Shows
Bush & BanterNicole Snell - Self-Defense, Solo Empowerment, and Building Confidence in the BackcountryIn this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with Nicole Snell—a powerhouse in personal safety, self-defense, and solo adventure. As the CEO of Girls Fight Back, Nicole is a dynamic speaker, educator, and advocate known for empowering women and marginalized communities, especially in outdoor and travel settings. She shares her journey from a successful career in production to becoming a leading voice in self-defense education. Nicole dives into the importance of solo outdoor experiences, challenges societal norms around women's safety, and emphasizes building confidence through training and awareness. With solo adventures across 18 countries, Nicole brings a wealth of in...2025-05-211h 08
Bush & BanterScout & Frodo - The Legendary Journey of the Pacific Crest Trail's Most Remarkable Trail AngelsIn this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with two of the most cherished figures in long-distance hiking: Barney and Sandy—better known on the trails as Scout and Frodo. At 73 years old, Scout recently completed the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail, adding to an already staggering list of accomplishments including the Triple Crown of Hiking: the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail. He’s also the author of Journeys North: The Pacific Crest Trail, a powerful account of his 2007 thru-hike with Frodo. The book was a finalist in the 2020 Banff Mountain Book Competition and has sold near...2025-05-141h 46
Bush & BanterTia Banks - Summiting Volcanoes and the Quest to Help Others Build ResilienceIn this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with Tia Banks — motivational speaker, resilience expert, mountaineer, and mental health advocate. Tia is on a mission to help students and educators build resilience and push through the heavy weight of anxiety and depression. She’s climbed some of the world’s tallest volcanoes, including Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and Pico de Orizaba in Mexico. She’s also the author of Mind Over Mountains, a certified resilience coach, and a viral voice on social media known for her raw, powerful insights on mental strength and growth. Today, she shares her journey — from hitti...2025-05-071h 09
Bush & BanterNora Fierman - Endurance Athlete on Bikepacking in Africa, Skiing in Mexico, and Founding Neve: Food for AthletesIn this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with endurance athlete Nora Fierman. Nora has skied and mountain biked around the entire world, including places like Mexico, Lesotho (Southern Africa), Canada, and France. She shares stories from her experience in the Breck Epic which is a 6 day mountain biking stage race in Colorado as well as a forever life-altering experience skiing Pico de Orizaba where she witnessed her first fatality in the mountains. Nora's passion for the outdoors is deep and is attributed to her childhood with her mother being the driving force. With all of her experience and...2025-04-301h 05
Bush & BanterThe Beneficial Power of the Alter EgoIn this episode, Jen and Dyana explore the power of creating an alter ego—and how it can help you land your dream job, break bad habits, or even conquer a thru-hike. When life gets tough, stepping into an alter ego can help you get out of your own way and tap into strengths you already have. They share how their own trail personas carried them through the hardest moments, with Jen reflecting on the different versions of herself needed for work vs. personal life—and Dyana introducing us to Tammy Taylor, her confident alter ego born back in four...2025-04-2330 min
Bush & BanterAnthony Porter – 4x American Ninja Warrior on Archery, Wilderness Prep, and His Wildly Entertaining Outdoor EducationIn our latest episode, we sit down with athlete, author, and outdoor enthusiast Anthony Porter—a true multi-hyphenate known for his skills in archery, knife throwing, and parkour. These days, Anthony is best known for his educational and entertaining outdoor videos that explore nature conservation, wildlife, and survival skills. Anthony opens up about the intense challenges of competing on American Ninja Warrior, the unexpected moments he's faced in the great outdoors, and how a childhood love of nature shaped his life's path. Through humor, storytelling, and hands-on expertise, he brings the wilderness to life for audiences of all ages. A...2025-04-161h 20
Bush & BanterCam Bostock - Reliving the Adventures on the Pacific Crest Trail, Te Araroa, Kilimanjaro, and the Australian BushIn this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with Australian adventurer and thru-hiker Cam Bostock—best known for his stunning outdoor exploration videos and epic long-distance hikes. Based in Western Australia, Cam has taken on some of the world’s most iconic trails, including New Zealand’s 1,864-mile Te Araroa Trail, the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the U.S., Mount Kilimanjaro, and countless rugged routes across Australia. All the while, he’s been documenting his journeys for hundreds of thousands of followers. Cam brings a fresh, cinematic perspective to life in the wild. Tune in as we explore his most...2025-04-091h 32
Bush & BanterBella Da Costa – The Wild Art of Trick Riding, Rodeo Thrills, and the Unbreakable Horse-Rider BondIn this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with renowned Canadian trick rider Bella Da Costa, whose high-speed, gravity-defying performances have earned her championship titles and captivated audiences everywhere. Bella shares insights into the deep bond between riders and their horses, how the confidence gained in the arena translates into real life, and her hopes for the future of the sport. Most recently, Bella was featured in the short documentary She Looked So Free, directed by Danny Gevirtz, which explores her journey and passion for trick riding.She Looked So Free Documentary Follow Bella on In...2025-04-0244 min
Bush & BanterJet-Setting Through TIME: The World’s Greatest Places of 2025In this episode, Jen and Dyana invite you aboard their (imaginary) private jet as they embark on a global adventure, picking their favorite destinations from TIME Magazine’s The World’s Greatest Places of 2025. Their journey takes them to Peru’s towering Alta Sanctuary treehouse, the rugged Nangma Valley Trek in Pakistan, the futuristic Shebara Resort on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, and more. Fasten your seatbelts—this is going to be a wild ride!Check out TIME Magazine's full list: The World’s Greatest Places of 2025Send us a textWhere to find an...2025-03-2642 min
Bush & BanterIain Ward - The King of Chemo’s Push for a Charity World Record and Running the Great World RaceIn this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with Iain Ward—known to his millions of followers as The King of Chemo. His motto? "I have cancer, not excuses." Iain is an extreme athlete pushing the limits of human endurance—and time itself. He recently completed The Great World Race, running 7 marathons on 7 continents in just 7 days. Now, he's training for an even bigger challenge: running 52 miles in all 52 countries and territories of Europe, in 52 weeks. And after that? The BIG one—a full circumnavigation of the globe using only human power, all while aiming to break the world record for th...2025-03-181h 25
Bush & BanterKathleen Neves - The Power of Solo Adventures, Overcoming Fear, and Finding FreedomIn this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with Kathleen Neves, a self-proclaimed food-motivated hiker, solo backpacker, and backpacking coach for women. The episode centers on embracing solo adventures and using the journey to elevate life off the trail. They discuss Kathleen's experience on the Pacific Crest Trail, the importance of mental preparedness, and the common fears many women face when venturing into the wilderness alone. The conversation highlights the power of self-talk, adaptability, and embracing adventure despite any obstacles. Through her online program, The Confident Solo Female Backpacker System, Kathleen helps women feel comfortable and confident exploring the backcountry...2025-03-121h 05
Bush & BanterIlt Jones - Scouting Blockbuster Locations from "Inception" to "Transformers" & Trekking the Camino de SantiagoIn this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with veteran location manager Ilt Jones, whose career spans over 30 years. He and his team have masterminded some of Hollywood’s most iconic filming locations, working on blockbuster productions like The Dark Knight, Inception, Iron Man, and the Transformers franchise. But beyond big-budget films, Ilt is an adventurer at heart. From scouting the perfect cinematic backdrops to trekking the Camino de Santiago, he has a passion for exploring the world in the most extraordinary ways. In this episode, we journey to Hong Kong, Prague, Greece, Cambodia, and Thailand as Ilt shares va...2025-03-051h 04
Bush & BanterJohn Fabiano - 2024 Dog Photographer of the Year Travels the World to Capture the Human-Dog BondIn this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with international dog photographer John Fabiano, who left his corporate 9-to-5 job to travel the world, documenting the unique bond between dogs and humans across different cultures. His journey has taken him from the Land of the Strays in Costa Rica—home to over 1,800 stray dogs—to photographing German Shepherds in Germany and Greenlandic sled dogs in Greenland. As the founder of Wags Around the World, a photography project dedicated to exploring these connections, John continues to showcase the incredible ways dogs and humans coexist globally.CNN Article Featuring John ...2025-02-2654 min
Bush & BanterLiving a More Spontaneous Life: Greenlights, Challenges, and Late-Night NachosIn their latest episode, Jen and Dyana dive into the benefits and challenges of being spontaneous. They discuss "greenlights," inspired by Matthew McConaughey's book Greenlights, and explore how we can seize opportunities when they are presented to us. They reminisce about moments of spontaneity, including Jen’s experience watching a SpaceX launch and Dyana’s late-night nacho binge. They also touch on how being spontaneous can affect others and share tips on how to embrace a more spontaneous life.Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey on AmazonNOTABLE TIMESTAMPS5:45 Recognizing opportunities2025-02-1940 min
Bush & BanterJacob Lemanski - Cycling Around the World (Twice), Psychedelic Ant Farms, and Pushing BoundariesJen and Dyana chat with cyclist Jacob Lemanski, who rode his bicycle 38,000 miles over 999 days, crossing six continents and circling the earth twice. They discuss logistics, his biggest fears, favorite places to cycle, and the mental toll of life on two wheels. Jacob is currently the creator of Ant Space, a company that designs unique psychedelic ant farms, and he holds the record for the largest ant farm in the world. He is also the host of How to Move the Stars, a podcast chronicling his journey cycling around the globe. The show delves into the people and cultures...2025-02-121h 00
Bush & BanterAshley White - The Art, Healing Power, and Wild Adventure of Fly FishingIn this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with professional fly fisherman Ashley White, who shares his journey into fly fishing and how it has profoundly impacted his mental health and personal growth. The conversation delves into the therapeutic nature of the outdoors, the art of fly tying, and the strong sense of community within the fly fishing world. Ashley opens up about how fly fishing has served as a powerful healing outlet for trauma survivors, reflecting on personal milestones, the joy of fishing, and the restorative power of nature. He also discusses his passion for the outdoors and his...2025-02-051h 47
Bush & BanterChamois Andersen - How to Survive Encounters with Grizzlies and Mountain Lions, Relocating Bison, and Defending Endangered SpeciesIn this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with Chamois Andersen, Senior Field Representative for Defenders of Wildlife, to discuss the essential protocols for encountering some of the most formidable wildlife on U.S. hiking trails, including grizzly bears and mountain lions. Andersen also shares insights into the challenges of protecting endangered species, the complexities of relocating bison and grizzly bears, and important advice for tourists visiting national parks.Defenders of Wildlife is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring imperiled wildlife and their habitats across North America. For more information visit, defenders.org2025-01-2956 min
Bush & BanterTommy Corey - Capturing the Diverse Faces and Stories in the Wild for "All Humans Outside"In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with adventure photographer Tommy Corey about his new book, All Humans Outside: Stories of Belonging in Nature. Over the past two years, Tommy traveled across the country, capturing portraits of some of the most adventurous individuals making waves in the outdoor space. Tommy conducted more than two hundred interviews to chronicle these diverse experiences, sharing them through documentary-style photography and compelling first-person and third-person narratives. Jen and Dyana share their favorite photos from the book as Tommy dives into his photography process and the heart behind some of his favorite subjects. 2025-01-2258 min
Bush & BanterRobin Greenfield - Freedom, Radical Minimalism, and Deep Connection on a 1,600-Mile Journey Along the Pacific Coast HighwayIn this special on-location episode, Dyana sits down with Robin Greenfield—an environmental activist, adventurer, and speaker passionately dedicated to sustainable living and shining a light on critical environmental and social issues. Known for his bold and unconventional actions, Robin inspires others to embrace eco-friendly and intentional lifestyles. His latest endeavor? Walking 1,600 miles down the Pacific Coast Highway. At the journey’s end, he plans to give away everything he owns, fully embracing a life free from possessions to deepen his love, connection, and understanding of the earth and humanity.Robin Greenfield Website - www.robingreenfield.org...2025-01-151h 00
Bush & BanterGreg Mak - U.S. Navy Deep Sea Diver Talks Trainings, Missions, and Adventures Post MilitaryIn this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with Greg Mak who is a former United States Navy deep sea diver, and friend of Owen, Jen's husband. Owen makes a special appearance and we get to hear Greg and Owen share about their time in the military together, their deployments, and all about basic training and the missions they've completed in their diving careers. Greg details his experience with ice diving and the ins and outs of the dangers that come along with risky dives. Greg shares all about his post-military adventure of cycling the Pacific Coast Highway with...2025-01-081h 14
Bush & BanterThe Adventure Blueprint: 5 Tips for a More Adventurous New YearIn this episode, Jen and Dyana look ahead to 2025 and share five tips for cultivating more adventure in their lives. Whether it’s embarking on a thru-hike, learning a new skill, or starting a business, adventure can be found in many forms. The duo breaks down the steps to embrace more adventure, including topics like shifting your mindset and cultivating curiosity.Send us a textWhere to find and support Bush & Banter: Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter E-mail Bu...2025-01-0143 min