Shows
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy174 - Freddy Cruz On Using His Gifts at Speke Podcasting and MoreLadies and gentlemen, meet Freddy Effin Cruz! We set up the call and connected as he's based in Houston, Texas. What an amazing human.
After years of dedication and years of running an award-winning radio show, Freddy took the entrepreneurial plunge into building Speke Podcasting, a network and platform that he's using to unite and inspire.
On top of that, he's dedicated himself to helping make Houston a model city for animal welfare, starting with the city's issues dog strays and animal abuse. And if that wasn't enough, he's also written three novels!
...2023-08-1459 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy173 - Savannah Russell On Her Great Art Now Homed On Lamma Island*For the full episode, click here: https://youtu.be/mdCsyV0dpnw
Savannah Russell is in the house! The house being on Lamma Island in Hong Kong. We connected and what a bundle of creative joy and expression.
Is home in the Philippines? Hong Kong? Scotland? Join us to learn how Savannah turned the difficulties of her personal growth and coping with tough mental health challenges into a source of goodness and inspiration.
What a bright spirit and amazing artist. Thank you for all you do, Savannah! Amaaaaaazing photos!
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Learn...2023-08-0759 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy172 - Reissue with Jenny Page On Worrying About Authenticity Vs Just Doing Something We Love*For the full episode, click here: https://youtu.be/Fz3OKeNxhOE
For this week, I'll reissue the episode with Jenny Page. It's been exactly two years since I first published it and it's definitely a good one.
Great to connect with a creative spirit who could add some musical depth to the podcast. Jenny remains the bee's knees. The cat's meow. The Penn's Teller. The fiddler's Stradivarius. We met on Lamma Island, managed to record an episode while military helicopters flew across and out.
Surrounded by her instruments and life in Hong Kong...2023-07-311h 01
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy171 - Rox Burkey and Charles Breakfield are Back to Launch their New Series*For the full episode, click here: https://youtu.be/_Ogko6ckFcs
Back on the podcast are the fun and inspiring duo, Rox Burkey and Charles Breakfield!
They again connected from Texas to bring us into their process and writing a new technology thriller series. Letting the characters lead the way, they launched a new cycle of their 21st-century techno-thriller stories.
Learn more about how they evolved their latest tale and great work.
Here's to another round from Breakfield & Burkey!
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1. The Enigma...2023-07-2451 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy170 - Diane Bator Gets Cozy About Mystery Writing and Having Your Dessert FirstAwarded Bestselling Author 2022 for her cozy mysteries, Diane Bator joined me to share a bit of her world and how she builds her stories.
Did we talk about how much she loves hiking, her work as a Reiki Master or martial artist, and how she loves to cook? No. That's for another time.
Instead, she shared how she finds inspiration to write, her love of books, and how sometimes in life you have to go straight for the ice cream.
Massive thanks to Diane for her wisdom, lightheartedness, openness to the world, and...2023-07-1754 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy169 - Randi Lee Bowslaugh Comes Back to Shine on the Podcast*For the full episode and to subscribe, click here: https://youtu.be/-SBpM4uaFeU
Welcome back, Randi-Lee! What a force of nature who is simultaneously cheerful and almost effervescently positive, yet who doesn't shy away from the most intense and almost grimy experience.
For this second time on the podcast, Randi-Lee walked us through the power of vacations, togetherness, rescue dog training and companionship, and caring for a child with autism.
Oh. And she just published her next book, "Good-Bye Too Soon," which details her experience of living with and losing her brother...2023-07-1058 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy168 - Kim Lengling Gifts Us With Nuggets of Hope*For the full episode and to subscribe, click here: https://youtu.be/GyyXHHVujQo
Want to be inspired on how to make every second count? Enter Kim Lengling's world to learn about the joys of animal rescue, giving to causes that are bigger than yourself, and how to fill the world with nuggets of hope.
Oh. And be ready to LAUGH.
Kim has really lived, survived, and is strong as ever. Better still, she brings this joy and kindness to everyday people she probably doesn't even know. She's just that kind...2023-06-2957 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy167 - Bettye Kearse Says I AM to Show a Strongth and Free SpiritHow do you place yourself in time? From speaking with Bettye Kearse, I got to thinking about the accident of our lives. She – as me and as you – in our timelines. Here we are, after the generations before us, probably to have other generations to follow after us. A tough question.
Bettye is one of many daughters, shaped by her inherited past. A free great grand-daughter, she pursued helping kids in their own survival. Then, eventually taking on the task of sharing her family's important story. It took 30 years to write her book, but finally, it came toge...2023-06-1650 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy166 - Kay Ross Teaches Us About the Improvisation of LifeYes, and then I spoke with Kay Ross and she told me all about her life with improvisation. Yes, and she also talked about her Playground of Possibilities.
Kay and I have known each other for a small age, and we caught up to discuss how improv theatre – an improvisational mindset – can unlock new ways of thinking and living. For laughs, absolutely, but also at work and everywhere else in our lives.
Join us and enter the playground of possibilities!
Thanks, Kay!
*For the full episode, click here: https://youtu.be/QaKMnPGYHNE
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Learn more about Kay Ross and reach out...2023-06-0852 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy165 - REISSUE - Anna Blocki on Tissue EngineeringJust going to reissue this great episode from December 2021 with Anna Blocki.
Join us and be inspired. Because SCIENCE! Anna is amazing.
WHAT A CRAZY YEAR! Covid-19 has definitely made 2021 one of the most difficult and complex years in my life. Essentially launched at the start of the pandemic, the podcast's been growing extremely well. So I'm delighted to have the last episode of 2021 be with Anna.
Working out of the Chinese University, Anna is a great example of the kind of person I want to highlight through Shooting it RA...2023-06-0154 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy164 – Tanja Wessels Takes Us to School on Sustainable LivingConservationist, content creator, sustainability advocate, speaker and all-around champion, Tanja Wessels joined me for a fantastic conversation.
Is she German or Portuguese? South African, Hongkonger, Malaysian, or just an inspired global citizen?
Well, whoever she is, she's just the bomb. It's funny how two people with such divergent lives can meet to record a podcast episode, just have a great conversation, and then discover all these overlapping points of interest.
We talked beach cleanups to agency work, branding to smart supply chain management in fast fashion, to what it is to meet resonant...2023-05-2557 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy163 - Roman Olinchuk on Using Photography to Feel the Light Around UsRepresenting Ukraine, Roman Olinchuk and I spoke on the deeper pools where we find photographic expression. Separated by a long commute, we decided to get on a call.
Roman found refuge and creative inspiration within the cozy community of Lamma Island, where I did as well, many years ago. We had a great chat on what it is to make photos... Especially with the mission of getting the work noticed. How does posterity ever move its gaze upon us?
Roman shared his thoughts on the self-portrait, his series, and I was fascinated by his signature...2023-05-1850 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy162 – Andrea Richey and HKSF and the PetsforSharks 2023 FundraiserAnd here we go! A quick one on why we launched our #petsforsharks fundraiser and why we're sharing the spotlight with Hong Kong Shark Foundation.
Andrea Richey, who heads HKSF, joined me and we talked a bit of shop when it comes to marine conservation and how May is our Fundraising drive.
Listen in, upload your pet photos with the hashtag #petsforsharks, and please donate to help us do our work!
Visit our SimplyGiving page:
https://www.simplygiving.com/appeal/pets-for-sharks
Watch the full clip at: https://youtu.be/uLlbgILNwzc
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Learn more about HKSF and get involved here: https...2023-05-0416 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy161 – Glenda Benevides on Living the Good Life with CourageThe good life! That's what it's all about and what Glenda Benevides brought to our conversation. Join us and be waaaaaaay inspired.
Ever since she was young, she had music in her blood and bones. Performing from an early age, she built a legacy of music and creative expression. Then, appreciating the power of sharing this with the people around her, Glenda decided to give to the people she knew and also might never meet.
She's an award-winning, Recording Academy voting member, GRAMMY® considered singer-songwriter who weaves stories that tou...2023-04-2758 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy160 – Vishal Nanda on Poetry and Caring for Others and their BattlesThe poets are in the house! Big welcome to Vishal Nanda and much gratitude for his energy and passion.
I made it out to his place overlooking the water, Lamma Island, and the container ships. Sitting at his table, we talked poetry, what it is to be a creative spirit in an urban, capitalist city like Hong Kong, and how he's an ambassador breaking down barriers around mental health and bipolar disorder.
So much goodness from a man who clearly lives the values of being kind and showing compassion... Be it for Kanye, your neighbour...2023-04-201h 05
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy158 – Ash Beckham Joyfully Steps Up to Share How to Live with Courage and Become an Everyday LeaderWhat it is to lead? How do you do it as a daily practice – and live with courage? Yes, Ash Beckham is in the house!Inspiring TED speaker, motivational spirit, author, entrepreneur, and all-around inspiration... Ash is an inspiring powerhouse.She fell into writing as a result from her talks and posts, offering insights on the kinds of things Po Chung and I also dove into: The stuff of leadership. How she took it further was to also ask how do you live with courage?So much of what she said made such perfect sense, especially wh...2023-04-141h 00
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy159 – On Kafka and Letting the Universe Make the Podcast GrowIn this week's episode, I don't have a guest and just muse on a dog's life, how to make every second count, and how the universe wants me to partner with Hong Kong Shark Foundation to help both our efforts grow.
* For the full episode on YouTube, click here:
https://youtu.be/99d0MCuLlJM
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For more on Hong Kong Shark Foundation:
https://www.hksharkfoundation.org/
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More from Shooting it RAW:
* Website: https://www.shooting-it-raw.com/
- Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/a92caaa1-6f09-473f-bd00-9f2e9000b3fa/SHOOTING-IT-RAW-WITH-RAN-ELFASSY
- Apple Podcasts: https...2023-04-1313 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy158 – Ash Beckham Courageously Steps Up on How to Become an Everyday LeaderWhat it is to lead? How do you do it as a daily practice – and live with courage? Yes, Ash Beckham is in the house!
Inspiring TED speaker, motivational spirit, author, entrepreneur, and all around inspiration... Ash is an inspiring powerhouse. She fell into writing as a result from her talks and posts, offering insights on the kinds of things Po Chung and I also dove into: The stuff of leadership.
How she took it further was to also ask how do you live with courage? So much of wh...2023-04-061h 00
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy157 – Andrew Wong Kee on Not Forcing Things and Being Centred with the WorldI believe we can all find gems everywhere we look – all we have to do is see. Enter, Andrew Wong Kee. Crossing paths now and then I saw him teaching kids BJJ and riding his beeeeeyouteeful Harley. Total badass.
We had met about a year ago, and on a lark, because I got a great feeling I invited him onto the podcast. We lined up our meeting and headed to his house to record. Cue fireworks!
Sitting on his balcony, the sun and birds and cicadas around us, he shared his unique approach to bio-hacking hi...2023-03-3052 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy156 – Katie Love and Her Tickets to Paradise from Cults to ComedyBoom the F BOOM! Katie Love is at the front of the class and what an amazing human.
Want to be surprised and inspired, well come closer and listen in. Author, speaker, mentor and stand-up comic, Katie is also a survivor. Radiating goodness and positivity – love, even – Katie also knows how to set up her stories. Hitting us right between the eyes like the most tragi-comic punchline.
You don't want to miss this. Katie is just amazing.
* To view the full episode, click here: https://youtu.be/6eO8Eiem1tI
Visit Katie's YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/6eO8Eiem1tI
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Orde...2023-03-231h 08
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy155 – Henrik Hoeg on Trivial Disasters and Other Coward's Way InWelcome to Season IV of the podcast, and it starts with a bang with Henrik Hoeg. At first, we tried to record at his office in Central, but were interrupted by Hong Kong's national bird – the jackhammer.
So next we met at the Central Ferry Piers, overlooked by the towering IFC and other skyscrapers. In between, Henrik shared how he landed in poetry and gifting Hong Kong's writers with a stage and the chance to be seen and heard.
From his savvy insights into writing to the exquisite futility of writing poems as a route to se...2023-03-1655 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy154 – Celeste Headlee on How to Openly Honour Ourselves and Our HistoryClosing Season III of the podcast, we start with some heavy questions. How do you self-manage your biases? Where is your place in history? What do you carry from your family's past? These only hint at what Celeste Headlee brings to the table, and yet she radiates joy, laughter, and light.
Cognitive science communicator, author, advisor, TED speaker, and more, Celeste shared some of the deeper insights she's learned and how they can help you get beyond your hidden biases to be thankful and lead a good life.
* To view the full episode, click here...2023-03-0954 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy153 - Aida Mandić on the Use of Creativity to Get through Your NightmaresBuckle up, this one's huge. I connected with Aida Mandić and we dove into her experience as a survivor and creator. From her childhood and family trauma linked to the war in Bosnia, her journey as a refugee across the world, to landing as an immigrant in the USA, she shared the colour of her life and times.
Amazingly, thankfully, she found the power of creative expression. A testament to that special impulse in people to use creative expression as the route for making sense of the world, she shared how she's written and published 100-plus books. 100! 2023-03-0257 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy152 – Juliet Ghodsian on Getting Back to Nature and Being 'Here' with JulietAgain, the doctor is IN! This week, I'm with Juliet Ghodsian, yet another inspired soul calling Vancouver home. Join us as she shares more about giving to others, making a connection to the natural world, and noticing the life that abounds all around us.
A naturopathic doctor and intuitive healer, Juliet explained how she helps people uncover and heal from deeply held traumas. She also talked about expanding her practice to a wider audience and how you too can better connect to the world around you. Be here with us and be here with Juliet!
...2023-02-2354 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy151 – Evan Hutcheon on Hypoxia Research and the Dignity of RiskRound II for the Vancouver-BJJ episodes! This week, I spoke with Evan Hutcheon. Not only does he roll at the black-belt level, but he also does fascinating research with hypobaric chambers around hypoxia and other oxygen-depleted conditions.
Evan and I first met on the mats in New Westminster, in beautiful beige Vancouver, and reconnected for a great online call.
Badass grappler. Fascinating researcher. Amazing biker getting air in concrete bowls.
The doctor is IN.
To view the full episode, visit: https://youtu.be/H6x3fPO3wAo
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Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy150 - Scott Boudreau on BJJ to Think Your Way Through a ProblemWhile I was in Vancouver this past year, one key source of good times was BJJ. One of the gyms I went to was BUDO, run and owned by Scott Boudreau.
What really stands out about Scott's teaching method is how rational, thoughtful, and even sensitive he is when it comes to grappling and fighting. This unexpected approach is what attracted me to his gym – and of course, if this student sucks, don't blame the teacher!
Join us. Learn about this incredible, personal fighting art. One of the best workouts you can get, no matter where...2023-02-0957 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy149 – Emery Fung on Creating the Best Awkward ConversationsWe have one life – how do we make every second count? Join Emery Fung and me as we have the best, most awkward conversation.
We met in Causeway Bay and chatted while overlooking the incredible crush of human population, industry, office towers, and residential highrises. We talked shop about sports, what it is to be comfortable in your own skin, and how life really is an unfolding of transitions.
He also shared his latest project for increasing diversity and inclusion through his podcast, Awkward Turtle, and his company, Awkward Conversations.
Come to school for a c...2023-02-0355 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy147 – On Vision Boards and How Every Surfer Has a StoryAh yes... When things fall apart. The podcast is something I created as an expression of who I am and where I want to put my energy – such as inspiring people to appreciate that life is a gift and these are ways to make every second count.
Hopeful, optimistic, constructive to others and inspiring. Those are the podcast's highest values. This isn't to say that I also don't stumble, because the past few weeks were hard AF. In this episode, I'll turn the lens around and share more about myself.
In previous episodes, I've often men...2023-01-1230 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy146 - REISSUE – Elizabeth Briel on Being an Artist in Hong Kong's QuarantineIn this episode, Elizabeth and I caught up online for an inspiring call about what it's like to be a 'committed' artist in these COVID-19 times.
From her work as an artist-in-residence in Hong Kong, she tried to complete some international travel to Turkey, only to realize Hong Kong raised the mandatory quarantine from 14 to 21 days.
Sharing her experience with being processed, treated like a pariah, and locked in a 200 sq/ft hotel room, Elizabeth remains thankful for her ability to still travel and complete her art series.
* To view the fu...2023-01-0546 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy145 - REISSUE – Kim McCoy Gets Delightfully Bent About Animal LawWhat a fantastic way to end 2022 and usher in 2023 ❤️ Barrister and dedicated animal-welfare advocate Kim McCoy joined me in Hong Kong, first for episode 50 and now listen again because it was SO GOOD!
We talked shop about photography, how COVID-19 can force a person to launch new projects, and why we must expand our appreciation of animals in our lives. Specifically, Kim highlighted why he founded the Hong Kong Animal Law and Protection Organisation – HK-ALPO – and the need to mobilize the law to get a lot tougher on animal abuse.
We laughed! We cried! It was better...2022-12-2951 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy144 - REISSUE - Regina Larko on the Subtle Art of Not Giving a Hashtag ImpactIn this episode, Regina Larko joined me to share her experience and stories from her own podcasting journey.
This is worth revisiting because it formed part of the reason why I decided to run with the podcast... Even if it was already years in the making.
As for Regina, she's still running Hashtag-Impact and has created and attracted a community of change-makers and other passionate people. The aim: help people make a difference and inspire progress. A truly inspiring conversation!
* To view the full episode, click here: https://youtu.be/t5-LfateTok
2022-12-2238 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy143 – REISSUE – Thor Hanson on Animal Plasticity and How to Learn About Climate ChangeIn this reissue, I bring up the conversation I had with Thor Hanson, back in December 2021. I've long appreciated how much ecology is a critical tool for understanding how we fit in the world and our impact and this conversation with Thor is a GREAT one.
Wanting to build the choir of voices on the podcast that addresses conservation, climate change, and what science tells us, I stumbled upon Thor Hanson. Was it a TED talk? A Wired clip? An article in some magazine or other? I don't remember. But I reached out and he generously agreed...2022-12-1558 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy142 - Catherine Hall on Supporting Kids through Counselling and the Courage to Follow your PassionOn my flight back from Dallas to Vancouver, my in-flight neighbour stepped past and I noticed something a little odd. A throwback to decades past and a NKOTB fanny pack. Er... OK?
Unable to prevent myself from being Mr. Friendly, we strike up a conversation and I discover this amazing, kind soul. Catherine Hall. By the time the plane touched down in YVR, I convinced Catherine to join me on the podcast. Because she's the embodiment of the whole spirit of this podcast! Here is someone who's making every second count.
Join us as we...2022-12-0858 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy141 - Jordan Mallon on Tattooing on the Road and SavannahHow do we make every second count? In this episode, I sit with Jordan Mallon to hear how he ended up as a tattoo artist, working out of Tramp Art Studios, in Savannah, Georgia, USA.
The original idea was to sit with a female artist – if only to share her perspective in what was probably a male-dominated industry. I reached out to as many places in Savannah that I could find, but the only person willing to commit was Jordan. Yes, OK, I thought. That's what the universe wants so that's what it will be.
If...2022-12-0159 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy140 - Michael Kistler Mentors Us on Street Photography that POPsI first met Michael Kistler in Hong Kong. Where and how exactly, we don't quite remember. Yet he's always had this place in my head of great artistic expression and talent. Here is someone who has a signature way of seeing and capturing the world in images.
After playing email tag, we finally sat down for a recording. He's now in Singapore, and I set up in Savannah, Georgia, USA. We live in amazing times!
We talked shop, geeked out, and dove into what it is to be a photographer with a specific style, or...2022-11-2455 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy139 - Adam Stevens Talks About Photography Running and Travel DiscoveryIn this second installment of episodes met through coffee-shop friendlies, we now have Adam Stevens. Both of us sitting and working at Bean Around the World, and this friendly guy with bright energy noticed my Shark Rescue sticker.
We began to talk and recognizing a fellow creative, I immediately decided he HAS to be on the podcast. We exchanged deets and lived our lives. Two months go by, maybe three, and then while carefully making my way down the aisle of the flight from Vancouver to Dallas-Fort Worth.
"Hey, Ran! What are you doing here?"2022-11-1741 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy138 – Elisabeth Sommerville on the Whimsical Connection to Nature and WildlifeWe are surrounded by opportunities to be astounded. For example, a few weeks ago I was at Bean Around the World, in Vancouver. I was wet. It was cold. But when I looked over my shoulder I faced the most astounding image. Was it a photo? No. It was a print. But what a print! Looking closer at the name, I decided I just had to talk to this incredible person.
Elisabeth Sommerville invited me over to her house to talk shop. To share how she sees the world. To welcome me into her world of the most incredible prints...2022-11-1055 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy137 - Allison Graham and Her CONTRARIAN Way to Deal with StressSometimes life throws you a curveball. And then another. And then another. For people, like Allison Graham, one twist of fate can suddenly change everything.
Out of her own need to come to terms with a mountain of adversity, chronic neuropathic physical pain, and how to manage stress for greater resilience, Allison stood tall and has fought hard to master her fate. Amazingly, she still made time to join me, even while caring and offering loving support for her mother.
This podcast has four recurring themes, and two are how to become a better service...2022-11-031h 01
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy136 – John Pabon on Making Sense of SustainabilityBe an activist. Lobby for good. Just get out there and fight climate change denial and the urge to slip into climate doomist. Listen and get inspired!
This week's guest is right up my alley. John Pabon is a dedicated and sharp sustainability professional, author, and more. The type who heads into the heart of the matter to deconstruct and better understand how to make positive change.
Now based in Melbourne, Australia, he used to work at the UN and has lived and worked in Shanghai, Korea, on palm plantations (I'm going to guess in...2022-10-2752 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy135 - David Stuss on the Extraordinary that We Want to ShareHow do you see the world? Not only what shapes your perspective and point of view, but also how far can you accept what your eyes and mind tell you is the world as it actually is?
For this week's episode, I'll reissue the one I recorded with David Stuss, back in December 2020. David has a sharp mind and what a view on how to make sense of the world. He shares his thoughts on what it is to be a thoughtful educator, a perceptive individual, and a person who'll go to great lengths to get the...2022-10-2054 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy134 - Terry Farris on Leading with Values Across Asia PacificAt the end of 2005, I began working with a retired executive and we would meet for fascinating talks at the Mandarin, in Hong Kong. I was deeply impressed with this guy's commitment to big ideas. Little did I know at first that this humble business legend was Po Chung, co-founder of DHL. I had never used DHL so I didn't think much of it at first... Uh... Until I saw how truly global and innovative the company was.
We talked a lot about the importance of leadership character and values. We would end up working together for 15...2022-10-1356 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy133 – Lilian Sue On How to Get Better Results in Business and LifeIsn't it amazing when we look in our backyard to find a hidden treasure? That's what happened when I crossed digital paths with Lilian Sue.
I'm from the world of marketing and communication, so thanks to the LinkedIn algorithms I found a connection to follow. Hey, Lilian, think you'd like to be on my podcast? YES!
Join us for the class that's in session, as Lilian takes us through the path of personal growth for professional success. And be sure to check out Lilian's website as well – unlearn your self-limiting beliefs to discover new paths an...2022-10-0655 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy132 - Jennifer Lieberman on Acting and Writing to Stay in the CloudsJen and I played email tag and finally sat down to record. We got on the call and it was clear that this might be a bit spotty – it happens! Yet we dove right in and she explained why popping into a handstand on the beach was a great opening.
Hello? Jennifer? Are you there?
Hello? Ah.
The fates decided we wouldn't get beyond those first few minutes, but thankfully we were able to reconnect. And here we are. Join us!
From connecting the sacred to the theatre, from being in your b...2022-09-2958 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy131 – REISSUE – Gary Stokes on Protecting our SeasIn this reissue of the November 2020 episode, Gary Stokes spoke about being a photojournalist, dive instructor, and champion conservationist.
Often commissioned to underwater photojournalism and videos, Gary eventually realized he simply had to get involved. This commitment eventually had him join Sea Shepherd on various expeditions as their team photographer, and then as the leader for Asia. He eventually launched Oceans Asia, a conservation group that is data-driven to make a real impact wherever they go.
Tune in and be inspired by this tireless advocate for marine conservation... A friend and champion we should all s...2022-09-2257 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy130 - Paul Watson on Protecting Biodiversity and Why We Must Stop Accepting DiminishmentLiving legend. Personal hero. Conservation champion. This is Paul Watson. This is a reissue of our episode, first released in December 2020.
We met for an inspiring conversation around his work in marine conservation, how Sea Shepherd came to be, how the organization has grown into a thriving worldwide network, and more. Unfortunately, due to what seems to be bad-faith influences in some Sea Shepherd areas, Paul has been shown the door from the group he helped found. Not all offices have lost their way, but it's shocking that the founding spirit behind the important cause has been ou...2022-09-1540 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy129 - Mercedes R Lackey on Writing Fantasy Novels and True CompanionshipMonths ago, I was introduced to Mercedes R Lackey. We exchanged a little, but something didn't feel right. I stressed that Shooting it RAW was about uplifting and inspiring others. I didn't get the feeling that Mercedes would be a good fit. There was this dark cloud over our exchange.
She admitted that she was dealing with the sudden and painful loss of her companion, Ikaika. Well, I said, this obviously this isn't the right time to meet. You need to mourn and grieve. But the podcast door is always open. Whenever you're ready, I'm here.
2022-09-0859 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy128 - Jane Baird Warren on Children's Authors as Teachers and Conduits for their CharactersAuthor Jane Baird Warren and I exchanged and she sent over the four photos. I don't look at the files until I speak to my guest, so each time I click to view, there's the wildcard or jeopardy of what will it be. I love that in the audio, you can sometimes hear the neurons short-circuiting and fuses blowing. The first photo Jane sent through made my head explode.
For the next hour, I got to meet one of the coolest, most alive and fun people I never knew existed. And she's a fellow Canadian to boot...2022-09-011h 01
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy127 - Rox Burkey and Charles Breakfield on the Enigma of Technology ThrillersI usually record an episode one-to-one, just my guest and me. Yet this time I was introduced to co-authors who collaborate to develop and publish technology-thrillers across a series and more. What a fantastic opportunity!
Rox and Charles called in from Dallas, Texas, and shared their process and how they came to the genre of technology thrillers. Not sci-fi, but where the mechanism for conflict and tension emerges from the threats we face from tech. I had no idea... Until we spoke and they took me to class.
We talked shop about writing, publishing, and eve...2022-08-2551 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy126 - Monika Diane on Coaching Women to Thrive Through Their Fifties and BeyondOverlooking Vancouver are a set of mountains, the most recognized and hiked being Grouse. For many, the easy access offers an excellent hike that goes up-up-up. Maybe 45 to 75 minutes, depending. If you're like me who hiked Hong Kong, it's as if Lantau Peak were right by Shek O. Just sayin'.
Taking a sweaty rest, overlooking the city and water, a fellow hiker asked if she could have a chair. Mr. Friendly says of course, and then a breezy conversation. Enter, Monika Diane. Within just 5 minutes, I insisted she join me for a call to...2022-08-1856 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy125 - REISSUE – Rachel Smith On Listening Vs Hearing to Just Do Shit and EnjoyFor this week's episode, I was reminded of Rachel P Smith and her great energy, creative spirit, and generosity. Be inspired. Enjoy!
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A fascinating thing is happening with the podcast guests. At first, the contacts are direct or indirect, and over time the links to people outside my circle seem to reveal themselves. For example, all of a sudden I became aware of Rachel Smith, her artistic work and the Hong Kong Stories podcast.
We have both called Hong Kong home after growing up Canadian. Living almost in parallel, our paths finally crossed. What...2022-08-111h 04
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy124 – REISSUE – Scott Duncan on Pushing the Boundaries of Image and StoryThis is a reissue of the episode I recorded with my good friend, Scott Duncan. It was first launched on 1 April 2020. Episode 6 of the podcast!
Our history goes back to 1994 – when Scott, Vince, Victoria, Justin and I formed and performed in the spoken-word quintet, Fluffy Pagan Echoes. So many years later, Scott recounts where his life has taken him.
Trained in film and a working art director, Scott shares how he pushes the limits of his camera gear and his aesthetic. It's all about the mood – the mood!
Scott, my brother.
...2022-08-0334 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy123 – Carrie Carter Goes Abroad with Her Cat on a Magical Realism TourIn episode 118 with Julie Gianelloni Connor, she mentioned going into publishing with a great, quirky, and unique voice. Carrie Carter. As I do, we set up the call and I didn't quite put two and two together, only to discover a fun, amazing, and inspiring guest!
Carrie and I spoke about her passion for making live music, the ongoing power of dioramas and the Godzilla series, and her soon-to-be-released book, "Whiskers Abroad" (link below).
Listen in. Have fun!
Just do it... Life's too short!
* To view the full episode, click here: https...2022-07-2853 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy122 - Doug Lawrence on Mentoring for Mental Health and the Reminder that You Are Not AloneWhat is it to live, experience, grow, and be driven to keep serving others? In the case of Doug Lawrence, this is a path he has followed across years of police work and now as a coach and mentor.
We got on a call and he guided me through his growth as a mentor and the value this work has for all kinds of people. From helping students to aspiring women leaders, from police officers to all kinds of service leaders, join us and learn more about what it means to mentor someone towards greater excellence and fu...2022-07-1856 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy121 - REISSUE – Lisa Goldman on What it's Like to Ask Uncomfortable QuestionsLisa joined me from Montreal, diving into what it's like to be a journalist who steps forward to cover the stories that must be told.
She's a journalist and editor with nearly two decades of professional experience in the Middle East, New York City, and Canada. She covered the major events in Israel-Palestine and the region between the Second Intifada and the Egyptian uprising of 2011, including the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war and the 2005 evacuation of Israel's settlements in Gaza. During that period she won the Anna Lindh Journalism Award in the category of conflict reporting.
Lisa is als...2022-07-131h 00
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy120 – REISSUE – PhDs to Finding Oneself and Toucans in Costa Rica and Beyond with Saskia WolsakSaskia Wolsak is a trainer, facilitator, therapist, PhD candidate, artist and so much more. She joined me to review what life's been like these past few years.
From Canada to Bermuda, the USA, and now Costa Rica, join Saskia to learn why plants are so incredible and what it's like to have a toucan hold on to your breast and scream for dear life.
* To view the full episode, click here: https://youtu.be/pMRBU1tf-Fg
** Scroll down to visit Saskia's links and the podcast links.
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Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy119 – Ann Charles on Attracting Legions of Followers to Your Writing or other Entrepreneurial EmpireWhat is it to be an entrepreneur? What is it to be a writer? What is it to lead so many people around a shared vision? These are questions I've tackled with Po since 2006, and here I was on a call with the hilarious and delightful force of nature that is Ann Charles.
If you want inspiration on how to create an empire around your craft and creative expression – listen in. If you want some insight on why writing comedic, multi-genre texts – listen in. If you want to learn about an author who has my full admiration for he...2022-06-271h 00
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy118 – Julie Gianelloni Connor on Diplomats, Writing, Publishing and Exploring the Camino de SantiagoBetween 2006 and 2009, when I first worked with Po Chung, one of the programs we worked on was called The Good Life Initiative. The premise, feeding from various authors and our own efforts, was to help various people who achieved much in their lives to move from success to significance.
Sitting around metaphorical the fire with Julie Gianelloni Connor, I felt I was in the presence of someone who had also moved from success to significance. I was under the spell of someone who had clearly seen the world.
On this one-hour journey, Julie brought me acro...2022-06-2057 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy117 - Randi-Lee Bowslaugh on Finding Your Dopamine and Writing Your Way to FulfilmentIn 1985, Joseph Campbell spoke with Bill Moyers to tackle the idea of how to live a meaningful, purposeful life. One memorable sentence from that was the idea of "finding your bliss". Calling in from Toronto, I got on the line with Randi-Lee Bowslaugh, not knowing who she was or where she was speaking from.
Turns out that she's based just a short highway drive away from me! Listen in as we cover the ground that has helped Randi-Lee navigate towards finding her bliss.
Writing books, supporting her son, the power of her family, and sharing her...2022-06-131h 00
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy116 - REISSUE – Khaliun Tugsbayar Shares a Sliver of Mongolia and Evokes Her Beloved LandFor this week's episode, I'll reissue the one recorded in July 2020 because she spoke on the magic and wonder of Mongolia. This, because more people need to hear about the nation and its amazing people.
How many Mongolians do YOU know? In my case, I had never met anyone from Mongolia until I met Khaliun at The Hive, in Sai Kung, Hong Kong.
We met in Wanchai to discuss what it was like to grow up in Mongolia, what Khaliun's attachment is to the land, the unexpected beauty of the Mongolian language, how identity is shap...2022-06-0647 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy115 - Thomas Späeter as Musician-Photographer-Author-Tissue-Engineer Conservationist and MoreIn episode 92 with Anna Blocki, I first got the introduction to what tissue engineering is about and its application. When we finished recording, she said I would probably LOVE meeting and having Thomas Späeter on as well. Sure, I said, sounds great.
So Thomas and I were playing email tag as our schedules just didn't line up. Was he in Germany? Or was it California? How could we meet? Many months later, the stars aligned and we happened to find ourselves in the same city!
Want to be inspired? Listen in to Thomas' energy, way...2022-05-3058 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy114 - Nivedita Ramanujam on Connecting Ourselves with Mindful Practice to Our Place in the WorldI am delighted to have Nivedita Ramanujam join me on the podcast.
Based in Hong Kong – in fact, only a few kilometers away from my house – Nivedita is a practicing psychologist, completing her PhD, an artist, and a profoundly inspiring care giver. Literally giving care to herself, others, and the full biosphere around us.
Listen in as Nivedita shares her journey and why she commits so much of her energy and effort to make her life and of others her so much better. This is as true for her clients treated with EMDR and other therapi...2022-05-2356 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy113 – REISSUE – Tim Coleman on Turning the Noise Down and Leaning into What We Can ControlHow do you react when the world serves you a double-scoop of bad luck and unexpected loss? What do you do when things fall apart?
Tim and I reconnected to discuss the healing power of travel, the unexpected generosity that surrounds us, how we can sometimes find beauty and wonder when you least expect it, and what it's like to be there for other people at their greatest times of need – personally and professionally.
* To view the full episode, click here: https://youtu.be/2VmiRm6rQxM
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More from Shooting it RAW: ...2022-05-1653 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy112 - Andrya Bailey On the Role and Power of Romance Writing for Escape and a Happy EndingWhen ANYTHING is possible – what an opportunity to learn!
Andrya Bailey and I lined up the call and both signed on. "Hello," said I, "nice to meet you. Now who are you?" And then the magic started!
Now I grew up on Elias Cannetti, Mikhail Bulgakov, Franz Kafka, bp Nichol... You know, the literature dudes. And women, for sure, but for now the point is that if and when it came to romance novels... Well, have I even read one? I'm not really sure. But here I was, talking shop with a creative spirit who is...2022-05-0952 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy111 - Stephanie Baird on EMDR for Sexual Therapy and How to Become Sex Positive No Matter Who You AreIn seeking guests for the podcast, I sometimes go to Amazon books for areas I'm curious about. In episode 109 with Karina Calver, it so happens that she lives in Hong Kong and is a professional counselor.
Or, in episode 84 with Monica Borschel, I had missed recording with her in Hong Kong as she had moved herself and her practice to California. So mental health is a big area of interest. When we spoke, Monica mentioned EMDR therapy.
Or, how when I met Kristin Zeising in episode 61 and we discussed her Hong Kong practice and how she...2022-05-0255 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy110 - Ostap Kostiukevitch On Bringing Value on Ukraine and Ending the War on His People and CultureThe world is always changing. Life is change. Entropy is forever increasing – ish.
In order to help increase the momentum against the war that Putin-de-merde has visited on Ukraine, I sent out a call and reached out to various people who may be connected to Ukraine and the war. Enter Ostap Kostiukevitch.
Happy to share, he sent over the address of where we could record and I happily buzzed over. Up on high in an industrial part of Kowloon, a company makes costumes for stage and screen. Greeting me outside the elevator, a tall, bright, clear...2022-04-251h 01
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy109 - Karina Calver Shows How to Go From Acceptance to Forgiveness in Order to ThriveWhen the pandemic is behind us, we will look back at this time, and – well, we will all interpret it from our experience. In my case, although Karina Calver and I live in the same city, having to record the episodes online instead of sitting face to face. This makes things... Different? Strange? Yet as many who work in the realm of mental health and coaching have found, there are benefits to talking with another person from our respective homes. Our dens of comfort.
I reached out to Karina because I saw her digital footprint connected to co...2022-04-1855 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy108 – Andy Eakins and the Visceral Need to Support Ukraine's Refugees – NOWLife is a gift. The brutality and horror of the current war in Ukraine are creating both the violence of conflict but also the shattered lives of families across the whole of Ukraine and other European nations.
Not able to sit back and do nothing, Andy Eakins had a visceral reaction to what was happening on the ground and decided to take action.
Please listen to this generous man's attempt to bring crucial necessities to those in and outside of Ukraine's borders. If you have the means, please be compelled to act.
The most...2022-04-1448 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy107 - Chloe Poon On LumiVoce and Discovering Our Connection to Nature and BeautyIn episode 41 with Ying Ying Liu, she shared the power of connecting music with animal conservation. As the head of LumiVoce, Ying Ying's energy and passion guide the team and attract renowned musicians and performers from around the world.
LumiVoce means illuminating with sound and its mission is to inspire and educate the young to fall in love and protect wildlife and biodiversity through the power of music, arts, and education.
In connection with the 2022 Voices for the Planet campaigns, I set up a call with Chloe Poon, LumiVoce's Operations Manager. Now based in Cornwall, in...2022-04-101h 00
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy106 – Pat Daily on Falcons, Test Piloting F-16s, and Living a Strategic Life to Mars and BeyondHow many people have felt the rush of sitting on top of a machine, going more than 1000km/hr into the sky above and among the clouds? Even more amazing still, how many have broken away from our atmosphere to break into the zero gravity of space?
As a child, Pat Daily decided he wanted to become an astronaut. Working backward from that goal, he figured out what he had to do and then put that plan into action. Did he reach all his goals? Who can say? Has he lived an amazing life – I'd definitely say so...2022-04-0357 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy105 – J Lynn Else on Being Proud of Your Voice and Letting People Hear Who You Really AreAfter being introduced to J Lynn Else, she sent through her photos and I learned she was based somewhere in the middle of the USA. We set up the call and then I discovered a creative spirit who confidently embraced her inner nerd, owned it, and has been writing books ever since.
Why aren't there the kind of female characters out there, in the genres that spoke to her most? Feeling this gap as a call to action, she joined other budding and established authors to go her own way on the journey of authorship.
D...2022-03-2854 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy104 - Mary E Jackson On Writing and Using Her Voice to Empower Kids Across the SpectrumTalk about starting Season III of the podcast off with a BANG!
Thanks to her booking agent, I got to meet Mary and discover her important, moving work.
Now based near Nashville, Mary found herself in the lonely, daunting world of having to care for a child with autism. Diving in and even becoming an ambassador for raising public awareness of kids with special needs, she got involved and is championing the 'good' fight.
Faced with a world that is indifferent if not flat-out hostile to people with autism, she saw no choice...2022-03-2059 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy103 - Kelly Florence on Writing About Women in Science, Horror, Films and StageTo be an author is a unique adventure, where everyone finds their way to writing across their experience and inspiration. In this week's podcast, closing out Season II with Episode 103, Kelly Florence and I met up for such a motivating and fascinating conversation.
I'm a firm believer that the more we learn about something, the more fascinating these things become. In the present case, Kelly revealed the fascinating world of the horror genre, mostly in film, and what a delightful schooling she gave me.
Think it's all blood, gore, chills, and terror? Think again. There's...2022-03-1354 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy102 – Lionel L G Issombo on Rediscovering the Intersection of Our Cultures and the EnvironmentWhat an amazing world we live in! Looking for a new voice to invite onto the podcast, I looked up some people doing work in sustainability, climate change, carbon net-zero, and other areas. Enter, Lionel L G Issombo.
What's great about these happy accidents is that until we meet, I don't know what I'm going to get and where the conversation will go. Turns out that Lionel's now based in London, by way of Ghana and Cameroon. Oddly enough, what I heard in his voice is the familiar tones of my growing up in Montreal. How cool is...2022-03-0745 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy101 – Jen Nash on How to Use the Big Power of Tiny Connections to Live a Great LifeSure enough, there really is big power in all your tiny connections. How do I know? Because all my life I've crossed paths with people here and there to no great fanfare, and yet the most amazing things have happened... Enter, Jen Nash.
How we met is a story that began when five clowns entered a bar playing 90s tunes on a Monday night in Victoria, BC. That was when I became fast friends with one mensch-of-a-human, and she eventually put Jen and me on the same channel.
Join us as Jen shares only the...2022-02-2851 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy100 - Theresa C Ho Explains How She Reinvented Herself as a Voice-Over Talent During the PandemicEPISODE 100! How thrilling. The amazing thing about going on these long projects is that we can't look into the future to guess where we'll end up. I had never planned nor would have wanted to plan that number 100 would be with my elementary-school friend, Theresa C Ho.
THERESA!!!!! Join us as we learn about her relaxed approach to life – no less successful than others but definitely reflecting the spirit that sets Montreal apart.
Let your ears be the judge, in how much better her sound, speaking voice, and warmth come across, given her chops as a voic...2022-02-2153 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy099 - Robert Brinkmann on the Sustainability Challenge and Making Meaningful ConnectionsSome people just radiate positivity, optimism, hope, and a deep understanding of complex challenges. Enter Dean Robert Brinkmann. Author of several books on sustainability and more, I met Bob after discovering his notable books and work. We set up a call and here's the recording.
From the moment I reached out to the moment I ended our call, I was just inspired and uplifted by this individual's commitment to understanding the scope of our impact on the biosphere and how we might help one another survive and thrive. This isn't about moving back the clock to an...2022-02-1455 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy098 - Andrea Richey on Being a Caring Nuisance to Save Sharks and Our Oceans - REISSUEThis episode was first published in November 2020 and I think you should check it out to be reminded of why we MUST do more to protect sharks and our oceans.
Did you know the world's oceans are under major, critical threat? Did you know that you have the power to help make a difference? The answers to these questions are how Andrea and I reconnected at the Hong Kong Shark Foundation's offices in Hong Kong.
After learning about sharks and the unsustainable shark trade, Andrea volunteered and eventually became the HKSF's Managing Director. Listen in a...2022-02-0752 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy097 – Mathew Hampshire Waugh on Climate Change and the Road to Net ZeroHow do you wrap your head around the whole issue of climate change, coving the scientific, economic, social, political, and any other approach? Coming from a science background – cue PhD in chemistry – Mathew's journey landed him in investment banking and helping stockbrokers understand where economic realities fit when it comes to the complexities of climate.
As a researcher, author, consultant and more, Mathew has applied his sharp mind toward understanding the intimidating complexities that define one of humanity's greatest current challenges. Clearly, he's no slouch.
Listen in. Learn. Get some new ideas on how else to thin...2022-01-3156 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy096 – Karolina and Artur Tomaszek are Herping in Hong Kong – REISSUESoon after I launched the podcast, I spotted the amazing – a-maaaazing! – photographs from Karolina and her husband, Artur. We ended up recording an episode together and I've decided to put it back at the top of this week's line. Why? Because...
Omicron now is locking down and hemming people in. We've learned a lot about pandemic policies and mitigation, with COVID fatigue hitting hard. Looking back at the earlier episodes, I thought this one was especially good. Not only because around here/Northern Hemisphere it's the downtime for herping, but also because I still believe the world needs...2022-01-2438 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy095 – Steven Earle Thankfully Schools Me on the Reality of Rapid Change in Our Shared ClimateWelcome to this week's episode from Shooting it RAW! A true labour or labor of love, this is where I keep going out to find cool people doing important work. Or at least those who have a spark in the belly to go out do something meaningful.
This week, it's with my compatriot and fellow BC cousin, Steven Earle. Aren't we ALL cousins, if we go back far enough?
Steven cut his teeth in geological surveying and other dirt-under-the-fingernails work, eventually deciding to share his knowledge through teaching. How Steve and I came to meet is...2022-01-1753 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy094 – PART 2 - Erden Eruç Updates us from his Row Across the Pacific!Here's Part 2 of the episode, when I actually speak with Erden via satellite phone while he's out on the ocean.
Be absolutely amazed!
*** Don't forget to subscribe! ***
* Full episode on the YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/6aSZrnfU9hQ
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To Learn More about Erden:
Website: http://erdeneruc.com/
Westbound Rower: https://www.gofundme.com/f/westbound-rower-great-pacific-challenge
Ocean Recovery Alliance: https://www.oceanrecov.org/
World Clinic: https://worldclinic.com/
ara-Anchor: http://para-anchor.com/
MAD About the Ocean: https://y...2022-01-1215 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy094 – PART 1 - Erden Eruç Update on What it's Like to Power Yourself Around the WorldIn April 2021, I recorded episode 57 with Erden Eruç. It was just a few weeks before his EPIC journey to row across the Pacific Ocean... Let that sink in. ROW A BOAT ACROSS THE PACIFIC OCEAN!
The image for this catch-up episode is a Google Maps plot of his position to date. I'm trying to get a hold of him for a call over satellite phone, but until then, remind yourself or discover what an amazing human Erden is. Here's part of what I wrote in 2021:
Meeting Erden, not knowing his story, mission and incredible journey, I d...2022-01-101h 14
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy093 – Samantha Joule Fow On Rediscovering the Joy that's All Around UsWelcome to 2022! I'm deeeelighted to kick the year off with Samantha. Strong woman, conservation champion, business owner, service leader, writer, and so much more. She sparkles in conversation as she does in her work.
This is a great episode – although they all are – but this one's that much better because Sam lives, breathes, radiates, and cartwheels energy, joy, and optimism.
To view the full episode, click here: https://youtu.be/NTH2JR6MGhw
* EPISODE LINKS IN DESCRIPTION – BELOW *
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Buy her book...2022-01-031h 02
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy092 – Anna Maria Blocki on New Tissue Engineering Research from Her Team at the Chinese University of Hong KongWHAT A CRAZY YEAR! Covid-19 has definitely made 2021 one of the most difficult and complex years in my life. Essentially launched at the start of the pandemic, the podcast's been growing extremely well. So I'm delighted to have the last episode of 2021 be with Anna.
Working out of the Chinese University, Anna is a great example of the kind of person I want to highlight through Shooting it RAW: A service leader, strong woman, and a person who's open to sharing how she finds meaning and fulfillment.
From this one hour's conversation, she shared how she...2021-12-2754 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy091 - Stephen Lai Talks Cameras, Poker and the Absurdities/Opportunities of LifeThis episode, as a few others, came to life thanks in great part to Rachel Smith. When she and I met, she said I shouldn't miss the opportunity to talk to her husband and partner in crime, Stephen Lai. It took some schedule-dancing but we eventually met – cue fireworks!
We met and sat on a cozy couch, surrounded by whatever it is professional poker players like to have around. Nice lighting. Sound baffles on the walls. Posters. Murals. Bottles of whiskey. A table.
As I discovered Stephen's history with photography, his expertise and aesthetic, I als...2021-12-2057 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy090 – Stephanie Dawn Greene on Acting, Theatre, Education and Getting PoliticalDare I say that SDG is in THE HOUSE! OK, to be fair, I've known Stephanie since before... Well sheeeyet, 1990. We went to high school together, and along with Raugi Yu (from waaaaaay back in episode 13), Stephanie and a few others have committed all these years to acting. Amazing.
We eventually connected after decades, and when we first exchanged she was in Los Angeles. In the thick of it, the global hub when it comes to the world of acting and related performing arts. Double amazing.
So we connected and Stephanie and I battled the tech...2021-12-1357 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy089 – Thor Hanson on Animal Plasticity and What We Can Do to Learn About Climate ChangeAs a conservationist, I have long appreciated how much ecology is a critical tool for understanding how we fit in the world and our impact. Wanting to build the choir of voices on the podcast that address conservation, climate change, and what science tells us, I stumbled upon Thor Hanson. Was it a TED talk? A Wired clip? An article in some magazine or other? I don't remember. But I reached out and he generously agreed to meet. Fantastic!
Thor is a Switzer Environmental Fellow and an award-winning author and biologist. His books include "The Impenetrable Forest a...2021-12-0558 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy088 – Nooshin Mobasseri on Being a Persian Artist and What it is to Make Art in Our Wide WorldThanks again to Rachel Smith from Senseless Art Studio and other events, I met with Nooshin on her houseboat in Aberdeen, on Hong Kong island. While her home pitched, yawed, and swayed, she unpacked a joyous tale of what it was like to become an artist in Tehran.
For those beyond Iran's opaque borders, we can only wonder what it was like to grow up in such a place. With the means to leave her homeland, Nooshin eventually landed in Hong Kong. That road was not an easy one.
She offered some strong coffee. We talked...2021-11-2900 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy087 – James Rodkey on Digital, Stock and Film Stock Photography in the USA, Italy and BeyondThanks again to the fantastic Rachel Smith who let us use her studio to record, I met up with James for an unexpected tale on how he evolved as an established photographer.
Big smile, easy to laugh, and a great storyteller, James brought us from his early days as a stock photographer through his love of Latin and other classics.
We spoke, I cursed, we traded notes on digital to medium-format film photography. James is a photographer's photographer, as well as a fount of information on what it's like to immerse yourself in Rome, Italy, Hong...2021-11-2258 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy086 – Jan Hafner Walks Us Through His Life as a Climate and Ocean-Current ScientistHawaii. One of the high centers of marine and ocean love, culture, science, and advancement. Thanks to Doug Woodring and his incredible network of marine conservationists, he put me in contact with Jan Hafner and the great people of Global Ocean Surface Ecosystem Alliance.
As I seek to bring more researchers and conservationists to the podcast, it's a humbling treat for me to meet and exchange with great people like Jan.
Join us as he explains the connection between atmospheric and oceanic science, crisscrossing the ocean distances from Japan to Hawaii to the West Coast of N...2021-11-1553 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy085 – David St Maur Sheil Shares His Passion for Connecting Art with Making Veritable Land ScapesRiding out to Lam Tsuen Valley, I enjoyed the view of the distant Tai Mo Shan peak, the banana trees and large trees that look like eucalyptus but I couldn't name off-hand. I arrive at our meeting spot and David greets me with his warm smile. We walk up to his house, lost in a small village and what immediately hits me is the space he has and the earthiness of his environment.
We sit in a shed, converted into a painting studio, filled with brushes, canvasses, various tools, but also jars and tokens collected from the...2021-11-0853 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy084 - Monica Borschel Shares How to Cope with Trauma through Psychological Resilience – Because We MatterI love each episode in this podcast, but some episodes transcend what I bring as an interviewer and what the guest brings from their life. In this case, my exchange with Monica was magical.
Grounding ourselves in the outdoors and what being in our bodies can do for our mental state, Monica began by sharing how she connects to hills and trails. We soon dove into her experience of the 2008-2009 financial crisis, what it was like to be under threat of going hungry and how to survive in New York City, and then to land in Hon...2021-10-3153 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy083 – Charles Addey Shares His Long Tough Road from Nigeria to China to Conduct Climate ScienceOne of the main pillars of the podcast is conservation, under which I put climate science. So, scanning around for some people to talk to, I stumbled upon Charles Addey. So I reached out and we set up a time to meet.
As it happens, he's based in China... Luckily in the same time zone as Hong Kong. Excellent. I asked him for some images and we set up a time to meet.
It turns out that he's got an incredible story... Overcoming major challenges and barriers to learning, establishing his career, and ultimately doing impo...2021-10-251h 05
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy082 - RE-RELEASE - Raugi Yu on Being an Actor-Director Trying to Inspire People to See and Honour ThemselvesI'm re-releasing this episode because the movie Raugi directed, called "Attic Trunk" is now playing! Check it out and be inspired!
To view the full episode, click here: https://youtu.be/V2yB-R3szgM
* EPISODE LINKS IN DESCRIPTION – BELOW *
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See more photos and learn more about Raugi at:
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1059765/
- https://www.facebook.com/raugi.yu- https://www.instagram.com/raugi
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More from Shooting i...2021-10-1837 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy081 – Tamera Bedford and a Global Effort to Use Beautiful Chaos to Unite and InspireHong Kong has 7.5 million people and a world-renown skyline. Although one of the most densely populated cities in the world, just 45 minutes away is a country park with a small village that has about 10 houses in it. One of them is mine, and one of them is where we find Tamera Bedford. Welcome neighbor!
As it happens, I discovered through Episode 30 guest Martin Reise that there's a talented, dedicated artist who lives right in my village! How unexpected and amazing. Tamera soon invited me over and shared how she began on a farm in Michigan, landed in En...2021-10-0450 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy080 – Cadence Elfassy Shares How She Celebrates Her Friends Puking – Or was it MURDER?Daaaaaaaamn. 79 episodes later, Cadence joins me again to catch up after our first episode, back on April Fool's Day 2020. Two birthday cycles later, we sat down and reviewed some photos that capture her imagination and she uses as anchors to the past. Listen in as this fun 10-year-old shares her worldview.
Thanks K-Pop!
To view the full episode, click here: https://youtu.be/lKglCHijf4c
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More from Shooting it RAW:
* Website: https://www.shooting-it-raw.com/
- Amaz...2021-09-2727 min
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy079 – Margaret Peterson Haddix on Writing Novels for Kids While Being on LockdownCadence was an early reader, so the challenge has always been to find an author who can capture her imagination without it going waaaaaaay over her head. New York Times best-selling author Margaret Peterson Haddix is one writer that fits the bill perfectly.
It took a while for our schedules to align, but I was finally able to sit with Margaret for one of these Shooting it RAW chats. And she's great!
At the heart of our conversation was what it's been like to both create these novels and then go out into the world to...2021-09-201h 00
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy078 – José Truda Palazzo Jr Inspires Us to Love and Protect Whales and SharksSometimes, a conversation comes out of the blue and moves you to tears. That's what meeting José became. We connected because for years I've been on his peripheral because of marine conservation. I set up the time to speak and then noticed he was out in Brazil. Represent!
He shared how he evolved into a marine conservation warrior, literally on the front lines of protecting whales, sharks, rays and so many other species.
Want to be moved? Join us.
Que homem incrível!
To view the full episode, click...2021-09-131h 00
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy077 – Natalia Mota Guides Us Through Her Entrepreneurial LifeThis podcast is turning out to be such a treasure trove of AMAZING people, such as Natalia Mota. Things have gotten so complex that I no longer remember how we crossed paths, but we set up a meeting time and this episode resulted.
Natalia has already built momentum around podcasting (see the link, below), bringing art into people's lives, pushing herself to keep physically and mentally healthy, and connecting to her passion around animal welfare. A well-balanced, Renaissance life!
Be inspired by this amazing curator and entrepreneur!
To view the ful...2021-09-061h 03
Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy050 – Kim McCoy Gets Delightfully Bent About Animal Welfare Laws in Hong Kong and BeyondBarrister and dedicated animal-welfare advocate Kim McCoy sat with me in Hong Kong.
We talked shop about photography, how COVID-19 can force a person to launch new projects, and why we must expand our appreciation of animals in our lives. Specifically, Kim highlighted why he founded the Hong Kong Animal Law and Protection Organisation – HK-ALPO – and the need to mobilize the law to get a lot tougher on animal abuse.
We laughed! We cried! It was better than Cats!
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Learn more about HK-ALPO at:
https://www.hkalpo.com
Jo...2021-03-0150 min