RareErth Podcast
Rare Individuals.
Rare Conversations.
I sit with people who followed an idea into the unknown. Founders, artists, tinkerers, and quietly brilliant misfits. Some have Wikipedia pages; many don't. All of them changed how I see the world.
Latest Episode
Resilience, faith, and the power of human connection. In this episode, my good friend Siphiwe shares his journey of growing up in apartheid era Soweto and navigating life's darkest valleys through unwavering faith. We explore his transformation from struggling student to passionate developer, driven by the philosophy of Ubuntu and a mission to uplift others. Expect a heartwarming conversation filled with humor, spiritual depth, and a unique perspective on unlocking human potential.
Core Ideas
- ·Navigating the spiritual rollercoaster from apartheid era Soweto to tech success.
- ·The philosophy of Ubuntu and the necessity of meaningful relationships.
- ·Using laughter and faith as tools to overcome life's greatest challenges.
Resources & References
- ·Connect: Nostr, Airchat
- ·People: Kenzie, Mickey, Parsa, Naval Ravikant, Neeraj, Pastor Craig, Pastor Glenn
- ·Places: Cape Town, Soweto, San Francisco, Parsa's Ranch, India, Latvia
- ·Books: Man's Search for Meaning, Meditations, Fooled by Randomness, Can't Hurt Me, Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman, The Courage to Be Disliked, Everything Is Figureoutable
- ·References: AirChat Platform, Ubuntu Philosophy, The Siddha Maha Yoga Meditation Retreat
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Welcome to a fascinating episode exploring the intersection of science, philosophy, and personal growth. My guest is Priyata, a systems biologist whose journey spans from the bustling cities of India to the cutting edge research labs of Germany. With a PhD in systems biology, she is at the forefront of modeling drug actions in the body and developing innovative healthcare technologies. Priyata brings a unique blend of Eastern philosophy and Western scientific rigor to her approach to life and work.
Core Ideas
- ·The future of personalized medicine and healthcare technology.
- ·Practical applications of Eastern philosophy in modern life.
- ·Balancing specialization with broad, interdisciplinary thinking.
- ·Cultivating self awareness and challenging your own thought patterns.
- ·The unexpected lessons from diverse interests like metal music and blockchain.
Resources & References
- ·Connect: Priyata on Twitter
- ·People: Roberto Birero, Naira Noor, Iqbal Bano, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Shivkumar Batalvi, J. Krishnamurti
- ·Books: Manduka Upanishad, Total Freedom by J. Krishnamurti, Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics, Three Body Problem
- ·Music: Muhammad Rafi, AC/DC, Eminem, Immolation, Meshuggah, Massive Attack, Tool, Megadeth
- ·References: Coinbase, Wacken Open Air, Bitcoin, Systems biology, Calisthenics
If you enjoyed listening to my podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on iTunes to help more people find out about it.
Meet the "business artist". Petri Kajander is a multifaceted entrepreneur and author originally from Finland, now based in Tallinn. In this episode, we weave through his diverse experiences from the film industry to writing Fragments of Reality twenty years ago, heavily influenced by Eastern philosophies like those of Ramana Maharshi. We tackle the evolution of AI in the business landscape, the implications of human longevity, and practical tech setups for digital security.
Core Ideas
- ·The creative aspect of entrepreneurship and the concept of the "business artist".
- ·Using Eastern philosophy as a practical guide to clear thinking and present moment awareness.
- ·AI as an ongoing technological evolution for white collar workers, not an unprecedented singular event.
- ·Practical tech advice for improving podcast audio, managing passwords, and utilizing hardware authentication.
Resources & References
- ·People: Kamal Ravikant, Ramana Maharshi, Anthony de Mello, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Eckhart Tolle, Naval Ravikant
- ·Books: Fragments of Reality by Petri Kajander, I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj
- ·Apps & Tools: AirChat, Apple Notes, YubiKey, WordPress
- ·References: Estonian Unicorns documentary, Vibram FiveFingers, Wildling Shoes
If you enjoyed listening to my podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on iTunes to help more people find out about it.
A life journey that defies convention. Keith Harmon transitioned from an engineer to a competitive skydiver, spent years in hospitality, and is now on an ambitious mission to teach a million children math. We unpack the transformative moments that shaped him, including a near fatal skydiving accident, and how the genuine empathy learned in bartending impacts his current educational vision.
Core Ideas
- ·The dynamic career transitions from engineering to skydiving to hospitality.
- ·How a near fatal accident tested his limits and reshaped his worldview.
- ·The profound life lessons of empathy and human connection learned behind a bar.
- ·Revolutionizing education with a goal to teach math to one million kids.
Resources & References
- ·People: Surabhi, Steve, Brad Aussie Brad, Martin, Joseph, Nina, Sarah, Brian Norgaard, Siphiwe, Kaito
- ·Places: AirChat, Seacoast NH, Eloy AZ, Castelo Branco Portugal, Granada Spain
- ·Books: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, Macbeth by William Shakespeare
- ·Institutions: Lockheed Martin, Harvard University, MIT, Swiss National Skydiving Team
If you enjoyed listening to my podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on iTunes to help more people find out about it.
From martial arts to the music business. Micky, also known as Firebird, is an incredibly talented artist and entrepreneur. We explore his deep dive into Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do during the pandemic, his hustle performing over 400 shows in a single year, and the challenges of co-founding Treble. Micky also shares his profound journey of self discovery after finding his biological father. Includes a special musical performance of his song Sideways.
Core Ideas
- ·Balancing diverse interests across martial arts, music business, and startup culture.
- ·The impact of performing 400 plus shows a year and getting music featured on TV.
- ·Navigating deep personal challenges to unlock creativity and self awareness.
- ·Gamifying creative development and making self improvement social.
Resources & References
- ·Connect: X, Instagram, Website
- ·Influences: Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do, Striking Thoughts by Bruce Lee, Alan Watts, Jiddu Krishnamurti
- ·Music: Sideways by Mickey, TNT Show Animal Kingdom
- ·Projects: Treble, Realm, Firebird App
If you enjoyed listening to my podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on iTunes to help more people find out about it.
Building trust and meaningful connections. Visionary thinker Gary Sheng opens up about integrating diverse interests over the past decade and the profound role faith and intuition now play in his decision making. We dive into the transformative power of pop up villages like Zuzalu, drawing on his experiences in Montenegro. Gary outlines his shift from a purely analytical mindset to one driven by purpose, family support, and the urgency to build virtuous cycles within communities.
Core Ideas
- ·The shift from an analytical approach to embracing intuition and a higher power.
- ·The value of pop up villages like Zuzalu for collaboration and community building.
- ·Strategies for identifying and investing energy into genuine, meaningful relationships.
Resources & References
- ·Connect: X, LinkedIn, Website
- ·People: Montenegrin Prime Minister
- ·Places: Montenegro, Istanbul, Healdsburg California
- ·Concepts: Pop Up Villages, Edge City, Zuzalu
- ·Resources: Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA)
If you enjoyed listening to my podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on iTunes to help more people find out about it.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Arjun Khemani, an extraordinary 17 year old who has taken an unconventional path in life. Arjun shared his journey of dropping out of school, exploring various gigs, and finally landing a job at AirChat. We delved into the books and people that have influenced him, including his friendship with Brett Hall and his experience working with Naval Ravikant. Arjun's story is an inspiration to anyone who has ever considered taking the road less traveled.
Core Ideas
- ·Thoughts on Taking Children Seriously (TCS) and personal experiences with veganism and fitness.
- ·The importance of focusing on ideas rather than the person presenting them.
- ·The impact of the book The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch.
Resources & References
- ·Connect: X, Website
- ·People: Naval Ravikant, Brett Hall, David Deutsch, Robert Kiyosaki, Vitalik Buterin, Tim Ferriss
- ·Books: Rich Dad Poor Dad, Sapiens, The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, The Beginning of Infinity
- ·Apps & Platforms: AirChat, Damos, Warpcast
- ·References: Edge City, Ethereum Denver, Zezalu, Prospera
If you enjoyed listening to my podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on iTunes to help more people find out about it.
Carving your own path against the grain. Artist Priyanka Raghuvanshi delivers an honest, no holds barred chat about her winding journey from studying the mind to discovering her deep love for art. We explore the necessity of asking questions for self discovery, her keen observational skills, and her refreshing take on relationships and office politics. Priyanka also brings a deep appreciation for Indian history, explaining why we must dig into the lesser known parts of the past.
Core Ideas
- ·The power of curiosity and why asking questions is the ultimate tool for growth.
- ·Navigating societal expectations to stay true to your own fulfillment.
- ·The intersection of art, music, and the unfiltered truth.
- ·How politics skews history, and the importance of uncovering the real past.
Resources & References
- ·Connect: X, Instagram, Airchat
- ·People: Naval Ravikant, Swami Vivekananda, Shri Adi Shankaracharya, Buddha, Pankaj Udhas, Kishore Kumar
- ·Books: India that is Bharat by J Sai Deepak, Hindu Temples What Happened to Them, The Bhagavad Gita, Karma Yoga by Swami Vivekananda
- ·References: Indus Valley civilization, Mahabharata, Nalanda University, Takshashila University
If you enjoyed listening to my podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on iTunes to help more people find out about it.
Welcome to the first episode of Season 3 of the RareErth Podcast. Today we are chatting with Ina Lulaj, a writer who left her regular job to follow her dream in Tokyo. We talk about how we met by chance and became good friends. Ina also shares her experiences in India and how it is a place full of surprises and rapid changes. Her journey took her from Albania to studying in Oxford, then living in Boston and Miami, but Japan is what really felt like home.
Core Ideas
- ·Unexpected Friendships and how digital platforms can forge real, meaningful connections across the globe.
- ·Insights into adapting to international workplaces and the beauty of starting anew in a foreign land.
- ·The role of mentors and thinkers in catalyzing personal and professional growth.
- ·Anecdotes of Ina's life in Japan and her passion for the intricacies of its culture.
Resources & References
- ·Connect: Website, Newsletter, Tea Store
- ·Places: Albania, Tokyo, Bangalore, USA, UK, Oxford, San Francisco
- ·Books: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, The Courage to Be Disliked, Eating to Extinction
- ·Podcasts: Joe Rogan podcast
If you enjoyed listening to my podcast, I would really appreciate it if you left a review on iTunes to help more people find out about it.
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