Shit You Don't Learn in School

In Part 3 of our East Africa series, Steph and Cal walk through how they'd plan a trip to East Africa after spending 26 days across Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. We cover when to go, how to think about safari (luxury, budget, or somewhere in between), gorilla trekking logistics in Rwanda, which non-safari stops were worth it (and which weren't), and practical tips on visas, packing, and money. If a trip to Africa feels off-limits or overwhelming to plan, this one is for you.
Resources
Asilia (safari company)
Gorilla Family List
Lensrentals
Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Kiambethu Tea Farm
Arusha Coffee Lodge by Elewana
Habesha (Ethiopian Food Nairobi)
Cultiva Farm Nairobi
Disclaimer: This episode and all episodes of the SYDLIS podcast are not affiliated with Steph's work at Nvidia and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice.

After two weeks on safari in Kenya and Tanzania, Steph and Cal spent a week in Rwanda — a last-minute addition that ended up being their favorite leg of the trip. In Part 2 of our East Africa series, we cover the history and lasting impact of the Rwandan genocide, what Rwanda is like today, and a special experience visiting gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Resources:
Gorilla Families in Volcanoes National Park
Machete Season by Jean Hatfield
We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch
Hotel Rwanda (movie)
Zipline (drone delivery company)
Disclaimer: This episode and all episodes of the SYDLIS podcast are not affiliated with Steph's work at Nvidia and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice.

Last summer, Steph and Cal spent 26 days traveling through East Africa, including a safari through the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, and Rubondo Island. In Part 1 of this three-part series on Africa, we cover what life on safari is actually like — from watching a fresh lion kill and getting mock-charged by an elephant to walking on foot through the bush and visiting a remote fishing village where most locals had never left the island.

Disclaimer: This episode and all episodes of the SYDLIS podcast are not affiliated with Steph's work at Nvidia and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice.

Steph and Cal spent 8 days on a boat in the Galapagos Islands with 14 strangers, a local guide, and exotic animals that barely noticed their presence. In this episode, we cover what boat life is actually like, the wildlife moments that blew our minds, a wild experience with scopolamine, and why the Galapagos Islands might be the best place on Earth to see nature as it was before humans took over.
Resources:
Recommended boat
Disclaimer: This episode and all episodes of the SYDLIS podcast are not affiliated with Steph's work at Nvidia and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice.

A year ago, Steph ran her first half marathon and crushed it. Five months later, she ran her first full marathon and spent seven miles puking her way to the finish line. In this episode, we cover what went wrong the first time, how she retrained, and whether she hit her goal on her second attempt — a birthday marathon in Sacramento, complete with custom rap jingles and live race-day updates.
Resources:
Runna
Disclaimer: This episode and all episodes of the SYDLIS podcast are not affiliated with Steph's work at Nvidia and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice.