No Ordinary Monday

Chris Baron

The No Ordinary Monday podcast brings you the most incredible tales from people's working lives. Each week, we meet someone whose work is anything but ordinary - they may be clearing landmines, blowing up movie sets, or exploring uncharted caves.  We dive into the how, the why, and a life-defining moment they’ve experienced on the job. Whether it’s spine-tingling, hilarious, or just plain jaw-dropping, their stories will challenge what you thought a “career” could be—and maybe even change the way you think about your own.

  1. Briana Evigan: From Hollywood to Zimbabwe (Actress & Conservationist)

    4D AGO

    Briana Evigan: From Hollywood to Zimbabwe (Actress & Conservationist)

    Guest: Briana Evigan. Actress (Step Up 2, Step Up 3D, S. Darko), Founder of Abundant Village, Humanitarian & Conservation Advocate Briana Evigan spent years doing what most actors only dream of. The Step Up franchise, billboards across LA, film after film. But the pace caught up with her, and behind the success was burnout, loneliness, and the creeping feeling that none of it was enough. A trip to Bali started shifting things. Riding an elephant in Indonesia and learning what happens behind the scenes in tourist camps lit something she couldn't ignore. That led her to the poaching crisis, two months trekking with mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, and eventually Southern Africa. A baby elephant named Selma, caught in a poacher's snare, became one of the most important teachers of her life. The lesson: if we don't heal humans first, we'll never protect animals or the planet. During the pandemic, a night of powerful reflection in Beverly Hills made the decision for her. She sold her house, sold her car, packed up her dog, and booked a one-way ticket. Five years on, she's living in Zimbabwe and co-leading Abundant Village. We talk about how that model works, what she learned from sitting down with poachers, and why conservation without community is fighting a losing battle. If you've ever thought about doing something completely different with your life, this one is worth your time. Leave a review if you enjoy it and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Connect With Briana & Abundant Village 🌍 Website: abundantvillage.world 📸 Instagram: @abundantvillage | @brianaevigan ▶️ YouTube: Briana Evigan — including the short documentaries The Land Remembers and Circles of Connection 💼 LinkedIn: @brianaevigan 💛 Donate: abundantvillage  Watch / Read 🎬 The Land Remembers — Short documentary by Abundant Village (YouTube) 🎬 Circles of Connection — Short documentary by Abundant Village (YouTube) 🎬 “Coming To South Aftica” — Briana's personal video documenting her move to Southern Africa (YouTube) Credits Host, Producer and Editor: Chris Baron Guest: Briana Evigan Music: Music_Unlimited and Saavane Sounds effects: Pixabay and FreeSound Topics & Keywords wildlife conservation, community conservation, Abundant Village Zimbabwe, Briana Evigan, Step Up actress, Hollywood burnout, humanitarian work Africa, anti-poaching, elephant poaching, pangolin, mountain gorillas Uganda, Zimbabwe conservation, Chisarira Zimbabwe, Kruger National Park conservation, plant medicine spiritual awakening, life reinvention, purpose-driven life, leaving fame behind, conservation documentary, actress turned conservationist, illegal wildlife trade, poaching supply chain, Bali spiritual experience, Uluwatu Temple, burnout recovery, podcast about conservation, humanitarian podcast, Send us Fan Mail SUPPORT US - NOM is a 100% independent show. Help us keep the lights on by buying us a coffee (or a beer) - https://buymeacoffee.com/noordinarymonday. We're deeply grateful for any level of support.  SHOW SOME LOVE - click five-stars on whatever platform you're on, and leave us a review, or tell a friend about the show.  WANT TO BE A GUEST? You can submit your own career story through our website at www.noordinarymonday.com, or email us at hello@noordinarymonday.com.

    53 min
  2. Designing an Impossible Ride (Roller Coaster Designer)

    MAR 30

    Designing an Impossible Ride (Roller Coaster Designer)

    A theme park owner in Stockholm points to a cramped patch of land, boxed in by towers, tracks, and buildings, and asks an almost impossible question: could you build a roller coaster here? Wooden roller coaster designer Korey Kiepert says yes. That single decision sets off a chain of engineering, creativity, and careful risk management, leading to a ride that weaves over, under, and through an already packed park. Chris Baron sits down with Korey to unpack what it really takes to design and build modern roller coasters. From site walks and layout compromises to moments of instinct and the safety culture behind every decision, this is a rare look at how these rides actually come to life. Korey also shares how improv training shaped his mindset, why tight spaces can lead to the most memorable designs, and how new technology is pushing what’s possible. The conversation explores why wooden roller coasters still matter in a world of steel giants and record-breaking attractions. From the raw, physical feel of timber structures to sustainability conversations and “small but mighty” design, Korey explains why these rides continue to resonate with both parks and riders. If you’re interested in engineering, design thinking, creativity under pressure, or the hidden work behind theme park experiences, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at an industry most people never see. Follow the show, share it with someone who’d enjoy it, and leave a rating or review to help more people discover No Ordinary Monday. Links:  https://thegravitygroup.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/koreykiepert/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAv7DaGiF-Q https://thegravitygroup.com/roller-coaster-projects/ Credits:  Produced, Hosted and Edited by - Chris Baron Images and Video Clips - Korey Kiepert, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, Dan Prout, Kings Island, and Olov Lundell. Intro Music - Music_Unlimited  Outro Music - Saavane Topics Covered:  roller coaster design, wooden roller coasters, theme park engineering, tight build sites, constrained spaces, impossible builds, creative problem solving, improv mindset, yes and thinking, design under pressure, ride layout challenges, safety culture, risk management, engineering decisions, ride testing, g-forces, rider experience, wood vs steel coasters, nostalgia in theme parks, sustainability, compact ride design, innovation in coaster technology, behind the scenes of theme parks Send us Fan Mail SUPPORT US - NOM is a 100% independent show. Help us keep the lights on by buying us a coffee (or a beer) - https://buymeacoffee.com/noordinarymonday. We're deeply grateful for any level of support.  SHOW SOME LOVE - click five-stars on whatever platform you're on, and leave us a review, or tell a friend about the show.  WANT TO BE A GUEST? You can submit your own career story through our website at www.noordinarymonday.com, or email us at hello@noordinarymonday.com.

    1 hr
  3. Armed Boarding In The Red Sea (Photographer & Producer)

    MAR 23

    Armed Boarding In The Red Sea (Photographer & Producer)

    What happens when a scientific expedition in the Red Sea is suddenly boarded by an unidentified, armed group? In this episode, adventurer, photographer and documentary producer Ulrika Larsson shares her experience working on a marine science expedition near the Yemeni coast. She relives the moment the encounter escalated into a tense, hours-long ordeal, with passports confiscated and crew members taken away for questioning. Ulrika has built a career that spans outdoor guiding, adventure leadership, documentary production, and underwater photography — and more recently, firefighting in Sweden. We explore what drives that kind of career path, what it’s really like working in remote and high-risk environments, and why staying calm under pressure is often the most important skill you can have. We then dive into her Red Sea expedition in 2023, documenting coral reef research near Djibouti and the Seven Brothers Islands. With regional tensions rising, the situation quickly escalated when an unidentified group boarded the vessel. Ulrika shares what happened in real time — the uncertainty, the decisions she had to make under pressure, and what it taught her about risk, responsibility, and working in unpredictable environments. The same trip also led to a breakthrough moment in her photography — with one of her images later selected for a major ocean photography competition and displayed in Piccadilly Circus. If you’re interested in documentary filmmaking, underwater photography, scientific expeditions, or careers in extreme environments, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what the work is really like. Links:  https://www.lwimages.com/ Socials: https://www.instagram.com/lwimages_studio/ https://www.instagram.com/greenulrika/ Credits:  Produced, Hosted and Edited by - Chris Baron Images and Video Clips - Ulrika Larsson & Lukasz Larsson Warzecha Intro Music - Music_Unlimited Outro Music - VibeHorn Topics covered: Underwater photography, documentary filmmaking, Red Sea expedition, Djibouti, Yemen coast, armed boarding at sea, conflict zones, high-risk environments, interrogation, passports confiscated, firefighting. Send us Fan Mail SUPPORT US - NOM is a 100% independent show. Help us keep the lights on by buying us a coffee (or a beer) - https://buymeacoffee.com/noordinarymonday. We're deeply grateful for any level of support.  SHOW SOME LOVE - click five-stars on whatever platform you're on, and leave us a review, or tell a friend about the show.  WANT TO BE A GUEST? You can submit your own career story through our website at www.noordinarymonday.com, or email us at hello@noordinarymonday.com.

    1 hr
  4. Making War Zones Safe Again (Bomb Disposal Expert)

    MAR 16

    Making War Zones Safe Again (Bomb Disposal Expert)

    Bomb disposal expert and former British Army engineer Ben Remfrey joins No Ordinary Monday to share what it is really like working in landmine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal in war zones around the world.  During the first Gulf War, Ben was deployed to Kuwait to deal with the deadly aftermath of the conflict. Oil fields burned for months, unexploded munitions littered the ground, and anti personnel landmines were scattered across the desert. In one moment he still remembers vividly, Ben looked down and realised an anti personnel mine was sitting directly in his own footprint.  Today Ben runs an IMAS compliant explosive ordnance disposal training school in Kosovo, training the next generation of humanitarian deminers. In this conversation he explains how modern mine action and bomb disposal work behind the scenes, from equipment and safety standards to the discipline required to survive around explosives.  We also discuss the challenge of clearing landmines while war is still ongoing, and why Ukraine now faces one of the most complex mine clearance operations in modern history. Ben also shares the story of the “Great Eight”, the first group of Ukrainian women he helped train in humanitarian demining. If you are interested in bomb disposal, explosive ordnance disposal, humanitarian demining, and landmine clearance, this episode offers a rare look inside one of the most dangerous professions in the world. Links:  https://www.pcm-erw.com/about-mk/ https://www.instagram.com/matkosovo_eod_erw_training/ https://www.youtube.com/@pcmerw8387 Credits:  Produced, hosted and edited by Chris Baron  Images and Videos:  MAT Kosovo, Neil Gibson, U.S Army, National Science Foundation, U.S. Navy, EdJF, Jonas Jordan, NASA Topics covered: Bomb disposal, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), landmine clearance, humanitarian demining, war zones, Ukraine mine clearance, Gulf War, unexploded ordnance, mine action. Send us Fan Mail SUPPORT US - NOM is a 100% independent show. Help us keep the lights on by buying us a coffee (or a beer) - https://buymeacoffee.com/noordinarymonday. We're deeply grateful for any level of support.  SHOW SOME LOVE - click five-stars on whatever platform you're on, and leave us a review, or tell a friend about the show.  WANT TO BE A GUEST? You can submit your own career story through our website at www.noordinarymonday.com, or email us at hello@noordinarymonday.com.

    55 min
  5. What People Get Wrong About Burlesque (Burlesque Performer)

    MAR 9

    What People Get Wrong About Burlesque (Burlesque Performer)

    What is burlesque really? And what does it take to build a career as a professional performer? In this episode of No Ordinary Monday, Chris sits down with legendary burlesque performer Angie Pontani to explore the craft, history, and discipline behind one of the most misunderstood art forms in entertainment. Angie explains how a burlesque routine comes together, from music and costume design to timing, comedy, and audience energy, and why burlesque is about far more than what people assume. She also shares unforgettable moments from her career, including appearances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, founding the New York Burlesque Festival, and navigating difficult situations where she had to stand her ground and protect her boundaries as a performer. This episode is a fascinating look behind the curtain of modern burlesque, and the confidence, professionalism, and creative control that define the art form. More Info:  https://www.angiepontani.com/ https://showingoffpod.com/ Follow Angie:  https://www.instagram.com/angiepontani/ https://www.youtube.com/@ShowingOffPod https://web.facebook.com/OfficialAngiePontani/?_rdc=1&_rdr# https://www.tiktok.com/@angie.pontani Send us Fan Mail SUPPORT US - NOM is a 100% independent show. Help us keep the lights on by buying us a coffee (or a beer) - https://buymeacoffee.com/noordinarymonday. We're deeply grateful for any level of support.  SHOW SOME LOVE - click five-stars on whatever platform you're on, and leave us a review, or tell a friend about the show.  WANT TO BE A GUEST? You can submit your own career story through our website at www.noordinarymonday.com, or email us at hello@noordinarymonday.com.

    1h 12m
  6. The White Island Recovery Operation (Volcanologist) - PART TWO

    MAR 2

    The White Island Recovery Operation (Volcanologist) - PART TWO

    What does a 4% chance of death really mean? In Part Two of this conversation, volcanologist Nico Fournier takes us inside the risk calculations behind the Whakaari / White Island eruption recovery operation in New Zealand. When scientists estimated a 4-6% probability that someone could die during a three-hour mission on the island, the question shifted from “Is it safe?” to something far harder: Is this risk acceptable? We break down how that number was built using expert elicitation, why uncertainty is inherent in volcanic systems, and how scientists communicate risk to police, emergency services, and government officials in real time. Nico explains the difference between individual risk and societal risk in volcano tourism, how legal inquiries reshaped responsibilities after the 2019 eruption, and why emotional decision-making plays a bigger role than most people realise. The discussion expands globally — from Stromboli and Etna to Lake Taupō and supervolcano risk — exploring how volcanologists forecast eruptions, where prediction succeeds, and where it fails. Nico shares experiences from Montserrat, moments of near real-time forecasting, and a powerful lesson from decades in the field: never judge a decision purely by its outcome. If you’re interested in volcano science, disaster risk management, emergency response, or how high-stakes decisions are made under uncertainty, this episode goes deep. 🔎 Topics Covered:  • Whakaari White Island eruption recovery  • Volcano risk assessment & probability  • Volcanology and eruption forecasting  • Expert elicitation explained  • Volcano tourism safety  • Supervolcano risk (Lake Taupō)  • Montserrat eruptions  • Risk tolerance vs risk calculation  • Disaster decision-making under uncertainty 🌋 Learn More About Nico: GNS Science Profile: https://www.gns.cri.nz/about-us/staff-search/nico-fournier/ International Association of Volcanology (IAVCEI): https://www.iavceivolcano.org/ Donate to support global volcano research and collaboration: https://www.iavceivolcano.org/donation-form/ ⸻ 📲 Follow: Nico on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicofournier Nico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nico-fournier-0130704/ IAVCEI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iavcei/ IAVCEI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iavcei-int-assoc-of-volcanology-chemistry-of-the-earth-s-interior/posts/?feedView=all ⸻ 🎙 Support No Ordinary Monday NOM is 100% independent. ☕ Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/noordinarymonday ⭐ Leave a five-star rating 📝 Write a short review 📤 Share this episode with someone interested in volcanoes, science, or decision-making Send us Fan Mail SUPPORT US - NOM is a 100% independent show. Help us keep the lights on by buying us a coffee (or a beer) - https://buymeacoffee.com/noordinarymonday. We're deeply grateful for any level of support.  SHOW SOME LOVE - click five-stars on whatever platform you're on, and leave us a review, or tell a friend about the show.  WANT TO BE A GUEST? You can submit your own career story through our website at www.noordinarymonday.com, or email us at hello@noordinarymonday.com.

    1 hr
  7. The White Island Recovery Operation (Volcanologist) - PART ONE

    FEB 23

    The White Island Recovery Operation (Volcanologist) - PART ONE

    A phone call at 2:11 p.m. shattered a quiet Monday: Whakaari had erupted with tourists on the crater floor. From that moment, we step into a week where science, instinct, and grief collided—and where a volcanologist had to help decide whether recovery teams could return to an active volcano while families waited for news. We sit down with Nico Fournier, the volcanologist who became the connective tissue between seismology, gas readings, deformation data, drones, and the authorities tasked with acting fast. Nico explains why small, explosive eruptions can be catastrophic at close range, how New Zealand’s volcanic alert levels guide decisions, and why the team opted to communicate conservatively when webcams went blind under ash. He also shares the most human part of the job: meeting families, opening his laptop, and translating rising underground activity into clear reasons to pause, even as the urge to bring loved ones home grew stronger. Across two recovery operations, we follow the logistics and the stakes: Navy ships, inflatables, police specialists on breathing apparatus, fire‑service drones mapping the ground, and helicopter lifts coordinated minute by minute. Nico watched the crater from offshore with optics and infrared while a senior seismologist monitored real‑time signals—told to call the instant his gut flipped. It’s a rare window into how expert intuition, built on decades of pattern recognition, becomes a safety threshold when models can’t give hard lines. We also reckon with what followed: reconstructing the fate of the missing through seismic signatures of overnight mudflows, and the vital role of local iwi who led blessings and supported survivors and families. The result is a candid look at decision‑making under uncertainty, risk mitigation on active volcanoes, and the ethics of when to go and when to stand down. Stay tuned for Part Two of Nico's story.  Links:  https://www.gns.cri.nz/about-us/staff-search/nico-fournier/ https://www.iavceivolcano.org/ DONATE TO IAVCEI:  https://www.iavceivolcano.org/donation-form/ Social Media:  https://www.instagram.com/nicofournier https://www.linkedin.com/in/nico-fournier-0130704/ https://www.instagram.com/iavcei/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/iavcei-int-assoc-of-volcanology-chemistry-of-the-earth-s-interior/posts/?feedView=all Send us Fan Mail SUPPORT US - NOM is a 100% independent show. Help us keep the lights on by buying us a coffee (or a beer) - https://buymeacoffee.com/noordinarymonday. We're deeply grateful for any level of support.  SHOW SOME LOVE - click five-stars on whatever platform you're on, and leave us a review, or tell a friend about the show.  WANT TO BE A GUEST? You can submit your own career story through our website at www.noordinarymonday.com, or email us at hello@noordinarymonday.com.

    1h 3m
  8. Mind-Reading Book Test (Magician) BONUS EP

    FEB 19 ·  BONUS

    Mind-Reading Book Test (Magician) BONUS EP

    This is a bonus clip from this week’s episode with magician Sean Borland. During our conversation, I asked Sean whether he’d be willing to demonstrate one of his mind-reading illusions live on the show. What followed was a classic “book test” — eight books to choose from, hundreds of pages, complete freedom of choice… and a single word. I chose a book. Then a page. Then a word. Sean tried to guess it. What makes this moment fascinating isn’t just the reveal — it’s the psychology behind it. Along the way, Sean explains how people tend to choose numbers like 67 or 167 when asked to “freely” pick one, why certain words feel more natural than others, and how subtle framing can shape decisions without us realising it. You’ll hear how association, memory, and suggestion narrow the field — without ever feeling forced. How he got there is something you’ll have to hear (or watch) for yourself. If you haven’t listened to the full episode yet, I’d highly recommend starting there. In it, Sean shares the story of performing for billionaires and royalty, the discipline behind mastering sleight of hand, and the seance in South Africa that he describes as “the beginning of the end.” This bonus clip gives you a glimpse of the craft in action. Enjoy — and let me know if you know how he does it!  Links:  WEBSITE - https://www.seanborland.com/ SOCIALS:  https://www.youtube.com/c/SeanBorlandInternationalMagician https://www.facebook.com/seanborlandmagician/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-borland-49a1aaa6/ Send us Fan Mail SUPPORT US - NOM is a 100% independent show. Help us keep the lights on by buying us a coffee (or a beer) - https://buymeacoffee.com/noordinarymonday. We're deeply grateful for any level of support.  SHOW SOME LOVE - click five-stars on whatever platform you're on, and leave us a review, or tell a friend about the show.  WANT TO BE A GUEST? You can submit your own career story through our website at www.noordinarymonday.com, or email us at hello@noordinarymonday.com.

    16 min
See All (38)

Trailer

5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

The No Ordinary Monday podcast brings you the most incredible tales from people's working lives. Each week, we meet someone whose work is anything but ordinary - they may be clearing landmines, blowing up movie sets, or exploring uncharted caves.  We dive into the how, the why, and a life-defining moment they’ve experienced on the job. Whether it’s spine-tingling, hilarious, or just plain jaw-dropping, their stories will challenge what you thought a “career” could be—and maybe even change the way you think about your own.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Baron
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 No Ordinary Monday
  • Show Website
    No Ordinary Monday

You Might Also Like