Bert TerHart: Sailing Into the Unknown Survival Sustainability

What if the ocean was your only home for months—with no land in sight, safety net, or turning back?

Would you survive? Would you thrive?

In episode 43, host Sid Bensalah interviews Bert TerHart, an adventurer who has sailed over 50,000 miles solo, completed a 7,800-kilometer paddling journey across Canada, and is pioneering innovative technologies with LeadBrain.ai. 

But his journey isn’t just about adventure—it’s about resilience, leadership, and the urgent need to protect our oceans.

This conversation dives deep into:

• Survival at sea—what it takes to navigate some of the world’s most extreme conditions.
• The raw truth about ocean conservation and why our waters are in crisis.
• The Four P’s of Problem Solving—Bert’s battle-tested framework for overcoming challenges.
• How AI and sustainability intersect—and the role of technology in environmental protection.
• Leadership when failure is not an option—how to stay decisive and adaptable under pressure.

Bert shares incredible firsthand survival stories, hard-earned leadership lessons, and his take on why adaptability is the key to success—at sea, in business, and in life.

If you’re fascinated by ocean exploration, sustainability, and the limits of human endurance, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Breakdown

(00:05)  Introduction to Bert TerHart
(01:13)   Early Inspirations and Indigenous Artifacts
(03:46) Upbringing and Family Influence
(07:56)  Lessons from the Sea
(19:13)   The Four Ps of Problem Solving
(21:47)   LeadBrain.ai and Small Business
(28:14)   Technology and Sustainability
(37:02)   Leadership and Adaptability
(43:34)  The Art of Pivoting Under Pressure
(44:38) The Dire State of Our Oceans
(46:16)  The Problem with Industrial Fishing
(49:12)  Policy Failures and Environmental Impact
(53:38)  The Challenge of Achieving Net Zero
(59:46)  Human Adaptability and Climate Policy
(01:12:00) Personal Reflections and Mental Strategies
(01:22:08)  Lightning Round

Chapters

• 0:00 Bert TerHart: Sailing, Survival & Sustainability
• 0:05 Introduction to Bert TerHardt
• 1:13 Early Inspirations and Indigenous Artifacts
• 3:46 Upbringing and Family Influence
• 7:56 Lessons from the Sea
• 19:13 The Four Ps of Problem Solving
• 21:47 LeadBrain.ai and Small Business
• 28:14 Technology and Sustainability
• 37:02 Leadership and Adaptability
• 43:34 The Art of Pivoting Under Pressure
• 44:38 The Dire State of Our Oceans
• 46:16 The Problem with Industrial Fishing
• 49:12 Policy Failures and Environmental Impact
• 53:38 The Challenge of Achieving Net Zero
• 59:46 Human Adaptability and Climate Policy
• 1:12:00 Personal Reflections and Mental Strategies
• 1:22:08 Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions
• 1:27:37 Final Thoughts and Farewell