Whaaaaat?

 

“Go explore, meet strangers, listen, and ask questions. Tell them what the world looks like through your eyes. And, most importantly, make them feel safe and appreciated when sharing their own perspective.“

Episode teaser – what do we talk about? 

• Why it is time to say goodbye
• Key messages curated from 9 former guest episodes
• Big THANK you to all listeners & supporters

In more words:

After an incredible journey spanning 50 episodes and almost 5 years, we are signing off WHYLD Podcast. Time to celebrate and share the top takeaways with you!

Join host Tina one more time to revisit the podcast’s beginnings, born from a desire to connect authentically amid the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking back on the countless hours of work and many moments of self-doubt… was it all worth it?

Oh, hell yeah! The unique, intimate conversations with WHYLD’s guests inspired our listeners and host alike. From navigating people-pleasing tendencies to making bold life decisions and discovering the healing power of authenticity, WHYLD has featured guests from all walks of life – athletes, artists, explorers, and everyday-life champions.

Let nine of them re-share their messages and invite you to a life of authenticity, compassion, and kindness.

As the WHYLD journey concludes, we THANK YOU, dear listeners and everyone who has supported the podcast along the way. You mean the world to us.

Keep living WHYLDly!

Past episodes quoted in this one:

• WHYLD11: “Challenge Is a Given, Attitude a Choice” – with Kara Scott
• WHYLD21: “Exploring the World Awake” – with Erik Lorenz
• WHYLD23: “How to Reclaim Life Through Authentic Choices” – with Sam Sheppard
• WHYLD25: “Coming Home. A Gay Woman’s Guide to Overcoming Rejection” – with Meagan O’Nan
• WHYLD27: “A Family Sailing the Oceans for a Living” – with Brian Trautman
• WHYLD29: “Skin Tales. Body Painting As Healing Art” – with Kristen Zamora
• WHYLD39: “Just a Phase? Busting Bisexuality Stereotypes” – with Mark Cusack
• WHYLD41: “Is It Selfish Not to Have Children” – with Veronica (The Childfree Connection)
• WHYLD43: “Words Divide, Words Unite? The Magical World of Lobsterbird” – with Lobsterbird

Could you do it? 

 

“My biggest fear of the journey wasn’t dying. It was getting forced to use a motor.”

Episode teaser – what do we talk about? 

• What did Markus experience on his journey home from India?
• What are the challenges of long-term solo sailing?
• What is the reason Markus got – accidentally – moved by a motor for a few seconds?
• What was it like returning to a motorized world after 8 years?
• And… what’s next?

In more words:

Hop on the sailboat with Markus Pukonen, as he continues his epic 8-year, no-motors circumnavigation of the planet.

The Covid lockdown in India finally lifted and a window of opportunity opened to make his way back to Canada. Which, of course, took him another couple of years and many more challenges to overcome…

For his inspiring project “Routes of Change”, Markus experienced first-hand just how much our world is made for the use of motors. Walking, paddling, sailing, cycling, skiing, pogo-sticking… Markus went above and beyond to trick his way around “motor barriers”. Yet, of the 2864 days on his journey, he unintentionally got moved by motors for an aggregated 12 seconds. What’s your guess how that happened?

In July 2023, Markus eventually made it back to Toronto. What was it like being home again after eight long years? And what vehicle did Markus choose for his reintegration into the motorized world? Tune in to hear the full story.

Helpful resources / mentioned in the episode:

• Trace Markus’ route on findpenguins.com
• WHYLD Podcast episode 2 with Thomas Clemens who walked the Pacific Crest Trail

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?

• Ways to prepare… for a no-motors circumnavigation of the globe
• Ways to propel… yourself when motors aren’t an option
• Ways to protect… the planet are available to everyone

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:

• Markus’ route on findpenguins.com
• Rescue after ocean row boat capsized – here is a news article
• If you, too, don’t know what a pogo stick is – a Wikipedia article
• Wwoofing (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms)

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.”

Summary of what we talk about in the episode:

• Tech, travel, triathlon – why a full-time job is no excuse not to go IRONMAN!
• “Women aren’t small men” – how can you work with rather than against your cycle?
• Trust your body – what if it does not agree with your doctors?
• Endometriosis, perimenopause, hysterectomy? Don’t worry, we’ll enlighten you what all that means!

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.

“I was trying to train through it. I thought, if I train, I’ll feel better. There’s probably someone out there listening to this going: yeah, you probably need to get your head checked saying that…”

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” in order 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”).

Mentioned in this episode:

• April’s blog post we discussed in the episode
• Dave Scott (triathlete) 
• Ironman Triathlon – a series of long-distance triathlon races, the most famous one being held in Kona, Hawaii 
• Stacy Sims, author of the mentioned book “Roar” & many more

A few medical terms that we discussed:

• Endometriosis – medical condition 
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – a form of hormone therapy used to treat symptoms associated with female menopause 
• Hysterectomy – surgical removal of the uterus and cervix 
• Intrauterine device (IUD) – a birth control device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy 
• Perimenopause – transition phase leading up to menopause 
• Tubal Ligation (commonly known as having one’s “tubes tied”) – surgical procedure for female sterilization 
• Vasectomy – surgical procedure for male sterilization 

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:

• Who was Alyssa Alhadeff?

• What happened in Parkland on February 14^th 2018

• How does a stay-at-home mom change the law?

• What could help prevent school shootings (or help stop them earlier)?

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 13^th 2018, she had been a stay-at-home mum of three. On February 15^th, 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:

• Wikipedia article about the tragedy
• Documentary (available on YouTube): ”Parkland: Inside Building 12”

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:

• Cultural belonging, financial pressures & mental health – what is it like being a Latino in the US?
• Vulnerability is strength? From “machismo” to authenticity.
• What crucial conversations shouldn’t you avoid in a relationship?
• International development work (and beyond) – how can LISTENING be a game changer?
• Trailblazers – what qualities can first-generation immigrants tap into to make an impact?

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:

• Book “Brown Enough”written by Christopher Rivas 
• Own book, “Creating Your Limitless Life”, by Paul Rivera & Esther Zeledon: 
• You can listen to the story of another person who grew up with dualities and became a bridge builder: Lobsterbird, WHYLD Episode 43 
• If you listen carefully to WHYLD Episode 7, you can hear Francesco’s Italian hand gestures…
• Dish of the Dominican Republic we spoke about: “Sancocho“
• One of Paul’s favourite books: “The Practice Effect” by David Brin

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?”

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:

• Do you alter your appearance for work, and how does that make you feel?
• Who are the people in whose presence you feel tense and inhibited?
• Is it uncomfortable for you just to sit with yourself – exposed to your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations – without a distraction?
• When do you feel most alive, and how can you tell?

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 this blog article.

Let me know what you thought of the exercise and this format of a guided visualization / reflection in general!

Thank you & much love

Tina

In short, we talk about this in the episode:

• How does your body let you know when you are in alignment – and when you are straying from your truth?
• In which situations or environments do you suppress your authenticity?
• How could you change that?
• If you made that change, how would your life be different?

Can you imagine paying for a sexual service?

 

“My goal is that a client is not booking me again.”

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.

In short, we talk about this in the episode:

• Why do women pay for sex? And is it a bad thing?
• How does one become a callboy… and why?
• Why does a sex worker say, “my aim is that no woman calls twice”?
• Is this even legal? Germany’s Prostitution Protection Act and what introducing the “Nordic Modell” would mean for consumers.
• Why might it feel safer for someone to book an escort than to go on a dating site?

Mentioned in this episode:

• Ben is a member of the Germany-based Professional Association for Erotic and Sexual Services (BesD e.V.): www.berufsverband-sexarbeit.de (English translation available) 
• Currently, the “Prostitute Protection Act” / “Prostituiertenschutzgesetz” is the legal foundation for sex work in Germany.
• There is a political push in Germany to introduce the „Nordic Model” which would penalize the clients of sex workers. 
• Ben offers a “Trusted Guest Program” on his website www.justnotbed.com – potential clients can contact Ben’s former hosts to learn what the experience was like.

What is a Lobsterbird?

 

“As the saying goes: A fish and a bird could fall in love. But where would they live?”

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.

In short, we talk about this in the episode:

• White-Asian, male-female, arts-science – what is it like to be a builder of bridges between polarities?
• 88 temples in 24 days – why Lobsterbird completed Japan’s Shikoku pilgrimage in record time and what a rice field can teach you.
• Wormholes, wisdom, wonders – how Tina was challenged by Lobsterbird’s language but found: We are not that different after all.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Lobsterbird’s Bridge to Being Podcast
• Bridge to Being #43 “What the hell is a Lobsterbird?”
• Lobsterbird’s Books: “Phase Out” and “Level Up”
• Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism
• Shikoku Pilgrimage