The Human Adventure

#249 - What happens when the thing you’re most tempted to hide becomes the reason other people feel brave? Fashion designer and artist Wildy Martinez joins me for a conversation that moves from New York City childhood memories in Washington Heights and the Bronx to a hard-earned kind of confidence that only comes from being seen. Wildy shares what it was like growing up first-gen Dominican, learning independence early, and using imagination as a way to build a world bigger than her block. 

We talk about her path into fashion, from sketching as a kid to studying at FIT and working in the industry, plus the pressure that can come with trying to be “cool” when you’re a young teen who actually loves school. Then the story pivots into the pandemic reset that sparked Wildflower Fields, her creative umbrella for fashion, art, and storytelling, and how the NFT wave introduced her to new ways of thinking about digital art, proof of ownership, and legacy. 

At the center is vitiligo. Wildy breaks down what vitiligo is as an autoimmune condition, what it felt like to spend more than a decade covering her skin, and why representation matters for kids and adults who are living with visible differences. We also get into AI in creativity, the ethics of who gets represented in datasets, and how tools can be used to expand human imagination rather than erase it. 

If you’ve ever felt different, underestimated, or stuck hiding a part of yourself, this one will land. Subscribe to The Human Adventure, share this episode with a friend, and leave a rating or review so more people can find these stories.

To learn more about Wildy check out her website www.wildflowerfields.art and check her out on Instagram @thewildflowerfields.

To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.

Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Discover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.

Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#248 - What do you do with a loss that never fully leaves you? I sat down with Nicole Jones Vogel, who lost her father to suicide at 25 and has spent the years since turning grief into advocacy, education, and real-world support for others. We go deep on what suicide loss actually feels like over time, why it can carry extra stigma and guilt, and how healing often happens in layers rather than milestones.

Nicole also teaches me something simple that changed the way I speak: many people in suicide prevention avoid “committed suicide” and say “died by suicide” instead, because words can either add shame or make space for compassion. From there we talk about family dynamics, substance use disorder, mental health, and the exhausting uncertainty of attempts or rehearsals. We also dig into a crucial skill for suicide prevention: asking directly. “Are you having suicidal thoughts?” and “Do you have a plan?” can be the difference between guessing and actually helping, and Nicole explains why talking about suicide doesn’t put the idea in someone’s head.

We also explore what support can look like years later, including AFSP community events, the Out of the Darkness walks, and how a single hug in a hallway can crack open a path toward healing. Nicole shares how she channels her “amplify” year into fundraising and polymer clay semicolon jewelry, a symbol that the story can continue instead of ending. If you care about mental health, men’s mental health, suicide prevention, grief support, and practical ways to show up for someone, this conversation will stay with you.

If this meant something to you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find these stories.

To learn more about Nicole and her work please visit www.finchandfernstudio.com and check her out on Instagram @njonesvogel.

To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.

Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Discover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.

Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#247 - Running away doesn’t heal you, but choosing a new direction might. Taylor Hutcheson (@taywanders) shares the real story behind her full-time travel life, from growing up in North Georgia to becoming a mom at 20 and leaving an abusive, controlling relationship with safety and fear both on the line. We talk candidly about what it takes to rebuild trust in yourself when you’ve been worn down, and why “freedom” is often something you learn by doing. 

From there, adventure becomes more than scenery. Taylor explains how off-roading groups gave her an outlet for trauma, a way to gain confidence, and a community that actually protected and encouraged her. We dig into how she turned content creation into a career, including the moment she discovered UGC (user generated content) and realized you can work with brands without chasing a massive following. Then comes the plot twist: an Instagram giveaway that lands her on a trip to Alaska, a place she says “spoke to her soul” and changed what she believed was possible. 

We also get practical about group travel and safety, including how she vets trip sign-ups today and why she prefers systems that let her keep awareness high. Taylor shares Iceland travel tips she’d give any first-timer (including why she says to avoid the Blue Lagoon), plus the hidden side of camper life: homeschooling on the road, building boundaries, and carrying the full mental load as a solo parent and business owner. If you’re into van life, solo travel, adventure therapy, Alaska, Iceland, or building a creator business, you’ll find plenty to take with you. 

Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a push toward their next brave choice, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway. What’s one adventure you’ve been saying “not yet” to?

To learn more about Taylor check out her website www.taywanders.com and give her a follow on Instagram @taywanders. 

To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.

Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Discover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.

Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#247 - He didn’t hop on a skateboard until he was 33 and he still calls himself “awful” at it, which somehow makes what happens next even wilder. Moondog Roop (David, if you ask his mom) joins us to talk about thru-skating: combining long-distance skateboarding with the realities of hiking, carrying the board for hundreds of miles, and committing to the kind of day-after-day grit most people only daydream about.

We get into the real origin story, too. Moondog shares what led to sobriety at 27, the rock-bottom moment that forced him to quit making excuses, and how recovery became less about “not drinking” and more about building a life he actually respects. That foundation shows up everywhere in his adventures, from pushing into fear, to staying present on the road, to choosing the next right move even when his body and brain are begging him to stop.

From the Florida Trail to New Mexico, Texas, and the perimeter of Puerto Rico, we unpack what long distance skateboarding looks like when it’s not a highlight reel: headwinds, heat, water carries, rashes, food poisoning, and the constant risk of traffic. Moondog also shares the moments that keep him coming back, like “roadside love,” trail magic from strangers, and the unexpected stop in Madrid, New Mexico that changed the trajectory of his entire life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s “too late” to start something hard, this conversation is your proof that the clock is not the boss. Subscribe for more human stories like this, share the episode with a friend who needs a push, and leave a rating or review so more people can find the show.

To learn more about Moondog check out his Instagram account @gomoondog.

To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.

Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Discover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.

Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

$200 for cement. $500 for a business upgrade. A few receipts and a real relationship. That’s the kind of giving that actually lands, and it’s what we dig into with Forrest Mcsweeney, founder of the Uplift Project, a grassroots nonprofit focused on direct microgrants and practical support in rural Guyana.

We talk about Forrest’s unconventional upbringing traveling through Central and South America, the outdoor work that funds his seasons, and the six-month solo road trip that sharpened his sense of what matters. Then we get into the story that crystallized his philosophy: a family in Senegal that had everything needed to expand their home except the last $200 for cement. That “last hurdle” becomes the lens for understanding poverty, dignity, and why bottom-up solutions often outperform top-down charity.

From there, Forrest breaks down how the Uplift Project operates with transparency and accountability: interviewing local entrepreneurs, prioritizing women with children, documenting exactly what a $500 grant will buy, and following up with photos and receipts. You’ll hear what that looks like on the ground in remote communities reachable only by boat, plus the ripple effects of funding a seamstress’s solar-powered setup, a baker’s larger oven, and emerging needs like rainwater tanks for clean drinking water, school supplies, and uniforms.

If you care about sustainable development, nonprofit transparency, and real-world impact per dollar, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a rating or review so more people can find these stories.

To learn more about Forrest and The Uplift Project check out www.upliftproject.org. You can also follow along on Instagram @upliftprojectgy and on YouTube @upliftprojectgy.

To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.

Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Discover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.

Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#244 - One impulsive decision changed Joseph Walker’s entire life: at 19, he joined the U.S. Navy to “see the world” and got sent to Italy. Within a day, he felt something click, not because he knew the language or the history, but because the people, the food, and the everyday energy made him want to ask better questions and stay longer.

We trace the moment that sealed it, when Joseph hired a fisherman near Naples to investigate rumors of something submerged offshore. He dove into cold, murky water and uncovered a Roman mosaic, a doorway into the underwater ruins tied to Portus Julius and the strange geology of bradyseism that can raise and lower the coastline over time. That discovery leads to decades of research, guiding, and building off the beaten path Italy experiences that turn archaeology and local storytelling into something you can feel, not just photograph.

From amphitheaters and grape harvests to Sicily’s Norman legacy and the chance to meet a living descendant of Frederick II in Palermo, Joseph explains what most travelers miss when they only do the famous route. We also talk about why hidden gems stay hidden, how real connection still beats screen time, and why he’s choosing to move back to Italy, basing his next chapter in Perugia, Umbria’s “green heart.”

If you love Italy travel, Italian history, cultural tours, and stories where curiosity becomes a compass, hit play. Then subscribe, share this with a friend who daydreams about Italy, and leave a rating or review so more people can find The Human Adventure.

To learn more about Joseph and his book, Buried Italy, check out his website www.italianhistorywithjoseph.com. You can also check out his Instagram account @italian_history_with_joseph for weekly fun history lessons about Italy.

To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.

Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Discover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.

Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#243 - Waiting for the “right” time to travel can quietly turn into years of missed memories. I sat down with Dustin Tichenor, an Indianapolis dad who works a physically demanding warehouse job, to talk about what actually makes a family adventure meaningful when budgets are tight and life is busy.

We get honest about the pressure many parents carry, especially when you didn’t have the family example you wanted growing up. Dustin shares how that pressure can make you feel like a trip only counts if it’s a big-name destination, and how he learned that kids often want something simpler: a surprise, a change of scenery, a hotel pool, and parents who are fully present. Along the way, we talk practical, real-world affordable family travel: driving instead of flying, building weekend getaways within a few hours, using coolers and microwaves to cut food costs, and looking for free attractions like zoos or underrated roadside stops.

Dustin also opens up about starting his travel resource “Can We Go There” and theCWGT.com, learning the ropes with late nights, trial and error, and a lot of persistence. If you’re craving budget road trips, mini vacations, and a mindset shift toward memories over destinations, this one will hit home.

Subscribe for more stories like this, share the episode with a parent who needs a push, and leave a rating or review so more people can find the show. What small trip could you plan in the next 30 days?

To learn more about Dustin and his family's adventures check out www.theCWGT.com and check out his YouTube channel @Can_We_Go_There. You can also follow along on Instagram @can_we_go_there.

To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.

Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Discover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.

Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#242 - A “perfect” itinerary can still produce a forgettable trip. What actually makes travel stick is the human stuff: the meal you can’t stop describing, the guide who made you laugh, the neighborhood you wandered without a plan, the courage it took to go even though you felt nervous. I spoke with Eleanor from Elevate Your Escapes, an award-winning travel advisor and blogger who’s been to 70 countries and helps hundreds of clients each year plan vacations, honeymoons, cruises, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. She is also at Top 30 First Mate (Travel Agent) with Virgin Voyages.

Eleanor shares how she went from a late start with travel to taking a first big leap with a group trip plus solo time in Costa Rica, and how that blend can be a powerful entry point for anyone curious about solo travel. We get honest about loneliness versus being alone, the small choices that create connection on the road, and why Europe keeps pulling her back, especially Greece and Spain for culture, history, and food. If you love cultural travel and foodie travel, her perspective is packed with practical ideas.

We also go behind the scenes on building a travel business. Eleanor explains why Elevate Your Escapes began as a blog idea, how the agency side unexpectedly snowballed, and what changed when she finally went full-time after a layoff gave her the runway to try. She breaks down what travelers don’t expect, like cruise port changes, tendering, and European train strikes, plus why travel insurance matters more than most people think.

If you’re planning your next trip and want it to feel meaningful, not rushed, you’ll leave with a clearer definition of “unforgettable” and a better way to design travel around who you are. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share this with a friend who needs a trip on the calendar, and leave a quick rating or review so more people can find the show.

To learn more about Eleanor please check out her website www.elevateyourescapes.com and give her a follow on Instagram @elevateyourescapes.

To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.

Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Discover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.

Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#241 - Your life can change in less than two months, and then you’re left staring at the silence. Derrik Dyka knows that shock firsthand. After his wife of 24 years is diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, everything moves fast and then stops. Derikk describes freezing, losing his footing, and realizing that without a normal routine to return to, grief can turn into a kind of paralysis.

Then his twin sons give him an unexpected assignment: “Go be James Bond.” That challenge kicks off a solo travel reset across Asia, starting with Tokyo, where the crowds somehow feel isolating, and then shifting to the Philippines, where simple warmth from strangers and daily open water swimming bring him back to himself. We talk about why connection matters more than the destination, why traveling alone changes how you relate to the world, and how small risks can open big doors.

Derikk also shares the deeper thread he only recognized while writing his memoir, Good Grief Travel: the real journey is curiosity, community, and resilience. From a spontaneous friendship with a swim guide to a surreal night at a rural China birthday party where no one shares a language but everyone shares laughter, his stories make a strong case that healing can be built from tiny human moments. We close with practical ways to participate in life again, from walking daily and calling your people to learning your neighbors’ names and setting the table to see who shows up.

If this conversation helps, subscribe to the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a rating or review so more people can find these stories.

To learn more about Derrik and get a copy of his memoir check out goodgrieftravel.com. You can also give him a follow on Instagram @good.grief.travel.

To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.

Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Discover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.

Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure. 

#240 - What if the life you carefully planned suddenly feels too small? That question sits at the heart of my conversation with Dani Campbell, a former teacher who used the pandemic as a wake-up call. She walked away from the school routine, built a camper van, and spent years learning what solo van life really looks like when it’s not just a highlight reel. We get into the courage it takes to choose freedom, especially when your family is surprised, your future isn’t mapped, and you’re figuring it out in real time.

Dani also explains the story behind her brand name, “Stumbling Upon Serendipity,” and why she’s still a planner even while chasing spontaneity. We talk about solo travel as a woman, how her dog Trip helped with the quiet moments, and the practical ways she handles loneliness in cities versus deep solitude in nature with no service. She shares what it takes to fund life on the road through freelance writing, brand collaborations, and social media management, plus the tricky balance between creating content and staying present enough to actually enjoy the adventure.

Then we dive into her 30 before 30 challenge: paragliding, cowboy camping, fitness goals like a marathon and Hyrox, and even the oddly relatable goal of being the “mysterious person” reading in a coffee shop. Dani gets honest about mental health, creative ruts, and the pressure creators feel to be “enough” online, while still choosing a life built around community, stability, and the mountains of Colorado.

Subscribe to The Human Adventure, share this with a friend who’s craving a change, and leave a review if Dani’s story helps you rethink what you’re capable of.

To learn more about Dani and her adventures check out www.stumblinguponserendipity.com and follow her on Instagram @stumblinguponserendipity.

To learn more about me and see clips from past, present, and future shows give me a follow on Instagram @humanadventurepod.

Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Discover the journeys that do more than take you somewhere new—they change the way you see yourself and the world. Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel explores unforgettable adventures, hidden places, and the transformative power of stepping beyond the familiar.

Check out Wayfinder Life-Changing Travel and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Xploreum connects you with authentic wilderness expeditions led by trusted local experts. Browse real adventures, book directly with experienced guides, and get $200 off your first trip using code HumanAdventure2026 at xploreum.io/humanadventure.