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Sticking Your Neck Out with John Graham

Unless: The Podcast, hosted by Dr. Hemma R. Lomax

Release Date: 08/20/2025

Sticking Your Neck Out with John Graham show art Sticking Your Neck Out with John Graham

Unless: The Podcast, hosted by Dr. Hemma R. Lomax

In this episode of 'Unless the Podcast,' Dr. Hemma Lomax interviews the iconic John Graham, an adventurer turned global hero and leader of the Giraffe Heroes Project. Starting his journey at 16 with a trip to Asia on a freighter, Graham's life has been marked by outsized risks, bold actions, and daring adventure. Join John on this inspiring and nail-biting journey filled with bravado, humanity, and deep reflection. Tune in to hear how John faced the first of several near-death experiences during the Algerian revolution, a treacherous climb on Mount Denali, encounters during the Vietnam War and...

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In this episode of 'Unless the Podcast,' Dr. Hemma Lomax interviews the iconic John Graham, an adventurer turned global hero and leader of the Giraffe Heroes Project. Starting his journey at 16 with a trip to Asia on a freighter, Graham's life has been marked by outsized risks, bold actions, and daring adventure. Join John on this inspiring and nail-biting journey filled with bravado, humanity, and deep reflection.

Tune in to hear how John faced the first of several near-death experiences during the Algerian revolution, a treacherous climb on Mount Denali, encounters during the Vietnam War and the Foreign Service, and how he helped end apartheid at the United Nations. John shares his transformative journey from seeking adrenaline to finding profound meaning in service. He also discusses his latest venture as 'Badass Granddad' on TikTok, inspiring younger generations to take courageous actions. 

Highlights:

  • Climbing Denali and the Path to the Foreign Service and the United Nations

  • The Giraffe Heroes Project: A Legacy of Courage

  • Finding Meaning Through Service

  • The Importance of Risk-Taking

  • Reflecting on Legacy and Impact

Biography

John Graham is an adventurer, diplomat, and changemaker. After early exploits that took him from climbing the South Wall of Denali to serving in war zones as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, John shifted his life’s mission after a near-death experience at sea. For the past 40 years, he has helped lead the Giraffe Heroes Project, honoring and supporting people who “stick their necks out” for the common good. Through Giraffe Heroes International, he has expanded this work globally, inspiring civic courage in countries from Nepal to Zimbabwe.

He is also the creator of the viral TikTok and YouTube series “Badass Granddad”, where he shares short adventure stories paired with practical life lessons for the next generation. John is the author of multiple books, including Quest for the Meaning of Life, Stick Your Neck Out, and On the Edge: Stories of Adventure and Leadership.

Learn more and connect with John: