Journey with Jake

#247 - He didn't hop on a skateboard until he was 33 and he still calls himself “awful” at it, which somehow makes what happens next even wilder. Moondog Roop (David, if you ask his mom) joins us to talk about thru-skating: combining long-distance skateboarding with the realities of hiking, carrying the board for hundreds of miles, and committing to the kind of day-after-day grit most people only daydream about.We get into the real origin story, too. Moondog shares what led to sobriety at 27, the rock-bottom moment that forced him to quit making excuses, and how recovery became less about “not drinking” and more about building a life he actually respects. That foundation shows up everywhere in his adventures, from pushing into fear, to staying present on the road, to choosing the next right move even when his body and brain are begging him to stop.From the Florida Trail to New Mexico, Texas, and the perimeter of Puerto Rico, we unpack what long distance skateboarding looks like when it's not a highlight reel: headwinds, heat, water carries, rashes, food poisoning, and the constant risk of traffic. Moondog also shares the moments that keep him coming back, like “roadside love,” trail magic from strangers, and the unexpected stop in Madrid, New Mexico that changed the trajectory of his entire life.If you've ever wondered whether it's “too late” to start something hard, this conversation is your proof that the clock is not the boss. Subscribe for more human stories like this, share the episode with a friend who needs a push, and leave a rating or review so more people can find the show.To learn more about Moondog check out his Instagram account @gomoondog.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeDiscover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

$200 for cement. $500 for a business upgrade. A few receipts and a real relationship. That's the kind of giving that actually lands, and it's what we dig into with Forrest Mcsweeney, founder of the Uplift Project, a grassroots nonprofit focused on direct microgrants and practical support in rural Guyana.We talk about Forrest's unconventional upbringing traveling through Central and South America, the outdoor work that funds his seasons, and the six-month solo road trip that sharpened his sense of what matters. Then we get into the story that crystallized his philosophy: a family in Senegal that had everything needed to expand their home except the last $200 for cement. That “last hurdle” becomes the lens for understanding poverty, dignity, and why bottom-up solutions often outperform top-down charity.From there, Forrest breaks down how the Uplift Project operates with transparency and accountability: interviewing local entrepreneurs, prioritizing women with children, documenting exactly what a $500 grant will buy, and following up with photos and receipts. You'll hear what that looks like on the ground in remote communities reachable only by boat, plus the ripple effects of funding a seamstress's solar-powered setup, a baker's larger oven, and emerging needs like rainwater tanks for clean drinking water, school supplies, and uniforms.If you care about sustainable development, nonprofit transparency, and real-world impact per dollar, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a rating or review so more people can find these stories.To learn more about Forrest and The Uplift Project check out www.upliftproject.org. You can also follow along on Instagram @upliftprojectgy and on YouTube @upliftprojectgy.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeDiscover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#244 - One impulsive decision changed Joseph Walker's entire life: at 19, he joined the U.S. Navy to “see the world” and got sent to Italy. Within a day, he felt something click, not because he knew the language or the history, but because the people, the food, and the everyday energy made him want to ask better questions and stay longer.We trace the moment that sealed it, when Joseph hired a fisherman near Naples to investigate rumors of something submerged offshore. He dove into cold, murky water and uncovered a Roman mosaic, a doorway into the underwater ruins tied to Portus Julius and the strange geology of bradyseism that can raise and lower the coastline over time. That discovery leads to decades of research, guiding, and building off the beaten path Italy experiences that turn archaeology and local storytelling into something you can feel, not just photograph.From amphitheaters and grape harvests to Sicily's Norman legacy and the chance to meet a living descendant of Frederick II in Palermo, Joseph explains what most travelers miss when they only do the famous route. We also talk about why hidden gems stay hidden, how real connection still beats screen time, and why he's choosing to move back to Italy, basing his next chapter in Perugia, Umbria's “green heart.”If you love Italy travel, Italian history, cultural tours, and stories where curiosity becomes a compass, hit play. Then subscribe, share this with a friend who daydreams about Italy, and leave a rating or review so more people can find The Human Adventure.To learn more about Joseph and his book, Buried Italy, check out his website www.italianhistorywithjoseph.com. You can also check out his Instagram account @italian_history_with_joseph for weekly fun history lessons about Italy.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeDiscover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#243 - Waiting for the “right” time to travel can quietly turn into years of missed memories. I sat down with Dustin Tichenor, an Indianapolis dad who works a physically demanding warehouse job, to talk about what actually makes a family adventure meaningful when budgets are tight and life is busy.We get honest about the pressure many parents carry, especially when you didn't have the family example you wanted growing up. Dustin shares how that pressure can make you feel like a trip only counts if it's a big-name destination, and how he learned that kids often want something simpler: a surprise, a change of scenery, a hotel pool, and parents who are fully present. Along the way, we talk practical, real-world affordable family travel: driving instead of flying, building weekend getaways within a few hours, using coolers and microwaves to cut food costs, and looking for free attractions like zoos or underrated roadside stops.Dustin also opens up about starting his travel resource “Can We Go There” and theCWGT.com, learning the ropes with late nights, trial and error, and a lot of persistence. If you're craving budget road trips, mini vacations, and a mindset shift toward memories over destinations, this one will hit home.Subscribe for more stories like this, share the episode with a parent who needs a push, and leave a rating or review so more people can find the show. What small trip could you plan in the next 30 days?To learn more about Dustin and his family's adventures check out www.theCWGT.com and check out his YouTube channel @Can_We_Go_There. You can also follow along on Instagram @can_we_go_there.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeDiscover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#242 - A “perfect” itinerary can still produce a forgettable trip. What actually makes travel stick is the human stuff: the meal you can't stop describing, the guide who made you laugh, the neighborhood you wandered without a plan, the courage it took to go even though you felt nervous. I spoke with Eleanor from Elevate Your Escapes, an award-winning travel advisor and blogger who's been to 70 countries and helps hundreds of clients each year plan vacations, honeymoons, cruises, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. She is also at Top 30 First Mate (Travel Agent) with Virgin Voyages.Eleanor shares how she went from a late start with travel to taking a first big leap with a group trip plus solo time in Costa Rica, and how that blend can be a powerful entry point for anyone curious about solo travel. We get honest about loneliness versus being alone, the small choices that create connection on the road, and why Europe keeps pulling her back, especially Greece and Spain for culture, history, and food. If you love cultural travel and foodie travel, her perspective is packed with practical ideas.We also go behind the scenes on building a travel business. Eleanor explains why Elevate Your Escapes began as a blog idea, how the agency side unexpectedly snowballed, and what changed when she finally went full-time after a layoff gave her the runway to try. She breaks down what travelers don't expect, like cruise port changes, tendering, and European train strikes, plus why travel insurance matters more than most people think.If you're planning your next trip and want it to feel meaningful, not rushed, you'll leave with a clearer definition of “unforgettable” and a better way to design travel around who you are. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share this with a friend who needs a trip on the calendar, and leave a quick rating or review so more people can find the show.To learn more about Eleanor please check out her website www.elevateyourescapes.com and give her a follow on Instagram @elevateyourescapes.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeDiscover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#241 - Your life can change in less than two months, and then you're left staring at the silence. Derrik Dyka knows that shock firsthand. After his wife of 24 years is diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, everything moves fast and then stops. Derikk describes freezing, losing his footing, and realizing that without a normal routine to return to, grief can turn into a kind of paralysis.Then his twin sons give him an unexpected assignment: “Go be James Bond.” That challenge kicks off a solo travel reset across Asia, starting with Tokyo, where the crowds somehow feel isolating, and then shifting to the Philippines, where simple warmth from strangers and daily open water swimming bring him back to himself. We talk about why connection matters more than the destination, why traveling alone changes how you relate to the world, and how small risks can open big doors.Derikk also shares the deeper thread he only recognized while writing his memoir, Good Grief Travel: the real journey is curiosity, community, and resilience. From a spontaneous friendship with a swim guide to a surreal night at a rural China birthday party where no one shares a language but everyone shares laughter, his stories make a strong case that healing can be built from tiny human moments. We close with practical ways to participate in life again, from walking daily and calling your people to learning your neighbors' names and setting the table to see who shows up.If this conversation helps, subscribe to the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a rating or review so more people can find these stories.To learn more about Derrik and get a copy of his memoir check out goodgrieftravel.com. You can also give him a follow on Instagram @good.grief.travel.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#240 - What if the life you carefully planned suddenly feels too small? That question sits at the heart of my conversation with Dani Campbell, a former teacher who used the pandemic as a wake-up call. She walked away from the school routine, built a camper van, and spent years learning what solo van life really looks like when it's not just a highlight reel. We get into the courage it takes to choose freedom, especially when your family is surprised, your future isn't mapped, and you're figuring it out in real time.Dani also explains the story behind her brand name, “Stumbling Upon Serendipity,” and why she's still a planner even while chasing spontaneity. We talk about solo travel as a woman, how her dog Trip helped with the quiet moments, and the practical ways she handles loneliness in cities versus deep solitude in nature with no service. She shares what it takes to fund life on the road through freelance writing, brand collaborations, and social media management, plus the tricky balance between creating content and staying present enough to actually enjoy the adventure.Then we dive into her 30 before 30 challenge: paragliding, cowboy camping, fitness goals like a marathon and Hyrox, and even the oddly relatable goal of being the “mysterious person” reading in a coffee shop. Dani gets honest about mental health, creative ruts, and the pressure creators feel to be “enough” online, while still choosing a life built around community, stability, and the mountains of Colorado.Subscribe to The Human Adventure, share this with a friend who's craving a change, and leave a review if Dani's story helps you rethink what you're capable of.To learn more about Dani and her adventures check out www.stumblinguponserendipity.com and follow her on Instagram @stumblinguponserendipity.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#239 - Joshua Church's life starts with a shock: his lung collapses right after birth. What follows is years of injuries, surgeries, chronic pain, and a quiet belief that takes root early, “Maybe I'm broken.” When that story hardens, it doesn't just shape how he moves through sports and school. It shapes what he thinks his future can be.We talk through the rock bottom moment that forces a change, and the surprisingly simple first step that cracks the door open: an invitation to yoga. From there, Joshua walks us into the deeper work that transforms his health and mindset, including breath work, nervous system regulation, and cold water immersion. He explains how breath can shift us from fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest, why cold exposure is really a practice for stress tolerance, and how the mantra “I am strong, I'm healthy, I'm capable” becomes a tool for rewiring identity in real time.We also go beyond the body. Joshua shares what faith looks like when life falls apart, including the rise and fall of his ice bath company, and why he believes surrender can be a form of strength. If you're curious about breathwork benefits, cold plunge benefits, mindset shifts, or healing from chronic pain and self-doubt, this conversation is both practical and deeply human.Subscribe for more stories like this, share it with someone who needs encouragement, and leave a rating or review if the message lands. What's one belief you're ready to let go of?To learn more about Joshua Church and his book, Cosmic Breadcrumbs, you can check out his website www.joshuadeanchurch.com or check him out on Instagram @joshuadeanchurch.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

What if the life that scares you is exactly what will set you free? I sit down with Kristy Halvorsen, a former firefighter who traded the predictable path for a solo, off-grid Airstream life driven by intuition, curiosity, and a willingness to not know what's next. She calls it “coddiwompling,” traveling purposely to unknown destinations while staying open to every possibility, and it turns out to be a philosophy for living, not just a way to roam. Kristy shares the turning points that made this leap real: a childhood rupture that quietly shaped her ability to love, the pride and intensity of the fire service, and the body-waking-up moment of injury that made “waiting for retirement” feel like a bad deal. We talk about the mental side of fear, the practical reality of being alone when things break, and the kind of freedom that only shows up when you stop outsourcing your courage. If you're into solo travel stories, off-grid living, and mindset shifts that actually feel usable, you'll find plenty to steal for your own life. The conversation gets tender and powerful as Kristy opens up about grief and her mom's death right before her book launched, the small signs that keep love close, and how gratitude can coexist with pain. She also tells the wild story of injury and illness in remote Newfoundland, plus the surprising joy of writing with radical vulnerability and discovering how truth gives other people permission to live. If this hits something in you, grab Kristy's book “Perfect Unfolding,” share this episode with a friend who needs a nudge, and please subscribe, rate, and review so more people can find The Human Adventure.To learn more about Kristy and her book check out www.perfectunfolding.com and give her a follow on Instagram @kristy.halvorsen.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#237 - Melody Harman didn't come to Utah for a postcard life, she came because staying put felt like drowning in reminders. After losing her dad following 70 days in the hospital, and carrying earlier grief from losing her brother as a teen, she hits that brutal stretch where your world looks “normal” on the outside but everything inside is rearranged. So we talk honestly about what it's like when grief becomes a daily environment, not a single moment, and why a big change can be the first real breath you take.We start with Melody's roots in Jacksonville, Florida, then follow the path through school, career pressure, and the “success equals title” mindset that so many of us inherit. From there, we get into the heart of it: the decision to let go, the depression that followed, and the way nature can act like nervous system support when life feels too loud. Melody explains why hiking without headphones, listening to water and birds, and simply moving forward on a trail can create calm when your brain won't.Then we go full adventure mode with practical stories from Utah hiking and beyond. You'll hear what Angel's Landing is really like (permits, switchbacks, chains, crowds, heat, and real risk), plus her first backpacking trip to Havasu Falls and the lessons you only learn when you carry your life on your back. We also talk solo travel, self-trust, and what happens when you lose a corporate job and have to rebuild your identity, one “A to B” step at a time.If you've been searching for stories about grief healing, outdoor therapy, Utah trails, Zion hikes, Angel's Landing tips, backpacking lessons, or solo travel confidence, this conversation meets you where you are and gives you a clear next step. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a rating or review so more people can find the show.To learn more about Melody and follow her adventures be sure and give her a follow on Intagram @melody.onthemove.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#236 - The Darien Gap has a legend attached to it, but Daniel Eggington brings the parts that don't fit the movie version: endless wet days, rivers fought step by step, fear used as a tool, and the mental math of staying alive when you're deep in the jungle with no easy reset button. Daniel doesn't chase comfort or bragging rights. He chases places where there's no blueprint, because that's where he learns fastest and where the story is earned instead of staged. We start with the moment that set his trajectory: leaving the UK as a teenager for Sumatra after working at a zoo and falling in love with wildlife. From there we dig into expedition travel the way it actually works: preparing for snakes and insects, relying on locals for real knowledge, and keeping your impact low. Daniel shares his Guyana journey down the Essequibo River by dugout canoe, including encounters with local belief systems like Kanaima and how culture can shape safety choices as much as terrain does. Then we go deep on the Darien, including geopolitical shifts, how different groups control different areas, why “permission” is part of the route, and what a truly miserable day looks like when you're soaked, underfed, and still pushing forward. We also talk endurance training, why people choose suffering in controlled doses, and Daniel's next massive goal: a first-of-its-kind Congo River walking expedition planned for 12 months or more, supported by a broader team and modern field comms. If you're into extreme adventure, jungle survival, expedition planning, and the mindset behind big goals, hit play, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs a push. After you listen, leave a review and tell us: what would your no-blueprint adventure be?To learn more about Daniel Eggington and his upcoming expedition along the Congo River check out www.danieleggington.com and follow him on Instagram @danieleggington.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#235 - The woods “understood her” before she could understand herself, and Alison Monda's story makes that feel less like poetry and more like a practical roadmap. She's a full-time firefighter, a search and rescue volunteer, a musician, a longtime hiker, and someone who finally got an ADHD diagnosis that explained decades of feeling scattered, intense, and constantly in motion. When we sit down to talk, it turns into an honest look at what it means to build a life around adventure while also trying to build a brain that feels steady. Alison doesn't dodge the hard chapters. She talks about teen addiction, entering rehab at 19, and how sobriety forced her to relearn fun, connection, and self-respect. From there, hiking becomes more than a passion. It becomes outdoor therapy, a mental health reset, and one of the only places her mind reliably drops into a flow state. We get into solo backpacking, why it can feel freeing and terrifying, and how she thinks about safety as a woman alone on trail. We also go deep on real backcountry moments: a bear encounter that spikes the fear meter, the difference between wildlife risk and news-cycle myths, and the rare but real “creepy human” situations that change how you camp. Along the way, Alison shares practical advice for getting started, including the 10 essentials, offline GPS tools like Gaia GPS and CalTopo, and when an SOS device like a Garmin inReach makes sense. Plus, we talk community on the Appalachian Trail, big-mile dreams like the PCT, and her memoir Fearless. If you like stories about hiking for mental health, ADHD and resilience, addiction recovery, and the kind of adventure that's messy in the moment but meaningful later, you'll feel at home here. Subscribe to The Human Adventure, share this with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a quick rating or review so more people can find the show.To follow along with Alison check her out on Instagram @get_the_f_outside. You can also get a copy of her book, Fearless, on Amazon.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#234 - Your childhood dream is supposed to save you, not send you to the burn ward. Dan Schlund is one of the rare people who has flown a real rocket belt, a true rocket motor strapped to your back with about 30 seconds of fuel, superheated thrust, and no room for hesitation. After his third flight off the training cable, a bad landing turns into a nightmare: he gets slammed into the ground, can't shut the belt off, and is burned in the field until the crew can pull him free. We talk about the long recovery, skin grafts, and the part that lingers even longer: anxiety and the mental scars that follow a catastrophic crash. Dan explains why he still chose to fly again, how stunt work taught him to never let your last run be a failure, and what it feels like to lift off under full throttle with a roaring crowd and a ticking fuel clock. Along the way, he shares global performance stories, including high pressure flights like the Rose Parade and surreal moments performing in Turkmenistan. Then the dream ends hard with a later crash during a Guinness World Records flight, a neck injury, and the identity crash that comes when the applause disappears. Dan's pivot is the plot twist: he rebuilds his life as a paramedic and founder of National Set Medics, helping protect cast and crew across film and TV productions nationwide. If you've ever faced a career change, burnout, or the question “who am I now,” this conversation brings both honesty and practical hope. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.To learn more about Dan check out www.rocketman.tv. You can also give him a follow on Instagram @rocketman.tv.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#233 - He thought he might do a couple years for breaking into fur farms. Instead, a DOJ press release tells him he's facing animal enterprise terrorism and RICO-related charges with a maximum of 82 years. That's the moment Peter Young goes from activist to full-time fugitive, living under a fake name, dodging fingerprints, and trying to build a life while the federal government waits for one mistake.We trace Peter's path from a middle-class childhood to punk rock politics, veganism, and underground animal rights activism. He explains how early actions escalated from petty sabotage to fur farm raids that released thousands of mink, and why he believed illegal direct action could force media attention when peaceful protest couldn't. We also get into the uncomfortable questions that sit underneath the headline: how conviction changes your sense of right and wrong, how fear and adrenaline reshape decision-making, and what it means to accept consequences you never expected.Then the story turns practical and personal. Peter describes the day-to-day logistics of life on the run, the close calls, and the arrest that finally ends it. We talk sentencing guidelines, why the “82 years” didn't happen, what federal prison is really like, and how he rebuilt his identity afterward through writing and, surprisingly, entrepreneurship. If you're interested in true crime stories with moral complexity, activism and extremism, risk psychology, and second acts after prison, this conversation stays with you.Subscribe to The Human Adventure, share this episode with a friend who loves unforgettable real-life stories, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.To find out more about Peter Young check out www.peteryoung.me. To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#232 - You think you know someone, then you hear what they had to survive. Calvin Bagley looks like the guy with the steady career and the good family, but as a kid he was literally taught to hide when the school bus came by so no one would discover he wasn't being educated at all.We talk through Calvin's childhood in rural Utah with isolation, fear, and extremist beliefs that kept the world at a distance, plus the strange whiplash of showing up to church on Sundays and then returning to what he describes as hell at home. Instead of walking away from spirituality, Calvin explains how faith became his lifeline, and how his view of God slowly shifted from fear and anger to love, stability, and hope.Then we trace the hard, practical path of adult education: learning to read with help from his sister, serving a mission in Brazil where learning Portuguese forced him to finally learn English structure, grinding for a GED, bombing the ACT, and getting into UNLV through an unconventional “non-admitted student” route. We also get into his years as a flight attendant, the impact of 9/11, the mentors who opened doors, and why he finally chose to tell the truth in his memoir, Hiding from the School Bus, including the boundaries and therapy that helped him stop living in hiding.If Calvin's story hits you, share it with someone who needs proof that healing and growth are possible, then subscribe and leave a review so more listeners can find Th Human Adventure.To learn more about Calvin and to get a copy of his book check out www.hidingfromtheschoolbus.com. Calvin is also on Instagram @calvinbagley.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#231 - A passport full of stamps can look impressive, but what if the real point of travel is the people who crack you open and change how you see your life? I sat down with Melissa Rodway, author of *The People You Meet*, for an honest, funny, and surprisingly practical conversation about travel, connection, and what happens when we step outside our normal routines.We talk about the strangers you never forget, including the bold older travelers who prove adventure has no expiration date. Melissa shares why travel can make you feel lighter and more present, and how a single day can swing from pure gratitude to deep loneliness. We also dig into why certain places feel like home, why others do not, and how your body knows the difference even when you cannot explain it.Then we get real about travel ego and travel fatigue. If you have ever pushed a trip too far because you felt like you “should,” you will recognize the moment Melissa describes when travel starts feeling like work. We compare solo travel versus group travel, the hidden workload of constant decisions, safety concerns, and why active group trips with strangers can turn into a temporary family fast.If you love adventure travel, solo travel stories, and conversations about living with more intention, this one will stick with you. Subscribe to The Human Adventure, share this episode with a friend who needs a nudge to do something brave, and leave a review so more people can find the show.You can get a copy of Melissa's book, The People You Meet, on Amazon here. You can also follow Melissa on Instagram @fly_travel_media.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#230 - Ten Ironman distances in ten days sounds like a headline, but JD Tremblay treats it like a case study. JD is a military veteran, ultra-endurance athlete, and founder of Hungry Warrior Academy, and he joins me to explain how he became one of the rare finishers of the Epic Deca across the Hawaiian islands and why the real secret is not heroic motivation. It is structure, repeatable systems, and the decision to follow them when your mind is loud and your body is tired.We get into the myth that the military “gives” discipline, and JD's sharper take: the military gives structure, and you choose whether you live inside it. From there, we talk about building high performance without burning out, including energy regulation, nervous system shifts from sympathetic fight-or-flight to parasympathetic recovery, and why rest is not a reward but part of the plan. JD also shares his lens on starting versus quitting, the difference between DNS and DNF, and how a simple non-negotiable can become the first brick in a better life.JD opens up about faith, identity, and community, including the moment his son reshapes how he thinks about who he is beyond titles and achievements. He also tells the rawer side of the Epic Deca journey: going into debt, selling his house to fund the race, and hitting a breaking point that forces humility. We even had to pause mid-interview due to an electrical outage, which ends up fitting the theme perfectly: adjust, come back, keep going.If you want practical mindset tools, endurance training lessons, and a clearer definition of discipline you can apply to work, fitness, or family, hit play, then subscribe, share this with someone who needs encouragement, and leave a review so more people can find the show.To learn more about JD and his work with Hungry Warrior Academy please visit www.hungrywarrioracademy.com. You can also follow along with JD on Instagram @jdtremblaytri and to learn more about his book, Hunger For More In Life, you can visit www.hunger4more.com.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#229 - He was face down in the ocean, paralyzed, and running out of time. Patrick Yalon went out for a routine surf at San Francisco's Ocean Beach and never came back the same person and he's honest about how close he came to not coming back at all.We talk through the full arc: the low-tide wipeout that breaks his neck, the foggy scramble that ends with his friend finding him blue in the water, and the CPR that brings him back. From there it's ICU uncertainty, brutal nerve pain, and a nine-and-a-half-hour spinal fusion from C3 to C5 with titanium hardware. Patrick doesn't skip the dark parts: identity loss, depression, and the exhausting question of whether his body will ever work the way it used to.Then the story pivots from survival to purpose. Patrick chooses a wildly specific goal for spinal cord injury recovery and resilience: Moab 240, one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world. He lines up just months after the accident, grinds out 144 miles in 2024, then travels to Thailand to keep healing through daily Muay Thai training, time in the mountains, and a search for meaning and faith. He also shares why helping others with similar accidents matters so much, and how finishing Moab 240 in 2025 through storms, mud, lightning, and sleep deprivation becomes a shared victory with the friend who saved his life.Patrick is writing a memoir called Still Here and continues raising money and awareness for people impacted by spinal cord injuries. Subscribe to The Human Adventure, share this with someone who needs a reason to keep showing up, and leave a review if Patrick's story hits home.To follow along with Patrick's journey you can give him a follow on Instagram @bodiezepha415. For those runners out there on Strava just search for Patrick Yalon.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#228 - Rock bottom isn't always a single catastrophic night. Sometimes it's a slow drift: one more drink that becomes normal, one compromise that becomes routine, one secret that feels easier than the truth. Justin Kinney knows that drift firsthand, and he joins me to tell the full story of addiction, sobriety, and rebuilding a life from the ground up.Justin is a high school strength and conditioning teacher, a coach, a husband, and a dad in a busy blended family. From the outside, he looked like he had everything handled: professional awards, respect in the community, even leadership in church. Behind closed doors, alcohol and drugs were taking control, shame was multiplying, and his marriage and health were breaking down in small moments that eventually became impossible to ignore. We talk about what “rock bottom” really felt like for him, why treatment only worked once he admitted he was powerless, and how the consequences didn't magically disappear just because he got sober.We also get practical. Justin shares the non negotiables that keep him steady: a consistent morning routine built on prayer, gratitude, reading, meditation, and movement, plus the mindset of getting 1% better each day. He explains how years of journaling turned into his book, From Rock Bottom to Redemption, a daily-lesson format focused on accountability, integrity, discipline, and the kind of character that's built through small decisions over time.If you or someone you love is searching for addiction recovery hope, faith-based sobriety tools, or a clear path to rebuilding after failure, this conversation will meet you where you are. Subscribe for more stories like this, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find The Human Adventure.To learn more about Justin check him out on Instagram @justin_kinney_0609 and to get a copy of his book, From Rock Bottom to Redemption, you can check out Amazon.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#227 - What do you do when the person you love is gone before morning and you're in a country that doesn't feel fully like home yet? Chanoa Inez lived that question on the coast of Montenegro after her partner died suddenly overnight. The days that followed were filled with shock, language barriers, unfamiliar systems, and an unexpected web of support, and they set her on a seven-year chapter across the Balkans that would change everything about how she understands grief, identity, and resilience. We talk about why she chose to stay in Europe instead of returning to Miami, how community and culture shaped her healing, and what long-haul grief can look like when it quietly rewires your routines, your boundaries, and even your health. Chanoa opens up about years of stress and food allergies, searching through meditation, yoga, and retreat work, and the moment she realized the missing piece was self-love. Along the way, we dig into negative self-talk, the “victim mindset” trap, and a powerful practice: don't let a thought pass that you wouldn't say to a friend. Chanoa also shares the core message of her book, Dream On: reinvention is our birthright, and after loss we can learn to dream again, even if the dream has to be different. We explore purpose, imagination, and designing a life that pulls you forward, plus how her “inside-out” approach connects to personal branding and showing up as a real human instead of a robot. If you're searching for grief healing, self-love practices, rebuilding after trauma, or how to move forward after losing a partner, this conversation is a grounded place to start. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a quick rating or review if the show helps you.To learn more about Chanoa and her book please visit www.chanoainez.com.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#226 - You think you want to live abroad until you're standing in a Shanghai apartment you barely recognize, sleeping on a mattress that feels like concrete, and realizing you can't read a single sign outside your window. Jeff Lewis did exactly that, on a timeline so fast he had to get a same day passport and a same day visa just to make it happen. What started as a recession driven job scramble became four years of international teaching, culture shock, and the kind of growth you only get when your normal tools don't work anymore.We talk through the full arc of expat life in China: arriving alone while his wife waits on paperwork, learning the unwritten rules of traffic and daily errands, and figuring out how a newly married couple stays connected when everything around them is unfamiliar. Jeff shares what people romanticize about living abroad and what they leave out, from language barriers and “bad China days” to the strange comfort of tracking down a mediocre hamburger because it tastes like home. He also explains how travel around China worked before smartphones, and how those weekend adventures helped them stay sane and stay close.Then the story gets even bigger: they move to a better international school, build community, and have their two oldest kids in China. Jeff gets honest about parenting abroad, hospital decisions, transportation challenges, and how cultural differences can complicate even basic support systems. We close with what he brings home to the United States as a social studies teacher, including a stronger world view and a deeper belief in second language learning for his own kids.If you like stories about China, international schools, moving overseas, and the real psychology of stepping into the unknown, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who dreams of expat life, and leave a review so more people can find The Human Adventure.Be sure and give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeXploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#225 - A Baptist pastor walks away from a church he planted… and ends up kicking doors with SWAT as an FBI special agent. That's the real-life career pivot Eric Robinson lived, and his story isn't just a wild résumé line. It's a clear look at how pressure, identity, and responsibility can build slowly until you finally admit the truth: you need a different path.We talk through Eric's early years in ministry, the surprising toll of carrying other people's crises, and why the stress of law enforcement was easier for him to process than the stress of being a pastor. From there, he takes us behind the scenes of a 24-year FBI career: drug squads, gangs, public corruption, organized crime, crimes against children, counterterrorism, and what it means to run human sources who do not have to help but choose to anyway. If you've ever wondered what the FBI is really like beyond the Hollywood version, Eric gives an honest and often funny reality check.We also get into SWAT training and why repetition matters, how agents handle the emotional weight of difficult cases, and what leadership looks like when you're surrounded by smart self-starters. Eric closes with reflections on faith that's been refined by experience, plus details on his upcoming book, Irreverend: From Saving Souls To Chasing Sinners In The FBI.To follow Eric check out his Instagram account @_eric_robinson. To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjakeSubscribe for more human stories, share this with a friend who's facing a career change, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#224 - Business advice usually starts with scaling, margins, and “hustle.” This conversation starts somewhere more honest: what is business for, and who does it actually serve?We sit down with Edi Odura, an engineer turned entrepreneur and fractional COO who helps mission-driven founders build systems that don't burn people out. Edi shares how growing up Ghanaian American shaped her relationship with security and risk, why operations is really about protecting the human side of a company, and what changes when you stop treating process like paperwork and start treating it like leadership. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your own growth, you'll recognize the moment when a great product outpaces the systems meant to support it.Edi also walks us through the bridge she's building between Ghana and the US by placing vetted Ghanaian virtual professionals with founders stateside. We get into the practical realities of cross-cultural hiring, communication differences, and how to create clarity without losing kindness. Then we go deeper into regenerative business principles, contrasting them with extractive models that quietly profit from low wages, vague policies, or unequal power. The result is a grounded, actionable look at ethical outsourcing, sustainable operations, and values-driven entrepreneurship.If you care about building a company with integrity, or rebuilding your own life after a major pivot, you'll take something real from this. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with someone who's building, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.To learn more about Edith Oduraa check out her website https://edithoduraa.me/. To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#223 - What does it take to stay teammates for 30 plus years while crossing borders, missing comforts, and choosing the hard route on purpose? I'm joined by John and Ann Craig Cinnamon, a travel power couple who've visited 120 plus countries on seven continents, and they're honest about the part most people skip: real adventure travel can be exhausting, tense, and unpredictable, and that's exactly why it changes you.We dig into the way travel exposes personality fast, from idea-making to logistics to how you handle stress when plans break. John and Ann share the travel philosophy they call “While We're In The Neighborhood,” why they rarely visit just one country at a time, and how experiences like the Running of the Bulls, Oktoberfest, and the Trans-Siberian Railway became markers in a life built on curiosity. Their all-time favorite story is a Himalayas trek from Kathmandu toward Mount Everest, where tea houses, altitude, a local guide, and even a hard-earned scar turned a difficult hike into a memory they still revisit.The conversation also goes deep on authentic travel and human connection: meeting locals in Cambodia who insisted on giving a gift in return, laughing with a Mongolian guide who loved NBA shooters, navigating political conversations abroad, and facing fear during a Moscow airport interrogation. If you care about couple travel, travel storytelling, and the mindset behind meaningful trips, you'll leave with both practical perspective and a bigger heart for the world.Check out their book, Travel Is No Vacation: A Love Story, then subscribe, share this with someone you'd travel with, and leave a review so more people can find The Human Adventure.To learn more about the Cinnamons and their book check out www.travelisnovacation.com.To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#222 - When was the last time you let yourself dream without limits, not as a cute idea, but as a serious practice that could change your life? I sit down with Jason VanDevere, an entrepreneur, planner creator, and author of Dream Driven, to talk about what happens when you walk away from the “sure thing” and build a life that actually fits.Jason grew up in Akron, Ohio in a big family with a cow farm and a car dealership legacy. After college he entered the dealership track with a clear path to long-term success, but the deeper he went, the clearer it became that he needed something else. We unpack how a simple search for better time management and goal setting tools turned into a planner business, and why the early years felt brutal even while the product was selling.We go beyond tactics into mindset and meaning. Jason opens up about fear of failure, the rush of doing too much, and the surprising idea that we can get addicted to stress and inadequacy. From there, the conversation moves into faith and Catholic spirituality, daily prayer and journaling, and the power of silent retreats for clarity. We also break down his “dream-driven” approach to entrepreneurship, why focus beats endless options, and how family boundaries reshaped his definition of success.If you're chasing goals but feel stuck in survival mode, hit play, then share this with a friend who needs a spark. Subscribe, follow, and leave a review so more people can find the show.To learn more about Jason and get a copy of his book, Dream Driven, check out his website www.goalcrazy.com. You can also check out his Instagram channel @jasonvandevere. To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#221 - A one-way ticket sounds romantic until you're standing in a foreign airport, exhausted, hungry, and convinced you've made a huge mistake. That's where Tracy Smith's story gets real and why it's so relatable. After a divorce, years of nonstop parenting, and a career grind that left little room to breathe, she finally chooses herself and discovers that freedom can feel like fear at first. We talk about what actually led to that first leap to Iceland and how one impulsive booking turned into a multi-country sprint through Iceland, Denmark, Norway, and Ireland. Tracy shares the messy details most people leave out: the panic of being lost, the running inner commentary, and the moment she realizes she has to stop asking whether she “deserves” to be there. From there, travel becomes a mirror for identity, especially as the empty nest edges closer and her work identity starts to wobble. You'll also hear how she travels “solo” in a practical way, planning logistics and often hiring private guides for deeper context, connection, and safety. And yes, we get into the monkey scratch in Bali, the rabies-shot scramble, and how being a mom stays in the back of her mind even while she's chasing adventure. Tracy's book, The Purpose of Getting Lost, ties it all together with the episode's biggest takeaway: permission is a skill you can practice. If Tracy's message hits home, subscribe to The Human Adventure, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find these stories.To learn more about Tracy and her book check out her website www.tracysmithauthor.com and check her out on social media @tracytravelseverywhere on both Facebook and Instagram.I would love to have you join The Human Adventure Community on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#220 - Behind every great joke is a real story and Danny Johnson's story explains why his stand-up feels both clean and dangerously close to losing its cool. We talk about how he grew up in a loud Long Island family where roasting was basically a love language, and how that early chase for attention turned into a lifelong craft built on timing, authenticity, and connection. If you've ever wondered what makes an audience laugh at the exact same moment, Danny breaks it down in plain terms. We get nerdy about the comedy writing process: how a quick idea becomes a real bit, why research matters more than people think, and how Danny uses “filters” to find new angles on everyday frustrations. He also shares one of the most underrated tools in public speaking and stand-up comedy: silence. The pause can be the laugh, and learning to embrace it can change the entire energy of a room. Then we go personal. Danny opens up about weight swings, rebuilding confidence, eating well while traveling, and quitting drinking after realizing his time wasn't matching his goals. We also talk about the upside and difficulty of clean comedy, corporate gigs, church venues, and why he's focused on growing an engaged social media audience with original material, plus more voiceover and acting work. If you like interviews about creativity, resilience, and what it takes to make people feel better for an hour, you'll leave with practical insight and a lot of laughs. Subscribe to The Human Adventure, share this with a friend who needs a laugh, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What's a comedy habit or life habit you want to steal from Danny?To learn more about Danny check out his website www.dannyjohnson.com and check him out on Instagram or other social media outlets @dannyjohnsoncomedy. To can also check out his comedy special on YouTube here.To see clips from past, present, and even future episodes of The Human Adventure give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod and check out my YouTube channel @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#219 - A million-dollar decision can look a lot like a random pop-up ad and a quick, messy “why not?” Alex Boylan went from being a preacher's kid on the North Shore of Boston to winning Season 2 of The Amazing Race, and that victory didn't just change his bank account, it rewired his definition of work, purpose, and adventure. We talk through the early travel experiences that shaped him, the real dynamics of racing with his best friend Chris, and the pressure-cooker moments where relationships, strategy, and grit matter more than perfect plans. What sticks with me most is how Alex turns discomfort into a skill you can actually practice. He shares the behind-the-scenes realization that opened a whole new career path: travel producing and storytelling. From moving to Los Angeles with no roadmap, to betting on mentors and the right environment over job titles, his journey is packed with practical lessons for anyone navigating a career pivot, chasing a creative dream, or trying to feel alive again after getting stuck in routine. We also dig into Around The World For Free, the early interactive travel series that helped pioneer web-based travel storytelling before social media made it easy, and how that project evolved into bigger opportunities. Then we shift to what he's building now with The College Tour on Amazon Prime, a show designed to help families explore colleges and higher education options without the cost of constant campus travel, plus his book The Miles That Make You and the life lessons he wants to pass on. If you care about adventure, personal growth, mindset, travel, human connection, and building a meaningful life through calculated risk, hit play. Subscribe to The Human Adventure, share this with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review so more people find the show. What's one small discomfort you'll choose this week?To learn more about Alex and get a copy of his book you can visit www.alexboylan.com and if you want to follow Alex on Instagram check out @boylanalex. To see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod. You can also watch full length on YouTube @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#218 - At 92, Jim Paulk doesn't sound like someone looking back. He sounds like someone still chasing the next idea, the next project, the next person worth learning from. Our conversation starts with a dream delayed, how a kid from Brunswick, Georgia missed his Naval Academy appointment, kept pushing, then got the call that changed everything. From day one at Annapolis, Jim learns what many of us learn the hard way: you don't need a perfect plan, you need the willingness to keep choosing forward.We follow Jim through a life of service and reinvention, from qualifying on submarines to building a second career at Procter & Gamble. Then the story swerves into marine conservation in Southern California, where he's asked to take over a struggling gill net initiative and turn it into a winning campaign. Jim breaks down what leadership looks like when the clock is real: rallying volunteers, creating momentum, earning media, raising money, and building programs that actually last, including fish hatchery work that produces measurable results decades later.The heart of the conversation is storytelling and relationships. Jim's book, Shaking Up the World, collects 80 true stories by 59 Naval Academy classmates from the class of 1957, from “janitor to admiral” to survival through WWII internment camps to astronaut Charlie Duke's Apollo 16 memories. Jim also shares how he met his wife Pat and why love and friendship are the ultimate measure of a life well lived. He donates all royalties to charity, because giving back is the point.Subscribe for more human stories, share this with someone who loves leadership and history, and leave a review so more people can find the show.To get a copy of Jim's book, Shaking Up the World, check out Amazon. Get connected with The Human Adventure. Check out my website www.thehamanadventure.net and give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#217 - What does it take to leave one life, build another, and then wager it all on saving a species? We sit down with Nigel Mason, whose path runs from blitz-era London to the beaches of Bali, from music PR to pioneering “armchair rafting,” and finally to a 30-year fight to protect Sumatran elephants. His story blends grit, heartbreak, and stubborn hope as he turns a sanctuary into a living classroom and proves that hands-on adventure can fuel real conservation.Nigel opens up about the early wins and the gut-punch losses: a government order that shuttered his booming rafting business, the grind of rebuilding, and the shock of seeing elephants wasting away in Sumatra's deforestation crisis. He shares the rescue convoys behind Operation Jumbo, the science and care that guide his team, and why he ended elephant rides while doubling down on close, ethical encounters—hand feeding, bathing, guided walks, and deep education. Along the way, we meet the true heartbeat of the park: mahouts who know each elephant by mood and memory, including a reunion after five years apart that says everything about trust.This conversation goes beyond slogans. We talk palm oil and pulpwood, tourism that pays for welfare and veterinary care, and the tension between online outrage and on-the-ground responsibility. Nigel's sanctuary is a designed jungle with lakes, treetop paths, and a museum that makes conservation tangible. COVID nearly erased it; debt and determination kept the herd safe. Through it all, Nigel's focus is legacy—family ready to lead, a local industry he helped ignite, and a sanctuary built to outlast controversy.If you care about ethical wildlife tourism, elephant welfare, or how adventure can drive conservation, this one will stay with you. Listen, share with a friend who loves travel or animals, and tell us: what does “ethical” look like to you? And if the story moved you, follow, rate, and leave a review so more people can find the show.To learn more about Nigel and Mason Adventures be sure to check out www.masonadventures.com and check out their Instagram account @masonadventuresbali. To see clips from past, current and upcoming episodes and to learn about me (Jake) on a personal level give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod. Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#216 - What does it really take to walk away from a steady paycheck and bet on your art? We sit down with singer-songwriter Nora Suknaic to trace the messy, exhilarating path from a corporate tour marketing job to a life built around honest songs, late-night writing sessions, and the small victories that keep a dream alive. Nora opens up about the moment she knew routine was crowding out purpose, the jolt of seeing “daylight” after quitting, and the tough shift from being told what to do to telling yourself the truth and doing it anyway.Across our conversation, we explore the forces that shape a creative life—fear, faith, and mental health—without sugarcoating the hard parts. Nora talks about writing from lived experience, why her ballads lean sad, and how performing turns personal grief into shared healing. She breaks down the kindness-first approach that makes networking in Nashville feel human, the collaborative spark with producer Aidan Gray that brought 80s nostalgia to “Since I've Been Gone,” and the way friendship heartbreak sometimes cuts deeper than romance. We also get practical: routines that work, how to hold yourself accountable, finding rounds and collaborators, and redefining success as sustainable connection rather than stadiums.There's a vulnerable clarity to Nora's story: confidence as practice, prayer as reset, and success as rooms where people lean in and say “me too.” If you've ever wondered whether it's too risky to chase the thing that won't leave you alone, this conversation offers a map and a mirror. Listen, share with a friend who needs courage, and then tell us: what leap are you ready to take? Subscribe, leave a quick review, and help these stories travel further.To learn more about Nora and her music check her out on Instagram @its_justnora and check out her website www.itsjustnora.com. To see clips of my guests and to get to know me on my personal level check me out on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#215 - Some adventures test your legs; others test your soul. We sit down with D Paul Fleming—a Navy veteran, Native American healer, and self-described hollow bone—to explore a life spent between worlds: military discipline on one side, spiritual warfare on the other. What begins with a hard childhood and a near-death moment at sea unfolds into a candid look at gifts he didn't want, a calling he couldn't refuse, and the thin line where free will decides everything.D Paul shares how he learned to stop blocking what moved through him and to trust intent as the engine of prayer and change. He describes clearing spaces and people, the day he dropped his protection and met a serpent-like presence that came for his soul, and the fierce lesson that followed. We walk through a startling healing story involving a couple, a malachite stone, and an ultrasound that turned despair into relief. We step into the haunted corridors of a New England inn, police logs stacked with centuries of sightings, and a writing process guided by voices that ask to be heard.Threaded through is lineage and language: his great-grandmother's walk back to ancestral ground, parallels he sees between Native cosmology and the Christian trinity, and a sober take on titles that feel more like duty than applause. D Paul holds the tension with humor and love, arguing those two are the best tools any healer—or human—has. He won't rewrite his past; every scar trained him for work that requires courage, humility, and the refusal to flinch when darkness tests the door.If stories of spiritual healing, Native American heritage, paranormal investigation, and the power of intent spark your curiosity, press play and join us. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review to help more listeners find conversations that challenge, comfort, and surprise. What part moved you most?You can get a copy of D Paul Flemings book, Mystery's at the Windham Inn, on Amazon. To see some clips from the show and see who is coming up on The Human Adventure give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#214 - What if the lowest point isn't a dead end but a doorway? That's the charge at the heart of our conversation with ultrarunner and dance dad John Calabrese, who traded alcohol and anxiety for sunrise miles, grassroots races, and a community that made space for the mess and the miracle. John takes us from Navy service during 9/11 to the long, uneasy middle where divorce and two DUIs forced a reckoning—and how running became a daily anchor, not a quick fix.We go deep on the mental game that defines ultrarunning: why DNFs can be teachers, how to crawl out of the pain cave when dark thoughts hit at mile 70, and the surprising ways anger can be channeled into forward motion. John opens up about balancing training with fatherhood, building a life around dance competitions and last‑minute race entries, and the unglamorous logistics that make or break 100‑milers—drop bags, headlamps, sleep deprivation, and the sacred joy of seeing another headlamp after hours alone in the woods. He shares strategies from the Wild Oak 100, lessons from finishing and failing there, and the rule of thumb that keeps him honest about cutoffs and recovery.We also explore the state of the sport: the pull between UTMB-era spectacle and the magic of low-cost, community-built events where a car trunk doubles as an aid station. John admits he has a road runner's engine and a trail runner's soul, dreams out loud about Badwater, Western States, and maybe one day Barkley, and makes the case that purpose beats pace every time. If you're feeling stuck—whether with alcohol, identity, or the grind of daily life—his message is simple and fierce: don't quit the thing you love, take one step, and run your race on your terms.Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway—what mental trick gets you through your hardest miles?Be sure and give John a follow on Instagram @breezytrailhead. You can also learn more about the Human Adventure by giving me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#213 - A hurricane on New Year's Day, a shredded tent, and a sudden slide toward hypothermia at 1,600 meters—Belinda Coker's Canary Islands traverse didn't go to plan. That sharp turn, and her decision to bail out, reveals the heartbeat of this conversation: how true adventure balances awe with judgment, and how choosing safety can be the bravest move on the trail.We walk back to Belinda's roots in New Zealand, where tramping was part of school life, then through years of work and parenting that muted her spark. A pandemic mirror moment sent her back to dirt: sunrise hikes, then multi-day routes across Australia's red centre, where Indigenous stories and women's spaces shape how she moves through country. She takes us to Greenland's Arctic Circle Trail, tracing Inuit hunting paths from ice to sea, learning to read cairns, and soaking in a silence so complete it resets your nervous system.Threaded through every mile is a practical guide to hiking safety and self-reliance. Belinda breaks down wilderness first aid, recognizing the danger of core shivers, navigating when electronics fail, and why snakebite treatment differs between Australia and the U.S. She also shares a smart, sustainable way to fund long seasons on foot: house sitting. By caring for homes and pets, she and her partner remove lodging costs, cook real food, and settle into neighborhoods from Scotland to Spain. If tents aren't your thing, we explore hut-to-hut and inn-to-inn options across Europe and New Zealand's hut network, including Camino routes that keep packs light and spirits high.Come for the storm story; stay for the blueprint of a second act that blends grit, gratitude, and slow, immersive travel. If this sparks your feet and your planning brain, tap follow, share the episode with a trail-curious friend, and leave a review so more people can find these human adventures.To learn more about Belinda be sure and check out her website www.soultreader.com and also her Instagram @soultreader. If House Sitting sparks your interest check out housesittingcollective.com. To see some clips from past, current, and upcoming shows check out my Instagram page @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#213 - Growth doesn't arrive with a trophy. It often shows up as friction, confusion, and the stubborn urge to fix other people. With therapist Casey Stevens, we explore why discomfort is the doorway to becoming, how the subconscious scripts our choices, and what changes when you stop rescuing and start taking radical responsibility for your life. Casey shares her own turning points—early marriage, a crisis that led her to therapy, the heartbreak of loss, and the identity collapse that followed—and how those crucibles reshaped her work and worldview.We dig into the mechanics of the subconscious and why so much of who we are is formed before age seven. Casey breaks down how to reverse inherited programming by elevating lowercase-c awareness into capital-C Consciousness: clarifying values, ranking them in a true hierarchy, and living in alignment so anxiety and indecision lose their grip. She also names a trap many of us fall into—the rescuer pattern on the drama triangle—and offers a better path built on consent, dignity, and self-governance rather than control.What might sound like opposites—science and spirituality—become complementary tools in Casey's practice. Neuroscience explains patterns and plasticity; spirituality restores meaning, faith, and intuition. We talk about rebuilding trust with yourself after early fractures, listening for the quiet signal beneath fear, and transforming post-traumatic stress into post-traumatic growth. Pain becomes a teacher, not a life sentence. Comfort maintains; discomfort transforms. If you're craving practical, compassionate guidance to move from autopilot to agency, this conversation will meet you where you are and invite you forward.If this resonates, connect with Casey at shrinkbigger.com and on Instagram @shrinkbigger. And if you found value here, subscribe, share this episode with a friend who's ready to grow, and leave a quick review—your support helps more people find these conversations.To connect with me send me a message on Instagram @humanadventurepod. Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake 

#211 - Some histories whisper when they should thunder. We sit down with Jenny Chan, co‑founder of Pacific Atrocities Education, to listen—really listen—to the Pacific Front of World War II and the millions of lives bound up in it. From the euphemism of “comfort women” to the cold precision of Unit 731, from the Bataan Death March to the Rape of Nanking and Sook Ching in Singapore, we trace how violence moved through bodies, borders, and generations, and why so much of it slipped the Western gaze.Jenny shares how a family box of military yen opened a door to declassified archives, survivor testimonies, and a mission to preserve stories before they disappear. We talk about what reconciliation means while shrines still honor war criminals, how immunity deals and postwar politics shaped public memory, and why the number thirty million needs human faces to be understood. Along the way, we explore fragile archives crumbling faster than they can be digitized, the ethics of telling trauma with care, and the small acts of resistance that kept hope alive in POW camps and occupied cities.This conversation is honest and heavy, but it's also full of light—students winning history competitions with documentaries on Unit 731, survivors finding their voice after decades of silence, and a growing community determined to remember. If you've ever sensed a gap in what you were taught about World War II, this is your invitation to fill it with facts, voices, and empathy.Subscribe, share this episode with someone who loves history, and leave a review to help more listeners find these untold stories. Then tell us: which story surprised you most, and what will you remember tomorrow?To learn more about Jenny Chan and Pacific Atrocities Education please visit www.pacificatrocities.org. You can also learn more on Youtube @pacificfrontuntold and on Instagram @pacificatrocitiesedu.To learn more about The Human Adventure and see some clips from past, current, and future shows check out my Instagram account @humanadventurepod.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake 

#210 - What if travel wasn't a checklist but a classroom? I sat with Joy Owens—mother of two, CEO and co-owner of Butler Travel, and veteran of 60 countries—to explore how faith, service, and slow travel can shape a family and a life. From a grandmother who's visited more than 80 countries to Joy's first trip at three months old, her story moves through mission work in Zambia and Kenya, a scrappy road journey toward Argentina, and a solo $10-a-day push to Panama that turned from a rat-infested night into radical hospitality.Joy walks us through teaching in Honduras and Taiwan, the culture shock of moving to Alaska, and why she and her husband bought Butler Travel to serve nonprofits and missionaries with complex ticketing and group logistics. She shares a gripping emergency reroute for a family in Tanzania that helped their daughter reach lifesaving care, and she opens up about surrendering control when December bills loomed, only to witness the agency's busiest month on record. For Joy, faith isn't an accessory; it's how she navigates risk, money, parenting, and purpose.We also dig into the messy magic of traveling with little kids: babies on planes during the quiet months of 2020, a six-week Europe adventure with bikes and tents, and the art of choosing your hard when tantrums and missed trains collide. Joy makes the case for slow travel—one hub, deeper days, fewer repacks—and tells unforgettable stories, from crossing open water in foldable kayaks to a budget misadventure on a Greek island complete with a kindly, very unbothered nude local offering fruit and cheese.If you lead mission trips, plan family journeys, or crave meaningful travel that builds resilience and empathy, this conversation is your map. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves adventure, and leave a review to tell us: what trip changed you most?To learn more about Joy check out www.butlertravel.com and use the code JAKE10 to get a 10% discount. You can also follow Joy and Butler Travel on Instagram @butlertravel1.You can follow me and the podcast on Instagram @humanadventurepod and check out my website www.thehumanadventure.net.

#209 - Conversations feel brittle right now, and disagreements can feel like stepping onto a minefield. We sit down with artist, educator, and traveler David Deighton to explore a different path: using art, curiosity, and face-to-face dialogue to turn political tension into human connection. From a pop-up “museum” on the rim of the Grand Canyon to quiet miles in the backcountry, David shares how intentional design and slow travel can lower the temperature and raise the quality of our conversations.David's method is simple and powerful. He builds installations that reveal our invisible boxes—our limited worldviews—and then invites strangers to talk through three non-triggering questions. No debating. No dunks. Just listening for one shared emotion and letting that become the bridge. He even trains attention with a sensory twist: ask what a word like “hope” tastes like. It sounds strange, but it pulls the brain out of fight mode and back into presence.We also lean into travel as recovery. After dozens of conversations, David hikes into wilderness to process and reset. Public lands become a civic commons where dialogue can breathe, and wilderness rules mirror good conversation: slow down, limit noise, pay attention. Along the way, we unpack why he starts with politics, how Triptych Dialogue took its name from a centuries-old art panel with missing scenes, and what it takes to move from activist anger to patient curiosity.If you've felt exhausted by outrage, this conversation offers tools you can use today: ask better questions, listen for emotions, practice with a neighbor, and take a walk before you reply online. Subscribe for more human-centered stories, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review to help others find the show. Who will you try the three questions with first?Be sure and give David a follow on YouTube @triptych-dialogue. To see some clips from past, present, and even future guests check out The Human Adventure on Instagram @humanadventurepod.

#208 - A helicopter door swung open over Vietnam, and years later a trail opened underfoot across the Appalachians. That arc—war to wilderness, adrenaline to stillness—frames Ron Timmerman's rare story of brotherhood, love, loss, and the long work of healing. We invited Ron to unpack the moments that shaped him: flying Hueys as a teenage door gunner, returning with unspoken trauma, and building a life with Edie, a fierce and generous mother of seven whose faith defined their home.Ron's voice is steady as he talks about caregiving through Edie's stroke, the quiet after she passed, and the decision to hike the Appalachian Trail with his brother Rand and stepson Rick. They disagreed, found a structure that respected different paces, and in the process became closer than they'd been in decades. Along the way, the trail offered proof that meaning can arrive unannounced—a brilliant doorway of light on a bleak Father's Day, the sudden drift of “Can't Help Falling in Love” from a stranger's earbuds, and countless small moments of service that stitched the miles together.What stands out is the ethic that carried Ron through: stay busy with purpose, help others when you can, and keep faith when the map goes dark. He shares practical wisdom for navigating grief, the value of simple kindness on and off the trail, and the way Rand turned his own recovery into daily service for people who needed a voice on the line. If you're wrestling with loss, searching for direction, or simply craving a human story that rings true, this conversation offers both grit and grace in equal measure.Subscribe for more stories of resilience and connection, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find The Human Adventure. Your support helps these stories travel farther. To see clips and get updates from the show be sure to give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.

#207 - One phone call redirected a life. When Matt Harmody's father entered emergent dialysis, Matt saw both the power and the limits of modern medicine—and it set him on a path from corporate engineer to emergency physician, living kidney donor, and advocate who ties purpose to action in unforgettable ways. We trace that journey from the earliest signs of kidney disease to a courageous decision to donate to a stranger, and then to the mountains where advocacy turns into motion: Kilimanjaro with a team of donors and a Guinness World Record campaign to reach the highest point in all 50 states in 41 days.We dig into the realities few people see: why hypertension and diabetes quietly erode kidney function, how dialysis extends life but extracts a heavy toll, and why living donor kidneys typically last longer and require fewer medications. Matt explains today's safeguards for donors—rigorous screening, prioritization if a donor ever needs a kidney, wage and travel protections, and even voucher programs to help family members in the future—so the decision rests on facts, not fear. He also shares the practical side of life post-donation: smarter hydration, avoiding NSAIDs, and the surprising truth that donors routinely return to high performance across endurance and strength sports.Then comes the adventure. Starting with Denali's brutal cold and thin air, the team navigated storms, snow-choked trailheads, RV logistics, and a thousand tiny delays that can sabotage a long project. Strategy shifts, reroutes, and relentless teamwork kept the mission alive, each summit doubling as a platform to raise awareness for living kidney donation. Along the way, trailhead reunions with donors and recipients, hot meals from strangers, and stories from dialysis patients stitched community into every mile.If you've wondered what it really takes to donate, or how purpose can reshape a career and redefine adventure, this story will stay with you. Hear the science, the safeguards, and the soul of a movement that saves lives—then consider sharing this episode with someone who needs it. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what moment moved you most?To learn more about Matt Harmody and to get a copy of his book, Ascending America, check out his website www.mattharmodymd.com and you can also see some posts regarding the record breaking feat of peaking in every state by following checking out Instagram @50k50ss.To learn more about the Human Adventure and see some clips and stories from me check out my Instagram page @humanadventurepod.

#206 - What if the voices you let in are steering your life more than your goals are? That question sparked a wide-ranging, grounded conversation with Sagar Soni—nuclear engineer, creator of Beyond the Speech podcast, and a traveler who learned the hard way that more content and more checklists don't equal meaning. We trace his path from bingeing self-help at 1.5x to a simple, liberating switch: trade “I have to” for “I get to,” and watch momentum return without the pressure cooker of perfection.We dig into overwhelm and how to spot it, the subtle difference between being burnt out and being avoidant, and why a little “productive negativity” can get you off the couch when motivational quotes won't. Sagar shares a daily two-part question—“How am I feeling right now, and why?”—that turns vibes into data and helps you find what drains your energy and what gives it back. We also talk books that endure, from Ryan Holiday's stoicism to Cameron Hanes' Endure, and how to move from collecting ideas to actually living them.Travel threads through the episode like a second heartbeat. Sagar reflects on early all-inclusives, photo-heavy Europe, and the trip that changed everything: hiking Hawaii's lava fields and practicing presence. The takeaway is clear and human: it's neither the journey nor the destination—it's the company. That conviction grew stronger through real hardship as he and his wife navigated miscarriages, using travel to reset, and later building guardrails like always answering calls from family and friends after moving far from home.We close by looking forward: Sagar's “three relationships” framework—self, purpose, and people—now guides his podcast and his next leap into public speaking, including a confirmed TEDx talk. If you've ever felt behind, flooded by advice, or stuck between big dreams and real life, this conversation offers practical tools and honest encouragement. Listen, share with a friend who grounds you, and if it resonates, subscribe and leave a quick review so more people can find these stories.To learn more about Sagar Soni check out his podcast Beyond the Speech wherever you listen to podcasts and be sure to give him a follow on Instagram @sagarsoni_1991.I would love to have you follow along on my Instagram account as well @humanadventurepod. Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake 

#205 - Some stories don't just move you—they recalibrate your sense of what's possible. Adriene Caldwell grew up in the crosshairs of untreated schizophrenia, constant relocation, and a home life that spun from denial to violence. After losing the grandmother who shielded her, she entered a foster system that should have offered stability and instead delivered degradation: separate dishes, floor seating, and rules designed to remind her she didn't belong. The stats she shares are brutal—one in five inmates are former foster youth, seven in ten foster girls have a child by 21, and fewer than three percent use free college benefits—but the real shock is how incentives often reward keeping kids “high need” rather than helping them heal.What changed her trajectory was a lifeline she claimed for herself: a coveted congressional exchange to Germany. There, a host family modeled warmth, boundaries, and trust. Adriene learned German the hard way—by speaking it every day—aced tough classes at a college-track school, and felt the shift that happens when someone insists you sit in the front seat for the view. Returning stateside just shy of 18, she found no plan waiting and wrote letters up the chain until one emerged. Along the way, a third-grade math teacher delivered hotel toiletries to a housing project, and a fierce English teacher stocked her classroom with computers and left one to Adriene before she died. Those acts—practical, personal, and precisely timed—became stepping stones to scholarships and a future she couldn't yet picture.We also explore why Adriene wrote Unbroken, Life Outside the Lines, and how revisiting old case files forced a reckoning with both the parts of survival that became manipulation and the parts that deserve pride. Her message to teens at the edge is simple and urgent: your life won't always look like this, and soon your choices will shape what comes next—numbing or healing, hiding or asking, repeating or rebuilding.If this conversation resonates, share it with someone who needs proof that change is possible. Subscribe for more human-centered stories, rate the show to help new listeners find us, and tell us: what moment shifted your path?To learn more about Adriene and her book check out www.unbronkencaldwell.com and check her out on Instagram @unbrokencaldwell.You can also find more information about the show at www.thehumanadventure.net and check out my Instagram @humanadventurepod. 

Travel gets interesting when you stop speeding past real life. I sat down with Miyuki Seguchi—licensed guide, former journalist, and host of the Japan Experts podcast—to unpack how small cultural details and mindful planning turn a Japan itinerary into a human adventure. From a monolingual childhood in central Japan to studying in the UK and a formative solo trip to Italy, Miyuki shares how early sparks of curiosity became a mission to help travelers connect with people, not just places.We explore what most visitors miss between Tokyo and Kyoto: central Japan's living craft traditions, original samurai castles, and communities that still shape metal, paper, textiles, and ceramics by hand. Miyuki explains why overtourism strains big-name cities while rural regions hold deep culture but fewer English supports—and how travelers can bridge that gap with respect, patience, and simple etiquette. You'll learn practical insights that matter on the ground: why public trash bins are rare, how to move through ryokan and tatami rooms, what onsen manners communicate, and how to ride trains without stress. These aren't rules for rules' sake; they're keys that unlock warmth, trust, and the kind of conversations you remember years later.If you're planning your first visit—or returning to go beyond the postcards—Miyuki breaks down smarter itineraries, logistics that save time, and the mindset that turns workshops, studios, and castle towns into meaningful experiences. We also dig into how to choose less-visited stops without sacrificing comfort, and how a single detour can reframe your entire trip. Come for the travel tips, stay for the stories that reveal how culture lives in daily routines, shared meals, and the careful hands of artisans.Ready to travel deeper, not wider? Subscribe to The Human Adventure, share this episode with a friend who loves Japan, and leave a quick review so more curious travelers and adventurers can find us.If you want to learn more about Miyuki and what she offers check out www.miyukiseguchi.com and get her free Japan travel guide that shares 7 ways to make your trip more authentic and memorable. You can also follow her on Instagram @japan.experts and check out her podcast Japan Experts to learn more.Be sure and join The Human Adventure community by following me on Instagram @humanadventurepod.  Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

#203 - What if the scary dream is the one that sets you free? That's the spark behind our conversation with singer-songwriter and outdoor enthusiast Emily Hicks—a Midwesterner who found her artistic voice in the shadow of Utah's mountains and the flow of the Green River. Emily traces her path from a shy choir kid to a piano major, from elementary music teacher to full-time performer, and the many small, brave asks that turned busking into real gigs and a steady career. Along the way we dig into how three chords taught her to keep going, why stage banter is a craft of its own, and how long bar sets can train a voice like any other muscle.We also explore the places where art and nature meet. Emily shares how trails give her mind room to breathe, how campfires invite honesty, and why her next EP leans on outdoor metaphors—switchbacks, weather windows, and the grind to the summit. Nashville shows up as a sharpening stone: songwriter rounds, co-writing sessions, and the hard decision to keep her best songs for herself. Her niche keeps revealing itself in unexpected places, like a women's yoga and music rafting trip where she played a carbon fiber guitar on the river and watched strangers become community under the stars.Threaded through it all is resilience. Emily talks frankly about rejection, the importance of choosing rooms that fit, and the trust it takes—for yourself, from partners and friends—to keep moving toward the work that lights you up. If you're craving a boost of courage, a reminder to step outside, and a soundtrack to match, you'll feel at home here. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs a nudge, and leave a review to help these stories climb a little higher. Then queue up “Weird Wild Wonderful You” and tell us which lyric stays with you.To learn more about Emily Hicks check out her website www.emilyhicksmusic.com or follow her on Instagram @emilyhicksmusic.Be sure and give me a follow as well @humanadventurepod. Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

#202 - What if one hard rule could change the way you face everything from headwinds to heartbreak? I sat down with author and adventurer Teri Brown to unpack how a 3,102-mile tandem bike ride across America helped her leave an abusive past, reclaim her voice, and build a set of life rules sturdy enough to carry her through grief.Starting in Astoria and crossing Lolo Pass into Big Sky country, Teri and her husband Bruce pedaled through pandemic uncertainty, logistics stress, and days so hot the road rippled. Riding tandem forced a new kind of honesty: shared cadence, three-count stand breaks, and zero room for simmering resentment. A Dollar General parking lot became a place to name a hurt and move on. Montana gifted them wonder—horses racing uphill beside them, the Milky Way hanging close, and Comet NEOWISE blazing a tail across the night sky. Those moments of awe refueled their grit when flats stacked up and the wind turned cruel.Out of the ride came Ten Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure. “Never quit on a bad day” stopped a mid-ride collapse after three flats; “Do hard things” later became a mantra as Bruce faced glioblastoma. Terry read from the book at his bedside; he passed as she spoke those words, a final gift that still gets her up when grief says stay down. The finish line in Washington, D.C. unlocked a deeper shift: the question changed from “Can I?” to “What do I want?” She chose authorship, publishing novels that explore identity, war, resilience, and healing.If you're navigating burnout, rebuilding after loss, or wrestling with self-doubt, this conversation offers practical resilience, relationship tools, and a fresh definition of adventure: bigger than your plans, kinder than your fear, and honest about the work. Listen, share it with someone who needs a push, and tell us: which rule will you carry into your next hill?To learn more about Teri and her books visit www.terimbrown.com and check her out on Instagram @terimbrown_author.Subscribe to the Human Adventure for more human stories of grit and growth, leave a review to help others find the show, and connect with us to keep the conversation going. You can find me on Instagram @humanadventurepod or check out the video episodes on YouTube @humanadventurepod. Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

#201 - Some stories hit like a wave and then teach you how to breathe underwater. Our conversation with Zander Sprague does exactly that, moving from the shock of losing his sister to murder to the hard-won wisdom that comes from advocacy, travel, and choosing the next brave step.Zander opens a window into the often-ignored world of sibling grief. He explains why brothers and sisters become invisible mourners, how that silence delays healing, and what simple acknowledgment can do for a family. We trace his path from writing Making Lemonade to serving on the board of The Compassionate Friends, and we unpack practical ways to support “sibling survivors” with empathy, language, and presence.Adventure threads through everything. Zander defines it as seeking new places and doing what scares you, then proves it with stories: a misread note in Tasmania that turned into a farm lunch and a nine-hole pasture course, and a first safari sighting of lion cubs who later became the famed Mapogo coalition. Those moments illustrate how travel builds courage, how kindness creates opportunity, and how serendipity rewards people who show up. We also dig into his “epic” framework: structure lowers stress, courage embraces detours, and progress starts with one step forward. From dealing with flight delays to releasing a book after years of doubt, Zander shows how to turn friction into momentum.If you're navigating loss, craving purpose, or waiting for a sign to begin, consider this your nudge. Hear the tools, borrow the mindset, and start your own pilgrimage today. Subscribe, leave a review to support the show, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that the next step counts more than perfect certainty.To learn more about Zander and his work visit zandersprague.com and give him a follow on Instagram @epic_begins.Want to be a guest on the show? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake 

#200 - A new name, a sharper mission, and a story that hits like a drumbeat. Journey with Jake evolves into The Human Adventure, and we mark the moment with Joleen Hyde, a South African guide whose life moved from the weight of apartheid to the work of building bridges through travel, education, and Ubuntu. This is not a safari highlight reel. It's a tour of how courage, forgiveness, and community can transform how we move through the world.We start with the why behind our new title: a focus on people, resilience, and purpose. Joleen brings that focus to life. She explains what it meant to be legally classified under apartheid, how her father's quiet generosity shaped her, and what she learned while working with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Mandela's model of forgiveness looms large here, not as a slogan but as a discipline that keeps hope practical. From there, Joleen traces a path to the United States and the creation of Into Africa Tours, an impact-driven approach to travel that pairs wildlife and coastline with classrooms, townships, and feeding programs.You'll hear how guests step beyond surface-level tourism to meet teachers and students, support community projects, and experience the spirit of Ubuntu: I am because we are. We talk about the hard parts too—limits, heartbreak, and the humility to choose one project and follow through. There's laughter in the mix, from language lessons to bold bites of local food, and plenty of adventure that still honors safety and respect. Listeners walk away with a richer view of South Africa, tangible ways to get involved, and a challenge to keep serving back home, long after the passport is stamped.Ready to rethink why you travel and what your presence can do? Press play, share this with someone who needs a dose of human connection, and subscribe to stay with us on The Human Adventure. Your review helps more people find stories that turn empathy into action.To learn more about Joleen and Into Africa Tours visit her website www.intoafricatours.com and give her a follow on Instagram @intoafrica_tours.Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake 

The compass has shifted—and it points inward. What started as a travel-and-adventure show evolved into a deeper exploration of growth, courage, and connection. I've renamed the show The Human Adventure to reflect what the journey has truly become: not just where we go, but who we become along the way.We look back at conversations that changed our trajectory. A Disney storyteller reframed joy and nostalgia as serious connective tissue. An Ultraman athlete taught us that discipline is a conversation with doubt. A guest turned running coach turned friend showed that progress moves at the speed of honesty, not hype. Again and again, our guests reminded us that the most meaningful maps are drawn between people, not points on a globe.That's the heartbeat going forward. Expect stories from musicians finding their voice, creators building from nothing, travelers who understand places through people, and everyday moments that test limits and redefine fear. We'll probe the decisions behind the destinations, the inner terrain beneath the milestones, and the small, repeatable practices that turn inspiration into traction. Think resilience, mindset, vulnerability, mentorship, and the art of taking one more step when it counts.If you've felt stuck, curious, or quietly called toward something more, this is your sign to lean in. Come for the stories; stay for the tools that help you act on them. Subscribe, share the show with someone who needs a nudge, and leave a review so more people can find The Human Adventure. Let's take the next step together.

#199 - What if the most important part of travel is the part you can't see? I sat down with cultural intelligence educator Renae Ninneman to unpack the “iceberg” of culture—how the visible stuff like food, transit, and phrases sits on top of deeper values about identity, respect, and communication that truly shape connection. Renee takes us from a formative year teaching in South Korea to years of refugee advocacy, sharing how naming culture shock and learning CQ transformed exhaustion into empathy.Together we break down cultural intelligence as a practical skill you can build: understand your own defaults, recognize different norms without judging, create a plan before you enter a new space, and adapt your behavior so others feel at ease. Renae offers vivid examples—from ordering pizza in Seoul to navigating indirect communication in Japan—showing how small shifts in greeting, tone, and timing open doors. We also talk about heavy but vital travel: visiting Hiroshima's Peace Memorial and the power of paper cranes as a living wish for peace.You'll come away with simple, actionable ways to grow your CQ without leaving home: volunteer with local ESL programs, shop at international markets, watch K‑dramas or Bollywood films, and explore global music that connects American blues back to Mali. If you're planning a trip or leading teams across borders, Renae's Beyond Tourism training and assessment can help you prepare thoughtfully so every interaction builds trust rather than friction. Subscribe, share this conversation with a curious friend, and tell us: what's one habit you'll adapt to connect better on your next adventure?To learn more about Renae and to receive $80 off her Individual Intercultural Training ceck out www.goingbeyondtouris.com and mention you heard her on the show. You can also follow her on Instagram @goingbeyondtourism. Want to be a guest on the show? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake  Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

#198 - A story of wild trails, darker nights, and a love that wouldn't let go. I sat down with author and long-distance hiker Wing Williams to unpack his “howling twenties,” the constant motion that took him across 49 states, and the quiet rituals that hid a growing addiction. From Mount Washington to the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, Wing explains how the woods taught him endurance and community while alcohol promised relief from an unseen torment he now names as spiritual warfare.What follows is a candid look at rock bottom: seizures, medical detox, and the moment pride finally broke into surrender. Wing shares why asking for help is the bravest first step, how family showed up when it counted, and why spiritual and medical support must work together when alcohol has become a lifeline and a trap. We also explore the stark difference between hiking with a bottle and living strong in sobriety, the loneliness of being misunderstood, and the humble daily practices that keep recovery honest.Cinereal, Wing's new memoir, threads these pieces into a story about addiction, faith, and redemption that is both gritty and life-giving. You'll hear practical insights on recognizing early warning signs of dependency, how long trails like the AT and PCT become blueprints for resilience, and what it means to rebuild identity on purpose instead of performance. If you've ever felt lost in the silence after the summit, this conversation offers a handhold: hope is real, healing is possible, and you don't have to walk alone.If this episode moved you, tap follow, leave a quick review to help others find the show, and share it with a friend who needs to hear that redemption is still on the table.To learn more about Wing and his book check out wingwilliams.com and give him a follow on Instagram @cinerealememoir.Want to be a guest on Journey with Jake? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Visit LandPirate.com to get your gear that has you, the adventurer, in mind. Use the code "Journey with Jake" to get an additional 15% off at check out. Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

#197 - Forbidden stories aren't just about shock—they're about truth we're often afraid to name. I sat down with author Bria Rose to explore how dark romance gives readers a safe place to wrestle with power, consent, and grief, and how a reimagined Beauty and the Beast can turn survival into self‑love. Bria shares how childhood bullying and a lifelong bond with Belle's courage shaped her voice, then opens the doors to Her Dark Promise, where Belle is the Beast, the castle is in France, and the magic is human: trauma, desire, and the choice to heal on your own terms.We move from Disneyland memories to real‑world cast life—4 a.m. shifts, sunrise yoga at the castle, and the electric joy of cast previews that remind grownups why Walt designed the park for them, too. Then Bria breaks down dark romance with clarity: morally gray leads, explicit trigger notes, and tropey pressure cookers that challenge comfort zones without glamorizing harm. She explains how to retell a classic without infringing copyright—keeping essence, ditching replicas—and why nods like “the gray stuff” land best when anchored by character depth.The publishing journey is a masterclass: a three‑month draft, two years of rewrites, a decisive pivot to self‑publishing, and a learning curve through KDP, keywords, ISBNs, and design. Sixty cold emails led to one yes and a special edition—proof that you only need one door to open. Along the way, Bria centers representation and found family: all types of characters, sign language, and a castle that becomes a refuge for anyone told they don't belong. We wrap with new projects—an audiobook, a HarperCollins imprint deal, a spicy Pinocchio retelling—and practical advice for aspiring writers: write the words, then make them better.If this conversation sparked something in you, tap follow, share it with a friend who loves retellings, and leave a quick review. Your support helps more curious listeners find the show and keeps these stories moving.To learn more about Bria and her books check out www.authorbriarose.com and give her a follow on Instagram @authorbriarose. Give me a follow on Instagram @journeywithjakepodcast and learn more about my personality and what I love.Want to be a guest on Journey with Jake? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Visit LandPirate.com to get your gear that has you, the adventurer, in mind. Use the code "Journey with Jake" to get an additional 15% off at check out. Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.