Tangentially Speaking with Christopher Ryan

Chris and Nani manage the amazing Kisima Ngeda Camp, on Lake Eyasi, Tanzania. Chris grew up nearby after his German parents moved to Africa on an impulse, and stayed on, while Nani stumbled into this oasis while adventuring through as a penniless, apparently fearless traveler. The story of how they met, fell in love, and built a world will make you feel good about life, people, and chance. (I never got around to taking a photo of Chris and Nani, but they’re even more attractive than you’re imagining.)Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “N'Jariñu Garab,” by Cheikh Lo; Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.To receive bonus material, please consider becoming a paid subscriber.And now something extra just for you lovely Substack subscribers, further proof that Africa really does look like Africa: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Here’s a ROMA in which I talk about some oddities of backwards greetings in Tanzania, driving in Georgia, the financial realities of world travel in 2022, the conundrum of hydraulic toilets seats (and other luxuries), and what it means (and doesn’t) when you say a woman is “beautiful.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

The folks at Gladioloa Adventure in Arusha thought Elia would be a good guide to show us around northern Tanzania for 9 days. They were right. Raised by his Maasai grandfather, Elia has a deep understanding of animal behavior, not only spotting lions, leopards, and cheetahs at a distance, but anticipating where they would move so we could position ourselves and wait for them to wander by. His knowledge of the animals and how best to interact/photograph them, combined with his insights into the geology, cultures, and history of the region enriched our experience more than I can say. Plus, he’s an easy guy to be around.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Wassiye,” Habib Koité; Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.Some extra goodies, just for Substack subscribers:Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan is a reader-supported publication. To receive bonus material, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Chip Kime was an utterly unique young man who was a huge presence in my life once, then he became an abstraction when our paths diverged in our 20s, and now he’s gone. But not really. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Craig's Sholley’s experiences with wildlife and conservation began in 1973 as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zaire. As an L.S.B. Leakey grant researcher in the late 1970s, Craig studied mountain gorillas with Dian Fossey and, in 1987, became director of Rwanda's Mountain Gorilla Project. Craig has acted as Scientific Advisor for the award-winning IMAX film, "Mountain Gorilla," and with National Geographic, he surveyed the conservation status of mountain gorillas in the aftermath of Rwanda's civil war. Craig’s direct involvement with AWF began as a Senior Associate and member of AWF’s Board of Trustees. He became a full-time employee of AWF in 2001 and now serves as Senior Vice President. The day we chatted, Craig was in Arusha, Tanzania, putting the final touches on the Mkapa Wildlife Photography Exhibition. I’ve embedded a few amazing photos from the show below.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Like the Love but Love the Pain,” Kwesi; Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.A little something just for you sweet subscribers:You can view all the finalists in the competition here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Dario is a science journalist based in Madrid who was instrumental in getting Sex at Dawn published in Spain (En el Principio era el Sexo). We’ve been friends since around 2011, when he interviewed me about that book. In this conversation, we talk about Spanish culture and history, the challenges of writing about science for Spanish publications, and some of the personal challenges Dario has worked his way through over the past few years and the loving friends who stood by him (but not too close by!). Dario’s intelligence, courage, and kindness are on full display in this chat. I hope you enjoy it.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Mulata,” Raul Paz; Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan is a reader-supported publication. To get access to bonus content including bonus episodes, newsletters, and exclusive blog posts, please become a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Kevin is an actor, comedian, and host of the RISK! podcast — which Slate.com called “Hilarious, jaw-dropping and just plain touching,” and Rolling Stone named it one of its top podcasts. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

I met Gym when I rented her place on Airbnb in Chite, Spain. Just looking at the photos of the funky space she’d created, I had a sense that this woman would be fascinating, and my hunch turned out to be 110% on target. As it happens, Gym is an accomplished painter, has worked on many TV and film sets, and has published a book of autobiographical stories and reproductions of selected paintings called Zigzag: Flashbacks of a Painter. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

My friend Debra is a magical woman living a magical life. She’s the hub of many wheels, the grain of sand in the oyster, the sun in solar systems, the log that breaks the logjam. She hangs out with movie stars, billionaires, artists, and visionaries. Her energy, generosity, and spirit attract the kinds of people most of us spend our lives hoping to meet — and nothing makes her happier than connecting them to one another and watching amazing things ensue. Be sure to check out our previous episode as well.You can check out some of Debra’s creations in Vejer de la Frontera here.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Outro: “Party at the End of the World,” by Carsie Blanton.A little something just for subscribers: This song/video of “Make Art not Friends,” by Sturgill Simpson keeps blowing my mind.Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan is a reader-supported publication. To get access to bonus content including bonus episodes, newsletters, and exclusive blog posts, please become a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

In the first part of this month’s bonus ROMA (BROMA), available to everyone, I talk about a new feature to help listeners find each other. I also talk about my thoughts concerning whether we’re all in some kind of simulation, the difference between sound and music, and my personal feelings about and experience with abortion.Part 2 (where I talked about navigating unconventional relationship structures, when to “go for it” vs. when to play it safe, and when having sex with friends is dangerous) is for paid subscribers only. Click here to access it.Here’s the doc I mentioned about the dude living in the jungle in Hawaii.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “V Nebi,” by Dirty Losers; Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.Here’s the map feature and instructions for use:People who want to add their location on the map should use this link:https://facilmap.org/tspeaking.editThis link is for viewing only:https://facilmap.org/tspeakingThe map is very easy to use:To add your location, click "add" in the upper right corner-> click "marker"-> click your location on the map-> click "edit data" in the info box in the upper left corner.- Write your name and description of yourself, don't forget to add contact info and/or social media links.-> Done!Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan is a reader-supported publication. To get access to bonus content including bonus episodes, newsletters, and exclusive blog posts, please become a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe