Risky Routes

A riot, a locked gate, and a split-second decision that could have meant life or death.In this episode of Risky Routes, Brett Miller shares the story of being 23 years old and running the largest security operation in East Timor when a routine day turned into chaos. Called into a UN compound where his own guards had sparked a riot, Brett finds himself surrounded by an angry mob, weapons in hand, with no clear way out.What follows is a raw, high-stakes moment of fear, instinct, and survival. As panic sets in, Brett leans on a simple but powerful question to shift the dynamic, uncover the real issue, and ultimately defuse a situation that could have ended very differently.This episode goes beyond the adrenaline. It’s about perspective, communication, and the ability to step into someone else’s reality, even when everything in your body is telling you to run. Because sometimes, the difference between escalation and resolution comes down to whether you choose to react… or to understand.

A $2,500 honeymoon, a one-way leap into the unknown, and a front-row seat to political upheaval.In this episode of Risky Routes, Adrian Erlinger shares the story of moving to Ukraine with his wife right after getting married armed with little more than a phone number, a few thousand dollars, and a willingness to figure things out as they went. What began as an unconventional adventure quickly escalated into something far more intense, as Adrian found himself reporting on a contentious presidential election, navigating rising political tension, and eventually stepping into a role as an interpreter for international election monitors.From freezing up in a high-pressure moment of imposter syndrome to finding his footing in a chaotic, unfamiliar environment, Adrian reflects on what it really means to operate when there’s no playbook. This conversation goes beyond travel. It’s about learning that communication isn’t just about words, embracing ambiguity, and realizing that sometimes the most defining experiences don’t give you clarity in the moment… they just push you forward.

She spent years dreaming about climbing Kilimanjaro through setbacks, surgery, and doubt until she finally stood above the clouds.In this episode of Risky Routes, Leslie Woodward shares a deeply personal journey of resilience, healing, and perseverance as she takes on one of the world’s most iconic climbs. But the real transformation didn’t happen at the summit - it happened along the way, in the quiet, challenging moments that forced her to keep going, step by step.It’s a story about trusting yourself, leaning on community when you need it most, and redefining what success actually looks like because the most meaningful breakthroughs don’t happen at the top, they happen in the climb.

A 22-year-old with no plan moves to post-Soviet Moscow. What starts as a reckless, “nothing to lose” decision turns into a front-row seat to one of the most chaotic moments in modern history and nearly costs him his life.In this episode of Risky Routes, Otto Pohl shares how instinct, curiosity, and a series of borderline bad decisions led him from sleeping in a stranger’s childhood bedroom to becoming a New York Times photographer and eventually, to a near-death experience in the middle of a violent coup.It’s a story about risk, survival, and what happens when everything goes sideways. But more than that, it’s about perspective and how the moments that almost break you can redefine how you see time, opportunity, and what really matters.Because sometimes the most irrational decisions end up shaping exactly who you become.

He quit his job, spent his savings, and flew to 30 cities in 30 days during a recession with no real plan beyond documenting the moment.In this episode of Risky Routes, Clark Dever shares how a spontaneous, borderline reckless idea turned into a national media story, reshaped his career, and led to unexpected opportunities that still define his path today.It’s a story about trusting your instincts, embracing chaos, and learning to stay grounded through both the highs and the crashes because the moments where you take real risks are the ones that actually stick.

He didn’t know where he was going, what he was doing, or why he needed a medical clearance until he found himself snorkeling between tectonic plates in freezing water.In this episode of Risky Routes, Tony Coretto shares a story that starts with complete uncertainty and unfolds into a lesson in trust, adaptability, and letting go of control. What begins as a surprise birthday trip planned entirely by his wife becomes a series of unknowns from a mystery destination to a physically intense experience in Iceland that pushes him far outside his comfort zone.But beneath the adventure is a deeper insight: the same mindset that allows you to embrace uncertainty in travel is what defines great founders and operators. You make plans but you hold them loosely. You trust the people around you. And when things don’t go as expected, you adapt quickly and move forward.Because whether in business or life, the best outcomes rarely come from having all the answers upfront. They come from being willing to step into the unknown.

What happens when a Goldman Sachs managing director trades structure for uncertainty and realizes the most important lessons didn’t come from Wall Street, but from a jungle in Thailand?In this episode of Risky Routes, I sit down with Dan Strack, COO of AMYNA Systems and a seasoned operator with decades of experience across finance, tech, and entrepreneurship. But this conversation isn’t about boardrooms or balance sheets it’s about the moments that reshape how you see success.From riding elephants through remote terrain to crossing rivers on bamboo rafts that weren’t built to last, Dan shares how a formative trip to Southeast Asia reframed everything: risk tolerance, identity, and what it really means to build a meaningful life.We get into:Why the most valuable lessons come from uncomfortable, unpredictable environmentsThe dangerous trap of tying your identity to your careerWhat it feels like to walk away from Wall Street and build something on your own termsThe “three jobs” framework for creating freedom and optionalityWhy entrepreneurship is less about certainty and more about figuring it out mid-journeyThis episode is a reminder that sometimes the raft will fall apart and that’s exactly the point.Because risk creates perspective. And perspective creates success.

In this episode of Risky Routes, Olivia Goldstein sits down with Ellie Rusling, CEO and co-founder of MicroEra Power, to unpack the travel story that helped inspire the series itself.While studying abroad in Bogotá, Colombia in the late 1980s (a time marked by political unrest and cartel violence) Ellie found herself in a situation every traveler hopes to avoid. When a taxi ride suddenly veered off course into a deserted industrial area, Ellie had to rely on instinct, quick thinking, and the local knowledge she had picked up from friends to escape a potential kidnapping.What follows is a gripping story of composure under pressure, the power of community, and how people often show up when you need them most. Ellie reflects on the lessons she carried forward from that moment - about calculated risk, trusting your instincts, and building networks of people who have your back.The conversation also draws parallels between navigating uncertainty while traveling and the realities of entrepreneurship: the importance of resilience, perspective, and the courage to move forward even when things don’t go according to plan.A wild story from Colombia becomes a powerful reminder that sometimes the most uncomfortable journeys shape us the most.

What starts as a peaceful family getaway to the Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria quickly spirals into one of those travel stories that feels almost too chaotic to be real. In this episode of Risky Routes, Olivia Goldstein sits down with financial services veteran Milbert Kiggundu Bentham to unpack a journey through Uganda that included a stormy boat ride with only one life vest on board, running out of gas in the middle of the lake, a midnight bat encounter inside their hotel room, and a final escape via what Milbert describes as a “Volkswagen with wings.”Milbert brings more than 25 years of experience in financial services, with leadership roles at Bank of America, Standard & Poor’s, and Bear Stearns, most recently focused on digital engagement for small businesses and middle-market banking. A Cornell graduate and entrepreneur who has also founded a small business in New York City, she shares how this travel experience mirrors lessons from the corporate world: trusting your instincts, doing your due diligence, understanding incentives, and knowing when to take control of a situation.What unfolds is more than just a wild travel story. It becomes a conversation about risk, leadership, decision-making, and the importance of asking the right questions before you get on the boat both literally and metaphorically.If you’ve ever ignored your gut while traveling or in business this episode will hit close to home.

What do you do when you step outside a factory in rural Mexico, lose cell service, and realize you’re stranded on a highway alone, in a suit, with no clear way back?In this episode of Risky Routes, I’m joined by Rafael Campiz, a medical technology leader and civic advocate, who shares a formative travel moment from his early twenties that quietly reshaped how he approaches fear, uncertainty, and decision-making.At just 24 years old, Rafael found himself walking for over an hour through an unfamiliar industrial corridor in Guanajuato - unknowingly the Mexican state with the highest homicide rate at the time. With no Uber, no signal, and no clear plan, he had one option: keep moving forward.What unfolds is a story about youthful confidence, trust in the unknown, and the surprising clarity that can emerge when you stop catastrophizing and start focusing on the next step in front of you.We talk about:Why fear in your mind is often worse than realityHow uncertainty can sharpen judgment instead of paralyze itThe difference between reckless risk and grounded optimismAnd how that experience still shapes how Rafael navigates life, leadership, and travel todayRafael Campiz is the Vice President of Business Development at SeedMEDX, a medical technology company focused on life-saving patient monitoring solutions. With a background in biochemistry, he works at the intersection of science, business growth, and healthcare innovation.Beyond his professional work, Rafael is deeply committed to community service. He serves on the board of the Rotary Club of Albany, where he is one of the youngest board members in the organization’s history, and is also a board member of the Albany Rotary Foundation. He actively advocates for institutional change and improved support systems for survivors of human trafficking, driven by a belief in building confidence, independence, and long-term positive impact.This episode is a reminder that sometimes the most defining journeys aren’t planned and that growth often begins the moment you realize standing still isn’t an option.About RafaelRafael Campiz is the Vice President of Business Development at SeedMEDX, a medical technology company focused on life-saving patient monitoring solutions. With a background in biochemistry, he works at the intersection of science, business growth, and healthcare innovation.Beyond his professional work, Rafael is deeply committed to community service. He serves on the board of the Rotary Club of Albany, where he is one of the youngest board members in the organization’s history, and is also a board member of the Albany Rotary Foundation. He actively advocates for institutional change and improved support systems for survivors of human trafficking, driven by a belief in building confidence, independence, and long-term positive impact.This episode is a reminder that sometimes the most defining journeys aren’t planned and that growth often begins the moment you realize standing still isn’t an option.

In this episode of Risky Routes, host Olivia Goldstein talks with her close friend Sophia Marshall about a moment that forever changed how she approaches risk, travel, and decision-making.While living and working in Italy, Sophia leaves a club late at night and realizes a man is following her. What begins as unease turns into a full sprint through steep cobblestone streets as he starts chasing her.Rather than letting fear shrink her world, the experience becomes a source of confidence.Sophia reflects on how that night taught her to:Trust her instincts under pressureAsk for help without hesitationStay calm and adaptable when plans collapseMove through unfamiliar places with awareness not fearNow a community builder and startup ecosystem operator working closely with founders and investors, Sophia connects this experience to the way she leads, plans, and executes in high-stakes environments today.Risky Routes tells stories of travel moments that force growth where discomfort creates perspective, and perspective creates confidence.🎧 New episodes explore risk, resilience, and the journeys that shape how we show up in our lives and careers.

What happens when burnout pushes you far beyond a reset and straight into the Amazon rainforest?In this episode of Risky Routes, Ron Skylstad shares a raw, unforgettable story about walking away from the grind, venturing deep into the Amazon, and confronting the limits of ambition, identity, and control. What began as an escape turned into a profound reckoning with nature, fear, and the quiet clarity that only comes when everything familiar falls away.

Before the company workedBefore the confidence clickedThere was a trip that changed everythingWelcome to Risky Routes - the stories of risk, travel, and becoming.Risky Routes is a short interview series about the trips that force you to grow up fast. The chaotic, uncomfortable, borderline bad-idea journeys that reshape how people think, lead, and live.Founders, operators, and leaders share the moments when risk created perspective and perspective changed everything.New episodes coming soon!