By Tina Hewelt
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The podcast currently has 50 episodes available.
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How far could you travel without using any motor?
“I asked myself, what would I do if I found out that I was gonna die in two weeks? What could I be doing, where I would have no regrets? […] That's where the Routes of Change project came from.”
Episode teaser - what do we talk about?
In more words:
In this episode (part 1 of 2), Markus Pukonen shares with us the story of his incredible eight-year, strictly-no-motors circumnavigation of the globe.
From Canada (2015) to Canada (2023), using muscle and wind power only, how is that even possible? Through his inspiring project, Routes of Change, Markus shows us ways we can explore the world while simultaneously respecting our planet. Ways like canoeing, hand-cycling, pogo-sticking, biking, sailing, walking… in Markus’ case, a total of 73,000 kilometres.
It wasn’t just distance Markus had to overcome. From flesh-eating bacteria and raging storms while sailing solo to having his bicycle swallowed by Mekong river rapids… the physical and mental challenges during his 2864 days on the “road” will blow your mind.
Listen to this episode to accompany Markus from Canada to India, where, after 5 years of travelling, his journey came to an abrupt halt.
To be continued in episode 50.
Helpful resources / mentioned in the episode:
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Lift heavy sh**!
“It was tough playing sports, having a period and from a young age of 15, I was having a lot of problems, like endometriosis. For those of you that don't know, you get all sorts of symptoms - heavy, bleeding, painful cramps.”
Episode summary:
In more words:
Some would say that juggling a full-time job - one which entails a crazy amount of business travel - and serious athletic ambitions is admirable enough. Swim-bike-running Ironmans while battered by nausea and severe cramps is yet another level of willingness to suffer.
Triathlete April Yoho (formerly Edwards) has been suffering from endometriosis since a young age. But all hell broke loose when she stopped taking “the pill” to regain her natural cycle and train according to it. What followed was a long medical journey full of dead-ends and doctors who were big on “I-know-better-than-you” and less generous with empathy.
Listen to this power woman chat about her work in tech, relocating to the UK for a better quality of life, body type myths when it comes to who can be a triathlete, and battling endometriosis all the while "lifting heavy sh**" (a reference to Stacy Sims' book "ROAR").
You can contact April here.
Mentioned in this episode:
A few medical terms that we discussed:
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How could she have survived?
“I didn't have a playbook at all. Nobody told me on February 15th to go on CNN and yell at the president to do something and to take action. I just did it.”
Summary of what we talk about in the episode:
In more words:
It should have been a peaceful day. Valentine’s Day. School was nearly over. And then the unthinkable happened…
The day Alyssa Alhadeff and sixteen other souls died at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, everything turned upside down. It shook a nation – once more. It left a scar in Parkland’s oh-so-peaceful community. And it altered Lori Alhadeff’s forever.
On February 13th 2018, she had been a stay-at-home mum of three. On February 15th, darkest grief had remade her into a fierce fighter on a national stage. Turning her grief into action, Lori became a relentless change-maker. Today, she needs two secretaries to organize her busy, public life.
“Now I'm Alyssa's voice and I know that the tragedy happened, but we have to make a change moving forward.”
Through their non-profit organisation “Make Our Schools Safe”, Lori and Ilan Alhadeff seek to prevent other parents from having to endure the pain of losing a child to a school shooting.
Helpful resources if you want to understand what exactly happened at Marjory Stoneman High School on Feb 14th 2018:
Information on Lori Alhadeff’s work:
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Do you know who you are?
“You're not white enough for the white people. You're not brown enough for the brown people, and it's our own people judging us.”
Summary of what we talk about in the episode:
In more words:
Dr. Paul Rivera was raised between worlds. Growing up in the US as the son of a Mexican mother and a Salvadorian father, he spoke English at school, and Spanish at home. And there were more dualities: Blue-collar background, white-collar aspirations. Public appearance, private struggles. Machismo versus vulnerability, people-pleasing versus authenticity.
The latter opposing forces became a fight that defined many years of his life. Limiting gender norms and lack of communication stood in the way of his authentic self-expression as well as a fulfilled marriage.
“I became a very inauthentic version of myself. I got to the point where I didn't recognise who I was.“
But Paul always knew there was more to life and more to himself. He learned to speak multiple languages, travelled to 115 countries, became a father, a professor, and a diplomat (to name just a few of his roles).
Today, Paul values authenticity more than people-pleasing and makes sure he has all the crucial conversations with Esther, his second wife. With their mutual business “Be. Act. Change”, Esther and Paul help individuals and organisations harness their full potential and achieve more.
Mentioned in this episode:
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How authentic do you allow yourself to be, truly?
“Given the big role working plays in our lives, it would be a big loss if we couldn’t be ourselves at work, wouldn’t it?”
In short, we talk about this in the episode:
This episode is special. You are not going to meet a stranger and hear about their version of an authentic life. Instead, it is all about YOU.
This episode is a guided visualization exercise, an invitation to reflect on your level of authenticity in important areas of your life, namely your relationships and your work life (no matter what you consider your work to be, e.g. employment, self-employment, volunteering, studying, homemaking, care work, studying etc.).
You will be tuning into the language your body uses to signal that you are straying from your truth in unhealthy ways. And what it feels like when you are in alignment.
You will be able to identify situations and environments in which you suppress your authentic self… and, thus, identify opportunities to change thanks to your heightened awareness.
I will be guiding you to reflect on questions like:
I invite you to give this episode - this guided journey - an honest try.
If you prefer READING the exercise instructions, you can find them in the corresponding blog article on www.whyld.one.
Let me know what you think of the exercise and this format of a guided visualization / reflection in general!
Thank you & much love
Tina
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Can you imagine paying for a sexual service?
“My goal is that a client is not booking me again.”
In short, we talk about this in the episode:
In more words:
If this question appals you, please don’t run away just yet. Sex work is an edgy topic and people tend to have strong opinions about it. As always with this podcast, you are invited to explore your (dis)comfort zone and respectfully meet perspectives different from your own.
In this episode, you’ll meet Ben Nordmann. Ben is passionate about creating positive, inclusive, and empowering spaces for people - in his job as a designer… and as a “supportive” escort. Typical job combination, right? The latter profession takes Ben on international travel to meet with his female “hosts” and explore their desires…
Why Ben chose this path, what the motives of his clients are, and how it all works - learn that and more from this rare and very open account of a male “callboy”.
Contrasting Ben’s happy and self-determined situation, we also spoke about the darker sides of sex work – and why the current political push in Germany to criminalize “consumers” in general might not solve the issues after all while punishing an entire industry.
Mentioned in this episode:
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What is a Lobsterbird?
“As the saying goes: A fish and a bird could fall in love. But where would they live?”
In short, we talk about this in the episode:
In more words:
Imagine recording a whole podcast episode on the topic of your name, just so you don’t have to repeat the whole story to every new person you meet individually. Welcome to the world of Lobsterbird!
Like their name, Lobsterbird as a person defies a short, unidimensional description. Multiprismatic, neuroemergent, and non-binary are but a few descriptors they like to use for themself.
Born to “an Asian woman and a white dude”, Lobsterbird’s path as a social chameleon, a wanderer between worlds, was predestined. As an artist, a healer, a guide, Lobsterbird’s mission is to help people find their purpose and transcend their limitations, in order to help build a better world.
This episode was born out of hesitation, a tension between different universes. Instead of turning away from the initial insecurities with one another, host and guest instead decided to go for exposure, exploration, and radical honesty with each other. What a magical experience!
Enjoy the episode to learn more about barkeeping crustaceans, virtual pilgrimages, and the transformational powers of rice fields.
Mentioned in this episode:
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How long can you hold your breath?
“90% of the blackouts happen near the surface at the very end of the dive.”
In short, we talk about this in the episode:
In more words:
Imagine walking 120 meters (131 yards) on one breath.
Think you can make it?
And now imagine doing the same thing… diving.
Miscalculated, ran out of oxygen? Tough luck, no way to breathe before you reach the surface!
What sounds like a crazy, dangerous endeavour is Lily Crespy’s passion and the most peaceful activity she can imagine. Freediving. Upon discovering this niche sport, not even a broken leg could stop Lily from diving into a new life. Formerly a molecular biologist, Lily became an athlete, competing in the world championships, and working internationally as a freediving instructor.
In 2017, a tragic accident (“The Deepest Breath” movie, available on Netflix) involving Lily’s friends - world-renowned safety diver Stephen Keenan and record-breaking freediving champion Alessia Zecchini – changed the trajectory of Lily’s career.
Let Lily take you on a deep dive and explain the intriguing physiological reflexes that help humans survive longer underwater. Listen to her personal account of Stephen Keenan’s fatal accident. And learn what she is up to now, writing a new chapter back home in Nice, France.
Mentioned in this episode:
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Do I have to have kids?
“Moms reach out to me all the time and share their stories and say that they just weren't aware that they had the choice.”
In short, we talk about this in the episode:
In more words:
Veronica grew up in a very traditional Hispanic home where the father worked and the mom… worked, too. This came on top of taking care of the household and children, “of course”.
Being overworked and last on the to-care-for list was not a model young Veronica fancied for her future. Yet, for a long time, she didn’t know she had a choice.
Now 47 and confidently childfree, Veronica knows all about the pressure and the prejudice society applies to people for whom having children is not a given but an option - one that is considered very consciously.
Together with her partner Rick, the Austin-based woman with a captivating smile founded “The Childfree Connection” – a global membership community for like-minded individuals.
In the episode, we discuss the many stereotypes about childfree people, why many parents feel offended by this topic, what Veronica calls the “But Trap”, and how Veronica thinks about her old age without kids.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
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Is “should” still part of your vocabulary?
If it’s not a F*** YES, it’s a F*** NO!
In short, we talk about this in the episode:
In more words:
Alexandra “Allie” Elle has not always been this connected with the callings of her inner voice. The passionate writer lived with a severe eating disorder for nearly two decades. The anorexia that had once filled a void, lies slumbering now and serves as a beacon for when Allie strays from her truth.
Equipped with a wild curiosity, a fearlessness, and a radical love for what’s authentically human, she followed her soul on a nomad journey to self. From Canada, where she grew up, past a small island in the Atlantic, where she leaped and fell, all the way to Poland, where her roots called.
Listen to Allie share about her difficulties in navigating cultural clashes, reconciling the intellect and heart, making truthful decisions - and erroring at times.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Do you want to connect with Allie?
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The podcast currently has 50 episodes available.