One of the biggest issues right now is battery power and the quality of batteries. Even lower-quality solar panels can still collect a decent amount of electricity each day, especially in communities that get a good amount of sunlight. But the real conversation needs to focus on battery storage because these batteries don’t capture or hold 100% of the electricity generated. This puts solar panel owners at a disadvantage. If more people involved in these conversations spent time in remote communities, they’d realize that energy storage is the most important issue.

You know, we see shows like Bear Grylls taking celebrities out on survival adventures. I think we need something like that for politicians and legislators—take them out into these remote communities to really understand the challenges people face. It’s funny when politicians talk about how evil China is without ever having been there. I’ve lived in China for 18 years, and it’s a wonderful place full of wonderful people. Sure, the government does some questionable things, but it’s funny how quick people are to vilify a place they’ve never experienced.

In terms of culture and local traditions, I think all these communities understand that having regular access to electricity can help lift them out of poverty. I’ve never encountered a community that didn’t welcome it. They just want better quality lights, more efficient batteries, better solar panels. Having electricity opens up opportunities—maybe a second job, the chance to make things at home after working in the fields all day, or simply allowing kids to study in the evening. These small steps can really help communities improve their lives. It’s easy to forget that people without this access are doing homework by candlelight because their batteries didn’t store enough energy.

And then there’s the issue of cooking. A lot of people still cook using open fires, often with animal dung, which is toxic and dangerous for their health. I’ve lived in homes where people cook all day and night, just to keep a kettle warm. That’s not only unhealthy—it’s life-shortening. Electricity could solve that issue, but until communities get better access to it, people are stuck with these harmful practices. The lack of electricity directly ties into health problems, which in turn prevents people from escaping poverty.

"I feel guilty when I return to my regular life. You really realize how blessed you are. Yeah, I experience reverse culture shock all the time. Living in North America can feel absurd. Everything about it is overwhelming. I much prefer being out in the middle of nowhere; I really enjoy my time there. But when you come back, it hits you. You land at LAX, and you're just like, 'Holy shit.' You get in a taxi and see all the people on the 405, and you’re like, ‘Where are all these people going? What’s going on?’ I was just in a desert by myself for two weeks, and now it’s going to take me over an hour just to get home because of bumper-to-bumper traffic at 4 p.m. It really boggles the mind, this society we’ve built for ourselves. Sometimes, I just wish things were a little simpler.

I’m very much in the middle, actually. I haven’t really found a place that strikes that perfect balance between extremes. But one of my favorite places is probably Switzerland. I lived there for a few years, and it offers such a high standard of living. The food system is clean and healthy, and nature is incredibly accessible. I used to live in a small mountain village, and from my front door, I could step out, walk five feet, and start hiking up a mountain. A couple of hours later, I’d reach the top, then come back down and get to work in the afternoon.

That kind of effortless access to nature, while still enjoying a comfortable lifestyle, is probably the closest I’ve come to a middle ground. You’re not isolated in the middle of nowhere with just mountains around you, but you still have a home and a great quality of life, all while being surrounded by beautiful nature.

I think the best thing I can do is to keep showcasing these stories on television—going to small communities and showing the audience how people live in remote areas, places that are cut off from the electrical grid. I feel my role is to tell these stories, to go out into the world and find these places. It's about educating people on how people live in places like Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Argentina, and all over the world.

The goal is to help people understand how important energy use is, and how crucial it is for those trying their best to escape poverty. It all starts with access to energy. I don’t want to stand on a soapbox and preach, but by weaving these stories into my shows, I hope it opens people's eyes to how others live in these remote regions.

Maybe it will help people reassess their own lives or influence some of their future decisions. If people watch these shows and start thinking a bit differently about their own actions, then that’s all I can ask for.