Inspire Campfire

This week, we bring you the extraordinary tale of Sophie Matterson, a woman who left behind the familiar to embark on a life-changing journey across Australia with five wild camels. Hailing from Flinders Ranges in South Australia, Sophie traded her career in TV and film for an adventure that would reshape her life. What started as a brief break from her job in 2016 turned into an incredible 13-month odyssey. After turning 30, she set out to walk from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, traversing the vast, arid heart of Australia.

Sophie shares the highs, lows, and life-altering lessons of her epic trek, as captured in her award-winning memoir, The Crossing: A Memoir of Love, Adventure, and Finding Your Own Path. Join us as we dive into her remarkable story of courage, self-discovery, and the pursuit of purpose.

In this week’s episode, we explore the journey of embracing the unknown and finding the courage to face life’s greatest challenges. Our guest, Tyler Stallings—known as the Moto Photo Guy—has made a career of diving headfirst into thrilling situations that require unwavering trust in the outcome.

Joining us from Reno, Nevada, Tyler is an adventure photographer and digital creator who not only captures the thrill of the moment but lives it himself. Inspired by the film Into the Wild, Tyler recently embarked on a breathtaking five-week solo motorcycle journey from Reno to the Arctic Ocean. Along the way, he documented extraordinary adventures, including a daring project filming cliff divers in Oregon.

Tune in as we discuss Tyler’s fearless approach to life, his incredible adventures, and how he finds peace in moments of uncertainty.

This week, we explore how travel and adventure can become lifelong companions, shaping our experiences across every stage of life. Our guest, Bob Delaney—trail name "Jon's Dad"—joins us from Columbus, Ohio, to share his remarkable journey. Now in his early sixties, Bob recently completed a 300-mile thru-hike along Sweden's Kungsleden, known as The King’s Trail, a 30-day adventure he gifted himself in retirement. From childhood explorations to fatherhood and now into retirement, Bob’s passion for adventure has been woven into every chapter of his life. Tune in to hear his inspiring story.

This week, we're exploring how the wilderness offers a powerful chance for transformation and self-discovery. Nature provides the freedom to embrace new identities without judgment, and for hikers, this often takes shape through the tradition of trail names. Our guest, Carly Rae Brunault—better known on the trail as "Hippea"—joins us to share her experience. Carly is the author of Trail Name Tales, a captivating collection of stories about the remarkable people she encountered while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail.

A professional photographer from Western Massachusetts, Carly embarked on this challenging journey as part of her healing process after a personal tragedy. Along the way, she not only found her own path to recovery but also inspired countless others with her story. Join us as we dive into her journey of healing, connection, and adventure.

Join us for an inspiring journey to the highest peaks on every continent, known as the Seven Summits. Our guest, Bo Parfet, an adventurer from Kalamazoo, Michigan, has stood at the summit of each one and is here to share the powerful lessons he learned along the way. Bo, a member of the prestigious Explorers Club, is also a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and author of several books, including Die Trying and The Precipice of Life.

With master's degrees from the University of Michigan and Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, Bo brings a relentless drive to make a difference in the world. Tune in as we explore his incredible achievements and the profound insights gained from pushing the boundaries of human endurance.

In this week’s episode, we dive into the transformative journey from survival to success and, ultimately, significance. Our guest is Creek Stewart, a renowned wilderness survival instructor, author, and television host. With over 20 books on survival and preparedness under his belt, Creek is also the go-to survival expert for The Weather Channel, where he's hosted popular shows like Could You Survive? with Creek Stewart, SOS: How to Survive, and Fat Guys in the Woods.

Creek’s story is one of remarkable personal transformation, where his deep connection with nature played a pivotal role in his path from surviving to thriving. Tune in to hear how Creek’s experiences in the wild have shaped his life and how they can inspire you on your own journey.

This week, we dive into the evolving role of adventure throughout life's transitions. Joining us is Tami Fandrei from Sacramento, California, who shares her inspiring journey. After her youngest child left for college, Tami felt an unexpected void, prompting her to realize that it was finally her time. Now in the second half of life, Tami has embraced her dreams with renewed energy, filling her days with explorations and adventures. In just a short time, she's already achieved so much—and she's only just begun.

In this week's episode, we’re joined by Michael McLaurin, a dedicated family man from Charlotte, North Carolina, who has a background in banking and operational risk. Michael’s story took an unexpected turn when, during the Covid lockdowns, he sought a new family activity that could break free from the constraints of the pandemic. This search led him to discover a newfound passion for sailing. Tune in to hear how Michael went from exploring his new interest to planning and executing a multi-day bareboat sailing expedition with his family, transforming a casual hobby into a remarkable adventure.

In today's episode, we explore how following your own call to adventure can inspire others to take action in their own lives. We're thrilled to welcome back Josh Sutton, our very first guest on the Inspire Campfire podcast. Josh returns to share updates on his incredible journey since he, his wife, and their five-year-old son, Harvey, thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2021. Harvey's achievement as the youngest person to complete the trail at such a young age continues to inspire many.

Their life-changing 7-month hike has opened doors to new adventures, including the creation of a documentary about their time on the trail. Join us as Josh recounts their experiences and the impact it has had on their lives and beyond.

In this episode, we delve into the art of breaking through barriers and embracing new perspectives. Our guest today, Saray Khumalo, exemplifies how the sky is not the limit—it's just the beginning. Joining us from Johannesburg, South Africa, Saray is an award-winning mountaineer, Guinness World Record holder, author, speaker, coach, and philanthropist.

In 2019, after three determined attempts, Saray made history by becoming the first Black African woman to summit Mount Everest. Her journey is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of dreams. Tune in to hear Saray's incredible story and learn how you, too, can reach beyond your limits.