Charles Veley is often referred to as one of the world's most traveled people, but whether he is definitively the most traveled depends on the criteria used. 

I've met Charles Veley four times, and for the fourth time, we recorded our conversation! 

In 2005, Charles Veley founded the Most Traveled People (MTP) community. MTP divides the world into 1,500 areas. As of April 2025, Charles Veley has been to 1,322 of them! That's why he's been called the Godfather of Systematic Travel!

Download the MTP app or create a profile on MTP's website.

Charles Veley achieved notable milestones, such as becoming the youngest person to visit all 320 countries and provinces recognized by the Travelers' Century Club (TCC).

He has traveled millions of miles and taken over thousands of flights. 

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Matthew Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau are the authors of Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier. The new book explains the business side of space.

Watch all four videos about Space to Grow

I interview Brendan Rousseau, one of the two co-authors.

Current Role:

Strategy Manager - New Glenn, Blue Origin: Focuses on orbital launch strategy.

Education:

Williams College: Bachelor's in Astronomy and Economics.

Phillips Exeter Academy: MacKenty Prize in Astronomy.

Professional Experience:

Harvard Business School: Teaching Fellow and Research Associate.

Booz Allen Hamilton: Senior Consultant supporting U.S. Space Force programs.

Williams College Astronomy Department: Teaching Assistant.

Publications & Awards:

Co-author of Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier.

Recognized as a Payload Pioneers - 30 Under 30 and Via Satellite Rising Star.

In these podcasts, I ask them the following questions:

1. If you were an entrepreneur, what space-related startup idea would you pursue?

2. What are some of the most surprising findings from your research?

3. How do you envision the future of human habitation in space?

4. In what ways can space exploration contribute to solving Earth’s economic challenges?

5. What ethical considerations arise from expanding economic activities into space? For example, can we colonize Mars or Europa if we find non-DNA-based bacteria there?

6. What were the challenges you faced during your research?

7. How do you foresee international relations evolving as nations compete for resources in space?

8. What are your predictions for the next decade in space exploration?

9. What are your thoughts on space tourism?

10. Who is the primary audience for this book?

11. What do you hope readers take away from "Space to Grow"?

12. What's a popular vision of space exploration that probably won't happen?

13. What narratives or myths about space need to be challenged?

14. What's the percentage chance that the Kessler Syndrome catastrophe will occur in the 2020s, 2030, and beyond?

15. How can public awareness be raised regarding the importance of investing in space?

16. What advice would you give entrepreneurs looking to enter the space industry?

17. In what ways might our values shift as we become a multi-planetary species?

18. What is a rarely discussed consequence of expanding into outer space?

19. If there was one message you want readers to remember, what would it be?

20. Do you want to clarify any misconceptions about the space economy?

21. What do you wish you had mentioned in the book? Perhaps some breaking news?

22. Lastly, how can interested individuals get involved or contribute to discussions around space economics? 

23. What tips do you have for co-writing a book?

24. Did you change your mind about something during your writing process?

25. Do you have action items for the audience?

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You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

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This mini-episode is another Public Service Announcement from a grammar Nazi. It's my simple effort to clean up sloppy English.

I explain why you should never say something is:

Perplexity.ai elaborates:

This mini-episode is another Public Service Announcement from a grammar Nazi. It's my simple effort to clean up sloppy English.

I explain why you should never say something is:

Perplexity.ai elaborates:

Semantic Issue: Saying "very full" is not inherently incorrect, but it can be seen as redundant or unnecessary. "Full" typically means completely filled or occupied, so adding "very" doesn't add much meaning. However, in casual conversation, it's often used to emphasize a high degree of fullness.

Alternative Phrasing: Instead of "very full," you might say "completely full" or "totally full" to convey a stronger sense of being filled to capacity.

Semantic Issue: The term "unique" means being one-of-a-kind or without equal. Therefore, saying "very unique" can be seen as contradictory because something cannot be more or less unique; it is or isn't.

Alternative Phrasing: If you want to convey that something is unusual or exceptional, consider using phrases like "very unusual," "extremely rare," or "exceptionally special" instead of "very unique."

Common Usage: Despite the logical inconsistency, "very unique" is commonly used in informal contexts to mean "very unusual" or "very special." However, in formal or precise writing, it's generally advised to avoid this usage.

In summary, while "very full" might be redundant, "very unique" is more problematic due to its logical inconsistency with the definition of "unique."

You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 

On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:

My Patrons sponsored this show!

Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon

Rewards start at just $2/month!

Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in.

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In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. 

Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!

For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Major League Baseball, an exclusively North American league, says its best annual team is the "World Champions," having won the "World Series." No other continent is invited to compete.

Similarly, the NBA's top team is called the "World Champions," even though, once again, only North American teams can compete.

In 20 seconds, I complain about how North American leagues use the term "World Champs."

For a more in-depth analysis, consider what Perplexity.ai wrote:

The terms "World Champions" in NBA basketball and "World Series" in MLB are contentious but widely used for several reasons:

## NBA "World Champions"

1. The NBA is considered the best basketball league globally, attracting top international talent[3][7].

## MLB "World Series"

1. Baseball is widely played on three continents, with MLB being the highest level of play[3].

## Other Examples

1. NFL Super Bowl winners are sometimes called "World Champions," though this is more controversial due to American football's limited global reach[3].

## Counterarguments

1. Some argue these terms are arrogant, as the teams don't actually compete against all global teams[4][6].

The use of "World Champions" in American sports leagues remains a topic of debate, with proponents arguing it reflects the highest level of global competition, while critics see it as an overstatement of the leagues' international reach.

Citations:

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Matthew Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau are the authors of Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier. 

The new book explains the business side of space. I interview both authors. 

Here's my interview with Matthew Weinzierl.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Low-hanging fruit

07:00 Surprises

09:30 Space is vast and crowded

11:30 Kessler Syndrome

16:30 What won't happen in space?

21:45 Moon and Mars predictions

25:21 Advice for Entrepreneurs

28:00 New news

30:00 Co-authoring advice 

Matt Weinzierl is Senior Associate Dean and Chair of the MBA Program at Harvard Business School, where he is the Joseph and Jacqueline Elbling Professor of Business Administration in the Business, Government, and the International Economy Unit and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. His research focuses on the optimal design of economic policy, particularly taxation, emphasizing a better understanding of the philosophical principles underlying policy choices. Recently, he has launched a set of research projects focused on commercializing the space sector and its economic implications, viewable at www.economicsofspace.com. He has served on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Tax Expenditure Commission, the board of the National Tax Association, and on the editorial boards of Social Choice and Welfare and National Tax Journal. Before completing his PhD in economics at Harvard University in 2008, Professor Weinzierl served as the Staff Economist for Macroeconomics on the President’s Council of Economic Advisers and worked in the New York office of McKinsey & Company. 

In these podcasts, I ask them the following questions:

1. If you were an entrepreneur, what space-related startup idea would you pursue?

2. What are some of the most surprising findings from your research?

3. How do you envision the future of human habitation in space?

4. In what ways can space exploration contribute to solving Earth’s economic challenges?

5. What ethical considerations arise from expanding economic activities into space? For example, can we colonize Mars or Europa if we find non-DNA-based bacteria there?

6. What were the challenges you faced during your research?

7. How do you foresee international relations evolving as nations compete for resources in space?

8. What are your predictions for the next decade in space exploration?

9. What are your thoughts on space tourism?

10. Who is the primary audience for this book?

11. What do you hope readers take away from "Space to Grow"?

12. What's a popular vision of space exploration that probably won't happen?

13. What narratives or myths about space need to be challenged?

14. What's the percentage chance that the Kessler Syndrome catastrophe will occur in the 2020s, 2030, and beyond?

15. How can public awareness be raised regarding the importance of investing in space?

16. What advice would you give entrepreneurs looking to enter the space industry?

17. In what ways might our values shift as we become a multi-planetary species?

18. What is a rarely discussed consequence of expanding into outer space?

19. If there was one message you want readers to remember, what would it be?

20. Do you want to clarify any misconceptions about the space economy?

21. What do you wish you had mentioned in the book? Perhaps some breaking news?

22. Lastly, how can interested individuals get involved or contribute to discussions around space economics? 

23. What tips do you have for co-writing a book?

24. Did you change your mind about something during your writing process?

25. Do you have action items for the audience?

You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 

On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:

My Patrons sponsored this show!

Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon

Rewards start at just $2/month!

Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in.

Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!

In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. 

Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!

For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

When people win awards or are honored in some way, they often say they are "humbled" to receive the recognition.

That's absurd.

It's the wrong word.

Say you're thrilled, happy, or honored, but don't say you're humbled!

You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 

On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:

My Patrons sponsored this show!

Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon

Rewards start at just $2/month!

Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in.

Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!

In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. 

Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!

For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Happy Valentine's Day 2025!

Matthew Halteman and I discuss his book Hungry Beautiful Animals.

Professor Halteman mentions NutritionFacts.org.

See/Hear all four episodes with Matthew Halteman.

You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 

On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:

My Patrons sponsored this show!

Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon

Rewards start at just $2/month!

Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in.

Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!

In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. 

Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!

For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Matthew Halteman and I discuss his book Hungry Beautiful Animals. Here's the timeline of our discussion in case you want to skip to a section.

00:00 Know yourself

05:15 Negotiating and compromising

09:15 Cognitive Dissonance 

Have you tried lab-grown meat?

It has many other names:

Becoming vegan is easier than ever.

Consider taking baby steps.

You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 

On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:

My Patrons sponsored this show!

Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon

Rewards start at just $2/month!

Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in.

Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!

In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. 

Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!

For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

Lab-grown meat has many other names:

Matthew Halteman and I discuss his book Hungry Beautiful Animals. Here's the timeline of our discussion in case you want to skip to a section.

Matthew Halteman and I discuss his book Hungry Beautiful Animals. Here's the timeline of our discussion in case you want to skip to a section.

00:00 Know yourself

05:15 Negotiating and compromising

09:15 Cognitive Dissonance 

Have you tried lab-grown meat?

It has many other names:

Becoming vegan is easier than ever.

Consider taking baby steps.

Vegans have a marketing problem: they're perceived to be annoying, self-righteous, judgmental, and inflexible.

Visit his website about Hungry Beautiful Animals.

Matthew Halteman and I discuss his book Hungry Beautiful Animals. Here's the timeline of our discussion in case you want to skip to a section.

00:00 Intro

04:30 Marketing Problem?

07:00 Practical Tips

10:00 Kindergarten Values

12:00 Abstract food

16:30 Aspirations

20:40 Fish

In his excellent book "The Better Angels of Our Nature," Steven Pinker observed that humanity has become less barbarous with each passing century.

Consider the improvements to:

Pinker was asked, "What will people in the 22nd century think of us? What are we doing that will seem barbarous and immoral to future humans?"

Pinker said (I'm paraphrasing), "The way almost everyone financially supports the barbarous and inhumane treatment of animals by buying and eating animals."

True.

Today's vegans are like the anti-slavery people 200 years ago: annoying, and everyone wished they would just go away.

How can vegans be more inviting? It seems like an all-or-nothing club. 

This book says, "Relax. You're welcome to join the tribe."

Hungry Beautiful Animals is a vibrant and engaging exploration of veganism. 

Halteman's writing can be too verbose, but it is filled with humor and anecdotes that resonate regardless of one's dietary choices.

### Key Themes

- Joy and Kindness: Halteman emphasizes that adopting a vegan lifestyle can be a source of joy rather than a burden. He encourages readers to view veganism as a journey filled with possibilities rather than a strict set of rules that can lead to feelings of shame or guilt.

- Community Focus: Halteman invites readers from all backgrounds to join in a collective movement towards kindness and compassion for animals, promoting the idea that everyone is welcome in this exploration of veganism, even if you're not hardcore, full-time.

- Practical Guidance: Beyond philosophical discussions, the book provides practical suggestions for leading a more animal-friendly life, including tips on creating pollinator-friendly habitats in one's yard.

The book offers profound insights and the ability to provoke thought without condemnation. 

It is an engaging read that challenges preconceived notions about veganism while fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Overall, Hungry Beautiful Animals is a book about veganism and an invitation to live more compassionately and joyfully with all beings.

VERDICT: 9 out of 10 stars!

You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 

On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:

My Patrons sponsored this show!

Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon

Rewards start at just $2/month!

Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in.

Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!

In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. 

Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!

For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.