Vast Lives

Josh and Steve unpack the creative process of being.

Josh is an Artist, Musician and Actor.

This conversation is an inquiry into that center :
What anchors us when ideas spiral?
What gives direction to the creative vortex?
And how does purpose emerge not in spite of the spiral, but because of it?

In this episode Steve and Ryu sit outside his gallery in Chigasaki, Japan. Chigasaki is a coastal town with a strong surf scene. Ryu spent his youth grappling with his own identity before realising that Art is what he is most passionate about.

His father played a supportive role growing up, teaching Ryu that the freedom to make your own decisions comes with the responsibility of dealing with consequences of your choices.

From realising that big city life can lure a person into feeling that happiness requires wealth or status to finding himself in Canada - Ryu is open and candid about his journey.

https://ryuambe.com

Ryu Ambe

ARTIST: Artist
Born June 1989

His artistic expression is based on the keywords pop, cute, and cynical.
Using his unique colors and characters, he has collaborated with numerous apparel brands and music festivals.

He occasionally creates murals in cityscapes and hotels, shop windows, and works on flat materials, as well as three-dimensional objects such as bottles, beach stones, and driftwood.

He began his career in earnest with the release of his picture book "Akaran-kun" in 2015, and held his first solo exhibition at Chigasaki's MAR-VISTA GARDEN in 2016.

His street art in his hometown of Chigasaki has become a hot topic, with murals appearing throughout the city, particularly on Yuzo Street and Southern Street.

He also travels to cities that interest him as if he were living there, as his life's work, and publishes his original work, "TRIP DIARY ZINE."
Zine Collection
LA - SAYULITA (Mexico) 2016
PARIS - LISBON - SEVILLA - MADRID 2017
NEWYORK 2018
Journey to the West 2019
THAILAND 2023
Daily Trip Zine - A Journey Across Europe 2024

Works
Summer Sonic 2018 & 2019 Official Goods, niko and..., RVCA, FRAPBOIS, RODEO CROWNS, SHIPS, CA4LA, Journal Standard, RAGEBLUE, Shonan Bellmare, MARLOWE, Caravan Coffee, Chigasaki Lasca Mural, UMI HOTEL Mural, SHONAN8HOTEL Mural, First Surfing Book Cover illustration (Published by KADOKAWA)
Tourism Ambassador for Hiji Town, Oita Prefecture
Ad-City Heaven, a Wandering Trip

Steve and Paul Van Der Spuy founder of HOM sit down to discuss his creative journey.
Paul is a Tour de Force when it comes to social notoriety. A face that most Cape Tonians know well. Oftentimes Paul can be found propped up stylishly against the bar on any given night as the sounds of local bands sprawl out onto the busy side street in downtown Cape Town.

His passion for people is underpinned by his eye for detail, Paul will go out of his way to make you feel welcome and right at home. His journey is checkered with risk, intrigue and most of all fun. He talks about his early days in the fashion world and his being instrumental in the success of Carducci a brand that blended South African flair with Italian sophistication. 

Paul also shared a harrowing story about a motorcycle accident that nearly left him dead on the street. Paul's passion for life, people and authenticity is his driver - willing to take risks and appreciate every moment.

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Episode 34 - Steve and Kerry Lu discuss fashion, surfing and big dreams about changing the world. 

Kerry Lu is logistics and marketing manager at Vast. HQ in Taipei. Kerry is an avid runner but his real passions include Surfing and fashion. Known to the Team as the style master Kerry has a soft side to his chiseled physique. Kerry care's a lot about people and he opens up about how travelling to poorer countries has broadened his horizons. 

These pilgrimages have given him the impetus to want to make small changes both in himself but also shifting the mindset of those around him.  He is positive and his resolve is that we can all make a small difference in other people's lives by getting involved with local initiatives. Kerry opens up about growing up with low self esteem but how a trip to Australia shortly after school changed everything.

Kerry's love for people and life is as inspiring as it is infectious.

In this episode of the Vast Lives Podcast, Steve is in Cape Town South Africa with James Williams.

Cape Town has recently grown in its global culinary stature with many world class chefs calling the mother city home. James Williams is the co-founder of Pizza Shed. 

On a bustling Thursday evening Bree Street in downtown Cape Town springs to life. The infamous first Thursday is as vibrant and popular as the hype suggests. Cafe style culture with chairs, tables music and merriment sprawl out onto the pedestrian only street. 

This culinary journey was borne out of necessity. From humble beginnings in his makeshift backyard shed to four successful restaurants. This is James story, his  passion for good food and people.

Shirley Lee and Steve discuss life & leisure in bustling Taipei. 

Shirley is an entrepreneur as well as an accomplished water sports athlete. Wake surfing is gaining popularity in Taiwan and Shirley is a valued member on the Taiwanese national team.

Bolong Cafe is her daytime focus, from selecting the best coffee beans from around the world to roasting and  hosting pop up events. Her sense of fostering a community driven by a common love for the ocean and sustainable living is what keeps Shirley frothed on life.

To order Bolong Coffee : https://www.bolongvibes.com/

Lesther & Stefanie, Episode 31 

It was a Saturday afternoon when Steve caught sight of Lesther and Stefanie cycling the Garden route on South Africa's east coast. What caught Steve's attention was that Lesther was pulling a trailer with surfboard.

A few days later and a few hundred kilometers up the highway Steve saw them on the side of the road. After greeting them with a passing Shaka - Lesther and Steve locked eyes. Something compelled Steve to turn around and find out more. After inviting them to stay for a few days - Lesther and Stefanie agreed to the interview. Little did Steve know just how epic a journey the couple were on. 

Join us on this Episode, where this intrepid couple tell stories and real life experiences of their journey from Morocco to the tip of southern africa and back and back up along the east coast. 
A circumnavigation of the continent on bicycle, some 23 000 miles.

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In this episode Steve is in Taiwan with Duggar and camie Parrish. Parents to Noa and Keanu who both have strong connections with the Vast. community.

Duggar was born in California and raised on Oahu, Camie is native to Taiwan. From an early age Duggar showed keen interest in sports. His early days on Oahu were spent at the Hui Nalu outrigger canoe club, paddling as a steersman. For many years Duggar has been a part of the Coastal Patrol & places a lot of emphasis on Ocean Safety. In 1992 Hurricane Iniki struck Hawaii which prompted Duggar to consider a work opportunity in Taiwan. It was then that he met Camie.

Camie was a strong independent woman, after dating Duggar for a few years she was motivated by a desire to see more of the world before settling down. They broke up and only reunited years later after Camie had followed her dream to visit places like Japan and Indonesia. 

The Parrish family have a strong connection to the community and the Ocean, their love for surfing, martial arts and music find their roots in Hawaii and Taiwan.

Cassiem Collier, is a leader and elder in the Muizenberg Cape Town Surfing community.

Banner Image Credit : Nic Bothma

In this episode 29 of the Vast Lives podcast.

Steve and Cass sit down for a cup of coffee and fond recollection of the indellibale mark he and Ian Armstrong left in 1999 at The Todos Santos big Wave Championship. The stage was set and the world's greatest big wave riders gathered for the world championship event. Cass recollects with a wry smile and glint in his eye, ''They totally underestimated us as athletes. They didn't think that two unknown rasta's from the deep south in Cape Town could achieve what we did that day.'' 

Cass also highlighted the struggle faced during the apartheid years in South Africa and how his father Ahmed was fearless in trying to encourage surfing at all the restricted beaches around Cape Town.

Cass now runs a Surf School in muizenberg, providing a solid foundation to the up and coming community of African surfers. He went on to talk about how he helped coach Mikey February in his younger years. He is also very involved with the new generation of rippers, helping them find their path on the competitive scene.

A proud supporter of South African grass roots surfing.

Vast Lives episode 28 with Wang Qwei also affectionately known as Queeny by her peers. Steve and Queeny discuss her role in the local surfing community but most notably her versatility and drive which has made her not only an accomplished Surfer but an Entrepreneur. 

It was clear from the outset that Queeny is passionate about her goals. During the conversation Steve was surprised to learn that she started Surfing for two years before she could swim. Such was her determination.

Queeny is best decsribed as inspirationasl as much as she is resolute. The conversation centres itself around the fire within Queeny to keep pushing her personal limits.