Benjamin Rutledge is a Czech-American Christian with a diverse academic and professional background, which includes military service, international political economy studies, and teaching at a Czech private school. Benji & I met a few weeks ago in Prague and became fast friends. When we met for lunch last Friday, he told me about Charlie Kirk
Bad Kissers, Czech Food, Life of a Pimp, Accumulating Wealth with Morgan Troxclair (from Prague)
Morgan’s first time in Europe! And second time on the pod—since the wife laughed so hard at the first episode (got a new listener!) there had to be a sequel. Which is never as good. But this isn’t the movies. We talk about going to Europe at age 50. Why he waited so long. And
Marijuana Legalization, Microsoft & AI, Monks Love Peace (from Prague)
Coming to you solo from Prague—my favorite city in the world. I went to Berlin last weekend and recorded an episode there with my buddy Jürgen. In this episode, I discuss “the best movie ever,” raid of John Bolton’s home, and Trump’s recollection of the raid on his home. Remember when American propagandists told us
The Way of the Superior Man, Migrants in Germany, Views on Trump with Jürgen (from Berlin)
In Berlin with my best Euro friend. Jürgen! He’s “Schmürgen,” in the US, or “Jürg with two dots over you” when I haven’t seen him in a while. Anyway, he’s from Nuremberg, Germany. We discuss all the migration in Germany. Jürgen shares his perspective on the need for balancing compassion, cultural adaptation, and the tax
From Combat to Entrepreneur and Thoughts on Pyschedelics with Justin Jackson
Meet Justin Jackson. There’s no friend I admire more. In fact, he’s my new favorite podcast guest and will be back for Round 2 in October. Justin’s a former Marine gunship pilot with over 25 years of service, who transitioned from combat deployments to entrepreneurship. He’s built companies ranging from a cybersecurity firm with elite
Meeting Ukrainians, Sex Differences, Networking in NOLA (from Gdańsk, Poland)
Almost didn’t get this solo episode recorded. Been a rough week. But think I might get some relief after seeing a doctor here in Gdańsk. In this ep, I talk about a recent sauna experience—who I met there and why the interaction impacted me. One of them was a 19-year old from Ukraine. So I
How Your Childhood Shapes the Person You Become with Harvey Yergin
Harvey and I met in 2021, when he and his college sweetheart, and wife of 17 years, Amie, joined my wife & me, at Cafe Dumonde in New Orleans, for beignets & Cafe Au Laits. And we’ve stayed in touch since. Harvey’s a proud dad to Brinley (14), Harvey the 5th (12) and Clara June
European Cities, Optimal Experience, My Epstein Theory
In this episode, I check in from Gdańsk, a city in northern Poland on the Baltic coast. I talk about what it’s been like exploring this part of the world—how Gdańsk surprised me with its charm, walkability, and its history. World War II started here. And unlike Kraków or Warsaw, it has beaches! And fewer
Baseball & Partying, Addiction & Recovery, The Olsen Twins with Curtis Pelletier
In this episode, I’m joined by Curtis Pelletier. I know Curtis as “Pelch.” He and I met our freshman year of college—he was Chase Lambin’s roommate at Grayson College, where they won the JUCO World Series. Twice. Pelch then played professional baseball and represented Canada on the national team. He’s also worked as a scout
Life in Estonia, Sibling Rivalry, Trump & Iran
In this episode, I sit down with myself—solo again—checking in from Tallinn, Estonia. I share thoughts on growing up, parenting, and why competition might be one of the best teachers. I start by reflecting on a birthday message from friends and how Little League Baseball shaped the way I think about determination, toughness and the
Life After Divorce and Why Men Want Submissive Women with Morgan Troxclair
Morgan is one of my favorite guests because he’s candid. Could be because he’s had lots of practice confessing his sins, which he does in this episode too—the sins he’s been absolved of at least. I’ll extract the rest when I see him for Part 2 in Prague later this summer. We discuss life after