WanderLearn Podcast

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Check out the latest WanderLearn episodes!

Take a profound and distant journey. Call it:

Deep Travel
Immersive Travel
Slow Travel
Vagabonding

I will guide you to the intersection of travel, technology, and transformation.

The WanderLearn podcast will compel you to go beyond your comfort zone.

I wander all over the world and I share what I learn with you! In so doing, I hope you'll be inspired to do the same. Travel is the best university.

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Don't just listen, watch!

Some WanderLearn episodes will also be videos, so be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel too.

I welcome comments and questions for each episode, which are listed below, from the most recent to the first one. I promise to answer any question from one of my Patrons. That's just one way to get rewarded for supporting the show!

Listen to the latest episodes below!

The show notes and comments for each episode are below

Podcast

It's hard to describe Kommu in an elevator. It's a clever mix of Airbnb, TrustedHousesitters, and Couchsurfing.

I spoke with Bo Abrams, the founder and CEO of Kommu.

Why should you pay $300 annually to access this new, exciting app that helps you find lodging and accommodation in a new way?

Timeline

00:00 Pain point

03:00 Kommu vs. Airbnb

06:30 Practical example of Kommu

11:00 Logistics

15:00 Social capital

22:00 Profit

24:15 How does Kommu make money?

29:12 Recovering your rent

33:00 Verifying rent

Video

Podcast

It's April 19, 2024: Bitcoin's 4th Halving is happening today! The block reward, doled out every 10 minutes, will drop from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC.

That translates into an inflation rate of only 0.85%, far less than gold or any other currency.

From now until 2140, the inflation rate will slowly decrease to zero.

This explains why Bitcoin has appreciated against inflating currencies over several years —and that it will continue since governments will always recklessly print money.

In this episode, we celebrate the BTC Halving by reviewing Plan B's stock-to-flow (S2F) model, which I first critiqued at the previous halving in 2020. Back then, I predicted that the model would break in 2024 and beyond.

Because the article and video were so viral, I've been reviewing the model's state annually.

This update is extra special because it's the 2024 Halving.

Watch the 9-minute video below to see why I still believe what I said in 2020: that the stock-to-flow model will begin to crack this year.

As I explained in the video, the divergence between the two most recent models and reality is already happening.

Only the original and most conservative S2F model remains viable. But in 2025 and definitely by 2026, you'll see that model will become as useless as the last two S2F models.

Video

Podcast

Podcast

Michael Zervos has visited every country faster than anyone else while recounting the happiest moments in people's lives. In this interview series, we talk about his Project Kosmos.

This page features interviews with Michael Zervos about his 1.5-year quest to travel to all the nations in the world faster than anyone else! I first met and interviewed him when he was 10% done. It was far from certain that he would succeed, but he did!

Michael Zervos makes well-produced social media content. Visit Michael Zervos's Linktree for all his links.

#1 Who is Michael Zervos & what is Project Kosmos?

Michael Zervos explains Project Kosmos and his goal of being the fastest person to travel to every country.

Follow him on social media. Visit Michael Zervos's Linktree for all his links.

Video

Podcast

#2 Detained in Moscow for 7 hours

Michael Zervos's attempt to set a speed record to travel to every country began with a stumble in Russia.

Video

Podcast

#3 What are the hardest countries to visit?

Michael Zervos shares the countries he worries he may be unable to visit.

He also says what he will do if he runs out of time.

As of April 12, he's 20% done with his quest. He wrote to me, "I am going to be in Zambia the next two nights and then in Malawi with the night bus the next day after from Harare (in theory)."

Video

Podcast

The podcast above (not the video) provides an update on Michael's latest news and other recent developments.

#4: He's Seen Most of the Countries in Less Than a Year

I interviewed Michael Zervos in Côte d'Ivoire a few months ago. He was 10% done with his every-country-speed tour.

I interviewed him today, June 27, when he was halfway done.

In the second half of the show, Michael Zervos reflects on Africa.

00:00 Intro

03:30 Sudan

07:00 Africa

Video

Podcast

#5: Reflections On Ukraine, Palestine, & USA Election

Michael Zervos of The Project Kosmos is two-thirds of the way through his trip to every country.

He's on track to break the record for visiting all the countries in the shortest time ever.

We talked while he was in Lviv, Ukraine, in December 2024.

Timeline

00:00 Intro

05:00 Ukraine War

11:00 USA Election reactions

14:30 Palestine

Follow him on Instagram.

Video

Podcast

#6: Two-thirds of the way to visiting every country faster than anyone else

Michael Zervos explains why North Korea is the toughest country to visit.

Timeline

00:00 Why North Korea is the toughest
05:30 How Zervos makes videos
11:00 What's the upcoming schedule

Video

Podcast

#7: Michael Zervos Will Soon Be The Fastest Person To Travel To Every Country

I interviewed him on April 8, 2025, when he was over 90% done!

Timeline

00:00 Only 23 countries to go

05:20 Time left

08:15 How he gets tourist visas

16:16 Greek Passport

20:00 Finish line

Video

Podcast

#8: Michael Zervos Has Traveled to Every Country Faster Than Anyone Else!

Michael Zervos did it!

Many people try to travel to all the countries in the world quickly, but most fail.

Therefore, when I met Zervos in Côte d'Ivoire in February 2024, when he was just 10% into his race, it seemed highly unlikely that he would succeed where so many others had failed.

Still, there was something about Zervos that made me believe he would pull off this stunt.

Although many things impressed me about Zervos, the most important was his level of organization. He had secured valuable sponsors who would help him get visas, which is the biggest bottleneck in this quest. As someone who has visited 127 countries, I know how visas limit you more than money. Having two passports would help in obtaining visas, although he did most of the journey with only his US passport.

After completing his quest, Zervos and I discussed the following topics:

00:00 The stats

03:00 Deported from Nicaragua

6:16 Two other surprises

10:45 One regret

12:45 Where to revisit

16:30 Where not revisit

Video

Podcast

Michael Zervos has visited every country faster than anyone else while recounting the happiest moments in people's lives. In this interview series, we talk about his Project Kosmos.

Michael Zervos makes well-produced social media content. Visit Michael Zervos's Linktree for all his links.

Follow Michael Zervos on Instagram.

#9: The Fastest Traveler Looks to the Future

Now that Michael Zervos has traveled to all the countries faster than anyone else, what's next for him?

Additionally, what advice would he offer to anyone who wants to break his speed record?

Timeline

00:00 Advice to the next person who tries to beat the record

04:50 Next steps

Video

Podcast

Michael Zervos has visited every country faster than anyone else while recounting the happiest moments in people's lives. In this interview series, we talk about his Project Kosmos.

Michael Zervos makes well-produced social media content. Visit Michael Zervos's Linktree for all his links.

Follow Michael Zervos on Instagram.

Podcast

Gary Arndt is the host of the fabulous Everything Everywhere Daily Podcast.

Listen to my previous episodes with Gary Arndt:

Future

In my Annual Prediction Show, I review last year's predictions before making my new predictions.

Here are my 2024 Predictions

Video

Podcast

2025 update: I score my predictions below, giving myself two half-points, earning me 5 out of 10 possible points. Mediocre accuracy this year! A good predictor gets at least 60% correct.

1. Trump loses the nomination

Yes, this prediction is almost as crazy as saying in 2015 that Donald Trump would be the next US President. Few believed that back then, and everyone assumes he will be the nominee in 2024. However, almost every election has at least one surprise, and I'm betting this will be the big surprise. I have low confidence in this prediction.

VERDICT: WRONG!

2. Republicans nominate Nikki Haley, not Trump

Who will represent the Republicans if Trump doesn't? Nikki Haley because Ron DeSantis lost his momentum. She is light years behind Trump, but if anyone can beat Trump, Haley can.

VERDICT: WRONG!

3. The Republican defeats Joe Biden

This prediction implies that Joe Biden will win the nomination, not Gavin Newsom (who would be a better candidate) or any other Democrat. If Trump runs against Biden, Biden might win. But any other Republican will defeat Biden.

VERDICT: MOSTLY WRONG! Biden wasn't the Democratic nominee.

4. Australian flooding will kill at least 50

This is a conservative prediction. Deaths could easily be in the hundreds.

VERDICT: CORRECT! 200+ DIED.

5. Bitcoin doubles in value during a year of a halving

It will go above $80,000 during 2024 but won't close above $80,000.

VERDICT: HALF RIGHT. It closed around $93,000.

6. Ethereum closes at $3333

Because everyone expects a bullish crypto year, I'm nervous that the crowd will (once again) be wrong. Still, it's hard to believe Ethereum will lose value this year, even with assaults from Solana and Bitcoin. Therefore, I'm making a moderately bullish prediction. I won't be surprised if Ethereum reaches $5000 at some point.

VERDICT: CORRECT! On December 27, 2024, Ethereum closed at $3,349. Nearly perfect! Meanwhile, its high point was $4,868, nearly touching the $5,000 I predicted!

7. S&P climbs 7%

After a profitable 2023, the US stock market will likely cool off. Although a recession is priced in, not much other bad news is. Expect a modest year.

VERDICT: WRONG! I was off by 20%! It went up 27%!

8. ANC will lose the majority of seats for the first time in 30 years

After spending 3 months in South Africa in 2023, it's clear that South Africans are fed up with the ANC more than ever. The main problem is that the opposition is fractured. A sloppy, chaotic coalition government will emerge with the ANC still the top dog despite its lack of majority.

VERDICT: CORRECT! The ANC won only 40% of the vote, down from 57% in 2019.

9. Jimmy Carter dies

He's been in a hospice for nearly a year. His wife died in November 2023. I hope I'm wrong, but let's appreciate his final months.

VERDICT: CORRECT! I'm sad to report that I was right. Carter died on December 29, 2024! It was remarkable timing. I recorded and uploaded the video on December 27 because I didn't want to lug my gear to Dalat, Vietnam, where I would celebrate the New Year. I figured nothing would change in the last 4 days of the year; I was wrong, which made this prediction right.

10. I finish the manuscript of The Unseen Africa

VERDICT: WRONG! Only 60% done.

I've been saying this often, but now I'm super determined. Plus, I finished the dreaded South Africa chapter, so it should be clean sailing for the next half of the book!

Previous predictions

To see my previous forecasts, check out my predictions for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Share and put your feedback or predictions in the comments below!

Podcast

Flying with a Tiny Tornado: A Survival Guide for Parents (and Other Passengers)

Ah, toddlers. Tiny humans with the volume knob cranked to eleven and the attention span of a goldfish on Red Bull. So, you're brave enough to take one on a plane? Buckle up, buttercup.

But fear not, weary warrior! Here's your arsenal for surviving (and maybe even enjoying) an airborne adventure with your mini-me:

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