The Genuinely Interested Podcast

Simon Donner is a Professor of Climatology at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He studies why climate matters to society, as well as to ecosystems like coral reefs. His group’s work provides insight into the causes and effects of climate change, public attitudes, policy options at home and abroad, and what can be done to adapt. I've wanted to have a conversation about climate change for a long time - its impacts, the misinformation around this hot button topic - and Simon was the perfect guest to discuss this with.  For some reason, climate change is one of the only scientific fields that gets "debunked" or "denied", usually by special interest groups with financial incentives or political ideologies. The science is very clear and very settled (unlike what some media outlets say), and there is actually nothing to dispute. The facts are in -the climate is rapidly changing, and it is due to human activity. We have actually known this, to some degree, for over 100 years.  Simon and I discussed the complexity that is climate, what happens to us/world if we continue 'business as usual',  how to get people to care, who will suffer the worst consequences of climate change, and why climate change is actually a human issue (not solely an environmental issue). Simon also debunks some of the most common myths circulating the Internet.  Enjoy the Episode! My Take: Instead of celebrities, we should pay more attention to scientists, the people who are actually trying to educate and save the planet and its inhabitants. Climate change is the number one threat we currently face. If we do not act with urgency, future generations will suffer dire consequences. Let's rise above politics, and individually do the best we can to avoid runaway climate change from happening.  Simon Donner  Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Linda is a digital nomad. A couple of years ago Linda decided to sell everything she owned, say goodbye to her beautiful dog, and go after her dream of seeing the vast, amazing world we live in. Over the last 10 years, she's been to 50 countries and has acquired not only unbelievable experiences but a deeper sense of self through endless exploration.  Linda helps folks book their travels, and also helps her followers with amazing budget-friendly tips in different countries. Her videos are real and authentic. Currently, she is on a beautiful small Greek island, living her life during COVID times on a or adjacent to sun-kissed beaches and crystal blue waters - and not to mention, delicious fresh Mediterranean food.  We discussed when and why this passion for travel was discovered, what she enjoys most about traveling, what she has learned on her adventures, how to keep safe as a female traveler, and why knowing languages is a superpower.  Enjoy the episode.  Life By Linda My Take: Being a digital nomad in 2020 is more popular than ever. With fewer people being required to travel to a workplace, and live in physical proximity to a workplace, travel, and work, can now be more synonymous than ever. I think travel is one of the most educational and eye-opening things you can do. If going forward this is the new normal, we might truly become more connected with the world around us, and with each other, as fellow humans.  Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Nicci is an outspoken advocate for an organic, vegan lifestyle. She has been eating organic foods exclusively for the last 12 years and swears by the benefits she's seen in herself, her friends, and her clients. She's worked with top MMA fighters helping them cut weight, stay fit, and sustain energy. Nicci has run a few different businesses revolving around organic foods and juices, always focusing on and promoting the benefits to as many people as possible. Nowadays, Nicci focuses more on working with organic farmers, trying to promote local foods as much as she can - giving lesser-known farmers their duly deserved shine.  Nicci and I had a very fun conversation about food, and the disconnection we have from what is on our plates. We also chatted about her lifestyle, daily habits, and how being disciplined in her health regime is key for her (Nicci's day starts with waking up early, followed by a swim in the ocean, and her daily green juice). We discussed Australia's coffee scene, how she got healthy on an organic, vegan diet, and we also dipped into a conversation (pardon the pun) about cold immersions.  Enjoy The Episode! My Take: We should all be more connected to the food we eat, I believe it will give us a healthier perspective and appreciation for the people that grow it, and the process it goes through to reach our plate. Organic vs non-organic is a no-brainer - we should all strive to eat more local, more organic, more sustainable, fewer monocultures, and more seasonal, if possible.  Nicci  Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Billy and Sierra run the extremely popular Youtube channel Tula's Endless Summer. They have well over 100,000 subscribers that enjoy the weekly videos they post.  Billy and Sierra have been living on boats for the last few years, and love the lifestyle. They love it so much they decided to share it with people. Not surprisingly, they managed to gain a massive following of people who enjoy, connect, and more than anything, are inspired by their content.  Contrary to popular belief, there is a way to achieve this lifestyle without breaking the bank. Billy explains how they buy boats for cheap, fix them up themselves, and then use the refurbished boat to live and sail to the places they want to explore. Together with Jetty (their lovable dog), they have cultivated the experience, know-how, and advanced knowledge of all aspects of marine life. From fixing and sailing boats to fishing, and even filming and editing, their lives are a passion project that never ends - and Sierra and Billy love every minute of it.   We discussed the "boat life" lifestyle and why they love it so much, what their day to day is like, how Jetty adjusted to the boat life, how they met, and much more. My Take: Life is an exploration process, nothing is set in stone. Our time here is short, and the world is changing faster than ever before. Don't think about your dreams as a future option, but rather as an urgent mission.  A purpose, a life fulfilled by living your passion, is the only life worth striving for.  Enjoy The episode.  Website  Youtube Channel Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Sean is one of the most experienced BASE jumpers in the world and actually holds the record for most BASE jumps and most tandem BASE jumps. Sean's obsession with jumping off things started young - at age 8 he already wanted to go skydiving but had to wait till he was 16 years old before he could actually go for the first time. When he eventually did, he was immediately hooked.  Sean has jumped off some of the coolest places on earth, from the epic cliffs in the Dolomites to the KL Tower in Malaysia, and even the shipwreck sight In Zakynthos, Greece. He even took a very game 102-year-old lady on a tandem BASE jump off Perrine Bridge in Idaho, making her, I believe, the oldest woman to BASE jump (though that is not verified).  Sean has a BASE jump school in Idaho where people can come and experience, via Tandem jumps, the feeling of jumping off a bridge.  Sean and I discussed the misconception and incorrect narrative that the media is spinning around BASE jumping, his journey into this world, his school, many of the jumps he's done all over the world, some close calls he's had (!), the evolution of the gear, could BASE jumping be an Olympic sport, and what BASE jumping means for him.  This was a fun topic to cover. At the end of the day, our time here is limited, we should enjoy it.  My Take: If you make the decision to jump off a plane, or a bridge, or a cliff - you must come to terms with the fact that something could happen. If you go to a boxing ring you come to terms with the fact that you could get punched in the face. As adults, we make decisions that we feel will enhance our lives by allowing us to pursue our passions. We make calculated decisions to minimize the risk - but if you avoid risk altogether, you might as well stay at home your whole life. Life is risky, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't live to the fullest. On the contrary, it is precisely on the edge, where we feel the most alive.  Sean Chuma Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Elias is one of the top big mountain snowboarders in the world. He's been featured in many documentaries, and recently released his own film, "Contraddiction". He was also in the recently released "Dark Matter", with Travis Rice. Both of these films are excellent and highly entertaining in their own right.   Elias was born in Germany but currently resides in Innsbruck, Austria. He says it is still his favorite place to snowboard despite being all around the world, snowboarding some of the biggest mountains and resorts that are out there. He has been a fixture on the snowboarding scene for many years, and is now making a go at filmmaking, his other love, with "Contraddiction", along with some amazing short films.   We discussed the psychology behind snowboarding, some of the biggest (and scariest) mountains in the world, the correlation between surfing and snowboarding, what it's like snowboarding with Travis Rice, and the importance of finding your passion. We also talked about climate change and the impacts that the winter industry will ultimately suffer. Elias talked about what board he rides and why - and gives some tips on how to improve your riding! Elias's Instagram⁠  My Take: It's a sad story for winter activities, many resorts will have to shut down in the next couple of decades, perhaps making an already exclusive sport even more exclusive. We need to find a balance between reducing our carbon footprint and enjoying what seems to be the limited time we have with the best season of the year (winter).   Support The Podcast Catchphrase eBook

Beau, Brandy, and their salty dog Oona, are a couple that decided to leave their jobs in Florida, buy a boat, repair that boat, and sail around the Caribbean. - which they have been doing for the last 2 years.  They both knew this was a dream that they really wanted to will into existence, and after a lot of hard work (along with a lot of learning and boat fixing), they eventually set sail, with Oona on board.  Beau and Brandy are living the dream. They are seeing amazing places, exploring islands and cultures, meeting incredible people, and shedding many of the anxieties and realities of the mainland. Week after week, they create and publish amazing content on their YouTube channel - giving us a glimpse of what their daily activities are in an honest and entertaining way.  However, unlike what some people may think about what life on a boat is like, the reality, for the most part, is very different. There are lots of logistics to stay on top of, boat maintenance, safety issues, navigation, food rationings, staying clear of storms, etc.. What I'm saying is, even the fantasy life of living on a boat includes work, probably more work than the average 9-5.  Beau, Brandy, and I discussed how they manage their relationship in small quarters, how Oona adapted to boat life, traveling by boat, seeing the world from a new perspective, living an alternative lifestyle, learning as you go, and a harrowing story of a boat that approached them at night.  I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation, Beau & Brandy have a great energy that they bring with them to every interaction - you guys will love this episode!  My Take: Whatever dream you have, just realize that when you arrive there, it's not going to be you putting your feet up for the rest of your life. The work it takes to achieve the goal is half the fun. Thinking that by leaving your 9-5, and pursuing an alternate reality, you will resolve yourself of hard work - is a fictitious notion. The satisfaction lies in the achievement of your dream through hard work. No easy goal was ever achieved with a feeling of fulfillment - the fulfillment is within the hard work! Beau & Brandy  Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

This is the second part of my conversation with Kelly.  If you want to listen to the first episode: Episode 43  Kelly and I caught up a couple of weeks after our first conversation since we had so much to cover. If we had 20 hours available we could have easily filled those up as well, it's always fun to talk to Kelly and learn more about mobility, full-body mechanics, and fitness.  We discussed the importance of sleep (and the connection between thriving and surviving), the astounding advancements in the fitness industry in the last few decades, the importance of community, how to make incremental changes to improve your physical health and posture, anti-fragility, and much much more.  Enjoy The Episode My Take: I thought the anti-fragility that Kelly brought up was super relevant. We used to be much tougher both emotionally and physically, there is nothing wrong with being vulnerable and emotional but we have to find a balance between that and toughening up a bit. Let your kid scrape its knee, if someone called you a bad word or if you hurt your leg,  you can take it as a personal attack or as a chance for personal growth in the goal of being stronger. Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Adam is a Bellator featherweight and one of the top prospects in his division.  Originally from Hungary, Adam decided to leave everything behind - family friends, language, culture - and come to America to pursue his dream of greatness.   He came to Florida to Sanford MMA which is one of the best MMA gyms in the world. He trains with some of the best fighters around - Kamaru Usman, Michael Chandler, and Gilbert Burns - to name a few. With a flashy highlight reel that includes a few flying knee knockouts, he is surely on his way to gold, and maybe even into the UFC down the road. His fight against Aaron Pico, where he landed a flying knee, definitely helped him gain more mainstream attention. He says he was happy to shut down the hype around Aaron, but felt bad, because Aaron is such a nice guy. The fight game is a brutal sport and the reality is in order for you to advance, your opponent has to suffer. It’s a high stakes chess match with severe consequences.   In this episode, Adam and I discussed his decision to leave home and come to Florida, his first loss and how he bounced back, the featherweight division, and even the upcoming fight between Usman and Gilbert. We talk about what it is like training at Sanford MMA, Bellator, the UFC, and much more.   My Take - You have to love and respect a story where someone comes from unlikely circumstances and wills his dream into existence. This is exactly what Adam did. He is a true inspiration for everyone everywhere to remember - your only obstacle to success is your mindset. If you believe in yourself, if you do the work, if you don't give up - you will achieve your goal!  Adam's Instagram   Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Patrick Winn is an award-winning investigative journalist who covers rebellion and black markets in Southeast Asia. He tells the stories that you might not hear about in the west, or on mainstream news channels.  Winn has received the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, and a National Press Club award. He’s also a three-time winner of Amnesty International’s Human Rights Press Awards - amongst other prizes. After watching the Netflix show 'The Business of Drugs', I was extremely interested in learning more about the meth trade in Myanmar. Patrick, who is a long time investigative reporter in the region, was featured on the show. I reached out to him, wanting to get a better understanding of the players in the region, why Myanmar is such a huge meth producer and distributor, and why this region is so infrequently reported on.  Often times, especially in the US, there is a very US-specific prism that we view current world affairs through. It was refreshing to get "outside" insight from Patrick, who has been in Thailand for many years, has learned the language, embedded himself in the culture, and has a very clear understanding of geopolitics, drugs, and journalism in the region. Myanmar is currently the world's biggest meth producer. With the country's rampant corruption, heavily armed militias, and hard to access rainforests, it's a perfect storm, for lack of a better term, that has enabled criminals (and/or people who are just trying to survive) means to easily ramp up drug production.  Patrick and I discuss what some solutions to the drug epidemic could be, the harsh penalties most Asian countries have for drug offenders, what led him to cover the drug trade in Asia, the current media landscape, compassion, his documentaries, and much more.  Enjoy The Episode! Patrick Winn  Patrick's Twitter  My Take - Drugs are not going away anytime soon. Governments have spent billions trying to eradicate it, to no avail. The more they try, the more the trade seems to take on steam. Just like cigarettes and alcohol - and partially marijuana - perhaps it is time to set up some system of legalization for some other drugs as well. I'm not sure what the correct way to go about this is, but I do know that decades of a failed "war on drugs" has left many dead bodies, civil wars, billions in lost revenue and money spent - without making a dent in consumption.  Comments, requests, sponsorships or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com