Blog - Rolf Potts

A personal history of being a lifelong pro-sports fan (Super Bowl special) 28.01.2020 ↓

A personal history of sports fandom (and watching the Super Bowl in distant countries)

The power of small choices across decades: The Sgt. John Monk story 21.01.2020 ↓

Sgt. John Monk was an army veteran whose heroism spanned decades. This is his story.

Chris Guillebeau on goals, writing books, and travel as alt-university 14.01.2020 ↓

On confronting discontent, travel as education, and how to write a Big Idea book

How to balance a life of artistic ambition with sanity and happiness 07.01.2020 ↓

Author Rachel Friedman on non-linear career arcs

Indonesia: An argument for (and essential tips on) traveling the archipelago  31.12.2019 ↓

"Brief History of Indonesia" author Tim Hannigan on traveling the archipelago

Why Noah Baumbach’s “Kicking & Screaming” might be the best movie ever 24.12.2019 ↓

A look at Noah Baumbach's cinematic debut, 25 years on

Deviate Christmas Special: Celebrating the Sears Wish Book [Rebroadcast] 17.12.2019 ↓

Rolf and Tod Goldberg recall the joys of the old Sears holiday catalog

Bonus: On the therapeutic uses of reading classic literature and scripture 12.12.2019 ↓

Author Jeffrey Tayler on the consolations of Dante and Ecclesiastes

What narrative therapy is, and how it can make your life feel more coherent 10.12.2019 ↓

Author and therapist Hala Alyan on fine-tuning how we talk about our lives

America’s most solemn historical sites rarely offer an honest take on history 03.12.2019 ↓

"Here Lies America" author Jason Cochran on how history gets spun at tourist attractions

Author Alex Banayan on seeking mentors for life (and writing) guidance 26.11.2019 ↓

How to seek useful life-advice (and write a Big Idea book about it)

On the under-appreciated reality of revelry, sex, and misadventure in travel 19.11.2019 ↓

Why travel media shies away from certain kinds of fun people have on the road

The world’s cheapest destinations, and why (besides savings) they’re great 12.11.2019 ↓

How inexpensive countries are the secret to prolonging the journey

Paul Theroux on aging, slow travel, and the inherent complexity of Mexico 05.11.2019 ↓

Travel joys, border politics, and the limits of magical realism

Bonus: Storytelling for the screen: A lecture from the Paris Writing Workshop 31.10.2019 ↓

Screenwriting lecture from the Paris Writing Workshop

Benjamin Percy on how comics and movies teach the best lessons about telling stories 29.10.2019 ↓

What comics and movies teach you about telling stories

Why travel guidebooks still matter (and how to best use them on the road) 22.10.2019 ↓

How to use travel guidebooks in the 21st century

An insider’s guide to traveling America’s National Parks in the 21st century 15.10.2019 ↓

How to see America through its iconic wilderness areas

Van Life before #VanLife: Rolf unpacks his very first vagabonding journey 08.10.2019 ↓

Rolf recounts his first 8-month vagabonding trip 25 years ago

Ryan Holiday on how to conceive, research, and write a “Big Idea” book 01.10.2019 ↓

"Big Idea" books, and the insights and effort that go into writing them

“American Beauty” has not aged well: Reconsidering the film, 20 years on 26.09.2019 ↓

20 years on, Kevin Spacey's suburban drama feels a tad strange

Wesley Morris on why Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” remains a classic 24.09.2019 ↓

Wesley Morris on Spike Lee's classic 1989 film

Explore Europe on Foot: The hows and whys of trek-travel on the continent 17.09.2019 ↓

Tips and routes for traveling the continent on foot

The case for why trekking on foot is the best way to embrace slow travel 10.09.2019 ↓

The joys of trekking overseas

Pico Iyer on travel, impermanence, and what Japan can teach us about life 03.09.2019 ↓

Understanding Japan, aging, and impermanence