Inspire Campfire

In this episode, Kevin Thueson and Nate Thompson, with KCN Campgrounds - an investment group that focuses on campgrounds and RV parks, join us to share their story of how they have combined both their passions and skills to become an important part of the outdoor industry.

In this episode, Dr. Gregory P. Smith, who holds a Ph.D. in Sociology, Author of Out of the Forest, Contributing Author to Wilder Journeys, and TED Talk Speaker, joins us to share his story of giving up on society at the age of 35 and retreating into the forest where he lived in isolation for 10 years. Close to death, he decided to emerge and give society another try.

In this episode, Sophie Hilaire, a U.S. Army Veteran and Business Consultant with an MBA from the Wharton School of Business who has summited Mount Everest, joins us to share her story of resolve and confidence and how she’s used them both to fuel the voice that calls her to adventure.

In this episode, Laurie King, an Author, Coach, Facilitator, Ph.D. Student, and Adventurer with a passion for rewilding people and the planet, joins us to share her story and how she came to collaborate with such an incredible group of people through a connection to nature.

In this episode, Scott Miller, the leader of the Mississippi Speed Record Team who has paddled over 8,000 miles in his lifetime, joins us to share his story of setting the Guinness World Record for the fastest paddle along the full length of the Mississippi River.

In this episode, Rupert Marques, with 25 years of practice of wilderness rites of passage and the insight meditation tradition, joins us to share his story and how close encounters with the land and its wild creatures can inspire a deeper connection to it.

In this episode, Jesse Velleu & Elena Miyasato, a Subaru Leave No Trace Team from the Leave No Trace organization with the mission to pioneer science and provide solutions for the protection of the natural world, joins us to share their story of teaching and living the Leave No Trace mission.

In this episode, Erin Smith, Founder, and CEO of Ocean Sole who has a mission to rid the Indian Ocean of plastic while creating both social and economic opportunity out of the collected waste, joins us to share her story and how her call to adventure came with a mission.

In this episode, Jess Edberg, The Executive Director of the Dorothy Molter Museum in Ely, Minnesota with a diverse career focusing on wildlife, joins us to share her story of trapping wolves and deer for research while providing education and information services for the International Wolf Center.

In this episode, Miriam Lancewood, an Adventurer, World Traveler, and International Best Selling Author, joins us to share her story of spending over six years in the wild in the bush of New Zealand and makes us rethink what it means to live in the real world.

In this episode, ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI, joins us with the assistance of David Wells to answer questions we’ve asked previous guests about getting outside in nature and the voice that calls to adventure.

In this episode, Patrick Belisle, a Practical Mystic, nonprofit Executive, Teacher, and World Traveler who spent a full year traveling around the world with his wife Jane as they searched for the meaning of life, joins us to share his story of a mystical experience he had in India.

In this episode, Dave and Denise Lyga, a retired Photographer and Banker, join us to share their story of recently completing The Great Loop - a circumnavigation of the eastern U.S., and part of Canada. The route includes the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the New York State Canals, the Canadian Canals, the Great Lakes, the inland rivers, and the Gulf of Mexico.

In this episode, Drew Lomayaktewa, a Song Composer and Leader of the Hopi Blue Cloud Dance Group from the Hopi Tribe - a sovereign nation located in northeastern Arizona, joins us to share his story, what the Grand Canyon Mastermind group experienced, and teach us about Hopi culture.

In this episode, Andrew Cross, a Backpacking Guide with All-Star Grand Canyon Tours, joins us to share his story and perspective from the Grand Canyon Mastermind Group. His goal is to facilitate experiences that introduce people to the power inherent within the wilderness, foster a connection with the natural world and one another, and create a desire to protect these beautiful places.

In this episode, the members of our first Grand Canyon Mastermind Group including Gina and Tim Johnson, Kristin Tabbert, and Michael Lennington, join us to share both their inner journey and physical outer experience from the trip to the Grand Canyon.

In this episode, Dr. Cindy Lou Golin, Founder of Global Wrapshare - an organization centered around the principles of care for the environment, supporting people in need, helping others discover that giving is receiving, and igniting an endless chain of blessing around the planet, joins us to share her story.

In this episode, Sandy Hazelip, D.O and Ellie Hamby, two best friends, who at 81 years old decided they would travel the world together join us to share their story and show that no matter what your age, you can say yes to adventure. Ellie Hamby is an International Documentary Photographer who has traveled to 107 countries and all 7 continents. She is currently The Director of the Zambia Medical Mission. Dr. Sandy Hazelip serves as The Medical Director Windcrest Health and Rehab and she is one of the physicians for Hospice of the Big Country. She’s also a published Author, Lecturer, and notes that one of her greatest joys has been taking her grandchildren on mission trips all over the world over the past 18 years.

In our 79th episode, Karen Darke, British Paralympic Cyclist who won gold in Rio in 2016, Paratriathlete, Author, and an Explorer who has adventured all over the world and believes ability is a state of mind, joins us to celebrate her Quest79 mission, the impact it’s having on so many others, and her recent expedition to Antarctica.

In this episode, Karen Auld, an Environmentalist, Author, Speaker, Mindset Coach, and Environmental Health Safety & Sustainability Specialist for Johnson & Johnson who is seriously passionate about protecting the environment, joins us to share her story and her plan for how we can save the planet.

In this episode, Monica Fernandi, a Yoga Teacher of 20 years, Retreat Leader, and Published Author of her new book Open Your Presence, joins us to share her story about her trip to Mount Everest Base Camp and the sacred connection created in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal.

In this episode, Sahara Rose De Vore, a Wellness Travel Coach who has traveled to 84 countries solo, published author, global speaker, and Founder of The Travel Coach Network - a global community of travel coaches, joins us to share her story and how a passion for travel became a career and changed the face of an industry.

In this episode, Jesse Gros, a Life Coach, Breathwork Teacher, and Author who leads international spiritual adventure retreats to Peru and Nepal, joins us to share his story and how he helps people in midlife who are looking for meaning and purpose.

In this episode, Daniel Sinton, 5th generation San Luis Obispo County Rancher and Manager of Avenales Ranch - established in 1875 with over 18,000 acres of open range land and 120 acres of organic wine grapes joins us to share his story of what it is like being a real-life cowboy.

In this episode, Sarah Dillingham, Senior Director at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, former Weather Producer, and Meteorologist at CNN and The Weather Channel, joins us to share her story of how following your passion can turn into a purpose that can change the world.

In this episode, Aimee Cullwick, who has over 20 years of experience as a raft guide and is The Founder of Downriver Divas - an organization that empowers women to experience the beauty and challenge of the outdoors through multi-day rafting excursions, joins us to share her story and what it means to be a diva.

In this episode, Shawn Richardson, The Founder of One Walk - a guide company specializing in helping first-time long-distance hikers to gain confidence, competence, and independence so they can eventually feel equipped to plan their own hikes, joins us to share her story and how one walk can change your life.

In this episode, Bill Hampton, Owner of Hampton Strategies, President at Spartan Strategies, and former Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at the Dave Ramsey Organization from 1999 to 2012, joins us to share his story and how he listened to the voice that called him to adventure plus how he intends to overcome fear in the wild.

In this episode, Jeffrey Gladden, M.D., a board-certified interventional Cardiologist and Founder of Gladden Longevity - human performance and longevity optimization, joins us to share his story plus how turning back the clock is becoming a reality and how it means that age no longer has to be a reason we choose not to follow the voice that calls us to adventure.

In this episode, Diane Haworth, a Spiritual Coach, Teacher, Author, TV Host, and Founder of the Be Love Principles, joins us to share her story and talk about what it means to say YES to adventure. Diane combines traditional coaching techniques with neuroscience and deep spiritual truths to help clients connect to their own inner wisdom and become more clear, calm, and confident.

In this episode, Hao Dinh, a professional skateboarder and experience junkie who has worked around the world in venture capital, financial services, energy, extreme sports, and entertainment industries, joins us to share his story of recently participating in a training program called SEALFIT, which was originally designed to prepare candidates for BUD/S Training.

In this episode, Jess Edberg, the Executive Director of the Dorothy Molter Museum in Ely, Minnesota, joins us to share the story of an incredible Minnesota adventurer, Dorothy Molter the Root Beer Lady, a well-known local who lived alone in the wilderness of the Boundary Waters serving root beer to travelers who passed through.

In this episode, Nick Beazley, a lifelong learner, competitor, world traveler, and military veteran, joins us to share his story of using a spirit of service to connect with people in a way that has expanded his own awareness, resulting in a more rich experience of life.

In this episode, AJ Yager, leading expert in mindset and emotional optimization, certified hypnotherapist, international speaker, Amazon best-selling author, and entrepreneur, joins us to help us unlock the voice that calls us to adventure while sharing some adventures of his own.

In this episode, Tim Crockett, the Co-Founder of Flying Frog Consultants with a strong military background designing and providing security and risk management solutions for a wide variety of clients, joins us to share the incredible story of his 63-day trek rowing across the Atlantic Ocean.

In this episode, Sandra Lanfranco, an adventurer from Saarland, Germany who was involved in a skydiving accident in 2016, joins us to share her story of a 6-month trip she took around the United States that she made with her friend Sebastian and her dog Lenox. They traveled in her skoolie, a school bus she converted into an RV and had shipped to the US.

In this episode, Ed Billings, a realtor from Chapel Hill, NC, cycling enthusiast, and Boy Scout Troop Leader, joins us to share his story of taking 7 Boy Scouts on a cross-country bike-packing trip from Wilmington, NC to Florence, Oregon. The 66-day journey went through 11 states and was over 4,000 miles.

In this episode, Ed Daniels, a Retired Science Teacher from Cape Cod, Massachusetts who enjoys an active lifestyle, joins us to share his story of how he and his wife Nancy forced retirement on themselves using what they had to make it happen and the adventure it led to in nature.

In this episode, Andrew Kicinski, a Data Analyst from Alexandria, Virginia with a passion for travel and adventure who has hiked and backpacked 36 National Parks and 26 State High Points to date, joins us to share his story of a 6-month, 19,000-mile road trip he took in his Subaru with his wife Lindsey and dog Kona.

In this episode and Part Three of our Bhutan series, Choening Dorji with MyBhutan, joins us alongside Co-Host Karen Darke to share her perspective on Gross National Happiness, a Bhutanese philosophy used by the government to provide for the well-being and happiness of the people.

In this episode and Part Two of our Bhutan series, Khedrup Rinpoche, the fifth successive reincarnation of the first Khedrup who lived and served Bhutan in the 1700s, the Founder and incumbent President of the Khedrup Foundation, and the head of the Sangchen Ogyen Tsuklag Monastery in Trongsa, joins us to share his personal journey and the spirituality of Bhutan.

In this episode and Part One of our Bhutan series, Krishna Kumar, Katie Oakley, and Karen Darke, join us to share the life-changing experience of traveling to the Kingdom of Bhutan, nestled high in the Himalayas and what many believe to be the last Shangri-La. Each had a strong desire to learn from this experience and hope to share that wisdom with you all today.

In this episode, Wes Lawson, General Manager at Jesse Brown’s Outdoors and Co-Host of the Carolina Outdoors Podcast, joins us to share his story of leading student trips along the Appalachian Trail, through Belize, and throughout the mountains surrounding Lake Yojoa, Honduras during his time at Hampden-Sydney College.

In this episode, Robert Holden, a New York Times Best Selling author of 13 books, master on themes of happiness, success and purpose, and the inspiration behind this podcast, joins us to share details about his new book, Higher Purpose, and the hero’s journey in his own life.

In this episode, Kolt Bell, an Anti-Fraud Professional by day and Off-Road Race Car Driver by night, joins us to share his story about a family legacy and three sons who committed to adventure in hopes of lifting their father’s spirits by following in his footsteps in one of the coolest, yet most dangerous races, The Baja 1000.

In this episode, Cassandra Hradek, a Success Manager at Doximity and Certified Precision One Nutrition Coach, and David Hradek, an Account Manager for IDEX Fire & Safety and avid soccer player, join us to share their story of recently completing the Tour Du Mont Blanc - one of the most popular long-distance hikes in Europe.

In this episode, Josh Daniel, a professional musician, singer, songwriter, and musical performer, joins us to share his story of how the pandemic affected his live performances and how he persevered by starting his Couch Tour Quarantine sessions.

In this episode, Dina-Marie Weineck, a leadership coach, business nurturer, musical-theater veteran, and perpetual traveler with the mission to affect social change through innovation, joins us to share her story and the similarities it has with the story of Simba.

In this episode, Roy Wright, a disaster safety expert and recognized resiliency shaper, joins us to share his story of two adventure trips he took to Africa almost twenty years ago and the perspective he gained as a continuous reminder to be grateful for all that we have while being compassionate to others.

In this episode, Nancy Alchalel, an explorer, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and diver, joins us to share her story of finding the meaning of life by looking into a manta ray’s eyes while finding and creating herself through her adventures under the sea.