Revolutionary Dirtbag Podcast

This was a live presentation that I gave to CDT SOBO Trail Daze in Leadville, Colorado to a group of hikers on September 11th, 2026. In it I talk about being given away for adoption when I was eight years old, identity, my experience as a Chinese-American immigrant, and the treasures that thru-hikers have experienced and can take back with them to their communities.

Emergency episode with former Army Ranger and analyst Greg Stoker about the ICE attempted murder of Wilber Rafael Perez in Austin, Texas. I share the latest updates from Wilber's attorney, Kate Lincoln-Golfinch then Greg's on the ground coverage of the immediate aftermath. We talk about what this incident reveals about immigration enforcement, state violence, surveillance, and the broader war on terror coming home. We discuss why political leaders may not be enough to stop these abuses, and why local communities need to organize and defend themselves.

• 00:00 — Introducing Greg Stoker and the Austin ICE shooting
• 01:29 — What happened during the shooting
• 03:03 — Questions about the ICE officer’s use of force
• 04:53 — Perez’s treatment after the shooting
• 05:52 — Spontaneous protests in Austin
• 08:10 — Political leaders respond from a distance
• 11:17 — Lessons from Minneapolis community resistance
• 14:04 — The global war on terror coming home
• 15:05 — Who state violence targets, and why
• 18:31 — The limits of political promises and official action
• 20:51 — Martial law, military force, and crowd control
• 21:39 — Predictive policing, AI surveillance, and psychological warfare
• 24:31 — Community organizing and overcoming political complacency
• 27:07 — The Laken Riley Act and detention without due process
• 29:52 — The “imperial boomerang” and domestic repression
• 31:29 — Agitation, education, and organizing in Austin
• 33:05 — Closing thoughts and where to learn more

Laiken brings updates on the ongoing destruction of Big Bend National Park in Texas, the temporary pause in construction, the unified coalition fighting to save the land, the skepticism around the pause, the insane wall grift, and the impact on public lands. We then delve into the corruption and political theater so prevalent in the Trump regime. The latter half we explore Laiken's cynicism and the struggle to maintain joy and touch on how DHS/CBP is violating sovereign tribal nation land and environmental protection laws.

Takeaways

• Temporary pause in construction
• Broad coalition united by love for the land
• Corruption and political theater
• Impact on public lands
• Struggle to maintain joy amidst the rising tide of fascism
• Impact on tribal nations and environmental laws

Chapters

• 00:00 Destruction of Big Bend National Park
• 03:23 The Unifying Love for the Land
• 05:30 Skepticism Around the Pause
• 12:11 Exorbitant Cost of Wall Construction
• 23:09 Corruption and Political Theater
• 26:10 Struggle to Maintain Joy Amidst Challenges
• 28:21 The Significance of Big Bend
• 30:08 Tribal Nations and Environmental Impact
• 36:09 Challenges Faced by the National Park Service
• 39:37 The Fight Against Federal Overreach
• 42:22 Community of Nature Enthusiasts

In this episode, I talk with Wesley "Megaman" Tils, @Vagrant_Viking93- thru-hiker, archaeologist, former pro-boxer, former Mormon missionary, and self-described revolutionary dirtbag. We talk about courage, survival, and choosing the unbeaten path.

Megaman shares his harrowing encounter almost getting eaten by a grizzly bear on the Continental Divide Trail, including the moment he counter-charged with a boulder and realized how close he came to death. We also explore the philosophy behind his life, his work protecting public lands, and why thru-hiking can feel more meaningful and real than everyday life.

We talk about fear, depression, suicidal despair, purpose, faith, the pressure of modern society, and what it means to walk away from comfort, money, and security. Megaman explains why he sees courage as a survival skill and how stripping life down to food, water, shelter, and forward motion can reveal what truly matters.

If you've ever felt trapped by the grind, afraid to take a leap, or hungry for a life that feels more alive, this conversation is for you.

Megaman can be found on Instagram at @vagrant_viking93 and across social media as Wesley Tils.

Takeaways

• Courage involves taking a leap of faith and accepting the risks involved.
• A long-distance hike can be used to raise awareness and support a cause.
• Societal Rebellion Profound moments of realization
• The purpose of existence as the experience of existing

Chapters

• 01:23 Near-Death Experience with a Grizzly Bear
• 02:17 Courage and the Leap of Faith
• 32:09 Purpose of Long-Distance Hike
• 33:07 Archaeological Discoveries and Conservation
• 35:28 The Antiquities Act and Its Impact
• 36:52 Motivation for a Year-Long Hike
• 01:07:54 Profound Moments of Realization
• 01:11:11 The Purpose of Existence
• 01:23:21 Struggle to Find Purpose and Fulfillment