WanderLearn: Travel to Transform Your Mind & Life

Tomas Higbey has been an environmentalist for over 2 decades. In this 45-minute profound and sometimes funny conversation, I debate environmentalism with him to get a rise out of him.Listen to find out what he thinks is the:Most important environmental problem we're facing.Solution to global climate change.Elephant in the room regarding the environment.Urge to reproduce - are men and women different? In the 2nd half of the conversation, we discuss some of his travels, specifically:Chile, where Tomas lived for 5 years. Africa, where Tomas traveled and worked in. He was in Somalia when there was a serious war going on. Tomas is witty and always fun to listen to.Promoting Health Access SumbawaOne of WanderLearn's top patrons, Kathy Kennedy Enger, asked me to draw attention to Health Access Sumbawa. I am happy to promote this remarkable nonprofit. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded the organization to bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Since then, it's expanded thanks to generous donations. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets:Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83 Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

A skeptical teenager named Wolf asked me a bunch of questions about Bitcoin, so since his parents are one of my patrons, I am happy to address them.The WanderLearn podcast focuses on travel, tech, and transformation, so Bitcoin fits in there.Moreover, Bitcoin has important travel implications, especially when you go to places that have sanctions and other controls.One hour before I recorded this episode, Bitcoin passed $10,000 - an important milestone. I recommended buying it in Dec 2018, when it was $3,500. I predicted it would double in 2019. If it drops to $7,500, I will be right!I recorded this episode live for my Patrons. Although you can't see the video, I'm sharing the audio with you.Promoting Health Access SumbawaOne of WanderLearn's top patrons, Kathy Kennedy Enger, asked me to draw attention to Health Access Sumbawa. I am happy to promote this remarkable nonprofit. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded the organization to bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Since then, it's expanded thanks to generous donations. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets:Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83 Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Frank Isaac was my roommate for a couple of months in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Here are some of the questions I asked him:How is Tanzania's government fighting corruption? Is it working?It seems that African men are rarely at home. Is that largely the case or is that a myth?How are Ugandans different than Tanzanians (Frank lived in Uganda for a decade)?Do Tanzanians date between tribes?How popular is polygamy?Is witchcraft a big deal?How faithful are Africans to each other?Do African men spend much time with their children?Do men often abandon their kids?What's the future of Tanzania?Disappointing EpilogueHere's a sad, true, and disappointing story about Frank Isaac. After this podcast, we got along great for a couple of months. There was never any sign of negativity or conflict.Days before Rejoice and I were going to leave Tanzania, Frank's smartphone was stolen. To help him out, I offered my backup smartphone. I told him that he could either buy it for $300 (a good price) or, if he didn't like it after a couple of days, he could return it for free. On the morning we were leaving for Zanzibar, he hadn't given a clear answer. I should have woken him up as I was leaving, but I trusted him and we were going to be in Zanzibar for a week (which is 1 hour from Dar es Salaam by boat).After we left, Frank cut off all communications. He ignored all my calls and messages. I told him in so doing he's effectively stealing my phone. He may not consider himself a thief, but that's what his actions are indicating.I had two of my Tanzanian friends pressure him to either send me the money or return my phone.Finally, he coughed up the phone when my friend went to his apartment. Frank never explained to my friend (or me) why he was trying to steal my phone. I didn't owe him rent or anything. I couldn't understand his behavior. It's like getting dumped by a lover with no explanation when you thought everything was going well.The only explanation I could come up with is that he might have been upset that Rejoice (my wife) told Frank's girlfriend that another woman slept with Frank one night. Female solidarity compelled Rejoice to spill the secret. If that was the reason he felt justified in stealing my phone, Frank never expressed it, perhaps because he knows that he shouldn't punish me for Rejoice's actions.He was never man enough to tell me what was going on.I share this story because it's so typical of Tanzanians: they are non-confrontation people. In fact, most Africans avoid direct conflict and arguments.Nigerians are the exception. Tanzanians are closer to the African tendency.Indeed, Africans remind me of the Japanese in that respect. They rarely share negative feelings with you directly. It's your job to read between the lines.Frank probably thinks that it's "obvious" what I did wrong.The only thing that was obvious to me is that Frank wasn't the friend that I thought he was.Promoting Health Access SumbawaOne of WanderLearn's top patrons, Kathy Kennedy Enger, asked me to draw attention to Health Access Sumbawa. I am happy to promote this remarkable nonprofit. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded the organization to bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Since then, it's expanded thanks to generous donations. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets:Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83 Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Mark Joseph hiked El Camino de Santiago with his father's ashes. The father and son had intended to walk the long trail together, but, like many people, they postponed their dream hike until it was too late.He's filmed a documentary about his walk to Muxia, which is the end of El Camino de Santiago.Between now and August 3, 2019, he is running his Road to Muxia Kickstarter project, which aims to raise an eye-popping $83,500!In the interview, which was done a couple of months ago, Mark mentions he wants to raise $65,000. Since the interview, he has raised the bar. He realized that making a film is a lot more expensive than you can imagine! I was the 2nd backer on Kickstarter. He's got a long way to go. Support him. If he doesn't raise $83,500, your credit card won't get charged.In my 40th WanderLearn episode, I talked with Mark and his cousin, Ariel Jonotan Fernadez Arias, about El Camino. We discussed:How they metHow Mark convinced Jonathan to get involved in his documentaryThe challenges of doing the documentaryWhy anyone should hike El CaminoHow Mark's dad diedMy article "10 Reasons Why El Camino de Santiago Sucks" has had 3 million views. It's an often misunderstood article. I support anyone who walks El Camino, including Mark Joseph.If you prefer watching this podcast, watch it on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UbPUPa7Do4Promoting Health Access SumbawaOne of WanderLearn's top patrons, Kathy Kennedy Enger, asked me to draw attention to Health Access Sumbawa. I am happy to promote this remarkable nonprofit. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded the organization to bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Since then, it's expanded thanks to generous donations. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets:Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83 Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

The three most popular excuses people have for not traveling?Lack of timeLack of moneyLack of childrenJust kidding about that last one!Today, we'll look at the real excuse #3: I can't go because I have kids!When I was in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, I interviewed the parents behind Growing Up Without Borders.For the last few years, they are systematically visiting every country in the world with their three daughters!That's right! They've been traveling with them since they were 5, 7, and 9 years old!Now they're 9, 12, and 14 years old.Tyler & Chantal Patton have three daughters Julia, Angelique, & Chloe.They've been to nearly 100 countries in the last few years!Listen to find out:What did they do right?What did they do wrong?Why should you do the opposite of what everyone else is doing?What's this biggest travel bargain they ever had?How does Tyler find such travel bargains?How does travel impact a child's development?Comment on this episode and share it with this link:https://francistapon.com/Work/WanderLearn-Podcast/Traveling-To-Every-Country-With-3-KidsBecause their kids were within earshot, I didn't swear! Aren't you proud of me?The WanderLearn Podcast has over 10,000 downloads in its first 38 episodes! This is episode 39 and we're averaging nearly 500 downloads per episode. I'm happy! Thank you!Still, I want to boost that 10x, so please help me by reviewing it on iTunes (or wherever you get your podcasts). Encourage your friends to subscribe too! Buy 10 phones and download the podcast on each one! Or just download 10 apps and download it on each one! Woo-hoo!Send me your questions for my next AMA episode!Promoting Health Access SumbawaOne of WanderLearn's top patrons, Kathy Kennedy Enger, asked me to draw attention to Health Access Sumbawa. I am happy to promote this remarkable nonprofit. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded the organization to bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Since then, it's expanded thanks to generous donations. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets:Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83 Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Stephen P. Williams, author of Blockchain: The Next Everything, talks about bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, and blockchains. In this interview, I ask him:What is a blockchain?Is each bitcoin transaction really consuming 30-USA-households worth of electricity?What's the difference between proof-of-work versus proof-of-stake?What's the promise of Etherum vs. Bitcoin?What's blockchain's killer app? What what's the next low-hanging fruit?Why should painters love the blockchain?Why did someone pay $170,000 for a digital crypto kitty?Why is Williams bullish on Ethereum and Litecoin?How are dapps (distributed applications) going to impact us? See the state of the dapps that Stephen Williams mentions.What does a self-sovereign world look like?Around 35 minutes into the interview, we discuss an interactive McKinsey matrix about the blockchain industry. It's worth seeing the matrix (or to watch my YouTube video about it).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRSYkay394kYou can follow Stephen Williams on Twitter.For those who don't see how this relates to travel (my normal subject), it's that cryptocurrencies and blockchains have the potential of disrupting everything, including the travel industry. Promoting Health Access SumbawaOne of WanderLearn's top patrons, Kathy Kennedy Enger, asked me to draw attention to Health Access Sumbawa. I am happy to promote this remarkable nonprofit. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded the organization to bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Since then, it's expanded thanks to generous donations. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets:Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83 Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

There's a project that is searching for an Einstein in Africa. I may have found him.His name is Baye Gaspar. He's from the extreme north of Cameroon. He's won countless awards. He's just 26 years old.It's a brutally honest discussion. I am politically incorrect, as usual. We don't sugarcoat the conversation.One thing that few will appreciate is that Baye Gaspar comes from a Francophone region. It's hard to find someone from a Francophone region that speaks English as well as he does. That's just another testament of his intelligence.In this long conversation, we discuss:What awards Baye Gaspar has won.Why many Africans believe witchcraft is behind his success.The pervasiveness of cheating and corruption in many African educational systems.Baye's artificial intelligence app that will help with doing medical diagnosis. What's the price difference between a modern doctor and a witchdoctor?He's been to 5 African countries. What did he observe?What does Gaspar think of the Anglophone separatist movement in Cameroon?What are 10 positive traits and 10 negative traits that Africans have in common?UpdateWe recorded this in 2018. Since then:Germany didn't give Gaspar his visa.Gaspar's app is coming out in late 2019.Paul Biya, Cameroon's perennial leader, is still in power in 2019, as Gaspar predicted.Promoting Health Access SumbawaOne of WanderLearn's top patrons, Kathy Enger, asked me to draw attention to Health Access Sumbawa. I am happy to promote this remarkable nonprofit. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded the organization to bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Since then, it's expanded thanks to generous donations. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets:Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83 Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Mustapha, Tual, and Usama are three young Egyptians hanging by the Nile in Luxor. What do tourists miss out on when they zip through Egypt?How important is Allah in Egypt?What do think of Israel, Sudan, and LibyaWhat's the marriage ceremony like?What do you they imagine relationships are like in America?What's the future of Egypt?I apologize that there's the annoying sound of wind during the recording. The Nile is windy and I didn't have a windscreen. The only reason I released this episode was that the content was revealing.Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support:Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83 Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

In last week's episode, Brittany Longoria and I talked about her infamous photo featuring a leopard she killed in Namibia in 2018. A single Facebook post generated 200 heated comments.As a result, I did an AMA video live-stream for my patrons.Only my patrons can playback the video, but I'm releasing the audio here.Last week's podcast opened a can of worms and left many unanswered questions. I didn't address all of the issues, but, in these 40 minutes, Rejoice and I hit some of them.Lastly, don't worry, this won't become the WanderHunt podcast. I'll be shelving the hunting topic for at least a year. I'll focus on more important matters: hunting tourists!Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaEpisode 36 was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets:Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83 Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

In 2018, Brittany Hosmer Longoria was swept up in a social media firestorm with these trending hashtags:#disgusting#cuntress#findThisBitch#huntTheHunter#Monstress#immoral#murderHer#KillHer#poacherWhat had she done to induce such a vicious reaction?The surprising answer is nothing that remarkable.What she had done was to hunt a leopard in Namibia and take a photo of her holding the dead leopard. Here's why that's unremarkable:First, she was not a poacher. She spent nearly $40,000 to get all the permits to legally hunt that old, male leopard. I could understand that people would get worked up if she were a poacher. She was not. She did everything by the book. Nobody disagrees with that.Second, she didn't post the photo on Instagram. She submitted it to the Safari Club International (SCI) when they solicited photos that exhibited a "hunting heritage."She uploaded the photo to SCI's private server. SCI would evaluate these photos. But before they could, an animal activist got a hold of the photo and released it to the public. In other words, it's not like Brittany illegally shot a leopard and then bragged about it. On the contrary, she went through all the legal steps and then took a pretty standard post-hunt photo. This sort of thing happens thousands of times every day. In that sense, was Brittany did was thoroughly unremarkable. Therefore, it's a bit hard to understand why she, out of all the legal hunters who post photos of their trophies, would get targetted by social media is such a harsh way.I met with her in 2019 at the SCI conference to talk with Brittany. Listen to this podcast and tell me what you think in the comments below.Although I met her briefly, she's clearly a shy and humble person. Introverts dislike the spotlight. I commend her for her courage of facing the spotlight in an effort to dispel some myths and misunderstandings about hunting.I warned her that I would hit her hard with tough and uncomfortable questions which a journalist must do if they want to capture all sides of a story. Indeed, you'll hear that at one point in the interview, she nearly shuts down, seemingly exhausted by my barrage of questions.As always, she kept her cool and her composure, which her hysterical enemies often do not. I commend Brittany.Moreover, I wanted to give her a chance to answer some thought-provoking and provocative questions that people who dislike hunting may have.Meanwhile, people who hate hunting should listen to her pro-hunting arguments. Many people who have a knee-jerk negative reaction to hunting have never given much thought about it. Ignorance leads to misunderstandings.So if you hate hunting, listen to this podcast. I don't expect to convert you.In fact, I am a part-time vegan (I only eat animals when I'm traveling or when I'm a guest at someone's house). So I'm not a hunter. However, I believe many people who disapprove of hunting don't see the nuance in this complex subject.I don't claim to be an expert. I just like to listen and learn. I hope you do too. If so, share this episode and comment below.If you want to leave a comment, here's a tip: the less emotional and savage your comment is, the more convincing it will be. If you want to turn people off from your argument, scream and swear often.Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets (in order of preference):Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83Cardano: DdzFFzCqrht7tNoXSu3YxC1X25ekqkR38ZuMsKVZ2r3iekCuoVpMWgCUGYCh1pWkhwL5SR9ozs23Sd9rgk2QFD3yivjsk1EvbbLWX6TGEOS: francistapon or EOS7W2T7hKBwRtnzeEqH1nMPwKJLRzAwHUpyco2BVu86CMBRFYqtfZcash: t1Sd81E8Pks38XJULQxeHCLEuhVCWhYRnxYIOTA: HGSYYVNYDLZQKTNIRWAXCLVHPFDEH99GIZJJWMY9WLRBPNBRZCUFFQUOLPMRCQJGYZDSDO9Y9CLHUTBEYQQSOBUOZWd Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Christopher Comer has a Ph.D. and is the Director of Conservation in Safari Club International, which is primarily a pro-hunting organization.We talk about:What are some common myths people have about hunting?What does hunting teach you?Is poaching getting better or worse?What is rural sprawl?What can we do to augment the wildlife population in Africa?Should we optimistic or pessimistic about the future of wildlife in Africa?Why does West Africa have fewer safaris and hunting areas than East and Southern Africa?Is hunting more or less popular nowadays than in the last century? Does declaring a species "endangered" or "threatened" help or hurt the species?Even if hunting is pragmatic, is it moral?What do you think about this episode? Make comments on this show's page. Next week, I will interview the most controversial hunter of 2018.Join the exclusive WanderLearn Patreon club.Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore infoYou can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.comor athttps://francistapon.com/Work/WanderLearn-Podcast/Are-Hunters-Responsible-for-the-Decline-of-Africa-s-WildlifeIf 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/ftaponClaim 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] also accept cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Do you miss your voice assistant when you travel? Do you find yourself in a hotel room and saying, "OK Google, set my alarm for 6 a.m." Or "Alexa, what's the weather forecast?" Or "Siri, tell housekeeping to come here."Soon, you won't miss your voice assistant anymore, at least, if Volara has its way.Volara CEO David Berger shares his vision for context-driven, identity-optional, voice-first experiences across the travel journey.Dave answers questions, such as:How does Volara work?How is Volara different than your voice assistant at home?Is voice better suited to shop and book or serve and assist?Is guest privacy and proprietary hotel data at risk?What are the biggest barriers to widespread use of voice travel?Where can you find Volara today?Why does Amazon's Alexa lead in hotels?What digital voice assistant does David recommend for the home?What's Volara's 2020 vision?Volara is the only hotel-focused solution to achieve the Alexa for Business Solution Service Delivery Designation and be named a launch partner for Alexa for Hospitality.Today, Volara’s software enables Amazon Alexa for 40 hotel management groups and properties belonging to major brands including Marriott International Inc., Two Roads Hospitality, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Best Western International, and Aloft.Share! Review it!Join the exclusive WanderLearn Patreon club. Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.org Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Glen Van Peski is a civil engineer who used his skills to engineer the lightest backpacking gear in the Solar System. He's the Founder of Gossamer Gear.In the 31st WanderLearn episode, Glen and I chat while we're hiking up to the Sweeney Ridge in the San Francisco Bay Area's Peninsula. On the ridge, there's a National Historic Landmark commemorating the historic Gaspar de Portola Expedition. The Spanish Portola was the first European to see the Bay Area in 1769.In this podcast, you'll learn:What's the lightest backpack that Glen has ever had.Why Gossamer Gear has introduced heavier gear options.What are some cool fabrics on the horizon.How to get sponsored.Some useful metric conversion tips.What's Glen's favorite backpack?What was unexpectedly hard about making a backpacking gear company.The time Glen nearly died because he went stupid light.How Gossamer Gear's Crotch Pot makes tasty food.Share! Review it!Join the exclusive WanderLearn Patreon club.Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.org Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

I interviewed Fred Wehrey for this podcast and for my review of his book, Burning Shores, which I wrote on Forbes. I've copied the article below for those who are too lazy to go to Forbes.Enjoy the podcast!Review of The Burning ShoresBarack Obama called Libya a “s**t show” and that it was the “worst mistake” of his presidency.This tidbit is just one of the many facts you'll read about in The Burning Shores: Inside the Battle for the New Libya, which hit the shores of bookstores last year.The Burning Shores: Inside the Battle for the New Libya book cover. Disclosure: I received a complimentary advanced copy from the publisher. FARRAR, STRAUS AND GIROUXOne of the few Americans who has an excellent grasp of this headache-producing country is Frederic Wehrey. He's a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace focused on the Middle East and North Africa. He's testified before the Senate regarding Libya, he speaks Arabic and he's visited the troubled nation many times in the past few years. His book is solidly objective and nonpartisan. Wehrey writes that the book “tries to find the turning points and missteps that caused the splintering of Libya—which I believe was not preordained after the death of its dictator. Ultimately, I want to understand what it was that caused revolutionaries . . . to turn against one another.”If you want to understand those same issues, The Burning Shores is a must-read.In 352 pages, Wehrey takes you from the death of both Colonel Muammar Qadhafi and US Ambassador Christopher Stevens to the present day. Wehrey doesn't dumb things down. Instead, he dives into the bewildering details in a bold effort to understand a seemingly incomprehensible conflict.These soldiers who are loyal to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar discover that lying down sure beats fighting. The forces gather near the coastal city of Derna on April 14, 2018, as they await the start of military operations to recapture the city from jihadist group fighters. (Photo credit: ABDULLAH DOMA/AFP/Getty Images)Although The Burning Shores is a blow-by-blow account of the last five years, Wehrey pulls back the camera to place the present day in context. For example, he observes that:The histories and fates of Libya and America are more intertwined than many realize. Libya was once home to the largest overseas Americans military base in the world.Frederick Wehrey, author of The Burning Shores and Libya expert. CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACEAmerica's first overseas intervention was in 1805 when the US marines unseated a troublesome Libya ruler. Just over 200 years later, the Americans repeated the action.Another eerie parallelism happened in 1967 when Egyptian broadcasters claimed that the US was attacking Cairo during the six-day war. Armed Libyans stormed the US consulate, setting it on fire. The film Innocence of Muslims stirred a similar rage on September 11, 2012, and ignited another fire on US diplomatic property.The difference is that in 1967, the US didn't lose an ambassador. Christopher Stevens was the eighth US Ambassador to die on the job and the sixth to die in a terrorist act.6.3 million Libyans have a lot of real estate per capita. (Credit: Encyclopaedia Britannica/UIG via Getty Images)The Burning Shores remains balanced. For example, it doesn't simply paint Qadhafi as a tyrant who sponsored terrorism, banned private land, and encouraged communism, even though he did all that.Wehrey observes that Qadhafi also raised Libya's abysmal literacy rate to 82 percent. Qadhafi also instituted free health care. He abolished polygamy and child marriage. In 1998, Libya was the first country to issue an Interpol arrest warrant for Osama bin Laden.Most people gravitate to simple conflicts and run away from complex and nuanced conflicts like Libya where there are many players. The Burning Shores systematically unpacks the dizzying post-Qadhafi Libya.The weakness of The Burning ShoresThe Burning Shores is rich in history and analysis, which is what you expect from an author who works at a think tank. The book's weakness is that it provides few solutions. At the end of the book, Wehrey writes that what is needed is a “new social contract, drawn up by Libyans themselves.”In a phone conversation, I asked Wehrey to clarify that he meant by that. He said, "This reflects my belief that the Libyans really have to drive the process. . . . The Libyans really have to have ownership of this. It can't be imposed from the outside."If Donald Trump were to ask Wehrey for advice on Libya, Wehrey told me, "One thing I would recommend is that we need an ambassador. We don't have an ambassador right now. I think America should put in some more diplomatic muscle behind [the country]."[Update: Trump appointed Peter William Bodde to be the US Ambassador to Libya. I think what Fred meant was that he would like the ambassador to be there full-time.]If you're looking for a book that is laser-focused on what has happened in the l

Bahman Keramati is an Iranian who has lived a decade in Africa. He's mostly lived in Nigeria and Tanzania. He's also visited many other countries in Africa. I asked him:What attracted him to Nigeria?What are the differences between Nigeria and Tanzania (or West vs. East Africa)?What shocked him when he first moved to Nigeria?What does he love most about Nigeria?How is it raising a child in Africa?Are there myths that he would like to dispel about Nigeria?How is the pace of life in Tanzania different than Nigeria's pace?What keeps him coming back to Africa?What are the skills that you need to have to live in Africa?This 29th episode of the WanderLearn podcast is just 30 minutes long.Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets (in order of preference):Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83Cardano: DdzFFzCqrht7tNoXSu3YxC1X25ekqkR38ZuMsKVZ2r3iekCuoVpMWgCUGYCh1pWkhwL5SR9ozs23Sd9rgk2QFD3yivjsk1EvbbLWX6TGEOS: francistapon or EOS7W2T7hKBwRtnzeEqH1nMPwKJLRzAwHUpyco2BVu86CMBRFYqtfZcash: t1Sd81E8Pks38XJULQxeHCLEuhVCWhYRnxYIOTA: HGSYYVNYDLZQKTNIRWAXCLVHPFDEH99GIZJJWMY9WLRBPNBRZCUFFQUOLPMRCQJGYZDSDO9Y9CLHUTBEYQQSOBUOZWd Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

To learn more about Vacasa, listen to WanderLearn podcast #19 where I interview Thaddeus Hansom Vacasa's Head of Global Partner Programs.In this episode, I spend 15 minutes walking through a Vacasa home in Arizona. This $1 million home has 5 bedrooms and 4 baths. There's also a pool.It would have cost me $2,000 to rent it for 3 nights, but I got to stay for free.Unlike other travel bloggers, I don't lose my objectivity just because I stay somewhere for free. I still give you good advice on when and when not to use Vacasa.Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets (in order of preference):Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83Cardano: DdzFFzCqrht7tNoXSu3YxC1X25ekqkR38ZuMsKVZ2r3iekCuoVpMWgCUGYCh1pWkhwL5SR9ozs23Sd9rgk2QFD3yivjsk1EvbbLWX6TGEOS: francistapon or EOS7W2T7hKBwRtnzeEqH1nMPwKJLRzAwHUpyco2BVu86CMBRFYqtfZcash: t1Sd81E8Pks38XJULQxeHCLEuhVCWhYRnxYIOTA: HGSYYVNYDLZQKTNIRWAXCLVHPFDEH99GIZJJWMY9WLRBPNBRZCUFFQUOLPMRCQJGYZDSDO9Y9CLHUTBEYQQSOBUOZWd Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Anamaria is a Tanzanian who has lived 7 months in South Africa. Since many people think that all African countries are quite similar, I asked her to compare the two countries. We also delve into:FidelityThe Tanzanian governmentWitchcraftRacism in South AfricaThe future of AfricaWe do a deep dive into witchcraft.My wife, Rejoice Tapon, chimes in occasionally on the show.Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets (in order of preference):Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83Cardano: DdzFFzCqrht7tNoXSu3YxC1X25ekqkR38ZuMsKVZ2r3iekCuoVpMWgCUGYCh1pWkhwL5SR9ozs23Sd9rgk2QFD3yivjsk1EvbbLWX6TGEOS: francistapon or EOS7W2T7hKBwRtnzeEqH1nMPwKJLRzAwHUpyco2BVu86CMBRFYqtfZcash: t1Sd81E8Pks38XJULQxeHCLEuhVCWhYRnxYIOTA: HGSYYVNYDLZQKTNIRWAXCLVHPFDEH99GIZJJWMY9WLRBPNBRZCUFFQUOLPMRCQJGYZDSDO9Y9CLHUTBEYQQSOBUOZWd Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Jennifer Peedom is a mountaineer and filmmaker who made my favorite documentary about the mountains. It's simply called Mountain. It's free for Netflix subscribers or you can rent it for $4 on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2viG9XnS1gThe Mountain documentary has four elements and Peedom hits a home run on all of them:Cinematography: Peedom sifted through thousands of hours of mountain footage to find the best of the best. We about how she used Renan Ozturk's stunning climbing footage for about 60% of the film.Music: The Australian Chamber Orchestra delivers music that will move you.Narration: William Dafoe narrates with his raspy, unique voice.Writing: The brilliant Robert Macfarlane explains our "revolution of perception" when it comes to mountains. His lucid writing captures the paradox of mountains and explains why we are attracted to something so dangerous.You can watch this interview on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euoQNBcwsaYJennifer Peedom has also done 3 major feature documentaries:MountainSherpaSoloPeedom explains why you need a festival strategy to make it big. You need a good sales agent who can get you into Netflix and other major streamers.Peedom explains what errors documentary novices make.I ask Peedom how she's changed and evolved as a filmmaker.I loved Free Solo with Alex Honnold, but Mountain is more profound. Watch both. Spread the word.Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim 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 sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets (in order of preference):Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83Cardano: DdzFFzCqrht7tNoXSu3YxC1X25ekqkR38ZuMsKVZ2r3iekCuoVpMWgCUGYCh1pWkhwL5SR9ozs23Sd9rgk2QFD3yivjsk1EvbbLWX6TGEOS: francistapon or EOS7W2T7hKBwRtnzeEqH1nMPwKJLRzAwHUpyco2BVu86CMBRFYqtfZcash: t1Sd81E8Pks38XJULQxeHCLEuhVCWhYRnxYIOTA: HGSYYVNYDLZQKTNIRWAXCLVHPFDEH99GIZJJWMY9WLRBPNBRZCUFFQUOLPMRCQJGYZDSDO9Y9CLHUTBEYQQSOBUOZWd Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Most people (including Africans) would love it if Africa no longer needed charity. If Africa was able to economically stand on its own two feet, charities could focus efforts elsewhere. The planet would be better off.Although parts of Africa are rich, most parts are still poor.The question is: how can we help lift Africans out of poverty?China and India lifted over one billion people out of poverty in the last 30 years. Africa has one billion poor.Most agree that charities are not a long-term solution to help build African wealth. The secret is to do what China and India have done. Africans must provide goods and services that the rest of the world (and other Africans) value. If they can't do that, they will always be mired in poverty.The Anou is working to build a long-term solution for one corner of Africa called Morocco.The Anou is an online marketplace optimized for illiterate Moroccans (and others). Ever since 2011, Dan Driscoll has been helping Moroccan artisans make a living.Dan explains how QR codes help illiterate artisans. He reveals the challenges of creating a vertically-aligned enterprise. Most important, Dan is working hard to make himself obsolete. As Dan wrote in an email to me, "The goal of Anou's work is to get artisans themselves to restructure how Morocco's artisan economy works so that it works for artisans, rather than against them. Artisans right now have an opportunity to change how everything here works, so whether it be a mill or sophisticated logistics, it all serves to enable artisans to consolidate power and influence to change things as they see fit. Getting artisans paid a little more is just collateral of solving more structural problems, which is why Anou, which is largely managed by artisans outside of me, is distinctly different than all the people who are here in Morocco trying to just help individual artisans with a little more cash."Fact Check: At the start of the episode, I refer to Cape Town's water rationing. I guesstimated that the South African city officials limited locals to 30 liters, but I was wrong. Each person was rationed 50 liters.Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim your 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

Nigeria's Election is Tomorrow!On February 16, 2019, Nigeria will pick their new president. Learn more about the Nigerian election on Wikipedia.In the 28th WanderLearn podcast episode, I interview Sharon Georgewill. She's a Nigerian from Port Harcourt.She's traveled to many African countries. When I interviewed her in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, I asked her to reflect on her continent and her country.As a bonus, Rejoice Tapon, my wife, interjected a few times during the interview.You'll probably get an unseen side of Nigeria and Africa.After listening to this podcast, find out who won the election! On January 1, 2019, I predicted that Atiku Abubakar would win.Was I right?Find out!Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets (in order of preference):Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83Cardano: DdzFFzCqrht7tNoXSu3YxC1X25ekqkR38ZuMsKVZ2r3iekCuoVpMWgCUGYCh1pWkhwL5SR9ozs23Sd9rgk2QFD3yivjsk1EvbbLWX6TGEOS: francistapon or EOS7W2T7hKBwRtnzeEqH1nMPwKJLRzAwHUpyco2BVu86CMBRFYqtfZcash: t1Sd81E8Pks38XJULQxeHCLEuhVCWhYRnxYIOTA: HGSYYVNYDLZQKTNIRWAXCLVHPFDEH99GIZJJWMY9WLRBPNBRZCUFFQUOLPMRCQJGYZDSDO9Y9CLHUTBEYQQSOBUOZWd Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Vagabonding is a seminal travel book. The author, Rolf Potts, made people realize that they don't need to settle for just two weeks a vacation every year. Rolf shows you how you can travel for two months per year or even travel nonstop for two years!In this podcast, Rolf and I discuss:How we both got drunk at an early age.How did he get into hiking and rock climbing?How does he stay in shape while traveling?What's more lucrative: writing books or writing articles?What's his Souvenir book all about?What's the difference between souvenirs and photography.I recorded this one-hour conversation in 2018 when I was still in Cameroon. Rolf, who is from Kansas, was in New York at the time.Rolf hosts the Deviate podcast.Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets (in order of preference):Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83Cardano: DdzFFzCqrht7tNoXSu3YxC1X25ekqkR38ZuMsKVZ2r3iekCuoVpMWgCUGYCh1pWkhwL5SR9ozs23Sd9rgk2QFD3yivjsk1EvbbLWX6TGEOS: francistapon or EOS7W2T7hKBwRtnzeEqH1nMPwKJLRzAwHUpyco2BVu86CMBRFYqtfZcash: t1Sd81E8Pks38XJULQxeHCLEuhVCWhYRnxYIOTA: HGSYYVNYDLZQKTNIRWAXCLVHPFDEH99GIZJJWMY9WLRBPNBRZCUFFQUOLPMRCQJGYZDSDO9Y9CLHUTBEYQQSOBUOZWd Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

iinside is obsessed about the last kilometer at the airport. You may use Google Maps, Maps.me, or some other mapping system to figure out how much congestion there is on your way to the airport. However, the automobile traffic congestion may not correlate with the congestion inside the airport.Wouldn't it be nice to know what's going on inside the airport? How long are security checkpoint lines? When will my luggage arrive?iinside aims to answer those questions.Sam Kamen is the Chief Operating Officer of iinside, a company that is working to make airports smart.There are 524 major airports in the United States. The top 30 airports account to 75-80% of all passengers. They use lidar technology to track humans and bags to measure congestion within the airport. In 2019, iinside is working with these 4 USA airports:OrlandoPhoenixDenverAustinIf you want to see the video of this interview, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_xCo-nGemoAbout Sam KamelSam oversees all operations for iinside. More about Sam:He has experience as an entrepreneur, Fortune 100 executive, team builder, change agent, innovator, strategist, and successful deal maker.Sam has been at the center of some of the most disruptive changes in technology at companies such as McKinsey, Netscape, E-LOAN, and Microsoft.He earned his BS in electrical engineering from Cornell and his MBA from Harvard.Sorry for the lousy audio in this particular episode.Sponsored by Health Access SumbawaThis show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.orgMore 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/ftaponClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month!If you prefer to do a one-time contribution, you can send it to my PayPal at [email protected] you prefer sending me cryptocurrency, then please send your support to one of my favorite wallets (in order of preference):Bitcoin: 3EiSBC2bv2bYtYEXAKTkgqZohjF27DGjnVEthereum: 0x86D8Ab45260F82A5548F39BF21C9e244D0405a83Cardano: DdzFFzCqrht7tNoXSu3YxC1X25ekqkR38ZuMsKVZ2r3iekCuoVpMWgCUGYCh1pWkhwL5SR9ozs23Sd9rgk2QFD3yivjsk1EvbbLWX6TGEOS: francistapon or EOS7W2T7hKBwRtnzeEqH1nMPwKJLRzAwHUpyco2BVu86CMBRFYqtfZcash: t1Sd81E8Pks38XJULQxeHCLEuhVCWhYRnxYIOTA: HGSYYVNYDLZQKTNIRWAXCLVHPFDEH99GIZJJWMY9WLRBPNBRZCUFFQUOLPMRCQJGYZDSDO9Y9CLHUTBEYQQSOBUOZWd Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

WanderLearn fans get a special chance to win a tour for two to Italy, England, Vietnam or California for FREE by going here:https://www.tourradar.com/wanderlearn Whether you're into travel tours or not, you should listen to Travis Pittman, the CEO of TourRadar. I've always been skeptical and resistant to tours. I've always preferred independent travel.Travis makes a pretty convincing argument about why TourRadar is a compelling platform and marketplace. TourRadar aggregates 1,000 tour operators with 30,000 different trips all over the globe. About 70% of those who book with TourRadar are females, especially solo female travelers.Group sizes vary from 6 to 50 people.TourRadar focuses on regions, not cities. For instance, you'd search for Tuscany or Italy, not just Florence. Tours last at least 3 days. The sweet spot for them is about 12 days. So if you only want a tour of Paris, don't use TourRadar. Travis reveals:How TourRadar makes money.What's a common error people make when booking a tour.What kind of recourse you have when a tour bombs.How he got started.How much venture capital TourRadar has taken in.What's TourRadar's strategic direction for 2019 and beyond.This is episode #21.You can watch the video of the interview on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgtHEYyVSnoTourRadar’s Online Travel Expo has arrived! Don’t miss your chance to save up to 75% on selected tours traveling to unforgettable destinations around the world. Sale ends Friday, January 25, 2019.WanderLearn fans get a special chance to win a tour for two to Italy, England, Vietnam or California for FREE by going here:https://www.tourradar.com/wanderlearnAbout Tour RadarTourRadar is the best search engine for multi-day tours. They are the world’s largest online travel agency for multi-day tours. Revolutionizing how multi-day tours are compared and purchased, TourRadar provides travelers with a trusted online marketplace to find and book life-enriching experiences worldwide. TourRadar works with over 2,000 tour operators to offer more than 40,000 tours in over 200 countries.Consider getting a sweet reward on my Patreon!Consider getting a sweet reward on my 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/ftaponClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Sym "Symbiosis" Blanchard has had so many adventures in his 66 years, including:Hiking half of MadagascarWalking El Camino de SantiagoThru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail (as a section-hiker)Hiked half of the Continental Divide Trail (and plans to do the rest)Hiked the Annapurna Circuit.Swam across a river in MadagascarHiked to Everest Base CapeHitchhiked all over the planetBiked across AmericaCruised in Garrison Keillor ships And much moreSym knows a ton about longevity. He shares his secrets. In the 2nd half of the conversation, we do a deep-dive in health and how to become a centenarian. This is the 20th episode of the WanderLearn podcast and I wanted to celebrate with an epic and entertaining conversation.Links to things we mentionedWe briefly talk about NY Life annuities.We mention these carsharing services:GetaroundTuroMavenZipcarUpshiftConnect with Sym Blanchard on Facebook.Explicit Language Warning: I swear often in this program. 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/ftaponClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

There are two types of people who should listen to this podcast:1. You have a vacation property that you'd like to rent out in a hassle-free way.2. You're looking to rent a luxurious, professionally-managed home all for yourself (and your friends/family) on your vacation.Vacasa has 10,000 homes in their portfolio. You might think their competitor is Airbnb or Booking.com. Not exactly.A closer competitor would be FutureStay.The main difference between FutureStay and Vacasa is that Vacasa offers far more service. Vacasa:Helps you pimp out your home.Takes professional photos and 3D tours.Provides cleaning service before each guest.Makes sure that your home is ideal for a vacation rental.Their pricing algorithm will optimize the All these services come at a price. Vacasa takes a 25-35% commission and you have to upgrade your home-owner insurance to cover vacation rentals.In contrast, FutureStay adds a 5% markup on top of whatever Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO charges. All FutureStay does is coordinate the calendars on all those sites, so you don't double-book your property.Vacasa does much more. So if you want fewer headaches and you want a full-service solution, go with Vacasa, especially if you have a property that can be rented out most of the year.If you're a do-it-yourselfer and you have the time, then FutureStay is probably better.Listen to Vacasa's Head of Global Partner Programs Thaddeus Hanscom understand more.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWybVBnweSMGet rewarded for becoming one of my Patrons! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Kirsteene Phelan, Acting CEO of Rome2Rio, has a 15-minute conversation with me to discuss her company's new partnership with Lonely Planet and what it means to the average traveler.We hit on other topics, including:How is Rome2Rio different than Google maps and other travel planners?How do they get offline data online?What's the best way to break into the travel industry?What's her long-term vision for Rome2Rio? Where are they traveling to?This is the 18th WanderLearn podcast episode. We mention Bla Bla carpooling, which Rome2Rio integrates with. It's a great way to get around in Europe. It's a pity that the USA doesn't have an app that is equally popular. If you know of one, let me know.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/ftaponClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

At the end of 2017, I made my predictions for 2018. Although I got a couple of things wrong, I was surprisingly accurate.Since the point of this exercise is to prove how wrong we can all be, I need to do the same exercise for 2019 with the hope that I get more things wrong. I encourage you to make predictions in the comments. It's a humbling experience.Here are seven predictions of what I think we'll witness in 2019:1. Donald Trump will NOT be impeachedYes, this contradicts the prediction I made after the first 100 days of his administration and that I repeated at the end of 2017. Those original predictions were based on my assumption that there would be a huge backlash in the 2018 midterm elections, which would turn the entire Congress to the Democratic side. Instead, the Senate remained under Republican control. As a result, the Democrats won't get the votes to give Trump the boot unless he grabs Andrea Merkel by the pussy.2. Bitcoin will double in value in 2019 My Bitcoin prediction in 2017 was surprisingly close to reality. I predicted that it would lose about 80% of its value and it did. I was lucky. Let's see if I can get lucky again.I predict that Bitcoin it will go from $3,650 (its price on Dec 31, 2018) to over $7,300 by the end of 2019. If the Bitcoin ETF happens in 2019 (and I think it will), Bitcoin might pass $10,000 again. I'll give more cryptocurrency predictions later.3. The S&P 500 will gain over 15%It's about 2,500 at the end of 2018. So it should be over 2,875 by the end of 2019.4. Cyril Ramaphosa will win the 2019 Presidential Election in South AfricaIt will take at least 20 years and much suffering for the black majority to vote the ANC out of power. Blacks in South Africa are more loyal to the ANC than blacks in America are loyal to the Democrats. Getting the South African blacks to vote for a non-ANC party is about as easy as getting someone to change religions.5. Atiku Abubakar will win Nigeria's 2019 Presidential electionHe'll kick Buhari out of power. It will be relatively peaceful. And Abubakar will be just as incompetent and ineffective as his predecessor. Nigeria will continue its lackluster performance, despite....6. A barrel of petroleum will go up 25% in priceAt the end of 2018, a barrel of petroleum costs $45. The stock USO costs $9.66 per share. Both of those prices will go up at least 25%. 7. I will finish The Unseen Africa bookI've written 15 out of 54 Chapters. I hope to put out one per week!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/ftaponSnapchatClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

JoAnneh Nagler gives tips, ideas, and strategies that help you be an artist and build a life you love, in the real world.This approach inspired her to write three self-help books:Naked Marriage: How to Have a Lifetime of Love, Sex, Joy and HappinessHow to Be an Artist Without Losing Your Mind, Your Shirt, or Your Creative CompassThe Debt-Free Spending Plan, a five-minute-a-day approach to easy money clarity.In this half-hour interview, JoAnneh focuses on her second book so that you can figure out how to survive (and perhaps even thrive) as an artist.In episode #16 of the WanderLearn podcast, you'll learn:If you're being called to be an artist.How to be a healthy artist.Do you need a day job?What's better: Kickstarter or Patreon?Is there a real difference between being an artist and being a plumber?Learn more about JoAnneh Nagler.If you prefer to see the interview, check out this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-o4Ez44l_g&feature=youtu.beIf you want to buy her book, use my Amazon affiliate link:https://amzn.to/2SsL0LjMore 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/ftaponSnapchatClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

What's it like to trek across some of the wildest parts of Africa? Tim Butcher has done two epic journeys that follow the footsteps of two 19th-century explorers: Graham Greene (West Africa)Henry Morton Stanley (Congo)Tim Butcher is a British-born author who lives in South Africa. He's written extensively about the continent and knows it well. In episode #15 of the WanderLearn podcast, Tim and I discuss his three books:Chasing the Devil: On Foot Through Africa's Killing FieldsBlood River: The Terrifying Journey Through The World's Most Dangerous CountryTrigger: Hunting the Assassin Who Brought the World to WarThis episode is packed with stories of adventure in the sketchiest parts of Africa.The best reason to listen is that you get to hear Tim's delightful British accent. 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/ftaponSnapchatClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

This is first Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode! I answer three questions.I always answer any question that one of my Patrons ask me. You can become a patron for just $1 per month and get to bombard me with questions! I love it!Tamy asks1. Over-tourism - What's your take on how to be a good tourist and how can we, as travelers, repair the schism between locals and tourists?2. Conversely, where are some places that could use a dose of tourism to help boost their economy?Dalia AsksHay Francis!Love your posts and news.I am actually thinking of starting my blog in Arabic as I’ve been traveling a lot lately.Any advice?I answer her on the episode, but this is what I wrote to her:"Hi Dalia! My best advice: do it because you LOVE/WANT to do it and that you are happy if NOBODY reads it. Some people start blogs and hope to quickly capture a big audience. They underestimate how hard it is to do. They quickly quit. So only do it if you just love to write/blog. Think of it as a public diary."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/ftaponSnapchatClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Chris Christensen hosts one of the top 5 travel podcasts, The Amateur Traveler. This is the 13th episode of the WanderLearn podcast.Chris Christensen discussesHow he manages 5 podcasts!What are FAM trips? Are they worth it?What should a beginning podcaster do?How does he monetize it? What's the best social media for 2019? Pinterest? What's his CPM?How do become a better interviewer? It's about a one-hour 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/ftaponSnapchatClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Are promoters of blockchain technology snake oil salesmen?One of my listeners (named Colin) thinks so. Colin posted a blistering critique of Winding Tree on my website (see it below).Meanwhile, Gary Arndt, who appeared on the WanderLearn podcast, wrote on my Facebook page, "I'm willing to bet money that Winding Tree and blockchain technology will not disrupt the travel industry or any other industry for that matter.The two co-founders of Winding Tree appear on this episode to respond.If you prefer seeing them, watch this YouTube video of the conversation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9h6W7vjbrc). I apologize for the audio quality of the conversation. I wasn't planning to make it an episode, but the content was interesting enough (for those who care about how blockchain technology may impact travel) to merit the upload.If you haven't heard it already, you should listen to the original Winding Tree episode on the WanderLearn podcast. If you don't, this episode may not make much sense. You can also search for "Winding Tree" on your podcast app to find that particular Winding Tree episode.Here's what Colin wrote:"Been following The Unseen Africa since your Kickstarter, and started on this podcast. This episode was absurd. The guest was poor at explaining Winding Tree, and the content (a backend for the travel industry) is so far removed traveling, living in the moment (or at least next five years), or through-hiking that you might as well have attempted to talk about AWS or GCS. I don’t understand why you posted it. Half of the podcast felt like an advertisement. The other half was awkward where you ask simple questions like "how does this benefit anyone" and we get snake oil answers like "everyone benefits! Collaboration and innovation!". Oh, and how do you take part? Give them money / etherum. If travelers are going to pay with these tokens, what's in it for me as a traveler? Why would I use tokens instead of cash? Or credit cards? Why do I care that the token carries data around? It's my data. I don't want others to have it. In this day of privacy concerns and the lash-back against Facebook, it's stupidly out of touch to complain that airlines don't get all your data if you book through an intermediary. And then real on the ground matters: how does this simplify technology matters for the little guy -- the folks on the ground trying to give tours around their country? Google lets them sell adwords to the WORLD. Airbnb lets them host their houses to a worldwide market. And yet Winding Tree's busy crapping on Google? Give me a break. This guy thinks the travel industry has small teams of “a few software engineers and a designer and a manager?” Are you kidding? Come on Francis. You live in Africa. Call him out on this BS. Google is helping folks around you get the word out. This guy? Selling snake oil." More infoGo to Winding Tree's website to learn more about it.Max mentioned Conway's Game of Life.You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always ftapon. Follow me on:http://facebook.com/ftaponhttp://twitter.com/ftaponhttp://youtube.com/user/ftaponhttp://pinterest.com/ftaponhttp://tumblr.com/ftaponSnapchatClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Officially, Couchsurfing is free, but it's really only free for inconsiderate guests. Polite guests and anyone with common sense will give back to their host. When I wrote "How To Be A Good Couchsurfing Guest and Host," the response was overwhelming:It hit the Top 2 in Google when you search for "Couchsurfing guest" - it's even above Couchsurfing's own website!Dozens of Couchsurfing hosts linked to the article in their profile saying, "Please follow this Francis Tapon's advice."Couchsurfing.com itself syndicated the article on their website.So I struck a nerve. In this podcast, I hit some of the same points I hit in the article. I recommend that anyone who wants to use Couchsurfing listen to this podcast and read the article. I love Couchsurfing because it's helped me gain cultural insights for my books. I highly recommend Couchsurfing, as long as you follow my advice. More infoYou can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.If you like this, subscribe and share! I made this as a YouTube episode too.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/ftaponSnapchatClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

I interviewed Marc Magliari, who is Amtrak's spokesperson for 23 states, to talk about what's going on with Amtrak. To watch the full interview, watch the YouTube video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vsehcdJBW8).Highlights of Episode 10I've edited the questions and answers for brevity and clarity.Francis Tapon: What's a common misconception about train travel in America?Marc Magliari, Media Relations Manager at Amtrak: It's usually best to buy your tickets as far in advance as possible. But we have Flash Sales that pop up and last for two or three days and then disappear. Check the Deals tab on Amtrak.com. Sometimes they have blackouts, sometimes they don't.I bet I can outrun this train.Tapon: When is the best time of year to get a good deal?Magliari: The softer seasons for us are usually after the middle of January until early March. Also, the end of the summer after Labor Day. This is especially true for leisure trains. It's less true for business-oriented trains. The more flexibility that you have, the better.Tapon: I expected that taking Amtrak across America would be uncomfortable, especially in coach, but it wasn't.Magliari: Yes, plenty of people go across America in coach. I need to be horizontal when I sleep. So if you're like me, you'll want to book a roomette or a bedroom for any long distance travel.Tapon: Are airlines your biggest competitor?Magliari: No, it's cars. If you compare our cost to driving, we're pretty competitive. We'll feed you and we'll give you a place to sleep. And you'll be able to see your country instead of worrying about the 18-wheeler on one side and the person shaving or putting makeup next to you.Tapon: The business traveler wants Wi-Fi. I didn't get it for much of my journey.Magliari: About 90% of Amtrak passengers have access to Wi-Fi. When you don't, most business travelers tether to their phone's data plan. We depend on the cellular networks. We amalgamate various cellular networks. It's not everywhere, especially in Alleghenies and the Sierra Nevada.Tapon: Are there any long-term solutions to solving the Wi-Fi issue?Magliari: 5G is coming. But still, with 300 people on a train, it will probably remain an issue.Tapon: What's the appeal of Amtrak for the business traveler?Magliari: To stay productive. When you go to the airport, you lose a lot of time going through security and just getting to the airport.Tapon: Is it ever more efficient to take an overnight train over a plane?Magliari: In Chicago, we have a train called the Texas Eagle. It leaves Chicago at 1:45 p.m. By noon the next day, it's in downtown Dallas. If I've got an afternoon meeting in Dallas, I will have to get up at 4:30 a.m. to get to the airport. I'll sleep poorly. In contrast, I can let the train be my hotel. I can finish my presentation on the train. I'll be rested. One of the big advantages is that most of our stops are in downtown areas. Airports tend to be far from a city's downtown. If you've flown to Denver, Cincinnati, or New Orleans, you know how far the airports are from the downtown.Tapon: Are Fortune 500 companies getting this productivity argument?Magliari: A lot of companies get it. A lot of sports teams get it. In fact, in the northeast corridor, we transport some sports teams overnight.Tapon: What are the upgrades to the infrastructure in the pipeline?Magliari: In the next three to five years, all the business class seats will be replaced with an even nicer business class.Tapon: How can passengers ride across America on Amtrak?Magliari: There are many routes, you either have to go through Chicago or New Orleans.Tapon: Any advice to train travelers?Magliari: Don't always count on having Wi-Fi or cellular. Bring reading material.The Prince says, "But can I play polo with this?"Tapon: Is Amtrak looking into the Hyperloop?Magliari: The way we get to where the next generation is with incremental steps. That's how they did it in Europe. Right now we're developing the Chicago hub to achieve a maximum speed of 110 miles per hour, which is near the limit of what you can do with the existing infrastructure. If you want faster, like 220 miles per hour, you need all new infrastructure. It's like building a brand new highway.Tapon: What's happening in the 2020s?Magliari: We're partnered with Texas Central, who is looking to do a high-speed network between Fort-Worth/Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. But that will be all-new construction. But we have property rights and environmental checks. That slows us down. China doesn't have those limitations.Tapon: Is Amtrak losing sleep about the advent of self-driving cars?Magliari: No. If everyone has a self-driving car, you still have to get all those cars through a funnel. Trains have an exclusive lane. Cars must share the road. More infoYou can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.If you like this, subscribe and share! I made this as a YouTube episode too.On social media, my username is always ftapon. F

Many who dream of traveling the world haven't even traveled around their neighborhood. The San Francisco Bay Area has 7 million people. Most haven't been on top of San Bruno Mountain (pictured). Still, many Bay Area residents dream of going to the Himalayas or the Swiss Alps. There are wonders all around us. Never say that you can't afford to travel. If you don't travel, it's just not a priority.In this episode, I explain how to travel when you're broke or short on time.More infoYou can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.If you like this, subscribe and share! I made this as a YouTube episode too.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/ftaponSnapchatClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Gary Arndt has been a travel blogger for a dozen years. Along the way, he's figured out what works and what doesn't. Gary Arndt never minces words. He doesn't care if he offends someone. Internet trolls have hardened his skin. If you're curious what it's really like to be a top travel blogger, you must listen to this show.In this episode, you'll learn:What most starting travel bloggers get wrong.What are Gary Arndt's favorite travel apps?Where does he get Gary Arndt's best travel deals?How Gary morphed into a travel photographer.What's the stupid advice that photographers often give.What's the difference between Pinterest and Instagram.What about AR and VR? Does it have a future?How to do a travel podcast (he's involved in 3 travel podcasts!)?Will he ever write a book?You can find Gary Arndt at Everything-Everywhere.com.More infoYou can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.If you like this, subscribe and share! I made this as a YouTube episode too.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/ftaponSnapchatClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $1/month! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

When you're traveling, it's easy to forget to exercise. In fact, even when you're not traveling, it's hard to have the daily discipline. Some people get more exercise when they're traveling than when they're at home because when they're traveling, they're walking far more. For others, it's the opposite. When they travel, they're lost without their local gym. What I forgot to mention in this podcastOne of the best ways to exercise every day is to make exercise part of your commute (or at least part of your work).For instance, take the bike to work. I took the bike to Microsoft, even when it was raining. (It helps that I didn't have a car.) With more and more businesses allowing their workers to dress casually, you no longer have the excuse that your expensive suit will get sullied. Many companies have showers at the office making it easier than ever to run or bike to work.Another way to integrate exercise in your day is to run errands on a bike or on foot. When I lived at the top of Potrero Hill, I still did my grocery shopping with my bike. I lugged the bike with a backpack full of groceries up that steep hill. Instead of meeting someone for coffee or lunch, meet them for a hike or a walk. That's exactly what I did with my friend Jeremiah Owang. I usually take the stairs, even when I have to go to the 11th floor.Make exercise a priority in your schedule. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama demanded that their daily schedules have one hour for exercise. If they can make time for exercise, so can you.More infoI encourage you to post comments and ask questions for a future Q&A episode.If you like this, subscribe and share! I made this as a YouTube episode too.On social media, my username is always ftapon. Follow me on:Facebook http://facebook.com/ftaponTwitter http://twitter.com/ftaponYouTube http://youtube.com/user/ftaponPinterest http://pinterest.com/ftaponTumblr http://tumblr.com/ftaponSnapchatClaim your reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

The Internet was supposed to disrupt the middlemen. Yes, it created some peer-to-peer technology and services.However, middlemen are doing better than ever. Uber and Airbnb, with their lack of hard assets, are quintessential middlemen.In the travel world, Expedia, Priceline, Kayak, and Booking.com are also middlemen par excellence.The Internet was supposed to level the playing field and disrupt monopolies. Today, Expedia and Priceline control 95% of the US Online Travel Agency (OTA) market. Just three travel companies (Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport) own at least 90 percent of the Global Distribution Systems market share.In 2010, Google bought ITA Software to create its flight booking engine. In 2014, it opened it up to small business and individuals to access. On April 10, 2018, however, Google closed off access to its QPX Express API service. This will shut out small companies from accessing its valuable travel data.Meanwhile, private travel data kept on centralized servers have security risks. Last year, for example, Sabre was hacked.Blockchain technology threatens to disrupt the travel industry. Blockchain to the rescue?Blockchain technology guarantees tight, immutable security. It also promises to do what the Internet failed to do: destroy the middleman.Is the second time the charm? Or are the geeks crying wolf again?What is Winding Tree?Winding Tree is a nonprofit that aims to stir innovation in the travel industry by leveraging public Blockchain technology. It is creating a decentralized travel distribution network.If their vision succeeds, travelers and travel service providers (e.g., hotels, airlines, tour guides) will split the billions of dollars that travel middlemen currently take. Translation: lower prices for the traveler and higher profits for the entities that actually deliver the service to the customer.To facilitate this vision, Winding Tree raised money (Ethereum) via an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) that closed on February 14, 2018. Their token is called the Líf (pronounced “leaf”).I interviewed Winding Tree’s CEO, Maksim Izmaylov, to learn more. We recorded this right before the ICO, but it's still relevant.In the Q&A that follows, I paraphrase Izmaylov’s answers. (Izmaylov approved of the Q&A summary.)Winding Tree's CEO, Maksim Izmaylov, and its CTO, Jakub Vysoký (right). Photo Credit: JULIA NOVICKAJADoes the world really need another ICO? Why Líf? Why can’t Winding Tree just use a cryptocurrency like Ethereum, which already has smart contracts built into it?Líf is more than a cryptocurrency. It’s a token that is based on the ERC827 token open standard, which we worked with Open Zeppelin to create.Líf is optimized to carry travel-specific data. With Ethereum, it’s cumbersome to make a contract that says that you want a room for two single beds with a view and breakfast included. With Líf, it’s simple.Also, bundling products are tricky with Ethereum. With Winding Tree, it's a no-brainer to bundle a car reservation with a hotel reservation.Líf isn’t an alternative to Ethereum. In fact, Winding Tree is deployed on the Ethereum blockchain. Think of it as a layer on top of a developed blockchain. We can deploy Winding Tree on several other blockchains in the future.Líf helps minimize foreign exchange fees. When you buy an international plane ticket, your dollars will get converted to pay for fees at every stop your plane makes. The more countries, the more foreign exchange fees. Líf tokens minimize those transactions and reduce their cost since trading Lífs is negligible.The Winding Tree pitch.WINDING TREEWhat the biggest misunderstanding about the Líf ICO that you would you like to dispel?People think that Winding Tree is just another cash alternative. The implications go far beyond that. Líf will carry booking data, for example. It could carry your travel identification, your baggage tracking details, and your loyalty points. It’s powerful.Others think that we’re trying to create another intermediary. That’s the exact opposite of what we’re trying to do.When a hotel booking or airline reservation has a problem, you often go to the middleman who sold it to you to help resolve the problem. When travelers use Winding Tree’s blockchain, they skip the middleman. What recourse do they have when something goes wrong?You will have all your immutable records on the blockchain. You will own your own data. Also, there will be a reputation system. All these help resolve disputes.Why has Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, Nordic Choice hotels and others partnered with Winding Tree? Why should a hotel or airline partner with Winding Tree?First, all our partners bought Líf tokens. Anyone who wants to operate on the Winding Tree platform needs Líf tokens. Second, our partners have promised to give us access to their inventory. Nordic Choice is already testing our smart contracts. Third, they provide us with their expertise. Air New Zealand has provided us developers to collaborate with us. We plan to have work

Although it's sad to read about your fellow alums dying, it's also motivating. It's especially motivating when a dead alum is younger than you. This depressing fact can light a fire underneath your butt to live a purposeful and meaningful life.It's a way to compel you to stop making excuses. Meanwhile, this doesn't necessarily mean that you should become busier. Instead, it should compel you to use your time more wisely. That means that perhaps you need to become less busy! For some, that means to work less and spend more time with your family and friends.For others, it might mean to spend less time with their family and friends and more time pursuing that music career they've always wanted to have.The point is that the death of your fellow alums should spur you to live. Transform yourself now. I encourage you to post comments and ask questions for a future Q&A episode.If you like this, subscribe and share! I made this as a YouTube episode too.On social media, my username is always ftapon. Follow me on:Facebook http://facebook.com/ftaponTwitter http://twitter.com/ftaponYouTube http://youtube.com/user/ftaponPinterest http://pinterest.com/ftaponTumblr http://tumblr.com/ftaponSnapchatClaim your reward by becoming a patron. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Joe 'Stringbean' McConaughy is a young legend in the thru-hiking community. He set the fastest known time (FKT) on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail. His Appalachian Trail record was truly astounding because (at the time he finished the trail) his unsupported record was faster than any supported record! What's the difference between a supported and unsupported thru-hike?Supported thru-hikes have one or more people lending you a hand. These lovely people will typically:Meet you at junctions where the trail meets a road.Give you a food, water, and medical supplies. Set up and break down your tent.As a result, you don't have to make any detours to go to the post office or to a store to resupply. More importantly, you can carry little or no food. You may be able to leave your shelter and sleeping bag behind too. You can get by with less water because you know your crew will have plenty at the next road crossing. On the Appalachian Trail, these trail junctions happen far more often than on the Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail.This results in considerably less weight than an unsupported thru-hike (which is what 99% of thru-hikers do).If you do an unsupported thru-hike, you're on your own for everything.Although Karel Sabbe has recently beaten some of McConaughy's speed records, his unsupported Appalachian Trail record still stands.I'll be interviewing Karel Sabbe in 2019, but enjoy McConaughy's remarkable sense of humor and athletic feats.On social media, my username is always ftapon. Follow me on:FacebookTwitterYouTubePinterestTumblrGet rewarded for being one of my patrons! Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

I share my secrets of how I've been able to travel nonstop since 2006.The most common question I get asked is how I am able to afford to travel to 120+ countries. That's why I'm addressing this FAQ in the third episode of the WanderLearn podcast. If I waited any longer, there would be a mutiny. Yes, both of my listeners would revolt! The most important action you need to take is to save enough f**k-you money so that you have the financial ability to not just travel the world for months or years, but also to make other bold moves in your life.In just 10 minutes, I break down how what you need to do to earn plenty of f**k-you money. It's tough, which is why few people have f**k-you money.For those who want to learn more, read my epic article that addresses this question.If you like this, subscribe and share! I made this as a YouTube episode too.On social media, my username is always ftapon. Follow me on:FacebookTwitterYouTubePinterestTumblClaim your reward by becoming a patron. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Officially, this is my second podcast, but it's really my first proper podcast since my first episode was just a 4-min teaser introduction.What better way to kick off this travel podcast than to have my first guest be Travis Sherry. He is the creator of one of the top travel podcasts, Extra Pack of Peanuts.Here's what you will learn in this two-hour episode:Who is Travis Sherry?What's the origin of the name Extra Pack of Peanuts?What are his favorite countries?What's the Jetto app and why should you get it?What are good ways of monetizing an app or podcast?How can you find the best travel deals? He runs the Frequent Flier Bootcamp, so he should know!Why should you care about the Paradise Pack project coming out at the end of May 2019?What's it like to live in Japan?How are Africans and Japanese similar?What's the best credit card?What are the two most popular reasons why people don't travel?At the end of the podcast, Travis can't resist putting on his interview hat. He surprises me by asking me a couple of questions.I plan to release a new episode every Tuesday and Friday until I have 50 episodes. At that point, I may slow down the pace to once a week.I encourage you to post comments and ask questions for a future Q&A episode.If you like this, subscribe and share! I made this as a YouTube episode too.On social media, my username is always ftapon. Follow me on:FacebookTwitterYouTubePinterestTumblrSnapchat(I use the first three accounts far more than the last three.)Claim your reward by becoming a patron. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Discover what this podcast is about! For those who are too lazy to listen, here are the three themes we'll tackle:TravelTechnologyTransformationFrancis Tapon is your host in this travel podcast. Tell your friends and enemies about it.Also, get rewarded for supporting it!To comment on this episode, visit WanderLearn.com. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe