Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!
“Exploring is an innate part of being human.” Richard Wiese, spends 30 minutes every week with some of the world’s most compelling adventurers, explorers, and socio-environmental advocates, listening to their distinct adventures, unique discoveries, projects & goals, while discovering their multitude of challenges, surprises, triumphs and set-backs they encounter along the way. Join Richard as he pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to travel around the world and beyond; explore some of the most exotic and often dangerous places; and uncover what makes people, places and our planet so special.
Episodes
51 episodes
Trevor Wallace: From Fear to Curiosity—How One Trip Changed Everything
In 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 dan...
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39:03
Brandon Clifford: Inside the World’s Only Proven Pirate Shipwreck
In 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, Brando...
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31:33
Karim Iliya: How Storytelling Connects Nature, Space, and Humanity
In 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 mul...
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34:39
Wade Davis: Storytelling, Culture, and Moral Courage
In 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....
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29:46
Dr. Kenneth Lacovara: Why Dinosaurs Still Matter
In 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 i...
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29:31
Chris Nicola: The Hidden Holocaust Story Beneath Ukraine
In 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...
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39:22
Dr. Alan Stern: From Pluto to the Stars
In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, planetary scientist Dr. Alan Stern shares his journey from childhood awe during Apollo 11 to leading NASA’s New Horizons mission to Pluto and beyond. Alan opens up about ...
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27:25
Dr. Stig Severinsen: Breathing Beyond Limits
In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Dr. Stig Severinsen reveals the science and spirituality behind mastering your breath. Known for holding his breath for over 20 minutes and diving 202 meters on a single breath, S...
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30:32
Victor Vescovo: Redefining the Limits of Exploration
In 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 ...
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25:55
Peter Hillary: Everest, Legacy, and the Heart of Exploration
In 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...
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18:51
From Trauma to Triumph: Silvia’s Climb Toward Healing
Born 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 ...
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30:03
Hugo Vau: Facing the Giant Wave
In 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 Por...
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34:37
Captain Alfred McLaren: The Real Hunt for Red October
In 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 Comman...
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32:48
Bo Parfet: The Hardest Mountain to Climb — is Yourself
In 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.<...
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23:07
Saving the Cheetah: Laurie Marker's Global Mission
In 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 journe...
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26:51
Geoff Green: Protecting the Poles, Inspiring the Planet
In 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 t...
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26:10
From NY to the Rainforest: Elodie Freymann’s Journey
In 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 ...
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30:22
Rachel Graham: Swimming with Sharks, Leading with Heart
In 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 f...
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30:05
Mikael Strandberg: Planet's Most Extreme Explorer
In 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 ...
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23:20
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 leg...
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34:26
Leela Hazzah & the Maasai: Lion Guardians
In 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 ...
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23:15
Rodrigo Medellín: The Batman of Mexico
In 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 b...
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26:25
From Cancer Survivor to Astronaut: Hayley Arceneaux’s Journey
In 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 tre...
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16:29
Richard Garriott: Video Gaming Pioneer to Extreme Explorer
In 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 hi...
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21:05