294 episodes

Take a profound and distant journey. Call it Deep Travel, Immersive Travel, Slow Travel, or Vagabonding. Francis Tapon guides you to the intersection of travel, technology, and transformation. The podcast will compel you to go beyond your comfort zone.

WanderLearn: Travel to Transform Your Mind & Life Francis Tapon

    • Society & Culture

Take a profound and distant journey. Call it Deep Travel, Immersive Travel, Slow Travel, or Vagabonding. Francis Tapon guides you to the intersection of travel, technology, and transformation. The podcast will compel you to go beyond your comfort zone.

    Kommu: Alternative to Airbnb, TrustedHousesitters, & Couchsurfing

    Kommu: Alternative to Airbnb, TrustedHousesitters, & Couchsurfing

    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
    More info
    To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon
    You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

    If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 
    On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:
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    Tumblr
    My Patrons sponsored this show!
    Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon
    Rewards start at just $2/month!
    Affiliate links
    Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!
    In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. 
    Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!
    For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

    • 39 min
    Did Mallory & Irvine Summit Everest 100 years ago? Author Dr. Robert Edwards investigates

    Did Mallory & Irvine Summit Everest 100 years ago? Author Dr. Robert Edwards investigates

    Wow. If you want the most comprehensive study of George Mallory's 3rd and final climb up Mt. Everest, read this book!
    The book Mallory, Irvine, and Everest: The Last Step But One by Dr. Robert Edwards examines the mystery surrounding George Mallory and Andrew Irvine's 1924 attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
    The book provides a fresh and original perspective on this historical event, as the
    author is a mathematician who has applied modern analysis techniques to the available evidence. Dr. Edwards has thoroughly researched the contemporary accounts, letters, and artifacts related to the climb and has identified inconsistencies in previous narratives.
    The book's release coincides with the 100th anniversary of Mallory and Irvine's fateful expedition and offers unique insights. Mountaineering experts Jochen Hemmleb and Thom Dharma Pollard have praised its potential to shed new light on whether Mallory and Irvine were the first to conquer Everest. This unique perspective is sure to enlighten the audience.
    Mallory picked a strong, young, inexperienced climbing partner, Andrew Irvine, to push to the summit.
    Video interview with the author, Robert Edwards
    SPOILER #1: Nobody knows if either one of them made it. And this book doesn't offer a definitive answer either.
    However, this book will enthrall you if you want to learn what the most meticulous researcher has discovered.
    For example, Edwards spends pages examining everything about the mysterious ice ax found high on the mountain.
    SPOILER #2: The ax is almost certainly Irvine's or Malory's, but we don't know which one. The author concludes that it was placed there and didn't tumble or drop there accidentally.
    What I love about this book is that Edwards lets the evidence speak. Although he speculates, he admits when he's speculating to let the reader reach their conclusion.
    After reading this excellent book and interviewing the author, here's my best guess as to what happened:
    Mallory probably reached the summit late in the afternoon, forcing him to descend at night. When investigators found his corpse in 1999, Mallory's sunglasses were in his pocket, indicating he descended at night. He ran out of oxygen, which sapped his strength and heat just when he needed to stay warm at nightfall. He had few clothes compared to modern climbers. Without oxygen, he got disoriented and wobbly. His judgment worsened. One slip was all it took to break his leg and slide down to his resting spot, where he was found decades later.  
    This hypothesis is my speculation, not the book's. 
    Get the book, and judge for yourself.
    WARNING: This book may bore people with only a passing interest in this topic. 
    VERDICT: 5 out of 5 stars!

     
    More info
    To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon
    You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

    If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 
    On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:
    Facebook
    Twitter
    YouTube
    Instagram
    Tiktok
    LinkedIn
    Pinterest
    Tumblr
    My Patrons sponsored this show!
    Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon
    Rewards start at just $2/month!
    Affiliate links
    Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!
    In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. 
    Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!
    For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

    • 35 min
    Surviving a Plane Crash That Killed the Pilot

    Surviving a Plane Crash That Killed the Pilot

    Glen Van Peski sat in the co-pilot seat of a tiny plane that crashed, killing the pilot next to him. What happened?
    How did Glen and all the other passengers survive with minor or moderate injuries?
    We talk a lot about death in this episode, including how Glen's mom and son died.
    We end on a positive note!
    Watch the Video
    About Glen
    Glen Van Peski is a civil engineer who used his skills to engineer the lightest backpacking gear in the Solar System. Glen is the founder of Gossamer Gear.
    In 2024, he released Take Less, Do More: Surprising Life Lessons in Generosity, Gratitude, and Curiosity from an Ultralight Backpacker.
    In this interview series, Glen shares snippets of his book. The final episode is a flashback episode of Glen and Francis recording themselves chatting while hiking up San Francisco's historic Sweeney Ridge.
    Bonus video!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QivSPWiKfU 
    Join the exclusive WanderLearn Patreon club.
    More about Glen Van Peski


    Glen Van Peski, founder of Gossamer Gear, is known for his legendary contributions to the backpacking community. A native Californian, Van Peski grew up in the western outdoors, and when his oldest son joined Scouts, he led the troop’s backpacking program. Through those experiences, he became intrigued by lightweight backpacking. He started sewing his gear and eventually started his own company, manufacturing ultralight backpacking equipment. Glen and his company have been featured in Backpacker, Outside, National Geographic Adventure magazines, and the New York Times.Van Peski is an internationally sought-after speaker known for his inspiring, humorous, and information-packed presentations. He has hiked most of the Pacific Crest Trail, wandered the backcountry in Japan and Europe, and bike-packed on the Great Divide. He lives in Bend, Oregon, with Francie, his wife of over forty years, and is the father of two grown sons.

    More info
    To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon
    You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

    If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 
    On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:
    Facebook
    Twitter
    YouTube
    Instagram
    Tiktok
    LinkedIn
    Pinterest
    Tumblr
    My Patrons sponsored this show!
    Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon
    Rewards start at just $2/month!
    Affiliate links
    Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!
    In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. 
    Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!
    For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

    • 22 min
    5 Best Backpacking Gear Tips from Gossamer Gear's Founder

    5 Best Backpacking Gear Tips from Gossamer Gear's Founder

    In the first 10 seconds of this episode, you'll hear Glen Van Peski's top five tips on lightening your backpacking load. He shares several other brilliant tips on improving your backpacking skills and gear in less than five minutes.
    Watch the Video
    Glen Van Peski is a civil engineer who used his skills to engineer the lightest backpacking gear in the Solar System. Glen is the founder of Gossamer Gear.
    In 2024, he released Take Less, Do More: Surprising Life Lessons in Generosity, Gratitude, and Curiosity from an Ultralight Backpacker.
    In this interview series, Glen shares snippets of his book. The final episode is a flashback episode of Glen and Francis recording themselves chatting while hiking up San Francisco's historic Sweeney Ridge.
    Bonus video!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QivSPWiKfU 
    Join the exclusive WanderLearn Patreon club.
    More about Glen Van Peski


    Glen Van Peski, founder of Gossamer Gear, is known for his legendary contributions to the backpacking community. A native Californian, Van Peski grew up in the western outdoors, and when his oldest son joined Scouts, he led the troop’s backpacking program. Through those experiences, he became intrigued by lightweight backpacking. He started sewing his gear and eventually started his own company, manufacturing ultralight backpacking equipment. Glen and his company have been featured in Backpacker, Outside, National Geographic Adventure magazines, and the New York Times.Van Peski is an internationally sought-after speaker known for his inspiring, humorous, and information-packed presentations. He has hiked most of the Pacific Crest Trail, wandered the backcountry in Japan and Europe, and bike-packed on the Great Divide. He lives in Bend, Oregon, with Francie, his wife of over forty years, and is the father of two grown sons.

    More info
    To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon
    You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

    If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 
    On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:
    Facebook
    Twitter
    YouTube
    Instagram
    Tiktok
    LinkedIn
    Pinterest
    Tumblr
    My Patrons sponsored this show!
    Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon
    Rewards start at just $2/month!
    Affiliate links
    Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!
    In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. 
    Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!
    For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

    • 6 min
    Reframing & Recalibrating Your Self-Assessment Changes Everything

    Reframing & Recalibrating Your Self-Assessment Changes Everything

    In this episode, Glen Van Peski shares the story of an American worker who visited India to see where his outsourced job went. The lesson was surprising.
    Do you think you're not in the top 1%? Think again.
    Watch Video on YouTube
    Glen Van Peski is a civil engineer who used his skills to engineer the lightest backpacking gear in the Solar System. Glen is the founder of Gossamer Gear.
    In 2024, he released Take Less, Do More: Surprising Life Lessons in Generosity, Gratitude, and Curiosity from an Ultralight Backpacker.
    In this interview series, Glen shares snippets of his book. 
    More info
    To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon
    You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

    If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 
    On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:
    Facebook
    Twitter
    YouTube
    Instagram
    Tiktok
    LinkedIn
    Pinterest
    Tumblr
    My Patrons sponsored this show!
    Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon
    Rewards start at just $2/month!
    Affiliate links
    Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!
    In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. 
    Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!
    For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

    • 9 min
    The Power of Generosity with Glen Van Peski, author of Take Less, Do More

    The Power of Generosity with Glen Van Peski, author of Take Less, Do More

    Glen Van Peski reveals one of his favorite annual backpacking trips, how to stop a snorer, and lessons about generosity. 
    Watch the video on YouTube
    00:00 Arizona's Buckskin Gulch
    03:33 How to stop someone snoring
    4:30 Lessons from a disabled son
    6:45 Chopsticks as tent stakes - Chopstakes
    9:30 Accepting generosity
    14:30 Subtract Toward Happiness 
    16:40 The Generous Debit Card
     
    Bonus video!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QivSPWiKfU 
    Join the exclusive WanderLearn Patreon club.
    More about Glen Van Peski


    Glen Van Peski, founder of Gossamer Gear, is known for his legendary contributions to the backpacking community. A native Californian, Van Peski grew up in the western outdoors, and when his oldest son joined Scouts, he led the troop’s backpacking program. Through those experiences, he became intrigued by lightweight backpacking. He started sewing his gear and eventually started his own company, manufacturing ultralight backpacking equipment. Glen and his company have been featured in Backpacker, Outside, National Geographic Adventure magazines, and the New York Times.Van Peski is an internationally sought-after speaker known for his inspiring, humorous, and information-packed presentations. He has hiked most of the Pacific Crest Trail, wandered the backcountry in Japan and Europe, and bike-packed on the Great Divide. He lives in Bend, Oregon, with Francie, his wife of over forty years, and is the father of two grown sons.

    More info
    To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon
    You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

    If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 
    On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:
    Facebook
    Twitter
    YouTube
    Instagram
    Tiktok
    LinkedIn
    Pinterest
    Tumblr
    My Patrons sponsored this show!
    Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon
     

    • 24 min

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