Tag: Dave’s ESL Cafe

E05: Dave Sperling – the man who launched a thousand expat careers

Here’s the scoop behind this ESL legend’s own life as an early internet entrepreneur, teacher, traveler, tech geek and family man and how he created the website that seems frozen in time.

If you have ever taught English in a foreign country, there’s probably no way you don’t know all about Dave Sperling and his Dave’s ESL Cafe, the website that “launched thousands of careers”. Here’s the scoop behind this ESL legend’s own life as an early internet entrepreneur, teacher, traveler, tech geek and family man and how he created the website that seems frozen in time. Even if you don’t know Dave from Adam’s house cat – you’ll want to hear about the site that has helped legions of young native English speakers get their first jobs in foreign lands and set them off on life-changing journeys.

If you like Rootabaga, your reviews mean A LOT. And please follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube and help spread the word if you like what you hear.

Links to music in the podcast:

Special thanks to Light Organ Records for letting me use the music of We Need Surgery and to Zion Train and Cha Cha for I Believe!

Fall – We Need Surgery – Light Organ Records

Lion – We Need Surgery – Light Organ Records

I Believe – Zion Train Feat. Cha Cha (I saw Cha Cha perform at a small venue in Shanghai. Amazing performance melding her hypnotic voice with elements of reggae, R&B, electronic and hip hop. Check out my other faves: Swimful by Shanghai Blue feat. Cha Cha and You Me (Downstate Ya’nan Mix) by Hamacide and Cha Cha.

All songs used with permission 2019

E01: A little taste of Rootabaga

Episode 1 of Rootabaga takes you on a little tour of upcoming interviews with some of the more creative and interesting expats I’ve met in my 23 years living in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Vancouver and mainland China. You’ll meet musicians, craftsmen, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and assorted colorful characters who chose to call foreign countries home. You’ll also hear some great original music along the way.

Special thanks to Wendy Tennery for all her contributions, hard work, and ideas. Huge thanks to all the interviewees who gave their time and energy to help me out. Thanks to all the friends and colleagues who supported and encouraged the idea.

Huge props to all the people who are letting me use their music in this podcast. I get so much of a buzz editing the parts with their songs that it makes me want to do a podcast dedicated to the music I love. I am seriously honored to know so many talented musicians and I got more music sent to me than I can actually use – for now.

And a big thanks to Light Organ Records, which is letting me use the music of We Need Surgery in each episode.

If you like the podcast and the concept, your reviews mean A LOT. 

Check out our SoundCloud page for links to some full versions of songs you hear in episodes.

Songs in the podcast in order of appearance: (Click to listen)
Fall – We Need Surgery – Light Organ Records
Why’s It Always Gotta be This Way – We Need Surgery – Light Organ Records
Wasting (Demo) – Valentino Avignoni
Money Is Your Answer – Paul Johnson/Steve Johnson
My Turn – Lim Jungkyu/Mineri
Fall – We Need Surgery – Light Organ Records
All songs used with permission