#48 | The Second Most Interesting Man In The World - Robin Esrock (Bucket List)
“There’s three very simple things to being happy: find something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to. ”
My guest today is Robin Esrock, a global adventurer, travel writer, and author of the Great Global Bucket List.
After a chance encounter on a Canadian TV talk show, Robin and I have remained friends for over a decade. We’ve shared countless experiences together, from working on his acclaimed international reality series Word Travels, to exploring the playa at Burning Man, and even attending the prestigious Explorers Club in New York City (where he was the Master of Ceremonies).
Robin is a man who has done it all. In our conversation today, he shares about his life growing up in apartheid South Africa and his immigration to Canada. He details the fortuitous motorcycle accident that became his gateway to travel writing, and what he discovered about various rites of passage for men around the world.
And finally, he shares key insights how to travel with children (he has two), and what might remain on his list when it’s time to kick the bucket.
LINKS
JOIN THE SCHOOL OF MYTHOPOETICS
SHOW NOTES
Growing up in South Africa during a time of oppression
The decision to flee & ending up in Vancouver
A car accident leading into the beginning of worldwide travel
From an amateur traveler to a sustainable TV show character
Ian & Robin’s shared adventure in Italy
Postponing the bucket list for the family project
The expectations around having kids before and after
The difficult-to-articulate joys of having kids
The experience of traveling with kids
Envisioned show about “rites of passage across the world”
The meaning of rites of passage and why it matters
Defining experiences from different cultures around masculinity
The tragedy of growing up without proper cultural guidance
The emergence story of The Bucket List
Mortality as a driving force for the Bucket List movement
An insightful quote around formative fatherhood decisions
What Robin learned about humans from traveling to 112 countries
Remaining projects in Robin’s Bucket List at the age of 46
