Walkabout Elevations Podcast

Walkabout Elevations

The Walkabout Elevations Podcast explores communication, culture, geopolitics, international business, and what it really means to build a life that fits. Hosted by Paul Allen Benavides, known by many as Walkabout Rojo. Each episode features long-form conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals from around the world, diving into how people think, adapt, and evolve across different stages of life. We talk about presence, identity, cross-cultural living, and the decisions that shape who we become. Recorded in Da Nang, Vietnam, at Walkabout Studio.

Episodes

  1. Jun 13

    The Life You Want Is Hidden Behind Fear | Ed Ryotatsu Barton

    In this episode of the Walkabout Elevations Podcast, I sit down with Ed Ryotatsu Barton, social confidence coach, former British diplomat, entrepreneur, and former Zen Buddhist monk. Ed's story is unlike any I've heard.From working inside the British Embassy in Beijing and struggling with severe anxiety, to building a successful online business, traveling the world, and eventually spending more than three years living as a Zen monk in Japan, his journey has been one of transformation, discipline, and self-discovery. One moment in particular changed everything.While driving through Sri Lanka with what seemed like the perfect life, Ed realized he had become someone he no longer liked. That realization set him on a path that would ultimately lead him to a Buddhist monastery in Japan and a completely different understanding of success, happiness, fear, and human potential. In this conversation we discuss:• Social anxiety and self-esteem• Life as a British diplomat in Beijing• Entrepreneurship and the digital nomad lifestyle• Buddhism, Zen, and meditation• The psychology of fear• Self-acceptance and self-love• Monastic training in Japan• Focus, concentration, and mental resilience• Exposure therapy and confidence building• The modern loneliness epidemic• What it means to live a meaningful life A fascinating conversation about transformation, courage, and what happens when we finally stop running from ourselves.🎙️ Walkabout Elevations PodcastExploring leadership, mindfulness, communication, performance, culture, entrepreneurship, and the human experience. #WalkaboutElevations #EdBarton #SocialAnxiety #ZenBuddhism #Mindfulness #PersonalGrowth

    1h 2m

  2. Jun 9

    Psychological Safety: The Missing Ingredient in Leadership | Dr. Anna Wolf

    In this episode of the Walkabout Elevations Podcast, I sit down with organizational psychologist, researcher, consultant, and entrepreneur Dr. Anna Wolf for a fascinating discussion on teamwork, leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.Why do smart teams fail?Why do employees stay silent when they see problems?And why, despite having more technology than ever before, are so many people feeling disconnected at work?Drawing from years of research in team science, organizational psychology, healthcare teams, leadership development, and remote work, Dr. Wolf explains what separates healthy, high-performing teams from dysfunctional ones and why psychological safety may be one of the most important factors in modern organizations.We discuss:• Why humans struggle to work together• The science of teamwork• Psychological safety and leadership• Why employees stop speaking up• Technology, AI, and human connection• Remote work and digital collaboration• Building trust in organizations• The loneliness problem in modern workplaces• Meaningful work and belonging• The future of leadership and organizational cultureWe also explore Dr. Wolf's new venture, Wavelength, an AI-powered platform designed to help teams measure and strengthen psychological safety in remote and hybrid work environments.🎙️ Walkabout Elevations PodcastReal conversations about leadership, mindset, performance, communication, and modern life.

    1h 2m

  3. Jun 2

    The Truth About Digital Nomad Life | Markos Korvesis

    In this episode of the Walkabout Elevations Podcast, I sit down with career coach, LinkedIn strategist, community builder, and Da Nang Nomad Festival co-founder Markos Korvesis.What started as a conversation about careers and remote work quickly evolved into something much deeper: freedom, belonging, community, and the search for a meaningful life.Markos shares his journey from Greece to Southeast Asia, how he reinvented his career, built communities across continents, and became one of the driving forces behind Da Nang’s thriving digital nomad ecosystem.We discuss:• The reality of digital nomad life• Why so many people are leaving traditional careers• Building community around the world• Why Da Nang has become a global hub for entrepreneurs and remote workers• The hidden job market most people never see• LinkedIn, personal branding, and career growth• Freedom, purpose, and belonging• Entrepreneurship and remote work• The truth about finding meaningful work• How community can transform your lifeWe also conduct a live LinkedIn audit and discuss practical ways professionals can improve their visibility, build stronger networks, and create new opportunities in an increasingly digital world.A fascinating conversation about work, identity, freedom, and what happens when you intentionally design your life instead of simply following the default path.🎙️ Walkabout Elevations PodcastReal conversations about mindset, performance, identity, travel, and modern life.

    1h 26m

  4. May 25

    The Elevation from Mental Health to Mental Fitness | Sam Gute Rogers

    In this episode of the Walkabout Elevations Podcast, I sit down with Sam Gute Rogers for one of the most honest and thought-provoking conversations we’ve had on the show so far. Sam shares his journey growing up between the United States and China, struggling with addiction and direction during college, getting arrested at 19, and eventually rebuilding his life through discipline, reflection, physical training, and radical honesty. We also explore: why so many people feel disconnected from themselvesthe difference between “mental health” and “mental fitness”victim mentality and personal responsibilitysocial conditioning and identitythe psychology of self-improvementbuilding community and belonging in Da Nangbody awareness, nervous systems, and emotional regulationwhy action matters more than endless self-analysisthe courage to completely reinvent yourselfOne of the strongest themes throughout this episode is the idea that growth isn’t about becoming perfect. It’s about becoming honest. A deeply human conversation on modern life, self-worth, discipline, purpose, and the long process of learning how to trust yourself again. 🎥 Watch now and let us know what resonated most with you. 🎙️ Walkabout Elevations PodcastReal conversations about identity, mindset, performance, and modern life.

    1h 5m

  5. May 22

    The Modern Human Is Overstimulated | Ondra Nemcik - RoboHumanist

    In this episode of the Walkabout Elevations Podcast, I sit down with Ondra Němčík, better known online as “RoboHumanist”: lifestyle engineer, coach, creator, and founder of a philosophy centered around optimizing human performance without losing our humanity in the process.We explore what modern technology, algorithms, AI, and constant stimulation are doing to the human nervous system… and why so many people feel anxious, distracted, disconnected, and mentally exhausted despite living in the most convenient era in human history.Ondra shares his journey through social anxiety, depression, content creation, community-building, and personal transformation and how he developed the RoboHumanist framework to merge neuroscience, philosophy, technology, and intentional living.We discuss:Anxiety, attention, and modern overstimulationThe psychology of social media and content addictionAI, creativity, and the future of human cognitionWhy hustle culture quietly destroys peopleContent creation as personal transformationCommunity, loneliness, and human connectionConsciousness, identity, and self-awarenessThe balance between high performance and inner peaceWhat it actually means to remain “Team Human” in the AI ageWalkabout Elevations PodcastReal conversations about mindset, identity, performance, and modern life.The Modern Human Is Overstimulated | Ondra Nemcik - RoboHumanist

    1h 1m

  6. May 12

    From Social Anxiety to Global Confidence | Jeremy Greene

    In this episode of the Walkabout Elevations Podcast, I sit down with Jeremy Greene: public speaker, community builder, digital nomad, and creator behind @jeremytalkstostrangers. Jeremy openly shares his journey from social anxiety and depression into a life centered around confidence, human connection, and meaningful community. After traveling through more than 60 countries and spending years building relationships around the world, he’s developed a unique perspective on what modern people are truly missing. We explore: Why so many people struggle with loneliness and social anxiety The psychology of confidence and connection Why talking to strangers can completely change your life The hidden emotional cost of digital life Community, belonging, and modern isolation The realities of long-term travel and digital nomad cultureContent creation as personal transformation What Jeremy learned working with travel YouTuber Drew Binsky The difference between online visibility and real human connection This is a conversation about fear, identity, vulnerability, and what it means to remain deeply human in an increasingly disconnected world. Small production note: There’s a minor autofocus issue during the opening portion of the episode that gets resolved shortly after. Appreciate your patience; the conversation was absolutely worth keeping intact.

    1h 4m

  7. Apr 30

    The Science of Reading | Toby Johnson

    In this episode of the Walkabout Elevations Podcast, I sit down with Toby Johnson, Founder and Director of Education at USA English, whose work spans over 16 years building English learning systems across China and now Vietnam. But this conversation is about what actually happens when people try to learn. Toby spent over a decade in Beijing working inside one of the most competitive private education markets in the world. What he saw there (and what most people miss) is a fundamental gap in how reading is taught. We break down why so many students spend years studying English but never become confident readers… and what actually needs to change. We also explore: The reality of building an education business in China vs VietnamWhy “easy words” aren’t actually easy for most learnersThe phonics gap and what it means for second-language learnersThe Science of Reading movement and why it matters nowHow Toby built Phunics and why decodable books change everythingThe role of technology, data, and phoneme tracking in modern learningWhat parents should really look for when choosing English programs for their kidsThis is a conversation about systems, not shortcuts. If you’re a parent, educator, or someone interested in how people actually learn, this one will shift how you think. 🎙️ Walkabout Elevations PodcastReal conversations about performance, mindset, and growth.

    1h 9m

  8. Apr 19

    From Jail to World Record Cyclist | The Story of Scott Robinson

    In this episode of the Walkabout Elevations Podcast, I sit down with my friend Scott Robinson and this conversation goes far deeper than cycling. Scott’s story is one of transformation, discipline, and raw reinvention. We talk about a period of his life that most people would rather forget; being arrested and spending time in jail in the United States . And how that experience became a turning point rather than an ending From there, Scott rebuilt himself. He rose to become one of the top spinning instructors in America, developing a reputation for intensity, focus, and presence that few could match. And then… he took things even further. Scott went on to set a Guinness World Record for the fastest human-powered crossing of Africa: pushing through extreme conditions, physical exhaustion, and mental limits that most people will never come close to experiencing. We explore: How discipline can reshape a lifeThe psychology of extreme challenge Leadership, pressure, and personal responsibility What Scott learned crossing one of the toughest environments on Earth If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or in need of a reset… this conversation will stay with you. 🎙️ Walkabout Elevations Podcast: Real conversations about performance, mindset, and growth.

    1h 22m

  9. Apr 8

    What People Get Wrong About Culture | Ibrahima Seck

    Working across cultures sounds simple, until you actually do it.In this episode of the Walkabout Elevations Podcast, I sit down with Ibrahima Seck (Ibo), a cross-cultural communication and leadership expert who has worked in over 35 countries.We talk about:Why communication breaks down across culturesThe mistakes people make when working internationallyHow culture impacts leadership, sales, and trustReal stories of things going wrong (and what they teach us)How to adapt without losing yourselfIt’s a practical look beyond the theory at how people actually think, behave, and misunderstand each other across borders.If you'd like to get in touch with Ibrahima Seck, you can reach him here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibrahimaseckhttps://thestrideco.comRecorded at Walkabout Studio in Da Nang, Vietnam.What People Get Wrong About Culture | Ibrahima Seck

    57 min

  10. Apr 4

    The Future of AI Is Already Here (Most People Don’t See It) | Taj Sarin

    AI is moving fast, but most people still don’t understand what’s actually changing. In this episode of the Walkabout Elevations Podcast, I sit down with Taj Sarin—AI strategist, educator, and futurist—to explore what the next 5–10 years might really look like. We talk about: The difference between using AI… and becoming dependent on itThe Human-AI loop and how it changes the way we thinkWhat people are getting wrong about AI right nowRecorded at Walkabout Studio in Da Nang, Vietnam.

    59 min

  11. Mar 26

    The Hidden Power of Podcasting (It’s Not What You Think) | Payman Lorenzo

    The first episode of the Walkabout Elevations Podcast… and we start at the source. In this conversation, I sit down with Payman Lorenzo, podcast host and coach, to explore what podcasting really does beyond content. We talk about presence, listening, and how meaningful conversations shape the way we think and communicate. It’s what happens when you actually pay attention.

    19 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

The Walkabout Elevations Podcast explores communication, culture, geopolitics, international business, and what it really means to build a life that fits. Hosted by Paul Allen Benavides, known by many as Walkabout Rojo. Each episode features long-form conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals from around the world, diving into how people think, adapt, and evolve across different stages of life. We talk about presence, identity, cross-cultural living, and the decisions that shape who we become. Recorded in Da Nang, Vietnam, at Walkabout Studio.

Information

  • Creator
    Walkabout Elevations
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Walkabout Elevations
  • Show Website
    Walkabout Elevations Podcast