Best Jake Bushman Podcasts (2025)

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How Couples Rebuild Trust Through Science, Self Care, And Shared Adventure with Dr. David Helfand 54:32

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2h ago54:32

54:32

#191 - What if your brain could learn to love better? We sat down with Dr. David Helfand—a therapist with a background in neuroscience—to unpack how neuroplasticity, meditation, and focused couples work can turn recurring fights into lasting repair. From breathwork that calms a spiraling argument to thought logs that retrain pessimism, David shows …

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Sacred Landscapes and Cinematic Faith with Craig Dehut 49:55

5h ago49:55

49:55

#190 - What if you could trade flat maps and footnotes for sunrise on Sinai and sea spray in your face as you approach a harbor Paul once saw? That’s the world filmmaker Craig Dehut invites us into—where sacred places become cinematic classrooms and faith is strengthened by seeing. Craig shares how Appian Media grew from a coffee-shop idea to a non…

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Love, Loss, And The Creative Spark Of Hicks In The Wild with Troy and Melinda Hicks 51:25

7h ago51:25

51:25

#189 - A cone head at baggage claim. A prank that makes a whole terminal laugh. And beneath the costumes and skits, a marriage held together by faith, service, and a fierce tenderness forged in grief. We sit down with Troy and Melinda Hicks—Hicks in the Wild—to explore how everyday adventure can coexist with loss and how playful creativity becomes …

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Humor, Upheaval, And Heart On The Pan American Highway with Matt Savino 55:11

20d ago55:11

55:11

#188 - What happens when a comedian with a camera trades stage lights for sunrise on a dirt road and points his vehicle toward Panama? I sat down with author and traveler Matt Savino to unpack a seven-month run along the Pan American Highway that never reached South America yet somehow delivered everything he was chasing: humor in the chaos, humani…

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Faith, Service, And A New Start In Peru with Ken Webb 53:45

24d ago53:45

53:45

#187 - A childhood marked by chaos. A career built on service. And a second act shaped by faith, language, and a blank page. Jake sits down with Ken Webb to trace a life that refuses to settle for mere existence—from praying his way through a turbulent home to leading across Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond. Ken opens up about how his grandpar…

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From Free Diving To Yoga: How Kerry Ferguson Found Peace On Land 52:38

14d ago52:38

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#186 - What if the deepest calm you’ve ever felt could follow you out of the water and into everyday life? That’s the spark of our conversation with Kerry Ferguson, founder of Yoga Tree, whose path from free diving to yoga reveals how breath, mindfulness, and compassion can reshape how we move through the world. We trace Kerry's arc from early well…

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Skate, Grit, and the Long Road: Jack Smith’s Cross‑Country Story 54:34

1M ago54:34

54:34

#185 - Before longboards hit storefronts and GoPros hit helmets, Jack Smith and two friends pointed a 1969 Firebird toward the horizon and skated into history. Jack Smith talks about how a simple leapfrog relay turned a wild idea into the first recorded skateboard crossing of the United States—and how that journey shaped everything that came after.…

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Behind the Course: The American Ninja Warrior Experience with Colton Skuster 49:55

1M ago49:55

49:55

#184 - What does it take to conquer the American Ninja Warrior course? For Colton Skuster, the journey began as a 10-year-old jumping over exercise balls in his basement, dreaming of someday tackling those iconic obstacles himself. At just 20 years old, Colton has already competed in three seasons of American Ninja Warrior, reaching the National Fi…

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Arctic Horizons: Three Generations Face the Far North with Jamie Edwards 52:20

1M ago52:20

52:20

#183 - Jamie Edwards returns to Journey with Jake with tales from the top of the world, having ventured to the Arctic with her 21-year-old daughter and 82-year-old stepfather. Their expedition through the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard reveals a landscape where polar bears roam distant shores and massive glaciers calve with thunderous crashes th…

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What if I don't? What if I do? How Two Simple Questions Changed Everything with Bernard "Chalky" White 57:37

1M ago57:37

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#182 - Two simple questions changed everything for Bernard "Chalky" White. Growing up under the shadow of an abusive father who regularly beat both him and his mother, Chalky developed a survival mechanism that unfortunately led him to abandon his education completely by age 13. With zero qualifications at 16, he joined the police cadets and eventu…

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How a Russian Pop Icon Found His True Calling with Christian Ray Flores 59:42

2M ago59:42

59:42

#181 - Christian Ray Flores' life reads like an epic novel - a childhood marked by upheaval across continents, an improbable rise to pop stardom in Russia, and a profound transformation into a purposeful coach helping others discover their untapped potential. Growing up amid political chaos, Christian experienced firsthand what most of us only read…

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From Emerald Isle to Bronze Age Biblical Tales with John Leonard 55:19

1M ago55:19

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#180 - Have you ever wondered what happens when a deep love for Ireland, masterful storytelling, and biblical foundations merge? That's exactly what unfolds in this captivating conversation with John Leonard, the creative mind behind the Wayfinder series – a fantasy adventure saga that bridges ancient myths with biblical narratives. Growing up in r…

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Behind the Bench: A Basketball Wife's Global Adventure with Lesa Burgess 56:44

1M ago56:44

56:44

#179 - Lesa Burgess never imagined that falling in love with a basketball player would lead her across nine countries over eleven years, building a family of seven while navigating cultural labyrinths few Americans ever experience. Her memoir "Behind the Bench" pulls back the curtain on what looks like a glamorous life to reveal something far more …

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Redemption Roadmap with Garr Russell 53:58

2M ago53:58

53:58

#178 - The road to redemption isn't always straight, and nobody knows this better than Garr Russell. From sitting in a jail cell in fifth grade to building a nationwide RV rental franchise with 70 locations, Garr's journey proves that our darkest chapters can become the foundation for something beautiful. After his parents' divorce set him on a tro…

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Hobby Horsing: The High-Flying Sport You Never Knew Existed with Kht Shetty 1:01:52

2M ago1:01:52

1:01:52

#177 - What happens when childhood play transforms into serious sport? In this eye-opening conversation, we saddle up with Kht Shetty, a 20-year-old Polish hobby horse competitor and coach who's redefining what it means to "horse around." Hobby horsing—a sport where participants jump obstacles up to 1.3 meters high while carrying handcrafted stick …

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From Horses to High Seas: Alison Gieschen's Remarkable Journey 46:17

2M ago46:17

46:17

#176 - What does it take to sail around the world? For Alison Gieschen, it's required facing her worst fears while clinging to a dream she's had since childhood. From the moment she and her husband Dan met at a sailboat race and discovered their shared ambition to circumnavigate the globe, their path was set – though hardly smooth sailing. Alison's…

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BONUS 11 - Finding Your Voice After Assault with Amanda Villarini 49:12

3M ago49:12

49:12

Bonus 11 - Sexual assault fundamentally changes lives, but it doesn't have to define them. In this powerful bonus episode, Amanda Villarini talks about the night that altered her path forever, when what began as a casual gathering with friends ended in betrayal and trauma. Amanda's story exposes the painful reality that sometimes our most devastati…

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Mountains, Mysteries, and Moving Forward with Rodney Carpentier 1:02:44

3M ago1:02:44

1:02:44

#175 - When Rodney Carpentier first laced up his police patrol boots to tackle a Catskill mountain, he had no idea he was beginning a transformative six-year odyssey that would shape not only his physical resilience but his creative future. Sharing his remarkable journey from unprepared novice to accomplished hiker who conquered all 35 peaks of the…

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Faith, Sobriety, and the Appalachain Trail with Rand Timmerman 51:10

3M ago51:10

51:10

#174 - What does redemption look like at 72 years old? For Rand Timmerman, it meant lacing up his hiking boots and tackling the Appalachian Trail's 2,190 miles alongside his grieving brother—a journey that would test his newfound sobriety, physical limits, and spiritual foundation. Rand's path to that trailhead was anything but straight. Growing up…

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How Adventure Fuels a Soul Despite Stage Four Cancer with Thom Barrett 55:42

3M ago55:42

55:42

#173 - The most powerful journeys often begin in life's darkest moments. When Thom Barrett received his stage four cancer diagnosis, he made a decision that would transform his experience – he would embrace each day fully, intentionally, and with an adventurous spirit that defies conventional expectations. Our conversation with Thom reveals a man w…

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From Pool to Classroom: Still Making Waves at 21 with McKella Leeper 59:07

3M ago59:07

59:07

#172 - Ever wonder what it's like to break a school record in your final race? Or how someone finds their calling at just 21 years old? Meet McKella Leeper, whose enthusiasm for life bubbles up like the wake behind a powerful swimmer. McKella's journey began when her family moved closer to her father's workplace, with the promise that he would coac…

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Crossing Africa: An Adventure from over 50 Years Ago with Barry Maughan 56:22

4M ago56:22

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Have you ever wondered what Africa was like before satellite phones, GPS navigation, and carefully curated safari experiences? Barry Maughan's remarkable journey from Alexandria to South Africa during the tumultuous late 1960s offers a window into a continent few modern travelers will ever experience. Barry's adventure began with a chance encounter…

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How Travel Therapy Transforms Lives and Careers with Aaron Bowe 57:55

4M ago57:55

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#170 - Ever wondered what it would be like to turn your healthcare career into an adventure? Aaron Bowe transforms this dream into reality as a traveling physical therapist who has crafted a nomadic lifestyle that combines professional growth with unforgettable experiences across America's most breathtaking landscapes. Aaron reveals the unexpected …

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The Remote Rebellion: Choosing Freedom Over Fear with Michelle Coulson 58:11

4M ago58:11

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What happens when you choose freedom over fear? Michelle Coulson's story reveals the extraordinary path that unfolds when you dare to break free from conventional expectations. Michelle always knew she wasn't destined for the traditional path. Even as a child growing up in a small town outside Manchester, she dreamed of life "abroad" – though she c…

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Experiences Over Things: Why Memories Matter Most with Cody Sudmeier 48:06

4M ago48:06

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#168 - "Collect moments, not things." It's a philosophy that sounds simple but runs counter to our consumer-driven culture. Cody Sudmeier, founder of Spur Experiences, joins the show to explore why shared adventures create more meaningful connections and lasting happiness than material possessions. After leaving a successful consulting career that …

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From Ranger to Special Forces: Chris Brewer's Military Journey 43:23

5M ago43:23

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Bonus 10 - What happens when a former Army Ranger and Special Forces veteran finally reveals classified missions conducted during some of history's most volatile conflicts? Chris Brewer's military journey spans 24 remarkable years, from the reactivation of the 1st Ranger Battalion in 1974 to covert operations in Colombia during the Pablo Escobar er…

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Barefoot Beyond Limits with Ken Posner 52:46

5M ago52:46

52:46

# 167 - What drives someone to abandon their shoes and run barefoot through mountains, forests, and even snow? In this captivating conversation, Ken Posner reveals the unexpected journey that turned him from a corporate professional with chronic running injuries into a barefoot endurance athlete who's completed thousands of miles without shoes. Ken…

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From Sahara Trains to Ocean Rows: One Woman's Extraordinary Journey with Brooke King 1:01:13

5M ago1:01:13

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#166 - What happens when your adventurous spirit collides with a life-changing diagnosis? Meet Brooke King, a fearless 29-year-old who refuses to let thyroid cancer dim her extraordinary approach to life. Brooke's story begins in Chicago, where she lived a successful but predictable life as a young homeowner. When COVID hit, something shifted - tha…

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Following the Missouri with Larry Campbell 55:39

5M ago55:39

55:39

#165 - The Missouri River winds through America's heartland like a massive, muddy snake—but what's it like to follow it from source to mouth? Larry Campbell, a retired math professor, did exactly that in a life-changing seven-week adventure that transformed his understanding of this iconic waterway. Larry's journey began at Three Forks, Montana, wh…

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The Healing Power of Dark Tourism with Dr. Chad Scott 54:58

5M ago54:58

54:58

#164 - What healing power can be found in visiting sites of tragedy and suffering? For Dr. Chad Scott, dark tourism became an unexpected lifeline during his darkest days. When severe health issues led to a liver transplant, Dr. Scott discovered profound meaning and purpose by exploring places marked by historical tragedy. From standing in gas chamb…

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Freedom on the Waves with Brandon and Amber Morse 59:28

5M ago59:28

59:28

Episode 163 - What would it take for you to completely reimagine your family's life? For Brandon and Amber Morse, it happened around a campfire in the mountains of Idaho when they asked themselves a simple yet profound question: what if we could break free from the daily grind and truly connect as a family? That conversation led them to sell nearly…

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From Despair to Purpose: Jeremy George's 52-Week Bucket List Journey 51:47

6M ago51:47

51:47

What happens when you hit all the milestones society tells you to chase, yet still feel empty inside? For Jeremy George, that existential crisis led to a year-long battle with suicidal thoughts despite having a beautiful New York apartment, career success, and financial stability. Everything changed when three consecutive wake-up calls shattered Je…

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Gaming, Disney, and Taco Bell: A Father and Son Conversation with Josh Bushman 39:33

6M ago39:33

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Bonus 9 - What happens when a podcast host puts his own son in the guest seat? Pure magic. In this heartwarming Memorial Day bonus episode, Jake welcomes his eldest son Josh for a conversation that bridges generations, creative pursuits, and shared family memories. Josh, who made Jake a father 25 years ago after being born prematurely at just three…

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Raw Travel Beyond Instagram with Buster Upton 51:09

6M ago51:09

51:09

What does it really mean to travel authentically in a world dominated by filtered Instagram perfection? Buster Upton, a 26-year-old Australian adventurer, has the honest answer—and it's not what you might expect. From his spontaneous childhood road trips with his adventure-loving mother to finding himself enrolled in a Finnish school at 16 (instead…

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Van Life Across Australia: Breaking Legs and Finding Freedom with Tzara Attwater 54:15

6M ago54:15

54:15

"Our heartbeats are the greatest currency we have." This profound insight comes from Tzara Attwater, who turned personal heartbreak into an epic adventure across Australia's vast wilderness. After walking in on her partner of ten years with another woman, Tzara spent years rebuilding herself before making a bold decision during COVID – converting a…

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Nothing For Us Without Us: Jenna Udenberg's Journey Beyond Limitations 54:01

6M ago54:01

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What does freedom look like when you navigate the world on wheels? For Jenna Udenberg, it arrived in the form of a Firefly - an electric attachment that transformed her manual wheelchair into an adventure vehicle capable of tackling trails she'd only viewed longingly from afar. Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age seven and using a w…

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From Hollywood to Self-Discovery: Giovanna Silvestre's Transformation Journey 56:00

7M ago56:00

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#158 - What if your moments of greatest confusion were actually doorways to your most authentic self? Giovanna Silvestre's remarkable journey proves exactly that. From the high-pressure halls of Hollywood to the difficult decision of walking away from her family's beloved Italian restaurant, Giovanna's path shows how embracing uncertainty becomes y…

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The Joy, Flavor and Affection of Salsa Dancing: David Schafran's Transformational Journey 53:40

7M ago53:40

53:40

When David Schafran felt his life spiraling into depression and emptiness, he discovered an unexpected lifeline – salsa dancing. That first night on the dance floor sparked something profound: "It makes me feel so happy because it's so joyous and flavorful and juicy." This moment of clarity eventually led David from his high-stress tech startup in …

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The Art of Coming Home: Travel, Faith, and Finding Where You Belong with Dr. Douglas Brouwer 38:44

7M ago38:44

38:44

Bonus 8 - Dr. Douglas Brouwer's journey from Western Michigan to the world and back again offers profound insights into how travel shapes our spiritual lives and understanding of home. After spending 40 years serving as a Presbyterian pastor around the globe, Doug's adventures took him from maximum security prisons in Philadelphia to a church in Zu…

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Mississippi to Mug: A Riverboat Pilot's Unexpected Path with Chris Nance 1:12:31

7M ago1:12:31

1:12:31

#156 - Chris Nance's life reads like an adventure novel where dropping out of school at 13 somehow leads to piloting massive ships down the Mississippi River and co-founding a successful coffee company. Growing up just south of New Orleans in a family of riverboat pilots and commercial fishermen, Chris's education took an unexpected turn after Hurr…

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From Burnout to Itinerary Boss: Ross Alcorn's Travel Evolution 53:13

7M ago53:13

53:13

Most of us dream of adventures in far-off places, but between demanding jobs, packed schedules, and the sheer overwhelm of planning, those dreams often remain just that—dreams. Enter Ross Alcorn, the mastermind behind Itinerary Boss, who's made it his mission to turn travel aspirations into reality for busy professionals. Ross's journey didn't begi…

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Waterfall Plunge: Jon Cheney's Journey Through Whitewater Kayaking and Life 1:08:58

8M ago1:08:58

1:08:58

#154 - Imagine plunging down a 35-foot waterfall strapped inside a kayak, or trying to compose a stunning piano piece that captures the serenity of nature. These are just fragments of Jon Cheney's extraordinary journey as a creator, adventurer, entrepreneur, and man of faith. From his early years in a musical household where his parents prioritized…

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Breaking Free: From 80-Hour Workweeks to Digital Nomad Life with Ryan Mellon 52:35

8M ago52:35

52:35

#153 - Meet Ryan Mellon, a man who completely transformed his life by breaking free from the grind of 80-hour workweeks to embrace a life of global adventure. For over a decade, Ryan worked grueling 14-hour days, splitting time between fixing deep fryers and sorting packages at UPS, until a transformative two-week trip to Costa Rica ignited a visio…

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Exploring Remote Worlds with Jorge Salas Guevara 55:33

8M ago55:33

55:33

The untold story of how a young Peruvian boy's fascination with National Geographic magazines transformed into a life dedicated to global exploration unfolds in my conversation with Jorge Salas Guevara. As founder of New Paths Expeditions, Jorge has crafted extraordinary journeys to 58 destinations across our planet's most remote corners while pers…

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How Devan Gonzalez Transformed Challenges into Fitness Success 45:20

8M ago45:20

45:20

Bonus 7 - Unlock your motivation in our latest episode featuring Devan Gonzalez, a dynamic entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast whose journey inspires countless individuals. From a young age, Devan was pushed to explore different sports, leading him to become a martial arts instructor at just 13. This early exposure laid the groundwork for his lifel…

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Jacob Lemanski's Inspiring Journey: 999 Days Biking Across the Globe and Embracing Life's Unknowns 41:09

8M ago41:09

41:09

#151 - What could inspire someone to leave a stable engineering career and venture into the unknown on a bicycle? Meet Jacob Lemanski, whose incredible journey of 999 days biking across the globe defies expectations and challenges societal norms. In this episode, Jacob shares his odyssey from rural Pennsylvania to the world stage, driven by a passi…

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Chase Hampton's Inspiring Journey: From The Mickey Mouse Club to Mentorship and Onward 1:01:29

9M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

Ever wondered how an introverted boy from Oklahoma City ended up as a star of the all-new Mickey Mouse Club? Join me as I sit down with Chase Hampton—a cherished figure from the '90s entertainment scene—to explore his remarkable journey to the stage. Through candid personal stories, Chase shares the serendipitous moments that shaped his path, from …

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Steven James Ferris's Inspiring Journey: From Royal Air Force to Icelandic Adventure Challenges 58:38

9M ago58:38

58:38

What happens when a former Royal Air Force member swaps his parachute for a mountain bike and embarks on a breathtaking quest across Iceland? Meet Steven James Ferris, a man who has redefined his life with adventure, weaving tales from his military past into a riveting 72-hour bikepacking expedition to support a cause close to his heart. Steven tra…

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Glen Van Peski's Inspiring Journey: Ultralight Living and Life's Unpredictable Adventures 45:44

9M ago45:44

45:44

Glen Van Peski shares his philosophy of ultralight backpacking, revealing how taking less can lead to a more fulfilling life. Through personal stories of adventure, gratitude, and survival, he encourages listeners to embrace minimalism and focus on meaningful experiences. • Overview of Glen Van Peski's philosophy on ultralight backpacking • Discuss…

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Charlie Reynolds' Bold Adventure: Traversing the Darien Gap 56:16

9M ago56:16

56:16

#147 - What drives someone to embark on an extraordinary journey with zero experience? Meet Charlie Reynolds, the audacious soul who swapped the comforts of a four-wheeled drive for the thrill of a motorcycle, blazing a trail from Canada to the ends of Argentina. Charlie’s story inspires with its tales of confronting the infamous Darien Gap and his…