Oyster World Radio

(Episode 50) Batumi, Georgia. Creating something new is hard. It takes patience and discipline to bring something to life. Most do not take up the challenge. Unfortunately for Imeda Iakovenka, he had no choice. After his family was evicted from a socially funded home, it was up to him to create for himself. Luckily for Imeda he had been creating music on his trusty piano for years. He just needed to translate it. Even harder to do when there isn't a roof over your head.   SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMusic by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 49) Tbilisi, Georgia. To say the country of Georgia has been through a lot is an understatement. Sandwhiched between Asia and Europe, and all of their historic empires, Georgia has been a centerpiece for invasions since it began making wines 8,000 years ago. Despite the constant conflict, George Gaxaladze loves his country. In fact, all Georgians do because through their struggles they have retained a closeness of community that you don't see many places. They had to be close to survive after all. George and the citizens of Georgia show their wariness through their eyes, but that will never stop them from greeting you with a smile. Tune in to today's episode to learn more about this beautiful country.  SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMusic by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 48) Dublin, Ireland. Aiden Daly grew up just like I did. There wasn't much to do next to the busy road where he lived especially with its lack of kids his age. But things could always be worse when you compare it to others. In fact, Aiden has a deep sense of gratitude for everything he has in his life and the path that he was able to follow. A healthy mindset that was severely tested once his Mom got sick. SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREONFollow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMusic by Charlie Millikin  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 47) Edinburgh, Scotland. Sarah Schelles is literally on the other side of the globe. Pretty unbelievable especially for a young girl that was raised in a conservative community. Facing rumors of not being "normal," or being a bad egg, or of being impure from family and friends, Sarah had to mentally fight for every inch of her freedom. She got through, and can prove it as she stands in Scotland thousands of miles from the rumors that tried to tie her down.  Check out Sarah's Instagram!SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMusic by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 46) Bangalore, India. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of this gigantic city you can not only find the freshest dosa on the planet but this badass psychologist. Aarti knew that she didn't want to take the typical lawyer or engineering route but her choice of a career in a softer science didn't go unquestioned. Not to worry though because Aarti had a battle plan centered around conversations with a diverse group to get her to where she is today.   Check out Aarti's Instagram!SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREONFollow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMusic by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 45) Kalutara, Sri Lanka. Life wasn't easy, but Ranjith Kaunamuni built himself a life. Ranjith finally settled into his Batik and woodcarving trade and worked in his small workshop/home on the beach. Life was starting to pick up since his art was becoming more popular. Everything changed on December 26th, 2004. No one knew what a tsunami was, but unbeknownst to the little beach town one was on its way. Thankfully due to some quick thinking Ranjith was able to survive, but the life he had built was washed away. Even with all of that, the man sitting across from me was one of the happiest people I had ever met. How is that possible? With everything gone, he rebuilt his life around the the only thing that matters, his family, and treats everyday as a gift that might not come again tomorrow.More About the TsunamiSUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMusic by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out in

(Episode 44) Dresden, Germany. What would happen if your entire life flipped upside down? That's exactly what happened to Heiner Ziems. Heiner grew up on the east side of Germany after WWII while it was under Soviet control, but everything changed when the wall fell in 1989. As you can imagine the aftermath was a bit chaotic as an entire society changed overnight. In this episode, we hear a unique point of view of what it was like to see the wall fall from the other side.  SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 43) Kraków, Poland. Jan-Jakub Bąk lived in a tough environment. With an abusive father, he battled through childhood as he tried to find himself outside his father's expectations. Now removed from the situation, Jan-Jakub focuses on reuniting with his sister and mother in an attempt to keep the core of his family together.  SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREONFollow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 42) Prague, Czech Republic. It is always nice to meet a fellow North American and Francisco Rubio is no different. Francisco has one hell of a story from surviving a massive earthquake in Mexico City, to unknowingly working for a ponzi scheme, and eventually moving to Europe. His logical based approach to change has gotten him through many tough moments and helped him chase crazy ideas in the best life he could possibly live. SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 41) Pilsen, Czech Republic. Matěj Boháč has gone through many phases in his life. From the party filled band life playing Czech grunge, to adopting a religion, and working on a degree in Archaeology, Matěj was always finding and exploring new avenues in his life. This life of exploring and transitioning between phases of interest wasn't always easy. It can be draining to constantly change course without a final destination in mind. We all go through transitions and struggle and sometimes we just need an outlet. When Matěj needs to get away, he heads to the road with only his thumb as a means of transportation. Check Out Matěj's Grunge Band!He's Also Got an Album!SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 40) Pilsen, Czech Republic. Anna Štětková now faces one of the hardest questions to answer. What do I want to do with the rest of my life? Sixteen to eighteen year olds around the world face this exact question and the answer is almost never clear. Choose wrong and you could be trapped in a profession you hate or be left without the means to chase the lifestyle you want. Anna is tackling this problem a bit differently. Instead of plowing forward she is taking a step back and allowing herself the room to think and grown. This episode is for everyone that faces a major fork in the road and for all the students trying to decide the rest of their lives.  SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 39) Sydney, Australia. Kendarnath had a good job and a stable life. He studied hard and got his mechanical engineering degree, worked hard to climb quickly in a rising steel company, and had a lot of meaning and freedom in his work. It wasn't his though. Coming to the realization that he has been trained to fulfill the dreams of others Kendar decided to finally try something for himself. So he took his motorbike and left. Who knew that simple decision would lead to the ride of a lifetime.  Stay in touch with the No Country ManRead his bookFollow him on FacebookSubscribe on YoutubeAs always support Oyster too!SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 38) Yamba, Australia. Alex Touze never stops smiling. Born in Paris to Hatian parents, Alex immediately took to the city. The early independence of city life, family heritage, plus friends from all over the world instilled a deep wanderlust in Alex. Life had other plans though. As it steered her farther and farther away from her travel dreams, Alex finally had enough and dropped everything including her current boyfriend. She didn't know what she would find on the road, but she always knew she would be okay. Through the good times and the bad her trademark smile carries her through the east coast of Australia and beyond.  SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREONFollow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 37) Hokitika, New Zealand. Steve Gwaliasi is a master jade carver that has seen many students come through his shop. Owner of the local jade carver shop in town, Steve has the ability to help complete novices made beautiful jade jewelry in a single day! How does he do it? Steve has created the perfect learning environment that draws on his childhood in the Solomon Islands. It is a wonderful place to be, and Bonz n Stonz will continue to be a gem, pun intended, on the west coast of New Zealand for many years to come.SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 36) Christchurch, New Zealand. A true kiwi through and through, Rebekah Tregurtha grew up in the outdoors of the beautiful south island. Life was good, until her parents decided to change course. Their family had gotten involved in a religious community and things had gone south. It was time to go. After leaving everything she knew behind, Rebekah repeatedly had to navigate her way through grey areas and communities that at first glace did not suit her. A master at finding her niche, Rebekah now organizes mountain bike events, sets trails, and raises two awesome kids under the same mountains she once played.  SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramJackie's Blog - Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 35) Bali, Indonesia. Heru Mubarak wasn't a rebel until he moved out of his parents house without telling them. With job prospects few and far between, Heru made the jump to Jakarta in search of work and a new life. What he found was the logistical nightmare that was Jakarta. Stalling out in the rat race of the mega city, Heru decided to ditch the city life for the island life while on vacation. Yes, he went on vacation and decided never to come back. A dream for most people, but when asked questions on how he made the jump he simply replies, "What's the reason why you can't?"   Book Your Bali VacationSUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramCheck Out Gish Out of WaterSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 34) Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Thai was born ten years after the war, but Vietnam was still feeling it's effects. When Thai wasn't helping his family search for food, he and his friends would find old bullets from the war and make little rockets from their gun powder. The country was recovering and poor. Over Thai's lifetime, Vietnam made its comeback and the tourist industry boomed. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Thai built his career on showing people the real Vietnam. From a kid hunting food for the family, to a business owner in Ho Chi Minh city. How did he get there? Tune in to find out.  Book Your Bike TourSUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON Follow me on InstagramSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 33) Saigon, Vietnam. Thinh Dinh is training to be a bike tour guide in the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh, aka Saigon. Born in central Vietnam, Thinh took a chance leaving his small home town to pursue his dream of being a tour guide. Being the country kid in a small city is no easy task, but after a relative scammed his parents out of their life savings, he was left to support himself. How did he make it through? How did he end up on a bike in the delta? Tune in to find out. SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREONFollow me on InstagramSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 32) Chiang Mai, Thailand. เลิกเสี่ยง. เค็ง น่ะะ, aka Keng, was born in Chiang Mai, Thailand where she spent her entire childhood. Like many people in their 20's, Keng is struggling to figure out what she wants to do next. The first job out of school is always a confusing time. It's what we all want out of school, but usually doesn't reach the expectations we set. Keng is no different. Listen in on how she tackles the "grey area" problem as a young woman taking on the world.SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREONFollow me on InstagramSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMore about our Trip!Music by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

(Episode 31) Bangkok, Thailand. Christopher Ryan was a project manager making loads of money. Born in Mobile, Alabama and spending most of his childhood working for the family snake show, Chris never had this kind of money. The only problem was that the more he moved up in the company, the more it became a nightmare. Craving freedom, Chris began dreaming of bigger things until the fateful day came when he was laid off at his job. Usually a time of crisis for most Americans, Chris jumped at the chance to pursue a childhood passion. Photography. Now living in Bangkok, Thailand, Chris works on his photography project "Youth and Urban Decay" full time. Chris sold his stuff, the paychecks stopped, and he is living in a completely new place, but there is one undeniable fact about Chris, he's happy. Check out Chris's WebsiteFollow Chris on InstagramSUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREONFollow me on InstagramSubscribe to the ShowWrite us a ReviewMusic by Charlie Millikin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out inform