Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!

“Exploring is an innate part of being human.” Richard Wiese, spends 30 minutes every week with some of the world’s most compelling adventurers, explorers, and socio-environmental advocates, listening to their distinct adventures, unique discoveries, projects & goals, while discovering their multitude of challenges, surprises, triumphs and set-backs they encounter along the way. Join Richard as he pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to travel around the world and beyond; explore some of the most exotic and often dangerous places; and uncover what makes people, places and our planet so special.

Life’s Tough, but JR Harris is TOUGHER… Learn How This Man from Queens Became a Wilderness Trekker! 08/05/2021

Life’s Tough, but JR Harris is TOUGHER… Learn How This Man from Queens Became a Wilderness Trekker! When asked what inspired him to get started as a solo backpacker over fifty years ago, JR Harris will tell you it was Richard Burton… and the movie “Alexander the Great.” He was sixteen years old and recalled that Socrates asked Burton’s character if he wanted a short, exciting life or a long, dull one. Thinking about this later that night, he decided he would choose a short, exciting life for himself. Listen as he shares with the host of the Explorers podcast, Richard Wiese, and tells us of his pursuit of “Mountain Man” status! As he made some decisions about the kind of future he wanted, his parents got him involved in the Boy Scouts. He resisted at first but found himself camping in the Catskills the following summer. He learned outdoor survival skills and there, and it afforded him an opportunity to go off on his own, camping all by himself in the woods… and he loved it! According to Harris, it changed him… he was a different kid after that. He loved solitary hiking and camping and the excitement of feeling like he was the only person on the planet. Yes, he found himself in scary situations from time to time but accepted it as part of living that exciting life he yearned for! As an African-American, he realized that he was the only person of color on the trails and never saw anyone that looked like him in the wilderness. He has raised his children with the same philosophy with which his parents raised him. They learned that there are good and bad people that come from all cultures and races. JR has a gift for making people feel at ease and comfortable in open conversations about diversity. He notes that we are more similar than different at the end of the day and that everyone wants the same things out of life. There’s a lot of common ground, and the more exposure you get to other people and cultures, the easier it is to get along. JR Harris has written a book titled Way Out There – Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker. To get your signed copy and to learn more about his adventures, visit his . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER!! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/19983443

Life’s Tough, but Geoff Green is TOUGHER… Learn How This Explorer Uses Trips to the Polar Region to Teach About Environmental Science 08/05/2021

Life’s Tough, but Geoff Green is TOUGHER… Learn How This Explorer Uses Trips to the Polar Region to Teach About Environmental Science He’s led over 120 expeditions to the polar regions. Many of these trips have been in the company of students, educators, artists, and leaders. While others are planning family holidays, Geoff Green prepares to take sixty teenagers to Antarctica with the Students on Ice Program. He took some time to talk with the host of our Explorers podcast, Richard Wiese, and share some of what he’s learned. He’s got “stuff” in warehouses all over the place—heavy-duty clothes and equipment which can be pressed into service on short notice. Geoff tells us that the way to keep kids focused on learning about the environment is to keep them busy physically and mentally with things about which they’re passionate. What does Geoff accomplish during these expeditions? Students learn to connect with themselves, each other, and nature… all on the same trip. He remarks that these journeys have a habit of breaking people down and allowing the real person to come out. The future guardianship of the earth comes down to today's youth, and they are leading the charge to help with environmental causes. Focusing on the next generation of environmental enthusiasts is critical as we move from discovery to solutions in preserving our planet. We know that experiential education works, but how can we make it available to all students? Most students get scholarships to participate in the program, but outreach towards awareness is a challenge. Now that we have youth delegations participating in environmental summits, we can look forward to increasing enrollment in essential programs such as these. To learn more about Geoff Green and his exciting career as a polar explorer and educator, visit his . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER!! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/19983431

Life’s Tough, but Leela Hazzah is TOUGHER… This Champion Defender of Wildlife Reveals Her Winning Strategy to Save Lions 07/29/2021

Life’s Tough, but Leela Hazzah is TOUGHER… This Champion Defender of Wildlife Reveals Her Winning Strategy to Save Lions From her earliest recollection, Leela Hazzah has loved animals of all types. Still, she has been wildly infatuated with lions and elephants. She was raised in Egypt, where Barbary Lions lived before they became extinct. Leela took some time to sit with the host of the Explorers podcast, Richard Wiese and shared some insights into wildlife conservation. After working in conservation for over twenty years, Leela has discovered that her most significant learning was from spending time living in the Maasai community. In the community, she has been recruiting traditional Maasai warriors to help with her efforts. As Executive Director of the Lion Guardian Program, Leela has learned Swahili and worked with the Maasai warriors. She tells us that the Maasai, the environment, and the lions all interact, and it’s a matter of finding and knowing where the balance lies. She compares the adaptive behavior of the lions with the shifting paradigms for the Maasai. The lions are braver than they were when they were persecuted. On the other hand, women used to be attracted to a man who had killed a lion. Now, women are more attracted to a man who has a job. The warriors want to be involved with the lion project, and Leela trains them in leadership and develops the idea of running towards a challenge. As she works with partners throughout the Serengeti, she explains that we must embrace diversity if we want to get things done. We don’t have time for any other option. To learn more about Leela Hazzah and her work with the Lion Guardian Program, visit their . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER!! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/19944254

Sean Meagher, Super Yacht Captain Explains How Yachts Help the Environment 07/29/2021

Sean Meagher, Super Yacht Captain Explains How Yachts Help the Environment When we think of yachts, most of us think of the “idle rich” spending days in the sun and surf without care. When Super Yacht Captain Sean Meagher sat down with Richard Wiese, the host of the Explorers podcast, he revealed some surprises that yacht technology provides to the rest of the world, specifically how they help the environment. Captain Sean Meagher wants you to know that the one thing all Super Yacht designers have in common is that they are innovative and forward-thinking. Yachts must be built to a stringent code, and the areas that they sail in often have environmentally fragile ecosystems. In fact, although he’s heard many definitions of Super Yachts, he feels that they exhibit extraordinary style, technology, and design. Many of these owners will make their yachts available to help in the event of natural disasters, When it comes to Super Yacht owners, he notes that many of them are self-made, and they share an incredible work ethic and thirst for knowledge. So much of yacht technology trickles down to everyday life. For instance, we are making great strides in the science of wastewater management. All wastewater released into the ocean must be the quality of drinking water. Super Yachts will have a wastewater processing plant on board to make this happen! Captain Meagher got his captain's license when he was eighteen years old. He tells of trips he’s been on and different ships he’s had the opportunity to captain. One thing that Sean says about explorers is that explorers have to push boundaries. He explains that this is how we no longer live in caves and how we went to the moon. To learn more about Captain Sean Meagher and his exciting career as a Super Yacht Captain and explorer, visit his . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER!! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/19944221

Life’s Tough, but Brandi DiCarli is TOUGHER… This Innovator is Making a Difference in the Planet’s Food Production! 07/22/2021

Life’s Tough, but Brandi DiCarli is TOUGHER… This Innovator is Making a Difference in the Planet’s Food Production! She used to volunteer at a food bank. Today, she’s expanded that role and is the CEO and Co-Founder of Farm From a Box. This innovative company provides parts of the world with everything they need to grow the food they need. The host of our Explorers podcast, Richard Wiese, interviewed Brandi DiCarli about the project and her views on world hunger. What followed is an exciting look into what’s possible for our planet. Brandi DiCarli and her Co-Founder Scott Thompson saw food access throughout the world as a problem for which they had a solution. What resulted was a new idea with no preconceived rules. They offer shipping containers full of plants and agricultural technology. Each container is stocked for its growing environment and is rapidly adaptable to the area. These “farms” are designed pre-installed with all the necessities and are locked and loaded. They operate independently of grid access and provide everything from a solar pump and drip irrigation to cold storage. In addition to being tailored to specific growing environments, Farm From a Box trains the local population to use their agricultural technology and grow crops. Partnerships are developed all over the world to work with Brandi and Scott’s organization. By forming these partnerships, they can overcome language barriers and foster community building by building teams. The shipping container “farms” come in two models. You can use a 20-foot shipping container, which represents 2-4 acres of food production. Or, you can use a 40-foot shipping container, which will yield 10 acres of food. To learn more about Brandi DiCarli and her work at Farm From a Box, visit their . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER!! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/19855793

Life’s Tough, but Richard Garriott is TOUGHER… This Explorer Reveals What’s Next in the World of Exploration 07/22/2021

Life’s Tough, but Richard Garriott is TOUGHER… This Explorer Reveals What’s Next in the World of Exploration You might say exploration runs in the family. Richard Garriott, astronaut, and pioneer of private space flight is the son of astronaut Owen Garriott. When he spoke in an interview with Richard Wiese, the host of the Explorers podcast, they discussed the fact that when it comes to exploration, paradigms have changed. We’ve exceeded previous boundaries, and yet there is still so much more to learn about. In addition to being an astronaut, video game developer, and President of the Explorer’s Club, Richard is a record holder. He is the first man to fly in space and go to the bottom of the ocean. He is the first person to travel and explore from the North to South Poles and space and the sea. When asked what exploring means to him, Garriott describes his exploring as getting into places of awe and wonder… mystical, magical, and inspiring. He remarks that right here on planet earth, there are vast areas yet to explore. The future of humans will eventually be as multi-planetary beings, according to him. A big fan of science communication, he is interested in the necessary development of diversity in exploration. Richard notes that in most exploration, the people doing the hard work and most of the discovery are the indigenous people, and not those getting credit for the work. His advice is to look to the younger generation to address challenges to the planet. He tells us to remember that there are great, positive examples of people working to solve problems great and small throughout our world. To learn more about Richard Garriott and his exciting career as an astronaut and explorer, visit his . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER!! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/19855703

Life’s Tough, but Rachel Graham is TOUGHER… This Shark Expert Explains Her Work in Preservation of Shark Species 07/15/2021

Life’s Tough, but Rachel Graham is TOUGHER… This Shark Expert Explains Her Work in Preservation of Shark Species Dr. Rachel Graham is practiced in the art of connecting with people. She has a love of sharks and a passion for the preservation of sea life that transcends any fear she might feel. In fact, she’s always had a love of maligned animals. And, when she sat down to speak with the host of the Explorers podcast, Richard Wiese, she talked about her vision of preservation and the team she’s put together to make it happen! Raised in Tunisia, she had the opportunity to camp with her family in the Serengeti and to observe the wonders of nature. Her parents were perpetually curious and supported her love of animals… even snakes! Educated at Oxford, she dove into science in the hope of making a difference. She notes that science is frequently done within a vacuum, just to produce papers or statistics. Dr. Graham points out the gap between researchers on the frontlines and policymakers that prevents progress from being made in many cases. It should be noted that kids today are more disassociated from the world around them than ever and don’t experience the melding of different cultures. In addition to English, Rachel speaks French and Arabic, which helps her communicate with her teams. This fascinating interview can shed some light on the behavioral aspect of sharks, as you learn about her aha moments and her organization, . The group, led by Dr. Graham, works towards the education, conservation, and preservation of sharks and other sea animals. To learn more about Rachel Graham and her work as a shark expert, visit the . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER!! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/19787768

Life’s Tough, but Luca Parmitano is TOUGHER… This Italian Astronaut Shares the Adventure of His Journey! 07/15/2021

Life’s Tough, but Luca Parmitano is TOUGHER… This Italian Astronaut Shares the Adventure of His Journey! Luca Parmitano has the distinction of being the first Italian astronaut to walk in space. On his second spacewalk, he nearly drowned when his helmet filled with water. During the Explorers podcast, he talks with host Richard Wiese about the thrill of the spacewalk and what he’s learned about what’s important. Luca had a wonderful childhood in Catania, Sicily, and didn’t realize that this place was special. It’s a vacation destination for people around the world. His parent were both teachers. The first recollections he has of interest in space was through television and stories about the space shuttles. Luca said he wanted to be an astronaut from an early age, but he didn’t grasp the full meaning of that until he was older. He was intentional in his career path, trying out for the Italian Airforce Academy. Competition for a place as a cadet there is steep… 80 cadets accepted from 8000 applications. He was pleased to be accepted. He knew he’d have to become a test pilot to make the progression to astronaut, so that was his next goal. As a test pilot, he was the youngest in his squadron and didn’t think he had a shot at being selected for the European Space Agency (ESA). His squadron commander encouraged him to apply, noting that he would not be chosen without submitting an application. Three days before the public announcement, he got word he had been accepted and was overjoyed. When it comes to setting records, he tells us that almost everyone in the program would rather talk about ideas and possibilities rather than what they’ve done in the past. He shares that his belief that it’s about the next guy and what he will accomplish, and that’s where we should put our emphasis. Hear the incredible story about his problems during his second spacewalk that almost cost him his life! His advice to new cadets – You can only solve one thing at a time – Focus on the solution and not on the problem. To learn more about Luca Parmitano and his exciting career as an astronaut, visit the . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER!! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/19787750

Life’s Tough, but Wade Davis is TOUGHER… This Cultural Anthropologist Talks About His Life as a Storyteller 07/08/2021

Life’s Tough, but Austin Gallagher is TOUGHER… This Marine Biologist is known as the “Tiger Shark King!” 07/08/2021

Life’s Tough, but Austin Gallagher is TOUGHER… This Marine Biologist is known as the “Tiger Shark King!” Suppose you’re a fan of “Shark Week” on the Discovery Channel. In that case, you’re likely to be familiar with shark expert Dr. Austin Gallagher. Austin spent some time with our podcast host, Richard Wiese, for our Explorers are Tougher Podcast. They talked about ocean conservation, and we learned that sharks could be so much more than the subject of marine studies. They can actually be partners and collaborators to help us gain new scientific insights into the oceanic world. Dr. Gallagher has always had a keen interest in marine biology, even from a young age. He credits his parents for keeping him supplied with books to feed his quest for knowledge. He became intrigued by the huge animals living under the water, and so began his life-long enthusiasm for marine life. A pivotal point came when he was twelve years old and took a marine biology field trip to the Florida Keys and had the opportunity to swim with sharks. One of the interesting points that Austin makes during this interview is the fact that although wild animals, as a rule, are unpredictable, sharks are relatively predictable. You must, however, meet them on their terms, not ours. He shares insight into their hunting logic and offers suggestions for deterring a shark attack. When asked about shark attacks, Austin points out that conservation efforts for white sharks have gone exceptionally well. As shark populations grow and thrive and human beachgoers increase, there will inevitably be more interactions. To learn more about this marine biologist and shark expert, visit his , or watch him on the Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week.” To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! !At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/19707593

Life’s Tough, but Alex More is TOUGHER… This Climatologist Explains the Truth About the Worst Year to Be a Human 07/01/2021

Life’s Tough, but Alex More is TOUGHER… This Climatologist Explains the Truth About the Worst Year to Be a Human When he sat down with host Richard Wiese to record a podcast session for our Explorers are Tougher Podcast, Alex More talked about his life as an academic, pursuing the American Dream, and working as a researcher in the field of climatology. He’s taken an intense look at the relationship between the state of the environment and virology and pandemic health crises. Dr. More grew up in Italy and Greece, where he learned to dive for the first time at three. When he was seventeen and pondered his future in a depressed economy, he struck out for America. While he was working at Harvard, Alex taught ten different courses. Currently, he holds two positions at Long Island University in New York; He is Assistant Professor of Environmental Health and Director of the Honors College there. His work involves study the relationship between our climate and world pandemics. He explains that while research is essential, having the ability to communicate ideas to the general public is key to measuring the research's effectiveness. He feels his strong sense of empathy helps him to get his thoughts and research out there to the people. The effectiveness of researchers is generally measured by the number of people who view and cite the research. Alex discusses his work and draws parallels between times of environmental change and times of pandemic illness. He discusses the environment during the Black Plague, the Spanish Flu, and during our latest COVID-19 pandemic. It’s interesting to note these examples and consider the possibilities of future research on this topic. To learn more about this climatologist, visit his , or watch him on the To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! !At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/19643984

Life’s Tough, but Alan Stern is TOUGHER… This Planetary Scientist Realized His Boyhood Dream! 07/01/2021

Life’s Tough, but Alan Stern is TOUGHER… This Planetary Scientist Realized His Boyhood Dream! He was seven years old when he knew he wanted to be a scientist or an engineer. So he focused his school studies on the subjects that would support that career choice. Now, he wishes he’d spent a little more time on English and History. He didn’t realize as a scientist how much writing he would have to do. In a recent interview, Alan Stern sat down and talked with our host, Richard Wiese, for the Explorers podcast. We learned about the journey he took to become a scientist and some highlights and disappointments along the way. Alan worked as a door-to-door encyclopedia salesman between his Freshman and Sophomore years at college. He learned the art of selling, which helped him pitch ideas later in life. Once he finally completed his college years, he took a job in Colorado in a big scientific lab and found his calling. He was off to a rough start, being put in charge of the satellite being carried into space by the Challenger, which was obviously destroyed during that ill-fated expedition. These days, Alan works on multiple missions concurrently to take place in deep space. He regards space exploration as a kind of gateway drug to STEM careers. He observes that kids are always keenly interested in dinosaurs and space… and that the dinosaurs always lose to space! His bucket list is simple. He wants to go into space… a lot! He wants to be able to work in space as a researcher. To learn more about Planetary Scientist and Space Explorer Alan Stern, visit his . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! !At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/19643900

Life’s Tough, but Shelton Johnson is TOUGHER… This Explorer Enjoys Life’s Majesty as a US National Park Ranger 06/03/2021

Life’s Tough, but Shelton Johnson is TOUGHER… This Explorer Enjoys Life’s Majesty as a US National Park Ranger Many people have never been to a US National Park. If you’re African American, the chances are even less that you feel compelled to visit. But today’s guest on the Explorers podcast tells us that the closest we can come to visit Africa is to spend time in one of America’s National Parks. Our podcast host, Richard Wiese, sat down and enjoyed a conversation with Shelton Johnson, a US National Park Ranger in Yosemite National Park. He is also a prominent speaker on our national parks. He also shares the history of the Buffalo Soldier with those who are interested. Shelton was featured on Ken Burn’s documentary special on the National Parks. When he spoke with Richard, Shelton said he gets paid in “gasps” and that he lives for that moment when young people experience the parks for the first time and have those “Wow” moments. He’s had the pleasure of camping with Oprah and showing President Obama and his family around the park. He enjoyed watching them as they experienced all the grandeur of the falls, sequoias, and all the rest that comes as part of the Yosemite experience. African American cavalry and infantry troops served in the west after the civil war. The name “Buffalo Soldier” was bestowed upon them by the Plains Indians. The hair on their heads was not dissimilar to the hair on the buffalo head, thus the name. Although many Americans are not familiar with the Buffalo Soldiers, they were memorialized in the song “Buffalo Soldier” by reggae musician Bob Marley. Ranger Shelton works to get more African Americans to visit our National Parks and realize and acknowledge that the parks are for all people, including them. He feels like all Americans should be encouraged to visit the Parks, here and abroad, and experience the wonder of them. To learn more about explorer Shelton Johnson and his experience with the US National Parks, . Learn more about the role of the in our history. To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18901655

Life’s Tough, but Silvia Vasquez Lavado is TOUGHER… This Explorer Has Overcome Great Odds to Stand on the Seven Summits 06/03/2021

Life’s Tough, but Silvia Vasquez Lavado is TOUGHER… This Explorer Has Overcome Great Odds to Stand on the Seven Summits Growing up in Lima, Peru, life wasn’t always easy for Silvia Vasquez Lavado. In fact, it was incredibly challenging and quite chaotic at times. Turbulent political groups and governmental change made it difficult for any consistency to develop. The environment was constantly changing and often unsafe. Recently, on our Explorers podcast, our host Richard Wiese had an opportunity to sit in with Silvia and hear about her experiences as the first openly gay woman to climb the seven summits successfully. At the age of eighteen, Silvia came to the United States on a college scholarship for academics. She moved from turbulent Peru to the Amish Country in Pennsylvania. Needless to say, there was a period of adapting to go through. Although she comes from a tough background, Silvia comes across as open and friendly. She says that instead of imposing her beliefs on others, her philosophy is about respecting where she is and learning about other cultures. She’s written a book, In the Shadow of the Mountain, which comes out in Winter 2022. It’s already in development as a movie, with Selena Gomez playing the role of Silvia. Silvia reminds us that affecting change is often complicated. It’s a case of finding out about local changemakers and local grassroots organizations that support your causes. It’s important to her that she provides a platform that allows people to express themselves. Her nonprofit organization, Courageous Girls, helps victims of sexual violence in their recovery. When asked about challenges as a gay woman, she reminds us that sometimes being a woman is scary enough. There are, however, many parts of the world where being gay is dangerous, and it’s tough to impose western culture on the rest of the world. Bringing change and understanding will be a gradual process. If she were given the opportunity to advise her younger self, she would say, “ You can do anything. You are not alone. There are lots of people here to help, support, and protect you.” To learn more about explorer Silvia Vasquez Lavado and her observations as an extreme explorer, . Learn more about her nonprofit, , here. Information about her upcoming book can be found . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18869018

Life’s Tough, but Chris Nicola is TOUGHER… This Rugged Caver Uncovers an Amazing Story of Survival 05/27/2021

Life’s Tough, but Chris Nicola is TOUGHER… This Rugged Caver Uncovers an Amazing Story of Survival When you’re inside a cave, there’s a chance you will see something that no one else has ever seen. Cavers look for darkness beyond void – nothingness. In a fascinating recent episode of our Explorers podcast, Chris Nicola revealed an incredible story. It’s his recounting of how one cave exploration in Western Ukraine led to the journey he’ll never forget. Our host, Richard Wiese, spoke with Chris during the podcast about this story's pursuit and the challenges he overcame to tell it. It is the story of how 38 Ukrainian Jews beat the odds and survived for 511 days underground in a cave during World War II. Chris spent his earliest years in Northwest Massachusetts, where he loved being outdoors. When his family relocated to New York City, he would create “caves” with a blanket over the dining room table. Richard reminds us that cavers are a different breed. Chris says that as an adult, caving became second nature to him. Where most people would find it claustrophobic, he came to feel that caves started fitting him “like a glove.” Ever the explorer, Chris maintained his passion for caving even after a heart attack in 1993. That same year, he made the acquaintance of a Ukrainian caver he met on Coney Island. When he visited his friend and explored the caves in Western Ukraine, he studied a cave called “Priest’s Grotto.” It was there he began to find household artifacts that were obviously decades old and sparked his curiosity. When he started to ask around about the origin of these finds, nobody wanted to discuss the possibilities. Finally learning from an older woman that there were Jews who lived in the cave during World War II. During this time, a Ukrainian Jew had a 5% chance of surviving the war. Although he remained dedicated to his quest for information, it wasn’t until 2002 when he had a breakthrough. He received an email that began uncovering the truth about the survivors who lived in the cave for nearly a year and a half. Chris did not have the families' cooperation when he began putting together the book and documentary film detailing the ordeal the families went through at that time. Through patience and perseverance, he eventually got the story out. In the process, he gained the love and trust of a family through this story of triumph. To learn more about explorer Chris Nicola and his adventures as a caver and explorer, visit his . The dedication to his book is to the Human Spirit – It’s Strength and It’s Endurance. Watch the film for an in-depth study of this exploration. To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18868976

Life’s Tough, but Mikael Strandberg is TOUGHER… This Consummate Explorer Shares Insight on Perspective 05/27/2021

Life’s Tough, but Mikael Strandberg is TOUGHER… This Consummate Explorer Shares Insight on Perspective He’s been called the most respected explorer. Mikael Strandberg is known for carrying the legendary flag of the Explorers Club five times, more than any other Swede. His journeys into extreme conditions and harsh climates have taught him important life lessons that he can share as a public speaker and documentary producer. He’s been exploring Yemen on a camel. He’s trekked through Siberia with reindeer and sleds. After all these journeys under adverse conditions, he tells us of his absolute toughest exploration… Fatherhood. Several times, he’s taken his young daughters, aged eight and ten at the time of this writing, on expeditions and outings and worries about them the whole time. He moved to Greenland with his family and lived together with the girls in a small house. He remarks that the days when it’s dark for 24 hours are the worst. Interestingly, he has a passion for the people who survive in harsh and brutal climates and seems to thrive under these conditions. He shares that he’s learned, “Life is the way it is. The sooner you accept that, the easier it will be.” His dream expedition is to take the girls to the North Pole. Mikael is interested in the study of longevity and started running while living in Greenland. He’s determined to continue explorations as long as possible. A word to the wise from this extreme explorer… “Enjoy every day…even the difficult ones.” To learn more about explorer Mikael Strandberg and his adventures as an extreme explorer, . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18868928

Life’s Tough, but Adrian Shine is TOUGHER… This Monster Chaser Learned About Human Nature on Loch Ness 05/20/2021

Life’s Tough, but Adrian Shine is TOUGHER… This Monster Chaser Learned About Human Nature on Loch Ness As a boy, Englishman Adrian Shine became enthralled with stories about sea serpents that lived in Loch Ness. He began reading books about the expeditions to explore and seek new understanding about these serpents below the Loch's surface. In our recent Explorers podcast, our host, Richard Wiese, had an opportunity to learn about his adventures and what he now knows. Eventually, as an adult, Adrian decided to explore the Loch by starting his own expedition. His first study environment was nearby Loch Morar, which also was rumored to be inhabited by serpents and monsters of the deep. Finally, in 1969, while in his boat on the Loch, he saw a hump. As he slowly progressed towards it, he saw it moving. When he stopped rowing to have a better look, the creature stopped moving. Adrian became frightened, and what he thought was a hump had turned into a giant, submerged head. Fighting his fear, he slowly moved to meet the creature. It turned out to be a rock. Adrian learned two critical things on that day… Follow everything to its end, and If you can’t believe it with your own eyes, you shouldn’t believe what others see. After moving to Loch Ness for further studies, he didn’t find any beasts. But he did learn a lot about the biology of Loch Ness. Soon, people from the Universities started taking an interest and joining his expedition teams. They worked on studying what COULD live in Loch Ness, according to the environment in the Loch. In time, Adrian shifted his study from the monsters to human perception. What causes people to see what they see? The fact is Myths are typically based on Something. When we hold a stereotype in our mind and then see things in the environment around us that confirm those beliefs and stereotypes, we are more apt to “see” the very thing we set out to see. To learn more about explorer Adrian Shine and his adventures as a monster chaser and explorer, . To find out more about the Loch Ness Project, . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18864521

Life’s Tough, but Joe Rohde is TOUGHER… This Imagineer Helps Us Understand the Link Between Diversity, Creativity, Exploration, and Adventure 05/20/2021

Life’s Tough, but Joe Rohde is TOUGHER… This Imagineer Helps Us Understand the Link Between Diversity, Creativity, Exploration, and Adventure Consider for a moment that exploration is compulsive behavior… something you must do. It’s an engine that runs a lot of life energy. Our host of the Explorers podcast, Richard Wiese, had the opportunity to talk with Joe Rohde about this on an episode recently. Joe retired after working as an Imagineer at Disney for forty years. He started working for the company when Epcot Center was being built and helped design several country pavilions there. Imagineering is the company's branch responsible for conceptualizing, planning, and building everything that Disney makes. Imagineering blends engineering with the arts. It strives for authenticity and diversity of ideas. Joe Rohde worked in the conceptual department. This means he is an “ideas” man, where every project starts. During his research into projects, Joe would often look for creating a kinesthetic experience for theme park goers… Asking the question, “What does it FEEL like to be here?” His work on the Animal Kingdom project at Disney meant facing the challenge of creating an animal experience while moving away from the zoo paradigm. He stresses the importance of sending messages about our relationship to the world and conservation. At the same time, it’s about appreciating the chance to explore the relationship between the animals and us. At the heart of it, explorers are storytellers. Joe Rohde is an advocate of the diversity of ideas, noting that you need to be encouraged to think differently to create new ideas. It’s essential to look for diverse input to change yourself and your approach to creativity. To learn more about explorer Joe Rohde and his adventures as an Imagineer and explorer, . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18864491

Life’s Tough, but Hugo Vau is TOUGHER… This Big Wave Surfer Had a Life-Changing Experience with BIG MAMA in Nazare´ 05/13/2021

Life’s Tough, but Hugo Vau is TOUGHER… This Big Wave Surfer Had a Life-Changing Experience with BIG MAMA in Nazare´ Surfing wasn’t always popular in Portugal. It’s only in the last 35-40 years that it has been acknowledged as a sport. During this podcast, big wave surfer Hugo Vau talks with our host, Richard Wiese, about taking risks and pushing yourself to new extremes in exploration. In 2006, surfers began exploring and surfing on bodyboards in the Nazare´ Canyon area of Portugal. This huge underwater valley creates gigantic waves away from shore and out in the ocean. Watermen started telling surfers stories about these big waves, and some couldn’t resist the desire to see them. There was one wave somebody told them was bigger than the rest. It was nicknamed “Big Mama.” She was 0.8 miles out in the ocean, and they used a jet ski to tow surfers out. In 2011, fellow surfer Garrett McNamara set a world record by surfing a 70-foot wave in Nazare´. In his attempt to conquer Big Mama, Hugo studied forecasts and charts to calculate the best time to make his approach. They went out at around 4:30 in the afternoon. There were high wind warnings, but Hugo wanted strong winds. He planned to work with the wind instead of fighting against it. When asked what it was like, Hugo says it was unique, really beautiful, a scenic array of colors. Although he has been surfing for a long time, he was overwhelmed with the intensity of nature and the ocean's hugeness. You might be wondering how Hugo’s life changed after conquering Big Mama. He wasn’t really prepared for what happened after this worldwide event. He got huge media exposure and lots of interviews. He’s able to stay humble, telling us that this whole adventure is a testimony to the magic of teams – supporting and believing in each other… working together for the moment. His surfing partner and best friend, Alex Botelho, was there with him. Another team member, who served as the spotter and videographer, was stationed in a church onshore and nicknamed Jesus. Although you think that surfing might be a solitary sport, a team is necessary. These days, Hugo appreciates the simple things. He remembers to celebrate them with others… the fact that we get to breathe everyday… we’re able to walk and smile at each other. It sounds like Hugo Vau has things in proper perspective! To learn more about explorer Hugo Vau and big wave surfing, . Hugo is featured in many videos and surf magazines as well. To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18864068

Life’s Tough, but George Kourounis is TOUGHER… This Storm Chaser is Fascinated with the Line Between Natural Force and Natural Disaster 05/13/2021

Life’s Tough, but George Kourounis is TOUGHER… This Storm Chaser is Fascinated with the Line Between Natural Force and Natural Disaster Most explorers study the weather charts to look for clear weather before starting an expedition. Our recent guest on the Explorers podcast, George Kourounis, does the exact opposite! His passion and appreciation for science and nature have helped him become one of the world's most famous storm chasers. George, the host of the television show, Angry Planet, sat down with Explorers podcast host Richard Wiese. They talked about his attraction to the extreme elements and his obsession with the line between natural force and natural disaster. As a child, George always had a fascination with science and nature. He loved being outdoors, where he grew up in Canada. As a young teenager, his mother gave him the gift of a waterproof camera, which opened up a whole new world of possibilities for him. When chasing tornados, George recounts the full-body experience involving all the senses. These tornados are exciting and photogenic – while evoking terror and the realization that they can kill. His teams are all first aid trained. When they are on the scene at an extreme weather event and see someone who needs help, they stop the chase to help a person in need. At the heart of it, explorers are storytellers. It’s been said of George that he communicates science well. He’s made a career of it. He tells us the trick is to report without letting your ego get in the way and making it about yourself. As Richard spoke with his guest about the COVID pandemic, George remarked that the pandemic is an extraordinary force of nature and has encouraged in all of us the essential skill in an expedition… The ability to adapt to ever-changing conditions. George hopes to leave a legacy of curiosity. He views curiosity and fear as two sides of the same coin. His hope is that people grow to know why curiosity matters and why we should love being curious. To learn more about explorer George Kourounis and his adventures as a storm chaser and explorer, visit his . Watch the television series on Amazon Prime Video for an in-depth study of his exploration. To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18864032

Life’s Tough, but Rodrigo Medellin is TOUGHER… This Real-Life Bat Man Can Change the Way You Think About Bats! 05/06/2021

Life’s Tough, but Rodrigo Medellin is TOUGHER… This Real-Life Bat Man Can Change the Way You Think About Bats! Let’s face it… most people don’t get a warm fuzzy feeling when they think about bats! It may surprise you that many of our beliefs about these animals are not based on reality. In fact, bats get a pretty bad rap, and most of it is undeserved. During our recent Explorers podcast, the host, Richard Wiese, had a chance to talk to Rodrigo Medellin in Mexico City. Rodrigo says if you can give him ten minutes, he can convince you to love bats. If you love tequila… his work to convince you is that much easier. Curious? Rodrigo tells us that most people think bats feed on blood, according to the vampire bat stories. It may surprise you to learn that there are over 1400 species of bats, and only 3 species feed on blood. Those bats are in South and Central America. Another widely held belief is that bats carry and transmit diseases. Many people, in fact, think bats are responsible for the COVID virus. It was easy to draw this conclusion, with the bad reputation that bats have had for the last 300 years. You will be amazed to learn that the birds we lure to our feeders and honor through our nature photography have more pathogens and carry more diseases than the average bat. Rodrigo started his research on bats at an early age. From the time he was young, he always loved animals and raised bats as a child. These days, he goes into bat caves in complete darkness. Where most folks may find that terrifying, he finds it to be peaceful and calming. His research with bats is helping us to learn new things about this mysterious animal. Are you interested in forming a positive relationship with bats and learning more about them? If so, you might want to build and install some bat houses around your yard. They’ll eat pesky insects for you. Oh yes, the tequila connection! Without bats, you wouldn’t have the tequila we enjoy. Bats are the best pollinators of the Agave, from which tequila is made. Next time you see a bat, be sure to thank him for the delicious margarita you had! To learn more about explorer Rodrigo Medellin and his exploration into the world of bats, visit the . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18863756

Life’s Tough, but Bo Parfet is TOUGHER… Conquering the Seven Summits Against All Odds! 05/06/2021

Life’s Tough, but Bo Parfet is TOUGHER… Conquering the Seven Summits Against All Odds! Can you achieve your dreams with determination and hard work? Or do you need to have luck on your side or know the right people? Can people achieve greatness by overcoming challenging odds? Richard Wiese, the host of the Explorers podcast, sat down recently with Bo Parfet. As a young child, Bo overheard his teacher telling his parents that he would never graduate high school in the second grade. You see, Bo had dyslexia and a speech impediment and was struggling in school. Well, Bo overcame these disadvantages through determination. Refusing to believe he was anything less than capable of success, he worked hard and got a tutor. In seventh grade, the teacher called his parents once again to receive the news that he would graduate high school, but college wouldn’t be possible. Years later, as a college graduate and investment banker, he became interested in a quest to conquer the “Seven Summits,” all the highest mountain peaks in each continent of the world. By now, he was used to taking risks and was not afraid to fail. His interest became his passion. He set out in 2003 for what would be a journey of just over four years, culminating with all seven summits under his belt. During his expeditions, he came face to face with death and dying. His book, Die Trying, written just a few years later, chronicles his experience and encourages all of us to work harder and with determination. We learn on the podcast as Bo tells us that when there’s an obstacle in your way, great learning is there… push through it and become a better person. He shares with us that the toughest mountain to climb is one’s self… not Everest or K2. To learn more about Bo Parfet, visit his , and check out the project. Bo’s book, , is available on Amazon. Join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! at . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18863687

Life’s Tough, but Kathy Sullivan is TOUGHER… Making History in Space Exploration and Deep Diving! 04/29/2021

Life’s Tough, but Kathy Sullivan is TOUGHER… Making History in Space Exploration and Deep Diving! Women often receive messages from their parents, peers, and society about what makes them “normal” or “successful.” Refusing to accept these messages and instead following your instincts and sense of adventure and curiosity can take exploration to the highest level. In a recent Explorers podcast, our host, Richard Wiese, spoke with explorer Kathy Sullivan. Kathy has the distinction of being the first American woman to walk in space and the first woman to dive to the deepest point on earth in a submersible vehicle. She’s authored a book titled Handprints on Hubble. When asked, she explains that it’s not about overcoming challenges. It’s about becoming something with your life. Early on, Kathy loved reading and was insatiably curious. She had the desire to grab every bit of learning she could. In school, she hung out with the “smart girls” and ignored the idea that she shouldn’t be “too smart” or that being popular was the most important ideal to pursue. When Richard asked her if she had a strong sense of competition, she explained that her competition was with herself… she doesn’t care about eliminating her competitors. Her only goal is to do her personal best. In fact, Kathy notes that it’s always unclear what parameters you might be judged on, and it’s hard to escape the feeling that everything’s a test. She feels your best strategy is always to put out the best you can in every single circumstance. Find your competition within yourself. Richard asked her about the importance of women on teams and the role of mentorship. They both agreed that women tend to be more supportive of team members, and the team as a whole, as opposed to harsh competition. To Kathy, mentoring is not a formal process. The best strides happen when spending time and talking to another person. This is the way that unexpected mentoring happens. To learn more about Kathy Sullivan and her explorations, visit her . You can also get information about her book, , in which she chronicles her astonishing part in the Hubble story. Join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18863414

Life’s Tough, but Richard Garriott is TOUGHER… This Second-Generation Astronaut Shares the “Overview Effect” 04/29/2021

Life’s Tough, but Richard Garriott is TOUGHER… This Second-Generation Astronaut Shares the “Overview Effect” No matter how many times you’ve rehearsed it and played it out in your mind, launch day is an entirely different experience. There are so many parts of the preparation that cannot be practiced ahead of time. Squeezing into position in the capsule, turning it on, and bringing it to life… making small talk with other crew members and dozing during a countdown hold. And, a complete sense of awe. Our host, Richard Wiese, spoke with Richard Garriott during our Explorers podcast in Part 2 of an extraordinary interview. He shares his experience with launch day and some insight into his life as an explorer. Richard recounts receiving a letter from Apollo 12 alumni Alan Bean. In it, his fellow astronaut expressed that he was glad Richard was going into space because he knew Richard could describe it with passion. He tells us how captivating it was to look at the earth out of the window during his journey in space. At the same time, he describes it as receiving a firehose of information about the world. Then he shares with us a description of the “Overview Effect.” While looking at his hometown of Austin, Texas, and seeing it in relation to the rest of the earth, he had a physical and emotional reaction. It came with the sudden realization that he knew the scale of the earth by direct observation. As an explorer, Richard says that we tend to think of all the “famous firsts” from past generations. In fact, exploration is reaching new frontiers every day, both on a grand and small scale. When asked what it was like to see his father, who helped open the hatch upon landing, he remarked that the whole experience was a father-son bonding opportunity beyond all others. His Dad helped him prepare for the flight, served as part of his support crew, and was there when he landed. As a member of the Explorer’s Club, Richard says it’s always a balance between feeling like an imposter and feeling like a deserving member. Perspective in life comes from having gained and lost. Having both rises and falls helps in your development. To learn more about explorer Richard Garriott and his life as a Gamer, an Adventurer, and a Pioneer, visit his . You may also be interested in reading Richard’s book, . To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! At . , the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18863393

Life’s Tough, but Richard Garriott is TOUGHER, the first person to visit Space, both Poles, and the lowest physical point on the Planet; Part 1 04/01/2021

Life’s Tough, but Richard Garriott is TOUGHER, the first person to visit Space, both Poles, and the lowest physical point on the Planet; Part 1 The environment that parents create for their children is what becomes normal for them. And Richard Garriott's normal was a little different than most kids. He grew up next to the Johnson Space Center, the Houston-based outpost of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and most of his neighbors were astronauts, contractors and engineers at NASA. His father was a NASA astronaut and while other families had magazines, bills and schoolbooks lying around, in Garriott's household, space artifacts and hardware cluttered the living spaces. It wasn’t until later in life that Garriott realized other kids didn’t dream of space travel. "While growing up, there were things that, in retrospect, were truly amazing. But at the time, it not only seemed normal for our family, but for most families in the neighborhood." Garriott says. In this fascinating conversation with Richard Wiese, Garriott shares about what it was like growing up as the son of a NASA astronaut and how, at 13-years old, he had his childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut dashed after a failed eye exam. But he never fully gave up on his dream, saying “NASA doesn’t hold the keys to space!” During his freshman year of high school, Garriott convinced the school to let him create a self-directed course in programming, in which he created fantasy computer games on the school’s teletype machine. He later estimated that he wrote nearly 30 computer fantasy games during high school. He went on to create the game Akalabeth, (the first published computer role playing game) and signed a deal with California Pacific Computer Company receiving three times his father's NASA salary as a teenager. His successful gaming career has funded his space travel and exploration. In February 2021, Garriott traveled to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest oceanic trench on the planet, which made him the only person in the world to have visited space, both poles, and the lowest physical point on the planet. He also played a founding role in starting the Challenger Center for Space Science Education. To learn more about Richard Garriott, visit . Join us for part 2 of Life’s Tough: Richard Garriott is TOUGHER! at . Host is an American explorer and author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the exclusive Explorers Club in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series with Richard Wiese. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18457922

Life’s Tough, but Stig Severinsen is TOUGHER, Holding His Breath for Over 20 Minutes and Capturing the Guinness World Record! 04/01/2021

Life’s Tough, but Barry Clifford is TOUGHER, discovering legendary shipwrecks and pirates’ treasures! 03/25/2021

Life’s Tough, but Barry Clifford is TOUGHER, discovering legendary shipwrecks and pirates’ treasures! Life’s Tough Media is pleased to announce the latest episode of our “Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER!” podcast series. Hosted by Richard Wiese—explorer extraordinaire and President of The Explorers Club—this episode features Barry Clifford, an underwater archeologist and among the world’s best known underwater explorers, known for discovering the remains of Samuel Bellamy's wrecked pirate ship The Whydah, the only fully verified and authenticated pirate shipwreck of the Golden Age of Piracy ever discovered in the world. In this episode, Barry Clifford tells how he first got excited about exploring by spending hours playing in the drained cranberry bogs by his house, and finding the treasure that surfaced there. Barry grew up in Brewster Massachusetts and remembers hearing his uncles telling tales of the war, and their latest fishing expeditions. Most exciting was the story they told of the wrecked pirate ship, the Whydah (pronounced wih-duh) and the legend of Samuel Bellamy and his girlfriend—a condemned witch at the time, whose eyes were the color of the deep sea and her hair like cornsilk. “I’m just fascinated with solving riddles,” Barry says. “The key to a lot of this is having experience with diving and being able to recognize things that most people wouldn’t recognize.” Some of his discoveries include The Fiery Dragon, commanded by the pirate William “Billy One-Hand” Condon; Captain Morgan’s flagship, The Oxford; the wreck of The Sainte-Marieoff the coast of Madagascar that he believes was part of Captain Kidd's treasure, where he found a 110 lb. silver ingot in. But then Barry found it! The legendary pirate ship from his uncle's stories—the remains of the Whydah—just off the coast of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. The Whydah is the only fully verified and authenticated pirate shipwreck of the Golden Age of Piracy ever discovered in the world and it is Barry’s most cherished discovery. Artifacts from the wreck provide historians with unique insights into the material, political and social culture of early 18th-century piracy. According to the federal admiralty law in 1988, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that 100% of the Whydah rightfully belonged to Barry Clifford. In fact, Barry also has exclusive diving rights to the site which is patrolled by the National Park Service and U.S. Coast Guard. Barry has kept the Whydah Collection intact without selling a single piece of the more than 200,000 recovered artifacts, which includes tens of thousands of coins, more than 60 cannon, and the "everyday" objects used by the crew. He maintains a large private facility in which the majority of the Whydah artifacts are kept for conservation and examination; however, Clifford exhibits a variety of the ship's artifacts, as well as from many other shipwreck discoveries, for the public to enjoy at his Whydah Pirate Museum in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts. In addition, a smaller selection of artifacts are kept with an international touring exhibition through a National Geographic/Premier Exhibitions joint venture, called Real Pirates. Join Richard and Barry in their fascinating conversation about pirates, their treasures, and the stories these fabled shipwrecks hold. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18422393

Life’s Tough, but Laurie Marker is TOUGHER, the world’s leading expert on all things cheetahs. 03/25/2021

Life’s Tough, but Laurie Marker is TOUGHER, the world’s leading expert on all things cheetahs. Life’s Tough Media is pleased to announce the latest episode of our “Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER!” podcast series. Hosted by Richard Wiese—explorer extraordinaire and President of The Explorers Club—this episode features Laurie Marker, a research scientist and boots-on-the-ground conservationist, Oxford-trained zoologist, author, cheetah veterinary health expert, goat farmer, dog breeder, cattle rancher, educator, inspirational thought leader, public speaker and policy maker who travels nonstop on her mission to help save the world’s fastest mammal. Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world, going from 0 - 70 mph in 3 seconds. However, they are also the most endangered African cat. A century ago, there were 100,000 cheetahs in the wild, and today, there are fewer than 7,500. Laurie grew up in Northern California, where she first realized she had a love for animals. She eventually ended up working at the Wildlife Safari in Oregon for 16 years, taking her love for animals into a career path. Today Laurie is as comfortable trekking through the bush in search of cheetahs as she is briefing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington, DC. Laurie graduated from Oxford University with a doctorate in Zoology and became an A.D. White Professor-at-Large with Cornell University. She was Executive Director of the Center for New Opportunities in Animal Health Sciences at the Smithsonian Institution and after a trip to Namibia, Africa in 1977, Laurie realized thousands of cheetahs were getting killed by farmers. Compelled to do something to put an end to that, she started collaborating with other scientists to create a safe space for captive cheetahs. Cheetah Conservation Fund Laurie sold all her possessions and started the Cheetah Conservation Fund, the longest running and most successful cheetah conservation program in Africa. Laurie has pioneered research, established conservation models, and created cooperative alliances on behalf of the cheetah that never existed. Under her leadership, CCF has grown into a world-class cheetah research, education, and conservation institution. The town of Otjiwarongo, where the Cheetah Conservation Fund is based, is now known as “The Cheetah Capital of the World.” Laurie's crowning achievement was changing Namibia’s attitude towards its native wildlife. She convinced the local livestock farmers to stop trapping and killing cheetahs as their primary means of predation control, and in 1994, Laurie decided to import a rare breed of dogs—the Anatolian shepherd—to be placed with herds of livestock to help protect them from predators. This shepherd is known for its giant size and extremely loud bark. The Cheetah Conservation Fund Livestock Guarding Dog has proven to be one of the most popular and successful conflict-mitigation measures ever developed. Laurie was declared a Hero for the Planet by TIME Magazine in 2001 and awarded the Tech Museum of Innovation’s Intel Environmental Prize as well as the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. Join Richard and Laurie for a lively chat about her work in Namibia with the exotic cheetahs that have become like family to her. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18419573

Life’s Tough, but Dr. Martin Nweeia is TOUGHER, a dental surgeon by trade and a renowned narwhal researcher & explorer by passion! 03/18/2021

Life’s Tough, but Dr. Martin Nweeia is TOUGHER, a dental surgeon by trade and a renowned narwhal researcher & explorer by passion! Life’s Tough Media is pleased to announce the latest episode of our “Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER!” podcast series. Hosted by Richard Wiese—explorer extraordinaire and President of The Explorers Club—this episode features Dr. Martin Nweeia, dental surgeon, marine mammal dental specialist and renowned narwhal researcher whose exhibition, "Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend," recently opened at the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. Dr. Martin Nweeia received fellowships in anthropology and vertebrate zoology at the Smithsonian and was content curator for the Smithsonian exhibit, Narwhal Revealing An Arctic Legend. Martin is also a fellow of the Explorers Club and Canadian Royal Geographic Society and recipient of the Lowell Thomas Award. He has conducted research in the high Arctic of Canada and Greenland for over 20 years as an NSF research scientist and National Geographic Explorer and represented United States/Canada collaborative research as opening speaker at the International Pavilion in Ottawa celebrating Canada’s 150th Anniversary. Rather than pursuing a childhood dream of being an orchestra conductor, Martin chose to be a dentist and marine mammal biologist instead. Martin has always been fascinated with teeth—from the humankind to the 9-foot spear-shaped tusk that juts out of the narwhal, an Arctic whale. His interest in teeth and dental health deepened as a 14-year-old who read a Time Life book on health care that focused on Case Western Reserve’s model of forging a new pathway in medical education. “The commitment to innovation made a lasting impression,” Martin says. Martin received his dental degree at Case Western Reserve, and now has returned to Harvard and Case Western Reserve Schools of Dental Medicine and Marine Mammal Program, Smithsonian, where he lectures part time. With help from a National Geographic grant, Martin sought to uncover the secrets behind the extraordinary tusk of a whale—the narwhal—that resembles the horn of a unicorn. In 2000, Martin and a team of scientists discovered that the tusk is actually quite flexible and can bend one foot in any direction and that its nerve system could detect temperature, pressure, motion, and more. “I love when life points you in directions that you resist,” Martin explains. “It’s too easy when things make sense, and life hums along. There was nothing about the narwhal that made any sense to me.” In 2014, Martin and his team published what he calls their “astounding” discovery: the narwhal tusk is a sensory organ that can detect subtle changes in the concentration of salt in the surrounding seawater, helping the animal find mates and possibly forage. Martin collaborates closely with Inuit elders and hunters of the Arctic, whose deep, traditional knowledge informs his research. His quest began 17 years ago and has taken him on more than a dozen summertime research trips to inlets in the Arctic waters of Canada’s Northwest Territories. “I am fascinated by teeth, all their myriad forms in nature,” he says. “What better way to learn about teeth than to better understand the one that questions all you’ve learned.” Join Richard and Martin for a fascinating discussion about Martin’s philosophy of life and the lessons he has learned during his extensive research of the narwal, and his time spent with the Inuit people. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18362468

Life’s Tough, but Captain Alfred McLaren is TOUGHER, nuclear attack submarine officer turned deep-sea explorer—a true “Indiana Jones of the Sea.” 03/18/2021

Life’s Tough, but Captain Alfred McLaren is TOUGHER, nuclear attack submarine officer turned deep-sea explorer—a true “Indiana Jones of the Sea.” Life’s Tough Media is pleased to announce the latest episode of our “Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER!” podcast series. Hosted by Richard Wiese—explorer extraordinaire and President of The Explorers Club—this episode features Captain Alfred McLaren, former President of The Explorers Club, President of The American Polar Society, Senior Pilot of the Super Aviator submersible, author, deep-sea explorer and a veteran of more than 20 Cold War missions. Captain McLaren is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Naval War College. He holds master’s degrees from George Washington University and Cambridge (Peterhouse) University, and after retiring from the Navy in 1981, he received his doctorate from the University of Colorado. He is also a highly decorated submarine captain; his awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the nation’s highest peacetime award, two Legions of Merit and four Navy Unit Citations. North Pole Expedition Captain McLaren has completed three successful missions to the Arctic—and the first submerged transit of the Northwest Passage aboard the USS Seadragon. This mission resulted in the first baseball game ever played on the North Pole. Aboard the USS Queenfish, his following missions were a Baffin Bay cruise and an expedition to the North Pole, with the primary intention of this mission being the first-ever exploration and collection of hydrographic, oceanographic and sea-ice data. En route, Captain McLaren and his crew examined the underside of icebergs, navigated the unpredictability of deep-draft sea ice, mapped the plains, crags and fissures of the seabeds and successfully completed the first, and only, underwater survey of the entire Siberian Continental Shelf. As a deep-sea explorer and scientist, Captain McLaren has completed dives to explore historic wrecks, participating in “The First Manned Dives to the German battleship Bismarck,” at an incredible depth of 4,750 meters beneath the sea; and to the wreck of the R.M.S. Titanic and the Rainbow Hydrothermal Vents near the Azores, working with the Russians, using Russian deep-diving MIR submersibles to get a closer look at what’s left of this once magnificent vessel. Author and Speaker Captain McLaren is the author of three books detailing some of his incredible missions during the Cold War and his discoveries under the icy seas, with a fourth coming this summer sharing in more detail his deep dives exploring historic shipwrecks. His book, Unknown Waters (University of Alabama Press, 2008), was judged a “Notable Naval Book of 2008” by the U.S. Naval Institute. As a research scientist in climate change in the Polar Regions, he has also written over 50 peer-reviewed research papers and is a National Geographic Global Perspectives lecturer. “Retirement isn’t in my vocabulary. There’s still too much I want to achieve. I am still thoroughly enjoying the rich smorgasbord of life,” says 84-year-old Captain McLaren. Join Richard and Captain McLaren for exciting tales of life and exploration aboard a nuclear attack submarine and what the “cat and mouse” games during the Cold War were really like. /episode/index/show/explorersaretougher/id/18362438

Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!

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