Adam Asher with Rugged Compass

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios in Woodstock, Georgia. This is Fearless Formula with Sharon Cline.

Sharon Cline: Welcome to Fearless Formula on Business RadioX, where we talk about the ups and downs of the business world and offer words of wisdom for business success. I’m your host, Sharon Cline, and I have a very special guest in the studio today. I’m very excited to speak to this gentleman. He is a film producer, a podcaster, an adventurer, a broadcast media professional. He is the CEO and founder of Rugged Compass. He is also the host and creator of The Edge of Adventure, which is an award winning documentary and video series. He also has an award winning podcast. I already mentioned that. Let’s just get started. Welcome to the studio, Adam Asher.

Adam Asher: Well, thank you very much, Sharon. It’s an honor to be here, and I just appreciate the opportunity to come and talk and to get to know you a little bit. And also, congratulations on all the things that you have done. I know you’re quite the accomplished Vo artist, among other things. So it’s an honor, my honor, to be here today.

Sharon Cline: Well, my goodness, we can end right there. Thank you. Thanks, everybody. The only reason I wanted you in the studio today. Thank you so much for saying that. That’s so sweet. I didn’t even know you knew all that about me, but I had to research about you. Obviously. But thank you for saying that. Well.

Adam Asher: Thank you.

Sharon Cline: And so I was just saying before the show got started that there’s not that much about you before you really became more of a public figure. So because I was trying to find out, like where you grew up and the backstory that leads to where you are now, um, the only thing I found, there were two things that I found is one, that you your first job was in radio, and then two, when you were 15, you got exposed to sort of the humanitarian side. And that’s what’s really inspired you to be where you are today. So will you give me a little bit of a backstory of you?

Adam Asher: Thank you. Well, first of all, yeah, my my first job was in radio. And I think you could also say that my last job was in radio two before I went into business for myself and radio. I love radio. I have for obviously my entire career, but I’ve loved radio even since I was a kid because I just enjoyed the fact that you would be listening to a conversation. You would be even as the listener. You’re a part of the conversation. It like it brings you there. And in the old days, radio was all there was. And then this podcasting thing came along. And podcasting has that same magic. It’s a conversation that you become a part of. You get to know the people that you’re listening to, and you feel like you have a seat at the table, like all the listeners are right here seated with us. And to me, that’s what makes podcasting so cool. And it’s what got me interested in radio as a as a kid. I mean, I was interested in radio from, from pretty early age, probably 13, 14, was interested and then began working the day I could do so legally on my birthday when I turned 16.

Sharon Cline: Where did you go? Did you show up at a radio station and say, please give me a job here?

Adam Asher: So I think, um, you know how God kind of opens doors along the way. Prior to turning 16, I had the opportunity to go visit a studio like a local radio studio. And, well, it was a radio station. And so I made a few contacts, knew some of the people there. And then the day I turned 16, I literally went up there, filled out the application, and I think I may have filled out the application in advance, because I do recall I was on the air running the board behind the microphone the day I turned 16.

Sharon Cline: You’re so young to do that.

Adam Asher: So, you know old folks like me. We grew up in a very different time. We we we grew up quickly. And I don’t think that people grow up as quickly now and and that maybe there’s some advantages to that too.

Sharon Cline: There’s a different level of growing up that we’re even talking about, because I was in a very independent when I turned 18. I left and never moved back home. And I’ve heard statistically that does not happen now. So there’s, there’s a but they also get exposed now to more adult concept things through social media and the internet and all that. But there was something kind of earnest about making your own way. You leave when you’re 18 and you do what you can to make your life. There is something kind of it is definitely a different generation now, but when you’re 16 and you’re running like a whole board in a show and everything, it feels daunting.

Adam Asher: Well, I was I was born at a very early age.

Sharon Cline: Stop.

Adam Asher: But I grew up quickly and as as I think, you know, here we are in Business RadioX. I mean, I know your your program is affiliated with Business RadioX and Gen X. You know, we we grew up. We were in a hurry to grow up. I mean, we, um, whether I think many of us started working younger, got married younger, sort of was on this trajectory to grow up as quickly as we could. And that might be part of why our kids, the next generation, didn’t do that, because in a way, we we saw there are advantages to it, for sure, but we saw the disadvantage to being in a hurry to grow up. And then we influenced our own kids to say, hey, there’s you don’t have to drive right when you’re 16, you could wait. You don’t have to, you know, uh, have a career the minute that you leave college or even know.

Sharon Cline: What you want to do.

Adam Asher: Or know. So we gave them a lot more, um, slack. And maybe they took advantage of that in some cases, but it’s just kind of, I think how the generations swing back and forth. It’s like a pendulum a little bit and for sure. And, um, advantages to both. You know, I think.

Sharon Cline: That everything is a bit of a pendulum, like it’ll just swing back the other way at some point and it’ll be more like, get out of the house and go get your job.

Adam Asher: It is culture. Culture is an interesting it’s an interesting thing. And it’s not the same everywhere. And it’s not the same now here in in Woodstock in the Atlanta area, it’s not the same as it was 20 years ago or as it will be in 20 years. It does change. But um, but yeah, I think I think Gen X, we were in a hurry to grow up and so we did.

Sharon Cline: So where was this town and radio station that you started in?

Adam Asher: So I grew up most of my childhood was in a small town by the name of Manchester, Georgia. So that’s north of Columbus, Georgia. Um, slight, probably southwest of Lagrange.

Speaker4: Gotcha.

Adam Asher: And still a good. It was a it was a drive to get to Atlanta. And I remember again back to being 16 and driving. I remember, you know, driving and coming into Atlanta when you would see the buildings in downtown Atlanta. I remember just sort of that shot of adrenaline thinking, oh my gosh, I’m in the big city. This is the big city now. And, uh, now I think we all see those same buildings and we. It’s adrenaline, but it’s for a completely different reason. We’re just ready to get out of traffic.

Sharon Cline: Well, it’s funny because it was almost like foreshadowing what you were destined to do. You know, looking at those buildings and getting a shot of a shot of adrenaline and being inspired.

Adam Asher: Well, yeah, I, I think honestly, I think all of us, we are who we are from the beginning. And of course we grow and change and hopefully as we we grow and mature in life, we become a better version of ourselves. But even as a kid, I was interested in radio and I was interested in travel. I was interested in culture and languages and this sort of thing, and I still am. I think back, I don’t know that I’ve changed a whole lot. Of course, we’ve all changed and hopefully have grown, but that desire to see the world in my case and to travel and to, to learn from and be a part of different cultures. That was I was a that was something I did, wanted to do, dreamt of doing long ago.

Sharon Cline: Do you think that that’s what we all kind of do, or a certain type of person will as they grow? It’s almost like the Phoenix. They kind of chip away at the different parts of themselves that aren’t as aligned with their spirit as they want. So as they grow and go through experiences, they become more congruent for who for who they are.

Adam Asher: Hopefully, I think if if we’re living a successful life, if we are improving, 100% agree that’s what’s happening. I know some people do get stuck. And usually when you when you get stuck, it’s because you I forget the word you just used. But it’s you need to let life. And if you’re a person of faith, let let God sort of chip away at the parts that need to go. And if you resist that, or you’re afraid to do that or doing that makes you feel bad somehow, then you tend to get stuck because you’re the one holding on to it. You’re kind of refusing to to grow.

Sharon Cline: I know a lot of people like that, but it’s not something you can make someone do. It has to be sort of. You either want to embrace it or not. The challenge is real. And I was actually going to ask you some of those universal questions like, you know, as you’ve traveled, but we’ll get there. We’ll get there next step. After you have been in radio, you got exposed to humanitarianism as a teenager, and that led you to what was the next step.

Adam Asher: So I think in my in my case, it did all start with radio. And here I am talking into this microphone. So it’s it’s very personal here. This is, this is what this is where for me it all started and I’m thankful for it. Just because I know this is this is the person that I was created to be. And why did it start with radio? Because my interest in radio, uh, sort of, uh, became an interest in what, what is known as amateur radio and listening to shortwave radio. Now, this is before the internet. And so back then, I mean, if you’re listening to this and you don’t remember life from way back then, you don’t really understand that the world used to be a big place. Now the world is very small, and there’s lots of great advantages to that. But we’ve lost some of that magic because there is no far away anymore. And so for me at the time, radio and listening to radio stations from around the world, different languages for me, my imagination just went wild thinking, what? What is life like there? What would it be like? What are there in the mountains of Ecuador? What’s what’s that like? I hope I get, I hope I can see it one day. And so that is what then gave sort of drove me to taking trips and traveling a little bit. And my opportunity to do so initially was through mission work and different with some different organizations that had ties to humanitarian elements and humanitarian purposes. And it changed me.

Sharon Cline: How did it change you?

Adam Asher: I couldn’t. I couldn’t go back after seeing that level of need that some of our brothers and sisters around the world are living in. I couldn’t go back to my little life and and forget them. But also, I couldn’t forget in so many cases, I couldn’t forget the joy that they had even though they were in need. By my standards, at least, in many cases, they were. There was a joy and a happiness that they had that benefited me and benefited those that were working with them. And they were helping them to to improve their lives and um, lots of and lots of different ways. But there’s something about that human experience when you realize maybe happiness isn’t in a thing.

Sharon Cline: I’ve heard that when you leave the country, the United States, and you come back to the United States, it’s a different United States. You come back to.

Adam Asher: It is, I think, I think anyone who grows up in, in maybe what we think of as like the Western world, the US and so many other countries that fall into that same category and life is really good. Now, of course, we complain and we, we feel sorry for ourselves and all those things that are kind of part of human nature, but we have it so good. And then if you go and travel and if you travel to an area where you maybe see some of the greater needs and you again, it’s, it’s a, it’s, it’s both it is wanting to see them flourish in ways perhaps that that they’re not right now, wanting to see some good things happen for them, but also bonding with them, loving them, being loved by them, and also feeling and learning from them in that very same moment. So does it change if you get to go? Of course it changes you, and not the least of which is you. Come back and if you’ve traveled to a where they don’t speak English, right, you come back and you realize English isn’t the only.

Speaker4: Language.

Adam Asher: It happens to be ours. And it is the most influential language in in the modern world. But and I find I find languages interesting. And so to be exposed to that and to to see that it’s just to me is all a part of the cultural richness that you experience when you travel.

Sharon Cline: When did media start to become involved in your traveling internationally? And when? When did you know that you wanted to create media around what you’re experiencing?

Adam Asher: I think it was just the the natural progression of of who I am and also who or what the world is. The world has changed a lot in the last ten years, right? And being someone who was drawn to radio and the content and the creation of audio content, and someone who was working in radio at the time, media, social media, videos like let’s go back and remember what life was like before the BlackBerry. And then when the BlackBerry showed up, that didn’t revolutionize video. It revolutionized email, mostly texting and whatnot. But then you you have the iPhone. And as media, it became easier to record videos and then easier to share them, right? There was a time, even when we remember back to the early days of Facebook where videos were, yeah, I mean, you didn’t really post videos, but as the world changed and grew and the opportunity to share video became easier, um, my own imagination or my own thought process was how how can I take this media? You know, all that stuff grew with radio. And I learned all of that through the radio process. How can I take what I know, what I’m good at, what I understand, and then apply it to what I love? And that was really where the edge of adventure began, which was this idea that what if, what if I create an experience that that is all those things that I like so much that the traveling, the culture, the humanitarian work. If I were to create a video experience and then share it with people, what would that be like? And that’s really where where it started.

Sharon Cline: Do you remember seeing the first video that you put out there in the world? Like all completely done.

Adam Asher: Well, so the first obviously we all nowadays are social media and the different things that you can social video. It’s so easy to share if setting those things aside, those things don’t count. I’m still very proud of the The Edge of Adventure Nicaragua. So the edge of you have to think of Edge of Adventure as a as a series of films and the ability to create a film and by a film. It’s a documentary type film, travel film that I host. And in that I, I take the audience along with me. It’s a very personal way. I take them along with me to go to this location. It’s always off the beaten path. It’s hard to get to. And so you experience the country, the travel, what it’s really like to get to maybe some of the corners of, of of a third world country. And then there when there discover something beautiful, a work that’s being done where people are making the world a better place by investing in others, giving of themselves, and making a big difference for others there on the ground, in this little location, far away from anything I would have even thought about as just a guy back here in Woodstock. But the world is full of wonderful stories and I think they need to be told. And so that’s why I do what I do in the creation of these films and the podcast and this sort of thing. But it’s it is because I, I’m driven by a purpose and that purpose is to share these stories. Yes, it’s true. The humanitarian groups need. They need new people to discover what they do. They need the backing, the the financial support now more than ever. But also the audience needs to hear. We need to hear these stories because they are inspiring and they add something to our lives.

Sharon Cline: In the news industry, I know so much of what we see out there is by definition, news is something that is out of the ordinary, right? That’s like 2% of what really happens in the whole world. And yet that’s mostly what we ingest when we’re looking at things. But it’s frustrating to know that there are so many good things that are happening out there in the world that we’ll never know about in a third world country off the beaten path. If you weren’t the kind of person to go and expose that and highlight it.

Adam Asher: Well, I think it’s an honor to whatever degree I do, that. It’s an honor to be able to do it. And I’m just the guy trying to tell the the story, to share the story because the story is right there in front of you. The story is being told already. My job as the producer, the host of The Edge of Adventure, is to take you there, to take a person there so they can witness what’s happening. And yes, you mentioned news and I, I think you’ve worked in the news, uh, TV news industry and the news thrives on. I hate to say it because but it’s I think it’s true. The news industry really thrives on bad news. And they want to try to bring you back because it’s they’re they’re trying to get you upset. So you’ll stay tuned. So you’ll turn you’ll turn back tomorrow. And you know in the, in the, the whether you’re, uh, wherever you might be on the political spectrum, there’s a source of news you can tune to to keep you upset and to keep you worried and to keep you mad at often times, and at your brothers and sisters. You know the people right around the corner. Um, and so there’s a lot of that, I hope, through what I have created and what I dream of creating, I hope to prove that there’s also room for some good news, some news that says, hey, whether you’re on the left or on the right, whether you’re a Christian or not, there’s room for us to work together to help somebody else. And in the process, we’re going to see that it is great. You know, you receive more than you give.

Sharon Cline: What do you think people don’t know about the other cultures that you’ve been exposed to? I mean, I guess what I was thinking is, I know that I was talking to you a little bit about how I think we’re more alike than we are different. There’s nothing more that highlights that to go to a different country and see that they do things a little bit differently, but Inherently, we all want to be heard and seen and valued and loved. What do you think? There’s a disconnect here between other cultures and what we’re used to here. What do you think people would need to know?

Adam Asher: Oh, I think probably the first thing that comes to mind is that when you travel, whether you go across the border or around the world, you have to remember they aren’t Americans and they may not see the world exactly like you do, or value the same things or in the same way. Now to your point. I do think there’s something about the human experience that does transcend all of those. You know, we we want to love and be loved. And obviously we we need to eat and we want to take care of, of our children and, and so forth. So there are many, many things that we would have in common, and that is wonderful. But I do think we’re an American or a Westerner can make the mistake. A mistake is to assume that they’re going to have the American perspective. And for those of us who are Americans, it is our experience. We we haven’t lived anything else, but it’s good to go into other cultures and countries with a level of patience so that you don’t try to superimpose something on them, that that’s not what they need.

Sharon Cline: Have you found yourself in situations where you have felt like, um, maybe not ostracized, but sort of highlighted the fact that you are American? And have you ever felt not welcomed somewhere?

Adam Asher: So I’ll, I’ll answer the the part about being recognized as an American. I, I can’t go anywhere and blend in like if I travel and I don’t blend in here.

Sharon Cline: For those of you who can’t see this gentleman. Why would you say you don’t blend in?

Adam Asher: I mean, I think I think because I go. I think because I go out of I go out of my way. I’m sort of making a statement. I’ve got I’ve got long hair. I’ve got a long beard. Um, not that that’s that unusual, but, um, I worked in corporate America, and I did that, and I wore the suits and the ties and had the clean shaven face, and I did that, and that’s okay. But for the the, the new chapter in my life, when I kind of needed to reinvent myself and decide, okay, what am I going to do? I decided to to challenge that a little bit. So I that’s I mostly I say that as a joke.

Speaker4: But um, but.

Adam Asher: I um, if I’m traveling in a, in a country, they’re going to notice you. I mean, it’s, um, certainly if you’re Uh, traveling in, in rural places that you stand. I’m going to stand up. So I, I’m used to that part. The the good news, I think to your to your second question, you know, did I ever feel.

Speaker4: Unwelcomed.

Adam Asher: Unwelcome. I don’t virtually never did I do I feel unwelcome. Okay. Now, it would be foolish to say that, you know, you’ve traveled and there’s never been a time where someone had a little ax to grind, of course, but that is not normal. That is very unusual in my case, but I but I think and so if I were, if I were advising, you know, a you have to look like you like you’ve been there before, meaning if if you’re walking around and you look confused and you, you, you just look like you’re sort of giving off this energy that you don’t know what you’re doing there. Then that’s what’s going to be noticed about you, is that maybe, you know, and for that, that would be potentially could make you vulnerable to someone who might want, want to do you harm. But I always just act like I’ve been there before. And I act like I know what I’m doing. Like like every other thing I’ve done in my life. I just act like I know what I’m doing.

Sharon Cline: You never have imposter syndrome.

Adam Asher: Um.

Speaker4: I do.

Sharon Cline: Every day. I’m having it right now. Just interviewing you. I’m kind of like, this is amazing that I get to, like, the code still works at the door that I can walk in this place.

Adam Asher: Well, imposter syndrome, you know, I, I would say humility is a good thing, and gratitude is a good thing. So don’t if you’re feeling, you know, thankful and humble, don’t confuse that with imposter syndrome? Don’t. Don’t go thinking that you’re an imposter. If you’re a fake and you’re trying to pretend to be something that you’re not. Then maybe you’ve got something to worry about. But your, um, you’re a genuine person that enjoys doing this, and you’re doing a great job. What’s there to be an imposter about? Um. But there’s. I have so much to learn. I’m thankful, you know, at this, at this point in my life. I mean, you know, you live a little bit, and you learn. You learn a few things. And so I’m at that point in life where I know I’ve learned some lessons. One of those lessons is that you have a lot to learn. And so it anybody who acts like they’ve got it all put together or they know all the answers, um, they are pretending.

Sharon Cline: Interesting take on that. So you know who you are. So when you show up somewhere and you’re acting like you know where you’re going. You’re not being an impostor. You’re actually just, you know, trying to find your way in a way that doesn’t make you vulnerable.

Adam Asher: Sure, sure, sure. I mean, I think, um, I love to travel. I love to be in a new place. I love to not know where I’m going to spend the night tonight. Where you know, what hotel room I’m going to be in or what city I, I like that, and so if I show up, I, it’s not as if I’m, um, pretending that I’ve been there a hundred times, but I am comfortable in not having been there, and I’m comfortable with figuring it out as you go. One of the anyone that has followed the edge of adventure that’s followed me throughout the years knows there are two words that I two principles that I like to focus on. One is adventure and the other is purpose. And why did I choose those two? I don’t know, but I couldn’t get them out of my spirit. Many, many years ago when I first started this an adventure. The adventure concept is the learning to be okay with the twists and turns in the road. Whether that’s, you know, me in Latin America, in the mountains somewhere, or just life where something new happens, something is taken from you, or there’s a new opportunity. Those are the twists and turns in life. Life’s a journey, and we need to take it as an adventure and not expect that we’re going to know exactly how it’s all. It’s an adventure. I don’t know. I don’t know how it’s going to turn out. And that’s part of the adventure. So one of one of the concepts that I try to bring out in the show and in the podcast, and the different things that I do with the platform. And, um, even as I share with business leaders and people who are there day to day adventure is running a business.

Adam Asher: My objective, and what I feel partly called to encourage them with, is that the fact that they are on an adventure and they just need to remember that that’s what it is, and not be frustrated by the twists and turns. And then the second thing that I mentioned is purpose, adventure and purpose. Purpose is, is why am I doing it? Why am I doing any of it? And if you’re running a business, one of those whys is you’re you’re trying to make some money. That’s what a business exists for. But what will you use your money for? What can the business do? What purpose can the business, seek or follow after that brings value to the world around it. Is it just about the money? Is it just about the money? Or is whether a business or a person you know the purpose applies to us as individuals? Um, what am I living for? What is all this about? Because it’s a lot of work. This thing we call life. The getting up in the morning and the driving and the traffic and the dealing with the, you know, the cubicle farm and the bills to pay and the other issues that we run into. I mean, that’s a lot of work. What am I doing it for? Because there is real value in all those things that we have to do in life. I think where we start to feel empty is when we’ve lost track of what we’re doing them for, and a part of what I hope to to bring through the episodes of The Edge of Adventure or any of the other. Things that I work on. I want to give people an opportunity to see what they’ve been missing and then to take part in it.

Sharon Cline: I love several things. One of them is that you’re talking about the the, the grind that we all can get caught up in because we need to make money to support our life that we sometimes get just sort of fall into. And it does make there is some message that is out there that, and I’ve believed this as well, that I don’t have a choice. I got to go to work, I got to pay my bills. I got to do this, you know, the have to as opposed to get to which I’m I think you talk a lot about the the reframing of life as not being sort of like just a Monday through Sunday kind of living. Let me just survive it, but actually look at it as reframing it as, um, not just adventure, but there’s joy, you know, because because there’s, there’s so much that can that’s not joyful about being a human. But if you are finding something that fills your heart with joy. Then there is purpose there too.

Adam Asher: Very much so. And sometimes, or a part of it, I guess, is losing track of what you’re doing, or perhaps failing to even fully value it. Meaning?

Sharon Cline: Goodness, that’s a good point.

Adam Asher: Meaning if you’re working 60 hours a week and you’re taking care of your kids and your mom, and you make time to. To volunteer here and there, you take a look around. I mean, your adventure is already full of all kinds of purpose, and you need to remember that and give yourself some credit for that. But there are times in life where that routine would just kind of pulls us in and we are going to work and we’re doing our thing, and maybe it’s not even that hard. And then you go home and you’re watching TV or you’re just looking, you’re scrolling or you’re you’re you’re not. You have the ability To to grow your influence and to do something for somebody else. And if that’s the if that’s the scenario you find yourself in, then you’re going to feel a lot better when you do.

Sharon Cline: The time is going to pass whether or not you have this quality with it or not. Where does where does fear play in your life?

Adam Asher: I’m afraid I don’t know.

Speaker4: No.

Sharon Cline: All right. Cheers to you.

Adam Asher: So fear. Fear? Of course. Fear is a I’m not. I mean, I would be foolish to say that I don’t struggle with fear. Fear is a it’s a human condition thing. There’s something that we’re all afraid of. But I have learned that when you fear something, the only answer is to face it. Right. And if you. If you are held back, you fear. I’m afraid I don’t know. You make excuses, whatever it might be you’re holding. You’re being held back by that fear. But the minute you just say, I’m going to face it, and it could be something that, you know, requires some thought. There are some things that are legitimately dangerous out there. And I’m not talking about those. Um, but we tend to avoid being made uncomfortable. And a lot of the fear that probably you’re even thinking of is a fear of being uncomfortable. I’m not going to know everything. I’m not going to be the one that knows everything. If I start doing that, I’m going to be kind of a beginner. Um, or what if I fail? Like, that’s a huge one for people. What if I get started and I don’t do that? Great. And these are the things that hold us back. If we let fear of failure, um, become too powerful. But but I, I do know and have learned in some, some personal ways that facing your fear is the answer. And you’ve you’ve got to face it. And it doesn’t mean that you’ll go perfectly, but it does mean that you get on the other side of it. And usually the thing that we’re fearing usually notice the words I say all the time, but usually the things that we’re fearing aren’t that bad.

Adam Asher: They’re not really that bad. And there’s a bravery that we need to tap into. And I that’s a theme that I like to pull from as I think about metaphorically, as I sort of teach, I guess, through the Edge of Adventure. And it’s a, it’s a show and you can go watch it, you can find it on Prime, you can find it on Apple TV. And if you would rather put up with the commercials, you can watch it on Toby the Toby Prime and Apple and would love for you to to do that. And then let me know what you think. But as you think about adventure as a metaphorically or a little less literally, um, a part of a part of what we have to do is push ourselves outside of our comfort zones. And I have always believed in a part of what I try to share is that your real adventure begins. Your adventure begins when you push yourself outside of your comfort zone. And I when I explain this, then I bring it all back around and I say, right then, at that moment when you’re crossing that line and you’re going from my comfort zone to I don’t know how it’s going to work out out there, but I’ve got to go do it. I’ve got to do it. I was afraid, but I know I need to and it’s going to make a difference. And I but I’ve got to right there where you’re crossing that line from comfort to I don’t know how it’s going to be out there. That is the edge of adventure. That’s when it’s just beginning.

Speaker4: Do you think there’s.

Sharon Cline: Something about your personality sort of inherent to who you are, that makes you understand that concept and live by it, or is it something you learned?

Adam Asher: Well, it’s probably both. I mean, I think we learn we learn things. We of course we learn things, but we are we’re we are all made who we are. And I believe for a reason. So am I that way. Was that how I was created? And then I’ve learned some things, I’m sure, but that doesn’t make me unique. We’re all that way, and that’s what I want my listeners to think about, is that you have special gifts that I don’t have. You have learned lessons that I haven’t learned. You’ve got opportunities that I don’t have. Put them to use. Put them to use. Be brave enough to put them to use for a purpose and do something for somebody else. Do something for somebody else in some way, whether that takes you, um, you know, halfway around the world or just down the street. And it’s more of a, an outlook, I think. But to answer your question, I think it is who I have been created to be, and it is the result of of lessons I’ve learned. But that’s my story. And everybody listening, they have you’ve got your own story, and my story is not better than anybody else’s. You just you need to be about going on that adventure that’s out there. It’s waiting for you.

Speaker4: Is there anything.

Sharon Cline: That you wish you knew before you got started on all of this? Is there something that you wish you you could go back and tell yourself?

Adam Asher: Well, let me flip that around. Um. Let me. I’m just. I’ll tell you what. I’m glad I didn’t know is how how much work is involved. There’s just. And so now, spoiler alert. I guess I’ve ruined it for everybody else. There’s there’s a lot of work. There’s a lot of work involved in pursuing your passion and building a company and building a brand. There’s just a lot of work. And so I, I say it teasingly, I’m glad I didn’t know that, because I think now and I’m looking ahead at all that I need, I need this and then I got that and and I’m driving forward. But sometimes I have to take a break and go look back and like, oh my gosh, look at the roads over which I’ve traveled. I mean, look at what I have accomplished. And I think for all of us, that’s a, that’s a that’s a good reminder. Yes, focus forward and remember and work hard at the things ahead. But you’ve done so much in your life to get you where you are. And some of it you’ve earned and some of it you just you’re just blessed to be in the right place at the right time. But it’s a lot of work. And so I think sometimes I think, my goodness, if I, if you if I had to go back to the beginning, could I do it again. And that that’s that’s a that’s a tough question. But what I do think I mean meaning it it’s just it’s in moments like that that you realize how much you’ve done.

Speaker4: It’s daunting. Right.

Adam Asher: It is it’s you know, and that goes for all of us as we look back over our lives. But, um, yeah, I mean, I think, um, I think your, your point about fear is a big one. You know, I think if we, if we could go back to our younger selves, be brave. Just be brave because that stuff you’re fearing is not that big of a deal. You’ve got this and don’t let it hold you back. And those are the. Those are the things where you where we lose time is where we start fearing something.

Speaker4: So it’s paralyzing. Yeah, it can be.

Adam Asher: It can be. It sure can.

Sharon Cline: When you were creating Edge of Adventure and you knew that you were doing something that you were so passionate about, did you have any idea that it would take off like it did? And how did that happen?

Speaker4: Mm.

Adam Asher: Well, I, I dream big. I dream big and I’m happy to to and proud of what has, what we’ve done with it. But I’m, I, I’m more focused on what’s still left to be done. What do I want to do next. Where does this need to go next. Again I just made the point I need. Sometimes I need to stop and remember and look back and just be grateful for all the the roads that have been traveled. But I tend to be more focused on the next big dream. And full disclosure about me, I, I don’t I don’t tend to pat myself on the back and be and be like, oh, you know, you did great. Yeah. Wow. Look at that. Uh, I feel like I have a mission, and I feel like I have a calling, and I just want to move it forward. And anything else, anything that happens along the way that looks good or sounds good, it’s a part of the process. I’m thankful for it, but I’m still dreaming forward.

Sharon Cline: What do you see for yourself next then?

Adam Asher: So for The Edge of Adventure, I want to I want to make more of these films. And each film is a big project and anyone listening in the Atlanta area. I know the podcast goes far beyond Atlanta, but the entertainment industry right now is facing some challenges and we won’t get into all of that. But it’s it’s business. It’s a part of Atlanta and it’s something that we’re proud of. But there are some challenges that that industry is facing. And those are some of those affect me. Okay. Um, also, uh, when you are in the entertainment industry and you want to make something good, meaning something that’s wholesome, it doesn’t. Some people, some of the decision makers aren’t interested in it because they’re after a certain type of entertainment that they know, quote unquote, works. It’s going to make them the money they need it to make. And it tends to be a lot of the same old, same old And understand. You know, they’re they’re looking at it as a business. And for me it’s a business. But it’s it’s also purpose driven. And so what do I want. I, I want to take the I want to take the edge of adventure to the next level, whatever that looks like. And in order to do that, I need the right kind of people to partner with me in that project.

Adam Asher: But yes, I want to see it. I want more films made, and I want to reach more people with this message. So. So that’s what I see for The Edge of Adventure is sort of a another project which is similar. And you mentioned it when we opened the show, which is Rugged Compass. Um, Rugged compass is a multimedia platform that serves humanitarian organizations, and it serves them primarily. The primary purpose for Rugged Compass is to connect the humanitarian organizations with an audience of people who are drawn to the type work that they do. And it’s it’s beneficial. Obviously, the the humanitarian organizations are nonprofit and survive on donations. And so they benefit from that, from the audience, from the people who are supportive of that, both with their financial gifts and their time, and their own efforts to share the vision that the different organizations have. Um, but it’s also important for the people and the audience and those of us out here just living our lives. It’s important for us to be able to share in what is happening in the corners of the globe. It it enriches our lives. To know that we’re not just the world is not just the arguments that we’ll see on the news tonight.

Adam Asher: There are people who are very talented, who have given up careers that they could have had to make a lot of money, or they gave those up so that they could live in a small village somewhere and love the people there genuinely. And then over the over years, ten, 20, 30 years, watch that location come to life in its own way, with its own special touch of culture. We need that. So the Edge of Adventure. I want to see it as a both as a podcast and as the film platform. I want to I want to do more with that, reach more people. And then on on the rugged compass side, that’s a platform that, in a variety of different ways, serves the the organizations. And as far as the listening audience or anybody for any reason who might be interested in getting involved, please do look that up and you can find a rugged compass, including the mobile app. There’s a mobile app and there’s a streaming TV app, so please check those out. You can find information about that at Rugged compass.com. Rugged compass.com. And I’m not trying to wrap the show here. Good.

Speaker4: I’m just I’m just not I’ve just been.

Adam Asher: Working in radio and it seemed like a good time to plug everything. And then you can also find out about the edge of Adventure. Where else other than at the edge of adventure.com.

Sharon Cline: Can I ask you some superlative questions? All right. So have you had any meals that are just your absolute favorite as, as you’ve traveled internationally.

Speaker4: Or the.

Sharon Cline: Worst meals?

Adam Asher: So I mean, I’m going to I mean, so I’m always very I’m always very careful to, to answer those questions because.

Speaker4: Um, it’s a controversial question. Well, it’s.

Adam Asher: Just that, um, just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean it wasn’t good. I mean, I have had some meals that I would. I mean, you’re just they’re amazing. They’re delicious. And they might it might be at a nice restaurant or it might be at a more, um, common person type location and many meals that I, that I was very impressed with. And then also quite a few that I ate and didn’t want to eat. And out of a sense of being polite and gracious towards a wonderful host, I ate it anyway. And um, I remember. Okay, so I’m going to answer it this way. And again, why am I? I’m being a little evasive with that because I don’t I don’t want anybody to hear and be like, oh, he didn’t like my food.

Speaker4: He didn’t like.

Adam Asher: He didn’t like my food. He told the story about my food. And so here’s the thing. If you’re worried about it, I loved your food. I’m talking about somebody else.

Speaker4: Of course.

Adam Asher: Um, but I did learn that you’ve reminded me of an important lesson. If if you are sitting down to a meal and you already know, like, I’m going to eat this meal here, but I can, I can already tell this is I’m going to have to kind of mind over matter this a little bit. Um, the best advice I can give you is eat slowly. Don’t lie to yourself and say you’re going to eat this meal. Be done, and then they’re going to be satisfied. If you eat quickly and you get it done, you get it out of the way. And now you’ve. I’m good guys. I ate the meal. They can then say, oh, he loved the food. He needs more. And then you’re then you’re going, you know. Round two. Round three. So I think just a, you know, pro tip would be, um, smile and eat the meal slowly. And that way you’re you’re less likely to have to delve into seconds or thirds. How about that?

Sharon Cline: That’s very good advice as a universal advice just to take.

Speaker4: Right.

Adam Asher: And that could you could use it. You could use it stateside too, but just. Yes.

Sharon Cline: Uh, was there a city, a town, a moment that it just sort of sustains you when you have difficult times, things that you can some something you can reflect on where you say, this is why I do this.

Adam Asher: Well, I think there’s two, two types of moments. There’s the why do I do what I do? That is a moment when I’m in a village and I’m in a little, you know, hut of some kind. And I’ve got the family and they’re cooking for me, and they’ve opened their home, as humble as it may be. They’ve opened it to me, and. And I’m there and I’m with them and I’m in the moment. And really, nothing else matters. I’m just sharing in that moment with them. And I, you know, the love expressed and the smile on their face and the way that they love and welcome me. That’s that’s a moment when I think, okay. Yeah, this is this is really all that matters, right? I mean, this kind of you just boil it all down. You’re not worried about the cameras or the microphones or the platforms. You’re just you’re just there with some people and they’re just genuine that, you know, that’s, um. That’s pretty awesome. So that’s that’s the meaningful one. Um, but also as a, as a guy who, um, did not grow up on the beach, um, I’ve seen, and I’ve gotten to walk on some wonderful beaches that are still kind of untouched, and you’re basically between the ocean and the jungle and those moments.

Adam Asher: It’s not that it’s not. Those aren’t the moments I’m I’m doing all this for, but they’re the moments that you’re allowed to reflect a little bit and, and be reminded how beautiful things are and also how large the world is, how big the world is. I mean, when you look out over the ocean, how can you think I’m just a speck compared to the ocean, let alone the universe, for crying out loud. But just when you think I look out over the ocean and it looks beautiful. But there’s an entire world under that ocean and in that water. And it just goes forever. And it’s deep and. And I’m just this guy walking, walking on the beach here. And so you’re kind of hit in those moments with a beauty, but also an awareness of just how small we are in the grand scheme of things. And perhaps that’s important to remember, because we are small in the grand scheme of things, and yet we can do some amazingly big things if we set our mind to it.

Sharon Cline: I like when I look at the stars sometimes, and I see that, you know, they’ve been there. They’re constant, right, for generations and generations, and that there are people that had these major, major problems looking up at the stars. And then, you know, they’re no longer here. So it makes me think that my problems aren’t that big because I’m so small.

Speaker4: Right.

Adam Asher: We I mean, we we’re just people. And there have been a lot of people that have gone before us, a lot of people that will go after us. We’re here for. We’re here. It’s a blink of an eye, you know, and and everybody listening. You know, you’re listening right now. You’re still here, and there are people you have known and loved who are not here anymore. And maybe one of those big questions you have to ask. We have to ask ourselves, if I’m still here, how can I make the most of it? Because the day is going to come where I won’t be. I mean, my number is going to be up. Maybe sooner, maybe later. But my number is going to be up. And between now and then, I want to do something that matters. And for me, it’s just it’s it’s got to it. What matters is when I’m not being selfish. If I’m being selfish, then I’m I’m doing the wrong thing. But if I’m if my heart and mind is open to giving and doing something for somebody else, like all these wonderful humanitarian Unitarian organizations and leaders and people who who do that day in and day out. Their lives really matter. They’re doing wonderful things. And I guess in my own way, I want to help be a part of it in in the way, small way, whatever, just the way that it has been chosen for me.

Sharon Cline: I think of it as what you do in the dash. And what I mean by that is like, you know, you look at a headstone and there’s a birth date and end date, but the dash is where your activity is and your choices are. It’s like what you do with the dash. So like always, the way I think of it, what did someone’s life look like in that dash? You know the beginning and the end is marked. But do you feel like because you have done so many really impressive and impactful, um, not just media wise, but like the way that you live your life, the impact that you’ve had on people, that if something were to happen today that you could put your head down or whatever and know that you did, you did the most you could with your time to help the world.

Adam Asher: Well, first of all, thank you. You’re very kind with your words, and, um. And I appreciate them. I also don’t feel like I’ve done that much, and and I I’m being honest. I don’t feel like I’ve done that much. I want to do more. And I think even then, I’ll know it’s not that much. Like what? But what gives it value is not that it’s that much, or that it’s a lot, or that people love you for it. That to me, what matters is what was put before me today to do. And how can I? Am I going to put my head down on the pillow tonight and and am I going to the difference between feeling satisfied of like, okay, it was a good day and I did the you know, I can sleep tonight peacefully versus laying there and feeling kind of angsty. Um, did I? Did I do what was put before me to do? And this, you know, these are big questions that you’re asking.

Speaker4: And I know my brain.

Adam Asher: It’s okay. I mean, I, I like them, I like these questions, but it it is a big question because I can get up every day and do what I had to do to get through the day. And everybody else told me I had to this I’d be here by then. I had to do that. And I got that project, and I got this and that, and I got to pick up the kids and we got, you know, soccer practice, all those things. And again, there’s value in all that. I never, never would would I’ve done all most of that. Um, and it’s valuable. But also being able to live disciplined enough to open, you know, open your ears, say a prayer, ask God to show, you know, in the midst of all that, in my in the midst of all my busyness. What am I supposed to do? And the busyness is going to happen anyway. It’s more about having ears to hear. Oh, I could do this in this moment. And that’s that is what needs to be done in order to have a good night’s rest.

Sharon Cline: I like that you’re talking about it being so personal, because it’s almost like the way I look at my life is it’s between me and God, what I do and how I look at it. And I love doing my radio show, and I love it when I can help people. And I like feeling like I’ve made the world seem less like everyone’s an enemy, but more that there are people that are kind to each other. I like that. Um, but it is just between me and God, and and I guess that’s the way you’re talking about it is like, at the end of the day, you are doing something that does affect lots and lots of people, I guess. Right. But you are talking about whether or not you can face God at the end of the day and know that you chose to do something with the right meaning behind it, with the right intention behind it, and that outside of that is actually not the cause you can’t control, I suppose, what what happens where it lands, what it does. That’s how I look at the radio show. I’m like, wherever it’s supposed to go, it’s going to go. But knowing that I was presented with an opportunity, did I take it to do something that makes me feel like I’m helping the world? Because I think that’s what we’re supposed to do while we’re here is to help each other. It’s hard to be human, but to be able to help people, whatever medium you choose to do, it can be very small, but it is just pretty personal. And I guess I didn’t think about it like that.

Adam Asher: I think you’re right. I think it is very personal and it we all have different gifts, talents. We’re at different stages in our lives. We have different resources. We shouldn’t get caught up in comparing, like what I’m doing with somebody else, or I’m doing more. Or there some people, some people are called to, to to do something that is in the public eye. That doesn’t make it more important than the person serving that other person. You know, quietly in, in that hut in the village, just because this other guy is on TV doesn’t make it more important. Quite the contrary. The question is, am am I? Am I doing what I should be doing, and am I making the most of the opportunities and and yes, I mean, as as a guy, a man of faith. I mean, I, I agree with what you’re saying. You know, you have to I, I would ask God and say, show me what I can do in this moment. And the moment may be busy otherwise, but you’re going to get some peace out of it. And knowing that I saw past the busyness. Right. And far too often we’re just focused on the busyness. And I’m not I do. Me too. We’re just focused on the busyness, and then we lose sight of the opportunity to be a blessing of some kind to to someone else. And, and these are these are lessons, right? You know, these are the lessons that, that, that I see and have learned through the organizations and people in particular, who I would watch through the years and, and see them as amazing servants and, and admired them for it.

Speaker4: Uh, I.

Sharon Cline: Like that you’re talking about moments because here we are talking about big, grand things. You know, your company and the world. But I can have the same kind of impact in my own little way by letting someone in in traffic or something just small or being kind when I don’t even want to be, you know.

Speaker4: Um, I mean.

Adam Asher: The your traffic analogies, it’s it’s a bit much.

Speaker4: To ask. Believe me, I.

Sharon Cline: Actually, I agree.

Speaker4: It’s a lot. I mean, it means.

Sharon Cline: Counts way more.

Adam Asher: It’s every it’s everybody for themselves out there. Why is it. You know, that’s the question we always have is why? Why are there why is everybody out here on the road?

Sharon Cline: And then I’m there too.

Speaker4: But I’m there too.

Sharon Cline: Everyone needs to get out of my way. No, but I think it’s important to remember that it doesn’t have to be these big, grand gestures. It doesn’t have to be a big production company. It can be being kind and in a moment, it doesn’t have to be a year long goal. And that’s important for me to remember too, because I can get very future focused. And I have to do this, I have to I’ve got to run because I’ve got this goal as opposed to slowing down. But I wanted I have one one final question for you. If you. I actually have so many, but let me choose. All right. Is there one thing that you want to accomplish that you haven’t yet? One thing that you just say I’ve got on my bucket list. I really need to know that I’ve done this.

Adam Asher: That’s a hard question for me. I there’s, you know, when I think I, you didn’t give me the questions in advance. So as I, as I react to it in the moment.

Speaker4: That requires too much effort.

Adam Asher: And and you say, no, it’s much better if you don’t. Okay. Um, this this is. I’ve enjoyed the conversation. Oh.

Speaker4: Thank you. Me too.

Adam Asher: Um. And I there’s nothing. There’s nothing that comes to mind that I say I have to do this or I won’t feel successful. I, I have to do this is just this one thing. And then. And I think that would be I don’t want to feel that way. Because first of all, then what happens when you do that? Are you ready? Are you done?

Speaker4: Where’s your next goal or whatever?

Adam Asher: But I mean, goals are good and I’ve got goals, but I don’t have something in particular that I’m saying I’ve got to do this in order or I won’t feel successful or I won’t feel like I’ve completed my mission. I’ve got a lot of I’ve already said, you know, I’ve got ideas and things I want to do for the edge of adventure and and ways I want to grow rugged compass and, and do more. And that, you know, that’s where a lot of my time right now is going is I’m building those things and networking and investing and doing so. Those things are important and I want to see them flourish. But I’m I’m not owed anything. God doesn’t owe me anything, you know. And I want to I want time with my family. And I look forward to, you know, the future of when, I mean, I would have grandkids and I would I want those things and think those things are good, but also God doesn’t owe me those things. And so I don’t think to myself, I’ve got to have those things in order for me to be happy or in order for, for life to, to, for me to feel fulfilled. The truth is, and I, I did learn this at a very relatively early age when when my best friend, when we were 21, my best friend passed away.

Speaker4: Sorry.

Adam Asher: And thank you, of course. And still miss him, which is the which is interesting. All these years later, you can you still miss a person, but you know, when you lose someone, certainly you’re not a child, but you’re still a very young adult. And in addition to just grieving him at that time, it left like a mark on me, which was I’m not guaranteed tomorrow. And so this is all a long answer, but you’re making me think about some kind of processing it in real time. But the answer is I want to live life. And if I’m living life, then whenever God calls me home, I’ll be cool with it. I’m going to regret that moment if I haven’t been living life. And some of the things we’ve been talking about today is how I define living life. You know, taking it as an adventure, not living in fear, going out of your comfort zone, doing something for other people. Um, if I’m doing any of any combination of those things, I’m going to feel like I’m living life. And if I’m living life at that moment when God takes me home, that’s the success.

Sharon Cline: I love that. I love that because it’s almost like you haven’t compromised anything. If you’re doing something that you love and then God decides to take you, then. Well, where’s where’s the downside?

Speaker4: Right. You know.

Sharon Cline: You you wouldn’t want to not do what you love and for fear of death.

Speaker4: Right?

Adam Asher: Because that’s going to get you somewhere, somehow anyway. And that is not to say you should be foolish or do dangerous things that are going to get you hurt. Um, but to to live in fear of of death, that would be, you know, I think that would be a mistake. But also, to live in fear of regret is also a problem because I. I don’t need to do anything. I don’t need to do anything else in order for me to feel like, okay, God, you can take he can take me when he’s ready. And my job, in the meantime, is to live and to to do the things that I can do today, whatever that might be.

Sharon Cline: I’d like to end with this quote that you have on your Edge of Adventure website.

Adam Asher: I hope it’s good.

Speaker4: It’s I think it’s a good one. Good Lord.

Sharon Cline: We are destined for more than the routine we are called to explore and discover, and to make a positive difference in the lives of others. We find ourselves on the edge of adventure with a decision to make, and we choose to live beyond status quo. I love that, so you live beyond status quo.

Adam Asher: I try. I did write that before ChatGPT.

Speaker4: So that’s.

Sharon Cline: Your real.

Speaker4: Words. I can get.

Adam Asher: Credit for that one.

Sharon Cline: I can tell. No, I actually probably wouldn’t have been able to tell how funny. I didn’t even think of the ChatGPT thing, but boy, that that would have been a nice one to make.

Speaker4: I mean.

Adam Asher: Yeah, we can we can do a lot with it, but, um, fortunately, there’s still something to the human touch.

Sharon Cline: Yeah, I think there always will be. That’s as well as in the voiceover world. It’s still. It’s still nothing like a real human with real inflections and breathing and catches in your voice and all of that. There’s something nice about the fact that that can’t quite be replicated.

Speaker4: I agree.

Sharon Cline: Yet I say, who knows?

Adam Asher: Well, thanks for having me. You’re very kind and you are doing a great work.

Speaker4: Well, thank you.

Adam Asher: And the opportunity just to share. And you know, the great thing about being the host is you. You have this influence over where the conversation goes, and you kind of have to roll with it. You don’t know necessarily where it’s going to go. But I just appreciate the chance that you’ve given me today to, to share, um, a very unique type interview conversation.

Sharon Cline: Well thank you. It is my honor. And I’m so grateful that you were letting me be the one to to ask questions, as opposed to you being the one that usually asks questions. You’re a brave soul.

Adam Asher: It’s definitely being the guest gives you an appreciation for the guests. Because. Yeah, as the as the person asking the questions, you you’re kind of in control. And there’s a sense of comfort in being in control. You’re in your comfort zone. Um, but I’ve had fun, so it’s been it’s been wonderful. Thank you.

Sharon Cline: My pleasure. Adam. Asher, I appreciate you coming to the studio and sharing all of the good things that you are doing. But not just that. Even just this conversation gives me a lot to think about, and I need a reframing. Sometimes I get very caught up in. I’m my own worst enemy. It’s just me and my brain. Sometimes that’s not great. So I appreciate that you’ve given me a way to think about even just my everyday moments that I can get very, um, dogged in my determination to finish what I need to finish and not really consider what. It’s the effects of that, even for the people around me. And as much as I would like to do big things in the world, I love being reminded that the small things can be just as impactful, if not more impactful. It’s between you and one other person and and even just kind words to people can be so sustaining. And I love seeing the big things, but I love also knowing that the smaller things matter too, because I feel like that’s more attainable for me right at the moment. Um, and that was important for me to remember. All of it matters. So thank you for being such a caring human for all the people on the planet that get to to interact with you and hopefully get inspired by the great works that you’re doing. So thank you so much.

Speaker4: Thank you again.

Sharon Cline: And thank you all for listening to Fearless Formula on Business RadioX. And again, this is Sharon reminding you that with the knowledge and understanding, we can all have our own fearless formula. Have a great day.