#179 | Freddy Cook | Army to Cybersecurity

Chiropractor Dr. Emma Wagner on chiropractic care, energy and functional medicine, and a holistic approach to health.Dr. Emma Wagner's focus is to help her clients live a healthy and active lifestyle. She is an expert in chiropractic care, energy medicine, functional medicine, health and nutritional coaching. Her complete holistic approach dives into your physical and emotional body/mind, helping both men and women to tap into their healing power to feel connected and full of energy.To learn more about Dr. Emma: https://sanclementevitality.comChapters0:00 Welcome Dr. Emma Wagner2:30 Ryan's Covid Calls from Istanbul5:05 A spiritual being on a physical journey7:35 Ryan's travels in Africa10:12 Gratitude from living abroad12:47 Raising rabbits in North Africa15:17 How people survive17:50 Hard to be different20:25 Ryan's move to China23:01 Childhood videotapes25:31 Not wanting to be a doctor28:05 Energy healing at 1630:36 Chiropractic school33:08 Back to France for a slower life35:40 What people thought of chiropractors38:16 Mind, emotions and the body40:51 Everyone has an amazing story43:23 Pills first, then alternatives45:55 Stretching and food sensitivities48:25 Pieces of the puzzle51:00 Fear of being judged53:32 Owning your weirdness56:09 Being yourself in public58:45 Culture or soul?1:01:19 Medicine is too specialised1:03:49 Treating patients before and after Covid1:06:23 America's sleep etiquette1:08:57 A strong immune system1:11:29 Why patients are coming to her1:13:59 Preventative care1:16:31 Masking pain1:19:02 Knowing when your body is off1:21:38 A rabbit in the classroom1:24:12 What we lost from hunter-gatherer life1:26:49 Talking to your body1:29:20 Her bookThe Ryan Pyle Podcast is ad-free by choice. If you enjoy these conversations, you can buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/ryanpyleRyan's TV series are streaming around the world.Follow the PodcastX: https://x.com/RyanPylePodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylepodcastFollow Ryan PyleYouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanjpyleInstagram: https://instagram.com/ryanpyleX: https://x.com/RyanPyleFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylehttps://www.ryanpyle.com

Freddy Cook on military intelligence, climbing poles for Bell Atlantic, a career in cybersecurity, and running the LA Marathon at 50.Fredrick Cook was born in Takoma Park, Maryland, and raised across Atlanta, growing up in deeply racially mixed communities that shaped how he sees people and perspective. He came of age with undiagnosed autism and depression. At 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving nearly six years in Military Intelligence. After the military, he began his civilian career in telecommunications as a pole climber for Bell Atlantic, eventually working his way up to Tier 3 support for the Department of Defense's fiber-optic network.In 2007, Fredrick pivoted into cybersecurity, first as a DoD contractor, then as a DoD civilian. In 2019, he left the federal government, moved to Los Angeles, and at 50 years old ran the Los Angeles Marathon.Three years ago, he co-founded Cyber Pathways, helping high-school students and career changers see a path to a tech career without college debt. Today, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife and youngest son, working as a cybersecurity consultant, teacher, mentor, and firearm instructor, focused on growth, accountability, and building real pathways forward.Chapters0:00 Welcome Freddy Cook2:34 Running without music7:36 Living in a fishbowl10:12 Settling in Maryland12:47 Microaggressions in perspective15:22 A restless kid17:54 An army recruiter on the couch20:28 The pressure of not going to Morehouse23:01 The army changed him25:35 Learning to depend on your team28:09 Exhausted in training30:40 Top 1% on the army test35:40 Your peers are what you fear38:14 Too many fights43:16 Stationed in Germany45:53 Training areas after the Wall fell48:27 Selling cars and finding a path51:03 Tactical versus strategic intelligence53:35 A best friend and WorldCom58:36 A friend who became a brother1:03:38 What cybersecurity covers1:06:14 The DoD's information network1:08:45 Phishing emails every day1:11:20 Contractors behind the scenes1:16:23 Leaving the East Coast1:18:58 The CMMC standard1:21:28 No company is fully secure1:24:02 Phone cards and Ryan's first trip to China1:26:35 Old vulnerabilities, new exploits1:29:11 What it takes to work with the government1:31:41 Insider threats1:34:18 Jobs AI will change1:36:51 Always be ready to change1:39:26 Stagnation1:44:29 Ryan's political awakening in Canada1:47:07 Picking a camp1:49:40 Outsourcing your thinking1:54:42 Long-range shooting1:59:44 Road rage at a Waymo2:02:21 Safety and self-defence2:04:51 Mature your arguments2:07:27 Protest and public policy2:10:02 People who don't vote2:12:35 Civics in schools2:15:08 What did you do then?2:17:38 Your brain rebels against change2:20:11 Re-election versus approval ratings2:22:42 Where movements come from2:25:14 The people have to fix it2:27:45 Ryan detached from politics2:30:17 Laws and law-abiding citizens2:32:48 Accepting you don't know it all2:35:21 Thanks for coming on2:37:53 How couples argue2:40:24 Arguing past each otherThe Ryan Pyle Podcast is ad-free by choice. If you enjoy these conversations, you can buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/ryanpyleRyan's TV series are streaming around the world.Follow the PodcastX: https://x.com/RyanPylePodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylepodcastFollow Ryan PyleYouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanjpyleInstagram: https://instagram.com/ryanpyleX: https://x.com/RyanPyleFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylehttps://www.ryanpyle.com

David Singer returns to talk about his book From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall and performing with musical legends.This is my second podcast with David Singer. If you want David's full background please go to Podcast #139. David has had an exceptional musical career playing for decades on world-class stages, but his life's story is one of humble roots, grit and determination, and at one time, he had three jobs to provide for his family. David Singer has performed many times in Carnegie Hall including a chamber music performance, a trio, with the iconic violinist Yehudi Menuhin, and pianist Gyorgy Sandor. He was a principal member and soloist with the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra for 36 years and is featured on many of the group's 70 CDs on Deutsche Grammophon.He also played at the White House in separate performances for Presidents Carter and Clinton. His story-filled book, "From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall", is more than a musician's memoir; it is an inspiring narrative that resonates with anyone who has faced life's challenges head-on. An ode to the power of never giving up and giving oneself every chance to succeed. David shares in his book stories of performing with: Yehudi Menuhin, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Rudolf Serkin, Andre Previn, actress Stockard Channing, Pablo Casals, Branford Marsalis and more.To learn more about David: https://singerclarinet.comChapters0:00 Welcome back David Singer2:33 Musicians and astronauts5:07 Nurturing young talent7:42 Ryan chose sports over music10:12 Bernstein and Orpheus12:42 Wasting your voice on the phone15:12 Why good teachers struggled17:45 Working with Stockard Channing20:23 Making a living in classical music22:56 Acting in Indecent25:32 The feeling of accomplishment28:04 Orpheus's first Carnegie Hall concert30:35 Staying loose on expeditions33:07 Bourdain and the TV gatekeepers35:43 Not jumping through hoops38:15 A big break as a last-minute sub40:46 Commuting from Montclair43:19 Passions suppressed by sport45:50 A book that writes itself48:25 Keep the hustle alive51:00 Another book?53:37 Missing European restaurants56:11 Ryan's wandering since 201858:44 Missing the mountains1:01:21 Working with at-risk kids1:03:59 Musicians who enrich communities1:06:34 Curtis, like Hogwarts1:09:12 Film school versus conservatory1:11:43 Do actors still need Juilliard?1:14:17 Eating camel in the desert1:16:48 Narrating your own audiobook1:19:23 The magic of the studio1:21:58 Concerts for scientists1:24:32 Music and premed1:27:04 Fantasy camps1:29:34 Against the odds1:32:06 Listen to episode 139The Ryan Pyle Podcast is ad-free by choice. If you enjoy these conversations, you can buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/ryanpyleRyan's TV series are streaming around the world.Follow the PodcastX: https://x.com/RyanPylePodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylepodcastFollow Ryan PyleYouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanjpyleInstagram: https://instagram.com/ryanpyleX: https://x.com/RyanPyleFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylehttps://www.ryanpyle.com

Da'Von Patterson on training service dogs in prison with Canine Support Teams, and finding purpose and second chances.Da'Von Patterson is a powerful example of transformation, resilience, and the human capacity for change. After being sentenced to 38 years in prison, Da'Von's life took an unexpected and defining turn while incarcerated at the California Institute for Men. Through Canine Support Teams' Prison Pup Program, he became involved in the training of service dogs, an experience that would reshape his sense of purpose, responsibility, and connection. He discovered patience, empathy, trust, and the discipline required to care for another life. The program became a catalyst for personal growth, grounded in faith, mentorship, and accountability, offering Da'Von a path forward when few believed one existed. Today, Da'Von's story reflects the broader mission of Canine Support Teams: changing lives through service, partnership, and second chances. His journey highlights the profound impact that service dogs can have, not only for Veterans and individuals with disabilities, but also for those entrusted to help prepare these dogs for their future roles. Da'Von Patterson's life stands as a reminder that redemption is not defined by where someone begins, but by the choices they make when given the opportunity to grow. His story continues to inspire conversations about rehabilitation, purpose, and the transformative power of compassion.To learn more about Da'Von: https://caninesupportteams.org/about-usChapters0:00 Welcome Da'Von Patterson2:30 LA sports without the crowds5:04 Max, the family dog7:36 Caring for the dogs during Covid10:06 Dogs as therapy in prison12:38 What counts as a service animal15:09 How service dogs help people with polio17:43 Teaching Bliss on the fly20:14 Animal programmes in prisons22:45 Joining the programme25:18 Helping veterans get dogs27:54 Shelter dogs that turn out great30:30 Reading a dog's personality33:02 Meet them where they're at35:37 Expressive dogs38:14 His first write-up40:46 Nothing is hidden in prison43:16 Walking straight45:50 Earning his place in the programme48:26 The aha moment51:01 Learning to train, not just care53:34 Won't the dog only listen to its trainer?56:08 Living by the rules58:43 Knowing you have value1:01:13 Dedication pays off1:03:48 How veterans qualify1:06:20 The outside programme1:08:54 A service dog conference in Missouri1:11:27 How clients find CST1:13:59 A dog that changed a client's life1:16:37 Responsibility and maturity1:19:11 Friends now working good jobs1:21:48 Loyalty and opportunity1:24:21 Maintaining the training1:26:55 Avoiding institutionalisation1:29:26 More programmes like this1:32:00 How the program changed peopleThe Ryan Pyle Podcast is ad-free by choice. If you enjoy these conversations, you can buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/ryanpyleRyan's TV series are streaming around the world.Follow the PodcastX: https://x.com/RyanPylePodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylepodcastFollow Ryan PyleYouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanjpyleInstagram: https://instagram.com/ryanpyleX: https://x.com/RyanPyleFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylehttps://www.ryanpyle.com

USC professor Henry Jenkins on 25 books about fandom, popular culture and participatory media.Henry Jenkins is the author or editor of 25 books on popular culture, including "Textual Poachers: Television Fans" and "Participatory Culture, Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide", "By Any Media Necessary: The New Youth Activism" and the "Frames of Fandom" book series. He is the Provost's Professor of Communication, Journalism, Cinematic Arts, Education, and East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Southern California.To learn more about Henry: https://annenberg.usc.edu/faculty/henry-jenkinsChapters0:00 Welcome Henry Jenkins2:34 Growing up near Stone Mountain5:10 Where the South is going7:40 A choice every Southerner made10:11 Iowa was too Iowa12:45 Institutions shape us15:20 Money and ethics at MIT17:50 Twenty years of the digital revolution20:25 The Matrix and transmedia storytelling22:59 Working with industry25:33 Lucas, Spielberg and beyond film28:08 More votes for American Idol30:40 From Murrow to Studs Terkel33:10 How Ryan edits the podcast35:43 The participatory end of media38:17 Podcasts that open other worlds40:49 Predicting the future43:23 When fans turn on an author45:54 K-pop Demon Hunters48:29 The global scramble for soft power51:00 Fandom and censorship in China53:33 Safe spaces through pop culture56:08 The Great Firewall58:39 Hanfu and Chinese historical fiction1:01:10 China grows more conservative1:03:41 Pop culture and the social contract1:06:15 Asian pop culture in LA1:08:50 Fans and K-pop labels1:11:24 Dreaming of the stars1:13:58 Interconnectedness and the environment1:16:28 Thai films on Netflix1:19:03 US soft power1:21:35 Nollywood's rise1:24:05 Parasite and subtitles1:26:40 Reimagining the South through food1:29:10 Writing with a Southern accent1:31:45 A majority-minority country1:34:15 A film and a half a day1:36:46 Studios without their finger on the pulse1:39:17 From Star Trek fanfiction to K-pop1:41:48 Movies as eventsThe Ryan Pyle Podcast is ad-free by choice. If you enjoy these conversations, you can buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/ryanpyleRyan's TV series are streaming around the world.Follow the PodcastX: https://x.com/RyanPylePodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylepodcastFollow Ryan PyleYouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanjpyleInstagram: https://instagram.com/ryanpyleX: https://x.com/RyanPyleFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylehttps://www.ryanpyle.com

Trainer John Franklin on coaching at the DogPound, and lessons from training for the LA and Honolulu marathons.John Franklin is a fitness trainer who coaches personalized strength and conditioning sessions at Dogpound Gym in West Hollywood, California. A recent reconnection with running lead John to the goal of completing the Los Angeles Marathon in early 2025. Learning from the mistakes and missteps made during his training for his first marathon, John geared up for a second training block to prepare for the Honolulu Marathon in December of 2025.To learn more about John: https://www.instagram.com/prettyandboredChapters0:00 Welcome John Franklin2:31 Leaving LA for Hawaii5:04 Growing up outdoors7:34 Pressure on a young athlete10:10 One season of cross country12:41 Running brought peace15:17 A week of training17:47 Running around the island in Hawaii20:22 Where fun hobbies go to die23:00 Running the back paths in LA25:33 Getting certified as a trainer28:03 Joining the Dogpound30:35 Life in this town33:05 Lives changed at the gym35:38 The strongest team yet38:10 Seeing how far he can push40:42 Healthy and disciplined43:14 Signing up for the LA Marathon45:45 A 20-week programme48:22 Pushing past 20 miles50:57 Racing with an injury53:32 Afraid of not finishing56:10 Finishing faster than expected58:42 More to prove1:01:16 Ryan on basketball and rugby1:03:47 Margaritas and the Honolulu Marathon1:06:24 Speed workouts with a friend1:08:54 Race weekend in Hawaii1:11:29 Knowing the course1:13:59 A packed starting line1:16:33 Running in humidity1:19:05 A collective experience1:21:37 Delirious at mile 211:24:14 Training for the next one1:26:48 Point over, what's next1:29:19 How bad do you want it?1:31:50 Improving on his timeThe Ryan Pyle Podcast is ad-free by choice. If you enjoy these conversations, you can buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/ryanpyleRyan's TV series are streaming around the world.Follow the PodcastX: https://x.com/RyanPylePodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylepodcastFollow Ryan PyleYouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanjpyleInstagram: https://instagram.com/ryanpyleX: https://x.com/RyanPyleFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylehttps://www.ryanpyle.com

Investor Samuel Kronick on growing up in Beijing, venture capital, Tencent, and crypto fundraising at Bags.Samuel Kronick is born and raised in Beijing, China and has focused his role has an entrepreneur and investor focused on early-stage FinTech and Digital Assets. Samuel got involved early in this field with his the United States with his work at Greycroft, a venture capital firm, before transitioning to angel investing himself where he backed successful companies and funds at their earliest stages including Mysten Labs and Browder Capital. Samuel then decided to shift his focus back to China and worked at Tencent, investing in gaming companies; but eventually he returned to the US and joined Bags as Head of Business Development, a crypto fundraising platform that has processed over $2B in volume and helped creators raise $20M+ in the past four months covering late 2025 and early 2026.To learn more about Samuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-kronick-65a579126Chapters0:00 Welcome Samuel Kronick2:33 Two school systems in China5:07 Growing up amid a building boom7:40 International school friends10:10 Forgetting his own surname12:47 Choosing Northwestern15:25 China and the financial crisis17:59 Working at Tencent20:31 Nine to nine, six days a week23:05 Missing the intensity25:40 Analysing Chinese tech in LA28:15 Venture capital in LA30:51 When the crypto market collapsed33:21 Seven rounds of interviews35:55 How Chinese tech pays38:29 A struggling economy in late 202341:04 Farmland and food security43:42 Competing for jobs46:19 Four months in Shenzhen48:54 Ryan covering Tencent and Alibaba51:27 Yahoo's bet on Alibaba53:59 Joining Mysten Labs56:29 Meeting future industry leaders59:00 A somber mood in China1:01:34 Politics and investment in China1:04:04 Teenage nightlife in China1:06:34 How students see China1:09:06 A new way to fund creators1:11:39 Open-source AI1:14:12 Earning from fee sharing1:16:43 Talking to industry leaders1:19:16 Market manipulation worries1:21:50 Software anyone can use1:24:25 Will the next generation only work in crypto?1:26:56 Stablecoins and yield1:29:29 Funding creators and AI agents1:31:59 Real-world assets on chain1:34:29 A generation's ecosystem1:37:01 Keep building and shipping1:39:35 Fear of changing rules1:42:05 Why Chinese savers buy crypto1:44:37 Why people hold crypto1:47:14 Independent creators exposing wrongdoing1:49:44 Monetising attention1:52:22 Digital assets and governments1:54:54 Inflation and money printing1:57:24 Staying number one1:59:55 Keeping the AI edge2:02:25 Companies that took it too easy2:04:57 Embracing AI2:07:31 Data centres in space2:10:05 Who wins in AI2:12:42 Thanks for coming inThe Ryan Pyle Podcast is ad-free by choice. If you enjoy these conversations, you can buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/ryanpyleRyan's TV series are streaming around the world.Follow the PodcastX: https://x.com/RyanPylePodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylepodcastFollow Ryan PyleYouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanjpyleInstagram: https://instagram.com/ryanpyleX: https://x.com/RyanPyleFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylehttps://www.ryanpyle.com

Divorce coach Laila Aitken Ali on rebuilding after a ten-year divorce and helping others through life's biggest transitions.In her own words:"My story began with a ten-year divorce that unraveled everything: my identity, my confidence, my sense of safety. I was pregnant, heartbroken, and standing in the rubble of a life that no longer made sense. I knew how to function, to plan, organize, hold it together, but I didn't know how to feel safe in my own body again. Every text from my ex sent my nervous system into overdrive. Every decision felt loaded. And the people around me, though loving and well-intentioned, couldn't understand what it meant to look strong while silently falling apart inside. So I learned. I learned how to regulate my body, how to separate strategy from emotion, and how to rebuild a life rooted in peace instead of panic. And once I did, I couldn't help but teach it. Now, with over a decade of experience supporting individuals and families through divorce and major life transitions, I've guided hundreds of clients toward emotional steadiness, confident communication, and clear decision-making. As a Certified Divorce Coach®, Accredited Mediator, and Communication Strategist, my work blends lived experience with professional training, helping people not only navigate the practical side of divorce but also rebuild the relationship they have with themselves."To learn more about Laila: https://thesplitcoach.com/aboutChapters0:00 Welcome Laila Aitken Ali2:32 Pakistan and the K2 trek that never happened5:09 Growing up in a multi-ethnic family7:40 Holding on to culture10:15 How little some people know of the world12:50 Humbled by living abroad15:24 Magazines before the internet17:56 Being different became her superpower20:29 Dialogue across viewpoints23:02 Weekend drives and staying connected to culture25:36 A year in Italy28:09 Community and belonging in Italy33:12 Photography with real cameras35:46 Moving to Italy with no plan38:21 Absorbing another way of life40:51 An early globalist43:25 From relocation to property development45:56 Loving both cultures48:33 Getting out of your comfort zone51:08 Working with the UK53:41 Old property laws56:14 A jewellery line58:49 Factory minimums1:01:23 Moving countries for a relationship1:03:55 There's never a right time for kids1:06:32 Where to live next1:09:06 A kind man at the tube station1:14:09 Friends going through divorce1:16:46 Divorce drains money1:19:17 How men and women communicate1:21:55 Divorce in the UK versus the US1:24:31 Building a community for people splitting up1:29:33 What society expects of us1:32:09 The village around a marriage1:37:09 Is it worth saving?1:39:46 Partners or roommates1:42:18 Anxiety during trauma1:44:51 A split-proof agreement1:47:28 Attraction and timing1:50:03 What men and women mean1:52:34 Mediation and lawyers1:55:07 Meeting face to face1:57:43 How we're wired2:00:15 Marriages that last2:02:47 Divorce on TV2:05:23 Is this working for you?2:07:59 Don't take it personallyThe Ryan Pyle Podcast is ad-free by choice. If you enjoy these conversations, you can buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/ryanpyleRyan's TV series are streaming around the world.Follow the PodcastX: https://x.com/RyanPylePodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylepodcastFollow Ryan PyleYouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanjpyleInstagram: https://instagram.com/ryanpyleX: https://x.com/RyanPyleFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylehttps://www.ryanpyle.com

Charlotte Jackson on Paris Fashion Week and founding The Curve Authority to bring luxury fashion to plus-size women.A former Actress and Singer, Charlotte has become a power player behind the scenes in the luxury fashion world. She's also a regular staple at Paris Fashion Week, and a familiar face in the tight knit circles for the likes of McQueen, Stella McCartney, and many others. As one who challenges outdated industry standards, she is an advocate for inclusive representation in fashion proving that personal style doesn't come with size, tags, or age limits.As founder of The Curve Authority, Charlotte has privately consulted with some of the biggest brands in fashion to help navigate what is missing in today's market. With an ever-changing landscape leaving many fashion houses feeling the financial strain of the economy, Charlotte's voice and feedback is aimed at helping them reach more buyers. Her platform was birthed from her experience as a woman with curves navigating Fashion Week, personal travel, and entertainment, while realizing the world hadn't fully made room for plus-sized women. As she became more deeply immersed in fashion, she noticed how challenging it was to find fashion-forward, luxury designer clothing for women of her size… women who deserve more than just extended sizes.Apart from working closely with the brands, The Curve Authority will also evolve into its own lifestyle brand encompassing clothing and media.To learn more about Charlotte: https://bit.ly/m/TheCurveAuthorityChapters0:00 Welcome Charlotte Jackson2:32 The School of Arts5:03 Confidence from the church choir7:37 Choirs as joy and escape10:09 When a hobby becomes a career12:45 Moving to LA without a support system15:21 Performing to be included17:56 Employers who let her chase opportunities20:31 Everybody has bad days23:08 Motherhood happened25:45 A son with a baritone voice28:17 Covid and sweatpants30:47 Bringing care back to dressing33:17 Everyone deserves the option35:52 The scales of justice logo38:22 The spending power of plus-size women40:53 Building the brand first43:24 Bring back the in-store experience45:57 Craftsmanship and inclusivity48:32 Ask brands for their largest size51:04 The repeat customer53:34 Produce more of the sizes that sell56:07 Mixing luxury and high street58:38 Luxury brands that go up to size 161:01:08 Pieces that last a lifetime1:03:42 How celebrities changed fashion1:06:18 A bespoke line?1:08:52 Ashley Graham's collaboration1:11:26 A liaison between luxury and plus-size women1:13:57 Confidence in the right garment1:16:32 Knowing how exclusion feels1:19:09 Men have more choice1:21:44 Celebrity collaborations1:24:15 Undergarments and Skims1:26:46 Keep pushing1:29:17 Where to find The Curve AuthorityThe Ryan Pyle Podcast is ad-free by choice. If you enjoy these conversations, you can buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/ryanpyleRyan's TV series are streaming around the world.Follow the PodcastX: https://x.com/RyanPylePodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylepodcastFollow Ryan PyleYouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanjpyleInstagram: https://instagram.com/ryanpyleX: https://x.com/RyanPyleFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylehttps://www.ryanpyle.com

Screenwriter and journalist Keri Lee on growing up between Utah and California, and her award-winning comedy scripts.Having spent her formative years pivoting between life with her Mormon single mom in Utah and her world-traveling, hard-partying dad in California, Keri Lee developed a passion for the wildly diverse people and worldviews that fuel her writing to this day. As a screenwriter, she writes provocative, character-driven genre comedies that explore everything from social alienation to ecological collapse. Her eco-horror-comedy feature RAT BASTARDS was Best Comedy Screenplay at Nashville Film Festival, and her MMA comedy CAGE LIFE was a Writers Lab finalist and a top-10 comedy finalist in Final Draft Big Break.As a newspaper and magazine journalist, Keri profiled everyone from award-winning authors and artists to an 11-year-old county fair livestock champion and an eerily accurate tarot reader named Taco. Today, she works as a freelance writer for nonprofit and film industry publications, including the P.G.A.'s flagship magazine ProducedBy. Keri has a master's degree in English from Claremont Graduate University and has taken film, writing, and acting courses at UCLA and UC Irvine.To learn more about Keri: https://keri-lee.comChapters0:00 Welcome Keri Lee2:30 Podcast number one, alone in Istanbul5:00 Swimming and an active childhood7:32 Reality severed in lockdown10:09 The first trip to China12:45 More to China than the news15:21 Humbled by language and travel17:58 Tibet and Everest base camp20:31 Learning to let go23:04 Longer abroad than at home25:39 On the cutting edge of the news28:15 Growing up in suburban Toronto30:45 An education in how the world works33:20 The Sichuan earthquake35:52 Looking over your shoulder38:27 Freelancer versus bureau journalist41:03 Corporate jobs and New York Times assignments43:39 Learning photography from scratch46:15 Making friends as an expat48:53 Mentored by Howard French51:24 Being in the right place53:58 China's one-child policy56:32 A terrifying motorcycle trip in India59:03 The collapse of print1:01:41 No reason to go back to Canada1:04:17 Inspired to make TV1:06:54 Building a journey from beats1:09:26 Slogging through to the magic1:11:58 The camel driver's wife sings1:14:29 Too many stories about China1:17:01 Covid testing chaos1:19:34 Racing out of Ethiopia as borders closed1:22:09 From 250 days filming to four walls1:24:43 Still in the pivot1:27:17 Sponsors and the dominoes falling1:29:54 Making YouTube pay1:32:24 Why Ryan loves podcasting1:34:57 Back to photography1:37:33 Only the right way back1:40:07 The appetite for the real world1:42:40 Bhutan's Snowman Trek1:45:14 Photo books don't sell1:47:48 Educating through travel1:50:21 Sailing the fjords1:52:54 Tanzania1:55:32 Podcasting on the side1:58:03 Remote work in the mountainsThe Ryan Pyle Podcast is ad-free by choice. If you enjoy these conversations, you can buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/ryanpyleRyan's TV series are streaming around the world.Follow the PodcastX: https://x.com/RyanPylePodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylepodcastFollow Ryan PyleYouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanjpyleInstagram: https://instagram.com/ryanpyleX: https://x.com/RyanPyleFacebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylehttps://www.ryanpyle.com