podcast, I've broken it up into 4 segments of about 30 minutes each.Here are the timestamps for Part 1 of 5. Click on them to jump to that section.If you like timestamps, tell me!00:00 Intro06:00 Eating stuff you don't want to eat13:00 Why Rufina is an omnivore15:00 Flax seeds16:30: Ads18:45 What would you never eat again?22:00 Are Some Cuisines Objectively Better Than Others?SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by: ExpediaRerouted.coMy patrons at Patreon More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

I answer 3 listener questions.You can also watch it on YouTube.1. What are my book recommendations?I mention:Any book by Bill Bryson. I enjoyed his latest, The Body.Robert Zubrin, A Case for SpaceGates of Fire:: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae2. How do you train for your mountain climbing?3. Why did Eswatini change its name?BTW, I will be doing more and more short episodes. Occasionally, I will have 1+ hour episode, but it seems people love episodes under 20 minutes.SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by: ExpediaRerouted.coMy patrons at Patreon More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

After reviewing the 10 reasons why you should consider backpacking with an umbrella, I tackle...10 frequently asked questions about carrying an umbrella while hiking or backpackingIn summary, I address the top 10 reasons to use an umbrella in the wild as well as the 10 questions people have about backpacking with an umbrella.I'm reading my umbrella article that has been viewed 200,000 times. SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by: ExpediaRerouted.coMy patrons at Patreon More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Nate Ritter, the CEO of Roomsteals, reveals the unseen underbelly of the travel industry.We discuss:Will mistake fares increase in the futureAI vs. Machine Learning - and how it affects youHotel vs. airline marginsWholesale vs. retail pricing in travelOTAsHow discount airlines make moneyShould you buy tickets on the weekend or Tuesday? (Surprising answer!)Why Nate started Room StealsWatch it on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BFcCLYKP0USponsorsThis episode is sponsored by: ExpediaThe Restoration Project Rerouted.coMy patrons at Patreon More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!Expedia Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Adrien Behn (pronounced "Bane") has been a nomad for 12 years and has visited 35 countries and 20 US States.She is the host of the Strangers Abroad Podcast.We talk about:What do you have to do to claim that you have been to a state?How can you travel safely as a solo female traveler?How is it like to be a comedian in a politically correct age?Do women get more hangry than men?Referencing our "hangry" debate, here are some related articles:The journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported that "Men’s Brains Fight Urge to Eat Better Than Women's."Cosmo had a different take.Sarah Keating of the BBC argues that men get more hangry than women. SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by: The Restoration Project Rerouted.coMy patrons at Patreon More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Dan Coplan is a filmmaker and drone operator.We talk about:How he got started with drones and filmmakingIs helicopter footage going to go extinct with the advent of drones?Filming in vertical vs. horizontalImage stabilization vs. gimbalsDigital vs. optical zoomAre all 4K cameras equal?Question of the WeekWhat are NFTs? Why are they valuable?Dan mentioned "Right Up Our Alley" on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgS54fqKxf0SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by: The Restoration Project Rerouted.coMy patrons at Patreon More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Today marks the 1-year anniversary of bitcoin's 3rd halving & my critique of Plan B's stock-to-flow model.Watch the video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa3sWnDvIl0 I reflect on:How the stock-to-flow model is holding up.Misunderstandings about my first S2F video.Who is right/wrong about the S2F model.A potential Bitcoin supercycle.Bitcoin's Achilles' Heel.What I think will happen in bitcoin's future. Outline00:00​ Intro00:22​ 1 year after the halving02:50​ I'm not a BTC bear03:56​ McAfee eating his dick05:05​ S2F has an extremely broad target06:32​ BTC Supercycle?10:14​ BTC's Achilles' Heel12:01​ Plan B Blocked Me15:40​ Price Predictions18:45​ Summary SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by: The Restoration Project Rerouted.coMy patrons at Patreon More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! DISCLAIMERThe information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial legal or tax advice. The content of this video is solely the opinions of the speaker who is not a licensed financial advisor or registered investment advisor. Trading cryptocurrencies poses a considerable risk of loss. The speaker does not guarantee any particular outcome. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

I interview Teouta Luri, a Kosovar & ethnic Albanian who was born in Yugoslavia in 1976.She is the daughter of a prominent Yugoslav politician.We discuss:Why Tito was the most popular dictator ever.Why Milosovic's policies inadvertently brought on civil war.Why she thought getting married and having a baby in the middle of a war was a brilliant idea.Why Albanians love the USA more than anyone else.Whether women in Kosovo are more or less liberated than American women.Her first impressions of the USA.Whether there is an accent between Kosovars and Albanians.Why did I sometimes interrupt and talk over Teouta?Two reasons:1. Teouta and I talked enough before the interview that I felt comfortable enough to talk with her like I talked with Sym Blanchard. I was comfortable enough to allow for natural banter to develop.2. Like my interviews with Sym, we were in the same room with two separate microphones, so that makes it much easier to read body language and not have to deal with the lag that comes when you interview someone remotely (via Skype/Zoom).SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by: The Restoration Project Rerouted.coMy patrons at Patreon More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

El Camino de Santiago has 10 benefits, 4 things that are either good or bad depending on your perspective, and 10 sucky things about it.In this episode, I read my most popular article and interject commentary.The article has over 3 million views because it appears in the Top 10 results whenever you Google "El Camino Santiago."Sorry for the 1-month hiatus. I'll be pumping out more episodes to make up for the missed podcasts!Question of the WeekYida asks: I'm reading about Rwanda right now. I'm wondering whether you ever went gorilla trekking there?I'm also curious about the economics of safari tourism in Africa. A gorilla permit in Rwanda is $1500 US while the GDP per capital there is only about $800 US! Safari adventures for foreigners cost a lot compared to what locals spend. But hiking and camping for leisure also seem to be more of a North American thing and not universal. Do locals go on much cheaper packages available for citizens only if they ever want to see wildlife?SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by Rerouted.co! Rerouted.co is a great way to either:1. Buy 2nd-hand outdoor gear, thereby saving you money & saving the planet.2. Sell your gear, thereby making you a bit of money & saving the planet.This episode is also brought to you by my patrons at Patreon!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Aaron Millar's Armchair Explorer Podcast will delight Radiolab fans who love to travel!(Millar is pronounced like Americans pronounce "Miller.")In this podcast, you'll learn:Aaron Millar's originsHow Millar took the leap of faith of becoming a writer and then a podcasterWhy and how Millar integrates music in his podcast Why Steven Dubner, the host of the Freakanomics podcast, heavily edits his podcast - and why Millar does it.Difference between video and audio storytellingWhat telling someone about Bob Dylan lyrics says about youThe power of pacing & pauses How long it takes Millar to produce a 30-minute podcastHow can you find the courage to make a radical career shift?What is FOPO?Dolly Parton's wise sayingOne of the joys of travelI listen to most podcasts at 1.3 to 2.0 times faster than normal so I can be productive and efficient at cramming information into my skull.If you also do that, do me a favor and take a break from that habit on this particular podcast episode.Why?Because speeding up music ruins it. I spend many hours integrating music for your listening pleasure. Besides, I edited out 60% of my one-hour interview. Therefore, in a sense, it's already sped up!As a bonus, I'm Beta Testing a new segment called...Question of the Week!To debut the question, I have a question about viruses, especially the Coronavirus.SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by Athletic Brewing! Use promo code WANDERLEARN20 to get 20% off. Order two 6-packs to get free shipping!And my patrons at Patreon!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Would you like to get sponsors for your activities?I'll paraphrase JFK...Ask not what sponsors can do for you, ask what you can do for your sponsorsThe CEO of GoLite said that I was the first person to ever send him a sponsorship proposal with the section called "ROI" (Return On Investment). That shows that oftentimes people don't consider that companies want to get something out of the experience beyond just the feeling that they're helping someone who needs help.That's normal: most people don't toss money to beggars, but are more likely to give to street musicians who are providing a service (i.e., entertainment). When you seek sponsors, don't be a beggar - offer something in return for the donation.Write a 1-3 page proposal. In your proposal, try to answer these questions:How will you market their brand?How much visibility will you get?Why you and not someone else?How do we know you will publish a book (or whatever)?How many books will you sell? How many presentations will you give?How prominently will you display our logo and where? Four more points about getting sponsorshipApproach small companies rather than big ones. It's hard to get Nike to sponsor you (unless you have a connection).Don't expect cash, especially from small companies. I have never received a check from any sponsor. They just give me gear. A few don't even give free gear, they just sell it to you at a steep discount. The outdoor companies (like most backpackers) are cash poor, so have low expectations. Yes, North Face (and others) sponsor amazing Everest expeditions, but unless you're doing something insanely extraordinary, don't expect cash.Getting sponsors is often not worth the trouble. Factor in all the hours writing a proposal, calling, following up, and supporting them afterward. You might conclude it's just easier to buy the Mountain Laurel Designs tarp for $200 than go through all that hassle. Although getting food sponsors is great, do you really want to eat the same energy bar several times a day for months? Also, you might not like everything your sponsor makes. I've always had non-exclusive arrangements so I can pick and choose the best of the breed in my gear and not carry/promote stuff I don't think is the best. Same with food - I've always had a couple of food sponsors to vary my diet.On the other hand, if you intend to do many expeditions, it might be worthwhile establishing a relationship with a few sponsors. Once they've sponsored you once, it's much easier to get their support in the future (assuming you served them well). Eventually, you'll have companies calling you asking you to use their gear! That's a great position to be in!Getting sponsorship isn’t as glamorous as you might imagine, but it’s still an honor, assuming you love the company that is sponsoring you. It’s also not easy to obtain, so be persistent, start with the small companies first, and then as your accomplishments increase, go after the big companies. Good luck! SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by Athletic Brewing! Use promo code WANDERLEARN20 to get 20% off. Order two 6-packs to get free shipping!And my patrons at Patreon!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

I tackle more listener feedback. Here's what they wrote:DC Qranky wroteOne thing I find very appealing about your show is how insightful you are and the way you both remain open to ideas while expressing your own opinion even if it’s totally contrary to a guest, for example.How about if at the end of every show you had a short segment in which you take one reader question or topic suggestion and run with that? It’s another way to engage with listeners without bribing them for 5-star reviews and it’s basically giving you free show ideas. It can be about ANYTHING! Literally, anything at all. If you can get an expert on your show to discuss with, all the better, but if not you can just spin your wheels on the question/topic yourself.It should be the same duration every time - long enough to dig in but not so long that you start to ramble. I’d say 5-10 min max. Maybe you can give it a catchy name like ‘New Idea Fix for 6’, as in 6 minutes. That’s a terrible name but just to illustrate the point. And!…give listeners an opportunity to post their thoughts after the show. You’ll read the top 3 most compelling feedback on your next show prior to the special segment.If you do this, DC Qranky wants an associate producer credit!Yida wroteAs you wrote such a detailed section on malaria in West Africa, I'm wondering if you plan to follow up discussion on Covid-19 in Africa and some major responses and developments?Another point I want to raise is who is your intended audience?Do you see children and educators reading your books?Perhaps some geography, social studies teachers/ professors have already read your books and reached out to you!There are lots of good discussion questions and essay topics that could come out of every chapter.Your book is very educational and filled with facts, geography, history, culture, told in your engaging narrative voice. However, the funny adult stories and frank discussions on sex, polygamy means it would be rated M for Mature.Chances are, kids working on projects would be unlikely find this book in their school libraries. I can see teenagers enjoying this and the book is very readable. I'm curious whether this book would be selected by teachers, school librarians, as part of their educational resources.I first found the Hidden Europe at a local public library but not at local bookstores or university libraries.I can see the Unseen Africa being used as an introduction to Africa and students can then consult your bibliography for more academic reading. My favorite geography reference book is Lonely Planet "The World" because it goes through every country in an accessible manner.DC Qranky wrote:Do I like your shorter podcasts? Hmm…sometimes. I also like your longer podcasts because it gives you an opportunity to get in depth. To a point. The lucid dream guy…that was pretty good. I don’t remember the length but the conversation was pretty compelling. Now listening to the married couple that won’t get married. A good bunch of it is fun listening but over an hour?? None of your podcasts should ever go over an hour and probably not over 50 mins. max.a) That’s a lot to listen to and if it needs to go that long, break it up into two parts.b) As stated, a good bunch of fun listening but also a lot of blah blah blah… You lose audience that way.It’ll take more of your time but you’ll have a better end product by scrubbing through the material and editing out, what some in my industry would call, “shoe leather”.I like your podcast but I may be biased. If I didn’t get to know you through your books and have you connect with my family in Benin and relate to you on a personal level (in many ways you seem like my brother from another mother), not sure if I would engage or not.Don’t change who you are or what you do but see if you can mold your podcast a bit to bring some sort of repeatable format to it.Going back to the short stuff, it works for Gary because he has a very obvious template. Maybe all your podcasts are only 30 minutes (reasonably digestible) but in one you lump together a bunch of similar-themed short ideas and in another you break it up into parts but only after you edit out the ho-hum stuff.I’m pulling all this out of my ass. Really just projecting what I think DC Qranky would say on some lame iTunes podcast review.SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by Athletic Brewing! Use promo code WANDERLEARN20 to get 20% off. Order two 6-packs to get free shipping!And my patrons at Patreon!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftap

I tackle my critics head-on thanks to an audience suggestion.DC Qranky wrote:You only read 5-star reviews on your show?C’mon man…don’t you want to encourage authentic dialogue? I think you should read ALL reviews! Not only will that encourage engagement, it will give you feed for your podcast. Let’s say some douche bag like, oh I don’t know, DC Qranky gives you a 1-star review and says you don’t know your ass from a hole in the ground and you’re full of crap and playing off Trump, Africa is a s**t hole country (I know it’s a continent) so why are you wasting your time there. That’s great stuff! Engage! Bring the f****r on your show.SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by Athletic Brewing! Use promo code WANDERLEARN20 to get 20% off. Order two 6-packs to get free shipping!And my patrons at Patreon!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

There are a dozen words and expressions that irk me when people misuse them.Share this episode to educate the world about these 12 misused words or phrases.You can also watch this episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-nVI_v5m4sThe 12 problematic words/phrases are: NonplussedMadBiweekly, bimonthly, and biannuallyFull of chemicalsBackpackingOnly a fractionDon't judgeProudGiving more than 100%Geopolitical / geopoliticsAsian / AmericanThat being saidWhat words or expressions bug you?Send me your ideas at [email protected] and I'll make another episode!SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by Athletic Brewing! Use promo code WANDERLEARN20 to get 20% off. Order two 6-packs to get free shipping!And my patrons at Patreon!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

I received this email that asks me a question I get asked all the time:Greetings Mr. Tapon,We share the same dream of traveling the world. This is exactly what I want to do. My question is: how do you afford it? Truly, you must be wealthy to be able to do this. Any advice on how I may follow in suit?-Jonathan, 22I answer that question in this episode!It's from my article about "How Can You Afford to Travel the World?"It has 125,000 views, but in this episode I read and interject some commentary in between.Share and subscribe, please!SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by Athletic Brewing! Use promo code WANDERLEARN20 to get 20% off. Order two 6-packs to get free shipping!And my patrons at Patreon!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

What's the difference between changing and transforming?Dr. Rosie Kuhn discusses this and many other topics in the #126 episode of the WanderLearn podcast!Listen to this if you're looking for ways to create a paradigm shift in your mentality and the way you perceive your life.Check out Rosie Kuhn's books!SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by Athletic Brewing! Use promo code WANDERLEARN20 to get 20% off. Order two 6-packs to get free shipping!And my patrons at Patreon!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Rejoice Tapon describes her exploration of the four most popular military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.This one is worth watching on YouTube! Trust me.Rejoice dreams of being a nurse in the 2020s.Therefore, she was mainly interested in the medical field.Still, this video will be helpful for those who are interested in non-medical careers.You'll learn:What's awesome about the Marines.Who should join the Air Force.What funny cartoon sums up different military groups.Why the Army is best who want a specific and guaranteed job.Why Rejoice chose the Navy.What's Rejoice's best tip for who may want to enlist.What all military recruiters will tell you.The video/podcast cuts abruptly, so Francis inserts an addendum to share information about when Rejoice will ship to boot camp, how long her training is, and what she may be doing for the next 5 years.Admittedly, in this video/podcast, we don't consider the Coast Guard (Rejoice dislikes swimming) and Space Force (it lacks medical jobs). If you request, I can do a video on those branches later.SponsorsThis show is sponsored by the Athletic Brewing Company. Use Promo Code WANDERLEARN20 to get 20% off your first order! And order at least two 6-packs to get free shipping too!My Patrons have also sponsored this show!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Elly Roupcheva's family is from Turkincha, Bulgaria. In this podcast, we reminisce on the unexpected way we met there. You can see the photos from our first meeting in my article about Turkincha. After some initial laughs, we dive into the real meat of the conversation: how has Bulgaria evolved in the last 10 years? In The Hidden Europe, I quoted Elly extensively in the chapter about Bulgaria.As I am revising the book for the 10th-anniversary edition, I wanted to see what has changed. What did she say back then that she would no longer say today?If you want to learn more about Bulgaria or Eastern Europe, you must listen to or watch this podcast! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW8YIfciUYU Below are a few photos for 11 years ago when we first met: SponsorsThis show is sponsored by the Athletic Brewing Company. Use Promo Code WANDERLEARN20 to get 20% off your first order! And order at least two 6-packs to get free shipping too!My Patrons have also sponsored this show!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Is Hungary becoming a dictatorship? How is Eastern Europe evolving?How did Viktor Orbán, Hungary's leader, come to power? Is he popular and loved?Alex Kuli is a "recovering journalist" in Hungary. We went to Amherst College together. He's been living in Hungary for a few decades, reporting on the state of affairs.I quoted him extensively in The Hidden Europe. With the 10th anniversary coming up and the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Trianon, we talked for one hour about how things are going in Eastern Europe, especially in Hungary.If you want to know more about Hungary, especially its political situation, you must listen to this podcast. What makes it interesting is that he puts Hungary in context with the rest of Eastern Europe. SponsorsThis show is sponsored by my Patrons!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Watch it on YouTube!Everyone loves to say, "I told you so."But few are willing to admit, "I told you something wrong."Even though every human makes mistakes every day, it's surprisingly hard to find humans who regularly say, "I was wrong."I make annual predictions not to say "I told you so," but rather to teach myself some humility.I predict events so I can publicly humiliate myself.It's my way of telling the world, "Look at how spectacularly wrong I was. I am an idiot."I recommend everyone should write down annual predictions for this reason. It's a way to keep your ego in check. Of course, you'll probably get a few things right, but the point is that you get to say those magic words: "I was wrong."See how I did on my 2020 predictions.Here are the predictions for 2021https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJvDAOZGp8o 1. Bitcoin ends the year at $40,000. I was recommending BTC at $3,500 in December 2018, and it's gone up tenfold since then!My first two BTC predictions were surprisingly accurate. My 2020 prediction was far vaguer than the previous predictions. That reflected that I was less certain than before.I feel the same way now. Like most analysts, I expect 2021 to be a huge year for bitcoin.Most Bitcoin fans are expecting that 2021 will be a monumental year:Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, predicts bitcoin will hit $50,000 in 2021.The dubious stock-to-flow model predicts that BTC will be $55,000 by the end of 2021.A Morgan Creek co-founder says bitcoin will hit $100,000 in 2021. (That's my 2030 prediction!)Willy Woo (an analyst that I usually respect) says BTC will end 2021 between $200-300k.You get the idea. On the one hand, such bullishness could make it a self-fulfilling prophecy. Bitcoin (like all money and gold) is all about human belief. Money is an imaginary thing. If we collectively decide it's worth $100,000 per BTC, then that's what it will be worth.On the other hand, bitcoin has an uncanny ability to surprise most people. When pundits pronounce that bitcoin is dead (which they've done countless times), it comes roaring back.Similarly, whenever bitcoin is soaring, people extrapolate the trajectory and get overly exuberant. The same thing happens with the stock market. During a bull market, they predict that the doublings will continue.So far, bitcoin hasn't surprised me, but I'm sure I'll get it wrong at some point.I'm predicting $40,000 because it's much less than the most bullish predictions, but it's still a positive year and a gain of nearly $10,000.Remember: $40,000 is what I predict the price will be on December 31, 2021. I fully expect it to reach much higher than that during the year. For example, it might go to $60,000 and then lose half of its value (down to $30k) and then bounce back up to $40k.The safest bitcoin prediction is that it will have a volatile year. So I wouldn't be surprised if, during 2021, it trades between $20,000 and $100,000!I'm sticking with my prediction that bitcoin (BTC) will hit $100,000 by the end of this decade. That implies that it gains about $10,000 per year, on average.I truly hope that the bitcoin fans are right with their frothy predictions, but I'm more conservative. Indeed, I would not be completely surprised if Bitcoin ends BELOW $30,000 at the end of 2021. It's a wild beast. 2. Another 500,000 deaths worldwide from the Coronavirus.On March 27, 2020, I predicted 1.5 million people would die worldwide from the virus in 2020. Reality: 1.8 million died of COVID-19 in 2020. When I made the prediction, only 60,000 had died at that point. Although we've got several vaccines, I suspect many will lower their guard in the first quarter of 2021. Resistance to taking a vaccine will slow down our ability to achieve herd immunity (70%+ vaccinated or infected).Since some vaccines require two doses spaced a few weeks apart, many people won't take the second dose, thereby exposing them to the virus when they let their mask down.Also, while high-income countries may distribute the vaccine widely before June 2021, low-income countries will need most of the year to do it.All these factors will make it so that 2021 will still be a deadly year for the Coronavirus, but the news won't make a big deal about it just like they don't make a big deal about the 400,000 annual worldwide deaths from the flu.3. Worldwide flu deaths will be 200,000 That's half the normal rate, thanks to all precautions we are taking against the Coronavirus.4. S&P 500 goes up 20%There will be a huge rally in the first half of 2021 as the COVID vaccine allows life to return to normal. However, exuberance will fade in September and October of 2021 so that the market will strip much of its gains. Still, it will be a great year overall for stocks.5. Jimmy Carter diesHe'll be 98 years old when he dies, which would make him the oldest former US president (George H. Bush was 94 when he died).6. Police Kill A Similar Number of PeopleDespite the George Floyd protests and the Black Lives Movement

For this Xmas, here's a special present - a podcast like no other!Sym Blanchard's first podcast with me in #3 in my all-time downloaded podcasts.My second one with him was also super popular.To make his third podcast even more interesting, Sym is joined by his girlfriend, Patty Montgomery. Together, they share:Why it took them 60 years to finally become a couple.How they manage their relationship when Sym is vagabonding.How their paths crisscrossed until they finally merged.How Sym nearly died on the CDT (jump to the halfway point for that).Where they traveled in 2020.If Morocco is for you.Forrest Fenn's found treasure.What they think of the COVID vaccine.SponsorsThis show is sponsored by my Patrons!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Nick Jankel has written several books, including Spiritual Atheism.We discuss his book and other topics.Nick Jankel helps you take the pain out of transformation. He helps you blast through the barriers that block creativity and innovation and unleash conscious changes in leadership and life that bring less suffering and more thriving into the spaces we touch.You can also watch the interview on YouTube.SponsorsThis show is sponsored by my generous Patrons More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

On March 27, 2020, we had 60,000 COVID deaths worldwide. I asked several physicians at my brother's virtual birthday party (on March 27) to predict how many deaths we would suffer in 2020.They said 100-250k.Rejoice said 1 million.I said 1.5 million.In December 2020, we hit the grim 1.5 million number, which is triple the annual number of worldwide flu deaths.I also discuss my 2021 travel plans.SponsorsThis show is sponsored by my Patrons More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Ten years ago, I was tired of Europeans unfairly bashing the USA, so I wrote a 5-part series called "Defending America."Throughout Eastern Europe, I’ve asked, “What can your country teach America?” I’ve documented their excellent suggestions in The Hidden Europe: What Eastern Europeans Can Teach Us.As part of this process, Europeans often told me, quite bluntly, what they think of Americans. The fact that I’m half-European and that I have no American blood in me (I was born of a French father and a Chilean mother) probably made them more comfortable to share their true thoughts. After getting an earful, it became clear that there are a few things Americans can teach Europeans about America.(I had often heard similar criticisms in Western Europe, which is why I'm posting this in the Western Europe section.)There are five themes that Europeans wail against AmericansAmerica’s foreign policy shows that we’re a warmongering, imperialistic nation (see below for details).The CIA is behind everything.Americans are fake.Americans are ignorant.Americans are devoid of culture.There’s a lot of truth to these five criticisms. In fact, in my book, I often make fun of these things. However, let’s load up the aircraft carriers and stealth bombers and blast away the five most common criticisms about Americans.This podcast will feature all 5 arguments in one podcast! It was originally made for my Patrons, which they got 6 months ago.Become a patron too for as little as $2/month!More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Get out of your echo chamber! Have conversations with people you disagree with!In that spirit, I am once again talking with Derek Loudermilk.We discuss:Lucid dreamingListening to your subconscious/gutChannelingAliensUFOsHarmonic ConvergenceUnified Field Intention ExperimentWhy be a skeptic?You can watch this episode on YouTube.If you missed my first episode with Derek, listen or watch it now.SponsorsThis show is sponsored by:My Patrons SawyerMore infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Thanksgiving 2020 will force Yanks to dig deep because it's been a "tough year" for them:Racial tensionsProtestsCOVID-19ShutdownsUnemployment + suicidesWildfiresElectionsTherefore, I list a bunch of random things that we should be grateful for this year (and every year).This was unrehearsed. I had no script. I just rattled off things that popped into my head. I could have kept going for hours, but I wanted to keep the podcast under 10 minutes and get your positive juices flowing. Spend 10 extra minutes coming up with your list of things to be thankful for.And I'm thankful for my....SponsorsThis show is sponsored by:My Patrons SawyerMore infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Simon and Carla Fowler are sailing the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea on their boat, the Ocean Fox. They've made over 200 videos on their Ocean Fox YouTube channel.If you prefer watching this interview, you can see it on my YouTube channel.I ask them:On a 1-10 scale, how hard is it to sail the English Channel vs. the Atlantic Ocean vs. the Pacific Ocean?Is the weather router (which sends you a local weather report to your satellite phone) for $15 worth it?How much does having broadband Internet in the middle of the ocean cost you? (The answer is SHOCKING!)How did they get rid of things before sailing off to the sunset?How did they buy their boat, the Ocean Fox?Why did they pick a catamaran?Why the Lagoon 400 model?What lessons did they learn from buying a boat?How did they finance this?How much does it cost to spend a week on the Ocean Fox and get training?How do they navigate?Are there tensions between sailing boats vs. powerboats?What are their future plans?Learn more at the Sailing Ocean Fox.SponsorsThis show is sponsored by:My Patrons SawyerMore infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

One of Hal Urban's books, Life Greatest's Lessons, has sold half a million copies. I've known him for many years and consider him my mentor.I'm fortunate that he's one of my patrons.In this podcast, we talk about his upcoming book which hits the stands on May 25, 2021.You can preorder it on Amazon now.However, if you really want to help him, buy it from his website.We discuss:Why he's self-published and why he's gone with a traditional publisherIn his 80 years, which was the worst year everHow does he deal with the negative newsWho he thinks will win the 2020 US Presidential ElectionWhat he thinks of the youth nowadaysHal Urban is an author, speaker, and award-winning teacher of thirty-six years at San Carlos and Woodside High Schools and at his alma mater, the University of San Francisco. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in history and a doctorate in education from the University of San Francisco, and he has done post-graduate studies in the psychology of peak performance at Stanford University. Since 1992, Dr. Urban has traveled more than 2 million miles while speaking nationally and internationally on positive character traits and their relationship to the quality of life. He has authored seven books, all with an emphasis on good character. His first book, Life's Greatest Lessons, was selected by Writer's Digest as the Inspirational Book of the Year and has sold 500,000 copies.The book's pitch The media's bias toward stories of conflict, violence, and division is bad for your health. Hal Urban shows how to find the positive and uplifting all around us without sticking our heads in the sand.The news media thrives on bad news. In recent years, the political climate has become vitriolic and divisive, our country seems more polarized than ever, and news feels inescapable because technology has significantly increased its reach. People who like to stay informed need a lift.Most people are aware that what they eat greatly impacts their physical health: junk food is bad, vegetables are good. Hal Urban argues that we can nourish our minds by choosing how we consume news and that when we surrender all that choice to media and external forces, we give up our growth, freedom, and mental health. Countless signs of progress and acts of kindness exist all around the world if you know where to look. And there are positive aspects in our own lives--family, friends, simple beauties, and everyday generosities--that we take for granted. This book helps readers understand that, as the late Zig Ziglar said, "You are what you are because of what goes into your mind."SponsorsThis show is sponsored by:My Patrons SawyerIcelabMore infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

I reveal who I'm voting for President of the United States in 2020.The answer may surprise you!I also rant about the Electoral College System.SponsorsThis show is sponsored by:My Patrons SawyerIcelabMore infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Google "Czechia" and you'll find my article in Forbes. Although it has about 200,000 views, a few outliers are still resisting the name Czechia. They cling to The Czech Republic name as stubbornly as they cling to their Czech beer in a pub.In this WanderLearn episode (#112), I talk with two Czechs:Petr Pavlinek: Professor of Geography at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Václav J. Šulista: Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic to the Swiss Confederation (or Honorary Consul of Czechia to Switzerland, for you short-form name fans).We discuss:Why Czechia is a good name.Who dislikes the name.Why they dislike the name.How long will it take for the world to adopt the name.Why it matters. You can watch most of the interview on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ivX9h4c5a4 Here is my article on Forbes:Czechia Has Won The Czech Republic Name DebateQuick: Paris is the capital of which country?You probably said, “France.”However, technically, it’s “the French Republic.” But who says that? Only a petulant Frenchman.Now try this: what’s the name of the country that drinks more beer per capita than any other country?If you’re feeling petulant, it’s the Czech Republic. If you want to be cool, it’s Czechia (pronounced Che-ki-ya).I'll drink to Czechia. (Photo credit: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) Peruse the CIA’s Factbook and you’ll find that most countries have a long-form name and a short-form name. The People’s Republic of China is the long-form name, while China is its short-form name. The United States of America is also a mouthful, which is why there are popular alternatives: America (which many Latin Americans object to), the USA, the US, the States or Gringoland.For the last 100 years, the Czechs have been unable to come up with an easy name for English speakers to call their country. In 1918, when they first formed their country, the Czechs called their country Czechoslovakia. That tongue-twister was ridiculed by National Geographic, which called the new country’s name “awful” and an “unfair handicap for the young state.”In 1993, following Slovakia’s Velvet Divorce with Czechoslovakia, the Czech bureaucrats once again failed to promote a catchy English name for their new country. The Czech Republic is all they could come up with. It became both the long-form and short-form name of their new country. Why couldn't they come up with a short-form name? They were obviously too busy doing more important activities, like drinking their legendary beer.After American entrepreneurs tried Czechia's Budweiser Budvar Brewery beer, they named their version... [+]You can’t fault the Czechs for being unable to realize that what their nation’s name is a mouthful for English speakers. These are the same guys who have phrases like “Prd krt skrz drn, zprv zhlt hrst zrn.”I asked a Czech how you’re supposed to say that, he said, in complete seriousness, “Just like it’s written.”After I tried and comically failed, I asked him what it meant. He said, “A mole farted through grass, having swallowed a handful of grains.”Suddenly, calling their country "the Czech Republic" didn't feel so cumbersome anymore.The Czech Republic was one of the few countries that insisted on having a definite article in front of their country’s name: the Netherlands and the Gambia also annoyingly demand that. Sensing the frustration of English speakers who have to say “the Netherlands,” the Dutch offer the informal “Holland” alternative.It’s a bit easier to say, “I’m going to Holland,” instead of, “I’m going to the Netherlands.” It sounds weird to say, “I’m going to Netherlands.”Strangely, it doesn’t sound weird to say, “I’m going to Gambia.” Perhaps the Netherlands has been simply better than Gambia at demanding that we put a definite article before their name. Insisting on saying the Gambia implies that there are many Gambias. “Hey buddy, I’m not going to just any Gambia, I’m going to the Gambia.”In an effort to improve the linguistic lives of all English speakers, the Czech Republic registered its short-form name, Czechia, on July 5, 2016. How’s it catching on nearly a year later?On the one hand, there’s been little change. Some official Czech government websites still refer to "the Czech Republic." Because they're official government sites, it's not that surprising that they use the formal name, just like the United States government websites often spell out the long-form name of the USA.Czechia has yet to update its national athletic uniforms. Pavel Maslak celebrates on March 4, 2017.... [+]A few months after Czechia was officially registered in the United Nations databases and Czech leaders started to encourage English-speaking governments to use it, some quickly declared that Czechia was dead on arrival. Part of the “proof” that Czechia wasn't catching on was an unscientific survey of people in Prague’s Wenceslas Square. However, most Prague pedestrians aren’t native English speakers. Although some must have passionate opinions on the matter (and t

I answer various questions from Yida, a Patron. He wrote the following to me:I'm looking through your Nigeria chapter and I like what you included on the planned African cities! I learned something new as I didn't know about the two new cities multibillion dollar cites by Abuja before. Urban planning seems to be such a difficult challenge in places like Lagos so I'm interested in your perspective.Is planning and designing Nigeria cities a futile exercise because the plans get outdated by the time it is implemented, due to the rising population and traffic congestion? Were there any particular cities or neighborhoods in Africa that you felt safe in and were impressed by? Or perhaps there were cities where you could tell the planners had good intentions and put a lot of effort in but it still didn't work as planned in reality.As you wrote such a detailed section on malaria in West Africa, I'm wondering if you plan to follow up discussion on Covid-19 in Africa and some major responses and developments?Another point I want to raise is who is your intended audience? Do you see children and educators reading your books?Perhaps some geography, social studies teachers/ professors have already read your books and reached out to you! There are lots of good discussion questions and essay topics that could come out of every chapter. Your book is very educational and filled with facts, geography, history, culture, told in your engaging narrative voice.However, the funny adult stories and frank discussions on sex, polygamy means it would be rated M for Mature. Chances are, kids working on projects would be unlikely find this book in their school libraries. I can see teenagers enjoying this and the book is very readable. I'm curious whether this book would be selected by teachers, school librarians, as part of their educational resources.I first found the Hidden Europe at a local public library but not at local bookstores or university libraries. I can see the Unseen Africa being used as an introduction to Africa and students can then consult your bibliography for more academic reading. SponsorsThis show is sponsored by:My Patrons SawyerIcelabMore infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

In 2018, Gary Arndt told me, "Bitcoin is the currency of the future and always will be."I agree. Let's answer 7 questions related to that statement: 1. Was bitcoin designed to be a major currency?When Satoshi Nakamoto invented bitcoin, it's unclear if he ever expected it to be a country's currency.Instead, it seems that he envisioned it becoming digital gold. He saw it as a way to:Store wealthMake low-fee international transactions possibleMake money that cannot be confiscated or debased by a horrible governmentNakamoto thought that it's terrible that someone who works hard to save $50,000 and keeps it in a bank, will see the purchasing power of that $50,000 decline each year as inflation devours whatever lousy interest rate the bank pays. Bitcoin gives everyone the ability to store their savings in the ether. It provides a bank to the unbanked. It offers a place to store money that no government can confiscate. That's bitcoin's true value.If bitcoin never becomes a national currency, that doesn't mean it has failed since that was never its goal.2. When countries make their own national cryptocurrencies, won't that make bitcoin obsolete?In the 2020s, several countries will create an "official national blockchain-powered cryptocurrency." Some believe when Chinese and/or American governments make their own cryptocurrencies that bitcoin will vanish or devalue.This is improbable.Whatever governments will create will have all the genius and innovation of ... a government. Yeah. That bad.Governments will use their cryptocurrencies to make it easy for them to:Tax peopleTrack payments (in the name of reducing criminal payments)Reverse paymentsConfiscate moneyDevalue the currency by "printing" more of itIn short, government cryptocurrencies will be everything bitcoin is not. Paradoxically, when governments introduce such cryptocurrencies and mandate their use, they will inadvertently shine a spotlight on bitcoin. People will wonder how bitcoin compares to their national cryptocurrency. They will quickly realize that bitcoin is better overall.As a result, some countries will make bitcoin illegal. Indeed, many countries already have banned bitcoin.Such bans will hurt bitcoin and force bitcoin to go underground in those countries. Countries ban Facebook and WhatsApp. Users use VPNs and other tricks to bypass the ban. Some countries ban the Internet, but satellite-powered Internet gets around that too. Likewise, bitcoin users will find a way to get around bans. They're already doing that today. 3. Which countries might adopt bitcoin as their national currency? It's possible that a few small countries with worthless currencies could, in a fit of revolutionary rage, decide to abandon their hyperinflated currency and adopt bitcoin instead.Several countries abandoned their currency for the US dollar (e.g., Ecuador, Panama, El Salvador, and Palau).Others have adopted the euro without joining the eurozone (e.g., Kosovo and Montenegro).Therefore, when the US dollar collapses (and it will at some point), then a few countries with shattered economies may give bitcoin a shot. That's especially possible if the revolutionaries are young tech-savvy leaders. (Revolutionaries are often young.)Big economies (e.g., Russia, China, USA, Canada, UK) are too nationalistic, proud, and obsessed with controlling their economic sovereignty to abandon their currencies. Therefore, it's almost impossible to imagine any of them abandoning their currencies.4. How would a bitcoin-priced economy be like?Economists will study bitcoin-denominated countries with great interest. We're used to inflation and a devaluing currency. If you held $1 that was given to you in 1775, it would be worth 1 cent today. That's because the US government has issued so many new dollars that dollars, like all currencies, have trended toward worthlessness. Although that produces downsides, we're used to it.In a bitcoin-priced economy, you would get an annual pay cut instead of a pay raise. Your rent would decline. Valued in bitcoins, your house would technically lose value.Confused?Then imagine this: your house was worth 100 BTC in 2025 but in 2035 it's worth only 50 BTC. Nominally, your house has declined in value.However, in real terms, it may have doubled.Why?Because perhaps in 2035, 50 BTC is worth 4 times more on the world currency markets than 100 BTC was worth in 2025. Weird, right? However, that's exactly how a country that priced everything in bitcoin would work.Every year, a bitcoin-denominated economy would give workers an annual salary cut, not a raise. Once again, the nominal salary cut would actually be a raise in real terms.The only analogy is the tech industry where Moore's Law has made faster, better products cheaper with time.5. Will bitcoin be a reserve currency?In this century, Bitcoin will be a reserve currency for some countries.Currently, most countries hold reserves of USD and gold.Many countries also hold the EU's Euro, Japan's Yen, China's renminbi,

Ryan Patterson set out to experience the joys of stoic travel. He wants to travel around the world without taking a plane. He was halfway across the planet when the Coronapocolypse hit. As a result, he got stuck in Siberia. And in the winter.He took:Amtrak from San Francisco to New OrleansGreyhound bus to FloridaA container ship to cross the Atlantic (10 days x $200/day).Random ground transportation through Eurasia.He had a phobia of traveling in places that don't speak English. But he faced his fear. And explains how he survived.Ryan learns that Russian women dig men with beards.Rambling Ryan websiteFollow him on Polar Steps.Ryan Patterson's InstagramRambling Ryan on FacebookSponsorsThis show is sponsored by:My Patrons SawyerIcelabMore infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

At the SCI, before the Coronapocolypse, I interviewed Garry Rone, a digital artist. He's been doing art for 30 years. Over 15 minutes, I ask him:How did Rone start doing art?How does Rone deal with the lack of inspiration?What does he think of crypto kitties and blockchain art? How does he deal with the piracy of digital art?Where will he take his art in 10 years?Watch this sample art:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j96TR_6pD_c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaKGzoHTM4g Background on Garry- Since 1986, Garry has been working as a professional illustration artist in the apparel industry.- In 2013, Garry formed Still Water Design Solutions and from that point to the present, is working as a free agent illustrator.- Garry has become known for a signature style of artwork that is hand-drawn and organic, and also for being a specialist in the apparel industry.- For a nationally televised NASCAR event in October 2019, Garry's illustrations were used to completely wrap a car owned by Rick Ware Racing.- In January 2019, Garry began implementing the addition of new equipment and software to create art assets for virtual reality.- Garry's skills are multi-faceted including illustration, concept design, brand development, and painting. Additionally, new skills are being acquired through the development of VR asset creation and exploring the potential of creating art by hand in VR.Mississippi based artist, Garry Rone, has been honing his skills in Virtual Reality painting for the past year. Originally an artist for the apparel industry, Garry has joined his passion for this new art medium with his thirty-three years of illustration experience, creating a perfect union of technology and talent.Garry believes the human side of art, the organic side, is what reaches out to us as humans."It's the part of art that stirs human emotion and connects the viewer to the art in a way that technology alone can only aspire to do. Perfect edges and colors can be perceived as clean and professional, but also can come across as cold and machined. By adding the human element back into art, I'm adding a sense of warmth and uniqueness, where the mind can almost instinctively sense the presence of human influence in the creation of the piece." said Garry."I believe art that retains, promotes, and exemplifies the intimate relationship between the artist's hand and the creation itself is more important now than ever - especially in such a technology-driven world. Organic art creates a stronger connection to the viewer."Creating this new art (literally) by hand in his home studio, Garry is building art for a wide range of applications, with current exploration in the virtual reality and augmented reality fields.More information can be found at his website www.stillwater-designs.comGarry's Social Media LinksInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/swds_grone/ twitter - https://twitter.com/RoneSwds business Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/StillWaterDesignSolutions/ personal Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/garry.rone LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stillwaterdesigns/ youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBGBklQPH_fPra0AMJ3uq2w SponsorThis show is sponsored by my Patrons and Sawyer.More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Gary Arndt has a new podcast called Everything Everywhere Daily.I highly recommend subscribing to it. I talk with Gary about:How does he come up with topics to discussWhy he doesn't do 3-minute podcasts (but he usually keeps it under 10 minutes)Where does Nike's "Just Do It" slogan come fromWhich are his most popular podcasts?How GPS worksWhat are his 2021 travel plansListen to my two other podcasts with Gary:Living Among the Riots in MinneapolisHow to Become an A-list Travel BloggerSponsorThis show is sponsored by my Patrons and Sawyer.More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Kyle and Leanne Huebner did what few large families dare to do: embark on a one-year on a world tour.COVID-19 cut their journey short by three months, but they still walked away with plenty of experiences and lessons.They share much on their detailed blog, Global Teen Adventures. See the video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gre7p4AybNwWe discuss the key questions you may have:How did they pick the 43 countries they ended up going to?How did they manage to book flights for 7 when the max is usually 6?What lessons did they learn?What did they pack?How did their packing strategy evolve?How did COVID-19 impact them?Where do they plan to go next?Sponsor: Sawyer+ Through the help of their charity partners, Sawyer has been able to donate over 1,000,000 filters to over 80 countries around the globe.+ The use of our filters greatly reduces the trees and fuel consumption because people don’t need to boil water to make it potable. With an average family size of 6 people, a single Sawyer Filter can save up nearly 500 trees per year!+ Their filters last over 10 years and are reducing diarrhea by over 90% in developing countries+ LIBERIA: Liberia will be the first developing country to have clean water border-to-border, set to be completed by December 2020.More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Jaco Oosthuizen attended the Safari Club International show 22 years in a row. In 2020, he was named The Hunter of the Year.I ask Jaco Oosthuizen:How have things have changed for hunters since the previous century?Does hunting have a place in the 21st century or is it outdated?Why do poachers poach?What does he do that other hunters don't do?Why do hunters only target old males? Why not hunt old females too?Why can't we convert all the hunting zones into photographic safari zones?Will hunting still exist in the next 50 years?Here are my other hunting-related podcasts.More infoYou 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. Follow me on:https://facebook.com/ftaponhttps://twitter.com/ftaponhttps://instagram.com/ftaponhttps://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttps://pinterest.com/ftaponhttps://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!The best reward is the $25 reward, which entitles you to $300 of gifts for the holidays! It's the best win-win reward out there!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

WanderLearn promises to explore travel and technology. So let's travel through our solar system with a NASA astrophysicist! About six months ago, Underknown's What If channel hired me to interview two prominent NASA astrophysicists. They wanted to find out what would happen if Earth became one of Jupiter's moons.I'm unsure why they wanted to know that since Underknown had already produced a video that answered that topic, but I adore astronomy, so I was happy to visit my old stomping ground: the NASA Ames Research Center.Underknown said that this was urgent, so I did everything I could to interview two top astrophysicists with almost no warning. Unfortunately, six months later, they still haven't released the video I shot. I knew they would only use a snippet of what I filmed, but still. Nada. And it's not because I shot a crappy video. Underknown hired me a couple of months later for another project, so I couldn't have screwed things up too badly the first time.I feel terrible that these two astrophysicists complied with my last second request and I haven't had anything to show them. Five months ago, I shared the audio and video podcast with my Patrons. It's an exclusive group, so I figured that Underknown wouldn't notice or care.I never planned to share it on the WanderLearn podcast. However, now that Underknown has done nothing with the content for 6 months, I think it's time that the general public enjoys this conversation.I'm doing this as a public service. I'm not taking any ads for this episode. My voice wasn't supposed to appear in the final cut, so that's why my voice rarely appears, and, when it does, it's distant. This episode features Jack Lissauer. Dr. Lissauer is a Space Scientist who has worked at NASA Ames for 30 years.Currently, he is in the Planetary Systems Branch, Space Science and Astrobiology Division, NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, CA.He was a Co-Investigator on the Kepler Mission and the TESS Mission. He's won a dozen awards.I asked him to describe what would happen if our planet orbited Jupiter.Specifically:Can you explain what extreme tidal forces in space are?How would extreme tidal forces affect Earth? Can they cause earthquakes and tsunamis?What is the weather like on Jupiter’s moon Io?How long are days on Io?If Earth were hypothetically a moon of Jupiter, how would it be affected?Questions about VenusWhat is the surface and atmosphere of Venus like?How are Earth and Venus similar?Would it be possible to terraform a planet in our solar system?Which planet (or moon) would be the most viable?What would it take to terraform Venus?More infoYou 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. Follow me on:https://facebook.com/ftaponhttps://twitter.com/ftaponhttps://instagram.com/ftaponhttps://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttps://pinterest.com/ftaponhttps://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!The best reward is the $25 reward, which entitles you to $300 of gifts for the holidays! It's the best win-win reward out there!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

It's a perverse question, but what's an acceptable number of unarmed people that the police may accidentally shoot every year?Of course, many people's knee-jerk answer will be, "Zero!"If you answered that way, it's time to take a deep breath and relax.We're going to embark on a cold-hearted exercise that requires rationality, logic, and a heavy dose of realism. The implications are profound and important, so please bear with me.After reading this long article, you're welcome to write a constructive comment at the bottom. Include what you think is a reasonable number of annual unarmed deaths and why. I will update this article as I get thoughtful and intelligent feedback. The Black Lives Matter ThesisA central argument in the Black Lives Matter movement is that (white) cops are disproportionately killing Black men, especially unarmed Black men. It's Exhibit A in a long list of exhibits that prove systemic, structural, and institutional racism in America's police.This argument has been repeated so many times that it has become an axiom. Thus, questioning the Black Lives Matter thesis is tantamount to questioning whether our planet revolves around the sun.We won't question it. Instead, we will seek to do is to quantify it. Metrics: Quantifying success and failureMetrics allow us to objectively measure the size of a problem. Metrics help us measure our progress. Metrics also help us answer crucial questions: when can we declare victory? When will we know that we've solved this crisis?In other words, when can we put down our signs, stop protesting, hug, give each other high-fives, and scream, "Mission accomplished!"?Declaring victory ought to be based on facts and evidence, not a group's feelings or one man's opinion.Therefore, we must set reasonable benchmarks. We must quantify where we want to be. What does a fair and just world look like, numbers-wise?Assuming the current number of police killings of Blacks is disproportionately high, then what number would be disproportionately low?And what number would be tragic, but understandable?To understand what I mean, consider other tragic numbers. Every year, hundreds of babies die at daycare centers, thousands die in traffic accidents, and millions die of preventable diseases. Since society is not vigorously protesting all these deaths, one could conclude that these deaths, while sad, are understandable. Our society deems that all those preventable deaths are tragic but tolerable.Therefore, the aim of this article is to help you calculate 3 numbers regarding the number of US police killings of unarmed victims:A shockingly high number that's worth protesting about.An expected number that we can begrudgingly live with and accept.A remarkably low number that's almost worth celebrating.Great. Now let's analyze the data.USA police kill way more people per capita than any other rich nationIn a list of 62 random countries, the USA ranked slightly below the median in the per-capita police caused fatalities.This is embarrassing. High-income countries outperform the USA handily. It's humiliating that the DRC beats the USA.Why isn't the USA in the top 10? Why isn't it clumped next to its rich allies instead of several poor and dysfunctional nations? Doesn't this prove the US police are excessively violent?Before we jump to that conclusion, we must consider two critical facts.1. America's gun-filled environmentThe USA is the only country that has more firearms than people. Indeed, it has 20% more guns than people.We have twice as many guns per capita than the next country on the list: Yemen.The USA has four times more guns per capita than the next two major countries on the list: Serbia & Montenegro.We have approximately 10 times more firearms per capita than Somalia, Russia, Chile, Albania, as well as the homicide-happy Guatemala and El Salvador.We have approximately 100 times more firearms per capita than the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Palestine, Tunisia, and Chad.And we have nearly 1,000 times more firearms per capita than South Korea.Knowing that, imagine you're a police officer, patrolling a country that is literally overflowing with firearms. Ask yourself:Would you be more nervous and quicker to reach for your gun than a cop in the Netherlands? Do you think it's statistically probable that police killings in the USA would be comparable to South Korea?Would you expect and predict that if Country A has 100 times more firearms per capita than Country B that they would both have the same level of police shootings?Should we be shocked that the US police kill far more people per capita than Sweden? 2. The USA is unusually murderous for a high-income countryNot only does the USA have far more guns per capita than anyone else, but it's also a remarkably murderous country when compared to other high-income countries.When you examine the intentional per capita homicide rate of 230 countries/territories, the USA is just below the global median, which lines u

WanderLearn promises to explore travel and technology. So let's travel through our solar system with two NASA astrophysicists! About six months ago, Underknown's What If channel hired me to interview two prominent NASA astrophysicists. They wanted to find out what would happen if Earth became one of Jupiter's moons.I'm unsure why they wanted to know that since Underknown had already produced a video that answered that topic, but I adore astronomy, so I was happy to visit my old stomping ground: the NASA Ames Research Center.Underknown said that this was urgent, so I did everything I could to interview two top astrophysicists with almost no warning. Unfortunately, six months later, they still haven't released the video I shot. I knew they would only use a snippet of what I filmed, but still. Nada. And it's not because I shot a crappy video. Underknown hired me a couple of months later for another project, so I couldn't have screwed things up too badly the first time.I feel terrible that these two astrophysicists complied with my last second request and I haven't had anything to show them. Five months ago, I shared the audio and video podcast with my Patrons. It's an exclusive group, so I figured that Underknown wouldn't notice or care.I never planned to share it on the WanderLearn podcast. However, now that Underknown has done nothing with the content for 6 months, I think it's time that the general public enjoys this conversation.I'm doing this as a public service. I'm not taking any ads for this episode. My voice wasn't supposed to appear in the final cut, so that's why my voice rarely appears, and, when it does, it's distant. In the next episode, you'll hear from Jack Lissauer. In this episode, you'll hear from Ruslan Belikov. He is the head of the Ames Coronagraph Experiment (ACE) research group at NASA Ames. He has an EE degree from Princeton and a Ph.D. from Stanford University.Since Dr. Belikov is a NASA astrophysicist, I asked him to describe what would happen if our planet orbited Jupiter.Specifically:Can you explain what extreme tidal forces in space are?How would extreme tidal forces affect Earth? Can they cause earthquakes and tsunamis?What is the weather like on Jupiter’s moon Io?How long are days on Io?If Earth were hypothetically a moon of Jupiter, how would it be affected?Questions about VenusWhat is the surface and atmosphere of Venus like?How are Earth and Venus similar?Would it be possible to terraform a planet in our solar system?Which planet (or moon) would be the most viable?What would it take to terraform Venus?More infoYou 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. Follow me on:https://facebook.com/ftaponhttps://twitter.com/ftaponhttps://instagram.com/ftaponhttps://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttps://pinterest.com/ftaponhttps://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!The best reward is the $25 reward, which entitles you to $300 of gifts for the holidays! It's the best win-win reward out there!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

To celebrate the 100th WanderLearn episode, I'm thrilled to announce that we are close to passing 100,000 cumulative downloads! This 100th episode is dedicated to my Patrons! Watch it on YouTube:https://youtu.be/DdJN3xQ-Mz8Ask Me Anything!I answer your questions, such as:Tamy, who wrote: "I had no idea Swaziland had changed its name to eSwatini. Do you have a point of reference as to why or were you aware of it?"Ryan: "Do you have book recommendations?"I start by recommending The Body by Bill Bryson.If you've read, "A History of Nearly Everything" (another good book), then you'll like his "Body" book. It'll keep you busy for a while - it's big.I've heard great things about "The Gates of Fire" - it's on my list.Lastly, I'm a huge space fan - yeah, I like to travel. I'm nearly done reading this fun book by Zubrin.amzn.to/3eKIQ4cAnother person wrote:Hey Francis, hope all is well. I was wondering how do you prepare/train for mountain climbling/hiking? I am a overweight, done mostly day hikes( highest point I have reached is 8,750'). I was strolling through youtube and saw Tour de mont blanc which I though was really nice but not sure about how to handle these kinds of journeys since they seem pretty strenous for a beginner. Ive been trying to do lifestyle modifications( Diet/exercise), wondering if you have any tips/thoughts. Camino primitivo is on my list as well. Do you do any workouts/preparation(physically) before you go for your treks/climbs?YIDA wrote:I look forward to reading more chapters of the Unseen Africa. From your experiences, how safe would major African cities be for a Western tourist to wander around in unescorted? Most guides say things like never walk around Kinshasa or Nairobi at night alone.From most of the travel literature I've read, it advises tourists to soak in the vibe and atmosphere of the people, streets and markets rather than go on a sightseeing tour of landmarks, galleries, and museums like you do in Europe. The tourism formula of stopping at multiple sites and attractions doesn't work for most African cities.Henry wrote:My name is Henry Ensley, I’m graduating from college this month and I have a couple of questions regarding Africa. I already have a trip planned and booked to 7 European nations this summer, but, I have some questions about Africa. In my life, I hope to visit all the countries in Europe and Africa, but my knowledge about the two is more heavily favored towards Europe for whatever reason. With that being said, what are your 5-10 most favorite destinations in Africa? Not to get too specific but as you like to say they destinations should be “beyond the beaten path”. Without mentioning common destinations like the Marrakesh Market in Morocco, the pyramids in Egypt, Kenya, etc. I want to know your favorite destinations in Africa, the countries that some people may not even know exist. Thank you.1. Mauritius2. Namibia3. Rwanda4. Mauritania6. Algeria7. Lesotho8. Cameroon9. Sudan More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Today, we passed a grim milestone: 650,000 COVID-19 deaths worldwide. I advise you to watch this on YouTube so you can see the graphs and other visuals.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7TSueZPF_I I predicted 1.5 million deaths. You can get the latest Coronavirus data at John Hopkins. I compare the 650,000 coronavirus deaths with annual worldwide influenza (flu) deaths. I also compare it with a virus that slapped humanity 100 years ago. Lastly, I compare it with the Black Death (the Bubonic Plague) that ravaged the planet in the 14th century. What do you think about the Coronapocolypse? More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Traveling Mitch is, a bit unexpectedly, really called Christopher Mitchell.He's lived in the center of the world: Istanbul. For centuries, Istanbul was the world's biggest city. It was the center of the Old World. Today, it's still the 3rd most populous city and straddles two continents.Traveling Mitch and I also discuss:Ataturk - The Modern Founder of TurkeyTraveling Mitch's travel style, which is traveling overseasWhy he has tattoosDealing with relationships while living abroadLiving in Oslo, NorwayScandinavian stereotypesThe biggest weakness of democracyLiving in South KoreaK-PopWill the Koreas unite in the next 40 years?How can you live abroad?His future plans. He runs Ultimate Ontario.More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Last year, I interviewed Brittany Hosmer Longoria about the leopard she shot in Nambia.In 2020, I met her again to discuss:Does she still get heat for her leopard photo?What impact does banning trophy hunting have?What are the biggest myths people have about hunters that she would like to dispel?What was she doing in Pakistan?You can follow her on Instagram.More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Want more money to travel or hike?Although being a frugal traveler is half the battle, the other half is making money. There are three ways to make money:Getting paid to do a jobInvesting itStealing itSince we're all boy scouts, we'll skip the third option. Most people focus on option #1 (e.g., your salary).We often ignore the second option: investing it wisely.After traveling for 3 years in Eastern Europe, I returned to the United States with more money than I left with! And no, I didn't work for those three years. How did I pull that off? Smart investments.I'm not a financial adviser, but after learning about Constant and peer-to-peer lending, I believe it's something everyone ought to be aware of. Now be careful because it's risky, but if you tread lightly and do well, you might want to up your investment. Start with $100 and then go up from there.I had a video call with the Communications Manager at Constant, Chris Roper.Chris Roper and I discuss:What is peer-to-peer lending?What kind of interest rates can you earn?What is a loan that has a 150% collateral? Why is cryptocurrency good collateral?What does "top-up" mean?What are the risks?How big of a loan can you get (or offer)?In the unlikely event that your loan defaults, Constant liquidates the collateral and repays you in USD, not in cryptocurrency. Therefore, if you're doing this with the hope of getting some bitcoin, this is not the way to do it.Have you tried Constant? Share your experience with me.Have you tried peer-to-peer lending elsewhere? How did it go?To learn more, go to: https://www.myconstant.com/sign-up?r=ftaponMore infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

I interviewed three men regarding South Africa's Greater Balepye Nature Reserve:Prince Dipati Benjamin Maenetja of the Greater Balepye Nature Reserve.Louis B. Ebersöhn, CEO of African Wildlife Services.Dr. T. Wayne Schwertner of Tarleton State University.Louis started guiding safaris in 1994. Freelancing at first but soon started his own Outfitting company called Footsoo Safaris which was changed to Ebersöhn Safaris. He briefly stepped out of the industry in 2012 but in 2014 he stepped back in as African Wildlife Services, AWS (Pty) Ltd trading as:AWS: Aerial Wildlife ServicesAWS: African Wilderness SafarisAWS: African Wildlife SecurityThe AWS business model is based upon the guiding principles as described in “The Conservation Game: Saving Africa’s Biodiversity. By Gerhard R. DammMore infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Ladan Jiracek and I talk about:Our world's future. Will the USA be screwed or on top? What about the rest of the world? Our brain's future. Will we get neural implants? Ladan is getting his Ph.D. to help develop technology that augments our brains.He's also traveled to over 100 countries.He hosts the Travel Wisdom podcast and the Neuro Implant Podcast.More infoYou 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. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer giving me Bitcoin, then please send BTC to my tip jar: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnV Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe