Shows
Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Bertrand Piccard: 21st Century's Greatest ExplorerIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Richard Wiese sits down with legendary balloonist and environmental innovator Bertrand Piccard to explore what it truly means to carry the torch of exploration across generations.From completing the first nonstop balloon flight around the world to launching the groundbreaking Solar Impulse project, Piccard explains why success is never the finish line — it’s the launchpad for something more meaningful. He shares how resilience, self-hypnosis, and mental discipline shaped his ability to navigate both historic triumphs and intense setbacks.The conversation moves beyond geography into philosophy: what...
2026-02-2527 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Bertrand Piccard: 21st Century's Greatest ExplorerIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Richard Wiese sits down with legendary balloonist and environmental innovator Bertrand Piccard to explore what it truly means to carry the torch of exploration across generations.From completing the first nonstop balloon flight around the world to launching the groundbreaking Solar Impulse project, Piccard explains why success is never the finish line — it’s the launchpad for something more meaningful. He shares how resilience, self-hypnosis, and mental discipline shaped his ability to navigate both historic triumphs and intense setbacks.The conversation moves beyond geography into philosophy: what...
2026-02-2527 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Tomas Koeck: Environmental Storytelling through Patience, Ethics, and CommunityIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, environmental filmmaker and producer Tomas Koeck joins Richard Wiese to explore the realities of wildlife storytelling—where patience, ethics, and community matter more than spectacle. From the community-centered premiere of Way of Life to filming wolves in the Arctic and birds along migration corridors, Koeck shares how meaningful environmental stories are earned through time, restraint, and trust.The conversation also dives into the growing presence of AI in nature media and why Koeck believes it poses a serious challenge to authenticity. After being personally fooled by AI-generated wild...
2026-02-1134 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Tomas Koeck: Environmental Storytelling through Patience, Ethics, and CommunityIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, environmental filmmaker and producer Tomas Koeck joins Richard Wiese to explore the realities of wildlife storytelling—where patience, ethics, and community matter more than spectacle. From the community-centered premiere of Way of Life to filming wolves in the Arctic and birds along migration corridors, Koeck shares how meaningful environmental stories are earned through time, restraint, and trust.The conversation also dives into the growing presence of AI in nature media and why Koeck believes it poses a serious challenge to authenticity. After being personally fooled by AI-generated wild...
2026-02-1134 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Trevor Wallace: From Fear to Curiosity—How One Trip Changed EverythingIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Richard Wiese sits down with filmmaker and explorer Trevor Wallace to explore the experiences that shaped his life—from being raised by a resilient single mother to navigating danger, discovery, and deep cultural immersion across the globe.Trevor recounts a pivotal teenage journey to Tanzania through a Jane Goodall program, including a violent robbery that tested his courage and perspective. He reflects on how Goodall’s compassion in the aftermath became a defining model of leadership. The conversation expands into Trevor’s later expeditions, from living with Buddhist...
2026-01-2939 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Trevor Wallace: From Fear to Curiosity—How One Trip Changed EverythingIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Richard Wiese sits down with filmmaker and explorer Trevor Wallace to explore the experiences that shaped his life—from being raised by a resilient single mother to navigating danger, discovery, and deep cultural immersion across the globe.Trevor recounts a pivotal teenage journey to Tanzania through a Jane Goodall program, including a violent robbery that tested his courage and perspective. He reflects on how Goodall’s compassion in the aftermath became a defining model of leadership. The conversation expands into Trevor’s later expeditions, from living with Buddhist...
2026-01-2939 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Brandon Clifford: Inside the World’s Only Proven Pirate ShipwreckIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with marine archaeologist Brandon Clifford to explore the real history behind pirates and the legendary Whydah Gally. Far from Hollywood myths, Brandon explains how pirates emerged from war, economic hardship, and rebellion—and how the Whydah became the most important pirate shipwreck ever discovered.Brandon shares the story of his father’s discovery of the Whydah off Cape Cod, the dangers of underwater archaeology, and the ethical responsibility of preserving history rather than profiting from it. From zero-visibility dives and coastal erosion to work...
2026-01-2131 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Brandon Clifford: Inside the World’s Only Proven Pirate ShipwreckIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with marine archaeologist Brandon Clifford to explore the real history behind pirates and the legendary Whydah Gally. Far from Hollywood myths, Brandon explains how pirates emerged from war, economic hardship, and rebellion—and how the Whydah became the most important pirate shipwreck ever discovered.Brandon shares the story of his father’s discovery of the Whydah off Cape Cod, the dangers of underwater archaeology, and the ethical responsibility of preserving history rather than profiting from it. From zero-visibility dives and coastal erosion to work...
2026-01-2131 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Karim Iliya: How Storytelling Connects Nature, Space, and HumanityIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with photographer and filmmaker Karim Iliya to explore a life shaped by constant movement, curiosity, and deep observation. Having grown up across multiple continents, Karim reflects on how living between cultures taught him adaptability, empathy, and an appreciation for the unseen forces that shape human opportunity. His work focuses on revealing hidden worlds—from overlooked animals like gulls and pigeons to the lives of people dedicated to specialized crafts.Karim also shares his extraordinary experience being selected as one of eight artists for th...
2026-01-1534 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Karim Iliya: How Storytelling Connects Nature, Space, and HumanityIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with photographer and filmmaker Karim Iliya to explore a life shaped by constant movement, curiosity, and deep observation. Having grown up across multiple continents, Karim reflects on how living between cultures taught him adaptability, empathy, and an appreciation for the unseen forces that shape human opportunity. His work focuses on revealing hidden worlds—from overlooked animals like gulls and pigeons to the lives of people dedicated to specialized crafts.Karim also shares his extraordinary experience being selected as one of eight artists for th...
2026-01-1534 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Wade Davis: Storytelling, Culture, and Moral CourageIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with renowned cultural anthropologist and explorer Wade Davis to explore storytelling, creativity, and the courage required to live a meaningful life. Wade reflects on his unconventional journey—from a chance encounter with anthropology at Harvard to decades spent giving voice to disappearing cultures and languages around the world.Wade challenges the idea that creativity is something you either have or don’t, arguing instead that creativity is born from action. He shares deeply personal stories shaped by war, family history, and cultural divisi...
2025-12-1729 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Wade Davis: Storytelling, Culture, and Moral CourageIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with renowned cultural anthropologist and explorer Wade Davis to explore storytelling, creativity, and the courage required to live a meaningful life. Wade reflects on his unconventional journey—from a chance encounter with anthropology at Harvard to decades spent giving voice to disappearing cultures and languages around the world.Wade challenges the idea that creativity is something you either have or don’t, arguing instead that creativity is born from action. He shares deeply personal stories shaped by war, family history, and cultural divisi...
2025-12-1729 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Dr. Kenneth Lacovara: Why Dinosaurs Still MatterIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Dr. Kenneth Lacovara joins Richard Wiese to discuss dinosaurs, discovery, and the lessons Earth’s history can teach about the future.From uncovering the largest dinosaurs in Argentina to saving a fossil park behind a Lowe’s in New Jersey, Lacovara shares how chance, teamwork, and curiosity shaped his career. He describes the Edelman Fossil Park, where visitors can find their own 65-million-year-old fossils, and explains how the site may reveal the exact moment of the asteroid impact that ended the dinosaurs’ reign.Their conversation explores...
2025-12-1029 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Dr. Kenneth Lacovara: Why Dinosaurs Still MatterIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Dr. Kenneth Lacovara joins Richard Wiese to discuss dinosaurs, discovery, and the lessons Earth’s history can teach about the future.From uncovering the largest dinosaurs in Argentina to saving a fossil park behind a Lowe’s in New Jersey, Lacovara shares how chance, teamwork, and curiosity shaped his career. He describes the Edelman Fossil Park, where visitors can find their own 65-million-year-old fossils, and explains how the site may reveal the exact moment of the asteroid impact that ended the dinosaurs’ reign.Their conversation explores...
2025-12-1029 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Chris Nicola: The Hidden Holocaust Story Beneath UkraineIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with cave explorer, documentarian and author Chris Nicola, whose discovery in a Ukrainian cave unveiled one of the most extraordinary survival stories of World War II.Chris shares how a lifetime of adventure — from law enforcement to cave diving — led him to stumble upon artifacts in a cave that revealed the hidden lives of 38 Jewish survivors. His investigation uncovered the story of families who evaded Nazi persecution by living underground for 511 days, surviving against all odds.Through perseverance and empathy, Chris connec...
2025-12-0539 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Chris Nicola: The Hidden Holocaust Story Beneath UkraineIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with cave explorer, documentarian and author Chris Nicola, whose discovery in a Ukrainian cave unveiled one of the most extraordinary survival stories of World War II.Chris shares how a lifetime of adventure — from law enforcement to cave diving — led him to stumble upon artifacts in a cave that revealed the hidden lives of 38 Jewish survivors. His investigation uncovered the story of families who evaded Nazi persecution by living underground for 511 days, surviving against all odds.Through perseverance and empathy, Chris connec...
2025-12-0539 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Victor Vescovo: Redefining the Limits of ExplorationIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese welcomes Victor Vescovo—mountaineer, deep-sea explorer, naval intelligence officer, and the first person to reach the deepest points of all five oceans. Victor retraces his early beginnings rooted in a fascination with maps, geography, science fiction, and adventure stories. As he matured and gained resources, he pursued increasingly novel and extreme endeavors: mountaineering, skiing to the poles, and piloting a deep submersible to the bottom of the Mariana Trench.Fresh from completing the first full ascent of Mauna Kea—from its submarine base using a deep...
2025-11-1425 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Victor Vescovo: Redefining the Limits of ExplorationIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese welcomes Victor Vescovo—mountaineer, deep-sea explorer, naval intelligence officer, and the first person to reach the deepest points of all five oceans. Victor retraces his early beginnings rooted in a fascination with maps, geography, science fiction, and adventure stories. As he matured and gained resources, he pursued increasingly novel and extreme endeavors: mountaineering, skiing to the poles, and piloting a deep submersible to the bottom of the Mariana Trench.Fresh from completing the first full ascent of Mauna Kea—from its submarine base using a deep...
2025-11-1425 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Peter Hillary: Everest, Legacy, and the Heart of ExplorationIn this heartfelt episode, Peter Hillary joins Richard to explore the enduring legacy of adventure, humility, and service passed down from his father, Sir Edmund Hillary. Peter recounts the awe of standing atop Everest, the emotional radio call that connected two generations, and the values that kept their family grounded amid global fame.He shares behind-the-scenes stories from his father’s knighthood, their joint North Pole expedition with Neil Armstrong and Steve Fossett, and the lessons learned about leadership, grace, and humanity from those experiences. Peter also discusses the Edmund Hillary clothing line — a heritage brand that supp...
2025-11-0718 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Peter Hillary: Everest, Legacy, and the Heart of ExplorationIn this heartfelt episode, Peter Hillary joins Richard to explore the enduring legacy of adventure, humility, and service passed down from his father, Sir Edmund Hillary. Peter recounts the awe of standing atop Everest, the emotional radio call that connected two generations, and the values that kept their family grounded amid global fame.He shares behind-the-scenes stories from his father’s knighthood, their joint North Pole expedition with Neil Armstrong and Steve Fossett, and the lessons learned about leadership, grace, and humanity from those experiences. Peter also discusses the Edmund Hillary clothing line — a heritage brand that supp...
2025-11-0718 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!From Trauma to Triumph: Silvia’s Climb Toward HealingBorn in Lima, Peru, during years of terrorism and instability, Silvia Vasquez-Lavado grew up amid fear and uncertainty. Enduring trauma from childhood abuse, she fled to the U.S. as a teen, determined to start anew. That journey led her to the most unlikely place — Amish country — where she learned humility, resilience, and how to find peace in quiet strength.Silvia’s transformation continued through exploration. Her first trip to Everest Base Camp, undertaken in the early stages of recovery, sparked an awakening that would lead her to climb all Seven Summits. Along the way, she learned not to...
2025-10-2930 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!From Trauma to Triumph: Silvia’s Climb Toward HealingBorn in Lima, Peru, during years of terrorism and instability, Silvia Vasquez-Lavado grew up amid fear and uncertainty. Enduring trauma from childhood abuse, she fled to the U.S. as a teen, determined to start anew. That journey led her to the most unlikely place — Amish country — where she learned humility, resilience, and how to find peace in quiet strength.Silvia’s transformation continued through exploration. Her first trip to Everest Base Camp, undertaken in the early stages of recovery, sparked an awakening that would lead her to climb all Seven Summits. Along the way, she learned not to...
2025-10-2930 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Hugo Vau: Facing the Giant WaveIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with Portuguese surfer Hugo Vau about his experiences at Nazaré—the site of some of the world’s biggest waves.Hugo shares how surfing began in Portugal only a few decades ago, facing early resistance before becoming a respected sport. He explains the natural forces that create Nazaré’s enormous swells through a deep underwater canyon and recounts how he and his teammates explored the area starting in 2007.The conversation centers on the legendary wave called Big Mama. Hugo details the forecast...
2025-10-2234 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Hugo Vau: Facing the Giant WaveIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with Portuguese surfer Hugo Vau about his experiences at Nazaré—the site of some of the world’s biggest waves.Hugo shares how surfing began in Portugal only a few decades ago, facing early resistance before becoming a respected sport. He explains the natural forces that create Nazaré’s enormous swells through a deep underwater canyon and recounts how he and his teammates explored the area starting in 2007.The conversation centers on the legendary wave called Big Mama. Hugo details the forecast...
2025-10-2234 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Captain Alfred McLaren: The Real Hunt for Red OctoberIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, dive deep with Captain Alfred McLaren, U.S. Navy (Ret.), a Cold War submarine commander, Arctic explorer, and author of Emergency Deep: Cold War Missions of a Submarine Commander.Captain McLaren reflects on his decades of leadership beneath the sea — from navigating Soviet waters during the height of the Cold War to charting the uncharted Siberian shelf beneath the Arctic ice. He shares extraordinary stories of stealth missions, surviving a seven-hour Soviet depth charge attack, and commanding submarines in some of the world’s most hostile environments.T...
2025-10-1532 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Captain Alfred McLaren: The Real Hunt for Red OctoberIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, dive deep with Captain Alfred McLaren, U.S. Navy (Ret.), a Cold War submarine commander, Arctic explorer, and author of Emergency Deep: Cold War Missions of a Submarine Commander.Captain McLaren reflects on his decades of leadership beneath the sea — from navigating Soviet waters during the height of the Cold War to charting the uncharted Siberian shelf beneath the Arctic ice. He shares extraordinary stories of stealth missions, surviving a seven-hour Soviet depth charge attack, and commanding submarines in some of the world’s most hostile environments.T...
2025-10-1532 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Bo Parfet: The Hardest Mountain to Climb — is YourselfIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese talks with mountaineer, investor, and philanthropist Bo Parfet — one of the few to summit the highest peak on all seven continents.From struggling with dyslexia as a child to surviving near-death experiences on Denali, Everest, and K2, Bo’s story is one of grit, growth, and perspective. He shares how he turned failure into strength, found his own learning style, and used adversity to fuel both exploration and purpose.The two revisit their near-f...
2025-10-1023 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Bo Parfet: The Hardest Mountain to Climb — is YourselfIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese talks with mountaineer, investor, and philanthropist Bo Parfet — one of the few to summit the highest peak on all seven continents.From struggling with dyslexia as a child to surviving near-death experiences on Denali, Everest, and K2, Bo’s story is one of grit, growth, and perspective. He shares how he turned failure into strength, found his own learning style, and used adversity to fuel both exploration and purpose.The two revisit their near-f...
2025-10-1023 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Saving the Cheetah: Laurie Marker's Global MissionIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese meets with Dr. Laurie Marker, world-renowned cheetah conservationist and founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund.Dr. Marker shares her remarkable journey—from her early work in Oregon to establishing a pioneering conservation program in Namibia, where she has spent decades building trust with farmers and saving the world’s fastest land animal. She discusses the innovative use of livestock guardian dogs, her efforts to rewild orphaned cheetahs, and international projects like India’s ambitious plan to reintroduce cheetahs after decades of extinction.Listener...
2025-10-0226 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Saving the Cheetah: Laurie Marker's Global MissionIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese meets with Dr. Laurie Marker, world-renowned cheetah conservationist and founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund.Dr. Marker shares her remarkable journey—from her early work in Oregon to establishing a pioneering conservation program in Namibia, where she has spent decades building trust with farmers and saving the world’s fastest land animal. She discusses the innovative use of livestock guardian dogs, her efforts to rewild orphaned cheetahs, and international projects like India’s ambitious plan to reintroduce cheetahs after decades of extinction.Listener...
2025-10-0226 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Geoff Green: Protecting the Poles, Inspiring the PlanetIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, our host Richard Wiese speaks with polar explorer and educator Geoff Green, founder of the internationally acclaimed "Students on Ice" program. Geoff has led more than 120 expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic, bringing together students, scientists, artists, and world leaders to foster a deeper understanding of the planet.Geoff reflects on the early days of Students on Ice, when mentors encouraged him to take teenagers to the polar regions. Two decades later, the program has grown into a global community of over 4,000 alumni in 52 countries. He explains wh...
2025-09-2526 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Geoff Green: Protecting the Poles, Inspiring the PlanetIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, our host Richard Wiese speaks with polar explorer and educator Geoff Green, founder of the internationally acclaimed "Students on Ice" program. Geoff has led more than 120 expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic, bringing together students, scientists, artists, and world leaders to foster a deeper understanding of the planet.Geoff reflects on the early days of Students on Ice, when mentors encouraged him to take teenagers to the polar regions. Two decades later, the program has grown into a global community of over 4,000 alumni in 52 countries. He explains wh...
2025-09-2526 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!From NY to the Rainforest: Elodie Freymann’s JourneyIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with Elodie Freymann, a primatologist, botanist, and naturalist whose work blends science, storytelling, and exploration. From her New York roots to her time studying chimpanzees in the forests of Uganda, Elodie’s journey is anything but conventional.She shares how a chance discovery of javelin in high school led her to Brown University, where she pursued anthropology and ethnobotany. After a stint in documentary filmmaking, Elodie turned toward science, fascinated by chimpanzees’ use of medicinal plants. Her PhD research in Uganda revealed profound connec...
2025-09-1830 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!From NY to the Rainforest: Elodie Freymann’s JourneyIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with Elodie Freymann, a primatologist, botanist, and naturalist whose work blends science, storytelling, and exploration. From her New York roots to her time studying chimpanzees in the forests of Uganda, Elodie’s journey is anything but conventional.She shares how a chance discovery of javelin in high school led her to Brown University, where she pursued anthropology and ethnobotany. After a stint in documentary filmmaking, Elodie turned toward science, fascinated by chimpanzees’ use of medicinal plants. Her PhD research in Uganda revealed profound connec...
2025-09-1830 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Rachel Graham: Swimming with Sharks, Leading with HeartIn this episode of Life’s Tough: Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with marine biologist and shark conservationist Dr. Rachel Graham. A true global citizen, Rachel’s upbringing in Tunisia and North Africa shaped her fearless approach to science, community engagement, and wildlife protection. Today, she leads MarAlliance, a nonprofit focused on marine conservation, especially sharks and rays.Rachel reflects on the profound influence of her mother’s development work, how early exposure to different cultures led to a unique connection with people in the field, and what it means to build science that actual...
2025-09-1130 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Rachel Graham: Swimming with Sharks, Leading with HeartIn this episode of Life’s Tough: Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with marine biologist and shark conservationist Dr. Rachel Graham. A true global citizen, Rachel’s upbringing in Tunisia and North Africa shaped her fearless approach to science, community engagement, and wildlife protection. Today, she leads MarAlliance, a nonprofit focused on marine conservation, especially sharks and rays.Rachel reflects on the profound influence of her mother’s development work, how early exposure to different cultures led to a unique connection with people in the field, and what it means to build science that actual...
2025-09-1130 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Mikael Strandberg: Planet's Most Extreme ExplorerIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with legendary explorer Mikael Strandberg, whose journeys span deserts, ice, jungles, and cities—but who calls parenting his toughest and most rewarding expedition.Strandberg recounts cycling 1,600 kilometers with his two daughters, teaching them independence through trial and error, and embracing the chaos of raising kids in outdoor settings. He contrasts his Siberian journeys, where -50°C tested survival, with his time in Greenland, where isolation, personal challenges, and his daughter’s sudden diagnosis with uveitis reshaped his understanding of endurance.
2025-09-0323 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Mikael Strandberg: Planet's Most Extreme ExplorerIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with legendary explorer Mikael Strandberg, whose journeys span deserts, ice, jungles, and cities—but who calls parenting his toughest and most rewarding expedition.Strandberg recounts cycling 1,600 kilometers with his two daughters, teaching them independence through trial and error, and embracing the chaos of raising kids in outdoor settings. He contrasts his Siberian journeys, where -50°C tested survival, with his time in Greenland, where isolation, personal challenges, and his daughter’s sudden diagnosis with uveitis reshaped his understanding of endurance.
2025-09-0323 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Andrés Ruzo-Callejas: The Amazon's "Boiling River"In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with geoscientist Andrés Ruzo, the first to scientifically study the Boiling River in the Peruvian Amazon.Ruzo recounts how childhood legends of a river that boiled—passed down by his grandfather—evolved into a scientific quest. Initially dismissed by colleagues, he persisted, guided by family stories and indigenous knowledge, until he found himself face-to-face with one of the Amazon’s most extraordinary natural wonders.He shares the journey into the jungle, the breathtaking first sight of the steaming turquoise waters, and the c...
2025-08-2834 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Andrés Ruzo-Callejas: The Amazon's "Boiling River"In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with geoscientist Andrés Ruzo, the first to scientifically study the Boiling River in the Peruvian Amazon.Ruzo recounts how childhood legends of a river that boiled—passed down by his grandfather—evolved into a scientific quest. Initially dismissed by colleagues, he persisted, guided by family stories and indigenous knowledge, until he found himself face-to-face with one of the Amazon’s most extraordinary natural wonders.He shares the journey into the jungle, the breathtaking first sight of the steaming turquoise waters, and the c...
2025-08-2834 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Leela Hazzah & the Maasai: Lion GuardiansIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with Leela Hazzah, founder of the Lion Guardians program, a groundbreaking initiative in Kenya and Tanzania that transforms Maasai warriors from lion hunters into lion protectors.Leela recounts her journey from Egyptian-American roots to becoming one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes of the year, sharing how her childhood love of animals grew into a lifelong mission to save lions. She explains how living with Maasai communities taught her that traditional knowledge and cultural practices are essential to successful conservation. What began as a sm...
2025-08-2023 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Leela Hazzah & the Maasai: Lion GuardiansIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with Leela Hazzah, founder of the Lion Guardians program, a groundbreaking initiative in Kenya and Tanzania that transforms Maasai warriors from lion hunters into lion protectors.Leela recounts her journey from Egyptian-American roots to becoming one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes of the year, sharing how her childhood love of animals grew into a lifelong mission to save lions. She explains how living with Maasai communities taught her that traditional knowledge and cultural practices are essential to successful conservation. What began as a sm...
2025-08-2023 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Rodrigo Medellín: The Batman of MexicoIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with Dr. Rodrigo Medellín, known for his mission to save bats and, in turn, protect tequila production. Rodrigo dismantles long-standing myths about bats, addressing misconceptions rooted in literature, pop culture, and recent pandemic fears. He explains how vampire bats—just three of over 1,400 bat species—were unfairly demonized and highlights their minimal impact on livestock and human health.Rodrigo shares his remarkable childhood story of raising vampire bats at age 11, a journey fueled by insatiable curiosity and family support. His career path le...
2025-08-1326 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Rodrigo Medellín: The Batman of MexicoIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with Dr. Rodrigo Medellín, known for his mission to save bats and, in turn, protect tequila production. Rodrigo dismantles long-standing myths about bats, addressing misconceptions rooted in literature, pop culture, and recent pandemic fears. He explains how vampire bats—just three of over 1,400 bat species—were unfairly demonized and highlights their minimal impact on livestock and human health.Rodrigo shares his remarkable childhood story of raising vampire bats at age 11, a journey fueled by insatiable curiosity and family support. His career path le...
2025-08-1326 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!From Cancer Survivor to Astronaut: Hayley Arceneaux’s JourneyIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese welcomes Hayley Arceneaux, childhood cancer survivor and astronaut. Hayley shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey—from undergoing treatment at St. Jude as a child to becoming a physician assistant at the very hospital that saved her life. Now, she’s on the verge of becoming the youngest American in space as part of the Inspiration4 mission.Hayley reflects on her training, the surprise invitation to join the crew, and how she was chosen to represent the missio...
2025-08-0616 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!From Cancer Survivor to Astronaut: Hayley Arceneaux’s JourneyIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese welcomes Hayley Arceneaux, childhood cancer survivor and astronaut. Hayley shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey—from undergoing treatment at St. Jude as a child to becoming a physician assistant at the very hospital that saved her life. Now, she’s on the verge of becoming the youngest American in space as part of the Inspiration4 mission.Hayley reflects on her training, the surprise invitation to join the crew, and how she was chosen to represent the missio...
2025-08-0616 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Richard Garriott: Video Gaming Pioneer to Extreme ExplorerIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese interviews Richard Garriott, a real-life explorer, entrepreneur, and video game legend. As the son of an astronaut, Garriott always had his eyes on space—but his journey took an unconventional path through fantasy, failure, and relentless curiosity.Garriott recounts how he built one of the first successful computer game empires, funded his own space mission, and became the first second-generation American in space. From exploring the Marianas Trench to collecting haunted artifacts, his life is a mix of science fiction, exploration, and real-world impact. List...
2025-07-3021 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Richard Garriott: Video Gaming Pioneer to Extreme ExplorerIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese interviews Richard Garriott, a real-life explorer, entrepreneur, and video game legend. As the son of an astronaut, Garriott always had his eyes on space—but his journey took an unconventional path through fantasy, failure, and relentless curiosity.Garriott recounts how he built one of the first successful computer game empires, funded his own space mission, and became the first second-generation American in space. From exploring the Marianas Trench to collecting haunted artifacts, his life is a mix of science fiction, exploration, and real-world impact. List...
2025-07-3021 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!NASA, Oceans, and Hubble: Kathy Sullivan’s LegacyIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, we meet Dr. Kathy Sullivan—astronaut, ocean explorer, and author of Handprints on Hubble. Kathy shares her groundbreaking journey from becoming the first American woman to walk in space to later becoming the first woman to dive to the deepest point on Earth. With a blend of humor and humility, Kathy talks about her love for adventure, her rescue dog Murphy, and the mindset that kept her grounded—whether orbiting the planet or diving miles beneath its waters.Kathy reflects on her time with NASA, the challenges of lea...
2025-07-2329 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!NASA, Oceans, and Hubble: Kathy Sullivan’s LegacyIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, we meet Dr. Kathy Sullivan—astronaut, ocean explorer, and author of Handprints on Hubble. Kathy shares her groundbreaking journey from becoming the first American woman to walk in space to later becoming the first woman to dive to the deepest point on Earth. With a blend of humor and humility, Kathy talks about her love for adventure, her rescue dog Murphy, and the mindset that kept her grounded—whether orbiting the planet or diving miles beneath its waters.Kathy reflects on her time with NASA, the challenges of lea...
2025-07-2329 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Tracking Climate Change One Seal at a TimeIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, marine ecologist Dr. Roxanne Beltran shares what it’s really like to study elephant seals—and why these unlikely collaborators are crucial for understanding ocean health. From wrangling 2,000-pound mammals on windswept beaches to being featured on the cover of Science, Roxanne brings humor, humility, and heart to every part of her work.Roxanne opens up about her journey into marine biology, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the unexpected joys of mentorship. She dives into the scientific methods behind tracking elephant seals and the role they play in climat...
2025-07-1626 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Tracking Climate Change One Seal at a TimeIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, marine ecologist Dr. Roxanne Beltran shares what it’s really like to study elephant seals—and why these unlikely collaborators are crucial for understanding ocean health. From wrangling 2,000-pound mammals on windswept beaches to being featured on the cover of Science, Roxanne brings humor, humility, and heart to every part of her work.Roxanne opens up about her journey into marine biology, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the unexpected joys of mentorship. She dives into the scientific methods behind tracking elephant seals and the role they play in climat...
2025-07-1626 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Near-Drowning in Space: Luca Parmitano’s Incredible Survival StoryIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese welcomes Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano, the first Italian to walk in space and a globally respected voice in the astronaut community. Luca opens up about his infamous near-drowning during a spacewalk, and how that life-threatening moment ultimately deepened his understanding of risk, resilience, and what it means to lead.Beyond spaceflight, Luca shares profound reflections on mindset, fatherhood, and the quiet discipline that drives extraordinary achievements. He offers insight into the many roles as...
2025-07-0937 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Near-Drowning in Space: Luca Parmitano’s Incredible Survival StoryIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese welcomes Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano, the first Italian to walk in space and a globally respected voice in the astronaut community. Luca opens up about his infamous near-drowning during a spacewalk, and how that life-threatening moment ultimately deepened his understanding of risk, resilience, and what it means to lead.Beyond spaceflight, Luca shares profound reflections on mindset, fatherhood, and the quiet discipline that drives extraordinary achievements. He offers insight into the many roles as...
2025-07-0937 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Crabbing Saved My Life—and Became My MissionIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, we meet Tia, a Charleston native whose journey from bartending to global recognition began with a personal health crisis. After years in the food and beverage industry, Tia’s decision to quit smoking triggered an unexpected and debilitating decline in her health. Conventional medicine offered no solutions, but a chance encounter with two holistic healers changed everything. Through an elimination diet and profound lifestyle changes, Tia not only reclaimed her health—she rediscovered her roots.Tia's reconnection came through the act of...
2025-07-0229 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Crabbing Saved My Life—and Became My MissionIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, we meet Tia, a Charleston native whose journey from bartending to global recognition began with a personal health crisis. After years in the food and beverage industry, Tia’s decision to quit smoking triggered an unexpected and debilitating decline in her health. Conventional medicine offered no solutions, but a chance encounter with two holistic healers changed everything. Through an elimination diet and profound lifestyle changes, Tia not only reclaimed her health—she rediscovered her roots.Tia's reconnection came through the act of...
2025-07-0229 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Susan Baur & her Old Ladies Against Underwater GarbageIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese dives into conversation with Susan Baur, founder of Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage. What began as a personal effort to clean Cape Cod ponds evolved into a joyful movement of women in their 60s to 80s suiting up in wetsuits to restore their local ecosystems.Susan shares how, after a career in psychology and writing, she found healing and renewed purpose through diving. From litter to laughter, these “old ladies” are flipping perceptions of age and service—proving that community, curiosity, and co...
2025-06-2523 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Susan Baur & her Old Ladies Against Underwater GarbageIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese dives into conversation with Susan Baur, founder of Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage. What began as a personal effort to clean Cape Cod ponds evolved into a joyful movement of women in their 60s to 80s suiting up in wetsuits to restore their local ecosystems.Susan shares how, after a career in psychology and writing, she found healing and renewed purpose through diving. From litter to laughter, these “old ladies” are flipping perceptions of age and service—proving that community, curiosity, and co...
2025-06-2523 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Brendan Hall: Storytelling and the National ParksIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese welcomes filmmaker, photographer, and Explorers Club 50 honoree Brendan Hall. Brendan shares how his childhood passion for filming led him to a career as a documentary filmmaker and how his authentic, accessible approach to storytelling shaped his journey.Brendan discusses his selection for the dearMoon mission, a civilian lunar project with SpaceX, and how the experience impacted his life even though the mission was eventually canceled. He also dives into the making of his film Out There: A National Parks Story, which took seven years to...
2025-06-1830 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Brendan Hall: Storytelling and the National ParksIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese welcomes filmmaker, photographer, and Explorers Club 50 honoree Brendan Hall. Brendan shares how his childhood passion for filming led him to a career as a documentary filmmaker and how his authentic, accessible approach to storytelling shaped his journey.Brendan discusses his selection for the dearMoon mission, a civilian lunar project with SpaceX, and how the experience impacted his life even though the mission was eventually canceled. He also dives into the making of his film Out There: A National Parks Story, which took seven years to...
2025-06-1830 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Way Out There: J.R. Harris's Solo Trekker JourneyIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese talks with J.R. Harris, veteran solo trekker and author of Way Out There. J.R. shares how a kid from Queens, New York, became a lifelong wilderness explorer, shaped by early Boy Scout experiences and a desire to live life on his own terms.They discuss the allure of solo travel, the emotional impact of nature, and how J.R.’s solo hiking began long before diversity in outdoor spaces was common. He reflects on how wilderness sh...
2025-06-1119 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Way Out There: J.R. Harris's Solo Trekker JourneyIn this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese talks with J.R. Harris, veteran solo trekker and author of Way Out There. J.R. shares how a kid from Queens, New York, became a lifelong wilderness explorer, shaped by early Boy Scout experiences and a desire to live life on his own terms.They discuss the allure of solo travel, the emotional impact of nature, and how J.R.’s solo hiking began long before diversity in outdoor spaces was common. He reflects on how wilderness sh...
2025-06-1119 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Forager to Chef: Chrissy Tracey's Plant-Based StoryIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher!, host Richard Wiese welcomes Chrissy Tracey—vegan chef, forager, sustainability advocate, and author of Forage & Feast. Chrissy shares her journey from exploring wild plants as a child in Connecticut to developing a deep connection with food through her Jamaican heritage and plant-based lifestyle.Listeners will hear how a life-changing visit to her grandmother in Jamaica opened her eyes to living off the land, and how that experience eventually led to her career in foraging and sustainable cook...
2025-06-0427 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Forager to Chef: Chrissy Tracey's Plant-Based StoryIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher!, host Richard Wiese welcomes Chrissy Tracey—vegan chef, forager, sustainability advocate, and author of Forage & Feast. Chrissy shares her journey from exploring wild plants as a child in Connecticut to developing a deep connection with food through her Jamaican heritage and plant-based lifestyle.Listeners will hear how a life-changing visit to her grandmother in Jamaica opened her eyes to living off the land, and how that experience eventually led to her career in foraging and sustainable cook...
2025-06-0427 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Life with Orangutans: Dr. Birute GaldikasDr. Birute Galdikas has dedicated over 50 years of her life to studying and protecting orangutans in the rainforests of Borneo. As one of the legendary “Trimates” chosen by Louis Leakey — alongside Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey — Birute helped pioneer the field of primatology and conservation.In this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, she reflects on her journey from graduate student to global conservationist. She shares deeply personal stories about bonding with wild orangutans, the challenges of navigating foreign cultures, and the evolution of orangutan behavior under environmental stress. Birute also opens up about the sacr...
2025-05-2923 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Life with Orangutans: Dr. Birute GaldikasDr. Birute Galdikas has dedicated over 50 years of her life to studying and protecting orangutans in the rainforests of Borneo. As one of the legendary “Trimates” chosen by Louis Leakey — alongside Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey — Birute helped pioneer the field of primatology and conservation.In this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, she reflects on her journey from graduate student to global conservationist. She shares deeply personal stories about bonding with wild orangutans, the challenges of navigating foreign cultures, and the evolution of orangutan behavior under environmental stress. Birute also opens up about the sacr...
2025-05-2923 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Brad Lidge: From World Series to Ancient World RuinsBrad Lidge is known for his dominance on the mound during the 2008 MLB postseason—but what most people don’t know is what came next. In this game-changing episode of Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese interviews Brad about his surprising journey from baseball hero to archaeologist.Brad reveals how his love for ancient history began during his baseball career and culminated in a master’s degree and multiple archaeological expeditions across Italy. He shares the moment he uncovered a Roman coin, the traits from sports that helped him th...
2025-05-2128 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Brad Lidge: From World Series to Ancient World RuinsBrad Lidge is known for his dominance on the mound during the 2008 MLB postseason—but what most people don’t know is what came next. In this game-changing episode of Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese interviews Brad about his surprising journey from baseball hero to archaeologist.Brad reveals how his love for ancient history began during his baseball career and culminated in a master’s degree and multiple archaeological expeditions across Italy. He shares the moment he uncovered a Roman coin, the traits from sports that helped him th...
2025-05-2128 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Brandi DeCarli: The Revolutionary FarmerIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, Brandi DeCarli, co-founder of Farm from a Box, shares her radical approach to fighting food production inefficiencies using clean, climate-smart technology and community-first design. Inspired by her work with the UN in Kenya, Brandi helped create a scalable, solar-powered agricultural system that fits inside a shipping container—capable of supporting from 2 to 30 acres of land.She dives deep into how Farm from a Box combines renewable energy, localized infrastructure, and regenerative practices to create thriving farms in food-insecure regions like Tanz...
2025-05-1422 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Brandi DeCarli: The Revolutionary FarmerIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, Brandi DeCarli, co-founder of Farm from a Box, shares her radical approach to fighting food production inefficiencies using clean, climate-smart technology and community-first design. Inspired by her work with the UN in Kenya, Brandi helped create a scalable, solar-powered agricultural system that fits inside a shipping container—capable of supporting from 2 to 30 acres of land.She dives deep into how Farm from a Box combines renewable energy, localized infrastructure, and regenerative practices to create thriving farms in food-insecure regions like Tanz...
2025-05-1422 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Sea Serpents to Science: Adrian Shine’s Loch Ness JourneyIn this episode of Life’s Tough: Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese journeys across Scotland’s legendary Loch Ness with renowned naturalist and monster hunter turned scientist, Adrian Shine.Adrian’s name is synonymous with the Loch Ness investigation. Over the last five decades, he’s gone from wide-eyed believer to skeptical researcher, leading sonar sweeps, underwater camera dives, and ecosystem studies to uncover the truth. He tells the story of his early encounter with what appeared to be a massive creature—only to discover it was a rock—and how that...
2025-05-0721 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Sea Serpents to Science: Adrian Shine’s Loch Ness JourneyIn this episode of Life’s Tough: Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese journeys across Scotland’s legendary Loch Ness with renowned naturalist and monster hunter turned scientist, Adrian Shine.Adrian’s name is synonymous with the Loch Ness investigation. Over the last five decades, he’s gone from wide-eyed believer to skeptical researcher, leading sonar sweeps, underwater camera dives, and ecosystem studies to uncover the truth. He tells the story of his early encounter with what appeared to be a massive creature—only to discover it was a rock—and how that...
2025-05-0721 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Held Hostage in Iran: Morad Tahbaz's JourneyWildlife biologist and conservationist Morad Tahbaz joins host Richard Wiese to share his harrowing story of being wrongfully imprisoned in Iran. Accused of espionage while on a conservation mission, Morad endured solitary confinement, torture, and psychological warfare for nearly six years. He reflects on the brutal conditions he survived, the coping mechanisms he developed through art and creativity, and how he kept hope alive.Now back home, Morad is using his experience to advocate for hostage deterrence policies, reconnect with conservation efforts, and inspire others facing their own struggles. His story is a powerful reminder that even...
2025-04-3025 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Held Hostage in Iran: Morad Tahbaz's JourneyWildlife biologist and conservationist Morad Tahbaz joins host Richard Wiese to share his harrowing story of being wrongfully imprisoned in Iran. Accused of espionage while on a conservation mission, Morad endured solitary confinement, torture, and psychological warfare for nearly six years. He reflects on the brutal conditions he survived, the coping mechanisms he developed through art and creativity, and how he kept hope alive.Now back home, Morad is using his experience to advocate for hostage deterrence policies, reconnect with conservation efforts, and inspire others facing their own struggles. His story is a powerful reminder that even...
2025-04-3025 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Christian Rutz: From Tool-Making Crows to ConservationIn this enlightening episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with Christian Rutz, an animal-tracking pioneer who has spent decades studying the tool-using behavior of birds—especially the brilliant New Caledonian crow. Rutz shares how these birds craft tools from twigs and leaves, challenging long-held beliefs about human cognitive uniqueness.Through riveting stories from fieldwork, Rutz explains how these birds innovate, problem-solve, and pass down knowledge—a sign of culture, not just instinct. The discussion moves from evolutionary biology to conservation, shedding light on how animal intelligence is deeply embedded in their ecosys...
2025-04-2324 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Christian Rutz: From Tool-Making Crows to ConservationIn this enlightening episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with Christian Rutz, an animal-tracking pioneer who has spent decades studying the tool-using behavior of birds—especially the brilliant New Caledonian crow. Rutz shares how these birds craft tools from twigs and leaves, challenging long-held beliefs about human cognitive uniqueness.Through riveting stories from fieldwork, Rutz explains how these birds innovate, problem-solve, and pass down knowledge—a sign of culture, not just instinct. The discussion moves from evolutionary biology to conservation, shedding light on how animal intelligence is deeply embedded in their ecosys...
2025-04-2324 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!The Wasp WhispererEntomologist and UCL professor Dr. Seirian Sumner joins host Richard Wiese to challenge everything you think you know about wasps. While most people see them as pests, Seirian makes the compelling case that wasps are unsung heroes of our ecosystems—natural pest controllers, accidental pollinators, and potential allies in sustainable agriculture. She shares humorous and insightful stories from her career, from dressing in wasp-themed costumes to giving “wasp evangelism” talks, while also reflecting on gender, mentorship, and inclusion in the scientific community. Plus, she offers practical tips on how to coexist peacefully with wasps at picnics and explores her dream...
2025-04-1629 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!The Wasp WhispererEntomologist and UCL professor Dr. Seirian Sumner joins host Richard Wiese to challenge everything you think you know about wasps. While most people see them as pests, Seirian makes the compelling case that wasps are unsung heroes of our ecosystems—natural pest controllers, accidental pollinators, and potential allies in sustainable agriculture. She shares humorous and insightful stories from her career, from dressing in wasp-themed costumes to giving “wasp evangelism” talks, while also reflecting on gender, mentorship, and inclusion in the scientific community. Plus, she offers practical tips on how to coexist peacefully with wasps at picnics and explores her dream...
2025-04-1629 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Yosemite Ranger Revives Legacy of Buffalo SoldiersIn this moving episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with Shelton Johnson, a longtime Yosemite park ranger and passionate storyteller who has spent decades inspiring visitors to reconnect with the splendors of our natural world.Shelton shares his journey from growing up in Detroit to becoming one of the National Park Service’s most powerful voices. At the heart of the conversation is his mission to revive the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, Black cavalrymen who served as some of America’s first park rangers and protec...
2025-04-0924 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Yosemite Ranger Revives Legacy of Buffalo SoldiersIn this moving episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with Shelton Johnson, a longtime Yosemite park ranger and passionate storyteller who has spent decades inspiring visitors to reconnect with the splendors of our natural world.Shelton shares his journey from growing up in Detroit to becoming one of the National Park Service’s most powerful voices. At the heart of the conversation is his mission to revive the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, Black cavalrymen who served as some of America’s first park rangers and protec...
2025-04-0924 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!How Studying Venus Might Help Save EarthIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with planetary scientist Dr. Paul Byrne to explore one of the most misunderstood worlds in our solar system: Venus.Often overshadowed by Mars, Venus was once Earth-like—until it became the hottest, most hostile planet in the solar system. Paul explains why this hellish world might hold the answers to some of the biggest questions about Earth’s future, planetary evolution, and climate change.They dive into why Venus matters now more t...
2025-04-0223 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!How Studying Venus Might Help Save EarthIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with planetary scientist Dr. Paul Byrne to explore one of the most misunderstood worlds in our solar system: Venus.Often overshadowed by Mars, Venus was once Earth-like—until it became the hottest, most hostile planet in the solar system. Paul explains why this hellish world might hold the answers to some of the biggest questions about Earth’s future, planetary evolution, and climate change.They dive into why Venus matters now more t...
2025-04-0223 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Wildlife DJ Highlights Nature’s Majestic SoundsExploration isn’t just about where you go—it’s about how you listen.In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, Ben Mirin, an explorer, wildlife DJ, artist, and naturalist, shares how he’s merging science, sound, and storytelling to uncover the hidden voices of the wild. Through innovative technology, Ben captures and interprets animal sounds and environmental patterns, revealing the untold stories of nature.He reflects on the balance between creativity and scientific rigor, the importance of slowing down and paying attention, and how ex...
2025-03-2628 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Wildlife DJ Highlights Nature’s Majestic SoundsExploration isn’t just about where you go—it’s about how you listen.In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, Ben Mirin, an explorer, wildlife DJ, artist, and naturalist, shares how he’s merging science, sound, and storytelling to uncover the hidden voices of the wild. Through innovative technology, Ben captures and interprets animal sounds and environmental patterns, revealing the untold stories of nature.He reflects on the balance between creativity and scientific rigor, the importance of slowing down and paying attention, and how ex...
2025-03-2628 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Secretary of the Interior & the BadlandsIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum—former Governor of North Dakota, entrepreneur, and advocate for resilience in exploration and leadership.Doug shares how the rugged landscapes of North Dakota shaped his values and why Teddy Roosevelt’s time in the Badlands serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership is forged in adversity. Much like Roosevelt, who sought refuge and renewal in the untamed wilderness, Doug has embraced the pioneer mindset—whether in busin...
2025-03-1922 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Secretary of the Interior & the BadlandsIn this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum—former Governor of North Dakota, entrepreneur, and advocate for resilience in exploration and leadership.Doug shares how the rugged landscapes of North Dakota shaped his values and why Teddy Roosevelt’s time in the Badlands serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership is forged in adversity. Much like Roosevelt, who sought refuge and renewal in the untamed wilderness, Doug has embraced the pioneer mindset—whether in busin...
2025-03-1922 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!The Holistic ConservationistSaving the planet isn’t just about science—it’s about storytelling, indigenous knowledge, and even art.In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, Dr. Natalie Schmitt shares why conservation needs more than just data and research. A geneticist, documentarian, and field explorer, Natalie has studied snow leopards in the Himalayas, worked with First Nations trackers to monitor caribou, and even helped advocate for scientists wrongly imprisoned in Iran.She discusses how DNA tracking is revolutionizing conservation, why indigenous knowledge is crucial to protecti...
2025-03-1236 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!The Holistic ConservationistSaving the planet isn’t just about science—it’s about storytelling, indigenous knowledge, and even art.In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, Dr. Natalie Schmitt shares why conservation needs more than just data and research. A geneticist, documentarian, and field explorer, Natalie has studied snow leopards in the Himalayas, worked with First Nations trackers to monitor caribou, and even helped advocate for scientists wrongly imprisoned in Iran.She discusses how DNA tracking is revolutionizing conservation, why indigenous knowledge is crucial to protecti...
2025-03-1236 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Endangered FashionExploration isn’t just about venturing into new landscapes—it’s also about uncovering the deeper stories behind cultures, traditions, and creativity. In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with Rebecca Hui, an anthropologist, conservationist, and founder of Roots Studio (now Rurban Studio), whose work bridges indigenous art with global markets in a way that fosters equity and preservation.Rebecca’s journey has taken her from rural villages in India to high-fashion runways, where she’s worked to transform cultural misappropriation into collaboratio...
2025-03-0530 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Endangered FashionExploration isn’t just about venturing into new landscapes—it’s also about uncovering the deeper stories behind cultures, traditions, and creativity. In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with Rebecca Hui, an anthropologist, conservationist, and founder of Roots Studio (now Rurban Studio), whose work bridges indigenous art with global markets in a way that fosters equity and preservation.Rebecca’s journey has taken her from rural villages in India to high-fashion runways, where she’s worked to transform cultural misappropriation into collaboratio...
2025-03-0530 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Mission to Mars with Nina LanzaExploration doesn’t stop at Earth’s borders—it reaches into the stars. In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, Dr. Nina Lanza, a planetary scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, takes us on a journey to Mars.As part of the Curiosity Rover’s ChemCam team, Nina has spent years studying the Martian surface, searching for signs that the Red Planet may have once hosted life. She discusses some of the biggest discoveries from Mars exploration, including evidence of a long-standing lake in Gale Crater—an environment...
2025-02-2620 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Mission to Mars with Nina LanzaExploration doesn’t stop at Earth’s borders—it reaches into the stars. In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, Dr. Nina Lanza, a planetary scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, takes us on a journey to Mars.As part of the Curiosity Rover’s ChemCam team, Nina has spent years studying the Martian surface, searching for signs that the Red Planet may have once hosted life. She discusses some of the biggest discoveries from Mars exploration, including evidence of a long-standing lake in Gale Crater—an environment...
2025-02-2620 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!My Big Amazonian FamilyWhat happens when an explorer’s greatest discovery is himself?In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with David Good, an explorer, anthropologist, and founder of The Yanomami Foundation, about his extraordinary journey to reconnect with his Yanomami heritage.Born to a Yanomami mother and an American anthropologist father, David grew up in the U.S., far removed from his Indigenous roots. But something was missing. Driven by an innate need to understand where he came from, David embarked on a...
2025-02-2639 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!My Big Amazonian FamilyWhat happens when an explorer’s greatest discovery is himself?In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with David Good, an explorer, anthropologist, and founder of The Yanomami Foundation, about his extraordinary journey to reconnect with his Yanomami heritage.Born to a Yanomami mother and an American anthropologist father, David grew up in the U.S., far removed from his Indigenous roots. But something was missing. Driven by an innate need to understand where he came from, David embarked on a...
2025-02-2639 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Into the Wilderness with RFK Jr.Exploration comes in many forms—sometimes it’s venturing into the unknown, and sometimes it’s unearthing the past to understand our future. In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss his passion for paleontology, science, and discovery.From dinosaur digs with his children to the larger mysteries of evolution and extinction, Bobby reflects on how exploration fuels curiosity across generations. He shares why hands-on science is more important than ever, how storytelling connects us to history...
2025-02-2608 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Into the Wilderness with RFK Jr.Exploration comes in many forms—sometimes it’s venturing into the unknown, and sometimes it’s unearthing the past to understand our future. In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss his passion for paleontology, science, and discovery.From dinosaur digs with his children to the larger mysteries of evolution and extinction, Bobby reflects on how exploration fuels curiosity across generations. He shares why hands-on science is more important than ever, how storytelling connects us to history...
2025-02-2608 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Space to Inspire: Dr. Sian Proctor’s Path to the StarsIn this inspiring episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with Dr. Sian Proctor, an astronaut, artist, scientist, and the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft.Dr. Proctor shares her incredible journey to space, from growing up in Guam, where her father worked at a NASA tracking station during the Apollo missions, to becoming a finalist for NASA’s astronaut program and ultimately flying aboard Inspiration4, the first all-civilian spaceflight. She discusses her passion for "JEDI space"—Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion—and how she...
2025-02-2627 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Space to Inspire: Dr. Sian Proctor’s Path to the StarsIn this inspiring episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese sits down with Dr. Sian Proctor, an astronaut, artist, scientist, and the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft.Dr. Proctor shares her incredible journey to space, from growing up in Guam, where her father worked at a NASA tracking station during the Apollo missions, to becoming a finalist for NASA’s astronaut program and ultimately flying aboard Inspiration4, the first all-civilian spaceflight. She discusses her passion for "JEDI space"—Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion—and how she...
2025-02-2627 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Trailer - Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher This is Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, with your host, Richard Weiss. Scratch the surface of an explorer and you'll find an adventure and a great story. This show is about their tales. This podcast is a proud supporter of the Explorers Club and the EC50 Initiative. 50 people changing the world that the world needs to know about. For more information, go to explorers.org. This is Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, with your host, Richard Weiss. Scratch the surface of an explorer and you'll find an adventure and a great story. This show is abo...
2025-01-1000 minLife’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!Trailer - Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher This is Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, with your host, Richard Weiss. Scratch the surface of an explorer and you'll find an adventure and a great story. This show is about their tales. This podcast is a proud supporter of the Explorers Club and the EC50 Initiative. 50 people changing the world that the world needs to know about. For more information, go to explorers.org. This is Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, with your host, Richard Weiss. Scratch the surface of an explorer and you'll find an adventure and a great story. This show is abo...
2025-01-1000 min