The Genuinely Interested Podcast

Gil has been an active venture investor focused on enterprise technology companies born in Europe & Israel, since 2005. As a venture investor and angel, he has backed over 30 companies in Israel and across Europe. The majority of these companies have successfully relocated to the US, and many have been backed by leading global venture firms.  Despite 2020 being the year that it was-  for Gil and Angular Ventures, it was a wildly successful and busy time.  Gil and I discussed - Why Israel is such a tech powerhouse Why SAAS companies are so popular/profitable  What a deep tech fund is (in-depth) Why 2020 was such a busy year for Angular Ventures And much more... Gil Dibner Twitter  My Take: Opportunity is everywhere. Don't let the markets, or people, dictate/sway you away from an idea or a passion project. 2020 was one of the busiest years for VCs. Keep at it.  Support the Podcast

Adam Shoalts is a professional adventurer and best-selling author. In 2013, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society for “extraordinary contributions to geography” and in 2017 completed a nearly 4,000 km solo journey across Canada’s Arctic which he documented in a gripping documentary called "Alone Across The Arctic". Adam feels at home in the wilderness - far away from humans and amongst the trees, rivers, mountains, and wild animals.  Adam and I discussed:  What (if any) were his worries prior to the expedition How he survived the onslaught of mosquitos  The difficulty of solo expeditions  How he handles solitude psychologically The grit of early explorers How he handles difficulties  Bears & other wildlife The logistics of a massive expedition When he got his first mobile phone  And much more.  Adam Shoalts  My Take: It's weird that the outdoors and real wilderness is so foreign to most of us. We have very quickly adapted to cities and urban living but our DNA is still hardwired to be in nature. The more explorers I interview the more I understand the necessity, but also the hardship, that the wilderness offers us. It's a beautiful lesson in overcoming obstacles and learning more about oneself.  Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com Support the Podcast

Elena Hight, one of the world’s top female snowboarders and the first woman to land a 900 in competition, shares her inspiring transition from competitive halfpipe to backcountry snowboarding. She discusses how this new path rekindled her love for the sport and touches on her documentary, 'Blank Canvas.' Elena emphasizes the importance of environmental activism, the push for equality in outdoor sports, and why the backcountry offers a thrilling, fun experience beyond the confines of competition.

Eric Larsen is a polar explorer, speaker, and expedition guide. He has spent the past 15 years of his life traveling to some of the most remote and wild places left on earth. In 2006, Eric completed the first-ever summer expedition to the North Pole. Eric is now one of only a few Americans to have skied to both the North and South Poles. Eric is passionate about spreading the message about the beauty & importance of the poles and other Arctic places - places that few people will ever get to see.  Eric and I discussed:  What's more difficult, Everest or the North Pole? Polar Bears How he mentally handles the cold The beauty of the ice Breaking a mission into smaller mini-missions The difficulties of putting an expedition together  His positive mindset His surprise stalker  And much, much more... Eric Larsen Eric's Instagram  My Take: It is important that someone like Eric explores these places and tells their stories. These mostly uninhabited (and freezing) places across our planet are some of the most beautiful - and in need of the most preservation.  Support The Podcast Catchphrase eBook

Matan is an author and podcast host. His latest book is called Gut Rules, A Guide to Self Healing. As a young photojournalist in the Middle East, Matan was suddenly diagnosed with a chronic disease. Determined to overcome his “incurable” condition, he spent the better half of the last decade trying to understand the reason he became sick. Eventually, to the surprise of his doctors, he was able to completely reverse his condition. Matan and I discussed: What happened when he was diagnosed with a chronic disease  His book The feeling of shame or embarrassment around abdominal diseases  How he cured himself of an "incurable" disease What he eats nowadays Nature vs Chemicals  What water is the best water Alternative cures for self-healing  What doctors need to learn about communicating with patients And much more... Matan Hakimi My Take: Health is the most important thing there is. You can be the richest man in the world, but if you are in poor health, all that money has no value.  Take care of yourself - stay active, eat healthily, reduce stress, go outdoors - the list goes on. We only have one body, so do what makes you feel good, and listen to your intuition. People and doctors may tell you things "you must do" - but do what's best for you - everyone is different, and everyone reacts to things differently.  Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com Support the Podcast

Richard W. Halsey earned undergraduate degrees from the University of California in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. After teaching biology and natural science for twenty years, Halsey left traditional education to become a full-time chaparral ecologist and to promote an appreciation for California's chaparral environment. He is also an educator and has a passion for talking about the Californian chaparral.  I recently saw Richard in a documentary about the wildfires in Ojai, and I wanted to have him on, to discuss the how's and why’s of these wildfires, and to really understand the issue better. Richard and I discussed:  What is a Chaparral  What happened to the Californian Grizzly Bear  Why the wildfires in California are so severe What are some solutions?  Ojai, Paradise, and other communities affected by wildfires Why we need to spend time outdoors And much more... ⁠California Chaparral Institute ⁠ My Take: Seawater is still rising, wildfires are still raging, yet we buy and build properties in areas that might not be habitable in 10 or 20 years. We need to take a closer look at where we build because climate change is rerouting and reshaping the current landscape. Today's prestigious 2-acre real estate gem could be tomorrow's barren wasteland.   Support The Podcast⁠ ⁠Catchphrase eBook

Nick is the founder of the very popular Side Hustle Nation. He started this site because he was sick and tired of someone else telling him how & where he should spend his time. So he started Sidehustlenation.com  and never looked back. Nowadays he is one of the most popular figures in the additional income/side hustle genre, providing podcasts, blog posts, and real insights/advice to people who want to earn extra money and grow their businesses.  Nick is constantly hustling and always looking for ways to diversify his income streams - while teaching and helping his community of listeners do the same. Earlier this year Nick was kind enough to add a segment on a blog post I wrote where he beautifully details how, as a podcaster, one climbs the listener pyramid.  Nick and I discussed:  How to see through fake "gurus" His most lucrative side hustle His early days in the shoe business How to start a side hustle  Coming to terms with the fact that you may suck in the beginning How to stand out in a competitive landscape  How to create trust/loyalty with your consumers  How to transform problems into opportunities  And much more... Side Hustle Nation  My Take: We all want financial freedom, the goal is to make money while you sleep. What you don't want is for your time to be proportionate to your income. You want to be able to go on vacation, take time off, etc - and still have a steady income coming in. Side hustles are one way to ensure this. The internet has made it easier than ever to create a business, automate, streamline it, and add additional income streams.  Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com Support the Podcast

Andrew is a speaker, author, and chief executive of Humanist UK. His latest book is called "The Little Book of Humanism: Universal Lessons on Finding Purpose, Meaning and Joy".  Andrew works to support change for a better society, championing ideas for this one life we have. He is dedicated to spreading humanism and creating a separation between church and state. The goal of humanists is to advance free thinking and freedom of choice so that everyone can live in a fair and equal society regardless of skin color, gender, ethnic or religious background.   Andrew and I discussed:  Secularism vs humanism vs atheism What is humanism? What are (if any) the limits of free speech?  Should Twitter regulate speech? Getting religious influence out of government and educational institutions.  Running for president as an atheist  And much, much more...  Andrew's Twitter  My Take: For too long, religion has had a grip on the way we behave, on the rules of society, the laws we implement, and what we deem "good or "bad". We need to have a more tolerant world where rational thinking and kindness prevail. I think humanism can help us go in that direction.  Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com Support The Podcast 

Johnathan has built a successful Youtube channel that is centered around snowboarding and the snowboarding lifestyle. He regularly uploads amazing videos, fun, and helpful content, and really allows viewers into his life in a very authentic manner. A few years ago, Johnathan decided to go all-in on Youtube. He quit his job at the time with a singular plan in mind - to succeed in his dream of snowboarding for a living and to support himself, and his family while living this dream. Through hard work, determination, and Youtube algorithms, Johnathan has managed to grow his channel, build a community of supporters, and live out his goal of snowboarding all season long. His next chapter would be riding in the offseason, in the southern hemisphere.  Johnathan and I discussed:  Why he quit his job to go fulltime on Youtube His crazy story with the ski patrol "safety" people How he built his Youtube community Tips for beginners Why consistency is key What are his favorite mountains? Where he found the best pow His dream/goal of snowboarding EVERY single resort in the US What it's like snowboarding a 130-day season  And much, much, more.  Johnathan Buckhouse  My Take: If you have a dream, it is your duty to pursue it - everything is easier today than it was 10, 20, or 30 years ago. You have all the tools you need in order for you to go after your goals. Life is short and time is fleeting, don't wait for tomorrow, find your passion and pursue it today. Your future self will thank you in 5 years' time.  Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com Support The Podcast 

Natan Levy is a recently signed UFC fighter. He was called upon by the UFC to appear on Dana White's Contender Series on 2 days' notice. After getting the "ok" from his team, he said yes - and the rest, as they say, is history. Natan is one of the first Israeli fighters to ever compete in the UFC, which is the most coveted, prestigious, top-level organization in the world when it comes to mixed martial arts.  7 years ago, Natan came to the US with a dream - to be a fighter in the top organization in the world - the UFC.  He is currently undefeated, fighting in the regional circuit with very impressive wins, and varied submissions, which were what led him to the biggest MMA stage in the world. On the night where it was "make it or break it" - he rose to the occasion and defeated his opponent in the 3rd via an arm-triangle choke. I hope to see Natan fight next year and represent his country on the world stage.  Natan and I discuss:  The shark-infested waters of the 155 division  Why he chose to train in Japan The MMA scene in Israel Why it's so difficult to be from Israel and succeed in MMA How he got the call to fight for the UFC How important it is to know English to promote yourself  Why you never quit on your dreams  And much more... Natan Levy's Instagram  My Take: What most people don't see when they see an "overnight success" are the hard years filled with doubt (in Natan's case, 7 hard years), financial problems, and physical difficulties and injuries. Often times we envy the result without wanting the burden of hard work. Natan put in years of work for this result, and to accomplish his dream. You want results? Hard work + time will get you there.  Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com Show Support