Bush & Banter

In 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 certified backpacking guide, rock climber, and archery instructor, Anthony shares his knowledge with thousands—but his true passion lies in inspiring kids to embrace the outdoors. His children’s book, My Epic Nature Journal, encourages young explorers to draw, craft, and engage with the natural world in creative ways.

Anthony's website - www.anthonyporter.com 

Follow Anthony on Instagram - @outdooranthony

Follow Anthony on YouTube - @outdooranthony

Purchase Anthony's childeren's book, My Epic Nature Journal 

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

2:27 Welcome, Anthony Porter!

7:58 The art and benefits of archery and knife throwing

14:03 Anthony's experience on American Ninja Warrior

28:04 One of the scariest moments in the outdoors and what Anthony learned from it

47:40 The importance of outdoor enthusiasts to be well-informed

57:51 My Epic Nature Journal, Anthony's outdoor children's book

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• 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 Bush & Banter: [email protected]
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_

In 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 unforgettable trail moments, the mindset behind solo adventure, and how the outdoors has reshaped his view on life.

Follow Cam on Instagram - @cambostock

Follow Cam on YouTube - @CamBostock

Cam's Podcast - The Life Outside Podcast

Cam's business - Optiventure

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

3:37 Welcome, Cameron Bostock!

14:46 Cam's favorite trails in Australia

20:31 Cam's experience on the Te Araroa Trail

25:41 Why the Pacific Crest Trail stands out to Cam as his greatest adventure

31:21 Cam's first steps on the PCT vs his last steps

41:56 The sections on the PCT that impacted Cam and Jen the most

50:03 Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the hilarious origin story of Team Spud, and dealing with altitude sickness

58:23 Cam's top 3 pieces of gear

1:02:10 Advice on how to stay connected to loved ones during long trips

1:08:26 Cam answers questions from the public (Carr Boyd, hiking as a business, scariest encounter in the bush, planning/gear/itineraries)

1:26:38 Cam's biggest lessons learned from the outdoors

1:30:02 What is next for Cam and where to follow along

Send us Fan Mail

Where 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 Bush & Banter: [email protected]
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_

In 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 Instagram - @belladacostatrickriding

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Intro

5:06 Welcome, Bella Da Costa!

6:13 What is trick riding?

6:41 What drew Bella to trick riding

7:46 She Looked So Free Documentary

12:50 Bella's biggest physical and mental challenges in trick riding

14:07 The power of trust between rider and horse

25:47Coaching children on trick riding and the confidence it builds

35:10 Why chasing your passion is the best path

40:35 How to follow along on Bella's adventures and her future performances

Send us Fan Mail

Where 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 Bush & Banter: [email protected]
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_

In 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 2025

Send us Fan Mail

Where 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 Bush & Banter: [email protected]
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_

In 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 the most money ever raised. Why? Because he has terminal brain cancer. However, Iain refuses to let that stop him from living one hell of a life.

Follow Iain on Instagram:@TheKingOfChemo

Contribute to Iain’s GoFundMe

Follow Iain on YouTube: @TheKingOfChemo

Follow Iain on Twitch: @TheKingOfChemo

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Intro 

1:46 Welcome, Iain Ward!

2:55 Iain explains his "why" and embracing being the protagonist in his own film

7:28 Brain cancer diagnosis

9:34 Staying awake during brain surgery

16:38 Finding purpose and looking ahead at life

27:39 Taking on The Great World Race and the rugged landscape of Antarctica

39:48 Training for The Great World Race

50:07 Running 52 miles in 52 countries and territories in Europe in 52 weeks

58:27 The Big One and circumnavigating the globe with pure manpower

1:09:52 How to support Iain 

Send us Fan Mail

Where 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 Bush & Banter: [email protected]
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_

In 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 on their own.

Kathleen's Website - www.The-Hungry-Hiker.com

YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hiker

Instagram - @_TheHungryHiker

The Confident Solo Female Backpacker System

The article mentioned in the episode: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going Backpacking Alone

NOTEABLE TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

4:54 Welcome, Kathleen Neves!

8:36 Kathleen's first solo backpacking trip & lessons learned

13:57 Common fears among women hikers

18:52 Mental hurdles and the importance of self-talk

25:38 Irrational fears and overthinking

28:14 Solo traveling translating into home life

32:37 The takeaways for solo backpacking

35:49 Day hiking preparedness

41:16 Common mistakes made in the backcountry & finding comfort

48:23 The birth of the Hungry Hiker

52:28 Empowering women in the outdoors

57:18 Upcoming trek in Nepal

Send us Fan Mail

Where 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 Bush & Banter: [email protected]
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_

In 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 valuable advice for aspiring world travelers, reflects on his legendary career, and recounts unforgettable stories that have stayed with him over the years.

COLA Lifetime Achievement Award Video - YouTube 

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

7:06 Welcome Ilt Jones

10:21 What is a Location Manager?

14:32 Early life in finance and the switch to the film industry

19:13 Ilt's large teams scattered around the country

20:28 Movie tourism, New Zealand, and working with Michael Bay

22:13 Executing the director’s vision & working on "Inception"

27:53 The most challenging location to manage & waist-deep in mud

33:00 Visiting Prague, Hong Kong, Chile & Jordan

43:48 Trekking the Camino de Santiago

53:53 Patagonia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos & Greece

1:00:09 Advice for someone looking to live more adventurously

Send us Fan Mail

Where 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 Bush & Banter: [email protected]
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_

In 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 

2024 Documentary Dog Photographer of the Year

Follow John @wagsaroundtheworld

NOTEABLE TIMESTAMPS

5:22 Welcome, John Fabiano!

8:35 Exact moment John knew he needed a life change and his deepest fears

11:55 Picking the niche of photographing dogs

15:08 Universal truth about human nature found in dogs

19:36 Land of the Strays in Costa Rica

25:29 The particular dog that made John see the world differently

32:03 Universal traits in humans and dogs & Greenlandic working dogs

34:49 Cultural relations with dogs and people

38:35 Advice for traveling with your dog

41:13 Dog festival in Nepal

43:05 Wags Around the World and future travel plans

Send us Fan Mail

Where 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 Bush & Banter: [email protected]
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_

In 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 Amazon

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS

5:45 Recognizing opportunities

8:43 Why spontaneity matters for adventures and the outdoors

13:26 How spontaneity can make adventures more memorable

15:20 Real-life examples of spontaneity

25:29 Challenges of being spontaneous

26:53 How being spontaneous affects those around you

30:25 Tips for embracing a more spontaneous life

Send us Fan Mail

Where 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 Bush & Banter: [email protected]
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_

Jen 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 he encountered, the breathtaking landscapes he traversed, and the inner world of a man pushing himself to the limits of human endurance.

Ant Space Website - www.antlife.space

How to Move the Stars Podcast - www.howtomovethestars.com

Visiting Denver? Join Jacob on a bike tour -  www.mountainhighbicycletours.com

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

6:08 Jacob's inspiration for wanting to cycle around the world

9:45 The logistics for planning an adventure like this

13:03 Jacob's most challenging country to traverse

21:23 The evolution of Jacob's largest ant farm in the world

29:59 The moment Jacob thought was the end, but continued on

38:42 Advice for those wanting to do a big adventure like this

42:24 Injuries and accidents on Jacob's adventure

44:57 Rough timeline and route of Jacob's trip

51:43 How hiking on the Appalachian Trail helped prepare Jacob for cycling the world

56:03 Jacob's podcast, How To Move The Stars

Send us Fan Mail

Where 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 Bush & Banter: [email protected]
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_