Explore Magazine's Live The Adventure Podcast

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.

When you think of a mountain biking destination in Canada, where comes to mind?

Vancouver? Golden? Canmore?

How about Neepawa, Dauphin and Minnedosa—all in Manitoba? Yes, it's true. Manitoba has a burgeoning mountain bike scene, with parks and trails popping up all over the province.

Today, my guests are Alex Man and Melissa Stefaniw. Based near Dauphin, they raise funds, build trails, organize events and get the word out about Manitoba's mountain bike scene.

But what exactly is Manitoba's mountain bike scene? How does it differ?

And can it compete? 

Let's find out!

Welcome to episode 30 of Explore Magazine's "Live the Adventure" Podcast.

Let's talk about bears. Those majestic, beautiful creatures that roam the wild lands of just about every region in Canada...

Those apex predators who can be misunderstood and feared by humans...

And who, due to habituation and encroachment, are every so often the subject of a dicey (or worse) human-wildlife encounter.

Today, my guest is Curtis Matwishyn. Curtis is a wildland firefighter and wildlife photographer living in Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan.

As you can imagine, he's see a few bears. But one in particular resulted in a viral video and an impactful learning experience about how we as humans can better interact with bears...

...And what we NEED to carry with us when we travel in bear country.

Do you like bears? Let's get into it.

Ticks. Lyme disease. Pathogens.

Are you scared yet?

Well, you don't need to be. Even active outdoor enthusiasts like us only need to be educated and aware—then we can stay tick safe!

Today's conversation is with Sarah Cormode, from the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation. Sarah is a podcaster and has had the opportunity to speak with dozens of experts in the field of medicine and outdoor safety and education.

So let's talk ticks with Sarah Cormode!

Today, my guest is Caroline Cote. And as I hit publish, she is (ideally) in the final week or so of a self-supported ski expedition across Antarctica to the South Pole.

This is quite a leap from a self-described "shy little girl" who only got introduced to outdoor recreation in her 20s. But Caroline is nothing if not bold—this Quebec-based adventurer has already been to the Cold Continent twice before, as well as a plethora of other impressive expeditions.

Today, we're finding out what it takes to tackle such a trip. And why. And what it feels like to be faced with a month of solitude in the loneliest place on Earth.

Yup—it's a good one.

Enjoy!