Jeff Johnson is not only my doppelganger, but he’s a lifestyle and adventure photographer who made his name as a staff photog for Patagonia, and then as a freelancer for brands like Yeti, Roark, and Rivian with his images and stories filling pages of The Surfer’s Journal, Outside Magazine and many others. He’s a surfer, a former North Shore lifeguard, and a climber that goes after big walls in places like Yosemite. Jeff featured as the lead character in one of my favorite adventure films,180 South. He’s published three books including Bend to Baja, 180 South: Conquerors of the Useless, and more recently Way High Kick Turn, which is an insider's look into East Bay skateboarding culture from the mid-70’s to late 80’s. Jeff is a brand ambassador for Leica cameras, has his own shoe model with SeaVees and recently launched an apparel and gear brand called SPC/LST. 

Jeff and I enjoyed our conversation from the lanai of his house on the North Shore of Oahu where we laughed about the crazy cases of mistaken identity we’ve dealt with over the years of sharing the same name and a mutual group of friends. I learned about his photography inspirations, the overlap between climbing and surfing, his insights from years of documenting Nature Junkies, managing the double-edge sword of social media, his most influential mentors (including Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard), making sense of his role in the film 180 South, his new apparel brand, and we finish with a lightning round of doppelganger questions to truly understand the common ground of being a Jeff Johnson.

If you find anything in this episode helpful or inspiring, please share it with a friend so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks!

Episode Links

Jeff’s Instagram

Jeff’s Website

SPC/LST

Bend to Baja: A Biofuel Powered Surfing and Climbing Roadtrip

180 South: Conquerors of the Useless

Way High Kick Turn

Jeff’s Signature Shoe Model with SeaVees

Connect with Nature Junkie

Substack: https://naturejunkie.substack.com/

Instagram: @naturejunkieradio

Website: www.naturejunkielife.com

Production Credits

Hosted by Jeff Johnson

Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry

Outro music by Tyler Johnson

Editing by Aashish M. 

To slap a single label on Jon Rose would be inaccurate. But several might help, so here goes. Jon was a pro surfer during an era when being a Freesurfer was a good way to make a living. He’s been a model in partnership with brands like Dockers, Tumi, Kenneth Cole, and others. In 2009, he was called into action by the massive earthquake in Sumatra, which led to founding a non-profit called Waves for Water. To date, his organization has positively impacted nearly 4 million people with access to clean water, activated programs in over 40 countries, and responded to over 30 disasters globally. He’s also a photographer, storyteller, and in recent years has been doing high altitude mountaineering in the Himalayas. Yep, he’s a first rate Nature Junkie.

Jon joined me from his home in Lake Tahoe and we talked about him completing a ten year project in Nepal to build a house for a widow, his Mount Shasta upbringing that led to an early father and son dirtbag surf mission deep into Baja and mainland Mexico, his globetrotting pro surfing career, the founding of Waves for Water, the wisdom he’s learned from indigenous communities around the world, prioritizing nature over tech, and nature’s role in psychedelic integration work.

If you find anything in this episode helpful or inspiring, please share it with a friend so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks!

Episode Links

Jon Rose on Instagram

Jon Rose’s Website

Waves for Water

Waves for Water on on Instagram

IG Reel from Jon/W4W of Anjali’s House Unveiling (have some tissues handy, it’s emotional)

Connect with Nature Junkie

Substack: https://naturejunkie.substack.com/

Instagram: @naturejunkieradio

Website: www.naturejunkielife.com

Production Credits

Hosted by Jeff Johnson

Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry

Outro music by Tyler Johnson

Editing by Aashish M. 

When I first delved into nature research, it wasn’t long before I came across the name, Dr. David Strayer, our guest today on the latest episode of Nature Junkie Radio. What stood out to me was that his curiosity to understand the neuroscience of nature connection was informed by his direct experiences while river rafting, deeply immersed in nature. He felt what Edward Abbey felt in Desert Solitaire, but then he took it to the next level to help us understand the science of our brains on nature.

Dr. Strayer is a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Utah and part of a group of scientists in the emerging field of environmental neuroscience. He’s published numerous papers on how nature affects our attention, cognition, and creativity, but he doesn’t take the typical approach. Many of Dr. Strayer’s studies are actually conducted in the wild, which is much harder than you think. 

Dr. Strayer joined me from a place near the water in Port Townsend Washington while I was at home in San Diego. We talked about the white water rafting experiences that drove his scientific curiosity about nature, overcoming the challenges of the early days of doing research in the wild, Attention Restoration Theory, Stress Recovery Theory, The 3-day effect, virtual reality nature vs. real life nature, fractals, forest bathing, and more. This one’s for those of you who like to dive below the surface level understanding of nature connection.

If you find anything in this episode helpful or inspiring, please share it with a friend so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks!

Episode Links

Dr. David Strayer at The University of Utah

The Nature Fix by Florence Williams

The 3-Day Effect audiobook by Florence Williams

Dr. Adam Gazzaley

Dr. Ruthann Atchley 

Dr. Paul Atchley

Dr. Marc Berman

Connect with Nature Junkie

Substack: https://naturejunkie.substack.com/

Instagram: @naturejunkieradio

Website: www.naturejunkielife.com

Production Credits

Hosted by Jeff Johnson

Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry

Outro music by Tyler Johnson

Editing by Aashish M. 

Finding a campsite can be a real pain in the ass sometimes. But that was just the catalyst Josh Jackson needed to explore our western public lands for the last several years. And now he’s ready to tell their stories, along with his own.

Josh is a writer, photographer, husband, father, and speaker whose work champions the wild beauty and overlooked value of America’s public lands.

In his new book, The Enduring Wild Josh takes us along his journey of exploring California’s BLM lands through thought-provoking essays and immersive photography.

Josh and I spoke at Crystal Cove State Park on a late spring morning, after enjoying a hike together through the hills overlooking the ocean. In our conversation Josh shares the catalyst for his book, the unexpected beauty of public lands, and the lost art of slowing down. We delve into place attachment theory, environmental challenges, current threats to BLM lands, reciprocity, and how to carry out the most ridiculously simple act of noticing nature.

If you find anything in this episode helpful or inspiring, please share it with a friend so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks!

Episode Links

The Enduring Wild by Josh Jackson

Josh on Instagram @forgottenlandsproject

Josh’s Substack Forgotten Lands Project

Josh’s Website

Bureau of Land Management

The Solace of Open Spaces by Gretel Ehrlich 

Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place by Terry Tempest Williams 

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

Place and Placelessness by Edward Relph

Baba Dioum

Place Attachment Theory

This America of Ours by Nate Schweber 

The Trouble with Wilderness by William Cronon 

The State of Change by Laura Cunningham 
The California Field Atlas by Obi Kaufmann

Connect with Nature Junkie

Substack: https://naturejunkie.substack.com/

Instagram: @naturejunkieradio

Website: www.naturejunkielife.com

Production Credits

Hosted by Jeff Johnson

Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry

Outro music by Tyler Johnson

Editing by Aashish M. 

Our guest today, Captain Liz Clark is one of those courageous souls who turned her massive dream into a reality. Liz sailed into the wild unknown on her 40-foot sailboat, named Swell, and voyaged around the world for 10 years. As you might imagine, she’s got a few stories to tell. 

After her trip she wrote a moving memoir about her experiences, and aptly titled the book Swell: A Sailing Surfer’s Voyage of Awakening. Her story is as much an exploration of her inner landscape as it is about the beautiful, and oftentimes terrifying, experiences in the vast wilds of the open ocean. 

Our conversation found Liz at her home in Tahiti, where she’s now married, adjusting to life on land, running a local environmental non-profit, and continuing to live a life deeply intertwined with nature. We talked about the benefits of tuning into the subtleties of nature, taking care of our planet, dodging deadly lightning storms, and the importance of turning our most audacious dreams into reality.

If you find anything in this episode helpful or inspiring, please share it with a friend so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks!

Episode Links

Liz Clark’s Website

Liz Clark’s Instagram

Liz Clark’s Book

Liz Clark’s Non-Profit A Ti’a Matairea

Connect with Nature Junkie

Substack: https://naturejunkie.substack.com/

Instagram: @naturejunkieradio

Website: www.naturejunkielife.com

Email: [email protected]

Production Credits

Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry

Outro music by Tyler Johnson

Editing by Aashish M. 

Hey everyone, we’re back in action! Today’s guest is Timmy O’Neill. Timmy is best known as one of the top climbers in the world. He holds records for speed ascents in Yosemite, he’s put up first ascents in Patagonia, he lived in a cave in Joshua Tree for 60 days, he’s been in numerous adventure films and documentaries, my favorite being 180 South, he’s made films like Soundscape, he co-founded Paradox Sports, an organization dedicated to defying the idea that people with so called “disabilities” can’t live a life of adventure. Besides all of Timmy’s achievements, I’ve always found him to be a fascinating, high-stoke human who makes a lot of meaning out of his connections with nature so it’s an honor to share our conversation.  

In this convo we cover Timmy’s childhood nature haunts, his Joshua tree cave epiphanies, how wild nature enables time travel that transcends epochs, the radness of rocks and how they slow us down. We attempt to unravel the mystery of stoke, Timmy shares his love of wordplay and writing the lyrics of life, founding Paradox Sports, letting moonrises melt frustration, making the film Soundscape with Eric Weihnmayer, and his favorite nature book recommendations. 

If you find anything in this episode helpful or inspiring, please share it with a friend so we can bend the algorithms toward nature.Thanks!

Episode Links

Timmy O’Neill on Instagram

Timmy O’Niell’s Website 

Paradox Sports Non-Profit

Soundscape Film

Timmy’s Band - Par Avion

The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf

A World on the Wing by Scott Weidensaul

An Immense World Ed Young

The Overstory by Richard Powers

Wild Life Documentary on Kris Tompkins

Connect with Nature Junkie

If anything in this episode was helpful or stoked you out, please hit the share button and tell a friend, leave an awesome review, or comment so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks!

Instagram: @naturejunkieradio

Website: www.naturejunkielife.com

Newsletter: Sign Up Here

Email: [email protected]

Production Credits

Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry

Outro music by Tyler Johnson

Editing by Aashish M. 

John Hook is a Funtographer, supermodel, and next-level biohacker (you won’t believe what he used to fuel his body and mind to swim maxing Waimea Bay for 9 hours of energy. It’s a secret that Huberman, Rogan, and Ferriss couldn’t find if they searched in dark, Himalayan caves for decades. Spoiler Alert: No, it’s not ashwagandha infused yak milk). 

All kidding aside, John is an ace photographer known for his moody Pipeline shots on film, his reality-bending double exposures, and his unique eye for capturing the magic of Hawaii through the lens of a local tourist. He’s a badass with his craft and seems to be having the most fun.   

I wanted to talk with John because he was one of a handful of photographers that got to shoot the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational from the water - twice! It’s such a rare phenomenon that it’s akin to being an astronaut. Also, John is a fun storyteller and I knew if we talked story he would bring his experience to life in a way that helps you feel like you’re right there in the water with him (jet skis revving and all!). We also get into what stokes him out on nature, his spirit animal, his creative inspirations (there might be aliens involved), and how we’re just tiny little visitors on this weirdly beautiful planet!

Episode Links

Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational

John Hook on Instagram 

John Hook Prints at The Surfer’s Journal

Polynesian Voyaging Society

Wayne Levin Photography

Connect with Nature Junkie

If anything in this episode was helpful or stoked you out, please hit the share button and tell a friend, leave an awesome review, or comment so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks!

Instagram: @naturejunkieradio

Website: www.naturejunkielife.com

Newsletter: Sign Up Here

Email: [email protected]

Production Credits

Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry

Outro music by Tyler Johnson

Editing by Aashish M. 

Kate Williams is the CEO of the non-profit 1% for the Planet. She’s dedicated the last decade to a wide range of environmental conservation efforts by building and leading an awesome team, and expanding the 1% for the Planet model and impact globally. On top of that, she’s just a gem of a human and I always enjoy chatting with her about all things brand impact. 

In our conversation we get into Kate’s early nature experiences and how they show up for her as leader today. She shares the origin story of 1% for the Planet by Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia along with Craig Matthews, the founder of Blue Ribbon Flies. Kate lays out the powerful simplicity of the 1% model, the impact they’re making, and the characteristics of the people and brands that comprise the 1% for the Planet community. Since I recently attended the 1% for the Planet Global Summit in San Diego, I also shared some brief interviews from brands and non-profits to help you get a sense of what it means to collaborate under this model.

For  individuals, I highly encourage you to reach for brands bearing the 1% for the Planet badge because they’re walking the talk. For brands looking for ways to ramp up your impact and avoid greenwashing, please check out 1% for the Planet and reach out to Kate and her team to learn more.

Episode Links

1% for the Planet

@1percentftp

Zafrán

Germinar

Thin Green Line

More about Constance “Connie” Mwandaa

Connect with Nature Junkie

If anything in this episode was helpful or stoked you out, please hit the share button and tell a friend, leave an awesome review, or comment so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks!

Instagram: @naturejunkieradio

Website: www.naturejunkielife.com

Newsletter: Sign Up Here

Email: [email protected]

Production Credits

Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry

Outro music by Tyler Johnson

Editing by Aashish M. 

Wallace J. Nichols, or J as he’s better known to friends and family, is the author of the book Blue Mind: The Surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do. His book, and his continual work on spreading its message, sparked a global Blue Mind movement that I hope will keep rippling out for decades to come. 

Sadly, J passed away only a handful of months after we recorded this interview. While his loss will be deeply felt by many around the world forever, he wanted his powerful message to be shared and the work is far from done.  

In this interview, J delivers a masterclass on Blue Mind. Over the last decade, J honed the fundamentals of Blue Mind so tightly, which means that this conversation is layered with his wisdom that I know I’ll be studying for years to come. I hope you find something meaningful in this conversation, and if you do, please share it with a friend so we can keep J’s wave flowing out into the world.

Thank you J for the mentorship you’ve given me, even when you didn’t know it. I’ll be forever grateful. Deepest condolences to J’s family and may he rest in peace. As J always said - “I wish you water.”

Episode Links

Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do 

Exploring Our Blue Mind: Dr. Wallace J. Nichols at TEDxSanDiego 2012

Neuroconservation -- your brain on nature: Wallace J. Nichols at TEDxSantaCruz

Blue Mind in the Desert | Dr. Wallace J. Nichols | TEDxFountainHills

Wildcoast / Serge Dedina

Bobby Lane 

Justin Feinstein’s research on float tanks

Run It by My Morning Jacket

Motherfucker Awards by Kyle Thiermann 

Wallace J. Nichols Memorial Fund Go Fund Me

Connect with Nature Junkie

If anything in this episode was helpful or stoked you out, please hit the share button and tell a friend, leave an awesome review, or comment so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks!

Instagram: @naturejunkieradio

Website: www.naturejunkielife.com

Newsletter: Sign Up Here

Email: [email protected]

Production Credits

Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry

Outro music by Tyler Johnson

Editing by Aashish M. 

Hey everyone, we’ve got another legend on the pod today - Chris Burkard. Chris is a master storyteller, adventurer, and world class Nature Junkie. His jaw dropping photography takes us to some of the most remote and raw places on the planet, he has a TED talk that will motivate you to get way out of your comfort zone, he’s made several award winning films, and his beautiful photo essay books grace the coffee tables of people around the world. He’s even owned alpacas. Seriously. Beyond that, he’s a husband, father, and just a solid human that’s always willing to share his stoke. 

In true Burkard fashion, he took this interview while parked off the side of the Ring Road in Iceland near a river surrounded by majestic mountains. Chris and I talked about raising kids to explore nature, traversing both the inner landscape of our minds as well as raw outer landscapes, whether or not photography elicits flow, striking the balance between work and play, his new film The Forgotten Coast, making meaning out of trips and stories through continuous reflection, learning how to properly chill out, and what it means to Chris to be an environmentalist. 

Episode Links

Chris Burkard’s Instagram

Chris Burkard’s BTS Instagram

Chris Burkard’s Website & Print Shop

The Forgotten Coast Film

Play by Stuart Brown and Christopher Vaughan

Connect with Nature Junkie

If anything in this episode was helpful or stoked you out, please hit the share button and tell a friend, leave an awesome review, or comment so we can bend the algorithms toward nature. Thanks!

Instagram: @naturejunkieradio

Website: www.naturejunkielife.com

Newsletter: Sign Up Here

Email: [email protected]

Production Credits

Podcast cover art by Ahab Nimry

Outro music by Tyler Johnson

Editing by Aashish M.