A Life Spent at the Intersection of Ideas & Action

The Beginning

Growing up in Southern Arizona, Wesley didn't feel like "international" things were a world away—he thought it was a 45-minute drive. His four closest childhood friends came from four different religions. Wesley's family came from different sides of the country, different socio-economic classes, and different politics. Differences weren't treated as odd or off-limits; they were simply part of the conversation. Hearing lots of different ideas, customs, cultures, and points of view made him curious about all the perspectives the world had to offer.

India & the Fulbright

His life changed when he was 19, and got a scholarship to study abroad for a semester in India. Even simple trips to the supermarket became opportunities to learn. The rate of personal growth was surprising—and exciting. After graduation from university, Wesley would receive the Fulbright Scholarship from the US State Department, to pursue a Masters in Global Economy and Strategy from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. The Master's program had 450 students from 65 countries. Again, living outside his bubble gave him immense personal growth. Upon graduation, Wesley dove into his career with excitement and enthusiasm. He got a job in the semiconductor industry in Silicon Valley, where optimism and the pursuit of innovation reigned supreme.

The Epiphany

In 2017, Wesley read a poll that stated:

1. 1.~50% of the American electorate voted for Donald Trump
2. 2.~33% believed that the Adam and Eve story in Genesis is literal historical fact
3. 3.~50% of the country lived in a house with a gun

This was an epiphany moment—Wesley realized just how disconnected he was from a huge segment of America. Those numbers were not reflective of his circle of friends and colleagues in Silicon Valley. Wesley had spent so many years of his life living abroad, but here he was out of touch with his own country. He wanted to break out of his Silicon Valley bubble and learn more about his fellow countrymen and women.

The Adventure

Three years later, he got the chance to act on it. During Covid, his job went remote. He got rid of his apartment and most of his possessions, then jumped in his car. This led to an adventure of a lifetime. He began traveling to rural and conservative America. He wanted to exit the Silicon Valley bubble and inhabit a new one. By day, he was working in semiconductor analytics for a company in California. By night, he was living in communities from Bismarck, North Dakota to Biloxi, Mississippi, talking to people about their beliefs, values, politics, and hopes for the future. After more than 18 months in the US, Wesley spent another three years traveling in Latin America, Africa, and Europe.