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
61 episodes
Andreas Heide: Swimming with Killer Whales
In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Andreas Heide, Norwegian marine biologist, filmmaker, expedition sailor, and explorer talks about a life shaped by the ocean. From receiving his first small boat at age ten to tra...
Björk Brynjarsdottir: Turning Garbage Into Living Soil
In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Richard Wiese sits down with Icelandic innovator Björk Brynjarsdóttir, who is reimagining one of humanity’s oldest problems: waste.By transforming food scraps through micro...
Andrew Budziak: Ice Diving for Science
In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Richard Wiese speaks with filmmaker, explorer, and ice diver Andrew Budziak about his project Freeze the Future — a conservation initiative studying the hidden ecosystems...
Serena McCalla: Educator Who Built a Science Empire
In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Richard Wiese sits down with Serena McCalla — National Geographic Explorer, molecular scientist, educator, and mentor featured in the acclaimed documentary Science Fair.<...
Hugues de Kerdrel: Mission to Save Whale Sharks
In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Hugues de Kerdrel joins Richard Wiese to share the story behind Mission William - a global initiative aimed at protecting whale sharks and the ecosystems they depend on.Wha...
Bertrand Piccard: Life is the Ultimate Exploration
In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Bertrand Piccard joins Richard Wiese for a conversation about exploration, failure, innovation, and the mindset required to build a better future. Piccard reflects on how repeated...
In Memory of Birute Galdikas - 53 Years of Studying Orangutans
In this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, we celebrate the life of Dr. Birute Galdikas. The amazing life lived, and the legacy that continues to this day.Dr. Birute Galdikas dedicated over 50 years of her life to studying ...
Alex More on Pandemics, Climate, and Human Survival
In this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Richard Wiese speaks with Dr. Alex More about an extraordinary journey that spans immigration, survival, scholarship, and discovery. Alex recounts leaving Italy as a teenager, nav...
Dr. Martin Nweeia and the Real Unicorn of the Sea
In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with Dr. Martin Nweeia, a dental surgeon, Arctic marine mammal scientist, dental anthropologist, educator, and leading researcher of the narwhal — the Ar...
Bertrand Piccard: 21st Century's Greatest Explorer
In this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, Richard Wiese sits down with legendary balloonist and environmental innovator Bertrand Piccard to explore what it truly means to carry the torch of exploration across generations....
Tomas Koeck: Environmental Storytelling through Patience, Ethics, and Community
In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, environmental filmmaker and producer Tomas Koeck joins Richard Wiese to explore the realities of wildlife storytelling—where patience, ethics, and community matter more than spect...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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...