Last year, my podcast with Sym Blanchard became the 2nd most downloaded WanderLearn episode. It was super popular because he really was a fun guest. You must listen to it before listening to this podcast.

Because he attracted so many listeners, I invited him back to the show!

I begin the podcast asking Sym the most profound question I've always wanted to ask him.

After that, we move onto discussing how he has used DNA testing to inspire his travel. He's used these four DNA testing kits to find thousands of relatives and to understand his origins. We discuss the pros and cons of each one:

• 23 and Me - best for a health test


• Ancestry DNA - best for trace your lineage 


• Family Search - Although it's connected to the Church of Latter-Day Saints, is useful to go back to King Cnut. 


• My Heritage - to build a family tree - Sym has 19,000 relatives

We referenced AJ Jacobs's, It's All Relative book.

I mention my defining the Sub-Sahara Africa article where, in the comments, an Ethiopian tried to insult me by pointing out that my ancestors were "slave-traders."

Sym opens up and discusses why his strained relationship with his daughter. What went wrong? What lessons did he learn?

How about having a girlfriend and how it is to manage that relationship when he's usually on the road.

How do we balance having sympathy for victims and pushing for tough love?

We talk about how Rejoice Tapon could see herself as a victim as I describe in my TEDx Talk about being a black sheep.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVfADBIsgB8

Sym discusses his trip to Brazil and his quest to finish the Continental Divide Trail (60% done!) and the Great Divide Trail.

Sym talks about El Camino de Santiago.

We discuss how sustainable his way of life is. 

We talk about how spousal support and divorce work.

About 70 minutes into the podcast, we talk about politics. I say that it's extremely rare that a US President wins more than 60% of the popular vote. Fact check: Only 3 US Presidents have gotten over 60% of the popular vote (Harding, FDR, and Nixon) and LBJ was the only President to get 61% of the vote. No other president got more.

Lastly, I reveal my patented way to win ANY argument - guaranteed! 

More info

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Health Access Sumbawa

One of WanderLearn's top patrons, Kathy Kennedy Enger, asked me to draw attention to Health Access Sumbawa. I am happy to promote this remarkable nonprofit.

In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded the organization to bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Since then, it's expanded thanks to generous donations. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.org

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