Eric on the World

After 123 boring days, I decided to give up giving up alcohol. I've taken a booze break at the beginning of the last 4 years, which usually ends when I end up traveling. That didn't happen this time as I was traveling to Turkey which was in lockdown, had very few tourists for socializing, and as a "Muslim light" country doesn't have a massive drinking culture. So in that respect, this is one of the easiest goes I've had of it.

But being back in the U.S. and now with friends in the Bay Area, the time felt right.

I discuss how it went down, as well as my relationship to alcohol, and how my inability to do many things in moderation has affected that, as well as my eating habits.

It's a lifelong struggle, and I'm just trying to find the healthiest approach to it both for my body and mind.

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In 1994, Miles Hargrove and his family were living in Cali, Colombia when his father, Tom Hargrove, was kidnapped by FARC, a militant guerilla political group. With a ransom of $6 million being demanded, and threats of Tom's execution, Miles' family had no choice but band together and form their own task force with one mission: get their father back safely.

Miracle Fishing: Kidnapped Abroad is Miles' documentary of those events, told using actual home movies he shot back in 1994. Miles joins me this week to discuss the events in Colombia, the emotional rollercoaster of it all, and everything that happened when the camera wasn't rolling.

It's an incredibly harrowing story, and Miles does a phenomenal job of enriching his film even further in our conversation.

You can watch Miracle Fishing on Discovery+, and view the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7z6ru6jkBc

For more episodes, be sure to subscribe and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

For travel pics and way TMI about my own life, follow me on Instagram @ericontheworld

Three days ago I received the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine. While I initially thought I'd gotten away without having any side-effects, 12 hours and 45 minutes later, the muscle cramps, fever, and fatigue hit.

I talk about the experience leading up to and the days following getting the vaccine, as well as adjusting to being back in the Bay Area, and where I may head to next.

Here's the link to the Youtube video I made about my travels to the United Stated from Turkey: https://youtu.be/PZfLin0n_Q0

Well everyone, I'm back in the United States. Don't believe me? Here, read this article CNN wrote about it.

I detail my long, 40-hour journey getting from Bodrum, Turkey to San Francisco, California. A bus, three flights, a 90-minute detention by Homeland Security and so much more happened. Plus, I'm getting vaccinated on Thursday and talk about being sad about the stray cat I adopted and had to let go.

I'm gonna be honest - I think this episode is kinda boring. I'm exhausted, so I do a pretty dry play-by-play about the events, but that said, I want t know your feedback about the show, and questions, and feedback for future episode ideas. Email me [email protected]

This week's episode looks back at New York City one year ago, from the perspective of two people living there when it was the epicenter of the coronavirus in the world.

Comedian Dustin Hempstead wasn't just living in Manhattan when the city shut down—he was one of the first New Yorkers to get the virus. Dustin takes us through what Covid felt like and the strain it put on his ex-girlfriend who gave it to him, and other moments that stuck with him through the experience.

Follow Dustin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dustin.hempstead

Samantha Glitterstallion is a life coach who was living in Bushwick, Brooklyn when the pandemic hit New York. Samantha describes changes she saw in the neighborhood and how the pandemic brought out the true spirit of New Yorkers she's familiar with. 

Check out Sam's coaching practice at https://blissfulaf.com/ and follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blissfulafcoaching

Be sure to review the show in Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eric-on-the-world/id1539080302

And check out the website for more travel and culture updates: http://ericontheworld.com

One year ago, myself and a host of others from all over the globe found ourselves stuck in Quito, Ecuador at the Secret Garden Hostel in the middle of a pandemic.

What was at first a frenzy of failed attempts to get home and confusion in the world, soon turned into a found family of individuals who may have had the best quarantine experience in the world, set against the Andes Mountains, having the time of our lives.

I spoke to Marcella from Argentina, Ebrahim from England, and Gleb from Ukraine, who were all members of that group, who share their experience of quarantine in Quito.

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Please check out Gleb who makes AMAZING travel videos with our other quarantine buddy Artem on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d12oYE8vfzM

If you're listening on Apple Podcasts, leave a review!

Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericontheworld 

Food guru and former award-winning chef Karl Wilder is an American currently living in Berlin. He joins the show to talk about German cuisine, and specifically some of the struggles that we Americans face when being introduced to the German palate.

Karl dives into how German cuisine is largely based around a history of war and scarcity, meaning things like spices weren't available, and items that delivered a simple, high-calorie punch (potatoes, bread) were the highlights of most German diets.

From how Covid is affecting restaurants to the elusive search for decent Mexican, we discuss a wide-range of German food related topics.

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From the intro - if you'd like to read my first piece on one year since Corona, you can click here.

If you have questions or comments, feel free to write at [email protected] and I can read them on the show.

This week we turn to the stars for part 2 of my conversation with Emma.

Emma follows and believes in some tenets of astrology, whereas I do not. We get into why that's the case for both of us, including similarities to religion and my own religious upbringing. I see astrology as inherently anti-science, and consequently against the aims of the left, whereas Emma doesn't and thinks the political spectrum is a fabrication of its own.

Emma believes astrology is fun and ultimately beneficial, but I think it poses a philosophical threat, particularly as more and more disinformation enters the world and the safety net of truth begins to wear thin.

For more travel tips, opinions, and interesting conversations, subscribe and rate in Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eric-on-the-world/id1539080302

And Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtprTJ-7rxvd5KFGT_Zi07A

And follow me on Insta: http://instagram.com/ericontheworld

This week Emma, an English travel friend I met in Thailand joins the show. We talked for over 2 1/2 hours, plus I (of course) had some technical difficulties, so I decided to split this up into two podcasts.

This week's show we discuss some fun (and not so fun) drug stories, and then dig into finding purpose in life, and what that looks like in the context of being an adult in corona times.

Follow Emma on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmlaar

Follow me on Instagram: http://ericontheworld.com/

There's a website now! www.ericontheworld.com

Leave a review in Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eric-on-the-world/id1539080302

New podcast, who dis? I talk about why I rebranded the show. But don't worry old school listeners: I also talk about being fat and void of joy.

Be sure to rate the show in Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eric-on-the-world/id1539080302

Follow my new Insta handle: https://www.instagram.com/ericontheworld