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Take a profound and distant journey. Call it Deep Travel, Immersive Travel, Slow Travel, or Vagabonding. Francis Tapon guides you to the intersection of travel, technology, and transformation. The podcast will compel you to go beyond your comfort zone. Occasionally, you‘ll also delve into the misunderstood world of cryptocurrencies.
Episodes
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
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.
Watch the Video
Timeline
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
About Matt Weinzierl
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.
My Questions
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?
More info
You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.
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For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
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!
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:
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.
Friday Feb 14, 2025
Friday Feb 14, 2025
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.
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:
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.
Friday Feb 07, 2025
Friday Feb 07, 2025
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:
- Cultivated Meat: This term is increasingly favored as it accurately describes growing meat from animal cells in a controlled environment.
- Cell-Based Meat: This name emphasizes that the meat is derived from animal cells rather than whole animals, highlighting its scientific origins.
- Cultured Meat: Like cultivated meat, this term refers to meat produced through cellular agriculture techniques.
- Clean Meat: This term was popular among early advocates, suggesting a more ethical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional meat.
- Synthetic Meat: This name indicates that the product is artificially created, which can evoke mixed consumer reactions.
- Slaughter-Free Meat: This term appeals to ethical consumers concerned about animal welfare and the implications of traditional meat production.
Becoming vegan is easier than ever.
Consider taking baby steps.
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:
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.
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Lab-grown meat has many other names:
- Cultivated Meat: This term is increasingly favored as it accurately describes growing meat from animal cells in a controlled environment.
- Cell-Based Meat: This name emphasizes that the meat is derived from animal cells rather than whole animals, highlighting its scientific origins.
- Cultured Meat: Like cultivated meat, this term refers to meat produced through cellular agriculture techniques.
- Clean Meat: This term was popular among early advocates, suggesting a more ethical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional meat.
- Synthetic Meat: This name indicates that the product is artificially created, which can evoke mixed consumer reactions.
- Slaughter-Free Meat: This term appeals to ethical consumers concerned about animal welfare and the implications of traditional meat production.
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:
- Cultivated Meat: This term is increasingly favored as it accurately describes growing meat from animal cells in a controlled environment.
- Cell-Based Meat: This name emphasizes that the meat is derived from animal cells rather than whole animals, highlighting its scientific origins.
- Cultured Meat: Like cultivated meat, this term refers to meat produced through cellular agriculture techniques.
- Clean Meat: This term was popular among early advocates, suggesting a more ethical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional meat.
- Synthetic Meat: This name indicates that the product is artificially created, which can evoke mixed consumer reactions.
- Slaughter-Free Meat: This term appeals to ethical consumers concerned about animal welfare and the implications of traditional meat production.
Becoming vegan is easier than ever.
Consider taking baby steps.
Friday Jan 24, 2025
Friday Jan 24, 2025
Vegans have a marketing problem: they're perceived to be annoying, self-righteous, judgmental, and inflexible.
Author Matthew Halteman's book Hungry Beautiful Animals is designed to fix that perception and make veganism more appealing and less threatening.
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
Watch the Video
Book review
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:
- Women's rights
- Gay rights
- Racism
- Slavery
- Death penalty
- Wars
- Prisons
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.
The book stands out for its joyful and inclusive approach, aiming to transform the often polarizing topic of veganism into an inviting conversation.
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.
- Personal Stories: The book is rich with anecdotes that illustrate the interconnectedness of all living beings. For instance, Halteman reflects on moments his dog (Gus), who inspired him to write this book.
- 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!
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:
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.
Friday Jan 17, 2025
Friday Jan 17, 2025
Who was DB Cooper? Did he have a military background? Where did the cash found in Tena Bar come from? What's a plausible explanation for what happened on the night that DB Cooper jumped? Did he survive?
In part 3 of 3 about DB Cooper and Flight 305, Dr. Robert H. Edwards delves into that and more.
Watch the Video
Timeline
00:00 Who was DB Cooper?
07:00 Military background
13:30 Cash in Tena Bar
19:20 Plausible story
28:20 Did he survive?
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:
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.
Friday Jan 10, 2025
Friday Jan 10, 2025
DB Cooper was cunning. What were the various considerations he had to contend with to pull off the only unsolved act of air piracy in US history?
Watch the Video
DB Cooper needed a:
- Plane with an airstair
- Short flight
- Terminating flight
- Late afternoon flight
In part 2 of 3 about DB Cooper and Flight 305, Dr. Robert H. Edwards delves into that and more.
Timeline
00:00 Planning and Prep
08:30 Three precursors
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:
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.
Monday Dec 30, 2024
Monday Dec 30, 2024
I've always recorded my annual predictions on December 31 or January 1.
However, on December 28, 2024, I started a two-week trip to Dalat, Vietnam.
I wanted to travel light, so I recorded my annual predictions on December 27, allowing me to leave my audio and video gear in Ho Chi Minh, where I planned to return on January 15, 2025.
In my podcast a few days ago, I said that my prediction that Jimmy Carter would die in 2024 was wrong.
Sadly, my 2024 prediction was correct.
See my 1-minute video
The only good news in this sad news is that I get an extra point in my 2024 prediction evaluation scorecard, bringing me to 5 out of 10 points, a mediocre score, tying my worse performance.
See my 2024 predictions.
You can also see my 2025 predictions.
RIP Jimmy Carter.
Feedback
Contact me or leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast at https://speakpipe.com/ftapon
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:
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.
Friday Dec 27, 2024
Friday Dec 27, 2024
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.
- Promise: Deporting 13 million people. Reality: he'll deport less than one million.
- Promise: Death Penalty for Drug Dealers. Reality: It won't happen; we struggle to execute mass murderers.
- 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).
- Promise: Abolishing the Department of Education. Reality: It won't happen, although the Department of Education will get cuts thanks to Musk's DOGE.
- 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!
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!
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.