In my Annual Prediction Show, I review my horrible 2024 predictions before making my new predictions. I got 4 out of 10 points, my worst year ever! I hope to do better this year!

My 2025 predictions
Watch the Video

 

1. A global recession crushes the US economy.

• In July 2022, the yield curve inverted and stayed inverted for 783 consecutive days, marking the longest period in U.S. history. In early September 2024, it un-inverted.


• Usually, a recession occurs about 12 months after the un-inversion.


• Admittedly, the recession can occur between 6 and 24 months after the un-inversion, so we could postpone it until 2026.


• However, disaster will likely strike before October 2025.

2. The US unemployment rate doubles.

The US unemployment rate is 4.2% at the end of 2024 and will be 8.4% by 2025.

3. Bitcoin loses more than half of its value.

Although BTC may climb to $150,000, it will eventually be around $50,000 in 2025, surprising everyone.

4. The S&P 500 drops at least 1,000 points.

The S&P 500, which measures US stocks, will drop below 5,000 (it is beginning 2025 around 6,000).

5. Ceasefire in Ukraine.

Trump won't "end the war in 24 hours," but his administration will broker a deal because both sides are getting tired of fighting. Ukraine is running low on men. President Volodymyr Zelensky recently lowered the draft age from 27 to 25.

Russia is running low on money. In mid-June, $1 bought 50 Russian rubles; in the last two months of 2024, $1 bought 100 rubles. Similarly, a barrel of petroleum has lost half of its value over the same period.

6. Elon Musk & Donald Trump end their bromance.

Two titanic personalities will struggle to share the spotlight.

7. Trump will fail to fulfill five of his most wacky campaign promises.

Although I dislike Trump, most of his critics never read his book The Art of the Deal, which explains his negotiating strategy: start with an absurd offer or demand, then negotiate down from there. 

Trump is a dog that barks constantly but rarely bites.

The Left squirms and takes his every word seriously, failing to see that it's just bluster, a negotiation tactic, or just a joke meant to offend the easily offended.

Here are 5 campaign promises Donald Trump will fail to keep.

1. Promise: Deporting 13 million people. Reality: he'll deport less than one million.


2. Promise: Death Penalty for Drug Dealers. Reality: It won't happen; we struggle to execute mass murderers.


3. Promise: 60% tariff on Chinese goods and up to 20% on all imports. Reality: At most, he'll get a 10% broad tariff and higher tariffs on targeted, symbolic goods (like Chinese cars).


4. Promise: Abolishing the Department of Education. Reality: It won't happen, although the Department of Education will get cuts thanks to Musk's DOGE.


5. Promise: Military Action Against Drug Cartels. Reality: It won't happen.

7. I'll finish The Unseen Africa.

This book has been 10 years in the making, so it's due.

To see my previous forecasts, check out my predictions for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

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! 

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Rewards start at just $2/month!

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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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ftapon.substack.com

In this three-part series, Dr. Robert Edwards and I discuss the fascinating mystery of DB Cooper. In 1971, a man hijacked Flight 305, received $200,000 in $20 bills, 4 parachutes, and skydived into the darkness over the Pacific Northwest, never to be seen again.   

Watch the Video

Subscribe to my YouTube channel and WanderLearn podcast to get the three episodes. 

Buy Dr. Robert H. Edwards's book about DB Cooper & Flight 305. 

To see photos and evidence related to the DB Cooper Case, visit Robert's Flickr site. 

The FBI has more information about the DB Cooper and Flight 305 case.

Dr. Edwards has written three books addressing the biggest 20th-century mysteries:

1. George Mallory


2. DB Cooper


3. The Voynich Manuscript.

I've interviewed Dr. Robert Edwards twice about his book Mallory, Irvine, and Everest: The Last Step But One. These interviews went viral. Listen to the first one, which focuses on his book. Next, listen to the second one, focusing on the recent discovery of Sandy Irvine's foot on Mt. Everest. 

#1 What happened before DB Cooper jumped?

How did the FBI screw up its investigation? Here's the timeline of DB Cooper Episode #1.

Timeline

00:00 Reviewing the basics

04:00 Flight path

09:00 The oscillations

12:30 Reproducing the flight

18:00 Meteorology

21:50 Communications

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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• Twitter


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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

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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ftapon.substack.com

Michael Zervos explains why North Korea is the toughest country to visit.

Watch the video interview

Listen to all 6 of my interviews with Zervos.

Timeline

00:00 Why North Korea is the toughest
05:30 How Zervos makes videos
11:00 What's the upcoming schedule

Follow him on Instagram

More info

To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon

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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• Twitter


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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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ftapon.substack.com

Michael Zervos of The Project Kosmos is two-thirds through his trip to every country.

He's on track to break the record for visiting all the countries faster than anyone else.

We talked while he was in Lviv, Ukraine in December 2024.

Listen to all 6 of my interviews with Zervos.

Timeline

00:00 Intro

05:00 Ukraine War

11:00 USA Election reactions

14:30 Palestine

Follow him on https://www.instagram.com/theprojectkosmos

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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• Twitter


• YouTube


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• LinkedIn


• Pinterest


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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

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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ftapon.substack.com

Durian is recognized for its overpowering and foul odor, often described as similar to feces.

I decided to try it and record my reaction.

See the video!

Have you ever attempted to eat durian or smelled its distinctive aroma?  

#durian #durianfruit #review

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:

• Facebook


• Twitter


• YouTube


• Instagram


• TikTok


• LinkedIn


• Pinterest


• 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

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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ftapon.substack.com

I attack the expression that says, "You can't compare...."
About 99% of the time, you CAN compare anything with anything.
You may dislike the comparison or believe the two things are vastly different, but that doesn't mean you CANNOT compare them.
 

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:

• Facebook


• Twitter


• YouTube


• Instagram


• TikTok


• LinkedIn


• Pinterest


• 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

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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ftapon.substack.com

Forgive me for rushing through this interview. We were under time pressure. But if you would like, send me a message encouraging me to interview Ege Riitsalu again in greater depth.

In this episode, Ege Riitsalu shares her tragic personal story. It serves as an example of the power of radical forgiveness.

Watch the Video of this podcast
About radical forgiveness

How do you get out of a rut and onto a ridge? Although my book, Hike Your Own Hike, offers ideas, it doesn't discuss radical forgiveness, which can lead to breakthroughs. 

In my first TEDx Talk, I discussed "How Travel Transforms You."

But what if the wanderlust doesn't quite do the trick? 

Then, you take another type of journey, a mental one, to unlock deep-seated memories and beliefs.  

Ege Riitsalu is an Estonian who used radical forgiveness to dislodge a mental roadblock. Since then, she's run workshops and offered one-on-one therapy to help others take this mental journey.

Enjoy this two-part series discussing radical forgiveness and how to employ it.

Part 2: How to forgive the man who murdered your dad

Don't forget to listen to...

Part 1: What is Radical Forgiveness and When Should You Use It?

In this episode, Ege Riitsalu introduces you to the concept of radical forgiveness. What's below is taken from what Ege Riitsalu has written about radical forgiveness.

It's good for those with:

• General dissatisfaction with life: stress, anxiety, meaninglessness, lack of purpose, low income, poor physical/mental health, etc.


• Constant criticism of self and others, feelings of shame and guilt.


• Painful emotions regarding life events that have taken place (divorce, betrayal, offense, claims about a partner, etc.).


• Repeated life patterns in personal and professional life (separations from life and business partners, dismissal from work, etc.).

RADICAL FORGIVENESS IS A FIVE-STEP JOURNEY that results in freeing yourself from emotional burdens and transforming negative experiences into sources of personal growth and inner peace. This process allows for a deeper understanding and compassion for oneself and others.

1. Sharing your story: You get the opportunity to express, discover, and map your experiences and the feeling of being a "victim"


2. Feeling emotions and taking responsibility: You allow yourself to feel all emotions and focus on expressing them in a safe space and a restrained manner.


3. Collapsing the story: When discovering your story, move toward understanding, compassion, and empathy to separate your interpretations, judgments, and expectations and deal with the facts.


4. Emergence of a new story: After discovering and releasing negative emotions and recurring disturbing thoughts, you can understand their motives and eliminate the story of being a "victim."


5. Integration: You integrate your entire experience holistically through various practices.

Radical forgiveness will help you:

• Return to the joy of life and happiness that is so characteristic of you.


• Find inner peace, strength, and balance.


• Create more harmonious relationships with yourself and others.


• Get rid of repressed emotional reactions such as anger, guilt, resentment, shame, etc.


• Get out of victim mentality and behavior.


• To shake off feelings of unforgiveness towards yourself or someone else.


• To heal from emotional pain and the burden of the past.

 

Watch the Video
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:

• Facebook


• Twitter


• YouTube


• Instagram


• TikTok


• LinkedIn


• Pinterest


• 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

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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ftapon.substack.com

How do you get out of a rut and onto a ridge? Although my book, Hike Your Own Hike, offers ideas, it doesn't discuss radical forgiveness, which can lead to breakthroughs. 

Watch the Video

In my first TEDx Talk, I discussed "How Travel Transforms You."

But what if the wanderlust doesn't quite do the trick? 

Then, you take another type of journey, a mental one, to unlock deep-seated memories and beliefs.  

Ege Riitsalu is an Estonian who used radical forgiveness to dislodge a mental roadblock. Since then, she's run workshops and offered one-on-one therapy to help others take this mental journey.

Enjoy this two-part series discussing radical forgiveness and how to employ it.

Part 1: What is Radical Forgiveness and When Should You Use It?

In this episode, Ege Riitsalu introduces you to the concept of radical forgiveness. What's below is taken from what Ege Riitsalu has written about radical forgiveness.

It's good for those with:

• General dissatisfaction with life: stress, anxiety, meaninglessness, lack of purpose, low income, poor physical/mental health, etc.


• Constant criticism of self and others, feelings of shame and guilt.


• Painful emotions regarding life events that have taken place (divorce, betrayal, offense, claims about a partner, etc.).


• Repeated life patterns in personal and professional life (separations from life and business partners, dismissal from work, etc.).

RADICAL FORGIVENESS IS A FIVE-STEP JOURNEY that results in freeing yourself from emotional burdens and transforming negative experiences into sources of personal growth and inner peace. This process allows for a deeper understanding and compassion for oneself and others.

1. Sharing your story: You get the opportunity to express, discover, and map your experiences and the feeling of being a "victim"


2. Feeling emotions and taking responsibility: You allow yourself to feel all emotions and focus on expressing them in a safe space and a restrained manner.


3. Collapsing the story: When discovering your story, move toward understanding, compassion, and empathy to separate your interpretations, judgments, and expectations and deal with the facts.


4. Emergence of a new story: After discovering and releasing negative emotions and recurring disturbing thoughts, you can understand their motives and eliminate the story of being a "victim."


5. Integration: You integrate your entire experience holistically through various practices.

Radical forgiveness will help you:

• Return to the joy of life and happiness that is so characteristic of you.


• Find inner peace, strength, and balance.


• Create more harmonious relationships with yourself and others.


• Get rid of repressed emotional reactions such as anger, guilt, resentment, shame, etc.


• Get out of victim mentality and behavior.


• To shake off feelings of unforgiveness towards yourself or someone else.


• To heal from emotional pain and the burden of the past.

 

Watch the Video
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:

• Facebook


• Twitter


• YouTube


• Instagram


• TikTok


• LinkedIn


• Pinterest


• 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

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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ftapon.substack.com

Who you vote for in the 2024 US Presidential election matters little if you don't live in Maine, Nebraska, or a battleground state. 
If you want to be highly pedantic and annoying, you could argue that your vote matters even in non-swing states like California.
That's because if most Californian Democrats conspired not to vote, a Republican would win even though the polls heavily favor the Democrat.

However, if you live in the real, realistic world, my point is accurate on a practical level.

Watch the video of this podcast! 

What do you think about what I say in the video?
Am I full of s**t?

In the video, I mention abortion. Watch my video that proves that abortion has nothing to do with morals or morality.

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:

• Facebook


• Twitter


• YouTube


• Instagram


• TikTok


• LinkedIn


• Pinterest


• 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

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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ftapon.substack.com

Niamh McAnally's memoir, Following Sunshine: A Voyage Around the Mind, Around the World, Around the Heart, offers readers a rich tapestry of travel, personal growth, and introspection.

This book transcends the typical travelogue by intertwining McAnally's adventures with profound reflections on her life experiences, including themes of loss, self-discovery, and resilience.

Watch the Video Interview!

 

Overview of the Book

Following Sunshine takes readers on an enthralling journey through various landscapes, from the lush jungles of Fiji to the serene beaches of Vanuatu. McAnally's narrative is not just about her travels; it delves deeply into her struggles, including dealing with loss, divorce, and financial hardships. Her expressive language vividly captures the beauty of the locations she visits and the emotional transitions she experiences, making her reflections relatable to a broad audience.

Themes and Style

McAnally's writing combines elements of travel, adventure, and self-help. She shares her experiences in diverse settings—participating in turtle conservation in Vanuatu and reflecting on local customs—while confronting complex personal topics such as childhood trauma and uncertainty about the future. This blend creates a compelling backdrop for her reflections on love, loss, and the human impact on ecosystems.

The memoir is "a riveting adventure with a touch of romance," keeping readers engaged with its twists and emotional depth. She is confident and self-aware, echoing throughout her stories of solo travel and constant change. Her ability to articulate moments of revelation is honest without being overly dramatic.

Reader Reception

The reception of Following Sunshine has been overwhelmingly positive. Readers have highlighted its ability to evoke deep emotional responses, often finding themselves moved to tears by McAnally's storytelling. Many appreciate her inviting them to reflect on their lives while sharing her journey. The book has been described as a testament to the power of storytelling in understanding oneself and one's past.

Conclusion

In summary, Following Sunshine is more than just a memoir; it is an invitation to explore the world and one's inner self. Niamh McAnally's unique voice and perspective resonate throughout her narrative, making it recommended for anyone interested in travel, personal growth, or simply seeking inspiration through storytelling. The book promises to leave a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

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:

• Facebook


• Twitter


• YouTube


• Instagram


• TikTok


• LinkedIn


• Pinterest


• 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

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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ftapon.substack.com