The Trail Less Traveled

Ester Van Der Merwe is a Black Rhino Monitor for South African National Parks. Ester grew up on a diary farm located near Kruger National Park. She has been passionate about wildlife and conservation for as long as she can remember. With a lengthy history in monitoring large predators she has extensive experience exclusively focused on Black Rhino. Ester does most of her work on the ground and has been charged by rhinos more times than she can remember. She is a talented photographer and a passionate individual with an absolute love for the African bush and teaching others.*In order to keep the podcast ad free and in order to work towards financial independence, Mandela is asking folks to donate a few dollars each month via Patreon.com/TrailLessTraveledEvery donation helps. Thank you so much for helping to keep this podcast and our educational outreach programs available to everyone.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Orea Roussis is originally from Connecticut and has been running rivers all over the world for over 35 years. She is one of the most experienced yet humble guides who will ever meet and loves sharing the wilderness experience with her guests. Orea often lives a nomadic life for half the year driving around rivers in California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and the Grand Canyon. When she is not in the U.S. you could potentially find her kayaking in Chile, Nepal or New Zealand. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jenna Lyons is a paraglider, long distance runner, kite boarder and whitewater kayaker based in Missoula. During this episode she reflects on the meditation of running long distances in the mountains and the joy of learning to paraglide above Missoula, Montana. Jenna also shares some lessons learned from law school, injuries and the life long journey of paragliding. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike McTee shot his first weapon before he could recite the alphabet. Now, understanding weapons is part of his job. His career took this trajectory after Mike gained a B.S. in Environmental Chemistry. Curious about potential pollution at a historic shooting range at MPG Ranch, he earned an M.S. in Geosciences studying the site. Strangely, the sulfur inside the trap and skeet targets posed the main threat, not the lead in the shotgun pellets. Regardless, lead contamination soon grabbed Mike's focus. Each winter at MPG Ranch, biologists caught eagles that had lead coursing through their veins. Lead can cripple eagles flightless and even kill them. Mike soon initiated studies on scavenger ecology and began investigating the wound ballistics of rifle bullets, the suspected source of lead.Mike often connects with the public through his writings and speaking engagements, whether it be to a local group of hunters, or a gymnasium full of middle schoolers. He frequently writes about the outdoors, with work appearing in The FlyFish Journal, Backcountry Journal, and Bugle. When he escapes the office, Mike explores wild landscapes with his family, always scanning the horizon for wildlife. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ceilidh O'Sullivan was born and raised on the Eastern Coast of Australia in a little town known for its delicious ginger beer and all inclusive schools for the disabled. Ceilidh was born profoundly deaf and with the help of her mother, she learned to speak well. At a young age she became obsessed with "Bush Tucker" which is a reference to edible wild foods in Australia. To this day she can go out into the bush or on the beach and gather food to create delicious meals. Ceilidh placed second in the country and wanted to continue her path competitive BMX biking but instead made the hard decision to undergo surgery and receive a cochlear implant which helped her ear sounds for the first time such as leaves under her feet. Ceilidh is into eco construction and sustainability as a result of her countless trips to Uganda where she built a school for deaf children and had a part in changing that country's attitude regarding the abilities of deaf children. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Zoe Mavis is originally from Boulder, Colorado and has been skiing her entire life. She now works as a ski instructor in Big Sky Montana during the winter and as a river guide based out of Missoula. Zoe is on the national team of The Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors. The PSIA-AASI is the world's largest organization dedicated to teaching people how to ski and snowboard.100% of the support for the podcast comes from donations via www.Patreon.com/TrailLessTraveled Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

John Kanter is the senior wildlife biologist for the National Wildlife Federation. John has been hooked on wildlife since he was, as they say, knee-high to a grasshopper. As a child, he loved African animals, especially elephants, and got to watch his pediatrician mother take care of the first eight gorillas born at the Cincinnati Zoo. From there his interest grew from taking care of animals to understanding them in the wild and taking care of their natural habitats. John works on many projects including Recovering America's Wildlife Act, climate change and the movement to having lead free landscapes. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dan Baird is one of the world's leading Back-country Primitive Survival Experts and Guides.Dan regularly travels and lead's survival training and exploration trips to some of the most remote and hostile places on earth.As Head Instructor of the largest survival training school in the U.S., the California Survival School.Dan is responsible for programs training an average of 4k+ persons annually in wilderness and urban survival skills.Dan has been featured for his remote guiding and survival expertise in the media with National Geographic, History Channel, Forbes, Good Morning America, and many more. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join us on the edge of the river next to the prairie under the Mission Mountains of Northwestern Montana for an episode with Steve McCoy. Steve is joined by his good friend and adventure companion, Gary Steele, for plenty of hearty laughs, storytelling and a look into their conservation work that made national headlines for Earth First 40 years ago. Steve moved to Montana in 1976 to fly fish and live the dream. He will reflects on the restoration of the American prairie and the return of the Buffalo. Climate change will come up in conversation alongside the breathtaking dream of establishing the "American Serengeti". Did you know that an acre of prairie absorbs more carbon than an acre of rain forest? Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recorded in the forested mountains just outside Missoula featuring Alec Underwood, the federal conservation campaigns manager for the Montana Wildlife Federation. In this episode we learn about cold water fish species of concern here in Montana as well as climate change and good ole' fashioned elk hunting stories as well as a deep dive into the world and history of wildlife conservation here in Montana.Alec brings his passion for conservation and admiration of public lands to the job. He has spent several years in the field of fisheries and holds a degree in aquatic wildlife biology from the University of Montana. He has worked in collaboration with federal agencies, private landowners, and conservation organizations on a variety of different issues. While not working or volunteering his time for conservation, Alec can be found on a trout stream or in the mountains of southwest Montana pursuing elk in September. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Arturo Ramirez is a Southwestern Artist who found his niche painting on Gourds. Growing up on the banks of the Cimmaron River in Northern New Mexico, Arturo is the epitome of the South West. Arturo is inspired by ancient symbolism, especially Mesoamerican symbols. He now focuses his energy on making rattles which incorporate animal, mineral and plant. The rocks inside his rattles come from ant hills near sacred sites in the southwest where he makes an offering for the gifts from inside the earth that the ants bring to the surface. Arturo paints and carves gourds that are one of a kind. There are no two alike. With the help of his family, Arturo actually starts each creation with the planting of the gourd seeds in his backyard. www.gourdsbyarturo.com Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Thompson is the region two wildlife manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Mike has had a 40-year commitment to managing and conserving the wildlife resources of Montana. Mike’s incredible work ethic, communication skills and unfailing ability to guide discussions and decisions concerning controversial wildlife issues and land acquisitions, is a true gift. Mike continues to bridge the gap among the biological, social and political sciences to represent the agency in a way that earns public trust and support. Mike’s career with FWP began in 1980. His early work included fencing on the Mt. Haggin Wildlife Management Area and working the paddlefish run at Intake along the Yellowstone River. In 1981, Mike completed his Master’s Degree at Montana State University by studying mountain goats along the Rocky Mountain Front. FWP hired Mike as a field assistant on the Elkhorn Mountains Elk Ecology project, to help develop an elk management plan for the area. Mike became a full-time FWP wildlife biologist in 1987, working in the Blackfoot watershed. Mike has been a principal force behind the conservation of more than 220,000+ acres of wildlife habitat in Western Montana. Mike has an uncanny ability of representing biological data and information in a way that anyone can relate to and understand. He does this through casual conversation, presentations, interviews, and now social media. Mr. Thompson, alias Mike Twain, authored more than 662 “Game Range Ramblings,” a column published weekly in the Seeley-Swan Pathfinder newspaper. The column had a 15-year run, became a readers’ favorite, and built and maintained a constituency for FWP in the Blackfoot and Swan Valleys. Mike’s list of co-authored publications and research papers is as long as his daily trip from his office to the front office candy box Mike Thompson has provided Montana’s residents and its natural resources with highly creditable service. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dr. Tyler Eugene Nordgren is an artist, author, astronomer, dark skies ambassador and professor of physics at the University of Redlands.Nordgren earned a B.A. in physics from Reed College and an M.S. and Ph.D. in astronomy from Cornell University.Before joining the University of Redlands in 2001, Nordgren was an astronomer at the United States Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station and Lowell Observatory.In 2004, with six other astronomers and artists, Nordgren helped develop MarsDials, functioning sundials that NASA's Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity rovers carried with them to MarsNordgren also designed the giant sundial that resides on the wall of Appleton Hall at the University of Redlands and is accurate within 10 minutes.For the past five years, Nordgren has been traveling around the U.S. to educate the public about what eclipses are and how the opportunity to see the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017 should not be missed. More of Nordgren's research on eclipses can be found in his most recent book Sun Moon Earth: The History of Solar Eclipses from Omens of Doom to Einstein and Exoplanets.Nordgren has been a member of the National Park Service Night Sky Team since 2007, working with the U.S. National Park Service to protect the night skies and promote astronomy education in U.S. national parks.Nordgren has helped document the parks' night skies with photography that has been on display in galleries from New York City to Flagstaff, Arizona, and is on display in a number of national parks. The Acadia Night Sky Festival has featured many of his photographs. Nordgren has also developed a poster campaign in conjunction with the National Park Service to “See the Milky Way” in America’s parks where “Half the Park is After Dark.”His 2010 book Stars Above, Earth Below: A Guide to Astronomy in the National Parks was published as a way to spread the message of the importance of protecting the night sky. Nordgren was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Dark-Sky Association in 2011. He is also a member of the American Astronomical Society. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Since 1985, the Clark Fork Coalition has worked to restore and protect the Clark Fork River basin, a 22,000 square mile area draining western Montana and northern Idaho. The Coalition's work is science-based and results oriented, and the organization strives to connect communities to the recovery of the Clark Fork River and its tributaries. Get involved as a volunteer with the Coalition at clarkfork.org.Is superfund cleanup of mining wastes in the Clark Fork making a difference? Yes! At least it is in terms of total amounts of copper and arsenic. And that’s especially good news because both are toxic: copper is extremely bad for fish, and arsenic is poisonous for people.It took decades of hard work by advocates for the river to make cleanup happen. Today we’re seeing tangible benefits from that unwavering commitment to a clean and healthy Clark Fork. What is Superfund?Thousands of contaminated sites exist nationally due to hazardous waste being dumped, left out in the open, or otherwise improperly managed. These sites include manufacturing facilities, processing plants, landfills and mining sites. In the late 1970s, toxic waste dumps received national attention when the public learned about the risks to human health and the environment posed by contaminated sites.  In response, Congress established the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) in 1980.   CERCLA is informally called Superfund. It allows EPA to clean up contaminated sites. It also forces the parties responsible for the contamination to either perform cleanups or reimburse the government for EPA-led cleanup work. When there is no viable responsible party, Superfund gives EPA the funds and authority to clean up contaminated sites. Superfund’s goals are to: Protect human health and the environment by cleaning up contaminated sites;Make responsible parties pay for cleanup work;Involve communities in the Superfund process; andReturn Superfund sites to productive use. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recorded inside a short bus home in the Sonoran Desert with Tamra, a nomadic minimalist. Tamra shares her heartfelt journey of recovery from a shopping addiction and her transformation into a nomadic minimalist who lives in a short bus and teaches survival skills and wilderness therapy. You will get an introduction into how to convert a bus into a home, how important it is to connect with the natural world, and some survival skill sets which could save your life. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recorded recently at Lake Missoula Tea Company in the heart of downtown Missoula, Montana. This episode features Jake Kreilick who reflects on talks about environmental activism and conservation in addition to the wonders of tea and the travels it has taken him on through China, Japan and Colombia. Jake moved to Missoula in 1985 to attend graduate school. He has a long history of involvement in forest protection and restoration with Earth First!, Native Forest Network, National Forest Protection Alliance and currently with the WildWest Institute where he works part-time as the Restoration Coordinator. Jake is a hard core frisbee golf (folf) addict, a long-time player and coach for the Missoula All-Maggots Rugby Club, and is also involved in administering and coaching Missoula Youth Rugby. Jake manages the Missoula wholesale accounts, is responsible for new wholesale accounts, and serves tea behind the bar. High Mountain Oolong from Taiwan is his favorite tea. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, we travel around the world with Lake Missoula Tea Company owner, Heather Kreilick. Heather is a native Montanan who grew up in the Bitterroot Valley before leaving to attend college in Arizona. She was a hotshot forest firefighter before teaching on the Navajo Reservation. She returned to Montana in 1999, completed a Geography masters in 2006, and has worked in the GIS field ever since. Heather is an avid hiker, occasional climber, and full time adventurer and likes to spend time with family and close friends. Heather manages the Lake Missoula Tea Company website, selects and blends tea, and makes the hard decisions. Her favorite teas include Sangamon Sunset Red (black tea) and Gu Hua Puerh, both from the ancient tea trees. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Blade Elliot was born and raised in rural Alabama and knew from a young age that he wanted to be a pro rodeo cowboy. He almost stopped when his father threatened to burn his gear but in his heart he knew he was meant to ride. Blade trained in his uncle's backyard on (stolen) mules and eventually went on to be awarded a full ride scholarship for his rodeo skills. Blade has competed in bare back pro rodeo since the age of 18 and has had no major injuries to date (knock on wood). Blade rides in 70-100 rodeos per year and has won countless awards as a top rider. Blade now lives with his wife in Montana and enjoys fly fishing in his spare time. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

“Within a day's drive of Missoula you will find some of the best ice climbing... in the world,” says Missoula's legendary alpinist Gray Thompson. Gray Thompson is a legendary climber and Geology Professor Emeritus at the University of Montana. Gray has been climbing since the mid 1960s and it's easier for him to think of the places he hasn't been rather then the places he has climbed. Gray has done more than a handful of first ascents on North Faces in the Canadian Rockies and worldwide including the Himalayas, Alps and Andes. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week the trail leads to the coldest capital in the world, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Join me for an interview with a modern day Mother Teresa, Didi Kalika. In 1993 Didi Kalika, an Australian Yoga teacher was moved by the plight of the children living on the streets of Ulaanbaatar & started taking care of vulnerable babies and children, many of which were forced into prostitution. Her orphanage started from a single apartment & since 1993 Lotus Children's Center has grown to house, feed, care for and educate hundreds of children in Mongolia. To donate, volunteer and find out more information you can visit lotuschild.org Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This interview was recorded in a rickshaw navigating the busy streets of a major Indian city before we were forced to find shelter in order to keep the equipment dry during recording due to a tropical monsoon 100' from the Arabian Sea. This interview features Amir Izadi, Amir is a child of the revolution who was born right after the Islamic Republic of Iran took over. Amir is a refugee living in Washington D.C. who immigrated with his family from Iran 16 years ago. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jon Turk earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Colorado, in 1971. The same year, in honor of Earth Day 1, he co-authored the first environmental science textbook in the United States. Jon is the author of 25 text books and 4 adventure books. In addition to circumnavigating Ellesmere island, solo kayak missions in the Solomon islands, biking across Tibet to the birthplace of the Dalai Lama, multiple kayak expeditions from Japan along eastern Siberia eventually walking across the Siberian tundra and so much more... In this episode we dive into Jon's newest book CROCODILES AND ICE and explore a Consciousness Revolution toward a personal, spiritual, & reciprocal relationship with the planet. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Danielle Maniere knew she wanted to be an astronaut when she was five years old. She started skiing when she was two and studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol in the UK. After graduating, she worked as a field engineer on oil rigs based out of Iraq and over a period of seven years, she worked in over four countries. Danielle purchased land on an island in Indonesia and built a hostel while perfecting the language. After being evacuated out of Iraq due to air strikes, Danielle moved to Missoula and continued her career in aviation. Danielle is now a flight instructor and charter pilot for North Star Jet... she is well on her way to becoming an astronaut. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

"Guitar Steve" hasn't owned a T.V. since the 60s & he relayed on a bicycle to get around the world for over twenty years. Steve Smith is an artist, musician, poet and cat loving adventurer who has been living on the beach in Baja every winter with his cat for over two decades. Steve studied film in London and did Peace Corps in Ethiopia before retiring into what he calls the "Simple LIfe". You are invited to join us in the sunny salty air of Baja for live music and storytelling with this amazing human and his beloved cat. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recorded in a small stall in a labyrinth of markets within Jemaa el-Fnaa square in the Medina (old city) of Marrakech. Jemaa el-Fnaa was also known for its public executions dating back to 1050. This interview features Mohammed, Abdul and Aziz. Mohammed and Abdul are two young men who run a shop with Aziz, an older family friend. Aziz was born in a mud hut, began smoking hash when he was 12 and speaks over six languages fluently. Mohammed translates for his friends and all topics are covered including food, clothing, religion, jewelry and other aspects of the many cultures in North Africa. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join Mandela as she wanders around a chaotic cooking competition in Southwestern India a stones throw from the Arabian Sea. Mandela interviews numerous chefs from all regions of India in regards to their geographic location, technique, favorite spices, lineage & available ingredients. Covering masalas, doshas, roti, biryani, alcoholic coconut beverages, vegetable curries & tandori meats. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recorded on location in South Africa, this episode features a series of interviews featuring diverse cultural perspectives on Apartheid and South African history. During the Apartheid regime, humans were classified into three categories: 1. White 2. Coloured 3. BlackWe will speak with individuals representing all these categories and learn about their unique perspective on Apartheid, South African history and how the nation can move forward. Listeners can also enjoy some of the music which changed the nation. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recorded on the land of the Gubbi Gubbi tribe in eastern Australia, we join an elder on top of a mountain where smoke signals were used between surrounding tribes for communication. We learn about the numerous similarities between Indigenous Aboriginal Australians and the First Nations Peoples of the Americas. We then walk down into the jungle to sit on the edge of a creek beside an ancient path which dates back tens of thousands of years. Sitting alongside numerous artifacts, we learn about initiation practices, animal totems, the law of the land and specifically how the indigenous Aboriginal Australians lived in harmony with the land and animals for hundreds of thousands of years prior to the arrival of Captain Cook. Alex Bond is a descendant of one of the last chiefs in this area of Australia, he is an activist, musician and storyteller. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We are invited into the home of a female elder by the name of Aunty Hope O'Chin. We will take a cultural, historical and musical look at some of the 250 unique groups of Indigenous Aboriginal Australians. She also explains how to coexist, respect and heal communities and the planet. Aunt Hope was kind enough to share her family's tragic history inside government camps and her peoples fight for human rights. This is a great interview and excellent anthropological documentation.The interview was recorded on the land of the Gubbi Gubbi tribe in eastern Australia. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This interview features Mourad El Baggare, who was born in the desert of Western Sahara. Mourad came to Marrakech at age 14 to become a businessman. Mourad now travels through North and West Africa collecting ceremonial masks which he sells to tourists and art collectors in Morocco. Mourad plays traditional music from the Sahara to end each segment after speaking eloquently regarding nomadic lifestyle, culture, food, dress, celestial navigation and philosophy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

"Doc" Steve Nicholson was a part of the early rafting descents of the Omo and Blue Nile in Ethiopia in the mid 70s. He started running the Grand Canyon in the early 70s and has run rivers in California, Oregon and Idaho. Doc often is seen rowing a wooden dory. Doc continues to guide whitewater expeditions well into his 70s. Doc practice dentistry for 35 years, he has his private pilot license and flies his own plane to the various rivers he guides on seasonally. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode was recorded on a rooftop in the Medina of Marrakech, Morocco. It features an interview with Diego Ibanez, who was born in Arequipa, Peru. Diego is one of the worlds most extreme whitewater kayakers/rafters and has guided on the Futaleufú and Zambezi along with most the class V rivers in Peru. Diego and Mandela guided whitewater together in Morocco's Middle Atlas Mountains. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tommy Cummins was born in 1944 and grew up in the south. He was shot twice during the Civil Rights and went on to work as a security guard for Ronald Reagan. Tommy has been through a lot in his life, in this interview he talks about his experiences with racism while playing pro baseball for the Pirates in addition to the racism he experienced as an undercover officer with the LAPD. Tommy's son, Chase, also joins the conversation and speaks with his father about the racism he experiences daily. The matter is lightened up occasionally with a few stories including his love for restoring classic cars and the time Tommy saved a young Michael Jackson from drowning in his swimming pool. Tommy lives in Kingman, Arizona and manages to keep laughing and fighting for civil rights on a daily basis. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode was recorded on an extremely remote private nature reserve at the most southern point of Africa where Mandela grew up and spent much of her childhood. In this episode we speak with Mandela's cousin, Amy Mocke, a school teacher and professional poisonous snake expert and handler. Amy sometimes helps people move cobras and other extremely dangerous snakes when they are in gardens, houses, barns and garages. Amy is also an animal rights activist and caretaker for many species of animals who deserve a second chance. In this episode, Amy speaks about the ecology and human history of South Africa with a focus on snakes, sharks, whales and other vital species who live in the land, sea and sky. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This show was recorded in the Backpack Hostel, located in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa. Mandela sits down with, Lee Harris, one of the owners of this multi-award winning backpacker & African travel center. Lee shares the story of starting this hostel with her best friend in 1990 during an Apartheid government.The Backpack has won countless awards including Best Hostel in South Africa for 2020. The Backpack is an award winning, Fair Trade hostel that invests in people and communities, giving meaningful and relaxed travel experiences. The Backpack are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travelers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and bring supplies for our community project, the GCU Academy, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families. Once we are able to travel again, The Trail Less Traveled highly recommends a visit to South Africa's western cape and while you're there book a stay in The Backpack. www.backpackers.co.za See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

During this interview we speak with Lucy, a refugee from Kenya who makes hand made sandals in Green Market Square, a place where slaves were traded in the 1600s.We also meetup with my good friend, Kipandi, a Rastafarian Olympic long distance runner from Kenya, who now dedicates his life to caring for the pigeons of the city.We will stand on the corner of the Bo-Kaap, an area of Cape Town formerly known as the Malay Quarter. It is a former township, situated above the city centre and is a historical centre of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town. Bo-Kaap is known for its brightly coloured homes and cobbled stoned streets. The area is traditionally a multicultural neighborhood which currently faces gentrification from the city. We will stand on the corner with a group of Muslim woman who are protesting their continued struggle with Apartheid. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode was recorded in the Mojave Desert at the base of the Grand Wash Cliffs, which mark the geological end of the Grand Canyon. Some of the best interviews take forever to record and this one is no different... for ten years, Mandela has been trying to sit down with the legend himself, Mr. Carl Rice. Carl is a professional Hollywood stunt man & Grand Canyon river guide. Carl was the stunt man for Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones: The Crystal Skull. Carl reflects on spiritual growth through reading and running some of the worlds biggest and most technical whitewater from California to the Zambezi in Southern Africa. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This show was recorded on the nature reserve where Mandela grew up at the most southern point of Africa. This interview features Mandela's cousin, Fleur van Eeden, an award winning world renowned stunt woman who has done the main stunts for Mad Max, Tomb Raider and many more. Fleur specializes in full body burns, cable work, martial arts, weaponry, horse stunts, high falls and much more. During this episode, Fleur talks about the training that goes into her work and how to prepare mentally before jumping off a moving train or getting exploded out of a 6-story building window. Fleur has doubled Charlize Theron, Meryl Streep, Drew Barrymore, Lena Headley and Helen Mirren among many other Hollywood A listers. Fleur also helped the South African Stunt Performers Association with winning the Guinness World Record for the most amount of people on fire for the longest period of time. During this interview, she talks about what happens behind the scenes and the immense training that goes into being a stunt woman. She also reflects on growing up in a small town in South African and returning home as much as possible to stay grounded by riding her horses and mountain biking in the wine country. I have attached a link to Fleur's stunt reel which can give you a better idea of how stunt performers work. Watch her stunt reel here: https://vimeo.com/230488636 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode was recorded on my family farm in South Africa's western cape. The interview features my good friend, Elna Fourie, who grew up on a farm located on the other side of the mountains. Elna studied cheese making in France and has been in high demand as a cheese maker in South Africa for the past 18 years. Elna won first prize for best aged Gouda in the country of South Africa in 2019. I do believe you will all enjoy this episode about growing up on a farm in South Africa, what a day in the life of a jersey cow is like, and exactly how different types of cheese are made. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Doreen stokes lives in Plains, Montana with her husband on 84 acres. She has been a reforestation contractor for over 30 years, planting trees all over the Pacific Northwest. Her greatest passions are surfing, mostly in Costa Rica these days, although she grew up in New Jersey where she started her surfing adventures. Doreen leads safaris in Tanzania, East Africa... where she has initiated tree planting and water projects at the Maasai school in Losirwa. She invites you to join her on safari where you can give back by planting trees on the school grounds. Contact her at: herbs@blackfoot.netIn this episode we talk about how you might go about planting a tree in your area and how it immediately starts to combat CO2 and climate change. Doreen speaks at length about hunter gatherer tribes in east Africa as well as wildlife conservation regarding the plight of the African elephant and rhino. This is a beautiful episode and you'll walk away wanting to start planting trees... be it one tree every year on your birthday or for someone else on their birthday. Before humans starting building cities, 60% of the earth was covered in trees... now less than 30% is and if we continue to turn a blind eye and do nothing - there will be less than 10% of forest on planet earth by 2030. The time for planting trees and being a mindful consumer is NOW. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This interviews features an in depth look at nomadic life in the largest desert on earth. Featuring men from Arabic, Bedouin, Berber & Tuareg tribes who were born and raised in a nomadic family utilizing camels and constant movement as a way of life. From the games they would play as children while herding goats to the staple items one must have in order to survive, including camel milk, dates, salted meat, wells, celestial navigation, turbans and family. Learn why being a nomad teaches you patience and hospitality. Learn why stress doesn't exist in a nomad's life. This interview will take you into a carpeted tent under some of the tallest sand-dunes in the world during a full moon while the sand-storms blow to the West.This will forever remain one of my most cherished recordings.We have so much to learn from how the nomadic tribes survive and exist in the Sahara Desert. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mohammed Ait Bahadou was born and raised in the Sahara Desert and now calls Marrakech his home. Mohammed grew up in a mud hut in the desert and sold fossils to tourists before starting his own business running cultural tours around Morocco. Mohammad is fluent in 8 languages including: English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Arabic, Berber & Italian. He has raving fans who are now friends, all over the world. In this interview, Mohammed tells the history of Morocco, Islam, culture, food, table manners and some tips and highlights on Morocco for those who wish to travel there. For more info check out www.moroccooneearthtours.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode features an interview with three individuals from various backgrounds who reflect on culture in Morocco & the Sahara Desert. Mabrouk was born and raised in the Sahara and gives us incredible insight into how nomads use celestial navigation, camels & turbans. Abdul was born in Marrakech and lived 16 years in New York City... he reflects on the differences between culture in the USA & Morocco. Ahmed was born in Oman & has a lot to say about the lack of freedom of speech in Morocco as well as his craving for equality in his country. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Boo Curry is a native of Missoula who graduated from the University of Montana and works as a bird field biologist. Boo has been studying African culture and music for over 14 years. She is one of the founding mothers of Missoula's very own, "Djebe Bara" African dance and music community. For this interview, Boo interviewed her friend and fellow musician, Oumar Keita. Oumar is a native of Guinea, West Africa. He is known for his extensive knowledge of music and history. Oumar showed an interest in traditional music and began singing at an early age. He continues to sing and write traditional music but can also rap in Malinke, Susu and French. Oumar Keita plays traditional instruments like the bolon, gnoni and N’gongoma, which accompany his singing.Since 2009 he has been a musician in the nationally recognized Ballet Saamato of Conakry, Guinea. Primarily a dundun player, Oumar is also a dancer and djembe player. For the past 2 years, he played with Wofa percussion in Conakry.To study with Boo and Oumar Keita visit: www.djebebara.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dara Guedem grew up in Ivory Coast but was born in a small village in Chad. She came to Montana via Senegal in 2007 chasing family & education. It was always been a dream for her family to receive an education in English and Guedem has since graduated from the University of Montana. She continues to live and pursue adventures in Missoula. In this interview, Guedem talks about the history of Chad including personal experiences with civil war and rebels coming into her village. Guedem also shares the emotion of experiencing snow for the first time and a shares a few tips for Africans who are immigrating to the USA See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

96% of the mammals on planet earth are livestock and humans leaving only 4% for wild animals. We have lost 83% of all mammals on the planet, these species are not here solely because of humans. 80% of marine animals and 50% of all plants are also lost due to human impact. Elephants, rhinos and lions are just a few species which are also extremely threatened and close to extinction. We have lost 80% of all snow leopards on the planet. There are more tigers alive in captivity in the state of Texas than there are in the world. Scientist have found that for tigers, a 96% decrease in population coincides with a 96% loss of habitat. There are about 200,000 protected areas in the world which are in various stages of "actual protection". 50% of these protected areas have not yet been mapped... making it harder for these animals to be protected from poaching. The number one problem that these animals are facing right now is poaching. We will discuss the extremely organized black market of wildlife trade. Most tigers are being poached as their body parts are highly valued for non-effective medicinal purposes and "tiger bone wine" in China. 1 in 5 tigers are dying per year from poaching. The most effective tactic is to place armed guards in protected areas to stand guard over these animals. It is truly challenging for rangers to protect endangered species when the protected areas are not mapped as they have to navigate extremely dense jungle and are up against professional and highly armored poaching groups akin to military officers. Kevin McManigal has intimate knowledge of the modern GIS and cartographic workflow. Employed as a professional cartographer, he is a recognized innovator among his peers at the North America Cartographic Information Society. He teaches cartography as an art form, utilizing GIS and graphics software to produce maps that inform and inspire. He also has extensive travel experience, including mountaineering expeditions to Alaska, Europe, and South America. His field research includes trips to the Sierra Nevada of California, the Himalaya of Nepal and Bhutan, and the Altai of Mongolia, where he studies the dynamics of glacial change.To learn more about protecting tigers, please visit:www.panthera.org See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This interview was recorded in the heart of Marrakesh, Morocco while Mandela was living in Jemaa el-Fnaa, a busy square and market place in Marrakesh's medina quarter (old city). Jemaa el-Fnaa, literally means "the place of judgement" as it used to be where criminals underwent judgement and potential penalty in the pubic eye. This interview features two young Moroccan men, Moustapha and Saber. Each speaking multiple languages fluently while sharing traditional "Moroccan Whiskey" (Green tea with mint), they explain a thousand year history of Morocco, their culture, Islam, traditional spices, food, tips about traveling in the Kingdom of Morocco and why sugar is the most important ingredient in their tea. This interview will also surprise you in terms of the diverse array of musical selections from these two Moroccans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eddy Goldaracena was born in Argentina and moved to the U.S. at a young age. He had his first taste of surfing in New Zealand, which changed the course of his life thereafter. He set his intention of learning how to surf and followed it around the world before getting a "real job" as a financial consultant in Switzerland, NYC and eventually Southern California. Eddy knew that he would travel the world again at a later age and for a decade he set money aside, improved his surfing skills and manifested a trip around the world following culture, human connection and surf breaks. Learn about manifesting whatever it is that you want in this life & chasing your dreams wherever they take you. Eddy is currently on a multi year trip around the world searching for what he calls, "The Perfect Wave." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We speak with Joe, a bush crafter and subsistence hunter from a rural setting in Ontario, Canada. Joe elaborates on why it's important to spend time alone in the wilderness and what you can learn from watching animals in the wild. Joe explains how to survive in extreme cold conditions, how to pack for potential survival situations, how to build a shelter fast and how to track animals. Joe takes us on a few epic bow hunting misadventures and explains what he sees out the window in Morocco while recording this episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode was recorded on the top of Mount Beerwah, the highest of the ten volcanic plugs in the Glass House Mountains range, 22 km north of Caboolture in South East Queensland, Australia. In this interview, Chris talks about lessons learned and close encounters on his journey of learning how to surf big waves in Australia, New Zealand and the island of Tonga. Chris also sheds light on why surfers around the world respect sharks and don't want to see them killed. Chris is a keen cyclist who shares some of the reasons why he loves calling Australia home. The sounds of the cicadas will certainly take you on location for this episode. Enjoy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode takes a look at the adventures, trails and tribulations of a NYPD officer and surviving and thriving in the concrete jungle of New York City. Be prepared for a heart felt story of being a first responder during September 11, 2001. This episode was recorded in a raft while floating down the Colorado River in the heart of Grand Canyon National Park. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.