This episode was recorded on an extremely remote private nature reserve at the most southern point of Africa where Mandela grew up and spent much of her childhood. In this episode we speak with Mandela's cousin, Amy Mocke, a school teacher and professional poisonous snake expert and handler. Amy sometimes helps people move cobras and other extremely dangerous snakes when they are in gardens, houses, barns and garages. Amy is also an animal rights activist and caretaker for many species of animals who deserve a second chance. In this episode, Amy speaks about the ecology and human history of South Africa with a focus on snakes, sharks, whales and other vital species who live in the land, sea and sky.

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This show was recorded in the Backpack Hostel, located in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa. Mandela sits down with, Lee Harris, one of the owners of this multi-award winning backpacker & African travel center. Lee shares the story of starting this hostel with her best friend in 1990 during an Apartheid government.

The Backpack has won countless awards including Best Hostel in South Africa for 2020. The Backpack is an award winning, Fair Trade hostel that invests in people and communities, giving meaningful and relaxed travel experiences. The Backpack are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travelers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and bring supplies for our community project, the GCU Academy, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families. Once we are able to travel again, The Trail Less Traveled highly recommends a visit to South Africa's western cape and while you're there book a stay in The Backpack. www.backpackers.co.za

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During this interview we speak with Lucy, a refugee from Kenya who makes hand made sandals in Green Market Square, a place where slaves were traded in the 1600s.

We also meetup with my good friend, Kipandi, a Rastafarian Olympic long distance runner from Kenya, who now dedicates his life to caring for the pigeons of the city.

We will stand on the corner of the Bo-Kaap, an area of Cape Town formerly known as the Malay Quarter. It is a former township, situated above the city centre and is a historical centre of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town. Bo-Kaap is known for its brightly coloured homes and cobbled stoned streets. The area is traditionally a multicultural neighborhood which currently faces gentrification from the city. We will stand on the corner with a group of Muslim woman who are protesting their continued struggle with Apartheid.

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This episode was recorded in the Mojave Desert at the base of the Grand Wash Cliffs, which mark the geological end of the Grand Canyon. Some of the best interviews take forever to record and this one is no different... for ten years, Mandela has been trying to sit down with the legend himself, Mr. Carl Rice. Carl is a professional Hollywood stunt man & Grand Canyon river guide. Carl was the stunt man for Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones: The Crystal Skull. Carl reflects on spiritual growth through reading and running some of the worlds biggest and most technical whitewater from California to the Zambezi in Southern Africa.

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This show was recorded on the nature reserve where Mandela grew up at the most southern point of Africa. This interview features Mandela's cousin, Fleur van Eeden, an award winning world renowned stunt woman who has done the main stunts for Mad Max, Tomb Raider and many more. Fleur specializes in full body burns, cable work, martial arts, weaponry, horse stunts, high falls and much more. During this episode, Fleur talks about the training that goes into her work and how to prepare mentally before jumping off a moving train or getting exploded out of a 6-story building window. Fleur has doubled Charlize Theron, Meryl Streep, Drew Barrymore, Lena Headley and Helen Mirren among many other Hollywood A listers. Fleur also helped the South African Stunt Performers Association with winning the Guinness World Record for the most amount of people on fire for the longest period of time. During this interview, she talks about what happens behind the scenes and the immense training that goes into being a stunt woman. She also reflects on growing up in a small town in South African and returning home as much as possible to stay grounded by riding her horses and mountain biking in the wine country.

I have attached a link to Fleur's stunt reel which can give you a better idea of how stunt performers work.

Watch her stunt reel here: https://vimeo.com/230488636

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This episode was recorded on my family farm in South Africa's western cape. The interview features my good friend, Elna Fourie, who grew up on a farm located on the other side of the mountains. Elna studied cheese making in France and has been in high demand as a cheese maker in South Africa for the past 18 years. Elna won first prize for best aged Gouda in the country of South Africa in 2019. I do believe you will all enjoy this episode about growing up on a farm in South Africa, what a day in the life of a jersey cow is like, and exactly how different types of cheese are made.

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Doreen stokes lives in Plains, Montana with her husband on 84 acres. She has been a reforestation contractor for over 30 years, planting trees all over the Pacific Northwest. Her greatest passions are surfing, mostly in Costa Rica these days, although she grew up in New Jersey where she started her surfing adventures. Doreen leads safaris in Tanzania, East Africa... where she has initiated tree planting and water projects at the Maasai school in Losirwa. She invites you to join her on safari where you can give back by planting trees on the school grounds. Contact her at: [email protected]

In this episode we talk about how you might go about planting a tree in your area and how it immediately starts to combat CO2 and climate change. Doreen speaks at length about hunter gatherer tribes in east Africa as well as wildlife conservation regarding the plight of the African elephant and rhino. This is a beautiful episode and you'll walk away wanting to start planting trees... be it one tree every year on your birthday or for someone else on their birthday. Before humans starting building cities, 60% of the earth was covered in trees... now less than 30% is and if we continue to turn a blind eye and do nothing - there will be less than 10% of forest on planet earth by 2030. The time for planting trees and being a mindful consumer is NOW.

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This interviews features an in depth look at nomadic life in the largest desert on earth. Featuring men from Arabic, Bedouin, Berber & Tuareg tribes who were born and raised in a nomadic family utilizing camels and constant movement as a way of life. From the games they would play as children while herding goats to the staple items one must have in order to survive, including camel milk, dates, salted meat, wells, celestial navigation, turbans and family. Learn why being a nomad teaches you patience and hospitality. Learn why stress doesn't exist in a nomad's life. This interview will take you into a carpeted tent under some of the tallest sand-dunes in the world during a full moon while the sand-storms blow to the West.

This will forever remain one of my most cherished recordings.

We have so much to learn from how the nomadic tribes survive and exist in the Sahara Desert.

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Mohammed Ait Bahadou was born and raised in the Sahara Desert and now calls Marrakech his home. Mohammed grew up in a mud hut in the desert and sold fossils to tourists before starting his own business running cultural tours around Morocco. Mohammad is fluent in 8 languages including: English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Arabic, Berber & Italian. He has raving fans who are now friends, all over the world. In this interview, Mohammed tells the history of Morocco, Islam, culture, food, table manners and some tips and highlights on Morocco for those who wish to travel there. 

For more info check out www.moroccooneearthtours.com

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This episode features an interview with three individuals from various backgrounds who reflect on culture in Morocco & the Sahara Desert. Mabrouk was born and raised in the Sahara and gives us incredible insight into how nomads use celestial navigation, camels & turbans. Abdul was born in Marrakech and lived 16 years in New York City... he reflects on the differences between culture in the USA & Morocco. Ahmed was born in Oman & has a lot to say about the lack of freedom of speech in Morocco as well as his craving for equality in his country.

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