WanderLearn: Travel to Transform Your Mind & Life

On the first anniversary of the Russo-Ukrainian War, I discuss the present and future of the war with War Analyst Nejc Trušnovec.

Watch it on YouTube.

Technically, it's not the first anniversary since the war started in 2014 when Russia took over Crimea. This is the anniversary of Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine.

Nejc was a contrarian when the war broke out.

When everyone predicted a quick Russian victory, Nejc was confident the war would go badly for Russia. Nejc was right.

On the first anniversary of the Ukraine War, I ask Nejc to reflect on the war. 

Timestamps

00:00 Nejc was right

01:12 Where Nejc was wrong

08:30 Could the Western consensus be wrong?

13:00 A conspiracy theory

 

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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.

 

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Although this is available as a podcast, I encourage you to see the video on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0D9PwWIJM4

In this episode, I discourage you from doing a colonoscopy without anesthesia, even though that's what I did.

I mention three reasons why you might want to avoid anesthesia:

1. You lack a ride.


2. You need to save money (if you lack insurance, you may have to pay extra for anesthesia).


3. You are against anesthesia due to a phobia.

In the episode, I mentioned I had "PTSD" about feeling the probe inside me after the procedure. I didn't mention that that sensation only lasted for three hours and was mild. I didn't want some people to think I suffered for days or weeks.

Being afraid of anesthesia is reasonable since, every year, patients have complications, albeit rarely.

Michael Jackson died because he overdosed on propofol, the same drug used to sedate you during your colonoscopy.

Luckily, your physician will be better than the Moonwalker's doctor.

I do not practice medicine, and it's stupid to believe everything you read on the Internet, so I encourage you to be skeptical about what I say.

Still, I may opt for sedation when I have to do a colonoscopy again at 60. Or I'll ask the doc to lube my ass up thoroughly!

Dr. Peter Attia explains why you should do a colonoscopy every 1-3 years

You can read what Dr. Attia says or listen to this video.

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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.

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Today (May 25, 2023) is the third anniversary of George Floyd's horrible death.

As I predicted, the number of unarmed Black (and White) people killed by the police would remain unchanged despite all the protests and defunding movements. 

I explained what needed to happen for those statistics to improve. (Hint: it's got little to do with racism.)

My wife, Rejoice, is a black African (she's from Cameroon).

However, according to Kerry Connelly, I'm probably a good white racist.

When the George Floyd protests erupted, Good White Racist came out, making it a timely book, so I wanted to read it.

As other critics have mentioned, Connelly's tone is condescending.

I feel like the Spanish Inquisition has strapped me to a chair; no matter what, I am a sinner.

I'll quote the parts that made me want to vomit:

"To readers in the BIPOC [black, indigenous people of color]: Beautiful soul, thank you for reading even this far. . . . You've done enough, borne enough of this weight."

Yuck. It's like a mother patting her little black child on the head as if the child is some fragile creature that must be coddled and pampered.

She falsely asserts: "White people cannot be victims of racism. So-called reverse racism is just not a thing, people."

She's the classic politically correct person obsessed with "micro-aggressions."
Since she's treating us like babies, hasn't she heard about "sticks and stones may break my bones...."?

Grow up.

She talks about "gaslighting." Example: "A white woman might touch a black woman's hair while telling her it's pretty."

According to her rules, "this is inappropriate behavior."

My wife LOVESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS when people complement (or even touch) her hair. She has 20 wigs and finds it hilarious how easy it is to fool white people.

Of course, every person who gave this book one star is doing one or more of the dreaded Ds:
DENY/DETRACT, DISTRACT, DISCLAIM, AND DISAPPEAR.

In my case, I commit the DISCLAIM sin because I say I'm not a racist because my wife is a black African.

You're damned either way if your skin is white, which, frankly, is a racist idea.

The author spouts a "truism" from one of her friends, who has some color. She said, "If the white people in the room are happy and comfortable, chances are the people of color in the room are not."

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Of course, I'm sure some POC feel that way, but to imply that it's universal is absurd.
My wife spit out her drink when she heard that line - and laughed so hard.
It's also racist to suggest that POC and whites all think the same way.

Yes, this book is cringeworthy.

I feel a bit guilty blasting this book because Connelly means well.
She wants to improve this planet and race relations.
She wants white people to be more self-aware of their privilege and sensitive.

These are noble goals.
The problem is that her execution is atrocious and offputting.

Racism is terrible. So is this book.

VERDICT: 1 out of 5 stars.

Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

In the 229th episode of the WanderLearn podcast, I interview Vangile Makwakwa, a South African entrepreneur with a fascinating background.

She went to business school, dreaming of being an overworked and overpaid investment banker.

She finally listened to her soul, who told her to write nonfiction books. 

Her first book is Heart, Mind & Money: Using Emotional Intelligence for Financial Success.

Timeline 

00:00 Where is South Africa?

02:00 How to Overcome Depression

08:00 How to get out $60,000 of debt

14:00 Travel visa woes

17:30 Conclusion

Watch it on YouTube

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

Feedback

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If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 

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

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

Rewards start at just $2/month!

Affiliate links

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.

Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

I admire and respect Ray Dalio, who suggests that China will replace the US as the next great superpower.
It's dangerous to disagree with someone as smart & successful as Ray, but I'll try.
Conventional wisdom is that China will blast past the USA to become
the new superpower.

In this video, I debunk that prediction.
Although China has many good things going for it and will undoubtedly get stronger this century, it has two things that will slow its dramatic rise down:

1. China's authoritarian/totalitarian tendencies will invite a Chinese revolution against the communist party.

2. China's demographics. That's what this video is about.
I examine Pew Research's 8-point report on China's demographics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErOxGV-Ekd8

Feedback

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More info

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If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 

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

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My Patrons sponsored this show!

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

Rewards start at just $2/month!

Affiliate links

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.

Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

In this podcast, I review Coinkite's Coldcard MK4, the newest bitcoin-only hardware wallet in 2023!

I highly recommend watching it on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkNJn2dtmOU

The YouTube version has more detail and it shows the product.

Still, audio-only folks will still comprehend the main points.

The WanderLearn Show is about:

• Travel 


• Tech 


• Transformation

Therefore, today's episode is about cutting edge technology. Maybe I should discuss AI and ChatGPT at some point. Let me know.

I apologize that occasionally you'll hear a clicking sound. It's my microphone bumping against my shirt.

What you'll hear:

After unboxing it, I review the Coldcard MK4's latest features.

Throughout the review, I compare it to the MK3, the previous Coldcard model, which I compared to the Ledger.

Toward the end, I address the questions:

• If you have the MK3, should you upgrade?


• If you don't have the MK3, should you buy the MK4?

I also give a sneak peek at Coinkite's OPENDIME, which I reviewed extensively.

If you buy the Coldcard, please use my affiliate link because it costs you nothing extra and gives me a tiny commission.

TIMELINE

• 00:00 Preview of the next 2 months of podcasts


• 03:40 Why a BTC-only hardware wallet?


• 09:11 Should you upgrade?


• 11:00 Should you buy it?

Feedback

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If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 

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

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My Patrons sponsored this show!

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

Rewards start at just $2/month!

Affiliate links

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.

Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Listen to my two-part interview with Trent Hone, author of Mastering the Art of Command: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and Victory in the Pacific.

Part 1 is mostly about history, including places in the Pacific that you should visit if you're into war history.

Part 2 is about contemporary military & political affairs, including Ukraine & Taiwan.

Part 2: Future

Trent Hone & I discuss:

00:00 Will hypersonic missiles make navies obsolete?
04:45 What would Nimitz say about today's US Navy?
06:00 Taiwan War Game
09:20 Will there be war in Taiwan?
11:00 What if we cut the US military to 25% of its size?
19:30 How will the Russo-Ukraine War end?

Read my review of Hone's book (and other military books).

Feedback

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More info

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:

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My Patrons sponsored this show!

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

Rewards start at just $2/month!

Affiliate links

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.

Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

Listen to my two-part interview with Trent Hone, author of Mastering the Art of Command: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and Victory in the Pacific.

Part 1 is mostly about history, including places in the Pacific that you should visit if you're into war history.

Part 2 is about contemporary military & political affairs, including Ukraine & Taiwan.

Part 1: History

00:00 Intro & Nimitz Seaplane crash
04:50 WWII history buffs should visit these Pacific sites
08:30 Iwo Jima
10:00 What if the Pearl Harbor attack had been more devastating?
12:25 What if the US had not dropped the 2 A-Bombs?
17:17 Why did Trent Hone write a book about Nimitz?
20:00 The pain of editing
24:00 The US military's secret sauce
28:00 Preview of next week's episode

Feedback

Leave an anonymous voicemail on SpeakPipe.com/FTapon

Or go to Wanderlearn.com, click on this episode, and write a comment.

More info

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:

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• YouTube


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• LinkedIn


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• Tumblr

My Patrons sponsored this show!

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

Rewards start at just $2/month!

Affiliate links

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.

 

Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

In the first 5 minutes of the video/podcast, I review the 9 predictions I made in 2022.

• I was correct 5 out of 9 times if you're judging strictly.


• I was correct 7 out of 9 times if you're a lenient judge.

People are great at laughing at predictions that failed and claiming that they "knew" a particular event would happen (after it happened).

After you look at my 2023 predictions, share what your predictions are!

Also, look at my predictions for the 2020s to see why none of them have come true so far.

Ten 2023 Predictions
1. Another country will make Bitcoin legal tender.

It will probably be a small Pacific Island nation, such as Tonga or Fiji. Meanwhile, Twitter will allow users to transact in cryptocurrency.

2. The WHO and CDC will officially declare that the COVID pandemic is over. The word "COVID" on Google Trends will hit a low that we haven't seen since 2019. 

The Spanish Flu pandemic lasted three years. So will COVID. As I said in 2020, once the vaccines were out, there was no point in fighting COVID anymore, just like we do little to protect ourselves from other transmissible diseases that kill five million people annually. It's endemic, and the WHO will finally admit it in 2023.

3. There will be an accident in outer space.

Perhaps two satellites collide. Maybe a country fires a rocket to destroy a spy satellite. Perhaps debris hits the space station.

4. Bitcoin will peak at $32,000 and close the year at $25,000.

What is 99% certain is that BTC will end the year at least 10% higher than it started.

5. Ethereum will drop to $700 but end at $1,800.

The US government may declare that ETH is a security, tanking the price to $700. But it will double by the end of 2023.

6. The US unemployment rate will double.

Expect the USA unemployment rate to soar above 5%. The bear market in stocks will continue, but midway through 2023, it will bottom out and begin its rise.

7. India overtakes China in population.

Since November 2022, there are now over 8 billion humans. In 2023, the population of India will increase while China decreases, allowing India to become the world's most populous nation. Before the end of this century, Nigeria will overtake China.

8. Putin is overthrown.

Putin will mobilize more Russians. The body bags, sanctions, and stalemate will wear down the Russian public. Putin's support will erode. Who replaces him will probably be worse, although there's a 20% chance that Putin will be replaced with a peacemaker.

9. The FDA approves a psychedelic drug.

Clinical trials will prove that Psilocybin is safe and helpful for specific conditions. The FDA approves it or something like it.

10. Carter will die before October 2023.

He will be the oldest ex-president of the USA. 

 

Previous predictions

To see my previous forecasts check out my predictions for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Feedback

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Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe

NordLayer published the Global Remote Work Index, which reveals 66 countries’ attractiveness in remote work. According to it, Germany, Denmark, and the US are the top three countries for remote work.

We discuss:

00:00 Top 5 Nations for Remote Working

05:30 Best for Arbitrage

11:00 Security

15:35 What is Nordlayer?

21:00 How to find remote work

The main takeaways are:

● European countries make up 8 of the top 10 places by providing the best remote work conditions.
● Strong competitors from Asia and the Americas are Singapore, South Korea, Canada, and Japan.
● African and Middle Eastern countries don’t make it into the top half of the ranking; the least ideal country for remote work is Algeria.

In WanderLearn Episode #217, I talk 22 minutes with Carlos Salas, an Engineering Manager at Nordlayer, to discuss the survey's details. 

Watch the Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfgZWHXT-Z4

 

Feedback

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More info

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:

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My Patrons sponsored this show!

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

Rewards start at just $2/month!

Affiliate links

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.

Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe