Travel. We love it.

We travel locally, regionally, domestically and internationally. And we bring back the greatest experiences of our lives.

Adventures, connections, photographs, stories... but sometimes travel can have a cost. Carbon footprint... overtourism... 

So, should we stop?

No. There's a way to travel better. There are people who are encouraging slow, deep and meaningful travel. Where money supports locals, the experiences are authentic and the connections are richer than every before.

If that sounds interesting to you—stay tuned and enjoy episode 41 of Explore Magazine's Live the Adventure Podcast.

We're going to learn how to travel better.

Welcome to episode 40 of Explore Magazine's Live the Adventure Podcast!

 Can you believe we have done 40 of these podcasts? To celebrate today, my guest is the inspiring Dave Norona out of Squamish, British Columbia.

Dave is a multi-sport racer who's travelled all over the world, competing in everything from running, cycling, rollerblading, eco challenges and more. 

Later, he transitioned into living his best life in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, getting out every day, kiting, e-biking, sledding, exploring and basically living the dream.

How does he do that? How does he make a living? Well, he's gonna tell you. He's gonna tell you everything he does, how he does it, how he got there—and the gear he uses—with hopes of inspiring you to get out there more, to challenge yourself, and to be the best version of yourself.

All right, buckle up and get ready for some serious high energy inspiration with Dave Norona. 

Forestry—what do you think when you hear the word?

Maybe it conjures up logging and clearcuts.

Maybe you think of economic drivers, wood products and heritage.

Maybe you’re not 100 percent sure what it means!

We outdoor enthusiasts spend a lot of time in forests. Forests have deep social and cultural value to us. But they also supply the materials that build the houses in which we live—and even the paper on which Explore Magazine is printed.

Can we reconcile that? Or more specifically, how does Canada’s forestry industry reconcile the needs of all Canada to ensure we have healthy forests and a strong economy, now and in the future?

Today, my guest is Jeff Mycock, Chief Forester Canada with West Fraser. Jeff has more than 30 years of forestry experience. Today, we’re going to dig deep and ask the tough questions about how our forests are managed to the benefit of Canada—and the planet.

Ready? Stay tuned for Jeff Mycock!

As Canadians, we have a big country to explore.

How do you do it? Fly place to place? Stay local? Road trip to a hotel?

All good, sure. But lately, I’ve been exploring differently. A new lifestyle altogether...

I’ve become an RV’er. Yes, I am part of Canadia’s robust RV community!

And I love it. My entire family has camped out more this year than we collectively had in all years previously. My kids love the “caravan,” as they call it.

We’ve made wonderful memories as my kids throw off the day-to-day schedule and get muddy and wild.

And we do so knowing that common camping concerns, such as weather and comfort, are no longer issues.

So for this episode, I thought it would be fun to dig deeper into the RV lifestyle with the president of GoRving Canada, Chris Mahony.

Chris leads this non-profit association devoted to promoting RVs to Canadians.

And we’re going to find out how and why you can make the leap into the RV lifestyle, inlcuding overcoming barriers, epic RV trips—and so much more!

Interested in elevating your camping game? Here’s Chris Mahony, from GoRving Canada.

I love domestic travel.

Don’t get me wrong, I also like to get my passport stamped.

But there’s something fun and cool about spending your vacation time locally or regionally.

It’s fun because you don’t waste your days off travelling or recovering from jetlag.

It’s cool because you can buck travel trends and mainstays for off-the-beaten track destinations that offer exceptional experiences—often without super-premium price tags or other tourist-trap pitfalls.

My home province of British Columbia is blessed with an abundance of awesome outdoorsy destinations—from the world renowned, like Whistler or Tofino; to regional faves like Golden or Kelowna.

I’ve recently discovered—or should I say rediscovered—a place in BC that offers quiet trails, serene lakes, epic snowfall and all the other things that make our outdoors amazing.

Plus, there’s ample places to stay, it’s easy to get to and the prices are low.

And it’s hiding right in plain sight.

Have you considered Prince George?

Today, my guest is Colin Carson, CEO of Tourism Prince George.

And he’s about to blow your mind and re-introduce you to the BC city you thought you knew.

It’s summer. Let’s go on vacation.

But where?

When you look for a tourism experience—what draws you in?

An incredible adventure?

A cultural connection?

A chance to expand your mind?

Maybe even do some good in the meanwhile?

Well, today my guest is Zane Buchanan. 

Zane is the Creative Manager at the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada—a global leader marketing and developing Indigenous tourism experiences.

And we’re going to talk about how you can do all of the above and more, right here in Canada.

How you can enjoy life-changing experiences, forge cultural connections, learn and grow—all while having an awesome vacation.

Because today we’re talking about Indigenous tourism.

What is that? Well—stay tuned. Because Zane’s got a lot to say.

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of Residential Schools, Assimilation, Ongoing Harm, Colonial Impacts. The Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of his or her Residential school experience. For immediate support call 1-800-721-0066.

Let's talk about dogs. We love them! Walks, cuddles, playing fetch...

But what about travel and adventure with your dog? Have you boarded a plane with your pup? Embarked on a multi-day backpacking adventure? An epic road trip?

If you're like most people, you likely look for a dog-sitter when you're travelling. But what if you changed your mindset and looked at ways you can bring your do with you.

It's possible. Krista and John can show us how—and this is why they founded DogPacking.com, a website devoted to information and inspiration for better adventures with your dog.  

Krista is a veterinary surgeon and John is currently on a round-the-world bike-packing trip with his dog in tow. So they know their stuff.

So let's sit back and talk dogs with Krista Halling and John Freeman. 

We’ve all heard the term “superfood” before. Often in relationship to things like acai, a berry native to south and central America, or coconut oil—maybe avocado.

All of these foods, for Canadians anyway, would need to be imported. Such is the way…

So, when I heard about a superfood that was being wild and sustainably harvested right here in British Columbia—one that can bring you increases in energy, stamina, recovery and more—I was very interested.

Have you heard of pine pollen? A powdery dust harvested from the small male cones of the lodgepole and ponderosa pine?

Maybe you’re familiar with it as part of the tree’s propagation—but as a superfood? This is where things get really interesting.

Today, my guests are Dr. Saeid Mushtagh and Burgess Andre. They are the co-founders of a company called Canadian Pine Pollen, harvesters and retailers of, among other things, pine pollen products.

And they’ve been on a journey of discovery to unlock the potential of this superfood for our benefit.

You’re gonna want to stay tuned for this one—we balance science, nature and sustainability—and if that’s not enough, I even have a special gift for you at the end of the episode.

So let’s talk pine pollen with Dr. Saeid Mushtagh and Burgess Andre.

It’s December. It’s cold. Do you want to warm up?

Or do you want to get even colder? Colder than you’ve ever been?

We’re talking up to your chin in ice cold. Fozen. And you’re doing it all for your mental and physical health.

Welcome to the world of cold plunges.

You may have seen it online lately. Folks submersing themselves in frigid H2O and claiming mental acuity, physical activation, fat loss and more.

Is this for real? Are regular folks like you and I actually doing it?

And are the benefits actually measurable?

Today, my guests are Michael Spivak and Daniel Mazour.

They’re the co-founders of Coldture, a Canadian company that manufacturers cold plunge equipment for home and commercial use.

 And they believe in the power of the cold as much as you’ve ever believed in anything in your life.

 So let’s hear their story—and dive into the wild and wonderful world of the cold plunge.

Welcome to episode 32 of Explore Magazine's Live the Adventure Podcast.

What drives you? What gets you out of bed in the morning?

And how do you stay focussed on this passion so that it enhances all other aspects of your life?

Well, today we’re talking to an expert in mindset, focus, desire, discipline—and trail running.

Anne Bouchard is a The North Face athelete, professional trail runner, mother of two and works ful-time in the world of corporate taxes!

So she has a lot going on. But still she balances all while training and competing at a high level—running races and events in excess of 50, 60, 100, 200 and even 600 kilometres!

How does she do it? What can we learn? Stay tuned for Anne Bouchard, The North Face sponsored trail runner.