Although just 28, Thorne Pendleton has already lived a few lifetimes.

At 14, he survived a giant fusiform brain aneurysm. By sophomore year of high school he had missed nearly 100 days of school. Detached and looking for discipline, he left home to attend an all-boys boarding school in New England, an experience that helped shape his independence and outlook.

After high school, a planned gap year stretched into something bigger. On his 18th birthday, Thorne made a simple rule: never live more than five minutes from the ocean. That pulled him through Singapore and eventually to Indonesia, where he worked, immersed himself in local life and culture, and explored the islands in search of surf—especially around Uluwatu, Bali.

University followed, on Australia’s Gold Coast. He bounced through a mix of jobs and learned quickly what suited him (and what didn’t). This included scraping boat hulls underwater, modeling, working at Alfred‘s Apartment, laying cement, and technology sales. Over time, one thing became clear: he hates working for other people.

These days, Thorne lives in Jakarta, Indonesia and is building Pasola Farms, a project rooted in cigar tobacco and named after a brutal tribal ritual - choosing farming over screens and distractions as a way back to what really matters.

Not bad for 28.

Welcome to episode thirty-seven.

Elevate the Experience

Help bring better audio, video, and filmed episodes to life: VenmoI tithe 10% of all contributions—half to the All Secure Foundation (supporting soldiers’ transition home) and half to the Academy of the New Church High School.

Stay Connected

Connect: @ethan.c.lewin

A Note from Me

I’m inspired by the stories people carry, the power of honest feedback, and the magic that happens when creative minds connect. If you’re a brand interested in partnering, let’s talk: LinkedIn.

Thanks for being part of this journey—PEACE!

Intro/Outro Music
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