Rich Conversations

Marine biologist Manuel Novillo joins us from Córdoba, Argentina to discuss the culture of his country and the journey that led him to living and researching reproductive patterns of Notothenioids (Antarctic fish) in Antarctica for 2-4 months during the last four years. What is it like being in such an isolated and harsh environment? Does it make you reflect more on society and what it means to be...

Marine biologist Bryce Gunning asks five questions for Rich. Bryce was a guest on episode 185. He recorded this segment on a bench in Millennium Park downtown Chicago. The questions are the following: What are one or two quotes from guests that have shifted your opinion/stance on a subject? What is the main man’s morning routine? How does he start off so positive in the morning? What is the one ep...

Faisa Omer joins us from Edmonton, Canada. She’s a photographer and mental health professional. Originally from Ottawa and the daughter of Somali immigrants, Faisa shares her experience of learning neuroscience for seven years while also yearning for fulfilling artistic inspiration inside her. She enrolled in photography school on the side. During the pandemic she moved back to Ottawa and took pho...

Matze Sagerer joins us from Munich, Germany. He’s a physics student at the Technical University of Munich. We discuss the cultures and things to do in Germany to start off. Then, Matze shares how he became interested in physics and technology, gives a brief breakdown of physics concepts to understand and the people behind them. Physics teaches a person how to think by going through the scientific...

Former three-time guest, David Rothmund (Dr. Dave), writes down three questions for Rich to answer. Dr. Dave lives in Chicago and is a historian researching Disability in America Post-WWII. Rich records on a park bench in his Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. The questions are the following: If you could anywhere with one person, where would you go and with who? What food/drinks/event would you want...

Our most unique and profound podcast episode to date, we’re joined from Istanbul, Turkey by three guests—and they’re all siblings—and they’re all scientists! Maryam, Mehya, and Mubashir Mansoor focus on Materials & Metallurgical Engineering, Geology, Mineralogy, Gemology, and Physics. This episode covers a lot of ground including the culture of Istanbul, the Information Revolution which will lead...

Joachim Ong joins the podcast from Singapore. Joachim shares what the city and culture is like. He describes his experience using his telescope to view and take photos of the planets and outer space. Joachim and Rich discuss how space exploration allows the opportunity to ponder the significance and insignificance of life, as well as stir the imagination and wonder.   Follow Joachim on Instagram:...

Wayne Cauthen returns to the show! He first appeared on the podcast on episode 27, which was recorded in a Golden Nugget Restaurant. In this episode, native Chicagoan Wayne and Rich discuss the city and the experience of the pandemic within it. They discuss personal growth from the last episode, which was the last in-person recording before COVID, till now. He wonders if gravity holds back conscio...

For the 200th episode of the podcast, Rich answers questions that he typically presents to guests. He reflects on the Chicago vibe, music he's been listening to lately, what he's curious about, and what he's excited for.  Follow Rich on Instagram: @richhebron Subscribe on YouTube

Have you ever wondered how skyscrapers or railways or other structures within our cities are built? What goes into that? Today we learn about the very beginning of those processes—what happens underground. We’re joined by civic engineer Saad Darwish who’s working in Alexandria, Egypt. Originally from Mansoura, Egypt, we discussed soccer, how he became interested in engineering, and the daily work...

Rafael Guzman Alders joins us from Santiago, Chile. We explore a number of topics: the culture and people of Santiago and Chile, his writing and perspective influences, his recent trip to Chicago and other travels, urban planning, and much more! You can follow him on Instagram @rafa_guz_alders

Software developer Wycliff Njenga joins us from Nairobi, Kenya. We talk about the hustling city and the country as a whole. We discussed how people use the internet and social media in Kenya and explore why Instagram isn't popular there. Wycliff shares how he became interested in software development and how technologies will impact the future. You can follow Wycliff on Instagram @wykee2

For the first solo episode of 2022, Rich shares reflections on life and his recent trip to New York City. Why he's examining Quantum Theory and Physics. How 2022 will be the first year culturally of the '20s decade. What he did on his trip exploring art, going out to restaurants and music shows, and visiting with friends.

Photographer Mohamed Hozyen joins us from Cairo, Egypt. In this episode, we chat what life is like in Cairo and Egypt, documentary photography and capturing the human experience within a single moment. A person can change the world through visual storytelling and being aware of the life around them. You can follow Mohamed on Instagram @mo.hozyen

Matt Anhalt joins us from Las Vegas, Nevada. He works in Airport Operations at the Harry Reid International Airport. He's also the brother of one of our favorite guests, Joe Anhalt. Matt is passionate about aviation and flying. He shares with us the behind the scenes of running an airport, the life of mileage runners (flying to accumulate miles and rewards for fun) and we even ponder the future of...

Software Engineer Jenny Cardenas joins the podcast from Lima Peru. I love talking with software engineers—I think we have similar outlooks on the future, but we have different skills to help create the future. I appreciate the role they play in society and the impact they’re having on the world. In this episode, we talk about Lima and its culture, how Jenny switched careers during the pandemic and...

Software Engineer Sarah Omoike joins us from Lagos, Nigeria — known as the city of opportunity. Nigeria is going to make a huge impact on the future of our planet. We discuss the city and the country and how technology will play a massive role in its future, as well as the world. We talk software, machine learning, and her recent talk at Google about user design and experience. It was a pleasure t...

Electrical Engineer Juan Reyes joins us from Bogotá, Colombia. We talk Colombia, electricity and energy, Tesla, and so much more! The 21st century requires a lot of power and energy. Just about everything we use to interact with the world today requires electricity. Juan shares the importance of generating renewable energy and how the possibilities inspire him. This is both a real fun and educatio...

Alexandra Kladi joins us from Athens, Greece. She’s a singer/songwriter and music teacher. She’s an all-round renaissance girl who loves to continually learn. I had been listening to her album Shampoo on Spotify and I loved the vibe of it. Kind of loungy and relaxing. I had no idea what any of the lyrics were but I dig the sound. We talk all about Greece, creativity, and music history.  Follow her...

Robin Newa joins us from Dubai but is originally from Nepal. This episode is his life story. Though Nepal is a poor country and he comes from very humble beginnings, Robin has not let that stop him. His curiosity and passion drive him. At the age of 10 he started going to the dump to look for electronic parts because he wanted to know how they worked. Eventually he built a phone charger, DSLR came...

NASA’s Kat Kennedy returns to the show for her third appearance. We love talking all things space with her! In this episode she shares what it’s been like training to work Mission Control at NASA, the significance of the James Webb Telescope, and the compounding improvements of technology and consumer electronics in our lifetimes. She’s a great follow on Twitter: @tikatasaur2112

Rafael Añorga joins the show to talk biotechnology in the 21st century. Originally from Peru, he’s a CRISPR researcher at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. What is CRISPR? That's what we'll discuss during our conversation. The 20th century focused on physics. This century is focused on biology. People want to live longer, healthier, and happier. CRISPR is a gene-editing tool that allows us...

Economist and writer Cecelia de Orbegoso joins the show. She shares what enticed her to move to London from Peru. We discuss several economic concepts, relationships, fashion, wine, and all sorts of things in between. Confidence seemed to be a theme in this episode. How does one develop self-confidence? Loving yourself and who you are to both express yourself through your own fashion but also appl...

Marine Biologist Bryce Gunning joins the show. He studies marine life in the Pacific Ocean. He was in British Colombia when we recorded this but he does lots of work in the Sea of Cortez off the coast of Mexico. Bryce is focused and determined to champion the importance of our oceans. He’s hilarious. We get into all sorts of topics from dolphins being huge jerks to witnessing a Blue Whale in the w...

Texas resident and new Green Bay Packers Owner Janet Wilson returns to the show (Previous Appearance Episode 123). We recap the 2021 regular season and look ahead to the playoffs—to discuss our team of destiny led by likely back to back MVP Aaron Rodgers. Janet shares her gameday process and her annual family roadtrip from Texas to Wisconsin for the Packers Christmas game. Follow Janet on Twitter:...