The Trail Less Traveled

By Mandela Leola van EedenSociety & Culture

The Trail Less Traveled episodes

November 09, 2020 Music, Culture & Traditions of Western Sahara.
This interview features Mourad El Baggare, who was born in the desert of Western Sahara. Mourad came to Marrakech at age 14 to become a businessman. Mourad now travels through North and West Africa collecting ceremonial masks which he sells to tourists and art collectors in Morocco. Mourad plays traditional music from the Sahara to end each segment after speaking eloquently regarding nomadic lifestyle, culture, food, dress, celestial navigation and philosophy.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
50 min
November 08, 2020 Running the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon since 1974 with "Doc".
"Doc" Steve Nicholson was a part of the early rafting descents of the Omo and Blue Nile in Ethiopia in the mid 70s. He started running the Grand Canyon in the early 70s and has run rivers in California, Oregon and Idaho. Doc often is seen rowing a wooden dory. Doc continues to guide whitewater expeditions well into his 70s. Doc practice dentistry for 35 years, he has his private pilot license and flies his own plane to the various rivers he guides on seasonally.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
45 min
November 08, 2020 Class V Kayaking & Rafting around the World with Diego Ibanez.
This episode was recorded on a rooftop in the Medina of Marrakech, Morocco.

It features an interview with Diego Ibanez, who was born in Arequipa, Peru. Diego is one of the worlds most extreme whitewater kayakers/rafters and has guided on the Futaleufú and Zambezi along with most the class V rivers in Peru. Diego and Mandela guided whitewater together in Morocco's Middle Atlas Mountains.
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47 min
June 05, 2020 Racism in America with retired LAPD Vice & Pro Baseball Player, Tommy Cummins.
Tommy Cummins was born in 1944 and grew up in the south. He was shot twice during the Civil Rights and went on to work as a security guard for Ronald Reagan. Tommy has been through a lot in his life, in this interview he talks about his experiences with racism while playing pro baseball for the Pirates in addition to the racism he experienced as an undercover officer with the LAPD. Tommy's son, Chase, also joins the conversation and speaks with his father about the racism he experiences daily. The matter is lightened up occasionally with a few stories including his love for restoring classic cars and the time Tommy saved a young Michael Jackson from drowning in his swimming pool. Tommy lives in Kingman, Arizona and manages to keep laughing and fighting for civil rights on a daily basis.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
44 min
May 22, 2020 Ecology & Human History of South Africa with Amy Mocke.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
55 min
May 08, 2020 Giving Back with the Best Hostel in Africa: THE BACKPACK
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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51 min
May 03, 2020 Streets of Cape Town; Gentrification in Bo-Kaap, Being a Refugee & Rastafarin ways of caring for the pigeons of the city.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
44 min
April 25, 2020 Indiana Jones Stunt Man & Spiritual Action Guide: Carl Rice
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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44 min
April 16, 2020 Professional Stunt Woman and Guinness World Record Holder: Fleur van Eeden
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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 5 min
April 10, 2020 Cheese Making in South Africa & Life on a Dairy Farm.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
49 min

About The Trail Less Traveled

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Dedicated to documenting humanity by gathering stories & sounds from the most remote locations around the world. The goal for the show is to take you, the listener, back to mankind's earliest form…