Shooting it RAW with Ran Elfassy

Be an activist. Lobby for good. Just get out there and fight climate change denial and the urge to slip into climate doomist. Listen and get inspired! This week's guest is right up my alley. John Pabon is a dedicated and sharp sustainability professional, author, and more. The type who heads into the heart of the matter to deconstruct and better understand how to make positive change. Now based in...

How do you see the world? Not only what shapes your perspective and point of view, but also how far can you accept what your eyes and mind tell you is the world as it actually is?    For this week's episode, I'll reissue the one I recorded with David Stuss, back in December 2020.  David has a sharp mind and what a view on how to make sense of the world. He shares his thoughts on wha...

At the end of 2005, I began working with a retired executive and we would meet for fascinating talks at the Mandarin, in Hong Kong. I was deeply impressed with this guy's commitment to big ideas. Little did I know at first that this humble business legend was Po Chung, co-founder of DHL. I had never used DHL so I didn't think much of it at first... Uh... Until I saw how truly global and innovative...

Isn't it amazing when we look in our backyard to find a hidden treasure? That's what happened when I crossed digital paths with Lilian Sue. I'm from the world of marketing and communication, so thanks to the LinkedIn algorithms I found a connection to follow. Hey, Lilian, think you'd like to be on my podcast? YES! Join us for the class that's in session, as Lilian takes us through the path of pers...

Jen and I played email tag and finally sat down to record. We got on the call and it was clear that this might be a bit spotty – it happens! Yet we dove right in and she explained why popping into a handstand on the beach was a great opening.   Hello? Jennifer? Are you there?  Hello? Ah.   The fates decided we wouldn't get beyond those first few minutes, but thankfully we were able...

In this reissue of the November 2020 episode, Gary Stokes spoke about being a photojournalist, dive instructor, and champion conservationist. Often commissioned to underwater photojournalism and videos, Gary eventually realized he simply had to get involved. This commitment eventually had him join Sea Shepherd on various expeditions as their team photographer, and then as the leader for Asia. He e...

Living legend. Personal hero. Conservation champion. This is Paul Watson. This is a reissue of our episode, first released in December 2020.    We met for an inspiring conversation around his work in marine conservation, how Sea Shepherd came to be, how the organization has grown into a thriving worldwide network, and more. Unfortunately, due to what seems to be bad-faith influences in s...

Months ago, I was introduced to Mercedes R Lackey. We exchanged a little, but something didn't feel right. I stressed that Shooting it RAW was about uplifting and inspiring others. I didn't get the feeling that Mercedes would be a good fit. There was this dark cloud over our exchange. She admitted that she was dealing with the sudden and painful loss of her companion, Ikaika. Well, I said, this ob...

Author Jane Baird Warren and I exchanged and she sent over the four photos. I don't look at the files until I speak to my guest, so each time I click to view, there's the wildcard or jeopardy of what will it be. I love that in the audio, you can sometimes hear the neurons short-circuiting and fuses blowing. The first photo Jane sent through made my head explode. For the next hour, I got to meet on...

I usually record an episode one-to-one, just my guest and me. Yet this time I was introduced to co-authors who collaborate to develop and publish technology-thrillers across a series and more. What a fantastic opportunity!   Rox and Charles called in from Dallas, Texas, and shared their process and how they came to the genre of technology thrillers. Not sci-fi, but where the mechanism for con...

Overlooking Vancouver are a set of mountains, the most recognized and hiked being Grouse. For many, the easy access offers an excellent hike that goes up-up-up. Maybe 45 to 75 minutes, depending. If you're like me who hiked Hong Kong, it's as if Lantau Peak were right by Shek O. Just sayin'. Taking a sweaty rest, overlooking the city and water, a fellow hiker asked if she could have a chair. Mr. F...

For this week's episode, I was reminded of Rachel P Smith and her great energy, creative spirit, and generosity. Be inspired. Enjoy!   ++++   A fascinating thing is happening with the podcast guests. At first, the contacts are direct or indirect, and over time the links to people outside my circle seem to reveal themselves. For example, all of a sudden I became aware of Rachel Smith, her...

This is a reissue of the episode I recorded with my good friend, Scott Duncan. It was first launched on 1 April 2020. Episode 6 of the podcast!    Our history goes back to 1994 – when Scott, Vince, Victoria, Justin and I formed and performed in the spoken-word quintet, Fluffy Pagan Echoes. So many years later, Scott recounts where his life has taken him.    Trained in film and...

In episode 118 with Julie Gianelloni Connor, she mentioned going into publishing with a great, quirky, and unique voice. Carrie Carter. As I do, we set up the call and I didn't quite put two and two together, only to discover a fun, amazing, and inspiring guest!   Carrie and I spoke about her passion for making live music, the ongoing power of dioramas and the Godzilla series, and her soon-to...

What is it to live, experience, grow, and be driven to keep serving others? In the case of Doug Lawrence, this is a path he has followed across years of police work and now as a coach and mentor.    We got on a call and he guided me through his growth as a mentor and the value this work has for all kinds of people. From helping students to aspiring women leaders, from police officers to...

Lisa joined me from Montreal, diving into what it's like to be a journalist who steps forward to cover the stories that must be told.    She's a journalist and editor with nearly two decades of professional experience in the Middle East, New York City, and Canada. She covered the major events in Israel-Palestine and the region between the Second Intifada and the Egyptian uprising of 2011...

Saskia Wolsak is a trainer, facilitator, therapist, PhD candidate, artist and so much more. She joined me to review what life's been like these past few years.    From Canada to Bermuda, the USA, and now Costa Rica, join Saskia to learn why plants are so incredible and what it's like to have a toucan hold on to your breast and scream for dear life.   * To view the full episode, clic...

What is it to be an entrepreneur? What is it to be a writer? What is it to lead so many people around a shared vision? These are questions I've tackled with Po since 2006, and here I was on a call with the hilarious and delightful force of nature that is Ann Charles.    If you want inspiration on how to create an empire around your craft and creative expression – listen in. If you want s...

Between 2006 and 2009,  when I first worked with Po Chung, one of the programs we worked on was called The Good Life Initiative. The premise, feeding from various authors and our own efforts, was to help various people who achieved much in their lives to move from success to significance.   Sitting around metaphorical the fire with Julie Gianelloni Connor, I felt I was in the presence of...

In 1985, Joseph Campbell spoke with Bill Moyers to tackle the idea of how to live a meaningful, purposeful life. One memorable sentence from that was the idea of "finding your bliss". Calling in from Toronto, I got on the line with Randi-Lee Bowslaugh, not knowing who she was or where she was speaking from.    Turns out that she's based just a short highway drive away from me! Listen in...

For this week's episode, I'll reissue the one recorded in July 2020 because she spoke on the magic and wonder of Mongolia. This, because more people need to hear about the nation and its amazing people.    How many Mongolians do YOU know? In my case, I had never met anyone from Mongolia until I met Khaliun at The Hive, in Sai Kung, Hong Kong.    We met in Wanchai to discuss wha...

In episode 92 with Anna Blocki, I first got the introduction to what tissue engineering is about and its application. When we finished recording, she said I would probably LOVE meeting and having Thomas Späeter on as well. Sure, I said, sounds great.    So Thomas and I were playing email tag as our schedules just didn't line up. Was he in Germany? Or was it California? How could we meet?...

I am delighted to have Nivedita Ramanujam join me on the podcast.    Based in Hong Kong – in fact, only a few kilometers away from my house – Nivedita is a practicing psychologist, completing her PhD, an artist, and a profoundly inspiring care giver. Literally giving care to herself, others, and the full biosphere around us.  Listen in as Nivedita shares her journey and why she comm...

How do you react when the world serves you a double-scoop of bad luck and unexpected loss? What do you do when things fall apart?    Tim and  I reconnected to discuss the healing power of travel, the unexpected generosity that surrounds us, how we can sometimes find beauty and wonder when you least expect it, and what it's like to be there for other people at their greatest times of...

When ANYTHING is possible – what an opportunity to learn! Andrya Bailey and I lined up the call and both signed on. "Hello," said I, "nice to meet you. Now who are you?" And then the magic started!   Now I grew up on Elias Cannetti, Mikhail Bulgakov, Franz Kafka, bp Nichol... You know, the literature dudes. And women, for sure, but for now the point is that if and when it came to romance nove...