The Ismono Podcast

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In this episode of the isMono podcast, we sit down with Zak from Vision Swell to explore the intersection of wellness, intentionality, and the gear we carry. Zak shares his transformative journey of "The Purge"—selling off a massive collection of 80s and 90s pop culture memorabilia to embrace a more focused, minimalist lifestyle. We also discuss his inspiring career pivot at age 40, moving from digital advertising to social work, and how that shift changed his perspective on the products he reviews.
On the gear side, we dive into Zak's "Personal Item Only" travel philosophy, his defense of the trackball mouse for workstation ergonomics, and the "Sling Slut" culture within the carry community. We compare the aesthetic of "dad bags" like Pacsafe to the heritage feel of Double Oak and the technical precision of Able Carry. Zak explains why he prefers bags in the 20L–28L range and how he balances modular vs. integrated organization.
The second half of the show is a deep dive into retro gaming. We discuss the technical differences between FPGA and emulation (Analog Super Nt), the rise of handhelds like the Anbernic RG35XX, and the "lost art" of physical manuals and strategy guides. Whether you’re interested in the psychology of decluttering or looking for the perfect minimalist setup for both travel and gaming, this conversation offers a refreshing and grounded perspective.
🔥 Timestamps
0:00 – Intro: Zak from Vision Swell
1:40 – Career Pivot: From Digital Ads to Social Work
4:41 – The Purge: Selling the 80s & 90s Toy Collection
7:10 – Personal Item Only: 20L Travel Philosophy
9:47 – EDC Essentials & The Need for Quick Access
10:50 – Workstation Wellness: The Trackball Mouse Defense
13:50 – Modular vs. Integrated Bag Organization
16:03 – The "Sling Slut" Debate & Satchel History
19:15 – Sling Safety: US vs. European Perspectives
22:58 – Pacsafe Review: Security vs. "Dad Bag" Aesthetics
26:28 – Current Favorites: Able Carry & Double Oak Heritage
30:43 – Retro Gaming: FPGA Tech & Analog Super Nt
32:53 – Handheld Gaming: Anbernic RG35XX vs. Steam Deck
34:26 – SNES vs. Genesis: The Aladdin & TMNT Debate
36:02 – Digital Games vs. Physical Media Nostalgia
41:53 – The Era of Strategy Guides & Nintendo Power
45:18 – Why Super Nintendo is the Greatest Console Era
49:32 – Beginner Guide: Why You Should Start Retro Gaming
55:27 – Outro: Where to Find Zak (Vision Swell)

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In this episode of the Ismono podcast, we sit down with Alex from the popular YouTube channel Outen The Lights to dive deep into the world of minimalist travel. Known for his unique, cinematic storytelling and refreshing "vibe," Alex shares why he prioritizes style and comfort over everything else when choosing his gear. We discuss the philosophy of "one bag travel," the importance of a capsule wardrobe, and how simplifying your carry can turn a stressful flight into a seamless experience.

Whether you're a seasoned "one-bagger" or just looking to lighten your load for your next vacation, Alex provides practical, real-world advice on everything from choosing the right fabrics like Merino wool to the underrated benefits of chunky zippers. We also touch on the current state of the bag industry, the rise of the "1.5 bag carry," and why some of the most popular brands might be losing their unique edge.

Stick around as we explore Alex's favorite gear from brands like Pioneer, Aer, and Bellroy, and hear a surprising story about his unexpected connection to the Harry Potter universe via a role alongside Alan Rickman. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more deep dives into the gear and lifestyle of your favorite creators!

0:00 Intro: Alex from Outen The Lights
3:19 Harry Potter Quiz & Alan Rickman Story
5:32 The Core of One Bag Travel
5:57 Capsule Wardrobes & Sink Laundry
11:17 The 1.5 Bag Carry Explained
13:55 Choosing Your Bag: Style vs. Comfort
16:07 Fabrics, Haptics, and Topology Gear
18:44 Personal Style & Color Schemes (Bordeaux & Blue)
20:15 The Problem with Industry "Copycats"
21:39 Handling Internet Comments & Generic Bags
24:01 Most Memorable Bags: Pioneer Duration Pack
26:12 The Best Accessory of the Year: Bellroy Pod
29:45 Why "Vibe" and "Soul" Matter in Gear
34:20 Future of Outen The Lights: Production Quality
41:10 The Reality of Modern Camera Gear (Fuji & Sony)
46:55 Quickfire Round: Coffee, Vinyl, and Gaming
50:12 Final Wrap-up: Where to find Alex

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Bo welcomes back John from UnPack'D to discuss how his popular YouTube channel has grown, the evolution of his content creation, and how his perspective on gear has shifted after reviewing dozens of bags. John shares the two most memorable bags he's tested (the unique Embarro and the leather Grams28), including a deep dive into the practicalities of caring for leather in extreme weather. The conversation then explores John's philosophy of reviewing, which focuses on understanding the designer's intent, and how that has forced him to constantly change his own EDC loadout. He also reveals the shocking weight of his daily carry (over 23 pounds!) for his 2-mile walking commute and offers his thoughts on the rise of budget brands like Tomtoc and the latest gear he is excited to test. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 Intro
0:30 - Welcome Back John from UnPack'D: Channel Growth & Going from Phone to Camera
3:38 - The Reality of Filming Outdoors (DJI Pocket 3)
4:40 - Memorable Bags of the Year: Grams28 and Embarro
8:28 - The Dilemma of Leather in Bag Carry and Weather Resistance
12:09 - The Amazing Look of the X-Pac Rover Collection
14:30 - How Reviewing Bags Changed John's Perspective
17:52 - Finding the Designer's Intent in Every Bag
20:07 - Why John Changes His Packing Style for Every Review
22:55 - John's Daily Loadout: The 23-Pound Commute
26:26 - EDC on Days Off: The Perfect Dog Owner's Sling Bag
28:55 - What's Next for Review: Grams28 and King Kong Core
30:25 - Is the King Kong Core Backpack a Bag Nerd's Gym Bag?
36:18 - Thoughts on Tom Bihn and the Tomtoc "Disruptor"
52:20 - GORUCK's Future Focus: Rucking vs. Stealth Carry

I sit down with Wolf from the YouTube channel @Nitpacker to discuss the elusive search for the perfect bag, the life of a gear reviewer, and real-world carry systems. Wolf is known for his "nitpicky" reviews and reveals the single backpack that sparked his obsession, how he uses a Bellroy 10L Camera Sling as an ingenious Dad Bag for his two young children (ages 3 and 1), and his ultimate multi-bag system for traveling internationally with a family.
From why he reviews bags to his red-eye flight hacks, this episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in EDC, travel gear, or simplifying family travel.

0:34 - Intro: A New Voice in Bag Reviews (Wolf from Knit Packer) 1:48 - Wolf's Background: Why He's "Nitpicky" 2:27 - How Wolf's Professional-Looking Videos are Made 3:58 - Why Bags? How a Revolving Door of Hobbies Led to Gear Review 6:06 - The First Bag That Started the Obsession: Why the Patagonia Refugio 28L Failed 7:56 - Daily Carry and Loadout Philosophy 10:52 - The Bellroy 10L Camera Sling: The Ultimate Dad Bag Hack 14:40 - Wolf's Multi-Month Family Travel Packing System (Carry-on vs. Checked Luggage) 18:11 - Why Traveling with Kids Requires SO Many Bags 21:29 - Travel Tips: Red-Eye Flights, Screen Time, and the Flyaway Bed 26:25 - Wolf's Minimalist EDC Wallet 29:17 - The Problem with Over-Engineered Dop Kits (and Peak Design) 31:31 - The Christopher Ward Watch Dilemma & The Watch That Finally Clicked (Tudor Ranger) 32:54 - Wolf’s EDC Watch: The Tudor Ranger

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Welcome to a new podcast episode where I dive into my Top 5 Favorite Bags of 2025! This list focuses exclusively on the bags I actively used this year, highlighting unique features, build quality, and why they earned a permanent spot in my rotation.
The list includes unexpected usage (a rolling case as a mobile editing station and a travel backpack as a gym bag), a deep dive into the ergonomics of my favorite sling, and a nostalgic shout-out to a classic bookbag design.

00:00 Preview
0:17 - Introduction & Why a Podcast for Bag Reviews
1:56 - #1: Bellroy Rolling Case (The Mobile Editing Workstation)
3:31 - The Challenge: Carrying a Dual-Screen Setup & Peripherals
4:26 - Why the Bellroy Rolling Case is perfect: No Sweat Commute
5:03 - Key Feature: Integrated Hooked Packing Cubes (Gear Protection)
6:27 - The Downside: No Dedicated Laptop Slot (Paired with the Black Ember Forge)
7:48 - Multipurpose Use: Carry-on Luggage for Camera Gear
8:46 - #2: Nayosmart U5 Backpack (The Surprise Budget-Friendly Favorite)
9:36 - Why the Material Works: Easy to Wipe Off & Unique Feel
11:15 - Key Feature: Mystery Ranch Trifold Style Opening (Fast Access)
12:15 - Comfort & Flexibility: Why I was Surprised I Loved It
14:26 - #3: Able Carry Core Sling
14:56 - Initial Hesitations: The Front Pocket & Permanent Shoulder Padding
16:15 - The Game-Changer: Four Attachment Points & 360-Degree Hooks
18:29 - Real-World Use: Quick Access with the Front Temporary Storage Slot
19:45 - Small Nitpick: Confusing Zipper Pulls on Dual Compartments
22:22 - #4: Evergoods CB22 (Classic Book Bag) (Nostalgia & Build Quality)
23:23 - The Iconic Design I Always Wanted (Eastpak/Jansport Vibe)
24:29 - Evergoods Quality: Build to Last & Clamshell Opening
25:23 - Downside: The Unprotected Front Pocket (Pickpocket Risk)
26:56 - #5: Pakt Aero Carry-On Backpack (My Dedicated Gym Bag)
28:29 - Key Feature: Suitcase Style Opening (Perfect for Locker Rooms)
29:33 - Great Organization & Build Quality (Fits Two Water Bottles)
30:34 - Major Downside: Laptop Slot Squished Between Halves
32:12 - The Risk: Pressure Points on Your Laptop Screen (Chargers/Hard Items)
33:33 - Conclusion & Favorite EDC Item (Anbernic RG35XX Plus)