
RareErth Podcast
Ever wonder what makes people take the leap and follow their dreams?
That's what RareErth Podcast is all about. I sit down with folks who've turned their passions into careers, asking them the tough questions we all face. How'd they find the courage to start?
What keeps them going?
Whether it's artists, business owners, or creative thinkers, I'm chatting with people who've taken risks to do what they love. If you're looking for a little inspiration or just enjoy a good story, tune in.
Learn more at https://www.rareerth.com
Latest episodes

Sep 27, 2024 • 1h 25min
Finding Light in Darkness: Siphiwe on Faith, Connection, and Purpose
In this inspiring and joy-filled episode, I sit down with my good friend Siphiwe, a software developer from Cape Town, South Africa, whose ability to spread laughter and joy is unlike anyone I've ever met.
Siphiwe shares with me his incredible journey of resilience, faith, and connection. We explore his experiences growing up in Soweto during the apartheid era, overcoming significant challenges, and how his unwavering faith guided him through life's darkest valleys. From his initial struggles with education to his transformation into a passionate learner and developer, we discuss the importance of meaningful relationships, the concept of Ubuntu, and his commitment to uplifting others.
Throughout our conversation, glimpses of his unique humor and joy shine through, making this episode both enlightening and heartwarming. Join me as we delve into topics of spirituality, personal growth, and the power of embracing one's humanity with a friend who truly knows how to light up a room.
In this episode, we explore:
Siphiwe's journey from Soweto during apartheid to tech success
His spiritual rollercoaster and unwavering faith
The power of Ubuntu and meaningful connections
How laughter helped him overcome life's challenges
His mission to uplift others and unlock human potential
Personal anecdotes and rapid-fire fun facts
Experience the warmth, wisdom, and humor of a truly remarkable individual as we discuss resilience, personal growth, and the power of embracing one's humanity. This conversation promises to leave you feeling inspired and seeing the world through a brighter lens.
Show Notes: RareErth

Aug 16, 2024 • 1h 32min
Priyata -A Systems Biologist on Merging Ancient Wisdom with Cutting-Edge Science, Blockchain in Healthcare, and the Art of Conscious Living
Priyata, a systems biologist with a bioinformatics background blending Eastern philosophy and Western science, shares her inspiring journey from India to Germany. She discusses the transformational role of blockchain in healthcare, her groundbreaking work on personalized medicine, and the deeper lessons learned from literature and personal growth. Priyata also reflects on the complexities of relationships, her passion for music in the underground scene, and insights on resilience amid life's challenges—all while intertwining analytical thinking with introspection.

25 snips
Jul 20, 2024 • 1h 16min
The Business Artist: Petri Kajander on Philosophy, Technology, and the Future of Work
Finnish entrepreneur, Petri Kajander, delves into philosophy, tech, and future work. Topics include Eastern wisdom in business, social media's fate, living as if you had 1000 years, barefoot running benefits, password security, and mood influenced by diet. A mind-bending mix of practical advice and philosophical insights.

6 snips
Jul 5, 2024 • 1h 15min
Keith Harmon: Professional Skydiving to CFO’ing to Teaching a Million Kids Math
Keith Harmon, a skydiving enthusiast turned educator, shares his journey from engineer to hospitality veteran. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, service, and human connections. With a goal to teach a million kids math, Keith discusses the transformative power of education and kindness in shaping a purposeful life.

Jun 16, 2024 • 60min
Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do & the Art of Self-Discovery with MICKY (Firebird)
In this episode I sit down with the multi-talented MICKY, also known as Firebird. From his deep dive into martial arts and Bruce Lee's philosophy to an incredible journey in the music industry, MICKY’s story is one of transformation and relentless pursuit of passion.
We touch on Micky's surprising transition from studying music business to performing over 400 shows in a year, which skyrocketed his career. He also shares an intriguing personal revelation that led to profound changes in his life and creative direction.
Micky discusses his entrepreneurial ventures, including a startup that connects artists and producers, and how he's now focusing on exciting new projects that blend creativity with self-improvement.
Don't miss his thoughtful insights on creativity, self-discovery, and collaboration, plus a special performance of his song "Sideways."
Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with unexpected twists, deep reflections, and inspiring moments.
Highlights:
Micky’s journey from martial arts to music
The impact of performing over 400 shows in a year
An intriguing personal revelation and its impact
Entrepreneurial ventures in the music industry
Current projects blending creativity and self-improvement
Thoughtful insights on creativity and collaboration
A special musical performance of "Sideways"
For Show notes, Links and Resources: RareErth

May 19, 2024 • 43min
Embracing Faith, Community, and Innovation with Gary Sheng
In this episode I chat with Gary Sheng who is a US-based technologist, creator, and civic entrepreneur. We talk about his journey of integrating diverse interests and finding his path. We discuss the power of faith and intuition in decision-making and the transformative potential of pop-up villages like Zuzalu gatherings for fostering collaboration and creativity.
Gary shares his philosophy of being aggressively open-minded, his genuine passion for community, and the importance of meaningful relationships. He reflects on his gratitude for family support and his desire to inspire authenticity in future generations.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with insights on faith, community, innovation, and the power of genuine human connections.
Episode Highlights:
Gary's journey of integrating various interests.
The role of faith and intuition in decision-making.
The transformative power of pop-up villages.
The importance of genuine relationships and investing in virtuous cycles.
Gratitude for family support and inspiring authenticity.
Show notes: RareErth

May 2, 2024 • 1h 3min
Wisdom Beyond His Years: 17-Year-Old Arjun Khemani on Education, Entrepreneurship and the Beginning of Infinity
Meet Arjun Khemani, a 17-year-old entrepreneur who left school to work with visionaries, focusing on personal growth through diet and voracious reading. Explore the philosophy of Taking Children Seriously, the importance of ideas over individuals, and his intriguing book recommendation - 'The Beginning of Infinity'.

Apr 17, 2024 • 1h 29min
Priyanka Raghuvanshi: Unfiltered Conversations on Art, Life, and Everything in Between
Join me for an incredibly real chat with Priyanka Raghuvanshi, an artist who's not afraid to be herself. Priyanka opens up about her wild ride, from studying the mind to trying out different jobs before realizing art is her true calling.
She drops some serious truth bombs about how important it is to ask questions, even if it makes you look silly. Priyanka believes that's the secret to growing and figuring yourself out. She also shares what gets her creative juices flowing, how being super observant shapes her art, and why music means so much to her.
What I love about Priyanka is how genuine she is, especially when we dive into the messy stuff like relationships, dealing with office politics, and staying true to yourself. She's all about keeping it real and doing her own thing, even if it goes against the norm.
If you're into history, you'll love this part. Priyanka and I geek out about her passion for Indian history. She dishes on how politics can totally twist the way history is told and why it's so important to explore the parts that often get overlooked.
Priyanka's unfiltered take on life will leave you feeling inspired to embrace your own truth. Her story proves that following your heart and chasing what truly lights you up is the way to go, even when society tells you otherwise.
Tune in now and get ready for some serious wisdom from an artist who's not afraid to question the status quo. Trust me, Priyanka's raw, real talk about art and life might just change the way you see things.
For Show notes: RareErth

Apr 7, 2024 • 1h 13min
Embracing Curiosity: Ina Lulaj’s Journey from Albania to Japan
Welcome to Season 3 of the RareErth Podcast!
I'm kicking things off with a special guest, Ina Lulaj, who courageously left her 9-to-5 life to pursue her writing dreams in Tokyo. Our chance encounter blossomed into a wonderful friendship, and Ina's here to share that journey with us.
From Albania to Oxford, Boston, and Miami, Ina's adventures have been vast, but it was in Japan where she truly found her home and her voice. She'll talk about the challenges of starting over in a new country, finding inspiration from thinkers like Naval Ravikant, and fully embracing this new chapter in her life.
But Ina's story isn't just about moving from place to place.
She dives deep into Japanese culture, from the creativity seen in train ads to the meticulous design of food packaging, showcasing her love for the country's minimalist yet impactful design philosophy.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
Unexpected Friendships: How digital platforms
can lead to meaningful real-life connections.
A Global Career: The joys and challenges of
adapting to life and work in a foreign country.
Inspiration to Independence: How mentors and
thinkers can inspire personal and professional growth.
Cultural Immersion: Ina's passion for Japanese
culture and the beauty of its design.
Join me for an inspiring conversation that explores the
beauty of following your dreams, embracing change, and living a life fueled by curiosity. If you're thinking about taking a leap of faith or just love stories of cultural exploration, this episode is a reminder that it's never too late to chase what makes you happy. Let's dive in!
Show notes: www.rareerth.com

Mar 29, 2023 • 1h 56min
An Actuary's Musings on Life & Financial Independence-Sumit Ramani
In this episode I have an in-depth conversation with Sumit Ramani - Actuary and Co-Founder of ‘Protect Me Well’.
In a touching homage to his parents during the interview, Sumit shared his unique journey to becoming an expert in the field of finance. We lamented about how financial companies have made financial products too complicated and we laughed as he shared some interesting anecdotes. From the people, instances, and books that have influenced his own perspective on money, to how he imbues responsible financial literacy in his young daughter, we’ve covered it all in this super-interesting season finale!
Key Points:
1. Sumit sheds light on the relatively lesser-known Actuary profession and Actuarial Science.
2. How Sumit used his actuarial skills to help a gaming company design their gaming engine.
3. How his father, a wise and well-read medical doctor, instilled some great values in him including admirable conflict management skills.
4. Sumit’s other passion, fitness, and how he makes time for it every day despite his busy schedule.
5. Importance of financial independence, and the difference between retirement and financial independence.
6. How investing is more of a behavioral game than a skill game and shared his thoughts on common money mistakes people make, especially in insurance.
With plenty of laughter and fascinating stories along the way, this episode is the perfect way to wrap up our season 2 and leave you excited for what's to come. So, tune in and get ready to be inspired!
Show notes can be found here
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